Qass h '^4-7 Book .G 6 n JL PREFACE TN presenting our History of Coles County, we deem a few prefatory wo necessary. We have spared neither pains nor expense to fulfill our engagement w our patrons and make the work as complete as possible. We have acted upon principle that justice to those who have subscribed, be they few or many, requires t the work should be as well done as if it was patronized by every citizen in the cout We do not claim that our work is entirely free from errors ; such a result could not attained by the utmost care and foresight of ordinary mortals. The County History i compiled by our historians, W. H. Perrin, A. A. Graham and D. M. Blair, and recei much material and assistance from Judge William E. Adams. Some of the To' ship Histories are indeed longer than others, as the townships are older, contain larger cities and towns, and have been the scenes of more important and interest events. While fully recognizing this important diflFerence, the historians have soughl write up each township with equal fidelity to the facts and information within ti reach. We take this occasion to present our thanks to all our numerous subscril: for their patronage and encouragement in the publication of the work. In this eonfid belief, we submit it to the enlightened judgment of those for whose benefit it has bi prepared, believing that it will bf received as a most valuable and complete work. THE PUBLISHERS OBIOAQO: CTULVRR. PAOB, UOYNK * CO., PUIIVTItBil. lit ftnd IX UoorM 1Stfr\ CONTENTS. HISTORICAI.. Page. History Northwest Territory 19 Geographicnl 19 Early Exploration 20 Discovery of the Ohio 33 Eoglisb Explorations and Settle- ments 35 American Settlements 60 Division of the Northwest Tarri- tory C6 Tecumseh and the war of 1812 70 Black Hawk and the Black Hawk War 74 Page. Other Indian Troubles 79 Present Condition of the Northwest 87 Illinois 99 Indiana .lOl Iowa 102 Michigan 103 Wisconsin 104 Minnesota 106 Nebraska 107 History of Illinois 109 Coal .125 Compact of 1787 117 Paoe. History of Chicago 132 Early Discoveries 109 Early Settlements 115 Education 129 First French Occupation 112 Genius of La Salle 113 Material Resources 124 Massacre ol Fort Dearborn 141 Physical Features 121 Progress of Development. .«.. ..123 Religion and Morale 128 War Record of Illinois 130 Page. Rcnrcr of the Mississippi 21 Mouth of the Mississippi 21 Wild Prairie 23 La Salle Landing on the Shore of Green Bay 25 Bnfifalo Hunt 27 Trapping 29 Hunting 32 Iroquois Chief. :^ Pontiac, the Ottawa Chieftain 43 Indians Attacking Frontiei-smen... 56 A Prairie Storm 59 A Pioneer Dwelling 61 Breakiug Prairie &i Page. Tecumseh, the Shawnee Cliieftain... 69 Indians Attacking a Stockade 72 Black Hawk, the Sac Chieftain 75 Big Eagle 80 Captain Jack, the Modoc Chieftain.. S3 Kinzie House 85 Village Residence 86 A Representative Pioneer 87 Lincoln Monument, Springfield, 111. 88 A Pioneer School House 89 Farm View in the Winter 90 High Bridge and Lake Bluff 94 Great Iron Bridge of Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, Cross- Paoe. ing the River at Davenport, Iowa 96 ■ A Western Dwelling 109 Hunting Prairie Wolves at an Early Day 108 Starved Rock, on the Illinois River, La Salle County. HI 110- An Early Settlement 116' Cliicago in 1833 133 Old Fort Dearbron in 1830 136 Present site of Lake Street Bridge, Chicago, in 1833 136 Pioneers' First Winter 142 View ot the City of Chicago 144 Shabbona 149 Page. General History of Colee County ....:i23 Afihmure Township 391 Charleston " 289 Eaet Oakland Towuship 443 Button Township 430 10Ijfr:S COIIKTY HISTORY. Page. Humboit Township 4fi9 La Fayette '* 478 Mattoon " 324 Morgan " .456 Page. North Okaw Township 489 Pleasant Grovo " 407 Paradise '* 496 Seven Hickory " 463 lilTUOGRAFHK^ PORTRAITS. Page. Adams, W. E 239 Adams. J.J 221 Cunningham, J. T 257 Page. I Paor. Cash, L. S 293 Pemberton. J. J Ill Gordon, John 275 Kutherford, H a29 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Page. Ashmore Township 592 Charleston " 511 East Oakland " 558 Button " C07 Paok. Humholt Township 033 La Fayette " 689 Mattoon " 539 Morgjin '* 620 Page. North Okaw Township 646 Pleasant Grove " 682 Paradise " 649 Seven Hickorj- " 639 OIRECTORY OK TAX-PAYERIS. Ashmore Township- Charleston *' East Oakland " Pagt.. , 669 657 , 777 Page. Humboit Township 684 La Fayette " 689 Miittocin " 663 675 Morgan Page . North Okaw Township 687 Pleasant Grove '* 673 Paradise ** 691 C80 Seven Hickory ..G82 IV CONTENTS. ABSTRACT OF H^I^INOIH STATE I.AWN. Paqe. Adoption of Children IGO Bills of Kxcbange and Promissory Notes 151 County Courts 155 Conveyances 164 Church Organizations 18a Descent 151 Deeds and Mortgages 157 Drainage 103 Damages from Trespass 1G9 Definition of Commercial Terms 173 Exemptions from Forced Sale 156 Estrays 157 Fences 16S Forms: Articles of Agreement 175 Bills of Purchase 174 Bills of Sale 176 Bonds 176 Page. Forms : Chattel Mortgages 177 Codicil 1S9 Lease of Farm and Build- ings 179 Lease of House 180 Landlord's Agreement 180 Notes 174 Notice Tenant to Quit 181 Orders 174 Quit Claim Deed 185 Receipt 174 Real Instate Mortgaged to Secure Payment of Money 181 Release ISG Tenant's Agreement 180 Tenant's Notice to Quit 181 Warranty Deed 182 Will 187 Paok. Game.; „ 158 Interest 156 Jurisdiction of Courta 151 Limitation of Action 154 Landlord and Tenant 165 Liens „i79 Married Women 153 Millers „ 159 I^Iark^ and Brands 159 Paupers 164 Roads and Bridges 161 Surveyors and Surveys IGO Sufrgestions to Persona Purchasing Books by Subscription 190 T:ixes 154 Wills and Estates 152 Weights and Measures 158 Wolf Scalpa 164 Page. Map of Coles County Front Constitution of the U. S 102 Electors of President and Vico Pres- ident 20G Practical Rules for Kvery Day U8Q.207 U. S. Government Land Measure. ..210 Agricultural Productions of Illi- nois by Counties, 1870 210 Surveyors* Measure 211 How to Keep Accounts 211 NISCELLANEOVS. Page. Interest Table 212 Miscellaneous Tiiblcs 212 Names of the States of the Union and their Signification 213 Population of the United States 214 Population of Fifty Principal Cities of the United States 214 Population and Area of the United StJiteg 215 Population of the Principal Coun- tries in the World 215 Paok. Population of Illinois 216-21T State Laws Relating to Interest 218 State Laws Relating to Limitations of Actions 219 Productions of Agriculture of Illi- nois 220 Population of Coles Co G99 Business Directory 693 Errata 656 I mK5 or (g 0; ILM m'- ILLINOIS COUNTr -"T — ' — T — i I I' I ■ ' i •■- ■'•' -"'/ I « I t ^ 1 | i I - The Northwest Territory. GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. When the Northwestern Territory was ceded to the United States by Virginia in 1784, it embraced only the territory lying between the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and north to the northern limits of the United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the States of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and that portion of Minnesota lying on the east side of the Mississippi River. The United States itself at that period extended no farther west than the Mississippi River ; but by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the western boundary of the United States was extended to the Rocky Mountains and the Northern Pacific Ocean. The new territory thus added to the National domain, and subsequently opened to settlement, has been called the " New Northwest," in contradistinction 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 territory have been erected eleven sovereign States and eight Territories, with an aggregate popula- tion, 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 valleys and far- stretching prairies, more acres of which ai's arable and productive of the highest percentage of the cereals than of any other area of like extent on the globe. For the last twenty years the increase of population in the North- west has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United States. (19) 20 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. EARLY EXPLORATIONS. In the year 1541, DeSoto first saw the Great West in tlie New Woi'ld. He, however, 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. DeSoto founded no settlements, produced no results, and left no traces, unless it were that he awakened the hostility of the red man against the white man, and disheartened 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 DeSoto's defeat. Yet it was more than a century before any adventurer took advantage of these discoveries. In 1616, four years before the pilgrims " moored their bark on the wild New England shore," Le Caron, a French Franciscan, had pene- trated through the Iroquois and Wyandots (Hurons) to the streams which run into Lake Huron ; and in 1634, two Jesuit missionaries founded the first mission- among the lake tribes. It was just one hundred years from the discovery of the Mississipi^i by DeSoto (1541) until the Canadian envoys met the savage nations of the Northwest at the Falls of St. Mary, below the outlet of Lake Superior. This visit led to no permanent result; yet it was not until 1659 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 established 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 afterward, Nicholas Perrot, as agent for M. Talon, Governor Gen- eral of Canada, explored 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, where was founded the old town of Michillimackinac. During M. Talon's explorations and Marquette'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 compliance with a THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 21 \ s K H O s o o 22 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 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 expe- dition, prepared for the undertaking. On the 13th of May, 1673, the explorers, accompanied by five assist- ant French Canadians, set out from Mackinaw on their daring voyage of discovery. The Indians, who gathered to witness their departure, were astonished at the boldness of the undertaking, and endeavored to dissuade them from tlieir 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 descriptions, Marquette told them he was willing not only to encounter all the perils 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 involved ; and 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 Miamis and Kickapoos. Here Mar- quette was delighted to find a beautiful cross planted in the middle of the town ornamented with white skins, red girdles and bows and arrows, which these good people had offered to the Great Manitou, 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 farthest outpost to which Dablon and Allouez had extended their missionary labors thf^ year previous. Here Marquette drank mineral waters and was instructed in the secret of a root which cures the bite of the venomous rattlesnake. He assembled the chiefs and old men of the village, and, pointing to Joliet, said : " My friend is an envoy of Fi-ance, to discover new coun- tries, and I am an ambassador from God to enlighten thcni witli tlie truths of the Gospel." Two Miami guides were here furnislu'd to conduct them to the Wisconsin River, and they set out from tlie Lulian village on the 10th of June, amidst a great crowd of natives who had assembled to witness their departure into a region where no white man had ever yet ventured. The guides, having conducted them across the portage, returned. The explorers launched their canoes upon the Wisconsin, which they descended to the Mississippi and proceeded down its unknown waters. What emotions must have swelled their breasts as they st"""k out into the broadening current and became conscious that tliey wl now upon tlie liosom of th3 Father of Waters. The mystery was abou'" to be lifted from tlie long-sought river. The scenery in that locality is beautiful, and on that delightful seventeenth of June must have l)een clad in all its primeval loveliness as it had been adorned by the hand of THE NORTHWEST TEERITOEY. 23 Nature. Drifting rapidly, it is said that the bold bluffs on either hand " reminded them of the castled shores of their own beautiful rivers of France." By-and-by, as they drifted along, great herds of buffalo appeared on tlie banks. On going to the heads of the valley they could see a country of the greatest beauty and fertility, apparently destitute of inhab- itants yet presenting the appearance of extensive manors, under the fas- tidious cultivation of lordly proprietors. THE WILD PRAIRIE. On June 25, they went ashore and found 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 discovered a village on the banks of a river, and two other villages on a hill, within a half league of the first, 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 24 THE NORTHWEST TERftlTORY. up the river, and ascending' the stream to the mouth of the Illinois, rowed up that stream to its source, and procured guides from that point to the lakes. " Nowhere on this journey," says Marquette, •' did we see such grounds, meadows, woods, stags, buffaloes, deer, wildcats, bustards, swans, ducks, parroquets, and even beavers, as on the Illinois River." The party, without loss or injury, reached Green Bay in September, and reported 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 18th of May, in that year, as he was jjassing the mouth of a stream — going with his boatmen up Lake Michigan — he asked to land at its mouth and celebrate Mass. Leaving his men with the canoe, he retired a short 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 peacefull}'^ passed away while at prayer. He was buried at this spot. Charlevoix, who visited the place fifty years after, found the waters had retreated from the grave, leaving the beloved 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 pre- paring 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 elsewhere), 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 expedition up the great lakes, and so across the continent to the Pacific, when Marquette returned from the Jlississippi. At once the vigorous mind of LaSalle received from his and his companions' stories the idea that by fol- lowing 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 cf Canada, and laid before him the plan, dim but gigantic. Frontenac entered warmly into his plans, and saw that LaSalle's idea to cor:nect the great lakes by a chain of forts with the Gulf of Mexico would hind me country so wonderfully together, give un- measured power to France, and glory to himself, under whose adminis- tration he earnestly hoped all would be realized. LaSalle now repaired to France, laid his plans before the King, who warmly approved of them, and made him a Chevalier. He also receiv:!d from all the noblemen the warmest wishes for his success. The Chev THE NORTHWEST TEREITORY. 25 alier returned to Canada, and busily entered upon 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 Griffin up Lake Erie. He passed over this lake, through the straits beyond, up Lake St. Clair and into Huron. In this lake they encountered heavy storms. They were some time at Michillimackinac, where LaSalle 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. LA SALLE LANDING ON THE SHORE OF GREEN BAY. started her on her return voyage. The vessel was never afterward heard of. He remained about these parts until early in the Winter, when, hear- ing nothing from the Griffin, he collected all the men — thirty working men and three monks — and started again upon his great undertaking. By a short portage they passed to the Illinois or Kankakee, called by the Indians, "Theakeke," wolf, because of the tribes of Indians called by that name, commonly known as the Mahingans, dwelling there. The French pronounced it Kiakiki, which became corrupted to Kankakee. "Falling down the said river by easy journeys, the better to observe the country," about the last of December they reached a village of the Illi- nois Indians, containing some five hundred cabins, but at that moment 26 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. no inhabitants. The Seur de LaSalle being in want of some breadstuffs, took advantage of the absence of the Indians to help himself to a suffi- ciency of maize, large quantities of which he found concealed in holes under the wigwams. This village was situated near the present village of Utica in LaSalle County, Illinois. The corn being securely stored, the voyagers again betook themselves to the stream, and toward evening, on the 4th day of January, 1680, they came into a lake which must have been the lake of Peoria. This was called by the Indians Pim-i-te-wi, that is, a place ivhere there are many fat beasts. Here the natives were met with in large numbers, but they were gentle and kind, and having spent some time with them, LaSalle determined 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 " Oreveeosur'' (broken-heart), a name expressive of the very natural sorrow and anxiety which the pretty certain loss of his ship. Griffin, and his consequent 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 Avas placed in his food, but fortunately was discovered. While building this fort, the Winter wore away, the prairies began to look green, and LaSalle, despairing of any reinforcements, concluded to return to Canada, raise new means and new men, and embark anew in the enterprise. For this purpose he made Hennepin the leader of a party to explore the head waters of the Mississippi, and he set out on his jour- ney. This journey was accomplished with the aid of a few persons, and was successfully made, though over an almost u jknown 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 Crevecceur on the last of February, 1680. When LaSalle reached this place on his return expedition, he found the fort entirely deserted, and he was obliged to return again to Canada. He embarked tiie third time, and succeeded. Seven daA^s after leaving the fort, Hennepin reached the Mississij^pi, and paddling up the icy stream as best he could, reached no higher than the Wisconsin River by the 11th of April. Here he and his followers were taken prisoners by a band of Northern Indians, who treated them with great kindness. Hen- nepin's comrades were Anthonj' Auguel and Michael Ako. On this voy- age they found several beautiful lakes, and " saw some charming prairies." Their captors were the Isaute or Sauteurs, Chippewas. a tribe of the Sioux nation, who took them up the river until about the first of May, when they reached some falls, which Hennepin christened Falls of St. Anthony THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 2T in honor of his patron saint. Here tliey took the land, and traveling nearly two hundred miles to the northwest, brought them to their villages. Here they were kept aljout three months, were treated kindly by their captors, and at the end of that time, were met by a band of Frenchmen, BtrPFALO HUNT. headed by one Seur de Luth, who, in pursuit of trade and game, had pene- trated thus far by the route of Lake Superior; and with these fellow- countrymen Hennepin and his companions were allowed to return to the borders of civilized life in November, 1680, just after LaSalle had returned to the wilderness on his second trip. Hennepin soon after went to France, where he published an account of his adventures. 28 THE KOBTHWEST TERRITOEY. The Mississippi was first discovered by De Soto in April, 1541, in his vain endeavor to find gold and precious gems. In the following Spring, De Soto, weary with hope long deferred, and worn out with his wander- ings, he fell a victim to disease, and on the 21st of May died. His followers, reduced by fatigue and disease to less than three hundred men, wandered about the country nearly a year, in the vain endeavor to rescue them- selves by land, and finally constructed seven small vessels, called brigan- tines, in which they embarked, and descending the river, supposing it would lead them to the sea, in July they came to the sea (Gulf of Mexico), and by September reached the Island of Cuba. They were the first to see the great outlet of the Mississippi ; but, being so weary and discouraged, made no attempt to claim the country, and hardly had an intelligent idea of wiiat they had passed through. To La Salle, the intrepid explorer, belongs the honor of giving the first account of the mouths of the river. His great desire was to possess this entire country for his king, and in January, 1682, he and his band of explorers left tlie shores of Lake Michigan on their third attempt, crossed the portage, passed down the Illinois River, and on the 6th of February, reached the banks of the Mississippi. On tiie 13th they commenced their downward course, which they pursued with but one interruption, until ujion the 6th of March tliey dis- covered the three great passages by which the river discharges its waters into tiie gulf. La Salle thus narrates the event : " We landed on the bank of tlie most western channel, about three leagues (nine miles) from its mouth. On the seventh, M. de l^aSalle went to recounoiter the shores of the neighboring sea, and M. de Tonti meanwhile examined the great middle channel. They found the main outlets beautiful, large and deep. On the 8th we reascended the river, a little above its confluence with the sea, to find a dry place beyond the TBfmh of inundations. The elevation 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 Le Grand, Roi De France et de Navarre, regne ; Le neuvieme Avril, 16S2. Tlie whole p;n'ty, under arms, chanted the Te Deum, and then, after a salute and cries of " Vive le Roi," the column was erected by M. de La Salle, wlio, stamlinL; near it, proclaimed in a loud voice the authority of the King of France. LaSalle returned and laid tlie foundations of tiie Mis- sissippi settlements in Illinois, thence he proceeded to France, where another expedition was fitted out, of whieli he was commander, and in two succeeding voyages failed to find the outlet of the river by sailing along the shore of the gulf. On his third voyage he was killed, through the THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 29 treachery of his followers, and the object of his expeditions was not accomplished until 1699, when D'Iberville, under the authority of the crown, discovered, on the second of March, by way of the sea, the mouth of the " Hidden River." This majestic stream was called by the natives "iKfaZftoMf/i/a," and by the Spaniards, '■'■la Palissade" Lorn the great ^f< ^m^^^^'^^ liM TRAPPING. number of trees about its mouth. After traversing the several outlets, and satisfying himself as to its certainty, he erected a fort near its western outlet, and returned to France. An avenue of trade was now opened out which was fully improved. In 1718, New Orleans was laid out and settled by some European colo- nists. In 1762, the colony was made over to Spain, to be regained by France under the consulate of Napoleon. In 1803, it was purchased b^ 30 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORV. the United States foi- the sum of fifteen million dollars, and the territory of Louisiana and commerce of the Mississippi River came under the charge of the United States. Although LaSalle's labors ended in defeat and death, he had not worked and suffered in vain. He had thrown open to France and the world an immense and most valuable country; had established several ports, and laid the foundations of more than one settlement there. " Peoria, Kaskaskia and Cahokia, are to this day monu- ments of LaSalle's labors ; for, though he had founded neither of them (unless Peoria, which was built nearly upon the site of Fort Crevecceur,) it was by those whom he led into the West that these places were peopled and civilized. He was, if not the discoverer, the first settler of the Mississippi Valley, and as such deserves to l)e known and honored." The French early improved the opening made for them. Before the year 1698, the Rev. Father Gravier began a mission among the Illinois, and founded Kaskaskia. For some time this was merely a missionary station, where none but natives resided, it being one of three such vil- lages, the other two being Cahokia and Peoria. What is known of these missions is learned from a letter written by Father Gabriel Marest, dated " Aux Cascaskias, autrement dit de I'linmaculate Conception de la Sainte Vierge, le 9 Novembre, 1712." Soon after the founding of Kaskaskia, the missionary, Pinet, gathered a flock at Cahokia, while Peoria arose near the ruins of Fort Crevecceur. This must have been about the year 1700. The post at Vincennes on the Oubache river, (pronounced Wa-ba, meaning summer cloud movinc/ swiftli/) was estab- lished in 1702, according to the best authorities.* It is altogether prob- able that on LaSalle's last trip he established the stations at Kaskaskia and Cahokia. In July, 1701, the foundations of Fort Ponchartrain were laid by De la Motte Cadillac on the Detroit River. These sta- tions, with those established further north, were the earliest attempts to occupy the Northwest Territory. At the same time efforts were being made to occupy the Southwest, which finally culminated in the settle- ment and founding of the City of New Orleans by a colony from England in 1718. This was mainly accomplished through tlie efforts of the famous Mississippi Company, established by the notorious John Law, who so quickly arose into prominence in France, and wlio witli his scheme so quickly and so ignominiously passed away. From the time of the founding of these stations for fifty years the French nation were engrossed with the settlement of the lower Missis- sippi, and the war with the Chicasaws, who had, in revenge for repeated • There Is consiaer.il)lc dlspuU! ahout tills a.ite. some asserting It was fminileil as late as I7ii. When the new court house at Vincennes was erecteil. all authuritlcs on the subject were carefully examined, and HO'i flied upon as tbe correct date. It was accorUlugly engraved on the corner-stone of the court house. / THE NORTHWEST TERRITOKT. 31 injuries, cut off the entire colony at Natcliez. Although the company did little for Louisiana, as the entire West was then called, yet it opened the trade through the Mississippi River, and started the raising of grains indigenous to that climate. Until the year 1750, but little is known of the settlements in the Northwest, as it was not until this time that the attention of the English was called to the occupation of this portion of the New World, which they then supposed they owned. Vivier, a missionary among the Illinois, writing from " Aux Illinois," six leagues from Fort Chartres, June 8, 1750, says: "We have here whites, negroes and Indians, to say nothing of cross-breeds. There are five French villages, and three villages of the natives, within a space of twenty-one leagues situated between the Mississippi and another river called the Karkadaid (Kaskaskias). In the five French villages are, perhaps, eleven hundred whites, three hundred blacks and some sixty red slaves or savages. The three Illinois towns do not contain more than eight hundred souls all told. Most of the French till the soil; they raise wheat, cattle, pigs and horses, and live like princes. Three times as much is produced as can be consumed; and great quantities of grain and flour are sent to New Orleans." This city was now the seaport town of the Northwest, and save in the extreme northern part, where only furs and copper ore were found, almost all the products of the country found their way to France by the mouth of the Father of Waters. In another letter, dated Novem- ber 7, 1750, this same priest says : " For fifteen leagues above the mouth of the Mississippi one sees no dwellings, the ground being too low to be habitable. Thence to New Orleans, the lands are onh^ partially occupied. New Orleans contains black, white and red, not more, I think, than twelve hundred persons. To this point come all lumber, bricks, salt-beef, tallow, tar, skins and bear's grease ; and above all, pork and flour from the Illinois. These things create some commerce, as forty vessels and more have come hither this year. Above New Orleans, plantations are again met with ; the most considerable is a colony of Germans, some ten leagues up the river. At Point Coupee, thirty-five leagues above the German settlement, is a fort. Along here, within five or six leagues, are not less tlian sixty habitations. Fifty leagues farther up is the Natchez post, where we have a garrison, who are kept prisoners through fear of the Cliiekasaws. Here and at Point Coupee, they raise excellent tobacco. Another hundred leagues brings us to the Arkansas, where we have also a fort and a garrison for the benefit of tlie river traders. * * * From the Arkansas to the Illinois, nearly five hundred leagues, there is not a settlement. There should be, however, a fort at the Oubache (Ohio), the only path by which the English can reach the Mississippi. In the Illinois country are numberless mines, but no one to 32 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. work them as tliey deserve." Father Marest, writing from the post at Vinceiines in 1812, makes the same observation. Vivier also says : " Some iudivicliials dig lead near the surface and supjaly the Indians and Canada. Two Spaniards now here, who claim to be adepts, say that our mines are like those of Mexico, and that if we would dig deeper, we should find silver under the lead ; and at any rate the lead is excellent. There is also in this countrj-, beyond douljt, copper ore, as from time to time large pieces are found in the streams." HUNTING. At tlie close of the year 1750, the French occupied, in addition to the lower Mississippi posts and those in Illinois, one at Du Quesne, one at the Maumoe in the country of the Miamis, and one at Sandusky in what may be termed the Ohio Valley. In the northern part of the Northwest they had stations at St. Joscj)h's on tlie St. .Toscph's of Lake Micliigan, at Fort Ponchartrain (Detroit), at Michillimackanac or Massillinuicanac, Fox River of Green Bay, and at Sault Ste. Marie. Tlie fondest dreams of LaSalle were now fully realized. The French alone were possessors of this vast realm, basing their claim on discovery and settlement. Another nation, however, was now turning its attention to this extensive country, f THE NORTHWEST TEKKITORY. 33 ami hearing of its wealth, began to lay plans for occupying it and for securing the great profits arising therefrom. The French, however, had another claim to this country, namely, the DISCOVERY OF THE OHIO. This " Beautiful" river was discovered by Robert Cavalier de La- Salle in 1669, four years before the discovery of the Mississippi by Joliefc and Marquette. While LaSalle was at his trading post on the St. Lawrence, he found leisure to study nine Indian dialects, the chief of which was the Iroquois. He not only desired to facilitate his intercourse in trade, but he longed to travel and explore the unknown regions of the West. An incident soon occurred Avhich decided him to fit out an exploring expedition. While conversing with some Senecas, he learned of a river called the Ohio, which rose in their country and flowed to the sea, but at such a distance that it required eight months to reach its mouth. In this state- ment the Mississippi and its tributaries were considered as one stream. LaSalle believing, as most of the French at that period did, that the great rivers flowing west emptied into the Sea of California, was anxious to Embark in the enterprise of discovering a route across the continent to the commerce of Cliina and Japan. He repaired at once to Quebec to obtain the approval of the Gov- ernor. His eloquent appeal prevailed. The Governor and the Intendant, Talon, issued letters patent authorizing the enterprise, but made no pro- vision to defray the expenses. At this juncture the seminary of St. Sul- pice decided to send out missionaries in connection with the expedition, and LaSalle offering to sell his improvements at LaChine to raise money, the offer was accepted by the Superior, and two thousand eight hundred dollars were raised, with which LaSalle purchased four canoes and the necessary supplies for the outfit. On the 6th of Jul}', 1669, the party, numbering twenty-four persons, embarked in seven canoes on the St. Lawrence ; two additional canoes carried the Indian guides. In three days they were gliding over the bosom of Lake Ontario. Their guides conducted them directly to the Seneca village on the bank of the Genesee, in the vicinity of the present City of Rochester, New York. Here they expected to procure guides to conduct them to the Ohio, but in this they were disappointed. The Indians seemed unfriendly to the enterprise. LaSalle suspected that the Jesuits had prejudiced their minds against his plans. After waiting a month in the hope of gaining their object, they met an Indian 34 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. from the Iroquois colouy at the head of Lake Ontario, who assured them that they could there find guides, and offered to conduct them thence. On their way they passed the mouth of the Niagara River, when they heard for the first time the distant thunder of the cataract. Arriving LKUyUOlS Cllliil!'. among the Iroquois, they met witli a friendly reception, and learned from a Shawanee prisoner that they could reach the Ohio in six weeks. Delighted with tlie unexpected good fortune, they made ready to resume their journey ; hut just as they were about to start they heard of the arrival of two Frenchmen in a neigiihoring village. One of them proved to be Louis Joliet, afterwards famous as an explorer in the West. He THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 35 had been sent by the Canadian Government to explore the copper mines on Lake Superior, but had failed, and was on his way back to Quebec. He gave the missionaries a map of the country he had explored in the lake region, together with an account of the condition of the Jndians in that quarter. This induced the priests to determine on leaving the expedition and going to Lake Superior. LaSalle warned them that the Jesuits were probably occupying that field, and that they would meet with a cold reception. Nevertheless they persisted in their purpose, and after worship on the lake shore, parted from LaSalle. On arriving at Lake Superior, they found, as LaSalle had predicted, the Jesuit Fathers, Marquette and Dablon, occupying the field. These zealous disciples of Loj^ola informed them that they wanted no assistance from St. Sulpice, nor from those who made him their patron saint; and thus repulsed, they returned to Montreal the following June without having made a single discovery or converted a single Indian. After parting with the priests, LaSalle went to the chief Iroquois village at Onondaga, where he obtained guides, and passing thence to a tributary of the Ohio south of Lake Erie, he descended the latter as far as the falls at Louisville. Thus was the Ohio discovered by LaSalle, the persevering and successful French explorer of the West, in 1669. The account of the latter part of his journey is found in an anony- mous paper, which purports to have been taken from the lips of LaSalle himself during a subsequent visit to Paris. In a letter written to Count Frontenac in 1667, shortly after the discovery, he himself says that he discovered the Ohio and descended it to the falls. This was regarded as an indisputable fact by the French authorities, who claimed the Ohio Valley upon another ground. When Washington was sent by the colony of Virginia in 1753, to demand of Gordeur de St. Pierre why tlie French had built a fort on the Monongahela, the haughty commandant at Quebec replied : " We claim the country on the Ohio by virtue of the discoveries of LaSalle, and* will not give it up to the English. Our orders are to make prisoners of every Englishman found trading in the Ohio Valley." ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS. When the new year of 1750 broke in upon the Father of Waters and the Great Northwest, all was still wild save at the French posts already described. In 1749, when the English first began to think seri- ously about sending men into the West, the greater portion of the States of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were yet under the dominion of the red men. The English knew, however, pretty 36 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. conclusively of the nature of the wealth of these wilds. As early as 1710, Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, had commenced movements to secure the country west of the Alleghenies to the English crown. In Penns3'lvania, Governor Keith and James Logan, secretary of the prov- ince, from 1719 to 1731, represented to the powers of England the neces- sity of securing the Western lands. Nothing was done, however, by that power save to take some diplomatic steps to secure the claims of Britain to this unexplored wilderness. England had from the outset claimed from the Atlantic to the Pacific, on the ground that the discoveiy of the seacoast and its possession was a discovery and possession of the country, and, as is well known, her grants to the colonies extended " from sea to sea." This was not all her claim. She had purchased from the Indian tribes large tracts of land. This lat- ter was also a strong argument. As early as 1684, Lord H oward. Gov- ernor of Virginia, held a treaty with the six nations. These were the great Northern Confederacy, and comprised at first the Mohawks, Onei- das, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. Afterward the Tuscaroras were taken into the confederacy, and it became known as the Six Nations. They came under the protection of the mother country, and again in 1701, they repeated the agreement, and in September, 1726, a formal deed was drawn up and signed by the chiefs. The validity of this claim has often been disputed, but never successfully. In 1744, a purchase was made at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, of certain lands within the " Colony of Virginia," for which the Indians received £200 in gold and a like sum in goods, with a promise that, as settlements increased, more should be paid. The Commissioners from Virginia were Colonel Thomas Lee and Colonel William Beverly. As settlements extended, the promise of more pay was called to mind, and Mr. Conrad Weiser was sent across the mountains with presents to appease the savages. Col. Lee, and some Virginians accompa- nied him with the intention of sounding the Indians upon their feelings regarding the English. They were not satisfied with their treatment, and phiinly told the Commissioners why. The English did not desire the cultivation of the country, but the monopoly of the Indian trade. In 1748, the Ohio Company was formed, and petitioned the king for a grant of land beyond the Alleghenies. This was granted, and the government of Virginia was ordered to grant to them a half million acres, two hun- dred thousand of which were to be located at once. Upon the 12th of June, 1749, 800,000 acres from tlie line of Canada north and west was- made to the Loyal Company, and on the 29lh of October, 1751, 100,000 acres were given to the Greenbriar Company. All this time Ihe French were not idle. They saw tliat, should the British gain a footliold in tlie West, especially upon the Ohio, they might not only prevent the Freqch THE NOUTHWEST TERRITORY. 3T settling upon it, but in time would come to the lower posts and so gain possession of the whole country. Upon the 10th of May, 1774, Vaud- reuil, Governor of Canada and the F'rench possessions, well knowing the consequences that must arise from allowing tlie English to build trading- posts in the Northwest, seized some of tlieir frontier posts, and to further secure the claim of the French to the West, he, in 1719, sent Louis Cel- eron with a party of soldiers to plant along the Ohio River, in the mounds and at the mouths of its principal tributaries, plates of lead, on which were inscribed the claims of France. These were heard of in 1752, and within the memory of residents nqw living along the "■ Oyo," as the beautiful river was called by the French. One of these plates was found with the inscription partly defaced. It bears date August 16, 1749, and a copy of the inscription with particular account of the discovery of the plate, was sent by DeWitt Clinton to the American Antiquarian Society, among whose journals it may now be found.* These measures did not, however, deter the English from going on with their explorations, and though neither party resorted to arms, yet the conflict was gathering, and it was only a question of time when the storm would burst upon tlie frontier settlements. In 1750, Christopher Gist was sent by the Ohio Company to examine its lands. He went to a village of the Twigtwees, on the Miami, about one hundred and fifty miles above its mouth. He afterward spoke of it as very pojiulous. From there he went down the Ohio River nearly to the falls at the present City of Louisville, and in November he commenced a survey of the Company's lands. Dur- ing the Winter, General Andrew Lewis performed a similar work for the Greenbriar Company. Meanwhile the French were busy in preparing their forts for defense, and in opening roads, and also sent a small party of soldiers to keep the Ohio clear. This party, having heard of the Eng- lish post on the Miami River, early in 1652, assisted by the Ottawas and Chippewas, attacked it, and, after a severe battle, in which fourteen of the natives were killed and others wounded, captured the garrison. (They were probably garrisoned in a block house). Tlie traders were carried away to Canada, and one account says several were burned. This fort or post was called by the English Pickawillan3^ A memorial of the king's ministers refers to it as " Pickawillanes, in the center of the terri- tory between the Ohio and the Wabash. The name is probably some variation of Pickaway or Picqua in 1773, written by Rev. David Jones Pickaweke." ■■ The following Is a tr.ijislation of the inscription on the plate: ''la the year 1749. reijcn of Louis XV., King of France, we. Celeron, commandant of a detachment by Monsieur the Marquis of Gallisoniere, com- mander-in-chief of New France, to establish tranquility in certain Indian villages of these cantons, Iiave buried this plate at the confluence of the Toradakoin. this twenty-ninth of July, near the river Ohio, otherwise Beautiful River, as a moiuunentof renewal of possession whicli we have talien of the said river, ami all its tributaries; inasmuch as the preceding Kings of Fraucc have enjoyed it, and maintained it by their arms and treaties; especially by those of Ryswicli, Utrecht, and Aix La Chapelle." S8 THE NORTHWEST TERRITOEY, This was the first blood shed between the French and English, and occurred near the pi-esent City of Piqua, Ohio, or at least at a point about forty-seven miles north of Dayton. Each nation became now more inter- ested in the progress of events in the Northwest. The English deter- mined to purchase from the Indians a title to the lands they wished tO' occupy, and Messrs. Fry (afterward Commander-in-chief over Washing- ton at the commencement of the French War of 1775-1763), Lomax and Patton were sent in the Spring of 1752 to hold a conference with the natives at Logstown to learn what they objected to in the treaty of Lan- caster already noticed, and to settle all diflSculties. On the 9th of June, these Commissioners met the red men at Logstown, a little village on the north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles below the site of Pitts- burgh. Here had been a trading point for many years, but it was aban- doned by the Indians in 1750. At first the Indians declined to recognize the treaty of Lancaster, but, the Commissioners taking aside Montour,, the interpreter, who was a son of the famous Catharine Montour, and a chief among the six nations, induced him to use his influence in their favor. This he did, and upon the loth of June they all united in signing^ a deed, confirming the Lancaster treaty in its full extent, consenting to a^ settlement of the southeast of the Ohio, and guaranteeing that it should not be disturbed by them. These M'ere the means used to obtain the first treaty with the Indians in the Ohio Valley. Meanwhile the powers beyond the sea were trying to out-manceuvre each other, and were professing to be at peace. The English generally outwitted the Indians, and failed in many instances to fulfill their con- tracts. They thereby gained the ill-will of the red men, and further increased the feeling by failing to provide them with arms and ammuni- tion. Said an old chief, at Easton, in 1758 : " The Indians on the Oliio left you because of your own fault. When we heard the French were coming, we asked you for help and arms, but we did not get them. The French came, they treated us kindly, and gained our affections. The Governor of V^irginia settled on our lands for his own benefit, and, when. we wanted help, forsook us." At the beginning of 1653, the English thought they had secured by title the lands in the West, but the French had quietly gathered cannon and militai-y stores to be in readiness for the expected blow. The Eng- lish made other attempts to ratify these existing treaties, but not until the Summer could the Indians be gathered together to discuss the plans of the French. They had sent messages to tlie French, warning them away ; but they replied that they intended to complete the chain of forts already l)eguu, and would not abandon the field. Soon after this, no satisfaction being obtained from the Ohio regard- THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 39 ing the positions and pm-poses of the French, Governoi- Dinwiddie of Virginia determined to send to them another messenger and learn from them, if possible, tlieir intentions. For this purpose he selected a young man, a surveyor, who, at the earl}^ age of nineteen, had received the rank of major, and who was thoroughlj' posted regarding frontier life. This personage was no other than the illustrious George Washington, who then held considerable interest in Western lands. He was at this time just twenty-two years of age. Taking Gist as his guide, the two, accompanied by four servitors, set out on their perilous march. They left Will's Creek on the 10th of November, 1753, and on the 22d reached the Monon- gahela, about ten miles above the fork. From there thej^ went to Logstown, where Washington had a long conference with the chiefs of the Six Nations. From them he learned the condition of the French, and also heard of their determination not to come down the river till the fol- lowing Spring. The Indians were non-committal, as they were afraid to turn either way, and, as far as the}' could, desired to remain neutral. Washington, finding nothing could be done with them, went on to Venango, an old Indian town at the mouth of French Creek. Here the French had a fort, called Fort Machault. Through the rum and flattery of the French, he nearly lost all his Indian followers. Finding nothing of importance here, he pursued his way amid great privations, and on the 11th of December reached the fort at the head of French Creek. Here he delivered Governor Dinwiddie's letter, received his answer, took his observations, and on the 16tli set out upon his return journey with no one but Gist, his guide, and a few Indians who still remained true to him, notwithstanding the endeavors of the French to retain them. Their homeward journey was one of great peril and suffering from the cold, yet they reached home in safety on the 6th of January, 1754. From the letter of St. Pierre, commander of the French fort, sent by Washington to Governor Dinwiddie, it was learned that the French would not give up without a struggle. Active preparations were at once made in all the English colonies for the coming conflict, while the French finished the fort at Venango and strengthened their lines of fortifications, and gathered their forces to be in readiness. The Old Dominion was all alive. Virginia was the center of gi'eat :activitifes ; volunteers were called for, and from all the neighboring colonies men rallied to the conflict, and everywhere along the Potomac men were enlisting under the Governor's proclamation — whicli promised two hundred thousand acres on the Ohio. Along this river they were gathering as far as Will's Creek, and far beyond this point, whither Trent Jiad come for assistance for his little band of forty-one men, who were 40 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. working away in hunger and want, to fortify that point at the fork of the Ohio, to which both parties were looking with deep interest. " The first birds of Spring filled the air with their song ; the swift river rolled by the Allegheny hillsides, swollen by the melting snows of Spring and the April showers. The leaves were appearing ; a few Indian scouts were seen, but no enemy seemed near at hand ; and all was so quiet,, that Frazier, an old Indian scout and trader, who had been left by Trent in command, ventured to his home at the mouth of Turtle Creek, ten miles up the Monongahela. But, though all was so quiet in that wilder- ness, keen eyes had seen the low intrenchment rising at the fork, and swift feet had borne the news of it up the river ; and iipon the morning of the 17th of April, Ensign Ward, who then had charge of it, saw upon the Allegheny a sight that made his heart sink — sixty batteaux and three hundred canoes filled with men, and laden deep with cannon and stores. * * * That evening he supped with his captor, Contrecoeur,, and the next day he was bowed off liy the Frenchman, and with his men and tools, marched ujo the Monongahela."' The French and Indian war had begun. The treaty of Aix la Chai)elle, in 1748, had left the boundaries between the French and English possessions unsettled, and the events already narrated show the French were determined to hold the country watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries ; while the English laid claims to the country by virtue of the discoveries of the Cabots, and claimed all the country from New- foundland to Florida, extending from the Atlantic to tiie Pacific. The first decisive blow had now been struck, and the first attempt of the English, through the Ohio Company, to occupy these lands, had resulted disasti'ously to them. The French and Indians immediately completed the fortifications begun at the Fork, which they had so easily captured,, and when completed gave to the fort the name of DuQuesne. Washing- ton was at Will's Creek when the news of the captui-e of the fort arrived. He at once departed to recapture it. On his way he entrenched him- self at a place called the " Meadows," where he erected a fort called by him Fort Necessity. From there he surprised and captured a force of French and Indians marching against him, but was soon after attacked in his fort by a much superior force, and was obliged to yield on the morning of .Tuly 4th. He was allowed to return to Virginia. The English Government immediatel}' phuuu'd four campaigns ; one against Fort DuQuesne ; one against Nova Scotia ; one against Fort Niagara, and one against Crown Point. These oi'curred during 1755-6, and were not successful in driving the French from their possessions. The expedition against Fort DuQuesne was led by the famous General Braddock, who, refu'sing to listen to the advice of Washington and those XHK NOETHWEST TERRITORY. 41 acquainted with Indian warfare, suffered such an inglorious defeat. This occurred on the morning of July 9th, and is generally known as the battle of Monongahela, or " Braddock's Defeat." The war continued with various vicissitudes through the years 1756-7 ; when, at the commence- ment of 1758, in accordance with the plans of William Pitt, then Secre- tary of State, afterwards Lord Chatham, active preparations were made to carry on the war. Three expeditious were planned for this year : one, under General Amherst, against Louisburg ; another, under Abercrombie, against Fort Ticonderoga ; and a third, under General Forbes, against Fort DuQuesne. On the 26th of July, Louisburg surrendered after a desperate resistance of more than forty days, and the eastern part of the Canadian possessions fell into the hands of the British. Abercrombie captured Fort Frontenac, and when the expedition against Fort DuQuesne, of which Washington had the active command, arrived there, it was found in flames and deserted. The English at once took possession, rebuilt the fort, and in honor of their illustrious statesman, changed the name to Fort Pitt. The great object of the campaign of 1759, was the reduction of Canada. General Wolfe was to lay siege to Quebec ; Amherst was to reduce Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and General Prideaux was to capture Niagara. This latter place was taken in July, but the gallant Prideaux lost his life in the attempt. Amherst captured Ticonderoga and Crown Point without a blow ; and Wolfe, after making the memor- able ascent to the Plains of Abraham, on September 13th, defeated Montcalm, and on the 18th, the city capitulated. In this engagement Montcolm and Wolfe lioth lost their lives. De Levi, Montcalm's successor, marched to Sillery, three miles above the city, with the purpose of defeating the English, and there, on the 28tli of the following Api'il, was fought one of the bloodiest battles of the French and Indian War. It resulted in the defeat of the French, and the fall of the City of Montreal. The Governor signed a capitulation by which the whole of Canada was surrendered to the English. This practically concluded the war, but it was not until 1763 that the treaties of peace between France and England were signed. This was done on the 10th of February of that year, and under its provisions all the country east of the Mississippi and north of the Iberville River, in Louisiana, were ceded to England. At the same time Spain ceded Floiida to Great Britain. On the 13th of September, 1760, Ma,)or Robert Rogers was sent from Montreal to take charge of Detroit, the only remaining French post in the territory. He arrived there on the 19th of November, and sum- moned the place to surrender. At first the tommander of the post, Beletre refused, but on the 29th, hearing of the continued defeat of the 42 THE XOETHWEST TERRITORY. French arms, surrendered. Rogers remained there until December 23d under the personal protection of the celebrated chief, Pontiac, to whom, no doubt, he owed his safety. Pontiac had come here to inquire the purposes of the English in taking possession of the country. He was assured that they came simply to trade with the natives, and did not desire their country. This answer conciliated the savages, and did much to insure the safety of Rogers and his party during their stay, and while on their journey home. Rogers set out for Fort Pitt on December 23, and was just one month on the way. His route was from Detroit to Maumee, thence across the present State of Ohio directly to the fort. This was the com- mon trail of the Indians in their journeys from Sandusky to the fork of the Ohio. It went from Fort Sandusky, where Sandusky City now is, crossed the Huron river, then called Bald Eagle Creek, to " Mohickon John's Town " on Mohickon Creek, the northern branch of White Woman's River, and thence crossed to Beaver's Town, a Delaware town on what is now Sandy Creek. At Beaver's Town were probably one hundred and fifty warriors, and not less than three thousand acres of cleared land. From there the track went up Sandy Creek to and across Big Beaver, and up the Ohio to Logstown, thence on to the fork. The Northwest Territory was now entirely under the English rule. New settlements began to be rapidly made, and the promise of a large trade was speedily manifested. Had the British carried out their promises with the natives none of those savage butcheries would have been perpe- trated, and the country would have been spared their recital. The renowned chief, Pontiac, was one of the leading spirits in these atrocities. We will now pause in our narrative, and notice the leading events in his life. The earliest authentic information regarding this noted Indian chief is learned from an account of an Indian trader named Alexander Henry, who, in the Spring of 1761, penetrated his domains as far as Missillimacnac. Pontiac was then a great friend of the French, but a bitter foe of the English, whom he considered as encroaching on his hunting grounds. Henry was obliged to disguise himself as a Canadian to insure safety, but was discovered by Pontiac, who bitterly reproached him and the English for their attempted subjugation of the West. He declared that no treaty had been made with them ; no presents sent them, and that he would resent any possession of the West by that nation. He was at the time about fifty years of age, tall and dignified, and was civil and military ruler of the Ottawas, Ojibwas and Pottawatamies. The Indians, from Lake Michigan to the borders of North Carolina, were united in this feeling, and at the time of the treaty of Paris, ratified February 10, 1763, a general conspiracy was formed to fall suddenly THE NORTHWEST TEERITOEY. 43 PONTIAC, THE OTTAWA CHIEFTAIN. 44 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. upon the frontier British posts, and with one blow strike every man dead. Pontiac was the marked leader in all this, and was the commander of the Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots, Miamis, Shawanese, Delawares- and Mingoes, who had, for the time, laid aside their local quarrels to unit& in this enterprise. The blow came, as near as can now be ascertained, on May 7, 1768. Nine British posts fell, and the Indians drank, "■ scooped up in the hollow of joined hands," the blood of many a Briton. Pontiac's immediate field of action was the garrison at Detroit. Here, however, the plans were frustrated by an Indian woman disclosing the plot the evening previous to his arrival. Everything was carried out, however, according to Pontiac's plans until the moment of action, when Major Gladwyn, the commander of the post, stepping to one of the Indian chiefs, suddenly drew aside his blanket and disclosed the concealed musket. Pontiac, though a brave man, turned pale and trembled. He saw his plan was known, and that the garrison were prepared. He endeavored to exculpate himself from any such intentions ; but the guilt was evident, and he and his followers wei-e dismissed with a severe reprimand, and warned never to again enter the walls of the post. Pontiac at once laid siege to the fort, and until the treaty of peace between the British and the Western Indians, concluded in August, 1764, continued to harass and besiege the fortress. He organized a regular commissariat department, issued bills of credit written out on bark, which, to his credit, it may be stated, were punctually redeemed. At the conclusion of the treaty, in which it seems he took no part, he went further south, living many years among the Illinois. He had given up all hope of saving his country and race. After a time he endeavored to unite the Illinois tribe and those about St. Louis in a war with the whites. His efforts were fruitless, and only ended in a quarrel between himself and some Kaskaskia Indians, one of whom soon afterwards killed him. His death was. however, avenged by the northern Indians, who nearly exterminated the Illinois iu the wars which followed. Had it not been for the treachery of a few of his followers, his plan for the extermination of the whites, a masterl}' one, would undoubtedly have been carried out. It was in the Spring of the year following Rogers' visit that Alex- ander Henry went to Missillimacnac, and everywhere found the strongest feelings against the English, who had not carried out their promises, and were doing nothing to conciliate the natives. Here he met the chief, Pontiac, who, after conveying to him in a speech the idea that their French father would awake soon and utterly destroy his enemies, said : " Englishman, although you have conquered the French, you have not THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 45 yet conquered us ! We are not your slaves ! These lakes, these woods, these mountains, were left us by our ancestors. They are our inheritance, and we will part with them to none. Your nation supposes that we, like the white people, can not live without bread and pork and beef. But you ought to know that He, the Great Spirit and Master of Life, has provided food for us upon these broad lakes and in these mountains." He then spoke of the fact that no treaty had been made with them,, no presents sent them, and that he and his people were yet for war. Such were the feelings of the Northwestern Indians immediately after the English took possession of their countr}^ These feelings were no doubt encouraged by the Canadians and French, who hoped that yet the French arms might prevail. The treaty of Paris, however, gave to the English the right to this vast domain, and active preparations were going, on to occupy it and enjoy its trade and emoluments. In 1762, France, by a secret treaty, ceded Louisiana to Spain, to pre- vent it falling into the hands of the English, who were becoming masters- of the entire West. The next year the treaty of Paris, signed at Fon- tainbleau, gave to the English the domain of the country in question.. Twenty years after, by the treaty of peace between the United States- and England, that part of Canada lying south and west of the Great. Lakes, comprehending a large territory which is the subject of these- sketches, was acknowledged to be a portion of the United States ; and twenty years still later, in 1803, Louisiana was ceded by Spain back to- France, and by France sold to the United States. In the half century, from the building of the Fort of Crevecceur by LaSalle, in 1680, up to the erection of Fort Chartres, many French set- tlements had been made in that quarter. These have already beerb noticed, being those at St. Vincent (Vincennes), Kohokia or Cahokia,. Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher, on the American Bottom, a large tract- of rich alluvial soil in Illinois, on the Mississippi, opposite the site of St. Louis. By the treaty of Paris, the regions east of the Mississippi, including; all these and other towns of the Northwest, were given over to England;, but they do not appear to have bean taken possession of until 1765, whea Captain Stirling, in the name of the Majesty of England, established him- self at Fort Chartres bearing with him the proclamation of General Gage^ dated December 30, 1764, which promised religious freedom to all Cath- olics who worshiped here, and a right to leave the country with their effects if they wished, or to remain with the privileges of Englishmen. It was shortly after the occupancy of the West by the British that the war with Pontiac opened. It is already noticed in the sketch of that chieftain- By it many a Bi-iton lost his life, and many a frontier settle- 46 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. ment in its infancy ceased to exist. This was' not ended until the year 1764, when, failing to capture Detroit, Niagara and Fort Pitt, his confed- ■eracy became disheartened, and, receiving no aid from the French, Pon- tiac abandoned the enterprise and departed to the Illinois, among whom ■he afterward lost liis life. As soon as these difficulties were definitely settled, settlers began rapidly to survey the country and prepare for occupation. During the year 1770, a number of persons from Virginia and other British provinces explored and marked out nearly all the valuable lands on the Mononga- hela and along the banks of the Ohio as far as the Little Kanawha. This ■was followed by another exploring expedition, in which George Washing- ton was a party. The latter, accompanied by Dr. Craik, Capt. Crawford and others, on the 20tli of October, 1770, descended the Ohio from Pitts- burgh to the mouth of the Kanawha ; ascended that stream about fourteen miles, marked out several large tracts of land, shot several buffalo, which •were then abundant in the Ohio Valley, and returned to the fort. Pittsburgh was at this time a trading post, about which was clus- tered a village of some twenty houses, inhabited by Indian traders. This ■same year, Capt. Pittman visited Kaskaskia and its neighboring villages. He found there about sixty-five resident families, and at Cahokia only forty-five dwellings. At Fort Chartres was another small settlement, and iit Detroit the garrison were quite prosperous and strong. For a year ■or two settlers continued to locate near some of these posts, generally Fort Pitt or Detroit, owing to the fears of the Indians, who still main- tained some feelings of hatred to the English. The trade from the posts •was quite good, and from those in Illinois large quantities of pork and flour found their way to the New Orleans market. At this time the policy of the British Government was strongly opposed to the extension of the colonies west. In 1763, the King of England forbade, by royal proclamation, his colonial subjects from making a settlement beyond the sources of the rivers which fall into the Atlantic Ocean. At the instance of the Board of Trade, measures were taken to prevent the settlement without the limits prescribed, and to retain the commerce within easy reach of Great Britain. The commander-in-chief of the king's forces wrote in 1769 : " In the •course of a few years necessity will compel the colonists, should they extend their settlements west, to provide manufactures of some kind for themselves, and when all connection upheld by commerce with the mother country ceases, an i7ide pendency in tlieir government will soon follow. ' In accordance with this policy. Gov. Gage issued a proclamation in 1772, commanding the inhabitants of Vincennes to abandon their set- cements and join some of the Eastern English colonies. To this they THE NOKTHWEST TERRITORY. 4T strenuously objected, giving good reasons therefor, and were allowed tO' remain. The strong opposition to this policy of Great Britain led to it» change, and to such a course as to gain the attachment of the French population. In December, 1773, influential citizens of Quebec petitioned the king for an extension of the boundary lines of that province, which was granted, and Parliament passed an act on June 2, 1774, extend- ing the boundary so as to include the territory l}'ing within the present States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. In consequence of the liberal policy pursued by the British Govern- ment toward the French settlers in the West, they were disposed to favor that nation in the war which soon followed with the colonies ; but th& early alliance between France and America soon brought them to the side of the war for independence. In 1774, Gov. Dunmore, of Virginia, began to encourage emigration to the Western lands. He appointed magistrates at Fort Pitt under the- pretense that the fort was under the government of that commonwealth. One of these justices, John Connelly, who possessed a tract of land in the Ohio Valle}', gathered a force of men and garrisoned the fort, calling it Fort Dunmore. This and other parties were formed to select sites for settlements, and often caaie in conflict with the Indians, who yet claimed portions of the valley, and several battles followed. These ended in the famous battle of Kanawha in July, where the Indians were defeated and driven across the Ohio. During the years 1775 and 1776, by the operations of land companies- and the perseveranceof individuals, several settlements were firmly estab- lished between the Alleghanies and the Ohio River, and western land speculators were busy in Illinois and on the Wabash. At a council held in Kaskaskia on July 5, 1773, an association of English traders, calling^ themselves the " Illinois Land Company," obtained from ten chiefs of the Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Peoria tribes two large tracts of land lying on the east side of the Mississippi River south of the Illinois. In 1775, a mer- chant from the Illinois Country, named Viviat, came to Post Vincennes. as the agent of the association called the " Wabash Land Company." On the 8th of October he obtained from eleven Piankeshaw chiefs, a deed for 37,497,600 acres of land. This deed was signed by the grantors, attested by a number of the inhabitants of Vincennes, and afterward recorded in the office of a notary public at Kaskaskia. This and other land com- panies had extensive schemes for the colonization of the West ; but all were frustrated by the breaking out of the Revolution. On the 20th of April, 1780, the two companies named consolidated under the name of the " United Illinois and Wabash Land Company." They afterward mada 48 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. strenuous efforts to have these grants sanctioned by Congress, but all signally failed. When the War of the Revolution commenced, Kentucky was an unor- ganized country, though there were several settlements within her borders. In Hutchins' Topography of Virginia, it is stated tliat at that time ■" Kaskaskia contained 80 houses, and nearly 1,000 white and black in- habitants — the whites being a little the more numerous. Cahokia con- tains 50 houses and 300 white inhabitants, and 80 negroes. There were €ast of the Mississippi River, about the j'ear 1771 " — when these observa- tions were made — " 300 white men capable of bearing arms, and 230 negroes." From 1775 until the expedition of Clark, nothing is recorded and nothing known of these settlements, save what is contained in a leport made by a committee to Congress in June, 1778. From it the following extract is made : "Near the mouth of the River Kaskaskia, there is a village which appears to have contained nearly eighty families from the beginning of the late revolution. There are twelve families in a small village at la Prairie du Rochers, and near fifty families at the Kahokia Village. There are also four or five families at Foi"t Chartres and St. Philips, which is five miles further up the river." St. Louis had been settled in February, 1764, and at this time con- tained, including its neighboring towns, over six hundred whites and one hundred and fifty negroes. It must be remembered that all the country west of the Mississippi was now under French rule, and remained so until <;eded again to Spain, its original owner, who afterwards sold it and the country including New Orleans to the United States. At Detroit there were, according to Capt. Carver, who was in the Northwest from 1766 to 1768, more than one hundred houses, and the river was settled for more than twenty miles, although poorly cultivated — the people being engaged in the Indian trade. This old town has a history, which we will here relate. It is the oldest town in the Northwest, having been founded by Antoine de Lamotte Cadillac, in 1701. It was laid out in the form of an oblong square, of two acres in length, and an acre and a half in width. As described by A. D. Frazer, who first visited it and became a permanent resident of the place, in 1778, it comprised within its limits that space between Mr. Palmer's store (Conatit Block") and Capt. Perkins' house (near the Arsenal building), and extended back as far as the public barn, and was bordered in front by the Detroit River. It was surrounded by oak and cedar jnckets, about fifteen feet long, set in the ground, and had four gates — east, west, uorth and south. Over the first thi-ee of these THE NORTFTWEST TERRITORY. 49 gates were block houses provided with four guns apiece, each a six- pounder. Two six-gun batteries were jalanted fronting the river and in a parallel direction with the block houses. There were four streets running east and west, the main street being twenty feet wide and the rest fifteen feet, while the four streets crossing these at right angles were from ten to fifteen feet in width. At the date spoken of by Mr. Frazer, there was no fort within the enclosure, but a citadel on the ground corresponding to the present northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. The citadel was inclosed by pickets, and within it were erected barracks of wood, two stories high, sufficient to contain ten officers, and also barracks sufficient to contain four hundred men, and a provision store built of brick. The citadel also contained a hospital and guard-house. The old town of Detroit, in 1778, contained about sixty houses, most of them one story, with a few a story and a half in height. They were all" of logs, some hewn and some round. There was one building of splendid ap^Dearance, called the " King's Palace," two stories high, which stood near the east gate. It was built for Governor Hamilton, the first governor commissioned by the British. There were two guard-houses, one near the west gate and the other near the Government House. Each of the guards consisted of twenty-four men and a subaltern, who mounted regularly every morning between nine and ten o'clock. Each furnished four sentinels, wlio were relieved every two hours. There was also an officer of the day, who p.r- formed strict dut\-. Each of the gates was shut regularly at sunset; even wicket gates were shut at nine o'clock, and all tlie keys were delivered into the hands of the commanding officer. They were opened in the morning at sunrise. No Indian or squaw was permitted to enter town with any weapon, such as a tomahawk or a kuife. It was a stand- ing order that the Indians should deliver their arms and instruments of every kind before they were permitted to pass the sentinel, and they were restored to them on their return. No more than twenty-five Indians were allowed to enter the town at any one time, and they were admitted only at the east and west gates. At sundown the drums beat, and all the Indians were required to leave town instantly. There was a council house near the water side for the purpose of holding council with the Indians. The population of the town was about sixty families, in all about two hundred males and one hundred females. This town was destroyed by fire, all except one dwelling, in 1805. After which the present '^ new" town was laid out. On the breaking out of the Revolution, the British held every post of importance in the West. Kentucky was formed as a component part of Virginia, and the sturdy pioneers of the West, alive to their interests, 60 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. and recognizing the great benefits of obtaining the control of the trade in this part of the New World, held steadily to their purposes, and those within the commonwealth of Kentucky proceeded to exercise their civil privileges, by electing John Todd and Richard Gallaway, burgesses to represent them in the Assembly of the parent state. Early in September of that year (1777) the first court was held in Harrodsburg, and Col. Bowman, afterwards major, who had arrived in August, was made the commander of a militia organization which had been commenced the March previous. Thus the tree of loyalty was growing. The chief spirit in this far-out colony, who had represented her the year previous east of the mountains, was now meditating a move unequaled in its boldness. He had been watching the movements of the British throughout the Northwest, and understood their whole plan. He saw it was through their possession of the posts at Detroit, Viucennes, Kaskaskia, and other places, which would give them constant and easy access to the various Indian tribes in tiie Northwest, that the British intended to penetrate the country from the north and soutn, ana annihi- late the frontier fortresses. This moving, energetic man was Colonel, afterwards General, George Rogers Clark. He knew the Indians were not unanimously in accord with the English, and he was convinced that, could the British be defeated and expelled from the Northwest, the natives might be easily awed into neutrality ; and by spies sent for the purpose, he satisfied himself that the enterprise against the Illinois settlements might easily succeed. Having convinced himself of the certainty of the project, he repaired to the Capital of Virginia, which place he reached on November 5th. While he was on his way, fortunately, on October 17th, Burgoyne had been defeated, and the spirits of the colonists greatly encouraged thereby. Patrick Henry was Governor of Virginia, and at once entered heartily into Clark's plans. The same plan had before been agitated in tiie Colonial Assemblies, but there was no one until Clark came who was sufficiently acquainted with the condition of affairs at the scene of action to be able to guide them. Clark, having satisfied the Virginia leaders of the feasibility of his plan, received, on the 2d of January, two sets of instructions — one secret, the other open — the latter authorized him to proceed to enlist seven companies to go to Kentucky, subject to his orders, and to serve three months from their arrival in the West. The secret order authorized him to arm these troops, to procure his powder and lead of General Hand at Pittsburgh, and to procec^d at once to subjugate the country. With these instructions Clark repaired to Pittsburgh, choosing rather to raise his men west of the mountains, as he well knew all were needed in the colonies in the conflict there. He sent Col. W. B. Smith to Hoi- THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 51 ston for the same purpose, but neither succeeded in raising the required number of men. The settlers in these parts were afraid to leave their own firesides exposed to a vigilant foe, and but few could be induced to join the proposed expedition. With three companies and several private volunteers, Clark at length commenced his descent of the Ohio, which he navigated as far as the Falls, where he took possession of and fortified Corn Island, a small island between the present Cities of Louisville, Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana. Remains of this fortification may yet be found. At this place he appointed Col. Bowman to meet him with such recruits as had reached Kentucky by the southern route, and as many as could be spared from the station. Here he announced to the men their real destination. Having completed his arrangements, and chosen his party, he left a small gan-ison upon the island, and on the 24th of June, during a total eclipse of the sun, which to them augured no good, and which fixes beyond dispute the date of starting, he with his chosen band, fell down the river. His plan was to go by water as far as Fort Massac or Massacre, and thence march direct to Kaskaskia. Here he intended to surprise the garrison, and after its capture go to Cahokia, then to Vincennes, and lastly to Detroit. Should he fail, he intended to march directly to the Mississij)pi River and cross it into the Spanish country. Before his start he received two good items of infor- mation : one that the alliance had been formed between France and the United States ; and the other that the Indians thi'oughout the Illinois country and the inhabitants, at the various frontier posts, had been led to believe by the British that the " Long Knives " or Virginians, were the most fierce, bloodthirsty and cruel savages that ever scalped a foe. With this impression on their minds, Clark saw that proper management would cause them to submit at once from fear, if surprised, and then from grati- tude would become friendly if treated with unexpected leniency. The march to Kaskaskia was accomplished through a hot July sun, and the town reached on the evening of July 4. He captured the fort near the village, and soon after the village itself by surprise, and without the loss of a single man or b}^ killing any of the enemy. After sufficiently working upon the fears of the natives, Clark told them they were at per- fect liberty to worship as they pleased, and to take whichever side of the great conflict they would, also he would protect them from any barbarity from British or Indian foe. This had the desired effect, and the inhab- itants, so unexpectedly and so gratefully surprised by the unlocked for turn of affairs, at once swore allegiance to the American arms, and when Clark desired to go to Cahokia on the 6th of July, they accom- panied him, and through their influence the inhabitants of the place surrendered, and gladly placed themselves under his protection. Thus 52 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. the two important posts in Illinois passed from the hands of the English into the possession of Virginia. In the person of the priest at Kaskaskia, M. Gibault, Clark found a powerful ally and generous friend. Clark saw that, to retain possession of the Northwest and treat successfully with the Indians within its boun- daries, he must establish a government for the colonies he had taken. St. Vincent, the next important post to Detroit,remained yet to be taken before the Mississippi Valley was conquered. M. Gibault told him that he would alone, by persuasion, lead Vincennes to throw off its connection with England. Clark gladly accepted his offer, and on the 14th of July, in company with a fellow-townsman, M. Gibault started on his mission of peace, and on the 1st of August returned with the cheerful intelligence that the post on the " Oubache "' had taken the oath of allegiance to the Old Dominion. During this interval, Clark established his courts, placed garrisons at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, successfully re-enlisted his men, sent word to have a fort, which proved the germ of Louisville, erected at the Falls of the Ohio, and dispatched Mr. Rocheblave, who had been commander at Kaskaskia, as a prisoner of war to Richmond. In October the County of Illinois was established by the Legislature of Virginia, John Todd appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Civil Governor, and in November General Clark and his men received the thanks of the Old Dominion through their Legislature. In a speech a few days afterward, Clark made known fully to the natives his plans, and at its close all came forward and swore alle- giance to the Long Knives. While he was doing this Governor Hamilton, having made his various arrangements, had left Detroit and moved down the Wabash to Vincennes intending to ojjerate from that point in reducing the Illinois posts, and then proceed on down to Kentucky and drive the rebels from the West. Gen. Clark had, on the return of M. Gibault, dispatched Captain Helm, of Fauquier County, Virginia, with an attend- ant named Henrv, across the Illinois prairies to command the fort. Hamilton knew nothing of the capitulation of the post, and was greatly surprised on his arrival to be confronted by Capt. Helm, who, standing at the entrance of the fort by a loaded cannon ready to fire upon his assail- ants, demanded upon what terms Hamilton demanded possession of the fort. Being granted the rights of a prisoner of war, he surrendered to the British General, who could scarcely believe his eyes when he saw tha force in the garrison. Hamilton, not realizing the character of the men with whom he was contending, gave up his intended cam{)aign for the Winter, sent his four hundred Indian warriors to prevent troops from coming down the Ohio, THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 53 and to annoy the Americans in all ways, and sat qnietly down to pass the Winter. Information of all these proceedings having reached Clark, he saw that immediate and decisive action was necessary, and that unless he captured Hamilton, Hamilton would capture him. Clark received the news on the 29th of .January, 1779, and on February 4th, having suffi- ciently garrisoned Kaskaskia and Cahokia, he sent down the Mississippi a " battoe," as Major Bowman writes it, in order to ascend the Ohio and Wabash, and operate with the land forces gathering for the fray. On the next day, Clark, with liis little force of one hundred and twenty men, set out for the post, and after incredible hard marching through mucii mud, the ground being thawed by the incessant spring rains, on the 22d readied the fort, and being joined by his " battoe," at once commenced the attack on the post. The aim of the American back- woodsman was unerring, and on the 24th the garrison surrendered to the intrepid boldness of Clark. The French were treated with great kind- ness, and gladly renewed their allegiance to Virginia. Hamilton was sent as a prisoner to Virginia, where he was kept in close confinement. During his command of the British frontier posts, he had offered prizes to the Indians for all the scalps of Americans they would bring to him, and had earned in consequence thereof the title " Hair-buyer General," by which he was ever afterward known. Detroit was now without doubt within easy reach of the enterprising Virginian, could he but raise the necessary force. Governor Henry being apprised of this, promised iiim the needed reinforcement, and Clark con- cluded to wait until he could capture and sufficiently garrison the posts. Had Clark failed in this bold undertaking, and Hamilton succeeded in uniting the western Indians for the next Spring's campaign, the West would indeed have been swept from the Mississippi to the Allegheny Mountains, and the great blow struck, which had been contemplated from the commencement, by the British. " But for this small army of dripping, but fearless Virginians, the union of all the tribes from Georgia to Maine against the colonies might have been effected, and the whole current of our history changed." At this time some fears were entertained Ijy the Colonial Govern- ments that the Indians in the North and Northwest were inclining to the British, and under the instructions of Washington, now Commander-in- Chief of the Colonial army, and so bravely fighting for American inde- pendence, armed forces were sent against the Six Nations, and upon the Ohio frontier, Col. Bowman, acting under the same general's orders, marched against Indians within the present limits of that State. These expeditions were in the main successful, and the Indians were compelled to sue for peace. 64 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. During this same year (1779) the famous "Land Laws" of Virginia were passed. The passage of these laws was of more consequence to the pioneers of Kentucky and the Northwest than the gaining of a few Indian conflicts. These laws confirmed in main all grants made, and guaranteed to all actual settlers their rights and privileges. After providing for the settlers, the laws provided for selling the balance of the public lands at forty cents per acre. To carry the Land Laws into effect, the Legislature sent four Virginians westward to attend to the various claims, over many of which great confusion prevailed concerning their validity. These gentlemen opened their court on October 13, 1779, at St. Asaphs, and continued until April 26, 1780, when they adjourned, having decided three thousand claims. They were succeeded by the surveyor, who came in the person of Mr. George May, and assumed his duties on the 10th day of the month whose name he bore. With the opening of the next year (1780) the troubles concerning the navigation of the Missis- sippi commenced. The Spanish Government exacted such measures in relation to its trade as to cause the overtures made to the United States to be rejected. The American Government considered they had a right to navigate its channel. To enforce their claims, a fort was erected below the mouth of the Ohio on the Kentucky side of the river. The settle- ments in Kentucky were being rapidly filled by emigrants. It was dur- ing this year that the first seminary of learning was established in the West in this joung and enterprising Commonwealth- The settlers here did not look upon the building of this fort in a friendly manner, as it aroused the hostility of the Indians. Spain had been friendly to the Colonies during their struggle for independence, and though for a while this friendship appeared in danger from the refusal of the free navigation of the river, yet it was finally settled to the satisfaction of both nations. Tlie Winter of 1779-80 was one of the most unusually severe ones ever experienced in the West. The Indians always referred to it as the "Great Cold." Numbers of wild animals perished, and not a few pioneers lost their lives. The following Summer a party of Canadians and Indians attacked St. Louis, and attempted to take possession of it in consequence of the friendly disposition of Spain to the revolting colonies. They met with such a determined resistance on the part of the inhabitants, even the women taking part in the battle, that they were compelled to abandon the contest. They also made an attack on the settlements in Kentucky, but, becoming alarmed in some unaccountable manner, they fled the country in great haste. About this time arose the question in the Colonial Congress con- cerning the western lands claimed by Virginia, New York, Massachusetts THE NORTHWEST TERKITORY. 55 and Connecticut. The agitation concerning tliis subject finally led New York, on the 19th of February, 1780, to puss a law giving to the dele- gates of that State in Congress the power to cede her western lahds for the benefit of the United States. This law was laid before Congress during the next month, but no steps were taken concerning it until Sep- tember 6th, when a resolution passed that body calling upon the States claiming western lands to release their claims in favor of the whole body. This basis formed tlie union, and was the first after all of those legislative measures which resulted in the creation of the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In December of the same year, the plan of conquering Detroit again arose. The conquest might have easily been effected by Clark had the necessary aid been furnished him. Nothing decisive was done, yet the heads of the Government knew that tlie safety of the Northwest from British invasion lay in the capture and retention of that important post, the only unconquered one in the territory. Before the close of the year, Kentucky was divided into the Coun- ties of Lincoln, Fayette and Jefferson, and the act establishing the Town of Louisville was passed. This same year is also noted in the annals of American history as the year in which occurred Arnold's treason to the United States. Virginia, in accordance with the resolution of Congress, on the 2d day of January, 1781, agreed to yield her western lands to tlie United States upon certain conditions, which Congress would not accede to, and the Act of Cession, on the part of the Old Dominion, failed, nor was anything farther done until 1783. During all that time the Colonies were busily engaged in the struggle with the mother country, and in consequence thereof but little heed was given to the western settlements. Upon the 16th of Aj^ril, 1781, the first birth north of the Ohio River of American parentage occurred, being that of Maiy Heckewelder, daughter of the widely known Moravian missionary, whose band of Christian Indians suffered in after years a horrible massacre by the hands of the frontier settlers, who had been exasperated by the murder of several of their neighbors, and in their rage committed, without regard to humanity, a deed which forever afterwards cast a shade of shame upon their lives. For this and kindred outrages on the part of the whiles, the Indians committed many deeds of cruelty which darken the years of 1771 and 1772 in the history of the Northwest. During the year 1782 a number of battles among the Indians and frontiersmen occurred, and between the Moravian Indians and the Wyan- dots. In these, horrible acts of cruelty were practised on the captives, many of such dark deeds transpiring under the leadership of the notorious 56 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. frontier outlaw, Simon Girty, whose name, as well as those of his brothers, was a terror to women and children. These occurred chief!}' in the Ohio valleys. Coteraporary with them were several engagements in Kentucky, in which the famous Daniel Boone engaged, and who, often by his skill and knowledge of Indian warfare, saved the outposts from cruel destruc- -^ INDIANS Al"rACKIX»l FltoNTlKIiSMEN. tion. By the close of the year victory had perched upon the American banner, and on the 30th of November, provisional articles of peace had been arranged between the Commissioners of England and her uncon- querable colonies. Cornwallis had been defeated on the lOtii of October preceding, and the liberty of America was assured. On the liUii of April following, the anniver-sary of the battle of Lexington, peace was THE NORTHWEST TEEEITORY. 57 proclaimed to tlie army of the United States, and on the Sd of the next September, the definite treaty which ended ouv revolutionary struggle was concluded. By the terms of that treaty, the boundaries of the West were as follows : On the north the line was to extend along the center of the Great Lakes ; from the western point of Lake Superior to Long Lake ; thence to the Lake of the Woods ; thence to the head of the Mississippi River; down its center to the 31st parallel of latitude, then on that line east to the head of the Appalachicola River ; down its center to its junc- tion with the Flint ; thence straight to the head of St. Mary's River, and thence down along its center to the Atlantic Ocean. Following the cessation of hostilities with England, several posts were still occupied by the British in the North and West. Among these was Detroit, still in the hands of the eneni}-. Numerous engagements with the Indians throughout Ohio and Indiana occurred, upon whose lands adventurous whites would settle ere the title had been acquired by the proper treaty. To remedy this latter evil. Congress apj^ointed commissioners to treat with the natives and purchase their lands, and prohibited the set- tlement of the territory until this could be done. Before the close of the year another attempt was made to capture Detroit, which was, however, not pushed, and Virginia, no longer feeling the interest in the Northwest she had formerly done, withdrew her troops, having on the 20th of December preceding authorized the whole of her possessions to be deeded to the United States. This was done on the 1st of March following, and the Northwest Territory passed from the control of the Old Dominion. To Gen. Clark and his soldiers, however, she gave a tract of one hundred and fifty thousand acres of land, to be situated any where north of the Ohio wherever they chose to locate them. They selected the region opposite the falls of the Ohio, where is now the dilapidated village of Clarksville, about midway between the Cities of New Albany and Jeffer- sonville, Indiana. While the frontier remained thus, and Gen. Haldimand at Detroit refused to evacuate alleging that he had no orders from his King to do so, settlers were rapidly gathering about the inland forts. In the Spring of 1784, Pittsburgh was regularly laid out, and from the journal of Arthur Lee, who passed through the town soon after on his way to the Indian council at Fort Mcintosh, we suppose it was not very prepossessing in appearance. He says : " Pittsburgh is inhabited almost entirely by Scots and Irish, who live in paltry log houses, and are as dirty as if in the north of Ireland or even Scotland. There is a great deal of trade carried on, the goods being bought at the vast expense of forty-five shillings per pound from Phila- 68 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. delphia and Baltimore. They take in the shops flour, wheat, skins and money. There are in the town four attorneys, two doctors, and not a priest of uny persuasion, nor church nor cliapel." Kentucky at this time contained thirty thousand inhabitants, and was beginning to discuss measures for a separation from Virginia. A land oiBce was opened at Louisville, and measures were adopted to take defensive precaution against the Indians who were yet, in some instances, incited to deeds of violence by the British. Before the close of this year, 1784, the military claimants of hmd began to occupy them, although no entries were recorded until 1787. The Indian title to the Northwest was not yet extinguished. They held large tracts of lands, and in order to prevent bloodshed Congress adopted means for treaties with the original owners and provided for the surveys of the lands gained thereby, as well as for those north of the Ohio, now in its possession. On January 31, 1786, a treaty was made with the Wabash Indians. The treaty of Fort Stanwix had been made in 1784. That at Fort Mcintosh in 1785, and through these much land was gained. The Wabash Indians, however, afterward refused to comply with the provisions of the treaty made with them, and in order to compel their adherence to its provisions, force was used. Daring the year 1786, the free navigation of the Mississippi came up in Congress, and caused various discussions, which resulted in no definite action, only serving to excite speculation in regard to the western lands. Congress had promised bounties of land to the soldiers of the Revolution, but owing to the unsettled condition of affairs along the Mississippi respecting its naviga- tion, and the trade of the Northwest, that body had, in 1783, declared its inability to fulfill these promises until a treaty could be concluded between the two Governments. Before tlie close of the year 17S(;, how- ever, it was able, through the treaties with the Indians, to allow some grants and the settlement thereon, and on the 14th of September Con- necticut ceded to the General Government the tract of land known as the "Connecticut Reserve," and before the close of the following j-ear a large tract of land north of the Ohio was sold to a company, who at once took measures to settle it. By the provisions of this grant, the company were to pay the United States one dollar per acre, subject to a deduction of one-third for bad lands and other contingencies. They received 750,000 acres, bounded on the south by the Ohio, on the east by the seventh range of townships, on the west by the sixteenth range, and on the north by a line so drawn as to make the grant complete without the reservations. In addition totliis, Congress afterward granted 100,000 acres to actual settlers, and 214,285 acres as army bounties under the resolutions of 1789 and 1790. THE NORTHWEST TEERITOEY. 59 While Dr. Cutler, one of the agents of the company, was pressing its claims before Congress, that body was bringing into form an ordinance for the political and social organization of this Territory. When the cession was made by Virginia, in 178-4, a plan was offered, but rejected. A motion had been made to strike from the proposed plan the prohibition of slavery, which prevailed. The plan was then discussed and altered, and finally passed unanimously, with the exception of South Carolina. By this proposition, the Territory was to have been divided into states 'f^--'-C:^4^j..u- <^ SSvS--'^'^ ■ A PUAIKIE STUllM. by parallels and meridian lines. This, it was thought, would make ten states, which were to have been named as follows — beginning at the northwest corner and going southwardly : Sylvania, Michigania, Cher- 'sonesus, Assenisipia, Metropotamia, Illenoia, Saratoga, Washington, Poly- potamia and Pelisipia. There was a more serious objection to this plan than its category of names, — the boundaries. The root of the difficulty was in the resolu- tion of Congress passed in October, 1780, which fixed the boundaries of the ceded lands to be from one hundred to one hundred and fifty miles 60 TUK XvmSTHWKiSV TKU>UnU«Y< jjiwia ami Mu*saoh«*t>it!i, th»Y tl«x^»"tHl a oh«njiv. ami >u July. ITSrt, tho swWot was l«kt>« «i» »« OonjivtNss. autl ol»a»«jjtHl u> ftuwc a ilivijaou i«lo noi »mx*v xim\ tiv t> >>ut»»» aiul >u>t It^ss than iluvo, Tlu* w-as a{»)a\»\t>*l l\v ih Sh^te l^gislauu-* of Yi^vii"*'*^ T^<* subjwi of th^ tJ«v««m»wU \v«s again tak^« \\\y l\v Cong»-t>ss in I'J^, a»ul vUsinissotl llu\»\»sl>««' 'l»«' y<^" a«tl xuuU J«l>\ IT^T. \vUo» x\\x> famous "i\M»j«uM of ITST" wass j^assip^l. ami tht> fo«»ulaUo»» oil'' th^ govw«m(?«t of tht> KwU»w«?»t laut This tHwn- j>aot U fvUly ^l^*lH^^sw\ ami »»\j>laiu^*l l« th»? lu*«o»\v of UluuMsiw thU lH»ok, ami to U iht» x^\*l*>r is »-«fti>v»tHl. Vh^ )><\ssas^ of this act ami th«? g»^«t to x\Mi> ^Vw R»>jilau*l Comj>a»>y \v»s so*>« follow^tl by an a^xlioatioti to \\w {^iyyvxxww'OM l»y Jv>l>« OWv*** Symmes, of Nt>\v Jtn'sw. foy a j»»-ant of ilu> la»ul lH>^\v»^«'« \\w M«a«us. Thi* jit^tttlt^man l>a*l Yisit«>*l tht^^io lamls s^mau aft»»»^ th»> t^vaty *xf lTSt>,a«d» Wing ^v*at)y {xleastnl with thorn. k>fft>vlV»w*l to tlm T>vas\iry B<»a»Al wiih j>^»wov to aot» a>ul a o^mti^^iH was oouoluvlvkl tho fv>Uowi«ii y^j\ CittWMg th^ ArttuTOM th^ *U«N»tors of x\\any wt>y* jvi-^j>avi«^ to ownj\Y thwr j»vai>t tho t\xllo\vi»»^ Sj»ru\ij, ami uj^m thf aSd of J^ovt?mb*>v u»atlt> a»<-au^n»xe«ts fv«' a i»avty of t\>vty-*«'Vt>u ««<>n. wul^r tho s«}>ii?vi«t*>ml*?wey of G^n. KufV^s fwtnam. to st>t foiwa^^K S^s boat-lnuUl0t"s vvoxv to l»>av© at onop, ami ou tht> lu-st ^vf January th«> sur- \rt>yo»'* antl thu^iv assistants. twontV'^x in numln'r, wt^w to m«'«;»t at Haj-t- fo«\l and jm>v«>fd im xhi?xv jouvn*?y wvstwanl ; tin? »-*»maindt*r to fvJlow as $«kO)t as jxossiW^. Ooin^v^ss* in th** mt>ajvtin>t*. n|>on th» «Ul «,>f lVtoK>r. had onl«»»t>d ><»vpn hunvln^l t>x>ojvi for de f«:>ns*:i of tln^ wtvstt^ru settle»-s, and to |nt>\vwl unauthoriutHl intrusiixits ; and two dav-s lait^v aj>{H»>nt«Hl A»'(hu> St, Olair G^vwnor ol' the Tt>rritory *»f the Northwt»st. AMKKIOAX SKrrUKMKN IS, The oivil oi'^aniaation of tht> Northwtvsi IVrntory was now oou>- {dete^aml notwithstanding the uneertainty v>f Indian aft'ai*^. stMtUu-s t'>\>>n the Kast began to vH»tt»» into the oountyy rajxidly. The Kew K»»}rland Co»ni>any sent their mon duvinjj the Wintt^r of ITST-S mvssLinj;^ on over the Alleghenies l>y the old Indian t»ath whioh had bt>t»n oj^^mnl into Hravldvx^k's »-oad, and whioh has sinoe Wen made a national turni«ko JVvan CnmWrland w*stw»»xl. Thr\»ujjh the wvary wintt»r days they twletl o»», and by A)a'il weiv all gatht>»vd on thf \\>l»ioijany. wh«>»t> In^ats had l»«>e« builu and at onco staru'd «\u- the Mnskim^um. lUnv thoy arriv«>d ou> tho Tth of that mvMkth, ami unle«ts the Mm-avian missionaritN$ he rt^wled as the |»iv>neers of l>hio, this little luaml *?ai» justly olain> that ho»u>r. THB UOItTHWEST TKUHI'nmV. <>1 Geii, St, Clair, the aij|»oiiit«ul4ii:ihed by being nailed to a tree in the embryo town, and Jonatltan Meijjs ap{>ointed to itdniini.ster tliem, Wit«liingi<>n in writing of this, the first American settlenjent iu the Northwest, said ; " No colony in America was ever settled under such favcjrable allspices as tliat wliicli Itas just commenced at Muskinjfum. Information, property and strengtl* will be its cluiracteristics, I know many of its BettLers personally, and there never were men better caluu- bited to promote the welfare of such a community," I'lO.N'KHIi DWKI.I.IJii;. On the 2d of July a nieeiiiig of the directors and agents was Ijcld on the banks of the Muskingum, " for the purpose of naming the new- born city arid .its squares," As yet the settlement was known as the "Muskingum," but that was now changed Uj tlie name Marietta, in Iwnor of Marie Antoinette. The square upon which tlie block -houses stood was called "C'«/rt/>«« Marliun ;" »cto))er, 1787. On July 9, Gov. Ht. Clair arrived, and the colony began U) assume form. The act of 1787 provided two district grades of government for th<; Northwest, 62 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. under tlie first of wliich the whole power was invested in the hands of a governor and three district judges. This was immediately formed upon the Governoi's arrival, and the first laws of the colony passed on the 25th of July. These provided for the organization of the militia, and on the next da}- appeared the Governor's proclamation, erecting all that country that had been ceded by the Indians east of the Scioto River into the County of VVashington. From that time forward, notwithstanding the doubts 3'et existing as to tlie Indians, all Marietta prospered, and on tiie 2d of September the first court of the territory was held with imposing ceremonies. The emigration westward at this time was very great. The com- mander at Fort Harmer, at the mouth of the Muskingum, reported four thousand five hundred persons as having passed that post between Feb- ruary and June, 1788 — many of whom would have purchased of the "Associates," as the New England Company was called, had they been ready to receive them. On the 26th of November, 1787, Symmes issued a pamphlet stating the terms of his contract and the plan of sale he intended to adopt. In January, 1788, Matthias Denman, of New Jersey, took an active interest in Symmes' purchase, and located among other tracts the sections ujion wliich Cincinnati lias been built. Retaining one-tbird of this locality, he sold the other two-thirds to Robert Patterson and John Filson, and the three, about August, commenced to la}- out a town on the spot, which was designated as being opposite Licking River, to the mouth of which they proposed to have a road cut from Lexington. The naming of the town is thus narrated in the "Western Annals "' : — " Mr. Filson, who had been a schoolmaster, was appointed to name the town, and, in respect to its situation, and as if with a prophetic jierception of the mixed race that were to inhabit it in after days, he named it Losantiville, which, being interpreted, means : ville, the town ; anti, against or opjtosite to ; o«, the mouth ; L. of Licking." Meanwhile, in July, Symmes got thirty persons and eight four-horse teams under way for the West. These reached Limestone (now Mays- ville) in September, where were several persons from Redstone. Here Mr. Symmes tried to found a settlement, lint the great freshet of 1789 caused the " Point," as it was and is yet called, to be fifteen feet under water, and the settlement to be abandoned. The little band of settlers removed to the mouth of the Miami. Before Symmes and his colony left the " Point," two settlements had been made on his purchase. The first was by Mr. Stiltes, the original projector of the whole plan, who, with a colony of Redstone people, had located at the mouth of the Miami, whither Symmes went with his Maysville colony. Here a clearing had THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 63 been made b}- the Indians owing to the great fertility of the soil. Mr. Stiltes with his colony came to this place on the 18th of November, 1788, with twenty-six persons, and, building a block-house, prepared to remain through the Winter. They named the settlement Columbia. Here they were kindly treated by the Indians, but suffered greatly from the flood of 1789. On the 4th of March, 1789, the Constitution of the United States went into operation, and on April 30, George Washington was inaug- urated President of the American people, and during the next Summer, an Indian war was commenced by the tribes north of the Ohio. The President at first used pacific means ; l)ut these failing, be sent General Harmer against the hostile tribes. He destroyed several villages, but BREAKING PRAIRIE. was defeated in two battles, near the present City of Fort Wayne, Indiana. From this time till the close of 1795, the principal events were the wars with the various Indian tribes. In 1796, General St. Clair was appointed in command, and marched against the Indians ; but while he was encamped on a stream, the St. Mary, a branch of the Maumee, he was attacked and defeated with the loss of six hundred men. General Wayne was now sent against the savages. In August, 1794, he met them near the rapids of the Maumee, and gained a complete victory. This success, followed by vigorous measures, compelled the Indians to sue for peace, and on the 30th of July, the following year, the treaty of Greenville was signed hy the principal chiefs, l)y which a large tract of country was ceded to the United States. Before proceeding in our narrative, we will pause to notice Fort Washington, erected in the early part of this war on the site of Cincinnati. Nearly all of the great cities of the Northwest, and indeed of the 64 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. whole country, have had their Jiuclei in those rude pioneer structures, known as forts or stockades. Thus Forts Dearborn, Washington, Pon- chartrain, mark the original sites of the now proud Cities of Chicago, Cincinnati and Detroit. So of most of the flourishing cities east and west of the Mississijjpi. Fort Washington, erected by Doughty in 1790, was a rude but highly interesting structure. It was composed of a number of strongly-built hewed log cabins. Those designed for soldiers' barracks were a story and a half high, while those composing the oflScers quarters were more imposing and more conveniently arranged and furnished. The whole were so placed as to form a hollow square, enclosing about an acre of ground, with a block house at each of the four angles. The logs for the construction of this fort were cut from the ground upon which it was erected. It stood between Third and Fourth Streets of the present city (Cincinnati) extending east of Eastern Row, now Broadway, which was then a narrow alley, and the eastern boundar)* of of the town as it was oi'iginally laid out. On the bank of the river, immediately in front of the fort, was an appendage of the fort, called the Artificer's Yard. It contained about two acres of ground, enclosed by small contiguous buildings, occupied by workshops and quarters of laborers. Within this enclosure there was a large two-story frame house, familiarly called the " Yellow House," built for the accommodation of the Quartermaster General. For many years this was the best finished and most commodious edifice in the Queen City. Fort Washington was for some time the headquarters of both the civil and military governments of the Northwestern Territory. Following the consummation of the treaty various gigantic land spec- ulations were entered into by different persons, who hoped to obtain from the Indians in Michigan and northern Indiana, large tracts of lands. These were generally discovered in time to prevent the outrageous schemes from being carried out, and from involving the settlers in war. On October 27, 179.5, the treaty between the United States and Spain was signed, whereby the free navigation of the Mississippi was secured. No sooner had the treaty of 1795 been ratified than settlements began to pour rapidly into the West. The great event of the year 1796 was the occupation of that part of the Northwest including Michigan, which was this year, under the provisions of the treaty, evacuated by the British forces. The United States, owing to certain conditions, did not feel justified in addressing the authorities in Canada in relation to Detroit and other frontier posts. When at last the British authorities were called to give them up, they at once complied, and General Wa3'ne, wlio had done so much to preserve the frontier settlements, and who, before the year's close, sickened and died near Erie, transferred his head- THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 65 quarters to the neighborhood of the hikes, where a county named after him was formed, which included the northwest of Ohio, all of Michigan, and the northeast of Indiana. During this same year settlements were formed at the present City of Chillicothe, along the Miami from Middle- town to Piqua, while in the more distant West, settlers and speculators began to appear in great numbers. In September, the City of Cleveland was laid out, and during the Summer and Autumn, Samuel Jackson and Jonathan Sharpless erected the first manufactory of paper — the " Red- stone Paper Mill" — in the West. St. Louis contained some seventy houses, and Detroit over three hundred, and along the river, contiguous to it, were more than three thousand inhabitants, mostly French Canadians, Indians and half-breeds, scarcely any Americans venturing yet into that part of the Northwest. The election of representatives for the territory had taken place, and on the 4th of February. 1799, they convened at Losantiville — now known as Cincinnati, having been named so by Gov. St. Clair, and considered the capital of the Territory — to nominate persons from whom the members of the Legislature were to be chosen in accordance with a previous ordinance. This nomination being made, the Assembly adjourned until the 16th of the following September. From those named the President selected as members of the council, Henr}' Vandenburg, of Vincenues, Robert Oliver, of Marietta, James Findlay and Jacob Burnett, of Cincinnati, and David Vance, of Vanceville. On the 16th of September the Territorial Legislature met, and on the 24th the two houses were duly organized, Henry Vandenbui-g being elected President of the Council. The message of Gov. St. Clair was addressed to the Legislature September 20th, and on October 13th that body elected as a delegate to Congress Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison, who received eleven of the votes cast, being a majority of one over his opponent, Arthur St. Clair, son of Gen. St. Clair. The whole number of acts passed at this session, and approved by the Governor, were thirty-seven — eleven others were passed, but received his veto. The most important of those passed related to the militia, to the administration, and to taxation. On the 19th of December this pro- tracted session of the first Legislature in the West was closed, and on the 30th of December the President nominated Charles Willing Bryd to the office of Secretary of the Territory vice Wm. Henrj- Harrison, elected to Congress. The Senate confirmed his nomination the next day. 66 THE NOKTHWEST TERRITORY. DIVISION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. The increased emigration to the Northwest, the extent of the domain, and the inconvenient modes of travel, made it very difficult to conduct the ordinarv operations of government, and rendered the efficient action of courts almost impossible. To remedy this, it was deemed advisable to divide the territory for civil purposes. Congress, in 1800, appointed a committee to examine the question and report some means for its solution. This committee, on the 3d of March, reported that : " In the three western countries there has been but one court having cognizance of crimes, in five years, and the immunity which offenders experience attracts, as to an asylum, the most vile and abandoned crim- inals, and at the same time deters useful citizens from making settlements in such society. The extreme necessity of judiciary attention and assist- ance is experienced in civil as well as in criminal cases. * * * * Xo minister a remedy to these and other evils, it occurs to this committee that it is expedient that a division of said territory into two distinct and separate governments should be made ; and that such division be made by a line beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River, running directly north until it intersects the boundary between the United States and Canada." The report was accepted by Congress, and, in accordance with its suggestions, that body passed an Act extinguishing the Northwest Terri- tory, which Act was approved May 7. Among its provisions were these : " That from and after July 4 next, all that part of the Territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio River, which lies to the westward of a line beginning at a point on the Ohio, opposite to the mouth of the Kentucky River, and running thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north until it shall intersect the territorial line between the United States and Canada, shall, for the purpose of temporary government, constitute a separate territory, and be called the Indiana Territor}'." After providing for the exercise of the civil and criminal powers of the territories, and other provisions, the Act further provides : " That until it shall otherwise be ordered by the Legislatures of the said Territories, respectively, Chillicothe on the Scioto River shall be the seat of government of tlie Territory nl' the United States nortliwcst of the Ohio River ; and that St. Vincennes on the Wabash River shall be the seat of government for the Indiana Territory." Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison was appointed Governor of the Indiana Territory, and entered upon his duties about a year later. Connecticut also about this time released her claims to the reserve, and in March a law THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 67 was passed accepting this cession. Settlements had been made upon thirty-five of the townships in the reserve, mills had been built, and seven hundred miles of road cut in various directions. On the 3d of November the General Assembly met at Chillicothe. Near the close of the year, the first missionary of the Connecticut Reserve came, who found no township containing more than eleven families. It was upon the first of October that the seci-et treaty had been made between Napoleon and the King of Spain, whereby the latter agreed to cede to France the province of Louisiana. In January, 1802, the Assembly of the Northwestern Territory char- tered the college at Athens. From the earliest dawn of the western colonies, education was promptly provided for, and as early as 1787, newspapers were issued from Pittsburgh and Kentucky, and largely read throughout the frontier settlements. Before the close of this year, the Congress of the United States granted to the citizens of the Northwestern territory the formation of a State government. One of the provisions of the "compact of 1787" provided that whenever the number of inhabit- ants within prescribed limits exceeded 45,000, they should be entitled to a separate government. The prescribed limits of Ohio contained, from a census taken to ascertain the legality of the act, more than that number, and on the 30th of April, 1802, Congress passed the act defining its limits, and on the 29th of November the Constitution of the new State of Ohio, so named from the beautiful river forming its southern boundary, came into existence. The exact limits of Lake Michigan were not then known, but the territory now included within the State of Michigan was wholly within the territory of Indiana. Gen. Harrison, while residing at Vincennes, made several treaties with the Indians, thereby gaining large tracts of lands. The next year is memorable in the history of the West for the purchase of Louisiana from France by the United States for $15,000,000. Thus by a peaceful mode, the domain of the United States was extended over a large tract of country west of the Mississippi, and was for a time under the jurisdiction of the Northwest government, and, as has been mentioned in the early part of this narrative, was called the "New Northwest." The limits of this history will not allow a description of its territory. The same year large grants of land were obtained from the Indians, and the House of Representatives of the new State of Ohio signed a bill respecting the College Township in the district of Cincinnati. Before the close of the year. Gen. Harrison obtained additional grants of lands from the various Indian nations in Indiana and the present limits of Illinois, and on the 18th of August, 1804, completed a treaty at St. Louis, whereby over 51,000,000 acres of lands were obtained from the 68 THE NORTHWEST TERKITOBV. aborigines. Measures were also taken to learn the condition of affairs in and about Detroit. C. Jouett, the Indian agent in Michigan, still a part of Indiana Terri- tory, reported as follows upon the condition of matters at that post : " The Town of Detroit. — The charter, which is for fifteen miles square, was granted in the time of Louis XIV. of France, and is now, from the best information I have been able to get, at Quebec. Of those two hundred and twenty-five acres, only four are occupied by the town and Fort Lenault. The remainder is a common, except twenty-four acres, which were added twenty years ago to a farm belonging to Wm. Macomb. * * * a stockade incloses the town, fort and citadel. The pickets, as well as the public houses, are in a state of gradual decay. The streets are narrow, straight and regular, and intersect each other at right angles. The houses are, for the most part, low and inelegant.'' During this year, Congress granted a township of land for the sup- port of a college, and began to offer inducements for settlers in these wilds, and the country now comprising the State of Michigan began to fill rapidly with settlers along its southern borders. This same year, also, a law was passed organizing the Southwest Territory, dividing it into two portions, the Territory of New Orleans, which city was made the seat of government, and the District of Louisiana, which was annexed to the domain of Gen. Harrison. On the 11th of January, 1805, the Territorj'of Michigan was formed, Wm. Hull was appointed governor, with headquarters at Detroit, the change to take effect on June 30. On the 11th of that month, a fire occurred at Detroit, which destroj'ed almost every building in the place. When the officers of the new territory reached tlie post, they found it in ruins, and the inhabitants scattered throughout the country. Rebuild- ing, however, soon commenced, and ere long the town contained more houses than before the fire, and many of them much better built. While this was being done, Indiana had passed to the second grade of government, and through her General Assembly had obtained large tracts of land from the Indian tribes. To all this the celebrated Indian, Tecumtlie or Tecumseh, vigorously protested, and it was the main cause of his attempts to unite the various Indian tribes in a conflict with the settlers. To obtain a full account of these attempts, the workings of the British, and the signal failure, culminating in the death of Tecumseh at the battle of the Thames, and the close of the war of 1812 in the Northwest, we will step aside in our story, and relate the principal events of his life, and his connection with this conflict. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY, 6w TECU3ISEH, THE SHAWANOE CHIEFTAIN. 70 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY, TECUMSEH, AND THE WAR OF ISl?. This famous Indian chief was born about the A'ear 1768, not far from the site of the present City of Piqua, Ohio. His father, Puckesliinwa, was a member of the Kisopok tribe of the Swanoese nation, and his. mother, Methontaske, was a member of the Turtle tribe of the same people. They removed from Florida about the middle of the last century to the birthplace of Tecumseh. In 1774, his father, who had risen to be chief, was slain at the battle of Point Pleasant, and not long after Tecum- seh, by his bravery, became the leader of his tribe: In 1795 he was- declared chief, and then lived at Deer Creek, near the site of the present City of Urbana. He remained here about one year, when he returned to Piqua, and in 1798, he went to White River, Indiana. Irk 1805, he and his brother, Laulewasikan (Open Door), wholiad announced himself as a prophet, went to a tract of land on the Wabash River, given them by the Pottawatomies and Kickapoos. From this date the chief comes into prominence. He was now about thirty-seven years of age, was five feet and ten inches in height, was stoutly built, and possessed of enormous powers of endurance. His countenance was naturally pleas- ing, and he was, in general, devoid of those savage attributes possessed by most Indians. It is stated he could read and write, and had a confi- dential secretary and adviser, named Billy Caldwell, a half-breed, who afterward became chief of the Pottawatomies. He occupied the first house built on the site of Chicago. At this time, Tecumseh entered upon the great work of his life. He had long objected to the grants of land made by the Indians to the whites, and determined to unite all the Indian tribes into a league, in order that no treaties or grants of land could be made save by the consent of this confederation. He traveled constantly, going from north to south ; from the south to the north, ever3'where urging the Indians to this step. He was a matchless orator, and his burning words had their effect. Gen. Harrison, then Governor of Indiana, by watching the move- ments of the Indians, became convinced that a grand conspiracy was forming, and made preparations to defend the settlements. Tecumseli's plan was similar to Pontiac's, elsewhere described, and to the cunning artifice of that chieftain was added his own sagacity. During the year 1809, Tecumseh and the prophet were actively pre- paring for the work. In that year, Gen. Harrison entered into a treaty with the Delawares, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Miamis, Eel River Indians and Weas, in wliich these tribes ceded to the whites certain lands upon the Wabash, to all of which Tecumseh entered a bitter protest, averrin^ THE NORTHWEST TEKRITOKY. 71 as one principal reason that he did not want the Indians to give up any lands north and west of the Ohio River. Tecumseh, in August, 1810, visited the General at Vincennes and held a council relating to the grievances of the Indians. Becoming unduly- angry at this conference he was dismissed from the village, and soon after •departed to incite the southern Indian tribes to the conflict. Gen. Harrison determined to move upon the chief's headquarters at Tippecanoe, and for this purpose went about sixty-five miles up the Wabash, where he built Fort Harrison. From this place he went to the prophet's town, where he informed the Indians he had no hostile inten- tions, provided they were true to the existing treaties. He encamped near the village early in October, and on the morning of November 7, he was attacked bj^ a large force of the Indians, and the famous battle of Tippecanoe ooeurred. The Indians were routed and their town broken up. Tecumseh returning not long after, was greatly exasperated at his brother, the prophet, even threatening to kill him for rashly precipitating the war, and foiling his (Tecumseh's) plans. Tecumseh sent word to Gen. Harrison that he was now returned from the South, and was readj^ to visit the President as had at one time previously been proposed. Gen. Harrison informed him he could not go as a chief, which method Tecumseh desired, and the visit was never made. In June of the following year, he visited the Indian agent at Fort Wayne. Here he disavowed any intention to make a war against "the United States, and reproached Gen. Harrison for marching against his people. The agent replied to this ; Tecumseh listened with a cold indif- ference, and after making a few general remarks, with a haughty air drew his blanket about him, left the council house, and departed for Fort Mai- den, in Upper Canada, where he joined the British standard. . He remained under this Government, doing effective work for the 'Crown while engaged in the war of 1812 which now opened. He was, however, always humane in his treatment of the pi'isoners, never allow- ing his warriors to ruthlessly mutilate the bodies of those slain, or wan- tonly murder the captive. In the Summer of 1813, Perry's victor}' on Lake Erie occurred, and •shortly after active preparations were made to capture Maiden. On the 27th of September, the American army, under Gen. Harrison, set sail for the shores of Canada, and in a few hours stood around the ruins of Mal- -den, from which the British army, under Proctor, had retreated to Sand- wich, intending to make its way to the heart of Canada by the Valley of the Thames. On the 2yth Gen. Harrison was at Sandwich, and Gen. Mc Arthur took possession of Detroit and the territory of Michigan. 72 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. On the 2d of October, the Americans began their pursuit of Proctor, whom they overtook on the 5th, and the battle of the Thames followed. Earl}' in the engagement, Tecumseh who was at the head of the column of Indians was slain, and they, no longer hearing the voice of their chief- tain, fled. The victory was decisive, and practically closed the war in the Northwest. INDIANS ATTACKINc; A STOCKADS. Just who killed the great chief has been a matter of much dispute ; but the weight of opinion awards the act to Col. Richard M. Johnson, who fired at him with a pistol, the shot proving fatal. In 1805 occurred Burr's Insurrection. He took possession of a beautiful island in the Ohio, after the killing of Hamilton, and is charged by many with attempting to set up an independent government. His plans were frustrated by the general government, his iiroi)erty confiscated and he was comi^elled to flee the country for safety. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 78 In January, 1807, Governor Hull, of Michigan Territory, made a treaty with the Indians, whereby all that peninsula was ceded to the United States. Before the close of the year, a stockade was built about Detroit. It was also during this year that Indiana and Illinois endeavored to obtain the repeal of that section of the compact of 1787, whereby slavery was excluded from the Northwest Territory. These attempts, however, all signally failed. In 1809 it was deemed advisable to divide the Indiana Territory. This was done, and the Territory of Illinois was formed from the western, part, the seat of government being fixed at Kaskaskia. The next year, the intentions of Tecumseh manifested themselves in open hostilities, and then began the events alread}- narrated. While this war was in progress, emigration to the West went on with surprising rapidity. In 1811, under Mr. Roosevelt of New York, the first steamboat trip was made on the Ohio, much to the astonishment of the natives, many of whom fled in terror at the appearance of the " monster." It arrived at Louisville on the 10th day of October. At the close of the first week of January, 1812, it arrived at Natchez, after being nearly overwhelmed in the great earthquake which occurred while on its downward trip. The battle of the Thames was fought on October 6, 1813. It effectually closed hostilities in the Northwest, although peace was not fully restored until July 22, 1814, when a treaty was formed at Green- ville, under the direction of General Harrison, between the United States and the Indian tribes, in which it was stipulated that the Indians should cease hostilities against the Americans if the war were continued. Such, happily, was not the case, and on the 24th of December the treaty of Ghent was signed by the representatives of England and the United States. This treaty was followed the next year by treaties with various Indian tribes throughout the West and Northwest, and quiet was again restored in this part of the new world. On the 18th of March, 1816, Pittsburgh was incorporated as a city. It then had a population of 8,000 people, and was already noted for its manufacturing interests. On April 19, Indiana Territory was allowed to form a state government. At that time there were thirteen counties organized, containing about sixty-three thousand inhabitants. The first election of state officers was held in August, when Jonathan Jennings was chosen Governor. The officers were sworn in on November 7, and on December 11, the State was formally admitted into the Union. For some time the seat of government was at Cor3-dou, but a more central location being desirable, the present capital, Indianapolis (City of Indiana), was laid out January 1, 1825. 74 THE NORTHWEST TEREITORY. On the 28th of December the Bank of Illinois, at Shawneetown, was chartered, with a capital of $300,000. At this period all banks were under the control of the States, and were allowed to establish branches at different convenient points. Until this time Chillicothe and Cincinnati had in turn enjoyed the privileges of being the capital of Ohio. But the rapid settlement of the northern and eastern portions of the State demanded, as in Indiana, a more central location, and before the close of the year, the site of Col- umbus was selected and surveyed as the future capital of the State. Banking had begun in Ohio as early as 1808, when the first bank was chartered at Marietta, but here as elsewhere it did not bring to the state the hoped-for assistance. It and other banks were subsequently unable to redeem their cui-rency, and were obliged to suspend. In 1818, Illinois was made a state, and all the territor}- north of her northern limits was erected into a separate territory and joined to Mich- igan for judicial purposes. By the following year, navigation of the lakes was increasing with great rapidity and affording an immense source of revenue to the dwellei-s in the Northwest, but it was not until 1826 that the trade was extended to Lake Michigan, or that steamships began to navigate the bosom of that inland sea. Until the year 1832, the commencement of the Black Hawk War, but few hostilities were experienced with the Indians. Roads were opened, canals were dug, cities were built, common schools were estab- lished, universities were founded, many of which, especiall}' the Michigan University, have achieved a world wide-reputation. The people were becoming wealthy. The domains of the United States had been extended, and had the sons of the forest been treated with honesty and justice, the record of many years would have been that of peace and continuous pros- perity. ' BLACK HAWK AND THE BLACK HAWK WAR. This conflict, though confined to Illinois, is an important epoch in the Northwestern history, being the last war witli the Indians in this part of the United States. Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or Black Hawk, was born in the j)rincipal Sac village, about three miles from the junction of Rock River with the Mississippi, in the year 1767. His father's name was Py-e-sa or Pahaes ; his grandfather's, Na-na-ma-kee, or the Thunderer. Black Hawk early distinguished himself as a warrior, and at the age of fifteen was permitted to paint and was ranked among the braves. About the year 1783, he Went on an expedition against the enemies of his nation, the Osages, one THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.- 76 BLACK HAWK, THE SAC CHIEFTAIN. 76 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. of whom he killed and scalped, and for this deed of Indian bravery he was permitted to join in the scalp dance. Three or four years after he, at the head of two hundred braves, went on another expedition against the Osages, to avenge the murder of some women and children belonging to his own tribe. Meeting an equal number of Osage warriors, a fierce battle ensued, in which the latter tribe lost one-half their number. The Sacs lost only about nineteen warriors. He next attacked the Cherokees for a similar cause. 'In a severe battle with them, near the present City of St. Louis, his father was slain, and Black Hawk, taking possession of the " Medicine Bag," at once announced himself chief of the Sac nation. He had now conquered tlie Cherokees, and about the year 1800, at the liead of five hundred Sacs and Foxes, and a hundred lowas, he waged war against the Osage nation and subdued it. For two years he battled successfully with other Indian tribes, all of whom he conquered. Black Hawk does not at any time seem to have been friendly to the Americans. When on a visit to St. Louis to see his " Spanish Father," he declined to see any of the Americans, alleging, as a reason^ he did not want two fathers. The treaty at St. Louis was consummated in 1804. The next year the United States Government erected a fort near the head of the Des Moines Rapids, called Fort Edwards. This seemed to enrage Black Hawk, who at once determined to capture Fort Madison, standing on the west side of the Mississippi above the mouth of the Des Moines River. The fort was garrisoned by about fift}^ men. Here he was defeated. The difficulties with the British Government arose about this time, and the War of 1812 followed. That government, extending aid to the Western Indians, by giving them arms and ammunition, induced them to remain hostile to the Americans. In August, 1812, Black Hawk, at the head of aiiout five hundred braves, started to join the British forces at Detroit, passing on his way the site of Chicago, where the famous Fort Dearborn Massacre hz^ a few days before occurred. Of his connection with the British Gcrernment but little is known. In 1813 he with his little band descended the Mississippi, and attacking some United States troops at Fort Howard was defeated. In the early part of 1815, the Indian tribes west of the Mississippi were notified that peace had been dechired between the United States and England, and nearly all hostilities had ceased. Bhiek Hawk did not sign any treaty, however, until May of the following year. He then recog- nized the validity of the treaty at St. Louis in 1804. From the time of signing this treaty in 1816, until the breaking out of the war in 1832, he and his band passed their time in the common pursuits of Indian life. Ten years before the commencement of this war, the Sac and Fox THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 7T Indians were urged to join the lowas on the west bank of the Father of Waters. All were agreed, save the band known as the British Band, of which Black Hawk was leader. He strenuously objected to the removal, and was induced to comply only after being threatened with the power of the Government. This and various actions on the part of the white set- tlers provoked Black Hawk and his band to attempt the capture of his- native village now occupied by the whites. The war followed. He and his actions were undoubtedly misunderstood, and had his wishes been acquiesced in at the beginning of the struggle, much bloodshed would have been prevented. Black Hawk was chief now of the Sac and Fox nations, and a noted warrior. He and his tribe inhabited a village on Rock River, nearly three miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, where the tribe had lived many generations. When that portion of Illinois was reserved to them, they remained in peaceable possession of their reservation, spending their time in the enjoyment of Indian life. The fine situation of their village and fhe quality of their lands incited the more lawless white settlers, who from time to time began to encroach upon the red men's domain. From one pretext to another, and from one step to another, the crafty white men. gained a foothold, until through whisky and artifice they obtained deeds from many of the Indians for their possessions. The Indians were finally induced to cross over the Father of Waters and locate among the lowas. Black Hawk was strenuously opposed to all this, but as the authorities of Illinois and the United States thought this the best move, he was forced to comply. Moreover other tribes joined the whites and urged the removal. Black Hawk would not agree to the terms of the treaty made with his nation for their lands, and as soon as the military, called to enforce his removal, had retired, he returned to the Illinois side of the river. A large force was at once raised and marched against him. On the evening of May 14, 1832, the first engagement occurred between a band from this army and Black Hawk's band, in which the former were defeated. This attack and its result aroused the whites. A large force of men was raised, and Gen. Scott hastened from the seaboard, by way of the lakes, with United States troops and artillery to aid in the subjugation of the Indians. On the 24th of June, Black Hawk, with 200 warriors, was repulsed by Major Demont between Rock River and Galena. The Ameri- can army continued to move up Rock River toward the main body of the Indians, and on the 21st of July came upon Black Hawk and his band» and defeated them near the Blue Mounds. Before this action. Gen. Henry, in command, sent word to the main army by whom he was immediately rejoined, and the whole crossed the 78 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. Wisconsin in pursuit of Black Hawk and his band who were fleeing to the Mississippi. They were overtaken on the 2d of August, and in the battle which followed the power of the Indian chief was completely broken. He fled, but was seized by the Winnebagoes and delivered to the whites. On the 21st of September, 1832, Gen. Scott and Gov. Reynolds con- cluded a treaty with the Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes by which they ceded to the United States a vast tract of country, and agreed to remain peaceable with the whites. For the faithful performance of the provi- sions of this treaty on the part of the Indians, it was stipulated that Black Hawk, his two sons, the prophet Wabokieshiek, and six other chiefs of the hostile bands should be retained as hostages during the pleasure of the President. The}'' were confined at Fort Barracks and put in irons. The next Spring, by order of the Secretary of War, they were taken to Washington. From there they were removed to Fortress Monroe, "there to remain until the conduct of their nation was such as to justify their being set at liberty." They were retained here luitil the 4th of June, when the authorities directed them to be taken to the principal cities so that they might see the folly of contending against the white people. Everywhere they were observed by thousands, the name of the old chief being extensively known. By the middle of August they reached Fort Armstrong on Rock Island, where Black Hawk was soon after released to go to his countrymen. As he passed the site of his birth- place, now the home of the white man, he was deeply moved. His village where he was born, where he had so liappily lived, and where he had hoped to die, was now another's dwelling place, and he was a wanderer. On the next day after his release, he went at once to his tribe and his lodge. His wife was yet living, and with her he passed the remainder of his days. To his credit it may be said that Black Hawk always re- mained true to his wife, and served her with a devotion uncommon among the Indians, living with her upward of forty years. Black Hawk now passed his time hunting and fishing. A deep mel- ancholy had settled over him from which he could not be freed. At all times when he visited the whites he was received with marked atten- tion. He was an honored guest at the old settlers' reunion in Lee County, Illinois, at some of their meetings, and received many tokens of esteem. In September, 18-38, while on his way to Rock Island to receive his annuit)- from the Government, he contracted a severe cold wliich resulted in a fatal attack of bilious fever which terminated his life on October 3. His faithful wife, who was devotedly attached to him, mourned deeply during his sickness. After his death he was dressed in the uniform pre- sented to him by the President while in Washington. He was buried in a grave six feet in depth, situated upon a beautiful eminence. " The THE NORTHWEST TEIiniTORY. 