USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876 > Part 1
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Gc 977.301 M24s 1480992
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00828 2193
JOSEPH STEVENS.
THE FIRST SETTLER OF MACON COUNTY. [NOW LIVING.]
HISTORY
OF
MACON COUNTY,
ILLINOIS,
FROM ITS ORGANIZATION TO 1876.
BY
JOHN W. SMITH, ESQ. OF THE MACON COUNTY BAR.
SPRINGFIELD : ROKKER'S PRINTING HOUSE. 1876.
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
TO THE
PIONEERS OF MACON COUNTY,
BY THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS. 1480992
CHAPTER I .- Illinois .- The Indians; Discovery of Illinois; Its Settlements; Its Government under the French, English, Cana- dians, Virginians, United States Government, Northwestern Ter- ritory, Indiana Territory, Illinois Territory, and State Organiza- tion.
CHAPTER II. - Macon County. - Its Organization; Original and present boundaries; Location of County Seat; Comparative advantages of County in location, public sentiment, intelligence, business, etc .; Its settlement: where made, drawbacks, fencing, speculators, markets, ague, etc., etc.
CHAPTER III .- County Officers .- County Commissioners' Court; County Court; Board of Supervisors; Judges of Circuit Court; Judges of County Court; State's Attorneys; Masters in Chancery; Circuit Clerks; County Clerks; County Treasurers; Sheriffs; Circuit Courts; Character of first cases; Early Juries; Attorneys; Biographical sketches of all county officers from organization of the county, etc.
CHAPTER IV .- Record of the County in the Black Hawk war, Mexican war, and Late war; Principal engagements each Com- pany and Regiment participated in; Names of all who enlisted from Macon County, dates of enlistment, discharge, and if killed or wounded, when and where, etc.
CHAPTER V .- Incidents connected with the Early History of the County; Deep Snow; Sudden Change; Hard trials and tribulations of pioneer life; Games; Amusements; Bee Hunt- ing, Deer Hunting, etc., etc.
IV
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI .- Churches of the County: Methodist, Presby- terian, etc .; When Organized; Respective Pastors; Present con- dition, statistics, etc .; Sunday Schools: when organized, statistics, etc.
CHAPTER VII .- Our Manufactures, Improvements, Railroads, Agriculture, and Present Status of Each.
CHAPTER VIII .- Our Cities, Towns and Villages: Decatur, Maroa, Macon, etc .; Officers of Each.
CHAPTER IX .- Our Educational Interests; Early Schools; Ye Olde Schoolmaster; Early Methods of Teaching; School-houses and furniture; Comparison of Past and Present Educational Facilities; School Statistics, etc.
CHAPTER X .- Biographical Sketches of Early Settlers who came here prior to 1836, and their families, up to the Present time; Births, Marriages, Deaths, etc.
1
PREFACE.
In the presentation to the public of a History of Macon county, the author feels that it is incumbent on him to make a few state- ments, partly by way of apology, and partly by way of explana- tion. He admits, in the outstart, that the work is by no means perfect, for the expectations of a remuneration for the time and labor necessary to be employed in its preparation have not been such as to justify him in devoting the time requisite for a more perfect work. In fact, the time and labor actually expended have been such as the author could illy afford to take from the business of his profession, however much pleasure it might have afforded him in other situations in life. The necessity of an accurate and authentic History of Macon County, from the organization to the present time, no one will probably deny. Fifty years hence that demand will be much more keenly felt. This being the Centen- nial year of the nation's history, a somewhat general interest has pervaded the public mind in reference thereto, which has awakened a kindred feeling, to some extent, regarding our more local affairs. In the Eastern States many counties, cities, towns, and even fami- lies, have their histories in book form, which are kept complete, and to which the interested turn with pride and satisfaction. Though over half a century has passed since the earliest settle- ments were made within the present limits of the county, scarcely
vi
PREFACE.
