Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 107

Author: McDonough, J.L., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.L. McDonough & Co
Number of Pages: 578


USA > Illinois > Perry County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 107
USA > Illinois > Randolph County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 107
USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 107


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).


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Hughs, made his arrangements to surprise him, so when James started down the river with his cargo of salt, Mr. Pillars, taking two horses, besides the one he rode, cut across the country and met young Hughs at the falls, who, being thus surprised, inquired the reason of bis unlooked-for presence, and was told by Mr. Pillars that, expecting a mar- riage, he had brought the horses so that he might ride with his wife to her new home. The party rode back together, camping out at night, their only bed being the blankets car- ried on horseback, and their food such as could be prepared by the way with the camp kettle.


James Ilughs lived on his step-father's farm, which he obtained, until his death. He was in the United States ranging service in 1812. Ile left five sons, namely, James, John, Stace, Felix and Henry.


Returning to the history of Felix Hughs, we find he was born in Randolph Co., near the site of Ellis Grove in 1816.


Amos Taggart, living on section 5, is the son of Daniel C. and Margaret Taggart. Daniel C. was born in South Caro- lina and came to Randolph Co., the first time, about the year 1812. After a short sojourn he returned to South Carolina, and remaining a few years, emigrated with his family about the year 1825. He settled in this precinct. John Taggart a brother of Daniel C., who came to the county about the same time, took part in the Black Hawk war. Daniel C Taggart had nine children, six sons and three daughters. John, David, William, Amos, Jane, Ellen, Margaret, Francis and Robert. All are dead but David, William, and Amos.


William Taggart, a brother of Amos, served in the Mexi- can war, in company C., of the 2d Ill. Vol. Inf., under Cap- tain Crow. He was a participant in the battle of Buena Vista. Amos Taggart is a member of the old debating socie ty, mentioned in the latter part of this chapter.


Alexander M. Wilson, living on sections 6 and 7, came from Duchess county, New York, in 1837. He first settled on Lively Prairie. He had to encounter but few of the vicissitudes connected with the first settlement of the county. He followed the business of farming until the breaking out of the late war, when he entered the service and attained the rank of captain in the 30th Ills. Vol. Inf. Toward the close of the war he was commissioned major, and appointed to duty in the Commissary Department. He continued in this department until after the surrender of General Joseph Johnson, in North Carolina, when he returned to the more peaceful pursuits of farm life In 1842 Mr Wilson married Susan Young, a daughter of John Young, who came from Pennsylvania to Illinois among the early settlers. He served in the Black Hawk war. The father of Mr. Wilson was named Alexander Murray Wilson.


The following are some of the first land entries in Blair precinct. They are in township 6 N., range 6 W.


April 10th, 1815, Wm. Morrison entered south half, sec- tion 3, 320 acres. April 21st, 1815, John Pillars entered the S. E. quarter of section 4, 160 acres. Jan. 16th, 1818, David Lovney entered the E. half, N. W. quarter, section 3, 71 acres. Oct. 3d, 1818. Charles Glover entered the W. half, S. W. quarter, section 4, 80 acres.


BLAIR VILLAGE.


This little village lies almost due south from Sparta, and is located on sections 2, 3, 34, 35. It derived its name from Thomas C. Blair. On making an application for a post office at the place, there being no name designated, it was suggested that Mr. Blair's own name be given. And it was accordingly called Blair. He was appointed the first postmaster, and was also the first justice of the peace. He built the first house. It was a frame, and put up in the year 1859. Mr. Blair also opened and kept the first store. He came from county Antrim, Ireland, in the year 1842.


The village is on the Chester and Sparta road, and the buildings extend along the cross formed by the intersection of that by the township road running east and west. It has some neat frame dwellings. One very fine farm-house stands on the Chester road on the southern limit, that would grace any town. The population is about two hundred.


