USA > Illinois > De Witt County > History of De Witt county, Illinois. With illustrations descriptive of the scenery, and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 1
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Gc 977.301 D51his 1717995
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00864 7759
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofdewittc00brin
1686
HISTORY
OF
DE WITT COUNTY,
ILLINOIS. C
dalith Illustrations
DESCRIPTIVE OF THE SCENERY,
AND
Biographical Sketches of some of the Prominent When and Pioneers.
977,301 0.5\tío
BY
YY
W. R. BRINK & Co., PHILADELPHIA.
CORRESPONDING OFFICE, EDWARDSVILLE, ILL.
1882
1717995 PREFACE.
HE PUBLISHERS desire to return their T ++++++++ sincere thanks to those who have aided in making this work thorough and complete. For the incidents relative to the carly settlement, we are indebted to a few carly 1
pioneers, who have seen a wild frontier county develop into a wealthy and populous community.
For other facts we are under obligations to a class of intelligent men, who, amid the ordinary pursuits of
Moore, Orin Wakefield, Benjamin Howard, Abra- ham Swearingen. y. H. Randolph, W. R. Carle, S. P. Glenn, F. P. Dunham, Thomas Snell, Wm. Fuller, Samuel Magill, Jacob Walters, C. S. Lisenbey, James A. Wilson, County Treasurer, Alex. L. Barnett, County surveyor, Amos Weedman, Sheriff; John Warner, Thomas Vandeventer, Jacob Swigart, Mrs. Rebecca Gambrel, George B. Lemen, Edmund WV. Fruit, Dr. Goodbrake, and Wm. Y. Rutledge.
Especially do we acknowledge the courtesies ex- tended us by A. I'. Lisenby, county clerk, and John
i T. Carle, circuit clerk. We are also indebted to Miss Mary S. Welsh for her scholarly article on the Com- mon Schools of the County. Among the chapters most fruitful in interest to a great number of our readers, will be found those which treat of the early history of
the churches. Many persons are living whose fathers and grandfathers, in the humble log cabin, which was then the only house of worship, assisted in founding organizations which have been of the greatest good to subsequent generations. To the clergymen of the va- rious denominations, and to many of the older members of these societies, we are indebted for much valuable in- formation.
The editors of the several newspapers have also ren- life, have taken pains to thoroughly inform themselves | dered assistance in that cheerful manner so character- on the resources of their county. Among those who istic of the journalistic profession. have specially contributed tothe completeness of the his- We have endeavored, with all diligence and care- tory of De Witt county, are John f. Mc Graw, C. H. fulness, to make the best use of the material at our com-
mand. It has been classified as carefully as possible and will, we are assured, be a great help to the public, as a book of reference.
We have tried to preserve the incidents of pioneer history, to accurately present the natural features and material resources of this portion of the State, and to gather the facts likely to be of most interest to our pres- ent readers, and of greater importance to coming gen- erations.
We present the work to the public, trusting that they will approve our labors. If our readerswill take into consideration the magnitude and difficulties of the task, we feel assured of a favorable verdict on our un- dertaking, and that they will give the volume a gener- ous reception.
THE PUBLISHERS.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
COUNTY HISTORY. C'HAPTER I.
A brief Sketch of the Northwest Territory-Geographical Posi- tion-Early explorations -. Early Settlements-Louisiana Pur- chase-Discovery of the Ohio --- English Explorations and Set- tlements -- Campaign of 1759 -- Division of the Northwest Terri- tory- Present condition of the Northwest .9
CHAPTER II.
Brief Ihistorical Sketch of Illinois Louis LeGrand-Roi De France Et De Navarre - Regne-Le Neuvieme Avril 1682 .- The first settlements in Illinois -Found- · ing of Kaskaskia-As part of Louisiana-Fort Chartres nnder French Role-Character of the early French Settlers-A Pos- session of Great Britain-Con- quest by Clarke-Land Tenures -Civil Organization -- Officers of the State of Illinois froin 1809 to 1881 -- Population of Illinois by Counties . . . 20
CHAPTER III.
