USA > Illinois > McLean County > Normal > History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois > Part 1
USA > Illinois > McLean County > Bloomington > History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois > Part 1
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977.359 B93h
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
977. 359 B 93h
ILL. HIST. STYLY
HISTORY
Bloomington and Normal,
MCLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
COMPILED AND ARRANGED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES
BY J. H. BURNHAM. OF BLOOMINGTON.
BLOOMINGTON : J. H. BURNHAM. PUBLISHER. 1879
PREFACE.
The history of Bloomington and Normal. herewith given, was written for the History of McLean county, Illinois, published by LeBaron & Co., of Chicago, and appears in the body of that work. Owing to the general design and arrangement of that publication, its cost placed it out of the reach of many who wish to obtain the history of Bloomington and Normal. and, at the request of friends, I have thought best to publish a small edition which can be sold at a price that will place it in the hands of all who may desire a copy.
In this connection, I wish to remark that the preparation of this little work was, to the historian, almost a labor of love. As he progressed in the work, his interest in everything pertaining to the towns increased until he could scarcely lay aside the pen. He was aware of the great responsibility resting upon the writer of the first historical sketch, but has attempted conscientiously and fairly to arrange and present an impartial, authentic account of the events of our half century of history. The imperfections of the present work are, per- haps, more evident to its author than they possibly can be to the general reader, and such as exist, he hopes will be regarded with all proper indulgence.
Great care was taken in verifying all statements-particularly those relating to the earliest events. The writer visited Pekin and Vandalia, and carefully examined all records, being, perhaps, the only person who has ever taken such pains to ascertain the facts of our early history. Only those who have been actually engaged in an enterprise of this kind, can properly estimate the difficulties and perplexities that must be encountered, and it is asking too much to expect the general public will be satisfied with what has been accomplished. Still, such as it is, we hereby present the little work, hoping our earnest efforts will be appreciated, and that our contribution to history will prove acceptable.
It is with pleasure I return thanks to the many friends who have assisted in the preparation of these chapters.
J. H. B.
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BLOOMINGTON.
The territorry now included in the township of Bloomington is a part of our common county, and as such entitled to its share in the interest attaching to the general history of our State and nation ; but when we take it upon ourselves to learn the history of the six miles square called Bloomington, we find it almost impossible to divest general history from the local interest of the tract of land under consideration. It would be pleasant to go back to the time when all the country, north of the Ohio, was a French possession ; to glance at its first American baptism, in the year 1778, when Gen. Clarke with his Virginians capture } the whole region from the British, who had taken it all from the French in 1763; to learn something of its early history as a portion of Virginia after Gen Clarke returned from his expedition, at which time the whole tract was a dependency of Virginia, called Illinois County; to look at the same country years later, when it was called the Northwest Territory, and to follow its fortunes as the Territory of Indiana, then as the Territory of Illinois from 1809 down to 1818, when the State of Illinois entered upon its independent career. In all these varying changes, the little spot of land we are now examining had a territorial share, but was peopled only by wild and savage Indians, who may have been intelligent enough to know the French from the English, but who were not citizens of whatever power for the time being was in possession of the land. It was not till 1822 that the territory now known as Mclean County possessed a single white inhabitant; and when, in that year, the families of John Hendrix and John W. Dawson made a selection of sites for homes, they were the first permanent settlers in the county, and were also the first in Bloomington Township, of which we now propose to give an historical sketch. We have a right to suppose that long previous to the date we have mentioned important events transpired here, in which white people took important parts. It was here in this very region that Gen Hopkins' army was embarrassed in 1813, in his fruitless expedition from the Wabash toward the fort which was then standing at Peoria. It is probable that many a party of French and friendly Indians have camped in our old woods when on their way from Lake Michigan to Cahokia and Kaskaskia. Possibly the carly Indian traders and hunters may have built trading-stations and occupied them for long periods, at points where our first settlers found partial clearings in the original forests. But perhaps it is not best to indulge ourselves in much speculation or supposi- tion on these topies, as we shall find our path obscure enough, following as we go the best authenticated records that are now available.
