Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 60

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897, ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913, ed. cn; Strange, Alexander T., ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 810

USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II > Part 60

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RESIDENCE AND GREENHOUSES OF B. B. POHLMANN, HILLSBORO

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

MUNICIPAL HISTORY.

In November, 1858, a special charter was drafted for presentation to the Legislature pro- viding for incorporating Litchfield as a city, and B. M. Munn was sent to Springfield to urge the passage of the bill. On February 19, 1859, the petition became a law. At the first election held under the new charter, W. E. Bacon was elected as the first mayor and Charles W. Ward as the first city clerk. James Kellogg was the first street commissioner. Fraternities are presented in the chapter on Fraternities, and we omit them here.

LITCHFIELD MAGISTRATES.

The following have served as police ınagis- trates: Jonathan I. Atterburry, 1886 and 1888; Michael Hushings, 1892; A. A. Warden, 1902 ; P. D. Gooch, 1897 and 1901; Charles B. Munday, 1904-1905 and 1909; A. Neuber, 1905 and 1909; William Orpin, 1911.

SOUTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.

One may safely judge the character of a peo- ple as a whole if the officials that they select to control their affairs are the possessors of repu- tation and standing. The peculiarities of South Litchfield Township, if there are any, will be seen from the following partial list of officials who have been their servants during the past forty years. Prior to that time South Litchfield sent Mr. McElvain to the State Legislature, and supplied the sheriff's office twice with occupants, in the persons of John Corlew and John Fogel- man.

The following have served South Litchfield Township as justices of the peace: William G. Warden, 1873; Jonathan I. Atterburry, 1878, 1SS1 and 1885; Michael O'Neal, 1878, 1881, 1885 and 1889: Jacob Mumme, 1SSS; James Jones, 1889 ; Charles B. Munday, 1890, 1893 and 1913; P. D. Gooch, 1896 and 1897; Jacob Harvel, 1898 ; William Orpin, 1913.

rick, 1896, 1897, 1901, 1905, 1907 and 1909; Joseph Dester, 1909; R. P. Cline, 1913.

Those who have served this township as super- visors are : John Corlew, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1882, 1883; Thomas W. Saathoff, 1877, 1878 and 1889; Abram Brokaw, 1879, 1880, 1887, 1894, 1895; William Kelso, 1881; William G. Warden, 1884, 1885, 1886; Bernard Kelley, 1888; Jacob Mumme, 1890, 1891; Isaac N. Barry, 1892 and 1893; Frank A. Grubbs, 1896, 1897; Julius C. Machler, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902 and 1903; M. J. Meaney, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907 and 1908; Hermon F. Caspers, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914; Louis Chance, 1915 and 1916.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

PITMAN TOWNSHIP.

IN GENERAL - BOUNDARIES - EARLY SETTLERS - EARLY MILLS-PROMINENT PIONEERS-PIONEER INCIDENTS-EARLY CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS- AGRICULTURALISTS - WAGGONER - ROBBERY AND PUNISHMENT-PITMAN TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS- CONSTABLES-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-ASSESSOR -COLLECTOR-COMMISSIONER-SCHOOL TRUSTEE -- POUNDMASTER-SUPERVISORS.

IN GENERAL,

Pitman Township is thoroughly rural, having but one town, and that not a very important one from the commercial point of view. Waggoner is in every way a model little community, but its proximity to other larger places seems to retard rather than facilitate its growth. The population of Pitman Township have ever been farmers by inclination, giving little heed toward town building ; the making of comfortable homes seemingly being the highest ambition of the Pit- manite. It follows, that the township is one of comfortable homes and successful farmers, and one from which we expect broad minded, in- ambition and determination, who invariably suc- ceed in whatever they undertake. The town of Waggoner, and a coal shaft near the northern

The following have served South Litchfield Township as constables: George P. Nicholson, 1877; H. A. Tyler, 1877; Samuel S. Waldrup, 1878: Thomas J. Ascher, 1880, 1881, 1885 and , dustrious citizens, and young men and women of 1889: Michel Hushing, 1881, 1885 and 1889; Joseph McAfle, 1901; William McCarran, 1892, 1893 and 1897; Peter Hohen, 1893; E. Kirkpat-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

same time. Later Mr. Wood and Mr. Richards were justices of the peace. Lists of these will be found further on in this record.

