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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
@977.386 H62
Ill. Hist. Surv
.
+++ 1682
HISTORY L
OF
MADISON OUNTY.
ILLINOIS.
Illustrated,
With Biographical Shetches of many Prominent Hen and Pioneers.
PUBLISHED BY W. R. BRINK & CO.,, EDWARDSVILLE ILL.
1882
$777.386 #62
Q 977 386 162
PREFACE.
00200000
HE publishers desire to return their sincere thanks to all who have aided in making this work thorough and complete. For some of the inci- dents relative to the early settlement of the county we are indebted to a few of the older inhabitants.
Susan Paddock, Mrs. John Mason, Mrs. Jane R. Holliday, Mrs. Nancy Eberhardt, D. B. Gill- ham, Joseph Chapman, Samuel Squires, Wm. C. Mc Alilly, Mrs. Nancy S. Barnsback, Mrs. Nan- cy f. Barnsback, Bennet Posey, Dr. T. Y. Irish, Alonso Foster, George Howard, and many others. We were also permitted by Mrs. Flagg, to cx- amine the writings and manuscripts of the late Hon. Willard C. Flagg. And particularly are we indebted to WV. T. Norton, editor of the Alton Telegraph, for the opportunity of examining many of the old files of that paper. We also de- sire to return our thanks to the county officials for the many courtesies extended. The editors of the several newspapers have also rendered assistance in that prompt and cheerful manner so character- istic of the journalistic profession.
In localizing events, and cor- recting dates, we acknowledge our obligations to the writings of ex-Governor Reynolds, Rev. John M. Peck, Henry Tanner, Fudge Hall, Gov. Ford, Washburn's Life of Gov. Coles, the American State papers, and the writ- ings of the Jesuit Fathers. Many old and valuable manuscripts, both in the French and En- glish languages, have been examined. These rare papers have made intelligible some of the earliest incidents pertaining to this region of To the Clergymen of the various denominations, whose articles appear in this work, we express our the State. For other facts we are indebted to a class of intelligent men and women, who, amid thanks for information furnished relative to the the ordinary pursuits of life have taken pains history of their churches. Among the chapters to inform themselves as to the passing events of the most fruitful in interest to a great number of our readers, will be found those which treat of the early history of the churches. county. Among those who have specially contri- buted to the completeness of thishistory are, Joseph Gillespie. Abraham Breath, E. M. West, I. B. We have endeavored, with all diligence and care- fulness, to make the best use of the material at our command. We have confined ourselves, as nearly as possible, to the original data furnished. The subject matter has been carefully classified, and will be a great help to the public as a book of ref- erence concerning the past of the county. We cx- pect criticism. All we ask is that it be made in the spirit of charity. We hope our patrons will take into account all the difficulties to be overcome, Randall, John A. Prickett, J. R. Newman, Jesse Renfro, Thomas O. Springer, Amos Atkins, Lu- ther W. Lyon, Don Alonso Spaulding, B. F. Long, Hon. W'm. F. De Wolf, of Chicago, and offi- cers of the Chicago Historical Society, G. C. Lusk, Nelson Montgomery, I'm. A. Lanterman, M. G. Dale, Abraham Preuitt, Wm. E. Wheeler, E. K. Preuitt, Wm. W. Pearce, J. A. Bruner, A. f. Parkinson, John W. Coventry, Henry C. Gerke, I'. P. Richmond, Major Franklin Moore, the care necessary in harmonizing various mem-
1815
1
2
PREFACE.
ories, and of reconciling diverse dates, and localiz- ing events. The facts are gathered from a hun- dred different sources, and depend largely, not on exact written records, but on the recollections of in- dividuals. We have tried to preserve the inci- dents of pioneer history, to accurately present the natural features and material resources of the county, and to gather the facts likely to be of most interest to our present readers, and of greatest im-
portance to coming generations. If our ? will take into consideration the difficulties of the task, we feel sure of a favorable verdict on our un- dertaking.
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.
