USA > Illinois > Randolph County > A directory, business mirror, and historical sketches of Randolph County > Part 7
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ARCHIBALD STEELE, the second son of the pioneer, opened a farm one-half mile southwest of Steelesville, and lived there until his death, a few months ago. In- heriting the characteristics of his father, he was a lead- ing, influential member of the community in which he lived. He was the father of ANTHONY, JEFFERSON, RILEN, MERRIT, JASPER, and LINDSAY. ANTHONY NOW holds the office of Sheriff.
JAMES STEELE remained a citizen of the county until 1849, when he moved away to Iowa. JOHN and THOMAS are living near Steelesville.
1808 .- In this year, one of the most remarkable pioneers that figured in the county, came and settled about three miles south of Stcelesville. That man was JACOB BOWERMAN. Decision of character was a lead- ing trait, and shone out in all his operations. He was a representative man, and filled the position of a leader with marked ability. His ingenuity was unbounded.
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He was master of almost every trade, and from the fertility of his genins he could manufacture guns, though he never served an apprenticeship to the trade. Asa marksman, with the rifle he had no superior. He lived on the farm where he first settled only a short time, then opened the farm on which ARCHIBALD STEELE lived during life, and afterwards settled upon the farm, on the western side of Steelesville, which is known as the " old Bowerman place." He had four sons-JONATHAN, JESSE, MICHAEL, and WILLIAM- three of whom are yet living-JESSE being dead. JONATHAN resides in Jackson county ; MICHAEL lives three miles south of Steelesville; and WILLIAM lives three miles north of the same place.
1808 .- In this year, another addition was made to the Irish Settlement. ROBERT FOSTER and JOHN AN- DERSON arrived from South Carolina, Abbeville Dis- trict, having made that long journey on horseback. FOSTER first located near the settlement of MILLER and MCCORMACK, where JAMES and GEORGE MCCORMACK now live. He afterwards moved on to Plumb Creek, and erected a steam distillery and a horse-mill. With this appendage to the settlement, inducements were offered to immigrants which brought many to it. Fos- TER'S mill was the center of attraction-the place for all public gatherings, musters, &e. Mr. FOSTER, as. his works indicate, was a man for the times-enterprising, determined, and accommodating. Possessing a practi- cal judgment, his efforts were directed to such projects as promised to advance the public interests. He was sometimes called to fill official stations, which he did with high satisfaction. He was a devoted friend of the church, and a Christian in the fullest sense of the term. He died in 1831. His sons were SAMUEL, JOHN, JAMES
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A., WILLIAM, and DAVID. SAMUIL died in Sparta, some years ago. JOHN died before SAMUEL. JAMES A. FOSTER was one of the founders of Sparta, and he has been a successful merchant of that place for many years. DAVID and WILLIAM FOSTER reside near Sparta.
1808 .- JOHN ANDERSON settled near the farm of his brother, Col. ANDERSON, and there lived until his death. He was a faithful friend of the church, and filled the office of ruling elder from the time the church was or- ganized until his death, in which position he acted well his part. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for a great number of years.
1808 .- A Mr. HENDERSON, from South Carolina, camo in 1808, and settled upon the farm now occupied by JAMES WALSH, on the western side of the Kaskaskia river, at Evansville.
1808 .- JOHN CLENDENIN, from Green county, Ken- tucky, came to Illinois in 1808, and settled upon the farm which for a long time was known by the name of the " Porter place," now an addition to Chester. ITe was a revolutionary soklier, and an excellent represent- ative of that class of brave, patriotic men. It is related . of him, that once while guarding some prisoners, a lady came and asked of him permission to see her brother, who was a prisoner. Too gallant to refuse the lady tho privilege of seeing her brother. and confiding in her , integrity, he divested himself of his uniform and Moaned it to her. She put it on, made the visit to her brother, and returned it to him according to her prom- ise. This incident is a mirror which reflects the noble character of the man. His life among the pioneers was that of a high-minded, honorable, industrious citi- zen-and to which his descendants may revert with
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sentiments of pride. JAMES, HENRY, JOHN, and HARVEY CLENDENIN, who have filled so large a space in the his- tory of Randolph County, were his sons ; all of whom were approaching manhood when they arrived in Illi- nois. JAMES CLENDENIN opened the farm where. HAR- VEY LEMONS now lives, and afterwards moved to the neighborhood of Liberty, where he died, in 1851. He was the father of SIMPSON and JOHN H. CLENDENIN.
HENRY CLENDENIN died in early life, leaving no family.
