USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 5
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
Another early settler was Samuel Miller, who married another sister of Martin Hanon, and came to South Fork Township in 1823, locating on a farm near Elgan Mill. Mr. Miller died in 1833, leaving a son, E. A. Miller of Taylorville.
Samnel Wydick, born in Pennsylvania, came to Christian County in 1824, locating on a farm on Flat Branch, in Prairieton Township, being the first white man in that neighborhood.
In 1825 Peter R. Ketcham moved to the same locality, abont six miles below on that stream. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and also in the Black Hawk War, and a hunter of some skill. This man has a most remarkable record. When the Civil War burst upon the country, although he was then eighty-one years old, he resolved to fight in defense of the Union, and going to Camp Pugh, Decatur, Ill., he enlisted, giving his age at forty-one years, in a company that formed a part of Colonel Pugh's regiment, and was accepted and sent to St. Louis, Mo. Although then long past the allotted three score years and ten, he endured the hardships inci- dent to a soldier's life much better than his young comrades, and died in the service of his country, April 22, 1862, at the age of eighty-two years. Perhaps the country has not produced any other man who served in three wars so far apart, and died in service at the age he did.
Thomas Dawson not only was a pioneer of the county, but built its first cog-mill, on the Dixon HIall farm, later owned by W. M. Wally.
The name of Daniel Miller recalls many pioneer incidents to the early settlers, and like so many of them, he was a native of Kentucky, where he was born in 1818, but was brought to Christian
County when five years old. His parents located in South Fork Township in 1823, and he there grew up, studying to improve himself whenever he could, for all of his schooling consisted of four months under Elijah Hanon, who taught the first school in Christian County in 1827, in a log cabin that was located two miles northeast of Taylorville. When only seventeen years old, Daniel Miller began teaching school, and he be- came a writer of some local note, his articles being published in the Springfield Republican. In 1843 he was made constable of South Fork Township, and was also treasurer of the school fund. After Taylorville was founded, he moved to that place, and on August 4, 1845, was elected county school commissioner. Mr. Miller was also deputy sheriff, county clerk and after study- ing law, was admitted to the bar and was one of the noted lawyers of his time. His death occurred November 9, 1848, while he was serving as county clerk.
Gabriel McKinzie was a well-known figure to the younger generation during the days of early settlements, for he was a great fiddler and in demand at all the social gatherings over a wide territory. His death occurred at Taylorville in 1862.
R. Preston Langley came to Christian County in 1831, and for over fifty years thereafter was a resident of Horseshoe Prairie, where he died at an advanced age.
Jesse Murphy, who arrived in Christian County in 1829, was a school teacher in 1831, and lived for a time on Horseshoe Prairie.
John B. Pitman, born in Ireland in 1776, came to the United States and located in Christian County in 1830, but died four years thereafter, on Clear Creek, near Horseshoe Prairie. He was the father of Mrs. John B. Langley. Thomas Jones and his family spent the years between 1829 and 1840, on a farm one mile west of that of John M. Pitman, but in the latter year moved to Missouri.
Joseph Denton was an early settler on Clear Creek, not far from Horseshoe Prairie.
Solomon Meade and his brother Josephi came to Christian County in 1824, their first location being in South Fork Township, below Elgan's Mill, but after a few years they went to Bear Creek Township.
The date of the settlement of the Young fam- ily was 1825, its members being John, and his sons, William, Ezekiel, Thomas and Jarret. John Young owned and improved the farm that
apm. T. Bates
Viola & Bater
641
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
later became the property of John S. Fraley, four miles east of Taylorville. Thomas Young bought a small, improved claim in 1829, and became noted as a breeder of fine hogs, and raiser of the best stock in the county. Jarret Young also became a farmer when he grew up, being only fourteen years old when he came to the county.
"Old Field Jarvis" was one of the quaint fig- ures among the early settlers, and was noted for his immense stature.
