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977.344 H257t
S IS
LIBERTY
ILLINOIS CHICAGO
A History Of The Village Of Liberty, County of Adams, Illinois
QUINCY
SPRINGFIELD
NNIBAL
From
1827
To
1963
ST. LOUIS
By
MERLE D. HARTSFIELD
CAIRO
Univerfity of Illinois Library Friends at Urbana-Champaign Gift of the Friends, 1996
977.344 H257t
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY
anna S. Clary 1963 1
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
http://archive.org/details/thisislibertyill00hart
This Is LIBERTY Illinois
A History of The Village of Liberty Adams County, Illinois
By Merle D. Hartsfield
Published by W. N. and Merle D. Hartsfield First Edition, November 15, A. D. 1963
N
No Portion May Be Copied Without Permission of The Author
Printed In the United States of America At the Golden Rule Press, Orlando, Florida
977.344 H257t
LHX
Dedication
To All Of The People Of Liberty And Their Posterity, That They May Know Of Their Beginning.
STOP
Liberty, 1960
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Page 6
Early History
Chapter 1
Settling of Area
Chapter 2
Development of 1850's
Chapter 3
Civil War Era
Chapter 4
Churches
Chapter 5
Schools
Chapter 6
Organizations
Chapter 7
Entertainment
Chapter 8
Economic Development
Chapter 9
Civic Development
Chapter 10
INTRODUCTION
This is to be a history of the village of Liberty, Illinois, a community sixteen miles east southeast of Quincy in Adams county. We have endeavored to recount the events and development of historic significance of the area. Names of individuals are used only in relation to these events and developments.
One hundred and twenty-three years after the village of Liberty was laid out, it became an incorporated town. During these years the village has not changed much, population-wise -- 1870 there were 400 inhabi- tants -- in 1960 there were 350. Businesses were born, prospered and died as the needs of the people varied with the changing times.
In the beginning, as now, grocery stores were located here, but even the contents of these have not remained static. No longer is axle grease or calico on the shelves of Liberty shops. A harness shop would be, indeed, out of place in the Liberty of the 1960's, but what would the citizens of the 1830's have done in a coin laundry?
Since little written history of Liberty has been preserved, we have relied on old records, memories and bits of information gleaned from personal memorabilia. Because of human fraility, memories sometimes conflicted and we endeavored to find some written corroboration.
6
CHAPTER 1
EARLY HISTORY
The first white men in this area were the French- men, Father James Marquette and Louis Joliet, who sailed down the Mississippi in 1673 and claimed the territory for France. Nearly a century later and provided by the Treaty of Paris ratified in 1763, the Northwest Territory became English land. While the English and French quarreled over this vast wilderness, the native Indians, mostly Fox and Sac, tried to annihilate both enemies by means fair and foul. Although settlements sprang up on the lower Mississippi and the Ohio rivers, none, prior to 1776, were made north of the Illinois river.
Following the Revolutionary War, Virginia claimed the region west, including the present states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota. In 1878 the Northwest Territory was or- ganized and in 1809 the present state of Illinois was included in the newly formed Indiana territory. In 1809 Congress passed an act to divide the territory.
Thus in 1818, when Illinois became a state, the same tribes of Indians who had roamed over the area when Marquette came down from Canada still hunted in
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THIS IS LIBERTY
the Liberty countryside. In fact, prior to 1813, there was an Indian village at the site now known as Quincy, but in that year a group called Mountain Rangers rode through the country and destroyed it. Several years later a man named Daniel Lisle arrived a little south of the present village of Liberty.
In 1822 three white men resided in what is now Adams county: Justice I. Perigo, who drew one quarter section in Sec. 9 in the N. part of Fall Creek township as early as 1820; John Woods, who built a cabin at the foot of Delaware street in Quincy and Daniel Lisle in Liberty. Land in this area was granted to veterans of the War of 1812 and it is supposed that is what brought some of these early settlers to this remote wilderness.
The county of Adams was formed by an act of Illinois legislation January 13, 1825. The first county election was held July 2, 1825, with 70 people living in the county.
