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Gc 977.30L Sh4hi 1596004
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
U ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01071 0827
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
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MAIN STREET. LOOKING LAST PROM BROADW.AY, SHLI BYAH ١٠
HISTORIC SKETCH
AND
BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM
OF
SHELBY COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote generations."-MACAULAY.
BIOGRAPHY IS THE ONLY TRUE HISTORY."-EMERSON.
ILLUSTRATED.
EMBELLISHED WITH PORTRAITS OF WELL KNOWN RESIDENTS OF SHELBY COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
SHELBYVILLE, ILLINOIS : THE WILDER PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1900.
SHELBYVILLE LEADER PRINT.
1596004
INTRODUCTION.
It is the province of the historian to snatch from oblivion that information pertaining to nations and peoples which may be of any possible interest or benefit to those of the present or to the "millions yet unborn," and to faithfully re- cord it in enduring form. In order to honestly accomplish this end the writer must curb his fancies and put a check upon his imaginative pro- pensities ; he must not seek to weave a fabric of surpassing beauty regardless of facts, which must form the basic foundation of all true his- tory. . But, rather, he must dig and delve into records, official and private ; into the traditions handed down from generation to generation from decades long past: into the memory of the old pioneer who still survives : and by pro- longed and diligent search seek to know the truth, that the truth alone in after years may bear record of his work.
Such shall be our constant aim and effort in the compilation of this historical sketch and biographical album of Shelby county. We fully realize the stupenduousness of the task lying be- fore us, in preparing the history of even a coun- ty which, at first glance, might appear to the un- initiated as an easy work : the records and neces- sary data being easy of access. But let us dis- abuse the mind of this mistaken idea. There are
in store for us, in the compiling of this history, countless interviews with men of prominence and obscurity ; the following up of many clues to in- teresting information, only to find in the end they are but wraiths of the facts they are pur- ported to be ; the fruitless search for data to com- plete some essential bit of history ; and weary hours of delving into old and musty records. that we may give to the reader matter of interest as well as valuable information. But notwithstand- ing this outlook, we enter upon our task, trust- ing that when completed this History of Shelby county, than which no other county of the state is more historical. will be a volume to be prized for its interesting features and genuine worth.
We shall faithfully seek to interest the reader in the pre-historic days of the county, and shall give a complete report of its organization, its name, and the construction of its public buik- ings : some attention will be paid to its geograph- ical situation. size. topography, etc., together with brief mention of its state roads, and politi- cal parties : we shall endeavor to portray the manners and customs of the pioneers, and will glean a chapter from the official records of the county : Shelby's part in the wars of the nation will be alluded to by Comrade Elgin H. Martin, as well as the war between the Gospel and the
wrong, as told in the ecclesiastical chapter by Rev's H. H. Oneal, W. H. Drummet. B. W. Tyler. A. J. Smith, A. A. Todd, J. F. Bair and others. A chapter of reminiscences by Attorney Geo. B. Rhoads, will be found to be interesting reading, and the Bar of the county will receive extended mention from the pen of Hon. Geo. D. Chafee ; an interesting personal history is to be given by Rev. Jasper L. Douthit, and the educa- tional work of the county will be dealt with, as well as the business enterprises and institutions, together with a chapter on the Press from the pen of Hon. Geo. R. Graybill.
To the gentlemen whose names appear above, and to the many others upon whose cour- tesy and efficient aid we rely to help us in our
work, we take this opportunity of rendering our sincere words of appreciation and thanks.
Following this department will be the Bio- graphical division. It has been said by the im- mortal Emerson that "Biography is the only true history." In soliciting data for this section of our work we shall confine ourselves to representa- tives of the better class of citizens of the county, but shall by no means hope to secure all of that class ; for there will be many such whose names, through no fault of ours, will not appear.
We have outlined our work, and ask for it a careful though charitable perusal. It will not be above criticism, but our constant effort and hope shall be to present to the public a work that shall be, in a measure, creditable.
JUDGE TRUMAN E. AMES.
HISTORIC SKETCH OF SHELBY COUNTY.
CHAPTER 1. -
PREHISTORIC DAYS.