79 body was placed in the middle of the grave, in a sitting posture, upon a seat constructed for the purpose. On his left side, the cane, given him by Henry Clay, was placed upright, with his rigkt hand resting upon it. Many of the old warrior's trophies were placed in the grave, and some Indian garments, together with his favorite weapons." No sooner was the Clack Hawk war concluded than settlers began rapidly to pour into the northern parts of Illinois, and into Wisconsin, now free from Indian depredations. Chicago, from a trading post, had grown to a commercial center, and was rapidly coming into prominence. In 1835, the formation of a State Government in Michigan was discussed, but did not take active form until two years later, when the State became a part of the Federal Union. The main attraction to that portion of the Northwest lying west of Lake Michigan, now included in the State of Wisconsin, was its alluvial wealth. Copper ore was found about Lake Superior. For some time this region was attached to Michigan for judiciaiy purposes, but in 18.3*! was made a territory, then including Minnesota and Iowa. The latter State was detached two years later. In 1848, Wisconsin was admitted as a. State, Madison being made tlie capital. We have now traced the variouS' divisions of the Northwest Territory (save a little in Minnesota) from the time it was a unit comprising this vast territory, until circumstances, compelled its present division. OTHER INDIAN TROUBLES. Before leaving this part of the narrative, we will narrate briefly the Indian troubles in Minnesota and elsewhere by the Sioux Indians. In August, 1862, the Sioux Indians living on the western borders of Minnesota fell upon the unsuspecting settlers, and in a few hours mas- sacred ten or twelve hundred persons. A distressful panic was the immediate result, fully thirty thousand, persons fleeing from their homes- to districts supposed to be better protected. The military authorities at once took active measures to punish the savages, and a large number were killed and captured. About a year after, Little Crow, the chief, was killed by a Mr. Lampson near Scattered Lake. Of those captured, thirty were hung at Mankato, and the remainder, through fears of mob violence, were removed to Camp McClellan, on the outskirts of the City of Davenport. It was here that Big Eagle came into prominence and secured his release by the following order : 80 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. BIG EAGLE. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. '81 "Special Order, No. 430. "War Department, " Adjutant General's Office, Washington, Dec. 3, 1864. " Big Eagle, an Indian now in confinement at Davenport, Iowa, will, upon the receipt of this order, be immediately released from confine- ment and set at liberty. " By order of the President of the United States. " Official : " E. D. Townsend,' Ass't Adft Gen. " Capt. James Vanderventer, Com'y Sub. Vols. "Through Com'g Gen'l, Washington, D. C." Another Indian who figures more prominently than Big Eagle, and who was more cowardly in his nature, with his band of Modoc Indians, is noted in the annals of the New Northwest : we refer to Captain Jack. This distinguished Indian, noted for his cowardly murder of Gen. Canby, was a chief of a Modoc tribe of Indians inhabiting the border lands between California and Oregon. This region of country comprises what is known as the " Lava Beds," a tract of land described as utterly impene- trable, save by those savages who had made it their home. The Modocs are known as an exceedingly fierce and treacherous race. They had, according to their own traditions, resided here for many generations, and at one time were exceedingly numerous and powerful. A famine carried off nearly half their numbers, and disease, indolence and the vices of the white man liave reduced them to a poor, weak and insignificant tribe. Soon after the settlement of California and Oregon, complaints began to be heard of massacres of emigrant trains passing through the Modoc country. In 1847, an emigrant train, comprising eighteen souls, was en- tirely destroyed at a place since known as " Bloody Point." These occur- rences caused the United States Government to appoint a peace commission, who, after repeated attempts, in 1864, made a treaty with the Modocs, Snakes and Klamaths, in which it was agreed on their part to remove to a reservation set apart for them in the southern part of Oregon. With the exception of Captain Jack and a band of his followers, who remained at Clear Lake, about six miles from Klamath, all the Indians complied. The Modocs who went to the reservation were under chief Schonchin. Captain Jack remained at the lake without disturbance until 1869, when he was also induced to remove to the reservation. The Modocs and the Klamaths soon became involved in a quarrel, and Captain Jack and his band returned to the Lava Beds. Several attempts were made by the Indian Commissioners to induce them to return to the reservation, and finally becoming involved in a 82 THE NORTHWEST TERKITORT. difficulty \vitli the commissioner and liis military escort, a fight ensued, in wliieh the chief and his band were routed. They were greatly enraged, and on their retreat, before the day closed, killed eleven inoffensive whites. The nation was aroused and immediate action demanded. A com- mission "was at once appointed by the Government to see what could be done. It comprised the following persons : Gen. E. R. S. Canby, Rev. Dr. E. Thomas, a leading ilethodist divine of California ; Mr. A. B. Meacham, Judge Rosborough, of California, and a Mr. Dyer, of Oregon. After several interviews, in which the savages were always aggressive, often appearing with scalps in their belts. Bogus Charley came to the commission on the evening of April 10, 1873, and informed them that Capt. Jack and his band would have a " talk " to-morrow at a place near Clear Lake, about three miles distant. Here the Commissioners, accom- panied by Charley, Riddle, the interpreter, and Boston Charley repaired. After the usual greeting the council proceedings commenced. On behalf of the Indians there were present : Capt. Jack, Black Jim, Schnac Nasty Jim, Ellen's Man, and Hooker Jim. They had no guns, but carried pis- tols. After short speeches by Mr. Meacham, Gen. Canby and Dr. Thomas, Chief Schonchin arose to speak. He had scarcely proceeded when, as if by a preconcerted arrangement, Capt. Jack drew his pistol and shot Gen. Canby dead. In less than a minute a dozen shots were fired by the savages, and the massacre completed. Mr. Meacham was shot by Schon- chin, and Dr. Thomas by Boston Charley. Mr. Dyer barely escaped, being fired at twice. Riddle, the interpreter, and his squaw escaped. The troops rushed to the spot where they found Gen. Canby and Dr. Thomas dead, and Mr. Meacham badly wounded. The savages had escaped to their impenetrable fastnesses and could not be pursued. The whole country was aroused by this brutal massacre ; but it was not until the following May that the murderers were brought to justice. At that time Boston Charley gave himself up, and offered to guide the troops to Capt. Jack's stronghold. This led to the capture of his entire gang, a number of whom were murdered b\' Oregon volunteers while on their way to trial. The remaining Indians were held as prisoners until July when their trial occurred, which led to the conviction of Capt. Jack, Schonchin, Boston Charley, Hooker Jim, Broncho, alias One-Eyed Jim, and Slotuck, who were sentenced to be hanged. These sentences were approved by the President, save in the case of Slotuck and Broncho whose sentences were commuted to imprisonment for life. Tiie others were executed at Fort Klamath, October 3, 1873. These closed the Indian troubles for a time in the Northwest, and for several years the borders of civilization remained in peace. They were again involved in a conflict witli tlie savages about the country of the 4 THE NORTHWEST TERBITORY. 88 CAPTAIN JACK, THE MODOC CHIEFTAIN. Si THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. Black Hills, in which war the gallant Gen. Custer lost his life. Just BOW the borders of Oregon and California are again in fear of hostilities ; but as the Government has learned how to deal with the Indians, they will be of short duration. The red man is fast passing away before the march of the white man, and a few more generations will read of the Indians as one of the nations of the past. The Northwest abounds in memorable places. We have generally noticed them in the narrative, but our space forbids their description in detail, save of the most important places. Detroit, Cincinnati, Vincennes, Kaskaskia and their kindred towns have all been described. But ere we leave the narrative we will present our readers with an account of the Kinzie house, the old landmark of Chicago, and the discovery of the source of the Mississippi River, each of which may well find a place in the annals of the Northwest. Mr. John Kinzie, of the Kinzie house, represented in the illustra- tion, established a trading house at Fort Dearborn in 1804. The stockade had been erected the year previous, and named Fort Dearborn in honor of the Secretary of War. It had a block house at each of the two angles, on the southern side a sallyport, a covered way on the north side, that led down to the river, for the double purpose of providing means of escape, and of procuring water in the event of a siege. Fort Dearborn stood on the south bank of the Chicago River, about half a mile from its mouth. When Major Whistler built it, his soldiers hauled all the timber, for he had no oxen, and so economically did he work that tlie fort cost the Government only fifty dollars. For a while the garrison could get no grain, and Whistler and his men subsisted on acorns. Now Chicago is the greatest grain center in the world. Mr. Kinzie bought the hut of the first settler, Jean Baptiste Point au Sable, on the site of which he erected his mansion. Within an inclosure in front he planted some Lombard}- poplars, seen in the engraving, and in the rear he soon had a fine garden and growing orchard. In 1812 the Kinzie house and its surroundings became the theater of stirring events. The garrison of Fort Dearborn consisted of fifty-four men, imder the charge of Capt. Nathan Heald, assisted by Lieutenant I-enai T. Helm (son-in-law to Mrs. Kinzie), and Ensign Ronan. The surgeon was Dr. Voorhees. The only residents at the post at that time were the wives of Capt. Heald and Lieutenant Helm and a few of the soldiers, Mr. Kinzie and his family, and a few Canadian voyagers with their wives and children. The soldiers and Mr. Kinzie were on the most friendly terms with the Pottawatomies and the Winiiebagoes, the prin- cipal tribes around them, but they could not win them from their attach- ment to the British. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 85 After the battle of Tippecanoe it was observed that some of the lead- ing chiefs became sullen, for some of their people had perished in that conflict with American troops. One evening in Ajjril, 1812, Mr. Kinzie sat playing his violin and his •children were dancing to the music, when Mrs. Kinzie came rushing into the house pale with terror, and exclaiming, " The Indians ! the Indians ! " " What ? Where ? '" eagerly inquired Mr. Kinzie. " Up at Lee's, killing and scalping," answered the frightened mother, who, when the alarm was given, was attending Mi-s. Burns, a newly-made mother, living not far off. KTNZIE nousii. Mr. Kinzie and his family crossed the river in boats, and took refuge in the fort, to which place Mrs. Burns and her infant, not a day old, were conveyed in safety to the shelter of the guns of Fort Dearborn, and the rest of the white inhabitants fled. The Indians were a scalping party of Winnebagoes, who hovered around the fort some days, when they dis- appeared, and for several weeks the inhabitants were not disturbed by alarms. Chicago was then so deep in the wilderness, that the news of the declaration of war against Great Britain, made on the 19th of June, 1812, did not reach the commander of the garrison at Fort Dearborn till the 7th of August. Now the fast mail train will carry a man from New York to Chicago in twenty-seven hours, and such a declaration might be sent, every word, by the telegraph in less than the same number of minutes. Wfe .''Si'fc.^* I ' ■ i ' I ' ^ Zi THE irOETH"WEST TERRITORY. BT PRESENT CONDITION OF THE NORTHWEST Preceding chapters have brought us to the close of the Black Hawk •war, and we now turn to the contemplation of the growth and prosperity of the Northwest under the smile of peace and the blessings of our civili- zation. The pioneers of this region date events back to the deep snow f o^' ^'^^^r*ib?*iK^w£i* v4^^<:>e'^C>> '^ '<'M* A REPKKSENTATIVK PIONEER. cf 1831, no one arriving here since that date taking first honors. The inciting cause of the immigration which overflowed the prairies early in the '30s was the reports of the marvelous beauty and fertility of the legion distributed through the East by those who had participated in the Black Hawk campaign with Gen. Scott. Chicago and Milwaukee then liad a few hundred inhabitants, and Gurdon S. Hubbard's trail from the former city to Kaskaskia led almost through a wilderness. Vegetables and clothiug were largely distributed through the regions adjoining the 88 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. lakes by steamers from the Ohio towns. There are men now living in Illinois who came to the state when barely an acre was in cultivation, and a man now prominent in the business circles of Chicago looked over the swampy, cheerless site of that metropolis in 1818 and went south- ward into civilization. Emigrants from Pennsylvania in 1830 left behind LINCOLX SIOXUMENT, SPKINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. them but one small railway in the coal regions, thirty miles in length, and made their way to the Northwest mostly with ox teams, finding iu Nortliern Illinois petty settlements scores of miles iipart, although the* southern portion of the state was fairly dotted with farms. The- water courses of the lakes and rivers furnished transportation to the second great army of immigrants, and about 1850 railroads were pushed to that extent that the crisis of 18-37 was precipitated upon us. THE NORTHWEST TEBRITOKT. 89 from the effects of which the Western country had not fully recovered at the outbreak of the war. Hostilities found the colonists of the prairies fully alive to the demands of the occasion, and the honor of recruiting o aj •A o o o the vast armies of tlie Union fell largely to Gov. Yates, of Illinois, and Gov. Morton, of Indiana. To recount the share of the glories of the campaign -svon tf czv Western troops is a needless task, except to mention the fact that Illinois g-ave co the nation the President who saved 90 THE NORTHWEST TERRITOKY. it, and sent ont at the head of one of its regiments tne general who led ^ts armies to the final victor}' at Appomattox. The struggle, on the FAKM VIEW IN WINTER. whole, had a marked effect for the better on the new Northwest, gi dng it an impetus which twenty years of peace would not have produced. In a large degree this prosperity was an inflated one, and with the rest of the Union we have since been compelled to atone therefor hy four THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 93 years of depression of values, of scarcity of employment, and loss of fortune. To a less degree, however, than the manufacturing or mining regions has the West suffered during the prolonged panic now so near its end. Agriculture, still the leading feature in our industries, has-been quite prosperous through all these dark years, and the farmers have cleared away many incumbrances resting over them from the period of fictitious values. The population has steadily increased, the arts and sciences are gaining a stronger foothold, the trade area of the region is becoming daily more extended, and we have been largely exempt from the financial calamities which have nearly wrecked communities on the seaboard dependent whollj- on foreign commerce or domestic manufacture. At the present period there are no great schemes broached for the Northwest, no propositions for government subsidies or national works of improvement, but the capital of the world is attracted hither for the purchase of our products or the expansion of our capacity for serving the nation at large. A new era is dawning as to transportation, and we bid fair to deal almost exclusively with the increasing and expanding lines of steel rail running througli every few miles of territory on the prairies. The lake marine will no doubt continue to be useful in the warmer season, and to serve as a regulator of freight rates ; but experienced navigators forecast the decay of the system in moving to the seaboard the enormous crops of the West. Within the past five j'ears it has become quite common to see direct sliipments to Europe and the West Indies going through from the second-class towns along the Mississippi and Missouri. As to popular education, the standard has of late risen very greatly, and our schools would be creditable to any section of the Union. More and more as the events of the war pass into obscurity will the fate of the Northwest be linked with that of the Southwest, and the next Congressional apportionment will give the valley of the Mississippi absolute control of the legislation of the nation, and do much toward securing the removal of tlie Federal capitol to some more central location. Our public men continue to wield the full share of influence pertain- ing to their rank in the national autonomy, and seem not to forget that for the past sixteen years they and their constituents have dictated the principles which should govern the country. In a work like this, destined to lie on the shelves of the library for generations, and not doomed to daily destruction like a newspaper, one can not indulge in the same glowing predictions, the sanguine statements of actualities that fill tlie columns of ephemeral publications. Time may bring grief to the pet projects of a writer, and explode castles erected on a pedestal of facts. Yet there are unmistakable indications before us of 04 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. LAKE r.i.ri The frontage of Lake Bluff Grounds on Lake Michigan, with one hundred and seventy feet of gradual ascent. '^^^^^•if^^*^ IIK^II BlUDCi:, LAKK ]!I,l"FI", LAKH COfXTY, ILLINOLS. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 95 the same radical change in our great Northwest which characterizes its- history for the past thirty years. Our domain has a sort of natural geographical border, save where it melts away to the southward in the cattle raising districts of the southwest. Our prime interest will for some years doubtless be the growth of the food of the world, in which branch it has already outstripped all competitors, and our great rival in this duty will naturally be the fertile- plains of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, to say nothing of the new empire so rapidly growing up in Texas. Over these regions there is a continued jDrogress in agriculture and in railway building, and we must look to our laurels. Intelligent observers of eyents are fully aware of the strides made in the way of shipments of fresh meats to Europe, many of these ocean cargoes being actually slaughtered in the West and transported on ice to the wharves of the seaboard cities. That this new enterprise will continue there is no reason to doubt. There are in Chicago several factories for the canning of prepared meats for European consumption, and the orders for this class of goods are already immense. English capital is becoming daily more and more dissatisfied with railway loans and investments, and is gradually seeking mammoth outlays in lands and live stock. The stock yards in Chicago, Indianapolis and East St. Louis are yearly increasing their facilities, and their plant steadily grows more valuable. Importations of blooded animals from the pi'O- gressive countries of Europe are destined to greatly improve the quality of our beef and mutton. Nowhere is there to be seen a more enticing display in this line than at our state and county fairs, and the interest in the matter is on the increase. To attempt to give statistics of our grain production for 1877 would be useless, so far have we surpassed ourselves in the quantity and quality of our product. We are too liable to forget that we are giving the world its first article of necessity — its food supply. An opportunity to learn this fact so it never can be forgotten was afforded at Chicago at the outbreak of the great panic of 187-3, when Canadian purchasers, fearing the prostration of business might bring about an anarchical conditioni of affairs, went to that city with coin in bulk and foreign drafts to secure their supplies in their own currency at first hands. It may be justly claimed by the agricultural community that their combined efforts gave the nation its first impetus toward a restoration of its crippled industries, and their labor brought the gold premium to a lower depth than the government was able to reach hy its most intense efforts of legislation, and compulsion. The hundreds of millions about to be disbursed for farm products have already, by the anticipation common to all commercial 96 THE NORTHWEST TERRITOBY. nations, set the wheels in motion, and will relieve us from the perils so long shadowing our efforts to return to a healthy tone. Manufacturing has attained in the chief cities a foothold which Ijids fair to render the Northwest independent of the outside world. Nearly Eh PS o c I? to CO O our whole region has a distribution of coal measures which will in time support the manufactures necessary to our comfort and prosperit3\ As to transportation, the chief factor in the jiroduction of ;dl articles excep*' food, no section is so magnificently- endowed, and our facilities are yearly increasing beyond those of any other region. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY". 9T The period from a central point of the war to the outbreak of the panic was marked by a tremendous growth in our railway lines, but the depression of the times caused almost a total suspension of operations. Now that prosperity is returning to our stricken country we witness its- anticipation by the railroad interest in a series of projects, extensions, and leases which bid fair to largely increase our transportation facilities- The process of foreclosure and sale of incumbered lines is another matter to be considered. In the case of the Illinois Central road, which formerly transferred to other lines at Cairo the vast burden of freight destined for the Gulf region, we now see the incorporation of the tracks connecting- through to New Orleans, every mile co-operating in turning toward the northwestern metropolis the weight of the inter-state commerce of a thousand miles or more of fertile plantations. Three competing routes to Texas have established in Chicago their general freight and passenger agencies. Four or five lines compete for all Pacific freights to a point as as far as the interior of Nebraska. Half a dozen or more splendid bridge structures have been thrown across the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers by the railways. The Chicago and Northwestern line has become an aggre- gation of over two thousand miles of rail, and the Chicago, Milwaukee apd St. Paul is its close rival in extent and importance. The tliree lines running to Cairo via Vincennes form a through route for all traffic with the states to the southward. The chief projects now under discussion are the Chicago and Atlantic, which is to unite with lines now built to Charleston, and the Chicago and Canada Southern, which line will con- nect with all the various branches of that Canadian enterprise. Our latest new road is the Chicago and Lake Huron, formed of three lines, and entering the city from Valparaiso on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago track. The trunk lines being mainly in operation, the progress made in the way of shortening tracks, making air-line branches, and running extensions does not show to the advantage it deserves, as this process is constantly adding new facilities to the established order of things. The panic reduced the price of steel to a point where the railways could hardly afford to use iron rails, and all our northwestern lines report large relays of Bessemer track. The immense crops now being moved have given a great rise to the value of railway stocks, and their transportation must result in heavy pecuniary advantages. Few are aware of the importance of the wholesale and jobbing trade of Chicago. One leading firm has since the panic sold $24,000,000 of dry goods in one year, and they now expect most confidently to add seventy per cent, to the figures of their last year's business. In boots and shoes and in clothing, twenty or more great firms from the east have placed here their distributing agents or theii" factories ; and in groceries 98 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. Chicago supplies the entire Northwest at rates presenting advantages over New York. Chicago has stepped in between New York and the rural banks as a financial center, and scarcely a banking institution in the grain or cattle regions but keeps its reserve funds in the vaults of our commercial insti- tutions. Accumulating here throughout the spring and summer months, they are summoned home at pleasure to move the products of the prairies. This process greatly strengthens the northwest in its financial operations, leaving home capital to supplement local operations on behalf of home interests. It is impossible to forecast the destiny of this grand and growing section of the Union. Figures and predictions made at this date might seem ten years hence so ludicrously small as to excite only derision. .V-w'''* \ ILLINOIS. Length, 380 miles, mean width about 156 mUes. Area, 55,410 square miles, or 35,462,400 acres. Illinois, as regards its surface, constitutes a table-land at a var3ang elevation ranging between 350 and 800 feet above the sea level ; compf^sed of extensive and highly fertile prairies and plains. Much of the south (3"dsion of the State, especially the river-bottoms, are thickly wooded. The prairies, too, have oasis-like clumps of trees scattered here and there at intervals. The chief rivers irrigating the State are the Mississippi — dividing it from Iowa and Missouri — the Ohio (forming its south barrier), the Illinois, Wabash, Kaskaskia, and San- gamon, with their numerous affluents. The total extent of navigable streams is calculated at 4,000 miles. Small lakes are scattered over vari- ous parts of the State. Illinois is extremely prolific in minerals, chiefly coal, iron, copper, and zinc ores, sulphur and limestone. The coal-field alone is estimated to absorb a full third of the entire coal-deposit of North America. Climate tolerably equable and healthy ; the mean temperature standing at about 51° Fahrenheit As an agricultural region, Illinois takes a competitive rank with neighboring States, the cereals, fruits, and root- crops yielding plentiful returns ; in fact, as a grain-growing State, Illinois may be deemed, in proportion to her size, to possess a greater area of lands suitable for its production than any other State in the Union. Stock- raising is also largely carried on, while her manufacturing interests in regard of woolen fabrics, etc., are on a very extensive and yearly expand- incf scale. The lines of railroad in the State are amonsr the most exten- sive of the Union. Inland water-carriage is facilitated by a canal connecting the Illinois River with Lake Michigan, and thence with the St. Lawrence and Atlantic. Illinois is divided into 102 counties ; the chief towns being Chicago, Springfield (capital), Alton, Quincy, Peoria, Galena, Bloomington, Rock Island, Vandalia, etc. By the new Consti- tution, established in 1870, the State Legislature consists of 51 Senators, elected for four y^ars, and 153 Representatives, for two years ; which numbers were to be decennially increased thereafter to the number of six per every additional half-million of inhabitants. Religious and educational institutions are largely diffused throughout, and are in a very flourishing condition. Illinois has a State Lunatic and a Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Jacksonville ; a State Penitentiary at Joliet ; and a Home for (99) 100 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. Soldiers' Orphans at Normal. On November 30, 1870, the public debt of the State was returned at $4,870,937, with a balance of $1,808,833 unprovided for. At the same period the value of assessed and equalized property presented the following totals : assessed, $840,031,703 ; equal- ized $480,664,058. The name of Illinois, through nearly the whole of the eighteenth century, embraced most of the known regions north and west of Ohio. French colonists established themselves in 1673, at Cahokia and Kaskaskia, and the territory of which these settlements formed the nucleus was, in 1763, ceded to Great Britain in conjunction with Canada, and ultimately resigned to the United States in 1787. Illinois entered the Union as a State, December 3, 1818; and now sends- 19 Representatives to Congress. Population, 2,539,891, in 1870. 4 WESTERN DWELLING. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. lUl INDIANA. The profile of Indiana forms a nearly exact parallelogram, occupy- ing one of tiie most fertile portions of the great Mississippi Valley. The greater extent of the surface embraced within its limits consists of gentle niidulatinns rising into hilly tracts toward the Ohio bottom. The chief rivers of the State are the Ohio and Wabash, with their numerous affluents. The soil is highly productive of the cereals and grasses — most particularly so in the valleys of the Ohio, Wabash, Whitewater, and White Rivers. The northeast and central portions are well timbered with virgin forests, and the west section is notably rich in coal, constitut- ing an offshoot of the great Illinois carboniferous field. Iron, copper, marble, slate, gypsum, and various clays are also abundant. From an agricultural point of view, the staple products are maize and wheat, with tlie otlier cereals in lesser yields ; and besides these, flax, hemp, sorghum, hops, etc., are extensively raised. Indiana is divided into 92 counties, and counts among her princijDal cities and towns, those of Indianapolis (the capital). Fort Wayne, Evansville, Terre Haute, Madison, Jefferson- ville, Columbus, Vineennes, South Bend, etc. The public institutions of tlic State are many and various, and on a scale of magnitude and efficiency commensupate with her important political and industrial status. Upward of two thousand miles of railroads permeate the State in all directions, and greatly conduce to the development of her expanding manufacturing interests. Statistics for the fiscal year terminating October 31, 1870, exhibited a total of receipts, $3,896,541 as against dis- bursements, $3,532,406, leaving a balance, $864,1.35 in favor of the State Treasury. The entire public debt, .January 5, 1871, $3,971,000. This State was first settled by Canadian voyageurs in 1702, who erected a fort at Vineennes ; in 1763 it passed into the hands of the English, and was by tlie latter ceded to the United States in 1783. From 1788 till 1791, an Indian ware fare prevailed. In 1800, all the region west and north of Ohio (then formed into a distinct territory) became merged in Indiana. In 1809, the present limits of the State were defined, Michigan and Illinois having previously been withdrawn. In 1811, Indiana was the theater of the Indian War of Teeumseh, ending with the decisive battle of Tippecanoe. In 1816 (December 11), Indiana became enrolled among the States of the American Union. In 1834, the State passed through a monetary crisis owing to its having become mixed up with railroad, '■anal, and other speculations on a gigantic scale, which ended, for the tune uenig, in a general collaiise of public credit, and consequent bank- ruptcy. Since that time, however, the greater number of the public .102 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. works which had brought about that imbroglio — especially the great Wabash and Erie Canal — have been completed, to the great benefit of the State, whose subsequent progress has year b}' year been marked by rapid strides in the paths of wealtli, commerce, and general social and political prosperity. The constitution now in force was adopted in 1851. Population, 1,680,637. I O W A.. In shape, Iowa presents an almost perfect parallelogram ; has a length, north to south, of about 300 miles, by a pretty even width of 208 miles, and embraces an area of 55,045 square miles, or 35,228,800 acres. The surface of the State is generally undulating, rising toward the middle into an elevated plateau which forms the *' divide "' of the Missouri and Mississippi basins. Rolling prairies, especially in the south section, constitute a regnant feature, and the river bottoms, belted with woodlands, present a soil of the richest alluvion. Iowa is well watered ; the principal rivers being the Mississijjpi and Missouri, which form respectively its east and west limits, and the Cedar, Iowa, and Des Moines, affluents of the first named. Mineralogically, Iowa is important as occupying a section of the great Northwest coal field, to the extent of an area estimated at 25,000 square miles. Lead, copper, zinc, and iron, are also mined in considerable quantities. The soil is well adapted to the production of wheat, maize, and the other cereals : fruits, vegetables, and esculent roots ; maize, wheat, and oats forming the chief staples. Wine, tobacco, hops, and wax, are other noticeable items of the agricul- tural yield. Cattle-raising, too, is a branch of rural industry largely engaged in. The climate is healthy, although liable to extremes of heat and cold. The annual gross product of the various manufactures ci?,rried on in this State approximate, in round numbers, a sum of $20,000,000. Iowa has an immense railroad system, besides over 500 miles of water- communication by means of its navigable rivers. The State is politically divided into 99 counties, with the following centers of population : Des Moines (capital), Iowa City (former capital), Dubuque, Davenport, Bur- lington, Council Bluffs, Keokuk, Muscatine, and Cedar Rapids. The State institutions of Iowa — religious, scholastic, and philantliropic — are ori a par, as regards number and perfection of organization and operation, with those of her Northwest sister States, and education is especially well cared for. and largely diffused. Iowa formed a portion of the American territorial acquisitions from France, by the so-called Louisiana purchase in 1803, and was politically identified witli Louisiana till 1812, THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 103 when it merged into the Missouri Territory; in 1834 it came under the Michigan organization, and, in 1836, under that of Wisconsin. Finally, after being constituted an independent Territory, it became a State of the Union, December 28, 1846. Population in 1860, 674,913 ; in 1870, 1,191,792, and in 1875, 1,353,118. MICHIGAN. United area, 56,243 square miles, or 35,995,520 acres. Extent of the Upper and smaller Peninsula — length, 316 miles; breadth, fluctuating between 36 and 120 miles. The south division is 416 miles long, by from 50 to 300 miles wide. Aggregate lake-shore line, 1,100 miles. The Upper, or North, Peninsula consists chiefly of an elevated plateau, expanding into the Porcupine mountain-system, attaining a maximum height of some 2,000 feet. Its shores along Lake Superior are eminently bold and picturesque, and its area is rich in minerals, its product of copper constituting an important source of industrj^ Both divisions are heavily wooded, and the South one, in addition, boasts of a deep, rich, loamy soil, throwing up excellent crops of cereals and other agricultural produce. The climate is generally mild and humid, though the Winter colds are severe. The chief staples of farm husbandry include the cereals, grasses, maple sugar, sorghum, tobacco, fruits, and dairy-stuffs. In 1870, the acres of land in farms were : improved, 5,096,939 ; unimproved woodland, 4,080,146 ; other unimproved land, 842,057. The cash value of land was $398,240,578 ; of farming implements and machinery, $13,711,979. In 1869, there were shipped from the Lake SujDerior ports, 874,582 tons of iron ore, and 45,762 of smelted pig, along with 14,188 tons of copper (ore and ingot). Coal is another article largely mined. Inland communication is provided for by an admirably organized railroad system, and by the St. Mary's Ship Canal, connecting Lakes Huron and ■ Superior. Michigan is politically divided into 78 counties ; its chief urban centers are Detroit, Lansing (capital), Ann Arbor, Marquette, Bay City, Niles, Ypsilanti, Grand Haven, etc. The Governor of the State is elected biennially. On November 30, 1870, the aggregate bonded debt of Michigan amounted to $2,385,028, and the assessed valuation of land to $266,929,278, representing an estimated cash value of $800,000,000. Education is largely diffused and most excellently conducted and pro- vided f(n'. The State University at Ann Arbor, the colleges of Detroit and Kalamazoo, the Albion Female College, the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, and the State Agricultural College at Lansing, are chief among the academic institutions. Michigan (a term of Chippeway origin, and 104 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORy. signifj-ing " Great Lake ), was discovered and first settled by French Canadians, wlio, in 1670, founded Detroit, the pioneer of a series of trad- ing-posts on the Indian frontier. During the " Conspiracy of Pontiac," following the French loss of Canada, Michigan became the scene of a sanguinary struggle between the whites and aborigines. In 1796, it became annexed to the United States, which incorporated this region with the Northwest Territory, and then with Indiana Territory, till 1803, when it became territorially indejiendent. Michigan was the theater of warlike operations during the war of 1812 with Great Britain, and in 1819 was authorized to be represented by one delegate in Congress ; in 1837 she was admitted into the Union as a State, and in 1869 ratified the loth Amendment to the Federal Constitution. Poi)ulation, 1,184,059. WISCONSIN. It has a mean length of 260 miles, and a maximum breadth of. 215. Land area. 53,924 square miles, or 34.511,360 acres. Wisconsin lies at a considerable altitude above sea-level, and consists for the most part of an upland plateau, the surface of which is undulating and very generally diversified. Numerous local eminences called mounds are interspersed over the State, and the Lake Michigan coast-line is in many parts char- acterized by lofty escarped cliffs, even as on the west side the banks of the Mississippi form a series of high and picturesque bluffs. A group of islands known as The Apostles lie off the extreme north point of the State in Lake Superior, and the great estuary of Green Bay, running far inland, gives formation to a long, narrow peninsula between its waters and those of Lake Michigan. The river-sj'stem of Wisconsin has three outlets — those of Lake Superior, Green Bay, and the Mississippi, which latter stream forms the entire southwest frontier, widening at one point into the large watery expanse called Lake Pepin. Lake Superior receives the St. Louis, Burnt Wood, and Montreal Rivers ; Green Bay, the Menomouee, Peshtigo, Oconto, and Fox; while into the Mississippi empty the St. Croix, Chijjpewa, Black, Wisconsin, and Rock Rivers. The chief interior lakes are those of Winnebago, Horicon, and Court Oreilles, and smaller sheets of water stud a great part of the surface. The climate is healthful, with cold Winters and brief but very warm Summers. Mean annual rainfall 31 inches. The geological system represented b}' the State, embraces those rocks included between the primary and the Devonian series, the former containing extensive deposits of copper and iron ore. Besides these minerals, lead and zinc are found in great (][uantities, together with kaolin, plumbago, gypsum, THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 105 and various cla3-s. Mining, consequently, forms a prominent industry, and one of 3-earl3' increasing dimensions. The soil of Wisconsin is of varying quality, but fertile on the whole, and in the north parts of the State heavily timbered. The agricultural yield comprises the cereals, together with flax, hemp, tobacco, pulse, sorguni, and all kinds of vege- tables, and of the hardier fruits. In 1870, the State had a total number of 102,904 farms, occupying 11,715,321 acres, of which 5,899,343 con- sisted of improved land, and 3,437,442 were timbered. Cash value of farms, #300,414,064 ; of farm implements and machinery, $14,239,364. Total estimated value of all farm products, including betterments and additions to stock, .$78,027,032 ; of orchard and dairy stuffs, $1,045,938 ; of lumber, •li;l,327,618 ; of home manufactures, $338,423 ; of all live-stock, $45,310,882. Number of manufacturing establishments, 7,136, employ- ing 39,055 hands, and turning out productions valued at $85,624,966. The political divisions of the State form 61 counties, and the chief places of wealth, trade, and pojjulation, are Madison (the capital), Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Prairie du Chien, Janesville, Portage City, Racine, Kenosha, and La Crosse. In 1870, the total assessed valuation reached $333,209,838, as against a true valuation of both real and personal estate aggregating $602,207,829. Treasury receipts during 1870, $886,- 696 ; disbursements, $906,329. Value of church property, $4,749,983. Education is amply provided for. Independently of the State University at Madison, and those of Galesville and of Lawrence at Appleton, and the colleges of Beloit, Racine, and Milton, there are Normal Schools at Platteville and Whitewater. The State is divided into 4,802 common school districts, maintained at a cost, in 1870, of $2,094,160. The chari- table institutions of Wisconsin include a Deaf and Dumb Asylum, an Institute for the Education of the Blind, and a Soldiers' Orphans' School. In January, 1870, the railroad system ramified throughout the State totalized 2,779 miles of track, including several lines far advanced toward completion. Immigration is successfully encouraged b}' the State author- ities, the larger number qf yearly new-comers being of Scandinavian and Gei-man origin. The territory now occupied within the limits of the State of Wisconsin was explored by French missionaries and traders in 1639, and it remained under French jurisdiction until 1703, when it became annexed to the British North American possessions. In 1796, it reverted to the United States, the government of which latter admitted it within the limits of the Northwest Territory, and in 1809, attached it to that of Illinois, and to Michigan in 1818. Wisconsin became independ- ently territorially organized in 1836, and became a State of the Union, March 3, 1847. Population in 1870, l,0ii4,985, of which 2,113 Were of the colored race, and 11,521 Indians, 1,206 of the latter being out of tribal relations. 106 THE NORTHWEST TERB,ITORY. MINNESOTA, Its leugtli, north to south, embraces an extent of 380 miles; its breadth one of 250 miles at a maximum. Area, 84,000 square miles, or 54,760,000 acres. The surface of Minnesota, generall\' speaking, con- sists of a succession of gently undulating jjlains and prairies, drained by an admirable water-system, and with here and there heavily- timbered bottoms and belts of virgin forest. The soil, corresponding with such a superfices, is exceptionally rich, consisting for the most part of a dark, calcareous sandy drift intermixed with loam. A distiuguishing i)iiysical feature of this State is its riverine ramifications, expanding in nearly every part of it into almost innumerable lakes — the whole presenting an aggregate of water-power having hardly a rival in the Union. Besides the Mississippi — which here has its rise, and drains a basin of 800 miles of country — the principal streams are the Minnesota (384 miles long), the Red River of the North, the St. Croix, St. Louis, and many others of lesser importance : the chief lakes are those called Red, Cass, Leech, Mille Lacs, Vermillion, and Winibigosh Quite a concatenation of sheets of water fringe the frontier line where Minnesota joins British America, culminating in the Lake of the Woods. It has been estimated, that of an area of 1,200,000 acres of surface between the St. Croix and Mis- sissippi Rivers, not less than 73,000 acres are of lacustrine formation. In point of minerals, the resources of Minnesota have as yet been very imperfectly developed; iron, copper, coal, lead — all these are known to exist in considerable deposits ; together with salt, limestone, and potter's clay. The agricultural outlook of the State is in a high degree satis- factory ; wheat constitutes the leading cereal in cultivation, with Indian corn and oats in next order. Fruits and vegetables are grown in great plenty and of excellent quality. The lumber resources of Minnesota are important ; the pine forests in the north region alone occupying an area of some 21,000 square miles, which in 1870 produced a return of scaled logs amounting to 313.116,416 feet. The natural industrial advantages possessed by Minnesota are largely improved upon by a railroad system. The political divisions of this State numl)er 78 counties; of which tlie chief cities and towns are: St. Paul (the capital), Stillwater, Red Wing, St. Anthony, Fort Sneiling, Minneapolis, and Mankato. Minnesota has already assumed an attitude of Jiigh importance as a nuinufacturing State ; this is mainly due to the wonderful command of water-power she pos- sesses, as befoi-e spoken of. Besides her timber-trade, the milling of flour, the distillation of whisky, and the tanning of leather, are prominent interests, whicli, in 186U, gave returns to the anuiunt of ^14,831,043. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 107 Education is notably provided for on a broad and catholic scale, the entire amount expended scholastically during the year 1870 being $857,- 816 ; while on November 30 of the preceding year the permanent school fund stood at #2,476,222. Besides a University and Agricultural College, Normal and Reform Schools flourish, and with these may be mentioned such various philanthropic and religious institutions as befit the needs of an intelligent and prosperous community. The finances of the State for the fiscal year terminating December 1, 1870, exhibited a balance on the right side to the amount of $136,164, being a gain of •'144,000 over the previous year's figures. The earliest exploration of Minnesota by the whites was made in 1680 by a French Franciscan, Father Hennepin, who gave the name of St. Antony to the Great Falls on the Upper Missisippi. In 1763, the Treaty of Versailles ceded this region to England. Twenty years later, Minnesota formed part of the Northwest Territory transferred to the United States, and became herself territorialized inde- pendently in 1849. Indian cessions in 1851 enlarged her boundaries, and. Ma}- 11, 1857, Minnesota became a unit of the great American federation of States. Population, 439,706. NEBRASKA. Maximum length, 412 miles ; extreme breadth, 208 miles. Area, 75,905 square miles, or 48,636,800 acres. The surface of this State is almost entirely undulating prairie, and forms part of the west slope of the great central basin of the North American Continent. In its west division, near the base of the Rocky Mountains, is a sandy belt of country, irregularly defined. In this part, too, are the " dunes," resem- bling a wavy sea of sandy billows, as well as the Mauvaises Teires. a tract of singular formation, produced by eccentric disintegrations and denuda- tions of the land. The chief rivers are the Missouri, constituting its en- tire east line of demarcation ; the Nebraska or Platte, the Niobrara, the Republican Fork of the Kansas, the Elkhorn, and the Loup Fork of the Platte. The soil is very various, but consisting chiefly of rich, bottomy loam, admirably adapted to the raising of heavy crops of cereals. All the vegetables and fruits of the temperate zone are produced in great size and plenty. For grazing purposes Nebraska is a State exceptionally well fitted, a region of not less than 23,000,000 acres being adaptable to this In-anch of husbandry. It is believed that the, as yet, comparatively infertile tracts of land found in various parts of the State are susceptible of productivity by means of a properly conducted system of irrigation. Few minerals of moment have so far been found within the limits of 108 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. Nebraska, if we may excejit iniportunt saline deposits at the head of Salt Creek in its southeast section. The State is divided into 57 counties, independent of the Pawnee and Winnebago Indians, and of unoi'ganized territory in the northwest part. The principal towns are Omaha, Lincoln (State capital), Nebraska City, Columbus, Grand Island, etc. In 1870, the total assessed value of property amounted to $53,000,000. being an increase of $11,000,000 over the previous year's returns. The total amount received from the school-fund during the year 1869-70 was $77,999. Education is making great onward strides, the State University and an Agricultural College being far advanced toward completion. In the matter of railroad communication, Nebraska bids fair to soon place herself on a par with her neighbors to the east. Besides being inter- sected by the Union Pacific line, with its off-shoot, the Fremont and Blair, other tracks are in course of rapid construction. Organized by Con- gressional Act into a Territory, May 30, 1854:, Nebraska entered the Union as a full State, March 1, 1867. Population, 122,993. I ■|:.\1R1E WOLVES l.V AN KAltl.V DAY. Early History of Illinois. The name of this beautiful Prairie State is derived from Illini, a Delaware word signifying Superior Men. It has a French termination, and is a symbol of how the two races — the French and the Indians — were intermixed during the early history of the country. The appellation was no doubt well applied to the primitive inhabit- ants of the soil whose prowess in savage warfare long withstood the combined attacks of the fierce Iroquois on the one side, and the no less savage and relentless Sacs and Foxes on the other. The Illinois were once a powerful confederacy, occupying the most beautiful and fertile region in the gTeat Valley of the Mississippi, which their enemies coveted and struggled long and hard to wrest from them. By the fortunes of war they were diminished in numbers, and finally destroyed. " Starved Rock," on the Illinois River, according to tradition, commemorates their last tragedy, where, it is said, the entire tribe starved rather than sur- render. EARLY DISCOVERIES. The first European discoveries in Illinois date back over two hun- dred years. They are a part of that movement which, from the begin- ning to the middle of the seventeenth century, brought the French Canadian missionaries and fur traders into the Valley of the Mississippi, and which, at a later period, established the civil and ecclesiastical authority of France from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the foot-hills of the Alleghanies to the Rocky Mountains. The great river of the West had been discovered by DeSoto, the Spanish conqueror of Florida, three quarters of a century before the French founded Quebec in 1608, but the Spanish left the country a wil- derness, without further exploration or settlement within its borders, in which condition it remained until the Mississijipi was discovered by the agents of the French Canadian government, Joliet and Marquette, in 1673. These renowned explorers were not the first white visitors to Illinois. In 1671 — two years in advance of them — came Nicholas Perrot to Chicago. He had been sent by Talon as an agent of the Canadian government to log 110 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. n D J -1 HISTORY OP THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. Ill call a great peace convention of Western Indians at Green Bay, prepara- tory to the movement for the discovery of the Mississippi. It was deemed a good stroke of policy to secure, as far as j^ossible, the friend- ship and co-operation of the Indians, far and near, before venturing upon an enterprise which their hostility might render disastrous, and which their friendship and assistance would do so much to make successful ; and to this end Perrot was sent to call together in council the tribes throughout the Northwest, and to promise them the commerce and pro- tection of the French government. He accordingly arrived at Green Bay in 1671, and procuring an escort of Pottawattamies, proceeded in a bark canoe upon a visit to the Miamis, at Chicago. Perrot was there- fore the first European to set foot upon the soil of Illinois. Still there were others before Marquette. In 1672, the Jesuit mis- sionaries. Fathers Claude Allouez and Claude Dablon, bore the standard of the Cross from their mission at Green Bay through western Wisconsin and northern Illinois, visiting the Foxes on Fox River, and the Masquo- tines and Kickapoos at the mouth of the Milwaukee. These missionaries penetrated on the route afterwards followed by Marquette as far as the Kickapoo village at the head of Lake Winnebago, where Marquette, in his journey, secured guides across the portage to the Wisconsin. The oft-repeated story of Marquette and Joliet is well known. They were the agents employed by the Canadian government to discover the Mississippi. Marquette was a native of France, born in 1637, a Jesuit priest by education, and a man of sira[)le faith and of great zeal and devotion in extending the Roman Catliolic religion among the Indians. Arriving in Canada in 1666, he was sent as a missionary to the far Northwest, and, in 1668, founded a mission at Sault Ste. Marie. The following year he moved to La Pointe, in Lake Superior, where he instructed a branch of the Hurons till 1670, when he removed south, and founded the mission at St. Ignace, on the Straits of Mackinaw. Here he remained, devoting a portion of his time to the study of the Illinois language under a native teacher who had accompanied him to the mission from La Pointe, till he was joined by Joliet in the Spring of 1673. By the way of Green Bay and the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, they entered the Mississippi, which they explored to the mouth of the Arkansas, and returned by the way of the Illinois and Chicago Rivers to Lake Michigan. On his way up the Illinois, Marquette visited the great village of the Kaskaskias, near what is now Utica, in the county of LaSalle. Tlie following year he returned and established among them the mission of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, which was the first Jesuit mission founded in Illinois and in the Mississippi Valley. The intervening winter he had spent in a hut which his companions erected on the Chicago River, a few leagues from its mouth. The founding of this mission was the last 112 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. act of Marquette's life. He died in Michigan, on his way back to Green Bay, May 18, 1675. FIRST FRENCH OCCUPATION. The first French occupation of the territory now embraced in Illi- nois was effected by LaSalle in 1680, seven years after the time of Mar- quette and Johet. LaSalle, having constructed a vessel, the " Griffin," above the falls of Niagara, which he sailed to Green Bay, and having passed thence in canoes to the mouth of the St. Joseph River, by which and the Kankakee he reached the Illinois, in January, 1680, erected Fort Crevecoeur, at the lower end of Peoria Lake, where the city of Peoria is now situated. The place where this ancient fort stood may still be seen just below the outlet of Peoria Lake. It was destined, however, to a temporary existence. From this point, LaSalle determined to descend the Mississippi to its month, but did not accomplish this purpose till two years later — in 1682. Returning to Fort Fron^enac for the purpose of getting materials with which to rig his vessel, he left the fort in charge of Touti, his lieutenant, who during his absence was driven off b}' the Iro- quois Indians. These savages had made a raid upon the settlement of the Illinois, and had left nothing in their track but ruin and desolation. Mr. Davidson, in his History of Illinois, gives the following graphic account of the picture that met the eyes of LaSalle and his companions on their return : " At the great town of the Illinois they were appalled at the scene whicii opened to their view. No hunter appeared to break its death-like silence with a salutatory whoop ot welcome. The plain on which the town liad stood was now strewn with charred fragments of lodges, which had so recently swarmed with savage life and liilarity. To render more hideous the picture of desolation, large numbers of skulls had been placed on the upper extremities of lodge-poles which liad escaped the devouring flames. In the midst of these horrors was the rude fort of the spoilers, rendered frightful by the same ghastly relics. A near approach showed that the graves had been robbed of their bodies, and swarms of buzzards were discovered glutting their loathsome stomachs on the reeking corruption. To complete the work of destruction, the growing corn of the village had been cut down and burned, while the pits containing the jiroducts of previous years, had been rifled and their contents scattered witli wanton waste. It was evident the suspected blow of the Iroquois had fallen with relentless fury." Tonti had escaped LaSalle knew not whither. Passing down the lake in search of him and his men, LaSalle discovered that the fort had been destroyed, but the vessel which he had partly constructed was still HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 113 on the stocks, and but slightly injured. After further fruitless search. failing to find Tonti, he fastened to a tree a painting representing him?;elf and party sitting in a (uinoe and Ijearing a pipe of peace, and to the paint- ing attached a letter addressed to Tonti. Tonti had escaped, and, after untold privations, taken shelter among tlie Pottawattamies near Green Bay. These were friendly to tlie French. One of their old chiefs used to say, " There were but three great cap- taius iu the world, himself, Tonti and LaSalle."' GENIUS OF LaSALLE. We must now return to LaSalle, whose exploits stand out in such bold relief. He was born in Rouen, France, in 1643. His father was wealthy, but he renounced his patrimony on entering a college of the Jesuits, from which he separated and came to Canada a poor man in 1666. The priests of St. Suljjice, among whom he had a brother, were then the proprietors of Montreal, the nucleus of which was a seminary or con- vent founded by that order. The Superior granted to LaSalle a large tract of land at LaChine, where he establislied himself in the fur trade. He was a man of daring genius, and outstripped all his competitors in exploits of travel and commerce with the Lidians. In 1660, he visited the headquarters of the great Iroquois Confederacy, at Onondaga, in the heart of New York, and, obtaining guides, explored the Ohio River to the falls at Louisville. In order to understand the genius of LaSalle, it must be remembered that for many years prior to his time the missionaries and traders were obliged to make their way to the Northwest by the Ottawa River (of Canada) on account of the fierce hostility of the Iroquois along the lower lakes and Niagara River, which entirely closed this latter route to the Upper Lakes. They carried on their comuierce chiefly b)' canoes, pad- dling them through the Ottawa to Lake Nipissing, carrying them across the portage to French River, and descending that to Lake Huron. This being the route by which they reached the Northwest, accounts for the fact that all the earliest Jesuit missions were established in the neighbor- hood of the Upper Lakes. LaSalle conceived the grand idea of opening the route by Niagara River and the Lower Lakes to Canadian commerce by sail vessels, connecting it with the navigation of the Mississippi, and thus opening a magnificent water communication from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. This truly grand and compi-ehensive purpose seems to have animated him iu all his wonderful achievements and the matchless difficulties and hardships he surmounted. As the first step in the accomplishment of this object he established himself on Lake Ontario, and built and garrisoned Fort Frontenac, the site of the present 114 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. city of Kingston, Canada. Here he obtained a grant of land from the French crown and a body of troops by which he beat back the invading Iroquois and cleared the passage to Niagara Falls. Having by this mas- terly stroke made it safe to attempt a hitherto untried expedition, his next step, as we have seen, was to advance to the Falls with all his outfit for building a ship with which to sail the lakes. He was success- ful in this undertaking, though his ultimate purpose was defeated by a strange combination of untoward circumstances. The Jesuits evidently hated LaSalle and plotted against him, because he had abandoned them and co-operated with a rival order. The fur traders were also jealous of his superior success in opening new channels of commerce. At LaChine he had taken the trade of Lake Ontario, which but for his presence there would have gone to Quebec. While they were plodding with their barjc canoes through the Ottawa he was constructing sailing vessels to com- mand the trade of the lakes and the Mississippi. These great plans excited the jealousy and envy of the small traders, introduced treason and revolt into the ranks of his own companions, and finally led to the foul assassination by which his great achievements were prematurely ended. In 1682, LaSalle, having completed his vessel at Peoria, descended the Mississippi to its confluence with the Gulf of Mexico. Erecting a standard on which he inscribed the arms of France, he took formal pos- session of the whole valley of the mighty river, in the name of Louis XIV., then reigning, in honor of whom he named the country Louisiana. LaSalle then went to France, was appointed Governor, and returned with a fleet and immigrants, for the purpose of planting a colony in Illi- nois. They arrived in due time in the Gulf of Mexico, but failing to find the mouth of the Mississippi, up which LaSalle intended to sail, his sujjply ship, with the immigrants, was driven ashore and wrecked ou Matagorda Bay. With the fragments of the vessel he constructed a stockade and rude huts on the shore for the protection of tlie immigrants, calling the post Fort St. Louis. He then made a trip into New Mexico, in search of silver mines, but, meeting with disappointment, returned to find his little colon}- reduced to forty souls. He then resolved to travel on foot to Illinois, and, starting with his companions, had reached the valley of the Colorado, near the mouth of Trinity river, when he was shot by one of his men. This occurred on the 19th of March, 1687. Dr. J. W. Foster remarks of him : " Thus fell, not far from the banks of the Trinity, Rol)ert Cavalier do la Salic, one of the grandest charac- ters that ever figured in American history — a man capable of originating the vastest schemes, and endowed with a will and a judgment capable of carrying them to successful results. Had ample facilities been placed by the King of France at his disposal, the result of the colonization of this continent might have been far different from what we now behold." HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 115 EARLY SETTLEMENTS. A temporarv settlement was made at Fort St. Louis, or the old Kas- kaskia village, on the Illinois River, in what is now LaSalle County, in 1682. Li 1690, this was removed, with the mission connected with it, to Kaskaskia, on the river of that name, emptying into the lower Mississippi in St. Clair County. Cahokia was settled about the same time, or at least, both of these settlements began in the year 1690, though it is now pretty well settled that Cahokia is the older place, and ranks as the oldest permanent settlement in lUinuin, as well as in the Mississippi Vallej% The reason for the removal of the jld Kaskaskia settlement and mission, was probably because the dangerous and difficult route by Lake Michigan and the Chicago portage had been almost abandoned, and travelers and. traders passed down and up the Mississippi 1)V the Fox and Wisconsin River route. Tiiey removed to the vicinity of tlie Mississippi in order to be in the line of travel from Canada to Louisiana, that is, the lower part of it, for it was all Louisiana then south of the lakes. During the period of French rule in Louisiana, the population prob- alil}- never exceeded ten thousand, including whites and blacks. Within that portion of it now included in Indiana, trading posts were established at the principal Miami villages which stood on the head waters of the Maumee, the Wea villages situated at Ouiatenon, on the Wabash, and the Piankeshaw villages at Post Vincennes ; all of which wei-e probably visited by French traders and missionaries before the close of the seven- teenth century. In the vast territory claimed by the French, many settlements of considerable importance had sprung up. Biloxi, on Mobile Bay, had been founded by DTberville, in 1099; Antoine de Lamotte Cadillac had founded Detroit in 1701 ; and New Orleans had been founded by Bien- ville, under the auspices of the Mississippi Company, in 1718. In Illi- nois also, considerable settlements had been made, so that in 1730 they embraced one hundred and forty French families, about six hundred " con- verted Indians," and many traders and voyageurs. In that portion of the country, on the east side of the Mississippi, thei'e were five distinct set- tlements, with their respective villages, viz. : Cahokia, near the mouth of Cahokia Creek and about five miles below the present cit}' of St. Louis ; St. Philip, about forty-five miles below Cahokia, and four miles above Fort Chartres ; Fort Chartres, twelve miles above Kaskaskia ; Kaskaskia, situated on tlie Kaskaskia River, five miles above its conflu- ence with the Mississippi ; and Prairie du Rocher, near Fort Chartres. To these must be added St. Genevieve and St. Louis, on the west side of the Mississippi. These, with the exception of St. Louis, are among 116 HISTOKY OF THE STATE OF lUilNOlS. < HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 117 the oldest French towns in the Mississippi Valley. Kaskaskia, in its best days, was a town of some two or three thousand inhabitants. After it passed from the crown of France its population for many years did not exceed fifteen hundred. Under British rule, in 1773, the population had decreased to four hundred and fift\-. As early as 1721, the Jesuits had established a college and a monastery in Kaskaskia. Fort Chartres was first built under the direction of the Mississippi Company, in 1718, by M. de Boisbraint, a military oificer, under command of Bienville. It stood on the east bank of the Mississippi, about eighteen miles below Kaskaskia, and was for some time the headquarters of the military commandants of the district of Illinois. In the Centennial Oration of Dr. Fowler, delivered at Philadelphia, by appointment of Gov. Beveridge, we find some interesting facts with regard to the State of Illinois, which we appropriate in this history: In 1682 Illinois became a possession of the French crown, a depend- ency of Canada, and a part of Louisiana. In 1765 the English flag was run up on old Fort Chartres, and Illinois was counted among the treas- ures of Great Britain. In 1779 it was taken from the English by Col. George Rogers Clark. This man was resolute in nature, wise in council, prudent in policy, bold in action, and heroic in danger. Few men who haA'e figured in the his- torv of America are more deserving than this colonel. Nothing short of first-class ability could have rescued Vincens and all Illinois from the English. And it is not possible to over-estimate the influence of this achievement upon the republic. In 1779 Illinois became a part of Vir- ginia. It was soon known as Illinois County. In 1784 Virginia ceded all this territory to the general government, to be cut into States, to be republican in form, with " the same right of sovereignty, freedom, and independence as the other States." In 1787 it was the object of the wisest and ablest legislation found in any merely human records. No man can studj' the secret history of THE "COMPACT OF 1787," and not feel that Providence was guiding with sleepless eye these unborn States. The ordinance that on July 13, 1787, finally became the incor- porating act, has a most marvelous liistory. Jefferson had vainly tried to secure a system of government for the northwestern territory. He was an emancipationist of that day, and favored the exclusion of slavery from the territory Virginia had ceded to the general government; but the South voted him down as often as it came up. In 1787, as late as July 10, an organizing act without the anti-slavery clause was pending. This concession to the South was expected to carry it. Congress was in 118 HISTORY OP THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. session in New York City. On July 5, Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler, of Massachusetts, came into New York to lobby on the northwestern terri- tory. Eveiything seemed to fall into his hands. Events were ripe. The state of the public credit, the growing of Southern prejudice, the basis of his mission, his personal character, all combined to complete one of those sudden and marvelous revolutions of public sentiment that once in five or ten centuries are seen to sweep over a country like the breath of the Almighty. Cutler was a graduate of Yale — received his A.M. from Harvard, and his D.D. from Yale. He had studied and taken degrees in the three learned professions, medicine, law, and divinitj'. He had thus America's best indorsement. He had published a scientific examination of the plants of New England. His name stood second only to that of Franklin as a scientist in America. He was a courtly gentle- man of the old style, a man of commanding presence, and of invitmg face. The Southern members said they had never seen such a gentleman in the North. He came representing a company that desired to purchase a tract of land now included in Ohio, for the purpose of planting a colony. It was a speculation. Government monej- was worth eighteen cents on the dollar. This Massachusetts company had collected enough to pur- chase 1,500,000 acres of land. Other speculators in New York made Dr. Cutler their agent (lobbyist). On the 12th he represented a demand for 5,500,000 acres. This would reduce the national debt. Jefferson and Virginia were regarded as authority concerning the land Virginia had just ceded. Jefferson's policy wanted to provide for the public credit, and this was a good opportunity to do something. Massachusetts then owned the territory of Maine, which she was crowding on the market. She was opposed to opening the northwestern region. This fired tlie zeal of Virginia. The South caught the inspira- tion, and all exalted Dr. Cutler. The English minister invited him to dine witli some of the Southern gentlemen. He was the center of interest. The entire South rallied round him. Massachusetts could not vote against him, because many of the constituents of her members were interested personally in the western speculation. Thus Cutler, making friends with the South, and, doubtless, using all the arts of the lobby, was enabled to command tlie situation. True to deeper convictions, he dictated one of the most compact and finished documents of wise states- manship that has ever adorned any human law book. He borrowed from Jefferson the term " Articles of Compact," which, preceding the federal constitution, rose into the most sacred character. He then followed very closely the constitution of Massachusetts, adopted three years before. Its most marked points were : 1. The exclusion of slavery from the territory forever. 2. Provision for public schools, giving one township for a seminary, HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 119 and every section numbered 16 in each township ; that is, one-thu"ty-sixth of all the land, for public schools. 3. A provision prohibiting the adoption of any constitution or the enactment of any law that should nullify pre-existing contracts. Be it forever remembered that this compact declared that " Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall always be encouraged." Dr. Cutler planted himself on this platform and would not yield. Giving his unqualified declaration that it was that or nothing — that unless they could make the land desirable they did not want it — he took his horse and buggy, and started for the constitutional convention in Phila- delphia. On July 13, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage, and was unanimously adopted, every Southern member voting for it, and only one man, Mr. Yates, of New York, voting against it. But as the States voted as States, Yates lost his vote, and the compact was put beyond repeal. Thus the great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wis- consin — a vast empire, the heart of the great valley — were consecrated to freedom, intelligence, and honesty. Thus the great heart of the nation was prepared for a year and a day and an hour. In the light of these eighty- nine years I affirm that this act was the salvation of the republic and the destruction of slaver}'. Soon the South saw their great blunder, and tried to repeal the compact. In 1803 Congress referred it to a committee of which John Randolph was chairman. He reported that this ordinance was a compact, and opposed repeal. Thus it stood a rock, in the way of the on-rushing sea of slavery. With all this timely aid it was, after all, a most desperate and pro- tracted struggle to keep the soil of Illinois sacred to freedom. It was the natural battle-field for the irrepressible conflict. In the southern end of the State slavery preceded the compact. It existed among the old French settlers, and was hard to eradicate. The southern part of the State was settled from the slave States, and this population brought their laws, customs, and institutions with them. A stream of population from the North poured into the northern part of the State. These sections misunderstood and hated each other perfectly. The Southerners regarded the Yankees as a skinning, tricky, penurious race of peddlers, filling the country with tinware, brass clocks, and wooden nutmegs. The North- erner thought of the Southerner as a lean, lank, lazy creature, burrowing in a hut, and rioting in whisky, dirt and ignorance. These causes aided in making the struggle long anel bitter. So strong was the sympathy with slavery that, in spite of the ordinance of 1787, and in spite of the deed of cession, it was determined to allow the old French settlers to retain their slaves. Planters from the slave States might bring their 120 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. slaves, if they would give them a chance to choose freedom or 3'ear3 of service and bondage for their children till the}* should become thirty years of age. If they chose freedom they must leave the State in sixty days or be sold as fugitives. Servants were whipped for offenses for which white men are fined. Each lash paid forty cents of the fine. A negro tea miles fi-om home without a pass was whipped. These famous laws were imported from the slave States just as they imported laws ioi the inspection of flax and wool when there was neither in the State. These Black Laws are now wiped out. A vigorous effort was made to protect slavery in the State Constitution of 1817. It barely failed. It was renewed in 1825, when a convention was asked to make a new constitution. After a hard fight the convention was defeated: But slaves did not disappear from the census of the State until 1850. There were mobs and murders in the interest of slavery. Lovejoy was added to the list of martyrs — a sort of first-fruits of that long life of immortal heroes who saw freedom as the one supreme desire of their souls, and were so enamored of her that they preferred to die rather than survive her. The population of 12,282 that occupied the territory in A.D. 1800, increased to 45,000 in A.D. 1818, when the State Constitution was adopted, and Illinois took her place in the Union, with a star on the flag and two votes in the Senate. Shadrach Bond was the first Governor, and in his first message he recommended the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. The simple economy in those days is seen in the fact that the entire bill for stationery for the first Legislature was only $13.50. Yet this simple body actually enacted a very superior code. There was no money in the territory before the war of 1812. Deer skins and coon skins were the circulating medium. In 1821, the Legis- lature ordained a State Bank on the credit of the State. It issued notes in the likeness of bank bills. These notes were made a legal tender for ever}' thing, and the bank was ordered to loan to the people •'$100 on per- sonal securit}', and more on mortgages. They actually passed a resolu- tion requesting the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States to receive these notes for land. The old French Lieutenant Governor, Col. Menard, put the resolution as follows: " Gentlemen of the Senate : It is moved and seconded dat de notes of dis bank be made land-office money. All in favor of dat motion say aye ; all against it say no. It is decided in de affirmative. Now, gentlemen, I bet you one hundred dollar he never be laud-office money ! " Hard sense, like hard money, is always above par. This old Frenchman presents a fine figure up against the dark back- ground of most of his nation. They made no progress. They clung to their earliest and simplest implements. They never wore hats or cap? HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 121 They pulled their blankets over their heads in the winter like the Indians, with whom they freely intermingled. Demagogism had an early development. One John Grammar (only in name), elected to the Territorial and State Legislatures of 1816 and 1836, invented the policy of opposing every new thing, saying, " If it succeeds, no one will ask who voted against it. If it proves a failure, he ■could quote its record." In sharp contrast with Grammar was the char- acter of D. P. Cook, after whom the county containing Chicago was named. Such was his transparent integrity and remarkable ability that his will was almost the law of the State. In Congress, a 3'oung man, and from a poor State, he was made Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He was pre-eminent for standing by his committee, regard- less of consequences. It was his integrity that elected John Quiucy Adams to the Presidency. There were four candidates in 1824, Jackson, Clay, Crawford, and John Quiiicy Adams. There being no choice by the people, the election was thrown into the House. It was so balanced that it turned on his vote, and that he cast for Adams, electing him ; then went home to face the wrath of the Jackson party in Illinois. It cost him all but character and greatness. It is a suggestive comment on the times, that there was no legal interest till 1830. It often reached 150 per cent., usually 50 per cent. Then it was reduced to 12, and now to 10 per cent. PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE PRAIRIE STATE. In area the State has 55,410 square miles of territory. It is about 150 miles wide and 400 miles long, stretching in latitude from Maine to North Carolina. It embraces wide variety of climate. It is tempered on the north by the great inland, saltless, tideless sea, which keeps the thermometer from either extreme. Being a table land, from 600 to 1,600 feet above the level of the sea, one is prepared to find on the health maps, prepared by the general government, an almost clean and perfect record. In freedom from fever and malarial diseases and consumptions, the three deadly enemies of the American Saxon, Illinois, as a State, stands without a superior. She furnishes one of the essential conditions of a great people — sound bodies. I suspect that this fact lies back of that old Delaware word, Illini, superior men. The great battles of history tliat have been determinative of dynas- ties and destinies have been strategical battles, chiefl\- the question of position. Thermopylae has been the war-cry of freemen for twenty-four centuries. It only tells how much there may be in position. All this advantage belongs to Illinois. It is in the heart of the greatest valley in the world, the vast region between the mountains — a valley that could 122 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. feed mankind for one thousand years. It is well on toward the center of the continent. It is in the great temperate belt, in which have beei> found nearly all the aggressive civilizations of history. It has sixty-five miles of frontage on the head of the lake. With the Mississippi forming the western and southern boundary, with the Oliio running along the southeastern line, with the Illinois River and Canal dividing the State diagonally from the lake to the Lower Mississippi, and with the Rock and Wabash Rivers furnishing altogether 2,000 miles of water-front, con- necting with, and running through, in all about 12,000 miles of navi- gable water. But this is not all. These waters are made most available by the fact that the lake and the State lie on the ridge running into the great valley from the east. Within cannon-shot of the lake the water runs- away from the lake to the Gulf. The lake now empties at both ends, one into the Atlantic and one into the Gulf of Mexico. The lake thus seems to hang over the land. This makes the dockage most serviceable j there are no steep banks to damage it. Both lake and river are made for use. The climate varies from Portland to Richmond ; it favoi's every pro- duct of the continent, including the tropics, with less than half a dozen exceptions. It produces ever}^ great nutriment of the world except ban- anas and rice. It is hardly too much to say that it is the most productive spot known to civilization. With the soil full of bread and the earth full of minsrals ; with an upper surface of food and an under layer of fuel ; with perfect natural drainage, and abundant springs and streams and navigable rivers ; half way between the forests of the North and the fruits of the Soutli ; within a day's ride of the great deposits of iron, coal, cop- per, lead, and zinc ; containing and controlling the great grain, cattle, pork, and lumber markets of the world, it is not strange that Illinois has the advantage of position. This advantage has been supplemented by the character of the popu- lation. In the early days when Illinois was first admitted to the Union, her population were chiefly from Kentucky and Virginia. But, in the conflict of ideas concerning slavery, a strong tide of emigration came in from the East, and soon changed this composition. In 1870 her non- native population were from colder soils. New York furnished 1.33,290-; Oliio gave l()2,62o ; Pennsylvania sent on 98,852; the entire South gave us only 206,734. In all lier cities, and in all her German and Scandina- vian and other foreign colonies, Illinois has only about one-fifth of her people of foreign birth. HISTORY OP THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 123 PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT. One of the greatest elements in the early development of Illinois is the niinois and Michigan Canal, connecting the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers with the lakes. It was of the utmost importance to the State. It was recommended by Gov. Bond, the first governor, in his first message. In 1821, the Legislature appropriated $10,000 for surveying the route. Two blight young engineers surveyed it, and estimated the cost at $600,000 or $700,000. It finally cost $8,000,000. In 182.5, a law was passed to incorporate the Canal Company, but no stock was sold. In 1826, upon the solicitation of Cook, Congress gave 800,000 acres of land on the line of the work. In 1828, another law — commissioners appointed, and work commenced witli new survey and new estimates. In 1834-35, George Farquhar made an able report on the whole matter. This was, doubtless, the ablest report ever made to a western legislature, and it became the model for subsequent reports and action. From this the work went on till it was finished in 1848. It cost the State a large amount of money ; but it gave to the industries of the State an impetus that pushed it up into the first rank of greatness. It was not built as a speculation any more than a doctor is employed on a speculation. But it has paid into the Treasary of the State an average annual net sum of over $111,000. Pending the construction of the canal, the land and town-lot fever broke out in the State, in 1834—35. It took on the malignant type in Chicago, lifting the town up into a city. The disease spread over the entire State and adjoining States. It was epidemic. It cut up men's farms without regard to locality, and 3ut up the purses of the purcliasers without regard to consequences. It is estimated that building lots enough were sold in Indiana alone to accommodate every citizen then in the United States. Towns and cities were exported to che Eastern market by the ship- load. There was no lack of buyers. Ever/ up-ship came freighted with speculators and their money. This distemper seized upon the Legislature in 1836-37, and left not one to tell the tale. They enacted a systeva of internal improvement without a parallel in the grandeur of its conception. The}^ ordered the construction of 1,300 miles of railroad, crossing the State in all direc- tions. This was surpassed by the river and canal improvements. There were a few counties not touched by either railroad or river or canal, and those were to be comforted and compensated by the free dis- tribution of $200,000 among them. To inflate this balloon beyond cre- dence it was ordered that work should be commenced on both ejids of 124 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. each of these railroads and rivers, and at each river-crossing, all at the same time. The appropriations for these vast improvements were over $12,000,000, and commissioners were appointed to borrow the money on the credit of the State. Remember that all this was in the early days of railroading, when railroads were luxuries ; that the State had whole counties with scarcely a cabin ; and that the population of the State was less than 400,000, and you can form some idea of the vigor with which these brave men undertook the work of making a great State. In the light of history I am compelled to say that this was only a premature throb of the power that actually slumbered in the soil of the State. It was Hercules in the cradle. At this juncture the State Bank loaned its funds largely to Godfrey Oilman & Co., and to other leading houses, for the purpose of drawing trade from St. Louis to Alton. Soon they failed, and took down the bank witli them. In 1840, all hope seemed gone. A iiopulation of 480,000 were loaded with a debt of $14,000,000. It had only six small cities, really only towns, namely: Chicago, Alton, Springfield, Quincy, Galena, Nauvoo. This debt was to be cared for when there was not a dollar in the treas- ury, and when the State had borrowed itself out of all credit, and when there was not good money enough in the hands of all the people to pay the interest of the debt for a single year. Yet, in the presence of ail these difficulties, the young State steadily refused to repudiate. Gov. Ford took hold of the problem and solved it, bringing the State through in triumph. Having touched lightly upon some of the more distinctive points in the history of the development of Illinois, let us next brietl}' consider the MATERIAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE. It is a garden four hundred miles long and one hundred and fifty miles wide. Its soil is chiefly a black sandy loam, from six inches to sixty feet thick. On the American bottoms it has been cultivated for one hundred and fifty years without renewal. About the old French towns it has yielded corn for a century and a half without rest or help. It produces nearly everything green in the temperate and tropical zones. She leads all other States in the number of acres actuallv under plow. Her products from 25,000,000 of acres are incalculable. Her mineral wealth is scarcely second to her agricultural power. She has coal, iron, lead, copper, zinc, many varieties of building stone, fire clay, cunia clay, common brick clay, sand of all kinds, gravel, mineral paint — every thing needed for a high civilization. Left to herself, she has the elemonis of all greatness. The single item of coal is too vast for an appreciative HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 125 handling in figures. We can handle it in general terms like algebraical signs, but long before we get up into the millions and billions the human mind drops down from comprehension to mere symbolic apprehension. When I tell you that nearly four-fifths of the entire State is under- laid with a deposit of coal more than forty feet thick on the average (now estimated, by recent surveys, at seventy feet thick), you can get some idea of its amount, as you do of the amount of the national debt. There it is ! 41,000 square miles — one vast mine into which you could put any of the States ; in which you could bury scores of European and ancient empires, and have room enough all round to work without know- ing that they had been sepulchered there. Put this vast coal-bed down by the other great coal deposits of the world, and its importance becomes manifest. Great Britain has 12,000 square miles of coal; Spain, 3,000; France, 1,719; Belgium, 578; Illinois about twice as many square miles as all combined. Virginia has 20,000 square miles ; Pennsylvania. 16,000 ; Ohio, 12,000. Illinois has 41,000 square miles. One-seventh of all the known coal on this continent is in Illinois. Could we sell the coal in this single State for one-seventh of one cent a ton it would pay the national debt. Converted into power, even with the wastage in our common engines, it would do more work than could be done by the entire race, beginning at Adam's wedding and working ten hours a day through all the centuries till the present time, and right on into the future at the same rate for the next 600,000 j^ears. Great Britain uses enough mechanical power to-day to give to each man, woman, and child in the kingdom the help and service of nineteen untiring servants. No wonder she has leisure and luxuries. No wonder the home of the common artisan has in it more luxuries than could be found in the jDalace of good old King Arthur. Think, if you can conceive of it, of the vast army of servants that slumber in the soil of Illinois, impatiently awaiting the call of Genius to come forth to minister to our comfort. At the present rate of consumption England's coal supply will be exhausted in 250 years. When this is gone she must transfer her dominion either to the Indies, or to British America, which I would not resist ; or to some other people, which I would regret as a loss to civilization. COAL IS KING. At the same rate of consumption (which far exceeds our own) the deposit of coal in Illinois will last 120,000 years. And her kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom. Let us turn now from this reserve power to the annual products of 126 HtSTORY OF THE' STATE OF ILLINOIS. the State. We shall not be humiliated in this field. Here we strike the secret of our national credit. Nature provides a market in the constant appetite of the race. Men must eat, and if we can furnish the provisions we can command the treasure. All that a man hath will he give for his Hfe. According to the last census Illinois produced -30,000,000 of bushels of wheat. That is more wheat than was raised by an}' other State in the Union. She raised In 1875, 130,000,000 of bushels of corn — twice as much as any other State, and one-sixth of all the corn raised in the United States. Slie harvested 2,747,000 tons of hay, nearly one-tenth of all the hay in the Republic. It is not generally appreciated, but it is true, that the hay crop of the country is worth more than the cotton crop. The hay of Illinois equals the cotton of Louisiana. Go to Charleston, S. C, and see them peddling handfuls of hay or grass, almost as a curiosity, as we regard Chinese gods or the cryolite of Greenland ; drink your coffee and condensed milk ; and walk back from the coast for many a I league through the sand and burs till you get up into the better atmos- phere of the mountains, without seeing a waving meadow or a grazing herd ; then a'ou will begin to appreciate the meadows of the Prairie State, where the grass often grows sixteen feet high. The value of her farm implements is $211,000,000, and the value of her live stock is only second to the great State of New York. in 1875 ' she had 2.5,000,000 hogs, and packed 2,113,845, about one-half of all that . were packed in the United States. Tliis is no insignificant item. Pork is a growing demand of the old world. Since the laborers of Europe have gotten a taste of our bacon, and we have learned how to pack it dry I in boxes, like dry goods, the world has become the market. ! The hog is on the march into the future. His nose is ordained to uncover the secrets of dominion, and his feet shall be guided by the star of empire. Illinois marketed 1*57,000,000 wcnth of slaughtered animals — more than any other State, and a seventh of all the States. Be patient with me, and pardon my pride, and I will give you a list of some of the things in wliicli Illinois excels all other States. Deptli and richness of soil ; per cent, of good ground ; acres of improved land ; large farms — some farms contain from 40,000 to 60,000 acres of cultivated land, 40,000 acres of corn on a single farm ; number of farmers ; amount of wheat, corn, oats and honey produced ; value of ani- mals for slaughter; number of hogs ; amount of pork ; number of horses — three times as many as Kentucky, the horse State. Illinois excels all otlier States in miles of railroads and in miles of postal service, and in money orders sold per annum, and in the amount of lumber sold in her markets. HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 127 Illinois is only second in many important matters. This sample list comprises a few of the more important : Permanent sclaool fund (good for a young state) ; total income for educational pui'poses : number of pub- lishers of books, maps, papers, etc.; value of farm products and imple- ments, and of live stock ; in tons of coal mined. The shipping of Illinois is only second to New York. Out of one port during the business hours of the season of navigation she sends forth a vessel every ten minutes. This does not include canal boats, which go one every five minutes. No wonder she is only second in number of bankers and brokers or in physicians and surgeons. She is third in colleges, teachers and schools ; cattle, lead, hay, flax, sorghum and beeswax. She is fourth in population, «n children enrolled in public schools, in law schools, in butter, potatoes and carriages. She is fifth in value of real and personal property, in theological seminaries and colleges exclusively for women, in milk sold, and in boots and shoes manufactured, and in book-binding. She is only seventh in the production of wood, while she is the twelfth in area. Surely that is well done for the Prairie State. She now has much more wood and growing timber than she had thirty years ago. A few leading industries will justify emphasis. She manufactures $205,000,000 worth of goods, which places her well up toward New York and Pennsylvania. The number of her manufacturing establishments increased from 1860 to 1870, 300 per cent.; capital employed increased 350 per cent., and the amount of product increased 400 per cent. She issued 5,500,000 copies of commercial and financial newspapers — only second to New York. She has 6,759 miles of railroad, thus leading all other States, worth $636,458,000, using 3,245 engines, and 67,712 cars, making a train long enough to cover one-tenth of the entire roads of the State. Her stations are only five miles apart. She carried last year 15,795,000 passen- gers, an average of 36^ miles, or equal to taking her entire population twice across the State. More than two-thirds of her land is within five miles of a railroad, and less than two per cent, is more than fifteen miles away. The State has a large financial interest in the Illinois Central railroad. The road was incorporated in 1850, and the State gave each alternate sec- tion for six miles on each side, and doubled the price of the remaining land, so keeping herself good. The road received 2,595,000 acres of land, and pays to the State one-seventh of the gross receipts. The State receives this year 1350,000, and has received in all about $7,000,000. It is practically the people's road, and it has a most able and gentlemanly management. Add to this the annual receipts from the canal, $111,000, and a large per cent, of the State tax is provided for. 128 HISTORY OF THE STATE Ob' 1LL1"N01S. THE RELIGION AND MORALS of the State keep step with her productions and growth. She was born of the missionary spirit. It was a minister who secured for her the ordi- nance of 1787, by which slie has been saved from slavery, ignorance, and dishonesty. Rev. Mr. Wiley, pastor of a Scotch congregation in Randolph County, petitioned the Constitutional Convention of 1818 to recognize Jesus Christ as king, and the ScrijTtures as the only necessary guide and book of law. The convention did not act in the case, and the old Cove- nanters refused to accept citizenship. They never voted until 182-1, when the slavery question was submitted to the people ; then they all voted against it and cast the determining votes. Conscience has predominated whenever a great moral question has been submitted to the people. But little mob violence has ever been felt in the State. In 1817 regulators disposed of a band of horse-thieves that infested the territoiy. The Mormon indignities finally awoke the same spirit. Alton was also the scene of a pro-slavery mob, in which Lovejoy was added to the list of martyrs. The moral sense of the people makes the law supreme, and gives to the State unruffled peace. With $22,300,000 in church property, and 4,298 church organizations, the State has that divine police, the sleepless patrol of moral ideas, that alone is able to secure perfect safety. Conscience takes the knife from the assassin's hand and the bludgeon from the grasp of the highwayman. We sleep in safety, not because we are behind bolts and bars — these only fence against the innocent ; not because a lone officer drowses on a distant corner of a street; not because a sheriff may call his posse from a remote part of the county : but because conscience guards the very portals of the air and stirs in the deepest recesses of the public mind. This spirit issues within the State 9,500,000 copies of religious papers annually, and receives still more from without. Thus the crime of the State is only one-fourth that of New York and one-half that of Pennsylvania. Illinois never had but one duel between her own citizens. In Belle- ville, in 1820, Aljihonso Stewart and William Bennett arranged to vindi- cate injured honor. The seconds agreed to make it a sham, and make them shoot blanks. Stewart was in the secret. Bennett mistrusted some- thing, and, unobserved, slipped a bullet into his gun and killed Stewart. He then fled the State. After two years he was caught, tried, convicted, and, in spite of friends and political aid, was hung. This fixed the code of honor on a Christian basis, and terminated its use in Illinois. The early preachers were ignorant men, who were accounted eloquent according to the strength of their voices. But they set the style for all public speakers. Lawyers and political speakers followed this rule. Gov. HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 129 Ford says: "Nevertheless, these first preachers were of incalculable benefit to the country. They inculcated justice and morality. To them are we indebted for the first Christian character of the Protestant portion of the people." In education Illinois surpasses her material resources. The ordinance of 1787 consecrated one thirty -sixth of her soil to common schools, and the law of 1818, the first law that went upon her statutes, gave three per cent, of all the rest to EDUCATION. The old compact secures this interest forever, and by its yoking- moralit}^ and intelligence it precludes the legal interference with the Bible in the public schools. With such a start it is natural that we should have 11,050 schools, and that our illiteracy should be less than New York or Pennsylvania, and only about one-half of Massachusetts. We are not to blame for not having more than one-half as many idiots as the great States. These public schools soon made colleges inevitable. The first college, still flourisliing, was started in Lebanon in 1828, by the M. E. church, and named after Bishop McKendree. Illinois College, at Jackson- ville, supported by the Presbyterians, followed in 1830. In 1832 the Bap- tists built Shurtlefi^ College, at Alton. Then the Presbyterians built Knox College, at Galesburg, in 1838, and the Episcopalians built Jubilee College, at Peoria, in 1847. After these early years colleges have rained down. A settler could hardly encamp on the prairie but a college would spring up by his wagon. The State now has one very well endowed and equipped university, namely, the Northwestern University, at Evanston, with six colleges, ninety instructors, over 1,000 students, and $1,500,000 endow- ment. Rev. J. M. Peck was the first educated Protestant minister in tne State. He settled at Rock Spring, in St. Clair County, 1820, and left his impress on the State. Before 1837 only party papers were published, but Mr. Peck published a Gazetteer of Illinois. Soon after John Russell, of Bluffdale, published essays and tales showing genius. Judge James Hall ' published The Illinois Monthly Blagazine with great ability, and an annual called The Western Souvenir, which gave him an enviable fame all over the United States. From these beginnings Illinois has gone on till she has more volumes in public libaaries even than Massachusetts, and of the 44,500,000 volumes in all the public libraries of the United States, she has one-thirteenth. In newspapers she stands fourth. Her increase is marvelous. In 1850 she issued 5,000,000 copies; in 1860, 27,590,000 ; in 1870, 113,140,000. In 1860 she had eighteen colleges and seminaries ; in 1870 she had eighty. That is a grand advance for the war decade. This brings us to a record unsurpassed in the history of any age. 130 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. THE WAR RECORD OF ILLINOIS. I hardly know where to begin, or how to advance, or what to say. I can at best give you only a broken synopsis of her deeds, and you must put them in the order of glory for yourself. Her sons have always been foremost on fields of danger. In 1832-33, at the call of Gov. Reynolds, ter sons drove Blackhawk over the Mississippi. When the Mexican war came, in May, 1846, 8,370 men offered them- selves when only 3,720 could be accepted. The fields of Buena Vista and Vera Cruz, and the storming of Cerro Gordo, will carry the glory of Illinois soldiers along after the infamy of the cause they served has been forgotten. But it was reserved till our day for her sons to find a field and cause and foemen that could fitly illustrate their spirit and heroism. Illinois put into her own regiments for the United States government 256,000 men, and into the army through other States enough to swell the number to 290,000. This far exceeds all the soldiers of the federal government in all the war of the revolution. Her total years of service were over 600,000. She enrolled men from eighteen to forty-five years of age when the law of Congress in 1864 — the test time — only asked for those from twenty to forty-five. Her enrollment was otherwise excessive. Her people wanted to go, and did not take the pains to correct the enrollment. Thus the basis of fixing the quota was too great, and then the quota itself, at least in the trying time, was far above any other State. Thus the demand on some counties, as Monroe, for example, took every able-bodied man in the county, and then did not have enough to fill the quota. Moreover, Illinois sent 20,844 men for ninet}' or one hundred days, for whom no credit was asked. Wiien Mr. Lincoln's attention was called to the inequality of the quota compared with other States, he replied, *' The country needs the sacrifice. We must put the whip on the free horse." In spite of all these disadvantages Illinois gave to the country 73,000 years of sei-vice above all calls. With one-thirteenth of the popu- lation of the loyal States, she sent regularly one-tenth of all the soldiers, and in the peril of the closing calls, when patriots were few and weary, she then sent one-eighth of all that were called for by her loved and hon- ored son in the white house. Her mothers and daughters went into the fields to raise the grain and keep the children togetlier, wliile the fathers and older sons went to the harvest fields of the world. I knew a father and four sons who agreed that one of them must stay at home ; and they pulled straws from a stack to see who might go. The father was left. The next day he came into the camp, saying : " Mother says she can get the crops in, and I am going, too." I know large Mctliodist churches from which every male member went to the army. I^o you want to know HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 131 what these heroes from Illinois did in the field ? Ask any soldier with a good record of his own, who is thus able to judge, and he will tell you that the Illinois men went in to win. It is common history that the greater victories were won in the West. When everything else looked dark Illi- nois was gaining victories all down the river, and dividing the confederacy. Sherman took with him on his great march forty-five regiments of Illinois infantry, three companies of artillery, and one company of cavaliy. He could not avoid GOING TO THE SEA. If he had been killed, I doubt not the men would have gone right on. Lincoln answered all rumors of Sherman's defeat with, " It is impossible ; there is a mighty sight of fight in 100,000 Western men." Illinois soldiers brought home 300 battle-flags. The first United States flag that floated over Richmond was an Illinois flag. She sent messengers and nurses to every field and hospital, to care for her sick and wounded sons. She said, " These suffering ones are my sons, and I will care for them." When individuals had given all, then cities and towns came forward with their credit to the extent of many millions, to aid these men and their families. Illinois gave the country the great general of the war — Ulysses S. Grant — since honored with two terms of the Presidency of the United States. One other name from Illinois comes up in all minds, embalmed in all hearts, that must have the supreme place in this story of our glory and of our nation's honor ; that name is Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois. The analysis of Mr. Lincoln's character is difficult on account of its symmetry. In this age we look with admiration at his uncompromising honesty. And well we may, for this saved us. Thousands throughout the length and breadth of our country who knew him only as " Honest Old Abe," voted for him on that account ; and wisely did they choose, for no other man could have carried us through the fearful night of the war. When his plans were too vast for our comprehension, and his faith in the cause too sublime for our participation ; when it was all night about us, and all dread before us, and all sad and desolate behind us; when not one ray shone upon our cause ; when traitors were haughty and exultant at the South, and fierce and blasphemous at the North ; when the loyal men here seemed almost in the minorit}^ ; when the stoutest heart quailed, the bravest cheek paled ; when generals were defeating each other for place, and contractors were leeching out the very heart's blood of the prostrate republic : when every thing else had failed us, we looked at this calm, patient man standing like a rock in the storm, and said : " Mr. Lincoln 132 HISTOKY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. is honest, and we can trust him still."" Holding to this single point with the energy of faith and despair we held together, and, under God, he brought us thi-ough to victory. His practical wisdom made him the wonder of all lands. With such certainty did Mr. Lincoln follow causes to their ultimate effects, that his foresight of contingencies seemed almost prophetic. He is radiant with all the great virtues, and his memory shall shed a glory upon this age that shall fill the eyes of men as they look into his- tory. Other men have excelled him in some point, but, taken at all points, all in all, he stands head and shoulders above every other man of 6,000 years. An administrator, he saved the nation in the perils of unparalleled civil war. A statesman, he justified his measures by their success.- A philanthropist, he gave liberty to one race and salvation to another. A moralist, he bowed from the summit of human power to the foot of the Cross, and became a Christian. A mediator, he exercised mercy under the most absolute abeyance to law. A leader, he was no partisan. A commander, he was untainted with blood. A ruler in des^^erate times, he was unsullied with crime. A man, he has left no word of passion, no thought of malice, no trick of craft, no act of jealousy, no purpose of selfish ambition. Thus perfected, without a model, and without a peer, he was dropped into these troubled years to adorn and embellish all that is good and all that is great in our humanity, and to present to all coming time the representative of the divine idea of free government. It is not too much to say that away down in the future, when the republic has fallen from its niche in the wall of time ; when the great war itself shall have faded out in the distance like a mist on the horizon ; when the Anglo-Saxon language shall be spoken only by the tongue of the stranger ; then the generations looking this way shall see the great president as the sui^reme figure in this vortex of historv CHICAGO. It is impossible in our brief space to give more than a meager sketch of such a city as Chicago, which is in itself the greatest marvel of the Prairie State. This m\'sterious, majestic, migiity city, born first of water, and next of fire; sown in weakness, and raised in power; planted among the willows of the marsh, and crowned with the glory of the mountains ; sleeijing on the bosom of the prairie, and rocked on the bosom of the sea , the youngest city of the world, and still the eye of the prairie, as Damas- cus, the oldest city of the world, is the eye of the desert. AVith a com- merce far exceeding that of Corinth on her isthmus, in the highway to the East ; with the defenses of a continent piled around her by the thou- sand miles, making her far safer than Rome on the banks of the I'iber ; HISTOEY OF THE STATE OP ILLINOIS. 133 CO 00 o ■J -( a "J >84 HISTOBY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. with schools eclipsing Alexandria and Athens : with liberties more con- spicuous than those of the old republics ; with a heroism equal to the first Carthage, and with a sanctity scarcely second to that of Jerusalem — set your thoughts on all this, lifted into the eyes of all men by the miracle of its growth, illuminated by the flame of its fall, and transfigured by the divinity of its resurrection, and you will feel, as I do, the utter impossi- bilit}' of compassing this subject as it deserves. Some impression of her importance is received from the shock her burning gave to the civilized world. When the doubt of her calamity was removed, and the horrid fact was accepted, there went a shudder over all cities, and a quiver over all lands. There was scarcely a town in the civilized world that did not shake on the brink of this opening chasm. The flames of our homes red- dened all skies. The city was set upon a hill, and could not be hid. All eyes were turned upon it. To have struggled and suifered amid the scenes of its fall is as distinguishing as to have fought at Thermopylse, or Salamis, or Hastings, or Waterloo, or Bunker Hill. Its calamity amazed the world, because it was felt to be the common property of mankind. The early histor}' of the city is full of interest, just as the earl}' his- tory of such a man as Washington or Lincoln becomes public property, and is cherished by every patriot. Starting with 560 acres in 1833, it embraced and occupied 23,000 acres in 1869, and, having now a population of more than 500,000, it com- mands general attention. The first settler — Jean Baptiste Pointe au Sable, a mulatto from the West Indies — came and began trade with the Indians in 17'.>G. John Kinzie became his successor in 1804, in which year Fort Dearborn was erected. A mere trading-post was kept here from that time till about the time of the Blackhawk war, in 1832. It was not the city. It was merely a cock crowing at midnight. The morning was not yet. In 1833 the set- tlement about the fort was incorporated as a town. The voters were divided on the propriety of such corporation, twelve voting for it and one against it. Four years later it was incorporated as a city, and embraced 560 acres. The produce handled in this city is an indication of its power. Grain and flour were imported from the East till as late as 1837. The first exportation by way of experiment was in 1839. Exports exceeded imports first in 1842. The Board of Trade was organized in 1848, but it was so weak that it needed nursing till 1855. Grain was purchased by the wagon-load in the street. I remember sitting with my father on a load of wheat, in the long HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 135 line of wagons along Lake street, while the buyers came and untied the bags, and examined the grain, and made their bids. That manner of business had to cease with the day of small things. Now our elevators will hold 15,000,000 bushels of grain. The cash value of the produce handled in a year is #215,000,000, and the produce weighs 7,000,000 tons or 700,000 car loads. This handles thirteen and a half ton each minute, all the year round. One tenth of all the wheat in the United States is handled in Chicago. Even as long ago as 1853 the receipts of grain in Chicago exceeded those of the goodly city of St. Louis, and in 1854 the exports of grain from Chicago exceeded those of New York and doubled those of St. Petersburg, Archangel, or Odessa, the largest grain markets in Europe. Tlie manufacturing interests of the city are not contemptible. In 1873 manufactories employed 45,000 operatives ; in 1876, 60,000. The manufactured product in 1875 was worth $177,000,000. No estimate of the size and power of Chicago would be adequate that did not put large emphasis on the railroads. Before they came thundering along our streets canals were the hope of our country. But who ever thinks now of traveling by canal packets ? In June, 1852, there were only forty miles of railroad connected with the city. The old Galena division of the Northwestern ran out to Elgin. But now, who can count the trrans and measure the roads that seek a terminus or connection in this city ? The lake stretches away to the north, gathering in to this center all the harvests that might otherwise pass to the north of us. If you will take a map and look at the adjustment of railroads, you will see, first, that Chicago is the great railroad center of the world, as New York is the commercial city of this continent ; and, second, that the railroad lines form the iron spokes of a gi'eat wheel whose hub is this city. The lake furnishes the only break in the spokes, and this seems simply to have pushed a few spokes together on each shore. See the eighteen trunk lines, exclusive of eastern connections. Pass round the circle, and view their numbers and extent. There is the great Northwestern, with all its branches, one branch creeping along the lake shore, and so reaching to the north, into the Lake Superior regions, away to the right, and on to the Northern Pacific on the left, swinging around Green Bay for iron and copper and silver, twelve months in the year, and reaching out for the wealth of the great agricultural belt and isothermal line traversed by the Northern Pacific. Another branch, not so far north, feeling for the heart of the Badger State. Another pushing lower down tlie Mississippi — all these make many con- nections, and tapping all the vast wheat regions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and all the regions this side of sunset. There is that elegant road, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, running out a goodly number of 136 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. OLD FOET DEARBOKN, 16U0. PBESENT SITK Ol' ■K OF LAKE STIIKET UKIUIJK, . UH AGO, l.N liSOO. HISTORY OF THE STATE OP ILLINOIS. 137 branches, and reaping the great fields this side of the Missouri River. I can only mention the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis, our Illinois Central, described elsewhere, and the Chicago & Rock Island. Further around we come to the lines connecting us with all the eastern cities. The Chicago, Indianapolis & St. Louis, the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the Michigan Cen- tral and Great Western, give us many highwaj's to the seaboard. Thus we reach the Mississippi at five points, from St. Paul to Cairo and the Gulf itself by two routes. We also reach Cincinnati and Baltimore, and Pitts- burgh and Philadelphia, and New York. North and south run the water courses of the lakes and the rivers, broken just enough at this point to make a pass. Through this, from east to west, run the long lines that stretch from ocean to ocean. This is the neck of the glass, and the golden sands of commerce must pass into our hands. Altogether we have more than 10,000 miles of railroad, directly tributary to this city, seeking to unload their wealth in our coffers. All these roads have come themselves by the infallible instinct of capital. Not a dollar was ever given by the city to secure one of them, and only a small per cent, of stock taken originally by her citizens, and that taken simply as an investment. Coming in the natural order of events, they will not be easily diverted. There is still another showing to all this. The connection between New York and San Francisco is by the middle I'oute. This passes inevit- ably through Chicago. St. Louis wants the Southern Pacific or Kansas Pacific, and pushes it out through Denver, and so on up to Cheyenne. But before the road is fairly under way, the Chicago roads shove out to Kansas City, making even the Kansas Pacific a feeder, and actually leav- ing St. Louis out in the cold. It is not too much to expect that Dakota, Montana, and Washington Territory will find their great market in Chi- cago. But these are not all. Perhaps I had better notice here the ten or fifteen new roads that have just entered, or are just entering, our city. Their names are all that is necessary to give. Chicago & St. Paul, look- ing up the Red River country to the British possessions ; the Chicago, Atlantic & Pacific ; the Chicago, Decatur & State Line ; the Baltimore & Ohio ; the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes ; the Chicago & LaSalle Rail- road ; the Chicago, Pittsburgh & Cincinnati ; the Chicago and Canada Southern ; the Chicago and Illinois River Railroad. These, with their connections, and with the new connections of the old roads, already in process of erection, give to Chicago not less than 10,000 miles of new tributaries from the richest land on the continent. Thus there will be added to the reserve power, to the capital within reach of this city, not less than 11,000,000,000. 138 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. Add to all this transporting power the ships that sail one every nine minutes of the business hours of the season of navigation ; add, also, the canal boats that leave one every five minutes during the same time — and you will see something of the business of the city. THE COMMERCE OF THIS CITY has been leaping along to keep pace with the growth of the country around us. In 1852, our commerce reached the hopeful sum of §20,000,000. In 1870 it reached 1400,000,000. In 1871 it was pushed up above $450,000,000. And in 1875 it touched nearly double that. One-half of our imported goods come directly to Chicago. Grain enough is exported directly from our docks to the old world to employ a semi-weekly line of steamers of 3,000 tons capacity. This branch is not likely to be greatly developed. Even after the great Welland Canal is completed we shall have only fourteen feet of water. The great ocean vessels will continue to control the tratle. The banking capital of Chicago is $24,431,000. Total exchange in 1875, $659,000,000. Her wholesale business in 1875 was $294,000,000. The rate of taxes is less than in any other great city. The schools of Chicago are unsurpassed in America. Out of a popu- lation of 300,000 there were only 186 persons between the ages of six and twenty-one unable to read. This is the best known record. In 1831 the mail system was condensed into a half-breed, who went on foot to Niles, Mich., once in two weeks, and brought back what papers and news he could find. As late as 1846 tliere was often only one mail a week. A post-office was established in Chicago in 1833, and the post- master nailed up old boot-legs on one side of his shoi^ to serve as boxes for the nabobs and literary men. It is an interesting fact in the growth of the young city that in the active life of the business men of that day the mail matter has grown to a daily average of over 6,500 pounds. It speaks equally well for the intelligence of the people and the commercial importance of the place, that the mail matter distributed to the territory immediately tributary to Chicago is seven times greater than that distributed to the territory immediately tributary to St. Louis. The improvements that have characterized the city are as startling as the city itself. In 1831, Mark Beaubien established a ferry over the river, and put himself under bonds to carry all the citizens free for the privilege of charging strangers. Now there are twenty-four large bridges and two tunnels. In 1833 the government expended $30,000 on the harl)or. Then commenced that series of mancBUVers with the river that has made it one HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. liStf of the world's curiosities. It used to wind around in the lower end of the town, and make its way rippling over the sand into the lake at the foot of Madison street. They took it up and put it down where it no.sv is. It was a narrow stream, so narrow that even moderately small crafts had to go up through the willows and cat's tails to the point near Lake street bridge, and back up one of the branches to get room enough in which to turn around. In 1844 the quagmires in the streets were first pontooned by plank roads, wliich acted in wet weather as public squirt-guns. Keeping you out of the mud, they compromised by squirting the mud over you. The wooden-block pavements came to Chicago in 1857. In 1840 water was delivered by peddlers in carts or by hand. Then a twenty-five liorse- power engine pushed it through hollow or bored logs along the streets till 1854, wlien it was introduced into the houses by new works. The first fire-engine was used in 1835, and the first steam fire-engine in 1859. Gas was utilized for lighting the city in 1850. The Young Men's Chris- tian Association was organized in 1858, and horse railroads carried them to their work in 1859. The museum was opened in 1863. The alarm telegraph adopted in 1864. . The opera-house built in 1865. The city grew from 560 acres in 1833 to 23,000 in 1869. In 1834. the taxes amounted to $48.90, and the trustees of the town borrowed $60 more for opening and improving streets. In 1835, the legislature authorized a loan of $2,000, and tlie treasurer and street commissioners resigned rather than plunge the town into such a gulf. Now the city embraces 36 square miles of territory, and has 30 miles of water front, besides the outside harbor of refuge, of 400 acres, inclosed by a crib sea-wall. One-third of the city has been raised up an average of eight feet, giving good pitch to the 263 miles of sewerage. The water of the city is above all competition. It is received through two tunnels extending to a crib in the lake two miles from shore. The closest analy- sis fails to detect any impurities, and, received 35 feet below the surface, it is always clear and cold. The first tunnel is five feet two inches in diameter and two miles long, and can deliver 50,000,000 of gallons per day. Tiie second tunnel is seven feet in diameter and six miles long, running four miles under the city, and can deliver 100,000,000 of gal- lons per day. This water is distributed through 410 miles of wg.ter- mains. The three grand engineering exploits of the city are : First, lifting the city up on jack-screws, whole squares at a time, without interrupting the business, thus giving us good drainage ; second, running the tunnels under the lake, giving us the best water in the world ; and third, the turning the current of the river in its own channel, delivering us from the old abominations, and making decency possible. They redound about 140 HISTOEY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. equally to the credit of the engineering, to the energy of the people, and to the health of the city. That which really constitutes the city, its indescribable spirit, its soul, the way it lights up in every feature in the hour of action, has not been touched. In meeting strangers, one is often surprised how some homely women marry so well. Their forms are bad, their gait uneven and awk- ward, their complexion is dull, their features are misshapen and mismatch- ed, and when we see them there is no beauty that we should desire theiu. But when once they are aroused on some subject, they put on new pro- portions. They light up into great power. The real person comes out from its unseemly ambush, and captures us at will. They have power. They have ability to cause things to come to pass. We no longer wonder why they are in such high demand. So it is with our city. There is no grand scenery except the two seas, one of water, the other of prairie. Nevertheless, there is a spirit about it, a push, a breadth, a power, that soon makes it a place never to be forsaken. One soon ceases to believe in impossibilities. Balaams are the only prophets that are disappointed. The bottom that has been on the point of falling out has been there so long that it has grown fast. It can not fall out. It has all the capital of the world itching to get inside the corporation. The two great laws that govern the growth and size of cities are, flrst, the amount of territory for which they are the distributing and receiving points ; second, the number of medium or moderate dealers that do this distributing. Monopolists build up themselves, not the cities. They neither eat, wear, nor live in proportion to their business. Both these laws help Chicago. The tide of trade is eastward — not up or down the map, but across the map. The lake runs up a wingdam for 500 miles to gather in the business. Commerce can not ferry up there for seven months in the year, and the facilities for seven months can do the work for twelve. Then the great region west of us is nearly all good, productive land. Dropping south into the trail of St. Louis, you fall into vast deserts and rocky dis- tricts, useful in holding the world together. St. Louis and Cincinnati, instead of rivaling and hurting Chicago, are her greatest sureties of dominion. They are far enough away to give sea-room, — farther off than Paris is from London, — and yet thej'^ are near enough to prevent tlie springing up of any other great city between them. St. Louis will be helped l)y the opening of the Mississippi, but also hurt. That will put New Orleanson licr feet, and with a railroad nuining over into Texas and so West, slie will tap the streams that now crawl up the Texas and Missouri road. The current is East, not North, and a sea- port at New Orleans can not permanently help St. Louis. Chicago is in the field almost alone, to handle the wealth of one- HISTORY OP THE STATE OP ILLINOIS. 141 fourth of the territory of this great republic. This strip of seacoast divides its margins betweea Portland, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Savannah, or some other great port to be created for the South ill the next decade. But Chicago has a dozen empires casting their treasures into her lap. On a bed of coal that can run all the machinery of the world for 500 centuries ; in a garden that can feed the race by the thousand years ; at the head of the lakes that give her a temperature as a summer resort equaled by no great city in the land ; with a climate that insures the health of her citizens ; surrounded by all the great deposits of natural wealth in mines aud forests and herds, Chicago is the wonder of to-day, and will be the city of the future. MASSACRE AT FORT DEARBORN. During the war of 1812, Fort Dearborn became the theater of stirring events. The garrison consisted of fifty-four men under command of Captain Nathan Heald, assisted by Lieutenant Helm (son-in-law of Mrs. Kinzie) and Ensign Rouan. Dr. Voorhees was surgeon. The only resi- dents at the post at that time were the wives of Captain Heald and Lieu- tenant Helm, and a few of the soldiers, Mr. Kinzie and his family, and a few Canadian voyageurs, with their wives and children. The soldiers and Mr. Kinzie were on most friendly terms with the Pottawattamies and Winnebagos, the principal tribes around them, but they could not win them from their attachment to the British. One evening in April, 1812, Mr. Kinzie sat playing on his violin and his children were dancing to the music, when Mrs. Kinzie came rushing into the house, pale with terror, and exclaiming : " The Lidians ! the Indians!" "What? Where?" eagerly inquired Mr. Kinzie. "Up at Lee's, killing and scalping," answered the frightened mother, who, when the alarm was given, was attending Mrs. Barnes (just confined) living not far off. Mr. Kinzie and his family crossed the river and took refuge in the fort, to which place Mrs. Barnes and her infant not a day old were safely conveyed. The rest of the inhabitants took shelter in the fort. This alarm was caused by a scalping party of Winnebagos, who hovered about the fort several days, when they disappeared, and for several weeks the inhabitants were undisturbed. On the 7th of August, 1812, General Hull, at Detroit, sent orders to Captain Heald to evacuate Fort Dearborn, and to distribute all the United States property to the Indians in the neighborhood — a most insane order. The Pottawattamie chief, who brought the dispatch, had more wisdom than the commanding general. He advised Captain Heald not to make the distribution. Said he : " Leave the fort and stores as they are, and let the Indians make distribution for themselves ; and while they are engaged in the business, the white people may escape to Fort Wayne." » SISTOBT OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 143 Captain Heald held a council with the Indians on the afternoon ot the 12th, in which his oificers refused to join, for they had been informed that treachery was designed — that the Indians intended to murder the white people in the council, and then destroy those in the fort. Captain Heald, however, took the precaution to open a port-hole displaying a cannon pointing directly upon the council, and by that means saved his life. Mr. Kinzie, who knew the Indians well, begged Captain Heald not to confide in their promises, nor distribute the arms and munitions among them, for it would only put power into their hands to destroy the whites. Acting upon this advice, Heald resolved to withhold the munitions of war ; and on the night of the 13th, after the distribution of the other property had been made, the powder, ball and liquors were thrown into the river, the muskets broken up and destroyed. Black Partridge, a friendly chief, came to Captain Heald, and said : " Linden birds have been singing in my ears to-day : be careful on the march you are going to take." On that dark night vigilant Indians had crept near the fort and discovered the destruction of their promised booty going on within. The next morning the powder was seen floating on the surface of the river. The savages were exasperated and made loud com- plaints and threats. On the following day when preparations were making to leave the fort, and all the inmates were deeply impressed with a sense of impend- ing danger, Capt. Wells, an uncle of Mrs. Heald, was discovered upon the Indian trail among the sand-hills on the borders of the lake, not far distant, with a band of mounted Miamis, of whose tribe he was chief, having been adopted by the famous Miami warrior, Little Turtle. When news of Hull's surrender reached Fort Wayne, he had started with this force to assist Heald in defending Fort Dearborn. He was too late. Every means for its defense had been destroyed the night before, and arrangements were made for leaving the fort on the morning of the 15th. It was a warm bright morning in the middle of August. Indications were positive that the savages intended to murder the white people ; and when they moved out of the southern gate of the fort, the march was like a funeral procession. The band, feeling the solemnity of the occa- sion, struck up the Dead March in Saul. Capt. Wells, who had blackened his face with gun-powder in token of his fate, took the lead with his band of Miamis, followed by Capt. Heald, with his wife by his side on horseback. Mr. Kinzie hoped by his personal influence to avert the impending blow, and therefore accompanied them, leaving his family in a boat in charge of a friendly Indian, to be taken to his trading station at the site of Niles, Michigan, in the event ot his death. 