There are in this neat quiet village, two church edifices, O. S. Presbyterian and Southern Methodist. The former was erected a cost of $3,200. The latter, $2,400. Rev. A W. Wright was the first pastor of the Presbyterian, and Rev. L Duckworth of the Methodist church.


The first physician was Dr. Milton Hubbard, he was succeeded by Dr. J. F. White, and he by Dr. J. L. Mathews. The village has the following business, viz. :


Store for General Merchandise .- Owned by the Blair Brothers, nephews of Thomas C. Blair.


Post Office .- Postmaster, Robert J. Blair.


Justice of the Peace .- S. Boggs. Blacksmith .- Fred. Hartley.


Wagon Maker .- James Hartley, also justice of peace.


Flour Mill .- Having a capacity for one hundred barrels daily, is owned by W. E. Brown. It gives employment to three hands.


Saw Mill .- Owned by the same, runs in connection with the grist mill.


There are two school houses near the village on sections two and thirty-five. There is a coal mine one and a quarter miles northeast of the village, owned by George Stanway. It gives employment to three men, and yields a fine quality of bitimmous coal, used mainly by the farmers in the neigh- borhood.


BREEMEN.


RANDOLPH COUNTY.


S situated in the southeast of the central part of the county, and comprises por- tions of T. 6 and 7 S. R. 6 W., the . greater part being in Town 6. It con- tains twenty six sections or about 16,640 aeres, and had in 1880 a population of 703. The general surface is rolling, which becomes quite rugged in many places on approaching the various water courses, which are usually lined with a narrow belt of timber. The principal streams are Mary's river, which flows across the southeastern portion of the precinct, forming its southern boundary, and Little Mary's river and Pillars' creek, which water and drain the western and northern portions of the precinct. The Wabash and Chester Railroad traverses diagonally through the southeastern part, crossing Mary's river twice within her borders.


Breemen is one of the best improved bodies of land in the county The farmers are a thrifty, hard-working, industrious class, many of them Germans. Much attention is given to manuring the lauds, which have been so long neglected, and they are being well paid for their labor. As a rule thete are no better farm buildings to be found in Randolph county, thau in the little precinct of Breemen. The country abounds in finely made farms, beautiful groves and orchards, and well made roads. The soil is productive, and yields abundant crops of all kinds of grain, fruit and vegetables.


The first permanent settler to locate within the limits of Breemen was undoubtedly Robert Tindall, in the year 1802. Ile was from Chester county, South Carolina, and located on See. 32, T. 6 S., R. 6 W., on the old Fleming place. It was here, on the banks of the small tributary of Little Mary creek, that he commenced the erection of a small water mill, which, before its completion, was swept away by the floods. He soon after erected a horse mill, near his eabin, which served a good purpose, and was a great convenience to the early settlers. There is no doubt but that this small rnde affair was in those days a great inducement for the pioneers to locate near it. Mr. Tindell was a valuable man in this thinly peopled country, and one who was greatly esteemed by his brother pioneers. He spent a life of usefulness. His sons Reuben and Robert are well remembered by many of the citizens. Tindell, was soon followed by others, many of whom remained only a short period in the settlement. John Lacy, a South Carolinian, located here in 1804. He was probably the next permanent settler. The Harmon settle- ment, just west of the western boundary line of this pre-


cinct, was the next settlement, and it filled up rapidly Michael Harmon, a native of Tennessee, was the founder, and resided there until his death. This settlement does not properly belong to this chapter, and is mentioned fully in another part of this work. At this late date it is impossible to give the names or the history of the settlers as they came in, but we can only write a short account from the meager data collected from the memories of the few old pioneers. Prior to the war of 1812, and the Indian hostilities resulting therefrom, the settlers were few, and in many instances they were separated many miles from each other. During those troubles there were many Indian depredations committed within the limits of Randolph county, but so far as we can learn, this little band of hardy pioneers fortunately escaped harm from the hands of the savages, although like all they were in constant alarm. When an attack was expected, these settlers sought refuge either in Fort Gage or at Georgetown (Steelesville.) The war over, and treaties of peace made with the Indians, the country began rapidly filling up with emi grants from the southern and eastern states.


