Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 18

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. L. McDonough & co.
Number of Pages: 490

USA > Illinois > Edwards County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 18
USA > Illinois > Wabash County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 18
USA > Illinois > Lawrence County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 18

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Joshua Jordan was also from Virginia, and at his coming had a family of four children. While a resident of that State, for a time, he was a tenant of George Washington, and was with the General at the memora- ble Braddock's defeat. On coming to Illinois, he located in section 12, near Mr. Compton. He remained here several years, when he removed to Barney's prairie, where he resided until his death.

A pioneer of 1804, was John Stillwell, a native of Kentucky. He had a family of two sons, Samuel and James. Besides his family he had a negro slave by the name of Armstead. From the records of 1822, we find that the slave was liberated in that year. Mr. Stillwell located on the southwest quarter of section 12, where he improved quite a farm for those days. He con- structed a stockade during the Indian troubles, for the protection of his family and stock. It is said that he was a very eccentric man. Although one of the wealth- iest citizens among the early settlers, he took pleasure in wearing the poorest of clothes, and bearing the most shabby of appearances. It is related of him, that at one time he lost his hat, and from that time forth he went bareheaded, until such time as he said his hat should have lasted. Many are the peculiarities related of him, by those who knew him personally or by reputation. He moved to Bellmont precinct in 1820, and perma- nently located in section 21.

Enoch Greathouse was a pioneer of 1804, and set- tled on the land now occupied by the city of Mt. Carmel. He was a native of Germany, and on coming to the States he first stopped in Pennsylvania, sub- sequently moved to Kentucky, and from thence to Illinois. He had a family of a wife and four children, also one grand-child. In 1817, he sold his property at Mt. Carmel, and moved to the now extinct town of Cen- terville, where he died long ago, at the age of 110 years. Several of his descendants are citizens of this and Edwards county. Mrs. Sylvester Greathouse, of Mt. Carmel, is a great-grand-daughter.

John Degan was one of the early French settlers of Coffee precinct, and came a short time after the Lavu- letts. He was originally from Detroit, Michigan, and in his movement westward he first stopped at Vincennes, and from thence to the French settlement in Wabash county. He first located at Rochester, his family then

HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

consisting of his wife and two sons, Henry and William, and a step-son, Frank Burway. Two years later he permanently settled in section 10, where he engaged in stock raising. He died here in 1848, leaving a family, some of whom are yet living at or near the old home.

Joseph Burway and Joseph Pichinant were also early French settlers. In 1815, they were both killed by the Indians in the Coffee bottoms. They had gone in search of their horses, and while tramping through the bot- toms, were surprised by the red-skins and massacred. Only one, Burway, carried a rifle, Pichinant being mar- ried. Three other pioneers were in the bottoms at the time, and heard the report of Burway's rifle, followed by a volley of several guns. They surmised the cause, and soon roused the settlement to action. On going to the point where the firing was heard, the dead and muti- lated bodies of the unfortunate men were found. The Indians were pursued, but were not overtaken. From the evidences on their trail, Burway had fought desper- ately before he was killed, as several dead Indians were found along the trail.

Francis Degan, brother of John before mentioned, came with his family in about 1811, and settled on the bluff, a little below Rochester. He had two sons, Augustus and Francis, Jr. The latter is yet living, and is one of the prominent citizens of Coffee precinct.

John Wood came from Kentucky, in the spring of 1809, and erected a small cabin in section 36, township 1 north, range 13 west, now Friendsville precinct. He then returned to Kentucky, and in the fall moved his family to his new made home. He soon cultivated a little farm, and was one of the first to plant an orchard in the county. A year latter, he and his few neighbors were obliged to erect a fort to protect their families against the marauding bands of Indians. The neigh- borhood was always on the sharp look-out for the red skins, but strange to say, this settlement was never dis- turbed by them. John Wood Jr., is the only survivor of the pioneer family. He resides on the farm where his father first settled. Joseph Wood, a son of the latter, came here in an early day prior to his father, and set- tled in section 30, township 1 north, range 13 west, where he remained until his death, leaving quite a family.

