USA > Illinois > Warren County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Warren County, Volume II > Part 63
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
CHAPTER XLII.
FLOYD TOWNSHIP.
(Township 10 North, Range 1 West.)
Floyd is the central of the east tier of town- ships in Warren County, and has for its east- ern boundary line the Fourth Principal meri- dian as established by the United States gov- ernment surveys. It was organized under its present name April 4, 1854, when the following officers were chosen: William Laferty, Super- visor; H. S. Hascall, Town Clerk; Geo. B. Cross, Assessor; James B. Grant, Bradley He- cox, Highway Commissioners; Thomas B. Cross, Charles Phelps, Justices of the Peace. The present officers are: Don R. Bradley, Su- pervisor; O. M. Lane, Town Clerk; S. B. Arm- strong, Assessor; E. C. Kenan, Collector; D. C. Graham, F. M. Davis, Justices of the Peace; W. T. Forbes, Sam Reynolds, Constables; C. G. Shelton, E. I. Tinkham, J. C. Short, Highway Commissioners. The full list of supervisors to the present time is: William Laferty, 1854- 55; John F. Giddings, 1856; Thomas B. Cross, 1857-60; Lewis Vertees, 1860-63; Charles Waste, 1863; W. C. Clybourne, 1864; Samuel T. Shel- ton, 1865-70; C. W. Boydston, 1871; Lewis Ver- trees, 1872; C. W. Boydston, 1873-74; John W. Bolon, 1875-78; D. C. Graham, 1879; John W. Bolon, 1880-82; D. C. Graham, 1883-86; Elias Hart, 1887; D. C. Graham, 1888; Elias Hart, 1889; M. D. Matteson, 1890-92; F. M. Devoss, 1893-94; S. B. Armstrong, 1895-96; Don R. Bradley, 1897-1902.
The northwest portions of the township are fine level and gently rolling prairie lands, equal to the best in any part of the state. The soutli- east portion is more broken, and was originally covered with a fine growth of timber, much of which has been cleared and converted into good farms; but there are still some fine areas of timber remaining. A considerable portion of the township is underlaid with a surface vein of bitumenous coal of excellent quality, and mines have been operated quite profitably in the southern portion for many years.
The ridge or watershed that divides the wat- ers of the Illinois River from those of the Mis- sissippi crosses the northern part of the town-
ship. The small portion of the north drains into Cedar creek and from that into Henderson and the Mississippi; the remaining portion flowing southeastward into Slug Run, which empties into Cedar fork in Berwick Township and through that into the Spoon river toward the Illinois.
In 1854 the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad was built through this part of the country, and five miles of the line borders on the north line of Floyd Township though whol- ly in Coldbrook Township. The Iowa Central railroad crosses both the southeast and south- west corners, with about four and one-half miles of track in the township, and stations suf- ficiently near to accommodate the citizens of the southern part. The line of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad crosses the north west corner of Floyd, giving us something over two miles of track, and a station in the north- east part of Cameron in Coldbrook Township.
The first settler in Floyd Township was Jon- athan Tipton, who located on Section 27, the property now owned by J. A. Reynolds. He came in 1828 or 1829 and was prominent in the early history of the township and county. In 1830 came the Vertrees brothers, Lewis and Isaas, with their families from Kentucky, and taking claims on Section 3. The same year came Elijah Davidson, also from Kentucky, with a large family. He settled on Section 16 in 1834, and resided there until 1850, when he joined a colony of thirty-nine persons and emi- grated to Oregon, where they built and named the city of Monmouth, Oregon. They started March 29, taking with them ten teams and eighty oxen and cows, besides saddle horses. John Armstrong, who was born in Sangamon County in 1812, came to Warren County with his father's family in 1829. He married in 1832 and moved into Floyd Township in April of that year, building his home on Section 33, where he continued to reside until his death in 1882. He was the father of fifteen children, and was a prominent and highly respected cit- izen. With him for a time resided William Vandeveer, who now lives in the village of Greenbush. Soon after him came Benjamin F. Allen, with his wife and nine children, from Oneida County, N. Y. He located on Section 29 and died there in 1872. He was the father of Truman D. and Ambrose Allen.