Peter and Christopher Ketchum, natives of Alabama came here about 1825, the former be- ing a Methodist preacher who organized the first Methodist church in- the county in 1828, holding the meetings at his own residence for many years. He located on Flat Branch, about eighteen miles northeast of Taylorville. While Christian was still a part of Sangamon County, he was justice of the peace for Buckhart pre- cinct, and after the organization of Christian County, he was re-elected to the same office. It was he who administered the oath of office to the commissioners appointed to select the county seat. On August 4, 1845, he was elected a mem- ber of the County Commissioners Court, and his son, Green B. Ketchum was elected coroner of the county in 1844. Christian County lost this representative family prior to tlie Civil War, removal being made to Texas, where most of them were massacred by the Indians. Chris- topher Ketchum lived on the farm he secured adjoining his brother's, until his death.
William R. Ricks, a native of Kentucky, lo- cated on Bear Creek, in 1835, and was very active in the organization of Christian County, and served it as the first sheriff. In 1844 he was selected to serve his district in the state assembly, and was elected to other important offices, being a man of unusual ability and high standing. Having unlimited confidence in the future of Christian County, Mr. Ricks exerted himself to induce people to locate here, and offered substantial inducements to keep theni contented once he had them become permanent settlers. His family consisted of eleven chil- dren, among whom were Hon. John B., William S., N. D. and Richard S., the latter being one of the first practicing lawyers at Taylorville, a grandfather of James B. Ricks, justice of the supreme court of the state. Richard S. Ricks subsequently went to Sangamon County where he died March 7, 1873.
When he was only five years old, in 1825, Mar-
tin Miller was brought to this locality by his parents, and he became one of the pupils of the first school taught in the county.
William Wallace, a native of North Carolina, brought his wife to what later became Christian County in 1825, and they settled on a small farm one mile east of Taylorville, on which Mr. Wal- lace died December 6, 1844.
John Durbin, with his sons, John Z., Josephus, and Leonard came from Kentucky in 1828, and put up their tents in what was known as "Rich- ardson settlement" in the lower part of South Fork precinct. John Durbin died in 1831 and was buried in Bear Creek Township. It thought that John Z. Durbin was the first white man married in the county, but the maiden name of his wife is not preserved. He was one of the hunters of his times, and killed many deer. At one time he owned and operated the Durbin-Owaneco business house which was located on the county road from Pana to Tay- lorville.
Jesse Langley, born in Kentucky in 1796, came to Christian County in 1828, and bought a small farm that had been previously improved by a Mr. Armstrong, on the south side of Horseshoe Prairie, about six miles west of Taylorville. Here he lived until 1834 when he moved to a farm one and one-half miles east of Taylor- ville, and on it erected a horsemill and con- ducted a distillery, which he built in 1837. His death occurred in 1847, when he was fifty-one years old.
William George was born in Virginia, and came to Christian County in 1827, locating in Buckhart Township, a few miles north of Edin- burg. Other early settlers were James Baker, Squire Joseph P. Dubin, Nathaniel Painter, the Richardsons. James Minnis, Shadrick J. Camp- hell. John Findley, Jesse Murphy, John Gore, William McCullough, Walter Clark, John Davis, W. M. Thomas, Gavin Ralston, Sr., J. M. Wilkin- son. Gabriel R. Jernigan, John C. Whitecraft, A. D. Northcut, Judge H. M. Vandeveer, Aaron Vandeveer, James Funderburk, James R. Lucas, Frederick Hammer, Isaac Harris, Ellington Adams, Henry Dickerson, William S. Frink, Wil- liam L. Hammer, Thomas P. Chapman, Nicholas Sanders, Elijah Behymer, Presley Peak. Rev. Paris Pray, John Hill, Sr., Thomas S. Leach- man, Joseph A. Hailey, S. B. Sheldon, Frank Haines, James Ferguson, Morgan Goode, Wil- liam Hargis, Joel Traylor, Levi W. Gooden, David Rutlidge, John W. Wheat, Daniel De
642
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Camp, Dr. Calvin Goudy, Dr. J. H. Clerk, Jo- seph Edwards, William Pryce, Elijah Duncan, William A. Welsh, Henry Bloxam.
-
The Goudy family was one of the most prom- inent in Illinois and Indiana. Robert Goudy, Sr., the father, was born in Ireland in 1775, and was married about 1812 to Miss Jane Ansley, a lady of Scotch ancestry and a woman of great strength and independence of char- acter. Robert Goudy moved from Indianapolis to Vandalia, Ill., in June, 1822. The next year he took his family to Jacksonville where he soon began to publish "The News." Among other publishing work done by the Goudys was the publication of "Peck's Gazetteer of Illinois," a volume of nearly 400 pages bearing the imprint "Robert Goudy, 1834." This was probably the first book, other than law and legislative reports, printed and bound in Illinois. The Goudy fam- ily removed to Springfield, Ill., about 1845, where Robert Goudy died during that year.