James McFarland came from South Carolina, and settled here in 1817. His son, Andrew McFarland, lived in the neighborhood until his death, a few years ago. John Foresee was another very early arrival, and came from Virginia, bringing a wife and family, consisting of girls, viz. : Susie, who married .Joseph Robinson ; Sally, who became the wife of Jefferson Robinson ; Betsey, the wife of Bryant Axom; Polly, the wife of Assac Laird, and Lovina, who married Joseph Lively. All are now dead. Mr. Foersee purchased 100 acres of land of Col. John Edgar, upon which he settled, and which was known for many years as the old Foresee place, in the N. E. quarter of section 14. Ile improved a good farm and remained on it until his death. Isaac Oliver, a man of family, located at a very early day, improved a farm and remained a resident of the precinct for many years.


Breemen can boast of having within her limits one among the oldest settlers now living in the county, -- Joseph Lively. He is a son of Shadrach Lively and a grandson of Joseph Lively, the original one of the name to come to this country. Ile, the grandfather of Joseph Lively, came from Abbeville, South Carolina, in 1805, and first settled three miles north of Kaskaskia, in Florence precinct. He remained there until 1823, when he moved and settled in the lower end of Opossumden prairie, and one year later settled the Camp- bell place, in sce. 18, tp. 6 S., range 5 W. He was an industrious and benevolent man ; he died here in 1833. His sons were Amcs, Shadrach, Enoch, Richard, James and


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


Reuben, none of whom are now living. They were all farmers, and among the best citizens of the county, from whom a numerous progeny have sprung. John Lively, a brother of old Joseph Lively, came with his brother, and afterward permanently located in a beautiful prairie on sec. 4 of tp. 5 S., range 6 W., which has ever since borne the name of Lively prairie. Joseph Lively, son of Shadrach, who now lives on sec. 25 of tp. 6, range 6, was born in 1804, consequently one year old when he came to the county with his father's family. He is a native of Abbeville county, South Carolina. The party came in four-horse wagons, with but little household furniture and with little means; they lived in rough, unhewed log cabins. After arriving at ma- turity he married Lovina Foresee, daughter of John Foresee, above mentioned. About 1829 he purchased of Alexander Donaldson 280 acres of land, being in the E. half of section 25. This was unimproved land. He erected a hewed log house upon the tract and began improvements. He is still living on the old place, now over seventy-eight years of age. In his younger days Mr. Lively was a great hunter, and spent much of his time in pursuit of game. Then the deer and wild turkey and all kinds of game were abundant. He sold much of his game in St. Louis every season ; his load consisted of from twenty to thirty deer, besides a number of wild turkeys. He relates that he has killed hundreds of wolves, and that he killed the last one that was caught in this part of the country about twenty years ago. He raised a family of seven children.


Early land entries .- December 23, 1819, John Rowland entered the W. } of the S. W. } of section 14, 80 acres ; October 17, 1818, John Mahan entered W. } of N. E. } of section 17, 80 acres ; August 20, 1818, John Vineyard en- tered the W. } of S. E. } of section 32, 80 acres. The above are all in township 6 south, range 6 west.


The first orchard was set out by Joseph Lively on his place in section 25. He purchased the trees from a nursery up the Mississippi river a few miles. Isaac Oliver had a cider press in early days. Sandy Campbell was the first justice of the peace in this neighborhood. Dr. Ashby Jones was the first to practice medicine here. The earliest school was taught by Ezekiel Robbins, in a log house in the N. W. ֏ of section 27. He continued teaching in the neighbor- hood for a number of years. The first school-house was built on the N. E. } of section 26, and was about 25x25


feet in size, constructed of logs. It was in this building that the first preaching was done, by the Revs. John Crane and Bowers, both Methodists. Ephraim Joy also preached here at a very early day. The Evangelical Lutheran de- nomination erected the first church in the precinct in 1840. It is now superseded by a handsome brick with sandstone trimmings, which was erected at a cost of $9,000. The old graveyard on the N. E. } of section 26 is the first public burying ground in the precinct. The ground was deeded for that purpose by Job Laird as early as 1830, and his wife was the first buried there.


