USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2 > Part 53
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
fields in the mud an hour before, hurried home over ground frozen hard enough to bear up a loaded wagon.
We find in Moses' "llistory of Illinois," an ar- count of the death of two men in this storm. but are unable to verify it. The article in question reads as follows: "Those caught out on horse. back were frozen to their saddles, and had to be lifted off and carried to the fire to be thawed apart. Two young men were frozen to death near Rushville. One of them was found sitting with his back against a tree. with his horse's bridle over his arm and his horse frozen in front of him. The other was partly in a kneeling posi- tion with a tinder box in one hand and flint in an- other. with both eyes open, as if intent to strike a light. Many other casualties were reported. As to the extent of the temperature, however. no in- strument has left any record, but ice was frozen in the streams, as variously reported. from six inches to a foot in thickness in a few hours."
THE FLOOD OF IN44 .- As the winter of 1830- 31 is known as "the year of the deep show" and that of 1826 at the season of the "sudden freeze." so is the, year 1544 known as the time of the mighty flood. In the spring and summer of that years, the Illinois River was raised to a height far in excess of any period known since the set- tlement of the State, and the high water marks in the Illfois River valley are based on the stage of the water of that year. The river valley con- try was then sparsely, settled in Schuyler, and property lossess were not as heavy as they have been in more recent flood years, but more than one town-site along the river and crecks received a death blow by the high water of that year. Prominent among these was the town of Erie. which was located about three miles below Fred- erick. After the flood of 1244. Erie was known of no more, and the shipping business that was carried on there was diverted to Frederick.
STORMS IN SCHUYLER COUNTY .-- Devastation from tornados was unknown in Schuyler County in the early days, but with scattered settlement- the storms were less noticeable, and it would have been possible for a mighty force to have exerted itself, and yet have left no marks of its path save in the timbered county. Such storms have passed unnoticed .and there is no one to chiro !- icle them and. for this history, we will consider the first tornado as occurring October 25. 1856. when the village of Littleton was destroyed. Evidence of an approaching storm was first no-
tired about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, wien a heavy black cloud was seen in the southwest. Within an Heredibly short time it reached the village of littleton and. sweeping on to the northwest. lett a pile of wreckage where. a moment before, stores, churches and dwelttys stood. Strangely enough, no one was killed outright. though the houses and stores were tumbled down with the inmates entangled in the ruins. The town at that time extended alo: s the main road from Rushville to Macomb, and the most complete destruction was on the east side of the street. The dwelling houses of Messrs. D .. Witt and Brumer, and the store of James De- Witt & Co. were so located and escaped destrue- tion.
The following list of property losses, aszre- gating $15,000, was published in The Rustr.ile Times the work following the storm: Detist elmirch (frame), $600; Methodist Ep- ral church (brick ). $1,500; Jacob Louis, $500; W'T !- iam Snyder, $500: E. Abbott and J. S. Edie soon. $100; Rev. Stewart. $500: Dr. Davis, 81500: P. B. Cordell. $150; J. O. Smith. $700: AV x. Simpson. $50; R. Nichols, $200; E. M. W.s. $500; Rev. L. Shelby, $250; DeWin & Co .. 5: Jamesp De Witt, $50: Talbert Crawford. SIF 0: Crawford & Cordell. $1,500: Win. Hill. 21.200; Mrs. Dale, $600: Kennada Odell. $650.
Within an hour after the cyclone the zews reached Rushville, and all the physicians is : av. Went to the aid of the injured. Among the most seriously injured was William Crawford. win died the following Tuesday, and this was the only fatality that resulted from the tori .. relief fund was quickly raised in Ru-hvis- ..... was sent to Littleton to be used in caring - 2 :39 injured ones, many of whom lost almost at tvir property and were left disabled and dosti-
Twenty-five years after the Littleton : _ 2%. the western part of Schuyler County w --- the most destructive storm in the history : Le county. September 24. 1491. is the date = = >< storm, which left a well defined mail of man through Adams and Schuyler Counties. I: from the southwest and. as it approached Cir 3-5. its path was a mile wide and its power se -the fearful. The day had been hot and sites : the first sign of a storm was noted in the = > of the afternoon. About 3:30, while de : of Camden were engaged in their date : ss unmindful of danger. the storm borst fury. Houses were demolished before
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MRS MAARY MANYX, AND OLD HOMESTEAD.