PAGE.
CHAPTER I.
A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY.
Geographical Position-Early Explora- tions-Discovery of the Ohio-Eng- lish Explorations and Settlements ---- American Settlements - Division of the North-West Territory-Present Condition of the North-West. . 9 25
CHAPTER II.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ILLINOIS. French Possessions-The first Settlements in Illinois -- Founding of Kaskaskia-As a part of Louisiana-Fort Chartres- Under French rule-Character of the Early French Settlers-A Possession of Great Britain-Conquest by Clark -The "Compact of 1757"-Land Tenures-Physical Features of the State-Progress of Development- Material Resources of the State -- An- nual Products-The War Record- Civil Government-Territorial and State Officers-Miscellaneous Informa- tion . 25-43
CHAPTER III.
GEOGRAPHY, AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES AND RAILROAD FACILITIES.
Geography- Population - Topography- Timber - Hydrography - Mounds- Soil - Agriculture - Census- Trans- portation - Railroads, Chicago and Alton ; Wabash, St. Louis and Pa- cific ; Indianapolis and St. Louis ; Rock Island Division of C. B. and Q. .
PAGE.
St. Louis, Vandalia and Terre Haute ; Toledo, Cincinnati and St. Louis ; St. Louis Bridge. . 44-54
CHIAPTER IV. GEOLOGY.
Loess, Drift, Carboniferous, Chester Lime- stone, St. Louis Limestone, Artesian Wells, etc. . 54-57
CHAPTER V. ANTIQUITIES.
Cahokia, or Monk's Mound, the Mounds of the American Bottom, The Mound Builders ; The Indians ; Antique Pot- tery ; Images, Copper Implements, etc., and Description of Plates, represent- ing them, etc. . 58-64
CHAPTER VI.
FLORA.
List of Native Woody Plants, Grasses,
etc., etc. 64
FAUNA.
Rodentia, or Gnawers, Reptiles, Class of Birds ; Raptores, Scansores, Rasores, Grallatores, Natatores, Insessores, etc. . 65
CHAPTER VII.
PIONEERS AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. Early French Settlers-Old Land ('laims- Pioneer Americans-Capture of the Gillham Children hy the Indians- Monks of the La Trappe-Settlers During the War of 1812-11-Indian Troubles-Wood River Massacre --
PAGE.
Citizens of the County in 1815-Subse- quent Settlements-The MeMahan family massacre-Early Marriages- Marriage Certificates-Character of the Early Settlers-Pioneer Customs and Modes of life-Early Financial Condition of the County-Articles of Household Use-Prairie fires -- Pioneer Schools and Churches-Early Mills- Early Agriculture-The first Orchards -- Birds and Animals-Prairie Flies - Indian Treaty at Edwardsville-Items Concerning Slavery-Remarkable sea- sons and changes of Weather-Earth- quake of 1811-Navigation of the Mississippi, etc., etc. . . 67-103
CHAPTER VIII.
EUROPEAN IMMIGRATION.
Early French Families-German Settlers -The Bohemians, The Irish, Swiss, English, Scotch, etc . . 103-113.
CHAPTER IX. CIVIL HISTORY.
Territorial Times 1812 to 1819-Slaves and Indentured Blacks-Slaves in the County-First Efforts of County Government-First will on Record -- The Circuit Courts in Territorial Times-The County at the close of 1818 -- Letter by a Citizen of Ridge Prairie-George Churchill anl Mira jah Cox' Addresses-County Boards from 1813 to 1849 - Statistics, Official Accounts, Tables, ett .- The Courts from 1819 to 1849-Trial and Execu- tion of Eliphalet Green -- 1-21.March
3
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Term-Justices of the Peace from 1827 to 1849-Probate Courts-Retrospec- tion 1849 to 1882-Sketch of Edwards- ville, by H. C. Gerke (1831-'32)- Government of the County-County Courts from 1849-Board of County Commissioners, January 24, 1847 to April 1876-Addenda-Circuit Court Notes, 1849 to 1855-1855 to 1857- 1861 to 1873-Circuit Court, May Term, 1865-1873 to 1879-Probate Court, 1849 to 1882-Conclusion. 113-181
CHAPTER X.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
First Lawyers, Judges, and Early Courts -The Bench-The Bar-Non-Resi- dent Lawyers-Former Resident Law- yers-Present Members of the Bar. 181-197
CHAPTER X1.
