USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., gathered from mattter furnished by the Mercer County Historical Society, interviews with old settlers, county, township and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources as have been available : containing also a short history of Henderson County > Part 1
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LIBRARY OF THE. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
977.339 H629
200 HISTORY
OF
MERCER COUNTY
TOGETIIER WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL MATTER, STATISTICS, ETC.
GATHERED FROM MATTER FURNISHED BY THE MERCER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INTERVIEWS WITH OLD SETTLERS, COUNTY, TOWNSHIP AND OTHER RECORDS, AND EXTRACTS FROM FILES OF -
PAPERS, PAMPHLETS, AND SUCII OTHER SOURCES AS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE.
CONTAINING ALSO
A SHORT HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY.
CHICAGO: H. H. HILL AND COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. 1882.
SHEPARD & JOHNSTON, PRINTERS. 140, 142, 144, 146 MONROE ST., CHICAGO.
977 357 H629
LIST OF PORTRAITS.
WILLIAM DRURY,
33
DAN W. SEDWICK,
393
VASHTI DRURY, 51
J. C. CABEEN,
429
J. M. EMERSON,
69
S. P. CABEEN,
. 447
FREDERICK FRICK,
87
JOHN SEATON,
465
B. C. TALIAFERRO,
105
WILLIAM GAYLE, .
123
JOSEPH GLANCEY,
519
DANIEL MOWRY,
. 141
DANIEL JONES,
. 555
SAMUEL CABEEN,
159
J. W. KIMEL,
591
LORIMER JOHNSTON, . 609
HARISON BROWN, .
627
THOMAS LIKELY,
. 645
JOHN LAFFERTY, .
663
WILLIAM STUART,
681
MARTIN BEAR, 285
MRS. MARTIN BEAR, 303
JACOB BEAR,
321
SAMUEL CLARK,
735
A. J. STREETER,
753
A. P. PETRIE,
771
-2881
JAMES HEATON, . 177
DENNIS MURTO,
195
RICHARD KIDDOO,
. 231
JAMES VERNON,
249
JOHN GLANCEY,
267
H. B. FRAZIER, 699
S. F. EVERETT,
. 717
G. D. MILLER,
339
GEORGE MCPHERREN,
357
THOMAS CANDOR,
375
WILLIAM RETHERFORD,
501
.
INDEX.
Abington Township. 512
Boyd, Martin. 597
Adams, John B. 740
Boyd, William C. 259
Additional Matter. S20
Bradford, W. W. 336
Aledo, Mercer County 539
Brady, John, Jr. 242
Aledo Public Schools. . 564
Brain, William. 326
" Aledo Weekly Record," 552
Bras, Charles W 111
247
Alyea, Thomas. 99
Braucht, John. 503
748
Ansley, Dr. J. M. 738
Breckenridge, William C. 691
A Scrap of Ancient History. 99
.
Bridger, G. W. 116
Bridger, Henry T. 644
742
Baker, Dr. Jacob Russell 529
Bridgford, Oliver A.
241
Banking in Keithsburg. 152
Bridgford, W. I 238
Bay, James E
293
Bear, Jacob ..
293
Brown, Benjamin F
809
Bear, Martin 287
Brown, Harrison
637
Bell, John. 252
Brown, John H. 451
Bell, John.
263
Brown, Joshua H 643
Bentley, James L. 604
Beverlin, Thomas.
293
Biographical -
Abington Township 515
Duncan Township. 498
Eliza Township. 287
Greene Township. 671
Bristol, C. Beecher 738
Keithsburg Township. 118
Bruington, George.
648
Ohio Grove Township. 444
Bruington, Gus. 643
Bullock, John V. 529
154
New Boston Township. 72
809
Cabeen, Hon. Robert J 525
Perryton Township. 324
Preemption Township. 713
Cabeen, Samuel.