BLOOMING GROVE, IN FAYETTE COUNTY.
We find that the first white men who made marks which have in any manner entered into history were the Government land surveyors, who commenced the work of dividing and subdividing the fertile acres of Mclean County in the year 1821. The final survey was not completed until October, 1823, when Blooming Grove Township was surveyed by P. M. Hamtramack.
Our township has been situated in allegiance to many different counties. In 1817, Illinois being then a Territory, the county of Crawford was in power here. In 1819,
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a year after the State of Illinois had been admitted into the Union, Clark County had jurisdiction, while, in 1821, Fayette County was organized, extending northeast as far as the Illinois River, and to Fayette our first settlers owed allegiance. As under- stood at the time, Fayette reached to the Wisconsin line. This was the meaning of the act incorporating Fayette County, but as, by a previous law, Pike County included all north of the Illinois River, Fayette County could not enforce its claim to its most north- ern territory.
All this region of country now known as McLean County, east of the Third Prin- cipal Meridian, was situated in the county of Fayette, and thus remained until the development of the country several years later rendered it absolutely necessary that this immense tract should be subdivided into several counties. We will attempt to give the names of only a few of the first settlers of this township, mentioning some of the most prominent, but may, through inadvertence, omit others equally deserving. In 1822, John Hendrix and John W. Dawson, with their families, settled in the southern por- tion of Blooming Grove. There was with them in the same year a single man of the name of Segur, who, however, did not stay long in the settlement, he having sold his claim in 1823 to Mr. William Orendorff. Mr. Dawson remained four years, when he removed to near the site of the old Indian town in Old Town Timber. During these four years, while his family lived at the Grove, there were no less than fifteen different families who made their homes here, so that Blooming Grove very soon became a well- settled community. Mr. Hendrix is entitled to the honor of being the first settler, as Mr. Dawson's family did not arrive till after Mr. H. had been here some weeks. Of the family of John W. Dawson, who came in 1822, we will here remark that two are now living in the city of Bloomington, having moved from Old Town many years ago. The oldest is Mrs. William Paist, whose first husband was Maj. Owen Cheney. She was about eight years old when her father moved to the Indian town. She was a great favorite with the Indian squaws, who often carried her to their homes, keeping her for days at a time, where the little girl was greatly pleased and interested. Mrs. P. does not even yet appear aged-scarcely elderly. She takes a great interest in society, and it seems hardly possible that this active lady has seen the full growth and development of Blooming Grove, of Bloomington City and of McLean County. Her brother, John Dawson, is the next oldest pioneer now living in our city.
Mr. John Hendrix is deserving of mention, having been a consistent, devoted Chris- tian, who planted early good seed that has borne many fold. He has been honored by having the. railroad station on the Central in the Orendorff neighborhood named after him, as well as the post office, and the true spelling of the name should be Hendrix, it being named for this good old pioneer. The first sermon in Blooming Grove was preached at the house of Mr. Hendrix, by Rev. James Stringfield, in 1823. Mr. Hen- drix labored in the settlement as a true Christian should, and very few who have lived in this county have left such a noble record. Men like Mr. Hendrix and Mr. Dawson should always be held in grateful recollection by our people, both of them having been men of great worth. With their two families, they accomplished a great deal of good in forming and molding the tone of society during the first two or three years of the infant settlement. They labored in every manner possible to induce the best class of emigrants to settle as neighbors and used all the skill they possessed to persuade unde- sirable persons to move on or look further for more congenial neighborhoods. The
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strict, almost Puritanie, ways of the religious Mr. Hendrix naturally had the effect of impressing new-comers who were reckless and irreligious, with an aversion to his society, and would as naturally attract pious men, like Rev. E. Rhodes, who came in 1823 or 1824, and the influence of all these carly settlers was of lasting value.
The influence of a few of the early pioneers in determining the class of settlers who were attracted to cast their lot in the same community, has often been referred to, but we find that in the case of Blooming Grove a great deal was accomplished in this direc- tion, in the first two or three years of its development, and in this manner we account. for the fact that at the time of the location here of the county seat, there was no settle- ment of equal power and influence anywhere between Vandalia and the Wisconsin line.