JOHN CLENDENIN is yet living, having spent fifty-one years of his life amidst the scenes and events of Ran- dolph County. He is the father of JAMES HARVEY, and HENRY SIMPSON CLENDENIN.
HARVEY CLENDENIN became a prominent man in the county, and filled the Office of County Commissioner, in which position he distinguished himself as a man of sound judgment and clear discrimination. He was the father of EPHRAIM R., JOHN C., SAMUEL, HARVEY, and HENRY CLENDENIN, who have become well known citis zens of the county.
1808 .- RICHARD ROBBISON came from South Carolina, in 1808, and first settled in the Bilderback Settlement, but aftewards he moved into the region of the Steele Settlement. Here he lived and raised a large family. His sons are JOHN, JOSEPH, RICHARD, JAMES, SHADRACK, WILLIAM, THOMAS, and JEFFERSON, from whom the numerous family of that name now living in the county have descended.
1808 .- ANDREW MCCORMACK settled in the Bilder- back settlement in the year 1808. His sons, JAMES and GEORGE, live in the same neighborhood where their. father located.
1808 .- JOHN MILLER settled in the same neighbor- hood about the same time.
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1808 .- JAMES WHITE came from South Carolina in 1808, and settled on the hills one-half mile north of the road from Chester to Steelesville, where the road crosses Mary's river.
1808 .- AUGUSTUS DAVIS first settled, in 1808, near Kaskaskia, and afterwards moved to the Steele Settle- ment. Some of his descendants are still living in the county.
1808 .- WILLIAM BARNETT came from Kentucky, and located in the Irish Settlement. He was a man of in- dustrious habits, retired disposition, yet bold and firm when necessity required it. He died in 1818. His sons were JOHN and WILLIAM BARNETT. JOIN lived upon his father's farm, and reared a large family. WILLIAM M., ALEXANDER C., SAMUEL, CORRYDON and JOHN BARNETT were his sons. CORRYDON is the only one now living.
WILLIAM, the second son of the pioneer, was drowned. He was out in the campaign against the Indians in 1813, and when returning home, having reached Plumb creek, only two miles distant from his father's house, he was drowned.
1809 .- JOHN BEATTE was added to the Irish Settle- ment in 1809. IIe was from Abbeville, South Carolina, and became a valuable citizen in the community. Ho was retired and very quiet, yet a man of much force and decision of character. JOHN, ANDREW and CHARLES BEATTE were his sons. JOHN and ANDREW died several years ago, leaving large families. CHARLES is still liv- ing.
1809 .- CHESLEY ALLEN, from Virginia, settled in Horse Prairie, in 1809, and formed the nucleus for a settlement in that region of the county. He was a man possessing all the qualifications of a pioneer leader, and left a memory revered and esteemed by his neighbors.
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His sons were JAMES, JOHN, ALBERT, WILLIAM and MINER, who became highly respected citizens of that prairie. JOHN W. ALLEN, now a citizen of Red Bud, is the son of JAMES ALLEN; and JAMES R. ALLEN, a mer- chant of the same place; is the son of JOHN ALLEN.
1809 .- RALEIGH RALLS, settled in Horse Prairie about the same time of ALLEN. He came from Virginia, and brought with him the characteristies of a Virginia gen- tleman. EDWARD and JOHN RALLS who became promi- nent citizens of that prairie were his sons. JOHN Was known as a pioneer preacher, and he filled the duties of that sacred office until his death, in 1857. JAMES M. RALLS, who is Clerk of the Circuit Court, is a son of Rev. JOHN RALLS.
1809 .- EDWARD FAHERTY located on the southern border of Horse Prairie in 1809, and lived there, a highly respected citizen, until his death. PATRICK and JOHN FAHERTY, now living in the prairie, are his sons.
1809 .- This year came EZRA OWENS and THOMAS J. V., his son, who settled in the Dr. Fisher neighborhood. OWENS became a prominent man. He was chosen Major of the militia, and filled the office with credita- ble ability. His son THOMAS J. V. OWENS filled the office of Sheriff at one time, and was a member of the Legislature.
