USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2 > Part 46
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RUSHVILLE COMMANDEBY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. -The charter of Rushville Commandery No. 56, Knights Tendar, bears date October 25, ISS2, but on February 13th prevedibe this date, the first conclave was held in the old Masonic hall on the east side of the public square by ten dispensa- tion members. The first members of this now flourishing lodge were: Mark Bogue, George W. Barnett, John M. Darnell, William F. Lowe. R. Ilomer Mead, S. B. Montgomery, Charles S. Nel- son, Josiah L. Parrott, William IT. HI. Rader and George C. Ray, and the date of their dispensa. tion was January 24, 1882.
Soon afterward steps were taken towards the formation of a local Commandery of Knights Templar and a list of the first officers elected and the first charter members is here given :
OFFICERS .- Eminent Commander, William II. H. Rader; Generalissimo. John W. Parnell : Captain General, George C. Ray ; Prelate. Lewis C. Seeley : Senior Warden. Sylvanus B. Mont- gomery : Junior Wardon, Mark Bogue : Recorder. John C. Scripps: Standard Bearer. George W. Barnett ; Sword Bearer. Mortinur Ayers; Ward- en, Josiah L. Parrott: Captain of Guards. Charles S. Nelson.
MEMBERS .- Mortimer Avers, Mark Bogue. Goo. W. Barnett. Samuel P Cunningham. Leander Cassidy, John M. Darnell, David II. Glass, John W. Green. Charles B. Griffith, George E. Hall, John HI. Hunter. John A. Harvey, Win. F. Lowe, Wm. Lambert. Daniel P. Lyon. William I. Larash, Richard Homer Mead, Sylvanus B. Montgomery. John McCable, Howard C. MeCabe. Chas. II. Nelson. James II. Parrott. Josiah L. Parrott. Marcus L. Parrott. Wm. HI. Il. Rader, Wm. C. Raper, George C. Ray. Dwight E. Ray. Lewis C. Seeley, Nathaniel B. Seeley, John C. Scripps, MI- bert T. Stodgel, Benj. D. Smith, Charles II. Wells, Thos. Wright.
FRIENDSHIP LODGE, No. 24 I. O. O. F .- In the upper room of the old Methodist Episcopal church on East Washington street. Friendship Lodge, No. 25. Independent Order of Od.I Fel- lows, was instituted February 24. 1817. by Thomas I. Burns, of Beardstown. There were five charter members to-wit: Charles M. Ray. John Todhunter, Sr., Simon Doyle, Samuel Lam- bert and James L. Anderson. On the night the
lodge was instituted Sammel Mccreery and I C. Gilliam were given their first degree. Witte the first year the membership increased to many than thirty. The first Board of Trustees w. made up as follows: E. 11. O. Seeley, James I .. Anderson. Nathan Moore, William Hastie at. 1 James G. MeCreery.
The lodge has been honored on two occursin :.- by having an officer in the Grand Lodge. B. C. Gilliam was elected Inside Guardian in 150), and 11. T. Pemberton was Grand Marshal in IS96.
In 15%] the lodge erected a two-story bris: building on the north side of the public square and the upper floor is used for their lodge root.
ADELAIDE REBEKAH, No. 381 .- This lodse was instituted in Rushville, April 4. 1901, by Sprid Grand Master E. H. Kinney, of Table Grove.
WILLAND ENCAMPMENT. No. 64 .- I. O. O. F .- Willard Encampment. No. 64, was named it honor of Sammel Willard. Most Worthy Grate Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of the 1. 0 O. F. of Illinois, under whose administration t !. charter was issued, February 22. 1866. On The charter the names of the following member- were inscribed: Josse C. Fox. Harry MPAR M. M. Prentiss, Anderson J. Goodwin. And . Mathews, Gilbert Ingraham and Henry Kor-1 ... On April 3, 1866, the lodge was instituted to Joseph Hocking, Deputy Grand Patriarch, VE the following officers :
Jesse C. Fox. Chief Patriarch.
Gilbert Ingraham, Senior Warden.
Harry Maxwell. High Priest.
