History of the early settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois : "centennial record", Part 1

Author: Power, John Carroll, 1819-1894; Power, S. A. (Sarah A.), 1824-; Old Settlers' Society of Sangamon County (Ill.)
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : E.A. Wilson & Co.
Number of Pages: 824

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Ill.

J. D. Power

HISTORY

OF THE

EARLY SETTLERS

SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

"CENTENNIAL RECORD."

BY JOHN CARROLL POWER, ASISTED BY HIS WIFE, MRS. S. A. POWER.

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL .: EDWIN A. WILSON & CO. 1876.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, by JOHN CARROLL POWER In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL .: E. L. MERRITT & BRO., PRINTERS,

1876.

OUR OWN PRELUDE.

It is with unfeigned satisfaction that I write these closing words, for that is what they are, although placed at the opening of the volume.

It will be found, by consulting the book, that in settling Sangamon county every one of the original thirteen States are represented, also every State organized before Illinois; and that the descendents of the early settlers of this county may be found in every State organized since Illinois; also in the District of Columbia, and in every Territory belonging to the United States government. Remarkable as it may appear, there is not a State or Territory in our whole nation but has some chord that centeis in Sangamon county. Many European countries might be included also. Thus it will be seen that the homogeneous character of our whole people could not be more forcibly illustrated than by this volume.

It is my hope that it will be an educator, in suggesting the idea of how to arrange and continue a family history. There are family histories presented here that will be . prized for many generations, and yet but few of them would ever have been written up by the families themselves. It is surprising that there are not more families who write up their own histories. Fannly pride is commendable, and, viewed properly, should be a powerful stimulant to right living, but it can have no reliable foundation without written history. Let a man rise to eminence and all are eager to learn something of his origin and history. I could not cite a more remarkable instance of this than has already been developed in this county, in the history of Abraham Lincoln. There are hundreds of families in the county from whom, to all human appearance, a great man is as likely to spring as in the case mentioned, and yet they have no family records, or if they do keep them, they only give dates without locating events. Look at your family Bibles and see if you can learn from them where any event connected with your ancestors took place. You must remember, however, that this all requires labor. If you wish to test it, go to work and prepare a sketch of a numerous family such as you find here.

I expected to complete this in one year, but when the magnitude of the work dawned on me I thought it might take two years. Nearly that time was spent in collecting the materials. The two years has doubled, and with four months added, I find myself putting on the finishing touches. Thus you have the result of more than four years labor on my part, and about two years by Mrs. Power. She has, during that time, written nearly two thousand letters of inquiry to the descendents of early settlers, and has incorporated the information obtained by their replies, in the family

OUR OWN PRELUDE.

sketches to which they properly belong, besides rendering me much other valuable assistance, in all parts of the book.

To Edwin A. Wilson, not only thanks, but much more substantial tokens of ap- proval are due. He has done that which none of the early settlers seemed disposed to do. Without his co-operation, in furnishing the sinews of war, I should not have undertaken the work.

To Messrs. Preston Breckenridge, N. W. Matheny and N. M. Broadwell, the com- mittee of the Old Settlers' Society, who have so heartily entered into the spirit of the work, I not only tender my thanks, but venture to express the hope and belief that every family represented in the book will feel under lasting obligations to them for the impartial manner in which they have discharged the duties devolving upon them.

To the families of the early settlers, who so kindly and courteously responded to my inquiries, and extended to me the hospitalities of their homes, I cannot find words to express the thanks I feel; but ardently hope that the perusal of the book will return to you some of the pleasure I enjoyed in visiting your families. In the book we lay before you, we think all will admit that every pledge has been more than redeemed. What I say about myself and my associates will be seen the first time by them, as it is by you-here in print.

And last, though not least, I reverently bow with thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, that He granted to me uninterupted health from the beginning to the end of this work. J. C. P.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL., December, 1876.

SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.

FROM THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. ILLINOIS VOLUME, PAGE 86-1876.