During the period of ten years, from 1800, through which the arrival of the settlers have been faithfully chronicled, according to the best available data, no event occurred of special moment. From this time, however, commenced the Indian troubles which con- tinued until after the close of the war of 1812. Fortu- nately, however, for the infant settlements of this county, they were free from those midnight buteheries which were visited upon the settlements in other por- 9
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tions of the surrounding country. In Washington County the family of JOHN LIVELY-a relative of those of that name who had settled in this county-fell vic- tims to savage barbarity. One afternoon, when all the family but two were gathered within the cabin, the Indians came, brutally murdered every one in the house, and then set fire to it, and consumed the freshly made corpses with the timbers of the building. As no one present was left to tell the particulars of this horrible tragedy, they have never been known. A son of Mr. LIVELY-WILLIAM-who was then a small boy, was out at the time of the murder, hunting horses. On re- tarning he discovered the flames and smoke rising from his father's cabin, and fearing lest the sad reality was true, he went away to a neighbor's house and gave the information of what he had seen. They went and found only the crisped and charred forms of their friends smouldering in the ashes of the cabin. WILLIAM and JANE, a little girl, who happened to be visiting some of her little friends in the neighborhood, escaped the ter- rible fate of their parents, and brothers and sisters, and are yet living. WILLIAM is one of the oldest citizens in Washington County. JANE married WILLIAM CAU- DLE, of this county and is the mother of a large family, and still living at an extreme old age.
From 1810, until after the close of the war of 1812, there was but little emigration to the county, and but little advancement of any kind. There was but one arrival in 1811-that of MICHAEL HARMON, an emi- grant from Tennessee. He explored the country around Kaskaskia, and decided to settle in the region now known as the "Harmon Settlement." He returned to Tennessee and brought out his family. In the ensuing fall he died, leaving his seven sons to maintain the
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ground he had claimed, for cultivation. They all set- tled around the place where their father died, and gave to the region an importance which attracted attention at the time, and which is well known over the county yet. Five of the sons of the pioneer are yet living- JOSEPH, ABRAHAM, GEORGE, JOHN, and JAMES-and around them live their children and grandchildren. This is probably the most densely populated of any settlement now in the county. Twenty-two years ago, a Methodist society was organized in the settlement, by Rev. LOPEZ, and has been an institution ever since, under the supervision of the Southern Illinois Confer- ence. In 1855, a church edifice was completed and christened " Palestine Church."
With HARMON's family came JOHN YOUNG, who located upon the farm now occupied by Mr. HARGUS, in the region of Ellis' Grove. STEPHEN YOUNG, living in the same neighborhood, is a son of JOHN YOUNG.
1812 .- In 1812, WILLIAM NELSON, (an Irishman by birth,) from Abbeville, South Carolina, settled on Horse Creek. He was a man of enterprising habits, and erected a distillery, which gave to his place an attractive importance. He became a prominent man, and held the office of County Commissioner, and was Justice of the Peace for a long term of years. He died in 1844, upwards of seventy years of age. He had four sons-JOHN G., ISAAC, WILLIAM, ROBERT, and WILSON-all of whom (except the last one,) became citizens of the county. JOHN G. NELSON was often elected Justice of the Peace, and at one time was elected County Commissioner. He died in 1852. ISAAC H. NELSON, Clerk of the County Court, is a son of JOHN G. NELSON. ISAAC is still living upon the old place of his father, having filled the office of Justice of the
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Peace for many years. WILLIAM and ROBERT settled, lived, and died close by the farm where their father settled.
1812 .- HUGH LESLIE came from Abbeville, South Carolina, with NELSON; SAMUEL, and MATTHEW LESLIE, living in Hill Prairie, are his sons.
During the year 1812, the hostility of the Indians rendered it necessary for all the settlements to seek protection in the Forts. A block house, or fort, was erected in some central position in all the principal set- tlements. One was orected in the Irish Settlement, of convenient size to accommodate all the settlers. An- other one was erected in Dr. Fisher's neighborhood; another at Georgetown; another at JACOB BOWERMAN'S. The settlers on the east side of the Kaskaskia river took refuge in Fort Gage. The people abandoned their pri vate houses, and quartered in these forts, living as one family, adopting for the time being something of a com- munity system. The men pursued their ordinary busi- ness, but never left the forts without their guns. They were sometimes attacked while in the field at work, but no instance of a murder has been found.
1814 .- JAMES and SAMUEL THOMSON, from Abbeville, South Carolina, arrived at Kaskaskia in 1814. They were both young men. JAMES taught school in Kas- kaskia three years, then located upon the farm where he now resides. He was skilled in surveying, and was employed for twenty years in the United States Sur- veying Service, and has in late years filled the office of County Surveyor, several terms; and he is now the chief deputy in that office, with its full control and management. He commanded a company of militia in the Black Hawk war. Under Governor REYNOLD'S administration he was appointed Judge of the Probate
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Court, in which position he continued during seventeen successive years. In all these stations he discharged his duties in a manner that won universal satisfaction. His profession is that of a surveyor; and whenever the name of JAMES THOMPSON is mentioned, the idea of surveying is suggested. His foot has probably made its impress upon every section of land in Randolph county. JOHN P. THOMPSON, who died in 1851, while holding the office of Sheriff, was the oldest son of JAMES THOMPSON.
