USA > Illinois > Mason County > Centennial history of Mason County, including a sketch of the early history of Illinois, its physical peculiarities, soils, climate, production, etc. > Part 4
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The gentlemen who have served Mason county in the capacity of Sheriff are named below, ad seriatum: Francis Low, who had, also, been deputy when this formed a part of Tazewell county; Isaac H. Hodge, John H. Havighorst, Robert Elkins, Robert H. Walker, James H. Hole, J. Price West, John H. Havighorst, Joseph Y. Hauthorn, John H. Havighorst, James L. Hastings, Lambert M. Hillyer, David B. Phelps, John H. Cleveland and Lambert M. Hillyer, whose efficiency and competency has placed him in this position the third term, which expires this fall.
The Judges of the county court, since the term of Judge Rock- well, before given, are: Joseph A. Phelps, Mathew Langston, H. Warner and John A. Mallory, who is the present incumbent, and serving his second term.
The Judges of the circuit court since the organization of the county in 1841, are: Samuel Treat, William A. Marshall, Pinckney H. Walker, James Harriot, Charles Turner and Lyman Lacy, the able and popular present Judge of this judicial district.
The County Clerks have been: Joseph A. Phelps, Adolph Krebaum, Isaac N. Onstot, Adolph Krebaum, W. W. Stout, S. Elliott, Isaac N. Mitchell, William M. Ganson, who is the pres- ent very efficient incumbent.
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36
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
A vote for and against the adoption of township organiza- tion was taken November 11, 1861, to take effect April, 1862. Commissioners to divide into townships were: B. H. Gatton, Mathew Langston and Lyman Lacy.
Since then the following have been County Treasurers, viz: J. D. W. Bowman, S. Wheadon, B. A. Rosebrough, Isaac N. Mitchell, Benjamin F. West and Samuel Bivens, the present Treasurer.
The School Commissioners and County Superintendents have been: S. D. Swing, E. B. Harpham, S. C. Conwell, S. Wheadon, O. H. Wright, W. E. Knox. H. H. Moore, and S. M. Badger, the present incumbent.
MASON COUNTY DIRECTORY, IS76.
Circuit Judge. Hon. Lyman Lacey
Circuit Clerk. Leonard Schwenk.
Prosecuting Attorney. . W. H. Rogers.
Sheriff .L. M. Hillyer.
County Judge. .J. A. Mallory.
County Clerk .. W. M. Ganson.
County Treasurer. . S. Bivens.
County Superintendent Schools. . S. M. Badger.
Master in Chancery J. H. Havighorst, Jr.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
Mason City B. A. Rosebrough.
Salt Creek. A. Thompson.
Allen's Grove E. W. Nelson.
Sherman . Alfred Athey.
Pennsylvania. John W. Pugh.
Quiver. .J. W. Kelly.
Manito.
M. Langston.
Forest City S. H. Ingersol.
Lynchburg Wm. Ainsworth.
Kilbourne
A. S. Blakely.
Crane Creek. J. L. Hawks.
Bath. Robert Pearson.
Havana. .J. F. Kelsey.
The population of the county in 1850 was 5,921. In the next ten years it nearly doubled. In 1860 in was 10,929. In 1870 a
37
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
further rapid increase had raised it to 16,250, although much re- tarded during this decade by the war. The same ratio of increase would place the population at this time, July 4, 1876, at not less than 23,000, and it is, perhaps, even higher.
In 1870 there were 118,218 acres of unimproved lands, and 232,- 724 acres improved. There were 5,292 horses and 1,590 mules; 761 sheep, 19,706 hogs, and 7,810 cattle. The productions of the soil are treated of in another place.
The county is traversed by four important lines of railroad, which are treated of in detail in a separate chapter.
The following are the towns in Mason county, and the date of their surveys, and names of proprietors, so far as has been ascer- tained :
Name. Surveyed. Proprietor.
Havana
. IS35.
.O. M. Ross
Bath.
IS36
. John Kenton
Moscow
IS57
Sny Carte
Matanzas
Saidora
IS59 . Joseph Adkins
Sedan IS71
Long Branch. IS71
Gatton & Ruggles
IS70 .J. B. Gum Kilbourn.