445
Richland Grove Township. 737
Cabeen, Samuel P. 444
Rivoli Township 763
Suez Township
634
C'able, Richland Grove Township. Calhoun, Henry G.
180
Bissell, Ammi ..
690
Campbell, Alexander.
202
Black Hawk War
23
Campbell, Dr. James A.
616
Blue, George A.
813
Boise, Milton S 618
248
('ampbells, The. 199
Cameron, Peter. 725
Boone, Washington
607
Candor, Capt. Daniel M. 334
Bopes, David. 327
Candor, Josiah 334
Boruff, Milton. 506
Candor, Thomas.
446
Boyd, Joseph P. 251
Cabeen, Thomas B. 153
737
Bishop, Edwin. 289
Brownlee, David S. 650
Brownlee, James H. 648
Brownlee, William C. 461
Briggs, William. 723
Millersburg Township. 205
Mercer Township .. 583
Burgett, Frederick P
Business of Aledo 548
Cabeen, John W. 445
Campbell, Matthew S 639
Campbell, Robert.
647
Boone, George.
Brown, Loami 622
Brown, Samuel. 622
Brooks, Isaac 782
Brown, Allen S.
81]
Bassett, Isaac Newton 832
Brewer, Louis Waldo. 527
Associate Reformed Branch, Suez Township 630
Braucht, Jacob.
Allen, John S 204
Anderson, Joseph 505
Breckenridge, Hugh
Attig, Nicholas. 510
Bridger, James.
North Henderson Township
Boone, Hopkins. 659
Cannum, Mark
603
8
INDEX.
Carver, Jesse.
720
Carver, Redding L. 720
Castle, Edward M. 504
Cemeteries of Ohio Grove Town- ship ... 443
Cemetery of Greene Township 668
Cemetery of Suez Township. 632
Chidester, Nelson .. 745
Chidester, Sidney .
100
Description of Mercer County 31
Detwiler, Charlds W. 622
Detwiler, Lewis Cass. 621
Dilley, John Webster. 620
Dilley, William 458
Dingwell, John 647
Discoveries 17
Ditto, John W 522
Doak, Daniel F. 174
Clark, James G. 739
Clark, Samuel. 737
Clark, Sarah .
737
Clarke, David Andrew.
719
Clarke, G. R.
20
Cofflan, Martin L ..
605
Cole, William Anderson. 620
Coleman, John
780
Collins, J. H. 510
Collins, William P ... 674
Commissioners' Record. 56
Cook, Henry C ..
188
Cool, George M. 616
Cooper, David H. 329
Cooper, Hamlet. 329
Cooper, Levi. 338
Company E, 9th Regiment. 701
Company A and G, 13th Regiment 788
Company I, 17th Regiment. 730
Company C, 26th Infantry 703
Company G, 27th Regiment. 787
Company C, 36th Regiment. 729
Company A, 37th Regiment. 729
Company B, 65th Regiment. 853
Company D, 83d Regiment. 794
Company D, 83d Regiment. S54
794
Company B, 126th Regiment. 795
Company B, 126th Regiment. 858
Company F, 140th Regiment. 796 Company F, 140th Regiment. 859
Company C, 11th Cavalry 859
Company H, 11th Cavalry
860
Connell, James H 833
Connolly, William 722
Conway, Joseph 721
Corns, Warner. 344
Cox. Richard. 744
Crabs, George D.
325
Cramer, R. S. 112
Crane, J. II. 244
Creighton, Samuel M. 460
Crosby, Edwin T
680
Criswell, Dr. M.
333
Cullison, William B. 778
Damp, Michael. 341
David, Dr. E. B 619
Davison, D. A. 260
Deets, Joseph
819
Denison Family 73
Denison, Henry W .. 92
Democratic Press in Aledo. 554
Childs, Augustus B
823
Chowning, Dr. John P.