A. J. Goodwin. Junior Warden. Andrew Mathews, Scribe.
J. M. Prentiss, Treasurer.
SCHUYLER LODGE NO. 209. KNIGHTS OF P'ildt IAS,-Schuyler Lodge, No. 209 Knights of P.t ias, was instituted in Rushville, June 6. 1 .' a lodge team from Lewistown giving the wall . twenty-eight charter members. The charter fo the Grand Lodge bears the date of October 1.90. The first officers of the lodge were Past Chancellor. John B. Doyle.
Chancellor Commander, Ovrin Dilley.
Vice-Chancellor, Martin G. Rice. Prelate, Hugh Greer.
Keeper of Record and Seal. A. P. Ro !
Master of Exchequer. J. M. Harvey. Master of Finance. Fred Jackson.
Master of Arms. Chris Peter. Inner Guard, Clarence Nell. Outer Guard, Geo. E. Walker.
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
The charter members of this lodge were: Amos W. Ball. George Dyson, S. S. Prentiss. M. G. Rice. Frank E. Whitsel, A. P. Rodewald. Geo. I. Sencenich, Hugh W. Greer, Dwight I. Lawler, Fred Jackson. James V. Knapp. Leonidas Scott, George M. Greer. R. L. Prentiss, J. Maurice Harvey, Fred Rodewald, John B. Doyle, Clarence Nell, Geo. E. Walker. Orrin Dilley. George Hartman, Levi Dean, Chris. C. Peter, Charles D. Smith. C. B. Kennedy. Lewis D. Wells, Wallie J. Wilson. Arthur M, Fassatt.
COL, HORNEY POST, G. A. R .-- Col. Iloraey Post, No. 151, Department of Illinois Gr: nd Army of the Republic, was organized Apri! S. 182. The charter members were: George F. Owen, Henry Craske, George Johnson. William B. Underhill, D. S. Tetrick. John MeCabo, Fred Decounter, John L. Sweeney. John A. Harvey. John N. Roach. Perry Lodsdon. Fred Wilmot and J. L. Parrott.
The officers elected were :
Post Commander, Henry Craske. Senior Vice Commander, Perry Logsdon. Junior Vice Commander. John N. Roach. Adjutant. D. S. Tetrick. Quarter-master, J. L. Sweeney. Outer Guard, George T. Owen. Quarter-master Sergeant, Wm. M. Underhill. Sergeant Major. J. L. Parrott.
T. J. ITutton was elected Post Commander in 1892 and has served continuously in the office since that time. J. A. Bankes has been Adjutant since 1807. The membership roll shows that there was at one time 203 members, but at the present time there are but forty-four. Of the charter members but four remain, viz: Henry (raske. J. L. Sweeney, John McCabe and Perry Logsdon.
RUSHVILLE CAMP NO, 205 M. W. A .- A camp of Modern Woodmen of America was organized in Rushville in the spring of 1887. but the charter of Rushville Camp, No. 305, bears date of November 5, 1557. The lodge was instituted with the following officers :
Consul, T. J. Ilutton. Worthy Advisor, M. J. Doolittle. Clerk. Geo. P. Houck. Banker, Ang. Fulks. Sentry. George W. Henry. Escort, George Mead. Watchman, M. W. Greer. Physician, J. A. Harvey.
Manager <---- N. S. Montgomery. M. W. Greer and J. A. Harvey,
T. J. Hutton has been elected every year since then to the office of Consul. which he now
ROYAL NEIGHBORS .- Maple Camp, No. 1720. Royal Neighbors, was instituted June 22, 1899.
MYSTIC WORKERS. - Rushville Lodge, No. 174 Mystic Workers of the World, was organized March 19. 1902. The order admits men and women on equal terms, and the social sido is one of the leading features of the organization.
KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF SLOUHITY .- Rushville Council, No. 487 Knights and Ladies of Security, was organized in Roach's hall December 23. 106. with nine charter members. In November, 10007. the lodge was reorganized with five of the ofd charter members still on the roll,
(1011: OF EAGLES,-Schuyler Aerie, No. 1662. Fraternal Order of Eagles, was instituted July 2, 1968, a team from the Canton Lodge doing the work. This lodge had more than a Innidred charter members and. soon after organizing. fitted up their lodgeroom in handsome style. The first officers elected were:
Past Worthy President. Gny Grubb.