Observe! that Nature speaks to us with many voices.
At morn, she whispers to us from the dewy blade ;
Again, at noon, she speaks to us in tones of daz- zling brightness ;
.And yet again, at eve, in hushed and solemn accents.
She asks us to adore the God of all Creation. -D. L. Davis.
The scenic effect of a broad stretch of prairie is inspiringly beautiful ; but more attrac- tive to the eye and pleasing to the inherent artis- tic sense possessed in a greater or lesser degree by every human being, is the landscape which presents to view the broad expanse of undulat- ing prairie broken at intervals by wooded knolls and hills, mossy dells and vales, swiftly moving rivers and flowing brooks.
Such was the sublime scene presented in the early part of the century by the territory now confined within the boundaries of Shelby county, when the pioneers and early settlers came in from the east and up from the south to make homes for themselves in what was then a wilderness, uninhabited save by the "dusky war- rior" and the animals of the plains.
As has been indicated this section was di- vided between prairie and timbered land, which made it of double value to those who wished to
settle upon it : the prairie being readily con- vertible into tillable farms without the toil and delay of "clearing" it. while the wooded tracts provided fuel and the timber from which the rude homes were constructed. This timber growth covered a considerable portion of the land surface, but was more dense along the borders or near the numerous creeks and rivers. Much of it has fallen before the sturdy blows of the axe in the hands of the settlers, though many natural and artificial groves still remain. which, with the broad acres of waving grain and large herds of sleek live stock, produce a picture of surpassing beauty and pleasing aspect.
THE FLORA.
Prominent amongst the very many trees and plants found in what is now Shelby county. were the maple, both rock and black sugar. silver leaf and ash leaf: the smooth leaf alder : the false indigo shrub : the paw-paw: the red birch and blue beech : the cherry, both choke and cabinet ; hazelnut : hawthorn : hickory of the several varieties : ash. white, black, green and blue : witch-hazel ; butternut and walnut : cotton- wood : the several willows : elms and oaks of all kinds : poison ivy : prickly, smooth and swamp gooseberry : currant : elderberry ; red and black raspberry : blackberry : summer and frost grape. and the rose. Many of the more valuable of these are now almost extinct, having been util- ized in the constructing of buildings and the manufacture of household furniture and farm-
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HISTORIC SKETCH.
ing implements. The greater portion of the na- tive shrubs and plants have given place to the cultivation of those which are of more practical good to the settlers, still many of them can be found in profusion along the water courses. Many varieties of grasses were found here, prin- cipal amongst which was that called biue joint. and which grew to the height of the head of a man on horseback.
THE FAUNA.
.A number of species of ruminating animals are still to be found in the county, though in the early days a great many more existed in abund- ance. The pioneers found both the American and White Tail Deer, the former being the more common : the Black Bear : the Gray and Prairie Wolf; Gray Fox; Panther and Wild Cat. or Lynx, belonging to the same family ; the Wea- sel: Mink; American Otter; Skunk; Badger : Raccoon: Opossum and other smaller animals. The Black Bear and American Otter have been extinct species in this section for several de- cades, as have several others, also. The presence of civilization has driven them into haunts less frequented by men.
.As late as 1820 the settlers here found an abundance of the heads, horns and bones of the Elk and Buffalo, which was evidence that these noble animals had once roamed at will and in large numbers over these plains. But ere this the Buffalo and Elk had forsaken these feeding grounds and had crossed the Mississippi toward the westward horizon, never to return. It is interesting, but not a matter of pleasant contem- plation, to know that where once the noble American Buffalo roamed in vast numbers over the western plains, there are now but three small herds known to exist. This is due to the fla-
grant and malicious killing, by those who were devotees of the chase, of this animal which should have been protected by well-enforced statutes long ere this.
The Raccoons and Opossums are to be found throughout the state, and were in abund- ance in this region. Coon skins were considered legal tender by the pioneers, and passed as rapidly among them as greenbacks do at the present day. Altogether, the animals which ex- isted in such plentitude furnished rare and abun- dant sport for the early inhabitants of the coun- ty.
FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT.