Church, Beard. 472
Churches of Aledo. 575
Churches of Duncan Township. 495
Churches of Millersburg. 217
Churches of New Boston. S6
Churches of Rivoli Township
755
Doak, William. 345
Dool, John. 262
Dool, Robert. . 343
Doughty, Lucien B.
613
Doughty, Thomas L.
103
Doughty, T. H. 111
Douglass, Andrew J.
517
259
Downing, John.
265
Drury, Courtney
94
Drury, Silas.
289
Drury, William 93
Dryden, Cary . 252
Duncan, Jonathan 454
Duncan Township. 492
Dunlap, Isaac N.
593
Dunn, Henry 498
Dunn, John. 191
Dunn, J. M. 336
Durston, Charles F 597
Durston, Samuel L. 775
Durston, Sidney.
774
Early Courts
820
Early History of Richland Grove Township. 732
Early Settlement of Greene Town- ship 656
Early Settlement of Suez Town- ship 623
Early Settlements 45
Eckley, George. 738
Edgar, Richard S 247
Education in Perryton Township. 347
Edwards, Nicholas. 590
Egbert, W. W. 261
Eighty-fourth Reg. Ill. Inf .. 363
Election -Ohio Grove Township. . 439 Eliza Township. 269
Ellett, Benjamin D. 172
Emerson, Dr. Edward L. 780
Emerson, James M 822
Emerson, Oliver P. 175
Emerson, William S.
179
Engle, Charles.
741
Episcopal Church
711
Cummins, Thomas S
190
Episodes - Greene Township
665
Company G, 124th Regiment.
Company G, 124th Regiment.
856
. Downey, Joseph A ..
264
9
INDEX.
Epperly; William. 499
Evangelical Lutheran Church. 734
Evans, George M. 641
Everett, Samuel F. 719
Faran John.
255
Feather, James. 480
Felix, M. F. 617
Felton, Herchel. 234
Gruwell, Benjamin F
174
Guffy, Theodore. 346
479
Guthrie, Jacob ..
474
First Settlers in Duncan Township 493
Fisk, H. W. 338
Fleharty Family 802
Fleharty, Bennett E. 809
Fleharty, Govert S. 805
Hamlet, Perryton Township. 317
Hammond, William 726
Hardin, Alvis. 190
Hardin, Benjamin L. 179
Harison, W. H.
676
Harroun, J. E ..
570
Hartman, Frederick
328
Hartson, John L ..
108
Harvey, J. F.
230
Hawkins, John J.
188
Heaton, James 185
Heaton, William H. 140
Helwig, John. 203
Frazier, Hugh B.
673
Frazier, Miss Amanda E.
354
Frew, William B. 607
Henry, Wesley
521
Frick, Clarence 192
Frick, Frederick 516
Hicks, Robert.
725
Fuller, Jefferson 234
Fuller, William 638
Historical Society.
66
Garber, Leonard. 507
Gardner, John C. 688
Garrett, Richard 819
Garrett, William C. 775
Holister, Lee ..
325
Gaunt, Jonathan. 332
Gayle, William. 128
Geiger, John. . 586
Howe, Lucien B.
240
Hove, Rev. John F
621
Huffman, Henry
256
Gilmore Family. 588
Gilmore, J. G ..
326
Gilmore, J. M. 244
511
Indian Implements ..
20
Gingles, James.
342
I.O.O.F., Rivoli Township
611
Gillespie, William C.
834
Glancey, John .. 515
292
Jackson, Thomas J
115
Jenne, Lansing K
204
Jewel, Zacharialı. 26-4
Johnston, Dr. D. R. 615
Johnston, John Y. 721
Johnston, John Y.
72.
Johnston, Lorimer. 635
Johnston, M. H. 814
Gray, George .. 336
Green Bower Nursery 669
Greene Township .. 652
Greenwood, Thomas J. 644
Greer, Minerva A. 518
Griffin Brothers' Tile Works, Rich- land Grove Township. 734
Griffin, John .. 695
Griffith, Edward. 233
Felton, J. B.
