Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 39

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1 > Part 39

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

700

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

BUFFALO HART TOWNSHIP.

Buffalo Hart Township, in the northeastern part of Saugamon County, was organized, with its present dimensions, in 1861, receiving its name from Buffalo Hart Grove, where the first Settlement was made. It comprises the southern half of Town 17 North, Range 3 West, with fonr sections from the next tier north, making a total of 22 sections, and is bounded on the north by Logan County, east by Lanesville Township, south by Mechanicsburg and west by Williams. It is watered by tributaries of Wolf Creek on the west and the headwaters of Clear Creek on the south, and with the exception of Buffalo Hart Grove, consisting of less than one-sixth of the area, is made up of pralrie land. The name Buffalo Hart is claimed to be derived from the animals-the Buffalo and the Hart-which flourished in this region iu aboriginal days. The surface, as it looks towards Lake Fork and Mt. Pulaski, In Logan County, is rather undulating.

The first settlement was made in the township in 1824 by William Bridges and Charles Moore, who were followed a year later by Robert E. Burns. Others who came at a later period, most of them with families, were James Lynn, John Constant, Robert Cass, William P. Lawson, Thomas Greening, John Robinson, James T. Robinson, Adam Starr, Robert McDaniel, Thomas Dunn, John St. Clair and Auburn Ridgeway.

William Bridges, who was born In South Car- olina, April 28, 1787, spent his boyhood and his youth successively in Kentucky and Ohio, in the latter State marrying Martha Martin, whose par- ents were connected with the tragic history of Strode's fort, in Kentucky, from which they es- caped during an attack by the Indians, while other occupants, chiefly women and children, were massacred and the fort burned. Mr. Bridges served one year in the War of 1812, then moved to Fayette County, Ind., and in 1824 to Sangamon County, Ill., settling In Buffalo Hart Grove. He was a gunsmith and blacksmith, but about 1830 moved to some other locality and died there.

Charles Moore came from one of the Southern States, built a cotton-gin on the east side of Buffalo Hart Grove in 1823 or 1824, which he managed for a number of years, when he moved north. He had been a Revolutionary soldier, and while going to draw his pension, the stage in which he was riding upset, causing his death.

Robert E. Burns was boru in Washington County, Va., March 28, 1799, lived for a time In Clarke County, Ky., where, in 1825, he married Patsy Cass, and Immediately set out for Sanga- mou County, Iil., where he arrived in October of that year and settled in Buffalo Hart Grovc. They had two children who grew to maturity, Robert Franklin, born July 11, 1832, and died July 11, 1852, and Elizabeth who married John T. Constant. Mr. Burns died May 24, 1880.

James Lynn, who came in the fall of 1825, was a native of Rowan County, N. C., born Feb- ruary 24, 1788; in 1809 moved to Muhlenberg, Ky., later served eighteen months in the War of 1812, and was severely wounded by a gunshot, in Canada. In 1814 he married Sarah DePoyster in Bntler County, Ky., and after spending one year with his parents in North Carolina, in 1815 removed to Barren Connty, Ky., and in the fall of 1825, to Sangamon County, Ill., settling In the north part of Buffalo Hart Grove. Indians were stili numerous in this region at that time, but gave the settlers no trouble. Mr. Lynn died March 11, 1860.

John Constant, born in Clarke County, Ky., September 17, 1781, in 1802 married Susan Ed- monston, and in October, 1826, came to Buffalo Hart Grove, Sangamon County, where he lived but nine years, dying November 18, 1835, his widow surviving him nntil March 18, 1864.

