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977.3798 Ei5h EILER
1973
HISTORY OF TOWER HILL AND VICINITY
(ORIG. 1937)
HISTORY OF TOWER HILL AND VICINITY
By HOMER EILER
TLR.R.
SCENES ON THE STOCK FARM LOOKING NORTH SEC.25.
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COVER : Scenes On The Stock Farm Of David O. Miller
HISTORY OF TOWER HILL AND VICINITY
By HOMER EILER
First Printed In THE TOWER HILL TIMES
Edited By The SHELBY COUNTY HISTORICAL AND GENEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Reprinted By THE SHELBY COUNTY NEWS GAZETTE
1973
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MR. AND MRS. HOMER EILER
FOREWORD
In the years 1868 to 1895, there lived in Tower Hill one of the few real historians of Shelby County -- Homer Eiler. He wrote a series of local history articles which were published in the TOWER HILL TIMES in 1927 and again in 1937. He was interested in his home town after he left it for the west, first for Topeka, Kansas, and later, Altadena, California.
Addressing the SHELBYVILLE DEMOCRAT in 1937, Mr. Eiler wrote complimenting Mrs. F. P. Auld on her new county history column and at the same time urging the formation of a Shelby County Historical Society. In his introduction to the "History of Tower Hill and Vicinity," he says, "We beg your patience if any errors -- and AGAIN trust each one will preserve these copies for the FUTURE." Alas, the paper on whch THE TIMES was printed is now crumbling into dust. The Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Society feels that the author (wherever he is) would appove of the reprnting of his columns in booklet form.
Mr. Eiler devoted the last years of his life to writing his family history and that of his wife's family. In fact he authored seventeen family histories in all. Among his related activities were memberships in The Sons of the American Revolution, The Society of the War of 1812, The National Society of the Sons of Civil War Veterans, The Military Order of the Loyal Legion, U. S. A., The Kansas Authors' Club and member and director of The Kansas State Historical Society.
It is with the cooperation and approval of Homer C. Witten of Altadena, California, grandson of the author, that the "History of Tower Hill and Vicinity" is republished as a part of our observance of the United States Ssequicentennial.
The Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Society August 1973
977,3798 Eish
EARLY DAYS
1973 The first business venture was that of Alexander (Elic) Hunt- er, the father of your esteemed citizen, Mr. J. W. Hunter. He had bouiht out the John Sharrock business at Westminster, and with keen business judgment, realizing that the coming of the new railroad would be a great boon and ad- vantage to the new town of Tower Hill, moved his building and stock to the new village. This store was as usual of the general merchandise variety to suit the needs of the early pioneers. The list of items then carried for sale would not now in these days be considered at all in the selection of a stock of merchandise.
The postoffice was at first located in a part of this building and the first postmaster was Thomas Craddick, who according to the official record that I possess from Washington, had been a- ppointed postmaster at Westminster Aug. 23, 1854, and continued until May 11, 1857, when the office was discontinued at West- minster and moved to Tower Hill, and Elic Hunter becoming post- master.
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Later on I will devote a separate space to the history of the Tower Hill postoffice. Soon other business houses with their stocks of goods were moved from Westminster to the Hill, as it was evident that the new railroad would sound the death knell of that once thriving village.
Then new town was fast building up into a respectable front- ier village, so that during the early days of the great Civil War, that soon followed in the 60's, Tower Hill township had a popula- tion of 312 according to the 1860 census.
The records available show that the second business house was a stock of the usual general merchandise owned by Mr. Ed- ward Bolins from Pana. The third business venture was the firm of Corley & Moore, but this firm soon sold out to a new merchant whose name is an honored one in the early annals of the village, Mr. A. V. Harper, the new firm being Corley & Harper.
The first business building erected of a pretentous size was built by Neil & Moses. It was a two-story structure, known as the L. Eiler & Son store building, which stood on the corner facing the railroad where the late George Roberts restaurant now stands.