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
cupants could rush to close the doors; there was no time to seek safety in flight, and before they had time to realize that a tornado was upon them, the village was a tangled mass of ruins. Of the forty buildings in the town not more than six escaped being demolished, and yet amid stich a mass of wreckage, only one life was lost- that of Mrs. B. P. Watts, who was crushed to death beneath the ruins of her home. Many miraculous escapes from death occurred during the few minutes that the storm lasted, and in- stances are related of the power of the wind that are almost incredible. While Camden suf- fered the brunt of the storm. the damage to property in the southwest part of Huntsville Township was also severe ; many farm buildings being unroofed and wrecked by the force of the wind. The wide extent of the storm caused a property loss of perhaps $25,000, but we will not attempt to give the losses in detail.
Other storms of less violence have been noted in the west part of the county, and old settlers distinctly remember five that closely followed the path of the Camden tornado. On June 31. 1860, the north part of Littleton Township was swept by a tornado, but the greatest damage to property at that time was in MeDonough County.
On July 5 1904, the village of Ray was in the path of a cyclone that. like the two previous ones in the county, came from the southwest. The effects of this tornado were first noticed near the Houston church, and from there to Ray the wind carried everything before it. The storm struck the village about 5:30 in the afternoon and totally demolished the two-story school building, but did no other serious damage. The destructive zone of this tornado varied from fifty to one hun- dred yards in width.
The city of Rushville and the country to the south of us have been remarkably free from de- struetive tornadoes in the eighty years since the county was settled, but whether this is a mere chance of fate, or our safety is guarded by pe- culiar location or conditions, is one of the un- solved meteorological problems.
OTITER NOTABLE PHENOMENA .- Natural phe- nomena, which are now accurately forecasted and looked for with interest by the general public. as well as astronomers and scientists, were held in superstitions awe by the early pioneers, and with the coming of the great meteorie shower on November 13, 1533, many of the pioneers looked
mpon it as the end of all things earthly. In the carly morning hours, the heavens wore ablaze with a shower of meteors that seemed to envelope the earth. From their rude log-cabins the set- thers looked out upon the weird scene that seemed to portend the destruction of the world. From every part of the heavens meteors were dashing by thousands, and now who gazed upon the won- derful sight could ever forget the grandeur of the scene or the relief that came with the rising of the sun a few hours afterwards.
An eclipse of the sun that turned daylight into darkness is another event worthy of recording. It ocenrred on August 7, 1969, and the eclipse was total about 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon. During this time the earth was in semi-darkness and the chickens left their range and sought ilwe roost. There was not a elond in the sky and a splendid opportunity was had to observe this marvelous phenomeon, the shadow on the sun remaining distinet until about 6 o'clock in the evening.
On the evening of December 21. 1876, a great meteor passed over the Mississippi Valley and the glowing globe, looking as large as a barrel, slowly coursed across the heavens, traveling in a northeasterly direction. It was about 9 o'clock in the evening when the meteor appeared. and all at once the whole outdoor region was lighted up like mid-day. and people ran to the doors and windows, not knowing the cause of the sudden light. The whole display extending from horizon to horizon, probably did not occupy over half a minute, and yet the meteor producing it seemed to move slowly and apparently dropped to the earth a few miles away : but this was only an ap- parent delusion. for it was the wonder of half the continent, and those who saw it have a vivid remembrance of its grandeur to this day.
THE CHOLERA EPIDEMIC OF 1834 .-- One of the pioneers who passed through the cholera epidemic of 1834 was Rev. John Scripps, who wrote the following graphie account of that deadly pest !- lence :
"Brightly rose the sun on Thursday, the third of July, 1834. Hailed with pleasing sensations by our whole community as the precursor of a day of joy and festivity, which the morrow-the jubilant Fourth-our national festive day was appointed to be. We intended to commemorate it by the first Methodist Sunday school celebration ever held in the place, to which the whole country was invited, and for which this was the day
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
of arrangements, and busy hands were early and.late at work making dne preparations. The youths were particularly animated and active. The place for the festival was selected and put in order, and everything arranged. The day seemed to close auspiciously on our highest anticipations for the morrow.