VILLAGE OF RANDOLPH.


This place was laid out on the old Sparta and Chester road by Hiram Chapman, and surveyed and platted by Samuel Thompson, deputy county surveyor, September 12, 1839, and the plat recorded in the office of the circuit clerk, October 16, 1839. This road, in early days, was quite a thoroughfare. About 1850, it was partially planked, and a great deal of grain and flour was hauled over it to the Mis- sissippi river, before the building of the railroad. It has again became a dirt road. About 1850, John Wood kept a small grocery and liquor establish- ment there. In a few years the Germans began flocking into the vicinity, and through their industry and prudence the country around became more prosperous. In 1856, Isaac Lehnherr, erected a good store-house, and laid in a well selected stock of goods and began doing a brisk trade. The post-office which had been established, a short time pre- viously, just south of the village, was moved into the place in the winter of 1856. It was called Breemen, which name it still retains. Mr. Buckman soon afterward opened a store, and several workshops were soon being operated in the vicinity. A school-house was erected at St. John's church in 1856. A school-house was erected in 1879. The place is now quite a brisk little inland village, and considerable business is being done there. Among the business men and tradesmen of 1882, we will mention the following :


General Merchandise -William Buckman, also P. M. and Henry Schroeder.


Drugs and Physicians .- Henry Adderly.


Wagon Maker .- E. F. Sick. Tailor -John Struss. Dress Maker .- Miss Eliza Dillman.


Shoe Maker .- John Dannenbrink.


ROCKWOOD.


RANDOLPH COUNTY.


HIS precinct is situated in the extreme sontheastern part of the county, and lies on the Mississippi. It comprises geographically portions of townships seven and eight south, and ranges five and six west. The surface generally is hilly and rough, and on approaching the Mississippi terminates in a high range of abrupt bluff's, extending along the river. Almost the entire territory was originally heavily wooded, and much of it is still in that condition. The soil of these uplands is quite productive. There is an area of bottom belonging to the precinet, which including Mary's River, Liberty and Sheep islands, perhaps does not exceed two thousand acres. Mary's River island, formerly called Crane's, from John Crane, who was the original settler of it and who died there in 1850, lies in the Mississippi and constitutes a part of township seven and eight south, range six west. It has an area of about one thousand acres, less than one-fourth of which lies in Chester precinct. Much of it is under cultivation. Liberty island, now with doubtful propriety so called, is a level area of about seven hundred acres of land, lying in the Mississippi, and in 1880, had a population of 988. The streams that supply water and drainage, are Mary's River, Little Nile, Degognia, Hiskison, and Jones creeks. The three former, together with the Mississippi, constitute, of the mainland, a peninsula. The timber is of an excellent character, and abundant. The soil is rich, and but little attention is paid to fertilizing. Wheat is the staple, though eorn is raised, and yields abundantly in the bottoms. Fruit grows well and is exten- sively cultivated.


The first settlement in Rockwood precinet was made in 1802 by Benjamin Crane, on section 22, township 7, range 6. He had seven sons, Benjamin, Squire, William, James, Joel, Lewis and John. They settled about the mouth of Mary's river and on the island opposite, which onee bore the family name. The next settlement was made by Elmsley Jones, within the present limits of Rockwood village, as early as 1804. The small ereek that flows through the village still bears his name. He was the first man capitally punished in the county. The execution occurred at Kaskaskia, in 1805, James Gilbreath being then sheriff. Jones murdered a man named Reed, of Jackson county with whom he had quar- reled. John Hickman built a cabin on the river at Rock- wood village, in 1805. The site has long since been swept away by the current. John Mansker was originally from the neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. In 1801 he


