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 88

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 88
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 88
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 88


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


to his farm, cultivated it, and engaged in stock-buying and trading. In April, 1864, during the rebellion, he entered in Co " D" of the 136th Regt Illinois Vol. Infantry, under what was known as the " Emergency Call," and remained in the service until October of the same year. He was First Lieutenant of the company. On the 14th of March, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret B. Spencer, who was born in Washington county, Illinois, July 21st, 1842. She is the daughter of Daniel R. and Lavinia Spencer. Her mother was a native of Tennessee and her father of Vermont. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs Curlee there are two chil- dren living ; one died in infancy. The names of those living are, Clyde and John Linder Curlee. Himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Curlee is an active member, but is particularly known in the county and in fact in the State for his labors and efforts in behalf of Sunday- schools and their work. He is president of the Sunday


school organization of the county, and by his unceasing- labors it has been brought up to as high a standard as any in the State. Politically, he cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860, but in all subsequent elections has voted the republican ticket. He is a pronounced prohibitionist, and believes that the licensing of saloons is an offense against good morals and the best interests of society. Mr. Cuilee has inherited many of the characteristics of his father. Among others may be mentioned his liberality. His brother Zebedee, and brother-in-law, Rev D. W. Phillips, built the church that stands uear Mr. Corlee's resdence. Zebedee is an older brother, and was born Nov. 27, 1830 ; married, Jan. 8th, 1852. His wife was Miss Mary A. Anderson. They have five children living. His sister Mary Susan was born June 4, 1844, and died Jan. 2, 1868. She was the wife of Rev. D W. Phillips, president of McKendree College. One child was born 10 them named Mary Phillips.


PARADISE.


PERRY COUNTY.


YING iu the castern part of the county, this pre- einet is bounded on the north by Tamaroa, on the east by Franklin county and the Little Muddy river, and on the south and west by Du Quoin precinct and Rees' creek It was estab. lished, April 21, 1870. Most of the territory had been a part of Du Quoin, a small portion having belonged to Tamaroa. The first voting place was at the house of C. C. Provast. The precinct received its name from Paradise Prairie, a large part of which it includes. The prairie is so called from an expression elicited by its extreme beauty, from the lips of one Wells. Looking one day, with some companions, from an eminence over it, in its flowing gayety, he exclaimed, " This is as near Paradise as I ever expect to get !" The surface, especially in the centre part, is level. On the east side, along the Little Muddy, it is undulating and somewhat rough, though the soil of this part is richer than on the west, along Rees' creek, where the surface is less broken. The principal farming district is the central, prairie portion. The timber, which is quite abund- ant, and which consists mainly of the different varieties of oak and hickory, is confined principally to belts, extending along the Little Muddy and Recs' creek. Some young forests had grown up, within the recollection of the oldest settlers. The soil is quite productive and easily worked. Wheat is principally cultivated, though the other cereals and fruits and berries receive a share of attention. Lime-stone rock, suitable for building purposes, abouuds along Rees' creek, although little attention has yet been paid to quarrying.


The earliest permanent settlement in what is now Paradise Precinet was made in the year 1827. The earliest settler was probably David Dial, who came from Tennessee with his wife and six children, two boys and four girls. He squatted and built a cabin on sec. 28, in the edge of the timber, and alterward entered land in section 21, purchasing the improve- ments of David Rees, who had there erected a round-log cabin. The two sons and two of the daughters are dead. The others live in Franklin county, Illinois.


William Jones, with his wife and several children, came from Tennessee and first settled in what is now Pinckneyville precinct About the year 1827 he moved into Paradise and first occupied a small cabin that had been built by Alexander Clark, who had come from Lost Prairie, whither he re- turned alter a short stay. Jones' permanent settlement was in section 19 or 20, township 5, range 1, west. Some of his children, two or three of whom were born bere, are now living. One of them, Elizabeth, is the wife of Josiah Harriss. James Jones, a brother of William, with a wife and several children, came from Tennessee in 1827 or 1828. John M. Haggard, also from Tennessee came along with William Jones for the purpose of prospeeting. After a short stay he re- turned for his wife and child whom he had left behind him. He built a pole cabin in section 34, but remained in the precinct only a short time and then went to Holt's Prairie, where he still lives. Next in order, about the year 1828, came from Bedford county, Tennessee, three brothers, Ed- ward, Minyard, and Robert Gilliam. They all brought families with them, consisting of their wives and the children


