Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 78

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 78
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 78
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 78

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

removed to a place north and close to Friendsville in this county, and there died in 1840. He married Jemi- ma Gard, sister of Seth Gard, who was also one of the pioneers of Illinois and a prominent man in his day. He was a member of the territorial Legislature in 1817, and a member of the Legislative body after the State was admitted to the Union. Mrs. Keen survived her husband, and died some years later. There were three sons and two daughters, the offspring of that union. Of those was Daviel Keen, the father of the present family. He was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1794, and was a young man when the family emigrated to Illinois. He married in 1815, and immediately there- after moved to the southern part of the county, in what is now known as Coffee precinct, and settled on section nine, town two, range thirteen. It was wild land, unim- proved. There he opened up a farm, improved it, and

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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

remained until 1852, when he removed to the northern part of the county, but returned to the old place, and there died August 13, 1875. In 1815 he married Mary Compton, daughter of Levi and Rosanna Compton. They were natives of Virginia, but came to Illinois in 1802, and are credited with being the first settlers in this part of the State. Their son Joseph was the first male child born in what is now known as Wabash county. "Levi Compton in his day was also one of the prominent men in Illinois. He was a member of the first constitutional convention held in Kaskaskia in 1818, the same year the State was admitted to the Union. His wife was a Phinesy, and was born in Kentucky. Mrs. Daniel Keen died in 1831. By the union of Daniel and Mary Keen there were five sons and two daughters. Two of these yet survive. Marshall Keen, who is a resident of Hamilton county, Ohio, and the subject of this sketch. After the death of his first wife, Daniel Keen married Julydia, -daughter of Thomas McClain, by which marriage there are two children living.

Ezra Baker Keen was born on the old homestead, the place where he now lives, December 1st, 1821. He is the third son of the union of Daniel and Mary (Compton) Keen. He was raised on the farm and re- ceived a limited education in the subscription schools of the pioneer days of Illinois. In those schools, held in the log school-houses, he learned to read, write and cipher, and for a short time enjoyed the special privi- lege of obtaining some knowledge of grammar under the tuition of a " Yankee " by the name of Reuben Fox, who was well educated and added English grammar to the studies. At least his opportunities were meagre, and his education is more the result of reading and close observation of men and things acquired in after life, than of knowledge obtained in schools. During his early manhood Mr. Keen employed his time in various ways, teaching school, working on the farm, and boating on the river. He made many trips on the Mississippi · to New Orleans, which in those days was the market for all kinds of surplus produce of this section of the country, In 1856 he commenced farming, married and purchased the old homestead, and there he has lived as a farmer until the present. On the 6th of March, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda, daughter of Ephraim and Cynthia (Kimball) Knowles. She was born in Gibson county, Indiana, January 6th, 1830. Her family were originally from Delaware, but her father was a native of Georgia, and emigrated to Indi- ana in 1811. Jesse Kimball, her maternal grandfather, was a soldier of the revolutionary war. He died in 1858, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. He was born in Connecticut, was of English ancestry, and moved to Kentucky about the close of the last century, and soon after moved to Indiana, settled in Gibson county, and there died. By the union of E. B. and Lucinda Keen, there have been six children, five of whom are living. Ferdinand died in his fourteenth year.

The names of those living in the order of their birth are Peter, now a student at school at Mitchell, Ind., Mary C., Daniel E, Ezra B. and Marshall G.

Politically, Mr. Keen was originally a member of the Old Whig party. He cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay in 1844. He remained a member of that party until its disbandment, and in 1860 voted for Abraham Lincoln, and in all subsequent elections has uniformly voted the Republican ticket. In 1880 he was elected by his party to represent this district in the 32d General Assembly of the State. He served on the committees of Insurance, Labor and Manufactures. While a member of that body his course was marked throughout by an earnest desire to legislate in the inter- est of the whole people, and in the direction of economy and reform. As a legislator he received the commenda- tion of his constituents, who publicly said, " Well done good and faithful servant."

The family are members of the Christian Church. His father was one of the charter members of that religious organization, and helped to form the church in 1819 in Wabash county.

This in brief is an outline history of Mr. E. B. Keen. As intimated before he comes from pioneer stock. The family were among the pioneers of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. He retains many of the charac- teristics of the old pioneers, chief of which is simplicity of manners and unpretentious style, plain and bonest. That is the character he bears among these people where he has lived through youth, manhood and mature age.