Around 1830 two settlements were developing in the Libertyarea. A group of Mormons established a town about a mile and a half southeast of the present village. The area was named Montgomery. The Mormons were forced to flee Kirtland, Ohio, in 1830. They moved west to Missouri, where a colony was founded at Inde- pendence in 1831. It is thought that those of the Liberty vicinity stopped here enroute to Missouri. They did not
8
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CHAPTER 1
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10
CHAPTER 1
stay long, according to one historian. A. H. D. Buttz bought the land, ran them off and destroyed the build- ings.
Well ahead of the western movement in American history, members of the German Baptist or Church of the Brethern began a western migration, using natural water- ways as routes for transportation. George Wolfe is thought to have been one of the first elders to settle west of the Alleghanies. In 1787 he had moved from Lancaster Co., Pa., to Fayette Co. in the western part of that state. He and his son built a flat boat and in April 1800 started down the Mononhahela River with Kentucky as their destination.
The family settled near Muhlenberg, Ky., where there was already a settlement of Brethern people who had come from North Carolina. It was from this place that the two sons of George Wolfe, Jacob and George, Jr., went north and in 1808 settled about 40 miles north of Cairo in what was later Union Co., III.
George Wolfe, though self educated, showed unusual ability in church leadershipand was given charge of the Union Co. church. He was a forceful speaker in the pulpit and became the strongest preacher in the re- gion. For 19 years he worked in Union Co. (He was Anti-slavery.)
In the year 1827 a number of the church members
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THIS IS LIBERTY
moved from Union Co. to Adams Co., Illinois. Among these were the Hunsakers and Wm. Lierle. In 1831 George Wolfe, with 30 others, also moved near the site of the present town of Liberty, and in a few years half of the members of the Union Co. church had moved to Adams Co.
Paris T. Judy, who came to the area in 1834, owned 1,400 acres in Gilmer township and some proper- ty in Burton township where he was the first storekeeper. In 1834 he, evidently believing the area to be his, laid out a village from some lots in sec. 20 of Liberty town- ship. He discovered that he did not own the property and quit the project.
In that year a post office called Liberty was established with John Norton the first postmaster. The headquarters was near the Brethern church.
In 1836 A. W. Dudley, son-in-law of a Ken- tuckian named Talbot, who owned sec. 20, resumed the work of establishing a village. The post office was moved to this locale in that year and A. H. D. Buttz was named postmaster of New Liberty, as it was now called.
Abraham Henry Dildine Buttz set out from Penn- sylvania in 1831 searching for a permanent location. When he arrived in Adams county, he hired out to a Captain Pierce three miles east of Liberty, where they
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CHAPTER 1
built a house and opened a trading post and mill. In 1835 Mr. Buttz secured some land in Liberty where he built another store. In that year he also married Miss Mary E. Meachem, daughter of D. P. Meacham, who had a trading post and butcher shop across the street from Buttz .
The first recorded marriage in the township was that of Jacob Wigle to Mary Hunsaker, both members of the Brethern church, and was solemnized by Elder Wolfe. The first steam mill was built by Xander and Horkney and the first doctor was J. H. Hart. The exact dates of these events are not mentioned, as little is written about the developments of the village during the late 1830's and the 1840's.
13
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THIS IS LIBERTY
A. H. D. Buttz, one of Liberty's founders, pictured with his family circa 1865. In the back row, Mary, Samuel, John Will, and Robert Michael. In the front row, Abraham Henry Dildine Buttz, Mira, A. H. D., Jr., Jesse Shaw and Mary Mea- chem Buttz.
CHAPTER 2
SETTLING THE AREA
During these years people were moving into the village and surrounding area. Many of the Germans came to this state from New York or Pennsylvania. The route west was not always direct. Those coming from Pennsylvania often followed the rivers, going first to the south, to the Virginias, thence to the Ohio River, some- times stopping in Kentucky or Tennessee. Some, as we have already noted, stopped in southern Illinois where the Ohio meets the Mississippi.
Coming up the Mississippi, these pioneers followed friends or relatives to Liberty. Among these were the Lierles, the Vancils, the Grubbs.