Worthy President, Win. JI. Dietrich. Vice Worthy President. J. Paul Moore. Chaplain. A. M. Foster. Treasurer. W. E. Smith. Secretary. George Virgil. Worthy Conductor. Carl Greer. Inner Guard, Melvin Livingston. Onter Guard. James Denny.
Trustees. A. E. Glossop. Nathan Spangler and Walter Teel.
CHAPTER XXIV.
MILITARY AFFAIRS-STATE MILITIA.
PLACE OF MILITARISM IN HISTORY -- SOLDIERS' BOUNTY LANDS-CITIZENS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY WHO SERVED IN WARS OF THE REVOLUTION AND 1512-SOME EARLY APPLICATIONS FOR PENSIONS -SCHUYLER COUNTY MILITIA AND REMINISCEN- CES OF MUSTER DAYS-SOME MILITIA OFFICERS-
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
FIRST INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION-TOASTS AND RESPONSES-EFFORT TO ORGANIZE AN ARTIL- LERY COMPANY LY INAS.
Militarism demands an important place in any history, for it antedates all established forms of government, and is the acknowledged connecting link with the primitive tribal relations, which was the first advance in our sociological prog- ress. And, in reviewing the history of Schuyler Courty, the fact presents itself that this region is included within what is known as "The Military Tract," a section of Illinois that was set apart as bounty lands for the soldiers in the War of 1812, which makes its very inception closely connected with the military history of these United States.
The action of the General Government in distributing this land among the soldiers is worthy of commendation, but few indeed of those intended to be the immediate beneficiaries ever took possession of their intended allotments. Some few of the early settlers of Schuyler County were veterans of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. and many more were de- seendants of patriotic heroes, who had served their country in one or both of these wars, or had been with that hardy band of patriots that blazed the path of civilization into Kentucky.
But the record of Schuyler's citizen soldiers in every war that has been fought since Illinois was admitted to the Union of States, is the best evi- dence of the fine military spirit that exists among her loyal and patriotie citizens.
Of the veterans of the Wars of the Revolution and 1812. and who were afterwards residents of Schuyler County. there is no accurate record. The names of a few of these soldiers, however. have been preserved in the county records where application was made for pensions,
.
Under an act of Congress, dated March 1S. 1818, pensions were allowed soldiers in the War of the Revolution and the first application tiled in Schuyler County was presented by Henry Green to the County Commissioners. June 4. 1827. In his petition to the court he states that this was his third application for pension.
Mr. Green's army record, as shown in his peti- tion, recites the fact that he enlisted in March. 1779, in the State of Maryland, and served in Capt. John Gazway's company, commanded by Col. Thomas Wolford, and that he continued to
serve until the close of the war, receiving hls discharge at Annapolis.
In making an application for pension. it was required that the applicant should accompany his application with a schedule of property owned by him and Mr. Green presented the following: One delt in trade $10; one horse sixteen years old; one volt one year old: one cow and calf: two yearlings; two one-horse plows: two old hoes : one horse-collar: two pairs trace chains; two old clevises; one frow : one old iron wedge; one old log chain. The property scheduled was valued at SS0.
There was red tape in the Pension Depart- ment even as early as 1527, for we find in the County Commissioners record that it was re- quired of Mr. Green to appear before that body on March 3, 1828, and again give an inventory of property owned by him on March 18, 1818, and explain what disposal had since been made of it. The following statement shows how Mr. Green explained his case to the inquifing government official: "Loaned mare; cow died: the $20 re- ceived from James Turner was applied to pur- chase hat for myself, one. tin bucket and the balance for clothing for my family ; sheep killed by wolves; $15 applied to purchase feather- led."
In this application Mr. Green gives his age as sixty-three years, and states that age and infirmities forbid following the occupation of farmer. Mr. Green's statement clearly estab- lishes the fact that he held the honor of mak- ing the first application for pension in Schuyler County. but the records do not show whether or hot it was granted.
On September 3, 1532. applications for pen- sions were filed by William Blair. Benjamin Carpenter. James Lamen and George Taylor.