In the year 1823, William Orendorff and wife arrived. with Mr. Thomas Orendorff. then a young man of twenty-three. In 1824, Mr. Goodheart and W. H. Hodge settled at the Grove, and about the same time Mr. William Walker and family, and enough others to bring the whole number of families up to about fifteen by the end of the year 1824. There were no exceptions to the general good character attributed to all of the first families, thus giving illustration to the old saying in regard to " birds of a feather."
Our sketch, imperfect as it is, must not omit all mention of the Rhodes family. Ebenezer Rhodes came to the Grove in April, 1824. He was the first minister who settled at Blooming Grove, having been ordained in the Separate Baptists, before com- ing to Blooming Grove. Mr. Rhodes organized a small church at his own house. con- sisting at first of eight persons. This church held meetings at the house of John Benson and that of Josiah Brown, at Dry Grove. There had been occasional preaching before his arrival, but from this time forward he kept up regular ministrations. He appears to have been a natural missionary, and labored in all the young settlements within thirty or forty miles. No doubt he was induced to settle here by the presence of such men as John Hendrix, and the prospect that Blooming Grove would be the first settle- ment able to maintain a church and school; and we thus see the good effect of the high character of the pioneers of 1822, who attracted men like Mr. Rhodes, who in turn exerted a similar influence upon later arrivals. In addition to his service as pastor. Mr. Rhodes was a man of mechanical knowledge-could makespinning-wheels, seats and chairs, and, as early as the first year of his arrival, set up a hand-mill for grinding corn, and in the next year built one that was run by horse-power.
It would be pleasant to follow this good man in his various enterprises, but space forbids. He was the father of Capt. John H. S. Rhodes and Jeremiah Rhodes, both of whom came here in 1824, and who were among the best of our pioneers. The latter is still living, a hearty old gentleman, a connecting link between the past and the pres- ent. He remembers well the condition of the country in those early days. When his father arrived, the Kickapoo Endians were plentiful in this neighborhood. Their chief, Ma-Shee-na, ordered the Rhodes family and others to the south side of the Sangamon River, declaring that he had never signed the treaty which gave the whites porsession of Blooming ( then called Keg) Grove. It appears that the old chief was sick at the time the treaty was signed, but had sent his son to treat with the whites and sign the articles. Ma-Shee-na threatened to burn the houses of the families here, but finally compromised by allowing them to remain until fall. When one regards the treacherous nature of the Indians, it looks as if the pioneers of 1824 ran a great risk in remaining, under the circumstances ; but the chief appears to have been a pretty good sort of an
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Indian, worthy of the confidence reposed in him, and, in the end, the settlers either eom- pletely won his good-will or, as is quite probable, so increased in numbers as to overawe the whole tribe. It has been a matter of some surprise to us that the name of this Indian chief, which we spell as pronounced, Ma-Shee-na, has not been preserved in this settle- ment. So far as we know, there is not in this neighborhood a single Indian name, with the exception of Kickapoo, which is the name of the creek that flows through Blooming Grove.
The Kickapoos, a few Delawares, and some Pottawatomies were very plenty from 1822 to 1829, and were generally very kind and friendly. The settlers became acquainted with them, knew their names, and in some cases formed friendships as perma- nent and kindly as many existing between the whites themselves. When the Indians left they were missed, and their absence as much regretted by some, as if they had been old friends. Most of them left before the end of 1829, though as late as the summer of 1832, there were enough in this region within one hundred miles of the Grove, to cause grave apprehensions, this being the year of the Black Hawk war.
Very few Indian traditions have been preserved, owing, probably, to the fact that the aborigines found by our early settlers were of a roving class, who came here from the eastern part of the State, taking the places of other Indians who had preceded them. Had our pioneers fallen in with Indians whose ancestors long resided here, we should probably be able to gather some interesting Indian legends. The Grove was known as Keg Grove until 1824, and, in fact, the old name clung to it at a mueh later period. It is said that what are now ealled Sulphur Springs-formerly known as Hinshaw's Springs -formed a common camping-place for hunters and travelers long before the first set- tlers arrived. It was usual for parties to travel from the Wabash River to the fort at what is now Peoria, or from Chicago to St. Louis. In either case, these springs were a convenient stopping-place.
