Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 19

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 860

USA > Illinois > Cumberland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 19
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 19
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 19

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).

He came to this country from Philadelphia, in 1848, and located three miles east of Greenup, where he pursued the occupation of a farmer for about five years. He then bought the Greenup House from John Shiplor, and entertained the public here for years. The building was erected by Captain Ed. Talbott, who sold it to John Shiplor. It is located on the southwest corner of Cumberland and Franklin streets.

Closely connected with this house is a rather laughable anec- dote, for an account of which we are under many many obligations to its hero, Mr. J. W. Latta. The incident to which we allude or- curred a short time before Mr. Conzet became proprietor of the house, and during the time that Simon Lyons was running it. Mr. Lyons, it seems, was entertaining a temporary boarder, who was at the time a citizen of Missouri. This boarder was projecting a porta- ble photographic office, which was to be carried on wheels. Some short words passed in a little unpleasantness in the bar-room, he- tween the boarder and Mr. Harvey Green, who was then driving stage. Whereupon Mr. Latta said " no gentleman or Christian will insult me, and a blackgnard shall not." At this, Mr. Green informed him that he could not step out upon the porch and say that. Out they went. But when Mr. Harvey saw hands placed upon pistols, in casing pockets, performed a series of back steps, the other the while advancing, until Mr. Lyons cried out, "Harvey! Harvey!" Whereupon the latter threw up the sponge and said, " now you quit

206

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

and I will." Of course, his prudence at this juncture was com- mended. And while joked for his bravery, in apology he said: "I didn't know but the d-d old flint lock might go off." Hence the origin of " flint lock " in this locality.

Among the early prominent men of Greenup, should be men- tioned A. K. Bosworth. He came to this village in 1841, with a small stock of saddlery and harness. and began business here. He made the first set of harness that was ever made in Greenup, and sold them to Mrs. Robinson who took them with her to Kentucky. He was married to Miss Sarah L. Cox, a cousin of Usher F. Linder, in 1842, and for several years taught school in Greennp for eight and nine dollars a month, to which we have already alluded, in another chapter. He removed to Alton in this State in 1847, but did not re- main there long, and came back about the time this county was or- ganized. After he went out of the office, to which we have alluded. he went into the mercantile business in a house on lot No. 15, in the old town of Greenup, and frequently sold goods for coon skins, and bought " buek horns " for 25 cents per pair. And, says he, "I lost money like blixen on them, too, at one time." He afterward bought a lot just south of the Ewart House, lot No. 10, where he put up a shed and sold goods in it: afterward went in with Clark S kweather, and sold goods in the house now occupied as a Lodge- room by the Masons, who afterward built the old frame house on lot No. 2, which soon fell into the hands of A. K. himself. In 1860 he took sides with Mr. Lincoln, and was beaten for County Clerk by M. B. Ross. He then turned his attention to the dry goods business, and continued in the same until about four years ago, when he took in his son Ross. They run the business under the firm name of A. K. Bosworth & Son, until recently when they sold out to Harrison Jones and John J. Kellum. Mr. Bosworth visited the armies during the war. He relates many interesting anecdotes of earlier times, and particularly of things that occurred in an early day in Greenup. And when the county-seat was removed to Prairie City, the records, of course, being in Greenup, Mr. Bosworth, at that time being Clerk, entertained an idea that the records could not legally be removed. and he disputed the right of removal in some hotly contested law suits. But they availed nothing, and when they came over from the City with wagons after the records, it was indeed a fearfully ex- citing time, which very nearly resulted in a battle. Mr. Bosworth refused to go over to the City to act as Clerk, but was willing to act if the records were left in Greenup. Consequently, A. G. Caldwell

207

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

was appointed to fill the vacancy, which he did. But Mr. Bosworth's passions subsided, and he was elected to the same office afterward.

In 1852, a railroad line was surveyed through from Terre Haute to Saint Louis, nearly coincident with the Vandalia line, which was called the Bruff road. This road slept on for seventeen years, during which time the citizens of Greenupand of the various points along the route were often highly elated at their prospect for a railroad, and quite as often discouraged. This line passed through Greenup, on what is known as Railroad Street, in Addison's addition to the town of Greenup, and is about four blocks north of where the railroad now is. This railroad prospect failed and the hopes of a rail- road died out until the present road was surveyed, and other and bet- ter men assumed the contract for its construction. It will be remem- bered that the Saint Louis, Vandalia & Terre Haute Railroad was built in 1868-9, and that the first train of cars that ever visited Greenup, was during the holiday of that winter. It was a proud era in the history of Greenup, and the anticipations of many of Greenup's citi- zens knew no bounds. New additions were made to the town, new lots laid off, large increases of population, buildings went up daily, and Greenup for once was aroused from her long, deep slumber, and to a newness of life and activity. And as the number of trains increased and their screams echoed up and down the valleys of Cumberland and Jasper, a new disposition seemed to settle over the people, and to assume the place of the dull monotonous despondeney that had so long lowered over them. New farms were cleared up, and a spirit of industry, energy and enterprise shown that had never before been manifested in this locality.