EARLY CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

People will die, and the establishment of cemeteries is one of the first duties of a civilized community. The first cemetery formally laid out was in 1862, near tlie Providence Methodist Episcopal Church, and the first burial therein was that of a man named Newell. The Pitman- ites usually attended worship over in Macoupin in an early day, and many of the citizens who died early were buried over in that county. In 1851 the Providence Church was moved or rather reorganized in Pitman Township. The church first met at the Friendship schoolhouse, but in 1864 the congregation became able to build a house for divine service and now have a com- fortable place for worship. Among those who have preached to this church have been, Rev. James Hutchinson, Reverend Sample, David Bardrick. George Craig, Henry Wilson, Adam Waggoner, L. L. Harlan, Reverend Prettyman, O. H. P. Ash, James West, A. T. Orr and A. D. Beckhart.

The Baptists also have a church in section 28 known as Prairie Grove Church. This church was erected about 18SO and is a small structure, but answers the purpose. The Prairie Chapel, another Methodist Episcopal Church, in section 12, was built in about 1879, by Rev. A. D. Beck- hart. These church and school beginnings show that the early pioneers were looking forward to a high civilization which is abundantly in evi- dence today by the cultivated citizenship of the township.

AGRICULTURALISTS.

Pitman Township. as already stated, is a farming community, there being practically no industries located within its confines. The soil yielding such immense crops, if properly culti- vated, the owners of land in this vicinity have found it very profitable to devote their energies to tilling it, and to raising stock.

A number of the more advanced farmers recognized the value of raising a high grade of stock and using improved seeds, as well as mod- ern methods and machinery for scientifically farming, making that occupation a pleasure rather than one of drudgery. Many of the Pit-

man farmers own automobiles, and some have installed power plants on their properties, or use gasoline motors for doing much of the work formerly done by hand. They are alert, pro- gressive and quick to adopt any methods likely to increase their productive power, and develop their property. Such men are a credit to any community, and state.

WAGGONER.

Pitman Township is crossed from north to south by the Illinois Central Railroad in a direct line. The township's one town, Waggoner, is on that road. It is a very good little rural town of about 300 inhabitants. Founded and named after George Waggoner, it is conveniently located for the vast amount of corn that is raised in the township, and is a splendid shipping point, not only for King Corn, but for the great quanti- ties of hogs that are to be found accompanying corn shipping. The town is supplied with four general stores, two restaurants, one hotel, a lum- ber yard, a bank, post office, electric light sys- tem, meat market, garage. livery stable and such otlier allied industries as are usually found in such towns of that size. Two telephone systems reach the town and in all other respects it gives the appearance of thrift and contentment. Its school has three rooms with Mr. Maddox as the present principal. C. M. Barrow is president of the school board and Perry Virden is the clerk, with William Nimme as associate member. R. J. Rice is present president of the village board, with Edward Pearman as the clerk, and John Gunter, Thomas McElfresk, Calvin Stead, John Seigly, and Henry Haines as associate members of the board.

ROBBERY AND PUNISHMENT.

Every community has its reminiscences, not all of a pleasant character. We give here one, partly because in this township would have been the last place we would have expected to hear of such an event. Some time in the eighties, Enoch Perine, a wealthy farmer and stockdealer, in the northwestern part of the township, made a sale of a large amount of stock, and when he went liome and to bed, he had $7,000 of cash on his person or in the house. During the night three men heavily masked, gained an entrance to the house, and tied and gagged the whole family, and securing the money made their

Daniel Tope Josephine Pape

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

escape. It was nearly morning before any one of them managed to disengage himself of the well tied gags and thongs. But as soon as one got loose no time was lost in loosening the others, neither was any time lost in an effort to secure the robbers. Detectives were engaged at once and a watch made for them. One of them was caught in St. Louis, the other two having escaped to Chicago, but the search continued and they were all secured, tried and convicted and sent to the state penitentiary, where they were given an opportunity to learn a useful trade. Punishment usually follows the evil doer.