Tradition asserts that at one time a party of white men hid a keg of rum at this point, probably intending to return for it in a short time. It was found by some Kiek- apoo Indians, who, no doubt, then possessed the richest " bonanza " of their whole lives. The remarkable " find " was reported to the Indians all through this region, who named this locality " Keg Grove."
The " first families " of our ancestors were not of the elass who had any fancy for a name which suggested drunken Indians, rum, whisky or anything of the kind, and they believed it for the interest of the infant settlement that it should be rechristened, and to Mrs. William Orendorff is generally aseribed the credit of suggesting the name of Blooming Grove, which proved a very suitable and acceptable name. This was about the year 1824.
The first white female child born in McLean County was Elizabeth Ann Hendrix, daughter of John Hendrix, born May 3, 1823. The first death occurred in the family of Thomas Orendorff, it being one of his children, who died in 1825. Mr. O. laid out a family burying-ground at that time, which has become an established cemetery-the oldest in the county. The first white male child born in this county (now living) is John Lewis Orendorff, son of Mr. Orendorff, who was born January 30, 1825. The first school was taught by Miss Delila Mullen, in the house of John W. Dawson, in 1823, and it consisted at first of only five pupils. About the year 1825, a log school- house was built, the first in this eounty. The site is on what is now the Oliver Oren-
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dorff farm. In the course of a few years, there was another schoolhouse, on the west side of the Grove.
In the year 1824, a class of Methodists was organized at the house of John Hen - drix, and it was kept up until the year 1838.
The first blacksmith at the Grove was the Rev. Mr. See, who lived in the Price neighborhood, and was here as early as 1826. He did little jobs of such work, though he was a Methodist minister and a farmer.
Thomas Orendorff was born August 14, 1800, at Spartansburg, S. C. He came to Illinois in 1817, when this was a Territory, having been present at the birth of the new State, as well as a prominent actor in its subsequent development. He lived in several different places, having moved from Sangamon County, IH., to Kog, now Bloom- ing Grove, on the 2d day of May, 1823. Thomas Orendorff was then a single man, and made his home with his brother William, who accompanied him. He made a claim near the Mason farm, about three miles south of the city of Bloomington.
October 5, 1824. he married Mary Malinda Walker, daughter of William Walker. one of our most prominent pioneers. This was the first wedding in Blooming Grove. The first in the county was the marriage of John Taylor to Temperance Stringfield, at Randolph's Grove in June, 1824. Rev. E. Rhodes married this couple, and at the close of the ceremony published a notice of the intended marriage of the young couple nt Blooming Grove. He also posted written notices of their intention, and when the time arrived performed the ceremony. The newly-married pair moved into a cabin on Mr. Orendorff's claim, where they made their home for a number of years, until Mr. Orendorff, in his anxiety to be near the open prairie, convenient to a good stock-range, moved to what was then called Little Grove, nearly a mile east of Blooming Grove, fire miles southeast of our city, where, with his venerable wife, he is still living, both being in comparatively good health. It is rare, indeed, that we can find a couple who have been married fifty-five years, and when we take into account the severe pioneer life they have led, their good fortune seems almost wonderful.