Greenup has always been a good milling point, and its later busi- ness has taken this direction and pioneered the way to steam mills. In 1854, JJ. & W. Madison established a saw mill in Madison's addi- tion to the town. This was the first steam saw mill over established in this part of the country. The Madisons run this mill until the latter part of 1857, when they sold it to Mr. Henry Stump. Stump ran it until 1861, when it was sold to other parties and removed to other parts. During the time Mr. Stump ran the mill, Puny Phelps at- tached to it a carding machine, which (with great credit to Mr. Phelps) performed admirably, and called to Greenup considerable wool trade. This carding machine, it will be remembered, was no small enterprise, for the reason that flax hackles and spinning wheels were the principal means of obtaining clothing, and no very great attention was devoted to the raising and improvement of sheep.

208

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

Hence, Mr. Phelps might very justly be denominated the hero of the new era of the clothing department in this county. But the mill and Phelps' carding machine have passed away and others have taken their places.

Some time in the latter part of 1853, Captain Edward Talbott built what is now called the " Cumberland Mills." They are situa- ted on the St. L .. V. & T. H. R. R., at the point where the Greenup and Palestine road crosses the railroad, in the south part of town. Mr. Talbott ran them himself until 1855, at which time he took in Warren Covill as a partner. This partnership continued about two years. when Mr. Covill sold his interest back to Mr. Talbott. In 1859 Mr. Talbott took in Mr. Benjamin Talbott as a partner, which part- nership continued until the latter part of 1864. Mr. Edward Tal- bott went into the One Hundred and Twenty-Third Regiment of Illi- nois Volunteers, as Captain, in 1862. During the time the Captain was in the army, the mills were leased to William Leslie, of Mar- shall, who managed them for about two years, the remainder of which time they were managed by a Mr. Stump, who ran them nearly a year. Sometime in the fore part of the year 1865, Messrs. Huffeutt and Mil- ler rented the mills and managed them for nearly two years. Mr. Tal- bott now runs the mills himself. For some considerable time after their construction, a carding machine was attached to the mills and did excellent work.

In 1854 a saw mill was built in the northeastern part of town. This mill was built by Philip Wolchimer and Mahlon Votaw. These men ran this mill until some time in 1858, when it was purchased by Mr. Arthur. Immediately upon the purchase by Mr. Arthur, he at- tached to it a carding machine, and has since then continued to run it, doing excellent work, and much of it.

A famous fishing resort in an early day was near Greenup, and so wonderful a place could hardly be omitted in a sketch of this vil- lage. Just west of the village and east of the old bridge near the Cumberland road, is the " slough" or the " Greenup fishing rink." in which thousands of pounds of fish are sometimes left, after the abatement of high waters. An incident is mentioned of a fishing-party to this slough, organized by Dr. Rhodabough. during the time he was a citizen of Greenup. The Doctor is very fond of fish and as fond of the sport of catching them; and is never without a seine. So the Doctor, in company with Mrs. Rhodabough, William Wylde and lady, A. Carson's lady, George Day and others started for the slough. The Doctor being affected with rheumatism concluded he

209

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

would not go into the water (the greater part of which was mud of the worst character), and that he would look after the unlucky fish when caught. So it was arranged that Mr. Wylde and George Day do the seining (the seine being small and easily managed), so in they went and made a drag taking over a hundred very fine buffalo fish and other kinds, some of which weighed thirty pounds. But before they reached the bank ( the water being shallow ), the Doctor beheld the fish and forgetting his ailments, plunged into the mud and water over his knees, and began slinging the fish on the bank, with an eager- ness incomprehensible to any but those who have had experience in such business. And it is said that the eager Doctor slung them quite often against the excited ladies who stood upon the bank. After taking nearly a thousand pounds of fish from the slough, they re- paired to their homes with high anticipation of the morrow's break- fast. This fish story would not perhaps compare with those of the New Testament, but it is nevertheless affirmed to be true, and such is the oft repeated history of the " slough," by various parties, from year to year.

