USA > Illinois > Randolph County > A directory, business mirror, and historical sketches of Randolph County > Part 6
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As remarked in a preceding paragraph, the settlement in Horse Prairie was almost broken previous to the year 1800. Besides McMAHON, HENRY LEVENS and JARROT BRICKEY, were about the only ones who re- mained permanently. The sons of HENRY LEVENS- THOMAS, ISAIAH, OTHO and BAZYL-all located around the home of their father, and became prominent men in that little community; but they, and all their descen- dants, are gone now.
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JARROT BRICKEY was another of the sturdy, staunch pioneers, who braved the dangers of Indian massacres and midnight assassinations. He lived an industrious, respected citizen of Horse. Prairie for nearly half a cen- tury, and during that time he was prominent in all those scenes which mark the pioneer times of Randolph County. He was a Ranger us. '919
His son-PRESTON B. BRIC - - located half a mile north ot' Red Bud, and her .. as a respectable farmer. H's sons-JOHN and WILLIAM-are now citizens of Red Bud, and own a large fouring mill.
1800 .- Outside of Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher, the two settlements to whien reference has been made in the preceding paragraphs, included the entire popu- lation of Randolph County, at the commencement of the present century ; but the way was now opened, and new arrivals became more frequent. New settlements were commenced, and additions made to those already established, more rapidly.
'Among the first immigrants to the County, after the «commencement of 1800, was ROBERT REYNOLDS, from Tennessee, and formerly from Ireland. After remain- ing in Kaskaskia a few months, he located in the set- tlement of HUGHs and PILLARS, on the east side of the river. He became a leading man in the new settle- ment, and was often elected to fill important offices in the county. He remained in the county upwards of twenty years, and then went to Madison county, where he died. His oldest son, JOHN REYNOLDS, became a dis- tinguished man in early times-was elected a Judge of ¿ the Supreme Court, a member of the Legislature, a : member of Congress, Governor of the State, and is now more intimately known by the people than any other man in Illinois. He now lives in Belleville, at the age
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of sixty-three years. His brother, THOMAS REYNOLDS, became a distinguished lawyer and judge.
1801 .- In 1801, JOSEPH HEARD arrived in Kaskaskia and settled upon Garrison Hill. A few years after- ward he moved and opened a farm two and a half miles north of Chester, on Grav ' Or ' the same that is niv. owned by J. B. HOLMES, and cultivated by JOHN CLAUPICK. HEARD lived here for me years, and im- proved his firm and raised large crops. HLOH HEARD, the oldest son of JOSEPH, settled apon . farm about two miles north of his father, which is yet known as the "Old Heard Farm." It is now occupied by HENRY BODE. HEARD occupied this farm for many years, and then moved away to Wisconsin.
JAMES HEARD, the second son, located still farther north, and made a farm, where he lived to be an old man. JOSEPH, WILLIAM, and JAMES HEARD, now living in the same neighborhood, are the sons of JAMES.
1801 .- GEORGE FRANKLIN came with JOSEPH HEARD, and made the farm on which LEMUEL BARKER now lives, four miles east of Kaskaskia. Some years afterwards he moved and settled one mile east of the present loca- tion of Pinckneyville, in Perry County, on what is now known as the " Old Baldridge Farm."
1802 .- In 1802, the "Irish Settlement," near the mouth of Plumb Creek, was founded. JAMES PATTER- SON, from Abbeville District, South Carolina, came with his family, and, branching out beyond the limits of the other settlement, made a permanent location at this place, which took its name from the fact that he and subsequent settlers were from South Carolina-or what is sometimes known as "South Carolina Irish."
JAMES PATTERSON was a man of remarkable energy and activity, and'always stood high in the community.
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He often hold the offices of Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner. In the ranging service of 1812, he bore an active part. He had four sons-JOHN, SAM- UEL, REUBEN, and JAMES .HARVEY. JOHN located in the same settlement of his father, where he lived for many years, and afterwards moved to Hill Prairie, where he died in 1837. SAMUEL settled in Horse Prairie ; REUBEN in Hitchcock Prairie, where he now lives. JAMES H. now lives upon the farm first made by his father. The PATTERSON family hars always occupied a prominent position in the county, and are well and widely known.
1802 .- JOHN FULTON, from Tennessee, came in 1802, and located in the same settlement. He was a valuable addition to this community-always active, and fore- most in whatever promised to promote the best inter. ests of the public. His sons-THOMAS, DAVID, and CYRUS-all located in the samo neighborhood, where THOMAS and CYRUS died. DAVID lives in Marion County.
