Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 43

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough & Co.
Number of Pages: 458

USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 43
USA > Illinois > Moultrie County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 43

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Thus far we have traccd the history of Methodism in Moultrie county, but confining our attention principally to those events which could be narrated in connection with those relating to the society in Sullivan ; but there are also good societies existing at other points in the county, and we will briefly survey the history of Lov- ington and Bethany.

Lovington .- The history of Lovington M. E church is almost identical with that of Sullivan until 1868, when the Sullivan circuit

was divided, since which time they have employed different pastors. This society probably had its birth at Hewitt's Grove in 1845, and Dr. Hiram Buck was its father. The people met at first in private houses to listen to the gospel, until 1849, when the hewn log-house which we have before described was built ; this they occupied until 1858, when the edificc at present used was built at a cost of $2,500. The architects were A. A. & G. M. Williams, and the first board of trustees, John Foster, Alex. Porter, George Hewitt and Jacob Murphy. The following have served as pastors since 1870, soon after the circuit was divided : 1870, N. S. Buckner; 1871 and '2, J. W. Lapham ; 1873, I. N. Bundy; 1874-5, J. C. Kellar; 1876, Abner Pottle; 1877, Peter Slagle; 1878, W. A. Mckinney; 1879, E. Gollagher; 1880, J. W. Warfield. The church is at present in a flourishing condition, with good prospects of future usefulness.

Bethany .- There had been Methodist preaching at Marrowbonc, in the vicinity of Bethany, at a very early day; but no permanent socicty seems to have been organized there. In 1860, Rev. I. Groves, who was then on Sullivan circuit, preached there; but he seems to have failed in organizing anything of a lasting character. The first permanent organization was effected there in 1870 by Rev. Joseph Shartzer, who remained pastor two years. In 1872 Rev. J. M. Boone became pastor, during whose term the present church there was built. It is constructed of brick, and cost $3,000. This is the only brick church owned by the denomination in this county. The first board of trustees consisted of Jacob Scheer, John A. Strain, A. H. Bliss, Daniel P. Warren and Robert Crow- der. The following have been pastors there: 1873 and '4, D. C. Burkett ; 1875, A. Y. Graham; 1876, Abner Pottle; 187;, W. F. Shocmaker; 1878 and '9, A. Y. Graham; 1880, A. H. Rusk. The church is in a flourishing condition, out of debt, and money in the treasury.

Besides the churches mentioned, there are also the following, from which we have failed to receive any facts, though we have tried again and again, and also scarched through the clerk's office for old deeds and certificates of incorporation, but in vain. Sum- mit has a respectable frame-structure ; Graham and Cadwell's chapels also of frame. Further than this, we know nothing in re- gard to the time of organization.

In conclusion we may say that Methodism is on a pretty firm basis, and intends to do all she can in furthering the interests of Christianity in Moultrie county. She also extends the right hand of fellowship to all sister denominations, and wishes them a hearty " God-speed."

UNITED BRETHREN.

There is a goodly number of this denomination scattered through- out the county; but as yet no church building has been constructed for church purposes. Service is held at various school-houses in the county, where the members enjoy the preaching and services as rendered by the teachers of the faith.

CITY AND TOWNSHIP OF SHELBYVILLE.

HE early history of Shelbyville township dates back over half a century. The first settlers were hardy pioneers from Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina, and to their indomitable energy and perseveranee the present generation owes a debt of gratitude that is hard to appre- ciate ; in fact, the enjoyments now realized by the well-to-do farmer, the merchant, the bank- er, the lawyer, the doetor, and tradesman of every eraft, are due to those fearless pioneers, many of whom eame to the country hatless and barefooted, and with the rudest of elothing to eover their nakedness. It was they who eleared the forest, faced the Indian and blazed the way for the incoming tide of immigration and eivilization that now marks all our borders from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The results of their labors and hardships are written not only in our his- tories, but more unmistakably engraven upon every highway in the land.

Shelbyville township, in which the City of Shelbyville is mainly situated, is in the form of a perfeet square, and contains thirty-six sections. The I. & St. L. R. R. extends entirely through the northern part of it, running mainly east and west. The township is well watered by the Okaw river, the head waters of the Kaskas- kia; it is therefore well supplied with good timber both for fuel and building purposes. The prairie is the best allnvial soil, so famons in the Mississippi valley. No richer farming community exists anywhere in the West than the husbandmen of Shelbyville township oceupy.

