Glass h .^4-7 Book .E r4p4 Y, / HISTOEY EFFINGHAM COUNTY, miiiNois. S^EDITED BY WILLIAM HENRY PERI^IN.^ e/} . ■— -~<^ ILaLaUSTRATRD. CHICAGO : 4 O. L BASKIN & CO , HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS, Lakeside Building. 1883. ^'V-'b^ Oi oa-^g^i CONTENTS. PART I. HISTORICAL. PAGK. CHAPTER I.— Introductory— The First Pioneer— Griffin Tip- sword — His Suporstitious Eccentricities — The Fifty-One Families — Timber and Prairies— Obstacles to Settlement — Wild Beasts and Insects— Beu Campbell— Moralizing on Pioneer Experience — Some Anecdotes and Incidents of Campbell— His Last Marriage and Death- Requiescat In Pace II CHAPTER II.— Topography and Physical Features— North- western Elevation or Mounds— The Little Wabash Bluffs — Geology — Relations Between Physical Geography and Geological Structure — Formation of Rocks — ■ Natural Forces — The Florida Reefs— Petrifactions— Human Re- mains — Coal — Iron Ore and Building Rock — Mineral Waters — Origin of the Prairies, etc 22 CHAPTER III.— Organization of the County— Act of the Legislature Treating It — Location of First County Seat — Extracts from the Early Records — First Land Entries — Census and Taxes — Marriages — Schools — Their Origin and Improvements — Some New Facts and Theories on Education — William J. Hankins — Early Elections — Effingham in the Black Hawk War 36 CHAPTER IV.— Character of the Pioneers— Great Men- Cum- berland Road— Toll Bridge — The First Census — Hard Life — How Brockett Played Bull Calf — Piuneer Women — Wild Honey — Coffee as Bean Soup — Dr. Biahi'p's Mills —The Killing of Hill— Rod Jenkins and Whisky— Boley- jack, etc., etc 55 CHAPTER v.— Legal Life of the County— List of Officers- Boards of Supervisors — Their Official Duties— Farming and Stock Raising— Agricultural Societies, Their Meet- ings and Officers — The Good Accomplished, etc., etc 70 CHAPTER VI.— Population, Farm Products and Other Statis- tics — Fortigneis — Our Own People and their Politics — Hueh Money — How Kept and IIow Invested — Removal of County Seat — Township Organization — Rich Mines — "Gold, yea, Much Fine Gold "—The "Way-Bill,'* and Where it Led — Salt Creek Silver— The Deserted Cabin, etc 77 CHAITEU VII.— War History— Our Struggle witli Mexico- Soldiers Furnished— The Great Rebellion— Effingham's Part In It— The Press —" Kffintjham Pioneer " — The " Register "—Other Newspapers and Their Success and Influence, etc., etc.- ST PAOB. CHAPTER VIII.— Internal Improvements— The Illinois Cen- tral Railroad — It* Great Importance as a Highway — IIol- brook Charters — The Part Taken in the Road by Judge Breese and Judge Douglas — Completion of the Road — Brough's Failures — Vandalia Line — Its Construction — Opened for Business- Other Railroads, etc., etc. 96 CHAPTER IX.— Retrospection— Moralizing on the Flight of Time — Post Office, Telegrajths, etc. — The Singing and Writing Masters — "Fling, Dang, Doodle, Da" — Literary Tastes of the County — Examination of a Schoolmaster — The Dutch Town War— A Bit of Church Gossip— Vale- dictory, etc 124 CHAPTER X.— The Bench and Bar— Early Courts of Effing- ham County — Lawyers from .\broad — Judges of this Ju- dicial District — Sketches of Ewing, Field and Davis — Natui-alizatioii of Gen. Shields — Gov, Ford and Sidney Breese — Other Legal Luminaries, Past and Present — The Present County Bar, etc l.'J2 CHAPTER XL— Douglas Townsliip— Its Boundaries and To- pography — Early Settlement -=- American and German Pioneers — The Bull Flatters — Progress and Advancement — Pioneer Incidents — Church and School History — The Railroad and the Birth of Effingham, etc., etc 145 CHAPTER XII.— City of Effingham— The Old Town of Brough- ton — Laying Out of the New City — Its Boundaries and Additions — Firet Houses, Stores and Post Offices — Hotels. Manufactories, etc— Tho Fire Department — City Organi- zation and Officials — Railroads and the Press — Literary Societies, etc., etc 150 CHAPTER Xni.— City of Effingham— Its Religious History- Early Churches and Preachera— Organization of Different Denominations — Secret and Benevi)lont Institutions, Freemasonry, etc. — Early Schools of the Town — Present Educational Facilities — Mercy Hosjtital, etc., etc 160 CHAPTER XIV«— Summit Township- Introductory and De- scriptive — Timber, Surface Features, etc — Settlement of White People — Their Rough Life and Habits — Hunting as a Pastime*— Fii-st Schools and Present Educational Fa- cilities — Early Churches — Pioneer Preachers, etc — Towns and Villages— The Old County Seat, etc., etc 167 CHAPTER XV.— Mound Township— Introduction. Description and Topography — Settlement of the Township — Pioneer Life — Churches and Schools — Blue Mound — The Village of Altamont — Its Growth and Development — Grain Busi- ness and Manufactorits — Schools. Churches, etc.. etc 181 CONTENTS. PAOE. CHAPTER XVI.— urason Township — Topographical and De- scriptive — Settlement — Bro^m, the Stewarta and other Pioneers — A Fourth of July Celebration — Schools and Churches — An Incident — Villages — Growth and Develop- ment of Mason — Its Business Importance — Edgewood — Laid out as a Town — Stores, Shops, Churches and Socie- ties 188 CHAPTER XVII.— Watson Township- Surface and Physical Features— Coming of the White Settlere— Their Loca- tions and Claims — Sketches of Some of the Noted Ones — Mills and Other Pioneer Industries— Schools and School- houses — Churches — Village of Watson — Its Growth and •- Business 200 CH A PTER XVII [.—Jackson Township- Introduction and Gen- eral Description — Topography, etc. — Settlement of White People — Pioneer Improvements and Business Industries — Some Early Incidents — Births, Deaths and Marriages — Mills, Roads, etc. — Schools and Churches — Villages, etc., etc 212 CHAPTER XIX.— Union Township— Introductory -Bound- aries and Topography — White Settlement — Frederick Brockett — Other Pioneers — locident* of Early Life — The First Roads — Educational— Schoolhouses — Churches, etc. Flemsburg Village— A Tragedy and its Results 220 CHAPTER XX.— St. Francis Township— Description and Topog- raphy — The First Settlers and Their Hardships — A Trag- edy—Mills, Roads and Other Improvements — Early Religious History — Churches and Preachers — Schools, Schoolhouses, etc. — The Village of Montrose — Its Growth, Development, etc 229 CHAPTER XXI.— Liberty Township— Its Physical Features- Timber Growth, etc. — Early Settlement — Pioneer. Hard- ships- industries and Improvements — The State of So- ciety — Educational and Religiovis — Beecher City — A Vil- lage of Large Pretensions — Its Business, Churches, Schools, Benevolent Societies, etc 238 CHAPTER XXII.— Lucas Township— Introductory— Topogra- phy and BuunJaries — Pioneer Occupation — Where the Settlers Came From — Their Early Life Here — Growth and Improvement of the Country — Mills, etc. — Educational Facilities— Churches and Preachers — Villages, etc., etc... 242 CHAPTER XXIII.— Teutopolis Township— Its Description and Formation — Topography — The Prairie and Timber Soils — German Emigrants — Village of Teutopolis — The Ger- man Colony — Growth of the Village — Schools — St. Jo- seph's College — Sisters of Notre Dame — The Church — Village Incorporation and Officers 250 CHAPTER XXIV.— West Township— latroductory and De- scriptive — Topography and Physical Features — The First Settlements — Pioneer Industries and Internal Improve- ments — An Incident — Schools, Churches, etc, — Village of Gilmore — War Record and Experience, etc , 257 CHAPTER XXV— Banner Township— Topography, Timber Growth, etc. — The Settlement — Bingeman, Rentfrow and Other Pioneers — Wolf Hunts — Churches and Church In- fluences — Schools — Village of Shumway — Its Growth and Development — Religious and Educational Facilities 2G4 CHAPTER XXVL— Moccasin Township— Configuration and Boundaries— Streams, Timber, etc. — Pioneer Settlement — Early Life of the People — An Incident — Churches and Preachers — The First Schoolhouse — Schools of the Pres- ent—Moccasin Village — Platted— General Business of the Place 270 CHAPTER XXVII.— Bishop Township— Topography and Sur- face Features- Coming of the Pioneers— Their Hard Times and Vicissitudes — The Early Improvements in Liv- ing — Roads, Mills, etc. — Schools and Schoolhouses — Religious History — Churchesand Preachers — The Village of Elliottstown, etc., etc 274 PART II. BIOGRAPHICAL, PAGE. Effingham City and Douglaa Township 3 Mound Townahip >5 Lucas Township 124 Teutopolis Township 141) Mason Township 148 Jackson Township 179 Liberty Township 196 West Township 208 Watson Township '. 21T Moccasin Township 228 Bishop Township 238 St. Francis Township 244 Union Township 251 Banner Township 257 Summit Township 2(»1 Addendum— Weiler 4 Meyer 286 PORTRAITS. PAGE. Beecher, H. L 279 Bcrnbard, H 16 Broom, John 189 Dawson, Robert 32 Field, L. J 171 Gillenwaters,!. J 27 Groves, John N 153 Gwin, J. N 81 -Hoeny, John 45 Kepley, Henry B 117 Le Crone, John 63 Leith, David 48 Mitchell, Calvin 135 Bice, S. S 207 Scolt, Owen 99 Stair, Jacob 64 Tennery, Thomas D 171 Williamson, D 243 Wills, John 225 Woody, John 171 Wright, C. M 261 PREFACE AFTER several months of laborious research and persistent toil, the histor}- of Effing- ham County is complete, and it is our hope and belief that no subject of general importance or interest has been overlooked or omitted, and even minor facts, when of sufficient note to be worth}' of record, have been faithfull}- chronicled. In short, where protracted investigation promised results commensurate with the undertaking, matters not onlj' of undoubted record but legendarj lore, have been brought into requisition. We are well aware of the fact that it is next to impossible to furnish a perfect history from the meager resources at the command of the historian under ordinary circumstances, but claim to have prepared a work fully up to the standard of our engagements. Through the courtesy and assistance generously afforded, we have been enabled to trace out and put into systematic shape the greater portions of the events that have transpired in the county up to the present time, and we feel assured that all thoughtful persons interested in the matter will recognize and appreciate the importance of the work and its permanent value. A dry statement of facts has been avoided, so far as it was possible to do so, and anecdote and incident have been interwoven with plain recital and statistics, thereb\' forming a narrative at once instructive and entertaining. We are indebted to H. C. Bradsby, Esq., for his very able general history of the county comprised in the first nine chapters ; to B. F. Kagay, Esq., for the chapter on the " Bench and Bar ;" to Charles Eversman, Esq., for chapter on Teutopolis, and to G. M. Le Crone, Esq., and many other citizens of the county for material aid in making the proper compilation of facts embodied in the work. Fkbruart, 1883. THE PUBLISHERS. . Q^ ■-< - ^. . J^ ff.4.f R.S E R.6.E . PART I HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY, CHAPTER I.* INTRODUCTORY— THE FIRST PIONEER— GRIFFIN TIPSWORD— HIS SUPERSTITIOUS ECCENTRICITIES —THE FIFTY-ONE FAMILIES— TIMBER AND PRAIRIES- OBSTACLES TO SETTLEMENT- WILD BEASTS AND INSECTS— BEN CAMPBELL— MORALIZING ON PIONEER EXPERI- ENCE—SOME ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS OF CAMPBELL— HIS LAST MARRIAGE AND DEATH— REQUIESCAT IN PACE. " I stand alone, like some dim shaft which throws Its shadows on the desert waste, while they Who placed it there are gone — or like the tree Spared by the ax upon the mountain's cliff. Whose sap is dull, while it still wears the hue Of life upon its withered limbs." — The Aged Pioneer. TO rescue from fast-fading traditions the simple annals of tlie pioneer people of our county is a pleasing but a laliorious tasli, notso laborious as perplexing, the annoyances arising from there being now no connected record of their official acts and doings. Many of the earliest and most important legal papers are gone beyond recovery; many of them were never put in a more permanent form than mere slips or scraps of unbound sheets of papers, stuck carelessly away, not even marked or filed; some not dated, and others again ad- dressed to no one. Then, in the burning the court house in 1868, many were consumed or destroyed in being removed. •Tho Chuptera fullowing on the bhtory of the county at large are written by H. C. Dradsby, Esq. To suppi}- this loss of important papers, with their invaluable facts and statistics, is now largely forever impossible. But to meet and converse with the few now living of these early settlers — those who came here as children, or as very young men and women, and are now fast approaching or have passed the allotted threescore and ten, stooped with age, venerable patriarchs mostly, and their white-haired " blessed mothers in Israel," companions and helpmeets — has been the most pleasing task of our life. To gather up the raveled threads of the strange but simple stories of their lives — now mostly broken threads — to catch these fleeting traditions and fireside histories, and hand them on to posterity', might well be the ambitious labor of any man's life. The importance that attaches to the lives, character and work of these humble laborers in the cause of humanity and civilization will some daj- be better understood and appreciated than it is now. Thej- willsome time, by the pen of 13 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. the wise historian, take their proper place in the list of those immortals who have helped to make this world wholesome with their toil and their sweat and their Ijlood. Of them all the pioneer was the humblest, but not the meanest nor the most insignificant. They laid the foundations on which rests the civilization of the Western Hemisphere. If the work was done well, then the edifice stands upon an enduring rock; if ill, then upon the sands; and when the winds and the rains beat upon it, it will tremble and fall. If great and beneficent results — results that endure and bless mankind — are the proper meas- ure of the good men do, then who is there in the world's historj' that maj' take their places above these hardy, early pioneers? To point out the wa}', to make possible our present advancing civilization, its cheap and happy homes, its cheap food, its arts, sciences, inventions and discoveries, its education, litera- ture, culture, refinement and social life and joj', is to be the truly great benefactor of all man- kind and for all time. This, indeed, was the great work of these adventurous pioneers. Grant it, captious friend, that they builded wiser than they knew; that few, if any of them, ever realized in the dimmest way the transcend- ant possibilities that rested upon their should- ers. Grant it that, as a rule, their lives were aimless and ambitionless, with little more of hope, or far-reaching purposes, than the savage or the wild beasts that were their neighbors. Yet there stands the supreme fact that they fol- lowed their restless impulses, took their lives in their hands, penetrated the desert wilderness, and with a patient energy, resolution and self- sacrifice that stands alone and unparalleled, they worked out their allotted tasks, and to-daj' we are here in the enjoyment of the fruitage of their labors. Should we allow their names and their fame to pass into oblivion and contempt, the act would mark us as the degenerate sons of heroic sires, unworthy the inheritance they gave us. To say that in this work it is proposed to write the history, in the broad and large mean- ing of that word, would be a careless use of language — would be promising more than it is possible for us to do; for history in its true sense is philosophy in its highest type, teach- ing by example. But to gather such facts, in- cidents, statistics and circumstances, trifling or important, as are left to us, and place them in a durable form, and transmit them, ready to hand, to the future and real historian, is all that one can attempt or hope to do in a manner at all satisfactory. To tell their simple annals in their chronological order, to secure something of the substance ere the shadows wholly fade, IS enough to attempt now. In the 3'ear 1814 or 1815, Griffin Tips word came to this part of Illinois and took up his abode with the Kickapoo Indians. These In- dians then occupied what is now parts of Fay- ette, Shelby and Effingham Counties. South of the Kickapoos were the Winnebagoes and Del- awares. At that time these Indians were peace-" ably disposed, and, it seems, were indifferent as to the coming of the lone, straggling, white man. We make no doubt that Tipsword was the first white man that was ever here. He was a strange compound of white man b}' birth and Indian b^' adoption. He was a self-exile from civilization in his native Virginia, and by choice a roving nomad, who sought the solitudes of pathless woods, the dreariness of the desert waste, in exchange for the trammels of civilized society. Of the latter, he could not endure its restraints, and he despised its comforts and pleasures. His soul yearned for freedom — free- dom in its fullest sense, applied to all property, life and everjthing, here and hereafter. He hunted in the Indian chase, talked in their dia- lect, danced their dances, and to show how fully he was for them, with them and of them, he gave them his oldest son, who remained with them wholly for years, in order that he might be fully educated in their ways. HISTORY OF EFFINGUAM COUNTY. 13 Moses Dotj- was a nt'phevv of Tipsword, and from liira and the grandsons of the old pioneer we learn that he left Virginia in tlie }ear 1812 and came to Southern Illinois, where he re- mained for two or three j-ears, and then came, with his wife and two children, to this part of tiie State ; that he first lived in the northwest corner of this count}-, and in Shelby, and lived and hunted and migrated as far northwest as Quincy, and then would return to this place. The Indians did much the same in following the game and in searching for new and better hunting ground. For years after he came here he saw no hu- man face except the Indian. His people in Vir- ginia had no word of him for sixteen years after he left tliem. In many respects he was a remarkable man. He had gone West, cut loose from kith and kin, and he didn't burn the bridges behind him, be- cause there were none to burn. He was a pio- neer, a doctor, a missionary preacher, his own bishop, as well as his own committee on ways and means. He hunted, fished, cut bee-trees, and talked with the Indians in their way and fashion. He was as illiterate as they, and he told them in Indian the story of Mount Calvary and the lake of fire and brimstone, and those who had no fears of an angry God had a healths- dread of ills unerring rifle. Beneath God's first temples he pointed the way to heaven to these simple savages. In the trackless woods he met the bad Indian and slew him. He was not only a physician for the poor soul, but he was a " medicine man," who could exorcise witches, conjure ghosts, remove '■ spells," make '• silver tea " for cattle sick of the murrain or otherwise bewitched. He regulated the storms, stayed the angry lightning flashes, and could appease the deep-mouthed thunders as they rolled across the darkened heavens in terrifying peals. He had much to do in his Protean capacity of a luinler, a iialf savage, a doctor, a preacher, and a pioneer, witii no visible means of support except his rifle, and that he lived out a long life (it is supposed over a hundred years) is evidence that he was singularly well adapted to surrounding circumstances. His family name was Souards. He only called himself Tipsword after he came here. It was only in the latter years of his life that he told any one that he had changed his name. Wlien asked why he had done so, he would nod his head toward the south, where he had first lived among the Indians, and repl}' that he did not want to run his " head into the halter." From this and other hints that he gave out in his last years the inference may be drawn that, in his mind, it was much the same whether you saved a savage by preaching or I)}- the rifle. He believed it was the Divine economy to save, and in one way or the other he did a livelj- business. It is not known what particular church he belonged to — perhaps he did not himself know, but the records leave no doubt it was that broad, liberal Catholic faith and practice that gathered up with as much alacrity the Indian with a bullet hole through his head as the saint with finger nails two or three feet long. He was a well-armed drummer in the golden slipper trade, a "rustler" for the golden stairs. He could doctor the body quite as well as the souls. The prevalent diseasesof his da}-, it seems, were witches, spooks, spells and charms. He was as superstitious as his neighbors and quite as illiterate, and yet he must have played many tricks upon his savage followers to retain his power over them, and impress and awe them with a dread of iiis occult powers. His trade was not destroyed by the coming of the first whites and the migration from here of the Indians. He continued to practice medicine, preach and hunt. He kept sacred his witch- balls to the day of his death. These were made of deer's and cow's hair, were large, and held together by a long string. They consti- tuted his materia medica. 14 HISTORY OF EFFIJ^'GHAM COUNTY. Most people then believed implicity in witches and charms; some do now. All dis- eases were the work of witches, and so it was with their cattle. Ghosts could be seen anj" dark night in passing a grave or a graveyard. Hunters would sometimes be almost be- deviled out of their lives by witches that would appear to them in the woods as a beautiful deer, which would career and gallop around them in easj' range and yet, no matter how often he shot, he could not touch them. It came to be well known that a leaden bullet would not touch a witch, but a silver bullet car- ried death on its wings. When this kind of a ball was fired at a witch deer, if the aim was fatal, the deer would run home, return to its human form, go to bed and die. If the shot was not fatal, the witch would go to bed, be sick a long time, and no visitor would be al- lowed to see the wound, nor would the attend- ants tell them the particulars of the ailment. If cattle were sick, it was the witches and nothing would do them any good except " silver tea." This tea was made by boiling a silver coin in water for a long time and giving the water to the sick brute. ' When people were bewitched, thej- would send for Tipsword or take the patient to him. He would doctor them by standing over them, moving about in a mysterious way his witch- balls and muttering a strange guttural jargon, and this was repeated from daj' to day until the witch would fl^' unseen awaj in sore agony and distress and the cure was complete. The good old John Knox, Presbyterian, of Scotland, never had more trouble with witches, or the devil, as he went prowling through the country, in the shape of a snake, a wild boar or some other unknown and unseen wild beast, than did these pioneers and Indians. Men who are now growing old, who were here as children, in the days of unbounded super- stition, can yet tell you how they have often sat around the lour fireside and heard the gathered neighbors tell over their soul-harrowing stories of ghosts and witches. Poor, innocent, credu- lous children, listening, open mouthed, to superstitious fathers and mothers telling fright- ful stories — -stories that would make these youngsters' hair stand out " like quills upon the fretted porcupine." If the story chanced to be too monstrous for even ignorant cre- dulity, then some crooning old granny, well known to the whole neighborhood, was always referred to as a living authoritj-, who had been there and had seen or knew it all. These ignorant superstitions, sucked by the babes with the milk from the mother's beast, have done far more to beat back the cause of civilization among the common people than could all the swarms of greenhead flies, the murderous Indians, the poisonous snakes and wild beasts, the deadly malaria, disease and poverty. Their tendencj' was to breed igno- rance, to raise up a people that believed enor- mously', that never questioned, never doubted, but the more impossible the storj- the more implicitl}' the}' believed. Yet as widespread as were these beliefs in goblins and spells, there are to-day men and women in our county who grew up among such pernicious influences that will tell you of the terrifying beliefs of their childhood and laugh at them. We note this fact with the greatest satisfaction. By their own strength of mind the}' have grown awaj' from the faith of their fathers. A hard thing for anj' one to do — an impossible thing for the weak and slothful- minded to do. An ignorant man of large be- liefs rears his child very differently from a man of large mind, or a man who often doubts and always investigates. The ignorant man takes charge of not onlj' the body of his child which he guides with a rod of iron, but he is equally watchful for its mind and soul and equally severe with his gibbets, chains and slavery upon the slighest signs of deviation from his precepts. He believes in education, provided HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 15 the educator he emploj's is as ignorant and credulous as himself. He believes what his fathers believed, and, by the eternal, his chil- dren shall believe as he does. When the world was, or if it shall ever return to this condition of affiiirs generall}-, it will have reached ca- lamities tliat will surpass all the afflictions of the sword, fire, disease, famines and pesti- lences. To some this maj- be regarded as wandering somewhat from our text, especially our sketch of GrifBa Tipsward. It is not. To write the liistory of the pioneers, it is of the lutmost im- portance to bring prominentl}- forward every circumstance, so far as the}- can be discovered, that had any marked influence upon the prog- ress of the people. The reader will readilj- perceive that among all the calamities that befel the very earliest settlers and their children, a widespread belief in witches, ghosts, spells and goblins was the greatest of all. Tipsword carried with him to the day of his death manj^ of the customs and characteristics of the In- dian. He was always reticent of speech, and a ringing, heart}* laugh — he had forgotton all about it. In approaching a neighbor's house, he would never be seen until standing in the door. He lived here a long time after the sparse settlements of whites had come and the Indian had gone. When the Indians first went away, it was not fleeing from the pale faces, but fol- lowing the game. They would, for some years, annually return, and often Tipsward would go with them and not return for a year or more. On one occasion, after the whites had settled in Shelby and Fayette Counties, the Indians warned them to leave in three days, or they would massacre all in the country between Shelbyville, by way of Vandalia, to St. Louis. The warning came like a death knell to the poor defenseless whites — they were terror- stricken. Three days was too short a time in which to get away, yet it was too long a time to await in dread horror the cruel torture and death that they well knew that the red devils had in store for them. In the calmness that comes of despair, they talked over the situa- tion. A few, but very few, gathered their lit- tle families and fled, but the majority could only make a feeble attempt to put themselves upon the best defense of their household gods that they could. They had hoped at lirst that Tipsword could intercede for them, but when appealed to he could give them no hope, as he, too, was in the list of warned. On the after- noon of the third and last day the Indians held a general povv-wow in the woods, and Tipsword attended it as a spectator. He had friends among the chiefs and braves, and he had no doubt talked as much as he dared to them, and told them the certain consequences that would follow a general massacre of the whites. The first speakers urged that they adjourn the meeting, paint themselves, and at early dark commence the bloody work, and allow no pale face to escape. These sentiments met the ap- proving grunts of the braves. But late in the evening better informed Indians talked. They told their people that, while it was true they had it in their power to murder the whites, but suppose they did, would not the word go to the people of the States, and would not an army, numbering as the leaves of the forest, come here and kill every Indian in the Terri- tory. Such representations soon turned the attention of the Indians to questions of their own safety, and they determined to postpone the massacre. The settlers had been spared. How much they owed of this good fortune to Tipswonl will never be known. Griffin Tipsword died in the year 1845, and lies buried on the banks of Wolf Creek. He left surviving children — John, Isaac and Thomas. John Tipsword married, and was the father of Jackson, Griffin, Jerusha, James and Car- lin. These all married and had large families. 16 HISTORY OF EFFi:>JGHAM COUNTY. Isaac Tipsword married Nancy Stanberry, and their ciiildreii — Isaac, Ashbj-, Sallie, Ruth, Thomas, Martha. Marion, John, William, Re- becca and Mellissa — all married, and have reared large families. Thomas Tipsword was the father of Albert, Jonathan, Isaac, Jackson, Millie, Lj'dia, Mary and Bell, and from these there is another ex- tensive branch of the family. From the above it will be seen that the Tips- words were pioneers and the sons and daugh- ters of pioneers. They seemed to realize that the great want of a new country is people, and unflinchingly they responded to their country's call. No stone marks the spot where the old patri- arch of this numerous family sleeps. Of all the men now living we believe that Dr. John 0. Scott was the first to kindle a camp fire within the confines of our county. There were a few who had been here before him, but none of them are now living. Fifty-seven years ago, 1825, Mr. Scott, in company with a man named Elliott, and his wife, traveled through this countj- on their way, moving from Wayne to Shelby County. The}- camped near Blue Point. In passing the tim- ber at the head of Brockett's Creek, a smoke was seen curling up from a camp fire, a clear- ing, or a wooden chimney. Mr. Elliott, who had made the trip through here before, told him that it was smoke from the cabin or clear- ing of a man's place named Fancher. This was Isaac Fancher. That Fancher was here then is stronglv corroborated bv the oft-re- peated statements of Ben. Campliell to his step-son, Thomas Andrews, that when he (Campbell) came here in 1826 he found the Fancher familj- here ; that he stopped with them for several weeks, and they put in their time hunting bee-trees, of which they found a great man}-. Campbell also stated that he thought the Fulfers were here when he came, or that they came soon after. This brings up the record of early settlers to 1826. It is brief and soon told. Griffin Tipsword and family, 1815. Isaac Fancher and famil}-, 1825. Ben Campbell, and Jesse and Jack Fulfer, 1826. And John 0. Scott, and Elliott and wife passing through here as movej's in 1825. Fancher and Fulfer in 183-1-35 moved away from here into Coles County, where they died years ago. With the exception of Mr. Scott, these, the earliest of the pioneers in our coun- tj-, are all gone — sleeping peacefully in their unmarked graves. In 1828, Thom.as I. Brockett and family, and Stephen Austin, Dick Robinson, John McCoy, Bob Moore and Richf^rd Cohea came. In 1829 came John Broom, Jonathan Park- hurst, Ben Allen, Mrs. Charlotte Kepley, Jacob Nelson, Andrew Martin, Alexander Stewart, John Ingiaham, John Trapp, Samuel Bratton, John Fairleigh, Alfred Warren, Amos Martin, and old Auntj' Bratton, Andrew Lilley, Henry Tucker, William Stephens, Allec Stewart, Bill Stewart, and Jacob Nelson. In 1830, Jesse Surrells, T. J. Rentfro, James Turner, John Allen, Micajah Davidson, Henr}' P. Bailej-, George Neavills, Alexander McWhor- ter, Jesse White, Enoch Neavills. In 1831, Jacob Slover, Isaac Slover, John Gallant, William Gallant, Sej'mour Powell, Thomas Loj', William J. Hankins, the Hutchi- sons, and John Galloway, the fiddler. Here were the fifty-one families that were here prior to February 15, 1831 — the date of the act of the Legislature organizing the county. Why did they come? What was it that stopped here this meager stream of emigration and fixed them permanently in this place? What was there here to tempt and lure them to brave all, endure all, and cause them to fix here the nucleus around which all this present people, and their wealth and enjoyment has gathered? True, they could not see the toils HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 17 ami danger that lurked unseen upon ever}^ hand, 3'et tliere was raucli to repel them that they could see, enough, one would think, to have settled the question, and forever have pre- vented thera from flying in the face of dangers that they knew not of. We can imagine notiiing more dreary, lone- some or depressing than was the face of this boundless waste of cheerless solitude, where had sat through the ages silence and deso- lation. These vast prairie seas, with their long reaches of desert waste, their flat sur- face covered with tall, dank grass, often as high as a man's head on horseback. In the autumn when this grass became sear, it was burned, and the smoke from these fires filled the atmosphere for hundreds of miles with smoke that darkened the face of day and hung like mourning drapery upon the horizon. The prairies were wet, flat and marshy*. Waters standing a goodly portion of the year on, per- haps, two-third's of the soil's surface. When the grass was freshly burned the weary eye could find no relief in the vast expanse save the crawfish chimnej-s that thickly dotted the face of nature. The water lay mostly where it fell, and could escape only by evaporation, and from this cause it is believed the rainfall then was greater than now. Recalling these da}-s when monotonous solitude was all that was here, is to modern people but ringing the changes on the story of the " Lost Mariner," when the poet tells us he was "Alone, alone, all, all alone. Upon the wide, wide sea." The forests consisted of tall trees with no un- dergrowth of brush or vines. The annual fires that swept through them had done the work of the forester well. It cleared awa}- the debris, burned most of the fallen trees, and trimmed smooth the sprouts and had trained the limbs not to grow out near the ground. You could ride anywhere through the woods, or, for that matter, drive a wagon with nearly the same ease that you could in an orchard. People now express great surprise that the pio- neers always settled in the timber, or close upon the edge of it ; and as a rule the first selections were the poorest land. There were good reasons for their acts. The face of the country was immensely different then from now. They were compelled to hunt out, first, for a spring where they could get water. Thej- could find these and dry land onlj- in the woods. They were, too, a people who knew little or nothing about the prairie. It was not then possible for man to live upon these treeless marshes, pools and bogs, fit only for the home of the " green heads," the poisonous insects, amphibious snakes and the more deadly ma- laria. The prairies were then mere lagoons filled with rotting grass and death, that was carried awaj' bj- the unobstructed winds to poison the pure air of heaven. There was very little chance for the water to drain off the land, the topography of the country then being such as to hold it in its naturally formed basins. Mr. Joshua Bradley suggested to the writer the most plausible theory as to how these prairie basins were formed. His idea was that when the tall grass was burned, the fire that traveled with the wind, burned everything as it went, but that which burned against the wind traveled slowly and burned the grass at the roots always first, and when a strong wind prevailed it would carrj^ the long stalks of this burned off grass into the burnt places and leave it there. In the spring the heavj- rains would cause the water to float these off and they would lodge at points until they were piled there in great quantities, and in the long course of time they thus received accretions until the waters were held back, sod formed on the embankment and complete natural dams were made and a basin formed. It was the cows of the pioneers that first made beaten paths as they traveled to water or to the " late burns" to graze the tender and nutritious 18 HISTORY OF EFFIXGHAM COUNTY. grasses, and these paths were the lead-way for the water to follow, and as the cows killed the sod the water could cut its own ditch, so stream was added to stream until strength was accumulated, and in the years the prairie swamps became comparatively dr^-, rich land. As great and numerous as were these ob- stacles that confronted the pioneer, thej' were not all. The hostile and treacherous savage was here. Milk-sick lay in wait for man and beast along nearly all the streams in the south- ern part of the country. The horrible malaria freighted the air, as it floated out from its noisome lurking places, with its deadly poison. Howling and ahva\-s hungr3' wolves, both prairie and timber wolves, made night hideous with their howls, and the blood-curdling scream of the soft-footed panther added a terrible warning to that of the wolves, that there was little hope of ever having any domestic animals here. The "green-head flies," in countless billions and as ravenous and voracious as the migrating ants of Africa, held undisputed pos- session of the prairies always during the hot summer mouths. Their business hours were between sunrise and sunset. And in a very short time the}' could kill a horse or a cow. The " green-head" alone made the prairies wholh' uninhabitable. Here, too, were all manner of beasts that devastate the poultry yards and break the good housewoman's heart in the destruction of chickens, geese and turkeys. Such, indeed, were the surroundings that poultry, sheep, hogs, calves, and, in fact, most of domestic animals would have been secure onlj^ in a fire and burglar proof safe, with a time lock to do duty while the house- hold slept. The galinipers, the mosquitos, the wood ticks, chiggers and lizzards, with ''yaller jackets," bumble-bees and hornets and poison- ous insects were here and ever3'where and all hungry or angry at the approaching pioneers. The bald eagle, flanked by the hawks and egg devouring crows, screamed his defiance at civil- ization and swooped down upon the poultry, the pigs and the lambs in the sheep-fold. Here, too, was the snake — spotted with deadlj' beautv — but for snake stories, go to any of the old settlers, especially A. G. Hughes. For our part we are like Washington's hatchet, " I'd rather tell ten thousand lies than cut down a cherry-tree." When all these things are considered, and when it is further remembered that these earli- est pioneers were trul}- strangers in a strange land, with no aids of machinery' or mechanical contrivances to help them, except their rifle, and wife and little ones ; no doctors, no medi- cine, no mills, no stores, no markets, no any- thing but appalling difficulties, is it not indeed a wonder that anj- one ever came here, or stayed after he did come, or lived to perpetuate his race and name. We have named the people that were here prior to 1831. The}' were in settlements, in Blue Point, on Fulfer Creek, the Wabash Riv- er, Brockett's Creek, and Union Township. The earliest and largest of these settlements were the neighbors of Thomas I. Brockett. While this was j'et a part of Fayette County, a voting precinct was formed, the voting place generally at Thomas I. Brockett's house, but one year it was held at the house of James Turner. The last election had there while it was Fayette Count}', there were, we are told, thirteen votes, solid for Andy Jackson ; we do not doubt it. In this effort at pen pictures of the early settlers and the county when first the}' came, whenever we have found a strongly marked characteristic pioneer, we have told all we could learn of his leading traits, and tried to give the reader as perfect a drawing as we could as to what manner of man he was. In this connec- tion we deem it not inappropriate to close this chapter with a short sketch of Ben Campbell, HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 19 a king among his kinil. a fine type of his class, with ever}' trait abnormally developed. Since the memorable days of '49, when the discover}' of gold on the Pacific slope set all tiie world agog, the pioneers, the. men who skirt the outer confines of civilization on this continent, have entirely changed in their char- acteristics. They are now perhaps the most cosmopolitan people in the world, and we in- cline to the belief that the old Californians are the best practically educated people in the world, for they were suddenly gathered togeth- er in large numbers, representing every civil- ized people of the globe — many of the half civilized, and even some of the totally barbar- ous. This heterogeneous gathering of such varieties of people resulted in the world's won- der of a public school. It rapidly educated men as the}- had never before been taught. It was not perfect in its moral symmetry, but it was wholly powerful in its rough strength, vigor and swiftness. It taught not of books, but of the mental and physical laws — the only fountain of real hwidedyc — of commerce, of cunning craft — it was iron to the nerves and a sleepless energy to the resolution. This was its field of labor — its free university. Here every people, every national prejudice, all the marked characteristics of men met its oppo- site, where there was no law to restrain or govern either, except that public judgment that was crystallized into a resistless force in this witches' caldron. This wonderful alembic, where were fused normal and abnormal human- ities, thoughts, false educations, prejudices, and pagan follies into a molten stream that glowed and scorched ignorance along its way as the volcanic eruption does the debris in its pathway. It was the untrammeled school of attrition of every variety of mind with mind — the rough diamond that gleams and dazzles with beauty only when rubbed with diamond dust. The best school in the world for a thor- ough, practical education. Universal educa- tion — we mean real education and not "learned ignorance " as Locke has aptly called it — is a leveler of the human mind. It's like the strug- gle for life, where only "the fittest survive" and the unfit perish. But its tendency is to lift up the average, to better mankind, to evolve the truth, and mercilessly gibbet in- grained ignorance and superstitious follies. Ben Campbell's pioneer school life was spent in a wholly diflbrent one from that just named. The surroundings of the Illinois pioneers dif- fered radically from that of the California " forty-niners." They did not come here in great rushing crowds, but alone or in meager squads, they had abandoned home and the signs of civilization and plunged into the vast solitudes. They settled down to live where language was almost a superfluity, and a smile or laugh were as lost arts. These sturdy, lone mariners of the desert were men of action and silence. Not very social in their nature, moody often, almost void of the imaginative faculty, with no longing for the Infinite, and seldom or never looking through nature up to nature's God. They simply whetted their instincts in the struggle for existence, against the wild game, the ferocious beasts and the murderous savage. Such was Ben Campbell, and he was pre- eminently one of his kind. A man of tremen- dous physical organization, with coarse feat- ures, a sun-burned skin, that was covered with hair and unsightly " bumps " all over his face ; great scars upon his face and body, especially a frightful scar that ran down the whole left side of his cheek, injuring the muscles of the eye and giving it a strange expression. San- dy, coarse, stubby hair and beard, blue eyes, very large mouth, with thick lips, and teeth double-rowed and so large that they looked more like horse's than human teeth. Generally dressed in skins of animals he had slain, ex- cept a small, close-fitting red bonnet that was alwavs on his head. Altogether a figure well HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. calculated to frighten children to death, and might even appall timid grown people when suddenly beheld for the first time. While hunting one day, he met an Indian who had a splendid fresh deer skin on his shoulder. By a strange coincidence Campbell had a bright silver half-dollar in his pocket. Campbell much wanted the skin and the other coveted the money. Negotiations resulted, and the hide and half-dollar were placed together on a log, to be fought for by the two men. Campbell always wound up his story hy stating that for nearly an hour he could not, for the life of him, tell whether he was going to get the deer skin or loose the half-dollar. But he eventually got it and walked off with his troph3\ At one time he went to Vandalia when the Legislature was in session. On his way he killed a fine fat turke3'-gobbler. This he nego- tiated at the hotel for his dinner and horse feed, stipulating that he was to have his dinner earlier than the regular meal and to have some of the turkey. When he sat down to the table he eat the entire turkey, as well as everj-thing else that was on the table. Mother Maddox, the landlady, declared that she honored the guest that honored the food she put before them b}' eating heartily, and so she extended a life-time invitation to Campbell to always come, and, without money and without turkej's, to eat at her table free. This story is made the more plausible by an- other one, that has been vouched for by at least one-half of the old settlers. A part^- was out camping and hunting. Campbell had with him a favorite and worthless dog of the bench-leg kind — very fat, clumsy and lazy. It was fit for nothing in the chase, so it stayed at the camp- fire with the cook while its master would be hunting. On one occasion. Campbell had been gone all daj% and when he returned, tired and hungry, he anxiouslj' inquired what luck his companions had had in killing something to eat. To his joy he saw roasting over the fire what he supposed to be an enormously large coon. Now, if there was one thing in the world that Campbell liked best of all, it was a coon, fat and cooked bj' a camp-fire. The coon was soon cooked to a turn, and Campbell's joy, when the others announced that they had had supper, was sincere, for he knew his capacity, and he wanted enough for himself Without bread, potatoes, coffee, or anything else but coon, he sat down to a repast fit for a king, par- ticularly in quantity, which was much in Camp- bell's eye. He picked a bone and called his dog, but the dog did not respond. He would pick another bone and whistle again and call his dog; the dog never came, and this went on until ever}' bone was picked. The boys iiad killed and cooked the dog for a coon. Like Daniel Boone, he could boast of tasting about everything he could get hold of in the way of bird or beast in the country. When hungr}', he was willing to try, without prejudice, anything he could get. In this world's wealth he was never able to try a horse, but those who knew him best would not have gambled a cent that he would have made a failure here. His capacitj- and love of eating were only equaled bj' his love for whisky and fighting. The prospect of a jolly big fight would take him to any part of the world. He was in the Nau- voo war, in the thickest of the fight, and here he got numerous of the scars that he carried to his grave. The ugly scar on his face was made by a man he found chopping in the woods one day. The man was a pioneer, too, who had concluded to stop and build a cabin. Camp- bell resented this, and leveled his gun at the stranger and ordered him not to trespass on his land. The wary stranger eventually got Campbell to put his gun down and enter into negotiations. He deceived the old hunter, and when he got between him and his gun, he sud- denly raised his ax and struck a wicked blow at his head. Campbell barely saved his life by HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. dodging back, Init he did not dodge enough to prevent the wound. Campbell was a man who was moved in cverv- thing by his own promptings. He knew little or nothing of the rules of societ}-, and he cared less. He was an honest man, and as rough of speech as rough could be. He was crabbed, sullen and moody of temperament. A stranger seemed to affect him as a red flag does a mad bull. Such he would generally roughly insult without cause, and while he was slow of speech and his words were few, he could make his taunts sting terribly. If the stranger, in igno- rance of the man, resented the insult, a fight was improvised at once; and in the old style of rough-and-tumble-knock-down-and-drag-out, he seldom met his match. Yet, the fight once over, he was ready to drink friends at his vic- tim's expense — get roaring drunk and savagely friendly. He lost his pioneer wife, and after awhile he made up his mind to marrj again. He had heard of Robert Moore's widow in the north- west part of the county. He had never seen her. but, nothing daunted, he' mounted his horse and rode to her house, called her to the door, and as he sat upon his horse, looking closelj- at the widow, he finally informed her that ho had come to see her on business — that he wanted to mar- r}- her — but that she wouldn't do, and he turned his horse and rode off. He proceeded to an- other house, where there was also a widow, called her to the door, told her his business, and commanded her to mount behind him and go to the magistrate's and be married. The poor woman remonstrated and begged for time; but with oaths that fairly snapped as he uttered them, he told her to mount, and she mounted, and the cooing doves rode off and were mar- ried. Mis death, on Christmas Day, 185G, was much after the manner of his life. He not only died with his boots on, but on horseback. He had been to Freemanton all day, and in the evening started home —one of the Higgs boys riding be- hind him. When the horse stopped in front of his cabin door, Campbell made no motion to- ward dismounting — he was dead. Ben Campbell has now been dead many years, with no lineal descendants surviving him. The above would be an extravagant drawing of the pioneer generally; yet there is much in it that recalls a tj'pe and character of that day. He had been admirabl3- trained, or had trained him- self, for his place in life, and in security and con- tent had lived out a long life and filled to full- ness his measure of ambition. He knew noth- ing of romance or sentiment, nothing of a gov- ernment of rigid laws and stern police regula- tions. Tinder these, he could neither have thrived nor lived. He was coarse, rude, un- gainh' and wild, as were his worst surround- ings. He was brave, generous and strictly- hon- est. He was illiterate, but not ignorant; but shrewd, active, alert, and rich in animal life and vigor, with the most of his natural faculties cul- tivated almost to the perfection of the smell of the Siberian bloodhound. Here was marvelous adaptations to extraordinary surroundings. Exactly such as he was he had to be, in order that he might blaze the way into the heart of the wilderness for the coming hosts of civiliza- tion. Rare old Ben Campbell ! Your times and your kind have passed away forever. You lived out your allotted term in your own proper and best way. You filled your mission in life, and died when it was best you should. Rest forever in peace! For should you now " revisit the glimpses of the moon," and behold your de- generate successors, with no hunting-grounds, no moccasins, no leather breeches, no flint-lock guns, nor roasted coons, j-our great heart would wither and decay like a plucked flower. Aye, would not your big heart itself burst asunder upon seeing the men of this day, in plug hats and storcclothes, riding in carriages and sleep- insj-cars, chasing no other game save the meta- 22 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. phorical tiger, upstairs, beiiiud closed blinds and under bright gas-lights? The graves of these early pioneers are un- marked and mosth' unknown, and their fast re- ceding memories are unhouored and unsung. Thej" deserve better tliau this. Thej' deserve bet- ter than this from us. The}- wrought for us the richest and most enduring legacy in all the world. May this poor flower flung upon the unknown graves arrest the attention and enlist some mind and pen that can render justice and award a meed of praise to those great lives whose works will ripen into the noblest civilization the world has ever known. CHAPTER II. TOPOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL FEATURES— NORTHWESTERN ELEVATION OR MOUNDS— THE LITTLE WABASH BLUFFS— GEOLOGY— REL.ATIONS BETWEEN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEO- LOGICAL STRUCTURE— FORMATION OF ROCKS— NATURAL FORCES— THE FLORIDA REEFS— PETREFACTIONS— HUMAN REMAINS— COAL— IRON ORE AND BUILD- ING KOCK— MINERAL WATERS— ORIGIN OF THE PRAIRIES, ETC. EFFINGHAM COUNTY is bounded on the north by Shelby and Cumberland, on the east by Cumberland and Jasper, on the south by Clay and Fayette, and on the west by Fayette. It has an area of -486 square miles, of which more than one-half is timber. The Little Wabash River, passing southward- ly, nearly equally divides the countj-. Its tribu- taries are : On the east, Lucas, Big Bishop, with its forks, Little Bishop and Ramsey Creeks, Big and Little Salt Creeks, Brush Creek, Green Creek and Sugar Fork; on the west are Fulfer and Limestone, Big and Brockett's Creek, Sec- ond Creek, Funkhouser, Blue Point and Shoal Creek and Green Creek, and Moccasin Crepk, The higher surface land is mostly flat prairie, or flat woodland, with some beautifully rolling lands in the northwestern part of the county. Above the flats are a few low mounds, not so abundant nor so elevated as in the counties west. One of these is in the eastern part of the county, another is Blue Mound, and there is a low ridge near Mason. The low woodlands contain many fine oak flats, that change to white and burr oaks, hickor}- and post oaks on the breaks. The ridge at Mason is about two miles across at its base, and a little over fifty feet high, descending very gradually for more than a mile to the flat level prairies, which are soon merged into post oak flats. We are told by the State Geologist that the elevations in Northwestern Illinois known as the " mounds," are no doubt the result of denud- ing forces acting upon the surface, which have swept away the surrounding strata, leaving these isolated hills as the onlj- remaining indi- cations of the former level of the adjacent region. From Freeport southward, along the line of the Illinois Central Railroad, there is a gradual descent to the valle}- of the Big Muddy River, in Jackson County, where the level of the rail- road grade is only fifty-five feet above the river at Cairo. From this point there' is a rapid rise toward the south, and at Cobden the railroad intersects a true mountain range that has an elevation of 500 to 600 feet. The geologist distinguishes this as a mountain ridge, because the e\idences show there was here an uplift b}' forces acting from beneath, and not a washing away from the general level by the waters, as in the case of the northwestern mounds (no ref- erence to the so-called Indian mounds that HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 23 cross the State from northeast to the south- west). This Cobden ridge is the eastern extension of an axis of elevation or uplift, which brings the St. Peters sandstone of the Lower Silurian, above the surface at Bailey's Landing, on the west side of the Mississippi lliver, tilts up the Devonian limestone at the " Bake Oven," and " Bald Bluffs " in Jackson Count}' at an angle of about 25°, and after elevating the upper por- tion of the Lower Carboniferous limestone above the surfixce entirely across the southern portion of the State, iinallj' crosses the Ohio in the vicinity of Shawneetown, and is lost beneath the coal measures of Kentucky. If the strata forming the elevation lie in their original horizontal position, the mountain owes its existence to the removal of the surround- ing strata bj- denuding forces, but if the strata are dislocated, and tilted at a high angle from their original horizontal position, then the ele- vation may be attributed to upheaving forces, or, as sometimes happens, to both causes. These upheavals, when they have occurred after the deposits of the coal measures, as at La Salle, Utica, Carbondale, St. Johns, and at other points, lift the St. Peters sandstone some- times from hundreds of feet below to the sur- face, and thus bringing the coal beds also up. Near the count}- line, the Little Wabash bluffs are sometimes eighty feet high; near the railroad bridge they are thirty to forty feet, near Kwington about the same, and fifty to eighty feet high near the north county line. The bottoms of the Wabash are an eighth to a quarter of a mile wide. The hills near Salt Creek are often quite abrupt, sometimes seventy-five feet high; its bottoms are low and generally narrow, with quicksand in many places in the creek bed. Near Sugar Creek, Shoal Creek and Green Creek, the hills are somewhat steep, bottoms very narrow, and beds of the streams very sandy. On all the other streams in the county the bottoms are much wider, and contain much excellent agricultural lauds that is now being put in cultivation. The streams also possess the great advantage of much lower hills, and that are of a more gradual and easy ascent. The prairie in the western part of the county is not so fiat as that in the eastern, yet it may be all pronounced flat prairie, with occasional ponds, on the margin of which may be found Ceplialanthus occidental is and Iris versicolor. In the woods are post oak, pin oak, white oak, black oak, hickory, sugar, elm, laurel oak, sassa- fras, ash, hazel, sumach, iron wood, buckeye, sycamore, red-bud, linden, hornbeam, Spanish oak, grape vines, plum, clematis, trumpet creeper, red birch, etc., etc. Geological Formations* — It is an anxiom of general application in geological science, that there is an intimate relationship existing be- tween the physical geography and the geolog- ical histoi'y of every portion of the earth's sur- face, and in all cases the topograplaical features of a country are molded by, and therefore must be, to some extent at least, a reflection of its geological structure. If this geological axiom could but find its way to every school-room, then would this chapter, provided it is a fair presentation of the geological and physical geography of the county, become the most interesting and use- ful book ever placed before either the children of the schools or the community at large. To the future fiirmer, and to all dependent upon * Throughout this chapter we hare made free drafts upon the " Economical Gpology of Illinois," by A. H. Worther, whose inter- eating repoit of tile gPolt>gy of tli" Slsile of Illinoie is jnet now from the press, and as its title page says, " Puolished by authority of the Legislature of Illinois," 1SS2, and thechangfS it ha.^ undergone from the surface agencies of more modern times. The varied conditions of monntain and valley, dei'P g<'rge and level plain, are not the re- snlta of chance, but, on the contrary, are just as much due to the operations of natural laws, lu, the rotations of the e.irth, or the growth and continued existence of the various speciei of animals and plants which inhabit its surface. Moreover, all the varied con- ditions of the soil and its productive capacities, which may be ob- served in dilTfrent portions of our own Stjite, are traceable to the causes existing in the geological history of that particular region, and to the surface agencies which have served to modify the whole, and prepare the eartli for the reception and sustenance of the exist- ing races of beings. Hence, we see the geological history .»f a coun- try determines its agricultunil ca]iacities. and also the amount of population which it may susiain, and the general avocation of its inluibitants. 34 HISTOKY OV EFFINGHAM COUNTY. him, an indispensable beginning of their edu- cation will commence with the investigation of these important subjects as they exist in their own county, their own township and upon their individual farms. The whole earth was once a globe of liquid fire. The radiation of heat from the surface resulted in the gradual cooling of the mass, and thus the first rocks were formed. Geology teaches that the earth has been in process of creation through countless ages, and has ar- rived at its present condition by regular stages of growth or development in some respects analogous to those which characterize the life of an animal; that these have been effected by the same general law of progressive develop- ment which chai-aeterizes every development of nature, and apply with equal force to the mineral, the vegetable and the animal king- doms, that all. from the minutest globule, as shown by the microscope, to the grandest world that revolves around its controlling central sun, is alike subject to the control of unchang- ing laws; that through these laws, order has been evolved and the earth finally fitted and prepared for the habitation of man. These changes have been going on forever; so long that the human mind utterly fails to grasp the immense duration of the earth's his- tory, that have preceded the coming of the now existing races of beings. You can no more enumerate these j-ears, periods and iEons than could you count the grains of sand re- quired to form a solid globe like this, or the drops of water contained in all its waters, or the number of cubic inches in infinite space. Geological time is measured onlj- b}- periods, and each period is measured by an immeasur- able number of years. The eternity of the past is as incomprehensi- ble as the eternity of the future; it is impos- sible to conceive when the material that con- stitutes this earth did not exist in some form, and equally impossible to conceive a period in the future when it will not exist ; nothing has ever been or ever will be anihilated. Nature's laws are eternal and unchangeable, always pro- ducing like effects from like cau-ses ; the law of change is the vast clock of God that ticks off the aeons, that had no beginning, no end- ding. The organic beiug may die and the con- stitutional elements of which it is composed be returned to the earth and atmosphere from whence thej- came, but no portion is lost or destroyed in the process. Natural forces are manifested by motion, and various effects produced, such, for instance, as the attraction between particles of matter in solution, by which the\- are caused to assume a definite form of crystallization. Perhaps the thought may be a new and startling one to the' reader, that the forces that give form to the crystal are living forces, and that, in this sense, life really pervades all matter. Hence every mineral assumes its own peculiar form of crys- tallization, and that, too, with unerring cer- tainty. The formation of the crystal is the unmistakable effort and force of nature toward organic creation — the first results of a great law that has culminated in the creation of all the higher forms of organized beings. The time that has elapsed since the present race of beings were first here is much greater than the popular mind has been prepared to admit. Prof Agassiz, in a work on the coral reefs of Florida, clearly establishes the fact that this living species of coral have been at work on that coast for more than 70,000 3-ears. Capt. K. B. Hunt, of the United States Corps of Engineers, for many years at Key West, in Florida, published in Silliman's Journal, the evidences that the existing corals that built the limestone formations of the Florida coast had been at work there for at least 5,400,000 years. Sir Charles Lj'ell admitted in his last work "Antiquity of Man," that there are clear evidences that the human race have inhabited this continent more than 100,000 j-ears. HISTORY OF EFriNGHAM COUNTY. Sf) The earliest formed rocks having resulted from the cooling of mineral matter existing in a state of fusion, are termeil priinary igneous rocks. When the surface of the earth had become sulHciently cooled, the aqueous vapors of the atmosphere were condensed into water, and the oceans and streams were formed. The waters, b}* their solvent and eroding influence, aided by other atmospheric agencies, acted upon the hardened rocks, wearing them away; and the -disintegrated material, being carried by the streams to the bottom of the ocean, were there deposited to form the stratified rocks. These two causes — -fire and water — have given origin to all the rocky masses known. Sometimes the sedimentary or strati- fied rocks are subjected to heat or other agencies bj- which their original formation is changed. They then are called metaraorphic rocks. Thus sandstone is converted into ((uartz or quartzite, and limestone into crystalline mar- ble, etc. These constitute, in the simplest form, the three classes of rock which enter into the formation of the earth's crust. The ancient oceans, like those of the present day, were filled with organized beings, and the shell of the moUusk, and the hard, calcareous habitation secreted by the coral, become im- bedded in the constantly accumulating sedi- ment at the bottom of the ocean; and when this sediment was hardened into rock, these organic remains were preserved in a fossilized condition, so perfect and entire that the general character and habits of these ancient animals may be studied and determined in a most sat- isfactory manner. These fossils, though be- longing to a species now extinct, and in manj' cases, to a genera that are no longer rep- resented among living species, are nevertheless referable to the four great sub-kingdoms of existing animals, and many of them to the same families, and sometimes the same genera. Some of the stratified rocks, especiallj- the limestone, are composed almost entirely of the calcareous habitations and bony skeletons of the marine animals that lived in the ocean during the time these beds were in process of formation, with barel}' enough mineral matter to hold the organic materials together in a cemented mass. Thus we find that these simple t3'pes of life have played an important part in the formation of the solid frKamework of the globe. The same process is now being re- peated, and in this waj- nature preserves her own records of succeeding creations, linking them all together by the unerring characteris- tics of a common origin and weaving them into one complete chain of organic existence, which beginning with the lowest and simplest form — Protozoa — -culminates in the final ap- pearance of iMAN, the highest and complete re- sult of creative energy. As before stated by these records of the rocks, it is established that upon this continent we find the traces of man running back 100,000 years. To us these would certainly be " old settlers,'' but geology, paleontology and zoiilogy hold suspended their judgment and patiently investigate, turning over the pages of stone and prying out the marvelous secrets that have been securely locked and guarded for us in the protecting bosom of mother earth for millions, perchance billions of years. The question of how these beings came here is answered by the beautiful and never-changing forces of nature. That prepotency of the natural forces that account for every '' form and quality of life." How they then came we substantially know. How they go is another and a more diffi- cult question. That the earth at regular re- curring periods is filled with vegetable and animal life that come and grow and flourish and pass away, leaving not a wrack behind. That the earth, but now vocal with life, is to- morrow a barren solitude locked in the noise- less sleep of death to commence again at the lowest beginnings of life — the j'east plant 26 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. probably in the vegetable, the rhizopods, the humblest of the known in animal origin — and continue the upward circle until the earth is again re-habilitated, to be again desolated, are fields for the investigator and for speculation that are enough to appall the ordinary mind by their magnitude. The astronomer tells us of the astronomical day and night,, that are in duration about twenty-one thousand years, and upon this the speculative scientists (some of them only) have constructed the plans of creation to be, that these recurring periods of life and solitude upon the earth correspond — the life with the astronomical day, the dead and barren with the astronomical night. In this work of life and death they agree that heat is, as well here as everywhere else, the motive power that produces life, while cold is the productive power of death. Evidences are found nearlj- all over Illinois of the presence here of glaciers, those rivers of moving ice, that slowly travel from the north and from one to five miles in thickness, and it is easy to conceive that in their track no life is left. In the rock beds of Lake Superior they gathered up and dropped here and there the boTflders that are so frequentl}- found in our count}'. Some of these are found on the surface and others are deeply buried in the soil, presenting evidences that these glaciers came at diflfereut and repeated times, but how long between them cannot be known. One of these oval shaped bowlders was found in digging a well, near the Van Machine Shops, in this city, in 1870; it would weigh about two hundred and fifty pounds. Nearly one- third had been plained down, by the moving ice that had carried it from the Lake Superior regions, and presented a smooth and polished appearance. It was twenty-two and a half feet below the surface and the strata of earth above it gave no evidences of disturbance, but lay as they had been deposited in the long course of time; where it lay it probably was the surface when it was left there by the gla- cier. Petref act ions. — Some very remarkable petre- factions were found in 1854, in the work of constructing the Illinois Central Railroad, when digging the " cut " through the hills of the Little Wabash, where the road crosses the river, and on this side of the river. In order to get dirt, to make a " fill " in the river bottom, they dug into the side of the hill from the cut, and down to about the general level of the road-bed. After drifting back a few feet, they found a strata of hard limestone rock about sixteen inches thick running horizon- tally into the hill, and this was six to eight feet above the level or bottom of their drift. The ascent of the hill was gradual from the road-bed, and when they had removed the dirt and stone until they were taking it some fifteen or twent}^ feet below the hill surface, they found these petrefactions at the level of their drift and beneath the strata of rock mentioned. As the earth was cleared away, the}- found man}' evidences that they were following what had once been the earth's surface. Thej- found the stumps and partially preserved bodies of trees that presented the appearance of having grown or fallen where they were found. They found specimens of petrified wood, that were piled out of the waj- of the workmen, making a pile as large as a cord of wood. One stump that had ever}' appearance of still standing where it had grown, was perfectly petrified, except the bark, and it was plainly marked by the ax that had been used in cutting the tree. At the root of the stump were per- fectly preserved chips — partially petrified — that told again unmistakably of the use of the ax. In the clay soil, on a level with the foot of the stump, was found the imprint of the fallen tree where it had lain and decayed. The rock was above the petrefactions. fifteen or twenty feet of earth above the rocks, and m VT> ;■ "■'^V^pv^;-- fe? i'.- zs^^5 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. upon all this was the great forest trees that had stood there for centuries. We are indebted to Joshua Bradly and H. B. Kepley for the facts just given. Human Remains. — All over the county have been found what are known as Indian relics, the most common being heart shaped flint rock, that were doubtlessly used for pointing: arrows, and were the savage's ammunition with which he warred and hunted; stone axes are also found, but no authenticated specimens of pottery. We have in this county none of the works of the Mound-Builders. In the extreme southern part of the county along the Wabash River, but more especially across in Clay County, in the heavily- timbered bluffs and brakes of that stream, are many evidences of there onee being an extensive burial ground of some unknown people. Beneath the big oak trees liave been found the curious graves of which some are still well pre- served. Thej- were made by being dug down probably thirty inches, and the rude sarcoph- agus formed h\ placing a stone slab at each side of the vault, and was completed by a similar stone covering. In this stone box, which generally is not over three feet square, was placed the body in a half sitting posture, the feet and head as near together as they could place them. The surface geology of our county is one of the greatest importance to the farmer and to all classes dependant upon him. The time will come when the young children, and the old, too, most probably, will be taught these tilings until farming will be as much of a science as anything else. To understand the beds of superficial material that are spread u neon form- ably upon the rocks, all over the State — the ac- cumulations of cla}-, sand and gravel, called drift — is now of the greatest importance to the farmer. By these can he know the wants and proper capabilities of his land — how to care for, protect and feed it and supph' its impera- tive wants the same as he can now his calf or pig. The entire agricultural interests in the count}-, as well as the common intelligence of all our people, are interested here alike, because the soil is predicated upon this superficial detritus and owes its productive qualities, in part at least, to its homogeneous character. Our soils are mainlj- composed of mineral ■matter in a finely- comminuted condition, to which is added, from year to year, the vege- table and animal matters which are accumu- lated upon the surface. If the superficial deposits are absent, the soil is formed by the decomposition of rocks, upon which it rests. If the rock is a sandstone, it will form a light sand}- soil; if a clay shale or other argillaceous rock, a heavy claj- soil will be the result; and if a limestone it will produce a calcareous soil, so there will be a marked change in the soil with every variation which occurs in the char- acter of the underl^'ing rock strata. In the drift deposits will never be found any valuable mineral deposits. And the fragments of lead, copper, iron and lumps of coal that are sometimes found in this drift are often believed by the ignorant to be proofs (5f valuable mineral de[X)sits, where there are none. In rare instances, minute particles of gold have been thus found and charlatans, professing to be geologists, have proclaimed these to be valuable gold or silver mines. These deposits, while so far they have been often used to play upon ignorant credulitj-, are b}- no means destitute of valuable materials for industrial use. They furnish the clay, brick, sand and tile that are so generallj- in use; they are the great reservoir that hold so securely the sweet, pure, cold water that supplies our wells; they are the agriculturist's bank of de- posit, where, when he learns to properly draw his check upon it, is supplied with inexhausti- ble wealth with which to honor all his drafts. State Geologist Worthen reports of EfBng- ham. County as follows: 30 HISTORY or EFFINGHAM COUNTY. West of the Little Wabash there is exposed in the National road four to six feet of brown cla}- resting on blue claj-, with bowlders. On the bank of Green Creek, near the north county line, is exposed — Ft- 1 Brown soil 1 2 Brown sandy clay 6 3 Brown sandstone 4 inches to 1 4 Sand and pebbles 2 In the railroad cut south of Watson^ Ft. Brown clay (loess). 8 Clay and sand with pebbles 20 On Bishop's Creek — Ft. Brown and buff clay 12 Blue clay and bowlders 15 On Salt Creek— Ft. In. Brown and buff clay (thin) Sandy conglomerate 6 Blue clay and bowlders 8 In Sections 17 and 30, Township 8 north, Range 5 east, there are regular beds of ferrugi- nous drift conglomerate, two to three feet in thickness. A citizen of Effingham (Wes. Stephenson), en- gaged in well-digging, reports the following gen- eral sections of wells; Ft. 1 Soil and subsoil 1 2 White, buff and blue clay (loess) 10 3 Red clay and giavel — hardpan.. 3 to 4 4 Hardpan, blue-gray clay and gravel 12 to 24 5 Sometimes black clay 3 to 6 The sand and gravel that furnishes the abun- dant and excellent water all over the county, and especially here in the city of Efflugham, in inexhaustible quantities, is found from thirteen to twenty-four feet below the surface. On the prairies in the southeast, water is ob- tained from twelve to twenty feet; at Watson, sixteen feet; in the southwest, twenty; at Mason, eighteen to thirt}'. The deepest wells known in the county are G. W. Nelson's, fifty feet, through clay and coal measure rocks to good limestone water, and at Jesse Newman's place in Mason, 145 feet. This last had only a scant supply of water. Coal. — The State Geologist estimates that a coal-shaft at the citj' of Effingham would have to go down 900 to 950 feet in order to reach Vein No. 5. This is a five-foot coal vein. It lies below Coal No. 9, six inches; No. 8, three feet; No. 7, five to seven feet; and No. 6, two feet six inches. The only remarkable bed of coal yet found or worked in the county is G. W. Nelson's, in Sec- tion 20, Township 6 north, Range 4 east. A pit was opened here and good coal procured. The vein was reported three feet thick, but six miles down the creek, at Mahon's, it was only ten inches thick, and on Limestone Creek, in Sec- tion 18, Township 6 north, Range 5 east, it is sixteen inches thick. These designated out- crops indicate a decided easterly dip. The same coal is also found on Big Creek, in Section 25, Township 7 north. Range 4 east. The State Geologist catalogued this vein as No. 16, count- ing from the lowest upward. On Salt and Brush Creeks there is a six-inch seam of bituminous coal, which is catalogued as No. 17. Its sure guide is two thin even la}-- ers of gra}- limestone, occurring about four feet above, and abounding in Spirifer plano-convexus. This has been reported sixteen inches to two feet thick, but it is probably an overestimate. A thin seam of coal was also found in Section 26, Township 9 north. Range 5 east. Can coal be found here? This is now a ques- tion of deep interest to the people of the county. In the total absence of any definite knowledge upon the question, commendable but perhaps foolish struggles have been made and monej" and time expended to test the question. Men and their drills have been brought here, and a boring was made south of the depot a few years ago, and all any one learned was that their money went into a hole, where it will never come out. HISTOKY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 31 Tlic people of Vandalia made a much more expensive investigation a few years ago than our people made. At immense expense, they carried a shaft (the water was here unusually strong) to the depth of 474 feet, and there stopped. Tlio shaft at Centralia was sunk to the depth of .'JTli feet, at whicii depth a seam of coal seven feet in thickness was found. This coal is 370 feet below the Carlinville limestone in that shaft, and if the strata retains the same thickness at Vandalia, they stopped eighty feet above the Centralia coal seam. These borings indicate a decided increase in thickness of the stone strata toward this part of the State, and therefore the coal will be deeper here than at Centralia in that proportion. When you know what you have to do it is easy to prepare and do it. We make no doubt coal will be found here some day and worked to good profit, even if we do have to go 900 or 1,000 feet to it. Iron Ore. — The drift conglomerate occur- ring in Section 17, Township 8 north. Range 5 east, is three feet thick and contains a good deal of iron ore. It crops out on a point of the hillside extending for thirty* feet across. A similar deposit occurs near the mouth of Big Creek, in Section 30, Township 8 north. Range 5 east. Coal measure shales on Big Creek abound in many concretions of o.xide and car- bonate of iron; there are also some in otiier localities, but the quantit\' is insufficient. The sandstone below Effingham, in the fos- sillferous portion, is very ferruginous. Red ox- ide of iron occurs on Beech Creek in sandstone over Coal No. 15. Building Rack. — On Sugar Fork, near its mouth, there is a good quarr}' of hard sand- stone, and one of silicious limestone on Green Creek aljove the mouth of Sugar Fork. Eversman's quarry has furnished a firm, gray sandstone. This is two miles south of Effing- ham, on Salt Creek Bluffs. On M. V. Park's farm, adjoining the city of Ellingluira, is a quarrj' that has also furnished the most of the rock for foundations in the city. Very good sandstone, in thick beds, occurs in the blufl's of Shoal Creek near its mouth; on Fuller Creek, in Section 2, Township 6 north. Range 5 east, near Ramsey Creek, half a mile from its mouth, in Section 27, Township G north, Range (< cast, and on Big Creek, in Section 29, Township 9 north, Range 5 east. There are good limestone quarries on Lime- stone Creek and on Fulfer Creek. A good deal of rock used on the National road was ob- tained here and at Mahon's on Fulfer Creek, and also on Big Creek. The best rock for the production of lime is found at Nelson's coal bank. Mineral Waters. — Few if an}' counties in the State are better supplied with medicinal waters than this. So far they are wholly un- developed sources of wealth and industry. Douglas, Watson, JIason and Jackson Town- ships have each springs that possess good min- eral qualities, some of them strong, and that some of these manj- waters when analyzed and once understood, will become widely popular and beneficial to mankind we make no doubt. In Jackson Township, on Sam Winter's land. Section 32, Township 6, Range 5, are two fine springs, and while they are not more than a rod apart, arc wholly difl'erent in their medical properties. These springs were once the favorite rendezvous of the Indians. Mr. Winters tells us that before these springs were fenced, cattle would come there for miles to drink of these waters, passing other drinking places in order to quench their thirst in these delicious waters. The neighbors have for a long time understood the value of these springs. In the same township, near James Larimer's and David Mitchell's, on Section IG, Township 7, Range 5, southwest quarter of southeast quarter, is a fine flowing spring, that has iron unquestionably, and probably sulphur. 32 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUKTY. In Mason township, in Section 2, Township 6, Range 5, about three miles north of the town of Mason, are three springs, linown as Sulphur Springs. These have been extensively inves- tigated by Dr. Mathews, and they are already resorted to by a great many people. In Watson Tow&ship, Section 22, Township 7, Range 6, on land of the I. C. R. R., near the farm of Andy Parks are still other aud very fine springs. In the recent sale of the lands of the railroad, these springs were reserved, and it is said the road intends to improve and de- velop this health resort. The Origin and Formation nf Prairies. — ■ For many years this subject has been under discussion by some of our most eminent men. Among the first to enter at any length upon the subject was Hon. Walter B. Scat^s, former- ly of the State Supreme Court, Prof. Whitney, of the Geological Survey of Iowa, and Prof Winchell, the eminent geologist of Ann Arbor University, continued it at great length, and Prof Lesquereux joined also the investigation. Mr. Worthen, the State geologist, realizing the great importance of the people of Illinois of this subject, requested Prof Lesquereux to give his latest and best conclusions in refer- ence to it, after his recent discussions with other eminent geologists. The Professor holds that prairies are, at our time, in process of formation along the shores of our lakes — Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, etc., as also along the Mississippi and some of its affluents, especiallj' the Minnesota River. The formation of these recent prairies, whose ex- tent is not comparable to that of the primitive ones, is peculiar,"and has the greatest analog}- with that of the peat bogs. Where the lake waves or currents strike the shores or the low grounds, and there heap materials —sand, peb- bles, mud, etc. — they build up more or less ele- vated dams or islands, which soon become cov- ered with trees. These dams are not always built along the shores; they do not even always follow their outline, but often inclose wide shallow basins, whose waters are thus shel- tered against any movement. Here the aquatic plants, sedges, rushes, grasses, etc., soon appear, these basins become swamps, and, as it can be seen near the borders of Lake Michi- gan, though the waters maj' surround them, the trees never invade them, never grow upon them, even when the swamps become drained b}- some natural or artificial cause. Along the Mississippi and the Minnesota Rivers the same phenomenon is observable, with a difference only in the process of operation. In time of flood, the heaviest particles of mud are depos- ited on both sides of the current, along the line of slack water, and bj- repeated deposits, dams are slowly formed and upraised above the gen- eral surface of the bottom land. Thus, after a time, of course, the water thrown on the bot- toms bj' a flood is, at its subsidence, shut out from the river, and both sides of it are con- verted into swamps, sometimes of great extent. Seen from the high bluff's bordering its bottom land, the bed of the Minnesota River is, in the . spring, marked for miles by two narrow strips of timbered land, bordering the true channel of the river, aud emerging like fringes in the middle of a long, continuous narrow lake. In the summer, and viewed from the same point, the same bottoms are transformed iuto a green plain, whose undulating surface looks like im-- mense fields of unripe wheat, but forms, in truth, impassible swamps, covered with rushes, sedges, etc. By successive inundations and their deposits of mud, and by the heaping of detritus of their luxuriant herbaceous vegeta- tion, these become, by and bj', raised up above the level of the river. They then dr}' up in the summer, mostl}' by infiltration and evapor- ation, and when out of reach of flood, they be- come first wet, and afterward dr}' prairies. Prairie du Chein, Prairie la Fourche, Prairie la Crosse, etc., as their names indicate, are towns located upon formations of this kind. These HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 3a spleadid patches of prairie, thougli of a far more recent orgin than the immense plains above them, are, nevertheless, true prairies, bordered on one side by the high, timbered banks of the bottoms, a fringe of trees separ- ate them still from the actual bed of the river; nevertheless, the trees do not invade them. This peculiarity of formation explains, first the peculiar nature of the soil of the prairies. It is neither peat nor humus, but a black, soft mold, impregnated with a large proportion of ulmic acid, produced by the slow decomposition, mostly under water, of aquatic plants, and thus partaking as much of the nature of the peat as that of the true humus. In all the depressions of the prairies where water is permanent and unmixed with particles of mineral matter, the ground is true peat. It is easy to understand why trees cannot grow ou such kind of ground. The germina- tion of seeds of arborescent plants needs the free access of oxygen for tlieir development, and the trees especially in their youth absorb li}- their roots a great amount of air, and de- mand a solid point of attachment to fix them- selves. Moreover, the acid of this kind of soil b}' its particular!}- antiseptic property, promotes the vegetation of a peculiar group of plants, mostly herbaceous. Of all our trees, the tam- arack is theonl}' species which, in our northern climate, can grow on peaty ground; and this, even, happens only under rare and favorable circumstances; that is, wlicn stagnant water, remaining at a constant level, has been invaded by a kind of mosses, the Sphagnum. To this the objection is made* that if the prairies are so formed they would be univer- sally flat and horizontal. 'And WinchoU has replied to the objection that the assertion that it is not the peat in the prairie soil that keeps them prairies, because trees do grow and flour- ish upon them when planted there. * .\twater, in SUtim'\n^s Journal, Volume 1, pag« lift, anil Romne s&meji'lirnal, Volume II, page 30, both hold lhalprairli-a oriRinateil from swamps. While Winchell, Desce and others make the ohjoc- tion considered above. These apparently strong objections are an- swered by Prof. Lesquereux and others, that it is not proper to refute one assertion by another; that it is a well- settled fact in botanical phj-si- ology, that trees absorb by their roots a certain amount of oxygen necessary to their life. It is in accordance with this principle that trees, to thrive well, ought not to be planted too deep, that most of the species of trees perish when their roots are buried in a stratum of claj^ im- permeable to the air, or underlaid b}- clay im- permeable to the water; that whenever the water is dammed to make a pond, all the trees are killed on the whole flooded space; that still water always kills a tree, but there are some trees with roots so formed into many and fine branches,. that they may live in moving waters, or running streams. Thus, the bald Cyprus and lupelo that, in the South, grow in the mid- dle of creeks and ba3'ous, are enabled to get air from the waters that are moving and changing. De Candole, in his book on Vegetable Physi- ology, says that a constant in-igation necessary for the rice culture in Lombardy, was a gi-eat inconvenience, because the water penetrates the ground of the neighboring properties and kills the trees. That '• water left stagnant for a time on the ground rots the trees at their column, prevents the access of oxygen to the roots and kills them." That " in the low grounds of Holland they dig, for planting trees, deep holes, and fill the bottom with bundles of bushes, as a kind of drainage for surplus water, as long as the tree is young enough to be killed by humidity." That " the true swamps and marshes have jio trees, and cannot have any be- cause stagnant water always kills them.' As to the assertion that trees will grow on the prairies when once introduced, this, all ad- mit, is certainly true. But one should take care to make a distinction between the results of an artificial and those of a natural one. When trees are planted on the prairie, the soil is conveniently pre-prepared. The clayey 34 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. subsoil mixed witti ttie black mold forms a compound which combines density of certain parts with the lightness of others, and contain a great proportion of nutritive elements. If the clay of the subsoil is not too thick to be im- permeable to water, and then to retain it around the roots, this prepared or artificial ground is indeed, very appropriate to the growth of trees, But has anybod}' ever seen oaks or hickory, or any other kind of trees, grow on the plains from a handful or from a bushel of acorns or of nuts thrown upon the surface ? Why, then, if trees will grow on the prairies, do we not see those isolated and far-between cluster of trees, which appear here and there on the borders of ancient lakes, cover a wider area, and by-and-by invade the whole prairies ? Some of these trees have lived there for ages; their trunks are strong and thick, and their branches widely expanded, are shaken, and their fruits swept away by the au- tumnal storms, and nevertheless their domain is restricted by the nature of tlie ground to limits which they have never surpassed. The soil on the prairies of Illinois varies in thickness from one to four feet, and even more sometimes. How has been produced this enormous coating of black mold which covers the clay subsoil ? This subsoil could only be produced by water. Complete oxidation of vegetable remains has never resulted in the heaping of such a peculiar thick compound as the soil of the prairies. Even in our oldest and still virgin forests the humus is never so deep. In some bottoms, the arable grounds may be found as thick, but it is not the result of vege- table decomposition, but of successive accumu- lations of mud by floods. We must then con- sider this prairie soil as formed under peculiar chemical action, by a slow oxidation or decom- position of vegetable matter, retarded in its ac- tion by water, in preventing the free access of oxgen, as it has happened in the formation of peat. But in this last matter, the oxidation is much slower and less complete, and water be- ing permanent, not exposed to change of levels, cannot bring into it the elements of fertility which it gives to the soil of the prairies. This soil, as before stated, is half peat and half humus. The great proportion of ulmic acid contained in the prairie soil is perceivable in its slow de- composition when exposed to atmospheric ac- tion. The overturned sod of the prairies would scarcely become decomposed and pulverized in two or three years, if its disintegration was not helped by repeated plowings. It is tliis acid which, in too large proportions, renders the soil sometimes hard and sour. But it has also the property of preserving for a long time the fer- tilizing elements mixed with it. Hence, it is one of the causes of the long-continued pro- ductiveness of the prairies. Under the influ- ence of stagnant water, and the remains of ani- mals which have inhabited it while the soil was in process of formation, silica especially, with alumina, ammonia and other elements, have been left in the soil, in such proportions as to make its extraordinary fertility, and especially its inexhaustible productiveness for grasses; for by the unpermeability of the under clay, the fertilizing elements have been left in the soil. As natural meadows, our prairies have fed for centuries, innumerable herds of buffalo and deer, etc., which roamed over them, and now they will feed and fatten our herds of cattle for as long a time as we may want or save them for that purpose. But more important than this to the agriculturist is the great fact taught him who has the intelligence to investigate and un- derstand the soil of our prairies, namely, that by the peculiar compound of the prairie soil, it will, under proper cultivation, produce, for an indefinite length of time, crops of cereals, corn, wheat, etc., as rich as ma}- be obtained from the richest bottom lands, and without any apparent diminution of the productive capacity of the soil. Even if, by successive crops of the same kind, the upper soil should become somewhat de- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 35 prived of its fertilizing elements, especiall}' of its silica, lime and alumina, so necessary for the growth of corn, we know b}- experience, as well as the geologists know b}' its formation that the subsoil is a real mine of these fertiliz- ing elements, and that deep plowing will re- turn to an exhausted prairie land its primitive fertility. For the culture of trees also, the foregoing explanation of the formation of the prairies give directions in accord with what experience teaches us to be right. To plant trees which do not like humidit}' — fruit trees especially — dig deep holes, pass through the clay to the drift, and thus establish a natural drainage. Fill, tiien, the bottom of the hole with loose materials, pebbles, bushes, sod, mold, or any debris, and thus 3'ou have the best ground that can be prepared for the health and long life of trees. When this cannot be done, and shade trees are desirable, for example, plant, in any ^ole deep enough to contain the roots, elms, buttonwood, white locusts, sugar tree, maple, etc., all species which live generallj- along the rivers and support a certain degree of humidity, and they will thrive, if only they get some air through the ground which covers them. The prairies of the West, especially of Illi- nois, are in harmony and agree with the destin}- of our people, even to a greater extent than our rich and extensive coal fields. Like these pro- digious sources of combustible mineral, they clearly point out the future race of men which is called to inhabit them, and profit by their immeasurable and inexhaustible fertility. While one of these formations is destined to furnish an immense population the elements of indus- trial greatness, the other is ready to provide it with both the essential elements of life — bread and meat. Hence, the prairies have their place marked in the future histor}- of mankind. They do not indicate or prophec3' luxury, laziness and dissipation of life, but hard work, abun- dance, and the enjoyment of freedom and true manhood. Effingham County is, and will be for }'ears, an agricultural county. Whilst the black loam is not so deep here as in the corn counties north of us, 3'et the peculiar formation of the surface soil is such that there never will be waste for the stored plant food that will be here for ages, and alwajs read}' to respond generously to the farmer who knows enough to find it. For grass and the cereals it may be prepared to equal, if not excel, an}- county in the State. Already in wheat it stands the first, both in quantitj' to the acre, and in the quality. Deep plowing is the farmer's key to wealth here. Deep subsoil plowing will make these ruinous droughts almost wholl}- disappear, as well as prevent from harm the heav}- falls of water that alternate with the droughts and sometimes one and sometimes the other send dismay to our people. And when this deep subsoil plowing is followed up with tile drainage, it will bring the true wealth and abundance to our people that will both surprise and please. It may not in the end prove the best of corn laud in our State, but in all else, she may indeed be '• Queen of the May." 36 HISTORY OF EFFII^GHAM COUNTY. CHAPTER III. ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY— ACT OP THE LEGISLATURE CREATING IT— LOCATION OF FIRST COUNTY SEAT— EXTRACTS FROM THE EARLY RECORDS— FIRST LAND ENTRIES— CENSUS AND TAXES— MARRIAGES— SCHOOLS— THEIR ORIGIN AND IMPROVEMENTS— SOME NEW FACTS AND .THEORIES ON EDUCATION— WILLIAM J. HANKINS— EARLY ELECTIONS— EFFINGHAM IN THE BLACK HAWK WAR. " Y'e buildetl wiger than ye knew." — Pearre. THE act of the Illinois Legislature creating and defining the boundarj' lines of Effing- ham and Jasper Counties bears date February 15, 1831. The two counties were organized in the same act, in which there is not a word in reference to what other county or counties the territory is taken from. The Legislature pro- ceeded to designate by township lines the boundaries of the two counties. The county of Jasper Is first defined, and then it proceeds to describe Effingham County as " beginning at the northwest corner of Jasper County." The territor}' comprising Effingham County was taken from Faj-ette Count}'. Fa3-ette was taken from Bond, and Bond from the good old mother county of all the counties in Illinois — St. Clair. In the royal train of daughters of St. Clair County this would, properly speak- ing, be a great-granddaughter. This county is just thirty days the junior of Cook Count}'. Chicago was then a small, out- lying precinct of Crawford County, that so worried the Tax Collector when he had to go there to collect the taxes, as it would cost him always more than the entire tax to defray expenses. The act incorporating Effingham County proceeds in the usual phraseology of such enactments, and defines the boundary lines as follows : " Beginning at the northwest corner of Jas- per County, running south with the line there- of to the southeast corner of Township No. 6, thence with the line dividing Townships 5 and 6 to the northwest corner of Township 5 north, in Range 4 east, thence north with the town- ship lines to the northwest corner of Section 19 of Township 9 north. Range 4 east, thence east with the section line to the northeast cor- ner of Section 24, Range 6 east, thence south with the township line to the southeast corner of Township 9 north, thence east to the north- east corner of Township S north, in Range 7 east, and thence south with the range line to the place of beginning." The act appointed John Hale}', James Gal- loway and John Hall Commissioners " to lo- cate the seat of justice for Effingham County." It then recites that "the said Commissioners, or a majority of them, are hereby required to proceed to examine the said Commissioners (sic?) respectively, at any time they may agree upon previous to the 1st day of November uext,'and, loith an eye to the best interests of said counties, shall select a suitable place for the seat of justice." "The Commissioners respectively are hereby empowered to receive from the owner of such land as they may select for the purpose afore- said, a donation of not less than twenty acres. Or they may receive donations in money, which shall be applied to the purchase of lands for such purpose, and. in either case, they shall take good and sufficient deeds therefor, grant- ing the land in fee simple for the use and bea- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 37 efit of said counties. The Commissioners, if they shall select lands belonging to the Gov- ernment, shall purchase a half quarter-section for the use and benefit of such county, pro- vided they shall receive donations in money sufficient to make such purchase or purchases." The act proceeds to state that " when the Commissioners shall have made the selections of land for the county seats of the two coun- ties, they shall report their proceedings to the Recorder of Crawford County for .Jasper and to the Recorder of Fayette County for Effing- ham." It then requires the Recorders of these counties to keep the same in their respective offices until the said counties shall be organ- ized, when theyxShall transmit the same to the Clerks of the County Commissioners' Court of the aforesaid new counties respectivelj'." If the Commissioners for this county, Messrs. Haley, Galloway and Hall, ever made a report of their proceedings in selecting a seat of justice for this count}- to the Recorder of Fa3'ette County, as the law required, it can- not now be found in the records. There is no doubt but they did. They selected Ewingtou, and named it in honor of Gen. W. L. D. Ew- ing, then a leading law3-er and afterward a prominent politician of the State, who resided at Vandalia. Why the county was named EtHngham is not known. The bill to incorporate the county was the work of Gen. Ewing, William Linn and Joseph Duncan, and it is said the name was the suggestion of Gen. Ewing. James and Joseph Duncan had donated the twenty acres mentioned in the legislative act when they instruct the Commissioners, all three of them, to act " with an eye to the best interests of the county." How the^^ expected three men to go about the business with " an e3e " we cannot imagine. After the Legislature incorporated the coun- t}-, matters seem to have remained quiescent until the 20th day of December, 1832, when the Legislature passed an act authorizing Effingham County to hold an election " to elect three County Commissioners, a Sheriff and a Coroner." The designated places of election were Ewingtou, and the house of Thomas I. Brockett, and further designating Jacob Slo- ver, John L03' and Levi Gorden as the Judges of the election at Ewingtou, and William Thomasson, M. Brockett and Jonathan Park- hurst the Judges at Brockett's. This election was held Januar3- 1, 1833. No record of it can be found. Theophilus W. Short, Isaac Fancher and William J. Ilankins were elected the first Count3- Commissioners, and the3' proceeded to organize the Count3- Commissioners' Court in Ewington on the 21st da}' of JanuarN', 1833, by the appointment, first temporary and then permanent County Clerk, of Joseph H. Gilles- pie, who at once entered upon the discharge of his duties. Henry P. Baile3' had been elected Sheritf at the above-named election. John C. Sprigg had been appointed February 15, 1833, Circuit Clerk of the cnunt3' bv Judge Wilson. Sprigg's com- mission bore date, Vandalia, February 15, 1833. Here then, Februar}- 15, 1833, the whole countv legal machinery was put in motion, and Effingham became in fact as well as in name a live, active, absolute count}-. The County Court at this term merely organized and ad- journed, no count3' business being transacted. The court met in session again February 4. Its first official act was to divide the county into two voting and election precincts. The voting place of one being Ewington, and Levi Jordan, John Loy and Jacob Slover were ap- pointed Judges. The other precinct voted at T. I. Brockett's, and John Martin, William Brockett and William Thomasson were the Judges. Court adjourned. It met again the next month, March, and its first act at this ses- sion was the first time in the life of the count3' that it made an order on the Treasurer, as fol- lows : 38 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. " Ordered, that thirty cents be paid the Count}' Clerk for postage and one dollar for services, and also one dollar to each of the Commissioners, and one dollar to John Broom for services as Constable at this term of court." From this very little fountain flows a peren- nial stream that will always flow and never stop.* In May, 1833, the first Circuit Court con- vened in Ewington. Theophilus W. Smith, Presiding Judge, and John C. Sprigg, Clerk of the Court. Henry P. Bailey, Sheriff. The grand jurors were Seymour R. Powell, foreman, Martin Davenport, John Trapp, John Gana- way, Hickman Lankford, John P. Fairleigh, Kinton Adams, James Levitt, Alfred Warren, James Hudson, James Martin, Newton E. Tar- rant, James Xeal, Stephen Austin, Harrison Higgs, John Martin, Charles Gilkie, Levi Jor- dan, Levi Self, TLoraas I. Brock'ett, James White, Robert Moore, Samuel L. Reed. The petit jurors were Uriah Moore, Thomas Williams, Ben Campbell, John Mitchell, John George, John Allen, Jacob Slover, Joseph Nes- bitt, Andrew Martin, Jesse White, James Howell, Amos Martin, Richard Cohea, Andrew Lilly, John Maxwell, Dan Williams, Duke Rob- inson, Henr}- Tucker, James Porter, William Tibbs, Jesse Fulfer, Enoch Neaville, John K. Howard, Michael Robinson. There were four cases on the docket, name- ly : John Beasley vs. Robert Moore, trespass on the case ; Andrew Bratton vs. Simeon Perkins, appeal ; John Maxfield vs. John W. Robinson, ditto ; William M. McConnell vs. Jacob Slover, sci fa to foreclose. There were three lawyers at this court, namelj' : A. P. Field, Levi Davis, W. L. D. Ewing. Of these Levi Davis, of Alton, is the onlj' sur- vivor. The grand jurj' returned three indict- ments into court ; T. W. Short, for selling liq- *The first Constables in the couaty, John O. Scott and John Broom, attended upon this conrt. A license to sell goods was granted to John Funkhouser, and at the next June term Eli Cook was granted a similar license. nor without license, William Crisap, adulter}-, Martha Hinson, fornication, and adjourned its labors. At the June term, 1833, of the County Com- missioners' Court, the only business was the following order : "That J. H. Gillespie be allowed for clerk- ing on day of sale of lots, 1.50, ordering bonds, .50. 2 <2uou-s of paper for to make rec- ord books, 50 cts. Rent of house for holding court in, 1.50." These record books, for which " 2 quoirs of paper " were purchased, '' for to make," are lost. A fact much to be regretted. At this term of the court, James Turner succeeds Fan- cher as Commissioner, but there is no explana- tion how this came about. The County Court appointed John Lo}' County Treasurer, and William J. Haukins County Surveyor. In 1833, there was a public auction of lots in the do- nated twenty-acre part of the town of Ewing- ton, S. R. Powell, auctioneer, and J. H. Gilles- pie, clerk. Twentj'-two lots were sold. The highest price paid was $64, by Hankins, and the lowest was $8.12^-, The average price per lot was $24.46. About ten times their value now. The count}' court made an order to T. W. Short for $1.87|^, " for whiskey furnished on the day the lots were sold." The county was divided into three road districts, and Road Su- pervisors appointed, Andrew Bratton for Dis- trict No. 1, Jonathan Parkhurst, No. 2, and John Broom, No. 3. The subjects of county and cart roads was of the first importance to the people. Among the first acts of the Commis- sioners was to order N. E. Tarrant and Joseph Rentfro to lay out a cart road from E wington to the county line, in the direction of Wither- spoon's mill, in Shelby County. Another road was made, a county road, and ordered worked, namely, a road from Fairfield, via Ewington, to Shelbyville. The Government had commenced work on HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. the National road in 182!) in tliis county, and a considerable force was stationed at the Little Wabash, engaged in building a bridge across this stream. Workmen's shanties had been constructed, and this fact, no doubt, caused Evvington to be selected as the county town. They were very rude, miserable pens and sheds, and yet the first people there, as well as the first Circuit Courts, utilized them as terapo- rar3' resting places. The work on the National road in this coun- ty stopped in 1833, a little west of Evvington. The bridge across the Little Wabash, although expensive, was a tumble-down affair. It was soon washed awaj', and the stone abutments were carried off by the people to wall their wells and for foundations for their buildings. The new county was thus left much as na- ture had made it in regard to roads. A pou}- mail, at first weekly, was carried from Terre Haute to St. Louis. Another mail route, of the same kind, was from Fairfield to Shelby- ville. When the streams raged the mails stopped. But as there were few people here, and still fewer that could read and write, and as letter postage was 25 cents, and not prepaid at that, it was probabl}' a blessing that the people were not smothered with our mod- ern avalanche of mail matter. Nevertheless, a crying want of the people — a want not yet wholly satisfied, althougli many thousands of dollars have been washed toward the Gulf in the form of bridges — was roads, and passable bridges across the streams. The Commission- ers made commendable efforts to supply this want. But the}' were not skilled civil engi- neers, nor were their contractors, apparently, that did the work. But they had this great advantage of the present. Tiiey built cheap structures, and when they floated away upon the muddy torrent, they left at least the conso- lation that they had not bankrupted the un- born generations to come. The court notified contractors to send in their bids for a numl)er of contemplated bridges in the county. James Cartwright and T. W. Short, John Funkhouser and Gillen- waters, among others, seem to have been the principal builders. There were neither pens, paper nor circumlocution wasted in. these im- portant business papers. For instance : " I, will build the l)ridge across the Wabash at Brockott's for $588. (Signed) John Trapp." Or this : " I will dam the work agreeable to the present contract for one hundred and fiff- teen dolls if high water dont prevent. T. J. Gillonwaters." Can the school-teacher improve on this : "James Cartwright, bid for Brig $158.00." Or, " I will do the work at Ewington bridge for a dollar less than anj' responsible bidder. "John Funkhouser." These papers were not addressed to any person or thing. They were without date or flourish of any kind. E pJurihus unum. The next pressing public necessity after roads and bridges, seems to have been a county jail, induced probably by the following : On the 30th July, 1833, John Cooper was ar- raigned before Esquires Gillespie and Han- kins for larceny. The preliminary examina- tion resulted in the following commitment : "it was adjudged by us that thar was proba- ble ground for his guilt and hes failed to give security for his appearance at the next cir court he was committed to the jail of Shelby county as there was no lail being provided in this county." To this incentive was soon after added the circumstance that one Charles Lewis was arrested for a horse-thief. And during 1834-35, SheriflF Bailey certifies that nearly every able-bodied man in the countj' was paid in county orders for at one time or another guarding Lewis. The fact is, the expense of holding this man a prisoner for more than a year cost the county double all otlier county expenses except bridges. In 1833, a jail was 40 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. built, made of logs, and was locked with a very fair padlock; Tliere was not money enougti, it seems, to buy the lock for some time, but as the door swung outside the Sheriff propped it good and fiist with leaning poles and rails. We will do the court the justice to mention that this was intended only as a temporary structure. It answered verj- well to hold men while they were sleeping off their drunks. In fact, it did in its time keep safe sober criminals when it was constantly sur- rounded by well-armed, vigilant guards. The architect and superintendent of this public structure was T. W. Short. The county paid him .$10 for his services. Levi Jordan and James Krai were paid $496 for building the jail. At the March term, 1834, appears the follow- ing order : " Ordered that the coart proceede to a point a county treasurer for the present Year. What a pon it a peared that John Loy and T. J. Gilenwaters was aplicants it apears that John Loy is apointed." The election of a Treasurer being so suc- cessfully completed, the following county leg- islation was had : " Ordered, That no Tavern- Keeper or Grocery Keeper in this County shall charge more than twenty five cents for a meals vituels and Twenty Five Cents for a Horse feed Lodging 12^ Cents. Twenty five Cents for a quart of Whiskey and twelve and a half Cents for a pint of Whiskej', not exceed- ing fifty cents a quart for Brandy, Wine and Gin and not exceeding eighteen and three fourths Cents per half pint for Brandy Wine and Gin Rum at the same as Brandy Wine and Gin." Bless their good old souls I They gave no heed to those vile decoctions, lager beer, apple- jack and black strap ! The jail being off the hands of the court, and a secure place provided for the surplus part of the community, the following proceed- ings were had with a view to restraining the running at large of other stock : " Ordered, that the letting of the bilding of an Estray Pon be let to lowes and mos responcible bider on the 13 day March in the town of Ewington to lie sitawated on the north west corner of the Publick sqare of the following description to Wit Sixty fete Sqare the ponnells ten fete long the posts to be of Mulberry hewen eight inches sqare two feet in the groun and seven fete and ahalf above the two fete in the to Scorched the Railing to be of White Oak tim- ber such as will not spring either hewen Sawed or Split to be not over six inches wide nor under three thick oil of which shal be in com- plyance with Law regulatin the building of Estray Pons and that the Clerk Advertise the sam by pasting written notices." At March term, 1835, contract made to build court house. Contract price Sa80.37i^. Built same j'ear by Hankins & Cartwright. December 11, 1829, Robert Moore purchased at the Land Office in Vaudalia the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 7, Township 8 north. Range 5 east — the first land entry ever made within our countj' limits. July 9, 1830, Riley Howard entered the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 11, Township 7, Range 4. September 30 of the year, Robert Moore entered the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 18. Township 8, Range 5. In 1831, there were four land entries — R. Peebles and W. H. Brown in Section 7, Township 5 ; Alfred McDaniel the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 2, Township 6, Range 5, and some Polanders en- tered a half quarter-section in the northwest part of the county. There were no entries in 1835. Several small tracts in 1833, then there were a ver}- few scattering entries until 1838. This year and 1839, the land market was act- ive for this count3-, due to some extent that it was these two years that marked the advent of the Germans that have built up Teutopolis HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 41 and now own a large portion of the surround- ing country. Tlie first deed recorded iu the county bears date Februars' 27, 1833, Isaac Fancher and Amy Fancher, his wife (her mark), to T. J. Gillenwaters; consideration $500, and conveys by quit claim east half of northwest quarter of Section 36, Township 8 north, Range 5 east. The officer vouches that he " examined the wife separtely," etc. Then follows a number of deeds by different men and their wives in which there is nothing of special interest until one is reached tiiat is signed by T. W. and Sally Short. Sally was the first woman that ever in an instrument of record in the Circuit Clerk's office who did not make " her mark." The land market continued exceedinglj- dull, and entries few and scattering over the county until 1852-53. Then people began to realize that a railroad was coming — coming like a ray of light and hope. To this stimulant of tiie land market was added the enactment by Con- gress of what was known as the "Swamp Land Act," b}' whicii, upon proof by the coun- ties that certain land were ■' swamp and over- flowed lands," the Government would give all such lauds to the respective counties (really first to the State and the State to the counties) that were not entered, and if entered, then the Government would refund the entry money in kind. In 1856, Congress had passed the " Bit Act." In other words, it said that all lands that iiad been a certain number of years in the market could be entered for 12^ cents per acre, provided the applicant therefor made oath that he was bu3-ing for his own use and for actual settlement and cultivation. It is as- tonishing wiiat a spontaneous uprising of actual and intended fiirmers this act made in a night, in and around Vandalia, of all classes of men, women and even school cliildren. The act was a wise one, and it closed the Vandalia and all other land offices in Illinois, except Springfield, where the others were taken to. Thus all the lands became corporate and private propertj-, and in one way or another have been made to contribute their share to the wealtli of the country. In 1835, the Countj' Court removed Loy from the Treasurer's office and elected Sam Huston, and at the same time appointed Huston a Commissioner to take the county census. The enumeration of the people was carefullj' made and, from the best data now to be found (Huston's books being lost), the entire popula- tion was about one thousand or one thousand and eight in the year 1835. These settlements still were Blue Point, Ewington, on the Lower Wabash, on Fulfer and Second Creeks and in Union Township. Loy was County Treasurer in 1833 and 1834, and his 2 per cent for the funds for two years amounted to $8.87^. Or in other words, the entire funds the county possessed for two years was $443.75. From the organization of the county until some time in the " forties" the entire tax upon all property was five mills on the dollar. The whole revenue from taxes iu the countj" the first year was $50. The next year it rose to S58 The increase upon these figures vvas very gradual. Indeed, so much so, that in 1837 the total revenue collected in the county was S122.27. The heaviest taxpaj'er in 1837 in the county was John Funkhouser, S5. The next heaviest, Robert Moore, $3.25; John Martin, S3. Then followed John McCoy, Presley Funkhouser, Rile}' Howard, W. J. Hankins, Bartholomew McCann, William Freeman, C. Duncan and John Trapp, $2 each. T. J. Gillenwaters paid $1.75. There were 142 names on the tax book, and thej- averaged 86^ cents each. If there were any tax-record books before the year 1837 kept, which is very doubtful, they are lost now. The tax record of 1837 is a little book of ten pages, made for a school HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. copj- book; has a paper back, on which is a wood-cut intended, probably, to represent a school-room exhibition daj'. The audience is represented by four or five grown people, all sitting straight as arrows and as flat against the paper as if they had been just taken out of a hydraulic tobacco press ; a like number of similar looking children are perched in a row on benches, and a putt\'-faced little Henry Clay is on the rostrum. His left hand and arm is pasted flat and tight to his leg, his right arm is stiff and straight at an angle of forty-five, and j-ou can almost hear his piping treble as he exclaims: " How large was Alexander's pawV The cost of this record book could not have been less than five cents, because that was the smallest monej' they had in those daj's, and for the further reason that then it cost money to indulge in the decorative arts. It is said that the purchase of this book made a profound sensation throughout the countj' and became the ruling question in politics for some time, some contending it was too prettj' a book to spoil b}' writing in it, others holding that such extravagance would be ruinous to all, and still others saying that they believed in the county keeping in the lead in the fine arts, even if it did cost money. This public discussion evidently taught the official a lesson, because the book for the next year was made at home, and consisted of foolscap paper cut and stitclied. In 1838, W. J. Hankins certifies to the Cuuuty Court the following as the total rev- enue of the count}' : Tax on personal propert)' $162 57^ Real estate for 1836-37-38 29 45 Total $192 02i Marryitig and Gicing in Marringe. — There were weddings here when the parties nad to go to Vandalia to get the license, among the earliest of which was the marriage of Burgess Pugh to Pamelia Jenkins, 1329. IMrs. John 0. Scott informs us she attended this wedding as a j'oung girl. She remembers the bride had on some kind of a white dress and store shoes ; that there was chicken pie and honey Pjr dinner. John Trapp performed the ceremony', and when it was over the groom told him he would bring him his pay in a short time in "real strained beeswax." About the same time Mike Robinson and Delilah Pugh, and Enoch Neavills and Laura Pugh, Jesse White and Katie Neavills, Mary Parkhurstand James Porter were all married. The first marriage license issued fiom the count}' was January 21, 1833, to James C. Haden and Nancy Nesbitt. The next was March 28 of the same year, to John 0. Scott and Patsy B. Parkhurst. The County Clerk was verv cautious about Issuing marriage licenses without first having the parents' or guardians' consent, as the following will show; " Mr. hankins pies ishue m^- son fielden Mcoy licens for Marrieg for I hav noe objec- tions to the sam, Nov. 1835." . Again ; " Mr. Hankins, pleas to letJohn Chadwcll hav Liesns and you will oblige your friend I Kant atend to git m^- self "Richard Cohea." It is proper to explain the above bj- stating that Chadwell married Elizabeth Cohea Novem- ber 19, 1835. Micheal Brockett married JIary Thomasson August 18, 1834. It is certified in the records that on 27th April, 1835, was " Laufley joined to gether as husban and Wife Jackson tiner, and Sin they Land." On 13th June, 1833, Pendleton Nelson mar- ried Eliza Martins. Jul}' 12, 1836, Alexander McWhorter mar- ried Margaret Loy. The following tells the story for Elizabeth Sullivan: HISTORY OF EFFIXGIIAM COLXTV. ■13 " I asserte that Eleizabeth Sullivan is over eighteen years old, and is her own agent. "Dec, 1834. " P. A. T. Sullivan." This document clears up all doubts as to whether Pat was willing to act as the agent for Lizzie in the matter of marrying or not. He evidentl}- was not. But when he was for the last time appealed to to do something, his rudd^' face glowed a little more than usual, and he stormed and raved and called for pen, ink and paper, and fixed himself at the table to fire at the Count3' Clerk the above formidable State paper. The imagination can almost see him as examines carefuUj- his pen, dipping it into the ink, sucking it clean, and again closely examin- ing it, before spreading himself all over the table and biting his tongue; the old goose-quill fairl}' creaks and sputters as he puts upon the virgin paper the truth about his daughter being •'her own agent." He boldly "asertes" that she is. and holds himself ready to pummel all who doul)t it or say one woid to the contrary-. The diflFerent officials who performed the dif- ferent marriages in those days seem to have all dropped into the same st3ie of writing their re- turns upon the back of the licenses. They each apparently thought it highly proper to sa3- that they had '• solemnized the rites of matri- mon}-," etc. They must have met with great difficulties in spelling the word " solemnized," as in the diflFerent returns it is spelled incor- rectly as many as fourteen or fifteen times. For instance: Sollemise, solemize, solemise, sol- oise, solemside, solemsided, solamis, solmnis, soUomondise, solimsis, solimize, soUumise, sol- imnize, soUemis, etc. Among the first of preachers to marry a couple was one who made the following poet- ical and rather neat return: "According to law and injunction of Heaven, On the 2 of June, 1837, In wedlock I joined, during natural life. The within Jessee Fuller and Rhoda, his wife. " Geo. M. Hansen, L. D., M. E. C." lu searching among these " quaint an curious volumes of forgotten lore," the following docu- ment was dug up in the rubbish. It is a bill rendered b^- James B. Hamilton, and as near as the types can give it, it is in the following facts and figures: " I dowe sert^-f}- to the Corns Cort of Effing- ham an State 111 That Mr Henry BouUs Fell Sick at mj' hous on 16 July 1840 and was beried the 25 of the same instant. Funerl Ex Spences " For nersin and nersment — maid out — Mr T.Levitt an H Laukfort 15 00 for plank and nales from Brent Whit- field 2 00 to Davis for Meckin the Cofin 3 00 to T. H. Gillinwatrs Srawdiu 3 25 It is onl3' b}' inference that the world will ever know whether BouUs died at all or not. We are informed that he "Fell Sick" on the 16th and was "Beried the 25 of the same instant," and that Gillinwaters furnished the " Srawdin " (shroud). Who was the damsel that the bill tells us, at the end of the line " Nersin an Nersment," was the " maid out " ? Why did she go out? What was she doing there, an3'how? The account says ^istinctl3- and unmistakably that " He fell " sick " at m3- house," not in my house. If the " maid " was helping with the " nersin an nersment " she could not have been in the house to have au- thorized the announcement that there was a " maid out." Schools. — Mrs. John 0. Scott reports the first school ever taught here was in 1831, by her brother, Elisha Parkhurst. who at that time was a mere lad, not over twelve years of age. Thomas I. IJrockett, realizing tiie pressing necessities in this line, set about it and cleaned up and fixed a stable on his premises, and hired Elisha, whom he overlooked and superintended and assisted in all emergencies. The neigh- bors, John Allen, John McCoy, Lilly, Stephen Austin, Widow Dagner (two grandchildren), 44 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. sent their children and made a school of fifteen or twenty pupils. Elisha apparently was a suc- cessful teacher, although a boy, and for years he taught in various parts of the countrj'. The next school was taught by Dr. John Gillenwa- ters (a cousin of the Jud^e), in Ewington, in 1833. A room was rented for this in some private residence. The next in order was Samuel White, who taught in the garret of Judge G-il- lenwater's house. These were pioneer schools, and, considering all the circumstances, were very good indeed. The only Latin they ever taught was to make their pupils pronounce the letter z " izzard." The people of those days, compared with the present generation, had some very healthy ideas about schools. They believed a school was a place of training in the " three R's," and that its usefulness stopped at the " rule of three." A picture of Elisha Parkhurst's school in Brockett's stable, more than half a century' ago, would be an appropriate as well as sug- gestive scene to hang upon the walls of every school room in our count3'. It was a long time before the rudest log schoolhouses were erected. The people were sparsely scattered in the sparse neighborhoods. They were poor in this world's goods as a rule. Teachers were scarce, and so were books. There were a large portion of the grown peo- ple that could neither read nor write, and some of these had lived where there was no use to be made of these accomplishments, and thej- had no realizing sense of the importance of teaching their children to read and write, in order to prepare them for what was soon com- ing, namely, mail facilities by the hour, cheap postage, and abundant and cheap literature ; a people transformed from trappers and hunters into an eager commercial and trading commu- nity, where a ceaseless activitj' is combined with that rapid, broad comprehension, that could ever}- morning look over the movements of the commercial world of the preceding twenty-four hours, and form his conclusions and put into instant execution his plans and purposes for the next twelve hours. In 1838, John Fuukhouser, the School Com- missioner for the county, made a report to the court of his ofBcial acts and doings for the years 1837-38. The report is addressed to the " Onorable Commrs. Cort, June, 1838." He charges himself with $146.76 for the year 1838. Then follows : "Dec 5, 1837. Amount paid on last return. Shoes not demanded, 38.21^." Total, 184.671. The inference is that there was $38.21 of the money of 1837 that had not been called for by orders, and this swelled the total fund to $184.67. He then credits himself as follows : Paid Thomas Loy for teaching .school in T. 8, R. 5, 28.33i Ruella Griffith, do., T. 8, R. 6, . . 9.88 This he says was all he paid out for the j-ear 1837. For the next year, he paid Sam Huston, teacher, $24.79. Thomas M. Loy, do., 41.67. Charles Gilkie, do., 16.58. Ruella Griffith, 20.12. This shows that for the'j'ear 1838 there was paid to the four teachers that taught the schools of the county, $103.10. The number of school children in the county, from the best obtainable estimates of that time, was four hundred. Four schools were taught, and one hundred and twenty-five pupils would be a fair estimate of the number that were in attendance upon the schools in the county, and 82^ cents per capita was the total expense. The assessment for the pi'esent year in the city of Effingham school district is $6,000. The school attendance is about five hundred. The difference in then and now is as 82^ cents is to $12 per pupil. Those were in part pay schools — these are free' schools ^p^-e^-z^-z-^j T HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 47 Those were managed b^' the people — these by the State. There are no statistics, iinfortu- natei}-, bj' which the comparative illiteracy of then and now of the rising generation can be shown. This is much to be regretted. The fundamental idea of all schools is to take care of the mind and morals of children and train them up in the way the}' should go assisted in the moral work b3- religion and the church. This being admitted, we have this light thrown upon the subject of progress made in intelligence and marals in the fiflj' years just past. There has been as marked improvement in tlie number and qualit}' of our present splendid and expensive church build- ings as there has been in the schoolhouses in that time. So has the improvement in uum- b'.irs and superiority of ministers of the Gospel kept equal pace with the race of school teach- ers of then and now. It has cost many thou- sands of dollars to erect the numerous school buildings in the county. From Elisha Park- hursts pioneer school room in Brockett's sta- ble to the elegant and elaborately furnished high school room of to-day is a long stride in educating mankind. This was onlj- paralleled by the places of worship tiien and now, and to complt e the picture in a ministerial line let Boleyjack and Beecher stand forth. The ad- vance all round has been marked and great, especially in the matter of expense and show. Are these finger boards lining the highways back fifty years, that point out an equallj- great improvement in public manners, morals, or in- telligence ? Illiteracy is a crime, but so is pinching poverty. Illiteracy and ignorance are not synonymous terms. But neither are education and expense sj'nonymous terms. Is outward change in teacher or preacher, or great extravagance in the sclioolhouses, any proof that morals or education is improved ? The people pour their money into the school treasury unsparingly. Not only without grudg- ing, but freely and gladly. Why ? Because they are told and believe that the system is about perfect, and the only possible cause of its failure to perfect mankind is the absence of a sufficient quantity of it, and its universal ap- plication to all ciiildron. Does this fiftj- years' experience and practice in this county- prove this or the contrary ? We have plenty of men near the age of fifty years who were reared here, and some of them learned to read and write after they were thirty years old. The}' had not the benefit of those primitive schools, as there are many here now antl sucih there alwaj-s will be, who reap none of the benefits of the modern school. Compare the average man and woman, natives of this Slate, who were reared under the poor, meager pay schools of the olden time, with the average man and woman from different States, reared under the benign influences of the most liberal free schools. Is illiteracy banished? Do crimes cease and immorality flee to the mountains before the mightj' tread of this grand army of free schools ? Is there a proportionate disappear- ance of the one with the appearance of the other? The multitudinous mass of mankind will say yes / The figures of statistics will alone tell the true story. This is no place to discuss the question of how to make better the common school, even if it is one of supreme importance. We pass to other parts of the subject, content with this statement. The schools are based upon the idea that all can and should become philos- ophers, with no difference among men, except in degree of advancement. Whereas the truth is that the best and most difficult thing for so- cietj' to do is to produce gentlemen. True, it is that the home influence and training is where this precious commodity to society- is mostly to come from, yet if the schools ever arrive at the point where the^' can, even in the smallest degree, supply this to the cliildren of homes that have it not, then will there be the com- mencement of the real school. Tlien mav the c 48 HISTORY OF EFFIjSTGHAM COUNTY. school teacher, snrroiindeci bj' his school familj', like the proud mother of the Gracchi exclaim : "Behold, these are my jewels! " Men have interested themselves in education since recorded, and even before recorded time. The earliest traditions present only grown men, seeking to educate themselves. Children then were left to grow, with only the restraints or training that society and home forced upon them, their education being left to their own exertions after they became men and women. Remember that such schooling advanced all mankind — made civilization out of barbarism. A little book entitled " Ten Days in Athens," gives us some account of a school, taught in the porches and the gardens by Epicurus. This little book tells the secret of the intellectual greatpess and glory of Athens, that immortal cit3'— the mistress and nourishing mother of civilization — whose grand work has for 3,000 years stood as a beacon light upon the troubled waters. The school of Epicurus had no aid from the State, it had little, if any more, ele- gance or paraphernalia than did the boy teacher — Elisha Parkhurst's school in Brockett's stable. It was without books. Yet it was a fountain of profound philosoph}-, from which his fol- lowers might drink, and drink long and deeply. The routine of his school-room were his con- versations in which he gave them the ripened wisdom of his mind. He gave them true knowl- edge — that knowledge that lifts truth from error; the greatdoctrine that the highest and most en- during pleasure in life is the acquisition of new truths that come of the better understanding and comprehension of the mental and ph3-sical laws; that this alone destroyed ignorance, and that ignorance is the fruitful source of the evils that afflict mankind. In discussing the gods, he bluntly told his pagan school that their dieties no more caused rain to come to make the grain grow than did the}- send the rain to rot in the field the gathered but ungarnered products of the farm; that to worship these gods in the hope that the worship would be pro-rated anil paid in future great favors was not the most ennobling religious idea of which a great and pure soul could contemplate or have. What, think you, would this old pagan school teacher saj', could he now pay us a visit, and be taken to Oxford Universit}', and in solemn soberness shown the exact and priceless facsimile, that is there so carefully preserved, of the horn that blew down the walls of Jericho? Epicurus had been reared in paganism; he had been cradled in its lap, had taken it with his food from his mother's breast, and, like all men, had adopted the religion of his fathers. Yet he grew to be intellectually almost a demi- god. He did not grow to think iu the old groves of formulated ideas where " to dally was to be a dastard — to doubt was to be damned." He was nominallj- a pagan, but he wor- shiped truth alone, and with " an eastern de- votion he knelt at the shrine of his idolatry." He was illiterate, but who iu the ages since he was upon earth has been great enough to take his master's seat in the school-room ? Another great man, but not his peer, was the Swiss, Pestolozzi, the school teacher who lived and taught school a hundred jears ago. He believed and taught that there was much error in the fundamental idea and s}'stem of the schools. He contended that mere mem- orizing from books was not education, was not the source of knowledge; that knowledge came not by being told so and so, either by the books or the teacher, but bj- experimental lessons where not only the brain, but the heart the eye, the touch, in fact, all the avenues to the brain were not onlj' partakers but become part and parcel of the lesson. Pestolozzi took issue with the schools as the system and science of teaching had been the accepted practice for sixteen hundred j-ears before his da}'. He established a school and attempted to put in practice his theories. His HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 49 school was a failure, not because of the defects of Ills discoveries in the system, but because he taught in advance of his day — a cause of as much loss to mankind probabli' as all other causes combined. It is true that, in the insti- tutes and conventions of teachers we are told and re-told, as often as these bodies meet, that all schools are now taught strictly upon the •' Pestilozzian plan," as the}' term it. Go stud}' what the great Swiss sa3's, and j'ou will be amazed at the wide misunderstanding that exists between his ideas and the practices of the school room. The profound thinker, Locke, has slapped the faces of the first schools of I<]urope, with the "learned ignorance" thcj- annually pour upon the world, labeled " Education. ' He tells them illiterate intelligence is inflnitelj- prefer- able to " learned ignorance." And 3'et a I'nited States Senator, in Congress two years ago, in discussing some school subject, an- nounced that " every illiterate person in our country is a menace to our free institutions," and from the fact that he did not say that he had any fears of ignorance, it is a fair presump- tion that the Senator, in common with most men who think vaguely and talk loosely-, con- founding words with a shocking recklessness, useil the word '• illiterate " when he meant ignorance. Richard Grant White discussed very ably re- cently, in the North American Review, the ques- tion " The Public Schools a Failure," in which he arrays the statistics of illiteracy and crime of a certain number of States north of the Po- tomac with an equal number south of that river. They were States of free public schools and States without them, classified and compared. In the United States Census of 1870, Dr. Earle discussed at much length the question of public schools and insanity, and basing his con- clusions upon the Government statistics, he draws some frightful conclusions. A committee of gentlemen in Chicago, deeply interested in the schools, who had been ap- pointed to investigate the subject in that city, reported unanimously that they could arrive at no other conclusion but that the whole system had been so pressed and pushed by the cry I'or improvement that they were now almost value- less as a means of education. A prominent school man of California suras up his investigations, and he has no hesitation in putting down as his best judgment that the whole S3-stem is so full of faults that it is of doubtful value. These men may, and it is to be hoped they are, in error upon this vital question; j'et thej- start a discussion that can- not but prove wholesome. It is the waters that are stirred that are pure and healthv. Educate! Educate! Teach all men, though what is true education first; then you cannot provide too much of this, nor is the necessary cost a question for a moment's consideration. Because it is-the inestimable boon to man — the basis of civilization and man's welfare. The young State of Illinois manifested a deep interest in this important subject. On the 13th of April, 1818, it was admitted as a State in the Union, and Congress in the act of admis- sion offered for the State's " free acceptance or rejection " the following; among other proposi- tions: 1. "That section numbered sixteen in every township, and when such section has been sold or otherwise disposed of, other lands equivalent thereto, and as contiguous as ma}- be, shall be granted to the State for the use of schools. 3. " That five per cent of the net proceeds of the lands lying within such State, and which shall be sold by Congress from and after the 1st day of January, 1810, after deducting all expenses incident to the same, shall be re- served for the purposes following, viz.: Two- fifths to be disbursed under the direction of Congress in making roads leading to the State, the residue to be appropriateil by the Legisla- ture of the State for the encouragement of 50 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. learning, of which one-sixth part shall be ex- clusively bestowed on a college or universit3'." These propositions were accepted by the State Constitutional Convention at Kaskaskia on the 2Gth day of August, 1818. January- 15, 1825, the Legislature passed an act for the " establishment of free schools and other purposes." An amendment to this act was passed February 17, 1827, providing, among other things, as follows: " The legal voters of any school district, at their regular meetings, shall have power in their discretion to cause either the whole or one-half of the sum required to support a school in such district to be raised by taxation. And if onlj' one-half be raised b3- taxation, the remainder may be required to be paid by parents, masters and guardians, in proportion to the number of pupils which each of them shall send to such school. " Sec. 4. No person shall hereafter be taxed for the support of any free school in this State unless by his or her own free will and consent, first had and obtained in writing. Any person so agreeing and consenting shall be taxed in the manner prescribed in the act to which this is an amendment. Provided. That uo person shall be permitted to send any scholar or schol- ars to such school unless such person shall have consented as above to be taxed for the support of such school, or by the permission of the trustees of said school. And proi-ided, That all persons residing within the limits of a school district shall at all times have the privilege of subscribing for the support and establishment of anj- such schools." In May, 1827, a general act relating to the school lands was passed by the Legislature pro- viding for the appointing by the County Com- missioners' Court of three Trustees in " each township where they may deem it expedient, and where the population thereof will admit, to be called the Trustees of the School Land," making the Trustees a body corporate, requir- ing them within six months after their appoint- ment to survey section sixteen, or such other land as ma3- be selected in lieu tliereof, in tracts not less than forty nor more than one hundred and sixty acres, make a plat thereof for the Commissioners' Court, authorizing it to reserve from sale certain timber or stone or coal lands, and to lease said lands, etc., etc." These Trustees were required to laj- off school districts, so that each district should not have less than '• eighteen scholars subscribed or going to school." The State then levied an annual two-mill tax on the property of the State for the maintenance of schools, and thus step by step laid the founda- tion for our free schools upon a broad and lib- eral and wise financial plan. The State put the means in the school men's hands. It did all it could do in this wa}' in the cause of education, and if there is any failure in the sj'Stem, it is the fault, not of its financial provisions, but of the organizers and the workmen in the school- room. From the little beginning in Brockett's stable has grown the public free schools of the county, of which there are seventy -seven school dis- tricts, that have three log, sixty-three frame and ten brick schoolhouses, with an enrollment of pupils of 4,238, a daily attendance this school year (1882) of 327,659, the average school terra of six and five-tenths months, with the scliools classed as graded, and an attendance upon these graded schools of 1,449. There were ninety-five teachers employed. The total expenditure for 1882 was $30,685.79; the amount paid teachers, $19,416.51; the highest monthly salary paid was $75, and the lowest $15, an average of $31.58. We have a school in- debtedness of $13,650. There are other than the free schools — ten schools vvith an enroll- ment of 520. The number of children under twentj'-one years of age in the count}' is 9,443, and the number of school age— that is, between six and twenty-one — is 6.218. The number of illiterate persons in the county is placed at six- HISTORY OF EFFINCiHAM COUNTY. 51 teen. This is palpably an error, but by how much the number is understated cannot be known. The schools of EfHngham County rank well with those of other counties in the State, and this evidences a commendable spirit of enterprise and liber.ality of the people. They are deeply interested in this important work, and the money they freely paj- in such large sums demands of our school men a wise discharge of their duties. It demands of them that the}- shall educate, to the best, the rising generation; that thej' shall neither waste the lives of their children nor their money by false education. There is noth- ing in this life of more importance than the school-room. There is no class of people that are surrounded with such important responsi- bilities as the educator. A mistake here is a crime. To teach the young a falsehood is to poison the mind and pollute the soul. The evils of such an act are well-nigh incurable. Here is the paved highway to ignoi-ance and mental sterility that is a menace indeed to civilization itself Let it be remembered that these pioneers had to begin at the foundation and from there build. To create our possessions and belongings. Did thev build only upon the eternal rocks ! WtUiam J. ffan/L-ins. — Of the early legal and official life of this count}', we know of no man who stands out in the picture more promi- nently than Judge William J. Hankins. He came here just when he was most needed and his finger marks are everywhere, telling the story of his handiwork, and writing his epitaph in the hearts, not only of his descendants, but of the thousands who arc reaping, and who will in the future enjoy the fruits of his labors and his foresight. He came here in 1832, with a wife and sev- eral young children — impelled, doubtless, by the Napoleonic impulse of destiny. A new county had been incorporated by- the Legisla- ture, and its people were few, and there was a demand for men competent to do the work of placing the infant municipality upon its feet. An unorganized community of people were placed by law to themselves, and society and fellowship was to be created, their own police and local laws to be made and executed, the wheels and machinery of a little govern- ment were to be constructed and adjusted, and the whole to be so adapted that it would work harmoniousl}- and without friction. It is the men of the strong intellects and force of character that come to the front when important work, especially work that is not routine, is to be done. Judge Hankins. in his small way — smaller because his field of opera- tions was, in the nature of things, circum- scribed within the smallest limits — is as much an expression of this truth as was the Little Corporal, whose " frown terrified the glance its magnificence attracted." In the first elections ever held in the county, Hankins was elected Count}- Commissioner, and he organized the County Commissioners' Court and was the central figure in all the official acts and doings of that body. He was, at the same time. County Surveyor, Justice of the Peace, Postmaster, and in nearly every im- portant special commission, or supervision, or agent for the people or county, he was invari- ably the master, mover and leader. At one time or another he held about every position of public trust in the county, and in each and all was lie ever honest, faithful and com- petent. His education in the school books had been limited and meager. His chirograph}- was good; his spelling bad and his grammar faulty, and yet he wrote many legal and other documents and papers that are models of terse- ness, completeness and perspicacity. He^evi- dently had been his own schoolmaster mostly, and he had wrought out for himself a practical education of great value to himself and the people of the count}-. He probably, if alive 52 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. and in his prime, could not pass a successful examination for a fourth grade teacher's cer- tificate, yet it is a question if there has ever been a school teacher in the county but that could have gone to Hankins to learn — and there have learned much ot incomparable value. He helped the helpless, aided the weak, fed the hungry and was a generous and warm-hearted friend to all mankind, as were all men who knew him, a friend to hira. Among the simple rustic pioneers he lived a useful and busy life. If he had ambition, it was not made of that " sterner stuff " that pro- tects its friends by crushhig to death all oppo- nents. He must have felt he was superior to the majority of his surroundings, yet he was never officious or offensivelj- dictatorial. When the count^-'s record of social life, its legal and official growth and existence, the peoples prosperit}', happiness and joj', together with their griefs and pains are rendered and the accounts closed, the great book completed, bound and ready to put away, let it be in- .scribed "The work of William J. Hankins and others." Among the earliest elections in the county was a memorable race made by William Free- man for Justice of the Peace. In those good days, that official was most commonly called " Squire," not Esquire, but Squire, and some pronounced it Square. Freeman was ambitious to serve his country-, and to his ear the title Squire was a long step in the line of honorable promotion. There was another man who coveted the prize, and so the two became can- didates. The contest was spirited, and on the daj- of election it was, to put it mildlj', red hot. The candidates and their friends, in looking for the official worm, literalh- left no stone unturned. As election day waned, the con- test raged only the fiercer. It was hurrah! for one side, and hurray! for the other. Living witnesses testif}- that before the middle of the afternoon some of the ablest " blowers and strik- ers " at the polls had grown so wear}' and ex- hausted, at Freeman's expense, that they could not walk straight. This and some other unfavor- able symptoms so discouraged Freeman that he went home before the polls closed, convinced that he was defeated. He had, in slang par- lance, " thrown up the sponge." He lived two or three miles out of Ewington. To the surprise of ever\' one, when the polls were closed. Freeman was elected by two votes. A few of his friends mounted their horses and rode to his house to inform and surprise him with this good fortune. He was in bed, sound asleep. They roused him, called him out and told him he was elected Justice of the Peace. At this he raved and swore, as did the army in Flanders, and bid his friends go back and tell the election that he was not, and iiad not been, a candidate for Justice of the Peace, and that he would either have squire or nothing; that was what he ran for, and he would not be fooled with by anybody. He changed his mind in time to qualify as Justice of the Peace, and made an efficient officer, discharging his duties not only honestly, but with abilit}-. Of the early comers here, the man first licensed and authorized to vend goods in our county was John Funkhouser. His line of work lay in a different avenue from that of Judge Hankins, but it was parallel and equally important to the j'oung commonwealth. He was a merchant, miller, farmer, trader in stock, and a buyer and seller in everything that the people wanted to bu}- and sell. When there was no trade or commerce, no stores nor money before for the convenience of the people, he or- ganized and made the wa}' for these. He opened the avenues for money to come and cir- culate among the people, as well as for indus- tries that furnished imployment to men that, without him, would have, of necessity, been idle, and perhaps dissolute. In this way his depend- ants outnumbered those of any man who has HISTOKV OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 53 ever been in the counU-, and his strong, clear jiKlgmeut, quick foresight and nerve in those broad fields of commerce that brought him profits and the communit}- gains and the means of manj' comforts, are bright examples of how much better it is to give in that which encour- ages men to help themselves by their own ex- ertions than that old and mistalsen charity that doles out its stinted aids and fosters by it the idleness and want of tlu'ift that first produced it. His executive abilities must have been of no common order. He not only had to direct and plan his multiform business, but he had to create it where tliere was none before, as well as think and provide for his little arm}- of de- pendants, and so wise and just did he manage this that what made him a rich man, con- tributed to the wealth and comfort of the entire community. His liberality and generosity to- ward his dependants and neighbors is well told in a little anecdote. He advised one of his men to plant a little piece of ground in corn, and he would furnish seed, teams, etc., neces- sary for him to work it. It was a little out-of- the-wa}' patch of ground of three or four acres. This man did as advised, and the season proved not the best for corn. In the fall, he got Funk- houser's wagon and gathered it, and took it all. When asked about the one-third for rent, he re- plied : " Why, you see there was no third. There was only two loads in the field. That was my two-thirds, and I reckon as how you don't want your third, when it didn't grow." Funkhouser enjoyed this joke the balance of his life. John Funkhouser was born in Green Countj', Ky., in the year 1778. He died in this county, in 1857. He came to Illinois in 1814, and located in Gallatin County. He moved to Wayne County in 1819, and to Effingham in 1833, and improved the farm now the property and possession of C. F. Lilly, in Jackson Town- ship; lierc he opened a store and built a horse-'^ mill, and commenced those extensive business operations that grew and multiplied until the da}- of his death. When his strong, generous and busy hands fell nerveless at his side in death, his life-work was taken up, where he had stopped, by his son, Presley Funkhouser, who proved a worthy son of a worthy sire. He not only carried ou successfully the extended operations inaugu- rated by his father, but increased and enlarged them in every way. A willing tribute that is paid to his memory by all who knew him in life, was, that he was the most generous and liberal of men. He helped all with a free and liberal hand. A man of strong head, warm heart, and a plethoric purse made him a citizen that was a boon to the people of the county, whose like we may never look upon again. The oldest living persons born in the county are two — a man and woman, born the same night, in the same house, and not twins. These two persons are Thomas Austin and Martha Tucker, nee Brockett, born 14th of November, 1828. Stephen Austin and family arrived in this count}-, and that night, in the house of Thomas I. Brockett, with whom Austin stopped, was born Thomas Austin and Martha, the daughter of Thomas I. Brockett. Martha mar- ried Jonathan Tucker. So far as can be ascer- tained, these were the first births in the county. These two oldest children of the county were born in what is now Jackson Township, where they are both still residing. For a new border settlement, where the press- ing want was people, these two little squalling pioneers were a most encouraging beginning, and truly great must have been the sensation of the day to the half-dozen or so of families that then occupied all the territory that now constitutes Effingham County. Henry Turner was born December 28, 1830. Births and deaths follow each other in nat- ure's order. The first death that we have any account of was that of Isaac Fuller, who was killed in the year 1829 or 1830. He had found 54 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. a bee-tree, and the hive was in a limb of the tree, to where he climbed, in order to cut off the limb. As he stood by the body of the tree and cut the large limb, it commenced to fall, and, instead of brealiing directly, split, and that part uncut held it to the main tree, while the other part caught the body of Fulfer against the main bodj' of the tree and pushed it up a consider- able distance, with such force that he was crushed to death almost instantly. When the outer part of the limb had come to the roots of the tree, the body of poor Fulfer was released, and life wholly extinct, it fell and lodged upon the limb, and the friends of the dead man had some difficulty in getting his body down to the ground. In 1830, a negro who had been a laborer at work on the National road, during the winter, started to go to Vandalia on foot, and was frozen to death on the way, a " Dacotah bliz- zard" meeting him in a short time after he left the cabin on the Little Waliash. His name is not mentioned. It is a curious accident that the first two births should have happened as they did, and as is related above, as well as it is remarkable that the first two deaths known were violent ones. In September, 1835. the Commissioners' Court was called upon to provide homes for the two infant children of Phillip Bucker, who had suffered death from exposure, caused by an attack of mental aberation. This sad duty was the first of the kind the court was called upon to perform, as well as was the death that left these poor orphans the first of the kind in the county. In 1832, the Black Hawk war was in prog- ress, and this young county sent out its first warriors. The little battalion was not very strong in numbers, j'et it was a large propor- tion of the able-bodied men to go to war. Four- teen names are all that can now be recalled of these Indian fighters, to wit: Alexander McWhorter, John Griffy, Henry P. Bailey, John Trapp, Mike Brockett, John Allen, James Porter, Eli. Parkhurst, John Beasley, Isaac Fancher, Alexander Fancher, James Patton, Gideon Louder, and John Meeks. Of this little army of our county's first he- roes that started to the front, keeping step to the spirited fife and drum, all are now sleeping in their graves except Alexander McWhorter, to whose green old age are we indebted for the brief story that tells of all the county's heroes in a very important war. Not a great war, great in its manj- battles and innumerable slain, but great in its fruits, and its good to all the millions of people in the Mississippi Val- ley and their descendants. It was not in a war tainted with invasion or conquest, those unholj' purposes that stain mankind and make their battles so shocking in brutalism and bar- barism; it was to protect their homes, and their wives, and little ones from the tomahawk, the scalping knife, and the fire and faggot of the monster red devils in their cruel and bloodj' course, that the noble little band went forth. The countr3- has not verj- graciousl}' remem- bered these, its true heroes and benefactors. The politiciaus have had no occasion to spill over the living or the dead of these heroes anj^ of their ocean of crockadile tears in order to catch votes. It has not been fashionable to do so, and there are no fashion-followers that can equal the politicians. There are but few of the soldiers of the Black Hawk war now left among us. In a very few short years there will be none. Ma}' their names and their fames be intrusted to the gen- tle and just hands of that future historian, who will, with tears in his eyes and divine auger in his heart, exterminate false gods and idols, and resurrect from unmerited forgetfulness and oblivion, the world's true and modest heroes. HISTOHY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY, 55 CHAPTER IV. CllAKACTER OF THE PIONEERS— GREAT MEN— CUMBERLAND ROAD— TOLL BRIDGE— THE FIHST CENSUS— HARD LIFE— HOW BROCKETT I'LAYED BULL CALF — PIONEER WOMEN- WILD HONEY— COFFEE AS BEAN SOUP- DR. BISHOP'S MILLS— THE KILLING OF HILL— ROD JENKINS AND WHISKY— BOLEYJACK. ETC., ETC. "How sweet the memory of those early days." IN the preceding chapters we have attempted to give some account of the coming of the earliest settlers here, vvho they were, and in what order they came, with some sifetches that were intended to serve as illustrations that would give the reader the best idea that we possessed of what manner of men they were. These pen sketches are all that can be given of a people that have passed away, and of whom the artist and painter had preserved no re- corded signs. Of necessity, such sketches are drawn bj' those who never saw the originals, and who can know of them only bj- much talking and communications with those who did knovv them long and well, while they were here and playing their part in life. To pick out the representative people of all the differ- ent classes of a community, and draw a true representation of them — so true that any reader can gather an actual, personal acquaintance with those who were perhaps dead before he was born — is no easy task, yet one, if done well and truly, will give him a just and correct idea of those about whom he is studying history for the purpose of learning. For a certain quality of society will produce a certain kind of men, or a certain kind of character — a lead- ing ciiaracter with strong marks and signs that arrests attention, and fixes upon him the duty of furnishing posteritj* the key to the whole mass of his fellow-men, who were his neigh- bors and contemporaries. We have said that such sketches are, of ne- cessity, not drawn by those who personally knew the originals. It is best this should be so, for, then, there is most apt to be no prejudices, either for or against the subjects that constitute the picture, and false colors are not so liable to slip in. There is less incentive (there should be none) to suppress here and overdraw there; in short, less of prejudice, and consequently more of truth. But men who write arc affocteil by much the same prejudices or color of vision in viewing transactions of which thej' formed a part as other men, and for this reason history is written bj' strangers, or rather the sons and daugliters of strangers, who live in the long j'ears and ages after the actors and their imme- diate descendants have passed awaj\ It requires a remarkable state of society to produce a remarkable individual. The individ- ual thus becomes the index to the surroundings that created him. For, mark you, the great man, the extraordinar}- — the marked man — is not a special providence for a special providen- tial purpose, an}- more than is an extraordinary prize pumpkin. One is as much the result of surroundings that preceded his or its coming as the other. You look upon the huge pump- kin in huge amazement, and while you may not openlj' confess it, you in 3'our heart believe that the god of pumpkin-pie has here made a strong, a long, and a pull altogether. And so when you look upon that crowned monarch of all mankind — Shakespeare. The one is no more a miracle than the other. The}- are both the results of those laws that never change — 56 HISTORY or EFFINGHAM COUNTY. where like causes produce like results always. If the statistics of a people, together with these character sketches that are the statistics of that iuuer life of men, that is a part and parcel of the first named, are both truly given, they constitute the true history of that people. Because a historj- of a people is onlj- a just account of so much of the human mind, its in- fluence upon itself — the influence upon it of the surroundings. In the preceding chapters we have, as nearly as we could, followed events, and even the in- dividuals, in their chronological order. We found that on the 15th of February, 1831, here was formed a new county, with a pioneer pop- ulation of about three hundred people, and nearh' as man}' more people here who consti- tuted the forces at work upon the National road, that was then in process of construction through this county. This road was originally called the Cumber- land road, after the old stage road from Wash- ington City to Cumberland, Md., where had been the resting place for Claj-, Jackson, Harrison, Randolph, and man}' other notables, as they journeyed to and fro from the seat of government. This road was a national work. It had been provided for in the I'eservation of five per cent of the sale of public lands in Illi- nois and other States, and biennial appropria- tions were its dependence for a continuation to completion. When Congress made any appro- priations for this road, it required that " said sums of monej' shall be replaced out of any funds reserved for laying out and making roads, under the directions of Congress, by the several acts passed for the admission of the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri into the Union, on an equal footing with the original States." The heaviest force of these workmen was at the crossing of the Little Wabash, and here was erected shanties and a little supplj' store in 1830. The county lines now are identical with those designated by the Lsgislature in the act of February, 1831, although in 18-15 the Legisla- ture, in order probabl}' to better fit the county seats of Shelby and Effingham Counties to their geographical centers, passed an act to take from Shelby County the north half of Towns 9, i, 5 and 6, and mike them a part of Effingham County; provided, the people of those half townships mentioned should, by a majority vote, so elect. This proposition was voted down, and the act becama null and void. The bridge over the Little Wabash at Ewington was a toll bridge. By act of the Legislature of lSi7, it was made a free bridge after a specified time. In 1835, Col. Sam Huston was designated by the Count}' Commissioners' Court to take a census of the county. There then had gath- ered here aljout one thousand people, two stores, about two hundred improvements called farms, but little clearings, that would not aver- age over two or three acres each, and stump mills, for pounding corn into meal, were about as numerous as the cabins in the county. Every family was their own miller, practically, until a man named Witherspoon started a mill in Shelby ^County, about twelve miles north of Ewington. This was a horse mill, and here the people would gather, await their turn to put their horses in the mill, and grind out their grist. Like all new settlers, they labored under not only the disadvantage of being poor in all the comforts of life — the plainest neces- sities even — .as well as a complete absence of those things, such as mechanics, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, carpenters, etc., that are essen- tial, in the procuring every aid the}- were com- pelled to have. There was little or nothing to be bought, and they had even less to purchase with had it been there. In 1829, there were only two or three farms in the count}' where land enough was tilled to use an old " Carey plow," and one of these pioneer farmers tells msTUHY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. J7 how lie footed it from the south Hue of this county to Shelbyville, carrjing his plow to have, it sharpened. Man}- started their '-dead- nin " in the timber, and dug holes here and there, planted corn and potatoes and perhaps a few beans, and thus raised their little truck- patches, that gave them food or bread at least; their meat the}' could procure in great abun- dance b}' their rilles. Frequently there would bo but one wagon to a whole neighborhood, and then for ordinary uses the old '■ lizzard " sled was the universal substitute. This was made bv cutting the forks of a tree, the two limbs making the runners, and the short end above the forljs with a hole in it to hitch to. A. yoke of scrawny bull calves, a big bo}- and all the family of little ones and a dog or two were the forces that "snaked up " water some- times, and wood sometimes, and other things were thus transported short distances. The calves had to be put to work j'oung ; they were naturally- of a big horned, sharp rumped breed, and not the best cared for in the world at that. In fact, John I. Brockett vows and declares that when he was a good sized lout of a boy, their extremity in the line of bull calves was so great that he conceived the happj- expedi- ent of yoking himself up with the only one his famil}- possessed. The idea was no sooner conceived than it was executed, with a j-oungcr brother to drive. But John made such a sor- ry-looking calf that his mate refused to pull, and wheeled his rump around and turned the yoke, and thus they stood with their heads in opposite directions. This would not do. John had heard of tying oxen's tails together to keep them from turning the yoke. So he got a cob and gathered it up in the scat of his leather breeches, and tied the rope fost below the knot formed by the cob, and this was se- curely tied to the calf's tail, and the difficulty was overcome and the team re-hitched to the " lizzard." The calf again tried to twist him- self around and turn the yoke. He pulled till John's suspenders " popped," and his leather breeches stretched out until they were as long and slim as the calf's tail, when John ordered his brother to give them the gad. The bull looked at John, its mate, and bellowed and plunged and pulled its tail nearlj- off, and tiually, in agony and fright, it ran off at full speed, John doing his best to keep up, or check the calf, or keep his neck from being broken. Over the brush, the briers, logs and everything pell-mell, the frightened calf bellowing, and the now worse frightened John roaring at his mother, as the runaways approached the house. " Here we come, d — n our fool souls ! stop us ! stop us ! we're running away ! " The single wagon to a neighborhood was generally kept busy; when not employed by the owner's work it was hired to the neighbors the established price for wagon, team and driver was five bushels of corn a day. This corn was worth from 8 to 12 cents a bushel. As a general thing, the evidences are that the women of the pioneers were more industri- ous than the men. The majority of them had to raise the flax, or assist at it, and then when it was " broke " and '• scutched " and " hackled,' it fell to their lot to spin and weave and make it into wearing apparel and household goods. They worked often in the truck patches; they carried the water at a distance often from springs, and here thej- would take their clothes on wash-day, often they picked up the fire- wood and carried it in their arms to the house. The}' dressed the skins frequentlj', and these were made into wearing apparel. They made their own soap and year in and year out in nearly ever}' cabin stood the " dye-kettle " and after " dyeing " pretty much all the time, it was no surprise when they went to church to be called " poor d3'ing sisters." The " dye- kettle " was always at the fire-side. A rough cover made it a convenient seat and many of our now old people can tell you about : " IIow sweet the memorj- of those early days," 58 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. when the_y sat upon the dear old kettle and courted grandmother. This reminds us of a current story of one of tlie ver}- bashful young fellows, who called to " spark " his girl, and when he took his seat on the kettle to com- mence the long, delightful evening's work, and his girl, no other scat being handy, seated her- self in his lap. His delirious first joy passed away after some time, but the girl talked and giggled and laughed and continued to talk. He grew silent as she grew talkative; after awhile he blubbered out cr3-ing at a terrible rate. The poor girl inquired the matter — petted, and soothed him and clung the closer to him. Finall}-, the household was raised and when compelled to tell what was the matter, he whined and sobbed out " The — kittle — cuts me!" The edge of the kettle had stopped blood cir- culation in his limbs, and the dear girl on his lap had increased its circulation in his heart; the pain from the kettle was agon}'; holding the girl was a delightful ecstasy. He could not push her off, nor could he endure the suffering any longer. In his helplessness he cried. Who blames him? The first school reports of the doings of the County School Commissioners are preserved from being dry, monotonous and sleep-produc- ing by their brevity and wholesome originalitj-, as well as the regular Chinese puzzles that some words make bj' the waj- the}' are spelled. For instance the line : " Hieronomous Faithout Seagule $10." This would look to any ordinarj- stupid reader as something amounting to $10 had been paid to one " Seagule," but the eagle- eyed historian had posted himself about everj' man and woman in the county, all the children, many of the dogs, stump mills, Indians, green- heads, pioneer pills, and other luxuries of those good old honest times — times when a counter- feit half-dollar commanded a premium, because it was not onlj' the best but the onlj- monej' within reach — we say the historian knew in a moment that Mr. " Seagule " had neither taught school nor done anything else to earn and get the enormous amount of $10. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and took another look when lo, and behold! the line was plain : " H. Faithout. schedule $10." Honest Hieronomous Faithout had taught school for $10 a month and had returned his " Seagule " in first-class style. ^ ■* * * if * In 1830, the first bushel of wheat ever planted in the count}' was by Judge Broom. It made a generous yield, and from here came the seed that in the after years made much of the wheat bread of our people. It was sown in what is now Mason Township. The same man planted the first orchard here in 1829. He had brought the young trees with him from Tennessee; were all grafted trees, and several have told us that, in the year 1839, they remember getting off this orchard some excellent fruit. When it is remembered that up to this year there were yet but eighteen families in Mason Township, it evidences that these people were by Brooms care and foresight, afforded a very early op- portunity of sitting down and enjoying their own vines and apple trees. Until this orchard came on, the people tasted no other fruit, except that which grew wild in the woods. These were crab-apples, plums, grapes and wild cherry and the variety of nuts found here. The first really profitable industry here was the gathering honey. The alternating of tim- ber and prairie — prairies jeweled with garden flowers — were favored places for the wild bees, and, therefore, nearly every tree was the hive where they lived and gathered their sweet treasures from the blossoms of the prairie. The honey was gathered and the wax strained and both became the really money-producing products of the country. Honey, beeswax, ginseug, venison, turkeys, pelts and furs were the only things possible to send to market to exchange for such articles as the people wanted. HISTORY OF EFFINGIIA.M COUNTY. 59 Ami of all these, honey and coon-skins were the leading ones. These early comers had to have powder, tobacco and whisky. For every- thing else they could kill game. The first sea- son usually they had to bu}- corn for bread, but the emei-gencies were frequent when this could not be got, then they used the lean of the meat for bread and the fat for meat. In raan^- families, coffee was unknown. One instance is related where a man was quite sick. In his j'oung da^-s, he had used coffee, and when he lay sick he imagined that would bring him health. Judge Broom went on foot to Shclbyville and got a pound. When he returned to the sick man's house he gave it to the daughters (grown girls) and told them to make some for their father. The}- took it out and examined it for some time, when they went to the old people and inquired if you made it " like other bean soup." All families did not live this way. There was then, as now, great difference in the fore- thought and thrift of the people. Manj-, even when here before the county was organized, lived in generous plenty of such as the land afforded then anywhere in the great West. Meat of a superior qualit}- and in varieties that we now cannot get were within the easy reach of all, but in everything else to eat or wear thej- were far behind us now, but so was the whole country. But what was possible for men to do then is well illustrated in the sketch that we give below that comprises the facts of what the subject did do. In this connection we may say that we prefer to give the facts than to tr}- to give the results and let them tell their own storj-. " Dr. Jacob Bishop was born in Hardy County, Ya., in 1812, and spent his j-ears to maturity on his father's farm. When of age, he emigrated to Licking County, Ohio, where he was soon after married to Sarah Hooks. His father died in 1836, when he was called to his old home, where he remained until he ad- ministered upon the estate, which duty lie per- formed to the utmost satisfaction of all inter- ested. He then returned to his home in Licking Count}', where he remained" a little more than a year, and then moved to Effing- ham County, arriving October 11, 1841, and fixed his home at Blue Point. This was simpl}- going into camp, as for some time his wagon was his bouse. With his own hand and alone he cut and carried, with the help of Met Kelly, the logs and poles and built his cabin. He commenced opening a farm. His ax and auger were about all the mechanical aids he possessed. Until his first crop matured, his table, made b}' his own hands from the first convenient tree, did not do any of that prover- bial groaning under the other proverbial loads of rich and delicate viands gathered from the four quarters of the wide and beautiful earth ; for even 6-cent corn, which had to be pur- chased and direct from the cob, manufactured at home from the old stump-mill, was earning bread by the sweat of the brow. True, there were then four old, ricket}- horse-mills in the count}-, but they were so little an improve- ment on the home stump and pestle that they were of doubtful advantage. '•The moment a little leisure from his primi- tive farming operations was found, he looked about him and determined to make such im- provements as his fertile brain suggested and his hard necessities demanded. He procured a couple of bowlders, ' nigger heads,' as they are commonly called, that are found so fre- quently all over the county, and from these he manufactured a couple of mill-stones, the bed- stone being fixed in a sycamore gum. This gum was a common article of utility in the early day. It was made by sawing off a hol- low tree any required length, and when set upright was a fine substitute for barrel or hogshead. This was firmly fixed in the ground, the upright lever attachment was at- tached to the upper stone, and the mill was 60 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. complete. The motive power to this was his own strong arms, and in this wa}-, a big im- provement, remember, on the old way, he secured for a long time the bread for his fam- ily, consisting of a wife and six children. But his active nature did not permit him to stop content with this ; he sought out other schemes and quickly put them into practice. He had by this time become the happy possessor of a yoke of oxen and an old, patched-up wagon, and with these he inaugurated the business of going among the people and gathering their beeswax, pelts, venison or anything else they desired to send to market that was transporta- ble, and -with a load of these, going to St. Louis. These products the neighbors thus pooled and sent to market were sold to the best advantage by this trusty commission merchant, and with the proceeds he would purchase and bring back the quantitj- and kind of merchandise ordered by each, which would be carefully delivered to the widespread neighbors. To thus patiently gather up the load to take away, then return to each the articles ordered ; to be from three to Ave weeks on the road to the city and return, and that, too, when in wet weather the roads and bridges were simply horrible, and in dry weather it was, if an3'thing, even worse, as the cattle were in danger of perishing, and in still more dan- ger of running awa}-, overturning the wagon, plunging down a bluft", or hopelessly bogging wagon and all in the mud and water — a not uncommon occurrence when the suffering brutes would suddenly smell the water as they would pass near it along the road ; to all this add the exposure to wind, storms, snow and freezing, and to heat and dust ; to these in- clude the time and hard labor of .this slow, small kind of business ; to do all this, and tell it to the people of this day and age, is to ex- cite their incredulity and tax them with a load of doubts. But Bishop did all this, and, slow and small as it looks, he soon so prospered that he accumulated sufficient to commence a regular business of buying what the people had to sell and selling it on his own account. He bought their pelts, beeswax and produce, and purchased the goods wliich he sold to them for their products. In 1844 or 184.i, he moved into Freemanton, then but a mere hamlet on the National road, and commenced regulary to merchandise, but continuing to make his regular trips to St. Louis and exchanging products for goods and returning again and exchanging goods for prod- ucts. A part of his trade was to bring flour to the people. This trade at that time com- pared to the flour trade of to-daj- is a curious instance of the changes that occur. Now we ship out of the county flour by the car-load, and that often in daily shipments; at that time, it was brought hei'e and retailed out only in cases of sickness, in three and five-pound packages only, the five pounds being the maximum that a single family would purchase at a time. It was a very poor, black article at that — one that the well now would elevate their offended noses at, but it was food and medicine to the poor sick sufferers of that day. Bishop's business in Freemanton was so prosperous that he soon felt able to commence the erection of a wool carding machine. For those da3-s, this was a daring enterprise. The motive power was a tread-wheel moved by three oxen, and here was furnished the people a new industry, as well as a home market for their wool. It must have been a great boon to the poor women of the country, as it tended much to lighten their work in preparing the clothes for their families. He soon found that his machine was a complete success, and that his motive power was capable of doing addi- tional work, and so he added regular mill- stones that would make corn-meal and even grind wheat which could be and was bolted '■ bj- hand." And thus Bishop's carding- machine and grist-mill soon became the center of much business and traffic. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 61 In 1850, the coiintrj^ had outgrown the ca- pacities and its tread-wlieel power, and so he responded to the public wants and purcliased an engine and boiler. With this great improve- ment and added power, he purchased a circular saw, and made this an addition to his establish- ment. He was tiien ready and enabled to card the wool, grind the meal and flour and saw the lumber as the public need required. This was the first saw and grist steam mill ever started in the county. For many miles around the people came in crowds to look upon and admire this wonderful thing. On Saturday's, particu- larly, they would gather in numbers and spend the day in athletic and other sports about the mill, and in many waj's manifest their wonder and joy over the grand improvement. We could not give the history of the rise and progress of the mill in our county without at the same time giving much of the earl}- history of Dr. Bishop, so closeh' are the two identified. It is but just to the memor}' of a good man, a valuable citizen and a kind-hearted, true gen- tleman, to briefly conclude this paragraph with a few further words of the Doctor : In early life he had secured a small but select medical library; not with a view of ever prac- ticing medicine, but to improve himself — to educate himself — to secure knowledge; he mas- tered these books, and to this information his strong, closely observing mind had gathered knowledge from every available opportunity or experiment that presented itself He found himself often and often surrounded by sick neighbors, when there was no physician to be had ; in such emergencies he was the Good Samaritan. And so valuable did he prove as nurse and adviser that he soon was wanted both far and near, and almost from compulsion he was thus drifted into the practice of med- icine. From the ver}- first he had shown him- self to be so skillful in the handling of that dreadful disease, typhoid fever, that his repu- tation and practice extended, not onl}- over his own but all adjoining counties. To this large, but not lucrative practice — not lucrative be- cause the people were poor and his charit}- was wide— he gave his time almost exclusivelj' to the time of his last sickness. For some j'ears before his death he suffered from rheumatism, of which he died on the 8th of November, 1870, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. His widow, Sarah Bishop, died March 11, 1872. Three sons and three daughters were left surviving; of these, one son and one daugh- ter have since died. Dr. Bishop's life is a fair illustration of the fiict that a man who is a born gentleman will alwa3-s be one despite surroundings. It is a common saying of some men that if so-and-so had only had different training and surround- ings in his youth, instead of being a mere vul- gar lout, he would be a gentleman. There is little truth in such moralizings. It is doubtful if there is anj'. There is infinitely more truth in the opposite aphorism that "blood will tell." There is such a thing as pure and gentle blood, and surroundings can no more change or hide it in the possessor than they can the muley's ears or the leopard's spots. It is the testimonj- of all who knew Dr. Bish- op, that his presence in the sick room was like a genial, bright raj' of sunshine. Under no circumstances did he forget to be a true and perfect gentleman. All testifj- to this, and the memory of his strong integrity and strict hon- esty, when added to what he has done for the improvement of the people of the county, are his imperishable and fit monument. In conclusion, upon the subject of mills, it may be here stated that for a long time the only mode of getting sawed lumber was bj- the "whip-saw." This was run b\- two men, with saw made for this purpose, one man standing on the log and the other under it, and in this hard and tedious waj- much lumber was got out before tiie horse-mill of T. J. Gillenwater's was put up, and a circular saw put to work. This 62 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. was propelled bj- seven horses, and often cut eight to nine hundred feet of lumber a day. In the early day some ingenious pioneer put up a curious water-caill on the Wabash. It was so contrived, being two large troughs hung up- on a pivoted cross-beam, with a heav}' stone at one end of the beam and the trough at the other, so rigged that when the trough filled with water, it would raise the stone and the water would then spill out of the trough and let the stone drop heavily in the other trough where the grain was. It was automatic and worked continuallj', needing oul3- an atteudent to take out the meal and put in fresh grain. The population of Effingham County in 1840 was 1,675. The census for the year reports 451 engaged in agriculture; in manufactures and trade, 16; in commerce, 9; learned profes- sions, 4. The county had two insane persons. They were a private charge. There is no record of the number of persons that could not read and write. Under the head of universities, col- leges, students, grammar schools and mining all are blanks. The Killing of Hill. — At high noon, on the 15th day of April, 1842, in the town of Free- manton, Dick Hill, as he sat upon his horse, conversing with Jesse Newman, was shot dead. Hill was in the road and the man he was con- versing with stood inside the yard, and near a blacksmith shop. The report of the gun was probably heard by all in the little village, 3-et to this da}' it has never been proven who fired the shot. His head, shoulder and body were riddled with buck-shot, and his death must have been instantaneous, as he rolled oS his horse and fell limp and dead in the road, whore he la}' just as he had fallen. Some of the scat- tering shot had slightly wounded the horse's shoulder, and the frightened, riderless animal running past the few village houses at full speed, toward his home and along the road his master had ridden a short time before. This added to the report of the gun told the tragic story unmistakably to all. When the horse dashed up to his master's door, the empty sad- dle and the j'et warm blood told the frightful story to Mrs. Hill. It was a short half-mile from the scene of the tragedy to Hill's house. The screams of the woman could be plainlj' heard, as she rushed out of her door, caught the horse, bounded into the saddle and at full speed started to the village. With mingled screams, sobs and execrations upon the mur- derers, and waving her hands and arms above her head, she came to where her dead husband laj'. The^horse stopped when she flung herself to the ground, fell upon the corpse, pushed one hand under the head, and in doing so covered the hand and part of her arm in the dark mud made by the blood, as it mingled with the dust of the road; she raised the head until the face of the living and the dead were nearly along side each other, when the maniac wife and dead husband presented a picture that will never fade from the memorj' of the few who looked upon it. A brief half-hour before the tragedy, Richard John Hill, in the prime of lusty life, splendid ph3-sical organization, and above the average of much of his surroundings in intellect and culture, had left his wife as she stood in the door admiringlj- watching him as he rode away upon his spirited and gaily caparisoned horse, toward the village. He rode up to the village post office, kept by Mrs. Flack, now Mrs. Joshua Bradlev, had called for his mail, which was car- ried out to him by Mr. Brown, and after chat- ting gail}- a moment, he turned his horse and rode toward the blacksmith shop and to his terrible death. The excitement over this daylight, yat vnya- terious traged}-, was great, indeed, among all people. The consequences flowing therefrom, lasting as the}' did for nearly a generation were unparalleled in the historj- of the State. Nearl}- all questions of social life and the poli- tics of the county were pivoted upon this sub- / C-yiTT^-^-J^ HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 65 ject. And to this daj-, if you talk to one 3-et left of the few men of that time, who were prominent in the aft'airs of the count3', j'ou may easily detect that the subject might re-kindle the fires that raged within them more than forty years ago. Richard John Hill had lived for some years in the county; had been County Superintendent of Schools, and was County Collector when he was killed. But with many of the best people he had earned a bad reputation. Apparently he wished to be considered a reckless, desperate and dangerous man. He openh* defied public moral sentiments. It was said that he was a gambler. Man^- believed he was not only a counterfeiter, but worse, and stories were told of him, which, if true, made him amenable to punishment for the violation of nearly ever3- crime in the decalogue. His delight was to be regarded as a terror generally, and his practices and followers, and henchmen were such that he could and did over-ride and cow man^-, and secure the dread or hate of nearl}' all. Not long after Hill's death, the dead body of a man was found at or near Deadman's Grove (the place gets its name from the circumstance). All indications were that the body had lain for a long time in the water. No one at the inquest recognized the unfortunate. The facts were published and Mrs. Svveene}-, of Spring- field, came here; and from the clothes, tiie false teeth and the peculiar blue color of one of his partially decayed teeth, identified the body as being that of W. S. Sweeney, her husband. Hill's enemies asserted and believed that he and his brother FA had killed and robbed Sweeney and thrown his body into the creek. They told all the circumstantial details — the fact that Hill was in debt to Sweeney and had written to him to meet him in Shelby ville, that they did meet there, gambled and carouaed for two or three days, and then Sweeney and Dick and Ed Hill started for Freemanton, Sweeney in a buggy and the other two on horseback. In this waj- they were seen at points along the road to near Deadman's Grove. One or two parties in this countv met them north of the Grove and these were the last traces of Sweeney alive. Dick and Ed Hill were seen continuing their way south of the Grove, but without Sweeney, and it was said that Ed was in a buggy, leading a horse behind and Dick in company on horseback. Near Freemanton, at the north side of Mrs. Flack's farm, they were seen to separate, Dick going toward his home and Ed going west on the National road. He is reported to have been seen at Vandalia still driviuo; the buscsiv and leading a horse. This was the last ever seen or heard of Ed Hill. In the foregoing mention of the social and political divisions among the people, it must not be supposed that it was divided upon the line of the friends of the man on one side and his enemies on the other. This was not the line of contention at all. There were probablj- verj- few who regretted the taking off of Hill. It was the manner in which it was done and a desire to ferret out the murderers, and at least attempt to punish them and vindicate the maj- esty of the law that constituted the one side, while the others were so rejoiced at his death that the3' not only justified the manner of it, but they were ready to go any length to shield and protect the perpetrators. It was due to this state of affairs that it was impossible to ever produce in a court the truth that some absolutely knew, and all had well grounded suspicions. Ever3' witness who saw the most material parts of the tragedy, were those who hated Hill and were warm friends of the suspected, and they discreetl3' closed their mouths upon the subject and kept them so until long after the principal actors were all dead and the count3- feud had passed awa3- b3- the election of John Trapp as Count3- Clerk in 1860. The people of the county had ranged them- selves on the two sides, and for twenty years 66 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. elections were won and lost, the question not being are you a Democrat or Whig, but are 3'ou a Trapp-man or an anti-Trapp. Or as one side sometimes taunted the other as " horse thieves," and in return the}' were designated as " mur- derers." These terrible epithets were not com- mon, but during the long feud they could at times be heard. It is much to say of the people of those days, that during the twenty years of bickering and bitterness, other and better lives than Dick Hill's were not yielded up as sacrifices upon the alters of hot passion and bitter prejudices. The evils arising in this unfortunate turn in the public and private affiiirs of the people were great and manifold. Their effects are not yet wholly obliterated. Important questions in social life, education and finance were dwarfed and forgotten, while detraction and hate ruled the hour. This unfortunate state of aflfairs would probabl}' never have existed had any other man than John Trapp been sus- pected of being the chief actor in the bloody story. There were few people who doubted very strongly at any time as to who it was that killed Hill. Trapp himself, it is said, never denied it point blank. Trapp and Mike Brockett were seen, just after Hill was shot, to emerge from the emptj- building that stood near the blacksmith shop in front of which the killing occurred. They each carried a gun; the}' quieth' walked up and after looking a few minutes at the dead, Trapp remarked to some one standing by, '' He is dead, isn't he?" and the two men turned and walked ofiF. In some respects, John Trapp was an ex- traordinary man. He was quiet, unobtrusive, kind and gentle of disposition — big-souled and warmly generous to all; of natural sound, strong sense and liberal views; he sedulously avoided difficulties and all troubles. He was affectionate and warm-hearted, and he loved his friends and never abused or threatened even his worst enemies. He believed he had been deepl}' wronged by Hill. Those who knew the circumstances expected he would kill him. Hence, when the sharp report of the gun rang out in the quiet village of Freemanton, it is said the same exclamation came from all who heard the gun, " There, I expect Hill is shot!" But if Trapp had deep griefs — wrongs that impelled him to avenge them in blood, he gave no sign or outward token; he confided them to no hu- man being that ever betrayed his confidence or gave up his secret. He was as the still waters that are deep. Not hasty to act, not swift to revenge. He made no threats — no warning, but he deliberatel}' executed his de- liberate purposes even to the death. His friends never deserted him — his enemies had ceased to persecute him, and there is no ques- tion but that he died in the sincere and honest conviction that he had only done his dutj'. The following is the substance of an act of the Illinois Legislature, and is the final chapter in the official life of Richard John Hill, of date February 3, 1845 : " Whereas, Richard J. Hill was appointed Collector of the Count}' of Effingham for the taxes for the year 1841, and was charged with the collection of the taxes of that year, amount- ing to the sum of S227.16, and died without having completed the collection of the same and it appearing by the books of said Hill, as, returned to the County Commissioners' Court of said county, by William J. Hankins, ad- ministrator of said Hill, and that there re- mains uncollected the sum of $182.47. There- fore Section 1. Be it enacted, etc. That Samuel B. Parks, Charles Gilky and Presley Funk- houser be released from a judgment obtained in the Sangamon Circuit Court against them as securities of said Richard J. Hill, as collec- tor as aforesaid, on payment of the sum of $44.69 with interests, costs of suit, that being the amount that appears to have been collected HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 67 by the said Hill as collector at the time of his death. A tj-pe of a class of men developed by the times were the fighting, roystering, drinking, devil-may-care fellows of whom "chief among ten tiiousand and the one altogether lovely" was Rod Jeniiins. He had boon companions, many imitators, but no equals. He stood alone " like some grand ancient tower " except when he had to steady himself by leaning on some one not so tired as he was. There was nothing small about Rod; he " longed" for the spiritual in this life, and, like the old woman when telling how she liked corn bread, he " honed " for liquid joj's. In the language of the liard-shell funeral sermon, " he had bosses and he run 'em — had dogs and he " fit " 'em — had cocks and always bet his bottom dollar on the high-combed cock. To hunt a little, frolic much, go to town often and never miss a general election day, and get " glorious " earlj- and fight all day for fun, was the pleasure and deliglit of his life. We mean no oflfense to the readers of the prize- ring literature of to-daj- b}' informing them that even in the early times there were men here nearlj' as big fools as thej" aie. Their intelli- gence, like these, had a strong admixture of the bulldog and hyena. Their real worship was an image of the bullet-head and thick-necked tribe of bruisers. It is this base-born admiration of the thug that makes such characters possible among civilized men. The bully is the com- panion piece of the religio- militant dogmatic preacher. They are admirably mated in igno- rance, but in all else the blood-tub is the best of the two. It has been said that of all disgust- ing sights for gods or men, the worst is that of a prize-ring with two human brutes turned loose, like Spanish bulls, to batter and bruise each other to the point of death. But, in truth, a j'ct worse sight is an ignorant dogmatic ass in the pulpit, sacrilegiously proclaiming his Godlj- authority to damn mankind, and rudely invading the sacred confines of that border land of the finite and infinite, where each one is unto hiin.self a secret and a covenant witii iiis God alone; where no earthlj- power should ever at- tempt or does attempt to go, but where the long-eared dogmatist would forever " bray " you in the gnashing teeth, the sobs and wails of a superheated hell and brimstone. There were redeeming traits often about the fighting bull}' in those olden times. He was the foundation upon which the present thugs may pljice their first start in the world, and from the good that was in him his successors have whollj- departed, until thej- now present an instance of perpetual degeneration and total depra\'ity. Rod had many redeeming qualities. At home he was sober, industrious and honest. His fault was he wanted to go to town too often. He only wanted to quarrel with those who had, like himself, a passion for such discussions, and here was a small class of men who found their fun and enjoyment in thus expending the pent- up vital forces that were in their large and splendidly developed ph3-sical organizations. Among barbarous people, to drink and get drunk are not grievous cj-imes, and generally from the highest to the lowest the rule is to in- dulge to excess upon ever}- opportunity. There was a time when anywhere in Illinois whisky was to be found in everj- house; it was a com- mon beverage for men, women and children, and common hospitality commanded it to be offered to every guest upon nearly all occasions. It was cheap, in common use, fresh from the still and fiery, but neither adul- terated nor poisoned. It made men drunk and foolish and beasth', but probabh' did not so fearfull}' craze them then as now. Rod was not wholly vile nor evil-looking, morally or physically. In fact, a kindly-faced, good old grandmother who knew Rod when she was a fair-haired lass, has often described him to the writer as she saw him with her j'oung eyes in his early manhood. She insists he was 68 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. not her sweetheart, yet she pronounces him, at cue time, " the prettiest man in the county." But he was never vain of his beauty, however much he may have been of his prowess. Even if he had been proud of his manly beauty of face, he met with an accident that changed all this just as effectaally as did the mule cure the boy that attempted to climb his tail. This ac- cident gave him the name of " Old Snip Nose," and came about as follows; On one occasion, in a nice, friendly fight, he bit off a portion of his friend's nose. When he sobered up, he no doubt regretted the accident so much that he would have replaced the missing link if he could. But seeing he could not do this, he gave him- self no further concern. His victim did not relish the very practical joke, but nursed his wrath to keep it warm, and as patiently as he could, bided his time. It was not a great while before he saw Kod start home from Ewington so ver3- drunk that before he had gone very far beyond the city limits he fell off his wagon, the fall not disturbing his sound sleep. His enemy improved the opportunity, rushed upon him, and cut off his nose. Whisky had been the Delilah that caressed Rod in her lap until he was shorn thus cruelly. ' From that day he had about the poorest excuse for a nose in the whole county. At all events he missed it so sadly that he eventually took an old shoe-vamp, soaked it well, and made a leather nose, which was fastened to its place by a string around his head above the ears. One morning he rode into Ewington to spend the day, as usual, and as he came into the crowd, Dan Williams (Blue Dan) saluted him cheerfully with, " How are yoa, old Snip Nose? " He paid little or no attention at the time to this salutation, but during the day Rod and Dan got into a fight, when Rod bit off Dan's nose, and then pushed him away, saying with a leer, " How are ynu, Brother Snip? '' The whole county enjoyed the joke finely, at least as well nearly as did Blue Dan, and from this time forth the two were better friends than ever. They often met in the village and spent the day in admirable harmonj- together, never after meeting with more serious mishaps than some- times loosing their leather noses, and then they would go arm in arm roaring through the vil- lage, sending the women and children, and some of the men too, flying in terror to their homes and hiding places. Rod and Dan were admirable types of a class that were here from the first, and that will be here yet for mayhap a long time. It is not insisted on that their abnormal!}' developed bumps for figlits aud whisky were either essential to the early pioneer or models to be hung up in the schoolroom. But there is little doubt but that they had other essential traits, such as reckless braver}', strong resolution and endurance for the sore trials of their times that made them valuable factors in the straggles of the fathers. Boleyjack. — Another and a different character entirely from any we have attempted to por- tray in the preceding chapters was Boleyjack, sometimes styled the parched corn, summer preacher. He was a magnificent specimen of the coou skin pioneer exhorter in many re- spects. He lived hard, preached brimstone sermons and was paid his ministerial salary in old clothes, and at rare intervals, a full feed on •' hog and hominy " at a brother's or neighbor's. From his early days — the years intervening between his childhood gambols and his back- woods preaching — little or nothing is known. He was here — as to how. whence or why he came no one asked, perhaps no one cared. He was naturally pious and dirty, in fact, the prince of dirt if not a paragon of piety. His laziness was only equaled by his tatters and rags. He despised all manual labor, and dread- ed soap and water with an intensity that kept him preserved always in his ancient sweetness and purity. He was the great unwashed sal- vation shrieker, yet there was within him the HISTORY OF EFFINfJHAM COUNTY. 69 smoldering fires of a rough eloquence that when once in his pulpit and warmed to his work, were soon fanned into fierce flames as he drew frightful pictures of an angry God, or the horrors of a hell of literal fire and brim- stone. He preached the Gospel pure and sim- ple, as he understood it; not for pelf, but sole- ly for the good of mankind, and because he was too lazy to do anything else. Manj*, who have seen him hundreds of times, have at- tempted over and over again to describe him — to draw in words a picture so strong and clear that his true likeness would stand out upon the canvas strong and distinct. It is feared they failed to that extent that it will be im- possible for us to place him in his deserved niche of immortality. In appearance he is de- scribed as a man of medium size, angular, un- couth and very ungainly ; swarthy complexion, large mouth, heavy lips, long black, coarse un- kempt hair, stooped shouldered, sluggish of movement, and listless, careless air. His whole features were heav3' and stolid ; a large under jaw and a thickness of neck that indicated the preponderance of the animal, the e3-e being the only feature that bespoke talent of any kind. He was a summer preacher mostly, and 'his dress was not of ro3-al ermine or purple silk and fine linen. It was coarse, home-made tow linen, and consisted of shirt and " breeches, " the breeches foxed with buckskin in front and rear, and a coon-skin cap, and as a rule bare- foot, but on great occasions he wore a shock- ing pair of shoes — no socks. His shoes never fit, and he stuck his toes into the vamp while his heels braved the wind and weather. The shoe and foot were kept together by hickory bark strings. There was a mile of shin between the " breeches " and shoes exposed to the elements. This exposure had given them much the ap- pearance of a young shell-burk hickory. To make up for the shortness at the bottom ot his " breeches," they were drawn up nearly to the neck by a single hickory bark " gallus " which was fastened by goodly sized wooden pegs in lieu of buttons. Such was Bolej-jack, and, such as he was, he never seemed to tire of proclaiming to the world that he was not " ashamed to own his Lord and Master." Whether this compliment was returned or not is not material to this in- quir}'. Bole^-jack was no sunshine, band-box dandy. He was not a Beecher, a Talmage, a mountebank nor a monkey. He was a humble, sincere, great pioneer preacher, with fists like a maul and a voice like the fabled bull of Ban- she, and thus arra}'ed and equipped he went meeklj' forth upon his mission, and waked the echoes of the primeval forests, made reprobates tremble, women to cry and shout aloud, and man}- a tough old sinner to fall upon his kness and plead with Heaven in agonizing groans and sobs. In squalor and poverty in his floor- less log cabin he dreamed out his indolent ex- istence, tasting in a vague waj-, perhaps, some of the pangs of endless punishment. Yet there is no doubt he found surcease of sorrows in his vivid imaginings, which brought him sweet foretaste of the eternal Sundays in that city not built with hands, and whose streets are paved with gold, and whose rivers flow peren- nially with milk and honej-. Bole3-jack's wife and helpmeet was an instance of remarkable adaptation to a remarkable husband. Siie was not too much civilized ; was coarse, rough, of great physical strength and endurance. Her unadorned beauties had been material!}- aggra- vated b3- a savage hook in one nyo, b3- a furious cow, which, while it had not " put out " the eye, had sadh' " rucked " it up, and for the balance of its life it dissolved partnership with its mate and seemed to set up business on its own hook. A circumstance or two will tell much of her histor}-. Not a great while before her dpath, a railroad train killed hercow. The old lad3- witnessed it all from her cabin door. She rushed out, took her position on the track and demanded pa}- for her cow before the train 70 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. could move. It was onl^- after much trouble and some force that she could be gotten out of the wa}- and the train allowed to pursue its vo3'age. It is said that she regularlj- soaped the track until an agent was sent down, and a good round price paid the old lady forhfercow. Not a great while after this, she was walking along the track of the railroad when a train came along. The engineer whistled and whis- tled, and slowed up and whistled and barked and coughed but all in vain. She gave it no heed, never once turned her head. Finally, when almost upon her, it was stopped, the con- ductor and brakeman rushed forward, believing they had barely saved the life of a poor deaf mute, and seized her by the arms and forced her to one side. " Oh !" says she, " you ma3' hoot and toot, and keep a hooten and a tooten. but you can't skeer me, if you did kill my cow !" When the good woman died there were strange whispers went abroad, some of them, in short, charging absolutelj' that Boleyjack had starved her to death. He was eventuallj- taken to task upon tliis charge, and asked to explain it. He repelled the vile slander, and confused his accusers by the crushing reply : '' It is false, for there was at least a half-pint of parched corn at her bedside when she died." Bolejjack soon followed his companion to that happy laud, it is to be hoped, where soap and water are an unknown necessity, and where parched corn and hickory bark " galluses " are not the essential stays of life. In their hum- ble wa3' and in their hard lives they found their places and filled thera to the best of their ability. Let them sleep in peace. CHAPTER T. LEGAL LIFE OF THE COUNTY— LIST OF OFFICERS— BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS— THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES— FARMING AND STOCK RAISING— AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, THEIR MEET- INGS AND OFFICERS— THE GOOD ACCOMPLISHED, ETC., ETC. SOMETHING of the history of the legal life of the county, that is, its officials in their regular order, is the following : 1833— T. W. Short, Isaac Fancher and Will- iam J. Hankins were the first elected County Commissioners' Court ; Joseph H. Gillespie, County Clerk ; John C. Sprigg, Circuit Clerk ; Henry P. Bailey, Sheriff" ; John Loy, County Treasurer ; William J. Hankins, County Sur- veyor ; William J. Hankins, Probate Judge. Isaac Fancher oul3- served as Commissioner a few months, and was succeeded in office by James Turner. 