Geography, Agricultural Resour- ces, and Kailroad Facihties of D-Witt County-Population - Typography - Hydrography - Climate-Perenmal Springs- Mounds - Soil - AgrienItnre- Transportation - Railroads of De Witt County -- Railroad Lands -Titles . . 30
CHAPTER IV.
Geology -- Subterranean Lake- Coal Fields-Natural Curiosities -Economical Geology. . . . 35 CHAPTER V.
Fauna-Ungulata or Hoofed Car- nivora or Flesh-Eaters-Roden- tia or Gwaners-Class of Aves, or Birds-Birds of Prey-Ra- spres or Scratching Birds-Gral- lators, or Wading Birds-Nata- tores, or Swimming Birds-In- sessories or Perching Birds-
Scansores, or Climbing Birds - Class. Reptilia or Reptiles . 39
CHAPTER VI. Flora - List of Native Woody Plants-Grasses . . . . . . 12
CHAPTER VII
Pioneers and Early Settlers - Early Settlement-to the People -- The Old Guard-Summary -- Illinois State Bank -Lyceum- Early Marriages-First Justices of the Peace-First Constables Pioneer County Officials. . . 43
CHAPTER VIIL
Customs of Early Days-Habits and Modes of Living of the Pio- neers and First Settlers-Trials and Tribulations of Pioneer Life-Games, Amusements, etc., etc. 53
-
CHAPTER IX.
Civil History-Organization of Ile Witt County-Land and People : -- Pauperismi - County Govern- ment -- Roster of County Officers First Grand Jury-Courts . 57
CHAPTER X.
Bench and Bar-The Bench-For- mer Resident Lawyers-Pres- ent Members of the Bar. . . 92
CHAPTER XI.
The Press-De Witt Courier-De Witt County Democrat-The Vindicator-Central Transcript - Weekly Central Transcript- . Clinton Public-De Witt County Public and Central Transcript- The Clinton Union-The Clin- ton Times -- The De Witt Regis- ter-The Clinton Register-The Farmer City Republican-The Orthorspor-The Farmer City Journal-The Farmer City Her- ald-The Farmer C'ity Reporter -The Public Reaper-The Real Estate Index-The Temperance Vidette-The De Witt County
Gazette-De Witt County Mes- senger-The Kenney Register -- The Kenney Record-The Ken- ney Gazette . .95
CHAPTER XII. Common Schools-Origin of the School System-Early Schools in the County . . 102
CHAPTER XIII Patriotism-Black Hawk Wal - Mexican War-List of Vulun. teers in Mexican War-War for the Umon-Roll call Present and Accounted for-Seventh In- funtry Regiment-Eighth In- fantry Regiment - Thirteenth Infantry Regiment -- Fifteenth Infantry Regiment-Twentieth Infantry Regiment - Twenty- Fifth Infantry Regiment - Twenty-Sixth Infantry Regi- ment -Thirty-Second Infantry Regiment-Thirty - Third Infty. Regiment -Thirty-Fourth In- f.intry Regiment -- Thirty-Eighth Infantry Regiment -- Thirty- Ninth Int'ty. Reg .- Forty-First Infantry Regiment-Forty- Soc- ond Infantry Regiment-Forty- Sixth Infantry Regiment-Fifty First Infantry Regiment-Fifty Second Infantry Regiment - Fifty Fifth Infantry Regiment -Fifty Seventh Infantry Regi ment - Fifty-Eightb Infantry Regiment - Sixty-Second In- fantry Regiment-Sixty-Sixth Infantry Regiment -- Sixty- Eighth Infantry Regiment- Seventy-Ninth Infantry Regi- ment-One Hundred and Fifth Infantry Regiment-One Ilnn- dred and Seventh Infantry Reg- iment - One Hundred and Thir- teenth Infantry Regiment-One Hundred and Eighteenth In- fantry Regiment-One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Infantry Regiment-One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Infantry Regi- ment -One Hundred and