William Barney located in the same settlement about the same time as Mr. Wood. He was from Western New York, on the banks of the Genesee. He ex- changed his live stock for a raft of lumber at the Alle- gheny river, and upon this he and his family floated down to the mouth of the Wabash. Here he sold his raft, and purchased a keel boat and poled his way to Ramsey's rapids. The male members went overland through the timber to select a site for a home. A broad stretch of prairie came to view, and it was here that they pitched their tent, and soon afterwards threw up a cabin. Since which time this part of the county has been known as Barney's prairie. His cabin was erected near where the Friendsville Academy now stands: Judge

Barney became an influential man in the county, and was always among the foremost in lending a hand to improve and develop the county. He was one of the three first County Commissioners, which position be held for several years. A fort was erected near his place in 1811, which took the name of Barney's Fort. It was large and commodious, sufficient to accommodate all the families in the settlement. A well may yet beseen, which was dug within the fort, a relic of ye olden time. In 1812, the fort was felt to be insecure, and all the parties moved over into Indiana and passed the winter in a block-house. In the spring they returned to their homes, and although the Shawnees were plenty and still hostile, yet the settlers of Barney's prairie were unmo- lested. Mr. Barney died many years ago, on his farm in section 23, a little south west of Friendsville.

Shortly after Mr. Barney's advent here, his three sons-in-law moved into the settlement. They were Ran- som Higgins, Philo Ingraham, and Wilbour Aldridge. The former was a large athletic man, and possessed of more than ordinary courage. He built one of the first water-mills in this region of the country. It was sit- uated on Barney's Prairie creek, and was constructed as early as 1813. One of his sons was accidentally killed by one of the rangers while target shooting at Barney's fort. His remains were buried in the Friendsville cem- etery, and it was the first interment made there.

Philo Ingraham located in section twenty, near Mr. Barney, where he lived until 1840, when he moved to Clay county. Mr. Aldridge settled on the north west quarter of section 24.

Nathaniel Claypole emigrated here in 1814, and set- tled in section thirty-two, Friendsville precinct. He was a prominent citizen, and very popular among his acquaintances. He was appointed the first County and Circuit Clerk after the organization of Edwards county, and died while in office, in 1815. Thomas Pulliam came in the same year as the above, and located in section thirty-two, township two north, range 12 west. His name appears upon the records as the assessor of Em- barrss township as early as 1817. He lived here on his farm until his death, which occurred long ago. Near Pulliam's lived John and Moses Decker. Their settle- ment was also made in 1814. The prairie upon which they located bears their name.

One of the most prominent settlers of 1813 or '14 was Seth Gard, who came from Ohio, and permanently located in section twenty-eight, now Lick Prairie pre- cinct. The locality where he settled was kuown as Gard's Point, and the post-office established there in an early day, is still known by that name. Judge Gard was a man of great force of character, and endowed with more than ordinary ability and cool judgment. He possed a quiet vein of humor, a keen sense of the ridic- ulous, and thorough convictions of right and justice. He was a representative man in every sense of the word, and his counsel was sought on every hand by the early settlers. When Edwards county was organized, he was

HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

chosen to represent its people in the Territorial Legisla- ture, which position he occupied until the admission of the State, in 1818. He was appointed one of the judges of the first County Court, and was one of the members of the Constitutional Convention at Kaskaskia, in 1818. In fact, he was in public life until he became too infirm to longer bear the responsibilities incurred thereby. Aaron Waggoner, a nephew of Judge Gard, came with him and located near his premises. He was a stone- mason by trade, and proved a useful acquisition to the little colony. In the same year, Jacob Claypole settled in section four, township one north, range thirteen west.

William Jordan, Nathaniel Osgood, Benjamin Rey- nolds, and Henry I. Mills settled in what is now Lan- caster precinct in 1814. The former was from Kentucky, and had a family of four children. In about 1818, he erected a large distillery on his premises. He remained on his farm until his death. The Osgood family came from Ohio. It consisted of a married son, Nathaniel, and four other children. Reynolds was from Kentucky, and had a family of three sons, John, Richard, and Harrison, and four daughters. In 1820 he built a horse-mill and distillery on his farm. He lived here until his death. Col. Henry I. Mills remained here but a few years, when he moved over into Edwards county, a sketch of whom has already been given. John Ar- nold, son-in-law of William Jordan, came with the latter from Kentucky, and settled near his father-in-law. He was among the early Justices of the Peace, and in 1832, was commissioned captain in the Black Hawk war. He subsequently moved to Wayne county, where he died.

Tarlton Borin was a settler of 1815. He permanently located in Lancaster precinct. In about 1828, he es- tablished a tannery, which was a great convenience to the settlement. One daughter, Mrs. Cunningham, re- sides iu the precinct.

