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 56
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 56
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 56
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A family by the name of McCall settled two miles north of Lawrenceville about 1817 or'18. McCall was killed by a Delaware Indian in 1820. A band of the Delawares was encamped at the time on Brushy Fork. Several of them went over to McCall's cabin and de- manded whisky. He refused them, and a conflict was brought on, and in the fracas McCall was killed by their leader, Killbuck. The family subsequently moved to some other point.
About 1819, Toussaint and Loire Dubois located on the claim made by their father, Toussaint Dubois, Sen. This tract comprised 1020 acres, and included nearly all of section 1, township 3, range 11. They built a water- mill on the Embarras, which was situated where the pres- ent mill now stands. They were also active in building up the town of Lawrenceville, having at one time an interest in a large distillery, besides conducting quite an extensive mercantile business. Toussaint died in Law- renceville a half century ago. Loire returned to Vin- cennes, where he remained until his death.
Among other pioneers were Cornelius Taylor, Abra- ham Carnes, Scott Riggs, Moses Petty, Henry Gillham, Daniel Robinson, Joshua Alexander, William M. Small, Jonathan Leach and others. The former kept a ferry across the Embarras, just above the bridge at Lawrence- ville, as early as 1816.
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Among those who have been prominent of a later date is Daniel L. Gold, a native of Virginia. He came to Lawrenceville in 1844, and engaged as a clerk in a mercantile house. Four years later he became a partner. In the early part of the rebellion he was appointed by Governor Yates Assistant Adjutant-General of the State. As a citizen of the county, he was always among the foremost in the advocacy of public improvements, and that which would enure for the public good. At this writing he is in Washington city, an appointee of the Government in the pension department.
Other old citizens who are yet living in the precinct may be mentioned as follows: William Richardson was born in Hardy county, Virginia, and came to the county in 1828. He resides in section 29, township 3, range 11. James A. Crews came from Crawford county, Illinois, in 1829. His residence is near Law- renceville, in section 6, township 3, range 11. W. S. Kennessey was born in Baltimore, and came to the county in 1839 ; resides in section 1, township 3, range 12. James N. Musgrave came from Ohio to the county in 1839 He is the proprietor of the Junction Hotel at the O. & M. Junction. William Musgrave is also from Ohio, came in 1840, and is the station agent at the junc- tion. Lafayette Barnes, Circuit Clerk, is a native of the county, born in 1840. Nancy A. Smith, nee Wright, came from Ohio to the county in 1840: George W. Green was born in the county in 1841. He resides in section 6, township 3, range 11. W. H. H. Mieure is also a native of the county, born in 1841, and resides in section 19, township 3, range 11. His father was among the early settlers. John G. Fritchy came from Penn- sylvania in 1841, and is located in section 5, township 3, range 11. Capt. Henry A. Clubb, Deputy County Clerk, was born in the county in 1843. He is a descen- dant of one of the pioneers of the county. An early settler, yet living, is William Tanquary, who resides about two miles west of Lawrenceville. He was one of the first blacksmiths in the town. He subsequently moved to the county, and is among the prosperous farm- ers of the precinct. A little northeast of Lawrence- ville is a settlement known as Robinson's Row. It re- ceives its name from several families settling there by the name of Robinson. This settlement was made from about 1824 to 18.8.
LAND ENTRIES.
Believing that the first land entries will prove of interest to the readers of this history, we here append them as shown by the record : January 24, 1816, John McCleave entered the S. W. } of sec. 20. George W. Kinkaid entered October 1, 1816, the N. E. } of sec. 28. William Huston entered on the same day, the N. W. { of same sec. Samuel Gaston entered July 21, 1815, the N. E. } of sec 32. On the same day, Abra- ham Carnes entered the S E. } of same section. Scott Riggs entered, January 26, 1816, the S. W. } of sec. 33. The above are all in township 4, range 11. The following are in township 3, range 12: William Smith
entered, November 6, 1816, the south } of sec. 1. Wil- liam Spencer entered, October 29, 1816, the S. W. } of sec. 2. John Benefiel entered, Oct. 3, 1816, the N E. { of sec. 3. Peter Lewis entered, May 6, 1816, the N. W. + of the same section. Benjamin McCleave entered, September 30, 1816, the S. W. + of same section. John Richardson entered, October 2, 1816, the N. E. } of sec. 9. Elijah Atherton entered, September 30, 1816, the E. } of the N. W. { of the same section. Daniel Grove entered, October 29, 1816, the N. E. } of sec. 10. Lar- kin Ryle entered, September 9, 1813, the S. } of sec. 11. John Buchanan entered, November 6, 1816, the S } of sec. 12.