Robert Cass, who came to Sangamon County with John Constant In October, 1826, was born in Iredell County, N. C., in 1768 or '69, the son of James Cass, a native of England, who in ac- cordance with the arbitrary methods of the British Government at that time, in his boyhood had been "pressed" into the naval service, In consequence of his early separation from his family even forgetting his own name, but being known as James Cast. After his separation from the British navy he came to Phil-

adelphia, later settled in Iredeli County, N. C., where he married and reared a family, and then moved to Clarke Connty, Ky. There he met two Englishmen by the name of Cass, one of whom proved to be his brother and the other his cousin, and he thus learned his true name. Robert Cass, the son and immigrant to Illinois, married in Iredell County, N. C., in 1790, Lucy Riley, and they had one child before coming to Ciarke County, Ky., and four later. His wife dled in February, 1809, and April 26, 1810, he married Mary Boggs, who bore hlm two children there.

C.M. Rhodes.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

701

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

The family came to Sangamou County in 1826, and there he died July 9, 1852, his wife having preceded him ahout twelve years.

Willlam P. Lawson, boru in Kentucky In 1794, was there married in 1820 to Priscilla Duncan, who died iu 1824, and in 1826 to Frances Dunn. In 1828 they came to Buffalo Hart Grove, Sanga- mon County, where they reared a large family, and where Mrs. Lawson dled in 1867. Two of their daughters married members of the Cass family, and Mr. Lawsou speut the last years of his life with his children.

Thomas A. Greening, horn in Fauquier County, Va., November 19, 1798, in 1804 was taken by his parents to Cumberland Gap, Tenn., and in 1808 to Clarke County, Ky .; was a soldier iu the War of 1812, and in 1816 married Elizabeth Dawson and finally moved to Moutgomery Coun- ty, Mo., whence in the fall of 1830 they came to Sangamon County, Ill., and spent the winter of the "deep snow" in what is now Buffalo Hart Township. In 1831 they moved to Loaml Town- ship, where Mr. Greening died in 1855.

John Rohinson, who was a native of Virginia, married Nancy Rohhlns in Maryland, speut sev- eral years in Delaware and later in Kentucky, and thence came in 1830 to Sangamon, locating in Buffalo Hart Grove, where he died In 1841.

James T. Rohinson was horn in Yorkshire, England, January 21, 1808, came to New York In 1829, and after traveling through New Eng- land and Canada, in December, 1830, came to Buffalo Hart Grove in Sangamon County, in time to witness the "deep snow." In the spring of 1832, having occasion to visit the East, he em- harked on the steamer "Talisman" at the time it made the famous trip up the Sangamon River to a point opposite the city of Springfield. Mr. Rohinson died December 8, 1871.

Barton Robinson, also a native of Yorkshire, England, studied medicine and obtained his de- gree from a medical college in London, and in December, 1831, joined his hrother, James T., in Buffalo Hart Grove. He later assisted Jabez Capps in laying out the town of Mt. Pulaski in Logan County, hut iu 1858 moved to Lynn Coun- ty, Kan.

Adam Starr, born in Culpeper County, Va., when a young man, went with his parents to Bourhon County, Ky., and later married Mary Carson in Clarke County, that State. In 1828, with his wife and their family of eight children, he came to Sangamon County, Iil., hecoming a

resident of Buffalo Hart Grove, where he dled in 1852.

After 1852 immigration to the Buffalo Hart region became quite rapid.

The Springfield St. Louis Division of Illinois Central Railroad crosses Buffalo Hart Township from southwest to northeast, Buffalo Hart Sta- tion on that line heiug the only village in the township.

CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS .- The first religious services in the township were held in the summer of 1826 at the house of James Lynn, hy a trav- eling minister of the Methodist church, the only persons present besides the preacher heing Mr. and Mrs. Lynn aud Mr. and Mrs. Burus. Suh- sequently ministers of other denominations vis- ited, holding services in private dwellings and school houses. In 1832 two ministers from England of the Episcopal denomination-Dr. Bar- ton Robinson and a Mr. Davis-having settled in this vicinity, proceeded to erect a chapel on Section 29, in which services were held by them, and later by representatives of other denomina- tlons, hut the attempt to effect church organi- zation proving unsuccessful, the building was later used hy other denominations and for school purposes. No other church edifice was huiit in the township until 1867, when a union church was erected on the site of the old chapel at a cost of $2,400, and used for services hy different denominations. A Methodist class was organ- Ized at an early day.