Poplar City
IS73 Martin Scott
Biggs IS75.
P. G. Biggs
Easton. 1872 .J. M. Samuels
Teheran
I873. Alexander Blunt
Mason City 1857 . Geo. Straut
Sangore .. IS58. Dillon Morgan, Parker & Kidder Natrona .. 1857 Conklin & Co. Walker's Siding
Topeka .. 1860 Thomas Eckard
Bishops.
Forest City IS62. Dearborn & Kemp
Manito. 1858 Cox and others Union
Conover 1875
Peterville IS6S Peter Thronburgh
Lynchburg IS35.
P. and G. May
38
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
C. W. Andrus, Esq., one of the oldest and most substantial residents ; made his home in Havana, in 1836, since which time, a period of forty years, he has been prominently identified with the interests of this city.
By his courtesy, we are permitted to give to our readers a copy of the poll book below. The reader will bear in mind that this was then included in the limits of Tazewell county.
"Poll book of an election held at the town of Havana, in Ha- vana precinct, in the county of Tazewell, and State of Illinois, on the 7th day of August, 1837. For County Clerk, John H. Morri- son. For Probate Justice of the Peace, Joshua C. Morgan. For County Treasurer, Lewis Prettyman. For Notary Public, Wm. H. Sandusky."
Each of the above received twelve votes. The names of the voters on the poll book are ---
Daniel Adams, Henry Shepard, O. E. Foster, N. J. Rockwell, Anson C. Gregory, A. W. Kemp, B. F. Wiggington, V. B. Homes, C. W. Andrus, Wm. Hyde, J. H. Netter and N- D.
Attests : B. F. WIGGINGTON, A. W. KEMP, N,} Clerks
"At an election held at the house of O. E. Foster, in Havana precinct, in the county of Tazewell, and State of Illinois, on the 7th of August. 1837, the following named persons received the number of votes annexed to their respective names, for the follow- ing offices, to-wit:
John W. Morrison, twelve votes, for County Clerk. Joshua C. Morgan, twelve votes, for Probate Justice of the Peace. Lewis Prettyman, twelve votes, for County Treasurer. Wm. H. San- dusky, twelve votes, for Notary Public.
Certified by N. J. Rockwell, Henry Shepard and David Adams, Judges of Election.
I, N. J. Rockwell, do solemnly swear that I will perform the duty of Judge; and I, B. F. Wiggington, do solemnly swear that I will perform the duty of Clerk of Election, according to law, and to the best of our abilities, and that we will studiously endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit or abuse in conducting the same.
N. J. ROCKWELL,
B. F. WIGGINGTON.
Sworn by me, at Havana, Aug. 7, 1837.
DANIEL ADAMS."
39
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
The original document, of which the above is an exact copy, is now in the possession of Mr. Andrus. Mr. John H. Havighorst was also present at the above election, but had not yet attained his majority, nor was he naturalized. He is still a resident of this city.
POSTOFFICES IN MASON COUNTY.
I Havana, in fall of 1829, O. M. Ross, P. M.
2 Bath, in 1842, B. H. Gatton, P. M.
3 Long Branch, in 1872, N. S. Philips, P. M., (discontinued.)
4 Kilbourn, in 1872.
5 Biggs, in 1873, Wm. Buchanan, P. M.
6 Poplar City, in IS73, S. A. Poland, P. M.
7 Easton, in 1873, E. Terrell, P. M.
S Teheran, in 1874, W. T. Rich, P. M.
9 Mason City, in 1858, A. A. Cargill, P. M.
IO Sangore.
II Altoona.
12 Topeka.
13 Bishop's.
14 Forest City.
15 Manito.
16 Saidora, in 1868, N. C. Bishop, P. M.
17 Sny Carte.
18 Leases Grove, (discontinued in 1867,) and
19 Changed to Crane Creek in IS6S.
20 Quiver, Samuel Patton, P. M., discontinued.
Stage route to Mason City, discontinued, 1867.
Mail route, by railroad, to Urbana, established in 1873.