SAMUEL THOMPSON, brother of JAMES, was also a Surveyor, and often held that office in the county. He, too, was employed in the United States Surveying Ser -. vice for many years. He died about the year 1848, leaving a large and respectable family.
1814 .- WILLIAM and JOHN ALLEN, from Georgia to Ohio, from whence they came to Illinois, in 1814, settled adjoining the Irish Settlement. They were upright, honorable men, and highly esteemed by the community. WILLIAM died at North's Ferry, on the Kaskaskia river, about the year 1840. JOHN died five years later. AARON M. ALLEN, a prominent merchant of Sparta, is the son of JOHN ALLEN.
1815 .- ALEXANDER GASTON, from Kentucky, settled upon the John McFarland place in 1815. He was succeeded by his son, ALEXANDER, who lived and died upon the same place.
1816 .- ANDREW BARDERS came to the Irish Settle- ment in 1816. He was then a young man, full of hope and vigor. He lived for a time with ROBERT FOSTER, and attended his distillery. Afterwards he located upon the farm where he now lives. Possessing a strong, robust constitution, a vigorous mind, and clear judgment, he has been the leader of his neighborhood; *9
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and by his industry, economy and, cautiousness in tra- ding, he has become very wealthy.
1816 .- THOMAS MUDD, from Kentucky, came in 1816, with seven sons-JAMES, FRANCIS, EDWARD, JOSEPH, PHELIX, JOHN, and WILLIAM-all of whom settled on the high lands in the prairie back of Prairie du Rocher .. This family has always occupied a very respectable position in this county. Three of the seven brothers are yet living-EDWARD, (who lives in Iowa,) FRANCIS and JOHN live where they settled forty-two years ago. WILLIAM MUDD, who is an Associate Jus- tice of the County Court, is a son of JAMES MUDD. The family has become very numerous.
1816 .- SAMUEL CRAWFORD, from Tennessee, came in 1816. His residence was transient until 1819, when he settled in the lower end of Oppossumden Prairie. He became a popular man, and was often promoted to official stations. He held the office of Justice of the Peace, was Receiver of Public Monies in the Land Office, at Kaskaskia, and served one session in the Leg. islature. His sons were JAMES H., HUGH M., WILLIAM, STACE, and JOHN. JAMES lives in Galena. HUGH in Camptown, and WILLIAM in Florence ; STACE and JOHN both died in California. HUGH and WILLIAM have held the office of Justice of the Peace.
1816 .- WILLIAM FOWLER came from South Carolina, and made the farm on which ABRAM HARMON, Sr., now livos. He was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and a zealous patriot. When he died, in 1846, his death was deoply regretted by those who had an opportunity of Appreciating his worth. He had three sons, only two & whom came to this county-JAMrs and WASHING- ny. Jawes live 1 ? ar his father some years, and then midt to l'ex: muty. His two sons, WILLIAM and
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JOIN, became citizens of this county, and died here- the former in 1856, the latter in 1859. WASHINGTON lived and died in the neighborhood where his father settled. His children live around the old place.
1816 .- JOHN LAYNE came from Tennessee, and settled near Georgetown, where he died. ELISHA LAYNE, DOW living in Chester, is the only son of JOHN LAYNE NOW in the county.
1816 .- JAMES SLATER settled near the residenee of HUGHIS in this year, and lived there until his death. JOSEPHI SLATER, living in the same neighborhood, is the only son now remaining in the county.
1816 .- In this year, CORNELIUS ADKINS made a set- tlement in the lower end of Short's Prairie. He re- mained there many years.
1816 .- BENJAMIN BROWN settled in the Bradley neigh- borhood. How long he remained here, or whether his descendants are in the county, could not be ascertained.
1816 .- In the same year, EMANUEL CANADY came from Tennessee, and settled near the STEELES. He afterwards moved to the Bradley settlement, where he still resides. Though he has passed through the priva- tions of pioneer life, and reached an old age, he is still strong and active.
1817 .- In 1817, the BRADLEY family settled in the region of Shiloh, and opened the way for the settle- ment of that part of the county. Each member of this family was a tower of strength within himself. In all those enterprises, whether civil or military, which interested the public, the name of BRADLEY was conspienous. JAMES, FRANKLIN; WILLIAM and RICHARD BRADLEY are now the representatives of the family, and are old men. Their descendants are numo o Is.