There were also Irish immigrants -- such as Maurice Kelly who came in 1836, Alex Henry in 1843 or John Campbell in 1844. Some came directly from Germany as did the Millers in 1842 and C. G. Wagner who came from Prussia in 1836. Others were old Amer- ican families as the Pond family, descendants of Samuel Pond who came from England in the 1630's to Connecti- cut. In 1848 G. P. Pond settled in Liberty.
Among these early settlers came Zachariah Lierle, a Revolutionary War veteran, having served eight years under General Washington. He died shortly after his arrival in this new land and was given special
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THIS IS LIBERTY
burial as the only Revolutionary War Veteran in Adams County.
With him was buried a Frenchman. In an early history this Frenchman is merely called "Tournear." This story has come to our attention concerning this Frenchman. When Napoleon was taken prisoner in 1815, he had two body guards. One man was killed, the sec- ond man escaped and disappeared. This Frenchman named "Tournear, " who was buried near Liberty in the late 1830's, is believed to be the long lost Napoleonic guard.
These two illustrious men are buried a short distance from the village of Liberty on the Merle Koch farm.
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CHAPTER 3
PROGRESS IN THE 1850'S
During the 1850's a cultural development began. In 1831 the members of the Church of the Brethern had built a church some two miles from Liberty. By 1852 there were enough Presbyterians and Campbellites (Christians) to organize two more churches. That same year the village built a schoolhouse on Main Street on the now vacant lot between Pond's store and the Ameri- can Legion Hall. The building was constructed of brick manufactured on the C. A. Wagner farm. W. H. Odell was the first teacher.
Since neither the Presbyterians or the Christians had a building, they used the "brick schoolhouse" for services. L. W. Dunlap was the first pastor to the Pres- byterians and Elder Zilby Brown ministered to the Christians.
In 1853 the eighteen charter Christian members erected a building on Lot 4, Block 10, in the south part of town.
The year 1854 saw the Presbyterians begin build- ing their church. By 1855 a Lutheran church was organ- ized with the Rev. James Hark ley the first farmer-preacher . The Pleasant View Baptist church was also organized in
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THIS IS LIBERTY
1853 in the schoolhouse with Stephen Mullen the first minister.
In 1850 A. H. D. Buttz replaced his frame store with a brick building, using brick made locally. The building not only is still standing but is at the present, 1963, occupied by Buskirk Hardware.
Also circa 1850 James and Elizabeth Howerton came from Kentucky and located on a corner west of the present bank on Hannibal Street where they operated a hotel for many years.
In 1853 B. F. Grover became a merchant in Liberty, beginning the second general store in the vil- lage.
By 1860, as the war clouds hovered over the nation, the village of Liberty had developed into a defi- nite trade center. A stage line came through Quincy. There were several general stores: the one run by A. H. D. Buttz; that of Grover and a third by Frank and Mer- cer. The Howerton Hotel was in operation for overnight visitors. George and Amos Linn were busy blacksmiths while George Tatman was the town carpenter. The Ponds took care of furniture and coffins. Dr. Bane administered to local ills. John Bayer had a wagon delivering "fresh meat" to the housewives. Reece Kendall ruled with an "iron fist" at the schoolhouse.
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CHAPTER 3
Buttz store built from bricks made locally in 1850.
*
Moore paints
Buttz store building as it is today after recent remodeling,
19
CHAPTER 4
CIVIL WAR
As in many areas where settlers came from sev- eral sections of the country, Liberty had both northern and southern sympathizers. During this period tow organ- izations of historic interest found members in the village of Liberty. One, the Knights of the Golden Circle, composed of pro-slavery Democratic southern sympathi- zers, was a secret society whose members deviled the Union prior and during the actual fighting of the Civil War.
The other group, the Wide Awakers, had for their members the anti-slavery Republicans. For awhile they, too, held secret meetings, but finally they were openly antagonistic. On several occasions bloodshed was narrowly averted when members of the two groups clashed.