Owing to the great increase of population in Greenup, occasioned by the establishment of Greenup as a railroad town, and to the in- dependent dispositions of the sons of Erin, who worked upon the road in 1868-69, it became necessary to establish a guardian of the public peace in Greenup.

Accordingly on the 23d day of January, 1870. a meeting was called in Greenup, for the purpose of taking steps toward the incor- poration of Greenup, as a town, and to take the vote of the people for or against incorporating. On motion of John J. Kellum, S. W. Quinn was elected President of the meeting, and upon motion of David Carson. Jr., Peter Shade was elected clerk of the same. Officers were then sworn who proceeded to take the yeas and nays on incor- poration, which vote resulted in forty-seven yeas and four nays, giy- ing yeas a majority of forty-three. It was determined at this meet- ing to hold an election on the 30th of January, 1869, for the purpose of electing a Board of Trustees. On that day the following persons were elected Trustees for the town of Greenup, constituting Green- up's first Town Board, viz .: A. J. Ewart, P. Shade, Charles Conzei, Jr., T. L. Norman, and G. Monohon. This Board held its first meet- ing on the 4th day of February, 1869, and elected G. Monohon, as its President, and P. Shade as its Clerk. On the following day, viz .: February 5, 1869, the first code of ordinances (seven in number) were drawn up and passed. On the last mentioned day it was

210

IHISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

determined to hold an election on the 18th day of February, 1869, for the purpose of electing a police magistrate, on which day A. Cook was elected to that office, and shortly afterward Z. Davee was appointed police constable.

The village is now greatly disturbed over the question of the re- location of the county-seat. The constitutional requirement of a three-fifths vote seems to put it beyond the power of Greenup ever regaining the distinction of being the seat of justice, and yet its enter- prise seems to be waiting for this improbable event. A large public square is left unfenced and unimproved; business is generally satis- fied with rather inferior frame buildings, and the spirit of Micawber seems to have possessed the larger part of the community.

Woodbury .- This village lives now only in the memory of the older citizens and in the name of the township. It was platted on land belonging to William C. Greenup and George Hanson, in 1835. It was named for George Woodbury, who built a cabin here as early as 1831. In 1833, Levi Beals came here, built a cabin and was soon after appointel postmaster. The mail carrier stopped at his place, and occasionally travelers. Subsequently, D. T. Wisner settled here and kept a small store and postoffice for years, but the place is no more recognized as a village. Originally, it consisted of fifty-two lots, twenty-six on each side of the National road, and divided into five blocks by three cross streets, thirty-three feet wide, denominated First, Second and Third streets. There is some prospect now that certain railroad shops may be located at this place and the abandoned site, or the near vicinity, once more assume the importance of a village.

Johnstown .*- This is one of the oldest settlements in the coun- try. As far back as 1827-28 John Tully had a little water-mill and distillery above Johnstown on the Muddy. To this mill the few settlers of the country repaired to get their grists ground and their jugs filled with whisky. About the year 1835 Tully started a horse- mill, which he ran when the water was too low to run his water-mill, and he had to go out among the settlers in search of corn to grind, and David Bruster says that when he was quite a small boy he re- members Tully coming to his father's (Mr. Davis Bruster's ) house on the old Thraldkill place in Kickapoo Point for corn. Tully staid at Johnstown until about the year 1837 or 1838, when he sold out his mill and distillery to Bob Dixon and Walter Patterson, who laid out a town and named it " Sheffield." They also opened a small

* Many of the facts for this sketch are derived from a publication by George E. Mason.

211

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

store, buying their goods to stock it from Bill Todd, of Charleston. Dixon and Patterson remained in Sheffield until about the year 1840, when they were closed out by Morton & Decker, of Charles- ton, into whose hands the land upon which the town is located, the mill, distillery, ete., fell. The town then went down, and the peo- ple moved away to other localities. About the year 1846 Alfred Alexander purchased the town site, and shortly after his son, John W. Alexander, revived the town, changing its name to "Johnstown," after himself. About the year 1851 or 1852 Deal & Johnson brought a stock of goods to Johnstown and commenced business, and from this small beginning our friend " Zay" has risen to be president of the First National Bank of Charleston, and a wealthy and influential man. Here Abe Highland also formerly cut quite a figure. At the time Deal & Johnson opened their store a postoffice was established at the place. . The early days of Johnstown is replete with historic interest. It was at Tully's mill that the early settlers met to decide their differences and hear the news from the outside world. And later, it has been the scene of many fiercely contested political battles between contending candidates, and Ed Norfolk relates that in 1860 when Uncle Jimmy Cunningham and Jim Robison were candidates for congress, and Henry Rhoads and Phil Wolchimer were candidates for sheriff, he went to Johnstown on election day and found all the " groceries " chartered by the Whigs; so, seeing that the day was lost unless something was done to check the current against the democracy, at once purchased several gallons of whisky and some cups, and, placing a table in the middle of the street, opened a " free grocery," and triumphantly carried the day for his party.