Mail route, by railroad, to Springfield, established Dec., 1873. Mail route, by railroad, to Petersburg, established June, IS73.
MOUNT'S MILL.
The above named primitive work of art was one of the earliest triumphs of civilization that made its welcome appearance in Ma- son county. So very early was its advent, that but few of its con- temporaries are in existence, and itself, like all else in this fleeting and transitory world, has passed away.
From the best information we have been able to obtain, this mill was built in 1831, by Mr. Mounts, on Crane creek, and it contained
40
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
but one pair of burrs, or millstones, and they but seven inches in diameter.
The upper stone was stationary and the lower one revolved, to grind the corn. It ground corn only, and its most rapid work was one and a half bushels per hour, and the meal was exceedingly coarse. Owing to the scarcity of mills, in this then new country, it was patronized from a large extent of territory.
On the settlement of Mr. Scovil in Havana, they received their ground corn from Beardstown. The Falkner family, sometimes from Fulton county, and from Mackinaw, and from this mill in IS38 and '40.
What time it ceased to exist, we have been unable to ascertain, but having served its day and generation, like all else, it has passed away.
EARLY SETTLEMENT OF SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP.
The early settlement of what is now the township of Salt creek was in and around what was then so generally known as Big Grove. For a long time the improvements were all near the tim- ber. Land situated three or four miles from the timber was at a discount, and for a long time there were congress lands on the prairie, subject to entry, after all the land near the timber had been taken up. The original settlers never imagined that the time would come when they and their children could not have the benefit of all the prairies around Mason City for stock range. The first set- tler was Wm. Hagan, who came in 1830, and located on the bottom, near old Salt creek bridge, where he remained till IS50, when he sold out to Ephriam Wilcox, and removed to Missouri. None of his family have ever lived here since. The farm on which he lived is the one which has latterly been owned and occupied by Charles L. Montgomery.
Austin P. and Robert Melton came to Big Grove in 1832. Austin P. Melton settled on the farm afterwards owned by Geo. Virgin, where he remained a few years, and moved to Tazewell county and remained till 1862, when he moved to Walker's Grove, in this county, where he now resides.
In 1835, Daniel Clark, from Warren county, Ohio, settled in the immediate neighborhood of Mr. Hagan, and remained until his death, in 1854, leaving three sons, Daniel, now of Mason City (see Biography), Alfred, in Crane creek township, and William, in Du- Buque, Iowa.
41
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
In 1836, the Virgin's, George, Kinsey, Abram and Rezin all came and settled in the Grove, and remained till they died, which occurred as follows: Kinsey, in 1853; Rezin, in 1872; George, in 1855; and Abram, in 1873; the latter, the only one who left any children living in this county. He left three sons and three daugh- ters, all here, and the only ones of that name in the county. Kin- sey Virgin left one daughter, the wife of James Hoyt, in Cass county, Iowa. George and Rezin had no children. George, for a number of years previous to his death, kept a store at this place, first in a small log house, and afterwards in a frame house built for the purpose, near which George Young erected a mill, John Pritchett a blacksmith shop, and Louis Bushong a shoe shop. To all of these, and the residences necessary for themselves and fami- lies, they gave the romantic name of "Hiawatha."
For a number of years the place had some notoriety in the east- ern part of the county, furnishing supplies to many of the inhab- itants in the vicinity, but after the railroad was located through Mason City, instead of this place, as originally surveyed, notwith- standing the romance of its name, which, though of Indian origin, was said to have been suggested here by an eminent physician of the neighborhood, the town gradually dwindled away, till now Ed. Auxier's cornfield marks the site. Sic transit gloria mundi.
In 1837, Edward Sikes, John and Eli Auxier, John Y. Swaur and John Young, all from Ohio, came and settled near the grove.
