USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 1
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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
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AUG 1 1 1982
OCT 1 2 1982
OCT 2 7 2004
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1763.
HISTORY OF
MACON COUNTY
ILLINOIS.
With Illustration
DESCRIPTIVE OF ITS SCENERY, AND
Biographical Sketches of some of its prominent Ment and Dinner tofteers.
PUBLISHED BY BRINK, MCDONOUGH & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
CORRESPONDING OFFICE, EDWARDSVILLE, ILL.
1880.
977.358 1624 Cop. 2
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ACTICULTURE LIBRARY
PREFACE.
O the Citizens of Macon county who have so generously aided us, in various ways, to collect reliable data for the compilation of this history, we desire to express our grateful thanks ; especi- ally are we indebted to Capt. J. S. Post, whose vast store of historical recollections has been called upon and cheerfully given.
We would also tender thanks for the valuable assist- ance rendered by Edmiston Mc Clellan, Circuit Clerk ; Jasper Y. Peddicord, Hon. Richard J. Oglesby, Rev. Wm. S. Crissey, H. W. Waggoner, County Clerk ; Samuel F. Greer, County Judge ; Franklin Priest, Samuel Powers, Willis Johnson, D. L. Allen, W. F. Howell, Judge" Anthony Thornton, Robert Johnson, H. W. Davis, J. A. Draper, Z. R. Prather, James Querry and John Y. Brader.
Particularly are we indebted to Mr. John Trainer, for his scholarly article on the common schools of the county. We are also under many obligations to the members of the different professions for the favors con- ferred by them. From the press we have received that aid which members of the profession so cheerfully render to one another. To the clergymen of the vari- ous denominations, we express our thanks for informa- tion cheerfully given, relative to the history of their churches.
Gentlemen of experience, as writers, have assisted in the production of this book. Among whom are Prof.
James H. Brownlee, of the Southern Illinois Normal University, and Prof. Y. Pike, of Jerseyville.
The several subjects have been treated with care and thoroughness.
The Publishers are also indebted for many valuable facts to John W. Smith, the author of a history of this county, published a few years since. We have confined ourselves, as nearly as possible, to the original materials furnished. The public may not be aware of the dif- ficulty attending the compilation of a work of this character,-a difficulty arising not so much from a lack of material, as from the great quantity of it, -and the care necessary in making a proper selection. The material has been classified as carefully as possible, and will, we are assured, be a great help to the pub- lic, as a book of reference, concerning the past of the county,-its geography, geology ; its resources, and all subjects connected with it. We expect criticism. All we ask is, that it be made in the spirit of charity. If our patrons will take into account all the difficulties to be overcome, the impossibility of harmonizing various memories, of reconciling diverse dates, and accurately lo- calizing events that are attributed to different dis- tricts, we feel assured the verdict will be a favorable one.
We present the work to the public, trusting that they will approve our labors and give the volume a generous reception.
THE PUBLISHERS.
,
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
COUNTY HISTORY.
CHAPTER
PAGE.
I .- Brief Sketch of the North-
West Territory. 9
II .- Brief Historical Sketch of
Illinois
20
III .- Pioneers and Early Settlers
30
IV .- Customs of Early Days ......
36
V .- Geography, Agricultural
Resources and Railroad Facilities.
40
VI .- Geology .. 43
VII .- Fauna 46
VIII .- Flora
48
IX .- Civil History
49
X .- Bench and Bar 59
XI .- The Press. 64
XII .- The Common Schools.
71
XIII .- Patriotism.
79
XIV .- Ecclesiastical History.
100
BIOGRAPHIES.
PAGE.
Adams, D. M. 198
Albert, Martin .. 216
Allison, G. S., M. D. 232
Arbuckle, A. R.
149
Bailey, Frederick
195
Baker, N. M. 183
Barnes, Dr. Wm. A 143
Barnes, Ira N
141
Barrick, J.
209
Bartlett, G. A
235
Batchelder, M: E.
218
Batchelder, Nathan S
205
Bates, A. H
167
Black, James R 205
Blume, George P
161
Boardman, Capt. Isaac S
190
Bramble, W. H 143
PAGE
Brown, Francis A 194
Brown, Dr. Josiah. 148
Brownlee, R.
