USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 7
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A street was then laid out running north and south through the center of said land and said eentral square, of the same width, and it was called Main street. Taking those two streets as base lines, the town was laid out into square blocks, of one hundred and eighty feet nine inches on each side, which blocks were divided into three lots, each of equal size. All other streets, except those two, were made forty feet wide, and the al- leys twenty feet wide, all running at right angles with each other.
There are several stories as to the origin of the name of our city, but the most gen- erally accepted one is, that it was named after, and in honor of "Old Hickory"-Gen. Andrew Jackson-the hero of that day. The other generally circulated tale is that it was named directly after a colored boy, the first negro ever seen in the county-a slave at the time, of Thomas P. Clark. This boy is living here to-day and preaching the Gospel, being no other than the venerable Rev. A. W. Jackson who informs us that when a boy he was living with a man named Clark, about ten miles west of the city, and was sent to some parties located near Diamond Grove to get some seed corn. Losing his way he wandered across the unbroken prairie until he reached a spot about where the Dunlap House now stands. Here he saw some men, evi- dently surveyors, driving stakes among the grass and inquired of them the way. They gave him the desired information and then asked him how he, a colored boy, happened to be there. He told them, whereupon they inquired his name and being told it was A. W. Jackson they remarked that Jackson, or Jacksonville, would be a good name for the place they were laying out. They said to him: "Young man, we have entered this land and are staking off lots for a town which we are going to name after you; do you understand ?" He replied that he did, little thinking that he would live here sixty years after and see such great changes.
The streets thus and then laid out were afterwards abundantly lined with the shade- trees which make them now the crowning glory of an unsurpassably handsome resi- dence eity.
The only human habitation on the selected town site was that of a man named Alexander Cox, a hatter by trade. It was located near where Trinity (Episcopal)
43
CARSON'S LOG-CABIN HOTEL AND JAIL ..
church now stands, though just over the eastern boundary of the town was the double log cabin of Father Jordan, within the walls of which was formed the first class of Methodists-the germ from which the Centenary, Grace and Brooklyn M. E. churches have since sprung. The site having been decided upon, houses and occupants soon made their appearance. Joseph Fairfield and George Hackett were the first merchants in the new town, though George Rearick, whose widow is still living here, followed them so closely that he may be said to co-equal with them, all locating nearly at the same time in the summer of 1825. The first tavern in the town was under the super- vision of Thomas Carson, who bought the log cabin formerly occupied by Mr. Cox, for tavern purposes, and to which before a year he made a large addition. His wife, for many years known as "Mother Carson," carried the frames for the doors and windows on her arm, from Jersey Prairie, where they were made, making the journey on horse back.
As the county was incorporated in a municipal capacity, Carson was required to procure a license. In all licenses to keep public houses, or ferries, at that date, the rates of charges were established. By the destruction of the courthouse and records in the Autumn of 1827, all such records were destroyed, and we have no means of de- termining such charges save by those prescribed after that event. It is probably cor- rect to suppose that the prices allowed for entertainment did not change much in that short interval, and we can very safely assume that Mr. Carson received for rum, brandy gin, and wine twenty-five cents per half pint; for whisky, half that sum for the same quantity ; for a meal of victuals or keeping a horse over night, twenty-five cents; for lodging twelve and one-half cents, and for feeding a horse six and one-fourth cents, Mr. Huram Reeve and some others think that Mr. David Tefft opened a tavern in a small building sixteen feet square, erected by him on the east side of the square previ- ous to the opening of Mr. Carson's. Mrs. Carson, however, once stated to Mr. J. R. Bailey that her husband procured his license first, and was the first tavern-keeper in the town. This opinion was confirmed by Mr. Dennis Rockwell, the first county clerk, and is probably correct.
The cabin tavern of Mr. Carson was removed to East Morgan street to give place for the erection of the Congregational church, which was afterward known as the "Union Hall." The old building is partly standing at this time.
Mr. Carson has the honor of being also at the same time the first jailor. He was the custodian of that supposedly safe institution whose new and strong doors were hung upon common wrought hinges, which fact the inmates were not slow to discover, and Samp- son-like, lifted them up, and went off with them-at least so the old legend runs.