PAUL G. MANLEY, M. D.

THE Manley family on the maternal side are from New Jersey, and on the paternal side, from Vermont. Ben- jamin F., the paternal grandfather, emigrated from the latter state, and settled near Zanesville, in Muskingum co., Ohio, and from there came to Illinois and stopped in Bonpas precinct, Wabash county, Illinois. His wife dying, in 1854, he removed north to Logan county, and there died some few years later. He married Julia Ford in Muskingum county, Ohio, by which union there were three sons, one of whom was named Francis Perry Man- ley, the father of the present Manley family, in Wabash county. He was born in the county above named, in Ohio, and came here with his father. For some time he farmed, and, in 1854, commenced the study of medi- cine in the office of Dr. Paul Sears, of Mt. Carmel. He commenced the practice and continued in it until his death, Dec. 15, 1862. He married Miss Maria Wiley, daughter of James Wiley. She was born near Gard's Point, in Wabash county, Illinois, and died in April 1862, leaving four children, whose names are Laura, wife of William Hamilton, Frank C., Alfred P., and Paul G. Manley. The latter, the subject of this sketch, was born on Bald Hill Prairie, Wabash county, Janua- ry 14, 1855. His opportunities for obtaining an educa-

OLD HOMESTEAD AS IT APPEARED IN 1875.

RESIDENCE, STOCK & GRAIN FARM OF HENRY PARMENTER, SEC.5,T2, R. 13 (COFFEE TP.) WABASH CO.ILL.

E.MILLER'S

PLANING MILL.

SASH,DOORS & BLINDS STAIR BUILDING

ENQU LDINGS, BRA CKETS, FRAMES, CATFINS CASES, & ROBES & c.

RESIDENCE & PLANING MILL PROPERTY OF EDWARD MILLER ,MT CARMEL,ILL.

HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

337

tion in schools were limited, but, even slight as they were, he made the most of them. He studied hard and eager- ly, and read all books that fell in his way. While yet in childhood, his parents died and left the family with- out means. He was compelled to become self-support- ing at an early age. At the age of seventeen years he had made sufficient progress in obtaining an education, that he was found worthy and competent to take charge of a school. After he had taught five terms, he deter- mined to adopt the profession of medicine as the busi- ness of his life, and with that idea in view, read the stan- dard medical works, and also pursued his studies a por- tion of the time in the office of Dr. Lemen, of Olney, Illinois, now president of the Board of Health of Colo- rado, and Dean of Denver Medical College. Subse- quently Mr. Manley studied medicine with Dr. Paul

Sears, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. In the winter of 1876- '77, he entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, and graduated from the institution in March, 1879, with the degree of M. D. His graduation was very creditable as he received the highest percentage upon examination in a large graduating class. During the last year of his stay in the College, he was physician to the Free Dispensary of Miami. In the spring of 1879, he com- menced the practice in Keensburg, Wabash co., where he still continues, and where he has met with great suc- cess. On the 6th of April, 1876, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary E., daughter of Capt. Richard, and Mary J. (Earls) McClure. Mrs. Manley was born in Lawrence county, Illinois. They have had three chil- dren, two of whom are living. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.

FRENCH CREEK.

EDWARDS COUNTY.

HIS precinct deserves honorable mention from the fact of being among the first portions of territory settled in the county. Indeed, the first land entry in Edwards, was made in this precinct, October 26th, 1814. It lies in the extreme southeast, and is bounded on the north by Albion pre- cinct, on the east by Bonpas creek, on the south by White county, and west by Dixon precinct. It receives its name from the creek passing through it from north to south-French creek, and its territory embraces à portion of four townships, as follows : T. 2 S., R. 14 W. 2d P. M., T. 3 S., R. 14 W. 2d P. M., T. 4 S., R. 11 E. and T. 2 S., R. 10 E.