Tlurty- Third Infantry Regine ut -One Hundred and Forti- rth Infantry Regiment-One Hundred and Forty-Fifth In- fantry Regiment-One Hundred and Fifty-Fourth Infantry Regi- ment-Speon 1 Cavalry Regi- ment-Fourth Cavalry Regi- ment-Seveuth Cavalry Regi- ment-Eighth Cavalry Regi- ment-Ninth Cavalry Regiment
Tenth Cavalry Regiment- Fourteenth Cavalry Regiment -Sixteenth Cavalry Regiment -Seventeenth Cavalry Regi- ment-First Regnuent Light Artillery -Second Regiment Light Artillery .. . . 110
CHAPTER XIV
Erdesjastical History-The Meth- odist Episcopal Church-Chaton MI E Church-Waynesville M. E. Church-Mt Tabor M. E. Church -- Kenney M. E. Church -Green Valley Society-Wa- pella MI E. Church-Long Point M E. Church-Farmer City MI E Church-De Witt M. E Church - Statistics of M. E Church by Pastoral Charges-
The Protestant Methodist Church-The Baptist Church- The Second Baptist Church (col- ored) - The Liberty Separate Baptist Church -New Provi- dence Baptist Church -Christian Church-Old Union Christian Church-Rock Creek Christian Church-Long Point Christian Church - Clinton Christian Church-Farmer City Christian Church - Wapella Christian Church-Texas Christian
Church - Fairview Christian Church -Harmony Christian Church-Land Christian Church -- The Holy Catholic Church -- Christian Connection-Pres- byterian Church-Elm Grove Presbyterian Church-The Uni- ted Brethren in Christ . . 133
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHIES.
PAGE.
PAGE
Arbogast, Daniel H. 236
Barnett, A. L. 177
Bishop, John (deceased ) 211
Bishop, Minerva 211
Booth, Wm. 213
Burford, C. 233
Butler, Richard 175
Calhoun, W F. 1×3
Carle, W. R. . 265
Clearwaters, Nathan, deceased 221
Cool, P. V. H 237
Costly, W. H. 331
Cumming, Andrew M. 237
Davis, Dr. T. W. .
267
Davenport, Eber
307
Devore, Wm. C. 239
Dick, Amos . 201
Edmiston, Dr. J. A. 199
Ewing. R. M 239
Ford. C. P. .
209
Wallace, Col. Andrew . 253
Walker, Robert
283
Walters, Jacob 335
George W. Griner 318
Jacob Swigart
259
Nichols & North Elevator " 286
PAGE.
Goodbrake, Dr. Christ . facing 181 Graham, Geo. B. 167
Graham, Samuel 169
Harrold, Isam .273
Harrold, Jonathan 271
Hyde, G. W., M D 197
Jones, J. B.
303
Lane, Tillmon . 325
Lemen, George B 279
Lisenbey, C. S. 329
Lisenby, A. V. . 1×7
McCord, W. Y. 231
McGraw, John J 161
McGraw, Jemima 161
Magill, Samuel 165
Moore, Blish . 281
Moore, C. II . 159
Moore, W. MI .319
Palmer, E. H. 185
Pease, F. O. 205
Randolph, J. H. 217
Randolph, Margaret I. 247 Randolph, Wm. (deceasedl) . . 249
Rurker, Rev. James C. 191
Rutledge, Wm. J. 311
Smallwood, G. D. 189
Smith, John 223
Smith, Mary D. 223
Snell, Thomas 171
Spicer, M. B.
207
Swigart, Jacob
289
Wakefield, Orin 201
Walker, Robert 283
Wallace, Col. Andrew 253
Wallace, Esther 253
Walters, Jacob 335
Warner, John 163
Watson, H. D. . 269
Weedman, Amos 195
Weedman, Asa . 227
Wee Iman, John ( sen) 225
Weedman. John
229
Welch, Mary S.
179
Wilson, Jas. A . 203
Lisenby, A. V. 187
Lisenbey, C. S. . 329
Ludington, Hon. Lewis 236
165
McCord, W. Y. 231
McGraw, John J. . . 161 Moore, C H. . 159
Moore, W M. . 319
Moore, Blish .