a page has ever been written and embodied in book form, by which might be preserved, to some extent at least, the trials and incidents connected with Macon county pioneer life. It is already too late to make a complete and authentic record of these events. Many of the early settlers have long since passed away. Many others have moved to other localities, and thence to still others, and all trace of them is lost. The first settler, now living within the county, and whose portrait forms the frontispiece of this work, is almost on the verge of the grave. His physical and mental organizations are enfeebled, insomuch that he is unable to give an accurate account of his own family. The second settler in order, who purchased the first tract of land in the present limits of the county, has just removed to Kansas, leaving but one male rep- resentative of his family behind him. On the county records are found names of persons who participated in the early affairs of the county, of whom, after diligent inquiry, absolutely nothing can be ascertained. In the preparation of the family history of many of the pioneers, much difficulty has been experienced. Much of the information obtained in this regard is inaccurate; and especially so in reference to dates. Many large and influential families have been met with that have no written family record of the births, deaths and marriages of their individual members. Many others who were here, and took part in the scenes and prominent inci- dents connected with the early development of the county, can give from memory no accurate information as to dates. They may remember that the particular object of inquiry took place a few years before, or a few years after, the "deep snow, " but when that was, to save their lives they cannot tell.
Yet, with the materials at command, the author has endeavored, as near as possible, to be accurate. It is hoped that all matter herein contained, from the county and city records, will be found substantially correct. The record of those who participated in the Black Hawk and Mexican wars has been taken from the muster
vii
PREFACE.
rolls, and, of course, is reliable. The history of the participants in the late war, in which an attempt has been made to give the dates of enlistment, death, discharge, mustering out, etc., of those who enlisted from Macon county, has been taken from the Adjutant General's reports, and verified, as far as possible, by the recollection of members of the different companies in the various regiments. Of course no effort has been made to include in this work anything relating to those who are now residents, who enlisted from other counties or States, or of those who were then residents of this county, but were accredited to other counties or States. The war record has been made as full, complete and accurate as possible, so as to place in the hands of each who desires it, the personal record of all who engaged in the suppression of the rebellion who are accredited to this county. No tangible record of this kind exists, except the Adjutant General's reports, and they constitute eight large volumes, and are not suitable or designed for general circulation.
That part of this book devoted to incidents connected with the early history of the county, such as the " Deep Snow," " Sudden Change," " Hardships and Trials of Pioneer Life," etc., etc., has been prepared from the recollection of those who were witnesses and participants, and it is believed, will be found, in the main, a faithful portrayal, though by no means as exhaustive as it might be.
The author acknowledges with gratitude the assistance ren- dered by many of the early settlers, without which he would have failed in many important particulars. No effort has been made, whatever, at rhetorical embellishment; but on the contrary, sim- plicity has been sought to be attained.
It is hoped, therefore, that the public will, to some extent, appreciate and lend their assistance to this, the first feeble effort made to place in a permanent form the early history of the county, and overlook what imperfections and deficiencies may be found herein.
MEMORIAL LINES.
Hallowed mem'ries cluster round On the consecrated ground Where we tread; Of the pioneers who came, Battling for a home and name, All are dead.
Savage yell, nor howling storms, Famine's pangs, nor war's alarms, Drove them hence. Here the native log they hewed; Here with strength and grace imbued; Men of sense
Gathered 'round the cheerful blaze, Telling tales of childhood's days- Here they sat, With contentment and hard "pokes," Here they told the old-time jokes, This and that.
Roughened hand and sunburned face Mingled here with rustic grace, In the dance: Gentle grew the manly tone, While the eyes that youthful shone Looked askance;
And the eye of beauty fell With the tale which all must tell,
9
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
Soon or late. Since in Eden Adam loved, Time has always fully proved 'Tis man's fate.
Here, with rev'rent feet they trod, As the pioneer of God Read the Word. Simple was the style, and rude, With the grace of being good- So they heard.
In this quiet, lonely spot, May have stood a home forgot By all on earth. Not a trace of it to-day -- Time has spirited away All its mirth.
In those quiet, silent graves, Yonder where the river laves, With its breast Laden with the wildwood's bloom- Peaceful in each silent tomb, Low they rest.
Solemn stillness reigns supreme, And the clouds e'en silent seem In the skies. So we stand with bending head In the presence of the dead, With sad eyes.
As the breezes glide along, Whispering an angel's song, With hearts moved, Here all silently we stand, Clasping with our spirit hand Those we loved.
M. L. CAIN.
DECATUR, December 19, 1876. -2
CHAPTER I.
ILLINOIS.
THE INDIANS.