231
Burley, James
223
Butman, J. W. 133
Carr, Dr. R. F 201
Carr, N. A
211
Casner, L. B.
181
Clark, Horace N., M. D. 176
Clough, J. T .. 216
Chambers, Thos. 223
Chenoweth, Dr. Wm. J 132
Chenoweth, Dr. Cassidy
133
Compton, W. J. 173
Cottle, G. F 193
Coulter, W. F. 222
Crossman, Rufus. 207
Crocker, John
171
Curtis, Ira B.
134
Davis, Thomas 214
Dickey, Wm. (dec'd) 202
Demsey, C. F., M. D 217
Dinneen, Jolın
156
Dunlap, D. N 218
Durfee, B. K. 147
Durfee, George S.
149
Durfee, Henry B. (dec'd). 161
Edgar, A. C 160
Eichinger, Michael. 182
Eldridge, Edward R 162
Emery, C. F,. 169
Emery, J. W
228
Evey, M.
199
Faris, John P. 177
Fawkes, Joseph W. 172
Ferre, A. S. 211
Foster, D. L 231
Foulke, Edward. 170
Freeland, D. J ..
235
Funk, Milton P 173
PAGE
Gallagher, A. J. 130
Gleason, J. B. 234
Grason, Capt. Wm. 221
Greenfield, Alexander
200
Greer, Hon. Samuel F 150
Gring, I. B. 159
Hamilton, Wm. D. 189
Hanks John 204
Harpstrite, Edward. 161
Harwood, Kilburn. 160
Hawkyard, A. 226
Haworth, M 145
Haworth, George D
137
Hays, F. L.
157
Hiser, John. 220
Holcomb, T. O. 223
Hopson, James.
213
Hostetler, Jacob, (dec'd)
186
Hoyt, J. N. 187
House, E 210
Huston, Ulysses. 206
Jack, S. S
140
Jones, Edward A 153
214
King, Dr. J. S. 156
Laux, Charles
155
Leavitt, A. W.
219
Linn & Scruggs
153
Longstreet, John 174
Lytle, Robert P.
150
McBride, Dr. Samuel. 139
McClellan, E ...
136
McNabb, E.
149
McReynolds, J. C.
234
Magee, Wm. J 206
McGuire, J. D 185
Mckinney, Wm. A .. 201
Martin, David
159
Millikin, James.
155
Miller, Frederick W
172
Keller, D. P
6
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Moffett, Hon. Wm. T. 192
Moffett, John 194
Moore, Enoch W 142
Myers, Wm. J. 202
Nickey, Simon P.
221
Oglesby, Richard J.
126
Park, Richard H. 200
Parker, J. S 225
Parker, Jolın S.
170
Patterson, D
227
Perry, R. L.
158
Powers, Samuel
155
Pritchett, Thomas A
176
Querrey, James.
197
Roby, Kilburn H
139
Rosengrants, Capt. H.
195
Seitz, Jacob.
222
Seiberling, J, D. 210
Shellabarger, D. S 158
Short, G. B ..
172
Sleeter, J. H.
193
Smith, G. A
151
Smith, E. O
146
Stuart, Oliver L
164
Swinchart, Samuel.
200
Thornton, Anthony .
138
Toland. Aquilla, (dec'd). 227
Thrift, A. J
168
Trainer, Jolın.
154
Van Leer, Wmn ..
198
Wallace, W. H. 232
Warren, Jolın K. 133
Wayne, J. B. & W. J. 158
Weigel, Daniel S ..
206
Whitley, W. L.
186
Willard, J. G.
185
Young, George S
202
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
Decatur. 115
Whitman 163
Maroa. .
165
Rosengrantz, Capt. H.
194
Niantic.
174
Seroggin, T. J
66
184
Scitz, Jacob
220
Taylor, Wm
200
Toland, Mrs. L. A
228
Waggoner, H. W.
146
PAGE
Walker, J. W.
Facing 212
Whitley, W. L.
186
Young, G. S
202
PORTRAITS.
Andrews, Thomas. Facing 162
Bates, A. II.
167
Barnes, Ira N.
141
Barrick, Josiah.
209
Brown, M.D., Josiah
148
Casner, L. B.