Edward Sikes settled on the farm formerly occupied by Robert Melton, and now owned by F. Auxier, where he since died, leav- ing a numerous family. John Auxier settled in the eastern part of the Grove, where he acquired, by raising and feeding cattle, a large tract of land, where he died, in 1859, leaving a numerous family, who have since moved to Iowa. Eli Auxier had previously dicd, leaving a widow and two children, viz: Rev. E. E. Auxier, who now owns the site of the obsolete town of Hiawatha, and a daugh- ter, the wife of Nelson Dody. John Young settled in the western part of the grove, near the farm of Col. Abner Baxter (who came a year afterwards), and died, leaving a numerous family, among whom were William, who settled on the north side of the Grove, and died in 1865, leaving a family, and where his widow (since married to Joseph Lemley) now resides; and George, who was en- gaged in the practice of law in Mason City, and died there, in 1873. -6
42
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
John Y. Swaur, the only survivor of the party who came in 1837, now lives on the north side of the Grove, where he, with his sons, McDonald, William 'and George, have by their industry and discretion in raising and feeding stock, risen from poverty to afflu- ence, and become the possessors of fine large tracts of land and fine herds of stock.
In evidence of the above fact, it may be here stated, that in this centennial year they gave the assessor the largest personal property list in Salt creek township, where many large lists are made.
Among the early settlers may also be named George H. Short, who settled and improved a farm, adjoining the Hagan's place, where he now resides, but owing to ill health for many years, has remained closely at home; and, also, Jonathan M. Logue, famil- iarly called Uncle "Jot," whose name has long been familiar to the inhabitants of Big Grove; Eli H. Sikes, who came to the Grove with the Virgins, when he was quite a youth, and settled on the north side of the Grove, married a daughter of Wm. Warnock, Sen., and died in 1868, leaving a widow and several children in af- fluent circumstances, the result of his industry, and the inheritance of his good name. Suplina Judd, best known as "Squire Judd," figured with, and for, considerable notoriety for several years on account of his judicial character.
Coming down to the present time, there are but few persons re- maining that lived about Big Grove twenty-five years ago. John Y'. Swaur and family, before named, E. E. and J. W. Virgin, sons of Abram Virgin, Edmund E., son of Eli Auxier, Robert A., son of Austin P. Melton, and Ludwig and Wm. L., sons of Granville Davis, are the only ones remaining of the original settlers and their descendants. While the place will compare favorably with any ยท locality in the west for health, many have died; but make the same review of the changes wrought in twenty-five years, and the num- bers who have died are below an average mortality. Since, the neighborhood has become somewhat isolated, being five miles from a railroad station, Big Grove, though possessing comparatively less notoriety than in former times, yet these early settlers have been succeeded by a class of unpretending citizens, that for indus- try, intelligence and prosperity will compare favorably with any part of the State, and consequently of the world.
Among the present inhabitants of the neighborhood of Big Grove, in addition to those above named, are Cortes Hume, Wm.
43
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
F. Auxier, Wm. P. and John R. Falkner, John Hill, George Lumpee, H. C. Burnham, J. A. Hendrickson, J. H. Varnholt, Wm. Brown, Aaron Werner, Michael Malony, John McCarty, A. A. Blunt, and others.
The social habits of the place have of course changed in the last fourth of the century. While the present inhabitants are eager for the daily papers, lest their interests may be affected by the "spring" or "decline" in the "hog market," the pioneers were content with mails once a week, or less frequently during bad weather or high water. Yet they had their social enjoyments, and it is with no re- gret that we remember listening to their discussions of the respect- ive merits of "gourd seed" and "flint" corn, or the prominent points of a favorite "coon dog."
The old "timber school house," long since removed but still re- membered, "Though lost to sight, to memory dear," as the place where the people of the eastern part of the county went to vote, and the "spirited" manner in which elections were sometimes con- dueted, their opinions being sometimes defined, and arguments en- forced by physical as well as logical means, yet they never dreamed of the crookedness of some of the political combinations of the present day. Where now stretch the broad farms of those we have named, the writer has seen growing prairie flowers,
Side by side, graceful, affianced, destined to meet and unite One by the other, in beauty, all decked in their coloring bright, Reaching and quickening, all their fragrance is scattering around,
The earth is made proud with their beauty, rejoiced of its offspring the ground.