No authentic history of the successive tribes of Indians occupy- ing the limits of the present State of Illinois has ever been written. What we have on the subject is largely founded on tradition and conjecture. Perhaps the Algonquins were the first that occupied that portion of the country, as far back as we have any authentic account. The Illinois Indians, or Illinois Confederacy, which was of Algonquin lineage, about the middle of the seventeenth century occupied the country southwest of Lake Michigan, extend- ing down the Illinois river, and to the mouth of the Ohio. They were known as the " Illini," or " Illinois," and it is to them we owe the name of our State and of our principal river. The origi- nal signification of the word Illini is " real men," or "superior men," and of course is attributable to the characteristics of the Indians bearing that name. This confederation was composed of five tribes: the Tamaroas, Michagamies, Kaskaskies, Cahokies, and Peorias. Towards the close of the seventeenth century the Illinois Confederation was driven southward by a more hostile tribe from the north, and the greater portion of their territory passed into the possession of the Pottowotamies. This nation is said to have been the greatest, most warlike and hostile of modern times, and extended throughout the greater portion of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana. The Piankashaws were in possession of the entire portion of the State along the Wabash. The Winnebagoes -" Having an ancient, fishy smell," - were
II
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
occupants of the Rock River country. From tradition we learn that this tribe came from the west, and had a language entirely dissimilar to all other tribes. In 1763 the Kickapoos occupied the country southwest of the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. At a later day they emigrated southward, and were in the posses- sion of the territory along the Mackinaw and the Sangamon rivers. They were the immediate predecessors of the white man on the territory of the present Macon county, and are said to have been " more civilized, industrious, energetic, and cleanly " than their neighboring tribes, but were the most implacable and inveterate haters of the white people. It was this tribe that led in the fierce charges at Tippecanoe, and was conspicuous in many of the bloody hostilities of the northwest. When they were finally overcome, they refused longer to live within the limits of the United States, and removed to Texas, then a province of Mexico. The Sacs and Foxes lived in the northwest part of the State, in the vicinity of Rock Island. They were formerly from the neighborhood of Quebec, and were driven west by the Iroquois, and took a con- spicuous part, with the Pottowotamies, in driving out, and almost exterminating, the Illinois Confederacy. It was this tribe, led by the great chief Black Hawk, that waged the war of 1831-2, known as the Black Hawk war .*
THE DISCOVERY OF ILLINOIS.
About the middle of May, 1673, Jacques Marquette,t a Jesuit missionary, in company with M. Joliett, a Quebec merchant, left the missionary station at Mackinaw for a two-fold purpose, as expressed by Marquette: " My friend," referring to Joliett, " is an envoy of France, to discover new countries; and I am an em- bassador of God, to enlighten them [the Indians] with the truths of the Gospel."; They proceeded to Green Bay, thence up the Fox river and Lake Winnebago to the Portage, where they trans-
*It is related upon the authority of a participant in this war, who still resides near Clinton, Ill., that there were three men who served in the war-two in the same regiment, and another in the same brigade-that afterwards became famous in the history of the country, viz: Col. Zachary Taylor, Lieut .- Col. Jefferson Davis, and Capt. Abraham Lincoln.
t James Marquette, as given by Reynold's.
# Monette's " Valley of the Mississippi."
§ Called by the Indians, " Peckitanoni."
12
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
ferred their canoes, a distance of three miles, across the Wisconsin, and thence down that river to the Mississippi, which they discov- ered on the 17th of June. Thence they sailed down the " Father of Waters," discovering the confluence of the Missouri and Missis- sippi, which Marquette called "the most beautiful confluence of rivers in the world." Journeying southward, they discovered the mouth of the Ohio, which they mistook for the Wabash, and then to the site of the present city of Memphis, where they were met by the hostile Arkansas Indians, and barely escaped destruction. On the 17th of July, of the same year, they commenced ascending the river, and on reaching the mouth of the Illinois, they were informed by the Indians that it was much nearer for their return by that river, and they changed their course, and by so doing, traversed for the first time, by white men, that region which Mar- quette described as follows: " Nowhere did we see such grounds, meadows, woods, stags, buffaloes, deer, wildcats, bustards, swans, ducks, paroquetts, and even beavers, as on the Illinois river." M. Joliett hastened on to Canada, to make his discoveries known there and in France. This discovery and report| in France and Canada resulted in its settlement.
The object of Marquette's voyage seems to have been two-fold: First, the christianization of the Indians; and second, the discovery of a northwest passage to the East Indies and China. The news of Marquette's discoveries soon reached Canada, and thence spread to France, through which, and in consequence of the interest awakened by these, and the subsequent discoveries by LaSalle and Hennepin, the early French settlements were made in Illinois, and the country passed under the national control of France. M. Joliett was mainly instrumental in bringing this newly discovered country to the attention of the world.