During the Black Hawk war some of the set- tlers removed to Knox County, and others took
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
refuge in Fort Butler, in Monmouth Town- ship. Among the latter was Mr. Armstrong, who served as a soldier during that war. After the war the settlement of the township proceed- ed rapidly. In 1835 Henry Cable and family, of New York City, came by the river to Oquaw- ka, then called the Yellow Banks. They came direct to Monmouth, spending their first night at the Garrison Inn, on West Broadway, then moving to a farm on Section 33 in Floyd. Other early settlers were John Riggs, John and Milton, Dodge, Felix and David Robinson, M. D. Matteson, Cornelius Tunnicliff, Wilson Sheldon, Samuel McGahey, H. S. Hascall, Jas. Kelsey, who later moved to Swan; William Pearce, who settled on Section 31 and died in 1834 (a son of Thomas Pearce, one of the ear- liest settlers in .Roseville Township) ; and David Shelton and family, from Kentucky.
During the '30's the Indians passed frequent- ly through the township, camping along the streams, and often alarming the settlers by their sudden appearance among them. Their last visit to this region was in 1840, when they camped at Cherry Grove, just over in Knox County, where they caused much uneasiness among the people by their stealthy and bois- terous ways. One of their number was killed, and in obedience to the entreaties and threats of the whites they departed never to return.
Farming is of course the main industry of the people of this township. As a consequence of in- telligent management, comfortable and attrac- tive homes are being established, and there is no tendency manifest to take any backward steps in the procession. Not only improved methods and machinery are used in the tillage of the soil, but in the selection of the best vari. eties of the grains, fruits, etc., and in the care- ful selection and breeding of the animals on the farm, the farmers of Floyd Township are second to none. Good horses for the road, the farm, and for heavy draft, are the rule, and the scrub is the exception. The best cattle for beef and for butter is the demand, and in hogs only the best will satisfy.
As to sheep Floyd has a record of high-class breeding of which she is proud. For many years Hon. D. C. Graham has done much to advance the standard of sheep husbandry in our county and state, making frequent impor tations from Canada and Europe. Through his influence mainly was organized the American- Leicester Breeders' Association. This associa-
tion was incorporated in 1888 with a capital of $1,000. D. C. Graham was elected president, and A. J. Temple secretary and treasurer, and have filled these offices from the date of organ- ization. The purpose of the association as set forth in the charter is to "collect, revise, pre- serve and publish information concerning management and pedigree of pure bred Lei- cester sheep." The members of the association include the leading Leicester breeders of the United States and Canada. The number of animals now registered is something more than 6,000. Three handsome volumes of records have been published and are a valuable contri- bution to the literature of sheep husbandry in America.
Information is lacking concerning the first school taught in the township. In the earlier days the children of the northern part of the township attended school at the old town of Savanna, or Coldbrook, in Coldbrook Town- ship, but schools were soon opened in several parts of the township, "Stringtown" and "Short's Corners"among the first. The latest statistics show seven school districts, with good frame buildings, one of which is furnace- heated; two male teachers, paid respectively $35 and $42.50 per month, and seven female teachers, paid from $30 to $45 per month. There are 139 males and 94 females of school age, of whom 85 males and 55 females are enrolled. There are four school libraries, with 147 vol- umes valued at $225. The taxy levy for school purposes was $2,675; the value of school prop- erty, $3,750; and the value of school apparatus, $485.
The assessment roll for 1901 shows 743 horses in the township, valued at $36,375; 2,043 cattle, valued at $54,805; 26 mules, val- ued at $1,300; 642 sheep, valued at $1,755; and 1,696 hogs, valued at $13,725. The total valu- ation of personal property in the township was $261,040, and the assessed valuation $52,208. The assessed valuation of lands was $232,060, and of lots, $5,080.
The population of Floyd Township according to the census of 1900 is 844, a loss of three from 1890
CAMERON.
On the 22d of February, 1854, County Sur- veyor J. W. Adcock surveyed and platted the northeast corner of Section 5 in Floyd, and in honor of the owner of the tract, Robert Cam-
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
eron, the village was first called Cameronville. The town of Cameron was platted on the north side of the railroad in Coldbrook Township a little later. Several additions have since been made, both in Floyd and Coldbrook Townships, and all is now known as Cameron. In 1900 the population was 330. At first most of the busi- ness houses were established in Coldbrook Township, but all the stores have been removed to Floyd.
The postoffice was established at Coldbrook, in Coldbrook Township, in the '30's, with Alva Gordon as postmaster. He was succeeded in 1840 by H. E. Haley, and he by A. D. Hawkins. When the railroad was built and the town of Cameron established, the postoffice. was re- moved to that place, Mr. Hawkins continuing in charge. Later postmasters have been Ed- ward Hunt, Harrison Waste, H. C. Higgins. H. H. Kelly, Elias Hart, E. W. Rowe, Robert Adkinson, and A. J. Temple, the present in cumbent of the office.
