USA > Illinois > Stark County > Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois : containing an authentic summary of records, documents, historical works and newspapers > Part 59
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ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
the county. C. L. and S. W. Eastman and Jarville Chaffee took part in this exhibition, C. L. speaking the first piece. All three are still living here today. Great credit is due the Eastmans for the interest they took in this exhibition. The first Sabbath-school was organized in this building, by one Seigle, in 1837. The Methodists held meetings here for some years, coming from Lafayette and Princeville, bringing their dinners and staying all day. On June 30, 1840, twenty-three votes were cast in favor of organization for school purposes. In December. 1856, Cox's school-house, Essex township, was completed, on land donated by Joseph Cox. In April 1862, when the present record in possession of treasurer A. G. Hammond was opened by W. S. Bates, then treasurer, Sewell Smith presided over the board with Sylvester F. Otman and Henry A. Holst, trustees. In 1863 the
board was similarly constituted. In 1864 Sewell Smith, Henry A. Holst and George Fautz formed the board. In February A. G. Hammond was appointed treasurer, vice W. S. Bates, resigned, prior to leaving For Iowa. Ile was a Universalist preacher at Wyoming and other places during his residence here, among his appointments being Sewell Smith's schoolhouse. In 1865 George Fantz was chosen president with Messrs. Holst. Butler and Jefferson Trickle, and in 1866 the name of William H. Butler, with Messrs. II. A. Holst, Philip Earhart and Hammond constituted the board, with Il. A. Holst, president. In 1867, 1868 and 1869 the same names appear on the record. In 1869 a petition to change the boundaries of districts 4, 5 and 6 was presented, but owing to a remonstrance the subject was adjourned. In 1870 Jarville Chaffee. Henry A. Holst, Philip Earhart and A. G. Hammond constituted the board. They also served in 1871 and 1872 until JJohn Barr replaced Mr. Chaffee on the board. In April, 1872 the petition was re-presented for a change of school districts and on June 10th, that year, it was considered. In order to answer this petition favorably it was found necessary to change the boundaries of the majority of the districts in Essex Township, and this was ac- complished after much delay and discussion, a plan and chart (formed and drawn by Mr. Hammond) was presented to the board by Mr. HIolst. This provided for the ten districts as now known, and seemed so reasonable that its adoption settled this troublesome question. In 1873 the same board transacted school affairs here until the election of Perry Winn and William H. Butler, vice Philip Larhart and II. A. Holst, Messrs. Barr and Hammond being continued. In 1876, W. II. Butler's name appears as trustee, and in 1877. A. A. Sheets was elected, Mr. Hammond continning as treasurer. In 1879, Augustus Bailey, C. F. Hamilton and Dr. N. B. Morse, were elected trustees, and in April ap- pointed Rev. John W. Agard, treasurer, vice Mr. Hammond. In May following the old treasurer turned his books over to the new board, not however before obtaining an auditing and full business statement prov- ing the accounts correct in every particular. In April, 1880. John Jordan and Roval HI. Miller were elected to the vacancies occasioned by the removal of Dr. Morse from Essex, and C. F. Hamilton, term ex- pired. This election brought up the legal use of length of term ex- pressed on ballot, or decision on length of term by new board after
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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
election. The new board re-appointed A. G. Hammond treasurer vice Rev. J. W. Agard, who willingly turned over the records and accounts. The whole legality of the election of trustees was questioned. and the supercession of Mr. Agard by the appointee of the new board was tested in a case presented before Judge MeCullongh. in September, 1880, at Toulon. Messrs. Fuller and Shallenberger appeared for A. G. Hammond ; Messrs. Decker and Wilson, for C. F. Hamilton, who had also been appointed treasurer by a minority of the board of trustees. This was decided in favor of the defendant, and Mr. Hammond re- tained the office. Messrs. Miller, Jordan and James R. Galvin formed the board in 1881. In 1882 C. P. McCorkle was elected trustee. In 1883 N. Monroe Cox was elected. vice J. R. Galvin, Mr. Hammond be- ing re-appointed treasurer. In 1884 Philip F. Earhart and N. M. Cox. were placed on the board. In 1885, J. R. Galvin was reelected. In 1886 P. F. Earhart, N. M. Cox, J. R. Galvin and A. G. Hammond, consti- tuted the board. In 1886 there were 310 males, and 315 females under twenty-one years, or a total of 625, nine ungraded schools, and one graded school attended by 193 males, and 186 female pupils. presided over by six male and seventeen female teachers, the former receiving $1,525.53. and the latter $3,636.98 as salary. The district tax, $3,636.98; value of property, $16,775 : of libraries, $300 ; bonded debt. 83,000 ; total receipts. $12,529.16 ; total expenditures, 86,770.45. A. G. Hammond serving as clerk and treasurer.