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS


of Edward and Minyard. Edward settled the N. W. } of the S. W. 1 of section 21, Minyard the N. E. one-fourth of the N. W. 4 of section 28, and Robert in section 34. Each erected a cabin on his settlement. Afterward they all entered land in Gilliam Prairie, in the northern part of the precinct. Robert, who never had any children, went to Texas where he died. Edward and Minyard died in the precincts. The widow of the latter is still living. Thomas Jones arrived in the settlement, from Tennessee, in the spring of 1829, and squatted in section 33. He and his family and West Eaton and family came to the territory together in au ox-wagon. The latter settled first in Eaton's Prairie, whence he moved to Nine Mile, and came thence to the precincts about 1832, and settled in section 28, where he now lives


Johnson Harriss was a native of Virginia. Ile went to North Carolina and thence to South Carolina, where he married Anna Garrett. He then moved to Bedford county, Tennessee, where he lived as a farmer about twelve years. He then, in 1829 brought his family, consisting of his wife and children, three sons and three daughters, to Illinois, and settled on section 28. Here he built a clapboard-covered log cabin which is still standing ou the old place, doing duty as a stable. He had two sons and four daughters married before he came to the precinct. Jordan, one of the married sons and his family, came with his father in the ox-cart, which was the mode of conveyance. He stopped in the pre- cinet only a little while, and then went to Holt's Prairie, where he lived till a short time before his death which oc- curred in Du Quoin. Polly, while yet in Tennessee, mar- ried John Gilliam, brother of Robert, Edward and Minyard. John immigrated in 1829, and settled in section 28, where he built a cabin and lived two or three years. He then moved to Gilliam's Prairie, where he remained for a period of time, and then went to Franklin County and there died. Nancy, wife of Minyard Gilliam, and Sally, that of Laban G. Jones, had preceded their father to the precinct, where Nancy still lives. Lahan G. Jones, whose wife is now dead, settled on section 33, and after a residence in the territory of the precinct for about thirty-five years, moved to North West Missouri. Of the children of Johnson Harriss, there are still living in the precinct, besides Nancy, John, Kezia and Hosea. Kezia is the wife of West Eaton. Hosea lives on the old homestead place. John, who lives on section 28, came to the precinct as a part of his father's family, at the age of eighteen. In 1831 he married Cinthia Wells, daugh- ter of Elijah Wells who lived in Du Quoin precinct, By her he had eleven children, five boys and six girls, of whom seven are yet living, four in Paradise, two in Du Quoin and one in Franklin county. His first wife died in 1877. In 1878 he married Mrs. Rebecca Willmore, daughter of Will- iam Otterson, by whom he had three children, one of whom is now living. John S. Haggard, from Bedford county, Tennessee, arrived in the precinct in the winter of 1829 or 30. He brought with him a family, consisting of his wife and several children, and built a cabin on section 34, where he finally improved a good farm, and in 1848 died, leaving a widow who still resides there. Robert Moore, a minister, came about this time from Hamilton County, and purchased the improvement of John M. Haggard, in section 34. He


lived here two or three years, and then sold his improvement to Reuben Kelly who came from Bedford county, Tennessee, to Perry, in 1829, and to the precinct iu 1833, there purcha- sing the Haggard improvement, on which he died in 1864. Isaac McCollum, a Tennesseean, who is now dead, came with his family to what is now Paradise precinct, in the year 1830. One son, Jonathan, who came with his father from Tennessee, at the age of eighteen years, is now living on a farm adjoining the homestead place. Among the other early settlers may be mentioned/ the names of John Woodram, Thomas Goacher, George Young, Aquila Combs and the brothers, Robert and Wilson Montgomery.