Mr. Blair enlisted in May. 1778, as a sub- stitute for his father. He was in a battle with Indians at Tioga River, and was injured by carrying an ammunition box. He enlisted twice afterwards, and was finally discharged in 1781.
Benjamin Carpenter enlisted as minute-man for four years at Amherst. Va., in May. 1776; was in one engagement at Long Bridge on York River, and present at surrender of Gen. Corn- wallis. Rev. Peter Cartwright vouched for 3Ir. Carpenter's reputation as a citizen.
James Lauman enlisted at Charlestor. S. C., in July. 1776. He reenlisted March 3, 17\1. in Capt. Tillman Dickson's cavalry compriny, and
سيدجملة
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كليه :- الصـ
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
served under Gen. Nathaniel Green. He partie- ipated in the battle of Guilford and Eutaw Springs, and in the latter fight was wounded in the thigh.
George Taylor enlisted in September. 1777. in Capt. Sammel Schackelford's company, con- manded by Col. Broadhead. of Amherst Conmiy. Va He was first sent to Fort Cumberland and served four months and a half. le reen- listed four times and in his petition for a pen- sion, states that he served under Gen. Wayne and the French patriot, Gen Lafayette, Rev. Peter Cartwright vonched for Mr. Taylor's good character.
SCHUYLER COUNTY MILITIA .- Of the militia organization in Selmyler County we have no terord. and a careful examination of the his- tories of the State throws no light on this phase of the military history of Illinois. Nevertheless. an extensive system of military organization was maintained in the State from 1830 to 1840. with the Governor as Commander-in-chief. but no por- ord was ever kept of the enrollment of troops, and we must depend upon the recollection of old set- tlers for the facts here presented.
As early as 1830 Schuyler County had organ- ized a militia company and "Muster Day" was an important event in the life of the pioneer. Some of those who partieipated in those stirring times recall it, after the lapse of years, as the season for a general debauch. which finally led to the total abandonment of the entire local militia sys- tom in 1840.
Muster Day was usually held once or twice each year in every county, and at that time all the local companies were gathered in battalion and regimental drills. Men from distant parts of the county were then brought into friendly relations, and barter and trade in everything, from pocket knives to horses. engaged the at- tention of the citizen soldiers. Oftentimes the men would be accompanied by their wives and children, for Muster Day was the gala day of the year to the pioneers.
In Rushville the old Muster ground was on the prairie, where the new Little addition has been Platted, and it was here the last regimental mus- ter was held in the fall of 1510. Col. Russell Toneray was in command of the regiment. Alex Hollingsworth was Lieutenant Colonel, Levi Lusk Major, and Wiliam Ellis was a staff of- firer, but we have been unable to get his title.
Among the captains old settlers recall the
names of Capt. Leonidas Horney. Capt. Michael Kirkham. Capt. Willun Berry, Capt. Peter C. Vance. Cipt. Ebenezer Demnick. Cant. Russell Toneray. Capt. Mitch White, Capt. Archie Paris, Capt. Brant Brown and Caja. A. L. Wells.
Like Allphin, of Canalen. tells us that the militar in the west part of the county was com- manded to Col. Polt-on. of Huntsville, and that once each year several companies from that neighborhood attended regimental mister at Mt. Sterling, where Col. Thomas Brockman was in comumand.
FIRST FOURTH of JULY CELEBRATION .-- The first general celebration of the Fourth of July. in Rushville, Pourred in 1436, and we are fortimate to have in our possession a copy of The Rushville Journal giving an account of the celebration in detall.
On the morning of the sixtieth anniversary of the nation's independence. the patriotic citizens gathered at the Cumberland Presbyterian church, where Rov. Mr. MePowell opened the meeting with prayer. The Declaration of Independence was read by Win. A. Minshall and orations were delivered b; Hat Follows and George W. Welis, Trom the church the citizens marched to a grove west of town in the following order :
Rushville Rifle Company, under Capt. Toneray. Revolutionary Soldiers, preceded by the flag. Clergy. Orators of the Day. The Ladies. Citizens.
At the grove a basket dinner was served and short toasts were given by the citizens assembled.