343
Fender, Jonas.
500
Gustin, Lemuel.
Guthrie, Robert . 678
36
Hamilton, Robert. 470
Fleharty, H. C
S04
Fleharty, J. Q. A . S04
Fleharty, Rev. J. J.
805
Fleharty, S. F.
805
Fleharty, Stephen W 803
Fleharty, S. W., Wm. D., Mary A., and William. 806
Fleharty, William L. 804
Fleming, Marshall. 116
Flory, Moses K. 675
Forsyth, Elijah. 480
Foster. Robert. 728
Frazier, Jesse V. 671
Henderson, William. 457
Henry, John. 525
Ileriford, John. 467
Hindman, Daniel T. 600
History of Henderson County
863
Hoagland, Francis A. 193
677
Holsted, David M.
Holmes, Louis D ..
615
Holmes, William Henry
600
Geology of Greene Township. 652
Gilmore, Edwin. 241
Humbert, Robert.
191
Humes, Joseph H. 192
761
Gilbert, John G. 690
688
Irvin, Dr. George.
111
Jackson, lsom
115
Glancey, Joseph 184
676
Gore, George ..
117
Gorman, James 337
Graham, James. 459
Graham, William F. 639
Johnston, Peter W.
816
Johnston, Thomas L
722
813
Humphrey, John C ..
Gilmore, Joseph C.
Ives, Gideon
Gladman, William H.
Glover, Allen F.
Goding, Joseph A
Harriott, Van R.
Habits and Customs of Pioneers Halstead, C. B. 327
Fires in Greene Township. 662
10
INDEX.
Jones, Daniel . 747
Jones. Milton M. 523
Marquis, Samuel 832
Marrow, John A .. 640
Marsh, Mordecai L 595
Marsh, William A 253
Marshall, Elisha L 835
Kellogg, James. 521
Kellogg, James A 477
Kelly, Potter 724
Kendall, A 330
Masonic, Preemption Township. 712
Kelly, Samuel. 199
679
Mank, Henry W 647
Kiddoo, John S. 243
Mauk, John. 642
Kiddoo. Richard 236
Kiddoo, William 243
Mayhew, D. S. 508
593
Kimel, Henry. 601
McBride, Alexander.
177
Kinsley, Samuel. 516
McBride, James
450
Kirlin, David ..
102
Kitzmiller, Frank E.
679
Knox, Asa.
235
Krause, Jacob. 689
McClellen, Richard C.
643
Lafferty, James H
649
Lafferty, John.
642
McCreight, John W. 678
Lafferty, John B ..
639
MeCutchan, Dr. James F. C. 651
Lafferty. William A.
639
McGee, Jolın. 478
Lair, Joseph. 605
283
Lambert, Francis.
288
McHard, William. 346
Landers, John W.
521
MeIntire, John B. 473
Landreth, Lewis ..
509
Landreth. Thomas
251
McKee, Joseph 604
Larne, William B 824
La Salle
18
Lathrop, Urban D.
695
Latter Day Saints,
220
Leary, Thomas. 680
Lee, Graham 331
Mc Mullen, Major 746
449
Leech, John Humphries. 294
614
Lemon, W. R.
266
Mercer County Agricultural Board. 489
Leuze, George
507
Mercer County Poor Farm 481
Lewis, William
109
Likely, Thomas.
636
Little, David W. 723
Livingston, David H. 499
173
Lloyd, James.
503
Merryman, Timothy D. 785
Mertz, Charles . 200
Methodist Episcopal Church, Pre-
Lorimer. William A
594
Lunblad, Joseph Oscar. 606
Lunn. Charles Elsworth 500
Lutz. O.C .. 113
Mack, Daniel. 727
599
Main, William Riley. 517
28
Miller, William M 258
Millersburg Township 205
Milligan, David .. 476
Mills, Eliza Township. 277
Markee, Jesse. 611
Moore, George ..
288
Moore, Joseph B. 598
.