1834 — Commissioners' Court was John Mar- tin, William Freeman and Eli Cook. 1835 — June term, William J. Hankins ap- pointed County Clerk ; Sam Huston, Treas- urer ; John Trapp, Sheriff'. 1836— William S. Clark, Presley Funkhous- er and Isaac Slover were the Count}- Commis- sioners' Court ; Silas Barnes, jrro tcm., County Clerk. 1837 — John C. Gillenwaters, Treasurer; William Freeman, Sheriff"; William J. Han- kins, Circuit Clerk ; John Funkhauser, School Superintendent. 1838— Thomas M. Loy, Probate Judge; John Loy, Treasurer ; T. J. Gillenwaters, Presle\' Funkhouser and Isaac Slover elected County Judges. They drew lots, when Gillen- waters drew the three-year term, Funkhouser two years, and Slover one year. December, 1838, a vacancy occurred in the Count}- Clerk's office. To fill the vacancy, W. H. Blakeley, John C. Gillenwaters, and Newton E. Tarrant were applicants. The court by vote appointed Newton E. Tarrant. 1839 — Law provided for Commissioners to HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 71 appoint two Assessors and a Collector for the county. Joseph C. Wheeler and Harrison Higgs were appointed Assessors, Joseph C Wheeler, Collector. 1839 — Thomas M. Loy, County Clerk; Thomas J. Renfro, Sheriff; Presley Funkhous- er. T. J. Grillenwaters and Daniel Parkhurst, Commissioners. 1840^Martin, Parkhurst and Gillen waters, Commissioners. 1841— J. Martin, S. B. Parks, N. E. Tarrant, Commissioners. 1842 — John 0. Scott, School Superintend- ent, and James Devore succeeded Tarrant as Commissioner. At August term of this year, Thomas JI. Lo}- resigned Count}' Clerkship and William J. Hankins appointed to his place. 1843— A. B. Kagay elected County Clerk; James Cartwright, Treasurer; John 0. Scott, Count}- School Superintendent. 1844— Elisha W. Parkhurst, Probate Judge; Daniel Rinehart, County Treasurer; James De- vore, Isaac Slover and William Dunham, Coun- ty Commissioners. Brick court house in Ew- ington built this j-ear. 1845— Charles F. Falley, County School Superintendent ; Isaac Slover, W. E. Tarrant and Charles Kellim; Count}' Commissioners. 1846— S. B. Parks, Sheriff; A. B. Kagay County Clerk ; W. E. Tarrant, Thomas Doute and Isaac Slover, Commissioners. 1S47 — Daniel Rinehart, County Clerk; Charles Kellim, School Superintendent ; James Levitt, Treasui-er , Thomas M. Loy, Surveyor. 1849 — Thomas Doute, Isaac Slover, Gideon Lowder, Commissioners ; W. J. Hankins, Pro- bate Judge ; John Broom and W. E. Tarrant, i Associate Judges ; Richard McCraner, Treas- urer ; John 0. Scott, School Superintendent ; John S. Kelly, Circuit Clerk ; S. B. Parks, Sheriff. 1851— T. J. Rentfro, Sheriff. 1846 — John M. Brown, Superintendent of Schools. 1850 — John B. Carpenter, Superintendent of Schools. 1852— S. B. Parks, Sheriff 1853— John S. Kelly, Circuit Clerk ; W. E. Tarrant, County Judge; Samuel H. Pullin, James Devore, Associates ; T. M. Loy, Coun- ty Clerk ; R. A. Howard, County Surveyor. 1854— John G. Gamble, Sheriff; John M Brown, School Superintendent. 1856— Orville L. Kelly, Sheriff; John B. Carpenter, School Superintendent ; A. B. Ka- gay, Treasurer. 1858— W. E. Tarrant, County Judge ; T. J. Gillenwaters and H. H. Huels, Associates ; D. Rinehart, County Clerk. 1859— Samuel Winters, Sheriff. 1861— John Trapp, Circuit Clerk; O. L. Kelly, Sheriff 1861 — Robinson McCann, School Superin- tendent. Never served out his term. Went to the war, and court declared bond insufficient and appointed Calvin Kitchell to fill the vacancy. 1863— William Gillmore, Sheriff. 1865— S. B. Parks, County Judge; D. Rine- hart, County Clerk ; J. C. Brady, Circuit Clerk; Jesse Surrells, Treasurer ; W. I. N. Fisher, School Superintendent ; A. S. Jloffit, Surveyor; William Gillmore. Sheriff; T. G. Vandever. Coroner. 1869 — Jonathan Hooks, County Judge; J. W. Filler, County Clerk; Jesse R. Surrells, Treasurer; S. F. Gilmore, School Superintend- ent; Calvin Mitchell, Surveyor; L. J. Willien, Coroner. 1871— J. Surrells, Treasurer; C. Mitchell, Surveyor. 1872— W. C. Lecroue, Circuit Clerk; W. C. Baty. Sheriff; W. H. Gillmore, States Attorney; J. H. Kroeger, Coroner. 1873— J. B. Jones, County Judge; J. W. Filler, County Clerk; H. G. Habing, Treasurer; Owen Scott, School Superintendent. 1874— W. C. Baty, Sheriff; Levi Rentfro, Coroner. 72 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. • 1876— W. C. Lecrone, Circuit Clerk; W. H. Gillmore, Couuty Attorney; Thomas H. Dobbs, Slieriff; W. L. Goodell, Coroner. 1879 — Barney Wernsing, Treasurer; C. A. Van Allen, County Survej-or. 1880— K. C. Harrah, County Attorney; W. W. Simpson, Circuit Clerk; A. H. Kelly, Slieriff; J. N. Groves, Coroner. If to these names he added the various ones of the numerous boards of Supervisors of the county that have assembled from time to time to guard the people's interests and carry on the business of the count}', then j'ou will have a complete list of the names which bear the honors, whatever the}' may be, of the legal life and doings of the county, as well as the names of those on whose shoulders must perpetually rest the foolish, unwise, and positivel}' injurious public acts, if there have been anj', in the coun- tj''s historj' to date. To the day of the adoption of township or- ganization in the county, there is but little, if any, doubt that many errors slipped into the administration of county affairs, but, at worst, they were venial and the inflictions that fol- lowed them were temporary, and the county's financial affairs never verged upon the borders of criminal extravagance. In many things they would now be termed old fogyish probably, and thej' would deserve the mild reproach, but they were always rigidly conservative and econom- ical in handling the people's monej', and but precious little of the public " blood money " (not a bad name for all taxes) found its way, under any pretext, into any official's pocket. Let justice be rendered these plain, unpre- tentious men in this respect. Their sterling official honesty is now beautiful to behold, and it is well to constantly revive its cherished memory. True, temptations were not scat- tered along their pathwa}', but it should be borne in mind that those officials who handle and manage the public funds, usually have the making and creating of their own temptations, and it is not, and should not be, an answer to say, " he was sorely tempted." A few hundred dollars was all the county gathered from the people annually prior to 1860. It is the misfortune of the Board of Super- visors that it came into existence in the county when all the countr}' was in ' the first throes of the civil war. Communities had gone daft, and madness and folly ruled everj'where, and prettj' much all the few remnants of sanit}' left in the few individuals were either ostracized or hung by mobs. The bloody carnival had commenced, the end of the-evils of which will not come in our day or generation, or in the daj' and gen- eration of our immediate children's children. When a great people have been completely de- moralized, it is not yet a fact demonstrated by either ancient or modern history, that the plague can ever be cleansed from the blood, and real health restored. National demoraliza- tion, when it honeycombs the body politic and penetrates every hamlet and home in the land is leprosy — incurable and loathsome. For the j'ear 1882, the Board of Supervisors calls for the sum of 117,000 for county revenue only. This is not so high as it has been in some j'ears, and it is higher than it has been in some years. In 1881, it was $14,623.74; in 1869, $14,758; in 1878, ^20,561.99; in 1877, $24,379.50. To explain these extraordinary levj's, it should be borne in mind that they were caused by the large defaults made by many tax payers. The call for $17,000 this year will all be col- lected, so that this may be put down as the true expense for the year 1882 of the county. This is the county's money, for county pur- poses, county expenses. Schools, roads and bridges, townships, rail- roads, State and about every other of the in- numerable taxes piled on our people, are ex- cluded from this $17,000 the county wants and HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 73 will get. Tlie Poor Farm and the pa\- of the county officers are, so far as the public may see, the only places where this money is des- tined to go. A part of this money may be used necessarilj- iu the matter of the county's tax sale lately, where the county bid off" the land, and holds the certificates of purchase. Other portions, judging by the past, may be appropriated by the board to aid in the build- ing of certain much needed bridges in the county, and thus all this sum of money may be both justly and judiciously expended, and the people have, not only no cause to complain, but much to commend most heartily. In the way the county's book-keeping is done it is verj- difficult, next to impossible, for a tax payer to go there and tell how much of the money has been used for count}' purposes, and how much for county expenses in the dis- charge of the county's business. In this the board gives the people just ground for some of the complaints against it. The county has, at one time or another, employed experts to investigate nearly every officer in the count}-, except the Board of Su- pervisors. There is a fine vein of irony run- ning through all this employment of experts (the qualification necessar}' being the ability to keep a set of books) to come in on every emer- gency and explain to the board its own busi- ness. It is on a par with the appointment of Postmasters that cannot read and write. A generation ago the County Commissioners built bridges that were very regularly washed away, and this heroic work is patiently going on in the same way to-daj'. It was once said that somebodj' never learned and never forgot anything. That probable somebodv has come to Effingham to superintend the public works across the streams of the county. It is said that one direct, and, which ought to be fatal, evil flowing out of this township law as it has heretofore worked, has been this: Whenever a man was elected Supervisor, he at once became a candidate for some county office, and commenced to form his ring in the board to help him carry out his purpose. If this was ever done, th.at instant the man and his asso- ciates in the infamy were fullblown scoundrels; and it is using mild terms to call him a scoun- drel. If the Legislature would only pass a law that no Supervisor could for at least two years after going out of office, be elected to a county office, it would not harm the people; it would not deprive them of the only chance the}- might have of getting good, competent and honest men. All democratic governments are menaced by things that are equally dangerous, and equally certain to be an indiginous and spon- taneous production, to wit, demagogues and over-legislation. The fool in his heart has said that much vot- ing is much liberty and greatness. The cun- ning demagogue has educated his long-eared constituents into the knowledge that many laws make much freedom. And when the school convention meets it has never yet whispered a word of war upon this wide-spread and criminal ignorance upon which the public is fattening and battening from year to year. Nay, nay, dear simple Simon, we are born to war upon men's pockets, not their ignorance. The legislative acts of the county and its self-government are no more the creation of the public idea that prevails as to what is a good Government, than are the schools the founders and progenitors of the enlightment and civili- zation we have. The public officials, the good or bad we have evolved from our self-government are the reflex picture, as are the schools, public morals, and about everything else we have, the result of that public that breathes the breath of life into them all. They are all the effects of causes, of which they have had no lot or par- cel in forming or directing. 74 HISTORY OF EFFI:NGHAM COUNTY. Agricidhiral Societies. — Following naturally upon the official life of the county, comes the acts and official doings of the different and suc- cessive agricultural societies, that had their rise in Ewington Ma}' 5, 1865, in a public meeting of the leading men of the county, called together for the purpose of organizing a count}- agricult- ural society. The book is thus formally dedi- cated on the title page. ■' This book is to contain the constitution and by-laws of this society; the names of mem- bers belonging thereto, also a true and faithful record of all the official business and proceed- ings of the same." Then follows a constitution and by-laws elaborate and ponderous enough for the ship of State to ride upon in safety. This constitu- tion and by-laws are better explained b}' the very full minutes of a meeting that is given in full on the next page, " held by the citizens of Effingham Count}-, at Ewington, on 5th day of May, 1856." Meeting organized by electing Dr. J. H. Robinson, Chairman, and Greenbury Wright, Secretary. Constitution and by-laws read and unanimously adopted on motion of P. Funkhouser. J. H. Piobiuson was elected President of the Agricultural Society, Presley Funkhauser, Vice President, Greenbury Wright, Secretary, and J. M. Long, Treasurer. On motion, P. Funkhauser, the Secretary, was "ordered to furnish each officer of the society with a certificate of his election, accom- panied by a synopsis of his duty." I. L. Leith moved that the " Treasurer pur- chase a book for each officer to record all the business of the society." George Wright, S. F. Hankins and J. J. Funkhouser were elected Executive Committee in Town 8, Range 5 ; Elijah Henry, I. L. Leith and Morgan Wright, Town 6, Range 5 ; J. B. Carpenter, J. W. Parkhurst and A. H. Wood, Town 7, Range 5 ; John F. Waschfort, Town 8, Range 6 ; John Billingsly, Town 7, Range 4 ; A. W. Callard and C. B. Kitchel, Town 9, Range 5 ; G. W. Merry, Town 6, Range 7 ; J. S. Wilson, Town 6, Range 6 ; John Marble and Robert Phillipps, Town 8, Range 7. At the next meeting in July following, John F. Kroeger and H. H. Huels, John Hipsher, James Woodruff, Addison Webb, George W. Barkley, L. J. Field, M. K. Robinson, A. Mc- CuUough, Newbanks, Luke R. McMurry, Thomas Patterson, E. Howard, T. D. Tennery, G. W. Holmes, S. D. Lorton, Jackson Gillmore, Isaac Mahou, G. W. Nelson, H. Cronk, R. Mc- Cann, M. B. Reed, J. F. Meyer, A. Johnston and R. Dust were added to the Executive Com- mittee. On the 21st of October, 1857, the Effingham County Agricultural Society met again at Ewington, where Isaac L. Leith was elected President, Daniel Rinehart, Vice President, John 8. Kelly, Secretary, Presley Funkhouser, Treasurer. A full list of awarding committees were appointed at this meeting. It was resolved that each member desiring to continue his membership should pay 50 cents to the Treasurer. Fifty-seven names were then enrolled as the membership of the society. At the county fair, October, 1857, premiums were offered to the amount of $40. Including best stallion, $3 ; best bulls, $2.50 ; best yoke of oxen, $2 ; best span of mules, $1.50 ; best brood mare, $2 ; best butter, 25 cents ; best cheese, $1. The next meeting was in June, 1859, when it was resolved to hold the fair in October next. The new Executive Committee elected was David Leith, W. H. Blakely, Hamilton Boggs, John W. Parkhurst, I. B. Humes, G. C. Van Allen, J. B. Carpenter, John Frazey, Robert McCann, D. Rinehart, A. B. Kagay and John J. Funkhouser. This meeting, by motion, ordered its proceedings published in the Effing- ham Pioneer. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 75 Dr. William Mathews then delivered an address to the meeting (supposed to have been on the subject of agriculture). On the 21st and 22d of October. 1859, the second county fair was held at Ewington. The societ}' had enlarged and fenced its grounds, and from the long list of premiums awarded and paid it is evident this meeting was a great success in every respect. Ninet^^-three dollars and fifty cents were paid in premiums, including S2 paid Miss Elizabeth Fleming, best lady equestrian, and $1 paid Mary Fleming, 2d best ditto. In October, 1860, the Secretary records a new list of the members, and this shows the membership had increased to fifty-eight. Another successful meeting of the county fair occurred October 18 and 19, 1800. In March, 1861, new officers of the society were elected as follows : R. H. McCann, Presi- dent ; D. Rinehart, Vice President ; Sam Mof- fitt, Secretary ; J.J. Funkhouser, Treasurer. Nine persons were elected as E.Kecutive Com- mittee as follows : William Gillmorc, W. D. Moore, A. Tipsword, Lorenza Turner, J. B. Carpenter, W. H. Blakely, M. K. Robinson, A. J. Parks, John H. Kroger, G. H. Scoles and Dan Merry. A levy of 50 cents on each member and a new list enrolled shows only twenty-eight names now remained as members. At the annual fiiir, 10th, 11th and 12th of October, 1861, $84 were distributed in pre- miums. March, 1862, new oflBeers were elected as follows : W. H. Blakely, President ; R. H. McCann, Vice President ; Sam Moffltt, Secre- tary, and D. Rinehart, Treasurer. In 1862, a new list of members is recorded, and it gives 115 names. This was the largest list the society had ever obtained, and, one would think it betokened prosperity and long life. But, in fact, it was the vigor of dying spasms. The energy and judgment of the men at the head of the movement had been com- mendably seconded bj- the people, and some most encouraging fairs had been held, but, in 1862, Ewington began the song of the dying swan; and the roar of the battle throughout the land, and the " smell of the draft " from afar put other thoughts in the heads of the war-like men of the county than that of the peaceful pumpkin. The admirable Secretary, Sam Mof- fitt, wrote out the new list of membership, folded the records and put up his pen to rust, when, with about every other able-bodied young man on the list, he went to the front, where baj'onets, not pens, were writing in blood the country's historj'. It was well for the mild-eyed, fair-faced society- of agriculture to hide away and sleep in peace, while war and his wrinkled front held sway. In fact, the first Effingham Count}' Agricultural Societj' ceased to exist after its annual fair in 1801. After the lapse of eleven years, and on the 24th day of August, 1872, there was a meeting in the city of Effingham for the purpose of organizing the Effingham County Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Society'. This starts out with regular articles of asso- ciation, preamble and constitution and by-laws, and is incorporated under the general incorpo- ration laws of the State, and J. J. Worman, Circuit Clerk, certifies the instrument was filed and recorded in his office on the 28th day of August, 1872. These articles of association are signed bj- 102 names, including nearly every leading farmer and business man in the county, each subscriber taking shares of stock, and paying in cash a certain proportion thereof at the time of subscribing. The organization was completed by the election of William Gillmore, President ; T. L. Sexton, Vice President ; E. H. Bishop, Secre- tarj-, and the following Board of Directors ; M. V. Parks. Eli Kelly, William C. Wright, I. L. Leith and W. H. Blakely. The societ}- purchased the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 29, Town- ship 8, Range 6 east. This corners with the 76 HISTORY OF EFriNGHAM COUNTY. southeast corner of the city corporation of the citj' of Effingham. Lumber was purchased, the grounds elegant- ly inclosed, an amphitheater and numerous halls, sheds, and stock pens put up and the preparations for a great county fair rapidly pushed forward. December 10, 1872, in order to comply with the act of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, the name of the society was changed to the " Effingham County Agricultural Board." A fixir was ordered to be held commencing September 30 and October 1, 2 and 3, 1873, and Thomas H. Dobbs was put in charge of the fair grounds. June 18th, an assessment of an additional twenty per cent was ordered on all stock. John H. Duffy was appointed Marshal. The Secretary's books only incidentally^ men- tion the fact that any fair was held at all. It appears there was one in 1872 and in 1873, and the following entries. tell better what suc- cess attended each than anything we can say : Received for the fair 1872 $1,110 1.5. For the horse fair 2.5 00. State appropriation 100 00. Received for the fair 1873 1,384 05. The books show that the land cost $2,160. Including this item, the society paid out for the two years of 1872 and 1873, the sum of $6,379.20, leaving a balance unpaid of $2,- 262.23. For the year 1873, $1,000 were paid for premiums and assistance on the grounds for the Secretary. In 1873, the officers were S. Hardin, Presi- dent; Eli Kelly, Jake Rhodes, E. Avery and Samuel Campbell, Directors. A fair was ordered to be held October 6, 7, 8 and 9, 1874. The records now show a determination to draw or " bust," as there is a recorded resolu- tion authorizing the President to close the bargain for a walking exhibition by E. P. Weston (he didn't walk), but the fair must have been quite a fair success as the following ac- counts indicate. Stall rent $ 32 50. Permits during fair 419 25. Tickets, first day 23 05, Tickets, second day 165 30. Tickets, third day 551 25. Tickets, fourth day 309 75, Tickets, fifth day 33 00. Season tickets 71 00. Rent amphitheater j 5 00. Discount on orders 116 00. Entree fees, speed ring 88 00. Total $1,699 26. The association paid out this year altogether $4,916.28, leaving a balance unpaid of $2,875.76. November 17, 1874, there was a meeting for the purpose of electing officers, with following result. J. L. Gillmore, President. Samuel Campbell, Vice President. Henry G. Habing, Treasurer. James C. Brady, Secretary. Directors, M. O'Donnell, Frank Kreke, John G. James, Thomas H. Dobbs and I. B. Humes. This was the heyday and acme of the glory of our county fairs. It began to decline after 1874, and although most energetic efforts were made by the officers — all good and competent men, too, yet there was and has been to date a continuous diminution of interest in the county fairs. The new board of 1S74 ap- pointed Albert Gravenhorst Superintendent of Grounds. In 1875, a fair was held on the 5th, oth, 7th and 8th of October. This board commenced the struggle to pay off the debts of the society, and by this time the whole countr}' was suffering from the general stagnation and depression of the panic of 1873-78. Total receipts 1875, including $100 received from State, $779.90. Paid out for this year $577.60. Balance in treasury $202.30. This was deposited in Habing's bank, and when the bank suspended this was all lost. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 77 Tlie association had purchased the ground and given a mortgage upon the same for the balance due thereon. This mortgage was fore- closed in 187-i, and the ground sold to pay the the debt, and this was the final act in the second failure to have an agricultural society in Effingham. It slept the sleep of the just for another term of years. Finally in 18S0, another meeting of the citi- zens resulted in a new County Agricultural society. They leased the ground the society had once owned, for five years, at a rental of $G0 per year. And a fair was held that season, E. H. Bishop, President; G. M. Lecrone, Secre- tary, J. J. Funkhouser, Superintendent and A. Gravenhorst, Treasurer; T. H. Dobbs, Marshal. About $500 was the receipts for this year's ex- hibition, including the iSlOO from the State. There had bceu about S500 subscribed by citi- zens, and this was expended in repairs upon the grounds and new accommodations for stock. In 1881, another fair, and a moderate success attended it This year (1882) much effort and elaborate preparations were made, and SI, 000 were expended, and .'JOIG receipts were taken in at the gate and for other privileges. The attendance was ver3- flattering — there being over $500 received as gate monej". This year W. C. Wright was President. The friends of this county institution now feel assured that it is placed permanently upon its feet and that it may continue with us for many years to benefit and improve the county as it will do if properly carried on, is the prayer and wish of all our people. CHAPTER VI. POPUL.\TION, FARM PRODUCTS AND OTHER STATISTICS — FOREIGNERS — OUR OWN PEOPLE AND THEIR POLITICS— HUSH MONEY— HOW KEPT AND HOW INVESTED— REMOVAL OF COUNTY-SEAT— TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION— RICH MINES — " GOLD, YEA, MUCH FINE GOLD"— THE "WAY-BILL," AND WHERE IT LED— SALT CREEK SILVER— THE DESERTED CABIN, ETC. a few thousand only in the matter of popula, TN the order of States when Effingham County tion. While in many things Illinois is the first 'De omnibus rebus et guibusdam aliis." "S the order of States when Effingham County was brought into existence, Illinois ranked as the twentieth State in the Union, with a population of 157,445. In 1840, the State was number fourteen, with a population of 470,183. In 1850, it numbered eleven, with a population of 851,470. In 1860, it ranked as fourth, popu- lation 1,711,951. In 1870, it was still the fourth State, with 2,539,819 of people. In the census of 1880, it was still the fourth State, but pressed so closely upon Ohio that it was not until every precinct was counted that it could be told whether Illinois or Ohio was going to be the third State in the Union. Ohio won by State in the Union. In farm products, cattle and wheat she stands pre-eminent and alone ; in producing regularly the largest wheat crops of anj" State in the Union; in the matter of miles of railroad she is without a rival, and the past year more miles of new railroad, and more "roads have been projected and in the process of building than any other State. The population of Effingham County in 1840 had grown to be 1,675. In 1850, 3,799. In 1860, to 7,81G. In 1870, to 15,653. In 1840, with only 1,675 people in the county, it was a dreary desert waste yet, and but few who looked 78 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. over the wide prairies ever supposed they would become inhabitable for man or brought under the control of the farmer and to the pres- ent progressive state of improvement. In 1850, the number here was .3,799, and in I860 it had more than doubled, and was 7,816, and, in 1870, 15,653, and in 1880 it was 18,- 858, an increase of only 3,205 in the last ten 3'ears to 1880. This census shows the curious fact that there was a decrease in population in three townships, to wit : Mason, 70; Watson, 54; Teutopolis, 91. This decrease of the numbers in these town- ships may and probably is fully accounted for by the fact that, in 1 870, the work was being rapidly pushed to completion on the " Van ' Railroad. In 1870, the chief productions of the county were — wheat, 195,793 bushels ; rye, 19,759 ; corn, 620,247 ; oats, 386,073 ; potatoes, 54,671; hay, 11,361 tons; butter, 210,155 pounds; wool, 35,650. There were 4,907 horses, 4,316 milch cows, and other cattle 5,833; sheep, 13,- 228; swine, 17,259; flour-mills, 8; saw-mills, 12, and "Ave manufactories of saddlery, and two of woolen goods. In 1880, Joseph Rhodes, of Mound Township, is reported one hundred years old. Richard and Elizabeth Greotke, of Bishop, are reported the oldest married couple in the count}' — aged eightj'-seven years. C3'ntha Rentfro is reported ninety-three years old. David Davis and Aug. Grobenheiser same age, and Dedrick Stumbach and Adam Hany each eighty-nine years old. In 1882, by official reports, the county pos- sessed horses, 5.039; cattle, 9,435; mules, 810; sheep, 6,580; hogs, 10,325; steam engines, 38; fire and burglar safes, 38; billiard and bagatelle tables, 18; carriages and wagons, 2,625; watches and clocks, 2,496; sewing-machines, 1,403; pianos, 75; melodeons and organs, 147; patent rights, 1; household and office furniture, $51,- 965; merchandise on hand, §66,913 ; manu- factured articles, $2,140 ; agricultural imple- ments, $32,747. A total personal property, $499,638. Total property assessed, $2,401,395. Total improved land, 191,710 acres; unim- proved, 90,479. Acreage of wheat, 38,699 ; of corn, 43,525 ; oats, 27,438 ; meadow, 24,785 ; pastures, 33,686; orchards, 2.185; wood land, 53,482 acres. The vote in 1880 was— Hancock (Democrat.) 3,4.52 Garfield (Republican) 1,35.5 Weaver (Greenback) ] 00 Total 3,907 In 1860, there were in the county 982 foreign born inhabitants; in 1870, there were 2,795. There were comparatively few foreigners in the county except Germans, and the majority of these came here between 1840 and 1860. The nativity in the count}- in 1870 is re- ported as follows; Born in the State, 7,323; in Ohio, 1,783 ; New York, 455 ; Pennsylvania, 376; Indiana, 1,377; Kentucky, 391; British America, 77; England and Wales, 117; Ire- land, 228; Scotland, 21; Germany, 2,121; France, 58; Sweden and Norway, 63; Switzerland, 46; Bohemia, 1; Holland, 4; Denmark, 23. The Tennesseans are not reported. This is to be regretted, because all the first settlers here were from that State, and for a long time there were here comparatively none except Tennes- seans and Ohioans. And, as singular as it maj' now seem, at first the people of these two States were much inclined to hold aloof from each other. The truth was, the Ohioans brought here about the first Whig votes that were ever cast to disturb the peace and quiet of the solid Hickory Democrats, and sometimes on general election days there were mutterings, and a few fist fights flowed out of this ripple in the political affairs of the county. One or two of the remaining remnants of those earl}' day Whigs can j'et tell jou how they shouldered their gun and marched up to the polls and voted their viva voce vote against Gen. Jack- son, and how they had to march up between a HISTORY OF EFFLNGHAM COUNTY. 79 row of " by the eternals " that were strung out on either side and looking black thunder at them all the way up to the ballot box. But no attack was ever made upon a voter as he ap- proached the polls or returned. It was only after the brave Whig had triumphantly voted and returned to the convenient doggery to treat his victory, that a row or a fight ever was precipitated. But these Ohioans were young, stout, fearless fellows, and their pluck and hard fists soon conquered a truce, a peace and amity, and so much was this so, indeed, that scarcely any of them, that lived to survive the dissolu- tion of the Whig party, but that in the end be- came as strong Democrats as ever had been the originals. The two things that were marked eras in the history of the county were the constructing of the Cumberland Road and the Central Road. The work on the Cumberland practically brougiit the first settlers here, and it left here some of the most marked characters that the early county ever had. The work was commenced in 1829 in this county, and the cutting out of the timber on the line of road was completed in the winter of 1830-31. The work was pushed to practical completion a short distance west of Ewington, and then with scattering work at the streams as far west as Vandalia, such as a levee across the Okaw Bottom, and three bridges at that place, had exhausted the appropriations of Congress, and the people of Illinois, becoming crazed over the foolish State policy, were divided in senti- ment to the extent (some wanted it to go to Alton and others to St. Louis) tliat no further approptiations were procured, and the great work was stopped. To this count}- it was a most important public work. It gave the people access to the outside world, where before they had been pent up by almost impossible obsta- cles. People could go to Terre Haute and St. Louis, and thus reach markets and sell the little portable stuff they had, and buy sucli things as their necessities demanded and haul them home. But the growth of county improvements was slow indeed. The county, like the people gen- erally, was poor, and while they made com- mendable efforts, yet often the money was wasted through being expended by inexperi- enced or ignorant men. Hush Money. — February 17, 1837, the State had gone daft on the subject of internal im- provements, and it had passed a law that it supposed would fill up the State with railroads and canals, and in order to " infloonce " the vote of counties that were not provided for with any such improvement, it voted a fund of $200,000 to be given pro rata to such counties as a bonus. Thus, all were made happy. '• Take a railroad, a canal or the money," and go thy way rejoic- ing. This county got neither a road nor canal, and hence at the November (1837) terra of the County Commissioners' Court the following pro- ceedings were had: Whereas, On February 17, 1837, the State of Il- linois appropriated $200,000 of the first money tliat shall be obtained under this act, to be drawn by the several counties in a ratable proportion to the cen- sus last made through which no railroad or "Can- nell" is provided, to be made at tlie expense and cost of the State of lUinois, which said money shall be expended in the improvement of roads, construct- ing bridges and other public works; and, ^Vhereas, The county of Effingham has none of the aforementioned railroads or "Cannells," and thereby is entitled to its proportionate share of the aforesaid appropriation for the better securing of the county in its equitable rights. John Funkhouser was appointed a Special County Commissioner to proceed at once and secure, " b}- all lawful means," the money, and deliver the same to the county. Funkhouser did the best he could, but failed to get the mone}-. In about a year afterward, Lo}' was appointed in Funkhouser's place, and got from the State $2,037.50 as Ettingham's share of the public money. The Commissioners' Court, consisting of Gil- 80 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. lenwaters, Funkhouser and Parkhurst, together with the Count}- Treasurer, were in the greatest distress over having the money which they had struggled so hard to get. Where could they put it? Would it be stolen? The County Treasurer declared he could not sit up all the time to guard it, and to go to sleep threatened a total loss. A council was called, when one of the Judges, after an oath of secrecy from the others, took it in charge, carried it home, and while all the world slept, he took down his wife's big reticule, made to hold bean seed, and hung b}' a string from a cross-beam above the bed, and took out the old lady's treasure and put that of the county's in its place, and re- turned it, and there it hung, looking as inno- cent as any old woman's seed-bag in the countj'. There was much talk and excitement among all the people when this large amount of monej^ came to the count}'. Some would have liked to have seen it, but most were content to hear, from morn till night, the story of its really be- ing here, and spread their eyes at the marvel- ous rehearsal. What will we do with it? was the prevailing question. J udge Gillenwater's idea was to loan it out to " squatters " to enter their improve- ments with, and then take the land for security; give a low interest, and thus create a perpetual county improvement fund. Evidently this was a good idea. Tlie court overruled it, however, and the money was devoted to building bridges for the county. As soon as the bridges could be located, they were built, and the next spring the freshets washed them all away. This was the end of the great hush money scheme, and while it is certainly ridiculous enough, it is no more so than was the experi- ence of many other counties which took rail- roads in their share of the booty. In 1859 the question of the removal of the county seat from Ewington to Effingham, which had been agitated for a short time, came before the people in the form of a general election, the Legislature having passed an act authoriz- ing the election and the removal, in case a ma- jority so voted. The campaign was short and warm. Effing- ham was nothing but a hamlet, while Ewington had about 200 people in it; but the former had the advantage of being on the railroad, and Ewington was over three miles away. The friends of the latter contended that it would be on a railroad as soon as the. " Brough " road was built; but the complete reply to this was that when the " Brough" was built Effingham would have two roads — be at a crossing, and, better than all, at a crossing of two of the best railroads in the State. By a small majority, Effingham carried the day, and great was the rejoicing here of the few people who were then its inhabitants. At the April term (1860) of the County Court, the following proceedings were had: Whereas, By act of the Legislature, April 18, 1859, " an act to re-locate the county seat of Effing- ham," an election was held in the county on the first Monday of September, 1859, and a majority voted to remove the county seat from Ewington to Effing- ham; and, "WTiereas, Samuel W. Little and David B. Alex- ander are the owners of the block known as the Old Square in the town of Broughton (now Effingham), and have ofEered to deed the same free of expense to the county; and, " Whereas, S. W. Little, John M. Mette, George Wright, George H. Scoles, John J. Funkhouser and W. B. Cooper have entered into a bond to erect thereon a court-house, as specified in said bond, free of expense to the county, in case said block shall be selected by the County Court." It was ordered by the court to accept said block, and approve the bond offered, and to permit said S. W. Little and others to proceed at once to the erection of said court house. Thus was officially sealed the fate of the once ambitious and high-minded little town of Ewington. As matters turned out it was trul}' saying to it "over the hills, to the poor-house." At the general election of 1860 the question HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUXTY. 83 of township organization was submitted to the people, and was carried in favor of such ar- rangement. Men voted for and against the project, icnowing very little about it, and it is now onl}' after twentj- 3-ears of trial are they able to impartially judge whether it is a good or a bad thing. There is no certaintj' that it will ever be voted down, yet there is no ques- tion in the minds of manj- — man}-, too, of the best informed men in the count}-, that it is a public calamity. To this it is easy to reply. If so, why is it not voted down ? This objec- tion is not unanswerable. The American peo- ple have a general itch for ottice, and as this township organization creates innumerable pettj- offices all over the count}' — so multiplies and divides them up, as to open a promise to nearly every voter, that the average voter will not vote away from himself even tiie dim- mest hope and prospect for a place, and, there- fore, it is immaterial to him whether he is vot- ing for the good or bad, he will vote for him- self anyhow and at all hazards. The history of the county, since under the care and man- agement of a Board of Supervisors, in many transactions would not invite a rigid scrutiny. It is unnatural to expect sixteen men, each representing a little imaginary subdivision of the county, with each of these heated up with a still more imaginary interest, in direct oppo- sition to all the remainder of the county, to get together and exercise either much judg- ment or discretion on any important question. The foundation idea of such government is a broad and radical mistake, and now that we have this deeply disguised blessing, it is idle and vain for the people to mutter and grumble. In thoughtless ignorance they have made the bed that they must lie upon. On the 22d day of April, 1861, the first County Board of Supervisors met and organ- ized, by the election of David Leith as chair- man for the year. The following are the town- ships and their Supervisors : • West, William Gillmore ; Moccasin, Ashby Tipsword ; Liberty, Thomas D. Tennery ; Ma- son, David Leith; Jackson,' Jethro Herald; Summit, U. C. Webb ; Union, Calvin Zimmer- man ; Watson, John Mundy ;^ Mound, William D. Doore ; Douglas, John F. Kroeger ; Lucas, William D. Lake ; Bishop, James Beard ; St. Francis, John J. Worman ; City of Effingham, John J. Funkhou.ser. Golcondas. — From the earliest settlements there has been a widespread belief in the ex- istence in the county of all kinds of mines of the precious ores, especially silver. These stories doubtless came from the idlest Indian stories and traditions. To start with, it is most probable that in fact the first men here in their dreams of wealth and luxury would meet the Indians, about whom they all held a silly superstition that the red men were Incas in hidden wealth — that they prowled around in wind and storms, starved, all this week and gorged one day next week — that they loved to do this because they were Indians, and because they loved to keep sacred the secret of their immeasurable wealth in gold and silver mines, that they kept hid and covered away from the white man as the religion of their lives. Filled to the hat baud with these foolish traditions and stories, the pioneer followed often the promptings of this dream, when he plunged into the deep woods, seeking the association and companionship of the savage, in the hope of winning his good graces, and at the same time his secrets of hidden, precious mines. Thus prepared beforehand, he was ready to lis- ten most eagerly to any silly story he could extort, and the cunning savage, perceiving here was an opportunity to gull his white victim, poured into his ear, in good Indian style, that is, in very cunning and remarkable parables that were so distinguishing of the race who were "Born in the wildwood — rocked on the wave," and the more incomprehensible they were, the 84 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. more extravagant the figures, the wilder and more dimly the language in which the great secret was couched, the more convincing was the story to the credulous hunter. This singular and incurable faith in a quasi- superhuman species of power and knowledge is one of the most unaccountable phases of the white man's ignorant credulity. In the quack adver- tised " Indian doctors " and the yet baser stories of some wonderful cure-all that a certain mission ary who had spent his life among the savages, and had wormed the great secret from them, and then, feeling the fate and perennially re- newed life of all mankind had fallen upon him like a mantle, had stolen away from his red children, with his purloined secret, and been followed, pursued and tracked by the relentless barbarian, wiio would rather die than give up his secret. But the Christian hero and thief fled on and on and on, turning gray every time he looked back at the pursuing villains, and turning white every time he saw the sharp, gleaming scalping knife ; yet on he sped like the wind. And how he jumped on the back of the flying buffalo, and stood there like ada- mant, shooting down millions of howling, pur- suing savages, and then from sheer hunger de- vouring the frightened buffalo belore he had time to stop and lie down and die like a com- mon bufl"alo — how he scaled mountains, swam rivers, fought wild cats, killed panthers and fled on and on, bearing his great secret, and finally how he ran exhausted into the arms of a Samaritan, and gasped out his great secret and died ; and hence, Dr. Pillgarlic advertises, solely out of charity, for all to buy his great Indian remedy, and live forever without ache or pain. The hundreds that flock to the Indian doctor, and the thousands who .gulp down the great Indian remedy are the evidences that these ignorant superstitions still course in the veins of the descendants of not only the pio- neers, but of nearly all men. How pitifully ignorant these poor dupes must be not to know that a wild Indian not onl}' knew nothing about medicine, but was so ignorant of all dis- eases and their cures that some tribes were almost annihilated by the small-pox from jumping into the river to cool off the hot fever of that terrible disease. These stories of wealth floated around among the earlj' settlers, and the}' are floating yet, Some of the most implicit believers deny now that thej- ever believed, 3'et could j'ou unwind their secret confidence, 3'ou would there find a faith, like an Eastern devotee — that if they only had a ball made of all precious metals, it would point out to them where the secrets are hidden. The writer has talked to more than one of these men, and kept his face duly sober while they related to him the glories and Virtues of this precious " ball " — the key that infallibly un- locks the earth's treasures. When asked how the ball was made, who made it and what was it.s secret of knowledge, they could give no ex- planation, except that it was composed in some curious, occult way, by some man magician unknown ; it possessed parts of all the precious metals in tlie world, and, therefore, it had a sympathy and love for its kind, and upon the presumption it was gregarious, like a cow, so that when carried over the surface, where the riches lay beneath, in some way, they could not explain how, it told its secret to the bearer, and then he dug down and found the precious fellow metals. When one of these " ball " faith fellows was asked huw many kinds of precious metals there were in the world, he replied, with much contempt for the ignorance that the question implied : " Why, gold, silver, diamonds and lead, of course ! " In the south part of our county, there are j'et many living who can tell you all about the story of the '■ way-bill," which is so unique that it should not be allowed to be forgotten. A great many years ago, two Frenchmen, impelled, perhaps, by inspiration, followed some sign in the heavens and their noses, and HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 85 through flood and field, and begirt by dangers, and kept alive b}" constant miracles, they pur- sued their jounie^v, detennincd to llnd the rich- est and greatest silver mines in tlic world, and finally the}- landed on the classic bluffs (jf Salt Creek, or on the Wabash, and cointnenced the work of digging as directed. The belief was that they only went down a few inches, or feet, at most, when they began to uncover their treasure. They were as secret as death in all their movements, yet the Indian found them out, and warned them upon peril of their lives to leave. The}' set about hiding their tracks, and when this was thoroughlj- done thej- stole out in the darkness and started for New Or- leans. On the way to the Mississippi River, the}- cautiously blazed or marked their route and kept a clear and correct record that would enable them to find their way back some time or other. They eventually found their wa}' to New Orleans. The description of the route as they traveled was the " way-bill." All our people had heard of this way-bill, and one of Effingham's most ambitious men went to New Orleans on the hunt of the.se Frenchmen, or at least to get the inestimable wa3--bill. Three long, toilsome, (,lisappointing years were spent in this hunt, and no traces were found of either the men or the precious document. Finally, when hope had fled and despair had come, and the baffled seeker was about to re- trace his sad and disappointed steps back to Effingham, chance, strange chance, the jade that pla5's so many pranks in this world, found our hero at a cheap Irish boarding-house in New Orleans, preparatory to a start, as deck passen- ger, on a cheap stern- wheel boat the next morn- ing for St. Louis and home. With a heavy heart and a light pocket-book, he went to bed, purchance to sleep, if the fleas and the other regular boarders that never missed a meal nor paid a cent, happened to be out. But there was none of the chance above spoken of here, and the " solitar}' might have been," but wasn't, by a heavy plurality, sleeping, but he tossed like a pup in high r3-e, and scr.atched like a civil service reformer. He might liave thus perished alive, but a French groan from a lowly cot about ten leet from his regal bunk aroused his attention. The groan was repeated in broken English, and our hero understood this so well th.at he passed over, like a gazelle in deshabille, or — or like a deshabille in agazelleor, or somehow, he found himself at the sickman's disconsolate bedside, when he kicked up his heels, and with an expiring ha ! ha ! handed our hero a brown crumpled paper that had a Salt Creek- Wabash-Effingham look about it. The Way-bill ! the Way bill ! cried the Efflnghammer, aud the dead man said nothing. Thus man proposes and Heaven disposes; our hero was rich enough next morning to take his breakfast at his boarding-house, and two bracers for his appetite, and this enabled him to work his passage to St. Louis. He leisurel}- walked out home from St. Louis after night, and early the next morning, with three or four trusted friends, commenced to fol- low the signs pointed out by the wav-bill. They were led bj^ it down into tlie deepest woods, and most rugged hills of the Wabash, where the}- discovered a cabin. Attempting to approach this, a man met them, and with cocked rifle to his shoulder, warned them not to trespass on his demesne or he would shoot. They heroic- ally retreated, and the news spread like wild- fire all over the county that the silver was found, and it was in the possession of an armed Gorgon. Never was a county so shaken with excitement. A place of rendezvous was ap- pointed a short distance below Ewington, and the earliest dawn of the appointed day wit- nessed tiie squad and the lone horseman, re- pairing to the appointed place, each supplied with the family meal-sack to carry home his anticipated silver. The army of invasion was duly organized, and commanders appointed, 86 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. and tramp, tramp, tramp the squadrons with meal sack and grubbing-hoes and flint-locks advanced. The serried columns and serious cohorts moved across the virgin prairie, rousing up the sleeping " greenheads " and disturbing the matins of the prairie frogs. Not a drum was heard, not a funeral nor a bank note disturbed their happy hearts until they had reached the fated woods, when, by common consent, they breathed softer and softer. When very near the delicious spot a short halt was called, and three of the best and bravest set forward to re- connoiter and parle}' with the shooting possessor. Forward went these brave fellows, when thej' soon came within sight of the cabin. They rode slower and slower, peering in every direc- tion for the man they wanted and dreaded to see; when suddenly, just as they had settled in the glorious hope he had vanished and gone, like a phantom he stood before them, looking along his gun and ordering, " Halt ! The man that crosses that line," pointing to a log, " is a dead man." These three leaders were Samuel Fortne}', Sam Fleming and Brockett. The horse of one of the three had just put his fore feet over the log, and the now fright- ened animal wanted to get over, and the worse frightened rider wanted to get back, because, as he afterward said, he was looking into the mouth of the fellow's gun, and it " looked big enough to crawl into," and he knew if the horse's hind feet passed over the log, he would be, in the words of man in front of him, '• a dead man." The three retreated, and reported with chat- tering teeth to their reserve army what they had met. A council was held, and a pell-mell retreat was in full order instantl}'. " Pallida mors fquo pede pulsat.''^ In after 3'ears, some boys who had grown up in ignorance of this dangerous spot, wandering through the woods, came upon a deserted cabin, and they rumaged the premises, finding man}^ curious things, furnace, melting pots, etc., etc. The}' reported what they had found and people repaired to the place, and it was finally developed that here had been the home of a man who followed the enterprising business of making counterfeit monej-. The little improve- ments had been made, it is believed, b}' a man named Wallace, and he did not intend his privacy to be imposed upon by too many curi- ous and prying eyes. This visiting army had probably warned him to pack up and quietly leave the country, which, it seems, he did. How long he had been gone, before it was known that the mines were open to the pub- lic, is not known. But one thing all admit, no member of the invading army has ever yet ventured to the spot that he, years ago, left iu such precipitate disgust. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 87 CHAPTER VII, WAR HISTORY— OUR STRUGGLE WITH MEXICO— KFFINGHAMS PART m IT— T'ilE PRESS— • —OTHER NEWSPAPERS AND THEIR " Is the Pea mightier tlian the Sword?" THE spirit of war, the adiniratiou for the "loud alarums," the martial music of fife and drum, the love of battle's maguiflccut stern array have marked all the historj- of the people of this count}-. In another place we have no- ticed the fact, that a full representation were in the Black Hawk war, in 1832, even before the young county had a completed organized exist- ence. On the 14th day of May, 1847, under the second call for Illinois volunteers to go to Mexico, the following soldiers left Effingham for the rendezvous at Alton, namely : W. J. Hankins, Samuel Hankins, Dennis Kelly, George Zears, Jonathan Tucker, James Tucker, James Porter, Andrew J. Parks, Will- iam Parks, Samuel Parks, T. D. Reynolds, D. C. Loy, Emanuel Cronk, David Perkins, Stephen Co}', William Ashle}', Samuel Fortnej^^ames Martin, James Green, Joseph Harris, Huram Maxfield, Dr. Shindle, Mat. H. Gillespie, Duncan, T. J. Gillenwaters, James Gillenwaters, Dennis Elder, Tillman Clark, William Bryant, Reed Funk, Mathias Lecrone, John L. Baker, J Henry Phillipps, Browning, J. W. Lee. These thirty-six men were added to Capt. Harvey Lee's Company, of Payette County, H. W. Goodc, First Lieutenant, and William J. Hankins, Second Lieutenant. This company formed a part of the Ninth Regiment, under command of Col. Collins. On the 3d day of April, 1848, they started for Mexico, and went via New Orleans to Tampico, from there to SOLDIERS FURNISHED— THE GREAT REBELLION— •EFFI.NGHAM PIONEER"— THE ••REGISTER" SUCCESS AND INFLUENCE. ETC., ETC. Vera Cruz, and from thence to the City of Mex- ico. They were, unfortunately, attached to that part of the army under Gen. Scott that was restricted to camp dutj- almost entirelj', not being in a single battle, and were practically deprived of partaking in an}' field operations. To this, probably, was due the great amount of sickness that afflicted the men during their en- tire service. Andrew J. Parks and Samuel Parks died of sickness at Puebla. When we asked the old Sergeant of the company, Sam Fortney, to again, as he had in the long j-ears ago, call the morning roll; out of the thirty -six, except Samuel Hankins, Jonathan Tucker, James Tucker, D. C. Loy, E. Kronk, David Perkins, Stephen Coy, William Ashley, Samuel Fortney, James Martin, M. H. Gillispie, T. J. Gillenwaters, Reed Funk, Mathias Lecrone and J. W. Lee, are all that are living. The others have passed life's fitful fever, and gone to an- swer roll-call at the high court of God. The command returned to their homes, the war being over in Jul}', 1849. The Civil War. — Twelve years after the close of the Mexican, the clouds of battle again gath- ered over the unhappy country; unhappy, in- deed, in this war, because it was a civil war, called civil, probably, because such wars are always marked with unusual fierceness and atrocity. A family quarrel is, as a rule, the most unreasonable and vindictive, the feud more difficult to forget, and the bone of conten- tion more trifling than any other species of difficulties. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. In 1861, the great rebellion had assumed its portentous shape. Fort Sumter was fired upon, and a flying trip from Mobile or New Orleans, to St. Paul or any other Northern city, was accompanied along the entire route night and daj", with one continuous strain of marshal music. In the South in every breeze, from every house-top, flag pole or steeple, fluttered the confederate flags. In the North, the same shrill fife and beating drum was heard, but the flag of the Union floated everywhere; the peo- ple had, with apparently one impulse, left their houses and wandered upon the streets and highways. The children laughed and shouted their pleasure in uncontrolled delight ; strong men buckled on their armor and cheered the flag, and exultant shouts of patriotism rang out upon the air. In a night the spirit of slaughter had been turned loose. The country called to arms, and there were hasty partings of dis- tress, and tears, and sighs, and aching hearts, and war, fatricidal war was upon us. Twenty- one j'ears have passed away since then; nearly a life time, with healing wings, has come with its ministerings to the scars of war — the great red gaps of battle. A new generation has arisen, and " rebel " and " yank " are mostly sleeping«peacefully in their windowless tombs, side by side often, and j-et the evils of that hour of bad passions awakened are not all gone, and who can tell when the happ}- ending will come. It is no purpose of this chapter to write the history of that blood}' and cruel war, or of the whj* and wherefore of its horrid vis- itation, but, upon the contrary, to say a few words of what the people of the county did do in the trying ordeal that came without any vo- lition from them. During the war, Illinois furnished the army 225,300 men, of itself a great army. There are 102 counties in the State, and this would be an average to the county of a fraction less than 2,000 men. Although Effingham was among the smallest of the counties, j-et there is no doubt she furnished fully 2,000 soldiers, from first to last, and yet her people did not escape the draft. The county furnished twelve regu- larly organized full companies, besides several squads of men, and quite a large number that were taken in small squads to different camps in this State and Missouri, and there were scat- tered among regiments from nearly all the States. The largest of any one bodj' of these, which may be determined descriptively as stragglers, were about 400, taken to Missouri by Charley Kinsey and Sam Winters. The news that actual war had commenced and the Government published its call for 75,- 000 soldiers, had reached Effingham on a cer- tain Friday in April, 1861. Col. J. W. Filler and John L. Wilson talked the matter over, and Filler closed his printing office, and he and Wilson commenced to raise a company. Saturday morning they had two men and then telegraphad Gov. Yates that their company was ready and awaiting orders. On the following Tuesday the company, 102 strong, started for Springfield. Filler, Captain, J. H. Lacy, First and George W. Parks, Second Lieutenants. In the language of Col. Filler, " every one of them a Democrat." The company was literall}' re- cruited in a daj-, and was the finest looking lot of soldiers that ever left the countj'. A meet- ing of the citizens was held at the court house on Monday before the company was to start, the house was packed with people, speeches, songs, drums and fifes added to the sudden outburst of enthusiasm of all the people. Dur- ing the meeting a suggestion was made to pass the hat and raise money to subsist the coun- try's defenders on their way to Springfield. It was carried around and 62^ cents was the gross proceeds thereof, whereupon Filler spoke just a minute, the substance being that if there was a man in his company that he knew would be as bashful in facing the enemy as that crowd was in facing the " saucer" he would then and there shoot him dead. This brought out Lowry HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. Leith with the response, " Filler, that is worth $10!" and in five minutes $00 or $70 was raised, and happilj' and with plenty to eat on the road, the companj- went to Springfield and went into camp in a brick-j-ard. These were ninety-day men and among the first that were on the ground. From Springfield they were sent to Bird's Point, Mo., where they served out their term. Capt. Lucius M. Rose succeeded Filler as Captain upon his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. After this, in the next call for troops, three companies were raised, as follows: Col. Funk- houser, Capt. 0. L. Kelly and Capt. McCracken, each a company that went in the Ninetj-'Cighth Illinois Regiment of Infantr}-. This might be called the EtHingham Regiment. The field and staff were John J. Funkhouser, Colonel; W. B. Cooper, Major; J. H. J. Lacy, Adjutant. William McCracken, Company C, with Stephen I. Williams, First, and John P. Powell, Second Lieutenants. Williams resigned in 1862, De- cember 19, when Powell was promoted to First and Henrj' S. Watson made Seconil Lieutenant. In Company B, David D. Marquis was Captain, A. W. Lecrone, Captain Company F. Capt. 0. L. Kelly was killed September 8, 1862, and A. S. Moffitt became Captain, and William Tarrant First Lieutenant. Capt. Dobbs raised a full company and joined the Thirtj'-fifth Illinois Infantry, Col. G. A. Smith. His Lieu- tenants were Jesse D. Jennings and Nelson Staats. Capt. Dobbs was severely- wounded and resigned October 14, 1862, when Jennings became Captain and Joseph Moore First Lieu- tenant. In 1862, Capt. Presley B. O'Dear, Merritt Redden, First, and John F. Barkley, Second, Lieutenants, recruited a companj- and joined the Fifty-fourth Regiment, Illinois In- fantry. Capt. J. P. M. Howard, D. P. IMurphy, First, and John Loy, Second, and Capt. D. L. Horn and Capt. David Young each entered the service with a company of men for the 100 days' service. Col. Funkhousor's Companj- had S. A. New- comb First Lieutenant and D. P. Murphy Sec- ond. This company was a part of the Twent\'- sixth Illinois Infantry, Col, Loomis. The regi- ment were at Camp Yates, and were sent to Palmyra, Mo., which place they guarded two weeks before they got guns, and in this time they used clubs as a substitute. From this service Funkhouser returned and raised the Ninet3--eighth Regiment. Capt. H. D. Caldwell raised the first and only cavalry company in the county. It was made a part of the Fifth Illinois Cavalry. This company was mustered into the service in September, 1861. The compan}- went to Ben- ton Barracks, Pilot Knob, Greenville, Reeves Station, Pocahontas and Smithville, Ark. At Davison thej- were in the field skirmish, and in the next brush, at Strawberry River, Ark., Marion Welker was killed and Sylvester Nye wounded. Next at Greenville, and Cherokee Bay, Mo., they were in two brisk little fights. This company were at the siege of Vicksburg, and then had a long and dangerous march, with skirmishing all the way to Champion Hill and return. When Capt. Dobbs had sufficiently recovered from his wound, he raised a compau}- of 100- day men, and this company served in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment, when the Captain returned home and raised a companj- for the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment. Thus this one man put in the service over 300 soldiers, and although badly wounded at Pea Ridge battle, he served in the ranks during nearly the entire war. Our county was almost depopulated of its young and able-bodied men, the people who remained at home earnestlj- and literally aided and encouraged those who were in the field. The Board of Supervisors made liberal and generous donations from the County Treas- ury- for bounty money to be paid those who volunteered. And the State laws show that, 90 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. while the board in several cases acted without authority, 5'et the Legislature promptly' ratified and legalized ever^'thing that looked toward promoting the war. The people and count}' were true to those strong characteristics that have marked them from the foundation of the county, namelj', to vote the Democratic ticket straight, and fight upon the slightest pretext. When the cruel war was over, this great body of men that were left alive, returned to their homes, and the better occupations of peace, and resumed their places among the leading and best citizens of the count}'. And this may well be said to their great credit. Our county suffered less, although it had fur- nished so proprotionatelj' large a number of men from the war, demoralization £vnd dissipation, and venality than probably an}- other county in the State. It has been said that the invention of gunpowder was one of the strong forces in the march of the human mind toward civilization. This is true; and it may be said for the people of EtBngham County the late unfortunate war was a great school for many of our people. It taught them something of the geography and greatness of their own ' country; it placed them in direct contact with | men from every section of the Union — from nearly every State and county. To the time of the breaking-out of the war the ignorant Yankee looked upon the people of Southern Illinois as but little above the brute, and the people returned the compliment in full, not for a moment dreaming that a stupid Yankee was a human being in any respect. They very well averaged in their mutual respect and ignorance of each other. It is now nearly eighteen years since the war closed. We are told by those who have revisited some of the terrible, bloody battle- fields, that kind nature has there been busy cov- ering over, and hiding away from sight the signs and marks of the fell strife and slaugh- ter. Even the long, slim trenches, where were buried the killed, as they were put away sim- ply wrapped in their blankets, are now hard to trace. Let the white robed angel of peace drop a tear upon all memories of the unfortu- nate civil war, and blot them out forever. The Press. — The record of the newspaper press of a county, if it has happened to fall into the hands of men competent to make it fully discharge its duty, ought to be the one most important page in the county's history. One of the first and greatest things that al- ways could be said of our nation, was it has a free press. No man has to be licensed or se- lected by a paternal Government, either to print a book or publish a paper. It has been circumscribed by no law except natural selec- tion. Any one who wishes could start a paper, anywhere and at any time, and say anything on earth he desired to say, barring only an occa- sional heavy boot-toe and the law of libel. If he chose not to bo suppressed, there was no power to suppress him. If he was persecuted or thrashed by some outraged citizen, it is not certain but that he always got the best of the difficulty, especially when he would begin to prate about the ''palladium of American lib- erties.'* The wisest act of our Government in all its history was the unbridling the press. It was the seed planted in good soil for its own perpetuity, and the happiness and welfare of its people. To make the press absolutely free, especially after the centuries of vile censorship over it, was an act of wisdom transcending iu importance the original invention of movable types. A free press makes, without so much as the saying of it. free speech, free schools, free intelligence and freedom, and when the storms of State come, and the mad waves of popular ignorance and passion beat the ship of State, then, indeed, is a free press the beacon, light shining out upon the troubled waters. The coming of the Bohemian — that sphynx of the black letter, the •' stick," the ink-pot, " pi " and the " devil," in other words the prin- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 91 ter, is an era alwaj-s. anj-wliere and among any people; in young and fast-growing communi- ties, it is an event of great portent to its future, for here, above any and all other institutions, are incalculable possibilities for good, and some- times well grounded fears for evil. A free press in the hands of a man aware of the great re- sponsibilities resting upon him, is a blessing, like the discoveries and inventions of genius that are immortal. In the dingy printing office is the epitome of the world of action and of thought — the best school in Christendom— the best church. Here is where genius perches and pauses before those loft}' flights that awe and attract mankind — here are kindled the fires of genius that blaze and dazzle like the central sun, and that penetrate, and warm and ripen the rich fruitage of benign civilization. The press is the drudge and the pack-horse, as well as crowned king of all mankind. The gentle click of its tj-pe is heard around all the world; they go sounding down the tide of time, bear- ing upon their gentle waves the destinies of civilization, and the immortal smiles of the pale children of thought as the\- troop across the fair face of the earth in their entrances, and ex- ists from the unknown to the unknown, scat- tering here and there, immortal blessings that the dull, blind tjpes patiently gather, and place them where they will ever live. It is the earth's symphony which endures; which transcends that of the " morning when the stars sang together." And when its chords are swept by the fingers of the immortals, it is the echoes of those an- thems that float up forever to the throne of God. Of all that man can have in this world it is the one blessing, whose rose has no thorn, whose sweet has no bitter. It is fraught with man's good, his joy, his happiness, and the blessings of civilization. By means of the press the humblest cabin in the land may bid enter and become a part of the family circle, such as the immortal and sweet singing bard of Scot- land — Bobby Burns* the God like Shakespeare, or B^Ton, " who touched his harp, and nation's heard entranced." Here Lord Macaulcy will la^- aside his title and dignity, and with the timid children even hold sweet converse in those rich resounding sentences that flow on forever like a great and rapid river. Here Gray will sing his angelic pastoral as '• the lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea, and leaves the world to solitude and me," and Charles Lamb, whose sweet, sad, witt}- life may mix the laugh with the sigh of sympathy, may set the children in a roar as he tells the stor}' of the " invention of the roast pig." And that human bear, John- son, his roughness and boorishness all gone now as in trenchant sentences he pours out his jeweled thoughts to eager ears; and the state- ly Milton, blind but sweet and sublime, and Pope telling the story of " man's inhumanitj* to man " in statelj' measure, and poor, poor, delightful, gifted Poe, with his bird of evil omen, " perched upon the pallid bust of Pallas," and Shelly and Keats, and Dickens, and Thackaray and Saxe, and Scott aud Hood and Elliott, and Demosthenes and Homer, and Webster and Clay, and all of earth's greatest, sweetest and best, are at the beck and call of mankind, where they will spread their bounties and beauties before the humblest outcast as munificently as at the feet of royal courts or kings. But, begging the reader's pardon, and hop- ing that he has skipped this mild and diffident invocation, we will proceed with the story of the press in Effingham County — the Country Press, whose editor, printer, compositor, job- man, foreman and force, proof-reader, poet and sweep, are the alpha and the omega of the wondrous establishment. Where the village editor vies with the lone schoolmas- ter in carrying that " little head " that '■ con- tained all he knew.' There is nothing in cre- ation the equal in modesty and diffidence to the very first pioneer paper — -the scream of the first locomotive in the wilderness, stampeding the buffaloes, wild cats and Indians, is tame 92 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. and commonplace compared to the first paper — the Vol. I, Xo. 1 ; Jefferson Brick, proprie- tor ; the Hon. Jefferson Brick, chief editor ; J. Brick, local editor ; Mr. Brick, compositor ; the great name set in fat faced ten-line caps on every page. How grandly he talks about " WE oursel/;" about the Sanctum Sanctorum, where is edited those brilliant Sheriff sales and lying funeral notices, and those sonorous sentences about the Hon. Timothy Tugmutton, Esq., having with such public spirit erected a pala- tial pig pen, and thus the march of empire ho's westward like a stray cat in a strange back-j-ard when the boys and dog of the house get up for the da}''s business. In 1855, W. B. Cooper had been two years in Ewington practicing law, and conceiving that he could add other things to his large law practice, he went to Vandalia and purchased a printing office of Tevis Greathouse, and at once transferred it to Ewington and issued the first paper in the county — the Effingham Pion- eer. The old hand-press of this office was probably the first ever brought to Illinois. It had been brought from Kentucky by Col. E. C. Berry, the first State Auditor of Illinois, and it had followed the seat of government from Kaskaskia to Vandalia. It had been in two fires, but there was much iron and great soli- dity about it, and, while a cumbersome con- cern, it was always ready to do fair work in the hands of a stout pressman. Mr. Cooper, not being a printer, brought with his office a man named Burton, who set up and worked off the paper, and was Postmaster at the same time. Burton left the office, and the paper floundered as best it could upon chance printers, until McJIanis and Orrin Hodd}- were put to work, and the publication went forward regularly from that time. In October, 1857, Col. J. W. Filler entered the office as printer, and in a short time a joint-stock company was formed, when Cooper retired and he became sole pro- prietor. Filler's description of the office when he first entered it and looked around, is graphic and interesting. It was in a log caljin, and a pile of "p'i" lay in the center of the room. The patient printers often had to go to this pile and hunt out, by scratching, much after the fashion of the industrious old hen and chickens, to find a needed letter that could be found no- where else. The general appearance of things was in keeping with the " pi pile." The paper was a sis-column folio, sometimes a little dingy and the worse-for-wear appearance about it. It was running a serial story — a chapter a week — entitled " The Sea Lion," and when the outside had been worked off the printers would take out letters here and there from the Sea Lion, and chew paper wads to fill the holes. This gave the Lion, as well as the forms, a sin- gularly motley and spotted appearance. Filler most unceremoniouslj' killed off the Sea Lion, and to this day the readers of the Pioneer have never ceased to regret this untimelj' end of their hero. Filler continued the publication of the paper in Ewington until the fall of 1860, when it was transferred to the county seat, Effingham. It now began to put on considerable newspaper airs, and was paying the one man who, with the help of a roller boy a half day each week, did everything from chopping his own wood as well as all other work or business about the office. The paper moved along in quiet content until April, 1861, when Col. Filler laid down his stick and went soldiering, leaving the office in the hands of Dr. T. G. Vandever, who pur- chased the Gazette, a paper started by L. M. Rose in the spring of 1860, as a Republican organ, and was run by Rose until he, too, went to the war in April, 1861. Vandever purchased the Gazette, upon which there was a mortgage, and moved it into the Pioneer office, and when the two were consolidated the publication ceased. In October, 1861, Filler & Vandever, in the consolidated office, commenced the pub- lication of the Unionist. They issued three HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 93 numbers only when Filler again went to the war and Vandever was again left alone. In the early part of 1862, the mortgagee of the old defunct Gazette, by virtue of his lien, took charge of the office, and sold the sallie to John Hoenj', who at once revived the publication of the Gazette, and, in a short time after this, Hoeny purchased the Pioneer office of Filler, and moved the entire concern into a new two- story frame building, on the east side of the public square, and this was burned to the ground in Jul}-, 1862. Here was not only a total loss of everything in the office, and no in- surance, but there was a goodl}' part of it not paid for. The County Treasurer, Barcus, advanced Hoeny $100 on the future tax list, and with this he went to Chicago and purchased a lot of old type of the Times and returned. He had the old Pioneer press, which fortunately' stood in the yard at the time of the fire, and had it re- paired, and moved into a building in the north- east corner of the public square and com- menced the publication of his paper. The office continued here until a new one-story office was erected on the old stand, and the office went there again. In 1866, L. Hommes was asso- ciated with Hoeny, and they made the paper one side German and the other English, and this continued for six months, when Hommes retired and went to Chicago. In 1865, Hoeny sold to Haj-s & Bowen, and retired. These men changed the name immediately to the Effingham County Democrat. They soon let the concern run down, and by this time, in the latter part of 1865, Col. Filler had returned from the war, and the securities of Bowen had to take the paper; they placed Filler in control. He continued the publication until September, 1868, when H. C. Bradsby purchased the office. He eliminated the word " County " from the name, and it became the Effingham Democrat, as it has remained ever since. In April, 1870, Bradsby sold to J. C. Brady, who associated with himself John Hoenv, and on the 7th of June of the same year Brady sold his interest to Hoen}-, and thus he again became the sole proprietor. In August, 1878, Hoeny sold a one-half interest to George M. Le Crone. Oc- tober 1, 1880, Hoeny sold his remaining in- terest to Owen Scott, and the firm then became Le Crone & Scott. October 13, 1881, George M. Le Crone sold his interest to Scott, and the property became the possession of Owen Scott, and is so published at this time. Thus, full of changes beset with trials, per- ishing sometimes from famine and sometimes from flames, it has had always vigor and vital- it}'. A remarkable coincidence is that everj^ man, we believe, except Martin Hoeny. that has been connected with it as part proprietor is still living to watch the career of their hope- ful prodigy. It has always been Democratic in politics, and at times has lashed without mercy its political opponents, and it has been one of the secrets of the county always com- ing to the front with its overwhelming Demo- cratic majorities. We would be much pleased to go over its list of writers and contributors who have filled its columns for so many years, with a running review of each one. with an opinion of their different merits. But, as they are all alive, and modestj- is our besetting sin, we forbear, content with expressing the hope that it may live long and prosper. The Register. — Maj. William Haddock issued the first number of the Effingham Register November 14, 1864, and for eight years, with- out interruption, continued its publication. Maj. Haddock had just returned from the army to his home in Butler Center, Iowa, when he concluded to come South and open a fruit farm. He came to Effingham, and, being a strong Republican, he fell into the hands of Wood & Averj', attorneys of this place, and the}' persuaded him to start a Republican pa- per here. He was a lawyer, printer and expe- rienced journalist. In 1852, he commenced and published the Anamosa Neics in Jones 94 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. County, Iowa, for three years. Here and at this time he was elected State's Attorney, which office he filled aljly and well for two years. He published the Iowa State Register in Waterloo, Iowa, a non-political paper, de- voted to the interests of Iowa. In 1859, he published the Jeffersonian, a vigorous Repub- lican paper, in the same place. Haddock was a man most admirably adapted to come here, and under the adverse and trying circum- stances successfully establish a Republican paper. He had ability, experience, untiring energy, and was a skilled workman in the printer's art. He published a paper that was 500 per cent better than its best patronage ever justified. His economj- was astounding, his energy tireless, his ambition boundless. He warmed with life the Republican party in this county — made it much, if not all, that it was, and in return received the usual pay that pretty much all parties award their patient and humble organs. They are generally expected to do all the part}- work and take their pa}^ in sneers and kicks, while the hangers-on take the fat offices and chuckle over their own greatness, forgetting that the starving editor was their architect and builder. Maj. Haddock was a journalist who had learned his lessons from Horace Greeley. In 1872, when his loved and venerated preceptor became a candidate for President of the Unit- ed States, he dared to support him. The pen- alty he paid for this manly independence was the suspension of his paper, which occurred on the 1st of October, 1872. A few weeks after the suspension of the Register, he moved his office to Champaign, 111., where he com- menced the publication of the Champaign Times, an able and vigorous Democratic paper. Here he struggled and toiled until the 27th of February, 1879, in the fifty-seventh j^ear of his age, when the busy, restless, heroic life went to sleep in death. The Effinghei.m RepuhJican came in August, 1872, published by Martin Bros., of the Shel- by ville Uninii. The firm was composed of M. B. Martin and Elgin Martin. Some of the leading Republicans of this city withdrew their support from the Register in consequence of its leaning ^toward Horace Greeley, and put up their mone_y in private subscriptions to the amount of ^400 or $500, and induced Martin Bros, to purchase material and start a thor- oughgoing Republican organ. The Martin Bros, started a neat and lively little seven- column paper, but they found it difficult, if not impossible, to make the concern pay ex- penses. They kept it alive until October 1, 1873, when they sold out to H. C. Painter, the present proprietor, a practical printer, and a man of first-class business and financial educa- tion. Its prosperit}' and complete success dates from the day Mr. Painter took the con- trol of its affiiirs. The proof of this is the fact that he has doubled the circulation and more than doubled the job work of the office> and it is now upon a secure and solid founda- tion. It has been editorially mild and con- servative, devoting much of its columns to local and society news. When the new, re- vised, enlarged and complete " History of Effingham County," bearing date of 1976 is made, maj' the RepuhJican be here to see, and tell the story from day to day of the progress of the work by those future historians and workers that are to be born after more than fift}' 3'ears from this day and date have elapsed. As a closing paragraph upon this subject, the writer of these lines, connected with no paper and not being a politician nor never an office-holder, may be permitted to lecture all pai-ties a little in their treatment of their pub- lishers and writers — that is, the neglect of these men when comfortable positions are to be given out. It is too common a fault of all parties to neglect them and bestow their smiles and favors upon ward bummers or compara- tive strangers to the partj- work. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 95 The Effingham VoUcshJatt — a Gorman paper — bj- A. Gravenhorst — a ten-colmnn folio — was issued for the first time June 17, 1878. Until now (October, 1882) it lias been printed in Mil- waukee, but tj'pe and material with which to print one side of the paper here at home are now secured, and otBce room is secured in the Times Building, where the press-work will be done. It will now be made a six-column quarto. The Times. — When Mr. John Hoeny had sold his entire interest in the Democrat, he temporarily moved to Chicago. On Friday, January 27. 1882, he had returned, and issued the first number of the Effingham Times, pub- lished by John Hoeny & Son ; John Hoeny, Sr., editor, and John Hoeny, Jr., local editor, a sprightly and able Democratic, eight-column paper, that from the first issue took rank among the best papers ever issued in the count}'. It started with a large subscription list, and week by week this has steadily grown. Its job department, under the control of John Hoeny. Jr., has built up an extensive business. Mr. Hoeny's long residence in Effingham County and his extensive experience in the newspaper business here made the Times a successful enterprise from its first issue. It merits all the encouragement it has received, and even more, because of its ability, integrit}- and fearless advocacy of the right and bold denunciation of the wrong wherever found. This is the record of the press in the city of Effingham. While it has developed no very brilliant writers of genius to spread and ex- tend its name and fame, j'et it has been gener- ally in the care of men who have exercised good sense and sound discretion. The large majority of them have been practical printers. who received their training as journalists and writers itfter the}' had become proprietors. Some of them were law3-ers, some politicians, some farmer boys and some school teachers, who knew nothing of a printing office before they took charge. Haddock and Bradsby were the only professional journalists ever connected with the press of our city. We are indebted to C. F. Coleman, of the Al- tamont News, for the following brief history of the press in Altamont. " The first paper was started in May, 1873, by G. W. Grove, of Kin- mundy. It was the Altamont Courier. The office was over Hilleman's store. It was pub- lished in Altamont until the following November, when it was moved to Virginia. The town was then without a paper until March, 1876, when the firm Loofbarrow & Humble — the former from Alma and the latter from Fairfield — start- ed the Altamont Telegram. Their office was over C. M. Wright & Co.'s bank. This firm was soon changed by the retirement of Humble, and the accession of Hale Johnson. The new firm employed Mit. A. Bates, as printer and editor. This arrangement continued until June, 1877, when the concern passed, by pur- chase, to the sole control of C. M. King, of Lexington, 111., who at once sold out all the old material to A. M. Anderson, who took it to Stewardson and commenced the publication of a paper. King refurnished the Altamont office with a new and elegant outfit, among other things a Campbell power press, the first ever in the county, and he published the Telegram until August, 1881, when he stopped the pub- lication of his paper, and removed the entire office to Gardner, 111. On the 9th of December, 1881, C. F. Cole- man and G. M. Le Crone purchased a new office and commenced the publication of the Alta- mont News. That l)ids fair to live long and prosper. None of the Altamont papers had any poli- tics. The Loyalist. — This was the only paper ever published in the town of Mason, in this county. The interest that now attaches to this publica- tion arises chiefly from the fact that it is a relic of some of the wild craze that possessed 9(J HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. many men during the late war. Those dark and terrible days when a modicum of humanity and a spark of common sense were apt to be ranked as disloyalty, if not rank treason Itself. Dr. J. N. Mathews of Mason, who was an office boy in the Lnyalist during its entire pub- lication, furnishes the following interesting ac- count of its brief existence : " In the month of April, 1863, the first number of the Loyalist, edited and published by George Brewster, made its appearance at Mason. It was a neat- ly printed, seven-column folio, and a rank ex- ponent of Abolitionism. Its motto was ' Union and Liberty, now and forever, one and insepa- rable.' The office was in Stephen Hardin's building. It was the scene of many an excit- ing caucus and political jamboree during the few fierce months of its existence. The paper was made up chiefly of war news, soldiers' let- ters, and rampant editorials. Every man in the neighborhood who could use a pen gave vent to his views through its columns, with unbridled boldness. " The editor was a man of great learning and talent, but of a phlegmatic temperament which led liim from one extreme to another. His leaders were pithy and to the point. His numerous tirades against deserters and others frequently brought him face to face with dan- gers from which a man of less courage would have cowered. His office was threatened with destruction, j-et he continued to pour forth his sentiments with unflinching force. The office force was supplied with arms and ordered to use them in case of an attack. But fortunate- \y no such occasion presented itself Those immediately connected with the office were his four sons — Frank, Da Shiel. Willis and Rich- mond — and J. N. Matthews. " After a turbulent career of nine months, the Loyalist failed financially and was moved to Salem, 111., where it was shortly afterward discontinued. " Mr. Brewster was the author of a worli en- titled ' The Philosophy of Matter.' As an ed- itor, he was too eccentric and impulsive. He died shortly after the close of the war, in Ma- son, at an advanced age." CHAPTER VIII. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS— THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD— ITS GREAT IMPOaTANCE AS A HIGHWAY — HOLBROOK CHARTERS — THE PART TAKEN IN THE ROAD BY JUDGE BREESE AND JUDGE DOUGLAS— COMPLETION OF THE ROAD— BROUGH'S FAILURES— VANDALIA LINE— ITS CONSTRUCTION— OPENED FOR BUSINESS— OTHER RAILROADS, ETC., ETC. " Harness me down with J'our iron bands, Be sure of your curb and rein ; I scorn the strength of your puny arm, As the tempest scorns a chain." — Steam. IN another part of this work we remarked that there were two things in the history of the county, that were eras. The first one of these was the building of the Cumberland road through the county, the other was the building of the Illinois Central Railroad. We know of nothina; in the history of the county that at all compares with the last named in importance. All other things are merely events; some of them of great importance, and others of less importance, but all placed together are insignificant to this. In the histor3' of the State of Illinois even, this great and beneficent work stands most prominently, if not pre-eminently above all else. One of the State historians was justified in his remarks when he said its building " marks an era in the progress of the whole State." HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 97 The grand scheme of connecting, by means of iron bands of commerce, Lake Michigan with the great water highway of the Missis- sippi Valle}' at the confluence of the Ohio, had long been a desideratum with our people. It had constituted a part of the State internal im- provement system of 1837, and some work on the line was actuall}- done, but was abandoned with the collapse of that system. The Central Railroad, from the southern terminus of the canal to Cairo, was subsequently revived by legislation, procured by scheming brains with an eye to the future, but the whole subject lacked vitality until the passage of the act of Congress of 1 850, granting to the State a mu- nificent donation of nearly 3,000,000 acres of land through the heart of Illinois in aid of its com- pletion. This noble tribute by the nation had its birth simultaneously with and amidst the throes of the great adjustment measures of 1850, which, during that long and extraordi- nary session of Congress, shook the Union from center to circumference. Twice before had a similar bill passed the Senate, and twice had it failed in the House, but now it was a law, and the State possessed the means to complete the great work. The final passage of the measure was hailed with great demonstrations of joy by the people and press of the State; Senators Douglas and Shields, and Congressmen Mc- Clernand, Harris, Wentworth, Young. Richard- son, Bissell and Baker, the then delegation in Washington from Illinois, were tendered a pub- lic dinner and I'eccption upon their return in Chicago in honor of the event. The entire amount of railroad in the State at that time consisted of a section of the Northern Cross Railroad, from Meredosia and Naples, on the Illinois River, to Springfield; the Chicago & Galena, from the former city as far as Elgin, and a six mile track across the American bot- tom from opposite St. Louis to the mines in the bluffs. The act granted the right of way throimh the public lands of the width of 200 feet, from the southern terminus of the Illinois & Mich- igan Canal to a point at or near the junction of the Ohio& Mississippi Rivers, and for a branch U) Chicago and Galena ; also the privilege to take from them materials of earth, stone and timber for its construction. But the main gi'ant to the State was the alternate sections of land designated by even numbers for six sec- tions deep on each side of its track and branches ; for the lands sold or pre-empted within this 12-mile belt or area, enough might be selected from even numbered sections to the distance of fifteen miles on either side of the tracks equal in quantity to them. The con- struction of the road was to be simultaneously commenced at its northern and southern ter- mini, and when completed the branches were to be constructed. It was to be completed within ten years, in default of which the unsold lands were to revert to the United States, and for those sold the State was to pay the Govern- ment price. The minimum price of the alter- nate or odd sections of the Government land was raised from .SI. 25 to S2.50 per acre. While the public lands were thus b}' the prospect of building this road rendered more salable at double price, it followed that the General Gov- ernment not onlj- lost nothing in dollars and cents, but in point of fact was actually the gainer by this splendid gift. The land was taken out of the market for two years, and when restored in the fall of 1852, it, in fact, brought an average of $5 per acre. The gi-ant was subject to the disposal of the Legislature, for the purpose specified, and the road and branches were to be and remain a public high- way for the use of the Government of the United States, free from all tolls either for the transportation of any troops, munitions or other property of the General Government. This provision, had it applied to tiic rolling stock as well as the use of the rails, would doubtless have saved the General Government, during the i)8 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. rebellion, many hundreds of thousands of dol- lars ; but it has been construed adversely to the lights of the Government in this particular. Upon the passage of the bill, 3Ir. Douglas immediately prepared a petition signed bj' the Congressional delegation of all the States along the route of the road from Moliile north, de- scribing the probable location of the road and its branches through Illinois ; and requesting of the President the suspension of land sales along the lines designated, which was immedi- atelj- done. The act of Congress threw upon the Legislat- ure of Illinois the entire duty of making a pru- dent, wise and satisfactoiy dispositiou of the magnificent grant. The point of departure of the Chicago branch of the main track was not fixed by the act, and this delicate duty the Leg- islature, it was generally expected, would take in hand. Before the meeting of that body, in January, 1851, much contention pervaded the press of the State regarding the location of the main track, and particular!}' the routes of the branches. Many worthy and ambitious towns were arrayed against each other. The La Salle interests wanted the Chicago branch taken oflF at that point. Bloomington, looking to a con- tinuation of the Alton & Sangamon road (now the Chicago & Alton) to that place, wanted the Chicago branch to connect her with the lake. Shelbyville, which was a point on the old line of the Illinois Central, not dreaming but that she would have the main track, was grasping for the departure thence of the Chicago branch also, and lost both. Another route, which ought to have commanded great strength, was proposed on the most direct line from Cairo, making the point of connection in Pulaski County, taking off the Galena branch at Mount Vernon, thence through Carlyle, Greenville, Hillsboro, Springfield, Peoria, Galena and on to Dubuque. But, of course, it was to the in- terests of the company to make the location where there was the largest amount of vacant land that could be brought within the belt of fifteen miles on either side of the road. And this proved the controlling influence ultimateh', both in the location of the main track and its branches. Holhrooh Charters. — One of the phantoms which loomed into public recognition, casting its shadow across the path of bright promise for the State, was what was known as the " Holbrook Charters," whose incorporators, it was feared, would step in and swallow up the Congressional grant of land under the broad terms of their franchise. The interest of the people of Illinois is now deeply concerned in the history of these " Hol- brook Charters," owing to the extraordinary discussion that arose in the last 3-ears of the lives of those two men, Sidney Breese and Stephen A. Douglas, in regard to the paternitj' of the Illinois Central Kailroad. Letters ad- dressed to the public through the press of the countrj' were written by each of these men on the subject, and the people are yet undecided as to where the paternity of this enterprise be- longs. It is the widespread and profound interest among all our readers in anything that concerned these two eminent lUinoisans that is our apolog}' for giving the history of the " Hol- brook Charters " at length. " The Cairo City Canal Company was orig- inally incorporated for the purpose of con- structing dykes, levees or embankments, to secure and preserve Cairo City and adjacent lands against the freshets of the rivers. The cutting of the canal to unite the Mississippi with the Ohio through Cache River was also authorized. In the fall of 1835, the Hon. Sidney Breese, through a well-constructed published letter, had first called attention to the plan of a central railroad, connecting the southern terminus of the Illinois & Michigan Canal at Peru with the con- fluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers at Cairo. An effort was made, at the special L.ofC. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 101 session of 1835-36, to unite this project with the canal, for which an ajjpropria- tion of $500,000 was granted. This fail- ing, a charter for the railroad was grant- ed, supplementing this project with the Cairo City Company, the corporators being Darius B. Holbrook (who was ahso President of the company) and others. Application was then first made to Congress for aid by pre-emption. One year later, the State en- tered upon the great internal improvement sys- tem, and, unwilling to brook a rival, applied to the Cairo Company to surrender the charter for the building of this railroad through the center of the State, which was complied with on condition that the State build the road on a route leading from Cairo through Yandalia, Shelbyville, Decatur, Bloomington, Peru, and via Dison to Galena. The State ex- pended more than a million dollars, it is said, on this route, before the "grand system" collapsed in 1840. Subsequently, by act of March 6, 1843, the road, in the condition that it was abandoned, was restored to the Caii"0 Company, under the title of the Great West- ern Railway Company, with a power to con- struct the road from Cairo by the places named to a point at or near the southern ter- minus of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, in such manner as they might deem most expe- dient. The Cairo Company was vested with the title and effects of the old Central Rail- road. All the usual franchises were grant- ed to the Great Western Company as part of the Cairo Company, and in Section 18 it was added that ' all lands that may come in pos- session of said company, whether by dona- tion or purchase,' were pledged and mort- gaged in advance, as security for payments of bonds and obligations of the company, au- thorized to br^ issued and contracted under the provisions of the charter. By act of March 3, 1845, the charter of this Great Western Company was repealed; but, by act of February 10, 1849, it was received for bene- fit of Cairo City & Canal Company, with the addition of some thirty names as incorpora- tors, taken from all parts of the State, many of whom were well-known politicians. The company thus revived was authorized in the construction of the Central Railroad, to ex- tend it on from the southern terminus of the canal — La Salle — to Chicago, 'in strict con- formity to all obligations, restrictions, powers and privileges of the act of 1843.' The Governor was empowered to hold in trust, for the use and benefit of said company, whatever lands might be donated to the State by the General Government, to aid in the completion of the Central or Great Western Railway, subject to the conditions and pro- visions of the bill (then pending before Con- gress and exjjected to become a law) granting the subsidies of 3,000,000 acres of land. The company was fui'ther authorized to re- ceive, hold and dispose of any and all lands secured to it by donation, pre-emption or otherwise. There were other details of mi- nor importance, but these sufficiently indi- cate the scheme. " Here, substantially, is the outline of the final legislation that led to the building of the Central Railroad. And it was this idea of 1835 whereon Judge Breese based his claim to the paternity of the great work. Judge Douglas had charge of the bill for the road in the United States Senate. He was radically opposed to the whole Holbrook scheme, because, as he warmly contended, it was a private scheme of speculation, if not peculation, and he frankly informed the cor- porators of the Great Western Railway that, unless they wholly stepped down and out, surrendered everything that had been granted them by the State, he would not press his bill to a final passage in the Senate, but F 102 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. would not even vote for it. Here the whole matter rested in uncertainty and doubt for Bome time, and the public press poured out charges and countercharges, and negotia- tions 'looking to an adjustment satisfactory to all parties were frequently instituted, and as often came to naught. Judge Douglas would accept no terms except an absolute and total surrender of everything that had been granted the Holbrook corporators, and he broadly based his action on the grounds that it was better for the country that the whole scheme should perish rather than go into the hands of irresponsible private schem- ers. His great mind must have fully realized that he was taking immeasurable responsi- bilities — that he was called upon to act, in the face, too, of the opposition of many and powerful political friends, in the most im- portant and vital matter to the country that concerned his whole political life. He must have realized that, while this was on its face local legislation to some extent, yet it was a part of the legislation unparalleled in its great and far-i'eaching consequences. Had Douglas been a mere demagogue, as has been charged by his enemies, he could have here, by a mere negative assent, had easy sailing in smooth waters, and at the same time given the country the great railroad, with all its advantages. But here was exact- ly where he rose to the emergency — where his mind forecast the long future, and would not be corrupted. He could easily have dropped into this first attempt (if his judg- ment was right aboiit it) to put on its feet a similar great scheme of national robbery and disgrace to that of the Union Pacific Rail- road. Had he been a dishonest man, he would have done so. There is one thing cer- tain — he had his own way in everything, without compromising one jot or tittle of his judgment or conviction, and he gave the country one of the wisest and greatest leg- islative enactments that can be found in the law books of our continent. Millions of people are to-day reaping the fruits of his ■work that he gave them without robbing them of a cent or a drop of blood. Peace hath her victories as well as war. Indeed, war has none. Revolutions that strike off the heads of oppressors may have — often do. A free people that go into battles to repel in- vaders that come to enslave may be sacred men, treading upon sacred ground, but if it is an enslaved people, and the invaders prom- ise even a modicum of relief from their home oppressors, then it is pretty much like all war — a barbarous calamity, and a by-word of reproach to any one above a mere cannibal savage. The Holbrook party had the ear and confi- dence of the Illinois Legislature, but Doug- las was master of Illinois' interests in the United States Senate. At the special session of the Legislature of 1849, he delivered a speech to that body, in which he attempted to demonstrate to it that a fraud had been practiced upon it, and frankly t-.staaii..,. ^*»S!i V ^>77^ ^ cif ^^yf^ /^.^ HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 119 pie soon began to cool, when they perceived the wheels really stopped, and soon it had reached the point that Craddock was the only man left that would risk a dollar on the fut- ure prospects of the road; he never appar- ently fagged, or hesitated, and his efiforts necessitated constant trips to the different cities in the hunt of parties to come forward and build the road. Two or three contractors were agreed upon, but when it came to the point the parties had no money and feared to attempt to work on a credit until the dona- tions would pay the road's way to completion and the contracts were abandoned. In the meantime, H. C. Bradsby had been elected a director in the place of C. H. Bull, and he was also elected Secretary and a member of the Executive Committee. The number of the board had been increased, and W. H. Barlow, S. W. Little and D. B. Alexander, of Effing- ham, were made members. In proportion as the prospects of building the road were prolonged, the enthusiasm of friends cooled, and the board finally said to Craddock and Bradsby, take the concern and build it if you can. To better help carry this idea out, an executive committee of three (of which thoy were members), with all the powers of the corporation full and complete — a majority to control — was created, and they were thus made the full representatives, with all powers of the organization. They continued the hunt, and opened up negotia- tions with any and all probable builders who would stop and listen to their scheme. At this time there was a warm rivalry existing between T. B. Blackstoae, of the Chicago & Alton Raih-oad, and Boody, of the Wabash, for the control of the Decatur & State Line Railroad frc-m Decatur to Chicago. The Wabash had just completed a road from Decatur to St. Louis and to make a terrible rival for the Chicago & Alton, it only had to secure the road from Decatur to Chi- cago. Hence, negotiations were opened with Blackstone, who lent a favorable ear. He agreed to take a perpetual lease of the Bloom- ington & Ohio road and indorse its bonds to the amount of $17,500 a mile and fm-nish the rolling stock, operate the same and pay the interest, provided, that he could make a similar arrangement with the Decatur & State Line road, and thus form a junction of the two railroads at a point a short distance northeast of Decatur. This would not only destroy the rivalry of the Wabash line, but it would give the Chicago & Alton a strong lever upon the Illinois Central. Thore were over $000,000 donations on the State Line road, and, as above said, over $500,000 on the Bloomington&Ohio. The $17,500 was enough money secured to build the road and have at least $1,000 a mile on each line of the road. The engineer estimated that on every mile of the Bloomington & Ohio road, there was a cer- tain profit under this arrangement of $2,500 besides the donations. Probably no two men ever left Chicago with brighter hopes in ref- erence to a business transaction than did the representatives of the Bloomington & Ohio, when they left Mr. Blackstone's office to go to Decatur to confer with E. O. Smith, the President of the State Line road, and inform him of the fortune they brought for him. and in return only asked his concurrence for his road in the scheme. But, to their amaze- ment. Smith hesitated — the sum of money named stunned him, and, in short, Boody got hold of him, and convinced him that he had better cast his fortunes with the Wabash, and, while he would only make a small amount of money, yet it would be certain, and thus won him over. Boody and the Wa- bash soon failed, and this scheme, as well as the bright hopes of the Bloomington & Ohio, were as the fabric of a vision, or anvthing 120 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. else gone up in smoke. This was one of sev- eral prospects that worked up to the fairest promise, and then came to naught. In the early part of 1871, a contract to construct the road from Effingham to a junc- tion of the Fairbury, Pontiac & Northwestern at some point east of Bloomington, was en- tered into with the firm of Ralph Plumb & Co., the members of the firm being Ralph Plumb, F. E. Hinckley and P. B. Shumway. There was a secret an-angement agreed upon with Craddock. The heaviest donations on the road were from Bement to Windsor, through Moultrie County, there being $50,- 000 at Bement, 1100,000 in Moultrie and $75,000 in Windsor — plenty to pay every dollar of the cost of the road between these two points. Work was, therefore, com- menced at Bement and carried from there south and soon completed to Windsor. A train was put upon this much of the road, and was a financial success from the day it commenced to ran. The Bloomington & Ohio Kiver Railroad was then consolidated with the Fairbury, Pontiac & Northwestern, and the new road was called the Chicago & Paducah Railroad, and according to ^le terms of the contract, the entire franchise and corporation passed into the hands of the contractors. The work south stopped at Windsor, and the north end of the road was finished until it met its northern companion, and was completed and stocked and operated as one line from Wind- sor, through Pontiac to Streator. After a delay of three years, the work on the road from Windsor south was commenced. The two townships in Shelby County had given $40,000 donations, and in a short time it was built to Shumway, in this county. Here it made another pause. It wanted to reach the Springfield Branch of the Ohio & Mississip- pi, and, id 1872, it bad made all arrange- ments for an extension from Efiingham to Louisville, in Clay County. Surveys had been made, and the people had subscribed $60,000 in private subscriptions, payable only when the road was completed to Louisville. Ralph Plumb & Co. had contracted with H. C. Bradsby to secure the right of way from Effingham to Louisville and get the dona- tions. They had also contracted with him for the ties along: the entire line. The com- es pany apparently having failed to make ex- pected money arrangements, abandoned all this part of the road and organized under the general law a company to construct a railroad from Shumway to Altamont. This was an easy line built and it would save a rough crossing at the Wabash to get to Effing- ham. A force of workmen were put upon the line fi-om Shumway to Altamont. The news of what was being done soon came to the city of Effingham, and a petition for an injunction, preventing the building of the road to Altamont, was presented to Judge Allen of the Circuit Court, and promptly granted. This carried dismay to the con- tractors, and they came to the people of Effingham and sued for terms, asking to be permitted to complete the work to Altamont, and offering pledges that they would then build to Effingham, the pledge being the do- nations Effingham had voted the road. The attorneys of Effingham and others, probably a majority of the people, were in favor of ac- cepting their offer. Others opposed it; they said it could do no harm to let the injunction stand — this would insure the road being built at once to Effingham, and when this was done they could build to Altamont or where they pleased. The first-named carried their point — the contractors keeping faith with some to whom they made promises, and unceremoniously breaking them with others. The injunction was removed and the road HISTORY or EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 121 completed to Altamont. In 1874, the nest move was to apply to the township of Doug- las for the $50,000 of bonds voted by it, and that had been signed in blank by Casper Nolte, Supervisor, in 1872. Suits were com- menced to restrain the tilling and completing these bonds and their delivery to the company, and praying the court to not only prevent their delivery, but to order them burned by the Sheiiff of the county. But these suits were not popular. Indeed, so anxious were the people that the bonds should bo passed over to the road nunc pro tunc, that stacks of aiBdavits, including nearly all the business and leading men of the city, may yet be found in the Clerk's office in favor of passing over the bonds " in order that the work of completing the road to Effingham " might go on. The bills for injunction to restrain the issue and delivery of these bonds are on tile in the Circuit Clerk's office, and there is no question that they show an extraordinary state of facts. Nor is there a doubt but that Judge Allen was anxious to stop the delivery of the bonds and save the people §50,000 thereby. A. B. Jansen, the then Supervisor of Douglas Township, had been warned not to issue the bonds or deliver them. The bonds had been placed in Judge Thornton's hands, the attorney of the railroad iu that, as well as in other cases, and the Douglas Township Supervisor finally went to Shelby- ville and from thence to Springfield, and when he returned the company had the bonds, not only filled up, but registered in the State Auditor's office. When the road was com- pleted to Effingham there occurred a curious coincidence, the people pretty miich en masse became violently opposed to the issue of the bonds, and a suit was commenced to annul them and an injunction asked and obtained restraining the tax collector from collecting the tax for the purpose of paying the interest on the bonds. As a matter of course the people were defeated in this suit, and mulct- ed in an additional bill of costs and attor- neys' fees. In all those unfortunate complications, the writer hereof knows probably every man who was " seen, " as the slang phrase goes, as well as those whose hopes from great promises, turned to Dead Sea apples upon their lips, and nearly broke, doubtless, their honest hearts, but for our common humanity he deems it best to take these little secrets with him to the grave. The situation of our peo- ple in reference to these bonds was simply, when they could they wouldn't, and when they woiild they couldn't, and that's an end on't. It is due Mr. Benson Wood, who was the local attorney of the people in all this litiga- tion, to say that in the first suits to protect the people and enjoin the bonds, that he com- plained bitterly that he had a good case, but no proper client; he probably now will as freely acknowledge that in the final suits he had an excellent rich fool for a client, but no case. The first train to run the entire length of the road, from Streator to Altamont, on sched- ule time, was on the 29th day of June, 1874. It was two years after this, February, 1876, before trains were run into Effingham. On the 5th day of April, 1880, the Chi- cago & Paducah Railroad passed into the hands of the present owners and became the Wabash Railroad. This new company at once set about com2:)leting a railroad fi-om a place known as Strawn to Chicago, and thus was made a direct and valuable road from Effingham and from Altamont to Chicago. This also gives this great corporation a direct and valuable line a direct road from St. Louis to Chicago. A mixed passenger train is daily run from 123 HISTOKY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. here to Bement, where it connects with the Chicago & Toledo trains, and returns here in the evening. A freight is daily dispatched from Altamont, giving the road two daily trains each way from Shumway north. Since the building of the road, there has been but two different station agents here, namely, C. A. Van Allen, the first one, and H. G. Hab- ing, the present one. Mr. Frank Green, the present conductor between this point and Be- ment, was the second conductor ever put upon the road. He succeeded Andy Ricketts, the first conductor for a few months, when the road was first opened from Bement to Windsor. It is in contemplation by the Wabash to build a road from this point through Jasper and Crawford Counties, in a southeast direc- tion to Cincinnati, and as an evidence of the earnestness of this intention, a mortgage bond on this line was recently filed for record in our Clerk's office. The purpose of this is to reach Cincinnati and the rich block coal fields of Indiana. The Narrow Gauge. — The Springfield, Effingham & South-Eastern Railroad was chartered in 1867, with J. P. M. Howard, S. W Little, AV. B. Cooper, L. R. McMurry, John F. Barnard, Anderson Webster and Thomas Martin, incorporators. J. P. M. Howard was elected first President, and Yan Valkenburg, Secretary. A partial survey of the line was made in 1868. At the June meeting in 1878, Howard resigned and quit the organization, and L. R McMurry, Presi- dent, and H. C. Bradsby, Secretary, T. D. Craddock, Treasurer; and another survey of the line was made. There were $163,000 in donations voted from Effingham to the Wa- bash River. Effingham voted $50,000 of this. In the same year, the Vincepnes & Pana Railroad was chartered, with William Rea- vell, James H. Steeles, William C. Wilson, Joseph Cooper, Isaac H Walker, William C. Jones, Daniel Rinehart, William B. Cooper, R. A. Howard, Craig White, J C. Helmack and D. D. Shumway were incorporators. This provided for the building of a railroad " commencing at a point at or near the O. & M. R. R., west of Vincennes, as the company may select, east of Lawrenceville, thence to Robinson, thence to Newton, thence to Effing- ham, thence to Pana." By consolidating these two lines and mak- ing the present S. E. & S. E. R. R., a line was authorized as it is at present located, and built from here to the Wabash River. The consolidation was formally made and entered into. The financial panic of 1873 apparently had forever killed the enterprise that had promised so fair from its inception to that time. In the latter part of 1878, parties came, and the project was revived, with John Funkhouser as President, and George C. Mitchell, his son-in-law, for Sec- retary. In 1876, a contract was made with Adams, Soliday & Company to build the road. This company was soon deeply in debt to workmen, tiemen, boarding-houses, and all other employes, and the company of Buell, Lyon & Co. succeeded them. Lyon seemed to have plenty of money, and all the people along the line were soon revived in hope, and the work started up with great ac- tivity again. After a little while, Lyon re- tired from the firm, and it became Buell, Smith & Co., and another spirited revival of the work took place. This last company or- ganized the Cincinnati, Effingham & Quincy Construction Company, and all was again serene for a short time. Some misunder- standing arising in this construction com- pany, in March, 1879, a Receiver was ap- pointed — John Charles Black — for the con- struction company. In September, 1879, J. P. M. Howard was appointed Receiver for the HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. ■\.2i railroad company. At this time, about ten miles of the road had been graded, and half a mile of the track was laid at Robinson. In January, 1881, the road was completed, and the trains commenced regularly running from the city of Effingham to the Wabash River. The affairs of both the construction and rail- road company were settled, and the books closed and road turned over to Sturgis, Lyon & Co., in July, 1882. O. & M. Railroad. — In 1867, the Spring- field & South-Eastern Railroad was chartered, and the work commenced to build a line from Shawneetown to Springfield. This was Tom Ridgeway's and Charley Beecher's road. These two men came to the City of Effingham and caused much excitement among our peo- ple by telling them their line of constructed road from the south on its way to Springfield was rapidly approaching our south county line; that they wanted to build to our city on the route, but they wanted first to know exactly how much we would give as an in- ducement; that if this inducement was not liberal enough, they would build the road west of us, through Altamont or St. Elmo, etc., eta In the winter of 1879, the people of Effingham had heard so much about rail- roads coming — singly, in squads and in pla- toons — that they were ddzed with their own prospective greatness. Railroad meetings were frequent, and it was railroads for break- fast, dinner and supper. The people had appointed a Railroad Committee, a kind of public safety committee, and, in de- spair in understanding all the talk that was going on about railroads, they turned the whole matter over to this committee. But the committee was less able, it seems, to either agree or understand what it all meant than were the people. The final result was that Effingham hesitated, and the little, act- ive, wide-awake townships of West, Mason and Liberty, and the village of Edgewood, secured the road. Edgewood gave $10,000, West Township $10,000,' Mason Township $10,000, and Liberty $5,000, and the Spring- field & South-Eastern Railroad was built upon the line it now runs upon, through Edgewood and Altamont, twelve miles east of Effingham, on to Springfield. The road, in 1875, passed into other hands, and be- came the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. In the county are 104^ miles of operated railroad, as follows: Illinois Central, twenty- five miles; Wabash, nineteen and three- fourths miles; Vandalia line, twenty-five and a half miles; S. E. & S. E., eleven miles; O. & M., twenty-two and a half miles. There is a company organized to construct a narrow-gauge railroad from Effingham to Camden, on the O. & M. road, and the proba- bilities are that this and the road leading southeast will both be completed at an early day, and this will add twenty-five miles to the road-bed now in the county. 124 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. CHAPTER IX. RETROSPECTION— MORALIZING ON THE FLIGHT OF TIME— POST OFFICE, TELEGRAPHS, ETC- SINGING AND WRITING MASTE(!S—" FLING, DANG, DOODLE, DA"— LITERARY TASTES OF THE COUNTY— EXAMINATION OF A SCHOOLMASTER— THE DUTCH- TOWN WAR^A BIT OF CHURCH GOSSIP— VALEDICTORY, ETC. -THE '* Time was not yet, When at his daughter's birth the sire grew pile For fear the age and dowry gliould exceed On each side just proportion. Well content, With unrobed jerkin, and their good dames handling The spindle and the flax." — Dante. SIMILAR lamentations have been said or sung of every place and nation under the sun that has risen to wealth and refinement. Simplicity of manners may be a good thing, but, with the increase of wealth, industry and population, it cannot continue as it was in earlier times ; and to regret when the times and social state have changed is to regret an impossibility. Every stage of society has its good and evil side; and wisdom would seem to consist in endeavoring to make the best of that condition of it under which we live." It is natural, when age begins to dim the vision, and the twilight is seen in the dis- tance, for man to turn back in memory, and find his pleasures of life in the contempla- tion of those sunshiny spots of youth, of bounding young hopes and rippling laugh- ter, of joy, and pure and passionate love, when the world was new and life was new and gleeful and gladsome. Time when it was "Sweet to hear the honest watcli-dog's bark Bay deep-mouthed welcome as we draw near home;" and to linger lovingly here, and to con- trast then and now. This is inevitable to all old age, as it is sure to draw the picture always with the same result — the sweet then, the bitter now. True, the times and manners have changed, but age forgets that it has changed, too. The change in man- ners are generally a necessity and for the better, while the changes in age are inevita- ble; they should be, and generally are, for the better, but not always. To shake the head and say, " It was not so when I was a child," is the blessed province and privilege of age. This has passed along with every period and generation for thousands of years, and it will continue, no doubt, indefinitely. It is harmless as any other fiction, except to those who j^ei'Juit themselves to dwell too long upon the dark side of the picture, until they become almost convinced that mankind is rapidly degenerating and civilization is passing away. But in any light, or from any point of view, the fleeting years, the blessed long ago, " the good dames handling the sjjindle and the flax, " is the sweet picture of life that deserves the richest setting, the best light in the favorite family room, and the fu'st place in the hearts of all mankind. Yea, good dame, and venerable sire, all is for the best. You are looking upon the same struggle that was present to your grandfa- thers of many hundreds of years ago — the mighty struggle between truth and error. In this contest there can be but one result, even though, at long stretches of time, error and HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 126 wrong seem to prevail and riot in their vic- torious power, yet in the end it will perish, and truth and right will be completely vic- torious. This is the order of nature — this is destiny. The victories of error and \vrong are temporary in their effects; they pass away and are forgotten; while those of truth en- dure forever. Governments and nations, creeds and religions, imperial principalities, with their armies like unto the leaves of the forest, have come upon the world, ruled mightily the globe, fretted their brief hour and are gone — gone like the baseless fabric of a vision that leaves not a wrack behind. While truth, in her patient triumphs and dis- coveries, is perpetual — she alone is immortal. It is not, therefore, best to mourn too much over customs, manners and times that have been and are not, but to remember that in their day they were good, perhaps the best, and to send back the sweet recollections, like radiant sunbeams of joy, when will come, like music over the waters, the echo to the poet's aspiration — " Backward, turn backward, oh, time, in thy fliglit, and make me a child again, just for to-night." Some idea of the changes that have been wrought hero the past fifty years may best be had by comparisons of some of those things most familiar to our readers. For instance, the post office is a matter of transcendant concern to all. It would be difficult to think of society at present as without it. It is one of the most important and useful institutions to civilization that is given to us by the Gov- ' ernment, and the fact that it is a self-sus- ! taining institution is evidence that, had Government not supplied this want, private enterprise would have done so, and possibly | have done it better than Government can, as it has in the express and telegraph depart- ments. At one time, the pony mails passed through the county weekly, when they were permitted by the streams to go through at all. The first Postmaster, Hankins, at one time had received two letters, and this news passed around among the people. The office was in the Postmaster's hat, weighted down by a red bandana. The coming of this mail matter was a sensation. Facsimiles of these old letters, sealed with red wafers, and upon yellowed foolscap paper, and somewhat awk- wardly folded, without envelope, would now be interesting to look upon, and the time is not very distant when, framed and hung upon the wall, they would surjiass in interest a painting, or the finest steel-plate engraving. The news then traveled, if at all, among the people, much as it had done among their im- mediate predecessors, the Indians. Not a newspaper, daily, weekly or monthly, at one time came to the people. There are no rec- ords by which we can toll how much mail matter now comes daily into the county, but a reference to such facts as can be gleaned from the office in this city may give an ap- proximation thereto. The number of pos- tage stamps sold at this point for the quarter just ended was $917.16. This would indi- cate the quarterly receipt of about thirty thousand letters — ten thousand per month, or three hundred and thirty daily. In addition to the five county papers with an average circulation of over five hundred each per week, there are distributed here 135 daily papers 225 weeklies and 100 monthlies. This in- crease in mail matter is not the proper measure of the growth of population in the county, nor is it a measure of the spread of intelli- gence or education. It is a mark of the age, an index in the change of the habits of the people, that applies to the whole nation. People now read more than did their forefa- thers, and the rapid gi-owth of the various is- sues from the press is another remarkable feature of the time. But he is silly who es- 126 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. ti mates the increase of value by the increase of quantity. A look at the news depot coun- ters, or in the book stores is enough to read- ily convince even the skeptical that there is but very little more of the best books and publications read in the county to day than there was fifty years ago. The insufferable trash comes from the press like snow-flakes, and is no more healthy mental food than are cobble-stones and rusty nails food for the physical organs. The preacher with his in- terminable sermons, the lawyer with his gift of gab, the political stump-speaker and the country debating society were once the flow- ing fountains free to all the world — the great man of all being always the orator, that re- markable production that could talk like tin angel even when he could only think as a poll parrot. This phenomenon is now passed or is rapidly passing away. His successor, it appears, is what may well be termed the yellow-back literatui-e of the day. There is no healthier sign of the public sense than the incredulity and humor that plays over the faces of the audience nowadays when the muggy chairman of a political meeting in- troduces the Hon. Shiggum as " the silver- tongued orator," when the said Honorable, fragrant with the fumes of the pot-house, rises and pours forth his incoherent scream uf bruised, battered and miu'dered King's English to the gaping groundlings. The phenomenal production of this age is the demagogue — the Hon. Slumscullion, the "sil- ver-tongued" combination of horse-fiddle, tomtom, huzzy-guzzy and wind-power hew- gag — simplicity and soap-locks, wisdom and wind-power, impudence and ignorance. His cotemporary and compeer is the Police Ga- zette; his fattening food is his fellow-mor- tal's ignorance and simplicity. The times and the age call for this strange creature, and he steps forth, regal in low cunning, mastodonic in cheek. When the last of the public teachers — Clay, Douglas and Web- ster — had passed away and ceased to teach their noble schools, from the rostrum, the Senate, the bar and the stump, the dema- gogue came to sit in their high chairs, and caw and cackle at the people, and be great — be real buzzards roosting in the dead eagles' nests. Here is a change in the then and now — but where is the improvement? There was the singing master then, armed with his tuning-fork and Missouri Harmony, " From Greenland's icy mountains, from In- dia s coral strand." A mighty man in his day was he — the glass of fashion and the mold of form — the toast of the belles of the neighborhood, the envy of the swains; and, when he took his position before his class, and struck his fork and gracefully inclined his head to catch the sweet notes of inspira- tion from it, and broke forth " Do-ra-me- fa-so- la! Sing!" his graceful poise as he would beat time for " Pisgah " after the fashion of a battle with mosquitoes, won many stolen glances from swelling young maidens' hearts, as all mouths flew open in unison, and the good old hymn came rasping, jerking along, in every key, tune and time. "Again!" would shout the autocrat master, when it was gone over once, " and every one open his mouth and sing loud," and away go the med- ley in a noisy race for the grand flourish at the end, and then all look meekly up for the teachers approving smile, which sometimes they got, but much oftener he gave only crushing frowns, as much as to say they hadn't sung loud enough, until he came to the belle of the neighborhood, when his great counte- nance would relax, and he would smooth his wrinkled brow, smile winsomely and majes- tically spit at a crack ten feet away, which he never missed. But this wonderful creature has gone — gone like a school- boys tale, and HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 127 in his musical place did come the jangled, out-of-tune piano, and the strolling organ- grinder, and the patent medicine street op- eras — music and physic ! 1 et heaven be praised ! Do fond recollections falter in recalling that weird magician of the pen, the writing- master? — the king of the clarified goose- quill, the master of the pen and pot-hooks, the gifted architect of those inspired flour- ishes and amazing spread-eagles. He mar- ried the belle of the county at the end of his school, and, " Othello's occupation gone," he quit the trade, and, instead of eagles, has been content to raise and look after barnyard chickens, and play Jumbo for the grandchil- dren. How are the mighty fallen! Now, in those days came the great itiner- ant lecturer on mesmerism and phrenology, and singing geogi-aphy and similar wonders of the age. The lecturer was so prized that often he was prevailed upon to permanently locate in the county and condescendingly ac- cept the best office the infatuated people had to bestow. Did the coming of the cook-stove, think you, drive away these noble landmarks of the primitive days? — that first stove brought to the county by Mr. Johnson, of Freemanton- such an event as that was! Is it to be wondered at that even the singing- master saw his glory pale before this new sensation? This cook-stove, it is said, wrecked more ambitions than those of the lecturer, the singing and the writing school- master. A son of the prominent man in the county was courting Johnson's daughter, and was there only a few days after it had been put up. He was up early in the morning and started a fire in it, and soon he smoked every one in the house out of bed and out of doors. He had kindled the fire in the oven, and was wondering what " ailed the creeter!" They had weddings in those days, and these linger with ns to some extent yet, but those good old fashions, and the " infairs," where are they? The wedding was at the bride's, and the " infair " was a kind of wedding No. 2, at the house of the groom's parents. Both were to eat, drink, dance and be merry. Two days and two nights, with often a long horse ■ back ride in the meantime, and the frolick- ing and dancing went on. Terpsichore! what dancing! Not your dreamy waltz of this day and age; not the bounding polka, the de- lightful schottische, or any of the other modern, fashionable dream- walks; but the one-eyed fiddler, keeping time with his foot, and to the inspiriting tune of the "Arkansaw Traveler," or the "Lightning Jig," the merry dancers raced over the floor in that good old walk- talk-ginger- blue style of hoe down that filled with joy their innocent hearts, and their legs with soreness and pain. But the Vir- ginia reel, the hoe down, the jig and the "in- fair " are gone, and their places are taken by the rather tame wedding tour and the pub- lished list of presents from friends and foes — a singular combination of pleasure and profit.* They had the " young man of the period " in those good old days. Behold him! the happy possessor of a pacing horae, a new saddle, with its stitched flowers, a red blank- *An nlustratfon of the ancient irrepressible propensity for frol- icking and fnn, of which no circumstances could deprive them, is well given by an anecdote that the writer has lienrd related and acted out by one of the best mimics and story-tellers that everaet the tables or the pnrlor in a roar over delicions wit and inimitable story-telling. It is impossible to write it out and do justice to the original; the types cannot act — mimiclting the intunations, the song, the dancing, the expressions of face and movemenla of the whole person, as he could, and hence in the telling here the story will lose much of its rich savor. Upon one occasion the youngsters were gathered in goodly force at a farmhouse, where the boys and girls had had a "bee" of some kind during the day, and when supper was over preparations for the dance soon developed the fact that no violin could be had. This shocking intelligence soon spread gloom where before waa only fun and joyous anticipations. The young lady of the house determined to entertain her guests, bid them take partners for the dance, and she would sing and dance and "call" at the same time. In a trice the floor was filled, and "od went the dance, with no sleep till morn, when youth and pleasure meet" — fiddle or no fiddle. It would be Fometbing as follows : " Honors to all fling-dang-doodle-daddle, Fling-dang-doodle-daddle da- Swing on the left, fling-dang-doodle-daddle, Fling-dang-doodle-daddle-da." 128 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUI^'TY. et, and ribbons on the head-stall of the bridle. He would unhitch his pacer from the plow by the nijddle of the Saturday afternoon, and dress up, in his broad-brimmed, new, h ime- made, oat-straw hat, and, with cinnamon- scented bear's oil on his long, flowing locks, which are carefully combed and tucked under behind, much white shirt front, a rather short vest, with only the lower button fastened, a pair of ready-made nankeen breeches, with straps at the bottom, drawn tight at the waist, and no suspenders, a bulging white roll be- tween the vest and pantaloons, pumps and yarn socks on his feet, and a scissor-tailed coat, too small in every way, completed the gorgeous attire of this neighborhood phenom- enon, as he swaggered in his walk, or rolled lollingly about in his saddle — the — he — dar- ling, the daisy! We sing his praise — hail and farewell! Drop a tear to his dear memory. The literary life of the young county was almost nil. At fii'st there were no men here of either taste or cultivation in that line, nor were there facilities for the cultivation of this in the rising generation. The ' Life of Gen. Francis Mai-ion.'" a copy of Josephus, the Bible, and a volume or two of dull ser- mons, were pretty much the sum total of the county's literature. Veiy few of the young formed in their young days the habit of much reading. They had been trained to work pa- tiently upon their little truck-patch farms, and they were eager hunters amid plenteous game. They used long rifles, and they only rarely wasted their ammunition upon any- thing smaller than wild tiu'keys. They knew nothing of the modern breech-loading shot guns and pointer dogs, and shooting the prai- rie chicken, quail and snipe on the wing, as is now the hunter's method. The first circus that came to Vandalia was to that county, and this as well as other ad- joining counties, an era equal in magnitude to the crusades of the Old World. Time was reckoned by an event like this. There was a fascination in the saw-dust, as well as the smell of the animals, and the playful monkeys, and selah! there was the clown! There is a tradition that his same old jokes were new then, but this may well be doubted. The story is not reasonable, for did not pre- historic man, as well as we, want to know before he went to a circus just where each joke came in, in order that he could prepare himself to laush again at the right moment? The fires of the memories of the first circus never paled until that transcendant event of the hanging of Ogle at Vandalia in 184;2. We will never forget how an old lady exult- antly told how she had walked thirty miles, carrying her six-months-old child every step of the way. She concluded the story by pointing out her son, and we confess the gi-eat, beefy 220-pounder did not give evi- dences that his early education had been wholly ethereal and spirituelle. An itinerant preacher once saw here an opening for his talents as school teacher. He duly made application for the place, and the learned pundits of the county were called upon to examine him. He knew nothing of gra mm ar, geography or arithmetic, but opened the eyes of the committee by informing them, with great gusto, that he could coimt a flock of flying geese faster, he reckoned, than any man of his size in the county. A book was handed him to read. Then, indeed, did his countbnance glow with pleasure. " Oh, yes, I kin read ! '" was his unctuous ex- clamation. And with a great parade and a loud voice, he read: "Two great com-pee- ti-tors Han-i-bawl and Ski-pee-o wag-god- war in Af-ry-key," etc. " Oh, I kin read!" exulted the would-be teacher. Amid roars of laughter, the examination concluded with the reading of the sentence, " Darest thou. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 129 Casaius, swim with me to yonder point? ac- coutered as I was," etc. The reader must imagine for himself how the pedagogue pro- nounced the word " accoutered." In 1855 occurred what has since been a standing county joke, and has gone by the name of the " Dutchtown War." It was the outcrop of that Know-Nothing craze that ran over the entire country, commencing in 1854, and swept like a plague infection or a prairie [ fire over State after State, and that culminated in the Presidential election of 1856, when, more suddenly than it had risen, it expired. The Know-Nothing party had for its cardi- nal political ideaopposition to foreigners, and blazoned upon its banners were: "Put none but Americans on guard." It is said the woods of Effingham were full of these de- luded statesmen. They met in secret by- places and took oaths, and had secret grips, and signs, and pass-words, and what stories they must have stuffed each other with at these meetings of the fell purposes and de- signs of the foreigners. Certainly nothing short of this could have so worked upon ig- norant minds and made in our county a little army of Quixotes, to go forth to battle, not with the windmills, but with the wind organ of tUe Teutopolis Chiirch. At the period mentioned, the Germans were progressing with their church edifice, which, at the time of building, was one of the cost- liest in Southern Illinois, and had com- menced the work of putting the organ in its place. Everything that came by railroad for Teutopolis was shipped to Effingham, and transported hence by wagons. The organ pipes were shipped in boxes, together with many other church fixtures. In handling them in Effingham, some excited Know-Noth- ing must have seen them, and he heralded the report that the " Dutch were importing arms." The story traveled far and wide, and, like the legend of the three black crows was magnified with each repetition, until it was positively asserted that these people were about to secretly rise and massacre the na- tives. The great mass of our people paid no heed to these frightful stories, but there were others that were seriously alarmed, or at all events, acted as though they believed all and more, too. The Know-Nothing army was se- cretly called to arms. There was blood in the moon. The gathering clouds of war lowered upon Effingham, and many an old political veteran of the county (he would de- ny it all now) who has waxed great and fat upon German votes, snuffed the battle afar off, and in the secret lodges of his Know- Nothing societies, clothed ,his neck with the thunderbolts of war, and hied himself and friends to the army rendezvous, about two miles west of Watson, on Spring Branch, where it passes through James Turner's land. They gathered here to organize an army, at- tack Teutopolis, and carry away the arms and ammunition of the place as trophies of war. How many of these patriots were there as- sembled cannot now be told; they are var- iously estimated at thirty-five, seventy-five, 100 and 15U, as it is impossible to find any one who will admit that he was in that cruel war. Hunting for these old scarred (not scared, please, Mr. Printer) veterans is much like hunting the home of milk-sickness; it is always in the next township ahead. Wheth- er it was thirty-five or 150, or more or less, they wont into camp and commenced the work of organizing an army of invasion. Scouts were sent out, and trusted spies stole into Teutopolis. In the meantime, that village was qjiietly plodding along its usual way. unconscious of the commotion the simple or- gan pipes had created, as they were uncon- scious of the flaming sword that impended. The gathering hosts and mustering squadrons 130 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. had moved in mysterious silence. The clank of the wooden shoe of Dutchtown found echo in the whisperings of distress from the army rendezvous, where were cheeks all pale, which, before the war, had blushed at the sight of their own corn -fed loveliness. An election was held, which resulted in placing Gen. Morgan Wright in chief command, with some other man, now unknown, as his sec- ond. The General thanked the army for the honor and awful dangers and responsibility it had conferred on him; the "long roll" was beaten iipon the hastily trumped-up tin pan, that furnished the only martial music these bloody patriots had or needed. With quiv- ering lips and chattering teeth, the army be- gan to " fall in " preparatory to a double- quick charge upon the Teutopolis Church or- gan. The silence was painful; the strain upon the heroes' nerves was intense, and evidently something must have given way soon, had not, at that moment, come dashing into camp the scouts and spies, and reported the war over — that Dutchtown was peace that the arms imported were organ pipes, and it was all a mistake that those people intended to massacre the entire people of the United States. And presto! camp was broken, white-robed peace spread her wings over the county, and "Johnny came march- ing home." There was great rejoicing at the safe return by the families and friends of these heroes. A great peace rati- fication meeting was , called, and a wooden sword nearly six feet long was presented, in an eloquent and stirring address by Dr. J. M. Long, to the Commander-in-Chief. When Sam Moffitt. " in thoughts that breathed and words that bm'ned, " pi'esented an elegant pop-gun to the second in command. Gor- geously decorated, home-made land warrants were presented in each case where the com- mander could report any extraordinary acts of bravery. A soldiers' re-union of the no- ble band of veterans, survivors of the Dutch- town war, is now in order. The people would make suitable provisions for the gath- ering of these heroes, and what could be more interesting than to again listen to the har- rowing stories of camp and field, and see these old veterans once more in life to " shoul- der the crutch and show how battles are won?" The Church. — The "voice in the wilder- ness " was among the early pioneers, calling sinners to repentance, and wrestling with the awful sins of vanity and the old three- stringed cracked fiddle. Fifty years ago, the " good shepherds " were tinged with much of the rigid, dogmatic severity of the old, cruel Kirk-Sessions of a hundred years ago. For some years there were not near so many preachers as counterfeiters in the county. There paucity was, however, atoned for in the stern severity of their precepts. The value of a sermon was measured by its length, and the brimstone oder of the awful thunder- bolts that it let fly at the heads of the poor, frightened, credulous congregations. They were God-fearing, good men, who preached without a choir, and a bugle solo in chiu'ch would have called upon the rocks and mount- ains to fall upon them. The devil invented the fiddle, and he and his grinning imps were the original first dancers. But few, if any, ministerial scandals marked their hum- ble, sincere, pious lives. They may have been very ignorant, but they were wholly honest and sincerely humble. Generally illiberal and full of severity, and warped and deformed with prejudices, they took up the cross of their Master, seized the sword of Gid- eon and smote His Satanic Majesty, hip and thigh, wherever they could find him. They would make sparse converts here and there, and the awful fiddle nearly as often seduced them away again into the paths of dancing and HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 131 damnation. How they did launch their fierce and liery thunderbolts against the vanities of men, and the ribbons, furbelows and jewelry of the women! when there probably was not a bolt of the irreligious ribbon and not $10 worth of pinchbeck jewelry in the county. The Hard-Shells and Methodists were cotem- poraneous in their coming here — the Meth- odists shouting and the Hard-Shells singing O DO their sermons through the nose, and thus, in their dififerent fields of usefulness, they dwelt together in true Christian love and friend- ship. They vexed not their simple souls with hair-splitting doctrinal points in theology. The force and power of their nasal blast and their sing-song delivery were as battering rams upon the ramparts of the evil one, while they were a sweet lullaby to the troubled soul of the good Christian. This is well illus- trated by the anecdote of the wag who had a contention with an old lady in reference to the might and power of a preacher that she was heart-broken over his going away. The wag was a fine mimic, and had caught the very tone, air and manner of the favorite preacher, and insisted he could preach quite as well as her favorite. He struck an atti- tude, and, in splendid sing-song, nasal style, told a story of his dog chasing a j)oor little sickly coon, and grabbing the dear little thing just as it was going into a hollow tree. As the story finished, the good dame was shouting with all her might. When the wag laughed at her, she excused herself by say- ing, "Oh, it was that heavenly tone!" The good old dame was right. It was the "heav- enly tone " that often did the good work. The severity of this early religion had probably this effect: A portion became wild enthusiasts of the church militant, while the others joined, and, after a short trial and sincere endeavor, recklessly threw down all efforts when they discovered they could not live up to the religious enthusiasts' ideal. This would exasperate the good shepherds, while in turn they redoubled their efforts, which only made the estraying lambs kick up their heels the higher and stray farther away where fancied pleasures tempted. There was no control or direction possible for these un- bridled theological colts until the church or- ganization came along and they were incor- porated into the management and control of cooler and wiser heads. The Methodist Church organization was in Ewington in IS'iii, and for a short time preaching was at the house of T. J. Gillen- waters, by the Rev. Chamberlain. After- ward, services were held for some time at the court house in Ewington. In 1S38, Eev. Hale vras the preacher in charge. At the same time in the early day. Bishop Eames, the celebrated Bishop of the Methodist Church, was for a short time stationed at Ew- ington. He was then only a licensed exhort- er. The church sometimes had a minister in charge, and sometimes this was divided with some other locality, and the preacher would make visits to the county at stated times. Among others that preached at Ewington are recalled the Rev. William Blundell, of Clark County. We have now reached the end of the half- century story of the people of Effingham County — especially of the pioneer fathers and mothers. To the vsriter, the past sixty days — the time allotted to this work — will ever be among the best recollections of his life. In this labor of love, there is no mixt- ure of pain, conflict or contention, until the moment comes to lay down the pen — to sever an association where friendships have grown sacred — friendships and communings with the living and the dead; to voyage back the little more than fifty years that mark the ex- istence of our county, and make the acquaint- 133 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. ance of those men and women who were here — simple, restless pioneers — to find here and there, among the humblest of these people, a true and genuine hero and heroine, and in- troduce them to the world, and pass them on to posterity, is as proud a task, to even the most ambitious, as it has been pleasant to us. Here we have found friendships without alloy — without those clashing interests that bo de- face often the best of human kind. Such friendships as will remain forever in purity and pleasantness. The brief retrospect will ever come back again, like a genial, pure, warm ray of sunshine, to the abodes of the cheerless, laden with warmth, joy and new life, to a soul fast growing lonely, desolate and sterile. "What is writ is writ; would it were worthier." CHAPTER X.* THE BEIVCH AND BAR— EARLY COURTS OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY— LAWYERS FROM ABROAD— .7UDGES OF THIS JUDICIAL DISTRICT— SKETCHES OF EWING, FIELD AND DAVIS- NATURALIZATION OF GEN. SHIELDS — GOVERNOR FORD AND SIDNEY BREESE— OTHER LEGAL LUMINARIES, PAST AND PRESENT— THE PRESENT COUNTY BAR, ETC., ETC. " There is a history in all meu's lives." TN giving the early history of the bench -*- and bar of Effingham County, the histor- ian must travel outside of the county for his data and material, for the simple reason that there were no resident lawyers in the county until the year 1849. Litigants were sup- plied with attorneys from neighboring coun- ties, mainly from Fayette Cotmty, though some came from Shelby, Coles, Clark, Bond, St. Clair and others. Among them we may mention Levi Davis, A. P. Field, Sawyer, Brown, Foreman, Kirkman, Gallagher and James Shields, from Fayette; Daniel Greg- ory and A. Thornton, from Shelby; U. F. Linder and O. B. Ficklin, from Coles, Will- iam H. Underwood, Samuel McRoberts and Mr. Fisk, from St. Clair. From 1840 to 1850, Bromwell, Davis and Gallagher, from Fayette; Starkweather, from Cumberland; and Moore and Elam Rush, from Bond. The first term of coiu-t held in the county was begun on the 20th day of May, 1833 and *By B. F. Kagay. continued parts of three days, at Ewington, the then county seat. The following is a copy of the first record made in the Circuit Court of this county: At a Circuit Court begun and held at Ewington in and for the county of Effingham, on Monday, the )30th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three. Present: the Hon. T. W. Smith, Associate Justice of the Su- preme Court, and Presiding Judge of said court; John C. Sprigg, Clerk, and Henry P. Bailey, Sher- iff. A list of the Grand Jurors were returned into court by the Sheriff, and after being charged by the court, retired to consider of presentments, etc. The following cases appear on the record at this term of court, to wit: Andrew Bratton, ) Appellant, vs. > Simeon Perkins. ) Appellee. John Maxfield, ) Appellant. vs. [ John W. Robinson. ) Appellee. William McConuell, ) Plaintiff. vs. ^ Jacob Slover. ) Defendant. John Beaslej', ) Plaintiff, vs. y Robert Moore. ) Defendant. The Grand Jury returned the following indict- ments, indorsed " true bills," to wit: HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 138 The People of the State of") Indictment for Sell- Illinois, I ing Spirituous Li- vs. j" quors without a Theophilus W. Short. J License. The People of the State of Illinois, ) Indictment vs. [• for Martha Henson. ) Fornication. The People of the State of Illinois, ) Indictment vs. >■ for "William Cusip. ) Adultery. The following appointment for Circuit Clerk ap- pears upon the record of the Court: V.^ND.\LiA, February 15, 1833. Mr. John C. Sprigg — I hereby appoint you Clerk of the Circuit Court of Effingham County, with full power and authority to do and perform all duties appertaining to said office, and receive the fees and emoluments thereof. Your obedient servant, "William Wilson. There being no further business before the Court, ordered that it adjourn sine die. Theo. W. Smith. Thus it will be seen that Theophilus "W. Smith was the Judge who held the first term of court iuthe county. The county was then sparsely settled, and the settlements being mostly in the timber, in the bottoms of the river and on the verge of the prairies. The lawyers who attended this first term of court were three in number, viz., A. P. Field, Levi Davis and "William L. D. Ewing, all resi- dents of Vandalia, and all holding offices, either for the State or for the county in which they resided. It will doubtless be of interest to our read- ers to know something of Hon. Theophilus W. Smith, the first Judge of this county, and therefore we will give the following incident in his life: At the session of the Legislature of 1832- 33, articles of J impeachment were voted against him by the House of Representatives^ There were seven articles of specifications transmitted to the Senate for trial against him. The first three related to the corrupt sales of Circuit Clerkships. He had author- ized his son, a minor, to bargain off the office in Madison County by hiring one George Kelly at $25 per month, reserving the fees and emoluments until his son became of age, and to subject the said office to his will; he had made appointments three several times without reqiiiring bonds from the appointees. He was also charged with being a co-plaintiff in several vexatious suits for an alleged tres- pass, commenced by affidavit in a court where he himself presided, holding the defendants illegally to excessive bail upon trifling pre- text, to oppress and injure them, and contin- ued the suits from term to term to harass and persecute them. The fifth article charged him with arbitrarily suspending John S. Greathouse, a lawyer, from practice for ad- vising his client to apply for a change of venue. The sixth ai'ticle charged him with tyrannically committing to jail in Montgom- ery County a Quaker, who entertained con- scientious scruples against removing his hat in open court; and the seventh article charged him with deciding an agreed case between the Sheriff and Treasurer of Madi- son County, without process or pleading, to the prejudice of the county, rendering an ap- peal to the Supreme Court necessary. The Senate resolved itself into a High Coru't of Impeachment, and a solemn trial was held, which lasted from January 9 to February 7, 1833. The prosecution was conducted by a committee of managers from the House, consisting of Benjamin Mills, Murray McConnell, John T. Stewart, James Semple and John Dougherty; the defendant was represented by Sidney Breese, R. M. Young and Thomas Ford, the latter subse- quently Governor of the State. The array of talent on both sides, the ex- alted position of the accused, and the excite- ment and interest thereby created in politi- cal circles, gave to the trial unusual public at- traction throughout the State. The proceed- 134 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. ings were conducted by marked ability and learning. A great number of witnesses were examined, and much documentary evidence introduced. The argument ot counsel was of the highest order, and in the final summing up for the prosecution, the Chairman of the House Committee, Mr. Mills, one of the most brilliant orators of the time, spoke for three days in a continued strain of unsurpassed eloquence. Pending the trial, the defendant searched for scraps of pajaer containing soribblings of the members concerning their status upon the respective charges. Being thus advised, his counsel enjoyed peculiar advantages in the management of the defense. The constitution required that no person thus tried should be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of all the Senators present. When the vote was finally taken, upon each article separately, twenty -two Sen- ators were present, and four absent or ex- cused. It required fifteen to convict. Twelve voted guilty on some of the charges; ten were in favor of acquittal; and as fifteen did not vote him guilty of any of the articles, he was acquitted. He retained his seat upon the Supreme bench of the State until his death, which occarred'about ten years after- ward. William Lee D. Ewing, one of the lawyers mentioned as having attended the first term of our court, was a Representative from Fay- ette and other counties from 1830 to 1832, and introduced the bill which formed this county in 1831 ; the county, however, as already noted, was not fully organized until 1883. In 1832, he was elected to the State Senate, which po- sition he retained until 183-1:. He was Pres- ident of the Senate, and for fifteen days Gov- ernor of the State, which latter occurred thus: At the Augl^st election of 1834, Gov. Rey- nolds was elected to Congress, more than a year ahead of the time he would take his seat (as was then the law), to succeed Mr. Slade. But shortly after the election, Mr. Slade, the incumbent, died, when Gov. Reynolds was chosen to serve out his unexpired term. Ac- cordingly, he set out for Washington in No- vember of that year, to take his seat in Con- gress, and Mr. Ewing, by virtue of his office as President of the Senate, became Govern- or. Upon the meeting of the Legislature in December, he sent in his message as Acting Governor, when he was relieved from his ex- alted duties by the Governor-elect, Joseph Duncan, being sworn into office. This is the only time such a contingency has arisen in the history of the State. Mr. Ewing was a native of Kentucky, and one of the first resi- dent lawyers of Fayette County. He was a man of liberal education and fine natural en- dowments, fond of congenial company, and enjoyed all the sports of the time. He was a Colonel in the Black Hawk war; served as Prosecuting Attorney, and, as before stated, represented his district in the Legislature and State Senate. He was for a time Indian Agent, and, by order of the United States Government, removed the Sac and Fox tribes west of the Mississippi River. From 1848 to 1846, he was Aiiditor of Public Accounts; represented his district in the National Con- gress, and was appointed United States Sen- ator to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Richard M. Young. As a public-spirited citizen. Gen. Ewing was highly respected and honored among the people he so long served. He was a Demo- crat in politic^, and a statesman of unswerv- ing integrity. Many of the old citizens of Effingham County remember him, and in his death recognize the loss of an upright, honor- able man and patriotic citizen. Col. A. P. Field, another of the lawyers who attended the first term of oiu- court, was "^ \ . .--"O- , >w|r' h^^^^^c:, <^ HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 137 also a native of Kentucky, and an educated and chivalrous gentleman. He first located at Jonesboro, 111., in an early day, but sub- sequently moved to Yandalia. He was State Treasm-er from 1823 to 1827, and Secretary of State from 1829 to 1840. As a politician, he had fevf equals and no superiors of that day. He was eminent as a criminal lawyer, and as a speaker was sparkling in wit and eloquence. He removed to St. Louis and subsequently to New Orleans, and soon be- came prominently identified with Southern politics, rising eventually to the exalted po- sition of Attorney General of Louisiana. He died in the year 1877, in the city of New Orleans. Levi Davis, the last of the three lawyers attending the first term of court, resided at that time at Vandalia, but now lives at Alton. He was elected Auditor of State, and served from 1836 to 1841, and was prominently identified with the politics, not only of his county, but of the State, for many years. We have given a more minute history of the first term of court than our time and space will permit us to give to each subse- quent term. A brief space will be devoted to each of the Presiding Judges, as well as to the resident lawyers and more prominent visiting lawyers, who have presided over and attended our courts. Theophilus W. Smith, who has already re- ceived some notice in these pages, only held two terms of our Circuit Court, viz., the May term of 1833, and the May term, 1834. Judge Ford held the third term, being the May term, 1835, and the most interesting term yet held in the county. Thomas Ford, om' second Judge, was born at Uniontown, Penn., in the year 1800. His father, Robert Ford, was killed by Indians in 1802, in the mountains of Pennsylvania, and his mother was left in indigent circumstan- ces, with a large family, mostly girls. With a view to better her condition she, in 1804, moved to Missouri, where it had been the custom of the Spanish Government to give a certain amount of land to actual settlers. But, upon her arrival in St. Louis, she found the country ceded to the United States, and that liberal policy no longer in vogue. She finally removed to Illinois and settled near Waterloo, but, the following year, moved a little closer to the Mississippi Blufis. Here the boys received their first schooling, for which they walked three miles. The mother was a woman of superior mental endowment, joined to energy and determination of char- acter. She inculcated in her children those high-toned moral principles which distin- guished her sons in public life. The mind of Thomas gave early promise of superior attainments, with an inclination for mathe- matics. His proficiency attracted the atten- tion of the Hon. D. B. Cook, in whom young Ford found a patron and friend. Through the advice of Mr. Cook, he turned his attention to the law. He attended Tran- sylvania University at Lexington, Ky., one term, and, on his return, alternated his law reading with teaching school. In 1829, Gov. Reynolds a2)pointed him Prosecuting Attor- ney; in 1831, he was re-appointed by Gov. Reynolds, and afterward was four time.s elected Judge by the Legislature, without opposition. He was twice Judge of Chicago, and Associate Judge of the Supreme Coiu-t. While acting in the latter capacity, he was assigned to the Ninth Judicial District, and. while holding court in Ogle County, was notified of his nomination for Governor. He immediately resigned his office, accepted the nomination and entered upon the canvass, and in August was elected to the exalted po- sition. The ofiices which Gov. Ford held were un- u 138 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. solicited. As a lawyer, lie stood deservedly high, but his cast of intellect fitted him rath- er for a writer upon law than a practicing advocate in the courts. As a Judge, his opinions were sound, lucid, and an able ex- position of the law. As a man, he was plain in his demeanor; he lacked the determined boldness and decision of character requisite to fit a man for a great political leader. As an author, he deserves special consideration, in having left a legacy in the form of a history of his State — Illinois. He died November 2, 1850, at Peoria, having scarcely passed the prime of life. At the May term of our Circuit Court in 1834, Samuel McRoberts was present, and took part in the proceedings. He was attor- ney in the case of N. Edwards, Governor, versus James M. Duncan, et al., on change of venue from Marion County. Samuel McRoberts was the first native Illinoisan ever elevated to the position of United States Senator from this State. He was born April 12, 1799, in what is now Mon- roe County, where his father resided on a farm. He received a good education from a private tutor. At the early age of twenty, he was appointed Circuit Clerk of Monroe Coun- ty, a position which afforded him opportunity to become familiar with forms of law, and which he eagerly embraced, pursuing at the same time a most assiduous course of reading. Two years later, he entered the Law Depart- ment of Transylvania University (at Lexing- ton, Ky.), where, after three full courses of lectures, he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He commenced the prac- tice of his profession in competition with such men as Kane, Reynolds, Clark, Baker, Eddy, McLean and others. In 1824, at the age of twenty- five, he was elected by the Legislature one of the five Circuit Judges. As a Judge, he first exhibited strong partisan bias. He had been a violent Convention ad- vocate, and now, in defiance of a release by the Legislature, he assessed a fine against Gov. Coles, for settling his emancipated slaves in Madison County without giving bond that they should not become a public charge. In 1828, Mr. McRoberts was elected a State Senator; in 1830, he was appointed United States District Attorney for the State; in 1832, Receiver of the Public Money at the Danville Land Office; and in 1839, Solicitor for the General Land Office at Washington. On the 16th of December, 1840, he was elected United States Senator for the full term, commencing March 4, 1841. He died March 22, 1843, at Cincinnati, Ohio, on his route home from Washington, in the vigor of intellectual manhood, and at the age of forty- four years. The third Judge of our Circuit Court was the Hon. Sidney Breese, who presided from October, 1835, to October, 1842, a period of seven years, and the longest held by one man (except Charles Emerson) since the organiza- tion of our county. Mr. Breese was born about the close of the last century, in Oneida County, N. Y. He received a thorough gen- eral and classical education from the Union College, from which he graduated with hon- ors. He had been the school- fellow of Elias Kent Kane, who was his senior. After the appointment of the latter as Secretary of State in 1818, he became associated with him as a student of law. In 1820, he essayed the practice of his profession in Jackson County, but met with failure in the presenta- tion of a Case in court before a jury. Overwhelmed with mortification, he resolved, on the spur of the moment, to entirely aban- don the practice of the law, and the following year he became Postmaster at Kaskaskia. In 1822, however, he was appointed to the Cir- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 139 cuit Attorneyship by Gov. Bond, a position which ha retained under Gov. Coles, and un- til the accession of Gov. Edwards in 1881. He prepared and published " Breese's Reports of the Supreme Court Decisions," it being the first book ever published in the State. He took part in the Black Hawk war, serving as a Major of volunteers. Upon the establishment of the Circuit Court system in 1835, he was chosen Judge, and in 1841 he was elected one of the Judges of the Supreme Court. In 1842, he was elected, for a full term, from March 4, 1843, to the United States Senate. At the expira- tion of hip term, in 1850, he was elected to the Legislatiu'e and made Speaker of the House. In 1855, he was reelected Circuit Judge, and, two years later, was again ele- vated to the Supreme Bench, where he re- mained until his death. Judge Breese took an active part in the Illinois Central Railroad, a full account of which will be found in the chapter on rail- roads. The following names appear on the docket as attorneys attending court in the county: At the October term, 1835, Thomas Brown, Sawyer & Kirkman; at the April term, 1836, Levi Davis, Kirkman. Sawyer and D. Greg- ory; at the April term, 1837, Field, Ewing, Fisk and Davis were the only attorneys in attendance, and the same attended in 1838. At the October term in 1839, A. Thornton appeared as an attorney in the case of " The People versus David Ridgway," for the de- fendant, on a change of venue from Shelby County. The following entry appears on the bar docket in the case: " Defendant found guilty and sentenced to the penitentiary one year, and one day to solitary confinement." Mr. Thornton has been a regular attendant at our courts from that time until he was elected to Congress a few years ago. At the October term of court in 1840, the name of James Shields appears on the docket as an attorney in several cases, and in his own case in particular. At this term he made application to become a citizen of the United States. The following is a copy of the proceedings in the case: At a Circuit Court begun and held at the court house in Ewington, in and for the county of Effing- ham, on Monday, the 19th day of October, in tlie year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty, it being the 3d Monday of said month. Pres- ent, Sidney Breese, Judge; Thomas J. Rentfro, Sheriff; and William 11, Blakely, Clerk. This day personally appeared in open court, .Tames Shields and made and filed the following declaration: James Shields being duly sworn in open court, declares on oath that he was born in the County Tyrone, in the Kingdom of Ireland, on the 17th day of Jlay, about the year 1810; that he migrated to the United States of America while a minor, and continued to reside within the United States three years next preceding his arrival at the age of twenty-one years, and has continued to reside therein to the present time; that he is now upward of twenty-one years, and has resided upward of five 3^ears in the State of Illinois aforesaid, one of the United States; that it is his in- tention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to an}' foreign prince, potentate. State or sovereignty, and particular!)' to the sovereign of Great Britain and Ireland. He further declares that for three years preceding the present application, it has been his bona fide intention to become a citizen of the United States. (Signed.) James Shields. Subscribed and sworn to in open court, this 21st day of October, 1840. (Attest.) Wii.LiA.M H. Blakei.ey, Clerk of said Court. This day person.ally appeared in open court, James Shields, a free white person of twenty-one years, and being duly sworn, declares on oath in open court, that he will support tlie Constitution of the United States, and doth absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate. State or sovereignty whatever, and particularly that of Great Britain and Ireland, whereof he was born a subject; and the court being satisfied that he has fully complied with the requirements of the laws of the United 140 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. States on the subject of naturalization, and that he has resided within the United States upward of five years, and within the State of Illinois upward of one year next preceding this application, and that during the whole of the term of his residence in the United States he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States and is well dis- posed to the good order and happiness of the same. It is, therefore, ordered and adjudged that the said James Shields be admitted a citizen of the United States, and he is hereby admitted as such. James Shields, as stated in his declaration, ■was born in Ireland about the year 1810. He emigrated to this country in 1827, set- tling in Illinois three years later. He was sent to the Legislature from Randolph Coun- ty some seven years after settling in the State, and before he had become a natural- ized citizen. He was appointed Auditor by Gov. Carlin, and, in 1843, elected a Su- preme Judge. He presided over the Circuit Court of this county from the March term, 1844, to and including the March term, 1S45, being altogether three terms. Under Presi- dent Polk, he was Commissioner of the Gen- eral Land Office at Washington. He en- tered the Mexican war, and was commis- sioned a Brigadier General. At the battle of Cerro Goido, he was 'severely wounded, and was reported dead, but recovered in time to take a conspicuous part in the capture of the City of Mexico. Such was his gallantry and soldierly conduct in this campaign that the State of South Carolina voted him a handsome and costly sword. In 1849, upon his return home, he was elected to the United States Senate, but, as he had not been nine years a naturalized citizen (having been nat- uralized in October, 1840), which was re- quired by the constitution to render him eli- gible to the position, his seat was declared vacant. At a called session of the Legislat- ure, convened as soon as Shields became eli- gible, he was again elected to the United States Senate, and served until the expira- tion of his term. Subsequently, he took up his residence in Minnesota, and in 1857 was elected from that State as United States Sen- ator, serving two years. In the late war, be- tween the States, he was a Major General in the Union armies, and did good service for the Government. At the close of the war he removed to Missoui-i, and was elected by the Legislature of that State to the United States Senate to till an unexj)ired term of a few months. He died soon after the expiration of this latter term, having been a United States Senator from three different States. The Court Record in 1841 shows the name of F. Foreman as an attorney, and from that time until 1846 he seems to have attended our courts regularly, and had a good practice. In 1843, the name of W. H. Underwood ap- pears ujjon the record as an attorney, and for a number of terms thereafter. In 1846, Bissell was present as State's Attorney; also a Mr. Hite and Lee were present as attor- neys. Wilcox likewise apf)eared as attorney in several cases. In 1848, Mr. Pearson's name appears, and Philip Fouke as State's Attorney. At this term also appeared A. J. Gallagher and Flam Rusk as attorneys. Among the attorneys attending our courts from 1835 to 1842 were several who after- ward became Judges of the court, to wit: Shields, Semple and Underwood. We have already given a brief sketch of Shields, and will now devote a brief space to the two oth- ers mentioned. Hon. James Semple was born in Kentucky, but emigrated to Illinois in an early day. In politics he was a Democrat, and was much in public life. In 1833, he was elected At- torney General of the State. He was in the Legislatm-e for six years, fom* of which he was Speaker of the House, and in the mean- time the internal improvement measure was HISTORY OF EFFINGIIAxM COUNTY. 141 passed, which well-nigh bankrupted the State. In 1837, he was appointed Charge d'Affaires to New Granada; in 1842, was elected one of the Judges of the Supreme Court; in 1843, he was appointed, by Gov. Ford, United States Senator, to fill the unexpired term of Samuel McRoberts, deceased. The appoint- ment was confirmed by the Legislature, and he served until 1847. Judge Semple wrote an elaborate history of Mexico, which, how- ever, has never been published. Judge William H. Underwood, who held our court from the May term, 1849, to the Oc- tober term, 1850, was born February 1, 1818, at Schoharie Court House, N. Y., and in his boyhood laid the foundation to his futiu'e greatness in a good comojon-school educa- tion, finishing up his stuflies in the Schohar- ie Academy and Hudson River Seminary, spending three j-ears in the two institutions, and graduating with a good practical educa- tion. He read law in his native place, and, upon completing his studies, he at once re- moved to Belleville, 111., where he resided until his death, and where he was attended with marked success. In 1841, he was elect- ed State's Attorney, a position he filled so acceptably that he was re-elected in January, 1843, and in 1844 he was elected to the Low- er House of the Legislature. In 1848, he was elected Circuit Judge for six and a half years, which position he held to the end of his term, and in 1856 was elected to the State Senate for four years. In 18G9, he was elect- ed a Delegate from St. Clair County to the Constitutional Convention, and was elected again to the State Senate in 1870. In 1873, he completed a work upon which he had long been engaged, viz., " Underwood's Con- strued Annotated Statutes of Illinois." The brief intervals between his ofiicial duties he devoted to the practice of his profession. His name appears often in our Supreme Court records as counsel in important cases. He died a few years ago, after a useful and industrious life. Gustavus Koerner was Judge of this dis- trict from August, 1845, to June, 1848. He was born in Frankfort, Germany, November 20, 1809. His father was a well-known publisher and book-seller, and for many years was a member of the Legislature of Frankfort. His early education was received at college in his native town, ind his studies com^^leted at Munich and Heidelberg, where, in 1832, he graduated, and obtained the de- gree of LL. D. In the same year, he passed examination, and was admitted to the bar of Frankfort. In 1833, he emigrated to the United States, and proceeded at once to the "West, and settled in Belleville, 111. He im- mediately commenced the study of American law, and, after attending one term of the Law School at Lexington, Ky. , then the most noted west of the Alleghenies, he was admit- ted to the bar of Illinois in 1835. He at once entered upon the active practice of his profe.ssion, and in 1845 was elected by the Legislature one of the Judges of the Su- preme Court. In 1852, he was elected Lieu- tenant Governor of Illinois on the Democrat- ic ticket. On accouQt of the slavery ques tiou, he, in 1854, became what was then known as an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, and in 1856 joined the Republican party. During the war of the rebellion, he recruited and or- ganized the Forty-third Illinois Volunteers, but was prevented from taking command of it by President Lincoln appointing him to the stafi" of Gen. Fremont, with the rank of Colonel. He served in that position until Fremont's retirement, when he was attached to the staff of Gen. Halleck. In March, 1862, owing to continued ill health, he re- signed, and in the following June was ap- pointed by the President Minister to Spain, 143 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. which position he resigned in January, 1865. He was made one of the Electors at Large in 1868, on the Grant ticket, and in 1871 was appointed on the newly created Railroad Commission, over which he presided until his resignation'^ in January, 1873. He was nominated, in June, 1872, as a candidate for Governor by the Democratic party, and also by the Liljeral Republican party, but failed of an election. When not engaged in offi- cial duties, he has practiced his profession vig- orously. He has also devoted much time to literary pursuits, and contributed freely to newspapers and periodicals. He is the au- thor of a volume eutitled " From Spain," composed of letters on various subjects, and essays on art, etc. His productions testify to his excellence as a writer, scholar and thinker. Justin Harlan, of Clark, was the eighth Judge who presided over the courts of our county. He came to Illinois in 1825, and lo- cated in Darwin and commenced the practice of law. He was at once recognized as one of the ablest lawyers in not only his own county, but his reputation soon extended throughout the State. He filled the office of Circuit Judge for over twenty years, and when his old friend, Lincoln, was made President, he appointed Judge Harlan Indian Agent to the Cherokees in the Indian Territory, which position he filled faithfully and well during the remainder of Mr. Lincoln's life. He re- signed immediately after Mr. Lincoln's as- sassination, and returned to his home in Marshall County, and, although a Republic- an, and living in a Democratic county, was elected County Judge of Clark County, which position he held during a regular term of four years. He died in Kuttawa, Ky., March 12, 1879, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. W. A. Wright, where he had been called by that daughter's sickness. He was buried in Marshall, his home in Illinois, March 16, 1879. Judge Harlan's was a long, blameless and useful life, and no man left more sincere friends to mourn 1 is death. Charles Emerson was the ninth Judge, and held our coui-ts from the April term, 1853, to the April term, 1862. Charles Constable was the tenth Judge, and held from the May term, 1863, to the October term, 1865. Next came H. B. Decius, from special term Jan- uary, 1866, to April term, 1873. James C. Allen followed Decius from the fall term, 1873, to March term, 1878, and after him James H Halley held several terms of our courts. At present, William C. Jones, Thomas Casey and Chauncy S. Conger are the Judges in this district. Of the early lawyers attending our courts was Ferris Foreman, who located at Vanda- lia in the spring of 1836. He was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of New York in 1835. He was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1845. In May, 1846, he recruited a company in Fayette County for the Mexican war, and, upon the organization of the troops, was elected Colonel of the Third Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He participated in the siesre of Vera Cruz, and was in the battle of Cerro Gordo, and at the end of one year, the term of enlistment, he returned to Vandalia, practicing law there until 1849, when he re- moved to California. While there, he held various offices; was Postmaster of Sacramen- to under the administration of Franklin Pierce; also acted as Secretary of State un- der John B. Wetter, Governor of California. He was Colonel of the Fom-th California Vol- unteers for a period of twenty-two months. In 1865, he returned to Vandalia, and was elected State's Attorney of Fayette County. Daniel Gregory, also an early practitioner at our bar. was a native of New York, and was born January 12, 1809. He came to Illi- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 143 nois in 1833, and located in Shelbyville, where he continued to reside until lS40, when he was appointed Receiver of the Land Officeat Vandalia, and removed to that place. He was elected County Judge of Fayette County in 1849; in 1852, was again appoint- ed Receiver of the Land Office, and in 1850 was elected to the Legislature. He was an able lawyer, and, by strict attention to busi- ness, he accumulated a handsome fortune, and finally was forced to abandon his profes- sion and devote his time and attention to the management of his estate. Many of our old citizens well remember Judge Gregory and his genial accomplishments. He died a few years ago, greatly regretted. Orlando P. Ficklin, another early attend- ant and practitioner at the Effingham bar, was born in Kentucky December 16, 1808. His education was obtained in a number of academic institutions in Kentucky and Mis- souri. In 1828, he commenced the study of law at Potosi, Mo., and in 1830 was admitted to the bar. He located at ML Carmel, 111., and began the practice of his profession, meeting with encouraging success. In 1831, he was elected to the Legislature. In 1834— 35, he was chosen by the Legislature as State's Attorney for the Wabash District, which place he filled until in 1837, when he removed to Charleston, in Coles County, and has ever since resided there. In 1843, he was elected to Congress, and re-elected in 1844, and again in 1846. He then returned to the practice of his profession, but was again elected to Congress in 1850. He was a member of the Democratic CoQvention that nominated James Buchanan for President in 1856, and a member of the Democratic Con- vention in 1860, at Charleston. He belongs to the old school of Democrats, and is an able lawyer and statesman. We come now to the resident lawyers of our county. The first lawyer that located here was Kendall H. Buford, who was born in Tennessee about the year 1820, where he received a common-school and academic edu- cation. He had a smattering of Latin; had taught school in Tennessee; had also read law there, and was admitted to the bar. He came to Illinois in 1848, and taught a term or two of school, and in 1849 located in Ew- ington and commenced the practice of his profession. He was a man of considerable pretensions naturally, somewhat superficial in his knowledge of the law, and made many mistakes. He continued in the practice of his profession here until in 1853, when he moved to Missouri and took up the practice of medicine, as he had studied the healing art before leaving Ewington. He could make a pretty good speech if he took sufficient time to prepare it and commit it to memory. Eli Philbrook was the second lawyer who located in our county. He was born in Lick-' ing County, Ohio, where he received a good common- school education. At the age of nineteen, he commenced the study of law. and was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He came to Illinois and lo- cated in Ewington in 1850, where he at once entered upon the practice of his chosen pro- fession. He was a good lawyer; but not a fluent speaker. He built up a large practice, and had the full confidence of the people. He died in Ewington in 1854, at the early age of twenty -eight yeai-s, of consximption. He was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow societies, and was followed to his grave by a large procession of these orders, as well as a large number of friends. The third resident lawyer was James La- dow, who located at Freemanton in 1851. He continued there until 1854, engaged in teaching and practicing law, and then re- moved into Cumberland County, where all 144 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. trace of him is lost. Ho was a mere petti- fogger, and never entered fully into the prac- tice of law. John Anderson was the fourth addition to the Effingham bar. He settled at Ewington, but never did much in the practice of law, and, about the year 1852 or 1853, emigrated to Kansas. He became County Judge there but farther than that we know nothing of his success. The fifth and next lawyer locating in our county was H. D. Caldwell, who came to Ewington in 1852. He was followed soon after by William J. Stevenson, and, in the spring of 1853, "William B. Cooper located in Ewington. Mr. Caldwell was born in Vir- ginia, and came to Hlinois with his parents, who located in Coles County. He com- menced the study of law in 1852, and attend- ed the Law University at Bloomington, Ind. , from which he graduated, and, in 1854, be- gan practice at Ewington. He is at present a citizen of Effingham, but not in active prac- tice. Mr. Cooper is a native of Massachu- setts, and a descendant of the Pilgrim Fa- thers. He came to Hlinois and taught school and read law until 1853, when he was admit- ted to the bar. He went to Salem, Iowa, and fi'om thence came to Ewington and com- menced the practice of law as a partner of W. J. Stevenson, who shortly after removed to Clay County. There is but one lawyer now living who was a member of the bar at the time Mr. Cooper came to the county. This brings the history of the legal profes- sion down to the present members of the county bar. As per.sonal sketches of them aj^pear in the biographical department of this work, we omit an extended mention of them in this chapter, merely giving a kind of directory of the present practitioners in the order in which they were admitted to the bar. They are as follows: B. F. Kagay read law with Eli Philbrook and William Campbell, and was regularly admitted to the bar in August, 1854. S. F. Gilmore studied law at Greencastle, Ind., and graduated from the Law Depai-t- ment of Asbury University in 1860. H. B. Kepley commenced reading law in 1859, and was admitted to the bar by the Su- preme Court at March term, 18G0. J. N. Gwin studied law, and graduated with honors, and has since practiced his pro- fession in Effingham. A. W. Le Crone studied law with W. B. Cooper, of Effingham, and was admitted to practice in the year 1860. Benson Wood entered the Chicago Law School in the summer of 1868, from which he graduated in 1864. W. H. Barlow entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he graduated in March, 1868. Virgil Wood studied law with his brother, Benson Wood, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1868. William H. Grillmore read law with Bond & West, of Chicago, and graduated from the Law College there in the spring of 1868. Ada H. Kepley read law with her husband, H. B. Kepley, and graduated from the Chi- cago Law School in 1870. E. N. Rinehart studied law with Cooper & Kagay, and was admitted to practice at the bar in 1871. John C. White read law with Judge Ee- ber, of St. Louis, and then with Cooper & Gwin, and was admitted in 1872. R. C. Harrah read law with J. N. Gwin, of Effingham, and was admitted to practice in the year 1874. Owen Scott read law with S. F. Gilmore, and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Springfield in 1874. W. S. Holmes, of Altamont, read law at HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 145 Chatsworth, and was admitted to the bar at Ottawa, 111., in 1877. William E. Buckner read law with H. B. Kepler, and after with Cooper & Gilmore, and was admitted to the bar in 1881 . F. M. Ley read law with E. N. Rinehart, and orraduated from the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, in June, 1881. W. B. Wright studied and graduated from the Law Department of the Northern Indiana Normal School in June, 1882. P. K. Johnson, of Altamont, read law and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Springfield in June, 1882. CHAPTER XI: DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP — ITS BOUNDARIES AND TOPOGRAPHV— EARLY SETTLEMENT— AMERICAN AND GERMAN PIONEERS— THE BULL FLATTERS— PROGRE.SS AND ADVANCEMENT- PIONEER INCIDENTS— CHURCH AND SCHOOL HISTORY— THE RAILROAD AND THE BIRTH. OF EFFINGHAM, ETC., ETC. " Wie wird das Bild der .alien Tage Durch eure Tr'siume gUlnzend wehn ! Gleich einer stillen, fromaien Sage Wird es euch vor der Seele stelin. " Der Bootsmann winktl Zieht hin in Frieder Gntt schiitz' euch, Mann und Weib und Greis ! Sei Freiide eurer Brust beschieden, Und euren Feldern Reis und .Mais!" /"CHARLES DICKENS once said that the ^^ typical American would hesitate about entering heaven unless assured that he could go West. Ever since, and even before the advice to young men to " go West " was pro- mulgated by the sagacious editor of the New York Tribune, the phrase "going West" has been a potent one to stir the blood of the en- terprising and adventurous. The mania for going West resulted in the discovery of America by Columbus, and since that day we have been told by spread-eagle orators that " Westward the star of empire takes its way." From the Atlantic coast, even from Plymouth Rock, our ancestors moved Westward with the star of empire. They crossed the Alle- ghanies, and, descending their western slope, bui-st into the rich valley of the Mississippi. But they paused not here. They poured a living flood across the continent, until the *By W. H. Pcrrin. advance-guard — the frontier skirmish line of American civilization rests upon the distant shores of the Pacific. In vain the Indian tried to stem the torrent, but wa^i awept away like chafi" before the wind. The settler's as echoed through the forests as groups of three or four came, locating here and there, and soon an endless line of pioneers moved into these valleys, and settled on the margin of these prairies. Emigrant wagons found their way here with household goods. Then mills were built; the merchant brought on his goods; schools were established and churches organized, thus proclaiming the wonderful energies of our people. But there is a page which should come be- fore this history, and, like the prologue to a drama, be recited first — a page which records the Indian occupation of the land and his resistence to the whites. All this, however, may be found in preceding chapters of this work, and hence is recited first. The Indian — the burly warrior and the dusky maid — are long since gone, but their footprints are left in many portions of the county. Ruins, burying-grounds and mounds tell the story of another race — the red sons of the forest. 146 HISTORY OF EFFI]S'GHAM COUKTY. Bat we will leave them with the tribute al- ready paid them, and take up the history of this division of the county until its settlement by the whites. Originally, Douglas embraced all of Town- ship 8, and a part of Township 9 north, in Range 6 east, of the Third Principal Meridi- an. But at the December term of the Super- visors' Court, held in 1863, the east half of Township 8 was set off and created an inde- pendent township, which is known and desig- nated as Teutopolis. This change leaves Douglas in much the shape of a carpenter's " square, " It is bounded north by Shelby County, east by Cumberland County and Teutopolis Township, south by Watson Town- ship and west by Summit and Banner Town- ships. It is drained by the Little Wabash and its tributaries, of which Salt and Green Creeks are the princijsal ones. Salt Creek flows nearly north and south, just touching its eastern line, while Green Creek passes through the northwest corner, and the Little Wabash curves into the west line a time or two in its tortuous course southward. The land is mostly rolling, and adjacent to the Little Wabash breaks into steep and abrupt bluffs. Indeed, some of the roughest land in the county is along the margin of the river in this township. There is but little prairie, the timber land largely predominating. Oak, ash, sycamore, hickory, white and black walnut, sugar maple, buckeye, cottonwood, etc., compriae the timber growth, with nu- merous hazel thickets and other common shrubs. The township is well supplied with 1 railroads — these modern allies of civili^ation. The history of Douglas Township centers in the city of Effingham, the capital of the county, which is located in the south end of the township. Usually, the township con- taining the county seat affords few facts of interest to the historian beyond that of its settlement. It is specially so in Douglas, being principally an agricultural region, without towns or villages (except Effingham), manufactories, mills or anything else than its honest and energetic German farmers, which comprise by far the larger portion of the population. As will be seen in the following pages, the township was mostly settled by Germans, who still retain a strong foothold and are among the most highly re- spected citizens of the county. There were a few of our own people here, however, prior to the coming in of the Germans, and the settlement of these will be first noticed. Of the early settlers we have the names of Isaac Slover, James Cartwright, James Lea- vitt, Jefferson Langford, John Gannaway, James and Nathan Eamsey, Aaron Williams, one Stewart, Richard Cohea, etc., etc. Slo ver and Cartwright lived on the National road, near the present railroad depot. Cart- wright was Slover's son-in-law, and both have long since gone the way of the earth. Gannaway came from Kentucky and settled east of Slover and just across Salt Creek. He afterward moved to Coles County and died there. Aaron Williams settled west of the city, where Henry Havener now lives. He moved West, perhaps to Missouri, and lived to the age of nearly one hundred years. Jeff Langford lived about a mile west of Williams, and was from Tennessee. He has been dead several years. Leavitt, also a Tennessean, settled a little south of Effing- ham. He has two sons still living in the county, but he himself is dead. The Ram- seys and Coheas settled in the northwestern part of the township, in the classic neighbor- hood of " Bull Flat." The old ones— the patri- archs of the tribes — are dead, but they have quite a number of descendants still living in the township and surrounding country. From the "Faderland," on the fabled 'J UlSTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 147 banks of the Rhine, we may mention the fol- lowing settlers, who camo hero as early as 1840, and some of them several years earlier: Joseph, Bernard, Henry and George Koester. Ferdinand Braun, Joseph Feldhake, Matthias Moenniug, Joseph Biiessing, Gerhard Osthoflf, Fr. Hoffmann, Bernard Vogt, John Feeh- trop, Bernard Deters, Fred Grimmeg, Ar- nold Kreke, Joseph Suer, Joseph Bloemer, Ferdinand Messmann, Hermann H. Nieman, Henry Best, Joseph Goldstein, Henry Gerdes. A. B. Jansen, Rudolph Dust, Henry Loh- mann. H. M. Mette, Ferdinand Kaufmann, Gerhard Nuxoll, John B. Gruenloh, William Kabbes, Dick Goers, Bernard Reiman, Henry Schmer, Joseph Woermann, William Anl en- brook, Peter Throele, John Rickelmana, Fred Cohorst, Henry Unkraut, John Meyer, Gasper Kraeppe, George Scoles, Henry Herboth, 'Ferdinand Wintrup and perhaps others. George Koester settled east of town; the other Koesters north and northwest of town, and all are living except Henry. Feldhake is a respected citizen of Effingham; Braun settled northwest of town, and is still living; Buessing lives near Effingham. Nieman was the father of Mrs. Kaufmann, who is still living and who is the widow of Ferdinand Kaufmann. Matthias Moenning died 1882; Osthoff lives in the southwest part of the township, and Fr. Hoffmann in the west part; Vogt settled near him, but is now dead. Fechtrop and Deters settled in the southern part, and Best in the northern part of the township, the latter living, but the other two are dead. Goldstein, Gerdes, Bloemer, Jan- sen, Messmann, Lohmanu, Jos(;ph and Ber- nard Suer, Mette and Gruenloh, settled in the northern part and are all, we believe, still living. Nuxoll and Aulenbrook settled in the same neighborhood, and are dead. Most of the others mentioned settled also in the north part, and are living or have descendants liv- ing still in the township. Of these German pioneers of Douglas Township, the Koesters, Dust and Feldhake were the first settlers from the old country. They were soon fol- lowed by friends and relatives to the " land of the free and the home of the brave," until at the present day there are but few farmers in the entire township except the thrifty Germans. They are honest and upright in their dealings, simple in their manners and customs, and industrious, quiet citizens. Their- American neighbors and themselves have always gotten along together upon the best of terms — barring the " Dutchtown war, " graphically described elsewhere, and without any special clashing of personal interests. At the time of settlement, the people de- pended almost entirely for meat upon the wild game, then so abundant in the country. Deer and wild turkeys and other game were plenty, and it was no great task for an expert hunter to go out early in the morning and kill a deer or two or three turkeys and return in time for the matutinal meal. An old set- tler says: " When I came here, game was plenty, and white men were scarce; but I have lived to see matters reversed — white men are now plenty, and the game all gone." Then all the clothing was manufactured at home by the women. It was of the rudest material and of the rudest construction. Boots were seldom worn, except in the towns, and to see a man with boots on was indisput- able evidence that he was a preacher, doctor, lawyer or some other "big-bug," these fa- vored individuals comprising by far the big- gest ducks in the social puddle. The noces- sEiries of life were scarce, and that they were is no matter of wonder. When we consider that St. Louis was the only market until small stores were opened in the larger settle- ments, everything had to be hauled in wagons to and from that point, and with the 148 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. roads of the early period this was a rather formidable and laborious undertaking. The early history of this township cannot be fully given without a brief mention of a community in the northwestern part of it. The name " Bull Flat " is coincident almost with the settlement of the country. How the place received the classic name it bears is a conundrum, and we give it up. It was set- tled by Tennesseans, who have not advanced a single degree in social progress since they settled here fifty years ago. The customs of their fathers they hang to with all the zeal that a -John Chinaman clings to his diet of rice and rats. They sing the old songs, dream the old dreams and dance the old dances their ancestors did before them. A waltz, or polka, or schottische, is as incom- prehensible to the genuine "Bull Flatter" as would be Arabic or Sanscrit, but " Ole Dan Tucker," "Chicken Pie" and "Possum up the gum stump," is more familiar to him than household words. Their mode of " call ing " at their dances is peculiar to " Bull Flat" alone, and is sung out by the prompter to the " cow-bell " tune of a " hard shell " preacher, somewhat after this fashion: "Bow to the gals;" "shake yer hoofs;" " swing yer honey," "all chaw hay," etc., etc., the last expression when translated into the United States language, means "all promenade. " In years agone, the " Bull Flatters, " like the denizens of the \Y abash hills and " Fid- dler's Ridge," were great enemies to whisky, and hence, strove to hide as much of it as they possibly could. Such was their reputa- tion for this species of gaiete de cceur, that a popular saloon keejjer of Effingham constant- ly kept a bottle labeled "Bull Flat Whisky," a tablespoonful of which was warranted to kill any human being except the native Bull Flatter, but a half pint of it only made him feel jubilant and a full pint of it put him in good fighting trim. On public days when these fellows turned out in force and tilled themselves to the brim with Bull Flat whisky, what grand times they had! Such circuses could be gotten up by no other class of peo- ple. This Bull Flat settlement is a tribe or community unto itself, and is a kind of city organization, governed by its own peculiar laws and ordinances. Of this noteworthy menagerie. Dr. Godell is Mayor, Billy Buck- ner. Lord High Constable, and Tobe Hennes- sey, Assistant. The care which these ofiSicial dignitaries exercise over this frontier post shows a genuine interest of rulers for the mass of the people over whom they are called to reign. Koads and mills were among the first im- provements to which the pioneers turned their • attention. The old Cumberland or National road was the first thoroughfare that was made through the township. It passed along with- in a few feet of where the Yandalia Railroad now runs, and was, for that day, a gigantic enterprise. But we will not repeat here what has already been said of this great work. Other roads were laid out and improved as the country settled up. The first mills w^re the little horse-power mills, built by the pioneers themselves, and were rude in the extreme. The buhrs were made of bowlders, and some- times not more than fifteen to eighteen inches in diameter. It was not until the day of steam that the poople had the benefit of first- class mills. Previous to township organization the divisions of the county were known as pre- cincts and the Congressional townships were designated by numbers and ranges. But when township organization was adopted, and a new system of county government entered into, it became necessary to give names to HISTORY OF EFFIXGIIAM COUNTY. 149 the Congressional divisions. This change or local organization took place when Stephen A. Douglas was in the zenith of his glory and popularity and the idol of the people, and it seemed but meet to the good " county fathers " that the " Little Giant " should be honored by having his name bestowed on this township. Hence, in the christening of townships, this one was called Douglas, a name with which the masses are well satisfied. No better eulogium can be pronounced upon a community, or upon its individual members, than to point to the work they have accomplished. Theories look fine on paper, or sound well when proclaimed from the platform, but it is the plain work which tells on society. Thus, not only this town- ship, but the entire county took an early in- terest in education. All the main settlements established schools as soon as they could sup- port them. As the population increased, and in the natural coui'se of human events, the children also, schoolhouses were built, better teachers engaged and other improvements made in the facilities for education. Every neighborhood now has a good comfortable Bchoolhouse, and is supplied witb from six to eight months of school each year. Religious training was not neglected in the early days of the township. The few American settlers attended chui-ch in the other neighborhoods, while most of the Ger- mans, being Catholics, were first visited by clergymen from TeutopoHs. The second Catholic Church organized in the county was "Maria Help," or the Green Creek Church, as more familiarly known. It is situated on Green Creek in the north part of the township, and was organized in the fall of 1857 by Rev. Father Frauenhof er, a native of the Kingdom of Bavaria, and a regularly ordained priest. A little log church had been built previously by the settlers in this section, and various cler- gymen came from Teutopolis to attend funer- als and otherwise administer to the spirit- ual wants of the people, but there was no regular pastor until Father Frauenhof er came in that capacity. He was desirous of being the first to plant a congregation here, and overlooked the poverty of the parishion- ers. He remained two years, and then the Franciscan Fathers took charge of the con- gregation. Under their auspices, the pres- ent handsome chm'ch was built and finished, at a cost of about $4,500, vdthout steeple, which cost, with plastering and frescoing. $900 more. It is a brick structm-e, 67x40 feet in dimensions, with twenty feet addition- al in length for the sacristy. The original members of this congregation were H. H. Niemann, Jacob Dottmann, ISernard Tebbe, Henry Fischer and their families, and three bachelors, John Osterhause, Antony Doren- kamp and one other whose name is forgotten. The church has now a membership of about fifty families, with over two hundred communicants. The present Trustees are Henry Osterliause and Francis Hoene, and Clemens Albers and Bernard Tebbe, Direct- ors. The schoolhouse belonging to the con- gregation was built in 1870-71, and is a two- story brick, containing four rooms. A free school is maintained and well attended. The building of the Illinois Central Rail- road was an era in the history of this part of the State, and Douglas Township came in for its share of the general prosperity, which followed the completion of this great internal improvement. It gave the people facilities hitherto unknown to them and furnished markets for their surplus stock and grain, such as they had never dreamed of. Their lands sprang up in value, their mode of cul- tivating the soil was wonderfully improved and their income thereby inch-eased tenfold. This gale of prosperity which swept over the 150 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. coutjtrv, and this revolution in the agricult- ural, mechanical and mercantile world, led to the birth of numerous cities, towns and villages — particularly along this great high- way. To the building of the Central Rail- road — an enterprise described elsewhere — we may attribute the origin of the beautiful and now flourishing city situated in the southern part of this township, and which might never have come into existence but for this grand culmination of railroad enterprise. With this allusion to events, which " cast their shadows before," we will close our sketch of Douglas Township, and in another chapter take up the history of Effingham, devoting a brief space to its birth, growth and material development. CHAPTER XII. CITY OF EFFINGHAM— THE OLD TOWN OF BROUGHTON— LAYING OUT OF THE NEW CITY— ITS BOUNDARIES AND ADDITIONS— FIRST HOUSES, STORES AND POST OFFICES— HOTELS, MAN- UFACTORIES, ETC —THE FIRE DEPARTMENT— CITY ORGANIZATION AND OFFICIALS — RAILROADS AND THE PRESS— LITERARY SOCIETIES, ETC., ETC. " What is the city but the people ? True, the people are the city." — Shakespeare. ry^HE city of Effingham, the capital of _L Effingham County, and the metropolis of a fine and flourishing region of country, is beautifully situated on high rolling land at the crossing of the Chicago Branch of the Illinois Central Railroad and the Vandalia line, and at the termini of the Wabash and the Effingham & Southeastern Narrow Gauge roads. The original town was called "Broughton," and was named for Mr. Brough, an " Ohio man," afterward Governor of that commonwealth of statesmen, and who ficmred in the first edition of the Vandalia o Railroad — a matter still familiar to many of our readers. Broughton was surveyed and laid out by George Wright, County Surveyor, and the plat recorded May 10, 1853, for David B. Alexander and Samuel W. Little, proprietors. The following was the original survey: "Be- ginning at the southwest corner of the south- west quarter of the southwest quarter of Sec- *By W. H. Perrin, tion 21, of Township 8 north, Range 6 east, at a stone; thence north 7 degrees west 132 feet to the southwe.st corner of said plat; thence north 7 degrees west 1,037 J feet to a stone; thence east at one-eight angle 1,105 J feet to a stone; thence south 7 degrees east 1,037^ feet to a stone; thence west 1,105|^ feet to the southwest corner of said plat." The streets were sixty-six feet in width, except around the square, which was laid off ninety- nine feet, and Railroad and Section streets were fifty feet. The alleys were all sixteen and one-half feet in width. The Times, speaking recently of the early history of Broughton, has the following: " In connection with Mr. D. B. Alexander, Mr. Little came to this place in 1853 and sup- posing this would be the crossing of the Illi- nois Central and the old Brough road, pur- chased 260 acres of land, 180, at §10 per acre, and 80 at $25, and laid the foundation of our present city by laying out Broughton. The Central was only in course of construc- tion, and had not yet reached this far south, and when the Brough road collapsed, Messrs. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 151 Alexander and Little acknowledged the fail- ure (if their investment by abandoning Broiighton and going to Kentucky. Before they left, however, they had contracted with George Wright for three buildings, for $1,- 300, two residences and one storeroom, and as a consequence of this contract the first three buildings in our city were erected. One occupied the lots now occupied by Funk- houser's magnificent brick, the storeroom on the northwest corner of the public square which afterward perished in the conflagration that swept the block away, the remaining residence being the house now occupied by Mr. Russell. The Central was completed to this place in 1855-56, and. seeing that the point was a good one, in 1856, IMi-. Little, in company with Mr. Alexander, returned to Broughton and took up his residence. With the exception of a short residence in Virgin- ia, in 1867-68, Mr. Little resided here con- tinuoiisly until 1871, when he removed to Lin- coln, Neb., and during that long residence no one was more identified than he with the growth and prosperity of our city. And as a recompense for this public spirit he has, in addition to the consciousness of having per- formed a public duty, a handsome fortune to sustain him in his declining years." An addition was made^ to the town of Broughton by Alexander & Little July 1, 1858, of a part of the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 21, and platted by R. A. Howard, County Surveyor. After this the identity of Broughton seems to be lost, as we find no further reference to it in the records. Effingham havino- been laid out some years prior to this addition to Broughton, the latter was finally merged into Effingham, and the name of Broughton dropped. The original plat of Effingham was made by James M. Healey, Deputy County Survey- or, for Andrew J. Galloway, proprietor, Sep- tember 12, 1855, and comprised the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 20, of Douglas Township. Of the com- mencement of Effingham, or Broughton, Mr. Hoeny furnishes us the following, in addition to the extract already made fr )m the Times: In the spring of 1851, the first three houses in the town of Broughton were built by Alex- ander & Little, being two residences and one store. In the summer of the same year, George Scoles built the first residence that was put up by an actual settler. Shortly after this, Mr. Hoeny built a small dwelling for himself, on the lot now occupied by his present brick residence, which was the second house built in the place by an actual settler. Following the building of Hoeny' e house, several rude frame structures were built in rapid succession, on the north side of the square, and one rather respectable and sub- stantial two-story frame building was put up by George Schmidt, on the lot now occupied by Mr. Regefs store. All of these last- named buildings, in the summer of 1863, were burned to the ground. This was the starting point — the beginning from which the city of Effingham has grown to its pres- ent proportions. Since the laying-out of Effingham, a num- ber of additions have been made to the origi- nal town, thus extending its corporate limits and giving it a foundation upon which 10, - 000 people may stand, and have plenty of room without " scrouging" each other. Some of the additions made to the town are as fol- lows: "Central Effingham" Addition, made July 22, 1858, by Alexander & Little, of the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 20 of this township; the "Western Addition" to Effingham, by Alexander & Little, made June 6, 1859, of a part of the south half of the southeast quarter of the 152 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. southeast quarter of Section 20, by C. F. Jones and James W. Berry, of the north half of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 29, and by George H. Scoles, proprietor of the east part of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 20, of this townshijj; the "Rail- road Addition" to Effingham, by J. P. M. Howard and William B. Cooper, August 29, 1859, sm-veyed by C. A. Van Allen, Deputy Couuty Surveyor; " Gillenwater's Addition," made by Alexander & Little, Oe tober 24, 1859, of a part of the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 28; Addition A to Western Addition, by C F. Jones and J. W. Berry, of a part of the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 29, made May 19, 1866; McCoy & Arnold's Addition of four and three-fom'ths acres, in the southwest corner of the southeast quar- ter of the northeast quarter of Section 20, platted March 17, 1868; Alexander & Little's "New Addition" to Effingham, adjoining Central Effingham, and platted by Van Allen May 21, 1868; Addition B to Western Addi- tion, made April 7, 1870, comprising a part of the southeast of the northwest quarter of Section 29; Addition C to Western Addition of a part of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 29, by Joseph Buessing, proprietor, April 14, 1870; Addi- tion C to the city of Effingham, by C. F. Jones and J. W. Berry, proprietors of a part of the west half of the west part of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 29, and surveyed by Calvin Mitchell June 10, 1870; M. V. Parks' Addition to Effingham, of the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 20 and a part of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 20, platted November 9, 1871; Summit Addition to Effingham, Henry G. Habing, proprietor, of the north half of the southwest quarter of the northeast quar- ter of Section 20, platted April 11, 1875; Farr' s Central Addition to the city of Effing- ham, of the northeast quarter of the south- east quarter of Section 21, and platted Au- gust 9, 1875. On the 10th of June, 1879, Blocks 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, of this addition, were formerly vacated, by Benson Wood, the owner of the same. If our read- ers desire further information on the subject of the origin, laying out and additions of their town, they are respectively referred to the records. We have given sufficient to sat- isfy us, and for our purpose, and will now switch off on other matters. The first buildings in Effingham have al- ready been noted — their location and by whom erected. Li the fall of 1854, William Dorsey, from Princeton, Ind., oj)ened the first store. It comprised a general assort- ment of dry goods and gi'oceries, and was kept in the storehouse built by Alexander & Little, situated on the northwest corner of the square, where Hodebeke's brick resi- dence now stands. Prior to the opening of the store by Dorsey, John Hoeny, then a teacher at Teutopolis, moved to Broughton, and was emjjloyed as a salesman and clerk in the establishment, and until he built a resi- dence of his own, he occupied one of the residences built by Alexander & Little, stand- ing on the site of Funkhouser's " Trade Pal- ace." As the town grew rapidly, other stores were established to satisfy the increasing wants of the people, and shops of difierent kinds were opened. The post office, before the appointment of a regular Postmaster, was a kind of an " ac- commodation " concern, called Wehunka. It was on the petition of the first settlers — ■ Scoles, Dorsey and Hoeny — that the Indian name Wehunka was changed to Effingham. A petition, signed by twelve names, was for- ,>^ ^-^ <^ J^tr^^^Cyi^^ HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 155 warded to Washington, recommending John Hoeny for Postmaster, upon which he was duly commissioned the first Postmaster of Effingham. Mr. Hoeny's official duties were not extremely heav}', and had postal cards been fashionable then, he could have found plenty of time for reading all passing through his office. The mail was semi -weekly, and Mr. Hoeny says he usually sent and received some half dozen letters each mail. Friend Scott, the present obliging Postmaster of Effingham, and his gentlemanly First As- sistant, can discount that a thousand (more or less) to one. Our poet-laureate does it up in verse, thus: " The post office, too, is wonderful now, With its lockboxes and that; Why, I can remembei- how Hoeny Carried the thing in his hat." Mr. Hoeny continued as Postmaster until he removed to Waterloo, in ^Monroe County, when he turned over the office and its " emol- uments " to George Scoles, his successor. The office has grown and increased wonder- fully in these years, and from the one semi- weekly mail of twenty-five years ago, there are now some eight or ten mails received daily, and the number ef letters, papers and periodicals passing through it would astonish some of our pioneer fathers. No better proof is required than this of our growth and de- velopment and our advancement in civiliza- tion and refinement. There are few cities of the size of Effing- ham on the face of the globe probably as well supplied as she with hotels. A stranger would almost conclude that the entire popu- lation — men, women and children — take their meals at the difi"erent hotels and eating- houses. It is claimed by many, though by way of burlesque, ))erhaps, that Effingham has more fir.st-class hotels than Chicago. Be this as it may, there are a great many — " more than any man can number " —and vary, doubtless, in quality as much as in out- side appearances. The first tavern or public house — or, more properly speaking, boarding- house — was kept by John Hoeny. Scoles also kept a similar establishment in a house which stood where Ledrick now lives. John Woods and Holdzcolm also kept boarding- houses. The first regular hotel was the Central House, which stood west of the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad, and was kept by Dr. Bishop, about 1855-56. He ran it about three months and then sold it to John Woods. Samuel Fleming afterward took possession, and kept it for a number of years. His wid- ow is the present owner of the Fleming House, one of the best hotels in the city. Other hotels now flourishing are the " Pa- cific," "Western," "St. Louis," "Cincin- nati," " California," " Buckeye " and a num- ber more of lesser caliber, and too tedious to mention. The fii-st practicing physician in Effingham was Dr. George Scoles, a very talented man. He commenced practice about 1856 to 1858, and continued for many years. Dr. Farley was also an early physician, perhaps the next to Scoles. The medical brethren of the city at this time are as follows: John Le Crone, J. B. Walker (no relation to Dr. Mary), W. L. and F. W. Goodell. W. H. Davis. J. N. Groves, L. W. Smith, L. J. Schifl'erstein and G. S. Schuricht. In conclusion of this brief notice of the medical fraternity, we give a few lines regarding the shooting and some- what remarkable recovery of George Holli- day. He was a barber inEffingham'and well known, and was shot early in the year 1SS2, with a 32-calibre cartridge pistol. He was attended by Dr. Frank Goodell, who worked with him faithfully, notwithstanding other physicians pronounced his case hopeless and his wound mortal, and, after six months of 156 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. patient and faithful care and attendance, dismissed him, on the 3d of Jiily, 1882, as cured. No one believed it possible for Hol- liday to recover, not even the physicians, and for hours after the wound was inflicted, many pronounced him dead, but amid all discom-- agements. Dr. Goodell persevered, and now enjoys the satisfaction of knowing that his efforts were crowned with success. The case of Holliday was pronounced by competent judges more dangerous than that of President Garfield. The banking business is represented in EfiSngham by two good solid banks. The first institution of this kind was started in the city in 1866, by Craddock & Habing, in the Little building. Two years later, it was moved to the Kepley building. The business was continued by these gentlemen imtil 1873, when the firm dissolved, Craddock retiring. Habing continued until 1876, when he ceased business. The Effingham Bank was estab- lished in 1879 by F. A. Von Gassy, who is sole owner of the institution, F. H. Euers, Cashier. Eversman, Wood & Engbring or- ganized a bank September 1, 1881, with a capital of $25,000, H. Eversman, Cashier; William Engbring, Assistant Cashier. Prep- arations are now being made for the erec- tion of a new bank building These two es- tablishments afford ample banking facilities to the city and surrounding country. Effingham has never been an extensive manufacturing town. The largest thing of the kind ever in the place is the Division shops of the Vandalia Railroad, which are located here. They employ a great number of men, whose wages are mostly spent in town, thus affording quite a little item of in- come. Among the few manufacturing enterprises may be noted the two excellent flouring mills in the western part of the city. Previous to the building of these. Swingle & Little had a saw-mill, which they started about 1857, and ran for two years. A grist-mill was added then by Mette & Little. In 1860, a mill was built opposite of where the Pacific House stands, and, after running for some nine years, was moved from the city. The City Mills were built in 1869 by Christan Alt & Co., and cost about $10,000, now owned by John Alt & Co. The building is two and a half stories high, containing three run of buhrs, also rollers, and has a ca- pacity of about three barrels per hour. It has been recently improved and refitted, and is now worth about $12,000. The Excelsior Mills were also built in 1869, in a two and a half story building, and when the repairs now being made are completed, they will be worth near $18,000. Gammon, Riekelman & Co. are the proprietors. A woolen factory was built in 1863 by M. V. & George Parks, which did quite an ex- tensive business until 1880, when it was burned. A brewery was erected in the north- ern part of the city by Freepartner, and ran some ten years, when it also was burned. A brewery was built in the eastern part of the city in 1S60 by Valentine Jakle. It was a large brick building, and cost about $6,000, and it was run some fifteen years, but is now standing idle. The city has at different times been visited by rather destructive fires. The severest, perhaps, occurred in 1863, and broke out in the cabinet shop of H. A. Rebels, on the north side of the square. From the shop the fire spread to a saloon, which was quickly consumed, the contents not having yet been sufficiently watered to prevent being combustible. Speck's dwelling and shoe shop, two story dwelling of Henry Dutton, George H. Smith's dwelling and grocery store, were among some of the buildings de- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 157 stroyed. Several other fires have occurred, but none quite so destructive as this. The city enjoys the reputation of having an excel- lent tire department and of being well organ- ized. It was established in 1805, some two years after the tire above alluded to. An en- gine, the "Old Vigo," was [)urchased at Terre Haute in 1867, at a cost of $1,350, and has since been refitted. An engine-house was built in 1876, on land donated the city by the Illinois Central Railroad. The first step toward a fire department was the oganization of a hook and ladder company of thirty-seven members, of which J. J. Funkhouser was Cap- tain; George Parks, First Lieutenant; H. J. Lacy, Second Lieutenant, and Gilbert Bush- or, Chief Engineer. The department now consists of a hook and ladder company and Deluge Fire Company, Albert Gravenhorst, Chief Engineer; Jacob Schneider, Foreman of Deluge Company, and Charles Schmidt, Foremanof hook and ladder company. The village o£ Eflingham was incorporated under the law governing such matters, but as the record book of the proceedings has been lost, nothing definite can be given in regard to this period of its local government. It was incorporated as a city in 1807, and the first Mayor elected was B. F. Kagay; E. H. Bishop, first Clerk; first Aldermen, Wesley Spitler, R. E. Moore, W. H. St. Clair and Fred Mindrup. Henry Eversman was the second Mayor, and served from 1867 to 1809; Thomas A. Brown for 1870; C. F. Lilly for 1871; John LeCrone, J 872 to 1874; H. G. Habing, 1874to»1870; John LeCrone (again) for 1877; J. N. Gwin, 1877 to 1879; John Hoeny, 1879 to 1881, and Benson Wood, 1881 and 1882, the present incumbent. Addition- al to the Mayor, the present city government ' is composed of the following: John C. Evers- man, City Clerk; John J. Loar, Treasurer; Aldermen in First Ward, John Morhinners and Conrad Boos; Aldermen in Second Ward, J. H. I. Lacy and George M LeCrone; Al- dermen in Third Ward, Charles Beuler and Thomas Powell. B. F. Kagay, Police Magis- trate, and J. C. White, City Attorney. Effingham is quite a railroad center, as well as a hotel town. It has the benefit of four railroads, with trains, almost hourly, to all points of the compass. A man can go from Effingham to any place — except the moon — by rail. As the roads have been so fully written in preceding chapters by Mr. Bradsby, nothing more can be said, without recapitulation. The press also receives full justice in an- other chapter, on the county at large, and, like the railroads, nothing remains to be said in this connection. EfSngham takes a literary tit semi-periodi- cally, and indulges the most intense interest and gets excited in the highest degree over such matters. But as it becomes older, the disciples of literature grow somewhat luke- warm and finally dormant, until another fit comes on. These fits and spells have been represented by the " Lyceum," the " Forum" and the " N. L. " societies, which have sprung up at times in the history of the city, swept over the scene like untamed meteors, flashed, darted and fizzled — then went out in darkness. The first of these literary feasts was inaugurated in 1877, the prime movers in the afifair being John C. White and H. C. Bradsby. They determined to make the greatest efforts of their lives, and called a meeting of a few of their friends, viz., S. F. Gilmore, H. B. Kepley, Miss Emma Cooper, Virgil Wood, George M. LeCrone and a few others. White bossed the organization, with Bradsby as a " looker on in Venice. " He (White) wrote the constitution and the by- laws, put the thing on its feet, named it the " Lyceum," and if there had been anything 158 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. else to do, be would have done it. Bradsby was elected the first President, and served one year. White, Miss Emma Cooper and G. M. LeCrone comprised the Programme committee — the most important and respon- sible place in the society, in fact; its success or failure depended on this committee. From the very first meeting it was a complete suc- cess. They met in the Baptist Church every two weeks, and on each night crowds were tiu-ned away from the door for the want of room. During the first winter, the winter of its most successful existence — for, like all other organizations, it had its time to die, Mrs. Ann Eliza Young, nineteenth wife of Brigham Young, Gov. William Cumback, of Indiana, and George R. Wendling, lectured before the society. Brilliant success attend- ed, and the society more than paid expenses on each lecture. The entertainments and performances of the society were very popular, and the people of the city — men, women and school children contributed — and the variety of music, recita- tions, readings, papers upon various subjects and discussions were highly interesting. For the first time, perhaps, in the history of the city, the people were united, and little jealousies and bickerings and such things as so often kill off similar efforts in other cities, and had often done so in this, were unheard. The flattering success and prosperity of the first year gave evidence of permanency and of the good the society would accomplish. Owen Scott was elected the second President, afterward Prof. Page, then Prof. Mann, and lastly, Mrs. H. C. Painter. Its first year was its best, for, like all new things, it flemished until the novelty wore off, when, to some ex- tent, it waned in prosperity. In the fall of 1880, another of the period- ical outbursts occurred in the literary world of Efiingham, resulting in the organization of the Forum. Chief among the pillars of this new institution were White, Buckner, Bailey, Dr. Thompson, Charles Kelly, John Webb, Virgil Wood, Caldwell, the Drs. Goodell and a few other kindred spirits. A short time after it got under way, they roped in Brads- by, and in his introduction to the society, some of the members, especially Buckner, Bailey and Webb, had oceans of fun at his expense, and thus paid off old scores with interest. The society developed into an old fashioned debating club, bat it was mostly a kind of running fight on parliamentary ques- tions. John C. White was the first Presi- dent, then Bailey, Webb and Buckner in suc- cession, and in this exalted position they probably got angrier at Bradsby and White than they ever will at their future unfortu- nate mothers-in-law. Yet they somehow managed to learn more about parliamentary law than they had ever dreamed or imagined there existed. Bradsby says the Forum was a mighty success, even if it did make Buck- ner and Bailey eat nails and fire coals all winter. Last winter (1881), the literary fever came on again, and Bradsby, aided by G. M. Le Crone, Caldwell, the Drs. Goodell, Virgil Wood, in short, all the old Forumers, organ- ized the " N. L." society, the greatest, per- haps, of all its predecessors. It was a piu'ely literary club. The President was autocrat and Programme Committee in one. Brads- by, Wood and Caldwell drew up the consti- tution and by-laws. The performances at each meeting consisted of a paper read by some member designated by the President. A discussion of the paper then followed, each man to discuss that phase of it which suited him best. At the first meeting, Bradsby had been designated to read a paper on " Who is the greatest living man ? " In answer to this huge conundrum, he chose for his subject HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 159 " Seth Green," and in a paper twenty min- utes long maintained his choice. The pith of the joke was that half of the people in to^vn thought it was " Uncle Billy" Green, the di-ayman, that Brad meant But when he read his paper, and said all that he could say in behalf of Seth Green, the noted father of fish culture, all who heard him were more astonished than was ever By- ron when he awoke to his fame. Thoy all had to agi'ee with Brabsby that to develop this immense thing of filling all the waters that are now the waste places of three-fourths of the globe with good, cheap, nutritious food was a project full of promise to cheapen food, reduce the horn's of labor, lift all mankind up and do more for the cause of civilization than all else since recorded time. Bradsby, in the conclusion of his paper, referred to the fact that each individual, if asked the question as to who the greatest man was, would naturally think of his kind — the plug ugly, of the prize fighter; the son of Mammon, of Vanderbilt, Rothschild or Gould; the fledgling politician, of Jim Blaine or Conkling, and the young Esculapius of Dr. Gross, etc., etc. Soon after the read- ing of the paper was finished, Dr. Frank Goodell came in. He soon had a finger in the pie, and, true to the prediction ventured by the sage author of the ponderous paper. he was on his feet proclaiming the veritable Dr. Gross, the truest, only, ownest, greatest of all the great moguls of the land. Audible grins were perceptible in all parts of the room, and the re-reading of that portion of the paper (which Goodell had not before heard) produced great fun and elfectually squelched the Doctor, for that time at least. The society flourished immensely under the fostering care of Gwin, Caldwell and others. One of the most interesting and highly entertaining meetings perhaps held while the society (existed, was when the sub- ject of female suffrage was the theme of the evening. The speeches delivered upon the occasion, particularly by Caldwell, who "spake as never man spake," on female suffrage at least, are deserving of perpetual record. Mr. Caldwell advanced arguments upon that rather vexed problem, new, per- haps, to most of his hearers. Our space, however, will not allow us to follow the pro ceedings of this society further, and the reader is referred to the book of the records. Several efibrts have been made to establish a library in Effingham, but a few patent office reports and Legislative proceedings have been about as far as the matter has ever gone, and prove the extent of the collection of literature for the public use of the city. 160 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. CHAPTER XIIL* CITY OF EFFINGHAM— ITS KELlGIOtJS HISTORY— EARLY CHURCHES AND PREACHERS— ORGANI- ZATION OF DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS— SECRET AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS FREEMASONRY, ETC.— EARLY SCHOOLS OF THE TOWN— PRESENT EDUCA- TIONAL FACILITIES — MERCY HOSPITAL, ETC., ETC. " Whilst politicians are disputing about monarchies, aristocracies and republics, Christianity is alike appli- cable, useful, and friendly to them all." — Paley. SOCIETY, as it circles outward from a com- mon center, has a tendency to degenerate from its original and higher type to one of a lower tone and standard. History reveals the fact that every receding circle of civilization has lessened the forces forming and complet- ing a perfect state of society. On nearly every wave of immigration some good seed is borne to grow up in the opening soil of the new country. The good seed is usually sufficient to begin the work of raising society to a higher level of civilization, and their trans- forming power counteracts those demoralizing influences which tend to social degeneration and disruption, as the lawless and vicious seek the frontiers, where there is less restraint from civil power. This good seed becomes the nucleus around which gather those loftier feelings necessary to carry society onward to a state of comparative perfection and hapjii- ness. Christian truth is the great super- structure on which every society that approxi- mates perfection must rest. Said an old minister of the Gospel once: "It used to make my heart sick in the early years of my ministry to dismiss members of my charge to churches in distant regions, and have brothers and sisters and neighbors leave us for settle- ments in the opening Territories. But as I have grown older, and followed these emi- grants to their new homes, and have found *By W. H. Perrin. them far more useful in church and State than they ever could have been in the regions they left behind, where others held the places of influence — as I have seen them giving a healthy and vigorous tone to society, while the separation caused a pang of sorrow, the good accomplished more than compensated for the pleasure lost." It was to such emi- grants as those mentioned in the above ex- tract that Illinois is indebted for her Chris- tian civilization of to-day. The good seed brought hither by these humble pioneers, have brought forth good fruit, and produced blessings more than a hundred-fold. Effingham is well supplied with churches and church edifices. The following sketch of the Methodist Church is furnished us by the pastop, Eev. R. H. Manier. The earliest date of an organized Methodist Episcopal Church in Ewington, of which the church in Effingham is successor, was 1835. That there was preaching in Effingham County at a much earlier date is evident from the fact that there was then an organized circuit with regular preaching places; but no definite information is at command as to who were the ministeis previous to this date. The follow- ing ministers were appointed to the Ewington Circuit. The dates are not given as abso- lutely correct, but approximately so: In 1835, Rev. Mr. Graham; 1837, Rev. Mr. Chambers; 1838, Rev. Leroy Lowery; 1839, Rev. Mr. Tennison; 1840, Rev Benjamin Newman; 1841, Rev. Mr. Wasburn; 1842, Rev. Mr. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 161 Blackwell; 1843, Rev. Mr. Hale; 1845, Rev. Isaac G. Barr; 1846, Rev. ]\Ir. Pitner; 1847, Rev. D. Williamson; 1848, Rev. J. Gilham; 1849, Rev. J. M. Massey; 1854, Rev. J. Estep. About the year 1855, Effingbam be- came a preaching place, and the circuit was thereafter known as Effingham Circuit. Af- ter this date the ministers in charge were: 1855, Rev. Mr. Mapes; 1856-57, Rev. G. W. Cullom, with Rev. Mr. Ayres, assistant; 1858, Rev. Mr. Whitsel; 1859, Rev. D. Williamson; 1860, Rev. Q. W. Cullom; 1861, Rev. Mr. Butts; 1862-63, Rev. R. H. Massey; 1864-65, Rev. Mr. Brannon. In 1867, the circuit was divided and the city of Effingham made a station; that is, was given the exclusive services of a pastor. Since then the church of Effingham has had for its pastors the following ministers: In 1867-68, Rev. J. H. Lockwood; 1869, Rev. J. Leeper; 1870-71, Rev. M. N. Powers; 1872-73, i{ev. N. Hawley; 1874, Rev. M. H. Nichols: 1875, Rev. J. Harris; 1876-77, Rev. William Wallis; 1878-79, Rev. J. Gib- son; 1880-81-82, Rev. R. H. Manier, the present pastor. The membership is now 164, and eight probationers; total, 172 members. In 1866, the present substantial brick church was built and named " Centenary," that year ! (1866) being the one hundredth anniversary of the introduction of Methodism in America. A good Sunday school is kept up throughout the year. The Baptist Church was organized in 1861 by Elder Uriah McKay and an ecclesiastical counsel, composed of Rev. McKay, W. C. Mit- chell, John W. Cleveland, J. W. Billingsley and John Verplank. The original members were Ij. R. McMurry, Elizabeth McMiu-ry, D. W. Bouland, Catharine Bouland, W. P. Sur- rells. S. V. Surrells, P. P. McCain, Grace Mc- Cain, Giles Baldwin, Sarah Baldwin, Mrs. D. D. Bouland and H. N. Leland, together with Elder McKay. The pastors have been Elders Uriah McKay Evans, E. S. Graham, I. S. McHan, A. Rhodes, Stephens and W. H. Wilson. The church is without a pastor at present. It was originally organized at the house of W. P. Surrells, where services were held for one month. A house on the west side of the Illinois Central Railroad was used — then the court house until 1866, when the present church building was erected. It is of brick, 20x60 feet, and stands on a lot do- nated by Alexander & Little, and cost about $6,000. The first officers were Rev. JIcKay, Moderator, and W. P. Surrells, Clerk; Giles Baldwin, H. B. Wagner and Jesse Said, Dea- cons; A. Wilson, L. R. McMurray and Mr. Bradley, Trustees. The present officers are B. B. Miner, Clerk; W. C. Wright, W. P. Surrells, and Mr. Miner, Trustees The mem- bership is about fifty; Owen Scott is Super- inteudent of the Sunday school. St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church dates back to 1858. Prior to that year, the few Catholic families, and we learn from Father Jungmann, the present rector, residing in this vicinity, were visited from time to time by clergymen of the Diocese of Alton. Services were held in a small log house which is still standing in the rear of Funkhousor's new store. The last priest who said mass i n it was the Rev. Father Fortmann. In 1858, the Catholics, encom-aged by Father Frauen- hofer, who resided at that time in the Green Creek settlement, and was rector of the con- gregation there, decided to build a respect- able church edifice. The plan was cai'ried out under Rev. Father Bartels, the zealous rector of the cougregation at Teutopolis, who, in the spring of 1858, laid the corner-stone of the old church of St. Anthony's congrega- tion, at present the school Louse of the church. In the fall of the same year, the Rev. Father of the order of St. Francis took 162 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. charge of the congregation at Teutopolis, where a convent had been built. From the convent, the several Catholic congregations of the neighborhood were attended as missions by the Rev. Fathers. Among others, also that of St. Anthony's congregation at Ef- fingham was given to their charge. The Kev. Father Capestran said the first holy mass in the new church on Christmas morning, 1858. In .succession the fol- lowing priests of the order of St. Francis had charge of St. Anthony's Church: Rev. Fatlier Servatene, Heribert, Raynerius, Kill- ian, Ferdinand, then Rev. Killian again. In September, 1871, Rev. Michael Weis, sec- ular priest of the diocese of Alton, was ap- pointed rector of St. Anthony's congregation at Effingham, and, on the '23d of March, 1877, Rev. Father Jiingmann, the present rector, took charge. When the fii-st church was built, the follow- ing Catholic families then lived around here: C. and Joseph Bloemer, and their mother (widow of Arnold Bloemer), Henry Herboth, Hille, Wilenborg, Peter Thoele, Ferdinand Messmanu, H. H. Dust, Bernard Dassen- brook, Fred Braun, Joseph Feldhake, the Koesters, Buessing, Husmann, Matthias Mo- ening, J. F. Schwerman, Knage, Herman Fechtrup, Gerhard Osthoflf, Mindrup, Vogt, Gebbon Vogt, Fredrick Hoffmann, William Messmann, H. Harmann, B. Kemper, Gerhard H. Ney, John Ney, Bernard Ney, Herman Ney, John Fechtrup, Ai-nold Kreke, Bernard Bet- ters, Dreymann, Alshop, Mette — about forty families altogether. The congregation grew rapidly and in the course of time the church became too small to hold the faithful. Hence, under the pastorate of Rev. Father Weis, the erection of a large, beautiful church was agitated. In February, 1873, the first contract for material was made. The mag- nificent building as it now stands was finished I in 1875. Solemn blessing of the new church took place on the 13th of June of the same year, by the Right Rev. Joseph Baltes, Bishop of Alton, to whose diocese St. Anthony's be- longs. The church is an ornament to the city and an honor to ths Catholic inhabitants. Its cost was about §40,000; its size, 66x165 feet— steeple, 181 feet without cross or vane. The present number of families who worship in it are 180, comprising about 1,000 persons. The Trustees are John J. Rickelmann, with the pastor. Bishop and Vicar General. A parochial school was established in con- nection with the congregation, and has been in opei'ation since about 1858. It was at first in charge of men teachers, but for nine years it has been under the supervision of the pastor, assisted by the Sisters of Notre Dame. The school at present consists of three de- partments, numbering about 180 pupils. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized by Rev. Mr. Luther in the year 1865. The original members were Samuel Fortney, Class-Leader, Mr. Bright and wife, T. J. Gillenwaters, Mrs. Filler, Thomas Thayer and wife. The society was organized in the court house, and services held there and at private residences until 1870, when the present church building was erected, 26x 40 feet, at a cost of $1,700. Judge Gillen- waters donated the ground on which it is erected, and contributed the larger part of the money needed for its completion. The following pastors have been in charge of the church: Revs. Luther, Divender, Bigel, Deeds, Bigel, Bundel. etc. The society has become extinct, and the house is now owned by Judge Gillenwaters. St. Mary's Mission Episcopal Church first held services in Effingham about twelve years ago, under the supervision of Rev. John W. Osborne, who organized a parish and remained with them about a year. The parish consist- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 163 ed of six families and met for religious wor- ship in the Southern Methodist Church, which they rented for that purpose. After Kev. Osborne left, no services were held until the fall'of 1879, when Eev. W. H- Steele, of Centralia, took charge of the mission aud conducted monthly services to June, 1880, at which time he left and moved to Colorado. The Bev. Jesse Higgins succeeded Kev. Steele at Centralia, and continued the serv- ices at EfSngham for a few months, when Rev. Mr. Gray settled here as resident mis- sionary, but had served the mission only three Sundays when he was taken sick and died in the hospital at this place. In May, 1881, Rev. Mr. Steele returned from Colorado and settled here as resident missionary, and has been with the charge ever since. In the fall of 1879, Mrs. F. M. Bagg, Mrs. S. N Scott and Mrs. Mary Thielger, three estimable ladies of the mission, organized a Sunday school, into which they gathered the poor children of the city that had been unable to attend any of the other schools on account of clothing, want of shoes, etc. Their defi- ciencies were supplied by those three good Sa- maritans, who went oiit into the highways and byways, and gathered in the waifs and fitted them for school by a generous outlay of their own private means. The school has been conducted with tlie most remarkable success, and now has an attendance of over thirty-five children. Since the organization of the school thirty-one of these children have been baptized. Mrs. Bagg carried wood from her own wood pile during the cold weather to warm the house. Ah! reader, think you not that when these noble women reach the other shore, they will receive crowns bright with many jewels? It is under the influence of such as they that stern men of the world who have squandered life and innocence without a sigh, may see the distant gates of Eden gleam and catch a foretaste of heaven. The mission owns no church edifice, but holds services in the Southern Methodist building. On the first visit of the Bishop, he consecrated the grave of Rev. Mr. Gray in the public cemetery, and two other private lots at the same time, and confirmed three adults. The mission is as yet weak in members, there be- ing but seven families and eleven communi- cants belonging to it. It is the deanery of Mattxaon and in the diocese of Springfield. The first oflScers were Mr. E. R. Connolly, Senior Warden; S. P. Simpson, Jimior War- den; F. M. Bagg, Treasurer, andS. N. Scott, Secretary'. The first Presbyterian Chiu-ch of Effing- ham was organized November 13, 1864, in the court house, by Revs, A. T. Norton and S. R. Bissel. The following were the origi- nal members: Solomon Swingle, Mrs. M. E. Swingle, Mrs. Sarah Bissel, Isaac Bates and Mrs. Jane Bates. Previous to this, Mr. Bis- sel had been j^reaching to the Presbyterian congregation, and he still continued to sup- ply the pulpit in connection'with his labors in conducting a private school. The services were held for one year in the court house, and afterward in Mr. Bissel's schoolroom. Mr. Bissel served the church until 1809. He was assisted in church and school work by his excellent wife, whose memory is still pre- served as a lady of superior education and perfect consistency in her daily life. Under their united labors the chm'ch membership increased to twenty. In 1869, Rev. Ernest A. Pollock accepted a call to supply the pulpit, and entercid upon his labors in December. He came to this place under the appointment of the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church. He gave one half of his time to Efiingham, and also served other points in the vicinity. After he came to the church, services were 164 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. held in the Baptist Church every alternate Sabbath. The mf.mberB, however, soon be- gan a church of their own, which was com- pleted in October, 1870. It is a fine brick building, and cost, furnished, §4,300. It was dedicated to the worship of God on the 23d of October — Kev. Dr. Jewett, of Terre Haute, preaching the sermon on that occasion and the pastor offering the prayer. Rev. S. R. Bissel, former pastor. Rev. Mr. Powers, of the Methodist Church, and Rev. Mr. Rhodes, of the Baptist, assisting in the services. This church was partly unroofed and suffered other damages in a severe storm some years ago, but was immediately repaired. Mr. Pollock continued pastor for eight years — in the first four the church became self-sup- porting. He resigned in December, 1877, and accepted a call to Mendota. During his pastorate of eight years, 220 were added to the membership, and in the same period some $14,000 was raised and expended in the work of the church. After the departiire of Rev. Mr. Pollock, a call was extended to Rev. Mr. Cort, then a student of theology oi the North- western University of Chicago. After his graduation, he settled in Effingham as stated supply of the church, but the ill health of his wife caused his resignation at the end of one year. The church was then without regular preaching for a short time, when a call was extended to Kev. Moses Paisley, of Hillsboro, in October, 1879, for one year. He is now pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Lomonauk, 111. Rev. Thomas E. Green was the next pastor, and remained six months, when he accepted a call to the First Presby- terian Church at Sparta, 111. Next came Rev. George D. McCulloch, who toot charge of the church July 1, 1881, and continued until the fall of 1882, when he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Chui-ch at Hillsboro, and there is at present no regular pastor. The Sabbath school work began with the church's first existence, being carried on first in Mr Bissel's schoolroom, and afterward in the church. At present the corps of teachers numbers thirteen, and the average attendance 130 pujsils. S. F. Gilmore is Superintend- ent, and Alex Phelon, Secretary. " A history of this church, " says Rev. Mr. McCulloch, who furnished us this sketch, "would be incomplete which did not recog- nize the efficient help the women have given in every department of its labors. They have been ready in every good word and work. The Ladies' Aid Society has existed since the beginning of the church. It has con- tributed largely to meet the expenses, and monthly " socials " have ministered to the life and the enjoyment of the congregation. A women's prayer meeting has met regularly for several years. A women's missionary so- ciety has been organized, and meets monthly in the interest of missionary work. The re- port given to Presbytery last year contained these items: Given to benevolent boards of the church, $5,500; expenses for all church purposes, §1,230." St. John' 8 Lutheran Church was organized in 1864, at the residence of Charles Hartman, with a membership of six families, viz., Charles Hartman, Jacob Bauer, Gottlieb Nol- ler, Christian Alt, John Lunow and Henry Shulte. The organization was effected through the influence of Rev. Charles Meyer, of Kankakee. For two years services were held at private residences and at the court house, and in the absence of ministers were conducted by Charles Hartman. The pres- ent church house was built in 1868, on ground donated by Christian Alt. The building is a frame, 30x50 feet, and cost §2,200. It was dedicated in December, 1868, by Revs. Charles Meyer and Henry Holterman. Rev. Meyer was the first pastor and served at in- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 165 tervals from 1864 to 1867. Ho was succeed- ed by Rev. Henry Holterman, from 1807 to 1870; then came Rev. G. A. Feustel, who tended the flock until 1870. Tliechurch was without a pastor now for one year, but serv ices were held every Sabbath by the members. Rev. Lewis Frase came iu 1877, and labored here until 1881, and, in February, 1882, the present pastor, Itev. W. Lewerons, took charge. The church has a membership of forty-two families. A Sunday school was or- ganized in 1804, at Hartman's residence, and has been au important factor in the church ever since. Mr. Hartman was elected Super- intendent, and the first attendance was some forty childi'en A parochial school was established in con- nection with the church by Rev. Holterman, who taught in Jacob Bauer's residence, with an attendance of about thirty scholars. A neat school building was erected in 1870 at a cost of $800. It stands on the church lot and is an honor to the cono;regation. The present attendance will average about fifty children. Benevolent Institutions. — Secret societies and institutions have existed so long that no history tells of their beginning, and they will, doubtless, continue "until time shall be no more." The history of Freemasonry, the most ancient of these societies, is veiled and clouded by almost unwritten centuries; yet, amid the political fluctuations df the earth, and the downfall of States and Empires, its traditions have been borne to us on the cur- rent of time, and been gathered together by the Masonic student for the meditation and instruction of the craft All who have con- sidered the origin of Freemasonry have been convinced that the germ from which it sprang was coeval with that wonderful command of Jehovah: "Let there be light," and from the coincidences found to exist between it and the ancient mysteries, they were very similar in character. We know that the aims of these institutions are good, because the re- sults achieved are so grand and glorious. We believe the world is bettor for their ex- istence, secret though they are in their work- ings, and agree not with those who believe that everything is evil which is veiled in se- crecy, and hidden from the eyes of the curi- ous. Freemasonry is represented in Effingham by a lodge and by a chapter of Royal Arch Masons. The lodge was originally organized at Ewington, when that city was in the hey- day of its glory and prosperity. The first record was as follows: " Ewington Lodge, U. D., Free and Accepted Masons, met in regu- lar communication February 10, 1854. At that meeting James M. Long was Master; Elisha D. Cunningham, Senior Warden; John H. Crocker, Junior Warden, and Eli Philbrook, Secretary. The lodge was char- tered by the Grand Lodge in the following October as Ewington Lodge, No. 149, and the first officers elected under the charter were James M. Long, Master; E. D. Cun- ningham, Senior Warden; James M. Healey, Junior Warden; D. Rhinehart, Treasurer; John S. Kelly, Secretary; Samuel Moffitt, Senior Deacon; John LeCrone, Junior Dea- con, and John G. Gamble, Tiler. After the county seat was moved to Effingham, the lodge was also moved, and at the session of the Grand Lodge, held in October, 1809, the name was changed to Eflingham Lodge, and the number (149) retained. The present officers are: W. H. Barlow, Master; E. C. Van Home, Senior Warden; W. W. Gibbons, Junior Warden; H. B. Kepley, Treasurer; A. W. JjeCrono, Secretarj'; R. C. Harrah, Sen- ior Deacon; J. N. Murphy, Junior Deacon, and L. J. Harding, Tiler. Effingham Chapter, No. 87, Royal Arch 166 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. Masons, was organized under a dispensation from AV. M. Egan, M. E., Grand High Priest of the State. Among the oriarinal members were William B. Cooper, Joseph B. Jones, Jacob Goddard, H. Biiffner, J. Claypool, J. Niernan, N. C. Turner, H. B. Turner, J. Barkley and N. C. Kitchell, of whom Will- iam B. Cooper was the first High I'riest; Joseph B. Jones, King, and W. H. Sinclair, Scribe. There is at present twenty-eight names upon the records, with the following officers, viz. : Owen Scott, High Priest; B. F. Kagay, King; J. H. I. Lacy, Scribe; Will- iam Bear, Captain of the Host; H. B. Kep- ley. Principal Sojoiu-ner; Gus Elbow, Koyal Arch Captain; Charles Basse, D. J. MoCabe and R. C. Harrah, Grand Masters of the Veils; Samuel Allsop, Treasurer; John Jones, Secretary, and L. J. Harding, Tiler. A Council of Royal and Select Masters was in existence here until, by the authority of the Grand Bodies, the Council was merged into the Royal Arch Chapter. Dallas Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., was in- stituted at Ewington by H. D. Rucker, Grand Master, October 17, 1851. The charter mem- bers were John S. Kelly, K. H. Burford, James M. Fergus, S. B. Holcomb and Joel Elam. Mystic Lodge, No. 420, instituted at Edgewood in July, 1870, was consolidated vith Dallas Lodge, No. 85, in 1876. Jupiter Lodge, No. 455 (German), instituted in July, 1871, in Effingham, was consolidated with Dallas Lodge in December, 1874. It is esti- mated by accurate calculation (says Mr. Le Crone, to whom we are indebted for this in- formation), that Dallas Lodge has paid out, since its institution, $1,500 in benefits to its members: Present membership, sixty-one; fimds on hand, $yOO, and a flourishing lodge. The names of the officers were not furnished. The Encampment of this order was insti- tuted May 12, 1882, by J. C. Smith, Grand Scribe. The charter members were J. A. Anderson, W. W. Simpson, D. B. Coleman, C. E. Williamson, John Alt, S. N. Scott, Os- car Johnson and B. Berman. It was insti- tuted under the title of Royal Encampment, No. 134, and has now a membership of twenty five. The present officers are J. A. Carson, C. P. ; D. B. Coleman, H. P. ; B. Fortney, S. W.; John Taut, Scribe, and John Alt, Treasurer. The Schools. — The educational history of Effingham dates back to the very commence- ment of the town. The first school was taught by John Hoeny, beginning in the spring of 1855. It was carried on in a house built by Richard Dorsey, a brother to William Dorsey, the merchant, and is now owned and occupied by the widow of Charles Bourland. Alexander S. Moffitt taught the next school in a house now owned by Charles Troy. Both of these schools were non-sectarian private schools. In the spring of 1856, the Cath- olics built a small log house (already alluded to) on the lot in the rear of Funkhouser's " Trade Palace," which for some time an- swered the double purpose of both school- house and church. The first teacher to oc- cupy this house was Barney Wernsing, the present County Treasurer. His school, as well as those of all other teachers for some ten or twelve years, was attended by children of all denominations then residing in the village. The schools of the city now occupy two brick buildings, one on the east and one on the west side, of four rooms each. The two buildings cost something like $22,000 origi- nally, and have since been refitted at a cost of about |i2,000 a piece. Nine teachers are employed, as follows: Prof. N. B. Hodsden, Superintendent; Prof. F. L. West, Principal of the High School; He.ster Spencer, Mary Hasbrouck, Ollie Buchanan, west side; Prof. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 167 S. F. Smith, Principal Grammar School; Jennie Stewart, Emma LeCrone, Genevieve Cook, eapt side building. The cost of running the schools is annually about $6,000; teachers' salaries, §3,960; en- rollment of pupils, 604; average attendance, 450. The buildings are comfortable, but are of an inferior quality, when compared to many school buildings of other cities in the State, of Effingham's size and importance. Mercy Hospital is a city institution deserv- ing of mention. It was built about the year 1866, by the St. Anthony's congregation of Effingham, under the auspices of Bishop Baltes, of this diocese. Six acres of ground within the city limits were donated by Mat- thias Moening. It is under the control of the Franciscan Sisters of Mercy, and is open to all classes and denominations. The build- ing cost $15,000 and stands west of the Illi- nois Central Railroad. It is one of the best institutions of the kind in the State. Drs. J. N. Groves and L. J. Schefferstein are the attending physicians. This brings us to the end of our sketch of Effingham. Thirty years, laden with sorrows and joys, bright anticipations and vanished hopes, have added both age and dignity to the little city since it was laid out. Many of the old citizens who were wont to indulge in pleasant dreams over what the town would some day be, are quietly sleeping their last sleep. The boys and girls of those early times are boys and girls no longer; they have taken the places of men and women in the ranks, and are earnestly endeavoring to do the work laid out for them. The reflections, however, of what they were in their youthful days, can be seen in the many bright and happy faces of the scholars who now attend the public schools During these years — al- most a third or a centvrry — Effingham has steadily gained in financial strength, and it is to-day one of the solid little cities of South- ern Illinois. Nature has laid a golden offer- ing at her feet, but only those found on the surface have as yet been utilized. But some day in the futiu-e she may muster sufficient courage to investigate the mysteries beneath her feet, and when once the light of day is permitted to shine upon them, a transforma- tion of the town may take place, as amazing, perhaps, as those accomplished by Aladdin and his wonderful lamp. CHAPTER XIV.* SUMMIT TOWNSHIP— INTROUCTOUY AND DESCRIPTIVE— TIMBER, SURFACE FEATURES, ETC.- SETTLEMENT OF WHITE PEOPLE— THEIR ROUGH LIFE AND HABITS— HUNTING AS A PASTIME — FIRST SCHOOLS AND PRESENT EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES- EARLY CHURCHES— PIONEER PREACHERS, ETC.— TOWNS AND VILLAGES— THE OLD COUNTY SEAT, ETC., ETC. OLD Times! It is asubjectthat wakes in the mind of the aged pioneer a feeling of enthusiasm for the free, wild life of the fron- tier, when, like the old soldier, he will sit down with you by the quiet fireside, or under the friendly shade tree, and " fight his battles 'By W. H Perrin. o'er again," and tell you of the days when he went forty miles to mill, riding on a bag of corn, and had to camp at the mill three or four days, living on parched corn until his "turn" came "to grind;" of the good old days when you could go out in the morning and kill a turkey or deer for breakfast, and 168 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. when a bushel of corn passed current any- where for a gallon of whisky. Those were the good old times that the pioneer will tell you were better than the present; that all men were not only " free and equal," but on the most intimate terms of friendship, and the word neighbor had something of that broad and liberal significance given to it by the Man of Nazareth nineteen hundred years ago. As he recalls the pioneer simplicity of the early period, he will sadly shake his head, and with a sigh, tell you that the world is going to the devil as fast as the " unclogged wheels of time can roll it on." Well, we all have our hobbies, and " good old times " is the pioneer's hobby. Summit Township, the subject matter of this chapter, lies west of the city of Effing- ham, and is mostly a fine body of land. It is pretty well divided between prairie and woodland, the latter lying contiguous to the Wabash River, and the other small water course.s, principally in the eastern part of the township, while the weatern part is a broad rolling prairie, and is as fine land " as ever a crow flew over." Along thn water courses in the bottoms were a heavy growth of walnuts, sugar maple, burr oak, poplar, Cottonwood, buckeye, hackberry, soft maple, etc., while on the ridges were to be found in profusion white oak, pin oak, post oak, red oak and hick- ory. It is well drained by the Little Wabash and its numerous tributaries. The Wabash flows nearly south through the eastern part, receiving as a tributary Blue Point Creek. This latter stream rises in the edge of Moc- casin Creek Township, and flowing almost soatheast through Summit, mingles its wa- ters with the Wabash about a mile north of the old town of Ewington, and receiving in its tortuous course several small and name- less streams. Funkhouser Creek, with its tributary of Long Branch, are small streams in the southwestern part of Summit Town- ship. A number of other little branches and brooks are laid down on the majis, but they are too small and insignificant to have names. They contribute their part, however, toward the natiu'al drainage of the land through which they flow. Summit originally in- cluded the present township of Banner within its limits. It was not until the June term, 1874, ()f the Supervisors' Court, that Banner was set off from Summit. At present. Summit Township is bounded on the north by Banner, on the east by Douglas, on the south by Jackson, on the west by Moccasin, and, according to the Con- gressional survey, is Township 8 north and Range 5 east of the Third Principal Meridi- an. It is well adapted to agricultural pur- poses, and its people are industrious and en- terprising farmers, and liave some of the best and most productive farms in the coun- ty. It is well supplied with railroads, though there are not many shipping points within its borders. The Vandalia line and two branches of the Wabash pass through it, but only the Vandalia has a station and ship- ping point. This township is noted for having con- tained the first county seat of Effingham — the town of Ewington. At this place once centered the business enterprise of all the surrounding country, and congregated the beanty, the wealth and intelligence of the 'county. Like "Athens, the eye of Greece, mother of arts And eloquence, native to famous wits," it was the glory of Effingham, the common center, around which revolved the business, the intelligence and the moral and social in- fluences. But, like everything human, it had its time to die. The removal of the coi'nty seat sealed its doom, and from that event we may date its " decline and fall." Its mold- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 169 ering turrets and broken colnmns, its ruined palaces and temples, are but another les- son of the immutable certainty of the de- cay of all earthly glory. We shall have more to say of this old town further on in this chapter, as well as in other portions of this work. The settlement of Summit Township dates back more than half a century. So far as we can definitely learn, the first whites who straggled in here came about the year 1830 Those who, it is claimed, settled within the present limits of Summit in that year, were Alexander McWhorter, Robert Moore, John Trapp and the Rentfros. The latter were from Tennessee, and consisted of T. J. Rent- fro, Matt, Jesse, John, Joseph and Eli, all brothers. T. J. and Matt Rentfi-o are still living in the township, but the others are long since dead and gone. They brought with them when they came here a four-horse team and an ox team, which conveyed all their worldly wealth to the land of promise. They settled in the Little Wabash bottom, a short distance north of Ewington, or rather, where that town was afterward located. Until they could provide shelter for their families by the erection of cabins, they occupied a de- serted Indian camp, which was on what is since known as the old Reynolds place. This camp was made of linn puncheons pinned to the trees with wooden pins, and at the time it was occupied by the Rentfros, although in March a heavy snow covered the ground, which rendered it rather an airy habitation. They built cabins on the hill above the river bot- tom at a spring, as the Tennesseans knew nothing of wells, and would have expected to die of thirst unless every cabin was supplied with a never- failing spring. They tapped a number of sugar trees as soon as locating, and made considerable sugar. Joseph was appointed the " bread finder." and if ho did not, like his namesake of old, go down into Egypt for corn, he at least went as far as Paris on horseback, and brought back corn or meal in sacks. During the fust summer the Rentfros lived in the town- ship, they cleared a small piece of ground and planted a " patch" of corn, and also of cotton. The latter, however, did not ma- ture, but the corn did well. They used to pound corn in a mottar, and use the finest for bread and the coarser for hominy. Often, when pounding meal for breakfast, they would be answered by wild turkeys, gob- bling in the woods, so plenty were they in those days. This was much the experience of all the early settlers of the county, as well as this particular section. Robert Moore was from the South, but it is not known whether from Kentucky or Ten- nessee. He was careful and prudent in his dealings, and accumulated considerable prop- erty — mostly land. Judge Gillenwaters has now in his possession a grindstone that was brought to this county in 1830 by Mr. Moore. He died many years ago, and his widow married a man who spent her money as rapidly as Mr. Moore had made it. John Trapp was from Tennessee, and belonged to the first importation of settlers. He was the second Sheriff of the county, and finally lo- cated in Effingham, where he died. Alex- ander McWhorter, who completes the list of those settling in the township in 1830, was from Tennessee, and came here a young man. Soon after coming, however, he maiTied a Miss Loy. The next year, 1831, added a few more families to the little settlement. Among these were the Loys, William J. Hankins, John Galloway, William Clark, Gilbert, who was a liquor dealer and tavern keeper, Sey- mour Powell, the Reeds, Shorts, etc., etc. The Loys were from Alabama, and afterward 170 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. moved into what now forms Watson Town- ship, where many descendants still reside. Hankins came from Tennessee and settled first in Fayette County, but in that portion which was cut off into Effingham at the time of its formation. He had a large family, many of whom still live in Summit Township, but he himself is long since dead. Mr. Hankins worked on the old National road and built the bridge where it crossed the Little Wabash in this township. He is more fully noticed, however, in a preceding chap- ter of this work. John Galloway was a noted fiddler, and we may add that, like the ma- jority of this class of individuals, he was good for but little else. He did not remain long, but, with his fiddle under his arm, he started, like Ole Bull, for a " farewell tour" of the country, and was never more heard of. William Clark came from the South and lived in the township until his death, which occurred long ago. Gilbert kept a saloon or grocery, as they were then called, the first shop of that kind perhaps in the township. He was an Eastern man and quite- a noted- character in his way. One day he borrowed a horse from Judge Gillenwaters to ride to a certain place, and on his return asked Mr. Gillenwaters what he charged him for the horse, to which he replied in true Southern style and with pioneer liberality that he loaned him the horse and did not charge him anything. But true to his New England in- stincts, he insisted upon paying for the use of the hcrse, while Gillenwaters as steadily refused to accept pay, and in the end he had his way about it. The Reeds and Shorts did not remain long in the township, but, like little Joe, " moved on." Seymour Powell came from Tennessee. A son. Wash Powell, still represents this old pioneer in Summit Township. The following additional settlers moved in prior to 1835; Joe Gillespie, Samuel Parks, John C. Spriggs, Thomas J. Gillenwaters, Dr. John Gillenwaters, William H. Blakely, Byron Whitfield, Michael Beem, Samuel White and others. Gillespie was from Ala- bama, and was the first County Clerk of Effingham County. Samuel Parks was from Tennessee and settled here in ISS-l. He was one of Effingham's first County Judges. Spriggs was the first Circuit Clerk, but af ter- wai'd moved to Springfield. Judge Gillen- waters came from Tennessee in 1833, and is now a resident of Effingham, and is well known throughout the county. He settled on the old Cumberland road near Ewington, where he kept tavern many years. Dr. Gil- lenwaters was also from Tennessee, and was a physician, the first perhaps in Summit Township, or in the county. He came here before there were enou h people in the sur- rounding country to support a doctoi-, and so he had to turn his attention to other pursuits to make a living, and became the first peda- gogue in the neighborhood, as well as the first physician. He has been dead many years. Death is no respector of persons, but takes the physician as well as his patient, and " six feet of earth make us all one size." William H. Blakely came from New York, and ij said to have been a man of more than or- dinary intelligence. He was the exact oppo- site of much of the larger portion of the pio- neers who had preceded him, and was very precise and methodical in his habits and business transactions. The county sent him to the Legislature and also elected him to the Constitutional Convention. He kept the first store in Summit Township, and has been dead for a number of years, but his widow still lives on the homestead just west of Ewington. Judge Gillenwaters says the first cooking stove he ever saw was brought here by Mr. Blakely, and so great a curiosity ^j, (i?ujLjLL ^d^ ^^fo:ho^ c^^i HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 178 was it that people came for miles and miles to see it. Whitfield was an early settlor near Ewington, where ho carried on a store, which was owned, however, by a man named Lynn, bamuel White was a pioneer school teacher, and taught the second school in the town- ship. Michael Beem came from Ohio. He lived here some twenty-live years, then moved to the north part of the county, and now lives in the city of Effingham. This brings the settlement down to 1835, a period when people were pouring into the county so rapidly that it is impossible to keep up with them. The rich lands attracted the farmer and agriculturist, the profusion of game brought the hunter, while the law, or rather the absence of pretty much all law, rendered it for a time a kind of safe resting place for those fleeing from justice. The latter class, however, did cot remain long in the community, but left it for its good. As the better elements of society prevailed, thorough class were forced to flee farther West. Thus the hard characters are kept upon the verge of civilization. Fifty yenrs ago, when the first settlers came to the county of EfKngham, it was not the civilized land that it is now. There were no railroads, no productive farms, no ploasant homes, no churches, no school - houses, with their refining influences, bat on every hand an almost impenetrable wilder- ness, in which wild and savage boasts roamed at will and disputed the white man's right to the country. The red sons of the forest still lingered in numbers loath to give up their rich hunting-grounds, and, though compara- tively friendly toward the whites, were scarce- ly to be fully trusted. With all these obsta- cles to be surmounted, and the numerous difficulties surrounding them to be overcome, it saems needless to say that the first years of occupation by the whites were years of toil, privation and self-denial. When they left their homes beyond the Ohio, they left com- fort and civilization behind them — bade fare- well to ease aud luxury and entered upon a life of hardship, that must at the least last for a number of years. Their first years here was a struggle for existence — a fight with beasts, reptiles and insects, and verily, the latter were not the least dreaded foe. None, whose recollection extends back forty or fifty years, but remember the green-head flies, those little monsters that rendered stock fran- tic, and prevented the farmer from plowing a large portion of the day because his horses became unmanageable under the tormenting power of the flies. Other troubles and an- noyances beset their paths and met them at every turn. To procure the nece.ssaries of life often taxed their utmost capacity. The forest furnished an abundance of game, but meat without bread or salt, while it may sat- isfy hunger, is far from palatable. Bread- stuff was scarce and not easily obtained. Many went to the " Big Prairie, " as it was termed, beyond Paris, for corn, which was then pounded in a mortar, for there were no mills near by. Clothing was anotlior tax upon the settler's ingenuity. Much of that worn by the men were made of the skins of wild animals, while that of women was man- ufactured at home, from cotton and flax raised by their own hands. Everything else was in keeping and was as primitive in style as the food and clothing. But with passing years, improvement came in every degree of life and in every line of industry. The country has grown wealthy and productive, the wilderness has " rejoiced and blossomed as the rose," and the people are civilized, re- fined, intelligent and happy. The first birth, death and marriage are al- ways matters of considerable importance in a new settlement. They cannot, however, always be given with certainty. The first J 174 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. birth in Summit Township is lost in the mists of obscurity, but that there was not only a first one, but that it was followed by many others, is indicated by the pi'esent population. The first marriage is supposed to have been Alexander McWhorter and a Miss Loy. He came to the township, a young man, in 1830, the year the first settle- ments were made, and, in 1836, married Miss Loy, as above noted, and no one remembers an earlier marriage. The angel of death came first to old " Grandaddy " Hankins, the father of William Hankins. He was an old man when he came to the settlement, totter- ing on the brink of the gi-ave, and survived the rigors of the climate but a short time. He was the first one buried in the graveyard at Ewington, since the resting-place of many of the pioneers. Most of the first settlers have followed him to the land of dreams, and the few that are left, stand among their fel- lows " like the scattered stalks that remain in the field when the tempest has passed over it." The old National road, or old " Cumber- land " road, as better known, passed through the southern part of this township, near where the Vandalia Railroad now runs. Along this old National road the fkst busi- ness enterprises were begun. On this road the first taverns were kept, the first goods nold and the first shops established. A man named Keed, mentioned among the early yet- tlers, kept the first tavern. At least it was as near approach to a tavern as the keeping of a few boarders could be. From keeping boarders, he got to taking in the wayfaring man and travelers generally, and finally his place was called a tavern. Judge Gillen- waters kept a tavern on this old National thoroughfare, a little west of Ewington, from the time of his settlement there in 1833 until his removal to Effingham. Charles Kinzie kept a tavern later in the town of Ewington. He was, as will be seen by a sketch on an- other page, a man of eccentricities and pecu- liarities. The first goods sold in the town- ship were sold here by William H. Blakely, who opened a store soon after his settlement. A man named Fisher is believed to have been the first blacksmith, or among the first. He was not much of a workman, but sufficient for that day. Henry Bailey " tinkered a little at smithing," about the same time. Other industries sprang up, and then Ewing- ton was laid out and business was then con- centrated in the town instead of being scat- tered for miles along the National road. Mills were a necessity that was not sup- plied for several years after the first settle- ments were made. Says Mr. Rentfro: " The corn was pounded in wooden mortars, or in a stump which had been scooped out for the purpose. A pole was attached to this, which worked something after the fashion of a well- swoep. " They would rise in the morning and make meal by this " patent process " for breakfast. In a few years a horse-mill was built on the Okaw, thirty-five miles distant. Tu this mill Mr. Rentfro says the people used to go from this neighborhood to get corn ground, and sometimes had to remain four or five days, sleeping in the mill at night and living on parched corn. The journey to mill was made by os team across the prairies and on horseback. It often looked like a camp- meeting at the mill, with so many people en camped about it. The fii-st mill built in Summit Township was a saw-mill, about 1882-33, and stood near Ewington. It is not known now who bailt it, but it was being run by a man named Mcintosh when Judge Gillenwaters came. Reed built a horse-mill in Ewington, the first grist mill, a few years later. There were never any mills of much note, except saw-mills, in the township, and HISTOllY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 175 the people had to go elsewhere for their mill- intj. A number of good saw-mills and several steam saw-mills have flourished at different periods. The tu'st road laid out through Summit Township was from Ewington to the county lino in the direction of Witherspoon's Mill, in Shelby County. The next was a road I'un- ning from Fairfield to Shelbyville, via Ewington. The old Cumberland or National road passed through the township, and was a great thoroughfare in its time. A full his- tory of it is given elsewhere in this volume. The first bridge was built over the Little Wabash when this road crossed it. It was a poor affair, and was soon washed away. Another bridge was built about 1838-40 and was a toll-bridge. That is, all living outside of the county had to pay toll for crossing on it. In 1847, it was made free by act of the Legislatm'e, to take effect ten years later. This bridge was washed away about the year 1872-73, and has never been rebuilt. A good bridge spans the Wabash some two miles north of where this one was washed away, and is used extensively during high water. The first mail which came to the citizens of Summit was a weekly mail over the National road from Terre Haute to St. Louis. Another mail was soon established from Fairfield to Shelbyville, which passed through Ewington. The name of " Summit " was bestowed on the township at the time of township organi- zation, on account of the elevated natvu'o of the larger portion of the land within its limits, and because in rerum nafiira, every- thing must have a name, and " Summit " ap- peared to the " Committee on Internal Rela- tions " as well adapted to this township as any name in their vocabulary. QThe settlers of Summit Township gave their attention early to education. The first school was taught by Dr. John (li Hen waters. He came to the country a full-fledged phy- sician, for the purpose of practicing his pro- fession, but there was nobody for him to ex- periment on, owing to the sparsely settled coimtry, so he taught the few children within reach. He was a good scholar, and Judge Gillenwaters told him to go ahead and teach, and he would see that he was paid for his services. The schools were all supported by subscription until 1838, when we find on the township records the following edict: The residents of this township shall each pay the sum of two dollars per quarter for each scholar Ihey send to s'cliool. and non-residents shall pay the sura of two dollars and fift^' cents per quarter for each scholar they may send. T. J. Gillenwaters, President of the Board of Trustees, August 17, 1838. Thus education in the township in a small way commenced, and has grown gradually to its present excellent and high standard. Dr. Gillenwaters taught until his medical practice justified him in devoting his whole time to it. Samuel White was the next teacher after him. Mr. White taught two terms in a part of Judge Gillenwater's house, before the neighborhood had become sufficiently strong and able to build a schoolhouse. As the set- tlements increased in population and the township in wealth and prosperity, educa- tional facilities expanded to suit the wants of the times, until at the present day we find a numbtir of good comfortable schoolhouses dotting the towniiip at intervals, and of ca- pacity to satisfy the wants of the youth of the respective neighborhoods. The houses and districts support excellent schools by com- petent teachers for the usual period each year. Church history, like the educational his- tory of the township, dates back prior to the building of churches. The first preacher in the settlement was an old wheel-horse of the Methodist Church, whose name is forgotten 176 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. He was succeeded by a rather young man named Chamberlain, who worked zealously in his Master's cause and preached " in sea- son and out of season " for the purpose of building up the cause of religion in the wil- derness. His appointment to this frontier Held caaia about in this wise: The old preacher first mentioned left the circuit be- fore his year was out, and some time after a man stopped at Gillenwaters' tavern who bore a kind of ministerial appearance, but, like many of his kind, was somewhat reti- cent in his manner. Gillenwaters finally asked him if he was not a preacher on his way to conference, and after a moment of hesitation the. man acknowledged that he was the Presiding Elder of the district. Gillen- waters then asked him to send them a preach- er, for they needed one badly. He promised to do all he could for them. The result was that Chamberlain was sent. His circuit ex- tended as far north as Paris and to Shelby- ville, and east to Greenup, and equally as far in other directions. The first society was organized by Eev. Chamberlain at the resi- dence of Judge Gillenwaters. His house was used as a preaching place for four or five years, when the society moved to the court house in Ewington. Afterward a camp ground was occupied for a number of years north of the present city of Effingham. After Chamberlain, an old-time Methodist preacher named Blondell was on the circuit for a time, but he has been dead for yftrs. The first church edifice built in the town- ship, perhaps, was a log structure in the north part, on Section 2, and was free to all denominations; likewise was used for school purposes. It was a log building and erected in 1852. It was long used for school and church purposes, then sold and moved away and converted into a barn. In the mean- time, Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church had been organized, and after the old log church had been sold and moved away, they set about the erection of a new church. This was accomplished in 1869, at a cost of $644 in money, and donations in material and la- bor sufficient to increase the cost to about 11,000. The membership is about sixty, and the present pastor is Rev. H. K. Jones. An interesting Sunday school is maintained. Good Hope Methodist Episcopal Church was built in the fall of 1868, and cost some $600. The church grew out of a Sunday school which was organized the previous spring by Mrs. Capt. Hyden under an apple tree at her home. The Sunday school was held there for a few times, and then moved to a schoolhotise near by, where it thrived so well that it was resolved to build a church. This resolution led to the organization of a church society and the building of Good Hope Church. It was a frame building and was burned about the year 1871. The next year another house was built upon the same spot, also a frame, and costing about $600. It, too, was burned in 1875 or 1876. Both it and its predecessor were supposed to have been fired by an incendiary. When the last one was burned the society had about ceased to exist. No regular preaching was had and no Sunday school. A man was going to move into it, and thus convert it into a resi- dence. The night before this sacrilege was to be committed, the church burned down and to this time it has not been rebuilt. Blue Point Baptist Church was built in 187 The land on which it stands was deeded to the Trustees by P. C. and S. F. Hankins for church purposes. The church was organized several years before the house was built, in a schoolhouse which stood about a quarter of a mile from the church. It is a frame building, and cost, in money and work, perhaps $1,200. Elder T. M. Griffith is the HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. ITT present pastor of the church, and the mem- bership is about seventy-five or eighty, many having died and others moved away. The Sunday school is kept up all the year. Dowell Methodist Episcopal Church South was built about 1874-75, and is a frame structure. A. B. Dowell was instrumental in its organization and erection, and hence it has always been known as the " Dowell Church." The land upon which it stands was deeded to the church by William Blakely for that purpose. The cost of the building was about $000 in money, while nearly as much more was contributed in work. There are now no regular church services or Sunday school. The Rev. Mr. Jones preaches occa- sionally to the congrregation. Villages. — More than one village has been laid out in Summit Township since its settle- ment by white people, but all, except one, have disappeared, leaving little trace to show us where or when or how they went. Upon their ruins the word " Ichabod " is written, and tells to the passing traveler their story in brief. Ewington, the original county seat of Effingham County, was situated on Section 35 of this township, and was laid out on the land donated to the county by Joseph and James Duncan for public buildings. It was surveyed and platted September 5, 1S35, by William J. dankins. County Surveyor, and was named for Gen. W. L. D. Ewing, one of the first lawyers who j)racticed in this county. The first house erected in Ewington was a little like Bradsby's first birth in the county: it was several — log cabins or shanties — which had been put up by the hands engaged in building the National road. This cluster of cabins, perhaps, led to the town being located upon that particular spot. A store was opened as soon as the town was laid out, by William H. Blakely, and who, it is contended by some, had the first store in the county. He had opened a store a little farther west, near the present village of Funkhouser, and when Ewington was laid out and become the seat of justice of the county, he moved his store to the new town. He cai-ried on busi- ness here for a number of years. The next stores were kept by Judge Parks and Judge Gillenwaters. After them came Lynn, who opened the lai'gest stock of goods yet brought to the town. He did not live in Ewington himself, the store being operated by Mr. Whitfield. Other stores followed as they were needed, and Ewington became quite a business town. A tavern was opened by Eli Cook, the first in the village, and was really kept as such before the town was laid out. The next was kept, perhaps, by Samuel Fleming, well known as a pioneer tavern-keeper of the county, and whose widow now owns the Fleming House of Effingham. One of the popular hotels of Ewington was kept by Charles Kinzey, but he came upon the scene at a later date. Kinzey, who was a remarkable character, deserves more than a casual mention in the history of Ewington. He came to the county some time before work was commenced on the Illinois Central Eailroad, in 1S52. He was from the city, was city born and city bred, and brought with him all the airs of city life. He was arrayed in "purple and fine linen and fared sumptuouriy every day," or, in other words, wore good clothes, a plug hat, patent leather boots and had the appearance gener- ally of having just dropped out of a band- box. He was of medium height, had a com- manding form, drove fast horses and the finest " rigs " hitherto seen in the county, and prided himself upon all these good things and enjoying them as only one can do who has been brought up with them. He 178 HISTORY or EFFINGHAM COUNTY. opened a hotel in Ewington when it was in the zenith of its glory. It was marvelous in its metropolitan character, and it was as ele- gant and sumptuous as Kinzey was in his dress and habits. His first wife was an ele- gant and handsome English woman, and, ac- cording to all reports and traditions, some- what of a shrew. When Charley, as he warf familiarly called, took his lordly sprees, she would follow him and beard the lion in his den, and in the saloon, gambling room, or wherever she happened to light upon him, she collared him and trotted him home, as a mother would do a truant child caught in some petty mischief. Sometimes she stepjied in on him unceremoniously, with a long car- riage whip in her hand, an instrument she could handle with great dexterity, as he knew to his cost, and with this she would larrup him all the way home, or, after getting him home, would lock him in a room, strip him to his shirt, then give him what Paddy did the drum, the devil, until he cried for quarter, or buried himself in the bed clothes. He was passionately fond of horse-racing, and, indeed, of all kinds of gambling. Often he would get a few sports and kindred sjjirits in a room of his tavern, and play " draw " as long as he was successful. But no sooner did luck turn against him than by some in- tuition his wife stepped in, and, with the long carriage whip, sent him howling from the room like a whipped cur. Such incidents led to the insinuation that his wife had a ■" peeping place," and as long as " Charley " scooped in the ducats, she suifered the game to go on; but no sooner did fortune frown upon him than she summaril}^ blocked the game as above described, and sent him smart- ing to bed. Kinzey, as we have said, was smart, well- bred, naturally a "city man," and nothing was more incongruous than his appearance here, in what was then the most intense back- woods community to be found. The people could not understand him, and he looked down upon them with the most unbounded contempt. He was extremely fond of prac- tical joking, and in this it was a game of "give and take." The following ia an illus- tration: A man with whom he was pt bitter enmity called him up once at midnight on a very cold night, and made a long apology for asking his enemy for a favor, but was com- pelled to do so, assuring him that he was a man of too much sense not to understand the needs of the case. Kinzey eagerly inquired what he wanted, and when the fellow could no longer delay, he answered: "I'm a candi- date for Constable; have to have it; it's a ground-hog case, and now if you v?ill only agree to vote against me it will elect me cer- tain sure." Kinzey enjoyed this joke im- mensely, and good-naturedly asked the fel- low who sent him and who made up the joke for him. So cunningly and skillfully did he work ujjon him that the fellow confessed the boys of the village had concocted the joke, and he had only carried out instructions. The young folks of Ewington one day took advantage of the first snow to have a sleigh ride, and numberless sleighs of all kinds were out enjoying the sport. Kinzey was full as a tick, ^s the saying goes, and hitched up his splendid trotters, putting every bell, cow-bell, dinner-bell, etc., he could raise on them, until he had a dozen or two of differ- ent sizes and tones. He then hitched his team to an old dry cow-skin, with the hairy side down. On this he squatted, Indian fashion, and dashed into the streets under whip. In five minutes he had run off every horse and sleigh that was out; some of the horses were so frightened that they tore everything to pieces tumbling the young folks out into the snow drifts. Here and there and everywhere HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUKTY. 179 went Kinzey, sometimes sitting flat on the cow skin, somotimos dragging on the ground, then bouncing back on the skin and whoop- ing and yelling, pell-mell through the town, until the " storm was spent through the force of its own fury. " His hotel was finally biu-ned, and, having a great many enemies, the fact of its de- struction gave rise to stories rather detri- mental to his honor and credit in the com- munity, but what grounds there were for the reports is not known. In company with Sam Winters, Kinzey took a company of about 400 men to the army. He went to St. Louis with them, where he made strong efforts to get them into different Missouri regiments. After many failures and disappointments, he left St. Louis, and under promises of Illinois Colonels, went to Springfield, where he was ar- rested and kept in prison for months. He was finally released at St. Louis, where he fel' into the hands of Frank Blair, with whom he went to Washington City. Blair had him appointed Lieutenant in the regu- lar army, secm-ed his liack pay, amounting to some $5,000, together with an order for him to go and take his men wherever he might find t' em, and fill up his regiment, if he could, for the regular service. Here we will leave him, and retornoiis a nos moutons, or, as we might say in English, return to other mutton-heads of Ewington. The first "grocery" — whatwecall inthis en- lightened day, "saloon," "gin-mill," "whisky shop," " groggery," etc., was kept by one Charles Gilkey. It is told of him that in order to make a barrel of whisky last as long as pos sible, he would keep filling it up with water and putting in a littlei tobacco to color it. This plan might be followed now, not only with success, but with beneficial results, as tobacco is said to be an antidote for some of the strongest poison. A post ofiSce was established about the year 1835, and William J. Hankins was ap- pointed Postmaster. Hankins at one time hold all the offices in the county, aad, like Alexander the Great, he wept that there were no more offices for him to hold. He was a Justice of the Peace, Surveyor, Postmaster, Clerk of the Court, and held a number of other offices " too tedious to mention." Judge Gillenwaters says he was a great hunter, and when meat run short in the neighborhood, Hankins would mount his old "sway- backed" sorrel horse, take his old flint-lock rifle on his shoulder, and, starting out at daylight, would usually return in a few hours with two or threo deer, or as many turkeys as his old horse could carry. The first school in Ewington has already been described under the schools of the town- ship. It was taught in a room of a private residence. Some years later, a schoolhouse was built in connection with the Masonic fraternity, the upper story being used by the Masons as a lodge room, and the lower story as a schoolhouse. The Masonic Lodge was organized in l854, mainly through the in- strumentality of Dr. James M. Long, who was the first mastei-. It was organized as Ewington Lodge, U. D., but was chartered as Ewington Lodge, No. 149. After the re- moval of the county seat, together with most of the town, the lodge was also moved to Effingham, where it still flourishes and is more fully mentioned. The history of Ewington's manufacturing interests is brief and soon told. They con- sisted of a horse-mill and a carding-machine, the latter run by Anthony Rhodes. These, with a few blacksmith, wagon and other shops constituted, outside of its mercantile trade, its entire business industries. Aa a flourishing trade center, though, equal, per- haps, to a majority of towns of its size at that day, it amounted tu but little. 180 HISTORY OF ErrrSTGHAM COUNTY. Ewington was incorporated as a village under the law, and, on the 10th of April, 1855, the first Board of Trustees was' elected as follows: D. S. Mitchell, H. H. Wright, A. G. Hughes, W. T. N. Fisher and Josephus Scoles. The following iron-clad oath was administered to the Trustees by Thomas Loy, Clerk of the Court, before they were allowed to take upon themselves the dignity of the "city fathers." " I " (here follows the names of each) " do hereby solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States and of this State, and that I will discharge the duties of trustees of incorporation of the town of Ewington to the best of my ability, and further swear, that I have not fought a duel, nor sent a challenge to figh t a duel, the probable result of which might have been the death of either party, nor in any manner aid- ed or assisted in such duel, nor have been knowingly the bearer of such challenge or assistance since the adoption of the constitu- tion, and that I will not so engage or cojicern myself directly or indirectly in or about any such duel during my continuance in office. So help me God." This good wholesome docu- ment was subscribed and sworn to by the Trustees before Loy, the Clerk. The board organized by electing D. 8. Mitchell, Presi- dent, and B. F. Kagay, Clerk. At the first meeting of the board, W. T. Myers was elected Assessor; Thomas M. Loy, Treasurer, and fT. H. T. Lacy, Constable. The Trustees met quite regularly for mo^t of the first year, but after that appeared to become rather lukewarm and met less punct- ually, and finally met at rare.intervals. On the 7th of February, 1857. some three years before the removal of the county seat, they met for the last time. The principal busi- ness transacted at this last meeting was the imposing of a fine of $1 on Mr. Cooper, President, for non-attendance upon the meet- ings of the board.. The last Board of Trust- ees were William B. Cooper, President; A. G. Hughes, W. J. Sparks and Samuel Moffitt. They still remain in office. Cooper to this day holds the office of President of the board, an office which Brad says he discharges with maiked ability. Ewington, although the capital of the county from the time of its organization up to the removal of the county seat in 1859, more than a quarter of a century, yet it at no time had over two hundred inhabitants, according to the United States census, dur- ing its existence as a town, and, upon the removal of the seat of justice to Effingham, it began rapidly to decline, From this pe- riod dates its waning prosperity. The popu- lation followed the capital to its new location, and the spot that knew the old town now knows it no more. Like ancient Eome, the " spider weaves its web in her palaces, the owl sings his watch-song in her towers." Troja fuit .' The old court house was still re- tained in the service of the county, and con- verted into a poor-house, in which caj)acity it served until the county purchased a poor- farm a year or two ago. The establishment was then moved to the new purchase, and the old temple of justice, with a few dilapidated buildings, marks the spot where once stood the town. Its fate is described by Bryant: "Foundations of old cities and long streets Where never fall of buman foot is heard Upon the desolate pavement." The village of Granville is claimed by some to have been in Summit Township, while others locate it in Jackson. From re- cent investigation the latter is probably more correct, but as it has wholly disappeared, even fi-oia the majas, it is no easy matter to point out its site, and doubtless the precise spot is of but little interest to our readers. In Jackson Township we will allude fm'ther to its history. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 181 The village of Funkhouser was surveyed and laid out September 20, 1869, by C. A. Van Allen for John J. and William L. Funkhcua- er, on a part of the southeast quarter of Sec- tion 34 of Summit Township. Wilson Funk- houser had a store here, and at one time bought grain extensively. He kept the post office, which had been established, or moved from some other place. John Funkhouser handled grain here for sev- eral years, and built a grain warehouse. But lately, the business has been moved to other points along the railroad, and at present there are but some half a dozen houses remaining to point oat the place. CHAPTER'XV.* MOUND TOWNSHIP — INTRODUCTION, DESCRIPTION AND TOPOGRAPHY — SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP— PIONEER LIFE— CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS— BLUE MOUND— THE VILLAGE OF ALTAMONT-^ITS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT — GRAIN BUSINESS AND MANUFACTORIES— SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ETC., ETC. "From the weather-worn house on the hrow of the hill We are dwelling afar, in our manhood to-day; But we see the old gables and hollyhocks still, As they looked when we left them to wander away. But the dear ones we loved in the sweet long ago, In the old village churchyard sleep under the snow." — Evgene Hall. 'T^HE past, with all^its momentous changes. L has ever been regarded as important and richly deserving of record. Long before let- ters were invented, legendary tales and tra- ditions were employed to perpetuate impor- tant events and transmit the same to succeed- ing generations. Hieroglyphics were after- ward used for the same purpose. But all these forms of memorial have long since siven place to the pen and the type among civilized nations. The introduction of modern alpha- bets made writing less difficult, and the in- vention of the art of printing afforded facili- ties for publishing books before unknown. The thirst for knowledge produced by the press and Reformation, and, the growing taste for history created by the latter brought out a host of historians, rendered their works voluminous, and scattered them broadcast over •By W. U. Perrin. the world. Many of them, read in the light of civilization, have all the fascinations of a ro- mance, which increases in interest as time rolls on. The papyrus roll of ancient Egypt, con- taining mysterious records of the Dark Ages, and the ponderous folios of Confucius, that antedate tradition itself, were not more val- uable to the sages and philosophers of old than the printed jiage of the nineteenth cent- ury is to the scholarly and enlightened in- dividual of the present. And of all histor- ical records there are none more interesting and valuable than local' annals. Upon' the pages of this volume we shall endeavor to preserve some of the reminiscences of early days in this section, and in this chapter re- cord the history of this division of the county. Mound Township lies in the western part of Effingham County, and is perhaps one of the richest and best in it. The surface is gen- erally level, or rolling, with slight inclina- tion to hills along the water -courses. It is mostly prairie and is a very tine farming re- gion. Big Creek flows through the town- ship east and west, a little south of Alta- raont, having its soiu'ce in the west part, passing into Jackson Township through Sec- 182 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. tion 25. Coon Creek rises a little north of Altamont, and flows southeast, uniting with Big Creek in Jackson; Second Creek rises in Section 4, near the north line of the township, and flows southeast, passing out of the town- ship and emptying into the Little Wabash. There are a few other small and nameless streams, which, with those mentioned, afford ample means of drainage. The timber, which lies mostly along the water-courses, is similar to that described in other chaj)ters. Mound is bounded north by Moccasin Township, east by Jackson, south by West and west by Fay- ette County; it is Township 7 north, in Range 4 east. The Vandalia line, the Springfield Division of the Ohio & Mississippi and the Wabash Railroads intersect it, thus affording transporation to all points of importance. The settlement of Mound Township is com- pratively modern, owing to the fact that most of the land is prairie, which was uninhabitable until the cultivation of adjacent portions of the country led to its drainage. While the settlements were not so far back as those made on the Wabash, yet it is somewhat diffi- cult to get the first settlers' names with cer- tainty. They are mostly gone, and later im- portations know little concerning them. One of the first families probably was that of Moore, who settled in the east part of the township. The name of the older Moore is not remembered. He had two sons, viz., Delevan and Delancy, who were quite promi- nent citizens, though of a rough character. They were great politicians and took an ac- tive interest in all questions requiring a settle- ment by the ballot, their zeal sometimes ren- dering them aggressive. At the commence- ment of the war, they took ground against its prosecution in their usual vigorous style, which led them into diinculties. One of them finally enlisted and went to the front, and came back a stronger Republican, if pos- sible, than he was a Democrat before. The old man has been dead many years, and the sons moved to Missouri some fifteen years ago. This family of Moores, however, were not related to the Moores that settled about Blue Mound. Of the latter there were five brothers, viz., Albert S., Levi R., Charles S., W. H. and Samuel, three of whom, Al- bert, W. H. and Samuel, are now among the business men of Effingham. John C. Deffenbaugh was also a very early settler. He entered land iu the east part of the township, where he lived a few years, and then removed to Freemanton and engaged in business. He was a prominent and high- ly respected citizen, and at one time sold more goods than any merchant in the county. He is still living. William Ashton was here among the first. He was an Englishman, but came here from Ohio, settling in the northeastern portion of the township. He is still living, and is one of the wealthy men of the county. James Grant came from Ohio and settled in the western part of the township, and is still one of the prosperous farmers. Peter Coleman and Daniel Conner were also from Ohio. Coleman settled in the eastern part of the township, and is long dead. Conner settled in the southeastern part, and is still living on the place where he settled. From Pennsylvania came John Armstrong. He settled here about 1837-38, and is still living on the place of his original settlement. Alfred Newman settled in the southeast part of the township, and is living. James Wood- ruff settled in the east part — the place now owned by the Smith family. He was a public-spirited man, and now lives near Shumway. Nelson Wallace settled in the east part. He has a fine orchard, and is one of the largest fruit-growers in the county. Peter Poorman came from Ohio, where Buck- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 183 eye statesmen spring up spontaneously, and settled north of Blue Mound, where he still lives. One of the mo.st brilliant men ever in the township was James Stevenson. He came from Virginia, and was a man of fine intel- lect and a finished education. A good con- versationalist, he was at home upon any sub- ject, and was able to entertain the most high- ly educated and select company. But he was as shiftless as brilliant, moving aboiit from place to place, and accomplishing nothing more than a mere living. He died some five years ago. A character wholly op- posite to Stevenson was George Ingraham. He settled near Altamont, where he lived un- til recently, when he moved into Jackson Township. He was rather ignorant, but was elected Justice of the Peace, an office he was unable to fill on account of being unable to read or write. He enjoyed the honor, how- ever, and was as highly elated at his success and popularity as the modern statesman is of his election to Congress. This completes the list of the early settlement of Mound Township so far as we could obtain facts. The modoi-n data of the settlement in this township gave its pioneers a much better op- portunity of starting in their new homes than was enjoyed by those who came twenty years earlier, when the entire country was an unbroken wilderness. The first settlers en- countered all the dangers and hardships known to the frontier. Those who settled in Mound found many improvements that were unknown to the first settlers of the county. Civilization had advanced, the ease of living had improved, and the facilities for cultivat- ing the soil had kept pace with both. It was no longer a struggle with hardship and danger to eke out a precarious existence, but the rich lands brought forth the most bounti- ful forests. The trackless forests, the un- bridged streams, the pangs of hunger, and the days and nights of struggle and fear, were rajjidly l)ecoming things of the past, and a better day dawning. Their paths, however, were not strewn with roses, nor their lives made up of sunshine, but many trials and troubles met them on eveiy hand. These they met with strong hearts and brave right arms, and the land " where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey " soon became, under their might and perseverance, a region but little surpassed by " the rose gardens of the gods." The township of Mound contains little his- tory outside of its settlement, and outside of the town of Altamont. Two Lutheran Churches are situated in the township. The Hilleman Chiu'ch stands one mile southwest of the town. The first church was a log building, erected about 1802, which served until the present frame building was put up, in 1S75, at a cost of $2,500. It is a large church, and\in a good, healthy condition. Bethlehem Lutheran Church is located in the southern part of the township, in a large German settlement. The church was organ- ized prior to 181)0. as soon as there were enough families to support it. A building was erected in 1860, which served the con- gregation until 186S, when the present ele- gant church was built. It is said to be the finest and best country church in Efiingham County, and cost some $8,000. The numeri- cal strength of the church is between 500 aud 600 communicants. A town plat was made around the church in 1868, and the ground surveyed into lots. A store was opened and a post office established, but those have both been discontinued, and there are at present no buildings here except the church. The schools of the township are of as high a character as those ir. any part of the coun- ty. Every neighborhood has a comfortable schoolhouse, and in every schoolhouse good 184 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. schools are taught each year, by competent teach ers. The uame of Mound Township was bestowed upon it in consequence of what is known as the neighborhood of Blue Mound, a slight elevation of Section 8, which is nearly all a kind of mound, the apex being in the center of the section, and having an altitude of sev- enty-eight feet above the bed of the Vandalia Railroad, which passes near it. Eecently, the Government has erected a signal observ- atory upon it, some seventy-five to one hun dred feet in height, from the top of which one may look across the States of Missouri and Arkansas and see the cow-boys watching their herds on the prairies of Texas. Altamont. — The village of Altamont was laid out bv J. W. Conolocrue, the original plat embracing the southeast part of the southeast quarter of Section 9 of Mound Township. Mr. Conologue was the first Su- periutentent of the Vandalia Eailroad, and, owning a tract of land here, he conceived the idea that this spot was an eligible and desir- able location for a town, and thus had it sur- veyed and platted by C, A. Van Allen, an engineer of the road, and the plat recorded July 19, 1870. The first lot sold was bought by Abner Dutton, who erected a storehouse and opened a store, the first in the place. R. S. Cutter bought the nest lot, and built a storehouse and opened a store the very next day after Dutton. These two pioneer mer- chants are gone from the town — Dutton is dead, and Cutter moved West. The next lots were bought by Daniel Boyer, Dr. J. N. Groves, H. H. Brown, ,T. C. Russell, Broom and others. The sale continued until some four hundi-ed were sold — lots, not the men who bought them, for it proved a good in- vestment to the buyers. The lots were all sold at private sale, and not at public auc- tion. Altamont is beautifully situated on a roll- ing prairie, at the crossing of the Vandalia h Springfield Division of the Ohio & Missis- sippi Railroads, and at the southern terminus of a division of the Wabash system. Since it was laid out, the following additions have been made to the original plat: An addition by William Buckholtz, April 11, 1871, of a part of the west lialf of the southwest quarter of Section 10;. an addition by J. W. Cono- logue of a part of the southeast part of Sec- tion 9, October 26, 1871; an addition by Elizabeth Ellis of a part of the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 10, January 8, 1872; an addition by Anna E. Hilleman of a part of the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 15, April 4, 1872; an addition by J. W. Conologue, May 22, 1874, of the west part of he southeast quarter of Section 9; an addition by S. B. Chittindeu of a part of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 16, and platted August 15, 1881. These additions give the town a broad foundation and plenty of room for improvement. The name Altamont is derived from the same source the township received its name — the peculiar mound on the adjacent section of land already mentioned; the first part of the word meaning altitude, the latter part mount or mound, and was given by Mr. Con- ologue. He was a widower at the time, and supposed to have an eye and an ear for the beautiful, and hence gave this romantic name to his new town — a name that all must ac- knowledge is appropriate. The first residence in Altamont was the upper part of Cutter's store, which he used as a dwelling. Daniel Boyer put up the first regular dwelling house; Russell fol- lowed with the next. Brown built a store and residence combined. Dutton also put up a residence soon after erecting his store- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 185 house. Boyer, in 1871, built the first hotel, which is still owned by him, and is known as the Boyer House, but is operated as a hotel by E. L. BrowD. The Boyer House has been greatly enlarged and improved sinco it was built, and is now an excellent hostelry. It and the Altamont House are the only two reg- ular hotels in the town. Of the latter house, Heni'y Davis is proprietor. Ben Brazil was the first blacksmith, and had there been a "spreading chestnut tree" in the village, the " smithy " no doubt would have been built under it. Brazil is gone from the place, but has a number of successors in his line of business. A post ofBce had been established at a lit- tle place called Montville, a mile or so south of Altamont, on the National road, but never amounted to anything as a town, and when Altamont was laid out (in 1870), the post office was moved to the new place, and in 1871 the name was changed to Altamont. G. H. Melville was Postmaster at the time of removal, and his salary was $36 a year. Mr. P. K. Johnson is now Postmaster, and re- ceives $900 per annum for handling the mail bags. This fact is indicative of the growth of the town for the first dozen years of its ex- istence. Altamont is becoming quite a manufactur- ing town, and, with its railroad facilities, is admirably situated for manufacturing indus- tries. Two excellent steam flouring-mills rank among its best enterprises. The first was built by Erdman Wurl in 1872. It is a substantial frame building, with three run of buhrs, and originally cost about $-5,000. Mr. Wurl is dead, and the mill is now owned by George Goeting, who paid $8,000 for it, and has greatly improved the property. The second mill was built in 1878, by Weber & Co., and is now owned by Louis Vauclair, of St. Louis. It is a two-story frame build- ing, and cost about $4,500. It was built on a much more improved system than the other, but smaller in all respects, except that it con- tained thfsame number of buhrs — three run. The present owner paid something over $5, - 000 for it. Both of these mills are A 1, and do an excellent business. In 1879, a furniture factory was started by Jacob Stair & Son. A year or so afterward, they associated Arthur M. Dawson with them, whi( still remains a member of the firm. The factory building is GOxlOO feet and two stories high. It is operated by steam. All kinds of furnitui-e are manufactured, and twenty hands are employed. A baby wagon factory was established dur- ing the past summer (1882), by Spence Bro- thers & How(>r. Their building is a frame, about 40x50 feet, two stories high, -with, shed for boiler and engine. Eight hands are em- ployed, and a full line of baby wagons, bug- gies, and carriages are manufactured. Ortman & Co. commenced the manufacture of wagons in 1876 on a small scale. Their business is rapidly increasing and they are enlarging and improving their works all the time, and are now putting up from forty to fifty wagons each year. The grain business is no small part of the town's enterprise. There is probably more grain shipped from Altamont than from any other po;nt in the county C. A. Van Allen commenced buying grain here for Miner & Jennings on Monday, August 1, 1870, and Boyer commenced buying on Tuesday follow- ing. Van Allen piled up a parcel of railroad ties, covered them over with boards, and this constituted his warehouse. He bought from wagons, put it on the scales and weighed it, and then loaded it into the ears from his rude platform. Miner & Jennings are well- known grain-buyers still, not only in the county, but in all the surrounding country. 186 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. There are now four firms handling grain here, viz., Miner «& Jennings, Snook & Shoemaker, Cooper & Rhodes and Ensign & Co. They all do a large business and have good v?fvre- houses. The first year, the two firms then in the business shipped 176 car-loads of grain. Each of the four firms perhaps now ship that much annually. The Altamont Bank was established in July, 1874, by George Mittendorf, and, in March. 1876, C. M. Wright & Co. also es- tablished a bank. Mittendorf sold out to them, and since then the business has been conducted by Wright & Co. It is one of the substantial banks of the country. The railroad station was opened Septem- ber 4, 1870. C. A. Van Allen was the first agent, and for a time served both roads. The Springfield & Illinois South-Eastern (now a division of the Ohio & Mississippi) ran the first train to Altamont October 1, 1871; and the first train on the Wabash came in on schedule time June 29, 1874. Van Al- len was their agent for three years. The roads have a kind of union depot, but difi'er- ent agents. An immense amount of freight is annually shipped fi-om this place, mostly grain and stock. The Altamont News is a sprightly news- paper, edited by C. F. Coleman. The Cou- rier was the first newspaper started in Alta- mont, and was run by G. W. Grove. As the press, however, receives an extended notice in a preceding chapter, we omit further mention here. The first school was taught in Altamont by George Poorman, and the first school- house, a frame building, wan erected in 1870. It soon became too small for the growing town, and in 1874 the present school building was erected. It is a two-story brick, with two rooms, and furnished in the latest ap- proved style. The school is large enough to employ three teachers, viz.: Prof. J. G. WrigTit, Principal, with Misses Portmess and Zinn, assistant teachers. Altamont is well supplied with church fa- cilities. The first religious society organized was by the Evangelical Alliance. But it has become extinct, and the members have moved away, died and joined other denominations. The German Reformed Church was organ- ized in 1872. It had been established some time previously, in the country, about two miles from the village. The first pastor was Rev. L. M. Kischner, followed by Rev. S. P. Myers, and he by Rev. Mi-. Hassler. The present pastor is Rev. J. H. Schuford. The building is a frame, and was erected in 1872, at a cost of §1,800. The original members were fifteen. The membership now is about thirty-two, with services every two weeks. A Sunday school is kept up, with an attend- ance of about forty children, under the su- perintendence of G. W. Poorman. Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1873, by Rev. G. Waugrin, with nine members. The first services were held in private residences, when Mr. William Krull bought the old puolic school building and fitted it up for a church. Rev. Waugrin was the first pastor, and served from the or- ganization of the church until 1879, when he was succeeded by Rev. George Goeswein. There are now some thirty odd members. A school was established in 1870, which is taught by the pastor in the church building. The United Brethren Church was organized in 1874, and the first preachers were Revs. J. A. Smith and Alex Helton. The original members were Jacob Yates, Mary Yates, John Cole, Sabie Cole, Samuel Kyner, Rebecca Kyner, Delilah Kyner, Kate Kyner, Mollie Kyner and Laura Ordner. The church was erected in 1874, at a cost of about $3,300. The present pastor is Rev. S. C. Stewart. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 187 The membership is twenty fiv& The Sunday school has an average attendance of twenty- eight, of which John Cole is Superintendent. The Methodist Episcopal Church society was organized in 1872, and the first preacher was Rev. Mr. Crum. Altamont Circuit was formed, and originally comprised Altamont, Dexter and Gillmore, and at one time Moc- casin and Crum's Chapel. The Altamont so- ciety is now a station, organized as such in 1882, and Rev. G. W. Butler appointed pas- tor. The chm'ch was built in 1879. costing 13,000, and is a handsome frame building. The membership is eighty. A Sunday school is carried on, with a regular attendance of 125 children, superintended by G. W. Given. The society is now engaged in building an $800 parsonage. St. Clare's Roman Catholic Church was or- ganized in 1874, and the church building finished in 1875. The church was organized by the Franciscan Fathers from Teutopolia. The building is a frame, 33x68 feet, and cost $3,000. The society has been administered to by Rev. Fathers Francis, Michael, Her- man, Clementine and Jerome. The last has been with them three years. The present membership is fifty families. A school was established in 1882, in a frame building, two stories high and two rooms each, with an at- tendance of about fifty children. Altamont has one of the most beautiful little cemeteries in the country. Mr. Cono- logue donated four acres for that purpose when he laid out the town. It has been hand- somely improved by the people, and is kept in the most perfect order. The Board of Town Trustees has the supervision. The first interments in it were bodies taken up ; and brought from other graveyards and re- interred in this. Beautiful white stones and monuments stand here and there in it, like lonely sentinels, and symbolize the affection of surviving friends for their loved and lost ones. Hale Johnson was the first man who ped- dled law in Altam'jnt. He came here in 1873, and remained until 1875, and is now Prosecuting Attorney in Jasper County. Messrs. W. S. Holme.s and P. K. Johnson are young disciples of Blackstone, and attend to " law business " for the citizens of Alta- mont. The Masonic Lodge now held here was originally organized in Freemanton, October 1, 1867. After this town was laid out, the lodge was moved here (in 1872), and is now known as Altamortt Lodge, No. 533, A., F. & A. M. The charter members were Jacob Ba- ker, James C. "Walker, H. S. Hook, L P. Carpenter, B. W. Eakin, W. F. Ingraham, J. F. Hipsher, J. H. Said, J. C. Russell, J. Harrison, John Armstrong, "W. A. Broom, J. H. C. Smith, S. Cochoran and A. Tipsword. The first officers were: J. C. Russell, Mas- ter; Jesse H. Said, Senior Warden; Jacob Baker, Junior Warden; H. S. Hook, Treas- urer; and James C. Walker, Secretary. Ihe lodge first met in a small hall for two years, and since that time have been meeting in a hall belonging to J. C. Russell. It is in a flourishing condition; has fifty-seven mem- bers, and is officered as follows: George W. Gwinn, Master; J. H. Johnson, Senior War- den; David Piper, Junior Warden; J. C. Russell, Treasurer; and S. S. Rice, Secre- tary. Altamont Lodge, No. 500, I. O. O. F., was instituted by J. F. Bross, Grand Master, Oc- tober 14, 1873. The charter members were Joel L. Cox, J. W. Hotz, Jr. , Henry Stevens, H. P. Simonton and W. A. Jackson. The first officers were: Joel L. Cox, N. G. ; Henry Stevens, V. G. ; J. N. Groves, Secretary; and J. W. Hotz, Jr., Treasurer. Eight more members were initiated at the first meeting. 188 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUKTY. The lodge met in Cockenower'a Hall until 1876, when they moved into Ensign's Hall, which they still occupy. It has thirty-two members, and $750 in the treasury. The present officers are: Jacob Zimmerman, N. G. ; H. N. Drewry, V. G. ; T. L. Elliott, Ee- cording Secretary; P. K. Johnson, Perma- nent Secretary; and S. N. Young, Treas- urer. Altamont was first organized as a town in 1871, and as a village in 1872, by a vote of the people, ^t which time there were twenty- two votes cast for village organization. The first Board of Trustees were: Dan Boyer, J. M. Huffman, J. Hotz, A. H. Dutton ana W. L. Snook The board organized for work by electing Boyer President, and J. M. Huff- man, Clerk. The present board is as follows: S. S. Rice, H. Munzell, M. Reis, S. M. Coo- per, W L. Snook and H. Schlotterbeek, of which S. S. Rice is President, and T. G. Boyer, Clerk. The foregoing pages comprise a pretty correct and complete history of this growing and flourishing little city of the plain. From the center of a broad, rolling prairie, the church steeples point to heaven, and point out to the " wayfaring man," while yet " afar off," the way to ehelter and repose. Alta- mont has a prosperous 'future, if her citizens so will it, and continue, as they always have, to exert their wonted energy. CHAPTER XVI.* M.-VSON TOWNSnir— TOPOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE— SETTLEMEST— BROOM, THE STEWARTS AND OTriER PIONEERS— A FOURTHOF JULY CELEBRATION— SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES —AN INCIDENT— VILLAGES— GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MASON- ITS BUSINESS IMPORTANCE— EDGE WOOD — LAID OUT AS A TOWN— STORES, SHOPS, CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES. " he who goes In the full strength of years, matron and maid, And the sweet babe, and the grayhe.aded man — Shall, one by one, be gathered to thy side By those who, in their turn, shall follow them." Sri/a7it. HISTORICALLY, Mason holds a front place among the townships of Effing- ham County. More than fifty years have dissolved in the mists of the past since the echoes of the woodman's ax first rang through the lofty forests of Mason as he felled the trees for his lone cabin, or cleared away the timber for a garden, or for a " patch " of corn. Its forests and prairies are now fer- tile fields, dotted over with prosperous homes, and the Indians, who once hunted the deer in their midst, have disappeared in the dis- • By W. H. PerriD. tant West. The young men have grown old, and the old men are in their graves, -^vho first saw this country in its pristine beauty, and joined hands to reduce it from a wilder- ness to its present state of civilization and prosperity. Mason Township lies in the southern pai-t of the county, and, according to the Congres- sional survey, is Township 6 north, and Range 5 east. It is pretty well divided be- tween woodland and prairie; the latter is rolling sufficiently to drain naturally. The woodland is somewhat hilly, with the excep- tion of a few post-oak flats, and along the river and other streams it rises in places to abrupt bluffs. The timber is white, black and post oak and hickory on the high lands, and in the bottoms, cottonwood, walnut, su- aJ^^L^ J3a HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 191 gar maple, sycamore, hackberry, soft maple, elm, etc., with a thick growth of hazel in many parts of the township. The water- courses are the Wabash and its numerous tributaries. The Little Wabash just touches the northeast corner as it trends southeast- wardly. Fulfer Creek enters the township through Section 7, from West Township, re- ceiving on its way, in Mason, Limestoae Creek and several smaller streams, and finally emptying into the Wabash in Section 1; Willow Branch in the south part, the North Fork of which heads near Mason Village, and, flowing southward, unites with the main stream in Section 34, when it passes out through Section 35 into Clay County; Coon Croek has its source in Section 14, and pass- es into Union Township, where it empties in- to the Wabash. Jackson Township lies on the north, Union Township on the east. Clay County on the south and West Township on the west. The Chicago Branch of the Illi- nois Central Kailroad passes diagonally through Mason, and the Springfield Division of the Ohio & Mississippi passes through the southwest corner, crossing the Illinois Cen- tral at Edgewood. These roads' furnish the township and its inhabitants communication with all parts of the country, and bring the best markets to their very doors. The settlement of Mason Township dates back more than half a century. The first white people who came here were from the South — mostly from Tennessee. The first settlements of which we have any account were made in 1829. Jonathan Parkhurst was one of the first, and caine originally from New Jersey, but had lived some years in Tennessee before emigrating to Illinois. When he came to the State, he settled in White County, then an almost unbroken wil- derness, and, a few years later, came here and located in Mason Township, afterward mov- ing over into Jackson. John McCoy, Alex- ander Stewart and some of the Lillys also came in 1829. McCoy moved to Indiana, remained awhile, and then came back here, where he lived until his death. The Lillys were either from Kentucky or Tennessee. William settled on the Bailie place, and af- terward moved to the southern part of the State. Andrew, a son of William, married McCoy's daughter, moved with him to In- diana, came back with him, and afterward moved down near Cairo, where he died. Stewart moved back to Tennessee, remained awhile, then came back to Illinois, and, some years later, moved to Missouri. John Broom came also in 1829. He is a native of Tennessee, and he and his father- in-law, Benjamin Allen, with their families, came to Illinois, arriving Id this township in the early part of November, 1829. He set- tled on Limestone Creek, some three miles west of Mason. He was penniless when he arrived, and in debt, besides, to his father-in- law; but, nothing daunted, he went to work with a stout heart and willing hands. For the first years of his wilderness life, he subsist- ed on the products of his rifle, deer, bear, turkeys and other game being quite abun- dant. The first land he owned was an eighty- acre tract, which he paid for with money earned in blasting rock in the quarries, for the National road, when it was in couise of construction, and for which he received the liberal sum of 37J cents per day. By per- severing industry, he has accumulated con- siderable property, and now as he is pass- ing down the shady side of life, he is enjoy- ing the fruits of a well-spent life. For sev- eral years he has been a resident of Mason Village, his health preventing him from ac- tive life on the farm. He has held many offices — Constable, Justice of the Peace, As- sociate County Judge, etc. In his youth, K 193 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. poverty prevented him from receiving an ed- ucation, and thus, realizing the need of it, he has always been a zealous friend of schools, and an earnest supporter of all meas- ures for the benefit of learning. His father- in-law, Benjamin Allen, was a good farmer and a respected citizen. He died on the place where he settled, and the bones of himself and wife molder together in the dust upon the old homestead, the place now owned by Mr. Dovore. Mrs. Charlotte Kepley was a daugh- ter of Allen, and a widow. Afterward, she married John Allen, who, although of the same name of her father, was not related to him. The first wheat sowed in EiSngham Coun- ty was by Judge Broom and Mr. Allen. They went all the way to Shelby County, and, with their horses, assisted Andrew Wakefield to tramp out wheat in the old- fashioned way, by laying the wheat on the ground and driving horses over it — receiving for themselves and their horses a bushel and a half of wheat per day. They worked long enough to obtain four bushels of wheat. This they brought home with them on horseback, and prepared a piece of gi'ound, in which it was sown. Additional settlers in Mason Township were John and Josiah Stewart, Andrew Mar- tin, John Trapp, a man named Frost and an- other named Winkler, Micajah Davidson, Wesley Robinson, Vincent McGuire, Gideon Louder, etc., etc. John and Josiah Stewart were brothers to Alexander Stewart, and both finally moved back to Tennessee and re- mained there. Martin was from Kentucky, and, a few years after settling here, moved into Jackson Township, where he died. John Trapp lived on the Horton farm, and is elsewhere mentioned. Frost was one of the first settlers in the township, and moved some years later to the Sangamon country. Winkler moved into Jackson Township, and died. Davidson first settled in Jackson, then moved into Mason. He had a horse-mill in Jackson, and, after moving here, built one in this township. He was a great mechan ical genius, and could make almost anything he tried to make. Robinson came from In- diana in 1830-31 and was unmarried. He followed hauling salt from the works and selling it to the settlers. He married and settled down to business on the place now occupied by his son Jonathan. McGuire was an Irishman, and had a son named John, who was killed while at work on the old Na - tional road, by a bank caving in on him. The old man was a miser, and a great lover of the " crayther." Both he and his wife, it is said, used to get gloriously drunk. Judge Broom and Uncle Jimmy Tm-ner often cra- dled wheat for him. He finally left the town- ship and moved to the south part of the State, where he died many years ago. Lou- der was from Tennessee, and came to Illi- nois, ih'st settling in Clay County, and after- ward in this county in Jackson Township, making his home at Ben Campbell's, whose wife was Louder's aunt. He finally moved over into Mason and settled in the southeast corner of the township, where he died, and where his widow still lives. This brings the settlement down to a period where emigrants were coming iu rapidly and the country was fast settling up. Among the later settlers we mention a few whose names have become prominent in the history of the township and the county. At the head of the list stands the name of Hon. Isaac L. Leith. He came from Ohio and set- tled here in 1840, and since that time has been closely identified with the interests of the county, holding a number of important positions of honor and trust. He was one of the Commissioners for laying out the county HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 193 into towBBhipa, and devised a plan of organ- ization, which was accepted. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention, and on the Building and Finance Commit- tees for building the present court house of EfiSngham. Although the " frosts of many- winters " rest upon his head, he is still hale and hearty, and good for many years of life. James, David and Wilkinson Leith are his brothers, and came to Illinois in the same year (1840), and are all now dead. Stephen Hardin, Dr. Matthews, Martin Robinson, Robert Rankin, David Turner, Eli- jah Henry, Morgan Wright, Jacob Goddard, A. W. Henrj', and a number of others, past and present, were early settlers, or at least came in from 1840 to 1850. They have borne a prominent part in the history of the county, and in the development of that por- tion in which their lots have been cast. In the biographical part of this work they are more fully noticed. In the pioneer days, the people had their sports, which were perhaps as enjoyable to them as our more refined amusements are to us in this fast age. Log-rollings, house- raisings, corn-huskings, usually accompa- nied with the old-fashioned quilting parties, were common oceiUTences. These gather- ings were heartily enjoyed by all. The mus- ter and election days, and Fourth of July celebrations were important events. Dr. Matthews, in his pioneer sketches of Mason, thus describes a " Glorious Fourth," which is worthy of reproduction in these pages: " On the Fourth of July, 1832, a grand bar- becue was instituted by Judge Broom and a few of the Vaudalia boys, at Ewington. Bear meat and venison smoked upon the spits, whisky toasts were drunk freely in tin cups and gourds, rod-hot speeches were made, and the American Eagle flopped his wings and ciew with patriotic pride above the hills of the Wabash. Judge Broom was selected to read the Declaration of Independence, and he did so, standing on an old Cottonwood log just north of the bridge. He says he couldn't spell half the words of the sacred document, and to this day is in total igno- rance as to how he blundered through it. But nobody was competent to criticise him, and nobody laughed. The Judge pronounces that the happiest day of his life. Of that jolly band of celebrators, he is the sole surviv- or in Effingham County. They all have dropped away, weary of the march, lon^ ago. " The above was no doubt the first Fourth of July celebration ever held in the county. Education was not neglected by the pio- neers, and schools were established very early. The first school taiight in Mason Tovniship, and perhaps the first in the county, was taught by Col. Sam Houston. Judge Broom signed one scholar, for which he was to pay the sum of $2.50. To obtain the money nec- essary to liquidate this liability, Mr. Broom " pulled fodder " for old Vincent McGuire, at 16 5 cents a d:.y. He received the money in half-dollars (Hull's, perhaps), without holes in them, and paid his tuition on the day the school was out. As the country prospered and the population — in the way of children — increased, schoolhouses were built and schools established. Every neighborhood now has a good, comfortable schoolhouse, and maintains a flourishing school. Among the first preachers who proclaimed the Word in this neighborhood were Revs. Whitely and Surrells. They were Regular Baptists, and preached in people's hoiises in many parts of the coimty, long lief ore any churches were built. The Wabash Church (Missionary Baptists) was organized as early as 1845. The first building was a log struct- ure, put up for both church and school pur- poses, and was used until the present frame 194 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. church was built, about the year 1860. It is a comfortable church building with a large membership, but no regular pastor at present. The Sunday school is kept up. This church has been the mother of churches, as a num- ber of those in the surrounding country have been started with members from this church. An incident occurred in the township in September, 1857, little to its credit as a com- munity — the murder of Martin S. Hammond. Although he was a desperado, whose taking- off may have proved advantageous to the country, yet the manner in which it was done was cowardly beyond all question. He was riding along one day with a IVIrs. Lang- ford, when a shot was fired from ambush, by whom has to this day remained a mystery. But one shot was fired, and it was a load of buckshot. Two shots took effect in Hammond — one in his arm and one in his back — from which he died some fourteen days after. Mrs. Langford received a shot in the left shoul- der, which was supposed at first to be fatal, but from which she finally recovered. John T. Martin and L. Mulinix were arrested as suspected parties, tried and acquitted. Ham- mond, at the time he was assassinated was under arrest and bond for counterfeiting, and it was believed that he was shot by those interested in his eternal silence. As an illustration of the hard times en- dured by the pioneers, Judge Broom says that, for the first two or three years after he came here, he took his plows on horseback, and sometimes on foot, four or five miles north of Shelbyville, to a blacksmith, named Thomas Jackson, who was a Methodist preacher, and knew him (Broom) in Tennes- see, before they moved to Illinois, and would sharpen his plows on a credit. He could not, in summer time, travel with horses during the day, on account of the " green-head " flies, which were such torments the horses became almost unmanageable from their annoyance. Judge Broom also relates, by way of illus- trating the pioneer period, how, when he came here, he had nothing, and was in debt besides. He went to Vandalia and stated his circumstances to a merchant there, who sold him on credit a few plates, knives and forks, and a pot or two for cooking. The next spring, he took beeswax, deerskins and venison hams enough to him to pay for the ■ things. Villages. — The village of Mason is situat- ed in the midst of a beautiful rolling prai- rie, on the Illinois Central Railroad, about twelve miles south of Effingham. The orig- inal plat comprised the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter, a part of the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter, and a part of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 22, of Mason Township. It was surveyed and platted February 26, 1853, by George Wright, surveyor, for Aaron W. Henry, Josiah W. Robinson and Robert M. Rankin, proprietors of the land. A number of additions have been made to the town since it was originally laid out, some of which are as follows: An addition was made by Stephen Hardin, embracing a portion of the northwest quarter of the north- east quarter of Section 22, and the plat re- corded August 9, 1859. An addition was made by H. E. Wolcott, of a part of north- east quarter of southwest quarter of Section 22, and the plat dated September 22, 1859, An addition was made by J. J. W. Billings- ley of a part of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 22, and platted January 10, 1860. An addition was made by A. Kimbourt of a part of the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 22, and submitted to record June 29, 1860. An addition was made by S. H. Bailey, of what was known as "Bailey's Addition," and HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 195 the plat recorded May 1, 1863. And on the 29th of Jane, 1868, an addition was made by A. J. Starr, of a part of the north half of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 22, all of Mason Township. These numerous additions give Mason plenty of el- bow room, and plenty of space for spreading out her wings. There need be no more ad- ditions made until it becomes a city of 5,000 inhabitants. There is a prologue to the history of Ma- son, in what was once known as the village of Bristol, and in order to get back to the commencement of Mason, it will be necessary to say a few words of Bristol. It was laid out by A. W. Henry and his father, Elijah Hen- ry. It was situated about one mile south- east of Mason, on the place now owned by David Turner. A. W. Henry opened a small store about the time the place was laid oat. A post office was established, of which Henry was Postmaster. Elijah Henry had a blacksmith shop, and, although not much of a workman, he used to hire a blacksmith to carry on his shop. This comprised about the sum total of Bristol. When Mason was laid out, Bristol took it into its head to move over and start the new town. This little feat is thus described by Dr. Matthews in the 'E^ngham Republican : " On a lovely morning in the spring of 1852, tradition informs us that the town of Bristol, Effingham County, was ruthlessly torn from its foiindations, loaded upon an ox wagon and quietly hauled away. Its departui'e from the venerable forests that had so long pro- tected it from the howling tempests was her- alded only by the rumble of the vehicle that bore it away. There was no weeping, no sighing, no tender ties broken as the moving town passed over the hills and was lost to sight, for be it known that the citizens of Bristol, one and all, trudged along in the rear of their departing metropolis, like in- fatuated school-boys after a brass band, re- solved to share alike in its prosperity or downfall. It was almost sunset when Bristol reached its destination. The spot was an enchanting one, on a beautiful elevation, just over the border of a fertile and rolling prai- rie. And there, as twilight darkened upon the scene, our pioneer fathers, with little re- gard to ceremony, unloaded their much-loved town." Such was the existence of Bristol. The building of the railroad gave birth to Mason, and the laying-out of Mason was the death of Bristol. It was, after all, but a change of base. Mr. Henry was the proprie- tor of Bristol, and, when the railroad went through, leaving his town out in the cold, he, together with Bankin and ^Robinson, laid but Mason on the railroad, and moved his town over as a starter. His store was raised and put on " skid-poles, " six yoke of cattle hitched to it, and hauled over to the new town, as described in the extract above made. The little storehouse thus moved across the prairie is still standing, and is used by Dr. P. G. Paugh as an office. A. W. Henry was the first merchant of Mason, as well as of Bristol. He opened his store door in Mason as soon as his store ar- rived and was unloaded. He continued in business until 1857-58, when he retired, and is still living, some three miles from the vil- lage. He was the first Postmaster of Bristol and of Mason, the post office having been moved hither with his store, and its name afterward changed to Mason, to correspond with the name of the village. Henry Clay Henry, a nephew of Aaron Henry, is the pres- ent Postmaster. Mr. Henry was a man of en- terprise and of considerable business energy. He sold gocds to the people, and, in return, bought their surplus products, thus keeping 196 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. trade going and business prospering. The next store was kept by Stephen Hardin, still a respected citizen of the village, and a man who has served not only the people of his town, but of the county. He has long since retired from the mercantile business, and now devotes his attention to other pursuits. He moved his store from Georgetown, in Clay County, to this place in 1856, and, in part- nership with William McCracken, followed merchandising for several years. Other stores were opened as the increase of popu- lation demanded. Shops were established and all kinds of business inaugurated as the town grew in importance. The first residence was built by Mr. Ran- kin, one of the proprietors of the town, and opened by him as a hotel. He afterward sold to Michael Sprinkle. It finally became the property of Jacob Goddard, who kept it as a hotel. It was owned by him and occu- pied as a hotel until Goddard built the pres- ent brick hotel, now kept by his widow. The next house built after that by Rankin was erected by Greenberry Wright. It was long known as the Winteringer property, and stood on the east side of rhe main street. Bat after the completion of these buildings, there was a cessation in improvements for a few years, and not until 1855-56 did a new spirit of industry in this line strike the peo- ple. Then buildings sprang up on every hand, and the town grew rapidly. In this connection, another extract from Dr. Matthews' correspondence comes appro- priately in place: " To such an extent were business enterprises advancing that a lack of shipping facilities became apparent, and, about the year 1856, Messrs. I. L. Leith and Stephen Hardin opened negotiations with the officers of the railroad company, and obtained the privilege of laying a side-track. In sev- en days from the time ground was first brok- en, the grading was completed, the ties all hewed and hauled, and everything was in readiness for the laying of the iron, which was done by the request and at the expense of the people. " Immediately upon the lay- ing of a side track, the shipping of stock and grain, and particularly the latter, be- came an extensive business. A grain ware- house was put up by J. J. Billingsley, which is still standing, and was the first erected for that purpose in the town. There are now four grain warehouses, which are operated by Gibson, and Wade, and William Donnelson, and Thistlewood. A large amount of grain is annually shipped from this point — some- times as much as six and eight carloads in a single day. Mason has never made any pretensions to manufactories. A few shops, an occasional kiln of brick, a few saw-mills and the pres- ent flom'ing-mill cover its manufacturing industries. The flouring-mill was built in 1863 by Luther & Sisson. The latter gen- tleman still owns it, and has considerably improved it since it was first built. It is a substantial frame building, with three run of buhrs, worth some |6,000 or $8,000, and has all the modern improvements. The first school in Mason was taught in 1853, by Whiting Avery. It was on the sub- scription plan, and, owing to the sparsely set- tled community and the slimly populated village, it was hard work to get enough pu- pils to form a school. In 1860, the hand- some two-story brick schoolhouse was built. The building was put up by the School Board and the Masonic fraternity together — the lower story for the school and the upper story for the Masons. The school, however, grew so rapidly and increased in nimibers that the board finally bought out the Masons, and since then the entire building has been used for the school, of which the usual at- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 197 tendance is from eighty to one hundred pu- pils. Three teachers are employod most of the time, Mr. Duncan being the Principal of the school. There are two church buildings in Mason — Methodist and Baptist. The Methodist Church was built in the fall of 1853, and used until the building of the present one, in 1868-70. The membership is nearly one hun- dred, and the pastor (1882) Kev. Mr. Harper. The building is a frame, and cost perhaps $1,000. A good Sunday school is kept up throughout the year. The old church, the first one built by the Methodists, was taken, when abandoned as a church, for a pork house. It was occupied as such a year or two, and then it became a saw-mill, later a stave factory, and is now standing idle, after a long and useful life. The Baptist Church grew out of the old Wabash Baptist Church, one of the old . church organizations of the township. The building was erected about 1858, and, a few years ago, repaired and much improved in appearance. It is now an excellent church edifice, barring a little paint which is lack- ing, and which would be of considerable benefit to it. A goodly number of members belong here, but they are without a regular pastor. A Sunday school is maintained, un- der the superintendence of Mi'. Holbrook. A. Presbyterian Church was organized hei'e and kept up for several years. They occu- pied the lower story of the Masonic Hall, but, after a brief existence, it finally died a natural death. The Masons fii-st met in Goddard's Tavern, and afterward in the upper story of Hardin's store. After they sold their interest in the brick building to the School Board, they built a new hall, which they now own. The lower story is rented out for any purpose, such as meetings, dances, etc., and the upper story for a lodge room. The Presbyterians rented the lower story and "seated" it, but, after the church became extinct, the Masons bought the seats and took charge of the room. There is a lodge and chapter as follows; Mason Lodge, No. 217, A., F. & A. M., was organized as a lodge with the following charter members: John S. Wilson, J. H. Robinson, Morgan Wright, Isham Mahon, Owen Wright and Greenberry Wright. The last-named was the first Master; John S. Wilson, first Senior Warden; and J. H. Rob- inson, first Junior Warden. There are now fifty members, officered as follows: H. N Ruffner, Worshipful Master; T. J. Bowling, Senior Warden; J. C. Leith, Junior Warden; L. Smith, Treasurer; Isaac S. Reed, Secre- tary: C. R. Hanson, Senior Deacon; A. Bai- lie, Junior Deacon; and S. H. Bailie, Tiler. Mason Chapter, No. 76, R.\A.".M.'., was or- ganized March 21, 1865, and the charter members were C. B. Kitchell, Isaac H. Elkin, Jacob Goddard, J. D. Moody, B. H. Bod- well, Thomas H. Heeley, William H. Wal- lace, William McNeile and W'illiam B. Cooper. The first officers elected were: James Claypool, High Priest; I. L. Leith, King; and Jacob Goddard, Scribe. There are now thirty-five members, and the follow- ing are the officers: H. N. Ruffner, High Priest; H. B. Turner, King; Stephen Har- din, Scribe; T. J. Bowling, Captain of the Host; C. R. Hanson, Principal Sojourner; J. C. Leith, Royal Ai-ch Captain; John Mc- Cloy, W. F. Scott and J. L. Furneaux, Grand Masters of the Veils; Laurence Smith, Treasurer; J. L. Goddard, Secretary; and Henry M. Drewry, Tiler. The railroad accommodations of Mason are not the best to be seen in the coimty, by any means, and scarcely up to what might natur- ally be expected of a town from which so much shipping is done. In support of this 198 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. assertion, we make one other extract from the Mason correspondence of the Republicmi : " There is probably no village on the Central Railroad entitled to as much sympathy and assistance as our own town, and there is cer- tainly none that has received less. We shall make no pitiful mouth of the matter, nor cherish ill feelings aboiit it, but it is a fact that scores of places far less deserving than this have been the objects of repeated and lavish expenditures by the company. Thus far, however, Mason has paddled her own canoe successfully, and, thanks to the vim of her citizens she can continue to do so, with credit to herself and country. ' Never say die ' is her motto. But there is one consol- ing thought, the people of Mason are inde- pendent. Whenever panics drive them to 'brown jeans ' and ' shoddy,' they lose none of their native pride. They dance and have festivals and church fairs, and get drunk, with as much dignity and regularity as though their purses were stuffed. The aver- age Masonite is irrepressible. He can play billiards and pray and shout and dance with equal vivacity." Under this veil of himior and sarcasm is concealed a palpable fact, and that is, that the old, tumble-down, rickety railroad buildings, depots, etc., are a disgrace to a great railroad such as the Illinois Cen- tral, and the people are justified in grum- bling. They certainly deserve a respectable depot, if nothing more. The history of Mason during the late war belongs in part to a distinct chapter. But a brief mention of the part taken in the great struggle by the town cannot be well avoided. In 1861, the village of Mason was a micro- cosm. Not a movement of Scott, an order of the President nor an editorial of Greeley but was discussed and thoroughly ventilated by the people here, utterly regardless of what others might say or think. A few days after the fall of Fort Sumter, a flag, half as big as a quarter-section of land, was raised in the central part of the town, bearing the pat- riotic inscription, "Death to Traitors!" Pol- itics was a study for each one, ajid there was much whistling to keep up a show of courage and hopefulness. Mason was no more loyal or disloyal than other portions of the coun- try. There were those who opposed the war, and those who favored the most vigorous measures for prosecuting it until the rebell- ion should be crushed out; and this class predominated. Excitement was high, and the drum was heard daily as it beat for vol- unteers. In the spring of 18G3, a paper called the Loyalist was established, the Ijetter to aid the cause of the Union, and its loyal bolts were hiu'led at the heads of traitors with a boldness and a bitterness unequaled by Pren- tice or Brownlow. But these siibjeots are fully given in preceding chapters, and are merely alluded to here as a part of the his- tory of the village, which could not be wholly omitted. Toward the latter years of the war, and es- pecially in 1863, the village of Mason im- proved and prospered as it never had before. Indeed, at such a rate did it travel on the high road to wealth that it really had the cheek to set itself up as a rival to Effingham. A large number of buildings were erected, and some of the best yet put up in the iovvn, among them Vey's brick store, and Hai'din's and Baker's dwellings. After the close of the war, however, and the general stagnation of business which followed, together with the contraction of the currency, a check — a very material one — was put to the prosperity of the place. Improvements were few and of an. rmimportant character, and for the last dec- ade the increase in population and impor- tance have been exceedingly small. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 199 The village was incorporated in 1805, un- der an act of the Legislature. Its charter was amended by legislative enactment in 1867. Since then it has been governed by a Board of Trustees who look faithfully to the inter- ests of its citizens. The present board is as follows, viz. : Stephen Hardin, Ross Bil- lingsley, James Drewry, Goddard, James Richmond and D. S. Turner. Of this board, Stephen Hardin is President; Willis Richmond, Clerk; George Mills, Treasurer; and Joseph Donnelson, Marshal. The business of Mason at the present time may be thus summarized: Seven dry goods and grocery stores, by R. G. Gibson, A. Con- oway, Henry Hoggs, H. Tyner, Lawrence Smith, Ross Billingsley and Wiley Bivrk; one hardware store, by Henry Rankin; two drug stores, by R. S. Miller and J. P. Hutch- inson; and two millinery stores, three black- smith shops, three wood shops, two butcher shops, two shoe shops, one harness shop, one copper shop, one hay-press, one saw-mill, one gristmill, one livery stable, four grain ware- houses, a post office, 8choolhou8e,two churches and two lodges. Edgewood is situated about three miles south of Mason Village, at the crossing of the Illinois Central and the Springfield Di- vision of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroads. It is located on the south half of the north- east quarter, the north half of the southeast quarter, the southeast quarter of the north- west quarter, and the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter, of Section 32, of Ma- son Township. It was surveyed and plat- ted December 24, 1857, for the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad. The first house built was a dwelling erected by James Buckner; the next was put up by Byron Woodhull. The first store was a general assortment of goods kept by Ichabod Stedman in the station house, and was opened in 1859. A storehouse was erected in the latter part of 1859 by Stephen Balcom, and is now occupied by the hard- ware store of T. A. Schefflin. Mr. Balcom was in business for two years, and was one of the most enterprising businuss men ever in the town. He built the " Balcom Corner" in 1861, on Broad and Chestnut streets, con- sisting of four large storerooms, offices. Ma- sonic Hall, etc His death, in 1863, was a severe loss to the little town. Stedman & Emery built the tine store now occupied by Dr. Joseph Hall as a drug and jewelry store. In 1864, J. N. Faulk put up a large building in the east part of town. A. Goodnight was the first blacksmith. The post office was established in 1858, and Byron Woodhull was appointed Postmas- ter. Joseph Hall is the present Postmaster. The first school-teacher was Malissa Sted- man. The schoolhouse was erected in 1864, and is a frame building. Miss Lilly Land- enberg now teaches the young idea to shoot — paper wads. Ichabod Stedman erected a flouring-mill, saw mill and carding machine combined in 1862, which was quite a mammoth establish- ment. He operated it until 1862, doing a largo and profitable business, when it was destroyed by fire. Charles Heilgenstein built a steam fiom-ing-mill in 1868, which was also burned. It was rebuilt by Kay & This- tlewood some five years ago, and is a large three-story building, containing three run of buhrs, and does a fine business. The first religious organization was made by the Methodists several years before any church building was erected. They built a house iu 1870, at a cost of §1,800, but were unable to pay for it, and had to give it up. It is now used as a public hall, and the chiu-ch occupies the schoolhouse. Rev. 'Mi. Mall is the present pastor. St. Ann Roman Catholic Church was built 200 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. in 1866 by the Franciscans. There were originally about thirty families, and Father Kellin was the first rector. The church cost about $3,000, and the membership comprises forty-three families, under the pastorate of Eev. Father Eeisin, who has been with them three years. Edgewood Lodge, No. 484, A., F. & A. M., was organized October 3, 1866, and the charter issued by Most Worshipfiil H. F. H. Bromwell, Grand Master. The charter mem- bers were B. W. Burk, Thomas Hamilton, John McDonald, John S. Kelly, Jonathan Hooks, Thomas A. Austin, Jay N. Faulk, James L. Gillmore, F. G. Healey, David Dyer, William McNeile, A. Stedman, John Harrison, F. H. Belm, John Broom, M. A. Broom, G. W. Gary, L. D. Coonly, E. Pesk, J. A. Nevins, James McCaflrey and John Scasefl. The first officers were: John S. Kelly, Master ; Jonathan Hooks, Senior Warden; and Thomas A. Austin. Junior Warden. The present officers are: Joseph Danks, Master; John McCloy, Senior War- den; George Charlotte, Junior Warden; John McDonald, Secretary ; and Henry Tookey, Treasurer. The village of Edgewood was incorporated in 1869, and a Board of Trustees elected, as follows: E. Barbee, James Johnson, J. F. Erwin, Joseph Fiechs and Joseph Hall. E. Barbee was President of the Board, and Jo- seph Hall, Clerk. The present board is J. C. P. Vandervort (President), Joseph Hall (Clerk), Charles Kay, H. Tookey, H. Peterson and A. Goodnight. At present, the town presents the following business outlook: One dry goods store, two gi'ocery stores, two general stores, one hard- ware store, one drug and jewelry store, one furniture store, one restaurant, two mills, two churches, one schoolhouse, two hotels, sev- eral shops, three warehouses, two physicians, two railroads and one depot. CHAPTER XVII.* WATSON TOWNSHIP— SURFACE AND PHYSICAL FEATURES— COMING OF THE WHITE SETTLERS- THEIR LOCATIONS AND CLAIMS— SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE NOTED ONES— MILLS AND OTHER PIONEER INDUSTRIES— SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLHOUSES— CHURCHES —VILLAGE OF WATSON— ITS GROWTH AND BUSINESS. "DECUERENCES of the past, with the -*- *' recollections and associations which make it pass in life-like review before our mental vision, will continue to be, as of yore, a source of satisfaction, especially when they connect themselves with incidents reflected back from our own experiences. These re- minders vanish with the life of the partici- pants, when no landmarks remain to save us the pictures faintly delineated in the tablets of memory. To preserve these from forget- fulness before they have lost their distin- *By G. N. Berry. guishing originality is the work devolved upon the historian. History fails in its great mission when it fails to preserve the life features of the subjects committed to its trust. Local history, more than any other, com- mands the most interested attention, for the reason that it is a record of events in which we have a peculiar interest, as many of the participants traveled the rugged and thorny pathway of life as our companions, acquaint- ances and relatives. The township of Wat- son, which forms the subject of the following HISTOEY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 201 pages, is a somewhat diversified and broken bod}" of land, lying a little east of the cen- tral part of the county. The following town- ships form its boundaries : Douglas and Teutopolis on the north; Bishop on the east; Union on the south; Jackson on the west; and comprising, under the Congressional survey, Township 7 north. Range 6 east. It was named in honor of a prominent official of the Illinois Central Railroad, at whose suggestion the village of Watson was laid out and improved. The sm-face of the coun- ty is considerably varied, being high and roll- ing in the north and east, while the central part and the land lying along the several wa- ter-courses is mnch broken, and in some places rugged, hilly, and almost wholly unfit for cultivation. The southeastern portion consists of a gently undulating prairie land, interspersed with a number of small groves, and contains some of the most valuable farming lands in the township. Along the eastern border from the northern boundary south to the village of Watson, there is a stretch of level prairie varying from a mile and a half to two miles in width, the major- ity of which is very fertile and in a high state of cultivation. North of Bishop Creek, in the eastern part of the township, is a small tract of prairie also, but of more irreg- ular surface, the greater poriion of it being rather uneven, though very fertile. Originally, about three- fourths of the township's area consisted of timber land, much of which has of late years been cleared and brought into cultivation, while a great deal of the most valuable timber was cut and sawn into lumber at an early day, that busi- ness at one time being carried on quite ex- tensively. The largest and best growth now standing is found in the central part of the township, on the broken region alluded to, and along Salt and Bishop Creeks, and con- sists mostly of the following varieties: Wal- nut, oak of several different kinds, elm and sycamore in the low ground along the streams, where they often grow to gigantic sizes; hickory, ash, maple, locust, etc., with a thick gi-owth of underbrush, chiefly hazel, intervenincr on the high lands. The soil on these high and broken lands is rather thin, chiefly a white clayey nature, but, by proper tillage, it has been made to yield some very fair crops, especially wheat and oats, while it seems well adapted to fruit. Salt Creek, Little Salt Creek and Bishop Creek, with their several tributaries are the water-courses by which the township is watered and drained. The Illinois Central Railroad passes through the township, and has been the means of de- veloping the country's resources in a very marked degree by bringing its rich farming lands into easy and direct communication with the flourishing cities lying along that line. In 1830, a man by the name of Davenport, from Tennessee, emigrated to the wilderness of Illinois, with the hope of securing a home for himself and children. He located a little north of the present site of Watson Village, and improved a small patch of ground, which he afterward entered. Here for several years this lone pioneer family lived, in their little pole hut, uncheered by the presence of friends or neighbors, toiling in the meantime for a scanty existence, which the wild condi- tion of the country at that time could scarce afibrd. The region siuTounding the rude domicile abounded in gray wolves, large, gaunt and fierce, while an occasional black one was to be seen, and was much more to be di-eaded. The right of Davenport to the few pigs and sheep which he brought with him was hotly contested by these denizens of the woods, and, in order to maintain his claim, a tight inclosure was made, in which the 202 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. stock -was penned and carefully guarded every night; yet, in spite of this precaution, a number of unlucky porkers were nabbed up and carried off by the alert enemy. Davenport lived here until the year 1840, and made, during the period of his residence, a number of improvements, chiefly in the way of building, clearing and fencing. His death, which occurred in the above-named year, was the first event of the kind in the township, and his grave, marked by the 8imj)le epitaph of his life and death, can still be seen in the old cemetery which he set apart for the bui'- ial of the dead. The next settler was John Hutson, who came from the far-off State of Alabama, and located in the southwest cor- ner of the township about the year 1835. He made but few improvements, aside from a small cabin; sold his claim about two years later, to a man by the name of Hart, and went to the State of Missouri, where he after- ward died. The place is now in possession of Edmund Loy, an pearly settler near the town of Ewington. An early settlement was made on Salt Creek, near the northeastern part of the town- ship, by Benjamin Bryant, a short time after Hutson came to the country. Bryant was from Kentucky, and apjaears to have been a man of rather reckless character, and not particularly noted for piety. His residence in the township will cover a period of per- haps eight years, the greater part of which was spent in hunting, trapping, etc., but lit- tle attention being given to his improve- ments. On account of some domestic troub- les, he left the country rather abniptly, and took up his residence in Missouri, near St. Louis. His family remained here, where numerous descendants still live, and are of the substantial citizens of the county. Among the early settlers of Watson was a man of the name of Browning, a relative of the Davenports, who came into the present limits of the township as early as the year 1838, and opened a little farm on Section 29. He sold his claim shortly afterward and left the community, and the farm is now in pos- session of J. V. Bail, of Watson Village. A man named Hafhill was one of the early pio- neers of this section, having located near the northeastern part of the township some two years after Hutson made his appearance in that neighborhood, but he does not seem to have made any permanent improvement. One of the most noted characters in the early settlement of this part of the county was an old hunter known as " Ci " Blansett. The date of his arrival was not ascertained, but he probably hunted over every acre of the township when there were but two or three scattering settlements in it. He built a rude log cabin near the Hafhill place, ai'ound which he cleared a little garden spot, where he raised a few vegetables. His chief sup- port, however, was derived from his rifle, and many stories are told of his encounters with wild beasts and his wonderful success in hunting. When he had killed a sufiicient number of deer to make a load, he would jjack the hams and skins in his wagon, and, with an ox team, start for St. Louis, where an exchange would be made for groceries, ammunition and other commodities. As the country settled up and game became scarce, Blansett concluded that, like Daniel Boone, it was high time for him to leave; so, load- ing up his few household eflects, and turn- ing his face toward the setting sun, took his departure for the far West, where he could find a home more to his tastes, away from the fetters of civilization. John Funk came from the South about the year 1840, and set- tled near the central part of the township, where he resided for five years. He earned the reputation of being a good citizen, and HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 203 did much, in a quiet and xinobtrusive way, toward advancing the material interests of the community in which he lived. Prominent among the early settlors was Michael Sprinkle, a man well known through - ont the township, and universally respected, and who came in the year 1841. He located near where Watson now stands, and after- ward Bold out to his son and moved to Ew- ington. Several years ago, he moved back into this township, where he still resides, one of the oldest settlers now living within its limits. From the year 1841 to 1846, the following settlers made their advent into the township and settled in different portions of it: Daniel Rinehart, William Moody, Alex- ander McDuester, Thomas Hillis, John Tay- lor, Daniel Le Crone, William Le Crone, and the Loy family. Rinehart was prominently known in the early settlement as a man of more than ordinary intellectual abilities, and to him the citizens were wont to look for their instruments of writing, legal advice, and other items of knowledge generally belong- ing to the legal profession. He settled on the farm where Michael Sprinkle now lives, to whom he sold the place after he had occu- pied it about twelve years. From this town- ship he went to Ewington in the year 1853, but moved back again, and died in Watson some nine years ago. For a number of years, he served the people of the county as County Clerk, and discharged the duties of that office in an acceptable manner. A son of Erastus N. Rinehart is the present State Senator from this district, and a prominent man of Effingham. Moody entered the land where William Le Crone now lives, which he occupied about five or six years, when he dis- posed of the place and moved to Missouri. McDuester improved a tract of land near the northern boundary of the township, which is still in possession of his family. Hillis and Taylor both came from Ohio and purchased claims in the northeastern part of the town- ship. Daniel Le Crone came also from Ohio, about the year 1842, and settled where his son, William L., now lives. The family originally came from Pennsylvania, but had been resi- dents of Ohio a short time before moving here. One son lives in the city of Effing- ham, where for a number of years he has been a leading physician. The Loys were an important family in pio- neer times, and the name continues to hold a respectable place in the county. They were from Alabama, and made the long journey to this part of the country with teams — an un- dertaking at that time quite formidable, and fraught with a great deal of peril. It would compare well with the embarkation of the Pilgrims, who left their native shore two hundred years earlier to make their way across the deep, to find a home in the New World. Indeed, the hardships of the wilder- ness road which lay before them were nearly as great as those experienced by those on board of the Mayflower, while the length of time required to complete the journey was almost as great. The roads in the South at that time were but poor, and, after crossing the Ohio, consisted of mere trails, through sloughs, over hills, fording creeks and ferry- ing rivers. There were but few bridges across the streams then, especially on this side of the Ohio, and during the journey many of the water-courses were so swollen by rains that the emigrants were compelled to go into camp for several days to wait for the flood to subside in order to cross over. Their little stock of provisions soon gave out, but they did not suffer for food, as the limber and prairie were full of game, and the rifle sup- plied them with plenty of meat. The cattle easily subsisted on the grass that grew along the road. In this manner, the long, weari- 204 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNT \. some journoy was at length completed, much to the relief of all concerned. The original place of settlement was in Shelby County, wh(!re tlie family remained but a few years, and afterward moved to this county and lo- cated in Jackson Township. From the lat- ter, John Henry Loy came into Watson about the year 1845. He had several sons, all of whom were prominently connected with the early history and development of the coimty. Joseph Loy, the oldest, came to this town- ship from near Ewington, about the same time his father settled here, and located a farm a short distance east of the village of Watson, where he still lives. John and De- witt C, brothers of Joseph, selected their homes in the northern part of the township, where each has a very handsome prof)erty, and are among the well-to-do citizens of the county. Another brother, Thomas Loy, was a prominent settler also, and figured rather conspicuously in the early politics of the county, having been called to fill the offices of County Treasui'er, Surveyor and Rejare- sentative at different times during his life. This comprises the early settlement of Wat- son Township as far as we have been able to learn, though there may be other names equally entitled to a mention in these pages. Their early struggles and hai'dships, and trials incident to the pioneer's life, are but a repetition of those experienced by all settlers in a new and uninhabited region, and is il- lustrated by the Loys' trip to the country. Many daring deeds by these unknown heroes have passed into oblivion, and many of the foregoing list who labored hard to introduce civilization into this part of the country now lie in obscure graves, unmarked by the sim- plest epitaph. Those of the number who still live little thought, as they first gazed upon the broad waste of prairie, the unmo- lested groves, dense and tangled with brush and brier, that all this wilderness, in their own day, would be made to blossom as a garden. Little thought had they of seeing beautiful homes, waving fields of golden grain, green jiastures and grazing herds, where the bounding deer, crouching and howling wolf, held unmolested sway. "All honor then to these gray old men, When at last they are bowed with toil; Their warfare then o'er, they battle no more, For they've conquered the stubborn soil." The majority of the early pioneers of South- ern Illinois were men of moderate cirL'um- stances, and came here desirous of bettering their fortunes. Like all pioneers, they were kind to a fault, and ever ready to do a favor. They came with but a meager outfit of this world' 8 goods, but, strong in faith and hope, expected to increase their worldly store, and provide a home where to pass their declining years. The emigrant, upon his arrival, be- gan at once preparations for a «helter. Dur- ing this period, the family lived in a wagon, or occupied a temporary hut made of poles, with no floor except that of mother earth, and no windows except the interstices be- tween the logs forming the walls. Should the time of arrival be in the spring, this simple structure sufficed for a house until the crops were sown, when a more comfortable abode was prepared for winter. The crops were principally corn and a few p)otatoes. Wheat and the other cereals were not raised for a number of years after the firs: settle- ments had been made, on account of the poor condition of the soil, which, at that time, was very wet and ftiarshy, especially oli the prairies. A serious difficulty was experienced in raising corn, owing to the early frosts, which were sometimes so severe as to com- pletely ruin the entire crop, thus bringing upon the people a great many hardships. Edmund Loy speaks of one of these frosts. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 205 which occurred about the year 1847, as hav- ing entailed a great amount of suflfering upon the community. It happened so late in the season that replanting was out of the ques- tion, and the corn for family use had to be purchased at the exorbitant price of $1.25 per bushel, equivalent to about three times that amount at the present day. The wheat used was purchased from the older settlements further south and east, and formed but an in- significant part of their diet, white bread, cakes, pies, etc. , being luxuries enjoyed only at rare intervals. Wild game of all kinds was numerous, deer being so plenty that ^hey would come into the stable yards, and feed with the domestic stock; during the cold win- ters, wild turkeys were more common than chickens are now. An incident is related of a family that kept a pile of corn in one room of the house, and were compelled to keep the door tightly closed in order to save it from a di'ove of these birds that flocked on the porch. Wolves were everywhere to be seen, and proved such a trouble to the farmers' live stock that systematic hu.nls had to be planned for the purpose of ridding the country of them. The first improvement to which the pioneer looks after having procured a habitation for himself and family, is a mill, a piece of ma- chinery that always accompanies civilization. Meal was first obtained by crushing the corn when di-y in a kind of rude mortar made by chiseling out a hollow in the top of a round oak stump. The pestle was an iron block made fast to a sweep, and with this simple contrivance a coarse article of meal could be manufactured. A still simpler means was often resorted to before the com had become hard enough to shell, namely, the common tin grater. The first mill patronized by the early residents of Watson stood on the Little Wabash in the northern part of what is now Union Township, and was operated by Frederick Brockett, one of the earliest pioneers of Effingham County. It served as a source of supplies for a number of years, until a small horse-mill was erected in the southwest part of the township, near the village of Watson. The name of the perscm who built and oper- ated this mill is unknown, and the time it was in operation could not be ascertained. Each person who brought a grist was obliged to furnish his own team, wait his turn and do his own grinding. On one occasion, when there was quite a crowd at the mill waiting their respective turns, two men got into an angry discussion with the proprietor about their time, and several sharp epithets were bandied back and forth. The crowd inter- fered and prevented a tight, but the two bel- ligerent farmers swore that they would be even with the " d — d miller, and that riglit early." On going to start the mill the fol- lowing morning, the miller found no buhrs, they having disappeared during the night. A number of persons had by this time arrived at the mill with their grists, and among others the two parties that tigiired in the quarrel with the miller the previous day. After searching the place for some time and not finding the buhrs, a strong two-fisted giant of a farmer got upon a stump, and said he knew who took them, and added with a sig- nificant look in the direction of the two sus- pected parties, that if " them air stones ain't brung back before another day, I'll kick the everlasting stuffin' out of the fellers that carried 'em off." These words had the de- sired effect, for on the following morning the mill was in readiness for iiinning. Thomas Loy built a horse-mill in the northern part of the township about 1851, and operated it for several years, and did a very good business. Aside from these two there were no mills built in the township until the year 18(57, 206 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. when a combination mill was put in operation at the village of Watson. The subject of education has from an early date received a good deal of attention in this township. Long before the law authorizing a system of public schools was in force, the pioneers of Watson took steps toward the education of the youth in the primary branches of learning. Comparatively few of the first settlers were men of letters, most of them having been children when the matter of book learning in the States where they were brought up was yet considered a matter of minor importance. And yet these j'^ople seemed to fully realize the losses they had sustained in the neglect of their own school- ing, and were therefore anxious to do the next best thing, by making amends in the case of their own childi-en. The first school was kept in a little pole building that stood near the northwestern part of the township about the year 1846. The second school- house was built a few years later, and stood about one hundred yards west of the place occupied by fi e one alluded to. The teacher who conducted the first school in this build- ing was a man named James Leavitt, but we are unable to state from whence he came or whither he went. No certificates of qualifi- cation were at that time granted, so we are unable to enlighten our readers as to Prof. Leavitt's scholastic attainments. One of the early schoolhouses was built near where Hen- ry Loy now lives, in the northern part of the township. It was erected by the neighbors for a young man who had come into the com- munity a short time previous for the purpose of securing a school. After he had canvassed the neighborhood and gotten the names of nearly all the settlers on his subscription list, a very bad rejiort concerning him was circulated. It was stated that he was a gam- bler, pickpocket, blackleg, and had run away from his wife, who was at that time living in Ohio. He denied the report and branded it as a villainous lie, but many of the people gave it credit, and swore he should not teach the schools, while those who did not believe it, were as determined that the school should go on. The feeling of the neighborhood waxed hot over the affair, but the opposition carried the day, for a party of men met one night, proceeded to the schoolhouse and tore it to the ground. Among those who gloried : in the part they took in the transaction were i James Loy, Robert and William McCannon. ! The teacher left, and it was afterward ascer- tained that the reports concerning him were tinged considerably with the truth. The fii'st frame schoolhouse was built in the sum- j mer of 1859, and is known as the Boggs Schoolhouse. It was in this building that the first public school of the township was taught the winter following its erection. Th3 present schoolhouses are in the main ! good and well furnished. The schools are i ably conducted by competent teachers, and the advantages of a liberal education are within the easy reach of all. Among the early pioneers of Watson were many pious men and women, and its religious history dates from the period of its settle- ment. The first preachers were Methodist, and came as one crying in the wilderness, and wherever they could collect a few of the pioneers together, they proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation " without money and without price." The first religious sei'vices held within the present limits of the township were conducted at the residence of John Loy shortly after he came to the countiy. A class was organized at^the place which after- '. ward grew into a flourishing church known as " Loy Chapel," where services are still held. John Loy was the first Class Leader, and Revs. Allen and Williamson among the HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 309 earliest pastors. Among the original mem- bers can be named Elizabeth Funk. Catharine Bi-yant, Mahal a Loy, Thomas Loy and wife and John Loy and wife. Loy's residence served as a preaching place about two years, when meetings were held at a neighboring Bchoolhouse. Their present neat church edi- fice was erected in the year 187-4, and is^a very comfoi'table and substantial house of worship: it is frame and cost the sum of $1,- 100. The membership has fallen off consid- erably of late years, there being only about thirty- five members now belonging, under the pastorate of Kev. J. Harper. Connected with the church is a flourishing Sunday school, under the superintendency of a very worthy gentleman. A Lutheran Church was established sev- eral years ago, which is at this time a flour- ishing organization. They have a neat tem- ple of worship in the northern part of the township, where services are regularly held. Few facts or statistics, however, relative to this church were obtained. The Village of TFa^so?i.— This thriving little town is situated near the southeast cor- ner of the township, and dates its history proper from the 26th day of October, 1857, at which time it was sui'veyed into lots by the Deputy County Surveyor for John L. Bar- nard, proprietor of the land. The necessity of the town was ci-eated by the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad, which had been completed through the country a short time previous, and it is to the suggestion of one of the offi- cials that the town was laid out. The first building erected was a small storeroom, in which a general stock was kept by David Trexler, who, after one year, sold out to Martin LeCrone. The latter increased the stock, built up an extensive trade, and for about one year did a verv flourishine: busi- ness. The building was burned about the year 1S60, entailing quite a heavy loss on the proprietor, as the greater amount of the goods was destroyed. A second stoic was started in the year 1859, in a building erect- ed for the purpose by C. T. Bun-oughs, who did a good business with a general assort- ment of goods for about six years. Kire Bradley started the third store some time diu-ing the year ISGO, and continued in busi- ness four years, when he was succeeded by Moore & Greenleaf. who in turn disposed of the stock to J. F. Bartley. Some time later, Barkley & Abraham opened a store and erect- ed a substantial building, a short time after- ward, and sold goods as partners for about eight years, when the entiie stock was pur- chased by the latter, who still runs the busi- ness. The large frame storehouse near the central part of the village was bixilt in the year 18G4 by Hvmies & Howe, who stocked it with a line of goods representing a capital of $6,000 or $7,000, and for five years contin- ued the business together, when the firm was changed to Hvmies & Cooper. Cooper bought Humes' interest one year later, and conducted a very flourishing trade for two j'ears, when ho closed out the entire stock, and for some time the building stood idle. It is at present owned by W. M. Anderson, and occupied by the Schooley Bros, as a fumitm-e store. H. A. Vance opened a hardware store in the year 1867, but closed out his business after run- ning it for two years. The room in which he kept his stock was afterward occupied by F. Lloyd & Co.'s general store. The last named was succeeded by W. T. Jaycox, who pur- chased their goods, although he occupies another building at this time. A steam saw-mill was built in the year 1867 by A. J. Vance, to which a set of buhrs was afterward added. It has been in opera- tion ever since, and is at present run by W. M. Anderson, the proprietor. Dr. G. S. 212 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. The following parties represent the present business interests of Watson: W. T. Jaycox and W. M. Abraham keep general stores; Schooley Bros, handle all kinds of furniture; J. A. Spinkle has a neat drug store; Flem- ing & Selby, wagon and carriage makers; C. C. Smith, boot and shoe maker; J. V. Bail, blacksmith. The railroad business is man- aged by Mr. Claar, while Miss Lidy deftly manipulates the telegraph keys. The first post office was established about the year 185(5, and John Irwin was appointed Postmaster. It was known as Salt Creek Post Office until the year 1868, when the name was changed to Watson upon petition of the citizens. W. M. Abraham is the present Postmaster. CHAPTER XYIII. JACKSON TOWNSHIP— INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION— TOPOGRAPHY, ETC.— SETTLE- MENT OF WHITE PEOPLE— PIONEER IMPROVEMENTS AND BUSINESS INDUSTRIES— SOME EARLY INCIDENTS— BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES— MILLS, ROADS, ETC. SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES— VILLAGES, ETC., ETC. " Build yet, the end is not; build on, Build for the ages unafraid; The past is but a base whereon These ashlars, well hewn, may be laid, Lo, I declare I deem him blest Whose foot, here pausing, findeth rest." THE world in its onward rush is now taking time to look back, and the story of the pioneer is becoming one of absorbing inter- est. Illinois was for years considered ' ' out west," and its people, scarcely out of the brush, took little interest in those traditions relating to a condition of society but little removed from their own. But the grand march of civilization has pressed back the Western frontier, until, instead of bordering the Mississippi River, it rests upon the shore of the Pacific, and has made the once North- western Territory the central link in the brill- iant chain of States. This awakening to the true value of the early history of this coun- try comes, in many respects, too late. Most of the pioneers have been gathered to their fathers within the last decade, and one by one the old landmarks have decayed and passed away with those who reared them, while that period is fast rolling on when *By W. H. Perrin. none can truly say, "I remember them or their works." Thus while we may, we will rescue from oblivion the facts and reminis- cences, so far as attainable, of this section. Jackson Township is largely taken up with the Wabash bottoms, and hence has much broken and hilly timbered land, with a very little level prairie in the western part. It is southwest from Effingham, and is bounded on the north by Summit Township, on the east by Watson, on the south by Ma- son, on the west by Mound and the Congres- sional survey lies in Township 7 north, and Range 5 east, of the Third Principal Meridian. Its principal drainage is through the Little Wabash and its numerous tribu- taries. The Wabash fl^ows in a southerly di- rection through the eastern part of the town- ship, receiving the waters of Big Creek, Second Creek and Funkhouser Creek ; Brockett and Coon Creeks are tributaries of Big Creek. These numerous streams form an excellent system of natural drainage, af- ford an ample supply of stock water, and if properly utilized would furnish power to numberless mills and other machinery. The HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 213 original timber was similar to that described in Summit and other townships of the coun- ty, and in the bottoms consisted of walnut, papaw, Cottonwood, sycamore, sugar maple, buckeye, soft maple, etc., etc., and upon the plains and ridges, the different oaks, hickory, and other hardy growths. The township comprises considerable good land, and along the river bluffs and hills there may be found some that possesses little value, except for the timber. The early settlers, the men who first flocked to the hills and plains of Jackson Township; the men whose voices rang first through its ! heavy forests while yet the footprints of the red man lingfered in the sands; the men whose bullets first pierced the bounding deer that played and hid among the trees, are those around whom linger the most thrilling interest. The most of them are gone to that country where there are no pioneer trials and hardships. Some of the first settlers in the county located in this township; here dwelt and figured some of the most distin- ' guished characters the county has known, and here was the familiar " stamping ground" of Ben Campbell, to whom Mr. Bradsby has paid a fine tribute in a preceding chap- ter. To these pioneers and early settlers we will now devote a few pages. The first settlement in what now forms Jackson Township was made by Isaac Fau- cher in 1825, and is one of the earliest settle- '• ments made in the county. His brother, Byrou Fancher, settled a year or two later. They were from Tennessee, and Isaac settled on the place where Judge Ciillenwaters after- terward lived. Byron was in the Black Hawk war, and was a good and upright man. He ] afterward sold out and moved to Texas. Isaac died in the township many years ago. Ben Campbell — the David Crockett, the Daniel Boone of the back woods — ^was the next settler in this township. He came about the year 1826-27, and for many years took an active part in opening up the country and paving the way for the tide of immigration sweeping over the country from the East to the A\'est. He is so fully written up, how- ever, elsewliere, that we can add nothing without repetition. Jesse and Jack Fulfer came also in 1826. They were from the South, but it is not known from what State. They were not very pushing or energetic, but lived mostly by " days' works." They are dead and have no descendants now living in the county. Thomas I. Brockett came in 1828, and was the nest addition to the set- tlement. Two brothers, Fred and William, were also early settlers in the county. They were all from Tennessee. Fred lived on the road to Blue Point, and William lived near the line, but probably in Union Township. Fred had a grist mill and saw mill on the Little Wabash, in Union Township. Thom- as was instrumental in having the tii'st school taught in the township. They are all dead and gone years ago. Among the aiTivals of 1829 were Samuel Bratton, Andrew Lilly, Henry Tucker, Will- iam Stephens, Jacob Nelson and his sons. Bratton came from some one of the Southern States. He settled in Jackson, but afterward moved into Douglas. He has no descend- ants in the county. Lilly was also from the South, and is long since dead. He used to "shove the queer," it is said, and was a great "chum" of Hull, who was finally sent to the penitentiary for making and passing counterfeit money. Tucker was from Ten- nessee, and settled down in the river bottom, where he died. He has two sens, John and James, still living in the township, both of whom were in the Mexican war. Mr. Tucker was an honest and honorable man, and high- ly respected in the community. William 214 HISTORY OF ErriNGHAM COUNTY. Stephens settled in this township, then moved into "Watson, and later moved away from the State. Nelson came from Tennessee and settled in White County, 111., in 1828, and the next year came here. He^iirst settled on Limestone Creek, and then in this township, on the place where Calvin Mitchell now lives. He "ciit the first stick" on that place, im- proved it and afterward entered it. He had a son named Peter and another named Wash. All of them are dead — Peter probably ex- cepted. He moved up north, came back, and finally moved away again, and was living the last known of him. The year 1830 brought a few more set- tlers to the township, among whom were Jesse White, Alfred WaiTon, Hemy P. Bailey, George and Enoch Neaville, Micajah Davidson and James Tui-ner. White was from Tennessee, and was a single man when he came. He man-ied soon after, however, and settled down on the river, but afterward moved out on the prairie. Bailey was also from Tennessee, and was the first Sheriff of the county He still has quite a number of descendants in this and the suiTOunding townships. Neaville was a Frenchman, and came from Alabama George, who was the father of Enoch, moved to Missouri, and finally died on the Gasconade River. Enoch moved into Watson Township, and died there. Davidson fii'st settled here and built a little mill, then sold out and moved over into Mason. Warren settled on the place where ' Ben Campbell died. He then moved across the Wabash onto the place where Tom Aus- tin now lives, and there died. James Turner, one of the last members of the old guard, and with Judge Broom, Judge Gillenwaters, and Mr. John Scott, the oldest settlei's now living in the county, is a native of Virginia. He emigrated to Tennessee in 1823, and in the fall of 1830, came to Illi- nois, locating in Jackson Township. He still lives on the place where he originally settled, and can tell many stories, and relate many interesting incidents of frontier life; of how the pioneer left the civilization of the older States behind him, located in this wild region, far removed from the influence of the schoolhouse and the chiu'ch, drove back the savages, and paved the way for the blessings of to-day. "Uncle Jimmy," or "Grand- pap," as his intimate friends call him. will tell you how for years he tanned his own leather m troughs, and made the shoes for his own family and children. And a large family he had — nine sons and two daughters. The sons all grew to manhood, and sis of them are still living; one of the daughters lives in the township, and the other in Cali- fornia. Mr. Turner is the only one of the early settlers of this township, except Mr. Scott, now living. His memory is excellent, and his descriptions of pioneer life vivid and interesting. To him we are indebted for much valuable information, not only of this township, but of other portions of the county. The Gallants settled in the township in 1831, but of them few facts were obtained. John O. Scott came here in 1832. He was a single man, but a few years later he mar- ried, as all true men should, thus carrying out the divine injunction to "multiply and replenish the earth." He and his good wife, who was Martha Parkhiu-st, are both living, honored citizens of the city of Effingham. Their recollection of early times and hard- ships is clear, and has been the means of preserving many historical facts from obliv- ion. Mrs. Scott's father, Jonathan Park- hui'st, was a native of New Jersey, but had ived some years in Tennessee, some years before moving to this State. He first settled in White County, 111., where he remained HISTOKY OF EFriNGHAM COUNTY. 215 some years, then came to this county, and settled in Mason Township; a few years later, he moved into Jackson. Thus, slowly the settlers came in, until all the available land was taken up and occupied. While the pioneers had many sources of pleaeirre and pastime, their early years here were years of toil. They had no mills near by, no agricultm-al implements, except a few of a very crude character, and, indeed none of the luxuries and but few of the comforts of life. Their clothing was made at home, of cotton and flax, grown by themselves, and of the skins of wild animals, moccasins in- cased their feet, and their food, if not "lo- custs and wild honey," the latter at least was included in the bill of faro as one of the main staples of food, and was plenty in the forest. Wild beasts were plenty, and some- times dangerous to cope with, if ravenously hungry, add to this the insects and reptiles, which were as thick as the leaves upon the trees, and the reader will conclude that pioneer life was not all sunshine. But with the increase of settlements, and the advance of civilization, improvements were made in the way of living from time to time, better implements and tools were brought in, and life became more endurable and enjoyable. The incidents that gave zest to frontier life were frontier weddings — these were times of general rejoicings, and ail with- in a large circle was invited and attended as punctually as when the occasion was a hoase-raising or a corn-husking. Sev- eral weddings occun-ed in Jackson Town- ship while it was yet in the pioneer period of its existence. Of those were Enoch Neaville and Laura Pugh, Mike Robinson and Delilah Pugh, .Jesse White and Kate Neaville and John Scott and Martha Parkhurst. We cannot, like the modern Jenkins, give a full description of these fair brides, their trousseaus and wed- ding traps generally, but have no' doubt it corresponded with the happy events celebrat- ed. Ever since that wonderful triumph of millinery art long ago, of manufacturing an entire feminine wardrobe from fig leaves, female ingenuity has been equal to any oc- casion when a display of brilliant costumes was required, and it would be superfluous to say that her resources did not fail upon these occasions. An incident to the point, and illustrative of the times, is related by Judge Gillenwa- ters: Fred. Brockett's wife died, and some years ■ afterward he made up his mind to marry again, and began to cast about him for a suitable helpmeet. He went into the mat- ter much as he would have embarked in any other business enterprise. He mounted his horse and traveled from neighborhood to neighborhood, and everywhere his inquiries were for some " good looking, middle- iiged widow 'oman, who wanted to marry," that he was " out on the hunt of a wife, and would like to find such a 'owan. " Some distance south of here he made his usual inquiries, and was informed that about twenty miles back was the very woman who would fill the bill; that she was sensible, practical, and had plenty of the world's goods. He turned and retraced his steps, and went to see the wo- man. Afterward, when asked why he did not man-y her, he said " she wouldn't do at all," that he " didn't want any such a little, crooked, di'ied-up 'oman as that." But we are told that " time, patience and persever- ance will accomplish all things," so he finally succeeded in finding a woman to suit his tastes in all respects. In the regular coiu-se of human nature, births follow marriages, and the lirst birth in the township was a pair of twins with different fathers and mothers. They were, 316 HISTOKY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. however, born in the same house, on the same night, and was a son of Stephen Austin and a daughter of Thomas I. Brookett. The circumstances attending this " phenomenon " are detailed in a preceding chapter. They were soon followed by others. With so many pioneer weddings as we have accredited to Jackson, an increase of popalation is but a natural consequence. We were informed that the crop of children in the community was sure and large, hence it follows that these new married couples essayed to follow, or rather to carry out, the Biblical injunction — to " multiply and replenish the earth." The first death in the township was the result of an accident. Isaac Fulfer, in cut- ting a bee tree, was caught in some manner by a falling limb and crushed to death. The accident was a melancholy one, and the vio- lent death it involved cast a gloom over the entire settlement. The first person who died a natural death was a young man named Ciunmings, a nephew of Eod Jenkins. He came to the neighborhood with the intention of making it his home, and was taken sick soon after his arrival and died. He was buried at Jenkins', in a quiet spot where no graveyard had been laid out then, nor has beau since. The first graveyard was near Freemanton, and was laid out in a very early day. A number of private graveyards, or family burying grounds, have been made and peopled by the the " pale nations of the dead." Mills were one of the first improvements in which the people took an interest, after becoming settled down to work. Brockett had a mill down on the river, but there is some question as to whether it was in Jackson, Mason or Union Township. Funkhouser had a horse mill a little east of Freemanton. It would be thought a poor excuse as a mill at this day, but then it was considered a grand improvement. Tucker had a mill very early. It was on the Little Wabash, and had what was called a tub wheel. A man named Meeks built it for Tucker. * He was a sort of a millwright, and an early set- tler of the township, but no one knows now what became of him. Jonathan Parkhurst had a little horse mill, with stones about fif- teen inches in diameter. Some mischievous fellows, without the fear of God before them, stole them one night, and carried them off by running their arms through the hole in them, and they were not found for three months. It happened that this mill was the only " dry weather " mill then for a circuit of many miles. Mr. Turner says that during all that time they had to "grit" meal; and when the corn got too dry for that process, they would boil it in water until it got tight enough on the cob to enable them to " grit " it into meal. Eoads and highways were not laid out for several j'ears after settlements were made in the townshijis. The first roads were trails through the forests and prairies, made by the Indians. These were improved upon by the white people, and served as highways until roads were laid out and made by county authority. The old National road passes through a corner of Jackson, and is fully wi-it- ten up in preceding chapters of this work. When the county was organized, one. of the fii'st voting places was at the house of Thomas I. Brockett, and even before the county was formed, while it was yet a part of Fayette County, it was a voting place. The last election, before the organization of Effingham County, there were but thirteen votes polled at Brockett's — and they were solid for Gen. Jackson. We may add, that a majority of the voters in that neighbor- hood are still voting (figm'atively) for Old Hickory. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 217 The first goods sold in the township was by John Funkhouser, about the year 1833. He opened a store on the place where he settled, which is claimed by many to have been the first one established in the county, while others reject the authority. If Funk- houser's was not first, it was among the first. It certainly was the first in Jackson Town- ship< He carried on an extensive business in early times. Besides his store and mill, he was a great trader, and bought all the surplus products of the people. But so much has already been said of this pioneer business man that we can add nothing with- out repetition. By reference to the chapter on education it will be seen that the first school in the county was taught in this township by Elisha Park- hurst, then a boy but twelve years old, and that his schoolroom was a quarter section of Thomas I. Brockett's stable. Brockett was the sponsor or godfather of this school, and what the boy Elisha could not do in man- ageing it, Brockett did for him, and between them they carried on a pretty good school for the time. Another of the pioneer schools, and which Judge Broom believes to have been the first in the county, wr.s taught by Col. Houston in the south part of the township, near the line between it and Mason Township. It was taught in the first regular schoolhouse erected, perhaps, in the county. Mr. Turner says he helped to build it, and that it was constructed of round logs and had a wooden chimney, puncheon floor, etc. As population increased, and children likewise, other schools were established in the different neighborhoods, and schoolhouses built to ac- commodate them, lentil, at the present time, the township enjoys the most liberal educa- tional facilities. Churches were established coeval with the settlement of the township by white people. The Baptists were the pioneers of religion in this neighborhood, and mingled their hymns with the screams of the pimther and the howl of the wolf. The first preacher here, and probably the tii-st, at least among the first, in the county, were Elders Whitely and Surrells, regular Baptists, or as they are sometimes irreverently called "Hardshells," or "Ironjackets." Rev.' Sui-rells was the gi-andfather of Mr. W. P. SuiTells of Efl3ng- ham. They preached at people's houses long before there were any churches built in the county. James Turner's house was for years, a preaching place for these and other pioneer ministers. Old Sulphur Springs Baptist Chui'ch, and the old Methodist Church at Freemanton were the first churches built in the township. Sulphur Springs Baptist Church stood near the center of the township, and was built very early. It was burned in 1879. Its destruction resulted from a defective flue; there had been services, and scarcely had the people reached their homes, when the house was discovered to be on ffre; many rushed back but were too late to save the building, or anything else, except a few benches and other little things. A young man, at the risk of his life, entered the burning building, and saved the church bible, which was a very fine one, and highly prized by the congregation. The Sulphur Springs Baptist Church was rebuilt, and is now known as the First Baptist Chiu-ch. It stands on what is called "Little Prairie, " near the site of the old one, and was built during the winter of 1881-82, at a cost of about $1,000, It is a comfortable and substantial frame building. The pre- sent membership is Over one hundred and is under the pastorate of E14er T. M. Grifiith. A Sunday school is kept up all the year around. 218 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. Salem Methodist Episcopal Church South is located in the southwest corner of the township, and was built some twenty years ago. It has a strong membership and a good but plain frame chm'ch building. Rev. Herbert Reed is the present pastor. A Sunday school is kept up regularly. Union Ba,ptist Church, a kind of offshoot of the Sulphur Springs Baptist Church, is located on Section 9, and the building was put up in the spring of 1882. The organiza- tion of this church resulted from some dissensions which arose in the parent church, and the dissatisfied members withdrew and built this church. It is a union church, free to all orthodox Christians; is a substantial frame building and was put up at a cost of about S700. There is no regular preaching at present, but a good Sunday school is maintained. These, with the church at Dexter, and the one that formerly stood in the village of Freemanton, comprise the religious history of the township. The people have never wanted for church facil- ities, and if they are not moral and religious, it must be their own fault, and not for lack of Christian influences; neither was it for lack of these that the early years witnessed mu.ch dissipation and wickedness in the country. The village of Freemanton was laid out June 21, 1884, on the east half of the north- west quarter of Section 7, of this township. It was surveyed and platted by William J. Hankins, surveyor, for the proprietors of the ground. William and John Freeman were early residents and business men of the place, and from them the town took its name. It was originally called "The X Roads," and if all the reports in cii'culation concern- ing it are true, then Nasby's " Confedrit X Roads, wich is in the State of Kentucky," was a moral, dignified and circumspect place, as compared to Freemanton in its palmy days. It was a great place for drinking and fighting, and its reputation abroad was any- thing but enviable. Men were killed in Freemanton, but such incidents are better forgotten than perpetuated on the page of history. It was on the old National road, a few miles west of Ewington, and when that great thoroughfare (the road) was in the course of construction, the hands engaged upon it would Assemble regularly at Ewiug- ton and Freemanton, and filling themselves with the "craythur," the lively "scrim- mages" of Donnybrook would be re-enacted with compound interest. Many of the deni- zens, too, of the Little Wabash Bluflfs and of "Fiddler's Ridge" would come out semi- periodically, and then the fun between them and the road hands would be lively, and carried on in earnest. But as the coimtry grew older, society improved, the rough and lawless characters that frequented Freeman- ton, to the terror of the more quiet people, left for other fields and for the country's good. As will be seen from the date of its sm-vey, Freemanton is an old place, or was, for, like several other towns of Effingham County, it has passed away and is " numbered among the things that were." But it was once quite a business point, as well as a noted place morally, and — socially. The first store is believed to have been kept by Mr. Johnson. A store was opened very early by Toothacre and one by Bishop. A man named Jenks had a blacksmith shop, and later there were several other shops opened of diflerent kinds. "Dr." Bishop had a carding machine, which was run by horse-power. He afterward put in mill machinery and had a grist and saw mill, carrying on quite an extensive busi- ness. A post office was established at Free- manton, and Milton Flack was Postmaster. This was afterward discontinued, or removed HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 21» to Dexter. A tavern was kept by Toothacre; he also kept the stage stand, when those ve- hicles (the stage-coach) got to running over the National road. A church was built here very early, by the Methodists. It was a log structure, and stood down by the graveyard. It was never used by any other denomination regularly except the Methodists, who once had a strong chui'ch here. When the schoolhouse was built, it was used for church purposes by all sects who so desired. Rev. Mr. Lowry was a local Methodist preacher ?ibout Freemanton in an early day. The village of Freemanton flourished as all such places do, until the Iniilding of the railroads. The building of the National road gave it birth; the building of the Van- dalia Railroad sounded its death-knell. The construction of these modern internal im- provements has overwhelmed many a puny village, as earthquake.^ and volcanic eruptions overwhelmed cities of old. When the Van- dalia Railroad was built and opened for business, Freemanton ' ' wrapped the drapery of its couch ' ' about its " disgruntled " shops and stores and "laid down to unpleasant dreams." The site vtpon which it stood is now a flourishing farm. Quantum .sufficit. The village of Dexter, if a collection of half a dozen houses can be called a village, is on the Vandalia Railroad, but a few hun- dred yards from the original site of Freeman- ton, and is merely a railroad station. It has never been laid out as a town, and probably never will be. The first store was opened by H. H. Brown, soon after the completion of the railroad. Brown sold out to Joel Blake- ly, and he to J. H. Said, and the latter sold to McClure & Pope. There are now two stores in the place; one kept by J. W. Mc- Clure, and the other by Pantry. A hotel, the "Ohio House," and a few shops, com- prise the business of the place. The post office was moved from Freemanton. A Methodist Episcopal Church was built at Dexter in 1S75, and is a handsome frame building, costing about SI, 500. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Walker. The church is strong and flourishing, with an interesting Sunday school, which is kept up all the year round. A district schoolhouse has been built here, and is occupied for the us- ual school term. Granville, to which reference has been made elsewhere, is one of those towns that has disappeared from the very face of the — map. The exact place of its location is somewhat doubtful, and it is claimed both for Summit and Jackson Townships. From the records, however, it appears to have been situated on Sections 4 and 5, of Township 7, and in Range 5 east, which places it in Jack- son, near the Summit line. It was surveyed by Samuel Houston for John Funkhouser and W^illiam Clark, the proprietors. As to whether the town covered the two sections named, the records are indefinite, but we venture to give it as an historical fact that it did not, and that it never got beyond a few shops and stores, and a half dozen or so of dwellings. It was finally vacated by legis- lative enactment, when "its glory depai-ted forever," and its sun went down in darkness. 220 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. CHAPTER XIX/ UNION TOWNSHIP— INTRODUCTORY — BOUNDARIES AND TOPOGRAPHY— WHITE SETTLEMENT- FREDERICK BROCKETT — OTHER PIONEERS — INCIDENTS OF EARLY LIFE— THE FIRST ROADS — EDUCATIONAL — SCHOOLHOUSES— CHURCHES, ETC.