brought his family to Missouri and settled opposite section 11, where he remained about six years. He then came to Randolph county, and in 1807, located on Liberty formerly called Mansker island, where he remained till 1813, when he settled on section 10. The site of this settlement has been swept away. Samuel Mansker, son of the above, was born near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1795. He went to Missouri, with his father at the age of six years, and came along to Liberty Island, at the age of twelve. About 1816 or '17 he married Naney Crawford and settled on the N. E. } of sec- tion 11, where he improved a good farm, much of which has been swallowed up by the river. He still lives on the old farm at the age of eighty-six, the oldest pioneer in the preeinet and probably in the county. He was four times married and is now living with his fourth wife. He had a large family of children, seven of whom are now living. Jobn Hindman was a native of Ireland, and about the year 1800. came to Kentucky where he married Ann Gaston. Hle remained here about five or six years, when he came with his family to Randolph county. He and his wife walked all the way. he leading a filly that bore upon his back, in a sort of basket, his two sons and only children, Robert, then about four, and Alexander two years of age. In 1806 he settled on the S. E. } of the S. W. + of section 22, where he put up a cabin and remained about two years, and then moved to the N. E. } of the N. W. } of section 23, where he died in 1825 or '26. Ilis wife survived him for a period of time. Robert died unmarried at the age of twenty-two years. Alexander married Sarah, daughter of Alexander Barber, at the age of twenty-two, and in 1826 settled on the old homestead, in section 23, where he lived about five years. He then moved to the S. E. } of the N. W. + of seetion 12, where he entered eighty acres of land and built a stone house still standing, in which he lived about twenty years and then moved to the S. W. } of the N. E. } of section 12, where he built a frame house in which he still resides, at the age of seventy-six. He has seven children living, John, Samuel, Alexander Jr., James H., Ann, Emeline, and Sarah. Alexander, on the S. W. } of the S. E. t of section 1, township 8 south, range 6 west. Ann, Emeline and Sarah live in the precinct.


The Bilderback family settled first in the neighborhood of Kaskaskia in 1802. In 1818, William and Charles came to Rockwood precinct and entered land in section 7. They became permanent residents. Charles died in 1849. Alex- ander Barber, was a native of Connecticut. IIe came to the county from Ohio in 1804, and first settled on the east side of Kaskaskia river in the Bilderback settlement not far


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


from Riley's mill. He came to the precinct in 1825, and located about two miles north of Rockwood. In 1834, he settled on section 18, and purchased land. His first wife was Nancy Dennis, whom he married at Marietta, Ohio. He was a skilful millwright in his day and erected a mill on his farm. He held the office of justice of the peace for a period exceeding forty years, and was the first justice in the precinct. He died in 1861, leaving a widow who had been his second wife. Henry Clendinen was of Scotch descent, and came to the county from Kentucky, and in 1818, en- tered eighty acres of land in section 4. He brought along with him his wife and six grown children. He died in 1851. Descendants of the family are still living in the precinct, prominent among whom is Dr. M. W. Clendinen of Rock. wood village. George Sebastian came to the precinct in 1830, from Kentucky. In that state he married Nancy, ‹laughter of Leonard Carter, who settled on the N. W. } of section 23, as early as 1820. He remained here but a short time and then went to Rockwood village, and finally to Jackson county, where he became a prosperous farmer. B. F. Sebastian was born in the county in 1838 The first settler on Sheep Island was George W. Steele. He built a cabin and began improvement here in 1837. Ile was soon after drowned and was succeeded in ownership by William Burns, who was the last occupant.