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and opened a farm near the Irish Settlement, where he lived until his death. Such was his character that his descendants, who have risen to high positions, may regard him with feelings of pleasure. His sons are JOHN, WILLIAM, ROBERT, and ALEXANDER. JOHN came to the county some years after his father, and lives five miles northwest of Chester. He once held the office of Judge of County Commissioner's Court, from which fact the appellation of "Judge" has been given him, and by that title he is well known. He is the father of a large .and respectable family. WILLIAM MANN still lives near the place where his father settled, and has his children around him, who are active members in . the community. ROBERT MANN has filled several im- portant offices-was an officer in a company of militia that went out in the Black Hawk campaign, once represented the county in the Legislature, and filled the office of School Commissioner. ALEXANDER MANN lives upon the old place made by his father.
1817 .- Colonel GABRIEL JONES, from Adair County, Kentucky, came in the year 1817, and settled on the farm one mile west of Steelesville, which is widely known as the " old Col. Jones place." His talents, energy, activity, and high sense of honor, placed him forward as a leader, and he became a prominent actor in all the public matters of those times. In the Black Hawk war he was promoted to the position of Colonel, and he distinguished himself as an able officer and gal- lant soldier. He has represented the county in the General Assembly, and filled other offices of responsible trust. He is now the Mayor of the city of Chester, and holds the office of Justice of the Peace. Though he has reached the sere of life, he is yet active and vig- orous.
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1817 .- IGNATIUS SPRIGG, an emigrant from Maryland, settled in the American Bottom, between Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher, on the Rector farm, in 1817. He was another of the sound, practical, honorable minded pioneers, and the people often testified their appreciation of his worth by electing him to positions of responsible trust-first to the office of County Treasurer, and next to that of Sheriff, which he held during a period of ten years. He is now a citizen of Arkansas, engaged in the United States Surveying Ser- vice.
1817 .- JAMES and HENRY O'HARA came to the county in this year, and settled in the region where JAMES now lives. Both of these men have occupied positions of official trust, and stand high in the estima- tion of the people. They are both still living, having attained an old age. The settlement where they live has taken their name, and assumed a position of note and importance. St. Patrick's Church was organized in this settlement some years ago, and in 1853, a church building was erected under the supervision of Father HANE. Father GIFFORD, a very old man, is now the officiating priest.
1817 .- CURTIS COON came to Kaskaskia about the year 1817. He was a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and had spent several years in the West Indies engaged in heavy commercial transactions. After remaining a year in Kaskaskia he purchased and settled upon the Haskin farm two miles southwest of Chester. His talents were of a high order, and he possessed an energy and business qualifications which peculiarly fitted him for public office. He filled the office of Judge of the Probate Court for a term of years, and his offi- cial acts in that Court were usually regarded with high
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satisfaction. In every station where he presided he was a model.
1817 .- DANIEL ALEXANDER, from' Maine, came to the county in 1817. For a time he worked at the mouth of Okaw; then purchased a farm in the Hughs settle- ment, which he afterwards sold to CHARLES STRATTON. Some years ago he went to Texas, and was murdered there.
1817 .- JAMES MCFARLAND came from South Caro- lina and settled on the west fork of Mary's river, near the Kaskaskia road, and lived there until his death. ANDREW MCFARLAND, who lives in the same neighbor- hood, is the only surviving son of JAMES MCFARLAND.
1817 .- SAMUEL NISBET from South Carolina, made a settlement one mile east of Eden, in 1817. He was an industrious, honorable man, and a firm friend of the church. But few men ever possessed the faculties of en- during the privations of a pioneer country more than he. He is still living.
1817 .- WILLIAM MORRIS, from Ohio, settled in the Oppossumden Prairie in 1817. His son lives upon the same place.
1817 .- In this year, or shortly afterwards, GWIN, BARROWS, HOUSEMAN and some others, settled in the Bradly Settlement. They were valuable additions to that community, and men of high character. Their deseendants are numerous and respectable.
1817 .- HENRY WILL settled upon the point of the bluff above Kaskaskia in 1817. His character was that of an industrious farmer and good neighbor. His son, DANIEL WILL, now lives upon the same place. Around this point an important settlement was formed, and a church organization was made several years ago.
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1818 .- JOSEPH and THOMAS ORR, from Virginia, set- tled in the O'Hara neighborhood in 1818. JOSEPH was chosen Major of a militia regiment, which post he filled with creditable ability. He was an early citizen of Sparta, and died in that place in 1850. THOMAS moved to Pike County in 1829.
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