1802 .- WILLIAM ROBERTS, from wwwAington, Ken- tucky, came in 1802, and settled on the east side of the Kaskaskia river, in the neighborhood of Hughs. He opened a farm, and in addition to this employment, he traded down the river, and became well known along the banks of the Mississippi, from Kaskaskia to New Orleans. Having spent twenty years of an eventful and useful life, amidst the pioneer scenes of Illinois, he died in 1822.
1802 .- THOMAS ROBERTS, son of WILLIAM, who had nearly reached his majority at the time of coming to Illinois, located upon a farm near his father. He became a highly respected citizen as he advanced in age, and was often promoted to positions of importance. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for a long
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term of years, and was County Commissioner at vari- ous times. Towards the close of his life he became a devoted Christian, and gave his time and means lib- erally to the church. He died in 1858. His descen- dants arc numcrous. His sons were THOMAS, DARIUS, WILLIAM, JOHN, DANIEL PRESTON, JACOB, WYLEY, VOL. NEY, and PERRY. All have families except DARIUS, who died in early life.
. 1802 .- ROBERT TINDALL came from Chester County, South Carolina, and settled on what is now known as the Fleming Farm, situated some five miles northeast of Chester. Here he commenced the erection of a water-mill, on a small stream which flows past the farm, but before it was completed the floods washed it away. He then erected a horse-mill near his residence, at which the settlers around were supplied with their breadstu.f. The advantage of this mill was felt by all the new comers, and it was a great inducement for them to settle around it. Mr. TINDALL was a valuable pioneer in the settlement, and spent a life in some useful employment to himself and his neighbors.
He had four sons, two of whom are yet living- REUBEN and ROBERT. The former is a citizen of Chester, and known as one of the oldest natives of Illinois. ROBERT lives in the vicinity of Steelsville.
1802 .- JOHN and E'PIIRAIM BILDERBACK came to Illinois in the year 1802, and located permanently .: EPHRAIM made a farm in the region of the settlement on the east side of the Kaskaskia river, about one mile north of EDGAR's-now RILEY's mill. JOHN settled upon a farm which adjoins, or forms a part of the one now occupied by ARMSTED JONES. These two men were intelligent, active, and industrious; and by their solid, substantial ability, they soon became the repro-
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contative men in the little community of which they formed a part.
1802 .- JOHN was in the ranging service, and dis- played the same traits of perseverance and bravery there that characterized him in the retired but equally responsible sphere of life. He died, leaving no descen- dants.
EPHRAIM devoted himself to farming, almost con- stantly, and displayed an industry that is worthy of imitation. He was the father of WILLIAM, STUART, JAMES, CHARLES, FRANKLIN, HENRY, EPHRAIM, THOMAS, and JOHN, each of whom became respectable citizens of the county. WILLIAM located a short distance below the site of Liberty, near the dividing line between Randolph and Jackson counties, where he lived for many years. STUART remained on his father's farm a few years, then moved away to Wisconsin. CHARLES settled near to his brother WILLIAM, and died there in 1849. FRANKLIN lived at the old place. EPIIRAIM went to Perry County, and remained a few years, but re- turned and made a farm on Mary's river, and remained until his death. THOMAS lived at his father's until his death. JOHN settled in Lively Prairie, where he died. JAMES is still living upon a farm about four miles north of Chester. There are many of the descendants of these men now living in the county.
1800 .- BENJAMIN CRANE, with seven sons-BENJA- MIN, SQUIRE, WILLIAM, JAMES, JOEL, LEWIS, and JOHN -came to Illinois about 1802, or probably two years earlier, and settled on Mary's river, about four miles above the mouth. These were men of decided charac- ter, and soon became known in all the other settle- ments. Their traits of character were well adapted to a pioneer country, and their influence in advancing the
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new region in which they had decided to live, was suc- cessfully exerted. They were the leading men in settling the country around the mouth of Mary's river, and the Island opposite, which bears the name of Crane's Island. JOHN lived upon this Island for many years, and died there in 1850. JOEL died the same year. The other brothers, except LEWIS, who now lives in California, died several years previous. JAMES HARVEY and NELSON 'R. CRANE, residents of Chester, are sons of JOIN CRANE.
1802 .- PAUL HARELSTON settled on the west side of the Kaskaskia river, in 1802, near the mouth of Camp's Creek. He became a very prominent man in' those early days, and held the office of Sheriff for a short time. No other information could be obtained about him.
ABIJAH LEAVITT was a soldier in Col. PIKE's division, which came to Fort Gage in 1803. He obtained a dis- charge from the army, and made a farm one mile back of Garrison Hill. He lived upon this farm until a few years ago, when he died. A quiet, industrious citizen, he enjoyed the esteem of his neighbors. The place where he lived is now occupied by his son.
