USA > Illinois > Champaign County > Early history and pioneers of Champaign County : illustrated by one hundred and fifteen superb engravings by Melville : containing biographical sketches of the early settlers, the early history of the county obtained from the most reliable sources and many graphic scenes and incidents from the bright and shady sides of pioneer life > Part 20
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of the state was appealed to for its decision. In that court the speculator obtained a vic- tory. It was, however, currently believed that the vietory was obtained by collusion with the preemptor who was defendant in the case. A number of suits in ejection fol- lowed in the inferior courts and as a matter of course the same decision rendered. The preemptors of the county met together in council, at Champaign, organized a preemp- tors' protective association, appointed a con- vention to be held at Onarga and elected delegates to the same. Notices were scat- tered abroad and every one interested was invited to be present and participate in its proceedings. John Roughton and N. L. Seaver, of Rantoul and Luther Eads, of Champaign, attended the convention from Champaign county as delegates. Quite a number also attended from counties on the main line of the I. C. R. R. The convention passed a series of resolutions expressive of its indignation against its oppressors, levied a tax of 20 cents per acre upon every pre- emptor with a view of raising a defense fund and appointed John Roughton to wait upon them and take their notes for that amount payable in one year after date to the order of N. L. Seaver, who had been elected treasurer of the association. It also ap- pointed an executive committee and in- structed that committee to select a suitable case for appeal to the supreme court of the United States and to employ a competent attorney to prosecute the same. It also listened to an address delivered by an at- torney from Danville, who came there for the purpose of submitting to the convention a proposition to carry up to the supreme court any case that might be selected for that purpose. He asked that a committee be appointed to confer with him. John Ronghton, N. L. Seaver and a gentleman from Woodford county were appointed as that committee. They retired to a private room, received his proposition and reported to the convention. It was as follows: For For taking up a case from the circuit court and carrying it on to its completion, if sue- eessful, eight thousand dollars; if unsue- cessful, five thousand. The proposition was rejected by nearly a unanimous vote and the executive committee urged to prosecute its mission as speedily as possible. A few weeks afterward Mr. A. B. Ives, an attor- ney who resided at Bloomington and who had been employed in defending some of the eases which had been tried reported to N. L. Seaver and John Roughton, one of them at the same time expressing it as his opinion that it was the best that could be found. He also expressed a desire to meet
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
the committee with a view of being employ- ed by them as their attorney. Luther T. Eads, who had been appointed chairman of the committee was therefore urged to call its members together. He, however, having become somewhat disappointed in conse- quence of the rejection of Mr. Drake's prop- osition at the convention refused to do so. Mr. Ives being advised as to the condition of affairs came to Rantoul where he entered into an agreement with Messrs. Roughton and Seaver to carry up the case he recom- mended and continue the same until a decis- ion was obtained. In consideration for which, Mr. Roughton was to collect the tax levied by the convention and turn the notes over to him at their face value. Afterward the gen- tleman in Woodford county agreed to do the same, Mr. Ives went to Washington and Mr. Roughton visited every preemptor in Champaign county, from whom he collected notes amounting to between seven and eight hundred dollars and turned them over to him. The first and second winter sessions of the supreme court dragged along their weary length and no decision was obtained.
"Uncertainty ! Fell demon of our fears! the human soul, That can support despair, supports not thee."
When the third came the yearnings of ev- ery heart were those expressed by Frowde in his "Fall of Saguntum:"
"But he not long, for in the tedious minutes, Exquisite interval, I'm on the rack;
For sure the greatest evil man can know,
Bears no proportion to the dread suspense."
However, before the expiration of this term victory perched upon the preemptor's banner-for in the month of September of the year 1860, Mr. Ives communicated the intelligence from Washington City, that the supreme court of the United States had giv- en their decision reversing the decision of the supreme court of the state of Illinois.
How many of the old preemptors of 1855 now remain on their lands it would be diffi- cult to determine. Suffice it, however, to say by way of conclusion, that this writer. aided by his only son, Reuben Roughton, has succeeded in rearing upon his a pleasant home where he now lives and where during the remainder of his earth life he expects to "So live, that, when his summons ecmes to join
The innumerable caravan, that moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
Ilis ehnmber in the silent halls of death,
And go not, like the quarry- slave at night,
Seourged to his dungeon; but sustained and sooth'd
By an unfaltering trust, approach his grave, Like one that draws the drapery of his eoneh About him, and lies dowu to pleasant dreams."