"It came. But O! what a gloomy reverse of all we had meant! The first salutations of that morning announced to our ears the soul-barrow- ing fact that the destroyer had come, and the Angel of Death was among us. Two of our halest and most robust citizens. William Me- Creery and C. V. Putman, had been cut down. and the insatiate foe was grasping at other victims. The two had spent the evening together in social converse. That they were almost simultaneously attacked and sunk. no more to rise to the busy scenes of life, is all that can be said of their de- mise.
"Before the day closed another, a Miss Smith, was numbered with them, and others had re- ceived the fatal summons which. on the following day, swept from us four more to the oblivion of the grave-a Mrs. Wither -: James Haggarty. a carpenter ; Ruel Redfiehl, a blacksmith, and his child. They yielded to the stern mandate and passed away.
"On Sunday death seemed to panse in his exe- ention. None on that day died. But this gloomy pall still hung sullenly over us, and there was no pause in the threatening horror that invested us. The heart-rending wallings of survivors for their departed ones; the dark presages of what might yet lie before us. portending greater evils: the agonizing groans and moanings of yet other victims, writhing in excruciating pangs. all combined to incite intensest terror.
"On Monday the venerable parents of the first named victim, William McCreery, both lay shronded in death. But to them no doubt death was bereft of its terrible aspect and had lost its sting. and the grave lighted up with a heaven- inspiring hope of glorious immortality. They were as shocks of ripened grain. ready for the sickle, full of days and devotedly pions. Another vietim in the person of a Mr. Gay closed the mortalities of that day. .
"On the first breaking out of the cholera our town bezan rapidly to depopulate. not only by death, but by flight : a panic seized the inhabitants and some sought refuge from its ravages among their more distant country friends, others in
encampments in the far off woods, by which many houses became vacated and our streets literally deserted. There seemed scarcely enough left of human life to die or to feed the rapacious maw of the 'fell monster.' We, however, titted up for a temporary hospital the two story frame building on East Jefferson street, to which were conveyed all the patients who could not other- wise be cared for, to be nursed and attended to under the general superindenteney and medical treatment of Dr. VanZandt."
We omit the detailed description of the scenes in the cholera hospital. as related by Rev Scripps, but cannot leave unnoticed the valiant service performed by four young men who volunteered their services as nurses. Never did a soldier on any battlefield show more bravery than did these young men, who, without hope of reward or glorious renown. went bravely to their death. They were Daniel Sherwood. John R. York, William Willis and a Mr. Wilson, and the first three were martyrs to the cause.
Rev. John Scripps was untiring in his minis- trations to the sick and afflicted, and was at the bedside of the dying until he was himself stricken. After the death of Rev. Jewell. who aided bim in the work. he was the only minister left in the village. Rev. Scripps aseribes his recovery to a strict observance of dietetic restrictions and care- ful nursing by his devoted wife, who was a valiant aid during the dreadful scourge.
The following list of deaths from cholera in Rushville during the year 1934 was kept by Samuel Hindman in that memorable year, and is correct :
July 4 -- C. V. Putman. William McCreery, Miss Smith.
July 5-Ruel Redfield. child of Redfield. Mrs. Weathers. James Haggerty.
July 7-Mr. and Mrs. McCreery, Mr. Gay ..
July S-Child of Mr. Angel.
July 9-Mr. Ayers, child of George Henry.
July 10 -- Mr. Barkhousen. Mrs. Smith.
July 11-Mr. MeCabe.
July 12-Mr. Sherwood.
July 13-Mrs. Dunlap.
July 14-A German lady, John R. York, Wi- liam Willis. Mr. Campbell.
July 17 -- Mrs. Basil Bowen. Mr. Barkhousen.
July 26-Rev. Mr. Jewell.
July 30-Madison Worthington.
Ang. 1 -- Major Upton. A total of 27.
Mr. E. H. O. Seeley, now living in Rushville at
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
the ripe old age of ninety-four years, was in the undertaking business when the cholera scourge of 1834 came, and he was one of the few who were brought into elose contact with the disease and escaped its contagion. No soldier for cross or crown did more exalted service than he in attending to the burial of the cholera victims. and oftentimes it was a difficult matter to se- cure help enough to deposit the body in the tomb.