Calvin Goudy, was the second child of the family. He was born in Youngstown, Ohio, June 2, 1814, and located in Taylorville in 1844, when he began the practice of medicine. The trans- actions of the Illinois State Historical Society for 1907 contain the following account of Calvin Goudy under the caption, "A Notable Illinois Family":
"The family removed from Ohio to Indian- apolis in 1826 where Calvin began to learn the trade of a printer. That city then had but one church, of the Presbyterian denomination, and Calvin became a member of its pioneer Sabbath school under the pastorate of Rev. George Bush. There Goudy became proficient in learning Bible verses, taking his Bible with him while he worked at driving oxen for hauling brick and sand. This childish occupation shows how the sturdy men were made. Football was not then needed for physical and manly development. At Vandalia, Calvin worked as a printer, among other things putting Governor Reynold's first annual message in type. After going to Jack- sonville, he earned his living with the type and attended Illinois College, from which he was graduated in 1839. Among his associates in college were war governor Richard Yates, and Rev. R. W. Patterson, D. D., pioneer pastor of Chicago and father of the late editor of the Chicago Tribune. During Goudy's college course he assisted in printing a book entitled 'Wakefield's History of the Black Hawk War,' another early work in printing. He also taught
school, studying and reciting in college at the same time. In the year 1837, Calvin, in con- nection with his brother (presumably Eusley T.), published the 'Common School Advocate,' it be- ing the first publication devoted exclusively to the cause of education published in the 'Great Far West.' On November S, 1838, Calvin was one of a small party that rode in the first car and behind the first iron horse ever set in mo- tion in the state. There were but eight miles of finished roadway over which the trial trip was made, from Meredosia, Morgan County, eastward, the beginning of the great Wabash system. Calvin studied medicine and was grad- uated from the St. Louis Medical School in the spring of 1844. In May of the same year he located in Taylorville, Christian County, his future home. Deer, bears, and wolves then abounded in that region and Doctor Goudy on one occassion, narrowly escaped with his life from a pack of wolves which chased him to a human habitation. He was always a popular man, and his next run was for the office of probate judge to which he was elected in 1847 for a term of four years. May 10, 1848, Doctor Goudy was married to Miss Martha A. Mahood of Cadiz, Ohio, and they were parents of four girls and two boys. Mrs. Goudy was a beau- tiful woman and is still living in Toledo, Ohio, at the home of a daughter. In 1848 Doctor Goudy was professor of chemistry in Rock Is- land Medical College which place he resigned at the end of the year. Having succeeded in his profession, Doctor Goudy 'to meet the press- ing needs of the section,' erected in 1850 the first steam saw-mill to which he added a run of burrs to grind corn. This venture proved a public benefit. In 1856 the doctor was elected by a large majority to the Legislature where he took an active part in all measures for the advancement of public education. He also acted very efficiently in advancing the interests of agricultural societies."
In referring to the Normal University, the first normal school in Illinois, the Chicago Times of July 1, 1860 said :
"The bill creating this institution met with a vigorous opposition in the House of Repre- sentatives of 1857, but by the energetic aid of such men as Dr. Calvin Goudy of Christian County (whose effort in this cause should en- dear him to every lover of education) the bill finally passed by a majority of one." Doctor Goudy also projected and introduced the bill
.
643
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
incorporating the Springfield and Pana Rail- road. In January, 1861, Doctor Goudy was appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate, a member of the state board of education, a position he retained until his death. The family were all Democrats until 1861, when Calvin became a war Democrat and later a Re- publican. On September 6, 1863, he was ap- pointed provost marshal of Christian County, a position he declined. Doctor Goudy filled many minor offices within the gift of his fellow citizens and at the time of his death, was the oldest citizen of Taylorville. He assisted in organiz- ing the first Sabbath school in the county and was a prime mover in public enterprises in which he believed and in benevolent movements of his time. He was for forty-three years a member of the Presbyterian Church and was a commis- sioner to the General Assembly of 1876. Doctor Goudy was also a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, his brethren thereof officiating at his funeral, March 8, 1877. Doctor Goudy's death was deeply regretted throughout the central part of the state, where he was well known and highly respected. His funeral was very largely attended, all the busines houses of Taylorville being closed during the services.
