Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 133

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County > Part 133

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Chapin, in Chapin Precinct, is located ten miles west of Jacksonville, at the crossing of the Wabash and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (formerly Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis)

Railroads. It was laid out by Messrs. Lyman and Horace Chapin April 13, 1858. Previous to that date the Wabash Railroad Company made a stopping place there, which was known as Concord Station, the town of Concord being four miles northeast of that point. In 1859 Mr. John N. Ebey began the manufacture of pottery ware in the town, which did not prove successful, and the business was discontinued. The firm of Neely & Company opened a coal shaft there in 1872, which was successfully op- erated for some time, but was abandoned, as the vein of coal was not of sufficient thickness to mine profitably. By reason of its favorable transportation facilities, in all directions, and the remarkable fertility of the surrounding country, the village has had considerable growth in population and business. In 1869 the Congregational Church erected a house of wor- ship, which was afterwards sold to the Chris- tion Church, and has maintained a large con- gregation. In 1870 the Methodist Protestant Church built a house of worship. About the same time the members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church erected a church building. A large and substantial school building has re- cently been erected. The present population is nearly 600.

Concord, in Concord Precinct, is situated 13 miles northwest of Jacksonville, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and at the junc- tion of the Jacksonville & Concord-a branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. About 1844 members of the Congregational Church living in that part of the county erected a house of wor- ship on the present site of the village. At that time the location was a cross-roads. A church was built during the summer and autumn of that year, and shortly afterward a parsonage was erected. Prior to that time meetings for divine worship were held in the houses of the different members. The name of the new church, Concord, was suggested by Mrs. Samuel French, in memory of her native place, Concord, New Hampshire. Rev. Mr. Alvord was the min- ister of the church at that time. His wife taught school in their house. The church and school formed a nucleus around which a town grad- ually grew. In 1850, Mr. Wilder D. Fairbanks erected a building on one of the corners which was used as a store. Soon after a blacksmith shop was built on another. These two and the parsonage and church thus occupied the "Four

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

Corners," a name by which the place had hith- erto been known, but now gave way to that of the church. Mr. Fairbanks opened his store June 1, 1850. Mr. David Fuller laid out the town, giving it the name of Concord. For some years the place had considerable growth and prosperity. Several branches of business and manufacture were established. But the spring- ing up of other towns in the vicinity and lack of railroad facilities for a time checked its growth. The Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant and Christian churches have suitable houses of worship. In 1864 the Congregational- ists sold their church building, and erected one on Joy Prairie, about two miles southeast of Concord, where they have continuously held re- ligious services. The Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad (now the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy) was completed through this re- gion in the summer of 1870. The Jacksonville & Concord Railroad was built in 1903 and 1904. By means of its favorable facilities for shipping grain and live stock to St. Louis and Chicago markets considerable business is transacted, but the growth of the town has not been largely pro- moted thereby. A lodge of Masons has been instituted here. The population is about 250.

Franklin, the principal village of Franklin Precinct, is situated about 15 miles southeast of Jacksonville, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (formerly Jacksonville & St. Louis) Railroad. It is one of the oldest settled commu- nities in Morgan County, having been laid out April 7, 1832, by William Woods, John Wyatt and Walter Butler. Mr. Manning Mayfield kept the first general stock of goods in the place, in a small log building erected for that purpose. A large grist and saw-mill was erected by Mr. Joel Lancton, who, in after years, sold it to Messrs. Mccullough, Coons & Kinkaid. It 1850, Messrs. Waller, Mansfield & Co. built a flouring mill. In 1865, the firm, being at that time . Mansfield, Bro. & Hustin, built a large brick mill, and in connection with it a wool carding department. The first tavern in Franklin was kept by Col. J. P. Wright, who began the business in a log cabin as early as 1836, and continued as land- lord for thirty years. In 1871, the Jacksonville, Northwestern & Southeastern Railroad was fin- ished from Jacksonville to Franklin, and in a short time to Virden, which greatly improved its transportation facilities, and gave a new im- petus to its business and growth. The first