144 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. pTfflsw^nRKuMrp'jii^^ 1(1 till;:' iiinriiii!!iiiii;r'H':iniriirifllii(|ii|iii(ii|iiv|i 1^: m m. m m^ O— ; l;ill]'ll'il m'::\ I i:: III lljJi I I ' iP Uiu i. i"'"''i >— 1 Sill : -w*"*' ■^^iilllllffl " "J'li HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 145 The procession moved slowly along the lake shore till they reached the sand-hills between tlie jsrairie and the beach, when the Pottawattamie escort, under the leadership of Blackbird, filed to the right, placing those hills between them and the white peojile. Wells, with his Miamis, had kept in the advance. They suddenly came rusliing back, Wells exclaim- ing, " They are about to attack us ; form instantly." These words were quickly followed by a storm of bullets, which came whistling over the little hills which the treacherous savages had made the covert for their murderous attack. The white troops charged upon the Indians, drove them back to the prairie, and then the battle was waged between fifty- four soldiers, twelve civilians and three or four women (the cowardly Miamis having fled at the outset) against five hundred Indian warriors. The white people, hopeless, resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible. Ensign Ronan wielded his weapon vigorously, even after falling upon his knees weak from the loss of blood. Capt. Wells, who was by the side of his niece, Mrs. Heald, when the conflict began, behaved with the greatest coolness and courage. He said to her, '' We have not the slightest chance for life. We must part to meet no more in this world. God bless you." And then he dashed forward. Seeing a young warrior, painted like a demon, climb into a wagon in which were twelve children, and tomahawk them all, he cried out, unmindful of his personal danger, " If that is your game, butchering women and children, I will kill too." He spurred his horse towards the Indian camp, where they had left their squaws and papooses, hotly pursued by swift-footed young warriors, who sent bullets whistling after him. One of these killed his horse and wounded him severely in the leg. With a yell the young braves rushed to make him their prisoner and reserve him for torture. He resolved not to be made a captive, and bv the use of the most provoking epithets tried to induce them to kill him instantly. He called a fiery young chief a squaw, when the enraged warrior killed Wells instantly with his tomahawk, jumped upon his body, cut out his heart, and ate a portion of the warm morsel with savage delight ! In this fearful combat women bore a conspicuous part. Mrs. Heald was an excellent equestrian and an expert in the use of the rifle. She fought the savages bravely, receiving several severe wounds. Though faint from the loss of blood, she managed to keep her saddle. A savage raised his tomahawk to kill her, when she looked him full in the face, and with a sweet smile and in a gentle voice said, in his own language, " Surely you will not kill a squaw ! " The arm of the savage fell, and the life of the heroic woman was saved. Mrs. Helm, the step-daughter of Mr. Kinzie, had an encounter with a stout Indian, who attempted to tomahawk her. Springing to one side, she received the glancing blow on her shoulder, and at the same instant 146 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLrNOIS. seized the savage round the neck with her arms and endeavored to get hold of his scalping knife, which hung in a sheath at his breast. While she was thus struggling she was dragged from lier antagonist by anothei powerful Indian, who bore her, in spite of her struggles, to the margin of the lake and plunged her in. To her astonishment she was held by him so that she would not drown, and she soon perceived that she was in the hands of the friendly Black Partridge, who had saved her life. The wife of Sergeant Holt, a large and powerful woman, behaved as bravely as an Amazon. She rode a fine, high-spirited horse, which the Indians coveted, and several of them attacked her with the butts of their guns, for the purpose of dismounting her ; but she used the sword which she had snatched from her disabled husband so skillfully that she foiled them ; and, suddenly wheeling her horse, she dashed over the prairie, followed by the savages shouting, " The brave woman ! the brave woman ! Don't hurt her I " They finally overtook her, and while she was fighting them in front, a powerful savage came up behind her, seized her by the neck and dragged her to tlie ground. Horse and woman were made captives. Mrs. Holt was a long time a captive among the Indians, but was afterwards ransomed. In this sharp conflict two-thirds of the white people were slain and wounded, and all their horses, baggage and provision were lost. Only twenty-eight straggling men now remained to fight five hundred Indians rendered furious In' the sight of blood. They succeeded in breaking through the ranks of the murderers and gaining a slight eminence on the pi'uirie near the Oak Woods. The Indians did not pursue, but gathered on their flanks, while the chiefs held a consultation on the sand-hills, and showed signs of willingness to parley. It would have been madness on the part of the whites to renew the fight ; and so Capt. Heald went for- ward and met Blackbird on the open prairie, where terms of surrender were soon agreed upon. It was arranged that the white people should give up their arms to Blackbird, and that the survivors should become prisoners of war, to be exchanged for ransoms as soon as practicable. With this understanding captives and captors started for the Indian camp near the fort, to which Mrs. Helm had been taken bleeding and suffering by Black Partridge, and had met her step-father and learned that her husband was safe. A new scene of liorror was now opened at the Indian camp. The wounded, not being included in the terms of surrender, as it was inter- preted by the Indians, and the British general. Proctor, having offered a liberal bounty for American scalps, delivered at Maiden, nearly all the wounded men were killed and scalped, and the price of the trophies was afterwards paid by the British government. HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 149 SHABBONA. [This was engraved from a Jaguerreolype, taken wheu Shabbooa was 83 years old.] This celebrated Indian chief, whose portrait appears in this work, deserves more than a passing notice. Although Shabbona was not so conspicuous as Tecumseh or Black Hawk, yet in point of merit he was superior to either of them. Shabbona was born at an Indian village on the Kankakee River, now in Will County, about the year 1775. While young he was made chief of the band, and went to Shabbona Grove, now DeKalb County, where they were found in the early settlement of tlie county. In the war of 1812, Shabbona, with his warriors, joined Tecumseh, was 150 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. aid to that great chief, and stood by his side when he fell at the battle of the Thames. At the time of the Winnebago war, in 1827, he visited almost every village among the Pottawatomies, and ])y his persuasive arguments prevented them from taking part in the war. By request of the citizens of Chicago, Shabbona, accompanied by Billy Caldwell (Sauganash), visited Big Foot's village at Geneva Lake, in order to pacify the warriors, as fears were entertained that they were about to raise the tomahawk against the whites. Here Shabbona ^yas taken jirisoner b}' Big Foot, and his life threatened, but on the following day was set at liberty. From that time the Indians (through reproach) styled him " the white man's friend," and many times his life was endangered. Before the Black Hawk war, Shabbona met in council at two differ- ent times, and by his influence prevented his people from taking jaart with the Sacs and Foxes. After the death of Black Partridge and Senachwine, no cliief among the Pottawatomies exerted so much influence as Shabbona. Black Hawk, aware of this influence, visited him at two different times, in order to enlist him in his cause, but was unsuccessful. While Black Hawk was a jn-isoner at Jefferson Barracks, he said, had it not been for Shabbona the wliole Pottawatomie nation would have joined his standard, and he could have continued the war for years. To Sliabbona many of the early settlers of Illinois owe the pres- ei'vation of their lives, for it is a well-known fact, had he not notified the jDcople of their danger, a large i^ortion of them would have fallen victims to the tomahawk of savages. By saving the lives of whites he endangered his own, for the Sacs and Foxes threatened to kill him, and made two attemjjts to execute tlieir threats. They killed Pypeogee, his son, and Pyps, his nephew, and hunted him down as though he was a wild beast. Shabbona had a reservation of two sections of land at his Grove, but by leaving it and going west for a short time, the Government declared the reservation forfeited, and sold it the same as other vacant land. On Shabbona's return, and finding his possessions gone, he was very sad and broken down in spirit, and left the Grove for ever. The citizens of Ottawa raised money and bought him a tract of land on the Illinois River, above Seneca, in Grundy County, on whicJi they built a house, and supplied him with means to live on. He lived here until his death, which occurred on the ITth of July, 1859, in the eiglity-fourth year of his age, and was buried with great pomp in the cemetery at Morris. His squaw, Pokanoka, was drowned in Mazen Creek, Grundy County, on the 30th of November, 1864, and was buried by his side. In 1861 subscriptions were taken up in many of tlie river towns, to erect a monument over the remains of Sliabbona, but the war breaking out, the enterprise was abandoned. Only a plain marble slab marks the resting-place of this friend of the white man. Abstract of Illinois State Laws. BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES. No promissory note, check, draft, hill of exchange, order, or note, nego- tiable instrument payable at sight, or on demand, or on presentment, shall be entitled to days of grace. All other bills of exchange, drafts or notes are entitled to three days of grace. All the above mentioned paper falling due on Sunday, New Years' Day, the Fourth of July, Christmas, or any day appointed or recommended by the President of the United States or the Governor of the State as a day of fast or thanksgiving, shall be deemed as due on the day previous, and should two or more of these days come together, then such instrument shall be treated as due on the day previous to the first of said days. JVo defense can be made against a negotiable instrument (^assigned before due^ in the hands of the assignee without notice, except fraud was used in obtaining the same. To hold an indorser, due diligence must be used by suit, in collecting of the maker, unless suit would have been unavailing. Notes j^ayable to person named or to order, in order to absolutely transfer title, must be indorsed by the payee. Notes payable to bearer may be transferred by delivery, and when so pa3'able every indorser thereon is held as a guarantor of payment unless otherwise expressed. In computing interest or discount on negotiable instruments, a month shall be considered a calendar month or twelfth of a year, and for less than a month, a day shall be figured a thirtieth part of a month. Notes only bear interest when so expressed, but after due they draw the legal interest, even if not stated. INTEREST. The legal rate of interest is six per cent. Parties may agree in writ- ing on a rate not exceeding ten per cent. If a rate of interest greater than ten per cent, is contracted for, it works a forfeiture of the whole of said interest, and only the principal can be recovered. DESCENT. When no tvill is made, the property of a deceased person is distrib- uted as follows : 152 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. First, To his or her children and their descendants in equal parts ; the descendants of the deceased child or grandchild taking the share of their deceased parents in equal parts among them. Second. Wliere there is no child, nor descendant of such child, and no widow or surviving husband, then to the parents, brothers and sisters of the deceased, and their descendants, in equal parts, the surviving parent, if either be dead, taking a double portion ; and if there is no parent living, then to the brothers and sisters of the intestate and their descendants. Third. When there is a widotv or surviving husband, and no child or children, or descendants of the same, then one-half of the real estate and the whole of the personal estate shall descend to such widoto or surviving husband, absolutely, and the other half of the real estate shall descend as in other cases where there is no child or children or descendants of the same. Fourth. When there is a tcidoiv or surviving husband and also a child or children, or descendants of the latter, then one third of all the personal estate to the widow or surviving husband absolutely. Fifth. If there is no child, parent, brother or sister, or descendants of either of them, and no widow or surviving husband, then in equal parts to the next of kin to the intestate in equal degree. Collaterals shall not be represented except with the descendants of brothers and sisters of the intestate, and there shall be no distinction bettveen kindred of the tvhole and the half blood. Sixth. If any intestate leaves a widoio or surviving husband and no kindred, then to such ividoiv or surviving husband ; and if there is no such widow or surviving husband, it shall escheat to and vest in the county where the same, or the greater portion thereof, is situated. WILLS AND ESTATES OF DECEASED PERSONS. No exact form of words are necessary in order to make a will good at law. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years, and Qxevy female of the age of eighteen years, of sou7id mind and memory, can make a valid will ; it must be in writing, signed by the testator or by some one in his or her presence and by his or her direction, and attested by two or more credible witnesses. Care should be taken that the tvitnesses are not inter- ested in the will. Persons knowing themselves to have been named in the will or ajipointed executor, must within thirty days of the death of deceased cause the will to be proved and recorded in the proper county, or present it, and refuse to accept ; on failure to do so are liable to forfeit the sum of twenty dollars per month. Inventory to be made by executor or administrator within three months from date of letters testamentary or ABSTRACT OP ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 133 of administration. Executors' and administrators' compensation not tc exceed six per cent, on amount of personal estate, and three per cent. on money realized from real estate, with such additional allowance a? shall be reasonable for extra services. Appraisers' compensation $2 pef ■day. Notice requiring all claims to be presented against the estate shall hi given by the executor or administrator within six months of being quali- fied. Any person having a claim and not presenting it at the time fixed by said notice is required to have summons issued notifying the executor or administrator of his having filed his claim in court ; in such cases the costs have to be paid b}^ the claimant. Claims should be filed within two years from the time administration is granted on an estate, as after that time they are /oreuer barred, unless other estate is found that was not in- ventoried. Married wo7nen, infants, persons insane, imprisoned or without the United States, in the employment of the United States, or of this State, have two years after their disabilities are removed to file claims. Claims are classified and jniid out of the estate in the following manner : First. Funeral expenses. Second. The widow's award, if tliere is a widow ; or children if tliere are children, and no widow. Third. Expenses attending the last illness, not including physician's bill. Fourth. Debts due the common school or township fund . Fifth. All expenses of proving the will and taking out letters testa- mentary or administration, and settlement of the estate, and the physi- cian s bill in the last illness of deceased. Sixth. Where the deceased has received money in trust for any pur- pose, his executor or administrator shall pay out of his estate the amount received and not accounted for. Seventh. All other debts and demands of whatsoever kind, without regard to quality or dignity, which shall be exhibited to the court within two years from the granting of letters. Awa)-d to Widow and Children, exclusive of debts and legacies or be- quests, except funeral expenses: First. The family pictures and wearing apparel, jewels and ornaments of herself and minor children. Second. School books and the family library of the value of f 100. Third. One setving machine. Fourth. Necessary beds, bedsteads and bedding for herself and family. Fifth. The stoves and pipe used in the family, with the necessary cooking utensils, or in case tliey have none, $50 in money. Sirth. Household and kitchen furnitiire to the value of ilOO. Seventh. One milch cow and calf for every four members of her family. 154 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. Eighth. Two sheep for each member of her familj-, and the fleeces taken from the same, and one horse, saddle and bridle. Ninth. Provisions for herself and family for one year. Tenth. Food for the stock above specified for six months. Eleventh. Fuel for herself and family for three months. Twelfth. One hundred dollars worth of other property suited to her condition in life, to be selected by the widow. The widow if she elects may have in lieu of the said award, the same personal property or money in jjlace tliereof as is or may be exempt from execution or attachment against tlie head of a family. TAXES. The owners of real and personal property, on the first day of May iu each year, are liable for the taxes thereon. Assessments should be completed before the fourth Monday in June, at which time the town board of review meets to examine assessments, hear objections, and make such changes as ought to be made. The county board have also power to correct or change assessments. The tax books are placed in the hands of the town collector on or before the tenth day of December, who retains them until the tenth day of March following, when he is required to return them to the county treasurer, who then collects all delinquent taxes. No costs accrue on real estate taxes till advertised, which takes place the first day of April, when three weeks' notice is required before judg- ment. Cost of advertising, twenty cents each tract of land, and ten centa each lot. Judgment is usually obtained at May term of County Court. Costs six cents each tract of land, and five cents each lot. Sale takes place in June. Costs in addition to those before mentioned, twenty-eight cents each tract of land, and twenty-seven cents each town lot. Meal estate sold for taxes may be redeemed any time before the expi- ration of two years from the date of sale, by payment to tlie County Clerk of the amount for wliicli it was sold and twenty-five per cent, thereon if redeemed within six months, fifty per cent, if between six and twelve montlis, if between twelve and eigliteen raontlis seventy-five per cent., and if between eighteen months and two yeai's one hundred per cent., and in addition, all subsequent taxes paid by the purchaser, with ten per cent, interest thereon, also one dollar each tract if notice is given by the purchaser of the sale, and a fee of twenty-five cents to tlie clerk for his certificate. JURISDICTION OF COURTS. Justices have jurisdiction in all civil cases on contracts for the recovery of moneys for damages for injury to real property, or taking, detaining, or \ ABSTRACT OF IIXIKOIS STATE LAWS. 155 injuring personal propei-ty ; for rent; for all cases to recover damages done real or personal property by railroad companies, in actions of replevin, and in actions for damages for fraud in the sale, jmrchase, or exchange of per- sonal property, when the amount claimed as due is not over $200. They have also jurisdiction in all cases for violation of the ordinances of cities, toivns or villages. A justice of the peace may orally order an officer or a private person to arrest any one committing or attempting to commit a •criminal offense. He also upon complaint can issue his warrant for the arrest of any person accused of having committed a crime, and have him brought before him for examination. COUNTY COURTS Have jurisdiction in all matters of probate (except in counties having a population of one hundred thousand or over), settlement of estates of deceased persons, appointment of guardians and conservators, and settle- ment of their accounts ; all matters relating to apprentices ; proceedings for the collection of taxes and assessments, and in proceedings of executors, administrators, guardians and conservators for the sale of real estate. In law cases they have concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Courts in aU cases where justices of the peace now have, or hereafter may have, jurisdiction when the amount claimed shall not exceed $1,000, and in all criminal offenses where the punishment is not imprisonment in the peni- tentiary, or death, and in all cases of appeals from justices of the peace and police magistrates; excepting when the county judge is sitting as a justice of the peace. Circuit Courts have unlimited jurisdiction. LIMITATION OF ACTION. Accounts jive years. Notes and written contracts ,ten years. Judg- ments tiventy years. Partial payments or new promise in writing, within or after said period, will revive the debt. Absence from the State deducted, and when the cause of action is barred by the law of another State, it has the same effect here. Slander and libel, one year. Personal injuries, two years. To recover hind or make entry thereon, twenty years. Action to foreclose mortgage or trust deed, or make a sale, within ten years. All persons in possession of land, and paying taxes for seven consecu- tive years, with color of title, and all persons paying taxes for seven con- secutive years, with color of title, on vacant land, shall be held to be the legal owners to the extent of their paper title. MARRIED WOMEN May sue and be sued. Husband and wife not liable for each other's debts, ■either before or after marriage, but both are liable for expenses and edu- cation of the family. 156 ABSTRACT OF ILLIXOIS STATE LAWS. She may contract the same as if unmarried, excej)t that in a partner- ship business she can not, without consent of her husband, unless he has abandoned or deserted her, or is idiotic or insane, or confined in peniten- tiary ; she is entitled and can recover her own earnings, but neither hus- band nor wife is entitled to compensation for any services rendered for the other. At the death of the husband, in addition to widow's award, a married woman has a dower interest (one-third) in all real estate owned by her husband after their marriage, and wliich has not been released by her, and the husband has the same interest in the real estate of the wife at her death. EXEMPTIONS FROM FORCED SALE. Some worth $1,000, and the following Personal Property : Lot of ground and buildings thereon, occupied as a residence by the debtor, being a house- holder and having a family, to the value of fl,000. Exemption continues- after the death of the householder for the benefit of widow and family, some one of them occupying the homestead until youngest child shall become twenty-one years of age, and until death of widow. There is no exemption from sale for taxes, assessments, debt or liability incurred for the purchase or improvement of said homestead. No release or waiver of exemption is valid, unless in writing, and subscribed by such liouseholder and wife (if he have one), and acknowledged as conveyances of real estate are required to be acknowledged. The folloioing articles of personal property owned by the debtor, are exempt from execution, ivrit of attachment, and distress for rent : The necessary wearing apparel. Bibles, school books and family pictures of every person ; and, 2d, one hundred dollars worth of other property to be selected by the debtor, and, in addition, when the debtor is the head of a family and resides with the same, three hundred dollars worth of other property to be selectedby the debtor; provided that such selection and exemj)tion shall not be made by the debtor or allowed to him or her from any money, salary or wages due him or her from anjr person or persons or corporations whatever. When the head of a family shall die, desert or not reside with the same, the family shall be entitled to and receive all the benefit and priv- ileges which are by this act conferred upon, the head of a family residing with the same. No personal property is exempt from execution when judgment is obtained for the wages of laborers or servants. Wages of a laborer who is the head of a family can not be garnisheed, except the sum due him be in excess of $25. ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 157 DEEDS AND MORTGAGES. To he valid there must he a valid consideration. Special care should be taken to have them signed, sealed, delivered, and properly acknowl- edged, with the proper seal attached. Witnesses are not required. The acknowledgement must be made in this state, before Master in Chancery, Notary Public, United States Commissioner, Circuit or County Clerk, Justice of Peace, or any Court of Record having a seal, or any Judge, Justice, or Clerk of any such Court. When taken before a Notary Public, or United States Commissioner, the same shall be attested by his official seal, wlien taken before a Court or the Clerk thereof, the same shall be attested by the seal of such Court, and when taken before a Justice of the Peace resid- ing out of the county where the real estate to be conveyed lies, there shall be added a certificate of the County Clerk under his seal of office, that he zvas a Justice of the Peace in the county at the time of taking the same. A deed is good without such certificate attaclied, but can not be used in evidence unless such a certificate is produced or other competent evidence introduced. Acknowledgements made out of the state must either be executed according to the laws of this state, or there should be attached a certificate that it is in conformity with the laws of the state or country where executed. Where this is not done the same may be proved by any other legal way. Acknowledgments where the Homestead rights are to be waived must state as follows : " Including the release and waiver of the right of homestead." Notaries Public can take acknowledgements any where in the state. Sheriffs, if authorized by the mortgagor of real or personal property in his mortgage, may sell the property mortgaged. In the case of the death of grantor or holder of the equity of redemp- tion of real estate mortgaged, or conveyed by deed of trust where equity of redemption is waived, and it contains power of sale, must be foreclosed in the same manner as a common mortgage in court. ESTRAYS. Morses, mules, asses, neat cattle, swine, sheep, or goats found straying at any time during the year, in counties where such aninials are not allowed to run at large, or between the last day of October and the 15th day of April in other counties, the oioner thereof being unknown, may be taken up as estrays. No person not a householder in the county where estray is found can lawfully take up an estray, and then only upon or about his farm or place of residence. Estrays should not be used before advertised, except animals giving milk, which may be milked for their benefit. 158 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. Notices must be posted up within five (5) days in three (3) of the most public phices in the town or {jreeinct in which estray was fouml, giv- ing the residence of the talker up, and a particuhir description of the estray, its age, color, and marks natural and artificial, and stating before what justice of the peace in such town or preeinct, and at what time, not less than ten (10) nor more than fifteen (15) days from the time of post- ing such notices, he will apply to have the estray appraised. A copy of such notice should be filed by the taker up with the toivn clerk, whose duty it is to enter the same at large, in a hook kept by him for that purpose. If the oivner of estray shall not have appeared and proved ownership, and taken the same away, first paying the taker up his reasonable charges for taking up, keeping, and advertisiug the same, the taker up sliall appear before the justice of the peace mentioned in above mentioned notice, and make an affidavit as required by law. As the affidavit has to be made before the Justice, and all other steps as to appraisement, etc., are before him, wlio is familiar therewith, they are therefore omitted here. Any person taking up an estray at any other place than about or upon his farm or residence, or without complying with the law, shall forfeit and pay a fine of ten dollars with costs. Ordinary diligence is required in taking care of estrays, but in case they die or get away the taker is not liable for the same. GAME. It is unlauful for any person to kill, or attempt to kill or destroy, in any manner, any prairie hen or chicken or u'oodcock between the 15th day of January and the 1st day of September ; or any deer, fawn, wild-turkey, partridge or pheasant between the 1st day of February and the 1st day of October ; or any quail between the 1st day of February and 1st da}- of November ; or any wild goose, duck, snipe, brant or other water fowl between the 1st day of Maj^ and 15th day of August in eacli year. Penalty : Fine not less than $5 nor more than $25, for each bird or animal, and costs of suit, and stand committed to county jail tintil fine is paid, but not exceeding ten days. It is unlauful to hunt with gun, dog or net within the inclosed grounds or lands of another without permission. Penalty: Fine not less than $3 nor more than $100, to be paid into school fund. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Whenever any of the following articles shall be contracted for, or sold or delivered, and no special contract or agreement shall be made to the contrary, the weight per bushel shall be as follows, to-wit : ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATK LAWS. 159 Pounds. Pounds. Stone Coal, - 80 Buckwheat, - - 52 Unslaeked Lime, - 80 Coarse Salt, - 50 Corn in the ear. - 70 Barley, - - - - 48 Wheat. - 60 Corn Meal, - 48 Irish Potatoes, - 60 Castor Beans, - 46 White Beans, - 60 Timothy Seed, - - 45 Clover Seed, - - 60 Hemp Seed, - - 44 Onions, - - - - 57 Malt, - - - - - 38 Shelled Corn, - 56 Dried Peaches, - 33 Rve, - - - - - 56 Oats, - - - - - 32 Flax Seed, - - 56 Dried Apples, - 24 Sweet Potatoes, - - 55 Bran, - - - - - 20 Turnips. - 55 Blue Grass Seed, - - 14 Fine Salt, - 55 Hair (plastering). 8 Penalty for giving less than the above standard is double the amount of property wrongfully not given, and ten dollars addition thereto. MILLERS. The owner or occupant of every public grist mill in this state shall grind all grain brought to his mill in its turn. The toll for both steam and water mills, is, for grinding and bolting ivheat, rye, or other grain, one eighfh part; for grinding Indian corn, oats, barley and buckwJieat not required to be bolted, one seventh part; for grinding malt, and chopping nil kinds of grain, one eighth part. It is the duty of every miller when his mill is in repair, to aid and assist in loading and unloading all grain brought to him to be ground, and he is also required to keep an accurate half bushel measure, and an accurate set of toll dishes or scales for weighing the grain. The penalty for neglect or refusal to comply with the law is $5, to the use of any person to sue for the same, to be recovered before any justice of the peace of the county where penalty is incurred. Millers are accountable for the safe keeping of all grain left in his mill for the purpose of being ground, with bags or casks containing same (except it results from unavoidable accidents), provided that such bags or casks are distinctly marked with the initial letters of the owner's name. MARKS AND BRANDS. Owners of cattle, horses, hogs, sheep or goats may have one ear mark and one brand, but which shall be different from his neighbor's, and maj- be recorded by the count}' clerk of the countj^ in which such property is kept. The fee for such record is fifteen cents. The record of such shall be open to examination free of charge. In cases of disputes as to marks or bra.r}ds such record, is vrima facie evidence. Owners of cattle, horses, hogs, sheep or goats that may have been branded by the former ojvner. 160 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. may be re-branded in presence of one or more of his neighbors, who shall certify to the facts of the marking or branding being done, when done, and in what brand or mark they were re-branded or re-marked, which certificate may also be recorded as before stated. ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. Children may be adopted by any resident of this state, by filing a petition in the Circuit or County Court of the county in which he resides, asking leave to do so, and if desired may ask that the name of the child be changed. Such petition, if made by a person having a husband or Avife, will not be granted, unless the husband or wife joins therein, as the adoption must be by them jointly. The petition shall state name, sex, and age of the child, and the new name, if it is desired to change the name. Also the name and residence of the parents of the child, if known, and of the guardian, if any, and whether the parents or guardians consent to the adoption. The court must find, before granting decree, that the parents of the child, or the survivoi's of them, have deserted his or her family or such child for one j^ear next j^receding the application, or if neither are living, the guardian ; if no guardian, the next of kin in this state capable of giving consent, has had notice of the presentation of the petition and consents to such adoption. If the child is of the age oi fourteen years or upwards, the adoption can not be made without its consent. SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS. There is in every county elected a surveyor known as county sur- veyor, who has power to appoint deputies, for whose official acts he is responsible. It is the duty of the comity surveyor, either by himself or his deputy, to make all surveys that he may be called upon to make within his county as soon as may be after application is made. The necessary chainmen and other assistance must be employed by the person requiring the same to be done, and to be by him paid, unless otherwise agreed ; but the chainmen must be disinterested persons and approved by the surveyor and sworn by him to measure justly and impartially. The County Fxnird in each county is required In- law to provide a copy of the United States field notes and plats of their surveys of the lands in the county to be kept in the recorder's office subject to examination by the public, and the county surveyor is required to make his surveys in conformity to said notes, plats and the laws of the United States gov- erning such matters. The surveyor is also required to keep a record of all surveys made by him, which shall be subject to inspection by any one interested, and shall be delivered up to his successor in office. A. ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 161 certified copy of the said surveyor's record shall be prima facie evidence of its contents. The fees of county surveyors ai-e six dollars per day. The county surveyor is also ex officio inspector of mines, and as such, assisted by some practical miner selected by him, shall once each year inspect all the mines in the county, for which they shall each receive such compensa- tion as may be fixed by the County Board, not exceeding $5 a day, to be paid out of the county treasury- ROADS AND BRIDGES. Where practicable from the nature of the ground, persons traveling- in any kind of vehicle, must turn to the right of the center of the road, se- as to permit each carriage to pass without interfering with each other. The penalty for a violation of this provision is $5 for every offense, to- be recovered by the party injured ; but to recover, there must have occurred some injury to person or property resulting from the violation^ The owners of any carriage traveling upon any road in this State for the conveyance of passengers who shall employ or continue in his employment, as driver any person who is addicted to drunkenness, or the excessive use of spiritous liquors, after he has had notice of the same, shall forfeit, at the rate of -$5 per da}', and if any driver while actually engaged in driving^ any such carriage, shall be guilty of intoxication to such a degree as to- endanger the safety of passengers, it shall be the duty of the owner, on receiving written notice of the fact, signed by one of the passengers, and certified by him on oath, forthwith to discharge such driver. If such owner shall have such driver in his employ ivithin three months after such notice,, he is liable for $5 per day for the time he shall keep said driver in his employment after receiving such notice. Persons driving any carriage on any public highway are prohibited from running their horses upon any occasion under a penalty of a fine not exceeding $10, or imprisonment not exceeding sixty days, at the discre- tion of the court. Horses attached to any carriage used to convey passen- gers for hire must be properly hitched or the lines placed in the hands of some other person before the driver leaves them for any puri:)ose. For violation of this provision each driver shall forfeit twenty dollars, to be recovered by action, to be commenced within six months. It is under- stood b}' the term carriage herein to mean any carriage or vehicle used for the transportation of passengers or goods or either of them. The commissioners of highways in the different tov/ns have the care and superintendence of highways and bridges therein. They have alt the powers necessary to lay out, vacate, regulate and repair all roadsv build and repair bridges. ' In addition to the above, it is their duty ta erect and keep in repair at the forks or crossing-place of the most 162 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. important roads post and guide boards with plain inscriptions, giving directions and distances to the most noted places to which such road may lead; also to make provisions to prevent thistles, burdock, and cockle burrs, mustard, yellow dock, Indian mallow and jimson weed from seeding, and to extirpate the same as far as practicable, and to prevent all rank growth of vegetation on the public highways so far as the same may obstruct public travel, and it is in their discretion to erect watering places for public use for watering teams at such points as may be deemed advisable. The Commissioners, on or before the 1st day of May of each year, shall make out and deliver to their treasurer a list of all able-bodied men in their town, excepting paupers, idiots, lunatics, and such others as are exempt by law, and assess against each the sum of two dollars as a poll tax for highway purposes. Within thirty days after such list is delivered they shall cause a written or printed notice to be given to each j^erson so assessed, notifying him of the time when and place where such tax must be paid, or its equivalent in labor performed ; they may contract with persons owing such poll tax to perform a certain amount of labor on any Toad or bridge in payment of the same, and if such tax is not paid nor labor performed by the first Monday of July of such j'ear, or within ten days after notice is given after that time, they shall bring suit therefor against such person before a justice of the peace, who shall hear and determine the case according to law for the offense complained of, and shall forthwith issue an execution, directed to any constable of the county where the delinquent shall reside, who shall fortliwith collect the moneys therein mentioned. The Commissioners of Highways of each town shall annually ascer- tain, as near as practicable, how much money must be raised b}' tax on real and personal property for the making and repairing of roads, only, to any .amount they may deem necessary, not exceeding forty cents on each one hundred dollars' worth, as valued on the assessment roll of the previous year. The tax so levied on property lying witliin an incorporated village, town or city, shall be paid over to the corporate authorities of such town, village or city. Commissioners shall receive $1.50 for each day neces- sarily employed in the discharge of their duty. Overseers. At the first meeting the Commissioners shall choose one of their number to act General Overseer of Highways in tlieir townsliip, whose duty it shall be to take charge of and safely keep all tools, imple- ments and machinery belonging to said town, and shall, by the direction •of the Board, have general supervision of all roads and bridges in their town. ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 163 As all township and county officers are familiar Avith their duties, it is only intended to give the points of the law that the public should be familiar with. The manner of laying out, altering or vacating roads, ete.^ will not be here stated, as it would require more space than is contem- plated in a work of this kind. It is sufficient to state that, tlie first step is by petition, addressed to the Commissioners, setting out what is prayed for, giving the names of the owners of lands if known, if not known so state, over which the road is to pass, giving the general course, its place of beginning, and where it terminates. It requires not less than twelve- freeholders residing within three miles of the road who shall sign the- petition. Public roads must not be less than fifty feet wide, nor more than sixty feet wide. Roads not exceeding two miles in length, if peti- tioned for, may be laid out, not less than forty feet. Private road& for jirivate and public use, may be laid out of the width of three rods, on petition of the person directly interested ; the damage occasioned thereby shall be paid by the premises benefited thereb}', and before the road is opened. If not opened in two years, the order shall be considered rescinded. Commissioners in their disci'etion may permit persons who- live on or have private roads, to work out their road tax thereon. Public roads must be opened in five days from date of filing order of location,, or be deemed vacated. DRAINAGE. Whenever one or more owners or occupants of land desire to construct I drain or ditch across the land of others for agricultural, sanitary or mlninci purposes, the proceedings are as follows : File a petition in the Circuit or County Court of the county in which the proposed ditch or drain is to be constructed, setting forth the neces- sity for the same, with a description of its proposed starting point, route and terminus, and if it shall be necessary for the drainage of the land or coal mines or for sanitary purposes, that a drain, ditch, levee or similar ■work be constructed, a description of the same. It shall also set forth the names of all persons owning the land over which such drain or ditch shall be constructed, or if unknown stating that fact. No private property shall be taken or damaged for the purpose of constructing a ditch, drain or levee, without compensation, if claimed by the owner, the same to be ascertained by a jury; but if the construction of such ditch, drain or levee shall be a benefit to the owner, the same shall be a set off against such compensation. If the proceedings seek to affect the property of a minor, lunatic or married woman, the guardian, conservator or husband of the same shall be made party defendant. The petition may be amended and parties made defendants at any time when it is necessary to a fair trial. 16 i ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. When the petition is presented to the judge, he shall note therein when he will hear the same, and order the issuance of summonses and the publication of notice to each non-resident or unknown defendant. The petition may be heard by such judge in vacation as well as in term time. Upon the trial, the jury shall ascertain the just compensation to each owner of the property sought to be damaged by the construction of such ditch, drain or levee, and truly report the same. As it is only contemplated in a work of this kind to give an abstract of the laws, and as the parties who have in charge the execution of the further proceedings are likely to be familiar with the requirements of the statute, the necessary details are not here inserted. WOLF SCALPS. The County Board of any county in this State may hereafter allow such bounty on wolf scalps as the board may deem reasonable. Any person claiming a bounty shall produce the scalp or scalps with the ears thereon, within sixty days after the wolf or wolves shall have been caught, to the Clerk of the County Board, who shall administer to said person the following oath or affirmation, to- wit: "You do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that the scalp or scalps here pro- ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. ISl) CODICIL. Whereas I, Charles Mansfield, did, on the fourth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, make my last will and testa- ment, I do now, by this writing, add this codicil to my said will, to be taken as a part thereof. Whereas, bj^ the dispensation of Providence, my daughter, Anna Louise, has deceased November fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-three, and whereas, a son has been born to me, which son is now christened Richard Albert Mansfield, I give and bequeath unto him my gold watch, and all right, interest, and title in lands and bank stock and chattels bequeathed to my deceased daughter, Anna Louise, in the body of this will. In witness whereof, I hereunto place my hand and seal, this tenth day of March, eighteen hundred and seventy-five. Signed, sealed, published, and declared to^ us by the testator, Charles Mansfield, as and for a codicil to be annexed to his last will and testament. And we, at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have sub- scribed our names as witnesses thereto, at the date hereof. Frank E. Dent, Salem, Ills. John C. Shay, Salem, Ills. CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS May be legally made by electing or appointing, according to the usages or customs of the body of which it is a part, at any meeting held for that purpose, two or more of its members as trustees, wardens or vestrymen, and may adopt a corporate name. The chairman or secretary of such meeting shall, as soon as possible, make and file in the office of the recorder of deeds of the county, an affidavit substantially in the following form : State of Illinois, / County. (■ ^^• L , do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that at a meeting of the members of the (here insert the name of the church, society or congregation as known before organization), held at (here insert place of meeting), in the County of , and State of Illinois, on the day of — ^ , A.D. 18—, for that purpose, the fol- lowing persons were elected (or appointed) [here insert their names'] trustees, wardens, vestrymen, (or officers by whatever name they may choose to adojit, with powers similar to trustees) according to the rules and usages of such (church, society or congregation), and said IPO ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. adopted as its corporate name (here insert name), and at said meeting- this affiant acted as (chairman or secretaiy, as the case may be). Subscribed and sworn to before me, this day of , A.D, 18 — . Name of Affiant ■which affidavit must be recorded by the recorder, and sliall be, or a certi'- lied copy made by the recorder, received as evidence of such an incorpo- ration. No certificate of election after the first need he filed for record. The term of office of the trustees and the general government of the- society can be determined by the rules or by-laws adopted. Failure to elect trustees at the time provided does not work a dissolution, but the old trustees hold over. A trustee or trustees may be removed, in the same manner by the society as elections are held by a meeting called for that purpose. The property of the society vests in the corporation. The corporation may hold, or acquire by purchase or otherwise, land not exceeding ten acres, for the purpose of the society. The trustees have the care, custody and control of the property of the corjjoration, and can, when directed by the society, erect houses or improvements, and repair and alter the same, and may also when so directed by the society, mortgage, encuml)er, sell and convey any real or personal estate belonging to the corporation, and make all proper contracts in the name of such corporation. But thej^ are prohibited b}' law from encumbering or inter- fering with any property so as to destroy the effect of any gift, grant, devise or bequest to the corporation ; but such gifts, grants, devises of bequests, must in all cases be used so as to carry out the object intended by the persons making the same. Existing societies may organize in the manner herein set forth, and have all the advantages thereof. SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION. The business of publishing books hy subscription having so often been brought into disrepute by agents making representations and declarations not authorized by the publisher : in order to prevent that as mucli as possi- ble, and that there may be more general knowledge of tlie relation such agents bear to tlieir principal, and the law governing such cases, the fol- lowing statement is made : A subscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by which the subscriber agrees to pay a certain sum for the work described ; the consideration is concurrent tliat the publislier shall publish the book named, and deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to pay the price named. The nature and character of the work is described in the prospectus and hy the sample shown. These lihould he carefully examined before sub- scribing, as they are the basis and consideration of the promise to pay. ABSTRACT OF ll^LINOIS STATK LAWS. and not the too often exaggerated statements of the agent, who is merely employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a commission for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the conditions upon which the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the publisher. Should the agent assume to agree to make the subscription conditional or modify or change the agreement of the publisher, as set out by prospectus and sample, in order to bind the principal, the subscriber should see that such conditions or changes are stated over or in ■connection with his signa- ture, so that the publisher may have notice of the same. All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or any other business, should remember that the law as to written contracts is, that they can not be varied, altered or rescinded verbally, but if done at all, must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons contem- plating subscribing should distinctly understand that all talk before or after the subscription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the -contract. Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as canvassers. They are agents appointed to do a particular business in a prescribed mode, and have no authority to do it in any other way to tiie prejudice of their principal, nor can the}' bind their principal in any other matter. They can not collect money, or agree that payment may be made in anything else but money. They can not extend the time of f)ayment beyond the time of delivery, nor bind their principal for the payjnent of expenses incurred in their buisness. It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, before signing their names to any subscription book, or any written instru- ment, would examine carefully what it is ; if they can not read themselves, should call on some one disinterested who can. 192 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ITS AMENDMENTS. We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general ivelfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Article I. Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of mem- bers chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature. No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the sev- eral states which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subse- quent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one Representative ; and until such enumeration shall be made tlie State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plan- tations one, Connecticut five. New York six. New Jersey four, Pennsylva- nia eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten. North Carolina five, and Georgia three. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the Executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. Sec. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six years ; and each Senator siiall have one vote. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expira- AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 19d tion of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any state, the Executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacajcies. No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen. The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided. The Senate shall choose their other ofiicers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried the Chief Justice shall preside. And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States ; but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment according to law. Sec. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Sen- ators and Representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the Legis- lature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting sliall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day. Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the. election, returns, and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as each liouse may provide. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such jiarts as may, in their judgment, recpiire secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house on any question shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal. Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the otlier. adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. Sec. t3. Tlie Senators and Representatives shall receive a compen- sation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason. 194 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same ; and for any speech or debate in either house they shall not be questioned in any other place. No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time ; and no person holding any office under the United States, shall be a member of either house during his continuance in office. Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives ; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President - the United States ; if he approve he shall sign it ; but if not he shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have origi- nated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objec- tions, to the other house, by whicli it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by \eas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively, if any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted), after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress, by their adjotirnment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment), shall be presented to the President of the United States, and before the same shall take effect shall be approved by him, or, being disapproved by him, shall be re-passed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and lim- itations prescribed in the case of a bill. Sec. 8. The Congress shall have power — To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts, and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughotit the United States ; To borrow money on the credit of the United States ; To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several Str.tes, and with the Indian tribes; To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of l)ankruptcies throughout the United States ; To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix tlie standard of weights and measures ; To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States; To establish post offices and post roads ; AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 195 To promote the i)rogress of sciences and useful arts, by securing, for ]'mited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries ; To constitute tribunals inferior to tlie Supreme Court ; To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and oifenses against the law of nations ; To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water ; To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for n longer term than two years ; To provide and maintain a navy ; To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces ; To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions ; To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the disci-, pline prescribed by Congress ; To exercise legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the Legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, and other needful buildings ; and To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying intc execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any depart- ment or officer thereof. Sec. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be isrohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or rev- enue to the ports of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another. No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expeditures of all public money shall be published from time to time. 196 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States : and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, jjrince, or foreign state. Sec. 10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confeder- ation ; grant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin money ; emit bills of credit ; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts ; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of noliility. No state shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may l)e absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws, and the net produce of all duties and imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the Treasury of the United States , and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress. No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty on tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as wil} not admit of delay. Article II. Section 1. The Executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same term, be elected as follows : Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the state may be entitled in the Congress; but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. [ * The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each ; which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The Pres- ident of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President, if such number he a majority of the whole numljer of Electors appointed ; and if there be more than one who have such majority, and have an equal number of votes, tlien the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for President ; and if no person have a ma- jority, then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote ; a quorum for tliis purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the President, ■ This clause between.brackets bas been superseded and annulled by tbe Twelfth amendment. AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 19T the person having the greatest number of votes of the Electors shall be the Vice-President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice-Presi- dent.] The Congress may determine the time of choosing the Electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes ; which day shall be the same throughout the United States. No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President ; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice-PiJesident, and the Congress may by law provide for the ease of removal, death, resignation, or inabil- ity, both of the President and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the dis^ ability be removed, or a President shall be elected. The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services a com- pensation which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the United States or any of them. Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take the fol- lowing oath or affirmation : " I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." Sec. 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States ; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall have powei- to grant reprieves and pardon for offenses against the United States, ex-cept in cases of impeachment. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present con- cur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law ; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers as they think proper in the President alone, ia the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session. Sec. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information- of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such mea- sures as he shall judge necessary and expedient ; he may on extraordinary 198 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES occasions convene both houses, or either of them, and in case of disagree- ment between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States. Sec. 4. The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and con- viction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Article III. I Section I. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and ■equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority ; to all cases affecting ambassadors, other jjuhlic ministers, and consuls ; to all cases of .admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which the United "States shall be a party ; to controversies between two or more states ; between a state and citizens of another state ; between citizens of differ- •ent states; between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state or the citizens thereof, and foreign •states, citizens, or subjects. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party, the Supreme Court sliall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall tave appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions and under such regulations as the Congress shall make. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury ; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall have been committed ; but when not committed within anj^ state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have •directed. Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levy- ing war against them, or in adliering to their enemies, givinjr them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the tes- timony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open ■court. The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, «xcept during the life of the person attainted. Article IV. Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 19^ the Congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and tlie effect thereof. Sec. 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states. A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime,, who shall flee from justice and be found in another state, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having jurisdicl'on of the crime. No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on the claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. Sec. 3. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this Union ; but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state ; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the Legislatures of the states concerned, as well as of the Congress. The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory' or other property belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States or of any particular state. Sec. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every state in this Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion, and on application of the Legislature, or of the Execu- tive (when the Legislature can not be convened), against domestic vio- lence. Akticle V. The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the ap- plication of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of this Constitution, when rati- fied by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by con- ventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratifi- cation may be proposed by the Congress. Provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. Akticle VL All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the adop- tion of this Constitution shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution as under the Confederation. This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land ; and the Judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the mem- CONSTITUTION OF TETE UNITED STATUS bers of the several state Legislatures, and all executive and judicial oiE- ■cers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. Akticle VII. The ratification of the Conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Coustitution between the states so ratifying the same. Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names. GEO. WASHINGTON, President and Deputy from Virginia. New Hampshire. John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman. Massachusetts. Nathaniel Gokham, RuFus King. Connecticut. Wm. Sam'l Johnson, EoGEE Sherman. Delaivare. Geo. Read, John Dickinson, Jaco. Broom, Gunning Bedford, Jr., Richard Bassett. Maryland. James M'Henry, Danl. Carroll, Dan. of St. Thos. Jenifee. New York. Alexander Hamilton. New Jersey. WiL. Livingston, Wm. Paterson, David Brearley, JoNA. Dayton. Virginia. John Blair, James Madison, Je. North Carolina, Wm. Blount, Hu. Williamson, Rich'd Dobbs Spaight. Pennsylvania. B. Franklin, Robt. Morris, Thos. Fitzsimons, James Wilson, Thos. Mifflin, Geo. Clymer, Jared Ingersoll, Gouv. Morris. South Carolina. J. Rutledge, Charles Pinckney, Chas. Cotesworth Pinckney, Pierce Butler. Georgia. William Few, Abr. Baldwin. WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary. AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 203 Articles in Addition to and Amendatory of the Constitution OF THE United States of America. Proposed by Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several states, pursuant to the fifth article of the original Constitution. Article I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Article II. A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Article III. No soldier shall, in time of jjeace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be pre- scribed by law. Article IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be vio- lated ; and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. Article V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Article VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. Article VII. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact 204 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law. Aetxcle VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Article IX. The enumeration, in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Article X. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. Article XI. The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or sub- jects of any foreign state. Article XII. The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves ; they shall name in their ballots the person to be voted for as president, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice- President, and of the number of votes for each, which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes for President shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed ; and if no person have such majority, then fi-ora the persons having the highest number not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two- thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a Presi- dent whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice- President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be the majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a major- AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 205 ity, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President ; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. Aeticle XIII. Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their juris- diction. Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro- priate legislation. Article XIV. Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Sec. 2. Representatives shall be appointed among the several states according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of per- sons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed ; but when the right to vote at any election for the choice of Electors for President and Vice- President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the execu- tive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of tlie Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being twenty-one years of age and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged except for participation in rebellion or other crimes, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the num- ber of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such state. Sec. 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or Elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previ- ously taken an oath as a Member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state Legislature, or as an execu- tive or judicial officer of any state to support the Constitution of the United States, shall liave engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability. • Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States author- ized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and boun- ties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be ques- tioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall pay any debt or obligation incurred in the aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any loss or emancipation of any slave, but such debts, obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void. 206 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. Sec. 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this act. Article XV. Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any state, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro- priate legislation. ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT. November 7, 1876. COUNTIES. hi X « t- o C-3C lis o « it o Mo ' a < COTTNTIES. hi Tilden and Hendricks, Democrat. " 00 1 < 4953 121!) 15i!0 1965 944 3719 441 2231 1209 4530 2501 1814 141tj 1329 2957 3B548 1355 1145 8679 1938 1631 2129 2715 970 1145 1881 1601 966 4187 703 1695 1996 627 3496 330 1315 4177 3768 2040 6308 1280 1142 363 1495 2218 900 918 1618 3103 3287 2197 1541 1989 2822 39240 1643 1407 1413 1174 1337 1276 2883 466 2265 2421 742 1302 4669 1140 3160 1142 1433 4207 611 1015 1928 2578 2071 41 17 Livingston 3550 2788 3120 3567 4554 2009 1553 1566 1231 2952 3465 6363 1115 2209 845 2486 3069 1245 3833 4665 1319 1541 1807 3055 1043 646 2357 1410 3912 980 4851 1522 910 2069 1140 4708 3198 2850 978 4372 650 2795 1911 1570 1297 3851 4770 1672 4505 1733 2134 2595 2782 4076 4730 2444 1430 1939 793 2811 1874 4410 1657 1428 1651 3013 3174 1672 1921 5443 800 1383 1316 4040 772 459 2589 1552 2838 1081 5847 1804 1269 3553 786 5891 2758 3171 2155 3031 936 1984 1671 1751 2066 2131 3999 1644 1568 2105 1170 37 268 114 39 209 135 86 20 347 34 518 10 90 201 109 28 104 95 5 it? 35 'ie •i LogaTi 17 43 183 145 2 1 2 li Macoupin 1 s ■■'8 Mai'stiail . . 1 111 74 604 207 236 112 132 102 277 38 129 65 746 94 25 161 61 43 57 204 391 89 282 1 108 770 1 7 "i :::: "lO '"i 3 "i 6 9 "a "i ■■■9 "4 Mason McDonongli IMcHonry s 7 55 M 29 115 182 341 96 99 26 44 3 288 207 1.38 39 482 469 133 677 41 70 237 Foru Randolpl) Frnnklln . Itlcliianil FuUon .... Itooic Island Saline Greene Sangamon Scott Sliclby Stark Hardin 134 1 340 249 106 ■•■4 14 "s 1 "2 "8 13 1 130 1 Henry 3 Tazewell 2 9 1346 1345 2907 1367 5398 2627 1869 5235 2619 6277 1198 3087 1667 2166 2276 893 2850 1363 524 2632 1647 HOOl 1329 2080 647 "iw fil 172 26 309 141 55 514 27 100 12 2 "i ■■3 '6 2 "i 1 15 ■'6 Wahasli Jersey Warren Was hlngton 1 Wlilte 4 Whiteside 1 Will Williamson Lake Winnebago 2 LaSalle Woodford 4 Total Lee 275968 257099 16951 157 Practical Rules for Every Day Use. How to find the gain or loss per cent, ivhen the cost and selling price ^ pitch is meant that the apex or comb of thereof is to be J< or >< the widtli of the ^building: liig:her than the walls or base of the rafters. How to reckon the cost of hay. Rule. — Multiply the number of pounds by half the price per ton, And remove the decimal point three places to the left. ffow to measure grain. Rule. — Level the grain ; ascertain the space it occupies in cubic feet ; multiply the number of cubic feet by 8, and point off one place to the left. Note.— Exactness requires the addition to every three hundred bushels of one extra bushel. The foregoing rule may be used for finding the number of gallons, by multiplying the number of bushels by 8. If the corn in the box is in tlie ear, divide the answer bj' 2, to find the number of bushels of shelled com, because it requires 2 bushels of eai corn to make 1 of shelled corn. Rapid rules for measuring land without instruments. In measuring land, the first thing to ascertain is the contents of any ■given plot in square 3'ards ; then, given the number of yards, find out the number of rods and acres. The most ancient and simplest measure of distance is a step. Now, an ordinai-y-sized man can train himself to cover one yard at a stride, on the average, with sufficient accuracy for ordinary purposes. To make use of this means of measuring distances, it is essential to walk in a straight line ; to do this, fix the e3-e on two objects in a line straight aliead, one comparativel}* near, the other remote ; and, in walk- ing, keep these objects constantly in line. Farmers and others by adopting the following simple and ingenious con- trivance.^ may always carry with them the scale to construct a correct yard ■measure. Take a foot rule, and commencing at the base of the little finger of the left hand, mark the quarters of the foot on the outer borders of the left arm, pricking in the marks with indelible ink. To find how many rods in length will make an acre, the width being given. Rule. — Divide 160 by the width, and the quotient will be the answer. 208 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. by 4i ordinary method, and point off one decimal place — the result wili be the answer in bushels. NOTK.— In esttm.itiii^ corn in the ear. the quality and the time it lias been cribbed must he taken into consideration, si nee corn will shrink consiilerably during the Winter and Spring. This rule generally Iiold& good for corn measured at the time it is cribbed, provided it is sound and clean. How to find the contents of a cistern or tank. Rule. — Multiply the st^uare of the mean diameter by the depth (all in feet) and this product by 5681 (short method), and point off one decimal place — the result will be the contents in barrels of 31* gallons. How to find the contents of a barrel or cask. Rule. — Under the square of the mean diameter, write the length, (all in inches) in reversed order, so that its units will fall under the tens ; multiply by short method, and this product again by -430 ; point off one decimal place, and the result will be the answer in wine gallons. How to measure hoards. Rule. — Multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in inches) and divide the product by 12 — the result will be the contents in square feet. How to measure scantlinf/s, joists, planks, sills, etc. Rule. — Multiply the width, the thickness, and the length together (the width and thickness in inches, and the length in feet), and divide the product by 12 — the result will be square feet. How to find the number of acres in a body of land. Rule. — Multiply the length by the width (in rods), and divide the product by 160 (carrying the division to 2 decimal places if there is a. remainder) ; the result will be the answer in acres and hundredths. When the opposite sides of a piece of land are of unequal length, add them together and take one-half for the mean length or width. Hoiv to find the number of square yards in a floor or wall. Rule. — Multiply the length by the width or height (in feet), and divide the product by 9, the result will be square yards. Hotv to find the number of bricks required in a building. Rule. — Multiply the number of cubic feet by 22*. The number of cubic feet is found by multiplying the length, height and thickness (in feet) together. Bricks are usually made 8 inches long, 4 inches wide, and two iuchea thick ; hence, it requires 27 bricks to make a cubic foot without mortar, but it is generally assumed that the mortar fills 1-6 of the space. Hoiv to find the number of shingles required in a roof. Rule. — Multiply the number of square feet in the roof by 8, if the shingles are exjjosed IJ inches, or by 7 1-5 if exposed o inches. To find the number of square feet, multiply the length of the roof by twice the length of the rafters. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 209 To find the length of the rafters, at one-fourth pitch, multiply the •width of the building by .56 (hundredths) ; at ONE-THIRD pitch, by .6 (tenths) ; at two-fifths pitch, by .64 (hundredths) ; at one-half pitch, by .71 (hundredths). This gives the length of the rafters from the apex to the end of the wall, and whatever they are to project must be taken into consideration. Note.— By X or )i pitch is meant that the apex or comb of the roof is to be K or K the width of the l)iiil(ling higrher than the walls or base of the rafters. Hoiv to reckon the cost of hay. Rule. — Multiply the number of pounds by half the price per ton, And remove the decimal point three places to the left. How to measure grain. Rule. — Level the grain ; ascertain the space it occupies in cubic feet ; multiply the number of cubic feet by 8, and point off one place to the left. NOTK.— Exactness requires the addition to every three hundred bushels of one extra bushel. The foregoing rule may be used for finding the number of gallons, by multiplying the number of bushels by 8. If the corn in the box is in the ear, divide the answer bj' 2, to find the number of l)ushels of shelled com, because it requires 2 bushels of eai ■corn to make 1 of shelled corn. Rapid rules for measuring land without instruments. In measuring land, the first thing to ascertain is the contents of any •given plot in squar-e 3^ards ; then, given the number of yards, find out the number of rods and .acres. The most ancient and simplest measure of distance is a step. Now, an ordiaaiy-sized man can train himself to cover one yard at a stride, on the average, with sufficient accuracy for ordinary purposes. To make use of this means of measuring distances, it is essential to walk in a straight line ; to do this, fix the eye on two objects in a line straight aliead, one comparativel}' near, the other remote ; and, in walk- ing, keep these objects constantly in line. Farmers and others hy adopting the following simple and ingenious con- trivance., may alivays carry with them the scale to construct a correct yard measure. Take a foot rule, and commencing at the base of the little finger of the left hand, mark the quarters of the foot on the outer borders of the left arm, pricking in the marks with indelible ink. To find how many rods in length will make an acre, the width being given. Rule. — Divide 160 by the width, and the quotient will be the answer. 210 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. Ho^v to find the number of acres in any plot of land, the number of rods being given. Rule. — Divide the number of rods b}' 8, multiply the quotient by 5^ and remove the decimal point two places to the left. The diameter being given, to find the circumference. Rule. — Multiply the diameter by 3 1-7. How to find the diameter, when the circumference is given. Rule. — Divide the circumference by 3 1-7. To find hoiv many solid feet a round stick of timber of the same thick- ness throughout will contain when squared. Rule. — Square half the diameter in inches, multiply by 2, multiply by the length in feet, and divide the product by 144. General rule for measuring timber, to find the solid contents in feet. Rule. — Multiply the depth in inches by the breadth in inches, and then multiply by the length in feet, and divide by 144. To find the number of feet of timber in trees with the bark on. Rule. — Multiply the square of one-fifth of the circumference in inches, by twice the length, in feet, and divide by 144. Deduct 1-10 to 1-15 according to the thickness of the bark. Hoivard' s new rule for computing interest. Rule. — The reciprocal of the rate is the time for which the interest on any sum of money will be shown by simply removing the decimal point two places to the left; for ten times that time, remove the point one place to the left ; for 1-10 of the same time, remove the point three places to the left. Increase or diminish the results to suit the time given. Note.— The reciprocal of llie rate is found Ijy inverting tlie rate ; thus 3 per cent. |M*r ntunth, In- Terted. Itecontes }i of a month. <)r 10 days. When the rate is expressed by one figure, always write it thus: 3-1, three ones. Rule for converting English into American currency. Multiply the pounds, with the shillings and pence stated in decimals.^ by 400 plus the ^Jremium in fourths, and divide the product by 90. U. S. GOVERNMENT LAND MEASURE. A township — 36 sections each a mile square. A section — 640 acres. A quarter section, half a mile square — 160 acres. An eighth section, half a mile long, north and south, and a quarter of a mile wide — 80 acres. A sixteentii section, a quarter of a mile square — 40 acres- MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 211 The sections are all numbered 1 to 36, commencing at the north-east corner. The sections are divided into quarters, which are named by the cardinal points. The quarters are divided in the same way. The de- scription of a forty acre lot would read : The south half of the west half of the south-west quarter of section 1 in township 24, north of range 7 west, or as the case might be ; and sometimes will fall short and sometimes overrun the number of acres it is supposed to contain. The nautical mile is 795 4-5 feet longer than the common mile. SURVEYORS' MEASURE. 7 92-100 inches make 1 link. 25 links " 1 rod. 4rods " 1 chain. 80 chains " 1 mile. Note. — A chain is 100 links, equal to 4 rods or 66 feet. Shoemakers formerly used a subdivision of the inch called a barley- corn ; three of which made an inch. Horses are measured directly over the fore feet, and the standard of measure is four inches — called a hand. In Biblical and other old measurements, the term span is sometimes used, which is a ler.gth of nine inches. The sacred cubit of the Jews was 24.024 inches in length. The common cubit of the Jews was 21.704 inches in length. A pace is equal to a yard or 36 inches. A fathom is equal to 6 feet. A league is three miles, but its length is variable, for it is strictly speaking a nautical term, and should be three geographical, miles, equal to 3.45 statute miles, but when used on land, three statute miles are said to be a league. In cloth measure an aune is equal to IJ yards, or 45 inches. An Amsterdam ell is equal to 26.790 inches. A Trieste ell is equal to 25.284 inches. A Brabant ell is equal to 27.116 inches. HOW TO KEEP ACCOUNTS. Every farmer and mechanic, whether he does much or little business, should keep a record of liis transactions in a clear and systematic man- ner. For the benefit of those who have not had the opportunity' of ac- quiring a ijriinary knowledge of the jjrinciples of book-keeping, we here present a sim[ile form of keeping accounts which is easil)' comprehended, and well adapted to record the business transactions of farmers, mechanics and laborers. 212 MISCELLANEOUS IXFOKMATIOX. 1875. A. H. JACKSON. Dr. Cr. Jan. 10 To 7 bushels Wheat at $1.25 *8 6 1 48 6 17 75 30 25 00 25 50 $2 ; 18 2 25 4 1 35 ~ " 17 By shoeing span of Horses 50 Feb. 4 4 March 8 To 14 bushels Oats. To 5 lbs. Butter By new Harrow .... at $ .45 at .25 on " 8 Bv sharneninsf 2 Plows. 40 " 13 By new Double-Tree. 25 " 27 To Cow and Calf April 9 9 To half ton of Hav - . By Cash 0(1 May 6 24 By repairing Corn-Planter.. 75 To one Sow with Pigs July 4 By Cash, to balance account 15 188 05 $88 05 1875. CASS A MASON. Dr. Cr. Marct u May I 21 21 23 1 1 19 26 10 29 12 12 1 B}' 3 days' labor To 2 Shoats _ To 18 bushels Corn By 1 month's Labor. . . .- at $1.25 _ at 3.00 at .45 $6 8 10 2 2 20 18 00 10 00 75 70 00 20 $3 25 12 18 9 75 on To Cash . ^ By 8 days' Mowing - at lil.50 on t( To 50 lbs. Flour July Aug. To 27 lbs. Meat By 9 days' Harvesting By (J days' Labor To Cash . .at $ .10 at 2.00 at 1.50 00 00 Sept. To Cash to balance account K67 75 «67 75 INTEREST TABLE. A SIMPLK RCLK Fon ACCUUATELr COMPtJTINO INTERB^IT AT AXV GlVKX Pku CkST. KOK ,\NV Lkngth of Time. Multiply the principal (amount of money at Interest) liy the time Tpduced to days; then divide this product by the quotf^ntontalned l)y dividing 360 (the number of days In the interest yeart I»y the per c^nt. of Interest. &necause360illvlded by 12 gives 30); If 4 per cent., we would divide by 90; if 8 per cent., by 45: and In like manner for anv other per cent. 60y$222.0000i88.70 180 "420 420 00 MISCELLANEOUS TABLE. 12 units, or things, 1 Dozen. 12 dozen, 1 Gross. 20tbliig8, 1 Score. 1 196 pounds. 1 lt;irrel nT Flour. 200 pounds, 1 Barrel of I'ork. I 56 pounds, 1 Firkin of Kutter. 24 slieet-s of papor. 1 Quire. 20 quires paiier 1 Ream. 4 ft. wide, 4 ri. high, and 8 ft. lung, 1 Cord Wood. MTSCELLANEOtJS INFORMATION. 213 NAMES OF THE STATES OF THE UNION, AND THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS. Virginia. — The oldest of the States, was so called in honor of Queen Elizabeth, the "Virgin Queen," in whose reign Sir Walter Raleigh made his first attempt to colonize that region. Florida. — Ponce de Leon landed on the coast of Florida on Easter Sunday, and called the country in commemoration of the day, which was the Pasqua Florida of the Spaniards, or " Feast of Flowers." Louisiana was called after Louis the Fourteenth, who at one time owned that section of the country. Alabama was so named by the Indians, and signifies " Here we Rest." Mississipj>i is likewise an Indian name, meaning " Long River." Arkansas, from Kansas, the Indian word for " smoky water." Its prefix was really arc, the French word for " bow." The C'arolinas were originally one tract, and were called "Carolana," after Charles the Ninth of France. Georgia owes its name to George the Second of England, who first established a colony there in 1732. Tennessee is the Indian name for the " River of the Bend," i. e., the Mississippi which forms its western boundary. Kentucky is the Indian name for " at the head of the river." Ohio mea7is '• beautiful ; " loiva, " drowsy ones ; " Minnesota, " cloudy water," and Wisconsin, " wild-rushing channel." Illinois is derived from tlie Indian word Ulini. men, and the French suffix ois, together signifying " tribe of men." Michigan was called by the name given the l&'ke, fish-weir, which was so styled from its fancied resemblance to a fish trap. Missouri is from the Indian word " muddy," which more properly applies to the river that flows through it. Oregon owes its Indian name also to its principal river. Cortes named California. Massachusetts is the Indian for •' The country around the great hills." Connecticut, from the Indian Quon-ch-ta-Cut, signifying "Long River." Maryland, after Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles the First, of England. New York was named by the Duke of York. Pennsyh'ania means " Penn's woods," and was so called after Williaia Penn, its orignal owner. 214 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. Delaware after Lord De La Ware. Ne^v Jersey, so called in honor of Sir George Carteret, who was Governor of the Island of Jersey, in the British Channel. Maine was called after the province of Maine in France, in compli- ment of Queen Henrietta of England, who owned that province. Vermont, from the French word Vert Mont, signifying Green Mountain. New Hampshire, from Hampshire county in England. It was- formerly called Laconia. The little State of Rhode Island owes its name to the Island of Rhodes in the Mediterranean, which domain it is said to greatly resemble. Texas is the American word for the Mexican name by which all that section of the country was called before it was ceded to the United States. POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. Statks axd Tbrritories. Alaliama Arkansas California Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Ken tncky Lou i s i ana Mai lie Maryland Massachusetts — Michigan Minnesota Mississi ppi Missouri Neliraska Nevada New Hampshire N e w .1 ersey New York North Carolina Ohio Or'-«"ii I'lMiii^ylvanla Klioile Island Sou 111 Carolina Tfiiiit'ssee Texas Vermont V I rgi n ta West Virginia Wisconsin Total States Arizona C.ilorada iiakola District of Columbia Idaho Molilalia New Mexico Utah Wivhington Wyoming Total Territories Total United States Total ropulation. 996.992 484.471 580,247 537.454 125,015 187,748 1,184.109 2,539,891 1,680,637 1,191.792 3ti4,;i!l9 1.3Jl.lin 72B.915 626.915 780.894 1,457,351 l,l«.!.Or)<) 4311, rilK »-i:. '.!■>■: 1,7^1.29,5 122.993 42.491 318.300 906.096 4.382.759 1,071,361 2,86,5,260 90.923 3.. 52 1.791 217.3.53 705.606 1.258..520 818.579 ,330,551 1.225,163 442,014 1.054,670 38,113,253 9,658 39.884 14,181 131.700 14.999 20.595 91.874 86.786 23.955 9,118 442,730 88.655.988 POPULATION OF FIFTY PRINCIPAL CITIES. New York. N. T Philadelphia, Pa Brooklyn, N. Y St. Louis, Mo Cliicago, 111 Baltimore, Md Hostoii, Mass riiiriiiiiatl, Ohio N'cw- Orleans. La .San P'raiicisco, Cal BiUlal". N. Y WasliliiKLoi. D. C Ne%vark. -N. .1 I i^vilU-. Ivy cli'VelaiKl. Olilo I'ittsliiiiK, I'a Jersey city, N. J Detroit, Mich Milwaukee, Wis Albany, N. Y Providence, R. I Rocliester, N, Y Allegheny, Pa Richmond, Va New Haven, Colin Charleston, ,S. C Indianapolis, Ind Troy, N. V .Syracuse, N. Y Worcester, Mass Lowell. Mass Memphis, Tenn Caml> ridge. Mass Hartford, Conn Scranton, Pa Reading, Pa Paterson, N, J Kansas City, Mo Moi»lle, Ala Toledo. Ohio Portland. Me Col u 111 I Ills. Ohio wllniliijrK.M. Del l>a>loii. Ohio Lau rciH'e, Mass IHica, .\. Y Cliarlestown, Mass Savannah, Ga Lynn. Mass Fall River. Mass .iggregate Population. 942,292 674,022 396, 09» 310,864 298.977 267.354 250,526 216,239 191,418 149.473 117,714 109.199 105.059 100.758 92.829 86.076 82.546 79,577 71,440 69,422 68,904 62.386. 53.180 51.03* 50,840 48.956. 48,244 46,465 43,051 41,105 40.928 40.226 39.634 37.180 3.5.092 3.3.930 33.579 32.260 32.034 31.584 31,418 31,274 80.841 30.478 28,921 28.804 28,328 28,235 28,233 26.768 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 21: POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. States and terkitories. states. Alabam.l Arkansas California Connecticut Delaware Fiorida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massacliusetts... Michigan* Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nebraslia Nevada New Hainpsiiire. New Jersey New York Nortii Carolina. . Ohio Oregon Area in .sciuare Miles. 722 198 ,981 674 120 ,268 ,000 ,410 ,809 ,045 ,318 ,600 ,346 776 184 ,800 ,451 ,531 ,156 ,350 ,9P6 ,090 ,280 320 000 704 964 244 ^OPULATTO^^ 996, 484, 560, 537, 125, 187, 1.184, 2.539, 1.680. 1.191. 364.: 1,321, 726, 626. 780, 1.457 1.184 439, 1875. Miles R. R. 1872. 1.350.544 528.349 857.039 • Last Census of 1,721. 123. 42. 318 906, 4,382, 1.071. 2,665, 90. Michigan 399 Oil 915 915 894 351 1.651,91 059 1,334.031 706 598.429 922 295 993 491 300 096 1.026.502 759 4.705.208 361 260 923 taken in 1874. 246,280 52.540 States and Territories. States. Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina... Tennessee Texas Vermont Virginia West Virginia Wisconsin Total States Territories. Arizona Colorado Dakota DIst, of Columbia, Idaho Montana .New Mexico Utah Washington Wyoming Total Territories. Area in ■ square Miles. Population. 1870. 46.000 1,306 29.385 45.600 237.504 10,212 40,904 83.000 53,924 1,950,171 113,916 104,500 147,490 60 90.932 143.776 121.201 80.056 69.944 93.107 965.032 3,581, 217, 705, 1.258, 818, 330, 1,225 442, 1.054, 38.113.253 9.658 39.864 14.181 131.700 14.999 20.595 91.874 86.786 23.955 9.118 258.239 925,145 442.730 Miles R. R. 1872. 5.113 136 1.201 1.520 865 675 1.490 48& 1,725 • 59,587 392 375- ■498 1.865 . Aggregateof U.S.. 2.915,203 38,555,983 60,852 • Included in the Railroad Mileage of Maryland. PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD; l^OPTJLATION AND ArEA. Countries. Population. Date of Census, Area in Square Miles. Inhabitants to square Mile. Capitals. Population. China 446.500,000 826.817.108 81.925,400 38.925.600 36.469,800 35.904.400 34.785.300 31.817.100 29.906.092 27.439.921 16,642.000 10,000,1X10 16.163.000 9.173.000 5,921,500 5.000.1M)0 5.021.300 4.861.400 3.995.200 3.688.300 3.000,000 2,000,000 2.669.100 2.500.000 2.000,000 1.812,000 1.818,.500 1.784.700 1.500.000 1.461,400 1.457.900 1.180.000 1.800.000 1,000,000 823,138 718.000 600.000 572.000 350.000 300.000 350.000 136.000 165,000 62,950 1871 1871 1871 1870 1866 1869 1871 1871 1871 1871 1867 1869 1870 1870 1869 1871 1868 1870 1870 1869 1870 1871 1869 1871 1870 1871 1870 1871 'i'sii isVi 1871 isVi 1871 1871 'isio 3.741.846 4.677.432 8.003.778 2.603.884 204.091 240.348 149.399 121.315 160.207 118,847 195,775 3,253,029 672.621 761.526 292.871 635.964 11.373 29.292 34.494 12.680 357.157 182.616 15.992 471.838 497.321 871,848 7,533 14,753 368,238 5,912 19.353 40.879 218.928 63,787 8,969 9,576 7,335 10,205 58,171 66.722 47.092 17.827 21.505 7.633 119.3 48,6 10,2 7.78 178,7 149.4 232.8 262.3 187. 230.9 85. 3,07 24.4 "26.' 7.8 441.5 165.9 115.8 290.9 8.4 15.1 166,9 5,3 4. 2.1 241.4 120.9 4,2 247. 75.3 28,9 5.9 15,6 277, 74,9 81,8 56. 6. 6.5 7.4 7.6 7.7 80. Pekln London St. Petersburg Washington 1,648.800 3,251.800 667.000 109,199 United States with Alaska. .. , Austria and Hungary Vienna Yeddo 'ssslooo 1.554.900 .Tapan German empire Berliu '825.400 Italy ,Spain Madrid 832.000 420.000 1,075.000 Brazil Constantinople Persia 120,000 314,100 169.500 224.063 90.100 ,45.000 Mnnich Holland Aew Grenada Chili 36.000 160.100 25,000 177.800 91.600 162.042 47 000 Peru Bolivia Lima.. Buenos Ayres Denmark Venezuela Baden 36.600 43.400 40.000 Paraguay 48.000 30 000 Hesse Liberia 3.000 15.000 20.000 10 ooo- San Salvador Sal Salvador Port au Prince Havti Nicaragua Monte Video 44.500 San Domingo 20.000 2.000 7,633 Costa Rica Hawaii Honolulu ^16 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION POPULyLTION OF ILLINOIS, By Counties. COUNTIES. Adams Alexander. . Bond Boone Brown Bureau .... Calhoun Carroll Cass Champaign. Christian .. Clark Clay Clinton aviess lobnsou. . ..... Kane K.;inkakee , Kendall Ivnox T-ako LaSalle Lawrence , Lee Livingston Logan Macon Macoupin , Madison Marlon Marshall . Mason , Massac MirDonough Mrllt-nry M.-[,t.aii Meriiird Mercer Monroe Montgomery Morgan Moultrie Ogle Peoria Perry Pfatt Piko Pope Pulaski Puitiain Itandolph Richland Rock Island Saline Sangamon Schuyler Scott Shelby SUrk St. Clair Stephenson Tazewell Union Vermilion Wabash Warren Washington Wayne Wlilre Whitesldes Win Willl.imsun Wlnrn'bago Woodford Other un- improved 887,926 118.57b 13.83B 17.761 145,045 42, SIS 137.307 89,886 57,068 35,491 396,611 41,866 37.684 63,44? 186.864 29.79:: 92.902 33.49:: 419.3tig 16,78E 241.472 19,80E 118.594 102,201 146.922 80,612 150,177 48,86f 808.337 45,21J 348.824 19,635 105.50.') 78,3.5C 75,342 40,33J 334,502 17.722 168.53a 29.546 147.B33 11.897 164,874 17,84:! .i65,45S 66.80:3 58,912 57.586 120.343 56.33(J 187.196 93.46C 141.228 2,996 80,749 3,994 228,132 183,883 49.572 68,750 175.408 9:3.242 193.999 6.256 88.996 9:1.878 311.517 43.385 28.117 44,771 140,954 34,705 266,904 12.620 322,510 22.478 78.548 87.642 90.867 67.083 118.951 94.888 94.147 51,427 156.5n 82,076 57,820 3 240.120 34,646 318,18i 10,978 164.004 14,244 330,829 41.666 207,779 21,072 533,724 48.117 87,888 72.738 328, 2 is 13.071 377,50.T 13,462 321,70 69.7113 397.718 119.3.53 13,462 637.812 316.726 476,851 960.620 .505.8 1 1 124. 1 r3 436 "-'■'1 1111,793 601.0.54 533.39S 40!.!82 119.6f.-; 8H1I 838 1,868 682 180.986 86-< 903 71l.5!i» .x^ v.- 07n/ J^/, a^a^-z^co PLEASANT GROVE TP. P , ^U \.'-H-'' 1- ^^ Vv ^ ' ' 1 X \ HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.^^ HISTORY is the camera through which we view the events of countries and people. It records tlie noble deeds of the soldier and the states- man, and stands the proud monument of a country's greatness. It is history, sacred though it be, that tells us of the glory of Eden, and the purity and happiness of the first pair in its Ely.'iian fields, and likewise of their trans- gression and fall. And through the sixty centuries that have passed since the world's dawn, it is history that presents to us, whether in types, in hieroglyph- ics or in tradition, all that we know of men and things past. The events which constitute the annals of ;i country are matters of at least some local interest, and be that country ever so "■bcautiless, barren and bleak," it con- tains something of sufficient importance to be engraved upon the pages of history. How much more important, then, that the fertile region of which we propose to treat in these pages should become a matter of record, and form a part of the history of a great State and a great country. A history of Coles County is a part of the history of America. Every portion of a thing goes to make up and becomes a part of the whole. The population of this county constitutes a part of the forty millions of American citizens who people this country, and their absolute wealth and prosperity make a part of our national wealth and material greatness. The intelligence of its people form a part of our intelligence as a nation. The patriotism and self- sacrificing devotion of its sons, the gallantry and prowess of its soldiers on a hundred battlefields, are no mean part of the pride and glory of this great American nation. The age of Coles County (as such) is two years less than half a .century, but the date of its settlement extends back nearly a decade beyond its organi- zation as a county. Within that time, the events that have transpired and the scenes that have been enacted upon its soil, will be the subject-matter of these pages. Taking it from the time of its occupancy by the Indians, we will endeavor to trace its progress from that wilderness state to the present period of its wealth and prosperity. Its growth has been rapid and wonderful beyond the wildest dreams of the pioneers who first set foot within its borders. The present tei-ritory of the county was formerly a part of the State of Virginia, and ceded by her to the United States in 1784, and was called the Northwest Territory. Virginia was the home of the " Father of his Country," 224 ■ HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. and prides herself still on being the mother of the nation's best Presidents ; so Coles County comes of no ignoble ancestry. In 1778, Virginia organized what is now Illinois into one county, which, some years later, received the name of St. Clair, from the then Governor of the Northwest Territory. In 1809, Illinois was organized into a separate Territory, and was composed at the time of two counties — St. Clair and Randolph. After this, Madison was set off from St. Clair, and Crawford was afterward set off from Madison. When Illinois was received into the sisterhood of States, in 1818, there were but fifteen counties, of which Crawford was one. This county was named for Hon. William H. Crawford, who was reputed an honest man, and a safe custodian of public money ; for under the administration of Madison and Monroe he was Seci-etary of the Treasury, and also a candidate for the Presidency in the Adams and .Jackson campaign of 1824. During the year 1819, Clark County was set off from Crawford. It then embraced a large extent of territory run- ning up the valley of the Wabash, and far beyond, even to the Canada line, or British possessions. Clark County was named in honor of Gen. George Rogers Clarke, a native of Virginia, and a pioneer warrior of considerable celebrity. In 1779, more than a quarter of a century before the organization of Illinois into a separate Territory, he organized an army in Virginia, and marched it across the Alleghany Mountains to the Ohio River. A few years later, the world rung with the mighty achievement of Napoleon crossing the Alps with a great army, but to our mind, the deed no more than equaled that of Clarke in crossing the Alleghanies and traversing a wilderness with his little band of soldiers, beset and harassed by hostile savages. He had never seen a steamboat nor heard of a railway-train, but he understood war and the trans- portation of an army. He built rafts, and on them shipped his soldiers down the Ohio to the spot where Shawneetown now stands, and then by forced marches through swamps and marshes filled with water, often knee-deep to his men, he moved them across the country to Kaskaskia and captured that important post from the British. But all this belongs to State history. HISTORICAL AND DEriCKIPTIVE. Coles County was set off from Clark in 1830. It then embraced in its territory what is now Cumberland and Douglas Counties. Upon its organiza- tion, it was christened Coles, in honor of Edward Coles, the second Governor of the State, and elected to that position in 1822. As a general rule, it is not safe to name a child or country for any man while he is yet living, though he be a very Solomon, for we know not how soon he may fall. There is no secu- rity for a good reputation but in the tomb. This side of that "bourn" the proudest name, the most exalted reputation may totter and fall to pieces. In this respect, however. Coles County's namesake died with a name untarnished. Edward Coles was a man eminently fit to give a name to any country. He was a native of Virginia, rich, and a large slave-owner, and when he emigrated HISTORV OF COLKS COUNTY. 225 to Illinois be brought bis slaves with him. A man who loved liberty, its fires lighted up his soul, and its benign influence dictated his action and inspired him with pure purposes and prompted him to noble deeds. Of all other men, he demanded respect for his rights, and to the rights and personal liberty of all other men he accorded the same profound respect. On reaching Illinois and becoming a citizen of the State, he set his slaves all free, and, in addition, gave each head of a family among them 160 acres of land. Such was the law at that time, that a man setting a slave free in Illinois, must give a bond that it should never become a public charge. To this very unsavory requirement of the law, Coles failed to yield obedience, for which little delinquency his case was adju- dicated by the courts, and he was fined $2,000. This fine he was never required to pay, and the cause which gave rise to it will never give rise to another of a similar character in Illinois, in the civilized ages to come. Coles County, at the time of its organization, was some twenty-eight miles east and west, and about fifty miles north and south, but at that time, as already noted, it included Douglas and Cumberland Counties. At present, it is bounded on the north by Douglas County, on the west by Shelby and Moultrie Coun- ties, on the south by Cumberland, and on the east by Clark and Edgar Coun- ties. It embraces twenty-four sections of Township eleven north, and all of Townships 12 and 13, and eighteen sections of Township 14 north, in Ranges 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 east, and a part of Range 14 west. Range 11 east in this county is fractional, being only three-fourths of a mile wide. In the southeast part of the county there is a "jog " in the east line of three sec- tions wide east and west, in Range 14 west, and seven sections long north and and south, in Townships 11 and 12 north. When Coles County was set off from Clark, the latter was unwilling to give up that portion of its territory and inhabitants to a new county. The reason of this is found in the fact that it embraced the best poi'tion of that county, and a settlement of energetic and intelligent people. In the north line of the county, there is also a "jog" of two miles north, in Ranges 11 east and 14 -west. This was made to retain the village of Oakland in this county, when Douglas County was created. That village was then regarded as having great room for outgrowth and development. This county was unwilling to give up that portion of its territory, and the peo- ple of that village were unwilling to be given over to a new county organiza- tion. Coles County is situated in latitude 40 north and in longitude 11 west from Washington, and embraces Ubout five hundred square miles. Its general surface is undulating ; not so level as to be regarded flat, nor so broken as to be considered mountainous or even hilly. It forms a beautiful plateau or table-land, and is about eight hundred feet above the level of the Gulf of Mex- ico. It is largely prairie, and constitutes a part of what is known as the Grand Prairie. This prairie is perhaps as large in extent, as rich in soil and as magnificent, originally, in nature's waving fields as any in the Mississippi Valley. 226 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. In tlic topography of the county, the prairies form rather a notable feature. Tlie origin of tlicse great plains has been a source of much speculation. One theory is that the soil resulted from the decomposition of vegetable matter un- der water, and that the attending conditions were incompatible with the growih of timber. According to this view, prairies are at present in process of forming aloniT the shores of lakes and rivers. During river freshets, the heaviest parti- cles settle nearest the channel, and hei'e, by repeated deposits, the banks first became elevated above the floods. These natural leveoe becoming sufficiently hich, are overgrown with timber, and inclose large areas of bottom lands back from the river, by wliich they are frequently inundated. The waters on these flats, when the flood subsides, are cut oif from tlie river and form sloughs, fre- quently of great extent. Their sliallow and stagnant waters are first invaded bv mosses and other aquatic plants which grow under the surface and contain in their tissues lime, alumina and silica, the constituents of clay. They also subsist immense numbers of small mollusks and other diminutive creatures, and the constant decomposition of both vegetables and animals forms a stratum of clay corresponding with that which underlies the finished prairies. As the marshy bottoms arc, by this means, built up to the surface of the water, the mosses are then intermixed with coarse grasses, which become more and more abundant as the depth diminishes. These reedy plants, now rising above the surface, absorb and decompose the carbonic-acid gas of the atmosphere, and con- vert it into woody matter, which at first forms a clayey mold, and afterward the black mold of the prairie."* As we have said, the prairies form a notable feature in the topography oi the county, the soil in them being invariably deep, rich and productive. The original prairie grass grew very rank, often higher than a man's head. As a rule, the prairies occupy the high land and the timber the low land, though there are some exceptions to this. Timber abounds in the county, but is mostly confined to the valleys of the water-courses. The varieties consist of all the kinds of oak, hickory, walnut, elm, maple or sugar tree, cottonwood, hackberry and perhaps some others. There are still some very fine sugar orchards in the valley of the Embarrass River. Speaking of these sugar orchards and the excellent timber of the county calls to mind a stanza from the compositions of a local poet of Northern Illinois on a similar subject : " The limber here is very gooil — The forest dense of sturdy wood ; The maple-tree its sweets ali'ords, And walnut, it is sawn in boards ; The giant oak the axman hails — Its massive trunk is torn to rails ; And game is plenty in the Stale, Wliich makes the hunter's chances great. The prairie wolf infests the land, And the wildcats all bristling stand." ■'Daviilbon'a llititory of llliuois. HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 227 As fine poetical thought, the above effusion is of rather limited merit, but as descriptive of this country fifty years ago, the picture it presents is a very true one. Many years ago, in the settling-up of this part of the country, tim- ber was regarded as quite an object. Every land-owner was of the opinion he must have a piece of timber-land. It was believed that the settlement and im- provement of the country would render it eventually scarce. At one time, tim- ber-land sold more readily, and for a higher price than prairie. Such, how- ever, is not now the case, and a lialf-century of experience finds still an abun- dance of timber for all practical purposes. Beautiful lakes, high mountains and large rivers, are not characteristic of Coles County. But two streams entitled to the name of river, enter its borders, viz., the Embarrass and the Kaskaskia. The latter is better known in this section of the country as Okaw, but nearer its mouth it is called Kaskaskia altogether. The Embarrass, or Ambraw, as it is almost universally pronounced, is a beautiful sti-eam. It rises in Champaign County, flows through Douglas, and this county from north to south, and makes a tributary of the Wabash. It is the dividing line between Morgan and Oakland Townsliips, Charleston and Ashmore, and Pleasant Grove and Hutton Townships. Before the days of rail- ways and lightning news-carriers, this river was navigable, for an early statute of Illinois so declared it to be. During the time the law was in force, numer- ous vessels were built on this river, at a point near what is now known as Blakeman's Mill, and which went by the high-sounding name of the " boat- yard." Some of these vessels went down and out of the Embarrass, and down the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans, and others foundered in the " Dark Bend," a spot where the sun never shines, except at high noon. These vessels were called flatboats, and were usually loaded with the surplus products of the country, consisting of such articles as would be of small loss if they never reached a market. This stream abounds in fine varieties of fish, viz., bass, cat, bufi"alo, pike and many others. The Okaw meanders through the township of Okaw, in the northwest part of the county. It is a dull, sluggish, running stream. Tiie water is muddy, has not sufficient action to clear and purify itself of " wiggle-tails," and other such " vermin." Under the law, it, too, was a navigable river for shallow water-craft, and is a tributary of the " Father of Waters." There are two other streams wliich have their source in this county, both of which are too small to be called rivers, and rather large to be styled creeks. They are the little Wabash and the Kickapoo, and each takes its name from powerful tribes of Indians once dwelling in this region of country. They begin or " head " in the immediate neighborhood of each other, but the Wabash runs to the southwest and the Kickapoo to the east. There is also a small stream in Morgan Township, rejoicing in the oily appellation of Greasy Creek, which possesses some notoriety, by reason of the peculiar manner it acquired its name. In the pioneer days, hogs were " mast "' fatted altogether, and in that neighborhood many hogs were stolen and butchered. It was the custom 228 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. of the people, before turning their hogs on the " mast," to give them certain ear-marks, by which each man was enabled to identify his own hogs. To destroy the evidence of ownership, the thieves would cut off the heads of the hogs stolen, and throw them into this creek. The decomposition made the water greasy, hence the name Greasy Water or Greasy Creek. On one occasion, these pioneer pork-packers were overtaken in a deep ravine in the woods killing hogs. When discovered, they were in the act of " scalding " a lot, but their heads had been cut off as usual. When asked why they took the heads off at so early a stage of the proceedings, they answered that they " never could get a good scald on a hog while his head was on." In Ashmore Township is a creek that bearing the perfumed name of Pole Cat, so called from the great numbers of popular feline pet, to be found in an early day, in its immediate vicinity. This classic stream, like Greasy Creek, also has its legend. The following story is told in connection with the origin of its name : A new-comer to the neighbor- hood, encountered one of these little monsters on the banks of this stream. In the combat that ensued, he learned through practical demonstration the start- ling power of " this kind of a cat " to defend itself when assailed by an enemy. The new-comer was so overwhelmed with the success of the animal's defense, that he buried his clothes on the battle-ground, and returned home in the cos- tume of the Georgia Major, minus the spurs and the paper collar, and there- upon christened the stream by the name of Pole Cat. In the township of Ilut- ton there are two small streams called respectively Whetstone and Hurricane ; in Pleasant Grove are also two little streams, Indian and Clear Creeks, and in East Oakland, Brush Creek. In the county are numerous groves, or small bodies of timber, isolated from the main timber. What circumstances gave rise to their growth, or how long they have been growing, is not within the knowledge of those now living. Dodge Grove is in Mattoon Township, about two miles northwest of the city, and takes its name from this circumstance : In the early days, there lived a family near it, of the name of Whitley, and they owned a race-mare, known as the " Dodge Filly." On a notable occasion they took her to Springfield to the races. These races took place twice a year, called the spring and fall meetings. They staked the filly on a race, and lost. Being loath to give her up, they run her oflf and concealed her in this grove for three weeks. The party winning the mare came in search of her, and had the officers of the law to scour the country, but they failed to find her. Thus the filly dodged capture, and the grove captured the name of Dodge. Dead Man's Grove is in La Fayette Town- ship, on the north branch of Kickapoo Creek, and was formly called Island Grove. It took its present name from the fact that a man was found dead in the grove in March, 1826, supposed to have frozen to death. There was snow on the ground at the time, and, when found, the corpse was '' sitting at the root of a tree with a bridle thrown over the shoulders." The man's name was Coffman, and he lived in the Sand Creek settlement. He was carried by HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 229 Samuel Kellogg on horse-back, without coffin or escort, to the Parker settle- ment, on the Embarrass, for inquest and burial. Seven miles north and west of Charleston, in Hickory Township, standing out in the open prairie, are what is called the Seven Hickories. They acquired that name because formerly there were just seven hickory trees constituting all there was of the grove, and what seems somewhat singular is, that hickory is a species of timber that never grows in the prairies. The original trees have paid the debt of nature, but a numerous progeny still survive. In Humbolt Township near the village of the same name, on a little stream called Fiat Branch, is the Blue-Grass Grove. It was formerly a camping-place of the Indians, and their ponies ate out the wild grass, when the blue-grass, as it invariably does in this country, sprang up spon- taneously in its place. It thus became the first blue-grass " patch " in the county, and hence the name of Blue-Grass Grove. The Dry Grove and Buck Grove are near neighbors, and are about four miles south of Mattoon. The great number of deer, of the antlered sex, killed by the pioneer sportsmen gave rise to the name of the Buck Grove. Dry Grove has borne that name from time immemorial. It is supposed to have been named by the "first man," and that, too, in a dry time, otherwise its name would have been different, and more appropriate. In the south part of the county, in the town of Pleasant Grove, is a prairie called Goose-Nest Prairie. The inhabitants have always been proud of the title, but the rest of the world seem amused at the novelty of the name, and the people's peculiar pride of it. About the year 1827, a pioneer, named Josiah Marshall, was looking at the country, and coming into this prairie from the summit of a knoll in its midst, observing on one hand trees literally dripping with wild honey, and on the other, nature's waving meadows, and beneath him a soil, deep, rich and productive, and probably having in his mind's eye the peculiar richness of a goose egg, in an ecstacy of delight exclaimed in an uplifted voice, " this is the very goose-nest." It has since borne the name. Just west of this prairie, in the the same township, is a point of timber known as "Muddy Point," but has no significance in history, save the peculiar appropriateness of the name. In the east part of the county is a portion of a prairie called Parker's Prairie, so-called from George Parker, its original settler. '^ EARLY SETTLEMENTS. Prior to 1824, what is now Coles County was a wilderness waste, unin- habited by civilized man. If any pale-face before that time had ever come within its borders as an actual settler, it is not known whence he came, who he was or whither he went. The red man of the forest held high carnival over the land, his camp-fires were seen in the distance, and it was his war-whoop and his death-song that broke the stillness, while his wigwam was the only specimen of a habitation made with human hands. Old Bruin reigned king of the wild beasts; the panther screamed, the wolf howled, and the gray-eyed owl hooted without the presence of civilized man to "molest or make them afraid." 230 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. The forest was undisturbed except by tlie blaze of the tomahawk, and the soil untrodden, save by the wild beast and the savage and his pony. A half-century or more, white people have witnessed the grand march of civilization over this land, and to-day scarce a trace is left of the former presence of the aborigines of the country. In 1824, the first settlement was made in Coles County, by men whom God made white, and blessed with the light of civilization. Of the first emigrants, but few remain. Most of them have paid nature's last great debt, and the memories of those remaining are so impaired by age that but few facts can be obtained. The first settlers came from Crawford County on the Wabash River, where they had lived many years, building and dwelling in forts, and skirmishing with the Indians. As pioneers, they possessed an exten- sive experience. They were John Parker and his sons, among whom were Daniel, Benjamin, Silas, George and Jaraes Parker and families, and Samuel Kellogg and his wife Mary, in all fourteen souls, the latter of whom alone is living. The Parker's were formerly from Tennessee, and were good old-fash- ioned people. They dressed plain, lived rough and seemed to love the hard- ships and to delight in the adventures incident to the settlement of a new country. The soldier who leaves his home, sunders the ties of affection and bids adieu to loved ones, to do battle for his country, deserves well of its people. So, too, tlie pioneer, who goes out from the home of his childhood, leaving behind him the hallowed associations of youthful days, and the cherished objects of love and affection, hewing his way into the wilderness, and there settles down to build up a new country, and open a highway for civilization, is also worthy of credit among his fellow-countrymen. Benjamin Parker built the first log cabin, and thus became the first actual settler in Coles County, fifty-five years ago. That cabin was built on the east bank of the Embarrass River, just opposite the place where Blakeman's mill was afterward erected, and was in what is now Hutton Township. It was a rude afi'air, and a fair sample of pioneer strength and awkwardness, but nevertheless turned the rain, broke the force of the sun's burning rays, I'esisted the chilling blasts of winter, and kept out the cold, damp air of night. It also answered the purpose of a dwelling-house, and consisted of parlor, dining-room, kitchen and bed-rooms enough to sleep fourteen persons. The walls were of unhewn logs, and floor of puncheons, neither hewn nor " planed." It was covered with clapboards, weiglicd down with poles in lieu of being nailed ; the chimney was made of sticks and clay, and the " back walls " and "jambs " of the same mate- rial, except the quantity of clay was increased. The help to "raise" this cabin came from Crawford County, a distance of sixty miles. In those days, a house-raising was regarded as a " big thing " and were usually accompanied with a quilting, wool-picking or sewing " bee." to furnish an excuse for the women to come together for a little quiet gossip, tliough not perhaps, as at the present day, to talk of Mrs. Jones' new bonnet, or Mrs. Smith's old dress made over, or the way Mrs. Brown had her hack-haii- " fixed last Sunday." HISTORY OF COLES COUNTV. 231 Those little gatherings were occasions for much good eating and drinking, the latter, however, being indulged in by the men only. And the best wrestler, the furthest jumper, and the swiftest runner were the heroes, and the best fighter wore oft' the belt, for at that early period fighting was always included in the popular amusements of the day. John Parker, familiarly known as " High Johnny " Parker, and the pro- genitor of all the Parkers (of this early settlement) was a soldier of the Revo- tionary War — one of the heroes of that long and doubtful struggle that finally resulted in the independence of the " greatest country the sun shines on." Samuel Kellogg, mentioned as one of this little colony, was a soldier in the Black Hawk campaign of 1832, and has since died, but, as already stated, his widow is still living, and at present a resident of Charleston. But of the pio- neers of this early settlement further particulars will be given in the township histories. In the fall of 1824, Seth Bates and his sons, David and John Bates, and his stepsons, Levi and Samuel Doty, came to the county, and in the summer of 1825 made a settlement on Kickapoo Creek, in the present town of La Fayette, These were the first inhabitants in that region, and the settlement was made on what is now the Doctor Monroe farm. John Bobbins and William Wagner came in a year or two later. The former put up a mill in the neighborhood, and the latter started a tan-yard. Samuel Frost came the next year after Rob- bins and Wagner, and was one of the first merchants in this settlement, as noted elsewhere, and also carried the first mail through from Paris to Vandalia. In 1826, Van Eastin settled in this neighborhood ; in 1828, his brother John M. Eastin came, and their father, Charles Eastin, in 1830. The following story is told of the Eastins, as illustrative of the proverb that " fine feathers make fine birds," or at least are supposed to do so. John Eastin, just prior to coming to this county, had married Miss Jennie Reed. The first Sunday they spent in the wilderness of Coles County, they attended church rigged out in their " wc li'l r.iinge Eleven, iu Township Twelve north ; thence to the northeast corner of Section Tw-Mi.v 'HIP, in siiid Township Twelve, and Range Fourteen; thence north on sectional lines, the ciimi' of sai^l range, to the place of beginning, shall form a new county, to be called Coles. Sec. 2. For the purpose of fixing the permanent seat of justice of said county, the follow- ing persons are appoinieil Commissioners, viz.: William Bowen, of Vermilion County, Jesse Essarey, of Clark County, and Joshua Barber, of Crawford County ; %vhich Commissioners, or a majority of them, shall meet at the house of Charles Eastin, in said county, on the fourth Mon- day in January next, or within five days thereafter, and being duly sworn before some Justice of the Peace of the State, faithfully and impartially to take into view the convenience of the people, the situation of the present settlement, with a strict view to the population and settle- ments which will hereafter be made and the eligibility of the place; shall proceed to explore and carefully examine the country, determine on and designate the place for the permanent .seat of justice of the same : provided, tlie proprietor or proprietors of the land shall give and con- vey by deed of general warranty, for the purpose of erecting public buildings, a quantity of land, in a square form, or not more than twice as long as wide, not less than twenty acres. But should the proprietor or proprietors of the land refuse or neglect to make the donation afore- said, then and in that case the said Commissioners shall fix said county seat (having in view the interest of the county) upon the land of some person who will make the donation aforesaid. If the Commissioners shall be of (he opinion and decide that the proper place for said seat of jus- tice is or ought to be on land belonging to Government, they shall so report, and the County Commissioners sh.all purcb:\^-i' (ou'-lialf quarter-section, the tract set forth, in their name, for the use of the county. The Ciimniisfioners appointed to locate the seat of justice shall, so soon as they decide on the place, make a clour report to the Commissioners' Court of the county, and the same shall be recorded at length in their record-book. The land donated or purchased shall be laid out into lots, and .sold by the Commissioners of the county to the best advantage, and the proceeds applied to the erection of public buildings, and such other purposes as the Commission- ers shall direct ; and good and sulUcient deeds shall be made for the lots sold. Sec 3. An election shall be held at the several places of holding elections as now laid off by Clark County, in said Cols County, on the Saturday preceding the first Monday in February next, for one Sherifl", one Coroner, and three County Commissioners, for said county, who shall hold their offices until the next general election in 18:52, and until their successors be qualifieil. And it shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of said county, and if there be none, then the Recorder or Judge of I'robaie, to give at least fifteen days' notice previous to said elec- tion and who shall appoint the judges and clerks of said election, who shall be legal voters: and the returns of said election shall be made to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Recorder or Judge of Probate, as the case may be, and by him, in the presence of one or more Justices of the Peace, opened, and they jointly shall give to the persons elected Commissioners, certificates; and that of the Slieritl'and Conmer to forward to the Governor; which election in all other respects be conformable to law. Sec. 4. All courts shall be held at the house of Charles Eastin in said county, and con- tinue to be held there until public buildings shall be erected for the purpose, unless changed to another place by order of the County Commissioners' Court, who shall make the same a matter of record. Skc. 5. The Commissioners appointed to locate the county seat, shall be allowed $2 per day each, for every day necessarily employed in locating the same, to be paid by said county. Approved, December '2b, 1830. This act gave to Coles Comity a legal being, and steps were at once taken to put the machinery of existence into operation. According to the provision of the act creating it a county, an election was held in February, 1831, at Ashmore's, the only voting place in the county, and about sixty votes were cast. At tliis election, George Han.son, Andrew Caldwell and Isaac Lewis were HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 245 elected County Commissioners, and constituted a County Com-t for the transac- tion of county business ; a system wliicli continued in force until the adoption of a new State Constitution in 1848. The Commissioners mentioned in the foregoing act to locate the seat of justice, viz., Bowen, Essarey and Barber, met, and after a thorough investigation of all eligible points suggested, decided on the present site of Charleston. Charles Morton and and Benjamin Parker owned the land, and each donated twenty acres for town purposes, as provided in the act of organization. In February, 1831, the survey was made by Thomas Sconce, first County Surveyor, and in April of the same year, the first sale of lots was made. The Commissioners gave the name of Charleston to the county seat, in honor of Charles Morton, one of the men who donated twenty acres of land to the county. Feeling under some obligations to Mr. Morton for the assistance he rendered them while engaged in locating the town, they told his wife that they had determined to call the place Mortonville, when slie offered an amendment to their proposition, saying that if they desired to compliment her husband in that way, to add the last syllable of Morton to Charles, and call their town Charleston. They accepted her suggestion, and thus the capital of the county received its name. During the year 1831, the first Court House of Coles County was erected, down on the " town branch," as the murky little stream is called. It was built of hewed logs, covered with "clapboards," floored with sawdust and provided with wood benches for seats. This served as a temple of justice until 1835, when the brick building, still in use, was erected. Originally, it was an old- style edifice, of the pattern still to be seen in nfany of the counties of Illinois, but has been modernized, remodeled and transformed into quite an imposing structure, with an altogether attractive appearance. It stands in the center of a handsome square, thickly planted with maple-trees, and surrounded by a sub- stantial iron fence. In a few years more, when the trees get their growth, the public square of Charleston will be a beautiful spot, and an ornament to the city. The first Jail was a little log cabin, in the south part of the town, which, in an early day, perhaps, served the purpose of a prison ; but in this enlightened age, when crime has become a science, and criminals a band of professional ex- perts, would prove but a frail barrier between them and liberty. The present Jail is in the Court House building. The first Circuit Court was held at the house of Col. Flenner, three miles west of Charleston. Hon. William Wilson was the presiding Judge. This session of Court is thus described : " The Judge sat on a log, the lawyers on rotten chunks, and the parties engaged in litigation swung to the bushes." James P. Jones was Circuit Clerk, and was appointed by Judge Wilson at this session. Jones was a resident of Clark County, and his appointment to the oflBce of Circuit Clerk excited the just indignation of the Coles County people. They felt themselves competent to fill any office in their county, and well qualified 246 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. to receive the salary pertaining to it ; and to have an outsider step in and relieve them of the responsibility of trying the experiment was a blow to their pride not to be forgiven. The first records of the Circuit Court are non sunt inventa, and hence, few particulars of the sessions for two or three of the first years can be obtained now. The first record-book in the Circuit Clerk's office begins with the April term, 1835, Hon. Justin Harlan presiding. As we have said, George Hanson, Andrew Caldwell and Isaac Lewis were elected the first County Commissioners. They held the first session of their Court in 1831, at the house of Charles Eastin, in the Kickapoo settlement, and appointed Nathan Ellington Clerk, who thus became the first County Clerk of Coles County. In 1882, Isaac Lewis, Andrew Clarke and James S. Martin were elected Commissioners, and, in 1834, were succeeded by Stephen Stone, Nathaniel Parker and Eben Ale.xandei', who, in turn, were succeeded in 1836, by A. N. Fuller, Alex. Miller and James S. Martin, and they by F. L. Moore, H. J. Ashmore and James M.Ward in 1838. The records here sliowa change in electing the Commissioners ; electing one each year, instead of three every two years, and that in 1840, John Wright succeeded Ashmore ; James Gill in 1841, succeeded Moore, and William Collom succeeded Moore in 1842. In 1843, Isaac Gruell and H. J. Ashomre succeeded Wright and Gill. In 1844, John Cutler succeeded Ashmore, F. L. Moore succeeded Collom in 1845, John M. Logan succeeded Gruell in 1846, and F. G. Frue succeeded Cutler in 1847. The Constitution of 1848 provided that the County Court should consist of a County Judge and two dissociate Justices. Lender this new regime, W. W. Bishop was the first County Judge, and John M. Logan and H. J. Ashmore were chosen the first Associate Justices. This branch of the Court continued, with frequent changes of ofiicers, until the adoption of township organization, which went into effect in the spring of 1860, as will be noticed under another head. As a matter of history, and for the benefit of the reader, we append a list of the diff"erent officers from the organization of the county, the date of their election and the terms of their official service, as compiled by Capt. Adams, and published in his Centennial Address. The list was prepared with great care, is said, by those well posted, to be substantially correct, and presents a valuable record to :ill who are interested in such matters, or have occasion to refer to it. The list is as follows : Sheriff. — At the February election of 1831, Ambrose Yocum was elected the first Sheriff of the county, and re-elected in 1832, but died before his term expired. William Jeffries was elected in 1834, and held two terms, when he was succeeded by Albert Compton in 1838, who continued in office until 1846. L. R. Ilutchason was then elected, and served two terms, and was succeeded in 1850 by Richard Stoddert ; he was succeeded by Thomas Lytic in 1852 ; Lytle, by John R. Jeffries in 1854, and he by H. B. Worley in 1856. Worley was succeeded by M. Jones, in 1858 ; he by I. H. Johnston in 1860 ; John H. HISTORY' OF COLES COUNTY. 247 O'Hair succeeded Johnston in 1862, and James B. Hickox succeeded liim in 1864, and, in turn, was succeeded by G. M. Mitchell in 1866, when C. C. Starkweather was elected in 1868, followed in 1870 by A. M. Brown, who was succeeded in 1872 by Owen Wiley, and Wiley by George Moore in 1874 ; James M. Ashmore succeeded Moore in 1876, and he was succeeded by John E. Brooks in 1878, the present incumbent. Probate Judge. — James P. Jones was the first Probate Judge. At the time of the organization of Coles County, this office was filled by appointment of the Governor. In 1834, Jones was succeeded by John F. Smyth, and in the same year, Smyth was succeeded by S. M. Dunbar ; he by William Collom in 1835; Collom by Reuben Canterbury in 1837; he by John AV. Trower. Robert S. Mills succeeded Trower in 1843 ; W. W. Bishop succeeded him in 1847, and filled the office until 1857, when he was succeeded by Gideon Edwards, who died in office in 1864. J. P. Cooper was appointed to fill the vacancy, and, in 1865, McHenry Brooks was elected, and was succeeded in 1869 by A. M. Peterson, who was followed by W. E. Adams in 1873; and, in 1877, J. R. Cunningham, the present Judge, was elected. County Clerk. — As before stated, Nathan Ellington was the first County Clerk, and filled the office until 1839, when he was succeeded by Loran D. Ellis, who soon after fled the country, and Ellington was appointed to fill the vacancy. Ellington was followed, in 1840, by Enos Stutsman, who resigned his office, and Samuel Huffman was appointed to fill the vacancy. Tn 1853, James McCrory succeeded Huffman, and held the office until 1861, when he was succeeded by Jacob I. Brown. Brown was succeeded by W. E. Adams in 1865 ; Adams by Richard Stoddert in 1873, and he, in 1877, by the present Clerk, W. R. Highland. Coroner. — Robert A. Miller was the first Coroner, and, in 1836, was succeeded by Ichabod Radly, who canvassed the entire county on foot for the office. (He deserved it.) Preston R. Mount followed Radly in 1838 ; A. G. Mitchell followed Mount in 1842, and William Harr followed Mitchell in 1844. Stephen Stone was elected in 1846, and was succeeded by James W. jNIorgan in 1858, and he by S. F. Crawford in 1860; he, in 1861, by Dr. Samuel Van Meter, who was succeeded bv D. P. Lee in 1862, and he by A. G. Mitchell in 1864 ; Mitchell by 0. D. Hawkins in 1868 ; he by Joel W. Hall in 1870 ; Hall by D. H. Barnett in 1872, and he by Lewis True in 1874. Circuit Clerk. — James P. Jones, as stated, was the first Circuit Clerk, and was succeeded by Nathan Ellington, who held the office until his death in 1855, when his son, James D. Ellington, was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1856, George W. Teel was elected, holding the office two terms, and, in 1864, was succeeded by H. C. Wortham, and he by W. N. McDonald in 1872. He died in December following his election, and A. H. Chapman was appointed Clerk pro tempore, and was succeeded in June, 1873, by E. E. Clark, who was suc- ceeded, in 1877, by the present incumbent, W. E. Robinson. 248 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. Recorder. — James P. Jones was the first Recorder of Coles County. He was succeeded in the oiEce, in 1834, by John F. Smyth, and he by S. M. Dun- bar in December of the same year. Nathan Ellington received the office in 1835 ; John W. Trower in 1843 ; Ellington again in 1846, and Enos Stuts- man in 1847, who held the ofEce until the adoption of the new Constitution of 1848, when the office of Recorder was consolidated with that of Circuit Clerk. Treasurer. — A. G. Mitchell was the first County Treasurer, and was suc- ceeded by Richard Sto Idert in 1843, who held the office until 1840, when he was succeeded by Thomas Lytle, and he by Jacob I. Brown in 1851 ; Brown by D. C. Ambler in 1855 ; he by A. Y. Ballard in 1857 ; he by Abram Highland in 1859; he by D. H. Tremble in 18(33; he by II. M. Ashmore in 1869 ; he by George Moore in 1871 ; he by W. B. Galbreath in 1873, and he by J- F. Goar in 1877, the present Treasurer of the county. Surveyor. — The first Surveyor of the county was Thomas Sconce, who was succeeded by Joseph Fowler in 1835 ; he by Sconce again in 1839. Lewis R. Hutchason was elected in 1843, and was succeeded by Thomas Lytle in 1847 ; he by John Meadows in 1852 ; he by William A. Brun in 1855 ; he by Lewis B. Richardson in 1859 ; he by Thomas Lytle again in 1861 ; he by James S. Yeargin in 1864 ; he by George A. Brown in 1867 ; he by John H. Clark in 1869, and he by the present incumbent, John L. Aubert, in 1875. School Commissioner. — Charles Morton was the first School Commissioner of the county, and held the office until 1841, when he was succeeded by James Alexander, and, in 1845, he was succeeded by James B. Harris; he by H. Mann in 1849 ; he by Gideon Edwards in 1851 ; he by James A. Mitchell, and he by W. H. K.Pile in 1861 ; he by Elzy Blake in 1865 ; he by Rev. s! J. Bovell in 1869 ; he by Rev. Allen Hill in 1873, and he by Prof. T. J. Lee in 1877, who is now in office. State's Attorney. — In 1860, J. R. Cunningham was chosen State's At- torney for the judicial circuit of which Coles County was a part. This position he held for four years. The new Constitution, adopted in 1870, gave to each county an attorney. The first appointment under this new order of things, was Col. A. P. Dunbar, who was succeeded by J. W. Craig. Robert M. Gray is the present State's Attorney. Legislators. — The first Representative of Coles County in the General Assembly of the State was Dr. John Carrico, in the session of 1832. In 1834, James T. Cunningham was a member of the Legislature from this county. He also served in the sessions of 1837 and 1840 ; was a candidate for the Consti- tutional Convention in 1848, and was the choice of his party for Congress in the campaign of 1860. He came from Kentucky to Coles County in 1830, and was a man of good judgment, liberal views, and skilled in the details of finance. In the sessions of the Legislature of 1836-37, and in 1844, and in 1855, Col. A. P. Dunbar represented the county, and served with Lincoln and Douglas. He gave to Douglas the name of Little Giant ; introduced the bill HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 249 for moving the capital from Vandalia to Springfield ; also a bill allowing fees to jurors, which position had before been honorary; also a resolution asking Congress to reduce the postage on mail matter,* and Illinois thus became the first State to move in that direction. In the General Assemblies of 1838 and 1842, Hon. 0. B. Ficklin represented the county. He is a native of Kentucky, but in an early day settled in Wabash County, and afterward in Coles. He was appointed, by the Legislature, Prosecuting Attorney for this Circuit, and, in his official capacity, once prosecuted a colored woman here for murder. She was poor, and the other attorneys in attendance volunteered to defend her. Mr. Ficklin closed the case in a vigorous speech, and after he sat down, the woman observed, that she " believed in her soul dat Massa Ficklin had done her as much harm as good in his speech." Mr. Ficklin has served several terms in Congress, and for a long term of years as a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions, and is at present, together with Hon. H. A. Neal, a man of fijie ability, member of the State Legislatui'e. In 1838, Dr. B. Monroe was elected State Senator. He was from Ken- tucky, and came to this county in 1833, and possessed fine business qualifica- tions. In the sessions of the Legislatures of IBSGf and 1846, U. F. Snider represented Coles County. He was born in Elizabethtown, Ky., and came to Charleston in 1838, where he lived until 1860, when he went to Chicago. Under the administration of Gov. Duncan, he was Attorney General of the State. As a lawyer, he was eminent in his profession, and as a public speaker had few if any peers in the Western country. Joseph Fowler in 1842, W. D. Watson in 1852, W. W. Craddock in 1858," Dr. John Monroe in 1862, Col. J. M. True in 1866, and Hon. G. W. Parker in 1868, have all, honorably to themselves, represented Coles County in the Legislature of the State. In 1870, Hon. James A. Cunningham and Hon. A. Jeffries were the representatives; were wise law-makers and watchful guardians of the rights of the people. In 1874, Hon. C. B. Steele and Hon. James A. Connolly represented the county, and were able legislators. In the Congress of the United States of 1864 and 1866, Hon. H. P. Bromwell, now of Denver, Colo., but for many years a resident of Coles County, represented this Congressional District. He was a man of brilliant talents and a lawyer of fine ability. Dr. Thomas P. Trower and Thomas A. Marshall were delegates from this county to the Constitutional Convention of 1848. Col. Marshall was also State Senator in 1858, arid during his term, by right of seniority, was Lieutenant Governor. Thus, we have noted the formation of the county, together with the differ- ent branches of county offices and government, and the names of the incum- bents of these offices down to the present time, with a brief glance at the county's law-makers and counselors. Before passing from this part of our work, it may be of some interest to say a few words of township organization. When the * Postage on letters was twenty-five cents, payable at the office of delivery, fin 1836, he was living in Greenup (now Cumberland County J. 250 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. county was formed, it was divided or laid off into a number of civil townships or election precincts. The names and boundaries of these precincts we are un- able to give, as the first record of the County Commissioner's Court cannot be found. When the county adopted township organization in 1859, the fall of which year the vote was taken, there were three Commissioners, viz., John Hutton, John Monroe and James T. Cunningham, appointed to lay off the county into townships. They accordingly divided it into twelve civil town- ships, as follows : Hutton, Ashmore, East Oakland, Morgan, Seven Hickory, Milton (now Humbolt), North Okaw, Mattoon, Paradise, Pleasant Grove, Charleston and La Fayette, their boundaries and names still remaining the same to the present time, as may be seen by reference to the map in the front part of this work; except Milton, the. name of which has been changed to Humbolt. ThefirstBoardof Supervisors were John Hutton, Hutton Township; John Hoots, North Okaw ; Joseph Edman, Pleasant Grove ; Milton W. Barnes, Ashmore ; William R. Jones, La Fayette ; Richard Stoddert, Charleston ; James Monroe, Mattoon ; A. R. Sutherland, Milton ; Samuel Rosebrough, Seven Hickory ;. Nathan Thomas, Morgan ; George W. McConkey, East Oakland, and Adam W. Hart, Paradise. The Board held its first meeting May 7, 18G0, and or- ganized by making George W. McConkey temporary Chairman, but, afterward, James Monroe was elected permanent President of the Board. The county is still under township organization. MILLS, STORES, POST OFFICES, ETC. In opening up a new country, one of the first enterprises inaugurated for the public good is a mill, for with all the inventions of the age there has been no discovery as yet made to enable the human fomily to get along without eat- ing. We have it upon good authority that in the early times people were sometimes without bread for three weeks in succession, but there is no evidence that they were destitute of all other kinds of provisions at the same time. Mill facilities, fifty years ago, were very limited in this section of the country. The first mill of any note in the county was what is now known as the Blakcman Mill, on the Embarrass River, and was built in 1829 by the Parkers, just fifty years ago.