181
Casner, Mary E.
181
Chenoweth, Dr. Wm. J ...... Facing 132 Crocker, John. 171
Curtis, Ira B ..
134
Demsey, Dr. C. F
217
Eichinger, Michael 182
Eichinger, Lucy E
182
Emery, C. F
169
Evey, M. 199
Evey, Saralı P 199
Gallagher, A. J.
1.30
Hamilton, Wm. D
189
Hamilton, Octavina
189
Haworth, George D
Facing 137
Haworth, M.
145
Hays, F. I.
157
Jack, S. S.
140
Mcclellan, E
136
Moffett, J. B.
Facing 192
Moore, Enoch W.
142
Oglesby, R. J.
156
Parker, James F
225
Short, George B.
Facing 172
Short, Sarah E. (dec'd).
172
Smith, G. A.
151
Thornton, Anthony.
138
Trainer, John
154
Partial List of Patrons. 237
Constitution of Illinois.
243
Declaration of Independence
250
Constitution of the United States ... 251
Amendments to the Constitution of
Friend's Creek
196
Hickory Point
203
Pleasant View
207
South Macon 212
Illini
215
Oakley
219
Austin.
224
Mount Zion.
229
Milam.
233
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Albert, M. Facing 216
Bailey, F
211
Batchelder, N. S. 20-4
Barnes, Dr. Ira N
142
66
Barrick, J
216
Brenneman, D. W. & E
212
Brown, H. T
194
Buekels, D.
176
Business Block, (Niantic) ...
176
Church Buildings
100
Cottle, G. F.
192
Coulter, W. F
182
Crossman, W. R
=
206
Decatur High School
77
Deck, M. L
222
Eckert, M.
=
152
Eichinger, Michael
=
182
Hamilton, Mrs. Octavina ...
186
Iliser, J ..
220
House, E
210
Hunsley, C. E. =
184
Kraft, Mr. & Mrs. J
186
Leonard, S ..
182
Martin, Henry ..
202
Michaux, A .. 210
Moore, Dr. E. W.
=
142
Moser, Frank
146
Old Log School House
73
Parker, Wm. H. between 226 & 227
Priest's Hotel Facing 162
Public Buildings ..
54
Race, J. W
158
Long Creek. 178
Harristown 183
Sonth Wheatland. 187
Blue Mound
190
the United States ...... ......... 253
PAGE
INTRODUCTION.
F EW studics are more interesting and profitable to mankind than that of the past experiences, dceds, 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, but narrow prejudice and selfish interests too often have availed to suppress the truth or to distort facts.
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 county of a grand State. The families whose ancestors were early on the ground, and whose members have made the county what it is, arc worthy of remem- brance ; and their difficulties and sorrows, customs, labors and patriotism, should not be allowed to fall into oblivion. By a knowledge of thesc 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 on the globe,-whose history might not be more or less valuable to posterity.
From the ancient days, away back in the dim and shadowy past, when the human race first arrived at a state of intelligence sufficient to enable them to transmit a traditionary or written account of themselves, all along down the teeming ages, our pro- genitors have left in various ways, and by different means, infor- mation, more or less mythical, of the age and generation in which they played their cphemeral part on the world's ever-changing theatre of action. It is graven in bronze on the wonderful works of the central nations of Africa, around those " dim fountains of the Nile ;" the gray old pyramids in the valley of "twenty thousand cities " are covered with the hieroglyphical language of the " shadowy past." The vast and mighty " palaces and piles stupendous," hoary with the dust of unknown centuries, that
bewilder the traveler ' mid Egypt's drifting sands, upon the plains of the Euphrates, and hidden away in the tiger-hunted jungles of the " farthest Ind ;" the gigantic ruins of Southern and Central America, under the snow-capped Cordilleras and among the wondrous forests of Yucatan; the seamed and wrinkled pyramids of the Aztecs, in Mexico and California, and the ten thousand crumbling evidences of a powerful civilization scattered throughout the great valley of the Mississippi, all bear testimony of countless attempts to transmit knowledge to posterity.
The written history of the American Continent dates back scarcely four centuries, yet within that comparatively short period its pages have garnered 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, and the legends of a barbarous past. St. Au- gustine, Jamestown, Plymouth Rock, Quebec, Montreal, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Detroit, are localitics about which gather volumes of history.