JOHN CARROLL POWER was born September 19, 1819, in Fleming county, Kentucky, between Flemingsburg and Mount Carmel. His grandfather, Joseph Power, with six brothers older than himself, were all living near Leesburg, Loudon county, Vir- ginia, at the beginning of the American Revolution, and all became soldiers in the cause of freedom. Some of the elder brothers served through the whole seven years' strug- gle for Independence, the younger ones entering the army as soon as they arrived at a suitable age. Joseph was but sixteen years old when he enlisted, and that was during the last year of the war. He was married a few years later, and, in 1793, started with his wife, children and household goods, on pack-horses, and in company with several other families crossed the Alleghany mountains to Pittsburgh. They descended the Ohio river in boats, landing at Limestone, now Maysville, and afterwards settled in what became Fleming county, Kentucky.

John Power, the second son of Joseph, born November, 1787,, in London county, Virginia, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was a farmer in comfortable circumstances and the owner of a few slaves; but with his numerous family he coukl not send his children from home to acquire that education which is now to be obtained in district schools, within the reach of all; consequently this son of whom we write grew to manhood without having mastered more than the simplest rudiments of the English language.

Like many other men who have struggled against adverse circumstances, he com- menced his education at a period of life when he should have been in possession of it. He takes pleasure in attributing to a great extent the measure of success he has attain- ed, both morally and mentally, to his selection of a wife. He was married May 14, 1845, to Miss Sarah A. Harris. The marriage was solemnized about twenty-six miles below Cincinnati, in Aurora, Indiana. Miss Harris was born there October 1, 1824, of English parentage.

Her grandfather, on the maternal side, was the Rev. John Wadsworth, who was Rector of a single parish of the Protestant Episcopal church near Manchester, England, more than a third of a century. His daughter Catalina was the mother of Mrs. Power.

On her father's side the history reaches back to her great-grandfather, William Fox, who was a wholesale merchant in London. He was also deacon of a Baptist church in that city. By his business travels he became conversant with the illiterate

SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.

and destitute condition of the poor people of the kingdom, and made an effort to in- duce Parliament to establish a system of free schools; but failing in that, he next un- dertook to persuade his friends to unite with him in organizing and supporting a sys- tem of week-day instruction so extensive that " every person in the kingdom might be taught to read the Bible." When he had gone far enough to realize that the magni- tude of the work was almost appalling, his attention was providentially drawn to the consideration of Sunday schools, in order to determine whether or not they would an- swer the same purpose. Becoming convinced that they would, he zealously adopted the latter plan, and on the 7th ot September, 1785, he organized in the city of London the first society in the world for the dissemination of Sunday schools. That society stood for eignteen years without a rival, and during that time it was instrumental in establishing Sunday schools wherever Christian missions had unfurled the banner of -the cross.

William Fox had two sons and three daughers. The eldest daughter, Sarah, be- came the wife of Samuel Harris, a druggist of London. They had a son and daughter. The son, William Tell Harris, was married April 24, 1821, in England, to Catalina Wadsworth, daughter of Rev. John Wadsworth, as already stated. They came to America soon after their marriage, and settled in Aurora, Indiana. They have both been dead many years. Their only living child, Sarah A., was educated at private schools, and a four years' course in Granville Female Seminary, an institution under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal church, at Granville, Ohio, from which she graduated in 1842. After her marriage to Mr. Power, in IS45, at his request she directed his studies, and when he began to write for publication she became his critic; in that way rendering the best possible assistance, which she continues to the present time.

Mr. Power was brought up a farmer, but engaged in other pursuits a number of years, always cultivating habits of study and occasional writing, but without any thought of becoming an author until well advanced in life. He met with serious reverses about the beginning of the great rebellion; and at its close, finding himself in possession of a few thousand dollars, determined to return to agricultural pursuits. He accordingly removed to Kansas, purchased a farm and prosecuted the tilling of it for three years. The grasshoppers destroyed the crops of 1866 and 1867, and the drought of 186S made almost a total loss of those three years, with all the expense of farming. In April, 1869, he accepted the first and only offer he ever received for his farm, returned to Illinois, and since that time has devoted himself almost exclusively to literary pursuits.

His prize essay on Self-Education, for which the Illinois State Agricultural Society awarded him a premium in 1858, was revised and published in "Harkness' Magazine;" the editor expressing the opinion that those who read it would find it "one of the most profitable, instructive and mentally and morally invigorating essays they ever read."

His "History of the Rise and Progress of Sunday Schools," published in 1864, by Sheldon & Co., New York, was his first publication in book form. It is the only con- nected history of that noble branch of Christian work ever attempted, and appears by common consent to be accepted as the standard authority on that subject. Mr. Power has written several books and pamphlets on various local subjects; also magazine articles on a great variety of topics.

SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.

An open letter by him to the Postmaster-General, on the subject of addressing mail matter, is a brief and interesting magazine article. Some of his ideas are quite novel, and will bear investigation. The main point he aims to enforce is, that all mail matter should be addressed by first writing the name of the state in full, next the county, then the postoffice, and end with the name of the person or firm expected to receive it; thus reversing the order practiced from time immemorial. He considers that essay his con- tribution to the great American Centennial.

Perhaps his most finished work is the latest-his monumental edition of the "Life of Lincoln." It is a fitting tribute to the nation's martyred dead. His style is pecu- liarly clear, concise and original. He treats every subject most thoroughly and com- prehensively, yet with an ease and grace of manner that charms the reader. A gen- tleman of the highest literary attainments, connected with Madison University, Hamilton, New York, in a note to the publishers, says: "I have read your 'Life of Lincoln' by Power. It has the charm of a novel."

Mr. Power is now engaged on a history of the early settlers of Sangamon county, Illinois, which, of course, includes the city of Springfield, his place of residence. This work, upon which he has spent more than four years' constant labor, will be issued in 1876. It is awaited with expectant interest by his numerous friends. He has other literary work laid out, sufficient to keep him employed for years to come, and will doubtless continue in that pursuit the remainder of his days.

EARLY SETTLERS OF

CONTENTS.

PAGE. Additions, Omissions and Corrections

Letter A.

165

274

293

.397

406 T.

552 S.

735 745

Y 789

66 Z. 796 62 Deep Snow

Extract from Ill. Vol. United States Biographical Dictionary

Historical Prelude 25 Long Nine.

49+ 464

Note of 101 citizens.

Old Settlers Society

Ordinance of 1787

Our own Prelude.

Railroads .

Sangamon County

Springfield.

State Capitals

Sudden Change.

Trayler Brothers. 720

Wars-Black Hawk

Winnebago 53

. 242 F

421

435

M ..

471

537

549

591

633 T.

699

733

U. V.

Miscellaneous 62

G. .321 .346

OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY.

ORGANIZATION

OF THE

OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

ITS MEETINGS AND MOVEMENTS TO HAVE A HISTORY OF THE EARLY SETTLERS WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED.

A call for a meeting of the early settlers of Sangamon county, Illinois, was drawn up May 25, 1859, by Pascal P. Enos, and circulated by him until sixty-one signatures were obtained, proposing a meeting of all those who were citizens of the county pre- vious to the winter of the "deep snow," 1830-31; for the purpose of organizing a society to preserve the history of Springfield and Sangamon county. The call was published in the fournal and Register of May 27th, and the meeting was held June ist, and adjourned to June 15, 1859.

The OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY OF SANGAMON COUNTY was then organized by adopting a constitution, in which it was declared that all persons were old settlers who came to the county previous to the "deep snow." Thomas Moffitt was chairman, and Pascal P. Enos secretary of the meeting. It was declared that October 20th of each year should be celebrated as Old Settlers' Day, in honor of the first cabin in the county having been raised by Robert Pulliam, October 20, 1817. It was also declared that until the first Monday in June, 1860, the othicers of the society should be Thomas Moffitt, President, and Pascal P. Enos, Secretary.

The old settlers and their descendents assembled on the morning of Oct. 20, 1859, in the vicinity, formed in procession, and, headed by a .band of music, marched to where the first cabin stood. Two wagons had been drawn together on the spot to serve as a platform. The President, Judge Moffitt, called the meeting to order, and the exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. Wm. S. Prentice, the presiding elder of the Springfield district of the M. E. church. The band then played the red, white and blue, after which the Hon. James H. Matheny was introduced and delivered an oration, suitable to the occasion. Several other brief speeches were made after which they held a festival in picnic style, and thus passed the day, to the general satisfaction of all who assembled there.

It was fully expected that those meetings would be held annually, but nine long and eventful years passed before the early settlers of the county held another reunion. The -- 2

OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY. .

next year, at the proper time for holding the meeting, the whole country was ablaze with the political excitement of the campaign that terminated in the election of Abraham Lincoln-one of the least pretentious of the early settlers of Sangamon county-to the office of President of the United States. Then followed war, that terminated in the abolition of slavery and the death of President Lincoln.

RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY.

July 28, 1868, a call appeared in the fournal and the Register, proposing to hold a meeting at Clear Lake, seven miles east of Springfield, on the 20th day of August. The call was signed by thirty-two of the early settlers.

CLEAR LAKE, August 20, 1868.

The meeting was called to order by the chairman of the committee of arrange- ments, Strother G. Jones, Esq. Exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. C. B. Stafford. Speeches were made by Munson Carter, Rev. John England, Gen. M. K. Anderson, and Samuel Williams, when they adjourned for dinner, which was taken in pic-nic style. After dinner Preston Breckenridge gave an account of his three first years in the county, 1834-5-6. The year 1835, has always been remembered as a time of great suffering. Other speeches were made and the meeting adjourned.

CLEAR LAKE, Aug. 20, 1869.

The annual meeting of the Early Settlers' of Sangamon County was called to order at 12 o'clock by S. G. Jones, the President. After prayer by Rev. Mr. Holton, of Springfield, speeches were made by Rev. Dr. Bergen, Revs. C. B. Stafford and David England, and adjourned for dinner. After that, more speeches by J. Wickliffe Taylor, P. Breckenridge and J. H. Matheny. The meeting was then closed for the purpose of effecting a more permanent organization, which was done by enrolling eighty-six names of early settlers, of both sexes. They provided for future business by the election of P. Breckenridge, President; Samuel Preston and Strother G. Jones, Vice Presidents; John F. King, Secretary.

CLEAR LAKE, Aug. 31, 1870.

Mr. Breckenridge not being present, Vice President S. G. Jones called the meeting to order. Prayer was offered by Rev. Francis Springer, who followed that with an address. Brief speeches were made by Elisha Primm, David England and Samuel A. Grubb, and after dinner, Samuel Williams read a paper full of historical reminis- cences. Speeches were made by Col. Thomas Bond of Taylorville, Joab Wilkinson of Macon county, and John Fletcher of Sangamon, and adjourned.

IRWINS GROVE, Sept. 23, 1871.

Mr. Breckenridge called the meeting to order, and the exercises were opened with prayer by the venerable Daniel Wadsworth of Auburn. Thomas S. Parks, the secretary, read the minutes, followed by a brief speech from Samuel Williams. Governor Palmer was then introduced and made a speech depicting many scenes

OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY.

and incidents in the lives of the early settlers, not forgetting his own experience in courting, by taking his girl behind him on horseback to camp meetings, picnics, etc. It was regarded as the most mirth provoking speech ever delivered at an old settlers' meeting. After that came dinner, followed by a letter from General MeClernand and speeches from J. H. Matheny and Hon. John T. Stuart. Then came the election of officers, as follows:

P. BRECKENRIDGE, President. NOAH MASON, Vice President. THOMAS S. SPARKS, Secretary,

Oak Ridge Park, adjoining Springfield on the north, SEPTEMBER 29, 1872.

The meeting of the Old Settlers was called to order at eleven o'clock. As a change in the usual programme, the Society proceeded at once to the election of officers for the ensuing year. Job Fletcher was elected President, with seventy Vice Presidents, and Noalı W. Matheny, Secretary. After dinner, General John A. McClernand was introduced and spoke about three-fourths of an hour in a chaste and eloquent style. The next speech was by Rev. William J. Rutledge. He said that thirty-three years betore he had run a saw mill on Spring creek and sawed stringers used in laying the track of the first railroad ever huilt in the State of Illinois. The latter part of his speech was exceedingly humorous and closed amid a roar of laughter. Major Elijah Iles then took the stand and in a conversational way related many interesting incidents of his experience among the early settlers. He was followed by Revs. J. D. Randall, of Edwardsville, and William S. Prentice and F. H. Wines, of Springfield. George R. Weber made the closing speech, and the meeting adjourned.

PLEASANT PLAINS, August 29, 1873.

The Old Settlers assembled in full force. A long train of cars well filled, came from Springfield, bringing the old settlers from all other parts of the county. The Presi- dent, Captain Job Fletcher, called the meeting to order, and an address of welcome ws delivered by Rev. John Slater, of Pleasant Plains. The exercises were formally opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Lyon of the M. E. church. Governor Palmer was then introduced and made an excellent old settlers' speech in his usual mirth provoking style. Next came dinner, after which several more speeches, and then the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Rev. Samuel M. Wilson, of Pleasant Plains, President; James Parkinson, Vice President; and N. W. Matheny, Secretary.