The State Bank of Cameron was organized in February, 1901, and commenced business June 19 following, with a capital of $25,000, and seventy-two stockholders, representing a wealth of more than one and a half million dollars. The bank owns the building it occupies, a neat and convenient brick structure. The officers are: George Bruington, President; James French, Vice President; E. S. Welch, Cashier; George Bruington, John E. Wallace, Aaron Bowers, D. C. Graham, C. D. Hall, James French, G. S. Tubbs, S. B. Armstrong, W. C. Whitman, P. H. Shelton, Jacob Famuliner, Directors. The bank on July 1, 1902, one year after beginning business, had undivided prof- its amounting to $1,508.98; deposits amount- ing to $59,201.43; loans and discounts, $71,- 184.64; cash and due from other banks, $9,- 592.84.
CHURCHES.
The Christian church of Cameron is the old- est organization of that denomination in the Military Tract. The first record is: "On the 30th day of April, 1831, this church was consti- tuted upon the belief that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice, and are sufficient for the government of the church." The following persons were present and gave their names as charter members: William Whitman, Sarah Whitman, Julia A. Whitman,
Henry E. Haley, Betsey G. Haley, John E. Mur- phy, Frances Murphy, Richard H. Ragland, Nancy Ragland, John G. Haley, William M. Da- vidson, Elizabeth Davidson, Josiah Whitman, Elijah Davidson, Sr., Margaret Davidson, Sr., Margaret Davidson, Jr., Elijah Davidson, Jr. The first meetings were made at the homes of the people and in the groves, and later in school houses, when they were built. On Sat- urday, February 25, 1838, the church met in Savanna (afterwards called Coldbrook), and "appointed John E. Murphy and Jacob Rust to superintend the building of a chapel. The building was 44 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 11 feet from floor to ceiling, with three windows on each side to contain 24 lights 8 by 10, one window of the same size in the end over the pulpit, and a large double door in the opposite end." The church seems to have prospered exceedingly, for "On the second Lord's day in February, 1839, the church proceeded to grant the request of sundry brethren on the other side of Cedar fork of Henderson river to cr- ganize a church to keep the ordinances of the Lord." Again, "On last Lord's day in March, 1839, permission was granted to" twenty-two persons whose names are given, "to organize in Monmouth;" and again, on June 26, 1839, let- ters were granted to twenty-five persons to unite with the brethren and organize at Mer- idian in Berwick Township. The church was about the last to move from Coldbrook to the new village of Cameron. In 1860 a chapel, 40 by 60 feet, with a commodious gallery, was built in Cameron, and the old church, used a while for a school room, was sold and removed from its site. Under the efficient management of Elders William Whitman, Elijah Davidson, John G. Haley, Alex Reynolds, Lewis Vertrees, and others, the church at Coldbrook prospered, and this prosperity was maintained at Cameron by S. T. Shelton, H. S. Hascall, W. C. Hall, Lewis Vertrees, Marsham Lucas and others. All these have passed away, and are succeeded by a younger generation who take no backward steps in the work of the church. Under their hand, in 1900, the Baptist church was rented for the use of the church and Sunday school, the old chapel of 1860 was torn down, and its best parts incorporated in the structure of a new building, costing more than $5,000. It was dedicated November 25, 1900, Rev. H. O. Breeden, of Des Moines, preaching the dedi- catory sermon. The present membership is
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
something over 200. The pastor is Rev. O. D. Maple. A considerable number of members of this denomination living in the township have their membership with the churches at Meri- dian and at Berwick.
Very early in the settlement of the township the Methodist preacher was on the ground, preaching at the homes of the people, in the school houses, and holding camp-meetings in the groves. Among these were "Uncle Dick Haney," John Underwood, Alfred Allen, and others. Berwick circuit was organized in 1851, with Rev. Wm. Haney the preacher in charge, and the work in this township was included therein. No house of worship was erected in the township until 1856, when, largely through the influence and labors of Benjamin F. Morey, a chapel was built in Cameron and was used until 1878, when it was destroyed by fire. This was soon replaced by a neat commodious chapel built mainly by the hands and influence of C. W. Boydston and other local workers. In 1865 Bethel chapel was built in Coldbrook Township, and in 1872 was put with Cameron, with T. M. Durham as preacher in charge. In 1873, War- ren chapel, just over the line in Knox County, was added to them, with J. M. Murphy in charge. Without interruption the Cameron congregation has maintained regular services since its organization, and is now prosperous under the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Hales.
The First Baptist church was organized June 30, 1866, with nine charter members. Rev. J. N. Tolman, of Monmouth, preached the sermon and was clerk of the council, and Rev. H. H. Parks presided. The church building was erected in the summer of 1869 at a cost of about $3,200. The society was never a strong one, and is now practically disorganized.