Officials. - The names of all the supervisors of Essex from 1854 to the present time are given below. The name of the first appears in the organic chapter: '54, Samuel Dixon : '55-7. Josiah Moffitt : '57-9. Ilenry Colwell : '59, John Chaffee; '60, Samuel Dixon : '61, John Chatfee ; '62, Jonathan Nicholas; 63-5, W. H. Butler: 65, Edward Trickle : '66, S. F. Otman ; '67-9. Hopkins Shivvers; '69, Henry Col- well : '70, Philip F. Earhart : '71-4, John II. Ogle: '74, Timothy Bailey ; '75-7. Jacob Graves; '77. P. F. Earhart : '78. James M. Rogers: '79, William I. Graves; '80-2, Philip F. Earhart ; '82. John Jordan : '83-6. Philip F. Earhart : '86,John Jordan.
The justices since 1853 are named as follows: 1833. Isaac Thomas and John Finley; '57, John Finley, S. F. Otman; '61, S. F. Otman and D. Whiffin ; '62. Augustus G. Hammond ; '65. A. G. Hammond and Wilson Trickle : '69, G. B. Lashells, John McMillen ; '73, Philip F. Earhart. J. T. Rhodes : '74, John M. Mc Millen, (June) : 75. W. J. AI- ford : '77. Henry Graves and John McMillen : '80-1. Henry Graves ; '85. John Me Millen and A. J. Scott : '86. Wesley H. Heath.
In August, 1870, an election was held in Essex township on the ques- tion of voting 815,000 in aid of the Court Cr. R. R. or Galesburg and Chicago R. R., and this after a great majority of the citizens of Illinois had voted against the issue of township bonds for such purposes. The West Jersey people held a similar meeting in July.
Pioneer post-office .-* In 1883-4 there was a weekly mail route estab- lished from Springfield via Peoria to Galena. This route ran along the bluffs of the Illinois river, above Peoria up to Hennepin, to Dixon and on to Galena. Upon this the early settlers were entirely dependent for their mail matter. There was some sort of an office, or " hole in
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ELMIRA TOWNSHIP.
the bluff " just below the present town of Northampton in Peoria county, and a man by the name of Hicks was postmaster. In 1833 a post-office was established in the Essex settlement, and Isaac B. Essex was appointed the first postmaster within the present limits of Stark county. The mail was carried on the volunteer system, the settlers taking turns at carrying it once a week from the office under the bluff. It was usually carried in a meal bag, and could have been in the crown of a man's hat. " Galena Miner" tas Mr. Harris Miner was often called, generally carried it on foot. The office at this time was an old boot box, set up on pins driven into the wall, high and dry, and above the reach of children in the cabin of Mr. Essex. In 1833 only two newspapers were taken in the county, one by Mr. Essex and the other by Benj. Smith. At this date two weeks were required to get a paper from Springfield, and a proportionately longer time to get intelligence from Washington. This office was transferred to Wyoming, where Godley was appointed master. The coming of the railroad brought with it the village of Duncan, and with the village returned the post-office.