SETTLEMENT OF ILLINOIS.
Between 1680 and 1690,-perhaps about the year 1688 *- the first settlements in Illinois were made -- or commenced rather. The first military occupation of the country was at Fort Creve-Coeur, in February, 16So; but there is no reliable information that a settle- ment was attempted there until sometime afterward.t The first
| By the capsizing of Joliett's canoe in Lachine Rapids, he lost all his papers relating to the voyage and discovery.
*Reynolds. tAnnals of the West.
13
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
settlement in Illinois, or in the Mississippi valley, was commenced by the building of Fort St. Louis, on the Illinois river, in 1682;} but it remained in existence but a few years, so that Kaskaskia is now regarded as the first permanent settlement in Illinois.|
Settlements were also made at Peoria and Kaskaskia, about the same time. M. Tonti was commander-in-chief of all the territory embraced between Canada and the Gulf of Mexico, and extending east and west of the Mississippi as far as his imagination or ambi- tion pleased to allow. He spent twenty-one years in establishing forts and organizing the first settlements of Illinois. On the 14th of September, 1712, the French government granted a monopoly of all the trade and commerce of the country to M. Crozat, a wealthy merchant of Paris, who established a trading company in Illinois, and it was by this means that the early settlements became permanent and others established. From the impetus thus given, the peopie began to turn their attention to agricultural and commer- cial pursuits. The marvelous development of the State in popula- tion, improvement and wealth would be a theme upon which we could dwell with pleasure, but space, in this connection, forbids further mention.
ITS GOVERNMENT.
In 1717, M. Crozat, heretofore mentioned, surrendered his char- ter, and the Company of the West was organized, to " aid and assist " the banking system of John Law. Under this company a commandant and secretary were sent to Illinois, which constituted its first organized government. A branch of this company, called the Company of St. Philip's, was soon afterwards organized for the express purpose of working the rich silver mines supposed to be in Illinois, and Philip Francis Renault was appointed as its agent. In 1719 he sailed from France with two hundred miners, laborers and mechanics, which was the greatest acquisition to Illinois yet made.§ During 1719 the Company of the West was, by royal order, united with the " Royal Company of the Indies," but the charter was not surrendered until 1732, when Illinois became a part
#Bancroft. |Bancroft.
¿Renault purchased in the West Indies, en route to Illinois, five hundred negro slaves to work in his expected mines. This was the introduction of slavery in Illinois.
14
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
of the Royal Government of Quebec, with D' Artaquette{ as its local Governor. La Buissonierre was appointed his successor, who was succeeded by Chevalier McCarty, who remained Governor until a short time previous to the cession of New France to Eng- land, in 1763, at which time M. St. Ange de Belle Rive was appointed Governor, and remained until 1765, when Capt. Sterling took possession under the treaty of two years previous. Frazier, Reed, Wilkins, Rocheflave, and perhaps others, were successive Governors. On the 4th of July, 1778, Kaskaskia was captured by Col. Clark, in pursuance of a plan matured by Patrick Henry (then Governor of Virginia), Thomas Jefferson, George Wyth and George Mason, in January previous. In a short time thereafter the county of Illinois was created by the Legislature of Virginia. It included Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin. and Michigan. John Todd* was made commander of Illinois, and in 1779 he organized courts and established a government. Timothy De Mountebrun was his successor. In 1784 Illinois was ceded to the United States by Virginia, and in 1787 Congress passed an ordinance for the government of the new territory-called the Northwest Territory -- and Arthur St. Clair was appointed Governor, who continued in office until 1802. In that year Indiana Territory was formed, which included the present territory of Illinois, and William H. Harrison was appointed Governor. In the General Assembly of the new territory, in 1808, Jesse B. Thomas was elected as a delegate to Congress, and was instructed to obtain a division of the territory ; and on the 23d of February, ISog, the Territory of Illinois was established, which extended on the north to the British possessions. A territorial government was organized, and Ninian Edwards was appointed Governor (through the solicitation of Henry Clay), Nathaniel Pope, Secretary, and Jesse B. Thomas, William Sprigg, and Alexander Stuart, Judges, by President James Madison. The Governor appointed John J. Crittenden Attorney General, who
TThis gallant and fearless man was, on May 20, 1736, dangerously wounded in an engagement between the French and Chickasaw Indians, near the source of the Tallahatchie river, in Mississippi, and was taken prisoner, and after- wards tortured and burned at the stake.