1803 .- ROBERT HUGGINS, from South Carolina, settled in the Irish Settlement, in 1803. He lived there some years, and then moved into the Oppossumden Prairie. JAMES HUGGINS, son of ROBERT, settled in Flat Prairie about the year 1817, and made the farm which is now known as the " Arche McDill place." It was the first farm in that Prairie. The descendants of HUGGINS are now living in Perry County.
1804 .- JOHN LACY came to Illinois from South Caro- lina in 1804, and settled upon the farm which has been known in later years as the " Major Adair place." Ho
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lived here some years, until his death. Major ADAIR married the widow LACY. JOHN LACY, now living upon the same place, is a son of the pioneer.
1804 .- In 1804, a numerous and valuable addition was made to the Irish Settlement at the mouth of Plumb Creek. JOHN MCCLINTON, DAVID and JAMES ANDER- SON, and ADAM HILL, from Abbeville, South Carolina, with their families, numbering in the aggregate thirty- one members-nine of whom are yet living-arrived in this settlement, on the 25th day of December of that year. This company infused into the little settlement a life and activity hitherto unknown.
JOHN MCCLINTON'S wife died a few weeks after they arrived, and he died about one year after her death, leaving three sons-JOHN, SAMUEL, and WILLAM-who were placed under the guardianship of the HILLS and ANDERSON. JOHN and WILLIAM both died many years ago. SAMUEL located finally near Sparta, where he lived for many years, and became widely known as an 'active, respectable citizen. He died four or five years ago, leaving a large family.
1804 .- DAVID ANDERSON, who afterwards obtained the title of Colonel, was a leading and popular man in the community from the time of his arrival. He was a strong, athletic man, very benevolent and kind in his disposition, and a firm friend of the church. His merit became known beyond the limits of his own neighbor- hood, and he was often called upon to fill stations of official trust. As Colonel of the militia he was a favo- rite, and displayed an ability ereditable to himself and the high position he filled. His sons all died while young; His oldest daughter married ROBERT G. SIAN- NON.
1804 .- JAMES ANDERSON lived but a few years after
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coming to Illinois. He was noted for his retired, unas- suming disposition, and kindness of heart. He left five sons-JAMES, JOHN, WILLIAM, THOMAS and DAVID, all of whom became respectable citizens of the county. WILLIAM and DAVID are dead; the other three are still living. THOMAS is a prominent member of the church.
1804 .- ADAM HILL settled on the farm now occupied by Mrs. KELLY, near Evansville. Here he lived in the quiet pursuit of farming until his death. His sons, JOHN, WILLIAM, ADAM, ROBERT and SAMUEL became well known citizens of the county. WILLIAM is now living in Marion county. JOHN, ADAM and ROBERT are dead. SAMUEL is living near the old place of his father, a kind, sociable citizen.
1804 .- The Irish Settlement was increased by another party of emigrants from Abbeville, South Carolina, during the same year, or in the commencement of the ycar following. ABSALOM COX, JAMES and ARCHIBALD THOMPSON, WILLIAM MCBRIDE and ROBERT MCDONALD, were the leaders of this party.
ABSALOM Cox was elected in later years a Captain of a militia company. He was an important member. of the community, and lived a useful life. He estab- lished a ferry across the Kaskaskia river, which is known to this day as "Cox's Ferry." He died on the farm where he settled, leaving four sons :- JOHN, WIL- LIAM, THOMAS and ABSALOM.
JOHN is now an old man living upon his father's farm. WILLIAM lives adjoining the same place. THOMAS and ABSALOM are dead.
1804 .- JAMES THOMPSON located upon a farm in this settlement, and lived the life of an industrious, respect- able citizen. He was a man of patriotic feelings, and his country never called for his services without a 8
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ready response. His sons were ROBERT and ARCHI- BALD ; the latter died in youth.
ROBERT lived on Plumb Creek, where he died in 1830. His sons were JAMES B., JOHN B., ANDREW and ROBERT. The former two are living in the settlement of their father and grandfather; the latter two are dead.
1804-ARCHIBALD THOMPSON was a man of excellent character, and a very efficient member of the com- munity. He lived some years in the settlement where he first located, and then moved, in the year 1812, to a place two miles south of the present town of Evans- ville. Reaching an advanced age, he died in 1833. His sons were ROBERT, WILLIAM, MOSES, ARCHIBALD, JouN and JAMES. ROBERT lived upon the farm, mado by his father until he grew to be an old man, and died only a few weeks since. WILLIAM settled two and a half miles south of Preston, where he still resides. MOSES settled about 1816 on the farm now occupied by JOHN M. THOMPSON.