EARLY SUNDAY SCHOOLS,
A. O. HOWELL.
Myself and family removed to this township in October, 1853, and purchased the farm on which we now reside. 1 or- ganized a Union Sunday school in the old briek court house, April 9, 1854. The officers were A. O. Howell, superintendent, and M. A. Barnes, secretary. Rev. W. W. Blanch- ard was pastor of the Congregational church at that time and had many doubts about the success of the enterprise. The first Sunday there were 30 members in attendance; the second, 53; May third, 123. The Meth- odists and Baptists were cordial, in good feeling and co-operated with the new school. Many of our members were prepar- ing to build and remove to "the depot," af- terwards called "West Urbana, " now Cham- paign city. Sunday school, with its offi- cers, library, &e., was removed to an untin- ished building of Deacon Moses Snelling, on University avenue, now the residence of Mr. James Wright. We had rough boards for seats and a goods box for a pul- pit. Here we re-opened and re-organized the first Sunday school ever held in Cham- paign, on the 4th day of March, 1855. We changed our name from "First Union Sun- day school of Urbana, Ill.," to First Con- gregational Sunday school of Champaign. We built the first Congregational church on corner of University avenue and 6th street, (sometimes called the "Duck Pond church) where our Sunday school numbered, on one Sabbath, 202. Thus I supposed for many years, that I had the honor of arranging and superintending the first Sunday school with a library and regular organization in this county for 4 years, but many years after I learned from B. F. Harris that he had anti- dated me two years. His Sunday school was held in a little church on his farm on the Sangamon. He carried his library to his Sunday school every Sabbath in a red hand- kerchief and back to his house at night. I carried my library to the court house in a candle box, in my then new rockaway buggy, and back at night. The four years' war kill- ed off and scattered our thorough members, and since then, oh, how sadly changed is our once humble and thorough church and Sunday school. I wish to say here that this was not the beginning of all the good church and Sunday school work done in this county. It would be difficult to over esti- mate the noble work done by our venerable Father Bradshaw for many years previous to this, but in consequence of his immense- ly large cirenit, the meetings and sessions
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of church and Sunday school work were necessarily quite semi-occasionally.
REV. A. BRADSHAW.
I find from the old minutes of Illinois Conference of M. E. church that in 1839, in the month of September, I was appointed to Urbana mission. In October I landed in Urbana with my family. I do not know what had been done abont a Sabbath school prior to that time. but the spring following we organized a Sabbath school, in which Baptists and Presbyterians took a part, es- pecially Milton Vance, a dry goods mer- chant, but the Sabbath school was under the anspices of the M. E. church. It was in the spring of 1840 I made the purchase of a church lot from the county for $3, and the summer following wo erected a church building 30x40 feet, enclosing it, but did not finish it for some time. The Baptists had no church organization in Urbana, but I think they had in the Brumley neighbor- hood. But from the spring and summer of 1840 the M. E. church had a small Sabbath school organized in Urbana. I can not give particulars, nor can I say at what date the Baptist church organized a Sabbath school in Urbana or organized a church in Urbana, or built a church, &c. I know the little church honse we put up in 1840 was the first in the county. From 1840 to 1850 the Sab- bath schools in Urbana were no big thing.
OLD SETTLERS' MEETINGS.
To the meetings of the old settlers, where they attempted to resene from oblivion the incidents and recollections of the early days. we are largely indebted for the successful carrying out of the enterprise of publishing this book.
A number of the old settlers, feeling the need of an organization of the people who settled this county and bore the brunt of frontier life, and desiring that the history of the county might be collected from the set- tlers themselves while they still lived, assembled at the court house in Urbana, May 16, 1870, and were called to order by Thomson R. Webber, who nominated Hen- ry Sadorus, of Sadorns, as president, who was elected by acclamation. J. S. Wright was then elected vice-president. The quali- fications necessary to be an old settler were as follows: "Those who were twenty years of age in 1840 and resided in this county at that time." The following persons then registered as old settlers:
Henry Sadorus, William Sadorus, J. S. Wright, T. R. Webber, John G. Robinson, Fielding Scott, Stephen Boyd, John Max- field, Asahel Brewer, James Clements, Jos.
Maxwell, Paris Shepherd, Win. Rock, Rob- ert Brownfield, John Corray, James Myers, D. O. Brumley, T. L. Truman, James Kirby. Abraham Yeazel, HI. W. Drullinger, James Bartley. B. F. Argo, John K. Patterson, Hiram Rankin, David Swearingen, Samuel Mapes, Thomas Richards, Micheal Fire- baugh, J. J. Swearingen, F. J. Busey, Har- rison Heater, John R. Brownfield, Thomas Swearingen, Win. Romine, David Argo, B. F. Harris. Mrs. Elizabeth Busey, Mrs. Stephen Boyd. Mrs. Bryant, Mrs. Wm. Har- vey, Mrs. John Maxwell, Mrs. Sarah Robert- son, Mrs. Fielding Seott, Mrs. Wm. Rock.