*Killed at Blue Lick, Kentucky, August 18, 1782.
§He returned to Kentucky, and afterwards became famous in Kentucky and national history.
15
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
was in a short time succeeded by his brother, William P. Critten- den. In 1818 a petition was prepared by the territorial legislature, petitioning Congress for admission into the Union. On April ISth the Enabling Act was approved, and in July following the Constitution was signed, and Shadrach Bond was elected Govenor; and on the 3d of December, 1818, Illinois was admitted into the Union.
ESTATE SOVEREIGNTY
COLUMBIA'S REVIEW.
I see the nations gathering to my hundreth jubilee, And hear their loud hosannahs on the welkin of the free.
Outspread before me lie the trophies of a hundred years, By wisdom won, by toil, by sacrificial blood and tears.
Behold this magic enginery, which with all curious art, Fills full the lap of luxury in every merchant mart.
Here are my sacred battle-flags, blood-reddened, rent and torn, Amid the death and carnage on a hundred fields upborne.
The curse of slavery gone -- its stain expunged by fiery flood, And all its wounds healed in the balsam of the nation's blood.
And shall the nation live ?- born of the struggling past in pain, Yet mightly as Olympian Jove, or Neptune of the Main.
The glad fruition of all hope, the answer of all prayer, The pledge of equal rights, and freedom's earnest everywhere.
Unyielding, stern, she yet shall stand-all time's assault defy ; And at her feet shall Treason quail, and Fraud, despairing, die.
The nation, from its perils passed, a stronger life shall draw, And justice, undismayed, assert the majesty of law.
The rushing of each headlight, and the rocking of each fleet, Are but the pulse of commerce beating strong beneath my feet.
Oh! how my spirit strengthens with the marching of the years, As, promise-crowned, the future beckons, while the century disap- pears!
A. J. WALLACE.
DECATUR, Ill., Dec. 15, 1876.
CHAPTER II. MACON COUNTY.
ITS ORGANIZATION.
Previous to the meeting of the Legislature, in 1829, Benjamin R. Austin, Andrew W. Smith, and John Ward, had been selected to go to Vandalia, then capital of the State, and procure the pass- age of an act dividing the county of Shelby, of which the present county of Macon then formed a part, and forming a new county of the territory thus detached. They were successful; and at that session the following act was approved establishing the county of Macon .*
*NOTE .- Macon county derived its name from Hon. NATHANIEL MACON, of North Carolina, whose fame, at the time of the formation of the county, extended throughout the nation. He was born in Warren county, N. C., in 1757, and died in the same county, June 29th, 1837. He was educated at Princeton, N. J., and was there at the opening of the War of the Revolution. In 1777 he left college, and served for a short time as a private in a company of volunteers. At the expiration of his term of service, he commenced the study of law, but soon re-enlisted in the army under his brother John. He continued in the service until peace was declared. He was present at the fall of Charleston. For all his arduous services in the war, he steadily refused compensation, nor would he accept a pension after the government had pro- vided one. Before he left the army he had been elected to the State Senate, in which he served until 1785. When the Constitution of the United States was proposed, he, like Patrick Henry, thought it " squinted too much in the direc- tion of monarchy," and therefore opposed its adoption. He thought the gen- eral government proposed was too independent of the States. Mr. Macon was elected to the lower house of Congress in 1791, where he continued to serve until 1815, serving as Speaker from 1801 to 1806. From the lower house he was transferred to the U. S. Senate, in 1816, where he remained until 1828,
-3
18
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
"AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A NEW COUNTY TO BE CALLED THE COUNTY OF MACON.
"SECTION I. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That all that tract of coun- try lying within the following bounderies, to-wit: beginning at the southwest corner of section numbered eighteen, in township num- bered fourteen north, of range numbered one east of the third principal meridian; thence due north with the said third principal meridian line to the northwest corner of township numbered twenty north, of range numbered one east; thence due east with the line between townships numbered twenty and twenty-one north, to the northeast corner of township numbered twenty north, of range numbered six east; thence due south with the line between ranges numbered six and seven east, to the southeast corner of sec- tion numbered thirteen, in township number fourteen north, of range numbered six east; and from thence due west along through the middle of townships numbered fourteen north, to the place of beginning, shall constitute a county, to be called the county of Macon; and the seat of justice therein, when located, shall be called the town of Decatur.
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