The first birth in the precinct was probably that of Malita Gilliam. The first grave-yard was in section twenty-one. Here in 1829 were to be seen the graves of several infants. Who they were tradition does not relate. The first minister who preached within the limits of the precinct, was John Woodram, The next was Robert Moore, already mention- ed. He was of the United Baptist persuasion, as were also Isaiah Youngblood, Charles Lee, John Browning, and John Maddox, who may be classed amoung the carly preachers. Preaching was at first confined to the groves and the houses of the settlers. It was not until 1842, that the first house of worship was erected. It is a frame building belonging to the regular Baptists, and stands on section twenty-eight. Prior to 1829 or '30 the children of Paradise attend school in Du Quoin precinct, when Obediah West was the teacher. The first school within the precinct was taught about this time, in section thirty-three, by John S. Haggard. One Hagaman also taught a school in the precinct in 1830. His qualifications in orthography and orthoepy seem to have been quite limited, even for those primitive times, judging from recollections that yet remain of his laughable mistakes in those branches of learning. The "g" of " legislator " he always insisted on pronouncing with the hard sound. Teach- ing was at first done at the homes of the teachers or iu deserted cabins. No building for school purposes was put up before 1838. The first teacher in the new school-house was R. P Paramore. The justices of the precinct as a political organization, were Addison Teel and John Harris, who is an incumbent. The early physicians were Joseph Brayshaw who practised in this section of country for a number of years; Leo T. Hamilton, of Pinckneyville ; Mil on Mulkey, a botanical doctor, from Franklin county, and Dr. Berklow, who practiced principally in Nine Mile prairie. The first post office was at a little town, long since extinct, laid out by Aquila Combs in the southeast part of the precinct, and called Iowa. Here Combs kept a few articles of merchan- dise which constituted the first store. About the same time, Laban G. Jones and Reuben Kelly, kept a small stock of store goods in a frame building, in section thirty-three. The first blacksmith-shop in the settlement stood in section twenty, and was keept by one Rees. N. T. Kelly and J. B. Haggard were early blacksmiths and wagon wrights. Isaac McCollnm in an early day built a tread-mill for wheat and corn, on Little Muddy river. This was probably the first mill within the present limits of Paradise precinct. Other early mills were the horse-mills of George Young and Leo-


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


nard Keeling, and the steam saw and grist mill of Reed and Wilson. In the days of which we have just been writing- early yet remembered days-wild game was abundant. The flesh of the deer and of the wild turkey and the product of the bee-tree, constituted a considerable part of the settler's living. Among other things that engaged early attention was the entry of land at the Land office, in order that a greater security of title might be enjoyed, than that possessed by the mere squatter. August 19th, 1830, Abraham Cok- enaur entered the W. } of the S. W. } of section 32, eighty


acres. August 13th, 1832, John S. Haggard entered forty acres, the S. E. } of the S. W. ] of seetion 34. January 28th 1833, eighty acres were entered by Reuben Kelly, the W. ¿ of the S. W. I of seetion 34. William Eaton, July 14th, 1833, entered the eighty of the E. } of the S. E. } of section 33. The West eighty acres of the N. W. } was entered, August 16th, 1834, by Thomas Jones. Van S. Teague, June 21st, 1832, entered the southwest forty acres of the N. W. } of section 32.


COULTERVILLE.


RANDOLPH COUNTY.


N the extreme northeastern part of this county is situated the precinct of Coulter- ville. It occupies the west arm of Grand Cote prairie, widely known for its beauty and fertility of soil. The timbered por- tions are small and lie in the northeast corner and in the extreme southern part of the precinet. The streams that flow through the lands are small, the source of Mary's river and minor tributarics in the south, Plumb creek in the west and Big Muddy in the north. The greater part of the precinct lies in T. 4 S. R. 5 W., and five sections are taken from the northeast corner of T. 5 S. R. 5 W., which are included in Coulterville. Wheat and corn are the staple productions. The shipping facilities are excellent. The Cairo Short Line Railroad passes through the northern part of the county in a southeasterly direction through the village of Coulterville, which is an important shipping point on the line.


EARLY SETTLEMENTS.


The earliest settler to locate in what is now known as Coulterville precinct was David Cathcart. He made a trip to the county in 1818, and selected and entered a tract of land consisting of 160 acres-the N. W. } of section 35, T. 4, R. 5 W., December 3, 1818-which was entered in the name of his son, Joseph. Mr. Cathcart was a native of Ireland, and came here from South Carolina early in the spring of 1819. He built his rude log cabin in the edge of the timber, near the present residence of Mrs. John Edgar, his grand-daughter He brought his family with him. His children were: Mary, who married James Munford ; Rosanna, who became the wife of William Campbell in South Carolina; Elizabeth married William Stormont, and one son, Joseph. They are all deceased. Joseph reared a family, of whom Robert, Franeis, Margaret, the wife of William Woodside, and Agnes, the wife of John Edgar, arc 47