Churches .- The early history of Methodism in this township, like that of its first settlement is very fully treated in the general history and finds mention in the sketches of the Wyoming and Toulon churches. Its establishment is contemporary with the settlement of the Essex family here in 1829, although a class was not regularly organized until 1835. Rev. Wm. C. Cummings writes: "In 1835 1 was appointed by Bishop Roberts from the Ilinois conference of the M. E. church to (what was then) Peoria mission. It extended over a large territory - nearly all embraced now in Peoria and Kewanee districts, being parts of the following named counties, viz: Peoria, Fulton. Knox, Stark and Marshall. I preached at Father Fraker's, whose name is of precious memory in the churches, and rode from there over the ground where Toulon and Lafayette now stand, though they probably had not then been thought of. Not far from the present site of Toulon lived Adam Perry, whom I appointed class leader of a small society in the Essex settlement, and where we held a quarterly meeting in 1835, at which W. B. Mack and Stephen R. Beggs were present. The circuit preach- ers who attended here from 1830 to 1839 are named as follows : S. R. Beggs, 1930; Rev. Wm. Crissav. 1831 : Zadoe Hall, 1832 : Joel Arling- ton. 1833: Leander S. Walker. 1834: J. W. Dunahay. 1836; W. C. Cummings, 1535-7 ; A. E. Phelps, 1837 : S. R. Beggs, 1539. Since Mr. Brygs' last term, the history of Methodism in Essex is that of Ton- lon or Wyoming.
In church affairs, the Methodists were first on the field, but were soon followed by the Latter Day Saints, who made some converts here. and. it is said, led some members of the Essex family and others equally prominent. away from their allegiance to Methodism.
United Brethren Church, of Essex township, or Pleasant Valley Church was regularly organized in 1867, and the present house of wor- ship erected that year. The pastors have been : 1867. B. C. Dennis:
*From Mrs. Shallenberger's Work.
30
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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
'68, J. L. Condon ; '69, F. J. Dunn : '71, John Wagner : '72. P. B. Lee; '74, Geo. Il. Varce ; '75, A. Norman : '77, J. K. Bradford : '79. A. A. Wolf; '81. A. W. Callaghan and J. S. Smith ; '83, J. Lessig: 'S5. E. O. Norvill: '86. W. E. Rose, the present pastor. The members are Geo. Fautz and wife. Noah Springer and wife. Christina Springer, Geo. W. Springer and wife, Jared Jones and wife, Henry Springer. Sarah Nickel, Eliza Colwell. Mary Sheets, Andrew and Geo. Sheets. Eliza Eby. Charles Eekley and wife. Peter Sheets, Mary Howell, Mahala Sheets, Geo. Williams, Amelia JJ. Motes. Cora Colwell. Arch Jones, Matilda Swanson and Peter Sheets. Jr. Pleasant Valley Church lot and cemetery were platted by Edwin Butler, in August, 1873. on two acres in the northeast corner of northeast one-quarter, section 32, township 13. range 7.
Duncan. The town of Duncan was surveyed by Edwin Butler for Alfred H. Castle in June, 1870. Monroe, Adams and Jefferson streets running north and south : Main, Washington and Galena streets run- ning east and west, were represented ; but block one forming the ex- treme northwestern part of the village and all Galena street with northern extensions of Monroe and Adams. have been vacated. The first purchasers of lots at Duncan were the Scotts. of Wyoming. in 1871 ; Davis Lowman. Albert D. White, F. F. Brockway. E. Berg. John T. Fox. in block one, W. O. Cox, Joseph Buck. JJ. Il. Francis, Joab Graves. Rebecca Alford, Nancy Barber. Alex Ivens. Emmett Hlingworth. Samuel M. Adams. Benj. F. Gharrett, John H. Slater, W. S. Brock- way. and others in blocks two, three, four and five: Geo. Fantz, Peter Olson, Olof Bergguist. Geo. Colwell, Louisa Plummer, S. N. F. Westerfield in blocks four and five : C. M. Jacques. W. J. Alford, Wm. Hobbs. Chris. Gingrich, los. P. Paul. Day Bros. & Co. W. H. Nicker- son, the Dixons, Slaters. Gharretts, Scotts and Scott & Wrigley, Artemus W. Wheeler, in block six. Duncan business circle comprises F. F. Brockaway and John H. Slater. merchants: 1. J. Scott, grain and lumber: Geo. Fautz & Co., hardware; Wmn. Heath. grocer and hotel; T. C. Thomas, physician ; E. L. Marvin. R. R. agent : John Barker, blacksmith. with H. G. Slater, postmaster. W. H. Miller was postmaster at Duncan in 1870.