James S. MeCreery was President of the day and A. MeHatton was Vice-President. Following is a list of toasts submitted with responses :
"The Heroes of the Black Hawk War" -- Hart Fellows.
"The Judiciary of the United States"-W. 1. Minshall.
"Davy Crockett" -- J. M. Mccutchen.
"The 4th of July, 1776"- J. T. Worthington. "Our Star Spangled Banner"-Dr. J. W. Clark. "The Young Tree of Liberty in Texas"-David Owens.
"Constitution Building" -- Samuel MeHatton. "Our Constitution"-Jos. Burton.
"Patriots of the Revolution"-W. Smith. "The State of Illinois"-G. W. Baker. "Edward Livingston" -- Dr. J. S. Dunl.ip.
"May all party spirit, founded upon the love
HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
of speculation. be buried in Rushville"-Alex. Campbell.
"Comforts of Peace and Blessing of Liberty" -A. Maury.
"The Memory of Benjamin Franklin" -- M. Kirkham.
"The Militia of the United States" -- J. G. Ran- dall.
"The First Settlers of Illinois"-John Tod- hunter.
"The Yankees"-David V. Dawley.
"The Brave Texans"-R. W. Renfroe.
"The Memory of Christopher Columbus"- Lewis Robertson.
"The Heroes of Texas"-Dr. R. M. Worthing- ton.
"The Memory of Col. Ethan Allen"-Andrew Cruse.
"Texans"-George Ilenry. "Knowledge is Power"-J. D. Manlove.
"The Fair Sex"-II. 11. Anderson.
In 1858 an effort was made to raise an artil- lery company in Rushville, and an organization was effected by electing B. C. Gillam captain The men composing this squad left no record of their service, but the brass cannon furnished them by the State was kept in Rushville for several years and, at the beginning of the Civil War, was called in by Gov. Yates and sent to Cairo. The folowing notice of the organization and equipment of the company is taken from THE RUSHVILLE TIMES :
"Notice is hereby given to the Rushville Artil- lery Company that Messrs. Ray. Little & Co .. have taken the contract for furnishing material and manufacturing uniforms for said company on much better terms than I have expected. viz: Coat and pants of blue cloth, trimmed with yel- low -- the cloth to be superior to the sample fur- nished by M. L. Read & Co .. of Beardstown. The price is $18. to be paid in eash. cooperage or any kind of produce. Should any of the com- jany wish it, they can have the cloth furnished ready cut out, with trimmings, so as to have them made up at home.
"I wish all to be uniformed by the first day of April, INGS. Our arms will consist of one or two brass cannon, and several stands of arms, with all the accountrements of the best pattern and latest styles. Said arms and arcontrements to be delivered to us in January. 1558.
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"Our next meeting will be on Christmas, the 25th day of December next. Let all come. If
there are any who wish to enlist, there is still room for a few more good men.
"For the pride and honor of our town and county. let us use every exertion to get up, and keep up, a martial spirit. We have the material and the ability to make a good company, and that is all that is necessary.
"B. C. GILLAM, Cupt." "December 11, 1857.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
THE MILITARY TRACT A FIELD OF MILITARY OPER.\- TIONS-THE BLACK HAWK INVASION OF 1831- IT IS BROUGHT TO A SPEEDY TERMINATION BY PROMPT GOVERNMENT ACTION-SOME CITIZENS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY WHO TOOK PART IN THE CAMPAIGN-SECOND COMING OF BLACK HAWK IN 1832-GOV. REYNOLDS' CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS IS PROMPTLY MET-BEARDSTOWN THE RENDEZVOUS OF TROOPS-O. IT. BROWNING'S DIARY-RUSHVILLE ON THE LINE OF MARCH-PANIC CAUSED BY THE STILLMAN DEFEAT-REV. CHAUNCEY HOBART'S AC- COUNT-TWO COMPANIES FROM SCHUYLER COUN- TY-STORY OF THE LINCOLN-MOORE WRESTLING MATCH-A MILITARY ORDER-MISTER ROLL OF SCHUYLER COUNTY VOLUNTEERS.