Kiddoo, William 233
MeArthur, Alexander ..
McBride, John F. 617
McClannahan, William S.
692
McClellen, John .. 455
McClure, Warren B ..
528
McGinnis, John T. 212
Lakes, Eliza Township.
McGuffin, John G. 595
McKee, William. 603
MeKinney, John, Sr. 824
McKinnie. Dr. Ebenezer L. 648
MeLaughlin, James R. 639
Mclaughlin, John L. 650
Lee, James M. 651
McPherren, George
McPherren, Jesse W
612
Lemon, Francis.
Mcwhorter, Tyler .. 618
Mercer Township .. 581
Merritt, J. Y. 290
Merryman, Albert D. 740
Merryman, David D. 740
Merryman, Henry
739
Looser, Jacob .. 110
Longshore, James 11. 260
emption 709
Methodist Episcopal Church, Suez Township 634
Methodist Episcopal Church, Swe- dona .: 734
Miller. Abraham 18
Miller, G. D. . 344
Manners and Customs of Indians .
Mannon, James M. 96
Marder, Michael. 506
Mardock, Michael. 506
Marlatt, Thomas 189
Marquette . 18
Jones, Orson . 747
Jordan, Capt. John A. 741
Keithsburg Township .. 118
Martin, Mrs. Eliza. 296
Mason, John .. 292
Masons, Rivoli Township 760
Kennedy, Matthew K.
Maxwell, John A. 777
McIntire, Moses 173
Lloyd, Benijah
Maddux. Thomas. .
11
INDEX.
Montgomery, John. 333
Morey, Benjamin F. 691
Pepper, John C 834
Morford, John T
Pepper, William .. 456
Morgan, William P 643
Perryton Township 298
Morris, Edwin .. 698
Peterson, Peter .. 470
Petrie, Cornelius L. 773
Morris, John. 698
Petrie, Hon. Alexander P. 767
Morrow, James K. 251
Mowry, Daniel .. 740
Pinkerton, Albert M. 678
695
Murto, Dennis. 202
Pinkerton, John C.
687
Natural History . 68
Pinkerton, Joseph.
686
Nelson, Alfred W 815
Pinkerton, Wallace W
693
Nesbitt, Henry. 606
452
Pioneer Log Cabin ..
41
New Boston Township. 72
Newspapers of Keithsburg.
137
Nigger Ridge, Greene Township. 62
Noble Family
183
Noble, Daniel
274
Noble, D. F.
290
Noble, D. J.
95
Noble, Ira.
296
Noble, L. D.
297
Noble, Mrs. Harriet. 296
Noonan, Timothy .. 262
North Henderson Township 796
Odd-Fellows of Millersburg. 221
Quaintance, James S. 739
Railroads .. 62
Ramsey, James H. 616
Randall, Stephen. 113
Range, William L. 198
Ransom, Asa W. 637
Rathbun, Dr. John B. 781
Religion in Keithsburg 148
Religious Meetings, Eliza Town-
ship.
284
Religious, Ohio Grove Township. . 442
Republican Party in Mercer County 60
Retherford, William 509
Reynolds, Gov. 25
Reynolds, J. Warren. 778
Reynolds, William D. 188
Richey, Cornelius Springer 828
Richland Grove Township. 732
Riddell, S. H 255
Riggs, H. M . 238
Riggs, William II ..
Rivoli Township ..
Roads, Eliza Township. 281
Robb, Thomas S. 455
Roberts, Henry H . 100
Robinson, George L. F. 686
Rosenberry, Dr. James S. 742
Rosenbum, Andrew J. 777
Rubert, John.
261
Russell, Samuel E .. 689
Rural Places in Eliza Township 282
Sapp, George B .. 203
Schools of Eliza Township. 284
Schools of Greene Township. 667
Schools of Keithsburg.