* To this mill, we are informed, men came forty and fifty miles on horseback, with a bushel and a half of corn, and it frequently was frost-bitten. "This mill," said an old gentleman, " run all the year, except wlien cows came along and drank the river dry." It may have been this thoughtless act on the part of the cattle that suggested the introduction into the country of horse- mills. They were a dry-weather mill, and during the dry season were kept pretty bu.sy. Charles Morton built one of these dry-weather mills in the neighborhood of Charleston, in an early day, which was of benefit to a large scope of country. One of the early mills was built on Kickapoo Creek, by a man named Robbins, but it was a frail structure, and could only grind one grist *n WI18 Bubsoqiicntl^' niovetl tu tht- upimsito sltli' of tho river and became the Blakcman MiU. HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 251 of a bushel and a half of corn from Monday morning to Saturday night. A man named Stevens built a mill in what is now Oakland Township, very early, and soon after. Redden built one in the same neighborhood. Redden's mill is said to have been a curiosity in its way, in this, that it had a buckwheat bolt attached. Chadd built one a few years later, on a new plan, but without a buckwheat bolt. If the stories told of it be true, it was a very remarkable mill, and far superior to the mills of the present day. The proprietor boasted that on a certain occa- sion he ground a bushel of wheat on his mill and liolted it on Redden's bolt, and the one bushel turned out one hundred pounds of superfine flour, and two and a half bushels of bran. (It may have been that the mill was no better than those of the present day, but a bettor quality of wheat was grown then.) But these mills were a "big thing" in their day, as well as a useful institution of the country. The first store opened in the county was by Charles Morton. When he came to the county in 1830, he brought a stock of goods with him, and opened them out in a small pole cabin, near the present city of Charleston, and, upon the laying-out of the town, moved within its corporate limits. He established his store upon one of the eligible corner lots, and thus the mercantile business was begun, not only in the county, but in its metropolis. Other stores were opened a few years later at Kickapoo, Hitesville and other points in the county. Morton was not long allowed a monopoly of the mercantile trade of Charlestor., but on the principle that "competition is the life of trade," soon had plenty of company. Mr. Morton was also the first Postmaster in the county. This fact is disputed by some, however, who claim that George Han- son established a post office at Wabash Point some time before there was one at Charleston. Samuel Frost carried the first mail through the county. The route was from Paris to Yandalia, then the capital of the State. Tan-yards were among the enterprises of the pioneer days. People then were not ashamed to wear, but were glad to get, shoes of home manufacture. Many of the pioneers were sufficiently versed in the lore of St. Crispin to make shoes, and their genius was called into question at the approach of winter. To satisfy the demand for " shoe-leather," tanneries were established where the peoples' " cowhides " and deerskins were made into leather. One of these early tanneries was established by William Wagner, in the Kickapoo settlement. Another was established at Charleston by David Eastin, which afterward became the property of the Stodderts, and was operated by them for years, in ftict, until tan-yards went out of fashion. Carding machines were also included among the early industries of the county. As we have stated in an- other page, the pioneer ladies manufactured the family clothing. Nearly every family raised a few sheep. The wool produced by these useful animals was carded into rolls by these machines, when they were taken in hand by tlie women, spun into yarn on the " big wheel," and then woven into cloth on the old " rattling loom." One of the first carding-machines in the county was 0^9 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. established or built by John Kennedy in Charleston soon after it was laid out as a town. Daniel Evinger built a carding machine on Parker's Prairie, about 1828, which is supposed to have been the very first institution of the kind in the county. But these machines, tan-yards and horse-mills have long ago be- come obsolete, the latter have been superseded by fine steam-mills, the tan-yards by " brought-on " boots and shoes and the jeans and "linsey-woolsey" by store goods. Among the first blacksmiths in the county were two men of the name of Owens and Harman, who had the first shop in Charleston. John Carter, of Ashmore, was another of the early blacksmiths, and also P. K. Honn, who for many years kept a shop at Hitesville. (For a beautiful tribute to this class of mechanics, the reader is referred to Longfellow's poem entitled "The Village Black- smith.") Other mechanics and trades-people came in, the settlements flourished and grew prosperous upon the products of their own enterprise. In this small and humble way, the foundation was laid for the power and greatness enjoyed at the present day. BIRTHS, DEATHS AXD MARRIAGES. As to who was the first white child born in the present territory of Coles County, it is not possible to state definitely. As is usually the case, we hear of a great many first ones — so many, indeed, that it is hard to decide to whom tke honor belongs. The child of Daniel Drake, whose wife has been mentioned as, at the age of 54 years, giving birth to a child about 1826-27, was probably the first birth in the county. Drake was one of the pioneers of the settlement at Wa- bash Point. Another of the first births was a son of James Nees, born in March, 1827, in the settlement now known by the poetical name of Dog Town. Probably there are other first ones, but we have no time to look them up. Suf- fice it, many have been born to take up the trials and troubles of earth. *' Angels weep when a babe is born, And sing wlien an old man dies." In 1824, the year that the first settlement was made in Coles County, a Mrs. Whitten died in the settlement on Parker's Prairie, and was the first death of a white person in the county. James Nash, who settled at Wabash Point in 1827, and soon after fatally injured himself carrying a heavy log of wood, as noticed on another page, was the first death in that neighborhood. Daniel Drake and Charles Sawyer cut down trees, split out puncheons and of them made the coffin in which Nash was buried. Among the early nuirriagcs may be noted that of James Jeems and a Miss Bates, which occurred in 1827, and is said to have been the first wedding sol- emnized in the present territory of the county. Jeems went to Darwin, on the Wabash River, then the county seat of Clark County, for the marriage license, as did also Levi Doty, who married soon after to a Miss Phipps. Apropos of weddings, the following anecdote is not inappropriate to the subject. We wish HISTORY OF COLES COUNTV. 253 to state, however, by way of preface to the story, that should the partic!|::iir.s in it take offense at having their old jokes resurrected and recorded uiim ihe pages of history, we warn them to vent their rage upon Capt. Adams, lie furnished us the facts, and we take shelter behind his elephantine proportions. In early times, there lived in Charleston a Justice of the Peace named H. C. Dunbar, and a well-known business man — Richard Stoddert. These two worthy individuals were in the habit of playing practical jokes on each other, and rather serious ones sometimes, as the sequel will show. One bleak, dreary day, in the month of March — as disagreeable as March days can sometimes be — Mr. Stoddert told 'Squire Dunbar that a friend of his in the north part of the county, some eighteen or twenty miles from town, was to be married on that day, and had requested him (Stoddert) to send Dunbar up to perform the ceremony. Dunbar, nothing doubting, mounted his horse and rode up to the designated place to tie the knot, but upon arriving, discovered that it was one of Stoddert's jokes. He said nothing, but, indulged internally, perhaps, in a few pages of profane history, returned home through the March blasts, taking it all good-naturedly, and bided his time to pay oft' Stoddert in his own coin. An opportunity was soon presented. It was a custom at that day, at parties and gatherings of young people, by way of giving zest to the evening's enter- tainment, to get up a sham wedding of some couple who had been " keeping company," or were particularly sweet on each other, and have a sham ceremony performed with all due solemnity by some sham ofiicial or sham clergyman. Soon after Dunbar's " fruitless trip " above mentioned, one of these social par- ties came off in Charleston, and, with the design of retaliating upon Stoddert, Dunbar went to the County Clerk's office and procui'ed a marriage license for Stoddert and a certain young lady, with whom he had been keeping company for some time. Armed with this document, he repaired to the party, and so engineered matters as to got up the usual sham wedding between Stoddert and his sweetheart. As a Justice of the Peace, he was, of course, called on to per- form the (supposed) sham ceremony. Confronting the pair with all the solem- nity he would have used had it been a pre-arranged wedding " for keeps," he asked the usual questions required by law, and was answered satisfactorily, winding up by informing them that, as they were aware, he was an officer, authorized by law to pei-form the marriage ceremony, and asked if it was their " desire to be united in holy wedlock." They answered in the affirmative, and, holding the license in his hand (which they supposed was but a piece of blank paper, used for the sake of appearance), he went through the marriage ceremony in full, received the responses, and solemnly pronounced them " man and wife," turned away and made out the certificate with the usual witnesses, went over to the Clerk's office, made a return of the license and had the certificate recorded that night, without a hint to the pair of the genuineness of the proceedings. The next day, however, the matter leaked out, and so many of Stoddert's friends joked him about being married in the novel manner described, that he 254 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. went to the Clerk's office to investigate, and found it true — the papers in the case i-eturned and recorded in due form. He then Avent to the girl and told her what had occurred, when quite a little excitement arose. She cried and Stoddert — swore (perhaps), not that they objected to each other, but to the way they had been inveigled into it. x\t last, Stoddert told her that they had better make the best of a " horrid joke " and call it genuine. She responded that perhaps she would never be able to do any better in the selection of a husband, and so the sham wedding was turned into a genuine affair. Before leavintr the subject we will add that, if all reports be true, Charleston never knew a hap- pier couple than the one united in this romantic manner. Long years of wedded life were passed in the greatest harmony, and when, a few years ago, the good woman passed from earth, she was most sincerely mourned by the partner of her sorrows and joys. He is still living, an honored citizen of Charleston. 'Squire Dunbar is living in Texas, or was at the last known of him, enjoying the reflection, doubtless, that he paid Stoddert for his joke, with interest. The first practicing physician in Coles County was Dr. John Apperson. His practice extended o"er a large scope of country, and his office was usually on horse-back. Often when he slept, his saddle was his pillow, the soft side of a puncheon or the green earth his bed, and the blue sky his covering. Dr. Carrico was another of the early practitioners in the healing art, and was fol- lowed soon after by Dr. Ferguson, who doctored the people of Coles County for more than forty years. Col. Dunbar was the first licensed lawyer of the county, and for some time had an open field for the exercise of his legal talent. A more minute history of the professions is given in the township histories. OLD settlers' association. In 1878, the idea was conceived of forming an association of the old settlers of Coles County still surviving, for the purpose of keeping up the old associa- tions of the pioneer days, and preserving the reminiscences of the wilderness, in which they long ago planted their homes. With this object in view, a meet- ing assembled in the city of Charleston, on the 19th of October last, and was called to order by Hon. 0. B. Ficklin. Col. A. P. Dunbar was chosen Chair- man of the meeting, and Capt. W. E. Adams was appointed Secretary. Col. Dunbar briefly stated the object of the meeting to be " the renewal of old acquaintances, and giving brief sketches of the early history and settlement of Coles County, and the organization of a society to be known as the Coles County Old Settlers' Society." I. J. Montfort, Isaac N. Craig and Thomas G. Chambers were appointed a committee to report a plan for the organization of such a society. The following is their rejwrt : " This association shall be known as the Coles County Old Settlers' Society. The object of thi§ Society shall be to keep in lively remembrance the hardships and privations incident to the early settlers of new countries, and especially of this county, and thereby promote the same economy among the rising generation as was practiced by HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 255 them. The officers shall be a President, and a Vice President for each town- ship, a Secretary and five Directors. The duties of the officers provided for as above shall be the same as performed by such officers in all deliberative bodies and societies. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to call annual meetings of this society on the last Thursday in August of each year, and make necessary arrangements for such meetings. The officers shall hold their positions for one year." A committee, consisting of 0. B. Ficklin, Richard Stoddert and Dr. S. Van Meter, was appointed, to define what an old settler is, and who shall be members of this society. Following is their definition : " Whosoever shall have lived in the State of Illinois thirty years is considered an old settler by this association, and shall be eligible to become a member of this Society." At this meeting,. Thomas G. Chambers was chosen President of the association for the ensuing year, and W. E. Adams, Secretary. The fol- lowing gentlemen were chosen Vice Presidents : Albert Compton, Charleston ; Thomas E. Woods, Mattoon ; Adam W. Hart, Paradise ; J. K. Ellis, Okaw ; James Shoemaker, Humbolt ; James McCrory, La Fayette; I. J. Montfort, Pleasant Grove ; Ely R. Adams, Hutton ; Peter K. Honn, Ashmore ; J. J. Pemberton, Oakland ; Yancey E. Winkler, Morgan ; and Isaac Perisho, Hickory. J. W. Frazier, Abram Highland, Dr. S. Van Meter, Col. A. P. Dunbar and George Birch were chosen Executive Committee. The Charleston Plaindealer closes its account of the pi'oceedings of this meeting of the old settlers as follows: "Brief speeches were made by Col. J. J. Adams,* who has lived in the county for forty-eight years, and has heard the scream of the panther and the war-whoop of the Indian, and by Isaac Perisho, who had been a resident of Illinois since 1825 ; and by William Rigsby, who had seen the Court House built and sowed the blue-grass seed in the Court House yard ; and by Uncle John Bates, who came here in 1824, and has seen the wilderness blossom as the rose ; and by Dr. Van Meter, who has been in the country for fifty years, and carried his corn to mill on his back and hired the miller to take his oxen and grind his grist for him ; and by Aunt Polly Kellogg, who came here in 1824, saw the first mill built, and heard the first sermon preached, and attended the first funeral in the county. Job W. Brown, P. K. Honn, George Birch, Y. E. Winkler, Jeptha Parker, Michael Hall, Isaac Craig, and many other old settlers were in attendance. The Vice Presi- dents are requested to enroll all old settlers in their respective townships. The last Thursday in August, 1879, was fixed as the time for the next annual meeting." We would add that it is the intention to keep up the meetings, and to maintain the association permanently. EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. Some modern sage, imbued mth a poetical view in his composition, has very wisely declared: ,„.,.„ , . , '' " Tis education forms the common mind, Just as the twig is hent the tree's inclined." * .\ soldier of the Mcxiciii war. and recently deceased. 256 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. And when our fareftithers declared in their ordinance of 1787, that knowledge, in connection with religion and morality, was "necessary to the good govern- ment and happiness of mankind," and enjoined that "schools, and the means of education, should forever be encouraged," they suggested in that ordinance the verv bulwark of American liberty and freedom. The first free- school system of the State was adopted thirty years before the present one. Schools flourished in almost every neighborhood, says Gov. Ford in his history of Illinois, and " the law worked reasonably well." Gov. Cole.s, in his Message to the Legis- lature of 1824-25, directed attention to the liberal donation of Congress in lands for educational purposes, asking that they be husbanded as a rich treasure for future generations, and, in the mean time, to make provision for the support of local schools. During this session, Hon. Joseph Duncan, subsequently Governor (then Senator), introduced a bill, afterward passed, to which the following is the preamble : " To enjoy our rights and liberties, we must understand them ; their security and protection ought to be the first object of a free people ; and it is a well-established fact that no nation has ever continued long in the enjoyment of civil and political freedom which was not both virtuous and enlightened. And believing that the advancement of literature always has been, and ever will be, the means of more fully developing the rights of men — tliat tlie mind of every citizen in a republic is the common property of society, and constitutes the basis of its strength and happiness — it is, therefore, con- sidered the peculiar duty of a free government, like ours, to encourage and extend the improvement and cultivation of the intellectual energies of the whole." Stuve, in his history of Illinois, speaking of this act, says: " It was provided that common schools should be established, free and open to every class of white citizens between the ages of five and twenty-one ; and persons over twenty-one might be admitted on such terms as the Trustees should jircscribe. Districts, of not less than fifteen families, were to be formed by the County Courts, upon petition of a majority of the voters thereof; ofBcers were to.be elected, sworn in, and their duties^jra-e prescribed in detail. The system was full and complete in all particulai-s. The legal voters were empowered at the annual meeting to levy a tax, in money or merchantable produce at its cash value, not exceeding one-half of one per cent, subject to a maximum limitation of )'!10 to any one ])erson. But, aside from this ta.x, the best and most effective feature of the law, in principle, the great stimulant of our present system, was an annual appropriation by the State of $2 out of every $100 received into the Treasury, and the distribution of five-sixths of the interest arising from the school funds, apportioned among the several counties, according to the number of white children under the age of twenty-one years, which sums were then re- distributed by the counties among their respective districts, none participating therein where not at least three months' school had been taught during the twelve months preceding. In this law were foreshadowed some of the most valuable features of our present free-school system. But it is asserted that the _^-X^r^^^^f^€^ J ^//^/^ j^'-^^^^^^^ ^deceased) MATTOON I HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 259 law of 1825 was in advance of the times ; that tlie people preferred to pay their tuition fees, or do without education for the children, rather than submit to the bare idea of taxation, however it might fall in the main upon the wealthier property-holders, for the benefit of all ; and the law was so amended, in 1827, as to virtually nullify it, by providing that no person should be taxed for the maintenance of any school, unless the consent was first obtained in writing, and the continuance of the State appropriation of $2 out of every $100 received into the Treasury, being its very life, was denied." In the foregoing extract is portrayed something of the first school laws of Illinois, and their virtual abolish- ment developed the rude system of schools of the pioneer days in Coles County. The school fund was not sufficient to support the schools, and the people obviated the difficulty by some one, specially interested, taking a paper, going to the parents and having them sign as many scholars, at .^1.50 apiece (that was the standard price), as they could send to school. If a sufficient number were sub- scribed they had a school, if not, the children ran wild and unrestrained as the prairie winds, at least, so far as pertained to schools. Nor were schoolhouses built then by general taxation, as they are now, but by gratuitous contribution. This contribution usually consisted in a man taking his ax and cutting logs, or taking his team and hauling them from the timber to the building-site, or carrying the hod while the chimney was in process of ei'ection, or of " riving " boards to cover it, etc., etc. These schoolhouses were built of logs, often with- out hewing, raised one story high, and, as an old settler informed us, " white- washed inside and outside with original Illinois mud, floored with rude puncheons, and cracks between them through which the small children some- times fell." With a fire-place extending across one end of the room, benches made of trees split open, and wooden pins put in for legs, the half of two logs cut out, and white domestic tacked over it (the pioneer glass window), completes the picture of the original schoolhouse. In these rude temples of learning the pioneer's child acquired his education. There were no grades then, and but few classes, for in a school of twenty or thirty pupils, there would be found as many arithmetics, geographies and readers as there were extant in the Enidish language. But the adoption of the free-school system, entered upon in 1855, marks the turning-point in the history of common-school education of the State, and abolished forever the rude and imperfect system hitherto in force. The donation by Congress of the Sixteenth Section of every Congressional Township, or, if sold, lands equivalent thereto, as contiguous as miidit be, for the use of the inhabitants of such township for school purposes, amounted to over 998,000 acres, and which, had it been properly managed and husbanded, would have given the people such an ample school fund as would have saved them from any local taxation. At the session of the Legislature of 1854, that august body took the first step in the right direction, by the enactment of a law separating the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction from that of Secretary of State, and creating it a distinct department of the State govern- 260 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. ment, the incumbent' to receive a salary of $1,500, and Gov. Matteson appointed the Hon. N. W. Edwards State Superintendent of Common Schools. This most important office, at that juncture, was bestowed upon Mr. Edwards on account of his long experience in public life, and from the conviction that he would carry into eifect the hopes of the people and the designs of the Legis- lature in creating it. In January following, he submitted to the General Assembly a full report upon the condition of the public schools throughout the State, ably urged the education of the children of the State at the public expense, and presented a well-drawn bill for a complete system of free schools, which, with some alterations, became a law. The act bore date February 15, 1855, and embraced all the essential principles now in force."* But, however interesting our school history may be to the friends of education, we cannot follow it through all of its mutations, but have already trespassed upon time and space, and will only add, that there is not a State west of the Alleghanies whose educational interest and common-school system is so well developed, so well protected and so well adapted to the wants of the people and the spirit of the age, as the State of Illinois. With a few statistical facts from the last report of Prof. T. J. Lee, County Superintendent of Schools, to the Superin- tendent of Public Instruction, which are of special interest to the people of the county, we will pass on to other branches of our work : Number of schools taught in the county 121 " pupils enrolled 7,937 Male teachers employed (1st grade) 66 " " " (2d grade) 41 Female " " (1st grade) 59 (•2d grade) 67 Total number of teachers employed 233 Average merit of their certificates 8.3 Months taught by males 526 " •' " females 582 Average number of months taught previous 38 Average age of these teachers (years) 27 Average monthly wiiges (males) $48.88 " (females) SSO.liO Amount paid teachers $44,007 09 Number of persons between 6 and 21 years 9,099 " between 12 and 21 unable to write 20 Referring to the qualifications of teachers. Prof. Lee says: "Shortly after coming into office, I deemed it best to reduce, gradually, the number of certifi- cates by raising the grade of qualifications, and adopted the following rules con- cerning certificates : " 1. Scale : 5, very poor ; G, poor ; 7, tolerable ; 8, good ; 9, very good ; 10, perfect. 2. For First Grade — Average of 8, with no branch below 7. 3. For Second grade — Average of 7, with no branch below 5. After twelve months teaching, same mark as for First Grade. 4. Only bona-fide ap- plicants to teach in this county will be examined. 5. Reference of good moral ♦Sjtuve'B History of Ulinois. HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 261 character required of applicants unknown to Superintendent. 6. In addition to above, aptitude for the business of teaching will be re(iuired. 7. No re-ex- amination under three months after rejection. 8. iVo certificate now held will be renewed or another issued instead, except on personal application for re- examination. 9. All examinations must be begun and completed on the same day ; therefore applicants should come to the office early in the day. 10. No certificates will be issued except at published time and place." Prof. Lee closes his report as follows : " Our common school system is yet an experiment. Give it time to grow, and it may yet unfold into that perennial blessing, and those benef- icent propositions dreamed by its founders. Its growth cannot be hastened — but retarded rather — by certain Utopian ideas that now, unhappily for it, seem to be gaining ground. Let us call a ' halt ' and wait. Let all who are ' called ' to help administer the system strive in every good way to bring it up equal to the provisions already made for it, before attempting new excesses." EARLY RELIGIOUS HISTORY. The sound of the Gospel in Coles County is coeval with the first settle- ment made in its limits. Jolin Parker, the old patriarch of the Parker family ■was a Baptist preacher of the " hard-shell " or " ironside" persuasion, and used to proclaim the word of God to the pioneers on the Sabbath — when it was not a good day to hunt bees. Daniel Parker was also a preacher of the same denom- ination, and, as the Parkers were the first settlers in the county, so were they the first preachers. " High " Johnny Parker, as the old man was familiarly called, preached the first sermon in Coles County in 1824, the year the first settlement was made. He was a plain, old-fashioned man, hewn out of rouo-h timber, and "preached salvation by election, without money and without price." This sermon (the first in the county) was preached in a small log cabin in the Parker settlement, and it is said that every inhabitant of the county was there, and had abundant room, for eleven souls constituted the entire adult population. Father Parker closed this original religious service of the county in these words : " Brethren, we have wandered far into the wilder- ness, but even here death will find us." The Rev. Mr. Newport was another of the '' hard-shell " divines who figured prominently in the early relitrious history of the county. The early settlers were a conscientiously religious people. Even prior to the era of schoolhouses and churches, they had meetings under the shade-trees on the river-banks, and in private houses dedicated by common usage to religious services. Says Capt. Adams in his Centennial Address : " We have seen one of these private houses, not exceeding twenty feet square, containing thi-ee or four beds and all the house- hold and kitchen furniture of a large family, hold a big congregation of zealous worshipers. In the early days, the old, young and even small cliildren went to church. During the services it sometimes occurred that a half-dozen of these little ones, all with one accord, would raise their plaintive cries : nevertheless 262 HISTORY OF COLES COUNT V. the services proceeded without any apparent disturbance. The occasional man- ifestations of some of these people were strikingly singular. Some would shout and some would pray and others scream at the rop of the voice. Some would clap their hands until blistered, and others faint away, but all seemed happy, recog- nizing it as the Lord's doings." An early minister of the Presbyterian Church was Rev. Isaac Bennett. " He dropped down among us," says one, " as softly as the morning light, and could not brook any religious excitement, or even the music of a child during his discourse." Rev. Mr. Martin was another of the early preachers of Coles County. But we have not space to particularize each of these pioneer soldiers of the cross. Without the hope of earthly' reward, they preached the glad tidings to perishing sinners, and sought to gather them into the fold of Christ. Reverently asking the blessing of God upon all they did, their lives were simple ; their wants few and easily satisfied ; their teachings plain and unvarnished, touched with no eloquence save that of their daily living, which was seen and known of all men. In what year the first church-building was erected in the county is not known, but subsequently to 1830, as at that date, we are informed, there was not an edifice which had been elected purposely for a temple of worship. B.fore the building of schoolhouses, the cabin of the settler was used in winter, and in summer, "the groves, God's first tjemples," served their humble wishes. But now, some sixty-five church-buildings may be. enumerated in the county. Not only in the towns and cities, but in every village and hamlet, their lofty spires "pierce the clouds." Even in many neighborhoods in the country are neat and commodious church-houses. In connection with the church history, it may not be out of place to say a few words of the benevolent institutions existing in the county- Freemasonry and Odd Fellowship follow close in the wake of the Christian cliurcli, and, in their way, exert almost as great an influence for good as tlie church itself. They teac'h a belief in God, the immortality of the soul and the resurrec- tion of the body. Gathered around their altars, their votaries can sub- scribe to their simple articles of faith, and join in one united prayer and praise to the great Architect of the universe. These institutions have organ- ized bodies in Charleston, Mattoon, Etna, Ashmore, Muddy Point, Oakland, Paradise, Hutton and Milton. In the city of Charleston are Charleston Lodge, No. 35, A., F. & A. M.; Keystone Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons ; Charleston Lodge, No. 609, I. 0. 0. F.; Kickapoo Lodge, No. 00, I. 0. 0. F.; and Coles Encampment, No. 9-1, I. 0. 0. F. ; in Mattoon — Mattoon Lodge, No. 260, A., F. & A. M.; Circle Lodge, No. 707, A., F. & A. M.; Mattoon Chapter, No. 85, Royal Arch Masons ; Godfrey de Bouillon Commandory, No. 44, Knights Templar; Harmony Lodge, No. 551, I. 0. 0. F.; Coles County Lodge, No. 260, I. 0. 0. F. ; Mattoon Encampment, No. , I. 0. 0. F.; also, Mattoon German Lodge, No. 414, I. 0. 0. F., and Eureka Lodge, No. HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 263 13, Colored Masons; in the village of Etna, Wabash Lodge, No. 179, A., F. & A. M., and Etna Lodge, No. 519, I. 0. O. F.; in Oakland— Oak- land Lodge, No. 219, A., F k A. M., and Oakland Lodge, No. 545, I. 0. 0. F.; in Milton— Milton Lodge, No. 275, A., F. & A. M., and Humboldt Lodge, No. 636, r. 0. 0. F.; in Ashmore— Ashmore Lodge, No. 390, A., F. & A. M.; in Muddy Point — Etna Lodge, No. 396, A., F. & A. M.; in Milton Station — Elwood Lodge, No. 589, A., F. & A. M.; in Paradise — Miles Hart Lodge, No. 595, A., F. & A. M., and in Hutton — Button Lodge, No. 698, A., F. & A. M. AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. An association entitled the Coles County Agricultural Society was formed at Charleston on the 24tb day of May, 1841, and held three successive fairs, the first, October 1, 1841, the second, October 1, 1842, and the thii-d, Sep- tember 27, 1843. The permanent officers of the Society for 1841 were as follows : James Hite, President ; B. F. Jones, H. J. Ashmore and M. Ruff- ner, Vice Presidents ; T. A. Marshall, Treasurer, and J. F. Whitney, Secre- tary. The officers for 1842 were : Thomas Monson, President ; Michael Ruffner, Isaac Gruwell, Vice Presidents ; L. R. Hutchason, Treasurer ; D. J. Van Deren, Secretary; and for 1843, James T. Cunningham, President; George H. Nabb and Fountain Turner, Vice Presidents : L. R. Hutchason, Treasurer; D. J. Van Deren, Secretary; Laban Burr, John A. Olmstead, John Hite, Joel Connelly, John Apperson, B. F. Jones, Thomas Monson, Thomas Farris, R. A. Miller and William Frost, a Board of Directors.* The following extract is from the records : " From 1843 to 1855, the Society appears to have been entranced in a sort of Rip Van Winkle sleep, a "masterly inactivity" of eleven years' duration, until the passage of the two acts of the Legislature of Illinois, February 14, 1855, and February 15, 1855, the first to encourage the formation of county agricultural societies, and the last, a general act of incorporation of agricultural and horticultural societies and associations for improving the breeds of domestic animals, whereupon the Society appears to have awakened from its lengthy slumber, and recommenced its labors with more of vigor, comeliness of 'proportion and hope to its friends than prior to that wise legislative aid by the State, and accordingly, in the spring of 1855, a re-organization was efiected, and a constitution and by-laws adopted, as was then supposed, in conformity with the acts above referred to. The records under the new organization are said to be lost, so that the present Secretary is unable to give a history of its proceedings for 1855. Certain it is, however, the Society held a fair in the fall of that year, but what was contained in its list of premiums, wlio were judges, who competitors, to whom and for what premiums were awarded, is enshrouded in darkness. Nor is the present Secretary able to give a full list of the officers elected for that year, but as far as informed, the followino; is believed to be correct : James T. Cunningham, *Theae fairs were held on the commoos, we are told, the Society having no grounds of its own. 264 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. President : D. J. Van Deren, Secretary ; B. F. Jones, J. K. Decker, M. F. Hackett, a portion of the Board of Directors ; Thomas G. Chambers, Treas- urer. The present Secretary is informed that the Society, having complied with the act of February 14, 1855, received from the Treasurer of State the sum of $50, as authorized by that act. Before the election of the present Secretary, but at what time he is not informed, the Society had purchased seven and three-fifths acres of land for the use of the same for its fair grounds, and had paid the sum of §100 in part payment for the same, the title to which remains yet unperfected." The act of February 14, 1855, referred to in the foregoing records, is as follows : An Act to encourage the fornvition nf County Agricultural Societies. SectiOjN 1. Be it enacted by Ihf pcple of the State of Illinoi.i, represented in the General Assembly, That whenever the President and Treasurer of any County .•igricultural Society shall certify that the sum of (at least) fifty dollars has been collected, and is in the hands of the Treasurer for the use of said society, the Treisurerof this State shall, when called upon for that purpose, pay to the said Treasurer or fiscal agent or officer of said society, the sum of fifty dol- lars; and the receipt of said Treasurer of such society therefor shall entitle the said Treasurer of this State to a credit for that amount in the settlements of his account as such State Treasurer. Sec. 2. The said sum of fifty dollars, thus appropriated, shaH be expended in the purpose of premiums, to be procured and distributed under the direction of said sucieties respectively in the manner prescrilied in the constitution, by-laws, or other regulations of said societies. Sec. 3. This act shall take ertect and be in force from and after its passage. The act of February 15, 1855, also alluded to in the extract from the minutes of the Society, provides for the incorporation of such societies, the mode of forming them, who shall be meuibers, etc., and gives the usual privi- leges of all corporate bodies. But its great length and lack of interest to the general reader, are sufficient excuses fjr omitting it here. Under these acts the Society revived, as already stated, took new lease of life, and commenced business in earnest. The minutes, however, of the first meeting, under the new dispensation, being lost, the proceedings of that fair are " as a sealed book." The proceedings of 1856 are given in full, together with the premium-lists, officers and all matters of interest occurring during the year. At a meeting of Society held in the Court House, June 2, 1856, thtj following officers were elected for the ensuing year: John Cofer, President; William Miller, Vice President ; II. J. Keelcr, Secretary ; Thomas G. Chambers, Treasurer ; B. F. Jones, J. T. Cunningham, J. K. Decker, M. F. Ha^ckett and James Hammett, Executive Committee. At a meetinji of the officers, held soon after their election, they met and made out a list of premiums, also a list of what should be exhibited. It is as follows : riKS'i' U.VV.— DOMESTIC ANIM.ALS. Horses. — Best stallion, 4 years old and over, Class 1, No. 1 §6 00 Scconil best 3 00 liest stallion, 3 years old. Class 1, No. '2 3 00 Second best 2 CO Best stallion, 2 years old. Class 1, No. 3 3 00 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 265 Horses. — Second best 2 00 Best stallion, 1 year old, Class 1. No. 4 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best sucking horse-coli. Class 1, No. o o 00 Second best 2 00 Best brood-mare, 4 years old and over, Class 2, No. 1 6 00 Second best 3 00 Best filly, 3 years old, Class 2, No. 2 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best filly, 2 years old. Class 2, No. 3 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best filly, 1 year old, Class 2, No. 4 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best sucking mare-colt. Class 2, No. 5 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best pair horses or mares. Class 3, No. 1 5 00 Best saddle horse or mare, Class 3, No. 2 3 00 Best buggy horse or mare. Class 3, No. 3 '3 00 Jacks. — Best jack, 3 years old and over. Class 4, No. 1 3 00 Secoud best 2 00 Best jack, 2 years old. Class 4, No. 2 3 00 Second best.... 2 00 Best jack 1 year old. Class 4, No. .3 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best sucking jack-colt. Class 4, No. 4 3 00 Second best 2 00 Jennies. — Best jenny, 3 years old and over. Class 5, No. 1 3 00 Secondbest 2 00 Best jenny, 2 years old. Class 5, No. 2 3 00 Secondbest 2 00 Best jenny, 1 year old. Class 5, No. 3 3 00 Secondbest 2 00 Best sucking jenny 3olf, Class 5, No. 4 3 00 Second best 2 00 Mules. — Best pair of mules. Class 6, No. 1 5 00 Best sucking mule-colt. Class 6, No. 2 3 00 Catile. — Best bull, 4 years old and over, Class 7, No. 1 5 00 Second best 3 00 Best bull, 3 years old. Class 7, No. 2 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best bull, 2 years old. Class 7, No. 3 3 00 Secondbest 2 00 Best bull, 1 year old. Class 7, No. 4 3 00 Secondbest 2 00 Best sucking buU-cilf, Class 7, No. -5 3 00 Secondbest 2 00 Best cow, 4 years old and over. Class 8, No. 1 8 00 Second best 3 00 Best heifer, 3 years old. Class 8, No. 2 3 00 Second best ; 2 00 Best heifer, 2 years old, Class 8, No. 3 3 00 Secondbest 2 00 Best heifer, 1 year old. Class 8, No. 4 3 00 266 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. Ca<«f.— Second best 2 00 Best sucking heifer-calf, Class 8, No. 5 .3 00 Second best 2 00 Best pair work cattle, Class 9, No. 1 . 5 00 Sheep.— Best buck. Class 10, No. 1 $2 00 Second best buck 1 00 Best ewe, Class 10, No. 1 2 00 Second best ewe 1 00 Swine. — Best boar, 1 year old and over, Class 11, No. 1 3 00 Best boar 6 months old and under 12 months old. Class 11, No. 2... S 00 Best pig under 6 months old, Class 11, No. 3 2 00 Best breed-sow, 1 year old and over. Class 11, No. 4 3 00 Best breed-sow, 6 months and under 12 months old, Class 11, No. 5, 3 00 Poultry. — Best pair of chickens, Class 12, No. 1 2 00 Second best pair of chickens 1 00 Farming Utensils. — Best sod plow. Class 13 3 00 Best Subsoil plow, Class 13 3 00 Best harrow. Class 13 2 00 Best land-roller, Class 13 2 00 Best mower and reaper combined. Class 13 .5 00 Best thresher and separator, Class 13. 5 00 Best seed-sower, Class 13 3 00 Best hay-rake, Class 13 2 00 Mechanical Dejmrtmetit. — Best harness for all purposes, Class 14, No. 1 3 00 Second best harness for all purposes 2 00 Best riding-saddle. Class 14, No. 2 3 00 Second best riding-saddle 2 00 Agricultural Products. — Best acre of wheat (dimension and quality indorsed by responsible, disinterested party), to be reported to the Secretary prior to November 1(1, with instruction as to soil, time and manner of sowing, tillage of ground, species of wheat, etc.. Class 15, No. 1 5 00 Best acre of corn (with same conditions as to the wheat, etc.). Class 15, No. 2 6 00 Fruit Department. — Greatest and best variety of apples, with siatement as to soil, slope of ground, etc., and any concurrent facts or con- ilitions by which it is believed its superiority had been induced. Class 16, No. 1 3 00 Second best and greatest variety (same statement) 2 00 Greatest and best variety of fruits, with statement as above relative to each, species, etc., Class 16, No. 2 3 00 Second greatest and best variety (same statement) 2 00 SECOND DAY. LADIES* DEPARTMENT. Dairy. — Best 5 !lis. butter, with process of manufacture. Class 17, No. 1 2 00 Best 10 11)3. cheese, with process of manufacture, Cl.ast. 17, No. 2... 2 00 Domestic Manufactures. — Best fancy quilt. Class 18, No. 1 2 00 Best coverlet, Class 18, No. 2 2 00 Best carpet, 10 yards and upward, Class 18, No. 3 2 00 Best rag carpet, 10 yards and upward. Class 18, No. 4 2 00 Best woolen cloth, 10 yanls and over. Class 18, No. 5 3 00 Best jeans, 10 yards and over, Class 18, No. 6 2 00 Best Hanncl, 10 yards and over (white, striped or plaid), Class 18 No. 7 2 00 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 267 Domestic Manufactures. — Best pair of blankets, Class 18, No. 8 2 00 Best yarn socks. Class 18, No. 9 60 Best cotton hose. Class 18, No. 10 50 Fancy or Needle Work. — Best specimen fancy needle work. Class 10, No. 1... 3 00 Best quality, embracing tlie greatest variety, of articles useful and ornamental, Class 19, No. 2 5 00 At a meeting held August 2, 1856, the Board passed a resolution to adopt the list of premiums as above given, and appointed a committee to prepare the fair grounds for tlie forthcoming exhibition. At a subsequent meeting, an agreement was made with D. J. Van Deren and 11. J. Keeler to inclose the grounds. At a meeting September 13, it was ordered that a well be dug and curbed upon the Society's grounds ; badges were ordered for life members, and for the officers. Robert Leith was appointed Marshal ; E. W. True, J. R. Jeffries, James Shoemaker, William Jones and Richard Champion, Deputy Marshals, together with some other unimportant matters pertaining to the fair soon to take place, were arranged. The fair came off on the 24th and 25th of September, and, from the entries made in the different classes, seems to have been a very interesting and success- ful meeting. Particularly were the stock classes well represented, and ;i num- ber of entries made in each class. The Secretary published a report which is copied in the records, showing the list of Judges for the articles and stock adjudged, and the names of those to whom premiums were awarded, but its extreme length forbids its insertion in this work, however interesting it might prove to our readers, especially those who are engaged in stock-raising. But it is impossible to follow the Society through all the years since its re-organization in 1855. Suffice it, that at the present time it is in a flourish- ing state, and the people of the county are justly proud of their association. The last meeting took place in September, 1878, occupying five days, the 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st ; the premium-list embraces ten pages of closely printed matter in a pamphlet printed for gratuitous distribution. The grounds of the Society comprise twenty-four acres well improved, substantially inclosed, with stock-stalls and all necessary buildings, and of a total value of about $6,000. The present officers are as follows, viz., S. D. Dole, of Mattoon, President ; James Shoemaker, of Loxa, I. J. Montfort, of Charleston, T. G. Chambei-s, of Charleston, M. B. Valodin, of Oakland, Vice Presidents ; E. R. Connely, Samuel Van Meter, C. E. Wilson, Adam Millar and Isaac Flenner, Board of Directors; R. S. Hodgen, Secretary, and J. K. Decker, Treasurer. The farmers of Coles County have for years past devoted considerable attention to the improvement of their stock, and many of them are at present engaged largely in breeding blooded horses, cattle and hogs. Of horses, the Norman stock is being introduced in the county, and as draft horses are popu- lar, while other blooded horses are receiving some attention. W. A. Whitte- more, H. M. Ashmore, J. W. AVright and I. N. Gibbs are specially engaged in breeding fine horses. Blooded cattle are being more extensively raised, as this 268 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. section of the country is more favorably adapted to cattle than horses. S. C. Ashmore, William MiHar, Ambrose Edwards and Isaac Flenner make a specialty of Short Horns. R. L. Reat, of Herefords and Jerseys, and R. S. Hodgen, of Jerseys. Shepard & Alexander are known, not only over the State of Illinois, but throughout the entire country, for their fine breed of Poland-China hogs. Their fine specimens of this famous stock of hogs have been exhibited at Chi- cago, St. Louis, Indiana State Fair, Illinois State Fair, Kansas State Fair, and all the surrounding county fairs, where they have been invariably awarded the highest prizes. But we shall refer more particularly to this subject in the history of Charleston Township. In conclusion of the history of the Agricultural Society and the fine stock of the county, we deem it of some general interest to the reader, to append the following abstract from the Assessor's returns for 1878, as showing the amount of stock, its value, together with other property, and the grain produced for the past year : AssesseJ valuation. Horses, number of head 10,402 ,$ 208 028 Cattle, " •' l.'),'J73 143,875 Mules and asses, number of head 1 ,-"'.13 30,975 Sheep, number of head 6,971 5,948 Hogs, " " .35,176 39,746 Steam engines 20 0,010 Fire-proof safes ■ 50 1,353 Carriages and wagons 3,664 48,007 Watches and clocks 3,552 7,754 Sewing machines 1,575 14,854 Piano-fortes 179 8,366 Melodeons and organs 167 4 679 Improved lands 268,863 3,3.33,290 UniiM|in)ve(i lands 49,491 249,074 Improved town and city lots 2.46? 769,909 Unimproved town and city lots 3,384 \ 76,325 Total value of assessed property in the county* §5,642,818 No. of acres of wheat in 1878 19,500 No. of acres of corn in 1878 100. (U6 No. of acres of oats in 1878 10,075 No. of acres of meadow in 1878 24,549 No. of acres of otiier field products 6.300 No. of acres of inclosed pasture 97,408 No. of acres of orchard 6,700 No. of acres of wood-land 53,200 THE COUNTY FAKM. "The poor ye have with you alway." Originally, the mode of taking care of the poor of the county, was through an officer in each township or elec- tion precinct, styled " Over.seer of the Poor," who looked after the welfare of the ♦Several items of taxalile property not given in the aliove table. HISTORY OF COLES COUNTy. 269 poor and needy, supplied their wants and, at a regular meeting, brought his bill before the County Board. But this system was found to be rather expen- sive, the county, it is said, having paid out as much as §12,000 in a single year for the benefit of its poor. So this mode was changed to a county farm. Some time during the war the county purchased a small tract of land in Pleasant Grove Township, but becoming dissatisfied with this, from some cause or other, probably its location at the very edge of the county, it was sold in 1865, and forty acres bought in La Fayette Township. After using this a few years in the capacity of a county farm, it was sold and 258 acres purchased in 1870, in Ashmore Township. Upon this farm substantial buildings have been erected, and all necessaries and conveniences prepared for taking care of the poor com- fortably. The main building is a substantial two-story brick, and will accom- modate about sixty persons. This farm, at the time of its purchase by the county, was well improved, having a comfortable frame residence, barns and all necessary outbuildings, so that the only additional expense to thfe purchase of the land was the erection of the brick building above referred to. Upon a written request to the Superintendent of the farm, Joshua Ricketts, Esq., we received the following, which we give in full, as it contains much of general interest, as well as some valuable hints : " The number at present in our County Poorhouse is thirty-three. This is about the average for the year. There are twenty-one females and twelve males. Four of the inmates are over eighty years of age ; two of them are white and two black. One of these blacks is supposed to be at least 100 years old. The blacks are both females, and were slaves until freed by the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln. Old John Golliday, well known to many of the citizens of the county, having been a resident for over forty years, was once the lawful owner of 400 acres of good land in Morgan Township, but by not doing right, he lost it all, and now has to betaken care of at the expense of the public. I am convinced that fully nine- tenths of all pauperism in this county may be traced either directly or indi- rectly to the use of intoxicating drinks. Not that there were that number who were drunkards, . but the sin of othei's has, in many cases, visited the children to the third and fourth generations. It is but a few days since a poor, degraded creature left the house to return to his old haunts, where he can again wallow in the ditch, steeped in the fire of the still. This same man said that he felt as if could drink fully three inches of whisky, so anxious was he to get back to his old rum-holes. I am thoroughly satisfied that there would be no real neces- sity for poorhouses if intoxicating liquors were banished from the land. " As to the mode of conducting the house, we have a set of rules for the gov- ernment of inmates, which are hung up in the house so that all can know what is required of them. The Supervisors of the various towtiships are ex-ofEcio Overseers of the Poor of their respective townships, and by their order the Su- perintendent receives and takes under his care those who are dependent and help- less. . The county owns some two hundred and fifty-eight aci'es of land, about 270 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. two hundred acres of which is plow and grass land : the remainder is principally timber-land. On the farm is a brick building 38x58 feet, two stories high, and a kitchen attached to the main building, extending some 28 feet in length and 16 in width, with a large porch facing the east. There is also a very comfortable dwelling for the Superintendent and his family and a large barn, with soma smaller buildings. There is an oixhard of about one hundred and fifty bear- ing trees, consisting of apples, peaches and cherries. In the summer time, the paupers are employed some portion of the time in cultivating tobacco, of which weed they are, as a rule, very fond." The Superintendent has to enter into a contract with the Board of Super- visors, and give a heavy bond, obligating himself to take care and treat kindly and humanely all who may be placed under his care, stipulating the kind and variety of food that shall be furnished. It is now nine years since the county bought the farm where the Poorhouse is now located, eight miles east of Charles- ton, immediately on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad. There were twen- ty-seven paupers moved from the old house, four miles west of Charleston, to this place, October 25, 1870, of which number there are remaining on hand at the present time seven — two men and five women. There have been thirty-two deaths at the house, out of some two hundred and fifty persons who have been received and cared for. The attending physician (A. T. Robertson), says it is remarkable what cures have been effected. Most of those who have died were far gotie when received. The oldest person who died was Mrs. Anna Higgenbotham, a cousin to Gen. Winfield Scott. RAILROADS OF THE COUNTY. To obtain an accurate idea of the railroads of Coles County, one must go back before the day of railroads and note briefly their causes. The first railways in the world began in the collieries in England, and were simple tramways — wooden rails — on which the cars were hauled by mules. As in many places the way from the collieries to the coal-yards was up an inclined plane, the cars were hauled by the mules up the plane, and allowed to return by their own gravity. " By little and by little," as Charles Dickens would say, the tracks were extended to the shipping points, and, finally, to the chief markets. Then the laborers began to ride to and from their daily tasks ; then others rode ; then a car made to carry only laborers and those desiring to ride was placed im the track; steam began now and then to be recognized as an important factor among the immense motive powers of the world, and, about 1825, George Stephenson invented and placed in successful operation an engine that drew a train of cars over a wooden railway, protected by an iron covering, at the rate of twelve miles an hour. This road ran from one town to another, over vale and hill, up-hill and down, astonishing the incredulous English, who prophesied only dire disaster and distress would attend the operating of such a monster. Soon the railways, operated by steam, and carrying a train of cars HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 271 that "annihilated both time and space, " were coming rapidly into use in the mother country. The American nation, not to be outdone, had caught the con- tagion, and, in 1830, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad commenced active opera- tions to open a similar line, extending westward from that city. In 1826, a tramway was built from Quincy, Mass., the home of the Adams family, to the granite quarries, a few miles away — the pioneer railroad in America. On this primitive affair only mules or horses were used, and it was never put to any other purpose than the hauling of granite from the quarries. From 1830 to 1835, railroads in the East received a considerable impulse. Improvements of all kinds were being made, a speed of twenty and thirty miles an hour was attained, and the benefits of their construction and use were becoming more apparent. About this time, it began to occur to the denizens of the Prairie State that their domain wa,s the best place in all the world for such enterprises. " For," argued they, " have wo not a rich, productive soil, an even country, I'equiring but little preparation, and needing no expensive grading, filling or costly bridges. Does not our land bring forth plenty, and, if we had proper means for transporting our products away and bringing money and settlers back to us. what a country we would be ! " A desire always finds a favorable argument and some way to accomplish its ends. True, there was no money to build such works, and Pennsylvania and other Eastern States which had entered on such schemes had invariably been the losers; for " rings " would form and steal what they could not get honestly. Yet Illinois soon found a way, and the attempt was made. In his message to the General As- sembly, at the session of 1835, Gov. Joseph Duncan urged the Legislature, now ripe for action, to the furtherance of schemes that were so brilliant in their pros- pects. That body responded by such subsidies and grants to internal improvements as to astonish even the sanguine Governor himself Before they stopped, so infatuated were they with the glorious future so enchantingly spread out before them, they had entailed a debt of more than $14,000,000, all confidently expected to be paid by the improvements themselves and by the consequent increase in property. The Utopian scheme dazzled the eyes of the Governor, the Legislature and the people. They saw nothing but the most prosperous times ahead, and began at once a system of financiering that in the end well nigh impoverished the State. Gold and silver, the money of the world from its infancy, could, of course, not be had for the fulfillment of the plans, and a system of bonds was instituted, based on the faith of the State, redeemable in a series of years, and payable in coin in the banks in New York. It was confidently predicted that the bonds would not only sell at par, but would command a premium. They were to be paid from the proceeds of the canal and railroads, and were adver- tised as the best securities to be had. The first installment went off easily ; but human greed began to exhibit itself, and " rings " were formed, and, before any 272 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. one was awai'e, the bonds of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio — for these States were in the meshes of the same visionary scheme — began to decline. When work began on the Illinois and Michigan Canal, on the Illinois Central Railroad and a few other such enterprises, laborers flocked tt> the State, prices of everything advanced, and the day of prosperity so confidently predicted in the early stages of the "plan," seemed now at hand. The men of the day, blinded by the ap- parent success of the scheme, like men of this day, seemed to overlook the foct that every article of trade, whether food, labor or merchandise, ad- vanced with the influx of currency issued bv the State banks, brought into life by the scheme, and that in this respect things were no cheaper than before. Now, at first $1 would buy but little less than befoi'e. Soon it took $2 to buy what §1 would before, and so on, till, when the system collapsed, $100 of State money would buy only as much as §16 in gold. The projected works were simply marvelous in extent. Almost ever}' county in Illinois was to have a railroad, and in those where none were projected, $200,000 was to be distributed. Work was to begin at both ends of the rail- roads and the canal, and in any other places where heavy grades were encountered. Among the projected routes was one from Cairo to the northern limit of the State, especially to meet the southern end of the canal, this was to run tiirough or near Coles County. Another was projected from Terre Haute, Ind., west- ward to Alton, 111. It was stipulated by the "Alton interest," as that faction was known in the Senate, that no road should terminate at St. Louis. That city was a rival to Alton, which confidently expected to overtake and pass her opulent neighbor, and, in time, completely overshadow her. Hence, no favors were to be shown the foreign rival. She must be put down some way, and that way could be aided by refusing all means of ingress and egress, save through Alton. For this reason, the road from Terre Haute westward, must stop at Alton, and all business coming from the East must center there. That the railroad was to be built no one for a moment doubted. It was to be known as the Terre Haute & Alton Railroad, and contracts for its construction were let early in the life of the Internal Improvement system. Work began at both ends and progre-ssed centerward. Grading and filling was done at each ex- tremity, the route determined on, and for a short time progressed favorably. As the bonds of the State declined in value, and its currency fell in a like ratio, the demands of the laborer, unskilled in finance, and caring only for their pay, became more and more exorbitant, and when the failure of the system came, they abruptly abandoned the State, with all manner of maledictions cast upon it. The work on the railroad did not reach Coles County. That on the Illinois Central suffered a similar fate, and no signs of railroads appeared here, save in the surveyor's lines and stakes, and in the losses some of its people suffered from the collapse, and return to a specie basis. The hard times that followed have almost an unequaled history. The decline in fictitious values, the distress of many people who had caught the HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 273 contagion of suddenly growing rich without giving an equivalent for the pros- perity, the fall of real estate, the high price of produce, and, more than all, the dread of emigrants, who feared to link their lives with a commonwealth whose taxes for the future seemed unbearable, gave the State a reputation any- thing but agreeable. It was young, however, full of resources, and confident in its powers. Able men took the helm ; a series of redeemable, long-time bonds was issued, the canal, through additional loans, was completed ; and by the time the Mexican war began to agitate the minds of the American people the bonds of Illinois had risen, first to forty, then fifty, then seventy, and now to ninety cents on the dollar. To its everlasting credit it must be recorded, all -were paid ; and to-day the debt of the State is only a nominal sum, which could be paid at any time. Whatever may be said of the system of Internal Improvements, it must be recorded that the people learned a lesson, dearly, too, that it does not pay municipalities to assume the construction of such works, and that it is always disastrous to entail a debt in expectation of future greatness and ability to dis- charge it. Where such a course succeeds once, it will fail a hundred times ; and even if succeeding, it is only by unnatural methods. ■ The reverse of the system was so great that no attempts were made to com- plete any of the unfinished roads for over twelve years. Of all the grand system of internal railroads in Illinois, but one, the Northern Cross Railroad, was the only one that reached practical results. Of that, in the spring of 1837, some eight miles were built, and, on November 8, the first locomotive that ever turned a wheel in the Mississippi Valley was placed and made a trial- trip, running out and back on the eight miles of. the old flat bar track. The road was finished on to Jacksonville, and, in the spring of 1842, to Springfield, where it terminated. The little locomotive, minus a spark-arrester and cow-catcher, was a terror to cattle and buildings, throwing the one ruthlessly from the track, and burning the other with its sparks. It was, after running a year or so, run oif the track by a drunken engineer, and sold to Gen. Semples, of Alton, who nearly bankrupted himself in a fruitless endeavor to make a steam road-wagon of it. Mule-power superseded the engine on this road until about 18-17, when the track was sold (being worn out, and the strap rails stolen for sled shoes by the surrounding populace) to a company of capitalists, for $100,000, one-tenth of its cost, and by them remodeled, equipped, completed and the beginning of the present Wabash Railway was the result. TERKE HAUTE & ALTON RAILROAD. In 1850, the next railroad was made in Illinois. By February of that year, the Chicago & Galena (now Chicago & North-Western) was finished as far as Elgin, and an excursion-train ran between the two cities. A great revival in railroad interests sprang up. Among those sharing in the awakening was the old Terre Haute & Alton Road, which a second time comes into the narrative. 274 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTV. Work began under a new corporation in 1851. The old route was deter- mined on, as much of it at either end could yet. be used. As has been stated, no grading had been done in Coles County. The Illinois Central, whose early history is analagous to that of the Terre Haute & Alton, was surveyed while work was being done on the latter road, and an agreement made between the two roads stipulated that whichever got to the place of contact last should bear the e.xpense of crossing. Work went vigorously on through 1853, 1854 and 1855, and, in order to accomplish the feat, the Terre Haute & Alton Road hastily graded their route and reached Mattoon first. This was accomplished in the winter of 1855. As fast as either end of the roads was completed, cars were put on, the intervening links being traversed by stages which carried pas- sengers who desired to travel in the then incomplete condition of the roads. This road completed its bed and ran a train of cars through from Terre Haute to Alton a little before the liolidays in the winter of 1855-56. The grading was very incomplete, many places the engine being unable to pull but few cars at a time. When "stuck," as the natives called it, fence-rails were used as an assistant motive power, or neighboring horses or o.xen borrowed to help liaul the engine over the incline. About the time of the building of this and the Central road, a policy arose on the part of the residents of Central Illinois known as the ''State's Policy." It more particularly affected those on the line of the Terre Haute & Alton Road, whose terminus was Alton, which by the people of that city, always a rival of its great foreign neighbor, was considered as one of the public cor- porations tliat would in time enable her to become what she sought to be — the emporium of the Mississippi Valley. This policy party sprung suddenly into existence when the Ohio & Mississippi, and the Vandalia — then known as the Brough Road — attempted to get charters. They must not center at a point opposite St. Louis;, they must come to Alton or not be built. No track ■was allowed to be laid from Alton to the river on this side of St. Louis, and for two years this "policy" threatened the serious failure of these two corporations. It was extremely narrow, selfish and bigoted, and was handled witiiout gloves by the foreign press and by the people on the line of these two roads striving to get a crossing in Illinois. Not until 1852-o3. did the party lose its power in the State Legislature, and not till a new body was elected fiom the people, who, by this time began to see its narrowing effects, were the desired cliarters allowed. Senators Douglas and Young wrote letters to prominent men in Illinois urging them to abandon the idea, and pointing out to them the fact that the grant to the Central Railroad could not have been obtained, iiad such a "pol- icy" been known to exist. Owing to this feeling, mainly, the Terre Haute & Alton Road was built from the city on the Wabash to her aspiring neighbor on the Father of Waters; and, owing to this same policy lurking then in the minds of the citizens of tliat .J^f*?^ ■ •"\ DCCEASED) PLEASANT grove: HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. • 277 place, was the road for a number of years compelled to transfer its freight and passengers to boats, and float them to the mighty emporium on the western bank of the same mighty stream. It was finally overcome, however. A track was built to the east .side of the river, opposite St. Louis, where, until the erec- tion of the present grand bridge, the ferry-boat transferred them over the river. With the change of terminus, a change of name occurred, and when the connection was effected with the road leading eastward to the capital of Indiana, the name assumed its present form. Now it connects with the " Bee Line," eastward, and forms a continuous route from the cities of the Mississippi Valley to those on the Atlantic seaboard. Mr. E. B. McClure, the General Superintendent, is a citizen of Coles County, residing at Mattoon. Here is what what may be termed the " Half- way House," and here are some of the principal offices. The car-shops of this Company were removed from Litchfield, in 1870, and erected on a lot of ground donated by the residents of the northeast part of town, where they are placed. They were secured through a donation of $60,000 on the part of Mattoon, in whose history a full account of them may be found. I THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD. Like the Indianapolis & St. Louis, the Illinois Central had its rise in the Internal Improvement system of 1835, and, like that road, went down in the collapse of the system in 1840. Some work was done on the road during this period, chiefly at the northern end — its connection with the canal. It was intended to connect the canal and the junction of the rivers at Cairo by means of this road ; and from published statements of the late Judge Sidney Brcese and letters of Stephen A. Douglas, we learn the idea originated as early as 1835, the commencement of the system referred to. The revival of railroads and the consequent improvement in property received a great impulse in Congress by the grant of 3,000,000 acres of land to the State of Illinois for the construction of the Central road. A more munificent grant of land could hardly be imagined at that date, and to the Senators and Representatives in Congress of that session is the grant due. The provisions of the grant were that the roail was to be completed in ten years. In case of failure, the unsold lands were to revert to the General Gov- ernment, and for those sold the State was to pay the Government price. The belt of land was to include each alternate section for a width of twelve sections, the odd-numbered sections to be the property of the railroad, the even-num- bered ones to be the property of the Government, and to be sold at not less than double the ordinary price ($1.25 per acre), i. e., $2.50 per acre. The lands in this belt not already sold were to be withdrawn from market and to remain so until the location of the road was permanently decided upon. The State found itself in possession of the grant of land at the session of 1850, and 1851, and as the act of Congress had passed the September previous, the 278 • HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. intervening time had been assiduously taken up by the press and stump of the State in advocating and discussing plan.s for carrying out the pi'oject. It may be remarked here that every plan brought forward was secretly fed by private interests as much or more than by public good. Each town on any line from Cairo to La Salle knew it was destined to be the one the road should pass through. The session of the State Legislature was harassed by various monop- olists, who saw in the brilliant prospects an easy way to secure wealth, and who, for a time, seriously crippled the enterprise. Many persons were strongly in favor of the State engaging in the work as it had done twelve years before, and advocated the payment of the State indebtedness by means of the sale of the lands and profits from the lands. The maxim that " A burnt child dreads the fire" was exemplified here. The State did not cai-e to repeat the experiment it had so disastrously attempted a few years before; especially so when an unexpected solution of the problem of how to best build the road presented itself. Robert Schuyler, George Griswold, Gouverneur Morris, Jonathan Sturgis, George W. Ludlow and John F. A. Sanford, of New York City, and David A. Neal, Franklin Haven and Robert Rantoul, Jr., of Boston, came before the Legislature, represented by one of their number, and offered, if the State would give them the grant of land, they would build and equip the road, and have it in running order by the year 1854 ; that by the 4th day of July, in that year, the road would be completed. There was a speedy, unlooked for solution of the whole question. A company of capitalists step forward, propose to complete and equip the road in a given length of time, much shorter than the State could hope to — to, in fact, relieve them of all care in the matter, and, when done, to pay annually into the treasury 7 per cent of all its gross earning in lieu of all taxes. State and municipal. It is said, in their eagerness to obtain the road, the capitalists would have bound themselves to pay 10 per cent as readily as 7 ; but that that was engineered through the Assembly by a prominent citizen of Illinois, who was secured for this purpose by the company. After a^ little delay in getting the Commissioner of the Land Office, at Washington, to convey the land to the company, work was begun. At tiie outset, much strife was engen- dered over the route the road should take, several towns vying with each other in their efforts to obtain not only the road through their midst, but the com- mencement of the branch to Chicago. The question was finally decided by the State selecting a route as direct as possible, through a region containing as much unsold land as possible, thereby gaining all tlie land she could. The main line ran from Cairo north to Central City, where the Chicago branch diverged in the direction of that city, taking in its route Coles County. The main stem continued north through Decatur, Bloomington, La Salle, where it encountered the southern end of the canal, and on northward, ending at Galena. Thus, by rare sagacity, a company of capitalists found themselves in possession of a magnificent railway, built from the proceeds of bonds issued by them HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 279 secured by the lands, without the outlay of a dollar of their own money. They set aside a cei'tain part of the lands, the proceeds of which were to be applied to the interest on the bonds. The prices realized for all these lands ranged from $5 to $55 per acre, and as the road opened, an immense region of hitherto unproductive lands, the sales on the part of both the road and the Government were simply enormous. The Government was the real gainer, for much of the lands had been in the market over thirty years and had not found a purchaser. Now, the railway promised a speedy outlet for farm produce ; towns and villages sprung into existence with Western-like prodigality, and before a decade of years' had passed, the enterprise had yielded a hundred-fold. It was the first subsidy granted any railroad by the Government — a practice which, we are prone to say, has, in a measure, been somewhat abused. The Illinois Central Road was completed and in full running order by the winter of 1856, a year and a half from the time the memorialists agreed to make it, they having been delayed in getting the grant of land properly deeded to them by the Commissioner of the Land Office at Washington. Construction- trains were running that \Yinter, and on January 1, 1856, says Mr. Frank Alli- son, of Mattoon, a passenger-train made the first run from Chicago to Cairo. This railway is one of the longest in the West, and from the 7 per cent of its earnings a revenue accrues to the State amounting now to over a half-million dollars annually. This, the Company has at various times endeavored to reduce or change ; but the people have set their faces against it, and, not long since, have placed it beyond the reach of the Legislature, by a constitutional amend- ment to the organic law of the State. OTHER RAILROADS. In addition to the two extensive lines of railway crossing the county, three others have been added since the war; none, however, so great or having such history as their predecessors. The close of the late rebellion threw upon the country a large force of unemployed men, and a vast amount of capital. This latter was used in open- ing new enterprises, and, as the States had learned to let such affairs alone, men with tact and energy stood ready to enter upon them. A railroad from Mattoon to Danville ; from Mattoon to Gray ville, thence to Evansville ; from Charleston to several other towns in the State, was proposed, while roads in various direc- tions across the county were projected. Of these enterprises we will mention none save the successful ones : the Grayville & Mattoon, the Decatur, Mattoon & Southern, and the Illinois Midland. The Grayville iS: Mattoon Railroad began to be talked about as early as 1866. One effort brought on another, and in the columns of the Mattoon papers, from that time down to 1872 and 1873, large-headed articles appear every week or so, all prophesying great results. Townships along the line of the proposed road gave liberally in bonds and private subscriptions, as those 280 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. along the line of the Indianapolis & St. Louis had done, and a speedy comple- tion was expected. Only twenty-eight or thirty miles of grading were com- pleted, however, and that in Richland County, and for four or five years the road lay dormant. In 1874, a new company was formed, and by two yeirs had the grading completed to the south line of Coles County. Work was con- tinued on up through the county, at first running the line to intersect the Illinois Central about a mile south of Mattoon. The grade was made here ; but afterward changed, and brought directly into the town. It was all com- pleted and the track laid by July 4, 1878, and on that day a grand excursion, under the care of J. H. Herkimer, the Receiver, was inaugui'ated, and a hila- rious day made along the route. The road has been operating since then, and has had a good local trade, the freight business especially being quite heavy. A short time ago, Mr. Herkimer and his associate oiEcers resigned, from various causes, and were succeeded by E. B. Phillips, Receiver ; M. H. Riddell, Gen- eral Traveling Agent ; S. C. Anthony, General Clerk, and S. M. Henderson, Roadmaster. This road received §75,000 in bonds from Mattoon Township and the city ; from the former, two-thirds, and from the latter, one-third. The vote on this question was held in Mattoon, Tuesday, February 9, 1869 ; 444 votes were cast in favor of the tax, and 7 against it. Whether the town and township are justified in such a heavy debt, in addition to several others of a similar character, i. e., the $60,000 for the shops, is a serious question, and one which conservative citizens are inclined to doubt. The Decatur, Mattoon & Southern Railroad was begun in 1871, and com- pleted to Hervey City, seven miles from Decatur, by 1873. Here, this Com- pany was allowed a joint use of the Illinois Midland Company's track to Decatur, which the courts afterward decided they were entitled to, and which they yet use. January 16, 1874, the i-oad passed into a Receiver's hands, and the name changed to the present one, it being formerly known as the Decatur. Sullivan & Mattoon Railroad. Since that date, the Receiver has been managing it. It is run in connection with the Indianapolis k St. Louis Road, and is under the care of Mr. E. B. McClure as Manager. Mr. W. H. Lewis is the General Ajient. Both these gentlemen reside at Mattoon, and are connected with the Indianapolis & St. Louis Road. The remaining road, the Illinois Midland Railway, runs through but a small part of Coles County. It crosses the township of Oakland from east to west, passing through the village. The road runs from Terre Haute to Peoria, and is in three divisions, which originally were separate roads ; when consolidated, the present name was adopted. The part running through Coles County wa.s built from Decatur to Paris, under the name of the Paris & Decatur Railroad. It was completed in 1871, and, for a time, used the track of the Indianapolis k St. Louis Road from Paris to Terre Haute. When the Paris & Terre Haute Road was completed, in 1875, it forraeil a junction with that road, and, soon HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 281 after, consolidated witli it. Only about si.x miles of this railroad passes through Coles County, and that in the extreme northeast part, in Oakland Township, in whose liistory it is more fully noticed. While on the history of railroads, it might not be amiss to say something about telegraphs. They were, in their infancy, regarded as somewhat super- natural, as all things are apt to be when we cannot understand them ; and, when a line was brought through Coles County in advance of the railway, it is related that it was not uncommon for some of the worthy citizens to hourly gaze upon it to see the news flash along. Their desires were, however, not gratified. They couldn't see the news ; but they thought they could hear it, especially when they stood near a post and heard the ring caused by the vibration of the wires, with the air passing over them. The supposition lasted very satisfactorily until they found out better, and was as harmless as deceptive. The first operator in town was Fred Tubbs, and was succeeded by W. W. Craddock. They were here in 1850, at the time the railways^ of the State began their second era of construction, and have since been prominently known in the county. Other lines were added to the one running east and west across the county, as the railways were built and the utility of such inventions became apparent. Now, they run in all directions, and one can talk with another, even though a continent be between them. Should the telephone supersede the tel- egraph, as it bids fair to do, those of the future will see a result almost beyond our conception. ^ POLITICAL AND WAR RECORD. In the days of Whigs and Democrats, Coles was a Whig county by several hundred majority, in contests where party lines were closely drawn. Upon the organization of the Republican party, a change came over the color of its poli- tics, and for a number of years it was Democratic; but, eventually, the Repub- licans gained the ascendency, and for several years carried the day in all impor- tant elections. At the present time, the political question is toned down to a point, that both of the great parties claim to be the dark horse. At the last Presidential election, the county was carried by the Hayes Electors by a small majority. In the local elections of the last few years, the spoils have been pretty equally divided between Democrats and Republicans. The present county oiBcers and their political faith are thus represented : Hon. J. R. Cun- ningham, County Judge, Democrat ; J. F. Goar, County Treasurer, Repub- lican ; William R. Highland, County Clerk, Democrat ; W. E. Robinson, Circuit Clerk, Republican. The latter was elected by a small majority, and his election contested by Mr. Clarke, his Democratic competitor for the office. The case was tried in the County Court, and occupied the spare moments of Judge Adams, of that august tribunal, from December until the June follow- ing, when it was decided in Robinson's favor. Clarke, still unsatisfied, appealed to the Supreme Court, which body confirmed the decision of the County Court, and thus Mr. Robinson's title to the oflSce was settled. The other county offi- 282 HISTORY OP COLES COUNTY. cers — J. E. Brooks, Sheriff; T. J. Lee, Superintendent of Schools; and John L. Aubert, County Surveyor — are Democrats. Such is the political record of the county. It is probable, howevei", that, in a State or national contest, with a full vote on both sides, the Republicans would carry the day. Coles County's war history is written in characters of blood upon a hun- dred battle-fields. Citizens of Coles have figured in every war, from the Revo- lution down to the great rebellion that shook the republic to its very founda- tion. In many of the Indian wars of the times, they have borne an honorable part. Upon the records of the County Commissioner's Court of 1835, we find the certificates of Elisha Hadden, John Parker, Joseph Painter, John Hart and Grifiin Tipsoward, made under oath to the Commissioners' Court for the purpose of obtaining a pension under an act of the United States Congress passed in 1832. These parties made oath to their services in the armies of the United States during the Revolutionary war and the wars with the Indians of those times. Hadden stated on his oath that he was in the battle of King's Mountain, in North Carolina, "against the British and Tories;" and that. in a battle soon after with the Cherokee Indians, he was wounded, and for three months lay in the fort helpless, and was then carried home to North Carolina on a litter. Painter testified that he was in the Revolutionary battle of Eutaw Springs, and several skirmishes in North Carolina. Hart, that he entered the service of the United States in 1776, and served under Gen. Clarke, and was in several battles with the Indians. Grifiin Tipsoward, that he entered the service in Virginia, in 1775, and at the close of the war was discharged by Gen: Washington. In the war of 1812, many of the pioneers of this county had participated, as elsewhere noticed, and some are still living who took part in that struggle with Johnny Bull. In the Black Hawk war of 1832, an entire company from Coles County (then in her infancy) responded to the call of the Governor for troops. Many of them are still surviving. The officers of this company were: James P. Jones, Captain: Thomas Sconce, Isaac Lewis and James Law. Lieutenants. In the Mexican war, notwithstanding it was consi(iered a Demo- cratic issue and Coles was a Whig county, a full company was raised and par- ticipated in many of the battles, among which were those of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. The officers of the company were : W. W. Bishop, Captain ; J. J. Adams, First Lieutenant ; H. C. Dunbar, Second Lieutenant, and Charles Jones, Orderly Sergeant. Bishop and Adams are dead, Dunbar lives in Texas, and several of the rank and file are still living in the county. In the war of the rebellion. Coles County furnished quite a little army. The Seventh and Eighth Regiments of three-months men, each drew a com- pany from the county ; the Seventh a company from Mattoon, and the Eighth a company from Charleston. The Twenty-first (Grant's old regiment) con- tained many men from Coles, as well as the Twenty-fifth, Thirty-eighth, Fifty- fourth, Sixty -second and One Hundred and Twenty-third Volunteers and the f HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 283 Fifth Cavalry. The One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment contained seven companies that were called Coles County companies. In a history like this, however, it is impossible to give a complete and correct record of a county's participation in the late war. Space will not permit. Besides, from the records that have been kept, it is not an easy matter to obtain the names of all who deserve mention. Tlierefore. we shall make no attempt to particular- ize any one, but will add that the record of Coles County soldiers is above reproach. Their deeds are engraved upon the hearts of their countrymen, and their reward is found in the happy reflection that the old flag still floats over all the States. And for those who laid down their lives to maintain the Union, and whose lone graves are fanned by Southern winds, we know of no better meed to their bravery, no sweeter tribute to their memory, than the beautiful lines from the pen of Col. Theodore O'Hara, of Kentucky, and dedicated to the heroes of that State who fell in the Mexican war, when their bones were collected and interred in the State Cemetery at Frankfort: '•The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo ! No more on life's parade shall meet That brave and fallen few ; On Fame's eternal camping-ground Their silent tents are spread, And glory guards with solemn rountain of Host ; William Chambers. Principal Sojourner ; W. S. Coon, Royal Arch Captain ; C. J. Endsly, Third Vail ; Jo Watkins, Sec- ond Vail: Benjamin Dawson, First Vail ; L Winters, Treasurer; J. L Brown, Secretary, and J. A. Ricketts, Tiler, with twenty-three members on the roll. H. P. H. Bromwell, mentioned as the first High Priest of this Chapter, and now a resident of Denver, Colo., was one of the brightest and most talented Masons of Southern Illinois, and once served the craft as Grand Master of the State. HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 321 Kickapoo Lodge, No. 90, I. 0. 0. F., was organized October 17, 1851. by Grand Master H. S. Rucker. The charter members were B. M. Hutchas(jn, Elijah C. Banks, A. D. Walker, D. S. Gales and A. M. Henry, of whom B. M. Hutchason was Noble Grand, and E. C. Banks, Vice Grand. The present officers are: Moses Kershaw, N. G ; John W. Mock, V. G., and J. I. Brown, R. S. Number of members admitted since organization, 250. Charleston Lodge, No. 609, I. 0. 0. F., was organized March 8, 1876, by Grand Master John H. Oberley. Ten members were embraced in the charter, and Dr. Denman, of Kickapoo Lodge, was appointed Special Deputy by the Grand Master, and instituted the new Lodge. The present officers are : E. H. Clarke, N. G. ; Andrew Stimmols, V. G. ; J. C. Hall, R. S. Coles En- campment, No. 94, was organized several years ago, and is the highest body of the Odd Fellows. The officers are : F. Frommel, C. P. : John Rail, H. P., and J. I. Brown, Secretary. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLi?. . The following are the statistics of the public schools for 1877-78 : Whole niuijber of persons in district under twenty-one 1,596 Number between tlie .ages of six and twenty-one 1,087 Whole number of different pupils enrolled 754 Greatest number enrolled in any month 690 Least " •■ " " 550 Number of Teachers employed 14 .Superintendent 1 High school was organized January, 1871. First graduating class, June, 1873. Total number of graduates, 125; of these, 54 are teachers, or have been, 4 lawyers, 3 doctors, 1 dentist, 2 druggists, 4 merchants, 9 clerks, 3 have died, and all are conducting themselves in such a mariner as to win the respect and confidence of the community. The high-school course embraces three years. In pursuit of such an education, the studies of our schools serve as efficient means toward an end, but they are not the end sought. The higher and better uses of all studies are their indirect uses, the benefits that flow through their proper prosecution, in greater power of attention, enlarged comprehension, quickened curiosity, greater self-control, and wider and more far-reaching influ- ence over others. Our schools are striving to attain these results. They are divided into three departments — high school, grammar, primary. The primary is divided into four grades, and each grade into three classes ; the grammar into three grades, and each grade into two classes. The present corps of teachers are : Western Seminary — Miss Mary Hampton, Principal ; Miss Ettie Allison, First Assistant ; Miss Emma Fancier, Second Assistant, and Miss Louisa Houriett, Third Assistant. 322 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. Eastern Seminary — Miss Sallie Blankenbaker, Principal ; Miss Florence Moore, First Assistant ; Miss Kate Waters, Second Assistant, and Miss Anna Teel, Third Assistant. Central Bxdlding — Mrs. Nellie Bain, Principal, high school ; Miss Emma Bain, Assistant, high school ; Miss Kate Whittemore, third grammar depart- ment ; Mrs. J. T. Terrill, second grammar department ; Miss Stella Hitch- cock, first grammar department ; Miss Sarah Gray, primary department. Of the present corps of teachers, eight are graduates of the high school. An Alumni Association was formed in 1874, and meets every June. Present Superintendent, Prof. M. Moore, is now serving his ninth year. The public-school buildings of Charleston are all elegant brick edifices, of modern architecture, and present a very fine and imposing appeai-ance, partic- ularly that in the Central District. It was built in 1870-71. Thff corner- stone was laid in the spring of 1870, by the Masonic fraternity, and the building was completed in time for the session of 1871. It cost about §50,000 ; is well arranged for school purposes, and supplied with all modern improvements in the way of school furniture. THE NEWSPAPERS. The press of the present day may be styled " the power behind the throne that is greater than the throne itself." The same might be said of it that has been said of gold — that it is the " Archimedean lever that moves the world," and, unquestionably, the press of to-day is of almost unlimited power in the land. We sometimes wonder if the world would not cease to move were the newspapers all suppressed. They are one of the luxuries that we could not well get along without, having once known their usefulness. Think of it t we read to-day the news from the capital of the Russias; from the south- ern extremity of the Grecian Archipelago, from Athens, from Paris, from London, and from the uttermost parts of the earth. It is, indeed, wonderful to contemplate. And, aside from this, the press is a true record of a nation's greatness. Every day, the history of the country is inscribed upon the page of the newspaper, and without its influence ignorance would reign supreme. The first permanent newspaper established in Charleston was the Courier, now known as the Plaindealer. One or two efforts had been made previous to this to start a paper, but a few issues comprised the effort. The first edition of the Courier was issued in 1840. The proprietors were William Harr and William Workman. Harr bought out Workman, who afterward sold an interest to George Harding, now connected with the press of Indianapolis. Harding remained with the Courier until 1857, when he sold his interest to Harr, who conducted the paper until a short time after the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln, when he sold it to Eli Chittenden, who changed its name to Plaindealer. Chittenden ran the paper for about two years, when he sold it HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 323 to John S. Theaker, who published it till October, 1866, and sold it to Dunbar Brothers. Albert Dunbar, one of the proprietors, died in 1875, when Lucian Dunbar continued to publish it until in May, 1878, when he sold it to McCon- nell & Co., the present proprietors. It is Republican in politics, and a live, energetic newspaper. George Harding, after his retirement from the old Courier in 1857, estab- lished the Charleston Ledger, which he published about two years, and sold it to John M. Eastin. He sold it to McHenry Brooks, who published it until 1867, and sold it to Shoaft" and Underwood. About this time the name of the Courier had been changed to that of Plaindealer, and ShoafF & Underwood changed the Ledger into the Courier. Shoaif sold his interest in about a year to Major Miller, who now publishes a paper in Tuscola, and in about a year more. Miller sold to E. B. Buck, who, with Underwood, published the paper until about 1873-74, when Buck bought out Underwood and has published it ever since. Mr. Buck is an editor of considerable experience and an able news- paper man, and has filled the office of President of the State Press Association. His paper is true blue Democratic, and a faithful exponent of the principles of that party. The grain trade of Charleston is not very extensive, from the fact that a large proportion of it is fed to stock by the farmers. Among the grain-buyers of the city is the firm of Messrs. McDonald and Zink, who use the elevator on the railroad owned by Traver <& Nixon, and who, in the grain season, do a very large business. A feature of Charleston is the studio of Charles Briggs. He was the first house and sign painter in Charleston, and from that has taken up portrait paint- ing. We have seen several portraits of old citizens of Charleston, which show considerable talent of the artist for this kind of work. He has made a specialty of painting fine stock bred in this county, in which he excels. Specimen paint- ings of hogs from Shepard k Alexander's herds look so natural that one natu- rally expects to hear them grunt and squeal. The Infirmary of Dr. Van Meter, mentioned in another page, was, some years ago, one of the largest institutions in Charleston. But years of labor, and ill-health compelled the doctor recently to close it and retire from active business life. Mound Cemetery, Charleston's beautiful little city of the dead, is located about one mile west of town, and is well adapted for cemetery purposes. The name is well chosen, being a large mound in the center, and the land sloping down in all directions. The first cemetery is now in the city limits and becom- ing pretty well filled. Mound Cemetery was laid off, as stated, one mile west of the city. 324 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. MATTOON TOWNSHIP. This township, named from the city of Mattoon, is the middle one in the western tier of townships in the county. It contains thirty-six sections of land — one Congressional township — and is principally prairie land. The Little Wabash courses through the southern part, flowing southward until it finds an outlet in the larger stream of that name. In the southern part, skirting this stream, is a strip of timber, known as the Wabash Point Timber, and is the locality where the earliest settlements were made. It is the only grove of native forest-trees, of any size, in the township. The best timber has long been cut away for use in the settlement of the country, what is left being used chiefly for firewood. The Little Wabash affords the principal drainage in the township. Its east- ern part is known as the " Divide," as the water naturally runs in opposite directions from that point. It is almost the highest land in Illinois. Away from the timber to the north, the face of the country is generally quite level, broken only by long undulations. It is almost entirely prairie land in this part, and was allowed to remain uncultivated until after the opening of the railroads. It was largely used for pasturage during this period, and often presented signs of great animation as the herds of cattle, under the care of their drovers, moved about over its grassy, slightly undulating surface. The prairies are now the chief producing part of the township. They easily admit of good drainage and, though to some extent rather level, are ex- ceedingly productive. Corn is the principal cereal grown. The others do well, but throughout this part of Central Illinois arc not the staple article of agricult- ure. Cattle and hogs are raised quite extensively. Mr. Elisha Linder and a few others have been for many years prominently engaged in this business. The railroads at Mattoon give a direct outlet to all the chief markets of the world and should maintain a constant sale for farm produce. A curious phenomenon exists on the farm of W. M. Champion, in the south- west part of this township. When digging for a well in March, 1871, after attaining a depth of thirty-one feet, a drill was used which was sunk a few feet farther, and a vein of carbonate gas struck. It was observed that when the drill was withdrawn the water gurgled up at irregular intervals, and as a vein was supposed to be found preparations were made to wall the well. No smell was attached to the gas, and no thoughts of it being then entertained. From the peculiar motion of the water it was feared by one of the men that there might be poisonous gases in the well, and one of them went after a wisp of hay and another for some shavings. The latter returned first, and, lighting his bunch, was hallooed to by the other to " Tiirow it down." /. c, on the ground. Thinking he meant throw it in the well he did, and a frightful report and sheet of flame burst forth. Mr. Tremble and one or two others who were near were severely scorched about the face, and all were tremendously amazed. The gas HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 325 soon burned out, but would soon accumulate. Various experiiaents were made with it. An iron tube was inserted and the gas allowed to escape in a small stream. When lighted it burned with a brilliant light. The well soon became notorious and was visited by scores of people from all sections of the West. Finally, Mr. Champion bethought himself to utilize the gas, and, conducting it by pipes to his house, soon had it in use in his kitchen to cook by, and in other stoves it was used as fuel. It made an excellent light, and he has all the ap- pliances of a city in that regard. He walled the well, and now water stands in it, all seasons, so that from one well he gets light, fuel and water, all without any tax or license. Attempts have been made to obtain petroleum in the township, but all have proved unsuccessful. Coal can be had as it was found in exploring for oil, but at such a depth that it will hardly pay to work. With this brief outline of the topographical features of the township, we will pass to that part of more interest to all — the EARLY SETTLEMENTS. As has been intimated, the earliest settlement in this township was made near the timber on the. Little Wabash, in the south part of the township. Emigration to this part of the county came after that part along the Embarrass River had received its first influx of settlers, hence the locality was known before any came to live. In the summer of 1826, Mr. Charles Sawyer, a resident of Kentucky, came to this part of Illinois looking for a home. He remained a short time with the Trues, in what is now La Fayette Township, and examined the country to the south and west of them. Selecting a location at the north side of the timber, on the Little Wabash, he returned to the True settlement, and hired a man named Bates, for $10, to build him a cabin, while he should return to Kentucky for his family. Mr. Bates hired Levi Doty, a young man living in the neighborhood, to build the cabin, and, by winter, a very comfort- able home was ready for " Uncle Charley " when he should return. This cabin was the first habitation for a white man known to have been built in the bounds of either Mattoon or Paradise Township. It stood near the site of Mr. John Sawyer's house in Section 28, and until a few other pioneers could erect similar habitations, was the home of the emigrant while he was selecting and preparing his own fireside. During the interval from the completion of the cabin by Mr. Doty, and what few pioneers he could call to his aid, and Mr. Sawyer's return in the spring of 1827, one family made it a temporary home until they could build their own cabins. The family was that of James Nash. They were living in the cabin when Mr. Sawyer arrived. Some among the early residents state that another family, that of Miles Hart, occupied the cabin. Mr. John Sawyer is, however, not of this opinion. It may be that Mr. Hart remained in it only a 326 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. few days, while Mr. Nash seems to have used it longer. Which of the two statements is accurate, it is now difficult to determine, but we are inclined to the opinion that only Mr. Nash lived in the cabin, and that Mr. Hart did not come until later, as is mentioned further on. When "Uncle Charley," as he was afterward always known, returned, he brought with him his two sons-in- law, John Young and Henry Cole, who each brought a small family. Mr. Young settled where B. F. Mooney now lives, and Mr. Cole immediately north and adjoining Uncle Charley. These three pioneers had not been long in their frontier homes until they were joined by John Houching, known as "Uncle Jack," who settled the farm now owned by Azariah Sanders. The Hart fam- ilies, one of whom. Miles H., has already been noticed, came about the same time, and joined the infantile settlement. Miles H. was joined by his fiither, Thomas, and his brothers Silas, Jonathan, Moses and Thomas. Jr., all of whom brought families but the last named, who was yet a single man. The Hart family settled in what is now Paradise Township, and will be found noticed there more fully. If they all came at once, then the assertion of Mr. John Sawyer, that Miles H. did not live in his father's cabin prior to the latter's permanent removal, is correct. These families, with James T. Cunningham and Jefferson Coleman came together, and were the pioneers of Paradise Town- ship. The entire settlement at that date was, however, counted as one. These persons were about all that came in 1827. They formed the first settlement and may be truly named the pioneers of that part of the county. The next year, John Sawyer, brother of Charles, located on the east side of the timber. About the same time that he came, George M. Hanson and Dr. John Epperson, the first physician in the county, arrived. Mr. Hanson settled the farm now owned by John E. Tremble, and the Doctor located farther south, just over the line in what is now Paradise Township. Though an early settler there, and one whose history properly belongs to that township, some account of him here will not be out of place. He was for many years the only physician of all this part of the country, often riding twenty and thirty miles to visit his patients. He was uniformly kind and faithful in his attentions to the sick, and was greatly respected. Even after old age came on and lie earnestly rc(juested none to call on him for pro- fessional advice or aid, his old neighbors and acquaintances would not give him up. but came again and again for him. If he could not go to the patient, they would ask for prescriptions and advice, and as long as the old Doctor lived, he could not deny them this. He remained at his old home until his death, which occurred only a little over a year ago. The old settlers of this part remember well the golden wedding which he and his faithful wife were privi- leged to celebrate a few years ago. About a year after the settlement of the Doctor and Mr. Hanson, came James Graham and family, who located a little east of Charles Sawyer. Mr. G. was a local Methodist preacher of commendable zeal, and a faithful, earnest, HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 327 Christian man. He was one of the pioneer ministers in the western part of the county, and was a man extensively known. Soon after he settled, Elisha Linder arrived with his mother, two sisters and one brother, and settled south and adjoining Mr. Graham. Mr. Linder had been out here in 1829, and selected a location, remaining about two months. Early in 1831, he returned, planted a crop, raised a cabin, and then returned for his mother and family, arriving with them in October. They were from Hardin County, Ky., where many of those we have mentioned had lived, and, like their predecessors, came to Illinois to find a new home, and where they could grow with the growth of the county. Mr. Linder is still living on his old homestead, in the enjoy - ment of the comforts a long, busy life has gathered around him. James Nash, of whom mention has been made, died soon after his settlement. His was the first death in the community, and, for want of better tools, his cofiin was made of split walnut puncheons. Mr. John Sawyer, Sr., now an old man, states that he was among those who made the coflBn and dug the grave . He was a boy then, but distinctly remembers the circumstances. No train of carriages or gilded hearse bore his remains to their last resting-place. The few neighbors, true to one another, gathered silently at the cabin of their late asso- ciate, and, after a prayer, a song, and a few remarks by the good old Elder, laid him away in his rough coffin and lonely grave. Mr. Nash's death was the result of an injury received from carrying a log, with which to make a bee gum, on his shoulder. His death occurred on December 24, 1829. He was buried on Christmas Day, on a small bluff on the Little Wabash, near what is now the home of John Thomas, on the road from Mattoon to Paradise. This w'as the first grave dug for a white settler at the Wabash Point. One of his children has since been buried near him. The plnce Mr. Nash settled fell into the hands of William Langston, another early settler. It is now owned by William Clark. George Morris settled west of Mr. Langston's, his farm being the one now owned by the widow Langston. Next west of Mr. Morris was old Mr. Champion, father of Richard and William Champion. Further on south and west of the timber, in what is now Paradise Township, were the Currys , Moores, Mclntoshes, Alexanders, Crosses, Brinegers and the Drakes. These were among the early settlers in this neighborhood, and in Paradise Township , where tiiey are more particularh^ noticed. On November 11, 1830, Mr. Hiram Tremble came to the infantile settle- ment, pitching his camp near the cabin of " Uncle Charley." He says it was the common camping-ground for all, and Uncle Charley was looked upon as the center of the little group. He was always a true friend to all who came ; was a devout, earnest Christian, a Methodist, and was among the first to aid in planting that church at the Point. Mr. Tremble is a local minister in that denomination, and is now living on his old homestead. He has been quite active in advancing the interests of this part of the county ; was a contractor and builder of part of the two railroads 328 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. centering at Mattoon ; helped build the first grain warehouse there, and was one of the first merchants in the town. He will be well remembered by many residents in his sketches of the early times here, published in the Mattoon Journal, under the title, " Forty Years Ago," and from which we have obtained much of our information respecting the early days of the western part of the county. The settlers mentioned include about all who came prior to 1882. During this interval, Coles County was formed, and a voting-place established in this neighborhood. The first who came generally lived in their wagons until they could erect a cabin. These cabins were built of round logs, notched at the ends, so as to fit closely together. They were generally cut the required length in the woods, and, on the "raibing-day," were hauled to the place selected for the future home of the pioneer. As fast as they were brought to the ground, they were notched and rolled into their place, two of the best men in the party acting as "end men." When the cabin had reached the required height, the four last, or top, logs were often made three or four feet longer than the rest, thereby projecting over their fellows. The end pieces forming the cone were made each one shorter than its predecessor, until an ape.x was reached. On this, from end to end, was laid a stout center-pole, projecting like its fellows three or four feet at either end. About two feet below it, another was placed, and on down until the ends of the outstretching logs were reached. These were covered with split oak slabs, one-half inch thick, about a foot wide and often four feet long. They were held in their places generally by " weight poles," i. e., poles placed over each '■ lap ' of the clapboards, held in their places by short sticks placed endways between them. Sometimes stones were laid on the roof in addition to these- The cabin was now a simple pen, with no means of ingress and egress, and no apertures for light, save the cracks between the logs. They must not be left unclosed, as but little or no protection could be afforded with them open. A bed of " mud ' mortar was made, the heart pieces of the oak, from which the clapboards or "shakes" had been made for the roof and puncheons for the floor and doors, were taken, inserted edgways between the logs and held in their places by pins driven into auger-holes in the logs, and all covered well with the mud mortar ; when thoroughly dry, the chinking and daubing completely covered the cracks and rendered the cabin comfortable. An opening for the door was made in the side of the house by cutting a space about three feet in width by six feet in height, leaving the upper and lower logs half cut through, one to form a door-step, the other a secure upper-part. " Jambs " were next pinned to the ends of the logs, both to hold them in their places and to form a better door-frame. The door was made of split puncheons pinned to cross-pieces and hung on wooden hinges. The latch was made on the inner side of the door, and was raised from the outside by means of a leather thong passing through a gimlet-hole a few inches above the latch. At night, ph- OAKLAND HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 831 it was drawn in and the door was practically locked. It was always out in the daytime, and was considered by the pioneer an open invitation to all to enter and partake of his hospitality. It was, in its mute way, a sign of welcome, and gave rise to the popular, earnest proverb, " My latch-string is always out." This was exemplified by the fact that when it was withdrawn it was considered that, for some reason, the invitation was for the time also withdrawn. A window for the humble home was made, commonly opposite the door, by cutting out a space about two feet square and placing therein a window contain- ing two or four window-lights. In early pioneer times in the West, when glass could not be obtained, either owing to the distance to the settlements or the poverty of the pioneer, greased paper answered the place of glass, the windows, however, having only a dimension of the width of one log, and probably two feet long. Sometimes, especially in schoolhouses, several feet in length of a log was cut out and a window made in this manner. The next thing necessary to complete the cabins was the chimney or fire-place. That was always at one end of the cabin, and was often five or six feet wide and nearly three feet deep. An aperture was made in the logs of the required length, and a space meas- ured off outside, and covered either with clay or more often with flagstones. Split pieces of oak were made, one end of which was placed just inside the logs of the wall, the other projecting outward, where it was crossed by a similar stick, both notched to fit closely together. The inclosure was built up in this manner until the required height was reached. The inside was securely covered with stones or a thick layer of mud, more commonly the former, to prevent the chimney from burning. On the top of this pen, a chimney was made of sticks and mud firmly cemented together. At the bottom, it was of the same size, or nearly so, of the fire-place, but grew narrower as it neared the top, where it was often not more than one foot square. This chimney, when properly constructed, was perfectly safe, and possessed an excellent draught. On the inner side, a crane was hung, to which were suspended the various pots and kettles used by the good wife or her daughters in their cooking. No stoves at this date were to be seen. Even had they been easily obtained, the poverty of the average pio- neer would have prevented him from obtaining one. The floor was laid with puncheons split, like the clapboards for the roof, with a frow, from a clean, straight-grained oak-tree. They were from four to six or eight feet in length, and were laid, commonly, on short, round poles, a few inches above the ground. Often the pioneer's cabin did not possess even the luxury of such a floor, the earth, tramped hard, answering the purpose. If a loft was desired, it was made by running stout poles, three or four feet apart, from the top of the last round of logs on one side of the cabin to the other, and on these were laid puncheons similar to the ones on the floor beneath. A lad- der, leading from below, stood in one corner of the cabin, generally just beliind the door and near the fire-place. 332 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. The early emigrants rarely brought an extensive outfit for housekeeping. They were mostly poor, and in this regard were all equal. The cabin had been built, it will be observed, without a single piece of iron being put into its con- struction, pegs answering the place of nails. Where beds, tables, chairs and other such articles were needed, they were made. The bed was a rude, strong affair, made in one corner of the room, by placing an upright post about four feet from one wall, and six or seven from the other. Poles were laid from this post to both walls, slats laid thereon, whose outer end extended through between two logs, and on them the bed was spread. Dried prairie-grass was often used until feathers could be obtained. Under this bed, a smaller one was made that could be pulled out at night, and shoved under again in the morning. We have seen them in this manner, and have also seen, about two feet above the main bed, another made, and at the same distance above that, another, not unlike the berths in a steamboat. A table was made of a stout oak plank, or two of them fastened together with cross-pieces pegged on and supported by four upright posts inserted at auger-holes near each corner. Stools were made in the same manner, only they were small and commonly three-legged. Pegs were driven in auger-holes in the wall, on which the wearing appai-el of each one could be hung, or where any article not needed could find a resting-place, were it something adapted to that way of support. Shelves for dishes were made from small split boards, placed either on pegs or inside two uprights made in the same way, and held'to their place by means of notches. These were the main features of the cabin-home. Many did not possess as many articles as we have enumerated, and some had more, and often much better habitations. The luxuries of life were generally not seen the first years of the settlement, but appeared as the residents could obtain them. After the neighborhood had become established in this part of Mattoon Township — for by such boundaries must they be designated, even though the townships did not then exist — some of the young men and women concluded they could get along better together, and a new home was to be provided foi" them. Land was plenty and cheap, and not so much was required then to com- mence married life as now. A cabin, similar to the one we have described, was erected for the young couple, and was commonly dedicated with a dance or frolic, in which all the young folks of the community joined. When the young couple repaired to their new home, generally on horse-back or on foot (if by the former method, both^ on one horse), they found it ready for use, with its puncheon table, tripod stools, slab cupboard and wide chimney. It would contain a few articles of household utility given by the parents of the pair ; for a bride's dower consisted then of a few such articles, some good advice, and, mayhap, a horse and side-saddle. The young husband had an ax. a few other tools, a few farming implements, and. possibly, a horse. Thus equipped, they started in life. The young bride had no confidential friend : knew nothing of milliners and mantua-makers; did not take a fashion-journal HISTORY OF COLES COCNTY. 333 or the New York Weekly to beguile leisure hours and give her foolish nothings to think about. She entered on life conscious of a duty, fully prepared to do her part, with a healthy body, vigoi'ous, crude mind, and earnest purpose. Before a few years elapsed, other tripods were needed for the children that had come to the frontier home ; and comforts and blessings of life, though they entailed hardship and toil, came to the rude, cheerful home. As much as old people love to dwell upon these pleasant memories, we can- not but think there are equally brave and willing brides to-day, who, though they do not meet trouble in the way our ancestors found it, find it in other ways, calling for as much resolve and resolution as of old, whose trials are met as bravely as those met and overcome by their grandmothers of the early day of Central Illinois. As soon as the old cabin-home had been established, the next care was the planting and cultivation of a crop. A space was cleared in the woods (as they had no plows that would turn the prairie sod), and, after being turned by the barshare plow, was planted in corn, potatoes and a few other garden vegetables, while a portion was sown in wheat, could any be obtained. Corn, however, then, as now, was the main staple. It furnished the meal for food, and, by boiling in strong lye, made by filtering water through wood ashes, an excellent and nutritious hominy was produced. Honey was abundant at this day, the woods abounding in bee-trees. In a year or two after the first settlers located, maple-sugar and molasses were additional articles of food, and most excellent ones, too. No molasses hidings as high a price as maple-sirup no«v, owing to its scarcity; the sugar, however, is not considered possessing the same qualities as other kinds, hence is not much in demand. These articles, found so abun- dantly in frontier life, added much to its comforts. Cornmeal could be made on the old grater or mortar, and, when baked as the native Kentucky house- wife knew how, made a most nutritious and palatable article of food. The appetites of the pioneers were generally sharpened by violent exercise in their daily vocations, and did not need any tempting viands to induce them to eat. Pork was obtained by allowing the hogs to run wild in the woods, subsisting on the mast then so plenty. To prevent them from roaming over the cultivated fields, a brush fence was made by felling a.gi-eat number of small trees with their tops altogether in a continuous line around the field. Hogs fattened on the mast made good pork, and as corn was not so abundant then as now, and mast plenty and free, they were allowed undisturbed access to it. They often became in a measure quite wild when allowed to roam, and when wanted at killing season generally had to be shot. While young, they were kept near the house and securely penned, as the wolves soon evinced a fondness for fresh, tender pork, and did not scruple in the slightest to take all they could get. When the pigs were large enough to resist the wolf, they were allowed their freedom. 834 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. Deer, bears, wild turkeys and prairie chickens provided an abundant supply of wild meat for the settlers. Deer were as plenty as cattle now, and it was not an uncommon affair, for the pioneer to shoot one from his cabin-door did he want a fresh venison steak for his breakfast. So common was the article it was not considered the luxury it is now, and was not thought as much a company dish as pork or beef. Turkeys grew very fat when the mast became ripe, and were very tender eating. Prairie chickens were not often eaten, their flesh not being considered very palatable. Bears, while they were not so plenty here as in some parts of the West, were by no means a rarity, and often furnished food for the settlers. Bufialoes were very scarce, even if any were to be found. Their bones, old settlers tell us, were thickly strewn over the prairies when they came, but the live animal was a rarity. Wolves were the most troublesome animals to be found. They would kill the young pigs, depopulate chicken-roosts, carry oft" young lambs, slay their mothers, and all the time render night hideous with their bowlings. They were very numerous, too, so mnch so, that grand hunts were organized to extermi- nate them. Mr. Elisha Linder tells how that in one winter he killed one hundred of them, generally by riding them down and clubbing them, or shooting them. The wolf was generally a great coward, preferring to pillage at night. During the day they would retire to their dens on some little knoll or in the edge of the timber. After the country began to settle, bounties were ofiered by the coun- ties for wolf-scalps, whereby many paid their taxes. Now they are all gone from this part of Illinois, and sliould one adventurous wolf show himself, such a hunt would be organized to capture him, as would almost rival the hunts of early times. We have departed, somewhat, from the direct thread of the narrative, to notice the accidents to which the first pioneers were liable in the erection of their cabins, and their start in their new homes. We will now return, in part, to the narrative of the settlement, and note a few subsequent events. We had brought the story down to the year 1832. About this year, Charles W. Nabb, now a resident of Mattoon, came up from Lawrence County, 111., purchased the farm of George M. Hanson, and became one of the permanent settlers. Mr. Hanson went to Whitley's Point and settled on the farm where now Deck Dole lives. Among other old settlers of this date, may be reckoned David Hanson, from Virginia, who may have been a year or two earlier than 1832; John Young, from Kentucky; William Moore, who removed first from Kentucky to Cumberland County, then to Coles ; James Waddill, an early teacher ; Barton Randall ; James James, another early local preacher ; Nathan Curry, who came in the spring of 18;j0, raised one crop, then moved to Shelby County, where he lived many years ; and a few others, whose names we have not been able to obtain. These are, however, the majority, of those who came to this settlement prior to the Black Hawk war. Until after that event, there were very few residents in the territory included in the present bounds of Mat- HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 335 toon Township. The settlement was all one, though it extended over many miles of country. All were neighbors : all were poor : all were ambitious, ana nearly all came to enjoy the comforts of life they expected to find as the fruit of their privation and toil. The winter of 1830 and 1831 was one of unusual severity. It is known in the annals of the West, especially in the northern part, as the " winter of the deep snow." The snow fell almost continuously from the latter part of November till late in January, covering the ground in Northern Illinois to the depth of nearly four feet. In the southern part of the State, it was not so severe or lasting, and was a little more than half that depth. The winter was, however, very cold, and as the settlers were generally poorly provided against any such contingencies, much suffering ensued. About the latter part of Feb- ruary, a warm spell came, which quickly melted the snow, covering the entire face of the country with water. At this juncture, a reverse of temperature arose, and a continuous glare of ice was the result. People could not go any- where with liorsos or oxen, as they were not able, in a majority of cases, to shoe their teams. Had skates been as common then as now, what glorious sport the boys would have enjoyed '■ While this ice was on the ground, a few emigrants arrived, after a tedious journey over the icy prairies. Often the women were obliged to walk, the emigrant teams scarcelv able to draw the wagons. The ice was succeeded in the spring by another thaw, the like of which has rarely been seen since. The people were obliged to resort to various measures to obtain meal, fuel, meats, etc., while they were compelled to carry water and food to their stock, none of which could travel over the smooth surface every- where presented. During this time, the old mortar and grater came vigor- ously into use to supply corumeal, and many evenings did the male mem- bers of the family devote their energies to one or the other, generally the former, to supply food for the rest. Neither was an easy task. The grater was made by puncturing the bottom of an old tin pan with a nail a great many times. On the outer edges of the rough pieces of tin thus presented, the ear was rubbed until worn to the cob. This could be successfully done only when the corn was a little soft. When hard, it would shell from the cob too easily. Then the mortar came into use. This instrument was made by burning a hollow in a block or stump, of a suflBcient depth to hold about a peck of shelled corn. A pestle was then made of a heavy piece of wood, that would fit the cavity toler- ably closely. Sometimes, to give it more weight, an iron wedge was fixed securely in the end. Corn would now be placed in the hole and pounded fine with the pestle. Ofttimes, to render the task easier, the j)estle was rigged to a pole, not unlike a well-sweep, and worked in this way. When rigged to the sweep, it was a great saving of labor, and could be made much more eflFective. The meal made in this manner was not very fine, it was true, but it could be sifted, what went through the sieve being taken as the meal while the rest was made into what was known as beaten hominy. 336 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. Before the pioneers made outdoor ovens, bread was baked in a skillet or on a board before the fire. Corn-bread made in this way had a peculiar relish, it is claimed by the old settlers. Probably their appetites had much to do with the relish. Mush and milk was also a favorite which even yet has not lost its strength. The season following the "deep snow " produced a very feir crop. A few more emigrants came to the settlement, and helped swell its numbers. No troubles with the Indians, who were very few, had been experienced in this part of Illinois, and everything here seemed in a fair way to prosperity. The northern portions of the State had, however, not been so fortunate in this regard. The Sac and Fox Indians, whose villages were near the junction of the Mississippi and Roi^k Rivers, had refused to leave their homes and remain beyond the Father of Waters. Black Hawk was chief of the Sac nation, whose principal village was on a romantically commanding site just above the mouth of Rock River. It had been their home for more than one hundred and fifty years, and was endeared to them by all the ties of home and human nature. By the seventh article of the treaty of 1804, the lands belonging to this nation were actually to accrue to the United States whenever they were sold to private individuals. Until such a time the Indians could remain on them and hunt as usual. In 1816, Black Hawk recognized the validity of this treaty ; but when, in 1829, some of the land in his native home wjis sold by the General Govern- ment and became thereby the property of others, he refused to recognize the treaty and to leave his village. Adjacent to it was a large field of nearly seven hundred acres which had been the common field for the cultivation of corn, pease and squashes. This field some of the more lawless whites seized before they had a right to it, and by wanton acts of cruelty to the Indian women and children provoked the savages to retaliatory measures. The whites also brought considerable whisky, which they sold and traded to lawless Indians, against the law and the express commands of the chiefs, which so enraged them at the carousals it produced, that in one or two instances the exasperated chieftains went to the houses of the settlers, and, knocking in the heads of the whisky barrels, emptied tlicir contents on the ground. C>iie thing brought on another until war was declared. The first call for volunteers was made by Gov. Rey- nolds early in the spring of 1831. No county south of St. Clair and east of Sangamon was included in this call, as it was thought the Indians could be easily driven across the Mississippi, where they had been for a time living. Black Hawk refused to go. and force was used. At first the Indians conquered the whites, and more calls were made for volunteers. Numbers responded from every part of the State. In these calls, Coles County furnished but few men, and the Wabash Point less than a dozen. Those that went were required to furnish their own guns, ammunition, horses, etc., and provisions enough to last them to one of the forts where the general rendezvous took place. There they were supplied with ammunition and food, and were attached to some regiment. HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 337 . The recruits generally went in companies under self-appointed leaders. The State militia law was then in force, and each man knew, or thought he knew, the tactics of war. The sequel showed some ludicrous sides of human nature. Many brave men at home were cowards on the field, and ready to run at the first opportunity. It was observed, then, that the bravest were the modest ones, and those that commonly had the least to say about their own valiant deeds were the ones who merited praise. It might not be amiss to mention the '• old muster-days," as they were called. They were days of a general gathering, when all able-bodied men were required to meet at some designated point and drill. The day began to be regarded as one of general frolics, rather than muster, for, as the danger from the Indians decreased, the need of the militia diminished, until, so apparent did its uselessness become, and so obnoxious to those who could not spare the time, that, by a common decree of the people, who ridiculed the day in every way they could, it was abolished by the General Assembly. From the return of the troops from the Black Hawk war down to the opening of the railroads in 1855, but few things occurred out of the regular course of events. That war settled the Indian question in Illinois, and peace, with the red men in her borders, was the result. They were gradually withdrawn from their homes in the Prairie State, and, in a few years, none were to be seen. They followed the course of the westward sun, and seem destined, erelong, to be swallowed up by the mighty race which lias taken their country. Emigration set in anew to the West, and throughout the entire length and breadth of Illinois a continuous train of settlers poured in. Chicago was now coming into prominence, and Utopian visions of wealth began to dazzle the eyes of the denizens of Illinois. Before proceeding to note the rise of the improve- ment system and its inglorious end, we will notice two events of unusual occur- rence which happened, and which many of the old residents in Mattoon Town- ship will remember. The first of these is THE METEORIC SHOWER. A most remarkable phenomenon occurred on the night of November 12, 1833, known as the " Falling Stars," which it will be well to notice here. It appears to have occurred all over the Western country, if not over the entire United States. Mr. Tremble gives a stirring account of it in his sketches, which we here reproduce. He says : " I was on my way home from a mill, west of Shelby ville, and had arrived at the cabin of an early friend and brother in the ministry, about four miles west of the town, then a village of about two hundred inhabitants. As I was twenty-six miles from home, and had only an ox-team, I desired the brother to get me up at 3 o'clock in the morning, so that I could get home that night. After a pleasant evening, we retired. My landlord was up at the designated hour, and, going out of the cabin-door, saw a sight that utterly bewildered him 338 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. for a moment. All the stars seemed to be falling, and he at once concluded the heavens were falling and that the final day had come. Returning into the cabin, he aroused the family and myself, assuring us that the day of judgment had come, and for us to prepare to settle our accounts with our Maker. We were all up in a few moments, and beheld a sight never to be forgotten. The air was full of falling drops of fire, that immediately expired as they neared the ground. Sometimes they would alight on a leaf of a bush or tree, and go out with a peculiar noise, difficult to delineate in orthography. It sounded something like " tchuck," given with the shortest possible sound of the vowels. After gazing on the grand sight awhile, I asked the good lady to prepare me a little breakfast, while I fed and yoked my cattle. While I was eating my breakfast, the good minister remarked that he could not understand how I could eat so unconcernedly, when on the threshold of eternity. I noticed he was indeed in deep earnest, and sat part of the time with his head bowed between his knees, clasped in his hands, and apparently engaged in earnest thought. He arose when I prepared to go, protesting against my journey on such a solemn occasion, as the world would soon be on fire and the end of all all things be. I told him that if his conjectui'es proved correct, I might as well be out on the highway, driving my ox-team, as anywhere else. Bidding them adieu, I rigged my team, bestrode the near ox, and, with a flourish of my whip, started. It was now about 4 o'clock, the air was a little cool, and a slight frost lay on the ground. At the start, I had nearly a mile of timber to pass through. The meteors were falling all around me as thick as hail or as rain- drops in an ordinary shower. Some of them were so large they cast shadows on the trees. Many of them came in contact with trees in falling, and burst, throwing ofi" a myriad of sparks, illuminating the forest all about me. It was the grandest freak of nature I ever beheld, and passes mj' powers of descrip- tion. Emerging from the timber to the prairie, the sight was even more grand and inspiring. A rain of fire-drops came down. All about and above me, the air was full of the falling sparks, none of which touched me or my oxen. They would frequently fall nearly to the ground on some bush, but none touched me that I saw or felt, though I endeavored to catch some on ray hand to experience a personal contact. None reached the ground that I saw : all expired as they neared it. The storm of fire continued with no abatement that I could see until the approach of day, when the light caused it to gradually disappear, just as the stars retire on the approach of the morning sun. " Just at daylight, I entered the village of Shelbyville. where I found the inhabitants grouped about the corners, discussing the strange wonder. Many appeared to be greatly alarmed. The opinion that the end of the world was at hand strongly prevailed. 1 did not stop to discuss the question with them, but left them to solve it as best they could, and went on my way. All along my journey homeward, wherever I met any settlers or travelers, the " fire " was the theme. I could not explain it. nor could they. I could only think it was HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 339 some freak of nature scientists might some day explain ; but that tlie world was coming to an end, I did not much credit." These various meteoric showers have never been very satisfactorily e.x- plained. They have occurred at different intervals for ages, and for many years were regarded with supernatural awe by all classes of people. It is a common practice among the inhabitants of any part of the earth to so regard any unnatural phenomenon, which they cannot i-eadily explain. The commonly accepted theory among modern scientists is that they originate in certain nebu- lous bodies revolving in space in a elliptical orbit about the sun, the aphelion of which meets the orbit of the earth at the time of its annual exhibitions. This is in a measure verified, as the showers appeared m less brilliancy for three successive seasons after 1833, and again in 1841, and in 184(5. None were so brilliant by far, however, as the exhibition of 1833, whose grandest display was at Niagara, where it is said to have been of such remarkable vigor as to surpass comprehension. The fall of meteoric stones is an occurrence often noted in the liistory of the country. The appearance of comets are also mentioned, which caused wide-spread alarm, many preparing to meet the judgment which it was positively asserted they portended. That event has never visibly occurred yet, and it is safe to conclude comets, meteors and other irregular heavenly bodies have noth- ing whatever to do with it. They are now pretty satisfactorily explained, and only the ignorant fear them. To those who study the heavenly bodies they are objects of great interest and are studiously watched. THE "sudden freeze." This curious, and yet unexplained phenomenon happened on the 20th day of December, 1836. By many, the cold winter of 1880-31 is confounded with this event. A great many births, deaths and other family matters are now settled as to date, by their occurrence before, at or after the "deep snow" or the "sudden freeze." The 20th day of the month referred to had been rather warm. A slight rain fell during the forenoon, turning the few inches of snow on the ground into slush, and filling the creeks and ponds with water. About the middle of the afternoon, a heavy cloud was noticed coming rapidly from the northwest. It came at the rate of twenty-five or thirty miles per hour, as was afterward ascertained, and was accompanied with a terrific, roaring noise. As it passed over the country, everything was frozen in its track almost instantly. Water that was running in little gullies or in the streams was suddenly arrested in its career, blown into eddies and small waves by the wind, and frozen before it could subside. Cattle, horses, hogs and wild animals exposed to its fury were soon chilled through and many frozen in their tracks. Where a few moments before they walked in mud and slush, was now frozen, and unless moving about they were frozen fast. In some instances where individuals were ex- 340 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. posed to the fury of this wave and unahle to reach shelter, their lives were lost. One man was found afterward standing frozen in the mud, dead, and still hold- ing the rein of his horse in his hand. He had apparently become bewildered and chilled, and freezing fast in the mud and slush, remained standing. Mr. Elisha Linder, in speaking of this storm, says : " I was near my house feeding some stock, when I noticed the storm-cloud approaching. Thinking it would be a severe windstorm and possibly rain, as it was misting at the time, I started to the house. I went as quickly as I could, but the storm caught me before I reached the door. It was so piercing in its coldness and so strong I could not walk against it. The water was frozen as it blew into little ridges, and the mud and slush soon became as hard as stone. A good many chickens and other fowls perished. No little suffering was experienced by many persons who were illy prepared for such an unlooked-for event." It is related of a young man named Samuel Munson, in the western part of the county, who had gone, or was going for his marriage-license, that, while on the journey he was overtaken by the wave, and, finding he could not cross the Okaw or one of its tributaries, turned his horse's head up the stream and partly against the storm. He could not make the horse travel in the face of the storm and, dismounting, tried to lead him. He could not do this either. When he tried to mount the horse again, he found his clothing, especially his overcoat, wet with the rain of the forenoon, frozen so he could not mount. He threw it off, then hastily mounted his horse and started at a full gallop in the course of the storm, determined to find shelter before it was too late. Coming to a grove of trees, possibly Dead Man's Grove, he saw a cabin, and, riding up to it, dis- mounted and went in. His hands and feet were by this time partially frozen, and he was so benumbed he could hardly talk. He was obliged to remain there overnight and to postpone the wedding a day or two. Mr. Tremble and other old settlers who experienced this "sudden freeze," all give a similar description and corroborate the statements made. The wave came from the northwest, passing over tlie central part of Illinois, lower down in Indiana, and is last heard of about Cincinnati, Ohio, where it arrived at 9 o'clock in the night, freezing some emigrant wagons and teams in front of a tavern at Lebanon, a few miles above Cincinnati, while their owners were bar- gaining for a night's lodging. Its width was from about where Ottawa in Illi- nois now is, then barely started, to a short distance below Coles County. It is not heard of much above or below either place. Its origin has never been found, to our knowledge, nor has it been satisfactorily explained that we know of. Iowa was thinly settled then, and as it came across its northern border, we have only meager accounts concerning it there. It originated some- where in the vast northwest, and only lost its force and fury when it encoun- tered a wanner clime. Returning again to the subject of emigration, the growth of the State and the internal improvements, we find Coles County, especially its western part, HISTORY OF COLES COUNTV. 