At this meeting T. R. Webber, James S. Wright and B. F. Harris were appointed a committee to prepare a constitution and by- laws for a permanent organization. T. R. Webber suggested that as Archa Campbell laeked a little of coming within the rule and in consequence of his long residence and thorough acquaintance, that the rule be suspended and that he and C. F. Columbia and J. T. Everett be admitted as members, which was done.
This meeting adjourned to June 15, 1870, when it again met. The committee report- ed a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted. The constitution provided for a president and vice-president, a secretary and treasurer ; an election was held and resulted in the election of Henry Sadorus as presi- dent, James S. Wright, vice-president and T. R. Webber secretary and treasurer, to hold their office until October 1871. The meeting adjourned to October 5. 1870. The next meeting of which there is any record to be found was held August 16, 1882, at the fair ground. J. O. Cunningham was select- ed as chairman and E. Eaton as secretary. They resolved to hold a general meeting of the old settlers at the fair ground August 29, 1882, being the first day of the county fair, and J. W. Langley, S. II. Busey and W. F. Hardy were appointed a committee to prepare a program. The meeting was held August 29, and was largely attended. A new constitution and by-laws were adopt- ed, and J. O. Cunningham was elected presi- dent, E. Eaton secretary and F. B. Sale treasurer. Robert Fisher, JJ. S. Wright and S. II. Busey, were appointed a committee to make arrangements for next meeting. The next meeting was held in Crystal Lake Park, Urbana, June 25, 1883.
This was the celebration of the semi-Con- tennial of the county of Champaign, and this meeting was in every way a snecess. The old settlers gathered from many coun- ties and gave the day to talking over the old times and in jogging the memory of each other as to many laughable, as well
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
as many serious incidents of haft a century ago.
J. O. Cunningham invited the old settlers who had been residents for fifty years and over to come forward, and J. F. Scoggin, the photographer, would take a photograph of them. Those who came forward were Silas Johnson, Rev. A. Bradshaw, F. J. Busey, M. E. Bnsey, David Swearingen, Eleazer Freeman, James Brownfield, Edward Ater, Mrs. W. I. Moore, Mrs. L. B. Gunn, James W. Boyd, Nathan Haline. James Kirby, J. C. Jolinson, Harrison Heater, Mrs. Malinda Bryan and Mrs. Emily Scott. Atter which the meeting was called to order and listened to an address of welcome by M. W. Mathews, editor of Champaign County HERALD. Ile was followed by J. O. Cun- ningham, who spoke at length on matters pertaining to the early history of the county. J. C. Sheldon and J. S. Busey, also made shortaddresses on same subject. An election of officers was held, which resulted as fol- lows: Hon. S. H. Busey, president; E. Eaton, secretary; F. B. Sale, treasurer. The next meeting was held at Crystal Lake Park, June 1884. The meeting was called to order by its president, S. H. Busey, who delivered an address of welcome. J. O. Cunningham then read interesting letters from A. Snedaker, J. W. Somers, Archa Campbell, James H. Webber and W. II. Somers. Addresses were then made by J. O. Cunningham, Hon. O. B. Ficklin, Rev. D. P. Bunn, of Decatur, J. M. Dougherty, of Fairmount, Gen. J. C. Black, Henry Sa- dorus, A. J. Devore, W. H. Drullinger, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Bryan and Dr. S. H. Peabody.
'The following officers were chosen: J. C. Sheldon, president ; E. Eaton, secretary ; S. II. Busey, treasurer. J. S. Busey, II. M. Russell and Wiley Davis, executive com- mittee.
The next meeting was held at Crystal Lake Park, June 1885. The forenoon was spent in a social way and relating ineidents of the early days. In the afternoon the meeting was addressed by Z. Reynolds, II. J. Dunlap, J. O. Cunningham, W. D. Som- ers, Joseph T. Kelley, Martin Rinehart. Rev. A. Bradshaw and others. J. O. Cunning- ham also read letters from David Davis, of Bloomington ; John Wentworth, of Chicago; II. W. Drullinger, Chester, Nebraska, and Archa Campbell, Grove Springs, N. Y.
The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: Col. J. W. Lang- ley, president ; L. A. McLean, secretary ; H. M. Russell, treasurer.