The first eabin built within the present limits of Shelbyville, was constructed by Josiah Daniel in 1825 or 1826. It was a single log room of very meagre pretensions. He broke a small tract of ground near his cabin ; and in the spring of 1827, Joseph Oliver, who had been appointed elerk of Shelby county, by Judge Theophilus Smith, came up from Vandalia, and bought out Daniel's claim. Mr. Oliver built another log room adjoining the eabin, and here opened up his office as county and eircuit elerk. He also served in the capacity of probate judge and recorder. He kept his office here until the county built the log court-honse, situated about a hundred yards from where the old briek struetnre so long stood. At that time the county was very sparsely settled, and the fees of the several offiees were not sufficient to provide for his family ; he, therefore, started a subseription school, using the court-house for a school- room. He was also postmaster of the town; but as the mail was very limited and consisted only of letters, he often earried the con- tents of the mail in his hat, and would hand the letters to their owners on meeting them in the street. When Mr. Oliver eame up from Vandalia, a merehant there, by the name of Blaek, insisted npon his bringing along a small stoek of goods to traffie out among

the early settlers and Indians. He accordingly built a small split log house, near the Big Spring, with elap-board shelves and puncheon eounter, and here opened up his stock of goods. His principal trade eame from the Indians, from whom he would exchange his goods for furs and beeswax.

In the fall of 1827, Jaeob and John C. Cntler, who were mer- ehants in Martinsville, Indiana, eame to Shelbyville on horseback, and were looking for a location to start in business. Shelbyville, at that time, could not support two stores; so Oliver told them, if they would bring a stock of goods, he would go out of business, and return what goods he had on hand to Mr. Blaek, at Vandalia. The arrangement was made, the goods returned, and the Messrs. Cutler brought on a new stoek of goods, and opened up in the room that Mr. Oliver had vaeated. John, who was then a young man of about twenty-one years of age, and the son of Jacob, was placed in the store, when the father returned to Indiana to look after some business in Martinsville. The following spring Jaeob sold out in Indiana, and brought the remnant of a stoek of goods he had in Martinsville and added it to their stock in Shelbyville. They soon afterward built a neat hewed log house, and opened a respectable frontier store. The early merchants that followed the Cutlers were Owen Prentice, also postmaster after Mr. Oliver, John S. Gordon, George Beeler and Captain Duncan. Their business houses were all log buildings, arranged around the square.

The Big Spring, before mentioned, furnished all the water for the villagers for several years, as it was some time before there were any wells. When the town of Shelbyville was laid out, the lots were sold at public auction. Joseph Oliver bought the lot the spring was on, but it was not the intention of the connty eommis- sioners to sell this lot; but through some mistake they got things mixed, and it was knocked off to Mr. Oliver. Although he had paid for it before the mistake was known, and could have held it under the sale, he was generous enough to let it go back to the connty.

One of the oldest settlers in Shelbyville township was Francis Jordan, who settled on seetion 23 as early as 1823 or '24. Riehard Thomason, a native of Virginia, eame to the State of Illinois in 1814, and located in Clinton county. In 1823 he moved with his large family to Shelby county, and settled within a half mile of Shelbyville. He resided here until 1830, when he moved to Moul- trie eonnty. Weldon Manning settled on the east bluff of the Okaw (Kaskaskia), near where the Shelbyville bridge now spans the river. About the same time Kinkin Odum settled on seetion 23, where Moses Reed now lives. In a few months he with Jordan and John Fleming migrated to the State of Texas. James Abott and a preacher by the name of Harris settled in the township as

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*** * *

SUPERINTENDENT OF POOR FARM.

FARM RESIDENCE OF JOHN E. LANE ESQ. SEC. 13, TOWER HILL TP.(II) R.2, SHELBY CO. I LL.

SHELBY COUNTY POOR FARM, ROSE TP. 5 MILES N.W.OF SHELBYVILLE, ILL.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

early as 1825. Old man Crunk located on sec. 14 in 1826, the fol- lowing year. Alec Sherrel settled on the same section; the latter was a native of Tennessee, and lived in the county for several years, when he moved farther west. Edward Reed, Isaac M. Shell, James Clark and Aaron Rooks (four familics from Tennessee) came to- gether in 1827, and settled in the same neighborhood. John Mil- ler and family located on sec. 22 in the year 1828. He had a large family of sons, most of them grown to manhood ; they were also natives of Tennessee. In 1826 Barnett Bonc settled on the banks of the Okaw, and was one of the first to build a hewed log house in that part of the country. He came from Tennessee, was a mein- ber of the Methodist Church, and one of the leading men of the times. Moses Reed came to the county with his father's family- Edward Reed-when he was about twenty years of age, and has lived in Shelbyville township since 1827.