The first permanent settlement in what is now Shelby county was made in March of 1818, the same year in which Ilinois was admitted to the union of states. Charles Wakefield, Sr .. moved into and settled in what is now Cold Spring township. He was accompanied by his wife and children-Simeon, John and Enoch Wakefield were married and brought their fam- ilies with them. Ormsby Vanwinckle, a son-in- law, also accompanied them, as did Charles Wakefield, Jr., an unmarried young man. Mr. Wakefield built his house, the first one to be built in this county, about three-fourths of a mile to the southeast of the cold spring. which furnished an abundance of clear, cold water. This house was constructed of rough logs with a chimney of sticks and mud. Simeon Wakefield settled at the spring, with John . to the southeast, Enoch to the west and Ormsby Vanwinckle northwest. on contiguous lands. This location, now Williamsburg, was doubt- less chosen by these men because of the pure water, the fertile soil and the abundance of all kinds of game in the surrounding forest. The
6
HISTORIC SKETCH.
Wakefields were all noted hunters and genuine frontiersmen, having lived in St. Clair county, this state, before coming to this county, and after planting a little corn in the spring of the vear they would devote the balance of the time to hunting and fishing. They were very friendly and intimate with the Indians, who were princi- pally of the Kickapoo tribe, and were thorough- ly conversant with their language, manners and customs. These Indians went farther west after the Black Hawk war.
In the same year in which the Wakefields settled at the cold spring they were followed by several more families from St. Clair county. Lemuel Hawkins, Arthur Crocker and the Wid- ow Petties with their families made homes for themselves in the same locality. This made quite an addition to the little colony, and the time dragged not so heavily and the long even- ings passed a little more pleasantly and cheer- fully because of the social gatherings at one home or another.
A year later. in 1819, Thomas Pugh, a na- tive of North Carolina, but who was reared in Kentucky, established a home for himself and family near Cold Spring, which the little settle- ment had come to be 'called. Mr. Pugh was quite prominently identified with the early life of the Cold Spring settlement. Greenville. Bond county, was their nearest milling place for several years, and from thence he would bring supplies of powder, lead, salt and other things and exchange them with the Indians for dressed hides, bees' wax and other trinkets.
All of these settlers, and Mr. Pugh in par- ticular, had many interesting experiences with the wild animals of the forest-the bears, wolves, panthers, catamounts and wild cats, the latter being very numerous. It was no uncommon thing for him, as he pursued a trail through the
forest to come upon the partially devoured car- cass of a deer that had fallen a victim to some of these animals, which were possessed of the cun- ning to conceal under a covering of leaves the portion of the body which remained after their greed had been satisfied. The early pioneers would often suffer much loss from the ravages of these wild beasts upon the calves and hogs. We are told that frequently they would find their hogs with several pounds of flesh eaten from their backs by a bear. It should not then become a source of wonder that Mr. Pugh and the rest spent so much of their time in hunting these voracious animals to their death in order to protect their live stock, as well as to provide for themselves the hides and pelts with which to render their rude dwelling places a little more comfortable by fastening them to the ceiling and walls for protection against the drifting snow and chilling blasts of winter. Mr. Pugh lived in the county for forty years, dying in 1859 on a farm one mile north of Shelbyville.
FIRST LAND ENTRY.
In 1821. on the 19th of July, the first land entry was made in Shelby county. It was of eighty acres in Section 13. Township 10-2, by Charles Wakefieldl. Sr. Thomas l'ugh and John Walker each entered eighty acres in Section 14. Township 10-2, in November, 1822.
FIRST MILL.
Asa Ledbetter came from the southern part of Illinois in 1822, and being of quite an enter- prising disposition he built a mill on the Okaw river a short distance above Shelbyville. at a place since known as the Francisco Mill site. He carried on this enterprise until the spring of
T
HISTORIC SKETCH.
1828, when the mill was washed away by the high water. Mr. Ledbetter attempted to save the mill by weighting it down with stone brought from the opposite side of the river in a canoe. On the last trip across the canoe sank and its occupant was precipitated into the freez- ing water. He was a poor swimmer and before help reached him he had become so chilled that his own efforts to keep up were fruitless, and he lost his life.