Another member of this notable family, Miss Jane Goudy, a sister of Calvin's married Dr. E. T Chapman of Taylorville in 1845 and lived there for many years. They were parents of four children and were leading citizens of their home town. Doctor Chapman died about 1865. and some years later Mrs. Chapman removed with her family to Topeka, Kas., where she died, December 6, 1892.
THE STRANGE CASE OF NATHANIEL GORDON.
The details of the following story were given to the writer by W. T. Vandeveer who heard it from many sources. Two cousins, Nathaniel and George Gordon settled in section 3, town- ship 13, north, range 4 west, in the town of South Fork in the fifties, close to or upon the farm now known as the Nathan Plummer place. Here they started a country store which did not prove to be a paying venture. Nathaniel at- tracted the attention of all the people with whom he came in contact by his unusual intelligence and ability. As one of his accomplishments, lie was an expert accountant, being able to add large columns of figures with remarkable rapid- ity and accuracy. At the present time such a
feat would arouse no interest, but at that early period it was something unusual and excited much conjecture as to the training and the for- mer calling of the man. Soon George's wife died and on the night following her death, the store was entirely destroyed by a fire. To the utter surprise of everybody who knew about the matter, the store was found to be heavily insured, insurance being very uncommon at that time. After all adjustments had been made, George went east and was never heard of again by residents of Christian County. Nathaniel tlen started a saw-mill with James Bulpitt, an old and highly respected citizen of the county, lately deceased.
As time went on Nathaniel's wife became dis- contented with pioneer life and expressed her wishes that the time would soon come when they could leave the wilderness and return to a life of affluence, such as they had been accustomed to. Gradually she allowed the story of their former business to leak out in her talks with the neighbor women, and upon her statements is founded this story which connects the early history of Christian County with the illicit slave trade prior to the Civil War period.
According to the wife's statements, Nathaniel was captain of a slaver which made trips to Africa and returned laden with negroes who were sold in the slave marts of the new world to the great financial gain of the captain and owners of the vessel. Of course, such a busi- ness was hazardous in the extreme and many were the exciting adventures and narrow escapes which the captain had. At one time he was chased by a British man-of-war and suc- ceeded in escaping by running his vessel into a small creek and concealing it by vines and branches of trees. At another time when he had over 600 slaves on board, he was pursued by a British warship. These slaves were chained close together and they were all pushed over- board in order to remove the damaging evidence of his nefarious business. When his vessel was overhauled by the warship, no direct evidence could be found that would connect him with the piracy, but the suspicion against him was so strong that he concluded to cease liis operations for a while and seek seclusion in the new coun- try to the far west. This explained his pres- ence in this county. However the call of the sea and the lure of gold proved too strong for him and he returned to his former business. The result is told briefly in the following para-
644
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
graph which was clipped from an eastern paper :
"February 12, 1862, Nathan Gorden was hung at New York for complciity in the slave traffic. The 500 ton ship Erie was captured off the west coast of Africa, August 8, 1860, by a United States ship of war. The Erie was flying the American flag and when boarded was found to have 897 negroes aboard. Gorden who was in charge of the Erie was arrested and confined in New York. His trial and sentencing attracted much attention."
A little incident not recorded in the above paragraph adds a touch of tender pathos to the tragic end of Nathaniel Gorden. It is said that just before he was to ascend the scaffold liis wife, the same woman who divulged his early history to the women of South Fork, asked that she be allowed the privilege of a last embrace. When their lips met, she succeeded in slipping a poison capsule from her mouthi into his. The action of the deadly potion was so rapid that Gorden was already limp when the trap was sprung. Many people now living in Christian County remember this bright and capable man who chose to defy the authorities of the great government of the United States for the sake of ill-gotten wealth.