The time of holding the next meeting was changed to July 29, 1886, the better to ac- comodate the farmers. The attendance
was larger than usual. J. W. Langley de- livered the address of welcome. The secre- tary then read the list of deceased members as follows: Hon. O. B. Ficklin, May 5, 1886; Jonathan C. Thompson, Harwood, July 4, 1855; Jennie C. Kinnear, Harwood, May 31, 1886; Mrs. Mary L. Condit, Rantoul; Mrs. Lucy Clements, widow of James Clements. July 24, 1856; Cyrus Holmes, Ludlow, May 7, 1886.
F. B. Sale, J. M. Harnit, John Ronghton, J. O. Cunningham, C. II. Gallion, for W. (). Shreve, and II. J. Dunlap, read histories of their townships (which will be found publish- ed in this book.) The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: John Roughton, Rantoul, president; L. A. Me- Lean, Urbana, secretary; Col. S. T. Busey, Urbana, treasurer.
J. W. Langley, J. O. Cunningham, L. A. MeLean, Wiley Davis, Thomas L. Butler, Jos. Peters, Samuel Craw and A. L. Lyons, were appointed delegates to attend the an- nual meeting of the old settlers, of Ver- milion county, to be held at Georgetown, August 26, 1886.
The old settlers of Philo township effect- ed an organization and have held annat meetings for the past thirteen years. The thirteenth annual meeting being held at Ridge farm school house, June 12, 1886, and was well attended.
The old settlers of Rantoul township or- ganized an old settlers society several years since and hold their meetings regularly.
'The old settlers of St. Joseph township held a meeting in Robert Peter's Grove, Saturday, September 22d, 1883, and effected a permanent organization. A number of persons from different parts of the county were present and much valuable history was gathered, and which has been filed with the secretary of the county society.
225
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
ERRATA.
In the biography of Thomas L. Butler, in giving names of children, we omitted Eva- line, who married James Thompson, and Susie, who married Aubert Conkey, all residing near Homer.
In that of John Rogerson, the name of his old partner should have read "N." C. Wil- son, and the name of his eldest child should read Sarah "Cantine." Mrs. Andrew "Rupel"' should read "Russell." He and his ancestors have always been "Presbyterians" instead oť "Episcopalians," as we have it.
In that of John Brownfield, in the second paragraph "1831" should read "1832."
In that of John M. Spencer, the name of the town where he was married should read Troy, instead of Tracy.
In that of F. B. Sale, in speaking of his children it should read, Charles and family are now living with his parents. James P. lives near home on adjoining farm. Fannie is married to J. O. Sayers and resides in East Bend township.
In that of E. Halberstadt, grandfather and great-grandfather on mother's side were in war of Revolution, instead of that of 1812.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
THE CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HERALD
-IS THE-
BEST FAMILY NEWSPAPER.
It is Republican in Politics, Wide Awake, and Spares No Expense to Get
THE BEST TALENT IN ALL DEPARTMENTS.
"Judge not that ye be not judged," but read. what others say :
One of the most ably conducted country newspapers in Illinois .- Chicago Tritninc.
Always a clean, bright, newsy paper and ably edited .- Chicago Inter-Ocean.
It is the most ably conducted country news- paper that comes to our table .- New York Tribune.
The cleanest, brighest and neatest newspa- per published in Illinois. Its editor knows how to squeeze an enormous amount of read- ing matter into a small space .- Brick Pomer- oy's Democrat, New York City.
It is conducted by one of the brightest news- paper writers in Illinois, and is as good a fam- ily newspaper as is printed anywhere .- Indian- apolis Herald.
The HERALD is an excellent paper. The people of the county ought to support such a paper with enthusiasm .- Danville News.
It is a credit to the editors and the county it represents .- Paxton Record.
One of the very best county papers in Illi- nois .- Schuyler Citizen.
It is in the front rank of journalism .- Pitts- bury Observer.
It is the model county paper of Illinois .- Taylorville Republican.
The best of our exchanges. Any county in the state would be proud of the HERALD .- Sullivan News.
-
It shows great editorial ability and enter- prise and is the model country newspaper of the state of Illinois .- Monticello Bulletin.
One of the brainiest papers in the district .- Paris Beacon.
One of the best papers in Illinois .- Decatur Republican.
One of the very best country newspapers in Illinois .- Newman Independent.
The people of Champaign county should feel proud of the HERALD .- Edwardsville Re- publican.
The Urbann HERALD stands ahead of them all .- Tolono Herald.
It is a whole bouquet of daisies .- Petersbury Democrat.
At all times one of the best local papers in the state .- Kewanee Courier.
Champaign county should feel proud of it .- Allamont News.
It is n credit to the people of Champaign county .- Dixon Snn.
It shows more enterprise and ability than any other weekly we know of .- Hot Springs (Ark.) News.