144
Schools of Millersburg
683
207 Pioneer Settlements of Millersburg Pollock, Samuel 518
Postlewait, Matthew S. . 779
Potter's Clay in Greene Township 654
Powley, James P 116
Pratt, John 97
Pratt, Jolin .. 297
Prentiss, S. V. 92
Prouty, William M. 102
Preemption Township. 704
Presbyterian Church, Suez. 632
Public Improvements, Keithsburg. 166
Odd-Fellows, North Henderson 799
Ogle, Jasper. . 528
Ogle, Joseph D. 528
Ogle, Lewis F. 527
Ohio Grove Township. 424
O'Leary, Cornelius. 154
Oliver, S. A. 266
One Hundred and Second Regi- ment .. 386
Organizations in Greene Township 665
Organization of Duncan Township. 497
Organization of Eliza Township ... 281 Organization of Greene Township. 660 Organization of Keithsburg Town- ship .. 165
Organization of Mercer Township. 49 Organization of Millersburg Town- ship. 227
Organization of Preemption Town- ship. 713
Organization of Suez Township. 626
Orth, C. S. 197
Ott, Edward. 189
Otto, Julius E. 725 Page, James. 638
Pardee, David. 176
Park, Russell. 684
Parkerson, Robert C. 478
Parks, John 475
Patterson, Moses .. . 471
Patterson, William T 453
Pease, A .. 649
Pease, John A . 649
Pease, Joseph. 649
Pease, Martin 648
Pepper, Hon. John C. 607
Morris, George W. 697
Pickup, G. W. 266
Murray, William T. 109
Pinkerton, George W
Pinkerton, William M.
Nevius, William I ..
12
INDEX.
Schools of New Boston
Schools of Preemption Township .. 713
Schools of Rivoli Township. 749
Swezy, Jerome A. . . 187
Talliaferro, Benjamin Coleman. 830
Terry, William . . 696
Thede, C. F .. 608
Scudder, Lyman H
114
Seastone, John 110
Seat of Justice, Mercer County 572
Seaton, Duncan .. 523
Seaton, John. 459
Seaton. John J. 524
Secret Societies of New Boston. 89
Sedwick, Dan. W. 634
Sedwick, George W 620
Tragedies in Keithsburg. 162
Trask, Andrew .. 638
Turnbull, Rev. Thomas B. 617
Unangst, Jacob Wilson. . 605
United Brethren, Richland. 734
United Presbyterians, Suez Town-
ship. 629
Valentine, William 257
Vance, James. . 524
Vance, William R. 474
Vandalsem, W. C. 335
Vater, George. 503
Sheyler, Dr. James H.
726
Venable, Joseph 182
Vernon, Caleb .. 505
Shingledecker, P. D .. 263
Vernon, James. 239
Vetter, Michael. 328
Signor, George H. 117
Simpson, William H. 640
Slocumb, Charles G. 203
Smith, Alfred H. 337
Smith, D. C. C. 467
Volkel, Fred.
508
Wade, Josephus. 176
Smith, Hugh,. 194
Smith, John B .. 693
Smith, Lucius E.
698
Smith, Nathan P.
784
Smith, Stephen
745
Smith, Warren L.
697
Webster, Hammond. 458
Werts, George W . 469
West End Creamery, Millersburg. 583
White, Snowden K. 605
Whitehall, Thomas. 526
Whitham, Kenneth M. 608
Southern, Charles W .. 696
Whiting, George W 197
Whitsitt, John 715
Willits, Dr. T. 97
Willits, Isaiah.
171
Willits, Levi. 583
101
Steele, David A .. 246
569
Stewart, William L ..
644
St. Joseph Catholic Church.