Originally the village was platted on the northeast corner of the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 27, Township 11 north, Range 8 cast. It consisted of twelve blocks of eight lots cach, and a public square the size of one block. The streets were sixty feet wide, and in its beginning was planned for a thriving village. The character of modern development, however, has left the village stranded in the interior. It has a store, a few shops, and two or three members of the professions to keep up the character of a village.

Jewett .*- This village dates from the old town of Pleasantville, which originally was situated on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 24, and the east half of the northeast quarter of

*Many of the facts for this sketch are derived from a publication by George E. Mason.

212

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

the same section in Township 9 north, Range 8 cast. It consisted of 116 lots. three rows deep on the north side and four on the south side of the National road. Pleasantville was platted in 1844; Thomas Sconce, surveyor; plat recorded June 12, 1844; Otis Perrin, recorder. Jewett is on the Cumberland, or National road. is five miles south of Prairie City, and five miles southwest from Greenup. Hull Tower, the proprietor, an old-time Methodist preacher, lives at Oakland, Oregon, having emigrated about 1850. The town was once noted as a great stage station, stopping place, etc., when Owen Tuller had the line from Terre Haute to Saint Louis. Until recently the widow Beals occupied the old homestead a short distance from town, which was once an " ancient hostehy."

After the " Brough Survey" collapsed and the T. H. A. & St. L. R. R. was built, the stage and telegraph line was discontinued, property became almost worthless, and many of the old settlers abandoned the town for more prosperous localities. Dr. L. C. Churchill, Levi Beals, Joseph Russell and John Laughter, the Lawsons, old John Gillham, Dan Marks, B. R. Russell, now in Cali- fornia, Meredith and Wiley Ross, of Prairie City, were old settlers in or near Pleasantville. The Hamiltons, John Ivens. Squire Cullum, the Russels, Jim Morrison, W. L. Trostle. .. Old Jack Pickering." John Hollinhan, Russell, Morrison and Laughter, and others are among those remembered as carly citizens who abided by the old place.

In the early days the surrounding country was heavily timbered, and many a buck fell beneath the unerring aim of Unele Jo Russell, John Talbott. "old Jack Pick," and others. Pioncer sports were freely indulged in, consisting of shooting matches, horse and foot races, pitching quoits, etc., interlarded with practice in the " manly art of self-defence." The junction of the National and now Prairie City roads, on the east bank of Muddy, one and one-half miles from town, was a great stamping ground for the pioneers from all parts of the country in the olden time. Among the names of the champions in pugilistie encounters were John Kingery, JJoseph Berry. Sr. (both dead), and old Dan Needham, who yet lives to re- count the history of their exploits. David T. Wisner, at Wood- bury, two miles southwest of Pleasantville, occupies a prominent place in the history of those times. Ho removed to Missouri and died there in 1872. Old Jo Kirkpatrick, who dropped dead in the streets of Charleston about 1859-'60. formerly resided about one and one-quarter miles west of town, and was burned out by his enemies

213

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

who were too cowardly to seek revenge by other means. The old landmarks have many of them disappeared. The Churchill build- ings have lately become a wreck. The Laughter Mill, which was so prolific of litigation in 1859-60, has long since disappeared, as has also the old log church and schoolhouse.

Among the carly business men were Daniel Mark, Colonel and Morgan Rush, Benjamin Russell, Meredith Ross, and some others, but the change of the county-seat and the development of railroads elsewhere sapped the prosperity of the place, and it was almost deserted. Up to the advent of the Vandalia Railroad everything had about flattened out and dilapidated, until its building revived things in 1869-70. In 1870 Jewett was platted; W. H. Rissler, surveyor; E. S. Norfolk, recorder. Addition (connecting the town to Pleasantville) platted 1873; recorder, Andrew Carsen. Millions of feet of lumber have been manufactured and shipped at this point, walnut and white oak being the principal kinds shipped. Until the building of the P. D. & E. R. R. this was the shipping point for Toledo and the western portion of Jasper County, and the town rapidly took on an appearance of business thrift. This road, how- ever, made some change, but Jewett is a pleasant village, with several good stores, churches, schoolhouse, and the usual complement of shops.