The precinct is principally timbered land, having a prairie belt extending from north to south through the centre of its territory, with a small arm ranging north- west from the main body. It is known as French Creek prairie and extends from the head of French creek to the southern boundary of the county. The soil of the timber land is a chocolate-colored clay subsoil, and is specially adapted to the culture of wheat, which is the staple product. The prairies are composed of two dis- tinct soils, a dark rich loam, and what is kuown in this section of country as white craw-fish land. The former is very productive for maize and the grasses, while the latter is thin, cold, and unproductive. The natural drainage is fair, having the Bonpas creek on the east, and French creek, with its small tributaries, in the centre. The Peoria, Decatur and Evansville Railroad passes centrally through the precinct from north to south

affording good transportation facilities. The Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific road also extends across the south- east corner of the precinct, including about four sections of its territory.

FIRST SETTLEMENTS.

Probably the first white man to locate and form & home in this precinct, was an emigrant from the south, in 1817. His name was Clem Martin, and he located in section 33, township 2 south, range 14 west, on the farm now owned by Mrs. White. He was a man with a family, none of whom are now living in the precinct. He died many years ago ; several of his grandsons are residing in White county. Edward Coad came from England in 1812, and with several other emigrants pushed into the interior of the state, and located in Clinton county, now Carlyle. Mr. Charles Slade, after- wards member of Congress, was the leader of the party. Mr. Coad, not liking the location came to Edwards county, and for a time rented land of George Flower, south of Albion. Iu 1821 he purchased a farm in the north part of this precinct, where he removed until his death, some years ago. " Old Neddy Coad," as he was familiarly known, was one of the staunch yeomen of his times, and his decease was mourned by many warm friends. Mrs. C. had died several years before him. Four of the children are yet living , Thomas, Mrs. A. Cowles, widow of Dr. Cowles, Mrs. Jane White, widow of Benjamin White, and James. The latter resides at the old homestead. Thomas and Mrs. White are residents of this precinct, and Mrs. Cowles of Dixon precinct.

338

HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

Another early settler was George Woodham, also a native of England. He came to this county in 1818, then a poor man, and first located at Wanborough, near the present town of Albion. In 1830 he moved to this precinct, and located in the west part, where he improved an excellent farm, and amassed a good compe- tency for his old age. His wife's maiden name was Huston. He died several years ago. His widow yet survives him, and is living with one of her sons, Comp- ton, at the old home. John Cowling came from Eng- land, a single man, the same year as the above. He subsequently married Mary Coad, and located in the north of the precinct, where he resided until his death, which occurred about twenty years ago. A large family of children were born to then, several of whom are living. Charles resides in section 8, township 3, range 14 west, and Addison lives on the old place. Another settler in the county at the same date was James Green, Sr., also from England. At his coming he settled in Albion precinct, where he remained until his death, which occurred several years ago. He married here and reared a family. A son, James, Jr., resides in this pre- cinct, section 19, township 2, range 11 east. One of the oldest citizen of the county is Thomas Shepherd, Jr., who came with his father, Thomas, Sr., in 1818. He was then but a few years old. The family located in the English settlement, near Albion. Thomas Jr., sub- sequently married Mrs. Millie Brown. In about 1870 they moved to Grayville (this precinct), where they yet reside.

Among others who came in 1818 were David Thomp- son, Caleb Dickinson and John Massey. The former was a native of Scotland, and on his arrival he located in section 21, township 2, range 14 west. He died here about thirty years ago. None of his descendants are in the county. Caleb Dickinson entered land in section 17, township 3 south, range 14 west, where he settled with his family. He died in 1820, and none of the de- scendants are left to give his history. It is only known to the early settlers that he came from the south. Massey came from England and located in section 9, township 3 south, range 14 west. His wife died here at an early day, and soon afterward he sold out and moved to Ga- lena.

The following were settlers in 1819: Isaac Butler came from England in the fall of the above year and settled in section 7, township 3 south, range 14 west. His family then consisted of his wife, Elizabeth, nee Owen, and two sons, Joseph and Caleb. His first house was a small log cabin with puncheon floor, and other belongings peculiar to the pioneer times. He entered a quarter section of land, but subsequently relinquished one half of it in accordance with a certain act of Con- gress. It was here that he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1842. His widow survived him but eight years. Joseph died the same year as his father. Caleb resides in section 17, township 3 south, range 14 west, and is the oldest surviving settler of this