school in Franklin was taught by Rev. Newton Cloud, who afterwards served, not only the church, but the State, in the public positions that he was so often called to fill. Mr. William Woods afterward became the teacher of the same school. A large and excellent school build- ing was erected a few years ago. About the time that the town was laid out the Methodist people began a log church, which they contin- ued to use until 1840, when it was demolished, and a neat brick structure was erected in its place. That house was destroyed in 1860, in a storm, and the present frame building took its place. Franklin is situated in a very fine agri- cultural section, and ships large quatities of grain and live stock. A coal shaft was opened here several years ago, but not proving profit- able, was abandoned. A prosperous lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 121, was instituted many years ago; also, Wadley Lodge, No. 616, of Masons. There are four churches in the village: Methodist, Baptist, Christian and Roman Catholic. There are also two banks. The population is about 700.

Jacksonville .- A history of the City of Jack- sonville, with a description of its public utilities and other related interests, constitute Part II. of this work. This includes chapters under the title of "City of Jacksonville;" "Railroads, Banks, Etc .; " "Manufactures;" "Educational In- stitutions;" "Newspapers;' "Jacksonville Churches;" "Public and Private Benevolences;" "Fraternities and Societies," and "Municipal Government."

Literberry .- The village of Literberry is situ- ated in Literberry Precinct, on the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad, nine miles north of Jacksonville. It was laid out May 22, 1869, by Mr. Jones Liter. At the present time it has a Baptist church and a Christian church. It also had a beautiful Methodist Episcopal church. which was burned December. 1903, but has not been rebuilt by reason of the failure of the trustees to keep the church insured. A lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was in- stituted here several years ago. The place is an important shipping point for grain and live stock.

Lynnville .- Lynnville, in Lynnville Precinct, Is located eight miles southwest of Jacksonville, on the public road between Jacksonville and Winchester. It derives Its name from Linn Grove, near where It Is situated. It was laid out

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

November 3, 1831, by Mr. Nimrod Funk and Mr. James Holmes, on land that belonged to them. One year before the town was laid out a tread- mill for grinding grain was built by Mr. Adam Allison. Previously William Brisbine taught a school in his own house near by, and in the year last named a school house was erected in that vicinity. In 1839 a house of worship was erected by the Christian Church, and about 1843 another was built by the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both organizations still maintain services and have good congregations. At Allison's Mound, a short distance north of Lynnville, a settlement was made in the spring of 1820, by Dr. George Cadwell and Mr. Stephen Olmstead. The popu- lation at the present time (1905) is about two hundred. During many of the early years of the village it had a good degree of prosperity in various lines of business. Several branches of manufacture were established, and were car- ried on until recent years. The village has two fraternal organizations: Gill Lodge, No. 382, A. F. & A. M., and No. 356, I. O. O. F. The first Circuit Court of Morgan County was held by Judge (afterward Governor) John Reynolds, on the third Monday of April, 1823, in a log cabin owned by Dr. George Cadwell, which was located only a short distance north of Lynnville.

Markham .- Markham, a railroad station and postoffice, is situated in Markham Precinct, on the Wabash Railroad, five miles west of Jack- sonville. The Liberty Methodist Protestant church and a school house are located near by. The population is ten.

Meredosia .- Meredosia is located in Meredosia Precinct, in the extreme northwestern part of Morgan County, on the east bank of the Illinois River. The earliest mention of the place relates (probably) to the year 1816 by General Murray McConnel, in which he mentions a trip up the river to where Peoria is now located. One white man was found residing at the head of a lake near the site of the present town of Meredosia. He was a French priest who was doing mission- ary work among the Indians, who had quite a village just north of the present town. The name of the priest was Antoine D'Osia. "Mere" signifies a lake. The name Meredosia was formed by combining "Mere" and "DeOsia." The old town (now the south part of the village) was platted by Mr. Thomas T. January, Decem- ber 27, 1832. The addition, which is now the principal part of the town, was laid out later by

Messrs. Jonathan Cobbs and Philip Aylesworth. In 1835, Messrs. D. and J. E. Waldo erected a distillery for the manufacture of whisky, having a capacity for using three hundred bushels of grain per day. The proprietors also conducted the first blacksmith shop, and, a few years later, erected a saw-mill. The machinery finally hav- ing been worn out, the business was discon- tinued. About the year 1837, the citizens, with- out regard to denominational differences, united in erecting a house of worship near where the railroad station is now located. A few years later a Methodist Episcopal church was built. A large grist and saw-mill was erected in 1859 by Messrs. Kruse and Miller. Two large grain ele- vators were erected about the same time. The annual shipments of corn and wheat have amounted to 200,000 bushels.