341 gradually filling with settlers. The scheme of building railroads and canals came now prominently before the people, and roused their expectations of future wealth and power to the highest pitch. As early as 1835, the subject received the attention of the Illinois Legislature, and in the message of Gov. Joseph Duncan to that body at the session of 1885-36, mention is made of it, and the General Assembly urged to act upon it. It responded in a manner exceeding the Governor's highest anticipations. Immense preparations were made, great sums of money appropriated, and work began on the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and on several proposed railroads, among them the Illinois Central and the Terre Haute & Alton. The issue of so much money, based on the faith of the State, and its entrance into all channels of business, had the efiect to draw an immense flood of emigration to Illinois, all anxious to share in the general prosperity. Somehow, the more the money was issued, the cheaper it became, and the dearer everything else grew. Acts of the Legislature in vain tried to hold it at and above par ; but it steadily declined, until it reached 16 cents on the dollar in gold, and in some instances 14. Either the faith of the State was correspondingly below par or the money was cheap because it was too plenty. From the Solons of the day down to the most common class of people, all saw, in the start, wealth created out of nothing, only to see it grad- ually vanish before their eyes. As it declined in value, work began to stop here and there on detached parcels of the railroads, until finally on every road it was abandoned, and only with the wisest financiering was it kept going on the canal. State banks grew out of the scheme, and a currency, as fluctuating as varied, appeared all over the country. Merchants in New York were obliged to accept notes on banks in Illinois and Indiana, which they could only realize on by returning them through brokers to some place in the West, and get all they could out of them. The fall of the system and the consequent depression of business was keenly felt all over the State. Exorbitant values had arisen on every class of property, and when the shrinkage occurred, the losses were felt. No work was done on either the Central or the Terre Haute & Alton Railroads in Coles County ; but the effects of the rise and fall of values were noted here as well as elsewhere. Money was as scarce as in the earliest pioneer times, and for awhile it looked as though ruin would be the result. The prairies were, however, naturally very productive, and though emigration for awhile shunned the State as if struck by a pestilence, it soon began to rally, and before a decade of years had passed the enormous debt was safely provided for, and prosperity of a real kind again came over the land. It was not until after 1850 — more than twelve years after the first rail was laid on the track at Meredosia, on the Illinois River, on what is now the Wabash Railway — that the subject of railroads assumed a permanent, tangible form. In February of that year, the Chicago & Galena road was finished as far as Elgin, and a train of cars made the first trip from the city on the lake to the one on the Fox River. From this date, the erection of other roads began — 342 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. this time, by individuals. The State had enough of this experience, and did not care to venture again into such schemes. The Terre Haute & Alton was among those sharing in the revival, and, as some work had been performed on it. chiefly on the eastern and western divisions, a new company took the work, and, in about four years" time, had it in running order. About the same time, the Illinois Central, through its magnificent grant of land from the General Government, came to a completion. These roads, crossing in Mattoon Township, formed the nucleus for a new town which capitalists were not slow to take advan- tage of, and the city of Mattoon was the result. Indeed, they had been watch- ing to see whei'e the crossing would be, and had located the town as soon as the question was decided, not waiting for the completion of the roads. As the his- tory of railroads in the county forms a separate chapter, we will only refer to them briefly here. When they were completed, much of the prairie-land in the township, and, in fact, all this part of the county, was yet open. It was still used for pastur- age, and the settlements confined exclusively to the timber. The railroads opened the country, however, and from that time until all was taken, it was rapidly settled. The growth of the country went steadily forward from the time of the improvement period until the late war. By that time, it was pretty thickly settled. Mattoon Township furnished her quota of men for the fray, and the city saw a regiment depart from her midst gathered almost wholly in the surrounding country. When the war closed, another season of great commercial prosperity ensued, owing to the sudden circulation of a vast amount of currency, based on the faith of the General Government. From this arose another series of fictitious values, and many farmers mortgaged their land to capitalists at a semi-annual interest of 10 per cent, expecting the "flush times" to continue. When the value of money came to the recognized standard, a shrinkage in values occurred, causing at the present time great difiiculty among many to pay debts contracted on the currency basis. Many farms in this part of Coles County have been sold to meet these claims, realizing little, if anything, more than the amount loaned. The eS"ect of all this will be to divide the large farms, and, ultimately, it will in that way be for the good of the county. The people of Mattoon Township are all- engaged in agriculture, and, if a steady purpose in this pur- suit is adhered to, no debts contracted beyond their ability to pay, and the same study devoted to that pursuit as is given to that of the law or medicine, abundant success is sure to crown the effort. Take it all in all, no occupation is so sure of a living, so independent and so safe as intelligent agriculture. We will now retrace our steps somewhat, and note the RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. We have purposely omitted any mention of churches and schools in the foregoing pages, intending those subjects for a separate chapter. HISTORY OF COLES COUllTY. 343 The first settler in Mattoon Township, " Uncle Charley," was a devout Methodist, and in his cabin the first praise and thanks to the Giver of all good were heard. Many of the others who came in 1827 were members of the same religious body, and, as soon as they could arrange their temporal matters, steps were taken toward the establishment of a church. James Graham, George M. Hanson, Miles H. Hart, Samuel Thompson, Barton Randall, George W. Rollins, and others among the early pioneers of Wabash Point, were in the local ministry of the Methodist Church, and all were earnest workers. The circuits were large, yet these men, laboring faithfully to supply their own wants, and avoid being any burden on the infantile settlement, went regularly on their rounds of preaching. The places of worship at first were in the pioneers' cabins centrally located, or, when the weather would permit, in some pleasant spot in the woods. The first benches were simply split logs, the flat side dressed smooth with a broad-ax, and supported by stout, short sticks for legs. No backs were made. When not in use, the benches were piled in a corner of the cabin-yard, until the time of service, when they were carried into the cabin and arranged to the best pur- pose that habitation furnished. The most interesting time among the adher- ents of this church was the regular camp- meeting. That was almost always held in the woods, as no cabin could hold a tithe of the crowd that ' gathered. A rude pulpit or platform was made, where three or four trees afibrded a good place for one, benches were made and arranged over the ground in front, and the place was ready. We have mentioned James Graham as one of the pioneer Methodist ministers in this part of the county. He was little a eccentric in his ways, and, withal, was not afraid to speak what he deemed right, even if the remarks touched closely on some weak brothers or sisters. A good anecdote is preserved of him by his colleague, Mr. Tremble, another local minister, yet living. As it illus- trates other modes of life, we think it well worth a place in the history of the county. ■ Among the class of wandering tradespeople, or peddlers, were a set known as the "wooden-clock peddlers." These were nearly all Yankees, regarded by the Southern people as a trafficking, tricky set, ready to sell a wooden nutmeg or any other sham. They, in turn, looked on the Kentuckians as a lazy, shift- less class, subsisting on hog, hominy and corn-bread, and willing tools in their hands. The peddlers did not scruple in the slightest to cheat them, or any one, whenever they could. The cheating, in their opinion, was all right ; the detection was what they feared. It seems these itinerant tradesmen had become a nuisance to the good residents of this part of the county, and had merited their disapprobation. Father Graham, among the rest, had suffered at their hands, and rather smarted under the treatment. Their common mode of procedure was first to canvass a district, selling all the clocks they could, warranting them for a year or any length of time suitable 344 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. to their scheme. In a month or so, they would retrace their route, starting from where they began with one clock, pretty well regulated. It would run three or four days very well, and that was all they wanted. Part of the origi- nal agreement was to replace the clock first sold in case it did not fulfill the warrant. In that lay the trick. When they reached the first customer, they found, as they expected and hoped, that the clock did not fulfill the contract, and they at once replaced it with the one they had, charging a small fee for the transfer and repair. Taking the clock they obtained here, they went on to the next place, where the process was repeated, and so on till the end of the route. Foi" a few days the clocks went all ri^ht, and every one was delighted. But after awhile, when they, too, began to keep all sorts of time, the settlers began to grumble, and on comparing notes, discovered the cheat. The lesson, however, did not always bear fruit, as erelong they were caught on the wooden nutmeg, gilded jewelry and kindred appliances. They, like every one else, seemed often to forget that nothing good can be obtained for less than its value, however plausible the arguments in its favor may be. While Father Graham was holding one of his camp-meetings, he was some- what disturbed by one of these itinerant merchants, who not only being a cheat in business, was also a worthless character, and, as such, disturbed the meeting. Father G., after vainly endeavoring, by private means, to reform or get rid of him, determined to use decisive methods with him. At the morning service on the Sabbath, the good minister, in his prayer, closed as follows : " Lord, thy servants have been wonderfully annoyed by the bad actions and wicked conduct of a fellow known all over this camp-ground as ' Wooden- Clock Peddler.' Lord, if it is possible there be mercy for such a wicked wretch, may he find that mercy to-day, so that he repent of his great wicked- ness, turn about and do better. But, Lord, if he is, as he appears to be, a doomed wretch, why suffer him to stay here as a hindrance to Thy great work ? Lord, may he see that ' discretion is the better part of valor,' and leave forthwith. But, Lord God, if he will not leave, kill him a little on the spot, and save us from all wooden-clock peddlers forever. Amen ! " " If ever I saw," says Mr. Tremble, " the eyes of a congregation turned in search of an object, in was the eyes of that congregation, when they arose from their knees at the close of the prayer." But the "wooden-clock peddler" was seen only in the distance making rapid strides for some other locality. He was seen no more on that camp-ground. Enough adherents to this denomination had arrived by the year 1832 to warrant the erection of a house of worship. A site was chosen near the pres- ent Capp's Mill, and the people gathering together erected a log church. This was rather a primitive affair, and for awhile served its purpose. The settlement formed a kind of nucleus around which gathered three churches, not to speak of those in Mattoon. This fact, in a measure, caused the Church here to disband, and gather into three others, all out of the township, save one, which again, HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 345 about five years ago, erected the brick church, known as the " Little Wabash Methodist Church." It is near the creek of that name, about four miles south- west of Mattoon. It is a very comfortable church, while near it was built a neat brick parsonage. The congregation numbers now about one hundred members. Among the early settlers were several professing the Baptist and Cumber- land Presbyterian creeds. The former of these built a church in Paradise Township, the first church there. It is referred to in the history of that Town- ship. The Cumberland Presbyterians have maintained pretty regular services since their emigration, commencing before 1830. They have attended church at Paradise generally until lately and did not build a church in Mattoon Town- ship until about 1873, when they completed a very neat frame edifice, at an expense of $1,600, which they now occupy. Theirs and the Little Wabash Methodist Church are the only two houses of worship in the township outside of Mattoon. It has been rather difficult to determine the first year school was taught in the AV abash Point settlement, and by whom. There was probably a school taught in a cabin in the winter of 1827—28, or the next spring. Mrs. Elisha Linder says she recollects going to a school, she thinks, the next summer, and that James Waddill was the teacher. Mr. Tremble says in his sketches, that about 1831, Uncle Jack Houching, with a few other neighbors, undertook to burn brick, and built a small cabin for the benefit of the hands, just north of Mr. John Thomas' spring. The brick project proved a failure and the cabin was abandoned. The settlers not long after appropriated the cabin for school pur- poses and fitted it for that purpose. Long slab seats, puncheon floor, and a writing-desk from " end to end " at one side, were put in, the fire-place made safe, and, taking out one of the side logs, covered the place left with greased paper, and the house was ready. The teacher, Mr. Tremble, too, thinks was James Waddill. He was paid so much per scholar, the idea of taxation for education not then prevailing. The price per scholar depended on the number of scholars promised. If twenty-five or thirty were subscribed the price was generally $2.50 or $3 each. The teacher commonly "boarded 'round," a practice not now indulged in. Teachers were always hired by the quarter — three months — and when they were not paid in money, accepted common articles of barter. Capt. W. E. Adams, in his Centennial Address, refers to this school as follows: The first schoolhouse in that section was a cabin, built in 1830. Before it was occupied as a school, a man named Ledbetter moved his family into it. Soon after this, George Hanson went down to order him out. Ledbetter, however, was master of the situation, and chased Hanson off with a meat-ax. Hanson, in his flight, stubbed his toe and fell down, and in his fall Ledbetter split the back of his coat-tail open with the ax. After school had been held in this cabin a term or two, it was removed to the old log church, built on the site of Capp's mill or near it, and referred to in the history of churches just noted. This school was, it must be borne in mind, in 346 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. Paradise Township. School was kept here, or in the cabins, until about 1844 or 1845, when the first schoolhouse, built expressly for such purposes, was erected in Mattoon Township. That was about the dawn of the present school- system of Illinois. It had been agitated as early as 1827, renewed in 1835- 3t:i. and a few subsequent Legislatures, but so distasteful was the idea of tax- ation to the southern portion of the State, that not until 1844—45 did the first permanent school law come into force. This schoolhouse was used until the present one, erected during the war on its site, superseded it. It was not alone possessor of the field long. Other parts of the township began to fill rapidly with settlers, especially when the railroads were opened, and, as necessity required, houses were built. The open, ing of high schools in Mattoon gave additional facilities for instruction, which have, in a measure, been well improved. EARLY MILLS, MILLING, ETC. We have incidentally noticed the grater and mortar, and described their modes of use. Following these primitive mills, we will notice those that suc- ceeded, viz., the hand and horse mills. The hand-mill was quite an improve- ment on the hominy-block. It consisted of two small circular stones, 14 or 16 inches acros the face, and made something like the millstones of to-day. The lower stone was made fast to some timbers, with a hoop bent around it and pro- jecting some three or four inches above, forming a receptacle for the upper stone. This had a hole in the center, through which the corn was dropped by the hand, and was made to fit the under stone as well as the tools of the day could dress it. Near the outer rim, a hole was drilled into it about IJ inches across, and of the same depth. Into this an upright was fastened, its upper end secured in the ceiling, or to some immovable piece of timber. The lower stone had a J- inch hole, drilled from 2 to 3 inches in depth, in the center, and a round piece of iron driven firmly in. Its top projected about the same distance above. The top formed a pivot, and by the aid of a flat piece of iron, was cut to a half circle, with flanges on each end, so as to fit the notches cut in each side of the " runner." This iron was placed in the " eye " of the upper stone, generally called the "runner," with the concave side down. Its under side was so notched as to fit the pivot and balance, so that when forced around it kept its place. These simple arrangements completed the outfit. When meal was wanted, a measure of shelled corn was placed near, from which the corn was dropped in by the left hand, while the stone was turned by the right. It was given a rapid motion, and, if heav^', both hands were used, and an attendant dropped the corn into the center hole. At one place, the under stone was sometimes made slightly sloping, and a spout inserted in the iron rim surround- ing the stone, through which the meal was forced as it was ground. It will be observed by the reader, that this kind of mill is spoken of in the Bible, only that the handle was commonly a foot or more in height. It is as old as HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 349 the world, almost, and, in ancient times, was almost always operated by women. The Savior referred to the custom of women grinding at the mill, when He said, " The one shall be taken and the other left." The horse-mill was simply the hand-mill made too large and heavy for one person to turn, and was rigged something after the manner a common circu- lar sweep is now made. To this a horse or mule was hitched and driven in a circle. It was often rigged with a pulley made of a leather band, and thereby given an increased motion. The hand-mill was also rigged with cogs and bands, and arranged so two or four men could turn it with a crank. It was toler- ably hard work, but it was often the case that, when properly rigged in this way, a bushel of grain could be ground in forty minutes. After the horse-mills came into use, the hand-mills were largely abandoned. They were too slow when a better way was known, and gradually came to be a a thing of the past. It is not stated that any horse-mills were built in Mattoon Township. The older parts of the county had them first, and to them the settlers were accus- tomed to go. Many of the old settlers now living, well remember getting up at o or 4 o'clock in the morning, preparatory to getting early to the mill, hoping to get there in advance of any one else, only to find, perchance, a whole " string of wagons ahead of them," as they express it, and being obliged to remain a day or two awaiting their turn. No water or steam mills were built in Mattoon Township till after the city was started, when they were erected there. As their history properly belongs to the history of the city, the reader is referred to that, where the subject, as concerns this township, is concluded. EARLY MAILS AND THE OLD STAGES. The first mail facilities enjoyed in this part of the country were indeed quite meager. Letters were few and far between, while newspapers were a rarity. The postage, was, in the early days of post-routes, governed by the distance the letter was sent, ranging from five to twenty-five cents. After the express com- panies started and began to carry them at a cheaper rate, the Government low- ered the cost from time to time until the present rate was established. The first post office, says Mr. Hiram Tremble, for the Little Wabash Point settlement was established at George M. Hanson's, who drew up a petition for one, obtained the necessary signatures and sent it on to Washington. Capt. Adams states also, that this was the first post oflBce in the county, and that it was established by George M. Hanson, who was the Postmaster. The office was named Paradise, in memory of Paradise Post Ofl^ce in Virginia, in the county where Mr. Hanson was born. These two were the only post offices of that name in the United States. The office was located here in 1829, and remained with Mr. Hanson about two years, when it was removed to the State Line Road, just then being opened. There it was kept by Mr. William Langston, who had what was known as the " Relay House, ' i. e., where the stage-horses were changed. This stage-road, or, more ^50 HI8T0RY OF COLES COUNTY. properly. State Road, had formerly been a trace or trail, simply a bridle-patli, and led from Charleston to Slielbyville and on to Yandalia, the old State capi- tal. At first the mail was carried on horse-back, and made a weekly trip. The road passed through Mattoon Township, a little north of the present village of Paradise ; hence, when the post office was removed to Mr. Langs- ton's, it was still in Mattoon Township. It remained at the " Relay House " about two years, when it was taken to a little embryo town located on the Houtchin Farm, called Richmond, where G. W. Nabb had quite a store, in which the office was kept : Mr. Nabb, Postmaster. The office remained there till tlie Alton & Terre Haute Railroad was completed and Mattoon founded. There is considerable dispute among the old settlers concerning this post office and its frequent removals. We have given Mr. Tremble's recollections, which some pronounce correct, while others think a little differently. It seems impossible to reconcile all the statements regarding it. The subject is further treated in Paradise Township. After the stages began running, the mail was changed to a bi-weekly, then to a tri-weekly, and when the railroad came, to a daily mail. The old stage- coach was as much an improvement on the modes of travel preceding it, as the railway of to-day is an improvement on the coach. It was generally quite gorgeously painted, were made secure, and would carry just as many passen- gers as could get inside and on its top. This propensity to crowd stages has given rise in this day to the trite proverb, " There is always room for one more in a stage. ' They were drawn by four horses commonly, but in times of bad roads six or eight would be hitched to it. The driver was perched on top in a comfortable seat at the front, and nearly always. had a passenger with him. In times of good roads and fine weather, the driver's seat was often sought, as it gave such commanding views of the country. When the fierce prairie storms abounded, and winter set his icy hand on everything, it required a brave man to face the contest. Not unfrequently drivers perished at their post in unusually severe weather. The most interesting time was probably in the spring, when the ground was thawing out. The soil of the prairies would sometimes freeze two or three feet deep, especially in low. wet places, conse- quently the thawing-out process reached down that depth, where it com- monly met the perpetually wet undersoil, producing what was termed, in the common parlance of the day, a road with "no bottom." Then it was, indeed, interesting to the passengers. First one side of the coach wa,s down, then the other, alternately pitching the passengers right and left. About as soon as they got used to this mode of travel, the fore wheels would go suddenly down to the axle, and a forward lurch of the passengers followed. As they came up, the hind wheels went down, and a retrograde movement on the part of the passengers was the result. Relief from this alternate pitching arose only when an eminence was reached, or when the passengers walked. HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 351 Sometimes exciting drives occurred, especially when the driver wanted to give a team " all the running they wanted.' He would ply them with the whip, and keep them at a full gallop until completely broken of their desire to run away. If the road was a few inches deep in mud, the condition of the pas- sengers, unless securely inclosed, can be well imagined. They came out of the race considerably sprinkled with the prairie soil. These days of the stage con- tinued till the opening of the railroads in 1855. when they it farther west, only in time to be obliged to give way to the fleet iron horse, destined in time to entirely supersede it. ^ EAELY COURTS. From the first settlement until society became established, the settlers were generally a law unto themselves. They were too remote from the county seat before Coles County was erected, and settled disputes among themselves. They were exceeding honorable in their dealings with each other, and rarely did occa- sion require of them recourse to law. When it did. the punishment was sure and swift. They abhorred the petty vices, stealing, lying, etc., and would com- pletely ostracize any one found guilty. As all were poor and mutually depend- ent on each other, they were strict in their observance of the right, and would aid one another to the farthest extent of their ability, did he show any disposi- tion to try to do for himself. At every house-raising all did their part ; all wanted to, and should any one evince a disposition to shirk, he was made to feel his dependence whenever he wanted any help from his neighbors. Mr. Trem- ble says he does not remember of but one theft occurring in the neighborhood from the date of its first settlement in 1827, till after the first election in 1831. The theft and its punishment were characteristic of the times, and will suffice as a good illustration for the " court proceeding " of the day. One of the settlers had killed a beef, and, to secure the hide, bent down a small sapling, attached the hide to the toji branch, and allowed the tree to spring back to its place, bearing the hide aloft, far out of the reach of wolves or any other species of thieves. He never once thought of any person stealing it. and hence allowed it to remain in the tree-top over night. The next morn- ing it was gone. By what means, he could not determine, but he felt sure nothing but a human being could have secured it. He sent word to a few of the neighbors, and soon word was all over the settlement that a theft had occurred; something so unusual, that all left their work and gathered at the settler's cabin, determined to find the offender and give him his merits. By some means, the hide was tracked to its place of concealment. The guilty man was now to be apprehended, in case they could find him. He had been sus- pected, it seems, from the start, for, in a scattered community like this, every one was pretty well known, and two citizens were deputed to search his premises. Tiiey returned in an h(iur or so, with the information that they could not find him, though they had given the cabin and its contents a thor- ough examination. The settlers were not satisfied, and a second search was 352 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. instituted, in which all took a part. Under tlie bed, a puncheon was found displaced, and a lot of rags and old quilts substituted. Removing these, the thief was discovered between the floor and the sill of the cabin. He was at once brought forth, and a trial held. The tears of his wife and children could not avail now : the pioneers were determined to punish theft whenever found. One among their number was appointed Judge, another Sheriff", another Prose- cutor, and a fourth, counsel for the defense. The trial was held under a large elm-tree in the east side of Dry Orove. Everything was conducted decorously, and. at its close, the prisoner was sentenced to receive thirty lashes on his naked back, at the hands of the Sheriff" — and that at the close of the next two hours. Court was held about a mile from the prisoner's cabin, and, before the execution of the sentence was carried into eft'ect, he begged to be allowed to see his family. This was granted, and the Sheriff" ordered to see him safely home and back. On the way to his cabin, he was informed by the officer that if he would leave the country that night, " hook and line."' with the promise never to be seen in those parts again, he would let him escape. The Sheriff" informed him that he must, however, run for life, for as soon as he started he (the Sheriff") would shout at the top of his voice, " Stop thief I Stop thief I' By this time, they were out of sight of the Court, and the Sheriff", pointing one way, remarked, "That's your course,"' and away he went at the top of his speed. The Sheriff" appeared to be after him, yelling with all his might. " Stop thief ! " The Court, of course, heard, and. immediately forgetting its dignity, started, pell-mell, in pursuit. The prisoner, however, had the start, and made good his escape. He was joined by his family afterward, and was never seen again in these parts. He had, doubtless, learned a lesson he never forgot, and, it is hoped, one he heeded. It was, undoubtedly, part of the plan to allow him to escape, but to so thoroughly intimidate him that others would heed the lesson. Whether the trial was just in its conclusions or not. and its mode of action commendable, can hardly be doubted, in the condition society then existed. Even were such methods adopted now, so thoroughly prompt and decisive, it is hardly an open question but that it would sometimes be better. After the county was organized, the processes of civil law were carried out, and, from that date down, we arc not informed of any impromptu courts and court pro- ceedings. We have thus far narrated the leading events in the history of Mattoon Township. The history of its organization is given in the general county history, and, as it did not occur until four years after Mattoon village was established, we will proceed directly to the history of the city, and. in like manner, note its important events. The town is the outgrowth of the crossing of the two railroads, and dates its be"'innin<' from that occurrence. When the original surveys for the rail- roads were made, it was predicted that a town would grow up at their crossing; but until the exact location of tlie routes was determined, no one ventured to HISTORY OF COLES COUllTY. 353 purchase the ground and prepare for the expected village. It was at one time thought that the crossing would be made about two miles north of the site of Mattoon, and a town, to be called Arno, was laid out there by David A. Neal, of Massachusetts, ow^ner of the land. The survey was made by John Meadows, March 14, 1855. The routes of the roads were pretty certainly established by 1852, and in that year a company of persons, prominent among whom were Elisha Linder, Ebenezer Noyes, James T. Cunningham, Stephen D. Dole, John L. Allison and John Cunningham, purchased Section 13, in Township 12, and concluded to plat thereon a town. Two years elapsed before this was done, during which interval, Davis Carpenter, Usher F. Linder, H. Q. Sanderson, Harrison INIes- ser, Samuel B. Richardson, W. B. Puell, Josiah Hunt and Charles Nabb obtained an interest, and, by direction of all these persons, a town was laid out on December 12, 1854, by John Meadows, then County Surveyor. It must be borne in mind that the grant of land given by the Government in aid of the Illinois Central Railroad (a full history of which appears elsewhere), included only alternate sections in the belt, and that, to equalize the revenue from the remaining sections, the price was doubled. These men, then, paid for Section 12 $2.50 per acre, which, considering the location, was certainly cheap enough. No sooner was the survey made than preparations for building began. Men did not wait for a sale of lots, but went to the proprietors and selected such lots as they desired, began building on them, with the understanding that they be allowed them as their choice on the day of sale ; that then they really be con- firmed in their purchase. The first building brought on the town site was an old structure moved here from La Fayette Township by Blueford Sexton, and used as a kind of lodging-house, boarding-house and toolhouse. Anything that would in any way shelter a person was acceptable, and was, as they termed it. "better than nothing." On the 28th day of March, 1855, the next spring after the survey. Mr. R. H. McFadden raised the first house erected on the site of Mattoon. It stands on its original site, on the south side of First street, just east of the Illinois Central Railroad track, and is now occupied by Mrs. Cartmell. The house, when built, contained two front rooms, one of which was intended for a store, and in it Flemming & Sexton opened the first stock of goods offered for sale in the town. This was done early in April, and by that time several other buildings were in course of erection. Afterward, Cartmell and Dr. Camp had a small drug store in the room, and when Mr. Noyes built a small brick store west of the railroad, the stock was moved there. Dr. Camp was deaf and dumb, and lived awhile in one lialf of Mr. Cunningham's warehouse, built on the north side of the Terre Haute & Alton Railroad, before the sale of lots occurred. The pioneer drug store was closed out in the little brick. Two days after Mr. McFadden raised his house, an enterprising individual set up a little board shanty a short distance south of him, and began selling whisky and other compounds. S'A HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. James M. True opened a store soon after. John Allison built a small land office ; Ebenezer Noyes a small brick building on the c6-, Pilkington & Green opened a bank in the building vacated by the former bank, using their safe and fixtures. This they continued until January 1, 1864, when the firm was changed to Pilkington & Co., the members of the firm being Mr. Pilkington, C. G. Towusend and W. B. Dunlap. The bank was removed two or three doors west of its former location, and under tiio new management con- tinued till May 1, 18(j."). The national banking system had now been devised, and it was decided to organize a national bank. A number of wealthy gentle- men met, subscribed the necessary funds, purchased the business, fixtures, etc., of Pilkington & Co., and as soon as the arrangements were perfected, opened the First National Bank. It was opened on the above date — May 1 — with a capital of $60,000, with the privilege of increasing to $200,000. That fall, their present building was completed, vaults were put in and a time-lock ])laced on the safe. The Directors were C. M. Dole, William Miller, Samuel Smith, J. (.'. Dole, I. R. Herkimer, Hiram Cox, Aloiizo Eaton, L. Chapin and S. W. True. Mr. C. M. Dole was chosen President ; Mr. True, Cashier, and Mr. Dunla]), Teller. Mr. True resigned the cashiership early in January, 1879, and Mr. Dunlap was elected to the vacancy. He remained in this posi- tion until January 1, 1874. When the Mattoon National Bank was organized in July, he wa.s elected President. He resigned the Cashier's place to engage in the real estate and loan business, as he desired a more active, outdoor busi- ness. He was only nominally President of the Mattoon National Bank, draw- ing no salary, and after a few years' work in the position, he sold his stock in this bank, and went entirely out of the business. When he left the First National Bank, Mr. C. G. Weymouth was elected to the Cashier's office, hav- ing been promoted to that position from the Teller's i)lace. No change was made in the bank's ofiicials until the spring of 1878, when Mr. Dunlap was again elected to the Cashier's place, which he still holds. Mr. J. E. Steele is HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 371 Teller. Mr. Dunlap was elected President of the bank, but declined, and Mark Kahn was chosen. He held the place until January, 1879, when he resigned, and William B. Warren, of Terre Haute, was elected. The capital stock was reduced to $50,000 not long since, that amount being abundant for all purposes ; all doubtful paper was thrown out and properly charged, and now the bank is in an excellent condition, with a large surplus. The next bank established in town was by Hinkle & Champion and Mr. M. B. Abell. It began business Mav 1, 1866, under the name of the Merchants' and Farmers' Bank, in a room now occupied by Craig & Craig as a law office. It continued business till a few years ago, when it failed, and closed. Mr. Dunlap, as Receiver, wound up its affairs. The last bank, the Mattoon National, was organized July 1, 1874, with the following officers : W. B. Dunlap, President, and James H. Clark, Cashier. The Directors were E. B. McClure, J. Richmond, John Rapp, Moses Kahn, G. T. Kilner, M. Walsh, T. C. Patrick. Joseph H. Clark and W. B. Dunlap. Two of the Directors afterward sold their stock — W. B. Dunlap and M. AValsh, and two, Moses Kahn and John Rapp, died. The stockholders met and elected S. B. Gray, J. F. Drish, S. Isaac and A. J. Sanborn in their places. W. B. Dunlap sold his stock in November, 1877, and retired from the Presidency. The Directors elected Joseph H. Clark to the vacancy, elected E. B. McClure Vice President, and chose W. A. Steele as Cashier and George Robinson, Teller. These oiScers are yet in the bank. It has aia abundant capital, a large surplus, and is doing a good business. When the Merchants' and Farmers" Bank suspended, this bank lost some money through the failure of some of its borrowers, who were obliged to suspend owing to the failure of that bank. These 'losses and all doubtful paper have been charged up, and now only the best of paper is held. This bank and the First National are the only two in town, and are all its trade will justify. Both are well backed, and are careful to conduct only a legitimate banking business. An examination of the amount of business performed at the various railway offices in Mattoon shows a good average with all towns in Central Illinois. Up to the war, the business of the town was all the time on the increase. For the first years of that conflict it fell off, owing to many men being taken from various pursuits of life to enter the army. As the war progressed, business again revived, and building, which had in a measure ceased, was renewed with great vigor. When the war closed, business of every kind experienced a forward move seldom equaled. It was in a measure unhealthy and too rapid for permanent benefit. For awhile after the war closed, buildings went up in Mattoon — this time of a substantial character — with something like the days of its earliest exist- ence. When the re-action came, Mattoon experienced it keenly. From the books of the two railways of Mattoon, the trade of the town, we take the following table of the shipments from October 1, 1866, to October 1, 1867, as compiled 372 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTV. from reports published in the Journal of February 1, 1868. The agent of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Roads reported : Number of horses 479 Number of mules 244 Number of sheep I.o20 Number of hogs 1.3,800 Number of cattle ■5,440 Bushels potatoes 13,060 Bushels wheat 25,4:i8 Bushels corn 164,180 Bushels oats 21,860 Bushels barley 5,778 Bushels rye 700 Tons of hay 302 Barrels of hominy 4,58'.) Barrels meal 3,230 Barrels tluur 421 Barrels tallow 76 Barrels vinegar 210 Bundles of pelts 26 Bundles green hides 433 Bundles dry hides 218 Pounds of wool 73,447 Pounds miscellaneous 17,166,453 The agent of the Illinois Central reported : Number of horses 251 Number mules 626 Number cattle 1,544 Number hogs 2,667 Number sheep 1,610 Bushels of corn 324,.561 Bushels wheat 6,0.50 Bushels oats 2!l,518 Bushels barley 6,176 Barrels of hominy 1,344 Barrels meal 1,675 Barrels tlour 206 Barrels vinegar 474 Car loads of hay 7 Car loads of poultry 7 Bushels of potatoes 12,532 Pounds miscellaneous 2,551,305 The same number of the Journal says that there are in number the follow- ing business houses : Hotels 5 Banks 2 Bookstores 1 Warehouses 4 Planing-mills 1 Woolen-mills 1 Flouring-mills 2 Vinegar- works _ I HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 373 Hominy-mills '2, Dry goods stores 10 Drug stores .■ ♦'» Clothing stores 4 Furnishing stores 1 Furniture stores ■? Hardware stores '^ Leather store I Stove stores 1 Music store 1 Groceries 14 Agricultural stores 1 Wagon-shops o Plow-shops 3 Blacksmith-shops 8 Carpenter-shops 4 • Harness-makers 5 Coal offices S Saloons 10 Restaurants o Bakeries S Shoe stores 2 Lumljer-yards "2 Marble-shops ■{ Art galleries ■^ Livery-stables 4 Express offices 2 Jewelry stores ■? Brewery 1 Tailors 3 Milliners fi Draymen 24 Dentists 3 Lawyers ; 9 Physicians 12 The editor states that much building is going on : that the hotel — Dole House — is contemplated ; also, two churches, and that the prospects are favora- ble for a large city — something every hamlet in the West confidently expects, and cannot understand why outsiders do not see such a result is inevitable. The element of hope enters largely into American character, and is nowhere more strikingly exhibited than in the average editor's opinion of his own town. The Journal, further on in this article, gives a valuable table of heights of towns in Central Illinois. It is worth reproducing, and we give it entire : '• Mattoon is 740 feet above the level of the sea, 158 feet above Chicago and the lake, and 458 feet above the rivers at Cairo. We are just one foot above Champaign, 66 feet above Pana, 176 above Decatur, 19 above Bloomington and 142 above Galena. There is only one point between Chicago and Cairo higher than Mattoon, viz., Monee, about thirty-five miles south of Chicago, which is 54 feet higher than our city, being 794 feet above tide water. There is 374 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. not a point on the St. Louis. Alton & Terre Haute Road so high as our city by many feet.'" From the foregoing statement, it will be observed that Mattoon is, in a measure, a " city set on a hill." If she follows the injunction of Holy Writ, she will doubtless let her light shine. This can be done in more ways than one, not only in a Scriptural sense, but in a material one, by showing an activity in business and solidity of purpose that will count in the future. THE POST OFFICE. To show the life of the Mattoon post ofEce, we subjoin the following state- ments : The second Postmaster was H. L. Taylor, the next Joseph Brady, who was followed by 11. W. Houghton, M. W. Wilcox and J. H. Clark, the present occupant. He was appointed May 5, 1869, and is now serving his third term. When Mr. True was Postmaster, there were four daily mails, now there are ten. There are about 700 letters daily received, in addition to the papers, periodicals and miscellaneous packages. The sale of stamps for the year 1878 amounted to ^5,726.91. The amount of money-orders issued for the week ending Februarys, 1879, was §546.08. Those paid amounted to $2,034.28. As many more orders are paid than issued, Mr. Clark holds a balance of $2,000 in the New York office to draw against to make up the deficiencies. Some idea of the business of the office can be obtained by computing, from the amounts given, the business for a year. When we remember the few mistakes occurring, we can truly marvel at the excellency of the post office management. There are 1,100 open boxes and 211 lock -boxes. The income from the boxes is about $800 per year. CHUKCHES AND SCHOOLS. It has been already noticed in these pages that a church was built in Mattoon the second summer of its existence. That pioneer church is yet standing, and is still used for the purpose for which it was erected. It was built by the Baptists — " Old Line," as they are commonly termed here — in the summer of 1856. After their disbanding it was sold to the L'nited Brethren, when they organized a congregation in town (having been in the country previously), and was used by them until their disorganization. Then it went into the hands of Michael Tobey and J. S. Mitchell, as Trustees, by whom it is yet held. The Calvary Baptists had made, during this time, several unsuc- cessful efforts to organize a congregation, but not until January, 1876, were they able to effect a permanent union. Early in that year, they met in Mr. .U. T. S. Rice's office, and by him were organized as a congregation. There were but seven members. These were Mr. and Mrs. Rice, Jonathan A. Tuffts, wife and daughter, S. K. Sanders and George Clark and wife. Soon after, they were joined by Mrs. Joseph and Mrs. Sinsebaugh. HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 375 For three years, they met for divine services in a hall over Hasbrouck's hard- ware store, Mr. Rice being leader a good part of the time. Not long since, they leased the old church built in 1856, which they now occupy. Their member- ship has nearly quadrupled since the organization. Their present Pastor is Rev. W. S. Dodge. The First Missionary Baptist Church, the oldest congregation of thi.s^ denomination in the city, was organized December 25, 1863, with twenty-eight members, prominent among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Roach, Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Hays, Mr. and Mrs. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb, H. J. Streator and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Frazer. The organization was effected in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where they continued to meet for nearly a year. They then leased the old church, and used it one year ; then Cartmell's Hall ; then to a hall over South's store ; then to Union Hall, in which place the first steps were taken for the formation of the present Calvary Baptist Church by several of the members withdrawing for that purpose. In 1870. the congregation built their present house of worship, and have been holding regular services therein since. From the date of the establishment of this church to the present time, more than three hundred members have been connected with it. It is the nucleus around which have grown the churches at Willow Creek, ^tna, Kickapoo, and one other congregation. Rev. J. W. Riley, who was present at the Recognition Council, January 30. 1864, has been the Pastor, with the exception of six years, when he was at other places. During this interval, the pulpit was filled with supplies nearly every Sabbath, and services regularly sustained. The Cumberland Presbj/terian Church was organized in the summer of 1857. In the spring of that year. Rev. Joel Knight, a minister in this denomination, began preaching in Mattoon, one Sabbath in each month, in the Baptist Church. On the 23d of August, twenty-seven persons, professing adherence to the doctrines of this Church, met and organized themselves into a congregation, and signed articles of confederation. The following is the original roll of membership : Alexander Montgomery, H. Clay Warthon, James S. Cunningham, Edw. W. Cartmell, Sarah A. Mount, M. Craig, R. D. Montgomery,* J. AV. Rankin, Washington Engle, Mrs. Lucinda Montgomery, Mrs. Sarah Montgomery, Mrs. Eliza Craig. Edw. Hall, W. H. K. Pile,* Mrs. N. I. Pile,* Mrs. Scintha Mount, John J. Walkup, Mrs. Margaret A. Montgomery, Mrs. Mary E. Mont- gomery, Jefferson M. Hall,* Mrs. Amanda J. Hall,* James Kelley,* Mrs. Mercy Kelley, Rev. Peter Duncan, Mrs. Manning Duncan and Mrs. Nancy E. Morrison. -Of these, but six are now connected with the congregation. Thirteen have removed, and eight have died. On the 27th, the congregation met and elected Alexander Montgomery, H. Clay Warthon and Edw. Hall, Elders, and W. H. K. Pile, Clerk. * Still a member. 376 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. At the fall session of this Presbytery, the congregation was taken under its care, and Rev. Joel Knight employed to preach one-fourth of his time, and, for two years, services were held, most of the time, in Cartmell Hall. On February 27, 18.58, James T. Cunningham, H. Clay Warthon and W. H. K. Pile, were chosen Trustees, and during the following spring. Rev. George 0. Bannon, from Kentucky, preached for the congregation. Rev. Peter -Duncan was also employed, and while here, in 1860, his death occurred. On November 1, 1859, Rev. J. W. Wood began his work in this church, preaching each alternate Sabbath. He remained one year, and was succeeded by Rev. James Ashmore, who filled the pulpit until the fall of 1861. In the spring of that year, preparations were made to build a house of worship, and in June, the corner-stone was laid. The address on this occasion was delivered by Rev. J. W. Wood, assisted in the ceremony by the two minis- ters who had succeeded him here. The church was not completed, owing to the breaking-out of the war, and other matters,' until 186-'). It was dedicated in 1867, by J. B. Logan, D. D. In the summer of 1862, Rev. S. R. Roseboro was called, remaining eight months. The records of the congregation do not show any progress from this time until the close of the war (1865), nor the names of the ministers. In March of this latter year. Rev. Mr. Wood was again called, and remained until March, 1866. In June, 1857, Rev. T. K. Hodges began preaching, remain- ing one year. In December, 1868, Rev. W. S. Langdon came. On the 12th day of October, 1869, he died, in his room in the basement of the church. He was taken to St. Louis, Mo., for interment. Rev. E. J. Gillespie was called to tlie vacancy, and remained two years. He was followed by R. W. Hooker, who stayed nine months. In April, 1875, Rev. A. B. McDaniel came. He remained one year. In June, 1876, Rev. R. J. Beard was called. He remained two ye:ir.< and three months. In November, 1878, the present Pastor, Rev. E. M. Joimsoii, began his ministry. From the time the congregation was organized until February 17, 1879, there have been 348 members received. Of these, 35 have died, 168 have been dismissed and gone, and 145 remain. The church is a convenient brick structure, on East Broadway, and has been in continual use ever since.its erection. The Christian Church was organized in March, 1859, with seventeen mem- bers, of whom one only, Mr. Zack Robertson, is now connected here. The organi- zation was eflfected by Elder John Mathes, of Bedford, Ind. Services were held in halls and the members' houses, until 1860, when they erected their present church. The growtli of the congregation continued uninterrupted until 1870, when between thirty and forty members, living principally on the West Side, withdrew from the church and established a congregation there. They erected a small frame cliurch, and continued as a separate body until 1878, when they re-united with the old church, from which time there has been one organization. HISTORY. OF COLES COUNTY. 377 The small house of worship on the West Side is now used as a mission chapel. Since the establishment of the Christian Church in Mattoon, fully five hundred members have belonged to it. Many of them are now, however, removed to other places, some are dead, and some fallen away. There are now nearly two hundred members. The printipal Pastors have been Revs. Black, Frazier, Adams, Streater, Lucas, Stewart, Roberts and Mason. The present minister is Rev. E. J. Hart. The Gennnti Uvanc/elicaf Association was organized in 1868, with seven members, by Rev. Matthew Keiber. For the first three years, they met in a hall in the west part of town, and were supplied by ministers from other parts of the circuit. In 1870, they began the erection of their present house of worship, which was completed and occupied the next year. It is a small frame structure in the southwest part of Mattoon, convenient for the members. The congregation has increased but little in its membership, the removals and deaths equalizing the accessions. They are yet unable to support a regu- lar ministry, and are .supplied every other week by Rev. M. Kahl, the minister in charge of this circuit. The Unitarian Church was organized December -"2, 18(j7. After holding meeting in the members' houses and in halls, for a few years, the church dis- banded and services were discontinued. In 1872, another effort was made and a new organization effected, mainly through the efforts of Rev. J. L. Douthit, of Shelbyville, and a few of the old members who still adhered to the principles of this denomination. They began the erection of a very neat brick church on West- ern avenue, which structure they completed the next year. Their first regular minister was Rev. George A. Dennison, who came in the spring of 1873, and re- mained two years. Since his departure, they have been supplied occasionally only, and have not maintained regular services. They are at present without a pastor, but an effort is being made to revive the work here and build up the church. The colored residents of Mattoon sustain two churches, the oldest of which is the Methodist. This was organized in the spring of 18156, with about a dozen members, by Rev. Smith Nichols, the present Pastor. That summer, a frame building was purchased, remodeled, and made into a comfortable church, and is yet used. The membership has more than doubled, and the prospects of this congregation are good. Rev. Nichols remained with the church from 186tJ to 1868. He was succeeded by Revs. Alexander, Knight, De Pugh, Hand and J. T. Neace. He is now serving his second pastorate. The Colored Baptist Church was organized in 1871 or 1872. It, not long after, obtained a small frame building, which it has since used as a church. It is in the western part of town, wliere most of the people dwell. Regular services are now held, both colored churches supporting good Sunday schools. The Church of the IrtunaeulateConception — the Catholic — stands in the north- west part of Mattoon, and is the only one of that denomination in the city. It 378 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. was organized soon after the building of the railroad began, and has since been sustained. The membership is quite large, as it includes all baptized persons in the Church, of whatever age. Following the policy of ths Catholic Church at large, this congregation established a parochial school soon after it was organ- ized. Their present school-building, contiguous to the church, was erected in 1865. The school is under the charge of the Ursuline Sisters, and draws many children from the public schools. This is clearly evidenced in the reports of the Superintendent of the West Side schools. The Preshjteriim Church was organized on May 27, I860, with twenty members. They were Mrs. Mary E. Bridges, Mrs. Martha M. Bridges, Mrs. Betty Johnson, W. E. Smith, John A. Forline, David Forline, Mrs. Betty Dora, Rae M. Bridges. Mrs. Rebecca Boyd, Miss Frances A. Boyd, Miss Orphio E. Boyd, James Boyd, D. T. Mclntyre, Miss Cyntha Vanzant, Robert Campbell. Mrs. Robert Campbell, Mrs. Margaret Keely. Mrs. Martha A. Smith, Mrs. Martha J. Vanzant and Mrs. Mary E. Boyd. The meeting to organize was held in the old Methodist Church, in the northeast part of town. Rev. .J. W. Allison and Rev. McFarland appear to have been the first preachers here, both of whom, with Rev. Samuel Newell, of Paris, and Rev. R. ilitchell, of Charleston, assisted at the organization of the congregation. Afterward, Dr. A. Hamilton was elected Pastor, and the erection of a church determined. Prior to the organization of this Church, the New-School Presbyterians had effected an organization, and were using halls, or churches of other denomina- tions in which to hold their meetings. The Old-School Presbyterians com- pleted their house of worship in 1864, dedicating it Sabbath, July 31. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. Hamilton, the Pastor. In the after- noon. Rev. Venable preached, and in the evening. Rev. Hendricks. The congregation grew well during Dr. A. Hamilton's pastorate, extending till January, 1866, when, owing to failing health, he resigned. The pulpit was filled by supplies till September, 1870, when Rev. W. B. Noble was called as Pastor. He remained till April, 1872, when he resigned, and was succeeded, the following January, l)y Rev. Henry W. Woods, who was installed May 6, 1873. He occupied the pulpit till the spring of 187;">, when he was succeeded by the present Pastor, Rev. James L. McNair. A short time after the erection of the churcli, in 1864, the New-School Presbyterians built a house of worship on the East Side — the Old-School being in the West — and continued worshiping there. In the autumn of 1871, these two branches of the church were united — hav- ing been separate over forty years — and one congregation in Mattoon was the result. At first, both houses of worship were used. but. a vote being taken, it was decided to use oidy the West Side house, and, soon after, the East Side church was sold to the Congregationalists, who now use it. The West Side house of worship was used without any alteration until two or three years ago. when owing to the increased growth of the congregation, an addition was built to the east end, and the seating capacity very much enlarged. HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 379 The Congregationalist Church is the outgrowth of the union of the Old and New-School Presbytei'ians, in 1871. Many members in the New-School branch favoring the Congregational mode of worship and discipline, organized a church of that body, and raised some $800 to aid in the attempt. The building erected by . the New School Presbyterians was soon after purchased, and has since been used. The Council of the Congregational Church met on March 10, 1872, and regularly constituted the Church. On the 1st of the following January, Rev. N. J. Morrison, then just released from the Presidency of Olivet College, Mich- igan, was called to the pastorate of the Church. He remained only six months, resigning to accept the Presidency of Drury College, Springfield, Mo. In October, 1873, Rev. A. L. Ldomis was called to the pulpit. He remained until May, 187<:i. During his residence, a revival occurred, greatly increasing the membership. The next Pastor was Rev. P. P. Warner, who came in Jan- uary. 1877. and remained until August 15, 1878, when he resigned. He is now publishing a paper in Aledo, 111. He was succeeded by the present Pastor, Rev. A. M. Thorne, in October. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1857 with about twelve members. They met at first in dwellings and halls until about 1860, when they erected a very substantial house of worship in the northeast part of tlie city. It was then expected the center of the town would be here ; but future revelations dispelled this idea, and in 1870, it was determined to erect a larger house of worship and in a more convenient place. The present church was the result. It cost about $12,000, and is a very neat building. The congrega- tion is now quite large, and sustains an excellent Sunday school. In addition to the churches enumerated, others, now abandoned, have ex- isted. Some few societies exist, but of so passive a nature, they are omitted. THE SCHOOLS. The schools of Mattoon form a chapter in its history equal in its impor- tance to any part or parcel of the city. Cotemporary with the start of the town, a school was provided, and, before the cold of winter came in the year 1855, a small frame schoolhouse was built in the eastern part of town on Broadway. The eftbrts of the principal proprietors of the infantile village were strenuous, indeed, to secure the center of town there, and built the school- house where the greatest part of the population was expected to be. A school was taught in this small frame, hardly as large as an ordinary country school- house of to-day, during the winter of 1855-56, and so great was the influx of population that the little room was crowded to its utmost. School was taught here but one term, as far as we have been able to find out. The room was too small, and was hardly used longer." The school was, of course, a subscription school. If any public money was obtained it was only a small amount, for the idea of supporting schools in this part of Illinois entirely by taxation, was not yet well entertained. The next year, another similar school was "kept," as 380 ' HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. we are told in an unoccupied room, and, the following winter, over Tnie's store and in some unfurnished house. The recollection of old persons is not very good on this point; they were more interested in "corner lots," than to notice very closely just where the schools were (for one room could not contain the pupils, and any one could teach who could get a room and some pupils). The next year — summer of 1857 — a very comfortable brick structure was built in the northeast part of town, not far from where the first Methodist Church stood. This second schoolhouse was a decided improvement. It would seat many more pupils than its predecessor, and though "private" schools began to flourish, it held its way. It began to receive considerable aid, enough at least to conduct it thi-ough the winter term, from taxation, steadily growing in favor. The private schools, as they were termed, came rapidly into use in the early history of Mattoon, and continued with more or less force until a few years ago. The most noticeable of any of these was started on quite an extensive plan, even going so far as to obtain a charter. We refer to the Male and Female Academy. It was in truth two institutions, known more extensively as Mat- toon Female Academy and Mattoon College. The former was intended for young ladies, the latter for young gentlemen. Referring to the papers for the period of their commencement, we find they were chartered February 21, 1863. On March 24, 18H4, the Trustees met and organized, elected a President and chose teachers. The Mattoon College does not seem to have been put in very extensive working order, and in a short time appears to drop out of notice. The great obstacle in the way of both these institutions was a lack of means. Neither had any money to work on, and the town was too young and too poor to endow them. They began in 1858 or 1859, and worked some time before receiving their charters. In December, 1861, Prof W. W. Gill resigned the care of the seminary, which had at all times the largest patronage, and wa-s succeeded by Rev. D. F. McFarland, who leased the Harris Building and opened sciiool on the second day of the month his predecessor left. He con- ducted it some time with reasonable success, but. failing to make it profitable, left. It was afterward under the care of Mrs, C. E. Gill, who continued it some time. Owing to an inability to support the school, and the erection of new and better ward schools, with their increased facilities for education, their free tuition and freedom to all, the academy and all private schools were gradu- ally abandoned, and now none are sustained. The j)ublic school continued along in the brick building referred to, with little change, save the gradually improved methods of education, and the division of the school into two or more grades, as circumstances allowed, until a new house was erected on the West Side, about 1861 or 1862. This divided the schools and assisted greatly in properly classifying them. The building on the West Side was erected by that ward and put under an entirely separate control. The two schools were made independent of each other, and have continued so to this day. The building on the West Side was an improvement on its prede- HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 381 cessor of the East Side. It was a verj commodious brick building, contained four rooms, was supplied with a bell, improved seats, blackboards and all the machinery of the modern schoolroom of the day. It occupied the entire block, affording the children plenty of room in which to play. It was used without alteration until the spring of 1871. By that time, it had become too small for the increased demands of the growing city, and anew one was decided upon. The members of the Board of School Trustees that spring were B. C. Hinkle. J. M. Riddle and J. M. Hall. Under direction of this Board, the present house was erected. The old one was simply remodeled and enlarged, and fitted with still more advanced furniture. It contains five rooms, and a commodious hall in the third story. Here the high school receives instruction, and here are many of the entertainments. When this building was erected, a small one-roomed building was constructed a little west of it, for the use of the colored children ; but finding it impracticable to educate them thus, and failing to provide them equal advantages with the others, they were admitted to the graded school, and the building erected for them moved to the school-yard and used for primary scholars. From the report of the Superintendent of this school, the following facts and items are learned : Number of persons under tweniy-one years of age 1,041 Number of school age 766 Monthly enrollment for the year 31(i Average attendance for the year 256 The small enrollment is to be accounted for in part by the great number of children attending the Catholic school. The school is divided into four departments, viz, primary, intermediate, grammar and high school. The primary department has three grades. In each of the other departments, the pupils are divided into three classes, desig- nated as Class A, Class B and Class C. The teachers are : P. H. DeardoiF, Ph. M., Principal; Miss Maggie Ewing, Assistant in the high school; Miss Nannie Myrick, intermediate ; Miss Jennie D. Riddle, third primary ; Miss Minnie Jennings, second primary, and Miss Annie Riddle, first primary. The brick building on the East Side continued in use until the erection of the present one, in 1865. It became apparent, however, before that date that better accommodations would have to be provided, as the house used was by far too small, even when aided by one or two rented rooms. It was decided to borrow $10,000 on city bonds, and an election was ordered to be held October 26, 1864. At that time, there were 421 children in the district of lawful school age. The bonds were voted for by a majority of 80 votes, and soon after the site was selected and work on the new building begun. It was completed in November, 1865, and opened for school on Monday morning, February 5, following. It contains five rooms, and a large hall in the third story, similar to the one on the West Side, and used for similar purposes. a 382 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. The town continuing to grow, this building was found inadequate to supply school room for the increasing school population of the East Side, and another building was erected in the southeast part of town in 1877 and 1878. It con- tains four rooms, and is under the care of the Superintendent at the other building. From his last report, we gather the following statements : Number of chiMren under tweuty-one years of age 1,427 Enrollment of scbool age 944 Average enrollment 653 Average attendance -529 Ten teachers are employed, whose wages, including that of the Superin- tendent and janitor, amount to ^4,740. for eight months of school. The teachers are: C. AV. Jacobs, Principal; Miss Lizzie Borland, high school; Miss Cai-rie Riddle, Miss Eva Lowe and Miss Lillie Osborn, grammar school, sixth, seventh and eighth grades; Miss Helen Pattei'son and Miss Lavina Ewing, intermediate department, fourth and fifth grades; Miss Mollie Phillips, primary department, and Miss Julia Pulsifer, Miss Ida Woods and Miss Mary Cushman, same department, in the first, second and third grades. Grouping the school statistics, we have : Number of children under twenty-one years 2,468 Enrollment for the year 1,710 Attendance for the year 785 Assuming the first number given to be one-third; the second, one-fourth, and the third, one-eightli. we have a population of about six thousand in the city. THE PRESS. On Saturday, June 7, 18.5t), Mr. R. W. Houghton issued the first number of the Mattoon Gazette, the initial copy of newspapers in the city. It was a ^seven-column, four-page paper, one of the original copies of which is now in possession of Mr. Leonidas Chapin, a resident of the western part of town, and who highly prizes this relic of early days. His regret now is that he did not preserve the entire files of the paper. In glancing over this old copy, many interesting items are gleaned. In his "salutatory." Mr. Houghton says: " We design publishing a good family newspaper — one whose information can be depended upon as reliable. In politics we are independent — committed to no party." After giving his reasons for this stand, he says : •' There are many matters of vital importance to our moral advancement, our educational system and the agricultural interests of this mighty people which demand the attention of the press, giving a broad field for operation outside the political arena." He goes on to say that he will give particular attention to commercial anil agricultural reports, and adds, "we have now launched our bark, weighed anchor, and hope to accomplish the voyage, even though we have occasion- ally to contend with tides and adverse winds." HISTORY OF COLES COUUTY. 385 Speaking of Mattoon in an editorial, he notes its geographical position, its railway facilities, its markets and the good country about it. He says the town is a " stripling of less than a year's growth, and taking into consider- ation the difficulties of procuring building material, and the unusual sickness of the last season, its growth has been rapid. A great many buildings are now in course of erection and many more are projected." Commenting on the prospects of the village, the paper proceeds: "We know of no place which offers greater inducements for the improvement of capital than this. Houses of all kinds ai-e in demand at the landlord's rates, and everything else demands good prices. No branch of business seems to lack customei's. In fact, we have all the elements necessary for the building- up of a good inland town, in conjunction with a firm determination on the part of the inhabitants to make it thrive. Farther on, he says : " We have now eight or ten good stores, neai'ly all kinds of mechanics, several warehouses, two good hotels, a printing office, and a population of from four to five hundred." Referring to railroads, the editor writes : " We understand that the Superintendent of the Illinois Central road has decided on the construction of a Y and side-tracks, freight-house, etc., on the east side of the road, north of the T. H. ik A. road. The latter company, we are informed, intend laying a side-track on the south side of the I'oad. in the east end of town. The two companies, in conjunction, intend to build a respectable passenger-depot on the opposite side of the track from the T. H. & A. freight-house." He hopes that this will soon be done, as he intimates there is an urgent necessity for it. The erection of the Essex House, the next year, pi-obably put an end to such intentions. The editor ((uotes from the Indianapolis Daily Sentinel the nomination of James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, as President, and Breckenridge, of Ken- tucky, as Vice President, in the Democratic Convention at Cincinnati. He also notices the election of Directors for the T. H. & A. Railroad, as reported by the Paris Blade, and the i-obbery of the post office at Vincennes, Ind., quoted from the G-azette of that town. After giving a few other general items, he proceeds to fill the balance of the second page with advertise- ments. A. Francis informs the citizens of Mattoon that '■ he is now opening at the store opposite and nearest the depot, another choice stock of spring and summer goods, of almost every kind and description, and that he will keep on hand con- stantly the best brands of flour." Norvell & Brother announce that they have just opened a " saddle and harness shop, west of the Central Railroad, over the Crazette office," and that their tei'ms are " exclusively cash." 386 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. A. Engle announces the •' Mattoon House now open, and that he is ready to receive the patronage of the public, and afford them a home, at reasonable terms.' Thomas McKee advertises that •' the Pennsylvania House has recently changed hands, and has been very much enlarged and otherwise improved by painting and papering it throughout." Mr W. H. K. Pile says that '"the Kentucky House, at the corner of Second and Broadway, will furnish supper, lodging and breakfast for $1, and that he will give one meal for 35 cents." H M. Tremble & Son •' announce to the public that they are receiving dry . goods of every description, hardware and cutlery, groceries, boots and shoes, clothing, cordage, carpenters' tools, farming utensils, rich and fashionable bon- nets ; all of which we offer for sale cheap for cash, or in exchange for corn, oats, wheat, rye, rags, butter, eggs, tallow, beeswax, and, in short, everything in the produce line, at market prices." S. Knight & Co. deal in lumber, shingles, lath, timber and dressed lumber. Conley & Hitchcock have the largest advertisement of any firm. They report new style prints, new style poplins, sugars and other groceries, summer clothing, boots and shoes, and everything to be found in any other store. They give market reports, from which we learn prices paid then for different articles bought and sold. Wheat is reported from $1 to $1.50 per bushel ; corn, from 12j^ to 15 cents; oats, 20 cents; potatoes, $1 and fl.25; timothy-seed, $2.25; cornmeal, 25 cents per 100 lbs.; butter, 12^ ; eggs, 10 cents per dozen ; coffee is 14 cents per pound ; sugar, from 10 to 15 ; bacon is reported from 7 to 10 cents per pound, beef at 7 and 8 cents; chickens are worth $1.50 and $2 per dozen: rye is worth 50 cents and 60 cents per bushel ; hay, $6 per ton ; whisky, ^^5 cents per gallon, brandy $4.50, wine $4 and gin $2.50, when bought by the barrel. This description includes almost all noticed in this first issue of the paper, referring to Mattoon. The rest of the paper is devoted entirely to foreign matters — no local items noticed. Probably Mr. Houghton did not have time to gather any. He appears to have all his paper but one page printed else- where — probably in Terre Haute, as much of the advertising is from there, and some of it is inserted twice. The paper is quite creditable for the start, and we are sorry that no second copy was preserved so its advance could he noticed. The Gazette was announced to appear every Saturday, and carefully fulfilled its contracts. Mr. Houghton, who had been a printer in Terre Haute, and had published a paper in Greenup until the county seat was removed, continued with the Gazette until autumn, when he sold to Dumas J. Van Deren, and returned to a farm near Greenup. He remained there and in the town till the spring of 1857, when he moved again to Mattoon and purchased the Gazette oi Mr. Van Deren. He conducted the paper till the fall of 185'J, when he sold it HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 387 to Mclntyre (Jc Woods and removed to a farm near Majority Point. Shortly afterward, Mr. Woods sold his interest to W. P. Harding, and the firm of Harding & Mclntyre, who took charge of the Gazette. Mr. Houghton returned the third time to Mattoon after raising one crop, and again secured an interest in the Gazette. He subsequently enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty- third Illinois Volunteers, and lost his life in an engagement on the 18th Septem- ber, I860. When he went to the army, the paper continued under Mclntyre k Harding's control, the latter gentleman as editor until February 1, 1861. July 19, 1865, Mr. Mclntyre sold to J. 0. Harding, and the Gazette came under the charge of Harding Brothers. When the war broke out, J. 0. Harding enlisted first in the Sixteenth Indi- ana, afterward in the Seventy-ninth Illinois. He was taken prisoner and confined in Libby eighteen months. On his return from the war, he came again into the Gazette office on July 19, 1865, with his brother. The firm of Harding Brothers managed the Gazette until June 20, 1866, when the junior member sold his interest to Mr. C. B. Bostwick, and Harding & Bost- wick conducted the paper until May 29, 1867. At this date, Mr. Harding sold his interest to Mr. Bostwick, who managed the Gazette until July 10, 1867. A radical change in the paper occurred at this date. The Democratic party had for some time been desiring a paper, and when Mr. Bostwick sold, it was to a committee of prominent citizens of that political party. They changed the name to the Mattoon Democrat and its politics to their own. They employed Charles W. Dunifer as editor, who remained but a few months, when he was suc- ceeded by a Mr. Crouch, who remained in charge, only two or three months. The adventure not proving a success, the committee desired to sell. They found a purchaser in the persons of Taylor & Bowen, who changed the name to Mattoon Cla)-ion. They, however, were not able to pay for it, and, soon after, the establishment was sold at Sheriffs sale, and the materials moved to Sullivan. When Mr. Bostwick sold in 1867, he contracted to stay out of the printing business five years, and, the time expired, he returned and concluded to revive the old Gazette. He and George B. McDougall purchased a new outfit, and, on the 16th of August, 1872, they issued the first number. They also opened a job office in connection with their paper, and soon had a good business. They continued together until January, 1874, when Mr. McDougall sold his interest to Mr. Bostwick, who has since conducted the Gazette. It is a large-sized, eight-paged paper, and has an excellent reputation and circulation. The office is fitted with a good steam-power press, two job presses, power paper- cutter, ruling machine, and all the material necessary for doing all ordinary commercial book and blank work. The Journal was established November 1, 1865, by W. 0. Ellis. He, in his editorial "salutatory," defines his intended position; refers to the fact of the late war; to his position regarding it ; to the dc'sire he entertains for peace ; 388 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. to the cause of education, which he hopes to see fostered in the town : to the crowth of trade and the eneouragement of manufactories, and to the general c c a advancement of the city wherein he has cast his lot. The editor notices the fine weather of that fall : the discharge of the Thirty- third Illinois, at Vicksburg; the granting of 8,000 pardons by the President, and the fact of there being 20,000 still on file. Many other items of State and national news are given : a liberal patronage of advertising appears, and, all in all. the paper evidently was issued after a careful canvass was made. Some one gives a history of the inception of the Mattoon Business College and Female Seminary, and. through successive numbers, concludes arguments in favor of their firm establishment in the city. The Journal starts out evidently well prepared for work, and shows a dis- position to maintain and elevate its standard. Mr. Ellis continued as editor and proprietor until June 23, 1866, when he sold an interest in the paper to Capt. Thomas E. AVoods. Two weeks before, the Journal was considerably enlarged and improved, showing the year's adventure had been successful. Capt. Woods, in his "salutatory" to the readers of the Journal, says he is here again among the people he had formerly known when he conducted the Gazette, and later, when he had wielded the pen in the sanctum of the Charles- ton Courier, before that journal, as he thinks, apostatized. He alludes to the fact of his late connection with the war, fairly closed, and avers that, having tried both the pen and the sword, though the former may be " mightier, it is less swift." The current news of the day are given : a good local column is maintained, while general news appears. Mr. Ellis remains with the paper, Capt. Woods acting as editor. The Journal was run under this arrangement until the fall of 1869, when Capt. Woods purchased the entire interest, and assumed exclusive control. He conducted the Journal alone until March 1, 1876. when he associated with him- self his brother, Winfield Woods, and the paper was conducted by AVoods Brothers until January 1, 1879, when Capt. Woods received an appointment in the Treasury Department, at Washington, and went there. He is still con- nected with the paper, however, and furnislies much of its editorial matter. On January 1, 1879, William F. Purtill, who has been connected with the papers of Mattoon as a general printer and foreman for several years, and has been for a long time with the Journal, obtained an interest, and now the paper is conducted by Woods & Purtill. It began in 1874 "to issue a daily, which it maintains with commendable enterprise, and which is an important factor in the life of Mattoon. It had been run as a tri-wcekly two or .three years prior to the daily ; this was. however, abolished when the daily was founded, and the weekly issue resumed. The third paper in Mattoon, the Commercial, is the outgrowth of the Bad- iral Rppuhliean. a paper started early in December, 1867, by Mr. Ebenezer HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. ' 389 Noyes. When the G-azette was sold by Mr. Bostwick to the committee of Democrats, Mr. Noyes determined to establish a strong Republican paper in its stead, purchased materials and opened an oiBce on the north side of Broadway, west of the railroad, in the room now occupied by 'Squire Robb. He employed Charles Robb as printer, and assumed the editorial charge himself. He made the paper what its name implied, and was not at all afraid to freely express his views. He was assisted by Mr. Chittenden in his editorial work, who had the main control in the business office and as a gatherer of news. James Williams was soon after also engaged in the printing department. Mr. Chittenden did not remain long in the office, and the entire editorial and reportorial duties devolved upon Mr. Noyes, who took in his sons to aid him. They continued the Radical Republican until sometime in 1871, when they sold the paper to Mr. A. Bookwalter, who changed the name to Commer- cial. He continued it until the fall of 1872, when he suspended. He soon after sold the office to Mr. R. Sumerlin & Sons, who moved it to its present location. Their first paper appeared on October 8. 1872. Under their man- agement, the paper was made the organ of the Democratic party, and was con- tinued by them until August, 1876. Mr. Sumerlin sold the paper at this time to a stock company, and went to Florida. The company appointed Mr. A. Sumerlin, who had been in the office with his father, editor and manager, and, under this management, it is still continued. The Commercial is a four- page paper, issued weekly, and has a good circulation among its constituents. The office is very well supplied with material, and a general printing and job office maintained in connection with the paper. LODGES, ASSOCIATIONS, SOCIETIES, ETC. Masonic — Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery K. T., No. 11. Instituted October 28, 1871. First officers: E. A. Thielens, E. C"; F. K. La Fever, Gen.; J. B. Ayer, Capt. Gen. Present officers: Michael Meller. E. C. ; G. W. Shaw, Gen. ; G. W. Clark, Capt. Gen. ; C. G. Weymouth, Recorder. Regular conclave the second and fourth Fridays of each month. Mattoon Royal Arch Chapter, No. 85. Instituted October 26, 1865. First officers: James M. True, H. P.: S. J. Fisher, K. : W. 11. House, S. Present officers : Tiomas Davis, H. P. ; James Darnell, K. : J. H. Clark, S.; J. J. Ayer, Sec. Meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month, at their hall. Mattoon Lodge, No. 260, F. & A. M. Instituted in 1858 (oldest Masonic Lodge in town). First officers : N. W. Chapman, W. M. ; J. W. Dora, S. W\ ; J. B. Tayler, J. W. ; E. W. True, Treas. ; H. C. Rogers, Sec. Present officers; James L. Scott, W. M. : James H. Clark, S. AV. ; John F. Scott, J. W. ; I. Jennings, Treas. ; W. A. Bell, Sec. Meets first and third Mondays of each month, at their hall. Circle Lodge, No. 707. Instituted January 10, 1873. First officers: George Wenlock, W. M. : F. K. La Fever, S. W. : Benjamin S. Capen, J. W. ; 390 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. William H. Lewis, Sec. Present ofiicers : J. B. Durnell, W. M. ; Thomas Davis, S. \\. ; J. A. Mulford, J. W. ; George W. Clark, Sec. Meets first and third Wednesdays of eacli month, at their hall. Eureka Lodge, No. 13. (Colored Masons.) First officers : Austin Perry, W. M. : Milford Norton. S. W. ; James Hunt, J. W. : David Smith, Treas. ; Henry Sweet, Sec. Present officers : Austin Pei-ry. W. M. ; I. W. Barnes, S. W. : C. Beacham. J. W. : Patrick Williams, Treas. : D. L. May, See. Meets first Monday of each month, at Kilner's Block. Masonic Benevolent Association. (Insurance.) Chartered August 23, 1876. Officers : .Joseph H. Clark, Pres. ; J. Richmond. Vice Pres. : J. S. Anderson, Sec. ; J. R. Tobey. Trcas. : J. W. Dora. M. D.. Med. Ex. Has at present a membership of , and is steadily increasing. Odd Fellows — Mattoon Encampment, No. !>T. Instituted in 1868. First officers : John Owens, C. P. : J. D. Kilner, S. W. ; A. P. Frick, H. P. ; Elza McKnight, J. W. Present officers : J. D. Hawes. C. P. : Frank Garthwait, S. W. ; J. D. Kilner, H. P. : D. S. Coom, J. W. Membership, over seventy. Meets first and third Fridays of each month, in Kellerman's Building. Harmony Lodge, No. 551. First officers : F. M. Phipps, N. G. ; W. E. Murry, V. G. ; W. C. Drish, R. S. : George Goldgart, Treas. : S. A. Camp- bell, P. Sec. Present officers: John M. Kelley. N. (!. ; Henry Gochonour, V. G. ; Frank K. La Fever, R. S. ; A. Spitler, Treas. Coles County Lodge, No. 260. L 0. 0. F. Instituted in 1856 or 1857. Present officers: John Snyder, N. G. ; John Soules, V. G. ; Oliver Goggin, R. S. ; John Birch, Sec. : J. T. Kilner, Treas. Meets every Tuesday evening. Mattoon German Lodge, No. 414, I. O. 0. F. Instituted in 1864. Pres- ent officers ; John Kelley, N. G. ; Henry Gochonour, V. G. ; Frank La Fevv^r, Sec. ; Abram Spitler, Treas. Meets every Wednesday evening. Knights of Pythias. — Palestine Lodge, No. 46. Instituted April 7, 1874. First officers: S. A. Campbell, P. C; R. B. Moore, C. C; M. E. Boyd, V. C; R. B. AVoolsey, P.; George W.' Clark, M. of E.: Frank P. Clark, M. of F.; Ira B. Jackson, K. of R. S.; W. H. Augur, M.of A.; George E. Cartmell, I. G.; John A. M. Scott, O. G. Present officers: S. G. Tiley. P. C; C. B. Fry, C. C; J. B. Benefiel. V. C; Henry Wright, P.: Thomas" W. Gaw, M. of E.; William M. Chettle, M. of F.; D. McCaull, K. of R. S.; Thoma.s McClurry. M. of A.: .\nthony Stewart, I. G.; Robert Owenby, 0. G. Number of members, fifty. Jleets first and third Thursday cveninErs of eacli month, at their Castle Hall, West Broadway. K. of P. Endowment. — Section. No. 148. Instituted in April, 187-^. First officers: Charles B. Fry, President; Robert N. Gray, Vice President; John W. Hanna, Secretary and Treasurer ; Henry Wright, Chaplain ; W. Pat- rick, Guide; Henry Gullion, Guard; A. Stewart, Sentinel. Present officers : Charles B. Fry. President ; .John W. Hanna, Vice President : W. M. Chettle, Secretary and Treasurer: Henry Wright. Chaplain ; U. Culson, Guide : Henry HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 391 Oullion, Guard ; Anthony Stewart, Sentinel. Membership, over twenty-five. Meets first and third Thursday evenings of each month, at K. of P. Hall. Knights of Honor. — Eureka Lodge, No. 598, instituted April 20, 1877, by William Obermeyer, with twenty-nine members. First officers : J. F. Drish, Past Dictator ; L. G. Roberts, Dictator ; Frank Noyes, Assistant Dictator ; J. G. Wright. Y. D.; P. B. Lynn, Reporter; R. S. Holding, F. Reporter; R. B. Roberts, Sentinel ; A. Danheiser. Guide ; George Beacham, Guardian. Present ofiicers : J. G. Wright, Past Dictator ; H. M. Coulter, Dictator ; S. R. Coddington, V. D.; Lee Schneller, Assistant Dictator: J. L. Matthews, Reporter : A. Danheiser, Fin. Reporter ; George Bugh, Treasurer ; J. M. Mitchell, Chaplain ; B. F. Hays, Guardian ; J. B. W^ard, Sentinel. Member- ship, over one hundred. Meet every Monday evening at their hall. East Broadway. Knights and Ladies of Honor — Alpha Lodge No. 28, instituted in April, 1878. First officers: J. F. Drish, Pro.: Mrs. J. W. Hanna, V. Pro.; L. V. Woods, Sec; Mrs. W. W. Smith, Fin. Sec; Mrs. Ira James, Treas. Pres- ent officers : L.G.Roberts, Pro.; Mrs.Norvell, Y. Pro.; Harry Coulter, Sec; John Parmalee, Fin. Sec; Mrs. Yining. Treas. Meets second and fourth Thursdays each month in K. of H. hall. Excelsior Council R. T. of T. — Instituted January 10, 1879. First and present officers: 0. W. Gogin, S. C; B. W. Hunt, B. C; W. S. Hinkle, ]'. C; T. A. Allison, Sec; Calvin Moore, Treas.; U. T. S. Rice, Herald : W. J. Stotts, Sentinel. Meets every Friday evening. W' . C. T. U.— Organized June 5, 1878. First officers: Mrs. M. J. Hinkle, Pres.; Mrs. Thomas Clegg, Sec: Mrs. Lillie Mulford, Cor. Sec; Mrs. Maggie Duncan, Treas. Meets every Thursday afternoon in their hall. Fur- ther particulars of this society, its objects, etc., are given in the history of the city. ASHMORE TOAVNSHIP. This town is pretty well divided between prairie and woodland, the latter, perhaps, predominating to some extent. Its timber is principally oak, hickory, sugar-maple, and a light scattering of walnut. The townshij) is watered by the main branch of the Embarrass River flowing along its western boundary, together with several smaller streams which have their source in its territory, the most important of which is Pole Cat Creek. The sweet-scented name of this stream was derived, it is said, from the fact that a new-comer fii'st learned upon its classic banks the power and alacrity of that species of feline to defend itself against its enemies. Ashmore is bounded on the north by Oakland Township ; on the west by the Embarrass RiVer; on the south and east by Hutton Town- ship and Edgar County, and is much larger than a regular Congressional town- ship- It is a fine agricultural region, and contains many excellent farms. The Indianapolis & St. liOuis Railroad passes nearly through its center from east to 392 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. west, and has been of incalculable benefit to the town. The village of Ashmore. which will be again alluded to in this chapter, is a thriving place, and the ship- ping point for a large scope of country. FIRST SETTLEMEXT. The first white men who made claims in the territory now embraced in Ash- more were the Dudleys. James Dudley entered land here in 1826. He was originally from New Hampshire, but had been for several years a resident of Edgar County before coming to this section. When he entered land here he put his brother, Guilford Dudley, on it, and Laban Burr, a son of Laban Burr, one of the early settlers of Edgar County, and he remained for several years afterward in that county before coming to his new possessions. Guilford Dudley and Laban Burr were both single men, and kept " bachelor's hall " for several years. Coles County, at the time of which we write, was a part of Clark, and the first frame barn erected in what now comprises both counties, was put up on the Dudley farm about 1830. ' It was a frame structure, as we have said, of the New England pattern, and after the frame had been " raised," a man of the name of McCracken climbed to the top of it to christen it by name, as he said was the custom down in New England. With all due solemnity, and "in the name of the good people present," he pronounced the name of "Bachelor's Delight and the Pride of the Fair," and then rhrew away the bottle, though, as our informant expressed it, bottles then were rather scarce. What use they had for a bottle in such a ceremony we are unable to conjecture. The romantic name under which the barn was christened appears a little contradictory, and the latter clause a misnomer, as the household at that time was said to have been a bachelor one. The " raising " of the edifice was (juite an event, and men came from the "Big Creek" settlement (in Edgar County) to assist in the enterprise. Guilford Dudley, after taking to himself a wife, entered land a short distance from his brother's place, on which he remained until his death several years after. His youngest son, Elbridge Dudley, now occupies the place. Laban Burr eventually married Miss Melissa Sutherland, of Grand View Town- ship (Edgar County), and entered land south of Dudley's, in what is now Hutton Township. James Dudley, . mentioned above as the first to enter land in this section, after living a bachelor until the mid-day of life, married a widow lady named Brown. He sold his farm to a paan of the name of Olmstcad about 1837, and returned to the East. Adam Cox is supposed to have been from Ken- tucky, and settled in this township in 1826-27. He located near Dudley's, and, after remaining there a number of years, sold out and removed to Jasper County, and finally to Missouri, where he died. He settled in the " Big Creek " neighborhood before coming to this county. Job AV. Brown was born in the old Nutmeg State, but his parents removed 10 Kentucky when he was ten years old, where they resided several years ; then came to Lawrence County, 111., atid, in January, 1825, removed to Walnut HISTORV OF COLES COUNTY. 393 Grove, at that time considered the very outskirts of civilization. In I808, he, with his father, Jonathan W. Brown, took a contract to build two sections of the Terre iiaute & Alton Railroad, which they completed in 1840, and, the same TO- r. he settled in Ashmore Township, on a farm he still owns, and upon which lit' resided until 1877, when he retired from active labor, and removed into the village of Ashmore, where he at present lives, enjoying a competency won by honest toil. Mr. Brown tells the following story of his "sparking" days: There was living in the neighborhood a family with a grown-up daughter of whom he was rather fond. After a time, the family moved away some distance to the northwest, and he would mount his horse semi-occasionally and ride out to see her. As the country palaces in those times usually consisted of one room, which served as parlor, dining-room, bedchamber, kitchen, etc., " it required a good deal of courage,", he said, " to corner his girl under such cir- cumstances," but he " at length got used to it." Upon an observation from us, that, had we lived in those primeval days, we would have done our sparking in the summer time, when, with the fair one of our choice, we might have wan- dered in the •' darkling wood, amidst the cool and silence," or lingered beside the " purling brook, as it meandered over its pebbly bottom," etc., etc., he (juietly remarked that " where there was a will there was a way," and that '' people in a backwoods country could get used to almost anything." The severest punishment, he said, that he ever received at school, was given him by his father when going to school to him. The boys and girls were allowed to " sit around the room promiscuously," and •' all mixed up together." He was quite a large boy, and one day a pretty little Fi-ench girl chanced to be sitting next him, when, upon the spur of the moment, he put his arm around her, drew her to him and kissed her — "for her mother." His father did not see the performance, but the titter that ran round the room "gave him away." The old gentleman forced some timid little fellow to tell the cause of the laugh, when he walked him and the little girl out in the middle of the room and com- pelled him to repeat the operation. He braced himself for the ordeal and went through it like a little man, but he observed that his " heart was not in it as it was the first time." John Carter, Pearson and .John Wiley. John Wright, Thomas Reed, James Wells, John K. Spears, William H. Galbraith, C. L. Duncan, William Woods, Joseph Epperson, Charles'D. Phelps and Fountain Turner were from the old Blue- Grass State. Cai'ter was from the Crab Orchard country, and came to Illinois in 1830, arriving in this township on the 13th of April, and settled a short dis- tance east of the present village of Ashmore. He has two sons living — Shelton Carter, in Ashmore Township, and Joseph Carter, in Morgan Township ; both are honorable, upright citizens. A daughter married John Austin, and lives on the place where Mr. Carter built his first cabin. Mrs. Joseph Reed is also a daughter, and Mrs. Catharine Young, living in Washington Territory. Mr. Carter died in July, 1841. The Wileys came in 1829, and settled some two or 394 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. three miles from the village of Ashmore. Pearson moved to Parker Prairie, and John to Douglas County, where he died. Wright settled near the Wileys, and came about a year afterward. They had all first settled on Big Creek, be- fore coming to this settlement, but had not remained long in that locality. Reed came in 182!', and settled about one and a half miles nortiieast of the vil- lage of Ashmore, and has been dead a number of years. He died on his origi- nal settlement, and where his son Caleb Reed now lives. Mrs. Walton, a daughter, lives in the town, and Mrs. Galbraith. another daughter, lives in Hickory Township. James Wells settled about three miles south of the village of Ashmore. His father was a native of Maryland, and removed to Bracken County, Ky., at an early day : was one of the very earliest settlers in that part of the State. James Wells, alluded to above, came here in 1830. and still owns the original place on which he settled, but for a year or two past has been liv- ing with his son-in-law, Mr. O'Brien, in the village of Ashmore. John K. Spears was from Jefferson County, near the city of Louisville, and came to this township in 1834, settling near Hitesville, He died in 1838 ; a son, Dr. A. K. Spears, is living in Charleston. Woods came to Coles County in 1834, and located in the east part of Ashmore Township, and died in 1878. He has but one son living, Thomas Woods, residing on the old homestead. Joseph Epper- son settled in the township the same year as Woods, and came from the same county (Madison) in Kentucky. He died in 1850, leaving several children in this part of the country to perpetuate his name. Phelps came in 1830, and set- tled in Ashmore Township. He had a large family of children, most of whom still live in Coles County. Mr. Phelps died in 1856. Turner settled in the township in 1834, where he still resides, one of the solid men of the county. He and his wife have been living together for more tiian sixty years, and are iiale and hearty for their age. Galbraith came to Coles County in 1830. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, but removed to Kentucky in an early ilay. He was a soldier and an ofiBcer of the Revolutionary war, and served seven years under Washington ; was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at York- town, and one of the guard of that noted prisoner for some time. He removed from Kentucky to Indiana in 181lJ, and the son above mentioned to Coles County, as noted, in 1830, where he still lives. Coleman L. Duncan, though but a few years in Coles County, has lived just over the line in Clark since 1831.1. and can give as vivid accounts of the privations of the early settlers as any man now living. He resides with his son-in-law. Dr. Steele, of Ash- more. Hezekiah Ashmore came from Middle Tennessee, in 1830, and settled in what is now Oakland Township, atid, in 1836, removed to this town. It, together with the village of Ashmore, was named for him. Mr. Ashmore landed here with 371 cents in his pocket, but, realizing that fortune smiles on those who help themselves, he went to work, and, as fast as he accumulated a little money, invested it in land, so that, at the time of his death, he owned I HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 396 l,oOO acres. He was one of the early Justices of the Peace, and one of the County Conimissioners for a number of years. He died in 1872. leaving a numerous progeny in the county. William Austin was also from Tennessee, and came to Illinois in lS2it. He settled where the village now stands, and, the ground occupied by this thriving little burg was the first land which he culti- vated after settling in the neighborhood. His original log cabin is still stand- ing, though its identity is nearly lost in the modern improvements made to it, since it first served to shelter a pioneer family from the inclemencies of the weather. It has been weather-boarded and otherwise improved, and is occupied by Mr. O'Brien. Mr. Austin has been dead a number of years, but has numer- ous descendants still residing in the county, to perpetuate an honored name. Chri.stopher Sousely is another of the early settlers, and came to this township in 1828. He is still living, but has grown foeblo as well as aged, and is wait- ing in patience for the summons to come. Joseph Henry and his son, Dr. A. M. Henry, Isaac Hill and a Mr. Forrest, were also early settlers, but of them not much could be learned. AVilliam Birch came from England, in 183.3, and stopjied in Pennsylvania, where he spent three years. He occupied an old house near Philadelphia, once the residence of William Penn. In 1836, he came to Illinois, and settled near Hitesville, in this township, and died in April, 1864. He has a son living near Charleston. Enos Barnes came from North Carolina, and settled two miles north of the village of Ashmore. He was a soldier of 1812, and was with Old Hickory, at the battle of New Orleans. He emi- grated to Kentucky, where he remained until 1830, when he came to Illinois, as above. His original cabin stood until 1877. He died in 1872; his wife died in 1855, but one or two sons still live in the township. William H. Brown and Thomas W. Hallock were from New York; the latter settled in 1837, and Brown in 1839. Both are still living and are successful farmers. John Mitchell was a native of the Palmetto State, but had lived successively in Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana, before immigratmg to Illinois. He settled in Coles County, in 1828, in the edge of the Embarrass timber, in Ashmore Township, where he died some fifteen years afterward, and his wife a year later, leaving a family of eight children, only two of whom are now living, Will- iam B. Mitchell, in the State of Kansas, and Mrs. Galbraith, wife of James Galbraith, in this townshiji. The condition of the country at the time Mr. Mitchell settled here, is illustrated in the fact that one of his sons, Robert Mitchell, went to Darwin, on the Wabash River, a distance of forty miles, for a marriage license. Rev. S. J. Bovell is a son of one of the pioneer preachers of Illinois. He was born in Washington County, East Tennessee, and came to this county with his mother's family, in 1835. His father was a native of the Old Dominion, and a graduate of Washington College, and, in 1825, received a call to the Presbyterian Church at Paris, 111., but died in three months after taking charge. His widow removed to Coles, as above noted, and located southwest of Charleston. Mr. Bovell remained on the farm with his mother 396 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. until he was twenty years of age, when, after completing his education, he taught in various States, and, in 1861, was licensed to preach, and, at present, is Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the village of Ashmore. Elder Peter K. Honn came from Kentucky in 1835, and stopped for a short time in Edgar County, and from there went to Sangamon County, where he remained about six months, working at his trade (blacksmith), after which he came to Coles County and located at Hitesville, in this township, and opened a blacksmith-shop, which he continued for several years. In the mean time he purchased a quarter-section of land, which he improved in connection with his trade of a blacksmith. He eventually abandoned his shop and devoted his attention to his farm, until 1875, when, having accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods, he retired from active labor, and removed to the village of Ash- more, where he at present lives in the enjoyment of a well-earned competence. Some five years after coming to the county, he was ordained a minister of the Christian Church, and his experience as a pioneer preacher is vast and varied, sometimes bordering on the extremely ludicrous, as is but natural in a back- woods country. With no intentional disrespect to the Gospel (for of it we enter- tain the profoundest veneration), but as an illustration of the state of the coun- try at that time, and by way of embellishment of dry historical facts, we give some of the experiences of the old soldier of the Cross, as i-elated to us by him- self. Upon a certain occasion, when this country was the very center of the backwoods, he and another preacher, whom he denominated Brother E., made a missionary or preaching tour, at the latter 's special request, through Clark, Crawford, Jasper and Cumberland Counties, and through the southern part of Coles, to their homes. The stipulation was, that wherever they stopped they should preach alternately. After swinging around the circle into Jasper County, Brother E. informed him that they would stop at Brother So-and-So's to dinner, the leading man of the neighborhood, a pillar of the church in that section, and where, it seems. Brother E. had been before. He told Mr. Honn that they were good people, but not as tidy and neat as they might be, and he would have to harden up a little. Upon their arrival, Mr. Honn found that this nabob lived in a mansion composed of one room, which served all purposes a residence is usually subjected to, and very soon dinner was begun " for the preachers " by a grown-up daughter, while the lady of the mansion sat on one side of the fire-place smoking a cob-pipe, and the lord and master on the other side indul- ging in alike luxury, the preachers occupying scats in front of the fire, looking on, Mr. Honn admits, with some interest. After a wliile the girl lifted a pot off the fire, and opened it apparently to see the state of its contents, while the odor was quite strange to him, and he nudged Brother E. and asked him what it was, who replied that it was stewed coon. He at once thought of the hard- ening-up process, and being a little particular as to his food, was somewhat doubtful as to whether he should enjoy a very hearty dinner or not. He dis- covered eventually, however, that his stomach was not quite so sensitive as HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 397 Brother E.'s. After the coon was cooked to her satisfaction, she brought forth some side pork, very fat, placed it in a skillet and fried the grease all out of it, leaving a pint or so of lard in the skillet. Next she produced a "crock " full of buckwheat batter, which she poured into the skillet (not all at once), and he had noticed that a portion of the hem of some of her undergarments had been torn from its native place and was dangling within an inch or two of the floor, and as she would move about the fire, it would now and then draggle in the fry- ing batter. Brother E. looked at him and he looked at Brother E., and he noticed that the latter had grown rather pale, so that when dinner was announced a little later, he could eat but a few mouthfuls. He kept his eye on Brother E. and, shortly after dinner was over, noticed that he appeared quite uneasy and looked very pale. Finally he rose rather hastily and left the room, and upon following him out, found him behind the house " calling New York " lustily. That evening he had to preach for Brother E.* He was once called upon to perform a marriage ceremony at the house of one of the well-to-do pioneers. When he arrived at the cabin, he found the bride in waiting, dressed in all the glory of backwoods beauty and fashion, and the groom ditto. Among the '' assembled guests " were two very large and ungainly curs, walking about the room with as much liberty as (to use a slang expression) blind dogs in a meat-house." After the marriage, all were invited to a sumptuous dinner, the dogs included ; or, if the latter were not invited, they cheeked it, and went in on their own responsibility. When the repast was well under way. some one dropped a bone, or threw it down to the dogs for the purpose of creating a little excitement. If for the latter purpose, they suc- ceeded beyond their most sanguine expectations. They clinched in battle (the dogs) with savage ferocity, rolled under the table growling, biting and chawing each other generally. Said Mr. Honn ? " And what did the fair bride, faint ? Not much. But sprang on to a chair, and in a high state of excitement, clapping her delicate (?) hands, she yelled at the top of her voice, 'sick 'em ! sick 'em ! sick 'em I' " After the guests succeeded in separating the dogs, din- ner was finished in peace and quiet. One other episode from Mr. Honn's pioneer experience, and we will pass on. A young mtin of the neighborhood, who was addicted to sowing wild oats with a profuse hand, finally concluded to marry and settle down, and to this end, succeeded in persuading a girl living some miles away, to unite her fortunes with his. The mother of the bridegroom elect, who was a highly respectable lady, thinking or at least hoping, that marriage would work a reformation in her wayward son, had exerted herself to bring about the union, and had prepared a wedding feast for the occasion. He had brought the girl to his mother's, where the marriage was to take place, and all things being in readi- ness, he posted off to Charleston for the documents that were to bind together " Two souls with but a. single thought, Two hearts that beat as one." *.\s it happened it w.ig Brother E.'a tioie to preach, but his dinuer had bo upset him that he could not come to tini«« 398 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. But at Charleston the devil tempted hirn, or perhaps he met with some of his old chums, got drunk, and finally got in jail, where he was detained two or three days in '"durance vile." When set at liberty, he struck out for home, came by Mr. Honn's, and asked him to go to his mother's with him as he was going to be married, and wanted him to tie the nuptial knot. Thinking the fellow was jesting, he demurred, as it was then getting dusk, but he stoutly asserted that he was in earnest, so Mr. Honn said, "Well, you show me the marriage license and give me a dollar, and I will submit to being fooled, and will go with you. ' To this he assented, paying over the last < all right. When they went in they found all abed, sure enough. A married daughter was living with the old lady, and into the room where she was in bed, he was conducted by the young man, handed a chair and asked to take a seat. The expectant bride- groom inquired of his sister where the girl was, calling her by name, and was informed that she was sleeping in the next room. ''I'll bring her out," said he, Mr. Honn sitting by all this time, taking in the ludicrous position in which he was placed. The young man went in where the girl was in bed, and for a long time he heard them in earnest conversation, he beujffing her to get up and be married, and she refusing. She told him he had "gone back on her," that she had sent her clothes home and had nothing to wear (unwittingly quoting Flora McFlimsey) but an old, dirty calico dress. But as it usually turns out, the stronger prevailed over the weaker vessel, and she agreed to "get up and get married," provided his sister would loan her a dress. This modest request being granted, she arose, arrayed herself in her si>=ter-in- law's (as was soon to be) "good clothes," the knot wa*! tied. The pair was spliced, and the officiating minister returned to his home, with a consciousness that, if he had earned his dollar, he had at least enjoyed the earning of it. THE NOBLE RED MAN. In common with other portions of the country, this section was at one time in possession of the Indians, and the.se forests the hunting-grounds of "ye noble red men." They were plenty here long after the whites began settle- ments in the country. We have heard of no outrages committed by them in this immediate vicinity on the white people, but elsewhere in this history, is told how " war's fierce conflict raged," and battles are described that were fought on the " sacred soil" of Coles County, between the savages and their pale-i'aced enemies. But these events belong not to this chapter. Mr. J. W. Brown, mentioned among the early settlers of this township, gives us the following Indian experience: An Indian settlement, adjacent to his father's, was under the administration of a chief named Ka-Nec-Kuck, a fine-looking specimen of the "noble red man, " somewhat intelligent and very religious. He sometimes HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 399 tried to preach, would go into a trance and see visions, which he would detail to his people. In his tribe was a warrior whose mind had lost its balance, and he was at times dangerously crazy. On one occasion he was shown some pictures of Bible scenes, among them a serpent representing the devil. Upon looking at the frightful picture, a shudder appeared to thrill his entire frame, and, seizing a rifle, he shot an Indian named Black Beaver dead in his tracks before he could be restrained, or before any one seemed to realize his intention. The chief, Ka-Nee-Kuck, with a deputation, came to Mr. Brown's father, Jonathan W. Brown, for his opinion as to what ought to be done with a man under such circumstances. Mr. Brown explained to them that the man was not responsible for the deed, as he was insane and ignorant of the great crime he had committed, and they should properly secure him to prevent a repetition of the deed. They took him to a grove of timber and tied him to a tree, but with the inordinate cunning, common to crazy people, he succeeded in making his escape. Black Beaver, the man killed, was buried in Mr. Brown's pasture, but, in that early day, as well as in the present age of refinement, the graves of the dead were not always left in undisturbed repose, and the body of Black Beaver was resurrected (it was supposed by a medical student named Smith) to promote the cause of science. These Indian scenes are all long past, and the very existence of Indians in this country is almost forgotten. Very few are living who remember them from personal knowledge. They have faded away in the mists of the past, just as the pioneer's hut, with its yawning fire-place extending across one end. its puncheon floor, and its cracks chinked and daubed with mud, have passed away. These old relics of the by-gone days, and the ox-teams, the old barshare and Gary plows, the scythe and cradle, and the reap- hook will soon be nothing more than fire-side tales. As we view the flying railroad train, the patent reapers and mowers, the plows now in use, the mag- nificent residences dotting the plain, and the beautiful villages scattered here and there, we are forced to acknowledge that the strides of invention and im- provement of the past fifty years have far exceeded the wildest stretch of human calculation, and we turn from contemplating the world's progress, to muse on what the next half a century may produce. .SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, STORES, ETC The first schoolhouse in the township was built on the hill near " Pole Cat Bridge," about 1832-33, and was the usual type of the backwoods schoolhouse, viz., built of round logs, covered with clapboards, chinked and daubed with mud, the fire-place taking up one end of the building, a puncheon floor — sometimes mother earth furnished the floor. This was the ordinary temple of learning in those days, and the school commonly consisted of a dozen or so dirty urchins, presided over by an old-fogy schoolmaster, as represented in the following lines : " Old Master Brown brought his ferule down. And his face looked angry and red. ' Go, seat you there, now, Anthony Blair, Along with the girls," he said. 400 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. " Then Anthony Blair, with mortified air, With his head down on his breast. Took his penitent seat, by the maiden sweet. That he loved, of all, the best. " And Anthony Blair seemed whimpering there. But the rogue only made believe ; For he peeped at the girls with the beautiful curls, And ogled them over his sleeve." * The first school taught in Ashmore Township was by a man named Foster, before building the schoolhouse above named. Who first taught in the house mentioned, our informant had forgotten. The educational facilities have in- creased, however, since the days of these old-time schools, in proportion to the increase and improvement in everything else. The town is advantageously laid out in school districts, elegant and comfortable houses erected, competent teachers employed and the cause of education liberally supported. Rev. Isaac Hill is supposed to have preached the first sermon in Ashmore Township. He and his son, I. B. Hill, were among the early settlers of the county, and the elder Hill was a local preacher. Rev. John Steele was another of the early preachers, and is further alluded to in the history of Hitesville. Elder P. K. Honn is also one of the pioneer preachers of the town. The only church edifice in the township outside of the villages and hamlets, is Enon Jlissionary Baptist Church, in the southern part. It is quite an elegant brick edifice, and cost between §2,000 and $2,500, and was ©rected in 1875. It was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Riley (now of Paris) soon after its completion. The first Pastor was Rev. Mr. Thornton ; the present one is Rev. A. Jones, and the society numbers about fifty members. Its numbers have been considerablj' lessened by death and removals. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained during the summer, but is usually disbanded at the beginning of the winter season. Other church history is more fully given in that of the villages. Tlie first stores in the town will be mentioned in the history of the villages and hamlets, as will many other points generally occurring in the township histories. The first regular blacksmith in the town of Ashmore was Peter K. Honn, one of the early settlers, and who opened a shop at Hitesville soon after coming to the settlement. .John Carter was a blacksmith, but did not follow it as a regular business, and when Honn opened a shop, quit it altogether. The first death in the settlement it is supposed was a child of Adam Co.x's, and occurred about 1831. It was buried in the grave-yard laid out near Mr. Wells', and was the first occupant of that little city of the dead. The first marriage and the first birth are alike forgotten, but that "such have been," the present population stands as incontrovertible evidence. VILLAGE OF ASHMORE. Ashmore is situated on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, about seven miles east of Charleston. It was surveyed and laid out February 14, 1855, by * For a truthful upplicntiun uf t!io8e linea. tlio n-;i3,500. While it was in process of erec- tion, the agent of the Cumberland Presbyterian College at Lincoln, 111., came to the village, and hearing of Mr. Ashmore's liberality, called on him to know how much interest he wanted in the Lincoln College. " Two hundred dollars," replied Mr. Ashmore, and paid over the money. A Sunday school was organ- ized by this church in 1860, and has an average attendance of 120, under the superintendence of 0. F. Ashmore. Ashmore Lodge, No. 390, was organized in the fall of 1863, with the fol- lowing charter members, viz. : A. N. Graham, AV. P. Ferris, Caleb Reed, Ham- ilton Bennett, J. A. Brown, M. W. Barnes, John Campbell, 0. D. Hawkins, W. S. Vanmeter, W. N. Young and Robert Boyd, of whom the following were the first set of officers : W. S. Vanmeter, Worshipful Master ; A. N. Graham, Senior AVarden ; Caleb Reed, Junior Warden ; John Campbell, Treasurer ; M. W. Barnes, Secretary ; W. P. Ferris, Senior Deacon ; W. N. Young, Junior Deacon, and Robert Boyd, Tiler. The present roll of officers are : P. B. Parcell, Worshipful Master ; W. R. Comstock, Senior Warden ; John Wood- worth, Junior Warden ; P. M. Shleppy, Treasurer ; L. C. Fell, Secretary ; W. E. Franklin, Senior Deacon ; Christian Miller, Junior Deacon, and I. N. Moon, Tiler, with the names of twenty-nine members on the records. The village of Ashmore was incorporated April 19, 1867, and the following Trustees elected to look after its welfare : Jacob A. Brown, Thomas O'Brien, 406 HISTORY OF COLKS COUNTY. William Bass, William P. Ferris and A. F. Robertson. The Board organized by electing Jacob A. Brown and A. F. Robertson, Clerk. The present Board is as follows, viz. : Adam Coon, President, and Thomas O'Brien, William T. March, William L. Cox, Thomas Austin and John G. Parker. J. 0. Brown is Clerk, A. F. Robertson, Police Magistrate, and Thomas W. Hogue, Town Marshal. VILLAlJE OF HITESVILLE. Hitesville is an old village, or would be, if still in existence, but it has passed away, ''among the things that were." It was laid out April 15, 1835, by James Hite, for whom it was named, and who appears to have been an enter- prising citizen. At one time, it was quite a village, with stores, shops, and every appearance of becoming a town. But, railroads passing near, new- villages have sprung into being, which have literally swallowed up Hitesville, leaving scarce a trace to tell where it stood. At an early day, a Presbyterian Church was organized at Hitesville, by Rev. John Steele. The church was built almost entirely by Mr. Hite, the neighbors contributing but a small amount of the means toward its erection. Hite finally moved away, sold the church, which was converted into a dwelling, and used as such for awhile, and then torn down. Prior to its discontinuance as a church, however, the Christian denomination organized a church, and erected a building at this place, about 1840. It soon became too small for the increasing membership ; was sold, and a larger one built during the late war, at a cost of §2,500, and is a handsome frame building. Its present membership is something over 100, and has, since its organization, numbered 200 members, but has been thinned out by death and removals. The present Pastor is Elder James Steele, but Elder P. K. Honn has been the minister in charge of it almost from its organization, until age compelled him to retire from active labors. This is about all there is left to tell where Hitesville once stood. St. Omer was never laid out as a village, but at one time was a collection of perhaps half a dozen houses, a store, post office, bhicksmith-shop, etc. The Ashmores opened a store at the place many years ago, and a man named Hogue kept one on the road, about half a mile from St Omer, at the same time. But, like Hitesville, and from a similar cause, St. Omer has disappeared. A church and two or three dwellings are all that is left. The church belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterians, and is one of the pioneer church organiza- tions of Coles County. The society was originally organized in a schoolhouse near the present village of Ashmore, with thirty-seven members, on the 30th of May, 1842. John Mitchell, William Austin, Sr., and Alexander Mont- gomery were the first elders. Though originally organized near Ashmore, its membership was largely of St. Omer, and tlie church-building was erected at the latter place, about 1857, at a cost of ^1,200, not including the lot on whicli it stands. It is a frame building, 30x40 feet, with a membership at present of about one hundred, under the pastoral charge of Rev. A. B. McDavid. Its HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 407 aggregate membership since organization is about three hundred and seventy. The present Elders are John Dollar, Josiah Bitner, J. Keran, Daniel Wicker and Milton W. Barnes ; the latter is the Clerk of the Board. The deacons are Joseph W. Bitner and John F. Childress. POLITICS AND WAR. Ashmore village and township, taken together, are Republican in politics. The war record of the town is good. In all of our little "scrimmages," Ash- more has participated, to a greater or less extent. The war of 1812, the Black Hawk war of 1832, the Mexican war, and our last unpleasantness, all had representatives from this section, and even one or two soldiers in the Revolu- tionary struggle afterward wandered to this region. In our last war, the great rebellion, many of the citizens shouldered their muskets and offered themselves to their country. The following are among the enlistments from this township so far as we have been able to gather them : Dr. A. F. Steele, Company C, Sixty-second Illinois Infantry ; Nathaniel Davis, Company H, Third Missouri Cavalry, as Sergeant ; William T. Moore, Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana (100 days); Elias Moore, Company H, Fifty-ninth Illi- nois Volunteers ; F. M. Waters, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Vol- unteers, as Chief Musician ; Joshua Rickets entered J. W. Bissell's Engineer Regiment of the West, as private, and was promoted to Second and then First Lieutenant, served twenty months, and resigned ; William C. Kimball, Com- pany H, One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Volunteers ; Sidney Epperson, Company H, Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, promoted to Quartermaster; Rhodes Epperson, Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Vol- unteers ; Martin Turner, Company — , One Hundred and Twenty-third Illi- nois Volunteers, killed in battle of Perryville : Thomas J. Bull, Company C, Iowa Cavalry ; Adon Wiley, Company E, Seventy-ninth Illinois Vol- unteers. There were, perhaps, many others from the township, but we have been unable to learn their names. PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. This township is the middle one in the southern tier of townships in the county. It is a little irregular in shape, being bounded on the east by the Embarrass River, which follows a southern course, slightly inclining westward. The township is eleven sections long and four wide. This will give it forty- four sections, or 28,160 acres. As a part of the eastern sections are, however, in Hutton Township, there is probably not that amount of land by two thousand acres. The land is, in the main,^ excellent for farming purposes. It originally was nearly all covered with a dense growth of good timber, hence the township is among the earliest settled in the county. The only prairie of any size is one known by the very unclassical name of " Goose-Nest Prairie." It was probably 408 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. a fine-looking piece of country to the eyes of the first white man who saw it ; but whether he gave it that name from finding a goose's nest there, or from its fancied resemblance to that repository of goose eggs, or whether he had been a classic student in his day, and had read of the fabled goose which laid a golden egg every day, and made it so valuable, is a matter of some difference of opinion. Some say the primeval white man here looked upon the scene spread out before him and exclaimed, " This is the very goose nest.'" Others afiirm he found a goose's nest here, and hence the name. If any of our readers care to pui'sue the subject to its end, and settle the point, we refer them to several old residents in the "Goose Nest " whom they can examine, and with whom they can argue the point. Which of the three origins is correct matters but little now ; one thing is certain, that name, so illustrative of the disposition of frontier life, will always stay. The timber originally found in this township, much of which yet remains, is composed of all varieties indigenous to this part of Illinois. The most valuable is now nearly all gone, that remaining consisting of a more common kind, and used chiefly for fire-wood and fencing. As much of this abounds, but little, if any, coal is used in the township. No streams of water traverse this part of the county, save a few small tribu- taries of the Embarrass and Muddy Creek. The largest is the little Indian Creek, which rises in Section 36, in La Fayette Township, and flows southeasterly almost entirely through Pleasant Grove. It has one small affluent, rising in Section 3. Neither the main creek nor its branch is of a size to be of any practical use, save draina,ge. Two little creeks flow southward through the western part of the township, affording, like the Little Indian, a partial drainage to that part of country. The principal one is known as Big Muddy, from the character of its waters. Near it was an early settlement in this part of Coles County. The main surface of Pleasant Grove Township is somewhat undulating in appear- ance. There is not much wet land to be found in its borders. A few swamps are here and there to be seen, but these admit of easy drainage, and will, in time, all be brought under cultivation. On Section 23, in this township, exists a natural curiosity. On a spot of _ground, covering about one-half acre in extent, are ten springs, each sending forth a stream of remarkably cold water, highly impregnated with different medicinal qualities. What is strange, is that no two springs arc alike in the quality of water they emit. One spring will be highly impregnated with car- bonate of soda, while near it will be another impregnated with iron, another with chloride of sodium, and so on — as many difl'erent waters as there are springs. As all are medicinal in their qualities, many persons resort here for the cure of various diseases which these waters are supposed to benefit. _ Indeed, many are bettered by coming here, and it is the intention to fit up a place, so that accommodations can be furnished those desiring to come. The springs are now owned by Dr. Halbrook, who keeps, temporarily, many patients in his HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 409 house, near the springs. The place evidences being a favorite resort of the Indians, as a great abundance of relics of these aboriginal inhabitants are found here. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. ****** " Then, looking eastward o'er the plain, I saw a slowly-moving train Of objects coming, far away. Like schooners floating on the bay. ■' Their whitened sails were neatly spread, And slowly on their course they sped, As, westward still they kept their way. Toward the setting orb of day." The picture presented by Mr. George Balch of the coming of the emigant, in the above lines, is vividly true of the arrival of the first settlers to Central Illinois. No railways then existed in the great West. Indeed, thej' were only known in the East, and were more dreaded in England, where they began, than liked. They were then in crude infancy, and were not thought of in the West. Hence, the picture of their "■whitened sails neatly spread," as the wagons of the pioneers came We.stward, is not in the least overdrawn. They came chiefly from the South — from Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama — as the sequel shows in the mention of each one. Emigrants coming from these various Southern localities, at that day, gen- erally converged at a point on the Ohio River, at or below Louisville. From there they came north, through Western Indiana, to Vincennes, the oldest set- tlement on the Wabash. From this place, sometimes they came directly west to their various localities, or went on north to Terre Haute, and from that place went to their chosen homes. Sometimes, however, they went on down the "beautiful river," on flatboats, to old Shawneetown, where they disembarked, reloaded their goods and themselves into their wagons, and came north to Carmi or Mount Carmel : from either of which places they could find routes north- ward. While on the w-ay, they encamped wherever night overtook them, gen- erally making some grove of trees and stream- of water their halting-places. Mr. Balch in his poem, from which two verses are already quoted, further describes their mode of camp-life. We subjoin it, as better descriptive of that scene than anything we have found : •' Four hundred miles behind them lay Their native land, so far away — Their childhood's home, their place of birth, Their father's and their mother's hearth. " Before them^tretched the boundless West, In all its native grandeur dressed ; Where, fresh from the Almighty's hand. There lay a second Promised Land. 410 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. " But now the sun, adowu the west, In crimson clouds was robed for rest ; While in the east, with hidden sheen, The Goddess of the Night was seen, " Too modest to unveil her light Until her lord had passed from sight. The weary day being almost spent. The pilgrims halt and pilch their tent. ■' Beside a limpid, babbling rill. With shady groves along the hill Where savage bands, in other days, Had seen their sparkling camp-fire blaze ; " And round it danced in savage glee Like beasts, as wild, like birds, as free. But as they now far west had fled. The pilgrims had no foes to dread. " Their jaded steeds were loosed, at will To crop the herbage from the hill ; Their sparkling camp-fire's cheerful light Kept back the gathering shades of night, " Which drew their sable curtains round The pilgrims' lonely camping-ground. While cheerful chats and cheering song Soon whiled a pleasant hour along " In which their meal had been prepared. And by each one was gladly shared. Then, ere the pioneers retire. They gather round their cheerful fire, " And talk of scenes in other years. Of rising hopes and boding fears, Of childhood's happy hours, now fled. Of once loved friends, who now are dead, " Of kindred dear, they left behind When starting west, new homes to find. In fancy saw the schoolhouse still, As once it crowned their college hill, " While in its shady groves they strayed, And ' hide-and-seek ' in fancy played ; Or gathered round their grape-vine swing And heard 'heir comrades' voices ring. " Those comrades too, had left their plays — Forever gone their childhood days — And now, with trusty sword and shield. Like them were on life's battle-tield. " Some talked of • mother's ' earnest prayer ; Some of * father's ' anxious care : These, too, they feared they ne'er would meet This side the ' city's golden street.' HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 4U " The little church, to tliem so dear. Engaged their thoughts and claimed a tear; They prayed that God would bless the place Where first they tasted of his grace. " They called to mind their pastor's care, His counsel wise, and faithful prayer; Rejoicing that they had a friend Whose prayers for them would still ascend " To God, who, though enthroned on high, Will hear the lowly when they cry. And now to Him their thoughts are turned, While in their hearts for Him they yearned : " For man is sure, when left alone, To think of God, and heaven and home. But darker grew the shjides of night. The evening star had passed from sight, " The Pleiades shone from on high Like sparkling gems set in the sky : While higher still Orion swung. And sweeter evening's anthems sung. " And there, around that lone camp-fire. Before the pioneers retire, They bow beneath the solemn grove And chant to God these lines of love. " With heart and voice, and bended knee, Our Father, God, we come to Thee; No temple built by human skill. No ritual made by human will. Have we to bring. " Our hearts shall be Thy temple home. Where Thou shalt reign, and Thou alone; And in these temples built for praise. Our humble notes of song we raise. Thy love to sing "We praise Thee for Thy constant care; For grace, the ills of life to bear ; For strength to help us on our way, And bread of life from day to day, Which we partake. " And now, we give ourselves to Thee, Oh, keep Thy trusting children free ! And guard us through the shades of night. And wake us with the morning light, For Jesus' sake. "Thus trusting on a Sovereign Lord, They rose from off the grassy sward, .■ind soon retired to peaceful rest, With naught but love within each breast. 412 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. "Their jiifled steeds rest on the hill. Their tinkling bell is hushed and still. And silence reigns througiiout the earth, Like that which reigned before its birth.' Mr. Balcli continues in this poem to note the rise in the morning of the pioneers ; their search for a home ; their success in finding one in a forest through which a stream courses its way, and the erection of their cabin-home. It is very strikingly portrayed, and .«peaks well for his native genius. Had he had the advantages of an education, he would take rank with manv writers widely known. As it is, we understand he intends publishing a volume of his poems, in which the remainder of the poem we quote will appear. Its length precludes further quotation in our pages. Just who was the first settler in Pleasant Grove — often called Pleasant Prairie — is now hard to determine. Mrs. Chowning states that her father. John Gordon, came to the Kickapoo settlement. in 1826, and the next year, she thinks in the spring, he moved down to Pleasant Grove, where she is now living. There he found an unfinished log cabin, built by an old Baptist preacher, oalled " Daddy " Barham. This cabin Mr. Gordon completed and used as a residence. Others, however, differ from this statement. Some assert that the first settle- ment was made in this township in 1827, by Isaac Fancher and Buck Houchin, near the head of Muddy Point Creek. This is the generally accepted view, and is given as true by Capt. Adams in his Centennial Address. Still, others claim that Jack Price came here prior to Fancher or Houchin, and that to him belongs the honor. From a pretty close investigation of the subject we are inclined to, the opinion given by Capt. Adams. The weight of testimony is in favor of Fancher and Houchin. Price must have followed them closely, how- ever, and may have been with them. It is likely that these persons are all that settled in this township that year. If they brought their families as Mr. Gordon did, there were four settlers and four pioneer homes in the township that fall. The next year, Mr. Joseph Glenn, then a young man, visited this settle- ment. After satisfying himself as to its desirableness, he determined to locate. He informed Mr. George Balch afterward, that when he came here, there were five families in this settlement, and that he thought no others existed in the township. He says Dorcas Tulley, who lived near the south line of the county where John T. Jones now resides, was among tlie number. He also mentions Mr. Fancher. He named all of them, but the names have escaped Mr. Balch's memory. Those that we have mentioned would make just this number, and are, probably, the families Mr. Glenn referred to. Mr. Glenn lived here until a short time since, when his death occurred. He was rather widely known, and was blessed with an excellent memory. It is to be regretted now that he did not write down for preservation his recollections of the days he first lived here, and the events passing at the time. He, like many another, did not realize their value, and thus much of the early history of this part of Illinois is lost. HISTORV OF COLES COUNTY. 