Crow's Mill, or Cotton Hill, SEPTEMBER 10, 1874.

The Old Settlers assembled in large numbers to-day, in Stout's Grove, to find that the most ample provision had been made for their comfort by the local committee, William Burtle, Philemon Stout, Davis Meredith and Job Fletcher. The President, Mr. Wilson, not having arrived, the meeting was called to order by Captain Fletcher. After a few short speeches, dinner was announced and partaken of with a keen relish by all. More speeches were then made, and a vote of thanks was tendered the retiring President, Rev. S. M. Wilson. The following officers were then elected: Willian

OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY.

Burtle, President: Alexander B. Irwin and Davis Meredith, Viee Presidents; Noah W. Matheny, Secretary.

CANTRALL, ILL., Aug. 21, 1875.

The Old Settlers' of Sangamon and Menard counties held a union meeting here to- day. William Burtle, President of the Old Settlers' Society of Sangamon county as- sumed the chair, and the meeting was opened with prayer by Elder Vawter of Cant- rall. Speeches and feasting occupied the time until just previous to adjournment, when the following were elected as officers for the ensuing year: Alexander B. Irwin, President, E. C. Matheny, Secretary.

Fair grounds, near SPRINGFIELD, ILLS., Aug. 31, 1876.

The Old Settlers' of Sangamon county, assembled here to-day by thousands. They came by the Chicago & Alton Railroad, in wagons and carriages, on horseback and on foot. Alexander B. Irwin, the President, being detained by sickness, the assembly was called to order hy Gen. M. K. Anderson. Brief speeches were made, but the princi- pal one was by Hon. William H. Herndon. It was rich in incidents and anecdotes, and flashed with brilliant thoughts throughout. After this speech one hour was de- voted to dinner in pic-nic style. A few more short speeches were made and then the following were elected as officers of the society for the next year: Alexander B. Irwin, President : Gen. M. K. Anderson, Vice President; E. C. Matheny, Secretary.

OLD SETTLERS HISTORY.

In June, 1872, I was called upon by Hon. Preston Breckenridge, who was then serving his third term as President of the Old Settlers' Society of Sangamon County. He stated, in substance, that the early settlers of the county had for some years been talking of having something written and published that would serve as a history of the county and biographical sketches of themselves; that thus far they had not found any person qualified for the work who was willing to undertake it. He further stated that a copy of the small pamphlet history of Springfie'd, prepared and published by myself, under the auspices of the Springfield Board of Trade, had fallen into his hands, and that after perusing it, and conversing with some of his friends who knew me, he determined to form my acquaintance, and see if I could be induced to engage in the enterprise. He very frankly told me there was no fund to defray the expense, that the only inducement they could offer would be their co-operation in collecting information and giving their subscriptions for the hook. The following communication was the result of that interview :

Hon. P. Breckenridge, President of the Society of Old Settlers of Sangamon County :

SIR :- You, as the representative of your society, having expressed to me a desire to have a book written and published, to preserve, as far as possible, the biographical, historical and other reminiscences of the early settlers of Sangamon county, and having requested me to suggest a plan upon which I would be willing to undertake such a work, I offer the following as my views upon the subject: The materials are so abundant, that I would not be willing to engage in it if I were required to compress all in a very small, cheap volume. I propose to undertake to write and publish a book

OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY.

upon that subject, to contain not less than five hundred octavo pages, with a small map, showing all the townships, villages, towns and cities, with other objects of interest. in the county-all to be printed on the best quality of book paper, and bound in the finest of English cloth, provided I can obtain subscriptions for one thousand copies at five dollars per copy,

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History of the early settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois : "centennial record", Part 1

Author: Power, John Carroll, 1819-1894; Power, S. A. (Sarah A.), 1824-; Old Settlers' Society of Sangamon County (Ill.) Publication date: 1876 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : E.A. Wilson & Co. Number of Pages: 824

Author: Power, John Carroll, 1819-1894; Power, S. A. (Sarah A.), 1824-; Old Settlers' Society of Sangamon County (Ill.)
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : E.A. Wilson & Co.
Number of Pages: 824