The owners of the building put in a general line but more classy for those times. In the early 70's this firm sold out to a new partnership-Craddick & Eiler. A. M. Craddick being the son of the postmaster, and Lewis Eiler being the father of the compiler of this record. In a year or so Lewis Eiler sold out his interest to
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AF URBANA - CHAMPAIGN
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his partner, who after continuing for a few years sold out to John Sharrock & Sors. This firm continued in business until 1884 when they sold out to Lewis Eiler, who continued until 1891 when the style of the firm was changed to L. Eiler & Son. This building and contents were destroyed in a disastrous fire in the early 1900's. The town was prosperous during its early days of the 60's and 70's and enjoyed a wide range of trade. The block east across the street from the Neil & Moses building soon built up with a two-story structure.
With business came the saloon and the element that follows it, so that the early moral history of Tower Hill is not of that high standard. As in all pioneer frontiers there is a rough element, and this vicinity was no excepton to the rule. Unless I am incorrectly informed, on the corner where Culley's Meat Market is now locat- ed stood the main saloon of the town, and it was here that a murder or two occurred among the floating element of railroad employees, that soon aroused the fighting spirit of the better element and it was not long until the saloon was voted out, never to come back until the days of the coal mine only a few years ago and distinctly remembered very vividly by the present generation.
With the going of the saloon went the bad element as is al- ways the case and with the growth of the churches, the town soon earned a respectable name that it has always tried to main- tain.
We must not forget to state that while the business center was fast building, and the saloon followed, there also came that great uplifting and leavening process, the church, and all that it stood for. In those days there were "giants" in that leavening process. and this is such an interesting subject, and one that has always been cherished by men in my deliberations that I am going later to devote a separate space for its consideration.
With the growth of the village, you must not forget that this was made possible only by the growth of the rural country. The history of Tower Hill cannot be written without a record of the early settlers, and as I said who had made it possible for the growth of the town.
This leads us back to very early history. It seems strange to- day to even realize that speaking from the organization stand- point, that Illinois was at one time part of the province known as Florida, the Spanish territory, then later as French territory be- longing to Canada, then after the Revolutionary War as a county of Virginia known as Illinois county, then later organized into a separate Northwest territory, finally emerging as a State in 1818.
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The County of Shelby was named after Col. Isaac Shelby, an old Revolutionary soldier, born in Maryland about 1750, who be- came a very prominent character in the settlement of the new territory of Kentucky and Illinois, beyond the "Ridge" as the mountains of Pennsylvania and Virginia were then called. Isaac Shelby was a great Indian fighter, living in the same period as Daniel Boone and with many others of their day, were blazing the way for the early settler and civilization. I am pleased to note that we are now only beginning to realize the greatness of these early characters, who did that superhuman work of development, which today, as we look at it with all our modern conveniences seems unbelievable.
The old State of Kentucky within the last few years has with great expense and much pomp and thanks, with much gratitude, had the bones of that intrepid and undauntable pioneer, the peer of them all to my mind, Daniel Boone, removed from their original resting place in Missouri, to a suitable location within her own bounds. A monument erected to his memory, speaks in volumes of the graciousness of a grateful commonwealth.
By way of digression, how appropriate it would be to the coming generation of this town and community to erect in a prominent place a fitting memorial to the memory of the early pioneer. Place these words upon the everlasting granite: "Erected to our pioneers, who made it possible by self sacrifice that we might enjoy the blessings of life and the pursuit of happiness."
But back to Col. Isaac Shelby. His warring adventures led him him into this territory where under his leadreship, he was driving the Indian savage back across the Mississippi. His name was one known far and wide, especially through Kentucky, and because of his character as a builder he was made Governor of tnat State, which position he held until 1816. There were counties in every western and almost every southern State, named after him, and the name Shelbyville, is found in every one also.
Shelby County was organized in 1827 from which date all re- cords are dated as a county. The various townships were organiz- ed practically as they are today.
It may be a surprise to you as it was to the writer, the very earliest settlements of Shelby County, were made in Cold Spring Township. Also that the prominent name of Wake- field is among the first of the earliest settlers in old Shelby. One historian makes the statement that the Wakefield family were the FIRST settlers as pioneers in Shelby county.