— FLEMSBURG VILLAGE— A TRAGEDY AND ITS RESULTS. " The wolf and deer are seen no more Among the woods, along the shore ; And where was heard the panther's scream. The farmer drives his jocund team. Where once the Indian wigwam stood, Upon the border of some wood. The stately mansion now is seen. Amid broad fields and pastures green." f" I "'HE history of this township dates back to -*~- the advent of the first pioneers in Effing- ham County — not the very first solitary strag- gler who wandered into the wilds, as aimless in his movements as the Argonaut of old in his quest for gold over the face of the earth — but the first real pioneer, who came hunt- ing game as well as the fabled mines of pre- cious metal, game being the one supreme thing of life. This section of country is mostly heavily timbered, and its numerous streams suj^ply it with abundance of water, as well as give it a moat excellent drainage. It was these that, ages ago, made this point in the county the resort of many wild ani- mals, and the rendezvous of Indian tribes. The hoary trunks of tall, majestic trees, the commingling of their variegated foliage, their deep and dense shades, the wild fruits, bubbling springs, with their cool and grate- ful water, the natm-al beauties aud the pro- tection from storms and the elements, all combined to make this the home of birds, beasts and men. All this was sufiicient evi- dence to the pioneer hunter that here he •By G. N. Berry, could find that which he sought — game; and when he beheld these, he stopped, kindled his camp-fires, sat down on his log seat, and, in happy content, cooked his frugal meals. And as the blue smoke struggled up through the branches and leaves of the trees, and the fire threw its glaring light upon the weird, surrounding objects, the story was first told to the wild denizens of the woods that man, civilized man, with his death-dealing weap- ons, was come among them. • Union Township lies in the south central part of the county. It is considerably un- even and broken, and was originally about three-fourths heavily timbered, though of late years much of tlie timbered land has been cleared and brought into cultivation. There is a considerable tract of i^rairie in the southern and southeastern parts, and a very beautiful scooe of level land extending into the timber in the northeast corner; but, aside from these portions, the township surface is very rolling and hilly, with numerous ra vines traversing it in various directions. The banks of the Little Wabash, the princi- pal water-course, are very high, rugged and precipitous, and in places are composed al- most wholly of large masses of shelving rock and huge bowlders. Back from the stream a short distance, the land stretches away into a broad, flat bottom, especially in the north- ern part, which are covered with a dense for- est of the largest timber to be found any- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 321 where in the county, consisting mostly of olm, sycamore, ash. walnut, and a variety of other growths, while the uplands are covered principally by forests of large oaks, the best timber in this section of the country. The Little Wabash enters the township near the northwest corner, in Section 7, and flows in an easterly course about two miles, when it makes an abrupt turn in a southward direc- tion, crossing the county line about two miles from the western boundary in Section 32. This is a running stream all the year, and, during certain seasons, it becomes a raging ton'ent, frequently overflowing its banks for considerable distances on either side, doing a gi-eat deal of damage to the country. The chief tribiitary of the Little Wabash is Bish- op Creek, the second stream in size in the county. It flows through the township in a westerly direction, and empties in the for- mer, Ramsey Creek, a stream of consider- able size and importance, traverse? the east- ern part of the township and empties into Bishop about one mile east of the place where the latter unites with the Wabash. The other water-courses worthy of mention are Coon Creek, in the southwestern part of the township, and Little Bishop, in the northern part. As an agricultural district, this divis- ion of the county is not so good as some of the sister townships more recently settled, as the soil is not so fertile as that of the prairie. By proper tillage, however, it yields very fair crops of corn, wheat and other cereals commonly raised in this part of the ooimtry, and produces the best varieties of fruits, to which the soil seems well adapted. The bot- tom lands that have been cleared and brought into cultivation are much more fertile than the higher wooded portions, the soil in some places being several feet in depth, and of a rich vegetable mold. Union is bounded on the north, east and west by the townships of Watson, Lucas and Mason, in the order named, while Clay County forms its southern boundary. The first white man who broke the solitude of natiu'e within the present limits of Union was Frederick Brocket, one of the earliest pioneers of Effingham County. He settled in the northeastern part, on the Little Wa- bash, about the year 1829, and cleared forty acres of land in Section 18. A few years later, he erected a small " tub " mill on the river, the first piece of machinery of the kind ever operated in the county, and for several years the only flour and meal supply nearer than Vandalia or Terre Haute. Brocket op- erated it about eight years, when it was com- pletely destroyed by fire. The life and char- acter of this noted pioneer demand more than a mere passing notice. He was born in Ten- nessee, and his youth and early manhood were passed amid the genial, bracing airs of his mountain home, where he acquired, by following a life of constant exercise, a stock of that rugged vitality so necessary for a man who locates in a new and wild country. He came to this State when it was in the infancy of its existence, when there were but one or two sparse settlements within the present bounds of this county, and passed the vigor of his manhood in helping to build up and develop the country, in which he always took great pride. Unlike many of the first set- tlers on the frontier, he was a man of charac- ter, sterling integrity, a true Christian, and was widely and favorably known throughout the entire country during the early days of its history. He was first to take an interest in the cause of education in the township, and, as soon as there were children sufficient to start a school, fitted up a part of his resi- dence at his own expense, which he gener- ously donated for that purpose. When the school was in readiness, no one could be found 222 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. in the neighborhood sufficiently well quali- fied to act the part of instructor, so he took upon himself the labors of that position, also, and taught the first school in the southern part of the county. At the first election held in the precinct of which Union was formerly a part, he was ■ elected Justice of the Peace, which office he discharged very creditably for several consecu- tive terms. He accumulated a very hand- some property during the period of his resi- dence here, and built one of the fii'st frame houses in the county. His death occurred in the year 1856, at a ripe old age. The old place where his first little cabin stood is now owned by Henry Bushue and the Robinson heirs, and the mill site is in possession of "William Bradley. Martin K. Robinson, a son-in-law of Brock- et, was the next settler who came into this township. He arrived about one year later (1830), and the place whei-e he settled is a short distance east of the Brocket farm, on the same section. He cleared forty acres of ground, and, some six years later, purchased the mill site of his father-in-law, rebuilt the mill, which he operated for eight or ten years, and made, while running it, consider- able money. This he afterward invested in lands in the vicinity. His mill was de- stroyed by fire also, after having been in op- eration for some eleven years. It was after- ward rebuilt by a Mr. Bra,dley. At the time of Robinson's death, in 1857, he was in afflu- ent circumstances, and one of the largest land-owners in the coiinty. Two of his daughters are at this time living in the coun- ty — Mrs. Bradbury and Mrs. McManaway — the former in this township, and the latter in the village of Mason. About this time, a number of transient settlers, or, as they are generally called, squatters, located in the timber along the Little Wabash and Bishop Creeks, and built several cabins, around which small garden patches were cleared. They ap- pear to have been a very thriftless, do-nothing set, and spent the greater part of their time hunting and trapping, and, when the lands were entered by the settlers who came in af- terward, they left and moved on further West, all the time keeping just in the ad- vance of civilization. From this time until the year 1835, there does not appear to have been any additional settlements made in the township, as far as we have been able to learn. The latter year was signalized by the advent of a family of five brothers by the name of Gordon, who settled temporarily on the Little Wabash, a short dis- tance south of whereWillianiWilsonnow lives. Their names were William, Pleasant, Abra- ham, Joseph and Nelson, the last-named be- ing the only one that made any permanent improvements. The others were rather care- less, thriftless fellows, who spent most of their time in hunting and watching their large droves of wild hogs, which, at that time, required no feeding, as the abundance of mast found in the woods was their chief subsistence. In the fall of the year, these hogs would be hunted down and butchered, and the meat hauled to the nearest market place, or traded to the other settlers in the neighborhood. Nelson Gordon sold his land, in 1S47, to William Wilson, and, with his family, moved to Texas, where he was soon after joined by the rest of the brothers. The first legal entry of land in the town- ship was made in the year 1836, by Isaac Gordon, near Flemsburg Mill, in Section 30. He was an uncle of those already named, but, unlike them, was a man of considerable pub- lic spirit and enterprise, and did as much, perhaps, toward developing his township as any other man in it. The farm was pur- chased about ten years later, by a man HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. over twenty named Samilson, a Dane, who laid out the village of Flemsburg and built the second mill in the township. Hastings Hughes, a colored man, was an early settler, having come to the county as early am the year 1836, and settled in the northern part of the town- ship, where he entered and improved about eighty acres of land. He was the first black- smith in the township, and worked at his trade in connection with, his farm labor for several years. He afterward sold his land and moved to Flemsburg, where he built a shop which he, operated for years. "William and Redding Blunt, two brothers, and Kitchie Robinson, located near the cen- tral part of the township, on Salt Creek, in the spring of 1838, and were followed a lit- tle later by William and Joshua Moody, who settled near the northeastern part of the township, where they entered and improved about forty acres apiece. They were young unmarried men, and, after having erected a couple of small cabins on their respective claims, and cleared a few acres of ground, seemed to realize the full force of that Script- ural injunction that " it is not good for man to be alone." Their respect for this partic ular portion of Holy Writ having been in- duced by the presence in the neighborhood of two daughters of William Blunt, who found much favor in their eyes. A double marriage, in which the above parties were the chief actors, took place at the residence of the brides' father in the fall of 1840, and was the first ceremony of the kind solem- nized in Union Township. Squire Leith, of Mason, was ,the dignitary who gave legal sanction to the contract on that occasion, and it is to be presumed that another command of the Divine Word — to " multiply and till the earth " — was obeyed by the two happy couples, as the younger editions of Moody's, who became numerous in this locality in af- ter years, testified. A list of Union's early settlers would be incomplete without the name of John Trapp. He came into the township about the year 1838, and located a farm in the eastern part, near the place where Marion settled. He moved near Ewington a few years later, and figured rather prominently in the early poli- tics of the county, having been elected to the position of (!!lerk in one of the most hotly contested elections ever held in the county. Josiah and Martin Hull settled in the township, near Salt Creek, in the year 1842, and found, in addition to those previously mentioned, a man named Evans, who had preceded them, but of him we could learn nothing further than that he was accounted a very worthy man and an exemplary citizen. The Hulls were among the substantial pio- neers of Union, and cleared good farms, and were identified with everj' movement calcu- lated to advance the township's prosperity. Martin was elected Justice of the Peace about four years after coming to the county, and filled the office one year, when he sold the farm to a Mr. Sperling and moved from the township. Josiah disposed of his place in 1849 aud moved to Marion County, whore he is still living. In 184G, there were living in the town-ship, in addition to the families enumerated, Warren Neal, William M. Wil- son, Ahert Simmerman and Stephen A. W^ill- iams. Neal settled in the southeastern part of the township, where his widow, a very old woman, still lives. Wilson came to Illinois from Ohio in the fall of 1845, and located in Section IS, where he still resides, the oldest settler in the township. He served the peo- ple as Justice of the Peace from 1849 until 1872. Simmerman settled in the southern part of the township, where Charles Wilson now lives. He came from Virginia, and was 334 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUXTY. among the prominent citizens of the county. Williams was the tirst preacher in the town- ship, and organized the first religious society, at the residence of Simmerman, abotit the year 1848. He was a man of superior intel- lectual attainments, a gifted orator and a thorough business man. At the breaking-out of the late war, he entered the army as First Lieutenant, and participated in many of the hardest battles in the Southwestern cam paigns. He came home in the winter of 1862, on furlough, and died. The names of other early settlers could be added to the list already given, but the dates of their settlement, and facts concerning their early life have been obscured by the lapse of time. Many of the pioneers have passed away " as a tale that is told. " Others re- moved to distant lands, but by far the great- er number have passed into the " wiudowless palace of the dead, whose doors open not out- ward." For many years during the early history of this section of the country, the lives of the pioneers were not enviable. Their trials were numerous, and the obsta- cles they were called upon to encounter would discourage the bravest-hearted of the present day; yet, hard as was their life in the wil- derness, it had its seasons of recreation, if such could be called recreation. Raisings, log-rollings, etc., when the settlers from far and near would meet, and, while working, would recount various incidents, talk over old times, and thus relieve the monotony of their isolated situation. Light hearts, strong constitutions and clear consciences made the toilsome hours pass pleasantly, and old men now living, whose youth was spent among the stirring scenes of those times, look back with pleasiu"e to the old days as the most enjoya- ble period of their lives. Their fii-st duty was to provide a shelter, and their rude cab- ins were hastilv built, daubed with mud; the floors were often nothing but mother earth, made smooth and compact by constant usage, or of rough puncheon; and the bedsteads and tables, with a chair or two, were almost the sole furniture. Pewter plates and cups were common, and the huge, open-mouthed fire- place, surrounded by pots, skillets, ovens, pans, etc., were used for cooking, as stoves at that time were not in vogue on the frontier. Corn-dodgers, baked in an oven or skillet, and johnny-cake, baked on a board before a fire, with venison prepared in various ways, were considered food fit for the gods. The early roads through the woods and over the hills of this township were mere trails, that had originally been made by the Indians, and afterward improved by the peo- ple and made into highways. The first road that was surveyed and regularly established in the southern part of the county passed through the western part of this township, in a southerly direction, and known as the Louisville & Ewington road, as it connected those two places. The original route has been greatly changed during the last twenty years, and it is still one of the most extensively traveled highways in the county. Another early road was the one leading west from the Brocket Mill to Mason, where it connected with an important highway which ran to Vandalia. The Clay County & Mason road was established many years ago, and passed through the central j)art of the town- ship, from east to west. When first laid out, there were no bridges where these roads crossed the streams, and hence, in time of high water, travel had to be suspended. Now there are several good bridges over the principal water-courses, so that overflows are no impediment to travel. In educational matters Union Township is not behind her sister townships of the coun- ty. Her citizens have always taken special ^,^^ii0^' .m HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 227 interest and pride in the public schools, which have been well sustained and patron- ized. The first school, as already stated, was taught by Frederick Brocket, at his resi- dence, about the year 1846. The second term was taught at the same place, the following year, by William Ventis. Emoline Little taught about the same time, in a little log cabin that had formerly been occupied as a dwelling by John Trapp, and that stood a short distance east of the Brocket farm. A small hut. that had been abandoned bv a squatter by the name of Johnson, was fitted up for school purposes, and occupied by Dempsey Hamilton, who taught a three- months subscription school in the winter of 1847-48. The first regular schoolhotise was built in the fall of 1848,, and stood near Nel- son Gordon's residence, in Section IS. It was a good house, made of hewed logs, well furnished, and was supplied with a stove — probably the fii'st building of the kind in the country heated by such an appliance. The first public school in the township was taught by David Phelps, in this building, about the year 1849. It was used for school pm-poses for a little more than twenty years, when it was purchased by Samuel Leith, who moved it to his farm, and at present oc- cupies it as a residence. A frame school- house was erected near the same place in 1870, and is knovni as District No. 1. Among the early pedagogues who wielded the birch in Union were Minnie Anderson, John An- derson, James Anderson, Thomas Vanderver (now a prominent physician and druggist of Efiingham), Vincent Wyth and Dr. Allen. The township is well supplied with good frame schoolhouses at proper intervals, in which schools are taught about eight months of the year. The New-Lights, or Christians, as they call themselves, organized the first church in the township, at the residence of Ahart Simpson, as has already been stated, and met for worship there for a number of years. A building was afterward erected near the southern limit of the township, known as Bethsaida Church, where a small congrega- tion still meet. The' building is frame, and cost about $600. Among the early pastors were Stephen A. Williams, to whose labors the church owes its existence; Andrew Ho- gan, and a man by the name of Patterson. There have been religious services held in the schoolhouses throughout the township by ministers of several denominations at difier- ent times, but aside from the organization alluded to, no other church ever had an ex- istence in Union. Dr. James Long was the fu'st person to practice the healing art among the pioneers of Southern Effingham, and moved into the tovrashijj from Mason about the year 1846, and located near FlemsbiU'g. His profes- sional life in this part of the county extend- ed over a period of five or six years. The second maiTiage in the township took place in about the year 1846, at the residence of John Trapp, when his daughter, Catharine, and John Gordon, took ujjon themselves the responsibilities of matrimony. Rev. Stephen Williams officiated at the ceremony. It was in the month of November when this impor- tant event transpired, and the smiling groom app.eared before the guests gayly attired in his shirt sleeves, linen pants and, a pair of cow-hide shoes. Another early marriage was that of Calvin Broekett and ]\Iiss Rowena Hall, this year. The ceremony was per- formed by Squire Martin Hull, at the resi- dence of Joseph Hull, where the couple went for the purpose, the bride's father being kept in blissful ignorance, in the meantime, on account of his decided objection to the match. The first birth taking place in Union was a M 328 HISTORY or EFFINGHAM COUNTY. child of Martin K. Robinson, which was born shortly after the family moved to the town- ship. The old Brocket Graveyard was the first place consecrated to the burial of the dead, and is at this time so overgrown with brush and weeds that it could not be distin- guished, save for a slight paling around one little grave, where the child of some unknown stranger lies buried. The Flemsburg Mill was built by Hartwig Samilson, in the year 1850, on the Little Wabash, from which it received the power that operated it. It stood in Section 30, and was in operatinn about four years, when it was torn down and rebuilt on a much more improved plan, and has been doing a very good business ever since. Mr. Samilson laid out a small village at this point in the year 1851, and a store was opened soon after by Messrs. Thole & Ruse, who conducted busi- ness for about two years. A few residences were erected and a blacksmith shop built, but the village was destined to be of short dura- tion, as there were no inducements for busi- ness men or mechanics to locate here. The store was closed out by Mr. Ruse in the year 1854. aad the dwellings gradually disap- peared, until now there is nothing of the town except one blacksmith shop and the mill. A horrible murder was committed near the place in the year 1860, under the following circumstances: A man by name of Shep- herd, living about one mile east of the river, entered a piece of land adjoining his farm, on which a couple of squatters by name of "Shell" and "Dick" Russell had settled some time previous. They refused to leave the land, and the rights of property were tried before Squire Wilson, who retiu'ned a verdict in favor of Shepherd, whereupon the Russell brothers took an appeal from the decision to the court. Satui'day before court convened. Shepherd went to the village of Mason to do some trading, where he remained till dark, and started home after night. He was met on the Flemsburg bridge by the Russell boys and two associates, Scott How- ell and Jacob Booher, knocked off his horse with a heavy club, dragged down the stream a short distance and thrown over the bank into the water. The horse was found the following Monday by some neighbors, who went out to look for Shepherd. The saddle was covered with blood, which at once aroused suspicions of foul play. Upon further search, the body of Shepherd was found on a sand-bar, on which it had fallen when thrown over the bank. The murderers were arrest- ed, tried, their guilt established, and they ware sentenced to be hanged. A short time before the day set for their execution, they broke jail and escaped, since which nothing has been heard of them. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 229 CHAPTER XX.* ST. FRANCIS TOWNSHIP— DESCRIPTION AND TOPOGRAPHY— THE FIRST SETTLERS AND THEIR HARDSHIPS— A TRAGEDY— MILLS, ROADS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS— EARLY RELIG- IOUS HISTORY— CHURCHES AND PREACHERS— SCHOOLS, SCHOOLHOUSES, ETC. —THE VILLAGE OF MONTROSE— ITS GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, ETC. AS we travel along the highways that traverse this beautiful prairie township, it is difBcult to realize that less than tifty years ago these luxuriant plains and fertile fields were the hiding i:)laces of the wolf and formed part of a vast unbroken wild which gave but little promise of the high state civilization it has since attained. Instead of the rude log cabin and diminutive boai-d shanty, we now see dotting the land in all directions comfortable and well built farm- houses, many of them of the latest style of architecture — graceful, substantial and con- venient. We see also neat church edifices lifting their modest spii-es heavenward and good schoolhouses at close intervals. The fields are loaded with the choicest cereals, pastures are alive with numerous herds of fine cattle and other stock of improved quality, while everything bespeaks the thrift and prosperity with which the farmer in this fertile region is blessed. St. Francis lies in the extreme northeastern part of the county and embraces within its area thirty-sis sections of land, which, for agricultural and grazing purposes, are unex- celled by any similar number of acres in this part of the State. Topographically, the township may be described as of an even sur- face in the central and eastern portions with occasional undulations of a somewhat irregular character in the northwest corner. It is principally prairie, and when first seen by white men was covered with a dense growth of tall gi'ass, which attested the fertile quality of the soil beneath. This soil is similar to that of the prairies of the suiTounding townships, being a rich, dark loam resting oji a clay subsoil, and everywhere noted for its great productiveness. The timbered districts are confined chiefly to the southern and south- western portions, though there is some verj' fair timber in the northwest corner and skirting Salt Creek, which traverses that p:u-t of the tjwnship. In the forests are found most of the varieties indigenous to this lati- tude, principally hickory, oak, elm, sycamore, maple and walnut in limited quantities; the country is sufficiently well watered and drained by Salt Creek and Little Salt Creek, and several small tributaries that flow into them from many points. St. Francis lies in the great wheat belt of Illinois, and this cereal is the principal staple, though corn, rye, oats, barley, flax, etc., to- gether with many of the root crops, are raised in abundance. Nowhere is there better encouragement afforded the fi'uit gi'ower than here. A soil of jjeculiar adaptability and a climate equally favorable insiu-e a large yield almost every year — facts many of the citizens have taken advantage of, as is evinced by the numerous fine orchards to be seen in different parts of the township. The first settlers in the present confines of St. Francis Township located in the year 230 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 1840 or 1845, but just where cannot now be definitely determined, nor can we say defin- itely who the first settler was, though it is generally supposed to have been a German, by the name of Taela. The place of his im- provements was in the timber near the head of Little Salt Creek, a spot around which quite a number of the early pioneers located their homes. Taela came with his family from Cincinnati, traveling all the way with an OS team, spending several weeks on the road before reaching his destination. The condition of the prairie at that early day al- most precluded the possibility of traveling at all, the country being covered with a soft, oozy mud, into which the large, heavy wagon wheels sank almost to the hub, and, to add to the discomfort, millions of the green-headed flies, which in summer time were so numer- ous, proved such a torment to the cattle that traveling by day was all but impossible. Much of the joui-ney was therefore made by night, the driver guiding his course through the mud and dense prairie grass by the stars, as there were but few roads at that time in the country, and none in what is now St. Francis Township. After reaching his destination and select- ing a site for his future home, this old pioneer hastily improvised a temporary shel- ter for his family out of brush and poles, which answered very well the purposes of a habitation until a more comfortable and con- venient cabin of logs was erected. The country at that time was in a very wild state, neighbors few and far between, and many in- conveniences were experienced by the family before much headway coald be made toward raising anything, as the soil was very wet and muddy, and much time was required to bring it into a fit condition for cultivation. Wolves were numerous, and proved a terror to the live stock, which had to be guarded carefully against their depredations, and not- withstanding all precaution for safety much damage was done by them to the hen-house and pig-pen. Taela, by dint of hard work and plenty of that spirit called perseverance, succeeded in bringing order out of the chaos, by which he was surrounded, and soon had a nice little farm under successful tillage, to which he added other acres until in time he became the possessor of a considerable tract of land, all of which was well improved. He died on his farm on which he passed his de- clining years in peace and comfort, about ten years ago. His son, Henry Taela, now owns the old place. Abraham Marble was probably the next to locate in the township. He was from Ohio, and came to Illinois about the year 1845, lo- cating east of where the vihage of Montrose now stands, on the old stage line or National road, where for several years he kept a relay house. He also kept a little hotel here for the accommodation of the few travelers that passed his place, which was one of the first public houses in the country. Becoming tired of his occupation, he quit the business, and moved a little further west into what is now St. Francis Township, and entered a piece of land lying in the southeast quarter of Section 3. He lived on this place until the year 1858. when he sold his improve- ments and with his family moved to the State of Minnesota, where he died about a dozen years ago. Marble had two sons, young men, both of whom can be called early settlers, as they married and located in the township, making some improvements a short distance south and west of where the old man's house stood. William Marble did but little toward improving the land by farming, devoting the most of his attention to cattle- raising, and in time became the possessor of several large herds which returned him a HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 231 great deal of wealth. Owing to some domestic diflSculty, he left his family aud went to Minnesota, where ho remained for some time, afterward sending for his wife, who refused to go to him. He still lives in Minnesota, or was living there when last heard from. John Marble purchased land in Section 13, the year after the family came to the township, which he sold to a man by the name of Greek, after having occupied it until the year 1864. He appears to have been a man of veiy decided character, inde- pendent in his manners and a strong Repub- lican in politics. He made no attemjat to conceal his political principles, but on the contrary gloried in giving them full expres- sion whenever an occasion presented itself, sometimes talking in such a manner as to offend his neighbors, the great majority of whom were radically Democratic. Dui'ing the war, he informed on a couple of deserters who came into the neighborhood, which led to their attempted arrest, and for this piece of intelligence his hay-stacks, wheat-stacks, and very neai'ly all of his fencing were burned to the ground. The incendiaries were pursued, but not captured, being, as was generally supposed, hidden away in the house of some neighbor who had no .particu- lar love for Marble. He left the country shortly after the war, and like the rest of the family went to Minnesota, his present homo. In an early day, a small settlement, was made on the National road, near the central part of the township, by " Kit" Radly, as he was familiarly called, who kept, or pretended to keep, a hotel, but in reality, as it was afterward proved, kept a gambling den, which was for years the rtndezvous of a gang of blacklegs and cutthroats as rough and worthless as himself. The locality came to be dreaded far and near, and it has been stated that a number of travelers stopped there at different times and were never seen or heard of afterward — circumstances that naturally gave rise to suspicions of foul play. The general supposition seems to be that a systematic plan of robbery and murder was pursued for years on the unsuspecting passers by, but, as liadly was universally feared, no efforts toward an investigation were, at that time. made. The old man died at this place, and the j)roperty came into possession of his son Nick, who inherited all his father's " cub- sedness " in a tenfold degree, without the fairtest tinge of a redeeming quality. He seems to have been connected with a large number of quaiTels, disturbances, and was arrested upon several occasions for complicity in some very bold thieving scrapes. At one time a warrant for his apprehension was placed in the hands of a neighbor of his, deputized for the purpose, as the regular officer was afraid to attempt his arrest. When called for, Radly was at work on the top of a frame barn, that had just been raised, and, when told that he was wanted, answered with the ejaculation, " All right, by G — d,Just wait till I come down," at the same time throwing the large, heavy hatchet he had in his hand full at the officer's head, which barely missed him, and buried itself in the hard oak sill at his feet. Seeing that he had missed his aim, and having no other weapon at his command, he descended fi'om the building, with many apologies for his carelessness, as he called it, for letting the hatchet drop, which apologies were made after seeing the officer's large revolver held ready for use. Radly accompanied the officer, stood his trial, aud was acquitted on account of technical discrepancy in the indictment. Upon another occasion, while at a gathering of some kind, in the western part of the township, he got into an altercation with several Germans, and being a man of fiery 232 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. temper, at ouce " peeled his duds," as the saying went, and challenged the whole crowd, which challenge met with a hearty response on the part of two or three burly fellows, any of whom was much more than his equal physically, and the result was that Radly received such a severe pummeling that he was unable to get out of his bed for several days, vowing vengeance in the meantime. He met one of the parties a short time after- ward, at a barn-raising, and at once became very abusive, calling him all manner of bad names, in such strong and bitter language, that the man, who, by the way, was no cow- ard, sprang at him, whereupon Eadly turned and made a feint toward trying to get away, calling at the same time to the bystanders to take the man off, who, by this time, was on his (Radly's) back. Drawing a long, sharp dirk; he stnick backward several times, and cut his antagonist in a shocking manner — literally carving him to pieces. The man was picked up, carried to his home, and for several weeks liis life was despaired of, but he finally recovered. Radly escaped on the ground of self-defense. He afterward left the county and nothing has since been heard of him. The same yeai- that brought the Radlys here, H. B. Hobbings found his way to this part of the county, and settled a short dis- tance west of the former's place, on the National road. He was originally from Penn- sylvania, but had lived in Cincinnati several years before removing to this place. He sold his farm to a Mrs. Thoele, after having occupied it for about eight years, and moved to a distant State. In the fall of 184S, John H. Wernsing, a German, came from Cincin- nati, and settled near the head of Bishop Creek in Section 30, where he made extensive improvements, and where he lived a number of years, an upright citizen, highly respected by all who knew him. Several members of his family still live in the county, one of whom, Henry Wernsing, is the present Treas- urer of Effingham County. About the year 1848, B. H. Dryer came to the township and located near the Wernsing settlement. He came from Cincinnati also, as did many of the original settlers of the eastern jaart of the county, and was prominently identified with the early history of this community. The place where he originally settled is now owned by Henry Hierman. Henry Rump came here about the same time that Dryer made his apisearance, and, like the former, sought a place in the timber near the creek. He was a fine, straightforward man, and by industry and good management accumulated a large tract of land, which is at present owned by the Hutrip heirs. A man by the name of Thare, a Presbyterian preacher, probably the first minister in the township, bought and improved a piece of land lying west of the town of Montrose, on the National road, where he built what was afterward known as the " white house," a large two story build- ing, and one of the first frame structures erected in the township. He held religious services at this place, and at other points in the country, preaching wherever he could obtain a room sufficiently large lo accommo- date an audience. In 1849, he moved to Ewington, where, for a number of years, he was considered one of the leading preachers of his faith. A son-in-law of Thare, John Lorkins, took possession of the j)]ace, to which he added considerable improvements, and resided there until the year 1860, at which time he disposed of the property and moved to the State of Iowa. The Hartlips were an early family in St. Francis; the exact date of their arrival was not learned, al- though it was several years prior to 1850. They located farms near Bishop Creek, in HISTORY OF EFFliSIGHAM COUNTY. 233 the Wcrnsing nei<:jLiborhood, where several descendants are still living. Among those who came in 1849, 1850 and 1851, and later, may be mentioned William Wallace, James Kolfo, Thomas Gibbon and Newton Gibbon. Wallace settled abou.t one mile west of Montrose, where he made a few slight improvements, the chief of which was a email cabin he had moved from the old Marble farm, having piu'chased it for a mere trifle. He sold the place to Thomas Gibbon, who came about one year later (1851), and with his family moved out of the township. Gibbon improved this farm quite extensively, and still occupies it. He came from Greene County. Ind., and for a number of years has been one of the leading citizens of the com- munity in which he resides. Newton Gib- bon, hi? brother, located a short distance west of Montrose, where he still lives. He was the first Justice of the Peace elected by the people of St. Francis, and has filled sev- eral other oifices of trust at different times. James Rolfe came to Illinois, from Indiana, in the year 1848, and settled in Cumberland County, from which place he moved to St. Francis Township two years later, and located a home lying west of the Thomas Gibbon farm. He is a native of Maryland, and claims to be a regular descendant of the John Rolfe who married the Indian princess Pocahontas. Through all the years of which we have been writing, settlers had been steadily com- ing into the townshij); numerous claims had been made and improved, cabins built, prairies broken and in many places more comfortable and substantial farm buildings erected. The National road, to which allu- sion has already been made, was laid out through the township, and other highways were soon after established and improved. The crop raised by the first settlers was generally corn, to which they looked for their chief support; other cereals were but little grown until the country began to settle more thickly. The soil at that time was poorly adapted to raising small grain, and it was not until several years had elapsed from the first settlement that any wheat was grown in the township at all. For a number of years, there were no mills in the eastern part of the county, and to obtain meal and other bread- stuffs the citizens of St. Francis had to go to the little horse mills in and around Ewington, an undertaking which sometimes required two or throe days, not that the distance was so great, but the machine ground so slowly, that delays were often experienced in waiting for the respective turns. Some of the first settlers went as far as Terre Haute for groceries and dry goods, and, as there were good mills there, they took advantage of the occasion to lay in a supply of flour and meal sufficient to la.st them several months. An important adjunct to the pioneer's exist- ence, and one that often entered largely therein, was the enjoj-ment or necessity of hunting, wild game of all kinds being very plentiful. The settler was often obliged to quit his work and join with his neighbors in a kind of crusade against wolves, which were very destructive to young pigs and to domestic fowls which might stray far away from the house. In St. Francis, the solitary settler rejoiced to hear the early messengers of God proclaim the glad tidings of joy, or weep at the story of the crown of thorns and the agonies of Golgotha and Calvary. It is a fact highly commendable to the first residents of this township, that, with all their trials incident to a settlement in a new and undeveloped country — naught but hardships and poorly compensated labor to weai-y and burden both 234 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. mind and body — they never failed to discharge those higher obligations due their Creator. Religious services were often held at private residences by itinerant ministers of the Methodist Church, and were attended by all the citizens far and near. Those who lived in the northern part of St. Francis attended divine worship with the congregations in the adjoining county of Cumberland, and it was not until recent years that any religious society had an existence in this township. The Lutherans are very strong here, and have a flourishing ohurcli a few miles southeast of the village of Montrose. This church was organized in the year 1868 by Eev. H. H. Holtermein, at the schoolhouse in that' neighborhood, and had an original member- ship of thirteen. For three years, the con- gregation used the schoolhouse as a jilace of worship, when steps were taken to erect a more commodious edifice, as the congregation had increased so in numbers that a lararer house was a necessity. In the fall of 1871, their present structure was erected, which is a credit to the church and an honor to the community; it is a frame building, 25x40 feet, and cost about $1,100. The church owes much of its prosperity to the untiring labors of Rev. Holtermein, who for eleven years was its faithful pastor; his chief aim seems to have been its good and all his efforts for its advancement were crowned with success. He was succeeded in the year 1879 by the present pastor, Rev. H. Kouerst under whose charge the congregation has been steadily increasing in membership and influence. There are at this time on the records the names of forty five members in good standing. Connected with the church is a denomina- tional school, which was established by Rev. Holtermein in 1872. A vacant room in the pastor's dwelling was used for this until 1879, when their present neat little house was erected. This is a frame building and cost about $600. The school has been well attended since its organization, and, under the charge of the two pastors mentioned, has ac- complished much good in the neighborhood. The early school history of St. Francis is limited. The first settlers in the northern part of the township sent thoir children to the schools of Cumberland County, which had been established in a very early day, while those who located along the Southern border patronized the schools of Teutopolis. It is thought that Miss Lizzie Rolfe taught the first school in St. I'rancis about the year 1854, using for the purpose what was then known as the Fair building. It stood a little west of the village of Montrose and was in use as a schoolhouse about two years, and was formerly a dwelling. Newton Gib- • bon built the first house expresslj' for school purposes in the year 1856. It was a frame building and stood a little north of Mont- rose. It was moved to the village when the place was first started, and is at present used for a cooper shop. Like other parts of the county, this township is now well supplied with good frame schoolhouses, all of which are well fm-nished with modern appliances, and the advantages of intellectual culture are open and free to all. Schools last about seven months of the year and generally begin the first Monday in October. The Vandalia Railroad passes through the township in a southwesterly direction, and has been the means of advancing the ma- terial interests of the people in many ways. Since its completion in the year 1868, the real estate of the township has steadily ad- vanced in value. Much of the vacant land that was formerly regarded as almost worth- less, has been bought up and improved and good grain and stock markets have been brought near. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 335 The only mill of any kind in St. Francis was erected about twenty years ago by John F. WaBchefort, and stands in the soutbern part of the township, near Teutopolis. It was built as a combination mill, and for a number of years sawed a great deal of lumber and ground an immense amount of grain. It was afterward rebuilt, the saws removed, two buhrs added, and since then has been run exclusively as a flouring mill. It is op- erated by steam, has a capacity of forty or fifty barrels per day, and is owned by Ferdi- nand Waschefort. The following account of a bloody tragedy that occurred in the northern part of the township several years ago was related by Mr. Eolfe: "Two brothers by name of Hetcher owned a farm near where Montrose now stands, and rented a part of their ground one year to a young German to put in corn. They were to have one third of the crop as rent, that share to be left in the field when the corn was gathered. About the time the corn was ready for cribbing, the young man sold it to two parties by name of Thomas Duckworth and George Shindle. and made no mention of the portion to be paid as rent. When they came to gather the crop,the Hetcher boys told them to let the one-third remain, which the others very positively refused to do, saying that they had bought the entire crop, paid for it and were going to gather the same. Hetcher then forbid them the field until the difficulty could be adjusted. Duckworth and Shindle carried the matter to a lawyer by name of Donnet, who advised them to go. back and gather the corn, and gather it all, as it justly belonged to them. Upon Duckworth asking him what to do in case the Hetchors came out and objected, re- ceived the reply, ''Why, kill them, to be sure;" not thinking, as he afterwad said, " that the d— d fools would do it." Shindle and Duckworth armed themselves with re- volvers and went back to the field next morn- ing, where they had been at work but a short time before the Hetcher boys came out. A few hot words were passed, when Duckworth and Shindle drew their weapons and shot their antagonists dead on the spot. The boys were arrested and tried, but, owing to some quibble, were acquitted. They left the country, however, before gathering the crop. Montrose, the only village in the town- ship, a place of about 300 inhabitants, is situated in the southeast quarter of Section 3, on the Vandalia Raikoad, and was laid out by J. B. Johnson, proprietor of the land, July 19, 1870, the plat being made by Cal- vin Mitchell, County Surveyor. The first building in the town was a store house built by Browning and Schooley, a short time after the survey had been made. They stocked it with a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise and for two years conducted a flourishing business, when they sold the stock to other parties and left the village. The sec- ond building was a storehouse also, moved here from a little place known as Bowen, about two miles east of the township line in the adjoining county, by Dr. H. G. Van Sandt. The house stands near the cen- tral part of the tovra, and is at present occu- pied by the store of Stephen Smith, to whom the doctor sold it after he had been in the place a couple of years. A third store was started in the town, in the year 1871, by P. H. Wiwi, who erected a very neat business house, which, like the stores already alluded to, was stocked with a general assortment of goods. In addition to his mercantile busi- ness, Wiwi erected a grain house, which he operated very successfully, handling more grain during the year than was shipped from any other point on the road of the same size. He opened a market for live stock also, and 236 HISTORY OP EFFINGHAM COUNTY. for the past ten years has been considered one of the heaviest shippers of cattle and hogs in the county. In the year 1872, a third store was put in operation by James John- son, who moved a building to the place from the little village of " Jim Town," as it was called, in Ciunberland County, where for sev- eral years he had been a very successful mer- chant. After locating here, his business in- creased so rapidly that a larger and moi'e commodious building became a necessity, so he erected another house a few years since, a large two story, which he stocked with goods valued at about $6,500, by far the most com- plete store in the town. The old building is at present used for a freight-room and granary. Eoss Twedey erected a business house about the same time that Johnson came, and for two years sold goods, when he disposed of his stock to William McGin- nis, who in turn sold to Stephen Smith, the present proprietor, after running the busi- ness until the year 1874. Dr. Van Sandt erected a very commodious storeroom and dwelling house in the western part of the town several years ago, where he still does business in the general line, with a line as- sortment of drugs, also, the only store of the kind in the place. The Montrose Anchor Flouring Mill was built in the year 1871, by "William Weigel & Son, and is one of the best mills in the east- ern part of Effingham County; it is three stories high, frame, and cost the proprietors / the sum of $6,000. It is 0f)erated by steam, has three run of buhrs, and a grinding capacity of about forty barrels per day. Weigel & Son operated it three years, doing a flourishing custom and merchant trade, when they sold to Newhouse & Co., who ran it for a short time. Weiss & Doeken- dorf were the next proprietors; they operated the mill as partners a couple of years, when Weiss bought the entire interest and is the present owner. A blacksmith shop was built in the town, about 1871, by James Tubert, who worked at his trade here for two years, since then there have been several shops operated by different parties; at present there are two shops in operation. The Brazil House, fii'st hotel of the place, was built about 1872, by Nelson Shull, who still runs it. Evan James built a second hotel about six years ago, the James House. H. G. Van Sandt was the first physician in the place, and has practiced his f>rofes8ion here con- tinuously since 1870, having at this time a large and lucrative practice. Dr. John John- son located in the town about one year after the place had been started, and for two or three years ministered to the ills of the vil- lage and surrounding country. Drs. Hallen- becjk, Gladwell, Schefner, Minter and Park have at different times practiced medicine. After the village had made considerable progress in its business, and the population had increased, efforts were made to induce the railway company to lay a side track through the town and voluntary subscrif)tions to the amount of $700 were raised toward that end. This mark of public enterprise pre- vailed and a switch was accordingly laid, and afterward a neat substantial brick depot erected. Since the switch was laid, the business of the company has so increased that there are no points on the entire line of the size of Montrose where as much shipping of grain and live stock takes place. The citizens of the town early took an interest in educational matters, and a school was in progress, taught by Miss Eva Gilmore, one year after the first house had been erected in the village. The house in which this first school was taught was moved to the town from a point two miles in the country, and served for educational purposes until HISTORY OF EFFING II A.M COUNTY. 237 1876, at which /time the fine brick house now in use was erected. The present building is 22x54 feet, one story high, and cost $1,600 to erect and complete it. The religious history of the town dates from its first settlement, a fact which ought to speak well for the morals of the community. There are at present two religious organiza- tions in the town, with as many houses of worship — the Southern Methodist and the Roman Catholic — neither of which seems to be doing that amount of good for the Master which the great founder of Christianity mani- festly designed that they should do. In close proximity to these temples of the living God stand two black plague spots in the shape of gin shops, from which radiate bale- ful influences counteracting the good which the churches ought to exert, and spreading over the place a moral malaria which we must confess does not present a very agreeable commentaiy on its character. "Wherever God erects a house of prayer, ' The devil's sure to build his chapel there; And t'will be found upon examination The latter always has the biggest congregation." The Methodist Church was organized about the year 1868 one mile north of the town, by Rev. P. D. Vandeventer, with a membership of twenty persons, the majority of whom have since left the country. The organization was effected in a little log schoolhouse which for six years afforded the congregation a place of worship. The or- ganization was moved to the town of Montrose in the summer of 1870, and the present edifice erected, which is a frame building and cost about §1,600. Since its organization, the church has been ministered to by the follow- ing pastors in the order named: P. D. Vandeventer was the first pastor; he remained with the congregation one year; J. A. Beagle succeeded Vandeventer and preached one year also; J. F. Hensley came next and remained two years; he was followed by W. B. Lewellyn, who was pastor one j^ar; J. A. Greeing was the regular supply for one year; C. T. McAnally succeeded the last named and remained the same length of time; N. A. AuJd preached one year; W. A. Cross one year; J. M. McGrew one year; J. C. Bird had charge of the congregation two years; then J. F. Hensley served a second time as pastor for one year. The present pastor is Rev. H. K. Jones, who is now on his second year's labors. Connected with the chui'ch is a flourishing union Sunday school, which is well attended with an average of about fifty scholars, of which the pastor is the superin- tendent. The St. Rosa Roman Catholic Church of Montrose dates its organization from the year 1879. Prior to that year, the Catholics of this village, of whom there were a goodly mimber, met with the chm-ch at Teutopolis, to which they were attached. In November of 1870, Father Francis, of the latter place, upon request of the members at Montrose, organized them into an independant congre- gation and steps were taken to erect a house of worship forthwith. The building was completed in the spring of 1880, the membership at that time numbering some twenty-five families. Like all their church edifices, this house displays a great deal of taste, and money was not used sparingly in its erection. It cost the sum of $3,000, and is an ornament to the town. There are about twenty-five families connected with the chiu'ch at present under the charge of the same priest who brought about the organiza- tion. We will conclude this brief sketch of Montrose with the following exhibit of its 238 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. business interests. There are now five general stores, kept respectively by G. H. Van Sandt, James Johnson, Stephen Smith, P. H. Wivyi and George Sturtzen; two warehouses, two hotels, two blacksmith shops and express office. The present Postmaster is H. G. Van Sandt, who was also the first Postmaster of the place. CHAPTEK XXL* LIBERTY TOWNSHIP— ITS PHYSICAL FEATURES— TIMBER GROWTH, ETC.— EARLY SETTLEMENT- PIONEER HARDSHIPS— INDUSTRIES AND IMPROVEMENTS— THE STATE OF SOCIETY— EDU- CATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS— BEECHER CITY— A VILLAGE OP LARGE PRETENSIONS —ITS BUSINESS, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES, ETC. "My country 'tis of thee, Sweet land of Liberty, Of thee I sing." ''T^HERE is no history more eagerly sought -*- after than that which truthfully delin- eates the rise and progress of the State, coun- ty or community in which we live. There is pleasure as well as profit to every well-edu- cated and inquiring mind in contemplating the struggles of the early settlers in all ijor- tions of the Great West; how they encoun- tered and overcame every sjaecies of trial, hardship and danger to which human beings were ever subjected. But these things strike us more forcibly, and fill our minds with more immediate interest, when confined to our own county or township, where we can yet occasionally meet with some of the now gray-haired actors in those early scenes, with whom life's rugged day is almost over, whose 'bravery in encountering the perils of front- ier life has borne an important part toward making our country what it now is, and whose acts, in connection with the hundreds of others in the first settling of oiu- vast do- main have compelled the civilized world to acknowledge that the Americans are an in- vincible people. To some of our readers it may appear rath- er small and insignificant work to record the * By W. H. Pen-in. history of a single county or township. But it must be remembered that our vast Repub- lic is comprised of States, the States are di- vided into counties, and the counties into townships, each of which contributes its share toward the general history of the coun- try. And the little township of Liberty, occupying so small an extent of territory — only about eighteen square miles — has a histoiy fraught with interest to its own citi- zens, at least, if to none others. The township of Liberty lies south of Shelby County, west of Banner To^vnahip, north of Moccasin Township, east of Fayette County, and comprises the south half of Township 9 north, in Range 4 east. About two-thirds of this township is prairie, alter- nating between level and rolling. The tim- ber is confined to the water-courses, and is principally oak, hickory, walnut, elm, syca- more, sugar tree, Cottonwood, etc., and the land upon which it grows is mostly broken and hilly. The principal stream is Wolf Creek, which passes diagonally through the township from northeast to southwest, with several small tributaries. Moore Creek flows through the east part, and empties into Wolf Creek. The Springfield Division of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad passes through the southwest corner of the township, and has one station and shipping point — Beecher HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 339 City — which has proved of great advantage to the people. The first white man, perhaps, that ever set foot upon the soil of Effingham County — Griffin Tipsword — figured conspicuously in Liberty Township. He has descendants still living here and when he died he was biu'ied in the Tipsword Graveyard on Wolf Creek. One or two of his sons spent their whole lives in Liberty and are also buried in the quiet graveyard that bears the family name. But as Mr. Bradsby has devoted considerable space to the Tipswords in a preceding chap- ter, we will pass them here without further mention. No township in the county or perhaps in any of the sun-ounding counties can boast a greater diversity of nationality among its early inhabitants than Liberty Township. Many portions of oui' country, as well as different countries, contributed to its early settlement. In this little division we find the grave New Englander, the enterprising Buckeye, the hot-blooded Southerner and the awkward Hoosier, as well as the plodding German, the phlegmatic Englishman and the warm-hearted son of the " Ould Sod. " Like the small streams that unite in forming the great river, these different kinds and races of people have blended into a population without an equal, in point of intelligence, enterprise and industry. A family of very early settlers in Liberty was the Coxes. There were three brothers of them — William, John and Josiah Cox — and they came from Tennessee. They had emigrated to Illinois in an early day, and settled in Shelby County, and, about 1838- 40, moved over into this township. William died more than twenty years ago. John died about a year ago. Josiah is still living in the neighborhood where he settled. FVom Ohio, the land of Buckevp states- men, came Thomas Dutton and a man named Starner. The latter was a German, and died in the township. Dutton came with his mother. Both are still living, the old lady at a very advanced ago. Tom had a brother who went into the Mexican war, and died while in the service. George Eccles came in 1841, and John Allsop in 1847. They were both from Eng- land. Eccles is still living in the township, and, though he is now eighty-four years of age, he is hale and hearty, and has recently, according to the divine declaration that " it is not well for man to be alone," married his third wife. Allsop is dead, but has two sons living in the township, and one in Effingham City. Poland furnished to the settlement Alex- ander Bylaski and George Superoski, who came in 1840. Bylaski finally removed to Washington City, went into the late war, and fell at the battle of Belmont. Superoski is still living, across the line in Shelby Coun- ty. Another addition to the settlement in 1840 was Thomas Tennery, who is still living in the township. The old Granite State sent out Lansford and Dennis Stebbins, who settled in the township in 1840. Lansford went back to Massachusetts in a few years. Dennis went to sea, made a whaling voyage of three years' length, returned to the township and got married, as a good man should. He after- ward moved down into the southern part of the State, where he died. Another addition was made this year by a man named Hedge, who moved in with three stalwart sons — John, A. J. and Jabez. A. J. (which stands for Andrew Jackson) moved away; John is still living where he first settled; and Jabez and his father are dead. George dinger also settled here in 1840. He was from Ohio, and. like Hedge, brought three sons 240 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. with him — John, Peter and George. The old man died about the commencement of the war; George and Peter are also dead, and John lives iu Cowdon, Shelby County Samuel Lorton, the oracle of Liberty Township, and a regular encyclopedia on legs, is a native of Ai-kansas, and came to Illinois with his father's family in 1824, set- tling in Shelby County. This is one in- stance, at least, in the history of our country, in which the star of empire reversed the eter- nal fitness of things by moving east instead of west. He moved into Liberty Township in 1843, and has lived here ever since. He knows the history of the surrounding country, and can reel it off as one reads from a printed book. We are indebted to him for many of the facts pertaining to Liberty, and any im- perfections in its history we lay to his charge, while all the good things it contains we claim as our own undisputed property. Mr. Lorton has grown up and grown old in the county, and is familiar with its growth, prog- ress and development. This brings the settle- ment down to a period when the new-comers could scarcely be termed old settlers, and we here drop the record of their settle- ment. The present generation, as they behold the "old settler," can scarcely realize or aj)pre- ciate the hardships through which he passed, or the part he performed in reclaiming the country from savage tribes that roamed at will over all parts of it. "Young America," as he passes the old settler by, perhaps unno- ticed, little dreams that he has sjaent the morning and the noontide of his life in help- ing to make the country what it now is. and in preparing it for the reception of all those modern improvements which surround us on every side. The old settler should be hon- ored, and his deeds should be remembered and revered by all. "Their forest life was rough and rude, And dangers clos'd them round, But hei'e, amid the green old trees, , Freedom was sought and found." Education was not neglected by the people of Liberty Township. Schools were early established, and have always been supported liberally. It is not known now who taught the first school, nor the exact spot where it was taught. There is at present a good, comfortable schoolhouse in every neighbor- hood of the township, which supports a first- class school each year. When the county adopted township organ- ization, and it came to forming the Congres- sional townships into civil townships, this was called Liberty, in honor of that boon for which our fathers " fought, bled and died " in our Revolutionary war. The officers of the (dvil township are a Supervisor, Treas- urer, Clerk, Collectoi', etc., etc. At the pres- ent time, the principal officers of Liberty Township are James Allsop, Supervisor; C. Parkhurst, School Treasurer; William All- sop, Collector; and A. Clark and George Brown, Justices of the Peace. Villages. — Beecher City, the only village in Liberty Township, is a rather pretty little town, pleasantly situated on the Springfield Division of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, some ten miles north of Altamont. It was laid out on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 29; the east half of the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 30; the north half of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 31; and the north half of the north- west quarter of the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 32, of Liberty Township. The survey and plat were .made by the engineer of the railroad, for Edward Woodrow, of St. Louis, proprietor of the land, and the plat recorded on the 8th of April, 1872. The j)lace was HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 241 not named, as many might suppose, for the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, the cranky pastor of Plymouth, but for one of its principal business men, who bears the same name. The first store in Beecher was opened by Miller & Nelson, who moved the house in ■which it was kept here fi-om an adjacent place. H. L. Beecher then kept a small stock of goods at the depot. The Jennings Brothers had the next store. William H. Jennings is still in business here, but sold out and was away for awhile, then retiu-ned and again engaged in merchandis- ing. The business of the place now consists of three stores — William H. Jennings, H L. Beecher and William Swazy; one grocery store, by A. Tally; one drug store, by John Allsop; two blacksmith shops, one butcher shop, wood shops, one shoe shop, hoop-pole factory, etc., etc. A large grain business is done. George Brown buys for Brumbach, and ships Targe quantities of grain from here every month. A post office was established soon after the town was laid out, and H. L. Beecher was appointed Postmaster — a position which he still retains. The schoolhouse, which is one of the best in this part of the county, was built a few years ago. It is a two-story brick structiu^e, and cost about $3,000. The school is a large and flourishing one, employing two and some- times three teachers. Churches. — There are two churches in the village, with neat and substantial edifices. The United Brethren built a chiu-ch about 1874:-75. It is a good frame building, which cost from $800 to $1,000. The church is not numerically strong, but tui'ns out a good congi-egation. There is regular monthly preaching and a flourishing Sunday school. The Universalist Church was built in 1880, and is a neat and tasty frame building, put up at a cost of about $1,200. It has some twenty members, under the pastorate of the Rev. David Williams. A good Sunday school is kept up all the year. The ehiurch has a comfortable hall over it, which is used as a lodge room by the Masons and Odd Fel- lows. The church ei-ected the building, and then sold the upper part of it to these socie- ties for a meeting-place The Masonic Lodge, which is known as Greenland Lodge, No. 665, A., F. & A. M., was moved here from Greenland, in Fayette County, under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge, on account of this being a more fa- vorable location. It has been held here since the completion of the church building. It is quite a flourishing young lodge, and at pres- ent has the following officers : Ben F. Mark- land, Master ; Orlando Campbell, Senior Warden; William H. Anderson, Junior War- den; Thomas D. Tennery, Treasurer; James H. Allsop, Secretary; Isaac Tipsword, Sen- ior Deacon; John F. W'ood, Junior Deacon; and Thomas R. Dutton, Tiler. Beecher City Lodge, No. 690, I O. O. F., was instituted March 25, 1881, by the Grand Lodge of Illinois. The first officers were: J. W. Hotz, N. G. ; Azariah Larimore, V. G. ; George C. Eads, Secretary; and Albert Larimore, Treasurer. The lodge has at pres- ent twenty-four members in good standing, and is officered as follows: George C. Eads, N. G. : George W. Brown, V. G. ; Will H. Richards, Recording Secretary; John Cook, Secretary; and Henry Hunt, Treasurer. This comprises a history of the beautiful and flourishing little village of Beecher. It has an intelligent population, and, with a continuation of the energy and industry hitherto evinced, there is a brilliant future in store for their lovely town. Time, pa- tience and perseverance will waft it on to wealth and prosperity. 242 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. CHAPTER XXIL* LUCAS TOWNSHIP— INTRODUCTORY— TOPOGRAPHY AND BOUNDARIES— PIONEER OCCUPATION— WHERE THE SETTLERS CAME FROM— THEIR EARLY LIFE HERE— GROWTH AND IM- PROVEMENT OF THE COUNTRY— MILLS. ETC.— EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES- CHURCHES AND PREACHERS— VILLAGES, ETC., ETC. " All the world 's a stage. And all the men and women merely plaj'ers. They have their exits and their entrances." — Shakespeare. FIFTY years ago the portion of territory now known as Lucas Township was a wide, unsettled expanse, wild in every sense of the word, inhabited by wild men aad in. fested with wild beasts. The lands now oc- cupied by fertile, well-tilled farms, where the cereals and luscious fruits of all varieties grow in abundance, and where blooded stock loll and graze, were less than threescore years ago a luxuriant wilderness, where the timid deer fled from its crouching foe, the panther, only to be pursued by that gaunt scourge of the prairie, the wolf. Fields now jocund with the merry song of thu happy and con- tented farmer were once in the long ago lurid with the glare of the red man's camp fires or made hideous by the discordant yells of the savage war-dance. But these deep, fertile, prairie soils held abundant food for civiliza- tion, and needed but stout hearts, strong wills and sinewy arms to develop and set it free. The pioneers at length came, and stout-heart- ed, strong-willed and heavy-armed they were, both from nature and necessity. Lucas is the southeastern township of the county and possesses a pleasant diversity of surface and soil. Large tracts of level and undulating prairie occupy the central, west- ern and southern portions, which form a strik- •Bt O N. Berrv. ing contrast to the wooded and more broken surface that lies along the creeks in the north and east. The only water-courses of any note are Ramsey's Creek, which rises in Sec- tion 15 and flows in a westerly direction through the central part of the township, and Little Bishop Creek, a small stream that has its source in Section 3, from which it also takes a westerly course . These streams afford an excellent system of drainage, and are ne- cessities that could not easily be dispensed with. The only timber in the township, save a few scattering groves, is found skirting these water-coui'ses, and consists mostly of walnut, ash, hickory, sycamore, elm, several varieties of oak and a dense growth of hazel and other undergrowths in the districts from which the lararer trees have been removed. Fifty years have served to change the ap- pearance of these wooded tracts, the greater part of the timber having been cut and sawed into lumber by the first settlers. The atten- tion of the farmer has of late years been called to the necessity of supplying himself with timber, as the native growths have dis- appeared, and artificial groves have been set out in different parts of the township. The soil of this section is a strong, deep loam, with a slight mixture of sand in some places and clay in the more elevated wooded por- tions. Liicas is noted chiefly for its agricultural excellence, and hence was eagerly sought by the earlv settlers. Taken as a whole, its (^-^n^- mSTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 245 territory presents as fine a tract of farm land as there is to be found in the county. As a wheat district, it is probably unexcelled, the peculiar nature of the soil being adapted to that cereal, though corn and all other grain crops are raised in abundance. The culture of fruit, also, has, of late years, received a groat deal of attention from the farmers. The boundaries of Lucas are St. Francis Township on the north. Union Township on the west, Clay County on the south and Jas- per County on the east. William Morris is believed to have been the first permanent settler within the jiresent limits of Lucas Township. The date of his arrival is fixed at the year 1830, though not given as definite. It is not known from what State he came, nor how long he remained a resident of the township. He .settled on Sec- tion 18, and the place is known as Morris' field, and is at present owned by N. T. Cat- terlin Several transient settlers came into the counfry about the time Morris made his appearance, erected a few temporary shanties along Lucas and Bishop Creeks, where they lived for a year or so, when, becoming dis- satisfied with the country on account of the prevalence of ague and fever, they harvested their little crops and departed for other lo- calities. The next actual settler of whom we have any knowledge was a man named Mar- ion, who came from Kentucky, and entered a piece of land lying in Section 17, near Lucas Creek, in the year 1831, where he improved about twenty acres in the timber. He was a true type of the pioneer, rugged, strong as a Hercules, and generous to a fault. The greater portion of his time was spent in hunt ing, in which he was a great expert and which he loved as he loved his life. For twenty years Marion lived where he first set- tled, and accumulated during that time a fine body of land, which was brought to a suc- cessful state of cultivation, chiefly by the la- bors of his two sons, " Wash " and Daniel. He died in the year 1849 at a good old age. In the year 1831, Presley Funkhouser came into this part of the county and made a tem- porary settlement in the timber on Lucas Creek, about one mile west of Wayraack >rer- ry's farm. He remained here but one or two years, and made no permanent improvements, nor does it appear that he made any entry of land. From this place he went into Jackson Township, and as the country grew older be- came a very prominent citizen, and seems to have been publicly identified with much of the county's development. A son lives in the city of Effingham and is one of the lead- ing merchants of that place. No other settlements were made here until about the year 18-10, when James Holt and Thomas Stroud made improvements near the same place where the first-named parties lo- cated. Holt came from Indiana and« made his first entry of land in the northern part of the township, in Section 4; he improved the place here and occupied it for about twenty years, when he sold out and purchased land in Union Township, where he still lives. Stroud located his home in Section 4, also, and occupied it about twelve years, when he sold to Joseph Barkley. The place is owned at present by Uriah. The spring of 1845 saw the following per- sons, in addition to those mentioned, located in Lucas as permanent settlers: James Ben- nifield, Elijah Poynter, Smith Elliott and George Barkley. The first named located in Section 17, where he improved about twenty acres of land, which he sold about one year later to Edward Sanderson, and, with his family, moved to Indiana. Sanderson re- mained in the place about eight years, when he disposed of it to a man by the name of Buss, the present owner. Poynter came from 246 HISTORY or EFFINGHAM COUNTY. Kentucky and settled in the timber near the creek, but did not enter the land. He sold his improvements to a man named Marion, and moved near the central part of the town- ship, where he lived until his death, about tea years ago. Mr. Poynter was a man of unblemished character and a substantial citi- zen. A son, W. H. Poynter, is the present Treasurer of the township. Elliott settled south of the village of Elliottstovvn, about one mile, and entered land in Section 5, where he resided until the year 1854, when his death occurred. Mr. Elliott was a man of much more than ordinary intelligence and a sincere Christian. Though dead, he still lives in the influence which he formerly ex- erted upon the community he was instru- mental in founding. Daniel Merry, brother of Waymack Merry, was a prominent settler of Lucas, having come here when the pioneer cabins were few and far between. Mr. Merry came from Bond County, but was originally from Kentucky. He entered land in Section 17, which is now owned by his sons, John and George Merry. George Barkley was an old settler also, and the first blacksmith to work at his trade in the township. He set- tled in Section 5, where he imjjroved land, and in addition to his farming carried on a blacksmith shop for a number of years. At the first election for Justice of the Peace, the honors of the office fell to him, a position he filled acceptably for several consecutive terms. Among other settlers who came here in an early day may be mentioned W. C. Davis, William and Henry Lake, John L. Baty, Waymack Merry, Isaac McBroom, Til- ton and a man named French. Davis came to the township about 1846, and settled on land then owned by the Highland Company, in Section 18. The Lake brothers came here from Clark County, about the same time, al- though the land on which they settled had been entered in their names several years before. Baty located in Section 6, where he lived until about six years ago. Merry en- tered the land where Elijah Poynter first set- tled, and is at present engaged in business at Elliottstown. McBroom came from Indiana and settled where Joseph Lidy now lives, in Section 4, about the year 1845 or 1846. French made a temporary settlement in the northern parb of the township at a very early day, and improved a few acres of ground, which were afterward purchased by Tilton. The last named was the first physician in this part of the county and practiced his profes- sion for several years among the sparse set- tlements of Lucas and adjoining townships. The pioneers of Lucas found no royal highway to affluence, but, like all settlers in a new country, had to brave many formidable obstacles, encounter many difficulties and ex- perience many hardships, which would appall their descendants whose lives have fallen in more pleasant places. The> nearest markets where groceries, dry goods and other com- modities could be obtained were Greenville, Terre Haute and St. Louis, and to reach any of these places, a long journey of several days was required, oftentimes a week or longer were consumed in the trip, if the weather proved wet, as the prairies at that time were almost impassable, owing to their muddy condition. The first plowing of the settlers was done by night, on account of the flies, which were so numerous on the praii'ies, and which rendered the stock almostirantic. Dr. Field says that in crossing the prairies a man would have to keep his horse on a dead run in order to leave the swarms of flies be- hind; that if they once lighted upon the horse he became unmanageable, and would in a short time lie down in agony and roll over and over to rid himself of his tormentors. From this and other causes, but small crops HISTORY OF EFFINUUAM COUNTY. 247 were raised during the early years of the country's settlement. Corn was the most practical crop; the early families in fact had to subsist in the main upon this product va- riously prepared, and to which they added deer, turkey, prairie chickens and other game that thronged the woods and prairies, tish that filled the streams and honey that was obtained in large quantities from hollow trees in the forests. The first mill patronized by the pioneers of Lucas was the small horse-mill that stood in Bishop Township, a little north of Elliotts- town, and operated by a Mr. Armstrong. White's Mill, at Bishop's Point, was also ex- tensively patronized by farmers of this sec- tion until better machinery was put in opera- tion at Teutopolis. The nearest mill at pres- ent is the one at Georgetown, in Clay County, a distance of about fifteen miles. It has been asserted, and wisely so, that the avenues of communication are an un- doubted evidence oE the state of society. Savages have no roads because they need none. The Indian trails through Lucas were the marks by which the first highways were run. As time passed, the old routes were changed, and the roads properly established. The first thoroughfare through tliis township was known as the Teutopolis road, and ran almost parallel to the eastei'n boundary for several miles, when it angled toward the southeast. The original course has been greatly changed, the road improved, until now it is one of the most extensively traveled and best highways in the southern part of the county. Another early road run through the northern part of the township, from east to west, and is known as the Douthard road. A road leading from Elliottstown south through Lucas was laid out and improved in an early day, but was not legally established until a few years ago. The greater number of highways which traverse the township in all directions have been established in recent years, and the majority of them are well im- proved and in good condition. Like the thoroughfares in all parts of Central and Southern Illinois these roads during certain seasons of the year became well-nigh impass- able on account of the mud, but the porous nature of the soil is such as to cause this mud to dry up rapidly, and within a com- paratively short time after the frost leaves the ground. The first marriage that took place in Lucas was solemnized in the fall of 1846, the con- tracting parties being Jesse Marion, son of Richard Marion, and a Miss Greenwood. The first death occurred about the same time, but the name of the person was not learned. In the early settlement of the county one of the greatest disadvantages under which the pioneer labored was the almost entire ab- sence of facilities for the education of his children. When the question of keeping soul and body together had once been solved, the settler's attention was turned to the necessity of schools and means of supplying the want earnestly sought, and buildings for the pur- pose were erected. The first school in the township was taught by Dr. Field in a little rude cabin that formerly stood on Section 5, and was for a term of three months. He appeal's to have given universal satisfaction, as he was at that time in the vigor of man- hood, and could strike a blow that never failed to bring the most reckless pupil to speedy terms — main strength being in those days a requisite qualification in a teacher. The school generally commenced as early in the morning as teacher and scholars could get to their work, and closed when the sun went down. The second school was taught by James Gibson, about the year 1850, in the same building. The second house erected 248 HISTORY or EFFINGHAM COUNTY. especially for school purposes was situated in Section 18, and was a small improvement on the one first mentioned, having been better finished and furnished. It was first used by John Hanly, who taught a three months' teiTD in the year 1853. The first public school in the township was taught by Eliza- beth Tayloi' about 1857. A frame house was erected in 1858 by Honry Kershner, and stood in the northern part of the township. The first teacher who occupied it was Henry Russ. There are now five district schools taught annually in as many good frame houses, and last from six to nine months of the year. During the school year of 1881-82, there was paid for tuition the sum of $800. The township board is composed of the fol- lowing gentlemen: Noah Merry, Matthew McMurry and W. H. Poynter. The old stoi-y of the Cross will ever be new from its first annunciation to the shepherds of Judea by the angelic choir that sung, " peace on earth, good will to men, " down through the ages to the present it has been a consolation and solace to the millions who have yielded to its gentle influences. It was fii-st told in this township by Rev. George Monical, who conducted religious services at the residence of Edward Sanderson as early as the year 1846. He was a Methodist preacher, and had charge of a church at that time in Georgetown, Clay County. Alexan- der Ortrey was an early minister of the town- ship, also, and held public worship for sev- eral years at the private residences of Daniel Merry and Edward Sanderson, both of whom were zealous Methodists and sincere Chris- tians. These meetings were largely attended by the early settlers, who often came to them for several miles, and were the means of ac- complishing a great amount of good in that community. The first church was organized at the residence of Edward Sanderson, about the year 1850, and for several years his house was the only preaching place. The organi- zation was afterward moved to a neighboring schoolhouse, where public worship was held until the year 1866, at which time steps were taken to erect a more convenient structure, in keeping with the growth of the congregation. A log house was accordingly erected that year, and has served the purpose of a meet- ing-house ever since. The chiu-ch is not in a very flom-ishing condition at present, there being but fifteen or twenty names on the rec- ords, though at one time the congregation was very strong, and numbered among its members many of the best and most substan- tial citizens of the township. The Lutherans have a strong organization near the village of Winterrowd, and own in connection with their house of worship about twenty acres of land. Their building is a substantial frame edifice, and the membership will number probably sixty. The Missionary Baptist Church at Elliotts- town was organized in this township at the residence of Smith Elliott and afterward moved to that village; its history will be found in the chapter devoted to Bishop Township and Elliottstown. A small Pres- byterian Church was in existence at one time in the town of Winterrowd, but was short- lived, having beea disbanded after their pas- tor' s death occurred, several years ago. There is, in addition to those already enumerated, a church organization in the northeastern part of the township, but of its history nothing definite was ascertained. The little hamlet of Winterrowd, scarcely aspiring to the dig- nity of a village, is situated in the southeast corner of the township, and consists merely of a store, post office, blacksmith shop, an un- finished church building and some ten or a dozen residences. It was surveyed and laid out in the year 1863 by Washington Winter- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 249 rowd, on ground that had formerly belonged to Thomas Scott. The only store in the place is carried on by James McCorkle, who keeps a very fair stock of miscellaneous merchan- dise and does quite an extensive business for so small a place; bo also keeps the post oflSce in his establishment, where the citizens of the surrounding country get their mail daily. The physician of the village — Dr. Jayne — has a large and lucrative practice. The manufacturing interest of the place is repre- sented by the blacksmith and wagon shop of Joseph Goslawn. There is one church build- ing partially completed, where the Methodists hold services occasionally, though they have no regularly organized .society. The Eberle Post Office was established in the year 1867, and Dr. Allen appointed as Postmaster; it is now kept by W. H. Poynter, at his residence in the sonthwestern part of the township. Lucas is the only Republican township in this strong Democratic county, and generally gives that ticket majorities ranging from forty to sixty at important elections. At an election held in the year 1863, one Demo- cratic vote was cast, a fact so seldom beard of that we venture to give the lonesome voter's name. Mr. Baty will pardon us for making mention of him in this public manner. Perhaps but few sections in the State mani- fested their loyalty during the great rebellion in a more substantial manner than did Lucas Township. The alarm of war and the cry that the country was in danger was but ut- tered when brave and true men were seen fly- ing to the nearest recruiting office to proffer their services, and lives, if need be, in defense of the Union they had been taught to love. The idea that 75,000 could crush the rebell- ion in three months was soon found to be a very grave mistake, and no locality seemed more fully to realize this fact. Almost every man, whether able-bodied or otherwise, was inspired with the idea that his services were needed by the Government for this trying occasion. Farmers left their plows, work- men their shops and hurried to the front to assist in the great struggle that was to decide the nation's existence. The following list comprises the brave boys who donned the blue during the dark days of war: Ner Stroud, S. J. Stroud, N. S. Stroud, E. J. Stroud, J. F. Barkly, Henry Barkly, A. L. Elliott, G. S. Elliott, Waymack Merry, J. R. Merry, Fred Merry, Mack D. Meny, G. W. Merry, J. T. Poynter, George Adamson, J. A. Evans, Henry Lake, W. P. Halloway, D. H. Halloway, Marshall Lown, Manassah Jones, Benjamin Coi, Henry Evans, Andrew Dunn, T. J. Dunn, W. C. Baty, Robert Baty. Those of the above number who went but never returned — who laid down their lives to uphold the honor of an insulted flag will al- ways be remembered. May the mold which covers their inanimate forms never again be disturbed by the tramp of soldier nor the iron hoof of war-horse. 250 HISTORY OP EFFINGHAM COUNTY. CHAPTER XXIII.* TEUrOPOLIS TOWNSHIP— ITS DESCRIPTION AND FORMATION— TOPOGRAPHY— THE PRAIRIE AND TI.VIBER SOILS— GERMAN EMIGRANTS— VILLAGE OF TEUTOPOLIS— THE GERMAN COLONY —GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE— SCHOOLS — ST. .lOSEPH'S COLLEGE— SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME— THE CHURCH— VILLAGE INCORPORATION AND OFFICERS. " O Sprecht! warum zogt ihr von dannen? Das Neckarthal hat Wein und Koru; Der Schwarzwald steht voll finstrer Tannen, Im Spessart Klingt des Alplers Horn." The Germam Emigrant. rpEUTOPOLIS is not a full Congressional -*- township, but a part of the Congressional township of Douglas. In the year 1862, a strip of the east half of Douglas was cut ofi, being from east to west three miles, from south to north six miles, and it is designated as Town 8 north, Range 6 east, of the Third Principal Meridian. The name was derived from the village of Teutopolis, which is situ- ated in the eastern part of the township. The history of the formation of Teutopolis into a township is as follows: During the late war, this part of the old township had furnished a large number of volunteers for the army, and, as the Government was making a draft for soldiers, a just credit could not be given to this section, unless they were di- vided fi'om the old township. Proper steps were taken for a change, and a now town- ship was created. Another reason for the separation was, that this part of the township had a voting precinct, and when the county adopted township organization the voting precinct was set aside, all voters being re- quired to go to Effingham, a distance of four miles, to vote. This was put forth as strong ground for a new township, which would give the people a vottng place nearer home. Af- ter the township was set off, a proper distri- * By Charles Everdmana. bution of volunteers was made, and it was found that the new township had more volun- teers than its ratio of draft called for, and hence no draft was made here. Teutopolis Township is bounded on the east by St. Francis, on the south by Watson, on the west and north by Douglas, and has eleven thousand five hundred and twenty acres; of this area about five thousand acres is timber land, running in a belt through the township, and is composed of white oak, ash, walnut, hickory, elm, burr oak, black oak, pin oak, cottonwood, etc. The land, when cleared, is unexcelled for farming pur- poses. The soil is of a more durable nature than the prairie land, and many fine farms have been made by some of the first settlers. Most of them settled in the timber under the impression that jarairie land could not be cultivated, and that it would not produce crops. Through this belt of timber, two streams run — Salt Creek enters the township about a half mile north of the National road and flows west some three miles, thence south for about one mile, where it passes into Dong- las Township; Willow Creek enters the township at the northeast part, and runs in a southwestern direction to the center, where it empties into Salt Creek. There are a number of other small streams which serve as a drainage to the low lands. The prairie land is of a rolling nature, and its soil is of a deep black. In the year 1847, the settlers commenced to cultivate the HISTORY or EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 251 prairie land and adjacent to the timber. Most of the prairie is now under cultivation, and farms can bo made at much less expense than in the timber. The prairie land is well adapted to raising wheat, oats, corn, barley. The average yield of corn is forty-five bush els to the acre; of wheat, about fifteen bush- els, and oats, thirty-five bushels. The average price paid for this land by the early settlers waB $1,25 per acre. The price has steadily increased to $35 per acre. More or less of the land is swamp, very low and wet, but of later years it has been reclaimed by a system of drains; when drained, which can easily be done, it produces better crops than the high land, and is equal to the timber soil. The village of Teutopolis is situated in the eastern part of the township upon Sections 13 and 14. In th'^ year 1837, it was laid out and incorporated, February 27, 1845, a company was formed by Germans at Cincinnati, consisting of the following members: Bernard Arusen, Henry Art, B. H. Brockmann. Joseph Bussmann, John F. Boving, Joseph Bockmann, Frantz Brinkmann, J. H. Buddeke, Joseph Beans, J. H. Bergfeld, Franz Bergmann, G. H. Berg f eld, J. H. Brummer, Joseph Brock- mann, Franz Betentom, John Berus, Joseph Brockamp, J. H. Baving, B. N. Deters, G. N. Deters, H. Determann, John Frilling, F. Frommeyer, Joseph Feldhake, Joseph Frey, J. M. Goos, E. Garobmeyer. H. Grob- meyer, J. H. Grunkemeyer, Anna Mary Hille, G. H. Hahnhorst, B. H. Hille, Anton Hos- mann, J. H. Hille, G. Hulle, D. Hahuhorst, Henry Hursmann, H. H. Hardmann, H. A. Hollfogt, Henry Hackmann, J. W. Humler, Henry Imwalde, J. H. Imbush, B. Inkrot, B. Jonning, Henry Kempker, Franz Kramer, J. H. Kabbes, Arnold Kreke, Joseph Keyser, Joseph Ki-ieg, Henry Renter, John G. Korf- hagen, Joseph Klein. Allert Kunen, J. H. Klone, John Kark, Joseph Kemppe, B. Schub, B. Kriog, N. Lugers, G. Lugers, H. Losekamp, Franz Meyer, Joseph Mesch, F. Nacke, Joseph Moritz, C. Moritz, G. Meyer, Franz Meyer, J. H. Mindrup, Joseph Met- ten, Joseph Meyer, C. Meyer, J. II. Newhaus, B. Nurre, Joseph Ostendorf, F. H. Pudhofi', J. H. Plaspohl, Elizabeth Pudick, "William Pirbach, F. Rumpling. C. Rabe, William Ruckener, J. H. Runebaum, C. Ruckener, William Rolfer, H. H. Rehkamp, G. Eocken, J. H. Renscher, H. H. Rickelmann, B. Riesenbeck, J. H. Rabe, Joseph Rabe, R. Schutte, Joseph Stukenborg, G. Schutte, Joseph Schwegmann, Christine Schonhoff, J. H. Schurbesk, Henry Shmidt, David Springmeyer, Anton Sudbeck, Casper Schwe- deck, J. G. Schelmoller. C. Sleper, Franz Sleper, Henry Stolteben, C. G. Sander, Franz Schriver, Theodor Thies, John Wessel Tobe, Peter Thole, B. Tangemann, Anton Thole. D. Thole, Allert Volking. W. Uthell, J. H. Uptmor, H. H. TJptmor, C. Uptmor, Maiy Ann Uptmor, B. Verweck, G. Venemann, Anton Venemann, Otto Voske, Joseph Vene- mann, Theodore Venemann. J. H. Vormor, Casper Waschefort, John F. Waschefort, Joseph Weloge, Joseph Westendorf, H. H. Wempe, G. Windhaus, H. H. Wernsing, Anton Zumbrick, Herman Zerhusen, Bar- nard Zerhuseu, Henry Zorhuson. The members had to pay $10 each month until the sum of $16,000 was accumulated. A committee was appointed, consisting of Clem Uptmor, John F. Waschefort and G. H. Bergfeld, who were appointed to look out for a suitable locality. And on the 17th day of April, 1837, they started upon their mission. After making a tramp through Indiana, they came to Illinois, traveled over a considerable portion of the State, and finally selected this place. After they returned and made their report, they were 252 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. instructed to buy the land. The committee had to guard against sharpers, who endeav ored to find out where the land was to be bought, thus desiring to get ahead of them, buy the land and make them pay a profit on it. But by the shrewd management of Mr. C. Uptmor, who cautioned all those _ present in the meeting not to say a word as to the place of their selection, thereby completely outwitting the sharpers. Sixteen thousand dollars was the sum they had with them for this entry, ten thousand acres, paying for it $1.25 per acre, except eighty acres in the town, for which they had to pay $400. Upon their return, the land was laid off to each shareholder — a share being $50. Each member who had paid $50, and $10 for expenses, was entitled to forty acres and four lots in the village. There were one hundred and forty-two who only had one share of $50. and fifty-two who had two shares in addition to the one. The destribu- tion was made b'y lottery. The total expense of this committee was not quite $100. All the deeds were made by J. F. Wasche- fort to the members and the plot of the village was made in Cincinnati. The main street is on the old National road and is eighty feet in width, all other streets running with the main streets are sixty feet, as well as the cross streets. Blocks were forty- eight in number, and each block had nine lots of fifty feet front and five hiinJred and thirty- three feet in depth. Outside of these blocks are lots called garden lots and are of two acres each. This plat was recorded in the year 1838. About one-third of the village lies in the timber, and the land is of a rolling nature. In the year of 1838, J. H. Uptmor, Henry Vormor, G. H. Bergfeld Niemann, Joseph Bockmann located here and were the first set- tlers. They came here in the fall, and in the following spring Mr. C. Uptmor came out. The first house sold was by J. H. Uptmor to his brother Clemens, and the price paid was $5. Mr. C. Uptmor settled in the town but the others settled upon the land and commenced farming. The early settlers emigrated by wagon or by water; the most practical route then was by water from Cincinnati to St. Louis, Mo., thence by wagon, it being only one hundred miles from St. Louis here. C. Uptmor made the trip twice on foot. Others came by stage. Some of the early settlers came directly from the old country by the way of New Orleans. They found it very hard to make a start. Teams were difficult to get. Horses were not thought of. The first horse was owned by J. Bockmann, and often he might be seen with one ox and horse hitched to a roller wagon, going to mill. Plows were'made of wood, all except a small strip of iron put in front in place of share. Wag- ons were made from ends of logs cut off about six inches thick, as wheels, and with- out iron. Poultry had to be got in Marshall, some forty miles distant. Some of our early settlers got chickens from a place called Spring Point, east of here about fifteen miles, and had to carry them on their back, and when they came with them they pre- sented a fine spectacle. All provisions and groceries had to be hauled in wagons from St. Louis. Mr. C. Uptmor, in the year 1839, started a small store; $50 was his invoice, and it is now often related that at that time this small stock was looked upon as greater than our first-class stores are at the present time. The nearest mill was at Newton, III., a distance of twenty- one miles. Often the road was so bad that the people could not get to mill by wagon (such as they had) and would go on foot and carry their grist on their back. When out of meal, they would lUijTOKY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 253 crack corn with a hammer and mako bread of it But in the year 1842 Mr. C. Uptmor anil his brother, H. Uptmor, built a four-arm windmill. This mill had only one pair buhrs. It had a bolt which had to be turned by hand. This added much to the conven- ience, and the settlers were happy when they could ijet their grindiua: done at home. But still sometimes there would be no wind to make the mill go. Then it was like Smith's mill in the poem: •' Save only when the wind was west, Siill as a post it stood at rest." And often in such cases they would run short of meal. To overcome this difficulty, Frantz Weber built a horse-power mill, but it was a slow way of grinding, five bushels of corn being a big day's work. This difficulty was removed, however, in the year 1857, when John F. Waschefort built a steam mill ■with a capacity of fifty barrels a day. He also attached a sawmill to this, which is still in operation and doing a good business. In the year 1882, C Uptmor & Son built a large mill at a cost of over $40,000, and with a capacity of one hundred and fifty bushels a day. This mill is the best in the county; all of its machinery is of the latest improve- ment. The first saw mill was built by Theodore Penner in 1848, and was an old-fashioned water mill, which would only run when Salt Creek was very high. There were built a number of other mills, but their dates cannot be given. The first schoolhouse was built in 1840, and was of logs. Mr. C. Robe was the first school-teacher, and six pupils was the largest number he had at one time. A new public schoolhouse was built in 1855, at a cost of $1,500. A fine schoolhouse and residence for the Sisters of Notre Dame was built in 1868, at a cost of $15,000; and in 1879 a schoolhouse was built at a cost of $6,000. This building has a largre hall in the second story, and at one end a fine stage. The hall is used principally for holding public meet- ings. The St. Mary' s Academy, under the super- vision of the Sisters of Notre Dame, already alluded to, is a flourishing institution. The Sisters who came here in December, 1861, were Sister Margueretta Mueller, Mother Su- perior, and Sister Mauritia Ultzmann, and the candidate Marguerite Rudolph. Their number has increased from time to time, un- til at present they number eight sisters and one candidate, under the supervision of Sis- ter Verena, Mother Superior. When they first came here, they occupied a large two- story log house, opposite the church, in which they taught school for sis years. In 1867, the congregation built a large two-story brick, with basement and attic, 30x80 feet. Two of the lower and one of the upper rooms are used for the school; the others as a resi- dence for the sisters, except one in the first story used for a chapel. The institution is an academy for young ladies, taught by the sisters, in all branches, including music and fancy needle-work. Four deaths have occurred in the institution since it commenced, viz., three Sisters aad one candidate. The build- ing is situated on a fine lot near the church. The ground is highly ornamented with trees and shrubbery. The principal Mother House is at Milwau- kee, Wis., and all institutions like this are subject to it. The main support of the academy is from teaching. A certain sum is received from the School Directors; something is received from tuition of the boarders in the institution in young ladies' department, and from needlework, etc. St. Joseph^s Diocesan College. — This insti- tution of learning was founded in the year 254 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 1861. The congregation of St. Francis, at Teutopolis, had been intrusted to Franciscan Fathers, sent to this counti'y in 1858 by the Very Rev. Gregory Yanknecht, O. S. F., Provincial of the Westphalian Province of Saxony of the Holy Cross, Prussia, at the entreaties of Rt. Rev. Henry D. Junker, D. D.. Bishop of Alton. In their zeal for the flock committed to their charge, the pious Fathers soon were convinced of the useful- ness and necessity of a high school for the education of the growing young men of the congregation. Accordingly, under the au- spices of Very Rev. Damian Hennewig, 0. S. F., a committee was formed, consisting of Messrs. Clement Uptmor, John Wernsing, Diederich Eggermann and John Waschefort, for choosing a convenient building ground and for procuring the necessary funds for the erec- tion of the college. An area of eighteen lots in the southern part of the town— partly donat- ed, partly bought — was selected as a suitable site for the institution. A two-story brick house with basement was erected, and fur- nished with all the improvements belonging to an edifice of this nature; a beautiful gar- den and extensive play grounds were laid out, and the whole inclosed with a fence. The expenses were almost entirely covered by subscriptions. The work so rapidly progressed that in the year 1862 the institution was opened by the Franciscan Fathers, under the direction of Rev. P. Heribert Hofmann, O. S. F.. as rector, and was deeded to Rt. Rev. H. D. Junker, D. D., Bishop of Alton, for the benefit of the diocese. The Bishop raised the institution to an Ecclesiastical Seminary, and sent his candi- dates for the holy ministry to Teutopolis, there to complete their course of philosophy and theology. But the number of Fathers was very small, and the few were besides engaged in preaching missions and in other pastoral duties, as the direction of congrega- tions, etc. In consequence of these multifari- ous labors, they could not possibly give the necessary attention to the seminary, and they thought it proper to close it and to devote their energy to giving young men a thorough classical education and a good moral train- ing. This plan was carried out at the accas- sion of Very Rev. P. Maurice Klostermann, O. S. F. , to the rectorship; a man renowned not only as an excellent musician, but also as a master in the art of instructing and training the young. The course of studies was di- vided into a preparatory one of two classes, and a collegiate one of fom* classes. Subse- quently, a commercial course was introduced. The course of studies embraces the Greek, Latin, French, German and English lan- guages; rhetoric, poetry, history, geography, book-keeping, arithmetic, mathematics, nat- ural philosophy, natural history, drawing, penmanship and instrumental and vocal music. The college has also a good library, to which students have access. The number of scholars ever increasing, the building could no longer accommodate all those who applied for admission. For this reason, in 1877, the college was enlarged by an addition to the east side. The fame of the institution spread- more and more, so that parents even from a dis- tance intrusted their sons to St. Joseph's College. Literary institutions, also, to which students of St. Joseph's repaired for the completion of their studies, ac^owledged its merits, not to mention that bishops who had their candidates for the ministry edu- cated at Teutopolis, were highly pleased with the result. The institution numbers among its former scholars many priests, both secular and regular; and others, distinguished as physicians, 'teachers, merchants, and in other HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 255 avocations. In fact, the aim of the institu- tion is not only to cram the mind with bare facts and to develop the mental powers, but also and principally to give a moral training to its charges, to call forth and cultivate in them a relish for virtue — in a word, to form noble, honest, moral characters. To this effect the students are always under the vigilant care of their professors and tutors, and form but one family with them. They are warned against the dangers peculiar to youth, and are strengthened by advice for the time of temptation. In the year 1881, Right Rev. P. J. Baltes, D. D., Bishop of Alton, had the college in- corporated as a Diocesan institution. Hereby it received the right to grant the academic degrees, A. B. and M. A. The following year, Very Rev. P. M. Klostermann, O. S. F. , compelled by dimness of sight, resigned the rectorate, and Rev. P. Michael Richards, O. S. F. , was elected to succeed him. In the current year, the number of students is over 100. The followincr grentlemen belong to the faculty: Rev. P. Michael Richards, O. S. F., Rector; Rev. P. Nicholas Leonard, O. S. F. , sub-Rector; Rev. P. Francis Haase, O. S. F., Professor; Rev. P. Hugolinus Storff, O. S. F. , Professor; Rev. P. Floribert Jaspers, 0. S. F., Professor; Mr. Gerard Schuette, Professor; Mr. Henry Rolf. Professor; Mr. Peter Rhode Professor. St. Francis Convent. — This house is inhab- ' ited by the Franciscan Fathers or Friars Minor who. came to Teutopolis September 23, 1858. It was then a branch of the "Province of the Holy Cross of Saxony," which province was erected 1221, during the life of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the different orders of Franciscans. The first members that arrived in Teutopolis came at the request of Right Rev. Damian Junker, First Bishop of the Diocese of Alton. Rev. Damian Hennewig (deceased December 12, 1865), Rev. Servatius Altmicks, Rev. Capistran Zwinge, and three lay brothers were the first Franciscans that came to this place. (They came from Warendorf, West- phalia, Europe.) On their arrival, they oc- cupied a farmhouse of two rooms belonging to Mr. J. F. Washefort, till a small brick- house, the pastor's residence, near the chvirch, was completed. A two-story frame house, thirteen rooms, was built in 1859 in addi- tion to it, which was moved south to give place for the present two-story brick build- ing. In 1867, the east wing was built; in 1868, the north wing, fifty-eight rooms in the building, size, 24x84 and 24x70. November 26, 1859, the following members arrived in Teutopolis: Rev. Heribert Hoffmanns, Rev. Ferdinand Bergmeier, Rev. Mauritius Klos- termann, Rev. Raynerius Dickneite. .\t various times, new members came from Ger- many, and the order obtained many members from this country. The number grew con- tinually till 1875, when an unusually great number arrived from Europe, owing to the infamous May-laws, passed May, 1873, at the suggestions of Bismarck. On the 3d of July, 1875, eighty members, and July 16, twenty-six arrived and sought shelter in Teutopolis. Up to this time, the following convents sprung up from that of Teutopolis: Quincy, 111., 1859; St. Louis, Mo.. 1863; college in Teutopolis, 1861; Cleveland, Ohio, 1868; Memphis, Tenn., 1869; Hermann, Mo., 1875. As so many new members were addud, the Franciscans built, in 1875, convents at In- dianapolis, Ind. ; Chicago, 111. ; Radom, 111. ; Rhineland, Wis.; Mt. St. Mary's, Mo.; Col- umbus and St. Bernard, Neb. ; Jordan, Minn. ; Joliet, 111. ; Chillicothe, Mo. ; and Indian 256 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. missions at Keshena, Minn,, and Bayfield, Chaska, and Superior City, Wis. The number had increased from the origi- nal 6 to 400 members, therefore a new prov- ince, under the title of "The Sacred Heart," was erected April 26, 1879, a decree was is- sued by the Pope, and on the 2d July of the same year, the new provincial or superior was installed in Teutopolis. Teutopolis is the mother-house, as it is called, of this branch of Franciscans, con- tains the novitiate, where the aspirants are tried for one year to test their vocation for re- ligious life. Also rhetoric is taught in the house as a preparation for ministerial duties, by Rev. Francis Albers and Rev. Richard Yan Heek. The course of philosophy is taught in Quincy; theology in St. Louis. At present there are forty members in Teu- topolis. Superiors of this cjnvent were Rev. Damian Hennewig, Rev. Kilian Schloesser, (first guardian). Rev. Mathias Hiltermann, Rev. Francis Moenuing, Rev. Gerard Becker, Rev. Damasus Ruesing, Rev. Dominicus Florian, Rev. Paulus Teroerde, the present Superior since July 13, 1881. Volumes in library, about 6,000. Num- ber of deaths of this branch, forty, of which twelve died in Teutopolis. The Franciscans have charge of the congregation of Teutopo- lis, Sigel, Pesotum, Neoga, Shumway, Alta- mont, St. Elmo, Bishop's Creek, Montrose, Island Grove, Lillj^ille, Big Spring, Green Creek. Church. — A chiu'ch building (log) built be- tween Effingham and Teutopolis on Masque- lette's place, 1839; another log church build- ing in town near railroad track; third and present brick, 1850, consecrated by R. Rev. H. D. Junker. Addition to sanctuary of choir built 1872. Many other congregations were taken from Teutopolis. Effingham, at the time called Broughton, 1859; Bishop, 1864; Sigel and Neoga, 1866; Lillyville, 1877; Island Grove, 1874; Montrose, 1879. Pastors were secular priests till 1858. At that time, the Francis- cans took charge, first pastor: Rev. Damian Hennewig, who was succeeded by Mathias Hiltermann, Gerard Becker, Damasus, Do- minicus, and Paulus, the present pastor. Pastors before 1858: Josejah Masquelette, Rev. Charles Oppermann, 1845; Rev. Zoe- gel, 1853-54; Rev. Joseph Weber, S. J., 1854; Rev. Charles Raphael, 1854-56; Rev. W. Liermann, 1856; Rev. T. Frauenhofer, 1857; Rev. J. H. Fortman. 1857; Rev. Barth. Bai-tels, 1858. Othei-s are known to us by name. From its early days of settlement, Teutop- olis has improved, and so has the surround- ing country. It can be truly said that it is one of the most beautifu.1 country villages in the State. In schools, we are unequaled, having a good public school, a college and a female academy, also a tine church and convent, two first-class mills, four general stores, two hardware stores, one drug store, three shoe-makers, two cabinet-makers, two hotels, one livery stable, four saloons, one bakery, a brick yard, four blacksmith shops, two wagon-makers, two doctors, two grain merchants and one clothing store. The village has a population of 456, and the township 555 inhabitants. It has a St. Peter's men's society, which was organized in 1850 ; a St. Mary women's society, organized in 1855; a young men's society, organized 1857; a St. Rosa young ladies' society, organized in 1865; a reading society and a dramatic club. The first village election was held under the incorporation law. the first Thui-sday in April, 1846. There were then in the town only eight voters and all voted. The result of the election was Clemens Uptmor, President; HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 257 J. Rabe, Clerk; Theodore Priuner, Treasurer; Andrew B. Klausing, Trustees; B. Klausing, Justice of Peace, and also Bernard Brock- mann. There only remained one citizen who had no oflSce. It has often been said that these Trustees had no trouble to keep order. The iirst Postmaster was C. Uptmor, who was in office for twenty-eight years, and there has only been made the following changes: J. Habing after Mr. Uptmor, then G. G. Uabing; these only held the office for a short time. Dr. F. F. Eversmann was the next, and held the office for twelve years. Frederick Thoele succeeded Eversman in the .spring of 1SS8. All of these Postmasters were strong Democrats, and up to this day there has not been a Postmaster but what was a Democrat. This is owing to the fact that the township is solidly Democratic, and the administration could not find any Republican timber in the township out of which to make a Postmaster. The township has a voting population of over two hundred and thirty-five votes, and the highest vote ever cast for a President was for Gen. Hancock in 1880. The highest vote ever poled by the Ref)ublicans was two. The village is now incorporated under the general law; and the present officers are C. Eversmann, President; H. Sander, Treasurer; G. Kreke and E. Kolker, Street Commis- sioners; A. Brumleve and J. M. Fulle, Trust- ees; T. C. Thole, Clerk; and J. H. Wernsing, Police Magistrate. The Vandalia Railroad runs through the village, and has a fine depot in the town. The Effingham & South Eastern Narrow Guage runs throui^h the township one mile south of the village. The township aided the Vandalia Railroad in building, by subscribing to its capital stock §15,000. The town gave its bonds payable in fifteen years at a rate of ten per cent per annum. The bonds fall due in the years 1884 and 1885, and the township will pay them oif when due. The township has no other debts, and is in a flourishing condition. CHAPTER XXIV.* WEST TOWNSHIP— INTRODUCTORY AND DESCRIPTIVE— TOPOGR.-VPHY AND PHYSICAL FEATURES- THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS— PIONEER INDUSTRIES AND INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS— AN INCIDENT— SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ETC.— VILLAGE OF GILMORE— WAR RECORD AND EXPERIENCE, ETC. "All the world is full of people, Hurr3'ing, rushing, passing by, Bearing burdens, carrying crosses, Passing onward with a sigh; Some there are with smiling faces. But with heavy hearts below; Oh, the sad-eyed, burdened people. How they come, and how they go." ^"P^HIS is a beautiful section of the county. -*- Fancy yoiu^elf standing upon yonder swell of the ground fifty years ago. It is June, say; yotir senses are regaled with the • By W. H. Perrin. beauty of the landscape, the singing of the birds, the fragrance of the air, wafting grate- ful odors from myriads of flowers of every imaginable variety of size, shape and hue, blushing in the sunbeam and opening their petals to drink in ils vivifying rays, while gazing, enraptiu'ed, you descry in the dis- tance a something moving slowly over the prairies, and through the forest and among the gorgeous flowers. As the object nears yon, it proves to be a wagon, a " prairie schooner," drawn by a team of oxen, contain- 258 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNT!. ing a family and their earthly all. They are moving to the " far West " (now almost the center of civilization), in quest of a home. At length they stop, and, on the margin of a grove, rear their lone cabin, amid the chat- tering of birds, the bounding of deer, the hissing of serpents and the barking of wolves. For all the natives of these wilds look upon the intruders with a jealous eye, and each in his own way forbids any encroachments upon his fondly-cherished home and his long un- disputed domain. From the same point look again in midsummer, in autumn and in win- ter. And lo! fields are inclosed, waving with grain and ripening for the harvest. Look yet again, and after the lapse of fifty years, and what do you see ? The waste has become a fruitful field, adorned with ornamental ti'ees, enveloping in beauty commodious and even elegant dwellings. In short, you be hold a land, whose "Rocks and hills and brooks and vales ■With milk and hont^y flow." And where abound spacious churches, schools, etc., and other temples of learning; a land of industry and wealth, checkered with railroads and public thoroughfares. A land teeming with life and annually sending off surplus fruits, with hundreds, not to say thousands, of its sons to people newer regions beyond. A land whose resources and im- provements are so wonderful as to stagger belief and surpass the power of description. When the first whites came here it was the great West, just as we now call the country beyond the Mississippi the great West. To the emigrant from Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio, with their wagons and ox teams, it was a great undertaking to move out West — to Illinois. Fifty years ago, to load up all one's worldly goods in a wagon, hitch four horses to it, or three yoke of oxen, and start on a journey of two or three hundred miles over bad roads, and often where there were no roads at all, was a trip that most of us would shrink fi'om now. It was a greater under- taking than it is at the present day to cross the continent, or even to go to Europe. Yet that is the way the pioneers came to Illinois half a century ago. West Township is situated in the southwest part oE the county, and is an unexceptionally fine farming country, being mostly prairie. The western pai-t of the township is very level, but the eastern portion is more rolling and drains well without artificial means. There is considerable timber in places and j along Fulfer Creek, which runs through the entire township, there was originally a great deal of fine white oak timber, most of which has been cut away. The other gi'owths are walnut, hickory, cotton wood, several kinds of oak, hackberry, buckeye, .sugar maple, etc. The principal water-course is Fulfer Creek, which traverses the entire township from east to west, or vice versa. A few other small streams flow in different directions, but are without names. West has Mound Township on the north. Mason Township on the east, Fayette County on the south and west, and taken all in all is one of the finest agricult- ural regions in the county. According to the Congressional survey of the State, it com- prises Township 6 north, in Range 4 east, of the Third Principal Meridian. It is inter- hected by the Springfield Division of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, to which it contrib-* uted liberally and aided materially in con- structing. Gillmore Station, as a shipping point, amply repays the people for the money they invested in building the road. Settlements were not made in West Town- ship as early as in many other portions of the county, owing to the fact that the land was principally prairie and the pioneers did not believe in attempting a settlement on the UISTOUY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 259 open prairies. They believed these vast plains ■would never be lit for anything but pastures, and hence shunned them as wholly unlit for farming purposes. Thus it was that not un- til noai'ly 1840 that a settlement was made in what now forms West Township. When IVIr. Gillmore came here, in 1845, there were then living in the township the following families, viz., Nelson Simons, Abraham Riddle, Jesse Newman, Jacob Nelson, Jack Houchin, Jerry and Abraham Hammonds and Morgan Kava- naugh. These were mostly Tennesseans. Simons settled near the present Gillmore Sta- tion, Jibout a mile from the east line of the township. He was a live, energetic man, full of fun and fond of his " toddy." His motto was, " drink plenty of whisky and keep the ager off." He finally sold out and moved away, probably to Missouri. Eiddle settled about a mile west of Simons. He was a quiet, easy-going man, possessing but little energy; ho died in the township several years ago. Newman settled on Fulfer Creek, and was a fine business man and a useful man in the community. He kept a store, the first in the township, and bought the surplus produce of the settlers. This he hauled in wagons to St. Louis, and in return brought back goods which, he supplied to the neighborhood, thereby creating a market at home. He finally sold out and moved into Mason Town- ship, where later he died, much respected. The Hammonds settled near Newman. Abra- ham still lives in the township, but Jerry died a few years ago. Mr. Kavanaugh settled in the same neighborhood, on the creek. He is dead, but has a son living in the township and other descendants in the county. Jacob Nelson and Houchin have been ac- credited by some as the first actual settlers in the township, but this is not knowm of a certainty at this time. They are said to have moved in about 1829 or 1830. Nelson afterward moved into Jackson and died there. Houchin was from Kentucky and settled there soon after Nelson. Later, he moved up into Shelby County, where he built a mill, and some years afterward moved into Coles Coun- ty, near the village of Paradise, and died there at a good old age. These families above mentioned were the earliest settlers in the township. If there were others here as early their names are now forgotten. A number of families, however, came in shortly after, beginning about 1844- 45. From this time a continual stream of immigration was kept up until all the avail- able land was occupied. Among the first of those later emigi-ants were the Gillmores, Isham Mahon, Judge Jonathan Hook and JeffHankins. J. L. and William Gillmore, both of whom are still living in the township, came originally from Kentucky with their father, when quite small, and settled in Fay- ette County. From thence the boys came here, as above, in 1845. Mahon came a year or two after the Gillmores. He is from Virginia and is still a resident of the town- ship. Judge Hook was from Ohio, and settled about the same time. He was a man highly respected in the community in which he lived. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and was elected County Judge, which office he filled acceptably for one term. When he died, he was followed to the grave by the largest funeral procession ever seen in the township. He was bui-ied in Edgewood Cemetery. Hankins settled near Mahon. He was a relative of the Hankinses, who set- tled in tjie county at an early day, in Simn- mit and Jackson Townships. He came here from Fayette County, and after remaining a few years returned whence he came. About this time, quite a number of settlers 360 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. were moving in from Indiana and Ohio. These did not assimilate readily with the Southern people, who formed by far the larger portion of the early settlers. The Kentnckians and Tennesseans looked upon everybody born and bred north of the Ohio River as Yankees, and the very word Yankee to them implied all that was bad and wicked. But a home in the wilderness, a life on the frontier, is a grand leveler of human prejudice ; so, as they were made better acquainted with each other by constant intercourse, their old antipathies were swept away, and they became the best of friends. West Township possesses little of historical interest beyond its settlement and occupation by white people. There is not a town — ex- cept Gillmore Station, which can scarcely be called a town — in the township; there is not a mill, and never has been, save ii saw-mill or two; nor is there a church building. This leaves but little to say, beyond the fact that the people are moral, industrious, energetic and intelligent, attending strictly to their own business and cultivating and improving their lands. That there is no church building in the tovmship, it does not follow that the people are all Bob Ingersolla. They are not of that class by any means. The schoolhouses are used for church as well as for school pur- poses, and with the towns of Altamont, Mason and Edgewood in close proximity, the people have no lack of spiritual consolation and teaching. Many of them attend religious services at these places, and are members of the churches there located. One of the first things our Pilgrim Fathers did after crossing " the stormy seas," was to assemble upon the barren rocks of Plymouth, in the greao tem- ple, whose majestic dome was the over-arching skies, and offer prayers of thanksgiving for their safe voyage and successful landing. So it was with the first settlers of Illinois, and the pioneers of West Township were no exception. Whenever a few families were near enough to each other to be called a neighborhood, they often assembled, either in the open air, or within the narrow confines of some pioneer cabin, blending their hymns of praise with the moan of the winds, and amid the scream of the panther and the howl of wolves, returning thanks to the Giver of all good. In all their trials and sufferings, their early privations and hardships, the pio- neers never once forgot that God was the great source of blessing and would not for- sake them in their time of need. With all the churches surroimding them that there are, the good people of the township ai'e well supplied with the Gospel. The first schoolhouse in the township was built on Section 10, on Fulfer Creek, near where Jim Beck now lives. The name of the first teacher is not remembered, nor the date of the school taught. At the present time there are five good, substantial schoolhouses in the township. They are all neat frame buildings, in which schools are taught each year for the usual term by compietent teach- ers. Jesse Newman, as we have said, kept the first store in the township. He was one of the most useful men in the sparsely settled community, and bought everything the farm- er had to sell, giving him the necessaries of life in return. He bought wheat and hauled it to St. Louis at 60 cents a bushel, and our farmers now gnunble at having to sell for $1 a bushel and haul it a few miles to the railroad. But then some people would grum- ble if they were going to be hung. Mr. Newman had a large peach orchard, and manufactured peach brandy. He always kept a large supply of this exhilarating bev- erage in his cellar, and furnished his custom- '■■* j^)uM- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 263 «rs liberally with it, particularly when he wanted to make a good bargain with them. Everything was then hauled to St. Louis in wagons. Mr. Gillmore says he has hauled many a load of wheat to St. Louis for 60 cents a bushel and was very glad to get even that. The old National road was a great thoroughfare in those days, and fully as many wagon trains went over it as trains of cars now go over the Yandalia Railroad. By reference to the chapter on township organization, it will be seen that the county was ])roviously divided into districts, or pre- cincts, for election purposes, and that when the county adopted township organization, Township G, in the fourth range, was called "West Township, being the first designated on the west side of the county. Mr. J. L. Gillmore was the first Supervisor, and has served in that capacity for fourteen years, which proves conclusively that he is the " right man in the right place." Since him other Supervisors have been N. T. Wharton, Au- gustus Wolf, Willett, then Gillmore again and William Velter. The present offi- cers are William Velter, Supervisor; N. T. Wharton, School Treasurer; Robert Mahon, Township Clerk, and William Donnelly and Augustus Wolf, Justices of the Peace. Like all of Effingham County — except Lu- cas Township — West is largely Democratic upon the political issues of the day. In the late war, it was patriotic, and furnished more than its full (^uota of men. A large number of them, however, enlisted at Effingham and other places, for whom the township did not get credit. This resulted in one. draft being imposed, for two men only. The first time, we are told, two Republicans wero drafted. They reported at Olney, then the military headquarters for this section, and by some sleight-of-hand work, got off and came home as " unfit for service." A new draft was or- dered, and this time the lightning struck two Democrats — Nick T. Wharton and John W. Wilson. Thoy got off too — by paying the moderate sum of .§1,000 for substitutes. The dealer in substitutes who furnished these two to West Township made a little fortune in this rather questionable business. But as a proof that it was questionable, he eventually lost it, and at the last accounts of him he was peddling sewing-machines in the southern part of the State. Verily, " the way of the transgressor is hard." There is but one small village or hamlet in the township, viz , Gillmore or Welton. The place was established as a station on the rail- I'oad when it was built and was called Gill- more. The post office still goes by that name. Recently, however, the place has been smveyed and laid out as a town and called Welton, after the proprietor of the land — H. S. Welton. It w.as platted August 2, 18S2, and is situated on the northeast quarter of Section 11, of this township. The post office was established in 1872, and John Fm-- neaux appointed Postmaster. The first store was also kept by Furneaux, who is still in the business and who still keeps the post office. A. Carlston had a small store here some time ago, but has quit the business. Mr. Randall keeps a good store at the pres- ent time. He also buys grain for Welton, who lives in Springfield and does a large business in that line. A blacksmith shop is kept by Cole. There is no church, but a good school building, which is used both for church and school. These with some half dozen or more residences comprise the little town. 264 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. CHAPTER XXV.* BANNER TOWNSHIP— TOPOGRAPHY— TIMBER GROWTH. ETC. — THE SETTLEMENT — BINGEMAN, RENTFROW AND OTHER PIONEERS— WOLF HUNTS— CHURCHES AND CHURCH INFLU- ENCES—SCHOOLS—VILLAGE OF SHUMWAY— ITS GROWTH AND DEVELOP- MENT—RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. "We cross the prairies, as of old The pilgrims crossed the sea, To make the West, as they the East, The homestead of the free." BANNER is a fractional township, lying in the north central part of the county, and was formerly included in the territory of Summit, from which it was separated in the year 1874. It is bounded on the east, south and west by the townships of Douglas, Summit and^Liberty, on the north by Shelby County, and comprises the south half of Township 9 north. Range 5 east. The prin- cipal streams by which it is watered and drained are the Little Wabash. Shoal Creek, and Moot's Creek. The first named flows through the southeast corner, and is a stream of considerable size and importance; Moot's Creek flows nearly east, through the central part of the township, uniting with Shoal Creek in Section 38, and flnally emptying into the Little Wabash. Aside from those mentioned, there are several smaller streams that are nameless on the county map. The land is diversified between woodland and prairie, the latter predominating. The tim- bered districts are confined principally to the eastern and northeastern portions and the creeks, while the prairie occupies the central and southern parts, and comprise about three- fourths of the townships. The timber consists of hickory, ash, maple, elm, •By G. K. Berrj-, and sycamore, several varieties of oak and walnut in limited quantities. The prairies, when the first pioneers made their appear- ance, were covered with a dense growth of tall grass, so tall that a person riding through it on horseback could hardly be seen, and so dense that the sun's rays were wholly ex- cluded from the ground, thus rendering the surface of the country damp and wet the entire year, and proving a prolific soui-ce of malaria during the hot months of July, August and September. These facts caused the early pioneers to give this part of the country a roomy berth, and it was not until many years after the first settlements were made in the timber that any one was found foolhardy enough to venture even a suggestion that the prairies could be cultivated. Years after, as the country became more thickly populated, and all the available timber land had been bought up, a system of di'ainage was adopted, and the land made comparatively dry. The prairie farms are now the best and most fertile in the township. This region is exclusively agricultural, there being no fac- tories of any kind, and but one flouring mill in the township. The first settlement within the present limits of Banner was made in the timber along the little Wabash, about the year IS-tO, by John Bingeman. He had been a resident of the county several years before moving here, having located in Jackson Township at HIISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. :!65 an early day, though this seems to have been his first permanent improvement. He moved to Southwestern Missouri in 1865 and died there ten years ago at an advanced age. Jefferson Bentfrow was a prominent pioneer of Banner and came into this pai't of the county in the yoai' 1843, and located the farm upon which he still resides. About the time of their arrival, or perhaps a few months later, a man by the name of llamsey made some improvements in the timber near Rentfrow's place and was prominently con- nected with the eariy history of the town- ship; his death occurred about the year 1855. The place ho improved is at present owned by George Section. Eobert Shumard was an early settler also, and located near the timber, where he lived for a niunber of years. He disposed of his improvements about the year 1860, and went to the city of Mattoon, his present place of residence. Nathan Ramsey settled on land lying about one mile east of where Shumway now stands, about the year IS-tO, where he lived until 1877, when becoming restive under the rapid ad- vances of civilization, and thinking there were more congenial quarters for him further west, turned his face in that direction and is now a resident of the State of Texas. A son, William Ramsey, occupies the old place. The same year and about the same time that Ramsey settled here, Hugh Dennis came to the township and located near the present site of Shumway, on laud now in possession of Henry Bernard. He afterward purchased a large tract of land, including the ground which the village now occupies, and sold it later to the Paducah Railroad Company when that route was first surveyed through the country. Dennis was a man of fine qual- ities, and like the majority of early settlers in a new country, came here poor, but by industry and frugality soon acquired a com- petency. His death occurred in this town- ship about fourteen years ago. In the spring of 1850, Thomas Robinson made bis advent to this part of the county, and iiui)roved a farm adjoining the place where Shumard settled. He came from Ohio, as did many of the early pioneers of northern Effing- ham, and b_y industry and energy soon reclaimed a fine farm fi-om the wild prairie, which is still in possession of his family. During the last named and fol- lowing year, quite a niunber of settlers took up their residences in various parts of the township, prominent among whom were Samuel Crollard, John Draper. Brantley Gar- rett and Frank Wetherell. The first named located in the northwest part and improved land lying in the prairie. Draper came from Tennessee and bought land where Bennius now lives. Garrett was a Tennes- sean also, and selected for his home a tract of land adjoining the Nathan Ramsey farm. Wetherell made improvements about two miles oast of the town of Shumway, where he I'esided imtil the year 1881. These were all successful fai-mers and accumulated diu-inc their residence in the township a larwe amount of land, which was brought to a high state of cultivation and the majority of which is still in the possession of their re- spective families. When the fii-st settlers came here the coun- try was full of game; the prairies abounded in large flocks of wild chickens, plover, geese, etc., while in timber were found tur- keys, deer and some few bears. Wolves wore numerous and very troublesome, often doing great damage to the settlers by carrying off pigs and poultry, and, when the winters were very cold, cattle and horses have been at- tacked and severely injured. The black wolf that infested the timber was larger, and more ferocious than the small jirairie / 266 HISTORY or EFFINGHAM COUKTY. wolf, though not so numerous. During cer- tain seasons they became very savage, and have been known to attack man himself. As the township settled up steps were taken to rid the country of these scourges, and sys- tematic hunts were planned in which all the neighbors for miles around would partici- pate, and by this means many of the wolves were killed and the balance driven from the country. The nearest source of supplies to the early residents of the township was Shelbyville, at that time but a mere village, consisting of a a few dwelling houses and a few stores. Though at no great distance, the trip there was beset with many difficulties, the chief of which were the absence of roads, muddy con- dition of the prairies, and the countless mill- ions of green-headed flies that swarmed over the country by day, so that traveling by night became a necessity. The principal crop to which the pioneer looked for support for his family and stock was corn, which, for a number of years, was about the only crop that could be raised in the country. It was grorind a' the small horse mills of which there were several in the adjoining town- ships, though none appear to have been in operation in Banner. Wheat was not raised for several years after the tirst settlements were made, the ground at that time being in no condition for its culture. After the land had been drained somewhat, attempts were made toward raising wheat, which met with but indifferent success. Some grew discour- aged, while others, more sanguine, persevered season after season, imtil finally they suc- ceeded in harvesting good crops, after finding out how to prepare and treat the soil. Ban- ner is now one of the best wheat-producing townships in Effingham County — a reputa- tion it has sustained for years. The best evidence of moral advancement and Christian civilization, in a new country, is the establishment of churches. The relig- ious history of Banner is co-equal with its settlement by white people. The first relig- ious services, of which we learned anything definite, were conducted at the residence of Nathan Ramsey, by the Old- School Baptists. The preacher on that occasion was Elder Henry Shellenberger, a minister who came to the county at a very early period of its historj^, and, like all the pioneer soldiers of the Cross who preceded or followed in the wake of Western civilization, was a man of of untiring energy in the cause of Him whom he delighted to serve. The meetings at Kam- sey's were held at intervals for several years, and served, not only as a means of spiritual refreshings, but as social events as well; for all met there on a common level, talked about matters in which all had a common interest, and enjoyed many pleasant recrea- tions from their common lot of labor. Shel- lenberger established a church of his creed just west of the timber, on Wall Creek, where a house was erected. A small congregation worshiped in this building for a number of years, but does not appear to have gained much in numbers. The organization was afterward moved to a place about one mile north of the village of Shumway, and a house of worship erected, which is still standing, though not used for church purposes, as the society was abandoned many years ago. The German Methodists established a church, north of Shumway, in the year 1869, which was afterward moved to the village. The schools next claim our attention, and follow very appropriately the notice of the religious history, as both possess refining influences, and furnish the highest standard of civilization. The first schoolhouse was a small log structure, that stood in the eastern part of the township, and F. M. Griffith IIISTOliY OF EFFlXiaiAM COUXTY. 267 taught the first term in it. The building was used for school purposes about twelve years, when, from some unknown cause, it took tire and was burned to the ground. A new one was erected in its place, a log house also, but much better fui-nished and far more con- venient. The first frame schoolhouse in the township was built prior to the year 1869, and stood a short distance north of the town of Shumway. The first public school was taught in this house by F. M. Griffith, now a prominent minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, and one of the oldest teachers of the county. Among other early teachers who wielded the birch at this place, can be mentioned Hester Ann Crollard, Maggie Means, Martha Means, Susan Small, Eiley Walker, and J. A. Arnold, present Superin- tendent of County Schools. There are three good frame schoolhouses in the township, in which schools are taught about eight months of the year. The present township board is composed of the following gentlemen: Will- iam Eechter, John Breitzueiser and George Shumard, Trustees; Henry Bernard is Treas- urer and Clerk of the board. Like other divisions of the county, this township is well supplied with roads, the majority of which are regularly established and in good condition. The Paducah & Chicago Railroad, now a branch of the W'a- bash, St. Louis & Pacific, passes thi-ough Banner, and has been a great benefit to the farmers of this section. Since its completion, the township's growth and development have been very marked. The village of Shumway is situated in Sec- tion 33, on the land formerly owned by Hugh Dennis, one of the early pioneers of the county, and by him sold to the Chicago & Puducah Railroad Company, in the year 1803. The company surveyed the land into town lots and put them on the market in the year- 1874. When the first sales were made, Henry Bernhard, Ed Meyer, M. M. Hemp- hill, Henry Metzler and Dr. J. N. Phifer being the first purchasers. These parties at once began improving their respective lots by erecting dwellings and other buildings, and by the close of the year quite a number of houses were completed and occupied- The first houses finished were the dwelling and blacksmith shop belonging to Fred Meyer, and quite an extensive building, sit- uated in the northern part of the village, and still occupied by 'Mi-. Meyer. A hotel was built about the same time by M. M. Hemp- hill, and the hu-ge storeroom belonging to Henry Bernhard was completed in a short time afterward and stocked with goods. Metzler's dwelling and business house and the residence of Dr. Phifer were erected dui'ing the summer of 1874, and from that time the growth of the place has been steady and substantial. Henry Bernhai'd opened a large stock of goods, consisting of and including«ll articles generally called for in a country store, from a grindstone to a paper of pins. He continued business with good success until the fall of 1878, when he disposed of the stock to James McNair in order to engage in the milling business. McNair replenished the stock and sold goods until September, 1881, when he sold to William Geiseking & Son, who are the present proprietors. The second store in the place was started by Henry Metzler in the fall of 1874, and also consisted of a general stock, with groceries a specialty. Metzler continued the business but a short time, when he sold his goods at auction, fitted up his room for a saloon, in which business he is at present engaged. In 187r), a third store building was erected by Fred Hoese & Co. , who started a branch store here, their main stock being at the town of Stew- 268 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. ai'tson, Shelby County. These parties con- tinued their business with varied success for several years, but finally rented their room and removed the stock to other points; their building is at present occupied by the mil- linery store of Mrs. Walterson. The first physician to locate in the new village and probably the first in the town- ship was Dr. J. N. Phifer, who as already stated erected one of the fii-st houses in the place, which he still occupies. The village has always sustained a reputation as a healthy place, yet, despite this discouraging fact the following physicians have at differ- ent intervals practiced the healing art here, viz., J. H. Carper, J. B. Johnson, JohnVan- dervort and George Haummesser, all of whom were regularly graduated M. D.'s of the diflerent schools of medicine. A schoolhouse was built during the sum- mer of 1875, and occupied the following fall and winter by Prof. J. A. Arnold, the present County Superintendent. Prof. Arnold still resides in the village, which fact may ac- count for the fine reputation the schools here have always sustained. The present school- room is hardly sufficient to accommodate the constantly increasing number of pupils, and the propriety of erecting a building, more in keeping with the growth of the town, is now being discussed. The Shumway Flom'ing Mill was erected in 1878 by Henry Beruhard, and is one of the best mills in the country. The main build- ing is foior stories high, with basement, and is . 40x50 feet. There are thi-ee run of stones, which when run steadily will gi-ind on an average of from fifty-five to sixty barrels of flour per day. The cost of the mills with additional improvements will aggregate about $13,000. Connected with the mill is an extensive stave factory and cooper shop, where all the material used in shijaping flour is manufactured, giving work to several mechanics, besides affording a good market for the oak timber of the surrounding country, A large warehouse was moved to the vil- lage from the town of Dexter in the winter of 1874, thus bringing a good grain market to the very doors of the farmers of this part of the county, who prior to this time hauled all their grain long distances to the cities of Altamont, Teutopolis and Efiingham, This warehouse was operated by H, A, Carter for some months and by him sold to Benjamin Walton, of Fairbury, who has a large and remunerative business ever since, A second grain house was built some time during the year 1875 and is at present managed by M. M. Hemphill, who handles many thousand bushels of grain annually. Mr. Hemphill is also the gentlemanly jaroprietor of the first hotel erected in the place, a business in which he has been engaged for a number of years, and which has returned him a hand- some income. The following exhibit shows the present standing of the village from a business stand-point: Geisking & Son, gen- eral store, have a stock representing several thousand dollars, and are doing a flourishing business. S, F. Smith keeps a general stock of goods which is managed by two clerks, one of whom, Ignatz Helmerbacher, is the present Postmaster. Mr. Smith does not give the business his personal attention, be- ing engaged in railroading and holding an important j^osition on the Vandalia line. Rickets & Bowen keep a general assort- ment of merchandise, and in addition deal largely in " lumber and timber, principally railroad supplies, etc. The millinery estab- lishment of the village is kept by Mrs. Wal- terson. There are at present three black- smiths in the town — Fred Meyer, already named, Fred Fischer and H. Schmidt. P. HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 269 Leismister keeps a wagon shop; G. Scliurz, boot and shoe maker; Paris GriflSth keeps a hotel — the Shnmway House. The post office at this point was established in the year 1874, with H. Bernard as Postmaster, and for several years went by the name of Tolerance, which afterward changed to Shumway while James McNair had charge of the office. There are in the village three religious organizations, with as many neat temples of worship, which ought to speak much for the morals of the place. The Lutheran Church, known as the Trinity Congregation, was organized in the year 1804, mainly through the labors of Rev. Mr. Ringer at the Buckeye Schoolhouse, and numbered among its original members the households of the following persons, viz. : William Raetz. Henry Keller, Henry Bern- hard, Robert Fulte, Edmund Redloffe, Got- lieb Konrad, Fred Lane, Charles Dunteman, Louis Fulte, F. Quast, Louis Engell, Charles Lacherhouse, Gottlieb Weiss and Charles Heiden. The schoolhouse served as a meet- ing place about seven months, when a small house of worship was erected near by, where the congregation met at intervals till the year 1880, when steps were taken to erect a more commodious structure, and, as the village was thought to be the proper place, it was unanimously decided to build here. The house was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1880, and is the largest audience room in the town. The cost of the building, in- cluding furnishing and additional improve- ments, was about .$3,500. The first regular pastor the congregation employed while they met in the first building was Rev. Charles Hartmann, who preached about four years. Rev. Dykoman was pastor one year. Rev. George H. Geickler succeeded Dykeman and remained three j'ears, doing much during his pastorate toward establishing the chiu-ch upon the firm footing it has since sustained. Rev, Henry Pence, present pastor, commenced his labors in the year 187G, and has been the regular supply ever since. There are at the present time the names of about forty members in good standing oq the chui'ch roll, among whom are some of the most sub- stantial citizens of the township. The Sun- day school is under the superintendency of the pastor, and is well attended. The German Methodist Church of Shum- way dates its organization from the year 1869, at which time Rev. Jacob Tanner came into the place, and being actuated by that zeal in the cause of his Master, characteristic of the true Christian, at once went to work and gathered together a little band of disciples, whom he organized into a class. Their names are as follows: John Bramstadt, Jacob Probst and wife, Joachim Futz and wife, Michael Schwadt and wife, and Mat- thias Bernyus and wife. For a little more than one year, the congregation met for worship at the schoolhouse, where the organization took place, but as their numbers increased, a larger place of meeting became a necessity, and a building was erected in the year 1871, about half mile north of the village. This house was used for seven years, when the church decided to move their organization to the town, and a new building was accordingly erected in the year 1879. This house is frame, will seat about 250 persons, and cost the congregation some $2,000. Since its organization this church has had the following pastors in the order named: Rev. Tanner served one year, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles Ghelert, who looked after the spiritual wants of the con- gregation three years, and was in turn followed by Rev. F. H. Miller; Miller remained one year, as also did his successor. Rev. George Heiden; Henry Brinkmeier was pastor three years; Rev. William Simon 370 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. preached three years ; Rev. J. P. Wilhehne two years; Rev. Charles Ghelert again took charge of the church in 1881, and has preached for the congregation ever since. There are at present about thirty-two members. Edward Meyer is Superintendent of the Sunday school, which is one of the most flourishing in the place. St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Shumway was organized in the year 1879 with a membership of about twenty-six families, at a place called Blue Point, one mile west of the village. A committee was appointed by the organization to determine on a place of building, and after much dis- cussion, it was finally agreed to erect a house at Shumway, which was accordingly done in the fall of the same year. This building is a fine frame structure, 30x60 feet, well furnished and finished, and cost about ?3,000' to complete it. Father Bonifacius was the first pastor of the church, and remained but one year, working hard dm-ing that time to build up the congregation, and much of the present prosperity of the church is due to his labors. Rev. Francis Hasse succeeded, his pastorate extending over a period of little more than four years. The next pastor was Father Fulgencius, who ministered to the church one year and six months, and was succeeded in 1881 by the present pastor Rev. Norbert "Wilhelme, a man universally es- teemed by all irrespective of church or creed, for his piety, learning and benevolence. Under his care, the congregation has been considerably strengthened, and became one of the strong congregations in this diocese. CHAPTER XXVI.* MOCCASIiV TOWNSHIP— CONFIGURATION AND BOUNDARIES— STREAMS, TIMBER, ETC.— PIONEER SETTLEMENT — EARLY LIFE OF THE PEOPLE— AN INCIDENT — CHURCHES AND PREACHERS- THE FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE — SCHOOLS OF THE PRESENT- MOCCASIN VILLAGE— PLATTED— GENERAL BUSINESS OF THE PLACE. " Once upon a time life lay before me, Fresh as a story untold, Now so many years have traveled o'er me, I and the story are old." — Bnslinell. T ONG ago, one morning in May, a young -^—* man rode across the Illinois prairies with a friend. They passed on over the bound- less expanse, far out of sight of any human habitation. Thousands of flowers bloomed around them everywhere, their beauty and fragrance surpassing all that they had ever dreamed of floral loveliness and perfume. It seemed as if the whole world had been converted into green grass, blue sky, bloom- ing flowers and glorious sunshine. The • By W. H. Perrin. scene was one that might have insjiired the sweet "Southern" singer, when she sang — " Like gladsome gales on Orient seas With odors blown from isle and coast. From fragrant shores we felt the breeze That whispered of the Eden lost. "We drank the balm of hidden flowers. Whose breath was nectar to the heart, Nor thought we then the rosy hours With life's May dawn would soon depart." Many people, bubbling over with poetical sentiment, have tried to describe the great prairies of the West, and to portray their feelings when first beholding them. No doubt they were " grand and gorgeous " (the prairies, not the people who tried to describe them) in their pristine beauty before the set- HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 271 tier came to mar and destroy their beauty and loveliaess, by turning things (literally) ■' upside down." Whether or not the little Bceno noted at the begining of this chapter occurred in Moccasin Township " long ago," when its territory was the undisputed posses- sion of the gopher and prairie wolf, it mat- ters not. "We have the authority, however, of a gushing writer of the period, that it oc- curred somewhere in Illinois, and so we ap- ply it to this section, on the strength of its adaptabilily. Nearly all of the township is prairie, and generally level, but sufficiently undulating as to require no artificial drain- age. The woodland is contiguous to the water-courses, of which the principal are Moccasin and "Wolf Creeks. These streams were named by the old pioneer. Griffin Tip- sword. When he first came to Moccasin Creek, he discovered a great many moccasin tracks, or human tracks, wearing moccasins, in the sand along its banks, hence, he called it Moccasin Creek. He named Wolf Creek in consequence of the great number of wolves that lived in the timber along the stream. Moccasin Creek flows east and west nearly through the center of the township. Little Moccasin flows in the same direction, but a mile or two farther north, passing near the village. Wolf Creek is in the northwest corner, while Beech Creek, a mile or two south of Moccasin, runs parallel with it. There are several other small and nameless streams laid down on the map. These water courses aflford an excellent system of irriga- tion and drainage, together with an abund- ance of stock water. The timber of Moccasin, which is incon- siderable in quantity, is that common in this portion of the county, and consists princi pally of white oak, hickory, walnut, cotton- wood, sugar tree, elm, etc. , etc. Moccasin is bounded north by Liberty Township, east by Summit Township, south by Mound Town- ship, west by Fayette County, and is desig- nated as the Congressional Township 8 north, in Range 4 east, of the Third Princi- pal Meridian. The settlement of Moccasin Township is of a more modern date than many other portions of the county. Being mostly prairie, the people did not venture out upon the vast plains, until crowded out by the increase of population. Even then, it was with many misgivings as to what the final result would be. But as the great army of pioneers con- tinued to come in, and the timber land was all taken up, they were forced to spread out on the prairies for want of room. As soon as their virtues were discovered, the prairies were then settled as rapidly as the timber had been before them. Although not settled as eai'ly as some of the other townships, yet it is not possible to say who was the first actual settler in what now forms Moccasin TowTiship. The Tip- swords figured in this section, and Griffin, the pioneer and patriarch of the tribe, was, doubtless, the first white man who ever saw it, but from the best of our information he lived over in the present township of Liberty. When Moses Doty, still a respected citizen of the township, came here, in 1840, he found already here the following settlers and their families, viz. : S. R. Powell, Thomas Perry, John Scully, J. P. and Hiram Doty, Samuel Cunningham, Edward and Samuel Mahon, Jesse and Daniel Troxell, Lyman Pratt and Thomas Doty. All these came between 1830 and 1840, most of them toward the end of the decade. Powell came from Tennessee, and settled on Moccasin Creek. He lived to be quite an old man, and died near the village of Dester. He has two sons and three daughters still living in the county. Perrv came from Ken- 272 HISTOBY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. tucky, and settled in the west part of the township. He is dead, but has a daughter living here. He had several sons, but all of them, we believe, have moved further west. Scully was an Irishman, born and reared in Ohio — that is, he was a native of Ireland, but brought up principally in Ohio — from which State he emigrated to Illinois, and settled in this township. He was an en- ergetic, money-making man, and was fast growing rich when he died. He was bm-ied on Wolf Creek, in the Tipsword graveyard. Cunningham also came from Ohio. After living here some years, he moved to the soiithern part of the State, where he died. The Trosells were likewise fi'om Ohio. Jesse died on Wolf Creek many years ago. Daniel came here in 1839, and settled on Wolf Creek where he died about 1S53-54. The Dotys, Pratt and Mahons, were all from the Buck- eye State — prolific land of " Ohio statesmen." J. P. and Hiram Doty both entered land on Moccasin Creek, and are both still living — J. P. in Missouri, and Hiram in Texas. They are brothers to Moses Doty. Thomas, a cousin, came out in 1839, and after remain- ing a few years returned to Ohio, where he died. Pratt settled on Moccasin, aad after- ward moved back to Ohio, with Tom Doty. The Mahons came about 1838. Edward was a single man, and married Powell's eldest daughter after he came here. He moved to Iowa, and died there, when the family came back, and are now living in the township; Samuel died here, and his family moved back to Ohio. Moses Doty, to whose intelligence and vivid recollection of early times we are indebted for much of the history of this neighborhood, came to Illinois in 1840, and settled in the present township of Moccasin. There were but few people then in Effingham County, and, in- deed, the county itself had not completed its iirst decade as an organized and independent community. Mr. Doty says he stopped and fed his team where the city of EfRngham now stands, and all around it was apparently a wilderness. An old man, of the name of Slover, had a cabin there, a few rods east of the railroad depot. His son-in-law, Jim Cartwright, lived with him, and there was not another habitation in sight. Mr. Doty has been a resident of the county for over forty years, and has seen it grow up, as it were, from a handfiil of struggling pioneers to a rich and prosperous county. He knew old Ewington in its palmy days; was well acquainted with old Freemanton when it was known, far and wide, as the hardest hole in Southern Illinois, when it could get away with more " rot-gut " whisky and scare up more fights than any other place of its size in the wide world. He knew Tipsword well, has heard Boleyjack preach, and was with Ben Campbell the day he died; and of the early history of the county, few now living know more of it, or can tell it better. Among other early settlers who came in 1840, were Joshua and Jonathan Bodkins and Joseph Doty, all from Ohio. The first two mentioned were cousins, and after remaining a few years, they, with Joseph Doty, moved back to Ohio. From this time on, the settle- ments grew rapidly, and settlers came in such numbers as to render it impossible to keep track of them. Their efforts in reducing a wilderness, and subjecting it to the uses and benefits of man, are seen to-day in the elegant homes and productive farms of the township. This state of wealth and prosperity was not attained without labor and toil. The forests bad to be felled (for the first settlers all located in the timber), the gi'ound cleared, fenced and planted, and crops raised upon which to sustain life; clothing had to be manufactured, and this was no small job, as HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY, 273 there were no stores in the country. And if there had been, there was no money to buy clothing or other luxuries of life. The clothing was coarse, and was manufactured by the good wife and her daughters at home. The cloth from which it was made was also manuf actiired at home, and the material from wliich the cloth was made likewise of home production, and was either flax or wool or both. This seems to us, who can step into a a store, and for a few dollars, buy an entire wardrobe for either male or female, a hard life, and had the majority of our young ladies of the present day to depend upon their own exertions in the matter of dress, as did their grandmothers, no doubt many of them would have to fall back to mother Eve's system of millinery. But the passing years have brought ample remuneration for the dangers and hardships borne in the early times. Many incidents and anecdotes of the early times might be related of every portion of the county, but space will not permit We will give one, however, which occurred in Moccasin, and shows how the jieople of the township are disposed to deal out justice to evil-doers. It is related of a couple of citizens, who, after partaking rather freely of rifle whisky, liually got into a drunken row. In the melee one of them caught the other, pushed him down in a chair, and taking hold of his whiskers, pulled his head over the back of the chair, and seizing a "case-knife," swore he would cut his throat. He drew the knife across the man's neck, and the only reason that he did not cut his throat from ear to oar was because the knife was too dull. His intention was good to do a first-class job in that line. In the meantime, the wife of one of the combatants interfered and succeeded in preventing perhaps a murder. When the facts became known, the would-be murderer was arrested and taken before a magistrate for trial. That dignitary was not thoroughly read up in criminal law, and instead of making out a case of "assault with intent to kill," he impaneled a jmy of twelve men, and tried the fellow for murder. After hearing the evidence, the jury brought in a verdict of Suiltt/, but set no puni.shment. The question then arose as to what to do with the prisoner, when a happy thought entered the head of some one, to take him to Effingham. This was done, and the legal snarl was straight- ened out. The pioneers of Moccasin Township took an early interest in education, and established schools as soon as there were children enough to support them. It is not known now who taught the first school in the township. The first schoolhouse was built in the edge of the timber on Moccasin Creek, and was a small log cabin. Samuel Mahon was one of the first teachers to occupy it, but it is not thought that he was the fii'st teacher in the settlement. The township is well supplied with schools and schoolhouses at the present day. The first preacher remembered in this section was Boleyjack. Mr. Doty says that the first time he attended church after he came here, as he approached the meeting he saw Boleyjack sitting on an old log by the roadside tieiag on his sIioch with hickory- bark. He was bare-headed, and his hair, which was unkempt and uncombed, was full of feathers and down, and upon the whole, the old fellow looked as little like a preacher as possible. The first meetings were held at the people's cabins, and in warm weather in the groves. The Methodist Episcopal Church standing on Section 17 was the first church built in the township. It was erected about the year 1854-55, at a cost of some $800. and is a plain frame building. It is a rather strong 271 IllSTOUV Oi'' Jil'l-'lNCJllAAI COUNTY niid vi^oriiiiH (;liiir(^li, mul HU|>|)orl.H ii (loiiiihili iii^ Hchool. Tlut MoUiodiMt KpiMcopiil (!liiin!li Soiil.li, on S(i(!li(iii H, itl)i>ut H liiiir mild wkhI (if lliit villii^o, wiiM luiill. in 1K(VS (JO. It. in ft noiit. fruniii building, and itHWioioly in fluuriHliin^. IIkv. Mr. Ij(ii> iH tlio pnwcint. |mnt(>r. A j^ood Siindiiy Mi'lidol in iiiiiint.tiinith(«liMt Ohiirch is locntorl on Kdcriion 2(, near tlic ruilroud. It in ii ImndMonio and Huli.Htanliid fram« building, and wan oroctod uboiit 1S71--72. It is Hlrong niiniorically, and koopM up a ^ood Kuixtay HCllooi. Thoro iH a Htation or Hhippinjj point, on tlio \\'al>'iMli Kaili'oail at iliin (iliiirdi, l)nt notii in;; lil\(i a town or villain; il in nu'rcly a Hliippin^ point, and no otlior IttmineuH Ih oar- rind Oh than tliiin^ of ^rain and Htodk. 'i'lit' viila;,'(i oT Mo(!caHin, oniliracin^; thirty noroH of ground, in Hituatod on llii< HouthwoHt <|Uarl(r, and thn MOuthoaHt r of tUo MoiitliwoHt (piartor of SdOtion U; and tho uorthdaxt qimrtor of tho nr)rfli\v(mt (piartnr of Si'(!tioii 111, of MotMNisin Towii-'tliip. It VVHH Hiirvctynd by John Ma^niro, April 'M, .1872, for Jionjainin Jcjuoh, Ji>hi<|)1i Yarnall and J. II. Millor, proprinlorH of tho land. It. waH (rallod Mo(;(;aHin, vvliioh naiuo tliii town.ship birHt.ro for Minor it .lonnin^jH, of I KHin^hani, and dooH a lar^o buHinoHH in that lino. 'rh(< iniportunoo of thn pla(M< may bo tliti.s HUinniarizod: Oin* ^onoral Htore, one ^rain oh- tabliHhuiont, two lilackHmitli HliopH, ono poHt ollico, ono HchooUioiiMo, and probably a j'op Illation of twonty fainilioH. ('II .\ \"Vi:\i XX\'II. lll.^llol- ToW.N.SIIir -TOI'OdKAI'IIV ANIJ SIJHFAOR KKATIIUHH— (DOMINO 01' Till'; l'l().Ni:i:ilH— I'llKIK ilMtlJ TIMKH AND VICIHSITIIDHS— TllK KAUI.V I.MI'HOVIC.MKNT.S IN I.l VINO— llOAU.s. MILLS, Kii!.— SCHOOLS AND sciiooi.iionsi'.s KKi.Kiiotis iiisroiiv--(;iii;it(:iii;s AND I'liKAcnmis Till-; viM.AdK or i;m,iottsto\vn. i:n'., im;. I )1SII()1'T()\VNSIIII' lioH in thooaHtorn * -^ part of I'ltlln^dunii Comity, an (.^rovoH, ofton of con- nidoral)lo lon^th, and alon^ tho wat(>r cotirHOH Uio ^roat(ir part of whioh liaH lon^ HJnoo diu- • Uy I). N. liKir;. appoarod boforo tho Hottlor'H ax. 'I'ho vuiio tioM conHiMti'd principally of walnut, hinMo growth of undorbrush and huzol. Tho prairio in moHtly loYoi, (isponially in tho southorn part, wliilo in tho north it iH inor(i unilulatin;.;. Tho Hoil of tho prairio Ih fertilo, ouHily ciiltivatod, and proilucoM abundant cropn, whilo tho tim b(>r-land in moro of a clayi^y natiir(< and thin in Homo placoH, yot by propor oiiltivation it ro- tlirnH fair (rropM for tho labor b('Mtow(r ooroiils common (o lliis purl of tlici roMiitry »ri^ riiim'd moro or Iohh. I'or- liapH III) lii>M.i>r rriiit-|ir()inry farm of any iiofo, and Ui« vario'ios of fruit aro iiiiioiif thoir Htocic liiirt hoconio u Hiifo invoHtmnnt, and con- hidi'rahlo capilal in <>xp«n Ixiwnship; thi'llriit riHcH in Hoction 1, anil llows HouthwKsti'rly nhout four miloH, when it tak(>H un nhrupt turn almost duo wcxt until it loaves tho town Hliip. A hranch cif this crook hati its Hourco in Section -1, running Koulh and uiiiUn^ wi(Ji the main n(roam in Section '2'>. Salt ('r«M!k (lows tlirou);!) tho northwost corner of tho township, and fiirnishoN umplo draina((d. Ahoiil, tiiis timo, sov- ornl Nipiatters erected temporary hahilatioiiH aloii}^ the watorcoiirses, hut mude no further jmprovonionts, sponiiint; all their timo in huntiii(j; and trapping a husiness which r<>- liirned them a very fair profit, as t.lie i-ountry at that time was full of ^aiiut and fiirlx-iiriiiK animals. Tlioy reinained hiil a short time, and left, for tho couiiiry further west, as soon as lhn. Ho chiuo from (Jormany. and made Ihis l/)wiishi|> his first stojipiiijj; place, where he continued l,o rd a larjifo tract of land from its wild state. A man named VVi'sten dorf settled in tho same vicinity one year Inlor, and improved n small farm adjoining Koamen's place. Ho was a (iermaii also, and left llie " falherland " for the puqioso of hotl^iM'iinjf his condition and socurinn; a homo for his children in the Nctw World. HiH hopes wore realized heyond his ox|)i»ctationH, as he, in time, hecamo very wealthy, and owned much of the land that formerly siir- roundiul his little claim, and which is now in possession of his two sons (ieor^^e annry hiy;hly resiiocl^xl citi/.tuis of the towti ship. Thesis were tho only Hettlemenl« made up to tho year 1812. 'J'hnt year was marked hy tho fuivent of Mlias \iiiyUm, TheophiliiH Wilson, William White, nnd Thomas Wliito— 276 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. all of whom came from Ohio, and were promi- nently identified with the early history of their respective communities. The first named entered a piece of timber land near Bishop Point, in the eastern part of the township, where he still lives. Wilson set- tled in the timber also, north of Lay ton's place, and made the first improvements on the farm whore William Field now lives, to whom he sold it about twenty years ago and moved to Missouri. He remained in Mis- souri but a short time, returning again to Effingham County and purchasing a farm in the neighboring township, of Watson, where he died about ten years ago. Several repre- sentatives of this family still reside in the county. William White located a farm in the west- ern part of the township, in Section 30, where he lived for fifteen years, when he sold the place and purchased a tract of land near Bishop Point, which was his home as long as he remained in the county. White was a noted character in the community, and was well known all over this and the adjoining county of Jasper. A very giant in statiu'e, and endowed with the strength of a Hercules, he was universally feared by all, as he was in the habit of drinking a gi'eat deal and, when under the influence of the ardent, his passions were easily aroused, and nothing suited his fiery disposition better than a knock down. His neighbors, knowing his peculiar weakness (or strength), and having ample cause to fear his gigantic strength, were care- ful on such occasions to lec him severely alone. Woe to the luckless fellow who re- plied to any of his insulting gibes, as he was sure to resent it in a manner that the offense was never repeated. Hospitality was a trait which he cultivated; anybody applying to him for food or shelter was never turned away from his door. The little brown jug was always trotted out, and a guest could offer him no deeper insult than to refuse to drink, which he looked upon as a breach of hospitality. The guest was told, very de- cidedly, to choose which he preferred — a drink or a sound thrashing; and the red-eyo was generally taken in preference to the pummeling, which all knew meant nothing less than a mashed head and broken bones. During the last years of his life, he became very dissipated, and when working on his farm kept a jug of whisky at each end of the field, and between the two, which he managed to drain before night, became so gloriously patriotic that his wife had to go on a regular- hunt for him every day and pilot his tottering steps home. His death occiu-red a number of years ago. Thomas White was a brother of William, and, though not so rough a character, his name cannot be placed in the calendar of saints by any means. He was, like his brother, a man of great physical pow- ers, and prided himself upon his strength, which was remarkable. He settled near Bishop Point, and for a number of years engaged in the practice of medicine, belong- ing, as he often said, to the school of com- mon sense, and was one of the very few who graduated from their institutions. His medi- cines were digged from the earth, scraped from the bark of trees and boiled from their leaves, and when old and stubborn cases of malaria, then so prevalent in the country, baiSed the effects of his botanic remedies, recourse was had to charms, signs, etc. , which generally effected (?) the desired cure. He left the township a number of years ago, and moved to a place called Island Grove, in Jasper County. Joseph Melson, John Tediick, Isaiah Wall and a man by the name of Ai-mstrong were residents of the township as early as the year 1844. The first named came from Ohio and HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 377 settled near Bishop Point on a farm which is present in possession of his widow. Tedrick entered land in Section 27, whore he still lives at an advanced age. He originally came from Maryland and emigrated to Indi- ana when that part of the country was on the outskirts of civilization. His farm in this township is a model in the way of improve- ments, and the family are in affluent circum- stances. Wall came fi'om Ohio and improved a farm in Section 27, which he sold shortly afterward and with his family moved to Posey County, Ind. Armstrong located in Section 27 also, and was the first preacher in the township. He held religious services at a 'number of places in this and the ad- joining settlements, but never organized any society. His neighbors are held responsible for the saying that his preaching and practice did not always harmonize, but his advice to his congregations, if not exactly Script- m'al was, to say the least, plausible, and savored very much of good sense, i. e. ' ' Don't do as Armstrong does, but do as Armstrong tells you." He appears to have been a great hunter, and nothing gave him more delight than rambling through the woods in quest of the game, and so great was his love for the sport that he often caiTied his gun with him to church, and after preaching a long dis- coui-se on the ''sinfulness of sin," and the necessity of keeping the Sabbath holy, would go to the woods, spend the rest of the day at his favorite pastime and return at night well loaded with the fruits of his day's sport, kt one time, while himting along Salt Creek, night overtook him in the woods. The wolves, which were then plenty, gave him chase and soon overtook him, when he tiu-ned and shot two of them. This served as a check until he could load his gun, when an- other one was killed. His dog, in the mean- time, was not idle, but rushed into the pack and was very soon overpowered and killed. Seeing his dog eaten up alive before his eyes, Armstrong clubbed his gun and made an onslaught on the tierce beasts, which at once tiurned upon him. Nov? ensued a struggle for life, and manj' of the wolves bit the dust before the vigorous blows of the gun, but being almost tired out, his savage enemies had the advantage, as others kept coming up all the time and joined in the fray. Armstrong's cries for help were heard by some parties who lived not very far away, and after fighting for almost an hour, he was rescued. The wolve.s, seeing the other men coming, quit their intended victim and scampered away. Armstrong received sev- eral ugly gashes on the legs, arms and about the face and had his clothing almost stripped from his body. Roland Childs was a pio- neer of Bishop, having come into the town- ship about the year 1846. The place where he located is in Section 28, and is at present owned by Henry Smith. The Fields were a prominent family of this township, and have been identified with all movements calculated to advance its material prosperity. Ambrose Field, father of Will- iam and Dr. Field, located in Section 31 about the year 18-1:7. He came to this pai't of the country from Edgar County, to which place he moved from the State of Kentucky when Illinois was in the infancy of its exist- ence. Ho died in the year 1S55, a victim to the cholera, which raged through the country at that time. The place where he settled is owned and occupied by Andrew Bogart. Dr. Field, one of the first physicians in the southern part of the county, came with his father from Edgar Coimty and engaged in the business of school teaching, prosecuting his medical studies in the meantime. He entered a piece of land in Section 30, on which he moved and made some improve- 278 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. ments, but his practice increased so rapidly that he was compelled to quit fai-miug alto- gether and devote his whole attention to his profession. He resides in the village of El- liottstown and has a large and remunerative practice. Samuel Field located near Bishop Point, where he still resides. John AV. Field purchased laod near the village of Elliotts- town, which is still in his possession. He is at present Justice of the Peace, an office which he has acceptably tilled for several years. The foregoing list comprises the most prominent settlers of the township down to the year 1848, though there may be others entitled to a mention whose names we were unable to learn. Since 1848, the influx of population has been steady and constant; the land has all been taken up and improved; good roads have been established through- out the township. Comfortable, and in some cases, elegant farm residences have taken the places of the primitive pole cabin and board shanty. Villages have been laid out, schools established, neat schoolhouses erected at projier intervals, commodious temples of worship built, and everything bespeaks the prosperity with which the citizens of this part of the county are blessed. Life in this country forty years ago was en- tirely different from what it is to-day. In nothing ai'e the manners and customs of the people similar to those who first introduced civilization into the Western wilds. The dwellings, clothing;, diet, social customs, in fact, ever3'tbing, has undergone a total revo- lution, and it is a difficult task to give our youth anything like a just idea of the manner in which their fathers lived and prosj)ered in the days when the country was a wilderness. Game of all kinds then infested the woods and prairies, and furnished the table of the early settler a plentiful supply of fresh meat. Venison was no rarity, but was a staple ar- ticle of food, deer being so numerous as to cause great injury to the crops, and hence were killed even when not needed for food. The first mill in the township was a very diminutive affair, operated by horse-power, and erected by Mr. Armstrong, an early setfler, near his jalace of residence in the southern jiart of the township. The grind- ing apparatus rested on a large oak stump that had been smoothed off for the purpose, and was covered by a rude shed, the frame work of which consisted of four forked poles stuck in the ground, on which rested the roof. The mill ground very slow, but made a fair article of meal, and was extensively patronized by the citizens of this and neigh- boring townships. It was in operation about ten years, and did a great deal of business for a mill of its capacity. Dr. "White erected a small horse mill shortly after he came to the township at Bishop Point, which was in operation about hfteen years. It was a decided improvement on the first named, having better machinery, ground faster, and made a better article of flour and meal. It was kept running day and night for some time, j)eople often coming many miles with their grists, and remaining two days, and sometimes longer before their turns came for grinding. Both of those old mills disap- peared long since, and not a vestige of either remains to mark the spots where they stood. No other flouring mills were built in Bishop until the year 1871, when a man by name of Lambert erected one in the western part of the township. This was a combination mill, operated by steam, and did a flourishing business for several years. It was torn down in the spring of 1882, aud moved to the town of Wheeler, where it is at present in opera- tion. The first electioii, in which the early settlers of this township particii^ated, took , - ^ifSti^JiStS^S ■'miMm '<:>^^ ^jZ-^ G^^^^-^-i---^ HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 281 place in the year 1848, and was held at the residence of Levi Jacobs, au early settler who came into the county about ten years previous. The number of votes cast was not large, nor all confined to Bishop, as the county was at that time made up of precincts. The township has been strongly Democratic ever since its organization, giving that ticket, at the last Presidential election, over 100 majority. The cause of education received the early attention of the pioneers of Bishop, and to-day its fruits may be seen in the intelli- gence and culture of the descendants of the early and honest settlers. Though in the first settlement there were a great many influences that worked against the development of a general system of education— neighborhoods were thinly settled, money scarce, and people generally poor, no schoolhouses, no public tupd, no trained and qualified teachers, no books, and nothing of the present system was at the hands of the jaioneers — yet they organized schools, their children were taught, and grew to manhood and to years, wiser and more learned than their venerable sires. The date of the first school in Bishop Town- ship was not learned, nor the name of the first teacher. A school was taught near Bishop Point, at an early day, by Samuel Field, a man who threw a great deal of enthusiasm into his profession, and gave his patrons universal satisfaction. A neat brick house was built at the Point in 1853, h. which the first public school in the township was tatlght by Mr. Field the same year; he was afterward followed by James Gillen- waters, who was among the successful teachers of the township. He taught here several years, and was untiring in his efl'orts to bring the schools up to a high standard of excellence. There are at present, five frame schoolhouses in the township, well furnished. The wages paid teachers in Bishop average from $20 to $40 per month, which all con- cede to be much too low, as first class teachers cannot be procured at such figures. The people are fast realizing that a few dollars per month in a good teacher's salary is not at all to be considered or compared to a poor school in the hands of a cheap, but incompe- tent instructor. There are in addition to the public schools of the township, two parochial schools, under the control of the Lutherans and Catholics respectively, both of which are reputed in flourishing condition. The first religious services in Bishop were conducted by Elder Stephen A. Williams, a pioneer preacher of Union Township, at private residences and at schoolhouses. He was a member of the Christian Church, or, as they are ■ more commonly known, "New Lights," and organized the first society of that denomination in the county. The Meth- odists held services throughout the township during its early history, but never had a permanent organization. The southern and western parts of the township were settled principally by Germans, the majority of whom are connected with the Catholic and Lutheran Churches, each deaomination hav- ing a flourishing congregation near the village of Dieterich. St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church dates its history from the year 1859, at which time a meeting was called for the purpose of tak- ing steps toward the erection of a house of worship. It was decided at this meeting to erect a temporary frame structure, and a so- liciting committee was appointed which soon succeeded in raising several hundred dollars, when an order arrived from Bishop Junker to either build a substantial edifice, suitable for a house of God, or none at all. This or- der served as a check on the building, and no fiurther efforts were made in that direction p 282 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. until the year 1865, when the present house was erected. It is ii fine brick edifice, 40x60 feet, and cost, when completed and furnished, the sum of $7,000. In the fall of 1865, Rev. Kroeger held the first services in the new building with great pomp and ceremony. The first regulai' pastor was Father Nazarias, who had charge of the church but a few weeks. Father Mauritius, at that time rector of St. Joseph's College, was next appointed pastor, and succeeded diu'ing his pastorate in paying off the greater amount of the church's in- debtedness. Fathers Aloysius, Chrisosto- mus, Eustachius, Clementinus and Marcus have had charge of the congregation at dif- ferent times. Twenty families comprised the original membership, which has since increased until there are now 350 active members belonging to the church, and it is considered one of the most flourishing parishes in the diocese of Alton. The necessity of having a denominational school south of Salt Creek had long been felt by the Catholic families living here, as the distance to the nearest school, Teutopolis, was too great to be traveled by the children of the neighborhood. Forty acres of gi'ound were purchased for school purposes, in the year 1852, and a suitable log house erected. Mr. Hulls was the first teacher, in which capacity he served until the year 1854. From 1854 until 1863, the following teachers successfully taught one term: Kepking, Nieuaher, Borgman, Klinkhammer, Wern- sing (the present County Treasurer), Peters, Ackersmann, Gottesleben and Baltenweck. In 1863, Mr. Heimeier taught with great suc- cess, and continued with the school until 1872. C. H. Guithues was then appointed and followed his vocation until 1880, when he resigned, and was succeeded by his son, Theodore Guithues, who still holds the posi- tion. A new building was erected in the year 1877, a short distance from the log structure. It is built of brick, cost $1,000, and is in every respect a model of neatness and comfort. At present there are sixty children attending the school. St. J ohn's Lutheran Church was organized in the year 1860, by Rev. Mr. Dickman, with a membership of about fifteen families. The schoolhouse northeast of Elliottstown served as a meeting place, until their first house of worship was erected. Their present neat ed- ifice was built in the year 1876, at a cost of $1,600. There are now about forty commu- nicants connected with the chui-ch. The present Trustees are H. Helmbrecht, G. Gerth and J. Woltmein. Rev. G. Wagner is the pastor now in charge. A parochial school was established the same time the church was built, and has been in successful opera- tion ever since. They have a good house, and the average attendance is about sixty pu- pils. The different pastors have had charge of the school as instructors. The Village of EllioUstown. — This town dates its history from June 17, 1854, at which time the gi-ound was surveyed into lots by County Surveyor R. A. Howard, for Smith Elliott, proprietor of the land. An addition was made to the original plat a few years afterward of a number of lots lying south of the main street in Lucas Township. A short time after the survey was made, sev- eral dwellings and business houses were in process of erection. There were a couple of buildings on the town site before the gi-oiind was platted, belonging to Dr. L, J. Field and E. A. Elliott. The former stood on the corner now occupied by George Dye's hotel, and was used for the threefold purpose of dwelling, doctor "shop" and post office. The last named is still standing and was IllSXUKY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 283 formerly used as a dwelling and storeroom. It is at present occupied by Mrs. Higgins as a residence. The post office had been estab- lished at this point several years before the town was laid out, with Dr. Field as Post- master, a position he held for over seventeen years. It was not on any regular route, and the proceeds of the office were supj)osed to be sufficient to pay for carrying the mail. Sometimes, however, pay fi-om this source fell short and the deficiency had to be made up from private means of the Postmaster, who in this way lost over $60 during his term of office. About the time the town was contemplated, a storehouse was built and stocked with a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise by Robert Evans, who, for some two years, did a very handsome little business, which served as a good advertisement for the place. A second store building was erected about the year 1854 by John Marble, who kept a general line of merchandise, with a barrel of "Old Johnson County'' to make his variety complete. He continued his business but one year, when he disposed of his stock and moved into St. Francis Town- ship. The building was afterward torn down and removed to a place east of Teutopolis, where it is still standing. About 1855, H. L. Smith started a third store, which was kept in the house where Mrs. Higgins now lives, and for a while candied on a good trade. Dr. Field kept a store in one room of his residence for two years, which he op- erated in connection with his medical prac- tice. The latter having grown to so consid- erable extent, and finding he could not do his mercantile business justice without in- terfering with his profession, he closed out his stock, after having sold goods for two years. Since the town started, the following firms have done business here at difi"erent in- tervale : Sloan & Barr, William Hunter, Lloyd & Kennedy, Lloyd & Wilds, Sloan & Floyd, George Dye, W. H. Hyden, F. B. Schooley. The business of the town is represented at present by Merry & Sons, who keep a very fine store, with a stock of goods representing a cash value of perhaps $2,700. George Dye keeps a drug store and handles a line of groceries also. He is the good-natured proprietor of the only hotel in place, a good one by the way, and we mean no reflection on him when we call his place the ' ' Dye ' ' House. Dr. Field was the first physician in the town. Drs. Abbott, Hughes, Sloan, Johnson, Lessem", Shindle and Lara- bee have at different times during the town's history ministered to the afflicted of the vil- lage and sm'rounding county. Dr. T. J. Dunn, a son-in-law of Dr. Field and a regu- larly graduated M. D., is at j^resent located here and is gaining a large and lucrative practice. The first blacksmith shop in the village was built by John V. Bail, in the year 1855. He worked at his trade here for two years, when he sold his shop and moved to the village of Watson, where he has been ever since. A shop is run at present by John Dye. G. W. Baty built a steam flour- ing and saw mill combined, in the year 1854, and operated it about five years, when he sold it to a Mr. Patterson. The mill blew up a short time after Patterson purchased it, killing him instantly, and tearing the mill to shreds. Nobody else was hurt, though several had very narrow escapes. A steam saw mill was operated in the village several years, by Samuel Field, but at present there are no mills or manufactur- ing establishments of any kind in the place. There were in the village during its days of infancy several saloons — ginshops, sample rooms, or, to bo more explicit, "hell-holes," which had a demoralizing efifect upon the town and entire community, and gave the 284 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. place a bad reputation abroad. These can- cers were removed a number of years ago, and fortunately for the good sense, intelli- gence and morality of the citizens, nothing of the kind has been permitted since. A man named Jim Green finally kept whisky by the barrel, which he retailed from his residence, causing the better disposed citizens a great deal of annoyance, but all their efforts to induce him to quit the business were fruit- less. During the progress of a gi-eat temper- ance revival which took the country by storm, some parties thought they could further the cause by destroying Green's whisky barrel, and accordingly went to work with that object in view. The barrel was kept in his smoke- house, as they supposed, right over the well, at least they had seen cerf ain parties go there for the purpose of sampling the "creature." Fired by the holiness of their mission, these cold water disciples crept cautiously up to the barrel one night, and after placing their sen- tinels on the watch, in order to insm-e safety, proceeded to bore a hole in the cask which contained the hated poison. The hole was bored, but fearing detection the templars did not wait to see the result, but went to their respective homes, cheered no doubt by approv- ing consciences for the part they had taken in the great work for humanity. The next morning the entire contents of Mrs. Green's brand new barrel of soft soap was found in the well, and nobody knew who bored the hole. The first school in Elliottstown was taught by John Russ. He began in the fall of 1856 and continued three months. The house in which this term was taught was a small frame building erected for the purpose, and was the only house of the kind in the town for eighteen years. Among the different teach- ers who taught in this building were the fol- lowing : Samuel Field, who kept one of the first schools in the township ; H. B. Kepley, now ne of the 1 eadi ng lawyers of Effing- ham, and W. B. Hannawalt. The old house was replaced in 1874 by the present building, which was erected at a cost of about $800. The first school in this house was taught by Dr. T, J. Dunn. Present teacher is Mr. J. M. Britton who has an interesting school of about fifty pupils. The Baptist Church is the oldest religious society in Elliottstown, and was organized by an ecclesiastical council which convened for that purpose at the residence of Smith Elliott, March 27, 1852. The principal actors in the organization were Elders J. H. Larkin, G. W. Barcus and Stephen Blair. At this meeting, articles of faith were adopted, rules of order accepted, and the following names enrolled as members: Smith Elliott, Emily Elliott, L. J. Field, Frances Field, George Baty, Mary E. Baty, John B. Strife, Elizabeth Field, Margaret Arnold, Isaac McCroom and William Gordon. Of this number but two or three are now living in the village. The little congregation held their first meetings at Elliott's residence for one year, when the schoolhouse was secured for that purpose, and used as a place of worship until the year 1858. Their present handsome and conven- ient edifice was erected in that year, at a cost of $2,000. The house is frame, dimensions forty by sixty feet, and will comfortably seat over three hundred people. Elder G. W. Barcus was called to act as pastor at the first meeting, and served in that cajsacity, at dif- ferent intervals, lor twenty years. He was a man universally respected for his piety, and did as much if not more than any other pastor toward building the congi'egation and leading the members toward the higher life. He is now a resident of Kansas, where he moved in the spring of 1882. Of the other pastors who ministered to the church HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. 285 were Revs. Keed, Patton and Chris, and others. In the early days of its history, the church was a strong organization, and was greatly strengthened by numerous revivals, during the progress of which many were converted and their names enrolled on the church records. There have been over one hundred members at different times, but many have died and others moved away until now there are but about forty names on the church books. There has been no preaching for some time past, and a general decay seems to have fastened itself upon the once flourish- ing society. The Christian Church of Elliottstown was organized in 1866, by Elder Henry Vandooser, with a membership of twelve or fifteen per- sons. The organization was effected at the schoolhouse, where for two years their serv- ices were held, when the use of the Baptist Church was secured, where the congregation met for worship two years longer. The church grew prosperous, and its membership increased very rapidly. The members are united as one in their social and religious relations, and six years had scarcely passed from the date of their organization, when they found themselves sufficiently strong to build a house of worship of their own. Their building is a convenient and comfortable frame structure, and represents a capital of about $1,500. Elder Thomas Wall was the first pastor, and served one year. His suc- cessor was Elder Barlow Higgins, who re- mained with the congregation the same length of time as his predecessor, and was followed by the present pastor, William Gordon, of Watson, who is now on his fifth year's work with the church. The present membership is about seventy. The elders of the church are Barlow Higgins, Jesse Melson, F. B. Schooley and Wilfred Fields. Deacons: John Dye, George Dye and William Layton. The Trustees are John and George Dye and Frank Poe. A Sabbath school, numbering some eighty or a hundred pupils, is among the most interesting and progressive features of the chui-ch. F. B. Schooley is the Super- intendent, and also one of the earnest workers of the congregation. Delia Lodge, No. 525. A., F. & A. M., was organized at the village of Winterrowd. in Lucas Township, in 1867, and the organiza- tion moved to this place a couple of years later. The charter was granted by Jerome R. Gorin, at that time Grand Master of the State, and the following names appear as charter members: Phenis Palmer, R. G. Scott, C. M. Scott, Washington Winten-owd, John C. Palmer, David Palmer, L. G. Field, David C. Kershner, John A. Barr, George W. Sloan, B. L. Palmer. Andrew Wiles, J. W. Hovirigan and '\\'aymack Merry. First officers were, Phenis Palmer; W. M.; R. G. Scott, S. W. ; and W. Winten-owd, J. W. The several offices are filled at present by F. B. Schooley, W. M.; J. F. Poynter, S. W.; F. J. Wood. J. W. : George Dye, Treasurer; T. J. Dunn, Secretary; J. W. Fields, S. D. ; W. K Davis, J. D.; W. H. Poynter, Chaplain; Waymack Meny and L. J. Field, Stewards, and J. Treese, Tiler. The lodge is in good working order, and has some twenty-one or twenty-two members. Their meetings are held in a very fair hall that is owned by the lodge. The little village of Dieterich, or Dieterichs- burg, is situated in the northwest corner of the township, on Section 13, and was laid out by M. Dieterich, who owned the land. It was surveyed by C. A. Van Allen, County Sur- veyor. January 8, 1881. This town is an outgrowth of the Springfield, Effingham & South-Eastern Railroad, which was recently completed through this part of the county and which has given new stimulus to the agricultural interest of this township, by 286 HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY. bringing good grain markets to the people's doors. There are at this station, three ware- houses, operated by Jennings & Minor, M. Dieter ich and M. V. Parks. Their business has largely increased during the past year, and at no other small point in the county were as many bushels of wheat handled in 1881 and 1882. The place boasts two stores, which are kept by James Prather and Henry Habing; two blacksmith shops, where John Sonnenberg and William Richards work at their trades; two brick yards are in suc- j cessful operation, by Habing & Field, and ■ several new houses will soon be erected. j John Richards was the lirst Postmaster, hav ing been appointed when the office was established, in the year 1881. The office is now kept by Dr. Chapman. A village called Graceville was sm-veyed and platted February 5, 1881, by C. A. Van Allen, County Surveyor, for John Grace, ovraer of the land. It occupies a portion of ground in Section 13, joining Dieterich, and both places go by the latter name. ADDENDUM.— Biography received too late for insertion in proper place. WEILER & MEYER, dealers in clothing, gents' furnishing goods, hats, shoes and trunks, one door north of Zimmerman & Snyder, Altamout. Herman Weiler was born in Ott- vveiler, Rhine Province, Prussia, June 13, 1855. Max Meyer was bom iu Hamburg, Germany, November 10, 1859. The above firm commenced business iu Altamont February 15, 1883. PAET II. Biographical Sketches, PART II. Biographical Sketches, EFFINGHAM CITY AIO) CHRISTIAN ALT, Sr., farmer, P. 0. Effing- ham, was born, in 1822, in German}-, son of Christian and Katharina (Bechtholdt) Alt, na- tives also of German}-; he was a farmer, and died in St. Clair County, this State, in 1853; she died Januar}- 3, 1874, in this county; they were the parents of two children, both boys. Our subject received his education in Germany. He was married, in St. Clair County, this State, September 22, 1853, to Anna Maria Scharth, born in German}-, daughter of Adam and Eliza Scharth, natives also of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Alt have eight children — ^John, Christian, Henry, Louisa, Fritz, Katharina, Caroline and Wilhelm. Three of the boys are married. Our subject came to this county in October, 1865, and has since resided here. He was a miller up to 1880, since which year his oldest son has run the mill, although our subject still holds an interest in it. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Democrat. CHRISTIAN ALT, Jr., expressman, Effing-, ham, was born in St. Clair County, this State, Jan. 25, 1857, son of Christian and Anna Maria (Scharth) Alt, natives of Germany, are farmers and are living in this county; they are the par- ents of eight children. Our subject received his education in his native county, and also in Effingham. He was married, in Effingham, June 24, 1879, to Miss Mary Koester, born February 19, 1860, in Germany, daughter of DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. Conrad and Christina (Ritterborn) Koester, na tives also of Germany, and are living, he in Effingham and she in Germany. Our sulyect worked in his father's mill, and in 1872 went into the employ of A. Sewart, in a general store. He afterward worked in several other stores, and December 1, 1881, he entered the employ of H. G. Hahing, who is agent for the Adams and Pacific Express Companies, and also for the Wabash Railroad, the work per- taining to the latter office of which our subject has charge. Mr. Alt is a member of the Luther- an Church, and is Independent in politics. JOHN ALT, miller, Effingham, was born in St. Clair County, 111., February 14, 1852, son of John and Mary (Scharth) Alt. He was thirteen years of age, when his parents removed to this county and settled in Effingham, and our sub- ject engaged in farming until he was eighteen. His stepfather bought the Old City Mills about 1866. About 1870, our subject entered his present mill, and remained five years, when he took a general Western t«ur, stopping in Cali- fornia for one and a half years. He returned in November, 1876, and in the spring of 1877, bought an interest in the City Mills, and has run them ever since, increasing its capacity and improving its machinery. Its present ca- pacity is seventy barrels per day. Flour is man- ufactured by the new process, and the mill turns not several brands — a " Patent," " Straight," BIOGRAPHICAL: "Gold Dust" and "No. 1." They do a mer- chant and exchange business, and the products of the mill find sale in the local market. The firm name is John Alt & Co., our subject being in partnership with his step-father, Christian Alt. The City Mills burned in 1868, and were rebuilt in 18fi9 at a cost of $10,000. It is a three-story frame, 35x50, with engine-room at- tached; engine is thirtv-five horse power, and the mill require altogether five men. Subject was married, in October, 1877, to Miss Letitia Wade, of Effingham. They have one son. Mr. Alt's father died in St. Clair County, this State, when he (subject) was eleven months old. CHARLES 0. ANDEKSON, merchant, Ef- fingham, son of Enoch Anderson, was born in Shelby County, 111., January 3, 1862. He served one year as clerk in Chicago, 111., and two j-ears with Eversman & Speck. He came to Effingham City when three years of age, and has been raised and educated in the public scliools. He bought the confectionery and res- taurant of W. H. Duddleston in September, 1882, and has since conducted the business under the firm name of C. 0. Anderson & Co., near the post office, carrying a full line of confectionery, fine fruits and oysters and ice cream, in their respective seasons. His parents were both natives of Sweden, and came to the United States in 1861. JONATHAN A. ARNOLD, teacher, Effing- ham, was born in Jasper County, 111., Novem- ber 8, 1845. He was educated in the public schools of his native county, and attended one year at St. Joseph's College, Teutopolis, this county. He came to this county in 1863, and clerked in a store in Teutopolis for Venemann & Co. for four years, and afterward three years in Effingham for Van Norman Bros. About 1871, he began teaching in Liberty Township, this county, and has been teaching about seven months per j'ear in the county ever since. In December, 1881, he was appointed Superin- tendent of Schools of this county to serve an interim between two terms of one }-ear. He received the nomination at the Democratic primary, in April, 1882, for the same office for a term of four years. He had served as Chair- man of the Board of Supervisors for three years when appointed, and had served as Super- visor for several j'ears in Banner Township. E. AUSTIN, dairyman, P. 0. Effingham, was born August 29, 1842, in Hancock County, 111., son of Seneca and Julia (Burnett) Austin, he, born in 1798, in Orwell, Vt., was a lawyer, editor and farmer, and died in Effingham, in May, 1830; she, born in Dayton, Ohio, August 29, 1812, and died May 8, 1873, in Delhi, Ohio. They were the parents of four children. Our subject received his education in Campbell County, Kj'. He was a farmer in early life, also taught school, and learned the painter's trade. He was married in Campbell Countj', Ky., October 17, 1861, to Miss Susan L. Winter, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 23, 1841; daughter of William and Nancy J. Winter, he a native of England, and she of Kentucky, both born in 1798. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have nine children — Harry B., Charles, Cornelia, Frank G., William, Gustavus, Calvin, Julia and Gertrude. Our subject came to Illinois in 1862, and resided for three 3'ears in Jasper County. He then came to this county and worked at the painter's trade for two j-ears. He then purchased sixty-five acres of land near the town, and now has 105 acres, on which he has a dairy, market garden and a good orchard. Mr. Austin is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Republican. HON. WILLIAM H. BARLOW, attorney at law, Effingham City, was born in Munford- ville. Hart Co., Ky., July 26, 1839. At the age of twelve, he came with his parents to Charles- ton, 111., where he lived until 1868. He was educated in the public schools, and spent about two years in Kenyon College, before entering the army. In July, 18G1, he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and went out EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSniP. as private. In Julj', 1862, he was promoted to Assistant Quartermaster, with the rank of Cap- tain of volunteers, antl was in the Missouri Department until the latter part of 1862, join- •ing Gen. Sherman, at Memphis, Tenn., in De- cember, 1862, and served for some j'ears on Logan's staff, and was with that army in its various changes, and was on Gen. Sherman's staff during the last six months of the war. After the war closed, ia July, 1865, he was ordered to the sea coast, where he remained until October following, when he was ordered to Florida, as Chief Quartermaster of the State, with iieadquarters at Tallahassee; and January, 1866, was ordered to Fort Garland, Colorado, and was mustered out of service by special order from the War Department, No. 550, November 13, 1866, being the last of the volun- teer officers of Army of Tennessee mustered out. On being discharged, Mr. Barlow went immediately to the Law Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he graduated March 25, 1868, and came to Effingham on the 20th of Ma\' following, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1868, at Charleston, 111. He has been in active practice of his profession here ever since. July 20, 1868, he formed a lavv partnership with Benson and Virgil Wood, which lasted until November 1, 1875, and has since been alone. He was Chairman of the Republican Count}- Central Committee in 1870, and in 1871 was appointed United States Assessor for the Eleventh Dis- trict of Illinois, and hold that office until it was abolished. He was a member of the Repub- lican State Central Committee of lUinoi.s from 1870 to 1878, and was a delegate from the Fifteenth Congressional District of Illinois to the National Republican Convention, at Chica- go, in 1880, and was one of the famous " 306." Ho was the late Republican nominee for Congress in the Seventeenth Congressional Dis- trict of Illinois. He was married, March 11, 1869, at Green Castle, Ind., to xMiss Ella Allen. They had one child, now deceased. His father, John P. Barlow, was born in Virginia, removed to Kentucky when a boy, and resided in Hart County until 1853, engaged in merchandising. He came to Charleston, 111., in 1853, and re- sided there until 1869, when he came to Effing- ham, and is now living with subject in his seventy-seventh year. H. BECKMANN, furniture, Effingham, was born in Germanj- January 6, 1838, son of Bern- hard and Marj' (Brinck) Beckmann, natives also of Germany; he, born in 1780, and died in his native country in 1840; she, born in 1783, and is still living in Germany. Thoy had four children, two sons and two daughters. Our subject received his schooling in his native land, where he also learned the carpenter's trade. He came to the United States in the fall of 1868, coming to this county, where he has since resided. He was married, November 5, 1868, in Effingham, to Miss Caroline Bussemeyer, born in Germany in 1843, daughter of Henry and Mary (Meckman) Bussemeyer, natives also of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Beckmann have had five children, four of whom are living — Bernhard, Augusta, Mary and Clara. During the years 1861, 1862 and 1863, our subject was in the German Armj', a member of the Thirty- ninth Fusileers. In 1866, he was in the Aus- trian war, and was engaged in the battles of Schafl'enburg and Hammelburg, and two other minor engagements. Mr. Beckmann has been in the furniture and undertaking business for four years, and has a good stock of goods. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. EZRA II. BISHOP, merchant. City, was born in Hardy County, Virginia, February 10, 1837. He his parents to this county when year. They first settled in Summit Township, at Blue Point, where the father opened a farm and resided there about three years, and then removed to Freemanton, a village on the old Effingham now West came with in his fifth BIOGRAPHICAL: National Road, where he kept a small store and practiced medicine. Our subject grew up in the village, and went to one of the delapi- dated schools of that day about three months in winter, and, at fifteen, began teaming and hauling produce to St. Louis, and brought mer- chandise back. His father brought the first steam-mill to the county, which he located at Fremanton about 1851 or 1852. It was both a grist and saw mill, and a carding machine being attached to it also. After the mill came, our subject hauled logs and cord wood until about 1855 or 1856, when the mill was sold. He remained on the farm until of age, and continued farming for himself until the War broke out. He came to Effingham in 1863, and, in 1865, he began clerking with A. Stewart, and continued as salesman and book- keeper with him for fourteen years, and, in March, 1880, opened a dry goods store for him- self on Jefferson street, where he has since done a successful business. His father, Jacob Bishop, was born in Virginia, but spent his early life in Ohio, where he married Sarah Hook, of Licking County, that State. He came to Effingham County October 1, 1841, where he passed the remainder of his da3'S. He died in 1868, in his fifty-ninth j'ear. He was the father of eleven children — John W. (a farmer in this county), Ezra H. (subject), Melissa C. (wife of Joseph Young, of this county), and Sophronia E. (wife of John Kelker, of Pueblo, Colo). Our subject's father studied medicine in Ohio, with a view to self-improve- ment, and, after coming here, without any in- tention of practicing, was drawn into a large practice. He had but little means when he came, but was quite successful. He and his family were Methodists, and he was for many years a local preacher. SAMUEL BLATTNER, EfBngham City. Prominently identified among the business men of this place is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of Knetingen, Canton Argau, Switzerland, and was born November 13, 1831. He is a son of John Blattner, who was born in 1797, in Switzerland, his occupation that of a tailor; came to the United States in 1834, and died in Madison County, 111. Anna Blattner, the mother of our subject, was born in 1804, in Canton Argau, Switzerland, and died in Highland, Madison Co., 111. There are thir- teen children in the family, seven of whom are now living. Mr. Blattner went to school only a part of three months, in Highland, 111. He is mainly self-educated. He came to the United States in 1834. He first land- ed in New York, then went to St. Louis. From there he went to Madison County, 111. He worked on a farm there till he was nine- teen years of age, when he learned the black- smith's trade in Highland, 111., where he was married, June 6, 1854, to Miss Anna Keaser, who first beheld the light of the world in Switzerland, in February, 1828. She is a daughter of John and Barbara Keaser, both of whom were born in Switzerland. Mr. Blattner has one daughter, named Barbara, born in 1855, in Highland, III. She was married to Mr. Albert Gravenhorst, whose father is the editor of the German paper known as the Effingham Volksblat Mr. Blattner enlisted in the Second Missouri In- fantry, Company K, May 19, 1801. He was in the battles of Booneville, Mo. ; Wilson Creek, Pea Ridge, Shiloh, Corinth, Perry- ville and Stone River, where he was wound- ed, and after that he served in the Invalid Corps, doing provost duty in New York State until he was discharged, September 10, 1864. .In religion, our subject is a Lutheran; also an old Jeffersonian Democrat. After the war, Mr. Blattner came to Edgewood, Effing- ham County, in which place he went into the liquor business, which he continued after coming to Effingham, 111., in 1878. He EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. draw8 a pension, and was at one time a Trustee in Edgewood. JOSHUA BRADLEY, marble dealer, Effing- ham, was born in Jackson County, 111., Octo- ber 10, 1823 ; came to Efflingham County in April, 1843; bought an improved tract of land of John G. McCanu in Section 29, in what is now Summit Township, and still owned by subject. He paid $150 for the improvement and afterward entered it at different times until he acquired 180 acres. Subject devoted his attention to farming until 1858, when he re- moved to Effingham and engaged in stone- work. His father was a stone-cutter and mason in Jackson County, 111., and made tombstones there, and subject learned that business. In 1846, he began making and furnishing grave- stones out of sandstone, and some are still standing at Preemanton and Ewington which are in good condition after thirty-six j'ears of exposure. He quarried the stone, some on Coon Creek, Mound Township, and dressed them himself; also, made grindstones when they were desired; worked at this in the fall, also worked on the stone-work of the Illinois Central. In 1858 moved to Effingham and remained until 18G1, when he went back to his farm until 1864, when he again came to Effing- ham and engaged in the marble business, con- tinuing here until 1868, when he moved his stock to his farm and carried on marble busi- ness and farming until 1875, when he removed to Altamont and established a business in con- nection with his son John H. Bradley, and continued there until February 1877, when he again went back to the farm and remained there for two years. In the fall of 1879, he re- moved to Effingham where he had termed a partnership with James A. Flack and Daniel Safford, and has since continued the marble works on Main and Railroad streets, under the firm name of Bradley, Flack & Saf- ford. 5Ir. Bradle}- attends to the outside business of the firm and the remaining part- ner's attend to the shop interests. The father of our subject, James H. Bradley, was born in North Carolina and raised in Middle Tennes- see, and came to Illinois about 1818, settling with his father in Jackson County. He mar- ried Miss Martha Hughes, daughter of James Hughes. She was born in Randolph County, in the Territory of Illinois, in October 15, 1804. She was raised three miles northeast of Kas- kaskia, and was acquainted with all of the principal Indians in that part of the State. James Hughes came with some of his family from Kentucky about tiie beginning of the centurj'. From Reynolds' History of Illinois, we learn that James Hughes taught an evening school, which brought ex-Gov. Rej'uolds and other young men from five miles around in that vicinity to prepare for college. James Hughes was a Major during the war of 1812 and the Indian troubles in ranger service. One of his sons held all of the principal offices in Randolph County. Mother of subject died at the age of fortj'-one in Jackson Count}', and his father died in Jackson on his homestead in Bradley Township in 1866. He served as Justice of the Peace for about twelve years, and had seven sons and seven daughters, five of whom are now living. Subject was married in ^Farch, 1843, to Mrs. Matilda S. Flack, widow of Milton Flack, by whom she had one son, James A. Flack, now a partner in present firm. His father was l)orn on the Four Mill Prairie, in Perry County, III, where his father had settled in pioneer times. Mrs. Bradley was the daughter of Andrew Bourland. who died at Yandalia, where he was Justice of the Peace and Postmaster at Vandalia, 111., at the time of his death in 1842. Subject has four sons and two daughters by his marriage, one daughter and one son dead. Those living are : Ben- jamin F., of Effingham; Joshua F., of Bon- ham, Texas; John H., of Terre Haute, and Mary V., wife of A. J. Gloyd, of Williams- ville, 111. BIOGRAPHICAL: WILLIAM S. BRADLEY, tie contractor, Effiugbam, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., October 9, 1835. He was six years old wlien he came with his uncle, Morris Bradley, in 1841, to this count}'. He rode behind his uncle on horseback from Tennessee, being eight days on the way. His uncle bought land in Mason Township, where he (uncle) resided until his death about 1876. Our subject gi-ew upon the farm and lived with his uncle, going to school three miles distant, across the creek in Mason Township, near the side of the Wabash Church. He worked on a farm bj' the month until they began the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad, on which he worked three j-ears. He then bought new land and opened up a farm near Mason, and still owns land there. He farmed with good success until 1875, when he began working in timber, and has been a tie contractor since, working from fifteen to twent3'-five men for the last five years. His parents died when he was three j'ears old, and they died about six months apart, and he was cared for by an aunt, until he came to this county. He was married, in 1857, to Miss Rowena Brockett, daughter of James Brockett, one of the first settlers of the county. They had two sons, both living. Mrs. Bradley died September, 1871. Our subject was married a second time, February 7, 1876, to Miss Minerva Martin, daughter of Moses Martin. The}- have one daughter. THOMAS H. BRAND, proprietor California House, Effingham, was born in Cambridge- shire, England, April 20, 1825. He came to United States, in his fourteenth year with his older brother, and settled at Floyd Hill, Oneida Co., N. Y., and lived with his brother there on a fai:m until 1849. In that year, he was sent b}' Emmonal Potter, of Floyd Hill. N. Y., to California — the contract was that Mr. Brand was to give Mr. Potter one-half of all he made in the mines for two years, and Mr. Potter to pay his passage except $50. Subject sailed around Cape Horn, and was 157 days from New York City to San Francisco, Cal., ten daj's being spent in the port of Valparaiso, Chili. On his arrival, Mr. Brand worked in the mines for three years; and had acquired considerable money, but lost $1,800, all he had, as did many others, as the veut- ure proved a failure. They had to pay $2 per pound for flour, and high prices for other things. At the end of the two j-ears, Mr. Brand had nothing, and the fourth year he engaged in the gardening business with James L. Halstead at Volcano, in Calaveras County, Cal. The gardening was a great success, and he sold potatoes at 50 cents per pound, and some hills contained eighteen pounds. Mr. Brand came home via the Nicaragua route in 1853, and returned to his native county, and, although not legally or morally respousible to his benefactor, he paid his heirs $500, and still holds receipt for the same. In the spring of 1853, Mr. Brand went to Rock County, Wis., where he bought an improved farm of about seventy-five acres, which he sold to his brother in the fall of 1853, and having met James Baldwin, of Utica, N. Y., while in the mines, he was induced by a liberal offer by him to cross the plains California, and proceeded as far as Louis, when he gave up the project and settled at Edwardsville, 111., where he stopped for a short time, and then went to Clark County, Mo., where he bought and opened up a farm in 1854, and remained there until the war broke out and by hard work was in good circum- stances. In 1861, he enlisted in the Seventh Missouri Cavalry under Col. Bishop, and served until he was discharged on account of disabilit}-. He sold his stock after his dis- charge, and removed back to Edwardsville, 111., and in 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantrj- under Col. Springer, and served until the close of the war, and returned to Edwardsville, 111. Mr. Brand bought a farm in Madison County, 111., EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 9 which he conducted for some time. In 1869, he came to KiRngham, and leased the building now known as the " California House," of Gil- more & Watson, and afterward bought, and conducted it as a restaurant for a time, and has run it as a hotel for many j-ears. He has enlarged it until it has at present twenty-two rooms with dining-room, sample rooms and office. It has been run under the name of the California House for tiie past eight years. Mr. Brand came here in September, 1869, and, in October of that year, while trying to blow the soot out of the chimnej* with powder, it exploded in his face, putting out both of his eyes. He wa? married in ISS,"? in Oneida, N. Y., to Miss Harriet S. Mason, of Floyd, N. Y. They have six children living, and four de- ceased. WILLIAM EDWIN BUCKNER, the oldest child of Josiah and Lorana (Henry) Buckner, was born in Larkinsburg Township, Clay Co., 111., September 24, 1856. His birthplace was known as the Joseph Henry farm, three-fourths of a mile from the present town of Edgcwood, in Effingham County. His parents lived on this place for one 3"ear, and then moved to Edge- wood, which was then just being built, in con- sequence of the Illinois Central Railroad, which was then, in the year 1856. completed, when his father built the first house of this thriving little town. His parents, after remaining here two years, moved to the town of Mason, where they resided for two years more, when, in the fall of 1860, they again removed to their former home iu Clay County. They staj-ed here during the fall and winter of 1861, when, in the spring of 1862, they moved back to Mason. At this time his father enlisted in the three-months' service, subject to Lincoln's first call. He joined Col. W. H. L. Wallace's Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which afterward made itself fivmous on many a hard-fought field. His position was second drummer, he being the first assistant to the famous James B. McQuillan; served out his time, and in the fall of 1862, went to White County and joined the Eighty-seventh Regiment, Col. John E. Whitney, uncle of our subject, as Drum Major. This regiment was afterward known as the Eighty-seventh Illinois. Now, for three years young William had fun, his prin- cipal amusement being to play the truant from school. He went to school just when it pleased him. all the arguments to the contrary notwith- standing. His time was spent while out of school in going to the creek to bathe, riding on the cars, feats at pugilism with his plaj'mates, play- ing soldiers, and joining many an innocent band of j'Oung marauders on the various apple or- chards throughout the neighborhood. The or- chard belonging to good old ''Granny- Rutfner" escaped, the secret being a huge mastiff which she kept at her house, and whose bark and fierce look at once struck terror to the heart of the young Buckner. After the war was over, his father returned home, and in the spring of 1866, the family moved to a farm north of Mason, where for most of the time the subject of this sketch resided with his parents, until the spring of 1880, when he came to Effingham and en- tered the office of Cooper & Gillmore, to com- plete his law studies, which had been commenced some four years prior to this time. His stud}' of the law was begun in 1876 with the Hon. H. B. Keple}-, with whom he studied for four or five mouths, when he went back to the farm. Here for the next few years was a struggle for him. Possessing a great desire to complete his law studies, he worked early and late, using all his spare time of mornings, noons and evenings in study. It was during this time that he read over Blackstone, Kent and Parsons on Contracts. During the spring, summer, fall and winter of 1878, he in this way read Parsons on Contracts three times. Parsons has alwa^'s been his fav- orite law-writer. The winter of 1879 and 1880 was spent in teaching the home district school at $25 per month. This monej- was used in helping to complete his law studies. He re- 10 BIOGRAPHICAL: mained in the office of Cooper & Gillmore until August, 1881, when, at Mount Vernon, 111., he passed a successful examination before the Ap- pellate Court, and was admitted to the bar, he being one of the twentj-six out a class of thirt)'- four. After his admission, he settled in Van- dalia, where he remained for four months, re- turning to Effingham and opening an office in the Register Building in March, 1882. His first case in the circuit was the defense of three fel- lows for highway robbery, in which he was un- successfid, the proof against them being so strong as to prevent an acquittal. His law reading has been quite extensive, Blackstone, Kent, Parsons on Contracts, Chitty, Gould and Ste- phen on Pleading, Greenleaf on Evidence, Bishop on Criminal Law, Story and Adams on Equity, Story on Equity Pleading, Reeves on Domestic Relation, Danille's Chancer}' Practice, Washburn on Real Property, besides several minor works, manj- of them having been read and recited a number of times. He cannot boast of a long line of royal ancestors. His grandfather, Philip Buckner, was a sturdj* old Kentucky farmer, who moved to thi_s county in 1835, where our subject's father, Josiah Buck- ner, was born, August 1, 1835, and who has since pursued the occupation of a farmer, till 1881, when he removed to the city of Effing- ham, where he has since resided. His motlier was Lorana Henry, the oldest daughter of Joseph Henry, who was a son of Elijah Henr}-, who also was a Kentuck}- farmer and black- smith, and who moved from Kentucky to Law- rence County, Ind., and thence to this State, in the latter part of the decade of 1840, or the be- ginning of 1850. Elijah Henry is known and esteemed by man}' of the oldest citizens of this county for the many excellent varieties of fruit trees which his nursery at Mason contained. Manj- of the oldest and best orchards in this county were grown from the "Henry Nursery." Josiah Buckner and Lorana Heurj' were joined in the bonds of holy matrimony, in the citj- of St. Louis, May 4, 1855, for the simple and well- known reason that the paternal of Lorana ob- jected to Josiah paying his attentions to their daughter, much less allowing them to be mar- ried at home. But, like a great many marriages which have been contracted under similar dif- ficulties, the old folks relented, and clasped the young and happ}- couple to their bosoms on their return home. The old gentleman at once decided having Josiah to live on the farm with him, and started him in life as best he was able. Mrs. Buckner is a grand-daughter of the man who was Henry Clay's blacksmith. Their union has been a happy one, being blessed by seven children — William E., Jemima J., Levi L., Henry C, Franklin F., Philip 0., Aurora. Of these, two — -Jemima J. and Henry C. — passed awaj' to that better and happier land in their infancy. HENRY E. BURBACH, saloon, Effingham, was born on the River Rhine, town of Cologne, Prussia, December 2, 1835. His father's name was Joseph Burbach, he was born in the same place about the j'ear 1806. He now resides in Milwaukee. His mother's name, before mar- riage, was Catharine Bodden; she was also born in the same place in 1808; she died in 1841, and was buried there. There were three children in the family, one boy and two girls. Subject was educated at a common school. In 1854, while at the age of nineteen, he came with his parents to America, and settled with them in Milwaukee, where he learned the cooper trade. He worked at the business one year as a jour- neyman, and, in 1851, removed to New Bruns- wick; after a stay here from fall until spring, he went to St. Joe, Mo.; from there to New Orleans and St. Louis. He was married, in 1864, to Miss Catharine Seamon, of Chicago. She was born in Prussia. Her father's name was Michael Seamon, who was born in Prussia. Subject enlisted in Ninth Illinois Cavalry De- cember 27, 1861; was promoted Orderly Ser- geant, and served during the war, and, with EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 11 the exception of a brief period, was witti his regiment durinii all their marching and fight- ing. He was discharged December 9, 1864. His children are Lena, Kate, Margaret, Henry and Joseph. After his discharge from the service, he returned to Milwaukee, where, after a short staj-, he went to Chicago, and en- gaged in keeping a boarding-house. He came to Effingham in 1870. GEOllGE BUSSE, farmer, P. 0. Teutopolis, son of Gerhard and Maggie (Uphouse) Basse, was born in this countj- in 1851. He is the fifth child of the tamily which consists of nine children, all born in Illinois except Henry, who was born in Ohio. His fivther has always farmed, both in this and the old countrj- (Ger- man}-). On arriving in America, he settled first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained some six 3-ears; previous to his removal to Illi- nois, he had purchased forty acres through the colony agenc}', and, after his arrival, bought sixty acres adjoining his first purchase. He came to America in 183-t, and was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1840. Mr. Busse, the sub- ject of this sketch, was married in Effingham County, in 1867, to Miss Mary Wesling, of the same countj-, but who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children — Louie, Henry and Bidy. Mr. Busse was educated in Teu- topolis. He is a farmer b}' occupation. SAMUEL CAMPBELL, lumber dealer, Ef- fingham, was born in Somerset, Perr}' Co., Ohio, July 31, 1832. He was engaged in the grocery business before the war, beginning at sixteen years of age, and continued until 1862, when he joined the Array of the Cumberland, and was sutler for the Ninetieth Ohio Regiment until 1864, when he returned home and en- gaged in the hardware business in Somerset until 1871, when he removed to Effingham, where he has been engaged in the lumber and milling business ever since. In Jul}', 1879, he located his present lumber 3^ard3 near the track of the Vandalia line, near which he owned and conducted a saw and planing mill. He removed the saw-mill in May, 1882, to Watson Township, whei-e he bought a tract of timber and is engaged in the manufacture of lumber for this market. The milling interest employs fourteen men. Our sul)ject was mar- ried in 1854 to Miss Sarah Kuhns, of Perry County. Ohio. They have three sons and six daughters living — -Albert H., James V., Will- iam, Mary, Callie, Emma, Rosa, Laura and Mabel. WILLIAM BREWSTER COOPER, attor- ney, Effingham, born in Plymouth, Mass., March 8, 1835, son of William R. and Eme- line (De Pallies) Cooper. His ancestor, Jo- seph Cooper, came over in the year 1640, from England. He was a farmer and weaver, who settled in Plymouth and married Elizabeth Brewster, daughter of Elder William Brew- ster, who came over in the Mayflower, and the original homestead of his is in posses- sion of his descendants by the Cooper family. Subject is the fouiih generation from Joseph Cooper, and the fifth from Elder William Brewster. His paternal grandmother was Lucy Taylor, daughter of Lucy Standish, a descendant from Miles Standish, of the May- flower. For many generations the family were Whigs and Unitarians, and his father became an ardent Abolitionist, and a conduct- or on the "Underground Railroad." Subject was the first Democrat in the family, and lived in the East until fifteen years old. He was prepared for the junior year in Harvard College in the private academy of Charles Burton, still teaching in Plymouth, Mass. He entered the senior class, and graduated in 1851. Of all the graduates from the founding of Harvard to 1851, Mr. Cooper was the youngest, except one other, and stood No. 13 in a class of over one thousand members. After leaving school, he came West to Denmark. Iowa, then a small country 13 BIOGRAPHICAL : hamlet of about three hundred people, and site of a Congregational Church and academy. Subject clerked in a store for a short time, and came to Illinois in the fall of 1852, and taught school that winter near Rushville, Schuyler Co., 111., and stud- ied law during that winter by personal effort, and was admitted to the bar at Canton, Mo., in May, 1853, and immediately afterward at Rushville, 111. During the summer, he taught the academy at Clayton, 111., a Pres- byterian institution, and one of his pujsils was Rev. Leonard W. King, afterward Pro- fessor of Languages in University of Vir- ginia. At the expiration of term of school, he went to Salem, Iowa, where he located for practice, and got some legal work to do in surrounding country towns. He came from Salem directly to Ewiugton, this county, in May, 1854, and began the practice of law as the partner of W. J. Stephenson, who shortly after removed to Clay County, 111. , the part- nership still existing. Mr. Cooper was but nineteen years old when he caoie, and at once took the lead, and gave to the EfBugham bar its distinctive character. He was married, in December, 1855. to Miss Jane Iddings, of Salem, Iowa. There are two children (sons) living of that marriage, and three dead. The first wife died in November, 1865, and Mr. Cooper married, December 2, 1869, Miss Har- riet E. Leith, of Mason, this county, by which union there are two daughters and a son. Mr. Cooper brought the first printing press to the county, and started the Effing- ham Pioneer, printed at Ewington. He is Strongly Republican. SAMUEL CLARK, pbysician, Effingham City, was born in Piketon, Pike Co., Ohio, October 22, 1831, son of John and Abigail (Sumner) Clark, he, born in Cumberland County, Ohio, in 1802, and died in Cincin- nati, Ohio, in 1851; she, born in Peacham, Caledonia Co., Vt., and died in Shelby Coun- ty, this State, in December, 1876. They were farmers, and the parents of nine chil- dren — four sons and live daixghters. Our subject received his early schooling in Ports- mouth, Ohio, and attended a course of study at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, and also at the St. Louis Medical College, where he received his diploma. He was married, in Shelbyville, this State, February 2, 1858, to Miss Margia Harris, born in Shelbyville in May, 1S37, daughter of David L. and Eliza- beth Harris. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have had four children, two of whom are living — Dora, now the wife of James T. Potter: and John D., a lawyer by profession, being a graduate of Eureka College, and the Bloomington (111.) Law School. Our subject has always fol lowed his profession. He practiced about twenty years in Ramsey, this State, about five years in Altamont, this county, and, Oc- tober 5, 1882, he came to Effingham, where he intends to reside in the future. He is at present editor of the Democrat, a weekly joiu'nal published at Ramsey, this State. He is also a partner in a general merchandise store on the corner of Jefferson and Front streets, in which a full stock of goods is con- stantly kept. In politics, the Doctor is a conservative Democrat, voting always for whom he considers the best man. ALANSON CROCKER, landlord, Effing- ham, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., in September, 1812. He came to Lawrence- burg, Ind., when a young man, and there married Agnes Henrietta Craig, and, several years before the war, went to Nashville, Tenn., where he lived twenty years, and while there his wife died, leaving four chil dren — Jacob, Phillip, Mary and Alanson — the youngest being eight years old when the mother died. The youngest son and daugh- ter came North, and were raised by Mrs. W. EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 13 H. Blakely. of this county, who was their aunt. Jacob and Pliillip joined the Union army. Our subject married a second time, in 1862. to Miss Sarah Staats, dauf^hter of Hiram Staats, of Effingham County. Two children were born of this maiTiage, of whom one daughter is living. Mr. Crooker pur- chased of William H. Blakely his pioneer homestead in old Ewington, which was said to be the first frame house built in the coun- ty. In this house, after financial reverses in Nashville, Tenn., Mr. Crooker moved in 1868, and lived there until April, 1881, when he moved to Effingham, and is now jsroprie- tor of the Tea Garden House on Banker street. PHILIP CROOKER, salesman, Effing- ham, was born in Lawrenceburg, Ind. , in 1844. W^hen one year old, he was taken by his parents to Nashville, Tenn., where he lived until the breaking-out of the war, when he went North and enlisted at Lawrenceburg, Ind., in the Seventh Regiment Indiana Vol- unteers, for three months, and re-enlisted for three years in the same regiment, and served until the expiration of his term of service, with Gen. James Shields, whose forces were consolidated with the Army of the Potomac, in the First Corjjs, and, after the death of Gen. Reynolds, at Gettysburg, became a part of the Fifth Coi-ps. Subject was in battles of Philippi, Winchester, Greenbrier and Spottsylvania Court House, and two days' fight in ^Vilderness, and Cold Harbor, Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, where subject was taken prisoner and held four days, and recaptured, and the siege of Petersburg, Va., and was discharged in Sep- tember, 1864, at Indianapolis, and was em- ployed as messenger for the Adams Express Company from Nashville to Chattanooga for one year. He wenl to St. Louis, Mo., and entered the police department, and became Clerk in the Fourth District, and promoted to Clerk at police headquarters, and finally became Sergeant, headquarters, at night. In December, 1872, he went to work for Sam- uel C. Davis & Co., and was salesman in their dry goods house; also traveled in Southern Illinois until 1881, wlien he entered the em- ploy of A. T. Stewart & Co., of Chicago, re- maining six months, and, July 1, 1881, he went to work for William H. Kellogg & Co., of St. Louis, Mo., and, July 1, 1882, he left the St. Louis house, since which time he has traveled for the main house of Qharles P. Kellogg & Co. , of Chicago, for sale of clothing, in Illinois and has resided in Effingham since May, 1881. He lived in St. Louis from 1866 to 1881, where he was mar- ried, in 1870, to Miss Emily Rudolph, of St. Louis. WILLLAM CURSON, lumber -dealer, Effingham, was born in Lincolnshire, Eng- land, April 12, 1832. At the age of eight- een, he came to the United States, and his parents settled at Batavia, Clermont Co.. Ohio, where our subject served a three-years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and then moved to Shelbyville, Ind., in 1854, and worked as a jovirneyman there for five years, then moved to Delphi, Carroll Co., ind , and began taking contracts there in 1859, and moved to Illinois in 1866. He bought 160 acres of prairie land in Lucas Township, which he improved for a short time, when he came to Effingham, where he formed a partnership with his father in 1866, and, under the style of Curson & Son, con- tractors and builders, continued until 1876, a period of ten years; put up the Presbyterian Church, two hotels at the railroad, and a large number of business houses and resi- dences. The father died May 10, 1876, and our subject formed a partnership with his brother, J. A. Curson, under the firm name 14 BIOGRAPHICAL: of W. Curson & Bro. , in May, 1876, and en- gaged in contracting and building, and at the same timo established lumber-yards at the corner of Washington and Banker streets, where they keep all kinds of dressed lumber and building materials. In April, 1882, he discontinued building, to devote his entire attention to the lumber trade, and, in May, 1882, established another lumber-yard on Jefferson and Willow streets. Their yards are supplied from the Chicago markets and the i^ineries of Michigan and Alaoama. His father, Thomas Curson, was born in Lynn, England, in 1810; married Miss Maria Den- nis, of Lynn, and had tlu-ee sons, of whom subject is the eldest. The father came to the United States in 1850, and settled at Bata- via, Ohio. He followed carpentering all his life. He was a Republican in polities, and served as Alderman in Delphi, Ind. Our subject served under the first call for three- months' troops, in the Ninth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, and was also in the Forty-sec- ond Indiana in the pursuit of Jlorgan when on his famous raid. Mr. Curson is a Repub- lican, and served two terms— 1876-80 — as Alderman of Effingham from the First Ward. He was married, in 1861, to Miss Sarah E. Wolfe, of Shelby County, Ind. They have seven children living. JOHN DAUB, produce merchant, Effing- hum, was born on the River Rhine, Prussia, Germany, January 19, 1829, son of Peter and Margaret (Fronetz) Daub, natives of Ger- many, he a farmer, born in 1789 and died in his native country; she bora in 1802, and died near New York City in 1870. They were the parents of three children. Our subject received his education in his native country, and came to the United States May 7, 1852, landing in New York. He traveled and worked in several States, and, in 1856, came to Waterloo, this State, and from there to the Southern States, where he stayed till the breakiug-out of the rebellion, when he returned to this State and settled in Prairie du Rocher, where he resided till 1868, when he came to Effingham, where he was married, April 12, 1869, to Miss Agatha Bussemeyer, born in Prussia, daughter of Henry and ISIary (Meckman) Bussemeyer, natives of Germany, he born in 1797 and died in his native land in 1861; she born in 1800, and is etill living with her son. Mr. and Mrs. Daub have two children — Herman, born August 16, 1876; and Maggie, born November 24, 1878. Our subject has been engaged in the produce bus- iness nearly twenty years, and now has a large store. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Republican. CAPT. HENRY A. DENTON, saddler and harness manufactm-er, Effingham, was born in Meade County, Ky. , December 9, 1837. He learned the saddler's trade at Branden- burg, Ky.,and worked with his brother there and at Owensboro, Ky. He enlisted, August 12, 1862, in the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry. He was elected First Lieutenant of Company C of that regiment, and promoted to the Cap- taincy February 4, 1863, and served till the close of the war, and was mustered out Au- gust 20, 1865. The Twelfth Kentucky was a part of Gen. Wolford's Independent Bri- gade, and was in the pursuit of Morgan in Ohio and Indiana, and was in the East Ten- nessee campaign under Gen. Burnside, and was attached to Stoneman's cavalry during the Georgia campaign, and were in a large number of battles, and in the Saltville raid. After the war, he came to Paris, 111. , in 1865, where he formed a partnership with his brother in the harness business, and contin- ued thereuntil 1881. He came to Effingham in October, 1881, and took charge of the present shop for Mr. Joe Partridge. The shop employs three hands. He was married. EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 15 September 19, 1871, to Miss S. C. Partridge, of Paris, 111. They have one son living — Guy P.— and two deceased — -Richard C. and Joseph R. THOMAS DOBBS, farmer, P. O. Effing- ham, was born in Georgia, seven miles from Milledgeville, October 15, 1829. When three years of age, his parents removed to Tennes- see, remaining a year, and then, about 1833, moved to Shelbyville, 111., where his father was engaged in blacksmithing until about the breaking-out of the Mexican war. Our subject aided his father in the shop, at blow- ing and striking, until he enlisted, in 18-16, in Col. Nube's First Illinois Infantry, Company D, Capt. Reed, and went across the plains to Santa F6, N. M. They were sixty days from Fort Leavenworth to Santa F6, marched in file by the wagon trains, and suffered greatly from fatigue. They were ordered to join Gen. Scott, and reached Puebla, when peace was made. He was in the battle of Tous, where he was wounded in the breast. He then re- turned by the old Santa F6 trail across the plains. After his retiu'n from the Mexican war, he drove a stage from Collinsville to an Illinois town (now East St Louis) for about six years, on different routes. He next worked on a farm near Jacksonville, for Ju- lius Pratt, about four years. He was mar- ried at the age of twenty-five, and settled near where Beecher City now is, in this county, where he engaged in farming, and kept a grocery in Greenland till 1861. He raised a comjsany, which was mustered into the Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, July 3, 1801, and subject was elected Cap- tain of this company, which was Company K. In November, 1862, he was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., by a cannon shot, in the leg, notwithstanding wliich he still remained with his company during the siege of Corinth, and going into the ba'tl-.' with a crutch and cane. He was also at Stone River and Perryville, Ky., after which his limb became so inflamed that he was com- pelled to resign. Of the 101 men that en- listed in Company K, there were but sixteen mustered out at the close of the war. Nine- teen were killed and wounded at Pea Ridge, and all of the company received wounds but three. Capt Dobbs returned home in No- vember, 1862, and, in the latter part of 1863, he raised a company for the lOO-days service, and went out as its Captain. It was Com- pany D, of the One Hundied and Thirty-fifth Regiment, and he served with it until the expiration of its term, when the men were mustered out at Springfield. At the request of many citizens, he agreed to take charge of raising another company, to avoid the draft. He began on Saturday, and in ten days went out as Captain of this company, to Murfrees- boro, Tenn., where his company became a part of the One Hundi-ed and Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he was pro- moted in a short time to the rank of Major, and, soon after, commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois, and remained in camp at Tullahoma, Tenn., until the close of the wai', and was mustered out at Sjaringfield, 111., in the fall of 1865. After the war, he settled perma- nently in Effingham, and was elected its City Miu-shal in 1866, and served in that capacity for eleven years until he was elected Sheriff, in 1876, and re-elected in 1878, serving four years as Sheriff of Effingham County. He retired from office in 1880, and has since been engaged in farming. He was married, first, to Elizabeth Miller, who died leaving one son. Peter, now a resident of Effingham. Our subject's second marriage was with Maggie Maxfield, who died leaving two daughters — Tuscombia and Savannah, both of whom are living. His third wife was a Miss 16 BIOGRAPHICAL: Green. They have but one daughter — Man- ilah. JOHN H. DUFFY, deceased, was born in County Dublin, Ireland, in 1829, son of Dan and Alice Mary (Rigney) Duffy, both born and died in Ireland. The father was a ba- ker Our subject received his schooling in his native country, and came to the United States in IS-to, landing in New York, where he worked in a wholesale house. He was married, in .St. Louis, Mo., February 3, 1858, to Miss Mary Marten, born January 7, 1835, in Blount County, Tenn., daughter of O. D. and Jane Marten, both born in the United States. Our subject worked most of his life on railroads. He was foreman on the Illinois Central, and also woi'ked for the narrow gauge railroad, in whose employ he was at the time of his death, which occurred Octo- ber 11, 18S1, in Mason, this county. He left a wife and seven childj-en — Patrick Hen- ry, Sarah E., John R., Mary C. Martha M., Margueretta M. and Nancy Ellen. In jsoli- tics, our subject was a strong Democrat; was a member of the Catholic Church, and also of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Duffy now keeps the St. Louis Hotel, situated on the southwest corner of the square, which offers first-class accommodations to all. GEORGE H. ENGBRING, merchant and banker, Effingham, was born in village of Epe, Prussia, April 27, 1825, where he was raised on a small fai"m, and followed farming there until 1847, when he came, via New Or- leans, to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in merchandising, and kept a grocery and no- tion store for twelve years. In the fall of 1864, he came to Illinois and settled in Effingham, where he bought property, and, in 1867, established a general store, and, for the last ten years, has been located at the corner of Third and Washinsrton streets, the old stand of John Mette, where one of the first stores in Effingham was opened. Mr. Engbring keeps a general stock of goods, and conducts a good trade. September 1, 1881, he became a partner in the firm of Eversman, Wood & Engbring, which opened a private bank in Effingham, and his interest in the institution is represented by his son William. Mr. Engbring has been a member of the City Council, and has served as Supervisor sever- al yeai-s. He is one of the Trustees of St. Anthony's Church and School. He was mar- ried, in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 2, 1856, to Catharine Bodker, of Cincinnati, born in Prussia, and who was the school-mate of our subject in Prussia. They have five children — three sons and two daughters — Henry, a Professor of Philosoj^hy in the Catholic Col- lege at Quincy, 111.; William, clerk in the bank; John, Mary and x^nna. DR. HENRY EVERSMAN. of Eversman, Wood & Engbring, bankers, Effingham, was born in Iburg, Hanover, Germany, February 23, 1S37, son of Francis F. and Charlotte (Tieren) Eversman, he a physician, born in Alf hausen, Hanover, Germany, in September, 1807; she, in Osnabruck, Hanover, Germany, and is sixty-five years old — the father also living. They are the parents of three chil- dren. Our subject received his early educa- tion in the parochial schools of his native country and Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterward attended St. Xavier's College, of Cincinnati, for four years, and was also for three years a ^ student in the Ohio Medical College of the same city. He also read medicine with his father, and, on March 1, 1861, he was ap- pointed House Physician to Commercial Hos- pital, Cincinnati. In January, 1862, he was appointed, by President Lincoln, as Assistant Surgeon of Volunteers, becoming Surgeon after a service of six months. He was as- signed to staff and hospital duty at Lexington and Louisville, Ky. , Cincinnati, Ohio, and '-€^-7^-!^ <^a>^^^^ EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 17 for the last nineteen months of his service he was Chief Medical Officer at Johnson's Isl- and. This was from February 1, 1864, to September I, 1805, at which latter date he returned home, and came to Effingham, en- gaging in mercantile business, in which he continued until September 1, 1881, at which date he became a member of the firm of Eversman, Wood & Engbring. They opened a private bank on the latter date, which has since been in successful operation, our sub- jectremaining one of the managingpartners. Mr. Eversman was marrifid, October 28, 1865, in Teutopolis, this county, to Miss Caroline Waschefort, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is thirty-six years of age. She is the daughter of John F. and Mary (Drees) Waschefort, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Eversman have foiu- children — Louisa, Mary, Elizabeth and Henry. Our subject was Mayor of Effingham for two terms — 1870 -1871. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, and also of the Catholic Church. In politics, he is a Democrat. JOHN C. EVERSMAN, merchant, Effing- ham, was born in the city of Osnabruck, Han over, Germany, September 11, 1810. He was live years old when his parents came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived until 1852. He left Cincinnati. Ohio, May 5, 1853, and arrived at Teutopolis, 111., May 15, coming in wagons. The village of Teutopolis had then about ten houses, and Effingham was not laid out, having only two log cabins on the Na- tional road. Our subject was educated in the public school.s at Teutopolis and Cincin- nati, Ohio, and at St. Louis University, in charge of the Jesuits, and left school in 1859 to teach in the village, and continued for two six-month terms. He thea entered the em- ploy of Mr. Waschefort as a clerk in his store. He enlisted at the second call for troops, in July 1, 1801, for three years, in Company B, Eighth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. He served with the regiment for eighteen months; was at Fort Hem-y, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, and other battles. He went with his company to Holly S[jrings, Miss., when he was transferred, by order of Gen. Grant, to the Department of Ohio, and reported to his brother, Dr. Henrj' Eversman, and served in the medical depart- ment as Steward, stationed at Lexington, Ky. , until his time expired. He was mustered out at Springfield in 1805, and returned to Teutop- olis, where he taught a term of school, then entered the employ of Mr. John F. Wasche- fort, as salesman in his store at Effingham, where he has remained ever since. He was elected City Clerk of Effingham in 1881, for two years. He was also Chief of the Fire Department here for five years. He was married, in 1868, to Miss Frances Gibbons, of Paris, 111. She was born in St. John, N. B., the daughter of an English sea Captain. Mr. and Mi's. Eversman have one son and one daughter living, and one son and a daughter died when young. GEORGE H. EVVERS, merchant tailor, Effingham, was born in the town of Herz- lake, Hanover, Germany, December 5, 1834. At the age of fifteen, he came, in company with his brother, to the United States, locat- ing at Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was a tailor in Germany, and our subject served a two-years apprenticeship with him before coming. He worked at tailoring in Cincin- nati, Ohio, from June, 1850, to 1863, as a journeyman. In the latter year, he removed to Oldenburg, Ind., whore he established a tailor shop, which he ran two and a half years, with good success, and ho returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, remaining there until 1867, and then came to Effingham in June of that year, and opened a merchant tailoring estab- lishment on the north side of the public 18 BIOGRAPHICAL: square, which he has conducted ever since, with good success. He employs three assist- ant journeymen, and carries a full line of foreign and domestic cloths and cassimeres, etc. He was married, in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1857, to Miss Agnes Moemke, of that city, and has four sons and two daughters living — Frank, Anna, Mary, Charles, John, Joseph- FRANK H. EWERS, Cashier Effingham Bank, Effincrham, was born February 13, 1860, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (See sketch of George H. Ewers.) He was educated in St. Joseph's College, Teutopolis, III., which he left at the age of eighteen to assist his father in tailoring, and, in October, 1880, was ap- pointed Cashier of the Effingham Bank, where he still remains. JOHN J. FELDHAKE, merchant, Effing- ham, was born in Douglas Township, Effing- ham County, August 15, 1850. He was raised on a farm until twelve years of age. He began at the age of fifteen to learn the tinner's trade, after which he entered a hardware store in Effingham, and clerked for one man seven years. He formed a partner- ship with his brother, the late Joseph Feld- hake, in May, 1873, and continued about two years in the hardware trade, when he went to Waco, McLennan Co., Texas, and opened a hardware store, which he conducted five years, and then sold out to his brother Barney, and returned in January, 1880, and established himself in the present store, under the old tirm name, but oiu' subject is the sole pro- prietor. His business room is lOO feet deep and twenty-five feet in width, and includes a large stock of hardware, stoves and tinware, employing two men in tin shop, located in second story, and one as assistant in store. His father, Joseph Feldhake. was a native of Prussia, Germany. COL. JOSEPH W. FILLER, County Clerk, Effingham City, was born in Perry County, Ohio, May 4, 1828. He entered the office of the Western Post at Somerset, Ohio, at the age of eleven, and at sixteen was a journeyman, and traveled over eighteen States as a " joui"" printer, and has published thir- teen papers. He came to Ewiugton, a " ti-amping jour " printer, in 1857, and found it the printer's El Dorado, finding employ- ment on the Effingham Pioneer, then pub- lished by W. B. Cooper and Mr. Burton. Three months after his arrival, he gained control of the Pioneer, Mr. Cooper selling it out in shares, MJr. Filler buying the shares in a little time. He moved the paper to Effingham in the fall of 1860, and continued it here until the breaking-out of the war. Our subject had served in the Mexican war, having enlisted June 9, 1846, in the Third Ohio, and was made a Sergeant on the or- ganization of the company served one year, and became Second Lieutenant in September, at Matamoras, Mexico. He retm-ned in 1847 and raised a company in Perry County, Ohio, and was its Captain. It became the Fifth Ohio Regiment, under Col. Early, and saw active service from Vera Cruz to City of Mexico, returning to Cincinnati in 1848. The news of the fii-ing on Star of the West in Charleston Harbor was received here on Thursday, and Capt. Filler telegi-aphed on Friday to Adjt. Gen. Mather that a company was ready for service, having only one se- cured, and, Tuesday morning, he left for Springfield with 102 of the largest and finest men in the company. This was in a strong Democratic county, and opposed to the war. His company went into camp at Springfield, and were assigned to the Eleventh Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and were on duty at Camp Hardin and Bird's Point, Mo. Our subject went in as a Captain and became Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment Col. Filler returned home a short time, and re-enlisted in the EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 19 Sixty-second Regiment, and was First Lieu- tenant, serving until August, 1803, when he resigned his command on account of contin- ued illness, and located in St. Louis, where he was connected with the Globe- Democrat and other papers between two and three years. Ho had the cholera in St. Louis in 1866, when he returaed to Etliagham and eogaged as a compositor for Haddock, of the Republican, for a few months. In Feb- ruary, 1867, he went to Kinmundy, 111., and started the Telegram, and continued it five months, and, in October, went to New Or- leans, where he remained until spring, when he returned and edited the Effingham Demo- crat, which was sold to Me. Bradsby in 1868. He continued to aid for awhile in its publi- cation, and, in the fall of 1869, he was nomi- nated for County Clerk of Effingham County, where he has since served, being elected three times, without any opposition from the other party. He was married, in Ohio, in 1849, to Lavina A. Dille, of Fairfield County, Ohio. They have one daughter living. W. I. N. FISHER, deceased, was a phy- sician, born in Mifflin County, Penn. , August 31, 1814, son of George and Barbara (Shep- ard) Fisher, parents of five children — two eons and three daughters. Our subject re- ceived his education in his native county, and, at an early age, began teaching school, at the same time pursuing his own studies at every opportunity. He afterward traveled quite extensively in New York, made excur- sions on the lakes, and finally went to Ohio and attended college at Cuyahoga Falls, that State. November 9, 1839, ho removed to Terre Haute, lad., where he continued his studies. He came to this State in 1841, and was married to Miss Sarah A. Turney, born in Coles County, this State, November 17, 1842. Our subject pursued his studies under Dr. Miller, and shortly commenced to prac- tice himself. In March, 1844, he moved to Sholbyvillo, this State, where he followed his profession till 1848, when he came to this county, and, January 1, 1860, moved into Effingham City, whore, tho war breaking out shortly afterward, he was active in forming companies, and was himself a member of the Fifth Cavalry. Company L, and served nine months, when his health failed, compelling him to return home. He was County Supor- ihtendont of Schools, devoting his leisure moments to the study of the sciences of all branches, of which he was intelligibly con- versant. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics a Demo- crat; was also an honored member of tho Ma- sonic fraternity, and died January 28, 1873. Mrs. Fisher is still living in Effingham. They had one son, John G., born August 30. 1843. and died August 10, 1845. LEWIS FITCH, jeweler, Effingham, was born in Leroy, Genosee Co., N. Y, Juno 22, 1844. Ho came to Michigan with his parents when four years old, and resided in Almont, that State, vyhero ho learned the trade of jew- eler with his father, and started in business for himself at the age of twenty-one, at Al- mont, and continued there until 1809, and then went to South Haven, Mich., where ho remained until 1871, when he removed to Casey, 111. He was at the latter place until 1879, when he removed to Effingham, whore he has since conducted a good business, lo- cated at present in the post office lobby, where ho carries a full stock of clocks, watch- es and jewelry. He has had twenty years of active experience in the business, and em- ploys an able assistant. Our subject enlist- ed, in August, 1862, in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, and served until tho close of tho war, in the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac, under Kilpatrick and Sheridan. He was mustered out at Detroit, July 3, 1865. 20 BIOGRAPHICAL: MES. MARY A. FLEMING, Effingham, is the daughter of Jonathan Wright, who was born in Trenton, N. J., November 20, 1790. He was the son of an English Quaker, who was thd son of a distinguished noble- man, who came from England and was an in- timate friend of William Penn, coming with one of the early colonies brought to New Jer- sey by Penn. The grandfather of Mrs. Flem- ing was David Wright, who married a Miss Elizabeth Cleaver, a lady of German parent- age, of great wealth. He (David) owned an iron foundry in New Jersey, which burned and left him in moderate circumstances. He had six sons and three daughters. The old- est son became a merchant, and the next four learned trades, and the youngest son inherit- ed the farm. Jonathan, the fourth son, fa- ther of our subject, under the stress of these reverses, and at the advice of his father, learned the trade of brick-layer in Philadel- phia, Penn. An aunt, Mrs. Theodosia Craig, was a sister of David Wright, and was very wealthy, and bequeathed to each of her neph- ews and nieces $1,000 each to those who came West, to be invested in Western lands; and Andrew Ridgeway, afterward a Quaker minister, and a cousin of the Wright broth- ers, was appointed agent to make these pur- chases. He selected the first prairie land he came to in this State, now known as Ship- ley's Prairie, in Wayne County, three miles south of Fairfield, 111. He bought these lands while this State was yet a Territory, and paid a much higher price than it sold for soon after. The lands were bought in Mrs. Craig's name, and she deeded each one about half a section. Jonathan Wright and An- drew came in 1820, with their families, and settled on their lands, David Wright and the three Ridgeways having come in 1819. Jon- athan brought subject, seven years old, and her sister Susan, three years old, who after- ward married Mr. Thomas Loy. The father of Mrs. Fleming settled on his farm in Wayne County in 1820, and lived on his farm and worked at his trade about seven years, when he moved to St. Louis and lived a year. There our subject and her sister Susan went to a j)rivate school, taught by Prof. Lovejoy, who was afterward mobbed for printing an Abolition paper. They returned to the farm in Wayne County after six months, and, in December, 1834, came to this county with their father, who settled in Ewington, where he bought forty acres adjoining the town, and which had a mill on it. He kept a hotel . in Ewington, and was employed on the brick work of the State House at Vandalia, being a splendid workman. He was on a scaffold, when it fell from the second story, and he broke both ankles and received internal in- jm-ies which caused his death two days after- ward, before any of his family could reach him, and he was buried near Ewington. His death occurred in 1835. He married Haiti e Hutchinson, of TrentoQ, N. J„ November 7, 1812. She was born November 20, 1792, and died September 27, 1855. They had nine children — Mary A., subject; Hutch- inson, died in New Jersey two years old; Susan, was the wife of Thomas Loy; George was for many years surveyor and farmer in this county; Henry H., farmer in this county (see sketch); Sarah E., wife of Mr. Burke, at Georgetown, 111.; Emma A, died aged seven years; William (see sketch); Helen A., now Mrs. Col. Funkhouser. The father was raised a Quaker, and was an hon- est, plain and unassuming man. Our sub- ject, the eldest child of Jonathan Wright, was born in Trenton, N. J., August 23, 1813. She came to Wayne County, 111., when seven years old. Her first teacher was A. C. Mackay who afterward lived in Bond County. Sep- tember 20, 1832, she married Isaiah I^acy, in EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 21 Wayne County, 111. He was born in Louis- ville, Ky., March 1, 1809, and, after mar- riage, they settled in Maysville, Clay Co., 111., where they kept a hotel until his death, which occurred one year and ten months after their marriage. He died July 3, 1834. They had one son, John H. I., born Septem- ber 11), 1833, now of Effingham; and a daughter, Hattie B. , who died when three years old — December, 28, 1837. Our subject removed with her father to this county, and aided her mother in keeping a hotel at Ew- ington until her maiTiage with Samuel Flem- ing. He was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He came with his parents to Shelbyville, 111., when he was a boy, and he carried the mail for some years in this State, and went to Nashville, Tenn., for some years, but returned to this county, and was mari'ied December 4, 1842. After marriage, he kept a grocery store for a few years at Ewington. and also kept a hotel called the Fleming House, and he conducted a livery stable at Ewington un- til 1857, when he moved to Effingham, where they rented a hotel of Presley Funkhouser for a few years. He entered the army in 1861, as a Veterinary Surgeon. He built the present Fleming House in 1801, which has been enlarged by additions from year to year, until it contains thirty rooms and all the conveniences of a modern hotel. Of their children, Mary E. was born December 4, 1843. wife of D. C. Hasseltine; "Sarah E., bora July 31, 1845, wife of Sidney VTade, of Effingham; Samuel J., born February 13, 1848; Z. A., born June 16, 1851, was mar- ried in St. Louis, September 18, 1871, to Mr. George Farnsworth. Their first and only daughter's name was Zohatta, born June 7, 1872; Hellena H., born Sep- tember 19, 1855, and died March 26, 1856; St. Clair W. and Eugene U., born March 18, 1857. SAMDEL J. FLElVnNG. livery man, Ef- fingham, was born in Ewington, this county, February 13, 1848. He came to Effingham when about ten years of age, at which time there was but one house on the west side of the Central Railroad, and he assisted his father in the stable. He was tii-eman on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad during 1863-64. In 1865, he went into the livery business in Effingham, and has continued in that busi- ness ever since. In 1870, he began buying horses for the Southern markets, shipping from eight to ten carloads during the winter season, to Natchez. Miss. , consisting of from 200 to 300 head. For the last ten or twelve years, he has been interested in the develop- ment of trotters. Has owned and trained Bay Frank, 2:33; Dixie, 2:29, Rowdy Boy, and at present owns Maud W. , a promising trotter, and Allie F., a pacer of promise also, and a number of others which have made good records. Our subject is Superintendent of the Effingham County Fair Association. He was married, February 15, 1871, to Miss Belle Wagner, daughter of Isaac Wagner, of Green Castle, Ind. They have two children — a son and a daughter. FREDERICK FLOOD, Superintendent of water supply Vandalia Railroad, Effingham, was born on the high seas and has been told that his birth occurred on board an English man-of-war or transport on British waters about 1829 or 1830. His father, Daniel, was a Captain of the Forty-second British Regi- ment on foot of Highlanders, all over six feet tall. His father was six feet four inches. His mother, who was a lady named Kate Cole, died when subject was very small, on the Plains of Abraham, where she is buried. Subject was left in the care of a French no- bleman called Sir Biongeon, and was taken to L'Islet, Quebec, Canada, where he was kept until about the age of twelve years, when 32 BIOGRAPHICAL: he ran ofif and went to the city of Quebec, and there got aboard a vessel — steamer Alli- ance — and, being too little for the work, was put off near Three Rivers. He next stowed himself on board the ship George H. Thomas, and was not found until in mid ocean, and was taken to Liverpool and got the position of L'abin boy on another vessel and came back to the coast of Maine, United States, and stopped in the village of China, where he went to school, working two days in the week, and going to school four days in the week for two years. He then yielded to his desire for the ocean and went on a brig on an Arctic expedition commanded by Caj)t. Allen; went up Davis Strait to a point where, during part of the year, the sun never sets for several months. He returned to Liverpool and went to Africa, touching at Cape of Good Hope, Calcutta and Australia, and then he took a French transport to Algeria and again visited Sidney, Australia, and from there shipped to Boston, Mass., on the bark Iowa. He then left the sea and went to work on the repairs and construction of the Boston & Maine Railroad, and came West in 1853, where he worked on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad for nineteen years, and was first located at Lebanon, 111., for about two years, Olney five years and Sandoval for twelve years, all this time on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad as foreman of water suj)ply. In 1872, he came to Efiingham, and has since been foreman of water supply of the Vandalia Railroad, and has charge of this department for 167.5 miles, which have sixteen tanks. Ho aver- ages 100 miles travel per day. He was married in Maine — the first time to Har- riet Ware, in about 1856. She died in about two years after their marriage, and he mar- ried a second time to Miss Zella H. Roy, of Caseyville, 111., January 31, 1860; had ten children by this marriage; six are living — Harriet, wife of Frank Conway, of Topeka, Kan. ; Katie, Julia, John, Letty, Bonnie; four died in infancy; the three youngest were born in this county. BENTON FORTNEY, druggist, Effing- ham, was born in Watson Township, Effing- ham County, on a farm, June 16, 1854; his parents moved to Effingham in the spring of 1855, where he has since resided. At the age of ten, he entered the old Effingham Ga- zette office, then published by Hays & Bo wen, and woi'ked about two years as " devil." He then entered the employ of S. W. Little, and worked one year in his orchard. He then worked two years in McClellan & Nodine's brick yard, and in the spring of 1869, he en- tered the drug store of John Jones to learn the business, and remained there one year, and was afterward with Mr. Pape for five years, and, in the fall of 1876, ho made a tour west, visiting Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri, remaining four months, when he returned and bought a stock of drugs at Windsor, Shelby Co., 111., and at once removed it to Shumway and conducted the drug business there seven months, when he sold out and came back to Effingham and took charge of the present store, then owned by W. W. Simpson, and run the store about six months, when he formed a partnership with J. ^W. Funkhouser and opened a drug store at Prairie City, 111., which he run for seven months and sold out and returned to Effingham, entering the employ of S. W. Os- good as book-keeper for a short time. In December, 1879. he took charge of the pres- ent store for Hon. E. N. Rinehart, and has since conducted it for him, having entire charge of the business. Our subject was mar- ried, in May, 1880, to Miss Ella Van Dyke, of Majority Point, 111. ; they have one daughter. COL. JOHN J. FUNKHOUSER, mer- chant, Effingham Citv, was born in Summit EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 23 Township, this county, March 18, 1835; he spent his youth on a farm, and lived on it until 1851, when he entered a store which his father started in Ewington, and remained there un- til 1857 as clerk. In 1857, he came to Effingham and opened a store of his own. At that time the town had not over seventy- five people, and his was tho third store started. He kept a general store until the war broke out. He enlisted August 2, 1^61, in the Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry for three years, and he went out as Captain of Company A. His regiment was under Gen. Pope in Northern Missouri and his company and one other was in an engacjement at Salt River Bridge. Capt. Funkhouser was de- tached from his regiment in January, 1862, and came home and raised and organized the Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry at Camp Centralia, and went out as Colonel of the regiment and joined the Department of the Ohio at Louisville, Ky., and was assigned to Gen. Dumont's forces. His regiment marched 1,050 miles in Kentucky and was in three engagements in that State — Perry ville, Elizabethtowu, Muldrose Hill and Hartsville, Tenn.. and many other skirmishes. Subject was at Stone River and in a heavy skirmish at Hall's Hill, and McMinvillo, Deckard, Hoover's Gap, Winchester, Tenn., Harri- son's Landing and at Chickamauga, where he was wounded, September 20, 18(33, by a minie ball, which passed through both thighs, fracturing one femur. He was taken from the field in his own ambulance, and ta- ken to Chattanooga, from thence to Steven- son, Ala., and by rail to Nashville, where his wound was dressed on the fourth day. He remained in Nashville eight days, when he came home, where he remained until Febru- ary, 1864, when he rejoined his regiment at Chattanooga, Tenn., and was ordered from there back to Nashville, where he took charge of the cavalry depot, and in May following, he was ordered to Columbia, Tenn., and took command of the post and the line of defenses on the line of Chattanooga & Nashville Rail- road, having charge of 6,000 men. He made application to take command of his old regi- ment, in June, 186U, but the army Surgeon declared him uufit for duty in the field or in- valid corps, and, in July, 1864, he resigned and came home and has been in the mercan- tile business here ever since, except about four years, which he spent as contractor on the Springfield Branch of the Ohio & Mis- sissippi Railroad. He helped to raise the subsidies along the line of the narrow gauge railroad in the county, and was President of it for three years during its building, and is still a Director. In 1882, he built and opened his present store, at the corner of Jeffer- son and Third streets, a two-story brick, 45x60 feet on ground, double storeroom, occupied with general stock. Col. Funkhouser was married, in 1854, to Miss Helen A. Wright, daughter of Jonathan Wright, of this county; they have four children living. The Colonel and his wife were born on the same day, on the same section (34, of Summit Township). The father oE our subject was Presley Funk- houser, born in Greea County, Ky. , Novem- ber 30, 1811. moved to Saline County, ill., with his parents, in 1814, and from there to White County, in 1820, and to this county in 1829, where he farmed during hia life. He was for many years Justice of the Peace and Associate Judge, and, in 1844, wiis elect- ed to the Legislatui-e and re-elected two terms. He was elected to the State Senate in 1860, and was a member on his fiftieth birthday, November 30, 1861. He was mar- ried, in Clay County, in 1829, to Nancy Bishop, and had thirteen children, of whom there are three sons and two daughters still living. The mother died March 14, 1873; 24 BIOGRAPHICAL: she was born in McMinnville, Tenn., in 1812. WILSON L. FUNKHOUSER, farmer, P. O. Effingham, was born on a farm in Summit Township, this county, February 14, 1841; he worked in a store and on a farm from boy- hood; at fourteen, his father removed to Ewington, handling stock, buying and ship- ping to Chicago. At twenty-two years of age, our subject began farming the old home- stead, which ho still ownB. and operated it himself until 1878, when he entered the em- ploy of S. W. Osgood as general foreman of his busifiess. having charge of the men work- ing in the timber, and is still in the employ of Osgood & Kingman. He was married, in 1863, to Miss Carrie Sprinkle, daughter of Michael Sprinkle, of Watson Township; she was born in this county and her father is one of the earliest settlers here; they have six children living. JUDGE T. J. GILLENWATERS, re- tired. P. O. Effingham, whose portrait ap- pears in this work, was the seventh son of a family of ten children, three boys and three girls older and thi-ee younger. He was born on the 5th day of March, 1805, in Hawkins County, Tenn. On the father's side of Eng- lish descent, and on the mother's of Ii'ish parentage. His father, Thomas Gillenwa- ters, was born on the 3d of February, 1771, and he married Polly Wilkins, oE the Wil- kins family of Sparta, S. C, on the 5th day of August, 1794. The grandfathers, Gillen- waters and Wilkins, were here, partakers in the American Revolution, aud during that wai- a fort was established on the Wilkins farm in South Carolina. Judge Gillenwaters grew up a farmer boy on his father's farm, and at ten years of age went to his first school, a log schoolhouse with a dirt floor three miles from his father's residence. Here he learned his alphabet, and between ten and nineteen years of age, he g(>t the sum total of his edu- cation in school. The entire time thus snatched from his young life of hard farm work was about six months. The only things taught in the school was to read, write and cipher; no grammar, no geography, no any- thing else. The diligence he here used is well indicated by the fact that he progressed in his arithmetic to the double rule of three, and in this school that was the graduating point. His mind thirsted for knowledge, and when he had passed the limits of this country cabin his eagerness to go on is made manifest by his proposition to his father, namely, that if he would then send him to school for three years, he would waive any and all claims upon him for all future time; not only this, but that when he had the advantage the three years of school, he would commence life for himself and soon repay the outlay thus incurred. His father's reply to this told the story: " I wish I could, son, but you are a good stout boy now, and I am not able to either spare you or the money to educate you." This ended the ambitious boy's hopes in that direction. When fifteen years old — sixty-two years ago — he joined the Method- ist Church, and commenced that Christian, though just and liberal life, that has character- ized him ever since. His father and mother were members of that church, and to his mother — that sweetest name that ever came from human lips — he attributes all this, the best blessing of his life. Although his father was a man of broad and just judgment and lib- real views — a man that loved his family and was kind and gentle always — yet it was not that mother's tender love and care that twines in such eternal affection and love around the child's heart. An incident of his child life tells this better than we can: It was the occasion of his first oath. He had been talking to a schoolmate, and before EFFINGUAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. aware himself what he was saying, the mild oath was out; it shocked his cousin, his lis- tener, as well as himself. His cousin told the boy's mother about it. His mother looked at him as a pained expression passed over her face. The boy cried and begged his mother's pardon and beseeched her not to tell his father. She took him tenderly in her arms, forgave him and promised not to "tell father," only asking that if she did all this ho would never swear again. He made the promise, and to this day has kept it sa- cred. His youthful days were given to that ceaseless round of toil that attends farm life, having but few playmates or associates except his brothers and sisters. He grew up to the fullest requirement of that command that man shall earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. It was in this respect, perhaps, that his education suifered the most — that is, the absence of that variety of young associates and the leisure to mix with and receive and give that best part of youth's education, that comes of contact of young mind with other minds of near the same age. But he was fortunate in the home influences that sur- rounded him. The patient kindness and in- dulgence of his father is told in the circum- stance that the Juiige can now recall but a single time when his father punished him. This was for disobedience in going to swim in a pond near the house, after strict orders had been given not to do so. The great temptation was not resisted, and the old gen- tleman happening to catch him in the act, broke off the first twigs within reach and ac- celerated the lad's movements toward home. The punishment was not severe, but, at the moment, was well calculated to frighten a child not accustomed to the lash. On the 27th day of November, 1827, he was married to Dinah Farnsworth. in Green County, Tena. He formed her acquaintance in the siimmer of that year as he was returning from a visit to relatives in South Carolina. He had stopped at the Farnsworth mansion for break- fast. When he beheld the girl, he made some excuse to stay until after dinner, and by dinner time he concluded to stay till next day, and before that time had expired he was in doubts as to whether he would ever go home again. He stayed a week and started a " markin school," but says : " I didn't charge her anything. " He commenced hou se- keeping at once after marriage, in a house on his father's farm that he had built the year before. There were two rooms in the house. Here he lived one year and farmed, and here the oldest child, Jane was born. On the 3d of March. 1829, he took the now little family, moved to near Brennenberg, Meade County, Ky. , where they stopped and raised a crop, and in the fall sold it and moved to Vermillion County, Ind. While here, the second child. Mellissa, was born, March 29, 1830. In 1831, moved to Coles County, 111., and improved a small farm eight miles south of Charleston, near the village of Farming- ton. Here the third child, Malinda, was born, March 1, 1832. He raised two crops here and on the 9th of March, 1833, moved to Effingham County and purcliased the Fan- cher farm, just this side of Ewington and here he lived and farmed and milled and helped build churches and schoolhouses and worked and prospered and gathered around him family and friends for the next twenty years. His restless desire for changes that so marked the first few years of his married life was over, and in his new home ho had settled down to a contented and an industrious life. In this fai-m home, where he resided for twenty years, except two years in Ewington, his other children were born, namely, George Thomas Gillenwaters, October 31, 1833 ; Elizabeth, January 18, 1836; Dinah, April 26 BIOGKAPHICAL: 5, 1838; Livonia, March 25, 1841, and Amanda, August 7, 1843. His wife died November 1, 1844, leaving him a household of young children, the youngest being only a little past one year old. On the 30th day of September, 1846, he married his present wife, a Mrs. Ann Jackson, n6e Evans, of Macoupin County, 111. He was elected Jus- tice of the Peace in 1836, and afterward was twice re-elected to the same office. Was elected a member of the County Commission- ers' Court in 1842, and was re-elected to the same office in 1850. In 1858, he was elected Associate Judge of the County Court, and continued to hold this office until, by the adoption of township organization, the office ceased to exist. In 1862, he was elected City Treasurer of the city of Effingham, and, at the expiration of the term, was re-elected. At the expiration of histej-mof office as City Treasurer, there was $532 cash of the city money in his hands, which was turned over to bis successor, Sam Moffitt and his receipt in full given for the same. Was twice elect- ed Supervisor for the city of Effingham, from which office he retired in the spring of 1882. He had been elected a Lieutenant of a militia company in Tennessee when a very young man, and his commission bore the sign man- ual of Gov. Carroll, of Tennessee. Here was a long life of honor and trust, and we need attempt no higher eulogy of his official life than to state the simple truth, that in all his life there was never the shadow of a shade of stain upon his official integrity and unflinch- ing honesty. He held these trusts most sa- cred, and turned them over to his successors in better condition than when he took them. He never was an office-seeker, and more than once when his friends had made up a ticket with his name for some leading county office, he has ordered his name taken off and some other name substituted. He would convince his friends that this was for the best, and they would acquiesce and follow his instruc- tions. Judge Gillenwaters has been a con sistent Democrat all his life. He was born in the " State of Andrew Jackson," and his nature partook largely of the cast of the old hero. Any one familiar with the portrait of " Old Hickory " will be reminded of them the moment he looks at the portrait of the Judge in this work. There is a semblance in per- son as marked as is the character of the two men. In 1845, he built a saw-mill, water- power, on Salt Creek. After operating this a little more than a year, he went soldiering to Mexico, and during his absence John F. Waschefort purchased it. In 1850, he built a horse-power mill, and brought the first circu- lar saw to the county. This also was near Ewington. After running this about three years, it was sold to W. J. Hankins, and then he erected a steam mill just west of Ewington. In April, 1859, he moved to the town of Effingham and opened a hotel in the house now occupied by himself and family as a residence. In this, as in most of his under- takings, he prospered, and, in 1864, he built the large brick hotel on the public square, and the brick business house adjoining the same. Here he kept a public house tintil the spring of the year 1882, when he leased the establishment to its present pro- prietors, and thus at one and the same time he retired from business and public and official life, and has rested at last in cheery old acre from his long, laborious and active labors. The history of Effingham County and the biography of Judge Gillenwaters are very much one and the same thing. His coming here and the existence of the county were coeval events. To much of its growth and prosperity it is indebted to him. He has been one of its humblest laborers and wisest counselors. He has been a Western EFFINGHAM CITY AXD DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 27 man in the broad pease of that term; he has realized the wants of the people and with strong brain and hand he has supplied that demand most generously and unsparingly. And now, when the race is nearly run, and the afternoon of life wanes, to see this ven- erable, white-haired couple, as hand in hand they pass along toward the twilight and the journey's end, receiving the love, reverence and respect of all, is a picture indeed that many loving hearts will wish may never fade. SYLVESTER F. GILMORE, attorney and County Judge, Effingham, was born in Putman County, Ind., August 17, 1837; he was educated at Hanover College, Indiana, and began the study of law in 1858, at Green Castle, Ind., with Col. John A. Matson, and, after reading with him about two years, en- tered tL e Law Department of the Indiana As- bury University, from which he graduated in March, 1860, and began the practice of law in Carmi, 111., continuing there until 1862, when he returned to his old home in Indiana and enlisted, in 1863, in the Seventy- eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and joined a portion of the Ai-my of the Tennessee, and was stationed at Uniontown, Ky. , and took part in engagements near Morganiield, Ky. , and at Uniontown, at which latter place the whole command was captured, late in 1863, and was paroled and sent home, subject re- turning to Green Castle, Ind., remaining un- til 1867. In September of that year he came to Effingham and has been in active practice here since. In 1878, he formed a partner- ship with Mr. White and the firm has for nine years been Gilmore & "White. He was elected, in 1869, County Superintendent of Schools, and served four years. He was nominated for County Judge by the Dem- ocratic convention in April, 1882. Mr. Gil- more was married, in April, 1860, at Green Castle, to Miss Julia A. Matkin; they have four children — Clarence, Mary, Willie and Thomas. Mrs. Gilmore died June 12, 1881. WILLIAM L. GOODELL, M. D., Effing- ham, is the eldest son of Dr. William S. and Catharine (Herrick) Goodell, and was born in Richland County, Ohio, September 28, 1844; he was taught by his parents at home with the exception of two terms in the public schools, and afterward entered college. When about nine years old, he came with his parents to Illinois and they located at Kan- sas, Edgar Co., 111., where his father was a merchant and a physician. Onr subject en- tered Marshall College in 1858, his parents having removed to Marshall, Clark Co., 111., in that year, to educate their chihh-en. Our subject remained in college until October, 1860. In September, 1861, he began the study of medicine with his father, and stud- ied and practiced with him until the latter's death. He entered the Medical Department of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, in October, 1861, and attended two full courses there, and, in 1865, he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he graduated in 1866 and located and practiced over a year in Coles County, 111. In 1868, he came to Effingham and has practiced here ever since. He was associated with his father al- most to the time of his father's death. He has been a member of the Illinois State Med- ical Society since 1875, and is a member of the Esculapian Society of the Wabash Valley. He was a delegate to the International Med- ical Congress, held in Philadelphia, Peun., in 1876. He was also a delegate to the American Medical Association, held in At- lanta, Ga., in 1877. He joined the Centen- nial Medical Society of Southern Illinois in 1880. His father, William Sherman Good- ell, M. D., was born at Weatherstield, Wind- sor Co., Vt., A. D. 1815. He studied medi- cine with Dr. Stone, of Lyndon, Vt. , at- 28 BIOGRAPHICAL : tended medical leetiires at Cleveland, two full courses at the University of Michigan, and one course at Hush Medical College, Chicago. Practiced his profession more than forty years, and was master of it in all its various departments. The Doctor stood very high in his profession, having a large prac- tice and was very successful. He was a mem- ber of Esculapian Medical Society of the Wabash Valley. The Doctor's scientific at- tainments, literary lore and classical refine- ment, coupled with his wondrous conversa- tional power, rendered him a favorite among original thinkers and investigators. The Doc- tor was a perfect grammarian, and in the olden time has had teachers come thirty miles to have him analyze and parse complex sen- tences and decide disputes amongst gram- marians. Could solve any mathematical problem and wrote an arithmetic, but it was never published. He was known to his friends and his enemies as an unshaken, hon- est Democrat of the " Jackson " type, and, although eminent as a politician, he could never be induced to accept an office. During the hot camj^aign of 1860, he discussed the political issues of the day with Mr. Lincoln. Was the personal friend of Hon. J. C. Rob- inson, Judge John Scholfield, Hon. C. L. Vallandigham, Judge Stephen A. Douglas and was a correspondent of Gov. H. A. Wise. The Doctor married Catharine Herrick (daughter of Judge Herrick), of De Kalb County, Ind., in A. D. 1840; they had three children, viz., William L. Goodell, M. D. , Catharine J. Goodell and F. Wise Goodell, M. D. In A])ril, 1807, the Doctor saw the certain development of Effingham City and County, so moved with his family (who are yet residents of the city). He bui It two large and substantial brick dwellings in the north- ern part of the city. He was a Master Ma- son. After a long and useful life the Doctor passed quietly to that undiscovered country from " whose bourn no traveler returns," No- vember 20, 1877, of pneumonia, caused by ex- posure while engaged in his profession. FRANK WISE GOODELL, M. D., Effingham, was bom in Marshall, Clark Co. , 111., March 1, 1858; at the age of sixteen, he began the study of medicine with his father, and studied in his office and practiced with him, and afterward, with his older brother, Dr. William L. Goodell, in Effingham, as student, and afterward as partner. He was a student in the Louisville Medical College and the Indiana Medical College, at Indian- apolis, and was considered the most popular student in his respective classes, being per- sonally acquainted with every student and professor. He was the youngest student in the Louisville school and Vice President of thw Sydenham Medical Society. He was nominated for the office of Coroner at the Democratic Primary Convention, held April 4, 1882, by over 1,200 majority. H. GORRELL, carpenter, Effingham, was born in Knox County, Ohio, January 7, 1829, son of Joseph and Mary (Van Cleaf) Gorrell, he, a farmer, born in Maryland, and died in 1873, near Columbus, Ohio; she, born in New Jersey and died in Knox County, Ohio, in 1852. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, thi'ee of whom are living. Our subject received his education in his native State, and was engaged in farming u.ntil he became twenty-one years of age. He was married, November 1, 1849, in Knox County, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Kirkpatrick, born in Harrison County, same State, February 22, 1829, daughter of John M. and Nancy (Guthrie) Kirkpatrick. Mr. and Mrs. Gorrell have had six children, two of whom are living — Elca- neh and Clementine. Those deceased are Ransom, Arvilla, Clara and Alva. Our sub- ject has worked at his trade of carpentering EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 29 since coming to this county. He has been in the employ of the Vandalia Eailroad Com- pany for nine years, where he has Superin- tended a force of workmen. Onr subject's son, Elcaneh, lives in Newton, Jasper Coun- ty, this State, and is editor of the Jasper County Times, a Republican pajaer. He is also Lieutenant of the " Newton Guards," State Militia, Company B. He married El- la Brown, the daughter of Attorney D. B. Brown, of Newton. Our subject's daughter, Clementine, is the wife of Mr. W. H. Bea- ver, a salesman in J. V. Far well & Co.'s wholesale dry goods house, Chicago; they have one boy — Frank Earl, born January 15, 1882. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Church. He is an L O. O. F., Dallas Lodge, No. 85. In politics, he is a Democrat. A. A. GRAVENHOEST, editor of the Effingham Volksblatt, son of Theodore and Sophia (Oehker) Gravenhorst, was born in the village of Neuhaus, in the Kingdom of Hanover, now Prussia, March 8, 1839. He was educated at the Gymnasium, at Lunen- burg, Hanover, and nearly completed a course in modern languages, preparatory to enter- ing the university. He left school at seven- teen and spent two years at agricviltural pur- suits. In 1858, being nineteen years of age, he came to the United States and located near Chicago, 111., and for two years worked on a farm in Cook County. In 1860, he came to Teutopolis, this county, with little in the way of surplus capital. He entered the employ of Mr. Waschefort, remaining about six months. He enlisted, in 1864, in the Forty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was at Franklin, Tenn. , Nashville and other minor engagements. He retui'ned in July, 1865, and, in 1867, went into business here for himself and has continued prosperously' ever since. In June, 1878, he started the first German paper ever published in the coianty, and enlarged and improved it to a six-column quarto, in October, 1882, and called it the Effingham Volksblatt. He married Miss Barbara Blattner, January 4, 1871; they have four children living. J. N. GROVES, physician and surgeon, Effingham City, was born in Perry County, Ohio, Februaiy 21, 1841. He came to Illi- nois at the age of fourteen, and his parents first settled in Crawford County. At the age of fifteen years, he entered the Ohio Wesley- an University, at Delaware, where he spent about three years. He returned to Illinois and began the study of medicine, in 1858, with Dr. S. M. Meeker, of Hardinsville, 111., and, in the fall of 1860, he entered the Chi- cago Medical College, in which he spent a winter and summer term. In July, 1861, he settled in "Watson, this county, where he be- gan to practice, which he continued until 1862, when ho enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Illinois Mounted Infantry, as private in Com- pany F, Capt. Le Crone, and was made Hos- pital Steward at once, and, in 1863. he was made First Assistant Surgeon of the Ninety- eiarhth Regiment. Dr. Groves was detailed to accompany, as Surgeon, the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, in quest of Jeff Davis, and was present at his capture. He remained until the close of the war, in July, 1865, when he re- turned to Effingham and formed a partner- ship with Dr. John Le Crone, of this city, and practiced here until October, 1865, when he entered the Rush Medical College at Chi- cago, from which he graduated January 24, 1866, and returned to Effingham for a year, when he moved to Freemanton, just before the Vandalia road was built, and when the station was located at Altamont, he located and remained there luitil 1880, when he moved to Effingham. In September, 1880 30 BIOGRAPHICAL he established the Effingham Surgical Insti- tute and Eye and Ear Infirmary, in con- nection with Dr. L. J. Schifferstein, an oc- ulist and aurist. Dr. Groves and" his asso- ciate are in charge of the Mercy Hospital at Effingham. He is Surgeon-in-chief of the Springfield, Effingham & Southeast- ern Railway, and local surgeon of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. He has built up a very large practice and eatablishod an envi- able reputation as a surgeon. J. N. GWIN, lawyer, Effingham, whose portrait appears in this work, first breathed the vital air in Crawford County, 111., near where Robinson, the county capital, was shortly af- terward located. His parents, John W. and Lucindes Gwin, obeyed the admonition " to get married and go West." They moved from Virginia to said county in 1830, when that re- gion was almost a wilderness, the wolves and deer being almost the sole occupants of the prairie. Here the subject of this biog- raphy was reared, being the fourth child of his parents, but the oldest now living. He was brought up on a farm and accustomed to a life of toil. Having received a liberal edu- cation by going to the country schools, some three miles distant, for three or four months of each winter, during the time he worked on the farm. At the solicitation of some friends, his father sent him to an acad- emy at Marshall, 111., in 1857, then in suc- cessful operation under the control of the M. E. Church, where he remained one year. The year spent at the academy created such a desire for knowledge in the young man that his father sent him to McKendree College, in 1858, where he entered the classical course and remained two years, from which institu- tion, in 1S60, he went to the Indiana Asbury University, at Green Castle, Ind.,for the pur- pose of studying German and French, where he remained one year, retiu-ning to McKen- dree College; he remained one year, graduat- ing in the classical course, in the ever mem- orable class of June 19, 1862. with the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts. His father died a few days after the completion of his colle- giate course, and he was left to commence life on his own resources; he taught school successfully for one year, then read law for a year with Judge Kitchell, at Olney, 111. ; served one year in the army, in the Fifth In- diana Cavalry; was on detached duty as Clerk of the General Court Martial, at Pu- laski, Tenn. , during the summer of 1865- Was mustered out of the service with his regiment aff-er the expiration of the war, and immediately entered the Cincinnati Law School, in October, 1865, at which institu- tion he graduated in 1866, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In June, 1865, the de- gree of Master of Arts was conferred on him by McKendree College. Was admitted to the bar at Mt. Vernon, in June, 1866, and com- menced the practice of the law at Effingham August 1 of the same j'ear, where he has ever since resided and practiced his chosen profession. Was the candidate for Presi dential elector on the Liberal Republican ticket for the Fifteenth Congressional Dis- trict in 1872. Elected Mayor of the city of Effingham in 1877, overcoming a Democratic majority of over one hundred, being the OQly one on the ticket that had any opposition that was elected, which position he held for two years, acquitting himself with the almost universal declaration that he made the best Mayor Effingham ever had. He is a gentle- man of excellent exemplary habits for one of his profession; he neither chews, smokes nor uses intoxicating drinks of any kind except for medicinal purposes. During his colle- giate course of five years, so staid and rigid were his conscientious convictions of right that he never received a demerit mark, un- EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 31 excused absence from recitation or private reproof, being the only one in hia class that had a perfect record. Knowing the advan- tages of a religious and educational training, ho has eyer since manifested a great interest in the Sabbath and week day schools, and, as Secretary of the Board of Education, he has been untiring in his efforts to secure none but first-class teachers in the public schools of the city of Effingham. Sixteen years ago, he arrived at Effingham without a dollar that he could call his own, and among entire stran- gers, but by leading a life of sobriety, econ- omy and industry, he has accumulated some property, and now, with his aged mother, oc- cupies the most beautiful home in the city of Effingham. In politics, he was a Republican from boyhood, making an active canvass for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, with which party he continued to act until 1876, when he joined the National party, and was sent as a delegate from Illinois to the National Convention at Indianapolis, that nominated Peter Cooper for President; in 1880, was a delegate to the National Convention at Chicago that nomi- nated Gen. Weaver as a candidate for Presi- dent. He is one of the oldest members, in point of membership, of Dallas Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F. He has also taken all the degrees in White Hall Lodge, No. 134, and Encampment at Effingham. Is a mem ber of Gates Post, No. 88, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was one of its charter members. HENRY G. HABING, agent Adams Ex- press Company, insurance and real estate, Effingham, was born near the town of Essen, Oldenburg, Germany, January 13, 1S37. His parents died in Germany, and, in 1844, subject, then seven years old, came to the United States with his grandfather, Casper Waschefort, who settled in Teutopolis, this county, and subject lived in the village until 1854, when he went to Evansville, Ind. , where he was clerk in a general store for three years, and, in 1857, returned to Teu- topolis and clerked for his uncle, John F. Waschefort, three years, and, in 1860, came to Effingham, and the same year Mr. Wasche- fort opened a store here, which Mr. Habing ran for three years, and in 1863 opened a general store of his own, which ho ran until 1866, when he sold it and engased with Thomas D. Craddock in the banking business, the firm of Craddock & Habing conducting a private bank until 1873, when the partner- ship was dissolved and subject continued by himself until 1876. In 1876, Mr. Habing engaged in the insurance business, which he has continued with good success. In ad- dition, he became the first agent of the Wa- bash 'Railroad, in 1879, and is still its agent. Also became agent of the Adams and Pacific Express Companies in 1881. He was agent of the American Express Company at Effing- ham from 1860 to 1866. He was elected on the Independent ticket, in 1867, and served two years as County Treasurer, and again elected in 1873, on the Democratic ticket as County Treasurer for one term. He was Mayor of Effingham in 1875, and the same year Chairman of the Board of Supervisors; served several terms in other offices of trust, as Alderman, Trustee and School Treasurer. RUFUS C. HARRAH, State's Attorney, Effingham City, was born in Putnam County, Ind., October 10, 1846. He came with his father to Jasper County, 111., in 1858, and lived on a farm. He was educated at West- field College, Illinois, which he left iu 1870 and taught school two years, in Putnam County, Ind. March 10, 1872, he came to Effingham and studied law with J. N. Gwin, and was admitted to the bar June 18, 1874, and has been practicing here since. He was Police Magistrate of Effingham from 1873 to 32 BIOGRAPHICAL: 1881. He was elected State's Attorney for this county in ISSO, for four years, by the Democrat- ic party. His parents still live in Jasper Coun- ty, 111., where his father has followed the life-long occupation of farming. His father, Daniel F. Harrah, was born iu Montgomery County, Ky., and came to Indiana about 1835. He was the son of Daniel Harrah, a Holdier of the war of 1812. Our subject was married, in 1873, to Mrs. Ellen Warren, of Jasper County, 111. They have two children living. GEORGE HARVEY, farmer, P. O. Effing- ham, was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., January 18, 1832, son of Liaac and Sarah (Wunder) Harvey, he, born in Berks County, Penn. , in 1800, was a blacksmith and died in Schuylkill County, same State, in 1874; she was also a native of Berks County, Penn., born in 1802, and died in Schuylkill County, same State, in July, 1853. They were the parents of fifteen children, ten of whom are living. Our subject received his education in his native county, and was engaged in farming till 1860, when he went to work in the coal mines of his State, in which occupa- tion he was engaged until 1879, at which time he came to Illinois and purchased a farm of 500 acres in this county, paying $18 per acre. His place is adjoining to the city limits of Effingham, and includes 120 acres of timber land. He carries on general farm- ing. Our subject was married, in his native county, August 12, 1853, to Miss Mary N. Dentler, born in the same county, daughter of Jacob Dentler, born in Lewisburg, Union Co., Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have nine children living — Theodore H., Isaac A., Charles, Anna Maria, Esther, George, Sam- uel, Richard and Bessie. Mrs. Harvey is a member of the Church of the United Breth- ren. He is an I. O. O. F., Pine Grove Lodge, No. 148, and is also a member of the En- campment. In politics, he is a Republican. ALPHEUS J. HASBROUCK, Effingham, watchman, was born in Kingston, Ulster Co., N. Y. , March 1, 1826, son of Jacob and Ari- etta ( Schoonmaker) Hasbrouck, he, born in Kingston, N. Y., April 2, 1800, was a stu- dent under Dr. Mott, and afterward a phy- sician, died in Seneca County, N. Y. ; she was of Holland descent, born in 1802, and died in New York State in August, 1882. The history of the Hasbrouck family is in- teresting as well as somewhat peculiar. Our subject's ancestors (as far back as the history can be traced) were two Frenchmen, who, in Coligny's time, during the early persecution of Protestants in France, fled to Holland, where they took refuge among the Huguenots, and afterward emigrated to America, sailing from England for Boston, in April, 1675, thence to New York and from there to Eso- pus (now Kingston, N. Y.), arriving in the latter place in July of the same year. One of the brothers, Joseph, remained in Esopus, while the other, Jacob, settled in Poughkeep- sie, N. Y'., and both intermarried with the French and Hollanders. Our subject's great- grandfather and Mi-s. Hasbrouck' s great great- grandfather were first cousins, so the two families, though at intervals, would be quite distant from each other, time would bring them together again. Our subject's grand- father was a Captain in the Revolutionary war and a Colonel in the war of 1812. In the great civil war, there were eighteen repre- sentatives of the family in the army, ranking from a private to a General. Our subject is the descendant of the oldest child in each generation, with one exception. The first child in each generation happened to be a boy. In early life our subject was a farmer. He was man-ied, in Seneca County, N. Y., October 8, 1851, to Miss Mary Ann Has- brouck, born in Kingston, N. Y. , May 5, 1829, daughter of Louis and Margaret (Van >5- J*— .-«»?■* 'yj^"^^'. /*&^\ ^'^^ffii ^u^<^<^hyi/H_ EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 38 Vleck) Hasbrouck, be, born in New Paltz, now Poughkeepaie, N. Y., in 1797; she, born in the same place and year as her hns- band. Our subject has six children living and two deceased. Those living are Lou- ise, Mary, Josephine, Frank Calvin, Louis and Viola. Mary is a teacher on the west side school of Effingham. Mr. Hasbrouck came to Effingham in 1870, and has since resided here. He had previously filled a number of offices in Mattoon, Coles County, this State, being at one time Mayor of that city and President of four societies, and also Superintendent of Sabbath school. He takes great interest in educational matters. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is also an I. 0. O. F. He has been in the employ of the Vandalia Railroad Com- pany for most of the past eleven years. ' In religion, he is a Presbyterian, and in politics a Republican. CHARLES G. HARTMANN, wool dealer and merchant, Effingham, was born in the city of Neustadt, near Stolpen, Saxony, Germany, March 10, 1824. His father was a weaver in Neustadt, and subject learned the trade with him ■when a boy and traveled six years as a journeyman in Germany. He came to the United States in 1856, and first settled in South Bend, Ind., where he lived two years, when he removed to Shelby County, 111., and established himself in the weaving business in Shelby vi lie, and, in May, 186-1, he came to Effingham, where he engaged in buying wool, weaving and dealing in woolen goods. He carries a full line of woolen fabrics of all kinds and deals in wool generally, handling the bulk of the wool produced in the county. He is a member of the School Board and is serving his second year. His father, John G. Hartmann, mari'ied Julia Kretschmar, by which marriage there were ten childi'en, of whom our subject is the seventh child; six of 1 the family are yet living. Our subject was married, in 1847, to Paulina Grahmann. They have five children — Matilda, married John Simow, of Effingham; Bertha, married to Henry Rawe, of Christian County, 111. ; Emma, at home; Charles A. and Henry, both in Chicago. I ANTON J. HENNING, butcher, Effing- ham, was born on the Atlantic Ocean, October 8, 1854, son of Charlie and Theresa (Vogt) I Henning, natives of Germany; he, a miller, came to the United States in 1854, was a farmer in this country, and died near St. Louis; she died in Effingham June 29, 1880. They were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters. Our subject's schooling consisted of four winters' attend- ance at school in Monroe County, this State, j and six months' study at Teutopolis, this county. He was engaged in farming till seventeen years of age, afterward working \ some in the employ of the Vandalia Railroad Company. He opened a butcher shop in 1876, which was destroyed by fire on March 5, 1879, after which he rebuilt on the same place. He was married, in Effingham, July 2, 1878, to Miss Anna Ungrum, born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, July 2, 1855, daughter of George and Marguerita (Tiepen) Ungrum, natives of Germany; he died in this county, and she is still living here. Mr. and Mrs. Henning have two children — Rosa and Liz- zie. Our subject has lived in Effingbam for the past twelve years. He is a member of the Catholic Chiu-ch and in politics a Dem- ocrat. LOUIS HILL, retired, P. O. Effingham, i was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, March 4, 1817; came to the United States in 1829. His parents fii-st stopped in New Y'^ork Citj' about two years, when they moved to I Pittsburgh, Penn, and our subject learned the trade of tinner in Donisonstown, Westmore- c 34 BIOGRAPHICAL land Co. , Penn. , where he served three years' apprenticeship. He then started a tinshop for himself in Allegheny County, Penn., which he ran about three years, and after- ward ran a shop in Cambtidgo, Guernsey Co., Ohio, about four years, when he sold out and came to Illinois, in 1851, and bought prairie farm in Jackson Township, this county, entering 240 acres of it, and remained on the farm till the spring of 1881; he had ac- quired a half -section of land, which he placed in a good state of cultivation and kept up good buildings. Mr. Hill came tu Effing- ham in the spring of 1881, to epjoy the rest which his toils have richly earned him. He was mari'ied, the first time, in March, 1840, to Miss Amanda Whiteman; five children 'were born of this marriage, all of whom are dead, except one daughter — Geomima, wife of Lorenzo Ward, of Cumberland County, 111; she was born May 18. 1855. Our sub- ject's first wife died in January, 1874. His second marriage occurred June 15, 1874, when he wedded Miss Catharine Wade, of Perry County. Ohio. Three of Mi-. Hill's children died young — one daughter, Sarah Jane, died in 1877: she was born in 1841, and man-ied John Corral, and left sis children, five of whom are still living. JOHN HOENT, Sr., editor and publisher Effingham Times, was born in the town of Ruehnda, District Melsungen, Hesse-Cassel, Aug. 27, 1824. He received his education in the parochial school of his native place, and in the village of Waldau. His father was a damask weaver, and after leaving school sub- ject worked at that for a few years. He also received lessons from a private teacher, and prosecuted his studies until the age of eight- een. February 2, 1842, he landed at New Orleans, La., and from there came to Leitch- field. Ky. He engaged in farming and in the meantime pursued the study of English with the closest application. He took private les- sons of Volentine Yates, and in three years taught English himself. He was married, April 2, 1846, to Miss Aldegundis Bozarth. of Grayson County, Ky. After being en- gaged in agricultural pm'suits for three years, he began teaching English schools, both pub- lic and private, and that was his almost ex- clusive work until the spring of 1861. In the winter of 1851, he came to Illinois, locat- ing at Old Ewington, and first taught a school in Sprinkle neighborhood, near Wat- son, then went to Teutopolis, where he taught in a Catholic parish school for three years, when he came to Effingham and clerked in the first general store in Effingham, and afterward kept a boarding-house here and was also the first Postmaster. In the fall of 1855 or 1856, he moved to Waterloo, III, where he remained one year, then went to St. Clair County, where he taught for six years; then returned, in 1861, and bought the Effing- ham Gazette, of Mr. Rose, and ran this and its successor, the Democrat, continuously un- til October, 1881, with the txception of the year 1869. February, 1882, he started the Effingham Times, which now enjoys a large circulation. Since coming to this country Mr. Hoeny has acted with the Democracy in political affairs. He served on the old Vil- lage Board of Trustees of Effingham, and served as Mayor of Effingham for two years, 1879 and 1881. Mr. Hoeny is the father of twelve children, six sons and six daughters; six are living, as follows: Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. H. C. Nolte;; Anna T. , wife of J. B. Costigan; John, Jr.; Archibald A., Eugene F. G. and Rose F. Of those deceased, all died young, except the oldest son — Martin W., who served in the Sixty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the regimental band, during the war, and died April 8, 1872, of consumption, which he EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 35 contracted in the army. He was a partner in the publication of the Democrat and a writer of much promise. NATHANIEL B. HODSDON, Superin- tendent of Schools, Effingham, was born in Bethel, Oxford Co., Me., Augiist 20, 1833; he received his education in the common schools of Maine, and in Gould's Academy, at Bethel, Me., and began teaching at the age of twenty- two in his native State, and in 1856 entered the Bridgewater State Normal School, Massa- chusetts, and spent two years there, graduat- ing in February, 1858. In August, 1858, he camo to Carmi, White Co., 111., whore he had charge of the schools four years. In August, 1802, he resigned his position to enlist in the Eighty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served three years in Company F. He entered as Second Lieutenant and during the last years had command of Company F as First Lieutenant. He was in the siege and capture of Vicksburg and the Red River ex- pedition and other engagements on the Mis- sissippi River; was mustered out at Spring- field. 111., in July, 1865. His health was so impaired that Mr. Hodsdon did not resume teaching until 1874, when he became Princi- pal of the schools at Carmi. 111., and re- mained as Superintendent there four yeai-s, and next became Principal of the public schools at Metropolis, 111., for two years, and, September, 1881, he was made Professor of English literatiu'e in the Christian Collegiate Institute at Metropolis, 111. , where he taught one year, when he resigned to accept the Superintendency of the Effingham schools in June, 1882, and is now filling that position. He was married, in 1861, to Miss Mary F. Chaplin, of Maine, who died in 1874, when he married. December 30, 1875, Miss Flora Pol- lard, of Evansville, Ind., daughter of the late Dr. William Pollard, of Cynthiana, Ind. The father of our subject was James Hodsdon, who served as private in the war of 1812 and who was a farmer. He resided at Bethel, Me., until his death. The mother of our subject was Esther Bartlett, who had eight children, of which subject is the youngest and the only survivor. JOHN F. HOMANN, lock and gun smith, Effingham, was born in Hanover, Germany, Oct. 7, 1805, son of Johan F. and Henriette (Noavohner) Homann, he, a wagon and pump maker, born in 1708, in Germany, where he died in 1836; she was born and died in Ger- many also. They were the parents of three children — one son and two daughters. Our subject received his schooling in his native country, where he also learned his trade, in which he was engaged in various places in Germany and Switzerland. He was married, in Neukirchen, Hanover, Germany, December 31, 1830, to Anna Maria Vallors, born in Bremen, Germany, December 28, 1809, daugh- ter of Henry and Marguerita'(Delves) Vallers, natives of Bremen, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Homann have three children — Frioderich Adolph, Wilhelm Henry and Dena. The two sons are married and have farms in Moccasin Township, this county. The daughter is liv- ing at home. Our subject came to the Unit- ed States in 1845, and lived six years in St. Louis, Mo., twelve years in Washington County, this State, and in 1865 came to Effingham, where he haB since worked at his trade of lock and gun smith. He is an excel- lent mechanic and a fine old gentleman, re- spected by all who know him. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church and in politics a Republican. U. M. HUTCHINS, farmer, P. O. Effing- ham, was born in Shelby County, HI., June 9, 1855, sou of M. and Susan (Carter) Hutch- ins, natives of Tennessee; he, born May 1, 1810, is a farmer in Douglas Township; she, born August 13, 1810. and died in Douglas 36 BIOGRAPHICAL: Township June 20, 1881. They had twelve children, four of whom are living. Our sub- ject received his education in his native county, and made a start iu life as a farmer. He came to this county in 1872, at which time his father purchased 213 acres of land, at $10 per acre, which is now owned by our subject, who engages in general farming. He was married, in Douglas Township, Au- gust 19, ISSl, to Tomana Rose Clark, born March 11, 1861, in this State. Mr. and Mi-s. Hutchins have one child- Michael, born September 5, 1882. In religion, our subject is a Baptist, and in politics, a Democrat. CAPT. WILLIAM H. HYDEN, merchant. Effingham, was born in Vigo County, Ind. , near the State line, Ms-rch 10, 1831. At the age of fourteen, he was bound out to learn the tanner's trade, in Vigo County, and served three yeai-s, and at nineteen he went to Indianapolis, Ind., and for two years was in the employ of the Madison Railroad Com- pany, as brakeman on a passenger train. He worked in a saw-mill in Marion County for three years, and farmed one year, when he began the manufacture of brick near Indian- apolis, in which he continued till the war broke out. He enlisted in Company F, of the First Indiana Cavalry, in Jime, 1861, for three years, or dui'ing the war. Company F was transferred in the spring of 1862 to the Third Indiana Cavalry. He was in the Army of the Potomac for two and one- half years, under command of Gen. Pleason- ton. He served two years and seven months as Second Sergeant of Company F, Third In- diana Cavalry, and, including skirmishes, took part in thirty-nine engagements, the most important of which were Poolsville. Frederick City, Middletown, South Mountain, Antietam, mouth of the Monocacy, Charleston and Barnsville Ford. He fought twelve days in Amosville, Fredericksbiu-g, in January, 1863, Beverly's Ford, Chancellorsville, Dumfries, Warrenton, Spottsylvania, Aldie, Middle- bmy, Snickers Gap and Upperville. He was wounded three times, first at Beverly's Ford, by a saber. His horse was shot in the fall of 1^64, below Pulaski, Tenn., and our subject was crippled by the fall of the animal. He received a gunshot wound at A.ldie, through the right foot, in 1863, just before the battle of Gettysbm-g. He came home on a leave of absence and was commissioned Second Lieu- tenant of the Ninth Indiana Cavalry, by Gov. Morton, and January 1, 1864, he was com- missioned Captain of Company H, Ninth Cavalry, One Hundi-ed and Twenty-first Regi- ment, having raised and drilled the majority of the men in the Ninth Cavalry. He went out -find served till the close of the war as Captain of Company H, being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. After the war, Capt. Hyden resumed the manufacture of brick, at Indianajwlis, until the winter of 1867, when he removed to Effingham County and farmed here until 1874. In that year, he engaged in the merchandising, and kept a general stock for seven years at Elliottstown, 111. August, 1881, he came to Effingham, and was em- ployed until March, 1882, as a salesman by Col. Funkhouser. March 8, 1882, he opened a general store on the north side of the pub- lic square, which he has since conducted with good success. He was first married, June 16, 1854, to Miss Margaret A. Leeper, of Acton, Marion Co., Ind. They had three children. His wife died in August, 1872. He remar- ried, Miss Sarah Creech, of this county, Jan- uary 12, 1874. They have three children by this mairiage. JOHN GEORGE HYNEMAN, baker and confectioner, Effingham, was born in Baden- Baden, Germany, August 11, 1850. He left school at the age of seventeen, having complet- ed a college eoiu-se at the city of Constanz. He EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 37 learned tlie confectionery trade with an uncle in the city of Reichstadt, serving three years, when at the age of twenty, he enlisted in the German Army as volunteer in the Sanitary Corps, remaining until February 1, 1871, when he was excused from service for disa- bility, and he came to the United States, leaving May 16, 1871, landing at New York City, where he was pastry cook and confec- tioner for a year and six months; then he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed ♦he same occupation £or three years. In No- vember, 1876, he came to Effingham, and was afterward, for a few months, at St. Louis, Mo. Jiily 1, 1877, he opened his present establishment on Jefferson street, conducting a restaurant, confectionery and bakery with good success, the different branches of the business employing from five to six persons. He was married, in 1877, to Miss Louisa Heer, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Three children were born of this marriage, and two of our subject's last marriage. His father, Joseph George Hyneman was born in Baden, Germany, and graduated from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. He joined the Revo- lution of 1848, and espoused the cause of the people, and wascaptured and cast into prison in Reichstadt, but was afterward pardoned by the Duke and restored to the office of At- torney and rose to the rank of a Judge. WILLIAM H. JACKSON, grocer, Effing- ham, was born in Marion County, Ky., April 5, 1844. He was raised in Lebanon, whore he served an apprenticeship at blacksmithing. He enlisted at eighteen in Morgan's Cavalry and sorvod until 1863, when he was captured at Buffington, Ohio, and was held as prisoner of war at Camp Morton and Camp Douglas, from which he escaped in November, 1863. He located in Wisconsin at the close of the war and came to Effinfrham in 1869. He was hotel clerk in the old Moore House for some years, and engaged in the retail grocery busi- ness here about 1872, and has been in that business ever since, except three years, which he spent in different parts of Texas to recuper- ate his health. His location is on Jefferson street, where he does a prosperous business in groceries and queensware. He served as City Clerk of Effingham for three terms. In poli- tics, he is a Democrat. He was married, Oc- tober 8, 1873, to Miss Amanda Myers, daugh- ter of W. T. Myers, of this county. ANTHONY BERNARD JAN SEN, farmer, P. O. Effingham, was born in Oldenburg, Germany, February 20, 1822. He was twelve years old when he came to America. He lived two years in Schuylkill Cl EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 49 cess, when health again gave way. He has been practicing in Effingham since 187(5. His wife died at Bowling Green, Ivy., in Au- gust. 1873. She bore him three children, one of whom died in 1S7S, of yellow fever. Oar subject married, in 1877, to Miss Lizzie B. Wood, of this county. In addition to his law practice, Caj)t. Le Crone is a member of the firm of Le Crone & Worman, real estate agents, abstracters and loan brokers. GEORGE M. LE CRONE, insurance agent, Effingham, is the son of Dr. John Le Croue, and was born in Ewington, this coun- ty. December 23, 18-53. At the age of seven years, his father moved to Effingham, and our subject went to the public schools of the city until 1870, spending his summer va- cations at different kinds of labor in the city and on the farm. In the fall of 1870, he en- tered the State Normal University at Nor- mal, 111., from which he gi'aduated in June, 1873. He then taugbt a district school in this county for a year, and. in 1875. became the Principal of the Effingham East Side School, serving as such for a yeai\ He then accepted the position of Peputy Circuit Clerk, and was for two years thus engaged. In January, 1878. he purchased a half- inter- est in the Effingham Democrat, and for three years was a joint editor with John Hoeny, Sr.. of that paper, and continued with his successor, Mr. Scott, until October 1. 1881. He sold out and escaped the horrors of jour- nalism for a brief but happy period, and for a time kept books for Osgood & Kingman. In December, 188 1 , he, with C. F. Coleman, started the Altamont News, and has since been one of its proi^riet-ors. October, 1882, he formed a copartnership withN. D. Clutter, and under the tirm name of Clutter & LeCrone, has conducted real estate, insurance and loan agencies. Our subject was married, in 1879, to Miss Frances K. Nitcher, of Effingham. WILLIAM C. LECRONE, traveling sales- man. Effingham, was born in Fairfield Coun- ty, Ohio, August 1, 1837. He was seven years old when his father, Dr. John Lecrone, moved with his family to this county. In 1854, he went to Vandalia as a clerk in a store for one year, then returned to Effing- ham in 1856 and took charge of a dry goods store here, for Thomas Ewing, of Princeton, Ind. This was the first general dry goods store in Effingham. He closed the business in the winter of 1855-56. He returned for a year to Vandalia, 111., afterward coming back to Effingham, and sold goods for Ham - ilton L. Smith until he moved his stock to Mattoon. He began reading medicine in March, 1857, but discontinued it in the fall of that same year. In the spring of 1858, he sold fruit trees in this and adjoining counties until October, 1858. In May, 1858, he married Miss E. E. Kagaj'. They have five children living — Emma K., Anna, Sarah E., John W. and Nellie J. In 1859, he en- tered the employ of Presley Funkhouser, where he continued as clerk and collector un- til the war broke out. He enlisted in the first company that was formed in this coun- ty, under Capt. Filler. They were a part of the Elevpnth Illinois, and served until ex- piration of his term. On his return, he en- tered the employ of MuiTay & Moffitt until 186'?, when he entered the employ of the Government as Chief Clerk of a Brigade in the Quartermaster's Department fi'om No- vember, 1862, to August, 1865. He was in Chicago from the fall of 1865 to 1866. He was appointed, in May, 1866, Assistant .As- sessor of Internal Revenue, and acted in that capacity until August, 1868. He was em- ployed by a construction company on the Vandalia Railroad until January, 1869. In February of that year, he entered the Cir- cuit Clerk's office as Deputv, and in 1872 1) 50 BIOGRAPHICAL: was electod to the office of Circuit Clerk, and served until December, 1880, being re-elected in 1876. Since January, 1881, he has been employed as traveling salesman in this State for Culver, Page, Hoyne & Co., Chicago. THOMAS^D. LEITH, baggageman, Effing- ham, was born in Mason Township, Effing- ham County, October 11, 1855, son of David and Amanda (^Wilson) Leith. He became a clerk in the freight office of the Vandalia Railroad at Effingham in 1876, remaining in that capacity, for two years. In 1878, he was appointed baggageman of the Vandalia and the Illinois Central Railroads at this place, and has served in that capacity ever since. His father, David Leith, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and came with his family about 1840 and settled in Mason Township, where he engaged in farming and catile-raisiug. SAMUEL W. LITTLE, retired, Lincoln, Neb., was born in Butler County, Peun., September 6, 1818. He passed his youth in Pennsylvania. At the age of sixteen, he learned the trade of glass-blowing in Pitts- burgh, Penn. He left Pittsburgh at the age of nineteen, and followed the Ohio, IMissis- sippi and Missouri Rivers as second cook on steamboats for a year, when he became cook on a Government snag-boat to go up the Mis- souri River. He remained on the river until 1839, when he left St. Louis for Pittsburgh, and there engaged to go to Keene, N. H., where he worked at his trade for about nine mouths; afterward worked in New Jersey at his trade, and, in June, 1840, vrent to Pitts- burgh, when the tariff was removed from glass, and all manufactories were stopped, and he shipped to New Orleans, on a coal boat, and from there he went to Natchez and formed a partnership with his brother in the lumber and sand business, which they con- tinued until 1841, when he Returned to Pitts- burgh, and, with D. B. Alexander, bought a flat-boat, and began the manufacture of tin- ware, on the boat, on the river, and sold to the river cities by wholesale and retail. This was the first boat of the kind ever on the river, and made two trips a year each way. He sold the boat in New Orleans in 1843, and went to Rome, Ga. , where he opened a store and kept it six months, when he had a boat built and went trading by river from Rome, Ga. , to Mobile, Ala., and again sold his boat and returned to Pittsburgh in 1844 , where they fitted out another trading boat, Mr. Little buying out Alexander at Shaw- neetowu, 111. At Cairo, 111., he employed a man to make and give exhibitions of lamp- work and fancy glass blowing. They gave daily and nightly exhibitions, on the boat, where they stopped, and at Memphis hired a hall and gave exhibitions with great success, and sold out at Yazoo City in 1845, and re- turned to Cincinnati, Ohio, and, with a man named Laird, put up glass works. He went to Pittsburgh, Penn., and married, in Octo- ber, 1845. His glass works proved a fail- ure, and, with his family, spent the winter at Zanesville, Ohio, and the summer at Pitts- burcfh, Penn,, working at his trade. In the fall of 1846, in company with others, he started a glass factory at Cincinnati, Ohio, with same result as at fu^st. He sold a pet bear to get money enough to get out of th e city. He then worked at his trade in Wheel- ing, W, Va. , for three years, and, with his old partner, with §1,900, came to Green Cas- tle, Ind. , where they engaged in the hard- ware, glassware, and stove and tinware busi- ness, and in foiu' years made over $13,500. In 1853, when it was known that the Illinois Central and the Atlantic & Mississipjii Rail- roads would cross in this vicinity, our subject and Mr. Alexander came here and bought 305 acres of land here, on which the town is EFFINGHAM CITY AXD DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 51 built. Our subject moved here in 1856, and lived here until 1867, when he went to West Virginia, but returned in 1868, and again r«- sided here till 1871. In October of that year, he moved to Lincoln, Neb., where he is still residing. JOHN J. LOER, telegrapher and City Treasurer, was born in Alton, Madison Co., 111.. December IG. 1S51. Hegrewu]i in Al- ton, and was educated there. At the age of eighteen, he began to learn telegraphy in the office of the Western Union at Alton, and in 1867 he became operator at Delhi, 111., on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, for a short time, when he went to Alton for six months. In Novembei', 1868, he engaged his services to the Vandalia Railroad, and was two years night operator in its office at East St. Louis, Mo. He came to Effingham December 22, 1870, and has been day operator in the "Van" office here ever since. He was elected City Treasurer of Effingham on the Republican ticket in April, 1881, and served two terms. He was married, September 14, 1876. to Miss Kate Wortman, of Effingham. DAVID W. LOY, deceased, was the son of Thomas and Susan (Wright) Loy, and was born in Watson Township, this county. May 6, 1837. He remained at home until eight- een years of age, when he became a clerk for Col. J. J. Funkhouser, in Effingham. He re- mained with him for some years. He ran a saw mill at Ewington for several years, and invested his means in lots in Effingham, and erected houses on them. During this period, he built some of the first business houses of the place. He was a contractor on the Van- dalia Railroad, and graded a mile of it in this county. During the last seven years of his life, he was gradually going down with consump- tion, and died in June, 1877. He was married, July 17, 1873, to Mrs. Emma J. Freece. and by her had two children — Estella and Jarvis V. FERDINAND W. LOY, attorney at law, Effingham City, was born in Watson Town- ship, this county, • March 10, 1859, son of Thomas M. and Susan (Wright) Loy. Our subject was raised on a farm, where he lived until fifteen years of age, when he came to Effingham and attended the public schools. He began teaching in 1876, and continued four winter terms of six months. In 1878, he began the study of law under Hon. E. N. Rinehart, and continued about one year, when he entered the Law Department of the Northern Indiana Normal School, from which he graduated in June, 1881, and was admit- ted to the practice of law in Indiana in May, 1881, and, in February. 1882, to the Illinois bar He located in Effingham and formed a partnership with William B. Wright, under the firm of Loy & Wright, and they are lo- cated in Wright's Building. JOHN LUNDRY, grocer, Effingham, born in Phillipsburg, Miami Co., Ohio, April 9. 1841. He learned the wagon-maker's trade with his father from boyhood. Came to Il- linois with his father in 1860, and worked at trade until late war. He enlisted in fall of 1861, aud served until fall of 1865. He en- listed in the Sixty-first Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, Company H, for three years. He served under Grant and Sherman. He was in the battle of Shiloh and other ontrase- ments. He was Orderly Sergeant. He was in active service in Army of Tennessee until three years expired, then came to Cincinnati, Ohio, and re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served under Gen. Hancock until close of war, when he joined his father at Mattoon, 111., and bought his shop in 1867, when fa- ther moved to Iowa. He ran wagon shop at Mattoon until 1870, when he sold out and went to Lockport, Ind., where he engaged in carpentering until 1872, when he moved to 5i BIOGRAPHICAL: Effingham, 111., and engaged in carpentering for six years as contractor, when he again became a partner with his father in wagon shop until September, 1882, when he formed a23art- nership with John M. Johnson, and, under the tirm name of Ijundry & Johnson, opened a grocery on Railroad street, and has since con- tinued fair business in groceries and provis- ions. Married, in 1866, to Miss Nancy J. Haskell, of Mattoon, 111. Has five children living — Lulu. Leonard, Jessie, William, Eva. NICHOLAS LUNDRY, wagon-manufact- urer, Effingham, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 30, 1810, and lived in that State until I860. At the age of sixteen, he learned the trade of wagon-maker in Dayton, Ohio, where he worked for seventeen years — served four years as apprentice, and then worked as journeyman for a year; then bought the shop and ran it until 1860. He came.to Cumberland County, 111., in the fall of 1860, and bought a saw-mill there, which he ran about three years, then moved to Mat- toon, 111., where he rented a shop and ran it for some three years, and went to Iowa in 1806 and opened a wagon shop in Marshall- town, Iowa, which he ran until November, 1877, when he came to Effingham, 111. He bought the present shop on Railroad street of Mr. Lilly, and has usually employed three assistants — one blacksmith, and, with himself, three in wood shop — and turns out about sixty wagons per year; also a repair business. His work finds a ready market at home. The ma- terial is carefully selected, and the work has a good reputation. He was married, in Mi- ami County, Ohio, May 1, 1833, to Eliza Fry, who was raised in Stark County, Ohio. They have two sons and two daughters living. He is a Republican in politics. REV. ROBERT H. MANIER, minister, Effingham, was born near Nashville, Tenn., November 23, 1828. He spent his early life on a farm in Tennessee, and was educated first in Union Academy, Wilson County, same State. At the age of twenty, he came I to Illinois and entered Marion Academy, where he remained two years, and then taught in the public schools of Saline Coun- ty, 111., four years, and entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Chm-ch in 1854. His first pastoral work was in the Du Quoin Circuit, being a member of the Southern Ill- inois Conference. He was afterward at Cen- ti'alia, Cairo, Carbondale, Chester and Mt. Vernon. In the fall of 1861, he enlisted in the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as Chaplain, and remained one year, when he resigned on account of lost health. On his retiu'n, he joined the St. Louis Confer- ence, and was stationed in Jefferson City, Mo., and while there he served two years as Chaplain of the Missouri State Senate, and two years as Chaplain of Missouri Peniten- tiary. He re-entered the Southern Illinois Conference in 1874, and was pastor at Har- risburg, Hawthorne, Shawneetown, Enfield, and is on his third year as pastor of the Cen- tenary Methodist Episcopal Chm-ch at Effing- ham. He united with the church at the age of fourteen, and entered the ministry at twenty-six. He married, in 1852, Miss Sar ah Lovina Jones, of Raleigh, 111., and five children are living of this man-iage. His wife died July 12, 1879, He married a sec- ond time, Mrs Lucy J. Hartgrove, of Shaw- neetown, 111. , and by her has one son. DR. J. G, McCOY was the second child of Samuel and Mary T. (George) McCoy, and was born in the village of Smithfield, Jeffer- son Co.. Ohio, on the 13th day of March, 1836. When fourteen years of age, his par- ents changed their residence to New Phila- delphia, Ohio, near which place the subject r grew to his manhood. At the age of seven- teen, he commenced his own independent ca- EFFINGHAM CITY AXD DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 53 reer. and taught school for three months each year, and the other nine months attended college at Mt. Union, Stark County. He studiixl medicine with an uncle in New Phil- adelphia during 1855 and 1856. In the year 1857, with his parents, he removed to Wayne County, 111., and here he resumed his profes- sion of teaching, but added to it the practice of medicine. The breaking-out of the late war found him thus peacefully occupied, but, recognizing his counti'y's call as above all else, he dropped the ferule and " throwed physic to the dogs," and at once, in coifipany with A. J. Judy, raised a company of sol- diers, eightj-seven in number, forty-eight of them his immediate neighbors. This was Company K, Sisty-lii-st Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was elected First Lieutenant, but, after six months' service, was made Cap- tain, and contimied to command the company during the war, the regiment bearing a con- spicuous part in the Shilob, Gun Town, siege of Vicksburg and its capture, Little Rock campaign, as well as the Red River expedi- tion, etc. Fully one-half of the original company had been either killed in battle or died of wounds and disease. At the close of the war. Dr. McCoy fixed his residence at Effingham, 111. In 1875, he purchased an interest in the woolen-mills at this place, which, by his energy and business capacity, he soon increased from a little concern of $5,- 000 a year to an establishment doing an an- nual business of §100,000, running a con- stant force of over thirty employes. The to- tal destruction of this mill by fire in Octo- ber, 1881, was a severe affliction to the city and her valuable industries. Dr. McCoy was married, in 1859, to Letitia M. Lock, of Grayville, 111. Twelve children have been born to them, ten of whom are now living — seven daughters and three sons. The Doctor has been a consistent Republican in politics, but always more of a temperance man than politician. He, with a few friends, organ- ized and successfully carried through the temperance cause in Wayne County, and to- day he prides himself more in his temperance work and eiforts than all else he hae ever ac- complished of a public nature. His whole j life and purpose has been that of an enthusi- I astic prohibitionist. In good or in evil re- port, his purpose or energy has never flagged in the cause. HENRY MERZ, deceased, was born in Menzikon. Switzerland, in 1836. He came to the United States in 1856, and lived four ! years in Indiana, working on a farm, then went back to Switzerland and brought the rest of his father's family over in I860. He came to this county in 1860, where he estab- lished a cigar factory and ran it until his death. He married Martha Schwarz, of Madison County, 111. , in 1861, and left six children living. JOHN MERZ, tobacconist, was born in the town of Menzikon, Switzerland, March 4, 1846. At the age of fourteen, he came with his parents to the United States, and settled in Madison County, 111., and subject lived with them on a farm about three years. He began at the age of ten, or earlier, to learn cigar-making, in a factory in the town of Menzikon, Switzerland, where he worked at this trade about four years. He came to Effingham County in 1867, and worked with his brother Henry until his death, in 1875, our subject carrying on the business for the widow of his brother about four years. In May, 1879, he bought her interest, and has since continued in the manufacture of cigars. His factory employs three assistant journey- men, and, with his own labor, turns out from 100,000 to 125,000 cigars per year. His fac- tory is No. 6 in the Thirteenth Collection District, is located on Jefiferson street, and 54 BIOGRAPHICAL: he turns out at present seven brands. His manufactured goods find a ready sale in this and neighboring towns. He also runs a t jbae- co store in connection with the factor}'. BENJAMIN ' B. MINOR, grain - dealer, Effingham City, was born in Seneca County, N. Y., October 20, 1840. and was raised on a farm. At the age of twenty he came West, first in 1800, and taught one term of school, and then returned, and came again in 1862 and located at Champaign, 111., remaining in that county about five years. In September, 1867, he came to Effingham, in the employ of E. & I. Jennings, of Mattoon, III, and took charge of the present warehouse on the Cen- tral Railroad tracks. He bought grain for them, and, at the end of twenty-two months, formed a partnership with his former employ- ers, under the style of Jennings & Minor, which has lasted ever since. This company buy and ship grain, and deal in coal. They have warehouses at six points in this county — Effingham, Montrose, Altamont, Moccasin, Shumway and Deitrich. They also have two warehouses in Shelby County, at Cowden and Strasburg. In the months of July and Au- gust of 1882, they handled 75,000 bushels of grain. They have nine men in their employ. The business is entirely under the personal supervision of 'Mi: Minor. Our subject taught school four years in New York State and three years in Illinois, commencing to teach at the age of sixteen. He was married, in 1866. to Alice J. Page, daughter of Dr. S. K. Page, of Champaign, 111. They have five children living. GEORCE C. MITCHELL, grocer, Effing- ham, was born in Turner, Me., February 14, 1848. He received a common-school educa- tion, and entered a store at the age of twelve j'ears. At the age of seventeen, he came West and located in Ottawa, 111., just after the war. where he became clerk in a retail grocery store or two years, and came from there to Champaign, 111., and made Cham- paign his headquarters until 1871, first en- tering the law office of J. S. Lothrop, where he studied law for six months, but did not like the confinement, and became abrakeman on the Illinois Central, and in six months became conductor of a train running from Champaign to Centralia during 1869 and 1870. He was next baggage- master on the I., B. & W. for about seven months. From the spring of 1871 to the fall of 1872, he ran a flrain on the Missouri Pacific from St. Louis to Jefi'erson City, when he entered the employ of the Vandalia Railroad, and was conductor and yardmaster until 1876, with headquarters at Effingham, 111. He ran a train on the Wabash Railroad for a year, and resided at Springfield, 111. In 1877, he rented the Fleming House at Effingham, and ran it fifteen months. He was, while in the hotel business, elected Secretary of the Springfield, Effingham & South - Eastern Railroad, and. in connection with his other duties, took charge of a store at Palestine, 111., and ran that four months, when the road passed into the hands of a Receiver, when he went to Champaign and again entered the law office of his brother-in-law for three months, when he returned to Effingham and became a salesman for Col. Funkhouser for a short time. June 11, 1880, he bought a gen- eral stock of goods of J. E. Tedrick, and has since conducted a good business in the dry goods and grocery trade at the old Orange stand. In March, 1881, he established a branch store near Neoga, which he ran seven months, with larcje sales to rail men on the narrow gauge line. May, 1881, he started a store at Holliday, and another in June at Beck's Creek, near Cowden, and both of these are still in active operation. He employs from four to ten persons. He was married. EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 55 in 18 1 4. to Nannie E . daughter of Col. J. J. Funkhouser, jf Effingham. ALEXANDER S. MOFFITT, grocer, Ef- fingham, was born in Wayne County, 111., Octo- ber 12. 1827. He received his education in the common schools. He lived on a farm in Wayne County until he came to this county, in 1856. He stopped at Ewington from De- cember, 1856, to April, 1857, when he settled in Effingham, which had at that time about ten families, and there is only one man living in the city now that was here at that time. He enrolled about twenty-five pupils, only a few of whom are now left in the county — Byron Whitfield and Mrs. Dr. Thompson — the only two in town. Subject next taught six mouths at Ewington, and retui-ned here in 1860. He was elected County Surveyor in about 1860 or 1861, and served until he en- tered the army. He enlisted in August, 1862, in, Company K, Ninety-eighth Illinois Eegiment, Col. Funkhouser. This portion of the town was laid out that spring by Lit- tle & Alexander, and was bristling with the stakes of the surveyor and along Jefferson street there was willow waist high. There were only two stores. Subject taught school for eighteen months, six mouths each year, in a little, frame house of two rooms. He lived in one end and taught in the other. It stood at the northeast corner of the court house square. It was a public school, and he received $33 per month. Our subject went in as First Lieutenant, and was pro- moted to the Captaincy of Company K at the death of Capt. Kelley, who was killed in a railroad accident in Bridgeport, 111. The Ninety eighth was a p&vt of the Armj- of the Cumberland. Capt. Moffitt remained with the regiment until July, 1863, when he re- signed on account of continued ill health, and after his return was elected County Sur- veyor and served in that office altogether about ten years, and made surveys in every township in the county, and has tramped over three-fourths of the sections of the county. He bought city property in 1863. In March. 1881, he engaged in the grocery business on Jefferson street, and has since continued, having a good trade. He was married, in Wayne County, 111., in 1853, to Mary Gash, who died January 5, 1859, leaving no children. He remarried, December, 1861, Mary C. Funk, of this county. Two children are liv- ing of this marriage. Mr. Moffitt has always been a Democrat. In addition to holding the Surveyor's office for ten years, he was Deputy Sheriff two years under Huram Mansfield and Master in Chancery for six years of this county. He has also served as Alderman five terms. A. S. MOORE, livery, Effingham, was born in Chester County, Perm., Jan. 27, 1824. He came West about 1830, and set- tled in Trumbull County, Ohio, and lived in Ohio about fifteen or sixteen years, when he moved to Butler County, Ky., where he lived seven years, and run a saw-mill on the Green River at Lock No. 4 for about five years. He came to Illinois in 1852, and settled in this county, entering 160 acres of land in prairie, on the north side of Blue Mound, Mound Township, and put up the first house that was erected on the prairie, and farmed there until 1863, when he moved to Effing- ham and engaged in the livery business, in which he has been engaged for nineteen years, with fair success. He has built "two stables, and conducts a good livery business, his present stable being located on Banker street. He was married to Mrs. Mary E. Loomis March 17, 1857, in Stark County, Ohio, by Rev. Leiter. As before stated, he moved to Blue Mound, this countj-, on the Big Prairie, where the roads ran through the tall prairie grass and the wolves came to the door, 56 BIOGRAPHICAL: and the wild deor grazed in the field, and a few log cabins dotted the prairie. Mrs. Moore taught school in Fayette County, at 116 per month, in a log cabin. Our subject broke prairie with three horses, in the spring, and run a threshing machine after harvest. In 1861, a son was born — Clella G., and, January 1, 1862, Mr. Moore moved to Effing- ham, where he had a house and stable built. He kept a hotel, which was called the Union House, and also a livery stable. Mr. Moore would drive out from fifteen to twenty men each week to look at the Illinois Central Railroad lands, the agent, M. Hoffman, mak- ing the Union House his stopping place, would telegraph ahead to Mr. Moore to have meals and wagon ready to feed and convey the amount of men that would arrive, which at one time was thirty-one. Mr. Hoffman, An- drews or Vally would accompany them. Mr. Moore did a thriving business outside of his livery. He would be up in the early morn- ing, hauling sand and loading cars for ship- ment, and he filled several contracts in Mat- toon,Tuscola and other towns. Mrs. Moore kept boarders, and many can vouch the good meals served by her, as she was called a first-class cook and made her house a pleasant home for all who stopped with her. Our subject enlarged his stable as business increased, and has followed the livery business since. He also built a new stable called the City Livery Stable. His residence is on the cor- ner of Railroad and Franklin avenue. W. H. MOORE, livery, Effingham, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1843. His parents moved to Butler County, Ky., when he was in his second year, where he lived until he was ten years old. His father, Samuel Moore, died while on a journey here, near Owensburg, Ky., and the mother of oiu- sxibj^ct came on with two wagons and ten children. The eldest son, A. S. Moore, came first and entered land in what is now Mound Township, and the family settled on the prairie rear Blue Mound in March, 1853. The mother died six months after she came here, and the children lived together as a family until 1861, when our subject stai-ted for himself, going to Hancock County, 111., and worked by the month there until 1865. In the fall of that year, he went to Kansas, and the following summer was employed as teamster for several months in a wagon train, driving from Fort Riley to Fort Dodge. He came to Olney, 111., in the winter of 1866, and remained there until July, 1867, when he began the erection of a stable in Effingham, in partnership with his brother Samuel. It was opened for business on September 25, 1867, and the business has been conducted ever since, under the firm name of Samuel Moore & Bro. They made additions to their original stable until its present size is 150x50 feet, having thirty stalls, and they do a livery, feed and sale business, having a full line of livery outfit, including twelve horses. JOHN MORHINNERS, miller, Effing- ham, was born in Clinton County, this State, March 14, 1846, son of Francis and Mary (Waschefort) Morhinners, natives of Olden- burg, Germany, he born in 1807 and she in 1812. They are both living in Teutopolis, this county, are farmers and the parents of four children — three sons and one daughter. The mother is a sister of J. F. Waschefort, who was one of the founders of the German Colony at Teu.topolis, this county, mention of which has been made in the historical portion of this work. Our subject received his schooling in his native county, under the disadvantage of the schoolhouse being four or five miles distant. He began life as a clerk and for ten years was engaged in that capacity in the employ of Mr. J. F. Wasche- EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 57 fort, in a general store at Teutopolis, this county. Our subject was married, Septem- ber 21, 1875, to Miss Catharine Wegman, born in this county in 1851, daughter of J. W. and Catharine (Lobmeyer) Wegman, na- tives of Germany. The father is living in Teutopolis, this county; the mother died in this county in 187G. In 1877, our subject accepted a clerkship in the Excelsior Mills of Effingham, in whose employ he has since remained. He is an Alderman of Effingham, and as such is serving his second term. He has two children — Louis, born Septem- ber 23, 1879, and William, born April 26, 1S82. Our subject is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Dem- ocrat. JOHN N. MURPHY, Constable, Effing- ham, was born in Scioto County. Ohio, Oc- tober 24, 1828; he came West when six years old. His father emigrated to Vermillion County, 111., in 1834, and subject lived on the farm until some six years since." His father came to Effingham County, 111., and settled near the site of Elliottstown in what is now Bishop Township, about 1840. He bougrht his claim, consisting of a cabin and about forty acres, fenced, and afterward en- tered 120 acres on the same site, now owned by William Underbrook and Tedrick. Our subject went to school in the old log house on the east part of his father's farm, for two winters, to his brother, "William H. Murphy, and three winters to another teacher at the same place. Our subject bought a Mexican land warrant, which he laid on 160 acres in what is now Watson Township, and improved it from a wild state and lived on it until about 1868, when he sold it and moved near Effiogham. He has been actively associated with the interests of the Democratic party, and has served on the Board of Supervisors, while in Bishop Township, two terms. He served four years as Constable in the old Teutopolis Precinct, and nine years as Con stable of Douglas Township, which he is still serving in a Constabulary capacity. His father, David Miu'phy, was born in Old Vir- ginia, and came to Scioto County, Ohio, when young and married Catharine Williams, a native of Virginia, and they were parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters; only three sons are living at this date (1882) — John N., George "W., of Cass County, 111., and David P.^ also in Cass County, 111. The father died in Bishop Township, this county, in 1844, in his seventy-seventh year, and his wife at the age of seventy-eight, in the same place. J. P. NELSON, Effingham, is the son of Jacob and Nancy (Watkins) Nelson, and was born in Warren County, Tenn., December 3, 1827. He came to White County, 111., with his parents, when one year old, and they stopped at White County one year. and. in 1829, settled in what is now West or Mound Township, on Limestone Creek, in the fall of 1829. His father lived thei'e a year, when he removed to the place where Calvin MitcLiell now lives, in Jackson Township, and cut the first " stick " there. He improved the place, and some years afterward entered the land and cleared thpse bottoms of heavy timber, making a large farm. He (father) died in this county in 1856. Our subject, when he grew up to be a boy of about ten, went to a school taught by James White on the old Houston place, on Big Creek. The school taught by Mr. White was the first taught in that neighborhood. Subject went to these schools quite regularly from the year 1840, as he was crippled by a fall at the age of ten. He continued to attend school until eighteen, and then taught two terms in his home school. He left this county at the age of twenty, and settled in Fayette County. 111.. 58 BIOGKAPHICAL: and engaged in selling, having a country store in the northeastern part of the county for about three years. He returned to his father's farm and worked two years, then learned the cabinet trade and worked at it about five years, and afterward engaged in selling goods in Greenland, Fayette Co., 111., for twelve years, and, at the opening of the Springfield & Illinois Southeastern Rail- road, he removed to Beecher City and en- gaged in merchandising there two years. He met with reverses at Beecher City in 1874, including the loss of his house by tire. He han been engaged at various pursuits since, and has resided in the county, with the ex- ception of one year. He was married, in 1850, to Miss Luvesta Miller. They have six children, all living — ^Nancy U., wife of Henry Musser; Franklin P. ; Mary E., wife of William Lane; Thena E., wife of Henry Tresh; Benjamin M. ; and Laura L., wife of William Garner. LAWRENCE NEWTON, photographer, Efiingham, was born in Chenango County, N. Y., June 22, 1840. He lived in his na- tive State until 1861, when he removed to Owatoana, Minn., and in 1861, he began to learn photography in that place, and ran a gallery there until 1864, when he returned to his old home in Bainbridge, N. Y., and con- ducted a gallery there, with the exception of three years, until 1877. He was also con- nected with the State Military service for nine years, as leader of a regimental band belong- ing to the Forty-third New York National Guards. In the spring of 1877, he came to Effingham and established a gallery on Jeffer- son street, and has conducted it with good success ever since. He has been loader of the Effingham Cornet Band for the past thi-ee years, and also musical director in the First Presbyterian Church and Sabbath school of Effinsham. CASPAR NOLTE, Justice of the Peace, Effinjjham, is the son of John and Brig- ita (Karthoff) Nolte, and was born in the city of Merchede, Province of Westphalia, Prussia, December 3, 1819. At the age of thirteen, he was apprenticed to learn the car- penter and cabinet-maker's trade, serving two years and nine months, and afterward worked four years as a journeyman in various German States. He came to the United States in 1839, and worked at carpentering in New Orleans and Vicksburg, Miss., and Little Rock, Ark., and went to St. Louis, in 1840,. but returned in the winter to New Orleans. In 1841, he permanently located in St. Louis, where he worked as a joiu-neyman until 1847, when he became a contractor, architect and builder in the same city, and continued until 1852. In January of that year, he made a contract with the building committee of the St. Peter's congregation, at Teutopolis, to build their church. The Building Commit- tee was composed of Joseph Cogler, pastor, John F. Waschefort, John Fecthrup, John Osthoff and Joseph Bergman. His contract was to fiu'U'sh the pine lumber and to do the wood work on the church and superintend the brick work, and he came in April, 1852, and completed the church in that and the following year, and remained to do other work in Teu- topolis imtil 1855. when he returned to St. Louis, where he worked for the Government, building the post office and the old custom house. He also built the Visitation Convent on Cass avenue, James Clements' residence, on Cass avenue,Widows' and Infants' Asylum, on Tenth and O'Falion streets, St. Joseph's Half Orphan Asylum and other prominent buildings. He remained in St. Louis until July, 1863, when he retm-ned to Effingham and kept a general store for about two years, during which time he erected some buildings. He continued as contractor and builder until EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 59 1873. He took a coutract to build St. An- thony's Catholic Church, which he completed in 187-1. He has served one year in the City Council of Effingham and one year as Super- visor, and, in 1873, was elected Justice of the Peace, and has served in that office ever since, being elected and re-elected three times. During the last nine years, he has drawn ar- chitectural plans for buildings, several public and private buildings in this and other coun- ties, and has also conducted an insurance business. He was married, in St. Louis, Mo. , in 1842, to Miss Fredericke Bollen, who died in 1849. leaving two sons and a daughter — Henry C. , Charles H., who died in Effingham July 10, 1881, and an infant daughter, who died ten days after her mother. Our subject remarried, in November, 1849, Miss Catharine Earnhardt. They had ten children, five of whom died in infancy, two sons and three daughters, living, as follows — Mary, wife of Frank Kreke, of this county; Josephine, Caroline, Lawrence and Frank. The parents of the subject came to St. Louis in 1841, and both died in that city. HENRY C. NOLTE. grocer. Effingham, son of Caspar Nolte, was born in St. Louis, Mo., July 8, 1845; he was educated in St. Louis and St. Vincent's College, at Cape Gi- rardeau, Mo., where he spent four years. At the age of eighteen, he began as clerk in a commission house, Memphis. Tenn. , for four years, and retiu'ned to St. Louis for a year. In 1869, he came to Effingham, and entered the employ of F. A. Von Gassy, in grocery, on the same site of H. C. Nolte & Co.'s grocery, over seven years. In March, 1878. subject, with his father-in-law. John Hoeny, bought the present grocery, which has been run by Mi\ Nolte under the firm name of H. C. Nolte & Co., and is enjoying a pros- 2>erous trade. Subject was married, in the fall of 1873, to Miss M. E., daughter of John Hoeny, Effingham, from which unioQ there have been born four children. GERHARD OSTHOFF, farmer, P. O. Effingham, was born in Westphalia, Germany, January 24, 1817, son of J. H. and Maria C. (Zurtorf) Osthoff, natives, also, of Germany, he, born in 1770, and died in his native land in 1847; she born in 1780, and died in the land of her birth in 1866. They were the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters. Our subject received his educa- tion in Germany, where he was also married, September 24, 1848, to Clara Grosze Streinen, born in Germany in 1822, daughter of Bern- hard Gro.szen Streinen, also a native of Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. Osthoflf had eleven chil- dren, six of whom are living — John, Frank, Bernhard, Wilhelmiua, Elizabeth and Anna. Our subject served two years' active service in the German Army. He came to the United States in 1848, landed in New Orleans. He resided three years in Cincinnati, Ohio, and then came to this county, where he purchased ninety acres of slightly improved land for $170. He now has 260 acres of good land, about 100 acres being in timber. He carries on general farming with the assistance of his two sons. He is a member of the Cath- olic Church, and in politics a Democrat. BARNEY OVERBECK, clerk, Effingham, was born in this county November 27, 1850, son of George and Elizabeth (Berghause) Overbeck, natives of Hanover, Germany; he was a farmer, born in 1806, and died in Teu- topolis Township, this county, in 1873; she, born in 1810, and is still living in Teu- topolis Township, this county; she is the mother of eight children, four of svhom are liviiig. Our subject received some schooling in Teutopolis, but experience has been fais main teacher. He learned the shoe-maker's trade in Teutopolis, which he followed till he became nineteen yeai-s of age, when he went 60 BIOGRAPHICAL : to Kansas City, Mo., and worked in a shop, afterward becoming a partner in tho business. He sold out and walked to Baxter Springs, ' Cherokee Co., Kan,, a distance of 165 miles, and worked there, afterwai'd starting a store, which he sold to W. Crawford, for whom he worked about a yeai". He then traveled ; through the Indian Territories, trading with the Indians and buying hides and pelts, which occupation he followed for a year and a half. He retui-ned home in the year of his fathei-'s death, and visited his friends and relatives. In August, 1873, he retui-ned to the West, and was for six months engaged in the grocery business in Baxter Springs. Kan., after which he moved to Joplin, Mo., where he remained about a year, a fire de- stroying his store December 16, 1874, when he returned to Kansas, and, in company with " Buifalo Bill," and another man, went to Ai'kansas, returning to Baxter Springs, and from there to this county, and has since re- sided here. Anecdotes of his travels with " Buffalo Bill " were published in many Western papers at the time. He has been correspondent of the Effingham Democrat, and, in 1879, was Chief of the Fire Depart- ment. He has filled many offices, including that of Constable, Deputy Sheriff, Tax Col- lector and Assessor. Mr. Overbeck was mar- ried, in Effingham, September 23, 1879, to Maggie Bushue, born in Ohio, daughter of Mike and Barbara Bushue, natives also of Ohio. Our subject is a member of the Cath- olic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. HENRY C. PAINTER, editor, Effingham, was born in Spencer, Ind., March 8, 1845. His father, David Painter, died when our subject was a child of but three years. He lived with his mother, Elizabeth Painter, until he was thirteen years of age, when, in the spring of 1859, he apprenticed himself to learn the printing business with J. F. Har- ner, editor of the Owen Countij Journal, published at Spencer, in which vocation he remained three years as an apprentice, receiv- ing the first year only his board and clothes, and for the third his board and $100. He was First Sergeant in Company H, One Hun- dred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, for the period of 100 days, after the expira- tion of which time he re-enlisted, for one year, in Company B. One Hundred and Forty- ninth Indiana Volunteers, or during the war, and was mustered out of the service, at In- dianapolis, Ind, in the fall of 1865, the war having terminated. Returning to his old home at Spencer, he engaged in the " art preservative" until the spring of 1866, when he concluded to take the advice 6t Horace Greeley, and accordingly " went West." Ar- riving at Paua, 111., he there found his old preceptor, Mr. Harner, publishing the Pana Orient, and succeeded in seciu'ing a situation with him for a time, and for almost two years divided his time by working for Ben Winters, who was editing the Taylorville Press. In June. 1868, he again returned to his old home in Indiana and purchased material and estab- lished the Independent, at Gosport, Ind. . is- suing the first number on the 20th day of Au- gust, and the same evening, with grip in hand, started for Pana, 111., where, on the 23d day of June, 1868, he was married to Miss Amanda Eskridge, and returned to In- diana, where he continued the publication of the Independent for four years. He then sold his office and material, and, in March, 1873, went to Illinois and spent some time in selecting a congenial field for a location, finally locating in Effingham, where he pur- chased the 'Ei&a^a.m. Republican, in October, where he still successfully holds the fort. David Painter, father of our subject, was a miller by occupation. He was born June 12, 1799, and died at Staunton, Va. The mother EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 61 of our subject, who still survives at the ripe old age of eighty-two years, is residing with him, who is the yoiingest child of a family of nine children, three only of whom are now living— George, a farmer, residing in Craw- ford County, Kan., and Eliza E., widowed wife of George E. Allison, a resident of Den- ver, Colo. Mrs. Painter's maiden name be- fore marriage with David Painter was Eliza- beth Mowery; she was born in Augusta County, Va., July 21, ISOl, five miles from Staunton. Our subject's wife was born in Susses County, Del., April 28, 1842. Her father was Oakley Eskridge, and her mother, before marriage, was Miss Mary Griffith; she was born in Maryland, and Mr. Eskridge in Delaware. Mr. Painter is a member of the Methodist Church; in polities, a Republican, and also an I. O. O. F. JOSEPH PARTRIDGE, proprietor of the Pacific House, Effingham, was born in Meade County, Ky., July 26, 1832. He lived there until he was thirteen years old, when he re- moved with his parents to Evansville, Ind. , where he lived in 18G1. In November of that year, he removed to Cairo, 111. , wheri he lived during the war. acting as agent of the American Express Company. He was route agent of the Merchants' Union and American Express Companies, with headquarters at St. Joseph, Mo., for three years. In 1868, he engaged in the hotel business, at Richmond and Lexington Junction, Mo., and kept a railroad eating-house for a year. He was next proprietor of a railroad eating-house at Jewett, 111., on the Vandalialine, for twenty- one months. In 1872, he came here and leased the Effingham Hotel, which he ran six years with good success. In November, 1878, he bought of D. Schmidt the Pacific House, which consists of two buildings, the main one located on Banker street, near the Vandalia & Illinois Central depot. It is a three and a half story brick, 63x45, and contains thirty- four rooms, thirty-two of which are fitted with all the modern conveniences, including three sample rooms. The other building is a two-story brick, at the crossing of the Van- dalia and Central roads, and has a dining- room, lunch-room and sixteen sleeping-rooms. Mr. Partridge gives employment to twenty- one persons, and a transfer wagon is run to the Wabash road. The main building was erected about 1868, at a cost of S15,60il, and the other building was erected in 1880, by Mr. Partridge, at a cost of §6,000. DAVID PHILIPS, carpenter, Effing- ham, was born in Circleville, Pickaway Co., Ohio, May 19, 1826, son of James and Eliza- beth (Wolf) Philips, he born in Anne Arundel County, Md. , in 1780, was a farmer and died in 1850 in Parke County, Ind. He was in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject was born in Chester County, Peun., in 1795, and died in Edgar County, this State. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters. Our subject received some schooling in Parke County, Ind., but is mainly self-oducated. He worked on his fa- thers' farm till he became twenty.one years of age. He learned the carpenter trade in his native State, and worked at it for three years, afterward clerking for five years in Edgar, this State, during which time he also contracted for the Illinois Central Railroad Company. He was married, in Edgar, this State, in September, 1851, to Miss Margaret Love, born in Edgar County, this State, in 1835, daughter of John and Ellen (Watson) Love, natives of Ohio. Mr. Philips had five children by this wife — Elizabeth E., Maria Bell, Anna, Horace G. and Charles F. Mrs. Philips died in March, 1859. Our subject's second marriage occurred December 2, 1865, in Montezuma, Ind. He wedded Mrs. Clara A. (McDonald) Halladay, born May 6, 1826, 03 BIOGRAPHICAL: in Parke County, Intl., daughter of Jacob and Betsey (Taylor) McDonald, natives, re- spectively, of New Jersey and New York. Our subject has one boy by his second wife — Frank. In August, 1862, Mr. Philips en- listed in the Eighty-lifth Indiana Infantry, Company B, Capt. Brooks. He was First Lieutenant, and toward the close of the war he took sick and returned home and took iip carpentering, which he has followed ever since. In early life, after working three years at carpentering, he met with an acci- dent by falling a distance of thirty feet with a scaffold, from which he received injuries which rendered him unable to follow his trade, and so for three years he taught school. He came to Effingham in 1867, and has since resided here. Mrs. Philips had six children by her first husband. In relig- ion, our subject is a Universalist. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Montezu- ma Lodge. No. 59. In politics, he is a Re- publican, and was a strong Abolitionist. HERMAN REAGELMAN, merchant, Effingham City, was born in the city of Dar- feld, Prussia, February 3, 1836. At the age of fifteen, he began to work at the stone- mason's trade, and at nineteen became a con- tractor on the public works for the King of Prussia, building turnpikes in Westphalia until 1807, and worked as high as 180 hands. In November, 1867, he landed at Baltimore, Md. , and came direct to St. Louis, Mo. , where he followed excavation of cellars and other contract work for about four months, and carae to Teutopolis in the sjiring of 1868, and his first contract was on the convent, for stone work, and, after working there about two years, he came to Efiingham and built the stone work on both of the mills here, and the round-house and shops of the Vandalia Railroad. In 1870, he bought his present business block on Jefferson street, of S. W. Little, and, one year afterward, bought the Farmers' Home, on Center street, and, for one and a half years, conducted bus- iness there, and in 1871 a fire destroyed his house on Jefferson street, with a net loss of $1,000. After rebuilding, Mr. Reagelman began business himself, and is at present car- rying a good trade in groceries and liquors, lu 1875, he bought the Cedar Pai'k, consist- ing of five acres, at the terminiis of Jefferson street, a portion of which is devoted to pleas- ure grounds, and is a beautiful summer resort, shaded with evergi'eens, and with a seating caiaacity for several hundred persons, a music and speakei''s stand, and large dancing floor. Other parts of Cedar Park are devoted to fruit and grape culture. Our subject was married. May 2, 1871, to Miss Anna B. H. Hille, of this county. They have four daugh- ters and one son living, Lizzie, Annie, Laura, Katie, Joseph, and one deceased. He is a Democrat in polities. Mrs. Reagelman is a daughter of B. H. Hille, of Teutopolis, where she was born. FREDERICK REINHA.RT, butcher, Effingham, the son of Conrod and Lena (Bloom) Reinhart, was born in Hessen, Ger- many, March 9, 1837. At the age of three years, he came with his father's family to America, who settled on a farm in St. Clair County, 111. In this occupation the subject of this sketch spent his boyhood, only alter- nating the labors of the farm with such brief terms of the neighborhood schools as offered chances for gaining a little rudimentary learninjr. His father having; died when Mr. Reinhart was nine years old, his mother mar- ried a second time, to Mr. Henry Culp, and he continued to assist about the farm until the age of eighteen. Dm'ing these years of his minority, however, his brain was not idle, and the hard toil of his willing hands by no means exhau.sted his energies or extinguished EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOAVNSHIP. 68 his ambition. Nerved by the desire for something worth living for; though poor, yet possessed with the riches of hardihood, frugality, and the Dutch characteristics of indomitable energy and perseverance, he made a start in life, and, notwithstanding the fact that he was shorn of all he possessed by lire, he has at the pi'esent time, and is conducting, two of the principal meat markets in Effing- ham — one on Fayette and one on Jefferson street. In connection with his regular city trade, he packs and supplies other smaller dealers throughout the county. These facts establish Mr. Reinhart's reputation for ener- gy and business capacity better than any ful- some phrases of adulation could possibly do. They mark him as a peer amongst his fellow- men, and fully justify the high esteem placed upon him by the business community in which he lives. March 9, 1857, he was joined in marriage to Miss Anna Burgmaun, of Madison County, 111. The result of this happy union was nine childi-en born to them as follows: Carrie, wife of John Shay, they were married December 7, 1879, and have one child, Ten-ence; Edward, Matilda. Rob- ert, Emma, Fred and William. Those not named died in infancy. Mr. Reinhart is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge; in poli- tics, conservative Democrat. Mrs. Reinhart was the only child of her father's family. She was born in Germany in 1840. OTTO REUTLINGER, saloon, and coal agent, Effingham, was born at Frankfort-on- the-Main, Germany, April 14, 1833, son of Johan Jacob and Katharina (Rullmann) Reut- linger, natives of Germany, where they also died. He was born in 1795, and was the fa- ther of eight children, three of whom are residing in this country. In 1813, the fa- ther was a volunteer in the Prussian service when that country was engaged in warfare against Napoleon. Our subject received his education in his native town, where he also learned the jeweler's trade, afterward open- ing a store of his own. He was man'ied, No- vember 17, 18G4, to Miss Eliza Schott, born in Germany June 11, 1841, daughter of Ger hard and Emily (Knatz) Schott, nativfes also of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Reutlinger have ten children — -Carl. Gerhard, John, Otto, Anna, Greta, Lulu, Emilie, .Wolph and Nellie. Oiu' subject came to the United States in 1880. and resided one year in High- land, Madison County, this State. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in yjol- itics is an Independent. HON. ERASTUS N. RINEHART, attor- ney at law, Effingham, was born in Watson Township, this county, March 1, 1847. His father's family moved to Ewington when sub- ject was small, and the father bought a prai- rie farm about two miles south of Effingham, and subject, with three brothers, opened this farm, and reduced it fi'om wild prairie to cul- tivation. In 18G9, he entered McKendree College, at Lebanon, 111., and remained there two school years. He began the study of law in 1871, and studied about eighteen months with Cooper & Kagay, and was ad- mitted to the bar in February, 1871, and has practiced law here ever since, first as jsartner with John C. White for a year, and afterward with W. B. Gilmore for three years, and since then by himself. He was City Attorney in 1872, and was elected, on the Democratic ticket, in 1878, to the State Senate, from the Thirty-third Senatorial District, for four years, and was renominated August 3, 1882, at Windsor, for a second term. He was ap- pointed, by the Circuit Court, Master in Chancery, in 1880, and is still serving. His father was Daniel Rinehart. born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1812. He married Barbara Kagay February 9, 1839. He came to this countv in 1841, and was soon afterward elect- 64 BIOGRAPHICAL: ed Justice of |-.he Peace, serving until 1844. He first settled in Watson Township; entered the farm now owned by Michael Sprinkle. He moved to Ewington, being elected Coun- ty Clerk of Effingham County, and served one term, and was defeated by Thomas M. Loy for a second term, and while Loy served his term, he kept a store and ran a pork packing house. He was then again elect- ed County Clerk, and served in all eight- een years, serving until 1869, being nom- inated and elected last time without op- position. He died January 8, 1877, on his farm, where his widow still lives. He also served as Treasurer and Assessor of the coun- ty in 1844. In 1849 and 1850. he was a merchant. He had six children — four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living but the oldest daiighter. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics was a life- long Democrat. HANLEY R. ROBBERTS, grocer, Effing- ham City, was born in Decatur County, near Greensburg, Ind., April 19, 1834. He was raised on a farm in Indiana, and received a common-school education. He came to Illi- nois the first time in 1851, and lived in Fay- ette County for ten years, on a farm, and was engaged in farming near St. Elmo at the out- break of the war. He went to Greensburg, Ind., where he bought a stock of goods, and engaged in merchandising two years there, and then came to Altamont, this county, in 1863, and, with his father-in-law, Joel Blake- ly, built a livery stable in Altamont, which, in the fall of same year, they traded for a farm near Mason, this county, which he conduct- ed for about two years, then exchanged it for a hai-dware stock of goods at Richmond, Ind., and brought the stock to Mason, 111., at once, and dealt in hardware for about five years, when, on account of his wife's failing health, he traveled through the Western States of Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska, and returned to Effingham in November, 1880, and has since engaged in the grocery business here. He is at present located on Railroad street, where he has a good trade in groceries and provisions. He was married, July 2, 1865, to Mary Elizabeth Blakely, a daughter of Joel Blakely, of Fayette County, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Robberts have three children liv- ing — Sarah J., Mabel, Louis E. IVnCHAEL RUSSELL, deceased, was born in Ireland December 15, 1829, and came to this country with his parents about 1830. His father settled at Burlington, Vt., where he was engaged jjrincipally as gardener until his death, in 1865. Subject grew up in Bur- lington, Vt., where, at the age of fifteen years, he began to learn the brick-layer's and plasterer's trade, at which he worked in Bur- lington until 1852 — three years as journey- man — when he removed to city of Worcester, Mass., and engaged in the ice business for two years. He came to Chicago, III., iu March, 1856, and worked at his trade there during summer, and in November left, to work on station houses of the Illinois Cen- tral Ralroad, plastering, and built flues, first at Edgewood, this county, afterward at Fa- rina. Kinmundy and Centralia, where he located until 1863, and his wife died there October 23, 1863. Mr. Russell was at the time working in Effingham, and. after the death of his wife, brought his only son here, whom he placed in school at Teutopolis, and located permanently here. He worked at his trade at intervals ever since. About 1867. he became a member of the old hook and ladder company of Effingham, and, after purchase of an engine, a member of Deluge Fire Company No. 1, and has been Foreman of that company for three successive years, and is now serving his second term as Chief of the Fire Department of Effingham, ap- ?.Xi'i1^Kl^^ ~^% KM %v ^'^^o^(2UaI^ EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 65 pointed by the Council, with the concurrence of thfit company. He was elected Justice of the Poace in the spring of 1881, for a term of four years, by the Democrats. He also conducts a collection agency. He was Town- ship Collector during three terms, at differ- ent times — first, in 1865, one term, and in 1879 and 1880. Married, in April, 1866, to the widow of the late David M. Shepheard, of Mason, 111. Has one son and one daugh- ter — Cora and Delia. He was first married to Miss Julia Power, of Burlington, Vt., in 1850. One son was born of that marriage, who was drowned in the Mississippi River, near St. Louis, Mo., in June, 1881, in his twenty-seventh year. His name was Edward M. JOHN SCHELLENBACH, iron foundry. Effingham City, was born on the River Mo- selle, Province of the Rhine (now Prussia), March 1, 1834. When eight years of age, he went to Paris, France, where he lived un- til eighteen years of age, and where he worked in a chemical laboratory in the man- ufacture of gas and water tubes. He sailed from Havre de Grace in 1852, and landed, November 9 of that year, in New Orleans, La., where he remained four months, when he went to Hamilton, Ohio, where he entered the employ of Hon. Lewis D. Campbell as overseer of his farms iu Butler County, Ohio. He remained with him about five years, and had charge of a large farm there until 1858. About this time, he engaged his services to Long, Black & AUstatter, manufactm-ers of reapers and mowers, at Hamilton, Ohio. He remained with them as machinist until the fall of 1861, when he volunteered in Col. Campbell's regiment, Sixty-ninth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and served until January 11, 1865, when he was mustered out at Co- lumlms, Ohio. He was a Sergeant at the bat- tle of Stone River, and was after this assigned to the Corps of Engineers, and was de- tailed a member of the corps of Topograph- ical Engineers at Gen. Rosecrans' headcpiar- ters, and remained in this capacity, with the Army of the Cumberland, until the battle of Atlanta, when he was assigned to Gen. Sher- man's headquarters, and served there until his term of service expired, in January, 1865. He was employed in making maps for the movements of the army. After the wai-, our subject, with his brother, M. Schellenbach, and William Bechtel, of Hamilton, formed a partnership and built a foundry and ma- chine shop at Seymour, Ind., and, iu about one and a half years, subject bought his part- ners out, and ran the business until 1872, when he sold out and went to Columbus, Ind., where he was foreman of the machine- shop of Pine, Bush & Co., for about seven months, when he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he worked in the Eagle Iron Works for about one year, when his family took sick and he returned home. In 1874, he bought the old St. John Foundry at Shelbyville, Ind., and ran it for about sis months, when he moved it here, and, in April of 1875, located near the Vandalia Railroad. He erected the present shops l.hat year, which consist of a brick, 50x25, with a frame foun- dry in the rear. He employs six men con- tinuously, and has an engine of six- horse power. They do a general jobbing and re- pair business, and maniifacture Perkins and Lambert's patent stove casting, and do all kinds of house work, and molding in iron and brass. Our subject was married, Feb- ruary 7, IS58, to Miss Rosalie Schafifner, of Hamilton, Ohio. She was born in Alsace, France, and came to the United States in 1857. She was a governess in France and Germany in several noble families. Mr. and Mrs. Schellenbach have eight children living — Anna Paulina, now Sister Hyacintha, a K 66 BIOGRAPHICAL: teacher in the Convent of the Immaculate Couception at Oldenburg, Franklin Co., Ind., in charge of the order of St. Francis; John Albert, at Milwaukee, Wis. ; Michael, Peter, Henry L., George W., Margaret R., Anna Clara, at home. DR. L. J. SCHIFFERSTEIN, physician, Effingham City, was born in St. Marie, Jas- per Co., 111., March 1, 1850. At fifteen years of age, he entered St. Louis University, where he spent a year, and next spent a year at Bardstown, Ky., in St. Thomas College. In 1867, he became agent of the Adams Express Company at Olney, 111., and was thus en- srao-ed until the fall of 1869. During these two years, he employed his spare time in the study of medicine, under the direction of Dr. H. A. Lemon, of Olney. In 1 869, he went to St. Louis, and, shortly after, entered the St. Louis Medical College, from which he grad- uated March 17, 1873, after which he became Assistant Physician in the City Hospital at St. Louis for one year. He came home in 1874, and practiced at Olney, 111., until May, 1882, when he took charge of the Eye and Ear Department of Effingham Surgical Insti- tute, with Dr. J. N. Groves. During his medical studies in St. Louis, subject spent each summer with Dr. H. Z. Gill, Professor of Eye and Ear College, and pursued those studies as specialties, and has since given them special attention. Before he entered upon the study of medicine, he was a practi- cal chemist for about fourteen years. W. SCHNAVELIUS, saloon, Effingham. He was born in Selters, Germany, in 1835. His father's name was W. Schnavelius, who was born in the same place June 1, 1800. His mother's name was Augusta Guenquest. She was bom in Emmerichhein, Germany, at a date unhnown to the subject of this sketch. In this family there were four children, named in the order of their births as follows: Henry, Augusta, Hermine and Elise. Our subject was educated in Weisbaden (Ger- many) High School. At the age of sixteen, he became engaged as a seaman on board of a merchantman. He served five years in this capacity as Second Mate, during which time he several times visited the Chinese ports, San Francisco, New York and other ports in the United States. In 1855, he joined the Russian Navy, aud served one year, after which he bought and commanded his own vessel, a merchantman, and made several trips to the United States. He was married, in Germany, in 1862, to Miss Elise Ketteler, of Papenbiurg. By the union they have had the following children: Augusta and William. Augusta was born in Germany, and William in Effingham, 111. Wife's father's name was An- tone Ketteler, and mother's maiden name was Katrine Biedenhorn. She was born in Ger- many. Our subject's father and mother both died in Germany, and are reposing in St. Goorshausen Cemetery. The father died in 1853, and mother in 1858. In religion, sub- ject is a Lutheran; in politics, a Republican. The name of the vessel in which he was first employed was the Venerve. His own was named Amphitrite. GUST.kVUS S. SCHURICHT, M. D., Effingham, was born in St. Louis, Mo., June 1, 1853, and was raised in that city. He was educated in the Concordia Academy at St. Louis, and began the study of medicine in the summer of 1869, reading with Dr. R. Luyties, and at the same time entered the St. Louis Homoeopathic College of Medicine and Surgery, and pursued a special course under Drs. Helmuth, Comstock and Luyties, dur- ing the summer vacation. In 1869, he en- tered the college proper, and attended three regular courses of lectures, graduating Feb- ruary 29, 1872, and, at the competitive ex- amination, won the prize medal as the most EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 67 proficient student in chemistry. Shortly af- ter his graduation, he located at Columbia, Monroe Co., 111., until 1874, and then re- turned to St. Louis for over a year. In the fall of 1875, he went to New Orleans, where he practiced until 1878. He came to Effing- ham in October, 1878, where he has since practiced with good success, and is at pres- ent the only representative of his school in the county. He is a member of the Western Academj' of HomcBopathy. JOSEPH P. SCHWERMAN, farmer, P. Effingham, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mai-ch 25, 18-49, son of Joseph F. Schwer- man, who is mentioned in the historical part of this work. Our subject received his school- ing in Effingham, and has been engaged in farming all of his life, living with his father till the age of twenty-six. He was married, in Effingham, June 22, 1879, to Miss Mary Ungrun, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 23, 1853, daughter of George and Margue- rite (Tiepen) Ungrun, natives of Germany; he died in this county, where she is still liv- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Schwerman have one child, Joseph Lawrence, born August 25, 1880. Mr. Schwerman has 213 acres of land, and carries on general farming. He is a member of the Catholic Chiu'ch, and in poli- tics is a Democrat. DR. JOHN O. SCOTT, retired, Effingham, is a native of Davidson County, Tenn., where his infant eyes fu-st stared in wonder at this curious world December 8, 1805. He was reared on his father's farm, within six miles of Nashville. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, in the mounted cavalry, un- der Gen. Coflee, being severely wounded, December 28, in the skirmish preceding the battle of New Orleans. The family moved into Nashville after the wounded father re- turned from the army. In the city of Na.sh- ville. John O. Scott's boyhood and meager attendance in the schools, until he was fif - teen years of age, were passed, neither in affluence nor in poverty. The family needs were such that, at the age of fifteen years, the serious work of life commenced, and the boy was put to work in a bakery, where he labored for one year. Almost in the days of his own infancy, being only sixteen years old, and in the year 1822, in the babyhood of Illinois, he caught the infection of the romance of the far West; the land of hope and promise in its newness, freshness and breeziness, and, in company with his fa- ther, made the long trip, on horseback, to Franklin County, in this State. The light- hearted boy here encountered for the first time the " Illinois shakes," an indigenous Western animal, and it is no figure of speech to say it " floored" him. Between "shakes." he shook the Franklin County dust from his heels, and, with his father, went to Gibson County, Ind., where the two engaged in farming. In 1825, being then twenty years of age, he retm-ned to Clay County, 111., making a short stay here. He joined a fam- ily named Elliott, and, in company with them, moved to Shelby County, passing en- tirely through what is now Effingham Coun- ty, and camping one night at Blue Point. (This is referred to fully in the general coun- ty history.) In 1827, he returned to Gibson County; for the next year, he worked as a farm hand at $10 a month, in Posey County, and returned to Shelby County, 111. In 1831, he came to this county, and worked a short time on the National road, and the next spring, 1832, he returned to this work, and this time came to make this his permanent home. Thus, fifty-seven years ago, he was here, passing through this wild desert waste, and for fifty years and more he has been a citizen of this county. He located and made his first improvement in what is now Jackson 68 BIOGRAPHICAL. Township, in the spring of 1833. In roam- ing over the country, he had called to see his old Smith County, Tenn., friends, Jonathan Parkhurst's family, and here he met his des- tiny in a pair of bright eyes that belonged to Martha, the daughter of Jonathan, and they were duly married, March 28, 1833. It is possible the little flame that culminated in this vast conflagration that consumed the young lives of " single wretchedness " was started away back in Tennessee, where, as innocent children, they played "come to see," " keep house" and " hide and seek" about the Tennessee cabins. They will not tell now. They may even affect to believe this ques- tioning twaddle and nonsense, but the kindly smile upon their faces as they watch the in- nocent gambols of their grandchildren tells plainly enough that the old, old story is not forgotten by them; and that in the twilight of their old and cheery lives, memory often turns backward, and brightens and sweetens life with that sacred joy tliat comes only to the pure in heart, the upright, just and good. Mrs. Martha Scott was born August 25, 1806, in Smith County, Tenn., and the Parkhurst family came from White County, in this State, to what is now Mason Township, in the year 1829. John O. Scott was elected Constable at the first county election ever held in the county. For aaore than seven years he was County School Commissioner, to which office he was elected first in 1842. During his term of office, be had to manage and dispose of all the school lands in the county. The mental activity and energy of the man is aptly told in the fact that, imme- diately after he had built himself a house and opened his small farm, and the winter had come, when out-door work was principally stopped, instead of idling away his time, he borrowed medical books of Dr. Le Crone and studied medicine. In a short time, he had so mastered his books that his services were called for to attend the sick, and for the next twenty years his practice was extensive and his success unusually good. In 1875 — his sons being all grown men and out in the world doing for themselves — Mr. and Mrs. Scott left their farm in Jackson Township, and commenced their residence in the city of Effingham. Their family is four sons, name- ly: Samuel Thomas, a farmer in St. Clair Coiinty, Mo.; Elisha W., William F. and Owen, the last three residing in this county, and one daughter, Cynthia Ann Gillespie, who was the eldest child, and who is now de- ceased. Dr. John O. Scott is now seventy- seven years old. His residence in this coun- ty has passed the half- century mark, and, hale and cheery, he and his beloved helpmeet are spared to family and friends, and let us hope they may yet long be with us, and when that other, and more important in their lives, half-century — the golden wedding day — comes, and that is now so near at hand, may no shadow yet and for aye flit across the smiling heaven above them. SAMUEL N.' SCOTT, Postmaster, Effing. ham City, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, October 22, 1843. He learned the printer's trade at the age of twelve, in the office of the Cadiz Republican. In 1860, his parents moved to this county and settled on a farm in Lucas Township, where our su-bject lived until the breaking out of the war. He enlisted, in August, 1861, in the Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three years. He was in the Department of Missouri until June, 1862, when they were ordered to re-enforce Halleck at Corinth, and left the Army of Mississippi in August, 1862, and joined Buell at Nashville, and served with the Army of the Cumberland until after the Atlanta campaign, and came home late in the fall of 1864, having' served over his term. EFFIXGIIAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 6» He was engaged in the battles of Frederick- town, Mo., Pen-yville, Ky., Stone River, Tenn., where he was captured and held until March, at Libby Prison, and was paroled and sent North. He joined his old command at Murfreesboro, and was at Chickamauga. He was with the command in all ongagementa from Tunnell Hill, Ga., to A.tlanta. In No- vember, 1864, he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he was employed in a hardware store as book-keeper until 1808, when he went to Helena, Ai-k. He came to Effingham, and, his health breaking down, he went to Colusa, Cal., and was afterward in Plumas County, where he ran a mine as Superintendent until 1877, when he returned to Effingham, re- newed in health. He engaged in farming with his brother, and had a store at Winter- rowd, and afterward a boot and shoe store until appointed Postmaster, being appointed by President Arthur in November, 1881, for four years. He was married, in December, 1876, to Miss Lizzie C. Williams, of Califor- nia. Her father was from Huntingdon County, Penn., born in 1792; came to Guern- sey County, Ohio, in 1818, and lived there until ISOO, when he came to this county, where he died February 1, 1866. He had eight sons and four daughters, all of whom grew up. Four sons were in the army — Rob- ert G., in Ninety-eighth Illinois Infantry, served till 1866; Peter N., Thirty-eighth Ill- inois, was Second Lieutenant of Company K, and was killed at the battle of Stone River; Curtis M., Eighth Illinois Infantry, served three years. OWEN SCOTT, lawyer, and editor of the Effingham Democrat. This gentleman is the son of Dr. John O. and Martha B. (Park- hurst) Scott, natives of Tennessee, he bom in 1805, is still living; she in 1806. They were the parents of five children. Subject was born in J.ackson Township, this county, July 6, 1848. Our subject went to school first to James B. Gillespie. He attended the country schools in Jackson and Watson Townships until sixteen years of ago, when he began teaching, and his first school was near his birthplace, in Jackson Township, called the Carpenter School. He taught twelve months in succession in this vicinity, the last six months of which he taught in a grove out of doors, and he and pupils crawled into an old hut when it rained. His journey to and from school lay through the woods, about two and a half miles distant, and he carried his gun each way, and supplied par- ties at both ends of the route with game. When about eleven years old, his parents be- ing poor, he was in need of boots, to go to school, and, during the term, he stopped one week and went to the woods with dug and caught enough rabbits, at 5 cents apiece, to buy new boots, and was in his place next Monday morning. He spent the year of 1868 in school at Kinmundy, under Prof. E. O. Noble, and, after teaching for some time in the county, he entei'ed, in September, 1S69, the State Normal University at Normal. 111., and remained for one year, resuming teaching here in 1870, in Watson Township, at Loy School, and received $65 per month and board, and next took charge of the Watson Township Schools, and, in 1871, he was em- ployed as Superintendent of Effingham City Schools, in which capacity he remained one year, when he resigned, and entered the law office of S. F. Gilmore to read law, where he studied his profession and was admitted to the bar January 10, 1874, being a member of the second class that was examined by the Supreme Court at Springfield. He was elect- ed County Superintendent of Schools No- vember 4, 1873, and two days later was mar- ried to Miss Nora Miser, of St. Louis, Mo. They have one daughter — Henrietta L. He 70 BIOGRAPHICAL: continued to hold the office of County Super- intendent for eight years, being re-elected in November, 1877. He visited every school in the county every year during the first term, and each year held a Normal School for the teachers of the county, and all were well at- tended. During the interval between official duties he devoted to the practice of law. He bought a half-interest in the Effingham Dejn- ocrat, and, October 13, 1881, he purchased the remaining half-interest of Mr. Q. M. LeCrone, and has since conducted the paper with good success. It is a nine-column folio, and since 1855 has been the official paper of the county. Mr. Scott served as Deputy Treasurer for one year, under Noah Jen- nings, and two years under Mr. Wernsing. He was City Attorney during the years 1877 and 1878. He is a member of the Bajstist Church, and in politics is a Democrat. WILLIAM W. SIMPSON, Circuit Clerk, Effingham. He was born in Buffalo, N. Y., June 'il, 1817; he came to Chicago, 111., with his parents in 1851, and resided there ten years, coming to Effingham County in 1861. His step-father, George Screeton, bought a farm in Siunmit Township, and subject resided on the farm with him eight years, and by his own personal efforts picked up a good general education. Thirteen years ago, he became agent for W. W. Kim- ball, of Chicago, and has sold musical in- struments ever since with good success. He was candidate before the Democratic prim- ary, in 1876, for nomination for Circuit Clerk, and was defeated, and, in 1880, ran the second time against same opponent and was nominated and elected for a term of four years to the same office. LEWIS W. SMITH, physician, Effing- ham, was born in Zane.sville, Ohio, November 13, 1825; at ten or twelve years of age, ha came to Terre Haute, Ind., where he grew to manhood and married in 1848. A few years after his marriage, he removed to Charleston, 111., and there studied medicine with Dr. A. M. Henry, then of Charleston, now at Mat- toon, 111. He graduated from the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Institute during the session of 1859-60, and began his practice at Effing- ham, 111., in tbe spring of 1861. Dr. LeCrone being the only other practicing physician here at that time, and our subject has been here in active practice since, except four years when he was Postmaster at Effingham, serving from 1869 to 1873. He has been a Republican since the foundation of the party, and has several times been nominated for important offices. ROBERT SPECK, merchant, Effingham, was born in Baden, Germany, June 6, 1850. When live years old, he came with his par- ents to the United States, and first lived in Terre Haute, Ind., until 1858, when his fa- ther came to Effingham. In 1864, oiir sub- ject entered J. F. Waschefort's store here as clerk, and continued with him in that ca- pacity until 1879. In September of that year, he formed a partnership with Dr. Hen- ry Everamann, and this firm has continued business in Mr. Waschefort's old stand, un- der the firm name of Eversman & Speck. The house carries a large general stock, and requires five persons to transact the business. Our subject was married, in 1873, to Miss M. E. Pearman, of Paris, 111. They have one son. Our subject's father, John Speck, was also born in Baden. He learned the trade of shoe-maker in the city of Strasburg, and married Mary Riedmiller, by whom he had six sons and one daughter, all born in Ger- many, and all are deceased except Robert. His father was the first shoe maker to locate in Effingham permanently, and he conducted a shop of his own here 'from 1858 to the time of his death, in May, 1872. He was an ar- EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 71 dent Republican. Subject was twice elected City Clerk of Effingham, ou the Republican ticket, overcoming the usual large majority, and served four years — from 1877 to 1881. THOMAS SPEIRS, foreman blacksmith, Vandalia Railroad shops, Effingham, is a son of James and Jane (Mason) Speirs. and was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, December 18, 1835. In his seventeenth year, he came to the United States with his parents, who settled at Detroit, Mich., where he attended school some two years; then entered the ma- chine shop of De Graff & Kendrick, to learn the trade of blacksmith, serving a three years' apprenticeship, when he removed to Marshall, Mich., where he entered the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad shops as blacksmith for a year; then came to Galesbui'g, 111., entering the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad for a short time, when he removed to Eloomington, 111., where he worked at his trade in the Chicago & Alton Railroad shops for a short period. He has worked in the employ of different railroad companies at various points in Illinois since 1857, except two years spent in Michigan and the South. He has been in the employ of the Vandalia Company since 1868. He came to Effingham about 1871, where he became foreman of the blacksmith department, which employs from eight to eleven men, while there was onlv one man in his department when he first came. He married, in 1863, Miss Lucy J. Hunt, of Detroit, Mich. They have six chil- dren living — James, Walter, Jennie, Guy, Nettie, Thomas, all living in this county. JAMES STEELEY, proprietor of the "Western House, Effingham, was born in Ed- gar County, 111., January 3, 1835, and was raised on a farm in Coles County, 111. At the age of twenty-one, he became a brakeman on the I. & St. L. R. R., and in a short time became a fireman and engineer on that road. and was connected with it for twenty years, running mostly on the "Western Division, and has been living at Mattoon for the last thir- teen years. September 1, 1882, he leased and newly fm-uished the Western House, of Effingham, and has since run it with a good trade. It has twenty large rooms for guests — a two story brick, 60x45, with a sample- room on the first floor. Employment is fur- nished to seven persons. W. P. SURRELLS, merchant, Effingham, was born in Louisville, Clay Co., 111., in January, 1837. He lived in his native town until thirteen years old, going to California overland, with his father, in 1850. They were in the mines of the Upper Sacramento and Trinity Rivers three years. Retiu-ned Lome in 1858, and, in the spring of 1854, came to this county and settled at Free- manton, and his father came to take a con- tract on the Brough Railroad, but it fell through. Our subject moved to Effiugham in the sjiring of 1857, and clerked for C. F. Falley, who had two stores, and he went to Ewington aud took charge of the store there, having been clerk at Freeman ton for some time before. Om* subject bought Mr. Falley out in 1857, and ran the store at Ewington for nine months, when he sold out and moved to Freemanton and went to teaching there. He had previously taught in the Effingham public schools, in the winter of 1855-56. He married, August 27, 1857, Miss Susan, daugh- ter of John M. Brown, of Mound Township, now living in Springfield, 111. He taught the two winters following in that vicinity, and also farmed, when he moved to Free- manton and worked in a saw-mill, where he met with an accident. He sold the mill, and in the spring of 1859, moved back to Effing- ham and taught school here until 1861. He enlisted, in August, 1861, in the Twenty- sixth Illinois. He was first in the Depart- 73 BIOGRAPHICAL: ment of Missouri; was in the battlfis of New Madrid, Point Pleasant, Mo., and then went to Memphis, Tenn. He was next at Farm- ington and Corinth, where he was wounded by a rninie ball striking him in the ankle, which broke both bones, and the surgeons de- cided to amptitate the limb, but he removed the signal flag three times that marked him as a subject for operation, and he was sent to the hospital, where he lay seven days be- fore his limb was set, and a month passed and his wife came and pulled him through. He was wounded May 28, 1862, and was dis- charged September 19, 1862, at St. Louis. He came and taught school at Watson on crutches. He settled in Watson and engaged in hauling cordwood, and, while putting up his horses, was kicked by one of them and broke his wounded leg just above where it was broken before. While lying sick, he bought a stock of goods, and a few weeks afterward, the man that was conducting busi- ness for him absconded with all the money collected, but in spite of this our subject kept on with moderate success until 1866, when he sold out for $800. In 1868, he became clerk for T. A. Brown, in a hardware store, where he remained for eight years. He then assisted his father three yeai's in the County Treasurer's office, until the latter's death, January 21, 1879. Our subject was after- ward engaged in the real estate business un- til June, 1881, when he engaged in the hard- ware business on Jefferson street. His fa- ther, Jesse E. Surrells, was born in Virginia January 10, 1803, and, at the time of his death, was aged seventy-six years and eleven days. He was of French extraction, his grandfather having come to America with Lafayette in the days of the Revolution and served in the war. His ancestors settled in Virginia, after the close of the war of the Revolution, and at the age of eleven Jesse R., together with his father and family, emi- grated to Kentucky, where they remained for a time and then moved to Indiana. In 1831, at the age of twenty-eight, Mr. Surrells came to Clay County, 111., where he re- sided, with the exception of short intervals, until 1854, when he came to this county and resided here continuously until the time of his death. He was married three times, hav- ing five children by the first wife, five by the second and one by the third, his present wid- ow. Of these, one by the first — W. P. Sur- ells, three by the second and one by his j^rea- ent widow, sm'vive him. As may be inferred from his connection with the early history of our county, his life was checkered and eventful, but through it all there rises irre- sistibly to the surface the motto honesty. During his residence in Clay County, he carried on the business of raftsman, and while engaged in this business he made sev- eral trips to New Orleans with produce and merchandise. On one of these trips during an epidemic, he was attacked with cholera, from which he, however, recovered. It was no uncommon thing in those days tor mer- chants to be their own carriers, and Uncle Jesse was one of this class. A flat-boat would be built on the banks of some suitable stream, and launched, loaded with the prod- uce of the country. The boat was always well manned with experienced river men, and at the first rise of the stream would be cut loose and floated all the way to New Orleans. Uncle Jesse carried on this business, and as already stated, made several of these hazard- ous voyages, embarking on the Little Wa- bash, near Louisville, Clay Co., 111. In this way he accumulated quite a competency, but on one trip two of his boats sunk, which left him with an indebtedness of some $4,000 over and above his ability to pay. He did not, however, take advantage of any bank- EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 73 nipt or debtor's laws, but turned over every dollar's worth of property lie owned toward payment of this indebtedness. Nor did he rest here where men of even much reputed honesty would have halted. The gold fever of California had begun its ravages by this time, and Uncle Jesse, with his son Perry, started in penury in 1870, for the West. Here he was again successful, and in 1853 returned to Louisville with several thousand dollars in gold, with which he paid off every cent of the indebtedness left upon his shoul- ders by the disaster upon the river. This was the crowning act of his life, and in it is found the true reflex of his character. It takes rank with any act of Aristides, the just, and only gives place to Walter Scott's typical discharge from indebtedness in point of amount. Again a poor man, he came to Efi&ngham, in 185-4, goingi behind the coun- ters of C. F. Falley, then a merchant of this place. After a few years' service for Mr. Falley, he became an employe of J. Mette, the principal merchant of this place at that time, with whom he continued for some six years. With his subsequent life our readers are familiar. He has held the office of County Treasurer for six terms, his death oc- curring while yet an incumbent of that office. While a resident of Clay County, he was similarly honored, being for many years a Justice of the Peace, and for twelve years its Sheriff. From his settlement in Clay Coun- ty, in 1831, he may be really called a resi- dent of this county, for his name is indissol- ubly connected with the important events of our county's history from his first advent in Clay. He was a laborer on the National road in 1832, and many a shovelful of dirt, now unrecognizable in its decaying grade, were thrown up by the hands of the deceased. His patriotism, too, was aever lacking when his country was imperiled. He raised a com- pany for the Mexican war, but the quota of our State being full, he was compelled to re- turn, and age only prevented him from bear- ing arms against the Southern confederacy. Such was the life to which that large con- course of citizens and impressive funeral pageant paid such marked tribute upon the W^ednesday when his remains were consigned to their last resting-place. The men who knew of and had be^n the recipients of his lavish liberality and favors crowded around and followed him to the grave. Perhaps no man's name has appeared oftener, and upon more paper as seciu'ity than that of Jesse B. Sun-ells, and no name has given that paper more evidences of value. In life, he bore an irreproachable character, was a man of un- compromising honor and sterling integrity, and in death he commanded that respect which these noble qualities inspire. With a life untarnished by a single breach of trust, either private or public, he will take his place in the Valhalla of America's honest pioneers among the noblest and the best. DR. WESLEY THOMPSON, horticultur- ist, Effingham, was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., June 30, 1845. He was educated at Asbury University, at Green Opstle, Ind., which he left in two years to enter the army. He began the study of medicine proper after leaving, when twenty years old, and read with Dr. J. H. Loughi-idge, of Rensselaer, Ind. , continuing three years, and afterward graduated in 1809, from the Miami Medical College. He came to Illinois in 1869, and located in Effingham, and bought out his brother, Henry Thompson, who was in the drug business, in which om- subject continued, in connection with his practice, for about four years. He removed to Lincoln, Neb., in 1870, and remained until 1877, in the floral and commercial gardening business at Lin- coln. In 1877, he returned to Effingham, 74 BIOGRAPHICAL: and engaged in the practice of medicine, in connection with his present business, having since 1880 given his attention to the orchard and garden. The orchard contains about fifty-two acres, and has between 3,500 and 4,000 apple trees, which supplies the local market and are also shipped to St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and Indianapolis. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Mellie M. Lit- tle, daughter of S. Wj Little, of Lincoln, Neb. They have three children. Dr. Thomp- son' s father. Dr. John Thompson, wa«i born in Hull, England, where he served an appren- ticeship as druggist. He came to the United States and settled first at Catskill, N. Y. He was married in England, and was druggist and physician at Rensselaer, Ind., until his death, which occurred in 1870. Our subject enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, Company A, in November, 18(53, and served until the close of the war. He was detailed as Regimental Clerk in the headquarters of Col. Hammond, from July, 1864, to the close of the war. He was in all of the principal engagements of the Atlanta campaign, and never sick or excused from duty for a day, and mustered out at Louis- ville, Ky. , |n August, 1865. BERNARD TRAYNOR, machinist, Effing- ham, was born in County Down, Ireland, June 11, 1837, and was raised in Belfast. At the age of sixteen, he went to Manchester, England, and entered Fairburn's great en- gine and machine shops, serving five years' apprenticeship as machinist. He returned to Killyleagh, Ireland, and worked at repairing machinery of the flax factory there until 1865, when he came to the United States, landing in New York City in December. He went to Central Falls, R. I., where he worked for Gov. Spraguo as Superintendent of ma- chinery in the flax factories there for one year. He afterward worked at Philadelphia, Penn., and came to Chicago, 111., in 1867, and remained nine months. He was next employed at Ladoga, Ind. , and next at Vin- cennes, Ind. , whore he was employed in the foundry of Clark & Buck for three years as foreman. He was next in the Eagle foundry, at Terre Haute, Ind., about one year. He then entered the employ of the T., H. & I. R. R. Company, in 1872, remaining foui- years. In November, 1876, he came to Effingham, in the employ of the Vandalia road, and is now foreman of the machinery department. ANTHONY UNDERRINER, business manager of Miller's old stand, Effingham, was born in Perry County, Mo., March 3, 1856. He came to Illinois when nine years of age and resided until 1869 at Sigel, Shel- by Co., 111. He came to Effingham in 1869, and spent about foiu- years in the public schools. In 1874, he entered a store at Si- gel, 111., as clerk, and spent one year there. In 1875, he returned to Effingham and en- tered the employ of John J. Miller & Co. as clerk and salesman in their dry goods store, and has been at the same stand for seven years. The business changed hands in 1879, and under the new firm he has been head clerk and business manager, having the entire charge of the purchase and sale of goods. The house employs from four to five salesmen, and does a large business in dry goods and notions. CORNELIUS A. VAN ALLEN, County Surveyor, Effingham, was born in Jefl'erson County, N. Y., September 20, 1837. He came West in 1855, having charge of a party of land examiners for the Illinois Central Railroad. There were eight Division Engi- neers, and each man had two chain carriers. Subject with two men made surveys and notes describing lands to prepare them for the market. He was emjiloyed in this work from Decatur to Cairo, and remained until EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOAVNSHIP. 