The following entries are in township 4, range 12: George Weston entered, May 19, 1817, the E. } of the S. E. } of sec. 24. Thomas Landon entered, December 3, 1816, the S. W. } of sec. 34. John Benefiel entered, September 30, 1816, the N. E } of sec. 33. Joseph P. Badollett entered, March 25, 1817, the S. E. } of sec. 27. Robert Benefiel entered, March 9, 1817, the N. E. { of sec. 28. C. White and D. Cummings entered, November 9, 1817, the N. W. } of the same section. Thomas Fyffe entered, October 14, 1817, the N. W. } of sec. 34.
From best authority, Col. William Spencer was the first white man to locate in this precinct. He had built a double log cabin on the Embarras, at a point where the " old trace" crossed the river. This was about 1806. With the exception of one or two cabins further west, there was no other habitation between Vincennes and the old French town of Cahokia, In 1816, we find Mr. Spencer located in section 2, township 3, range 12, a brief sketch of whom is given in this chapter.
So far as can be ascertained, the first couple married in the township, was William McCleave and Nancy Benefiel, in the spring of 1820. The ceremony was performed at Vincennes, by the Reverend Elihu Stout. Appropos of the foregoing it might not be out of place to relate a rather ludicrous as well as, perhaps, painful affair to the parties most interested, that occurred in 1819. Our informant says that, " I was then a mere boy, but it smacked so much of the ridiculous that I have always remembered it." It seems that a couple from Indiana had determined to marry, and the parents of the girl were very much oppossed to the match. They clandestinely fled to this side of the river with the intention of procuring license for the marital bonds. The young man left his intended bride at the cabin of one of the settlers, when he went post haste to Palmyra (then the county seat of Edwards county) to obtain the necessary papers. In his absence the friends of the girl, who had been following them, appeared upon the scene, made a raid on the cabin, and took the girl by force, carrying her back to her home. Imagine if you can, the young man's feelings, when he returned but & short time afterwards, and found that his dear one had been spirited away. Our informant says, that he sat down upon the ground and blubbered like a school-boy.
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
The first public place of interment is situated in sec- tion 3, township 3, range 12, and the first person buried here was a child of Jonathan Leach, in 1820. It has been abandoned as a place of burial for more than twenty years.
Larkin Ryle taught the first school, in 1818. The school was taught in a log cabin situated in section 34, township 4, range 12. It was built by John Bray for a dwelling, but his wife dying soon after his advent here, he returned to Indiana, leaving the cabin vacant. It is said that Mr. Ryle was not much addicted to the use of the rod, but did all his lashing with his tongue. He was very particular about keeping the sexes apart, and would throw up long rows of brush to separate their play grounds. The first house built for school purposes was in 1822, and was situated in section 3, township 3, range 12 It was constructed of round hickory logs, and roofed with rived clapboards, which were held to their places by weight poles. It contained a fire-place, stick chimney, puncheon floor, puncheon seats and pun- cheon desks. Two logs were scutched down at a con- venient distance from the floor to form a window, and over this crevice was pasted greased paper through which the light could penetrate. Let the young readers of this history compare then with now.
The first to conduct religious services among the pioneers, were Elders B McCorckle and William Kin- kaid, both belonging to the New Light persuasion, now commonly known as Campbellites or Christians, The services were held in the groves or the houses of the settlers.
The first house built for public worship was about 1840. It was constructed by the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and is situated in Lawrenceville. It is now used by the M. E colored church society.
The first magistrates were Henry Gillham, Benjamin McCleave and John McCleave. For the first medical attendance the pioneers were obliged to send over to Vincennes. The first resident physicans were Gabriel Cochran, Dr. Barton and William Anderson. They resided at Lawrenceville.
No post-office was established until about 1821 or 1822, when Lawrenceville was located. Prior to this, mail was obtained at Vincennes. At this time it re- quired twenty-five cents to get a letter from distant friends. Valentine J. Bradley was one of the first post- masters at Lawrenceville.
Mr. Galbreth was the first smith to shoe the horses and mend the linchpins of the early settlers. His shop was situated a little south of where the court-house now stands. This ground was then a wilderness of sugar maple, extending from his shop north to the river. It is needless to say that both shop and smith have passed away long ago.