According to Mr. Seeley's remembrance the cholera was brought to Rushvihe by the family of a Mr. Wilson, who emigrated here from Mary- land. They came by boat from New Orleans, accompanied by Basil Bowen and family, and on the way up the Illinois River Mrs. Wilson died of cholera. Wishing to give his wife a civilized burial. Mr. Wilson and the Bowen family were landed on the west bank of the river opposite Beardstown and notice was sent to Mr. Seeley at Rushville to prepare a coffin. Messrs. McCreery and Putman assisted in the burial, and they were
the first victims of the pestilence that was destined to claim more than a score of lives, and bring terror into a community that had never before known by experience of the cholera plague.
There was a recurrence of the disease in the spring of 1\11. and it continued throughout the summer with a larze fatality, although not equal- ing that of the year 1834. From Mr. Hindman's list of deaths of that year we get the following names and dates :
March 1S-A child of Mr. Metz.
April 16-Mr. Blood.
May 22-J. Dads.
July 31 -- Mrs. McCroskey.
Angust 4-Child of D. Huff.
August 31-Mr. Gasper.
August 31-Mr. Brown.
September 21-Child of Hart Fellows.
October 4-Mr. Moore.
November 1-Mrs. Joseph Leonard.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE PART OF BIOGRAPHY IN GENERAL HISTORY- CITIZENS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY AND OUTLINES OF PERSONAL HISTORY-PERSONAL SKETCHES AB- RANGED IN ENCYCLOPEDIC ORDER.
The verdict of mankind has awarded to the Muse of History the highest place among the Classic Nine. The extent of her office, however, appears to be, by many minds. but imperfectly understood. The task of the historian is compre- hensive and exacting. True history reaches be- yond the doings of court or camp, beyond the is- sne of battles or the effects of treaties, and re- cords the trials and the triumphs, the failures and the successes of the men who make history. It is but an imperfect conception of the philoso- phy of events that fails to accord to portraiture and biography its rightful position as a part -- and no unimportant part- of historic narrative. Behind and beneath the activities of outward lite the motive power lies out of sight. just as the furnace fires that work the piston and keep the ponderous screw revolving down in the darkness of the hold. So, the impulsive power which shapes the course of communities may be found in the molding influences which form its citizens.
It is no mere idle curiosity that prompts men to wish to learn the private, as well as the public. lives of their fellows. Rather is it true that such desire tends to prove universal brotherhood ; and the interest in personality and biography is not confined to men of any particular caste or voca- tion.
The list of those, to whose 'ot it falls to play a conspicuous part in the great drama of life, is comparatively short : yet communities are made up of individuals, and the aggregate of achieve- ments- no less than the sum total of human hap- piness- is made up of the deeds of those men and women whose primary aim, through life. is faith- fully to perform the duty that comes nearest to hand. Individual influences upon human affairs will be considered potent or insignificant, accord- ing to the standpoint from which it is viewed. To him who, standing upon the seashore. notes the ebb and flow of the tides and listens to the sullen roar of the waves. as they break upon the beach in seething foam, seemingly chating at their lim- itations. the ocean appears so vast as to need no tributaries. Yet, without the smallest rill that helps to swell the "Father of Waters." the mighty torrent of the Mississippi would be lessened, and the beneficent influence of the Gulf Stream di-
minished. Countless streams. currents and coun- ter currents-sometimes mingling. sometimes counteracting each other-collectively combine to give motion to the accumulated mass of waters. So is it-and so must it ever be-in the ocean of human action, which is formed by the blending and repulsion of currents of thought, of influence and of life, yet more numerous and more tortu- ous than those which form the "fountains of the deep." The acts and characters of men, like the several faces that compose a composite picture, are wrought together into a compact or hetero- geneous whole. History is condensed biography ; "Biography is Ilistory teaching by example."
It is both interesting and instructive to rise above the generalization of history and trace. in the personality and careers of the men from whom it sprang, the principles and influences. the impulses and ambitions, the labors, struggles and triumphs that engross their lives.
Here are recorded the careers and achieve- ments of pioneers who. "when the fullness of time had come." came from widely separated sources, some from beyond the sea, impelled by divers motives, little conscious of the import of their acts, and but dimly anticipating the harvest which would spring from the sowing. They built their primitive homes, toiling for a present sub- sistence while laying the foundations of private fortunes and future advancement.
Most of these have passed away, but not before they beheld a development of business and popu- lation surpassing the wildest dreams of fancy or expectation. A few yet remain whose years have passed the allotted three-score and ten, and who love to recount, among the cherished memories of their lives, their reminiscences of early days.