Mr. Carson remained in Jacksonville during his life-time, and was always an ex- cellent citizen, doing much toward the prosperity of the city. His old log jail, though uncouth in appearance, was probably as safe a repository for criminalsas its more pretentious successors. Mrs. Carson was more widely known than any woman in the county. "Mother" Carson, as she was called, was known in St. Louis, Springfield, and equally distant places. She followed the profession of mid-wife, and so extensive was her practice, and so remarkable her success, that she was often called to these and equally distant places in the practice of her profession. She seldom lost a patient, and it has been confidently asserted by many that she was present at the birth of fully three thousand children. She died while court was in session, and so respected was she by all, that, upon motion of Judge William Thomas, court adjourned to attend her funeral. The immediate descendants of this pioneer family are located in Jacksonville to- day (1884.) It is said that the Carson log cabin hotel was eighteen feet square and con- sisted of two rooms.
Mr. Michal Huffaker, deceased, is another of Morgan county's pioneer settlers. He reached Illinois in 1823 and located in Mauvaisterre precinct in the spring of 1824. Land could then be purchased for $1.25 per acre the choicest pieces ouly bringing
44
WOLVES, BUFFALO AND BEAR .- THE FIRST STORE.
that amount at private or public sale. Jacksonville had no existence and the hunter roamed over the present site of the city for deer and other game. Wolves prowled around the sheep-fold and greatly disturbed Mr. HI. by preying upon his stock and ren- dering the night hideous with their barking. Here and there upon the prairie huge piles of buffalo bones could be perceived. Now and then a black bear would make its appearance, and the hunters would gather together and have a jolly and long hunt after Bruin. The hunting stories of those days cause the modern tales of sport to sink into in- signifieance. As to produce prices, he reports that the very best wheat brought only twenty-five cents per bushel; eorn from eight to ten cents, and pork one dollar per one hundred pounds. Even at these low prices very little could be sold. There was a very limited amount of gold in the country, and this was controlled for purposes of circula- tion by a very few men.
In those days, substantiality rather than elegance, comfort rather than fashion was looked after in the construction of the settler's cabin homes. When Jacksonville was laid out it became the point to which all arrivals came, and Mother Carson's hostelry, over which she presided with satisfaction to all, was generally filled by the immigrants. Springfield was then but a small village where they kept the land office, Vandalia be- ing the state capital. For nearly fifty years Mr. Huffaker exercised a great influence upon the surrounding country. He was a type of those sterling characters of the past generation. Through weal and woe he kept the even tenor of his way and won a solid reputation for honesty, industry and public spirit. When he came to Illinois, his prop- erty consisted of $200.25 and what household goods could be packed upon the back of a horse. He rode one horse and his wife another. His $200 was all invested in land, leaving the twenty-five cents for food and other necessities-an illustration of the pov- erty of our early citizens, and a marked contrast to the wealth, refinement and luxuries possessed by the farming community of to-day. Mr. Huffaker died in 1883.
The laying out of the city, and its selection as the seat of justice, brought immedi- ately a number of families thither. Dennis Rockwell, the first recorder, clerk of court, and the first post-master here, was without doubt among the first settlers.
Mr. Rockwell was a native of Vermont. He resided for some time at Edwardsville, Illinois, and when Morgan county was organized, he was appointed clerk of the Circuit and County Commissioner, Court, and recorder, and, upon the location of the county seat at Jacksonville, post-master. In 1854 he removed to Chicago, where he was en- gaged in the lumber business until 1867, when, his health failing, he returned to Jack- sonville. He was one of the first directors of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and, with Colonel Geo. M. Chambers, superintended the erection of that building. He was also one of the trustees of the Institution for the Blind. For a time he held a position as cashier in the Branch of the State Bank, located in Jacksonville. He donated to the Episcopal church, of which he was a member, the block of ground on which that church now stands, and gave largely toward the erection of the house and support of the minister. After his return from Chicago, in 1867, his health failed him and he died shortly thereafter.
The first store in the county was opened soon after the town was laid out, by Hackett & Fairfield. Before opening this store in town, they peddled through the settlements, exchanging goods for furs, beeswax, and honey, the only money found in the settle- ments at that time. Town property, for the first three or four years of the growth of the town, was very low. A lot on the southwest corner of the square, was offered to Mr. Dennis Rockwell for a cow and calf, worth at that time ten dollars, and Mr. Rock- well sold at one time eight acres of land, just north and west of the square, now in the heart of the city, for eighty dollars-to be paid in blacksmithing.