The first school in the township was taught hy Kennedy Kincade in the summer of 1829, iu one room of the first cahin erected hy John Con- stant, and the next during the following summer hy a Mr. Biue in a log house on the southcast quarter of Section 20. The first building for school purposes -- a log cabin-was erected on the farm of Mr. Constant in 1833, and the first school in it was taught hy Eliza Hood.

SOME FIRST EVENTS .- The first marriage in what is now Buffalo Hart Township was that of Isaac L. Skinner and Harriet L. Constant, which took place August 13, 1829, and thelr first child was born January 10, 1831, the winter of the "deep snow." During a visit to his father in August, 1831, Mr. Skinner died, and hls widow later married James W. Langston, who died in 1860.

The first hirth in the township was that of Martha, daughter of James Lynn, born Decem- ber 29, 1826, hut died Septemher 25, 1830.

702

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

The first death In the township was that of Jolın Ridgeway, in March, 1827.

The first frame house was the chapel crected by Robinson and Davis in 1832.

Robert E. Burns erected the first frame dwell- ing house in 1839, and it stood for many years.

John Constant erected the first brick dwelling honse in 1829, but it burned down in 1855.

The first school was taught by Kennedy Kln- cade during the summer of 1829.

The Methodists were the first denomination to organize a church in the township.

James Haney opened the first store on Section 31, in 1848.

The first postoffice was established near what is now Buffalo Hart Station in 1848 with James T. Robinson as first postmaster. Another office was located in the township on the Gilman, Clln- ton & Springfield Railroad (now the Springfield Division of the Iliinois Central), in 1871.

The first manufacturing concern was a horse- mill for grinding grain erected by Thomas Skinner at an early day, but in 1861 Robert Cass built a saw-mill near the center of the grove, which was removed to Buffalo Hart Statlon in 1874.

Farnum Brothers began the manufacture of drain tiles here in 1879.

A small village has grown up around, Buffalo Hart Station, which was established on the line of the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield (now Illinois Central) Railroad, but has never been incor- porated. Abont 1871 a general dry-goods store was established there by Messrs. Jack & Priest. The village has also had one or more groceries, blacksmith, carpenter and wagon-making shops, agricultural implement establishments, and con- siderahle deallng in grain and livestock Is done there.

Being entirely an agricultural district and made up of large farms, Buffalo HIart township has a comparatively small population, amount- ing, according to the censns of 1910, to 484.

CAPITAL TOWNSHIP.

Capital Townshlp was organized under the provisions of the General State Law, approved May 20, 1877, empowering the County Board of Supervisors of any county to organize the terri- tory embraced within the limits of any city hav- Ing a population of not iess than 3,000, as a separate town. Its present area is identical with

that of the city of Springfield, but before the date of its present organization, it was included within the original townshlp of Springfield, while a small portion of the southern part of the city was taken from Woodside Township. Its local history, up to the date of organization, will, therefore, be found embraced in that of the original townships, and more fully in that of the city of Springfield, except as to township officials since 1878.

The population of Capital Township, accord- ing to the census of 1910, was identical with that of the City of Springfield, viz. : 51,678.

Other matters of history in connection with the city of Springfield, will be found in other chapters of this volume,

CARTWRIGHT TOWNSHIP.

Cartwright Township, situated in the north- west corner of Sangamon County, and organized with Its present limits on the adoption of town- ship organization in 1861, has the distinction of being the largest townshlp In the county, extending eight miles from north to south by nine miles from east to west, and embracing an area of seventy-two sections or square miles, being equivalent to two fuli congressional town- ships. It is bounded on the north by Menard County, east by Sallsbury and Gardner Town- ships, south by Island Grove and west by Cass and Morgan Counties, and is watered by Rich- land Creek, in the northern portion, Prairle Creek in the middle and eastern, and Spring Creek in the southeast corner. Except along the streams, the surface Is generally level or mod- erately roliing prairie, embracing some of the richest soil an Sangamon County, and especially well adapted to the cultivation of grain and to stockgrowing.