75 all the railroad lands of the Central were ex- amined. He made his home with his brother here, who had the land office, selling Central lands. In the fall of 1856, he entered the employ of the Government as chief surveyor, making original survey of lands in Northern "Wisconsin for nearly a year, and returned in the fall of 1857, and laid out the town of Edgewood and Farina. In the fall of 1857, he made a visit home, and returned here in March, 1858, and located permanently and became Deputy Surveyor for Allen Howard until his term expired. He began farming in Bishop Township in the fall of 1858, and broke the first prairie farm in that township, continu- ing until the war broke out. He enlisted in the Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in October, 1861, and served until the spring of 1862, when he was wounded by the acci- dental explosion of a shell at Columbus, Ky., which made a compound fracture of limb, and he was discharged and returned home, and entered the employ of J. F. Waschefort, as foreman at the mill until the spring of 1866, when he purchased an interest in a stock of goods with Judge Gillenwaters, and continued in the store here until he was elected County Surveyor of Effingham Coun- ty, in the fall of 1867, and closed out the mercantile interest as soon as expedient. He served as surveyor for a term of two years and laid out the town of Altamont in July, 1870, and took charge of the agency of Vandalia, and was the first agent of that road; also of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad and the Wabash Railroad. He then traveled as Lost Car Agent for Evansville, Terre Haute & Chi- cago Railroad, for two years, and at the so- licitation of J. W. Conlogue, proprietor of Altamont, took his real estate interests there, and was shortly after appointed agent of the Paducah Railroad, which he held three and a half years. In the spring of 1S78, he was elected to re-survey Bishop Township, which he did during that summer, and in the fall surveyed St. Francis and Lucas Townships. In the fall of 1870, he was elected County Surveyor of Effingham. He was educated at Falley Seminary, at Fulton, N. Y., where he took an engineering course, which he com- pleted in March, 1855. He was married, September 23, 1858, to Miss Laura Sethman, of Teutopolis, 111. He has three children living and three dead. THOMAS G. VANDEVEER, physician and druggist, Effingham, was born in Orange County, Ind., September 21, 1834. He came West when in his ninth year with his par- ents, who settled in Clay County, 111. The father died the same year of his arrival, and the mother died about four years after set- tling in Clay County. Our subject went to live with a brother-in-law, Hartwig Samuel- son, who settled in Union Township, this county, about 1850. His brother-in-law was a millwi-ight and built a mill at Flensburg, and subject worked in the mill until 1853. He then came to Mason, 111. , and after some time as clerk in a store there, he began read- ing medicine, in August, 1853, with Dr. J. H. Robinson, of Mason, and, reading one year with him, then went to Louisville, Clay Co.,Ill.,where he read with Drs. Hull andBar- bre, until the fall of 1855. He also attended the session of 1855-56 in the Rush Medical College, Chicago, and practiced for six months in Georgetown, Clay Co., 111., vfhon he came to Mason, this county, in the 'fall of 1856, and practiced there till the fall of 1859, when he relinquished practice, and has since been almost continually in the drug business. In December, I860, he entered the Circuit Clerk's office as Deputy and brought the rec- ords from Ewington to Effingham. In 1862, he was for three months Surgeon under con- tract to Companies I and K, of the Seventy- 76 BIOGKAPHICAL: first Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. They were assigned to the dut}' of guarding Big Muddy Bridge, on the Illinois Central. In 1864, he entered the employ of R. Gil- bert, of Effingham, and remained until 1876 as clerk in his drug store. In September, 1877, he took charge of the present drug store for W. T. Paj)e, and has conducted the busi- ness for him since. Our subject married. May 3, 1865, Miss Martha Jackson, daughter of John Jackson, of this county, one of the early pioneers. The Doctor has always been a Democrat, and has been named for several county offices, and has served four years as Coroner of the county. EDWARD C. VAN HORN, carpenter and joiner, Effingham, is a native of Pennsylva- nia, born August 15, 1832, son of W. D. and Lydia (Griswold) Van Horn; he, born in Bradford County, Penn., December 27, 1803, is a carpenter and joiner in Ottawa County, Ohio; she died in Huron County, Ohio, in 1846. Our subject is one of thirteen chil- dren, eight of whom were full brothers and sisters. He received his education in Huron County, Ohio, and learned the carpenter's trade when quite young, aud at the age of twenty, went to Michigan City, Ind. , from there to Galesburg, and afterward to Cairo, this State, and finally, to this county, where he was in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad for one year, being engaged in building and repairing bridges. He was married, December 5, 1856, to Christina Statts, born in Wayne County, this State, in 1837, daughter of Hiram and Jessie Statts. Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn have three children living — Lydia, Mollie and Edward. Our subject enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company K, Capt. Dobbs ; was afterward made Sergeant and detailed to the Pioneer Corps. He was engaged in the battles of Perrj-ville, Stone River, Mission Ridge and Corinth, but was not under fire at the latter place. He came to this county after the war, and helped to lay out into lots a part of Bruffton, which name was changed to Effingham. He has erected some of the finest buildings in the latter city. He has held the offices of Alderman and Marshal ; is a temper- ance man and a highly respected citizen. He is an A., F. & A. M. , Effingham Lodge, No. 149, and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Yates Post, No. 88. In politics, he is a Democrat. JOSEPH VENEMANN, merchant, Effing- ham, was born in Teutopolis, Effingham County, June 11, 1857. He began as clerk in Evansville,'Ind., at the age of thirteen, remaining two years and then returned to this county, aud lived on a farm for four years. He then went to St. Louis for one and one-half years, where he was engaged in a retail dry goods store, on Franklin avenue, in partnership with his brothers, August aud John. In the spring of 1881, August and Joseph sold out to John, and came to Effing- ham, and opened a store in the Dennis build- ing, on Jefferson street, where they have since conducted a good business in dry goods, notions and gents' furnishing goods. His father, Anthony Venemann, was a native of Germany; was born in the year 1812; was raised to the occupation of farming, and at the age of twenty-one he emigrated to the United States, settling at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he married Mary Bietenhorn, and came to this county about 1846. first locating on a farm in Watson Township, where they lived in a rail-pen until they could build a cabin. He remained on the farm and made improve- ments during three or four years, then moved to Teutopolis Township, where he farmed about three years, then moved to the village and started a dry goods and grocery store and continued in business until about 1871, EFFINdHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 77 when he moved back to his original farm, which he owned until his death, a iine tract of 360 acres, about 140 acres of which was in cultivation. Ho died December 2, 1881. His wife died in the fall of 1864. He was a strong and influential Democrat. He had four sons and two daughters living at the time of his death, one having died since. Those living are Mary, Lizzie, John, August and Joseph. Anthony died May 7, 1882. AUGUST VENEMANN was born in Effing- ham County July 28, 1854. He received his early education in the neighborhood schools, and after having graduated at St. Joseph's College, at Teutopolis, he assisted his father about the farm for one year, after which he engaged, for two years, as clerk in Effingham. He returned to farming again, for seven years, or until 1880, when he en- tered the dry goods business at St. Louis, in company with his brother John, under the firm name of J. &. A. Venemann. They continued the business together for one year, when our subject sold his interest in the business to his brother John, and, returning to Effingham, there entered the dry goods business with his brother Joseph. He was married, October 2, 1882, to Miss Mary Wern- sing, formerly of Ohio. W. F. VICORY, lightning rods and pumps, Effingham, son of Anson and Hannah (Treat) Vicory. was born ia Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio, September 19, 1816, and is the second child of a family of seven children, all of whom are now living, with the exception of Herick, namesake of Gen. Herick, the re- nowned Indian fighter of that day, and Theo- dore, who was drowned at the age of six, and Elizabeth, formerly the wife of Hiram Mike- sell, a farmer. Levi resides in Arkansas, Hiram in Marshall County, Ind., and Joseph is a resident of Idaho. His parents on both sides were of English extraction, their grand- parents having emigrated to America in an early day and settle'd in Vermont. The fa- ther of our subject was a millwright by trade, and having removed to or near Saratoga, N. Y., was there married, it is supposed, at a date not known. Soon after the war of 1812 or 1813, he removed to Ohio, where our sub- ject was born. Here he followed his occupa- tion, building mills all through that State and Indiana up to the time of his death, about 1852 or 1858; previous to his death, he removed from Ohio to La Porte, Ind. Mr. Vicory was educated in the common schools of Ohio and Indiana, after which he learned the millwright trade with his father and worked with him up to the time he was thirty- four years of age. In 1850, he removed to Effingham County, 111., where, in 1851, he was married to Miss Cynthia Glazner, of Cumberland County, 111. By this union they have had seven children, as follows: Mary, Frank, George, Jesse, Freeman, Evie and Ettie. Mr. Vicory's father and mother were natives of Ohio. Her father is deceased, her mother is still living. Our subject's great- grandfather had fifteen boys who all grew up to manhood and scattered all through the United States, the yovingest of which was our subject's grandfather, who served through the Revolutionary war, and during his lifetime his house was a favorite resort for the old Revolutionary soldiers. During his life he predicted the great war of the rebellion. BERNARD VOGT, shoe store and custom shop, Effingham, was born in Douglas Town- rthip, this county, June 10, 1843. At the age of eighteen, he began to learn shoe-mak- ing with B. Hodebecke, serving two years' apprenticeship, and afterwai-d worked about six years as a joui'neyman. He started a shop for himself here about 180S, and has continued ever since, and for the last seven voai's has conducted a shoe store in connec- 78 BIOGRAPHICAL: tion with the shop, on Jefferson street. Mr. Vogt employs three men in the custom depart- ment, and carries a full stock of boots and shoes. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Lizzie Feldhake. They have seven children living. Our subject's father, Barney Vogt, was born in Germany, and came to Cincin- nati, Ohio, when a young man, and was mar- ried to Miss Mary Brown, by whom he had nine children. He settled on a farm in Doug- las Township about 1840. GODFREY F. VOLKMAN, saloon, Effing- ham, was born in Utica, N. Y, , April 5, 1846. His father' s name was John M. Volk- man. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, ia 1816. His occupation was that of farming. His mother's name was Margaret Looer, born in the same place in Germany. She is still living; they had twelve children. Our subject was educated in Chicago. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Sofa Werndroff; they have four children by the union, she having died. He was married a second time, in 1875, to Mrs. Mary Bering; by this union they have had four children. He was a mem- ber of Battery B, First Illinois Artillery; during his service, he participated in twenty- nine battles, among some of which was Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Columbia, Franklin, Chattahoo- chie and others. He was wounded at Chicka- mauga an I again at Resaca, both times in the same leg. On arriving in this country, his father settled in Utica, N. Y., where he was married. -He removed to McHenry , County, 111., where he remained one year; j from there he went to Chicago. His children were Conrad, Chai'les, Annie, Emma, Lizzie, ; Frank, Peter, Maggie and Mary. Annie mar- I ried John Giesler, a resident of Shelby County, 111. ; Emma, wife of J. Folk, resides in Shelby County also; Lizzie, wife of John Shultice, resides at Streator, 111. FRA.NCIS A. VON GASSY, banker, Effingham, was born in St. Petersburg^, Russia, October 4, 1833, son of Alexander N. Von Gassy, also a native of Russia. Oar subject received his education in the Univer- sity of Berlin, Prussia, which he left when twenty-one years of age, and afterward trav- eled extensively in Europe and Asia, making a tour through Italy, Greece and Turkey for observation. He came to the United States in 1856, and was married, January 10, 1865, to Lucy I. Catterlin, a native of Frankfort, Ind. In 1860, our subject joined the army, and was in the Western Division under Gen. Grant. He was mustered out in 1865 and received a civil appointment in the "N^ar De- partment. He came to Effingham in 1869, and established a grocery-store. In 1876, he established the Effingham Bank, of which he is the sole proprietor, and which has since been conducted with good success, and in which business he is at present engaged. He is a Protestant in religion, and in politics is a Democrat. SIDNEY B. WADE, agent Vandalia Rail- road, Effingham, was born in Jasper County, 111., March 11, 1841. He spent the first twenty years of his life in Jasper County, in the town of Newton, where he received a public school education. At eighteen, he be- came part owner of a local Republican paper, published at Newton, called the Western Star, which he ran during 1859 and 1860. He enlisted, in April, 1861, in the Twenty-first Regiment Volunteer Infanti-y, and went into camp at Mattoon, 111., under Col. Good, of Decatur. On the 11th day of June, 1861, the regiment, 1,000 strong, re- enlisted for three years, retaining the old number, Twen- ty-fijTst. Subject was a member of Company K. and the regiment went into service under EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 79 Col. U. S. Grant, and saw service in Mis- souri; was in the battle of Fredericktown, Mo., and marched into Arkansas under Gen. Steele, to Jacksonport, Ark. , and were or- dered back by forced marches, to Cape Girar- deau, Mo., where they took boat to Pittsburg Landing, where they joined Gen. Jeff C Da- vis, and were under his command from that time forth, and were in the siege of Corinth. They went into camp at Jacinto, Miss. , crossed the river at luka, and were on the Bragg raid in Kentucky and at the battle of Perryville, Ky. , when they went to Nashville, Tenn. , when the Army of the Cumberland was formed, and the Twenty-first did service at Stone River, Chickaiuauga and all of the principal battles of the Atlanta campaign, including the siege of Atlanta and Jones- boro. and returned to Nashville to intercept Hood and fought desperately at Franklin, Tenn, and the battle of Nashville, after which they were transferred to Texas, via of New Orleans, and received their first muster-out papers in December, 1S65, and were finally mustered out at Springfield. 111., in Febru- ary, 1866, having served four years and eight months. Of the original members of Com- pany K, about twenty men were mustered out at the close of the war. After his return, Mr. Wade located at Newton, 111., and for six months published the Jasper County Union, and then went to Mt. Carmel, 111., and revived the Mt. Carmel Register, which he ran a short time, five months, when he sold out and became a compositor on various papers in St. Louis during 1869 and 1870. In January, 1871, he came to Effingham. 111., and entered the employ of the Vandalia Rail- road, then recently opened. He first became clerk in the freight and ticket office. He be- came agent at Altamont in 1874, and con- ducted that office about three years. In Au- gust, 1877, he became freight and ticket agent at Effingham, where he has since con- tinued. Mr. Wade was married, September 27, 1869, to Sarah E. Fleming, of Effingham, by whom he has a son and daughter. His father, Hiram Wade, was born in Kentucky, and came to Indiana in 1816, and in the fall of the same year to Illinois, and settled first in Lawrence County, 111. , where he lived for some years and served as Sheriff of Law- rence, and came to Jasper County, 111. , when the Cherokee Indians still lived there. He was Circuit and County Clerk of Jasper County for sixteen years, and held the office of Circuit ("Jlerk in all twenty years. He died in March. 1861. He was a Republican, and was elected the last time as a Republican in a strong Democratic County; had twelve children; his wife's maiden name was Lucin- da Neal. a native of Maryland. Of their twelve childi'en but three eons are living, all of whom served in the army. THOMAS C. WADE, traveling salesman, Effingham, was born in Perry County, Oliio, near Somerset, March 27, 1S51, and was raised on a farm. At the age of twenty, he became clerk in a retail grocery store at Som- erset, Ohio, remaining in that capacity for a year. In 1872, he came to Effingham, and opened a grocery store of his own, and con- ducted it three years. He was agent of the Adams Express Company here during the last two years (1874 and 1875). He sold out his stock of groceries in January, 1876, and engaged his services to Hulman & Co., whole- sale grocers, Terra Haute, Ind., as traveling salesman, and has been with that house ever since, its present name being H. Hulman. He represents the interests of his house in Southern Illinois. He is a Democrat and exerts a strong influence in his party. He was married, in August, 1874, to Miss Lin- nie Moller, Effingham. BERNARD H. WERNSING. County Treasurer, Effingham, was born in Cincin- 80 BIOGRAPHICAL: nati, Ohio, May 6, 1840. He came with his parents to this county in 1850, and set- tled in St. Francis Township, near Teutopo- lis. In 1851, he was sent back to Cincinnati, Ohio, to school, where he spent about four and a half years in the St. Francis College, grad- uating in the fall of 1855. He began teach- ing in 1856 in the Effingham town schools, which only had one department, and was held in a log schoolhouse, and his compensation was $25 per month. He taught four months here, when he took a school in Bishop Town- ships, where he taught for three years in suc- cession, and, after teaching one term in Teu- topolis, he began farming in St. Fi'ancis Township, and continued until the fall of 1879, when he was elected County Treasurer of Effingham County, and is serving his third yeai', and was renominated for a term of four years by the Democratic Primary of 1882. In his township, he has held important offices of trust, being Supervisor for twelve years and Chairman of the board. He has always been a Democrat in politics. He was married first to Mary A. Vogt, in May, 1859, and had seven childi-en, all living. His wife died in June, 1876. He remarried, in May, 1881, to Elizabeth B. Miller, of this county. Our subject's father, John H. Wern- sing, was born in Hanover, Germany, about 1803; was a farmer in Hanover, and married Elizabeth Huckmann, of Hanover, and came to the United States in 183U, with his family of four sons and two daughters — John Henry, Jr., Frederick, Herman, Kate (now Mrs. Henry Eggerman, of Teutopolis), Theresia (deceased, was the wife of Henry Hatrup, of Teutopolis), and our subject, who was the only one born in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father settled in 1839, and was engineer in a foun- dry there till 1850, when he moved to this county, where he resided until his death,which occurred February 25, 1876. JOHN C. WHITE, attorney, Effingham, was born near Forestville, Wake Co., N. C, May 21, 1846 His father moved from there to Brownsville, Tenn. , when subject was five or six years old, and lived there with his family about two years, and from there re- moved to Illinois, and, in 1855, settled per- manently at Greenville, 111., and has lived there almost continuously ever since. Our subject grew up in Greenville and attended a private school taught by S. W. Marston, and also recited in class in Elmira College, then presided over by his father. He en- tered the Model Department of the State University, at Normal, 111., in 1863, for a year, and the following year entered the Pre- paratory Department of Chicago University, and, in the fall of 1865, he entered Shurtlefif College, at Ujaper Alton, 111., and at the end of his junior year entered the Bro^vn Uni- versity, at Providence, B. I. , from which he graduated in 1869 He came back to St. Louis, Mo. , and read law with Judge Samuel Eeber, of St. Louis, until February, 1871, when he came to Effingham and read law with J. N. Gwin and W. B. Cooper for a time, and was admitted to the bar in Janu- ary, 1872, forming a partnership with E. N. Rhinehart, which continued until August, 1873, when he formed his present partnership with Judge Gilmore. In addition to profes- sional labors, Mr. White devotes considerable attention to the breeding of fine cattle. He married Miss Nellie J., daughter of Rev. Al- fred Bliss, of Fillmore Township, Montgom- ery Co., 111., on August 25, 1875. They have two childi-en — Bliss and Nellie K. BYROM WHITFIELD, Deputy County Clerk, Effingham, was born in Nash County, N. C, July 30, 1850. He came with his parents to Effingham in 1856, and has lived here ever since. He entered the drug store of Dr. McCoy, at the age of sixteen, and was EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 81 clerk in that business until 1876, excepting one year, in whicli he was in the hardware trade. He entered the County Clerk's office as Dep- uty in JIarch, 1870, and has served in that office ever since, under Collector Filler, and has served one term as City Treasurer, serv- ing from 1879 to 1881. His father, Archi- bald F., was a native of North Carolina, and in early manhood learned the trade of carpenter and builder, which he followed until he came here, in 1856, when he engaged in cabinet- makinor and showed remarkable skill at his trade, at which,he worked until about 1878, ■when he was taken ill and died in March, 1881. in his fifty-eighth year. Our subject is his only child. VIRGIL WOOD, attorney at law, Effingham City, was born in Susquehanna County, Penn., April 10, 1836. He was educated in the com- mon schools and the Susquehanna County Academy, and, at the age of twenty-seven, he began reading law in his native county. In 1864, he went to Grant County, Wis., where he taught in the public schools and was for two years Principal of one in Plattsville, Wis., graded school, and continued his law studies at intervals there, and came to Effing- ham in July, 1867, and read with his brother one year, being admitted to the bar here in the fall of 1868, and has since been in active practice of his profession. He was associated with his brother and W. H. Barlow until De- cember, 1875, since which the firm has been Wood Bros. BENSON WOOD, Mayor and attorney at law, Effingham City, was born in Susquehan- na County, Penn.. March 31, 1839. He re- ceived a common school and academic educa- tion in his native State. He came alone to Illinois in 1859, and located in Lee County, in the town of Franklin Grove, where he taught in the public schools for two years. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty- fourth Illinois Infantry, and served in the j\j-my of the Cumberland until February, 1803. He entered as First Lieutenant of Company C and was promoted to the rank of Captain, April 7, 1862. He was at Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, Stone River and other minor engage- ments. He resigned, in February, 1863, on account of ill health, and, in the summer of 1863, entered the Chicago Law School, from which he graduated in June, 1864, and locat- ed at Effingham in July following, where he has since been in active practice. He was elected to the Legislature in 1872 from the Thii-ty-third Senatorial District. He was elected Mayor of Effingham in 1881, for two years. He has always been a Republican in politics. A. J. WORMAN, real estate, Effingham, was born May 23, 1857, son of John J. and Mary (Budeed) Worman, he born in Germany in 1827, and she in Holland. They had seven children. At the age of seventeen years, our subject went to St. Louis, Mo., where he worked at type-setting for one year in a stamp factory, and the following two years was engaged as collector for R. Booth, a picture dealer of that city. In 1877. he returned to Effingham and accepted a position as Assistant Circuit Clerk under W. C. Le Crone. He afterward formed a partnership with A. W. Le Crone, and the firm is now en- craeed in the real estate business. Our sub- ject's familiarity with the records of the county courts give him great fitness for the business in which he is at present engaged He was married, in St. Loais, Mo., March 8, 1875, to Miss Frances Kemph, bom in Indi- ana December 18, 1854, daughter of George and Elizabeth Kemph. Mr. and Mrs. Wor- man have three children — Lorina Regina, Anna Frances and Clara Constance. Our subject is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. 83 BIOGRAPHICAL: HENKY H. WRIGHT, farmer. P. O. Effingham, was born in Wayne County, 111., in September, 1823; moved to St. Louis, Mo., in 1828, and lived there a year. His parents came to this county in the fall of 1834. They brought three ox-teams and seven ox- carts. His father had made a visit previous to coming, and made arrangements to come hero and board hands working on the Na- tional road. He therefore brought seven head of horses, three yoke of oxen and seven head of beef cattle and provisions. In the spring of 1835, our subject and his brother George went to Wayne County for the rest of the cattle and a di-ove of sheep. They had one horse, and night came on and they found no house till after dark, so subject be- came very much frightened by the howling of wolves. They finally reached a cabin in the woods, where a girl, about fourteen years of age, was alone, and they put the sheep in a pen around the house and the dogs kept the wolves away till morning. On their way home through Clark County, they saw ou a mound and counted sixty deer playing. They stopped work on the National road for a time, in the fall of 1835, and his father di- vided out the stock of provisions, and lost heavily from book accounts on account of people moving away. The Government au- thorities condemned the sandstone abutments at Ewington, and about 1835, and his father secured the stone in them and built the foun- dation for his house. Our subject went to school in a log cabin in Ewington, to Thomas M. Loy, his brother-in-law. A school had been taught before by Mr. Gillespie, a rela- tive of Loy's. Subject next went to school one mile north of Ewington, to Dr. Newton Tarrant, and next in the old log court house at Ewington. At about the age of fourteen, subject was sworn in as mail-carrier from Vandalia to Palestine, 111. He received $12 per month, and was found everything. It was 100 miles and he made a round trip per week, having about twelve offices on the route, and he traveled on horseback. An ex- press was run in addition to mail. Between New York and St. Louis, there was a " sys- tem," and the stations were about ten miles apart. Riders approaching would blow a horn, and the next one would be ready, mounted and would take the little bag, and they would ride swiftly enough to make ten miles an hour. After this, a telegraph line was put up and was in operation about two years. Our subject carried mail about four months to Palestine, and next he carried for six months from Ganowag's to Vandalia, and also had another trip to Woodbury. He was the first time employed by Mi*. B. Whitfield, and went by Widow Cavanaugh's, who lived beyond Greenup. He next carried from Ew- ington to Greenville for most of the time for four years, under contract of his brother George, and while not on the road attended the horse-mill owned by his mother, and worked on the farm. He was married, June 9, 1844, to Miss Susan Selock, a sister of Mrs. John Funk and Mrs. William T. Myers and several others. After marriage, our sub- ject settled in Watson Township, on land owned by Mr. Hill, then called " Water Oak Grove. " He bought a small improvement of John McCann, and lived there but one sea- son, when, at the request of his mother, he came back to Ewington, where his wife took sick and lost her arm. He took charge of a hotel and small farm about one season, when he bought an improvement near Shumway, and after having been there a time, he again went back to Ewington, and lived there as a hotel-keeper and merchant until the county seat was moved. He carried the chain with Mr. Lacy when his brother surveyed and laid out Effingham, and built a house here before EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. 83 the war, where Debold Smith lives. He started for Pike's Peak in iSo'J, but met so many returning that he did not reach his destination. He returned to farm on Bine Point, and enlisted, in August, 1861, for three years, and his became one of the first veteran regiments in 1863. He enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and belonged to the Army of the Tennessee. He fought at New Madrid, Island No. 10, Corinth, Vicksburg, siege of Jackson, Miss., Mission Ridge (where a shell cut the oil cloth on his back and cut a man just back of him), and Atlanta, (ia. (lasting three weeks), Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesboro and on the march to the sea and last battle at Golds- boro, N. C. He was mustered out in Sep- tember, 1865, at Springfield. He began making brick and has run saw-mill and store and farm. He was proprieter of the Flem- ing House, Effingham, and opened the first hotel in Altamont, where he remained about two years and again to Fleming House, and afterward to Newton, and retui'ned to Effing- ham and kept the City Hotel. In April, 1882, he bought .'his present place, near Effingham, where he is now engaged in farm- ing. Mr. Wright had five children by his first marriage; two only are living — William H. and Samuel H. ; others died in infancy. He married, the second time, Mary J. Bates, of this county. He had ten children by his last marriage; five are living — Hattie J., Henrietta V., Gussie, Evaline, Charles Beecher, Olola Maud; others died in in- fancy. WILLIAM WRIGHT, real estate, Effing. ham, was born in Wayne County, 111., June 1-t, 1831. He came with his parents to this county late in 183-4. His father, Jonathan Wright, was a native of New Jersey, and was a bricklayer by trade. He came to St. Louis, Mo., as early a."? 1819, and while work ing there selected a site in Wayne County, 111., and brought his family in 1821. Two of his brothers also came by flat-boat from Pittsburg, Ponn., to Shawneetovvn, 111., and settled three miles from Fairfield, 111. The father lived there until 1834, except one or two years' residence in St. Louis. He died in 1835. He fell with a scaffold while erect- ing the old State House, at Vandalia, 111. He left four sons and five daughters, of whom five are still living. George, the oldest son, died in July, 1870. He had been County Surveyor of Effingham Coimty for some years. Henry H. is a farmer in this county (see sketch); William C, subject; Mary A. Flem- ing, see sketch; Susan (deceased), was the wife of Thomas Loy; Sarah, wife of Mr. Burke, of Georgetown, 111.; Helen A., wife of Col. Funkhouser; Hutchinson, died in New Jersey in his second year, and Emma A., died at seven years of age. Our subject, the third son of the family, received his education in a log schoolhouse at Ewington, and worked on the farm in the meantime. He was mar. I ried, in 1855, to Jemima Rinehart, and has j five sons living of that marriage. He began , farming in Summit Township, and became by purchase of other heirs owner of his fa- ther's homestead, which he farmed for ten years. He came to Effingham in the spring of 1865, and has since been engaged in the real estate business, selling both farm and town property on commission and for him- self. He received, on November 15, 1877, the appointment of Postmaster at Effingham, by President Hayes, and held the office four years and two months. His first wife died January 2, 1871, and he was married the sec- ond time, August 23, 1873, to T»Irs. Maggie A. Blair, of Gluey, 111. He had two childi-en by his last marriage — one son and one daugh- ter. Mr. Wright is President of the Effing- ham County Agricultural Fair. 84 BIOGBAPHICAL: WILLIAM HARRISON WRIGHT, liv- eryman, Effingham, was born in Ewington, this cotinty, January 5, 1847, eldest, son of Henry H. Wright. Our subject lived in Ew- ington until 1857. He started out from home when twelve years old, and lived at the hotel here in Effingham, with his uncle, un- til the war broke out. In 1862, he went to Hannibal, Mo. , and for a short time peddled goods among the soldiers. In the spring of 1863, he went to Scottsboro, Ala., where he fell in with the Fifteenth Army Corps of Sherman's Army, and sold notions and re- freshments to soldiers. He followed Sher- man's Army until after the battle of Resaca, Ga. , where he was struck by a bursting shell and thi'own fifteen feet, but received no per manent injury. He was sent back with the wounded, but went soon after to Stevenson, Ala. , where he found employment in a rail- road eating-house for two months, when he went to Nashville, Tenn., where he was mes- senger boy at the headquarters of Capt. Bru- mer, who was in charge of Corrals, and re- mained there for a few months. After a visit home, he returned to Nashville, Tenn., and drove a team there a short time for the Government until he was promoted to the po- sition of wagonmaster of a train of twenty- five wagons, running from Nashville to the cavalry post east of that city. He held that position until the close of the war, and during this period bought and sold horses, and at the close of the war bought Government horses and drove them North. On his arrival home, he engaged in the manufacture of brick with his father, and made the brick for the M. E. Church, of Effingham. He engaged in the livery business in the spring of 1866, in partnership with S. J. Fleming, and contin- ued with him. under the firm name of Flem- ing & Wright, about six years, when he dis- solved his partnership, and since 1872 has built and owned three stables, and during the same period has bought from six to ten car- loads of horses and mules per year, princi- pally for the Southern markets. He was also interested in the handling and training of several trotters, and figured in every county trot since the establishment of the Effingham County Agricultural Society. His horses have met with uniform success in these races. His present stable is located on Banker street, where he conducts a general livery, sale and trading business, dealing in all kinds of live stock. He was married, in July, 1868, to Miss Emma McPherson, who died in 1875, leaving four children — Mabel M., Albert L., Samuel H. and William W. He remarried, May 27, 1878, Miss Lizzie Mitchell. WILLIAM B. WRIGHT, attorney at law, Effingham, was born in Ewington, 111., June 7, 1860. In 1865, his parents moved to Effingham, wliere our subject was educated in the public schools. At the age of sixteen, he went to McLennan County, Texas, where he was engaged in farming and cattle-herd- ing for three years. He retiu'ned home in 1879, and spent one year in the high school here, and, in June, 1880, he went to Valpa- raiso, Ind. , where he began the study of law, entering the Law Department of the North- ern Indiana Normal School, from which he graduated in spring of 1882. In May of the same year was admitted to the bar, in the State of Indiana, and, in August, 1882, was admitted to practice in the courts of Illinois, forming a partnership with Mr. Loy in Jime, 1882. During the summer vacation of 1881, he studied law with Benson Wood of this place. JOSEPH ZANDER, shoe-maker, Effing- ham, is a native of Germany, born Decem- ber 5, 1835, son of John and Mary (Copen- hagen) Zander, natives of the same country. They were farmers and the parents of five MOUXD TOWNSHIP. 85 children. Oiir subject received his schooling in his native country, where he also learned his trade. He came to the United States in 1866, landing in New York. He came to Kankakee, 111., and after a residence there of four years, he came to Effingham, and worked at his trado. He was married, November 7, 1871, to Miss Louisa Esh, born in Germany May 28, 1850, daughter of Joe and Dorothea (Garling) Esh, natives also of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Zander have had five children, four of whom are living — Emilia, born Oc- tober 12, 1872; Samuel, August 21, 1874; August, January 1, 1879, and Herman, May 9, 1S82. Our subject opened a shop on Main street in 1878, where he turns out first class work, guaranteeing a good fit and satis- faction. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and in political afi"airs he votes for the best men. MOUND T WILLIAM BLAKELY, farmer, P. O. Altamont, was bom in Knox County, Ohio, August 5, 1836, to William and Sarah (Grubb) Blakely. Father was born in Washington County, Penn., January 22, 1805, was taken to Knox County, Ohio, by his parents when quite young. Here he was educated and raised on a farm. Arriving at his majority, he mari'ied. on April 3, 1828, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, at which he continued until he died, which oc- curred August 28, 187S. He was a son of Francis Blakely, a native of Pennsylvania, and a soldier in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject was born in Rocking- ham County, Va., November 10, 1807, and ia now residing with her children; is now in Knox County, Ohio, where most of her chil- dren are living; she, however, spends a por- tion of her time with our subject. She is a daughter of Daniel Grubb, a native of Rockingham County, Va., and a soldier in the war of 1812. The parents of our subject had twelve children, eight boys and four girls, of whom four boys and two girls are living — Mrs. Nancy J. Horn, bom in 1831, October 28, of Knox County, Ohio; subject; Mrs. Christian Waddell, January 24, 1840, of Huron Connty, Ohio; George W., born OWNSHIR November 18, 1841, Knox County; Hem-yH., January 18, 1844, is in Rice County. Kan. ; Elcaneh F., born November 15, 1845, of Knox; John, born May 26, 1833, came to Effingham County in about 1860, and re- mained here until 1874, when he removed to Phillips County, Kan., and, in 1882, to Florida to improve his health, but died at Pea Ridge, Ark., his death occurring Jime 21, 1882. William, our subject, spent his early life at home, receiving such an education as the common schools and acad- emy of Knox County, Ohio, afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his fath- er's farm. When he was about twenty-one years of age, he left home and embarked on his career in life as a fai'mer in his native county. In the spring of 1858, he re- moved to Clark County, where he remained until November, 1863, when he with his fam- ily di'ove across the country, three teams and wagons, containing his family and earthly possessions, to the then far West. He, hear- ing of the opportunities a poor man had of obtaining a home in the West, was induced to try his luck. He remained with his brother that winter, and the following spring located on his present farm, where he has since remained actively engaged in farming. BIOGBAPHICAL: When he came his farm was unimproved, a body of open prairie. Upon his farm he now has a large and commodious house and barn, and its general surroundings speak of its owner being a practical farmer. He bought when he came 160 acres, and now owns 200 of prairie and 10 of timber. In October, 1857, in Knox County, he married Miss Su- san "Wohlford, a native of Knox County, Ohio; she is the mother of six childi'en, viz., Emma (Albert) Zimmerman; Celesta J., Sarah C, Charles F., Ada A. and John H. He has held the offices of Koad Commission- er, Supervisor for one term, School Treasurer for five or six years. School Trustee, and is now School Director. Himself and family are members of the M. E. Church at Alta- mont, and a Trustee of the same. He held the leadership of the same for fifteen years, and has been a liberal contributer to school, church and charitable purposes. Politically, his sympathies are with the Republican par- ty. His two brothers, George and Hemy, enlisted in the Eighty-second Ohio, Company F, and the former, serving six months, was discharged on account of his health, and Henry served four .years; was with Sherman on his march through the South. Neither was wounded. Henry was once knocked down by a ball striking his buckle on the belt. Ml-. Blakely comm'enced life a poor man, and, by his studied economy and busi- ness habits, he has succeeded in accumulating a good property which he is now surrounded with. DANIEL BOYER, retired, P. O. Alta- mont, was born in Alleghany Count}', Md., near the Virginia line, November 10, 1814. He was raised on a farm until the age of eighteen. He went to driving a stage on the old National road, between Cumberland and Uniontown, Penn., and continued for ten years. He then drove wagon for four years, principally between Cumberland and Wheel- ing, 131 miles, which took eighteen days for a round trip. He emigrated to Morgan County, Ohio, in 1853, where he bought a farm and lived on it until July, 1865, and his labors were attended with good success. He landed in'Eifingham July 24, 1865, where he kept a grocery until March, 1866. March 15, 1866, he came to old Freemanton, where he en- gaged in a general merchandise business, and became one of the largest dealers in that jilace, until 1872, when he came to Altamont. He brought the first 1,000 feet of lumber ever brought here, put up a platform on the Vandalia road and began buying and ship- ping grain, loading into ears as fast as it came in. He had his present grain house up by September, and at once put up a little plank house, where Reis now is, and sold goods in it until the spring of 1872, by which time he had storeroom completed ad- jacent to the present Boyer House. He closed his business in Freemanton in 1872, and the same year had warehouse, lumber yard and store at the same time. He also bought hogs largely in Altamont. He con- tinued merchandising until February, 1878. He built the first hotel here, in the winter of 1872, and afterward remodeled it, and it be- came the Boyer House in 1878. It has thir- ty-two bedrooms, double parlors, two sample- rooms on first floor, with office, etc. , etc. He built and bought about eight houses in the town. He moved to his present farm August 1, 1880, which he has improved and adorned with a substantial and beautiful residence. He is a RejDublican in politics, but has sought no office. He married, in Mercer County, Penn., in 1838, Rachel White, and has one daughter — Lydia Ann, wife of John C. Rus- sell. His wife died in Effingham September 18, 1865, and he was remarried, in 1866, to Mrs. Mary J. Rufty, of this county. MOUND TOWNSHIP. 87 THEODORE G. BOYER, photographer, Altamont, son of Joseph K. and Anna (Ca sey) Boyer, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, August 21, 1849. He was brought by his parents to Warren County, 111., when seven years old. This was in 1856, and, in 1861, he moved to Bartholomew County, Ind. , and, in 1SG2, he entered a photograph gal- lery in Columbus, Ind., to learn the business and remained there until 1863; he afterward worked as a general operator in different points in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, until 1865, when he returned to Illinois, and also worked in Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. In the fall of 1869, he located in Centralia, where he established a photograph gallery of his own, and run it for almost two years, when he removed to Vandalia, 111. , where he worked from 1871 to 1876, and during that time established branch galleries at Eifinghara, Carbondale, Grand Tower and Ramsey. In 1876, he sold galleries and went on the road, and executed crayon and ink work for two years, princi- pally in Illinois and Indiana. September 1, 1878, he came to Altamont, 111., and estab- lished his present gallery, on Main street, where he has every facility for doing every kind of artistic work, and makes a specialty of ink work. He was married, in 1871, to Miss Susie Lewis, of Centralia, 111. In poli- tics, he is a Democrat. He is serving as City Clerk of Altamont, and has held other ofSces. WILLIAM ALLEN BROOM, deceased, was born in Smith County, Tenn., in August, J 829, and was four weeks old when he came to this county. Schools were few and poor, and he went from two to two and one-half miles distant to a log subscription school. He gained what misht be called a fair com- mon-school education, and taught one of the early schools with good success, and taught about three terms. He started out for him- self on a farm, where he continued about three years. He then opened a store at Free- manton. He continued there for a time, when he bought a farm in Jackson Township, where he remained for some ten years, and has had good success. About 1865, his health broke down, and he removed to Mason Township, where he farmed until 1871. For seven years he ran a threshing machine, and this tended to break down his health. In 1871, he came to Altamont and opened the first drug store of the place with Samuel Gil- more as partner. He continued about nine months in that business, the last six months alone, when he sold out drugs and engaged in the diy goods trade, with Boyer & Russell, for two years. Late in 1873, he opened a furnitiu'e store here, in which he coutin-jed until his death. May 29, 1882. In 1880, he bought the building where the business is continued by his son David E. It is 20x100 feet in dimensions, and contains a large and varied stock of fm-niture. He married, in 1853 or 1854, to Miss Nancy Bishop, of this county. Of this marriage there are nine childi'en living, three dead. Tho.se living are John E., conductor on the Vandalia road, at Effingham; Mary, wife of William Harris, engineer at Effingham; David E.; Ellery M.; Effie M., wife of Franklin Logue; Westcott J., Warren S., Charles A., Lewis H. William A. Broom was a member of the M. E. Chui-ch. David E. Broom was born in Jackson Township, this county, February 8, 1859. He worked at various employments until 1880, when he became a fourth partner in the firm of William A. Broom & Son, and has since given his attention to the business. HIRAM H. BROWN, merchant, Alta- mont, was born in Columbus, Ohio, October 6, 1836. He was educated at Central Col- lege, Franklin County, Ohio, and began teaching in that State. In 1857, he came to BIOGRAPHICAL : this county and located at old Freemanton, wheie he taught a village school for two terms and clerked in a store for J. C. Dofe- baugh until the war broke out. He enlisted in the Fifth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, in Sei^tember, 1861, and was First Lieutenant of Company L, having raised a portion of that company from this county. He was in sev- eral cavalry engagements at Doniphan, Mo., and Cotton Plant, and was in various skir- mishes. Subject was thrown from his horse at Smithville, Ai-k., June 27, 1862, and in- jured his spine, and did duty, though suffer- ing, until his discharge, in 1863, having lost flesh until almost a skeleton. After his re- turn and recovery of health, he engaged in farming for several years, and shortly after- ward formed a partnership with Boyer & Kussell, and conducted a store in Altamont, in 1871, and continued for about three months, when he sold out and opened a new stock of goods at Dexter, and condiicted business there for about nine months, when he traded his stock of goods for a farm. He came to Altamont and erected his present store, on Third street, in 1872, where he has conducted a general store for ten years. At the same time is interested in farming. He married, in 1S58. Miss Mary C. Defebaugh, of this county, daughter of John C. Defe- baugh, and has three children living. Mrs. Brown opened a millinery establishment here in 1872, and has now the oldest millinery house in town, enjoying a liberal patronage. EVAN L. BROWN, proprietor Boyer House, Altamont, was born in Knox County, Ohio, April 26, 1842. When he was eight years old, he removed with his parents to Richland County, Ohio, where he lived on a farm un- til about fifteen, when he moved to Radnor Township and lived there for about twelve years, and farmed 'on his father's estate. In the spring of'1863, he came to Illinois, and, in 1865, located in Effingham County, where he has since resided. He farmed in West Township antil 1875. He leased a hotel in Edgewood, 111., called the 3i"own's Hotel, which his father had kept previously. He ran this house about four years. In Octo- ber, 1880, he leased the Boyer House, of Al- tamont, for three years, and has run it with good success. It is a thi-ee- story frame, near Union Depot of the Vandalia and O. & M . Railroads, and contains thirty-two rooms, with double parlors, sample room, etc. Our subject was man-ied to Miss Martha King, of this county. She was born in Knox County, Ohio. LEVI BUTLER, banker, Altamont, son of Levi and Julia A. (Grove) Butler, was born, in Putnam County, Ohio, January 24, 1854. He came West in 1860 with his parents, who located near Toledo, Cumberland County, 111., and our subject lived on a farm until fifteen years of age, when he began teaching, having, by personal effort obtained an edu- cation. He taught for five years, about eight months per year, and, during his spare time attended a private school at Loxa, Coles Co., 111., taught by Prof. T. J. Lee, and, at the close of school work, spent an en- tire year there. On leaving school, he en- tered the employ of the Adams Express Com- pany as agent at Altamont, 111., continuing in that capacity for about two and a half years, when he resigned, and opened a gen- eral store here, which he conducted one year with fair success He formed a partnership with Dr. C. M. Wright January 1, 1879, and, under the firm name of C. M. Wright & Co., opened and have since conducted a private bank, in^which Mr. Butler has acted as Cashier. He was married, November, 1879. to Miss Florence, oldest daughter of Dr. C. M. Wright. The father of om- sub- ject was born in Pennsylvania, and came to MOUND TOWNSHIP. 8d Ohio about 1832, and lived in Putnam Coun- ty, that State, until 1860. He came to Cum- berland County, 111., and bought a tract of 800 acres of mostly wild land, and died in 1861, leaving a widow with a family of six sons and two daughters, our subject being the youngest of the family. The mother kept the family together until all grew up except our subject, who appealed for an op- portunity to obtain an education, and she gave him his time, with the promise that, if he improved it well, she would not charge it to him in the final settlement of the estate. WILLIAM J. E. BYERS, farmer, P. O. Altamont, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, February 3, 1830, to George and Bertha (Goodrich) Byers. His father was born in Jackson County, Ohio, March 3, 1806; emi- grated to Illinois and located in Effingham County in 1803, where he remained until 1880, when he removed to Shelby County, where he died November 10, 1881. He worked at the carpenter's trade during his younger days, and in his latter years followed the occupation of a farmer. He was a son of Edward Byers, a native of Virginia, who was drafted in the war of 1812, but did not have to serve. The mother of our subject was born in Connecticut in 1809, and died in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1837. She was the mother of four children, of whom our subject was the oldest child. He was edu- cated from the common schools of Jackson County, Ohio, and remained at home, assist- in"- in tillinsr the soil of his father's farm, until he was twenty-two years of age. He then embarked upon his career in life, and engaged as a hired hand upon a farm, and then learned the blacksmith's trade with his brother-in-law, William J. Dixon, and after- ward worked at carpentering, shoe-making, and general employment as a laboring man. He was always a natural mechanic, and could turn his hand and become jack-of-all-trades. In 1850, he removed to Muskingum County, where he farmed and ran a blacksmith shop. In 1858, he came to Illinois and settled in Effingham County, adjoining his present farm In 1863, he was drafted into the army, and served to the close of the war, in the Forty-second Illinois Infantry, under com- mand of Col. Swayne. He was in the fol- lowing battles: At Columbia, Tenn., Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville. After the war, he returned to his farm, where he has since re- mained. When became to the county it was thinly settled in this part, and he was among the first settlers of this portion of the coun- ty. He was here at first township election, and served two years as first Township Clerk, Collector, Road Overseer, School Trustee, Supervisor, and now holding office of Clerk of School Board. August 22, 1872, he mar- ried Christina Elizabeth Hamilton, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born February 14, 1840, to Samuel and Mary (Campbell) Hout, both natives uf Ohio. They are the parents of one child, William Preston, born Decem- ber 12, 1874. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Brethren Church. An act- ive member of the order A., F. & A. M., Al- tamont Lodge, No. 533. He is holding office of Steward of the same. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce. D. B. CADE, general business speculator, Altamont. Altamont has in its midst some excellent business men, among whom is D. B. Cade. He was born in September, 1838, in Alleghany County, Md. ; son of Mortimer Cade and Mary Boyer. He was left father- less at the age of ten, and subsequently moved to Virginia with his mother and step- father, with whom he lived until he began business upon his own account. He carried OD business here in Monongalia County un- til 1872, when he came to this State, locat- 90 BIOGRAPHICAL: ing here in Altamont, and has since lived. For five years he sold goods for Daniel Bey- er. In 1877, he engaged in the grain trade, which he continued until 1882, vrhen, on ac- count of failing health, he had to relinquish his interests in this direction, and seek to re- cuperate the saroe by rest or a change of bus- iness. March 12, 1869, he was married to Pai;lina, who was born in Granville, Ohio, daughter of Edward Capen. Has four chil- dren — Clara, Gracie, Blanche and Maude. Member of the M. E. Church, and of the An- cient Order of United Workmen. Politics, Democratic. WILLIAM S. COLEMAN, retired, Alta- mont, was born in Knox County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 24, 1811. He learned the tinner's trade in Mt. Vernon. He left Knox County in 1846, and settled in Lima, Allen Co., Ohio, where he manufuctui'ed tinware and sold stoves for about eight years, when he removed to Missouri in 1854, and lived in Holt and Andi-ew Counties until 1857, teach- ing school in those counties for three years. He went to La Fayette, Ind., in 1857, and lived there two years, coming to Effingham in 1859, where he formed a partnership with D. B. Alexander, his brother-in-law, and opened the first tin shop in the county, and connected with it a store for sale of hardware and stoves. The partnership of Alexander & Coleman lasted until 1861, when Mr. Cole- man entered the army; enlisted in the Fifth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the winter of 1863, when he was discharged on account of continued sickness. He served over two years, and fought in siege of Vicks- burg, Jackson, Miss. , Cotton Plant, Ark. , and several other battles and skirmishes. On his discharge, he was sick for over a year, and, in 1865, he was appointed Postmaster of Effingham by President Johnson, and held it until 1869 — over thi-ee years. Mi-. Coleman made a trip West in 1869, and remained un- til 1873, traveling as far west as Utah and taught in Colorado. Since hisretui-n, he has engaged in no active business pursuits. He was married, in Ohio, in 1833, to Matilda Alexander, of Knox County, that State. Ten children were born of this marriage — five sons and five daughters. Four daughters and two sons are living, as follows: Sarah E., wife of Michael Beem, of this place; Addie, wife of James Beck, of Green Castle, Ind. ; Clai-a, wife of R. Walters, of Effing- ham; Emma, wife of J. M. Ely the, of De- catur County, 111. ; David B. , of Effingham ; and Charles F., see sketch. CHARLES FRANKLIN COLEMAN, edi- tor Altamont News, was born near St. Jo- seph, Mo., February 13, 1856. He came with his parents to Effingham when about three years old, and, at the age of thirteen, entered the office of the Effingham Democrat to learn the business. He worked in that office as foreman until November 25. 1881, except five years, daring which he was en- gaged on the Columbus Democrat at Colum- bus, Ind. , where he was local editor of a daily paper. December 9, 1881, he became editor of the Altamont Neivs. The firm of Coleman & Le Crone, consisting of subject and George M. Le Crone, started and have since published the paper weekly. (See jaress history.) Our subject is present Township Clerk of Mound Township. SAMUEL COOPER, grain, Altamont. Among the business men of this town engaged in the grain trade is Mr. Cooper, who was born in 1833, June 14, in Marion County, Ohio; was the third son of a family of nine children born to Thomas Cooper and Ann Lock. He (Thomas) was a native of Ireland, near Dublin, and emigi-ated to America and located in Marion County, Ohio, when a young man, being a pioneer in that locality. MOUND TOWNSHIP. 91 His wife, Ann, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, daughter of John Lock. Subject came West to this State, locating in Fayette Coun- ty, in the fall of 1838. Here his father set- tled and remained until uis death, in June, 184:8, his wife surviving him until Dec. 15, 1880. To them were born eight children, viz. : Euphemia, James, John W., Samuel, Mary A., William Thomas, Lucinda and Minerva. Euphemia died in Fayette Coimty, wife of T. C. Chamberlain; James resides in New Mex- ico; John W., in Colorado; William, deceased, died in Indian Territory; Mary A., died, was the wife of David McGraw, of McDon- ough County; Thomas, died at Murfreesboro while in the army; Lucinda, resides in St. Elmo, wife of N. C. Fletcher; Minerva, died young. Samviel was raised in Fayette Coun- ty, and remained at home on the farm. At twenty-one, began farming and stock-dealing, and continued here until March, 1872, when he removed to St. Elmo, where he engaged in the grain and stock business, remaining hero until Jaunary, 1875, when he came to Altamont, and lias been engaged in stock- trading, and, since 1878, been in the grain business. First associated with John Ensign. The partnership lasted two years. He then associated with D. B. Cade. This lasted about six months. Then discontinued for some time. After this, was associated with Milton Young one year, then went out of the grain business, and, in August, 1882, began business again, with John Rhodes, since continued under firm name of Cooper & Rhodes. Married, 1860, May 3, first, Sarah Dunbar, born in Marion County, Ohio, daugh- ter of William; wife died November, 1S63; by her, two children — William T. and James L. Last marriage was May 3, 1865, to Car- oline Dunbar, sister of first wife; by her has three children — -Samuel J., George and John. Eepublican since the war. Mr. Cooper owns over three hundred acres of land in this county, which he carries on. ROBERT DAWSON, deceased. The sub- ject of this sketch came to this county in the spring or summer of 1805, and engaged in the lumber trade in Eifingham. It is said by authority ihat the cause of his coming to Effingham was that he had too strong Demo- cratic proclivities to suit the war party of Polo, 111., where he resided when President Lincoln was assassinated. Be this as it may, Effingham caught him. His capital was very limited, but he was economical, industrious and close at a trade, and, as times were flush, and money and building plenty, he did a large business and made a great deal of money. He was very determined and set in his ways, and very blunt in his manner, but withal very generous and good-natured. He was quite a politician and clung to the Dem- ocratic faith with unyielding grip in na- tional elections, but in local he chose rather the man than the party. He took a great interest in public affairs, both local "and na- tional. He held the position of Alderman and School Director in the city, and proved a thorn in the side of defaulting or negligent officials. His odd style of di-ess, with his gray or white hair, and his quick, energetic step, made him a conspicuous figure on the street, and he was known far and wide. He died the 19th of March, 1881, at the age of seventy six years. DR. HENRY N. DREWRY, physician, Altamonc, son of Henry and Lydia (Bassett) Drewry, was born in Switzerland County, Ind., November 29, 1847. He lived on a farm there until the age of fifteen. His father, Henry Drewry, having moved to Mason, this county, in 1862, our subject went to a district school called the Claiborn Wright School, and afterward to the Mason School until 1868, attending school dm'ing the winter season. BIOGRAPHICAL : In the fall of 1868, he entered the Indus- trial University at Champaign, III., where he spent four years, graduating in the class of 1S7'2, and, February 4, 1873, he married Miss Harriet A. W. Nunn, who died in No- vember, 1873. In the spring of 1874, he went to Urbana, Champaign Co., 111., and entered the office of Dr. Samuel Birney, an old army surgeon, where he studied under his direction, and at the same time he at- tended two courses of lectures in the Chicago Medical College, from which he graduated March 21, 1876, and located for the practice of his profession at Altamont, as partner of Dr. J. N. Groves, for two years. He has since that time been in active practice alone up to Sejjtember, 1882, when he formed a partnership with Dr. Edwin L. Yarletz, un- der the firm name of Drewry & Yarletz, locat- ed on Railroad and Main streets. He has built up a large and lucrative practice. He was married, October 29, 1882, to Miss Mari- etta Mann, of Newton, 111. WILLIAM DRYSDALE, farmer, P. O. Welton, was born in Switzerland County, Ind. , November 4, 1833, to William and Margaret (Manford) Drysdale. His father was born in Scotland in 1793 ; emigi-ated to America in 1813, and followed the trade of a stone-cutter until he was thirty years. In his later years, followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1840, came to Eifingham County and located in Mound Township, when the deer and wild tiu'key were plenty and among the first settlers of this part of the county. He died December 27, 1872. The mother of our subject was born in Kentucky, and died in 1834, aged about thirty years. She was the mother of four children, of whom Will- iam was the youngest child. His early life was spent at home, receiving a limited com- mon-school education and assisting in till- ing the soil of his fathers farm. He re- mained at home until he was eighteen years of age, when he embarked upon his career as hired hand on a farm. He was brought to Effingham County when about seven years of age. At twenty-seven, he commenced farming on his own account, upon a farm of 200 acres of unimproved land, which he has put under a high state of cultivation. He has remained on his present farm for twenty years. In 1862, he married Miss Mary A. Donnelly, a native of Ireland, who was brought to America by her parents in 1849. She was born in November, 1841. She is the mother of four living children, viz. : Mary A., Anna, William A., John Francis. In politics, is a Republican, but generally votes for the man. He is now the owner of 260 acres. JOSEPH DUNSFORD, drugs and station- ery, Altamont, is the successor of Frank Wantling in the drug and stationery business of this town, and has had over ten years' ex- perience in the drug business. He began reading medicine in 1871, with his brother. Dr. W. H. Dunsford, at St. Elmo, and em- barked in the drug business with him, where he continued until 1878, when he removed to Rosemond, this State, where he continued in business until his location in this town. He was born in England, son of John and Tab- itha (Niblett) Dunsford. His father died in England. He emigrated to this country when a lad of six years, with his mother and step- father, James Mortimer, who now reside at Pana, this State. They first located at Cleveland, Ohio, remaining here about seven years, and removed with them to Gasconade County, Mo., where he lived six years, at which time he came to this State, and has since remained. June 22, 1873, he was united by marriage to Miss Clarilla, eldest daughter of Dr. John Wills, a well-known physician in the county, residing in Liberty MOUND TOWNSHIP. 93 Township, near Beecher City. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge at St. Elmo. In connection with his drugs and medicines, he keeps a stock of books and sta- tionery, as well as notions. The Doctor has one brother, John, who resides in Mc- Pherson County, Kan., a farmer — the only surviving brother he has; W. H. and Chai-les, both deceased; W. H. died in 1874; Charles died in 1878 at Kosemund. He was also a druggist, and served as Hospital Steward un- der Gen. Sherman's command thi'ough the entire war. WILLIAIVI J. EYESTONE, harness, Alta- mont. Among the substantial business men of Altamont is William J. Eyestone, who was born in 1844, March 13, in Wheatland Town- ship, in Fayette County, the third son and sixth child of a family of ten children born to Martin and Nancy (Lock) Eyestone; he was born about the year 1808, in Baden, Ger- many; she was born about 1812, daughter of John Lock. Martin Eyestone emigi'ated to this country and located in Fayette County at an early day, about the year 1837, being one of the first settlers there. They are yet living. William was raised on the farm, and about the time he became of age, he enlisted in the army, in Company G, Seventh Illinois Cavalry; went in March, 1864, and served until December, 1865, and, upon his return to peaceful pursuits, he soon married, Jan- nary 26, 1806, to Elmira H, born iu June, 1846, in Putnam County, Ind., daughter of Joah Yates and Mary Kennedy both natives of Kentucky, and removed to Indiana, re- mained tor several years, and finally moved to this county, where they died. After his maiTiage, moved into Avena Township, where he purchased a f ann and engaged in faiming. Continued here until 1878, fall, when he en- gaged in the stock trade; after this, engaged in the grain business, which he carried on some time. In 1880, about, he pm-chased the hardware of G. W. Gwin, and ran this about one year, then sold out, and for a time was retired, and in January, 1882, he started in the manufacture of harness, and is yet car- rying on his f ai'm, which consists of 120 acres in Avena and 160 in this county, Mound Township. He has two children living — Cora and Lotta; one, Rosa Lee, died aged five years, in 1878. He has been a member of the M. E. Chiu'ch for about twenty-five yeai-s, and Steward of the chiu-ch. He cast his first vote for U. S. Grant, and has since been identified with the Republican jiarty. JOEL FINFROCK, farmer, P. O. Alta- mont, was bom in Muskingum County, Ohio, January 20, 1816, to Andrew and Susannah (Haines) Finfroek. His father was born iu Lancaster County, Penn. He was a farmer, and in his younger days worked at coopering. He died in Ohio in 1864. Was drafted in Revolutionary war, but was not called on to serve. The mother of oiu' subject was born in Maryland, and died in Effingham County, 111., in about 1871. They were the parents of five children — three boys and two girls — of whom Joel is the second child. Cathe- rine, the oldest living child, is now living with her brother William, and youngest liv- ing child of his parents. Joel spent his boy- hood days at home, receiving such an educa- tion as could be obtained from the log school- houses of his day, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, and embarked on his career in life as a tiller of the soil in his native county, and continued the same until the fall of 1864, when he came to Effingham County, 111., and settled on his present farm. He then bought sixty acres, and has added to it until now he 94 BIOGRAPHICAL: is the owner of ninety acres of well-improved land. He commenced life a poor man, and, by his studied economy and business habits, he has succeeded in gaining a good 'property. Now, in the later years of his life, he is sur- rounded with those comforts and enjoying those pleasures that are ever the result of honesty, industry and economy. In Musk- ' ingum County, Ohio, in 183S, he married Miss Eliza Huffman, a native of Muskingum County, born in 1819, November 17, to Joseph and Sarah (Birkhimer) Huffman. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Mary- land. Mr. and ]\Ii's Finfrock have had nine children, all of whom are living — SHsannah, wife of John Birkhimer, a farmer of Jasper County, 111. ; Ellen, wife of James Defen- baugh, a farmer of Effingham County; Cath- arine, wife of Robert Ingram, a farmer of this county; John, married and living near the home farm; Agnes, wife of Frank Birkhimer, a farmer of this county; Julia, wife of Charles Collins, farmer of Jasper County, 111.; George, at home; Charles, at home; Jane, wife of David Armstrong, a farmer of this county. Politically, Democrat. When they were married, they first settled inBridge- ville, Ohio, where he woi'ked out by the month and day on a farm, and from his earnings was soon able to buy one acre of land. When he came to this county, he was compelled to work out by the month, and his farm was un- improved. He took his earnings to build a log cabin, and he got timber to farm it, and continued to save until he was able to add the other thirty. Besides, he has helped his son to a forty-acre farm. WILLIAM H. FINFROCK, farmer, P. O. Altamont, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, September 10, 1823, to Andrew and Susannah (Haines) Finfrock. His father was born in Pennsylvania, Lancaster Coun- ty, November 30, 1782. He was a cooper by trade and worked at the same in Pennsylva- nia. In about 1813, he emigrated to Ohio and located in Muskingum County, where he jjrincipally engaged in farming until the time of bis death, which occurred February 24, 1864. He was a son of Tewalt Finfrock, a native of Pennsylvania, of French descent. The mother of our subject was of English descent, born in Maryland May 17, 1788, and died in Effingham County, with our subject, April 2, 1869. She was the mother of five children, of whom three are now living, William being the youngest child. He was raised on a farm in his native county and educated from the suboription schools com- mon in his day. He remained with his par- ents to the time of their death. He engaged in farming in Muskingum County, and con- tinued the same until 1S64, when he came to Illinois and located on his present farm in Mound Township, one and a half miles from Altamont, on the National road. In Musk- ingum County, Ohio, August 22, 1850, he man-ied Miss Rebecca Jane Morrison, a na- tive of Muskingum County, Ohio, born De- cember 21, 1830. She is a daughter of Joliu and Nancy (Dixon) Morrison, They were natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Finfrock have three children, viz.: Margaret, wife of Manuel Kepler, a farmer on Mr. Finfrock's farm; Mary, wife of Ephraim Thrasher, a farmer of Jackson Township; Sarah J., at home. Self and wife are members of the Methodist Church. Politically, a Democrat. He commenced life very poor, and worked hard to pay for his farm. He is now the owner of forty acres of prairie and ten acres of timber, and has been generally sucessful. He brought a valuable team with him from Ohio, that he had been offered $500 and re- fused the same. He found one dead in the stable, and the other was struck by light- ning. MOUND TOWNSHIP. 95 WILLIAM FLORIN, druggist, Altamont, son of Peter and Serena Florin, was born January 8, 1842, in Madison County, 111., where he was raised on a farm until fifteen years of age, and received a common-school education. In 1859, he entered the State Normal University at Bloomington, 111., and graduated in 1865, and began teaching in the fall of 1865, at Lebanon, St. Clair Co., 111., and remained there one year as Principal of the German department of the public .schools. He was nest Principal of the Highland Schools for two years, when he returned to Lebanon, remaining four years as Principal of the public schools, and afterward one year at Highland. He next became Principal of the grammar department of the public schools at Belleville for two years, and was two years assistant teacher in the high school. He was Principal of Edwards Public Schools one year, and two years Principal of St. Ja- cobs Public Schools. In the summer of 1879, he came to Altamont, 111., where, in partnership with Andrew Naegeli, he opened a drug store, and the business has been con- ducted by subject, under the firm name of Naegeli & Florin. They carry a full stock of drugs and medicines, on Railroad street. Oui- subject's pai'ents were born in the town of Klosters, Canton Grumbuendten, Switzer- land, where they were also married. The fa- ther was a teacher in Switzerland, and came to the United States in 1841, and settled on a farm in Madison County, 111., where he died about 1850, and the mother died in No- vember, 1881. They had five sons and one daughter, of whom three sons are deceased. G. C. GOETTING, milling, Altamont, is a thorough and practical millwright, who learned the business in St. Louis, having served a thorough and long apprenticeship under some of the best workmen and first- class mechanics in the West, and is not only thoroughly conversant with all kinds of mill machinery, but understands milling as it is now carried on by the largest and most suc- cessful mills in the West. He was born May 25, 1849, in Kur Hessia, Germany, son of Daniel Goetting. He received the advan- tages of the best schools in his native country, and emigrated to this country in 1866, locat- ing in St. Louis, Mo., where he commenced the trade of millwright, and, after its com- pletion, follow5, and settled near Kimnnndy. vrhere he farmed and prac- tiivd medicine, and representotl Marion tmd Fayette Oouuties in the TVeiny-ninth Gen- end Assembly of the Illinois Legislature, and is now living at Judsonia, Ark. Has five sons and three daughters living. Our sub- ject married Miss Belle Chance, near Kin- mundy. 111.. October 2\\ 1SS2. AVTT.T.TAM KIRCHOFF. farmer, P. O. Altamont. was bom in Prussia, Germany, July 27. 1S33. a son of Charles Kirchoflf. AViiliivm was raised in Germany, on a farm, and educated in the Lutheran schools, ta iSoO. he came to America, by sailing vessel, fwm Hamburg, hmding in New York, where he remained two years, where he engaged as a fcynn lalxirer. In ISdS. he came to Illinois and settled in Ffiingham County, and worked the farm of Jose}>h Yates toi four years. He botight his first l:uid in 1S5S. and re- moved to his farm in 1S62, Here he has since remained, engaged in agricultural puiv suits, and is now the owner of 135 acres of land, 120 of which are under a high state of cultivation. In Germany, in 1S56. he mar- ried Mena Krainbrigs, a native of Prussia, (jermany, bom March 29. 1S31. They have two children — Frank and Mena. Subject and family are members of the Lutheran Church, In politics, is Independent- WILLIAM C. KLTTZIXG. merchant, Al- tamont, was bom in Prussia, in the village of Neuendorf, Germany, August 2s), iSio, At the age of eleven years, he came with his parents to the United States, and located at Chicago in 1S5T. He remained in Chicago until 1S74. and there learned the carpenter's trade, and the mjmufaouire of sash, doors and blinds. He came to Blue Point in 1ST4. and in 1ST5 he l>ecame a member of the firm of D. Boyer & Co., in general merchandising, from March. iSTo. to December. lS7i\ when Mr. Boyer sold his interest to H. Mun-'.el. and the firm has since been Klitaing & Mun- zel. They occupied a site adjoining Boyer House until August, ISSl, when they moved into their present room, which was erected the same year by them. The main l>nildiug is a two-story brick, 2-b:7o, with wjireroom in reiw of twenty feet length. It is the larg- est business room iu the town, aud is stocked with a large smd well-selected stojt of gen- eral merehsmdise. Besides the partners, two salesmen are emplojvd. Subject was mtir rievl. in 1S75, to Louisa Sommerkamp, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and has two children — Mitftha and Edward. Our subject's father, John Klitzing. St., was born in lSl2, a na- tive of Prussia, and was a tavern-keeper in the village of Neuendorf, where he married Maria Oldenburg, and six children were liom in Prussia and one in Chicago. He came to Effingham , Cc^unty in 1SC2. and ha< since farmed near Blue Point, Moccasin Township. He and family were raised in the Evangelical Lutheran Chttrch. HENRY KiJOGMANN. saloon. Altamont. is a native of Germany, bom January 25. IS-Rv in Amt D:4rma. son of Frank Krogmann and Maria Agjsl Loot Henry emigrated to .America, arriving September 10, 1S67. and for several years worked for John F. Wasche- fort, of Teutopolis, remaining with h i m nearly six years; afterward was four years in the employ of Mr. Holengstein: subsequently, was in the employ of other parties tmtil No- vember, 1876, when he came to this place and engaged in the hotel business, continu- inff in this line until June, 1S79, when he MOL'XD TOWNSHIP. 103 •eiigaj^ed in the saloon bosinesa, and has since continned, doing a good biisine-JH, having a liberal share of the patronage of those who love choice liquors, wines, beer and cigars, of which he keeps a con-stant supply always on hand; also a table for the accommodation of the lovers of pool. November 20, 1876, he married Elizabeth Hannar, a native of In- diana, who has borne him one child, Hattie. Democratic from the time he cast his first vote. ROBERT LEITZELL, farmer, P. O. Al- tamont, is a native of Center County, Penn., born .July 18, 18f31, to George W. and Matil- da (Strunk) Leitzell. His father was bom in Union County, Penn., in 1829. He was raised on a farm, and educated in the com- mon schools. He was married in 1850, in Union County. In 180*^), he came with his family to Effingham Coonty, III., and located on his present farm, containing 220 acres. He is a w«ll-to-do farmer, and bears a name and reputation that is beyond reproach. The mother of our subject was bom in Mifflin County, Penn.. March 11, 1830. She is the mother of eleven children, of whom Robert is the fifth child. He was brought to this county by his parents when but five years of age. Was educated in the common schools of Effingham County. At twenty years of age, he left his home, took atrip in the West, through Iowa, and there worked for about five months with his brother on a farm. e then went to St. Louis, and then to St. Charles County, Mo., where he ran a thresh- ing machine during the fall of 1881. He then went to Chicago and ran a street car on the North Side, on State street, and contin- ued the same until June, 1882, when he went to Jersey County, 111., and ran a steam thresher until November, when he returned home, where he expects to remain and man- age his father's farm. He is an enterprising young man; takes great interest in temper- ance. Politically, a Republican. PETER MAXHIMER, farmer, P. O. Al- tamont, was bom in Allen County Penn.. January 10, 1825, to Samuel and Elizabeth (Poorman) Maxhimer. He was bom in Ger- many in 1801; emigrated to Pennsylvania in about 1 825, and then to Stark County, Ohio, in about 1827, and is now living in Ashland County. He is now living with son ujxin his farm. He has retired. He was a farmer. The mother of our subject was bom in Penn- sylvania in 1801. and died in Stark County. Ohio, in 1847. She was the mother of six children, of whom subject is second child. He remained at home until he was twenty- two. He attended the common school. When he left home, he removed to Indiana and bought 120 acres, and farmed seven years, and then came to Effingham County and settled on his present farm. He there bought IW acres. He is now owner of 120 acres. Member of Methodist Church. Po- litically, a Democrat. He had eight children: six living— Pearl B.. Ida L., Emma A.. Austin O., Frank, Elsie. In 1847. he mar- ried Elizabeth Bishop, who died in 1852. In 1855, he married Josephine Owens, who died in 1875. G. P. MAGERS, farmer, P. O. Altamont, was bom in Knox County, Ohio, February 10, .1824, to William N. and Jane (Porter) Magers. His father was bom in Frederick County, Md, January 0, 1706, where he was raised, educated and married. He removed with his family to Ohio and settled in Knox County in 1S20, and removed to Noble Coun- ty, Ind., in 1854, where he died in 1855. He was a farmer, and a soldier in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject was bom in Alleghany County, Md., in 1799, and died in Knox County, Ohio, in 1826. She was the mother of five children, of whom our subject 104 BIOGRAPHICAL: was the fourth child. He was raised and edu- cated in Knox County, receiving such an education as the subscrijation schools aflbrd- ed. His mother died when Le was two years of age. His early life was spent at home, assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. At about twenty-one years of age, he left his home and embarked on his career in life as a shoe-maker in Maryland, where he went on leaving home. After four years, he returned to Ohio and began farming in his native county. He removed to Indiana in the spring of 1854, and located in De Kalb County, where he remained until 1801, when he removed to Allen County and remained there until 1872, when he came to Effingham County and located in Mound Township, west of the Mound, and there bought 140 acres. In 1876, he bought his present farm of 100 acres, which he has improved. In Maryland, in 1847, he married Miss Julia Ann O'Brian, who has borne him twelve chil- dren, of whom nine are living, viz. , John B. , William R., Emma C, Samuel D., Frances D., Lucy A., Theodore M. , Mary A., Anna B. Subject and wife are members of the Catholic Church. In politics, is a Democrat. JAMES S. McCOY, farmer, P. O. Alta- mont, was born in Effingham County, 111., October 31, 1857, to Elisha and Caroline (Ashing) McCoy. His father was born in Greene County, Ohio, June 9, 1807. He was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. At twenty-one years of age, he left home and embarked on his car- eer in life as a farmer in Fayette County, Ohio. In 1834, removed to Allen County, Ohio, where he remained until 1S59, when he came to Illinois and located in Effingham County on his present farm. Here he has since remained. He has been twice married. In Madison County, Ohio, March 10, 1S36, he married Miss Elizabeth Stuthard, who died August 8, 1S45. She was the mother of four children, of whom one is now living, viz., Bromwell. In 1846, March 17, he mar- ried a second time. Miss Caroline Ashing, a native of Chamjiaign County, Ohio. She is the mother of eight children, of whom seven are now living, viz., Sarah, Margaret, Alice, James, Samuel, Anna and Nancy. Mr. Eli- sha McCoy has been a member of the Meth- odist Church for about twenty-three years. Politically, he is a Republican. James was educated in the common schools of Effing- ham County, and has never left his home. He has, however, been renting a portion of his father's farm for four years. Politically, he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for J. A. Garfield. G. H. MILLEVILLE, agricultural imple- ments, Altamont. Among the dealers in ag- ricultural implements of this county is Mr. Milleville, who was born in Germany, village of Bergholtz, on November 16, 1843, the third son of eight children by his father, Philip Milleville, and Augusta Schultz. Gustavus Henry came to America with his parents in 1847, July 4, arriving in Buffalo, N. Y. The family settled in the township of Wheatfield, Bergholtz Village. Father was a blacksmith, and followed his trade here. The family came here to this county in 1866. Gustavus H. came in Feb- ruary: parents came in April following, and settled in Mound Township, and has since remained. G. H. worked on the farm from the time of his coming here until 1870. .In February, same year, he engaged in tlie mer- cantile business half a mile south of Alta- mont. He bought the interests of his broth- er and William Krull, and his sister's inter- est, who had been running said store, in con- nection with his sister, Mrs. Krull, which partnership lasted until May of 1871, when he bought his sister's interest, and then took MOUXD. TOWNSHIP. 105 in Charles Kellim; firm was Milleville & Kellim. This lasted until July 15, same year, when they took in George Hilleman; lii-m was Kellim & Co. Eighteen months later, when Mr. Hilleman dropped but, the business was then continued by those re- maining until about one year after, when Kellim retired, and Mr. Milleville continued the business alone until September, 1876, when he sold out to George Hilleman and en- gaged in the agricultural and farm imple- ment business. He has done a thriving busi- ness; handles McCormick's harvesters, and Furst & Bradley's plows; also general line of fanning implements. He moved to Altamont August 2,0, 1870, and moved up a house he had, and this was the first house in Altamont. He was app jinted Postmaster at Mountville, half a mile south of Altamont, where he was doing business. First commission was dated the 31st of March, 1870. Continued here as Postmaster until August lU, same year, when he got the name nf the office changed to Alta- mont, and was re-commissioned, the 8th of Dacember, 1870, and continued as Postmas- ter about two years. When the administra- tion changed, was succeeded by John C. Rus- sell. Was married, November 2i, 1870. to Jonanaa Wendt, born in Naw York in 1850, diuofhter of Fred3ric Wendt and Mena Schaltz. Has four children — William, Car- oline, Cordelia and John. Members of Lu- theran Church. Democratic from the first vote for Lincoln. January 28, 1864, he en listed in the Second New York Mounted Rifles, Company I, and served until August 10, 1865. Served in fourteen engagements. Regiment was 1,200 strong at first; came out 460. Some of the most prominent battles. Was in all the battles in front of Petersbui-g; hardest one was July 31, 1804. June 14, same year, was struck with shell and now carries the scar on his leg. HERMAN MUNZEL, merchant, Altamont, son of Christopher and Sophia (Buchholz) Munzel, was born in the village of Rosenthal, Hanover, Germany, May 14, 1843. He learned the trade of barber in his native town, and worked at it until the age of twenty-one years. He came to the United States in 1865, and stopped near Hillsboro, Montgomery Co., 111., where he worked on a farm for six months, and then went to St. Louis, where he followed his trade, and also at Lebanon, Mo. At Pierce City he opened a restaurant, and came to St. Elmo, 111., in 1870, where he also followed mercantile pursuits, and, in 1872, came to Altamont, 111., where he followed the same business until 1875, when he bought a farm in Fayette County, 111., and operated it one year, and, in December, 1876, he bought a half-interest in a stock of mer- chandise, and formed the present partnership of Klitzing & Munzel, and has since conduct- ed a successful business in general store. He was married, in 1872, to Miss Augusta Rade- lofif, of this county, and has three children living — Lydia, Edward, Agnes. He camd to this county with small capital, and has made all by his own labor and management. D." P. NEEDHAM, farmer, P. O. Alta- mont, was born in Clark County, Ind., on the Ohio River, Dacember 22, 1830, to Daniel P. and Julia Ann (Kincaid) Needham. His fa- ther was born in Bradford County, Ponn. , in 1804. He was a carpenter and farmer. He emigrated to Coles County, 111., in 1831; was among the first settlers of that county, and settled on the head of Muddy Point, and sub- sequently at Charleston, Jewott, and Spring Point Township, where he lived for forty years, and died in February, 1875. His par- ents were of English descent, and natives of Pennsylvania. The mother of our subject Tas born in Erie County, Penn., in 1805, and died in Cumberland County in October, 106 BIOGRAPHICAL: 1866. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom our subject was the second child. He was raised on a farm in Cumber- land County, 111., and educated from the common schools of that county. He re- mained with his parents until he was twenty- four years of age. At twenty-one he em- barked on his career in lite at the carpenter's trade, with his parents. At twenty- four, he began farming in Effingham County. He made his settlement in 1855 or 1856, St. Francis Township, where he remained until 1872. with the exception of two years he spent in Effingham, working at the carpen- ter's trade. He bought his present farm in the winter of 1871, and removed to the same the following spring, and, the same year, erected a brick residence. He is now the owner of 200 acres of good land in the county. In 1855, January 23, in Indiana, he married Miss Mary M. Westbrook, a native of Ohio, bornOctober 24, 1832. She is the mother of five children, four of whom are living, viz.: John W., who died in in- fancy; William C, James, Ada J., Charles N. Was Supervisor for one term; School Trustee; is now holding it this eight years. Dimitted member of the order of A., F. & A. M., at Effingham, 149. Politically his sym- pathies are with the Democratic party, strong, and cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce. ALFRED NEWMAN, Sk., farmer, P. O. Alt.amont, was born in North Carolina June 4, 1812, to Jesse and Luany (Watkins) New- man. His father was born in Stokes Coun- ty, N. C, in 1770, where he was raised on a farm, educated and married. In 1818, he emigrated with his family to Virginia, and located on the Blue Kidge Mountains, in Grayson County. Here he remained five years, and, in 1823, moved to McMinn County, Tenn. In 1835, while en route to Missouri with his son-in-law to look at the country, he was tak- en with a fever, and died in Warsaw, Mo. after a short sickness. He was a son of John Newman, a native of North Carolina, of Irish descent. He was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. His parents were natives of Ireland. The mother of our subject was born in North Carolina in 1767, and died in 1833. She was of Irish descent. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Alfred, our subject, was the youngest child. She was first married to John George, who lived only three years. Alfred was raised on a farm, and received such an education as the sub- scription and common schools of his day af- forded, all received from the log school - houses. He remained at home until he was thirty-one years of age, when he embarked on his career in life as a farmer, at which he has since continued. In 1836, he came to Illinois and located in West Township, Effingham County. His mother, brother, sisters and niece came with him. They came by wagons, driving through from Tennessee, taking twenty seven days to make the jour- ney, and camped out at night. When he first came to the county, the Indians used to come in a tribe to hunt, and the families used to fear them. During his life, Mr. Newman has accumulated 400 acres of land, and is now the owner of 140, at the old homestead. In July, ^ 1844, in Effingham County, he married Ellen Drysdale, a native of Switzerland County, Ind. , born May 14, 1820. They were the parents of ten chil- di'en, viz.: Jesse; Charity, wife of R. C. Martin; Jane, wife of Edwai'd Grace; Mar- garet, widow of Thomas Howe; William; Al fred A.; Mary, wife of James Robinson; James D., Thomas J., Allen and Ella. Mr. Newman has twelve grandchildreu living. Mr. Newman is a Democrat; never sought political promotion, nor clamored for office, MOUND TOWNSHIP. 107 believing it to be more consiHtont with liis views to stay at home and give his time and attention to his farm and family. WILLIAM OLIVER, farmer, P. O. Alta- mont. was born in Lebanon County, Penn., March 27, 1831, to Matthew Nelson and Mary Sarah (Emricli) Oliver. His father was born in England; was brought to America by his parents when he was a baby; his mother died when he was two years old, and his father when he was seven years. He was raised an orphan in Lancaster County, Penn. He, was born in 1800, and died in Pennsylva- nia in 1807; was a distiller and farmer. He was a son of James Oliver, a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The mother of our sub- ject was born in Pennsylvania, in Lebanon County, in 1807, and is now residing in Effingham County with her daughter, Mi-s. Bowers. She is the mother of eleven childi'en, William, our subject, being the fifth child. He was educated in the common schools of Penn- sylvania, was raised on a fai-m and spent his arly hie in assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. Before he arrived at his majori- ty, learned the tradeof a mason of his brotheis. At twenty-two years of age, he left home and embarked on his own career in life, and worked at his trade for about eight years. In 1861, he commenced farming in Center County, Penn., but was drafted in 1863, and served in the last rebellion to the close of the war, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Buck Tails. At the close of the war, he returned to Center County, and again took upon him- self the duties of a farm life, until 1867, when he with his family removed to Illinois and settled on his present farm the same year. He is the owner of eighty acres of good land. In 1854, in Pennsylvania, he married MissSariih Eishel, a native of Penn- sylvania, born April 7, 1834. They are the parents of seven children, of whom three are now living, viz., Adam H., Sadie E., William K. He and wife are members of the Meth- odist Church. He is a Republican. Since he came to the county, he has at times, when he could leave his farm work, been engaged in building the brick houses at Altamont. His daughter Louisa Rebecca was passing by the now beautiful cemetery at Altamont, in com- pany with several of her companions, and in the conversation wondered who would be the fij'st one buried there, and in two weeks it fell to her to give up her earthly home and rest in the same ground that was laid out for the cemetery. J. M. D. ORRELL, railroad agent, Alta- mont, is the efficient agent of the St. Louis, Vandalia, Terre Haute and Ohio & Mississippi Railroads of this place, who has had charge of the offices since August 1, 1877, and has engaged in railroading since thirteen years of age. He was born January 24, 1847, in Mooresville, Morgan Co.,Ind., the eldest son of Marcus L. Oz-rell, a native of Guilford County, N. C, son of Daniel B. Orrell, who died in 1869, havincr attained to the remarkable a^e of one hundred and three years, lacking two months and three days. The father of our sub- ject removed to Morgan County, Ind., when a young man, and there engaged in milling, and there married Lucinda, daughter of Peter Spoon, also a North Carolinian, who came to Mooresville, Ind., the same time with the Or- rell family. She died in December, 1876, aged fifty three years, having borne seven children, whose names are Mary E., Jasper M. D. , Adolphus L. , Laura, Ellen, Lillie and Cory C. In 1855, Marcus L. removed to Quincy, Ind., where he yet resides. Mary E., the eldest child, is the wife of George Tyler, and resides in this town. Laura lives in Quincy. Ind., wife of John Asher. Ella is the wife of Wiley P. Jones, of Highland, this State. Lillie resides in New Providence, 103 BIOGRAPHICAL: IncL, wife of David McGill Adolphiis is railroad agent at Qiiincy, lud.. on the New Albany road. Jasper M. D., began his ca- reer as a raih'oader at the age of thirteen, when he began the art of telegrapliy, making his first commencement in charge of an oflSce at Bedford, lud., and since that time has* been located at various points; was three years agent and operator on the Ohio & Mis- sissippi Railroad, and for some time was gen- eral operator on the Union Pacific Railroad, and since 1874, has been in the employ of the Ohio & Mi.ssissippi Railroad Company, and since August, 1877, in charge of the of&ce at this place, on the St. Louis, Vandalia & Terre Haute Railroad, having now both oifices in charge. August 1, 1809, he married Mary H. , born in Mount Zion, Ind., daughter of William Gwin and Rebecca Mouser, the for- mer of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Orrell has a small farm lying adjacent to the town where he resides. He has two chil- dren — Lora Elvira and Ida E. Politically, he is a Republican. GEORGE ORTMANN, wagonmaker, Al- tamont. Of the self-made mechanics in Effingham County is George Ortmann, who came to this town in February, 18713, and has since been identified with the business inter- ests of this place. He was born April 24, 1852, in Amt Cloppenburg Prussia, son of Wilhelm and Kate (Helen) Ortmann, to whom were born four childi-en, two sons and two daughters. At the age of eighteen, George emigrated to this State, coming to Clinton County, where he attended English schools for awhile, afterward completed the wagon- maker's trade, which he continued some time as a journeyman workman, up to the time of his coming to this place, in February, 1876, when he set up in business on his own ac- coim.t, continuing in this manner until his association with Martin Heinmann, in March, 1880, when the business is carried on as Ort- mann & Heimnann. In connection with their large wagon and paint shop, they carry on blacksmithing at the same time, and are turning out first-class work, and having all the work they can do. October 20, 1876, he married Kate Kolker, a native of the county; she has borne him three children — Frankie, Eddie and Clara. Democratic, and a member of the Catholic Church. ORLANDO POORMAN, f ai-mer, P. O. Al- tamont, was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 20, 1837, to Peter and Maria (Werner) Poorman. His early life was spent in re- ceiving such an education as the common schools of Ohio afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. He has always remained with his parents, and came with them to Effingham County in 1861, and settled on the same farm where our subject is now livincr. AVhen he first came he bought 365 acres of land, and is now the owner of the same. The father of our subject makes his home with our subject, but is now visiting with his daughter, in Shelby County. In Effingham County, in 1882, he married Miss Caroline Hott, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. She is a daughter of Philip Hott, now residing in Fayette County; he is a farm- er. Mr. and Mrs. Poorman have only one child, viz., Iva.Lorriu, born August 31, 1877. Subject and wife are members o£ the Reform Church. Politically, his sympathy is with the Democratic party. GEORGE W. POORMIN, farmer, P. O. Altamont, was born in Stark County, Ohio, September 30, 1838, to Peter and Maria (Werner) Poorman. He was born in Franklin County, Penn., near Chambersburg, February 27, 1809; he was raised in Pennsylvania, and came to Stark County, Ohio, in 1827, where he remained until 1861, when ho came to Effingham County, 111., and settled near Blue MOUND TOWNSHIP. 109 Mound. He is now living in Shelby County with his daughter. He is now retired; was a tai'raer. The mother of our subject was born ill 1814, in Franklin County, Ponn.; she died in August, 1850. They were the parents of nine childi-en, seven of whom were raised. Subject is the second child. His early life was spent in receiving a common-school edu- Chtion in Stark Co. , Ohio, and Heidelberg Col- lege, Tiffin, one session. He remained with his parents iintil he was twenty -nine years of age, and previous to that taught school in Stark County, and twelve years in Eiiingham and Fayette. He taught the first school in Alta- mont. In 1873, he gave up teaching, and be- gan farming, which he has continued since. His farm is located one-fourth mile from Alta- mont. In 1873, in Fayette County, he mar- ried Eliza J. Watson, a daughter of Alfred and Christiana Watson. They have five childi-en, viz., Lucy, Mary, Clara M. , Alfred P.. Charles W. He was second Township Clerk and served three years; was Collector one year. He was an active member of the A. O. U. W., at Altamont, Blue Mound Lodge (Financier of it). Himself and family are members of the Reformed Church of the United States. In politics, his sympathy is with the Democratic party; also his father. He came to Effingham County in 1857, and located near his present residence. JOSEPH F. QUATMAN, merchant, Alta- mont, son of Joseph and Maiy Ann (Otten) Quatman, was born in Teutopolis Township, two miles north of Teutopolis, 111. , April 8, 1851. He was educated in the public schools and St. Joseph's College, and was raised on a farm until the age of sixteen or seventeen, when he entered upon an apprenticeship at shoemaking, and served two years with B. Ho- debecker. of Effincjham, and afterward worked as a journeyman at difierent points in the West, and, in 1873, when he settled at Alta- mont, III., and was the second shoe-maker that located here. He started his first shop in the north " Y " of Railroad street, and moved to Railroad street two months later. He has been located on Railroad street ever sincB; except about one year on INIain street. He employs from one to two journeymen, and carries a full stock of boots and shoes, doing, also, a large custom trade. He was married, in October, 1871, to Miss Anna Hays, of Mat- toon, 111., and has five children living. His father, Joseph Quatman, wjis born in Essen, Oldenburg, Germany, May 10, 1810. Ho was the schoolmate of the late John F. Wasche- fort in Germany. He came to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 183G, and worked at different points in Ohio, at various callings, until 1S4G, when ho came to this county, and bought land in Teutopolis Township, where he still lives, engaged in farming. He had three sons and two daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter are living — Frederick Quatman, of Teutopolis; Mary, wife of August Schultz;, St. Francis Township, and subject. The father and mother were married in Cincin- nati, Ohio. MICHAEL REIS, grocer, Altamont. Of the several grocers in the town of Altamont that supply the people with the necessaries of life in his line, is Mr. Reis, who, though having a small store, yet there are none that are bringing in the possessor more satisfac- tory returns for the amoiint invested than the store of the above-mentioned gentleman. His stock of goods, consisting of groceries, queens, stone and wooden ware, tobaccos, pipes and cigras, etc., are all well selected and sold at prices inviting competition. He was born June 2, 1837, in the Province of Starken- burg, Prussia, eldest son of Bartholomew Reis and Anna Hertling. He came to Amer- ica in 1853, arriving in New York February 8, in company with his parents, and removed 110 BIOGRAPHICAL: with them tu Portage County, Ohio, and after a brief sojourn, they located two years in Tuscarawas County; afterward removed to St. Louis, living one year, finally locating in St. Clair County, where he followed the coop- er's trade, which he began learning at the age of nineteen, first, in St, Loui>s, complet- ing the same after his removal to St. Clair. February 20, 1870, he married Gertrude Summerfield, a native of the Province of Po- sen, in Prussia, who has borne him one child — Frank Member of the Catholic Church. J. A. REYNOLDS, express agent, Alta mont. The obliging agent of the American Express Company of Altamont was born Jan- uary 8, 1854, in Fayette County, this State, son of Joseph Reynolds, a native of Knox County, Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Cynthia Ray. Subject was raised upon a farm and when a young man began clerk- ing in a store for Samuel Rhode, of Browns- town, and continued with him until Novem- ber 1, 1876, when he took cJiarge of the rail- road office and express business and ran the same for four years. In 1880, he came to this place, and has since had charge of Amer- ican Express Company's business here. De- cember 23, 1876, she was married to Carrie Pearce, who was born in Attica, Ind. , daugh- ter of John Pierce. She died August 24, 1878, having borne him two children — Pearl and Blanche. His last marriage was May 5, 1881, to Laura V., daughter of Ambrose Besse. She has borne one child — Mabel. He is a member of the Christian Church and of the Legion of Honor. JOHN RHODES, grain dealer, Altamont. Among the business men of this town is Mr. Rhodes, who is a native of this State; he was born in Fayette County March 9, 1843, the youngest .son and child of Joseph and Mar- garet Rhodes, both natives of Fayette County, Penn., and settled in Perry County, Ohio, re- maining there several years; about the year 1840, removed to Greene County, Illinois, and removed to Fayette County, where he settled and has since remained. To them were born nine children, of whom two sons and daiigh- ters are living. John remained at home on the farm until twenty-eight years of age, when he engaged in farming on his own ac- count, continuing here until the fall of 1872, when he came to Altamont and engaged in the livery business with his brother Jacob, under the firm name of Rhodes Bros. ; this continued about four years, when he engaged in the saloon business, which he still runs. Since March, 1882, he has been associated with Samuel Cooper in the grain and stock business. He was married, October 1, 1871, to Samantha White, daughter of J. M. "White and Desdemona Shell. He has two children — John and James E. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor, No. IGO. SYLVESTER STUART RICE, physician, Altamont, whoso jjortrait appears in this work, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, July 4, 1834, son of Jonathan Stuart and Martha (Mathews) Rice, he born in Doyles- towu, Bucks Co., Penn., September 20, 1808, and died January 20, 1852; she born near Gunpowder, Md. , June 10, 1810, and died September 30, 1867. The parents were farmers, and moved to Trumbull County, Ohio, in May, 1834. They were married Au- gust 28, 1833, and were the parents of seven children, three of whom are living — Mary J., Marian L. (Rice) Smith, and our subject. The latter received his early education in the public schools, and after>vard studied at Sa- lem and Mt. Union, Ohio. He attended med- ical lectures in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1855 and 1856, and afterward took a post-graduate course in the Missouri Medical College in 1882. He taught school in Burkesville, Ky., from the fall of 1852 to the spring of 1854; MOUND TOWNSHIP. Ill in North Vernon, Ind., in the winter of 1854 -55, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. W. Parrish. of that place in 1854. He was married, May 24, 1874, in Greenville, Bond County, this State, to Sarah E. Hennin- ger, born in Fayette County, 111. , October 2, ] 850, daughter of William and Mary Isabel (Oglesby) Henninger, he a native of Virginia, born in Washington County, that State, July 9 1817, moved to Fayette County, this State in 1833, and resided there until his death, which occurred January 20, 1882; she, born in Ma- son County, Ky., in 1819, was married to Mr. Henninger October 28, 1845. Om- subject commenced the regular practice of medicine in August, 1858. at Collinsville, 111.; contin- ued there until 1872, since which time he has resided and practiced in this county. He has two children — Mary Stuart, born June 26, 1875; and Eugenia H., born June 22, 1881. Our subject is the present Presi- dent of the Town Board, and has also been a member of the School Board for several years. He is liberal in his religious views, and in political matters is a Democrat of the Jack- sonian type. He has been for several years a member of the I. O. O. F. , and is also an A., F. & A. M. THOMAS B. RUCH, farmer, P. O. Alta- mont. This gentleman is a native of Colum- bia County, Penn., born April 13, 1828. His father, Joseph Ruch, was born in Penn- sylvania in about 1783, He was a mechanic, following the occupation of a shoemaker. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in 1848. His parents were natives of Germany. His wife was Ann Hess, of Ger- man parentage, born in Pennsylvania in 1783, and died in 1845. They were the par- ents of seven childi'en, of whom Thomas was the youngest son and sixth child. He was educated in the common schools of his native county. At sixteen years of age. he left homo and went to Wayne County, Ohio, where he served three years' apprenticeship at the shoe-maker's trade with John C. Briggs. He continued working at his trade until 1850, when he began farming, thinking it would benefit his health, which had become im- paired by his working too steadily at his trade. In 1856, he moved to Indiana and located in Wabash County, where he re- mained until 18C)5, when he returned tb Wayne County, Ohio, and in the spring of 1868 came to Illinois and located on his present farm, where he has since remained actively engaged in farming. When he first came to the county, he lived with C. S. Moore, until he could erect a house and make some improvements on his farm. His farm consists of 120 acres of land, located in Sec- tion 9, Mound Township, In 1849. in Wayne County, Ohio, he married Miss Kuflel, who died March 31. 1S77. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom ten are now living, viz., Harriet P, , Henrietta, William W. , Rosa, Sarah v., J ennora, Charles CMary A,, Gertrude and Jesse B, His second maiTiage occm-red April 24, 1878, in Effing- ham County, to Mrs, Margaret Banister, a native of New York Citj', The result of this union is two children, viz.. Or la Otis and an infant not named. Mr. Ruch is religously connected with the Methodist Church, D. G. M. of the I. O. O. F., and, in 1878, 1879, 1880 and 1881, represented his lodge at Alta- mont at the Grand Lodge, He has been a member of the order for thirty years. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Frank- lin Pierce. JOHN C. RUSSEL, merchant, Altamont, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Octo- ber 3, 1834. When about four years old, he moved to Belmont County, where he grew up, until the age of fourteen, on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. His 112 BIOGKAPHICAL: parents then moved to Morgan County, Ohio, where our subject became a school teacher and taught school ten terms in Morgan County, Ohio, and one term in Linn County, Iowa, whither he had gone on a visit in 1856, and there cast his first Presidential vote, in 1856, for Gen. Fremont. He taught until the war broke out. He enlisted, in the summer of 1862, as a recruit for the Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, dismissing his school, and served until the close of the war in the Department of Tennessee. He was first at the battle of Raymond, Jackson, Miss., Champion Hills, where subject received a flesh wound in the thigh by a minie-ball, and was disabled from May till September, when he joined his command at Vicksburg, in 1863, and was at Marietta and the great march to the sea, and was discharged in the summer of 1865 and came direct to Effing- ham, where ho opened a stc;re, and tied up the first goods behind his own counter, open- ing in September, and remained there until the next IMarch, when he moved back to Free- manton, and sold goods there two years, with D. Boyer, and later with Jesse H. Said, to whom he sold and removed to Moccasin, and opened a store in the spring of 1868, and conducted business the];e for three years. He came to Altamont in April, 1871, and, with Mr. Boyer, engaged in selling goods and buying grain for over two years. He then bought out the stock of Will Snook, and conducted business alone for some time. He built his present storeroom in 1875, and has conducted business here ever since, carry- ing a general stock of goods. He was a charter member and first AV. M. of Freeman- ton Lodge, A., F. & A. M., No. 533, which is now Altamont Lodge. He is a member of the Effingham Royal Arch Chapter, No. 87. In politics, he is a Republican. He married the only daughter of D. Boyer, Lydia A., March 17, 1859, and they have two children living — Ai'delia B., wife of E. Faneher, of Chapman, Kan., and Daniel C. The first marriage that was celebrated in Altamont after its laying out was at the residence of our subject, on Grove street. The parties were Sallie E. Russel, sister of subject, and Frank Williams, then of Hemy County, Ind. , Rev. J. D. Crum, M. E. Church, now of California, officiating. JOHN M. SCATEFE, liveryman, Alta- mont, was born in Clay County, 111., Novem- ber 28, 1831. He came with his parents to this coimty when about three years old. They settled on the Wabash in what is now Jackson Township, where the parents lived about five years, near where James Turner now lives, and the father died while working on the old National road, about 1835. The mother moved back to their fii'st settlement, on Crooked Creek, near lola. Clay County, where she lived until her death, which oc ■ cun-ed about thi-ee years after her husband's death. This left six small children, of whom only one daughter and our subject are living. She, Lucinda, is the widow of the late Charles Lee, of Idaho Territory. Our subject was aljout seven years old when his mother died, and he then went to live with his imcle Jesse Scaiefe, of Clay County, and lived with him till the age of eighteen years old, working on the farm and sroincr to school in all about six months. At the age of eighteen, he hired to his cousin. Judge J. W. P. Davis, at the time County Clerk of Clay County, 111. He was in his employ at $100 per annum, for about three years, at all kinds of farm work. July 20, 1851, our subject married Miss Bishop, daughter of Jesse and Hannah (Thrash) Bishop, and removed to Pike Coun- ty, 111., where he only lived about six months, when he returned to Effingham County and settled on raw prairie land, on Fulfer Creek, MOUND TOWNSHIP. 113 in West Township, and made a crop on rented land. He took a contract on the Eastern Branch of the Illinois Central Railroad, near Edgewood, and worked on it about one year, •when he went to his farm and began improv- ing it, when his wife took sick and died, in about March, 1854. Om- subject went into business for Presley Funkhouser, buying, collecting and feeding cattle, for about a year, and then he became a partner in the stock business, and took charge of the Blue Point farm for about six years. In 1857. he married Harriet C. Kitchell, of this county. In February, 1862. he moved onto his own land, in West Township, where he lived un- til the fall of 18T(), and put 250 acres in cultivation. He moved to Vandalia in 1870, and went into the livery business, in which he was engaged for three years, and was Dep- uty Sheriff of Fayette County during about two years of that time. In 1873, he moved back to his farm, and resided there until July, 1882, when he moved to Altamont, 111. , and went into the livery business, and conducts the only livery stable in the city He has ten horses, with eight good vehicles. His stable has a capacity for twenty-five horses. In politics, he is a Democrat of the Jack- sonian school, and has filled many offices of trust in his township. He has two sons living of the last marriage — Rollin Ray and Lennon Ellsworth. His parents, William and Nancy (Cleary) Scaiefe, came here from Tennessee; she was born in Virginia, and the father in North Carolina. They were married in Smith County, Tenn., and came to Clay County, 111., in about 1825. T. J. SCOTT, express and railroad agent, Altamont. The trustworthy and obliging agent of the Wabash & St. Louis Railroad, also of the Adams and Pacific Express Com- panies at this point has been in the employ of the same company for over ten years. Considering the changing vicissitudes inci- dent to the life of the average railroad man, this speaks well for Mr. Scott: that he has been found true to the trusts and responsi- bilities that have been placed upon him. He was born March 8, 1852, in Clermont Coun- ty, Ohio, the fourth son of a family of ten children. His parents were Thomas D. Scott and Catharine Griswold, *ho are yet resi- dents of Ohio. He began learning telegi'ajihy at Martinsville, Clinton Co., Ohio, before he became of age, and, in Septembei", 1872, he came to Lovington, Moultrie County, this State, where he took charge of the railroad office and express business of that place, and continued here until August, 1877, when he was transferred to Altamont, where be has since had charge of the company's business at this point. He was married, September 1, 1875, to Sarah, a native of Blanchester, Ohio, daughter of J. C. Constable. He has four children — Musa J., George S., Arthur D. and Nina. Is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. L. of H. of this place. DR. G. SCHLAGENHAUF, Altamont. was born in Stuttgart, Germany, April 12, 18-19, to John and Mary Sehlagenhauf, both natives of Stuttgart. Om- subject was brought to America by his father, in 185-1, who located in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincinnati, where the father died when oiu' subject was quite young. The mother died in Europe previous to the emigration. They had only foui- children, vi«. , John, a minis- ter at Quincy, 111., formerly of St. Louis; Anna, living at the old homestead, in Hamil ton County, Ohio ; Jacob, an M. D. , of Frank- lin County Mo., and George, our subject. After the death of his father, he went to St. Louis to live, with hi? brother John, and while there attended the common and high schools, and then entered the Warren ton Col- lege, in Wsaren County, Mo., where he grad- 114 BIOGRAPHICAL: uated, after a three- years ooiirse, in 1867; he then entered the Rohrer College at St. Louis, taking a commercial course, graduat- ing in 1868. He then entered the St. Louis Medical College, graduating from the same March 12, 1874; he then went to Missouri and assisted his brother in his profession un- til the fall of 1874, when he again entered the Medical College, and took a post-graduate course. On September 1, 1876, he came to Altamont and entered upon the practice of his profession. On September 16, 1880, he associated with Drs. Clark and Groves, the firm being Clark, Groves & Schlagenhauf. He is now practicing by himself. He is a member of the State Medical Association. AUGUST SCHROEDER, farmer, P. O Altamont, was born in Prussia, Germany, February 5, 1835, to Frederick and Mena (Schroeder) Schroeder. His father was in Prussia December 12, 1812, where he was educated and raised. He learned the tailor's trade and worked at the same the most of his lifetime. In 1835, he married, and, in 1844, with his wife and two children, emigrated to America by sailing vessel, from Hambm-g to New York, being eight weeks and four days en route; there were three days' storm, but they arrived safe. He immediately went West, to Buifalo, and, in February, 1845, removed to Niagara County, N. Y., where he remained until he died, in November, 1858. He was a son of Samuel Schroeder, who was killed in 1827 by falling throvigh a barn. The mother of our subject was born in Prus- sia, Germany, April 23, 1803, and died in Effingham County, 111., in March, 1876; she was a daughter of George Schroeder, who died in 1808, sixty years old. He was a farm- er in Germany, and died in Prussia. Sam-, uel Schroeder was engaged in the war on the French side; was wounded in the arm, which caused him to lose the use of his elbow. The parents had five children, of whom subject was the oldest child; two died in Germany and one in Illinois. Fred and our subject are the only living ones in the family. Au- gust was educated from the Lutheran schools of Germany and America. After fourteen years of age, he commenced working on a farm, and has continued the same till the present time, with the exception of three years, one in a store and two in a brick-yard. He left home for himself at twenty-one years of age. He came to Effingham County in 1864, September 1, and then settled cm his present farm, which ho has improved. He is the owner of seventy-seven acres of good land. In Effingham County, in May, 1866, he married Miss Minnie VVendt, a native of New York State, born March 9, 1845; she is a daughter of Frederick and Minnie (Sholtz) Wendt, both living, and natives of Germany, who came to America in 1843, and to Illinois in 1B66. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have had eight children, of whom six are now living, viz., Samuel, George, Ernest, Amanda, Ed- ward, Gustavus (Elizabeth and August died). Himself and family are members of the Lu- theran Chui'ch. In politics, he is independ- ent. He has been Road Commissioner three years, and Township Assessor one year. The grandmother on the mother's side was Char- lotte (Sprunck), who died in 1870, aged eighty- nine years, in German}. Grandmother on the father's side was Mary (Rex), died in about 1867, seventy-eight years of age. Samuel Schroeder's grandfather had a small property in Germany, worth $1,000. CHARLES SCHUjVIACHER, grain-dealer, Altamont, son of William and Sophia (La- bahn) Schumacher, was born July 20, 1844, in the village of Bassendorf, Prussia. He learned the trade of gardener in Prussia, serving three years. In 1861, he came with his parents to the United States, his father iMOrXD TOWNSHIP. 115 loc-ear. His father was a native of Indiana and his mother was a native of Kentuckj-. His father was killed in the battle of Cape Girardeau, Mo. They had three chil- dren, all living, namelj' : John H., Sarah J. and James Harvey, subject. Our subject was married in 1870, to Angeline Bluut, of Ktfingham County, 111.; she was born August 7, 1852. They have one child, Harvy Edward. Mrs. Kcllar's father, John Bluut, was a native of Illinois, and her mother, Catharine, of Ken- tucky. W. Mc. JIERRY, farmer and mercliant, Elli- ottstown, was horn in Barren County, Ky., March 19, 1827. His father moved from there when subject was three 3-ears old, and settled in Madison County, 111. There our subject was raised on a farm, and received his early education in the subscription schools. He came with his wife and two children to this county in 1851, and settled in Section 17, Lucas Township, where he lived till 1881. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being after the first eight months in the mounted infantr}-. He belonged to the Army of the Cumberland, and was engaged in the battles of Chickaraauga, Mission Ridge, Selma and several others, being with Wilson's Cavalry as far south as the latter place. He was mustered out at Chattanooga, Tenn., in 18G5. and received his discharge at Springfield, 111., July 3, of the same year. He returned to the farm, and, as before stated, lived there until 1881, when he moved to Elliottstown, and be- came a partner of F. B. Schooley, and under the firm name of Schooley- & Merry kept a general store until March, 1882, when partner- ship was dissolved, and our suljject continued the business with his son, 0. T. Merry, and they carry a general stock. Our subject was married in Bond County, this State, in 1848, to Miss Savage, and by her has thirteen children, seven of whom are living — Owen T., Noah, James, Sarah L., Richard, Eliza and Louan, The other children, witii one exception, died when young, Mrs, Merry died in Julj-, 1874, and our subject was married the following year to Mrs. Sarah J. Austin, Mr. Merry has always beena Republican in political matters, has been Supervisor, and at one time made a race as the Independent candidate for County Treasurer. He still owns 320 acres of farm land. JAMES R. MERRY, farming, P. 0. Elliotts- town, was born in Madison County, HI,, June 29, 1833, He was brought by his father to Effingham County when one year old. He worked on his father's farm in summer, and in winter, when there was school, he attended it. All the education he jeceived was in Lucas Township, He helped to build several school- houses before he could go to school. He first located on a farm of forty acres in Union Town- ship, which Ura Stroud now lives on ; lived there awhile, then moved to Lucas Township, on the farm that Samuel Stroud now lives on. In 1862, August 9, he enlisted in the Ninety- eighth Illinois Infantry, Was mustered out at Springfield, 111., about the 1st of July, 1865, He was in the battles of Frankfort, Ky,, Ver- sailles, Ky,, Stone River, Tenn,, Hoover's Gap, Tenn., Dalton, Ga., Chattanooga, Tenn., Kene- saw Mountain, Tenn., Chickamauga, Tenn., At- lanta, Ga, After the battle at Atlanta, they came back to Louisville and re-mounted; the next raid was to Selma, Ala.; went from there to Macon, Ga., and many other skirmishes. After the war, lie came back and settled on the 132 BIOGRAPHICAL : farm where, he now lives. He bought forty acres in 1863, fort}' acres in 1868 and twentj' acres in the year 1870. Tlie piece he first settled on was unimproved land ; the only close neighbor he had was Andrew Dunn. Now he has about ninety acres under cultivation, and raises grain principally. When he first came back, he thought he would raise grain in large quantities. He put in about thirt3--five acres of corn and raised a good crop, but could not find any market for it. So he kept it over winter, and in the spring sold it for 10 cents per bushel. He had to go to mill down below Mason ; it was owned by Uncle Elijah Henr^-. A 3'oke of oxen and sled, and a sack of corn would constitute the outfit, and right there and then, he said were the happiest daj-s he ever saw. He was married in the 3'ear 1855, to Miss Blunt, of Effingham Count}'. She died in 1856. He married again, in 1857. a Miss Dunn. She died a short time after marriage. He was married again, January 1, 1880, to Miss Bar- cus. He has five children — John, Henrietta, Ida Ann, Angeline and Charley. His father, G. R. Merry, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in the year 1802, and died in Effingham Coun- ty, 1866; he followed farming all his life. His wife, Jane Hubbard, was born 1807, in Virginia, and died in 1859. They had eight children — Henry (deceased), died at Watson, Effingham Co., 111.; Sarah, wife of William Green, lives in Effingham; Thomas (deceased); J. R. Merry, subject; Daniel, living in Kansas; Nancy, de- ceased wife of Anderson Elliott ; Elizabeth (deceased); Louisa, deceased wife of William Trapp; George, living in Arkansas. Our sub- ject has served in various township offices. He has served as School Director for about eighteen years, and as Commissioner of Highways for about six years. He belongs to the A., F. & A. M., and has held some office in the lodge ever since he became a member. JOHN E. MERRY, farmer, P. 0. Eberle, was born in Effingham County, Lucas Town- ship, January 18, 1849. His father, Daniel Merry, was a native of Kentucky, born in the year 1818. He was taken by his parents to Madison County when eleven years old, and from there he came to Effingham County, Lu- cas Township, and settled on the farm now occujjied by his children, George and John. His death occurred in the year 1874. Subject's mother, Eliza Davis, was born in Kentucky, and came to Boud County, 111., when eighteen years old, and died January 2, 1872. The par- ents had six children, of whom two are living — George and John ; Owen, deceased ; Will- iam, deceased ; Waymack died in the array, and James, deceased. Our subject lived with his father until twenty-one years of age, and during this time assisted him in the summer season, and in the winter would attend school about four months. When twenty-one years of age his father gave him his present farm, of 230 acres, of which 160 was in cultivation and fifty acres in timber land. He raises grain principally, but to some extent deals in stock. Sir. Merry has always been a Republican, and has served as Town Clerk one term, in the year 1881. His father was the first one who settled in the neighborhood where his boys now reside. The nearest market place was at St. Louis. In those days they used to make a great deal of maple sugar, and would take as much as three or four hundred pounds at one time to market, and would bring back groceries and such things that he needed. He woul.d make a trip about once a year. Our subject was married February 20, 1870, to Minerva Woody, of Union Township. She was born May 9, 1851. They have two children living — Oley A. aud Rufus, and Weby, deceased. Mrs. Merry's father and mother, John Woody and Charlotte, are natives of Indiana. GEORGE M. MERRY, farmer, P. 0. Eberle, is one of Lucas Township's enterprising and substantial farmers. He was born in Effing- ham County, Lucas Township, September 29, LUCAS TOWNSHIP. 1»3 1850. His father was a native of Kentucky, born in the year 1818, was a fanner, and died in Lucas Township in 1874. Our subject's mother, Eliza Davis, was a native of Kentucky, and died January 2, 1872. The parents had six children, of whom lliu two youngest are living — George and John ; Owen, William, Waymack and James are dead. Subject lived with his father until twenty years of age, dur- ing which time he was working for his fatlier in summer, and in the winter attended school about four months. When twenty 3'ears of ago his fiithor gave him 140 acres of land, since that by inheritance he has obtained 110 acres, and in all has 250 acres. He has it all in cul- tivation l)ut forty acres. His main productions are grain and hay. Mr. Merry has always been a Republican, and is serving his second terra as Commissioner of Highways. He was mar- ried in April, 1870, to Jane Simmerman, of Lucas Townsliip, Effingham County. They have three children, namely, Druie Zilla, Fan- nie E. and Crooker E. NOAH MERRY, farmer, P. 0. Elliottstown, a substantial farmer of Lucas Townsliip, was born in Bond County. 111., October 4, 18.51. He was brought by his parents, Wayraack and Matilda Merry, to Effingham County, Lucas Township, in 1851, when four weeks old. They settled on a piece of land, Section 17. He was reared on his father's farm and would at- tend school about five months in the year. In 187(J, when twenty-four ^-ears old, he pur- chased a farm from his father in Section 9, Lucas Township. In the spring of 1880, he removed to his father's farm, and is residing there at the present time. His father removed to Elli- ottstown and engaged in the mercantile trade. Subject was married in the spring of 1875, to Lucy J. Dye, a native of Indiana ; born 1855. Three children are the result of their marriage, namelj' : John Waymack, William Orville, Joyce Ethel ; all are living. Mr. Merry has alwaj's been a Republican ; was elected School Trustee of township in the spring of 1881, which office he now holds. Mr. Merry is one of a family of eleven children, namely : Owen, Susan, Noah (subject), Richard, Mary, Sarah Lucinda, Eliza Ann, Louan, Druscilla, John, Narcissa. Mr. Merry's wife's father, John Dye, and her mother, Elizabeth, are natives of In- diana, and are living in Bishop Township, Ef- fingham County. JAMES A. McCORKLE, is a merchant in Winterrowd and keeps on hand a selected stock of dry goods and groceries, etc., and has quite an extensive trade throughout that neighborhood. He was born in Washington Co., Penn., April 3, 1855. His father, A. B. McCorkle. was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, Washington County ; born in February, 1820, was a farmer, and died December 2G, 1881. Our subject's mother, Sarah .M. Scott, is a native of Ohio, and is liv- ing in Lucas Township. Nine children were the result of their marriage, namely' : Robert, deceased ; Albert, deceased ; Nellie, deceased ; James A., subject ; William, Scott, Curtis, An- drew, Letitia, are dead. Our subject lived with his parents in Washington County until 1866. at which time they removed to Effing- ham Count}', Lucas Township, and settled on a farm in Section 26. The farm consisted of 160 acres, with a small frame house on it, and about twelve acres were in cultivation. Our subject received his education in the common schools in the neighborhood of Winterrowd. He would attend school about eight mouths in the j"ear, and the remainder of the time would help his father on the farm. At the age of twenty-one he went to California and went to working on a farm, being thus engaged for about one year, afterward working for a com- panj' in a gold mine the same length of time. In the latter part of 1876, he came back to Lu- cas Township, and engaged in farming for about two years. In 1878, he bought an inter- est in the dry goods and groccrj- store owned by J. W. Scott, at Winterrowd, and continued 134 BIOGRAPHICAJ.: in that business until 1880, at wliicii time he sold out to his partner, and went to farming until 1881, when he purchased the entire stock of dry goods and groceries owned b}' J. W. Scott, and his present stock is invoiced at $3,000. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Mayo Lodge, No. 6G4. He was was married December 25, 1878, to Malvina Robertson, a native of Kentucky. She was born September 7, 1861. They have one child not named. SAMUEL L. PARKS, farmer and stock- dealer, P. O. EUiottstown, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., Jul}' 15, 1837. He was three years old when his fixther moved to Shelby County, 111., where he pur- chased land and engaged in farming. Sam- uel worked on the farm and attended school until he was twentj'-seven years old, when he purchased one-third interest in a saw mill in Richmond Township, Shelby Count}', where he was engaged in business about two years. In the fall of 1866, he came to Effingham County, and engaged in buying, driving and shipping live stock for the Chicago, Indianapolis and Cincinnati markets. .For two jears he lived on a farm in Summit Township, where he farmed and dealt in stock. Afterward moved to Jackson Township, thence back to Summit, and again to Effingham. In 1878, he moved to his present farm in Lucas Township, where he is engaged in farming and buying stock. He also buys grain at Dieterich, on the S. E. & S. E. R. R. He was married in Shelbj- County, 111., in 1859, to Miss Emeline Ellis. Of this marriage he has four daughters and three sons living. The daughters are Henrietta B., Viola, Margaret J. and Mary E. His wife died in 1876. He married second time, in 1878, to Mrs. Mary E. Merry, of Lucas Township. WILLIAM H. POYNTER, Postmaster, Eberle, was born in Kentuck\-, September 6, 1835 ; was taken by his parents to Madison County, 111., where they lived before moving to Effingham County, Lucas Township. He worked for his father on the farm until twenty-one j'ears of age. After that he went to working out on the farm by the month ; worked in different places until twenty-five j-ears of age. In the fall of 1859, he was married to Xarcissa Jett, of Bond County, 111. They have five children living, and two dead. The names of the living are Francis E., James S., Mary Alice, Noah and Nora. Those deceased are John W. and Al- mira. Our subject purchased forty acres of land in Lucas Township, and went to farming and has since bought seventy-four acres, all in cultivation but twentj'-nine acres. His main productions are grain. He received his educa- tion principally- in the common schools of Lucas Township. He has alwaj-s been a Republican, and has served in various township offices. He served first as School Director, and next as School Trustee. In 1871, he was appointed Township School Treasurer, which office he now holds. During this time, he was elected Assessor of the township, which he held for five 3-ears, and since that has served as Col- lector of Lucas Township. Now he is serving as Postmaster of Eberle. He and his wife be- long to the New Light Church. He also be- longs to the Delia Lodge, No. 525, A., F. & A. M. His fathei-, Elijah Poynter, was born in Barren County, Ky. He followed shoe-making in Kentucky principally, but when he came to this State devoted most of his time to farming. Subject's mother, Elizabeth Davis, was born in Kentucky, and died about the year 1842. They had nine children — Catharine, deceased wife of James Watt, Jonathan Blunt and W. Hill ; John, deceased ; Eliza, deceased wife of Will- iam Blunt ; Judia, wife of Hiram Witchman ; Sarah, wife of John Carter ; William, subject ; Frances, deceased wife of Henry Shumard ; James, living ; Permelia, wife of Newman Laws. Subjects wife's father, Francis Jett, was born in Virginia, in the 3'ear 1791. Her mother, Elizabeth Wood, was born in Virginia, LUCAS TOWNSHIP. 135 1796. They had nine children — Gabriel Jett, deceased ; John Jett, living in Bond County, 111. ; Martha Ann Teasley, living in Kansas ; Kliza Jett, wife of Washington Jett, living in Wisconsin ; Mary Elizabeth, wife of John Scoggin, living in Iowa ; James, deceased ; William, deceased ; Pennelia, deceased ; Al- mira, deceased. JAMES T. POYNTER, farmer, P. O. Eberle, is a native of Barren County, Ky., born Febru- ary 11, 1839, and now is one of Lucas Town- ship's enterprising and reliable farmers. He was taken by his parents to Madison County, 111.; remained there about four j'ears. He and his father came to Lucas Township, and settled on a piece of land, now owned by Wa\'mac Merry; there the mother died. His father was a native of Kentucky; born in 1805. The par- ents removed to different places in the town- ship and to Flensburg, and rented a mill there for one 3-ear. In 1853, they came back to Lucas Township, and settled on the farm now owned by Daniel Blunt; it was wild land; they improved it, and his father remained there until his death, which occurred in 1870. Our sub- ject's mother, Elizabeth Davis, was native of Kentucky, and died in 1845 in Lucas Town- ship. His fixther married again in 1849, to Martha L. Adamson, of Jasper Countj'. The children by his first marriage are, namely : Catharine, Eliza, John, Judia, Sarah, William, Francis Jane, James T., Permelia D.; by second marriage, Martha E., Adelia, Henri- etta, deceased, Matilda. Edward, Narcissa, de- ceased. James was fourteen years old when his father came back to Lucas Township, and our subject remained with his father helping him on the farm in summer, and in winter went to school about four months in the j-ear. In November, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was in several engagements, namely : Siege of Vicks- burg, capture of Little Rock, Ark.; battle of Clarendon; was taken prisoner at Jones Station. In eight or ten days were paroled about 400 of them, and went to the parole barracks at St Louis, and were exchanged, from there went to Hickory Station in Ar- kansas, after leaving there went to Fort Smith into the Indian nation and remained there dur- ing the treaty with the Indians, and then were ordered back to Little Rock, Ark., and was mustered out October 16, 1865. He enlisted as a private, was elected Fourt\i Corporal, re- ceived promotion to duty Sergeant, from that to Orderly Sergeant. He served as Orderlj- about three months, when received a promo- tion to First Lieutenant and held that promo- tion until discharged. He came to his father's in Lucas Township, rented a farm and went to farming. In 1867, July 26, he was married to Nancy Merry, of Lucas Township. Her death occurring November 6, 1868. He lived a widower until 1871, married again to Nancy McCoUough, of Union Township. Our subject was a renter until May, 1881, at which time he purchased eighty acres of wild land, now he has it mostly in cultivation. He has one child by first marriage — Waj'mack E. ; four bj- second marriage, namely : William Albert, Mary Etta, Thomas Z. and Leota. Mr. Po^-nter has always been a Republican, and has served as School Trustee, Constable and Town Clerk. He first filled a vacancy as clerk for Erwiu Lown, and then served for three successive terms. He belongs to the Masonic order. A., F. & A. M., to the Grange and to the G. A. R., organized at EUiottstown. JOHN W. RICHARDS, farmer, P. 0. Win- terrowd, is an enterprising farmer of Lucas Township. He was born in Brown Count}-, Ind., June 13. 1845. His father, David Rich- ards, was also a native of Brown County, Ind., and the mother was a native of the same coun- ty. They had ten children — John W. (subject), Mary Jane (living), Anna (deceased). Charity (living), Sarah C. (living), Sarah Margaret (liv- ing), Martha (deceased), Julia (living), Bethania 136 BIOGRAPHICAL: (deceased), Andrew Jackson (living). John W. (was bronglit by iiis parents to Jasper County, 111., in March, 1849. He was reared on his father's farm, and for some time no school ex- isted in the neighborhood, and the first school he attended was a subscription school at the age of ten years. His parents first settled on a farm in Smallwood Township, and there our subject went to school one winter. His father next removed to South Muddy Township, and remained there two years until 1857, at which time they removed to North Muddy Township, where subject and there attended school in win- ter until he went into the army. He enlisted on the 14th daj' of August, 18G2, in Compan3' I, Ninty-eighth Illinois Mounted Infantry. He was in several skirmishes in Kentucky, and the northwestern part of Tennessee, at Murfrees- boro, Lebanon and McMinnville. Hoover's Gap, February, 18G3; Chickamauga, September 12, 1863; Farmington, 1863, where they capt- ured Wheeler's cavalry. They followed Wheeler twenty-one daj-s and nights without draw- ing a bile from the Government, and were nearly exhausted when they captured him. From Farmington, the}' were ordered back to Chattanooga by the way of Bridgeport, from there they were sent to Cleveland, East Tenn., and beyond there captured quite a num- ber of mules, cattle and hogs, and started back to Cleveland, but were overtaken by the rebels and completely routed, their plunder being taken away from them. They then re- treated to Chattanooga, and came right back to Cleveland, and with more force recaptured their stores with about 400 prisoners. The next battle of any importance was at Buzzard Koost, Ga.; from there thej' returned to Cleve- land, Tenn. And the next movement was the forward move of the whole command on Atlanta. He was in the battle of Jonesboro; was taken prisoner there in company with 300 on the 6th of September, 1864. They were taken to the first prison at Macon, Ga.; were kept there thirty-two days; then were removed to Millen, Ga. They were put in prison there with about 9,000 other prisoners, and were kept there thirty days, then were removed to Savannah, Ga., and were kept there three days; then were sent to Blackshire; put in prison there and kept there seven days; then were taken out and started for Savannah, Ga., and escaped by jumping off the train, l)ut was captured and sent to Thomasville, and there made his final escape and returned to Sherman's army at Savannah, Ga. He got transportation from there by the way of New York, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Louisville and on to Nashville; from there got transportation on a boat down to the mouth of Tennessee River, and from there up to Eastport, Miss., and went on foot from there to Gravel Springs, Ala. Found his regiment there, and remained there until Wilson made his raid through Georgia; then moved with the command on through to Macon, Ga. And in that time was in the battles near Columbus, Ga., and Selma, Ala. After the battle at Selma, he and eleven scouts went to Cohobby's Prison, and by their good management and fast shooting succeeded in releasing about 400 Union men; then returned to Selma, Ala., and from there went to Macon, Ga., and was in the battle of Macon, Ga., in 1865. They remained there several days, and then were ordered back to to Chattanooga, then on to Nashville. They re- mained there a few days, and on the 27th of June, 1865, was mustered out and returned to Springfield to be discharged and paid July 5, 1865. He then returned home to his father. During the war, he sent home money and pur- chased eighty acres of raw prairie land, and in the winter of 1865 went to school; after that he engaged in farming in North Muddy Township until the fall of 1869, at which time he sold out and came to Elliottstown; that winter he pur- chased the farm where Samuel Stroud now lives; sold that farm and purchased the farm LUCAS TOWNSHIP. 137 where he now resides. He came there and kept bachelor's hall until October 30, 1870, which time he was married to Letitia Scott, of Lucas Township. They have two children living and one dead : Francis Marion and Frances Rebecca are living ; John S. (de- ceased). WILLIAM N. RICHESON, farmer, P. O. EUiottstown. He was born in Greene County, Ind., on the 18th of September, 1858. He was brought b}' his parents to Effingham County in the fall of 1859. Thej- settled in Lucas Township on a piece of uncultivated land of eight}- acres, in Section 10. Our subject re- ceived his education in the common schools of Lucas Township. He was reared on a farm, and in the summer he would help his father on the farm and in the winter would attend school. He would attend school about four months in the 3-ear. He was married at the age of seventeen j'ears to Mary A. Burk. She was born in Indiana August 29, 1859. Our subject, after marriage, engaged in farming. He farmed in different places in Effingham and Jasper Counties until the spring of 1879, at which time he purchased a farm in Lucas Township. His farm is situated in Section 12, one-eighth section of which, fifteen acres, was in cultivation when he bought it. His main productions are grain — wheat, corn and oats. They have three children, namely Gibson W., Jlildred and Carroll C. He re- mained with his step-father in Union Township and helped him until seventeen years of age. Our subject was married in 1872 to Amanda Davis, of Effingham County, at which time he removed to the farm which he had purchased of his step-father, in Section 21, Lucas Township, of eighty acres. It was all raw prairie land when he bought it. He has it all in cultiva" tion but ton acres, and is successfully engaged in the raising of grain^wheat, corn and oats, He has two children, namely, Walter E. and Meonia A. GEORGE STRONG, farmer, P. 0. Eberle, is one of the substantial farmers of Lucas Township. His parents were natives of Ver- mont, where his father, Emor^' F., was born in 1811, and his mother, Harriet, in 1807. Our subject was born in York State November 24, 1837. Here he resided until eight years old. In 1845, his father removed to Michigan, where he resided until 1858, in which year he re- moved to Bureau County, 111. In the fall of 1861, returned to Michigan, where he remained until the full of 1874, at which time he moved to the place he now occupies. He bought a farm of 160 acres, fifty of which had been cul- tivated. Here he has industriousl}' labored un- til his farm is now one of the best in the town- ship. He is a man of good education and of most excellent social qualities, and is full of original thought and intelligence. This is shown in bis thoroughgoing business habits as well as in his social relations. Whether among the hills of his native State, the log- ings of Michigan, the classic shades of Cleve- land School, or the prairie of Illinois, he has ever been the same free-thinking, generous man, hail fellow well met, to all who use com- mon politeness. The writer has known him for years, and bears cheerful testimony to his integrity and true manliness. His education though liberal, far above that which is ordin- ary, was obtained under many embarrassments. He worked on his father's farm during the summers and attended school in winter until he attained his majority. After that he at- tended the Graded School at Plainfield, Mich., the High School at Grand Rapids, Mich., and the High School of Cleveland, Ohio, in all of which he sustained a good standing. He was a teacher for several years, but quit that for his chosen work, farming, which he has fol- lowed the greater part of his life. He usually handles considerable stock and thus finding use for his coarse grain and other farm products that are unmarketable, and thus receives hand- 138 BIOGRAPHICAL: some returns. In 1859, he was married to Miss Martlia M. Beach, of Kent County, Mich., They have four fine, health}' children — Hattie, a teacher ; Mina, now married to Mr. H. Barron, so that Mr. Strong is already a grandfather though but in the prime of life ; Junia and Georgia, the baby and papa's pet. Benjamin Beach and wife, the parents of Mrs. Strong, are still living in Kent County, Mich. Mr. Strong was one of a family of six children, three of whom are living — Phila, deceased; Return, liv- ing Jerome, deceased; George, subject; Laura, living; Horace, deceased. Mr. Strong, blessed with health, a good farm, a fine famil}-, bright prospects and much , mental vigor, is one our representative men. NER STROUD, farmer, P, 0. Blliottstown, was born in Orange County, Ind., July 4, 1840. Was brought by his parents to this count}' when one year old. They settled on the farm where James Adams now lives in Section 3, Lucas Township, His father settled on wild prairie laud, which he entered about 1848. Subject was raised on a farm, and for several years no school existed in that part of the township, and the first school he attended he was about the age of eight j'ears, in an old log schoolhouse about one mile and a half south of Elliottstown, and for several winters went there until he learned the three "R's." In June, 1861, he enlisted at the first call for three 3-ears' men in Company L, of Fifth Illinois Cavalry, and served until October, 1865, in the same regi- ment and company. The last three years he served as Quartermaster Sergeant, and was always on dut}', and was in forty battles and skirmishes, the principal of which were : Cot- ton Plant, July 6, 1862; Rock Roe, Ark., Aug. 16, 1862; McAlpin's f\irm, October 22, 1862; siege and capture of Vicksburg, which lasted fort3'-three daj'S, ending July 4, 1863; Clinton, Miss., July 8, 1863; Canton, Miss., July 12, 1863 — city taken by Fifth Cavalry; Coldwater, Miss., August 20, 1863; Robinson's Mills, Oc- tober 17, 1863, and near there on the 18th day of October occurred an all-day fight ; in the rear of infantry, they fought back to Clinton, Miss.; in rear of Natchez, Miss., December 8, 1863; Champion and Dalton, Miss., February 4, 1864; Clinton and Jackson, Miss., February 5. 1864, and eight miles north of Jackson, Feb- ruary 6, 1864; Morton, Miss., February 8, 1864; February 1 1, 1864, skirmished and drove the enemy all day; Decatur, Miss., February 12, 1864; Meridian, Miss., February 14, 1864; Black River, Bliss., May 12, 1864; Port Gibson, Miss., September 30, 1864; city of Monroe, La., February 12, 1865; city of Harrisburg, La., February 16, 1865. The company was organ- ized at Effingham, Ills., September, 1861, by Capt. H. D. Caldwell, and mustered out at Camp Butler, in October, 1865. After the war he came home, and November 5, 1865, was married to Mary F. Merry, of Decatur, 111. They have four children — Eliza, Hattie, Pretty- man, W. Mc. and William Ura. He purchased his present farm in the fall of 1865, situated in Section 1, Lucas Township, where he owns 200 acres. It was unbroken when he bought it; now he has it all under cultivation and raises grain, principally corn, oats and wheat; he plows about one hundred acres per year. Mr. Stroud is a Republican, and has served in va- rious township offices, being at present Super- visor of Lucas Township; he is serving his second yeai-. His father, Thomas Stroud, was born in South Carolina; came with his parents to Orange County, Ind., in boyhood, and there married Eliza Aston, a native of North Caro- lina, and after marriage, engaged in farming uutil 1840, when he moved to diflfereut points in Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri until 1841, when he settled in Lucas Township, where he lived until 1860, when he moved to Union Township, EfHugham County, and there died in 1874. He had fifteen children, of which thir- teen grew up — -names are: Joseph, deceased; Ura, lives in Union Township; Eliza, married LUCAS TOWNSHIP. 139 N. B. Tilton, of lovva; Lucretia, wife of James Cooper, of Quincy, 111.; Lj-Uiu M., deceased; Siduu}'. deceased; Ner, subject; Samuel J., lanner, of Lucas Township; Hphraiin Joy, re- aides in Kansas; Nathaniel S., killed in battle of Brownsville, Ark.; Richard Nails, farmer in Union Township; Austin II., lives in Wash- int;ton Territory. Subject's father married a second wife and have two daughters living of last marriage, names are Helena and Angeline; they reside in Union Township. WILLIAM TATE, farmer, P. 0. Winter- rowd, was born in Couut3- Down, Ireland, Jan- uar)' 10, 1828; he lived there with his parents until twenty-four years of age. On the 10th of April, 1852, he embarked for this country, was twenty-one days on the water, and had a most pleasant trip. He arrived at New York .May 1, 1852. He went to work in a lumber-yard, remaining there until the spring of 1854; he then went to Canada and engaged in farming, and in the spring of 1856, came back to New York State, where he remained until the fall of 1857, when he went back to Canada and en- gaged in farming until the spring of 1864; he then went to Wisconsin, and remained there until the fall of 1874, when he moved to Lucas Township, Kflingham County, and settled on a farm in Section 36 of 240 acres, the greater part of which was uncultivated land. Now he has about 200 acres in cultivation, his main productions being wheat, corn and oats. This year he has raised about 500 bushels of wheat, 2,000 bushels of corn, and about 2,000 bushels of oats. He received his education in his na- tive county, and was married in the year 1857, to Susanna Sweaze}', a native of Canada. They have three children — Andrew R., Maggie Jane and Robert Henry. Our subject's father, Robert Tate, was born in County Down, Ireland, in the year 1801, and was a farmer. He died in Au- gust, 1846. Margaret McElroy, his wife, was born in the same place and year, as her hus- band, and is now living in Albany, N. Y. They had eight children — William, Robert, living in Michigan; Margaret, living in Al- ban}', N. Y. ; Jane, deceased wife of Robert McHafy; Mary, (deceased) ; Bessie, wife of Joseph Doran, living in Albany, N. Y.; Anna, wife of James Doran, living also in Albanj', N. Y., and John, died when seven years old. Our subject's wife's father, Andrew Sweazey, was born in New Jersey about the year 1795, and died Canada, 1878. His wife, Hannah Dennis, was also born in New Jersey. They have five children — John, William, Andrew, Susan and Joel. JACOB WINTERROWD, farmer, P. 0. Winterrovvd, one of the enterprising farmers of Lucas Township, was born in Shelby Countj', Ind., September 14, 18.32. His father was a native of Washington County, Penn., born in the year 1802. He was taken by his parents to Warren County, Ohio, when two months old; resided there about twenty-five years up to 1827. In the same year he removed to Shelby County, Ind., and resided there until the fall of 1860, when he removed to Jasper County, 111., and bought a farm two miles from Newton, and there died in 1869. Our subject's mother was a native of Ohio, born in Warren County, of that State, and died in Shelby County, Ind , February 2, 1836. Our subject is one of a family of five children, of which four are liv- ing — Washington, living in Ellis County, Texas; Nancy, living with Jacob Winterrowd, in Lucas Township; Kirkwood, died in Shelby County, Ind., when thirteen months old; Jacob, subject; S. J. Winterrowd, living in Livingston County, Mo. His father was married again on the 8th day of June, 1835, to Dorathy Cookson, a na- tive of Shelby County, Ind. They had five children also — S. F., living in Ellis County, Texas; Elizabeth, wife of B. F. Moulden, liv- ing in Newton, Jasper Co., Ill; J. Z., lives on the old farm, two miles from Newton; M. F., died in Shelby County, Ind., when seventeen months old, and the other died in infancy. 140 BIOGRAPHICAL: Jacob Winterrowd received his education in tlie subscfiption scliools of Shelby County, Ind., although in the latter part of his school years. he attended free schools, which had then been organized. He began life as a farmer; he was around looking for a location, and came to Effingham County, 111., on the 23d of March, 1859, but not purchasing a farm, he returned to Indiana in June, the same year, well pleased with the country, and came back on September 14, 1859, and yet did not make a permanent location, and went back to Indiana November 29, 1859. He remained there until Februar}' 2, 1860, at which time he removed to Jasper County, 111. He lived there until April 9th of the same 3'ear, then he resolved to come to Effingham Count}-, which he did, and settled on a farm of eighty acres in Lucas Township where he is now living. When he came here it was all wild land, with no improvements whatever, but by his diligence and energy he has made quite extensive improvements, and put it all in cultivation. He added eighty acres to it in 1875; it was also wild land, but now has it all in cultivation, and raises wheat, corn, oats and rye. He also takes a great deal of interest in the raising of thoroughbred cattle, of which he has several on his farm. He was married, in the latter part of 1853, to Avis Groodwin, a native of Shelby County, Ind., and on Januar}- 30, 1881, his beloved wife was called home to the better world, leaving him with four little children — Millard F., W. N., Ida C. and Lily E.; Matia and Dora deceased. He was married again, on the 18th ' of October, 1881, to Sarah Thomas, of Jasper County, 111. They have one charming little girl, Nancy. GRANVILLE G. WOODY, farmer, P. 0. Eberle. Mr. Woody is one of Lucas Town- ship's most respected and enterprising young farmers. He was born in Indiana March 18, 1853; was brought by his parents to Union Township in the fall of 1862, and settled on a farm there. He received his education in Union Township, by helping his father on the farm in summer and in winter, attending school until twenty-one years of age. He was married, on the 4th of July, 1873, to Lucy Merry, of Lucas Township. She was born October 30, 1856. After he was married, he settled on a farm of 160 acres, about seventy-five acres being in cultivation, and the remaining eighty-five acres was raw land; his main productions are wheat, corn and oats. They have four blooming chil- dren living and one dead : Alva Eldridge, de- ceased ; Dencie Ellen, Charles, Kearney and Burgess, living. TEUTOPOLI HERMAN D. ELLMANN, shoemaker, Teu- topolis, was born in the precinct of Tenstedte, Parish of Cappeln, in County of Cloppenburg, Dukedom of Aldenburg, January 15, 1815. He commenced learning the trade of shoemaker with his father, D. Henry EUroann, in his native place in his sixteenth 3'ear. He worked with him until he was twenty-five years old. In 1840, he married Catharine Elizabeth Angelbeke, and after his marriage started a shoe shop of his own in township of Dinklage, in a countrj' S TOWNSHIP. place called Wulfennau, 'and run it for five years with fair success. He came to the United States in 1845, landing at New Orleans in De- cember, came via river to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked one year as a journeyman, when he came to Teutopolis, III. He only re- members five settlers here in the town when he came. He bought two lots, where he now lives, of John F. Waschefort, and bought a partly finished house of Mr. V/aschefort for SI 20; as soon as he finished a room, opened shop and TEUTOPOLIS TOWNSHIP. 141 became the first regular shoe-maker in the place, and has worked at his trade since the winter of 1846^7, setting on his bench from earl3' morning until 12, 1 and 2 o'clock at night for many years. For some years he was the only shoe-maker here. He went in debt for his house and lot, and soon paid all his indebted- ness, although money was very scarce, and bar- ter was paid for work, so that it was difficult to get money enough to buy leather. He kept one journe3'man for many years. He can still put in a full day's work. His first wife died August 21, 1852, leaving no children. In March, 1853, he married to Bernandina Cath- arine Pundsack, she was born in Vcchta, Olden- burg, in October, 1832, and came to this coun- try in about 1841 with her parents. They have one daughter living, Mary Anna Eilmann, born November 18, 1869. One son died in infancy. DR. FRANCIS F. EVERSMAN, pliysician, Teutopolis. Francis Frederic Eversman, M. D., was born October 20, 1807, at Osnabruck in the Province of Hanover (now Prussia). Here, also, he received the first rudiments of his education. In 1837, he came to Baltimore, where he finished his education. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended the medical college there. During his collegiate course he worked in the drug department of a commer- cial hospital. At the end of three years, in 1850, he received the degree of doctor of medi- cine. In 1849, at the breaking-out of the cholera, though not as yet a licensed physician, he had volunteered his services, and was thus prematurely initiated into the practice of med- icine. But, in the following j'ear, 1850, having receivetl his degrees he entered on the regular practice of his profession at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained three 5'ears. From Cincin ■ nati he came directly to Teutopolis (1853), here he continued to practice liis profession. In 1865, in addition to his professional labors as a physician, he opened a drug store. His son, Charles Eversman, has relieved him of the care of the drug store, but he still continues his professional labors at the advanced age of seventy-five (1882). Subject is connected with the Cincinnati Medical Societ}'. He married Charlotta Fier, and liad three sons — Henry John and Charles. CHARLES EVERSMANN, druggist, Teu- topolis, was born in Alfhausen, near Osna- bruck, Hanover, Germany, August 31, 1843. He came to the United States with his parents in 1845. They settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, re- maining in that city seven years. In 1852, the parents came to Teutopolis, this countj-, where our subject has lived ever since. He was edu- cated in St. Joseph's College, and spent two years in the college of Notre Dame, at South Bend, Ind. He left school in 1865. At eight- eeu, he went to work on the farm, and conduct- ed it for three j'ears. In 1866, his father vvent into the drug business here, and he assisted his father in the store for ten years, and in 1876 he became the proprietor, and has since con- ducted the drug store with good success. He has also been Assistant Postmaster for twelve years. He has been Justice of the Peace for eight years, also Supervisor three years, and Town Clerk. He takes a deep interest in both county and State politics. He was married in October, 1871, to Miss Catherine Busse, daugh- ter of George Busse, of Teutopolis Township, and has four children — Frank, Leo, Dorothea and Katie. JUDGE HERMAN H. HUELS, farmer, P. 0. Effingham, was born near the city of Osnabruck, Hanover, January 30, 1824. He left the college of his native place and went to Paris, France, where he remained for two and a half years in the Le Sem- inaire, Du Saint Esprit, where he studied rhetoric and philosophy, and then vvent to Ita- I3', and visited in Genoa, Milan, Florence, Rome and Naples. This was during the reign of Pope Gregory XVI. Spent six months in Italy, for the most part in Rome, intending to study 142 BIOttHAPHICAL: for the priesthood. From there he went with an English family to Bedfordshire, Eng- land, where he taught the French, German, Latin and Greek languages in an academy be- longing to the Baptist Church, for two and a half years. He came to the United States in 1846, and became Professor of Languages in the seminary at the Barrens, near Perryville, Mo:, a small institution established there by the followers of St. Vincent De Paul, where young men were prepared for the priesthood. He remained there about one 3"ear, and in Washington, Mo., married in 18-18, to Miss Clara Schwegman, and afterward was clerk in the law office of Thomas Allen, then President of the Pacific Railroad, now President of Iron Mountain Railroad. He was a large landed proprietor in St. Louis. Subject had charge of his real estate and general business until com- ing here in 1851. He became a teacher of the parochial school at Teutopolis, this county, where he remained until elected Justice of the Peace in the fall of 1853, when he gave up teaching. He served as Justice and Associate Judge of the count}' until they adopted town- ship organization. He is still Justice of the Peace. He lived in Teutopolis until ISfil, when he moved to his present place near Effingham, where he owns about 200 acres of farm lands, and has since engaged in farming. For many years he did a large amount of pub- lic business for the people of Teutopolis. He also bought and sold considerable real estate. He had two children, both deceased. FERDINAND KOLLMEYER, farmer, P. 0. Teutopolis, was born in January, 1830, in Goldenstedt, Amt Fechte, Grand Duchess of Oldenburg, Germany. He is a son of Bernhard KoUme^'er, born and died in the same place. He was a farmer by occu- pation. The maiden name of Mr. Ferdinand's mother was JIaria Grave, who was born in Oldenburg, Germany, where she died, leaving three boys and two girls. Our subject went to school in Ellenstedt, Germany, and in 1850 he came to the United States, via New Orleans and St. Louis, and settled near Teutopolis, Effingham Co., Ill, in which village he was married October 28, 1856, to Miss Josephine Puntsatk, who was born in 1830, near Fechte, Oldenburg, Germany. She is the daughter of Anthon and Mar}- Anna Puntsack, who were born in Germany, but who died in Teutopolis Township. Mr. KoUmej'er has three children, two boys and one girl. The names of the l)oys are Frank and John, who have attended the college at Teutopolis. Mr. Kollmeyer is iden- tified with the Democratic party. Through his econom}- and industry he has acquired a nice farm of 200 acres. Is the artificer of his own fortune, having labored hard for the means by which to defray the expense of his passage across the restless, billowy sea. Is a Catholic. FATHER P. MICHAEL RICHARDT, 0. S. F., rector St. Joseph's Diocesan College, Teu- topolis, was born in the province of Saxony, Prussia, September 25, 184-1. He was educated in the Gj'mnasium Heiligenstadt, which he left at the age of seventeen, and joined the Franciscan Order in AVestphalia, and studied philosophy at Duesseldorf on the Rhine, spending six years at the two places. He spent his novi- tiate of one. year at Warendorf, Westphalia. He came to the United States in 1867, and en- tered the Franciscan monastery at Teutopolis, where he pursued the study of theology two years, and was ordained priest at St. Louis, by Bishop Kenrick, and after his ordination he was Professor of Classics and Modern Languages in St. Joseph's College for two and a half years, and was at the same time sub-rector or Vice President of college. He was then transferred to same position in St. Francis Solanus Col- lege at Quincy, 111., for Ave years. He then conducted the department of philosophy in the monastery for four years at Quincy, 111. He was made President or rector of this col- lege in July, 1882. He was working in the TEUTOPOLIS TOWNSHIP. ua ministry during all of his collegiate work, hav- ing been pastor of three churches. JOHN H. RUXDE, merchant tailor, Teu- topolis, was born iu the kingdom of Hanover, village Lathen, county of Ashendorf, August 18. 1826. He left school at fifteen to learn tailoring in iiis native town, serving a three years' apprenticeship, and worked three years as a hand and went to Bremen, and sailed for New York City May 3, 1849, and arrived June 18, and worked in New York City about one and a half years, and in the fill of 1850, came to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked at his trade tliore until 1854, on custom work. He was married in May, 1851, to Anna Margarettha Brinker. She was born in Oldenburg in 1822; came to the United States in the fall of 1818, coming to Cincinnati, Ohio. In April, 1854, our subject came to Teutopolis with his fam- ily. He worked about two years for John F. Waschefort. Then formed a partnership with J. F. AVaschefort & Co., which lasted one j-ear in the merchant tailoring business. At the end of a year, Mr. Rnmlc bought the stock of his partners, and on April 1, 1857, he opened a merchant tailoring establishment on the same site he now occupies and has done business for a quarter of a century. He bought a fresh stock of piece goods from Cincinnati, Ohio. His was at this time the only merchant tailor- ing house in the county, and he made four suits for parties who bet on the Buchanan and Fre- mont election. He did a good business before the war, and kept at times four hands. He drew his custom from a long distance in every direction. He held this large custom for many years, and still does a good business in mer- chant tailoring, clothing, and furnishing goods. He takes an active part in politics and religion, and has been Town and Church Trustee. He is Democrat of the old tj'pe. Mr. Runde has one son living, John L. Runde, born in Teutopo- lis August 1.3, 1861, and five children dead, the oldest dying iu his eighth year. JOHN G. SCHUETTE, teacher and physican, Teutopolis, was born at Mettingen, in the Province of Westphalia, on the 23d of May, 1847. He attended school at Jlettiugen till the age of thirteen. He next went to the Gymnasium of Rheine, where he graduated in 1868. After graduating, he went successively to the universities of Wurzburg, Marburg and Greifswold. He studied medicine for two years, while pursuing his philosophical course. After finishing his course in 1872, he served a a short while in the Prussian Arm}' during the Franco-Prussian war. Subject came to America in 1872. He landed at New York and came almost directly to Teutopolis. He there studied English for a year and a half, and ob- tained (1873) a position as Professor of Lan- guages and Mathematics at St. Joseph's Col- lege. He has taught there ever since. He married Catharine, daughter of Mathias Mette, of Effingham. His wife died in 1877. Sub- ject is a Roman Catholic ; politically, he is a Democrat. REV. P. PAULUS TEROERDE, priest, Teutopolis, is a native of the Bishop seat of Paderborn, in the Province of Westphalia. While quite young he removed to Bocholt, where he commenced his education. He after- ward went to Miinster, the capital of West- phalia, to pursue his studies, and then to Warendorf, where, in 1869. he joined the Order of Franciscans. He here finished his novitiate. In 1870, he removed to Wicdenbruck, and soon after to Dusseldorf. At both these places he studied philosophy, and on the completion of his course in that science, he returned to Paderborn, where, for the next two 3-ears of his life, he was engaged in the stud}' of the- ology. At this time, the Franciscans being expelled from Germany, the Rev. Father went to the seat of the Franco-Prussian war, just then breaking out. During the earlj- part of this war, he followed the contending armies, bearing Christian succor to the sick, the 144 BIOGRAPHICAL: wounded and the dying. But sickness forced him to relinquish this hazardous task. In 1875, he left Germany and came to Teutopolis. He remained in this township but two days when he left for St. Louis to finish his studies there. He spent a year and a half at St. Louis, at the expiration of which time, having com- pleted his theological course, he came back to Teutopolis to attend a mission. He was shortly afterward appointed Guardian of St. Francis Convent and Director of the St. Francis Con- gregation, which joint offices he still fills. WILLIAM TOLCH, harness-maker, Teu- topolis, was born on the 27th of November, 1823, at Strelitz-Mecklenburg, in North Germany- Here he attended school and learned the trade of harness and saddle maker. Emigrating lo America in 1851, he worked at his trade for a short while in New Jersey. He then went to St. Louis and finall3- came to Teutopolis (1852). He settled on the National road, at the place where his harness and saddle shop now stands. He married on the 2Sth of April, 1856, Rebecca, daughter of John McLinej'. Subject is an Evangelical Lutheran. He is a Democrat, but takes no interest in politics be- yond exercising the right of suflTrage. Has nine children living — John Henrv, Charles Will- liam, Samuel Frederic, Mary Catharine, Nancy Emilia, Lizzie, Caroline Jane, Rebecca Ann, Alice Cler3'. CLEMENS UPTMOR, Sr., merchant, Teu- topolis. Away back in Fatherland, now uearl3' sevent^'-seven years ago, on the 19th day of January, 1806, Clemens Uptmor, Sr., was born in the Dukedom of Oldenburg, in the village of Lohme. His parents were in the middle class- es, neither rich nor pinched with povert3', yet the childhood of the boy practically ended when he was ten years of age, as he then went as sailor boy on a fishing vessel on which his father was mate. These expeditions for her- ring were made into the North Sea, and to Am- sterdam and other points. In the winters, when his father's vessel could not sail for fish, the boy went to the parochial schools of his native village. He thus got a fair education, and a good knowledge of sailing the waters, as well as the geographj' of Europe. When old enough he was drafted into the army, and here he served five years in the infantry command. In company with his brother, and a few of his neighbors, he sailed for America, and in September, 1834, landed in Cincinnati. Here, for the next five j-ears, he worked earl}' and late at his trade of carpentering — haviug re- ceived instructions in the old countrj' as ship carpenter. He prospered at his work in Cin- cinnati, but it was slow, and, in connection with two or three others, looked up the subject of the great West, the land of rich soil and cheap homes, and this trio of humble workmen conceived the great idea of forming a colony and emigrating West. Did they, any of them, think you, in their warmest fancies, ever pro- long the vision to this day, and in the emigra- tion foresee the present flourishing town of Teutopolis, with its happj' population, its mag- nificent manufactories, its stupendous church, college, convent, its man}' houses, from its grand mansions to its many neat and tasty cottages, and all surrounded by elegant farms and improved highways ? One of the nine and chief movers that brought us all this valuable population, including the entire town of Teu- topolis and the rich farming country surround- ing it, together with many others throughout the whole count}', was Clemens Uptmor, Sr. So great and far reaching in its good effects to its beneficiaries, and of so mucli value was it to the county of Effingham that we feel it just and proper to repeat in outline this coloni- zation scheme ; It was organized in Cincinnati, and at first only nine members ; it soon grew to a society of one hundred and forty-two. Each member paid $50, and this entitled him to forty acres of land ; he paid also $10 toward the society ex- TEUTOPOLIS TOWNSHIP. .145 penses, and this entitled him to four town lots. Messrs. Uptmor and Waschefort, in the interest and for the societj-, made an extended tour of observation, entering the State near Vincennes, passin succeeded his father's business at the old homestead. .Mr. W., being one of the original organizers of the colony of Germans who settled at Teutopolis, was intimatel}' associated with its development and progress. All public enterprises received from him substantial support and aid. Their I fine brick church, large college for higher edu- I cation, a fine sisters' academy and parochial school attest the regard he paid to education in that small village. j JOHN F. WASCHEFORT, Jr.. Teutopolis son of Joiin F. Waschefort, was born in Teu- topolis Township, .March 4, 1857, here he was ' also raised and educated, attending successively the Notre Dame Sisters' School and St. Joseph's College. At the age of sixteen, he left college and engaged in business, helping his father in the flour mill and general store keeping. In 1879, on the death of his father, he succeeded him I in the same business, which he still carries on quite successfully. The fatherof subject was l)orn in Oldenburg, Germany, about 1810. He came alone to America when he was not more than sixteen years old. After stopping at various places, he reached Cincinnati in 1832. In 1841 he came to Teutopolis, where he opened a Gen- eral country store, dealing, also, in live-stock, and conducting, at the same time, a large farm, •lie started a combined flour and saw-mill in j 1856. This was afterward converted into a flour mill. He died in January, 1879. j JOHN H. WERNSING, Sr., Justice of I the Peace, Teutopolis, was born in the old Kingdom of Hanover (now Prussia) in the year 1832. In 1840, he came to America with his parents, being only eight years old. They settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, where John attended a " (common school." Subject after- ward went to Indiana where he received in- structions in the higher branches, from Prof. Thomas Smith, Leaving Indiana, he went back to Cincinnati, where he learned the tratle of " coach and car ornamentation." Having • finished his apprenticeship, he was engaged as a foreman in a coach and car manufactory for fifteen years. Forced to leave Cincinnati on account of sickness, he came to Teutopolis in 1865, where he has since resided. For the last fourteen years, he has exercised the office of , Justice of the Peace, and for the last six years 148 BIOGRAPHICAL: the additional office of Notary Public. Soon after bis arrival at Teutopolis, he took charge of John F. Waschefort's combined steam flour and saw mill. Subject has always taken an active part in politics. He has been, succes- sively, member of the Board of Supervisors, member of the Board of Trustees, Collector of Taxes (for the last three years), and is at pres- ent Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. Subject was twice married. First wife — Marj', daughter of John Wessel, a native of Cincin- nati, Ohio, among the first settlers of that place. Second wife — Catharine, daughter of Henry Lepper. Subject had by his first wife, three sons and two daughters — Henry, Benja- min, Edward, Mary and Catharine. By his second wife he had two sons and three daugh- ters — ^Frank, Joseph, Theresa, Elizabeth and Anna. JOHN H. WERNSING, Jr., dealer in liquors, Teutopolis, son of John H. Wernsing, Sr., was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, November 29, 1852. He attended a Catholic Brothers' school till the age of twelve, when he left Cincinnati and came to Teutopolis. At Teutopolis he attended St. Joseph's College for two years. Leaving school at the age of fourteen, he worked as a farm hand for the next three years of his life. He then undertook to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he abandoned at the end of three months. After this he made a livelihood by painting, which he continued doing till the year 1879. He then opened a saloon on the National road, which he still keeps. He is a Democrat, and has occupied the position of Village Clerk. He married Kate, daughter of H. B. Bruver. Has two children — John Henry and Mathilda. MASON T THOMAS A. ANDREWS, Justice of the Peace, Mason, was born in Macon, Tenn., Sep- tember 7, 1829. He was married April 3, 1851, to Miss Arena Jackson, daughter of Irwin Jackson, of Marion County, 111. Our sub- ject located in Effingham County, 111., and followed the avocation of farming, at which he met with good success. Purchased and paid for 120 acres of land in Mason Township. In 1857, he purchased a store in Brownsburg, of this county, and embarked in merchandising. This proving rather disastrous, he continued the business little over one year, sold out on credit, and never received the promised stipula- tion. He then returned to farming with good success, paid the debts contracted in the store business, and gained considerable property. In 1877, he removed to Mason, and worked for some time in a stave factory. Politically, Mr. Andrews is a stanch Democrat. He has re- peatedly held the office of Justice of the Peace, OWIsTSHIP. a position he at present fills. Has a family of seven children living — John W., born in 1854 ; Sarah E., born in 1858 ; Mary T., wife of Har- vey Leatherman, was born in 1860 ; Thomas N., born in 1862 ; Charles P., born in 1871 ; Jesse A., born in 1869 ; and two dead — Miss Emma Andrews was born in 1864, and died in 1881 ; William F., was born in 1856, and died in 1858. The subject's father, Drewry Andrews, was born in Chatham County, N. C, February 14, 1783, and resided there till 1805, when he went with his parents to Smith Count}', Tenn. Soon after his arrival there he was married to Rebecca Parker, and settled in that county. In 1811, his wife died, mother of three chil- dren, who survived her — John, born in 1806, is a resident of Macon County, Tenn.; Callen W., born in 1808 ; Mrs. Martha Young, who removed in 1838 to Macon Township. After the death of his wife, went into the Indian war, which was racing at that time, and served two MASON TOWNSHIP. 149 years. Returned from the war, and soon after married a young lady by name of Miss Eliza- betli Gammon. In 1838, tliey removed to Payette County, 111., and located at farming about nine miles west of Vandalia. Mr. An- drews was a farmer, a tanner and a shoemaker, farming during the summer. He tanned and dressed his leather during fall, and worked it into shoes in winter. By his last wife he raised a family of nine children, as follows : Mary, born in 1816, wife of John Barton, the well-known Baptist minister of this county; he died Februar3- 25, 1865 ; Susan, wife of John Minton ; Elizabeth, wife of Richard Jones ; Nancy, wife of William Dodson ; the next is the subject of our sketch. There were three younger daughters, who married and raised families. The first five of this family between the year 1838 and 1840, removed with their families to Effingham County. Drewry Andrews died December 3, 1845. In 1850, his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Andrews, was mar- ried to Benjamin Campbell, with whom she lived till May 20, 1856, when she died. A. BARBEE, tavern, Edgewood, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., October 12, 1828, and removed with his parents to Franklin County, 111., in 1842. He remained there till of age, and was married in that county in 1850. For some time after, he engaged in running a saw and grist mill; afterward ran a flour mill in Jefferson Count}-, and, later, a flour and saw mill combined, in Franklin Count}', and then a flouring mill in McLeansboro, 111. He removed to ESingham County in 1867, and settled a half mile west of Edgewood and engaged in farm- ing, which he followed till 1879, when he re- moved to Edgewood and began tavern -keeping, his present avocation. He has a family of eight children— W. F., W. T., H. W., Mrs. Ezora Ro- bottom, Mrs. Luella Jackaway, Schuyler, Em- ma and Dora. Subject is a member of the Odd Fellow fraternity, and politically is a Re- publican. JOHN BARTON, farmer, P. 0. Edgewood, son of Solomon Barton, was born in England in 1825. He came to America in 1857, and settled in Kane County, 111., and engaged in farming. In 1860, he removed to Effingham County, 111., and bought a farm of eighty acres. It was all wild prairie, but Mr. Barton fenced and put it under cultivation. Politically, he is a Republican. He was married, in 1866, in Chicago, to Miss Maria Hills, of England. She died about three years afterward, leaving one child — Hattie Maria Barton. Mr. Barton was married in 1373 to Miss Rachel Wilson, of England. Mr. Barton removed to Chicago in 1867, and engaged in gardening business. He purchased ten acres just outside the city lim- its, which he still owns. OLIVER BEARE, farmer, P. 0. Edgewood, was born in Perry County, Ohio, May 7, 1852 ; removed with his parents when quite young to this county. On the death of his father, he took charge of the farm, which he has contin- ued to run since. Mr. Beare is a good business man, a hard-working and enterprising farmer, and an estimable citizen. He owns farming lands to the extent of 524 acres. Subject's father, Jacob Beare, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., August 9, 1809. He was mar- ried in Perry County, Ohio, October 30, 1836, to Miss Mary Strawn, daughter of Thomas Strawn. Remained in that county till 1854, when he removed to Effingham County, 111., locating on a tract of 207 acres of wild land near Edgewood, and began the work of open- ing up a farm. Long before he came to this county, in the year 1836, he met a great mis- fortune in the loss of his eyesight, occasioned by a mishap in blasting in a limestone quarry. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, he was persevering, enterprising and successful. He not only succeeded in making a farm, but add- ed to his first purchase a considerable amount of land. He was a great worker even after he became blind, being able to work 150 BIOGRAPHICAL: in the harvest field. He would cut down trees, cut oil' saw-logs, load them, and drive to the saw-mill, without any assistance or company vvhatever. He died April 16, 1878, leaving a large amount of property, and a familj' of seven children, namel}' ; Mrs. Sa- rah Bromley, Mrs. Amanda Goodnight, David Beare, Mrs. Catharine Lewis, Charles Beare, Oliver Beare, the subject of this sketch, and Joseph Beare — all useful and enterprising citi- zens. The mother, widow of Jacob Beare, still remains on the home farm and is quite aged. WILLIAM E. BEAIRD. merchant. Edge- wood. William E. Beaird, son of Jacob Beaird, was born January 4, 18-16, in Nashville, Ohio. In 1855, he removed to Olney, 111. He had good educational opportunities. He at- tended the Bvansville, Ind., Commercial Col- lege, in 1867. Subject was married in March 1873, to Miss Flora Johns, of Olney, Richland, Co., 111.; kept tavern about two years, and was then engaged as traveling salesman by a whole- sale grocery firm by name of D}"as, Hewitt '& Stone, of St. Louis, Mo. He worked as trav- eling salesman for said firm about two years, when he engaged, in mercantile business in Cleremont, Richland Co., 111., continuing un- til 1879, when he closed out and moved to Edgewood, Effingham Co., 111., put up a store — dry goods and groceries, and general merchan- dising. Subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically he is a Republican. Has a family of two children — Robert and William. R. R. BILLINGSLY, grocer, Mason. R. R. Billingsly was born November 16, 1842, in Ohio Count3-, Ind., where he remained until he was nineteen years old, when he enlisted in the war in 1862, Company D, Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, and was assigned to the Sixteenth Army Corps for a term of three years, at the end of which time he re-enlisted till the close of the war ; was in Fort Donelson, Nashville, at Spanish Fort near Mobile, Fort Blakely and at siege of Corinth, Tupelo, and many other battles; was discharged from the army in 1865, at the close of the war, after a service of four years and seven months. Returned home soon after; settled at Mason, 111., where he en- gaged in farming for a short time. Mr. Bill- ingsly engaged in running a grocery store, at the same time ran an establishment of the same kind at Edgewood, also purchased a livery sta- ble at Kinmundy, which soon after burned, horses and all being lost in the fire. He is now engaged in running a grocerj' store; has a fam- ily of two children — Jessie May and James R. GEORGE BOLTON, merchant, Edgewood, was born in Dublin in 1832; came to New York City in 1854. Subject was compositor for the Brooklyn and New York Journal company, Albion Inquirer and other offices of rank. April 21, 1861, he enlisted in the war. He was wounded at the battle of Bull Run, and taken prisoner, and forwarded to Libby Prison; was exchanged June, 1862; re-enlisted in Sep- tember, 1862. He was married in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1864, to Miss Angelina Johnson. After several 3'ears' employment at his profes- sion, he embarked in mercantile business in 1875 in Edgewood, 111. TURNER J. BOWLING, Police Magistrate, Mason, was born in Carroll Count}^ Ky., Jan- uary 30, 1843; remained there until 1863, when he came to Mason, 111., and engaged in cooper's trade, following said trade off and on till 1869, and then began clerking for Thistle- wood Bros., in dry goods and grocery store, continuing till 1871, when he was elected to the office of Police Magistrate of Mason. He attended the duties of Police Magistrate, and at same time engaged in clerking for Pulham & Co. till 1875, when on the death of Mr. Pul- ham the store was closed. He then engaged in clerking for Ruffner & Leith, afterward Wade & Leith, until 1879, when he was elected Police Magistrate, a position he still fills. Mr. Bowling was married in Effingham County, MASON TOWNSHIP. 151 December 31, 1863, to Miss Kosama Brocket, who died August, 1871. Oae child survives lier, Florence Eveline. Jlr. Bowling was married to his second wife, Miss AUie Weston, daugh- ter of George M. Weston, July 9, 1873, having au issue of one child — Jessie C. Subject's father, George W., was born in Carrollton, Ky., August 30, 1804; was a tinner, and lived in Carrollton, Ky., until his death, which oc- curred in August 1857. His widow still lives in Carrollton. Ky. E. W. BRIGGS, grain dealer, Edgewood, was born June 1, 1848, in Bangor, Penobscot Co., Maine, where he grew to manhood with good facilities for education ; came to Effingham County, 111., in 1870, and engaged in clerking in Mason, 111. In 1 872. engaged in grain buying in Edgewood, III. He was married, in 187H, in Mason, 111., to Miss Adella Tyner. To them has been born one child — Frederic Felton Briggs, Our subject is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. JUDGE JOHN BROOM, retired, Mason, whose portrait appears in this work, is the sec- ond son of Miles and Edith (Vincent) Broom, both natives of North Carolina. The parents had four children — W illiara, John, Dicy and Samuel. Our suljject was born October 16, 1809, on the Boiling Fork of Elk River, in the' newly settled portion afterward called New Vir- ginia, in the Old Dominion, near the Tennessee line. While an infant his parents moved into Tennessee, Jackson County, from which place they, in a short time, moved to Smith County, same State, on Barren River, near the Kentucky line — an unbroken caneljrake wilderness. In 1814, their house and its contents were burned, and the family were literallj- turned " out of doors;" the father, as soon as he could, erected a log hut. but before he could put on a roof, his country's call for soldiers in the warof 1812- 15 took him into the army, and this helpless family were literal]}- left in an uncovered rail- pen, with a few shucks for bed, bedding and and household furniture. The neighbors eventu- ally put a roof over their heads. The father (Miles Broom) served his country during the war, and was distinguished b}' the personal no- tice and friendship of Gen. Jackson, for his braverj'. As in after years. Gen. Jackson, in making a 4th of July oration, noticed Judge Broom, the son of his old soldier friend in the audience, placed his hand on the bo3-'s head and stated that he had seen that boy's father in battle, when he was so sick that he had to lean against a wall to load and tire his gun, j'et he fought the fight like a hero. Miles Broom, when discharged at New Orleans, started home, but when onl}- thirty miles on the waj" sickened and died, in the year 1815. Judge Broom's mother was then a widow, with four small children, three boys and a girl, and, at the tender age of seven years, John Broom was pretty much the family dependence in their struggle tor existence. At the age of seven, he attended an orplian school three months, and this constituted his educational privileges. His mother had secured ten acres of laud, and here he toiled and struggled for the family's scanty existence until seventeen jears old. February 11, 1828, being less than nineteen years old, he married Mar}- Allen, of Smith County, born June 4, 1806, near Salisburj', on the Yadkin River, N. C, daughter of Ben- jamin and Sarah Allen, natives also of North Carolina. The young wife was the possessor of a bed, and the youthful benedict owned a pony and a saddle, and this was the only freight in this connubial bark when launched upon the matrimonial sea. The j'oung couple rented a farm and mill and worked the happy hours away. In August, 1829, their first child, William, was born, and in the October follow- ing, the now little family of wife and cliild were loaded into a •' carry -all," with all their other goods, and started westward. He joined his father-in-law, Benjamin Allen, and drove his 152 BIOGRAPHICAL: four-horse team to their new home in Illinois, on Fulfer Creek, where the two families landed on the 6th of November, 1829. On the banks of this classic stream, if he took an inventory of his possessions, preparatory to a new start in a strange land, it would have resulted about as follows: A pioneer, a husband, a father, not yet a voter, $5 in debt, and nothing else in the world. No, not a pauper, for as his long and useful life has shown, he was rich in health, energ5% resolution, industry, and that Western vim and pluck that wins its way and triumphs over every obstacle. Judge Broom and his father-in-law purchased the improvement of John McCoy. The Judge had to go to Vandalia and buy on a year's credit such things as he was compelled to have. He thus secured, amoug other things, a few shoe-maker's tools, and for years he made all the family shoes, and his wife could cook nearly everything in the kettle. Like all pioneers, their meat was wild game. The first three years he had to carry his plow, sometimes on horseback and sometimes on foot, forty-five miles, to get it sharpened, often occupying three days ou a trip of this kind. In 1835, he se- cured employment at 37 cents a day in the rock quarry, getting rock for the national road; the second year, he had become so expert that he got 70 cents a day. This was the foundation of his prosperity and fortune, and, in 1834, he entered his first forty acres of land, and bought a, yoke of oxen. In company with others, he plowed the first furrow on the National road to a point near Vandalia. Farming, cattle-rais- ing, contracting, teaming and working by the day or by the contract, he prospered, and, al- though he reared a large family of children, he provided enough to give each son 100 acres and each daughter forty acres, and retain over 400 acres of land for himself His official life commenced with his maturity, being elected Constable in 1830. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1 839, and has filled this office for forty-one years; was five years Associate Judge, and in 1862 was elected County Judge, and served four years ; was nominated for the Legislature, but declined on account of ill health, and designated Hon. Stephen Hardin to take his place. Here are fifty-nine years of life in our county. Looking backward over this long historj' of public trusts and labors well and faithfully discharged, must cheer with sincere joy the evening of a long and well-spent life. Judge Broom's was a useful, busy life, as full of hard work as it was of variety. He farmed, made shoes, contracted on the National road and other work; teamed to St. Louis and Terre Haute, married people, tried their law suits, arbitrated and adjusted the difficulties of neighbors; administered on estates; gave gra- tuitous legal advice; cried all the auction sales; hunted bee-trees and paid his first debt with honey, wax, and skins and venison hams, and read the Declaration of Independence, standing on a Cottonwood log, at the first 4th of July celebration ever held in the county, when Burke Berry and Aikin Evans, of Vandalia, were the orators; has been foreman of more grand juries than any other ten men of the county, and that he drew around him alwa}-s troops of friends is evidenced by the confidence of his neighbors in the long lease of official life they have so gen- erously forced upon him. His t)eloved wife and help-meet, the mother of his nine children, died Februar}' 8, 1879. The children were as follows : William, born in Tennessee; Benjamin, born in this county September 16, 1831, is a farmer in Chase Countj', Kan.; Sarah Ann and Elizabeth Jane, (twins), born March 8, 1833; the former mar- ried Croft Grider, now a prosperous farmer in West Township, this county, the latter married James Osman, of Chase County, Kan.; Dicy, born May 27, 1837, married Thomas Peter- son, a farmer of Mason Township; Martha Caroline, born August 1, 1839, married John MASON TOWNSHIP. 153 W. Smith, both dead, and left six children; Marinda EfBe, born July 12, 1843, died in in- fancy; Rebecca Adeline, born August G, 1845. married Thomas Allen, both dead, and left two children; and Marj^ Rachel, born July 12, 1848, died August 19, 1863. Our subject was re-mar- ried July 18, 1880, to Mrs. Arminda J. Newman. IRA CANNON, farmer, P. 0. Mason, was born in Crawford County, Ind., April 12, 1824, and removed with his parents, in his youth, to Parke County, Ind.. where he grew to man- hood. Mr. Cannon was married in Parke County, August 31, 1845, to Miss Sarah Swaim, daughter of J. B. Swaim. He made his home in Parke County till 1856, when he removed to Effingham County, 111., and located on a farm of 120 acres, in Section 6, Mason Township. In 1872, he sold his farm and removed to Mason ; took up tavern-keeping for several years, then moved into his private residence, and has since followed farming. He has lately purchased a farm of twelve acres within the corporation of Mason, on which there are good buildings and a first class orchard. Our sub- ject has nine children living, three sons and six daughters — John H., of Effingham; George H., resides in Xorwalk, Iowa; Surrilda J. Sid- dens, resides in Alton, Iowa; Mary E. Ueits, of Mason; Linna Bell Hawle}-, lives in Jackson- ville, 111.; Eliza A. Core, resides in Philadelphia; Ada, Laura and Tillman A. Our subject's father was born in Ireland; he came to America, with his parents, when seven years old. He was married in Kentucky, in 1800, to Miss Margaret Hayes. He died in 1832, in Parke County, Ind. His widow remained on the home farm in Parke County till her death, which occurred in 1857. Of a family of nine children, only four all living — James, Thomas R.. Ira and Mrs. Hariet Davis. AMOS CONAWAY, merchant, Mason, 111., was born April 11, 1829, in Bourbon County, Ky. In 1830, his parents removed to McLean Countv, 111., and settled on a farm. Here he grew to manhood. He first engaged in saw- mill ai^d lumbering business, which he pursued about ten j-ears. Mr. Conaway was married in Champaign County, 111, June 2, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Boyd, daughter of Stephen Boyd. For some time, he followed farming. In 1864, he engaged in merchandising in Mon- ticello, Piatt Co., 111.; soon after sold, and re- turned to his farm. In 1878, again embarked in merchandising at Monticello, and in 1882 he removed his store to Mason, 111. Subject is member of the Knights of Honor, is a Dem- ocrat. Has nine children, all living^James C, Byron B.. Hortense, Amos C, Lizzie, Nancy. James E., Mary E, and Allen R. G. W. CORNWELL, physician, Mason, son of G. H. Cornwell, was born in Fleming Count3', Ky., removed with his parents, at the age of ten, to Monroe Countj-, Ind., soon after to Mount Meridian, near Greencastle, Ind. Afterward to Cloverdale, Putnam Co., Ind., where his father died in 1851, and he began the study of medicine in Stylesville, Hendricks Co., Ind., under J. N. Green, M. D. During his time of stud J', he also attended school at Asbury University two years. After three years' study in an office, he, in 1854-55, attended Rush Medical College at Chicago. August 20, 1855, he landed in Jlason, and selected that place to win his fame and fortune, and embarked in the pursuit of his chosen profession. The Doctor is a stanch Democrat. He was elected Repre- sentative in the State Legislature from Fayette and Effingham Counties, for the term of 1867- 68. Subject is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 217, of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Corn- well was married in Hendricks County, Ind., in June, 1855, to Miss Amanda Baldwin, daughter of Eli Baldwin, and they have had five children living— Lueian M., William 0., Eva Etta. Effie May, Lillie Frances; and three dead — Viola E., Mary A. and Albin C. ANDREW J. GRAVER, farmer, P. O. Mason; he is the son of John Craver, and 154 BIOGRAPHICAL. was born July 27, 183S, in Putnam County, Ind. At the age of sixteen j-ears, he re- moved with his parents to Effingham Count}', 111.; was raised on a farm. Subject was mar- ried, September 6, 1865, to Miss Mollie Camp- bell, daughter of William Campbell, of this county. Subject enlisted for the war in July, 1862, Company C, Ninety-eighth Illinois Mount- ed Infantry ; was forwarded to Louisville, Ky. Subject was in the following battles : Hoover's Gap, Tenn., Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, Chickamauga, Selma, Mission Ridge. Was discharged June 26, 1865. Returned home and engaged in farming, and took up the responsibility of taking care of his father and mother, which continued till their death. Sub- ject has a farm of eighty acres. Subject is a Republican ; has a family of five children — Homer, Emma Leola, Carrie Alice, Flora, Mirtie. Subject's father, John Craver, was bora July 24, 179-4, in Monroe County, N. C. Was married to Miss Mollie Todd in North Carolina ; removed to Indiana in 1837, and followed the avocation of farming. Removed to Illinois in 1853, and located on a farm of 120 acres, two and one-half miles northeast of Ma- son, before the Illinois Central was built. Had a family of ten children, of whom seven are living— Alexander, John, Mrs. Nancy Eggers, Elizabeth Cartright, Mrs. Mary Hunter, Elmi- na Kellar, and the subject of our sketch. N. H. CURTIS, farmer, P. 0. Mason, is a son of P. H. Curtis; was born in Jennings Coun- ty, Ind., February 1, 1843. In 1861, he enlisted in the war, Company C, Thirty-seventh Indiana. Was in the battle of Stone River, and many oth er light engagements, as well as a great many hard marches. Subject was married in 1876, in Effingham County, 111., to Mary, daughter of Henry Tucker. Subject engaged in farming in 1882. He purchased a farm of sixty acres in Section 3, Mason Township, mostly in culti- vation and partly in the creek bottom. Has two children — Nancy and Jonathan. HENRY T. DAMON, farmer, P. 0. Mason, son of Theo. Damon ; was born December 1, 1834, in Hampshire Count}', Mass.; here he re- mained till 1857, when he located in Effingham County in Januarj', 1858. His father purchased a farm of eighty acres in Section 21, Mason Township, and he owns thesamepieceof land, on which he farmed since his arrival in this coun- try. He produces mostl}' grass and a fair amount of wheat, oats, etc. Our subject's father, Theo. Damon, was born May 15, 1805, in Massachusetts. He was married in Janu- ary, 1831, to Miss Mercy Willcutt, daughter of Enoch Willcutt. He settled on a farm, and followed farming and lumbering till April, 1858, when he removed to Mason, 111., and set- tled on a farm of eighty acres near that place. March 1, 1873, his wife died, and he was mar- ried February 19, 1874. He made his home in this county till his death, which occurred April 25, 1875. He was a Republican. He left a family of four children ; three by his first wife and one by his last — Martha E. died when quite young ; Henry, the subject of our sketch ; Martha E., the second, and Frank R. MICAJAH C. DAVIDSON, farmer, P. 0. Mason, was born December 18, 1808, in Buck- ingham Co.,Va. Moved to Smith Co., Tenn., with his parents at the age of two years. Here he was raised on a farm with unfavorable fiicilities for education, but he improved his opportunity and gained a fair education. He was married in 1828, in Smith County, Tenn., to Miss Mary Fry, daughter of Henry Fry, engaged in farm- ing. Shortly after removed to Fayette County, now Effingham County, III, and settled on tract of land in Jackson Township ; here he remained several years. As he could not have good health, he purchased a tract of land in Section Ave, Mason Township, which he afterward en- tered of Congress, to the amount of 239 acres, on which he has made a farm, and has about 100 acres under cultivation, mostly in the creek bottom, and is consequently MASON TOWNSHIP. 155 very fertile. He raises mostlj' corn, some wheat. Subject is a member of the Baptist Church. He cast hi.s fu'st vote for (Jen. Jack- sou. He voted the Whijr ticket till the party went down; then he went into the Democratic party and remained with them. Subject's wife, Mary Davidson, died July 3, 1815, leaving a famil}' of nine children, four of whom are liv- ing — Mrs. p;icy Williams, Henry Davidson, John Davidson, Mrs. Martha Prater. Mr. Davidson was married, February 29, 1852, to Sarah Astin, by whom he has four children — William P., Charles W., Franklin P., Eli P. When he raised his house, he had to go to Blue Point to get hands to help him. In those days, thej- had no mills and they grated their corn and sometimes ground with hand mills. In 1835, he bought a horse mill, brought to the county bj- Jonathan Parkhurst ; by this means he and his neighbors could get their meal. In 1878, he built a first-class house, and has good buildings. WILLIAM H. DIETS, teacher. P. 0. Mason, is a native of Carroll County, Md. He was born January 2, 1848. His father was a na- tive of tTerman3', and his mother a native of Maryland. Ills father came to America at the age of ten, and located in Maryland, where, in 1845, he was united in marriage to Lucy A. Heiser. Two children, a son and a daughter, both of whom are now living, were the result of that union. In 1856, the family came to the West and located in Whitley County ; there, the father, Philip J. Diets, died in 1865. Two years after the father's death, his mother mar- ried again, and soon after the family came to Illinois, locating first at Madison County, then in Effingham Count}', where the mother still resides, her husband having died some time since. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Indiana and Illinois, and was for some time a student in the State Nor- mal School of Illinois. In 1870, he began life as a teacher in the public schools of Effingham County, and excepting about fifteen months spent in teaching in Central Iowa, has been en- gaged in the scliools of this county ever since, making teacliing a specialty. He taught thir- teen terms in the West Union School near Mason. From 1878 to 1881, he had charge of the Mason Public Schools; at present has charge of the public schools of Watson. Prof Diets is a man of indomitable energy, tact and skill in the profession of teaching, and hence is in- valuable in that avocation. He lias been for some time engaged in writing a work on biogra- phy, embracing the lives of the leading men, and has the work nearly ready for publication. This promises to be of unique value and inter- est. In 1872, he was married to Miss Marj' E. Cannon, of Mason, 111. One child has blessed this union, a daughter — Rochelle E. Diets, who was born June 1, 1878, at Des Moines, Iowa. WILLIAM DONALDSON, farmer, P. O. Mason, was born in Brown County, Ohio, August 9, 1821. At the age of seven j-ears, he removed with his parents to Boone County, Ky., where he learned the trade of cooper un- der his father. Mr. Donaldson was married July 2, 1846, to Sarah Wingat, daughter of William Wingat. He pursued his trade in Petersburg, Boone County, till 1849, when he re- moved to Carrollton, Carroll Co.,Ky., and con- tinued his trade in that place fourteen years, the last two years of which he engaged in the distilling and flouring business also ; turning out sixty barrels of whiskj^ and sixty-four barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. In 1861, he sold out all his interest there, and removed to Mason, 111. The follow- ing year, moved on to his farm, near town, of 160 acres in prairie and eighty acres in timber. He afterward purchased 160 acres adjoining his farm and fifty acres more in timl)er. He also has several other tracts of farming lands in the county. Mr. Donaldson makes a spe- cialty of grass-raising ; he usually cuts from 150 to 200 acres, and ships from his own 156 BIOGRAPHICAL: farms about fifteen cars of pressed hay annu- ally. He also produces a fair amount of other farm products ; for instance, iu 1882, he thrashed 1,800 bushels of oats, 500 bushels of rye, and cribbed 2,-100 bushels of corn. For the past twelve years Mr. Donaldson has en- gaged in buying and shipping grain; excepting a few years of crop failure, he shipped an aver- age of fifty car loads annually. Mr. Donaldson turns out about 100 head of fat hogs per year. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fel- lows' fraternities, and is a strong advocate of Democracy. He has a family of seven chil- dren living, and two dead. Josephine Thistle- wood, resides in Cairo ; Catharine Condon, liv- ing in Iowa ; Lue, Charles, Henry, Cora, Thomas ; Annie Vista, wife of I. B. Reed, de- ceased September, 1872 ; Willie, died in 1859, aged six years. Mr. D.'s father, Andrew Don- aldson, was born iu Brown County, Ohio, in 1795. Mr. Donaldson was a Government Sur- veyor for several years. He purchased a tract of 120 acres near Georgetown, Ohio, forty acres of which he laid out and sold in town lots. Mr. Donaldson, Sr., married in 1824 in Vir- ginia, to Miss Catharine Baxter. After some 3'ears' residence in Georgetown he removed and settled in Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ky., where he remained till 1855, when he removed to Perry County, 111, where he died in 1858. His widow died three daj's after her husband's death. The following are the children who survive them, including the subject of our sketch and Allen ; Jane Hobbs, Caroline Hobbs, Alexander, John, Joseph and Minerva Williams. JOSEPH DONALDSON, cooper. Mason, son of Andrew Donaldson, was born in Boone County, Ky., July 19, 1831. He was raised in the town of Petersburg. During the gold excitement Mr. Donaldson spent six years in California and British America, in the min- ing business. Subject was married in Carroll County, Ky., in 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Bowl- ing, daughter of William Bowling. He located in Carrollton in pursuit of his trade, cooper- ing, which continued there till 1863, when he removed to Effingham County ; returned the following year to Kentucky and enlisted in the United States Army, Companj' C, One Hun- dred and Fifty Indiana Volunteers. He served in the First Brigade and First Division of Han- cock's arm}- corps. He was in many hard marches and skirmishes. He was discharged August 5, 1865. In March, 1868, he removed with his family to Mason, III. He soon after- ward engaged in farming and stock-dealing in Union Township. In 1875, he sold his farm and moved to Mason, where he resided since in pursuit of his trade, coopering, at which he is an expert. Few men can turn out more barrels per day than Joseph Donaldson. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternitj'. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and zealous worker in the interest of his party. Mr. Donaldson has one child living, Jennie, born March 8, 1864, and two deceased. Andrew J. died (when very young) 1862, and Catharine W. died in 1880, aged eighteen 3'ears and nine months. JUDGE JOHN C. FAULK, deceased, born in January, 1799, in Albany County, N. Y. He was educated at the Greenville Academy; in Albany, N. Y., a renowned institution under the principalship of Prof Parker, father of Judge Amasa J. Parker, of Albany. Among the classmates of Mr. Faulk in this academy, were Hon. Amasa J. Parker, Hon. Hiram Gard- ner and Hon. Mitchell Sandford. After graduat- ing, Mr. Faulk entered the law office of Hon. John Adams, of Catskill, after serving as a student seven years, was at the city of Utica, at the age of twenty-two, admitted to practice, and after practicing in his profession for many years in Broome County, N. Y., he was married in Bainbridge, N. Y., February 21, 1837, to Miss Fannie A. Nichols; removed toEdgewood, 111., in 1869, where he remained till his death, which occurred March 25, 1876. He died in MASON TOWNSHIP. 157 the hope of a glorious immortality, surrounded by his family, consistiiiir of his wife and three sons and one daughter. Thus peacefully has passed away another of our old citizens. He in early life cliose law for his profession. With a laudable ambition to excel, with a retentive memory and an indomitable energj', he rapidly rose in iiis profession, and stood a peer among the galaxy of legal lights that graced the bar of I^ew York a quarter of a century ago. No case was so simple but he gave it his attention. No case so intricate, but he unraveled it. With a knowledge of almost all the decisions of the higher courts of our country, and even ability to elucidate any point necessary to success, made him a safe counselor and a successful lawyer. He was affectionate and kind as a husband and father, genial in social relations with his neighbors, and ever a gentleman and friend among his associates. JAY N. FAULK, liveryman, Edge wood, son of John C. Faulk, was bom April 4, 1840, in Chenango County, N. Y., and had the chances- of a common school education. He came to Illinois in 1857, and located at Edge- wood; engaged in clerking in a store; followed that till 1861. In 1863, he engaged in merchan- dising in Edge wood; followed that to great ex- tent off and on probably fifteen 3'ears, in con- nection with trading land and horses, and kept livery stable business. At present owns a livery stable and dwelling and property in Edgewood, as well as several pieces of land Subject is a member of the Masonic fraternitj% and is a Republican. Subject was married in Tecumseh, Mich., March 30, 1864, to Miss Sofronia A. Miller, daughter of George W. Miller, of Effingham; has one child — W. J. Faulk. JOHN L. FAULK, liveryman, Edgewood, son of John C. Faulk; was born on October 15, 1844, in Chenango County, N. Y. Left there at the age of fifteen, and went to Penn- sylvania ; remained clerking in a store for four years; ran a harness shop for two years. In 1865, he came to Edgewood, 111.; clerked in a store for his brother for some time, and pur- chased an interest in the store, which he fol- lowed with farming;, also livery business for the past seven years, and has also bought and shipped horses. JOSEPH FENDER, farmer, P. 0. Edge- wood, son of John Fender, was born in 1842, in Clay County, 111. He was raised on a farm. He engaged in the occupation of farming. Was married in 187C to Miss Nancy Baker, daugh- ter of James Baker, and settled on a farm in the southern part of Effingham Countj', 111. In 1881, he sold his farm of 180 acres in Effing- ham, and moved into Clay County, 111. Sub- jeet is a member of the Masonic fraternity-, Edgewood Lodge, No. 486. Subject has a family of four children — Joseph II., Louis, Daisj-, John B. Subject's father John Fender was born Jan. 7, 1817, in North Carolina. Left that State at the age of twelve with his parents, and re- moved to Lawrence Count}-, Ind. He was mar- ried May 18, 1836, in Lawrence County, Ind. to Miss 3Iatilda Sheeks. He engaged in farm- ing and trading in stock until 1850, when he removed to Effingham County, 111. Laid a war- rant for 160 acres, which he laid on Section 34, Mason Township. To this he added probably as much as 700 acres of land in Effingham and Clay Counties. Remained in this county- until his death, which occurred November 16, 1866.