The Essex Horse Company was organized in April, 1858. on cavalry plan, But not for military purposes. It was to compete with the other townships for the agricultural society's premium for the best twenty- six horses. H. Shivvers presided, with J. W. Drummond, secretary.
The Essex Township Association was permanently organized in Sep- tember, 1884. with Mr. Chase, of Duncan. president : Atkinson, vice- president ; Mrs. Wm. Smith, secretary, and E. L. Marvin, treasurer.
The pensioners residing at or near Duncan in 1853, were Andrew S. Scott, receiving eighteen dollars, and W. A. Ellis six dollars per month.
In 1834-5 the Indians cultivated their corn-fields along Camping creek and near its month : but their old village on the borders of the Josiah Moffitt farm was then deserted, and their council-house in ruins. Even the mimic fortress built at the close of 1832. to commemorate the war, was then going to decay. A new era was introducing itself.
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ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
which, within fifty-four years effected a total change in the customs and manners of the people, as well as in the country which the pio- neers found a wilderness. Throughout this State there cannot be found a more beautifully located township than this of Essex. Within its limits many of the early settlers made their homes ; there also, that natural locater. the Indian, built his wigwam, and squatted, so to speak, in the midst of plenty. The streams of the township offered the lazy red men their wealth of fish, the forest its game, and the soil its wild fruits, herbs, and in some cases corn.
So many references have been made to the township in the general history of the county, as well as in that of the townships, and so com- plete are the biographical sketches of its citizens that little remained to be written here, beyond the special items pertaining directly to the township.
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES.
F. F. Brockway, the son of J. H. and Harriet (Fuller) Brock- way, was born in Broome county. N. Y., in the year 1832. His paternal grandparents were natives of Scotland who emigrated to America and settled in the state of New York about the year 1800, and there reared a family of six children. J. H. Brockway, their only son, was born in Scotland, and with parents came to New York at six years of age, remaining at home until abont seventeen years of age, and then spent some three years in Illinois, prospecting, with the object of obtaining land. He entered 6.000 acres near Jacksonville. Returning to his father's home, he, at the age of twenty-three years, was married to Miss Harriet Fuller. They resided in Broome county until 1844, when they removed to Illinois and settled in Boone county, where he purchased land and remained some seven years. The death of his faithful wife, whom he followed to the grave some years later, took place there. He had been a man prominent wherever he had resided, having held the office of sheriff of Broome county, N. Y., eight vears. His family comprised six children, three of whom are still liv- ing. F. F. Brockway, the second child of the family, remained in Broome county, N. Y., until about thirteen years of age. when with his parents he made the journey in wagons across the prairie to Boone county, IN. Until about the age of eighteen he remained in that county, and then went as an apprentice to learn the trade of a mason. and after two years began work for himself; bnt desiring to know his business thoroughly, he went to St. Louis and served again his time, thus showing a determination that but few possess. After two years of hard work, having become proficient in his business, he obtained important contracts for work on public buildings, as the jail, cottage female seminary, and other buildings at Davenport, lowa. Thus two years were passed, when he turned his steps toward Stark county, where his home has since been made. For one year here he devoted his whole time to his trade. In the winter of 1856 he was married to Miss Catherine Trickle, of Stark county, daughter of Jefferson Trickle. After their marriage they settled upon a farm in the southern part of Essex township, where for fourteen years they resided, when they moved to Wyoming, Mr. Brockway engaging in mercantile business
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
there. He continued in business five years, returned to the farm and erected the finest farm house in the county, which was unfortunately burned owing to a defective fine in the spring of 1884. Some nine years after returning to the farm they again left it. and moving to Duncan village, roengaged in mercantile business, and built up by all odds the largest and most progressive house of the place. In the spring of 1886 Mr. Brockway turned the business over to his sons, and since has given his attention to stock buying and feeding. Five children have blessed their home, of whom death has claimed one. M. J. Brockway is a farmer of Stark county; W. L. and C. G. are in business at Duncan, and Hattie attends school at Knox seminary. Politically Mr. Brock- way is independent, voting for the best man and measure rather than party. The family is one well known and very much respected, being foremost in all enterprises for the welfare and upbuilding of their town, and Mr. Brockway stands prominently among the best citizens of the county.