SECRET AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
The Masonic lodge now located at Cameron was first organized at Greenbush under dis- pensation from the Grand Lodge of Illinois. The first communication of which any record can be found now was dated December 12, 1867, and the officers were: J. A. J. Atkinson, Wor- shipful Master; Marion Jones, Senior Warden; and Andrew Clayton, Junior Warden; On Oc- tober 5, 1869, a charter was granted to the Ber- wick Lodge No. 619, A. F. & A. M., at Berwick, the lodge organizing with twenty-six members. They were: J. J. Huton, A. Clayton, James
Carr, J. A. J. Smith, Marion Jones, R. A. Beck, Arnon Wooden, J. M. Norris, John P. Short, William Jones, Henry Goddard, Redmond Carr, G. Gunter, G. B. Ray, J. Landon, N. Carr, Wm. Thatcher, Wm. J. Watson, E. W. Allen, Thos. Pearce, M. D. Mattison, Burr Sheldon, J. N. Porter, J. V. Lewis, James Clayton, and Elijah Eggers. June 28, 1878, the lodge was removed to Cameron without a change of name, where it occupies and owns a commodious hall worth $400 or $500. The present officers are: W. M. Fair, Worshipful Master; D. R. Bradley, Senior Warden; Wm. Mills, Junior Warden; P. H. Shelton, secretary; George Bruington, treasurer; S. W. Shelton, Senior Deacon; C. W. Graham, Junior Deacon; A. Bowers, Tyler.
Cameron Lodge No. 786, I. O. O. F., was insti- tuted July 16, 1890. The charter members, who also made up the first list of officers, were: William Mills, Noble Grand; D. D. Robinson, Vice Grand; E. J. Burch, secretary; Aaron Bowers, treasurer; A. W. Riggle, Conductor; L. C. Graham, Warden; William O'Riley, Riglit Supporter; W. A. Fox, L. M. Bradley, Chester Graham, trustees. On the evening of installa- tion eight new members were initiated. The present membership is 58 and the officersare: J. L. Welsh, Noble Grand; C. B. Murphy, Vice Grand; William Mills, secretary; R. Atkinson, treasurer.
Cameron Camp No. 589, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized April 22, 1889. It has a present membership of sixty-one, represent- ing $140,000 insurance. H. E. Wright is Ven- erable Consul; Fred A. Fair, Worthy Adviser; O. H. Kelly, Banker; and O. M. Lane, Escort.
Schley Post No. 106, Fraternal Army of America, was organized April 2, 1900. It has a present membership of nineteen, and Dr. J. R. Burr is Captain; C. H. Haley, Lieutenant; and O. M. Lane, Adjutant.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ARMSTRONG, SEBASTIAN B .; farmer and stock-raiser; Floyd Township (postoffice, Cam- eron); is a son of John Armstrong, who was born in Sangamon County, in 1812, and settled in Floyd Township as early as 1831, when only one house had been built where the city of Mon- mouth now stands. He settled on one-half of Section 33, where timber and water were abund-
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
ant, for he held a prejudice not uncommon at that time against prairie land, and there the subject of this sketch was born December 16, 1859. Nathaniel Armstrong, grandfather of Sebastian B. Armstrong, was born February 10, 1785, a native of England, and was one of the very early settlers in Sangamon County, Ill. He married Elizabeth Miller and she was born September 1, 1773. His son John lived out his days in Floyd Township, dying June 27, 1881. He was three times married, his first wife being Evaline Vandeveer, whom he mar- ried January 16, 1832. She died December 31, 1849, and April 7, 1850, he married his first wife's sister, Narcissa B. Vandeveer. She died April 14, 1858. He was the father of fifteen children. August 12, 1858, he married Jane Wooden, a daughter of Benjamin Wooden, an Indianian. She was born in the Hoosier State in 1824, and died January 18, 1899. He was a School Director, a member of the Christian church, a member of the Home Guard, and otherwise prominent in local affairs. Sebastian B. Armstrong worked for his father (John Armstrong) until the latter's death. February 2, 1888, in Floyd Township, he married Minnie Goddard and bought the Goddard farm, which he still owns. Later he bought 160 acres in Sec- tion 22, and, including the Goddard farm, now owns 360 acres of good land which he de- votes largely to general crops, while giv- ing special attention to stock-raising. He is a director in the State Bank of Cam- eron, and in the Cameron Elevator Com-
pany; has been School Director and Road Commissioner; has been Assessor five years and served two years in the office of Supervisor. Mrs. Armstrong was born on Sec- tion 21, Floyd Township, August 18, 1865, a daughter of Francis and Lucinda (Moore) Goddard. Her father was a native of Indiana, and came to Illinois in boyhood. He married and began farming in Floyd Township in 1853, and died there July, 1887; his wife, December, 1887. He served his township in the capaci- ties of Road Commissioner and School Trustee, and he and his wife were prominent in the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have six children: Ralph Sidney, Mary Edna, Maggie May, John Francis, Elba Corinne and James Arthur.