The township received its name from Peter Cartwright, the celebrated Methodist Itinerant, who settled on Richland Creek In 1824, and re- sided near Pleasant Plains the rest of his life.

The first settlement was made in 1819 along Richland Creek In the northern portion of what is now Cartwright Township. Among the first settlers, or those who came soon after, were: Roland Siepherd, Dailas Scott, Solomon Price, John B. Broadwell, Moses Broadwell, William Carson, Samnel Irwin, Robert Milburn, William Crow, David S. Purvines, Edward Plrkins, Hiram

703

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Penny, Maxwell Campbell, James II. Doherty ; Richard Gaines, Samuel M. Thompson, Moses K. Anderson, Wright Flynn, Robert Wilborn, David Smith, Abraham Singard, Solomon Pearce, Samuel Newhouse, Bradley Vauce, Evans Mar- tin, Ralph Morgan, Wilson Hamilton, John Pur- vines, Irwin Masters, Joshua Crow, Buck Davis, Absalom Baker, Solomon Penny and Peter Cart- wright. In fact, with the exception of the city and township of Springfield, no other township in the country embraced within its limits a larger group of historic names than Cartwright.

Dallas Scott, mentioned in the preceding list, was a native of Cumberland County, Ky., born April 6, 1791, married Sarah Foster in 1815, and in November, 1819, arrived in what is now Cartwright Township, settling three miles east of the present town of Pleasant Plains, where lie died in 1841.

William Crow, born in Botetourt Couuty, Va., March 5, 1793, was the son of John Crow, a native of Ireland, who moved from Virginia to Barren County, Ky., where William married Miriam Enyart and iu 1819 came to Madison County, Ill., where he was ordalned as a preacher of the Regular Baptist Church. In the fall of 1820 he came to what is now Cartwright Town- ship, settling north of Richland Creek. Here his wife died in 1823, and in 1824 he married Susan Hall In Cumberland County, Ky., soon thereafter locating in the southeast corner of Cass County, but finally dled at Brownsville, Neb., in 1865, after having been connected with the ministry some forty years.

David Simpson Purvines, born in Cabarras County, N. C., December 25, 1790, married in his native State, and in the fall of 1820. came to Cartwright Township, settling on Richland Creek, where he died In 1852, having become the father of a large and influential family.

Other members of the Purvines family, all coming from Cabarras County, N. C., about 1819 or 1820, and settling in the same vicinity, were Alexander C. and John G., brothers of David Simpson Purvines; James and Samuel, and James C., a cousin, besides several female mem- bers. The Purvines have been one of the most numerous as well as prosperous families of Sangamon County, and were influential factors In developing the agricultural prosperity of Cart- wright Township.

Edward Pirkins, born In Wilkes County, N. C., March 15, 1791, spent a portion of his early life

first in Adalr County, Ky., and later in Camp- bell County, Tenn., where in 1812 he married Anna Pierce. In 1819, in company with hls father-in-law, Robert Pierce, he removed to Madison County, Ill., aud in April, 1820, the two families came to Sangamon County and settled- on Richland Creek, Cartwright Township, choos- ing that location in preference to Island Grove on account of the greater amount of timber. At the Sangamon County Fair of 1873, Mr. Pirkins received a gold-headed cane as a premium for the best equestrianshlp by a gentleman over sixty years of age.

Ifiram Penny, born In North Carolina, October 5, 1790, in childhood was brought by his parents to Pope County, Ill., married Catherine Mc- Ifenry in Kentucky and, in 1822, settled in what is now Cartwright Township, Sangamon County, where he died December 10, 1852.

William Penny, the father of Hiram, who was a native of North Carolina, born In 1751, and served as a Captain of a company in the Revolu- tionary War, came fromn Pope County, Ill., to Cartwright Townshlp, and after a brief resi- dence on Richland Creek, died there March 15, 1821. He had two brothers, Solomon and Robert.