The town of Meredosia was incorporated No- vember 23, 1850. The Northern Cross Railroad was commenced at Naples in 1837, and was com- pleted east nearly to the site of the town of Bluffs. Through the influence of citizens of Quincy and others, the main line of the railroad was diverted to Meredosia. On the 9th of May, 1838, the first rail was laid at Meredosia. The vicinity of Meredosia contains

numerous archæological remains, in the mounds that were built ages ago. Some of these mounds are fifty feet high, and are built of black earth, which is supposed to have been brought from the bottom lands on the west side of the Illinois River. Some of the mounds have been opened, and num- bers of arrow-heads, stone hatchets, copper ves- sels, and articles of pottery were found in them. In one of these mounds a skeleton was found a few years ago, which was supposed to be that of Antoine D'Osia. A few miles from the town are several of these mounds, and the remains of a large fort are seen on the top of a high bluff. The fort shows the remains of ditches and para- pets.

The Methodist Church is the oldest religious society in Meredosia. In 1850 a German Metho- dist Episcopal society was formed. It has re- cently been united with the English-speaking Methodist Church. The St. John Lutheran Church was organized about 1872. The congre- gation uses the house known formerly as the Union Church, which has been remodeled and niade quite attractive in appearance.

Benevolent Lodge, No. 52, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was organized here in 1848,

N.B. Carrial

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

and Meredosia Chapter, No. 11, in 1850. A Council of Royal and Select Masons was formed some years ago. Meredosia Lodge, No. 138, in- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized here in 1855. Dosia Encampment, No. 166, was organized in 1875.

A weekly paper, the "Meredosia News," has been published for many years. The "Meredosia Budget" has recently been published by W. T. Heddenberg. A few years ago immense beds of mussel deposits were found in the, Illinois River at Meredosia. The beds have been largely worked, and the business has become a source of great financial benefit to the community.

Meredosia is memorable as the first stopping place in Illinois of Stephen A. Douglas. There, on his arrival, he made his first application for a school. Failing there, he continued his tramp to Bethel, Jacksonville, Exeter and Winchester. At the latter place he succeeded, and taught school and studied law. Coming to Jacksonville he opened a law office in the court house. Mere- dosia is the third town in size in Morgan County, having a population of 150.

Morgan City .- Morgan City is in Chapin Pre- cinct on the Wabash Railroad twelve miles west of Jacksonville. It was laid out May 24, 1839, By Messrs. Charles Collins and Myron Leslie. The founders designed to have the county-seat located there. It contained a few business houses for a time, but Bethel, located about a mile north, being several years older, finally drew the business so largely that the effort to build up a city failed. It is, however, a railroad station.

Murrayville .- Murrayville, in Murrayville Pre- cinct, is located about twelve miles south of Jacksonville, on the Chicago & Alton Railroad. It was laid out by Mr. Samuel Murray January 4, 1858. In that year Mr. William Purcell erected the first dwelling house in the town. About the year 1863 an effort was made to change the name of the town to "Iatan." and by that name it was known for some time. Through the action of the citizens the former name was restored.

In 1860, the Presbyterians erected a house of worship in the village and in 1868, the Metho- dists and Baptists each built excellent brick churches. A Catholic church was also built here which supports a resident priest.

In May, 1877, Judge Linus E. Worcester opened a private bank, but it did not continue

in business more than a few years. In 1903 Mr. S. B. Sale opened a private bank, which is doing a satisfactory business. It has a Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodge.

The Chicago & Auton Railroad has just begun the building of a branch from Murrayville to lles (Springfield Junction), to connect with their main line between Chicago and St. Louis at that point. This road will add greatly to the importance of Murrayville commercially. The line will follow

a northeasterly direction through Morgan County, passing a short dis- tance north of Franklin and Waverly.