251
Palmer, E. H. 185
Pease, F. O. . . 205
Porter, D. Edward, deceased . 173
Randolph, J H. . 217
Randolph. W'm. (deceased) 219
Razey, A W 215
Rogers, W. O. 318
Rucker, Rev James C. . 191
Rutledge, Wm. J. . . 311
Smallwood, Geo. D 189
Smith, John 023
Snell, Thomas 171
Spencer, R. T. א2.5
Spicer, MI B. . 207
Starkey, J. J. S, M. D. 306
Swigart, Jacob . 289
Taylor, Thomas 305
Trowbridge, Jacob 258
Turner, Capt James R. 257
Waggoner, J. H 173
Wakefield, Orin
201
Warner, John
163
Watson, H. D . 269
Weedman, John (sen ) 225
Weedman, Asa . 227
Weedman, John 220
Weedman, Amos
195
Welch, Chas M. 239
Welch, Mary S.
179
Wilson, Jas A 203
TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Clintona Township . 149
Santa Anna . 211
Rutledge 308
Wagnersville 203
De Witt .
25.
Harp . 275
Wapella 260
Tunbridge 241
Wilson
. 333
Nixon
327
Creek
321
Barnett
315
Texas . 337
Fruit, Isabel . . 251
Fruit, Thomas . 255
Fruit, Elizabeth .255
Fuller, Daniel
313
Fuller, Win. .
. 193
Public Buildings
titi
Gambrel, Rebe ca
. 301
PAGE
Old Log School-House . . . 104
S W. Hutchin . facing 256
J. H. Randolph 216
Jacob Trowbridge 258
Dr. J. J. Lake 258
E. W. Fruit . Between 250 & 251 M. S. Hendrick facing 180
Dr. C. Goodbrake 180
H. B. Taylor 212
W. W. Weedman 212
Henry Brittin
304
John Taylor
304
J. B. Rolofson 334
Cornelius Kelly 338
Elisha IIelmich 312
J. W. Karr 966
James S. Todd . 318
Dr. T. W. Davis
266
John Brown 274
H D Watson 268
Fuller, Daniel
313
Fuller, Win. . 193
Gambrel Rebecca 301
Goodbrake, Dr. Christopher . 181
Graham, Samuel
. 169
Graham, Geo. B.
167
Graham, W. W.
258
Griner, George W. . 318
Hammitt, Mathew 307
Harrold, Jonathan 271
Harrold, Isam 273
Herrick, Capt. Geo. W. 238
Hickman, David W. 257
Hirst, James 235
Hyde, M D., G. W. 197
Jeffrey, F. M. 305
Johnson, Elias 238
Jones, J. B. . 303
Jones, John 235
Lake, D. J. J. 259
Lane, Tillmon 325
Lemen, George B. 279
Davis Mary .267
Dick, Amos 201
Dick, Hattie 201
Ford, C. P . 209
Fruit, Edmund W. . 251
List of Patrons 339
Miscellaneous Information . 245 Constitution of Illinois . . . 248 Declaration of Independence 255
PORTRAITS.
Barnett, A. L. . 177
Bishop, John 211
Bishop, Minerva
211
Burford, C.
233
Butler, Richard
175
Calhoun, W. F. . 183
Carle, W' R. . 265
Clearwaters, Mary M . 221
Clearwaters, Nathan 221
Costly, W. H.
. 331
Davis, Dr. T. W. . 207
Magill, Samuel
ILLUSTRATIONS.
County Map . . . . facing 0
Constitution of United States, 256
Frint, Edmund W
251
INTRODUCTION.
F
EW studies are more interesting and profitable to mankind than that of the past experiences, deeds, thoughts and trials of the human race.
The civilized man and the untutored savage alike desire to know the deeds and lives of their ancestors, and strive to perpetuate their story. National patriotism and literary pride have prompted many, in all times, to write and preserve the annals of particular peoples.