711
Stratton, J. D .. 254
Streeter, Hon. Alson J. 769
Strong, Luke. 616
Stuart, William. 685
Suez Postoffice. 626
Suez Township. 623
Swafford, Jacob H. 99
Swartwout, Cornelius 331
Schrader, August. 293
Scott, Notley 817
Scott, Samuel. 197
Thirtieth Regiment 791
Thornton, H. W. 235
Thornton, J. D. 245
Thompson, Benjamin F. 621
282
Timber in Eliza Township Townsley. Benjamin F. 594
Townsley's Tile and Brick Factory 583
Tracy, Victoria C. M. 783
Sexton, John G. 774
Sexton, Roswell C. 694
Shafer, Aaron P. 258
Sharer, Christian 468
Shaw, Clinton . 776
Shearer, George A. 634
Shearer, Nicholas. 472
Sheese, Samuel 500
Sherer, A. A.
254
Sheriff, Paul .. 173
Sherrard, David 739
Shields, William .. 291
Shroyer, A. P .. 786
Villages of Millersburg 211
Village of Swedona. 733
Viola, Greene Township
661
Viola Vineyard. 668
Wait, F. G. 330
Wait, Meigs. 324
Walter, George. 343
War Record of Greene Township. 670
Watson, Abram .. 746
Smith, William H. H 477
Societies of Aledo .. 581
Societies of Keithsburg 155
Soldiers of Eliza Township. 282
Soldiers' Monument . 837
Speculators, Eliza Township. 279
Spicer, Reuben H. Sr. 763
Spicer, Thomas. 638
Sprowł, Samuel. 475
Steam Mill, Greene Township
670
Willits, Mary D ..
Willits, Milton L 96
Willits, Mrs. Sarah G. 527
Willitt, Thomas 114
Wilitts, Thomas. 254
Willits, Thomas T. 836
Willits, William M. 523
Willis, J. M. 621
Wilmerton, William 714
Wilson, David. .
741
Wilson, James McCormick. 829
Stephens, Prof. Alex.
Smith, George. 727
.
INDEX.
Wilson, William A
94
Woodhams, T. G. 786
Winchester, W. A.
526
Woods, Alexander M.
608
Winders, William
596
Wordin, Charles C .. 599
Wirt, Martin.
176
Wright, George A. 607
Wolf, George S.
823
Wright, James C. 596
Wolfe, Jacob.
181
Wycoff, J. P.
192
Wood, J. W
246
York, Charles. 240
Wood, W. A.
345
Zentmire, Wilson P. 257
13
PREFACE.
IN presenting the history of Mercer County to the public the editors and publishers have had in view the preservation of certain valuable historical facts and information which without concentrated effort would not have been obtained, but, with the passing away of the old pioneers, the failure of memory, and the loss of public records and private diaries, would soon have been lost. This locality being com- paratively new, we flatter ourselves that, with the zeal and industry displayed by our general and local historians, we have succeeded in rescuing from the fading years almost every scrap of history worthy of preservation. Doubtless the work is, in some respects, imperfect ; we do not present it as a model literary effort, but in that which goes to make up a valuable book of reference for the present reader and future historian, we assure our patrons that neither money nor time has been spared in the accomplishment of the work. Perhaps some errors will be found. With treacherous memories, personal, political and sectarian prejudices and preferences to contend against, it would be almost a miracle if no mistakes were made. We hope that even these defects, which may be found to exist, may be made available in so far as they may provoke discussion and call attention to corrections and additions necessary to perfect history.
In this work we have been greatly aided by the officers and mem- bers of the Mercer County Historical Society, and to Messrs. Tyler McWhorter, I. N. Bassett, C. S. Richey, Graham Lee, and John Geiger, we are indebted not only for valuable advice, but for articles on various topics that cannot but prove interesting and acceptable to our patrons. Messrs. L. B. Doughty, C. E. Shove, J. S. Fugate, J. V. Frazier, R. H. Spicer, Hopkins Boone, William Marsh, E. S. Ricker,
16
PREFACE.
Dr. A. W. Hyde, E. Mathews, Miss Amanda Frazier, and many others, have placed Mercer County under lasting obligations for valuable matter rescued from the fading years.