The first improvements on the west side of the square were a row of small frame houses. In one of these houses the first barber shop was opened, by a colored man named Ball, and in one of these buildings Colonel John J. Hardin held his office.
45
HARDIN'S FUNERAL-FIRST BRICK BUILDING.
General Hardin, one of the most prominent men in Morgan county, was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, on the 6th day of June, 1810. He came to this part of Illinois at an early day, and at once entered actively into the practice of his profession the law. He was a member of different legislative bodies, and held other and various offices of trust. He was elected a general of militia, and, on the breaking out of the Mexican war, was the first one in the county to enlist. He was immediately chosen captain of a company raised here. After leaving for the seat of war, he was chosen colonel of a regiment ; and, while gallantly leading his men at the battle of Buena Vista, on the 23d of February, 1847, received a death wound. In July, his body was brought home, and deposited in the old cemetery. His funeral was one of the largest over held in this city, being attended by many state officials and others from abroad.
At the time of the building of Illinois College, all the large tract of land lying be- tween that institution and the public square, was in its primitive condition, or cultiva- ted as a farm. Where now are the finest residences, the most beautiful yards, and the best shaded streets, was then open prairie, or used for farm purposes. What changes time produces! Then all buildings in town were small, almost entirely frame or built of logs, the former being pointed out to the traveler as the home of elegance and wealth. The business of the time was proportionate to the residences. No large stores graced the public square, or stood as monuments of the industry of the owners, in other streets. The houses of that day are succeeded now by more elegant affairs, though no more homelike than their predecessors. Their owners have grown with the town, and can look over the scenes of their labors with feelings of pride at the results obtained, and know that the passing years have been those of care and toil, though sweetened by the thoughts of the rest and comfort sure to follow.
The early log stores speedily gave way to frame buildings, which in their time he- came too small and insecure, and were replaced by more substantial brick structures. The first of these was erected in 1828, by John P. Wilkinson, Esq., and occupied the lot of ground where is now the store of Hoffman Bros. Another was built on the south side of the square, and one on the north, by Cornelius Hook, Esq., and in 1831 or '32, the late bank building of M. P. Ayers & Co. Like its population, the business of Jacksonville was growing. New and more substantial stores were appearing about the public square, while in the residence portion, better dwellings were being erected. Streets were accurately defined ; pavements took the place of mud sidewalks; fences were built before the door-yards, and a finer and more elegant life was becoming mani- fest.
During the summer of 1825 and 1826, building progressed rapidly in the new town. Mr. Carson's tavern was always full, and more than once the traveler was glad of a chance to shelter himself and enjoy the luxury of a bed on the puncheon floor, with his traveling cloak for a covering. Hospitality was a reigning virtue among the early pioneers of Illinois, and no one in search of a home on these western prairies wont un- sheltered or hungry.
In the fall of 1826 Jacksonville had a mail from St. Louis, rio Alton and Carrollton, once in two weeks, and also a like mail from Springfield; so arranged as to give a weekly mail.
One of the few survivors of this foundation age is our honored fellow citizen, Hon. William Thomas. From his recollections and contributions to the JJournal, from time to time in later years, has been gleaned much of the information compiled in this un- . pretentious history. The judge came to this county from Bowling Green, Ky., in the fall of 1826, traveling on horseback (the only way of journeying at that time) and visit- ing on the route some of the settlements which had been made at that time in various sections of the country, although they were very small. The judge gives as bis reason for settling in Jacksonville in preference to other places, that he had traveled about as far as his money and horse would take him, and there is no one that would not consider that a sufficient reason for stopping. But besides this reason he says that he was pleased
46
JUDGE THOMAS ARRIVES-CHURCH AND SCHOOLS.