The early milling was had at Vincennes. In 1817 or '18, John Brigman attempted to construct a water mill on the Embarras, near where the present water mill stands, but his efforts proved abortive. A little later,
Cornelius Taylor also made the attempt, but failed. In 1819 or 1820, Toussaint and Loire Dubois, with the aid of the settlers, succeeded in constructing a dam, and a mill was soon erected. One of the pioneers, now dead, writing to a friend says : " We succeeded in constructing a feeble affair, which was familiarly known as a ' corn- cracker,' but poor as it was, we were proud of it. It would grind nothing but corn, but corn was all we had, and little of that." - Subsequently a saw mill was at- tached, and they did good service for the settlers for several years, when they went to decay. It is said that after the mill was abandoned, the boys would go down, hoist the gate, and grind pebbles in it for a pas- time.
The first blooded stock introduced in the precinct was in 1830, by James Nabb, it being a celebrated breed of horses which were imported from the State of Kentucky.
About 1845, a serious malady prevailed here, known as the " black tongue"-it proved very fatal, and many were swept away by this much-dreaded disease. With this exception, the township has been one of the most healthy and prosperous in the county. The roads and bridges are kept in fair condition, and good farms and farm improvements are to be seen throughout its ter- ritory.
Supervisors .- The following is a list of the names of those who have represented the precinct in the county board since township organization: W. M. Edmondson was elected in 1857, and served one term. Daniel L. Gold was elected in 1858, and served one term. George M. Whittaker was elected in 1859, served two terms. John Seed was elected in 1861, served one term, and was chairman of the board. Daniel Feagans was elected in 1862, and served until 1867. George M. Whittaker was re-elected in 1867, and served until 1870, and was chair- man of the board for the year 1868. Perry Lewis was elected in 1870, and served two terms. George M. Whit- taker was re-elected in 1872, served one term. H. C. McCleave was elected in 1873, served one term. Thomas Kirkwood was elected in 1874, and served until 1879, being chairman of the board for the year 1877. N. D. Rawlings was elected in 1879, and served till 1883, when William N. Tanquary, the present incumbent, was chosen.
LAWRENCEVILLE.
At the special May meeting of the county commis- sioners' court, after the county was organized in 1821, a committee of two was appointed to select a site for a county seat. These committee men were Mosea Thomp- son and William Wilson. The following is their report, made the 16th day of May, 1821 : "The location is selected on the twenty acres on the west side of the Em- barras river, three hundred yards south of the Dubois' mills, on a ridge to the left of the St. Louis trail, laid off in a square and designated as the centre of said tract by a white oak stump with a peeled stake sticking by its side, as the seat of justice."
This ground is situated on the old French claim of
JAIL
COURT HOUSE
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, LAURENCEVILLE, LAURENCE CO., ILL.
F&U. DREIBELBIS MILL
SIRIC DenRee LANDETSA WADACU CA I.
233
.
HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Toussaint Dubois, sen., a tract containing 1020 acres. The site for the capital of the county was selected nearly central within the claim, being a part of the northwest quarter of northwest quarter of section 6, township 3, range 11 west of the second principal meridian. It was surveyed and platted by John Dunlap, the 27th and 28th days of June, 1821, and placed on record April 24, 1823. The deed for the twenty acres was executed Sep- tember 15th, 1821, by Jane Dubois, executrix, widow of Toussaint Dubois, sen., and Toussaint, jr. and H. Dubois, executors, in and for the sum of $300. . It was executed to John Dunlap, James Lanterman and William Mar- tin, county commissioners of Lawrence county. The town was laid off three blocks square, with the block for the county buildings arranged in the center. The streets were 82 feet wide, and named as follows : Those extend - ing north and south were called Main and Market ; those east and west, Jones and Sugar streets. It is the oldest town in the county. Several additions have been made since its formation. Bradley's addition was made in 1826 ; Badollet and Eaton's in 1828 ; Clubb's in 1829 ; Baker's in 1839, and Jones' in 1853.