PITMAN TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.

The following have served Pitman as officials : Constables-Frank H. Everts, 1877 ; Robert N. Long, 1877; Henry Burnett, 1881; Edward N. Dixon, 1SS1: Francis M. Jones, 1885; Cecil L. Rodgers, 1885; Arch Skaggs, 1889; James A. Rodgers, 1SS9 ; George Weffenstedt, 1893; James W. Jordan, 1893; Samuel E. Cripe, 1894; Wil- liam Welch, 1895 and 1898; Eugene E. Travers, 1898; George W. Arnold, 1905 and 1909; H. H. Whittacher, 1913.

Justices of the Peace-William B. Wood, 1877, 1SS1 and 1885; Daniel C. Richards, 1877 and 1SS1; Richard R. Shaffer, 1885; Charles D. Treadway, 1SS9 and 1893; Andrew Skaggs, 1889; William H. Skaggs, 1893; Elijah Little, 1895; George W. Odell, 1897; John A. Murphy, 1898; R. W. Ripley, 1898, 1902 and 1905; W. A. Par- rott. 1898; James D. Kendall, 1911 and 1913.

Supervisors -- Martin Brown served the com- bined township in 1873; Joseph Pitman served the combined township in 1874; Joseph Pitman, Pitman alone. 1875, 1876, 1880, 1SS1, 1882 and 1883: C. H. Burton, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1884, 1891 and 1892; Felix G. Richardson, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1894; 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900; M. O. Belt, 1888; R. V. Carroll, 1889; Gardner Fox, 1890; J. M. Burnett, 1895 and 1896; B. A. Stead, 1901, 1902. 1903, 1904. 1905 and 1906; John Minikin. 1907, 1908. 1909, 1910. 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914; H. W. Street. 1915 and 1916. Mr. Richardson was chairman of the board one term.

OTHER PRESENT OFFICIALS.

C. C. Stead is the present assessor of the township; J. R. Boston is collector ; C. S. Nor- vell is the last elected commissioner of high- ways; F. O. Rodgers is the last elected school

trustee ; Edward Browning is the last justice of the peace, Mr. Wayne the poundmaster, all these having been elected at the 1916 election.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

RAYMOND TOWNSHIP.

REASONS FOR SUPERIORITY - BOUNDARIES - EARLY SETTLEMENTS-PIONEER CONDITIONS-CHURCHES -CITY OF RAYMOND-RAYMOND CITY CHURCHES -EARLY EVENTS-RAYMOND TODAY-RAYMOND POST OFFICE-FRATERNITIES-THE INDEPENDENT -ST. RAYMOND PARISH-RAYMOND POLICE MAG- ISTRATES-RAYMOND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS-JUS- TICES OF THE PEACE-CONSTABLES-SUPERVISORS.

REASONS FOR SUPERIORITY.

Raymond Township may be said to be one of the best in the county for ostensible reasons : that its soil is unusually fertile; its farming population is composed of broad-gauged men, who take pleasure in making farming a paying business ; its women, as well as its men, make farm life the ideal home life for the entire fam- ily ; its railroad crosses the township so as to give a location for a splendid town west of its center, with shipping and marketing facilities unexcelled anywhere, that make the town a progressive one in all business matters. Besides these material advantages, the character of its citizens is shown in the good churches and ex- cellent schools for which the reputation of the township is preeminently high.

BOUNDARIES.