with this section of country and with the location of the town, and taking all these reasons together, he consented to make this his home, which was no doubt a very wise choice, both for his own personal welfare and for that of the town. He reports that the population of the town consisted of the families of Dennis Rockwell, Murray McCon- nel, Thos. Carson, John Handy, David Tefft, Samuel Blair, George M. Richards, George Rearick, Joseph M. Fairfield, John Laughrey, John P. Tefft, and the brothers, Savage. The men without families were George Hackett, John Turney, Benjamin Cox, Samuel C. Richards, Moses Atwood (?) Orson Cobb, Rice Dunbar and Joseph Coddington. Jolin Handy was the "Buckeye" carpenter; Fairfield, Rearick and Moses Atwood were merchants; Richards was deputy county surveyor; Blair and Dunbar were carpenters; Laughrey was a brickmaker, John P. Tefft was a plasterer, Rockwell was clerk of the two courts, postmaster and notary public; McConnel, Turney and Cox were attorneys ; John Savage was a carpenter; Peter Savage was a teamster; and was a tailor as was Orson Cobb. This shows something of the occupations of our forefathers in the early days when it was necessary for one man to follow several trades.
The judge himself soon after landing in this county began attending the courts and got his start in law practice in this section, and from these beginnings rose to the highli position he afterwards occupied and the estimation in which he is now held by his fel- low-townsmen. His active practice extended over forty-five years.
We quote as follows from Judge Thomas' "Recollections of Early Times," as con- tributed to the Journal:
"In September, 1826, I started from my home in Kentucky for Peoria, but after reaching this state I changed my destination to this place, where I landed on the 12th of October thereafter. The first court that I attended was held in Jacksonville by the Hon. John York Sawyer, circuit judge, in November, 1826.
There were about forty cases on the docket, all told. The attorneys present were James Tracy, attorney general of the state, and Alfred W. Caverly, of Carrollton, Thomas W. Neely, Isaac W. Steele and Jonathan H. Pugh, of Springfield, John Rey- nolds, of Kankakee, William H. Brown, Benjamin Mills and George Farqueir, of Van- dalia; Murray McConnel, John Turney, Benjamin Cox and myself, of Jacksonville-of whom Mr. Caverly and myself are the only survivors, this 12th of October 1883; he eighty-one years old, and I near seventy-two.
In November, 1826, I first saw the Illinois river. The state of the water was too low for the navigation of loaded flat-boats. Grass had grown up from the bottom so thick and strong that ferry-boats could not be used without mowing the grass and opening the way. Except in a channel, occupying a narrow space, I could not discover any current.
A short time after I reached Jacksonville I heard of the time of the sales of the per- sonal property of Rev. Mr. Byrne, who had died in January previous. I went to that sale expecting to meet some acquaintances from Kentucky. I met Mr. Thomas Gatton and went home with him, and by him I was introduced to most of the settlers in that prairie. The log buildings and unfinished frames, were at that day, as houses of wor- ship, few and far between. I am confident that during the winter of 1826-7 there was not a comfortable meeting house in the county. Religious meetings were held in log and unplastered frames, school houses and private dwellings. In warm weather such meet- ings were often held in barns and under arbours in the woods. The first sermon that I ever heard in Jacksonville was in the fall of 1826, in the frame court house (subsequent- ly burnt), preached by a Baptist minister named Kenney, prepared for mothers, when the only female in attendance was Mrs. Joseph Fairfield, who had no child. During the winter of 1826-7 and previous, as well as subsequently to that time, the meetings of the Methodist Soc.ety were held at Mr. John Jordan's, who was well-known as Father Jor- dan. He occupied a double log cabin east of town, where now stands the building form- erly called "Berean College." During the service the females occupied one room and the males the other, the beds being used for seats. During that win er the society of Presbyterians, with Rev. John Brich, as their minister, met in the log school house oc- cupied by me during the week in the south side of the town. I acted as sexton, sweep- ing the house in the morning and building fires.
Father Brich, as he was called, though a bachelor, was an educated Scotchman, but like many others was never able to make his learning avail him much as a public speaker, but he was a devoted Christian.
Among the public improvements in the county designed for public benefit and convenience, was the grist and saw mill at Exeter, owned by Enoch C. March; a band horse mill for grinding corn, owned by Capt. John Wyatt; also one owned by Mr Reeder, and one tread wheel mill, owned by James Overton, Esq .; a grist and saw mill on
47
COUNTY VOLUNTEERS FOR THE WINNEBAGO INDIAN WAR.
Indian Creek, owned by William Harrison and James Dinwiddie; a horse mill, owned by Mr. A. Hall, near the head of Indian Creek; a saw mill, owned by Mr. James McGill, on the Mauvaisterre. Mr. Abraham Johnson owned a cotton gin north of town.