It seems evident that the majority of the villagers were Unionists, for in 1862, Company "E" of the 78th Illinois Volunteer Infantry was formed of 100 Liberty area boys.
In August, 1862, Co. "E" was formed. John J. Mercer was elected Second Lieutenant and Philip H. Mercer was appointed First Sergeant or Orderly of the Company.
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CHAPTER 4
Captain John J. Mercer and Lieutenant Philip H. Mer- cer, Civil War Veterans of the 78th III. Volunteer Infantry.
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THIS IS LIBERTY
The group was mustered in to the United States service on September 1, 1862, at Camp Quincy. The unit fought in most southern Tennessee battles and was with Sherman in his renowned march from Atlanta to the sea. John J. Mercer was Captain in command of Co. "E" from the battle of Chickamauga, Ga., to the com- pany's mustering out.
On October 5 (circa) 1863, a supper was given at Liberty for the benefit of the soldiers and it is re- corded that a soaking rain fell on those attending.
In January of 1864, three fourths of the Illinois regiment re-enlisted and returned to Illinois for a fur- lough. A great rally was held in Liberty during which a fight developed on Main Street. It was chronicled that the soldiers knocked down all who disagreed with them. It would seem that, although perhaps out-numbered, the southern sympathizers were still in evidence.
It has been recorded that during the winter of 1864 smallpox broke out in the village. This must have added to the wartime miseries of the community.
On May 23rd, 1865, Co. "E" was in the grand review of Sherman's Army in Washington, D. C. They were mustered out on June 7, 1865, and were sent to Chicago and on to Liberty where they arrived on June 21, 1865. A huge supper was prepared for all who re-
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CHAPTER 4
turned. There were only 23 survivors of the original 100 boys who had left three years earlier.
Rueben Maxwell who died (circa) 1927 was the last Civil War veteran of the village. However, he did not belong to Co. "E" but to Co. "C" of the Illinois 112th Infantry.
Excerpt from the printed biography of Capt. J. J. Mercer and Lt. P. H. Mercer.
manded by General Jeff C. Davis. Our troops tore up the railroad from Kingston. Ga., to Atlanta, Ga., and on the 16th of November. 1864. General Sherman started off on his cam- paign to the sea, and our army arrived in front of Savannah, Ga., on the 10th of December. 1864 (distance from Chattanooga, Tenn .. to Atlanta. Ga .. 178 miles, and from Atlanta. Ga., to Savannah, Ga. 283 miles) laid siege to the city of Savannah, Ga .. until the 21st of Decem- ber, when the rebels crossed over into South Carolina. and our army took possession of Sa- vannah. Ga., with over 150 pieces of artillery and about 30,000 bales of cotton. This General Sherman presented to President Lincoln for his Christmas gift. On this march to the sea our
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CHAPTER 5
CHURCHES
Instead of continuing our history in strictly chronological order, due to large blank areas, we shall continue by topical development.
Since Libertywas established by religious groups, it is fitting that we look first at the development of Liberty's churches.
- Church of the Brethern
As has already been mentioned, the Dunkard, German Baptist or Brethern church was organized in the early 1830's. It was named the Mill Creek church.
The Mill Creek church was a child of the Union County church as from that place a number of members moved to Adams County. One of the first things that they did upon arrival was to organize a church. In September, 1831, the deacons visited all the members and a church council was held. Finding all the members in love and union, they held a love feast on the fourth Saturday of September, 1831, in the house of Brother John Weigle. Elder Wolfe was the only minister present. From that date to at least 1881 not a single year passed without one or more love feasts being held in the Mill Creek church.
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CHAPTER 5
At first these devout people had no church build- ing and they met in homes, first one, then another. Sometime during the year 1831 a church building was erected near the present site of the Albert Mayfield home, two miles west of Liberty. This was the first meet- ing house built by the Brethern in the state of Illinois.
The Mill Creek church grew and prospered and within a very few years had a membership of over 200. Two ministers were elected, William R. Lierle and John McClintock. In 1850 they were both advanced to the second degree of the ministry. David Wolfe was elected as a minister in 1861 and three years later was ordained to the eldership by Elders Isham Gibson and John Fitz.