Maxwell Campbell, born in Cabarras County, N. C.,, October 20, 1795, was descended from Robert Campbell, a native of Scotland. Max- weli married Nancy Plunkett, July 25, 1822, in North Carolina, and in May, 1823, came to what is now Cartwright Township, settling on the south side of Richland Creek, and there dled in 1881.

Richard Gaines, born in Charlotte County, Va., November 18, 1777, married Amy C. Green, later Ilved in Kentucky, and in November, 1825, came to Cartwright Township, locating a inile north of Pleasant Plains, where he died January 7, 1845, hils wife surviving lum until 1871. He was a local preacher of the Methodist Church for twenty-five or thirty years.

Samuel M. Thompson, who came to Sangamon County in 1828, locating in the present Cart- wright Township, was born in Davidson County, Tenn., February 12, 1801, educated himself and, in connection with Gen. Moses K. Anderson, afterward Adjutant-General of Illinois, taught a military school in his native State, having branches in Davidson and Dickson Counties. After coming to Sangamon County he returned to Davidson County, Tenn., and in 1831, mar- ried Cynthia Mccrary, with whom he returned

704

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

to Sangamon County in the spring of the same year, and in 1832 volunteered for service in the Black Hawk War, serving as First Lientenant of the company of which Abraham Lincoln was Captain, tbe election of both taking place at the same time when the company was organized on Richland Creek. His prominence as a military man is shown by the fact that he was elected Coionel of the regiment at Beardstown, being thus promoted over Mr. Lincoln, who was not a candidate. After serving its period of en- listment of thirty days, the regiment was mns- tered out at Ottawa by Coi. Zacbary Taylor. Col. Thompson and wife had one child born in Sanga- mon County, but in 1832 removed to Beardstown, iater becoming resident, of Iowa, where his wife died near Burlington in 1843. His last years were spent in Kansas.

Moses K. Anderson, born in Butler County, Ky., November 11, 1803, became an orphan at ten or twelve years of age, and was taken by a relative to what is now Cheatham County, Tenn., where on September 13. 1827, he married Cassarilla A. Stroude, and in March, 1829, came to what is now. Cartwright Township, Sangamon County, settiing four miles east of Pleasant Piains. He and his wife had a family of nine children. Mrs. Anderson died Angust 17, 1850, and in December of the same year he married Mrs. Marena T. Hall (nee Stroude) and they had three children. Mr. Anderson taught a miii- tary school in Tennessee and after coming to Illinois served as Colonei and Brigadier Generai of Militia and, in 1838, was appointed by Gov. Cariin Adjutant General, serving by successive appointments until 1856, covering the period of the Mormon War. In bis later years he served as County Judge one term, six years as Alder- man in the city of Springfield, and for some twenty years as Justice of the Peace. Gen. An- derson died Juiy 5, 1882.

Roland Shepherd settled on Section 3, Town 16 N., Range 7 W. in Cartwright Township, in 1819, but in 1821 sold his claim to Clayborn Jones and moved to Adams County, Ill., where be died. His successor, Clayborn Jones, remained untii 1833, wben he removed to Henry County, Iowa, and iater to Lynn County, Mo., where be died about 1845.

John B. Broadwell came in November, 1819, settling west of Roland Shepherd, but subse- quently sold to Wiliiam Carson and moved to Kansas, where he died. Wright Fiynn and

Robert Milborn were arrivals abont the same time as Broadwell, Fiynn afterwards seiling bis claim to David S. Purvines and moving to Mor- gan County. Miiborn sold to Samuel L. Irwin and located on another claim, which he sold to Alexander Irwin, and returning to Cass County, died there.