precinct. He is a representative citizen, having served as justice of the peace for twenty-years, and overseer of the poor of his precinct for the same length of time. William Wood was also from England, and at his com- ing was a widower (Mrs. Wood died on the way) with two sons, John and Joseph. He located in Albion, and subsequently was twice married. All the family are now dead. Thomas Wood, who resides in the north of the precinct, is a son of Joseph, and grandson of William. John Mather came from England about the same time as the above, and located in section 31, township 2, range 14 west. He moved to New Harmony, Indiana, where he died. None of his descendants are in the pre- cinct. John Hatfield located in the precinct in 1820. He was a native of England, but afterward moved to New Harmony, Ind. James Hean came from England and located in section 19, township 2 south, range 14 west. He was then a single man. He afterwards mar- ried and reared a family of two sons and two daughters. None of the family are now living in the county. An- drew Hunter was born in South Carolina, and at an early day moved to Kentucky, where he remained until his advent in this state, in the spring of 1827. The most of the distance was made by means of a flat-boat, and it required nearly two months to make the trip. His family consisted of his wife, Sarah, nee Carr, and six children, David P., James, Solomon, Lavina, Jef- ferson and Sarah. He located in section 20, township 2 south, range 14 west, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1857. Mrs. H. died in 1847, ten years before her husband. Only one of the pioneer children is a citizen of the state, David P., who is a prominent farmer residing in section 29, township 2 south, range 14 west. Mrs. Eliza Cora, a younger member of the family, lives in Coffee precinct, Wabash county. All the others now living are in the state of Missouri. Edward D. Jacobs and Adam Wick are also old settlers of the precinct.

First Land Entries .- The following entries are all made .- Township No. 2 S., R. 14 W. of the 2d P. M .: Oct. 26, 1814, John Grayson entered the N. E. } of sec- tion 34. April 25, 1818, Joseph Wright entered the S. E. } of the same section. June 10, 1818, Thomas Tav- ner entered the W. } of section 21. September 17, 1818, Robert Leslie entered the N. W. } of section 34. Sept. 28, 1818, John Martin entered the E. } of the N. E. } of section 33. Sept. 30th, 1818, Clem. Martin entered the S. W. + of section 34. Dec. 8th, 1818, James Hean en- tered the N. E. } of section 19. February 9, 1819, John Mather entered the N. E. } of section 31. April 7th, 1819, David Thompson entered the E. } of the N. E. } of section 21. April 8, 1819, John Cowling entered the W. } of the N. W. } of section 20.

The following entries were made in township 3 S., R. 14 W. of 2d P. M .: May 18, 1815, Clem. Martin en- tered the S. W. } of section 9. Feb. 18th, 1817, Caleb Dickinson entered the E. } of the S. E. } of section 17. May 11, 1818, Moses Thompson entered the N. W. } of

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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

section 8. Aug. 1, 1818, Isaac Butler entered the W. } of the N. E. } of section 7. Same date, Morris Bick- berk entered the S. W. } of section 8. April 28, 1819, John Massey entered the N. W. } of section 9. The following entries were made in township 3 S, R. 11 E. : July 28th, 1831, Peter Kershaw entered the N. E. } of section 7. Sept. 14th, 1832, Asa Turner entered the N. E. { of section 18. The following entries are in town- ship 2 S., R. 10 E .: Oct. 31, 1817, James Parker en- tered the N. W. } of section 25. July 26th, 1817, Hugh Stewart entered the E. } of the S. W. } of sec- tion 24.

The privations, hardships and inconveniences of the first settlers cannot be fully comprehended by the present generation. There were no mills to grind their corn, and they were obliged to improvise methods to prepare the meal for cooking purposes. The mortar, with an iron wedge for a pestle, constituted the machinery for a grist mill. The first mill constructed in the precinct was in 1830. This was what was known as a horse-mill, built by James Higginson, and was situated on his premises in the northern part of the precinct. About the same time a water mill was put in operation by John Gray- son, located on Bonpas creek, in section 34. It contained one run of stone, and for all practical purposes was a godsend to the people. It continued to operate about ten years, when Mr. Grayson died and the mill went to decay. The first smithing done was by John Rotrammel 1825. His shop was situated on the east side of the pre- cinct, near the Bonpas creek. The smith and shop have passed away long ago. The first to attend to the wants of the sick was Dr. Archibald Spring, of Albion. The first resident physician was Harrison Simms. He moved away several years ago.