The advance of civilization on the North American Continent has been more rapid than in any other portion of the globe ; and, within the memory of living men, the faircst and richest portions have been wrested from the dominion of the wilderness and the savage, and changed into a highly-cultivated region, filled with a race of industrious and thriving people. Prominent among the localities rich in historic lore is the region around the Mis- sissippi river. It early claimed the attention of two of the most powerful nations of Europe, whose pioneers and avant 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.
Dim traditions, fragmentary legends, stories of bloody warfare, of disaster and defeat ; essays, letters, and public documents, all bearing more or less upon the history of the county, have been carefully examined.
8
INTRODUCTION.
To collect and arrange in one volume these various fragments, 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 publishers of the present work.
We know, full well, the task is not a light one ; the contem- plated work is by no means a holiday frolic. Hard, steady, close application and untiring energy are necessary to accom- plish it, and we have approached the subject with the greatest diffidence, not unmindful of our shortcomings, yet, at the same time, fully determined to do our best, and trust a generous and discriminating public to do us justice, hoping and believing that our labors shall not have been wholly in vain.
The utmost pains have been taken to read thoroughly and com- pare carefully the various writers, and to sift out and reconcile discrepancies, for historians not unfrequently disagree upon minor points. The work of reading and comparing has been no ordinary one, and the difficulty has not been so much in collecting as in making a judicious and truthful use of the abundant material at hand.
The traditions of the Indians, as given by Heckewelder and others, have been quoted quite extensively, and as an important factor in the sum total of knowledge concerning this region ; and the early discoveries of Marquette, La Salle, Hennepin 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 posses- sions in America, a large share of Europe, and immense regions in Asia and the islands of the sea, were interested and in- volved.
Another object to be gained by this work, is to bring to the notice of the people the immense resources which a bountiful Providence has bestowed upon 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 inex- haustible mineral treasures, and our 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 un- important 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 relig- ious worship. These two interests will, therefore, show most ac- curately the tastes, the habits and aspirations of a community. Hence they have been made prominent in the ensuing narra- tive, and it is confidently hoped that they will not only interest readers, but 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 por- traits and biographies of many of the prominent men of the past and present.
The chapter on the early history of the State will be found interesting and instructive.
The Constitution of the United States and of this State, and a roster of the soldiers of the late war, have been inserted with a view to make the work more creditable, alike to the publishers and people of the county.
The work may be incomplete in some particulars. Nor indeed is it possible for it to be otherwise ; but we hope so far as it goes it is truthful and accurate.
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 priceless 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 gen- erous and intelligent public must decide. It is not permitted 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 consciousness of faithful endeavor and an earnest desire to fulfil the expectations of all.
Our work is accomplished, and its result is submitted to your favorable inspection.
N
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1
HISTORY OF
MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS ..
CHAPTER I.
A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY.
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
IN 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 arca now embraced in the states of Wiscon- sin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and that portion of Min- 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 Monroe, delegates in Congress on the part of Virginia, executed a deed of eession, 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 united 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 bosom floats the commerce of many states. Its far-stretching prairies have more acres 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 Paseua Florida,* 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 of gold, and partly by the wish to reach a fountain that was said to exist decp within the forests of North America, which pos- sessed the power of renovating the life of those who drank of or bathed in its waters. He was made governor of the region he had visited, but eireumstanees prevented his return thither until 1521 ; and then he went only to meet death at the hands of the Indians.
In the meantime, in 1516, a Spanish sca-captain, Diego Mi- ruelo, had visited the coast first reached by Ponce de Leon, and in his barters with the natives had received considerable quan- tities of gold, with which he returned home and spread abroad new stories of the wealth hidden in the interior.
Ten years, however, passed before Pamphilo de Narvaez un- dertook to prosccute 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 out 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.
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Among those who had faith in that report was Ferdinand de Soto, who had been with Pizarro in the conquests of Peru. 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- day of Flowers."
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
coast of the Peninsula of Florida, in the bay of Spiritu Santa, or Tampa bay.
De Soto cutered upon his mareh into the interior with a 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 winter 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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