It is the aim of this work to collect and preserve in enduring and popular form some of the facts of the early settlement and subsequent growth of a great couuty of a grand State. The families whose ancestors were early on the ground, and whose members have made the county what it is, are worthy of remembrance; and their difficulties and sorrows, customs, labors and patriotism, should not be allowed to fall into oblivion. By a knowledge of these the present generation will be instructed, and the future will be guided.
All history, if properly written, is interesting; and there is not a country, or a city, or a hamlet,-nay, we might say, not a family or an individual ou the globe,-whose history might not be more or less valuable to posterity.
The written history of the American Continent dates back scarcely four centuries, yet within that comparatively short period its pages have garuered from her hills and mountains, from her grand rivers and mighty inland seas, valuable additions to the world's stock of knowledge.
Like the Eastern Continent, our own has its historic points,-its nuclei around which cluster the memories of heroic deeds, the story of martyrs, aud the legends of a barbarous past. St. Augustine, Jamestown, Plymouth Rock, Quebec, Montreal, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Detroit, are localities about which gather volumes of history.
The advance of civilization on the North American Con- tinent has been more rapid than in any other portion of the globe; and, within the memory of living men, the fairest and richest portions have been wrested from the dominion of the wilderuess and the savage, and changed into a highly-culti- vated region, filled with a race of industrious and thriving people. Prominent among the localities rich in historic lore is the region around the Mississippi river. It early claimed the attention of two of the most powerful nations of Europe, whose pioneers and arant couriers were boldly pushing into the then unknown countries lying towards the "Great South Sea," eagerly looking for gold and precious stones, for fabled Eldorados and fertile lands.
To collect and arrange in one volume these various frag- ments, this abundant material, and to give the cream of all the best authors who have treated the subject, together with all additional information it was possible to obtain, and present it in readable form, has been the object of the pub- lishers of the present work.
The traditions of the Indians, as giveu by Heckewelder and others, have been quoted quite extensively, and as an important factor in the sum total of kuowledge concerning this region ; and the early discoveries of Marquette, La Salle, IIennepin and other French adventurers in the valley of the Mississippi and the basin of the great lakes of the Northwest, have also demanded a large share of attention, as preliminary to the troubles which grew out of the conflicting claims of the French and English crowns, resulting in a contest for supremacy, and in which not only all the contiguous region, but the entire French and English possessious in America, a large share of Europe, and immense regions in Asia and the islands of the sea, were interested and involved.
8
INTRODUCTION.
Another object to be gained by this work, is to bring to the notice of the people the immense resources which a honntiful Providence has bestowed npon them, and which it becomes, not merely a privilege to use, but a duty to improve. How little is now known of these treasures, and how greatly profitable such information may be, needs only a thought to comprehend. Our fertile soils, our noble timber trees, our genial climate, our inexhanstible mineral treasures, and onr easy facilities for commerce are; in a great degree, unknown even to our own population. This volume seeks to develop an appreciation of them, and to stimulate a desire to improve and extend them.
Then, local customs, old family traits and anecdotes are so rich in interest and so full of instruction to the young, that they ought never to be forgotten. These, so many as time and diligence could gather, are here recorded, and will be found to form no unimportant or uninstructive portion of this volume.
Among the most influential agencies in building a nation, and in establishing a character for its people, are the efforts of its citizens to educate their children and to provide for social religious worship. These two interests will, therefore, show most accurately the tastes, the habits and aspirations of
a community. Hence they have been made prominent in the ensning narrative, and it is confidently hoped that they will not only interest readers, hut will be studied and appreciated.
The work will be found embellished with views of public and private property, in various parts of the county, and with portraits and biographies of many of the prominent men of the past and present.
We trust, however, that it will be the means of preserving from the empire of decay a host of incidents, of recollections, and of anecdotes, relating to the hardy pioneers and first settlers of the county, which, in the estimation of the historian and student of history, are of priccless value, but which otherwise would soon fade from the memories of the living.
Whether this has been well done is not for us to say. A generous and intelligent public must decide. It is not per- mitted any man to attain perfection. Its region lies beyond our reach. We feel, however, in submitting this work to the inspection of the patrons, whose public spirit made possible its preparation, that satisfaction which results from a con- sciousness of faithful endeavor and an earnest desire to fulfill the expectations of all.