Thomas Cobrell, one of the first settlers of what is now Stark county, located in what is now Essex township, on the southeast quar- ter section eight,, in the fall of 1837, purchasing a small tract of land there. He was born in Virgina and was a son of Thomas. Sr., and Elizabeth Colwell, who were married in Kentucky, from which state they removed to Ross county, Ohio, where his parents resided until their decease. Of their children Thomas alone removed to this county. He came here a married man - having married, in Kentucky, Sallie Ogden. Their family comprised eight children, namely : Wash- ington, of Chillicothe, Ill., deceased ; George Pressley, deceased ; Ilenry, of Essex; Robert of Salt Lake; David, deceased ; Emily, wife of John Berfield, Toulon, and Sarah, married, of Toulon township. Mr. Colwell lived in this county after his settlement. He served a short time in the war of 1812. He died in 1857, in his eighty-fourth year. Mrs. Colwell died in June of the same year, in the seventy- eighth year of her age.
Henry Colwell. the only son of Thomas now living in Stark county, was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1813. . He was married when he came to this county. In this township he has resided since 1837. He has served as supervisor of the township three terms ; has been a member of the Agricultural Society almost since its organization, and the pres- ident of the Society many years, being the present incumbent. His son Miles was a member of Company (. One hundred and twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry : enlisted in 1862: served three years as a private soldier. Mr. Colwell has been twice married, first to Miss Elizabeth Dawson, of Hocking county, Ohio, who bore him six chil- dren, namely : George, John, Aleinda, Miles, Mary Jane and Martha, all living. Mrs. Colwell died in 1847, aged thirty-three years. llis second wife, Miss Clarinda Eby, he married in Stark county. They are the parents of thirteen children, namely : Eliza, deceased ; Ange- line, Marvin, Sarah, Day, Bunn, Clarinda, Douglas, Emmett, Louisa, deceased, lennie, Sallie, and Allie. Mrs. C., died in 1880, aged fifty- one years. Mr. C. has been a staunch Democrat in political belief dur- ing his life-time.
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OF ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
John Colwell, son of Henry and Elizabeth Colwell, was born in Stark county in 1837, where his parents settled at an early date, as jo- lated in their history in this chapter. At the age of twenty-Four years he married Miss Elmira Fast, daughter of Philip and Mary Fast, who was born in Ohio in 1845, and came with her parents to this county in 1849, where her father died in 1855. After Mr. Col- well's marriage he entered on farming for himself, and now owns 154 acres of choice land on section 18. They are the parents of four children, Mary B., Charlie O., Marvin B. and Mira J. In politics Mr. Colwell is Democratic. By industry he has built np round him a pleasant home, and by example a good family.
Joseph Cox, one of the pioneers of Essex township, still resides here, linking the present with the past of this division of the county. A reference to the original entries of lands in this township points out the settlement of the family of Nathan Cox here in 1836; a reference to the sketch of the cemeteries also will give the names of many members of this large family.