In the early 1870's the members of the Mill Creek congregation realized that they had outgrown the old meeting house and they began planning for a new church home. Since Liberty was a growing town and centrally located, it was considered a good place for a church. On June 14, 1874, the deed to an acre of land at the northeast corner of Liberty was given by Phillip G. Cor- kins and his wife to the trustees of the German Baptist Brethern church at Liberty. On this land the new church building was constructed.
During the next few years the Mill Creek church grew until there were appointments at six different places. In 1875 the district meeting of Southern Illinois (then
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THIS IS LIBERTY
called "the Annual Council") was held in the Mill Creek church.
I
Church of the Brethern on the corner of Dudley and North Streets as it appears today.
After the death of Elder George Wolfe, the church came under the care of his son, Elder David Wolfe. At the quarterly council meeting held on De- cember 1, 1894, it was unanimously decided to change the name of the church from Mill Creek to Liberty, and thereafter it has been officially known as the Liberty church .
In 1950 the membership was 93. Under the pas- orate of Dewey Cave the old work was much revived. In 1960 Dewey Cave is again in charge of the congre- gation.
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Methodist
Prior to 1852 the Methodists had a circuit rider who met in homes and at "the old brick schoolhouse." There was no organized church, and when a church was organized, it was not within the village of Liberty.
--- Christian Church ---
As previously stated, the Christian church of Liberty was organized October 18, 1852, and held its first meeting in the old brick schoolhouse.
There were 18 charter members. The first church building was erected in 1853 on Lot 4, Block 10 in the south part of Liberty. It was built with the understanding it would be a union church, but it did not turn out as expected.
On October 29, 1905, a site was decided upon and in 1907 a new building was built at the present location. Pledges for $1,212.00 were received which more than paid for the church.
This building was dedicated May 5, 1907, by Brother J. Fred Jones of Bloomington, Illinois. L. L. Mc Clean was pastor at the time .
In January of 1934 Mrs. Nellie Mercer proposed remodeling the church building with her donating the necessary cash and the congregation furnishing the work. On May 1, 1934, work wasstarted to remodel this build-
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THIS IS LIBERTY
ing. It was moved 15 feet east and four feet north of its original location. A new modern concrete basement was placed beneath, with a kitchen on the east, a stage on the west and classrooms between.
The church auditorium was completely redecora- ted and the front entrance remodeled. This building was dedicated by H. H. Peters on Sunday, October 14, 1934. The Rev. Taylor was minister at that time.
CHRISTIAN ONUNOH LIBERTY ILL
Liberty Christian Church on Main and Quincy Streets,
On April 17, 1944, the church purchased the Theodore Meyer property for $2,300 to be used as a parsonage.
On Sunday, November 2, 1952, the 100th anniversary of the church was celebrated at this same
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Liberty, Christian; Church, Back
Coloca 13- 1856 Hee whost names are hereto Subscribed de This day organise our afelvet is to an hedefioudant Congregation to be finewas the Christian Which at Liberty, Adams County Attentes and we have to Govenant with the Land and Back other to Keep the andinaused as delivered in the derifture of the new testament thanks discarding all other Colors and Gou Leffiers of faith and take The new lettreut ab our ou log Rate of faith and Prodice thors by the disciples of Christ at Likely actele 3. 1592
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The first minutes of the Liberty Christian Church on October 13, 1852.
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THIS IS LIBERTY
building with services both morning and afternoon. Many people attended the services throughout the day.
The Rev. Hobart Slogum is the present minister to the Liberty Christian church.
Presbyterian
On December 4, 1852, the following met to organize a church: Michael Collins and wife, Catherine; Amos Morris Collins and wife, Anna; Edmund Grubb and wife, Eliza Emily; Jonah Grubb and wife Ann Elizabeth; Mrs. Chritama Kennedy; Mrs. Laura Pond; Ephriam Grubb and wife, Susana; Samuel Miller and wife, Ellen Matilda. They decided that the church would be known as the First Presbyterian church of Liberty. Michael Collins and Edmund Grubb were elected ruling elders.
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