BRADLEY, DON R .; farmer and thresher; Floyd Township (postoffice, Cameron); is a
representative of an old American family
which, in successive generations, has been
noted for patriotism, enterprise, integrity, hopefulness and patience under adversity. He is a son of Lewis and Sarah (Means) Bradley, natives of Warren County, Ky. His maternal grandfather was John Means, born in North Carolina, and his grandfather in the pater- nal line was Celia Northcot, a native of Vir- ginia. His great-grandfather, Northcot, was with Washington at Valley Forge, and he was himself a soldier in the Civil War. In 1865, when he was scarcely sixteen years old, he en- listed in Company G, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, with which organization he served in opera- tions against Gen. Kirby Smith in the South- west. It was expected that the regiment would be sent to Mexico in a movement against Maxi- milian, but it was retained in the United States and was mustered out of service October, 1865. Mr. Bradley was born in Floyd Township, July 26, 1849, and was educated in the common schools near his home. He is a member of the Christian church, a Mason and a member of the order of Modern Woodmen of America, and, as a Democrat, has been elected Supervisor of his township. He took up the battle of life on his own account very young, and began his career as a farmer near Bedford, Iowa, but soon returned to Warren County and bought a farm in Section 10, Floyd Township. For twenty- five years he has done threshing over a consid- erable territory surrounding his home, where he has an extensive personal acquaintance; has been Tax Collector for Coldbrook Town- ship and Assessor of that township one year and of Floyd Township two years, besides hold- ing the office of Constable of Coldbrook Town- ship four years previous to his election as Su- pervisor, in which office he is filling his third term. He married in Coldbrook Township, Dec- ember 21, 1871, Malvina Whitman, who was born there in 1849, a daughter of John and Martha (Shelton) Whitman, who, in 1836, came from Hardin County, Ky., to Coldbrook Township, where Mr. Whitman, who was a farmer, died July 25, 1896; his wife in 1894. Mrs. Bradley has borne her husband nine child- ren named as follows: Myrtie B., Samuella, Mary, Mark M., Harry W., Cressie B., Frank M., Ed L. and Ruth. Lewis Bradley, father of the subject of this sketch, removed from Ken- tucky to Missouri, whence, in 1847, he came to Illinois, where he married. After owning a
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
farm in Section 9, Floyd Township, five years, he sold it and bought another in Section 5 and 6, in the same township, on which he lived un- til he purchased eighty acres of land in Cold- brook Township, where he died in 1859, his wife, June 10, 1901.
CLAY, MILLARD F .; farmer and stock- raiser; Floyd Township, Warren County, (postoffice Cameron) ; is such a prosperous and well-to-do citizen as fitly represents the pos- sibilities of the Middle West for those who, armed with industry and integrity and assisted by good judgment and general thriftiness, would achieve creditable success in life. He was born in Cold Brook Township, February 22, 1851, a son of Sewell and Elizabeth (Howe) Clay, natives respectively of Vermont and Pennsylvania. He was educated in the district schools near his home, reared in the Methodist faith and carefully instructed in the principles of the Republican party. His father removed from Vermont to New York, and from there by wagon in 1844 to Cold Brook Township, where he improved a farm, which he later sold to remove to Galesburg. Thence, after some years, he went to Missouri, where he bought a farm which eventually he traded for another in Floyd Township, where he lived until 1886, when, on his way to Galesburg with his wife, he was killed by a runaway horse, Mrs. Clay receiving injuries which made her an invalid until her death in 1892. Mr. Clay was a man of prominence in local affairs, and for some years held the office of school director. Mrs. Clay was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Millard F. Clay, after he attained his majority, worked for his father for some time, then spent two years in east- ern Illinois engaged in farming, when he re- turned to the home farm and lived upon it un- til his father's death. He now owns half of a section in Floyd Township, one of the best farms in his vicinity, and is a leader in the im- portant affairs of his community; has filled the office of Road Commissioner three terms and been a school director thirteen years. He married, in Iowa, September 22, 1881, Carrie C. Kelly, and they have three children named Glenn E., Earl Sewell and Mabel J. Mrs. Clay was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, Sep- tember 30, 1854, a daughter of William W. and Sarah Ann (Demotte) Kelly, natives of New York State, who early settled near Bur-
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