Thomas Walter Cor, son of Joseph and Catherine (Edwards) Cox. was born in Stark county. Ills., in the year 1847. His parents, natives of Virginia, removed to Ohio and thence to Illinois, settling in Stark county, where they still reside. Thomas W. Cox remained with his parents until his 20th year, when he married Miss, Clara De Wolf. daughter of Captain David and Matilda (Greenwood) De Wolf. This lady was born March 23, 1847; her father was of French descent, born in Nova Scotia March 30, 1822: her mother was born in Clark county, Ohio, February 22, 1823. The military record of Capt. De Wolf is worthy of his ancestry, and is on record in the military chapter and history of Toulon county. After his marriage Mr. Cox began farming in Essex township on his first farm, where he resided about five years. He sold this property and purchased 193 acres on sec. 24, Essex township, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are the parents of seven children, six of whom are living-Edwin E., born March 23. 1568 ; Alice, born September 1. [871: Stella, born May 26, 1874; Joseph, born June 22, 1876; Hattie, born August 16, 1880, and Cora, born November 27, 1883. An infant, born in the year 1883, died July 11 same year. On November 4, 1886. Mrs. Cox passed to her last long sleep. Her illness was of short duration. Up to the morning of her death she seemed as well as usual. She was buried at Wyoming, and the cortege which followed the remains to the grave was the largest seen at Wyoming, there being eighty-six vehicles. She was a faithful, loving wife, and her death was mourned by a large circle of friends. Politically Mr. Cox is a republican, and is a member of the Masonic order.
W. K. Cox, son of Enoch and Sarah (Drummond) Cox, was born in Ross county, O., August 20, 1832. His father and mother were natives of Ohio, the former a miller by trade, married at the age of twenty- two, in 1829. In 1837 they moved to this county, and here he erected one of the first grist and saw mills on Indian creek, famous for fifty miles around. Ile built this mill outright himself, and worked it until the water failed. when he erected a larger concern at the mouth of
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Camp run, on Spoon river, where his desire to do what was right brought him hosts of customers and won him many friends. In 1858 Mrs. Cox died. Of her eight children, seven are living and four resi- dents of this county. A few years later Mr. Cox transferred the mill to W. K., the present operator. The old gentleman married a second time, his wife dying in 1880. For eight years his own health has shown signs of failure, so that now the great old pioneer miller of In- dian creek is only a shadow of the strong man whom the pioneers and old settlers knew so well. W. K. Cox resided with his parents until 1850, when he became a cattle-buver. Some years later he resumed farming, and prior to the war took charge of his father's mill. In 1860 he married Miss J. E. Miller, born in 1842 in Hocking county, O., and came to this county with her parents in 1844. For twelve years after this marriage Mr. Cox continued milling, but owing to the radical change in machinery he discontinued this industry, and has since devoted his attention to stock growing and agriculture. Of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cox, five are living - Mrs. Brockway, of Dunean ; Orrin W., deceased : Plessie E., Mrs. E. Miller, of Essex ; Nettie M., Mrs. L. Brockway ; Harley G. and Herman C. In politics Mr. Cox is Republican, and liberal in all ideas.
Malon Cox died at his home, near Spoon river, July, 1883. Hle was born in 1826: married Ruth Rateliff in 1854; moved to Indiana in 1867. and to Stark county in 1871.
Mrs. Mary E. (Graces) Cox, born in Essex township in 1845, died June 24, 1881. She married Simon Cox in March. 1865.
I. P. Carpenter, who died here December 1, 1879, came from East Newfield, Me., in 1856.
Mrs. Hannah Diron, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Rains) Cox. was born in Ross county, O., in 1835. Her parents died there, and soon after she accompanied her brother to this county, where she mar- ried Samuel Dixon, in 1852, and took up her residence on section 24, Essex.
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