I soon found two classes in society. Those from the north and east were called "yankees" and those from the south and west "white people." The political division was between the supporters of John Quincy Adams and General Andrew Jackson, the yankees supporting Adams and the white people, Jackson. Most of those who had voted for Mr. Clay supported Mr. Adams. The election of August, 1826, had been warmly contested between Gov. Edwards and Mr. Sloo for governor, and Daniel P. Cook and Joseph Duncan for Congress. Edwards and Duncan were elected by a small majority, though differing in politics. Duncan was one of the few public men who never had credit for what he was worth.
In the summer of 1826, a young man named Carson, had been employed to teach school in the court house, but not meeting with such encouragement as he thought would pay, abandoned his employers and left that neighborhood.
In July, 1827, Gov. Edwards received information on which he relied and acted, that the Indians of the north-west, led by the Winnbagos intended to make war upon the settlers and miners in the vicinity of Galena. He therefore authorized Col. Thomas Neely, of Springfield, to accept of the services of any number of mounted volunteers, not exceeding six hundred, who would equip themselves and find their own substance and continue in service thirty days, unless sooner discharged. Upon this call upwards of three hundred volunteers were obtained in the counties of Sanga- mon and Morgan, among whom I was one When the volunteers from Morgan reach- ed Peoria, the place of rendezvous, I was appointed quartermaster sergeant. I ac- companied the regiment to White Oak Springs, some ten or twelve miles from Galena, where I remained several days, when the Colonel being satisfied that the further ser- vice of the regiment was not required, ordered the return home.
The regiment, composed of independent farmers and mechanics, was raised, organ- ized, marched to the White Oak Springs, and returned home in not exceeding thirty days. Two of our Morgan County men were drowned in a branch of Crooked Creek returning home. We had no baggage wagon from this county. My mess had a very good tent, which very few of the other messes had. Having no baggage wagons, and having to carry our provisions, arms, and equipments on horseback, we had but little room for tents, even if they had been supplied. We slept on saddle-blankets, with our heads on saddles, and for covering had overcoats and blankets; but during that season of the year we had but little use for covering other than overcoats. *
* * "The question of pay was not considered of much consequence; it was well understood that this depended on the action of Congress, and no fears were enter- tained of the success of General Duncan, our representative in Congress, in obtaining the necessary appropriation. We were not disappointed, for appropriations were made by the Congress of 1827.'28. and we were paid in the Spring of 1828, the following rates: Each sergeant major and quartermaster-sergeant, $9 per month; each drum and fife major, $8.33 per month; sergeants, $8; each corporal, drummer, fifer and teamster, $7.33; each farrier, saddler and artificer included as a private, $8; each gunner, bom- bardier, and private, $6.66 In addition to which we were paid for the use of horses, arms and accoutrements, and for the risk thereof, except for horses killed in action, ten cents per day. For rations, twenty-five cents per day, and one day's pay for fifteen miles travel to the place of rendezvous and returning home." * * * *
Three companies were raised in this county, one commanded by Wiley B. Green, then sheriff of the county, numbering nearly one hundred, with John Wyatt first, and James Evans second lieutenant. Jesse Ruble was orderly sergeant. The second company was commanded by William Gordon, and numbered not more than forty. Nathan Winter was first lieutenant. Captain Rodgers' command numbered the same as Captain Gordon's. The names of the other officers I do not now remember I was a volunteer in Captain Green's company. My messmates were Doct. H. G. Taylor, McHenry Johnson, Enoch C. March, Samuel Blair, and a man named Biggs, a visitor from Kentucky. Of these I am the only survivor. We were required to take ten days' provisions, during which time it was expected we would make Galena, where additional supplies could be obtained. During our preparations to start we had con- stant, heavy rains, which raised the rivers, creeks, and branches to an unusual height. The companies from this county made their way to Peoria in messes and squads, swimming the streams not bridged. Upon the arrival of all the companies at Peoria, Colonel Samuel T. Matthews was elected lieutenant-colonel, and Elijah Iles, of Spring- field, major, who, because he rode a mule, was called the 'mule major.' So soon as organized we left Peoria. James D. Henry (afterward General Henry), was appointed adjutant, Dr. G. Jayne, of Springfield, surgeon, and Dr. Taylor assistant.
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