The first house built within the present village limits was the house or hut of John Brigman, about 1816. It was situated at the bluff, not far from the Hydraulic mills. The first merchandise was sold by the Dubois Brothers in 1821. The storehouse was a small frame building situated north of the court-house square. The lumber for its construction was hauled from Vincennes. The mill before mentioned had then been in operation for nearly two years, and a few houses were scattered about the timber. Large maple trees then covered the present site of the town ; in short, it was but a little hamlet within a sugar camp. About 1827 the Dubois Brothers erected quite an extensive distillery. It was located a little east of Price's steam flouring mill, up against the bluff, and extended across what is now Can- thorn street. It subsequently passed into the hands of Riley Brothers, who enlarged the building and the capa- city of the works. For a time this industry furnished a market for all the corn for many miles around. The product was shipped to New Orleans in flat-boats via the Embarras, Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. This establishment was in running order until about 1843, when it was abandoned and went to decay. The writer was upon the ground only a short time since, but nothing is left to show that all was life and activity here " some forty years ago." A carding and fulling mill were also a part of the business of the town at that time. Quite an extensive slaughtering and packing- house was then under the supervision of Henry Shep- herd, which furnished a good market for the pork raised in this region of the State. Indeed, the town of Law- renceville was a lively, busy point until about 1848, it having a large trade with the South by means of flat- boats. Its backward tendency is, no doubt, owing to the building of the Ohio and Mississippi railroad, leaving the town about a mile to the north of this great thorough:
fare, since which time it has rather goue backward than otherwise.
Incorporation .- The act incorporating the town of Lawrenceville was approved Feb. 12th, 1835. The fol- lowing are the boundaries of the same, as provided by the charter : " One square mile, laid out by lines run- ning due north and south, east and west, and the center of the public square to be the center of said square mile." The corporate powers and duties were vested in seven trustees, who were authorized to appoint their presiding officer and all other officers of the board. The charter also provided that the trustees should have the prerogative to divide the town into two wards or more. All east of Main street to compose one ward, and all west of said street to compose another. If more were made, the trustees were required to make record of the same.
Unfortunately, the records of the first action of the board have been lost, and we are unable to give a synop- sis of its doings or the names of the first officers elect. Since first incorporation by an Act of the Legislature, the limits of the town have been considerably extended.
Village Organization .- A vote was had by the citi- zens of the town, March 12th, 1879, to determine if the people desired to organize under a general provision of the statute relating to villages, etc. Upon canvassing the vote, it was found that there were fifty-one votes for village organization and none against it. An election was held on the 19th of April following to elect officers under the new regime, when the following officers were elected : C. Cole, Clinton Abernathy, Silas Hall, Robert W. Musgrave, T. A. Curry and John H. Roberts were elected as trustees. Daniel L. Gold was elected village clerk, and William Robinson magistrate. The present village officers are: Trustees-C. Cole, T. W. Roberts, J. K. Dickerson, A. L. Irwin, F. W. Weyl and E. B. Price; clerk-Frank C. Meserve ; treasurer-E. Schmal- hausen; magistrate-William Robinson ; street commis- sioner -J. A. Organ ; constable-Lafayette. Currie. Treasurer, street commissioner and constable are ap- poiutive offices.
PRESENT BUSINESS, ETC.
Hydraulic Mills, Cyrenus Cole, proprietor .- This mill is situated on or near the site of the old Dubois mill which went to decay more than half a century ago, it being on the Embarras river just north of the town. The present mill was built by Daniel Payne about 1833. When first constructed it contained two run of burrs, and subsequently was attached a carding mill and a saw mill. These latter attachments were destroyed by fire in 1855. Later, it was owned by the firm of Ryan & Mc- Lean, who conducted the business for a time, when it went down, and for some years remained silent. Mr. Cole took possession of it in the fall of 1880. Its power was what is known as the re-active system, but at this time it has the turban wheel with nine feet head of wa- ter. The building is a frame, three stories high, and 50x60 feet on the ground. It contains two run of stone,
30
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
with a capacity of 65 barrels of flour daily, and when in operation gives employment to two men.
Price Steam Flouring Mills .- This industry was estab- lished by W. C. Price in the fall of 1880, and is situated on the west side of Canthorn street, in the north part of town near the river. The building is a frame 38x40 ft., with stone basement, and three stories high, and cost, including machinery, about $6,000. It contains three run of burrs, with a capacity of grinding daily 65 bbls. of flour and 250 bushels of meal, and gives employment to three men. The annual value of manufactured pro- duct is estimated at $40,000. The machinery is driven by a 40-horse power engine. The mill is now owned by W. C. Price & Sons.