John McIntosh, an influential pioneer, was a native of Virginia, born of Scotch parents. As early as 1785, he emigrated from Kentucky, and from thence to Illinois, in 1814. He then had a family of six children. He first stopped in the Compton fort a few months, when he moved to section 23, Wabash precinct, where he re- mained but a short time, removing to Coffee precinct. Not liking this section of the country, he returned to Wabash precinct, where he made a permanent settle- ment in section 23. He was a representative man, and popular with the people. On the organization of Ed- wards county, he was appointed one of the three mem- bers of the County Court, which position he held for several terms. In 1816, he was selected counsel for that court in the place of Thomas C. Browne. He was a public spirited man, and did much in aiding to organize and regulate the affairs of the county. His death oc- curred at his farm in 1829. Some are residing in the county. Charles Garner, a son in-law of Judge McIntosh, also came from Kentucky, in 1814, and settled in section 23, Wabash precinct. Other settlers of this precinct, in 1815, were Benjamin Hul-

bert, Henry Leek, Samuel Simcoe, John Armstrong, Joseph Gardner, and Peter Keen. The former came from New Jersey, having a large family of children when he made his advent here. He located in section 13. Henry Leek was a son-in-law of Hulbert, and was noted as a great hunter, and a skilled mechanic. He remained but a short time, when he moved to other parts. Armstrong came from Tennessee, and settled in section 15. He had six sons, one of whom, Abner, was appointed the first sheriff of Edwards county. Another 8011, Thomas, represented Wabash county in the Legis- lature one term, and was also Judge of the County Court. Gardner settled in section 9. Peter Keen came to the county on a prospecting tour in 1814, when he returned to his family in Ohio. The spring following he came to the county, aud after shifting about for a few years he permanently settled in section 14, town- ship 1 north, range 13 west. He remained here until his death in 1850. Two of the pioneer children are yet living, Shulamite and Ira. The latter resides at Friendsville, and is eighty two years of age.

William McIntosh settled in the north part of Mt. Carmel precinct, as early as 1814. He owned a large tract of land known as "McIntosh 'Reserve." He erected quite a large mansion, for those days, situated near the Wabash, at the foot of the rapids. He was a single man, but had colored servants to conduct his household affairs. He died many years ago.

A prominent early settler was Henry Utter, who came to the county in about 1814 or '15, and located in Friendsville precinct. He was elected a member of the Legislature in 1818, the year of the State's admission into the Union. In 1824, he was again elected to fill the same position. In 1821, he was one of the members of the county board. Some of his descendants are liv- ing in the county. Gervase Hazleton was one of the first settlers at old Palmyra. The first courts were held at his residence. He was the third County Clerk of what was theu Edwards county, serving from 1821 to 1823.

A settlement was formed at Campbell's Landing, in Coffee precinct, as early as 1810. One of the most prom- nent settlers was James Campbell, of Scotch descent. He came from Kentucky, aud had quite a large family, besides owning thirteen slaves, whom he set at liberty some time after coming to Illinois. It is said that eleven of them were subsequently kidnapped and sold back into slavery. At one time the family was obliged to flee across the river to save being massacred at the hands of the Piankashaws. Others of the settlement were, Henry Painter, Henry Gambrel, a man by the name of Parks, John Cannon, and his son-in-law, John Starks, and John Grayson. The latter located in section 31. He was a man of push and enterprise, and was the first to erect a water-mill in this part of the county. Some of his de- scendants are residing here. A portion of the Cannon family were massacred by the Indians, an account of which will be found in this chapter.

Daniel Keen and David Wright also located in this

HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

settlement in about 1815. The former was a son of Peter Keen, heretofore mentioned. He became an in- fluential citizen in the neighborhood, and was elected a member of the county board, which office he filled for several years. Wright came from Ohio. He was then a widower. He afterwards married Sarah McIntosh, and settled in section 22, range 13 west. Robert E. Wright, a son, now residing at Mt. Carmel. Other early settlers of Coffee precinct may be mentioned, Elijah Compton, Walter Garner, James Lansdown, John Craddock, Charles P. Burns, who was one of the first Justice of the Peace; Daniel Groves, John McCleary, Thomas Baird, Reuben Blackford, Henry Bignon, Jas. Chism, Elias Jordon, the Cowlings, James and John Gray, James Kennerly, John Nesler, and others.