In the fall of 1829, John Drew came to Shelbyville and located near the river. He built a horse grist-mill near where the Shallen- barger iron bridge now crosses the river. It was considered a num- ber-one mill in its time, having a bolting apparatus; and, when business was brisk, a customer would have to wait ten or twelve hours for his grist.

W. M. Wright, one of the staunch men still doing business in Shelbyville, must be mentioned among the old settlers. He came with his father, Reuben Wright, in 1830, when he was but thirteen years old. He is still in the mercantile business, having commenced merchandizing as early as 1832. Reuben, the elder, was a carpen- ter by trade, and followed the saine a few years after coming to Shelbyville, when he started in the hotel business, which occupa- tion he conducted until his death, in 1837.

Henry Helton, one of the early settlers, was born in South Carolina, and brought up in Knox county, Kentucky. He emi- grated to Shelbyville township in the spring of 1830, and died at his home in 1869, at the age of seventy-seven. His son, Isaac Hel- ton, now owns the old homestead.

Among the prominent settlers of this township was John Douthit, a native of South Carolina. He emigrated to Tennessee in an early day, and thence to Shelbyville in 1830, and located on section 13, where his son, Andrew E. Douthit, now lives. He afterward inoved his family about a mile south in the township and bought a farm, where he lived several years. He died near where he first settled, Oct. 10, 1868. He was always an active and prominent man in the community in which he lived, and filled several offices of trust in the county. Evan Douthit, the father of John, was one of the pioneer preachers in Shelby county, and settled in Richland town- ship in 1828. He afterwards migrated to Texas, where he died.

Another old settler, James Davis, moved into the township as early as 1830, and settled on section 12, where his son, Bayles M. Davis, now resides. He was a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, and died at the old homestead in Shelbyville township in 1846.

John Griffith located on sec. 22, near Jordan creek, in 1829, and the decease of his son Joseph was probably the first death in this township.

Where the iron bridge now crosses the river, there used to be what is called a rope ferry ; but, prior to this, Barnett Bone kept a canoe, and rowed the travelers back and forth as required, with their horses swimming by the side of the canoe when they were thus mounted. In about 1832, there was a wooden bridge constructed across the river, and served as a highway until the present bridge was built.

The first school-house on the east side of the river was erected in 1831. It was a log building with an eight-foot fire-place, dirt-floor and puncheon seats; it was situated on the site where Thomas

Dobins now lives. Daniel J. Green was the first teacher. The first .church built on this side of the river stood near the school- house, and was built in the year 1836 or '37 by the Baptist denom- ination ; it was afterwards removed to the north-west corner of sec. 13, and is now used for church purposes by all denominations that desire to use it.

Land Entries .- The following are the first land entries made in this township :

Dec. 10, 1825, C. Tetrick and J. Pugh, S. W. } 6, 145 100

Jan. 9, 1826, Francis Jordan, W. 3

S. W. 4 13, 80

May 6, 1826, John Drews, W. : S. W. + 4, 80

May 22, 1826, Barnett Bone, N. W. 4 19, 148 28 100

· The first hotel was a small, single log room, put up by Thomas Lee, and stood on the present site of the Commercial Hotel. It was built in 1829, and afterwards sold to Mr. Tackett, who built on an addition and kept it for several years. In 1830 James Cutler built a large log tavern on the south-east corner of the square. It was two stories high, and about 50 or 60 feet in length ; he after- wards reared a frame shed room at the rear of the hotel proper, for a dining-room and kitchen. The lumber was sawed by hand, and was the first sawed material used for building purposes in the town.

In about the year 1829, a man by the name of Harper built a grist-mill in the hollow at the rear of where the Herald office now stands, the power of which was furnished by an old blind horse. It was here that the villagers got their supplies of flour and meal, un- til George Beeler put up a water mill on the banks of the Okaw, where the rail-road bridge now crosses the river. This was in 1833 or '34. The first steam mill was built by C. C. Scovil, in 1842. It was located where the First National Bank now stands. This mill did business a few years, when Mr. Scovil built the large brick structure now owned and run by Woodward & Davis.