413 Mr. Glenn went to Lawrence County in the fall of 1829. He married Ellen Reynolds in 1830 or 1831, who was born in Illinois in 1808 or 1809, and is yet living. She is one of the oldest native-born citizens in this county. Mr. Glenn's farm was long known as the "Glenn Place," and was brought by its owner to a high state of cultivation. In the spring of 1820, (juite a number of settlers came. " Goose-Nest Prai- rie " was settled this spring by Rev. Daniel Barham ("' Daddy "' Barham, already referred to) and his sons John and Nathan, and Thomas Barker, who erected the first cabins there. If these were the first cabins built by the good minister, then the statement that he erected a cabin near the Gordon grave-yard in 1827, or before, is evidently an error by a year or two. As there is now no one left who lived through this time and is cognizant of it all, in all its details, it is extremely difficult to settle the point of the first settler. Rev. Barham was an efficient Baptist minister, and labored earnestly in his Master's calling, and may have been here as early as Mrs. Chowning thinks ; but, from the best testimony we are able to gather, it is two years later, /. e., in 1829. " The same spring that ' Daddy' Barham, his sons and Mr. Barker came," says Capt. Adams, " Michael Taylor and son, Elijah, John and Patrick Gordon and Dow Goodman located in the ' Goose Nest.' " This is further proof that Mrs. Chown- ing's father came in 1829, instead of 1827. The first settlement on Indian Creek was made this same year. At the head of this creek, was an old Indian camping-ground, evidencing use in many generations past. It was a convenient spot for pasturage and water, and, as such, was regarded favorably by the pioneers. It is in the north and northeast part of the township, and may be considered the third settlement in the town- ship. Its pioneers were Zeno Campbell, Gershom, William and Thomas Balch, who, as stated, located in 1829. This same year, the Muddy Point settlement was augmented by the arrival of Joseph Glenn. Daniel Edson, Daniel Beals and his two sons, Oliver and Jesse, and William Dryden and Alfred Balch, who came to view the country. The next year, William Gammill and his sons Andrew and Samuel, and sons-in-law, A. Balch and Isaac Odell, also Abner Johnston, whose son is now President of the First National Bank at Charleston, came to Indian Creek and Muddy Point settlements. The year before, Jesse Fuller and his family came from Virginia and bought the farm now known as the " Sell " place. Mr. Fuller remained here until his death. Mr. Theron E. Balch located with his family this season, also. Mr. Balch became a very prominent man in his time. He w-as the first school-teacher in the township, was a firm friend of religion and was one of the best men in the pioneer days of the community. He arrived with his family in October, and settled in the timber, near the "Goose-Nest Prairie." Here he built him a small pole cabin, and during this winter, it is thought, taught the pioneer school in the township, in a small pole cabin, in Muddy Point settlement, near where the Cumberland Presbvterian Church is now situated. He and his 411 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. wife were strong Abolitionists, liberating their slaves in the South before they came, bringing soiae with them. Mr. Balch was one of the earliest adherents to that party, and is said to have been one of the first seven men to vote that ticket. Mrs. Balch is yet living in Wisconsin, eighty-six years of age, blind and deaf. She has been a most remarkable woman in her time. She lives with one of her daughters, and has with her one of her liberated woman slaves, who is almost as old as her mistress. The reader will observe that quite a number of persons located in the first two yeai's of the settlements here. As many of them belonged to the Cumber- land and Regular Presbyterian Churches, they united in August, 1830, and formed a Presbyterian Church under the care of the Old-School body — as it would be better known by that name — and began to hold services. As immigra- tion was rapid during the next three or four years, however, a Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized, and those professing that creed drew off from the other Church as soon as this opportunity aflforded them a chance to join a church of their own choice. On the 19th of November following the organization of the Church at Indian Creek, the settlement in Pleasant Grove was joined by a colony of sixteen grown persons and eleven children from Bedford County, Tenn., about fifty miles south of the city of Nashville. They came, like their predecessors, in the old Virginia wagons, drawn by two and four horse teams, making the journey of 400 miles in a few months. Now it is made in a day and a night. They camped out on the way, and while in Indiana, about fifteen miles south of Vin- cennes, they were obliged to stop and bury one of their number, a child, a son of Isaac and Mary Odell. A number of years ago, George D. Prentice, the veteran Louisville editor and poet, stood, he records, at the grave of a little child in Arkansas, buried from an emigrant wagon. He embalmed the incident in verse, which is so touching, and which applies to the burial of Mr. and Mrs. Odell's little child so well, that we reproduce a verse here : "Not in the church-yanl's hallowed ground. Where marble columns rise around. By willow or by cypress shade, Are thy poor little relicts laid. Thou sleejiest here, all, all alone. No other grave is near thine own. ' Tis well, 'tis well; but oh. such fate Seems very, very desolate. ■» * * * But yet it matters not, poor child, That thou must sleep in this lone wild : Each springtime, as it wanders past, Its buds and blooms will round thee cast ; The ihick-leaved boughs and moonbeams pale. Will er thee spread a solemn veil. And softest dews and showers will lave The blossoms on the infant's grave." HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 415 The colony mentioned, coming in the fall of 1830, were headed by William Gammill (already noticed), who knew something of the country, and, with Alfred M. Balch, was one of the projectors of the move. In addition to these two, there were Mr. Balch's children — Ann Jane, who afterward became the wife of H. J. Reynolds, of Neoga ; Nanny Caroline, who died in March, 1853 ; Rhoda E., who died at thirteen years of age, and whose memory her brother Oeorge B. has touehingly preserved in verse. George B. was then very young, and has lived all his life in the township, noting all its changes, and has recorded many of them in poetry. Another family (and we shall name each family of this colony) was J. J. and Martha Adams, and their one child, W. E. Adams, then eleven days old. On his arrival, Mr. Adams, like the others, hastily erected a pole cabin, into which he moved. Before he could properly inclose it, the winter set in exceedingly cold, and with great difficulty could they preserve themselves and their child from freezing. The covers of the wagon were taken off, hung inside the cabin walls, and with one device and another, aided by the huge fire kept constantly burning in the great chimney, they man- aged to live through the winter. Many of their neighbors were no better off. The next year, he and all the colonists raised a very good crop, putting it in with the old-fashioned barshare plows, remodeled and repaii-ed their cabins, and by winter were prepared to stand the rigors of n Western winter. It will be recol- lected that the one before was made memorable by the "deep snow," and the great freshet in the spring consequent upon the melting of the snow. It is fully noticed elsewhere, and need not be repeated here. It was the same over all the country, only of a greater depth in the northern part of the State. As a portrait and full sketch of Col. Adams' life appear elsewhere in this volume, we will omit any further mention of his deeds here. They are all worthy a place in the annals of Coles Courjty, and when the Colonel died a few months since, he left behind him a record worthy of imitation by all. Isaac and Mary Odell, son-in-law and daughter of Mr. Gammill, were also of this company. It was their child that died in Indiana and was left sleep- ing on the roadside. Their next son, George W. Odell, was the first child born in Charleston, which town was laid out the next summer after the colony's arrival. Col. Adams and A. M. Balch cut logs and built some of the first houses in that aspiring town. One of these may yet be seen on a hill in the western part of town, just east of where the Ashmore mill was burned. Of all the members of that colony who were men and women when they came, Mrs. Odell — " Aunt Polly " — is the only survivor. The next family was Andrew and Jane Gammill and their three children, all of whom are living yet. One \s Mrs. Caroline Shoemaker, of La Fayette Township, another Mrs. Adaline Hendricks, now in Missouri, and the third Mrs. Lucinda Whetstone, of Pomona. Kan. Mark and Matilda Baker with their two children, Joseph and Matilda, are the next family mentioned. Both the children are now dead. The father died in about two years after coming. 416 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. from malarial diseases. His wife afterward married M. Tyra Hays, and gave fame to Pleasant Grove by giving existence to three boys at one birth, all of whom are yet living. Andrew Clark and wife were also in this colony. They had no children when they came. Mr. Clark was afterward well known in Charleston in the hotels there, being one of the early landlords of the town. In this colony were two young men, Philip Odell and S. K. Gammill, who should be noticed here. The first named, Odell, died in Charleston, about 1835. In the early issues of newspapers there, his obituary was published, wherein some friend embalmed his memory in verse which we now recall, and which many of the old people will doubtless remember: "Could I the sacred Line conimanJ, Or inspiration guide my hand In numbers sweet but sad, I'd tell The virtues of our friend Odell." The other young man, S. K. Gammill, afterward became prominently known in the south part of the county. He married Elizabeth Dryden, who yet lives. Mr. Gammill died about twelve years ago, of cholera. The majority of the persons coming in this little colony, were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in their native State. They found no church of their own here, and the majority went into the Presbyterian Church at Indian Creek. They remained here, however, but a few years, when, being joined by more of their own profession, they formed a churcii at Muddy Point, and began services there. The winter following — 1830-31 — was, as has been observed, one of great severity. The intense cold, the deep snow, the scanty provisions and poor accommodations made the pioneer's life one of privation, and to those who had enjoyed the milder serenity of a more southern clime, it called for the stron- gest powers of fortitude and courage. The following spring, owing to the great snow, was very wet, and it was late before crops could be planted. The cabins were repaired, or new and better ones built, fields were cleared, and prepara- tions to found that home they all desired went steadily on. They went to the Wabash Point timber for mail, where George M. Hanson had the year before obtained a post office, and where quite a number of families, chiefly Meth- odists in reliiiion, were settled. Those of Pleasant Grove also came here to mill, for Slover's Mill was about the only one in this part of the country. It was during this summer, it is thought, that C. Campbell opened a blacksmith shop in the township. His shop was near the residence of /eno Campbell. He was a good workman, making excellent axes, Cary plows and various other implements, which could not have been obtained nearer than Paris, in Edgar County, or equally as distant places. It might be well to mention of /-eno Campbell that he was run for the Legislature on the Whig ticket, from this part of the county. He was an excellent man, but quiet an of prairie on either hand were unbroken by the appearance of a single human habitation. Indeed, the early settlers never expected to see these broad and fertile plains reclaimed from their native wildness and reduced to rich product- ive farms. But, in a few short years, the tide of emigration swept by. and far away from timber on the open prairie, where once it was thought impossible that man should abide and gain a sustenance, the humble cabin was erected, the tough and matted sod was overturned and the golden corn rustled and waved in the autumnal breezes. The people of to-day living in comfortable homes, equipped with the many improvements and inventions of modern times and beautified and adorned by art, have but faint conceptions of the difficulties and privations endured by the early settlers of this Western country. Most of them were men of large fam- ilies, and poor in this world's goods ; but they were men of stout hearts and willing hands, and, leaving the older-settled portions, came here in the fond hope of bettering their condition. The first care of the early settler, on arriv- ing at the end of his wearisome journey, was to provide for himself and family a suitable shelter from the bleak winds and pelting storms. Their homes, as a a matter of course, were of rude construction, but, by certain appliances well known to the pioneer, they were made very comfortable, and to-day many an old pioneer recounts as among the happiest days of his life those spent beneath the clapboard roof of his little old log-cabin. The homes of the early settlers presented to the eye much the same appearance both internally and externally ; their chief difference consisted in size, most of them being single, while a few HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 501 ■were built double. As the manner of constructing them has been accurately portrayed in other portions of this work, we deem it unnecessary to particularize. A house provided, next came the necessity of laying in supplies for man and beast. Game of all kinds abound on every hand. Deer, turkeys, rabbits, squirrels, quails and such like, were here in plenteous profusion. The faithful dog and the unerring rifle seldom fail to bring the fat buck and plump, rich turkey to the cabin-door. Meat is easily supplied, but bread, the mainstay of life, is not so readily obtained. Corn is far away in the older settlements and must be brought by that fast express of early times, the ox-team. And when at hand, often the settler must make a pilgrimage of twenty-five to thirty miles to mill and wait a day and night for his " turn." And, gentle reader, should you wonder why the old pioneer speaks so often of the " johnny-cake " and hoe-cake, to the utter disregard of the snowy, light bread and flaky biscuit which you so much enjoy, let me remind you that one biscuit to each member of the family on Sunday morning of each week, or, perchance, once a month, was a luxury that few families enjoyed. Around the rude table, often consisting of a goods- box turned on its side, loaded with venison or fat turkey, with his johniy^-cake, smoking-hot from the board, and that added luxury, wild honey, obtained from the bee-trees near his cabin, the pioneer, with his family, sat down ancj fared sumptuously every day. Generally speaking, the pioneers were men of simple habits, noted for their liospitality. They knew how to receive and bestow a favor. In this age of cultivation and refinement, they would, doubtless, be regarded by many as rude and uncouth ; but this was not the fact. The latch-string of their cabin-doors hung out by day, and this was a standing invitation to enter and share their comforts. Often a simple act of kindness has resulted in the establishment of a friendship between those who were strangers at the time which has remained unbroken throughout remaining life. Such an instance occurred in Paradise Township in an early day. Soon after the coming of Dr. Apperson, Silas Hart, in passing near his cabin, concluded to call and form the acquaintance of the new-comers. Riding up to the cabin, he discovered Mrs. Apperson weeping and in great distress. Exchanging the usual salutations with the Doctor, Hart inquired, " How are you prospering, and how do you like your new home?" The Doctor replied that he was well pleased, but that his wife, was fearful that starvation would overtake them, as their only supply was a small amount of meal. Without a word of encouragement or sympathy, Hart turned about his horse and rode away. In speaking of this in after years, Dr. Apperson often remarked that, at that time, he looked upon Hart as a man in whose soul there was no sympathy. Hart had not been long gone when the clear, ringing report of his trusty rifle resounded through the woods. He had sighted a fine, fat doe, and the game was his. Hastily removing the entrails, he placed the deer on his horse, in front of his saddle, and, in half an hour from the time of his departure, he again rode up to the Doctor's cabin, and, tumbling off his load, quietly rode away, leaving the Doctor in full possession. From 502 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. this simple act, there grew up a firm friendship between these two men which remained unbroken for almost half a century. Dr. Apperson was Hart's family physician as long as he lived, and for all his services he would never receive one cent of compensation. But from this digression, we must hasten back to the main thread of our history. The early settlers of Paradise Township were highly favored in many respects, above others who settled in other parts of this and adjacent counties. About the year 1830 or 1831, Jacob Slover, who had settled in 1828, opened a store in one department of his double log cabin, then standing on what is now known as the Moffett farm. This was the first store opened in Paradise Town- ship, and, indeed, in all this section of country. Here the settlers came for miles around to barter their products for such wares and merchandise as they most needed. Wild honey was abundant in those days, and was taken in exchange for goods at the rate of eleven pounds to the gallon. In speaking of this honey, Mrs. Dr. Apperson, who is still living, says it had a much better flavor than any produced at the present day, and that, in appearance, it was so pure and white that strangers before whom it was placed often mistook it for lard. Some time after the opening of the store, Isaac Slover, a brother to the merchjjint, built a horse-mill in the immediate neighborhood. In point of speed, this was a great improvement on the grater and hominy-mortar. In a few years, these became obsolete, and were only preserved as relics of the past. Though the horse-mill, as has been said, was a wonderful improvement on the former methods of obtaining meal, yet it by no means equaled the water or steam mills of to-day. To grind out a grist of two bushels required a full day. Para- dise was blessed with a steam-mill as early as 1838; but as its history belongs more properly to the history of Paradise village, we will defer writing it till the village history is reached. The spiritual and intellectual culture of themselves and their children was by no means neglected. Many of them were men of deep religious con- victions, and not a few were acceptable proclaimers of tlie Gospel of Peace. Among the early preachers may be mentioned the names of Revs. James Graham, George M. Hanson, Daniel Bryant, Miles H. Hart, Hiram Tremble, Dr. John Apperson, Clemence Goar and others, who are worthy of being here recorded, but whose names have passed from memory. Meetings were held in an early day in the cabins of Miles Hart, Dr. Apperson, John Sawyer and others, and when they met, the men clad in their homespun and the mothers and daughters in their linsey-woolsey, it was not for the young sisters to discuss and criticise the latest fashions, or for the boys to ogle the girls, but to engage in solemn devotion to the Giver of all good. Simplicity of manners was characterized by simplicity of dress, which, though plain, was always neat. After a week of hard, laborious toil, it was esteemed a blessed privilege to be permitted to ride five or six miles, on horse-back, to engage in hymning songs of praise to God and to hear the sweet words of Gospel truth, as they HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 503 were read and expounded by some revered brother. These were not the days of cushioned pews, in which the audience lazily dreamt tlie hour away, but, gathered beneath the roof of the humble cabin, seated on backless benches, of rude construction, men, women and children gave earnest attention to the preached Word. The impressions made by those early and earnest workmen in the vineyard of the Lord were lasting, and their influence for good has been felt through the ongoing years. Most of the early ministers in this section were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the many flourishing socie- ties of that denomination to-day throughout this section of country bear testi- mony to their early labors. The first church built in Paradise was in Dry Grove ; the exact date of building cannot be ascertained. In 1860, the pres- ent church, a neat, substantial frame, was erected. Two others are in the township, one in Paradise village and the other in Etna. The schoolmaster put in his appearance in an early day, and, as schools were supported by individual subscriptions, the first schools were taught in the most populous neighborhoods. The first school in the township was kept by a Mr. Drake, and some of his pupils, still living, state that he was by no means a successful teacher. The second school was kept by a Mr. Kellai', near the residence of Miles H. Hart. To those already given may be added the names of William Mofiett, David Campbell and Ebenezer Alexander. To-day, the township is provided with comfortable schoolhouses in each district, and the children enjoy the benefits accruing from our well-regulated school system. Going back a little in point of time, we find the winters of 1830, 1831 and 1832 wei'e very cold. The last of November, 1830, there came a fall of snow of thirty-two inches in depth, which remained until March. About the middle of February, it rained part of two days, reducing the snow to a slush, and sud- denly turning cold, froze the water and soft snow into ice. The whole face of the country was one continuous sheet of ice. Great diflSculty was experienced in caring for stock, as it was obliged to be cared for just where the freeze caught it. It was a complete blockade, and the only way they had of provid- ing fuel was for the men to draw it from the timber on hand sleds, as horses and oxen could not be moved about over the smooth surface. Notwithstanding the difficulties with which they were environed, they often had days of real enjoyment. Three or four neighbors, accompanied by their trusty rifles and all the dogs they could muster, would often engage in what was called the "deer drive." As the fleet-footed deer could not stand on the smooth, glassy surface, and as the dog could make good headway, few that were started up succeeded in making good their escape. It was not an unusual thing to capt- ure some half dozen in a single day ; and so, however meager might be the supply of breadstuff", there was no lack, of fat, juicy venison. When, in 1832 and 1833, the whole Western frontier was thrown into wild commotion by the re-appearance of Black Hawk and his warriors, although the call for troops to repel the invaders did not include the young county of 504 HtSTOKY OF COLES COUNTY. Coles,' yet there were brave hearts in Paradise Township that flew to the rescue of their imperiled countrymen. The following-named persons went from this township: Thomas Ross (Captain), John Shadwell, Thomas Studer, John Young, Moses Hart, Jonathan Hart, John C. Jones, David Hanson,- Trusse Hanson and Thomas Hayes. There were others, doubtless, whose names have passed from memory. Mrs. Dr. Apperson has in her possession the snuft-box of the renowned warrior, taken from his wallet by her brother, David Hanson, and by him presented to Dr. Apperson, on his return from the war. The meteoric display of 1833, and the sudden freeze of 1836, have been treated at such length in other portions of this work, that we feel justified in passing them by without comment. As early as 1830, George M. Hanson circulated a petition for and obtained from the Government the establishment of a post office. Mr. Hanson was the first Postmaster, and the office was first kept at his house on the farm where J. E. Tremble now resides, in the northeast corner of the township. It was called Paradise Post Office, and was afterward removed to Slover's store, thence to Richmond, in Mattoon Township, and finally to Paradise Village, where it has since remained. This was the first post office established in what is known as the Wabash Point settlement, and diSers in some points of its history as here recorded, from the account given in the history of Mattoon Township, and is, perhaps, the more accurate statement of the two. The first burial that occurred in the township was that of James Nash, who died at his home in Mattoon Township, December 24, 1829, and was buried on Christmas Day, just across the line in Paradise Township, a short distance south of where Capp's mill now stands. The second was that of Grandma Bush, a very elderly lady, whose grave was the first opened in Dry Grove Cemetery. At the first election held in the county for county officers. Paradise fur- nished her full quota of candidates and secured the election of a large number of them. George M. Hanson was chosen a member of the Board of County Commissioners, Ambrose Yocum was elected first Sherifi", Ichabod Radley, first Coroner, and Nathan Ellington was appointed first County Clerk. This office Mr. Ellington held afterward by successive i-e-elections, till 1853 or 1854, when he lost his life by violence at the hands of Dolph Munroe, his son-in-law. The following account is given of Mr. Yocum's election as Sheriff. The elec- tion was held at the residence of a Mr. Ashmore, in Kickapoo Point. A can- didate from the Kickapoo settlement was making the race for Sheriff. . Early in the day, Aslimore made the remark thnt his fire was free to all who would vote for his candidate. This speech at once aroused opposition. Some of the Harts and others built a log heap, declared that their fire was free to all, and immediately put in nomination for Sheriff, Ambrose Yocum. Then the con- test began in earnest, and at the final sumraing-iip of the votes it was ascer- tained, to the great satisfaction of his friends and to the utter discomfort and chagrin of the Kickapooites, that Yocum had been elected by a handsome HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 505 majority. Among others of her citizens, who, at an early date, were honored with political preferment, were James T. Cunningham and George M. Hanson. Cunningham was a member of the Legislature eight years in succession. Hfinson was chosen to the Legislature in 1842, and two years later — 1844 — was sent to the State Senate. In 1846, he was a candidate for Congress, but was defeated by Hon. T. R. Young, at present a resident of Mattoon. George M. Hanson figures so largely in the early history of Coles County, and his mem- ory is so highly revered by the citizens of this township that there is seem- ingly a demand for more than a passing notice of his acts. The early settlers of Kickapoo, Muddy and Wabash Points, were included in the limits of Clark County, and as the county seat at Darwin was at a distance of fifty miles from the northwest corner of the county, they experienced no little difficulty in attending to legal proceedings. In 1829, soon after coming, Hanson drafted and circulated a petition for the erection of a new county, which should con- tain within its limits the settlements of the above-named places. He was made bearer of the petition to the seat of Government, then at Vandalia. Through his own personal influence, seconded by that of Col. William B. Archer, then a member of the Legislature as Senator from Clark County, he succeeded in getting the bill passed, and in less than two weeks returned home with a certified copy of the bill in his pocket. As soon as the Governor approved the bill, Mr. Hanson went to the land office and entered the first tract of land ever purchased in Coles County. He was the intimate associate of Dr. John Apperson, Elisha Linder, Eben Noyes, Sr., and others of the leading settlers ; and being, perhaps, the ablest and most cultivated man in all this section, became the leader in the intellectual arena of those early days. Soon after the establishment of the Charleston Courier, he became a valued contributor to its columns, and his suggestions were almost universally accepted by the early settlers. Whatever he believed would advance the interests of his county and the welfare and prosperity of her citizens, met his earnest encouragement. The grand wolf-hunt which he organized in an early day will not soon be forgotten. Hs proposed that the settlers on all sides should assemble in the edge of the timber, and, spreading out, move over the prairie in which Mattoon now stands, toward Dodge (now Herkimer's) Grove, and that each should so time his advance as to reach the grove precisely at 12 on the day appointed. The settlers from all parts came, and the hunt was instituted. The wolves, driven from their secret hiding-places, would dart away to the opposite side of the prairie only to find a cordon of men and dogs drawn completely around them, and thus hemmed in, with the boundaries continually contracting, a large drove was corraled in the grove, where expert marksmen picked them off" as they were driven out by the dogs. That wolf-hunt was among the memorable events of those early days, and is still referred to with pleasure by those who participated in its fun and frolic. Hanson was a minister in the ranks of the M. E. Church, and, surpassing most of his brother minis- 506 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. ters in power and vigor of thought, was justly regarded as a leader. In 1849, he emigrated to California. He died in that State in the latter part of 1878. Dr. John Appereon was the first physician in all this section of country. He was born in Culpeper County, Va., January 8, 1794, and died at his home in Paradise Township, June 5, 1877. He came here, as has been elsewhere stated, in the autumn of 1829. Here he spent over forty years, engaged in the duties of his profession. His practice was large, and often he was called to attend the sick at a distance of twenty-five miles from his home. He was highly esteemed as a practitioner, and even after he had repeatedly declared his inten- tion to retire from active life, and his unfitness through age and infirmity to longer serve his friends and neighbors, yet the old settler, when afflicted with disease, would suffer no one to prescribe for his ailments save the good old Doctor. As a novel way of collecting a bill, the following may not be out of place : On a certain occasion, when the Doctor was called to visit a patient on the east side of the North Okaw, he had thought to cross the stream and collect some bills. The stream was bank-full and past fording, and, unfort- unately, no canoe was at hand. The Doctor being sadly in need of a little money, and seeing one of his patrons across the stream, politely asked him for his bill. The man, having procured a suitable stick, proceeded to cut a hole in one end with his knife ; and having placed some bank-bills in the cavity thus formed, fastened up the opening with a wooden plug, proceeded down the stream some distance to a narrow place and threw stick, money and all across to the Doctor. After the adoption of township organization, in 1860, the following officers were chosen in Paradise Township : John Hendrix, Henry Burgher and A. Y. Hart, Jr., Commissioners of Highways ; Adam W. Hart, Supervisor ; James H. Wilson, Collector ; R. B. Tate, Assessor ; John Campbell, Town Clerk ; J. W. P. Deckard and Blaine Matthews, Justices. By way of closing our township history, we would add that the mineral wealth of Paradise Township lies to-day wholly unexplored. Doubtless rich deposits of coal are underlying much of her territory. Veins, varying in thickness from four to seven feet, have been passed through in Mattoon Town- ship, just north of her, but at such a great depth l)elow the surface as to render their successful working impracticable, especially so since such an abundance yet exists in different parts of the State much nearer the surface and far more easily accessible. To reach it here would require the sinking of a shaft to a depth of from four hundred and fifty to five hundred feet. A number of rich specimens of copper ore liave been picked up on Section 4 of this township. One in the possession of J. W. Doran, of Mattoon, would yield from 75 to 80 per cent of pure metal. Future explorations and developments may reveal the fact that a rich deposit of ore exists there. We shall now pay our respects to the villages of Paradise and Etna, and, with their history, conclude this part of the work. HISTORY OF COLES COUIITY. 507 PARADISE VILLAGE. On the principle that age should be venerated, we will proceed to trace the history of Paradise first ; a history extending through a period of forty odd years, and which must be comprised in the short space of a page or two. This village, situated in the northwest corner of the township, and often facetiously referred to by the citizens of to-day as " Paradise Lost," was surveyed and platted by Joseph Fowler for Miles W. Hart and Clemme Goar, in the spring of 1837. In order to procure the erection of a steam-mill at this point on the Little Wabash, Thomas Brinegar and David Moore had made to Hart and Gear a donation of forty acres of land, and on a portion of this, adjacent to the mill- site, the town plot was laid. James T. Cunningham was at that time a member of the Legislature at Vandalia, and to him was accorded the honor of naming the place. He called it Paradise, and it was so recorded. Soon after the lay- ing-out of the village, a public sale of lots occurred, and some $500 or $600 worth were disposed of. In the fall of 1836, Hart came from Kentucky on a visit to friends and relatives living in Wabash Point, and on his way called to see Mr. Goar, his brother-in-law, who was then living in Indiana. While here, he perfected the arrangements for building a mill and starting a town. He afterward induced Goar to take an interest with him. He returned to Ken- tucky, and, in the winter of 1836, came back with his family. Mr. Goar, with his family, came early in the spring of 1837. The first citizen of the place was Pleasant Hart, who built his residence and occupied it during the winter of 1836. In the spring of 1837, Hart and Goar each constructed a mud house, and the same spring began the erection of their mill. This was the first steam- mill built in all this section. During the summer, they raised the frame, covered it in and arranged for running one set of corn buhrs and a saw. It had been in operation but a short time when it caught fire and burned down. The loss was total, there being no insurance either upon the building or machinery. Having received liberal donations from the citizens in aid of the loss sustained, in 1839, they again built upon the same site, at a cost of not less than $5,000. This mill was operated some eight or ten years. Not long after the completion of the second mill. Hart sold his interest to his brother, Aaron Hart, and at the end of six months he disposed of his interest to Mr. Goar. In 1845, Goar sold out to George M. Hanson, who operated it about one year and then sold to Bird Munroe. Munroe continued the work one year longer and then moved the machinery up to Charleston. Thus Para- dise lost her greatest and best improvement. Miles W. Hart brought and sold the first goods in the village. He is not, however, regarded as the first mer- chant, as he simply brought what he did for the purpose of supplying the hands while engaged in constructing the mill. Bird Munroe opened out the first store about the year 18-42 or 1843. Soon after, John Cunningham moved his stock down from Richmond in Mattoon Township. Others, of smaller pretensions, 508 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTF. from time to time essayed to play the merchant. Sam Pullen started a tan- jard about the time Paradise was laid out, and a Mr. Gear opened a blacksmith shop. Miles W. Hart put up the first storehouse and was, perhaps, the first Postmaster. A brick church was erected by the Methodist society in 1853 or 1854. This has since been removed and rebuilt on the hill just west of the village and is called Mount Zion Church. The new building was erected in 1869, at a cost of $2,500, and has a capacity for seating 300 persons. Before the building of the church, public worship was held at the house of Uncle Clemme Goar. Schools may have been, and probably were, kept in the village at different times, but so far as we have been able to learn no building was ever erected for that special purpose. The post oflSce, as has been said, was brought from Richmond to Paradise, in an early day, and here it has since remained. A. Y. Hart, Sr., is the present Postmaster. The mail is carried twice per week, on horse-back from Etna to Paradise. Wabash Lodge, No. 179, A., F. & A. M., was organized here under dispensation from the Grand Lodge in 1855, but as it has since been removed to Etna, its history will be given in that con- nection. When, in 1854, the I. C. R. R. was finally located about one mile and a half east of Paradise, her star of destiny began rapidly to decline. Mat- toon sprang into existence at the crossing ; a station, a few years later, was established at Etna. Trade flowed into other channels ; soon her merchants deserted her for fields promising a more abundant harvest, and she was left alone to weep over blighted prospects and buried hopes. Once she was the pride and joy of the surrounding country, now her name is often spoken with a jeer. Yet, in the midst of her distresses, she can truthfully say to the proud city of Mattoon, with her boasted 6,000 inhabitants, "long before tliou wast, / existed." At one time Paradise counted her citizens by the hundred; had four good stores, shops of difierent kinds and was a place in which much business was transacted. Now her citizenship does not exceed fifty; she has a very small grocery store operated by William Morrison & Son, and one blacksmith and wagon repair shop owned by Hiram Surber. In her case, at least, there seems to be a clear demonstration of the truthfulness of that seemingly para- doxical expression, that to kill a thing effectually, it is sometimes only neces- sary to miss it. Had the railroad passed through Paradise village, she had still been living; but passing by as it did, it effectually destroyed her. ETNA. A small village on the I. C. R. R., seven miles southwest of Mattoon, was sur- veyed and platted by James Richards, County Surveyor, on land belonging to Daniel R. Bland and Richard Sayer. in March, 1860. Harry B. Worley and Robert S. Mills secured each a one-fourth interest by purchase, and, soon after, E. B. McClure (now General Superintendent of the L & St. L. R. R.), who ■was at that time Roadraaster on the L C. R. R., was given a one-fifth undivided interest for his influence in securing a station. The citizens of HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. 509 the surrounding community, at their own expense, put in the switches and side-track. The village is situated on the adjoining corners of Sections 15, 16, 21 and 22 in Paradise Township. Soon after the laying-out and plat- ting. Bland built a residence and occupied it. Others soon followed, and Etna rapidly grew from a station into a village. Isaac Hart and his son James L. Hart, Mrs. Veach, Dr. Deckard, J. F. Lawson and James Elhart were among the earliest citizens. As early as the winter of 1860, Isaac Hart & Son opened out a stock of dry goods and groceries. They moved their stock over from Paradise. This was the first store kept in the place. Soon after the coming of Hart & Son, Cornelius Owens, of Charleston, opened up a stock of hardware, groceries and liquors. This enterprise was managed by Robert S. Mills. In February, 1861, J. F. Lawson bought out the senior member of the firm of Hart & Son, and the firm of Hart & Lawson was established. In the early part of May, 1862, Hart & Lawson sold out to Charles Sawyer, of Neoga, and a short time afterward, Lawson purchased the establishment started by Cornelius Owens. He rolled back the building in which the store was kept and built a new front. This building was since destroyed by fire. After conducting the business alone for six months, Dr. Deckard became a partner. Deckard died in February, 1863, and J. R. Wortham took his interest. They added to the business that of buying and shipping grain. In 1865, Lawson bought out the business, and continued it till 1867, when he sold to a Mr. Percy, and he to James Bishop, a brother of Dr. Bishop, who now resides in Etna. Norris & Allen built a store-room in the early part ■of 1864, and brought on a stock of general merchandise. S. Vanderen & Son began business about the same time, and a short time afterward Dr. S. D. •Gardner erected a building and opened out a drug store. In 1860, a neat frame church was built by a general contribution from the citizens and friends of the town, and is free for the use of all religious denomi- nations. The Masonic Hall occupies the second story of this building. A schoolhouse was built in the village in the summer of 1868. James Richard- son began the first session taught in the building, but died while the school was in progress, and Dr. S. D. Gardner, finished the term. At one time Etna had four stores, and did quite an extensive grain business. On a commission of 5 per cent, Mr. Lawson says his receipts for handling grain often amounted to $80 per month. Her population at present does not exceed one hundred. She has one small store, that of Montgomery & Tate, and two smith shops. The post oflice was established in 1860, and Robert S. Mills was appointed Postmaster. He was also the first agent for the R. R. Co. at this point. J. F. Lawson was made Postmaster and agent on the retiring of Mills, and held the position till he removed from the village. The post ofiBce and ticket office are both now kept in the store of Montgomery & Tate. Wabash Lodge, No. 179, A., F. & A. M., as has been elsewhere stated, was organized in Paradise village. Its charter bears date October 3, 1855, issued under the seal of the 510 HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. Grand Lodge, presided over at that time by J. L. Anderson, G. M., and H. G. Reynolds, G. Sec. The charter was issued to Augustus H. Chapman, Newton W. Chapman, A. W. Waller, Dr. John Apperson and others as char- ter members. A. H. Chapman was appointed W. M. ; N. W. Chapman, S. W. ; and A. W. Waller, J. W. The meetings of the Lodge were held for a time in the second story of the mud house built by Miles W. Hart in 1837. The Lodge continued to meet in Paradise till 1860, when, by a vote of the Lodge and by consent of the Grand Lodge, it was moved to Etna. Its present officers are: B. H. Lawson, W. M.; Col. T. A. Apperson, S. W.; J. F. Wool- dridge, J. W. ; A. L. A. Green, Sec. ; J. W. Montgomery, Treas. ; Joseph Carins, S. D. ; H. II. Anderson, J. D. Its membership numbers about fifty. Regular meetings, Friday night on or before full moon each month. Two dif- ferent methods of spelling the name of the village seem to be fully recognized. The citizens, and Government, through the Post-Office Department, seem to accept as correct orthography Etna, while the R. R. Co. inv.iriably adopts the spelling iEtna. But whether we use the single vowel or the diphthong at the beginning, we are inclined to believe that neither will materially add to or detract from the prosperity of the village. VALEDICTORY. Friendly reader, our task is done — not well, we know, but truly. To you who have followed us through these pages, and especially to the old pioneers and patriarchs, whose heads are " silvered over with the frosts of many winters," we come now to part, never, perhaps, to meet this side of the tomb. Our inter- course with you is of the pleasantest character, and it is with a feeling of sad- ness that we bid you adieu, each to go his way, mingling in the great world as the tiny raindrops mingle with the waters of the sea. Should our diverging planets never more cross each other's orbits, and we meet no more here — and it is more than probable that we shall not, for our work lies in another direction — we crave your kind remembrance of us and a generous criticism of our work. Adieu. i BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES CHARLESTON TOWNSHIP. CAPT. WM. E. ADAMS, attorney at law, Charleston ; was born in Bedford Co., Tenn., Oct. 15, 1830, being the sou of John J. and Martha (Gammell ) Adams, who came to Coles Co. in December, 18.^0, settling in what is now Pleasant Grove Tp., on the farm where his father still resides ; he made his home at his father's until about 1855, when he engaged in buying and herding stock, and driving it to Wis- consin ; he continued in this business until 18G0. He was married in August, 1859, to Miss Olive A. Holton, of Blue Mounds, Wis., and has a family of five children — John H., Jennie ,^^., Sarah S., Willie and Helen. He had previously read law and been admitted to the bar, and, in 1860, located in Mattoou and entered upon the practice of his profession ; in August, 18(52, he enlisted in the 123d 111. Vols., and on the organization of the regi- ment was chosen Captain of Co. I ; he participated in the battles of Perryville, Ky., Milton, Tenn., Chattanooga and Chickamauga, after which, his regiment, having previously been attached to Wild- er's Brigade of Mounted Infantry, pur- sued Gen. Wheeler, who was then making a raid on the rear of Gen. Roseorans' army ; his regiment had a severe engage- ment at Farmington, Tenn., in which the Colonel was killed and fully half of Capt. Adams' company cither killed, wounded or taken prisoners, and where the Captain himself was wounded ; after participating in the capture of Atlanta, his regiment wiis remounted at Louisville, Ky., and proceeded thence to Selma, Ala., and, after the capture ot that city, to Montgomery, Columbus and Macon, Ga. ; a portion of his command assisted in the capture of JefF. Davis, the President of the defunct Con- federacy. Returning in July, 1865, he was elected in the fall of that year Clerk of the County Court of Coles Co., and re-elected in 1860 ; on the espiration of his term of office in 1873, he was elected County Judge, serving till 1877, since which he has been engaged in the practice of law. He was for three years a member of the City Council, and is the present Secretary of the Coles County Old Settlers' Society. CAPT. JAMES M. ASHMORE, Charleston ; is a native of Coles Co. ; he is a son of Hezekiah J. Ashmore, one of the pioneers of the county, who was born in Kentucky, Sept. 30, 1802, and came to Coles Co. with his family, consisting at that time of a wife and two children, in 18:>0, and settled in the northeast part of the county, in what is now Oakland Tp. ; in 1836, he removed to the eastern part the county, and for him the town of Ash- more was named, ;is well as the village of that name, which he laid out in 1855 ; he came to Coles Co. a poor man, with but thirty-seven and a half cents in his pos- session, but went to work and as fast as he accumulated a little money, he invested it in land, owning at his death, which oc- curred in 1872, about 1,600 acres; he was for many years a Justice of the Peace, and one of the Commissioners of the county. He left a family of ten children, of whom James M. is the second in age. He was born April 4, 1832 ; he remained at home on the farm until 1859, when he engaged in merchandising in Charleston. In 1861, he entered the Union army as Captain of Co. C, 8th III. Vols., for three 512 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: months, and on the expiration of his term of service, re-enlisted with his regiment for three years ; he was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, upon which he resigned and returned home ; upon the organization of the 123d 111. Vols., he was appointed Drill- master, and drilled that regiment for six months. In 1865, he located at Ashmore, and followed mercantile business there two jears, and then engaged in shipping stock until 1876; he served six years as Justice of the Peace, and seven years on the Board of Supervisors ; in 1876, he was elected Sherifl' of Coles Co., holding the office two years. He was married March 26, 1852, to Mi.ss Lizzie March, daughter of Thomas J. March, an old resident of Charleston. W. J. ASHMORE, dealer in boots and shoes (firm of Ashmore & Mitch- ell), Charleston ; was born in Coles Co., 111., May 15, 1853; he is the youngest son of Samuel C. Ashmore, who came to Coles Co. among the early settlers, and entered a large tract of Gov- ernment land, and when Douglas Co. was formed, the line passed through the mid- dle of his land ; he was a prominent farm- er and stock-raiser, and for many years held the office of Justice of the Peace. He died in 1855 ; his widow Sarah Ashmore and six children still surviving. The son, W. J. Ashmore; when about 20 years of age, went to Lebanon, Ohio, and spent one year as a student in the State Normal School. In 1874, he came to Charleston and engaged as a clerk for B. M. Payne, and on the 1st of January, 1878, engaged with A. M. Mitchell in the boot and shoe trade. He was married Oct. 2, 1878, to Miss Belle Arterburn, of Kan.sas, Edgar Co., 111. KANDALL ALEXANDER, breeder and shipper of Poland-China swine, Charleston ; about ten years ago this gen- tleman, in company with S. M. Shepard, made his first start in the introduction and breeding of thorough-bred swine in Coles Co. After having experimented thor- oughly with the various breeds of hogs, they became convinced that the Poland- China possessed all the requisites of size, docility, fertility, early maturity, aptitude for taking on flesh, and gi'cat constitution- al vigor, necessary to render it pre-emi- nently the hog for the farmer. From a small beginning, the business has grown to its present proportions. Mr. Alexander is now one of the most prominent breeders in the State ; his trade extends to every part of the country, to the Pacific Coast, Canada, the Southern States, etc. ; his farm, near Charleston, possesses all the advantages of a perfect hog farm, such as pure running water, sheltered location, shade, range, etc. Mr. Alexander was born in Madison, Jef- ferson Co., Ind., Aug. 5, 1842; when about 10 years old, he removed with his parents to Tipton Co., Ind. ; at 14, he left home, and going to Louisiana, Mo., en- gaged as a clerk in a dry goods store. In 1861 , he went to Tuscola, Douglas Co., 111., and clerked one year ; he then, with Mr. Robert Beech, built the Beech House, the finest hotel on the Illinois Central Railroad, from Chicago to Cairo ; after running the house one year he came in 1863 to Charles- ton, and continued clerking till 1865, when he engaged in business for himself, con- tinuing as a member of different firms un- til about four years ago ; he is at present a member of the Board of Aldermen iu Charleston. He was married May 21, 1866, to Miss Nancy A. Compton, a daughter of Albert Compton, of Charles- ton, and has four children — Albert C, Edwin R., Rufus C. and Dora T. JACOB I. BROWN, Justice of the Peace, Charleston ; a son of John and Ra- chel Brown ; was born Oct. 12, 1819, near Jonesboro, Washington (Jo., Tenn. ; his parents afterward removed to Wayne Co., Ind., but soon returned to Tennessee ; their nest move was to the White Water River, where his father and eight brothers and sisters died I )f yellow fever inside of a few months. His mother soon afterward removed with her remaining children, con- sisting of three sons and one daughter, to Bloomington, Ind. In 1832 or 1833, he went to learn the printing business, and worked for different parties till 1840, when he came on foot to Paris, 111., and bouglit the Illinois Stutcsmnn printing office, and began the publication of a Dem- ocratic newspaper; in 1844, he moved the office to Charleston, and started a paper called the Invtstiyalor, in connection with which he published a religious periodical, edited by Rev. Richard Newport. In 1845, he was elected Assessor for the county. He was married June 24, 1845, to Miss Ana CHARLESTON TOWNSHIP. 513 E. Ji.vins, who was born near Alexandria, Va., and after the death of her ftitber, re- moved with her mother to Vincennes, Ind., and after her mother's death, came to Charleston, and resided in the ftimily of her uncle, Albert Compton. In 1846 or 1847, in company with W. D. Latshaw, he began the publication of the 7//i'/toi's Glohe, a Democratic paper, continuing it seven or eight years ; in the mean time, he was ap- pointed Postmaster, and held the office un- der Presidents Polk, Pierce and Buchanan. He was also engaged with various partners in the grocery and drug business till the spring of 1861 ; in the fall of that year, he was elected County Clerk, and held that office four years, after which he en- gaged in the mercantile business. On the 2d of May, 1868, he Nvas commissioned Justice of the Peace by Gov. R. J. Ogles- by, and re-elected to the same office in 1872, and has served as such ever since ; he has been several times a member of the City Council, and served twice on the Board of Education, and is now a member of the School Board for the township. EUGENE B. BUCK, editor and pro- {irietor of the Charleston Courier, Charles- ton ; was born in Fayette Co., Ind., Oct. 12, 1834; when he was about five years old, his father's family removed to Mc- Lean Co., 111. ; he served his apprentice- ship to the printer's trade in Bloomington ; in 1852, he went to Peoria, 111., and, in 1855, was connected with the publication of the Pekin Plaindealer ; in 1856, he was associated with four other journeymen printers in running a co-operative daily paper in Peoria ; in 1857, he conducted the Washington Advertiser, in FrankHn Co., Mo. ; in 1859, he edited the Built/ Enterprise, in Decatur, 111., and, in 1861 and 1862, the Magnet in that city ; in 1864, he run the Constitution, a campaign paper, in Pontiac, Livingston Co., 111., and, the next year — 1865 — he started the Bloomington Journal; in 1868, he be- caine connected with the Charleston Cour- ier, a live weekly newspaper and a vigorous advocate of the principles of the Demo- cratic party, and, in 1874, became sole proprietor and editor ; the esteem in which, Mr. Buck is held by .the editorial pro- fession is manifest from the fact that, in 1865, he was chosen President of the Illinois Press Association, a member of the Executive Board in 1877, and is at present a Vice President of that body ; he is a Director of the Second National Bank ; in 1 876, he received the nomination as Representative to the State Legislature, but, owing to disaffection, withdrew from the contest ; for nine years, he has been a member of the Board of Supervisors, and was for seven years Chairman of the Board ; he has also been a member of the Board of Education of this city. He was married Feb. 11, 1860, to Miss Mary C. Jones, of Decatur, 111., and has four chil- dren — Ida May, Katie Florence, Willie Clarence and Eugene Clifford. A. N. BAIN, proprietor of the Charles- ton Foundry, Charleston ; was born in Erie Co., Ohio, April 3, 1828; his father was a ship-carpenter, with a family of nine children ; at the age of 14, Mr. Bain be- gan working on a farm, which he contin- ued until the spring of 1845, when he entered the Mad River & Lake Erie Rail- road shop at Sandusky, Ohio, as an ap- prentice, remaining there until 1852, and thoroughly mastering the machinist's trade. He then went to New Albany, Ind., where he was married, Feb. 3, 1853, to Mlss Catharine Caldwell, of that city, who was born in Appomattox Co., Va., Feb. 8, 1832. While in New Albany, he worked as a mechanic in the shops of the New Albany & Salem Railroad ; in April, 1853, he removed to Terre Haute, Ind., and entered the foundry of Grover & Madison, and remained in their employ until April 1, 1857; he then came to Charleston, and, with his brother, William Bain, and George 0. Carr, erected a small building, 25x50 feet in size ; Mr. Carr soon retired from the firm ; they ran a general repair foundry till 1863, when they made their first stove, and enlarged their buildings, which now cover four town lots, while their trade extends from In- dianajiolis on the east, to the Rocky Mountains on the we.st; in 1869, Mr. Bain engaged in the stove, tin, and house- furnishing business, and built up a very large and successful trade ; in 1874, he sold out and returned to the management of the foundry ; his brother died in June, 1875 ; in addition to his foundry bu.siness, he owns a farm of 220 acres in Seven Hickory Tp., where he is largely engaged in stock-raising, keeping about two hun- 5U BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: dred and fifty liead, including cattle, hogs, horses and mules ; he also owns a farm of 170 acres in Douglas Co.; Mr. Bain was President of the Board of Trustees of Charleston two years. He has five chil- dren — Emma ( a graduate of the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, and now a teacher in the Charleston public schools), Fannie, Charles F., Katie and Nannie. Politically, Mr. Bain has been an active advocate of the principles of the Republican party since its organization, previous to which he was a Whig. He is outspoken and fearless in maintaining his opinions ; as a business man, his success is due entirely to his own industry, persever- ance and good management. TILLMAN BAGLE^, horticulturist; Charleston ; was born in Loudoun Co., Va., June fi, 1828; being left father- less when but a child, he accompanied his mother, at the age of 9 years to Mus- kingum Co., Ohio, where they settled on a farm about twelve miles north of Zanes- ville ; at 19, he left the farm to learn the trade of a marble-cutter, after com- pleting which he worked as a journeyman until 1853 ; he then came to Charleston, and after working two years, started in the marble business for himself, in which he continued till 1809; at which time, he purchased what is known as the True farm, in La Fayette Tp., and followed farming four years. Having a natural taste for horticultural pursuits he sold his farm and, returning to Charleston, purchased sixteen acres of land lying within the corporation, which he began to improve ; he built his residence and set his land to peaches, apples, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries; his aim was to secure the very earliest as well as the very latest varieties of fruit which it was possible to obtain, thus com- manding the highest prices for his prod- ucts. Mr. Bagley was m.arried March 26, ISotj, to Miss Ann Craig, a daughter of Elijah Craig, an early settler of Coles Co. ; she was born in Boone Co., Ky., April 21, 1829, and came to Coles Co. in 1836; they have two children — Simeon E. and Allen C. GEORGE BIRCH, farmer; P. 0. Charleston ; Wiis born near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, March 25, 1815; he is a son of William Birch, a farmer who, in 1833, came to America with his family, and lived for three years near PhUadelphia, occupying an old house, once the residence of VVilliam Penn, on the bank of the Schuylkill, near Fairmount Park ; in 1836, they removed to Illinois, and settled near Hitesville, Coles Co.. where his father died April 15, 1864, at the age of 88 years ; Mr. Birch spent the first few years of his residence in this county in working at farm labor ; he has worked for 50 cents a day and waited until Christmas for his pay. He wa.s married on his twenty-sixth birth- day, March 25, 18-11, to Miss Catherine Jones, a daughter of William Jones ; she was born in Jefi"erson Co.. Ky., March 19, 1820, and came with her parents to Coles Co. about 1831 ; in 1814, they settled on a farm near Hitesville, where they resided for more than thirty-three years, and. in 1878, removed to Charleston, where they now reside ; Mr. Birch, in 1842, hauled wheat to Chicago, a distance of ISU miles, and there sold it for 62 J cents per bushel; he has driven hogs to Clinton, [nd., and sold them for SI. 25 to S2 per hundred, net weight ; Mrs. Birch, when a girl, has dropped corn for 25 cent* a day; and, aft- er her marriage, worked in the field until near noon, and would then go to the house and get dinner. Mr. Birch Ls an example of a substantial, successful farm- er, and feels a pardonable pride in recall- ing to mind the hardships of the early days in Coles Co. ; he has recently pur- chased the Glassco farm of 300 acres, two miles west of the Court House, and still re- tains 40 acres of land in Ashmore Tp.; he has served a.s School Director and School Trcitsurer. They have had twelve children, eight of whom are living — Will- liam, a resident of Ashmore Tp., Jacob, of St. Clair Co., Mo., Martha J. (now Mrs. Lafayette Connelly, of Henry Co.. Mo.) (jeorge and Jonathan ( both now of Henry Co., Mo.), Lizzie I']., Frank and Mary 8. CHARLES R. BRIGGS, portrait- painter, Charleston ; was born in Wash- ington Co. N. Y., Jan. 5, 1816; hi.-* father was a farmer and carriage-manufact- urer in Easton ; at the age of 17 years, he left home, and going to Troy, apprenticed himself ta the trade of a coach-painter ; he remained there four ye irs and helped to paint the first passenger -couches on the Albany & Schenectady R lilroad ; thence CHARLESTON TOWNSHIP. 515 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and entered the employ of Benjamin Rathbone, the great contractor of that city ; about a year later, he went to New York City, and thence, shortly afterward, came West ; this was in 1839 ; afler spending a few months in St. Louis, he located in Coles Co., and, after farming one year, engaged in car- riage, house and sign painting in Charles- ton. He early turned his attention to portrait painting, for which he had a de- cided talent, and for the past few years has made a specialty of the painting of fine stock, a branch of the art in which he is excelled by none in the State ; he started the first livery-stable in Charleston about 1843, with one horse, and continued it about a dozen years, running it up to forty- two horses ; in 18-18, he opened a farm of 363 acres in the timber adjoining the city, fencing it in eastern style, mostly in ten- acre lots, and followed farming for several years. He was married in September, 1842, to Mlss Harriet Stoddert, of Charles- ton ; they have five children living — Lyzink (wife of Charles Cleary, of Charles- ton), Helen, Walter M., Charles S. and May ; their oldest daughter, Loretta, died in 1859 ; Mary died at about 2 years of age, and one .son, Jerome, died in 1873. STEPHEN BISHOP, farmer and stock-raiser, P. 0. Charleston ; was born near Providence, R. I., May 30, 1815; when he was but 2 years old, his parents emigrated to the then Far West, and located in Knox Co.. Ohio, where his father entered land from the Government, and engaged in farming, being among the pioneers in that part of the State ; Knox Co. was then comparatively a wilderness ; Mt. Vernon, the county seat — now a city of about 10,OOtHnhabitants — containing at that time but half a dozen houses ; Mr. Bishop remained at home on the farm until he was 20 years of age, and then learned the trade of a blacksmith, and going to Mt. Vernon, carried on the carriage-making business there until 1858, when he re- moved to Illinois, and settled on a farm lying mostly in Coles Co., his house, how- ever, being situated just over the line in Clark Co. ; in the spring of 1863, he re- moved to a farm in Seven Hickory Tp., containing 248 acres, on which he con- tinued to reside until September, 1876, when he removed to Charleston, still re- taining his farm in Seven Hickory Tp., and twenty acres of timber in Charleston Tp. ; Mr. Bishop served one term as Justice of ! the Peace. He was married Feb. 25, 1841, to Miss Joanna Bane, of Knox Co., Ohio, who was born in Washington Co., Penn, Oct. 8, 1822 ; they have seven children — Jasper N., now of Lovington, 111. ; Frank L., of Charle.ston ; Anna A., wife of G. H. Harvey, of Newark, Ohio ; Minnie M., Lizzie C, Charles E. and Willie B. FRANK L. BISHOP, proprietor of the Bee- Hive store, dealer in dry goods and notions, boots and shoes, etc., Charles- ton ; was born in Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1846; he is a son of Stephen and Joanna (Bane) Bishop, and came with his father's family to Coles Co., as above stated ; he was engaged as a clerk for Mathews, Alexander & Co., in Charles- ton, for three years, after which he spent three years in La Fayette, lud; he then en- gaged in general merchandising in Loving- ton, 111., the firm being Dickson & Bishop; after remaining there three years, he re- turned to Charleston and established his present business in September, 1876. MAJ. J. A. CONNOLLY, attorney at law, Charleston ; was born in Newark, N. J., March 8, 1838; his parents removed to Chesterville, Morrow Co., Ohio, when he was about 12 years old, and at the age of 18, he went to Mt. Gilead, the county seat of Morrow Co., and began reading law with Judge A. K. Dunn, of that city ; he was admitted to the bar in September, 1859, and began practice in Mt. Gilead; in 1860, he removed to Charleston ; while living in Mt. Gilead, he held the position of Second Assistant Clerk of the Ohio Senate for two ye;irs. In August, 1862, he entered the army as Major of the 123d 111. V. I., serving till the close of the war, being for two years Inspector General of the 3d Division 14th Army Corps; he participated in the battles of Perryville, Ky. ; Milton, Tenn. ; Hoover's Gap, Chick- amunga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Ga. ; the Atlanta campaign, Sherman's " march to the sea," Bentonville, N. C, etc.; im- mediately after the last-named battle, he was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel for meritori- ous conduct in that engagement. Return- ing to Charleston, in 1865, he resumed the practice of the law. At the funeral of 516 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: President Lincoln, in New York City, in April, 1865, Maj. Connolly was a mem- ber of the G uard of Honor, being the only Illinois volunteer officer present. In 1866, he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, and, the following year, of the Board of Education, and strongly advo- cated the building of the new schoolhouse in Charleston ; he was elected to the Il- linois Legislature in 1872, and re-elected in 1874 ; he was a member of the Judiciary Committee, and of the Railroad and Ware- house Committee, which reported in favor of the Granger legislation of that year. Maj. Connolly is at present U. S. District Attorney for the Southern District of Il- linois, to which office he was appointed by President Grant in March, 1876. He was married Feb. 9, 1863, to Miss Mary Dunn, of Mt. Gilead, Ohio. DUNN & CONNOLLY, attorneys at law, Charleston ; this firm was established in November, 1878, and is composed of two youni: attorneys, but gentlemen pos- sessing the requisite qualifications of suc- cess. Frank K. Dunn was born in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, Nov. 13, 1854, being a son of Hon. A. K. Dunn, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas ; he graduated at Ken- yon College, Ohio, in 1873 ; read law in his father's office ; entered Harvard Law School in 1874, graduating in 1875; he was admitted to practice the same year, and practiced with bis father until Novem- ber, 1878, when be came to Charleston, and formed the above partnership. Frank J. Connolly is a native of Morrow Co., Ohio ; he was born in Chesterville, March 10, 1851 ; he came to Charleston in 1876 ; pursued his law studies in the office of his brother, Maj. James A. Connolly; was ad- mitted to the bar in July. 1 878, and formed a partnership with F. K. Dunn in Novem- ber the same vear. D. H. CALVERT, dealer in drugs and medicines, Charleston ; is a native of ■ Platte Co., Mo. ; he was born on the 28th of February 1841 ; he was raised on a farm, and at about the age of 16 years, entered Pleasant Ridge College in his native town, where he graduated in ISGl ; he then read law with Hon. E. H. Norton, the present Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri; in 1867, he went to Frankfort. Ky., and continued his law studies with ' Judge Alvin Duval, and, in 1868, entered : the Law Department of the University of Louisville, Ky., graduating in 1869; he came to Charleston the same year, and en- tered upon the practice of his profession ; in 1872, he was elected City Attorney ; after practicing three years, he was com- pelled by ill health to abandon the law and engage in other business ; he followed merchant milling for some two years, and, in 1876, engaged in his present business. He was married July 5, 1870, to Miss S. B. Chambers, a daughter of T. G. Cham- bers, a prominent citizen of Charleston, and has one child — George C. Calvert. W. M. CHAMBERS, M. D., physician and surgeon, Charleston, was born in Cyn- thiana Ky., April 11, 1814; he is a son of James and Sally Chambers, both natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Kentucky in 1810. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812; in 1850, his parents re- moved to Charleston, where his mother died in 1855, and his father in 1873. Dr. Chambers began the study of medicine in his native town in 1833, and, in 1836, began practice in Harrison Co. ; he gradu- ated in 1843 from the Medical Depart- ment of Transylvania University, Lex- ington, Ky. In 1846, he removed to Covington, Ky., where he practiced medicine until his removal to Coles Co. in 1855. In October, 1861, he was ap- pointed, by President Lincoln, Brigade Surgeon in the Union army, and served in the army of the Cumberland till July, 1865; he was twice brevetted — first, as Lieutenant Colonel, and then as Colonel, for meritorious services, for the excellence of his reports and his superior management of hospitals. Dr Chambers has been Pres- ident of the Kentucky State Medical Society, of the Illinois State Medical Society, and of the ^Iseulapian Society of the Wabash Valley. He has held important positions in the American Medical Associ- ation, and has been a member of the Health Association of the United States; he has abandoned the ordinary country ]iractice, and now confines himself to con- sultation, town and surgical practice. He was married, first, in February, 1838, to Miss C. Ann Rebecca Porter, of Harrison Co., Ky. ; she died in 184U, leaving one son — Charles S. Chambers, of Princeton, Ky. Dr. Chambers, in 1846, married Miss Mary Bryan Fields Ingels, of Ken- CHARLESTON TOWNSHIP. 517 tucky, a lineal descendant of Daniel Boone ; she died Dec. 30, 1876, leaving two chil- dren— MoUie M. S. (wife of Dr. C. A. Peyton, of Charleston"), and T. Gavin Smith Chambers, now a student in Asbury Institute, Greencastle, Ind. THOMAS G. CHAMBERS, Presi- dent of the First National Bank, Charles- ton ; has been a resident of this county and city since 1838; he is a native of Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Ky. ; he was 22d of January, 1816, being a son of James and Sally Chambers ; he worked on a farm until the age of 18 years, when he entered a dry goods store as a clerk, and continued at that until he came to Charleston, as above stated. He followed clerking here for a time, and, in 1840, engaged in the dry goods business for himself, which he continued, with an inter- ruption of two years, until 1866 ; he then established the private banking-house of T. G. Chambers & Co., and, in 1868, be- came President of the First National Bank. Mr. Chambers has served several terms in the City Council, but, with this exception, has never sought nor accepted public office of any kind ; he has, how- ever, been thoroughly alive to the interests of the city and county ; he was one of the active organizers of the Coles County Agricultural Society — now the Coles County Board of Agriculture — and has been an officer of that society, either as Vice President, Treasurer or Director, with the exception of one year, from its organ- ization in 1853 to the present time. On the organization of the Coles County Old Settlers' Society in October, 1878, he was chosen President. Mr. Chambers was mar- ried March 12, 1840, to Miss Olevia Monroe, of Charleston, and has eight chil- dren living — Alice (now Mrs. J. A. Parker), Henrie, Sarah Belle (wife of D. H. Calvert), George R., William M., Maggie, Nannie and Alfred, all of whom are residents of Coles County. ALBERT COMPTON, retired, Charleston ; one of the early settlers of Coles county ; was born in Fairfax Co., Va., Sept. 24, 1812 ; in the fall of 1830, he left home and came to Vincennes, Ind., thence to Terre Haute, and from the latter place, in 1833, to Charleston, arriving on the 3d of March ; he worked at his trade of a shoemaker for about two years, and then engaged as a clerk in the employ of Baker & Norfolk ; in 1835, he was elected Constable and served two years ; in August, 1838, he was chosen Sherift' of Coles County, which office he held four success- ive terms of two years each, or eight years in all ; on the expiration of his term of office, he engaged in the dry goods trade, which he followed until 1861, when, hav- ing accumulated a comfortable competency, he retired from active business ; he has also held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Master in Chancery. He owns some 280 acres of land in Coles Co., and two business houses and a dwelling in Charles- ton. He was married in January, 1836, to Miss Catherine Easton, daughter of the late David Easton, of Charleston ; they have five children living — Rhoda, now Mrs. S. M. Shepard, of Indianapolis, Ind. ; Nancy, wife of Randall Alexander, of Charleston ; Rufus, Mary, wife of Felix Johnston, of Charleston, and Allie. ISAAC N. CRAIG, retired farmer; P. 0. Charleston ; one of the early settlers of Coles County ; was born in Montaomery Co., Ky., Sept. 25, 1810; his "father removed with his family to Illinois in 1828, and purchased a farm in Clark Co. ; Isaac N. remained at home on the farm until 1831. On the 14th of April, 1831, he was married to Miss Catherine Henson, of Edgar Co., 111., who died May 1, 1841, leaving five children, three of whom are living — La Fayette, Elizabeth — Mrs. Har- mon Gregg — and Harriet, wife of Harvey Fowler ; Mr. Craig, after his marriage, settled in Clark Co. On the breaking-out of the Black Hawk war, Mr. Craig enlisted in the 2d Brigade, under Gen. Milton Alexander, and served through the war. In 1835, he removed to Coles Co., where he has been a prominent farmer and stock-raiser ever since ; Mr. Craig began life poor, and has met with some reverses of fortune, but has, nevertheless, accumu- lated a handsome property ; he owns some seven hundred acres of land in the county, and a fine residence, with twenty acres of land, in the city of Charleston, where he resides ; he is a Director and stockholder in the Second National Bank. He married his present estimable wife July 1, 1841 • she was Miss Elizabeth Bloyer, of Coles Co. ; they have had eight children, six of whom are now living — Catherine (wife of 518 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Eobt. McMullen), James W., Andrew J., Eliza E. ( wife of Newton Swango), Isaac B. and Thomas J.; all of Mr. Craig's children are living in Coles Co. COL. A. P. DUNBAR, retired, Charles- ton ; with one exception, the olde.st living in- habitant of the citj ; was born in Fleming Co., Ky., July 4, 1810 ; his father, Alexan- der Dunbar, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and participated io the battles of the River Raisin and the Thames, and was pres- ent at the famous Perry's victory on Lake Erie. The subject of this sketch, after receiving an English education and read- ing law to some extent, came to Clay Co., 111., in 1828, at the age of 18 years, and engaged in teaching ; after two years, he returned to Kentucky, where he completed his law studies, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1831 ; he at once came to Coles Co., located at Charleston, and began the practice of his profession, which he continued for forty-six years ; he was the first lawyer in the counties of Coles, Cumberland and Douglas ; he a.ssisted in carrying the chain at the second survey of lots in Charleston in 1831. On the break- ing, out of the Black Hawk war iu 1832, he received a commission as Colonel and rendered valuable service in recruiting and forwarding the troojis from this vicinity. In 1832, he was appointed Circuit Clerk and Recorder to fill out an unexpired term; in 1834, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and lu^ld that office eight years ; in 1836 and 1837, he represented Coles Co. — then including Cumberland and Douglas Cos. — in the State Legislature, and occu- pied the same seat with the lamented President Lincoln, Hon. Stephen A. Doug- las being also a member of the same House ; he was again elected to the Legislature in 1 844, serving two years ; he was ap- pointed, in 1870, Prosecuting Attorney, to fill out the unexpired term of Gen. John Boyle, and has held other offices of trust, among which may be mentioned that of Police Magistrate from 18G8 to 1874. Col. Dunbar was first married in 1834 to Miss Ellen Monroe, a native of Glasgow, Ky. ; she died in 1835; and on Sept. 27, 1830, he married Mrs. Susan F. Harrison, the widow of Matthew T. Har- rison, of Kentucky ; they have had eight children — Alexander Mason Dunbar (of Charleston), Mary Ellen ( now Mrs. I. N. Cutler, residing in Missouri), Imogene Caroline (afterward wife of Bruce Ander- son, and who died in 1870j, Lucian Syl- vester (of Charleston), Albert Perry (who died in 1876), Lucy Arabella (now Mrs. Wm. 0. Peake, of Charleston), Susan Virginia (who died when less than 2 years of age) and Charles Ulysses, of Charleston. Col. Duubar's law library, together with many valuable papers, was destroyed by fire in 1877, upon which he retired from practice. Col. Dunbar was an Old Line Whig, and joined the Repub- lican party on its organization in 1856 ; he stumped the county and vicinity for the Republican candidates at every Presidential election since that time ; he is a fluent, effective public speaker and an able lawyer. JEWELL DAVIS, M. D., physician and surgeon, Charleston ; was born in Athens Co., Ohio, Oct. 27, 1811 ; he was raised on a farm, and followed that calling until about 1838, when he removed to Middleport, Meigs Co., Ohio, having a few years pre- viously married Miss Cynthia Jones, of that place ; they have three children — Mary V. (wife of E. L. Kelly), Curtis L., Teller of the First National Bank, and Reuben J., all of whom are residents of Coles Co. Dr. Davis followed coopering and carriage-making for a while in Middle- port ; owing to illness in his family, he was induced to study medicine, studying suc- cessively all the various systems of practice — allopathy, homeopathy, eclecticism, hy- dropathy and chromo-thermalism, and during his forty years' jiractice he has con- fined himself to no particular .school, but has seized upon auy remedy, from whatever source, which would accomplish his object — the relief of the patient and the cure of di.sease ; his favorite system, however, is the eclectic ; Dr. Davis came to Charleston in 1854, and began practice with Dr. A. M. Henry, now of Mattoon, with whom he also engaged in the drug business ; after a few years, Dr. Henry disposed of his interest to Dr. H. C. Barnard ; he afterward practiced with Dr. H. R. Allen, now oni! of the proprielurs of the National Surgical Institute of Indianapolis, and with Dr. J. B. Denman up to the begin- ning of the war, since which he has prac- ticed alone ; Dr. Davis is also largely in- terested in bee culture, having about a hundred colonies, and is the inventor of CHARLESTON TOWNSHIP. 519 the queen nursery for propagating queen bees. JACOB K. DECKER, far. and stock- raiser ; P. 0. Charleston ; was born in Knox Co.,Ind., Aug. 7, 1817 ; his parents, Isaac and Margaret Decker, were Vir- ginians, and left that State in 1811, and were living in Fort Knox, on the Wabash, when the battle of Tippecanoe was fought; when he was 7 years old, his father died, and at about the age of 15, he was appren- ticed by his guardian to a merchant in Crawford Co., 111.; in 183G, he came to Charleston and engaged in the grocery business, with a capital of $250 ; about two and a half years later, he went to farming, which ho has continued, in con- nection with other business, to the present time; in 1842, he engaged in the dry goods trade, which he followed until 1855 ; he then farmed exclusively until 1859, when "he resumed the dry goods business, continuing till 1863, since which time he has been engaged solely in farming and stock-raising; he owns a fine farm of 750 acres adjoining the city on the north, al- though he resides in the city, where he owns a good residence with ten acres of land ; he also owns a fine brick store on the east side of the public square, occu- pied by S. Barnes, besides which he owns 250 acres of land in Northern Iowa. In politics, he is a Republican. He has served one term on the Board of Supervisors, and for over twenty years has been Treasurer of the Coles County Board of Agriculture. He was married Sept. 23, 1839, to Miss Mary A. Morton, daughter of the late Charles S. Morton, of Charleston ; they have 7 children living — Charles V. (of Hutchinson, Kan. i, Hannah H. (wife of Dr. W. R. Patton, of Charleston"), Annie (now Mrs. Silas Barnes, of Charleston), Demetrius J. (now a resident of Cali- fornia), Ion B. (now Mrs. T. H. Duncan, of Oakland, 111. ), N. Ella and Mary A. GILES DAVIS, deceased, late of Charleston ; although not one of the early settlers, was yet a citizen and business man who enjoyed in so large a measure the con- fidence of his fellow-men and was held in such universal and high esteem by the entire community, that it is with pleasure that we give a brief sketch of his life ; he was born in Union Co., Ind., Nov. 7, 1824; he was the son of Elisha and Elizabeth (Shafer) Davis, both of whom were natives of Ohio; his youth was spent in the usual manner of farmers' sons. On the 1st of October, 1845, when not quite 21 years of age, he was married to Miss Louisa Jinks, a daughter of Samuel and Phcebe (Winchell) Jinks, of Franklin Co., Ind. In 18(58, he removed with his family to Jasper Co., 111., and engaged in farm- ing ; in 1871, he came to Coles Co., and, until 1873, kept a meat market in Charles- ton ; he then located on a farm in Seven Hickory Tp., where he resided two years, at the end of which time he returned to Charleston and resumed business ; in 1878, just previous to his death, he engaged in the grocery business, which is still con- tinued by his son, Warren R. Davis. He died Oct. 19, 1878, leaving a wife and eleven children — Sarah E. (Mrs. E. B. Wooden, of Charleston ), Phoebe J. (wife of T. J. Hedrick, of Rush Co., Kan.), Robert S. (a teacher, of Rush Co., Kan.), Richard E. ( a telegraph operator in Litch- field, III.), Giles 0. (in business in Charles- ton), Warren R. (also in business in Charleston"), Louisa J., Pjinily M., Harry E., Wilber M. and Effie L.; their first-born, Samuel J., died Sept. 3, 1847. Mr. Davis was a highly-respected member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor. HON. ORLANDO B. FICKLIN, at- torney at law, Charleston ; he was born in Kentucky Dec. 16, 1808, being the son of William and Elizabeth Kenner (Will- iams) Ficklin, both of Virginia. His early education was obtained in country schools, in Kentucky and Missouri, except about one year, which he spent at Cum- berland College, located at Princeton, Caldwell Co., Ky.. under the auspices of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His parents having removed to Potosi, Witshington Co., Mo., he commenced the study of Jaw with Henry Shurlds of that place, who was afterward elected to the Circuit Court bench, and at a later period removed to St. Louis and engaged in bank- ing until his death ; Mr. Ficklin spent the winter of 1829 and 1830 in the law office of (jren. Robert Farris, of St. Louis ; in March, 1830, he was admitted to the bar at Bellville, St. Clair Co., III., having been examined by Edward Cowles, then an old and well-established lawyer of that place; 520 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : from thence lie went to McLeansboro, Hamilton Co., 111., meeting there with Chief Justice William Wilson, who ad- vised him to locate in Mount Carmel, Wabash Co., 111. ; Mr. Ficklin attended the courts of that circuit commencing at Carmi, and when the circuit closed, he located at Mt. Carmel. In 1832, he went to the Black Hawk war in Capt. Elias Jurdon's Company, and at the organiza- tion of the regiments and brigades, was appointed Quartermaster, and was attached to the brigade of lien. Milton R. Alex- ander, then of Paris, 111.; in 1833, he was elected Colonel of the militia of Wa- bash Co., under the old militia system, long since exploded. At the election in August, 1834, Mr. Fickliu was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature, and was chosen by that body State's Attorney for the Wabash Circuit. In 1837, he removed to Charleston, Coles Co., where he has ever since resided. At the election on the first Monday of August, 1838, he was elected as Representative in the Legislature from that county, and was again elected to the same place in August, 1842; at the August election in 1843, he was elected to Congress from the Wabash district ; his colleagues were Robert Smith, John A. McClernand, John Wentworth, Joseph P. Hoge, John J. Harding and Stephen A. Douglas ; he was re-elected to Congress in August, 1844, and again in 1846, and declining to be a candidate at the next election, he resumed the practice of law in Charleston ; in 1850, he was again a can- didate for Congress, and was elected at the August election ; on the expiration of his term, March 4, 1853, he engaged agahi in the practice of law ; in 185(5, he was a member of the Dcniiicratic CUNTHER WEISS, of the firm of Weiss & Frommel, proprietors of the Charleston Woolen-Mill, Charleston ; was born in Leutenberg, Sharzburg, Rudol- stadt, Germany, July (3, 1823 ; he at- tended school till the age of 14, and was then apprenticed to learn the weaver's trade; in 1845, he came to the United States, landing in Galveston, Texas ; on the breaking-out of the war with Mexico, he volunteered in the 1st Tex. V. I., and served tinder Gen. Taylor; in the spring of 1848, he went to Cincinnati, where he remained until 1852, when he went to Terre Haute, Ind., and began business as a grocery and provision merchant, which he continued for twenty-two years ; in 1874, he came to Charleston, and assumed an active part in the management of the Charleston Woolen-Mill, in which he had been a partner since 1869. Mr. Weiss was married Nov. 17, 1853, to Miss Carrie Newhart, of Cincinnati, a native of Bava- ria, Germany ; they have eight children — Otto P., Emma (wife of Alfred C. Fick- lin, of Charleston), Louise, Aurora, Hel- ena, Adolph G., Carrie and Maria. MATTOON TOWNSHIP. M. ALSHULER, staple and fancy dry goods, Mattoon ; was born in Bavaria. Ger- many, A. D. 1836 ; his early life was spent in school ; having acquired a good educa- tion, in February, 1852, he immigrated to America, and first located in Danville, 111., where he engaged as clerk in a general dry goods store. In 1854. he went to Chicago, and was employed in a jewelry and fancy store, on Lake street ; he next located with the firm of Edsall & Co., in Terre Haute, Ind., and remained with that firm seven years ; with another firm he remained three years longer, and, in 1865, came to Mattoon ; here the dry goods firm of Alshuler, Aaron & Co. was formed, and continued one year ; the firm of C. & M. Alshuler was next formed, and existed eleven years. In the spring of 1876, the firm of C. &. M. Al- shuler was dissolved, and that of M. Alshuler & Co. formed. To Mr. Alshuler must be accorded, and justly, too, the honor of opening up the first exclusively dry goods establishment in the city ; prior to his example, merchandising in Mattoon had been conducted on the plan of "'ye olden times, " when each carried in stock a line of dry goods, groceries, queensware. drugs, hardware, etc., etc. ; under hi healthfiil example, business soon became classified ; by strict attention to business, fair dealing, and the establishment of a " one price " system, strictly adhered to, he has succeeded in building up a large and remunerative business, and now oper- ates the largest and most prosperous dry goods establishment in the city. He was married Sept. 13, 1871, to Fannie Frank, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio ; have two children — Cora and Damon T. J. L. AUBERT, County Surveyor, Mattoon; was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1830 ; his father was a tiller of the soil, and his early life was that of a farmer's son ; at the age of 18, he began work at the carpenter's trade, and worked under instniction three years. In 1854, became West and settled in Moultrie Co., III., where he purchased land, farmed some, but for the most part followed his trade. In July, 1865, he located in Lebanon, St. Clair Co. ; here he remained three years, during which time he contracted and built the public school buildings and the M. E. Church. In 1868, he lived a short time in Shelbyville, and removed from there to 540 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : Jacksonville, El., where he was engaged on the Court House, the East Centenary Church, and on improvements to the Christian Church ; he began the study of surveying many years ago, un- der the direction of J. R. Anderson, his brother-io-law, formerly County Sur- veyor in Ohio, and later ot Moultrie Co., Dl. Mr. Aubert was elected Surveyor of Coles Co. in November, 1875. He was married in 1858 to Minerva R. Morgan, a native of Licking Co., Ohio. J. I. AYER, book and music store, Mattoon ; was born in Medford. Mass., Feb. 3, 1854. In 1866, tlie family moved to Elizabeth, N. J.; in addition to his common-school education, he enjoyed the advantages of a boarding-school at Naza- reth, Penn. ; this school was of a military character, and he here pursued a course in civil engineeriog ; at the age of 15 years he entered the firm of Roberts & Co. (dealers in books and stationery ), at Eliza- beth, N. J., to take charge of his father's interest, he beins^ a member of the firm. In the fall of 1870, he came West to Illi- nois, and settled in Mattoon, and en- gaged in engineering on the Decatur, Mattoon & Sullivan and the Grayville & Mattoon Railroads ; he was thus employed about three years; in 1874, he was em- ployed as book-keeper in the Essex House, and remained till March, 1878; in Novem- ber, 1877, he purchased his present business, and since March, 1878, has given it his personal supervision. He was married in August, 1870, to Mary L. Cleveland, a na- tive of Melrose, Mass. ; hasone daughter — Mary L., born Aug. 20, 1878. Mr. Ayer is a relative of the world-renowned Dr. J. C. Ayer, of Lowell, Mass. V. R. BRIDGES, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Rocking- ham Co., Va., June 4, 1832 ; his fiither settled in Ross Co., Ohio, near Chillicothe, in 1836; in 1841, he came to Illinois and settled in Newton, Jasper Co.; he was on- gaged in contracting on public works, both in Ohio and Illiuois. Dr. Bridges acquired a good academic education, mainly through his own exertions, and at the ago of 14, began life for himself At the age of 17, he taught his first school ; in 1851, he was employed in the drugstore of Dr. H. H. Huyes, at Lawronceville, 111., and began the study of medicine under him. He next came to Marshall, and completed his studies under Drs. Payne and Duncan. In the spring of 1854, he located in Salisbury, Coles Co., and began the practice of his profession. In 1860, he came to Mattoon, his present residence. He entered the U. S. service as Assistant Surgeon of the 62d Regiment, I. V. I ; in 1863, he was promoted to be Surgeon of the 126th Regiment, and was mustered out in 1865, after the close uf the war; soon after his discharge from the service, he was appointed Examining Surgeon for the Pen- sion Bureau — a position he still holds. In 1876, he attended Rush Medical College, from which he graduated Feb. 27, 1877. He was married Jan. 8, 1856, to Mary E. Boyd, a native of Indiana ; four chil- dren have been the fruits of the union — Flora J. and Charles M., living, Edward L. and Emma, deceased. Has been a member of the City Council a number of terms, and was President of the Board two terms. WM. BURGESS, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Mattoon ; was born in North Molton, Devonshire, Eng., Oct. 12, 1827 ; he emigrated to America in May, 1849 ; for two years after coming, he followed his trade in Syracuse, N. Y.; he subsequently lived at various points in New York, Cortland, Elmira, Tioga Point, Bath, Corwin, Addison, etc. In the spring of 1855, he returned to En- gland remaining one year. In 1856, he returned to America, stopping for a season in New York ; thence to Pennsylvania ; thence back to New York. In June, 1857, he went to Canada, remained but a short time, and next went to Michigan ; thence to La Fayette, Ind., from there to Coving- ton, Ind.; thence to Decatur, 111. During these years he followed his trade. In May, 1860, he came to Mattoon and opened up his present store. Ho is the oldest estab- lished boot and shoe merchant iu the city. He was married in November, 1862, to Ag- ncsEvans, a native of England ; three child- ren have been born to them — Mary E., Em- ily F., living ; Jennie, deceased ; they have also an adopted son— Richard. Owns forty acres in Mattoon Tp. ; also two business houses and a residence in the city. Is at present a member of the City Council. J. J. BE ALL, student at law, Mattoon ; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Nov. 26, MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 541 1843 ; his father came with his family to Illinois in the fall of 1852, and settled in Wayne Co. Here he engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch passed his lite upon the farm and obtained his education at the common schools. In February', 18G2,he left home, and began the trade of saddle and harness maker ; he worked under instruc- tion three years; he then worked as jour- neyman at his trade till 1870 ; in Decem- ber, 1870, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Coles Co., under A. M. Brown, Sheriff. This position he held two years. In 1873, he was elected Justice of the Peace in Mattoon Tp., and served four years. In May, 1877, he began work again at his trade, and Jan. 28, 1878, entered the office of Craig & Craig as clerk and student. He was married Dec. 26, 1867, to Ellen McGuire, a native of Ireland. Has three children — James R., Julian E. and Louisa A. Owns real estate in the city. In 1874, he was chosen Assistant Supervisor of Mattoon Tp., in January, 1878, he was appointed and commissioned by Gov. Cul- lom a Notary Public for Coles Co. for four years. J. B. BENEFIEL, proprietor Boss Meat Market, Mattoon ; was born in Oaktown, Knox Co., Ind., April 22, 1 847 ; his father was a physician and a man of far more than ordinary ability ; J. B. passed his early life in attendance upon school; in 1861, his father came with his family to Mattoon, 111. ; here he entered upon the practice of his profession and succeeded in build- ing up a large and lucrative practice ; young Benefiel entered the graded schools of the city, designing to complete the course, preparatory to entering the law department of Michigan University ; his father having become involved in profes- sional difficulty in 1867, precipitately fled the country, abandoning his family, and under an assumed name has lived in Craig, Mo., ever since ; very recently he has been discovered, and has partially made restitu- tion to his family for past neglect ; on the desertion of his father, the cares of the family devolved upon the hands of J. B., the eldest of the children ; abandoning his ^ studies, he applied himself to the support of his mother and the younger members of the family ; in August, 1867, he en- tered the employ of the Merchants' Union Express Co., and, in the spring of 1868' that of the American Express Co ; he w;is thus employed about three years ; in 1871, he entered the employ of J. T. Southern in buying and shipping grain and in the sale of agricultural implements ; in the fall of 1873, he engaged in the manu- facture of soap in company with J. P. Clark ; in 1875, he began his pre.sent business, and has since continued it. He was married Jan. 21, 1874, to Ellen F, Aldridge, a native of Arkansas ; has had one child — Roy M., born Nov. 26, 1874, died Feb. 15, 1877. Owns real estate in the city. HON. HORACE S. CLARK, attorney at law, Mattoon ; was born in Huntsburg, Geauga Co., Ohio, Aug. 12, 1840; his father emigrated to Ohio from Vermont at an early day ; at the age of 1 5 years, with a fair education, he left the old home- stead and came West to Chicago, where he sought employm^t and labored a short time ; he soon left the city and going to Kane Co., engaged in farm work during the summer and attended school during the winter season, paying his wa}' by man- ual labor before and after school-hours ; in the spring of 1856, he reached lowaCity, and made his home with an older brother while pursuing a student life in Iowa State University ; here he soon became a leader among his fellow-students as an orator and debater ; during vacations, he engaged in teaching school, and in the law office of Justice William E. Miller ; read with at- tention and profit the works of Blackstone and various other treatises on law during the first year of his residence in Iowa City ; he returned to Kane Co., purchased ten cows, shipped them by rail to the city, and from the proceeds of the milk, palled by his own hands, defrayed his current expenses; in the spring of 1858, with a capital of $200, he speculated in fruit- trees, but failed to secure profitable returns; subsequently he went to St. Louis, and, purchasing various books, traveled over the country in order to dispose of them to advantage and profit ; later we find him again in Ohio, resuming his studies in the legal firm of Smith & Page, in Circleville. He enlisted as a private in Co. E, 73d Ohio V. I. ; was afterward Orderly Ser- geant, Second and First Lieutenant, in which last position he often commanded 542 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: his company ; July 3, 1863, he was severly wounded in the battle of Gettysburg ; later, he was ofl'ered Lieutenant-Colonelcy by Gov. Todd, of Ohio, but not being able to take the field, declined the appointment. He next removed to Nashville, Tenn.; when in business pursuits he met with de.'ierved success ; in 1865, he came to Mattoon, 111.; in 1868, he was admitted to the bar ; has held the oflBce of City Police Magistrate, and was chosen Judge of the Common Pleas Court, filling out an unexpired term ; though comparatively a young man, he is recognized as a very skillful and successful practitioner. JAMES W. CRAIG, attorney at law, Mattoon ; was born in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., 111., June 2'J, 1844 ; his early life was that of a farmer's son ; his education was obtained in the common schools ; in 1864, he began the study of law with Col. 0. B. Fieklin, of Charleston ; in the fall of 1865, he matriculated in the law department of the Michigan University, from which he graduated in March, 1867 ; in April, fol- lowing, he was admitted to the State and Federal Courts ; he began the practice of his profession in Charlesston, forming a co- partnership with Col. Fieklin ; in 3Iay, 1868, he located in Mattoon, retaining his partnership with Col. Fieklin two years; in 1872, he was chosen State's Attorney for Coles Co., and retained the office until 1876; the firm of Craig & Craig was formed in 1877. He was married in June, 1868, to Mary Chilton, a native of Scott Co., 111. ; has two children — Edward C. and Lizzie I. Owns eighty acres near the city, real estate in Mattoon and near Charleston. ISAAC B. CRAIG, attorney at law, Mattoon ; was born in Coles Co., Ill, April 28, 1854 ; he was brought up upon the farm, and his early experiences were those of a farmer's son ; with a good education acquired at the common schools, he began the study of his profession in March, 1873, with his brother and O. B. Fieklin; in the fall of 1873, he entered the law de- partment of the Michigan University; he graduated in the spring ot 1875, and, in June, 1875, was admitted to practice at Mt. Vernon, HI.; he began the practice of his jirofession in Charleston ; in 1877, he came to Mattoon, and entered into partner- ship with his brother, and has since been engaged in the practice here. S. A. CAMPBELL, surgeon dentist; Mattoon; was born in Mercer Co., Penn., Aug. 16, 1848 ; his father came with his family in October, 1854, to Mercer Co., 111., and there settled on a farm ; six days after coming, he sickened and died ; at the age of 11 years. Dr. Campbell went into the office of Dr. E. B. Hamill, of Philadel- phia, and at 12, began the study of den- tistry ; here he remained under instruction about two and a half years ; he then en- tered the Baltimore Dental College, the oldest dental institution in the world ; in 1868, having completed the course he re- ceived the degree of D. D. S. ; he next located in Philadelphia, and entered upon the practice of his profession ; in May, 1870, be removed to Mattoon, 111. ; he is the oldest established dentist in the city, if not in the county. He was married in November, 1874, to Nellie Fallin, a native of Bracken Co., Ky.; has one daughter — Laura Bertha ; he has a large practice, and is recognized as a skilled workman in his profession. REV. FATHER CROWE, Pastor of the Catholic Church, Mattoon ; was born in Oswego, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1851; his early life w;»s passed in the public schools of his native city; here he completed a full course of instruction, passing regularly through the high school and normal de- partment ; at about the age of 18 years, he engaged in the profession of teaching, and was a member of the Faculty in the College at Tutopolis, and, at a later date, in that at Ruma, 111. ; having for some time directed his thoughts in the channel of the legal profession, and, at a later date, to that of the medical profession, finally, in 1873, he entered the Grand Seminary, at Montreal, Canada, where for four years he pursued a course in theology ; he was ordained to the ministry Dec. 22, 1877; he then took charge of a church at Flora, 111., for a short time, and, in March, 1878, came to Mattoon, his jireseut residence; by virtue of his position, he is President of the schools connected with the Church, conducted by the Ursuline Sisters, from Springfield. E."T. CURRENS, farmer and fruit- grower ; P. 0. Mattoon ; was born in Bracken Co., Ky., in 1816; his father was a former and tanner, and for fifty-five years conducted the two interests jointly, MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 543 at Germantown, Ky. ; E. T.'s early life was spent upon his father's farm and in learning the tanning business ; he entered Augusta College, Ky., in 1832, and gradu- ated therefrom in 1836 ; he then engaged in mercantile life and farming till 1854, when he moved to Iowa and established the Kentucky settlement in Marshall Co.; in 1861, he returned to Maysville, Ky., and engaged in the hardware trade, in the firm of Currens & Owens; in 1864, he came to JMattoon, 111., where he has since resided. Mr. Currens has thrice plighted himself at the nuptial altar ; his first mar- riage occurred in 1839, his second in 1849, and his last in 1859, each time choosing for his helpmeet one of Kentucky's fair daughters. His life has been one of marked activity ; he has been an enter- prising and liberal business man, and has always taken an active and leading part in introducing and rearing tine stock, in agricultural and horticultural exhibitions ; he was the first merchant to build a to- bacco warehouse outside of the river towns, and to buy, price and ship the formers' crops of Mason and Bracken Cos. ; he founded the Union Agricultural Company of these counties, and gave his woodlands for their first exhibitions, in 1854-55 ; he was a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Company so long as he remained a citizen of the State ; he was also a member of the Mason and Bracken Importing Co., and few men exerted more influence in the introduction of fine stock, machinery, or in the general improvement of his part of the State ; he organized the ^Mar.shall County, Iowa, Fair Co., and was President of that and the Central Iowa Fair Co., at the College Farm, up to the commencement of the war ; both societies he left in great prosperity, and they are to- day leading associations for that great State ; during his administration, interest- ing exhibitions were held at the college farms at Newton, Marshalltown and Des Moines City, at each of which he took many premiums with individual ani- mals and his fine herd of short-horns. Mr. Currens has taken an active interest in horticulture, fruit growing and gardening since he has been a citizen of Mattoon ; to his influence and activity Mattoon owes the existence of her Horticultural Society, and most of her advancement in the mat- ter of ornamental shade-trees, fine fruits, berries, etc.; as a clever and enterprising citizen, he stands second to no man in his community. J. D. CASSELL, proprietor Cassell's Restaurant, Jlattoon ; was born in Mont- gomery Co., Penn., A. D. 1827 ; until he was 17 or 18 years of age, he passed his life upon the farm, deriving his education mostly from the common schools ; in 1854, he came West to Jennings Co., Ind., where he remained one year ; he then went to Crawfordsville, Ind., and was a student in Wabash College a short time ; he next en- gaged in the merchant tailoring business there for two or three years ; leaving Crawfordsville, he next located in South Bend, remaining one year ; in the fall of 1859, he moved to New Carlisle, Ind., and engaged in teaching school ; here he re- mained three anS one-half years, most of the time engaged as a Professor in the Collegiate Institute ; in the spring of 1863, he moved to Rolling Prairie, taught one year, and, in the fall of 1864, engaged in the grocery trade; in the spring of 1866, he was appointed and commissioned Post- master, which position he held eight years ; in the fall of 1874, he came to Mattoon and engaged in his present occupation. He was first married in 1858, to Elizabeth France, a native of Ohio ; she died in 1868. His second marriage occurred in 1869, to Nancy J. Bolster of New York State; she died in 1870; he has four children — Annie B., Lydia B., Mary C., Benjamin F. JAMES T. CUNNINGHAM, de- ceased, Mattoon; the subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Grayson Co., Ky., July 11, 1802 ; his early life was spent on the farm, and his education limited to a few months' attendance upon the public or subscription schools of his native State ; from a very early period in life, the sup- port of the family mainly devolved upon him; in the fall of 1830. he came West to Illinois with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Yocum and her family, and settled in what is now Paradise Tp., Coles Co. He is mentioned in that township as being among the early settlers; when he came We.st he was possessed of but little means, but here he found a wide field for specula- tion ; he was uniformly successful in his 544 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: various undertakings, and his gains, though great, were always honorably gotten ; lie scorned to do a mean act, and, though at his death, he left a large competency to his family, no one could justly say that one farthing had been gained by trickery or dishonest means. He took a deep and abiding interest in whatever tended to ad- vance the interests of his State. Being a man of good native ability, he was at an early day chosen by his fellow-citizens of Coles Co. as their representative; he served eight years in succession in the Lower House while the capital of the State was at Vandalia. His marriage to Elizabeth C. Yocum occurred Sept. 15, 1825; she died Sept. 3, 1849 ; for almost a quarter of a century, she was to him a faithful helpmeet ; he was married a second time. Feb. 3, 1853, to Mrs. Sarah E. Hendricks ; from first wedlock five children were born — John, William, James, Mary J., James H. ; of these William and James are dead ; from the second marriage two daughters were given him — Nancy T. (deceased) and Elizabeth C. (now wife of Elder W. T. Mason). At his death, which occurred June 26, 1863, he left an estate valued (after the li(juidation of all debts) at 8300,000. This legacy he left to his family as the reward of a faithful, industrious, honest, upright life — a life of strict sobriety, and full of earnest, manly effort. J. W. DOHA, M. r>., physician and surgeon, Mattoon ; was born near Augusta. Bracken Co., Ky., May 5, 1827 ; he enjoyed the advantages of select schools, and attended Augusta College a short time before its suspension ; in 1847, he went to Cincinnati, and became a student in Bart- Ictt's Commercial College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1848; he then devoted himself to book-keeping for the firm of J. 0. Prather & Co., about a year; in the winter of 1849, he began the study of medicine, under Dr. George K. Todd, of Cynthiana, Ky., a brother of Mrs. A. Lincoln ; during the winter of 1850 and 1851, he attended the Ohio Medical Col- lege, at Cincinnati, and the following spring, engaged in the jiractice of his pro- fession, at Buena Vista, Ky. ; the winter of 1851 and 1852, he was again a student in the College, and graduated in the spring following, when he again returned to his practice; in August, 1855, he came West to Illinois, and located in Mattoon ; during the winter of 1855 and 1856, he attended a course of lectures in the Eclectic Medical College, at Cincinnati ; returning home he remained here in the practice until October, 1863, when he moved to Chicago; during his residence of two years in Chicago, he received a degree from the Rush Medical College; in April, 1865, he returned to Mattoon, and has since resided here. He was married in the spring of 1850, to Martha E. Smith, a native of Harrison Co., Ky.; she died March 27, 1872; Nov. 10, 1875, he was married to S. A. McQuown, a native of Kentucky ; has four children from first wedlock — Leoma C. (wife of F. D. Dole), Helen M., John W., Maggie E. He was first Mayor of the city, and for a number of years member of the City Council ; also held the office of City Treasurer a number of terms. WILLIAM DOZIER, architect and builder, Mattoon ; was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Sept. 12, 1836; his grand- father came from Pennsylvania to Ohio a.< early as 1810, and settled in Muskingum Co., when that section of country was a wilderness ; his father was then a lad of some 8 or 9 summers ; through want of oppor- tunity, the education of his father was not extended beyond spelling, he never having read a day in school ; he was a man, how- ever, of good native ability, and, through his own exertions, obtained a fair educa- tion ; he served nine years as Justice of thi- Peace; he lost bis life April 5, 1852, by drowning, Williams early life was passed upon the farm, and he secured a good education in the common schools : after the death of his father, he took charge of bis mother's interest, and that of eight younger members of the family, remaining at home till his majority ; at the age of 18 years, he began teaching, and taught four winters, farming or following the trade of carpenter during the remainder of the year; in 1858, he came West to Illinois, to prospect the country, and on the 1st day of April, landed in what is now the city of Mattoon, then a village of some 300 inhab- itants ; here he engaged in working at his trade ; subsequently went te Cumberland Co., but soon returned to Mattoon ; in the fall of 1859, he returned to Ohio, and Oct. 11, 1859, was married to Maria MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 545 McCaslin, of Morgan Co., Ohio; here he remained till August, 1861, when he again set his face westward, moving, in a two- horse wagon, his goods and effects ; he came again to Mattoon; in 1865, he moved to Terre Haute, Ind., and during his resi- dence of three and a half years, built six residences for himself, and also engaged in merchandising, a short time; in 18tJ9, he returned to Mattoon ; sinee his residence he has built ten residences, six of which he now owns; he also owns twenty acres in Okaw Tp., and four acres at his residence near the city limits. Has had two chil- dren — Wallace, living ; Cadmer, dead. In 1875, in company with his wife he visited England, Scotland and France, and con- tributed some interesting articles to the city papers on the manners and customs of the people, and on sight-seeing in London, P]dinburgh and other noted places. W. B. DUNLAP, Cashier First Na- tional Bank, Mattoon ; was born in New Hampshire in 1840 ; he received a good, common-school education, and was fitted for college, but did not enter upon a college course. In 1861, he came West to Illi- nois, locating in Mattoon, where he was employed as book-keeper and clerk for the firm of Francis & Shaw. Jan. 1, 1863, he entered the banking house of Pilkington & Co., as Cashier; May 1, 1865, at which time the First National Bank was organized, he was chosen to the position of Teller ; this he held until 1868, when he was chosen Cashier; June 1, 1874, he resigned his office and organized the Mat- toon National Bank, of which he was Presi- dent till November, 1877, at which time he resigned the position to devote his atten- tion to his real estate transactions. April 1, 1878, he was tendered the position of Cashier of the First National Bank a second time, and in May following that of Presi- dent ; this, after mature deliberation, he declined, but consented to fill the office of Cashier. The management of the bank, however, is almost wholly intrusted to his care. He was married in 1866, to Mary K. Woods, a native of Illinois. Has two children — Estelle and Katie. Owns 120 acres and a large amount of real estate in the city. In addition to his banking duties, he transacts a real estate business to the amount of from $60,000 to $70,000 per annum. J. K. DONNELL, wholesale grocer, Mattoon ; was born in Tyrone Co., Ireland, Oct. 14, 1835. At the age of 13, he entered the employ of John and James Graham, as clerk in their grocery establish- ment, in the town of Strabane ; here he served an indentured apprenticeship for three years and four months, at which time he received a certificate of qualification as a practical bu.siness man. The family soon after came to America and settled in Philadelphia, where he was employed in various firms in the capacity of clerk. In 1857, he began business for himself in the retail grocery trade ; this he conducted ten years. In 1867, he came to Illinois and began the retail trade in Mattoon ; for the first four years he conducted a jobbing trade in connection with the retail depart- ment; in the fall of 1861, he leased his present place of business to operate exclu- sively a jobbing trade ; this he continued five years; in the fall of 1866, he leased an additional room, and again connected the retail trade with his business ; October, 1878, he abandoned the retail department and entered upon the wholesale business exclusively. His is the pioneer wholesale establishment, being the first and only exclusively wholesale house in the city. Id addition to his fine and growing business, ranging from $130,000 to $150,000 per annum, he own; a fine fruit farm of twenty acres within the corporate limits of the city, a number of residences and eighty- four acres in Cumberland Co., well im- proved. All this he has accumulated by honest industry and good management, and while ill-timed adventure and unwise speculation has engulfed many in finan- cial ruin, he feels grateful that his every obligation has been met, dollar for dollar ; and yet with his armor on, he boasts not as he may who has laid it aside. J. F. DRISH, dealer in general hard- ware and agricultural implements, Mat- toon ; was bornin Leesburg, Loudoun Co., Va., May 8, 1833 ; his father came west to lOinois in 1836 or 1837, and first set- tled in Whitehall, Greene Co., where he engaged in the practice of his profession — that of a physician and surgeon ; at the age of 19, the subject of this sketch left home and crossed the plains to California ; here he engaged in speculating and con- tracting; in 1854, he returned by way of 546 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: the Isthmus of Panama and New York City ; he next settled in Carlinville, and engaged in the dry goods and grocery trade till 1861. At the outbreaking of the civil war, he entered in the U. S. service in the 32d I. V. I., as Adjutant of the regiment ; in April, 1862, lie came home and assisted in raising and organiz- ing the 122d I. V. I., and again entered the service as Lieutenant Colonel of the regi- ment ; he was mustered out of the service in 1865, having been actively engaged with the regiment during its entire term of service. In 1S65, he settled in Mat- toon and engaged in his present occupa- tion. He was married, in 1856, to Rosella C. Keller, a native of Illinois ; they have two daughters — L. M. and Frankie. He has held the office of Super- visor two terms, and was Chairman of the Board during his last term ; he was chosen Mayor of the city in 1867, serving out a portion of the first Mayoralty under the new city charter ; he has held the office of President one term, and that of Secre- tary one term, of the Board of Education. He participated in the battles of Forts Henry, Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Parker's Cross Roads, Nashville, and many others ; he was wounded in the shoulder on the 9th day of April, 1865, in the assault on Fort Blakely, at Mobile ; this battle was fought after the war was virt- ually at an end. R. L. EWIXG, retail grocer, Mattoon; was born in Coles Co., 111., Dec. 28, 1842; his father, William Ewing, familiarly known as 'Squire Ewing, came from Ken- tucky and settled upon the South Kicka- poo, within the present limits of Coles Co., in the spring of 1 82!) ; here ho engaged in farming, and here the boyhood and early manhood of K. L. was pas.sed upon the farm; his father died in 1866; he re- mained at home and had charge of the farm until 1873 ; he then purchased the homestead, and, the following year, sold out and came to Mattoon ; here he entered the employ of D. D. James, as clerk in his grain office, and, the following year, was in like employnient for Hinkle & Kahn ; Nov. 1, 1876, he began his present busi- ness, with Thos. McCormick as partner, under the firm name of McCormick & Ewing. He was married Dec. 31, 1863, to Sarah S. McDonald, a native of Illinois ; they have one child living — John W., .and an infant son dead. He owns eighty acres of the old homestead ; is at present a member of the City Council. MATTHIAS EVERHARTY, propri- etor West Broadway Meat Market, Slat- toon ; was born near Coblenz, Prussia, June 28, 1833 ; when he was but 4 years old, his parents emigTated to America, landing in Cincinnati July 4, 1837; here they settled, and his father was one of the earliest German gardeners that began the raising of vegetables for the Cincinnati market ; much of the land that he then cul- tivated in " garden sass " is now occupied with solid rows of substantial brick build- ings. In 1849, young Everharty went to his trade — thatot a butcher — -at which he served as an apprentice three years ; he followed the business in Cincinnati till 1861, .at which date he went out as butcher to the first German regiment, the 9th Ohio V. I., and was with various divisions of the army till 1863 ; on his return from the army, he remained a short time in Cincinnati, and, in Novem- ber, 1863, he came to Mattoon and en- gaged in operating his present business. He was married, in 1854, to Elizabeth Horn, a native of France; they have four children — Catharine, John J., Annie L. and Maggie. He owns real estate in the city — a residence, five acres of land and business property. R. M. GRAY, attorney at law, Mat- toon; was born in Plea.sant Grove Tp., Coles Co., 111., Dec. 27, 1848 ; his father. James C, was one of the early pioneers of this section ; his early life was that of a farmer's son ; in addition to his common school education, at the age of 19, he en- tered Westfield College, Clark Co., 111., and remained one year ; he next attended an academy in his native township, two years, under the supervision of Pi'of. T. J. Lee; in the fall of 1870, he entered the law department of Michigan University, from which he graduated in March, 1S73 ; he then entered the office of Maj. James A. Connolly, iu Ch.arleston, III., and re- mained till the spring of 1875 ; he then came to Mattoon and entered upon the practice of his profession, in connection with H. W. Magee ; soon afrn- locating, he was appointed City Attorney, and held the office one year; in 1877, he formed a co- MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 547 partnership with Charles Bennett, which lasted one year; in 1876, he was elected State's Attorney for Coles Co., which po- • sition he now holds ; since the spring of 1878, he has been practicing' his profession alone, and though comparatively young in the work, has already shown himself "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. " 0. W. GOGIN, Justice of the Peace, Mattoon ; was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1820 ; his father came from New Jersey and settled in Cincinnati in 1800 ; the family was six months making the jour- ney, coming by teams to Pittsburgh, Penn., and thence floating down the Ohio in a keelboat to the point of destination ; here the family remained some twenty-odd years; in the spring of 1841, his father came West, and settled in Crawford Co., III., where he began the labor of opening up a farm in the woods ; 0. W. was the youngest of the family, and remained at home till the death of his parents ; they lived to enjoy the companionship of each other through a half-century of wedded life, and were consistent members of the M. E. Church for the same length of time. 'Squire Gogin moved to Mattoon in the fall of 186:i ; here he engaged for some years in milling and in the fruit-growing business. He was married in 1842, to Eliza Eurle, a native of Virginia ; have four children — A. Dorr, Emma, Eola and Nellie. Has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and transacts much business in the settlement of estates. PRANK GARTHWAIT, auction and commission merchant, Mattoon ; was born in Terre Haute, lad., Oct. 18, 1838 ; his father was a wholesale and retail grocery- man, and was one of the pioneers of the city ; Frank obtained his education at the city schools, and at the age of 1 5, began the life of a printer's devil in the Courier office ; here he remained three years under charge of J. Canard, editor and proprietor of the paper ; he next engaged in travel- ing and selling clocks for three years, and subsequently engaged in the sale of notions till 1861 ; he enlisted in the United States service in the fiiU of 1861, in Co. G, 43d Ind. V. I. ; in this he served tht;ee years ; he then raised a company, and served till the close of the war in the 149th Regt. ; in this he went out as First Lieutenant, and was promoted to the Cap- ' taincy ; on his return, he engaged in the grocery trade in Terre Haute ; in the spring of 1871, he located in Springfield, : and engaged in selling lightning-rods ; in October, 1871, he came to Mattoon, and engaged in the sale of pumps and light- ning-rods ; in the spring of 1872, he op- erated a marble-shop ; in January, 1874, he began his present line of business. He ' was married in 1865, to Ella Saunders, I a native of Indiana ; she died in 1872 ; his , second marriage, to Mrs. Laura Morgan, a native of Illinois, occurred in 1874 ; two children were born from first wedlock — Nettie, living, and Nellie, dead ; one from second marriage — -Daisy. He was chosen Mayor of the city in the spring of 1877 ; owns real estate in the city. J. M. GIBBS, livery and sale stable, Mattoon ; was born near the South Kick- apoo, in Coles Co., 111., Jan. 28, 1841 ; his grandfather, Elijah Gibbs, was one ot the early pioneers of this seetinn, having come from Virginia, in an early day, to Ohio, and thence to Illinois ; his father, Homer Gibbs, was here almost as early as the formation of the county ; his father I was a carpenter by trade ; J. M. passed i his early life on the farm, near Sullivan, 1 Moultrie Co.; his education was obtained . in the common schools ; at the age of 20 ; years, he began life for himself; in 1861, j he began trading in horses and mules, and for three or four years, during the war, shipped to St. Louis stock purchased for ' the cavalry and artillery services ; after the close of the war, he engaged in shipping stock to the southern markets of New Orleans and Natchez ; this he continues to the present time; during the summer, he ships to Boston, Mass., though he has always bought and shipped in connection with I. N. Gibbs, his twin brother, yet they have never been in partnership. He was married Jan. 7, 1864, to Sallie Brid- well, a native of Louisville, Ky.; has five children — J. Emery, Carrie, Lewis, Mar- tin W. and Isaac N. ABRAM HASBROUCK, City Mayor, and dealer in hardware and agricultual im- plements, Mattoon ; was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1825 ; his early life was passed upon the farm, and his education, such as was derived from the common schools ; he remained on the homestead un- about 25 years of age; in 1854, he came 3 548 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: West and first settled in Michigan ; here he engaged in operating a hotel ; in 1857, he moved to Milwaukee, and conducted the " Walker House " two years ; the win- ter of 1859 he spent in Chicago, not act- ively engaged in business; in 1860, he lo- cated in Mattoon, and opened his present business ; his is the pioneer hardware es- tablishment of the cfty ; he wsis chosen Mayor of the city in the spring of 1878, and is deservedly popular as a city oiEcial and business man. He was married in 1855 to Louisa G. Smith, a native of Vermont ; has one daughter — Helen S. Owns 140 acres in Coles Co., some fine business property in the city, and an eligi- ble city residence. J. F. HUGHES, attorney at law, Mat- toon : was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Jan. 17, 1839; his early life was that of a form- er's son ; in addition to his common- school education, he enjoyed the advan- tages of the Academy at Fredricksburg and Smithvillo, in his native county. April 19, 1801, he entered the U. S. serv- ice as a member of the 16th Ohio V. I., and served three months in West Virginia ; in July, 1862, he re-enlisted in the 102d Regiment for three years ; was 1st Ser- geant of Co. F. In October, 1865, he en- tered the Law Department of Michigan University, from which he graduated in the spring of 1867 ; he next associated himself with A. P. Green, and was en- gaged with him fifteen months in editing and •publishing the Okaw Republican, at Sullivan ; in 1869, he was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of his profes- sion in Mattoon, in partnership with W. J. Henry, of Shelby ville; in 1872, the firm of Henry & Hughes was dissolved, and in 1873, that of Steele & Hughes formed; this was dissolved by the death of Mr. Steele, in July, 1877. He was married Sept. 17, 1874, to Julia Chrisman, a na- tive of Jasper Co., III.; has two children — Columbia and Arlington. Owns $5,000 worth of real estate. J. W. HANNA, book and music store, Mattoon ; was born in Frccport, Harrison Co., Ohio, Dec. 2, 1848; he derived his education from the common schools, and, at ihe age of 13 years, began clerking in hi.s father's general merchandising estab- lishment at Deersville, Ohio; July 4, 1866, he came West, stopping a short time at Preston, Minn., and, in September follow- ing, came to Mattoon, where he attended school rix mouths ; he then entered the employ of Finley & Richardson as clerk in their book store; in October, 1869, he and his brother James R., bought out the firm, and in May, 1871, sold out to a Mr. Decker; J.'W. then formed a partnership with Geo. P. McDougal and opened a new store; in 1872, McDougal retired, and the firm became that of Thieleus & Hanna ; in October, 1877, he sold out to Thieleus, and, Nov. 20 following, purchased his present business. He was married, July 25, to Mary E. Henderson, a native of Marion Co., Ohio; four children have blessed their union — Gertrude, Ethel, William, living, Charles, deceased. JOHN HUNT, meat-market, Mattoon; was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1837 ; his father came West to Illinois and settled in Jasper Co. in 1845 ; his early life was that of a farmer's boy, and his ad- vantages for securing an education some- what limited; most of his education he obtained in the schools of Xenia, Ohio, and as a student of Antioch College, after he had attained to manhood ; he left home at the age of 18 years, and engaged in teaching school some four years ; in 1860, he purchased a farm in Coles Co., and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits for ten years ; in 1870, he formed a partnership with J. L. Scott, under the firm name of Hunt & Scott, and engaged in the grocery trade in Mattoon; in the spring of 1875, he re- tired from the firm, and for two years was engaged in buying and shijiping horses and mules to the Southern market; in 1876, he engaged in his present business. He was married in 1858 to Eliza J. Gowin, a native of North Carolina ; has two chil- dren — Alva and Orris. Has held the oflSce of Assessor for the past four years, and is also a member of the Board of Education on the East Side. IRA JAMES, wholesale dealer in coal oil, Mattoon; was born in Dearborn (now Ohio) Co., Ind., May 24, 1826 ; his father was a cotton and woolen manufacturer ; at the age of 17, he left home and engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers for a period of about ten years ; he commanded during the time seven steam- boats ; his first boating was in the packet trade from Rising Sun to Cincinna'; MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 549 I erward he entered the trade from New Orleans and Cincinnati; in 1853, he went to California and spent three years ; en- gaged a portion of the time in milling and the remainder in mining; iu 1856, he re- turned to Rising SuUj Ind. ; he next made a tour through the Southern States of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, set- ting up machinery — cotton-screws, cotton- gins and steam machinery ; in November, 1857, he located in Mattoon Tp., and en- gaged in farming three years ; in 1860, he moved to Mattoon, and, in 1861, was chosen Police Magistrate and served one year ; he next engaged in buying and shipping hay, and, in 1865, began dealing in grain; in 1873, he retired from the grain trade and went to Southern Colorado, where he discovered the mines and laid out the town of Rosita ; here he spent most of two years ; in 1875, he returned to Mattoon, and, in connection with J. D. Herkimer, purchased the gas works, which he has since operated. He was married in 1859 to Cynthia A. Hendricks, a native of Illinois; she died Feb. 15, 1872; his second marriage to Jennie H. Crow, a native of Ohio, wus celebrated Aug. 18, 1875; from first wedlock he has three sons — John Q., Frank P., Justin C. ; from second, two children — Harline and an infant daughter. Owns two-thirds of the gas works and 240 acres in Coies Co.; he does a large business in the wholesale oil trade and is President of the Mattoon Gas- Light & Coke Co. IRA B. JACKSON, insurance agent, Mattoon ; was born in Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind., Oct. 31, 1851 ; in 1855, his father removed with his family to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon Co., near Spring- field ; his early life was that of a farmer's boy ; he acquired a good common-school education ; at the age of 18, he engaged in the business of photograph artist, which he followed two years ; in 1872, he com- pleted a business course in the Commercial College, at Terre Haute. Ind. ; in 1874, he engaged in the grocery trade with Fallin Bros., under the firm name of Fallin Bros. & Jackson ; in 1876, he retired from the firm and engaged in the fire insurance busine.ss; he at present represents one ac- cident and sixteen leading fire insurance companies in Coles and EflSngham Cos., aggregating in assets over $30,000,000 ; he also represents the Great Western Dis- patch Co. He was married May 26, 1874, to Laura I. Carter, a native of Indiana; has one child — Georgia. He is at pres- ent serving his second term of ofiice as City and also Township Clerk. THEO. JONTE, dealer in harness and saddles, Mattoon ; was born in Nashville, Tenn., April 4, 1839; his father was a wholesale confectioner ; he received a good common-school education, and, at the age of 16 years, left home and came West, set- tling in Quincy, 111., where he engaged in working at his trade ; in the fall of 1861, he engaged in laboring for the U. S. Govern- ment in the making of cavalry equipments ; the fall of 1862, he came to Paris, Edgar Co., and engaged in business with Wm. Legy ; they operated a shop in Paris, and one in Grand View at the same time ; Mr. Jonte had charge of the latter ; in the fall of 1864, he removed to Mattoon, and opened up his present business ; his is the only first-class establishment in the city. He was married in 1865 to Anna Stone- burner, a native of Grand View, 111. ; has one child — Alberta. Owns considerable real estate in the city. In 1876, he was chosen City Mayor ; is at present Assistant Supervisor of Mattoon Tp. ; also a member of the Board of P]ducation, West Side. P. A. KEMPER, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon ; was born in Culpeper Co., Va., Aug. 3], 1832; his early educa- tion was under the direct supervision of his mother, who was a well-qualified school- mistress; his father was an artisan by pro- fession, of whom he was bereft at the early age of 8 years; when about 16 years of age, he left home and came to Paris, Edgar Co., 111.; in the fall of 1855, he began the study of his profession with Dr. D. O. McCord, remaining in his office two and a half years; during the winter of 1857 and 1858, he attended Rush Medical College, and, at a later date, received his degree; He began the practice of his profession in Pleasant Grove Tp., Coles Co., March 3, 1858; here be remained until 1876, ex- cepting an absence of two years in the army. In 1861, be raised a company for the 5th Regiment, and was chosen Captain of the same ; his position he resigned for that of Assistant Surgeon of the regiment ; when the final organization occurred, how- ever, through the treachery of professed 550 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: friends, lie failed in receiving the appoint- ment ; notwithstanding the unjust treat- ment to himself and Col. UpdegrafF, the commanding officer, he elected to remain with his boys, as a private in the ranks, rather than return home; in June, 18l)2, he was captured at Pocahontas, Ark., and remained a prisoner of war some three months; he was next si'nt on parole to St. Louis, and then exchanged and appointed to duty in the hospital with the rank and pay of Assistant Surgeon ; in October, 1863, he was appointed and commissioned Surgeon of the 3d Kegiment, which po- sition he resigned after sis months ; in March, 1876, he located in Mattoon, his present residence. He was married in December, 1 863, to Mary J. Glenn, a na- tive of Illinois : has had five children — Joseph E., John M., George H., living ; Benjamin G, Charles W., dead. At present holds the office of City Physician. G. T. KILNER, druggist, Mattoon; was born in Manchester, Eng., Nov. 18, 1820 ; at the age of 15 years, he Wiis left an orphan, and, in 1836, emigrated to America, and first settled in Waterbury, Conn.; here he engaged in the sale of drugs six years ; he then moved to Newburgh, N. Y., where he engaged in the same business; in the spring of 1860, he came West and located in Mattoon, opened up his business here ; his is the first drug store established in the city ; he took a partial course in medicine and practici^d some years in connection with the drug business. lie was married in January, 1845, to Sarah Kihier, a native of En- gland. Has four children — Albert, Wal- ter, Eddie and Annie. Owns eighty acres adjoining the city corporation ; has been a member of the City Council three terms. KAHN BROS., dealers in clothing, Mattoon. Mark Kahn, senior member of the firm of Kahn Bros., was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Nov. 7, 1841 ; he emigrated to America in 1856, and first settled in Marshall Co., 111., and en- gaged in peddling dry goods and clothing for eighteen months ; during the summers of 1858, 18511 and 1860, he worked on a farm iu Shelby Co., and during the winter ' season was employed in a store ; in the fall of 1860, in connection with a Mr. Reiner and his brother Moses, he began the business of merchandising in , Mattoon, under the firm name of Steiner & Kahn ; in 1863, Mr. Steiner retired from the firm, and his brother Lewis became a member; the firm name was then changed to Kahn Bros. ; Lewis died in the fall of 1867 ; in 1871, his brother Felix became a partner ; his brother Moses was lost in the ill-fated Schiller, May 7, 1875, on her passage from America to Germany. From 1863 to 1869, the firm also operated a clothing house in Charleston, Coles Co., and from 1S69 to 1874, conducted the lumber trade in Mattoon in connection with the merchandising business. He was married in March, 1875, to Minnie Steiner, a native of Illinois ; she died in February, 1876. Has one son — -Lewis. In June, 1878, he was chosen President of the First National Bank of Mattoon, which pnsition he now holds. Owns 1,14U acres of land, valued at §40,000. P. B.LINN, dealer in groceries, provis- ions and queensware, Mattoon. The subject of this sketch was born in Coles Co., Ilf. Nov. 18, 1850 ; his father was one of the early pioneers of the county ; his early life was spent upon the farm ; in addition to his common-school education, he attend- ed Lee's Academy two years ; in 1871. he completed a business course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Cincin- nati ; the same year, he entered the em- ploy of J. B. Hill & Co., at Charleston, as clerk ; in 1873, he began clerking for Frank Kern, in Effingham, and, iu 1874, he came to Mattoon, where he served Hinkle & Buck in their dry goods estab- lishment eighteen months ; he next labored in the same capacity for Robert Mosley & Son for the same length of time. Nov. 28, 1877, he began business for himself He was married May 8, 1878, to Lizzie 11. Coddingtou, a native of Indiana. He lost his father at the age of 12 years, and since that time has paddled his own canoe along life's voyage. ELISHA LINDER, farmer; P. 0. Mattoon ; was born in Hardin Co., Ky.. Aue;. 16, 1807 ; his early life was passed upon the farm, and his education was such as the schools of those days afforded ; when less than seven years of age, he lost his father, and being the oldest of the family, he soon became the head ; his father was a man of energy and thrift, and left the family well provided for; in 1829, young t MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 551 Linder came West, to Illinois, and pros- pected the county ; remainino; two months, he returned to Kentucky, and in January, 1831, came again to Illinois; in October following, he moved his mother and fam- ily — a brother and two sisters — and located near where he now resides ; on arriving at what was to be their future home, they possessed, in actual cash, $2.50, just enough to purchase half a barrel of salt ; he bought a few head of horses, cattle and a flock of sheep ; he was first to introduce ghecp into this section of country ; his first purchase was forty acres, slightly im- proved ; he has owned at one time 2,000 acres of land, and at present owns about 1.200 acres ; in almost every undertaking, he has been very successful. He was married in April. 