Raymond Township is bounded on the north by Harvel and King townships, on the east by Rountree Township, on the south by Butler Grove Township; and on the west by Zanesville Township. It contains thirty-six sections of land. The name was given it in honor of Thomas Raymond, who at one time was vice president of the St. Louis division of the Wabash Railroad. The surface is rolling, rising along the water courses to low hills, while in the north there is considerable prairie. The West Fork of Shoal

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Creek and Blue Grass Creek, with their tribu- taries form the water courses. In early days there was considerable timber, comprising elm, oak, walnut, maple and sycamore, but of course only a small portion of this remains. The soil is a deep, rich, black loam in the northern and central parts, while near the streams the sandy element prevails, and on the high ground, it is oť a clay mixture.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The first settlement made in this township was in 1830, when Butler Seward left Butler Grove Township, in which he had stopped in 1829, and came to Raymond Township, his farm becoming known as Seward's Point. It later came into possession of Elias Miller. Matthew Mitchell came here soon after Mr. Seward, en- tering land on section 30, but soon thereafter sold this tract to David Scherer, another pioneer, who in turn disposed of it to Fred Mundhink. The year 1831 brought James Baker and a Mr. Conyer. John Cass came here in 1833, and in 1835 Oscar Seward, a son of Butler Seward, en- tered land. John Huffman, Thomas Thompson, David Huffman, Brookston Lewis, Samuel Quin- ton, Simpson Finley, William Gray, John W. Guthrie, Lemnel Mays, William Costley, Morgan Costley, R. W. Grimm, John W. Hitchings, Orsen Young, and William Chapman. are also num- bered among the early settlers of this township.

PIONEER CONDITIONS.

The pioneers had a hard struggle during the early days, but fortunately were bound together by bonds that held fast through times of stress. What one had, another shared, and hospitality was developed to a high degree. The traveler was made heartily welcome and no greater in- sult could have been offered an old-time host than to try to pay him for the entertainment given so freely. The same applied to the neigh- borly help which was accorded. When one of the settlers needed assistance in his work, he simply told his neighbors about it, and they banded together to do the work in a body, know- ing that when their individual need arose, the same help would be as cheerfully given each one of them. These old-time conditions have nat- urally passed, but the memory of them remains, nor have we any desire to forget them. The early settlers of Raymond Township, like those

of all other Montgomery County communities, manifested their high character and interest for their children and the welfare of the community of their adoption, by establishing churches and schoolhouses as soon as a sufficient number could be assembled for the purpose.

CHURCHES.

The Raymond Methodist Church is said to be the first one to organize in the township. For some years this organization held meetings about one mile south of where Raymond now stands. Raymond village is located in sections 7 and S and after the village gave evidence of succeed- ing as a town, the progressive members of the church succeeded in getting the church to erect a churchhouse in the village.

While in the country it was known as Asbury Chapel, but when the house was moved to Ray- mond and remodeled into something of an up-to- date edifice, the name was changed to the Ray- mond Methodist Church, that being more in keeping with the progress of the town. Among the early pastors of that church have been Revs. Barrett, John Roberts, E. M. Pitcher, Alkier, Beckhart, John Slater, and Elijah Haley. Its present pastor is Rev. Paul Carson. The churches and schoolhouses of the early days in this township were not so crude and antiquated as those of townships settled earlier, as the con- dition of the people was much better than in the earlier settled townships.

The Raymond Presbyterian Church was es- tablished in 1871, by a committee appointed by the Alton Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Thomas E. Spillman, well known throughout the county, was the chairman of the committee. The following parties signified their willingness to aid in its organization and were its first members : John H. Barton. Mary H. Barton. William P. Hamilton, Mary B. Hamil- ton, William Kennedy, and Dr. Ira Barton. John H. Barton and William P. Hamilton were selected as the first elders. This meeting was held in the office of Doctor Barton, and after this meetings were held in the Independent schoolhouse until a church structure was erected. The following were among the early ministers of that church: Revs. E. R. Rankin, A. H. Parks. Reynolds, Adam Simpson, James Laf- ferty, Solomon Dickey, and M. C. Butler. The present pastor is Rev. G. C. Alexander.