living in the vicinity. Mr. Cathcart was a weaver by trade, and followed that occupation in the Carolinas. Ile im- proved a good farm, where he died about 1845, over 90 years of age. William Campbell, his son in law, who came with the family to Illinois in 1819, located about a mile south of Mr. Cathcart, in section 2, of T. 5, R. 5, where he made a farm and resided until his death. James Munford, also a son-in-law of Mr. Catheart, arrived and made a settle- ment in the same neighborhood, in December, 1819. He died in January, 1840, at the age of seventy-six years.


Hugh McKelvey, the second pioneer of Coulterville, like Mr. Catheart, had visited the county in 1818 and purchased land. He came in the same spring and about the time of Mr. Catheart's arrival, and located on section 26, their cabins being about one mile distant from each other. Ile died many years ago at the residence of his daughter in Washington county.


John Dickey eame with James Munford to this county in December, 1819, and located in the S. W. } of seetion 3, which tract he entered. He erected a small log cabin, the only buildings constructed by the pioneers and began cultivat- ing a farm, and spent the remainder of his days on the place. William Diekey, a justice of the peace in Washington county, is a son of his, and is the only one of the family now living. In 1823 Smith and Alexander Dickey, brothers of the above named, came to the county together, and located in section 28, and both continued to reside on the farms they first settled. Smith Diekey reared a large family of ehil- dren. John M., Alexander S., James L. and William J. reside in this precinct. Alexander Diekey was born in South Carolina in 1795. He married Margaret Hair, who, together with her brothers, accompanied the Diekeys to the county. William J., who lives in Kansas, and James If. Diekey, a resident of Sparta, are sons of his. In 1836 Alexander Diekey built a gri-t mill, propelled by horse power, and in 1845 a saw mill was attached and the business increased. Mr. Dickey also erected in the same ycar a


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


large brick house, which largely added to the already pop- ular locality. He died in Sparta about 1873.


The following are a few of the earliest land entries made in this precinct. It will be observed that they all became actual settlers on the land they purchased :


Hugh McKelvey entered September 19th, 1818, the N. W. { of section twenty-six, 160 acres; same day John McDill entered N. W. } of section, twenty-two, 160 acres; April 30th, 1819, Joseph Cartheart entered N. W. } section thirty-five, 160 acres ; December 3d, 1818, James Munford entered the S. E. + of section (3) T. 5 S. R. 5 W. of 3 P. M., 160 acres ; December 31st, 1819, John Dickey Jr., entered the S. W. } of same section, township and range, 160 acres ; January 24th, 1820, William Camphell entered the W. { of the N. E. } section two, 751% acres, T. 5, R. 5 W. of 3rd P. M.


James Dickey, brother of those already mentioned, ar- rived here in the spring of 1824, and made the first settle- ment in the northern part of the precinct. He located on section eleven, where he made a fine farm, reared a family of respectable children, and ended his days, September 1st; 1881. The wife of James East, and Harriett and Caroline, and the wife of Christopher Kean are daughters of James Dickey, living.


It was about the same date that James Coulter, the founder of Coulterville, arrived and made a settlement on the hill, on the present site of the village. Coulter was a very industrious man, and became one of the most popular and enterprising citizens of this part of the county. He remained here actively engaged in building up the town, until a few years ago, when, having met with reverses, he turned his eye westward to the fields of gold, whither he went in search of a fortune. He died soon afterward in Colorado. Rev. David Coulter, a minister residing in Kansas, Sarah and Catharine B., single, in Colorado, the wife of Charles Preston, in Cutler, and the wife of R. B. Elliott, residing in Coulterville, are those of his family now living. William Jamison, came in 1826, and settled in section 33 of T. 4, R. 5, where he followed the occupation of farming until his death. William W., and Alexander at Coulterville, and Joseph residing on the old place are sons of his. John G. Miller, an old and respected citizen of the village, is a son of Andrew Miller, a Scotchman who settled at Eden in 1827.