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Charles Wakefield, Sr., came to what is now known as Will. iamsburg in 1818, the date of admission of Illinois as a State. With him were his family of three married sons with their families, namely, Simeon, John, Enoch and the youngest son unmarried, Charles Jr., also the married daughters with their families. They settled near the spot now called the Horsman place, where is located the famous "Cold Spring" known far and wide, and from which the present township takes its name. History records the Kickapoo Indians as very numerous in that section of the country, as it was their favorite hunting place, being ideal because of the timber, abounding with a great variety of wild animals, and the numerous springs both indispensable items with the wild savage. But after the Black Hawk War in 1832, the last Indian had dis- appeared westward into their reservations. It was no trouble even for the later pioncer to find many evidences of Indian habitation. Your own S. W. Dutton says he has found upon the Hill, Indian arrows, when he was a boy.
It is a matter of record that this Charles Wakefield, Sr., was a great friend of the Indian, and held their esteem and confidence. Because of this mutual feeling, he was enabled to do extensive trading with them.
It is recorded that among the first log cabins, used by a pioneer settler, was one built by this Charles Wakefield, Sr., in 1818, the pioneer of old Shelby, and the ancestor of the present respected and numerous families of Wakefield who live in that vicinity.
How interesting to recall to the present generation the great variety of wild animals which roamed this vicinity around Tower Hill, especially in the wooded section at the time of this earliest settler in 1818. There were bears and ferocious black ones too, panthers, catamounts, wild cats, wolves of a great variety and numerous, too, squirrels by the thousands, and deer in great droves. In the fowl line there was abundance of all native birds, and many now forgotten. The wild turkey was more numerous than some of the present day wild birds. In fact I have it from early pioneers that on account of the scarcity of ammunition, that not much was wasted upon them, but bigger game was bagged. Later though the wild turkey came in for his part in the slaughter. Many of these wild animals and fowls were a real menace to the pioneer, devouring his crops and destroying the stock. The wolf led them all, and it was a daily occurrence that the hounds would take up the trail and catch their victim. The squirrel and crow
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with other rodents and fowls were a continual nuisance to the growing crops. Fields had to be tended near the cabin for protec- tion, and many always carried their rifle to the field for the defense of their crops from these marauders.
Because of this constant warfare the boys and girls grew up to become crack shots with the rifle. From this fact, is noted the statement of Col. Jackson's Tennessee riflemen at the battle of New Orleans in 1815, and where every soldier brought down his man.
Yet on the other hand, the early pioneer found untold bless- ings in the wild animals and fowls of the forest. Without them they could not have withstood the hardships of this early life. The skins furnished him with his clothing, and bedding, and meat. The traditional lore about the "coonskin" cap had its origin as a matter of necessity.
It is related in the records the statement of another early pioneer who will be spoken of at more length later, namely Thomas Pugh, who came to Cold Spring neighborhood as early as 1820 from Kentucky, that he had no trouble in finding plenty of buffalo and elk skulls and even their bones, in Tower Hill township and the adjacent territory. Verily there hath been much change.
RAILROADS
In the late 50's the Terre Haute & Alton R.R. then building through central Illinois, designated the place where Tower Hill now stands as a logical site for a station on its line, to serve the adjacent territory that was fast settling. The first actual settlers were of a temporary nature, in the way of railroad employes who were then living in camps and engaged in digging gravel from the hill to be used in making the road bed, but was later discon- tinued because of too much sand.
The cld graded roadway to the hill was very much in evidence even as late as the 90's running diagonal from the hill southeast connecting with the main line near the crossing close to the old coal mine.
Many interesting incidents are told of youngsters of those days in the vicinity who thought it great fun to loosen the brakes on these gravel cars standing in the cut, and watch them coast down the grade toward the main line.
The new railroad known then as the Terre Haute & Alton, was chartered by the Illinois Legislature in June 1857. Later because
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or the extension of the line, its name was changed to the Indian- apolis & St. Louis, Known as the 1. & St. L. 'inen in the early yu's because of consolidation, it was known as the Big Four, and now because of further consolidations, as part of the New York Central system.
The coming of the railroad was of great interest to the new country, both as a blessing and as a great curiosity, for be it re- membered, but very few of those early settlers had ever seen a passenger or freight train.