The greatest factor in the development of

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Raymond Township has been the fertility of its soil. Land values have quadrupled themselves during the last twenty years. Like all com- munities Raymond Township has its reminiscent history. Seward's Point, for instance, named from the fact that Butler Seward once kept a tavern there, where prominent men on their itinerant journeys from Springfield to Vandalia for the purpose of pleading law or other court business, stopped to rest and refresh themselves and the horses, on which they rode. It was common to say to the visitor at Mr. Seward's home, "you shall sleep in the same bed where Abraham Lincoln. Stephen A. Douglas or Rich- ard Yates slept." Mr. Seward was a big-hearted, whole-souled fellow, and entertaining was in keeping with his natural instincts. It is said that even the escaping slaves on their trips north on the dangerous underground railroad, were permitted to stop with him, though secrecy was the chief asset in the running of this old- time so-called railroad. Game was once abun- dant in this township, and it was a favorite hunting place long before its farms had been developed.

CITY OF RAYMOND.

Raymond as a town was organized in 1871, with R. M. Van Doren as president of the board, E. A. Hanna as clerk, and W. P. Carter as treasurer. The town was laid out by Ishmael McGowan and Nimrod McElroy in 1870, at the time of the building of the Wabash Railroad. The surveys were made by a man named Bass for the railroad, and the town followed the lines of the road in the plats subsequently made. James Sanders is said to have erected the first residence in the village, followed by Thomas Fahey with the second. The first busi- ness house was built by David Hoffman, who rented it to R. M. Van Doren and Van Evor, who opened and conducted a general store in it. In the fall of 1870, Van Doren and Van Evor built a warehouse and handled the grain for farmers who had found out the value of the rich soil for wheat and corn raising. In the spring of 1871 Mr. Charles Davis built the second store building, in which he carried on a mercantile business, selling some four years later to W. P. Carter. In the fall of 1871, the third store building was erected by Parrott & Scott, and they opened a store therein. Others followed, and A. W. Marshall and Scott & Nevins were

engaged in the mercantile business during the years following. The first brick building was erected by John O'Bannon for mercantile pur- poses in 1876. A. Henn built another during that year. D. J. Parrott built a large elevator in 1874 and another was built in 1880 by E. R. Carter. During this building period of business houses, residences were also being erected, per- manent homes were established and professional men of various kinds located here, among whom was Dr. Frank Hicks, who is said to have been the first physician. He was followed soon after- wards by Dr. Ira Barton and Dr. P. J. Hermon, and later by Drs. Easley, Wheeler, and Blevins. William Develin was the first blacksmith, his shop being put up in 1871. W. H. Pepper built a second one a little later during the same year. In 1875 Montgomery Range put up a steam flouring mill, and in 1880 George H. Hoover built a second mill. A hotel was erected in 1872 by John Brusaw who sold it a little later to James Sanders. Sanders still later sold it to Thomas J. Kessinger. Another hotel was built in 1875 by B. R. Hubbard, who sold it to Mrs. Pollard who operated it till in 1881 when it was destroyed by fire.

RAYMOND CITY CHURCHES.

The Raymond Christian Church was organ- ized in 1874. Its first meetings were held in a vacant storeroom belonging to W. C. Moore. Reverend Corwin was the first preacher and had much to do with the organization of the church. The first regularly installed pastor was Rev. J. W. Ballinger. A church edifice was built in 1875. This church like all others had to have its small beginnings. But with determination the early members held on and at much sacrifice secured a churchhouse, and a membership large enough to secure an effective church administration at once creditable to the town and pleasureable to the membership. Those who have served the church as ministers have been : Revs. L. L. Norton, H. R. Trickett, S. B. Lindley, J. J. Cathcart and the present pastor, Rev. C. A. Grant.

The Roman Catholics have a church at Ray- mond, a sketch of which we give elsewhere from the pen of one of its members.