THE PRESS.
The Discovery and Invention of the Art of Printing-Early History of the Press -First Newspaper in Illinois and in Madison County-The Slavery Ques- tion, etc-The Alton Riots and Mur- der of Elijah Parrish Lovejoy-A brief History of all the Newspapers published in the county . . . 197-216
CHAPTER XII.
PATRIOTISM.
War of 1812-The Black Hawk War 1831-
1832-War with Mexico-The War of
the Rebellion. A Roster of the Men who Participated in each of the Wars, with a short sketch of the Regiments to which they belonged. . . 217-265
CHAPTER XIII.
THE COMMON SCHOOLS.
Early Schools in the County-The Schools by Townships, etc. 265-272
Shurtleff College 272
Monticello Ladies' Seminary 275
Wyman Institute . 276
CHIAPTER XIV.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
A. M. E. Church 293 Hoerner, John S. 437
PAGE.
Baptist Church . . 301
Ingham, Roland J.
Christian Church . . 323
Irish, T. J. .
Church of the Redeemer 328
Jeffress, A. W.
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 324
Joesting, F. W.
French Congregation in Helvetia 331
Judd, M. D., Henry L. .
German M. E. Church. 291
Judy, Thomas
Lutheran Church 329
Kleinwort, Hermann
Lanterman, Wm. A. 489
Presbyterian Church. . . 294
Lindley, William . 520
Mason, Jolın . 516
May, William 452
McInerney, J. J.
412
McPike, Henry G. .
412
Merriman, Charles 517
Miller, Capt. John A 421
Mills, B. H. 422
Mitchell, James 518
Ambrosius, Conrad A.
463 Montgomery, Nelson 364
Anderson, John
462 | Moore, Maj. Franklin 425
Randle, Josias . 359
Nelson, Abra 405
Barnsback, Thos. J. 449
Newsham, Maj. Thos. J . 373
Bartlett, Jesse 451
Newman, Zadock 486
| Becker, John . 463
Newman, J. R. 487
· Boals, M. H. 411
Norton, Wilbur T. 411
Boeschenstein, Jr. Charles . 436 Pearce, W. W.
554
Bosomworth, Robert . 359
Perrin, Thomas H.
. 411
Brown, James R. 371
Prickett, John A. 353
Brown, Ansel L.
. 365
Pyle, Abner -170
Bruuer, Capt. Jno. A.
403 Searcy, George W. 468
Semple, Gen. James 401
Smart, Alsey S. 4.59
Castagnetta, John
515 Smith, John H.
. 450
Chipron, C. P. .
436 Smith, W. A.
188
Cole, Hermon C. . 412 | Spies, Jacob
498
Coles, Gov. Edward
350 Springer, Thos. O.
484
Cotter, W. H. .
367 Springer, Wm. M. T .. 370
Crossman, S. V. .
. 355
Squire, James . . 519
Daech, William
-372
Tonsor, John M. 410
Tontz, Jones 549
West, Hon. E. M. 356
Worden, John C.
. 5.12
Faires, William H. . 469
Fangenroth, Charles W. 366
Forman, Wm. C. 492
Gillespie, Judge Joseph . 351
Gillespie, Judge David 358
Gillespie, Judge Matthew
362
Alhambra
55
Alton 374
436 Chouteau 471
Collinsville -153
Hauskins, Elias
452 Edwardsville 333
Herb, C. A. 408
Hite, B. R.