FIRST BLACKSMITH IN THE COUNTY.
Jonathan C. Corley was another man of prominence among the early pioneers of this county. He was born in Virginia, went to Ken- tucky in 1808, and from there came to Illinois in 1823 and located on Robinson's Creek north- west of Shelbyville. He was the first black- smith to settle within the boundaries of our county, and was also a farmer. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years and was quite prominent in the county until his death in 1860. Mr. Corley was the father of thirteen children.
Perhaps there was none more closely iden- tified with the early days, nor more highly re- spected for good judgment and integrity than Levi Casey, a native of South Carolina, but who came to Shelby in 1824 and settled on Robin- son's Creek. Mr. Casey was one of the early county commissioners and lived on the farm upon which he first settled, until his death in 1855
In 1825 Samuel Little came from Southern Illinois and built a cabin in what is now Ash Grove township. The following spring he was joined by his brother John and his brother-in- law, Robert Duncan, who constructed rude cabins near by. They were all genuine fron- tiersmen and hunters and delighted in the hunt
and their associations with the Indians, upon whom they played many a practical joke, but with whom they remained on very friendly terms. When the Indians left the state the Lit- tles went to Texas, but Mr. Duncan remained here until his death. He accumulated consid- erable property in Bond county.
The first settler on Richland Creek was David Elliott, who came there in 1825 and built a horse mill and still house, which he operated for a number of years with great profit to him- self. In the following year his brother, Jacob Elliott. moved into the settlement, but after- wards removed to Holland township, where he remained until his death only a few years ago.
William Weeger was another of the settlers in prehistoric days, coming to Richland Creek in 1826. He was one of the early county com- missioners. His eldest son, John, came to the county in the same year and settled near his father. His wife gave birth to twins on the 4th of July and the Indians made for them a double papoose cradle which is still retained in the family as a relic of the earlier days. We might mention the names of Samuel Weatherspoon, Baziel Daniel, William Daniel and B. Fancher, who, with their families, settled in the neighbor- hood of Big Springs in 1826.
In the fall of the same year John Cochran. with his three sons-in-law. John. Daniel and William Price, came to the county and settled in what is now known as Cochran's Grove. Mr. Cochran was the father of five children, the youngest of whom, James, survived the others for many years. John Frazer, Robert Temple- ton, John Storm, John Bolin, Daniel Green. Joseph Dixon and Robert Rankin, with their families, were also very early settlers of Ash Grove township, where many of their descend- ents still reside.
8
HISTORIC SKETCH.
James and John Renshaw came from White county with a drove of hogs in 1825. They were so pleased with the country hereabouts that they went home, sold their possessions and returned to Richland Creek the following year. and settled themselves and families upon desir- able property there. James afterwards lived in Shelbyville for awhile. subsequently moving to Decatur, Illinois. John continued on the farm upon which he first settled.
By many of the older citizens Barnett Bone will be remembered. He was amongst the carly settlers, coming to Illinois in 1825 from Tennessee, his native state. He built a comfortable and substantial log cabin on the banks of the Okaw, about two miles south of the present site of the City of Shelbyville. In
this house was held the first session of the Coun- ty Commissioners' Court. Mr. Bone was a pub- lic spirited man, and was ever ready to further the interests of the county and assist in its de- velopment. He was a leading member of the Methodist church, and his name was always the synonym of cordial hospitality and kindness. He was twice married and lived to a good old age, dying in the county in which he had lived so many years and with the interests of which he had been so prominently identified.
And thus, with this brief mention of the men and their families who braved the hard- ships and dangers of pioneer life, and reclaimed this region, in the "Prehistoric Days." we pass on to the establishment of the county corporate.
ORGANIZATION --- NAME --- COUNTY BUILDINGS.
CHAPTER II.
The grand and illimitable possibilities which the pioneers and statesmen of the carly days prophetically saw in this section of the country, and caused them to advise the addi- tion of a new civil organization to the number of counties in the state, have all been demon- strated : and, indeed. greater things than then existed in their most sanguine hopes have been realized.