School Building .- This is situated on the west side of Market street, one block south of the court-house square. A granite slab in the front gable bears the inscription, " Lawrenceville Public School, 1874." It is constructed of brick, two stories high, and is 60x41 feet on the ground, and cost about $5000. The building is adorned with a cupola containing a bell, and each window is supplied with Venitian shutters. It is arranged into four rooms, two above and two below, and is seated with the latest improved desks, and contains other furniture to match. Two teachers and an assistant are employed, Prof. P. J. Anderson, principal. The maximum at- tendance is about 160 pupils. The school grounds are enclosed by a good fence, and excellently shaded with forest trees.
Hotels .- Union House, Lawrence Roby, Proprietor; Watts House, Mrs. E. Watts, Proprietor.
Newspapers .- Democratic Herald, F. C. Meserve, Ed- itor ; Rural Republican, S. B. Day, Editor.
Physicians .- W. M. Garrard, C. M. Carter, Silas Hall, E Robinson.
General Merchandise .- T. W. Roberts, Robertson Brothers.
Groceries, Hardware, Queensware, etc .- Ed. Tracy, F. R. Watts, Cole & Barnhouse, John H. Roberts, G. W. Carr.
Druggist and Pharmacist .- Edward Schmalhausen.
Grain and Lumber Merchant .- S. P. Barton.
Lumber, Grain and Agricultural Implements .- Hard- acre & Musgrove.
Furniture Dealer and Undertaker .- B. H. Popes and Son.
Milliner and Dressmaker .- Mrs. J. Aydelotte.
Dressmaker .- Mrs. Jas. K. Dickirson.
Meat Market .- John B. Evans.
Real Estate Agent aud Abstracter .- A. I. Judy.
Insurance Agent .- Charles Teschmacher.
Blacksmiths .- W. C. Gilbert, Fred Pierce.
Wagon and Repair Shop .- Joseph White.
Barber .- Logan Harmon.
Gun and Locksmith .- John Tromley.
Carpenters and Builders .- L. Selby, James Stru- ble, J. B. Hiskey, John Johnson, Daniel Swinehart & Son.
Stone Mason, Cutter and Layer .- Michael O'Rourk. Plasterers - George Clark, John Simms.
Shoe Makers -William Walton, Isaac Hall.
Tailor .- Philip Shafer.
Painter and Glazier .- Osmon & Son.
Postmaster .- John H. Roberts.
There are three church buildings in the town, the Chris- tian, Methodist Episcopal, and the M. E. Colored-church.
SOCIETIES .*
Edward Dobins Lodge, No. 164, A. F. and A. M. was organized under the name of Lawrenceville Lodge, No- vember 3rd, 1864, but subsequently changed its name to the above in honor of its first master, Edward Dobins. The first meeting was held, under dispensation, Decem- ber 11th, 1854. The charter was granted October 3rd, 1855. There were seven charter members, Edward Dob- ins, Jesse K. Dubois, George P. Sherwood, G. C. Cros- sen, Joseph Gibson, Henry I. Walters, and William M. Mills. It now has a membership of forty, is out of debt, owns its own hall and real estate to the value of $1,000. The lodge meets every second and fourth Saturday nights in each month.
Lawrenceville Lodge, No. 2536, K. of H.
This lodge was chartered August 17th, 1881, with twen- ty charter members. The present membership is forty- eight, and the whole number enrolled since organization, is fifty-two. The lodge meets in its hall every Wednes- day night. With the exception of the indebtedness in- curred in constructing their new hall, the lodge is out of debt, and is in good working order.
At this writing, the town contains about five hundred inhabitants. The streets are well kept, and there is a fair sprinkling of shade trees. In the summer of 1830, the town was visited with a severe wind-storm or cyclone, which was known for many years afterward as "Dow'a storm." It received this cognomen from the fact that Lorenzo Dow, the cosmopolite, preached to the people of Lawrenceville on that day. There was a large con- course of people present, some of whom came the distance of forty miles to hear the famous preacher. The platform on which he stood was arranged at the old court-house door. The greater portion of his sermon was delivered while he was sitting in a chair. At times, for dramatic effect, he would get down and grope about upon the platform. He had only fairly finished his ser- mon, when the storm broke forth. Houses and trees were blown down, crops were destroyed, and fences were scattered to the four winds. It is said that a French cart was blown across the Wabash to the Indiana side of the river.
A sad calamity occurred in the town in the summer of 1870, which threw the whole community in mourn- ing, while but a few moments before there were loud hur- rahs of jollification and rejoicing. It was at the time of the prospective building of the railroad which now passes through the town. A railroad meeting was being con-
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