IIe afterwards moved to St. Clair County, and died there in 1846. ARCHIBALD went to Hitchcock Prairie in 1822, and lived there until his death, in 1856. His descendants are living in the same neighborhood. JOHN THOMPSON became a prominent man in the county. He was once County Commissioner. In 1836 he was elected a member of the Legislature, and died during the session of that body. JAMES THOMPSON, the young- est of the brothers, lived upon his father's farm until he died, in 1835.
1804 .- WILLIAM MCBRIDE was a valuable constituent of the Irish Settlement. He labored much, and lived in a manner which rendered him a favorite in the com- munity. He was somewhat advanced in age when he came, but he endured the privations of pioneer life very
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well. He died in 1818. His sons, THOMAS-who had a family when they came, JOHN and WILLIAM, settled around their father, and were industrious, highly es- teemed citizens. They are all dead now. THOMAS left two sons-WILLIAM and JOHN. The former lives in Washington County ; the latter on the old place. WILLIAM McBRIDE was Captain of a militia company in 1813, and once held the office of County Commis- sioner. Mrs. WILSON, now living in Chester, is the only surviving one of JOHN McBRIDE'S family.
1804 .- ROBERT MCDONOUGH remained in the settle- ment until his death. His family then moved away, and none of his descendants are now in the county.
1804 .- In the same year-1804-SAMUEL COCHRAN located upon the land which is now known as the "Haskin farm." He was far out from the settlement at that time, and lived somewhat secluded, yet he was very sociable, and fond of company. He was an influential and popular man, and held several impor- tant offices. He died in Jackson County, in 1824. His sons were JOIN, WILLIAM, GEORGE, ALEXANDER and ELISHA. JOHN improved a farm near the BILDERBACKS,. and lived upon it until his death. WILLIAM settled, lived and died upon the farm on which JOSEPH HARDIN now resides, one mile northwest of Chester. Mrs. VANZANT, now living in Chester at an advanced age, is the daughter of SAMUEL COCHRAN. GEORGE moved to Jackson County, and there became a very prominent man. The other brothers also went to Jackson County. They were noted for their exploits in hunting.
1804 .- About this time a man by the name of EMs- LEY JONES settled in the region of Liberty. Another man named REED had settled in the same neighborhood. JONES and REED got into a quarrel, which finally re-
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sulted in JONES killing REED, for which crime he was hung, in Kaskaskia. This was the first execution upon the gallows in Randolph County. A short time after- wards, an Indian was hung for murdering a white man, These are the only two instances where capital punish- ment has been resorted to within the limits of the county since it had an existence, and it is carnestly hoped that such a proceeding will never again blacken her fair fame, If, however, the necessity should occur, her courts must yield obedience to the requirements of imperative laws.
1805 .- ALEXANDER BARBER came in 1805 from Ohio. He first settled near the BILDERBACKS, on the east side of the Kaskaskia river. Being a man of strong native intellect, a clear judgment, and robust constitution, ho took a leading position among the other stalwart char- acters of the settlement in which he located. His employment was farming, but, as the settlements in- creased, he was engaged in building mills, Skilled in this branch of business, and possessing great energy, he was a very useful man in the new country, and did much for its advancement. About the year 1825, he located on the farm where he now resides, two miles north of Liberty. Here he erected a mill; and he has been engaged with mills nearly ever since. The name of BARBER suggests the idea of a mill. More than forty years ago he was elected a Justice of the Peace- a position for which Nature seems to have designed him-and he still holds the office, having filled it during all that time without intermission. There is probably no man in Illinois who has held that office so long, and probably no man that ever filled the office whose official acts have given such general satisfaction. A few months more and he will have attained his fourscore
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years, yet he retains his intellectual faculties in their vigor and brightness. He has fifty-four years of the history of this county fresh in his memory. He be- longs to a generation past, but lives yet as a noble specimen of his compeers.
ALEXANDER CLARK was another of those who came in 1805. He located three miles south of the present town of Evansville. How long he remained, or what position he occupied, could not be learned.
1805 .- JOSEPH LIVELY came, in 1805, from Abbeville, South Carolina, and settled the Seymour farm, three miles north of Kaskaskia. He lived upon the farm until 1323, when he moved and settled in the lower end of Oppossumden Prairie. He moved the next year and settled upon the place where Judge JOHN CAMPBELL resides. He was active, industrious, and benevolent. He died in 1833. His sons were AMOS, SHADRACK, ENOCH, RICHARD, JAMES, and REUBEN, who have be- come well known to the people of the county, and from whom a numerous descendancy has sprung. They were farmers, generally, and good neighbors. Some of them are yet living, though old men.