Neelyville .- Neelyville, in the southwest cor- ner of Chapin Precinct, is located on the Wabash Railroad, fifteen miles west of Jacksonville. It was laid out April 20, 1865, by Messrs. Jonathan and James Neely. During several years after the location of the village a very large amount of coal was mined which was used by the Wabash Railroad, and was distributed along its line from Quincy to Danville. But the open- ing of the numerous mines along the road, which yielded a larger supply, closed those at Neelyville. A German Lutheran church is lo- cated near the village. Population, about 50.

Nortonville is located fourteen miles south east of Jacksonville. It is the central point of Nortonville Precinct, and contains a school house and a Baptist church.

Orleans .- Orleans is located on the Wabash Railroad in Alexander Precinct, about eight miles east of Jacksonville. It was laid out by Mr. Michael Hinrichsen in 1856. It is an impor- tant shipping point for grain, for which busi- ness a large modern elevator has been erected. Population, twenty.

Pisgah .- Pisgah, in Pisgah (formerly Sul- phur Springs) Precinct, is a station on the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy (originally Illi- nois Farmers') Railroad, seven miles south- east of Jacksonville. It takes its name from a Presbyterian church that was erected in that vicinity in 1839. Considerable shipping of live stock and grain is done from that station, which is in a remarkably excellent agricultural sec- tion of the county. A Baptist church, of early origin, stands near the station. Population, about fifty.

Prentice .- Prentice, in Yatesville Precinct, the northeastern precinct of Morgan County, is thirteen miles northeast of Jacksonville, on the Chicago & Alton Railroad. It was laid out

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

June 27, 1857, for Mr. Patterson Hall and Mr. James G. Fox and brother. In the early pioneer times Mr. Hall's father owned an old horse- mill near this place which was patronized by the early settlers from near and far. A Metho- dist church was erected a number of years ago. The Berea Christian Church, two miles south of Prentice, was built in 1855. A large amount of live stock and grain is shipped from that station. The population is about one hundred and fifty.

Rohrer .- Rohrer, in the southern part of Waverly Precinct-the southeastern precinct of Morgan County-is a station on the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad, twenty-five miles southeast of Jacksonville. Population, sixteen.

Sinclair .- Sinclair, in Yatesville Precinct, is a station on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, seven miles northeast of Jacksonville. It was laid out November 9, 1857, by Mr. Samuel Sin- clair. It is in a fine agricultural section. In 1877 more than thirty-five thousand bushels of grain were shipped from there. Hebron Meth- odist Episcopal Church is located near by the village. The first church building was erected in 1835, being built of logs. The present church was erected in 1857. The population is twenty- five.

Waverly .- Waverly, an incorporated city in the middle eastern portion of Waverly Precinct, is situated twenty miles southeast of Jackson- ville, at the junction of the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy and the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroads. It was laid out May 18, 1836, by Messrs. Cleveland J. and D. B. Salter (brothers from Connecticut), Alexander C. Twining and Joseph A. Tanner. The first build- ings erected were a brick seminary and a frame boarding house. A full account of these is given elsewhere in this volume under the head of "Education." A very large tract of ground was donated for the purpose of a park or public square. During a few years the postoffice was at Appalona, two miles west, which had been laid out previously. In 1846 there was one church edifice; it was that of the Protestant Episcopal Church. A Congregational Church had been organized and used the seminary building for worship. The Methodist Episcopal Church had not at that time (1846) a house

worship. In 1848 the Methodist So- ciety erected a frame church and occupied it before the plastering was finished. Mr. James

Hutchinson had erected, and was operating, a wool carding factory at that time. A flouring mill was run by Mr. William H. Coe. A black- smith and wagon shop and a saw-mill were then established. Two private schools were be- ing successfully conducted; one by Miss Mar- garet Miller, and the other by Miss Helen Thay- er. The seminary was also in successful opera- tion. The public square was surrounded by a rail fence as late as 1846. The first bank was established in 1870, by John A. Crain, James W. Manson & Company. In 1874 the Waverly Bank was organized by Brown & Company. The Jacksonville, Northwestern & Southeast- ern Railroad was completed to Waverly, and soon to Virden. That enterprise gave a great impetus to business. Waverly gave in private subscriptions nearly $50,000; and, as a corpora- tion, about $30,000 additional.