It takes the premium as a county newspa- per, and is a magnificent advertisement of the enterprise and thrift of Champaign county .- Mason County Republican.
It takes the cake .- Paris Republican.
It is ubly edited and neatly printed .- Chester Tribune.
Such a paper is only possible in a county populated by a wide-awake, enterprising peo- ple .- Charleston Plaindealer.
One of the best weeklies in the state .- Bloomington Bulletin.
It is the leading paper of central Illinois and is always brim full of news .- Tuscola Republi- can.
As a family newspaper the HERALD is un- surpassed .- Douglas County Review.
It is a paper to be proud of .- Jacksonville Journal.
An ornament to journalism .- Malloon Jour- nal.
The most enterprising and ably conducted journal in central Illinois .- Chrisman Advance.
The most enterprising newspaper in the state .- Greenville Advocate.
One of the best family newspapers in the state .- Carlinville Democrat.
One of the most enterprising newspapers in the state .- Pontiac Gazette.
It eclipses all competitors .- Iroquois Times.
It is a clean and able paper and one of the most noted newspapers in the state .- Minonk Blade.
Its editors ure the ablest und most enter- prising newspaper men in the state .- DuQuoin Tribune.
It is a wide awake puper .- Joliet Record.
Edited by enterprising and able journalists and Champaign county should sustuin it liber- ally and heartily .- Henry Republican.
The Herald is Published at Urbana, Illinois, by
M. W. MATHEWS.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Second Edition.
The following pages were issued by the CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HERALD August 26, 1891, as an addition or supplement to this book. The familiar faces here, we are satisfied, will be appreciated by those who are living, and their friends who are in the first issue, and we can say the same of those in the supplement in regard to the bio- graphies and portraits in the original book.
MARK CARLEY.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Hancock, Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, August 24, 1799. His grandfather, Joseph Car- ley, was born in Spencer, Mass., in 1718, died in 1810. He married Sally Washburne, sister of Elijah Wash- burne, Sr., of Natick. Mass ; she was born Sept. 14. 1729 ; died Jan. 6, 1816. They had eleven children. His father, Elijah Carley, was the youngest child, born in Ware, Mass., May 21, 1771 ; died Feb. 11, 1856, at Champaign, Ill. He married Agnes Graham, of Han- rock, N. H., Sept. 3, 1795, who died in 1831 at Felicity, Ohio. They had ten children, two older than the sub- ject of this sketch. Mr. Carley, on the 27th of April, 1830, was united in marriage to Miss Abigail W. Stevens, daughter of Silsby Stevens, of Spring- field, Vermont. Mrs. Carley was born
Jan. 7, 1810, at Ackworth, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, died Nov. 12, 1871, in Champaign, Ill. Mr. Carley had a family of eleven children, but three now living, Mary A. C. (Mrs. Kincaid) Graham and Isotta C, young- est child, (Mrs. H. W. Mahan.) Mr. Carley's grandmother, Sally Wash- burne, was connected with that num- erous family of Washburne's who have since filled so large a space in State and National affairs of this country. Some of Elijah's elder brothers --- Mr. Carley's uncles-were soldiers in the . revolutionary war, and one of them, (Jonathan) has left behind him a sol- diers discharge signed by the hand of Washington himself, that is now care- fully preserved among the papers of the family. But although Mr. Carley's father was too young to take a hand in the revolution, he and one of Mr. Carley's elder brothers (Hugh) served in the war of 1812, first in the drag- oons and afterwards in the heavy ar- tillery, and the family have now in their possession one or two articles of uniform worn by the grandfather dur- ing that term of service. While yet a boy, in 1810, Elijah Carley removed from New Hampshire to Vermont, and Mark, 11 years old, went with the fam- ily, remaining with it until 1816. In 1815, he commenced work as an ap- prentice to the millwright business. When 20 years old, the spirit of self- reliance, which made life a success in after years, began to assert itself, and he resolved to see more of the world. Accordingly, in 1819, he went to New Brunswick. After remaining there several months, he concluded to go to New Orleans by sea, and about the first of January, 1820, sailed from the mouth of the Penobseot River for that destination. While off Cape Hatteras the bow-sprit of the ship was carried away in a gale, his ship sprung a leak and, after pumping twelve days and nights, he succeeded in reaching the port of Savannah, Georgia, where, after stopping for a few days, he shipped as a sailor for Havana, Cuba. After spending some time, and his money, in Havana, he shipped for New Orleans, where he arrived April 24th, 1820. On reaching the mouth of the Mississippi river, in his voyage from Cuba, he had a narrow escape from drowning. His vessel ran on a sand-bar, and the mate, himself and
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