18.39, to Rebecca Saw- yer, a native of Kentucky ; her father, John Sawyer, was one of the early pioneers of this section ; from this union, fourteen children have been born — three sons and eleven daughters ; of these, three sons and eight daughters are still living. Mr. Lin- der has held the olEce of Township Super- visor three or four terms. TIFFIN P. LOGAN, land and loan agent, Mattoon ; was born in Trimble Co., Ky.. March 28, 1844 ; his father was a man of prominence, a cousin to President Harrison, and was honored by the Demo- cratic party with a seat in the Kentucky Legislature during the sessions of 1844- 4.") : in the spring of 1858, removed with his fomily to IlHnois, and located in Wind- sor, Shelby Co.; here he occupied the of- fice of Justice of the Peace eleven years in succession ; here Tiffin P. began life for himself; he lived with his brother-in-law till he attained the age of 15 years ; at this age he could neither read nor write ; leav- ing his taskmaster, he determined to lend his energies to the acquiring of an edu- cation ; by the performance of various com- missions he paid his board, tuition, and other necessary expenses, and at the ex- piration of three years, had acipiired a good elementary education, and had S8 ahead ; March 8, 1864, he located where Ottawa, Kan., now is, then occupied by eleven tribes of Indians ; with these, he lived some six weeks, sole representative of the Caucasian race ; here, with a capital of $41, he began the manufacture of shingles, and in nine months accumulated $1,200 ; owing to ill health, he closed out his busi- ness, and engaged in clerking for Holt & Evans, the first white men operating a store in Ottawa; in March, 1865, he loca- ted in Kansas City, and operated a grocery store two years ; during the winter of 1866-67, he took a business course in Spaulding's Commercial College, in Kansas City ; he next went to Lyon Co., Kan., and engaged in the dairy business one year; in the spring of 1868, he went to Sedalia, Mo., and there engaged in the milk and dairy business six years ; at this he cleared about 82,000 per annum, but lost most of it in 1874, operating in cattle ; in 1875, he returned to Illinois, and engaged in handling and shipping stock ; in December, 1875, he engaged in the lumber and grain trade at Bethany, 111. ; this he followed till March, 1878, when he opened a land office in Mattoon, to which he has recently added the loan agency. He was married Oct. 17, 1876, to Sue M. Smutz, a native of Lima, Ohio ; has one child — Edna P. Owns real estate in Bethany, 111. ; in honor of his early citizenship, Logan street, of Ottawa, Kan., was named for him. COL. ROBERT H. McFADDEN, Pension Attorney and Police Magistrate, Mattoon ; was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1833 ; his father was a cabinet-maker by trade, and at the age of 13 years, he be- gan the trade, working five years under instructions ; at 18, he began life for him- self, following his trade about fifteen years ; in 1850, he came to Shelby Co., 111., and remained three years ; in 1853, he came to Coles Co., and located in the village of Paradise ; in the summer of 1855, he came to Mattoon ; he built the first dwell- ing in the city limits, on what is now known as Charleston avenue, between East First and Union streets. He was married Sept. 28, 1855, to Sarah A. Norvell, by Elder Isaac Hart ; theirs was the first wed- ding that occurred in Mattoon ; at the first election held in Mattoon Tp., in 1857, he was chosen a Justice of the Peace; April 19, 1861 , he entered the United States serv- ice as Second Lieutenant, in the 7th Regt. I. V. I.; he served as First Lieutenant, Captain and Major in the 41st Regt., and Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel in the 53d ; July 22, 1865, he was mustered out of the service, and, on his return, followed his 552 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : trade some three years ; in 1871, he was elected Mayor of the city, having served one term as Alderman; in 1873, he was chosen Police Magistrate, and from re- election, has held the office since. Has four children — May I., John A., Eddie D. and Lizzie A. H. W. MAGEE, attorney at law, Mat- toon ; was born in Coles Co., 111., in Oc- tober, 1847 ; his father came from Cyn- thiana, Ky., and settled in Coles Co., 111., in 1832 ; here he engaged in farming; he relates that his father labored a whole year for Joseph VanDeren for $96 ; when H. W., was 2 years of age, his father moved to the western portion of Missouri, and was there during the border troubles; in the fall of 1857, he returned with his family to Coles Co., and .settled in what is known as the "Dead Man's Grove;" in 1872, he moved to Louisa Co., Iowa, where he at present resides ; having obtained a good common-school education, at the age of 20 years, H. W. entered the office of the Cir- cuit Clerk, at Charleston, as Deputy ; here he remained about two and a half years ; in the winter of 1869, he entered the law department of Michigan University, from which he graduated in the spring of 1872; at that date, he was admitted to practice in the courts of Michigan, and, the summer of 1872, was admitted to the courts of Illinois ; he began the practice of his pro- fession in Mattoon, his present residence. He was married in the spring of 1873 to Ellen J. Barnes, a native of Indiana])olis ; has one child — Graoie. L. F. MORSE, M. D., phy.sician and Burgeon, Mattoon ; was born in Canterbury, N. H., Feb. 5, 1839; his father was a farmer, and his early life was that of a farmer's .son; at the age of 14, he went to live with an uncle ; in the winter of 1860, he began the study of medicine, under the supervision of Dr. L. T. Weeks, of Canterljury ; after an extended course of reading, he attended a course of lectures in the Burlington Medical College, at Bur- lington, Vt.; in June, 18(i2, he was en- gaged in the Government hospital at Washinfiton, as Contract Surgeon ; here he remained one year ; in 1863, he at- tended a course of lectures in Dartmouth Medical College, from which he graduated in November, 1863 ; he then entered the U. S. Navy, as Assistant Surgeon, and was stationed on the west coast of Florida ; Dec. 7, 1865, he was discharged from the U. S. service ; he next attended a course of lectures in the Homeopathic College of New York, from which he graduated in March, 1866; he first located in Bidde- ford. Me., and entered upon the practice of his profession ; in September, 1S67, he came West to see, and located in Pekin, Tazewell Co.; in May, 1868, he came to Mattoon, his present residence. He was married April 14, 1869, to Harriet F. Chamberlain, a native of Indiana ; has three children — Helen L., Bertha L. and Clifford L. Mr. M. at present holds the office of School Director, and is Secretary of the Board. J. W. MOORE, lumber merchant, Mattoon ; was born in Kent Co., England, in June, 1832 ; when 10 years of age, he lost his father; in 1850, his mother, with her family, immigrated to America and settled in Chicago, where they remained about two and one-half years; they then removed to Cook Co., where himself and an older brother engaged in farming and operating a country store,, his mother man- aging largely the interests of her family ; in 1865, the subject of this sketch moved to Monee, Will Co., and, in company with a Mr. Dickson, under the firm name of Dickson & Moore, engaged in the sale of lumber and agricultural implements ; in 1874, he came to Mattoon and opened up his present business. He w;is married in July, 1865, to Cordelia Si.sson, a native of Illinois ; they have three children — -Ernest S., Charles H. and Augusta E. He is a member of the School Board on the West Side. J. A. MULFORD, wholesale dealer in hides, leather, findings, furs, pelts and tal- low, Mattoon ; was born in Newark, N. J., May 16, 1839; he completed a course in the high school, but did not enter upon a college course ; at the age of 17, he began the trade of a jeweler, and worked un-ier instructions till his majority; he followed his trade about five years ; substHjuently he was employed as accountant, and had charge of the wholesale department of Davis & Elcox, in Maiden Lane, New York, for some length of time ; in the spring of 1867. he came West to Illinoia and located in Mattoon, and began op- erating in hides for the Chicago markets; MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 553 afterward, he operated for the Eastern markets ; to-day, he operates over a terri- tory extending west to St. Louis and east to Terre Haute ; by an admirable system of book-keeping, peculiarly his own. he is enabled at any hour to know the exact status of his business. He was married Sept. 10, 1863, to Sarah E. Pruden, a native of New Jersey; they have three children — E. Ross, Jennie and Herbert. Mr. Mulford is recognized as a man of fine business qualifications, and well worthy the success that has crowned his efforts. DANIEL MESSER, proprietor Essex House, Mattoon ; was born in Piermont, Orafton Co.. N. H., A. D. 1829; his fiither was a farmer, and his earlj^ life was that of a farmer's son ; in addition to his common-school education, he attended for some time a seminary of a high grade, in Bradford, Vt. ; at his majority he left home, and began life for himself; his first employment was that of overseeing a force of workmen on the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad ; he subsequently con- tracted on the Bufiiilo, Corning & New York Railroad ; in 1 853, he came West, and contracted on the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad, and on the comple- tion of the road, was appointed Eoadmas- ter from Terre Haute to Pana, which position he held from 1855 to I860 or 1861 ; on leaving the road, he next operated the Messer House, in Charleston, till 1867; from 1867 to 1869, he owned and operated a planing-mill, at Charleston; in 1869, he leased the Essex House, at Mattoon, and has operated it for the past ten years ; with a house first-class in all its appointments, and himself possessed of all those necessary qualifications that go to make a successful landlord, he has met with deserved success, and is to-day re- garded one of the financially solid men of the city ; he is at present a Director in the First National Bank. W. H. K. PILE, real estate, collecting and insurance agent, Mattoon ; was born in Breckinridge Co., Ky., Feb. 17, 1819; he was reared on a. farm, and learned his trade, that of a wagon -maker, during his minority ; at the age of 20, he began life for himself, following his trade and that of a carpenter, till 25 years of age ; he then engaged in farming for five years ; in 1855, he came West to Illinois, and set- tled south of Charleston, Coles Co. ; in 185(), he came to Mattoon, and engaged in operating a hotel ; in 1857, he was elected Police Magistrate of the city ; in 1858, he was chosen Associate Justice of Coles Co., with Judges Edwards and Leach ; in 1859, he was elected School Commissioner of Coles Co., and served two years; in the winter of 1862, he removed to Charleston and operated a hotel, and, in 1863, located in Alton and engaged in the same business; in 1867, he returned to Mattoon, and engaged as traveling sales- man for a firm in Louisville, Ky. ; in 1869, he was again chosen Police Magistrate, and held the office four years ; in 1873, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and remained in office four years; during the years of 1875, 1876 and 1877, he" traveled for a firm, loaning money on real estate ; for the past year he has devoted his time to the collection of claims, the transaction of real estate business, and has recently added the insurance agency. He was married in March, 1844, to Nancy J. Walkup, a na- tive of Kentucky. W. H. PAUGH, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon ; was born in Lawrence Co., Ind., March 13, 1838; his father was a physician and settled in Indiana as early as 1815 ; in addition to his common- school education, he attended the high school at Springville, Ind., and in subse- quent years was Principal of the same. He naturally grew up into a physician, and to fix a period at which he began the .study of his profession would be a difficult task ; he practiced his profession many years be- fore receiving a medical degree ; he attended Rush Medical College one session; later, he attended the medical college at Keo- kuk, Iowa, from which he graduated in 1.8'^6 ; in January, 1877, he located in Mattoon. He was married Oct. 25th, 1868, to Lou E. Best, she died Oct. 26, 1878. Has three children — Gertie, Phre- born G. and Lolo. Owns 120 acres in Madison 'Co., 111., and real estate in the city. A.G. PICKETT, M. D., physician and surgeon, Mattoon ; was born in Kenton Co., Ky., in 1826 ; his early life was spent for the most part in school ; he completed a full course in Woodward College, Cincin- nati, at which he graduated in 1844; he 554 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: then entered the Ohio Medical College, and completed the course in 1 847 ; he be- gan the practice of his profession in Ohio, where he remained one year ; he then came West to Illinois, and located near Quincy, where he remained till 1801, when he en- tered the U. S. service as Surgeon of the 50th Regiment I. V. I.; he remained in the service till November, 1864 ; on his return from the army, he located in Moul- trie Co., and followed his profession till 1874, when he removed to Mattoon, He was married in 1862 to Amanda S. Jen-' kins, a native of Kentucky ; has four chil- dren — Alice S., Ada M., Willie A. and Lenore. Dr. Pickett very naturally grew up into a physician ; his father and many of his ancestors had been practitioners of the "healing art," and the j)rofcssion seemed to fall to him as a natural birth- right inheritance. L. G. ROBERTS, dental surgeon, Mat- toon ; was born in Ripley Co., Ky., Jan. 18, 1846; his father, R. B. Roberts, was a dentist by profession, and a minister in the Christian Church ; his father came with his family to Indiana when L. G. was but 3 or 4 years of age, and in the fall of 1864, he came to Illinois; his education was derived mostly from the common schools ; at the age of 18, he entered the dental office of Dr. Allen, in Ft. Wayne, Ind.; in 1864, he worked under instruc- tions with Dr. Moore, of La Fayette, Ind.; in the fall of the same year, he worked with Dr. Provost, of Dayton, Ohio, per- fecting himself for his profession under the directien of men of recognized ability ; in 1865, he began the practice of his pro- fession at El Paso, Woodford Co., 111.; in 1873, he located in Mattoon, his present place of business. He was married Dec. 25, 1873, to Mary A. Winn, a native of Ohio; has had two children — Leonidas G., living, and Prescott W., decea.scd. He has a fine and grnwing practice, and ranks second to none in the city or county as re- I gards proficiency and skill. J. O. RUDY, real estate agent, Mat- toon ; was born near Louisville, Jefferson Co., Ky., May 1, 1827 ; his parents moved to Illinois, and settled near Paris, Edgar Co., in 1830 ; his early life was spent upon the farm, and his early experiences were those of a farmer's son ; his educa- tion was derived from the common schools ; in 1850, he crossed the plains to ("alifor- nia, where for two years he applied him.self to mining; near the close of 1852, he re- turned, having as his reward for toil, hard- ships and privations, about $3,000 in gold ; on his return, he engaged for one year in operating the old homestead; near the close of 1853, he engaged as a partner in the dry goods business, in the firm of Au- gustus & Rudy, at Paris ; in the fall of 1858. the firm closed out busine.ss, and he moved to his land in Douglas Co., and opened up, and improved his farm ; in 1862, he was appointed Post Trader to the Pawnee Nation, under the administration of President Lincoln ; this position he held till the beginning of the administra- tion of Andrew Johnson, returning in the fall of 1865 ; he next went to Trumbull Co., Ohio, and engaged in sinking wells, and in the manufacture of lubricating oil ; this he followed one year ; in the spring of 1867, he came to Mattoon, and in com- pany with Richard Champion and S. D. Dole, began the business of banking, un- der the firm name of Champion, Rudy & Co.; in 1872, he sold out his interest, and continued operating a planing-mill which he had [jreviously purchased ; this was soon after destroyed by fire ; since that time, he has devoted himself to the real estate busine.ss. He was married Sept. 29, 1856, to Persis J. Dole, daughter of Wm. P. Dole, a very early settler nf Terre Haute, Ind.; her father held the position of Commissioner of Indian Aflairs under President Lincoln. Has seven children liv- ing — Prof. Wm. D. O. Rudy ( now Pro- fessor of Chemistry in Illinois Industrial Universiiy), Jennie F., Chas. E., Bessie D., Mary P., Gcwge H. and Hattie F.j has been a member of the Board of Edu- cation, West Side, for the past eight years ; has also held the office of Alderman for a number of terms. Z. R(H?ERTSON, farmer and me- chanic, Mattoon ; was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Oct. 22, 1830 ; he obtained his education in the common schools of Paris, Ky.; his early life was passed upon the farm ; at, the age of 22 years, he left Ken- tucky and nioved to Greenfield, Ind.; here he followed the trade of plastering for about six years; in the winter of 1858, he came to Illinois, and settled in Mattoon, where for a number of years he continued his trade, < MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 55& and that of farming; in 1S65, he pur- chased and improved a form of eighty acres, near the city ; tliis he sold in 1869, and again moved to the city and for some time, iollowed his trade; since coming to the State, he has improved three farms. He was married in 1855, to Rebecca J. Morrison, a native of Pennsylvania; has three children living — Oscar C., Mat tie J. and Belle F. His little daughter Fannie, whose death occurred in 1863, was the first interment made in the now thickly popu- lated cemetery near the city. As an evi- dence of his success in farming, he this year raised seventy-five bushels to the acre, while his neighbors harvested only from thirty to forty bushels per acre. REV. J. VV. RILEY, Pastor Mission- ary Baptist Church, Mattoon ; was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, Nov. 9, 1823 ; his ancestral line, traced througli five preced- ing generations have been ministers in the Baptist Church ; his father's family fur- nished six ministers to the society, himself and five sons. From an historical record gathered from time to time, it was ascer- tained that the family of near relatives have furnished thirteen ministers of the Gospel; ten of these are Baptists, two Methodists and one Christian. His father, Rev. J. W. Riley, Sr., founded the first Missionary Baptist Church in all this sec- tion ; this was at Bloomfield, Edgar Co., as early as 1835. Out of that grew the Bloomfield Baptist Association, which is to-day one of the largest in the State. His early life was spent upon the farm and in attendance upon school ; at the age of 15 years, he became a member of the church,' and soon after began to take part in its public exercises ; he was ordained to the ministry April 26, 1845. He was mar- ried in 1843, to Olive J. Crouch, a native of Clermont Co., Ohio; she died April 4, 1855. His second marriage occurred Sept. 7, 1856, to Sarah A. Vance, of Licking Co., Ohio ; she was educated at Granville College, Ohio. From first wed- lock he reared five children — three sons and two daughters ; from second, two sons. He came to Mattoon in November, 1864, and most of the time since has been Pastor of the Church. About the year 1866 or 1867, his health having become impaired, he went South and spent some time re- cruiting; on his return, he was engaged most of the time far three years writing and compiling a work called U. S. A., the World's Empire Passing from Proph- ecy to History ; this is a work of 413 pages, and is highly spoken of by eminent scholars and critics. His theological studies were prosecuted under Elders Jones and Cox, graduates of Granville College. JOHN F. StOTT, attorney at law, Mattoon ; was born in Geauga Co., Ohio, A. D. 1 844 ; his early life was spent upon the farm, and his experiences those common •to a farmer's son; at the age of 16, he became a student in the Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College), at that time pre- sided over by Gen. J.A.Garfield; here he remained one year ; returning home, he engaged in farming one year, and subse- quently engaged in teaching; in 1866, he entered the Commercial College in Pough- keepsie, N. Y., remaining eight months; he next engaged in the sale of territory for patent rights ; in 1868, he again engaged in farming; in March, 1869, he came West to Illinois, located in Mattoon, and was engaged in life, fire and accident insurance till 1874; he then came into the ofiice of H. S. Clark, and resumed his legal studies; in April, 1875, he entered the graduating class of the Ohio State and Union Law College, of Cleveland, from which he graduated in July, following; on his return, the legal firm of Clark & Scott was formed, and he has since devoted him- self to his profession. He was married in 1868, to Sophia E. Clark, a native of Ohio; has two children — Earl C. and Montague W. In 1872, he was chosen Mayor of the city, and, by re-election, held the office three times in succession; in 1876, 1877 and 1878, he was chosen Supervisor of Mattoon Tp., and ex-officio Treasurer ; he is at present Chairman of the Board. J. L. SCOTT, dealer in groceries, queensware and glassware, Mattoon ; was born in Henry Co., Ky., in 1836; his early life was passed upon the farm, and his education was derived from the com- mon schools; in 1856, he moved to Frank- lin, Ind., where he engaged in mercantile pursuits; in 1863, he returned to Ken- tucky, located in Louisville, and was em- ployed in the United States Government Pay Department, under Gen. Thurston, Paymaster of the Army of the Cumber- land ; in the spring of 1865, he removed 556 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: with his paTents to Coles Co., 111., aod pur- chased a fiirm of 160 acres northeast of Mattoon ; in 1871, having disposed of his farm, he came to Mattoon, purchased a stock of groceries, and has siuoe resided here. He was married Dec. 10, 1861, to Catharine J. Runyon, a native of Vernon, Jennings Co., Ind ; has four children — William H., Mary F., Gracie and Charlie. Has held the ofBce of Supervisor of Hum- boldt Tp. ; is at present Worshipful Master of Mattoon Lodge, No. 260, A., F. & A. M. A. J. SANBORN, master mechanic, ^ I. & St. L. Shops, Mattoon ; was born in ' Acton, York Co., Me., in 1826; having lost his mother when but 11 years of age, he left home, and, making his way to Bos- ton, went on board a vessel, and was absent two years on a voyage ; alter coming into port, he made known to his father and family his adventures for the two years past ; he served seven years on the sea, sail- ing as second mate on board the ship Vesta, of Boston, and the brig Yucatan, in the South American trade ; at the age of 21 years, he began his trade in the Lowell Machine-Shops. at Lowell, Mass ; here he remained two years ; he next went to Bos- ton and worked in the locomotive-shops of Hinckley & Drury for eighteen mouths; thence to Lawrence, Mass., to the Kssex .shops, one year ; in 1858, or 1859, became west to East St. Louis, and took charge of the erecting department of the O. & M. R. R ; in 1867, he took charge of the machinery on the Vandalia R. R., and, in 1873, he took charge of the works for the I. & St. L. R. R. at Mattoon ; Mr. San- born is truly a self-made man ; his educa- tion ha.s been derived in the school of experience, and, whatever he undertakes to perform, he executes with an experienced and skillful- hand. JOHN W. SOULES, proprietor meat market, Mattoon ; was born in Terre Haute, Ind., Nov. 10, 1828; his father was a farmer, and his early life was spent upon the farm ; his education was limited •entirely to the common school ; he re- mained at home till his majority ; at the age of 21 years, he engaged in the packing house of FcrrinsrtDn &, Williams, of Terre Haute, where he remained five years ; he was next engaged in the same business with Jacob D. Early three years ; in 1860, he came to Mattoon and took charge of a packing-house for Messrs. Miller & John- son, and remained with them four years ; in 1864, he took charge of a similar estab- lishment for P. H. Flarity, remaining nine years; he next engaged in his present business. He was married Oct. 20, 1849, to Eveline Baile}', a native of Indiana ; has had six children — Mary E., Laura L., William H., Emma, Charles L., living; Ocalla, deceased. Owns city prop- erty. He superintended the constructinn of the reservoir designed to supply the city with water. ADOLF SUMERLIN, editor and attorney at law, Mattoon ; born in Keo- saucjua, Iowa, Aug. 24, 1851 ; moved with his parents, Rufus and I. A. Sumerlin, to a farm in Scotland Co., Mo., in 1859 ; his father having embarked in the newspaper business in Memphis in 1860, he com- menced learning the printer's trade ; in 1865, he moved to Shelbyville, 111.; in 1869, he conducted the reportorial depart- ment of the Shelby Leader, which his father had purchased in 1865 ; in the same year, commenced reading law with Thorn- ton & Wendling ; moved with his parents to Springfield, Mo., in April, 1871, and after completing his law studies in Phelps & Me Abel's office, was admitted to practice in the courts of Missouri in October, 1871 ; moved to Mattoon, 111., in September, 1872, and with his father purchased the Mattoon Commercial ; they continued to run the paper together until August, 1876, when the paper was purchased by the Mattoon Commercial Printing Co., who appointed A. Sumerlin editor ; at present, is editor of the Commercial and practicing law. CAPT. T. E. WOODS, editor Mattoon Journal. Mattoon ; was born June 2, 1837, near the present village of Stockton, Coles Co.. [11.; his education was secured in subscri])tion and common schools, and for a short time he attended an academy ; he usually walked or rode from two to five miles each morning to attend school ; at the age of 17, he began teaching school, and followed that occupation till he reached his majority ; he was Deputy Postmaster at Mattoon during 1855 and 1856 ; he then edited and publislied the Mattoon Gazette from 1857 to 1860 ; during the year 1861, he edited the Charleston Courier; in the summer of 1862, he enlisted I MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 557 in Co. A, 123d I. Mounted Inf., , was mustered in Co. F, and went to the field as Quartermaster Sergeant ; he was made Sergeant Major at Maysville, Ala.; ' commissioned Captain Co. H,at Stevenson, Ala., early in 1864, and commanded it to the close of the war ; since the war. he has conducted the Mattoon Journal, first as a weekly, next as a tri- weekly and at present as a daily. At present he resides in Wash- ington, I). C, where he fills an appoint- ment in the Post Office Department. REV. J. W. WOODS, C. P. minister, Mattoon ; was born in the Territory of Indiana, Feb. 5, 1815. He Ls the son of "Wm. G. and Rachel (Lester) Woods ; his father was a farmer and his early boyhood days were spent upon the farm ; his educa- tion was obtained mainly at Pilot Knob Academy, under the instruction of Prof D. R. Harris; when 10 years of age, he came '. ■with his parents to Clark Co., III. ; his father settling about four miles east of the present town of Marshall, his house became the resort for most business transactions in that part of the county ; it was the " preaching-place " for fifteen years, until the building of a church in the neighbor- hood. At the age of 17, young Woods be- came a member of the church, and in May, 1834, of the Presbytery; in June, 1837, he began his public ministry in Clark Co., 111., and, for a number of y«ars, labored in Coles, Douglas, Cumberland, Shelby and other counties in this section ; in October, 1839, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry; in 1859, he ; moved to Mattoon for the purpose of build- ing the church in the city ; under his direc- tion and superintendence, the church was built, and he was Pastor until September, 1861, when he entered the U. S. service as Chaplain of the 5th I. V. C., and remained in the service until Jan. 8, 1865 ; on his re- turn from the army, he again labored for the church in Mattoon one year and four months ; two years ago, he built the church ten miles south of Mattoon, in Cumberland Co., called Woods' Chapel, and has since labored for the congregation at that point. He was married Nov. 4, 1841, to Eliza A. Funkhouser, a native of Wayne Co., 111.; nine children have been born to them — Mary C. (wife of W. B. Dunlap), Elizabeth J., Cynthia A. (wife of J. R. Tobey), Celestina C. (wife of O. C. Hoddy), Eliza N. (wife of E. V. Burnett), William L'R., John P., Ida Belle, Alice L. ; of these, Elizabeth J. and William L'R. are deceased. Has been a member of the City Council and East Side School Board. He has always been liberal in the use of his means toward the Church. H. C. WATSON, time-keeper and clerk M. M. I. & St. L. shops, Mattoon ; was born in New Madrid, New Madrid Co., Mo., July 27, 1827; his father .was a Scotchman and was one of the early West- ern pioneers, having come West as early as 1805. Having obtained a good com- mon school education, in 1844, he became a student in Prof. J. B. Anderson's high school, in New Albany, Ind. ; this he at- tended one year; in 1845, he attended St. Vincent's College at Cape Girardeau ; in 1848, he matriculated in Bethany Col- lege, Va., and remained one year ; on his return home, he engaged in merchandising, and followed the business till 1863; by reason of the war, he lost most of his stock and trade ; he moved with his family to Litchfield, 111., and, in 1865, entered the offiiceof the Master Mechanic of the St. L., A. & T. H. R. R., as clerk and time- keeper; in 1867, the I. & St. L. leased the road, and, in 1870, when the shops were removed from Litchfield to Mattoon, he came with them. He was married in November, 1852, to Sarah C. Post, a na- tive of Alton, 111. ; has five children — ■ William G., Harry W., Frank E., Jennie, Gertie. Has held the office of School Director, East Side. 558 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: EAST OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. JACOB V. D. ANNIN, farmer, de- ceased ;in the early part of tho seventeenth century, there emigrated from their native land of Scotland, one John Annin, with his family, and settled in the beautiful State of New Jersey, where he erected a log house, in which he and his family lived for manj' years ; and if it be asked. How came his lot to be cast in that fertile valley, far from the land of his birth? the answer is til be found in the terrible story of the religious persecutions that, in the latter part of the seventeenth, and the early part of the eighteenth century, desolated and depopulated the land of his birth; in the year 1766, William Annin (son of John Annin) who emigrated with his par- ents from Scotland, erected near the old log cabin, a stone house, the history of which occupies a dear place in the hearts of the descendants of its builder, who was a stern Whig patriot in the New Jersey Legislature for a period of thirty years, and who furnished all the aid and comfort in his power to the friends of free gov- ernment, during the dark days of the Revolutionary struggle ; in this house, he and his descendants lived for four genera tions; in this house was born John Annin, son of William Annin, the builder, and father of Jacob V. I). Annin, who was also born in the old stone house, Juno 4, 1796 ; here he passed the days of his youth ; a description of the above house, is given in a work entitled " Centennial Celebration of the Annin Family at the Old Stone House, in Somerset Co., N. J., Aug. 15, 1866 ; " the description is given as follows : The scene of this celebration was an old stone house, some 50 feet front, by 40 in depth, with substantial walls, wide hall, and large open stairway ; it stands embowered in trees in one of the prettiest little valleys of the State, through which flows a small stream, a branch of the head- waters of the Pas-saic ; on the above date, the descendants of John Annin, met in this venerable mansion to thank God, for these, and all other blessings, which, during that century had attended them and theirs ; they came, representatives of every period of life, from infancy to old age ; they came in number 120, at the invitation of the venerable owner and occupant, then in his 77th year; they visited the baiscment, where, during the Revolution, patriot soldiers had cooked their frugal rations, where, at other times, schools had been kept, and the Word of God had been preached to attentive audiences, convened from the neighborhood ; here the subject of this sketch, Jacob V. D. Annin, passed the days of his youth ; here he received his education, and labored upon the farm, and continued to live in Somerset Co., N. J., until 1850, when, seeking new fields of labor, he emigrated with his fam- ily West, and located first in Lee Co., 111., where he lived until 1S52, when he located in East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., III., where he engaged in farming until his decease. His marriage with Letty Winne, was cele- brated Dee. 27, 1821 ; she was born in Bergen Co., N. J., April 4, 1803 ; she died in Coles Co., 111., April 14, 1873, leaving four children now living — John, Martin W., Samuel A. and Jacob V. W. (the biographies of the last three will be found in this work) ; Mr. Annin was one of the most industrious, hard-working and suc- cessful farmers in the township in which he lived, and was held in high esteem and great respect in the community in which he lived ; he died June 15, 1878, upon the place where he had lived since his first settlement in Coles Co. MARTIN W. ANNIN, carpenter and builder, Oakland; the subject of this sketch is the son of J. V. D. Annin, whose bi- ography appears in this work, and whose genealogy is given for four generations past ; he was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Jan. 5, 1831, where he engaged in farming until 15 years of age, when he went to Brook- lyn, N. Y., and learned and worked at' the carpenter trade until 20 years of age, when he emigrated; with his parents, and located in Lee Co., III., in 1850, remain- ing here a short time, when he went to Peoria Co., and worked at his trade until January, 1852, when he removed to Oakland, Coles Co., III., and engaged in contracting and building, which busi- ness he has since successfully fol- lowed ; he owns his residence in Oakland, which he erected in 1877 ; EAST OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 559 also his shop, located at Lauson's lumber- yard, East Oakland Depot; his business card will be found in the business directory of Oakland, in another part of this work. He married Jan. 10, 18(31, to Angeliue T. Payne; she was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, July 27, 1833, and emigrated with her parents to this county in 1835; they have one child by this union — OUie. born June 15. 1864. SAMUEL A. ANNIN, farmer, S. 23 ; P. 0. Oakland ; born in Somerset Co., N. J., Nov. 8, 1836, where he attended school until 1850, when he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in Wyo- ming Tp., Lee Co., where he assisted his father iu farming until January, 1852, when he located in East Oakland Tp., and engaged in farming, which business he has since followed, living upon the old home- stead where his father first located in 1852, during a period of nearly thirty years ; he, with his younger brother, owns some 400 acres of land, which is well improved, and upon which, they each have good build- ings. He married May 3, 1866, to Sarah M. Hall ; she was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Nov. 13, 1841 ; they have two chil- dren by this union, viz.: Winnie, born Aug. 7, 1867; George, Aug. 5, 1869. Mrs. Annin emigrated from Ohio and lo- cated in Illinois when 8 years of age ; Mr. Anniu is son of Jacob V. D. Annin, whose biography appears in the biographical .sketches of this township. J.V.W. ANNIN, farmer; P.O. Oakland; born in Somerset Co., N. J., July 29, 1841 ; he emigrated with his parents when he was 9 years of age, and located in Wyoming Tp., Lee Co., 111., in 1850, living there until January, 1852, when he removed with his parents to East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., 111., where he has since con- tinued to live ; he, with his brother Sam- uel, own 400 acres of land, among which, is the old homestead, upon which they set- tled when they first located here nearly thirty years ago ; while they own the above property in company, each has a good set of buildings of his own. He married Feb. 24, 1871, Martha A. Boyle; she was born in New Jersey Aug. 1 ,1846 (her parents were among the early settlers of Coles Co. ); they have five children by this union, viz., Co- ra A., Albert S., Edward M., Robert A. and Arthur C, Mr. Annin is the youn- gest son of Jacob V. D. Annin, who loca- ted here in 1852, and whose biography appears in this work, and in which appeari the genealogy for the past four genera- tions of the Annin family. S. H. ASHMORE, fiirmer and stock- raiser; P.O. Kansas; born in Butler Co., Ky., Jan. 29, 1822 ; he emigrated with his par- ents when quite young and located in Clark Co., Ill, about the year 1826, where he lived until about 1828, when he re- moved to Coles Co., and located before the organization of the township in what ia now known as Ashmore Tp., where he lived until 1836, when he located in East Oakland Tp., where he has since lived. He lived with his parents until 23 years of age, at which time he married, and rent- ing a farm, commenced farming for himself; his stock then consisted of a team of po- nies and two cows ; after renting two years he purchased eighty acres of land, for which he partly paid at the time, the balance was paid within two years ; he has added since by purchase, until he now owns upward of 600 acres iu Coles and Edgar Counties. He married June, 1845, to ftlatilda Boyer ; she was born in Edgar Co., Oct. 4, 1827 ; she died Oct. 14, 1875, leaving five 'children, two of which are since deceased ; the names of the living are William M., Nancy J. (now Mrs. James Buckler), and Emanda E. Mr. Ashmore held the office of School Director iu his district for upward of twenty years. J. H. BRANNON, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Oakland; born in Rockingham Co. Va., Sept. 1, 1836, where he engaged in farming until 19 years of age, when, in 1855, he emigrated to Missouri, where his father died soon after his arrival, when he returned to Virginia, remaining during the winter, and, in the spring of 1856, he re- turned to Illinois, and located in Oakland Tp., Coles Co., and engaged in farming, which business he has since successfully followed; he owns 200 acres of land, mostly under cultivation. His marriage with Sally A. Troswell was celebrated Nov. 11, 1858 ; she was born in Coles Co., 111., her parents being among the early pioneers of this county, settling here at an early day ; they have eight children by this union — Winfield, Edward, Clara, Semantha H., John W., Hiram L., Franklin and Min- nie L. 560 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOHN BUCKLER, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Oakland ; born in Marion Co., Ky., June 22, 1838, where he was engaged farming until l(i years of age, when he removed to Illinois and located in Edgar Co., in 1854, where he was employed as farm laborer until 1862, at which time he rented and farmed until 1874, when he purchased eighty acres, which he worked four years ; then sold out, and, after living in Douglas Co. eight months, purchased his present place of 160 acres, where he now lives, on Sec. 4, East Oakland Tp. He married April 7, 186j, to Harriet Davis ; she was born in Clark Co., 111.; they have five children by this union, viz., Rosannah, Richard T., Emma Jane, Lor- enzo Dow, Nettie V. JOHN BUR WELL, retired farmer ; P. O. Oakland; born in Morris Co., N. J., Feb. 1, 1813, where he engaged in the manufacture of wrought iron until 19 years of age, when he emigrated West and engaged at his trade in the States of Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio, until 1840, when he abandoned his trade and located upon his farm in Delaware Co., Ohio, where he lived until 1851, when, selHng his farm, he emigrated West and located in Embarrass Tp., Edgar Co., 111., purchasing a farm of 480 acres, which he worked unlil the spring of 185G, when he removed to Oakland, where he has since continued to live, with the exception of two years which he spent upon his farm; he owns 310 acres of prairie and timber land in Coles Co., 111., and 320 acres in Henry Co., near Newton, Kan. He mar- ried Sept. 19, 1833, to Missouri Thorp; she was born in Franklin Co., Ohio ; she died in 1853, leaving five children — Amos, Mary, Moses, John, Alice. His marriage with Lucy Ann Terhune was celebrated Sept. 19, 1853; she was born in Johnson Co., Ind. ; she died in 1856, leaving one chijd, since deceased. He married April 18, 1857, for his third wife, Nannie McCrum ; she was born in Huntingdon Co., Pcnn., Oct. 3, 1820 ; one vhild was the fruit of this union — Frank P., born Dec. 31, 1859. Mr. Burwell i'ullowed milling in Oakland from 1856 until 1875, when he rented his flour and feed mill and retired from active labor. JOSIAH H. Bi;SBEY, book-keeper, Okaland ; born in Coles Co., 111., Jan. 6, 1847, where he engaged in farming and attended school until Feb. 24, 1864, when he enlisted in the 66th I. V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union ; the 66th was composed of picked men from the va- rious Northwe.stern States, elected for their skill and accuracy in handling the rifle, and in the army was known as the Western Sharpshooters ; they always led the advance, and in important battles were detailed in sijuads to silence rebel bat- tries, which duty they often accomplished by their unerring aim, and many a Union soldier to-day owes his existence to the skill and bravery of the gallant 66th ; he was with Sherman on his march to and at the siege and capture of Atlanta ; at Lay's Ferry, being in the advance, they fought their way, step by step, for eight miles, losina: heavily in killed and wounded ; in the battles of Rome Cross Roads, Dal- las and Kenesaw Mountain, they suft'ered severely; he was with Sherman on his march through Georgia to the sea, arriving in Savannah to spend the Christmas of 1864 ; he then marched with his regiment north through North and South Carolina, being engaged in many battles until reach- ing Morrisville Station, N. C, when the 66th again had their position in the ad vanee of Sherman, not to deadly conflict- as they had many times been before, but. to receive the surrender of Johnston and his army ; he then marched to Richmond, Va., then to Washington, where, after the review of the army, he went to Louisville, Ky., where he was mustered out of the service July 7, 1865 ; in 1864, while com- ing North upon a furlough, he was made prisoner, but paroled, and at the expiration of his furlough, again joined his regiment, and remained until the close of the war. After being mustered out of .service, he re- turned to Oakland, and worked at harness making for two years, when he went to Kansas, where he clerked eight months, re- turning to Illinois, he worked at his trade for six months, which he then abandoned ■ on account of ill-health, and, in 1870, en- gaged as a book-keeper and head clerk in the dry goods hcjuse of L. S. & S. M. Cash, which position he has since held, with tlie exception of three years, which he spent in Virginia, on account of the ill- health of his wife. Ho married Nov. 18, 1869, Mary B. Cash, daughter of Cary J. EAST OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 561 Cash, and niece of L. S. & S. M. Cash; she was born in Amherst Co., Va., July 15, 1851 ; one child was the fruit of the union — Ollie Jlay, deceased. W. D. BUSBEY, farmer and harness- maker, Oakland ; one of the pioneers of Coles Co. ; born in Clark Co., Ohio, Doc. 28, 1820, where he engaged in farming un- til 19 years of age, when he emigrated West in 1839, and located in Coles. Co., 111., where he engaged in farming for a pe- riod of fifteen years ; in 1860, he located in Oakland, and engaged in the harness and saddlery trade, which business he has since followed, in connection with farming ; he owns his shop and eighty acres of land, upon which his residence stands, which he erected in 1854; he held the office of Jus- tice of the Peace for upward of sixteen years in the township in which he lives. He married in April, 1845, to Letitia Black ; she was born in Indiana in 1824 ; she died May 1, 1855, leaving three chil- dren — Josiah, Milton and WiUiam. His marriage with Margaret A. Newman, was celebrated Feb. 23, 1860; she was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., Dec. 18, 1826 ; they have one child now living by this union — Frankie. Her parents were pioneer settlers of Coles Co., locating here in 1834. Mr. Busbey has been a resident of Oakland since 1845, a period of upward of thirty- three years. S. M. CASH, merchant, deceased ; born in Nelson Co., Va., March 13, 1829, where he lived until 8 years of age, when he removed to Amherst Co., where he at- tended school and engaged in farming until 16 years of age, after which time he was engaged for eighteen months at Lexington learning the cabinet-maker's trade ; then coming West he located in Paris, Edgar Co., 111., in the fall of 1847, where he completed his trade, when he associated with his brother Henry, and located in Westfield, Clark Co., where they engaged ill the furniture trade from 1849 until the .spring of 1851, when he located at Oak- land, where he engaged in the furniture business until 1856 ; at which time he as- sociated with his brother, L. S. Cash, in the dry goods trade, which business he continued in connection with forming, stock-raising and shipping until his death, which occurred April 12, 1877; in the spring of 1869, their store with its contents was destroyed by fire, by which they met with a loss of upward of $8,000 above in.surance ; they at once erected a fine brick store, into which they moved, and the sur- viving partner still continues the business under the old firm name. His marriage with Adeline Crawford was celebrated April 18, 1850 ; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio, April 17, 1831 ; eight children were the fruit of this union, five of which are deceased, the names of the living are Alice M., now Mrs. J. R. Lauson, born Dec. 31, 1854 ; Wilson M., born Dec. 6, 1861, and Stanley C, born March 15, 1871. Mr. Cash was an active member of the I. 0. O. F. and Oakland Lodge, No. 219, A., F. & A. M, Oakland Chapter No. 153, R. A. M., and a Knight Templar, being a member of the Palestine Commandery at Paris ; he was a member of the Methodist Church for eighteen years previous to his death, and was held in high esteem and great respect in the community in which he lived. REV. J. P. CAMPBELL, minister and editor of Oakland Herald, Oakland ; born in Macoupin Co., 111., June 9, 1842 ; when 2 years of age, he removed with his parents to Clinton Co., where, after living five years he removed to Kentucky, where he attended the common schools until 19 years old, when he entered the Beuleyville Academy, and, after attending several months, enlisted as private in the 3d Ken- tucky Cavalry, serving six months, when, on account of physical disability, he was discharged ; after remaining at home three months, he re-;nlisted for twelve months in the 52d Kentucky Mounted Infantry, serving eighteen months ; he was mustered out, and enlisted in the 17th Kentucky Cavalry, and served during the war ; he then finished his education at the academy ■ and engaged in school-teaching and preach- ing until 1871, when he located in Coles Co., 111., and after preaching in Ashmore, and other churches in the circuit until 1877, then located in Oakland, where he now lives ; in the spring of 1878, he be- came editor of the Oakland Herald, which position he now holds ; this is the only pa- per in the town of Oakland. He married April 5, 1867, to Lucy E. Johnson ; she was born in Breckinridge Co., Ky., March 29, 1849 ; they have three children now 56-2 BIOURAPHICAL SKETCHES : living by this union — Tiiomas J., Jethro P. and William H. L. S. CASH, merchant, farmer and stock-raiser, Oakland; born in Nelson Co., Va., Jan. 12, 1827, where he attended school until 10 years of age, when, upon his father's decease, he removed to Amherst Co., where he attended school and engaged in farming until 18-17, when he, with the family, emigrated West, and located in Paris, 111., in October, of the same year ; during the December following, he buried his mother and two older brothers within a period of ten days ; he learned and worked at the plasterer's trade here for two years, when, in March, 1850, he started overland, with an ox-team, for California, taking the old Oregon route, via Fort Hall, and, on August 18, of the same year, he arrived at the Placerville diggings, where he remained a short time ; then to Sumner River, then to North Greenwood Valley ; during the winter and the spring following, he went twenty-five miles south of Placer- ville to Dry Creek, where, meeting with fair success, he remained until his return home, sailing upon June 1, 1853; coming via New York, he arrived in Paris, 111., July 1, making the trip in thirty days ; he then located in Oakland, where he worked at the plasterer's trade until 185G, when he engaged in the dry goods trade, with his brother, under the firm name of L. S. & S. M. Cash, which hi> still continues, since the death of his brother, which occurred April 12, 1S77; he has had the entire management of the store, together with 800 acres of land, which they owned to- gether at the above date; in 1869, their store, with its contents, was destroyed by fire, by which they met with a loss of B8,000, above in.surancc ; he erected hi.s fine brick residence in 1874, where he has since lived. He married. May 2, 1860, Roena Sargent ; she was born in Coles Co. May 10,1839; she died March 18, 1869, leaving two children, now living — Ella W. and Lulu R. ; his marriage with Susan Green was celebrated Dec. 30, 1873 ; she was born in Coles Co. Nov. 17. 1S14; they hare two children, now living, by this union — Logan S. and Alice. MARION P.CASH,traveling.salesmau; P. 0. Terre Haute, Ind. ; born in Nelson Co., Va., April 14, 1833, he removed to Amherst Co., with the family, when 4 years of age, where he lived until 14 yejirs of age, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in Paris, Edgar Co., in the fall uf 1847; after farming one year, he learned and worked at the cabinet-maker's trade for three years, in Paris ; he came to Oak- land, Coles Co., and worked one year at kis trade, when he engaged with his brother in the furniture trade for two years; he then sold out and engaged in the drug trade one year ; in 1855, he was appointed Postmaster of Oakland, at which date he engaged in the grocery and confectionery trade, which he continued until 1857, when he sold out and again engaged in the fur- niture business until 1861, when he re- moved to Westfield, Clark Co., and man- aged the merchandise trade of H. H. Cash & Bro., until 1863; he then engaged as traveling salesman for a wholesale notion house at Terre Haute one year ; he then went to Cincinnati and engaged in the same business until 1867, when he bought out a dry goods store at Kans;is Station, which he ran until 1869, when, selling out, he again engaued as traveling sales- man, which business he continued until 1877, for Torre Haute and Cincinnati wholesale houses; in 1877, he engaged in farming, and in September, 1878, he en- gaged as traveling salesman for the Terre Haute Woolen-Mills, which business he has since followed. He married, March 31, 1853, to Elizabeth J. Ashmore ; she was born in East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., 111., March 23. 1833; she was a daughter of James Ashmore, who emigrated from Tennessee, aud located in Coles Co., at a very early period, where he lived until his decease ; Mr. Cash has eight children now living — William A , Marcus L., Emery E., Sarah B., Rosa A., George B., Marion R. and Alvin B. ; Mr. Cash is a brother of L. S. and S. M. Cash, whose biographies ap- pear among the biographies of Oakland Tp. R. B. CLARKE, merchant, Oakland; born in Madison Co., N. Y., Oct. 3, 1814, wliere he was engaged in farming until he attained his majority, when he emigrated to Ohio, where he engaged in theunrchan- dise trade and distilling whisky for cigli- t,?en y(!Brs ; in 1852, lie came to Illinois, and, in 1854, located in Oakland, and, with C. Clement, erected the fir-it flour, feed and saw mill built in thi> town; he fol- lowed this business for ujiward of twelve EAST OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 563 years, when he sold his mill; in 1868, he engaged in the grocery and hardware trade, which he has since successfully followed, being assisted in the same by his son, Orrin M. He married, Oct. 1, 1849, to Margaret D. Welch; she was born in Pair- field" Co., Ohio, Jan. 31, 1816; they have four children now living by this union, viz.: Orrin M., Clara B.. Mary J. and Odd R., Orrin M. Clark, the oldest son, was born in Ohio May 15, 18.50; he was married to Alice K. Adams July 15, 1874 ; she was born in Lawrence Co., Ind., Jan. 27, 1859 ; they are the parents of three children now living, viz., Clara B., Claude D. and Jessie C. ; Mr. Clark is engaged with his father in the general management of his business. T. S. COFFIN, merchant, Oakland ; born in Cornville, Somerset Co., Me., Oct. 7, 1832, where he was engaged in farming and attending school in winter until 18 years of age, when, after finishing lii.-* academical studies, he engaged in school-teaching for two years, then as clerk in dry goods store four years ; he then engaged in the dry goods business for two years, when, in 1858, he went to California, where he resided about nine years, mining and speculating in mines, making and losing several fortunes, but finally was successful, and in the fall of 1867, he .spent the winter visiting the .scenes of his childhood in Maine, and the following spring, located in the dry goods trade at Oakland, which business he has since successfully followed. His marriage with Susan J. Winkler was celebrated March 5. 1872; she is daughter of David Winkler, one of the pioneers of Coles Co. They have three children by this union, viz., Carrie E., Eda M. and Harry H. RICHARD COLE, farmer; P. 0. Oak- land ; born in Putnam Co., Ind., Dec. 8, 1835. where he attended school during winter and engaged in farming until 1871, when he emigrated to Illinois and located upon his present place, where he has since continued to live. Upon his arrival here, he purchased 160 acres of land, mostly prairie, where he ' has since success- fully followed f^irming. He married Catharine A. Swinford April 13, 1858; they have three children now living by thiii union — James P., born Feb. 25, 1861 ; Mary E., born Jan. 23, 1863; Lucy A., born March 2, 1868. Mr. Cole has held the oflBce of School Director in the district in which he lives. Mrs. Cole was born in Harrison Co., Ky., July 23, 1 838 ; her parents removed to Indiana when she was an infant, where she lived until her marriage. EDWARD CONAGHAN, merchant, Oakland; born in County Donegal, Ire- land, Aug. 15, 1841, where he engaged in farming until 18 years of age, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York in the fall of 1859 ; coming directly to Charleston, he engaged with his brother peddling, taking his stock of goods upon his back and selling from house to house ; after following this for uine months for his brother, he commenced peddling on his own account, taking his first stock of goods, which invoiced at $20, in a pack upon his back, working in all kinds of weather, until 1863, when he associated with his brother and engaged in the hotel business at Peoria, 111., which, proving un- profitable, they closed out, and, after pay- ing all their indebtedness, he had barely enough means left to again start his porta- ble dry goods and notion store, which con- sisted, as described above, of his pack, which he carried upon his back, buying his goods direct from first hands in New York, which enabled him to compete with the largest dealers in Coles Co.; he con- tinued doing business in this manner un- til 1871, when he associated with David Jones, and located in Oakland in the grocery and queensware trade, which they continued until Jan. 3, 1876, when, pur- chasing his partner's interest, he added a stock of dry goods, clothing, etc., until he now carries a stock second to none in town, and his bu.siness is yearly increasing. Upon his arrival at Charleston, he was not only penniless, but was in debt for his fare to this country, and his first earnings were used to pay this indebtedness; he now has a good property which he has accu- mulated by his hard labor, perseverance and industry, and the above traits of char- acter are well worthy of imitation. JOHN a. CRAWFORD, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O.Oakland; born in Morgan Co., Ind., Aug. 10, 1837, where he attended school in winter and was engaged in farm- ing in summer until he was 23 years of 4 ' 564 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: age, when, in the spring of 1860, he re- moved to Illinois, locating in Douglas Co., where he engaged in farming until 1865, when he returned to his native home, re- maining there two years ; then coming West again, he continued farming nearly two years in Douglas Co., when in 1869, he removed to Oakland and erected a fine residence where he now lives ; he also owns several farms, containing upward of 1000 acres, in this and adjoining counties, all under cultivation ; he makes a specialty of stock-raising, usually feeding from lOO to 200 head of cattle. He married Jan. 10, 1866, to Virginia Valodin ; she was born in New Madrid, Mo., November, 1838 ; three children were the fruits of this union — Dora and James, both deceased, John F., now living, born Aug. 9, 1874. CHARLES CURTIS, flirmer; P.O Oak- land; born in Oakland, Coles Co., 111., Dec 5, 1841 ; his father died when he was an in- fant, and he continued to live with his mother until her marriage with John Dol- lar, with whom he then lived until the spring of 1862, when he enlisted in the 63d I. V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union ; he was in many severe battles, among which were the siege and capture of Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Mis- sionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Atlan- ta, and was with Sherman's army through Georgia, spending the Christmas of 1864 in Savannah ; then north through South and North Carolina, being in many engage- ments, until the sun-euder of Johnston and his army, when he continued his march via Richmond to Washington, where, after the grand review of the army, he with his regiment went to Louisville, Ky., where he was mustered out of service, after which, he went to Springfield, where he received his discharge in July, 1865, hav- ing served upward of three years in the Union army; he then returned to Coles Co., 111., and. in the spring of 1866, re- moved upon his present place, where he has since lived. He married A]iril, 1864, to Martha I. Hannah ; she was born in North Carolina in 1844, and died January, 1873. leaving three children now living, viz., James W., Lueinda E. and Roddie Ells- worth ; his marriage with Margaret M. Yeager was celebrated April 30, 1874; she was born in Ohio April 18, 1855; three children were the fruit of this union. one of which is deceased ; the living are Lula M., born Oct. 3, 1876, and John Sherman, March 14, 1878. A. A. DUNSETH, Police Magistrate and Justice of the Peace, Oakland ; born in Fleming Co., Ky., Oct. 12, 1821 ; he removed with his parents, when 6 years of age, to Ohio, where he learned and worked at the carpenter trade until 1843, when became West and located at Peoria, 111., wurkiug at his trade until 1852, when he removed to Georgetown, 111., where he kept hotel two years, when he purchased a saw-mill, which he ran in connection with his trade until 1858, when he removed to Danville, and engaged in contracting and building until 1861, when he raised a company for the 4th Illinois Cavalry, but the regiment having obtained its full quota of compa- nies, his company was not accepted, the members joining other companies to fill up the regiment; in 1862, he visited the Un- ion Hospitals at Louisville, Ky,, and find- ing a wide field for labor in the interest of the soldiers of Illinois, he decided to re- main there and labor in behalf of the same ; he immediately entered upon this noble duty, laboring for the relief of suffering patriots of ; his State without compensation and defray- ing his own expenses for three months, when the hospital was visited by Dr. W. E. Fithian, J. L. Tincher and Judge Terry, of Danville; they atonce saw theamount ofgood being accomplished through the agency of i Mr. Dunseth, when they immediately de- manded of Gov. Yat(^s that Illinois should have a State Agent to look afler our suf- fering soldiers, and suggested Mr. Dun- j scth as a suitable person to fill the pusition. This was at once acted upon, and he re- ceived his commission as State Agent, dat- ing from the time he first came to the hos- pitals. He had never made application for the above position, and when he re- ceived his commissinn, it was much of a surprise to him. The writer of this I sketch has seen many letters to Mr. Dun- seth from prominent men, both in civil and military life, expressing thanks and grati- tude to him for the noble spirit he hai* shown in behalf of the soldiers of the Union army. At the close of the war, he returned to Danville and engaged in rail- road bridging in Illinois and the Southern 1 States until 1872, when he removed to Oakland, where he has since lived. He mar- EAST OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 565 ried Oct. 17, 1844, to Mary Burnside, i cousin of Gen. A. E. Burnside ; she was horn in Kentucky May 29, 1821 ; they are the parents of five children, now liv- ing, viz.. Sarah E., David W., Charles A., Alice M. and James H. Mr. Dunseth has always labored in behalf of Christian- ity and temperance : was a charter mem- \ ber of Lodge No. 2, Sons of Temperance, at Peoria, 111., and has been a brother Odd Fellow for the past thirty-four years. THOMAS H. DUNCAN; P.O.Oakland; born in Clark Co., 111., April 29, 1844, where he attended school and engaged in farming until August 1, 1862, when he ■ enlisted as private in Co. A (Capt. James B. Hill), of the 123d Regt. I. V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union ; he ', first went to Louisville, Ky., then march- i ing South, was engaged in the battle of Prairieville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, going then to Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he remained until May, 1863, when, on account of dis- ability, he received his discharge, and, re- turning home, engaged in farming for a short time ; then, after attending the West- field College one term, he engaged as clerk in the dry goods store of J. M. Miller, at Charleston, 111., which position he held for nearly two j'ears, when, on account of ill- health, he returned home, where he re- mained until the fall of 1868, when he entered the college at Eureka, 111., where, after attending one term, he worked as clerk in the stores of Kirkbride and Mar- cilleot, at Eureka, during the summer, and in the fall again entered the college, but on account of ill-health was unable to re- main but a short time. In early life, he had formed a determination to obtain a collegiate education, and his lack of means only tended to stimulate his energies in that direction, and to obtain the means to defray his expenses while attending col- lege, he employed all his time, Saturdays, mornings and evenings clerking ; this la- bor, added to his hard study, so imiiaired health that he was obliged to give up his long cherished hope of graduating from college ; he then returned home and re- mained during the winter, and the follow- ing spring was employed as clerk for Wil- son Bros., Charleston, 111., for six months, when he engaged dealing in pictures, chro- UKis, etc., until the following January, when he engaged in the sewing-machine business, which he followed until July 1, 1873, when he purchased a stock of goods and located in Oakland, where he has since continued to live ; he was described to the writer as being the tallest man in Oakland,be- ing six feet five and one-half inches in height, and while in the army was known as little Tommy Duncan. His marriage wi^li lone B. Decker was celebrated Nov. 28, 1872; she was born in Coles Co., 111., March 17, 1851 ; they have two children by this un- ion, viz., Gertrude Q. and Jacob L. Mrs. Duncan is the daughter of Jacob K. Deck- er, one of the early pioneers of Charles- ton, Coles Co., III. JOHN DOLLAR, farmer and stock- raiser; P. O.Oakland ; born in Perthshire, Scotland, July 1, 1807, where he engaged in farming until 83 years of age, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York in June, 1840, coming to Chicago via canal and lakes, where he hired a team to transport him to Coles Co., pay- ing for the same the sum of $40 ; arriving here in July, he located eighty acres of land on Section 2, in what is now known as East Oakland Tp., upon which he com- menced to make improvements, employing his spare time for several years in ditching for other parties ; he located upon his present place in 1849, which contains 263 acres, and upon which he has a complete set of buildings which he has erected since that date ; he also iiwns 200 acres of land in other parts of the county, all of which he has secured by his own hard labor ; in the fall of 1842, he made two trips to Chicago, taking up wheat which he sold at 64 cents per bushel, receiving his pay in leather, salt and groceries ; the time consumed on each trip being eighteen days. Mr. Dollar, though in his 72d year, is in possession of all his faculties and daily attends to the feeding and care of his stock, of which he has 40 head of cat- tle, 7 horses, 100 hogs and 30 sheep. He married in Scotland in the spring of 1833, to Margaret Carmichael ; she was born in Perthshire, Scotland, and died April 23, 1837, leaving one child, which died Aug. 28, of the same year ; his marriage with Mrs. Sarah Curtis was celebrated April 8, 1847 ; .she was the daughter of James D. Hunt, one of the early pioneers of Coles Co., and was born in Clark Co., Ohio, 566 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Aug. 19, 1822; they have four children now living by this union, viz., Margaret J., Nancy Isabel, Sarah A. and Ralph D. Mr. Dollar has always taken a deep inter- est in the cause of religion and education, having been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for upward of thirty years ; he was a strong Unionist during the late war, and in January, 1865, his house was visited by a band of despera- does in the night, and with the revolvers of five blackened villains presented to him- self and family, they demanded his money, of which they obtained upward of $600 and made away with their spoils ; four of the five were afterward captured and lodged in the Jail at Charleston, but broke jail and all escaped the penalty of their crimes. Mr. Dollar lost his father by death in September, 1840; his mother died in 1846. N. R. DUER. farmer and school-teach- er ; P. O. Oakland ; born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, May 13, 1832, where he attended scho'il and engaged in farming until he at- tained his majority, when he engaged in school-teaching one year ; he then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, located at Delaware, which he attended for upward of two y(!ars ; lie then engaged in farming and school-teaching in Ohio, until 1862, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in Clark Co., where he followed teaching and farming until 1 864, when he located in Coles Co., and engaged in teaching in Oakland one year, and one year in East Oakland Tj). ; he then returned to Clark Co., and for three years was employed in teaching in Clark and Cumberland Cos. ; he then engaged in the drug-trade, at Farmington, Coles Co., which business he followed until the fall of 1875, when lu^ engaged in drug trade at Oakland, with N. R. Moore, und(!r the firm name of Duer & Moore, which business continued until March, 1878, when he sold his inter- est and agaih resumed farming and school- teaching. He married, Aug. 14, 1861, to Jane Elder : she was born in Ohio July 10, 18:!8; died Oct. 5, 1862, leaving no children ; his marriage with Celia E. Fer- guson w;ui celebrated July 21. 1863 ; she was born in (/lark Co. April 15, 1842; they have four children now living by this union, viz., Jane, Charles S., Alice May and .'Vnielia (J. HUGH DAUGHERTY, farmer; P.O. Oakland ; born in Coles Co., 111., Jan. 25, 1830, in which county he has always lived ; he is the son of John Daugherty, one of the earliest pioneers of Illinois, who emi- grated from North Carolina and located in Illinois about the year 1828 ; he died about the year 1860, in East Oakland Tp., Coles Co. ; the subject of this sketch, as- sisted his father farming until 17 years of age, when he was employed as farm laborer for two years, when he commenced fiirm- ing, renting for a period of five years, when he purchased forty acres, since which time he has farmed his own land ; he now owns eighty-seven acres on See. 29 ; when he first commenced farming, his capital con- sisted of one horse and two cows, and he was in debt about $200 ; his first tax was 50 cents. He married, March 27, 1851, to Matilda Hite ; she was born in Ohio Oct. 6, 1823 ; she died Jan 2, 1872, leaving five children, now living — Sarah A., Andrew, John M., Mahalia and Ellen ; his marriage with Martha E. Burtim was celebrated Dec. 12, 1872 ; she was born in Fountain Co., Ind., March 20, 1847 ; they have three children now living — Hugh P., Samuel Wesley and James Calvin. JAMES T. EDSON, Oakland, pur- chasing agent for Illinois of Wm. B. Dick- son & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. ; born in Iredell Co., N. C, Jan. 15, 1841 ; his parents removed to Ohio when he was ([uite young, where he attended school during the winter, and worked upon the farm during the summer, until 1861, when he enlisted in the 14th Ohio V. I. for three months, after which he enlisted for three years in the 38th Ohio V. I., where he served nearly three years, when he re- enlisted in the 3Sth Ohio Veteran Regi- ment, in which he served during the war ; he took part in nearly all the severe battles in which the 14th Army Corps was en- gaged, among which were Mill Springs, Stone River, Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and many others, and was with Sherman's army in his march to the sea ; he was mustered out with liis regiment in July, ISlio, at Louisville, Ky., when he engaged in faraiitig in Ohio sev- eral years, until 1871, when he located in Oakland, and engaged in baying and ship- ping lumber to Indianapolis, which busi- EAST OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 567 nesf he has since successfully followed. His marriage with Cordelia Hickox was celebrated Jan. 25, 1876; she was born in Oakland, Coles Co., May 29, 1850; her parents were among the early settlers of Illinois, locating- in Edgar Co., in 1833. GEO. GEYEK, farmer; P.O.Kansas; born in Muskingum Co., Ohio. May 8, 1832, where he followed farming until 1857, when he removed to East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., 111., and located upon the old Donica farm, where he commenced farming with a capital of $25 cash and a team only partly ]iaid for ; he immediately went to work making improvements, which he continued until January, 1863, when he sold his improvements for $500, and purchased his present jiiace, where he has since lived ; his first purchase upon his present place was for 1 1 1 acres, upon which he made a payment of $500, leaving a balance of SI, 720, to be made in pay- ments, which he met promptly ; he has since added to the same until his home farm now contains 200 acres, upon which he has erected as fine farm-buildiogs as any in the township ; he also owns about ten acres of timber. He married Jan. 5, 1854, to Mary E. Roberts; she was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Jan. 19, 1833; she is the daughter of Thomas Roberts, now living in East Oakland Tp.; they have five children now living, having lost four by death. The names of the living are Maranda C, Emma R., Elizabeth I. A., Arietta A. and William F. PETER GOBERT farmer, and stock - raiser, S. 19; P. 0. Oakland ; one of the pio- neers of Coles Co.; born in France Oct. 17, 1821, where he attended school until 11 years of age, when he emigrated with his par- ents to America, landing in New York the spring of 1832 ; going to Buffalo, he assisted his father upon a farm until 10 years of age, when he emigrated West in the spring, coming by way of the lakes to Chicago, arriving there June 11, 1837; coming directly to Coles Co., they located in what is now known as Ea.st Oakland Tp., before the organization of the same; here he en- gaged with his father farming until 1860, when his father retired from active labor, and Mr. Gobert assumed the management of the farm ; he owns his brick residence, with good stables and other buildings, and upward of 400 arres of land, all under cultivation except twenty- five acres of tim- ber. He married, June 8, 1843, Melinda R. Ashmore ; she was born in Kentucky March 22, 1824; she died Feb. 21, 1861, leaving five children now living, viz., Samuel, Charles, Louis, La Fayelte, Vir- ginia. His marriage with Matilda A. Roberts was celebrated Oct. 17, 1861 ; she was born in Ohio, June 26, 1835; they have four children now living by this union, viz., Alice, Thomas, Napoleon, Frank. Mr. Gobert drove an ox team from here to Chicago in 1842, taking up apples and bring back groceries. In 1844, he drove his team to St. Louis, Mo., loaded with chickens and turkeys — the chickens selling at 75 cents and the turkeys at $3 per dozen. SOLOMON HENDRIX, stock dealer; P. O. Oakland; born in Champaign Co., Ohio, May 13, 1820, where he attended school during his youth until large enough to labor upon a farm, when he followed farming for his father until he attained his majority, wheu, in 1842, he located upon a farm of eighty-six acres, all heavy tim- ber, where he lived seven years and suc- ceeded in clearing and placing under culti- vation upward of sixty acres, the first year by hard labor he raised eight acres of corn and potatoes enough for his family use during the winter. In the summer of 1850, he came to Illinois, but not finding a location to suit, he returned to Ohio, and purchased a farm of 160 acres, which he worked for three years, clearing off upward of seventy acres of timber, when he sold his farm and purchased the old homestead, living there until 1857, when he emigrated West and located in Edgar Co., purchas- ing 320 acres of land six miles north of Paris,- where he lived until the spring of 1861, when, selling his farm, he engaged in stock raising and feeding and selling, con- fining his business mostly to sheep, which business he followed until 1866; at the above date he located in East Oakland Tp., and engaged in farming and dealing in stock, which business he followed for a period of eleven years, when he removed with his family to Oakland, where he has since continued to live. He owns his resi- dence, and is interested in about 200 acres of well-improved and timber land. He married June 19, 1842, to Nancy G. Wilson ; she was born in Pennsylvania in 568 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 1823; died March 5, 1866, leaving seven children, viz., William T., Mary E., Lucy E., Charles, John E., Joseph and Alice M. His marriage with Melviua Berry was celebrated Dec. 11, 1866; she was born in Clark Co., 111., May 14, 1834; they have one child by this union — Raymond Hen- drix. Mrs. Hendrix's father and mother are among the early settlers of Clark Co., locating there at a very early date, about 1829 or 1830 ; she has one child by her previous husband — iVmelia Berry. WILLIAM HUNT, farmer and Jus- tice of the Peace, Oakland ; born in Coles Co., 111., Feb. 11, 1845, upon the place where he has since continued to live ; he is the son of James D. Hunt, who located in Coles Co., previous to 1838, where he died July 3, 1856 ; the subject of this sketch continued upon the old homestead, and attended school and assisted in farm- ing, until the decease of his mother, which occurred July 3, 1865 ; after which he purchased the interest of a portion of the other heirs, and continued farm- ing upon the old plaQ,e upon his own account, which business he has since successfully followed; he owns 110 acres upon his home farm, upon which he has erected good farm-buildings. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in the spring of 1877, for a term of four years, which office he now holds. He married March 3, 1864, to Susan E. Hundley ; she was born in Clark Co., 111., Aug. 22, 1848 ; her parents were among the early pioneers of Illinois ; they have five children now living by this union- Justin H., born Feb. 11, 1867, Ruth T., born Sept. 24, 1872, Luvice E., born July 2, 1874, Sherman W., born June 10, 1876 ; Alvira L., born Oct. 2. 1877. MERRILL F. HACKETT, retired farmer ; P. 0. Oakland ; born in Lexington, Fayette Co., Ky., Sept. 10, 1821 ; he re- moved with his parents, when 8 years of age, and located in Springfield, Sangamon Co., 111., where he learned and worked at the trade of briekmason until 1841, at which time he removed to Charleston, Coles Co., and engaged at his trade and farming and stock-rai.sing until 1856; he then removed to the northern part of Coles Co., where he followed farming and stock-raising un- til 1875, when he ])urcha.scd his present place of about thirty acres, u]ion which he has a fine residence, and removed to Oak - land, where he has since continued to live ; he also owns 613 acres of land in Douglas Co., which he has rented. He married Jan. 22, 1867, Elizabeth J. Sargent; she was born in Coles Co., 111., March 22, 1839 ; her parents were among the early pioneers of Coles Co., locating in 1830 ; they have four children by this union — Snowden S., Gennella C, Lora E. and Florence M. WILLIAM HOLLIS, retired farmer ; P. 0. Oakland; born in Essex Co., Del., Jan. 18, 1800, where he engaged in farm- ing until 25 years of age, when he emi- grated West, and located in Pickaway Co., Ohio, and engaged in farming until 1845, when he came to Illinois and located in lidgar Co., where he followed farming for a period of thirty years; in 1875, he pur- chased his present residence in Oakland, where he has since lived, with the excep- tion of a short time, which he lived upon his farm ; he also owns a farm of 160 acres, upon which are good buildings, the same being now managed by his son George. His marriage with Elizabeth Lane was cele- brated April 28, 1825 ; she was born in Essex Co., Del, Aug. 28, 1800; they have five children now living, having lust the same number by death ; the names of the living are George, Catharine, Henry, Erastus and Mary Ann. Mr. and Mrs. Hol- lis are the oldest couple now living in Oak- land, Mr. H. being 79 years of age and Mrs. H. lacking but a few months of the same age ; their marriage was celebrated fifty-four years ago. GEORGE F. HACKETT, farmer, S. 18; P. 0. Oakland; born in Scott Co., Ky., Aug. 27, 1827; he emi- grated with his parents, in the fall of 1834, to Illinois, and located in Coles Co., where he attended schs of Ken- tucky, and Mrs. Ewinu'.s of Tennessee. NELSON S. FREEMAN, M. D., practicing phy.sician in Farmington ; P. 0. Campbell ; was born in Orange Co., Ind., Fi'b. 17, 1833, and lived with his parents until 19 years of age. He was married to Mary F. Carman Sept. 29, 1851 ; she was born iu Tioga Co., Penn., April 2, 1832 ; they have had six children — Caro- line M., Charles E., Lizzie A., William F., Frank F. and Matthew S., deceased. Dr. Freeman has been practicing medicine ! twenty-three years ; his practice has been I quite extensive and attended with good success. Dr. Freeman was Assistant Sur- geon in the 63d I. V. I. for four months, and was a second time appointed Assistant Surgeon in the army ; he was Captain of a company of colored troops, has been Postmaster in Farmington ten years, was Township Trustee eight years and Town- ship Treasurer two years, which ofiice he still holds. The Doctor's parents are natives of Virginia, and Mrs. Freeman's father a native of Pennsylvania, her mother ' of Conneoticut. The Doctor owns a house and lot in Farmington. JAMES PARIS, former and nursery- man, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Mattoon ; was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Feb. 22, 1808; en- gaged with his father in farming and nursery business until 30 years of age. He was then married to Rachel E. Mc- Gahan Aug. 17, 1843; she was born in Orange Co., Ind., Jan. 4, 1826 ; they have had ten children, four living and six dead ; the names of the living are Thomas C, John D., Mary E. and Charles H.; the names of the dead are William E., Sarah I., William W., George W. and Martha A. and one infant. Mr. Faris commenced the nursery business in the year 1840, and has carried it on ever since ; he has a good variety of trees on hand at present ; he has also farmed (|uite extensively and dealt considerably in cattle ; he owns 588 acres of fine farm land, and has accumulated nearly all this pnijierty in a few years by industry, economy and perseverance. JOHN D. FARRIS, former and nur- seryman, Sec. 2 ; P. O. Charleston ; owns 900 acres ; was born in Edgar Co., 111., Sept. 30, 1827, and was engaged with his father in farming and nursery business until 29 years of age. Was married to Eliza J. Manfort Jan. 28, 1852; she was born in Henry Co., Ky., March 16,1833; the fruit of this marriage is eight children, viz., Caleb, Mattie M., John N., Olive, Israel J. (deceased), William, Anna and one infant. Mr. Farris' father started the first mill to grind wheat and corn in this township; people came a great distance to mill, this being the only one for miles PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 587 around ; Mr. Farris has carried on farm- ing and nursery business very extensively, and has still a great variety of trees yet on hand ; he has put in over 4,000 rods of tiling on his own land in the last few years; raised at one time 1G2 bushels of grain on one acre of land. BENJAMIN G. GLENN, farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. Mattoon ; owns sixty acres; was born in Lawrence Co., 111., June 10, 1832, and lived with his parents until 23 years of age. He was married to Elizabeth Jeft'ries March 22, 1855 ; she was born in Coles Co., 111., in 1834; died Feb. 19, 1862. He was then married to Elizabeth Wheatstone March 19, 1869 ; she was born in Coles Co., 111., and has had six children, viz., Margaret E., Ethel L., Joseph J. ; three infants (deceased). Mr. Glenn was Justice of the Peace two years. Supervisor one term, and School Director six years. He was in the late war eighteen months, his regiment being the 5th I. V. C. ; he went out as private and was pro- moted to Sergeant Major and Captain ; his parents are natives of Kentucky. SAMES TILFORD GORDON, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Larna ; owns seventy acres; was born in Coles Co., Ill, Oct. 14, 1832, and lived with his parents until 21 years of age. He was married to Sarah Jane Rogers June 5, 1855; she was born in Coles Co., 111., July 7, 1838 ; they have had nine children, viz., Mary M., Luella, Willie A., Sylvester, Lizzie, Laura M., Bundy and Maddora ; deceased — H. A. Mr. Gordon has been School Director eight years, and Commissioner of High- ways three years ; his father is a native of Virginia and his mother of North Caro- lina ; Mrs. Gordon's parents were natives of Alabama. ELI PERRY GORDON, farmer, Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Campbell ; owns eighty acres ; was born in Coles Co., 111., March 30, 1839, and lived with his parents on the farm un- til married to Louisa Hays Nov. 28, 1859 ; she was born in Coles Co., 111., April 26, 1841, and has had seven children, six of whom are living, viz., Charles W., Elme D., Byron R., Mary A., Clara B. and H. Clay ; deceased — Cora E. Mr. Gordon was Collector in this township two terms, Pathmaster two terms and School Director six years. He was in Co. E, 5th I. V. I., and served nineteen months in the late war. when he was mustered out by general order. JAMES C. GRAY, farmer, deceased, Larna ; was born in Washington Co., Tenn., Nov. 18, 1818; lived with his parents on the farm until 30 years of age, engaging with his father in farming until he married Mary A. Mitchell Nov. 9, 1848 ; she was born in Marshall County, Tenn., May 30, 1828; they have had nine children — Robert M., David L., Mary, Alexander D., William N., John H., Lizzie J., Naomi R., and Charles. Mr. Gray held the office of Road Commissioner two terms, was Constable two years and Town Clerk one term. Mr. Robert Gray is County Attorney, and held the officeof City Attor- ney. Mr. A. Gray is Collector in this township at present. GEORGE HALBROOKS, M. D., physician, Sec. 23, Larna ; owns 160 acres; was born in Gibson Co., Ind., Feb. 14, 1814, and lived with his parents on th& fiirm until 24 years of age ; was then mar- ried to Eliza Ann Beefs Feb. 22, 1838; she was born in Gibson Co., Ind., Aug. 18, 1817, and has had nine children, viz., Sylvester, William H., Nancy E., Thomas, Samuel and George A.; deceased, Colum- bus, Catharine and George L. Dr. Hal- brooks was Surgeon for six months in the late war ; he commenced the study of medicine in 1842, and has been practicing ever since ; he has been practicing in this county twenty-seven years, and has a very extensive practice, and been very successful. JAMES L. HACKLEY, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Mattoon ; owns seventy-four acres ; was born in Grayson Co., Ivy., Nov. 25, 1842, and lived with his parents on the farm until 1855, when he came with parents to this county in 1856, where he has since resided. He was married Feb. 14, 1867, to Martha Jeifries ; she was born in Coles Co., 111., Jan. 28, 1847, and has five children — -Katie, Emma, Olga, Harden, Oren ; Mr. Hackley has been School Director six years, and Overseer of roads two years in this township ; Mr. Hackley's parents were natives of Ken- tucky ; Mrs. Hackley's father was a native of Kentucky, and her mother of Virginia. J. W. HILL, farmer and stock-dealer, deceased ; deceased owned 342 acres ; was born in Washington Co., Va., May 7, 1814; died March 13, 1875; he 588 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : lived with his parents on the farm until 20 years of age. He was married to Eliz- abeth Fudge Feb. 28, 1833; she was born in Washington Co., Va., Jan. 15, 1814; they had twelve children — Barbara A., Samuel H., Benjamin R., Noah W., Eliz- abeth, Zachariah T., Emma, Jonah, Napo- leon and three infants, deceased ; Jonah Hill was born in Coles Co., 111., April 22, 1853, and lived with his father until 21 years of age. He then married Mattie A. Barr Oct. 17, 1878; she was born in Coles Co., 111., Jan. 0, 1864. Mr. J. W. Hill commenced business on the farm where he died, in this township, with only S2.50, and in a few years of industry and economy, he accumulated and left at his death a lan^e amount of property. AVILLIAM'^ F. HORTON, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Mattoon ; owns 231 ' acres ; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Jan. 31, 1824; moved to this county with his par- ents in 1837 ; went to Cumberland Co., in 1838, and returned to Coles Co. in Novem- ber, 1861, where he has since resided. He was married to Emeline Dryden Feb. 1, 1849; she was born in Tennessee Sept. 15, 1821, and has had seven children, two of whom are living, viz., Mary E. and Will- iam D. ; deceased are R. H., Alice, Amarintha and two inflmts not named. Mr. Horton has been School Director and Pathmaster several years, and was one of the first and most extensive manufacturers of sorghum molasses in this county, and has been in the business for twenty years. Mr. Horton's parents are natives of Penn- sylvania, and Mrs. Horton's, uf Tennes- see. JAMES JEFFRIS, former. Sec. 7; P. 0. Mattoon ; owns 240 acres ; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., March 17, 1821 ; moved to this county with his par- ents when 10 years of age, and lived with them until married to Matilda Jane John- ston, Oct. 6, 1842 ; she was born in Rus- sell Co., Va., Nov. 28, 1822, and has had eleven children, six of whom are living, viz., Mary E., Martha, Johnston, Stc]ihen D., Joanna and Kitty C. ; deceased — G. D., Leah, S. M.and two infants. Mr. Jeffris was Constable four years. School Director five years and School Trustee twenty years ; his father is a native of Virginia and his mother of Tennessee ; Mrs. Jetfris' par- ents are natives of Virginia. JOHN JEFFRIS, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Mattoon; owns 340 acres; was born in Coles Co., 111., Jan. 26, 1831, and lived with his parents on the farm in this township until 2 1 years of age ; then went to California, returned and was married to Mary Vandierer, JIarch 22, 1859 ; she was born in Indiana March 1, 1836. They have five children, viz., Ralph, Bell, Hershel, Isaac and Abba. Mr. Jeifries was School Director for nine years. His parents were natives of Vir- ginia and Mrs. Jeifries' parents natives of Kentucky. JOHN GAUNT JEFFRIS, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Johnstown; owns ninety-three acres; was born in Coles Co., 111., March 10, 1836, and lived with his parents on the farm until 30 years of age. He was married Aug. 12, 1866, to Rachel Ellen Miller, who was born in Coles Co., 111., Oct. 18, 1849. They have had seven chil- dren, viz., Margaret E., Mary B., Anna L., Robert W., Henry S., Oscar M. and Mat- tie B. Mr. Jefl'ris has been School Director one term. Mr. and Mrs. Jefiris' parents are natives of Kentucky. AZARIAH JEFFRIS, farmer. Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Mattoon; owns 660 acres; was born in Coles Co., 111., April 29, 1836, and lived with his parents on the farm in this county until 24 years of age. Was married March 10, 1860, to Ann M. Hackley, who was born in Grayson Co., Ky., March 2, 1841, and moved on the farm where he now resides. Mr. Jefiries has three chil- dren, viz., Zaraba, Shelton and Jiaura. Has been Commissioner of Highways three years in this township, School Tru.stee three years, School Director nine years. Repre- sentative of Coles Co., 111., one term. Su- pervisor of this township two terms in 1875, 1876, 1878 and 1879, and was Fore- man of the grand jury two sessions. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Tennessee. Mrs. Jeifris' par- ents were natives of Kentucky. LARB KELLY, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Charleston ; owns 300 acres. Mr. Kelly lived with his parents, engaging with his father in farming until 20 years of age. Mr. Kelly was married to Mary L. Sulli- van about the year 1848 ; she was bom in Coles Co., 111., in 1830 ; died in 1858. The fruit of this marriage w^as two children — Lura A. and Sarah E., deceased. He was PLEASANT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 589 then married to Sarah F. Sullivan, in I860;, she was born in Coles Co., 111. The fruit of this marriage was six children — Susan, Elso J. and Larbia ; deceased, Mary M., Samuel V. and one infant. Mr. Kelly has held the office of School Direct- or three years. Mr. J. Kellj', his father, was in the Black Hawk war. Mr. Kelly's parents are natives of Kentucky, and Mrs. Kelly's natives of Tennessee. Mr. Kelly is regarded as a public benefactor by all who know him. His farm is in excel- lent condition, well cultivated, with good buildings on same. CHARLES E. LEITCH, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Charleston ; owns 1 17 acres ; was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, April 16, 1836 ; resided with his parents on the farm until 22 years of age. He was married to Mahalia Baker March 18, 1858 ; she was born in Highland Co., Va., Dec. 19, 1837. Mr. Leitch has seven children living and two dead ; the names of the living are Lizzie, Grant, John, Charles E., Jacob, Samuel and Allen ; the deceased were two infants. Mr. Leitch has held the office of School Director ten years ; he now holds the offices of School Trustee and Road Commissioner. Mr. Leitch's father was Captain of a company of State militia in this county in an early day. SAMUEL L. MORRIS, farmer and stock-dealer. Sec. S ; P. 0. Mattoon ; owns eighty acres ; was born in Logan Co., Ohio, April 3, 1855, and lived with his parents on the farm until he married Phoebe C. Lucas, Feb. 12, 1875 ; she was born in Logan Co., 111., Oct. 16, 1857 ; they have one child — Rosetta. His parents are natives of Ohio ; Mrs. Mor- ris's father is a native of Ohio. WILY MATTHEWS, f\irmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Johnstown ; owns forty acres ; was born in Morgan Co., Ind.. June 27, 1842, and lived with his parents on the farm until the year 1859, when he came to this county and has resided here since. He was married Oct. 27, 1863, to Margaret Jackson ; she was born in Owens Co.. Ind., Oct. 17, 1844, died Jan. 1, 1871.' He then married Eliza T. Balch Aug. 13, 1871 ; she was born in Madison Cp., Miss., Jan. 15, 1857, and has had seven children, six of whom are living, viz., Os- car M., Lizzie, Gary, Esther M., Gertrude and Mary A. Mr. Matthews has been As- sessor in this township two terms. He was in the late war three years, and subse- quently in the hundred-day service. J. L. F. MILLER, farmer and stock- dealer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Mattoon ; owns 337 acres ; was born in Trimble Co., Ky., Jan. 9, 1829, and engaged with his father in farming until 23 years of age. He was married to Rachel P. Gray Nov. 27, 1857 ; she was born in Tennessee April 19, 1829, died May 2, 1860 ; the fruit of this mar- riage was two children — George L. and Rachel E. Mr. Miller then married Mary J. Romine Feb. 25, 1866; she was born in Vigo Co., Ind., July 3, 1841 ; the fruit of this marriage is eight children — Lola, Mattie, Clara, Mary T., Bertha, Katie and Clinton, and one infant deceased. Mr. Miller commenced with but little property and by his honesty, industry and econ- omy has accumulated considerable prop- erty. CEPHAS MILLER, farmer. See. 3 ; P. 0. Mattoon ; was born in Coles Co., 111., Nov. 6, 1852 ; engaged with his father in farming, until he married Alice Denman, Feb. 19, 1873 ; she was born in Jasper Co., 111., Dec. 19, 1852 ; they have had three children, viz. : Santa Clara, she was born Jan. 7, 1874 ; Denman, was born July 16, 1875, died Nov. 20, 1877 ; Katie, born Dec. 3, 1877. Mrs. Miller's father was in the late war ; enlisted in the 97th I. V. C. ; served three months. Mr. Miller's father, J. W. Miller, is one of the largest landholders in the township. Mrs. Miller's father, J. B. Denman, was killed in the city of Charleston by a horse run- ning away. JOHN W. MILLER, farmer and stock- dealer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Charleston ; owns 800 acres, worth -840 per acre ; he was born in Trimble Co., Ky., March 13, 1825 ; he lived in Kentucky until 12 years of age ; then emigrated to Coles Co., 111., where he lived with his father on the farm ; engaged in farming until he married Rebecca A. Tremble, June 26, 1851 ; she was born in Harrison Co., Ind., July 15, 1828 ; the fruit of this marriage was eight children, five living and three dead ; the names of the living are Cephas, Horana, Armactha, John and James; the names of the deceased are George, Elizabeth and Quitman. Mr. Miller went to California in 1849, returning in 1851 ; he also went 590 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : to Pike's Peak ; he is highly respected in his neitjhborhood. PATRICK NICHOLSON, farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. O. Charleston ; owns 380 acres was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., Nov. 6, 1809 ; resided with parents on farm, helping his father until 21 years of age; came to this State in November, 1830, to what is now Douglas Co. ; Mr. N. made several thousand rails for $1 per hundred ; worked six months for S8 per mouth ; had nothing but one saddle-mare ; sold mare and saddle and bridle for $8. Was married to Eliza- beth Ashmore, May 17, 1832 ; she was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., March 4, 1814 ; they are the parents of eleven children, seven living ; Patrena A. (now widow of James Raich, deceased), William A., Dor- otha (now Mrs. F. A. Endsley, of Green- up), Harriet N., Albert B., Margaret M. (now wife of Thomas Newman, of Hickory Tp.j, Ella E.; deceased — Joseph B., born May 30, 1833, died May 24, 1873; James M.. born March 20, 1841, died March 28, 1847; Mary P. C, born Mar. 6, 1839, died June 4, ]S('A; Amos E., born May 8, 1845, died while in 5th Illinois Cavalry, in the foil of 1863. Mr. N. has held of- fice of Supervisor of Township one term ; he was one of the early settlers of this county, and bore his part in the hardships of those days. He commenced in this township with almost nothing ; has by hard labor, economy and industry accumulated several thousand dollars worth of property. For benevolent purjioses his gifts have averaged about S 1 OU a year for forty years, for church and missionary objects ; he is a man much respected in the community where he resides. ALBERT H. ODELL, former, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Mattoon ; owns eighty acres ; was born in Coles Co., 111., Aug. 5, 1844, and lived with his parents on the form in this county until married Sept. 9, 1874, to Louisa E. Miller, who was born in Coles Co., 111., Oet. 8, 1849; they have three children — Lola A., Milla M. and Gertrude. Mr. Odell was Township Collector two terms. He was also in the late war four months. Mr. Odell's father was in the Black Hawk war, and also in the late war four months. Mr. Odell's eldest brother was the first child burn in the city of Charleston, Coles Co., 111. Mr. Odell's pa- rents were natives of Tennessee, and Mrs. Odell's of Kentucky. FRANCIS POPHAM, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Campbell ; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, June2, 1838; lived with his parents on the form ; en- gaged in farming until married to Sarah E. Babbs, Dec. 11, 18(52; she was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Dec. 8, 1844; the fruit of their marriage has been four children — William C, Fred D., Minnie A. and Clarence E. Mr. P. owns 100 acres of excellent river-bottom land, which he farms ; he also deals largely in horses ; he is a very liberal-hearted man, and re- spected by all who know him. CARSON PORTER REED ROD- GERS, merchant, Farmington ; P. 0. Campbell ; the subject of this sketch was born in Coles Co., "ill., Nov. 1, 1840, and lived with his parents until 26 years of age. He then married Catharine Winford Richey Oct. 30, 1866, who was born in Gallatin Co., Ky., Oct. 30, 1847, and died April 14, 1869 ; he afterward married Martha Jane Veatch March 8, 1874, who was born in Washington Co., 111., Oct. 26, 1837, and has had three children, two of whom are living, viz., Isaac Walter, Kate Winford ; deceased Martha H. Mr. Rodgers was Assessor one term. Township Collector three terms. Supervisor one term and School Treasurer ten years. He is now in the mercantile business in Farm- ington and owns 100 acres in Cumberland Co., 111. JOHN WHITE RODGERS, farmer, Sec. 18; P. 0. Campbell; owns seventy acres; was born in Morgan Co., 111., Feb. 10, 1831. and lived with his parents on the farm until 23 years of age. He was mar- ried to Margaret Elizabeth Gillinnater April 5, 1854 ; she was born in Effingham Co., 111., Jan. IS, 1836; they have had .six children, five of whom are living, viz., James F., Mary L., William B., Hiram M: and Henry G.; deceased — Isaac E. Mr. Rodgers was Overseer of the Road one term and was elected Justice of the Peace, which offi'.;e he now holds. His parents were natives of Kentucky ; hers, of Tenn- essee ; Mrs. Rodgers' father was in the Mexican war thirteen months. GEORGE THOMAS RODGERS, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Campbell ; owns 114 acres; was born in Coles Co., 111., Sept. 13, 1849, and lived on the farm with his parents until married to Mary Ella Brunk PLEASAXT GROVE TOWNSHIP. 591 Wright Nov. 25, 1876; she was born in Coles Co., 111., Sept. 11, 1856 ; they have one child — -Mary Blanche. Mr. Rodgers' father is a native of Tennessee, and his mother of Indiana. Mrs. Rodgers' father is a native of New York, and her mother of Tennessee. Mr. Rodgers' father made the first brick ever layed in the city of Charleston, Coles Co., 111. JULIUS E. SMITH, farmer. Sec. 19; P. O. Etna ; owns the undivided fourth of eighty acres ; was born in Coles Co., 111., Jan. 10, 1852, and lived with his parents on the farm until 20 years of age, when he married Louisa Woolery Oct. 2, 1872; she was born in Putnam Co., Ind., July 19, 1856 ; they have three children — Mina L., Edna 0. .and lieorge M. Mr. Smith has been School Director two years. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Smith's of Indiana. ISAAC TAYLOR, farmer, See. 20 ; P. (). Campbell ; was born in Rutherford Co., Tenn., March 16, 1829, and lived with his father on the farm, engaged with his parents in farming until married to Eliza J. Erwin April 12, 1860 ; she was born in Coles Co., 111., Oct. 5, 1841 ; they have eight children, viz., Marian W., Willie E., Oscar E., Margaret E., Perry S., Isaac V., Balas B. and Cary A. Mr. Taylor was School Director fifteen years and has held the office of Assessor one term. He is a Primitive Baptist. Mr. Taylor is liked by all who have the pleasure of his acquaint- ance, and is a minister of considerable ability, livinu; up to what he preaches. J()NATHAN WILSON WALKER, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Mattoon ; owns 400 acres ; was born in Bedford Co., Tenn., July 26, 1828 ; lived with his parents on the farm until 27 years of age. Married April 8, 1857, to Mary Sell ; she was born in Preble Co., Ohio, March 8, 1831, and has had six children, five of whom are living — Joseph W., James A., Emma 0., Mary I. and Sarah E. Mr. Walker has been School Director ten years and School Trustee five years. His father is a native of North Carolina and his mother ot Virginia ; Mrs. Walker's father is a native of Pennsyl- vania, and her mother of Ohio. AMZI ALEXANDER WALKER, farmer. Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Larna ; owns 240 acres; he was born in Bedford Co., Tenn., May 2, 1830, and lived with his mother on the farm until 23 years of age. He married Elizabeth Johnston April 21, 1853, who was born in Coles Co., 111., Sept. 29, 1823, and moved on to the farm where he now resides ; they have had five chil- dren, three of whom are living, viz., Nancy M., William I. and Mail E.; deceased — I. C. and one infant. Mr. Walker was elected Justice of the Peace one term, when he resigned and was School Director six years. He has in his possession a let- ter written by his grandfather (Josiah Walker) to James Walker, bearing date 1802, and written in North Carolina. JOHN CRAIG WHITE, farmer and blacksmith. Sec. 15; P. 0. Campbell; owns 120 acres; was born in Scott Co., Ky., Dec. 5, 1830, and lived with his par- ents on the farm until 19 years of age. He was married to Louisa Beckum Feb. 25, 1855; she Was born in Coles Co., 111., Feb. 25, 1836; died Aug. 10, 1859; he then married Sarah Elizabeth Kemper May 8, 1862 ; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., .Jan. 10, 1883, and has had eight children, viz., John I., Katie, Edward and Coleman ; deceased — Ida F., Charles, George 0., Sarah A. Mr. and Mrs. White's parents are natives of Kentucky. ISAAC WHITE, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Mattoon ; owns 120 acres; was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Nov. 12, 1819 ; lived with his parents on the farm until 23 years of age. He married Mary Lay- bourn Nov. 5, 1843; she was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Feb. 10, 1825; they have had eight children, seven of whom are living, viz., Sarah E., William B., Frances F., Charles H., James P., Alice I. and Flora 0., and Amos H., deceased. Mr. White was Township Trustee seven years, and School Director four years. His parents are natives of Ohio; Mrs. White's father was English and her mother a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. White are both Cumberland Presbyte- rians. MONROE WHITE, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Charleston ; owns 238 acres ; was born in Coles Co., 111., Aug. 9, 1844, and lived with his parents on the farm ; en- gaged with his father in fafming until 21 years of age. He was married to Mary E. Hall, Nov. 16, 1865 ; she waaiborn in Coles Co., 111., Aug. 28, 1848; they have 592 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : four children — Sarah F., Hannah A., Mil- lie E. and Lucy E. Mr. White has held the oflSce of School Director five years. Mr. White's parents are natives of Ohio, and Mrs. White's, natives of Kentucky. DAVID BEELS WILLIAMS, farm- er, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Johnstown ; owns fifty-five acres; was born in Coles Co., 111.. March 25, 1836, and lived with his par- ents on the farm until 21 years of age. He was married to Pha^be Landrus Nov. 13, 1850, who was born in Crawford Co., Ind., Feb. 14, 1837, who has had ei<;ht children, six of whom are living, viz, Lewis W., Christopher C, Flora E., Henry S., Emma F. and Eduiond C; de- ceased, L. W. and L. M. Mr. Williams was Overseer of the Koad two terms, elected Constable two terms, Justice of the Peace one term, and School Director two terms. He was a volunteer in Com- pany H, 123d I. V. I., who were in the late war in 1862 (afterward mounted) ; served six months and was discharged in consequence of disability ; re-enlisted March, 1864, and served eighteen months, and was mustered out by general order. GEORGE A. WHITNEY, farmer. See. 3 ; P. O. Mattoon ; owns thirty-six acres ; was born in the State of Wiscon- sin Sept. 4, 1854; lived with hi.s parents on the farm until 2, 1829. He came with his parents to Coles Co., when he was only 8 years of ago, and remained with them up to his marriage with Miss Martha Waltrip, of Hutton Tp., Feb. 21, 1849, when he moved to his farm on Sec. 31, where he has resided ever since. His wife died in September, 1854. They had three chil- dren, one living Mary Ann (now Mrs. James Stephens, of Charleston Tp.), and two deceased — Sarah E. and Melvina J. He married his second wife. Miss Angcline Davis, of Hutton Tp., Sept. 9, 1858. They had ten children, nine living, three boys living — Henry L., Rama S., and Telia, and one deceased — Riley S. ; and six girls, all living — Viola, Lua J., Sarah E., Lilly B., Efa and Ida P. Mrs. Rennels and her eldest daughter, Viola, are members of the Baptist Church. JOHN SARGENT, farmer ; P. 0. Hut. ton ; was born in this township March 20, 1846 ; his father, Stephen, was born in Candia, N. H., July, 1, 1797, and at the age of 13 went to New Jersey, remaining there three years, and from there traveled on foot to Ohio, working one year upon a farm in that State ; he then went to Kentucky, near the city of Louisville, working at the trade of stone-mason, and while there made a trip upon a flatboat from Louisville to New Orleans and back. In the year 1836 he came to New Rich- mond (now Westfield), Clark Co., and car- ried on a general merchandise store, and two years afterward purchased and moved upon a farm on See. 11, in this county, where he remained up to the time of his death, Nov. 30, 1878. His farm con- tained over 600 acres. He married Miss Nancy Chenoweth, widow of Jacob Har- lan, Oct. 18, 1842 ; she is still living on the homestead, and was born March 25, 1805. They had two children — the sub- ject of this sketch and Maggie (now Mrs. Charles H. Rice, of Vermont), born June 22, 1844, and now living in Denver, Colo. They have four children — Carrie E., Henry C, Benjamin P. and Genevieve. Mr. Sargent's mother was born in Kentucky, and journeyed on a pack- saddle to Vincennes, Ind., with her parents, who afterward came to Clark Co., where she resided after her first marriage and death of her husband, Jacob Harlan. The subject of this sketch was born on the homestead, where he has resided ever since the death of his father. At the age of 15, he enlisted in Co. C, 68th Regt. III. Vol. for three months. He married Miss Maria A. Turner (daughter of Samuel Turner, of Kentucky), March 24, 1870. They have four children — Maggie P., born Jan. 28, 1871 ; Jesse R., April 23, 1872 ; Ada 0., Sept. 15, 1875, and Carl, born Jan. 25, 1878. Mr. Sargent own» 400 acres of land. G. W. SMITH, farmer ; P. 0. West- field ; was born in Pulaski Co., Ky., April 17, 1813 ; when he was ten years of age his parents moved to Lawrence Co., Ind., and remained there about six years engaged in farming ; from there they moved to Vigo Co., Ind., where his parents died. In 1839, Mr. Smith came to Coles Co., and first settled on Sec. 27, in this township, living there until 1863, when he moved to his present farm on Sec. 26, containing 87 acres. He held the oflice of School Director several terms. He mar- ried Miss EUza Boland (her parents being natives of Virginia), in Vigo Co., Ind., August, 1840 ; they had nine children, six girls and three boys, five girls living — Sarah Jane ( now Mrs. Preston Walker, of Texas), Leanner, Louisa, Polly (now Mrs. Samviel Merritt, of Charleston, Coles Co., 111.), and Rosetta (now Mrs. Cornelius King, of Clark Co., III. ), and one deceased, Filinda, and two boys living, George W. and Benjamin T., one deceased, David. The brother of Mr. Smith, Anthony, was bora in the same county in the year 1815, and came with his parents also to Vigo Co., Ind.. and engaged in farming up to the time of his death, 1857. He was married to Miss Hannah Sparks, of Ind., who died in the year 1855 ; he left three .sons, two living, one of whom William R., Mr. G. W. Smith brought with him to Coles Co. when only 4 years old, who has made his home with him ever since. RICHARD O. WELLS, farmer; P. O. Westfield ; was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., 620 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Dec. 29, 1809 ; he remained there with his parents until lie was 25 years of age assisting on the farm ; his father died there in the year 1835 ; his mother surviving him until the year I860. Mr. Wells, while at home in Kentucky was married August, 1831, to Miss Jenette Boston (daughter of William Boston of Kentucky) ; she was born July 15, 1815 ; shortlyafter his marriage, he moved upon a farm near that of his father's, where he lived until his removal to Clark Co., in 1837; the next year he moved to Coles Co. and set- tled on See. ti, where he lived three years, and then returned to Clark Co. and from there, in 1843, moved back to Kentucky and after remaining ten years, in the year 1853, came to Coles Co. and settled upon Sec. 7, where he has since resided. He owns 111 acres ; has been School Director one term. They had twelve children, seven boys, three living — Richard J., born May 29, 1849; Kobert L., August 11, 1853, and Charles M., born Jan. 22, 1856, [ and four deceased — Preston, born Oct. 22, 1832, died in 1842 ; James F. M., born ' April 1, 1836, died in 1865; William H., born July 17, 1840, died in 1850; and Leroy B., born April 6, 1851, died in Feb- ruary, 1852; five girls, two living — Leah, (now Mrs. lleily Leej, born Feb. 10, 1838 ; Leomia (now Mrs. M. Connely), born Sept. 15, 1842; and three deceased — Mary E., born Nov. 29, 1844, died in 1850; Louisa A., born March 6, 1846, died also in 1850; one died in infancy. His son, James F. M., enlisted in Co. "H," 21st Regt. 111. Vols., and was taken prisoner at the battle of Chiokamauga, and confined in Libby and Andersonville Prisons for nineteen months and died at Annapolis, Md., in 1865 on his way home, from* dis- ease contracted while a prisoner. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are members of the Baptist Church and have been connected with it for a number of years. MRS. JOSEPH WALTRIP; P.O. Westfield ; is a daughter of Daniel Goble of Hutton Tp. She was first married to Nathaniel Lee Aug. 14, 1853, who died in the year 1856 ; they had one child, Cynthia (now Mrs. Reason Wiley, of Hut- ton Tp.) ; she was again married July 18, 1858, to Joseph Waltrip, who was born in Kentucky in 1819, and after remaining there until the age of 16, moved to Coles I Co., and settled in Charleston Tp. on Sec. ' 25, engaged in farming ; he had been pre- viously married to Miss Eliza Jane Hall, daughter of Michael Hall ; she died in No- vember, 1857. Mrs. Waltrip had four children — two girls, Cynthia J. and Eliza, and two boys, one living, Wm. J., and one deceased — Daniel. She at present farms 70 acres, part of her husband's estate of 250 acras. Mr. Waltrip died Feb. 16, 1872. MORGAN TOWNSHIP. JAMES H. BUSBEY, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. O. Oakland ; one of the pioneers of Coles Co ; born in Clark Co., Ohio, April 22, 1823, where he attended school and en- gaged in farming, until 16 years of age, when he emigrated to Coles Co., 111., and located in what is now the south part of Douglas Co., in the fall of 1839. He is son of Hamilton Busbey, who was born July 5, 1792, in Virginia; he emigrated to Ohio about the year 1815, where he lived until he emigrated to Illinois, where he died Dec. 16, 1847; Mrs. Busbey, whose maiden name was Sophia Lewis, w:is born in Virginia, March 31, 1796 ; she died April 1, 1855, leaving eleven children now living — Thomas C, Susan M., Elmira M., William D., James H., Harriet E., Ann L., John H., Maria, George W., Henry C. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until their decease, which occurred as stated above ; he remained upon the old farm until 1856, when he rented land, and en- gaged in farming until 1861, when he purchased his present place, where he has since continued to live ; he owns upward of eighty acres of prairie and timber lands. He married, Oct. 12, 1856, to Sarah J. Naphew ; she was born in Ohio Oct. 19, 1831 ; they have six children now living by this union, viz. : Nancy E., born June 29, 1858; Sophia R., born Jan. 21, 1860; Orrin U., born Nov. 16, 1861; i MORGAN TOWNSHIP. 621 James M., born Aug. 13, 186-1; William ; H. H., born Dec. 25, 1866 ; Charles A., - Aug. 11, 1870. A. J. CLARK, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Charleston; born in Coles Co., 111., April 22, 1834, within one-half a mile of where he has since lived ; he is the youngest son of Benjamin and Sarah Clark, who emigrated from Kentucky and located in Coles Co., 111., about the year 1829, where his father lived until his death, which occurred April 18, 1856, while on a visit to In- diana ; he was born in Kentucky in the year 1798 ; his mother, who still lives within one-half mile of where she has lived for nearly one-half of a century, was born Jan. j 1, 1800. Mr. Clark remained with his j father until 1856, when he commenced farming for himself upon the old home- stead, where he has since continued to ^ live, and where he owns 120 acres of land, i mostly under cultivation, and 90 acres mostly timber, in Sees. 16 and 21. His marriage with Christina V. Robinson was - celebrated June 1, 1865 ; she was born in Clark Co., Ind., Jan. 11, 1850; her parents located in Illinois when she was 2 years of age ; five children were the fruit of this union, two of whom are deceased ; the names of the living are — Lillie May, born Jan. 24, 1867 ; Willis P., born Dec. 9, 1868; Clarence V., born July 17, 1875. Mr. Clark met with a severe loss by the failure of the proposed Charleston & Danville R. R., having contracted to furnish 5,000 ties, and the failure to com- plete the railroad left the ties upon his hands, by which he sufiered to the extent of $1,500. WATSON COLLINS, farmer deceased ; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co. ; born in North Carolina May 12, 1813, where he was raised to farming until 1831, when he emigrated with his father, Aaron Collins, and located upon Greasy Creek, Morgan Tp.; like most pioneers, the family were poor, and the subject of this sketch turned his attention to do what was in his power to the support of his father's ' family ; one occupation was getting out fence-rails at 25 cents per hundred ; one season he worked at Vincennes, Ind., at $6 per month, the earnings being used for the support of the family and to procure stock; i breaking prairie with five or six yoke of oxen was another occupation : his milling . was done atTerre Haute, Freeport, Eugene and Palestine, this trip consuming from four to eight days, made with three or four yoke of oxen ; his furniture was home- made ; for chairs he made stools, and bed- steads were made by boring a hole in the side and end logs of his house, in which poles were inserted, entering a post where the ends met ; this was known as the rac- coon bedstead ; there is now in the family a cupboard made by Mr. Collins, which is put together by wooden pins, not a nail be- ing in use — a relic valued highly ; he com- menced the stock business by first buying a single calf, which business he increased un- til he became a large stock-dealer, feeding from 150 to 200 head of cattle for several years previous to his death, at which time he owned upward of 500 acres of land, and had 500 rented for his stock, etc. His marriage with Minerva McAlister was celebrated in 1836 ; she was born in Ala- bama April 13, 1815 ; she died March 21, 1857, leaving four children now living, viz., Mary Jane (born March 24, 1841), Margaret E. (born March 6, 1845 — now Mrs. William Reynolds), Martha V. (born Oct. 26, 1850— now Mrs. W. E. Worsh- am), and Eliza A. (born June 29, 1856 — now Mrs. Andrew Walton.) Mr. Collins died March 25, 1877, mourned and re- spected by all who knew him. SOLOMON COLLINS, farmer, deceased ; the subject of this sketch was one of the early pioneers of Morgan Tp. ; he was a native of North Carolina, and emi- grated to Illinois with his father, Aaron Collins, and located upon Greasy Creek, Morgan Tp., about the year 1831 ; he suf- fered all the hardships and privations of frontier life, but wa,*! known as a hard-work- ing, industrious and successful farmer, and at the time of his death was held in high esteem in the township in which he lived. He married Theney Carter ; she was born in Kentucky, and, at the time of her death was the mother of three children, viz., John J., William A. and Elizabeth B. His second wife was Mary Taylor, by whom he had two children — Hiram and Thomas. John J. Collins, the oldest son, was born in Jlorgan Tp., Feb. 7, 1850, where he attended the common schools and assi.sted his father in farming until 1 2 years of age, since which time he has made his home with Joseph Carter, whom he 622 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: assisted in farming in summer and attended the common scliool in the winter, until 1871, when he entered the Westfield Col- lege, where he attended two years, since which time he has been engaged in school- teaching during the fell and winter and farming in summer. LAFAYETTE CRAIG, farmer, Sec. 18; P.O.Charleston ; born in Clark Co., 111., Mar. 27, 1832 ; he emigrated with his parents when 3 years of age, and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp., in December, 1835, in which township he has since con- tinued to live for a period of upward of forty-three years ; he is a son of Isaac N. Craig, and with his father is one of the earliest pioneers of Morgan Tp. ; the sub- ject of this sketch was employed iq his early days in watching sheep during the day to protect them from the wolves, and at night would drive the sheep in close pens near the house, for safety during the night ; there were no roads in those days, and to go to Charleston and other points, they would follow by-paths, taking a direct line to whatever point they wi.shed to go ; he remained with his father and assisted him in farming until 21 years of age, when he was employed by his father for two years, at $100 per year, when he, with his brother farmed upon the old farm for six years, receiving half of the crops for their labor ; he then continued farming alone on the same conditions, for a period of three years k)nger ; he removed upon his pres- ent place in the spring of 1864, where he has since continued to live; he owns 161 acres of land in his home farm, and 110 in other parts of the county. He married Jan. 3, 1856, to Jemima Fowler ; she was born in Coles Co , Oct. 14, 1836 ; she died March 26, 1862, leaving no children ; his mar- riage with Margaret J. Woodfull was cel- ebrated Feb. 12, 1863; they have six children now living by this union — Willis N. Ida May, Alma L.. Robert II., Oscar A., and Thomas D. Mr. Craig was the first Collector of Morgan Tp., which office he held for two years, when he was elected Supervisor for ten years in succ(!Ssion ; took the census in 1865, and served for two years as School Director. THOMAS H. CRISPIN, farmer; P. 0. Rardin ; born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, May 5, 1833, where he attended school and assisted his father in the mason trade until 14 years of age, when he went to Bellefontaine, Logan Co., Ohio, where he learned and worked at the trade of mason and plasterer until 1852, when he emi- grated to Carliuville, 111., and followed his trade for six years ; he located in Coles Co. in the spring of 1859, on Sec. 30, Morgan Tp., where he engaged in farming one year, then six years upon Sec 9 ; he located upon his present place in 1864, where he has since continued to live, and where he owns 110 acres of prairie and timber land. His marriage with Susannah J. Painter was celebrated in 1852 ; she was born in Macoupin Co., 111., Nov. 15, 1833 ; they have seven children now liv- ing, having lost one by death ; the names of the living are Nancy C.,born Jan. 19, 1853: Isabel J., boru July 27, 1854; Jacob J., May 2, 1856 ; Thomas J., Feb. 16,1858; William H., Dec. 15, 1860; Geo. B. McClellan, Oct. 1, 1863; Mary H., Dec. 16, 1868 ; Jesse, March 21, 1875 ; the deceased is Alonzo G., born Sept. 10, 1866, died April 19, 1868; Mrs. Crispin died Aug. 18, 1871. He married for his second wife Agnes McKiney Aug. 24, 1873 ; she was born June 7. 1855. WESLEY DAUGHERTY, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Charleston ; born in Coles Co., 111., Jan. 18, 1834; he is the youngest son of John B. Daugherty, who emigrated with his family from Indiana and located in ('oles Co., 111., about the year 1833, where he lived until his decease, which occurred July 10, 1857, being then 60 years of age. The subject of this sketch remained with his father and assisted in farming until 19 years of age, when he was employed as farm laborer for about four years, when he engaged in farming upon rented land, which he followed two years ; he located upon his present place in the spring of 1857, where he has since continued to live during a period of upward of 22 years ; he owns 120 acres in his home farm, upon which he has good buildings and about 20 acres of timber upon the Embarrass River. His marriage with Phocbi? Clark was cele- brated Feb. 18, 1856; she was born in Coles Co. May 25, 1836. They have five children now living, viz. ; Paulina, Albert, Joseph, Charles W. and Hetta J. Mrs. Daugherty was the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Clark, who emigrated from Kentucky, and located in Coles Co., HI., MORGAN TOWNSHIP. 623 about the year 1828 or 1829; Mr. Clark lived here until the spring of 1856, when he went to Indiana upon a visit, whore he died April 18, 1856 ; his birth occurred in Kentucky, in the year 1798. Mrs. Clark now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Daugherty, within one-half mile of where she first located, and where she has continued to reside for nearly half a cent- ury ; she was born Jan. 1, 1800, and al- though now in her 80th year, is in possas- sion of all her faculties, and voluntarily devotes a large part of her time to sewing and knitting. Mr. Daugherty has filled the office of School Director several years during his residence here, and which office he now holds. SHEP FLORER, f-irmcr; P.O. Oak- land ; born in Newport, Vermilion Co., Ind., March 29, 1839 ; he was the son of Alexander B. Florer, of the early pioneers of that county, and who was elected Second County Clerk, which office he held fourteen years ; w;us elected Recorder of the county several times, which office he held for many years ; he was also an eminent lawyer of that part of the State of Indiana until his death, which occurred Aug. 9, 1863; Shep Florer was raised in the above county, at the age of 14, he commenced clerking for Jones, Culbertson & Co., and at 17 he was appointed Deputy Auditor of the county under Henry D. Washburn, and afterward as Deputy Clerk and Recorder at 20 years of age ; he did a heavy grocery trade in that town ; at the begin- ning of the war, he enlisted in Co. C. 18th Ind. Vols., and served his country three years as private messenger for Col. Tom Patter- son and Gen. H. D. Washburn. On Sept. 23, 186-1, he located with his mother, A. A. Florer, at Milton Station, Coles Co., 111., where he sold general merchandise for five years, and on the 11th day of October, 1870, he moved to his mother's farm of 529 acres, situated in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., where he now resides. He married June 24, 1866, to Louisa A. Hawkins ; she was born in Rush Co., Ind., March 7, 1846 ; she removed with her parents to Coles Co., 111., in 1850, where her father and stepmother now reside ; five children were the fruit of this union, two of whom are deceased, the names of the living are Mary Elizabeth, born May 13, 1876, and Katie and Clara, twins, born June 11, 1878. ARIS GALBREATH, farmer; P. 0. Rardin ; was born in Nicholas Co., Ky., Jan. 20, 1812. His parents removed to Scott Co., Ind., when he was 2 years of age, where he lived until 18 years of age, when he emigrated with his mother to Illinois and located in Edgar Co., in the Fall of 1830, where he engaged as farm laborer for tvro years at $8 per month ; in 1832, he located in Ashmore Tp., Coles Co., 111., working one year for $100, out of which he saved money to enter 40 acres of land, which he improved one year, when he sold out and purchased 240 acres, which he improved for ten years, which he then sold and entered 160 acres of prairie and purchased 40 acres of timber in Morgan Tp., upon which he lived until 1875, when he removed upon bis present place, after renting his old homestead ; he now owns 300 acres of land with three sets of build- ings. When Mr. G. located here, wolves and Indians were plenty, and to obtain quail, prairie chickens or other game, was only necessary to shoot from your door or window. He married Dec. 8, 1835, to Jane Reed ; she was born in Spencer Co., Ky., Oct. 9, 1817 ; they have three chil- dren, now living by this union — -James T., born Oct. 9, 1836; William R., Nov. 4, 1838 ; Ann Eliza, born Jan. 5, 1841, Mrs. G. was a daughter of Thos. Reed, who emigrated from Kentucky and located in Illinois in 1829; he died in Ashmore Tp., in the winter of 1845. Mr. Gal- breath has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion and education, having been a member of the C. P. Church for fifteen years ; his wife having been a mem- ber for twenty-five years. He has held the offices of Assessor, Town Clerk and School Director ; the latter office he now holds. JACKSON GERARD, farmer; P. 0. Hinesborough ; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, June 28, 1828; his grandfather was one of the early settlers of Ohio, loca- ting in the above county about the year 1784, where he lived until his decease, which occurred about the year 1S3S. The father of the subject of this sketch, Will- iam Gerard, was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in the year 1785, and lived there until his death, which occurred in the year 1836 ; he served through the war of 1812, with the Frontier Rangers, being stationed 624 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: during the winter of 1813 near Vincennes, i Ind., guarding the frontier from the at- tacks of the Indians. His mother was born in New Jersey, July, 1792, and emi- grated witli her parents to Ohio, in the year 1794; they did their trading in Cincinnati, when the building occupied as the P. O. was the only frame building there; Mrs Gerard died July 7, 1874, in Butler Co.. Ohio. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents until 7 years of age. when he made his home with an older brother until 21 years of age, when he located upon a farm in Butler Co., Ohio, where he lived twenty-four years ; he emi- grated to Illinois in 1874, and located up- on Sec. 30, Morgan Tp., where he now resides ; he owns 102 acres in his home farm, upon which he has erected good buildings ; he also owns 140 acres in other parts of the county. He married Nov. 3, 1850, to Emily Stites; she was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Jan. 20, 1834; they have four children now living, having lost two by death. The names of the hving are: Eli, born July 4, 1854; Mary A., now wife of Dr. J. T. Montgomery, Feb. 18, 1856; Chai-les W., born April 11, 1859; Anna M., born Oct. 15, 1861. ELI GERRARD, farmer; P.O.Charles- ton ; born in Butler Co., Ohio, July 4, 1854, where he attended school and en- gaged in farming until he emigrated West and located in Coles Co., in the fall of 1874; here he engaged in farming with his father until the spring of 1876, when he removed upon his present place, where he has since lived. He is the oldest son of Jackson (Jerard, whose biography ap- pears in this work. His marriage with Laura B. Smith was celebrated Aug. 31, 1875; she was born in Ohio Oct. 10, 1856 ; they have two children now living by this union, viz., Clara L., born June 8, 1876, and Elizabeth A., born Dec. 29, 1877. JESSE HUDSON, farmer and Justice of the Peace ; P. 0. Charleston ; born in Jessamine Co., Ky., June 27, 1840, where he attended school until 11 year.s of age, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in East Oakland Tp. in October, 1851 ; here he remained and assisted his father in farming until upward of 20 years of age, when he raised one crop upon his j father's farm, of which he gave one-third i for the use of the land ; the following year he farmed upon rented land, and in 1864, he removed to Morgan Tp., where he rented land four years, and, in 1868, purchased his present place, where he has since continued to live; he first purchased eighty acres of land, mostly upon time, giving his notes for S2,180, which he met promptly, and has since added, by pur- chase, forty acres more, for which he paid $1,200 cash ; he built a brick addition to his house in 1872, and, in 1877, erected the finest barn in Morgan Tp. The above property he has accumulated by his own hard labor, energy and good business man- agement, in which he has been nobly as- sisted by his wife, to whom he was married Oct. 10, 1861 ; her maiden name was Harriet Stark ; she was born in Indiana Nov. 15, 1842; they have two children now living, viz., Laura B., born Dec. 12, 1869, and Emma May, born Nov. 8, 1871. Mr. Hudson has held different township offices, and has been elected to the office of Justice of the Peace for the second term, which office he now holds. JOHN H. JOHNSON (deceased), farmer and minister : born in Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 12, 1812, where he at- tended school in his youth — the la.st few years at the college at Wayncsburg, Penn.; after which he was licensed as a minister of the C. P. Church, officiating as circuit preacher until his removal to Ohio, where he was settled as local preacher for three years, until his removal to Coles Co., 111., about the year 1854. where he first settled as Pastor of the C. P. Church in Ashmore Tp. for several years ; then in Morgan Tp. until 1868; at the above date, he emigrated to Jasper Co., Mo., where he purchased ninety acres of land, upon which he labored while not engaged in his ministerial labors, until the fall of 1877, when he removed to Carthage, Mo., after renting his farm, that he might have better facilities for the edu- cation of his daughter ; here he lived until his decea.sc, which occurred Jan. 31, 1878, after an illness of ten days ; his remains wcri! brought back to Coles Co., 111., and buried in the beautiful cemetery near St. Omer, Ashmore Tp., by the side of his first wife, to whom he was married in Penn- sylvania ; her maiden name was Lucinda Hamson ; she emigrated to Illinois with him, and died during his ministerial labors MORGAN TOWNSHIP. 625 in Ashmore Tp; his marriage with Nancy (Rardin") Gollady was celebrated Feb. 13, 1856 ; she was asisterof John and Jacob L. Rardin ; born in Campbell Co., Ky., April 22, 1824, and emigrated with her parents, Samuel and Catharine Rardin, to Morgan Tp.in the fall of 1842 ; her first marriage with George Gollady was celebrated April 22, 1852; he was born April 23, 1819, and emigrated from Virginia about the year 1836, and located in Morgan Tp., where he lived until his decease, which occurred Feb. 3, 1854; Mrs. Johnson has one daughter by her last marriage, viz., Teresa C, born in Coles Co., 111., March 13, 1859 ; Mrs. Johnson, with her daughter, returned in the fall of 1878, and again located upon her farm in Morgan Tp., where she resided previous to her removal to Missouri. JOHN B. JONES, farmer. See. 3 ; P. 0. Rardin ; born in Franklin Co., N. Y., Sept. 1, 1829; he removed with his par- ents when quite young to Whitehall, Wash- ington Co., where he attended school and engaged in farming until 15 years of age, when he learned and worked at the ship- carpenter's trade for three years ; then for two years followed sailing on the lakes, and his trade ; after which time he located at Astoria, L. I., where he engaged at his trade until 1857, when he emigrated to Illinois, and located in' Ashmore Tp., Coles Co., March 1, of the same year; here he purchased land and engaged in farming until 1 870, when he located upon his pres- ent place, where he has since continued to live, and where he has eighty-nine acres, upon which he erected his residence in 1871 ; here he located in the timber and has, during the last eight years, cleared and placed under cultivation upward of fifty acres of land by his own hard labor. His marriage with Sarah Smith was celebrated Dec. 24, 1 856 : she was born in Queens Co., N. Y., May 13, 1839; they have three children now living by this union, viz., John Paul, born Nov. 8, 1857; Stephen B.. born Feb. 8, 1865, and Isaac P., born May 11, 1868 ; the names of the deceased are Georce W. and William H. W. C. McLAIN, farmer ; P. 0. Charles- ton ; one of the very oldest settlers x)f Coles Co., III., being born in Ashmore Tp., Coles Co., Jan. 12, 1829 ; his father, Matthew McLain, emigrated from Indiana in the year 1828, and located in the above township, at the above date, where he lived until 1846, when he removed to Wisconsin, and the year following both he and his wife died. The subject of this sketch emigrated to Wisconsin with his parents, and after their decease returned to Coles Co. and was employed as farm laborer until 1851, when he rented land and farmed one year, and on March 28, 1852, started with three other ox-teams overland to California, going via St. Joe, Mo., Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie, crossing the Rocky Mountains via the Sweetwater Gap, arriving at Placerville, jCal., Aug. 16, of the same year, being nearly five months upon the road ; here he engaged in freighting for several months from Sacramento City to Placerville, a distance of forty-five miles, and late in the fall engaged in mining upon Weber Creek until the spring of 1853, when he went to the North Yuba River, and engaged in mining during the summer of 1853, when he and his company, among which were two of his brothers, opened a mine, sink- ing a shaft 140 feet, which they named Galena Hill, and which has since proved to be one of the best deep diggings in California ; working this mine until the dry season set in, when they worked seven months and flumed the North Yuba River, after taking the water out of the river and working one-half day in the bed of the river, in which they obtained $2,800, the flume burst in, and their seven months' labor was lost ; he then returned to Galena Hill where he engaged in mining until March 15, 1855, when he sailed from San Fran- cisco, via Panama and New York, arriving in Ashmore Tp. April 11 following; he then rented and engaged in farming one j-ear, when he removed to Morgan Tp., where he has since engaged in farming ; ho located upon his present pla?e in Feb- ruary 186C, where he has since continued to live ; he owns sixty acres in his home farm, upon which he has good improvements, mostly made by his own labor. He mar- ried Aug. 8, 1850, to Mary A. Galbreath; she was born in Coles Co., 111., Oct. 18, 1834; she died April 11, 1866, leaving two children — Philena and Mary A. His marriage with Mahala Mitchell, daughter of John Galbreath, was celebrated April 14, 1867 ; she was born in Coles Co., III., Feb. 18, 1840; her parents were among 626 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: the early pioneers of Coles Co., who located about 1830. Mrs. MoLain has two children by her previous husband, W. R. Mitchell, viz., John F. and P. A. Mitchell, now Mrs. Hus^h Daugherty. ALEXANDER McGREGOR, farmer ; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject ot this sketch was born in Perthshire, Scotland, July 1 , 1807, where he attended the common schools in his youth and assisted his lather in farming until upward of 21 years of age, when he located in Glasgow as clerk and salesman in the wholesale store of Robert & John Henderson, with whom he remained until 1842, when he emi- grated to America, landing in New York in April, of the same year, coming directly West ; he lived in East O-tkland Tp. until the spring of 1843, when he located forty acres of land in Morgan Tp., upon which he settled and, about 1845, en- tered forty more and afterward added by purchase until he had 535 acres, which he made by his own hard labor ; he has al- ways been one of the most industrious and hard-working men of Morgan Tp., and is held in high esteem as a citizen ; he has always taken a deep interest in the cause , of religion and education, having been an active member of the Presbyterian Church for upward of half a century ; on Jan. 9, 1872, he was stricken with palsy, and upon the 13th of the same month received his second shock, since which time he has been confined to the house, and is nearly in a helpless condition, which affliction he has borne with Christian fortitude. His mar- riage with Margaret Dollar was celebrated June 11, 1833; .she was born in Perth- shire, Scotland, Nov. 18, 1811 ; five chil- dren were the fruit of this union, three of which are deceased ; the names of the liv- '• ing are William and John. Mr. Mc- Gregor was a strong Union man during the war of the rebellion, two of his sons serv- ing in the Union Army, Alexander being killed at the battle of Perryville ; Mrs. i McGregor died April 27, 1876; Mr. McGregor continues to live upon the old , homestead with his younger son, John, by whom he is kindly eared for ; John was | born in the old homestead Feb. 1, 1848, where he has always lived ; he married April 12, 1877, to Rosanie C. Craig; she was the daughter of James W. Craig, one of the early settlers of Coles Co. ; they | have one child by this union — Margaret J., born Dec. 15, 1878. DANIEL R. McALISTER, farmer, deceased ; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co. The subject of this sketch was born in Alabama May 20, 1821 ; he emigrated to Illinois at 10 years of age, and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp., in the year 1831, where he lived until his death, which occurred Nov. 9, 1867; he was one of the most industrious and hard- working men of Morgan Tp., and by his industry and good management had accu- mulated a good property at the time of his death. His marriage was celebrated Feb. 11, 1844 ; six children were the fruit of this union, three of whom are deceased ; the living are Martha J. (now Mrs. J. B. Will- iams), Clara B. (now Mrs. Dunlap) Mc- Ghey and Margaret R. (now Mrs. G. E. Johnson). Mrs. McAlister makes her home with her oldest daughter, Mrs. J. B. Williams, and although in her 63d year, is in possession of all her facultie.--, and daily assists in the various household duties. J. T. MONTGOMERY, physician, P. 0. Charleston ; born in Cedar Co., Mo., Oct. 18, 1852. He emigrated with his parents and located in Alton, 111., in 1861, for about six months, then Windsor for three years, where his father was located as minis- ter of the C. P. Church. He located in Oak- and. Coles Co., in March, 1867, when he attended school until 1871, where he worked as farm laborer during the summer and fall, in which way he obtained the means to attend the Mt. Zion Academy until he had exhausted the proceeds of his summer's labor, when he engaged as clerk in the dry goods store of Wilcox & Bur- roughs, at Fairmount, 111., where he re- mained until winter, when he taught school for six months, and having laid up sufii- cient means to delray his expenses in fur- ther educating himself, he went to the Normal School, at Normal 111., for six months; he continued in this manner, teaching, then expending his savings in schooling himself until he received his edu- cation, graduating from the Chicago Med- ical College in the Centennial Class of 1876, having devoted four years to the study of medicine ; he then engaged in partnership with Dr. W. J. Peak, at Oak- land, under the firm name of Peak & Montgomery. He located upon his present I MORGAN TOWNSHIP. 