Toledo .- The county-seat was platted in 1854 by Nelson and John Berry, Lewis Harvey and Wm. P. Rush. Its site covers the geographical center of the county, and was originated for the pur- pose of accommodating the seat of justice. The site was not espe- cially adapted for a village, but its location made it more desirable than other locations which were competitors for the distinction. The early growth of the village was rapid. The courthouse was erected in 1857 and the county records removed in that year. This necessitated the presence of the County officers at least, and the town rapidly built up. Wm. P. Rush was the first storekeeper, and Lee and Norfolk the second. Business gradually increased, but not with large strides until after the building of the Peoria, Decatur and Evansville Railroad in 1877. Three years before this the village business and inhabitants are given in the Democrat as follows: " The village contains twenty business houses, namely. Bruster & Sons, two stores, dry goods, clothing, etc., and provisions and groceries; Rono Logan, groceries, etc .; Miles Moore, liquors and confectionaries; Mike Barrett, dry goods, groceries, etc .; Israel Yanaway, drugs, medicines, groceries, boots and shoes, etc .; Mrs. Mary Bradshaw, milliner and dress maker; Charles Hanker, furniture

214

IHISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

dealer; Mat Hurst, saddler: E. B. Jones, drugs, medicines and groceries; D. H. Wohler, boots and shoes and boot-maker; Levi Ross, groceries, provisions, confectionaries and ice-cream saloon; R. Bloomfield, dry goods, clothing, notions, groceries, etc .; Sam Harvey, groceries, provisions, restaurant, etc .; Logan & Eskridge, dry goods, clothing, notions and groceries; R. M. & C. O. Ray, liquors, confectionaries, tobacco and cigars, etc .; Dr. J. H. Yanaway, drugs, medicines, paints, oil and groceries; A. A. Lovins, hardware, tinware, farming utensils, stoves, etc .; Mrs. McCartney, milliner. We have one No. 1 hotel, the ' Brown House,' two printing offices, the Cumberland Democrat and the Mail, six physicians, ten lawyers. and four preachers. We have one excellent grist mill, with as good a miller as there is in the State. There are eighty-two families inside the incorporate limits of the village, namely, those of William Shaw, HI. B. Decius, L. L. Logan, J. H. Yanaway, Thomas White, Rev. J. M. Baker, Charles Selby, Wiley Ross, Harris Orr, Josiah White, Lewis Brookhart, Alfred Payne, Andrew Carson, W. H. MeDonald, R. Bloomfield, Joseph Morgan, C. Woods, H. T. Woolen. Henry Rhoads, JJ. L. B. Ellis, M. Hurst, G. E. Mason, W. D. Mum- ford, A. J. Lee, A. G. Caldwell, Amos Stead, R. Long, Win. Brown. Win. Peters, M. Barrett, Mary Bradshaw, Chas. Hanker, E. B. Jones, D. II. Wolers, Levi Ross, D. Bruster, Polly White. N. L. Scranton. John Prather, A. A. Lovins, Mary Bright, John Lee, D. B. Green. J. W. McCartney, Betty McCartney, Samuel Harvey, Al Rosen- crans, Henry Green, D. Corderman, Joel Smith, W. Humphrey, Simony Lee, Wm. Logan, Flavius Tossey, Ed. Miles, Vol Clark. Chas. Akins, John Berry, F. Baichley, W. H. Shull, Anna Hannah, Bob Ray, Mary Croy, M. B. Ross, W. L. Bruster, Sam McMahon, R. E. & M. L. Mumford, Elias Armor, Wiley Shaw, Rev. Schlosser, Tom Brewer, Tom Shiplor, Coleman Ray, Lewis Harvey, D. B. Green, Wm. Richardson, Geo. Starger, - Hays, Perry Cox, Wm. Cottenham, Levi Brewer.

On the 10th day of June, 1866, a public meeting was held at the courthouse to determine whether the town should be incorpo- rated or not, and a vica roce vote taken, which resulted in the affirma- tive. Whereupon, R. Bloomfield was chosen president of the meet- ing and James E. Mumford, clerk, who were duly qualified to poll the legal vote of the town, which resulted in the unanimous voice · for incorporation.'

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 19

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 860

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 860