Near the S. W. corner of section 16, was an old French fortification of earthwork. Traces of it which have disap- peared in the course of husbandry, were visible about twenty years ago. Not far from this point on the bank of Degoguia creek, now lost to view, was visible only a few years since the grave of Degognia, an old Indian, or, as the name would seem to indicate, a Frenchman, whose history lies beyond the shadowy land even of tradition. Near the center of section 17, on a slight elevation now the site of George Cooper's residence, stood an old log cabin. This elevation on digging for the foundation of Mr. Cooper's house proved to be an Indian burial place from which were exhumed skele- tons in a sitting posture. But few of them were removed. Among the bones taken out was a massive jaw bone, which must have been the property of a giant. Pottery of dif- ferent designs was found. A vase, which was in a good state of preservation, contained a species of red powder. The oldest burial place in the precinct is just north of the Eben- ezer school-house on the S. } of section 5. An early inter- ment here was that of Henry Clendiuen. Samuel Mansker improved the first farm.


VILLAGE OF ROCKWOOD.


The first to occupy the site of the village which was for- merly called Liberty, was probably Elmsley Jones, already referred to. Samuel Mansker built the second, if not the first house, within her limits. The first store was estab- lished by James McCormick. In 1832 John Stearns, who immigrated from Kentucky, laid off the town into lots. January 20, 1836, Samuel Mansker and Joab Parks had it surveyed and platted by James Thompson, county surveyor. The plat was recorded in the office of the circuit clerk, July 25, 1836. It was soon after sought by a number of enter-


prising men. Among them was Captain W. B. Charles, who had followed the Mississippi for a number of years. His boat was laid up here, and during his suspense he concluded to become a resident, which he continued to be for a number of' years, and then removed to Litchfield. Illinois, and there died. About this time James Dean, Harvey Clendinen, Samuel Barber, Dr. Manning, Thomas Frazier, E. G. Hall and many others came to the place and gave to it quite an impetus. Mansker, Clendinen and Barber established a store, and did an extensive business in the purchase and shipment of grain. The town was incorporated in the year 1837, with William B. Charles, Nathaniel Manning, Jacob Parks, John Stearns and John D. Stearns as trustees. John Stearns was chosen president, and Harvey Clendinen, clerk. About this time the citizens built a wharf, which was used for a number of years. Two years prior to this, in 1835, the first school-house, a hewed log structure, was built. At this school-house was preached, by the Reverend Mr. Reasoner, the first sermon delivered at a public place in the village. The first resident physician was Dr. Higgins. John Gray established a blacksmith shop as early as 1837. The Presby- terian church was organized in 1844 by Rev. C. C. Riggs. Its meetings were held in the school-house. The church building, a brick structure, was built in 1860. The school- house is a frame building. About 1855, the name of the village was changed from Liberty, and that of the post-office from Jones' Creek to Rockwood, an appellation in keeping with the natural surroundings of the place. In this year some of the citizens of the town and vicinity organized a joint stock company and began the building of a mill, which was completed and set in operation the next year. When built it was one of the largest class of merchant mills. It was burned in 1863, and rebuilt by J. B. Holmes, of Chester, at a cost of $21,000. It is now owned by Samuel H. Canaday, of New Orleans, and leased and operated by H. B. Brown and Son. It is a stone, three-story basement and attic, sixty by forty mill, and has a capacity of about one hundred aud forty barrels a day. It is equipped with a system of elevators, and has three run of four feet burrs. The engine room, like the mill proper, is built of dressed sand-stone. There is a cooper shop attached which employs ten hands. About twenty years ago Rockwood was one of the largest wood markets on the Mississippi. Prior to the construction of the railroads that extend through the county, it was a cen- ter of shipment for much of the interior, and was as such, at a period of its history, superior to Chester. Shipments of goods were received here for the merchants of Red Bud. The trade sustained a terrible blow by the change in the course of the river, which placed the village commercially nearly a mile inland. In 1860 it contained five dry goods stores, two grocery stores, one wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, one chair factory, one boot and shoe shop, one cooper shop, one hotel and three physicians. Population in 1880 numbers 231.




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