Waverly contains seven churches. The Con- gregational was organized June 15, 1836, by Rev. J. M. Sturtevant, D. D., with ten mem- bers. The organization took place in a private house. Rev. Elisha Jenny was the pastor from 1837 to November, 1839. The Baptist Church was organized August 11, 1855, with twenty-nine members, at the house of Mr. Willis E. Meach- am, by Rev. J. M. Wells. For some time they held divine service in the seminary and in the Episcopal Church. The latter edifice they oc- cupied for about three years. Rev. J. M. Wells was the urst pastor. In the fall of 1863 they began the erection of a house of worship, which they completed in the summer of 1866, and it was dedicated in June of that year.

The Protestant Episcopal Church is one of the oldest in Waverly. In 1838 Rev. Charles Dresser, of Springfield, Illinois, an Episcopal clergyman, visited Waverly. He found a few persons of that faith. Shortly after that first visit the church was formed with twelve mem- bers. Soon after the organization a house of worship was erected, which is still occupied. The congregation has not been able to support a pastor regularly.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organ- ized about 1840. Ministers of that church had held services in the cabins of the people sev- eral years before Waverly existed. For a while they also used the seminary and the Episcopal church for worship, until their own house was sufficiently advanced for use. It was completed in 1849 or 1850. They used that house till 1867,

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

when, becoming too small for the congregation, it was sold to the Roman Catholics, and the Methodists began the erection of their present commodious house of worship.

The Catholic Church was organized in 1867, when they purchased the Methodist Church building, which they still use, holding monthly services.

The Christian Church has been in existence about fifty years. Its early records are so im- perfect that the time and matters of its organ- ization cannot now be accurately given.

The Methodist Episcopal Church (South) has had a small membership and a house of worship for about twenty-five years.

A newspaper, the "Gazette." was established in Waverly in June, 1869, by Messrs. M. J. Abbott and W. D. Pemberton. In July, 1870, the press and material were sold to Mr. Rich- ard Ballinger, and removed to Virden. In April, 1872, Mr. John H. Goldsmith purchased the same and removed it again to Waverly, and, on the 2d day of May following issued the first number of the "Waverly Times." After sev- eral changes in the management, on the 24th of May, 1876, Mr. R. V. Mallory bought the material, and on the 9th of June of that year issued the first number of the "Morgan County Journal." Another weekly paper has been pub- lished for some years, called the "Enterprise." Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges have been ac- tively sustained from an early date in the his- tory of the town. Waverly is the second city in size in Morgan County, standing next to Jacksonville, with a population of about 1,700.

Woodlyn .- Woodlyn, in Pisgah Precinct, was a station on the Jacksonville, Northwestern & Southeastern (now Chicago, Burlington & Quincy ) Railroad, seven miles southeast of Jacksonville. Judge Samuel Wood, from whom the station took its name, erected here a depot and warehouse. For a few years about two hundred car-loads of live stock and grain were shipped from that point annually. A cyclone destroyed the buildings, and owing to proximity to Pisgah, the station was discontinued.

Woodson,- Woodson is situated in Woodson Precinct on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, about seven miles south of Jacksonville. It was laid out May 2, 1859, by Richard Henry and Joseph Adams. At that time Judge D. M. Woodson was President of the proposed rail- road (now Chicago & Alton), and in his honor

the village received his name. A grain elevator was erected in 1869 by Mr. J. H. Self. The business proving unprofitable, was discontinued in 1873. A tile factory was established in 1877 by Mr. Lloyd A. Craig and Mr. Bahne.

In 1869 the Christian Church built a house of worship. About 1875 the Methodist Society built a small church. After a few years the latter was sold to the Presbyterian Church, which also moved their church building, located some three miles east of Woodson-and known as Unity Presbyterian Church-into the village, thus providing two good churches for the com- munity. The building purchased from the Methodist Church was remodeled and made into a parsonage. The population is about three hundred.

Yatesville .- Yatesville, in Yatesville Precinct, is situated on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, twelve miles northeast of Jacksonville. It was laid out July 16, 1857, by Joseph Hayes and J. R. Bennett. Owing to its proximity to Pren- tice it was discontinued as a railroad station. At one time the village contained a store, black- smith shop and a number of residences. The Yatesville Primitive Baptist Church is located near by.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 133

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286