A Mr. Shoosong settled near the site of the present viilage of Pieasant Plains, but later sold to David Repsear and Daniel Troy who, some two years later, sold out to Peter Cartwright, an itinerant Metbodist minister for whom the township was named. Cartwright was a native of Amherst County, Va., born September 1, 1785. and before he was seventeen years old, was au- thorized by the pioneer Methodist evangeiist, Rev. Jesse Walker, to become an exhorter. In 1806 he was ordained to the ministry by Bisbop Francis Asbury, in 1808 married in Kentucky, Frances Gaines, and after laboring over an ex- tensive field. in 1823 made a tour through Iiii- nois in search of a home. which resulted in his selection of a site on Richland Creek in Sanga- mon Connty, to which he brought his family in the fail of 1824, settling three-quarters of a mile north of Pieasant Plains. Here be became one of the most bistoric characters of Illinois, and here he died September 25, 1872, wbere be had settled in 1824.

Peyton L. Harrison, born in Rockingbam County, Va., November 7, 1804, came to Sanga- mon County with bis father in 1822. iater mar- ried Eliza B. Cartwright, daughter of Peter Cartwright. and in 1832 located on Richland Creek, where he became one of the wealthy and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of tbat vicinity, iiving to an advanced.age.

Other early arrivals were David Smith, who settled in the northwest part of the township in ' 1820 and died there in 1840; Abraham Sinyard came about the same time, but soid out to M. K. Anderson and moved to Iowa; Solomon Pearce, Samuel Newbonse, Bradley Vance, Evans Mar- tin, Ralph Morgan and William Hamiiton came about the same time or soon after, but mostly removed to other localities.

Samuel L. Irwin, born in Cabarras Connty, N. C., June 6, 1779, on September 23, 1802, married Rachei Hudson, in the fall of 1818 moved to what was known as the Cherokee Purchase in Tennes- see, and in April, 1820, to what became Sanga- mon County, Ili., pitching their tent in what is low the northeast part of Pieasant Piains Vil-

705

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

lage. After a few months' stay they moved about two miles east, locating on the south side of Richland Creek. Mr. Irwin hecame the father of a large and influential family and many of his descendants still remain in Sangamon Coun- ty. He dled in 1845.

FIRST EVENTS .- The first marriage in Cart- wright Township was that of Peter Shepherd to Nancy Purvines, July 16, 1820, Rev. Streator performing the ceremony.

The first births were three sons (triplets) horn to Mr. and Mrs. Roland Shepherd In 1819.

The first death was that of Mrs. Ahsalom Baker, in 1820.

The first school was taught hy John D. Pur- vines In 1821.

The first religious services were conducted by Rev. James Sims, a Methodist, in the home of Absalom Baker, in 1820.

The first mill was a hand-wheel affair operated by horsepower, with one set of hurrs, constructed hy a Mr. Spillars In 1819. A second mill was hullt by J. S. Plunkett on Richland Creek, first propelled hy horse-power, but later hy water.

The first Justice of the Peace was A. Sinyard, who also served as the first Postmaster.

The first brick house in the township was erected hy Moses Broadwell, a few miles west of Pleasant Plains, in 1824.

VILLAGE F PLEASANT PLAINS. - Pleasant Plains, the only Incorporated village in Cart- wright Township, was platted and recorded March 13, 1854, hy Jacob Epler, the proprietor of most of the land on which It is situated, and comprises, according to the map, the southeast corner of Section 31 and the southwest corner of Section 32, in Town 17 N., Range 7 W. The first dwelllng was erected on the site of the village by Madison Glenn in 1848, and a stock of merchandise was opened here hy Jacoh Epler In 1849, which was the first store. Four years later John Adams added a blacksmith shop and other mercantlle and industrial concerns have been established for local trade. The town is located on the Beardstown Divlslon of the Bal- timore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, ahout sixteen miles west-northwest of the city of Springfield. It was incorporated in 1864, and while it has had a conservative growth, Its lo- cation in the heart of one of the richest farm- ing regions in Sangamon, insures It a permanent prosperity as the center of a rural community.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 39

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 864

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864