It might be of interest to know that I have heard my mother say, that when it was noised about that on a certain day about 1858, that the first passenger train would make its first trip, the settlers came from tar and near to witness the occasion. She told of coming from the old Sharrock homestead about two miles south- west of town, and with many others gathered on the highest points of observation to observe the much heralded event.
Many of the folk were skeptical about getting too close and kept a respectable distance. Soon the "monster" appeared and fear and anxiety soon gave way to amazement to see the accom- plishment of man's inventive genius.
Great criticism was made at the time as usual always on the advent of some crystallized idea of progression, that the "crittur" would scare the horses and cattle out of the prairies, the belching smoke a nuisance, and the soaring sparks a great source of danger as wood was used for fuel. But amidst it all it was a welcome visitor and amidst all the criticism it was looked upon with favor as a great help in the developing of these Illinois prairies.
The name Tower Hill takes its suggestion from the adjacent hill, known in the early days of the Indian as "Pilot Knob" be- cause of its prominence as a land mark in the guidance of the wandering Indian tribes and travelers. Standing out as a lone sentinel on the prairie it could be seen for miles. Before the days of the pioneer settler there was evidence that this prominence was used by the wild savage as a vantage point for signaling between native tribes.
The site for the village was owned by Messrs. P. C. Huggins and Simeon Ryder. In laying off the new village into streets, alleys, blocks and lots, they employed in June 1857 the County Surveyor Elias Smith to do the work. Curious to relate, but it is a fact, that all the first houses built, invariably faced the railroad, making no difference where they were erected. For instance to cite
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you to a few that are yet standing, the writer's old home, known as the Dr. Browne property located on the west side of the Hill. The old Hook property, the Tilley home in the west part of town, the property across from the Presbyterian church and several others among the first built, but have been remodeled to conform with modern regulations and conditions.
I recall several that this generation do not know of at all, but fifty years ago, in my boyhood, they were very prominent. Among these might be mentioned the old John F. Moore property, the present site of the Masonic home. In fact, the old well is still pre- served , and water is brought from it in the basement of the building. Then there was a low cottage structure, just across the street west, from the present Christian church, occupied in an early day by the Munson family, later by John Weeks, a well known citizen of the Hill. Then a row of houses just south of the Big Four tracks near the present old Andes elevator. Then on the side of the hill a row of homes and many more now removed or torn down.
The second railroad to build through Tower Hill was charter- ed in 1865. This was known as the Springfield & Pana railroad. Later when it extended through 'tower Hill to the southward it became known as the Springfield & Southeastern railroad. About 1875 it was sold to an eastern syndicate and the name was chang- ed to Ohio & Mississippi or O. & M.
The first construction train to make the entire run is recorded as October 28, 1869. The first recorded through train from Beards- town to Shawneetown was March 28, 1872. In the construction of this road from Pana southward, the firm of Craddock & Eiler (Lewis Eiler, the father of the writer) dealers in general merchan- dise in Tower Hill suffered heavy losses by the failure of the con- struction company to make payment for supplies of food and clothing to their gangs of workmen. Those were the days when no laws were in effect for making collections from such worthless construction outfits.
WILLIAMSBURG, WESTMINSTER AND ROBINSON CREEK
As I noted it is impossible to record the history of Tower Hill, and not take into account the record of other communities. Among those that first attract my attention is the village of Westminster, now only a memory. Located about a mile or more southeast of the Eiler church, the records show that it was laid out as a trading post by the owner of the farm, Washbourne Wade, in 1849. Strange to say that the original name of the place was "Manyawper" and
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what it means I am unable to say, but it must have been Indian name.
A man by the name of William Collins built the first storehouse in Westminster, which contained the usual line of generai mer- chandise. 'The second store was built by Everard Sharrock. (These are the writer's great-grandfather and grandfather respectively.) These were built in the early 50's. Everard Sharrock soon sold to his son, John Sharrock, who had just returned from his adventur- ous trip to California gold fields, while he enamored of the giow- ing accounts of the Oregon country, hied himself to that new field of pioneer adventure, where he died in 1886.