While many of the old names have died out, the families having either moved away, or had no male issue, very many representatives of the old settlers still live in Christian County, benefiting by the sacrifices and endeavors of their forefathers who did not allow the hard- ships of pioneer life to dim their perceptions of right living, or their lack of many of the neces- sities of life, discourage them in establishing themselves in the new home they had selected. All honor to them, the pioneers and early set- tlers of Christian County.
CHAPTER V.
PIONEER INCIDENTS.
ORIGINAL CONDITIONS-COURAGE OF PIONEER WOMEN-FIRST DAYS-EARLY CULINARY METH- ODS-DEEP SNOW-AN INCIDENT OF THE DEEP SNOW - SUDDEN FREEZE - RAINY SEASON-DIS-
ASTROUS STORM OF 1880-REYNOLD'S HISTORY- AMUSEMENTS-CUSTOMS-CLOTHING-AN EARLY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE-BEE HUNTING-PIONEER MARRIAGES-PIONEER COOKING-FIRST HOUSES- INDIAN TRAILS-CHANGES.
ORIGINAL CONDITIONS.
While the pioneers of Christian County have passed away, and many of their descendants have no realization or appreciation of the hard- ships or pleasures of these hardy people, it is but just that a little space be devoted to the incidents of their lives during the formative pe- riod of this section. At the time Christian County was first settled, there were no mighty railroad systems devoted to the transportation of a man and his possessions from one part of the country to the other. A few little railroads connected points of importance, but no trip of any length could be made without recourse to canal or river transportation, or the faithful horse. Then, too, many of those who came to Christian County, were people of slender means, who felt that their money ought to be saved to make their land entry, and buy those things absolutely necessary, and not spend it in trans- portation rates. Those were the days of mod- erate forfunes, and small salaries. There were no bloated millionaires, or big salaried men. The cost of living was much less, but the cost of securing labor was equally low, and money was scarce. It is doubtful if any of the men who first came to Christian County ever had in their possession during their earlier days as much money at one time as their descendants receive for a month's work today. For these and other reasons, the majority of the pioneers made their way in a wagon, drawn by horses, or in some cases by oxen, and few of these trips resulted disastrously. Into the big wagon, can- vas covered, were loaded the household posses- sions. Underneath was swung the coop con- taining the hens and cock which were to form the beginning of a big flock of poultry in the new home. Usually a cow was tied behind, and occasionally a couple of pigs were driven ahead, so that the little home might be fully stocked.
COURAGE OF PIONEER WOMEN.
The trip was of course a long one, and suffi- cient food had to be taken along, although some dependence was placed upon the skill of the
S& Baughman.
645
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
head of the family as a hunter or fisherman. The excellent wife and mother cooked, washed and sewed during the weary hours, and doubt- less would have been surprised had anyone com- miserated with her, for these pioneer women were made of hardy stuff and expected to bear their part of the burden of life. To them the fu- ture of their children was paramount, and they were willing to risk everything, dare al! and work unceasingly in order that something be gained for those whom they had brought into the world. History has much to say relative to the accomplishments of the pioneer fathers, but the records are few of what was accomplished by the pioneer women, and yet back of each one of the men was some woman, laboring silently, steadfastly, cheering him and urging him on.
FIRST DAYS.
Oftentimes the pioneers traveled without any special objective point. They journeyed until they found a location which suited them, and there they "squatted" until the opening up of the land, made it possible for them to file their claim. Again they came on west to join some other member of the family, whose enthusiastic accounts of the opportunities in the new place, had induced them to change their location. However, whatever the motive that led them westward, the conditions which confronted them after their arrival, were practically the same. They came strangers, into a strange and unde- veloped land. They had left comparative plenty and civilization for the frontier where each morsel of food or article of clothing had to be wrested from nature. Unless a tent had been brought with them, for some time after arrival, the wagon continued to be the only shelter the family possessed, for it was no easy task for a man to hew down the forest trees, and chop out a sufficient number of logs to put together the rude cabins that all over Illinois and her sister states, served as the first homes of the pioneers. Then too, it oftentimes was necessary to build a rude shelter for the stock before the family was housed, for the human beings could take refuge in the wagon, while the valuable stock that had been brought so far, and which it was almost impossible for the settler to replace, could not. In time, however, the cabin was finished. Usually at first there was only a dirt floor, and the crude fireplace was plastered with mud and
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.