The Woodsides are also early arrivals. They were South Carolinians. Samuel Woodside, came with his family in 1829, and took up his residence south of Coulterville, and died there. Robert H., John J., Samuel, William and James are sons of his living in the vicinity. James Wood- side, brother of the above named, did not arrive until 1831, and remained but a short time in the neighborhood. He died in Perry county in 1833. James Wylie, one of the oldest citizens of the precinct, resides on section 15. He is of the Wylie family who settled and originated the town of Eden, and were among the first pioneers in this part of the county. The pioneers of this precinct were of an intelli- gent and hard working class, and nearly all who located here at an early day became permanent settlers, and many


of the descendants of these old families are among the best citizens of to day. They early evinced an interest in the cause of education and religion, and schools and churches were early established. A school was taught in a small log cabin, situated on the N. E. } of section 27 as early as the winter of 1828-'29, by George Campbell. Henry L. McGuire and Benjamin Wham were among the first teachers.


We have named a few of the very earliest settlers in this precinct. It would be impossible to mention them all, at this late date.


About 1830, there began a steady increase in the popu- lation ; immigrants came pouring in from every direction ; and the territory soon contained a large number of inhabi- tants. A few years later and the log cabin was replaced with fine frame and brick structures, and the scene was soon changed from a wilderness to a beautiful and highly cultivated region. In the census of 1880, Coulterville and Tilden precincts were taken together and gave a population of 1,998 souls.


VILLAGE OF COULTERVILLE.


This village was laid out on the S. E } of the S. W. } of section 13 in the spring of 1851, by James Coulter, and named by him Grand Cote, from the prairie on which it is situated. It was surveyed and platted by special deputy E. Leavenworth, and recorded in the office of the circuit clerk March 21, 1851. The name Grand Cote, was subsequently changed to Coulterville, in honor of the original proprietor, James Coulter. The beautiful location, fertility of soil and the advantages for agriculture soon attracted attention. The year following Henry Taylor erected a building and be- gan the mercantile business. His store consisted of a small stock of general goods, which were the first sold in the place. The residence of James Coulter was situated on the original site of the village. His first home was a log cabin. He afterward erected a stone house, on the hill, which still stands, one of the old landmarks of the place. A church was also built by the Reformed O. S. Presbyterian denomi- nation, prior to or about the time of the laying out of the town. It was a small frame structure and was the first church in the village. A log school-house was also erected about the same time. James Thompson opened the next store, and John Miller was the first blacksmith. In 1854, John J. Sloan built a blacksmith shop on section 10, and a short time afterward moved with his family into the village and opened a shop. Thomas McNeal erected and conducted the first botel. The building is still standing on Chestnut, between 4th and 5th streets. He also erected a shop and carried on blacksmithing on the corner just east of his residence. We quote the following from an article written by Hon. John R. McFie, and published in the Headlight. " To show the disposition of the boys of that early day, it is but necessary to refer to one hallow-eve night. The boys took a dead hog, mounted the shop with it and threw it down the chimney. When fire was started the next morn- ing, the chimney refused to draw, which led to the dis- covery of the hog. In attempting to remove it, it was found


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


that it had stiffened during the night, and would neither go up or down, and the chimney had to be torn open to remove the animal."


The post office was established here about 1854, and Henry Taylor was appointed the first post master. Dr. Hiram H. Rice was the earliest resident physician locating here in 1855. In 1856, he and a young man studying medi- cine with him opened a drug store. Esquire James H. Pinkerton was the earliest justice of the peace, and the first case was the noted Christina Dixon case, so familiar to the older citizens. In 1858, A. M. Thompson ereeted a saw mill on the lot where A. R. Smith's mill now stands, on the south side of Chestnut street. It was in operation about three years. It was in the same year that Esq. James H. Pink- erton and Charley Coder began making brick where Adam Miller's machine shop now stands. In 1859, the village contained two churches, two stores, one wagon shop, three blacksmith shops, one merehant mill, one saw mill, one shoe shop, one drug store, three carpenter shops, one tin shop, one saddlery, two hotels, one brick yard, one brick school- house aud two physicians. At that time there was consid- erable building being done; several stores and residences were in course of erection.


In the spring of 1860 there occurred a severe storm iu this locality, and in its passage over the village it unroofed the briek mill, unroofed and blew in the west gable of the brick school-house and also demolished the stone building of Dickey and Jamison, besides doing .considerable damage to other buildings, residences and all kinds of property. The fences in the vicinity were scattered in every direction.




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