The Baptist people have made a beginning in the town, organized a church and built a church- house. but just at the present time have no local pastor, but are supplied by ministers from

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

towns nearby. This congregation is encouraged to think it will be in splendid condition in the near future.

EARLY EVENTS.

In 1SS1 the Raymond House was built, by Louisa Chism. The Raymond Bank was founded by John Green in 1881, it being the first bank in the village. In August, 1881, Raymond was inflicted with a very destructive fire which almost wiped out the business portion of the town, and resulted in loss of about $35,000. In spite of the loss the people rallied and rebuilt the burned portion so that in the end the place was benefited by the flames. In 1881 just fol- lowing the fire the business condition of the town was as follows: Five dry goods stores, three grocery stores, two hardware stores, one cabinet and furniture store, two drug and two boot and shoe stores, two barber shops, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, one cooper and one wagon shop, two millinery establish- ments, two lumber yards, and one implement store.

RAYMOND OF TODAY.

The business condition today is as follows : Two dry goods stores, five grocery stores, two hardware stores, three restaurants, three cloth- ing stores, two jewelry stores, one drug store, one furniture store, two livery barns, two grain elevators, one hotel, one lumber yard, two poultry houses, two blacksmith shops, one tile factory, two implement stores, one gate factory, one garage, three barber shops, one shoe store, one harness shop, two banks, and one electric light plant. The city has a popula- tion of about 1,000, and the enrollment of the public schools is about 250. The number of teachers employed is eight, and C. W. Yerkes is the present principal. The present mayor of the town is A. M. Jones. The trustees are George J. Back, George Hartstick, George Mil- Ier, George Crabtree, J. L. Mitts and J. L. Doyle. The personnel of the two banks is as follows : First National, Cyrus Fitzgerald, president ; John H. Miller, vice-president ; J. E. McDavid, cashier, and C. W. McAughton, assistant cashier. The Farmers & Merchants Bank has just reorganized as the Raymond State Bank with a capital of $25,000 and a

surplus of $5,000, with W. L. Seymour as presi- dent and Mr. O'Neil as cashier.

RAYMOND POST OFFICE.

The following sketch of the Raymond Post Office is from the pen of S. W. Kessinger :

"The Wabash Railroad was built from Deca- tur to St. Louis in 1870, but it was not until the following spring that anything like the town of Raymond had sprung into existence. Charles Davis of Litchfield, a son-in-law of John P. Bayliss, one of the pioneer residents of Litch- field, opened a general store and became the first postmaster. Mr. Davis had been deputy postmaster at Litchfield under L. D. Palmer, father of W. S. Palmer and of the late governor and United States senator, John M. Palmer. The post office at that time was known as Lula, there being another post office by the name of Raymond in the state, somewhere near Chicago. The name of that office was changed about 1865, and the town of Raymond and its post office have since gone under the latter name. Mr. Davis died in 1872, and his deputy, E. II. Hanna, become postmaster, and held the position until the fall of 1876 when it was giveu to Thomas G. Kessinger, who had moved from Litchfield to Butler and then to Raymond within a little more than a year. Mr. Kessinger was appointed in October, 1876, the closing year of President Grant's second and last administra- tion, and held it until October 1, 1SS5, when Thomas J. Parrot received the appointment under the first Cleveland administration. S. S. Tilden, another former resident of Litchfield, was appointed as Mr. Parrot's successor under the Harrison administration, and was succeeded by Elias R. Day, Raymond's first wagonmaker, under Cleveland's second administration. In 1897, when William McKinley became president, Mr. Tilden was re-appointed and served until January 1, 1902, when W. L. Seymour, the present incumbent, was appointed. Mr. Sey- mour has held the position longer than any of his predecessors and has seen the business of the office grow until it was raised on April 1, 1904, from the fourth to the third class. Mr. Seymour will be superseded in a short time by Michael O'Gorman.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 60

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897, ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913, ed. cn; Strange, Alexander T., ed Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 810

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897, ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913, ed. cn; Strange, Alexander T., ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 810