And now, with a separate life, swells proudly each little shoot, While veiled in its sheltering womb lies secret the germ of the fruit,
As they sink to the earth, one by one, the seed of another is sown;
And so the great whole, as the parts, live a life of their own.
LYNCHBURG TOWNSHIP.
Among the first settlers in Lynchburg township was Nelson Abbey, in the year 1837. He built a log cabin near where the village of Sny Carte now stands, which is supposed to have been the first house in Lynchburg township. During the next year William Rodgers settled near, and was soon followed by John
44
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
Rodgers, his brother. There also came, in 1838, Amos Smith, Sr., with his sons, Amos, Jr., and B. F., who settled in the same vicinity. Then came John Camp and Richard J. Phelps. Then William Davis, James D. Reeves and George W. Phelps, all making a set- tlement in a radius of about four miles. Amos Smith, Sr., died in the fall of 1841. Amos Smith, Jr., was elected Magistrate for Linchburg precinct, on the first organization of Mason county, the same year, which office he continued to hold until his death, in I851. He was also a county commissioner on the first organiza- tion. B. F. Smith, before named, engaged in farming and car- pentering, accumulated a fine property, and died. March, 1867. His only surviving descendant, Benjamin B. Smith, resides on the old farm. The Smith family emigrated from Rochester, Wind- sor county, Vermont.
Most of the carly settlers of Linchburg came west poor, and the trials and hardships of improving new farms on these frontiers were very great without the accustomed conveniences of the cast. It was common to walk several miles and back, in the wet grass, be- fore breakfast, to get up the oxen for the plow.
Their milling was done at Sugar creek, in Schuyler county ; on Spoon river, in Fulton; Painter creek, in Cass county; and, in later years, at Quiver, in Mason county.
This locality also suffered severely from chills and fever, which was no respecter of persons.
To describe the early elections of Lynchburg would be to repeat what we said on the preceding pages on the early elections of Salt creek, that their arguments were more forcible than elegant, but always conducted with energy. (See biography of M. A. Smith.)
FOREST CITY.
Forest City is situated on the Peoria, Pekin and Jacksonville Railroad, and laid out at the time of its first construction, and is seventeen miles from Pekin and thirteen from Havana. It was in what was originally Mason Plains precinct, but by an act of the Board of Supervisors, in 1873, it was changed to Forest City town- ship. The original town plat was purchased by Walker, Kemp, Waggenseller and Wright, in Havana, and surveyed in 1859. D. S. Broderic purchased forty acres of W. R. Nikirk, and in 1866 had the same surveyed as Broderic's addition to Forest City. The town is favorably situated, geographically, for a fine commer-
45
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
cial centre of as rich an agricultural region as the county affords, and has a fine trade in all departments usual in country towns.
The growth of Mason City deducted from its trade on the east, and points on the I., B. and W. R. R. did the same on the south, but this was more than compensated for by the very rapid improve- ment of its immediate vicinity. The present population is about two hundred.
The first business house was built by A. Cross & Co .; the second by E. T. Nikirk. There is, in addition to the above, G. W. Pem- berton, family groceries, T. A. Gibson, hardware and grain dealer, J. Miller, dealer in grain, V. H. Maxwell, family groceries, John Gavin, family groceries, Limbach & Maxwell, dry goods and gro- ceries, Patrick Kane, family groceries, Eli T. Nikirk & Son, agents for the P., P. and J. Railroad, and F. M. Ellsworth, black- smith, (and the first in the place,) and others, whose names we did not reach. The physicians of Forest City are Drs. James S. Wal- ker and G. S. Mosteller, both very competent and educated mem- bers of their profession. (See biography of Walker family.)
Among the first settlers of this locality were Mr. Nikirk and John Bowser, both of Sencca county, Ohio, who located here twenty-three or four years ago. Mr. Nikirk purchased the entire landed estate of W. G. Green, now of Menard county, Illinois. The purchase was made in 1852, and in 1855 Mr. Nikirk died, leaving nearly two thousand acres of land to his family. Twenty years afterwards Elizabeth, his widow, died, leaving her children pleasant and comfortable homes, nearly all in sight of the old homestead.