In January of the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, the act of the legis- lature of Illinois creating the County of Shelby was approved by the Governor and went into effect. Then. Shelby was to the casual observer but a strip of prairie land, here and there dotted with woodland, but with a fertile soil and such a geographical location as to intimate to the interested ones that it was valuable property ; today, there are broad and beautiful farms which are pleasing to the eye and which provide sus- tenance for thousands of people. Then, there were but a few settlers, scattered over more than a thousand square miles of territory, while today there is a population within her borders of thirty-two thousand one hundred twenty-six. Then, there were but rude cabins of rough-hewn logs, while today, in their stead are the neat. beautiful and commodious homes of the citizens. Then, there were but a small number of log school houses and places of worship : now, there
are a great many very fine schools and churches of elegant modern architectural de- sign. Then, there were but the winding prairie roads and rough paths leading through the timbered lands ; now, there are the smooth and well-kept highways and by-roads. Then, there were no means of transportation but the pack- horse and lumber wagon ; today, there are many miles of railroad which furnish excellent and convenient transportation facilities. In those carly days agriculture and hunting furnished the only occupation for the settlers, while today commercial pursuits of every sort and extent are carried on. Then, there was but an imper- fect judicial system ; now, the well-established and perfectly conducted courts of law.
Prior to the session of the legislature which passed the bill creating Shelby county, the peo- ple had favorably considered the proposition to establish the new county and appointed a com- mittee to go to Vandalia, which was then the state capital, and secure the enactment of the bill before spoken of, a copy of which we ap- pend :
An act creating Shelby county :-
Sec. 1 .- Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois represented in the general as- sembly, that all that tract of country lying within the following boundaries, to-wit : begin- ning at the northwest corner of Sec. 19, in township nine north, range one east, of the third principal meridian, then north on the said meridian line. thirty miles to the northwest cor-
IO
BENJAMIN F. WILSON.
ALBERT ALLEN.
HISTORIC SKETCH.
ner of section 19. in township fourteen north; thence east thirty-six miles to the northeast corner of section 24, township fourteen north, range six cast ; thence south thirty miles to the southeast corner of section 13; thence west thirty-six miles to the place of beginning, shall constitute a new county, to be called Shelby.
Sec. 2 .- For the purpose of fixing the per- manent seat of justice of said county, the fol- lowing persons are appointed commissioners. to-wit : John Hopton, Easton Whiton, and Wm. I. D. Ewing, who, or a majority of them. being first duly sworn before some justice of the peace of this state, faithfully to take into view the convenience of the people. the situation of the settlement. with an eye to future popula- tion, and the eligibility of the place ; shall meet at the house of Barnet Bone, in said county, on the first Monday of April next, and proceed to examine and determine on a permanent seat of justice for said county, and designate the same : Provided. the proprietor or proprietors of said land shall give to the county for the purpose of erecting public buildings, a quantity of land. not less than twenty acres, to be laid out in a square form, and divided into lots of a conven- ient size, and sold for the purpose of erecting public buildings in said county : but, should the proprietor or proprietors refuse to make a do- nation as aforesaid. then, in that case, it shall be the duty of the said commissioners to fix on . some other place for the seat of justice, as con- venient as may be. to the place first selected : Provided, the proprietor or proprietors of the land. shall make a donation of twenty acres of land, to be laid out as above provided for : which place, when so fixed upon, shall be the county seat of said county.
The said commissioners shall certify their proceeding to the next county commissioners'
court, to be held in and for said county, which court shall cause a record to be made thereof in their books.
Sec. 3 .- Until public buildings shall be erected for the purpose, the court shall be held at the house of Barnet Bone, in said county.
Sec. 4 .- An election shall be held at the house of the said Barnet Bone, on the second Monday of April next. for one sheriff, one cor- oner. and three county commissioners for said county, who shall hold their offices until the next general election, and until their successors are qualified : which said election shall be con- ducted in all respects agreeably to the provis- ions of the law regulating elections. Provided. that the qualified voters present. may elect from their number present. three qualified voters, to act as the judges of said election, who shall ap- point two qualified voters to act as clerks.
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