461
Fosterburg 526
Hill, William E. . 526
Godfrey 505
Hamel . 531
Allgemeine Christliche Kirche, Highland. 331 Hotz, George , 54S Helvetia 4205
CITY & TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
Gonterman, Caleb B. 450
Gruaz, Timothy .
Hardy. Dr. 1. E. 404
482
Dale, Judge M. G. . 360
Estabrook, John
Fahnestock, Capt. Jno. T. . 368
Fort Russell 475
Methodist Episcopal Church . 277
Protestant Episcopal Church. . 321
Roman Catholic Church . 319
United Denomination. . 324
BIOGRAPHIES.
Brunner, Rudolph . 499
Bulkley, Justus 406
5
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
PAGE.
PAGE.
Jarvis
. 438
Marsh, William W.
Facing 472 Fangenroth, Charles W. 366
Leef . 536 May, William,
Facing 452
Gillespie, Judge Joseph 351
Marine 493
Monk's Mound
58 Gillespie, Judge David. . .358
Moro .
490
Moore, Maj. Frank. Facing 388
Gillespie, Judge Matthew 362
Nameoki 500
New Douglas 529
North Alton 400
Old Log School House
267
Hite, B. R. 461
. 548
Omph-Ghent . 538
Pin Oak 4.14
Prange, Charles W., Facing 464
Saline 545 President Park Mills, Between 420-421
St. Jacobs 463
Public Buildings, Facing 179
Kinder, Mrs. Isabella 364
Lanterman, Wm. A. 189
Mason, John, self and wife 516
Merriman, Charles
. 517
Mills, B. H. 422
Mitchell, James 51S
Montgomery, Nelson, self and wife 36-1
Moore, Maj Franklin 425
Nelson, Arba 405
Newman, J. P. self and wife 457
Pearce, W. W. 55
Preuitt, Solomon, Facing 480
Prickett, John A. .353
Pyle, Abner 470
Semple, Gen. James
401
Smith, W. A. self and wife
Springer, Wm. M. T. . 370
Spies, Jacob . -198
Springer, Thos. O. 4.8.4
Squire, James 519
Tonsor John M. . 410
Tontz, Jones
495
West, 1Ion. E. M. .
. 356
Worden, John C., .
. Facing 512
Amendments to the Constitution of the Uni-
ted States . 602
Constitution of Illinois . 586
Constitution of United States 599
Kellermann, Simon, . Facing 34S Estabrook, John, self and wife .182
Klinke, Fritz,
. Facing 524 Fabnestock, Capt. Jno. T.
Laengle, Henry,
. Facing 436 Faires, Wm. H. .
469
Partial List of Patrons
. 553
Irish, T. J. . 50-1
Joesting, F. W. 409
Judy, Thomas, self and wife . 535
Upper Alton
39G
Venice
. 520
Wood River
414
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Brown, C. C., . Facing 528
Brown, Z., Facing 512
Brunner, Rudolph, . Facing 496
Buescher, William, Facing 552
Cahokia Mounds, .
. Facing 60
Castagnetta, J., . Facing 412
Clark, James W., Facing 424
County Map, Facing 9
Culp, J. C., Facing 42.1
PORTRAITS.
Custom and Merchant Mills, . Facing 42.1
Ewan, J. T., Facing 424
Flick, C. H., . Facing 116
Forman, William C.,
. Facing 420
Galt, William,
Facing 480
Bartlett, Jesse 451
Brown, James R. . 371
Gay, Hon. Newton S., . Facing 492
Gruaz, Timothy,
. Facing 436
Bruner, Capt. Jno. A. 403
. 406
Harris, T. N., . Facing 520 Cotter. W. H. .
367
Hickin, Edward, . Facing 524 Crossman, S. V. . .355
Jeffress, A. W., . . Facing 509
Daech, William 372
Kaufmann, Gustav, . Facing 552 Dale, Judge M. G. 360
Wood River Fort, 1812-1814 415
Worden, John C., .