- Of a family of nine childi-en, five are living — Melinda C. Brown, born February 15, 1837 ; Isaac, born December 24, 1838 ; Daniel, born in September, 1842 ; Joseph ; Henry D., born September 16, 1862. ROBERT G. GIBSON, merchant. Mason, was born in Ohio Countj-, Ind., May 10, 1841. He learned the cooper's trade, but never fol- lowed it. In 1861, he came to Mason, 111., where he began quarrying rock, and worked until he enlisted August 12, 1861, in the Thir- ty-Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantrj', serving 158 BIOGRAPHICAL: until the close of the war. He was in many bloody battles, and at Chickamauga he was captured, September 19, 1863, and was held until Maj' 6, 1865, when he was paroled. He was held at Richmond two months, Danville, Va., five months, and lay in Andersonville four and one-half months, then in Charleston, S. C, thirt}- days, then at Florence, N. C, balance of time. He was reduced to a skeleton, and suffered more than words can tell. He was mustered out in Springfield, 111., in May, 1865, and came back to Mason, where he engaged in the milling business, buying a third interest in the firm of D. W. Sisson & Co. Ran Mason Mills twelve months, when he traded for a farm, which he conducted in the fall of 1867, when he bought a stock of goods of Isaac Baker, and has conducted a general merchan- dise business ever since, with good success. In addition to the store interests, he buys and ships grain and hoop poles and ties, employ- ing in all departments from twelve to fifteen hands ; and he also conducts three farms. His parents died when lie was nine 3'ears old. and he had to shift for himself He was mar- ried in Mason, 111., in 1866, to Miss Ellen White, a native of Massachusetts, and has four children living. WILLIAM 0. GINTER, carpenter. Mason, was born May 2, 1835, in Bath Count}-, K}'. At the age of seventeen he took up the car- , penter's trade, at which he served an appren- ticeship of three years at Owingsville, Ky. He came to Effingham Count}', 111., in 1855, and began carpentering. Mr. Ginter was mar- ried February 27, 1846, to Mrs. Julia Morphew. In 1868, he purchased a farm about two miles north of Mason and moved on it. He farmed a short time during the summer and worked the remainder of the year at his trade. In 1881, he removed to Mason. Subject has a family of three children living — Nanna M., Zuanna and Ursula ; and two dead — John H., died October 1877, age eleven j'ears; Samuel L., died October 18, 1869, age about one year. Subject, politically, is a Democrat. A. GRANGER, farmer, P. O. Edgewood, Mason Township, son of John Granger, was born in 1819, in Wayne County, N. Y., where he was married June 7, 1842, to Miss Sarah Cass. Removed to Lake County, 111., bought a farm and engaged in farming, which he con- tinued till 1862, when he sold his farm and moved to Effingham County, and engaged in farming in West Township, where he purchased a farm of 160 acres. In 1875, he removed to Edgewood, 111. In April, 1882, Mr. Granger's wife died, leaving the following children, viz., James C, Lucy H., Mary (wife of W. E. Wisner), J. M., Clarence, Elmer E., Imogen, Edwin, Elizabeth. In 1852, Mr. Granger was elected Sheriff of Lake County, 111., and filled the position of Deputy Surveyor one term. SOLOMON HAINES, farmer. Mason P. O., Mason Township, son of Richard Haines, was born April 20, 1826, in Orange County, Ind. He grew to manhood in that count}'. Had fair opportunity for education; subscrip- tion schools. Subject was married January 11, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Martin, who died in 1860, leaving three children, John A., Sarah Ann, Hattie. In 1866, he was married in Ef- fingham County, 111., to Mary McCulley. Re- moved to Effingham County in 1850, and re- engaged in farming, on a farm of fifty acres, Section 13, to which he added forty acres of river bottom. In 1865, he enlisted in the war, Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois. Was sent to Nashville, Tenn.; re- mained in service till the close of the war, a term of eight months. By his second marriage has one child, viz., Eva D. DR. JOSEPH HALL, Postmaster, physi- cian and druggist, Edgewood, is a son of Dr. Joseph Hall, was born July 14, 1840, in Ontario County^ N. Y., whence he came to Edgewood in the year 1859, and remained a short time. Studied medicine under his MASON TOWNSHIP. 159 father, who was at Bloomfielci, N. Y. Our sub- ject was married to Miss Laura O. Tourge, February 4, 1864, in Wayne County, Mich. Settled in Edgewood, III., in spring of 1864, where he has since practiced medicine with success, and run a drug store. He is a man of sterling worth to the (^ominunit}- in which he lives. He is politically a Republican. Was appointed Postmaster in 1870, and resigned in 1873, and was re-appointed Postmaster in 1881, which office he continues to fill. He has two children — Seacheus L., born September 11, 1868, and Lawrence L., born July 17, 1871. Subject's father. Dr. Joseph Hall, was born September 12, 1805, in Westchester County, N. Y. Studied medicine under Dr. Beech and Dr. Smith, of New York City. He was also an ordained minister of Christian conviction. Mr. Hall practiced medicine in State of New York several years, till 1859, when he immigrated to Effingham County, 111., settling in West Town- ship, He died February 14, 1861, at his resi- dence in West Township. He had a family of four children, three sons and one daughter — Edwin, Sarah M,, Joseph and Asa H. CHRISTIAN HANSON, railroad man, son of H. P. Hanson, was born in Denmark February 22, 1843, where he remained till 1862. when came to America. He landed at New York City, pushed westward to Chicago, and secured a situation in the employ of Illinois Central Railwaj'. He was placed in charge of the railroad tank two miles north of Mason, which position he has filled since. In connec- tion with this for the last few j-ears, he has also run a tank near Neoga on the same road. He is a proniinent memben of the Masonic fraternity. He has held all of the offices of his lodge from the lowest to the highest, and is also a member of the R. A. Chapter. Mr. Hanson was married in this count}' in 1865, to Miss Caroline Johanson, daughter of Peter Johanson, a highly respected citizen of the county. They have a family of four children, namely', Charles, John, Willie and Henry, STEPHEN HARDIN, farmer, P, 0. Mason, son of John and Ellen (Colclasure) Hardin, was born in Washington County, Ind., Septem- ber 18, 1818, and was raised on farm with advan- tages for an education limited to a few terms of winter school. He came to Clay County, 111., in 1843, having been married, in 1841, to Miss Mary Stalcup, of Orange County-, Ind., by whom he had five sons and three daughters, who grew up : Elizabeth E., wife of Andrew Nelson, of Mason; John S., died in army at Pilot Knob, Mo., in October, 1861, aged eight- een years ; Jane Adeline, unmarried; Peter B,, farmer in Mason; Leander Madison, of Mason Township; Sarah Evaline, wife of John C. Martin, of this town; Levi C, of this town- ship, farmer; John S. (No. 2), on the old home- stead. Our subject came by team to what is now Georgetown, 111., settling at the edge of timber skirting a tributary of Little Muddy Creek, on unimproved land, when he opened a farm of eight}' acres, part prairie and part tim- ber; building a cabin, he went to work, and added from his earnings several other tracts, working on it for ten years. In November, 1850, he was elected Sheriff of Claj^ County, and serve a term of two years, and in 1853 he en- gaged in merchandising at Georgetown, 111., continuing there two years. Mr. Hardin and his partner, William McCracken, divided the stock of goods, and subject with a portion of the stock, came to Mason in 1855, and in 1856 moved his famil}' here, and has resided here ever since. He closed out his stock in the spring of 1858, and in November, of that 3'ear, he was elected Representative from the coun- ties of Fayette and Effingham by the Dem- ocracj'. He served in the session of 1858-59, and during this time he introduced the bill which provided for the removal of the county seat from Ewington to Effingham, During' 1860-61, he again engaged in mer- 160 BIOGRAPHICAL: cbandising at Mason, with a branch store at Winterrowd. He has since devoted his entire attention to farming and stocli-raising, and almost every year since coming here has bought and shipped stock, principally hogs and cattle. His farm, with the exception of a small lot and cabin, has been made bj' his own labors, and it consists of seventy -five acres in this tract, and sixteen acres were platted by him, and is known as Hardin's Addition to Mason. He has various other bodies of farm- ing lands. His father was born in North Car- olina, Julj', 1795, and came to Washington County, Ind., when about twenty years old, and farmed there until 1864, when he came to this county, and is now living with subject, aged eighty-seven years. He married a lad}- of German parentage, and raised a familj- of eleven children, all of whom became heads of families. The mother died here about 1871. HENRY C. HENRY, Postmaster, Mason, son of Joseph Henry, was born in Effingham County, 111., December 15, 1847. Here he re- mained till 18t)l, when he enlisted in the war. Company B, Thirt^'-eighth Illinois. His com- mand was first forwarded to Missouri, after- ward to Corinth, Miss., and was in that siege, battle of Chaplain Hills, Ky. He was wounded at Stone River; a ball passed through his chest and lungs. He was discharged March 2, 1863, and he returned home. He re-enlisted in May. 1864, Company F, One Hundred and Fortj-- third Illinois; this time in the one-hundred-day service. Was sent to Helena, Ark., in the Cyprus swamps, and his command was disabled for duty bj' malaria, so prevalent in that section. Subject was married, August 17, 1868, in Cass County, Mich., to Miss Mattie L. Wheeler, daughter of S. H. Wheeler. He engaged in nursery business in Mason. Has for many years served as Government Detective. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternit}-, and is a Republican. In 1882, was appointed Post- master at Mason, 111. Has one child — Willie. ANDREW J. HOBBS, farmer, P. 0. Mason, was born February 10, 1828, in Franklin Coun- t}', Ind. Removed with his parents to Mis- souri at the age of nine }'ears. Remained there till he was eighteen years old, when he when to Kentucky. He was married in Boone Coun- ty, Ky., May 8, 1851, to Miss Caroline Donald- son, daughter of Andrew Donaldson. He re- moved soon after to Switzerland County, Ind. He learned the distiller's business, which, at that time, was very paj'ing and which he followed with great success till 1860, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Patriot, Ind., for six years; then sold his store and moved onto his farm. In 1868, he sold his farm and emi- grated to Effingham County, 111., and located on an improved farm of seventy acres in Sec- tion 33, Mason Township, which he afterward purchased, on which he has made his home since. Mr. Hobbs is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Mason Lodge, No. 217. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He has ever clung to the principles of the Demo- cratic party, and rejoiceth hugely over the vic- tories of 1882. Mr. Hobbs is a genial, accom- modating old gentleman, who never loses an opportunity to assist a neighbor or friend; has won many warm friends in Mason and vicinity. He has been repeatedlj' elected to the office of Township Assessor. Of a familj- of nine chil- dren, six are living — Emerj' Hobbs, Andrew J. Hobbs, Ida M. Hobbs, Minerva Hobbs, Anna Hobbs and Grace Hobbs; and three dead — Rob- ert S., died March 23, 1881, aged nineteen years eleven months and twenty-five days; i\Irs. Ella Hinkle was born October 26, 1856, and died July 19, 1881; Alexander D., was born March 25, 1870, died October 8, 1871. J. P. HOLMES, insurance agent. Mason, was born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., 1816; soon after moved with his parents to Chambers- burg, where he was raised. Had liberal chances for education. Attended Dickinson College, located at Carlisle, two years, gaining MASON TOWNSHIP. 161 a first-class, practical business course, aiming at the same time to studj- medicine; made con- siderable researeli into tlie languages. He has done for himself since the age of seventeen. Subject was married in Franklin County, Penn., to Lucetta Douglass, daughter of William Douglass. Engaged in teaching school till 1845, when he enlisted as a private in Company A, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, and entered the Mexican war. He was selected as Major of the regiment. At the battle of Buena Vista, he was wounded in the calf of his right leg, and taken to tlic liospital; from the effect of this he is still a cripple; 1847, he moved his family, consisting of wife and three childi-en, to Wells Count}-, Ind. Soon after, moved to Wabash County, Ind.; bought a farm of IOC acres and followed farming and teaching till 1855, when he immigrated to Tazewell County, 111. After farming four years in Tazewell County, he then removed to Eureka, Woodford County; re- mained at l)usiness of farming three years. In 1860, in Tazewell County, he sold 1,200 bushels of corn at 11 cents per bushel, when he could have sold it for $1 per bushel the next j'ear. In 1864, he moved to El Paso, Woodford Coun- ty, and engaged in the insurance business, which he followed till 1866. He was Police Magistrate of the city several terms of four years each. In 1874, moved to Decatur, tlience, the same year, to Effingham County, wiiere his wife died in the spring of 1875. In 1876, lo- cated at Mason, in the insurance business, at which business he still continues. He served one term as Police Magistrate of Mason. Mr. Holmes was married in December, 1875, to Mrs. Eva K. McCracken. C. P. LEATHERMAN, manufacturer, Ma- son, son of John Leatherman, was born July 10, 1814, in Ohio. Wlien he was four j-ears old his parents moved to Indiana. He was married in 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Krutz- inger, daugliter of Jacob Krutziuger, of Orange County, Ind. He served an appren- ticeship at blacksmithing, under a brother, David L., and pursued that business in Orange County till 1853; he then moved to Cla}' County, 111., and in 18C9 to Mason, Effingham Co., 111., following his trade in the two last places. He is a plow-maker also, and turns out quite a number each 3ear, for whicli he finds ready sale. Thousands of pounds of iron has he wrought into implements of utility, year after year has he toiled at his trade, that of liard toil, over the furnance and forge. It is the many hard and repeated blows over the anvil that sends the Ijlood rushing tlirough the veins, and makes life long and healthful. Labor and honesty go hand in hand, and Mr. Leath- erman is honest and one of the first citizens of our county. Subject has a family as follows: Miss Sarah Cornwell, William, a resident of Vandalia; Jacob, Miss Mollie Hale, James, George, iMrs. Allice Goodnight, Harvey. ISAAC LOWRY LEITH, farmer, P. O. Mason, was born in Perry County, Oliio, De- ceml)er 16, 1814. He removed to Fairfield County with his parents when about fifteen months old, and he grew upon a farm near Pleasantville, Ohio, until seventeen years old, when he struck out for liimself, going Xorth he found a home among tlie Wyandot Indians on the Sandusky River, in what is now Wyandot County, Oliio, in seach of adventure; he traded witli the tribe in horses, and remained with them three years, and went to Hebron, Lick- ing Co., Ohio, and for tliree years supplied the hotels for twenty -six miles along tlie Na- tional road with beef, driving wagon himself, and hired the butchering done. In the spring of 1840, lie came on horseback, a single man, arriving at Mason April 26, 1840. He entered land in 1840-42, in Section 12, 13 and 11, and added thereto until he iiad 400 acres. He fenced and l)roke the first field in tiie prairie, which was afterward known as the Leitli Prai- rie. He was married in 1844, to Miss Brown, and settled norlli of Ewington, on vvliat is known 162 BIOGRAPHICAL: as the Blakelj' farm, living there for one and a half years. He then settled on his farm in Section 12, where he lived five years, engaged largely in buying and driving stock. He bought and fed cattle and hogs principally. He brought a drove of sheep from Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1843, and sold them to the farmers. As early as 1837, while in W3'andot County, Ohio, he drove herd of horses to South- ern Virginia and North Carolina, a distance of 650 miles. Mr. Leith was actively engaged in buying stock for twenty-five years, spending a large portion of his time in saddle, buying for most part in this and neighboring counties, driving to St. Louis and Ohio, until the build- ing of the Central "Railroad, when he shipped to Cincinnati, Ohio, and Chicago. From 1853 to 1855, he aided in the building of the I. C. R. R., being foreman of a gang of men, and had a contract for hauling stone; superintended forty ox teams. In 1855, he moved to his pres- ent place, selling his old homestead, now owned by Mr. Dallis, of Piatt County, 111. He bought a tract of wild prairie land here, with the ex- ception of a small patch fenced and a log cabin. Mr. Leith has put aljout 280 acres of land in cultivation, and fenced 120 acres of timber. He produced wheat largely, raising some years 3,000 bushels per year. During past ten years, has not handled much stock, but has raised grain. Politically, Mr. Leith was a Democrat until the issues of the war came on; he voted for Mr. Lincoln, and in 1861 was elected to the Constitutional Convention which met in 1862. He was nominated bj' the Douglas Democrats, and received a large Republican vote. He was appointed on a committee with Mr. John F. Waschefort and Mr. McCann, to learn what the people wished in regard to township organiza- tion, and visited everj' township in the countj', and served in various offices in the township. He has the following children: Leslie W., of this county, in mail service on Narrow Guage road; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Will Wade, of Salem, Oregon; Fanny Ann, wife of D. W. Matthers, druggist of Salem, Oregon; Amanda Crooker, wife of E. Hobbs, farmer of this town- ship; Edmund T., farmer of this township; Alice B., wife of Dr. D. F. Lane, of St. Elmo, 111.; Sarah L., also in Salem, Oregon, wife of H. H. Ragan, merchant; Cora D.; Enola May, in school at present. Our subject's father, Samuel Leith, was a son of John Leith, born on the Pedee River in North Carolina; was of Scotch parents, who were members of a numer- ous clan, located near the city and river of that name. His parents died when he was young, and he was put under a guardian, and not lik- ing to learn a trade ran awa^' at the age of thirteen years, and went up to Little York, Penn., through the wilderness. He remained at Little York four years, when he went to Ft. DuQuesne, now Pittsburgh. DAVID LEITH, deceased, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Fairfield Count}', Ohio, in 1817, son of Samuel and Amanda (De Long) Leith, he born in the Northwestern Territory, and died in 1822, at the age of fifty-five 3'ears ; she, born in Pennsylvania, and died in 1814, at the age of sixt^'-three 3'ears. The}- were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters. Our subject received a common-school education, and started in life as a farmer. He was mar- ried in Fairfield, Ohio, in September, 1842, to Amanda Wilson, a native of Virguiia, born in 1808. They had the following children : John C, Kate, Hattie, George, Thomas, Emma, Lau- ra, Fannie and Homer, named in the order of their births. Our subject's father, Samuel Leith, in his earlj' days was captured and for a long time held by the Delaware Indians, and during the time of his captivity, the girl that afterward became his wife was also a captive in the hands of the Cuyahoga tribe. The two met under these circumstances, formed an ac- quaintance, and were afterward united in mar- riage. Our subject was a Supervisor at the MASON TOWNSHIP. 16$ first organization of the county, and was also elected to the Legislature. He was a Demo- crat in politics, and an A., F. & A. M., mid also a lloj-al Arch Mason. DAVID K. LKtTIl. farmer, F. O. Mason, is a son of James Leith, and was born in Fair- field Count}', Ohio, January 27, 1837. He re- moved with his parents, at the age of five, to EtHngham County, 111. He was raised on a farm, and was thus engaged when he started for himself about two miles east of Mason. Mr. Leith was married in this county October 2, 1859, to Miss Mary Wilson, daugliter of William Wilson. He has a fiimily of four chil- dren, as follows : Dallas 0., born November 30, 1861 ; Mary B., born July 9, 1867 ; Oscar, was born November 9, 1869 ; Franklin A., was born April 27. 1871. Subject has an excellent little farm of fifty- three acres, and raises a fair amount of wheat, oats, corn, etc. He is polit- ically, a Democrat of the old school. Subject's father, James Leith, was born in Licliing Coun- ty, Ohio, January 27, 1814. He was married in Fairfield County, Ohio, in February, 1 836, to Miss Barbara Bank. He pursued the avoca- tion of farming in Fairfield County till 1842, when he removed with his family to Effingham County, Til., and located on a tract of land two miles east of Mason, which he afterward en- tered of Congress to the amount of 415 acres, to which he afterward added forty acres. Here he opened up a fine farm, and spent the re- mainder of his life in good circumstances. Subject had twelve children, six of whom are living, and are good citizens of this county — David K. Leith, Samuel, Mrs. Sarah Murphy, Taylor, Allen, and Mrs. Nora Hardin. Mr. Leith died at a good old age. His widow sur- vives him, and resides on the home farm. J. C. LEITH, farmer, P. O. Mason, is a na- tive of this county, was born in August, 1843. He was raised on his father's farm, two miles east of Mason. He engaged in farming on the old home farm when he began business for himself He makes his occupation a decided success. He produces an immense amount of grain, grass, etc., and keeps on hand a fair amount of stock. He is an earnest and zealous supporter of the principles of Democracj'. Subject's father, David Leith, a native of Fair- field County, Ohio, was born June 8, 1817. He was married in Fairfield County September 20. 1842, to Miss Amanda WiLson, daughter of William A. Wilson. Shortly after his marriage he removed to this count}', and located on a tract of land two miles east of Mason. He purchased a tract of upward of 500 acres, and succeeded in putting 300 acres under a high state of cultivation. He was an active busi- ness man and an excellent farmer. He dealt largely in stock and stock raising, cattle and hogs principally. In 1867 (having previously burned a large kiln of l)rick for the purpose), he erect- ed a commodious brick residence, at a proba- ble cost of $5,000. Mr. Leith moved into his new house in March, 1868. In 1870, he was elected Representative in the State Legislature from Shelby and Effingham Counties. He died before the expiration of his term of office. His death occurred at his home June 10, 1871. His deceased widow, Mrs. Amanda K. Leith, who survived him a few years, was born in Frederick County, Va. She died at her old home November 18. 1S76. They raised a family of nine children, all living, viz.: (Sub- ject of our sketch); Catherine R., wife of Dr. Isaac Baker ; Harriet E., widow of William B. Cooper, deceased ; George W.; Mrs. Sarah E. HoUoway; David T.; Mrs. Laura A. Davis ; Mrs. Mary P. Jlartin ; Homer E. JAMES G. LOUDER, farmer, R O. Edge- wood, son of Gideon Louder, was born April 11, 1844, in Effingham County, 111.; was raised on a farm. In 1862, he enlisted in the war. Company C, Ninetj'-eighth Illinois. This com- mand was assigned to the Army of the Cum- berland, and consequently was in the following battles : Hoover's Gap, Elk River, Chickamau- 164 BIOGRAPHICAL: ga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, battles around Atlanta, Selma, Ala., and was discharged June 7, 1865; returned home and engaged in farming. He was married October 26, 1865, in Edgewood, III., to Miss Annie Baker, daugh- ter of Robert Baker; engaged In the avocation of farming in the vicinitj- of Edgewood. He has a famil}' of five children living, namely, Robert, Fannie, Barney, Flora, Emma ; and three dead — Alwilda, Marj- and Etta. JOHN T. MARTIxN, Mason, was born Feb- ruary 13, 1841, in Effingham; spent his boy- hood days with his parents, in Jackson Town- ship. In 1861, he enlisted in the war, in Com- pany G, Eleventh Illinois Volunteers; was sta- tioned at Camp Dubois, and afterward at Bird's Point, Mo., where he was discharged. In 1862, he enlisted in the three 3^ears' service in Com- pany G, Sixty-second Illinois, and was for- warded to Cairo, 111.; thence to Paducah, Tenn., and thence to Columbus; came home once on twenty days' furlough, and then joined his com- mand at Reterford Station. Was honorably dis- charged in 1865, and he returned home to Effingham County, 111. Subject was married, March 8, 1866, to Miss Ann Bailey, daughter of Henry Bailej'. Mr. Martin has a family of three children living — Alex, John and Kitty Bliss; and two dead — Harry, died at the age of l)ine years, in 1877, and Dellie, who died in 1872, age nine months. WILLIAM M. MARTIN, livery. Mason, son of Moses Martin, was born August 30, 1844, in Effingham Count}', 111. He engaged in the liver}- business in 1858, in Mason, 111., which he has continued since that time with good success. He was married, in February, 1873, in Marion Countj', 111., to Miss Anna Blacka- more, daughter of Samuel Blackamore. His family consists of four children, as follows : Iva, Nellie, Corenia and Willie. He is a stanch Democrat, and a clever gentleman. WILLIAM MATTHEWS, M. D. (deceased), was born in Montgomery County, Va., July 27, 1819. He belonged to a manl}' and vigorous race, his grandfather, John Haven, having been an Inventor and man of great force of character and originalit^v. In the autumn of 1827, the sub- ject of this memoir emigrated with his parents to Putnam County, Ind , where he was associa- ted with his father in agricultural pursuits, un- til his twentieth j^ear, at which time he entered upon the study of medicine, under Dr. William Talbot, of Greencastle, Ind., a gentleman of rich learning and wonderful hospitality. After completing a full course of reading, he moved to Stilesville, Hendricks County, where, in 1843, he formed the acquaintance of, and was soon after married to. Miss Ruth Ann Jessup, a lady of brilliant attainments and of a most amiable disposition, by whom he had two children, one of whom, David W. Matthews, is still living. (See sketch). Shortly after his first marriage, he matriculated in Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he graduated with the highest honors. He then removed to Putnam Count}-, where he remained till his second mar- riage, in 1848, to Miss Deborah S. Hopwood, of Bellville, Ind., a lady of great worth, and one who proved herself to be a most excel- lent and helpful companion to him through all the trials and afflictions of his after life. By her he had three children, only one of whom, James N., survived, and will be made the sub- ject of a sketch in this volume. From 1848 until 1858 Dr. M. was engaged in the practice of medicine in Putnam Count}', Ind. At the end of this time, he removed with his family to Mason, Effingham Co., 111., where he continued in the active work of his profession till the day of his death, January 13, 1874. Dr. Mat- thews was a most valuable and esteemed citizen an able and popular physician, a great phil- anthropist, and his loss was deeply deplored by the large circle of acquaintances among whom he moved and labored. He was a friend to the poor, and endeared himself to them by his con- siderate attentions and humane treatment. He MASON TOWNSHIP. 165 did an immense amount of work for little or no pay. He was a man of strong social and polit- ical instincts. As a politician he was ahva3-s an anti-slavist ; having early allied himself witli the Republican Party, he worked zealously with it until the close of the war, and the later constitutional amendments were adopted. As a literary man, Dr. Matthews was a most persevering writer, with a diction like that of Haliam. His contributions to the press, on every conceivable topic, would, if collected, fill many volumes. He wrote with great force and accuracj-, and from the fullness and freshness of a richly endowed intellect. For many months prior to his death, he was engaged in preparing an elaborate work on " Domestic Medicine," for popular use, but died before his manuscript reached the press. He loved na- ture, and was most sensitivel}- alive to the in- fluence of the beautiful, whether in the tiny insect, the flower, the tree, or the human sub- ject. God's works were not voiceless and meaningless to him. In religion he was practi- cal and liberal-minded, holding to the doctrine of Universalism, in its broadest and fullest sig- nificance. He idolized his friends, and clung with tenacity to the memories of his >youth, and this sketch of a good man, can not be more appropriately concluded than b}" quoting an extract from his pen, touching one of the cher- ished impressions of his declining years. In his " Autobiograph}-," he says : " On my own part, the nearer I approach the end of my mor- tal career, the stronger do I cling to the sincere friendships formed in the days of my youth, and my earnest prayer to Almighty God is, that they shall be the last things on earth to part from my memory and abandon my bosom, and among the first to hail and cheer me on my entrance upon the better life." DAVID WADE MATTHEWS, druggist, Sa- lem, Ore., the eldest son of William Matthews, M. D.. of whom we publish elsewhere a condensed sketch, was born in the village of Stilesville, Hen- dricks Co., Ind., September 18, 1844. When only a few weeks old his father removed to the vi- cinity of Fillmore, Putnam County, of the same State, at which place the subject of our notice passed the greater part of his childhood, having lost his mother when but two years of age. In 1858, his father having remarried, he emigrated with his household to Mason, 111., where the son divided his time in attending school and in assisting in the cultivation of a large tract of new prairie-land. Though of a delicate organization, he yet was a most indus- trious lad, and applied himself with diligence to the discharge of his duties, both in school and out. At the outbreak of the rebellion, he was among the first in this section of the State to join the army of the Union. At the age of sixteen, he enlisted in the Eleventh Illinois Infantry, under Capt. Rose, a man, who, it is claimed, subsequently rendered himself ex- tremely odious to his company, through a career of intolerable misconduct and mistreat- ment. The regiment went into camp about the last of July, 1861, at Bird's Point, opposite Cairo, where it remained most of the time in- active, until the storming of Fort Donelson, at which time it was thrown into the thickest of the carnage, and barely escaped total destruc- tion. The men fought bravely and desperately against fearful odds, but the ranks of the regi- ment were frightfull}' thinned and mutilated. Young Matthews, having l)een selected to guard the colors, was one of several others who were shot down in the early part of the conflict. His wound, at first thought to be fatal, proved otherwise, the ball having penetrated and passed through the fleshiest part of his thigh, barely missing the femoral artery. For a few hours he was a prisoner in the hands of the enemy, but not being in a condition for removal to the rear, the doubtful tide of battle soon re- stored him to the Union lines. Ilis wound bled most profusely, and the toes of one foot were frozen so severely that the ends subse- 166 BIOGRAPHICAL: quently ulcerated and sloughed off. It was a terrible night, and he was among the last car- ried off of the bloody field. For many long hours he lay weltering in his blood, pillowed upon the incarnated snow, with the dead and d3'ing alone for companions, and the bleak, howling winds for his comforter. But a gra- cious providence directed some of his associates to the inhospitable spot where he lay, and he was removed to a temporary hospital, whence he was soon after taken aboard the steamer, Allen Collier, and conveyed to Cincinnati, where he was granted an unlimited furlough. His wound having healed, however, he returned to his regiment at the end of sixty days, and served out his term of eulisment, participating in many of the severest struggles of the war. Returning home in 1864, he attended college for one term, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and from that time forward, until 1875, he was associated with his father and cousin, W. L. Wade, in the pursuit of horticulture and mixed farming. In October, 18G7, he was married to Miss Fan- nie A. Leith, a j'oung lady of great worth and prominence in the communitj", and in time the}' became blessed with a small circle of beautiful children. From 1875 until 1881, Mr. Mat- thews held many important positions of trust among his fellow-citizens, and for several years was in the Government Postal Service, a part of the time in the capacit}' of Postmaster at Mason, and a part as Mail Agent on the St. Louis & Vandalia road. In 1881, for the purpose of bettering his fortunes, he removed to Salem, Ore. En route thither his family contracted malignant small-pox, and two of the number, Nellie and Lowery, beautiful and in- telligent children, succumbed to the loathsome maladv. The affliction of the family was intol- erable during this awful period of isolation and lone suffering, but it finally ended as all trials must. Three children are living, Ruth, Mary and Oskie. Mr. M. now enjoys a well estab- lished drug trade in Salem, and is growing popular as his acquaintance extends. He is a ! man of great practical abilit}', of generosity and high mindedness. He has alwaj's been a consistent advocate of Republican principles, and in his social relations there are few better men. He contributes some to the current prints, and is a scholarly and accurate writer. J. N. MATTHEWS, physician. Mason, was born in Putnam County, near Greencas- tle, Ind., May 27, 1852. When two years old, his father's family came to Mason, 111. When ver}' young, he evinced a taste for reading and scribbling, partly from inheritance and partly from his own surroundings. Among his earli- est discoveries of himself was. no doubt, the amazing one that he could make his words jingle, and at a very early day he had that supremely happiest moment in all boy's lives that have the gift of writing, of seeing his rhymes in print. From the country school, when 3'et not over ten years of age, he stepped up into the exalted place of '' imp" in the vil- lage printing oflice, and here, among the types, and the atmosphere of a printing office, was confirmed and improved the natural bent of the boy's genius, and liis pen has never rested long at a time since that period. He has writ- ten much for various publications, and re- peatedly- has given evidences of real poetic and literary merit. He entered the Industrial Uni- versity, Champaign, 1868, and graduated as the head of his class in 1872. For the next three years he devoted his time to literar}'- work and reporting for different newspapers. In 1875, he entered the Medical College of St. Louis, and graduated, again with the first honors, and that, too, in a class of 120 candi- dates. In 1878, he married Miss Luella Brown, of Madison, Ind., and located in Mason, in the practice of his chosen profession. Our sub- ject is the son of Dr. William Matthews (de- ceased), of whom, and also of a brother of our subject, sketches will be found elsewhere. MASON TOWNSHIP. 167 A. McANDERSON, M. D., Mason, was born in October, 1830, in Pennsylvania. He re- moved with parents in his j-outh to Richland County, Ohio, where he grow to manhood with a fair opportunity for obtaining an educfation. He graduated in 1851, at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. In IStil, he enlisted in the Union army, and was placed on special service as a surgeon at a hospital near Nash- ville, Tenn ; served three years. After the close of the war he located, for the practice of his profession, at Springfield 111., where he re- mained a short time. He removed to Chicago, where he gained a first-class practice. In Oc- tober, 1871, he had everything, including his library, swept away by the great fire. In the spring of 1877, he located at Mason, 111., and has a good practice. Dr. McAnderson was married in 1856, in Wyandot County, Ohio, to Miss Helen E. McGill, who died in Springfield, 111., in 1864. ESQUIRE JOHN McDONALD, cooper, Edgewood, sou of William McDonald, was born in 1818, in Clermont County, Ohio. Here he remained till 1866. He learned the cooper trade during his boyhood, and located, in the pursuit of his trade, at New Richmond, Cler- mont Co., Ohio. He pursued this avoca- tion till 1852, when he engaged in clerking in a dry goods and grocery store, and served two terms as Justice of the Peace during the time. In 1861, he was appointed Postmaster at New Richmond, and was re-appointed in 1865. In 1866, he resigned the position in behalf of a crippled soldier, whom he recommended and secured the appointment. He then removed to ElTingham County, 111., and engaged in work- ing at his trade at Edgewood, which he still continues. Mr. McDonald has served one terra as Justice of the Peace and two terms as Police Magistrate of the village of Edgewood. Is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been Secretary of the Edgewood Lodge during the last fifteen years of his residence here. Mr. McDonald was married in Clermont County, Ohio, No- vember 14, 1839, to Miss Rebeoca Bradbury. She died in 1849, the mother of four children Marion, Theodore, Leroy, MoUie. Subject was married in New Richmond, Ohio, June, 1851, to Miss Alice Swem. Her death occurred Ma3' 6, 1853. One child, Laura, survives her. In 1855, he was married to Esther Jackson, of New Richmond, with whom he now lives. He has three children by her — Charles, Maj' and Hattie. Subject had four sons who faced the showers of leaden hail in the great rebellion — Thomas, who died of affections contracted in the war, Marion. Theodore and Leroy. Mr. McDonald is a man of generosit}- and first- class hospitality, and is a useful member of society. BARNEY McKOUN, railroad section fore- man, Mason. Was born March 17, 1832, in County Tyrone, Ireland. In 1853, he came to New York and worked on a farm one year, then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and spent the winter there. The following summer, he en- gaged in the avocation of a sailor on Lake Erie. In 1857, he went to Chicago and secured a sit- uation in the emploi' of the Illinois Central Railway. In 1863, he was appointed section foreman, a position he has since filled. Mr. McKoun was married at Mattoon, January 12, 1863, to Miss Mary Cunningham, of Chi- cago. He has a family of seven sous and one daughter, as follows: Isabel, John, Daniel, Bar- ney, James, Patrick, Michael and Thomas F. Subject is a Demcjcrat. JUDGE ROBERT S. MILLS, druggist. Mason, was born February 28, 1813, in Hamilton County, Ohio. Came with his par- ents, when quite young, to Vevay, Ind.; after- ward removed by flat-boat to Charleston, Clarke County, Ind.; in 1835, located in Orange County, Ind. Here he was married, in June, 1836, to Miss Caroline Chapman, daughter of Thomas F. Chapman. In 1840, he removed 168 BIOGRAPHICAL: to Charleston, Coles Co. Ill, where he was elected Justice of the Peace one term, and two terms to the office of County Judge, which position he filled with great credit from 1845 to 1848 inclusive. During Fillmore's adminis- tration, he was Postmaster at Charleston, 111.; he also ran a drug store, which he continued several 3'ears after his term as Postmaster ex- pired. He then went down on the Central Railroad south of Mattoon, and established the little town of ^Etna. Was the first Postmaster of that place. He was one of the principal agi- tators for the building of the Masonic hall, which was erected at that place. He was pro- prietor of a grocer^' store; also built a grain house, and engaged in grain-buying rather ex- tensively. In 1863, he sold his interest at ^Etna and removed to Mason, Effingham Co., Ill, and embarked in merchandising. In 1873, engaged in the drug business, his present avocation. Judge Mills is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has a famil}' of seven children — Thomas C; Ophelia S., wife of Henr^' Moore, of Clark County; Hattie, wife of Henrj- Hoxley, of Ne- braska; Clarence S.; George T., jeweler, of 5Ia- son; Alline, wife of George Wade, of Mason; May. Mr. Mills is a gentleman whose days are fast passing away, whose life is like a liv- ing stream, purified by upright and sincere motives, fair and honest dealings. He has won a host of friends, who shelter him in his old age with a true kindliness and a devoted friendship. WILLIAM MUIR, saloon-keeper, Edgewood, son of Cyrus Muir, was born in Pickaway Coun- ty, Ohio, December 3, 1844. Moved to Douglas County, 111., at the age of thirteen, where he engaged in farming for three years; purchased an interest in a saw-mill in Missouri, which he ran for some time. Among the big contracts was the sawing of the ties of Q., W. & P. R. R., from Quincy to Kirksville, a distance of seven- ty-five miles. He kept a saloon for six years in Mansfield, 111. In May, 1882, he engaged in same business in Edgewood, 111. Subject was married to Miss MoUie Buoy, May 22, 1865, in Douglas County, 111., who died February 23, 1877, and he married his second wife, Irena S. Buoy, in 1880. Subject has three children : by his first wife, Eva and Annie, and one by his second wife — Bertha. Mr. Muir is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge. M. O'DONNELL, farmer, P. 0. Mason, was born November 4, 1825, in Ireland. Came to America in 1847. Remained in New York and New Jersey about two years, then came to Effingham County, 111. Worked on the railroad two years in Missouri. Came back to this sec- lion, and engaged in farming near Mason. First, he had sixty-one acres of land; now has 253 in this county, and 140 in Iowa. He raises considerable grain — wheat, corn, etc. — and has dealt in live-stock largely- in the past. Mr. O'Donnell was married to Miss Maria Brogan, in New Jersey, in June, 1858; have two chil- dren living — Michael and Catharine. He be- longs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a mem- ber of the Catholic Church. Mr. O'Donnell is an honorable citizen of Effingham County, and takes an active part in politics. WILLIAM O'KEEFFE, farmer, P.O. Mason, son of John O'KeeflFe, was born in January, 1830, County Cork, Ireland. Came to America at the age of sixteen. Remained in New York Citj' about one year, and went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he remained about three years. From there he removed to Milwaukee, Wis.; was in Chicago a short time, and came to Effingham County, 111., January, 1856, and set- tled on a farm in Mason Township. He at present owns a farm of 219 acres in Sections 8 and 17, Mason Township, and Section 36, Jack- son Township, on which he has fine buildings and orchards. Politically, a Democrat. Mr. O'Keeffe was married in St. Mary, Abbott's Parish, London, England, October 6, 1850, to Miss Margaret McCue, daughter of Patrick MASON TOWNSHIP. 109 McCue. Mrs. O'Keeffe was born in London, March 10, 1833, and was raised in Ireland — Glinvcoth, Cork Count}-. P. G. PAUGH, pliysician. Mason, was born December 27, 1814, in Bourbon Countj', Ky. His fiitlier died before his birth and his mother died soon after, and he was brought up by his sister, with whom he removed to Mon- roe County, Ind.. at the age of seven 3-ears. Here he received a liberal education in the high scliools of that county. He studied medi- cine under E. C. Moberly, a term of five years, whom he afterward bought out and engaged in the practice, in Bedford, Ind. Soon after, re- moved to iSpringville, of the same county, and engaged at his profession, where he remained a practitioner for thirty 3"ears. In 1867, he im- migrated to Mason, 111., and again located in the practice of medicine; here he has a first-class practice; here, he has won man}- warm friends. Dr. Paugh was married in Lawrence County, Ind., August 11, 1831, to Miss Hannah Scog- gan,who died May 13, 1840. Mr. Paugh was mar- ried iu the latter part of 1840, to Miss Eliza Cook, daughter of John Cook, of Lawrence County, Ind. Subject has two sons and five daughters living — Dr. William H. Paugh, re- sides in Mattoon, 111.; John C. Paugh, M. D., a resident of Mason, and the subject of another sketch in this volume; Sarah E., wife of Newton Young, of Altamont; Mar}- F., wife of Joseph Cook, and resides in Mattoon, 111.; Amelia A., wife of Andrew Douglas, a well-known farmer near Mason ; Maria B.; Anna Laura; Joseph B. Paugh, died in 1867, aged sixteen years eight months. Subject of this sketch is a member of the M. E. Church and of the Masonic fraternity. He is an ardent supporter of the doctrines of the Republican party. JOHN C. PATTGH, physician, P. 0. 5Ia- son, son of Dr. P. G. Paugh ; was born in 1841, in Lawrence County, Ind.; here he was raised with good opportuity for an education, which he improved. He studied medicine in charge of his father, P. G. Paugh, also under Dr. Grey, with whom he first engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1865, he came to Mason, 111., and located in the practice of his chosen profession, where he has remained since. Subject was married at Mason January 27, 1870, to Miss Marion Woods, daughter of Jolin Woods. To them were born five children, as follows : Garrison B. and Anna V. (twins). Wilbur J., AUie M., Albert. SANFORD POSTON, farmer, P. 0. Mason, was born in Switzerland County, Ind., October 26, 1840. In 1862, he enlisted in the war, Compan}- A, Third Indiana Cavalry. Was as- signed to Pleasanton's First Cavalry Corps and was in Gen. Custer's brigade. His com- mand was forwarded to the scene of hostilitj-, and did active service in the following engage- ments : Second battle of Bull Run, Lookout ^Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg. In this battle he was wounded ; a ball struck him in the right side, passed through his body, and was cut out on the left side ; from effect of this he was thrown off dut}- onl}- three months, when he returned to his comrades at Aequia Creek, Va., and was in the Gettysburg fight, battles of the Wilderness, Early's campaign down the Shenandoah Valley. He was dis- charged February 24, 1865. He was one of the fortunate thirty-one men who came out alive, of a regiment that went into the war eleven hundred strong. He was married in Switzerland County, Ind., February 17, 1866, to Miss Josephine Vandever, daughter of Al- bert Vandever. In 1868, he emigrated to Ef- fingham Count}', 111., and located near Mason in farming. In 1879, he purchased an interest in the Mason Flouring Mills, which he still owns. In 1882, made a visit to Dakota Terri- tory, and secured 320 acres of land near Chamberlin, D. T., to which he intends going the ensuing spring. Subject has a family of three children, viz.: Albert, Laura and Edith. 170 UIOGRAPHICA].: ROBERT N. RANKIN was born February 7, 1820, in Lawrence Count}', Ind., where he was raised on a farm. He was married, October 3, 1839, in his native county, to Martha J. Foster, daughter of William Foster, and engaged in farming in Lawrence ; owned a farm of sixty acres there, which he sold in 1849, and re- moved to Mason, 111., and engaged in farming ; purchased 280 acres, and made his profession a success. Opened a farm about two miles southeast of Mason. About 1859, he sold his farm with the intention of going to Oregon, but when the war brolve out he changed his phms, and purchased a farm of 160 acres, one and one-half miles north of town, which he afterward traded for a clothing store in Mason, which he sold out ; and lived and made his home in Mason till June 20, 1871, when he passed to eternal happiness, leaving a widow and seven children — J. M., Bernetta Reed, Robert M., Henry H., Cornelia J. Sprinkle, ■William F. W. F. RANKIN, hardware, Mason, was born in Effingham County, 111., March 13, 1863. At the age of eighteen, he purchased a hardware store of his brother, which he had clerked in about two years previous to said purchase. Mr. Rankin has a fine stock of hardware. MITCHEL B. REED, retired, Mason, was born in Knox County, Tenn., September 2, 1811. At the age of six j'ears, he went with his pa- rents to Blount County, of the same State, from which place, after a short residence, the farail}' removed to Jackson's Purchase, in the Cherokee nation. Herehe wasdailj'and hourly companion of the red rovers of the forest, of that strange race which is so rapidly passing from the face of the earth, soon to be perpetrated only in the tradi- tions and legends of the coming generations. The subject of this sketch was a close observer of their habits and characteristics. He knew them to be unrelenting and treacherous, warlike and brave, unterrified and intrepid, keen sighted as a hound, unmatched in horsemanship, and dex- trous as a marksman. He was also acquainted with the better side of Indian character, and could testify to their kindness and hospitality, and to the forbearance with w hich they watch the more powerful Caucasian nation crowding them toward suuset. Often has Mitchel Reed partici- pated in their wild sports and feats of prowess, and been a listener in their camps or wigwams to their uncouth and superstitious recitals in their native dialect. Among other occurrences about this time, he formed the acquaintance of the celebrated Davy Crocket, and is conversant with much of the history of that brave and ec- centric civilizer and backwoodsman. At Jack- son's Purchase, Mr. R. Ijved until the year of 1825, when he removed to Athens, McMinn County, where he remained till 1836, with the exception of one year spent at Kuoxville, Tenn., learning the trade of wagon-maker. During these ten j'ears, his occupation was that of farm- ing and peddling among the Indians of Ocoa Purchase, undergoing and overcoming hard- ships and perils that at the present time are called incidents almost incredible. For weeks at a time, he would be out with his team alone, in the vast wilderness, encompassed b}' the wilj', distrustful savage, and steadily expo.sed to the attacks of wild animals and the venom of deadly serpents. It was the 9th of June, 1836, he arrived at Ewington, the country seat of Effingham Countj', after a long and fatiguing journej' from the sunny Soutii. A desolate- looking prospect opened before him. No rattle of trains; no telegraph wires to flash the news of an outer world. Only a few scattered mills along the streams, or the ominous howl- ing of the wolves broke the quietude. Wild deer were thick upon the hills, and vvild turkey were not then, as now, a luxurj'. The crack of the rifle and the thud of the woodman's ax were the first to announce the new civilization in this section of the country. The old order of things gave waj* to the brawny arms of the pio- neers; the primeval trees were shaped into MASON TOWNSHIP. 171 houses, and houses were mustered together and towns constructed; the desolate waste of sway- ing grasses were swept by the autumn fires, and soon the bannercil corn heUi up its myriad beauties to the sun. On the last day of 1837, our old friend was married to ^liss Lavina Slover, whose father was the owner of the land on wiiich the citj' of Effingham now stands. The early days of his wedded life were full of trials, hard.ships and toils, yet seasoned with much that is pleasant and gratifj-iug to recall. The year of 1846 finds him again in Bradley County, Tenn., pursuing the trade of wagon- maker. In 1851. he returned to Illinois, and after a short residence in Edwards County, came back to Effingham, and located between Big and Ijiltle Salt Creeks, Watson Township. In 1867, he removed to the vicinity of his pres- ent abode. In 1876, he lost his much-beloved partner of his struggles, who died universallj' lamented bj' all who knew her many excellent qualities. Six out of eight children born to the happy twain survive, exemplar}- citizens, as fol- lows — Mrs. Mary E. Cronk; Miss Mahala C. Reed, who is at present her father's housekeeper; George W.; James P. and Isaac S., who is the subject of the sketch following this, and Charles M. Reed, who is a first-class, moral young man, and makes his home with his father. The first and third born were sons who died quite young. ISAAC S. REED, merchant, Mason, was born in Edwards County, 111., March 13, 1852. He was raised on a farm in the vicinity of Wat- son and Mason. His facilities for education were such as the common schools of the county afforded. After he was twont}--one, he attended two terms of school near Mason, and two terms of select school in the town of Mason, therebj' gaining a good common school education. He has followed the business of farming and stock dealingtill recently. In 1882, he purchased the post office building owned by Mr. Hill, and put in a good stock of groceries as well as no- tions and books, and in connection with this, he runs a barber-shop, a business at which he put in a part of each week for some time, and has become an expert at the work. Mr. Heed has been a local correspondent for Effingham Demo- crat for many years. He is a good itemizer, and when disturbed by brother correspondents, he makes the old fuzz fl^' at a severe rate. He is a member of the Masonic fraternit}-. Mason Lodge, No. 2 1 7 ; has held the offices of Senior Dea- con and Secretary, which last position he fills at present. He is a Democrat, of indomitable qualifications. He is a genial, good-natured, clever fellow, and a typical gentleman. WILLIAM H. RICE, furniture dealer, Edge- wood, was born November 4, 1838, in Essex Count}-. N. J. Remained there till 1857, when he went to Charleston, S. C, where he remained in the sewing machine business until 1861, when he went to Indianapolis. Ind.. remaining there till 1867 ; then returned to the South and traveled through several States. In 1873, he began the hotel and restaurant business, mak- ing several removals. Began furniture busi- ness in connection with hotel keeping in the city of Effingham, 111., in 1881. In 1882. he moved his furniture store to Edgewood. his present location. In 1877. he was married to Miss Palmer. JONATHAN J. ROBINSON, farmer, son of John Wesley Robinson, was born in February 6, 1837, in Effingham County. Removed with his parents when quite j'ouug to St. Louis, Mo. After some residence in St. Louis, he removed to Posey Count}', Ind. Shortly after- ward returned to Effingham County, 111. He has made this his home since. He was mar- ried, April 10, 1859, to Miss Martha Ann Redding, daughter of Willis Redding, in this county. p]ngaged in farming in this county. In 1862, he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Mason Township, Section 33, mostly wild land, of which he has about fifty acres in cultivation, partly in bottom. Politically, a Republican. 173 BIOGRAPHICAL: Subject has four children, namely — Mary E., William J., Sedora K, Robert W. FERDINAND A. SCHIFFLIN, hardware store, Edgewood, dealer in hardware, groceries and agricultural implements, of Edgewood, III, was born in Prussia March 22, 1839. Landed in New York City March 12, 1857. Remained in New York City fifteen j-ears, employed as traveling agent by his brother and partner, Schifflin and Sicvers, wholesale dealers in hard- ware. Subject came to Edgewood November 19, 1870, engaging in hardware, groceries and machiner}', etc., business on his own hook. Subject of this sketch possesses rare business talent and keeps a complete stock. Was mar- ried to Miss Fannie Ryan in New York City, January 19, 1861. They have two children. Angle and Ferdinand W. Mr. Schifflin is a Democrat, and belongs to the Masonic order. JAMES R. SCOTT, physician, Edgewood, was born September 13, 1840, in Jeffer- son County, Ky. Removed with his parents to Pike County, where he grew to manhood with favorable opportunity for education. He at- tended school taught by A. T. Hendricks, Esq., brother of Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana. Began the study of medicine in 1858, under J. R. Adams, of Petersburg, Ind. Also studied under J. L. Hallim, of Central District, surgeon for Illinois Central Railroad. He graduated at the Cincinnati Medical College in 1862. He en- listed in the United States service in March, 1862, in the Third Kentuck}' Infantry as an assistant surgeon. Was on the field of battle at Chicka- mauga, Rock}' Face Ridge, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain. Was discharged October 10, 1864. Subject was married in Mason, December 25, 1865, to Mary A. Jacobs, who died in Septem- ber, 1867. He was married in 1869 to Miss Mary Farrin. She died the same j'ear, and he was again married to Miss Maggie Gilmore, daughter of J. L. Gilmore, April 2, 1871, to whom have been borne two children. The first, Minnie, born in 1873, died in 1875. The sec- ond, Nettie C, was born April 23, 1882. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politi- cally a Democrat. JOHN H. SEITZ, former, P. 0. Mason, son of George P. Seitz, was born in 1849 in Harri- son Count}', Ind. Removed with parents in 1864 to Clay County, 111., where he was mar- ried in 1871 to Miss Amelia M. Smith, daugh- ter of Lawrence Smith. He engaged in farm- ing. In 1874, he removed with his family to EtHugham County, 111., and settled on a farm one mile north of Mason. Subject is a Demo- crat. He has a familj' of three children^ Laura Addie, Annie A., Katy Florence. ANDREW SHARP, shoemaker, Mason, son of William Sharp, was born in Wirt County, W. Va., in 1850. His father died when he was very young, and he began to shift for himself at the age of nine 3'ears, working at various kinds of public work. In 1865, he took up the trade of shoemaking. In 1871, he came to Mason, 111., and started a shop, where he has remained since, working at his trade. Subject was married in Mason, 111., in 1872, to Miss Nanc}' Barkham, daughter of Howell Barkham. Mr. Sharp is an old Jacksonian Democrat. Besides some fair property in Mason, he owns fifty acres of beautiful val- ley land in the mountains of West Virginia, which, on account of the oil and oil works of that section, may become of great value in the future. In his boyhood he assumed the respon- sibility of taking care of his mother, which he still continues. CHARLES SISSON, station agent. Mason, son of Daniel Sisson, was born in Ohio Coun- ty, Ind., August 29, 1856. Removed with his parents when quite young to Mason, 111. Here he had fair advantages for education, attending the Mason High School several terms. At the age of twenty-two, he engaged in telegraphy in Mason. He has served as station agent at Sigel and Neoga. In 1880, he was stationed at Mason, the office in which he learned. Subject MASON TOWNSHIP. 173 was married in Mason, September 23, 1880, to Miss Kva Bailie, daugliter of Andrew Bailie. He has one child, Arthur Eugene. Subject's father, Daniel Sisson. is a millwright bj- pro- fession. He owns a first-class flouring mill at Mason, 111. Has nine children, all living — Ada B., a well-known teacher of the county ; Franklin ; Charles, the subject of our sketch ; Eugene, a law student at Shawneetown ; Bird, May, Ida, Ernest and Effie. .\LMON D. TARBOX, farmer, P. 0. Mason, a son of Solomon Tarbox, was born in Switzer- land County, Ind., December 24, 1834. He was married in this county, October 16, 1851, to Miss Rachel GrifHn, and took up the avocation of farming on a farm of eight}' acres near Veva\", Ind. In 1 8G4, he sold his farm and re- moved to ElHngham Couul\', 111. He pur- chased 120 acres of land in Section 29, Mason Township. This he has made his home since. Mr. Tarbox, and his wife are both mem- bers of the M. E. Church. Politically, he is a Republican. Mr. Tarbox has a family of seven children, as follows : Milton, William, OUie, Clara, Gertrude, Laura, and one deceased, Fannie. Subject's father, Solomon Tarbox, was born in New York November 9, 1873. He was married in New York in 1805, to Miss Harris, daughter of Robert Harris. In 1808, he re- moved to Indiana, and followed the avocation of farming in connection with his trade, shoe- making. He removed with his son, subject, to Illinois, with whom he made his home till his death which occurred in 1866. His widow (subject's mother) Mrs. Alice Tarbox, was born in New York June 16, 1796. She is now and has for many years made her home with her son. Mrs. Tarbox has been a member of M. E. Church since she was eleven years old. They raised a family of eight children, two of whom are living, including subject and Fannie L., wife of Daniel Kittle, a resident of this township. WILLIAM TOOKEY, farmer, P. 0. Edge- wood, son of John Tookey, was born October 27, 1818, in County Kent, England. Here he was raised on a farm, and the facilities for an education were ver}- poor. He was married in England in 1843, to Miss Harriet Revel. He emigrated to America in 1851, and located in Philadelphia, where he . was engaged as gardener and milkman; there he remained till 1856, and settled on a farm, and followed in that county only a short time, when he removed to Chicago, and engaged in gardening; here he remained till 1876, when he removed to Ef- fingham County, 111., and purchased a farm of 100 acres in Effingham County, and eighty acres in Fayette County, across the line. Mr. Tookey 's wife died in Kane County, 111., in 1857, and he was married, August 31, 1867, to Mrs. Emma Chariot, in Chicago, by Dr. Lord. By his first wife, he has three children living, viz.: James, Harriet and Mrs. Annie Duddles. Mr. Tookey is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Edgewood Lodge, No. 484. Subject is a Republican politicall}-. HENRY TOOKEY, farmer, P. 0. Edge- wood, was born in 1827, in Kent County, Eng- land. He was married in 1852 to Miss Sarah Barton. Came to Philadelphia in 1855, via New York City, where he remained one year, then pushed westward to Kane County, 111. In 1859, he removed to Effingham County, 111., and engaged in farming a small farm of fifty-one acres near Edgewood, to which he has added to the amount Of 627 acres of land, a partofwhich is given to his children; still retains a good farm. In 1882, he rented his farm and removed to Edgewood, 111., where he still runs a small farm adjoining the corporation. Feb- ruary 5, 1877, his wife died. He was mar- ried September 1, 1878, to Mrs. Emily J. Fields. BENJAMIN TURMIN. farmer, P. 0. Ma- son, is a son of John Turmin; was born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1819. Here he was raised on a farm. He was married in Bed- ford County, Tenn., in 1830, to Miss Martha 174 BIOtiRAPHICAL: Gross, and he engaged in farming in that coun- ty till 1844, when he removed to Perry County, 111., and resumed farming. He purchased sev- eral farms in that county, and was in well-to- do circumstances. In 1865, he removed to Ef- fingham County, aga,in resuming the avocation of a farmer. In 1849. his wife died. Shortly after the death of his wife, he engaged in merchandising in Mulkeytown, Franklin Co., 111. He soon after sold out his store and erected a store building and put in a large stock of goods, in Franklin County, III., on the McLeausboro road, and he was the first Postmaster of the village Ewing that built up there. One year later finds him in the town of Mason, 111., where he again engaged in mer- . chandising, which he continued about one j' ear, and sold out. He bought a farm in West Township which he soon after traded for a farm near Mason; this he traded for a farm of 108 acres in Section 8, Mason Township, and moved onto it in 1876. Mr. Turmin was married to his present wife in August, 1879; her name was Mrs. Louis Hance. His second wife's maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Silk- wood. Subject has a family of five children living — Mrs. Mary Burks, Mrs. Margaret Cul- lej', Mrs. Martha Metier, Mrs. Sarah Caven- augli and Virginia B. Turmin. Politically. Mr. Turmin is a Democrat. In 1864, he, in con- nection with a great many of the best citizens of Tamaroa, including lawyers, doctors and other men of good standing, were arrested and taken to Washington City, and imprisoned. This was just before the election. After the election was over, they passed an interview with some Government officer, and of course were acquitted and allowed to return home. DAVID S. TURNER, farmer, P. 0. Mason, was born in Buckingham County. Va., June 21, 1822, being the oldest child of James Tur- ner, now of this countJ^ He was eight j^ears old when his father came to this county, hav- ing lived seven years in Tennessee. Subject went to school here to a Tennessean named James White, in Jackson Township, one- half mile west of his father's old homestead ; thinks he was twelve years old when he went to the first one in that neighborhood ; went to school when he could be spared from work on the fiirm. It was a problem in those days to clothe children, and as fast as a boy's clothes and shoes were done he started to school. The last teacher he went to was hired by his father to come and teach his children in a house on his farm. His name was Hiram Graj , a native of Tennessee. Our subject was married June 9, 1844, to Elizabeth Henry, daughter of Elijah Henry, of this county. He came from Lexington, Ky. After marriage our subject located on a farm of heavy timbered land near Watson, but not liking the idea of removing heavy timber, he bought 180 acres of land in 1850, near what is now Edgewood- for $400, and lived on it five years and im- proved it. In 1855, he bought 250 acres ad- joining the town of Mason, where he now lives and has farmed it ever since. He raises a va- riety of grains and stock. In 1868, his wife died, leaving two children — John Henry and AUie. In 1869, our subject remarried to Mrs. Maria Van Deusen, of English birth, and has three children of this marriage — Freddie and Flora (twins), and Maggie. Mr. Turner has lived in the town of Mason since 1869. HENRY B. TURNER, farmer, P. 0. Mason, son of James Turner, was born in Effingham County, 111., December 27, 1830. His chances for education were as good as that time could furnish. He attended several winter terms a distance of three miles, and then the accommo- dations were ver}- poor, being an average pio- neer log schoolhouse. He also attended two winter terms of school taught at his father's, the teacher being hired by his father to teach the familj- ; thus he acquired a fair education. He followed farming till 1856. making his home with his father, at which time he engaged in MASON TOWNSHIP. 175 merchandising at Louisville, Clay Co., III., in partnersliip with Iltnry M. Ilobbs. In this business I think he continued only long enough to win his partner's fair daughter, Miss Susan Ellen ITobbs, and to whom he was married September 27, 1857. He returned to Etting- ham County and settled his tract of land, 212 acres of wild prairie, in Mason Township, two and one-half miles north of Mason, where he has made a farm on which he has excellent im- provements, and calls it " Sweet Home." Mr. Turner is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a zealous supporter of Democracy. He has a family of four children — Stephen D., Ida May, Harriet A., Rozilla. WILSON TURNER, farmer, P. 0. Mason, son of James Turner, was born in Jackson Township, of this county, October 2, 1838. He was raised on a farm. Received a fair common school education for that time. In 1858, he attended school at Windsor, Shelby County, 111., where he made the acquaintance of MissMarj' A. Poe, daughter of Abner Poe, to whom he was married November 27, 1858. In 1860, he located on a tract of land of 240 acres, two and a half miles northeast of Mason, timber and prairie adjoining, on which he has 140 acres in cultivation. He has a first-class residence and other buildings as well as an excellent orchard. Subject of this sketch is a Mason, and is of Democratic persuasion. The following are his familj- : Henr}- A. ; Zilla C, wife of Aaron Louder ; Didemraa Y. ; Elcy N. ; James W. ; John F. ; Theodore N. ; Annie Laurie ; Glen- dora A., and two who have been called to rest — William B. and Oscar H. MAJ. HARRISON TYNER, merchant, Ma- son, was born in 1813, in Scott County, Ky. Removed with his parents, at age of two, to Shelby County, Ind. With fair opportunities for education, he grew to manhood here. He was married. December 27, 1832, to Miss Levi- na Penwell, daughter of George Penwell, and resided in Indiana till 1854, and followed the profession of carpenter and joiner, whicii lie learned short!}' after his marriage. Moved to Kankakee, III., in 18.')4, and again embarked in his profession. In 1859, he removed to Mason, III. In August. 1861, he enlisted in the war Company H, Thirty-eighth Illinois, as Captain of company. His health having failed him, he returned home soon after his enlistment. During the earl}' part of 18G4. he again enlisted and was commissioned Major of the One Hun- dred and Forty-third Illinois. The One Hun- dred and Forty-third was not called to the field of battle; was stationed at Helena, Ark., to guard the river, and keep the river navigable for United States boats. At one time during a short stay of six weeks at Helena, onl}' twenty- seven men were reported able for duty on ac- count of the malaria of that vicinity. During his first enlistment, was in the following engage- ments: Siege of Corinth and the battle of Stone River. Was discharged September 26, 1864. For some \'ears after the war, he ran a boot and shoe store; afterward engaged in dealing in groceries and furniture, of which he keeps a fine assortment. The following are his chil- dren: David L., Oscar M. and Charles W. Two of his sons were killed in the war. George W., the oldest, was killed by the cars, and William H. was wounded at Liberty Gap, Tenn., from the effects of which he died. DAVID L. TYNER, furniture, P. 0. Mason, dealer in furniture, etc., son of H. Tyner, was born November 27, 1836, in Hancock County, Ind. He came with his parents, in 1858, to Illinois, and settled at Kankakee, where his father followed the carpenter's and joiner's trade. The subject of this sketch learned the the trade of his father. He was married, April 4, 1838, in Kankakee County, III., to Mahala Dashiell. In 1843, he moved to Champaign for a short time, and in 1 844, he removed to Mason, III., and engaged in his trade till 1874, when he engaged in the furniture business, and has good property in Mason. Politically, he 176 BIOGRAPHIC AJ.: is a Republican. Has a family of seven chil- dren — Ada, Minnie, Jennie, Nellie, Gertrude, William H. and Charles. GEORGE WADE, druggist, grain-buyer and stock-dealer. Mason, was born in 1841, in Switzerland County, Ind. Here he spent his boyhood daj-s, with a fair chance for education. In 18t)0, he attended the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, for the year. Mr. Wade enlisted in the Union army in 1862, in Company C, Ninety-third Indiana lufantrj'. At first was assigned to the Fifteenth Army Corps, under Sherman ; afterward transferred to the Sixteenth Arm}' Corps. He was in the following engagements ; Vicksburg, Erica's Cross Roads. In an engagement at Gun Town, he was taken prisoner and taken to Mobile, Ala., afterward to Andersonville Prison. He remained in imprisonment about ten months, and was exchanged and discharged in August, 1865. He returned to his home in Indiana, and engaged in stock-dealing ; also followed flat-boating for some time. In 1871, he located in Mason, 111., in the hardware business, which he continued about two 3'eai-s. In partnership with Thistlewood Brothers ; he bought Sisson's flour mill, and at the same time dealt largely in dry goods and groceries ; sold the mill and traded for a stave factory, which he ran for several years. He now owns a drug store and is a grain bu^'er and stock-dealer. The firm of Wade & Leith is running a dry goods and grocer}' store in Clifton, 111. Mr. Wade owns a farm of 160 acres in Section 22, West Town- ship ; also 167 acres in Section 15, Mason Township. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Wade was married October 25, 1876, to Miss Alina Mills, daughter of Judge Mills ; they have one child — Alfred S., born June 9, 1878. B. R. WESCOTT, Jr., farmer, P. 0. Mason, son of D. R. Wescott, was born December 25, 1842, in Pike County, 111. His parents moved to Mansfield, Ohio, when he was quite youug. where he remained till twelve years of age ; they then removed to Iowa Citj-, Iowa. Here he remained till 1860. In 1862, he enlisted in the war. Company B. Thirty-third Iowa In- fantry, from Sigourney, Keokuk County, for a term of three years, or during the war ; and he got the full benefit of the term. Was for- warded to Columbus, Ky. Was in the follow- ing engagements ; Helena, capture of Little Roc-k, Saline River, Ark., siege of Mobile, Spanish Fort, Blakely, capture of a rebel fleet on the Tombigbee. Was discharged at New Orleans July 17, 1865. After the war, he went to Chicago and engaged in the grocery busi- ness, afterward hardware business ; continued two years. In 1867, he began traveling for a wholesale factory — S. I. Russ & Co., which he followed about two years ; and came South to Greenup, and engaged in book-keeping for I. H. Pauley and the Vandalia Railroad. This he continued during the construction of the Vandalia to the State line. He engaged in the nursery business at Hoopston, Vermillion Co., 111. In 1876, he .sold there, and farmed in Mississippi one year ; did not like the countrj-. He then engaged in nursery business in Indi- ana, which he continued till 1880. He pur- chased a farm in Effingham County, III, and removed on it. Has a farm of 200 acres, all in Mason Township. Subject was married July, 1870, in Clark County, III, to Miss Ella Lan- gel, daughter of Philip Langel ; to them were given two children, viz., Cora and B. R. JOHN WILLIAMSON, former, P. 0. Edge- wood, son of Thomas Williamson, was born February 24, 1839, in Lawrence County, Ind. Removed to Clay County, 111., at the age of seven j'ears, with his parents, and settled in north part of Clay County, 111. Was raised on a farm, and started for himself at the age of fourteen. He was married in 1S5S to Miss Nancj- Baker, daughter of Robert Baker ; she died in 1873, and he was married in 1875 to Mrs. Mary Catharine Fender. Subject carries MASON TOWNSHIP. 177 on a farm of 160 acres. Subject enlisted in the war in 1862, in Company- C, Niuet^'-eightli Illinois. Was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He was in the following en- gagements: Hoover's Gap, Elk River, Chicka- mauga, Chattanooga, and series of battles around Atlanta, Ga., and Selma, Ala. Was mustered out June 27, ISO,"). Politicallj', he is a stanch Republican. WILLIAM WILSON, farmer, P. 0. Edge- wood, son of William Wilson, was born in the county of Norfolk, England, in 1818. Was raised in England. Subject was married in England in February, 1840, to Miss Mary A. Blake. Engaged in railroading and also as a stone mason on the public works. In 1851, he emigrated to America with his family, consist- ing of a wife and four children. Located a short time in Connecticut. In 1853, he came to Clay County, and followed railroading on the Central Illinois until 1857, when he bought a farm of eighty acres, to which he added 120 acres. He also owns a farm of 160 acres in Mason Township, near Edgewood. Has a fam- ily of eleven children living — William, Eliza Barton, Ellen Chariot, Mary Tookey, Henri- etta, Henry Wilson, Robert Wilson, by his first wife. His first wife died in 1864. In 1867, he was married to Ellen Selena. The following are his children : Emma, Franklin B., Joseph and Charles. J. W. WILSON, farmer, P. 0. Mason, son of John S. Wilson, was born in 1832 in Hamilton County, Ohio. He removed with his parents, at tiie age of seventeen, to Effingham County, and located on a farm three miles northeast of Mason. Mr. Wilson was married, in 1862, to Miss Julia F. Shull, daughter of M. M. Shull, Cumberland County, 111. He soon settled on a farm of eighty acres in West Township, Section 13, which he afterward paid for by farming and good management, to wliich he has added flfty- one acres adjoining, on which he now lives, in Mason Township. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mason Lodge, No. 217. Politically, lie is a Democrat. He has a family of six children — Lillie B., Albert R., Edwin 0., Cora May, Burlie Wilbur, Amanda E., and one dead — Charles C. CHARLES D. WILSON, farmer, P. 0. Mason, son of William M. Wilson, was born on March 18, 1839, in Fairfield County, Ohio. Removed with his parents in 1847, to Effing- ham County, 111., where he has since made his home. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the war, Company C, Ninety-eighth Illinois Volun- teers; was in the following battles : Elizabeth- town, K}-., Hoover's Gap, Tenn., Chickamauga, Wheeler's raid, which was a very hard raid, and a series of battles ; Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Ga., Selma, Ala.; was discharged June 27, 1865, and mustered out of service at Nashville, Tenn. He returned home, and was married, October 29, 1865, in Effingham County, to Miss Margaret E. Ruffner, daughter of Andrew Rufl'uer; farmed a rented farm for some time. In 1874, he purchased a farm of fortj' acres in Section 25, Mason Township, all in cultivation. Subject is a Democrat. Has a family of three children, namelj', Emma, Lee and Gracie. JAMES F. WILSON, farmer, P. 0. Mason, a son of John S. Wilson, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 24, 1844; removed with his parents to this county when about seven years old. His father settled on a farm of eighty acres, half in Union and half in Mason Townships. Subject lives on and owns the one fort3- of the home farm lying in Mason Town- ship, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. Wilson was married in this county, June 21, 1863, to Miss Margaret Wilson. They have a famil}- of six children — George M., John S., James A., Eunice Ellen, Sarah A. and Flora J. Mr. Wilson is a zealous supporter of Democ- racy. imOOKS WILSON, farmer, P. 0. Mason, a native of Fairfield Count}-, Ohio, was born Au- gust 29, 1840. He removed with his father, L 178 BIOGRAPHICAL: John S. Wilson, to this count}'. He followed the occupation of farming, and owns the east half of the home farm. His father, John S., died several 3'ears ago. Mr. Wilson was mar- ried in this count}', January 12, 1871, to Miss Lydia E. Hinkle, daughter of Casper Hinkle. Thej' have a famil}' of six children, namely — Thomas 0., Frederic W., Harry Alden, George W. and two (twins), Phebe Florence and Cas- per L. MORGAN WRIGHT, deceased, was the son of an old Revolutionarj' soldier, who fought seven years, including the j'ear 1776, and was personally acquainted with Gen. Wash- ington. This gallant old hero, William Wright, emigrated to Indiana at an earl}' day. Morgan was born in the year 1800, and was married to Miss Jane Allen, in 1822. He settled in Put- nam County, Ind., and purchased a large body of timber land, and, in a few years, the income from his farm was a fortune. He soon became one of the master spirits of the old Whig party, and, as a stump orator, he was the rival of Gov. Joseph Wright. He emigrated to Effing- ham County, 111., in 1852, and settled on a farm, on which the town of Mason is built. He was never well after he came to this county, but he conducted his own affairs till within a few months of his death. He and his wife lived together fifty years, and raised a large family. Dr. Owen Wright is the only child of this family that remains in this county. Morgan Wright died July 4, 1872, and his wife died January 16, 1882. They rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. DR. OWEN WRIGHT, the son of Morgan Wright, Esq., first caught the glimpse of light on the 16th of February, 1835, near the city of Greencastle, Ind., and was raised on a farm by his parents, who sent him to school when he was four years and six months old. At the age of nineteen, he had completed a course of study, which entitled him to the baccalaureate degree. Subsequently, he received the degree of A. M. In the year 1852, he emigrated to Effingham County, 111., and two years later he entered upon the study of medicine. In 1856, he ma- triculated in Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he remained an industrious student, till he graduated, February 17, 1858. During the winter of 1859-60, he closed his office and went to St. Louis to attend lectures. The two lead- ing medical colleges were so near to each other that he managed to hear the two great rival surgeons each day. Prof McDowell in one school and Prof Pope in the other. His pride and ambition were then, and are to-day, to know everything that may be known on all sciences and branches of his profession. Sub- sequently, he attended lectures in Ohio Medi- cal College. During the late war, popularly known as the Southern rebellion against the United States, he was commissioned as First Assistant Surgeon of the One Hundred and Twenty -fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteers. He was one of the active Surgeons on the great campaign, known in history as " Sherman's march to the sea." He was detailed as Surgeon of the Fourteenth Army Corps Hospital, in Savanah, Ga., in January, 1865, where his su- perior learning and skill were recognized and acknowledged by all with whom he was as- sociated. When he retui-ned home from the army, he resumed the business of his profession, and those who know him best will testify that he is never idle. When he is not professionally engaged, he goes to his library of several hun- dred volumes of standard works, and opens such books for study as his mind seems best able to digest. He writes extensively for medi- cal journals and State papers. He is an elo- quent speaker, and has published a volume of his orations. This work has been indorsed and highly eulogized by the ablest scholars in our country. As a surgical operator, he has shown himself to be as skillful as any physician. He prepares his subjects with great care, and when he has everything at hand and in order, his JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 179 knowledge of anatomy, and his extensive prac- tice with the knife, on the dead subject, enable him to work without an}- probability of error. No accident has ever happened in his Imuds. When he knows the patient is not able to en- dure an operation, he withholds the knife or other instrument, and resorts to ditlerent means, and waits for further developments. lie will not experiment on the living subject. He has written a work on surgerj-, which he hopes to be able to publish soon. He has no respect for illiterate men who attempt to practice medicine. Lately, he published a letter in the Effingham Repuhlicaii, and subsequently re-published it in circular form, and distributed the same all over the country-. He states in this letter, that the ability to practice medicine and surgery is ac- quired nowhere except by the side of the sick person, and in the dissecting-room, under the instruction of an expert, and that a large pro- portion of the practitioners of our country have not studied anatomj' and physiolog}-, and consequently, cannot know the nature of dis- eases, and also, that the number who have died of mal-treatment, is greater than have been slain by the sword. On the 13th day of Sep- tember, 1860, Dr. Owen Wright and Margaret Wallis were united in marriage, in Salem. 111., by the Rev. T. F. Houts, A. M. Miss Wallace was a lady of superior intellect, and was highly educated in the liberal arts and sciences. To this couple were born two daughters and two sons. The oldest son is not, for God took him. Ann Jane and Margaret Delilah are second- year students in the Southern Illinois Normal University. The youngest child, Owen, Jr., is known where he lives as the little scholar and orator. Dr. Wright is a worthy Christian gen- tleman, and his order for money, where he is known, is good. By industry and economy, he has gathered around him a kind of property that will not perish. He has made ample pro- vision for the support of his familj' in after years. He treats all men gentlemanly, and is highly esteemed by his neighbors. He loves his friends as he loves himself, and will do any- thing that is reasonable for them. He lives free from all vices, and is a perfect type of a gen- tleman. He is a light to world. Long may ho live to perform the work of a surgeon in our midst. JACKSON BENJAMIN BALLAllD, farmer, P. 0. Al- tamont, is a son of William and Eliza Ballard, and was born in England in 1830. At the age of twenty-one, subject bid farewell to his par- ents, four brothers and three sisters, and sailed for New York City, w;here he arrived Novem- ber 22d, 1851, after a rough voyage of forty- two days, being nearly shipwrecked two times. Subject landed on mir shores " penniless and friendless;" worked for some time at the low wages of $8 per month. By mistake he pur- chased a ticket for Columbus. Ohio, instead of another point, and went to the former place. Here he learned of the building of the Illinois Central Railroad, and at once started to Effing- TOWNSHIP. ham Count}', 111.; traveled by stage part, and walked the rest of the way. After one j'ear's work on the railroad, in 1852, he took a con- tract of grading two miles of railroad with a wheel- barrow near the present site of Laclede. He only worked a short time with a wheel-bar- row; he secured the use of several yoke of oxen and scrapers with which he completed this wonderful undertaking in about three months' time; and net $400. He then engaged in farming for a time. Completed another contract of grading. Mr. Ballard was, in 1855, married in Broughton (old Effingham), to Miss Martha Cartwright, daughter of James and Catharine Cartwright. In 1857, he again re- 180 BIOGRAPHICAL. sumed farming ou a rented farm, and in 1860 purctiased eigtity acres near Ewington; forty acres were in tlie river bottom, wtiicli he soon after lost on account of defective title. He was then left with quite a family to maintain and to start anew in finance. These are times that try men's souls, but Mr. Ballard, being a man of iron nerve, faltered not at this embar- rassment. In 1860, he purchased eighty acres of railroad land, in Section 28, Jackson Township; a portion of this was prairie and the rest water-oak timber. On this wild land he built a dwelling and began the work of making a farm. His success has proven that but few men were better calculated for this work than Mr. Ballard. Manual labor and hard work have been his pleasure and pride. He has taken laurels of brilliant hue in this, America's honored and prided work. To his eighty-acre tract of land, he has added 360 acres, also a bottom farm of fortj' acres, mak- ing 480 acres. Mr. Ballard makes farming a decided success. He raises an immense amount of grain — corn, wheat, oats, etc., and a fair amount of stock. Mr. Ballard is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. They have a famil}- of children as follows, Eliza, wife of Carless Wilmeth, was born September 8, 1857; Charles A., was born March 14, 1863; Emily F., was born October 2, 1865: Arminda J., was born November 15, 1869; Martha R., was born December 20, 1874. Their second child endures earthly troubles no more. He was born October 12, 1860, and lived with parents till June 10, 1882, when the Angel of God welcomed him to his eternal home. James was a young man with as spotless a character as the county could afford, and was ever amid friends wher- ever he was known. Nearing the portals of death, he gave unmistakable evidence of his preparation and his hopes of immortality. Some time before his death he united with the Missionary' Baptist Church, and lived a Chris- tian the remainder of his life. JOHN W. BISHOP, P. 0. Dexter, son of Dr. Jacob Bishop, was born December 14, 1832. Was engaged during his boyhood in his father's saw and grist mill. Mr. Bishop ran the first steam engine brought to Effing- ham Countj'. Subject was married, December 8, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth M. Hipsher, daugh- ter of David Hipsher, and settled on a farm four miles north of where Altamont now stands. He sold out in 1864, and moved onto a farm of 123 acres, in Section 5, Jackson Township, and has farmed it since, except three years that he lived in Effingham and followed railroading. Subject is a Democrat, has held the office of Justice of the Peace several terms, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1876. Mr. Bishop has five chil- dren — Joseph T., born December 15, 1855 ; Sarah Ann, born June 15, 1857, wife of D. W. Baker ; Emily L., born June 26, 1864 ; Nora J., born July 15, 1869 ; Ida I., born July 30, 1871. PERRY CARPENTER, farmer, P. 0. Effing- ham, is a son of John B. Carpenter, and was born in Delawaj'e County, Ohio, October 29, 1842. He came with his parents to Effingham County, III, in June, 1852. Parents located ou a farm in Section 25, Jackson Township, re- mained about six years, sold, and purchased 120 acres in Section 15, Jackson Township, and moved onto it in 1853. Subject began bus- iness for himself at the age of eighteen, at school teaching in District 5, Jackson Town- ship. Pursued this profession almost exclu- sively until 1870, when he was married May 29, 1870, to Miss Rhoda Price, daughter of Will- iam Price. Subject settled on the home farm which he had purchased, and has made farm- ing his principal occupation, teaching a few terms during the winter. Subject has two good bottom farms of 120 acres each, one in Jack- sou Township and the other in Liberty Town- ship. He raises a great deal of corn and a fair amount of wheat. He usually feeds his corn JACKSON TOWNSHI]'. 181 to hogs, and keeps a fair supply of stock — hogs, cattle, etc. Subject is a Democrat, and has been elected to various township offices, and takes an active part in politics. In 1880, he made a number of speeches for Hancock and the Democratic cause. Subject united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1861; left that church in 1862, and became a member of the Missionary' Baptist Church, to which he still belongs. Mr. Carpenter has a family' of three children — Harry, Charles Stewart and Warren Filler. Perry Carpenter was made a member of Freemanton, now Altamont Lodge, No. 533, in 1867. In 1869, was made a Royal Arch Mason, in Effingham, Chapter No. 87. In 1870, "was elected W. M. of his lodge, which position he held for six years. He has ever been a strong temperance man, and is. and has ever been, a Prohibitionist. Subject's father, John B. Carpenter, was born in Licking County, Ohio, on the 19th of May, 1815 ; was married in November, 1839. and located in Alexandria, Ohio, and remained there until 1841, and then moved to Delaware County, Ohio. In 1847, he emigrated to Effingham County, 111. Subject was elected County School Commissioner in 1855, and was re-elected in 1857, and served two terms in this capacity. He now lives in Washington County, Ark. MAJ. H. DAVIS, farmer, P. 0. Altamont, is a son of Henrj' Davis, and was born in 1844. He enlisted in the war September 2, 1861, Company A, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteers. Went first to Camp Butler, 111., and was for- warded to Palmyra, Mo., and was in several engagements in that State. Was ordered from there to Fort Pillow. On the way to Fort Pil- low, received orders to re-enforce Grant at Shi- loh, and was in that engagement. Was then transferred to Sherman's arm3-, and marched with that army to the sea coast, and was in many of the innumerable battles of that memo- rable campaign. He was discharged from the service September 1, 1865, after a service of four years. Subject was married July 25, 1866, to Miss Margaret E. Melender, of Johnson County. Ind., whoso acquaintance he formed while on a visit to that county. He returned to Illinois and settled on an eightj'-acre farm in Section 20, Jackson Township, made some improvements, and traded to his father for a piece of bottom land in Section 17. Sold that and purchased another eighty* acres in Section 20, on which he now lives. Subject has a fam- ily of seven children — George H., John R., Mar- tha J., Charles, Victoria, Minnie May, Will- iam E. NANCY ANN GARDNER, farmer, P.O. Ma- son, was born in Green County, Tenn., in 1820, her maiden name being Call. She moved with her parents to Indiana, where she was married, in 1837, to Samuel Willis, and moved to Mis- souri, and remained there eight j-ears; returned to Indiana, and resided twelve j-ears; moved to Illinois, and settled on a farm in Section 33, Jackson Township. Mr. Willis enlisted in the war in 1861, Company A, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteers, and was forwarded to Hannibal, Mo.; was in several light battles and died, and was buried at Hannibal, Mo., in 1862. The life of our subject's husband was not her onlj- sacri- fice, as she had two sons who shouldered tlie musket in fiery fray; the older, Jacob Willis, enlisted in the same company with his father, at about the age of twentj--one; after manj' long and weary marches, died at Cairo, III., and was buried there. James Willis enlisted in the war at Mattoon, 111., at the early age of seven- teen ; was forwarded to Arkansas and the South- west, where he remained in the service about three j-ears, after which he returned to his home, not, however, until seriously' injured by dropsy, of which lie died in 1881, at his home in Shelby Count}-, 111. His death was very sudden. He arose to build a tire, rather early in the morning, and concluded to retire again, but fell to the floor— he was dying. The remainder of subject's family are Melinda Workman; Mary, 183 BIOGRAPHICAL: wife of Rev. G. W. Wharton ; Betsej-, wife of Samuel Smith ; Sarah Margaret Willis, lives at home with her mother. Mrs. Willis was mar- ried to John Gardner in the year of 1863. John Gardner, her present husband, was born in 1813, in Pennsylvania, was married at the age of twenty-six, resided in Penns3'lvania about tifteeu years, when he moved to Missouri. In 1858, his first wife died, leaving a family of seven children — Sarah Jane, Belle, Washington, Amanda, Mary, George and William J. MRS. JEMIMA GREEN, farmer, P. 0. Watson, is a daughter of Pharez and Hannah Holcomb, and was born August 10, 1814, in Ludlow, Mass. When seven j'ears old, her parents moved to Ohio, where she was mar- ried. January 25, 1830, to William C. Creasey. Her husband died April 6, 1842, leaving a fam- il}- of four children, viz., Hannah, Mary J., Jemima, William. Subject was married to Frederic Green, March 6, 1845. Her second husband died October 28, 1850, leaving two childi'en — Frederic and Melissa. She removed to Cumberland County, Tenn., in 1851, where she remained till 1855, when she removed to Xenia, Clay Co., 111., afterward to Eflflngham County, and located on a farm on the Little Wabash River, three miles west of Watson. In 1881, she purchased a farm of 100 acres, in Section 9, Jackson Township, in a high state of culti- vation, and moved onto it. Subject is a lady of very estimable qualities, and is liighly re- spected by all who know her. She is always ready to help the poor and need)'. She is an industrious old lady, and has borne the burden of raising her children. Subject's fourth child, William Creasey, sacrificed his life in the United States service in the great rebellion. AARON HARRELL, farmer, P. 0. Alta- mont, was born in 182G in Rush County, Ind. At the death of his father, which occurred in 1844, he took up the business of farming his mother's farm in Rush County, Ind., maintain- ing himself and the family. Subject was mar- ried to Miss Cynthia Ann Kelso, daughter of Levi Kelso, of Rush County, Ind., in 1849; re- mained in Rush County till 1855, when he moved to Effingham County, 111. After farm- ing a rented farm for several j'ears, he pur- chased forty acres in Section 20, Jackson Township; has since added about fifty acres, making a farm of ninety acres, about sixty-five acres in cultivation. Suliject's first wife died in 1861, and he was married to Mary Ellen Beck, in 1862. Mr. Harrell has a family of nine children — M. C, Mary J. (wife of John Steed), Sarah, Ellen, Clara F., Emily E., Susan- nah, Rosa M. and Ida M. 3Ir. Harrell has been a member of the M. E. Church (South) since 1865, at which time he severed his con- nection with the M. E. Church, of which he had been a member since the age of twenty-seven. Subject's father, Aaron Harrell, was born in 1795; was married to Nancy Bunch, in about the year 1820, in North Carolina; moved to Wayne County, Ind., in 1833, and farmed there till his death, which occurred in 1835. HENRY S. HOOK, farmer, P. 0. Dexter, is a sou of John Hook, and was born Februarj^ 25, 1823, in Licking County, Ohio. He went to Wayne Count}-, Ind., and worked at his trade of tailoring. He was married, February 22. 1846, to Miss Sophronia Martin, daughter of Abraham and Neoma Martin. In 1848, he moved to Effingham County, 111., and located in Freemanton; worked at his trade one year; bought Dr. Bishop's interest in a carding ma- chine, which he ran two years. In 1851, he moved onto his land, 165 acres in the prairie, in Section 6, which he entered before he came to Illinois, and took up the occupation of farm- ing. Subject says he formed acquaintances and attachments in an early day that are as lasting as time, while at the present, acquaint- ance and friendship is as uncertain as bubbles. Subject's father, John Hook, was born in Eng- land July 19, 1778. He came to America be- fore the war of 1812, and served as a soldier in JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 183 that war. Was married sooa after, to Miss Catherine Smith, and settled in Licking Coun- tj-, Ohio, on a farm of 160 acres. He raised a famil}' of twelve children — Jonathan, Sarah, Ephles, Elizabeth (wife of Lewis Groves, and mother of Dr. Groves), Cynthia A., Mar}-, Ezra, Melissa, Henry S., James R., AUie C. and John C. Mrs. Hook's father, Ain-aham Martin, was born June 1-t, 1781, in New York; was married in Pennsylvania, to Miss Neoma Davis; emi- grated to Hamilton County, Ohio ; engaged in carpentering; took an active part in politics ; was repeatedly, elected to the office of County Treasurer. At the age of fortj'-one, subject was ordained a minister of the 3Iissionary Bap- tist Church, in which capacity he labored zeal- ously the remainder of his life. Mr. Martin died in 1841. in Butler County, Ind. HENRY HUGHES, farmer, P. O. Dexter, son of VAi Hughes, was born October 20, 1841, in Licking Count}-, Ohio, moved with his par- ents to Crawford County, 111., in 1851; to Mis- souri in 1852, and to Effingham Count}-, 111., 1855, and settled in Freemanton, it being the second town iu the county. Subject went to Pike's Peak, at the age of fifteen, to hunt gold. As he did not stack up gold as he expected, he soon took his departure for Leavenworth City, and engaged in driving a six-horse team for Uncle Sam. Returned home in 1859. In 1861, subject enlisted iu the war, first in a three mouths' call. Company G, Eleventh Illinois, afterward in the three years' call in Company K, Thirty-fifth Illinois Yoluuteers. In the bat- tle of Pea Ridge, was taken prisoner, and soon found himself in the penitentiary at Little Rock, Ark., where he remained eight weeks, and was exchanged and returned to his command at Cassville, Ark.; from this place the command made forced march of eighteen days, averaging thirty-eight miles per day, to Cape Girardeau, Mo., and sailed on the steamer Sunshine for Shiloh, and engaged in the siege of Coriuth; while at Clear Springs, Miss., being rusty for a job, a portion of the command marched with- out orders for Hollow Springs; while on the way they met the fellows they were looking for, and were severely defeated, and fought a three days' retreat. Was in the following battles: Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard Roost, Tunnell Hill, Resaca, and in all the fights around Atlanta. Subject was taken prisoner at Murfreesboro, and taken to Libby Prison; shortly after to Andersonville, where he remained a short time. He returned home in 1804, worked several summers in brick- making, and then engaged in farming. Subject was married in St. Louis, Mo., in August 20, 1873, to 3Iiss Nancy A. Vaugordon, daughter of John Vangordon, and settled on a farm in Section 16, Jackson Township. Mr. Hughes has a family of four children — Harmeniah was born August 23, 1874; Carrie was born Au- gust 10, 1876; Millie S. was born October 10, 1878, and Hattie was born January 10, 1882. JOHN HUNTER, cabinet workman. Mason, is a son of Hugh Hunter, and was born in 1798 in Ayrshire, Scotland. He served as ap- prentice at the carpenter's trade, and pursued that occupation for about twenty years in Scotland, England and Ireland. He came to New l''ork City, and followed Ills trade three years in Brooklyn; then went to Chicago, and remained several years, and then worked in Mattoon, and moved to Mason, Effingham Co., 111., in 1863, again engaged in cabinet-work and carpentering. He remained in Mason about ten years, and moved to Samuel Winter's place, where he has been since 1873, Subject was married to Miss Isabella Crumbie in 1827, in Glasgow, Scotland, who died in 1846 in Manchester, England. He was again married to Miss Margaret Queen, in Scotland, who died before he came to America. Subject has been married since he came to America, to Miss Jane Farrell, date uuknown. Subject has lately purchased a farm of forty acres, two and a half miles north of Mason. He has lately drawn a 184 BIOGRAPHICAL: pension of $1,623 for his son John, who was killed in the rebellion. Subject has one child, living — -Robert, born in January 24, 1861, in Effingham County, 111. GEORGE W. McCLURE, merchant, Dexter, is a son of A. H. and Eliza McClure, and was born February 2, 1858, at Mills Prairie, Ed- wards Co., 111. Subject clerked in his father's store considerable of his time up to 1879, when he purchased Mr. Said's store-building, dwell- ing and property, in Dexter, and put in a first class stock of goods, and engaged in merchan- dising. Subject was married to Miss Susan Walser in Edwards County, III, September 9, 1880. Subject carries a first-class stock of goods, has a good run of patronage and is de- cidedly' successful. Has one child — Chester Arthur, born September 19, 1881. Subject's father, Mr. A. H. McClure, was born in Ed- wards Count}', 111. In 1851, during the gold excitement in California, he and his father sold their farms and emigrated to California, to en- gage in mining ; met with fair success, returned in 185.3, and bought their home farms back, where he still continues his profession — mer- chandising and farming. Subject was married, in 1857, to Miss Eliza Pixley. Mr. McClure is a zealous politician of the Republican persua- sion. He has a family of seven children — George W., Perthema I., Jesse, Osman, Will- iam A., Addie F., Harvey H. D. E. McMULLEN, farmer, P. 0. Dexter, is a son of William McMullen, and was born April 9, 1837, in Edgar County, 111. He en- gaged in the trade of butchering iu 1862, at Paris. Edgar Co., 111., and was married in Ed- gar Gountj', 111., to Miss Nancy Arbuckle, daughter of John Arbuckle, February 28, 1864. Our subject moved to Missouri iu 1865, where he remaiued a short time, and then moved to Bond Countj', 111., where he engaged in the milling business ; moved to Effingham Count}', 111., in April, 1869, and engaged in farming on a farm owned by I. B. Humes, in Section 11, and in 1872, rented a farm of E. H. Bishop, in Section 5, where he has followed farming as well as trading in stock since ; and has made his avocation a decided success in this county ; and in 1882 purchased land to the amount of 240 acres. Subject is a Democrat and takes an active part in politics ; has been elected Highwaj' Commissioner several times ; the last race, owing to a multiplicity of candidates, was conducted with the spirit of a Presedential campaign. Subject has a familj- of five chil- dren — Clarence A., William E., Ora May, Lillie Leonoria, Etta Lulu. Subject's father, Will- iam McMullen, was born in 1813, moved to Edgar County, 111., with his parents in 1827, and was married in 1837, to Annie Wileman, daughter of Jacob Wileman. He is a farmer and lives on his farm of 120 acres, two miles south of Paris, 111., on which he has an excel- lent orchard and first-class buildings, and is supplied with anything life can ask. He raised a family of five children — Annie F., wife of Thomas Laughlin, who lives iu Iowa ; Eliza- beth, lives in Edgar County; Juliet V"., wife of E. Milburn, died in 1862 ; Alcinda McMullen lives with her parents, aud Daniel E., the sub- ject of this sketch. SOLOMON MBSNARD, farmer, P. 0. Wat- son, is a son of John Mesnard, and was born February 2, 1826, in Connecticut. He moved with his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1834, and to Effingham County, 111., in 1842. Mr. Mesnard was married in Fair- field County, Ohio, August 10, 1846, to Miss Mary Spitler, daughter of Henry Spitler. Moved to Effingham County, 111., and located on a farm near Freemanton, and followed farming until 1862, when he enlisted in the war, in Company G, One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Volun- teers. Met the rebs the first time at Coving- ton, K}-. Subject was in sixteen regular bat- tles, of which the following are the principal engagements : Fort Donelson, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge. Chattanooga, Buz- JACKSON TOAVNSHIP. 185 zard Roost Mountain, Stephenson, Ala., Tun- nel Hill, Resaca, Ga., and Franklin, Tenn. Was discharged in July, 1805, and returned home and engaged in forming. In 1868, pur- chased a farm of forty acres in Section 26, Jackson Township, to which ho has added 120 acres, making ICO, one-fourth in the bottom, and half of it under cultivation. Subject is a Democrat; has been elected Supervisor of Jack- son two terms. Subject's wife died October 18, 1877, and he was married April 7, 1878, to Mary J. Reed, in Shelby County, 111. Mr. Mes- nard has a familj- of seven children by his first wife, viz.; Rebecca Clum, Delila Drum, AUie Parks, John H., James A., William S., Annie A., and two by his second wife, Lela and Rob- ert A. Subject's father, John Mesnard, was born in France March 2, 1789. Came to New York Git}- at the age of seventeen. Was mar- ried Januarj- 6. 1811, to Miss Phebe Slocum in Connecticut. Mr. Mesnard was a cooper by profession. After a residence of several years in Connecticut he moved to New York City, where he remained until 1832, when he moved to Fairfield Count}-, Ohio, where he remained until 1842, then moved to Effingham County, 111., and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Summit Township. In 1847, he sold his farm and located in Jackson Township. He died at the residence of his son August 14, 1868, and his wife died May 13, 1860, at the age of sixty- seven. ADDISON E. MESNARD, former, P. 0. Dexter, is a son of John Mesnard, and was born in 1828. Moved to Ohio in 1833 with his parents, and came to Effingham County, 111., in 1841. He was married to Miss Margaret Da- vidson, daughter of Samuel Davidson, about the year 1850. She died soon after. Septem- ber 20, 1855, subject was married to Miss Mary Ann Mitchell. He settled on a farm of 100 acres in Section 10. Jackson Township. Sub- ject enlisted in the service of the United States in 1862, and served about four months. Was never forwarded to the field of battle. Subject has a family of nine children — Margaret E., wife of 0. A. Mitchell ; Franklin, Electa J., Norman M., Levina Rosa, John A., Mary C, Charles Nelson and Walter. CALVIN MITCHELL, farmer and stock- raiser, P. 0. Watson, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Brown Count}', Ohio, December 2, 1816, and is a son of Ensign and Elizabeth (Calvin) Mitchell, the former a na- tive of New York, and the latter of Ohio. He was born March 3, 1787, and cast his first vote for President Madison in 1809. He was a stanch patriot and took an active part in the defense of his countr}-, both against the Indians and in the war of 1812, in the latter of which he served as a Captain. His educational ad- vantages, such as the countrj' afforded at that day, were limited, but his thirst for knowledge led him to the attainment of much valuable information, thus rendering him a useful mem- ber of society. In 1815, he married Miss Eliz- abeth Calvin, in Ohio, where he resided until 1830. when he moved to Edgar Co., 111., locat- ing one and a fourth miles from Bloomfield, and lived there the remainder of his life. Ten children were born to him. The sons living, are Calvin Mitcliell (subject) and Capt. Samuel and John Mitchell, of Edgar County, 111. In 1845, his wife died, and in 1850 he married his second wife, Mrs. Mary Riley, with whom he lived thirty-nine years, until his death, which occurred January 14, 1879, aged nearly ninety- two 3-ears. He was a man of undoubted lion- esty, proverbially kind and generous to his fel- low-men, no one ever applying to him for assistance in vain. He was active and indus- trious, and a zealous Christian. One can scarcely realize and appreciate the events crowded in one life, though stretching over a period of al- most a century. During Mr. Mitchell's boy- hood, Washington and Adams were Presidents, and during his long life he saw the republic grow up from a feeble community into the 186 BIOGRAPHICAL: grandest country the world has ever seen. When his country needed his services, he fell into the ranks and did his duty, and when age and infirmity compelled him to rest from his labors, he had sons to fill his place, whom he trained up to follow in his footsteps. Calvin Mitchell, the subject of this sketch, when four- teen }'ears of age, came with his parents to Edgar County, 111., where he aided his father in opening up a farm. His education was obtained in the common schools of the country, and at the college at Franklin, Ind., which he attended from 1841 to 1844, thus obtaining a good, prac- tical education, together with civil engineering. About the year 1837, he commenced to work for himself, and spent some four years in build- ing turnpike roads in Clark County, 111., in the employ of the State. He then, after attending college, as above stated, taught school in John- son County, Ind., until 1852, when he emigrated to Clay County, 111., where he bought 285 acres of land. This he farmed successfullj-, devot- ing, at the same time, considerable attention to stock-raising. In 1856, he bought a steam mill at Georgetown (in same county), and en- gaged in the lumbering business. In 1857, he sold his farm in Clay Couut}-, and moved his mill to Union Township, EfHngham Count}-. The investment in this mill proved a losing one to him, and he finally traded it in 1858, for the old "Nelson farm" of 160 acres, iu Jackson Township, to which he has since added eight}' acres. By the most persevering industry and unswerving integrity, he has mude up the losses and liquidated the debts incurred in his mill transaction. Mr. Mitchell was married to ICliza Ann Allen, a daughter of Elijah and Christiana Allen, of Johnson County. Ind., April 13, 1845. The result of this marriage is six children, all sons and citizens of Effingham County, except Ensign S., who is a railroad man in Wisconsin. Orlando A., born in Johnson County, Ind., January 16, 1846; David 0., born in Edinburg, Ind., December 30, 1846; Ensign S., born Oc- tober 17, 1848; Elijah C, born July 24, 1850; Claudius E., born October 20, 1856, and Joseph C, born December 15, 1859. Politically, Mr. Mitchell is a stanch Democrat. He was elected Surve3or of Effingham County two terms, an oflSce he filled with honor and credit. He is a man of a fine sense of honor, of a kind and liberal disposition, often subjecting himself to inconvenience to accommodate his friends. Elijah Allen, the father of Mrs. Mitchell, was born December 6, 1782, in Kentucky, and when but three years of age his father was killed by Indians. In 1803, when twentj'-one years old, he went to Ohio, where he married Miss Chris- tiana Banta, August 5, 1805. He was a Cap- tain in the war of 1812. and also served in the Black Hawk war in 1832. In 1827, he removed to Johnson Count}-, Ind., where he lived until 1852, when he came to Illinois and settled in Clay County, purchasing an improved farm of 320 acres, upon which he died November 15, 1857, aged seventy-four years. He had twelve children, all daughters except one, David B., who was an influential citizen of Johnson County, Ind., serving several terms as Countj- Clerk and Sheriff. In 1846, he went into the Mexican war as Captain of a company of volunteers. . He died at Monterey, January 9, 1847, aged thirty- nine years. JOSHUA G. MITCHELL, farmer, P. 0. Effingham, is a son of Daniel S. Mitchell, and was born January 27, 1835, in Smith County, Tenn.; moved to Johnson Count}-, Ind., with his parents in 1837, and to Effingham County, 111., in 1840. In 1856, Mr. M. taught a school in District 5, Jackson Township. He was married, March 19, 1857, to Susanna Clark, daughter of James D. Clark, and settled on a farm, where he still resides and follows the occupation of farming. Subject is a Democrat, and has been elected to the offices of Town Clerk and Assessor several terms. Has been a member of the Baptist Church since 1873. Subject has five children — James D., was born JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 187 December 13, 1857 ; Lawrence M., was born February 12, 1862; George A., was born Jan- uarj' 22, 186-t ; Izora B., was born December 16, 1870; Pinkney B., was born June 11, 1872. Subject's father, David S. Mitchell, was born in Smith County, Tenn., April 11, 1815. He was married to Miss Mahala Parkhurst, May 29, 1833; emigrated to Johnson County, Ind., in 1837, and to ElHngham County, 111., in 1840, and settled a farm three miles south of Ewing- ton. and afterward on a piece of land in Section 10, Jackson, where he resided till his death, which occurred April 23, 1877. Mr. Mitchell was a man of sterling integrity, and universallj' respected by all who knew him. He filled various offices during his lifetime — Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, etc. He held the office of Justice of the Peace twelve years. His wife, Mrs. Mahala Mitchell, was born in Smith Count}', Tenn., in 1811, and died in Jackson Township, March 15, 1874. SOLOMON NORRIS, farmer, P. O. Watson, is a son of Ziba Norris, and was born in Harrison County, Ohio, August 30, 1821. He was mar- ried, October 23, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Stew- art, daughter of Thomas and Delilah Stewart, and engaged in farming his father's farm till 1851, when he moved to Jackson County, Ohio, and bought a farm of ninety acres, on which be lived about two years and sold; bought and sold several pieces of land. In 1 854, he engaged in merchandising, and at the same time farming rather extensively, at which he continued for seven 3'ears, carrying a first-class stock of goods. In addition to this, he purchased a steam saw-mill, and met with fair success; out of these three enterprises, made a great deal of money. In 1801, sold his store and mill and moved onto his farm, where he remained till 1864, when he sold his farm and removed to Effingham County, 111., and located on a farm in Jackson Township. In 1871, bought a farm of forty acres in Section 28, Jackson Town- ship, and moved onto it. to which he has added eightj' acres. Mr. S. is a Democrat; has been elected to various township offices, such as Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of High- ways, etc. Subject has seven children — Marga- ret A. was born October 15, 1842, wife of James Graham, and lives in Ohio; Stewart Norris was born April 4, 1845, and was married January 21, 1870, to Miss Catharine White, daughter of Jesse "W^hite; Juda was born Jul}- 26, 1846, and was married to James H. Davidson, April 25, 1875; Solomon was born February 5. 1832; Delila, wife of Thornton Reynolds, was born August 16, 1853; John Norris was born June 20, 1855, and was married to Miss Sarah J. Robertson, April 27, 1876; William Z. was born March 10, 1862. Subject's father, Ziba Norris, was born in New Jersey July 26, 1799; moved with his parents to Washington County, Penn.. in 1812, and to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1815. He was married, in 1820, to Miss Juda Cort- write, daughter of John and Mary Cortwrite, in Columbiana County, Ohio. Subject was a farmer, located on a farm of 160 acres, which was settled by his father in 1815, and did not allow it to pass to strangers, where he lived till his death. He raised a familj- of ten children — Solomon, Mary, John, Hannah, Rebecca, William, Daniel, Elcy. Caroline and Juda A. GEORGE W. PARKS, farmer, P. 0. Dexter, son of Joseph Parks, was born November 24, 1842, in Clark County, Ohio. He enlisted in the war in 1861; was in the battles of Stone River, Chattanooga and Chickamauga; was wounded at Mission Ridge, and sent to Camp Denison, Ohio, where he remained about six months, and returned to his command near Resaca, and was in nearlj' all the battles of the campaign to Savannah. At the close of the war, returned to Butler County, Ohio. Our subject was married in January, 1867, to Miss Martha Kemp, daughter of John and JLartha Kemp, in Butler County, Ohio, and took up the occupation of farming. Subject emigrated to Effingham County, 111., in 1871; purchased 188 BIOGRAPHICAL: 171 acres of land in Section 6, Jackson. His faiuil3- consists of tliree children — John K., born November 10, 1867; Lizzie E., born July 30, 1869; Laura A., born May 9, 1881. WILLIAM J. Phillips" farmer, P. 0. Ef- fingham, is a son of William Phillips, and was born in Missouri March 25, 1849. He moved with his parents to Franklin Count}', 111., in 1856, where he remained till 1864, when he en- listed in the war — Companj' K, Fortj'-ninth Illinois; was forwarded to Memphis, Tenn.;was in a number of hard marches and several bat- tles around as well as at Nashville, Tenn. His regiment being reduced by expiration of time, the renmant of 400 was stationed on provost duty at Paducah, Ky., thus cutting him olf from the repeated series of battles in Sherman's campaign; was honorably discharged in 1865. Keturned to his home in Franklin County, and in 1867 came to Effingham County, HI. Sub- ject was married, October 25, 1871, to Miss Mary J. Parks, daughter of Andrew J. and Sarah Parks. Subject settled on a farm of eight}' acres in Sections 11 and 12, Jackson Township, mostly bottom land. . Mr. Phillips raises a fair amount of grain, corn priucipall}'; usuall}' feeds his corn to stock, of which he keeps a good supply, especially of cattle. Sub- ject has a family of five children, viz.: Law- rence D., was born June 1, 1874; Clarence M., was born July 16, 1875; Ella Maud, was born August 31, 1877; William R., was born Septem- ber 19, 1879; Artie Earl, was born December 16, 1881. Mr. Phillips is a Republican politi- cally. Subject's father, William Pliillips, was born in July, 1821, in Franklin County, III, and was married, in 1841, to Miss Sarah Roster, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Roster; was a resident of Franklin County with the ex- ception of four years he lived in Missouri — 1849 to 1853. Subject was a farmer, and owned a farm of eighty acres. He died at his home in Franklin County, at the age of forty, two. Mrs. Phillips' father, Andrew J. Parks was born in 1802, in North Carolina. Soon after, moved with his parents to Tennessee, and was married there in 1827 to Miss Sarah Franklin, and moved to Franklin County, 111., in the year of 1829, and to Shelby County in 1835; from there to Effingham County, in 1839, where he settled on a farm in Sections 11 and 12, Jackson Township, where he lived till 1847, when he enlisted in the Mexican war. Sailed across the Gulf to Tampico, and was in Gen. Ta^'lor's army. After a march of about 400 miles, reached the City of Mexico. He died at Pueblo in 1848, and was buried there. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Parks, remained on the farm where she raised her familj', and lived there till her death. JOHN PORTER, farmer, P. 0. Mason, was born in Jackson Township, this county, Sep- tember 13, 1839. He has lived in this county and township all his life, except eight j'ears- He emigrated to Kansas in 1856 with his par- ents, and lived on a farm near West Point over the Kansas line. They lived in Linn County, Kan., at the time the John Brown raid was made. The father of our subject was called a Free-Soiler, and he saw three houses burned in sight of home, and his father was ordered to leave, and did so, and went to Missouri and settled in Benton County, and lived there un- til tall of 1860, in which j-ear his father moved back to this county and township, and died on January 14, 1861. He was born in 1805. Subject enlisted August 2, 1861, in Company A, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Department of the West in Fifteenth Army Corps, under Gen. John A. Logan. Subject was in over twenty different bat- tles. First, at Island No. 10 and New Madrid, Point Pleasant, was at siege of Corinth, and October 2 and 3, 1862, battle of Corintb defending it against Price, Van Dorn, etc. Went from there to Scottsboro, Ala., where they re-enlisted for three years, or during the war, and subject came home on thirty JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 189 days' furlough ; on their return, the eneray was besieging Chattanooga, Tenn., and at this time the Twenty-sixth fought at Tunnel Hill, under Gen. Sherman, and broke through lines and pursued by forced march to Kiioxville, Tenn., raising siege at Chattanooga. This was the beginning of the famous " march to the sea," and subject was in all the engagements of that march. He was wounded on the 22d of July, 1863, at Decatur, Ga., a minie ball passing through his thigh, and was excused from duty fifty-five days. His last engagement was at Bentonville, S. C. He was mustered out July 28, 1865, at Springfield, 111. Mr. Porter's eyes were affected bj- exposure in army, and for eight months after his return he was almost blind. In 1866, he bought a farm in this town- ship, and has made additions until he has 140 acres of land, seventy acres in cultivation. Married, in October 26, 1865, to Miss Nancy A. Cartwright, of this county, Summit Township. Have four children living — Amanda E., Mary- Catharine, John N., Benjamin F. Father James Porter was born in North Carolina, and moved when seven years old to Smith County. Tenn., where he lived until about 1831. He came when a young man to this county, and made his first improvement near old Ewington, and married Miss Mary A. Parkhurst a short time after his arrival. He started improvements in several places in the county', owning land in several parts of the county where he lived. He was a Democrat, had ten children, seven still livjng. Subject is oldest son. Is a Democrat, and served as Collector and Assessor of Town- ship. HERBERT REED, minister, Dexter, is a son of Henry Reed, and was born December 1, 1841, in St. Louis, Mo. At the age of nineteen, he enlisted in the war in August, 1861, Com- pany D, Eighth Illinois Volunteers; was in the following battles : Fort Henry; Fort Donclson, where he was wounded and was sent home on a furlough; at its expiration, reported back to his command at Shiloh, and was in the siege of Corinth, Port Gibson, Miss., Raymond, Jack- son, Champion Hill and siege of Vicksburg; was discharged August 2, 1864, and returned to his home in Jasper Count}-, 111., and settled to farming. Subject located in Effingham County, in 1872. Was married to Mrs. Hester Angel April 10, 1875. Subject was licensed to preach by the M. E. Church (South), April 1, 1876; joined the Conference in 1880. Sub- ject has three children — Annie Laura, Victor Lenoir and Eva J. Subject's father, Henry Reed, was born in 1806, and was married in 1834. He was a ship-carpenter, and moved to various cities to secure employment at his trade, and finally located in Green County, Ky., where he died in 1847, and after his death his widow and family settled in Jasper County, 111. WILLIAM RILEY, farmer, P. 0. Effingham, is a son of John Riley, and was born 1818 in Wayne Count}-, N. Y. At the death of his father, which occurred when Mr. R. was quite young, he was bound out among strangers. At the age of twenty, subject engaged in farming for him- self and pursued that till 1841, when he enlisted in the Florida war against the Seminole Indians, but was discharged in 1842, on account of in- ability for service. Subject soon after emi- grated to Rock County, Wis., and engaged in carpentering under William Perry, which occu- pation, in connection with farming, he followed till 1853, when he was married, to Miss Rox- anna James, and moved to Memphis, Tenn., and from there to Illinois in 1854. Subject lived in Ewington, and engaged in carpenter- ing till 1859; then moved to his land in Jackson Township. Subject enlisted in the war in 1861, Companj- K, Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteers. At the battle of Pea Ridge, Mr. Riley- was taken prisoner, but was soon after exchanged. In June, 1862, an order was issued to dischaige all invalid soldiers, consequently Mr. R. was hon- orably discharged. He returned home and en- gaged in farming; has a farm of 200 acres. 190 BIOGRAPHICAL : Subject has a family of three children — William B. Rile^-, was born Oct. 15, 1857; was married to Miss Emma V. Nichols, November 20, 1879, and settled on a piece of land in Section 10, Jackson Township; Ida E., and Loretta. wife of James White, Jr. JESSE HALLEY SAID, farmer, P. 0. Dex- ter, is a son of Jesse and Nancy Said, and was born Februar}' 18, 1827, in Delaware County, Ohio. Subject was married December 9, 1847, to Miss Susan Thompson, daughter of William and Sarah Thompson. Her mother's maiden name was Sherman, a distant relative of Gen- Sherman. Mr. S. engaged in farming and stock droving near New York City, at which he con- tinued till 1859, when he moved to Effingham County, 111. In 1860, he was appointed enroll- ing officer for this county ; also Deputy Marshal for the Sixteenth Congressional District, which position he filled until the close of the war, in 1865. After the war, he engaged in merchan- dising in Dexter, which he followed about six years. Then took to railroading as a contractor to supply timber for the Vandalia Railroad ; also station agent. Pursued the business until 1878, since when he has followed the avocation of a farmer. Mr. S. has been the owner of an immense amount of land in this countj'. Has sold all but sixty-two acres. Subject has a familj" of three children, viz.: William T., born July 26, 1849, and married to Miss Ella May Wallace, daughter of Nelson and Zilla Wallace, February 19, 1879, and has one child, Lucy Alice, born in 1880 ; Winfield, born October 2, 1852, was married to Miss Kittj' McAdoo Jan- uary 3, 1877 ; Nancy J., born July 15, 1857, wife of William G. Keefer. Subject's father, Jesse Said, was born March 15, 1791; was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was taken pris- oner in the battle of Winchester's defeat, at French Town, in 1813. Was taken into Cana- da, where he was held a prisoner for some time, and was exchanged. Subject was married in 1816 to Miss Nancy Eubanks, daughter of Thomas Eubanks, in Clark County, Kj'., and moved to Delaware County, Ohio, in 1818, and lived there until 1859, when he moved to Effing- ham County, 111. Subject accumulated a large amount of land. He died in 1875, and his wife, Mrs. Nancy Said, died in 1880. Of a fam- ily of twelve children, five are living, namelj' : Susan Loveless, Jesse H. Said, William Said, Harriet Smith and Harvey Said. HIRAM P. SIMONTON, farmer, P. 0. Dex- ter, is a son of Theophilus Simonton, and was born in 1831. At the age of seventeen he be- gan an apprenticeship in a printing office in Batavia, Ohio, on the Clermont Courier, an office of considerable notoriety, as it had for- merly been managed by Col. jNIaderia, a mem- ber of the State Legislature, and afterward a member of the United States Senate. During the campaign of 1848, Mr. S., in connection with another gentleman, did the principal work of running a campaign bulletin, entitled Hough and Ready. After several years' work at this business, Mr. S. became dissatisfied with the printer's work, and engaged in and served an apprenticeship as a millwright and machinist. Subject was married to Miss Amelia Danbury in 1854, in Clermont County, Ohio. Continued the millwright and machinist business in Ohio and Illinois for a number of years, and worked on some very large contracts, one of which was a mill built in Lexington, McLean Co., 111., at a cost of $40,000. Mr. Simonton moved to Van- dalia in 1857, bought a steam saw and grist mill, and remained there until 1862, when he sold out, moved from Vandalia to l^ffingham in 1863, bought a saw mill, and located about three miles west of Effingham. After four j-ears' work in business there, sold his mill and purchased a farm of 138 acres in Moccasin and Summit Townships. He traded his land in Moccasin for a farm of eight}' acres in Section 16, Jackson Township, and sold his land in Summit, and moved to Jackson Township in 1872. Bought a saw mill the same year and JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 191 put it up in SiH'tion 16. Mr. S. has an excel- lent bottom farm, on which lie raises a great amount of grain ; he makes farming his prin- cipal employment, running a mill at intervals of leisure. Mr. Siraonton is a Democrat of a prominent character in political circles of the county. Has served four terms as Supervisor of Jackson Township. He has a family of four children, viz.: William T., Carrie B. (wife of D. O. Mitchell, and lives in Lucas Township), Henry Clay and Joseph C. WILLIAM T. SIMONTON, former, P. 0. Dexter, son of Hiram P. and Amelia Simonton, was born in Clermont County, Ohio ; removed with his parents when quite young to Fa3-ette County, 111., afterward to Effingham County, 111. He was raised on a farm with fair facili- ties for educating himself, and he improved the opportunity and secured fair business qualifi- cations. During his boyhood, he followed farming and working in his father's steam saw-mill. He takes a zealous interest in poli- tics. He is a Democrat ; has been elected to the oflBce of Highway Commissioner one term. . He was sent as a delegate to the Democratic Congressional Convention, at Vandalia, 111., August 10, 1882. He made a number of political speeches during the fall of 1882. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity-. Sep- tember 26, 1882, Mr. S. and Miss Mary Arizo- na Miller were united iu marriage. He located on a farm of eighty acres in Section 3, Jackson Township, to which he has added 120 acres, making 200 acres, on which he has good im- provements and dwelling. He has a family of two children, as follows : Winfield S. was born August 9, 1879 ; William Clyde was born Sep- tember 20, 1881. GEORGE W. SMITH, former, P. 0. Wat- son, son of George Smith, was born August 8, 1813, in Lancaster Countj-, Penn. He was married May 4, 1837, in Franklin County, Penn., to Miss Maria Adaire. At first he en- gaged in blacksmithing, which he followed for some time, and then engaged in farming, which he followed in various parts of Ohio. In 1863, removed to Effingham Count}', 111. He pur- chased a farm of 137 acres in Sees. 22 and 23. He has 100 acres in cultivation, mostly bot- tom, which is very fertile. He is an excellent farmer. Subject has a family of five children, namely — Calvin was born April 3, 1840, and lives in Minnesota ; Harriet M. was born Au- gust 21, 1843; Samuel H. was born March 19, 1848, and lives in Kansas ; George B., born August 8, 1850, and lives in ^Minnesota ; Adoni- ram was born January 1, 1853, and lives in Minnesota. JONATHAN TREXLER, farmer, P. 0. Ef- fingham, son of Jonathan Trexler, was born March 19, 1821, in Jackson County, Ohio. He was married September 3, 1844, to Miss Dru- cilla Foster, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Foster; located on a piece of land, 120 acres in the timber, and cleared about fifty acres. In 1852, he sold his farm in Jackson County, j and emigrated to Effingham County, III., and settled a farm of 160 acres in Section 14, Jack- son Township. In 1853, he began the work of clearing a farm in the river bottom, and has about seventy-five acres in cultivation, mostly in the bottom ; has good buildings, a good orchard, and is in well-to-do circumstances. Subject has a family of two children living — Sarah E. was born Januar}- 7, 1848. was mar- ried to John C. Reynolds, April 1, 1871; Eve- line was born Maj- 31, 1857, and was married to Elijah C. Mitchell, November 21, 1874. Subject votes the Republican ticket, and has been a member of the Christian Church since 1847. Mr. Trexler's wife died December 1, 186G. Subject's father, Jonathan Trexler, was born in New Jersey November 14, 1791. At the age of twenty, he enlisted in the war of 1812. Was married, in 1815, in Jackson Count}', Ohio, to Miss Rachel Martin, and en- gaged in farming. In 1853, he moved to Jas- per County, 111., and bought a farm in North 192 BIOGRAPHICAL: Muddj' Township. Purchased for his children and himself probably 500 acres of land. Sub- ject raised a family of ten children, viz.: John, Mary, Jonathan, David, Johnson, Jackson, Catharine, Vinton, William W., and Rachel. The father died Jauuury 29, 1880, in Jasper County, 111. JAMES TURNER. " That whereunto man's nature doth most aspire, which is immortality or continuance; for to this tendeth generation, and raising of houses and families; to this buildings, foundations and monuments; to this tendeth the desire of memor}', fame and cele- bration, and in effect the strength of all other human desires. We see then how for the mon- uments of wit and learning are more durable than the monuments of power or of the hands. For have not the verses of Homer continued twenty-five hundred years or more, without the loss of a syllable or letter? during which time, infinite palaces, temples, castles, cities have been decajed and demolished. But the image of men's wits remain in books, exempted from the wrong of time, and capable of perpetual renovation, neither are the}' fitly to be called images, because they generate still, and cast their seeds in the minds of others, provoking and causing infinite actions and opinions in succeeding ages. The types are as ships which pass through the vast seas of time, and make ages to participate of the wisdom, illuminations and inventions, the one of the other." — Lord Bacon. A proper biographical history of the men of the world, who by their just and great lives — no matter how humble the sphere in which they lived and toiled — men who have molded and made possible the march of civilization, would be the book of all books for the coutem- templation and study of men. In the olden time, it was onl}^ kings and conquerors — tyrants and brutes mostly — that the sj'cophancy of history deemed worthy of mention. It has been only a modern conception that he only is great whose life walk has been good — who has toiled for the betterment of mankind — who has made two blades of grass grow where only one grew before; in short, he who has thought some thought or perfected some work or labor that tends to better and lift up and perpetuate the real good and improvement of his fellow- man. These are the earth's great men and benefactors — the men incomparably above and beyond wealth, titles, positions or power. James Turner was born in Buckingham County, Va., July 29, 1799. His father was a Revolutionar}- soldier, who cast his fortune and his life with our forefathers, and who came out of that long and suffering struggle with only his life and liberty. When the war was over, he returned to his humble black- smith shop and here he toiled to support and rear his famil}' of three children. He died in 1806 after long sufferings, first, from a fall from a building where he was at work, and then from an attack of rheumatism that eventually caused his death, leaving a widow and three small children, two boys and a girl. James Turner was the youngest of these children, and was seven years of age when his father died. Upon his mother's farm he toiled unremittingly, so much so, indeed, that where there were very sparse school facilities, he was wholly deprived of even the limited advantages they could give. December 16, 1818, he was married to Elsah Pendleton, of Buckingham County, and at once commenced life for himself and wife at the age of nineteen 3'ears. For three years he was gen- eral manager and controller of different planta- tions upon a small salary. In 1823, he moved to Wilson County, Tenn.. taking with him his mother, wife and first born babe, where he pur- chased a small farm, and hired a sufficient force to run it while he worked four years at the carpenter's trade. His business was mod- erately prosperous here, and he accumulated some property. But he had friends and ac- quaintances in the new State of Illinois, among whom were Judge Broom, Ben Alien, Stephen Austin and Duke Robinson; they had all writ- ten him just and glorious accounts of this new country, and responsive to these letters in the JACKSON TOAVNSHIP. 193 j'ear 1829 he came here to see for himself. While here on tiiis visit of inspection he made up his mind to cast his fortune with liis Illi- nois friends, and he selected the spot for his future and permanent home. There was much sincere pleasure among his friends when the\" learned that he was soon to bring his family and to come and to be one of them. He re- turned to Tennessee, sold his little farm, and in November, 1830, arrived in Effingham County. His equipage was a wagon and four horse team, a wife and six children, and they had made the journey of over .300 miles in about two weeks. He at once built himself a cabin on the spot where he yet resides. This was then heav}' oak timber land. While engaged in putting up his little bouse, lie lived in a house that belonged to Stephen Austin. An instance of the scarcity of able-bodied men at that time, is given in the fact that he had to appoint five different gatherings of house raisers before he could get force enough to put up the logs. This little old cabin is still standing, and Mr. Turner takes great pride in telling over the winter's hard work and difficulties it cost him. He moved into his own house March 14, 1831, and the great old oak trees that stood so thick about his premises, he cut down and cleared away, working by the light of the moon, after hard days of toil in his blacksmith shop, or at the carpenter's bench, doing the pressinglj' needed work for the people of the count3^ Prior to his coming, men had to go to Vanda- lia or Shelbyville for such blacksmith work as he now wrought for them. The coming of James Turner into our county was an event of the greatest importance to the people. It was not only the addition of one of the best of fam- ilies, but he brought with him more of this world's goods than did any man who preceded him. His teams and wagons were a greater necessity to the people, as was his work in iron and wood of the greatest importance to all. Until he could raise a crop, he purchased what corn he could of the fanners, but this giving out, he was compelled to go into Edgar Coun- ty, some miles l)e3-ond Paris, where he found some moldy corn. It was wretched stuff, but the best and all he could find. He was accom- panied by Jacob Nelson on this trip. When they secured the corn, they returned by way of Shaw's mill, but he would not grind their grain, so they continued their way to Slover's mill at the head of the Little Wabash. The trip occu- pied five days. Mr. Turner and Abraham Pendleton deadened the timber, and the first year put in seven acres of corn, but being in the bottom, the frost ruined it, but Pendleton's was on the upland and his four acres was the bread supply from the first crop. Mr. Turner's first attempt to raise wheat was in 1832. He planted four acres, and tramped it with horses, and 'fanned" it bj- a sheet vigorously- plied by two men, while another poured it in a stream standing upon some object. The terrible job was eventually completed, but such work de- termined Mr. Turner, and at once he went back to Tennessee and brought back with him a fan- ning mill, the first that was ever brought to the settlements. For a long time it was hauled all over the countiy, as it was loaned to neigh- bors. It was a county wind mill, and was lit- erally worn out in the service of the people. Mr. Turner raised several crops of cotton, se- lecting the southern exposure of the hill side, with fair success, but the lint was short and inferior ever}' way in qualit}-. Finding cotton growing here a failure, he made as many as five trips to Tennessee to purchase cotton and wool, which he carried home and his wife spun and wove the clothing for the family-. On one of these trips he brought with him iiis mother (who had again become a widow), and here she lived until her death, April 26, 1839. In these communications back with his Tennessee home friends, he influenced three different families to move here, aud he furnished them transporta- tion to come. In 1834, he was enabled to enter 194 BIOGRAPHICAL of the Government the eighty acres of land where he made his first improvement, and to this he added as he could, entries adjoining, until he thus owned about 500 acres. These entries lay on both sides of the Little Wabash. He then purchased of private parties until he owned about 1,000 acres. He was a success- ful farmer and stock-raiser, and his services as a carpenter and blacksmith were invaluable and of great convenience to all the people. In 1834, he was elected a member of the County Com- missioners' Court, and served out the term faithfully and well, but nothing could ever in- duce him to accept office again. His time otherwise was too valuable to his family and the people to sacrifice it in fulfilling the duties of office. The wife, and the good mother of Mr. Turner's children, the beloved helpmeet, died October 5, 1858, having borne the following children: David, born June 21, 1822, in Virginia, a farmer near Mason; Robert W., born in Tennessee, August 21, 1823, died when twen- ty-one years old; James S. B., born in Tennes- see, October 21, 1824, a wealthy- farmer, living in Shelby County in this State; Lorenzo H., born in Tennessee. May 14, 1826, residing in Shelby County, 111.; Mary Jane, born July 12, 1827, wife of Samuel Winters, of Jackson Township; John J., born October 5, 1828, died November 11, 1832; Henry, born De- cember 28, 1830, in Effingham County, a farmer near Mason; Nathaniel, born April 14, 1832, living on the old homestead; Nancy E., born February 6, 1834, wife of Charles Kinsey, living in San Francisco; Abram P., born Feb- ruary, 183G, died July 29, 1856; Wilson, born October 2, 1838, farmer, Mason Township. There are now thirty-eight grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren and one great- great-grandchild. On the 20th of January 1860, Mr. Turner was married the second time to Mary E. Quigley, who was spared to him in his old age onlj' until December 10, 1874, when she died leaving no children. Mr. Turner has been for many years an exemplary and consistent member of the Old-School Baptist Church. The first vote he ever cast for Presi- dent was for General Jackson, and all his life he has been a Democrat, a patriot, a Christian, an exemplary model citizen and an honest, good man, and he has been all these in the broadest and truest sense of those terms. His long and busy life has been a priceless one to his family and of inestimable value to the peo- ple of the county. An honest man is the noblest work of God. Here is a man not only honest but full of that kindly charity, benevo- lence and goodness, who never had an enemy, and over whose good name no taint or shadow has ever passed. His education was confined wholly to his own observation and experience; the books have been sealed books to him yet his strong, active mind made amends largely for this, and stored his mind with useful knowl- edge. A man of medium stature, blue eyes, and although carrying eighty-three years, is erect, active and springy in his movements as are many men in the joung prime of their man- hood. Mentall}' and phj-sicallj- pure and clean- ly, no base word or thought ever escaped his lips. Although a picture of a green old age — of nature's true gentleman — that wins its way to the respect and affections of all who behold it. JAMES WHITE, farmer, P. 0. Watson, is a son of Jesse White, and was born August 8, 1834, in Missouri, and moved with his parents to Effingham County, 111., in 1835. He was married, September 7, 1854, to Miss Phebe Keltuer, daughter of Samuel and Susan Keltner. Sub- ject engaged in farming a rented farm of forty acres, which he purchased of his father the fol- lowing year, to which he added eighty acres making 120 acres in Section 24. In 1870, he purchased a bottom farm of 160 acres in Sec- tions 14 and 15. Mr. White raises a great deal of grain, principally corn, which he has sold owing to the demand for corn the past few JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 195 years. Subject has met with the misfortune to have to pay security debts excecdlni; $1,000 from 1879 to 1881. Subject belongs to the -Masonic fraternity, and is a model Democrat ; has filled tlie office of Supervisor four terms, and lield the office of School Director the re- markable time of twentj'-five jears. Mr. White has a familj' of eight children living, viz.: Dan- iel J. was born August 24, 1 855, and was mar- ried to Miss Louisa Robertson, daughter of William Robertson, February 5, 1877; Cathar- ine L. was born Octobers, 1857, and was mar- ried to Elisha Thrasher August 13, 1876; James A. was born November 7, 1859, and was mar- ried November 19, 1881, to Miss Lore tta Riley; Branson S. was born March 6, 1861, and was married April 15, 1882, to Miss Sarah Ellen Hatcher; Isaac L. was born January 30, 1867; Charles L. was born December 31, 1868; Van C. was born March 23, 1873; Sanford N. was born December 24, 1876; Jesse White, subject's father, was born May, 1811, in North Carolina; at the age of twenty went to Alabama, and then Tennessee, and moved to Effingham County, 111., in 1830; was married in 1831, to Miss Catharine Neavill, daughter of George and Elizabeth Neavill, and moved to Missouri in 1834, and back in 18.35. In 1 840, he located on 160 acres of land in Sections 23 and 24, Jackson Township, which he afterward bought; added 120 acres, making 380. Mr. White was a verj' strong man till 1848, when he became disabled b}- bone er3'sipelas, of which he died May 29, 1881. Of a family of fourteen chil- dren, ten are living — James, Mary Ann Stif- fler, Elisha R., Caroline Beal, Catharine Norris, Jesse, Henry and Jane (twins), Franklin, Cas- tilia. HARVY WILMETH, farmer, P. 0. Watson, is a son of Joseph Wilmeth; was born in 1826, in Pickaway County-, Ohio. He learned the carpenter's trade under his father during his boj'hood. and at the age of twentj"-one went to the town of Marion, Ohio, to work at bis chosen trade. Subject was married to Miss Julia A. Monday in 1853, in Marion, Marion Co., Ohio. He continued bis trade there till 1858, when he sold out and moved to Effingham County, 111., purchased 160 acreyof land parti}' in Section 15, Jackson Township. Suljject has a farm of over two hundred acres, about one hundred acres in cultivation, bottom and upland, mak- ing a desirable as well as a very profitable farm, on which there are good buildings and an excel- lent orchard. Farms principally corn and wheat; usually feeds most of his corn to stock, and makes quite a specialty' of stock-raising. Politicall}', a Republican. Subject has a family of six children, viz., Carless (married Miss Eliza Ballard), Franklin, Mary (wife of George D. Loveless), Chester, Presley and Bertha. WILLIAM WILSON, farmer, P. O. Watson, was born in Larne, Antrim Co., Ireland, April 27, 1826, son of William and Margaret (Eng- lish) Wilson, who were married in 1820, in Ire- land. Our subject is their only child, the mother died in 1826. The father, in after jears, married Margaret McKay, bj- whom was born five children, all surviving and residing in Scotland. William came to America in 1851, landing in New York Cit}-; he soon after settled at Westfleld, Chautauqua Co., State of New York, remaining nearly two years, working on a farm owned liy Asa Hall. He then came to Effingham Count}-, followed railroading for a short time, and finally settling on the farm he now owns. He served four months under the call for 75,000 men during the rebellion. Our subject married Elizabeth Le Crone July 26, 1853. Mrs. Wilson was born April 7, 1826, and unto them were born eight children, two of whom are living — Alfred Denu}- Wilson and Mattie Boyce Wilson, both married. The family were educated in the Presbvtcrian faith, to which the descendants still adhere. Mr. Wilson has always acted with the Democratic party, and has Ijeen elected Supervisor of his township several tenns. He settled on the 196 BIOGRAPHICAL: raw prairie, on the edge of the timber line, grubbed, cleared, and turned the high wild grass under, until he has 240 acres of farm under good cultivation. He cleared from the stump 200 acres of this land; most of his neigh- bors who began life with him, have passed away. Mr. Wilson notes that this country for farming purposes, is superior to Ireland, or any part of the old country, for the reason that more of any kind of grain can be raised per acre here, with the same amount of labor used there. An additional reason that crops of Indian corn and various fruits can be raised here that cannot be produced in Irish soil, he thinks that if the dis- contented people of his native land would come out here, and worked the soil, as he did, instead of quarreling with their Government, it would be better for them and for Ireland. He pro- duces one more argument in favor of this coun- try for farming purposes over Ireland, that the sea storms threshes the grain in the fields be- fore garnered, which causes great loss, this being caused by Ireland being surrounded by water. SAMUEL WINTER, farmer, P. 0." Mason, is a son of Benjamin Winter, and was born November 12, 1817, in Fairfield County, Ohio. Began life for himself at the age of fourteen, worked on a farm a short time, and then served an apprenticeship to the tanner's trade till 1840, and came to Effingham Countj^, 111. He was married to Miss Mary J. Turner, daughter of James Turner, September 5, 1842, and settled on a piece of land in Sec- tion 32. Subject followed the tanner's trade till 1852, and then abandoned that and took up farming as a livelihood. His farm consisted at first of 200 acres of timber and prairie, part of which he has donated to his children. Sub- ject voted the Whig ticket, after the Whigs went down, voted with the Republicans a short time, then left them and joined the Democrac}-. Subject was Deputy Sheriflf of Effingham Coun- ty, under 0. L. Kelley, 1857-58, and was elected to the office of Sheriff in 1859, and served one term. Mr. Winter has five children — Caroline, wife of Elzie Hardsock, was born August 13, 1843; James B. was born June 14, 1845; Abra- ham F. was born December 1, 1848; William H. was born February 5, 1851; Charles Walker was born May 16, 1853. Subject's father was born in 1790, was a farmer, owned a farm of eighty acres near Mount Vernon, Ohio, which he traded for a farm near Baltimore, Ohio, where he died August 5, 1832. LIBERTY WILLIAM ALLSOP, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City, is the second son living that was born to John Allsop and Mary Slater, his wife. Her uncles, Samuel and William Slater, came to the United States in 1790, and were the originators and builders of the first cotton factory in America. William, the subject of these lines, was born March 18, 1836, and came to Amer- ica with his parents in 1845, and removed with them to the State in December, 1847, and has since been a resident of this count}- and town- ship. He remained with his parents on the homestead until his marriage, which occurred TOWNSHIP. December 21, 1862, to Sarah H. Zeigler, a na- tive of Michigan, daughter of Jacob Zeigler and Alvira Tiibbs. Jacob Zeigler was born in Butler County, Ohio, and died August 13, 1882. His wife, Alvira, came from New York State. Mr. Allsop's wife died September 29, 1869, leaving two children — Charles and Lillie May. Charles was born December 17, 1863 ; Lillie M., February 23, 1866. After this he located on the farm he now owns. He was mar- ried on January 1, 1872, to Mary J. Mar- shall. She was born November 21, 1838, in Monroe County, N. Y., daughter of Samuel LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 197 Marshall and Lucinda Gutherie. He was born in Barron Count3',Kj-. She onClinch River,Tenu. B}- last marriage he had one child. Ida S. B., born January 30, 1873. Mr. AUsop is Demo- cratic, and a member of Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. THOMAS ALLSOP, farmer, P. 0. Beecher Cit}'. Among the substantial and lead- ing farmers of this township is Thomas Allsop, who was born May 23, 1838, in Derbyshire, England, the ■ fourth son of John Allsop and Mary Slater. The family em- igrated to this country prior to the Mexican war, locating in the District of Columbia, where they lived two years, and in December, 1847, the father of Thomas came to this State with his family and located on land in this township, which he had traded for while in the district. He owned here 650 acres, 330 acres in this township, the remainder in Shelby County. Here he settled and remained in the count}- until his death, which occurred May 10, 1878, at his son's in Effingham. He was born in March, 1804. His wife died March 27. 1848, born December 27, 1802. To them were born six children — Sarah, Samuel, John, William, Thomas, Mary. Mar}- and John are deceased. Mary married George Eccles ; John died in Elfingham ; Sarah is the wife of Thomas D. Tenner}', this township. Thomas remained with his father until he was twenty-one, then began in business for himself in 1859, locating where he now resides. Was married first time to Elizabeth Hunt, born in Manchester, Eng- land, daughter of John Hunt and Elizabeth Mapplebeck. She died April 2, 1873, leaving six children — Lizzie, John, Emma, Sarah, Mar- tha. Lizzie resides in Moccasin Townsliip, this county, wife of Joseph Syfert. Second wife was Sarah Getz, of Ohio, daughter of William Getz ; she died leaving one child Bertha. Last wife was Sarah Maliin, born in this county, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Powell) Mahin, he, of Ohio, she of Tennessee. By last marriage two children — Clarence and Nellie. He has 200 acres in this township, IGO acres in Shelby County, and farm in Moccasin Township. He has done much toward encouraging the breeding of fine stock. Democrat, and of the Southern Method- ist Church. He has put all the substantial improvements on this farm. WILLIAM H. ANDERSON, furniture, Beecher City. The subject of this sketch was born in Fayette County, now London Township, December 16, 1843, the fourth son of a family of eight children, born to Samuel Anderson, a native of South Caro- lina, and left here when a young man and afterward served five years in the regular army, and about the year 1829 or 1830 came to Fayette County, where he settled and re- mained until his death in the year 1848. His wife was Nancy Amerman, a native of Ten- nessee, daughter of Stephen Amerman. To Samuel Anderson and wife were borne seven children, who lived to man and womanhood, viz. : James, Jonathan, Caroline, Stephen J., Elizabeth, William H., Emma and Matthew. William H. was but four years of age when his father died ; he then went to live with his un- cle, with whom he lived until his death. He was at this time thirteen years of age, when he turned out for himself, and up to the fall of 1861 he worked out by the month. October 3, 1861, he responded to the Nation's call, and enlisted in Company B, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three years and two months, receiving his discharge in December, 1864. During this time he participated in the battles of Belmont, Corinth, New Madrid, siege of Nashville, Mission Ridge, siege of Knoxville, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome, Ga., and Dallas, where he was severely wounded in left arm, ball passing through same and through the left hip and lodged in the left hip joint where the ball still lies. Upon his return from service came to Fayette, he attended school for 198 BIOGKAPHICAL: one year after which he taught school one year, then engaged in farming, continuing until 1873, after w-hich he sold goods at Greenland one j-ear and then farmed until 1882, at which time he came to Beecher Citj- where he bought propertj- in fall of 1881, and in 1882 built a business house and is now engaged in the fur- niture business. He was married October 3, 1867, to Hester E. Miller, born in Fayette Count}', daughter of William and Callista (Beck) Miller. By this marriage of Mr. Ander- son six children have been born, four living, viz. : Lillie M., Callista A., Isadora and Sa- mantha P. Deceased were Emma J. and Liz- zie M., members of the Missiouarj- Baptist ; also A., F. & A. M., Greenland Lodge, No. 665. Republican and strong temperance man. Mr. Anderson had four brothers who served in the army. James, Jonathan, Stephen J. and Matthew. jMatthew served in the Seventh Cav- alrj-. The other four served in Company B, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Jonathan had left arm shot off. James had three fin- gers shot off from left hand. H. L. BEECHER, merchant, Beecher City. The subject of the following sketch descended from a long line of distinguished ancestors, of various avocations, whose decisory character- istics are prominentl}- perceivable in the por- trait in this book, of him whose name heads this biographj-. He is a native of Licking County, Ohio, and was born March 14, 1844. His parents, Lyman and Jane (Willoughbj-) Beecher, were natives of Herkimer Countj', N. Y. The former was born March 26, 1817, and in 1836, he moved with his father's famil}- to Licking County, Ohio. The latter was born March 4, 1820, and blessed her consort with three children, viz.: Sarah A., born April 4, 1841, married H. B. Howe, and is living in Cleveland, Ohio; H. L.; and Julius S. born October 2, 1846, married Ella Norton, of Shaw- neetown, 111., and resides in Columbus, Ohio ; H. L. received such an education as the country schools and one year at college afford- ed. He spent the greater part of his early life as a tiller of the soil. November 4, 1869, he was married to Emma L., a daughter of Wes- le}' and Charlotte (Charles) Hancock. Her father left his native State, Virginia, at the age of sixteen years, and came to Licking County, Ohio, where he subsequent!}' married her men- tioned above, whose ancestors were from Penn- sylvania. Her parents were blessed with twelve children, fen of whom grew to maturitj-. Four of ^Irs. B.'s brothers held that all men should be unfettered in running the race of life, hence the system of human slavery found in them an honoralile but unrelenting foe ; and when the accursed sj'stem organized a rebellion against our Government, they took up arms to uphold and sustain the just cause of their countrJ^ The j-ounger, Charles, enlisted at the age of sixteen, in the One hundred and twenty- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was in forty- two battles during three j'ears' service. James C. was First Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Eph- raim and Jesse each served three years, and the latter was captured by the rebels, and by some shrewdness he escaped. Our subject, with his wife, removed to Fairfield, Wayne Co., 111., in February. 1871, and about one j-ear later, to Beecher City, this county. The\' lived for awhile in the railroad depot. In June, 1872, the}' transferred their small amount of this world's goods to a house which the subject had prepared. Mr. B. served as depot and ex- press agent for many years at this village. In 1874, he obtained permission from the railroad company to put in the depot a stock of dry goods, notions, etc.; aside from this he dealt in grain, railroad ties and hoop-poles. He was commissioned Postmaster in 1874, and is the present incumbent. In the fall of 1876, he pui'chased property of the Jennings Brothers, and afterward improved the same. He now enjoys a large trade in the general mercantile LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 199 business, the result of his own economy and frugal dealings. His union gave him two children, viz.: Florence M., born June 18, 1872, and a son, born August 27, 1880, and deceased in a few da3's. In politics, he is a consistent, intelligent and active Republican. In a word, he is an honest, truthful and capable man. both in public and in private life, ardently attached to those things which are true, good and just, hating oppression in all its forms, ever read}' to rebuke meanness wherever it shows its head. He is a member of the Congregational Church, while his wife, a lady of rare beauty of person, of the most amiable temper and engaging man- ners, of high intellectual and social attain- ments, is an exemplary member of the Chris- tian organization. Mr. B. served four months in the late war. C. A. Beeeher, after whom Beecher Citj- was named, was born August 27, 1829 ; he is an uncle of our subject ; was Vice President of the company, the constructors of the Springfield & Southeastern Railroad, now the Springfield Division of the Ohio & Mississippi. Hezekiah Beecher, the great-grandfather of H. L., was born July 29, 1755, in Woodbridge, Conn. He married Philena Johnson, born in the same place October 5, 17G1. The union resulted in eleven children ; Zina, the secon.d child, was the grandfather of our subject ; was born in Woodbridge, and in 1806 went to Her- kimer County, N. Y.; in 1809, married Lucretia Sanford, born in Hamden, Conn., October 27, 1789. the result being ten children. Zina died October 24, 1865, and Lucretia died February 26, 1880. The mother of H. L. Beecher died June 8, 1868, and the father was again married to Almeda Bloomer, October 27, 1873, Rev. Lyons officiating ; they arc living in Licking County, Ohio, on the farm l)ought by Zina Beecher in 1836. GEORGE W. BROtt^N, grain dealer, Beech- er City, was born in Shelby County, 111., 1840, March 19, of a family of twelve children, the fifth in number born to Joseph M. Brown, born 1811, August 2, in North Carolina, and removed to Tennessee with his parents when young, where he was raised to manhood. He was married in nineteenth year to Theresa N. Parks, daughter of Samuel and Phebe (Caldwell) Parks; she died aged one hundred and seven 3'ears; said to be one hundred and eighteen. Phebe was a daughter of Joseph Caldwell, one of the Revolutionary soldiers. Joseph M. afterward removed to Shelby Count}-, this State, arriving November, 1839, and lived here for several years, and served as Justice of the Peace many j'cars, and removed to this count}-, where he has since remained. George W. was raised at home, and at the age of seventeen began teach- ing in county, and continued for several years. Came to Beecher City in 1873, spring, and since remained. He learned the tinner's trade, and started the first tin shop in Altamont, and the first in this place; since 1880 has been en- gaged in the grain business, agent for Brown- back Bros. He was married, 1860, November 1, to Jane Fortner, born in Shelby County, the daughter of Elisha and Elizabeth Carr Fortner. He has four sons — John M., Elisha, Samuel H. and William H. Was elected Justice in spring of 1881; served as Township Clerk five }-ears previous; member of I. 0. O. F., No. 690. Member of Universalist Church; Clerk of same. A. J. BURKE (deceased), was born 1829, November 2, in Harrison Count}', Ohio, eldest son of John J. and Nancy (Snyder) Burke, both natives of the Carolinas. Andrew Jackson remained in Ohio with his parents until ten years of age, when he moved with his parents to Fayette Count}-, Ind., where he mar- ried November 3, 1850, to Mary H., born No- ember 11, 1828, in Union County, Ind., the second daughter and fifth child of James and Annie (Johnson) Geary. James was a son of John Geary, of Maryland. Annie, born in Kentucky, daughter of Ezekiel Johnson. After the marriage of Jlr. A. J. Burke, he settled on a part of his father's farm, and engaged in 200 BIOGRAPHICAL: farming, and remained here until the fall of 1865, when he removed to Illinois, and settled on the edge of Shelby County, just across the line; here he lived three years, when he moved across the line into Liberty Township, where he had built, and remained here until his death, November 10, 1877. He was a member of the Olive Branch Church, and Trustee of same, and in politics was Democratic, and a man esteemed for his good qualities of mind and heart. Surviving him are his widow and five children — Frank M., George W., John Thomas, Rachel A. and Charles; deceased are Erastus, died 1881, aged twenty-three; Rhoda B., died March 7, 1881, aged eighteen j'ears, and Angle E., infant. JOHN COOK, JI. D., Beecher City. Of the practitioners of Materia Medica in Etflngham County, none are more deserving of success than Dr. John Cook, who though young, has had a marked and a successful career, which has been fairly earned, as he is purelj' self- made. He was born January 4, 1849, in Kent, England, son of John and Lucj' (Sharp) Cook. His father was born April 22, 1821, son of John Cook, whose ancestors' for three hundred j'ears were born in the same house, which was once part of an ancient castle, in which, tradi- tion says, that the son of Richard III was also born; under this same roof our subject first saw the light of day. His boyhood daj-s were spent at home on the farm and attending school. He received the advantages afforded at the academj', where he not only acquired a good English education, but a knowledge of classics, and leaving school at the age of thir- teen, he engaged as clerk in a store for about six years. His father having been at one time possessed of considerable wealth, but was un- fortunate, and in the changing vicissitudes of business life, was left devoid of proport}', which threw our subject mainl}' upon his own re- sources. In the fall of 1868, he came to America, and for a time lived with his uncle in Chicago. In 1869, he came to this town- ship, and engaged as teacher in the public schools in this township, where he continued until 1878, at which time he began reading medicine with Dr. John Wills, of this township, after which he attended two terms of lectures in the St. Louis Medical College, graduating March 4, 1880, where he took the gold medal, in nervous diseases; first prize in surgery; second in g3'necolog3' and in fact, his record was such that he took the highest honors that had ever been awarded to any student since the establishment of the college. Immediately after his graduation, he returned to this county, and formed a copartnership with Dr. J. M. Phifer at Shumwaj', which lasted about one year, when, at the earnest solicitation of friends, he was induced to locate at Beecher City, where he located in April, 1881, and has been eminently successful, being favored with a liberal patronage. August 24, 1873, he mar- ried Julia E., daughter of Thomas D. Tennery; this union has been crowned by the birth of two daughters — Bertha A. and Sarah L. He is a member of the Universalist Church, and of Beecher City Lodge, No. 690, I. 0. 0. F. CHARLES ECCLES, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City, was born in Manchester, Eng., February 5, 1834, to George Clark and Mary (Witting- ham) Eccles. He was born May 13, 1803, in Stretford, Eng. She was born in Cheshire, Eng., in 1802, and died about 1857, in this township. By trade, he is a weaver, and was overlooker or overseer in the mill of Richard Birley for about sixteen j-ears. Before he came to America, he quit the mill and went into a provision store, and was in that for several j'ears, and then went into the coal business, and followed that for six jears, and then came to America in the spring of 1849. He started with the intention of settling in Ohio, but on board the ship he formed the acquaintance of John AUsop, who told him this country was much better than Ohio, so he came on to Effing- LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 201 ham County and bought forty acres of land, borrowing money of the school funds to pay for it. He put up a small log house, and in the fall of 1849, his f;^mily came from England to him. In his trip across, he landed at Philadel- phia, but his famil3' came to New Orleans, and came up the river to St. Louis, where he was to meet the family, but did not meet them on ac- count of mails being so irregular, so they went out to Naples, and from Naples they went to Springfield bj- train, and then hired a four-horse team to bring tiiem to Shelbyville. Mr. Eccles followed farming after coming here till a few j'ears ago he retired from active life. B3' his energ}-, he accumulated property till lie had 260 acres of land, besides personal property. Of this, he deeded eight}' acres to each of his eldest sons, Thomas and Charles, and has since deeded the home-place to his youngest son, but reserved a life interest. Mr. Eccles has been married three times; by the first wife he had five children, three sons and two daughters, only two living now — Charles and George. 'By his second wife, Mrs. Nancy (Askius) Eccles, he had one son, which died j-oung; his third wife, Mrs. Mary (Flowers), is still living. He is a member of the Baptist Church. He has alwa3's been Democratic in politics. Our sub- ject, Mr. Charles Eccles, spent his early life in England, attending the common schools, etc., but commenced work at an early age, helping his father with the coal business, hauling coal from pit, etc. After coming to America, he at- tended the common schools of this township, and worked on the farm. He remained at home with his father till he was about twentj- two years old, and was married, April 18, 1858, in Shelby Count}', to Amanchx Miller; she was born in Shelby Count}-, on what was called the Baker place, to John and Sarah (Sanders) Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Eccles have Qve ciiildrcn, four girls and one boy — Emma V., Sarah Ellen, Rebecca J., Ida Florence and Charles. Mr. Ec- cles is Democratic in politics. He came to his present farm as soon as he was married, and has been on it since. His farm consists of ninety-two acres, eighty in prairie. GEORGE ECCLES, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City, was born in Manchester, Eng., January 18, 1840, to George Clark Eccles. Mr. George Eccles is brother of Charles Eccles, whose sketch appears. Mr. Eccles' early life was the same as his brother's. In 1849, he came to America with the family. In 1854, he left home and went to live with his brother-in-law, Jarvis Clessou', in Shelby County. He made that his home for some years, but would work out by the month with farmers around. In 1865, he was married, in Effingham County, to Mary Allsop; she was born In England April, 1841, daughter of John and Mary Allsop. They were from Belper, Eng. They both died in this county. Our subject's wife died December 2, 1872. By this wife he has one child — Mary Lillian. In October, 1877, he was again married, in Shelby County, to Louisa Banning; she was born in Shelby County. 111., April, 1853, to William Banning and Elizabeth (Barr) Banning. By this wife he has three children — Hilda Ada, Henry Wittingham and Viola D. When first married, he went onto a farm owned by Mr. John Allsop, in Moccasin Township, and lived there till his wife's death; he then moved to his present place. His farm consists of 100 acres. He is Democratic in politics. Is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., of Beecher City. He received his education in Manchester, Eng., and the schools of this county, going to the early schools of this county. The spelling-book was the main book in use. IRA C. HUBBARTT, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City. Among the leading farmers of this town- ship is the above gentleman, who was born June 22, 1834. in Fayette County, Ind., the eld- est son of John Hubbartt and his wife Eliza- beth Hubbell. Mr. Hubbartt came to this State with his parents in September, 1853, who settled on the edge of Shelby County, just 203 BIOGRAPHICAL: across the Effingham line. He remained with his father until he attained his majority and a short time afterward, and assisted in improving the homestead. In October, 1855, he married Mary A., a native of Shelby County, daughter of Elijah Parkhurst. Shortly after his mar- riage, he moved to Fayette County, where he had purchased land. Here he engaged in farm- ing. He remained here about five 3'ears, when he exchanged his propert3' there for the place he now owns, and added more to the same by purchase. He located on the northeast quarter of Section 22, and has since remained and giv- en his attention to farming. He has now 321 acres of land, 160 here, and the remainder in the adjoining county. He has eight children living, viz.: Charles C, Eliza J., Elisha H., Rebecca A., Ira K., Laura A., John E., Mary N. Member I. 0. 0. F., Beecher City Lodge, No. 690; Greenbacker. W. H. JENNINGS, merchant, Beecher City. Among the leading business interests of this township is that carried on by the above-men- tioned gentleman, who was born in this county in December, 1838, son of Isom Jennings, a native of Warren Count}', Tenn., who emigrated to this State in the fall of 1829. He was born in March, 1805 ; died in October, 1877. His wife was Frances Smith, a native of North Car- oHna, daughter of Peter Smith. William Hay- den was raised on the farm; began for himself at twenty -one at farming. Made his father's house his home until the summer of 1861, when he left home. June, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany K, Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, and served until September, 186-4. During this time, he participated in all the engagements that his company was engaged in. Served in Pea Ridge, Stone River, Chickamauga, Resaca, and in all the battles up to Atlanta. Upon his return home, resumed farming, which he con- tinued until 1871. That fall he came to this township and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness with J. D. Jennings & Brother, which con- tinued four years. He then sold out his interest; then returned to Fayette County and went to Holliday and resumed the mercantile business there, continuing until May, 1880, when he came to this place and set up in business with his brother Noah, who built the business house he now occupies, and continued together about eighteen months, when he purchased his broth- er's interest and has since continued alone. Building, 24x60 feet, well stocked with a gen- eral assortment of goods. Married in 1866 to iMary J. Musser, born in Knox Count}-, Ohio, daughter of William and Mary Musser. Mem- ber of the Universalist Church. Member of the A., F. & A. M., Greenland Lodge, No. 665 ; Democrat. T. L. D. LARIMORE, retired farmer, P. 0. Beecher City, was born October 25, 1808, in Stokes County, N. C, and when a lad removed with his parents to Fayette County, Ind., where he lived until twenty-five years of age. His father was Thomas J. Larimore, a native of Virginia, and when a young man removed to North Carolina, where he married Nancy Wright, a daughter of John Wright, who came from Ireland and settled in North Carolina. The paternal grandsire of our subject was James Larimore, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and for many years afterward drew a pension. He married Katie Daniels. Thomas J. Larimore removed to Rush County, Ind., in 1815, and was a pioneer of that locality, and remained here until his death in 1852. Thomas L. D., our subject, was raised to farming, and received but a common school education, and very common at that. He married Mary J. Hubbard, a native of Fayette County, Ind.i where she was born January 31, 1814. Her parents were Charles Hubbard and Lillie Hol- land, the latter a daughter of Laban Holland and Elizabeth Hales, of English ancestry. Charles Hubbard was a native of Maryland, his wife Lillie of Virginia. One year after Mr- Larimore's marriage he removed to Hancock, LIBERTY TOWKSHIP. 203 Ind., where he entered hind and settled in the woods, remaining there about nineteen years when he sold out and came to this State, locat- ing in this township September 20, 1853, where he has since lived. His first purchase was 520 acres, some of which he entered. The piece he located on had a small cabin thereon and a few acres broken. He has now IfiO acres left after dividing out among his children, of which he has eight in number, whose names are as follows : Charles T., born July 19, 1834 ; p]liz- abeth, born Februarj- 14, 1836 ; John L., born January 6, 1840 ; Louann, born October 3, 1847 ; Albert, born November 3, 1849 ; Aza- riah, born June 3, 1852 ; Sarah C, born Jul}- 23, 1854; William F., born August 15, 1857. Children deceased are Nancy E., Mary I. and William H. Elizabeth, wife of Thomas HoUi- da3', resides in Fayette County ; Louann, wife of Noah Jennings : other children are residing at or near the homestead. Mr. Larimore is a member of the Universalist Church and a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. S. D. LORTON, farmer, P. O. Beecher City, was born January 17. 1822, in the State of Arkansas, and came with his parents to Madi- son County, this State, in 1823, and the follow- ing 3-ear came to Fayette Counti", where he lived until 1843, when he came to this count}-, and has since been a resident of this township. His father's name was Henrj-, a native of Henry County, Va.; son of Robert Lorton'and Tabitha Ganaway, both natives of Virginia, and re- moved with their family at an early day to Cumberland Countj-, Ky., about 1813, where they remained until 1819, when they located in Green County, near White Hall ; here Robert Lorton died about 1833, in his eightj-sixth year. He served all through the Revolutionar}- war. Henrj', the father of our subject, was the sixth son of Robert, and was born August 4, 1799, and was raised a farmer, and while in Madison Countj-, now Bond, about 1820, he married Sarah Carson, a native of South Caro- lina, daughter of James and Elizabeth (West) Carson. After the marriage of Henry Lorton, he moved to Arkansas in 1821, and the follow- ing }-ear returned to IMadison County; stayed one j-ear, and in 1824 located in Fayette County, where he purchased land and engaged in farming, and remained here until his death, which occurred October 11, 1851. His wife died September 20, 1866. He served in the Black Hawk war, and was a life-long Whig. He raised to maturity four children — Samuel D., Greenup, John and Sarah, all now living. The boys, John and Greenup, reside in Fayette County and are engaged in farming. Sarah re- sides in Shclbj- County, wife of James Askins, Samuel D. being the only one of the family re- siding in the county. At the age of twenty he began for himself, which was in 1843. His father gave him 100 acres, upon which he lo- cated and has since remained. In 1843, March 28, he married Lucj- A., born in Fayette Coun- tj', 1824, December 12, daughter of Isaiah and Eliza (Reed) Nichols. He was born in Mason County, Ky., July 6, 1800; son of Thomas Nicholas and Dulcibela Berry. Eliza was born 1800, August 3, in Randolph County, this State, daughter of Oliver and Sllizabeth (Doyle) Reed. After Mr. Lorton married, he located in a cabin which he built, which was burned in the spring of 1845. He then built a cabin where he now lives, in which he lived about six years, when he built a frame house, in which he lived until 1874, when he built the brick house he now occupies; has five children living — James K., Samautha, Elana J., Sarah and Henry; de- ceased — Julia A., who died at seventeen; other died in infancy. James K., resides in London Township, Fayette County; Samantha resides in this township, wife of C. W. Larimore; Elana, wife of Harmon Buzzard, of Fayette County; Sarah and Henry, unmarried. Has 200 acres and the same amount in Fayette County. Had at one time 660 acres before dividing among SO-1 blOGRAPHICAL: his children. Democratic, and served as Col- lector several terms — now Assessor. Is Uni- versalist in doctrine, and a Mason since 1856; now of Greenland Lodge, No. 665; always been a temperate man. J. P. ROBERTSON, stock-dealer, Beecher Citj-. The resident stock-dealer of this town- ship is James Polk Robertson, who was l)orn in Todd County, Ky., March 28, 1843, third son and fifth child born to Jesse B. Robertson and Harriet Key, he born in Virginia, and removed with his father, David, to Tennessee when twelve years old. In 18-t2, he (Jesse B.), located in Todd Count}', Ky., where he lived until 1861, and came to AVashington County, this State, and, 1870, removed to Ef- fingham County, this State, where he died in 1876. Harriet was born in Tennessee, daughter of William Key. James P. was raised on a farm, and located in Todd County until 1878, when he came to Washington County, this State ; remained here until February, 1880, when he came to Beecher Citj' and since re- mained; was in Kentuck}' during the war; in 1874-75, was selling goods in Todd Count}-; in 1875-76, was Constable; 1877-78, was engaged in the leaf tobacco business. From there to Washington County, this State, 1878, where he engaged in farming two years. Then acted as foreman for Osgood & Kingman (railroad con- tractors), for twelve months. Went to the Hot Springs; stayed one year for his health, when he came here and engaged in butcheriug. Since August, 1882, been engaged in stock business, buying and selling cattle, sheep, hogs, etc. Married, June, 1863, to Rebecca Starks, a native of Simpson County, Ky., daughter of Aquilla Starks. Has three children — Martha J., Jesse F. and Mary S. Member of A., F. & A. M., Dayville Lodge, Ky., No. 587; of I. 0. 0. F., Beecher Lodge, No. 690. He was formerly Democratic, politically, but having seen and experienced the evil effects attending the liquor traffic, he is now a Prohibitionist, in the strong- est sense the term implies. AMAZIAH SPARKS, deceased, Beecher City, was born August 9, 1826, in Indiana, son of John Sparks and Mary Campbell. He from Pennsylvania, she from Virginia, and were early settlers in Indiana. Subject was raised a farmer, and lived with his parents until twenty-seven years of age. February 23, 1854, he was married to Amanda Steele, a na- tive of Rush County, Ind., born September 17, 1834. She was the eighth child of James Steele and Sarah Recives. He was born in Pennsylvania November 6, 1799. She was born in Kentucky July 29, 1798, and removed to Indiana in an early day. He died January 30, 1839; she January 12, 1884. He was of Presbyterian, she of Christian Church. After the marriage of Mr. Sparks, he lived nearly ten years, and in the fall of 1 855 moved to Illinois, lived two years in the northwest pari of the township; removed then here, north half of southeast quarter of Section 22, bought of railroad eighty acres ; no improvements on same. He remained here until his death, April 4,1871; was a member of the Christian Church; Republican. Since war, was a man highly re- spected in the community in which he lived. Surviving him are his widow and six children —Sarah M., James W., George B., Ha U., Will- iam H., Charles F. They have 110 acres. WILLIAM R. SPIVEY, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City, was born in Butler County, Ohio, May 3, 1828, to John and Hannah (Frazey) Spivey. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born on November 25, 1800. She was born December 25, 1802, in New Jersey. He came to Ohio in 1813, and settled in Butler County. He carried the mail for seven years, from Cin- cinnati to Xenia, carrying out of Cincinnati the first paper that was ever published there. In 1839, he moved to Fayette County, Ind., and remained there till his death, November, 1878. She died there also in September, 1874. Our subject received his education in the common schools of Indiana. He was raised on a farm, and that has been his occupation through life- LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 205 He remained at home till he was twenty-five years old, working on the farm, and then went to the then far northwest, Wisconsin, Iowa and Northern Illinois, and was gone for three years, farming one season while gone, and for two years was railroading, being with an engineer- ing party. On November 17, 1856, in Milwau- kee, Wis., he was married to Harriet Williams. She was born in Ohio, near Cleveland, to Abrain Williams; both her parents died when she was small. Mr. and Mrs. Spivey had ten children, nine living^Ida, Jessie, Charles, Susan, Har- riet, Georgiana, Omer, Everett, Dolly. After his marriage, he went back to Indiana, and farmed on his father's farm, for twenty years, and then came to Effingham County in 1875, to his present farm, which he had bought be- fore coming. His farm consists of 120 acres; about 100 being improved. He is a life-long Democrat. The next year after coming to Illi- nois, he was elected Justice of the Peace, but not liking it soon resigned. DAVID SWEAZY, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City, was born in November 12, 1833, in Hock- ing County, Ohio, the third son of Rev. An- thony Sweaz}- and Susana Clark. He (Rev. Anthony), was born November 20, 1800, in New Jersey; son of Henry, whose wife was a Cramer. Subject is of German descent. Henry "Sweazy removed with his family at an early daj' from New Jersey, and settled in Hock- ing County as earlj- as 1814, where he died. He raised a family of eleven children, who set- tled in Ohio and Indiana. David came West to this locality in the fall of 1853; his father had been out the year previous and purchased 400 acres in this township; cost $4.50 per acre. He remained here until his death, September 2, 1864. He was for many j-ears a member of the United Brethren; he first united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, afterward joined the United Brethren Church, and in 1840 was licensed as minister in same, and was ordained in 1844. On account of ill health, could not travel, and worked in a local way, and for one of his advantages was past the mediocre of his profession. In early life, was a Democrat; later in life was a stanch Republican. His wife died in June, 1861. To them eleven chil- dren were born, ten grew up — Henr}', William, David, Henderson D., Anthony, Louis C, Jane, Melinda, Hannah, Susanah. William, Hender- son D. and David lives in this township. Sub- ject came out here and engaged in making im- provements; remained with his father about eighteen months, when he began for liimself, and in March, 1856, married Mary E., daughter of John Miller, and Susan Wantland, of Knox Count}-, Ohio. After marriage he located where he now lives, and since remained. Has 190 acres. Has eleven children born, eight living — Charles M., Amanda J., Alverda V., Jessie W., Eliza J., Emma F., Mary A. and Louis E., deceased, died j'oung; he has been a member of the United Brethren Church since nineteen years old; Trustee of church and Class-leader, and Superintendent of Sunda}- school. H. D. SWEAZY. farmer, P. 0. Beecher City. The subject of this sketch was born in Hocking County, Ohio, Maj' 8, 1835, to Anthony and Susannah (Clark) Sweazy (see sketch of David Sweazy). His early life was spent on his father's farm, and in attending the common schools of his native count}'. In the spring of 1855, he left the old home, and, in company with his father, came to Effingham County, set- tling in Liberty Township, and since that time his fortunes have been cast with this township. Although farming has always been his occupa- tion, still he has had enough practice to make him handy either with the carpanter's square or the mason's trowel. He remained at home with his father till his marriage in the spring of 1861, when he was married, in Hocking County, Ohio, to Miss Jhiry B. Wilson; she was born in Perry County, Ohio, February, 1836, to Hiram and (Tucker) Wilson. They 206 BIOGRAPHICAL: were both born in Ohio. He is still there, but she is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Sweazy have two children — Nancy Ellen and Henrietta. As soon as he was married, he moved to his present farm, and has since been actively engaged in farming. His farm consists of 175 acres, of which he inherited sixty, but the remainder he has made by his own energy and industiy. Be- sides his farai, he has a number of town lots in Beecher City. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and each has been connected with that church for over thirty years. His first vote was cast for John C. Fremont, and he has kept by the part}' ever since. Up to the time the railroad passed through, his house was opened to any in the count}-, and never charged a cent for lodging or a meal of victuals to any one belonging in the count}'; but after the railroad was built, he was soon over-run, and so had to change his way and go to charging. He boarded the hands as they were laying the track for the rail- road, also as they were building the depot and laying out the town. Part of Beecher City is laid out on his farm. The first twelve years after his marriage, he ran a threshing-machine in its season, and made quite a success qf it. T. D. TENNERY, farmer, P. 0. Beecher. Among the old settlers of Liberty Township is Thomas Douthad Tennery, who was born in Greenup County, Ky., December 22, 1819, the sixth son of a family of twelve children. There were eight sons and four daughters, T. D. be- ing the ninth child in order of birth. His par- ents were Thomas and Jane (Wilson) Tennery, both natives of East Tennessee. His father was Zophar Tennery. In the fall of 1820, our subject removed with his parents to Edgar County, this State, and located on land south of Paris, which he afterward entered from the Government. He remained here until about the year 1845. He removed to Jasper County, where he laid out the town of Granville, after- ward deceased in that county about the year 1867. Thomas D. remained with his father until he was twenty-two years of age ; had fair school advantages for that time. After leaving home, he engaged in farming, where he contin- ued until April, 1846, when he came to this township, locating on Section 30, on land he had purchased in 1845 of Christopher Arms, at about $1.33^ per acre; no improvements on the same. In June, 1846, he went out in the Mexican war. Company E, Fourth Illinois Volunteers, under Col. E. D. Baker. He served one year ; was wounded at the battle of Cerro Gordo, and was at the taking of Vera Cruz, and was left in the hospital, and returned home June 31, 1847. Soon after his coming home, he purchased forty acres on Section 31 ; cost, $2.50. Began improving this, and after- ward, in 1851, located on the land owned by T. L. D. Larimore, which he had 'first bought. Here he lived until the fall of 1853, when he sold his land to Mr. Larimore and purchased (where he now owns) 120 acres ; cost, $400. Afterward added forty acres for $75. Located here in the fall of 1853, and since lived here. Has now 200 acres. Was married, February 7, 1850, to Sarah E. Allsop, born in Belper, Derbyshire, England, on February 5, 1826, eldest child of John Allsop and Mary Slaterr who came to America in 1845. Mrs. Tennery came out to this State in the spring of 1848- Mr. Tennery has had eleven children born to him, seven living : Sarah A., Julia E., John H., Rich- ard W., Samuel C, Thomas C, Flora. Deceased, Mary J., Adelaide, George W., Mattie C. Mat- tie C. died Jlarch 1, 1880, aged twenty-four; Mary J. died aged ten ; others died young. Julia E. resides in Beecher, wife of Dr. John Cook ; John and Samuel are in Kansas ; Thomas C. in Menard County ; member Uni- versalist Church; member of the Masonic Order; Greenland Lodge, No. 665 ; charter member of the same. Been a Mason since 1857. In politics, he is Democratic ; has served the township several terms in important offices of LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 207 trust, as Justice of the Peace, Supervisor and others, with satisfaction to the people. CHARLES WHATELY, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City. Among tlie self-made men of this township is Charles Whately, who was born in 1837, September 18, in Warwickshire, England, and emigrated to America in his eighteenth year. His father's name is Charles Whately, sou of Kichard. Subject's mother's maiden name was Hannah Sharp. To sub- ject's father and mother were born three chil- dren — Richard and Charles ; one sister died in infancy. Subject was raised ou a farm and emigrated to Wisconsin, and he remained here a short time and then came to this State the same fall. Stayed in Stephenson County about two years. Worked here by the month. Then, in September, 1857, he came to this locality, and at once hired out by the month to Stephen Riggs, with whom he lived about fourteen years. During the time, he worked by the month and •'cropped." Saved his means and made Ij' first purchase in 1859 in this township of forty acres, where he now resides ; cost, $320. About 1867, he purchased sixty acres, forty here where he now lives and twenty in Shelby County, at $15 per acre. In 1876, he added tiftj- acres more, costing $20 per acre — fortj* acres in Liberty Township, ten acres in Shelby. Has now 120 acres in this township, and thirty acres in Shelby County, all of which he has earned himself, never having a dollar given him, and assisted in supporting his father in the meantime, and lost money through others. Was twice married, first in 1869 to Priscilla, born in Ohio. She died one year after ; no issue. February, 1872, he mar- ried Susan dinger, born in Ohio, daughter of Peter Olinger. By this marriage he has four children — Stella J., John E., William H. and Mary L Member of Beecher City Lodge, No. 690, L 0. 0. F. JOHN WILLS, physician, Beecher Citj'. In all professions, and more especially the medical, we find men of different qualifications. There are those who claim the title of M. D., upon the fact of a diploma having been granted them, and others who iiave earned this by years of hard, comprehensive study. Included in the latter class is Dr. John Wills, whose portrait is in this work, and who isathorough- h' educated gentleman in literary lore as well as in the science of medicine. He is a native of Charles Cit}' County, Va., and was born November 20, 1825. He is descended from an ancient English ancestry. He is a son of Robert C, born February 16, 1792, in Charles City Count}', Va.; was a farmer and died Au- gust 4, 1878, ' a Elizabeth T. Rock, born January 2^^ j2, and died February ,13, 1881. The par' were blessed with ten cliildrcn. Dr. W' obtained a good academic education an^ iy learned the art of farming. January T .848, he left his native State, and located J Ohio, where he clerked in a general store for about one year. Here he began the study of medicine. He graduated at the Cleveland Medical College in March, 1853. He at once began practicing at West Bedford, Ohio, and soon after transferred to West Carlisle, where he remained until July, 1857, at which time he came to Fayette County, 111., settling in a little village, a short distance from his present farm residence. Here he built up a lucrative prac- tice. In 1873, he located where he now resides, in Liberty Township, where he possesses a fine farm under excellent cultivation. He also owns good laud in Fayette County and !Mis- souri, all of which fortune he is the artificer. August 10, 1854, he married Josephine E. Metham, a daughter of P. and Kliza (Bowman) Metham. The former was born May 26. 1785, in England, and the latter November 11, 1789, in New Jersey. Mrs. Wills was born Ma}- 12, 1855, in Coshocton County, Ohio. The Doctor's union has given him nine children, four of whom are living, viz.: Clarella E. V. E., Robert P. K., Walter P. C, Eolia C. and Ida E. He 208 BIOGRAPHICAL: is a member of the Greenland Lodge, No. 665, A., P. & A. M., and Beecher City Lodge, No. 690, I. 0. 0. F. He holds to the Protestant religion. He has been identified with the Republican party since its organization, and adheres strict- ly to the principles of the same. He has always been averse to office, and has attended to his profession, which he likes, and con- sequently is successful. He has for a long time given some of his personal attention to rural pursuits, and ranks among the very best as a farmer and stock grower. WEST TO JAMES BECK, farmer, P. 0. Welton, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 11, 1818, to William and Amelia (Ford) Beck. His father was born in Delaware; after his mar- riage, removed to Ohio, and settled in Harrison and afterward Knox County, and in 1850 re- moved to Effingham County, III, where he died in 1857, aged seventy-eight years. He was a farmer. He served in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject was born in Delaware, and died in Effingham County, 111., in 1861, aged eighty-eight years. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom John was the fourth child. His earlj- life was spent in assisting to till the soil of his fiither's farm. He left home when he was twent3--two years old, and spent four j'ears in boating on the Mississippi, Mis- souri and Ohio Rivers. In 184.3, he married, and settled down at farming in Ohio. In 1850, came to Effingham County, 111., where he is still actively engaged in farming. He is the owner of about 500 acres of good land in the county, and is considered one of the most practi- cal farmers of the county. He first married Miss Maria Van Winckle, who died in 1852, leaving three children as the result of their union. Sarah, wife of John Leonard is the only surviv- ing child. In July, 1853, he married Miss Susan Hardsock, who has borne him six chil- dren, of whom five are now living, viz., William, Maria, Margaret, Hester L. and Susan A. Mr. Beck is an active member of the Masonic order at Altamont. Politically his sympathes are with the Democratic partj'. WI^SHIP. HENRY BESING, deceased, Altamont, was born in Hanover, Germany, June, 1822; when quite young, went on a sailing vessel as cabin boy, and followed the same for some time. His education was principally received while on the ocean. In 1852, he married Miss Louise Votmer, a native of Hanover, Germany. She is the mother of five children — Charles, Frank, William, Rosa and Alvina. Mr. B. after arriv- ing in America, made his first settlement in Cook County, 111., in 1852, where he remained until 1865, when he came to Effingham County, and located on 240 acres of prairie and twenty timber. He died November 18, 1872. He com- menced life poor, and by hard work and econ- omy succeeded in accumulating a good prop- ert3\ He was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and an active worker for the Republican party. Mrs. B. and family are all members of the German Lutheran Church. JOHN BIRCH, farmer, P. 0. Edgewood, was born in Lancashire, England, 1843, to Henry and Alice (Houth) Birch, both natives of England. He was a teamster and engineer in his younger days, and is now farming in West Township. His wife, and mother of our subject, died in 1879, aged fifty-nine years. She was the mother of two children — John, our subject, and Marj' Ann, wife of I. Flahar- t}', a farmer in Mason Township. John was brought to America by his parents in 1856 ; they located in Rhode Island, where he attend- ed the common schools. In 1859, he was brought to Effingham County; his parents lo- WEST TOWNSHIP. 309 cated in Mason Township. John left home at the age of twenty-seven, and embarked on his career in life as a farmer upon a portion of his present farm. lie llion boiigiit forty acres, and he has made all necessary improvements. In Effingham County, 1868, he married Mary E. Gillmore, a daughter of J. L. Gillmore They have had seven children, of whom four are now living, viz.: Roy, William, Jennie, Ada. Politically, he is independent, and in county offices he votes a Democratic ticket. In 1861, he enlisted in Fifty-fourth Illinois In- fantry, under command of Col. Harris (Com- pany D). He served three years and six months. WILLIAM COLWELL, deceased, was born in Devonshire, England. December 13, 1834 ' He left his home at sixteen years of age and came to America and worked as a farm hand in Ohio. In 1852, he went to New York City and drove a four-horse stage on Broadwaj', and remained one year. In 1853, he returned to Ohio, and in 1858 came to Illinois and settled on Section 13 West Township, Effingham County, upon forty acres of land, and continued to add to it until at the time of his death he owned about 200 acres. He commenced life poor, and worked hard in England to earn enough money to pay his passage to the New World. He served in the office of Justice of the Peace for ten j-e.ars. In 1864, he was married to Miss Frances Fur- neaux. She is the mother of four children, viz.: Charles, born November 28, 1864 ; Herbert, born April 3, 1870 ; Jennette, born September 2, 1872 ; Winaford, i)orn January 18, 1877. Mrs. Colwell lives upon the old homestead, surrounded by the comfort and convenience of a well-earned competencj'. She is a lad}' of more than ordinarj- powers of mind and exec- utive abilit}-, and is respected b}- all who know her. GEOIKiE DUCKWITZ, farmer, P. 0. Alta- mont, was born in Prussia, Germany, Maj- 29, 1833, to George and Dorothy (Duckwitz) Duck- wRz. He was born in German}' September 2, 1796, and died in Effingham in 1865. She was born in 1810, and died in Germany in 1843. They were the parents of six children, of whom George was the third child. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of his native country afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. In 1848, he emigrated to America, and landed in New York in July. He located eighteen miles west of Buffalo, and worked on a farm as a hired hand, and remained there working for about seven years. In 1859, he came to Effingham County and bought forty acres. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the war, and served until June, 1865, with the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalr}', under command of Col. Kapin, After the war, he returned to his home in Effingham County and began farming, at which he is still actively engaged. He is now the owner of 120 acres prairie and fifteen acres timber land. He was married in Effing- ham County, January 18, 1366, to Louisia Stumke, a native of Prussia, Germany, born in 1840. She is the mother of eight children — William, August, Agusta, George, Alvina, John, Rosaua and Otto. Self and family are members of the German Lutheran Church. In politics, his sympathies are with the Republican part}'. GEORGE W. DURRIE, deceased, a na- tive ot Germany, was born August, 13, 1826. He came to America in 1851, and located in Pennsylvania, wliere he remained until 1860, when he came to Effingham County, being among the first Germans who located in West Township. By trade he was a machinist, and worked at the same until he came to Effingham County, where he took upon himself the duties of a farm life, and remained actively engaged until he died. In January, 1856, >he was married to Miss Mary Sencil, a native of Germany, who was brought to America by her N 210 BIOGRAPHICAL: parents. She is the mother of thirteen chil- dred, of whom nine are now living, viz.: Charles C., Herman, Anna, Willie, Frank, Edward, George, John and Oscar. Mrs. Durrie is now living on the old homestead farm, which con- sists of 160 acres of well improved land. JOHN FURNEAUX, merchant and Post- master, Welton, was born in Devonshire, Eng- land, July 27, 1812. He attended school but a short time, he having received the most of his education from traveling and observation. His parents died when he was quite young, and being thrown on his own resources, he began working by the montli as a farm laborer, which he continued about ten years, and then engaged in a seal hunt in the north on a sailing vessel- In 1835, he went to New Fouudlaud, and spent five years in fishing and doing general work. In 1840, he went to Boston, where he remained two years. In 1842, came to Illinois, and set- tled first in Kane and afterward De Kalb Coun- ty, where he engaged in farming. In 1858, he first came to Effingham County, and settled in West Township, where he engaged in farming, and continued the same until 1874, when he was appointed station agent of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad at Gillmore. In 1879, he opened a store at Gillmore and was appointed Postmaster, which office he is now holding. In Albany, N. Y., in 1842, he married Bliss Jen- nette Schoolcraft, who was born in New York. She has borne him seven children, of whom six are now living, viz.: Frances, John, Robert, Frederick and Anna, twins, and George. Mr. Furneaux has been around the world, and ex- perienced many adventures that would be very interesting to our readers if space permitted us to embody them in this work. He and wife are connected with the Methodist Church. He is a Republican. JAMES L. GILLMORE, farmer, P. O. Edge- wood, was born in Morgan County, Ky., April 30, 1827, to Jeremiah and Mary (Lansaw) Gill- more. His father was born in Alabama Novem- ber 7, 1802, and was brought to Kentucky when young, where he was raised on a farm. Here he married and removed to Illinois, and settled in Marion Count}' and subsequentlj' in Fayette County, where he died in 1802. He was a farmer. His wife and mother of our subject was born in Kentuckj' in 180G, and died in Effingham County, 111., in 1878. She was the mother of thirteen children, all of whom lived to be grown. Our subject was the second child. He was born on a farm, and received a limited education from the schools held in the old log houses, common in Illinois when he was a boy. He remained at home till he was twen- ty-one years old, when he embarked on his ca- reer in life as a farmer upon the same farm he is now residing on. ■ He is now the owner of 760 acres of well-improved land. He com- menced life poor, and bj' his economy and in- dustry he has acquired a good property and an honorable name and reputation. In Effingham County, in 1848, he married Cynthia Seales, a daughter of Solomon Seales, deceased. Mrs. G. was born in Shelby County, 111., January 3, 1825. She is the mother of ten children, of whom eight are now living, viz.: William H., John P., Mary E., Margaret A., Jennie, Allen, Uriah and Nettie. Mr. Gillmore has held the office of Supervisor for fourteen years, and is now elected to the office of County Clerk, which office he is capable of filling to the satisf;iction of all. He and family are members of the Baptist Church. J. P. GILLMORE, farmer, P. 0. Edgewood, was born in Effingham County, 111., to James L. Gillmore October 14, 1849. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. He remained at home until he was twenty years of age, when he removed to his present farm, a present from his father, consisting of 170 acres. He came on the farm in 1869, and he is now actively engaged in farming. In Effingham WEST TOWNSHIP. 311 County, June 5, 1869, he married Miss Jose- phine Marion, a native of New York. She is the mother of six eliildren, five of whom are now living — Rosa, Nellie, Eurasa, Henry :"h1 an infant. He is now School Director. Politi- cally, he is a Democrat. JOHN HAWKEY, farmer, P. 0. Edgewood, was born in Allen County, Ind., January 28, in 1840, to John and Gertrude (Nirider) Haw- kej\ He was a native of Germany, and is now living in Indiana. He is a farmer. His wife is also living. They had ten children, of whom John was the oldest child. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools afibrded, and assisted in tilling the soil of his father's farm. He left home at twenty-three years of age and embarked on his career in life as a carpenter ; he_ apprenticed himself at the trade at the age of twenty. In 1866, he came to Illinois and settled in Bladi- son County, III., where he worked at his trade for three years and began farming, and. in 1875, came to Effingham County, III., and bought a farm of eight}- acres, upon which he is actively engaged in farming. He has made all improvements on it. In Wells County, Ind., he married, in 1866, Miss Fredrica Rapp, a native of Wells County, Ind. They are the parents of eight children, of whom seven are now living — Louisa, John A., Lasetty, Hcnrj-, Emma, Mena, Rosana. Self and famil)- of the Catholic Church. In 1876, he was elected School Direc- tor six years. In 1878, was elected Road Com- missioner, now holding office. CHRISTOPHER HETH, farmer, P. 0. Edgewood, was born April 4, 1825, to Mitchel and Christine (Disten-Haven) Heth, who were natives of Prussia, Germany. He was rai.sed on a farm, and educated in the common schools of his native country. At eighteen years of age, he was drafted as a soldier, and served eight years. At the expiration of that time, he returned home and engaged in farming as a hired hand. In 1856, he came to America and located in Calhoun County, 111., where he remained six 3-ears. In 1862, removed to Effingham County and made his first purchase of land, it consisting of forty acres. He has continued to add to this, until now his farm consists of 365 acres. In Effiughain County, in 1865, he married Miss Margaret Cincel, a native of Germany. They have throe children — George, Charley and Rosa L. Mr. Heth is now holding the offices of Road Commissioner and School Director. He is an active member of the Masonic order, a stanch Democrat, and a man of considerable prominence in^he town- ship in which he lives. THOMAS E. HOLLIS, farmer, P.O. Welton, was born in the State of Delaware September 15, 1827, to Noah and Catharine (Hardister) Hollis. He was born in Delaware in 1807, removed to Ohio, and subsequently to Illinois, and settled in Effingham County, where he re- mained actively engaged in farming to the time of his death, which occurred February 17, 1879. He, with his two sons, Willard and William, served in the war, the former being killed. His wife and mother of our subject was born in Delaware March 22, 1807, and died in Effing- ham County September 1, 1881. They were the parents of four children, of whom our sub- ject was the fourth child. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of Ohio afl^brded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. At an earlj'age, he apprenticed himself at the cooper's trade, and after completing his trade was ac- knowledged to be a first-cl.iss workman. At the age of twenty-two he left his home and set- tled in Effingham County, III,, where he cm- barked on his career in life as a cooper, con- tinuing at his trade until 1864, when he bought a farm and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, at which he is still activelj- engaged. He commenced life a poor man, by his own efforts succeeded in accumulating a good farm of 140 acres. In Jul\-, 185G, he married Miss 213 BIOGRAPHICAL: Catharine Bailie, who has borne him nine chil- dren, of whom eight are now living, viz. : Joseph F., Frank A., Edward N., Willie E., Ora S., R. Adalas, Eva B. and Flora M. Mr. Hol- lis has served the people in the following offices : Constable, Town Marshal of Mason City, and United States Deputy Marshal. He and fam- ily are religiously connected with the Method- ist Church. In politics, he is identified with the principles of the Republican party. In the possession of Mr. Hollis are relics in form of petrified fish, turtles, etc., taken from the wa- ters of Brocket Creek, a complete description of which may be found in another part of this work. ISHAM MAHON, farmer, P. 0. Welton, a native of Pittsylvania County, Old Virginia, was born January 6, 1819. His grandfather, John Mahon, was a native of France, and served in the Revolutionary war. His father, Benjamin, was born in Virginia in 1832: removed to Fayette Countj% 111., where he remained to the time of his death, which occurred about 1867, aged eighty years. He was a carpenter by trade, but followed the occupation of a farmer in the latter part of his life. He was in the war of 1812. Dora Lansford, the mother of our subject, was born in Virginia, and died in 1858, aged about seventy-three year's. She was the mother of ten children, of whom seven lived to man and womanhood, Isham being the fifth child. He was raised on a farm and received a common school education in Fayette County, 111. When twenty-two j'ears old he left home, married and began farming iii Fayette County, on Government land. In 1848, he removed to his present residence in Effingham County, where he has accumulated 333 acres of good land. He was married in Fayette County, 111., in 1842, to Miss Mary Loveless, who died January 27, 1851, leaving four children, of whom two are now living, viz.: Martha, Mrs. John McCloy and James. In 1851, Mr. Mahon married a second time, Mrs. Nancy McCoy, widow of John McCoy. This union has been blessed with one child — Robert. Mr. Mahon is an ac- tive member of the order A., F. & A. M., at Mason. He is a Democrat. JAMES B. MAHON, farmer, P. 0. Welton, was born in Fayette County, 111., March 31, 1847, to Isham and Mary^ (Loveless) Mahon. His early life was spent at home, receiving such an education as the common schools of Effing- ham afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. He remained at home until he was twenty-seven years oC age, when he began farming on his own account near the old homestead. His farm consists of eighty acres of good land. In Effingham County, October 5, 1873, he married Miss Matilda Holmes, a native of Allen County, Ind., the daughter of George and Hanna Holmes. Mr. and Mrs. Mahon have had four children, of whom two are now living, viz. : Elwin D., born December 31, 1879, and Lovella, born May 25, 1881. Mr. Mahon is an active mem- ber of the Masonic order. In politics, is a Democrat. JOHN A. NIRIDER, farmer and insurance agent, Edgewood, was born in Germany August 11,1 832, to George and Elizabeth (Harchenritter) Nirider. His father was a farmer, and came to America in March, 1834, and located in Allen County, Ind., and died there January 13, 1860, aged seventy-two years. His wife and mother of our subject died in Allen County-, Ind., in 1874, aged seventj'-two. They were the parents of six children, of whom subject was the fifth child. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of Allen County, Ind., afforded, and assisted in tilling the soil of his father's farm. When but four years of age, he was taken from home by his sister, and lived with her nine years ; he then returned home and attended the German school two years, walking ten miles a day. At fourteen, he was bound out to Judge Allen McLain, acting as chore-boy, and, as he says. WEST TOWKSIIIP. 213 he washed dishes, baked, ironed, washed and scrubbed. He remained with the Judge until he was twentj--two years of age ; then entered a store and clerked, and worked on a farm some. In 1856, he went to Central Iowa, and worked on a farm for tlic summer of 185G, and in the fall returned to Indiana, and went to school. In 1857, came to Madison Count}', 111., and worked for S14 per month on a farm until 1861, when he bought seventj^-two acres ; began farming on his own account for the first time. In Fehruar)-, 1871, he bought his pres- ent farm and removed to the same in the fall of the same year. His purchase was of eight}' acres ; his farm consists now of 100 acres. In 1858, Whitley County, Ind., he married Sophia Ober- lin, a descendant of the family from whom tiie town of Oberlin, Ohio, was named. She died November 26, 1878. In February 22, 1880, he married Miss Jane Kepner, a native of Faj-ette County. By first marriage, six children, viz., Flora E., Clara L., Hettie S., Elmer C, Lucy A., and I. (}. In April, 1880, he was elected to the otfiee of Justice of the Peace, to fill a vacancy of G. W. Colwell. He was also School Trustee. He is a member of the order A., F. & A. M., dimitted from Marion Lodge. In politics, he is a Republican. In 1882, he engaged with Messrs. Faulk Bros., in the fire, lighting and tor- nado insurance business. HARTMAN NIRIDER, farmer, P. 0. Farina, was born in Allen County, Ind., to George and Elizabeth (Harchenritter). His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the com- mon schools aflTorded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. At sixteen, he left home and hired out as farm laborer, working for one Hartman Smith one year and a half, and then worlvcd Ijy the day for different men, and continued the same until he was twenty- one years of age, when he married and com- menced in woods in his native county to make a farm out of his forty acres, and remained on the same ten years, and after that had increased it to 130 acres for $2,600, and removed to Illi- nois and located in Madison County in 1866, and bought forty acres of prairie and twenty of timber, for which he paid $3,500; he remained on this farm for eighteen months, and sold it for $4,000, and came to Effingham County in the fall of 1867, and bought 120 acres for $4,- 000, where he now resides, in West Township, and has since added to it until now he is the owner of 650 acres, and is now renting a por- tion of it. He is making the raising of stock a specialty — cattle, mules and horses. In 1857, in Allen County, he married Mary Emrick, a native of Wayne Count}', Ohio, and a daughter of George and Elizabetli (Silar) Emrick, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Nirider are the parents of six children, five of whom are now living — Allen, who died in 1877, aged nineteen years; Hiram, Lucetta, Cinda, Lily and Esly, all at home. Sulyect and family are religiously connected with the Methodist Church, at Farina, and Steward of the same. He is an active member of the Masonic order at Edgewood, In politics, he is Democratic. His start in life consisted only of $80, and by his honesty, industry and economy he has succeeded in accumulating a good property, all by farming, and dealt some in stock, in which he has been very successful. When he com- menced in Effingham, he bought his farm and only had $2,000 to pay down on it. He has met with several losses, and can now say that he is free from debt, and has money ahead. THOMAS B. PETTYPOOL, farmer, P. O. Altamont, was born in White County, 111., No- vember 7, 1840, to Bracksten B. and Celia (McGehee) Pettypool. His father was born in Tennessee in 1815, and is now farming in Jef- ferson County, III, upon his farm of 400 acres. He is a son of Thomas Pettypool, a native .of Old Virginia, and was in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject was born in New York, and died in 1855, aged about thirty -seven. She was the mother of eight children, of whom our 214 BIOGRAPHICAL: subject was the second child. His early life was spent at home assisting in tilling the soil of his father, and receiving such an education as the common schools aflforded. He remained with his parents to the age of twenty-one, when he left home, married and embarked on his career in life as a farmer. He then bought 240 acres, and in 1867 sold it, and removed to Jef- ferson County and rented for about three years. In 1870, he bought 170 acres in West Town- ship, Etfingham County', and removed to the same, where he is now actively engaged in farming. On November 7, 1861, in White Count}', he married Miss Ellen Aud, who died in 1868, leaving three children, viz., Celia, Frances and Millia. In 1870, he married Julia Teachner, who died in 1875, leaving one child, viz., Edson. In 1879, he married Belle Button, who has borne him one child — Maud. He is an active member of the order of A., F. & A. M., at Altamont, holding office of Senior Deacon. His wife is a member of the Meth- odist Church. Politically, Mr. Pettypool is a Democrat. WILLIAM QUADB, farmer, P. 0. Edge- wood. Charles Quade, the father of this gen- tleman, was born in German}- in 1822, emi- grated with his family to America in 1854, and settled in Lancaster, Penn., where he followed the occupation of a stone mason. In 1859, he removed to St. Louis, and after sis months' stay removed to Effingham County, where he re- mained actively engaged in farming to the time of his death, which occurred in 1875. He was a hard-working man, and knew comparatively little of the ease and comforts of life. He was an excellent farmer and an honorable, upright gentleman. He was a member of the Evan- gelical Association at Cleveland, Ohio. Anna Tra,isler, his wife, and mother of our subject, was born in Germany in 1815. aud is now re- siding with our subject. She is the mother of five children, William being the oldest child. He was horn in Prussia, Germany, November 10, 1845, came to America with his parents, received a good education, and when he arrived at his majority engaged in farming. His farm is located in Section 26, and consists of 120 acres of improved prairie land. In 1871, he married Miss Louisia Wacker, a native of Ger- many. They are the parents of the following children: Charley, Willie, Anna, Edward ; Charley and Henry, who are dead. Mr. Quade and family are members of the Evangelical As- sociation. In politics, he is a Republican. JAMES SIDDENES, farmer, P. O. Welton, a native of Putnam County, Ind., was born April 27, 1837. His father, Jesse Siddenes, was born aud raised in Kentucky, and removed to Indiana, being among the early settlers. In 1855, he came to Effingham County, where he died in 1857, aged forty-five years. He was a farmer by occupation. Julia Ann Wilson, the mother of our subject, was born in Old Vir- ginia, and died in Effingham County, III., in 1858, aged thirty-nine years. They had nine children, our subject being the second child. His education was limited to the common schools of his native county. He left his home when but eighteen years old, and embarked on the rugged pathway of life as a hired hand upon a farm. In 1856, he came to Effingham County, where he commenced farming on his own account, and is still actively engaged. He commenced life a poor man, and by his hon- esty, industry and economy succeeded in accu- mulating a good property. He is now the owner of 160 acres of land. In 1859, in Effingham County, he married Bliss Gillia Cooksey, who died in April, 1881, leaving five children as the result of their union, viz., Sarah A., Lura B., Hiram R., Delia aud Adelbert (twins). He is a member of the order of A., F. & A. M. at Edgewood. He is a Democrat. BENJAMIN SIDDENES, farmer, P. 0. WeltjOn, was born in Putnam County, Ind., Jan- uary 7, 1841, to Jesse and Julia Ann (Wilson) Siddenes. He was brought to Effingham County WEST TOWNSHIP. 215 by his parents when twelve years of age. Here he attended the common schools and re- ceived a limited education, caused by his par- ents dying when he was young. When a boy, he earned his own livelihood bj' working as a farm laborer upon a farm with Mr. Isham Ma- hoii for one year, and then worked his farm on shares. In 1863, he bought his present farm, and commenced farming on his own account. His farm consists of 105 acres of land. In 18G3, he married Miss Nancy Patterson, a na- tive of Ohio. Thej- are the parents of the fol- lowing children, viz., Frances, Charles, Curtis, Amy E., Luzetta, Arthur and Thomas. Mr. Siddenes is a man of few pretensions, but an industrious citizen, who attends to his own aliairs in an unassuming wa^". He is a Demo- crat. CALVIN W. SPRAGCt, farmer, P. 0. Wel- ton, was born on Long Island, N. Y., Novem- ber 23, 1823, to Edward and Catharine (Place) Spragg. His father was born on Long Island, N. Y. He was a farmer, and died in 1S2G, aged fifty-two 3'ears. His wife, and mother of our subject, was born on Long Island, and died in January, 18G4, aged seveut^'-three years; she was the mother of seven children, of whom our subject was the j-oungest child. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools aflbrded, and assisting in tilling the home farm. At fifteen years of age, he was brought to Illinois by his mother, who located in Du Page Count}-, and in 1859 they moved to Indiana, and 1863 came to Effing- ham County, and settled near Mason, where they remained until 1870, when he came to his present residence, and bought 155 acres of land. Here he has since remained actively engaged in farming. In 1850, in Du Page County, 111., he married Miss Catharine Taylor a native of German}-, and was brouoiht to Amer- ica by her father in 1847. She is tlie mother of five living children, viz., S^'lvester, married and farming in Effingham County; S^'reno, a doctor of Altamont, a graduate from the Rush Medical College in 1881, and is now building up a good practice; Amanda, at Altamont, clerking in Howard's store ; Charley, at home ; John Frederick, at home. He and family are of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is dentified with the Republican party. He commenced life a poor man, and met a failure of several hundred dollars by security debt at his first start. WILLIAM VOELKER, farmer, P. 0. Alta- mont, was born in Prussia, Germany, March 6, 1835, to Charles and Mary (Ganscow) Voclker. They were natives of Prussia, Germany. He was a miller, and came to America with our subject. He died in 1877, in Effingham Coun- t}', aged seventy-nine years. His wife and mother of our subject died in 1872, aged sev- ent3'-five years. They were the parents of five boys, of whom our subject was the fourth child. The five boys are all in the United States; all active business men. William was educated in Germany until he was fourteen; attended the common schools, and then entered a college. At nineteen, he enlisted in tiie war, and served four years. He then returned and took charge of his father's flour mill, and re- mained thus engaged until 186r2, when he left German}-, from Hamburg, by steamer " Sax- onia," landing in New York June 5, 18G2, be- ing fifteen days in making trip. Spent one day in New York in looking at the city, and then left for Chicago, and visited liis brother (who had previously come to America). He then located in Effingham, on his present farm, then all unimproved wild (jrairie. He bought there 160 acres, and has since added to it until now he is the owner of 520 acres all improved. In Germany, in 1860, he married Louisa Scholwin, a native of Prussia, (Sermany, born in 1838. She is the mother of eight children, seven of whom are living, viz., Anna, wife of Freder- ick Burnahl, a farmer in Effingham County ; Adolph, at home ; Gustas, at home ; Frank, 216 BIOGRAPHICAL: Agnes, Paul, Bertha, at home; Otto, died in 1882, aged fifteen. Mr. Voelker is School Trustee; held for nine 3'ears, and is now Super- visor for three years. In politics, a Democrat, and he and family are members of the Lutheran Church. JULIUS VOELKER, farmer, P. 0. Alta- mont, was born in Prussia, Germany, March 23, 1842, to Charles and Regenal (Yauslow) Voelker. They were both natives of Prussia. He was born March 18, 1798, and died in this countj' in 1876 or 1877. He was a farmer. She was born February 16, 1797, and came to this county in 1873; parents of seven children, of whom subject is the youngest child. His early life was spent in receiving a common school education, and tlien entered a college, attending until he was fifteen 3'ears old, and then entered the mill and learned the milling business of his father until he was nineteen years of age. In 1862, he came to America, and came to Effingham Count\' in 1862, and worked with his brother for eight or nine j'ears, and in 1869 he bought 130 acres, and has since added to it. In EHingham County, in 1869, he married Miss Christ}- Wolf. They have two children, viz., Amanda and Sophia. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church. In politics, he is a Democrat. NICHOLAS T. WHARTON, farmer, P. 0. Welton, is a native of Spottsylvania County, Old Virginia, and was born June 25, 1828. His father, Benjamin Wharton, was born in Old Vir- ginia in 1790, emigrated with his familj- to Ohio in 1837, and settled in Guernsey County. In 1854, he came to Effingham County, 111., where he died in October, 1855. His occupation was that of a farmer. He served in the war of 1812. His wife, the mother of our subject, was Luc}' Chandler. She was born in Old Virginia in 1794, and is now residing with her children in Ohio, enjoying good health in her eighty-eighth j'ear. She is the mother of eight children, of whom six are now living, viz., Martha, widow of Joseph Sperry, living in Muskingum Coun- ty, Ohio ; George, a Baptist preacher at Lin- coln, 111. ; William A., a farmer in Hocking County, Ohio; Nicholas T., our subject; Doctor, a Baptist preacher of Guernsey County, Ohio, and Lawrence B., Baptist preacher of Pawnee City, Neb. Nicholas T. Wharton was educated from the common schools of Old Virginia, and was raised on a farm. At the age of twenty- two, he left his home, and embaiked on life's rugged pathway as a farm laborer, working by the month. In December, 1853, he came to Effingham Couutj", 111., and spent three years in teaching school, and working at the carpen- ter's trade. In 1855, he removed to his present residence in Section 12, and began farming, and is still actively engaged. His farm con- sists of 208 acres of good land. In 1855, on the 30th of March, he married Miss Rebecca Jane K^agaj-, a native of Fairfield Count}', Ohio, a daughter of Christian and Nancy Ann (LanejO Kagay, natives of Fairfield County. Mr. and Mrs. Wharton have been blessed with the following children, viz., Mary, Richard and Nancy (twins), Laura, John, Elraa, Emma, Edwin, George, Benjamin and Walter. Mr. Wliarton has served the county as Supervisor for three terms, and is now holding the office of School Treasurer, which office he has held for eight years. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He is an active member of the order A., F. & A. M. He is a Democrat. HERMAN A. WINKLER, farmer, P. 0. Edgewood, was born in Prussia, Germany, May 13, 1832, to Karl and Johanna (Koppe) Winkler. He attended the common schools of his native countrj* until he was fourteen years of age, and then entered the Goettingen Col- lege, where he remained onh' six months. He then enlisted as a soldiei', and the third day was wounded, being hit on one limb below the knee with a bombshell, and shot through his left limb. His wounds kept him confined for about sixteen months. He then returned home WATSON TOWNSHIP. 217 and served seven 3'ears at learning the trade of a horticulturist, aiid in 1857 emigrated to America for the purpose of acquiring a position in the world that he considered was beyond his reach while in the " Fatherland." Coming to Illinois, he passed six months at Chicago, and worked at all kinds work he could find to I do. He could not get a situation at his trade, as he was unable to speak the English language. In 1858, he went to Michigan, and worked at market gardening for fifteen months, and then returned to Illinois, and worked on a farm in Whiteside County. In ISCil, he became a resident of West Township, Eifingham County, where he has since remained engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits. His industrious habits, coupled with his business integrity, has given him a competency, and here has, as it were, realized the dreams of his youth. He was married in Eflingbam County, November 2, 1862, to Miss Charlotte Quade. She was born in Germany, August 25, 1846. Their happy and prosperous union has been blessed with nine children, of whom seven are now living, viz., Louisa, Anna, Carl, Johanna, Augusta, Hulda and Amelia. Mr. Winckler and family are members of the Evangelical Association. He is a Republican. AUGUST WOLF, farmer, P. 0. Altamont, was born in Prussia, Germany, September 10, 1823, to Frederick and Charlotte (Walk) Wolf, both natives of Prussia, Germany. He died in 1829, aged thirty-three years ; was a tailor by trade. She is now residing in Mound Town- ship, enjoying good health in her eighty-third year. They were married in Germany, and had four children, subject the oldest child. He was educated from the common schools of German}- ; was brought to America by his parents in a sailing vessel from Hamburg, land- ing in New York January 3, 1844, and went to Buffalo, N. Y., and worked at the trade of a tailor, which he had learned in the old country. In 1849, he removed to the country, and has run a general merchandise store for about fif- teen years. In 18ti5, he came to Illinois and settled on his present farm. He bought 120 acres in 18G0. In New York, in 1846, he mar- ried Henrietta Hospfner, a native of Prussia, Germany. She is the mother of four children — George F. A. (a Lutheran preacher in La Grange, Miss.), Augusta (wife of Julius Oelker, farmer in township), Ailgust (at home), Bertha (single). The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Held the ofiice of Jus- tice of the Peace for seven years ; Commis- sioner for several years ; Supervisor for one year. WATSOIT T W. M. ABRAHAM, merchant, Watson, was born Jul}- 2G, 1842, in Clermont County, Ohio, son of John and 3Iartha (Barklcy) Abraham, who were married in 1836, and unto them were born three children, of wiiich the subject is the eldest. His mother came to Effingham County in 1860, Mr. Abraham following shortlj- after- ward. His education was begun in the common schools of Ohio, when he entered the Clermont Academy at the age of sixteen, after which he OWNSHIP. came to Illinois and began business. In 1861, he entered the army with Company K, Twenty- first Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of which Grant was Colonel. He was in the march from Springfield to Quincy, thence into Missouri, win- tering at Ironton, where he was promoted to Orderly Sergeant of his company. At Stone River. December 31, 1862, he received a wound in an engagement, and his mother went to Mur- freesboro to care for iior wounded son. and 218 BIOGRAPHICAL: herself took sick and died. After eight montlis in the hospital, it was decided that he was per- manently disabled, when he received an honor- able discharge in August, 1863. Then coming home, after partial recover}', he began mer- chandising, in which business he has been eminently successful and still continues. In 1879, he was elected to the Legislature on the minority Republican ticket, serving one term. In November, 1865, he married Miss Eliza E.. Wayne, at Shelby ville, Kv.; they have three children living — Ida, Arthur and Eva. When he settled at Watson, the country was wild, with few residents, and all kinds of game were abundant. The famil}' was reared in the Baptist religion. In 1865, he was initiated in- to the mysteries of Freemasonr}', and since has several times been elected and presided as Master of Lodge No. 602. He is an extensive land-owner, holding over 2,000 acres, mostly under good cultivation. Mr. Abraham was appointed Postmaster at Watson in 1881, in which capacit}- he still acts. PROF. W. R. AVERY, commercial instruc- tor, P. 0. Palmyra, Mo., was born in Harrison Count}', Ind., January 2, 1858. 3Ioved with his father to this county when about fourteen years old. Lived on a farm most of his life. Entered a commercial college at Keokuk, Iowa, October 10, 1880. Pursued a regular course in book-keeping, and all the other commercial branches, including plain and ornamental pen- manship, graduating September 10, 1881. Traveled and taught penmanship up to Sep- tember 1, 1882, when he organized a commer- cial college in Palmyra, known as Avery's Commercial School. Mr. Avery's father. By- ram B. Avery, was born in Harrison County, Ind., February 25, 1832, where he was married in 1857, to Miss Martha Bullington. Settled on a farm of eighty acres, of which he afterward became the owner. In 1871, he removed to Effingham County and purchased a farm of eighty acres near Watson, and resumed farm- ing. He has a family of three children — Will- iam R. (subject of this sketch), James A. and Melinda J. JOHN BRITTON, Watson Township, was born July 2, 1821, in Devonshire, Eng- land, near the sea-shore. He was raised by his grandmother, on a small farm. Hearing of the wonderful land beyond the blue sea, he embarked for America the 9th day of April, 1851, and on the 14th day of May of the same year arrived in Mt. Vernon, Knox ,Co., Ohio. The first two years of his life spent in Amer- ica, he was employed at such jobs as the coun- try then afforded. The 1st of March, 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Beeny living a few miles west of Mt Vernon. The seven years immediately following his marriage, he farmed near Mt. Vernon. In the spring of 1862, he moved to Illinois, and settled in Ef- fingham County, Jackson Township, where, by industry and economy, he accumulated suffi- cient means to purchase a small farm, but just in the moment when his labors would have been crowned with success, he was unfortu- nately thrown from a horse and crippled for the remainder of life. He has since liyed in Blason Township, and wherever known, his honesty and integrity are never questioned by any one. Though his education was exceed- ingly limited, yet his mind is stored with many useful facts. He is ever ready to lend a help- ing hand wherever an opportunity is presented. The following are the dates of births of his chil- dren: Sarah C, born October 27, 1857; Will- iam H., born October 27, 1857; Ida S., born October 17, 1859; Edward G., born January 5, 1862; Charles L., born March 11, 1864; Richmond L., born July 26, 1866; Benson I., born January 9, 1870; William H., died April 10, 1876. Mrs. Britton was born Sept. 23, 1827. J. W. BRITTON, teacher, Watson. In the month of January, 1855, there was born in the city of Mt. Vernon. Knox Co., Ohio, a little boy, wliose life yet but just begun, is a bright ex- WATSO]^f TOWNSHIP. 219 ample to us all. He lived in the citj- of his birth seven years, when ho reinoveil with his parents to Effingham County, 111., settling in Jackson Township. Here he attended school in an old logschoolhouse during thrcn; winti-ra, and worked on the farm through the summer. In 1868, he moved with his parents to a farm west of Mason, and a few years afterward moved north of Mason, where he attended two terms of school at North Union Schoolhouse. His teacher at this place was Mr. Dunn, and it was through his teaching that Mr. Britton at- tributes much of the success and character of his life. In the summer of 1874, he attended a normal term of school of four weeks at Ma- son, and the next winter he attended public school at that place, and clerked in a drug store. In the fall of 1875, he attended a ses- sion of normal school south of Edgewood, after which term of school he sought and ob- tained a teacher's certificate to teach school, and the next winter he taught his first school at Gilmore, at $25 per month. During 1875, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church of West Union at a basket meeting in a grove at Wabash. During the summer and winter of 1876, he taught school atBricker District in Jackson Township. During tlic summer of 1877, he worked on a farm in Christian Coun- tj^ at $20 per month, and the next winter at- tended a three months' term of school at Knox College, Galesburg, 111. In the summer of 1878, he worked on a farm and taught school in Mason Township. In the spring of this year, his oldest brother, William, died, and the greater part of the farm work devolved on him, his father being crippled. In the winter of 1879, he taught school in Union Township, at the Woody Schoolhouse. He afterward taught two other terms at this place. In the winter of 1880, he taught school at the Loj- Schoolhouse. Watson Township. In 1881, he went to Lebanon, Ohio, where he attended two terms at the Lebanon State Normal Universitv. He also taught a winter term of school while in Ohio. He came back to Htlingham County, III., in the spring of 1882. He is teaching school at EUiottstown at the present time, 1882. Mr. Britton, besides his work as a teacher, has been engaged for several years as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, yet he has never taken any circuit. In 1870, he was licensed as exhorter by Rev. Ransom, of Mason, and at the Quarterly Conference at Ma- son, in 1881, he was recommended to preach. Mr. Britton is trnl3- a self-made man, and has worked his own way to his present commend- able po.sition. Reared on the farm and being compelled to work for his living, Mr. Britton had but few opportunities for obtaining an ed- ucation, but those opportunities he did not let pass unimproved. He would often carry his books into the field and studj' them while his horse was resting in the plow, and while teach- ing school he would stud}' on the way to and from place of teaching. It was by pursuing this studious course and improving all his time that he has succeeded in educating him- self. HERMAN GILLESPIE, farmer, P. 0. Wat- son, was born in Wood Count}', Va., April 10, 1810. His father, John B. Gillespie, was mar- ried to Esther James in 1803, and sixteen chil- dren were born of this union, of whom the subject is the only one supposed to be living. Mr. Gillespie married Martha Adams ; unto them were born six children, of whom- four are living, but this wife d3'ing, he married Margaret Field, who was born in Bracken Couutj', Ky., Decemljer 4, 1823. They were married No- vember 22, 1854, and from this union four children were born, of whom Ambrose Gilles- pie is the onlj' survivor. This son married Alice L03'. Thej- have two children — Catha- rine and Charles Edwin. The famil}- have been, and are now affiliated with the Baptist and Christian Churches. Herman Gillespie, while a young man, was at Upper Sandusky, 220 BIOGRAPHICAL: Ohio, and was for some time in the employ of the Indian traders. His grandfather, John James, had an interest in Blennerhasset's Island in an earl\- day, and when he sold his interest the mother of Herman would not sign the deed. The subject remembers when the familj' was driven by the Indians from their home to the block-house on the Island for pro- tection and safety. He came to Illinois, settling in Elliottstown, Effingham County, in 1855, then moving to Watson Township in 1865, where he has ever since lived on a farm of 120 acres under good cultivation, and a fine orchard. In early life, he made over 1,000,000 brick on his farm. In those daj's, the country around him was thinly settled, and neighbors few and far between. He is a Republican in politics, and has frequently been elected Road Commis- sioner and School Trustee for his township. Mr. Gillespie, when the second call for 300,000 men was issued in 1861, volunteered, and was a member of Company B, Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteers ; was mustered in at Camp Butler, Springfield, 111., and ordered to Pilot Knob, Mo. ; was in the engagement at Fredericksburg, Mo., where he was wounded, permanently- dis- abled, and in due time honorabl}' discharged. He draws a pension for services rendered his country. He was mustered out of the service March 8, 1863, when he returned to his farm. In the fall of 1829, he was employed to guard and pilot the Miami and Mississineway tribes of Indians from their reservation near Fort Waj'ne, Ind., to Chicago, then known as Fort Dearborn, after the Government had purchased their lauds. All there was of Chicago in those daj's was a few French trading posts. He was quite familiar with the Indians, and they under- standing some English, and he a little of their language, was the cause of his being selected to escort them to Fort Dearborn. Mr. Gilles- pie claims that he is the first one in Illinois that made the molds from which slap sand brick was made ; the old method was b3' roll- ing in sand ; his plan was sanding the molds. JAMES B. GILLESPIE, farmer, P, 0. Watson, is a son of Joseph Gillespie, and was born in this county June 3, 1830. He was married, March 3, 1859, to Miss Cynthia Ann Wilson, daughter of Theophilus Wilson, and settled on a farm of eighty-six acres in Section 21, Watson Township, on which he has made his home and followed the avocation of farm- ing. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. He has a family of six children — Clinton (a well and favorably known teacher of this county), Franklin P., James Alfred, Oliver T., Samuel B. and Ida Bell. Mr. Gillespie's father came to this county in 1828, and settled in Ewington. He filled the office of County Clerk, and was a prominent man of the county. We are not able to give the dates of his birth, marriage, etc. ISAAC B. HUMES, wagon-maker, Wat- son, was born October 17, 1818, at Reading, Hamilton Countj', Ohio. His father, John Humes, was married twice, and bj' the first wife he had three children — Elizabeth, Jane and John. His second marriage was to Maria Voor- hees, bj' whom he had several children, our subject, Isaac B. Humes, and Bridget LaRene, are the only survivors. The father was a Cap- tain of a company in the war of 1812, in which he was permanently disabled, and helpless for twelve years prior to his death. He built the first frame house erected in Cincinnati, Ohio. Isaac, at the age of eight years, began to at- tend the common school at Reading, the place of his birth, which he continued until his four- teenth year, his father dying in 1829, leaving his mother with seven children. He was then hired b3' his mother to a farmer for the period of nine months, at $50 for full time. During the time, Albert Courtelow, the farmer, pur- chased a summer hat for Isaac costing 25 cents. He' had not drawn any part of his pay. When the time was up, the farmer was feeding some hogs, which he intended to dress for the Cin- WATSON TOWNSHIP. 231 cinnati market. Isaac volunteered to go with him and drive one team, which took two days. When the farmer returned to Reading, he paid Isaac's mother the $50, and remarked to her, " When j'ou pay me 25 cents for life's hat we will be square," which his mother did. The boy, while holding in high respect the general character of the farmer, has never forgotten this singular act of generosity. His mother soon after this bound him out to Thomas Will- mington, of Warren County, Ohio, for a period of four years and eight months, to learn the trade of wagon and plow making, which period he served in full, his mother clothing him, and he to receive $36 per year while learning the trade. He then returned to Reading and es- tablished a shop of his own, which he carried on for three years. He then sold out and went to Xenia, Ohio, and started a livery stable, re- maining there three years. Then he sold out and went to Dayton, Ohio, where he became road agent for J. & P. Voorhees' stage com- pany, remaining with them until railroads su- perseded stage coaches in Ohio, in 1850, when he came to Effingham Countj', and engaged in railroading with John F. Barnard, con- tractor, on the division of the Illinois Central Railroad, Chicago branch of the Central, from five miles south of Mattoon, extending seventy- two miles, to junction with the main line. The contractors' headquarters were at Ewing- ton, then the county seat of Effingham County. All the supplies and material for living and construction of the railroad had to be hauled by teams from St. Louis, Mo., and Terre Haute, Ind., at great labor and expense, over bad roads, and with much exposure. Fortwo3'ear3 Mr. Humes was stationed at Terre Haute, spe- cially employed in pur«(hasing and forwarding supplies to the contractors and men. He then came to Ewington, and took charge of the con- tractors' store at Ewington until 1855, about the time of the completion of the railroad, when he went to farming and trading until 1861, when he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for Sheriff, and was elected, serving two years, attending to his farm jointly with the duties of his office. Mr. Humes was in full fel- lowship with the Whig party until it was dis- banded in 1856, when he joined the Demo- cratic party, with which he has since acted. September 1, 1874, I^Ir. Humes was married to Hattie A. Hoff, who was the widow of John Irwin. She was born in Montgomery County, Va. Her father. William Hoff, and mother Artemisia Fergerson, were born in Virginia and there married, and unto them were born four children, of which Mrs. Humes is the only sur- vivor. Mr. Humes' family was reared in the Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Humes in the Methodist. Since their settlement in Effing- ham County, thej' have witnessed many changes in the growth of the country, and various vi- cissitudes in the lives of the early settlers. Mr. Humes, after a long period of bachelor- hood, claims that he was at last captured, but is contented and happy in his personal and public relations LUCIEN W. HAMMER, physician, Watson, was born in Clark Countv, Ky., November 12, 1819. He came to Sangamon Count3', 111., in 1828, with his parents, where he grew up on a farm, and received a common school education. The parents first settled on what is now Lick Creek, and after a few years moved to what is now Ciiristian County, 111., and subject be- gan the study of medicine at Moweaqua, Shelby County, 111.; first in a drug store, and he took up the study of books on medicine, and in time began a successful practice in 1855, and practiced there at Moweaqua for nine years, and was also engaged in other business until 1871, when he removed to this count}', and for one year located in Funkhouser, and two years in Effingham. In May, 1874, he located in Watson, where he has since enjo3-ed a large practice, being the only resident physician. He was married, in 1852, to Miss Elizabeth H. 222 BIOGBAPHICAL: Courtney, who died in 1874, leaving five eliil- dren, four of whom are living — Bettie J., May B., Fred and Carrie. The eldest daughter — Annie, died in 1876. WILLIAM T. JAYCOX, merchant, Watson, was born in Worthington, Franklin Co., Ohio, June 11, 1843. He left in 1851 with his par- ents for Illinois, where he settled in Jackson Township, Effingham County, where he lived until 1861. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served three years in the Sixteenth Army Corps under Gen. Logan. Fought in battles of Island No. 10 and Corinth, after which subject was transferred to the Reserve Corps, until the close of his term of service on account of ill-health. After the war, subject engaged in farming until 1868. In 1868, he bought a stock of goods of F. Lloyd & Co., at Watson, and has since been engaged in merchandising, keeping a well-se- lected, general stock. In 1875, he erected the present store fronting on Railroad street, two- story frame, 24x52 feet. Mr. Jaycox was the second Postmaster at Watson, 111., and served ten years from July, 1872, to November, 1881. He built a grain warehouse on the I. C. R. R., July, 1882, and is at present buying grain. Politically, a Republican. Subject married, in 1868, to Miss Lenora E. Bail, of Watson; have two children — Anna, born October, 1869; Willa, born November, 1879. The father of our sub- ject was born in New York State May 3, 1817, and came to Ohio when a boy, and worked at coopering at Columbus and Worthington, Ohio. At the latter place he owned a shop. He farmed after coming here. He was united in marriage with Mar}' Clark in August 20, 1840. To them were born eight children, respectively, Adelia, William T., Cynthia, Mary Ellen, Jer- aldine, Henriette, Richard C. and John M., December 27, 1841; June_ll, 1843; May 7, 1845; January 1, 1848; December 22, 1848; May 14, 1852; May 6, 1854; January 1, 1857. ■ Mrs. Hammer was born at Rich- mond, Ohio, March 25, 1822. Mary Ellen, died September, 1856; Adelia, died August, 1864; Jeraldine, October 26, 1869. Removed from Worthington, Ohio, to Effingham County, 111., in the year 1851, and settled in Jackson Township, at which place he resided until his death in April, 1869. J. A. McCALLEN, farmer, P. 0. Effingham, was born in the month of December, 1837, in Harrison Count}', Ind. His father, Robert Mc- Callen, was one of the first settlers of Southern Indiana, having moved there from Kentucky in the year 180G. The boyhood of James was spent like that of most other farmer lads of that pioneer day; his summers, after he was old enough to work were given to labor on the farm, and during the winter season be attended public school. The schoolhouse in which he took his first lessons and where he was taught to read, write and " figer " was the conven-' tional " old log cabin." The fire-place reached half waj' across the room, the loading of which was the principal work of the " master," during the long, cold days of winter. For text books some brought Bibles, some old copies of news- papers, and others such books as they could obtain. James relates that one of his teachers made it a rule to hear his pupils recite in the order in which they arrived at school. The first who came was the first to recite, and in their endeavors to get there first, pupils would often be at the schoolhouse before sunrise. But, notwithstanding all their irregularitj', and the inadequate facilities of the early schools which he attended, James obtained a fair education, more from his own exertion and aptness than from his teachers, the most of whom were illiterate themselves. In 1859, he was married to Miss Mary J. Ryan, of Harri- son County, Ind., and for five years afterward he was engaged in farming. In 1864, he en- tered the Forty-second Indiana Infantrx', and marched with his regiment under Gen. Thomas through parts of Georgia, Alabama, Keutucky WATSON TOWNSHIP. 323 and Tennessee, and took part in the bloody fight of Nashville and the lively skirmishes be- fore Franklin, in both of which engagements he exhibited the courage and firmness of the true soldier. He remained with his regiment under Thomas until near the summer of 18Gr>, when the Southern Confederacy having fallen, he, with his regiment, was marched to Louisville, Ky., and mustered out. He then, in partner- ship with his'father, engaged in the dry goods and grocery business at Palmyra, Ind. In this business the^' built up a good trade and were very successful, running a peddling wagon to Louisville, Ky., weekly for goods, and to dis- pose of procluce, etc. In about 1867, they sold out their store, together with their stock of goods and town propertj-, and bought a farm of 100 acres north of town, where thej' farmed until 1808, then sold out to a Mr. Avery for $1,600. They then a second time bought a farm in partnership, which they farmed until the fall of 1871, when James, who had long entertained a desire to emigrate to Illinois, and having visited and looked out a location in Effingham Count}-, sold his farm and, in com- pany with his father-in-law and two brothers- in-law, came to the " Sucker " State, settling in Watson Township. Here he bought lands of the Illinois Central Kailroad. and engaged in farming. In March, 1874, he was called to mourn the loss of his wife, who died, after an illness of ten days, of pneumonia. Slie was a kind and affectionate wife and mother, and a true Christian, and her death was more than usually grievous to husband and children. Four children survive her, and one is dead. Those living are Florence, the wife of J. C. Loy ; Albert D., a young school teacher and law student ; Alonzo and Manson, school boys. James A. McCallen is a man of good busi- ness qualifications, and is noted for his indus- trj'. Since coming to Illinois, in 1871, he has improved two farms, clearing up fort3'-five acres of timber land, and building one dwelling house and two barns. In the summer of 1881, he married Mrs. Charlotte L. Avery, a lady of means and in good social standing. Mr. Mc- Callen is at this writing (1882), living on his farm on Salt Creek, in Watson Township, en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. CHARLH:S E. MILLER, farmer, P. 0. Wat- son, 111., son of Anson S. Miller, was born Feb- ruary 20, 1841, in Franklin, Delaware Co., N. J. He engaged in clerking at the age of fif- teen, for Edward Douglass Meredith, which he continued about four years, when he went to merchandising, which he followed with good success for several years in Franklin, N. J. Mr. Miller was married, October 26, 1863, to Miss N. Josephine Mann, daughter of Oliver Mann. In 1877, he sold out his store. busi- ness and removed to Effingham County, and settled on a farm of 100 acres. Sections 16, 17 and 21, erected a first class dwelling and is making farming a decided success. He has three children: Frank C., Lula J. and J. Stew- art. He is a member of the Kpiscopal Church, also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a t3-pical Democrat. Subject's father, Anson S. Miller, was born in Delaware County, N. J., -July 18, 1818. He was married, November 26, 1838, to Lucinda A. Chamberlain. The issue of his first marriage is one child, Charles E. Subject's wife died October 3, 1858. WILLIAM PITKIN, deceased, was born at East Hartford, Conn.. May 9, 1790, and went to Albany, when aj'oung man, and engaged in the drug trade. In 1820, he removed to Rochester, N. Y., and there commenced a trade in drugs and medicines, in a wooden building, which gave away in later years to a finer struct- ure known as the Pitkin Block. He prose- cuted his business till 1854, a period of thirty- four years. In 1839 and 1840, was an Alderman from the Fifth Ward. In 1845 and 1846, he was Mayor of the citj'. He was one of the Com- missioners appointed by State to erect the Western House of Refuge, and became a mana- 224 BIOGRAPHICAL: ger of the institution. He was one of tlie founders and managers of the House of Truants. He was one of the founders and manager of the City Hospital. Was one of the first trustees of the Rochester Savings Banjj, an office he held till his decease, and was for many years Presi- dent of that institution. He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. He had four children, viz., Alfred H., James M., of Roches- ter, N. Y., Mrs. McKnight and Sarah M. He died May 4, 1869. The father of subject, Sir William Pitkin, was a Governor of Connecticut Colony, 1766. Alfred H. Pitkin, eldest son of subject, was born in Rochester, N. Y., Decem- ber 28, 1834. Went to Chicago in 185.3, and engaged in hardware and general mercantile business in the firm name of Pitkin Brothers. Continued the business with fair success till 1866, closed out on account of the death of his brother, and the decline of his own health, and moved to Effingham County, 111., and settled on a farm of 160 acres, in Section 29, Watson Township. In 1872, he sold and moved on a farm of 120 acres, in Section 16, Watson Town- ship, where he follows farming with good sue cess. Subject was married in Bridgeport, Conn., December 4, 1855, to Miss Mary Louisa Thompson, daughter of John Thompson. Subject has four children living: William Theodore, was born August 26, 1858; Grace E., was born February 28, 1862; Alfred H., was born September 4, 1867; Sarah Ida, was born Januarj- 12, 1873; Mr. Pitkin's wife, Mrs. Sarah L. Pitkin, died September 20, 1873; Fannie L., was born May 6, f857, and was married to James M. Parkhurst September 24, 1877, died May 4, 1882. ELAM R. RINEHART, farmer, was born in Ewington. this county. May 17, 1849. He was fourteen j-ears of age, when his father came to the place where our subject lives at present, who became owner of the old homestead at the death of his father January 9, 1877. Our subject has alwajs been engaged in farming ; the farm consisting of one quarter section, all in cultiva- tion, and devoted principallj* to the raising of grain. He was married, March 16, 1876, to Miss Victoria Carpenter, of this county, and has three children — Daniel B., Walter I. and William B., twins. Our subject has served on the Board of Supervisors of this county ; his father, Daniel Rinehart, was born September 15, 1812, in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he re- ceived a common school education, and mar- ried, February 8, 1837, Barbara Kagay, of Fairfield County, Ohio. In June, 1841, he came by team to this county, and first settled in a cabin in what is now Watson Township, wliere Michael Sprinkle now lives, where he had entered a one quarter section previous to coming. He lived there until 1847, and opened up quite a farm, but the prevailing disease of chills and fever induced him to leave the farm and move to Ewington ; he had been elected County Clerk by the Democrats, and had served as County Assessor before this for two years. He served as County Clerk of Effingham Count}- for eighteen yeafs continu- ously, except an interim of two j'ears, when the office was filled by Thomas Loy, in probably 1849-50. _He retired in 1873 to his farm ; he was one of the best known men in the county ; he exerted a large political influence in the county and district. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for man}' years ; he had four sons and two daughters, as fol- lows: Jemima, was wife of W. C. Wright (de- ceased, see sketch) ; Emma E., Mrs. Edward Upton, of Watson Township ; Thomas Benton, farmer of this county ; William Allen, of Leeds City, D. T.; Brastus N., see sketch; Elam R., subject. CAPT. FIDELES B. SCHOOLEY, mer- chant, Watson, is a son of Palemon and Sarah Schooley, and was born in 1843, in Clay County, 111. He first engaged in millwrighting, a trade he learned under his father. In 1861, he en- listed in the war, Company G, Eleventh lUi- WATSON TOWXSHIP. 235 noia, being first in the three montlis' call, and re-enlisted in November, 1861, for a term of three years in Compan}- D, Fifty-fourth Illinois. Mr. Schooley went out as a private, and was promoted as follows : First Sergeant, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Captain, a position he held to the close of the war (or about twelve months). At first the command was stationed on duty to guard a railroad near Columbus, K}'. It was in the siege of Vicks- burg, afterward endured several marches in Gen. Steele's command in Arkansas ; was at bat- tle at Clarendon, another near Little Rock, and at the capture of the latter place August 24, 1864. Subject was taken prisoner in a fight at Jones Station, and was taken to Batesville, Ark.; was paroled and sent to the barracks at St. Louis, Mo., where he remained till in December, 1864, when he was exchanged, and was at Fort Smith, Ark , when the great peace conference was concluded with the Indians. Subject was discharged November 1, 1865, and returned home. He was married August 11, 1866, to Miss Pauline Thompson, daughter of Robert Thompson, and followed milhvrighting till 1869 when he engaged in clerking in a store for A. J. Vance, in Watson. In 1871, began to clerk in the store of Barkley & Abraham in Watson. Mr. Schooley's wife died in June, 1875, and he was married to Miss Frank E. Claar, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Claar, December 25, 1875. In 1878, he purchased an interest in the store of Milton Abraham. In February, 1880, sold out in Watson and engaged in merchandising in Elli- ottstown, Januar}^ 1, 1882, sold a half-interest of his store in Elliottstown, to Mr. Abraham, and bought a half-interest of Abraham's store at Watson, and the two stores were run under the firm name of Abraham & Schooley till October 1, 1882, when our subject sold out his interest in the store business to Mr. Abraham, and purchased a half-interest in a furniture store, and runs business under the firm name of Schooley Bros. Subject has a family of three children — Elsworth B., Sarah B., Clara E. Subject's father, Palemon Schooley, was born February 17, 1821, near Salem, Ohio; moved with his parents to Maysville, Clay County, 111., and was married in that county, May 3, 1840, to Miss Sarah Sitler, daughter of Samuel and Christina Sitler. The father was a millwright ; moved from Clay County, 111., in 1846, to Vermont, Fulton County, 111., where he remained about six j-ears, and after a few removals to secure work at his trade, he set- tled at Elliottstown, Effingham County. In 1861, he enlisted in the war in Company D, Fifty-fourth Illinois, in the same company with his son F. B. Schooley, and served till the spring of 1865, when he returned home, and moved to Watson, 111., where he remained till his death, which occurred October 21, 1871, after which his widow, Mrs. Sarah (Sitler) Schooley, lived with her son F. B. Her chil- dren consists of two living, one of whom is the subject of this sketch, the other, Salathiel, who also served a long term in the war. He mar- ried, and runs a furniture store in partnership with his brother, under the firm name of Sciiooley Bros. ELISH A W. SCOTT, farmer, son of Dr. John 0. Scott, was born near Freemanton, this count}', October 12, 1838, and was raised on a farm, and educated in public schools of this county-. He began farming for himself in 1863, in which year he was married. He enlisted in tlie army in 1862, in the Seventy-first Illinois Volunteer Infiintry, and served three months, when his time expired. In 1863, he enlisted in tiie One Hundred and Thirtj-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry' for one hundred daj's, and served for about five months, on guard dutj', under Gen. Rosecrans. He has farmed in this township since 1863. He, that year, married Miss Livo- na McCann, daughter of James McCann, of Jackson Township, and has four children living, Vista, Ella, Nora and Edward. Our subject has served his township as Assessor. 226 BIOGRAPHICAL: W. F. SCOTT, farmer and teacher, P. 0. Watson, is a son of Dr. John 0. Scott, and was born in this county, April 20, 1841. In 1860, he began teaching. In 1862, he enlist- ed in the United States Arm}-, Company E, Seventy-first Illinois Volunteers. His com- mand was forwarded to Columbus, Ky. Af- ter some time spent in the service, he was sent to the marine hospital, at Chicago, on account of disability for service. After his recover3', he was placed in charge of a Govern- ment corral, where he bought Government supplies, and was foreman of the men who took charge of horses brought in for service. After about six months of this kind of service, he returned home and resumed teaching. He was married in Jasper County, 111., August 28, 1870, to Miss Melissa Blackford, daughter of I. M. Blackford. Since then, he has followed the avocation of farming, alternately teach- ing in winters and farming during the summer. He has gained a first-class reputation as a teacher, and proven a success at farming, and is the owner of a good farm. He i.s an ardent supporter of the principles of Democracy, has held the office of Justice of the Peace, is School Treasurer, and a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. He has five children — Lawly, Ninta, Emmett R., Ethie E. and Worley. IRWIN A. SPRINKLE, druggist, Watson, son of John Sprinkle, was born in this coun- ty July 17, 1859. He was raised on a farm, lu 1876, he engaged in clerking in a dry goods and grocery store in Teutopolis, which he followed about seven months. August 22, 1879, he was matriculated in the Northern In- diana Normal, which he attended three terms. He returned home and engaged in clerking in Effingham a short time ; then purchased a drug store in Watson, and engaged in his present avocation. In this business, he has met with good success. He carried a first-class assort- ment of drugs and notions. Politically, Mr. Sprinkle is a stanch Republican. Is School Treasurer of Watson Township. Mr. Sprinkle was married at Mason, 111., February 26, 1881, to Miss Nelia Rankin, daughter of Robert and Mary Rankin. He has one child, Clyde Sprinkle, born March 26, 1882. EDWARD N. UPTON, traveling salesman, was- born in Auburn, N. Y., September 27, 1837, and learned the printer's trade in Columbus, Ohio. He came to St. Louis, Mo., in 1857, and in 1858 came to Ewington, this county, as a journej-man printer, and worked for Col. Filler a year and on the old Pioneer, and then went to Henderson, Ky., where he joined his brother-in-law in putting in gas works there, remaining six months, when he returned to Ewington and again worked in a printing office for six months, and went to St. Louis and worked as compositor till 1861, when he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he helped to raise a company and went out as First Lieutenant, mustered September 10, 1861, which was a part of the Forty-sixth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantr}-. He served until close of war, being mustered out in July, 1865, at Louis- ville, Ky.; served three years nine months. He served in Fifteenth Army Corps of Gens. Sher- man and Logan, and fought in thirty-two battles. He was promoted to rank of Cap- tain, Company G, dated April 6, 1862. He was commissioned August 19, 1864, Major of the Fort3'-sixth Regiment. He was made Lieutenant Colonel of Regiment December 22, 1864, and rose to rank of Colonel July 16, 1865. He was married, March 21, 1864, to Miss Emma E., daughter of Daniel Rinehart, of Effingham County, 111. After leaving the array in fall of 1865, he settled on present farm in Watson Township, where he has since resided, and followed farming for about ten years. In 1875, he entered the employ of Haydens & Allen, manufacturers of saddlery hardware, of St. Louis, and has for past seven years been traveling salesman for Southern Illinois. He has three sons and two daughters living — Hayden WATSON TOWNSHIP. 227 R., Mattie R., Edward N., Daniel N., Mary L. One died in infancy-, Cotton Allen. Our sub- ject has served as Town Clerk of Watson, and Collector. REV. DAVID WILLIAMSON, deceased, whose portrait appears in this worlf, was not one of fortune's petted ones, " born with a sil- ver spoon in bis mouth," but being one of seven children of a family in moderate circumstances, has known what it is to figlit life's battles single- handed, only inspired by native ambition and a desire for usefulness and position among men. The rudiments of his education were received at the district schools. Was a very attentive student and became a deep thinker. He was born on the "Williamson plantation," near Ab- ingdon, Va., May 6, 1827. His father, George_ was born in County Armagh, in the Province of Ulster, Ireland, and emigrated to Vir- ginia when quite young. His mother, Susan Myers, was born in Pennsylvania, and died near Gosport, Ind., in 1837. In the early part of his life, he united with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. At the age of sev- enteen, he entered the ministry, which he continued most!}- the remainder of his useful life, and the result of his efforts will only be known in that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed. In 1846, he was with the In- diana Conference, and in 1853 he united with the Southern Illinois Conference, where he made known his strength until 1869, when he was superannuated at his own request, on ac- count of physical disability. He soon settled with his family on a farm a short distance east of Watson. Here he gained some strength, and applied himself to teaching. He was a man of scrupulous integritj-, generous impulses and boundless hospitality. As a minister, he preached strong doctrinal sermons, but his modesty led him to evade debate as much as possible. However, wiien pressed, he would accept, and his adversarj' found in him a strong opponent. He was united in marriage, October 14, 1852, with Mary J. Brown, of Gosport, Ind. Siic was liorn Februarj- 5, 1829, near Gosport, Ind. Her parents, F. and Sarah (.Manser) Brown, were natives of Kentuckj\ The former was born January 21, 1803, and tlie latter Feb- ruarj' 10, 1805. Mr. Williamson's marri,age gave him six children, viz.: Frank, engaged in railroading in Mississippi; Sarah L. A., de- ceased; J. D. D., Mary E. E., Frederick T. B. and Rosa. The last four are efficient teachers. J. D. D. was born in McLeansboro, 111., Nov.l4, 1858. He began carlj' to improve his mind, and com- pleted a course in the Graj'ville and Southern Indiana Colleges, and attended other noted edu- cational institutions. He entered the school- room as a teacher early in his teens, and his services have become so desirable that he is pressed into actual labor aside from his regular emplo3'ment as a general agent for a school fur- niture and supply establishment. In tlie latter avocation, he is as proficient as in the former. He was married at Marshall, Clark Co., III., March 11, 1881, to Libbie Hillis, a native of Watson, 111., born September, 1859. He resides in Watson, is teaching, and at the close of the term he will devote his entire time in the em- ployment of the firm mentioned above. He is . a stanch Democrat, and a member of Watson Lodge, A., F. & A. M. The future is 3-et before him, and he promises to be a type of the old block. Rev. Williamson died September 30, 1878, from an attack of typhoid fever, wliich lasted only one week. He had often expressed himself as willing to meet death, and when he breathed his last it was in the full faith of his Savior. He was a kind father, a devoted, lov- ing husband, and commanded the highest es- teem of all who knew him. His widow, Marj- J., resides with three of the younger children, on the farm where thej- located when first coming to this count}'. He was a lifelong Democrat. 228 BIOGRAPHICAL: MOCCASIN JOSEPH P. CONDO, merchant, Moccasin, was born in 1848 in Penn Hall, Center Co., Penn., and lived there till he was twenty years of age, and then was married and came to this county, and has been in Effingham County ever since. He was married to Marj' A. Motz. She was born in Center County. She Is the daughter of Samuel Motz, who was born in Center County, Penn.: also her mother. Her mother is dead, but her father still lives in the same countj^ Mr. Condo's parents both were born in Center Count}', but his father, Jacob Condo, came West, and died here; also his moth- er. The first four years after coming, Mr. Condo farmed, and in 1872 he went into the mercantile business in Moccasin, and has been in the same business ever since, and is at pres- ent the only merchant in the village. Mr. Condo carries a stock of about $7,000, includ- ing everything to be found in a general store. Mr. Condo has been contracting for railroad ties to different roads, and for the last five years has handled over 100,000 ties each year, and for the last two j^ears has been hav- ing the ties mostly made on his own land, but still bu^-s. Mr. Condo made his start by sell- ing steel plows, in 1870 and 1871, selling over 300 while on the farm in the two 5'ears. He has 770 acres of land, 140 in Shelby County, 370 in Effingham County, and 260 in Fayette. Of this, 300 acres are in cultivation, 300 acres of good timber, and 170 stump land. Besides his land, he has his store building in Moccasin and resident property' in Effingham. Mr. Condo has been one of the most successful business men in this part of the count}'. In 1880, Mr. Condo was one of the three delegates from this count}' to the Republican State Con- vention at Springfield, 111. He has three chil- TOWIfSHIP. dren living and four dead — Sallie, Florence and Lulu. He is a member of the Republican State Central Committee. MOSES DOTY, farmer, P. 0. Moccasin, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, 1816. He is the son of Thomas and Rosa (Sowards) Doty. His father was a native of Kentucky, and his mother of North Carolina. They were married in Kentucky, and moved to Ohio — at an early date — while the Indians were still in the State. Both of his parents died, and are buried in Wayne County, Ohio. Mr. Doty was educated in the early schools of Ohio— a split log for a bench, a log cut out for a window, with paper stTetched over it, etc. In spring of 1845, he came to Moccasin Precinct, and settled on Moccasin Creek ; lived here nearly two years, and then went back to Ohio, and lived there till fall of 1852 ; they returned to Effingham County, and this has been their home ever since, except one season he rented a farm in Fayette County. When first coming here, there was no flour to be had, and their way of get- ting their meal was to grind it by horse-power ; aud the first meal he got he had to go to Van- dalia for it. It was an insult to offer paper money or coppers in pay for anything. Once, while on the road, he bought a loaf of bread, and not having the exact change in silver, he offered to make the change in coppers ; but for his trouble he received a cursing. Their first voting was done in an old barn, and each one had to go up and tell the name of the one they wished to vote for, as there were no tickets. When first coming here, there were but few per- manent settlers ; most were what they called squatters. He bought a number of good year- ling steers for $1.50 per head, and kept them till they were two years old, and sold them for MOCCASIN TOWNSHIP. 239 |3 per head ; there was no market for any- thing: good corn could be bought for 8 cents. Schools were an unknown thing when he first came, but the second summer the}' got up a little school, and kept it for three months. Old Ewington was their post office, a distance of about twelve miles. He was married, 1835, in Wayne County, to Mary Jane Cavenee. -She was born in Harrison County, Ohio, the daugh- ter of William Cavenee, a native of Pennsj-1- vania. Her mother was born in New Jersey. On Mr. Dot3''s father's farm was an old block- house, built by the Americans in the war of 1812. Mr. Doty used it as a eider house for a number of years. In his famil}- there were twelve children (nine now living); four boj's and five girls living. In 18G9, he sold out his farm on Moccasin Creek, with the intention of going West, but instead bought his present farm, which is one mile north of the old place. His farm now consists of 121 acres. He is Demo-, cratic in politics, and has been one all his life. When first moving here, there were but two Whigs in this precinct — the rest all Democrats — and the Whigs did not turn out to vote. Farming has been his business all his life. The way they made their living at first was to raise a small patch of corn, and then hunt for game ; all kinds of game was quite plentiful then ; deer would be seen in herds of from fort\- to fiftv; turke3-s and chickens were also numerous, and many wild hogs in the woods. MARTIN V. DOWTY, farmer, P. 0. Moc- casin, was born in Rush County, lud., 1841, March 12, to Thomas and Deborah (Wood) Dowty. He was born in Pennsj-lvania, and she in Buffalo, N. Y. They were married in Ohio, and settled in Indiana, 1835. He died in Rush County, and she in Jasper County. Our subject was educated in Rush County, Ind., in common school. He was raised on a farm and has followed that business all his life, except for five 3-ears he was quarrying stone in Decatur County, Ind. March, 1879, he came to Effingham County, and bought his present farm of 104 acres, all but six of which is prairie land. He was married in Indiana, 1863, to Emma Mason, she was born in Deca- tur County, Ind., to John and Sarah Mason. They have six children — Clara Lizzie, Theo- dore, Edith, Katie and Arthur. Mr. Dowty entered Company B, Eleventh Indiana In- fantry-, Col. Hacelman ; for four months he was in the Eleventh, and then eight months in the Sixteenth. He and wife are Methodists in religion. He is Republican in politics; is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. ANTHONY GRANT, deceased, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, near Athens, on Stillwater River, February 10, 1825, to An- thony Grant and Rebecca (Sloan) Grant. In 1849, he was married in Knox County, Ohio, to Margaret Lybarger; she was born in Knox Count}', 1826, March 7, to Daniel and Nancy Ann (Gary) Lybarger. In 1851, Mr. and Mrs. Grant moved from Ohio to Effingham County, and settled on the present fiirm in 1852, and have remained here since. Mr. Grant was raised on a farm, and followed that for his oc- cupation till his death, April 26, 1875. When first coming, he entered 160 acres of timber land, and at the time of his death had about 460 acres. The\' have six children living — Maranda, Francis Marion, Charles Anderson, Sophronia, Emma and George Ulysses. Mrs. Grant is member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Pleasant Grove. Mr. Grant was a member of the JIasonic fraternitj', and was Democratic in politics, and held different town- ship offices, Commissioner, etc. In moving from Knox Count}', Mr. Grant and family came in company with his brother, James Grant, who is now in Mound Township, and Robert Stewart, who settled in Fayette Count}'. When they settled here, this was a wild country. There were no settlers on the prairies at all, and but few along the timber near here. Their trading point when first coming was old Free- 230 BIOGRAPHICAJ. : maiiton, and their milling was done in horse mills, Vmt finally they got tired of that kind of flour and so went to Shelbyville. The Qrst season here, Mr. Grant farmed with his brother in Fayette County, and would go away from home Monday morning, and stay most of the week without getting to come home ; so Mrs. Grant and her one little girl would stay at home all alone, and frequently not see any one from the time he left till his return. In fall of 1853, he bought out a squatter who was living on the present homestead, giving him $100 for the claim ; he then entered the land. When first moving here, there were a good many threats made that they would run them out, but they had come to make a home here, so they held their own ; and after a time the old settlers here became reconciled to have Ohio- ans remain. Mr. Grant's life was quite a suc- cess, but he was generous almost to a fault, ready to help when he knew there was no chance for a return, when he saw any one in a difficulty, especially the poor or to the widows. Mr. Grant's father was born in New Jersey; came to Penns3'lvania at an early date, then to Harrison County, Ohio, about 1825, and in 1826 to Knox County, where he remained ac- tively engaged in farming till the time of his death January, 1866, aged eighty-three years. Subject's mother was born in New Jerse}', and died in Knox County, Ohio, 1869, aged eighty- six years. J. W. HOTZ, Sr,., farmer and grain buyer, P. 0. Moccasin, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, 1823, June 1; came to Penns3'lvania in 1839, and then to Washington County, and there learned his trade of blacksmithing, and followed his trade for thirty-one years in dif- ferent places. From Penns3'lvania, he came in 1845 to Wayne Count}', Ohio, and lived there for fourteen j'ears. While there, he was mar- ried, on October 6, 1851, to Miss Lovina Jane Knox. She was born in Pennsylvania Janu- ary 19, 1835. She died March 11, 1878. They have seven children — Mary Ellen, Florence R., William H., Theresa A., Albert H., Charles E. and George F. Since coming to Illinois, he has carried on a farm and blacksmith shop. He quit the shop in 1870, but still carries on the farm, and for the last six years has been bnying grain in Moccasin for Jennings & Minor, of Effingham. His farm consists of 200 acres, 160 on the prairie and 40 in timber, and besides has town property-. He has always been Democratic in politics. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty-four years, and has filled the place of Steward and leader ever since joining the church. The first year he came to this county, he helped to build the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and helped wear it out, so they built another church on the same site in 1881. Mr. Holtz is a strict temperance man, and for the future temperance will enter in his politics. JOHN HURDELBRINK, farmer, P. 0. Moccasin, was born in St. Clair County, 111., September 13, 1849, to Diedrich and Mary A. (Bossa) HiH'delbrink, both born in Hanover, Germany; came to America in 1842; settled in Buffalo, N.- Y., afterward moved to St. Clair Count}', 111., and he died there of the cholera, aged about fift3'-four. B}' trade he was a blacksmith. She is now Mrs. Henry Niehoif. Our subject was educated in St. Clair County in an English school. He has always followed farming. In 1865, he came to this count3- with his mother and step-father, and has been here ever since. He was married in this cuunty in 1877 to Hannah Huelskoetter. She was born in St. Louis in 1855 to Henrj' and Mary A. (Piel) Huelskoetter, both now living in this county. They were both born in Prussia. He and wife are both members of the German Lutheran Church. He is Repub- lican in politics. His farm consists of 80 acres, all prairie. J. S. JONES, physician. Moccasin, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1827. MOCCASIN TOWNSHIP. 231 He was educated in Ohio and attended lectures in Cincinnati at tlae American Medical Col- lege. He began his practice in 1854, commenc- ing practice in Millersburg, Iowa, remaining there till 1858, and then returned to Ohio and practiced at Bladensburg, Knox County, for six years, and then came to Effingham County, in 1865, and has been here ever since, with the exception of two years he was in Missouri, go- ing for his wife's health. Dr. Jones belongs to the eclectic school. He was married in Holmes County, Ohio, to Elizabeth Johnston, in 1850. His wife died in January, 1873. He was married in Effingham County, 111., in 1876, to Tena Piper. He had seven children bj' his first wife (five are now living) and has one child b}^ his present wife. He has always been Republican in his politics. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He is the son of William Jones, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1850. Dr. Jones' mother died about 1840. JOHN H. LUHRMAN, farmer, P. 0. Blue Point, was born in Hanover, Germany, April 19, 1820. He is the son of Herman H. and Marj- (M3-ers) Luhrman. His father was born in Han- over, German}-, 1790, and emigrated to America, 1844, and settled in Cincinnati. Ohio, where he remained till his death, about 1855. He followed his trade of shoe-maker. The mother of our subject was also born in Hanover, Ger- many, and died in Cincinnati, 1877, at forty- eight years of age. They were the parents of seven children, of whom John H. was the old- est. He received his education in the common schools of his native countr}-. When he was twenty-three j-ears old, he left home and emi- grated to America, coming on a sailing vessel from Bremen to New Orleans, and landed there December 19, 1843. On account of the ice in the river, he could not make St. Louis, the point of his destination, till Januarj-, 1844. For fifteen 3-ear3 he remained in St. Louis, working the first nine years for George P. Plant, in a flouring mill. He then worked six years for Joseph Powell, also in a flouring mill. In 1859, he located in Wennidc, 111., where, in com- pany with J. F. Brocksmith , he built a large flour- ing mill at a cost of $40,000. A few years after this, his daughter was killed in the mill, and that caused him to sell out his interest, and re- move to a farm. His daughter had gone into the mill to call the miller to dinner, and in pass- ing up stairs to where he was, her dress caught in an upright shaft that was making sixt}- revo- lutions per minute. She was immediately killed. After selling the mill, he bought a farm of 160 acres near Wennide, and remained there till 1869, when he sold out and came to Effing- ham Couutv, and bought 320 acres in Moccasin Township, and has added to it till now he has a farm of above 500 acres of well-improved land, except forty, which is timber land. Jan- uary 6, 1845, in St. Louis, he married Mary Foldenfeld, a native of Hanover, Germany. The}' have four children living, Louisa (wife of W. F. Lange), Charles, "William and August (at home). He and familj' are members of the German Lutheran Church — his son, William, being organist. He is Democratic in politics. While farming in Washington County, he was appointed Postmaster at Livel}- Grove, and held that till he left the count}-. July, 1871, while driving a reaper, the seat broke and he was thrown down in front of the knives and had his right band cut so badly that he lost the use of it. His head was also badly bruised. W. B. METHAM, farmer, P. O. Altamont, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, 1825. He remained in Ohio till 1855 ; he came to Illi- nois, and the first winter stayed in Fayette County, and in the spring of 1856 came back into Effingham County, and has made this his home ever since. He is the son of Pren Met- ham, who was born in England. In his youth, he was a sailor, but came to America before he j was married. Eliza (Boman) Metham, Mr. W. B.'s mother, was the second wife of Pren Met- 233 BIOGRAPHICAL. ham, and was born in Pennsj-lvania, and was of the Pennsylvania-Dutch origin. His father was one of the earl}- settlers in that part of Ohio. His place was thirty miles from Zauesville, and as they had no roads at first, everything had to be done on horseback. His parents both died in Coshocton County, Ohio. When Mr. Met- ham came to Effingham County in 1856, he bought his present farm of Pricket Doty, pay- ing $10 per acre for what he bought of Dotv, and is now one of the best improved and most valuable farms in this p&rt of the township. His farm consists of about 600 acres, mostly l3'ing along Big Moccasin Creek. Mr. Metham has always voted the Republican ticket, voting first for Fremont, and has never missed an election since his first vote, and has been one of the leading Republicans in Moccasin Township. When Mr. Metham came to his present fiirm, there was not a settler out in the prairie ; it was allgrown up to prairie grass. John H. C. Smith put up the second house in the prairie, and Peter Campbell the first, but soon after the Germans came in and began settling it. Mr. Metham was married in Coshocton County, Ohio, 1851, to Rebecca Anderson. She was born in Ireland. She is the daughter of John and Mary Anderson. Her father died in the old country, but her mother came to Coshoc- ton Count}', Ohio. They have two children living and six dead — Mary E., Artincy, Al- vira, Anderson, Clara, Alice, and an infant, all dead ; Adda and Laura are the only two liv- ing. Mr. Metham is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. WILLIAM OWENS, farmer, P. 0. Alta- mont, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, 1819. From Wayne County he moved to Knox Coun- ty, Ohio, about 1844. He remained in Knox County till about 1858, when he came to his present farm in Effingham County, 111. He is the son of John and Phoebe (Spake) Owens. His father was a native of New Jersej-, and his mother of Pennsylvania. His father died and left six children, four boys and two girls. Mr. Owens is the oldest of the sons ; the daughters are both dead, but the boys living. He was onl}- a small boy when his father died, and his mother being fooled out of what property was left to the family, the four oldest children were bound out, and the result was, their chances for an education were very limited. He was married in Wayne County, Ohio, 1842, to Cath- arine Stahl. She was born in Ohio, Wa3'ne County, but her parents had come from Penn- sylvania. She died in Knox County in 1846 or 1847. B}- this wife he had four children, all living. About 1848, he was again married, to Rebecca Jane Grant, born in Harrison County, Ohio. Her parents were from Vir- ginia. Bj' this wife he has five children, three boys and two girls. His children are Elizabeth, Frederick, Salome, Catharine, An- thony, Rebecca, John, Sarah and William. Mr. Owens' occupation has been that of farm- ing most all of his life, but he started with nothing. His farm now consists of 460 acres. He has al\va3's been Democratic in politics. PHILIP PETZING, P. 0. Moccasin, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, December 24, 1823, to Peter and Kathrina (3Iachemer) Pet- zing ; both were born in the same place as our subject. In 1853, they came to America, taking passage at Havre, France, making the trip to New York in a sailing vessel in twent3-seveu days. They settled in Buffalo, N. Y., and his father lived there till his death, in 1863. In the old country he was a farmer, but after coming to America he invested his money in city property, and lived on the rents. Mrs. Potzing, the mother of our subject, died when he was onlj' four years old, in the old country. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native country. In 1847, he first came to America, and settled in Buflalo, where he remained for seven years, and where he fol- lowed ship-carpentering. He learned his trade after coming to Buffalo. Before coming to MOCCASIN TOWNSHIP. 233 America, he had been at work on the farm with his father. In 1852, he returned to German j-, and came back in 1853, as his father was com- ing. In 1854, he left Buffalo, and came to Chicago, where he remained till 1863. Daring the nine years at Chicago, he followed various kinds of business ; first working at his trade awhile, then went into a brewery, but sold that out after three 3'ears, and then went into the I. C. R. R. car shops for some time, but on account of sore eyes he quit the shops and went into a butcher shop, and the last two years while there he was farming southwest of Chi- cago, in Cook County, but in 1863 he came to Effingham County,, and has been farming here ever since. When first coming here, he bought railroad land, buying 220 acres at first, but has since added to it till now he has 620 acres, all but SO of which are in the prairie. In 1861, he was married, at Chicago, to Mine Henning. She was born in Prussia, in 1834, to William and Caroline Henning, Mrs. Petzing came to America in 1854, but her parents did not come till 1858. Her father is dead, but her mother is still living. Mr. Petzing has seven chil- dren — William, Philip, Julia, Hermon, Anna, Edward and Ida. He and family belong to the Lutheran Church. He is Democratic in politics. He has held various township offices, being Justice of the Peace, School Trustee, and now is Road Commissioner, and also has been Supervisor for two terms. DAVID RUDY, farmer, P. 0. Moccasin, was born near Harrisburg, Penn,, 1846. His parents moved from Pennsylvania, when he was small, to Indiana, where they remained for seven years, and then came to Illinois, settling in Slielbj' County. His father, William A. Rud}', is still living in Shelby County, but his mother died February, 1878. He received his education in Shelby Count}', and was mar- ried in Fayette County, 111., 1870, to Harriet A. Musser. She w.as born in Ohio, Knox County. Her father, W^illiam Musser, is now living in Shelby County. February, 1874, they moved to Effiugham County, to their present place, and improved it. It was all timber and thickets when moving here. His farm consists of forty acres here and eight}- acres in Fayette County. Mr. Rudy and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is Demo- cratic in politics. Most of his life he has fol- lowed farming, and has run a threshing machine for a number of years, and when a young man was engineer in a saw-mill for quite a time. J. H. C. SMITH, farmer, P. O. Altamont, was born in Franklin County, lud., April 26, 1831, to Summers G. and Sally (Bulkley) Smith. He was born in Kentucky. He was a cooper by trade, and moved to Cincinnati at an early date, and was one of the first coopers that ever made a barrel in Cincinnati. He died in Effingham County, 1872, at the age of eighty- four. He was for over fifty years a citizen of Indiana. She was a native of Connecticut. She died in 1876, at the age of sixty-four. Our subject was educated in Franklin County, Ind., in the common schools. He was raised on a farm, and that has been his occupation through life, although he has done consider- able work at the carpenter trade. In 1853, he came to Effingham County, III., settling in Summit Township first. In spring of 1862, he came to Moccasin Township, and bought a farm of eighty acres, but has since added to it till he has 210 acres — all but ten acres under fence. In 185 I, he was married, in this county, to Mary Ann Devore. She was born in Ohio, in 1832, to James and Elizabeth Devore. Both her parents are dead. He was Judge of the County Court of Effingham County for some time, and was one of the first Method- ist preachers in this part of the country. Mr. Smith has four children, all living — William H., Elizabeth R., Nathan A., and David M. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Dexter. Mr. Smith has 234 BIOGRAPHICAL: been class-leader for about twenty-five 3'ears. He is Republican in politics, and has been since the party started ; is a member of the A. 0. U. W. He has held diflFerent township offices. HENRY SOLTWEDEL, Blue Point, was born in Meckleiiburg-Schwerin, Germany, March 20, 1848, to Christian and Louisa (Bruhn) Solt- wedel. He was born February 5, 1805, in the same place as his son. He was a cow-herder in the old counlrj', being main overseer of the herd of cattle on one of the ranches of the Dobberton circuit. In 1856, thej' came to America, settling first to make a permanent home in Effingham County, 111., in Bishop Township. The three }'ears previous to this settlement, the\- had lived at different places, first at Buffalo, N. Y., then in Indiana, in La Porte County, where they lived for a time, but this county was their first permanent settle- ment. August 28, 1882, Mr. Soltwedel's mother died here, and his father is still living with him. Mr. Soltwedel received most of his edu- cation in this county ; was raised on a farm, and that has always been his occupation. He is the only son living, but has two sisters living. He was married in this county, 1876, to Louisa Ziegler. She was born in Baden, Germany, 1849, to Jacob and Christina Ziegler. He is living, but she died May 26, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Soltwedel have three children living — Louis, William and Emma. He and family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Paul congregation. The principles of the Democratic party are his. He has held different township offices — Township Clerk, Constable, and now is serving second term as Assessor. His farm consists of eighty acres, all in prairie. March 28, 1873, he moved to this place, but had purchased the farm in 1871. W. H. ST. CLAIR, M. D., Moccasin, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 23, 1828, in the Governor's mansion. He is the son of John St. Clair and Ann (Crooker) St. Clair. John St. Clair was born in Cincinnati, and died in Peoria, 111. Mrs. John St. Clair died in this county. She was a woman well versed in his- tory, that being her main study. The house in which Dr. St. Clair was born is said to be the first brick house built west of the Alleghany Mountains. The glass for it was carried in pack-saddles across the mountains. It is now part of the Methodist Book Concern. Dr. St. Clair and family, and Mrs. Dr. Charles Pad- dock, of Richmond, Ind., are the only descend- ants of Gen. Arthur St. Clair, who was appointed Governor of the Northwest Territory b^' Gen. Washington. Dr. St. Clair, the great-grandson of Gen. Arthur St. Clair, still has a letter writ- ten by George Washington, 1798, to " His Ex- cellency, Gov. St. Clair," soliciting his influence in behalf of Edward Tiffin, who was afterward Governor of Ohio. In 1856, the Cincinnati papers stated that there were, including inter- est at six per cent from date, $3,000,000 due the St. Clair famil}' from the Government of the United States for money loaned to it by Arthur St. Clair during the Revolutionary war, but they never have received a cent. In 1839, Dr. St. Clair moved to Effingham County, with his parents, located at Ewington. His life till he was nineteen was spent in Effingham County. In 1847-48, he attended the Asbury University, at Greencastle, Ind., taking the scientific course. In 1849, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. In May, 1850, he was married to Mary- Jane Jackson, daughter of Mrs. T. J. Gilleuwa- ters, of Effingham. The only child bj' this mar- riage is now 3Irs. W. T. Pope. August, 1856, his wife died. In 1857, he was married to Eliza Ann Jackson. By this marriage he had four sons and four daughters; two sons are dead. For eight years he traveled in the Southern IllinoisConfer- ence, beginning in 1851, and six j-ears he trav- eled in the Minnesota Conference. In Richland County, 111., he commenced the practice of medi- cine in 1864. In 1865, he located at Effingham, and practiced till April, 1871, and then came to MOCCASIN TOWNSHIP. 235 Moccasin Township, and has been bere ever since. William and Charles are tiie Doctor's sous; May, Laura, Carrie and Bellfore are the daughters. Gov. Artluir St. Clair lauded at Cincinnati when coming to the Northwest, and as there was a kind of village there he asked the name of it, and was told it was " La Can- terville," a French name meaning the " ville" on the opposite side, or the ''ville" opposite Covington. He asked them why in h — 11 they did not call it by some Christian name, and said, " let us call it Cincinnati," and so it went bj- that name from that on. WILLIAM STOPPELMANN, farmer, P. Moccasin, was born in Hanover, Germanj', March 18, 1838, to Eibost Henry and (Niwenir) Stoppelmann. Thej- were both na- tives of Hanover, Germany. She died about 1842, in Germany. He is still living in the old country, and is over seventj' jears old. His occupation has always been that of a merchant and trader. Our subject was educated in the schools of his native countr3^ At the age of nineteen, he left home and came to America. He settled in Washington Count}', 111., when first coming. While there, he followed farming, first two years working for a farmer, and then rented land and farmed for himself He re- mained in Washington County for seven years, and then came to Effingham County in 1863. When first coming, he bought eighty acres of improved land, paying $12 per acre. His farm now consists of IGO acres prairie and twelve acres timber land. His farm is well improved. In 1880, he built a large and liaudsome resi- dence, 18x38, and two stories high, and the kitchen 16x18, one story. He was married in Washington County, in 1858, to Wilhelmina MoUinbrock, born in Prussia, June 15, 183-1, to William MoUinbrock. He died in the old country in 1880. Our subject has two children dead and three living — Caroline, William and Charlotta. He and family are members of the German Lutheran Church. Blue Point. He is a Republican in politics. He is Township Su- pervisor at present. He has made his own way since coming to America, and his success has been made by his own energy and perse- verance. GRIFFIN TIPSWORD, farmer, P. 0. Moc- casin, was born just across the line in Shelby County, III., 1831. lie is the grandson of old Griffin Tipsword, and the son of John Tips- word. Mr. Tipsword's life has been spent mostli[ in Effingham County, and being raised in this country before there was scarcely any civilization, he knows what pioneer life is. His early training was that of a pioneer, and took his first lessons in hunting and trapping under his grandfather's care. His first schooling was obtained in a five cornered schoolhouse, the house being built so that the fifth corner was open, and used as a fire-place, and poles and logs could be burned without chopping. He was married, 1853, to Elizabeth Banning, in Shelby County. She was born and raised in Shelby County ; she is the daughter of Machac Banning, a native of South Carolina, but her mother's people were from Tennessee. Thej- have nine children, six boys and three girls — John, Merida, Hester, Sarah Ann, Isaac Christopher, Joseph, Walter, Minda. In 1855, Mr. Tipsword moved to the prairie, there being only one house in the prairie at the time; the others were all in and around the woods. In 1876, he sold out and went to Kansas, but re- mained onl}' for the one season and then came back, and bought his present farm, which con- sists of 140 acres. He is Democratic in poli- tics, as all by the name are. ISAAC TIPSWORD, fiirmer, P. O. Moc- casin, was born across the line in Fayette County, III., in 1835. He is the grand- son of old Griffln Tipsword, and the son of Thomas, and the only one of the sons now living in this county. His fiither was killed accidentally in Kansas in 1857. Mr. Tipsword's opportunities for an education were 236 BIOGRAPHICAL; very limited, going two and a half to tliree miles, and then had to sit on a bench in a log house, which did not have a floor in it part of the time, and the window was an opening made by cutting out part of a log, and then stretch- ing a greased paper over the hole. He was married in Shelby County, 1854, to Agnes Dowty, a daughter of J. P. Dowty; she was born in Wayne County, Ohio, 1833, and were early settlers in Effingham County, coming about 1840. They have nine children living and two dead — Thomas P., Breckeuridge, Da- vid M., Mary Ann, Valandingham, Ida May, Margaret Viola, Isaac W., Columbia Agnes. Mr. Tipsword has been on his present farm since 1865. His farm consists of 223 acres, about 140 in cultivation. He has always been Democratic in politics. He and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church South ; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; farming has always been his occupation ; Mr. Tipsword's mother is still living, and is about seventy years old ; her name before marriage was Annie Waller ; she was born in Tennessee but was married on the Okaw, to Thomas Tips- word about 1839. One incident that Mr. Tips- word remembers of his father's hunting, was, that he went out one day and killed seven deer, and that night came home with six of them all on one old horse, and Mr. Tipsword also riding. G. W. TIPSWORD, farmer, P. 0. IMoccasin, born in Moccasin Township, in 1849, is a son of Ashby Tipsword, an old settler of this county. He was born in Coles Countj-, 111., in 1827, and then came to this countj-, with his parents, when three years old, and lived here till his death, in 1877. After he was married, he bought a squatter's claim, and afterward pre-empted the land, and this old homestead was his residence till his death. Mrs. Tips- word still lives on tlie old place. She was born in Tennessee, daughter of S. R. Powell. Mr. G. W. Tipsword is one of nine children. seven of whom are living, and all but one in Effingham County. Mr. Tipsword was edu- cated in the common schools of the township. He was married, in January, 1873, to Mary Ellen Hotz. She was born in Ohio, and is a daughter of J. W. Hotz, Sr., also an old settler here. They have four children, all girls — Lil- lian A., Sedalia M., Sarah J., Bertha G. His farm consists of eighty acres, but he is farm- ing part of the old homestead also. He has been Town Treasurer of Schools since April, 1877. He is Democratic in politics, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Griffin Tipsword, his great grand- father, was the first white settler in Effingham County. (See sketch of Griffin Tipsword in the General History of the County.) Ashby Tipsword was the son of Isaac, and Isaac Tipsword was the son of Griffin. Ashby Tipsword, the father of G. W., was the first Supervisor after the township was organized, and was elected a number of times in succes- sion. He was one of the foremost men in the organization of the township and was one of the leading men in the township. Although his education was quite limited, he was often called on to write wills, administer on estates, and was the referee in man}' cases of litigation, but never got into lawsuits himself For a num- ber of years he was School Treasurer of the township, and was succeeded at his death by his son, G. W. Mr. Tipsword started in life with nothing, but at his death had about 550 acres of land besides personal and town prop- ert}'. He was a veterinary' surgeon, and was called in all directions and at all times, and with his love of hunting he became known to all the settlers for many miles around. He was a man with many peculiarities, but the friend of all. He was a great lover of fun, but not such as would injure any one. He was married, in Marcb, 1849, to Sarah J. Powell. He was buried with Masonic honors in the MOCCASIN TOWNSHIP. 237 cemetery near Moccasin, and a good stone, erected b}- his famil}-, marks his resting place. W. F. WOHLFORD, farmer, P. O. Altamont, ■was born in Knox Countj', Ohio, May 15, 1848, to Joiin and Catharine (Kremer) Wohlford. He was born in Center County, Penn. ; she, also, in the same count}-. They were married in Wayne County, Ohio, May 19, 1865. They landed in Freeport, 111., and lived in Stephen- son County, within four miles of the State line, until the time of their death. He died in Stephenson Count}- in the winter of 1872. His occupation was that of a farmer. She died in 1876, in Richland County, Ohio. Our subject was raised on a farm and was educated in the common schools of Ohio. November 25, 1868, he came from Stephenson Count}- to Effing- ham County, and since that time P]ffingham County has been his home. He was married here, October 30, 1870, to Elizabeth Perry. She was born in Effingham County, 111., Janu- ary 21, 1853, to Thomas and Emeline (Balch) Perry. He was born in Kentucky and she in Indiana. Both died in this county. Mr. Wohlford has two children living — John F. and Olive Alma. Mr. and Mrs. Wohlford's home now is the old home of her parents. The farm consists of seventy-five acres, all under fence. Mr. and Mrs. Wohlford are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Crum's Chapel. He is Republican in politics and is the only one by the name that holds to that party. Mrs. Wohlford's parents were among the earliest settlers here, but Mrs. Wohlford is the only one of the family now living in this county. JOSEPH YARN ALL, farmer,N P. 0. Moc- casin. Mr. Yarnall was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, October 18, 1830. He lived in his native county till October, 1851, when he came from his old home and spent the first winter in Fayette County, 111. ; but in March, 1852, he moved to this county and lived for. two years on Wolf Creek, and then came to his present farm, which he entered from the Government. Almost the entire prairie was vacant land when he first came, and the land office was closed for about two years, waiting for a division of the railroad lands from the Government lands. Mr. Yarnall's parents moved here at the same time, and lived in this township till their death. His father. Mordecai Yaruall, was born near Brownsville Penn., March 3, 1790, and died January 22, 1871. His mother, Providence (Walraven) Yaniall, was also born at Brownsville, Penn., September 15, 1798, and died August 12, 1877. Mr. Yarnall received his education in the early schools of Ohio. His father had moved there in 1822. Mr. Yarnall has always followed farming. That was also the occupation of his father. He was married, August 11, 1851, in Ohio, to Mary McNeely. She was born in Greene County, Penn., but her parents had moved to Ohio when she was seven years old. She died December 9, 1881. In his family there were eight children, seven still living — Harriet Zelma, Mordecai, Emma Elizabeth, Provy Victoria, Joseph James and Mary Jane (twins), William Thomas, John Benton (deceased). Mr. Yarnall has always been a Democrat. His farm consists of 100 acres, 80 in the prairie, and adjoining the village of Moccasin. Mr. Yarnall has always been an active worker for the good of schools, and also for the town- ship. On his father's side, Mr. Yarnall's an- cestors were Euglish, they having come to America with William Penn, and his father was a Quaker till th'rty years old, when he became a Methodist. Mr. Yarnall's ancestors on his mother's side were Welsh. 238 BIOGRAPHICAL: BISHOP T JAMES C. BEARD, farmer, P. 0. Dieterich, 111., was born in Vigo County, Ind., November 2, 1829, near the State line. His motlier dj-ing when he was two years old, he spent the greater part of his youth in the family of an uncle, going to school when he could, j'et applying himself so industriously to his studies that, despite his meager opportunities, he ac- quired a better education than was common among his cotemporaries. He was early in- terested in public and national affairs, and became a close analyzer of political issues, identif\"ing himself with the Whig — afterward the Republican — party. In 1858, he came West to Illinois, and bought 120 acres of wild prairie land in Bishop Township, this count3', where he has since resided. This was several years before the township was organized, and there were only four or five families living in what is now School District 2. Wild deer roamed over the prairie in herds of fifty or a hundred, or lay hid under the tall grass, which was in places ten or twelve feet high. But Mr. Beard, then young and strong, was equal to the situation, and he soon had his fai-m fenced and a part under cultivation. He has since added to this fiirm forty acres, making in all 160 acres of prairie land, beside fifty- acres in the Island Grove, which furnishes fuel, fences, etc. He served two terms as Super- visor of Township and is serving a third term as School Trustee, and has served, also, a great niimber of terms as School Director. Mr. Beard is a man who loves a good joke, and can tell one admirably. For acute penetration and wisdom on points of law, many of our lawyers have found it to their advantage to get his opinion and counsel, which is seldom wrong and always logical. Mr. Beard was OWN SHI P. married, in the spring of 1860, to Miss Rebecca Layton, of Bishop Township, Effingham Co., 111. They have two sons and one daughter living — John, James and Clara. James Beard, father of James C. Beard, was born in Blount County, E. Teun., in 1799. He was engaged in farming and teaching school until 1822, when he went to Indiana, to look at the country with a view to moving there. He returned to Tennessee, where he soon after married Miss Jane Ewing, of Blount County, October 14, 1823. In the same year, he took his \"Oung wife to live in Vigo County, Ind., where he purchased land and engaged in farming on the Wabash River until 1858, when he moved to Bishop Township, 111., and bought land, which he farmed until his death. Before coming to Illinois, his wife died in Vigo County, 1831. Of his first marriage there were four children — Margaret I., William H., John and James C, the latter being the only one now living. Mr. James Beard was mar- ried a second time in 1835, to Mrs. Jane Caldwell, of Vigo County, Ind. For many years Mr. Beard filled the office of Justice of the Peace, also that of Township Supervisor. He died on his farm, in Bishop Township, March 3, 186-1. HERMAN CREMER, farmer, P. O. Teutop- olis, was born in Bishop Township, this county, March 19, 1852, son of John D. and A. M. (Zurliene) Cremer, natives of Hanover, Ger- many, he, born in 1811, was a farmer, and died in Bishop Township, December 29, 1870 ; she, born in 1821, and is living with our subject. They were the parents of two children, both boys. Our subject received his early educa- tion in District No. 2, Bishop Township, and commenced life at the plow. He was mar- ried in Bishop Township April 27, 1880, to BISHOP TOWNSHIP. 239 Elizabeth Hoelsher, born July 28, 1800, in St. Francis Township, this county, (laughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Fechtrup) Hoelsher, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Cremer have one son, Joseph, born October 5, 1881. Our subject lives on the old homestead, and has a farm of 190 acres, about sixty acres of which are in timber. lie carries on general farming. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace, is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. MICHAEL DIETERICH, farmer, P. 0. Dicterich, the founder of Dieterich, now a pros- perous town on the S. E. & S. E. R. R., was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 23, 1826. When fifteen 3'ears old, he came to the United States with his parents, and settled on the Muscooten, in St. Clair County, 111., where he helped to clear and subdue the wild lands which his father had settled upon ; but that father was not destined to long survive the labor and hardships incident to pioneer life, and young Michael was, at the early age of sixteen years, left fatherless and dependent in a new unsettled country. Tet undaunted and with strong hope, he hired out to work upon a farm, and continued to work b_v the month and year until 1849, when he went to Clinton County, 111., and with the money he had saved while working as a farm hand, entered 280 acres of land, the greater part of which he put in cultivation. Upon this farm Mr. Dieterich built all the necessary buildings, and otherwise improved it. At one time while living upon this farm, he engaged in the culture of grapes, having a vineyard of about seven acres, and making, some years, 4,000 gallons of native wines. In July of 1853, Mr. Dieterich was married to Miss Barbara AVingard, of Clinton County, 111., but a native of Bavaria, Oermanj'. In 1870, Mr. Dieterich sold his Clinton County farm at $65 per acre, and came to Ef- fingham County, when he at first bought one half section of prairie land in Section 13. Bishop Township. He has since acquired the remainder of the section, and also owns forty acres of timber land. This section of land was wild and unshorn, and had never known a plowshare, yet Mr. Dieterich. by his great indus- try, has fenced, and has under cultivation every foot of this land at this time. Mr. Dieterich's buildings and farm accommodations are all first-class. He is extensively engaged in stock- raising, and the baling and shipping of bay, besides raising vast crops of wheat, corn, oats, etc. He gave the right of way for the S. E. & S. E. R. R., which crosses diagonally the north half of his section. At the completion of this road, in 1880, a station was located on his land, and named in his honor, Dieterich, which was surveyed by County Surveyor A. S. Moffitt, in the fall of 1880. The town is plat- ted in nine blocks, of twelve lots each, 50x100 feet. There is, at present, ten residences, one store, two groceries, two saloons, two black- smith shops and three warehouses. Mr. Die- terich was appointed first Postmaster of Dieter- ich, by Postmaster General James, April 9, 1881. He has served three years as Road Commissioner, and has filled other public trusts at different times, all of which have proven him to be a man of great integrity and good ability. He has a large warehouse, and buys and ships grain, in which business he has been very successful. Mr. Dieterich has seven chil- dren living, and one dead. Those living are Henry, Lizzie, Minnie, Barbara, Michael, Caro- line and John. L. J. FIELD,'M. D., EUiottstown, whose por- trait appears in this work, was born in Ken- tuckj', on the 12th day of August, 1821, son of Ambrose and Elizabeth (Reeder) Field, he a native of Virginia, and died in this county, in 1855, of the cholera; she a native of Maryland, and died in 1874; they were the parents of twelve children. Our sub- ject was taken bj- his father to Edgar Coun- ty, 111., when ten years old. He worked for 24U BIOGRAPHICAL: his father on the farm in the summer time, and in the winter attended school until seven- teen years old, when he engaged in school teaching, teaching one term in Edgar County, then went back to Kentuckj', and taught one term of school there. In 1840, he returned to Edgar Countj' and engaged in school teaching until 1849, when tie came to Effingham County, and taught three terms of school here; during the time he was teaching in Edgar County, he was also engaged in the study of medicine, having commenced the study of medicine when seventeen years old, and he made it a special study; he came to this county for the purpose of practicing medicine, and in 1852 he gave up teaching and went to practicing ; when he first caine here the people were verj' few and there was no other doctor in the vicinity for some time afterward. He has an extensive practice extending over the greater part of Effingham County. In the fall of 1861 (about the 1st of November), he enlisted in Company D, Fifty- fourth Illinois' Volunteers, and was Hospital Steward until about the 1st of July, 1862, when he resigned and came home on a fur- lough ; went back about the 1st of October, remained there until about the last of Novem- ber, 1862, when he was discharged for disabil- itj-; he came back to Elliottstown and contin- ued his practice. He was married, February- 3, 1843, to Frances T. Courey, of Edgar County, III., born February 14, 1825 (same age as Gen. Hancock), in Kentuckj', daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Riie^-) Conrey, he of New York, she of North Carolina. The parents had nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Field are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living — Melinda, wife of Cicero Quillin; Mary F., wife of T. J. Dunn, of Elli- ottstown; Susan, wife of B. B. Williams, liv- ing in Elliottstown, 111.; Abraham A., living ifl Collinsville, Madison Count}'; William D., lives in Effingham, 111.; Henry, at home; John, at home. Our subject owns a nice residence in Elliottstown, and is comfortably situated; he has been Township Clerk and School Trust- ee. In politics, he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Elliottstown Lodge, A., F. & A. M. Mrs. Field is a member of the Baptist Church. SAMUEL FIELD, farmer, P. O. Veni, was born March 1, 1833, in Edgar County, 111.; he lived on the farm until he was eleven }-ears old, when his parents moved to Effingham County, and settled in Bishop Township, near Elliotts- town. In 1844, his father bought a small im- provement of a man by the name of Thomas Walls, but afterward entered 180 acres of Gov- ernment land. The first school taught in this section of the county was taught by his brother. Dr. Louis Field, on John L. Batty's place; Samuel attended this school two terms, after which he went several terms to a school south of Elliottstown. When he became of age, he bought land of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and began farming on a part of his present farm. He nows owns 180 acres, 160 of which are prairie, all in cultiva- tion; he has lived upon this farm for twenty- five years, and raises both grain and stock; he also has a large saw mill. Mr. Field has held various township offices for nine years; he was Justice of the Peace, being elected before the township organization. He has served eight terms as Supervisor of Bishop Township, be- ing chosen by the Democratic party, with which he has always acted. He has been prominentl}- named for the first office in the county. He was married in 1856 to Miss Ma- tilda Lay ton, of Bishop Township, this county. They have living seven sons and three daugh- ters ; the sons are William P., John R., Clark, Edward, Charles, Layton and Frank ; the daughters are Mary, Rebecca and Ella; three of their children died while young. FREDERICK G. HABING, merchant, Die- terich, was born in Oldenburg, German}-, in the year 1848. He came to the United States with BISHOP TOWNSHIP. 241 his parents when he was less than a j^ear old. He settled with his parents on a farm near Teutopolis, where he grew up working on the farm and attending school until his twentj'- fifth year, when he began buying produce and continued in business in Teutopolis until 1881, when he went to Dieterieh, buying four lots and erecting the first business house built in that new town. He opened his store at that place, consisting of a well-selected stock of dr}' goods, groceries, etc., the 14th da^- of January, 1881, where he has since done a good business. He is also engaged in buying grain and burning brick. He is the first and only Station Agent of the S. E. & S. E. R. R. Co., and is also agent for the Pacific Express Companj'. He was married in 1872, to Miss Mary Taphorn, of St. Louis. Two children of this marriage are living, John and Frank. His wife died in 1878. Was married second time to Mar}- FLiek, of Teutopolis, who died in September, 1879. Married third wife, in 1881, Sophia Meyer, of Jasper County, III. John G. Hab- ing, the father of our subject, was born in Old- enburg, German}- ; lived there as a farmer un- til 1849, when he came to tiie United States and settled in Illinois, in Effingham County, near Teutopolis. He was married to Engle Robe, of Oldenburg, by whom he had a family of four sons and three daughters. He died November 12, 1865; his wife is still living. HENRY HELMBRECHT, farmer, P. 0. Elliottstown. Henr}- Helrabrocht is a native of the Stale of Hanover, Germany, born in 1834, and resided in his native country, working on a farm and attending public schools until 1853, when he emigrated to the United States. Landing at New Orleans, he then went to Louisville, Ky., via the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. At Louisville, he stopped but a few months, when he went to Jackson County, Ind., and bought a farm near Seymour, which he farmed three years, and then, in 1856, came to Jasper County, 111. For the next three years he worked as a common farm hand in Jasper, Coles and Cumberland Counties. In 1862, he came to Bishop Township, Effingham County, and bought eighty acres of prairie land, upon which he has since resided and farmed. As a farmer, Mr. Helrabrecht has, by his industry and attention to business, been very successful. His early education was thorough and practi- cal, and has been greatly enlarged by extensive reading and by an interchange of thought with leading men upon the various issues and ques- tions of the day. He was married, in 1862. to Miss Mary Diesler, of Effingham County. Seven children have blessed their wedded life, whose names are Caroline, Anna, Mary, William, August, Henr}' and George. THOMAS A. JACKSON, farmer, P. 0. Montrose, 111. " Hope springs eternal in the human Vireast ; Man never is, but always to be ble.st." Such seem to have been the actuating princi- ples with Thomas A. Jackson, in a very marked degree, for he has roamed about nearly all his life seeking blessings, yet never stopping long enough to receive them. He was born in Kent County, Del., in the year 1824, where he lived until he was sixteen j'ears old, working on a farm and attending to school. In 1840, in company with his uncle, George W. Jack- son, he went to Logan County, Ohio, where he worked three j-ears at the wagou-makcr's trade. In 1843, ho went to Maryland, and from thence went in company with his father to Philadelphia, where he finished his trade, working there sixteen months. In 1844, he went back to Logan County, Ohio, and worked at his trade there until 1850, when he went to Clay County, Ind., and remained there three j-ears. He came to Cumberland Count}-, 111., in 1853, and engaged in flvrraing, working at his trade only at intervals. In 1866, he was burnt out and came to Effingham, where he lived six months, then traded town prop- erty for a farm in Watson Township, where he 243 BIOGRAPHICAL: farmed with good success for several j'ears. He next moved to Lucas Township, where he farmed about three years. lu 1874, he moved near Montrose, in St. Francis Township, where he owned a farm of sixty acres, and lived until 1876. In that 3'ear, he moved to Montgomery Count3', Mo. Again, in 1878, he went back to his native State of Delaware, where he re- mained about one year, working at his trade, when he again returned to Effingham County, 111. At the close of the year 1878, he went to Kentucky and worked at his trade three months ; then returned to Illinois, moving on a farm in Bishop Township, Effingham Count}', where he has since resided. He was married in 1 849 to Miss L. J. Westfall, of Ohio. Of this marriage he had twelve children. His wife died in 1876, and he was married a second time in 1877 to Mrs. Martha Tenny. They have two children. PETER T. JOHANSElN: farmer, P. O. Veni, 111. But few men have had a more remark- able life, so full of dangers and hardships, as Peter T. Johansen, who was born in the east- ern part of Denmark, on the Island of Zealand, of the Baltic Sea, November 21, 1833. His father was a farmer, but Peter loved better the wild, venturesome life of the sea, and when a mere lad learned to steer a boat and hoist and trim the sail. His uncle was harbor master and pilot, and Peter would often accompany him on short coasting V03'ages to trade with the people farther up the Baltic. His very , childhood was thus spent on the sea, and it is no wonder he grew up to like it better than the land. At the age of fourteen, he shipped on a coaster which was to trade with Norway and Sweden, and his education being better than that of the rest of the crew, he did the clearing of the vessel at each port. One 3ear later, 1848, he made a trip to Iceland as sailor -'be- fore the mast," and was wrecked on the coast of Iceland. After buffeting with the waves for several hours, he managed to float ashore, and was soon after carried back to Denmark in the main vessel. Again, in 1849, during the Ger- man war, we find him super-cargo of several grain vessels bound for London, England. While in the North Sea, lift}- miles out from the mouth of the Thames, he fell from the topsail-yard, a distance of fifty or sixty feet, breaking his right leg in three places, and crushing his right ankle and breaking his left leg, and causing the re- moval of a section of his spinal column. After lying several weeks on board ship without medical treatment, he was taken to London and recovered. He returned home and studied navigation with a view of becoming teacher in a maratime school. When the Australian gold excitement broke out in 1853, he abandoned his studies and went as passenger to the new El Dorado. He passed around Cape of Good Hope and returned five 3'ears later by Cape Horn, thus circumnavigating the globe. He worked five years in the mines of Australia with varying fortune, and returned to Europe on Christmas, in 1858. Tired of sea- fiiring and discouraged at his failure to realize a fortune m the gold mines of Australia, he took passage for the United States in the spring of 1859. Landing in New York, he pushed on west to Illinois, first stopping in Old Ewington, Effling- ham County, where he took out his papers of naturalization and signed for the county paper. In the spring of 1859, he bought lands in Bishop Township of the I. C. R. R. Co., which he improved and still lives upon. He estab- lishedthe Veni Post Office during Lincoln's first administration, and has been the first and only Postmaster. Besides being Postmaster at Veni, he is Town Clerk and Township Treasurer; the latter office he has held for twenty years. Mr. Johansen is a man of good business capacity and has been prominent!}- named for County Treasurer. He is now in his forty-ninth year, and the earl}' hardships of his sea-faring life have left but few traces upon him, except to render him a little lame in one leg and slightly BISHOP TOWNSHIP. 343 stiflf in the back from the terrible fall he received in the North Sea. Our subject was married in 1870 to Miss Mary J. Layton, of this connt>'. They have five children, all living. WILLIAM T. MARKS, farmer, P. 0. Die- tcrich, was born in Vigo County, Ind., in the year 1834. At the age of three years, he moved with his father to Edgar County, 111., where he worked on a farm and attended the public school until the spring of 1847, when he moved with his parents to Kllingham Countj'. Here his father settled on Government land in Bishop Township, and William continued to attend school and work on the farm. .'Mr. Marrs has since bought land adjoining this purchase which, with his father's estate, constitutes his present farm. ^Ir. Marrs was married in Julj-, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, of Franklin. They have five children living — one daughter, Isaljell, a school teacher, and four sons, Edgar, William, Frank and Archer. Edgar, the oldest, is engaged in the profession of school-teaching. William Marrs, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 179G, and came to Terre Haute, Ind., in the year 1808, where he farmed until 1837, when he came to Illinois. He died in Effingham County, in February, 1848. He was married to Miss Anna Ussery, in 1817, a native of Tennessee, born in 1798. They had eleven children, two boys and one daughter yet living. JOHN HENRY METTE, farmer, P. 0. Teu- topolis, was born in Hanover, Germany, De- cember 1, 1807. lie came to the United States in 1840, and lived seven years in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a farmer in his native country', and tliat has been his occupation all of his life. He purchased the place where he now resides while still in Cincinnati. It consisted then of forty acres, having a log house upon it, which can still be seen, it having been joined onto the new house which was erected in 1860. Our subject made subsequent purchases until now the farm consists of 284^ acres. He has been twice married, his first wife dying in Cincinnati. He has six children living. (See names in sketch of Joseph Herman Mettc.) One of the boys is in Colorado, and Joseph runs the home farm. Our subject is the oldest living settler in his neighborhood, and though past sevent3-- five years of age is still enjoying good health, and looks well for his years; though as one of the old pioneers, he has been through the many trials incident to pioneer life. When he first came here, the country abounded in game of all kinds, and he has shot many a deer while standing in his own dooryard. JOSEPH HERMAN METTE. farmer, P. 0. Teutopolis, was born in Bisiiop Township, this county, March 18, 1850, son of John Henry and Maria Katharina (Ossenbcck) Mette, farmers in Bishop Townsliip, she born in Oldenburg, Ger- many, in 1816. (See sketch of the fother else- where.) Our subject received his early educa- tion in District No. 2, Bishop Township, and started in life as a farmer, which occupation he has f(jllowed all his life. He was born and raised on the home farm whicii he now man- ages. It consists of 284^ acres of good land, containing good buildings and an unfailing sup- ply of water. 3Ir. Mettc engages in general farming. He has two brothers and three sisters — ^Mary, Frank, Henr^-, Kate, Barney and Anna. Mary and Kate arc married. Our subject is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. He has filled the office of Over- seer of Highway's. He is unmarried. D. W. RICHARD, blacksmith, Dicterich, was born in Brown County, Ind., April 26, 1838. He lived in Indiana for sixteen years working on a farm, and attended public school during the time but three months. In 1854, he came to Jasper County, 111., with his father, where he lived and worked on a farm four years, when he married Miss Margaret Gibson, of Brown County, Ind., and removed to Richland County, HI., where he worked at the carpenter trade for one year. In 1859, he came to Eflling- 244 BIOGRAPHICAL: ham County and remained there until Decem- ber, 1860, when he joined his fortunes with those of the Union and went as a volunteer in Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry, Company K. He was sent to Missouri and served in the FirstDivisionof the Western Department, under Gen. W. P. Carlin, until the summer of 1861, when his company became a part of Gen. Steele's army, and marched into Kansas. His company was again put under the command of Gen. Carlin, with whom he marched to Pitts- burg Landing, reaching that place a few days after Grant's victory. He afterward took part in the battles of Murfreesboro, Perryville and Chiekamauga, and the last day's fight at Nashville, at which place, after having served his country three 5'ears, he was honorably dis- charged, December 8, 1864, and returned home. He then engaged in farming, which was aban- doned two years later for the business of saw milling, in which he engaged with his father, on the Little Wabash River. In 1876, he worked at the blacksmith trade, then moved into Christian County, 111., and farmed two years. He came back to Jasper County in 1879 and opened a blacksmith shop at Latona, where he worked until 1880, when he moved to Effingham Count}' and set up a shop at Dieterich, where he has since worked at his trade. He now has his second wife, to whom he was married in 1880. His first wife died in 1878. He has three children. DR. C. A. VANDRE, Dieterich, son of Carl and Mary (Gensch) Vandre, was born in Niagara County, N. Y., September 30, 1849. When he was twelve years old, his parents came to Efflngh.am County, 111., and settled in Mound Township. He was educated in the common and church schools of New York and Illinois. In the year 1879, he entered the office of Dr. Yarletz, of Altamont, and began the stud}' of medicine. He had, previous to this time, been reading while working upon the farm. During 1880 and 1881, he attended the Bennett Medical College of Chicago. In the foil of 1881, he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in January, 1882, and located in Dieterich, in August of the same year, for practice. Dr. Vandre is a man who has en- ergj' and ability, and although but recently located at Dieterich he has made many warm friends and is growing into a fine practice. ST. FRA]N'CIS TOWI^SHIP. ARNOLD J. BIISSMANN, farmer, P. 0. Teutopolis, was born in Teutopolis Township, this count}', August 17, 1847, son of A. Joseph and Elizal)eth (Buchhorst) Bussmann. (See sketch of Barney Bussmann elsewhere.) Our subject received his early education in Teu- topolis, this count}', and commenced life as a farmer. He was married February 8, 1876, in Teutopolis, this county, to Mary Shleper, born in Teutopolis September 3, 1854, daughter of Frank and Kate (Neuhause) Shleper, natives of Germany, he born September 18, 1818 ; sho April 1, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Bussmann have four children — Anna, born January 13, 1877; Joseph F., born January 12, 1879; Mary F., born February 4, 1881, and Clemens John, born December 10, 1882. Oursubject enlisted in 1865 in the Sixth Illinois Calvary, Company C, Capt. Robert Bradley, and was engaged in many skirmishes, receiving an honorable discharge. He now has 145 acres of well-im- proved land, part of which is in timber. The ST. FRANCIS TOWNSHIP. 245 farm is situated two miles from Teutopolis. He engages in general farming. He is a mem- ber of the Catiiolic Cliurcli, and in politics is a Republican. BARNEY BUSSMANN, farmer, P. O. Teu- topolis, was born in Teutopolis Township, this county, April 27, 1853, son of A. Joseph and Elizabeth (Buchhorst) Bussmann, both natives of Oldenburg, Germany, he, a farmer, born October 13, 1801, and died December 3, 1855, in Teutopolis Township, this county ; she, born in 1817, and died in the same place as her husband, April 25, 1873. They were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter. Our subject received his education in Teutopolis, this county, and started in life as a farmer. He has lived in this county all of his life, and now has a good farm of 105 acres in St. Francis Township, and forty acres of timber in Teutopolis Township. He carries on farming in its most important branches, lie was married in Teutopolis, thjs county, April 29, 1879, to Sophia Frichtel, born July 12, 1861, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Han- deimeir) Frichtel, natives of Bavaria. Germany, he, born December 25, 1835 ; she, January 20, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Bussmann have two chil- dren^William Barney, born September 1&, 1880, and Mary Josephine, born April 14, 1882. Our subject is a member of the Cath- olic Cluirch, and in politics is a Democrat. GKORGE W. EBBKRT, farmer, P. 0. Mont- rose, was born in Perry County, Ohio, July 20, 1841, son of Edward and Sena (Wilkins) Eb- bcrt ; he, a carpenter, born in 1807, in Mary- land, and died July 3, 1867, in Center Point, Clay County, Ind.; she, a native of Ohio, born in 1811, and is living in Jasper County, tliis State, with L. M. Ebbert. The parents had seven children — three sons and four daughters. Our subject received his education in Clay County, Ind., and at Center Point, same count}', he engaged in tlie saw-mill business, which was his first occupation in life. He was mar- ried in the same county, March 19, 1863, to Nancy J. Gibbens, born in Clay County, Ind., February 19, 1846, daughter of Nathan A. and Mary (Hicks) Gibbens ; he, a native of Virginia, she of Clay County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Ebbert had one daughter, ^Minnie Ida, born February 8, 1868, in Clay County, Ind. Our subject was married a second time, Novem- ber 28, 1878, in this county, to Jlary Frances Gibbens, born in Clay County, Ind., November 11, 1852, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Gibbens, of this county. Mr. Ebbert ran a saw-mill for many j-ears, since which he has been engaged in farming pursuits. He served three months in the United States Army. He came to this county in 1875, having purchased, in 1872, eighty acres of prairie land, at $18.75 per acre. He has made manj- substantial im- provements on the place, and engages in farm- ing in its various branches. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is a Repub- lican in politics. HERMAN ENGELBARTS, farmer, P. O. Teutopolis, was born in Oldenburg, Germany, January 30, 1837. son of Folkers and Gretke (Peks) Engelbarts ; he, a farmer, born in Olden- burg, Germany, in 1794, and died in the same place in 1851; she, born in Hanover, Germany, in 1800 and is still living in her native country, with Mr. Henry Engelbarts. The parents had four children, two snns and two daughters. Our subject received his education in Schort- ens, Germany. He came to the United States May 21, 1863, landing in New York City, thence to Indiana, in whicli State he lived a year, and was then for six yetxrs engineer in a mill west of Effingham. Having purchased, in 1865, fifty-six acres of land, he moved on to it in 1870; improved it, and has made subse- quent purchases. He now has a farm of ninety- six acres, and he engages in farming in the various branches. In 1870, he donated the land on which the Lutheran Church now stands, this being the first action in the movement 246 BIOGRAPHICAL: seeking the erection of a church of that faith Our subject has been married three times ; his tirst wife died, the second was accidentally killed by a tree falling upon her. His third marriage occurred February 26, 1871, in Island Grove, this county. He wedded Mina Diekel, a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, born in 1848, a daughter of John and Maria (Steinaker) Diekel, natives also of Mecklenburg, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Engelbarts have had six children, of whom three are living — Louisa Carolina, born November 18, 1877; Johan Fritz, born De- cember 29, 1880 ; and Herman Bernhard, born October 8, 1882. Mr. Engelbarts has filled the office of School Director. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics has alwa^-s been a Republican. NEWTON W. GIBBENS, farmer and stock- man, P. 0. Montrose, was born in Winchester, Frederick Co., Va., May 2, 1833, son of Jacob and Mary A. (Pierce) Gibbens, he a farmer born in Frederick County, Va., in 1782, and died in Clay County, Ind., in 1846; she born in Harri- son County, Va., in 1790, and is still living in this count}'. The parents had seven children — five sons and two daughters. Our subject received his education in Clay and Vigo Coun- ties, Ind., and was a farmer in early life. He lived in his native State but three j'ears, hav- ing removed with his father to Wayne County, Ind., where the family resided for five j^ears. They then moved to Claj' County, Ind., where they lived for the following sixteen years. Our subject came to this county in 1852, and entered 120 acres of Government land at $1.25 per acre. In 1857, he came here to live, and he rented a farm for two years, afterward moving on to his own place and improving it. From time to time he added more land, and now has over 1,000 acres, the bulk of which, about 800 acres, lies in this county, the balance being in Cumberland County. He also has property in Effingham City. Mr. Gibbens was one of the incorporators of the Vandalia Railroad. He is now one of the commissioners in this coun- ty. Our subject was married in St. Francis Township, this county, March 15, .1857, to Julia A. Rolph, born in Logan County, Ohio, October 21, 1838, daughter of James M. and Anna M. (Jump) Rolph, both natives of Kent County, Md., he born on Independence Day, 1814, and she, on Christmas of the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbens have six children — Maria Isabel, Newton Edgar, Albert S., Percy and Earl and Pearl twins, born August 3, 1878. Our subject has served his county many times in an official capaeitj', having been Township Clerk, Road Commissioner, Justice of the Peace for about fourteen .years. Supervisor, School Treasurer eighteen jears, and also a Trustee and a Director. He was also enrolling officer and Provost Marshal in this county. He is at present engaged in the various branches of farming, and handles and feeds stock in the winter. He is an A., F. & A. M., Effingham Lodge, No. 149. In politics, he is a Democrat. THOMAS GILES, farmer, P. 0. Montrose, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in the month of June, 1819, son of James and Sarah (Maser) Giles, natives also of England; he was a farmer and died in Indiana; she died in her native country. They were the parents of two children, both bo^-s. Our subject received his early education in Little Downam, Cambridge- shire, Eng. He came to the United States May 1, 1852, landing in New York City, and lived five months in Niagara County, N. Y., where he worked on a farm. Shortly afterward he be- came a section boss on the Evansville & Crawfordsville Railroad, in Indiana, and was thus engaged for twelve years. He was mar- ried the first time in 1855 to Ann Storton, and by her had one boy — Joseph, born June 30, 1856. His second marriage occurred in 1864, in Terre Haute, Ind. He married Mrs. Nancy Ryland, born May 2, 1E19, in Bullitt County, Ky., daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Brown) Clark, he born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1796, ST. FRANCIS TOWNSHIP. 247 she in Bullitt County, Ky., in October, 1799. Our subject has three children deceased. Mr. Giles came to St. Francis Township, this coun- ty, in 1875, and purchased 200 acres of unim proved land for $2,000. He has made substan- tial improvements upon the place and engages in general farming. In politics, is a Democrat. FERDINAND HATTRUP, farmer, P. O. Teutopolis, was born in Westphalia, Germanj^, January 24, 1832, a son of B. H. and Katharina (Tuenskamper) Ilattrnp, natives also of West- phalia, German}', he, a farmer, born April 8, 1801, and died in 1877, in St. Francis Town- ship, this county ; she was born in 1805, and died in 1872, in this count}'. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are liv- ing. Our subject received his schooling in his native town, and carpentering was his first oc- cupation, afterward giving his attention to agricultural pursuits. He came with his father to the Uiiitel States in 1852, coming to St- Francis Township, where his father purchased 160 acres of land, remaining on it five 3-ears. Our subject then purchased eighty acres for $385, the land nearest the timber being the best. All kinds of game were plentiful at this time, and Terre Haute, Ind., contained the nearest mill. Mr. Hattrup afterward added three more eighties, and now has a farm of 320 acres of good land, containing an orchard and a sub- stantial frame house, two-story, 30x36, with cellar. Mr. Hattrup engages in farming in its various branches. He was married, February 11, 1857, at Teutopolis, this county, to Anna Mary Bcste, born in Germany March 5, 1835i daughter of Bernbard and Katharina L. (Boch- trup) Beste. natives also of German}' ; he was born in 1803. Mr. and Mrs. Hattrup have six children — Henry. Katharina, Ferdinand, Hu- bert, John and George. Our subject has been Township Treasurer for four years, and is now Township Tax Collector, and has filled several other offices. lie is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. H. B. HEICKEN, farmer, P. 0. Montrose, was born in the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, on Christmas Day. 1817, son of H. B. and Taike Maria (Pierstick) Heieken ; he, a farmer, born in 1763. in Oldenburg, Germany, and died in the same place ; she, born in Han- over, Germany, in 1778, and died in Schoost, Oldenburg, Germany, in 1858. They were the parents of eight children, of whom three are now living. Our subject received his education in Schortens, Oldenburg, Germany, and car- pentering was the occupation in which he was first engaged. He was united in marriage, March 24, 1842, in Schoost, Germany, to Rexte Margarcta Willms, born February 10, 1819, in Sangewarden, Germany, daughter of Johan and Hieme M. (Heieken) Willms, natives of Olden- burg, German}- ; he was born in 1789, she in 1793. Mr. and Mrs. Heieken have had seven children, of whom there are four living — Talke Maria, Johan Willms. Herman Behrens, who are in Washington, and Henry Jurgens Harms, who resides in Kansas. Our subject was in the Oldenburg army for six years, but was not act- ively engaged. He came to the United States in June, 1875, landing in Baltimore, Md. Dur- ing the first year, he visited his friends and rel- atives, and three years following he lived in Green Garden, Will Co., 111., and then removed to St. Francis Township, this county, where he purchased sixty acres of prairie and ten acres of timber laud for $1,300, on which he carries on general farming. He is a Lutheran in re- ligion, and a Republican in politics. Mr. Heicken's grandson — Eilert Jansen Reents — is living with him. He was born February 27, 1867, in Wiefels, Oldenburg, Germany, a son of Lubbe and Hieme C. (Heieken) Reents natives also of Oldenburg, Germany, where the father still lives. He was born March 5, 1836 ; the mother was born June 14, 1847, and died in her native country August 22, 1877. They were the parents of two children — Herman Behrens, and our subject. Herman was born 248 BIOGRAPHICAL: June 11, 1873. Our subject went to school in his native town, and also in Jever and Schor- tens. He has also attended school since com- ing to America. He arrived in this country in October, 1881, landing in New York City. He learned to read the English language in four months. He is a bright and promising young man, and belongs to the Lutheran Church. GERHARD SIEFKEN, farmer, P. 0. Teu- topolis, ia a native of Hanover, Germany, born March 28, 1835, a son of Tobias and Marguer- ette (Pierstick) Siefken, natives also of Han- over, Germany, where they also died. They were farmers, and the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters. Our subiect received his education in the old country, going to school at Etzer, Hanover, German}'. He came to the United States in 1854, landing in New York City, and thence to Michigan, where he was foreman on the Michigan Central R. R. for ten years. He returned to his native country in 1860, via New York and Bremen, and, after visiting his friends and relatives, he came back to this country in the following year. In 1863, he came to this count}', and purchased 160 acres of land, at $10 per acre, in St. Francis Township. His subsequent pur- chases have increased his place to 200 acres, which contains good buildings, etc., and he carries on general farming. Mr. Siefken was married in Chicago, 111., in June, 1863, to Mary Heicken, born in Oldenburg, German}-, in 1842, daughter of H. B. and Rexte Margareta (Willms) Heicken, he a native of Oldenburg, and she of Sangewarden, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Siefken have seven children — Henry, John, Johanne, Helena, Margareta, Friederich and Gerhard. Mr. Siefken has filled many offices in his county. He has been Commis- sioner of Highways six years, Tax Collector a year, and is at present filling the office of Township Supervisor. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is an Inde- pendent. DAVID SPITLER, farmer, P. 0. Montrose, was born in Jasper County, Ind., October 22, 1843, son of Wesley and Ann (Varner) Spitler, both natives of Page County, Va., he, a farmer, born October 19, 1811, and is now living in Jackson Township, this county, where he has resided for the past two years ; she, born in March, 1811, and died January 29, 1879, in St. Francis Township, this county. The par- ents had five children, three' boys and two girls. Our subject received his early schooling in his native county, and began life on his own responsibility at farming. He lived in Jasper County, Ind., until 1865, when his father came to Effingham, lived there three years, when he purchased 200 acres of land, near Montrose, at $13 per acre, which has since been improved. In October, 1807, our subject went to Missouri, returning in a year, and has since resided near Montrose. His farm now consists of 300 acres, which is under systematic cultivation and is given to farming in its general branches. Mr. Spitler was married in Jasper Count}', Ind., May 30, 1877, to Mary E. Crews, born in the latter county, April 29, 1853, daughter of J. L. and Mary A. (Green) Crews, he born November 14, 1825, in Terre Haute, Ind. ; she near Day- ton, Ohio, July 2, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Snitler have two children — Cora Ann, born February 4, 1878, and a boy, not named, born October 5, 1882. Our subject is a member of the Board of School Trustees, and in politics is a Dem- ocrat. J. J. TKOELE, farmer, P. 0. Teutopolis, was born in Kentucky November 17, 1841, son of Andrew and Angelina (Hacklaga) Thoele, both natives of Germany, he, a farmer, died in this county, she still living in St. Francis Township, this county. They have two boys now living. Our subject received his early schooling in Teutopolis, this county, and began in life as a tiller of the soil. He was married in Teutopolis, October 23, 1867, to Miss M. Fulle, born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, July 20, 1846, daughter of Jacob ST. FKANCIS TOWNSHIP. 249 and Antoinette (Grove) Fulle, natives of Ger- man)', both born in the same year, 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Thoelc liave six children, Joseph) Henry, John, Gus, Frank and Lizzie. Our subject has a farm of .SOO acres of good land, and buildings, a good share of the land being in timber. The farm is situated about one mile from the center of Teutopolis. Mr. Thoele engages in farming in its general branches. He has filled township offices, is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. JOHN THOELE, farmer, P. 0. Teutopolis, ■was born in Douglas Township, this county, December 24, 1843, son of Peter and Marianna (Stauberman) Thoele, natives of Germany; he was a farmer, and died in this county; she is at present living in Teutopolis. Thej- were the parents of eight children, three of whom are living. Our subject received his early schooling in Teutopolis, this county, and was afterward engaged in various occupations, farming, car- pentering and wagon-making, etc. He was united in marriage, January 30, 1865, in Douglas Township, this county, to Katharina Korfage, born in Watson Township, this county, November 6, 1843, daughter of G. and Franeiska (Dinggrave) Korfage, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Thoele have three children, John, born May 24, 18G7, George, born April 22, 1878, and Mary, born November 17, 1880. Our subject lived in Teutopolis for fourteen 5-ears, when, in 1879, he purchased eighty acres of laud at $17.50 per acre, which he has improved. Mr. Thoele has good build- ings on the place, and he carries on farming in its general branches. He is a man whose all represents the result of his own labors. He has been Township Clerk, School Trustee and Director and Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the Catholic Church and votes the Democratic ticket. HENRY ULHORN, farmer, P. 0. Teu- topolis, is a native of Germany, born February 22, 1844, son of John H. and Maggie (Krone) Ulhorn, natives also of Germany, he born in 1806, and died in 1876, in St. Francis Township, this county; she, born in 1808, and in living with her only son, our subject. He received his early education in Teutopolis, this countj-, and made farming his occupation for a start in life. He was married in Teutopolis, May 29, 1869, to Mary Thoele, born in this county in 1846. Her mother, Jlar}- Stauberman, was born in Ger- many. The father is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Ulhorn have three children — Mary, born July 20, 1868; Katy, born February 23, 1874, and Lizzie, born December 21, 1882. Our subject at one time learned the carpenter's trade, but has been mostly occupied at farming. He was brought to this country when but two years old, and has resided in this county ever since. He owns a 6ne farm of 240 acres, well im- proved, and contains good buildings and a health}' orchard. He carries on general farming- He is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. H. G. VAN SANDT, physician, Montrose, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, February 18, 1843, son of J. and Nancy Jane (Bowen) Van Sandt, natives of Kentucky, he, a farmer and millwright, born September 23, 1791, and died May 25, 1847, in Hamilton County, Ohio ; she, born April 3, 1804, and died in Danville, Hendricks County, Ind., July 18, 1871. The father was twice married, and had eight chil- dren, six sons and two daughters, our subject being his youngest. He received his early education in Bloomingdale, Parke County, Ind., under Prof Hobbs, and afterward attended the St. Louis Medical College, where he re- ceived his diploma. He began life as a physi- cian and a merchant. He was married Feb- ruary 8, 1871, in Jacksonville, Morgan County, 111., to Henrietta Morton, born July 15, 1849, in Keosauqua, Van Buren County, Iowa, daughter of G. and Caroline (Barton) Morton, he, born in Mt. Sterling, Ky., in 1810 ; she, in Overton County, Tenn., June 20, 1822. 250 BIOGRAPHICAL: Mr. and Mrs. Van Sandt have had five chil- dren, two of whom are living, Guy and John Arthur, three bo>-s being dead. Our subject responded to the Nation's first call for troops, enlisting in the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, Company I, Captain J. DeodufF, serv-. ing the three months, re-enlisting in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and fought with that regiment at Perryville and other engagements, and was also with Sherman in his " march to the sea," and served his country till the close of the war, after which he came to this State, afterward going to St. Louis, where he grad- uated, and then practiced five years in Mis- souri. In December, 1870, he came to St. Francis Township, where he practiced medi- cine, and also kept a drug store, and afterward a general toerchandise store. He owns 160 acres of land in this county, all of which is in cultivation, and is put to general farming. Our subject's father has a very interesting history. He owned a large plantation in Kentucky, but, being a strong Abolitionist, he liberated his slaves, and afterward became a member of the famous " Underground Railroad," on ac- count of which he was prosecuted in 1842 at Washington, D. C., Messrs. Salmon P. Chase and William H. Seward pleading his case, which, in 1846, was decided against him. This case was mentioned in a popular work entitled, " The Ferr}' Boj- and the Financier." He is also the person mentioned by Harriet Beecher Stowe in her famous "Uncle Tom's Cabin," on page 137, under the title of " Honest John Van Trompe." Our subject has filled the office of Township Trustee to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a Master Mason, and an Odd Fellow, and also a member of the Encamp- ment of the latter. He is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Van Sandt is a member of the Presb3'tcrian Church. HENRY VORMOR, farmer, P. 0. Teutopo- lis, was born in the Grand Duchy of Olden- burg, German}', October 28, 1809, son of Joseph and Engel (Busse) Vormor, natives also of Oldenburg, Germany, and both died in St. Francis Township, this county. They were farmers, and the parents of eight children, of whom our subject is the onl}' living represent- ative. He received his education in his native country, and farming has been his life occupa- tion. He came to the United States in 1831, and lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for six years, where he was married to Agnes Lot, born in Oldenburg, Germanj', in 1814, daughter of Wilhelm and Agnes (Dates) Lot, natives also of Oldenburg, Germanj-. Mr. and Mrs. Vor- mor have six children — John, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, Catharine and Caroline. After leaving Cincinnati, our subject came to what is now St. Francis Township, this county, and pur- chased 120 acres of land for S150, making subsequent additions, including one of 360 acres, which he has divided among his children. He still has 300 acres left on the home place. At one time, Mr. Vormor could have secured many hundred acres near his present place, at the extremely low price of 12^ cents per acre, which is now worth $15 per acre and up- ward. Our subject is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics, is a Democrat. UNION TOWNSHIP. 251 UNION TOWNSHIP. GEORGE V. ELLISTON, farmer, P. 0. Eb- erle, is an industrious and enterprising farmer of Union Township. He was born in Carroll Count}', Ky., August 1, 1836. He was brouglit by his parents to Jefferson County, 111., in 1842, ■wlien six years old. They remained there un- til 18G6. Subject was reared on his father's farm, and attended school in all about one year. He was married in March, 1857, to Keturah Knox, a native of Jefferson County, HI. In 1866, he came to Effingham Countj-, Union Township, and purchased a farm, where he now resides, of 100 acres, in Section 14, of which fifty acres were in cultivation. He paid $1,400 cash for the farm. His main productions are grain and grass. In April, 1865, he was drafted, and joined Company G, Forty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was in no battles. He was mustered out at Paducah, Ky., September, 1865. He has always been a Democrat, and has served in various township offices; as Assessor two terms and as Supervisor two terras. Mr. Ellis- ton belongs to the Grand Arm}- of the Repub- lic, organized at Mason. His father, Benjamin S., is a native of Kentucky, and is farming in Jasper County, 111. His mother, Susan, is a native of Kentuck}', and is living in Jasper County, 111. They had tea children, namely — Mary Catharine (deceased); George V. (subject); Robert, living in Slarion Count}-, 111.; Newton, Jasper and Thomas (deceased); Franklin, liv- ing in Jasper Count}-, 111.; Harvey M., living in Jasper County, 111., with his father; Parmelia Ann, wife of Willis Shamhart, living in Jasper County, 111.; Kliza, wife of Henry Cross, living in Effingham County, Bishop Township. Sub- ject has three children living and five dead, namely: Nancy Jane, Diamie and John William are living; Mary Catharine, Allen Olin, Samuel J. Tilden, are deceased, and two died in in- fancy. Miss Nancy Jane is a school teacher, and was born in Jefferson County, 111., Novem- ber 30, 1858. She was brought by her parents to Effingham County, in 1866. She then com- menced attending school at what is known as the Trapp Schoolhouse. She attended school there until sixteen years old, when she began teaching. She taught her first school in Dis- trict 5, Union Township. In 1875, she attend- ed the County Normal, held at Effingham, and has attended there successively six terms. She has been teaching for eight years, and during that time has taught only in three different dis- tricts, in Union Township, namely: Districts 5, 1 and 2. She is now teaching in District 2, called the Hill Schoolhouse. By her economy she has saved considerable money. WILLIAM EVANS, farmer, P. O. Elliotts- town. Among the oldest settlevs in this town- ship is Mr. Evans, who was born in Lawrence County, Ind., July 23, 1835, eldest son of Ran- som and Anna (Morris) Evans, who emigrated to this township about the year 1841, settlintr on a piece of land that he entered on the east part of Section 24. He remained on the land eight years, when he returned to Indiana, and stayed three years and then returned to this township, making his settlement on Section 25, and re- mained here until his death, January 1, 1862 ; his wife survived him until October, 1864. ' To this couple were born six children who grew up — William, Kuhamey, Louisa J., Joshua H., Rob- ert C, Amanda. Ruhamey resides in this township, wife of James Rcntfrow; Louisa, re- sides in Clay County, wife of Henry McGhee; Joshua, resides in Keokuk Count}-, Iowa; Rob- ert C, resides in Lucas Township; Amanda, resides in Clay County, wife of John McEnelly; 253 BIOGRAPHICAL: parents were members of the Cbristian Church. He was a member of the Democratic party; William, our subject, was raised in this town- ship, bemg a lad of about six years when his parents came here ; what schooling he obtained was what he got when back in Indiana three years; his early boyhood was spent on the farm, and remained at home until he became of age; he was married at the age of twenty- two, to Minerva, born in this county, daughter of John and Mary (Brockett) Trapp. After Mr. Evans was married, he settled on Section 11, where he bought forty acres at $12.50 an acre ; remained here about fifteen years ; then came to this place on Section 14, where he traded for eighty acres, and has since lived and been engaged in farming, and at the carpen- ter's trade, which he took up himself. His wife died, leaving three children — Sylvanius, Louisa F. and John H. Our subject's second marriage occurred in June, 18G6, to Fannie Simmerman, a daughter of Joseph Simmerman, and he has six children — Amanda, Charles- Joseph E., Anna, Mary F. and Jessie. He is Democratic; elected Township Assessor 1882; been Town Collector three terms, and one term Supervisor; member of the Christian Church. NELSON MARSHALL, farmer, P. 0. Elli- ottstown, is an enterprising farmer of Union Township; he was born in Pike County, Ohio; his fiither, Oliver Marshall, was a native of Maryland, was a physician and died about the year 1848; his mother, Harriet Durham, is a native of Virginia, born in the year 1817, and is living in Madison County, 111. Nelson is one of a family of seven children — Nelson, subject; John, living in Union Township; Isaac, deceased; Mary, deceased; Martha Jane, wife of 0. D. Oberlin, living in Madison County, 111.; Thomas, living in Madison County, 111. Mr. Marshall was reared in the town of Wav- erly, Ohio, until fourteen years of age; and during that time attended school there about six months in the year; after that time he went to work in a flour mill for Emmitt & Davis ; remained in the mill two years, which time he still worked for the same firm, but as canal boatman in summer, and in the winter drove team; continued in that business until 1857, which time he was married February 27, to Rebecca Davis, of Pike County, Ohio; he then engaged in farming. In November, 1859, be removed to Missouri, and engaged in chop- ping and clearing up timber land for Dr. Birch, and later worked some as drayman; in October, 1861, he removed to JIadison County, 111., and engaged in farming; in 1868, he came to Effingham County, Union Township, and farmed in different places in the township. In 1870, he purchased a farm in Union Town- ship, and removed there in 1871; he raises grain, principally wheat, corn and oats. He has nine children living, and two dead — Ma- dora, deceased; Henry, Jane and William, are living; Lilian, deceased; James, Clemmeutious, Hally Ann, Mattie Bell, Eva, Buhama and Nellie are living. WILLIAM T. MILLS, farmer, P. 0. Eberle, was born in Madison County, 111., March 6, 1835, the fourth son of a family of children born to James Mills, a Virginian, who came West to Illinois, locating in Madison County about the year 1828, where he remained until his death in March, 1848. His wife survived him until October, 1873. Of the children born to them nine grew to maturit3', of whom four arc living. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Elsie Watts, born in Kentucky, daughter of Gabriel Watts. Mr. Mills had eight own brothers and sisters, of whom there are but two living, Rachel and Sarah, both liv- ing in Madison. Rachel, Mrs. Jonathan M. Harris; Sarah, relict of Madison Kerse}-. Will- iam was left fatherless at an early age. He lived with his mother until grown. At twenty- two, he was married to Missouri McDaniel, born in Trigg County, Ky., daughter of Jacob McDaniel and Rebecca Hensberger. After UNION TOWNSHIP. 253 marriage, located there in Madison County, and farmed tlicre until November, 1863, when he located where he now resides, and bought 120 acres at a cost or average of 813 per acre, and has since added 120 acres more, making 240 in all. He has been twice married. First wife died in August, 1875. By her he has nine children, six living — Emma R., Lillie E., Laura, Julia A., Anna R. and Clara. De- ceased are Mary J., died aged twent}-- three; James L., died aged two )-ears ; Sarah, died aged nearly two j'ears. In June, 1877, our subject married Mrs. Hulda (Evans) Holt, born in this count}', daughter of Younger and Mary (Witzman) Evans, and by her has three children — Nellie, Charles and William. Mr. Mills is one of the self-made men of the township. When he began for himself, he began with one horse, and com- menced by renting, and continued until he came to this county. There were but little improvements on the place at the time of his purchase. He is a Republican in politics. H. N. RUFFNER, farmer, P. O. Mason. Among the solid farmers and prominent men of this township is Harrison Ruffner. He was born January 16, 1834, in Fairfield County, Ohio, eldest son of Andrew and Betsey (Leith) Ruffner. Andrew Ruffner was born in Vir- ginia about the year 1805, and removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, with his father, who was one of the first settlers in that locality. He died in that county in 1842. His wife survived him until 1868. having had five chil- dren born them that grew up — Harrison N., Lucas, Andrew, Margaret and Dorothea, who are variously located. Lucas is an attornej' at law and resides in Arkansas. Andrew, in Prescott, Arizona. Margaret resides in Mason Township, this county, wife of Charles Wilson. Dorothea resides in Washington Territory, wife of Ralph Warren. Harrison was left fatherless at the age of eight years, and lived with his mother until fourteen years of age. when he came to this State with his uncle, David Leith, and lived with him in this county until he became twenty 3-ears of age. He then hired out by the month, continuing four years, commencing at $18 per month. July 19, 185!), he married Catharine White, a native of Bond County, and a descendant of one of the early settlers there. She was for several years em- ployed as a teacher in that county. After his marriage, he located on the farm he now owns, his first purchase being fifty-seven acres, at a cost of S13 per acre, upon which there were no buildings and but little improvements. He has since added to his first purchase, until he now has 340 acres of land as the result of his labor and good management. Of seven chil- dren born him six are living, viz.. Alma, George, Andrew, Edward, Walter and Flor- ence. Ella died, aged seven. Mr. Ruffner is a thorough and progressive farmer ; not a mem- ber of any church. Is a prominent local worker and officer in the Masonic order. Is a member of A., F. & A. M., No. 217, and R. A. M., No. 76 ; has served as W. M. three years in the former, and ten years as High Prie'ot in the Chapter. JOSEPH SIMMERMAN, farmer, P. 0. El- liottstown, was born in Virginia January 11, 1824. He was reared on his father's farm in Virginia, and attended school some little in the winter season. In the spring of 1841, he and his parents removed to Effingham Count}' and settled in Mason Prairie on wild prairie land. In 1844, at the age of twenty, ho was married to Delia J. Wallace, a native of Kentucky. He entered a piece of land adjoining his father's farm and remained there twelve years, until 1856, wliich time he sold out and removed to Flemsburg, a place on the little Wabash River. He worked some at farming there and also in a mill for about two years, until 1868, which time he sold out and came to Trapp Prairie. He purchased a farm and remained on it about ten years. In 1868, he sold out and came to 254 BIOGRAPHICAL: the farm he now occupies. His father, Ahart Simmerman, was a native of Virginia. His mother, Mahala Kamsey, was also a native of Virginia. Thej- had six children, namelj' : Oldest died in infauc}'; Joseph, subject; Mary Jane, Thomas, Susan, Calvin, all deceased. Subject's wife died in 1854, on Mason Prairie. He has three children living and two dead, namely: Fannie, wife of William Evans, living in Union Township; Susan, deceased ; Mahala J., wife of George Merr}', living in Lucas Townshii^ ; Amanda, deceased ; Ahart, living in Union Township. UKE STKOUD, farmer, P. O. Elliottstown, is a substantial farmer and one of Union Town- ship's first settlers. He was born in Orange County, Ind., February 20, 1831. He was brought by his parents to Effingham County, Union Township, in 1840, when nine years old. They settled in Lucas Township at a place called Bishop Point. He was reared on his father's farm, and for the first three j-ears they were there, no school existed in the neighbor- hood. In 1843, the community and neighbors built a log schoolhouse south of Elliottstown. And there, at fourteen years of age, was the first school subject ever attended. He attend- ed school there for two winters about two months each winter; during that time he learned to read and spell to some extent, afterward helped his father improve his farm. When they first came to this count}', it was infested with wolves. Thej' had a very fine colt about three months old, and ou going out one morn- ing found that the wolves had killed their pet and had about half eaten it. And on another time he was sent by his father with a yoke of oxen to Ream's mill, in Jasper County. On returning home, was walking along and driving his team and was attacked by three wolves. He managed to get into the wagon box, and by beating on the box with his whipstalk, kept them awa}'. At the age of eighteen, he com- menced working out by the month in this and northern counties. At one time, he hired to Thomas Steward to help drive cattle to Chi- cago. When arriving at a place called " Dead Man's Grove," one of the party, John Hartley, was taken sick. They did all that was in their power to check the disease and to make him comfortable, and having their cooking utensils with them, they killed a blue crane and made him some soup, from which he ate, and in a short time was able to go on their trip to- ward Chicago. In 1851, he came back to Lucas Township and purchased forty acres of wild laud and worked on it one year. In the fall of 1852, sold out and bought eighty acres in Jasper County, 111., now in South Muddy Township. On the 3d of December, 1853, was married to Sarah Jane Kether's, a native of Orange County, Ind. She was born in the year 1839. He was engaged in farming in Jasper Count}' until 1857, which time sold out and re- moved to Eureka, Livingston Co., Mo. He re- mained there in Livingston and Marion Coun- ties, and engaged in farming until February, 1861, which time he sold out and came back to Jasper County, and remained there until the spring of 1862, when he sold out and pur- chased a farm in Union Township of 160 acres. It was nearly all wild land; thirt}' acres were in cultivation. Now he has it all in cultivation. In fall of 1864, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and on the 12th of November was on the raid with Sherman through Georgia. He was in the siege of Atlanta, which lasted thirteen days, and two da3-s and nights in tiie siege of Co- lumbia. In the siege of Fatesville, which last- ed about three da3'S, and also in the siege of Goldsboro two days and nights. There he was taken sick with the chronic diarrhoea and taken to the hospital at Goldsboro. He lay there four days. He then was sent to Buford, N. C, was re-examined and sent to a hospital in New York City, and remained there until May 25, 1865, which time he was dis- UITION TOAVNSHIP. 355 charged and came back to his farm in Union Township, and has been engaged in farming ever since. He raises grain — principally wheat, corn and oats. His father, Thomas Stroud, was a native of Orange County, lud., born 1805, and died in Union Township December 31, 1870. His mother, Eliza Aston, was also a native of Orange Countj', Ind., born in the year 1813, and died in Lucas Township in the year 1852. His father married again, in 1858, to Rena Blakelj-. He had thirteen children by first marriage and two bj' last marriage, namely: Joseph (deceased), Ure (subject), Isaiah (de- ceased), John (deceased), Eliza Vandalia, wife of Nelson Tilton, living in Iowa; Lucretia Van- dania, wife of James H. Cooper, living in Pike County, 111.; Ner, living in Lucas Township; Samuel, living in Lucas Township; Ephraim Joy, on last hearing from, was in Kansas; Na- thaniel Scarlet, was killed in battle of Hickory Station, Ark.; Austin and Nails (twins), Austin living in Washington Territor3', Nails living in Union Township; Cava Lambert (de- ceased); those are by first marriage. Helena and Irena, by second marriage. Subject has two children living and seven dead, namely : Clayborne, Cora Ann, Cora Ann again, Mary Jane, are dead. Frances Matilda (living), Sarah (deceased), Ner (living), Samuel and Thomas Stephens are dead. Subject's wife died in the fall of 1862. November 9. He was married again, February 11, 1863, to Elizabeth Hand- ley, a native of Morgan County, Ky., and her death occurred March 30, 1 880. He was married again, Januar3' 25, 1881, to Elizabeth Tucker, of Clay County, 111. She has two children, namely : Robert Eli and Stephen Uriah. MANSFIELD WHITE, farmer, P. O. Eberle, was born in Union Township, Effingham Co., III., December 7, 1849. He is now thirty-two years old and has lived there all his life. Ho was reared on his father's farm in Union Township. He received- his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. The first school he attended was at a place called the Evans Schoolhouse. It was one among the first school- houses that were erected in the Union Town- ship. He would attend school about two months in the j'ear. At the age of eighteen, quit attending school and gave his whole atten- tion to farming with his father. His father^ Brice White, was a native of Kentucky, and died in Union Township in the year 1870. His mother, Susan Evans, is a native of Indiana, and is living on the old farm in Union Town- ship, settled by her husband about the j'ear 1840. Mr. White is one of a famil3- of twelve phildren, namely : Mary Ann, wife of John Shumard, living in Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of William Cox, living in Union Township; Will- iam Younger, is living in Clay Countj-; Mans- fiekfl subject; Isaac, living in Union Township, Effingham Co.; John, living in Union Township, Effingham Co.; Amanda, living with her moth- er; Ruhama, wife of John Westfall, living in Union Township; J:imes, deceased; Ida, deceased; Joshua, deceased. Mr. White was married, in the spring of 1881, to Lydia Ship- man, a native of Clay Count}'. She was born in 1860. They have one child, Mcrtie Edith. Our subject has always been successfully engaged in farming. WILLIAM M. WILSON, farmer, P. 0. Mason. Among the old pioneers in this town- ship is Mr. Wilson, who was born 1808, March 25, in Frederick Count}-, Va., eldest son of William A. Wilson, of Frederick Countj', Va., only son of his father, William, of Scotch ances- try. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Catharine Hotsenpiilar, daughter of John Hotsenpillar, who, and wife also, were from Ger- many. William Marshall was raised on a farm and remained with his father until he was twenty- five years of age. January 30, 1833, he married Mary E., daughter of John Snapp; she was born January 21, 1813, in Frederick County, Va.; after he was married, he located near the home- 256 BIOGRAPHICAL: stead, where he engaged in farming, and remained here until the spring of 1835, when he moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, but remained here a short time, as the country- did not please him, and made no purchase. In October, 1846, he came to Effingham Count}-, and bought eighty acres in Mason Township, paid $3 per acre, staj-ed here eighteen months and sold his place back to same man he purchased of, and entered where he now lives, 200 acres, and located on the same, and since been a resident; has the same amount of land that he began on. He has had six children born him, four sons and two daughters, five living, viz.: Charles C, Sarah K., Jane, James D., John W. Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Turner, of Jackson Township; Jane resides in Mason, wife of David Leith; Charles C. resides in Mason; John W., in this township; James D. resides at home. Demo- cratic, and cast his first vote for Jackson. Has been for many years a member of the I. 0. 0. F., No. 85, Ewington. Served as Justice of the Peace in this township from 1849 until 1872, and has been one of the substantial men of Union Township. VOLNEY WILLETT, farmer, P. 0. Hill, was bor:i in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 8, 1837, to George and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Willett. He was born in Loudoun County, Va., Ma}' 10, 1807, and died in Wayne County, 111., in June, 1880. Ho was a farmer and came to Illinois in 1841. His wife and the mother of our suliject was born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1812, and siie is now residing in Wayne County, 111. Siie is the mother of nine chil- dren, of whom our subject is the j'oungest child. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of his da}' afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. He was brought to Wayne County, 111., by his parents, in 1S41, and remained with them there until 1856, when he was nineteen years of age. He then appren- ticed himself to the blacksmith's trade at Fairfield, Wayne County, where he worked one year, and in 1857 he moved to Flora, and worked there fifteen months. In 1859, he re- moved to California, where he engaged in min- ing and farming for about five years. In November, 18G3, he returned to Wayne County, 111., and in the spring of 1864 went to work at his trade again, in Flora, for one year. In the spring, of 1865, he returned to Wayne County and engaged in the mercantile business for nearly two years. In the fall of 1866, he came to Effingham County and located at Mason, and engaged in the hardware business, and after a few months traded his stock for a farm in West Township, and removed to it in September, 1867, where he has remained ac- tively engaged in farming. His farm consists of ninety-six acres, and in Union Township he has a farm of 1 60 acres, upon which he intends to remove in December, 1882. In Mattoon, 111., April 13, 1864, he married Miss Louisa Wilborn, a daughter of Willis and Frances (Recs) Wilborn, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Willett was born in Fayette County, 111., Decem- ber 26, 1841. She is the mother of nine chil- dren, five of whom are now living — Volney H., Charles Edgar, Frank, Presley, Oscar. In 1879, our suliject was elected Supervisor of West Township, and served one year. West Township is strongly Democratic, but he was elected to the office, though a Republican. While in California, he was a Lieutenant in the State Militia for about three years. He worked up from a private. He is an active member of the order of A., F. & A. M., at Altamont. Politically, he is a Republican. JOHN Vt OODY, farmer, P. 0. Eberle, whose portrait appears in this work, is among the prominent farmers and self-made men of Effing- ham County. He was born in Lawrence County, Ind., August 27, 1829, the second child of his father, whose name was William, a North Carolinian, from Wilkes County, and removed to Indiana, and there settled, about BANNER TOWNSHIP. 257 the 3'ear 1825, and remained there until his removal to W.-ivne County, this State. John's mother's maiden name was Sarah Edwards, native of Ashe County, N. C. The parents had seven children, two of whom are living — Amanda, and our subject, who was raised at home, and had but three months of schooling, all told. His early boyhood was spent work- ing out by the month. His father received the benefit of his wages up to the time he was nineteen years of age. Then he started for himself; began farming for himself, renting. During the winter season, his time was spent working in a mill for other parties. He rented for four j'ears, then purchased 120 acres of canal land ; cost, S2 per acre ; this he never moved on, but sold the same after, and pur- chased 240 acres in the same count}' ; cost, $5 per acre ; some improvements. This he sold in 1855, and purchased another tract of 240 acres at $10 per acre ; after, sold this and rented four years, when he came to this State, locat- ing in this township October 5, 1862, and located on eighty acres that he had previously purchased, costing $10 per acre, and located where he now resides, and remained here two j-ears, when he removed to Trapp Prairie, where he stayed one winter, and returned to his former place of living, where he has since remained. He has been one of the most successful farmers in the county. He has accumulated nearly 1,000 acres of land, all of which are the fruits of his own labor. He has been twice married ; first, at the age of nineteen, November 29, 1848, to Charlotte Cox, born in Martin County, Ind., May 15, 1831, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Boone) Cox, the former a native of North Car- olina, she of Kentucky, and a descendant of Daniel Boone. His wife died March 29, 1875. By her he had ten children, nine of whom are living, viz.: Minerva J., Granville G., Tillman C, H. H., Tabitha E., Sylvanus G. (dead). Davie G., Schuyler C, Samuel N. and Edith E. Syl- vanus died in infanc}'. Minerva resides in Lucas township, the wife of John Merry. Tabi- tha, wife of Richard Merry, of Lucas Township. Three sons, Granville G., Tillman C.,and H.H., are married and doing business for themselves. Our subject's last marriage occurred in March, 1876, to Mrs. Martiia E. Jacobs, born in this State, daughter of Mr. Cooper, by which mar- riage he had three children, two living, Stella G. and Leslie ; James and Melissa deceased. Our subject was formerly a Democrat until Lin- coln's election, since which he has been a Repub- lican. He is not a member of any church or society, but lives in harmony with the prin- ciples of morality, and enjoys the esteem and respect of the community in which he resides. BANNEE T HENRY BERNHARD, miller, Shumway, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Ittlingen, Baden, Germany, April 9, 18.S5, a son of Henry and Margaret (Ziegler)" Bernhard, both natives of Baden, Germany; he, born | September 4, 1802, is a retired farmer, living now with our subject ; she died in her native country in 1837. The father was twice mar- ried, his second wife being Anna Eve Ziegler. He is the father of four children, two of whom OWNSHIP. are living — Louis and Henr^'. He (the father) came to America in 1879. Our subject received his early schooling in the schools of his native village, and his first occupation in life was that of milling, which trade he commenced learning in Ittlingen, Germany, at an early age. He came to the United States in 1853, and for nine months was engaged in milling in New Jersey. He came to St. Clair County, this State, where he remained until 1864, when he Q 258 BIOGRAPHICAL: came to Banner Township, where he has since resided. He was married in St. Clair County, this State, October 27, 1858, to Catharine Sinn, who was born in the same place as he, Decem- ber 2, 1838, the daughter of Michael and Rosetta (Lilli) Sinn. Mr. and Mrs. Bernhard have had four children, two of whom are living — Lizzie and Louisa. In 1872, our subject took an active part in securing the establish- ment of a post office then called Tolerance, of which he was appointed Postmaster, serving in that capacity until 1879, when the office was changed to Shumway. In 1878, he erected the " Tolerance Flouring Mills " in the town of Shumway, Banner Township, of which he is proprietor, at a cost of $11,000. The mill car- ries three run of stone, and handles about 30,000 bushels of wheat per annum. Prior to entering into the milling business, our subject was engaged in merchandising for a period of eight years, in which business he was very suc- cessful. In his present business, he ships largely, but is doing principally custom work. He is trul}' a self-made man of excellent charac- teristics, the artificer of his own fortune, having become wealthy by his own enterprising efforts. He has served his township as Clerk, School Treasurer, and is the present Supervisor. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Democrat. F. W. GIESEKING, merchant, Shumway, was born at Nashville, Washington Co., 111. His father, William Gieseking, married Miss Caroline Heseman in 1855; the result of this union was ten children, of whom eight survive, of whom the subject is the eldest son. Mr. Gieseking obtained the rudiments of his educa- tion at Freemanton, in Effingham County, and then entered the Central Wesleyan College, at Warrentou, Mo., at the age of eighteen 3'ears, taking a course of study for the period of three j'ears. He then returned to Effingham County, and engaged as clerk in the store of George Hilleman, at Altamont, 111., being there engaged for ten months. He then began busi- ness as a merchant, under the firm name of Gieseking & Son, at the town of Shumway, where he still continues. On the 26th of Janu- ary, 1882, he married Miss Marj* Schroth, of Banner Township. He was reared under the religious instruction of the German Methodist Church. William Gieseking, the father of our subject is one of the extensive farmers of Effingham County, residing in Moccasin Town- ship. The mother is also living. IGNATZ HELMBACHER, Postmaster of Shumwaj', was born May 28, 1851, in the State of Louisiana. His father, Louis Helmbacher, and mother, Margaret Helmbacher, were born in Paris, France. His mother died in St. Clair County, 111., in 1860. His parents left France for America, settling in New Orleans in 1847, from whence they came to Belleville, 111., in 1859. In 1873, they went to Teutopolis, 111., where his father died in 1880. Our subject began his education at the common schools of the countj', coming to Shumway in 1862, where he has made his home, with the exception of three years' travel in the West. Our subject has three brothers and one sister, as follows : Frederick, John, Alois, surviving, and Hellena. Of the half brothers and sisters, there are living, Joseph and Ruben, Christina, Mary and Dora. Christina married Peter Hutemacher, residing at Teutopolis. The second wife of our subject's father, whose maiden name was Metcker, sur- vives him, and is residing at Teutopolis. Our subject was appointed Postmaster in Shumway September 26, 1882, which position he still holds. The familj' are Catholic in their re- ligion. MATTHEW M. HEMPHILL, grain dealer, Shumway, was born May 10, 1842, in County Antrim Ireland, son of Matthew and Matilda (White) Hemphill. He came to America with his parents in 1850, and settled in Randolph Count}', 111., where he remained until 1866. He enlisted in the armj- in 1862. being assigned BANNER TOWNSHIP. 259 to the Eightieth Illinois Infantry, Col. Thomas G. Allen. After a short service, he was hon- orably discharged on account of physical disa- bility, February, 1863. He began life as a farmer ; his education commenced in the dis- trict school, which he entered at the age of eight years. In 1864, he took a course at the Commercial College, Kochester, N. Y., gradu- ating April 14, 1865, the day President Lincoln was assassinated. Returning home, he took charge of a school as teacher, which he has fol- lowed alternately with farming and grain deal- ing. On the 30th day of March, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Stirrett, of Effingham County. There were born unto them four children, of whom Andrew Otis, Anna KUa, and Katie Etta are surviving. Mr. Hemphill was reared in the Presbyterian Church. He was elected Assessor of Banner Township on the Republican ticket in 1882, and was appointed Notary Public in 1879. In 1880, he was appointed census taker for his township. He is a member of McPherson Post, No. 88, Grand Army of the Republic, at Effingham. WENDLINE RETS, farmer, P. 0. Shum- way, was born December 26, 1836, in Ger- many. His father, Lawrence Reis, was mar- ried to Eva Weichel (date not known). Unto them were born five sons and three daughters, of whom our subject is the third youngest. His parents came to America in 1837, coming to Baj'liss Landing, Mo., where they settled, at which place the parents died; after which subject left that locality, settling in Shumway, Effingham County, in 1875. On the 18th day of Januarj-, 1857, he was married to Elizabeth Underriner. Unto them were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all living — Theodore, Martin. Wilhelm, Joseph, John, Wendline, Louis, and Theresa, JIary and Josephine. Theresa married Frank Andrews, and Theodore married Mary Anna Crupy. The famil}- were brought up under the instruction of the Catholic Church. Our subject attended the Abby Creek Church School for tiiree years; then engaged in farming, in which he has been very successful. THOMAS J. RENTFROW, farmer, P. O. Ef- fingham, was born in Maury County, Middle Tenn.,in July, 1812. In the fall of 1829, he came to Illinois with his mother, who settled in Wayne County, near what is known as Fairfield, until the spring of 1830, when they came to Effing- ham County. Ricliard Cohee and Hickman Langford, brothers-in-law, came at the same time, and four brothers of our subject — Jesse, John, Joseph and Eli — ^joined the party in this county in 1860. They settled on the Little Wabash, just above Ewington, this county. At this time there were more Indians in the county than white people. Our subject states that there were only two white families within ten miles of their home ; these were John P. Far- ley and Samuel Bratton. The Rcntfrows brought four horses and one ox team. On their arrival, they went into a deserted Indian camp on the Wabash bottom, near what is now known as the old Reynolds place, in the month of March, while snow was yet on the ground; making their surroundings as comfortable as possible, they began to tap the maple trees and make sugar. The old camp was made of linn puncheons pinned to trees with wooden pegs ; they contented themselves as best they could in this temporary shelter, until they had time to build a house on the hill, near a spring, as the Tennesseans in those early days did not know what a well was. Joseph was the bread finder, and went as far as Paris, in Edgar County, to get corn, on horseback. In those days the green- head flies were so thick and ravenous that it was impossible to travel in mid-day with the additional pest of mosquitoes and gnats. They cleared off a patch in the bottom and planted corn, and also a patch of cotton, but the latter was a failure. The corn for bread was pounded in a wooden mortar, dug out of a log or stump, with a pole attached like a well sweep, with an aeo BIOGRAPHICAL: iron wedge as a pounder. Rising early in tlie morning, preparing the frugal brealifast, the pounding for meal was answered by the gob- bling of the wild turkeys, which were very abundant in those days. In a few j-ears, the convenience of the colony was improved by the erection of a horse mill on the Okaw, thirty- five miles distant, whither the subject would go with his grist, and had to wait four or five days for his turn at the grist, living on parched corn and sleeping in the mill. The journey on these occasions was made with ox teams across the prairie at night, driving into the bushes, cutting them down, and building " bush harbors " for protection, the oxen feeding on the high grass so common in those days. When the grist haulers arrived and squatted around the mill, it had the appearance of a modern camp-meet- ing. Deer, wild turkeys and bee trees were plentj', and it took but a sliort time to secure either to supply their need. A few black bears could be encountered, and wolves, big and little, were plenty, and at times dangerous. The tables of the settlers were furnished with wild meat, wild honey and corn-bread. Our subject went to school a few months in Tennes- see, but never had an arithmatic or a quire of paper, and never attended a school after settling in this county. He remained a member of his mother's family until he was married. Ma}' 18, 1843, to Miss Eleanor Trapp, daughter of John Trapp, of this county, who was at one time Sheriff of Effingham County. He had made improvements on the first settlement of the family, and bought the interest of his mother and others, which he sold to Kej-nolds for $160, and entered 120 acres in Section 35, in 1842, afterward entering 280 acres more ; he now owns 300 acres, all under cultivation, rais- ing principally grain, with good success. Mr. Rentfrow is the father of ten children, six of whom are living — John C., of this countyj; Mary E,, wife of Dennis 0. Keating ; William Elijah, of this county ; Sarah, wife of Lee Bur- rell, of Effingham ; Stephen A. and Michael, at home. Once upon a time, Mr. Rentfrow, while hunting with Alexander McWhorter, they would lay out all night, Rentfrow placing a coon skin under his head for a pillow; the natural warmth of his head united with the heat from the log-heap, melted the snow and frozen ground while he was sleeping ; on awak- ening, he found his hair frozen to the ground, requiring skill, patience and solid pulling to get him loose. Mr. Rentford was elected Sheriff of this county in 1843, which he held for eight years ; he was nominated by the Democrats, of which party h-e has been a life-long member. The first revenue he collected in the county was $300, on which his commission was three per cent ; it was in this line of his duty to take it to Springfield, paying his own expenses. M. SCHROTH, farmer, P. O. Shumway, was born December 13, 1831, at Wurtemberg, Ger- many. He came alone to America in 1854, landing in New York City. From thence he soon moved to Pennsylvania, remaining there a short time. He then went down the Ohio River, to the city of St. Louis,-Mo., where he and a companion engaged in the manufacture of a summer beverage, a substitute for stronger liquors. In 1855, he came to St. Clair County, 111., where he married Cathariua Beckman, June 2, 1859. They then settled in Washing- ton County, 111. In 1861, they came to Effing- ham County, and purchased 120 acres of land from the Illinois Central R. R., on which he began to farm on the raw prairie, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Schroth have had born unto them eleven children, of whom nine are surviving. His mother, Dora Schroth, is living with them, at the age of eighty-two. The family were Lutherans, to which religion they still adhere. His children — Mary E., Christiana, Margaret, Michael, Henry, Dora, Frederick, Lidda, Lewis — are living ; on the 4th of May, 1877, their son Phillip was killed by falling from a tree. SUMMIT TOWNSHIP. 261 JOHN H. WALDECKER, cooper, Shumway, was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Gorman}-, on tl>e StU of March, 1851. His parents, John H. Waldecker and A. M. Henrietta Gruetze- macher, were married in 1836. Unto them were born five children, three of whom are living. The subject was the youngest, who came with his parents to America in 1854, settling in St. Louis, Mo., where he remained until 1872. From there he moved to St. Clair County, 111. ; thence to Shumway, in Banner Township, III., 1878, engaging in his trade. Mr. Waldecker availed himself of the advantages of the com- mon schools until he was fourteen years old ; then he entered Roher's Commercial School, at St. Louis, Mo., where he took a course at book- keeping. He kept books in various lines of business for some time ; then concluded to learn the trade of coopering, which he is now following successfully. In the j'ear 1874, October 1, Mr. Waldecker and Miss Diana Miller were married, at Belleville, St. Clair Co., 111. They have one son, Frederick. The Waldeckers were Protestants from the begin- ning, and the descendants adhere to that faith without denominational preference. Mr. Wal- decker has held several offices of honor and profit, conferred upon him by his fellow-citizens. He was first elected Constable in 1879, which he held for two years ; then he was elected Justice of the Peace, in the spring of 1881, which office he still holds, giving satisfaction to the people. SUMMIT LORENZO D. GLOYD, farmer, was born in Prince George County, Md., near Wash- ington City, D. C, in 1814. William, his father, a farmer bj- occupation, was born in the same State, at a date unknown to the subject. He died in 1825. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Sarah Skeggs. It is sup|posed that she was born in Virginia, the date of which is unknown. She died in 1827. In this family there were five children ; four boys and one girl, all of whom are deceased but two. Our subject was educated in the common schools in Ohio, in which State he was also raised to farming, which has always been his occupation. He was married in Lick- ing County, Ohio, in 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Hilderbrand, the date and place of whose birth is unknown. Her father was James Hilder- brand, who was born in Pennsylvania. Our subject's marriage was blessed with the follow- ing children, named in the order of their births — William, Jane, Elbridge, Ellen, George, Percy, Jerome, Magdaline. Mr. Gloyd is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, TOWl^SHIP. and a Republican in politics. In 1825, our subject removed, with his parents, from Mary- land, to Licking County, Ohio, where they engaged in farming, until 1839, when they removed to Indiana, and to Effingham County, III, in 1866. On his an-ival here, he bought a farm, containing 240 acres, where he now re- sides, and which he has improved. He has built upon his farm a large dwelling, 40x20. His grandmother was German, and his grand- father Gloyd was English. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, going into that war as a substitute for his father. SAMUEL F. HAN KINS, farmer, P. 0. Shumway, was born in Tennessee, in 1824 ; came with his parents to Vandalia, in 1827, remaining there until 1831 ; then he settled in Fayette County, 111., a portion of which now comprises Effingham County. William J. Ilunkins, his father, was a man of enterprising spirit, in those early days, and when the Na- tional road was projected, he took the contract on a division, of clearing and grading, and built the bridge across the Little Wabash, m 262 BIOGRAPHICAL: Summit Township. In early life, his father learned the trade of a. carpenter, and soon con- tracted to build houses and bridges. There were twelve children born unto him, six of whom reside in this township. He was mar- ried, March 30, 1819, to Catharine Funic, in the State of Tennessee. Of the six surviving children of this union, Presley C., Samuel F. and Elizabeth were born in Tennessee, and Sarah A., Lewis J. and Mary Ann were born in Illinois. Elizabeth married 0. L. Kelley, who was killed iu a railroad accident during the late war while on the way to the field of action. Sarah A. married D. W. Powell ; Mary Ann married Paris GrifBth ; Presley C. married Nancy J. Warren, October 24, 1850, two chil- dren surviving. The father and the subject were soldiers in the Mexican war, each be- longing to Company C, Second Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of which the father was Second Lieutenant, and Harvy Lee, Captain. They landed at Tampico ; from thence they went to Vera Cruz, and were then ordered to march to the City of Mexico, which was talien before their arrival. When William J. Han- kms, the pioneer of this family, came to what is now Effingham County, it was a wild prairie. Green-head flies were so plentiful that stock was often destroyed by them, compelling the early settlers to cultivate the bottom lands on the river. Provisions could be obtained at no nearer point than Wavne County and St. Louis, excepting meat, which was supplied by captur- ing bear, deer and wild turkej'S. Hogs were fattened on the mast. The subject remarks, " it was truly, root hog or die." Farms in their neighborhood were opened in 1839, which was very tedious, oxen being chiefly used for plow- ing, as liorses were not plent}-. Oats and corn were the principal crops, and the jield gener- ally good. Schools were supported by sub- scription until 1839, when it appears by the record in possession of the subject that '-the residents of this township shall each pay the sum of two dollars per quarter for each scholar they send to school; and non-residents shall pay the sum of two dollars and fifty cents per quarter for each scholar they may send." " T. J. Gillenvvaters, President of Board of Trustees, August 17, 1838." Samuel F. Hankins was many j'ears School Director. In 1871, he was chosen School Treasurer, in which capacity he still acts. He is a bachelor. In early life he became a Mason, in which honorable institution he was advanced to the Roj'al Arch Degree. T. B. RINEHART, farmer, P. 0. Effingham, was born in Effingham Count3' in 1841. His father was Daniel Rinehart, who was born in Tennessee and educated in Fairfield County, Ohio, also a farmer by occupation. He was married in Ohio, in 1818, to Miss Barljara Keagy, of the same county. In his family there were six children, two girls and four boys, all living except Jemima, former wife of William C. Wright, who died. Our subject is the third child of the famil}'. His father died in Jan- uary, 1868. He came to this State in 1841, and settled in Watson Township, where he re- mained until his election to the office of County Clerk, when he removed to Effingham. He served some years in this capacit3', during which time our subject embraced the oppor- tunity of gaining a high school education, and after graduation at McKendree College. He was once chosen Supervisor of his township, and in 1 882 was a candidate for County Clerk, on the National ticket. In January, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary Crooker Blakely, by which union they have had six children, two of whom died in infancy. His father had been prominent as a Justice of the Peace for man}' years. Mr. Rinehart's father-in-law was the late Judge Blakelj , who came to Effingham County at an early day, when the country was a vast wilderness and sparsely settled. In 1839, he was chosen County Clerk, and was several times elected to the Legislature, and was also member of the Constitutional Convention for SUMMIT TOWNSHIP. 263 the counties of Effingham and Clay, in 1847. In 1852, he was elected to the Legislature, and again in 1872, after twenty years of private life. He was born in Columbia County, N. Y., October 16, 1808. In October, 1830, he was married, in Lawrenceburg, Ind., to Miss Aman- da Crooker, who was born in Greene County, N. Y., in 1814. The marriage ceremony was performed bj' the late Judge Holden, who was in early life a prominent clergyman. On ar- riving in Effingham, Mr. Blakely was engaged in merchandising, at which time money was scarce, and he frequently had to exchange mer- chandise for furs and feathers and like com- modities. NATHAN SKIPPER, farmer, P. 0. Effing- ham, son of Nathan and Frances (Williams) Skipper, was born in Hickman County, Tenn., in 1842; while j-oung, he removed with his fathers family from that State to Illinois, in 1850. They made the long, tedious journey through the then wilderness of prairie grass and roadless prairies, with two yoke of oxen and wagons. Arriving in Illinois, they settled near Weston, where his father settled upon a piece of land, which was entered over him by another part}-. Soon after this, he left and came to Summit Township, where he purchased eighty acres, which were partly improved. Here our subject received such advantages of an education as were offered by the school system of those times, and raised to farming on his father's farm. He was married in 1861 to Miss Sarah Tims; the result of the union was one child, L. C. They are both deceased and their remains repose in the cemetery at Watson. Mr. Shipper takes an interest in the educational and political affairs, of the community in which he lives, and is respected by his fellow- men. In his father's family there were fourteen children, of whom Mr. Skipper is the tenth. There names are as follows, named in order ; Mary Ann, William, Eli, Catharine, Sarah, Matilda J., Elizabeth, Margara and Louis. One not named died young. His father was of Irish descent, and was born in North Carolina October 19, 1805, and died July 14, 1880, and was buried at Blue Point Cemetery. His mother is of French origin, her age, etc., are not remembered. In politics, Mr. Skipper is a Democrat. J. F. THOMPSON, farmer, P. 0. Shumway, was born in Wayne County, Ind., in Maj-, 1834, son of L. W. and Catharina (Whiting) Thomp- son, both natives of Virginia, and both died in this county, the father in 1877 and the mother the year previous. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living. Our subject received his early schooling in Tippecanoe County, Ind., and farming he chose for his occupation in earl}- life. He was married, January 23, 1868, in this county, to Miss Emma E. Kagay, born in Ripley County, Ohio, August 28, 1840, daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Kagay, both Virginians l)y birth. Mrs. Thompson is a sister of Hon. B. F. Kagay, of this county. She had a brother in the late civil war, who died at New Alban}-, Ind. Her grandfather was Daniel Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have six children — Laura, May, William Franklin, Charles Arthur, Ivy and Fealdon. Our subject came to this county in 1864. He ran a drug store in Effingham three years, but has farmed mostly, having purchased in 18G9, eighty acres at $17 per acre, on which he does general farming. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics, he is a Democrat. APPENDIX. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY, INCI.UDIXG A BRIEF HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. GEOGEAPIIICAL POSITION. "TTTIIEN the Northwesteri) Teri-itory V V was ceded to the United States by Virginia in 1784, it embraced only the terri- tory' lying between the Ohio and the Missis- sippi Rivers, and north to the northern lim- its of the United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the States ot'Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and that portion of Minnesota Ivinjr on the east side of the Mississippi Iliver. The United States itself at that period extended no farther west than the Mississippi Iliver; but by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the western boundary of the United States was extended to the Rocky Mountains and the Northefn Pacific Ocean. The new territory thus added to tlie I^ational do- main, and subsequently opened to settle- ment, has been called the "New North- west," in contriulistinction from the old " Northwestern Territory." In comparison with the old Northwest this is a territory of vast magnitude. It includes an area of 1,887,850 square miles; being greater in extent than the united areas of all the Middle and Southern States, including Texas. Out of this magnificent territoi-y have been erected cleven'sovereign States and eight Territories, with an aggre- gate population, at the present time, of 13,000,000 inhabitants, or nearly one-third of the entire population of the United States. Its lakes are fresh-water seas, and the larger rivers of the continent flow for a thousand miles through its rich alluvial val- leys and far-stretching prairies, more acres of which are arable and productive of the highest percentage of the cereals than of any other area of like extent on the globe. For the last twent}' years tlie increase of population in the Northwest has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United States. EARLY EXPLORATIONS. In the year loil, De Soto first saw the Great West in the New Woi-ld. He, how- ever, penetrated no farther nortli than the 35th parallel of latitude. The expedition resulted in his death and that of more than half his army, the remainder of whom found their way to Cuba, thence to Spain, in a famished and demoralized condition. De Soto founded no settlements, produced no results, and left no ti'acL's, unless it wei'e THE XOUTinVK-^T TKUUITOKY. that lie awakened the liostility of the red man against the white man, and disheart- ened such as might desire to follow up the career of discovery for better purposes. The French nation were eager and ready to seize upon any news from this extensive domain, and were the first to profit by De Soto's defeat. Yet it was more than a century before any adventurer took advan- tage of tliese discoveries. lu 1016, four years before the pilgrims " moored their bark on the wild New Eng- land shore," Le Carol), a French Franciscan, had penetrated through the Iroquois and and Wyandots (Ilnrons) to the streams which run into Lake Huron; and in 1631, two Jesuit missionaries founded the first mission among the lake tribes. It was just one hundred years from the discovei-y of the Mississippi by De Soto (1541) until the Canadian envoys met the savage nations of the Northwest at the Falls of St. Mary, be- low the outlet of Lake Superior. This visit led to no permanent result, yet it was not until 1651) that any of the adventurous fur traders attempted to spend a winter in the frozen wilds about the great lakes, nor was it until 1660 that a station was estab- lished upon their borders by Mesnard, who perished in the woods a few months after. In 1665, Claude Allouez built the earliest lasting habitation of the white man among the Indians of the Northwest. In 1668, Claude Dablon and James Marquette founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie at the Falls of St. Mary, and two years after- ward, Nicholas Perrot, as agent for M. Talon, Governor General of Cana'la, ex- plored Lake Illinois (Michigan) as far south as the present City of Chicago, and invited the Indian nations to meet him at a grand council at Sault Ste. Marie the following spring, where they were taken under the protection of the king, and formal possession was taken of the Northwest. This same year Marquette established a mission at Point St. Ignatius, whore was founded the old town of town of Michilli- mackinac. During M. Talon's exj^lorations and Mar- quette's residence at St. Ignatius, they learned of a great river away to the west, and fancied — as all others did then — that upon its fertile banks whole tribes of God's children resided, to whom the sound of the Gospel had never come. Filled with a wish to go and preach to them, and in com- pliance with a request of M. Talon, who earnestly desired to extend the domain of his king, and to ascertain whether the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific Ocean, Marquette with Joliet, as commander of the exjjedition, prepared for the undertaking. On the 13th of May, 1673, the explorers, accompanied b}' five assistant French Can- adians, set out from Mackinaw on their daring voyage of discovery. Q'he Indians, who gathered to witness their departure, were astonished at the boldness of the undertaking, and endeavored to dissuade them from their purpose by representing the tribes on the Mississippi as exceedingly savage and cruel, and the river itself as full of all sorts of frightful monsters ready to swallow them and their canoes together. But, nothing daunted by these terrific de- scriptions, Marquette told them he was willing not only to encounter all the per- ils of the unknown region they were about to explore, but to lay down his life in a cause in which the salvation of souls was THE NOKTIIWEST TERRITOKY. involved; aiul having prayed together they separated. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, the adventurers entered Green Bay, and passed thence up the Fox River and Lake Winnebago to a village of the Mianiis and Kickapoos. Hero Marquette was delighted to find a hi'autifiii cross planted in the middle of the town, ornamented with white skins, red gir- dles and bows and arrows, which these good people liad offered to the great Man- itou, or God, to thank him for the pity he had bestowed on them during the winter in giving them an abundant " chase." This was the fa; thest outpost to which D.iblon and iVIlouez had extended their missionary la- bors the year prjvious. Here Marquette drank mineral waters and was instructed in the secret of a root which cures t'le bite of the venomous rattlesnake. He assembled the chiefs and old men of the village, and, ])c)inting to Joliet, said: " My friend is an envoy of France, to discover new coun- tries, and [am an ambassador from God to enlighten them with the truths of the Gos- pel." Two Miami guides were here fur- nisheil to criuduct tliem to the Wisconsin River, and they set out from the Indian village on the 10th of June, amidst a great crowd of natives who liad assembled to witness their departure into a j-egion where no white man had ever yet ventured. The guides, liaving conducted them across the ])ortage, returned. The explorers launched their canoes upon the Wisconsin which they descended to the Mississippi and pro- ceeded down it; unknown waters. What emotions must have swelled their breasts as they struck out into the broadening cur- rent and became conscious tiiat they were now u|ion the bosom of the Father of Wa- ters. The mystery was about to ba liftea from the long-sought river. The scenery in that locality is beautiful, and on that delightful seventeenth of June must have been clad in all its ])rimeval loveliness as it had been adorned by the hand of Nature. Drifting rapidly, it is said that the bold bluffs on either hand " reminded them of the castled shores of their own bcautifnl rivers of France." By-and-by, as they drii'ted along, great herds of buffalo aj>- ])eared on the banks. On going to the heads of the valley they could sec a conn- try of the greatest beanty and fertility, ap- parently destitute of inhabitants yet pre- senting the appearance of extensive man- ors, under the fastidious cultivation of lordly proprietors. On June 2oth, thej' went asliore and fonnd some fresh traces of men upon the sand. and a path which led to the prairie. The men remained in the boat, and Marquette and Joliet followed the path till they dis- covered a village on the banks of a river, and two other villages on a hill, within a half league of the iirst, inhabited by Indians. They were received most hospitably by these natives, who had never before seen a white person. After remaining a few days they re-embarked and descended the river to about latitude 33", where they found a village of the Arkansas, and being satisfied that the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico, turned their course up the river, and ascending the stream to the mouth of the Illinois, rowed up that stream to its source, and procureil guides from that point to the lakes. " No where on this journey," sa3's ilarquette, "did we see such grounds, meadows, woods, stags, buffaloes, doer, wildcats, bustards, swans, ducks, par- THE NORTH WI'ST TEUUITORY. roquets, and even beavers, as on the Illinois River." The party, without loss or injury, reached Green Bay in September, and re- ported their discovery — one of the most important of the age, but of which no record was preserved save Marquette's, Joliet losing his by the upsetting of his canoe on his way to Quebec. Afterward Marquette returned to the Illinois Indians by their request, and ministered to them until 1675. On the ISth of May, in that year, as he was passing the mouth of a stream — going with his boatmen up Lake Michigan — lie asked to land at its mouth and celebVate mass. Leaving his men with the canoe, he retired a shore distance and began his devotions. As much time passed and he did not return, his men went in search of him, and found him upon his knees, dead. He had peacefully passed away while at prayer. lie was buried at this spot. Charlevoix, who visited the place fifty years after, found the waters had retreated from the grave, leaving the be- loved missionary to repose in peace. The river has since been called Marquette. While Marquette and his companions were pursuing their labors in the West, two men, differing widely from him and each other, were preparing to follow in his footsteps and perfect the discoveries so well begun by him. These were Robert de La Salle and Louis Hennepin. After La Salle's return from the discovery of the Ohio River (see the narrative else- where), he established himself again among the French trading posts in Canada. Here he mused long upon the pet project of those ages — a short way to China and the East, and was busily planning an expedi- tion up the great lakes, and so across the continent to the Pacific, when Mar- quette returned from the Mississippi. At once the vigorous mind of La Salle received from his and his companions' stories the idea tliat by following the Great River northward, or by turning up some of the numerous western tributaries, the object could easily be gained. He applied to Frontenac, Governor General of Canada, and laid before him the plan, dim but Efiojantic. Frontenac entered warmlv into his plans, and saw that La Salle's idea to connect the great lakes by a chain of forts with the Gulf of Mexico would bind the country so wonderfully together, give un- measured power to France, and glory to himself, under whose administration he earnestly hoped all would be realized. La Salle now repaired to France, laid his plans before the King, who warmly ap- proved of them, and made him a Chevalier. He also received from all the noblemen the warmest wishes for his success. Tlie Chev- alier returned to (Janada, and busily en- tered u]ion his work. He at once rebuilt Fort Frontenac and constructed the first ship to sail on these fresh-water seas. On the 7th of August, 1679, having been joined by Hennepin, he began his voyage in the Gritlin up Lake Erie. He passed over this lake, through the straits beyond, np Lake St. Clair and into Huron. In this lake they encountered heavy storms. They were some time at Michillimackinac, where La Salle founded a fort, and passed on to Green Bay, the " Baie des Puans " of the French, where he found a large quantity of furs collected for him. He loaded the Griffin with these, and placing her under the care of a pilot and fourteen sailors, started her on her return voj'age. The ves- THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. scl was never afterward heard of. He re- mained about these parts until early iu the winter, when, hearinaj iiotiiini; from tlie Griffin, he collected all liis men— thirty working men and three nionk;^ — and started again upon his great undertaking. By a short portage they ]>asscd to tlic Il- linois or Kankakee, called by the Indians, "Tlieakeke," «"«?/", because of the tribes of Indians called by tiiat name, commonly known as the Maliiiigans, dwelling tliere. Tlie French pronounced it Kiakiki, which became corrupted to Kankakee. "Falling down tlie said river by easy journeys, the better to observe the country," about the last of December they reached a village of the Illinois Indians, containing some five hundred cabins, but at that moment no in- habitants. The Seur de La Salle being in want of some breadstuifs, took advantage of the absence of the Indians to lielp him- self to a sufficiency of maize, large quanti- ties of which he found concealed in holes under the wigwams. This village was sit- iiated near the present village of Utica in La Salle County, Illinois. The corn being securely stored, the voyagers again betook themselves to the stream, and toward even- ing on the 4th da}' of January, 16S0, they came into a lake, which must have been the lake of Peoria. This was called by the Indians I'i/n-i-te-wi, that is a place where there are many fat heantii. Here the na- tives were met with in large numbers, but they were gentle and kind, and having spent some time with them, La Salle deter- mined to erect another fort in that place, for he had heard rumors that some of the adjoining tribes were trying to disturb the good feeling which existed, and some of his men were disposed to complain, owing to the hardships and perils of the travel. He called this fort " d'eveeosur" (broken- heart), a name expressive of the very nat- ural sorrow and anxiety which the pretty curtain loss of his ship. Griffin, and his con- sequent impoverishment, the danger of hostility on the part of the Indians, and of mutiny among his own men, might well cause him. His fears were not entirely groundless. At one time poison was placed in his food, but fortunately was discovered. While building this fort, the winter wore away, the prairies began to look green, and La Salle, despairing of any rein- forcements, concluded to return to Canada, raise new means and new men, and embark anew in the enterprise. For tliis purpose he made Hennepin the leader of a party to explore the head waters of the Mississippi, and he set out on his journe}'. This jour- ney was accomplished with the aid of a k\v persons, and was successfully made, though over an alniostunknown route, and in a bad season of the year. He safely reached Canada, and set out again for the object of his search. Hennepin and his party left Fort Creve- coeur on the last of Fcbruar}', 1680. When La Salle reached this place on his return ex- pedition, he found the fort entirely desert- ed, and he was obliged to return again to Canada. He embarked the third time, and succeeded. Seven days after leaving the fort, Hennepin reached the Mississippi, and ]iaddling up the icy stream as best he could, reached no higher tlian the Wis- consin River by the lltli of April. Here he and his followers were taken prisoners by a band of Northern Indians, who treat- ed them with great kindness. Hennepin's comrades were Anthony Auguel and Mi- THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. cliael Ako. On this voyage tliej' found sev- eral beautiful lakes, and " saw some charm- ing prairies." Tiieir captors were the Isante or Sauteurs, Chippewas, a tribe of the Sioux nation, who took them up the river until about the ilrstof May, when they reached some falls, which Hen- nepin christened Falls of St. Anthony in honor of his patron saint. Here they took the land, and traveling nearly two liundred miles to the northwest, brought them to their villages. Here they were kept about three months, were treated kind- ly by their captors, and at the end of that time, were met by a band of Frenchmen, lieaded by one Seur de Luth, who, in pur- suit of trade and game, had penetrated thus far by the route of Lake Superior; and with these fellow-countrymen Hennepin and his companions were allowed to return to tiie borders of civilized life in November, 16S0, just after La Salle had returned to the wilderness on his second trip. Hen- nepin soon after went to France, where he published an account of his adven- tures. Tlie Mississippi was first discovered by De Soto in April, 1541, in his vain endeav- or to find gold and precious gems. Li the following spring, De Soto, weary with hope long deferred, and worn out with his wan- derings, fell a victim to disease, and on the 21st of May, died. His followers, re- duced by fatigue and disease to less than three hundred men, wandered about the country nearly a year, in the vain endeavor to rescue themselves by land, and finally constructed seven small vessels, called brig- antines, in which they embarked, and de- scending the river, supposing it would lead them to the sea, in Julv tlicv i-anie to the sea (Gulf of Mexico), and by Septem- ber reached the Island of Cuba. Tliey were the first to see the great out- Ictof the Mississippi; but, being so M-oary and discouraged, made no attempt to claim the country, and hardly had an intelligent idea of what they had passed through. To La Salle, the intrepid explorer, belongs the honor of giving tlie first account of the mouths of the river. His great desire was to posses^ this entire country for his king, and in January, 1GS2, he and his band of explorers left the shores of Lake Michigan on their third attempt, crossed tlie portage, passed down the Illinois Riv- er, and oa the 6th of February, reached the banks of the Mississippi. On the 13th they commenced their down- ward course, which they pursued with but one interruption, until upon the 6th of March they discovered the three great pas- sages by which the river discharges its waters into the gulf. LaSailc thus narrates the event: " We landed on the bank of the most western channel, about three leagues (nine miles) from its mouth. Ou the seventii, M. de La Salle went to reconnoiter the shores of the neighboring sea, and M. de Tonti meanwhile examined the great middle chan- nel. The}' found the main outlets beau- tiful, large and deep. On the Sth we reas- cended the river, a little above its conflu- ence with the sea, to find a dry place be- yond the reach of inundations. Tlie el- evation of the North Pole was here about twenty-seven degrees. Here we prepared a column and a cross, and to the column were affixed the arms of France with this inscription: Louis LeOmnd, Ro! De France et de Navarre, regiie: Le neuvicme Avril 16S"J. THE NOKTIIWEST TERRITORY. Tlie wliolc party, under arms, chanted the Te Deuin, and then, after a salute and cries .of •' Vive le lioL''' the column wms erected by M. de La Salle, who, standing near it, nroclaimed in a loud voice the au- thorit}' of the Kin