In 1816, quite a little colony left Alleghany county, New York, to make their homes upon the wild frontiers. Among these with their families, were George W. Hig- gins, John Higgins, Willis Higgins, Edward Brines, Henry Utter, Lemuel Haskins, David Moss, John Harrison, Benjamin Smith, and Levi Couch. They secured boats at the Alleghany river and floated down to the Ohio, and thence to Evansville. Here they pro- cured keel-boats and came up the Wabash, landing at Old Palmyra. Of this little band of emigrants, five families settled in Lancaster precinct, John Higgins, Couch, Moss, Harrison and Smith. The others located in Friendsville. Others of an early date who located in Lancaster precinct were, Isaac Harnes, Henry Cusick, James McMullen, George and David Pugh, George and Andrew Knight, James Rollins, Jessie Jones, Geo. Glick, Elias Baily, Rozander Smith, Samuel Fisher and others,

The first settlers of Bellmont precinct were John and Jacob Arnold, Staly D. McKlure, and a man by the name of Moturey. This was in 1816 The latter settled in section 24, town 1 south, range 14 west. John Arnold came with his family from Kentucky. He was a distinguished hunter and had no fixed abiding place. He subsequently moved to Missouri. James, his brother, a single man, afterwards married and settled in section 5, township 2 south. McKlure was also from Kentucky. He located in section 28, township 1, range 13 west, where he remained until his death. Other early settlers of Bellmont precinct were, William Wilson, George Wheeler, William Tanquary, Jonathan Gilkin- son, William Deputy, Robert James, and Samuel Riggs, Andrew T. Dyar, Joseph Ballard, Christ Ernst, Samuel Fettinger, Rodarn Kenner, William Hunter, John Proctor, William Weir, A. W. Cory, Joseph Sloan and John Frair.

Cornelius Vanderhoof was a settler of Wabash pre- cinct as early as 1816. S. E. Goff settled in section 14, of the same precinct at about the same time. Among others who made early settlements in this precinct may be mentioned, John W. Buchanan, William Johnson, Mrs. Margaret Filpot, Hugh Calahan, John Andrew, Joseph Wright, John Buchanon, John Snider, Thomas Cisel, Isaac Smith and James Payne.

One of the prominent early settlers of Mt. Carmel precinct, was the Rev. Thomas S. Hinde, a native of Virginia. He came from Ohio to Illinois, in 1817, and in connection with others, founded the city of Mt. Car- mel. He was a man of strict moral convictions, and did much good in the age which he lived Hedied at Mt Car- mel in 1846. Other early settlers of Mt. Carmel precinct were, Rev. William Beauchaimp, Hiram Bell, Joshua and James Beall, Isaac Ingersoll, Edward Ulm, Scoby Stewart, Aaron Gould, Joseph Jones, James Townshend, James Black, Abraham Russell, William Simonds, William Stone, Beauchamp Harvey, John Tilton, Capt. James Sharp and others. Capt. Sharp is yet living, and is a citizen of Mt. Carmel.

John Dale settled in Friendsville precinct, in 1815, on section 20. He was a farmer and mechanic, and was noted for his cleverness in horse trading. In the same year, Henry McGregor located here not far from Dale. Among others of early times, who came to this precint were, John Smith Jr., William and James Pool, Josiah Higgins, Ephraim Reed, the Knapps, John Shadle, Charles and John McNair, the Osgoods, George Lither- land, William Brown, John White, Benjamin Taylor, Z. Warner, David Daily and some others.

Philip Hull settled in Lick Prairie precinct, in 1815, section 28. Ephraim Armstrong from Tennessee, locat- ed in section 30, near Hall. Samuel Mundy, Lonis Armstrong, William Ulm, James Wiley, Jacob Gupton, Calvin Morgan, Benjamin T. Hill, Adam Baird, Fred- erick Miller and John Moore were also early settlers in the precinct.

Pioneer Mills .- Among the first were the " band Mills." A description of one will not prove uninterest- ing. The plan was cheap. The horse power consisted of a large upright shaft, some ten or twelve feet in hight with some eight or ten long arms let into the main shaft and extending out from it fifteen feet. Auger holes were bored into the arms on the upper side at the end, into which wonoden pins were driven. This was called the " big wheel," and was as has been seen, about twenty feet in diameter. The raw hide belt or tug was made of skins taken off of beef cattle, which were cut into strips three inches in width ; these were twisted into a round cord or tug, which was long enough to encircle the cir- cumference of the big wheel. There it was held in place by the wooden pins, then to cross and pass under a shed to run around a drum, or what is called a "trunnel head," which was attached to the grinding apparatus. The horses or oxen were hitched to the arms by means of raw hide tugs. Then walking in a circle the machin- ery would be set in motion. To grind twelve bushels of corn was considered a good day's work on a band mill.