The Nikirk sons are among the most substantial farmers and business men of that vicinity, and it is with great personal gratifi- cation that we here record them all pleasant, genial gentlemen, whose acquaintance we have ever valued, and whose sociability and hospitality we ever appreciate.
Mr. Bowser is residing on the farm first purchased, in affluent circumstances, a most substantial citizen, possessed of many broad acres of rich land within sight of his pleasant home, surrounded by all that makes life desirable, and that contributes to human happi- ness. We have had a personal acquaintance with Mr. Bowser for nearly thirty-five years. On that acquaintance, we must say, we have only known him as a neighbor, a gentleman and friend.
The business directory of Forest City is as follows: J. Jackson, Justice of the Peace; M. Gordon, also Justice of the Peace; W. S.
46
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
Reed and B. Heicks, Constables. We also note among her proin- inent mechanics: J. A. Beard, builder and contractor; J. Jackson, carpenter; T. G. Onstot, dealer in lumber, lime, cement, etc. The substantial character of the business men of Forest City, and it being the centre of a rich agricultural region, enjoying a fine local trade, it bids fair to hold its present prominent position in the busi- ness interests of Mason county.
CROP STATISTICS, ETC., IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
A statement of the property assessed and taxes charged in Mason county for the year IS53:
Articles. No.
Amount.
Horses. 2,316
$99,862 00
Neat cattle.
5,052
53,114 00
Mules and asses
170
7,400 00
Sheep I,SSO
1,879 00
Hogs. 7,965
15,387 00
Carriages and Wagons
959
29,105 00
Clocks and watches
763 4,110 00
Merchandise .
42,015 00
Manufactured articles
1,850 00
Moneys and credits.
109,817 00
Unenumerated property.
39,161 00
Aggregate.
$399,730 00
Deductions
46,011 00
$353,719 00
Lands.
$921,689 20
Town lots. 90,524 00
Total lands and lots.
$1,012,213 20
$1,365,032 20
The following statement of the amounts of corn and wheat raised in this county in 1853, is the aggregate from the Assessor's lists :
Number of bushels corn in IS53. 1,15S,400
Number of bushels wheat in I853. 187,648
Total 1,246,048
47
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
Corn, at 28 cents, amounts to $324,371 60
Wheat, at 90 cents, amounts to
16S,SS3 20
Total
$493,254 So
ROBERT MCREYNOLDS.
Assessor of Mason Co.
"Twenty years previous, the region of country then-in 1853- known as Mason county was one unbroken wilderness. Here and there, near the point of some timber, near the bank of some creek or stream, the log cabin of the pioneer, with a few acres of land beginning to be cultivated, was the only indication of civilization. The government owned the land, and $1 25 per acre was no in- ducement to settlers so long as any quantity of what was considered vastly better soil could be purchased at the same price. Emigrants avoided these plains and sandridges as unworthy their notice. The productive qualities of the soil had not been tested, and very few were willing to run the risk and make the experiment. It was not until land was growing scarce, in what were considered more favored localities, that purchases began to be made here. The set- tler very soon found, however, that his prejudices were unfounded --- that the forbidding appearance of the surface was a false indica- tion-that an exuberance of productive power was here disguised under an exterior show of poverty. The facts becoming known, the settlers flocked in, and have continued to come, until now-IS53 -there is scarcely any unentered lands to be found anywhere in the county. Thousands of acres have been taken up by specula- tors, in the confident expectation of realizing a fortune by selling again. Men who were conversant with this state of things, sixteen, or even ten years ago, are astonished to behold the changes even ten years have wrought; any amount of land that then could have been purchased at government price, is now held at from 10 to 25 dollars per acre, and no anxiety to sell at that price. There has been a steady, uniform and onward progress. Many a farmer who came here a few years ago, with barely sufficient means to enter a small tract, forty or eighty acres, or perhaps a quarter section, is now in comfortable circumstances; some of them rich-became so by agriculture. Mason county may safely challenge the State, and if the State, the world, to raise better crops, with the same amount of cultivation. Indeed, the very fertility of the soil induces a sys- tem of farming, that in a soil of less strength would be less than
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