John Sharrock did not stay long in the merchandise game, and sold out to Alexander (Elick) Hunter, whom we have related about moving the store to Tower Hill, John Sharrock removed back to the old homestead about one mile east in a due line from the Eiler church, where he lived until in the early 70's as we related, hav- ing bought out A.M. Craddick in Tower Hill.
Other buildings were erected that spoke for a healthy growth for the new village. Among these was a blacksmith shop kept by John Mattox. In the meantime the name of the town had been changed to Westminster, and made a postoffice with Washbourne Wade as postmaster, according to the offical records which show that he was appointed Oct. 2, 1849.
The mail was delivered twice a week by a carrier who plied be- tween Shelbyville and Hillsboro. By way of interest the writer re- lates that he has in his possession letters which were mailed at Westminster, and as stamps were scarce in those days, the post- master wrote on one corner of the envelope - "Westminster, Ills., Paid 3c." I have several also mailed from Tower Hill in the late 50's and early 60's, some stamped with the usual 3-cent stamp while others bore no stamp but written on the corner by the post- master: "Tower Hill, Ills., Paid 3c." These letters were written by my grandfather, Conrad Eiler, to relatives in Ohio, and speak interestingly of those early pioneer days. (Sometime with the consent of your patient Editor, I would be pleased to contribute a personal recital of the times and events of those early days).
Westminster had at one time the promise of a very thriving village, but the coming of the railroad to Tower Hill sealed its future, and today there is nothing to even indicate there was ever a thriving village there 75 years ago. A Mr. Weller lives on the spot, and the once prosperous settlement is now only a memory and a cultivated field.
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This extinct village is closely connected with my own immediate family. As related, my great-grandfather Everard Sharrock and grandfather John Sharrock, both were early merchants. Here 2 or 3 children of John Sharrock and wife were born, and my own mother spent the early part of her childhood in this place. I have heard my grandparents and my mother relate some of the ex- periences and conditions that confronted those early pioneer mer- chants, which at the present day do not seem credible, with all cur boasted civilization.
The greatest drawback the merchant had in those days was the lack of circulating money. It was a very scarce article. The paper money in those days was mostly issued by banks and you had to consult a table issued very frequently to ascertain its worth. Merchandising was nothing more than an exchange of goods. The settler exchanged his various products of the farm and forage for items of use in the family. These were such as shelled corn, furs of a great variety, (and they were a most common item of ex- change,) wool, flax, ginsbery root, indigo root bark for tanning, dried fruits, feathers, beeswax, wild honey, butter, eggs, lard, home cured meats, and scores of other items of barter.
With this array of exchanges the merchant had to deliver to St. Louis to turn into cash to purchase more merchandise. Then to think of the method of transporting this motley lot of items to market. The ox team was about the best method to be relied upon. The livestock such as hogs and turkeys were driven on foot to St. Louis. Think of driving a flock of several hundred turkeys for over a hundred miles over primitive roads wth scarcely any bridges, and absolutely no grading, then you have a faint idea of the perils of the early day merchant. It was the safe experience with a large drove of hogs. It was toil, toil, and the hardest toil at anything you engaged in. For instance, the corn was shelled by hand, all members of the family taking part. Then it was hauled to St. Louis and sold for 10c to 20c per bushel. The one secret of success in those days, and it holds good today, but little practised, was economy. The day's work was from sun to sun, and every member of the family was a full fledged partner in the mainten- ance of the family. No child labor law engaged their attention, and no walking delegate to see if you worked overtime.
The items of merchandise as kept by the pioneer merchant, seem so strange as compared to this day of moderen merchandis. ing. Whiskey was sold by the measure as we sell vinegar. It was the one great curse then as it has always been and always will be.
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wnne a good portion of the clothing was woven by the women of the household, yet the store cloth was considered a great luxury. Such as jeans in all colors, cottonades in various stripes, linsey - woolsey, bioaacloth a very good item, in plain color and colored flowers, red flannel, and a great variety of dress goods ranging in the highly colored calicoes to more expensive patterns. Heavy caifskin boots and shoes were considered items de-luxe. 'Teas and coffee were bought only as a luxury.
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