The most rude and primitive method of manufactur- ing meal was by the use of the Grater. A plate of tin is pierced with many holes, so that one side is very rough. The tin is made oval, and then nailed to a board. An ear of corn was rubbed hard on this grater

HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

whereby the meal was forced through the holes, and fell down into a vessel prepared to receive it. An improve- ment on this was the Hand mill. The stones were smaller than those of the band mill, and were propelled by man or woman power. A hole is made in the upper stone, and a staff of wood is put in it, and the other end of the staff is put through a hole in a plank above, so that the hole is free to act. One or two persons take hold of this staff and turn the upper stone as rapidly as possible. An eye is made in the upper stone, through which the corn is put into the mill, instead of a hopper. A mortar, wherein corn was beaten into meal, is made out of a large round log three or four feet long. One end is eut or burnt out so as to hold a peck of corn, more or less, according to circumstances. This mortar is set one end on the ground, and the other up, to hold the corn. A sweep is prepared over the mortar so that the spring of the pole raises the piston, and the hands at it force it so hard down on the corn that after much beating, meal is manufactured.

The trials, inconveniences, dangers and hardships of the pioneers would fill volumes. As early as 1811, each settlement was obliged to have its fort or block-house to flee to at a moment's warning for protection from the marauding bands of Indians. Several of these forts have already been mentioned. The Greathouse fort was situated on Greathouse creek, in section 30, township 1 south, range 13 west. From 1811 to 1815, this fort was occupied by more or less families. Tradition relates of an episode, that occurred at fort Ramsey in about 1812. In the most troublesome times the women and children were placed in the forts, while the men would work in the fields, gun in hand, ready for any emergency. Others were detailed to scout around and to keep a sharp look- out for the murderous red skins. One Ramsey was too fearless to go into the fort, declaring he could protect himself. The rangers had been out on a scout, and on return thought they would give him a scare, his cabin being not far from the fort, they gave a terrific war whoop, fired their guns, and came thundering toward the fort. Captain Higgins, inside, cried out, "The Indians, the Indians. Every man to his post! At this moment the pondcrous gate swung open, and an army seemed to be entering. The women screamed, believing that they all would soon be scalped. Cries, prayers, and snatching of babies by women in undress continued for some time to the amusement of the Rangers. The joke turned out far more serious for the women than it did for Ramsey. The only means of grinding their meal in the forts, was by crushing it in a mortar. Families would take turns in performing this slow and arduous task, for it must be remembered these were times when a small army had to be fed. Harrison Ingraham, who died in Clay county, Illinois, a few years ago, in an ar- ticle of the Pioneer Times, published in one of the Mt. Carmel papers centennial year, says that he was born in Fort Barney, and that he has heard his mother relate that the day before he was born, she went to the fields

and plucked wheat, rubbed it out with her hands, crushed it in a mortar, and made' a cake to set before her friends on that occasion. This was said to be the first wheat bread manufactured in Wabash county.

A circumstance occurred in 1815, which threw the early settlers into a fever of fear and excitement. It was what has passed into history as

THE CANNON MASSACRE.

The account of the sad affair as related by one of Mr. Cannon's daughters a few years ago, is substantially as follows: Mr. Cannon and his sons came across the Wabash from the Indiana side, and constructed a cabin near Campbell's Landing in Coffee precinct, on the ground where the Painter grave-yard is now located. No signs of Indians were seen while they were engaged in the work, and they supposed they had all left. After com- pleting the cabin, they crossed the river to bring over the family. Late in the afternoon of the same day, they all moved over and settled in their new home. While building their house, they had found a bee-tree, and after becoming fairly settled, the men went into the timber to cut it. While thus engaged a band of Indians suddenly fell upon them. Mr. Cannon was instantly killed, and the others fled for their lives. Samuel, a son, was soon overtaken and dispatched by the murderous foe. They cut off his head and otherwise mutilated the body, leav- ing it where he fell. Mrs. Cannon, a daughter, and a son- in-law by the name of Starks, were captured and carried off by the Indians. They were, however, subsequently ransomed. Mr. Cannon and his son were buried by two neighbors, Samuel McIntosh and Henry Gambrel. They were wrapped in a horse skin and placed in one grave. This was the first interment made in the Painter burial ground.

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Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 18

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. L. McDonough & co. Number of Pages: 490

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. L. McDonough & co.
Number of Pages: 490