Facing 542
Wyman Institute 276
Ramsey, William, Facing 428
Smart, Alsey S., Facing 495
Smith, W. A., Facing 488
Smith, John II., Facing +48
Starner, G. J., . . Facing 482
Stenzel, Frank, .
Facing 372
The Building where Lovejoy was murdered 388 Walter. Lonis. Facing 512
Watson, Henry, Facing 472
Wiedmer, John, . Facing 421
Hotz, George
Olive . 523
Places of Public Interest, Edwardsville, Fac.344
Alton, . . Facing 396
Ilardy, Dr. 1. E. 401
Mound Antiquities, Facing 62
Neisler & Randall, Facing 112
Herb, C. A. . . 108
. 368 | Declaration of Independence
598
Harmist and Cook's Drug Store, . . Facing 34S
Bulkley, Justus
Anderson, John . 462
Barnsback, Thos. J. self and wife 419
Puncheon Bench 268
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INTRODUCTION.
HERE are few studies 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 sav- age alike desire to know the deeds and lives of their ancestors, and strive to perpetuate their story. National patriotism and liter- ary 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 fam- ilies whose ancestors were early on the ground, and whose men- bers have made the county what it is, are 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 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 town, city or 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 ephemeral part on the world's ever-changing theatre of action. It is graven in bronze on the woon lerful works of the central nations of Africa, around those " dim fountains of the Nile ;" the gray old pyramids in the valley of "twenty thou- sand cities " are covered with the hieroglyphical language of the " shadowy past." The vast and mighty " palaces and piles stu- pendous," hoary with the dust of unknown centuries, that be- wilder 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 Cen-
tral 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 through- out 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 searcely four centuries, yet within that comparatively short pe- riod 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 historie points, -its nuclei around which cluster the memories of heroic decds, the story of martyrs, and the legends of a barbarous past. St. Augustine, Jamestown, Plymouth Rock, Quebec, Montreal, Bos- ton, New York, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis and Kaskaskia are localities about which gather volumes of history.
The advance of civilization on the North American Conti- nent 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 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 of the Mississippi river. It early claimed the attention of two of the most powerful nations of Europe, whose pioncers and urant cour- iers 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 war- fare, of disaster and defeat ; essays, letters, and publie documents, all bearing, more or less, upon the history of the county, have been carefully examined.
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 addi- tional information it was possible to obtain, and present it in readable form, has been the object of the publishers of the pres- ent work.
We know, full well, the task was not a light one; the con- templated work was by no means a holiday frolic. Hard, steady application and untiring energy were necessary to accomplish it.
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INTRODUCTION.
The utmost pains have been taken to read thoroughly and compare carefully the various writers, and to sift out and recon- cile discrepancies, for historians not unfrequently disagree upon minor points. The work of reading and comparing was no ordi- nary one, aud the difficulty has not been so much in collecting as in making a judicious and truthful use of the abundant ma- terial at hand.
The traditions of the Indians, as given by Heckewelder and others, have been quoted, as an important factor in the sum total of knowledge concerning this region ; and the early discov- eries of Marquette, La Salle, Hennepin, and other French adven- turers in the valley of the Mississippi and the basin of the great lakes of the Northwest, with a brief sketeli of the title to the fee of the millions of acres of prolific soil within its splendid domain 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 possessions in America, a large share of Eu- rope, and immense regions in Asia and the islands of the sea, were interested and involved.
Another object to be gained by this work, is to bring to the notice of the people, the immense resources which a bountiful Provi lence 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 elimate, our inex- haustible mineral treasures, and our easy facilities for commerce, tre, 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 ich in interest and so full of instruction to the young, that they ght never to be forgotten. These, so many as time and dili- gence could gather, are here recor led and will be found to form 1 ) 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 re- ligious 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 ensuing nar- rative, and it is confidently hoped that they will not only interes our 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 portraits and biographies of many of the prominent men of the past and present.
The chapters on the North-West Territory, and 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 War of 1812, Black-Hawk, Mexican War, and of the late Rebellion, 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 in- deed 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, recollections, and 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.
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