The history of the Black Hawk war is one of thrilling interest. and especially to the residents of the Military Tract, which was the scene of active warfare, but inasmuch as the subject is ably treated in the supplement to the Encyclo- pedia part of this work (see "Encyclopedia of Illinois," pages 608-615), we will content our- selves with a review of the part Schuyler County soldiers played in this war, and other incidents that have a local interest.
Pioneer settlers of Schuyler indeed took a prominent part in this, the only war fought by United States troops in Illinois, and many there were who served in both the campaigns of 1531 and 1502. The pioneers were not only stirred to effort by a lofty patriotism, but it was in a measure a rally to protect their own homes and
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
loved ones. for had not Black Hawk and his war- - cas not considered hardships. We vastly en- riors been checked at the Rock River they would joyel it. we thought it was royal fun. have swooped down upon the scattered settle. "Guards and scouts, however, were regularly (tailed. as if there was danger near. but nothing occurred to interrupt the jollity of the march to Rock Island." Hunts along the Illinois. for Schuyler was at that day on the northern frontier for the home- seekers.
And so it was that the little settlement about Rushville was startled early in May, 1531. by the rumors which came from the north. that Black Hawk and his band of warriors had crossed the Mississippi River and threatened the destruc- tion of the white settlers. Then came Gov. Reynold's call for volunteers, and the whole Northwest resounded with the clamor of war. The Governor asked for 700 men, but more than twice that number responded at the date of ton- dezvous, June 15, 1831. The troops crossed the Illinois River at Beardstown from the south, and wet the frontiermen from the west at the camp. two miles north of Rushville, and there organ- ized into two regiments and two battalions. One regiment elected James D. Henry. of Sangamon County, Colonel, and the other elected Daniel Lieb, while Major Nathaniel Buckmaster was elected to command the "Odd Battalion." and Major Samuel Whitesides was appointed by the Governor to the command of the "Spy Battalion." and the whole brigade was placed under the command of Gen. Joseph Duncan, afterwards Governor of Illinois.
The muster roll of volunteers of this first ex- pedition against Black Hawk was not preserved. but we have the written record of Rev. Chauncey llobart, an early Schuyler pioneer, and a vol- unteer in this war. of the part taken by the Selinyler company under command of Capt. Ilart l'ellows and Lieut. William C. Halls. We quote as follows from Rev. Hobart :
"Gen. Joseph Duncan took command, and, as our county lay immediately on the line of march to Rock Island, we were ordered to wait until the brigade came, when we were made a part of the Fourth Regiment. Ilinois Volunteers, fifteen hundred strong.
"We marched in four columns, the bagzage train keeping the road and two regiments on either side, ours being the extreme left.
"To most of the men this going to war was a time of rare frolie and nonsense. To us fron- tier boys, accustomed as we had been to rough- ing it, most of the time, and to all kinds of wind and weather. the camping out in blankets under the stars, and marching through heavy rains,
At Fort Armstrong the troops were met by tion. Gaines, and when the volunteer brigade crossed Rock River they found the Indian vil- ligt deserted. Black Hawk and his warriors had recrossed the Mississippi into lowa, and the raw recruits who were thirsting for battle, put the torch to the abandoned Indian village as a record of their displeasure. On June 30th a
treaty of peace was signed and the pioneers re- turned home, having been in the service about thirty days. Many were displeased at the fay- orable terms given Chief Black Hawk, and con- temptuously referred to their .adventure as a "vorn war," instituted by the Indians to secure maintenance from the Federal Government.
Notwithstanding the treaty signed in June. 1831. Black Hawk, with five hundred warriors on horseback, again invaded Illinois in the spring of 102 and sought to influence the Winnebagoos and the Pottawatomies, then stationed in Wis- cousin, to join him in an expedition against the settlers.
On April 16, 1832. Gov. Reynold's issued the second call for mounted volunteers, to rendezvous at Beardstown on April 22d. Men left their plows. and. with little or no preparation lastened to respond. They all furnished their own horses and firearies, and it was a motley army that gathered to resist the Indian invasion. but the men were accustomed to the wild life on the frontier and entered heartily into the task before them.
While Beardstown was named as the place of Bublezvous in the Governor's call for troops. the first camp of the volunteers was made on the Schuyler side of the river, and it was here the little army was organized into a brigade under command of Gen. Sammel Whitesides.
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