The first school-house was built in 1831, and situated in section 17, township 3 south, range 14 west, and within the northern limits of the present town of Gray- ville. It was the usual pioneer style of school-house, built of unhewn logs, puncheon floor, puncheon seats and desks, and other belongings peculiar to these times. The first teacher was Daniel R. Jacobs, who in his day was considered an excellent teacher. The first to preach the gospel to the few pioneers was Rev. Charles Slocumb, a Methodist " circuit rider." His circuit embraced a large territory, including a portion of the States of Illinois and Indiana. While in this section he preached at the private house of Caleb Dickinson. It must be remembered that at that time there were but very few church houses in the country, and services were held at the cabins of the settlers.

The first Baptist preacher was Rev. Elias Roberts, and the first church building erected was by his denomi- nation in 1838. It is situated in the northern limits of Grayville, and is in a good state of preservation. It is

a frame, 50x60 feet in size, and is adorned with a spire and supplied with a bell.

The first place of burial is situated near the north boundary of the city of Grayville. The first interment was made in 1818, the deceased being Mrs. John Taylor, from White county. No head-stone marks the spot, neither is it known where the grave was made. It is said that the sexton, in sinking a grave, often strikes the remains of those who have been long forgotten, there being no head-stones to guide his labors. The first 'ma- gistrates in the precinct were David Thompson, Daniel R. Jacobs and Caleb Butler.

A great sensation was created in this section of the county in 1824, caused by the missing of a little boy three years old, a son of Samuel Dransfield. About ten o'clock in the forenoon he was missed, and, after a short search, the family became convinced that he had strayed away into the timber or tall prairie grass, where he would be devoured by the wolves unless prompt action was taken. The alarm was given in the neigh- borhood, which, in a few hours, was spread for miles around. The settlers came pouring in from every point, and the excitement became intense to the hunters, and heart-rending to the parents of the little one. The day passed without tidings. Fires were kept burning in the timber all night, to prevent the wolves from venturing near the limits of the settler's cabin. Another day came, and still the people flocked in as the word spread abroad. The day passed,-night closed in again with unfruitful efforts on the part of the searchers. Fires were again kindled, anxious watchers keeping them well supplied with fuel. Morning dawned, and hundreds were then gathered to prosecute the search. About ten o'clock of the second day a joyful shout of " Found !" resounded through forest and prairie. He was found wandering around in the tall prairie grass, about three- fourths of a mile from his home. He appeared very much scared and weary; yet, with all his tramp and times of sleep, he had not even lost his hat.

At this writing, the precinct is well populated, and many fine farms are within its boundaries. About one. fourth of the population of the city of

GRAYVILLE

is in this precinct. The only business on this side of the boundary line is the firm of W. G. Wheatcroft & Co. and Robert Glover. The former are engaged in the manu- facture of tile and brick on Main street. Ten men are employed, and it is estimated that 6,000 rods of tiling and 400,000 bricks are turned out annually. The latter industry is the stave factory and cooper shops, owned by Mr. Glover. This is an extensive business, giving em- ployment to upwards of forty hands.

LICK PRAIRIE.

WABASH COUNTY.

JHIS precinct is bounded on the north by Lan- caster, on the east of Friendsville and Mt. Carmel, on the south by Bellmont, and on the west by Edwards county. Its territory extends two miles and a half north, and a mile and a half south of the base line, and from Bonpas creek to a line three miles east of the fourteenth meridian. Most of the surface is level, but some of it is slightly rolling. Lick prairie in the northwest is of this character. It is about two miles wide, and is so named from the deer lick within its limits. Bald Hill prairie is a semi-circu- lar area lying partly within the precinct on the east. It derived its name from the circumstance that one Bald- win settled on its highest part, or more probably from its barren appearance. In section 19 there was a small circular prairie, called Brush prairie, from the low growth of brush surrounding it. Griffin's prairie, in sections 25 and 26, comprised about one hundred and sixty acres of land. Mud prairie, so named from its natural condition, lies along Bonpas creek, one and a half mile long and three-fourths of a mile wide. The soil is rich and black, and is from five to six feet in depth. It is subject to overflow from the creek, and was originally too wet for cultivation, but has been reclaimed. The first to settle in it was Franklin Gard. The principal water courses are Bonpas and Little Bonpas creeks.

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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 78

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