The nearest approximation to manufactures in those days were the blacksmith shops; and who has not heard of Uncle George Wendling, James Trimble, Squire Hillsabec, and Gideon Walker, as among the hardy pioneers who manufactured linch-pins, and shod the horses for the early settlers.

For school purposes the court-house was first used, Joseph Oliver being the first teacher. The first school house was built in 1830. It was a frame structure, and was situated a short distance south- east of the square. The first teacher in this building is not known ; John Perryman taught a school in this house as early as 1831, and was probably the second teacher. Preaching in the early days of Shelbyville was held in the private residences, but the log court- house was sometimes used when a preacher of some note would stop at the village. Judge Vandeveer's father preached in the dining- room of Tackett's tavern as early as 1833. Among the earliest preachers, were Rev. Bushrod W. Henry and Rev. Willis Whit- field.

The first house built specially for religious worship in the town, was a hewed log structure about 20 feet square, and was situated near where the late General Thornton's residence now stands. This house was built about 1833, under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first church of any considerable size was also built by this denomination about 1838. It was a frame building, located in the northern part of the town, near the present residence of Burrell Roberts, and was afterward torn down in order to open Morgan street. Other denominations sprang up in time ; among the first was the Christian Church. About 1840, the latter built a large frame house situated on Broadway and South First street. This building did service many years, until the congrega-

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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

tion erected their present brick chapel which was commenced in 1858, and finished in 1870. The complete history of the rise and progress of the various denominations will be found in this work, under the head of Ecclesiastical History.

The City of Shelbyville is situated upon the west bank of the Kas- kaskia, or Okaw, and is among one of the old towns in this part of the state. It is built mainly on the late style of architecture, nest- ling among the hills and bluffs which are quite prominent at this point of the river. There are probably few cities of its size in the state that have as many rich and elegant private residences as Shel- byville. Many of the business houses are models of architecture and convenience, while the churches and public school building will com- pare well with any other city of its size in the state. The prominent streets are broad.and beautifully shaded with the maple, and other forest trees. One of its latest and most substantial improvements is its elegant new court-house, of which a description and view will be found elsewhere. The I. & St. L. railroad passes through the city on the south, and affords good commercial facilities to its business men. Financially it is in very good circumstances, having no bonded debt, and a school indebtedness of only $25,000. The fire department is limited, and contains only a Hook and Ladder company. The present population is about 3,000.

Shelbyville was incorporated as a village May 22, 1839, with the following named persons for officers : Trustees, James F. Whitney, Morgan Turney, Theophilus W. Short, Joseph Oliver, Owen Pren- tice ; Clerk, Edward Evey.

In 1863, the village of Shelbyville was incorporated as a city under the name and style of the "City of Shelbyville." The old village trustees held their last meeting April 24, 1863, and ad- journed sine die.

The first council met April 27, 1863, and were sworn into office. They were as follows : A. W. Chabin, president; W. L. Hayden, W. W. Thornton, J. D. Hunter and B. Roberts, councilmen, and WV. R. Read, clerk. An amendment was made to the charter in 1867, striking out the word president, and substituting the word mayor. The present officers are : P. R. Webster, mayor ; W. F. Turney, E. Klauser, William Roland, G. W. Sittler, councilmen ; H. L. Martin, clerk, and Simon Leist, marshal.

SHELBYVILLE INDUSTRIES AND MANUFACTURES.

The coal shafts of the town are worthy of prominent mention, having been among the leading industries of the city for many years. The deposit lies only about 50 or 60 feet below the surface, and at some points on the river south of the city, it crops out at the surface of the banks. The quality of the coal is excellent, and the vein on an average of about 21 inches. There are shafts now in operation.

Flouring Mills .- The early mills have already been mentioned in this chapter, hence we shall only deal with the present. One among the largest flouring mills in central Illinois is situated liere, and conducted by Woodward & Davis. It consists of two buildings, both four stories, and has a large capacity for manufacturing flour. It has seven run of burs, and is principally a merchant mill, ship- ping largely to the eastern cities.

Another prominent mill is that of J. Taylor Coffman, situated on South First and Washington Streets. It has four run of burs, and is very popular as a custom mill, and is largely patronized by the farmers of the county.