Our work is accomplished, and its result is submitted to your favorable inspection.
OUTLINE MAP ·OF片
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ELLINORS
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HISTORY
OF
DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
CHAPTER I.
A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY.
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
N 1784 the North-western Territory was ceded to the United States by Virginia. It embraced only the territory lying between the Ohio and Mississipi rivers, and north, to the northern limits of the United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the states of Wiscon- sin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and that portion of Miu- nesota lying on the east side of the Mississippi river. On the first day of March, 1784, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee, and James Mouroe, delegates iu Congress on the part of Virginia, executed a deed of cession, by which they transferred to the United States, on certain conditions, all right, title and claim of Virginia to the country known as the North- western Territory. 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. It includes an area of 1,887,850 square miles, being greater than the unite.l areas of the Middle and Southern states, including Texas. Out of this magnificent territory have been erected eleven sovereign states and eight territories, with an aggregate population at the present time of 13,000,000 inhabitants, or nearly one-third of the entire population of the United States.
Its rivers are the largest on the continent, flowing thousands of miles through its rich alluvial valleys and broad, fertile prairies.
Its lakes are fresh-water seas, upon whose bosem floats the commerce of many states. Its farstretching prairies have more geres that are arable and productive than any other area of like extent on the globe.
For the last quarter of a century the increase of population and wealth in the north-west has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United States.
EARLY EXPLORATIONS.
In the year 1512, on Easter Sunday, the Spanish name for
which is Pascua Flerida,* Juan Ponce de Leon, an old comrade of Columbus, discovered the coast of the American continent, near St. Augustine, and in honor of the day and of the blossoms which covered the trees along the shore, named the new-found country Florida. Juan had been led to undertake the discovery of strange lands partly by the hope of finding endless stores ef gold, and partly by the wish to reach a fountain that was said to exist deep within the forests of North America, which pos- sessed the power of renovating the life of those whe drank of or bathed in its waters. He was made governor of the region he had visited, but circumstances prevented liis return thither until 1521 ; and then he wit only to meet death at the bands of the Indians.
In the meantime, in 1516, a Spanish sea-captain, Diego Mi- ruele, had visited the coast first reached by Ponce de Leon, and in his barters with the natives had received considerable quan- tities of geld, with which he returned home and spread abroad new stories of the wealth hidden in the interier.
Ten years, however, passed before Pamphilo de Narvaez un- dertook to prosecute the examination of the lands north of the Gulf of Mexico. Narvaez was excited to action by the late astonishing success of the conqueror of Montezuma, but he found the gold for which he sought constantly flying before him; each tribe of Indians referred him to those living farther in the interior. And from tribe to tribe he and his companions wan- dered. They suffered untold privations in the swamps and forests ; and ont of three hundred followers only four or five at length reached Mexico. And still these disappointed wanderers persisted in their original fancy, that Florida was as wealthy as Mexico or Peru.
Among those who had faith in that report was Ferdinand de Soto, who had been with Pizarro in the conquests of Pern. He asked and obtained leave of the King of Spain to conquer Florida at his own cost. It was given in the year 1538. With a brilliant and noble band of followers he left Europe, and in May, 1538, after a stay in Cuba, anchored his vessels near the
* Pascua, the old English " Pash " or Passover ; " Pascua Florida " is the " Holy-
10
HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
coast of the Peninsula of Florida, in the bay of Spiritu Santu, or Tampa bay.
De Soto entered upon his march into the interior with & deter- mination to succeed. From June till November of 1539, the Spaniards toiled along until they reached the neighborhood of Appalachee bay. During the next season, 1540, they followed the course suggested by the Florida Indians, who wished them out of their country, and going to the north-east, crossed the rivers and climbed the mountains of Georgia. De Soto was a stern, severe man, and none dared to murmur. De Soto passed the wiuter with his little band near the Yazoo. In April, 1541, the resolute Spaniard set forward, and upon the first of May reached the banks of the great river of the West, not far from the 35th parallel of latitude .*
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