627 place in August, 1876, since which time he has successfully followed the practice of medicine, having a large and extensive practice, which is yearly increasing. He married Oct. 12, 1876, to Mary A. Gerard, daughter of Jackson Gerard, whose biog- raphy appears in this work ; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Feb. 18, 1856. They have one child by this union — Sarah Em- ily, born July 8, 1877. WM. MORGAN, farmer; P. 0. Rar- din ; born in Sullivan Co., Ind., Dec. 13, 1827; he emigrated with his parents when 8 years old and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp. in 1834, and before the organization of the township, which is named in honor of his father, David Mor- gan, who resided here from 1835 until his death, which occurred in October, 1860. The subjectof this sketch lived with his par- ents and assisted in farming until 1850, when he engaged in farming for himself upon the place where he has since lived ; he owns 320 acres in his home farm and 320 acres in other parts of the township ; when Mr. Morgan first located in this township, it was inhabited by Indians, whose camps were along the river, their chief camps being along Brush Creek, where the mounds may be seen to this day ; wolves were plenty, and to obtain quail, prairie chick- ens, turkeys or deer, it was hardly neces- sary to step outside of the door-yard ; his trips to mill consumed four days, and the distance was fifty miles, either to Eugene on the Wabash, or to Terre Haute ; at that early date, he had only two neighbors, and from his locati(m at the north part of what is now Morgan Tp. to within a half mile from Charleston, a distance of twelve miles, there was not a single habitation ; for roads, to avoid getting lost, a single furrow would be plowed from point to point ; this was the way the road was laid out to Charleston and other parts. His schooling was obtained under disadvan- tages, in an old log school house, whose fire-place was the whole of one end of the building ; the scholars were obliged to gather their wood from the stump, take it to the schoolhouse, chop it and take it in. His marriage with Margaret Shirre was celebrated Sept. 6, 1850 ; she was born in Glasgow, Scotland, May 28, 1835 ; they have four children, now living, by this union — William David, now attending the Chicago Medical College his third term ; Ralph D., Alexander J. and Josie Clay. JAMES MORGAN, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Oakland ; one of the early pioneers of Coles Co. ; born in Vermilion Co., Ind., April 20, 1830 ; he was the youngest son of David Morgan, who was born in Wa-shing- ton Co., Ky., Nov. 18, 1797 ; he emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana with his fam- ily, where he lived until he emigrated to Coles Co., 111., where he located April 20, 1834, in what is now Morgan Tp., the township being named in honor of David Morgan. He married Oct. 7, 1818, to Jane Rodman ; she was born in Kentucky, June 9, 1799 ; six children were the fruit of this union, five of whom emigrated to Illinois with the family at the above date, one having died in infancy ; the names of the living were Sarah, Catharine J., Mary E., William and James ; Mr. Morgan died Sept. 10, 1860 ; Mrs. Morgan died Jan. 31,1832. The subjectof this sketch was 4 years of age when he emigrated to Coles Co,, 111., in 1834 ; he lived with his parents until 19 years of age, when he managed the farm until the decease of his father, since which time he has con- tinued to live upon the old homestead, where he has lived for a period of forty- five years ; he owns upon his home farm 112 acres, and 8 acres of timber in Oak- land Tp.; when Mr. Morgan came here, Indian camps were along the river, wolves and game were plenty, and Mr. Morgan remembers his first labor in his boyhood as watching and protecting the sheep from destruction by the wolves during the day, the sheep being driven in close pens for protection during the night ; his trips to mill consumed from four to six days, either to Perryville, Eugene, or Terre Haute, the distance being sixty miles. His marriage with Clarissa J. West was celebrated Oct. 12, 1849 ; she was born in Vermilion Co., Ind., Oct. 6, 1831 ; they have five chil- dren by this union, viz.; Robert, born Oct. 9, 1850; Leonard C, June 22, 1853; William J., Feb. 21, 1855 ; Melvin, June 8, 1858, and David, Ausj. 23, 1869. JOHN NOCK, farmer ; P. 0. Charles- ton ; born in Germany Feb. 20, 1835 ; he emigrated with his parents to America when 2 years of age ; coming directly West, they located first in Ross, then Waverly Co., Ohio, until 1849, when 8 628 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : they located in Charleston, Coles Co., 111., where he learned and worked at the car- penter trade until 1863, at which date he located upon his present place, where he has since continued to live ; he owns upon his present place 165 acres, upon which he has good buildings, and which is mostly under cultivation. He married Aug. 5, 1863, to Mary GoUaday ; she was born upon the place where she now lives, and where she has lived since her birth, which occurred Dec. 18, 1841 ; they have seven children now living, by this union, viz. : Katie and Annie (twins), born Aug. 24, 1864 ; Minnie, Jan. 4, 1869; John, Oct. 8, 1872; James, Nov. 13, 1874; Jackson, Nov. 28, 1876; Emma, April 17, 1878. The father of Mr. Nock, John Nock, died in Septem- ber, 1851 ; his mother died Aug. 27, 1875; the parents of Mrs. Nock, Moses and Catharine Golladay, were among the ; early pioneers of Coles Co., locating here in 1836 ; Mr. Golladay was born in Virginia, Oct. 15, 1809; he died in Morgan Tp., March 12, 1862; Mrs. Golladay was born ; in A'irginia March 25, 1819 ; she now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Nock, upon the same place where she has resided for up- ward of forty-three years, and is one of the oldest living settlers now in Morgan Tp. F. M. PARKER, farmer; P. 0. Rar- din ; born in Edgar Co., 111., March 18, 1849; he is the" eldest son of Wm. M. Parker, who emigrated from Kentucky, and located in Edgar Co., 111., in the year 1829; he died in Coles Co., Feb. 14, 1873 ; his mother was born in Kentucky, and emigrated with her parents, and loca- ted in Coles Co. in 1828 ; the subject of this sketch remained with his parents, and assisted in farming, until 20 years of age, when he was employed as farm-laborer for about four years : he first commenced farming for himsell' in 1871, in Edgar Co., and the year following in East Oakland Tp., Coles Co. ; he removed upon Sec. 5, Morgan Tp., in December, 1873, where he has since successfully followed farming. : He married Sept. -14, 1871 to Sarah J. Roberts ; she was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, March 11, 1848 ; she is daugh- ter of Thomas Roberts, whose biography appears in this work ; they have four chil- ; dren by this union — Rhoda A., born June 30, 1872; James W., born May 1, 1874; | Cara A., born May 21, 1876 ; Dora R., born April 29, 1878. Mr. Parker has held the office of Road Overseer for two years, and Collector of Morgan Tp. for 1878. SAMUEL RARDIN, merchant and Postmaster, Rardin ; born in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., 111., Jan. 2, 1850, where he attended the common schools until 1872, when he entered the Westfield College at Westfield, Clark Co., III., which he at- tended during the years 1872 and 1873, when he returned home and assisted his father in farming until the year 1875, when he was appointed, under the admiu- tration of President Grant, as Postmaster at Rardin, which office he now holds, and which is the only post office in Morgan Tp. ; upon receiving the above appoint- ment, he erected a store, and purchased a stock of goods ; he engaged in the mer- chandise trade, which business he has since successfully followed. He is the oldest son now living of John H. Rardin, who emigrated from Kentucky and located in Morgan Tp. in 1842, and whose biography appears in this work. He also owns forty acres of prairie land, upon which he has a residence, and which is rented. J. L. RARDIN, farmer and Justice of the Peace ; P. 0. Rardin ; one of the early settlers of Morgan Tp. ; born in the State of Indiana Dec. 12, 1814; his parents re- moved to Campbell County, Ky., when he was 4 years of age, where he was en- gaged in clearing land and farming, with the exception of five years in Ohio, until 28 years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp., in the fall of 1842, upon the place where he has since continued to live during a p'erind of nearly thirty-seven years; he first entered eighty acres of prairie land, which is now a part of his home farm, and eighty acres of tim- ber upon the Embarra.ss River; at the time of his locating here, his capital consisted of one team and wagon, his provisions for the winter and $25 in money; his first log house and stable, which he built in 1842. was occupied by liim until about the year 1853, when he erected his present hou.se and, a few years later, built a frame barn ; he now owns in his home farm 160 acres and upward of 30(1 acres in other jiarts of the township. Mr. Rardin has taken a MORGAN TOWNSHIP. 629 deep interest in the cause of religion and education, having been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for up- ward of twenty years ; of school and town- ship offices, he has had his share, having held the offices of Supervisor, School Trust- ee and School Director several terms, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for upward of thirty years in succession. He married Feb. 1, 1838, to Sarah Ran- kin ; she was born in Ohio Aug. 7, 1815 ; she died May 3, 1848, leaving two children now living, viz., David fborn Jan. 27, 1839), Nancy (born Sept. 29, 1841). His marriage with Mary Ann Sousley was celebrated March 9, 1354 ; she was born in Fleming Co., Ky., Aug. 27, 1829 ; they have three children now living by this union, viz., George (born March 16, 1860), Ellen (March 18, 1862), Lucy (Aug. 18, 1873. Mr. Rardin located here when wolves were plenty, and to protect the sheep they built close pens at the side of the house, in which the sheep were nightly driven ; game was also abundant, and to obtain a quail, wild turkeys, prairie chick- ens, wild geese, ducks or deer was the work of a few minutes. His milling was a work of four days' labor, driving oxen to Dan- ville, Montezuma or Terre Haute, and sometimes he was obliged to wait from two to three days to get his grist ground. JOHN H. RARDIN, farmer ; P. 0. j Rardin ; one of the early pioneers of Mor- gan Tp.; born in the State of Indiana, Feb. 24, 1818: he removed with his pa- rents when 3 months old to Campbell Co., ' Ky., where he lived until 25 years of age, i where ho was engaged in farming until he emigrated to Illinois and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp. in the fall of 1842, living within one mile of his present place since that date, a period of nearly thirty-seven years ; at the time of locating here, his capital consisted of one team, without a dollar in money ; he worked by the day to pay for his first dwelling, which was an old log house ; he manufactured his first bedstead by boring a hole in one of the end and side logs, running a pole from each and entering a post at either end ; the following year, he went back to Ken- tucky, where he worked as farm laborer one season, at $9 per month, in which way he obtained means to enter forty acres of land, and upon which he commenced his first farming ; he has since disposed of the above, but now owns in his home farm, 280 acres, and 160 acres in Oakland Tp., all of the above being accumulated by his own hard labor, energy and industry ; although in his 61st year, and having suffered all the hardships and exposure of frontier life, he is now in possession of all his facul- ties, and daily attends to the care of his stock, and such other duties as his farm requires. He married March 6, 1845, to Melinda Clark ; she was born in Ken- tucky Oct. 25, 1824; they have three children now living by this union, viz., Mary Ann, born Feb. 13, 1846, now Mrs. Porter Johnson ; Samuel Rardin, born Jan. 2, 1850, now merchant and Postmas- ter at Rardin ; James K., born June 28, 1851, now practicing law at Charleston ; Mrs. Rardin died March 13, 1857. His marriage with Rebecca Hurst was cele- brated in the spring of 1859 ; she was born in Edgar Co., 111., April 17, 1825; she died April 17, 1870, leaving one child, now living — Malinda J., born May 15, 1862. He married for his third wife Mrs. Nancy Campbell, Dec. 17, 1873 ; she was born in Jefferson Co., Ind., Jan. 30, 1830; she was the daughter of John McCrory, one of the early pioneers of Clark Co., 111., who located in Clark Co. in 1838 ; they have one child by this union— John H. Rardin, born Feb. 3, 1875. ISAAC ROBERTS, retired farmer and blacksmith ; P. 0. Charleston ; born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Feb. 25, 1807; his grandfather emigrated from Wales in the early part of the seventeenth century, and located in Virginia, then to Kentucky, where he died ; his father, Azariah Roberts, was born in Kentucky about the year 1775, and died in Indiana about 1847. The subject of this sketch removed to Scott Co., Ky., when quite young, where he lived until 22 years of age, and learned and worked ai the blacksmith trade until 1828, when he removed to Hendricks Co., Ind., and followed his trade until 1852, during a period 'of twenty-four years ; he then emigrated to Illinois, and located upon his present place in June, 1853, where he has since continued to live ; he first purchased 120 acres of land upon his pres- ent faim, to which he has since added un- til he has 360 acres, which he has accumu- lated by his own hard labor, energy and 630 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : industry. Ho married in April, 1822, to Nancy Bowles ; she was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., in November, 1807; she died Feb. 28, 1866 ; nine children were thefruit of this union, five of whom are deceased ; the names of the living are William D., born April 29, 1829; Aratus, born Oct. 20, 1833 ; Isaac M., born June 16, 1847, and Alpheus, born Feb. 24, 1850 ; Mr. Roberts' children are all living within one mile of his present home. William D. married in 1850 to Ann Douglas ; she died Feb. 25, 1866, leaving three children ; he married for his second wife Cynthia Lan- man ; she died Dec. 27, 1878, leaving four children. Aratus married in 1854 to Araminta Bradfield ; she died in 1858, leav- ing one child — Charles W., born March 16, 1857 ; his second marriage with Auyziller Nelson was celebrated in 1865 ; they have three children now living by this union — Alpheus, Aratus J. and Ella. Isaac M. married Feb. 18, 1867, to Patience Mary- mee ; she was born in Indiana Jan. 30, 1844 ; they have three children now living, viz.: John T., born March 10, 1868; Phuebe J., born Feb. 21, 1875, and Julia M., born July 3, 1878. Alpheus married Amanda Wilkin April 4, 1872 ; she was born in Coles Co., 111.; they have one child —Daisy D. WM. H. REYNOLDS, far.; P. 0. Oak- land ; born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, May 29, 1837, where he was brought up on a farm until about 18 years of age, when he emi- grated to Clark Co., 111., and located for one year; thence to Coles Co., where he hired as farm laborer for two years, when he rented land and farmed three years. He enlisted July 25, 1861, in Col. Ogles- by's regiment — the 8th I. V. I. — going in camp at Cairo, where he remained about two months, during which time he was engaged in rcconnoiterin^ expeditions in Missouri ; he then joined the Army of the West under Gen. Grant, and was in many severe battles, among which were Ft. Don- elson, Shiloh, Corinth, siege and capture of Vicksburg, after which he went with the army South to New Orleans, and went into winter quarters, remaining until the spring of 1865, when they went to Mobile, which place they captured after remaining there two months; went to Shreveport, La., then to Marshall, Tex., where he re- ceived a furlough, and while at home was mustered out of service by s])ecial order from the War Department April 20, 1866. Mr. Reynolds was in the Union Army nearly five years, and while he had many narrow escapes ; was wounded only once, while making a charge at Raymond, Miss., having the flesh torn from one of his fingers. At the battle of Shiloh, he received a bullet through his pants, one through his blouse, and one struck the stock of his gun ; his comrades at either side were killed ; at the battle of Holly Springs, he was made prisoner, but was released by an attack of the Union army within about two hours ; he first enlisted for three years, and after receiving his discbarge, he re-enlLsted as veteran, and served until 1S6G. After receiving his discharge, he returned to Coles Co., where he engaged in farming until 1872, when went to Kansas and located 160 acres of land, upon which he lived until 1876, when he returned to Coles Co., 111., and located upon his present place, where he has since lived ; his home farm contains 162 acres, mostly prairie land. He mar- ried in 1 855 to Mary E. Harvey ; she died in February, 1860 ; he married for his second wife Hester Tuttle, in 18(j3; she died in 1867, leaving one child — Min- nie B.; his marriage with Margaret E. Collins was celebrated May 23, 1 869 ; they have four children by this union, viz., Maynard Oscar, Martha J., Ida May, John W. Mrs Reynolds was born March 6, 1845 ; she was the daughter of Watson Collins, one of the early pioneers of Coles Co., and whose biography appears in this work. JOHN G. SAILER, farmer; P. Rardin ; born in Wurtemberg, Germany,. Oct. 18, 1823, where ho attended school and engaged in farming until 21 years of age, when he was drafted in the 2d Regt. of cavalry, where he served two years, when he received a furlough, subject to the call of the King, and, at the expiration of about four months, war being declared be- tween (xcrmany and Denmark, he was called into service and served during the war, which continued for a period of two years, at the close of which, the Ger- man rebellion breaking out, in which he served until the same was subdued, which was about twelve months; he then engaged in farming until 1853, when he emigrated MORGAN TOWNSHIP. 631 to America, landing in New York Nov. 10, of the Slime year; he then went to Pennsylvania, where he worked upon a farm for six months, at §8 per month ; he then went to Indiana, where he worked as farm laborer for two years, at SI 6 per month ; he then located near Charleston, Coles Co., 111., where he was employed by Jacob P. Decker eight months, when he removed to Morgan Tp. and located upon Sec. 0, in the spring of 1857, where he has since lived ; he owns upward of one hundred acres, upon which he has good buildings; he erected his house in 1869. His marriage with Meli.ssa Gillaspie was celebrated March IS, 1857 : she was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, Jan. 19, 1838; they have two children now living by this union, viz., Rosa C, born Dec. 15, 1860, and Nancy C, born Deo. 29, 1862; Mrs. Sailer was the oldest daughter of Augustus Gillaspie, her mother being a sister of John H. and Jacob L. Hardin, whose bi- ography appear in this work ; her parents were among the early pioneers ol Coles Co., making the journey with teams from Ohio, in company of John H. and Jacob Rardin, and locating in this township in the Ml of 1842. Mr. Sailer has reared from childhood James E. Archer, who was born in Oakland Feb. 11, 1856 ; his father died when he was 9 months old, and Mr. Sailer has educated him and treated him as one of his own children since his adoption. PETER TAYLOR, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Oakland ; born in Champaign Co., Ohio, April 25, 1820, where he lived until 1853 ; his father, John Taylor, died when he was 13 years of age, and, he being the oldest son, remained with his mother and managed the farm until 23 years of age, at which time he rented land and engaged in farming until the fall of 1853, when he emigrated to Illinois with his family and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp. ; he then rented the A. B. Florer farm, where ho lived for twelve years, the last few years of which he had power of attorney to transact business in the name of A. B. Florer in his absence ; he re- moved upon his present place in 1865, where he has since continued to live, and where he owns sixty acres of land, upon which he has good farm buildings. He married Jan. 12, 1843, to Elizabeth Moody; she was born in Ohio Nov. 12, 1817; she died Dec. 18, 1860, leaving five children now living, having lost three by death ; the names of the living are John T., Oliver S., William H., Emery M., Francis B. His marriage with Mary Housel was celebrated Feb. 2, 1862 ; she was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, March 4, 1829 ; five children were the fruit of this union, three of which are deceased ; the names of the living are Loyal P. and Ira D. JOHN T. TAYLOR, farmer; P. O. Rardin ; born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Dec. 24, 1843, where he lived until 9 years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to Illinois and located in what is now known as Morgan Tp., in the fall of 1853, and where he has since continued to live within two and a half miles of his present location ; he lived with his parents and engaged in farming until the spring of 1864, when he commenced farming upon his own account upon the place where he has since lived. He owns in his own farm 7141 acres, which he has improved, and upon which he has erected good buildings, and 98 acres in other parts of the county ; when Mr. Taylor first located upon his present place, there was upon the same an old log house and barn, which were among the first buildings erected in this township ; he erected his pre.sent barn in 1869, and house in 1873, His marriage with Mary Elizabeth Ross was celebrated Jan, 21, 1864 ; she was born in Morgan Tp., 111., Nov. 11, 1845 ; seven children are the fruit of this union, two of which are de- ceased ; the names of the living are Clar- inda J., Margaret E., Alice A., Samuel P. and Martha I. ; the deceased are John P. and Sarah C. Mr. Taylor is a son of Peter Taylor, who located in this township in 1853, and who still lives upon Sec. 19, Morgan Tp. ; his mother died Dec. 18, 1860 ; Mrs. Taylor is the only surviving child of Samuel and Catherine J. Ross ; her father was born Dec. 9, 1801, in Ken- tucky, and emigrated from Bourbon Co., Ky., in 1840, locating in Morgan Tp., where he lived until his decease, which occurred June 17, 1853 ; Mrs. Ross was daughter of David Morgan, who emigrated from Indiana, and located in Morgan Tp. in 1835; she was born Feb. 22, 1822, and died Nov. 17, 1853. 632 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ANDREW WALTON, farmer: P. O. Oakland ; born in Coles Co., 111., Oct. 20, 1850 ; he was the son of George L. Wal- ton, who emigrated to Coles Co. in 184-1, and located in Morgan Tp. ; he died in 1857. Mrs. Walton died in 1870 ; the children are all deceased with the exception of the subject of this sketch, who is the only surviving member of the family. After the decease of his father he worked as farm laborer until 1878, five years of which was with J. B. Williams, and four years with Watson CoUius, feeding stock, etc. His marriage with Eliza A. Collins was celebrated July 7, 1877 ; she was born in Coles Co., 111., June 29, 185C, upon the place where she has always lived, and which is now her home ; she was the daughter of Watson Collins, of the early pioneers of Coles Co., and whose biography appears in this work. JOHN WINKELBLACK, farmer and stock -raiser; P. 0. Charleston ; born in Dauphin Co., Penn., March 4, 1805, where he lived until 15 years of age, when he learned and worked at the tanner's and currier's trade at Harrisburg, Penn., until 1829, at which date he emigrated to Ohio, working at Cleveland, Massillon and Zanes- ville until February, 1830, when he went to Pennsylvania and the following spring returned to Zaoesville, Ohio, where he followed his trade until the fall of 1835 ; he then emigrated to Illinois and located upon Sec. 30, Morgan Tp., where he now lives; upon locating here he entered 160 and purchased 230 acres of land, to which he afterward added until he held about 1100 acres, which he had accumulated by his own hard labor, energy and industry ; when lie first located here, wolves were plenty, and to obtain ([uail, prairie chickens, wihi gee.se, ducks, turkeys or deer, it was only necessary to shoot from your own door or window ; bis trips to mill consumed from four to seven days, the distance being fifty miles, either to Roseville or Terre Haute, Ind.; although now in his 75th year, he is in possession of all his faculties, and daily attends to his stock, nf wliieh he has 70 head of cattle, 1 horses and GO hogs. He married, March 4, 1841, to Catharine Weaver ; she was born in York Co., Penn., Oct. 23, 1822 ; she died Jan. 23, 1866, leaving twelve children, viz.: William H., Milton C, Robert A., Mason F., Nancy J., Thomas T., Mary E., John, Victoria S., Daniel, Susannah, Jacob H. Mr. Winkelblack has taken a deep interest in the cause of education, having been School Trustee and Director, the latter oflfiec which, he now holds, he has held many years. JOHN WOODFALL deceased, farmer. The subject of this sketch was born in England about the year 1807 ; he emi- grated to America while quite a young man and located in Louisville, Ky., where he worked in a foundry and machine shop for about fifteen years, when he located in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., 111., in January, 1857, when he purchased 200 acres of land in Sec. 31, where he lived until his death, which occurred June 14, 1857, being in- stantly killed by lightning while planting corn, leaving a widow and seven children. His marriage with Jane Stinson was cele- brated in the fall of 1842; she was born in Scotland and emigrated to America with her parents when quite young. They had eight children by this union, viz., Margaret J., born Oct. 24. 1844 ; Richard, born April 12, 1848; Hannah, born March 10, 1849 — died in the spring of 1860; Charles, born Feb. 6, 1851 ; James, born Feb. 29, 1 852 ; John W., born Feb. 5, 1854; Theodore, born May 19, 1857 ; Alice D. B., born May 23, 1861. WM. E. WORSHAM, farmer; P.O. Oakland ; born in Kosciusko Co., Ind., Feb. 19, 1850; here he attended the com- mon schools until 15 years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to Coles Co., 111., Feb. 7, 1865; here his father, Will- iam Worsliam, died May 12, 1877, and his mother dic^d Jan. 19, 1879. Upon locat- ing here, Mr. W. assisted his father in farming until 19 years of age, when he engaged in school-teaching during the fall and winter, and following (arming in sum- mer until 1873, when he located upon his present place, which contains 150 acres of prairie aud timber land, and was one of the first places .settled upon and improved in Morgan Tp. His marriage with Mar- tha V. Collins was celebrated Dec. 13, 1873 ; she was born in ]Morgan Tp., Coles Co., Oct. 26, 1850. They have one child by this union — William Wat.son Worsham, born Jan. 4, 1875. Mrs. Wonshara is a daughter of Watson Collins, of the early pioneers, and whose biography appears in this work. ! HUMBOLT TOWNSHIP. 633 HUMBOLT TOWNSHIP. RICHARD AVEY, former and stock- dealer ; P. 0. Areola; the subject of this sketch was born ia Suffolk Co., Eng., Aug. 19, 1837. He married Miss Celia Oakland May 31, 1858 ; she was born in Norway, Feb. 7, 1841 ; they had eight children — seven living, viz., Mary J., William T., John L., Maud I., Richard (i. N., Mar- tha C. and Oscar L. ; Leander R. died Sept. 25, 1866 ; he lived in England about eighteen years, when he came to the United States, and settled in LaSalle Co., III., where he lived about two years ; he then came to Coles Co; this was in 1857; he settled on his present place and has lived here since. He has held the office of Com- missioner of Highways two terms, and School Director some nine years, also Town Collector and Treasurer of Commissioners of Highways. He owns 125 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management ; he is a member of the Episcopal Church, and has been con- nected with the same all his life. JAMES M. BE ALE, firmer and stock- dealer ; P. 0. Areola ; was born in Mason Co., W. Va., Jan. 1, 1825. He married Miss Jane R. Wylie in the fall of 1852 ; she was born in Brooke Co., W. Va. ; they had six children — three living, viz., Ida M., J. Edwin and Florence; he lived in West Virginia until 1826, when, with his parents, he went to Kentucky, where he lived until 1833, when he went to Vir- ginia, where he lived until 1857, when he came to Illinois and settled on his farm in Humbolt Tp., in Coles Co., where he lived until 1870, when he moved to the village of Humbolt and lived there until 1876, when ho moved to Areola ; and, though his residence is in Areola, he sjiends the most of his time on his farm in Humbolt. He is no office-seeker, and has taken no part in township affairs, except connected with the schools. He owns 280 acres in Humbolt Tp., which he has earned by his own labor and management ; his parents, Richard and Hannah Willson Beale, were natives of Virginia ; .she died in Kentucky, and he died in Natchez, Jliss. JOHN W. BEAVERS, deceased ; was born in Hampshire Co., Va.,Sept. 3, 1814; he married Miss Mary A. Madden Sept. 10, 1840 ; she was born in Hampshire Co., Va., March 26, 1819 ; they had seven children, six living — Samuel M., John B., Richard R., George W., Marcellus S. and Mary E. He lived in Virginia until 1854, when he moved to Illinois, and settled about one-fourth of a mile west of the present village of Humbolt; in 1856, he moved to Iowa, and in 1857 he came to the present place ; he was one of the first Road Commissioners in this township under organization ; he also held the office of Supervisor for a number of years ; he lived on the present place until his death, April 14, 1875. Mrs. Beavers and family all live here on the old homestead. All the children are single except Marcel- lus S., who married MissSallie A. Nichol- son, of Humbolt Tp., Feb. 23, 1879. BROWN BROS., RICHARD AND DANIEL, farming, stock and road grad- ing and ditching ; P. 0. Humbolt ; are na- tives of Nelson and Hardin Cos., Ky. ; they were born Dec. 22, 1826, and July 22, 1832, respectively. They were born on the farm, and have always followed farm- ing ; they lived in Kentucky until the fall of 1854, when they came to Illinois, and settled about ten miles south of Charleston, where they lived about three months ; they then moved on the Sjiringfield road, in Douglas Co., where they lived one year, when, in 1856, they came to the present place, and have lived here since. With the exception of a term as Assessor by Rich- ard, they have held no office, except con- nected with the school and road. Richard Brown married Miss Elizabeth Morrison, of Kentucky, Sept. 23, 1852 ; she died Nov. 7, 1860. They had five children, two living, viz., Sally Ann and Mary Jane. His present wife was Mrs. O'Bannon, formerly Mi.ss Elizabeth Ann Bridwell ; they were married Feb. 16, 1862 ; they have two children, viz., Ida B. and Rich- ard Alonzo. He owns over 200 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management. Daniel Brown married Miss Mary Morrison, of Ken- tucky, Dec. 3, 1853. They had seven children, five living, viz., John P., Will- iam A., Susan T., James H. and Alburtis R. He owns over 200 acres in this town- 634 BIOGRArHICAL SKETCHES: ship, which he has earned by his own labor and management. Brown Bros., Hum- bolt, 111. ; all kinds of grading and ditch- ins done; estimates furnished. D. A. BOWMAN, blacksmith and gen- eral jobber; P. 0. Humbolt, 111.; was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 5, 1845. He married Miss Sarah McCravy Oct. 1, 1867 ; she was born in East Tennessee ; they had three children, two living, viz., Charles A. and Lydia L. He lived in Ohio three years, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois, and settled near Kobinson; in 1860, he began to learn bis trade with T. J. Sims, plow-manufacturer at that place. In 1864, he enlisted in the 135th 111. Ilegt., he being Regimental Fifer ; was discharged in November following, and began work at his trade with Mr. Stifle, of Stifle.sville ; next worked at Oblong City with Mr. Zugler ; next with Mr. Sentney, in Hum- bolt ; then with Miller & Miller, of Mat- toon, and, in August, 1866, he began work in Areola for Mr. Jacobs, and, in June, 1867, he worked in Humbolt for Mr. Sentney, and, in October, after his mar- riage, he went in partnership with Mr. Jacobs, of Areola ; in 1868, he worked for Mr. Garrett, in Windsor, and, in 1869, he opened a shop of his own in Areola ; in the fall of the same year, he came to Humbolt and carried on wagon and car- riage making and blacksmithing ; in 1874, he sold his wagon business and rented out his blacksmith-shop and tnok a position at Homer in the carriage factory of Mr. Cu- sick; in 1875, he returned to Humbolt and resumed business in his former stand, and, as will be seen, his nineteen years' experi- ence has been such as to specially adapt him to his specialties of horse-shoeing and plow-work. S. C. DORAN, farming and stock; P. 0. Mattoon ; the subject of this sketch was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Dec. 12, 1827. He married Miss Eliza A. Wortr ham Nov. 5, 1850; she was born in the same place Nov. 18, 1830; they had ten children, seven living, viz., David W., Mary L., Pjdwin W., George M., Nannie A., Oscar J. and John H. He was born on his father's farm, and moved to Hart Co., Ky., with his parents, in 1832, and lived there until 1 854 ; he then went to Grayson Co., and engaged in farming ; in 1860, he came to Illinois and settled on his present place. He has held no office except connected with the road and school ; he is now .serving in his second term as Commissioner of Highways. He owns 120 acres in this township, upon which, in 1878, he established a station on the Illi- nois Central R. R. — which passes through his farm — which is known as Doran's Crossing. He has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterians since 1850. His parents, Thomas and Mary Cleaver Doran, were natives of Nelson and Wash- ington Cos., Ky.; they died in 1853 and 1854, respectively, in Kentucky. JAMES EDGAR, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 0. Humbolt ; the subject of this sketch was born in Suffolk Co., England, March 21, 1838. He married Miss Mar- garet Hiiligoss May 8, 1862 ; she was born in Rush Co., Ind., Sept. 15, 1845; they had seven children, five living, viz., John P.. W^illiam T., Ora May, James Rue and Lcroy. He lived in England fifteen years ; he then moved to Scotland, where he lived two years and returned to England ; re- mained there until he was 19, when he came to the United States, arriving at Chicago, and, in 1857, he came to Coles Co., and settled near his present place ; in 1858, he came to his present place and has lived here since. He has held the office of Collector, Town Clerk and has been School Director some nine or ten years. He owns 120 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and man- agement. JACOB ERNST, farmer and stock- raiser; P.O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 30, 1839. He married Miss Julia Anna Joose Aug. 16, 1861 ; she was born in Baden, (Jermany, June 20, 1844 ; they had nine children, eight living, viz., George A., John M., Flora May, Mary A., Harry D., Willis E., Clarence and Jacob E.; Charlie died June 4, 1866. He lived in Germany about fifteen years, when he came to the United States and settled in Meadville, Penn., where he lived until 1855 ; he tbon moved to Owen Co., Ind. ; theuce to Hendricks Co., and, in 1857, he came to Coles Co., III.; he had visited here in 1856 ; in March, 1867, he came to his present place, and has lived here since. He has held the office of School Director several terms, and is at present Commis- HUMBOLT TOWNSHIP. 635 sioner of Highways in tliis township ; he owns 159 acres in this township, which ho has earned by his own labor and manage- ment. J. W. FARRAR, farmer and stock ; P. 0. Mattoon ; the subject of this sketch was born in South CaroliDa, near Charleston. March 4, 1827. He married Miss Ann M. Talbot Oct. 12, 1851 ; she was born in Henderson Co., Ky., Oct. 9, l£22-r-ti»try baJ eight children, two living, viz., Joseph P. and Lizzie A. He lived about eighteen months in South Carolina, when, with his parents, he moved to Perry Co., Mo., where he engaged in the warehouse and wood business; he lived here with his parents about six months, when, with his grandparents, he went to Illinois and settled at Lebanon, in St. Clair Co., where he lived until he was 8 years of age ; while here his grandfather died, and his grandmother and he went to Mount Vernon, Ind., where they lived with her son ; he lived here three years ; he then went to New Harmony and engaged on a farm, where he worked two years; he then went to Stewartsville and appren- ticed to the tanning business, remaining three and a half years; he then returned to Perry Co., Mo., and engaged in tan- ning, following his trade some four years ; he then engaged in shipping fowls to New Orleans, and followed the business about four years ; he then followed his trade for about four years ; he then went to Posey Co., Ind., and engaged in farming, remain- ing until 1861, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., about four miles east of his present place, and in 1864 he came to his present place and has lived here since. He has held the oiBce of Road Commissioner three years, that of School Trustee some four years — also Director for a number of years. He owns 310 acres of land in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management. WM. B. HAWKINS, retired farmer ; P. 0. Humbolt ; the subject of this sketch is one of the early settlers of this town- ship ; he was born in Boone Co., Ky., July 31, 1.^21. He married Miss Abigail Mor- gan Feb. 20, 1843 ; she was born in Ohio, and died Oct. 8, 1846 ; they had two chil- dren, viz., Francis M. and Louisa A. ; his present wife was Miss Nancy Banner; they were married Oct. 4, 1848 ; she was born in Rush Co., Ind., Oct. 11, 1823; he lived about two and a half years in Kentucky, when, with his parents, he moved to Ru.sh Co., Ind., where they engaged in farming ; he lived there until 1840 ; he then came to Illinois and engaged by the month on a farm on the Okaw, now in Coles Co. ; he lived there about eighteen months, then went to Indiana, and lived there until 1850, when he again came to Coles Co. and settled in Humbolt Tp., about one mile from the present village of Humbolt ; at this time there were less than one dozen settlers in this township ; he lived on his farm until 1865, then here to the village; he was the first Township Collector in this township and served in offices connected with the school and road ; though he yet retains the old homestead, he takes no act- ive part in its management ; in 1866, he engaged in the drug business in this vil- lage, and continued the business until 1874, since which time he has been living retired. REV. R. C. HILL, farming and stock; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Sullivan Co., Ind., Dee. 11. 1817. He married Miss Mary A. Woods Dec. 10, 1839 ; she was born in Sullivan Co., Ind., May 23, 1817; they had six children, four living, viz., Frank- lin P., John W., Martha J. and Elizabeth M. ; he lived in Indiana twelve years, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled in Clark Co., where they en- gaged in farming ; in 1846, he came to Coles Co. and settled in La Fayette Tp., re- maining one year ; he then went to Charleston Tp., where he lived about eighteen months, when he again went to La Fayette Tp., and, in 1853, he came to his present place, and has lived here since, except two and a h:df years in Charleston ; he has been connected with the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church for forty-seven years, and has been preaching since ; licensed 32 years ago ; he owns 1 60 acres in this county, which he has earned entirely by his own labor and management ; his parents. Rev. Isaac and Margaret Cun- ningham Hill, were natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania ; they were married in Kentucky ; he died in Clark Co., 111., and she died here in Coles Co. ; they had thirteen children, eight boys and five girls ; four of the boys studied medicine, two 636 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : «ngaged in the grocery and pork trade and another engaged as a traveling salesman ; Mr. F. P. Hill, eldest son of Kev. R. C. Hilll, enlisted, in 1862, in the 123d 111. V. I., which was mounted after four months' service ; he remained in the ser- vice until the close of the war ; he took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Selma, Atlanta, and the other battles of the regi- ment. JAMES HOOD, farming and stock; P. O. Areola ; the subject of this sketch was born in We.st Union, Adams Co., Ohio, Oct. 29, 1834. He married Miss Sarah E. Willson Jan. 1, 18(31 ; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio ; they have sev- «n children, viz., John E., Mary S., Sarah B., James W., Annie E., Robert B. and Clara Dell. His father was engaged in general merchandise, and he assisted in the business until he was about 26 years ■of age ; he then came West and herded cattle in this neighborhood for one year ; he then went back to Ohio and engaged in the milling business, renting his father's grist-mill ; he followed the business one year; he then came West and improved a farm in this township, remaining here one year ; he again went back to Ohio, and engaged as assistant manager of the Etna Furnace, at Ironton, Ohio, and followed the business three years, when for the third time he came West, and finished the improvements on his farm, and lived there until 1877, when he came to his present place. He is no oflSce-seeker, and has held no office except connected with the schools. He owns 500 acres in this county. JOHN JARVIS, farming and stock ; P. 0. Areola ; the subject of this sketch was born in Madison Co., Ky., Dec. 25, 1809 ; he married Miss Polly Ray, Jan. 22, 1830 ; she was born, same place, Aug. 9, 1802 ; they had eight children, two living, viz., Robert and William. He lived in Kentucky until 1830, when he came to Illinois and settled in Edgar Co., near Paris, where he lived three years ; he then moved to Kentucky, where he lived eleven years ; he then moved again to Illinois and settled in Edgar Co., about fourteen miles west of Paris; ho lived there about nine years ; he then moved to Coles Co. and settled on the Embarra.ss ; while here his wife died ; he then married Mrs. Rodman (formerly Miss Rachel Flora) ; she was a native of Kentucky. In 1865, they moved to the present place ; in March, 1868, he lost his second wife; ■they had no children. June 16, 1868, he married 31iss Mary Hedges ; she was born in Fountain Co., Ind., Nov. 3, 1848 ; they have three children, viz., James E., Melissa C. and Loyal. He is no office- seeker, having all he can do to attend his private business. In 1874, he moved to Nebraska and lived there three years, when he returned to his present place ; he owns 287 acres in this county and 240 in Nebraska, which he has earned by his own labor and management. JOHN JOHNSON, farming and stock ; P. 0. Humbolt ; the subject of this sketch was born in County Permana, Ireland, 1838 ; he married Miss Martha E. Smith Jan. 22, 1868; she was born in North Okaw Tp., Coles Co., 111., April 3, 1843 ; they have four children, viz., William, Allie, John and Walter. He lived in Ire- land until 1850, when, with his parents, he earned to the United States and settled in Moultrie Co., 111., where they engaged in farming; he lived there until 1868, though, with his brothers, he helped carry on a farm in North Okaw Tp. since 1856 ; in 1868, he moved to the same, and in 1877 he came to his present place. He is no office-seeker, and has held no office except connected with the schools ; he is in part- nership with his brothers, William, James and Fyederick ; they own 1441 acres in this county, and are the largest stock raisers in this part of the county. His parents, John and Ann Bell Johnson, were natives of Fermana Co., Ireland, where they were married; in 1850, they came to the United States. CAPT. DAVID McKINNEY, farmer; P. 0. Areola; the subject of this sketch was born in Butler Co., Ohio, March 22, 1837. He married Miss Catharine Rork Jan. 25, 1866 ; she was born same place; they have six children, viz., Ida May, Oron W., Charles N., Jessie, Otto and Ruey ; he lived in Ohio until he was 21, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles, now Douglas Co., near Areola; in December, 1861, he enlisted in the 54th I. V. I., he being Orderly of Co. I, and after seven months' service he was made Second Lieutenant, and after serving one HUMBOLT TOWNSHIP. 637 year in this office, he was elected and pro- moted to Captain of Co. I ; he was in the service four years, or during; the war, and was in the battles of Shiloh, Vioksburj;, Helena, Little Rock, Ashley Station, where he was taken prisoner and was paroled after nineteen days' captivity ; then being ex- changed, he resumed his command and took part in the other battles of the regi- ment. After returning from the army, he came to Areola and lived there until 1871 ; he then came to his present place and has lived here since ; he has held the office of Highway Commissioner and School Di- rector, and is at present School Trustee ; he owns 120 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and man- agement. JOHN McBRIDE, farming and stock; P. 0. Areola ; was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Jan. 10, 1840. He married MLss Annie P. Koymcr Dec. 1, 1864; she was born same place, Dec. 1, 1847 ; they have one child, viz., 3Iiunie. He lived in New Jersey until he was 24 years old, when on being married he came to Illinois and set- tled in North Okaw Tp., of Coles Co.; in 1867, he moved to this township and set- tled near his present place, to which he came in 1874 ; he has been Collector in this township one term ; he owns eighty acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, Robert and IMary Whitehead Mc Bride, were natives of New Jersey and England ; he died in New Jersey, and she died in this county while on a visit. GEORGE MOORE, farming and stock ; P. 0. Humbolt ; the subjectof this sketch was born in Adams Co., Ohio, June 17, 1828. He married Miss Rebecca Ann McKee Jan. 30, 1851 ; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 18.33 ; they had eight children, seven living, viz., Joseph N., Jennie. John C., George W., Oscar F., Stanley B. and Jessie ; he was born on his father's farm and lived there until he was 26 years of age, when he was elected Treasurer of Adams Co., Ohio, and moved to West Union, the county seat ; he served in this position four years, when he en- gaged in the general merchandise business at same place, continuing the business for six years, when, in 1864, he sold out his business and came to his present place, and has lived here since ; though not one of the early settlers, he has had an active in- terest in the affairs of the county ; in 1868, he served as Collector, and, in 1871, he was elected Supervisor of Humbolt Tp.; the latter office he resigned the fall follow- ing his election, he being elected Treasurer of Coles Co., in which office he served two years, and in 1874 he was elected Sheriff of the county, serving two years. He owns 320 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and man- agement, and has the satisfaction to know that he has so lived as not only to win but also to deserve the confidence and esteem of all who know him. JOHN MOORE, farming and stock ; P. 0. Humbolt ; the subject of this sketch was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Dec. 22, 1830. He married Miss Eliza J. Grooms, July 11, 1852; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio, June 18, 1834. They had eleven children, eight living, viz., Alfred F., Almira F., Newton B., S. A. Douglas, Ella R., Ludora J., Ida I. and John E. He was born on his father's farm, and lived therefor twenty -seven years; he then came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., on his present place ; this was in 1857, and has lived here since ; he has always been engaged as a fiirmer ; he has held the school offices, and has held the office of of Supervisor of Humbolt Tp. one term. He owns 909 acres of land in this county — principally in this township — which h(j has earned entirely by his own labor and management. His parents, Newton and Rebecca Burkitt Moore, were natives of Ohio, and were both born and raised on the farm they now reside on (the present farm formerly being two). Both are now living on the old homestead. H. D. MOORE, farming and stock ; P. 0. Mattoon ; the subject of this sketch was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1840. He married Miss Elizabeth A. Bayliss October, 1861 ; she was born in the same place, and died in the fall of 1865. His present wife was Miss Sarah M. Thomas ; they were married in April, 1867 ; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Nov. 15, 1846. They have eight children, viz., Minnie A., Florence A., Cora B., Eliza M., Laura R., Emmie, Alfred N. and Charles B. He lived in Ohio twenty-one years, and then, in 1861, he enlisted in the 70th Ohio V. I. ; was in the service three years, and was 638 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Vicks- burg, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta campaign, etc., etc. From the army he returned to his home in Ohio, and remaining there about one month, he came to Illinois and settled on his present place, and has lived here since. He owns 240 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management. WILLIAM A. POORMAN, forming and stock ; P. 0. Humbnlt, 111. ; the sub- ject of this sketch was born in Humbolt Tp., Coles Co., Ill, March 7, 1842. He married Miss Sarah Ann Wamsley April ' It, 18G6; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio; they have four children, viz., Cur- tis E., Oscar R., Saiah E. and Edward F. He was born on his father's farm, probably the second child born in this township ; he lived at home with his parents until 1866, when, on being married, he engaged in farming on his own account, working part of his father's farm ; in 1868, he came to his present place, and has lived here since. In 1864, he enlisted in the 143d Regt. I. V. I., but, owing to sickness, did not go out with the regiment. He has held the oflSce of Town Clerk, and has been School Director a number of years. He owns 160 acres of land in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and man- agement. JAMES SHOEMAKER, farming and [ stock ; P. O. Loxa ; the subject of this sketch was born in Washington Co., Va., I Feb. 19, 1825. He married Miss Tabi- tha Mason Sept. 3, 1863 ; she was born in . Fayette Co., Ky., Aug. 30, 1840 ; they ' had .seven children, four living, viz., Mary E., William K., James S. and Franklin R. He lived in Virginia nearly ten years, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., one mile north of Charleston ; this was in December, 1 834 ; they lived there four years, then moved to La Fayette Township, on the Springfield road, five miles west of Charleston ; while there, his father died; in 1850, he came to his present place, he being the first set- tler in this part of the township. In 1862, he enlisted in the 123d I. V. I., which, after four months' service, was mounted ; he held the position of First Lieutenant ; he remained in the service nearly one year, and teok part in the bat- tles of Perrjville and Milton, and also the minor engagements of the regiment. He has held the ofiice of Assessor two years, and was Supervisor of Humbolt Tp. for the years 1865 and 1866. He owns 382 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, John and Annie Brown Shoe- maker, were natives of North Carolina, where they were married ; both died in this county, he in 1843, and she in 185(!. JOHN W. SEAMAN, farming and stock ; P. 0. Humbolt ; was born in Adams Co., Ohio, May 28, 1837. He married MLss Mary Ann Ellison Feb. 15,1859; she was born in the same place Sept. 1, 1840 ; they have ten children, viz., Emma J., James H., FraTiklin A., Fred J., Charlie, Harry, Lizzie S., Thomas E., Wm. E. and Maggie. He lived in Ohio until 1862 ; he was born on the farm and has always followed farming; in 1862, he came to Illinois and settled in North Okaw Tp., where he lived three years ; he then moved to Humbolt Tp., and leased the Blue Grass Grove farm, and, in 1869, he came to his present place and has lived here since. He owns 360 acres in this township, which he has earned entirely by his own labor and management and prin- cipally during the short time he has lived in this township. RICHARD THOMAS, farming; P. O. Mattoon ; the subject of this sketch was born in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, Great Britain, Dec. 18, 1832. He mar- ried Miss Sarah L. Worden Dec. 12, 1853 ; she was born in Fairfield Co., Conn., March 13, 1836 ; they had seven children, five living, viz., Robert A., Laura A., Annie May, Mary Alice and Lizzie. He lived in Wales about fifteen years, when he came to the United States with some relatives and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming, remaining about three years, when he moved to Fair- field Co., Conn., where he worked on a farm and followed teaming one year; he then worked in the rolling-mill one year, and llien engaged in boating — first run- ning packet from Greenwich to New York, then in freighting, follnwing the business about four years ; he then, in 1856, moved to Franklin (!o., Ind., where he engaged in farming, and followed same until 1870, when he came to Illinois and settled in Cumberland Co., where he lived about SEVEN HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 639 nine months, and, in the fall of 1870, he came to his present place and has lived here since. He has held no office, except connected with the road or school. He owns eighty acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and man- agement. GEO. H. TERRY, grocer, Humbolt ; is a native of Hamilton Co., Ohio. In August, 1875, he came to Coles Co., and settled here in Humbolt and engaged in his present business; July 15, 187-i, he married Miss Dolly Wells, of Humbolt, 111.; they have one child, viz., Mary L. During his residence in Ohio, aside from obtaining his education, he was principally engaged in teaching school. ADAM WHITMER, ftirmer; P. 0. Humbolt. The subject of this sketch was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 26, 1832 ; he married Miss Clara Jane Bugh Nov. 1, 1864; she was born same place Jan 11, 18.38; they have three children, viz., Laura, Elmo and Eva. He lived in Ohio until 1854, when he came to Illinois and settled in Crawford Co., where he lived one year ; he then went to Dakota and engaged with a Government survey- ing party ; \\e camped for two and a half years, where Yankton now stands ; he lived in Dakota until 1859, when he went to Colorado and engaged in mining, and lived there until 1864, when he returned to Ohio, and in 1865 he came to Coles Co., III., and settled on his present place and has lived here since. He has been Town- ship Collector one year and School Director some five or six years. He owns 160 acres, in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management. SEVEN HICKORY TOWNSHIP. GEO. W. BAKER, farmer; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Philadelphia, Penn., May 30, 1824. He married Miss Susan Bell Aug. 26, 1846 ; she was born in Floyd Co., Ind., March 12, 1830, and died March 9, 1863 ; they had six children, three living, viz., George B., Wm. A. and John v.; his present wife was Mrs. Shaw, formerly Miss Jane Hancock ; they were married Oct. 19, 1803 ; she was born in Floyd Co., Ind., .Jan. 17, 1830; .she had by former marriage five children, two liv- ing, viz., Flora J. Shaw and Sarah E. Shaw. He Uved in Philadelphia about fourteen years, when, with his parents, he moved to Floyd Co., Ind., where his father engaged at his trade of shoemaking; he lived there until 1859, when he went to Spencer Co., Ind., and engaged in farming, remaining six years ; he then returned to Floyd Co., and, after remaining two years, be came to Illinois and settled on his pres- ent place, and has lived here since; he owns 308 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labi}r and management. His parents, Stephen and Mary Edwards Bakc^r, were natives of Philadelphia and Maryland ; they were married in Philadelphia ; in 1837, they ! moved to Indiana and settled in Flood Co. where they died. A. J. BRADFORD, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 0. Hinesboro, Douglas Co.; the subject of this sketch was born in Greene Co.", Penn., Nov. 12, 1832. He married Miss Susan S. Emory March 31, 1854; she was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Dee. 24, 1836 ; they had eight children, seven living, viz., Henry M., Mary -J., B. Emory, Charles C., S. Edwin, John B. andPerrie; Lineous W. died Oct 10, 1865. He lived in Pennsylvania about sixteen years, when, with his brother-in-law, he went to Ohio and settled in Licking Co,, where he re- mained until 1857, when he came to Illi- nois and settled in Coles (now Douglas) Co.; remained one year, when he came to his present place, building on the Coles Co. part of farm ; in 187(i, he came to his present residence ; he owns 240 acres, which he ha,s earned by his own labor and management. His parents, Henry and Mrs. Hannah Morris Bradford, were na- tives of Pennsylvania ; he died in 1839 ; she is living near the old homestead with a son. BUSH BROS., farm and stock ; P. 0. Charleston ; David, John and Nelson ; David was born in Northampton Co., Penn., 640 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: March 1, 1832. He married Miss Elinor Stiif Jan. 28, 1864 ; she was born in Perry Co., Ohio ; they have five children — four living, viz., Lillie D., John H., Eliza M. and Mary F. ; be lived two years in Penn- sylvania, when, with his parents, be moved to Ohio, and, in 1838, they came to Illi- nois and settled in Edgar Co.,. ithere they lived until 1849, when they came to Coles Co., and settled about two and a half miles west of Charleston, and in 1854, they came to Seven Hickory, and settled near the pres- ent place. John H. Bush was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1837. He married Miss Polly Ann Jarvis Oct. 27, 1874 ; she was born in Illinois ; they have one child, viz., Loyal Nelson ; in 1862, he enlisted in the 123d 111. Inf. ; was in the service three years ; after one year's service be was sent to the hospital, remaining six months ; was then transferred to Invalid Corps, and acted as guard. Nelson Bush was born in Edgar Co., 111., May 8, 1846, and in com- pany with his brothers has always lived with his parents ; their parents, Jonathan and Eliza Lee Bush, were natives of Penn- sylvania ; he died Oct. 6, 1856 ; she died in January, 1872. COL. JOHN COFER, of Areola Tp., Douglas Co., 111.; the subject of this memoir was born near Cave Spring, Bul- litt Co., Ky., July 9, 1804; bis parents, Thomas and Mrs. Sarah Winu Griffin Cofer, were natives of Virginia and Mary- land. Dec. 1, 1825, he married Miss Mary Eleanor Macgill, who was born in Annapolis, Md.,Feb. 7, 1807 ; her parents, Bobert and Mrs. Helen Stockett Macgill, daughter of Dr. Thomas Noble Stockett, of Annapolis, were residents of Maryland. The Colonel's early education was limited, but his thirst for knowledge made him a good student, and he soon became a pro- found thinker, a logical reasoner and ready writer. He was a consistent Whig as long as that gallant party retained its organization ; he represented Hardin Co. in the Lower House of the Legislature of Kentucky, in 1838, 1839, 1848 and 1841, and Hardin, Meade and La Rue Cos. in the Senate of that State from 1848 to 1850 ; being a farmer, he became the champion of the gi'cat interests of labor and pro- duction, an advocate of economy in public expenditures, a system of general educa- tion, internal improvements, and charita- ble institutions ; as a member of the com- mittee on internal improvements, he orisi- nated and aided in drafting and passing the charter of the Louisville & Nashville R. R. Co., now the most prosperous cor- poration in Kentucky; when railroad en- terprises were untried in that State, he was sent as one of a committee to investigate the operations of such roads in the East and West, and made an able report there- on, which, with his earnest and eloquent appeals to the people along the line of the proposed road, contributed largely to in- duce them to vote subscriptions of stock which secured the building of the same. In 1854, be removed to Illinois, and be- came Postmaster at Rural Retreat, in Douglas Co., Elector on the Fillmore ticket in 1856, and on the Bell and Ever- ett ticket in 1860, since which be has been Independent in polities, though gen- erally acting with the Democratic party ; devoted to the Union of the States, he opposed, with manly firmness, nullifica- tion, secession and emancipation (unless gradual and accompanied by colonization]; in 1871-72 he represented Douglas Co. in the General Assembly with his ac- customed zeal and ability ; through strict- ly temperate habits and indomitable energy, he has been successful in business, providing homes for all of bis children, of whom sis out of ten are living, viz., John S., who married Miss Mary K. Wyeth, and lives near Areola, 111.; Mary H.. mar- ried Rev. D. T. Shirley, and lives in Cook Co., Texas; Thomas N., married Miss Rachel E. Combs, and lives in Coles Co., 111.; William H. H., married Miss Mag- gie J. Daly, and lives in Cook Co., Texas; Henrietta .M., married Mr. Thomas Mid- winter, and lives in Areola Tp., Douglas Co., 111.; Susan A., married Mr. H. M. McCrory, and lives in Texas. The Colonel retains a competency for himself and wife in their old age. He has been a con- sistent member of the Methodist Church for more than fifty years, and has the proud satisfaction, while remembering that he has been the architect of his own for- tune, to know that he has so lived as not only to win but also to deserve the confi- dence and esteem of all who knew him. DANIEL S. CARNEY, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Charleston ; the sub- ject of this sketch was born in Delaware SEVEN HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 641 Co., Ohio, March 2, 1822. He married Miss Margaret Hemieger March 27, 1843 ; she was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, Sept. 4, 1819; they had five children, four living, viz., Addie D., Jasper C, Sarah F. and Charles L. He lived in Ohio until 1864, when he came to Illinois and settled on his present place, and has lived here since ; he owns 182 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management ; his parents, Thomas and Sarah Lot Carney, were na- tives of Pennsylvania, where they were married May 22, 1808 ; they moved to Ohio in 1816, and settled in Delaware Co., where they died April 15, 1862. and May :j, 1854. THOMAS N. COFER, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O. Areola; the subject of this sketch was born in Hardin Co., Ky., July 20, 1839. He married Miss Rachel E. Combs Nov. 23, 1870 ; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., July 29, 1851 ; they have three children, viz., Thomas N., Jr., William E. and John C. He lived in Kentucky until the spring of 1854, when, with his parents he came to Illinois and settled in Coles (now Douglas) Co., at Rural Retreat, where they lived about three years ; he then moved to a farm near by, where he remained until 1870, when he moved to his present place, and has lived here since. He owns 320 acres, which he has earned by his own labor and manage- ment ; he is a son of Col. John Cofer, whose sketch will be found in this work. JACOB K. COTTONHAM, farmer; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Floyd Co., Ind., Nov. 15, 1831. He married Miss Sallie Ann Fow- ler March 5, 1855; she was born in Coles Co., 111., Dec. 13, 1843 ; they had seven children, six living, viz., William E., Mar- garet L., George A., Joseph U., Charles D. W. and Hervey F. He lived in Indi- ana until 1855, when he came to Illinois, and settled in Coles Co., near Charleston, and engaged in brickmaking, and continued in the business nearly eight years, when he engaged in farming ; in 1874, he came to his present place, and has lived here since ; he owns 120 aqfes here and 49 in Charles- ton Tp., which he has principally earned by his own labor. His parents, Andrew and Margaret Grant Cottonham, were na- tives of Kentucky and Virginia ; they were married in Indiana ; they came to Coles Co. in 1855 ; he died Aug. 29, 1869 ; she is living herewith her son. His wife's parents were James and Susan Ann Lum- brick Fowler ; were natives of Tennessee and Coles Co., 111. (probably), they being in this county at a very early date ; they died in 1843 and 1848, respectively. ANDREW J. CRAIG, farming and stock ; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., 111., Sept. 11, 1846. He married Miss Sarah I. Zink Sept. 27, 1872; she was born in Grand View Tp., Edgar Co., 111., Aug. 9, 1848 ; they have three chil- dren, viz., Luther Z., Franklin H. and Arthur E. He was born on the farm and lived there until 1856, when, with his par- ents, he went to Sims Tp., in Edgar Co., and lived there until he was 21, when he came to his present place, and has lived here since, the place being wild land when he settled; he has 160 acres under culti- vation and well-improved. His parents, Isaac N. and Elizabeth Blayer Craig, are spoken of at length elsewhere. J. J. FOSTER, farming and .stock ; P. 0. Areola ; the subject of this sketch was born in Lawrence Co., Ind., May 18, 1831. He married Miss Catharine Beggs Jan. 31, 1859 ; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., May 10, 1838, and died May 14, 1866 ; they had three children, viz., Eugenia, Sarah M. and Dela J. ; his pres- ent wife was Miss Mclinda C. Beggs ; they were married Dec. 18, 1867; she was a sister of his first wife ; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., Sept. 3, 1839 ; they have three children, viz., Orestes, Claudius B. and Ida C. He was born on the farm and lived there for twenty-five years, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co. near his present place, where he en- gaged in farming, and remained for seven years ; he then moved to his present place, and has lived here since. He has held the oflice of School Trustee for eleven years, and is now serving his third term as Supervisor of this township. He owns 310 acres of land in this township. His parents, William and Mrs. Sarah McCor- mick Foster, were natives of Virginia, where they were married ; they moved to Clarke Co., Ind. and remained two years, when they moved to Lawrence Co., Ind., where they died; Mrs. Foster's parents 642 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ■were James and Mrs. Matilda Drummond Beggs; they were natives of Clark Co., Ind., wliere he died ; Mrs. Beggs is living there on the old homestead. JOHN FOREMAN, farmer; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in the District of Columbia March 17, 1823. He married Miss Harriet E. Richardson Oct. 10, 1842; she was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, March 24, 1820; they have seven children, viz., William T., John R., Joseph, Isaac P., David B., Thomas N. and Edward P. He lived in the District of Columbia until he was 12 years of age; he then moved to Fayette Co., Ky., with his parents, who engaged in farming, and he remained until 1853, when he came to Illinois and settled in Charleston, where he lived two years while improving his farm ; he then came on his present place, and has lived here since. In 1865, he was elected Supervisor of Seven Hickory Tp. ; he was also one of the first two Justices of the Peace of this towu.ship, being elected in 18G0, and served four years; he has also served as Commissioner of Highways and Township Trustee. He owns 260 acres in this county. His parents, Joseph and Mrs. Chloe Payne Foreman, were natives of England and Virginia ; they were married in the District of Columbia; they moved to Fayette Co., Ky., in 1834, where his father died ; his mother died in Lexing- ton, Ky. JACOB HARRY, farmer and stock; P. 0. Humbolt ; the subject of this sketch was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Jan. 14, 1816; he married Miss Susannah Tobey, Aug. 1, 1839 ; she was born in Washing- ton Co., Md., Dec. 15, 1819. They had eleven children, nine living, viz., Jeffer- son, Madison and Amanda, Hiram, Nathan- iel, Fraukliu, Cliuton, Stephen A. D. and Nelson. He lived in Ohio until 1855; he was raised on the farm and also learned the brickmason's trade ; he then went west, visited Kansas and finally settled in Callaway Co., Mo., near JeH'ersoii City, where he engaged in farming, remaining one year; he then, in 18.")G, came to Coles Co., 111., and settled in Humbolt T|)., where he farmed until 1865, when he came to his present place ; in 1867, he was elected Supervisor of Seven Hickory Tp., and held the office for three terms ; he owns 167 acres in the township ; his par- ents, Jacob and Mrs. Mary Davis Harry, were natives of North Carolina, where they were married ; they moved to Ohio in 1811, where both have since died. GEORGE C. KEMP, former and stock ; P. 0. Areola ; the subject of this sketch was born in Ohio Co., Ind., Aug. 25, 1846. He married Miss Minerva D. Stone Oct. 14, 1866; she was born same place Dec. 6, 1845. They have three children, viz., Theodore, born April 16, 1869; Laura B., born Dec. 4, 1875, and Charles C, born Nov. 8, 1877. He lived in Indi- ana until September, 1868, when he came to his present place ; he owns 349 acres in this township, which includes the original 200 acres given him by his father Ezra, who located it in quite a novel way — set- ting out from Indiana on horse, he stopped over Sunday with a farmer living in the timber about eight miles east of here, of whom he learned there was vacant land about eight miles west, but no one there to show it, and no marks to distinguish either land or distance ; but they conceived the plan of putting the horse at a certain pace and keep him westward for a certain time, when he would be on the land, and in this way located the same; he (Ezra Kemp) married Miss Tryphena Scrantou ; both were natives of Ohio Co., Ind., where they were married ; he died Feb. 1, 1870; she is living in Rising Sun, Ind. JOB W. MASSEY, farming and stock; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Cheshire, England, June 28, 1822. He married Miss Sarah Gould Dec. 4, 1847 ; she was born in North Molton, Devonshire, England, Feb. 23, 1827, and died Aug. 8, 1877. They had six children, viz., William H., now living ; Job Francis died at the age of 17, child died in infancy, Nannie now living, George E. died at 18 months of age and Joseph Charles died iu his ISth year, from the kick of a horse. He lived in England about six years, when, with his parents, he came to the United States and settled iu New Jersey, at Bellville, where his father engaged at his business of contracting ma- chinist, he contracting to furnish machin- ery for some large calico print works located there ; lie also took extensive contracts for cotton-mill machinery in Tennessee. In 1835, they moved to Wappinger's Falls, SEVEN HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 643 Dutotess Co., N. Y., where he lived eighteen years, except one year (18-14), when he traveled in England with his brother, who was an invalid. His parents died during his residence at the Falls. In 1853, he went to Newburg, and engaged in model making, remaining three years, though part of the time he worked in New York City. In 1856, he and his brother, Henry, came West, looking for a location for a general merchandise business. After vis- iting several points, Dubuque, Iowa, was selected, but owing to the death of his brother, the business was not opened, and he determined to go into the farming and stock business, and after looking around, he located on his present place in 1857, and has lived here since, though from 1861 to 1871, he principally carried on model-making in Chicago, his family re- siding here. He has been Assessor four terms. School Director some eight to ten years, also Justice of the Peace for seven years. He owns 120 acres in this town- ship, well improved and stocked, which he has earned by his own labor and manage- ment. T. J. McMILLIN, farm and stock; P. 0. Rural Retreat ; the subject of this sketch was born in Clarke Co., Ind., April 6, 1840. He married Miss Margaret J. Combs Dec. 16, 1862; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., June 17, 1841 ; they had three children — two living, viz., Rosella and Maggie F. ; he lived in Indiana twen- ty years ; he then moved to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., near the Humbolt line, where he engaged in farming, and re- mained until 1863, when he came to his present place, and has lived here since. He owns 240 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and man- agement ; his parents, William and Mrs. Jane Chambers McMillin, were natives of Kentucky ; when they were married, they moved to Indiana, where his mother died in 1853 ; his father is living in Clarke Co., Ind., on the old homestead. J. M. MOCK, farming ; P. 0. Charles- ton ; the subject of this sketch was born in Hocking Co., Ohio, April 1, 1839. He married Miss Catharine J. Zimmerman Nov. 22, 1866 ; she was born in Coles Co., 111., near Ashmore, June 17, 1843; they had six children — four living, viz,, Sarah €,, Edward W., Oscar B, and Florence I. ; he lived in Ohio until he was 15 years old,' when, with his parents he moved to Coles Co., 111., and settled near Oakland ; this was in 1854; they engaged in farming, where he lived until 1860 ; they then moved to Lafayette Tp., remained until 1861, when he enlisted in the 21st 111. Inft., and remained in the service over four years ; he was made Corporal during the third year's service, and was made Captain after his re-enlistment ; he was in the bat- tles of Stone River, Resaca, Chickamauga and Atlanta campaign, also Franklin, where he was wounded. He owns 160 acres in this county ; his parents, James T. and Sarah Honnold Mock, were natives of Vir- ginia and Ohio ; he died Sept. 21, 1873 ; she has since married Mr. John Hurst, and is living in Lafayette Tp. M. E. O'H AIR, farming and stock ; P. 0. Charleston ; was born in Morgan Co., Ky., Feb. 22, 1829. He married Miss Catharine R. Zink June 6, 1856 ; she was .^ born in Edgar Co., 111., and died Dec. 7, 1873 ; they had six children, viz., Calvin L., Laura B., Nettie T., Harvey Z., Gladys V. and Alvaretta C. He married his present wife. Miss Sarah E. Bryant, Oct. 14, 1875; she was born in Edgar Co., 111., July 29, 1852; they have two children, viz.. Charles H. and Francina D. He lived in Kentucky until he was 13 years old, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois, and settled in Edgar Co., where he lived until he became of age,, when he went to California, his object being to mine ; he remained two years, meeting with fair success ; in 1852, he returned to his home in Edgar Co., and engaged in the stock business; in 1853, he bought part of his present place, and settled and improved the same; in 1857, he removed to the vil- lage of Kansas, in Edgar Co., 111., and en- gaged in the general merchandise business, which he continued about four years; in 1860, he moved to Paris, and served as Sheriff of Edgar Co. for two years ; he was then appointed Deputy Sheriff, and served two years, and, in 1865, he returned to his present place; in 1871, he was elected Supervisor of Seven Hickory, and held the ofBce four years ; since which time he has held the office of Highway Commissioner. He owns 700 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and man- agement. His parents, John and BIrs. 9 644 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Eliza Hardwick O'Hair, were natives of Kentucky, where they were married ; in in 1842, they came tu Illinois, and settled in Edgar Co., where they now reside. ISAAC PERISHO, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Monroe Co., Ind., May 2, 1818; he married Miss Sarah Zimerley Jan. 9, 1838 ; she was born in Washington Co., Va., Oct. 30, 1818, and died Dec. 25, 1842; they had three chil- dren, one living, viz., Jacob W. ; his second wife was Miss Leoina Purlee; they were married June 27, 1843 ; she was born in Washington Co., Ind., July 27, 1818, and died Oct. 15, 1844; they had one child, viz., Hiram ; his present wife was Mrs. Wells, formerly Miss Rosanna M. O'Hair; they were married June 12, 1845 ; she was bora in Morgan, now Wolfe Co., Ky., June 9, 1811 ; they had five children, four living, viz., Emily J., John E., Mary E. and Rosanna S. The present Mrs. Perisho had six children by a former marriage ; two are living, viz., William W. Wells and Lucinda F. Wells. He lived in Indiana seven years, when, with his parents, he moved to Illinois, and settled in Grand View Tp., of Edgar Co., and engaged in farming; this was in 1825; he lived with his parents until 1838, when he moved to a farm near by, where he lived until 1840, when he went to Jasper Co., 111., and im- proved a farm, remaining three years ; he then returned to Edgar Co. and engaged in farming, in what is now known as Sims Tp. ; he remained there until 1855, when he came to Coles Co., and settled on his present place. He is no office-seeker, his only office being connected with the school and road. He has owned about 400 acres in this county, but, having divided a large portion among his children, he retains but 160 acres as a competency tor himself and wife. Hi.s parents, Joseph and Mrs. Barbara Zink Perisho, were natives of North Carolina and Virginia ; they were married in Wash- ington Co., Ind., and settled in Edgar Co., El., in 1825, where they died April 23, 1838, and Aug. 4, 1872, respectively. GRANVILLE F. RAPER, farmer; P. 0. Areola; is a native of Owen Co., Ind., where he was born Jan. 28, 1836. He married Miss Mary II. Roberts Aug. 5, 1855 ; she was born in Greene Co., Ind., Sept. 13, 1832 ; they hud nine chil- , dren, six living, viz., James A., California J., Laura S., William 0., Albert H. and Granville S. He lived twenty-one years in Indiana, when he moved to Hancock Co., 111., and engaged in farming; remain- ing there three years, he returned to his old home in Indiana and lived there two years ; he then came to Illinois and settled in Douglas Co., near Tuscola, where he re- mained three years ; he then came to Coles Co. and settled in Humbolt Tp., and engaged in farming, which he continued for four years, when he moved to the vil- lage of Milton, now Humbolt, and engaged in the grocery business, remaining one year ; he then came to Seven Hickory and settled on a farm near the plankroad, where he lived one year ; he then came to his present place, and has lived here since ; he owns 160 acres, which he has earned entirely by his own labor and management. His parents were Berry and Mrs. Mary Evans Raper ; they were natives of Indi- ana and Kentucky ; they were married in Indiana, where his father died Jan. 20, 1837 ; his mother married Mr. Thomas Evans, who has since died ; she is now living in Owen Co., Ind. LEVI ROSEBROUGH, farm and stock ; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Warren Co., Ind., April 3, 1832. He married Mis.« Frances Fisher Sept. 5, 1852; she was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Feb. 2, 1832; they had eight children, seven living, viz., William I., James B., Albert, Sarah E., Rhoda M., Eva and Eli. He lived in Indiana until he was 12 years of age, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., near his present place — this was in 1843 — where he lived until he was 19; he then worked by the month until 1852, when, on being married, he rented his father's place and farmed the same one year. In 1853, leaving his wife here, he went to California, going the overland route by oxen — object, mining — remain- ing two years ; he met with fair success ; in 1855, he returned via Panama and New York, to this county, renting a farm and farming the same until 1859, when he bought sixty acres, being a part of his present place ; in 1867, he built his pres- ent residence, and has lived here since. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the 5th I. V. C, and was in service over three SEVEN HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 645 years ; was in the battles of Vicksburg. Meridien, Jackson, and many minor en- gagements. He owns 120 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, John and Nancy White Rosebrough, were natives of Ohio ; they were married there and moved to Indiana, where she died about 1842 ; he then married Miss Zemru- dia Stewart, who was a native of Illinois ; they came to this county in 1843, where he died in 1856; Mrs. Rosebrough mar- ried again, and is now living in Kansas. J. SPRINGER, farmer; P. 0. Charles- ton. The subject of this sketch was born on the line between Fayette and Jessa- mine Counties, Ky., Feb. 13, 1808; he married Miss Lucy A. Payton on Easter Sunday, 1838 ; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., Sept., 7, 1814. They had six children, three living, viz., Angeline, Nan- nie J. and Mary M. He lived in Ken- tucky twenty-one years ; he then went to Missouri and settled in Clay Co., where he engaged at his trade of wagon making, and remained seven or eight years; he then returned to Kentucky and followed his trade about twelve years, when he came to Illinois and followed his trade in Edgar Co., remaining four years. He then came to Coles Co. and engaged in the stock business with Mr. Peyton, in Mor- gan Tp., remaining four years ; he then came to his present place, where the part- nership was continued four years longer. In 1871, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served four years ; he has been Commissioner of Highways two terms ; he has divided considerable land among his children, and retains a competency for himself and wife ; his children are all mar- ried and living in sia;ht. LILBURN SWINFORD, farm and stock ; P. 0. Charleston ; was born in Harrison Co., Ky., Jan. 31, 1808; he married Miss Frances Hendricks in Sep- tember, 1829 ; she was born in Pendleton Co., Ky., Dec. 19, 1809. They had eleven children, eight living, viz., William H., Martha A., Mary E., Julia A., Lucy, Lou- isa, Josephine and Benjamin F. He lived in Kentucky until 1839, when he moved to Indiana and settled near Greencastle, where he remained until 1847 ; he then moved to Illinois and settled near Ash- more, in Coles Co., and in 1865 he came i to his present place; he owns 200 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, James and Sarah Adams Swinford, were natives of South Carolina and Virginia ; they were married in Kentucky ; both have died, she in Kentucky, he in Indiana. JAMES WHEATLEY, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Hinesboro ; the subject of this sketch was born in Charleston, Clarke Co., Ind., Aug. 9, 1826 ; hemarried Miss Mary E. Work Jan. 10, 1850 ; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., Dec. 20,1831 ; they had six children, five living, viz., Junius, Dessie, Carlos, Lucien and Ozeta ; he lived in Indiana about eight years, when, with his father, he went to Kentucky and lived in Lexington and Harrodsburg until his 1 8th year, when he returned to his birth- place in Indiana and engaged in farming until he was married ; after his marriage, be removed to Southern Kentucky, and, in April, 1853, to Coles Co., and settled the farm on which he now resides ; his parents, Walter and Catharine (Beggs) Wheatley, were natives of Maryland and Virginia; they were married in Clarke Co., Ind. ; he was born July 12, 1791 ; in 1836, he went to Harrodsburg, and was appointed Postmas- ter of the place in 1843, which office he held until 1861, since which time he has not engaged in any business ; he is now living with a son in West Virginia ; his wife's parents, John and Hannah (^Thomas) Beggs, were natives of Augusta and Rock- ingham Cos., Va., and were born in Janu- ary, 1766, and November, 1764, respect- ively ; they were married in 1788, and pioved to Kentucky in 1792 or 1793, and to Clarke Co., Ind., in 1799, and died on the farm which they settled, in April, 1845, and May, 1853, respectively; of their nine children two survive, viz., Mary Stil- well (of Jackson Co., Ind.) and Ruth Cole (of Douglas Co., 111.) The present Mrs. Wheatley's parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Henley) Work, were natives of Pennsyl- vania and North Carolina ; he emigrated to Bear Grass, Ky., where his father died; the care of the family then fell to him, and they moved to Clarke Co., Ind., and engaged in farming, where he died on a farm ad- joining the old homestead ; his wife's par- ents, Jesse and Catharine Henley, were natives of North Carolina, where he had been a slaveholder, having some forty-odd 646 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: slaves, who, owing to his political views (of the Abolition school) were freed ; he moved to Clarke Co., Ind., about the year 1800, where he engaged in farming. NORTH OKAW TOWNSHIP. NELSON W. AMES, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Mattoon ; one of the most prominent settlers ; was born in Wayne Co., Penn., Feb. 9, 1817; he is the son of Mr. Joseph Ames, now de- ceased, who was born in Connecticut, and was one of the early settlers of Pennsyl- vania, where he married Miss Gertrude Schenck, and where Mr. N. W. Ames, the subject of this sketch, was born. He was married Jan. 9, 1840, to Miss Nancy Hoalley, who was fborn in Pennsylvania May G, 1818, and who died Oct. 3, 1847. Mr. Ames removed from his native State to New Jersey, where he remained several years. On April 12, 1849, he was mar- ried again, to ^liss Susan A. Cramer, who was born in New Jersey June 2, 1830; they have seven children, viz., Oliver, George, Rutser, Newton, Louisa, Sarah and John. Mr. Ames came to this State and settled in Coles Co. in 1857; the farm which he owns, and upon which he now resides, he purchased from the Railroad Co. in the same year; it consists of 212 acres, valued at $8,500. George, the sec- ond son of Mr. Ames, served as a volun- teer in the late war three years ; he en- listed in the 123d L V. I., and was dis- charged with honor at the close of the war GEORGE B E A T T y , farmer and stock-raLser ; P. 0. Mattoon ; was born in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, April 6, 1810; came to the United States in 1830, to this State, and settled in Coles Co. in 1865. He was married April 13, 1834, to Miss Anne Clegg, now deceased; she was born in Derbyshire, England, Oc- tober, 1812, and died Jan. 15, 1873; Elizabeth is the only child they have had. The farm of Mr. Beatty consists of eighty acres, valued at $3,000. A. J. BIGELOVV, farmer and stock- raiser; P. 0. Fuller's Point; one of the early settlers ; was born in Massachusetts Oct. 10, 1829 ; came to this State in 1852, and settled in Edgar Co.; he removed to Coles Co. in 1852, where he has since resided ; his farm consists of 254 acres, valued at $7,000. He was married to Miss Ada Green, who was born in Massa- chusetts ; they have two children — Levi and Charley E. Since his residence in the township, he has held the office of Supervisor one year and School Director ten years. He was a participant in the late war, having enlisted in the 79th I. V. I.; after volunteering, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and later was promoted to First Lieutenant, and as such served faithfully for several months, when be was promoted to Captain ; he served in the war about three years, and was discharged with honor at its close. J. A. BROTHERTON, farmer and stock -raiser ; P. O. Mattoon ; was born in Indiana Nov. 12, 1841 ; came to this State and settled in Coles Co. in 1860 ; his farm consists of eighty acres, valued at $2,400. He was married to Miss Cathar- ine Earls, who was born in Illinois ; they have seven children, viz., Sarah, Delia, William M., Lawrence, Lewis, Eva and Robert, Since Mr. B.'s residence in the township, he has held the office of School Director three years. THOMAS FURNESS. farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Fuller's Point ; one of the early settlers ; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 17. 1825 ; came to this State and settled in Coles Co. in 1856, and with the exception of five years' residence in Moultrie Co., his home has been in Coles Co. ; his farm, which is located in both counties, consists of 240 acres, v;il- ucd at $7,200. He was married Dec. 25, 1848, to Miss Mary Kepler, who was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 9, 1829; they have t«n children, seven of whom are liv- ing, viz., Louisa, Francis and Johnny, deceased ; Theodore, James, Cornelia, Willie, Laura, Georgie, and Walter. JOHN HENTON, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 0. Coles Station ; one of the most prominent settlers ; was born in Fair- NORTH OKAW TOWNSHIP. 647 field Co., Ohio, Jan. 11, 1826; came to this State with his father's family, and settled in Moultrie Co. in 1S47, and in 1879, he removed to Coles Co., and settled in North Okaw Tp. ; his farm consists of 41 Oi acres, valued at $8,000. He was married to Miss Pheba Staley, who was born in White Co., 111. ; they have six children, viz., Alvaretta, George W., Oily, Melvin, Emma and Pheba L. During Mr. Henton's residence in Moultrie Co., he has held the offices of Township Supervisor and School Trustee, and Director, etc., seven years. JAMES M. HUNT, retired farmer; P. O. Cook's Mills ; was born in Indiana Jan. 16, 1840 ; his father, James Hunt, now deceased, was one of the early settlers of that State : they moved to Illinois and settled in Coles Co. in 1868 ; Mr. Hunt has followed the pursuits of a farmer and stock-raiser from boyhood ; he enlisted in the 83d Ind. V. I.; served nearly three years, and was discharged at the close of the war ; at the battle of Dallas he was wounded, the effects of which now compel him to retire from business. He was mar- ried to Miss Rachel R. Janes April 13, 1875, who was born in Illinois. Oct. 17, 1857. ALEXANDER HITCH, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Cook's Mills ; one of the early settlers ; was born in Louisville, Ky.. Jan. 9, 1827 ; moved to Ohio with his parents when he was 1 year old ; he was raised there, in Ross Co., and in 1850 he came from Ohio to this State and set- tled in Coles Co. He was married May 10, 1855, to Miss Permelia Ellis, who was born in Kentucky Oct. 13, 1833 ; they have had four children, three of whom are living, viz.. Belle, Sarah L. and Melissa E. ; deceased, Francis Marion. The farm of Mr. Hitch consists of 200 acres, valued at $5,000; since Mr. Hitch's residence in the township he has held office of School Director three years. Of the form he now owns, eighty acres of it he purchased from the R. R. Co. in 1862 ; the balance, which consists of 120 acres, he has since purchased, the entire amuuut of which he has made by his own labor and manage- ment. Since 1860 he been a memberof the Missionary Baptist Association, and in 1863 he was ordained Deacon in that de- nomination. JAMES HAMILTON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Cook's Mills ; one of the early settlers ; was born in Ohio, May 1, 1826 ; came to this State in 1852, and settled in Coles Co. in the same year. He was married Nov. 16, 1853, to Miss M. L. Hoskins, who was born in Illinois, July 12, 1831 ; they have seven children, viz., John R., William H., James L. (twins), David W., Albert G., Samuel L. and Mar- garet I. Their farm consists of 108 acres, valued at $3,500. Since Mr. Hamilton's residence in the township he has held the office of Justice of the Peace three years and on the Board of Commissioners six years ; he was also a participant in the late war, he having enlisted in the 130th I. V. I., served about eight months, and was dis- charged with honor on account of disabili- ties. MRS. ELLEN HOOTS, farming and stock-raising ; P. 0. Cook's Mills ; one of the natives of Illinois ; was born in Clark Co., July 4, 1845. She is the widow of the late Francis M. Hoots ; they were mar- ried Nov. 21, 1861 ; they have had ten children, eight of whom are living, viz., Edwin, Wm. A., Linea M., Albia, Bertie N., Arthur A., Nora Eva, and Francis M. ; deceased, Albert B. and Rosa. The farm of Mrs. Hoots is principally managed by herself and her children ; it contains 3101 acres, valued at $9,500. DUDLEY HOPPER, farmer; P. 0. Mattoon ; one of the first settlers of Coles Co.; was born in Knox Co., Ky., Aug. 18, 1826 ; came to this State with his father's family in 1837, when he was but a boy. He was married to Miss Jane Dixon, now deceased ; they have had four children, viz., Felitha, George, Harvey and Matilda. Mr. Hopper was married the second time to Miss Margaret Easter. His farm con- sists of 330 acres, valued at $9,900; since his residence in the township, he has held the office of Commissioner three years. He was a participant in the Mexican war, where he served eighteen months. His land, on which he now resides, was par- tially entered by himself from the Govern- ment. HENRY D. JENKINS. M. D., Ar- eola ; one of the early settlers ; was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Dec. 30, 1822; came to this State and settled in what was then Coles Co. in 1855 ; his farm, being 648 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: now located in Douglas Co., where he first settled, and which was at the time of his settlement all Coles Co., consists of 310 acres. The Doctor is a graduate of the Transylvania University, located at Lex- ington, Ky.; since his residence in this county, he has practiced his profession as physician but very little ; his pursuits have been that of a farmer and stock-raiser, which seems to be his natural proclivity. In 186(3, he married Miss Mary F. Black- well, who was born in North Carolina Dec. 2(5, 1841; they have two children, viz., John B. and Elisa D. WILLIAM JOHNSON, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Cook's Mills; one of the early settlers ; was born March 22, 1822 ; came to this State in 1850, and to this county and settled in North Okaw Tp. in 1857. He was married to Miss Mary J. Miller, who was born July 22, 1834 ; they have four children, viz., Robert M., Anna A., Sarah J. and Frank- lin. The farm of Mr. Johnson consists of 240 acres, valued at S7,000. Since his residence in the township he has held the office of School Trustee and Director several years. A. KITCHENS, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 0. Cook's Mills ; one of the natives of Illinois ; was born in Clark Co., Jan. 23, 1843; he is the son of Eli E. Kitchens, deceased, who was one of the early settlers of the State. His farm con- sists of 100 acres, valued at S2,000. He was married to Miss Nancy E. Hoskins, now deceased ; they have had two children, viz., Maria E. and Suisan L. McCAGHA PHILLIPS, fltrmer; P. 0. Fuller's Point; one of the natives of Illinois; was born in Moultrie Co., Jan. 7, 1856 ; he is the son of Mr. Calvin Phillijis, of Mattuon Tp., who is one of the early settlers of Coles Co. ; his farm consists of 136 acres, valued at 84,500. He was married June 10, 1877, to Miss Mary A. Gilmer, who was born in Russell Co., Va., April 27, 1856 ; Loon is their only child. MARTIN PRICE, farmer; P. 0. Cook's Mills; one of the early settlers; wa.s born in Alabama March 4, 1827 ; came to this State in 1830, to Coles Co. in 1842, and .settled in North Okaw. He was married Feb. 15, 1849 to Miss Mary J. Hoskins, who wa.s born in Illinois Jan. 7, 1830; they have ten children, viz.; Mary Ann, Margaret M., Martha J., Lu- cinda D., Joseph A., Nancy M., Lowery M., Ruth, Belle, William E. and James F. Since Mr. Price's residence in the township he has held the office of Com- missioner of Highways four years, School Director twenty years, and is at present Supervisor, this being his fourth term in that office. His farm con.sists of sixty acres, valued at 82,000. THOMAS SENTENEY, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Cook's Mills ; one of the early settlers of the county, was born in Kentucky May 16, 1819; came to this State in 1842, Coles Co. in 1853, and set- tled in North Okaw Tp. ; his farm con- sists of 104 acres, valued at 83.000, and since his residence in the township he ha.s held the office of Assessor one term. School Trustee and Director twelve years. He was married to Miss Anne Flemming, who was born in Indiana ; they have had seven children, viz., John T., Sarah, Mark, James L., Mary J., Samuel A. and Emma. THOMAS SMITH, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 0. Mattoon ; was born in Coles Co, 111., Oct. 19. 1853; he is the son of Mr. W. H. Smith, deceased, and Mary A. Smith, deceased, who was formerly Miss Mary A. Osborn. The estate being un- settled, he is one of seven heirs to the homestead ; it contains 680 acres, valued at 820,400 ; the balance of the heirs, who are brothers and sisters of Mr. Smith, are Isabel, Martha, Delphine, Alice, Willis and Jo.seph. JOHN TURNER, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 0. Fuller's Point ; one of the first settlers and pioneers, was born in Vir- ginia Dec. 16, 1812; came to this State and settled in Coles Co. in 1830; his first settlement was in what is now the town- ship of Paradise ; he cannot tell now that the township at that time had a name, and through it there was no mail-route ; in 1835, he removed to North Okaw ; this section of country was at that time all called Okaw ; it derives its name from the two streams running through it ; Mr. Turner is now the oldest living settler in the town- ship. He was married to Miss Elsie J. Robison ; they have four children, viz., Mary J., John W., Francis M. and Walter W.; he was prcviousl)' married to Miss Matilda F. Simms, now deceased ; they PARADISE TOWNSHIP. 649 have had one child, viz., Rebecca J. The farm of Mr. Turner consists of ninety-two acres, valued at $2,000 ; since his resi- dence in the township, he has held the offices of Assessor, Supervisor and Col- lector. WILLIAM WRIGHTSELL, fiumer; P. 0. Turner's Point ; was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., Oct. 9, 1811; came to this Stat« and settled in Coles Co., in 1856. Ho was married to Miss Permelia White Oct. 31, 1844; she was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., Nov. 15, 1825 ; they have four children, viz., Sarah J., James M., Louisa E., and Margaret Ann. The farm of Mr. Wrightsell consists of sixty acres valued at Sl,800. He was a participant in the Black Hawk war, and is quite an early settler in the western part of Coles Co. JOHN WILSON, farmer, and Con- stable for Coles Co ; P. 0. Cook's Millss ; was born in Germany, March 8, 1840; came to the United States in 1857, and to this State in 1865 and to Coles Co. in 1871. He was married to Miss Sarah Ann Prince, who was born in Indiana Jan. 19, 1848 ; they have two children deceased, yii., Mary C. and Louisa. Mr. Wilson has served a term in the United States Regular Army ; he enlisted from New York City in Co. D, in 1861 ; he served all through the late rebellion, and at its close was discharged with honor. JAMES P. WHITE, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 0. Mattoon ; was born in Ten- nessee, March 5, 1841 ; came to this State in 1856, and to Coles Co., and settled in North Okaw Tp. in 1 858 ; his farm con- sists of forty-nine and a third acres, val- ued at $1,500. He was married Nov. 23, 1865, to Miss Mary J. Wade, who was born in Coles Co., 111., June 4, 1847; they have had six children, five of whom are living, viz., Mary A., Nancy E., Effa N., Minnie and James E. ; deceased, Jes- sie. Since Mr. White's residence in the township, he has held the office of School Director six years. PARADISE TOWNSHIP. HENRY E. ALEXANDER, farmer; P. 0. Paradise ; is the son of Ebenezer and Dorcas Alexander ; was born in Tennessee, Obion Co., Sept. 2, 1827 ; moved with his parents to Coles Co. Dec. 20, 1828. Is the owner of 210 acres of land valued at or near $8,000 ; School Director two or three terms. Was married to Mary B. Curry, of Coles Co., June 10, 1852 ; names of children — boys — James E., William D., George 0. (Edward F., deceased) ; girls, Mary D., Margaret J. (Nancy E., de- ceased) ; Edward F. died June 16, 1865 ; Nancy E., Aug. 1, 1878 ; his father, Ebe- nezer Alexander, died Jan. 8, 1857, at 64 years of age; his mother died April 12, 1871 ; his father was one among the oldest settlers in this county, and was Justice of the Peace until the time of his death. WM. W. APPERSON, farmer ; P. 0. Mattoon; was born March 19, 1834, in Paradise Tp., Coles Co., 111. Owns 240 acres of land all well improved but 40 acres, prob- able value $9,000 or 810,000 ; publi-: offices held — Supervisor, one year. Commissioner of Highwa3's, three years. Maiden name of wife Barbara Ann Rhoads ; names of chil- dren — boys, George H., Frank B., William E., John J. and Charley B. ; girls, Sels- worth ; Wm. N. Apperson is the son of Dr. John Apperson (deceased ) ; was born in Culpeper Co., Va., Jan. 8, 1794; moved to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Oct. 14, 1829 ; died June 5, 1877 ; was father of Sidney, Thomas A., D. H., J. R., Wm. W., Margaret, Isabella E., Mary M. Apper- son. Dr. John Apperson was in the war of 1812 ; served as Sergeant Major. CHARLES W. BISHOP, physician '. P. 0. Etna ; is the son of H. S. and Har- riet L. Bishop ; was born in Litchfield, Ky., Dec. 15, 1846; moved to Coles Co. Jan. 12, 1869, and stayed ten months, and then moved to Missouri; from there to Wilson Co., Kan., then back to Kentucky, and commenced the practice of medicine in Litchfield, and practiced two and one- half years, then came back to Coles Co., 111., and commenced the practice of medi- cine here, which he still continues ; was a graduate of Louisville Medical University Oct. 1, 1866. Is the owner of ninety 650 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: acres of land, valued at $2,-iOO. He was married to Emma E. Clark, of Coles Co. ; the names of the children by this union are a boy, Francis E. Bishop, born Nov. 27, 1876. His father is still living in Litchfield, Ky.; his mother died Dec. 21, 1863, in tlie 39th year of her age. GEORGE W. BENEFIEL, farmer; P. 0. Etna ; is the son of Robert and Nancy Beuefiel ; was born in Lawrence Co., 111., on the 1st day of July, 1817. He was married to Jane Ryker the 23d day of January, 1838, and moved to Coles Co. Oct. 19, 1855 ; names of children, boys — Robert N., James H., John S., Peter R., Francis M. ; girls — Sarah A., Amy A., Ida M. His wife, Jane Bene- fiol, died Sept. 7, 1867. His son John S. died in the army March 1, 1863, and his daughter Ida died Dec. 4, 1873. He served in the late war as Wagonmas- ter and Battalion Sergeant in Co. E, 5th I. V. C. He was married to his second wife, Diantha F. Smith, of Coles Co., 111., Feb. 6, 1868. Mr. G. W. Benefiel is one of the oldest settlers of Lawrence Co., Illi- nois, and the second white child born in that county ; his father was one of the three first settlers of this State ; was in Government service. PATRICK BRADLEY, farmer; P. O. Mattoon ; is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Bradley ; was born in Morgan Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1830, and moved to Coles Co., 111., Oct. 12, 1866; is the owner of 110 acres of land, valued at or near $3,000; was Commi.ssionor of High- ways three years, also School Trustee a number of years. Was married to Elizabeth Stroble Feb. 26, 1854; names of chil- dren, boys — John C. F., born July 14, 1856; Zachary, born Aug. 24, 1862; James B., born July 1, 18()6; girl — Estclla, bom Jan. 5, 1872. His father, Benjamin Bradley, was one of the oldest settlers of Morgan Co., Ind. ; settled Nov. 12, 1829; died Nov. 11, 1865, in the 77th year of his age ; his mother, Elizabeth Bradley, died March 24, 1862, in the 64th year of her age. MRS. DIANTHA F. BENEFIEL, farmer; P O. Etna; is the daughter of James and Elizabeth Shores, of Bradford Co., Pa.; moved to Coles Co., Oct. 12, 1843; was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Sheshequin Tp., April 22, 1823; her maiden name was Diantha F. Shores ; was married to her first husband, William N. Smith, March 31, 1844; names of children, boys — George W., Miren L., Julius E., William W. ; girls — Elizabeth H., Arloa N., Irena S. George W. died Jan. 24, 1871. Her husband, William W. Smith, died April 8, 1861 ; is the owner of 320 acres of land, also a large flour-mill at Kickapoo, also three oflices and four stone houses in Mattoon ; is all valued at or near §30,000 ; was married to her second husband, Mr. George W. Benefiel, Feb. 6, 1868 ; has no children by her second husband ; her first husband's parents' names were Jerrad and Clarinda Smith, of Coles Co., Ill; Jerrad died Sept., 26, 1844; Clarinda died Sept. 18, 1850. JAMES M. BRESEE, farmor; P. 0. Etna ; is the son of Dorous and Fanny Bresee ; was born in Cumberland Co., 111., Jan. 30, 1847; moved to Coles Co. Feb. 12, 1870 ; is the owner of 120 acres of land valued at near five thousand dol- lars ; was Road Overseer and School Di- rector for ten years or more ; was mar- ried to Sarah J. Stowers, of Coles Co., April 5, 1868. Names of children — boys: Bird E., born Nov. IS, 1875; girls: Min- nie v., born Aug. 22, 1869; Lillie E., born Oct. 17, 1871 ; Hellen M., born March 1, 1873. Was in the late war, 156th I. V. I., Company A. His father, Dorous Bresee, died in California July 15, 1852. His mother is still living in Mat- toon; was born July 5, 1821. JOSEPH CAVINS, farmer; P. O. Mattoon ; was born in Marion Co., Ohio, Jan. 24, 1838; moved to Coles Co., Para- dise Tp., 111., in 1840; was married Dec. 25, 1862; maiden name of wife Melissa B. Ferguson. Names of children : Elmer W., Jo.seph O., Elzy C, William F., Stanley T., Lester B. Owns 80 acres of land worth about six thousand dollars. Public ofiices held: Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, School Trustee, Supervisor, and taught school nine terms in the same District ; was also in the late war. His father and mother, Joseph and Nancy Gavins, were born in Loudoun Co., Va. ; moved to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., 111., in 1840. His father died about May 12, 1846 ; his mother Aug. 20, 1852, or there about. Names of their children — boys : John, James, Randolph, William, PARADISE TOWNSHIP. 651 Joseph and Thomas ; girls : Martha, Mary, and Sarah. PHAON H. DORNBLASER,farmer; P. 0. Etna ; is the son of Felix and Eliza Dornblaser, of Lehigh Co., Penn.; was born in the same county and State April 20, 1838 ; moved with his parents to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., 111., April 20, 1855 ; is the owner of 170 acres of land, proba- ble value, $7,000 ; was School Director six years, also Road Overseer one year. Was married to Mary E. Jeffries, of Coles Co., Dec. 29, 1860 ; was the daughter of James and Matilda Jeffries ; names of children, boys — French I., born Jan. 28, 1862 ; James A., born Feb. 6, 1868 ; Edward (deceased), born Nov. 18, 1869, died March 20, 1872 ; a;irl— Antoinette, born Nov. 28, 1864. His father, Felix Dorn- blaser, served his time, three years, in the late war ; died on his way home on the boat, near St. Louis, August 12,1864; 5th Cavalry 111. JOSEPH F. GOAR, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 0. Etna ; was born in Parke Co., Ind. Jan. 8, 1832 ; he is a son of Clemme and Elizabeth (Hart) Goar ; in 1836, his father came to Coles Co. and entered a large amount of Government land, return- ing for his family in 1837 ; he built the first steam mill in the county, and was a prominent citizen of Paradise Tp. until 1862, when he removed to Jacksonville, 111., where he now resides ; his mother died in this county in 1855. Joseph F. was raised on the farm, and on the 2d of Oct., 1855, married Miss Mary L. Buckles, of Hardin Co., Ky.; they have three chil- dren — Robert C, Kate M. and Sarah E.; Mr. Goar resides on a farm of 220 acres, adjoining the old homestead ; he served six years as Constable, and resigned the office in August, 1862, to enter the Union army as a member of Co. D, 123d I. V. I., serving through the war ; among the en- gagements in which he participated may be mentioned the battles of Milton, Tenn., Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Farmington, Peach-Tree Creek, seige of Atlanta, bat- tles of Jonesboro and Sclma. In 1867 be was elected Commissioner of Highways, and served three years ; in J 874, he was chosen Collector of his township, and on the 6th of Nov., 1877, was elected County Treasurer of Coles Co., which office he now holds. WILLIAM B. FERGUSON, farmer ; P. O. Mattoon ; is the son of William and Nancy Ferguson ; was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Dec. 8, 1828; moved with his parents to Paradise Tp., Coles Co., 111., Oct. 15, 1839 ; is the owner of 601 acres, val- ued at or near §18,000. Was married to Fanny M. Hart, of this county and town- ship ; she is the daughter of Miles H. and Catherine Hart, and was born Dec. 13, 1837 ; married March 8, 1854 ; there are eight children by this union, viz., Ed, Thomas, James, George, Ella, Ann and Almira; (deceased) Mellissa, Deckard died Jan. 28, 1878. His father, William Fer- guson, was born in 1805, died in 1877, in the 73d year of his age ; his mother was born in 1805, died in 1877, in the 73d year of her age. He has held the office of Super- visor two years. Assessor one year and School Trustee three years. ADAM B. GREEN, farmer; P. O. Mattoon ; is the son of Ira and Mary Green, of Washington Co., Tenn.; was born in Green Co., Tenn., April 17, 1827 ; moved to Paradise Tp., Coles Co., 111., Feb. 12, 1867. Was married to Caroline E. Peters May 5, 1866; they are the parents of six children, viz., James B., Dora D. and Laura (deceased), George W., Amanda M. and Ida M. Mr. Green is the owner of 163 acres of land, valued at $6,500. He was in the late war and served three years as Sergeant. His mother died April 12, 1861, and his father Aug. 20, 1848. Children deceased, George M., died May 27, 1870, aged 2 years 10 months and 19 days; girls, Amanda M., Oct. 21, 1869, aged \ month and 15 days; Ida M., June 17, 1871, aged 2 months and 17 days; children living, girls, Dora, born June 19, 1872 ; Laura, born Sept. 16, 1875; boy, bom (James B. ) April 27, 1878. Florence A. Green is a neice of A. B. Green, and makes her home with him ; aged 18 ; born Deo. 25, 1S60. R. GANNAWAY, farmer; P. O. Paradise; is the son of Wm. and Sallie Gannany ; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Oct. 23, 1810; moved with his folks to Coles Co., 111., March 27,1828; is the owner of 131 i acres of land, valued at or near $7,000. Was School Director, Road Overseer for several years. Was married to Elizabeth Gannaway, of Coles Co., 111., 652 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Dec. 28, 1830; names of children — boys, Robert, Samuel, James W. ; deceased, John W. ; ^irls, Roda J., Susan; deceased, Louisa. His father, William Gannaway, ■was in the war of 1812, served as Captain, came home and died Sept. 12, 1814. His mother is still living in Des Moines, Iowa, in the 91st year of her age. ADAM W. HART,'" farmer; P. 0. Mattoon ; is the son of Silas and Hannah Hart, of Davis Co., Ky. ; was born in White Co., 111., Jan. 3, 1823 ; moved with his parents to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Jan. 3, 1827 ; is the owner of 475 acres, valued at S20,000, Was married to Nancy D. Gannaway, of Coles Co., Dec. 28, 1843. Was Supervisor, School Trustee, Director, Treasurer and Road Commis- sioner. The names of their children are Amanda E., Elizabeth J., Hannah M., Polly A. and Mercena; deceased, Abraham D. and Thomas, who died in infancy ; Mary, Louisa and Adda and three infants not named. His father, Silas Hart, was the oldest settler of this township ; died Oct. 12, 1848; his mother, Hannah Hart, died in this county and township Sept. 18, 1863, in the 68th year of her aire. AMBROSE Y. HART, Jr., farmer; P. 0. Paradise ; is the son of Miles H. and Catharine C. Hart ; was born in Effingham Co., 111., Nov. 15, 1834; moved to Coles Co. Feb. 12, 1836 ; is the owner of fifty acres of land, valued at $2,000. Is Justice of the Peace, and has been for twelve years; also Town Clerk, School Treasurer and Commissioner of Highways. Was married to Nancy Sex- son of Coles Co. Jan. 22, 1857 ; the re- sult of this marriage is — David S., John M. ; deceased. Miles 0., Willie A., Cath- arine C. and Ada. Mr. Hart was in the late war, serving as Corporal of Co. D, 123d 111. Reg. His father. Miles H. Hiirt, died in Coles Co. Feb. 17, 1855, in the 59th year of his age ; his mother, Cath- erine C. Hart, died in Coles Co. Nov. 12, 1872, in the 68th year of her age; they were one of the three first families who set- tled in this township. JAMES L. HART, farmer; P. O. Etna ; is the son of Oliver and Zorada Hart ; was born in Grayson Co., Ky., June 18, 1846; moved with his parents to Coles Co., 111., Oct. 12, 1848; ia the owner of seventy-six acres of land, valued at near S3, 500, Was Postmaster at Etna for one year. Was married to Elizabeth Smith, of Coles Co., Sept. 24, 1866. His father, Oliver Hart, was born in Grayson Co., Ky.,March31, 1825; died Jan. 25, 1867, in the 42d year of his age ; his mother, Zo- rada Hart, was born in Hardin Co., Ky., Oct. 26, 1823, and is now living in Cle- burne, Johnson Co,, Texas ; his wife's folks are still living, Mr. and Mrs. George N. Benefiel, of this county, township and State. His father was the first man who built a house south of Etna, and one of the first settlers of this township. . THOMAS HART, farmer; P. 0. Para- dise : is the son of Miles H. and Catharine C. Hart, of Coles Co. ; was born in Hardin Co., Ky., Sept. 5, 1824; moved to Coles Co. with his parents March 12,1 826 ; wa.s Assessor, School Trustee, Overseer of the Poor and Road Overseer. Was married to Vianna Sexson, of Coles Co., March 2, 1851 ; names of children : Mary E., Hallie B. ; deceased — Annie Hart. His father. Miles H. Hart, was born in North Carolina July 24, 1796 ; was married to Catharine C. Yocum, of Kentucky, and moved to Wayne Co., 111., and then to Coles Co. ; names of children — boys, Thom- as, Joseph B., John D., Ambrosa ; girls, Eliza A., Martha P., Mary H., Fanny M. ; deceased, Joseph B. (_died in Paradise, Coles Co., Jan. 26, 1874) ; all living in this county with the exception of Mary H., and she now lives in HarrLson Co., ISIo. BENJAMIN D. HAMBLEN, farmer; P. 0. Etna; is the son of Francis and Martha B. Hamblen ; was born in Mt. Pleasant, Hardin Co., Ky., March 17, 1840 ; moved with his parents Dec. 24, 1852, to Moultrie Co., and then to Coles Co., March 13, 1868 ; is the owncTof 120 acres of land, valued at or near $5,000 ; was Justice of the Peace five years ; also School Director and Road Overseer. Was married to Sarah M. Newport, the daughter of Benjamin and Ellen Newport, of Coles Co., III.; names of children — boys, Henry F. (born Oct. 3, 1870) ; giris, Nellie M. (born Deo. 28, 1871 ), Rossa M. (born Dec. 6, 1873) ; deceased — ^boys, Claude ( died Aug. 4, 1876). He was in the late war; served as a Duty Sergeant of Co. C, 10th I. V. C. ; his father, Francis Hamblen, died Oct. 27, 1877 ; his mother died Nov. 12, 1865. PARADISE TOWNSHIP. 653 JOHN A. MOSS, farmer ; P. 0. Etna; is the son of James H. and Catharine Moss . was born in Fleming Co., Ky., July 25, 1837 ; moved to Coles Co. March 12, 1 878 ; Ls the owner of forty acres of land, valued at $1,000. Was married to his first wife, Mary Johnston, April 5, 1866, died Feb. 16, 1872 ; names of children deceased (boy) Willard S., died March 11, 1872; girls deceased, Dulta B., died Aug. 11, 1870 ; was married to his second wife, Phebe Eaton, of Rush Co., Ind., Deo. 21, 1873; names of children (living), girl, Bushna, born April 20, 1875; deceased girl infant, died Jan. 17, 1874. His father, James H. Moss, was born May 15, 1809, died Jan. 8, 1876, in the 67th year of his age ; his mother, Catharine Moss, was born April 15, 1810, died Sept. 12, 1866, in the 56tli year of her age. (4E0RGE W. PETERS, farmer; P. O. Mattoon ; was born in Green Co., Tenn., Sept. 14, 1814 ; is the son of Reuben and Elizabeth Peters, of the same county and State; is the owner of 163 acres of land, valued at $6,500 ; has held no public office. Was married to Harriet Rector March 22, 1838 ; the names of the chil- dren by this union are Alexander S., Reu- ben A., George W., Lewis B., John R., Caroline E.; deceased, Reuben A., died July 17, 1875, aged 34 years 6 months 16 days ; living, Alexander S., born March 22, 1839; George W., May 3, 1843; Lewis B., Dec. 3, 1846 ; John R., May 3, 1856; Caroline E., born Jan. 2,1852. Reuben and George served three years in the late war, in Co. I, 1st Tenn. V. C. A. S. is in Oakland, Oregon ; George is in Sumner Co., Kan.; the rest are living here. JOHN A. WILSON, farmer; P. O. Etna ; is the son of John A. and Eliza- beth Wilson, of Coles Co.; was born March 16, 1842 ; is the owner of ninety- two acres of land, valued at $2,500. Was married to Elizabeth Jones, of Paradise Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 3, 1868; the names of the children by this union, are Willi.im S., George N., John 0., James M. (died Oct. 3, 1874), Mary E. and Effie G. Mr. Wilson served in the late war in Co. D, 123d Regiment I. V. I. His father, John A. Wilson, died Oct. 12, 1842, in St. Louis, and his mother, June 18, 1852; Mr. Wilson's father and mother were among the first settlers of this town- ship. BASIL C. WHEAT, Paradise; is the son of James 0. and Margaret Wheat ; was born in Jackson, Miss., March 27, 1853; moved to Coles Co., Ill, March 12, 1863 ; is the owner of fifty- five acres of land, valued at $2,500. Was married to Mary D. Alexander, of this township, Sept. 25, 1870; the names of the children are James 0., born Feb. 28, 1873 ; Margaret A., deceased : Nora J., born Oct. 29, 1874; Cora M., born March 29, 1876; Henrietta, born Aug. 24, 1878. Mr. Wheat's fother, James 0. Wheat, is still living, and is practicing medicine in this township. Was in the late war as surgeon in 21st Kentucky Reg- iment. His mother, Margaret Wheat, died Sept. 12, 1861, in the 25th year of her age. His father was Legislator two terms in Kentucky. GEORGE W. WILLSON, fiirmer ; P. 0. Etna ; is the son of John and Elizabeth Willson ; was born in Maryland, Aug. 12, 1826; moved to Coles Co., 111., Sept. 12, 1836 ; is the owner of 700 acres of land, valued at or near $21,000 ; was Justice of the Peace and Road Commissioner for a number of years. Was married to his I first wife, July 12, 1836, Sarah Floyd; names of children, boy, Nicholas P. ; girls, Lillia A., Rossy J. ; was married to his ' second wife, Mary S. Myers, widow of Henry H. Tucher, April 13, 1868 ; names of boys living, Francis A., John A. (deceased ), William ( deceased) ; girl, Mag- gie E. ; the names of Mr. Henry Tucher's children, living — girls, Ada U., Eva B. ; children dead — boy, Arthur S. ; girl, Bell L. Henry H. Tueher died Aug. 25, 1866 ; was born Jan. 27, 1819. JAMES H. WILLIAMS, farmer; P.O. Etna ; is the son of William and Elizabeth Williams, of Culpeper Co., Va. ; was born June 12, 1826, in Culpeper Co., Va. ; moved with his folks to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., 111., on Dec. 20, 1836; is the owner of 171 acres of land, valued at $4,50O. Is Commissioner of Highways, and has been for seven years, also School Director for eight years, and is at the, present time. Never was married. His father, William Williams, was born in Culpeper Co., ^ a., Aug. 3, 1789, died Jan. 7, 1855, in the 67th year of his age; his mother (Eliza- 654 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: beth Williams) was born in Culpejier Co., Va., April 22, 1792, died Nov. 3(1, 1873, in the 84th year of her age. He served in the late war three years, in Company D. 123d Volunteer III. LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. G. B. DAVIS, fiirmer, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Loxa; born in Hutton Tp., Coles Co., Dec. 12, 1836; was brought up a farmer; re- ceived his education in a common school during the winter months. Mr. D. re- sided at home with his parents until he was 32 years of age, during which time he assisted on the farm and also taught school ; he taught school in Hutton Tp. and the dis- trict where he now resides 104 months in all. He was married to Elizabeth Atkins Aug. 12, 1869; she was born in Clark Co., this State, Sept. 3, 1844; have two children — Sarah Annie and Mattie L. Held office of Town Clerk one year, and Justice of the Peace eight years ; was a soldier in the late war ; served in Co. C, 68th I. V. I. ; held rank of Second Lieutenant ; went from Charleston. He was in the expedi- tion that captured John Morgan at the time of his famous raid in Ohio. Mr. D. is a member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. D. belongs to the Church of United Breth- ren. His parents, John C. and Eliza- beth, were among the pioneer settlers of this county. Both are now deceased. RICHARD J. HANCOCK, farmer. Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Loxa ; own.s 150 acres ; was born on the farm where he now resides, Oct. 20, 1838; was raised a farmer. Mar- ried Mary E. Snitt (daughter of John S. Snitt, Esq.) Nov. 30, 1865; she was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, April 3, 1848 ; have six children — Nona, Anna, Nellie, John C, Carrie and Amanda S. Mr. H.'s father was born in North Carolina, March 13, 1797 ; went to Kentucky with his ]iar- ents when an infant. At the age of 10 years he went to Indiana, and then to this county in 1830. His death occurred Feb. 19, 1871, where the subject of this sketch now resides. His first settlement was on this farm ; here ho raised a family of ten children, only two of whom are now liv- ing (the subject of this sketch and Mrs. Jones, of Loxa). Mr. H.'s mother ( Keziah ) was born in Virginia, April 13, 1801 ; her death occurred here April 4, 1876. Mr. H. had two brothers in the army during the late war — John F., killed at Perry- ville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, and William T., who died at home, Jan. 20, 1872. Both were members of the 123d I. V. I. WILLIAM R. JONES, farmer, Sec. 28 ; p. 0. Mattoon ; owns 726 acres ; born in Harrison Co., Ky., Aug. 14, 1808 ; came to this township in 1834 and made a crop ; then went to Kentucky and worked four years on his mother's farm, his father having died when he (the subject of this sketch ) was 23 years old ; he then re- turned to this county in company with his mother and a sister, and .settled where he now resides. He was married to Eliza P. Threlkeld (daughter of the late Rev. Thomas Threlkeld) Oct. 18, 1853; she died Dec. 31, 1856 ; had two children by this marriage — Thomas T. (born Oct. 12, 1854) and William (born Nov. 21, 1856) ; both are now living ; his second marriage was to Elizabeth Ewing, March 25, 1862 ; she was born Dec. 28, 1829 ; by this union they have one child — Sarah Louisa, born April 7, 1866. Mr. J. was the first Supervisor in the township and held that office three terms. Mr. J. was formerly a Henry Clay Whig, after which he became identified with the Republican party, the principles of which he is a strong supporter ; Mr. J. luis never had but two homes — the place where he was born in Kentucky and his present home ; he is an extensive farmer and raises large ((uantiiies of stock and grain. Mr. J. was a warm friend of the soldiers during the late war ; a more kind and benevolent man to the poor probably does not exist in Coles Co. WILLIAM LEITCH, far., Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Mattoon ; owns 1 1 5 acres ; born in Highland (formerly Pendleton) Co., Va., Nov. 11, 1816 ; was raised a farmer; has also worked at blacksmithing and cooper- ing; is also a millwright. Married Eunice Raines Nov. 18, 1841 ; she was also born LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 656 in Highland Co., March 12, 1822; she died March 28, 1877 ; had ten children, eight of whom are now living — Andrew J., Huldah, Mary, Susan, Frank, Ingabo Ridley ( Indian name), Irene and Charles ; the names of the deceased were John Russell and Leva. Mr. L. holds the oflfice of Justice of the Peace, which oiEce he has held for twenty-seven years ; has held every office in the town except Collector ; Mr. L. formerly kept a docket ; he now does most of the legal business in the township. Mr. L. came to this county Nov. 11, 1845 ; he made the trip in a two- horse wagon ; Mr. L. is noted for his re- markable memory and good judgment ; his schooling was limited — about eighteen months in all. His son Andrew was a soldier during the late war, and partici- pated in the destruction of Spanish Fort; was under Gen. Steele. B. B. SHINN, farmer ; P.O. Mattoon; owns 142 acres ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 10,1824; was brought up a farmer. He married Margaret Bar- calow Jan. 1, 1845 ; she was born in But- ler Co., Ohio, July 14, 1824; they have had three children ; only one {G. B.) is now living ; he was born in Bartholomew Co., Ind., Oct. 20, 1851. He married Cornelia M. Ricketts Feb. 11, 1872; she was born in Charleston March 19, 1853; is a daughter of Joshua Ricketts, Esq., of Ashmore Tp. ; they have had three chil- dren, two of whom are now living — Nellie and 0. Morton ; Katie is the name of the deceased. The subject of this sketch had ! two other children^-James, who died at ' the age of 22 years ; a twin to the latter died in infancy. .Mr. S. has held the office j of Justice of the Peace, Supervisor and Town Clerk. He, in company with his wife, spent five months at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, in 1876. He was appointed by the Governor of this State as Assistant Commissioner at that exhibition ; he purchased a county right for a patent farm-gate, while at that Exhi- bition, that is worth the attention of every farmer ; it is simple and cheap, and a per- son does not have to alight from a load of ; hay or a wagon to open it ; it costs no more | than a common gate ; the inventor was a i Canadian, and, of course, it is constructed so that deep snows are no hindrance to its being opened or shut at any time without the trouble of shoveling snow ; it wUl jiay any person to travel a long distance to see this gate ; there is no doubt but what they will come in general use just as fast as the people find out that there is such a simple device in existence. THOMAS T. THRELKELD, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Mattoon; is a na- tive of Coles Co.; he was born in La Fay- ette Tp. May 22, 1848 ; he is a son of Matthew P. Threlkeld, and a grandson of Thomas Threlkeld, one of the pioneers of this county, who came from Scott Co., Ky., in 1830 ; his grandfather was a Baptist minister, and a prominent citizen, being, in 1840, a member of the State Legis- lature ; he entered a large farm in what is now La Fayette Tp., and resided there till his death, in 1563. Matthew P. Threl- keld, his son, and the father of Thomas T., is now a resident of the township. Thomas T. Threlkeld was married Feb. 9, 1875, to IMiss Emma Monroe, a daughter of the late Dr. John Monroe, of Charles- ton ; they have one child — Erie. MATTHEW P. THRELKELD, Sec. 15, farmer; P. 0. Mattoon; born in Har- rison Co., Ky., Feb. 7, 1816; was raised a farnjer; came with his parents to this county in 1830 ; was married Aug. 25, 1842, to Martha A. Gruelle; she was born in Harrison Co., Ky., Oct. 16, 1822; she came to this county with her parents in 1834 ; have had seven children, three of whom are now living — Thomas T., Martha E. and Susan E. ; the names of the de- ceased were Nancy, Mary, Maria and Isaac. Martha E. was married Dec. 4, 1874, to W. J. Guthrie ; he was born in this town- ship April 10, 1846; Mr. T.'s parents, Thomas and Patsy, were among the first settlers of this township ; his father was born Nov. 7, 1793, died April 19, 1865 ; his mother was born Oct. 21, 1790, and died June 28, 1862 ; their marriage took place Dec. 1, 1813. Mr. T.'s father was a regular ordained Baptist minister ; he was baptized in Mkrch 1812 ; commenced preaching in Kentucky in 1819 ; was the first preacher in this township in 1830; attended four churches and continued in the work until his death ; was well and favorably known throughout the section where he resided. Nearly all the marriage ceremonies of the early days of the settle- ment of the county were performed by 656 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: him. Mr. Guthrie resides on the home- stead with the subject of this sketch and carries on the business of farming ; he has held several town offices ; is at present School Trustee ; he has had three children, two living and one deceased ; the names of the living are Edward Thomas and Lelia ; the deceased was named Mabel. ERR^T^ BIOGRAPHIES TOO LATE FOR INSERTION IN PROPER PLACE. MATTOON TOWNSHIP. ISAAC N. McPHERON, farmer ; P. 0. Mattoon ; is the son of Alexander and Sarah McPheron, of Alabama ; was born Nov. 20, 1825, in Alabama; moved to Coles Co., Paradise Tp., Jan. 15, 1877. Is the owner of 89 acres of land valued at or near $3,500 ; held no public office in this township. Was married to Matilda Shook Feb. 11, 1846 ; names of children — boys, Samuel B., John A., Oscar P., Allen, Lo- gan ; (deceased, boy, Leuellen) ; girls, Carrie A., Alice, Flora T. ; deceased, girls. (Roxanna and Henrietta R.); his father is dead; died in Mattoon Jan. 26, 1873, in the 72d year of his age ; his mother died in Montezuma, Ind., May 3, 1847, in the 50th year of her age. THOMAS J. CURRY, farmer; P. 0. Mattoon ; is a son of James and Polly Curry, of Coles Co., 111. ; was born in Lincoln Co., Tenn., Sept. 7, 1812 ; moved to Coles Co. with his folks Dec. 12, 1832. Is the owner of 250 acres of land valued at or near $10,000 ; was School Trustee and Director for a number of terms. Was mar- ried to first wife, Martha Langston, March 29, 1833 ; names of children — boys, James E., William L., (Thomas T., deceased i ; girls, Mary A., Stacy J., Penia N. Was married to his second wife, Debora Mat- thews, Dec. 8, 1846 ; names of children — John H., Daniel W. ; girls, Martha E., Sarah B. Ange ; his father, James Curry, died March 6, 1846, in the 55th year of hi.s age; his mother died Aug. 5, 1855, in the 60th year of her age ; both died in this county and Paradise Tp. TAX-PAYERS OF COLES COUNTY. ^BBREA^I.^'^riON'S. Adv Adventist agt agent Bapt Baptist bkpr. bookkeeper bwr brewer brkl&yr bricklayer carp carpenter Cath Catholic elk clerk Ch Church Co Company or County com. mer commission merchant Cong : Congregational Dem Democrat dlr dealer dgst druggist Episcopal Episcopal Evang ErangeliBt lod Independent I. y. I Illinois Volunteer Infantry I. V. C Illinois Volunteer Cavalry I. V. A Illinois Volunteer Artillery far farmer fdry foundry gro grocer lab laborer Meth Methodist mfr manufacturer macb machiDist mkr maker mech mechanic mer merchant min minister phot photographer phys physician Presb H PresbyteriaD pr printer ptr painter prop .'. proprietor Rep Republican Rev Reverend sec « section or secretary slAmn salesman Spir Spiritualist supt superintendent treas treasurer CHARLESTON TOWNSHIP. (P. O. CHARLESTON.) American Express fompany. Adams, Samuel, farmer. Alvay.J.M., City Mills. Alexander, R., breeder of Poland-China swine. Aslimore & Mitchell, boots and shoes. Arnold, Stephen, farmer. Anderson, Henerly, jeweler. Adkins, J. M., Sr., "farmer. Adkins, W. K., farmer. -Vdkins, G. M., farmer. .\ dkins, Jf athaniel, farmer. Al\vell,,Thomas, laborer. .Vsliniore, H. M, stock-dealer. Adkins, J. M., .Jr., farmer. Adkins, J. W., farmer. Asbmore, James M., stock-dealer. Bagley, Tillman, horticulturist. Barnes, Silas, druggist. Buel, George N., laborer. Beadle, Richard, laborer. Ball, Tennessee, farmer. Baiter, M., cigar-maker. Bergfeld, Richard, saloon. Baugliman. A. Bunnell, James W. Buckner, J. M., engineer. Bates, J. R., farmer. Bates, John, farmer. Brown, J. O., farmer. Buckner, H. P., engineer. Bishop, Stephen, farmer. Barnard, H. C physician and surgeon. Birch, George, farmer. Byers, James, farmer. Bishop, F. L., dry goods, notions and millinery. Ball, J. W., fanner. Bain. A. X., foundry and machine-shop. Brewer, George, attorney at law. Berner, Elias, l)oot and shoe mfr. Briggs, C. R., portrait and live-stock painter. Briggs, Andrew, stone-cutter. Barton, Patrick, grocer. Briggs, Alex., marble and stone works. Berry, William T. Brown, J. I., Justice of the Peace. Beckom, John, carpenter. Brooks, Flavins. Brazelton, William A., carpenter. Blankenbaker, N. J., farmer. Bemont, Dennis, laborer. Bailes. Arch., farmer. Bowlen, Daniel, farmer. Brown, J. W., farmer. Batty. William C, cooper. Briggs, P. G., cooper. Bain, .1. A., agent. Buck, E. B., publisher Charleston Courier, «58 TAX-PAYERS OF COLES COUNTY: Bowhall, v., farmer. Burk, Thomas, farmer. Burk, James, farmer. Brown, Alexander, farmer. Brown. M. G.. farmer. Brown, ^V. Y., farmer. Brown, M. D., farmer. Bails, Andrew, farmer. Balch, Amelia, widow. Burton, G. W., plasterer. Blakeman, E., miller. Bradley, H. E., grocer. Chambers, AV. M., Sr., physician and sur- geon. Cui'd, Daniel, harness-maker. Cramer, Nicholas, blacksmith anrovision8. Wesley, Mary, widow. Woods, William E., farmer. AVilber, II. U., & Son, farmers. Wesley, Charles, molder. Winters, William, teamster. Woodruff, X. Z., grocer. Wlielan, M., farmer. Wilson, Charles F., Charleston Pork- Packing House. White, Benjamin, laborer. Wigal, George, L., broom-maker. Wooils, T. E., carpenter. White, G.W., farmer. Walker, Eveline, widow. AValki'r, Henrv, farmer. -Walker, A. F.", farmer. Woodrum. .V., farmer. . Walker. Mary V. Walton, N., salesman. AVeiiz, John, drayman. Wel)er, Jolm, baker and confectioner. Weber Bros., Iiakers and confectioners. AVeber, Daniel, baker and confectioner. Weber, Frances, widow Weiss & Frommcl, woolen manfrs. Weiss, Ginther, woolen manufacturer. Wright, Hodgen & Co., groceries and provisions. MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 663 Winters, Isaac, merchant tailor. Warden, E. B., clerk. Woods, Samuel W., farmer. Whittemore, AV. A., horse-breeder. Wait, Stephen. White, John H., farmer. Wright, George L.. restaurant. White, Owens, farmer. Walker, Marv, Mrs., farmer. Walter, W. H., blacksmith. Walter, George, gardener. Warren, JamVs, laborer. Whalen, A. Perry, molder. Wenz, William, billiards. Wilson, Sarah, widow. Wilson, J. C. Wilson, C. E,, Charleston Pork-Packing House. Watts, Charles, foreman. Wright, James, farmer. Weaver, J. W., farmer. Willingham, J. H., farmer. Waters, L. M., laborer. White, William H., farmer. Waters, George W., farmer. Weaver, Henry, farmer. Walker, Edward, horse-trader. Wissel, Peter, farmer. Wiley, Eli, attorney at law. Young, T. J., farmer. Young, C. M., sewing machines. Young, Robert, sewing machines. MATTOON TOWNSHIP. (P. 0. MATTOON.) Alshular, Charles, tr. agt. Anderson, Wm. W., farmer. Anderson, L., machinist. Adams, Jesse, Constable. Anderson, Jacob, col. cook Essex House. Alshular. Moses, dry goods merchant. Aldrich, I. H., fruit grower. Aubert, John L., surveyor. Anderson, T. P., laborer. Anderson, George, machinist. Augur, W. H., Justice of the Peace. Abell H. P.. left State. Allen, Charles H., tinner. Allison, John L., butcher. Ayer, H. A. Mrs., fruit garden. Adams, Luther. Anderson, J. S., Sec. Masonic B. S. Allen, S. J., Mrs. Alshular, Samuel, milling and photo. Ayers, I. J., book and news dealer. Ashbrook, Samuel, farmer. Abell, M. B., moved to Lamed, Kan. Ashworth, Frank A., grain merchant. Anderson. Peter. Anderson, Charles W., engineer. Anderson, Philip, Cooper. Auger, S. G. butcher. Allison, F. A., attorney. Artabum, .lames H., farmer. Alexander, John. Adrian, M. M., farmer. Adrian, John, farmer. Ahrens, Amelia. Albeck, Jacob, laborer. Ashbrook, R. W., fanner. Barney, Homer, mechanic. Baurn, H., Mrs. Bennett, Charles, attorney. Brainard, A., carpenter. Brawdy, James, laborer. Bond, Holland, laborer. Booth, T. D., Mrs., fruit farm. Black, Fred, farmer. Beachum, Bennett, laborer. Brand, Jonatlian, laborer. Bell, J. N., farmer. Bales, T. T.. farmer. Bell. Wm. A., machinist. Bence, M. P., laborer. Bell, Joseph, farmer. Bell, Isaac, farmer. Brinager, James M., farmer. Barker, H. B., farmer. Barker, M. B., farmer. Barr, Sarah, farmer. Bellamy, E. E., farmer. Bellamy, C. A ., farmer. Barrett, Richard. Burnett, Eli, engineer. Bombery, Wm., boiler-maker. Burnett, Mary J., boarding-house. Barnett, P. H., insurance agent. Bradshaw, George, coal merchant. Bridwell, H. L., farmer. Bedford, Mary. Brock, T. A., clerk. Bryant, Thomas. Blakley, Wm. Brown, Wm. Bell, Wm. A., farmer. Berviller, JSTickerson, retired. Benefiel, J. B., butcher. Bridges, V. R., physician. Baker, Michael, laborer. Barr, Alexander, barber. Barnes, I. W., restaurant. Branham, Wm-, retired. Buck, David, machinist. Blackman, M. D., merchant. Brown, C. M., Mrs. Bodendick, Wm., machinist. Berry, B. N., farmer. Bland, Thomas, laborer. Baldridge, David, retired. Brawdy, George, laborer. Brewner, A. J., mason. Barwick, W. D., liuckster. Bostwick, C. B., editor. '^ 664 TAX-PAYERS OF COLES COUNTY: Boridgman, A. C. Bay ley, A. B., merchant. Bayle, Josei)h, laborer. Barkee, E., farmer. Bush, Jacob A., farmer. Bautle, Eugene, jeweler. Birch, .John F.. shoemaker. Ballantine, Jason, machinist. Bennett, L. D., engineer. Baker, John, engineer. Bryan, John, laborer. Bliss, J. A., merchant. Bowin, J. N. Becker, Wm., merchant. Beck, A. D., laborer. Bray. Solomon, baggage-master. Burges, Wm., boots" anil shoes. Bell, J. J., Justice. Brady, James, laborer. Currens, E. T., merchant. Curtis, Charles. Chapman, Robert, painter. Chapen, Leonidas, farmer. Cummingham, John, attorney. Cox, Jason, merchant tailor. (Uark. M. S., liveryman. Clark, II. S., attorney. Clark, W. T. Chettle, Wm. M., telegraph operator. Clark, P. B., blacksmith. Currens, Michael, laborer. Codington, I. V., lumber merchant. Collard, S. W., carpenter. Collard, (ieorge AV., carpenter. Cusliman, A. F., Mrs. Crandell, A. B., carpenter. Clegg, Thomas, traveling agent. Claybaugh, J. W., carpenter. Cunningham, Robert, farmer. Colson, G. E., merchant. Carter, Robert. ' Clark, Jason H. Colson, Allie F., confectioner. ('ollins, F. C, clerk. Co.\, I. L. Cyphers, M., boarding-liouse. Cooper, B. S., carpenter. <"hristian, F. A., carpenter. Calhoun. A. B., farmer. Cunningliam. W. C., carpenter. Cadington. S. U., lumber merchant. Capen, B. S.. carpenter. Confer, M. J., Mrs., baker. Coats, R. AV'.. dairyman. Coats, A. AA'. Clark, John. Clark, George W.. law yer. Claugbly, .loliii. Collins, A., clerk. (!ranan, Jeremiah, laborer. Clark, .Joseph II., banker. Campbell, S. A. Coon, D. .S., shoemaker. Cornelians, Cnjiiams. Chuse, J. F., machinist. Currens, (ieorge, retired boot and shoe merchant. Cuningham, J. S., dry goods clerk. Coppage, W. R., druggist. Clark, E. M., merchant. Cassell, J. D., restaurant. Coulter, H. M., farmer. Church, Ransom. Curry, W. P., farmer. Curry, T. J, farmer. Curry, D. AV., farmer. Clark, Wm., farmer. Corder, AVm., farmer. Carter, John, laborer. Curry, J. H., farmer. Champion, Wm. H. Clark, AVm. H. Cole, Wm. Corder, AV. R., farmer. Carter, George. Chandion, A. J., drayman. Carlton, A. AV. Craig, A. AV. Clark, H. S., attorney. Cadvv'ell, E. C, insurance agent. Cox, Hiram, farmer. Davis, Thomas. Dora, I. AV., physician. Downing, Thomas. Drish, J. F., hardware. Donnell, John K., wholesale grocer. Donnell, Thomas, tombstones. Dolan, Thomas. Dahling. Henry. Dunlap, AV. B., Cashier First Xat'l Bank. Dunn, JVIorris, laborer. Davis, W. H. Duncan, J. R., paper and stationery dealer. Diddle, A. J., clerk in railroad office. Duncan, Maggie, Mrs. Detwiler, AV. H., plasterer. Doran, J. W., farmer. Dolton, Wm., laborer. Danhiser, A., upholsterer. Dota, Isaac, laborer. Darnblazer, J., auctioneer. Dozier, AVm., farmer. Dole, S. D., farmer. Dole, J. C., farmer. Davis, B. Dewald, (ieorge. Dale. C. M. Durnell, A. N. Elder, A. C, druggist. Ewing, J. M., i)ainter. Everharty, Mat, butcher. Everlield, Thomas, tinner. Ewing, A. C. Elliott, Tliomas, shoemaker. Evans. John, laborer. Eler, .lobn. carpenter. Eleiistin, Hugo, laborer. Ewing, R. L., groceryman. Ewalt, J. H., laborer. Earl, Fraidc, laborer. Edson, Wilson. Edington, James J)., farmer. Estes. AV. B. Essex House, hotel. Filcer. A. J. Fry, Charles B., pbysiiiian. U MATTOON TOWNSHIP. 665 Foot, W. D., carpenter. Ford, S. J. Ferguson, M. J.. Mrs. Fickes, George, laborer. Fickes, Samuel, laborer. Fickes, Jacob, laborer. Fairbros, Wm., laborer. Figenbaum. Henry, lal)orer. Faught, W. H., left city. Fuller, J. D. Fitzgerald, Joshua, laborer. Ferel, Mary. Flynn, Thomas, saloon-keeper. Fallin, 1). A., groceryman. Fallin, J. S., groceryman. Futures, Charles, groceryman. Fooba, Tim. Fudge, L., mechanic. Fullin, Wm., real estate. Frakes, James, laborer. Fulcher, Wm. J., City Treasurer. Farris, B., laborer. Fallin, Henry, farmer. Fulton, D. W., farmer. Ferree, Reuben J., farmer. Frost, Peter, farmer. Fox, Samuel. Frakes, Wm. Francis, Benjamin. Fugate, C. Fugate, Stephen. Flemming, W. C. Fisher, J. M., insurance agent. Gavin, Richard. Gordan, A. H., painter. Gibbs, I. N ., horse-dealer. Glunt, John. Gucker. F. Geary, S. D., mechanic. Garthwait, Frank, dry goods. Goodyear, John S. Guyo'tt, Fred. Guyott, Wm. Goins, W. GiflBn, Morgan, saloon-keeper. Gogin, A. D., mail agent. Goldgart, George, retired merchant. Guilfoil, John, engineer I. & St. L. R. R. Garrett, Zachari;di. Gibler, L., leader in brass band. Goodpaston, John, feed store. Gray, Robert, Prosecuting Attorney. Govvgin, O. W., Justice ot the Peace. Gray, George. Gawger, John, conductor 1. & St. L. R.R. Gaw, John. Gaw, Peter. Goold, Joseph. Gidelle, Elizabeth. (iardner, S. D., farmer. Griffith, John, carpenter I. & St. L. shops. ove, 'J'lionias. La Grand, Philiii, farmer. l>uby, S. 7... farmer. Jjin