[The following items of personal and family history, having been arranged in encyclopedic for alphabetical) order as to names of the in- dividual subjects, no special index to this part of the work will be found necessary. ]
ACHESON, Alexander .- In the Achesons of Bainbridge Township, are recognized one of the most thrifty and progressive families of Sehuyler County, and no more worthy representative of it .could be selected than the gentleman whose name heads this article. Retaining the familiar and admired characteristics of the best class of Irish- men, bright, shrewd and courteous. Alexander Acheson has been a resident of the county for forty years, and during that long period has stead- ily earned the confidence and affection of his as- sociates, spreading good cheer along his path- way, and, in his declining years, receiving his
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
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manifold reward, in the gratitude of those whose lives he has brightened and uplifted. A firm Democrat ever mee he brame entitled to vote and personally popular, Mr. Acheson has never sought either political or publie honors, but has given his undivided attention to farming as the serious business of his life, which bas brought to his family and himself those comforts which go far to counteract unavoidable hardships. Now living upon his thoroughly cultivated and highly improved farm of 213 acres, his eonitortable resi- dence and capacious barns give evidence of past years of industry and present contentment while, with a good wife and filial children affording a complete solace, the present days of Alexander Acheson must be filled with the kindly peace of the wise and faithful worker who has his reward.
Mr. Acheson is a native of County Tyrone, Ire- land, born in March, 1857, a son of Charles and Sarah (Condy) Acheson, both natives of that county. The father died whou Alexander was about two years of age, leaving a family of three sons and thres daughters, all of whom, with the widow, come to America at different pe- riods. Margaret, the eldest of the family, set- tled in Philadelphia, where she married John Hamilton, a native of County Donegal, Ireland. They afterward came to Schuyler County, locating on a farm in Rushville Township at a very early day, and spent the later years of their lives with their son Robert, a farmer of Macon.b Township, MeDonough County, Ill., who then occupied the place now owned by Edward Thomp- son. Rebecca, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Acheson, also settled in Philadelphia. where she died. The third of the family to come to America was William Acheson. Then James. Alexander, and Sarah came to Schuyler County about Christmas, 1866, the mother making her home with James for a number of years. They came at Once to what is now Sertion 3. Bain- bridge Township, and located on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. Here James married Jane Ilerron, a native of Ireland, who came to America with an aunt, and here the wife died. while he passed the period of his declining years in Buena Vista Township. William, the fourth of the family, was a farmer of Bainbridge Township for many years, and is now a resident of Rushville. Sarah. the fifth child, died at the home of Alexander. The mother of this family made her home with James and there died in 1S95.
In 1866 Alexander Acheson, the sixth child of the family. then thirty years of age, came direct from County Tyrone, Ireland, to Schuyler County. Ill., and in the fall of 1867 settled on a farm of sixty-seven acres, which had been purchased for $1.800, saved through the united efforts of the family. The land was covered with all kinds of timber and brush, such as wild locust and hazel bush. but a log cabin was built twenty fect square and therein the family began real life in the New World. To the original purchase enough was added, from time to time, to bring the total up to 213 acres, which was all thoroughly cuiti-
vated and nicely improved. This tract Alexan- der Acheson finally purchased, erecting thereon a modern dwelling and barns, developing a fine orchard, and otherwise making it one of the most highly improved and attractive homesteads in the township, Here he still resides with his family, the active operations of the farm and the care of the live-stock being entrusted to hands which have not been hardened by so many years of toil as his own.
On February 15, 1853, Mr. Acheson was united in marriage to Miss Laura Helen Demaree. the history of whose family will be found in the biog- raphy of W. L. Demaree. published elsewhere in this work. The three children of this union are as follows: llelen Racie, who married iu Octo- ber. 1906, Ward Lambert, a farmer of Littleton Township: Mary Nina, residing at home: and Ethel, who married February 15. 1906. Samnel Dean, and they reside in Oakland Township. All have enjoyed the advantages of public school edu- cations, and are bright, industrious and promis- ing members of the community, The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the parents justly stand high in the estimation of the best people of Bainbridge Township. It is little wonder that the pride of Alexander Ache. son is divided between his family and the adop- ted country which has enabled him. through his own strength of character, to bring his little household to such a position of honor and com- fort.
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