1805 .- JOHN LIVELY a brother of JOSEPH, who came at the same time, settled in the Prairie northeast of the Irish Settlement, from which circumstance the prairie has been called " Lively Prairie." He was the pioneer of that part of the county, and sustained his posi- tion in a manner which excites sentiments of pride in his descendants. He lived in this prairie during his life, which closed in 1826. REUBEN LIVELY, who lives near Athens, in St. Clair County, is the oldest son of JOHN LIVELY. His other sons were JAMES, TURNER, WILLIAM and HUGH P .- the latter was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree. TURNER and WILLIAM are residents of *8
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the prairie where their father lived. JAMES is dead.
1806 .- In the year 1806, GEORGE WILSON and SAMUEL CROZIER, from Abbeville, South Carolina, arrived in the county. GEORGE WILSON settled on Plumb Creek near the forks. From there he went to the mouth of Dozar Creek, and remained until 1812, when he moved into the Fort. He lived in the Fort for some years after the settlers had returned to their homes. In 1827 he moved into Hitchcock Prairie, and lived there until his death in 1857. 'Mr. WILSON was a man in whom were blended all those noble traits of character which dis- tinguished the early pioneers-high-minded, generous, brave. Through his long life he maintained a high position among his neighbors, and though he had reached the age of seventy-five when he died, his death was a loss felt by the community. His sons are JOHN A., GEORGE, WILLIAM L., JAMES and ANDREW. JOHN A. WILSON has filled the office of Sheriff of the county, and is now the Mayor of the city of Sparta. GEORGE lives upon the old place of his father. WILLIAM L. is a citizen of Chester. JAMES lives near the old place in the prairie.
1806 .- SAMUEL CROZIER opened a farm on Nine Mile Creek, two miles south of the location of Evansville. He. was a man of high intellectual abilities, sociable and benevolent. He rose to position and influence without an effort. In 1827 he was chosen a member of the Legislature. He died in 1834. His sons were JOHN, JAMES, ANDREW, ARCHIBALD and SAMUEL B. JOHN CROZIER settled upon the site of Red Bud in Horse Prairie, in 1824. He was the father of SAMUEL CROZIER who was one of the founders, and a highly esteemed citizen of Red Bud, and who died a few weeks ago; also JAMES, who is still living in that town, and
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THOMAS. The brothers of JOHN CROZIER became citi- zens of the county, and lived in it until they died. The CROZIER family has always sustained a very respectable position in the community.
Mr. MANSKER, father of SAMUEL MANSKER, made a settlement on Liberty Island, in 1806, but the farm he made washed away in a few years, and he removed. SAMUEL MANSKER settled upon the farm where he now lives in the same year that his father located upon the Island. He has been a sturdy, persevering and respect- able citizen.
1807 .-- JOHN CAMPBELL, from Abbeville, South Caro- lina, settled near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek, in 1807. He lived upon that place until 1820, when he moved to a place four miles east of Evansville, and died there in 1827. His life was that of an unassuming, retired and respectable citizen. His sons, JOHN, SAMUEL, ARCHI- BALD and JAMES all settled in the neighborhood of their father.
1807 .- During the year 1807, JOHN TAGGART, from South Carolina, came to the county. He remained for some time about Kaskaskia, finally joined the ranging service, and after receiving his discharge he settled upon the farm where he now resides, about nine miles north of Chester. AMOS TAGGART, who lives on the Chester and Sparta road, is a son of JOHN.
1807 .- DANIEL TAGGART, brother of JOHN, came from South Carolina at the same time. He was also in the ranging service, and after the company was disbanded he located upon a farm near his brother. His sons are JOHN, WILLIAM, AMOS and DANIEL, all of whom are liv- ing in the neighborhood of their father.
1807 .- JOHN STEELE, from Tennessee, came to the county in 1807. Possessing a remarkable degree of
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self-reliance and courage, he passed beyond the limite of the settlements already made, and located near where Steclesville now stands. Here he formed the nucleus of a settlement, which increased rapidly. Dur- ing his long life he displayed the same energy in every undertaking as he had done in establishing this settle- ment. He was a man of sterling worth-a noble speci- men of the pioneers. His sons were GEORGE, ARCHI- BALD, JAMES, JOHN, and THOMAS, from whom the numerous family bearing their name, living around Steelesville, have descended. GEORGE STEELE was the founder of Georgetown, since called Steelesville, and the proprietor of Steele's Mills, a point widely known in early times. He was a man of enterprising energy, and a very useful citizen. He was the father of JAMES and THOMAS STEELE.
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