The Shelby Woolen Factory was established in 1859, by Joseph Hall. The first building was a small frame structure, the machinery consisting of a set of spinning cards and a jack containing 180 spindles. The present commodious brick building was erected by

the former owner in 1863. It contained one set of 40 inch manu- facturing cards, a 220 spindle-jack, and several looms. In 1866, the building was enlarged, with much new and most improved machinery added to its former capacity. When in operation it gives employment to several hands ; and is estimated to be worth about $35,000.

The Hay Press of D. N. Harwood deserves notice in this chapter. It was built in.1874, and has the capacity to hold 300 tons of hay, and make an annual shipment of from two to three thousand tons. It gives employment to about twenty laborers, and stands among the first in this industry in central Illinois.

CHURCHES.

The city can be proud of its many and splendid church edifices, among the most prominent of which are the Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, First Congregational (Unitarian), Church of Christ, Church of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic), and Lutheran.

NEWSPAPERS.

At this writing there are four newspapers published in the city ; Democrat, Union, Leader, and Greenlack Herald, a complete his- tory of which will be found under the head of the article on the Press.

I. & ST. L. RAILROAD.

When the company built the road they claimed that they could not build a switch near the town on account of the expense of grad- ing the bluffs of the Okaw ; hence a switch and depot was built on the land of M. D. Gregory west of town May 1857. Mr. Gregory named the station Moulton in honor of Hon. S. W. Moulton. Here Mr. Gregory built a hotel, but it afterward burned down. Messrs. Hall and Dill built the first business house ; others sprang up in time with numerous dwellings, and for a time it was thought that this would constitute the city proper, but at this time the town of Shelbyville was too old and well established to change its base. In about eight years afterward the R. R. company made a propo- sition to the city, if they would furnish $10,000 capital, the com- pany would change the road and establish a depot more to their convenience. The money was furnished, the road graded and the depot located where it now stands. The switch at Moulton is still used, and as the city has grown, and reached out, it has folded the little town of Moultrie in her arms until both are now one, and thus all interests of both are satisfied.

The City Cemetery, contains 40 acres of land purchased by the city of Gen. M. F. Thornton. It is beautifully situated on high ground, on the banks of the Okaw river north-east of the city. The grounds are artistically laid out, interspersed with fine forest and ornamental trees, broad and well graded avenues and walks. The city has control of the sale of lots, and management of the grounds. There are also two old grave-yards that belong to the city, but are filled, and all the interments are made in the new cemetery.

LEADING BUSINESS HOUSES.

The oldest bank in the county was established in 1859 by Gen. W. F. Thornton, and is now conducted under the firm name of W. F. Thornton & Son. The business was first carried on in a small building situated on the square. After the death of the General, a large bank building was erected and finished in December 1876. It retains its old firm name with the following stockholders, Tho- mas M. Thornton, J. Thornton Herrick, and Wm. T. Thornton. The first cashier, J. August Pfeiffer, is still retained in his position.

The First National Bank is situated on Main and Morgan streets, and was established in 1873, with O. S. Munsell, Pres. and J. M.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

Powers cashier. A. Middlesworth is now President with Powers as cashier ; its present capital stock is $75,000.

Shelbyville Deposit Bank, was organized in 1863, by W. L. Hay- den & Co .; it is well known in the county and is one of the sub- stantial banks in the country.

Physicians .*- T. L. Catherwood, E Van Dyke, C. T. Reber, D R. Van Reed, W. G. Wilson, W. W. Pierce, E. O. Stillwell, J. C Westervelt, H. B. Smith, Enos Penwell, Daniel Winters, E. E. Waggoner.

Post Office. - S. H. Webster, P. M.

Dentists .- I. A. Lumpkin, Bowman and Hamer.

Dry Goods, Boots and Shoes, and Groceries .- W. M. Wright, C. E. Haydon & Co., James & Yantis, Levering & Fraker, S. Zane Bland, F. A. Pauschert.

Dry Goods .- Kleeman & Goldstein.

Boots and Shoes .- Klecman & Goldstein, Hunter & Marshutz, J. T. Weakly.

Clothing .- Kleeman & Goldstein, George S. Terry, M. Cottlow, H. Cottlow, C. W. Rutherford.

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Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 43

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough & Co. Number of Pages: 458

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough & Co.
Number of Pages: 458