The biographical department contains the names and private sketches of nearly every person of importance in the county. A few persons, whose sketches we would be pleased to have presented, for various reasons refused or delayed furnishing us with the desired information, and in this matter only we feel that our work is incom- plete. However, in most of such cases we have obtained, in regard to the most important persons, some items, and have woven them into the county or township sketches, so that, as we believe, we cannot be accused of negligence, partiality or prejudice.
HISTORY OF
MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
DISCOVERIES AND EXPLORATIONS.
THAT our readers may have a full understanding of the history of Mercer and Henderson counties, it will be necessary to take them back, not merely to the time of their earliest settlement by the whites, but a time far anterior to that. This part of the State of Illinois has at different periods been in the possession and under the dominion of various persons and powers, whose acts play an important part in the history of this section. Of course we fully realize that, to the present population, the present history will prove much more interesting than that which precedes, but as the foundation of the house is much less appreciated by the occupants and is yet one of its very important parts, so that part of history which forms the basis for what follows must necessarily be of the utmost value as a foundation or root on which to develop the complete work.
Thoughi but a little more than half a century has passed since the soil of this part of the Mississippi valley was occupied and cultivated by white men, three times that length of time had elapsed since its first discovery. During that 150 years it was occupied by various tribes of Indians, and was under the dominion of several powerful governments, who contended for its possession with varying success, with but little apparent design of occupation other than for the purpose of trading with the original owners, in furs and such other natural products as they could easily gather, and their simple and indolent habits required. Indeed the fur trade seems to have been not only the chief object, but eventually to have led to the peopling of the country with those who added to the industry of fur catching that of agriculture.
The first white men to visit Illinois with a view of making extended explorations were Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette, their travels in this state beginning in 1673.
Joliet was born at Quebec in 1645, and educated for a priest of the
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1S
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Roman Catholic Church, but at the time of which we write had aban- doned his profession, and at the age of twenty-eight was engaged in the fur trade.
Father Marquette was born in France in 1637. He was also a priest of the same church and of the order of Jesuits. It was with a view to promulgate the doctrines of his church that he left comparative comfort in his native country, crossed the Atlantic and braved the western wilderness, hundreds of miles beyond the boundaries of civili- zation, to convert the Indians to the faith he professed, in which, by his kindness, he made many enduring friendships.
These two men, with their several objects in view, set out from the Jesuit Mission on the Strait of Mackinaw with five other French com- panions on their journey, May 17, 1763, their objective point being the Mississippi river, of which they had but a vague idea. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, they reached Green Bay, on the west side of the lake, and the mouth of Fox river, in Wisconsin. Up this river they pushed their canoes as far as the depth of the water would permit. Having reached the head waters of the Fox, it was but a few miles to the waters of the Wisconsin, which flows thence into the Mississippi. Across this stretch of prairie they carried their small boats and scanty outfits, and again launched them. On the 17th of June, just one month after their embarkation at the Mackinaw, they found themselves on the broad bosom of the Father of Waters (mean- ing of the Indian words composing the name Mississippi). Down the river they glided rapidly and easily, touching frequently at different points on either shore, and doubtless the soil of these counties was pressed, for the first time by white men, by the feet of Joliet and Mar- quette and their companions. On landing at one place their journal shows that they went ashore and remained several days with the natives. This could not have been far from this part of the river's course-probably near Rock Island on the west side. They were treated kindly by the Indians, and given all the supplies at their dis- posal for the further prosecution of their explorations. They continued their course until they came near the mouth of the Arkansas river, where, finding Indians who showed some signs of hostility, they deemed it expedient to return. They now entered the mouth of the Illinois river, up which they toiled to Lake Michigan, whose western shore they followed to Green Bay, where they arrived the latter part of September. In this journey they had spent about four months and traveled nearly 3,000 miles. Joliet had accomplished his purpose of discovering a route to the great water thoroughfares and opening up friendly relations with the inhabitants along their shores, and Father
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