In Prof. Duis' " Good Old Times in MeLean County," we read : " When Thomas and William Orendorff settled in Mclean County, the old chief of the Kickapoos ( Mr. (. now thinks these Indians were Delawares) came with Machina (afterward their chief ) and ordered them to leave. But the old chief spoke English in such a poor manner that Thomas Orendorff told him to keep still and let Machina talk. Then Machina drew himself up and said in his heavy voice : . Too much come back, white man, t' other side Sangamon.' Mr. Orendorff told Machina that the latter had sold the land to the whites ; but Machina denied it, and the discussion waxed warm, and the chiefs went away, feeling very much insulted. Mr. Orendorff's friends considered his life very much in danger, and he was advised by Judge Latham, the Indian agent, to leave the county ; but he attended to his business and was not molested. At one time, an Indian called Turkey came to Mr. Orendorff, and gave him warning that Machina would kill him; but no attempt was made to put such a threat into execution." Mr. Orendorff still remembers many incidents in relation to the Indians. He says at one time he was talking with Machina about killing people. " Yon wouldn't kill a white man would you ?" said Mr. O. " No," says the Indian, "I go hell and damnation." indicating that he knew the penalty as taught by the missionaries. Mr. Orendorff's memory, as also that of his wife, is now somewhat defective ; and when we consider
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their early, anxious experiences with the Indians, their pioneer life, and their old age, we only wonder at their being still alive and as comfortable as we now find them.
Mr. Orendorff was always one of the leading men of the infant settlement. When the plans for a new county were fully matured, he was selected with Rev. James Latta, to go to Vandalia to secure from the Legislature an act of incorporation. These county projects were very numerous at that time, one of the principal matters before the Legislature being the proper consideration of the many county and county-seat projects presented from the newly-settled parts of the State. Our committee urged their claims so successfully that the bill for the incorporation of McLean County was passed by the house in the forenoon and by the Senate in the afternoon of the same day.
Mr. Orendorff has held several offices, having been the first Coroner of Tazewell County in 1827, when by virtue of his office he took the place of the County Assessor who had failed to qualify, and he assessed the immense territory, making a trip on horse-back to the settlements toward Ottawa and Hennepin, on the Illinois River. He was appointed Assessor and Treasurer for McLean County at its organization, and often acted in prominent positions.
We cannot help regarding Mr. Orendorff with a feeling of veneration akin to rev- erence. Here is a man who came to Illinois when it was a Territory ; who has witnessed the full development of our wonderful State; who was one of the principal organizers of McLean County ; who has seen the full growth of our city ; who represents the pioneers of Blooming Grove, being with his wife among the last now living. Bloomington should take delight in honoring these noble people, and should be proud to acknowledge its appreciation of their life-long services.
This couple are the parents of eleven children. John Berry Orendorff, the oldest who lives on the farm adjoining his father's, is one of the best known of the large con- nection of Orendorffs. The others are all well known and all highly respected in their several homes, which are in a number of different States.
Esquire William Orendorff's name will frequently appear in this history, as he was one of the leading men of this settlement, in fact, of Central Illinois. He transacted most of the public business of this precinet for several years. His children were four- teen in number, of whom three are living in this county. Oliver H. P. and John Lewis live in Blooming Grove, and are among the best known and most popular of our citizens. They have a brother at Cheney's Grove.
The early settlers found here an abundance of game, consisting of deer, turkeys. wolves and the smaller birds and animals. The immense prairies formed most admira- ble pastures for deer, while the groves were the skulking-places of the large wolves that were very plenty. Some of the pioneers were mighty hunters, while in every family a gun was kept ready for the valuable game that might at any hour come within easy reach. The venison of those early days was a very convenient substitute for the meat-markets of modern times, and though not quite so sure to be found when wanted, was, in many instances, almost as indispensable.
Deerskins, coonskins and wolf-robes were important articles of commerce, and in the first stores kept a few years later by Allin, Covell and Gridley, these valuables were the leading staples, forming, with beeswax and honey, the most common payment from many a farmer who in after years sold his hogs and cattle by the hundred,
though at the time we are now alluding to, from 1822 to 1827, there was no reliable market for these articles nearer than Vandalia, or the trading-points on the Wabash in Indiana.
A full statement of the trials and difficulties encountered by our pioneers cannot be given in this place, as we are simply chronicling events; but we might mention a few of the obstacles which they suffered from more than any others. The want of good markets, or, in fact, of any market at all, has been mentioned. The prairie fires were for years dreaded more than almost anything else. In early times, these fires would come rolling before the wind in the fall and spring, often sweeping away fences. farms or grain stacks, and causing severe losses. The settlers generally shared with each other after such disasters, dividing crops with those who had been unfortunate, or turning out day or night to fight fires, without the formality of an invitation.
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