Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 192

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388

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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).

The first two villages to spring up (and the principal ones today) were and are Abingdon, on the northern line, and St. Augustine, in the south. A description of the latter-somewhat in detail-is given in a succeeding paragraph.

Of the old time settlers of the township, but one is left-Judge Dennis Clark, of South Ab- ingdon. The most venerable inhabitant, how-

ever, is Marsham Lucas, who has attained the extraordinary age of ninety-six years, and whose remarkable strength gives promise of his rounding out a century.

The population of the township, as shown by the United States census returns, increased from two hundred and eighteen, in 1840, to nineteen hundred and forty-six, in 1890. The figures given during the intermediate decades were: 1860, eleven hundred and ninety-five; in 1870, eighteen hundred and fifty-four; in 1880, seven- teen hundred and twenty-five. At present (1899) it is estimated at eleven hundred, exclusive of Abingdon and St. Augustine.

Outside of these towns there are six school houses (five frame and one of brick), valued at seven thousand dollars, in each of which the school terms extend over eight months.

ST. AUGUSTINE.

The site of St. Augustine, Fulton County, known as old St. Augustine, was first occupied by Osten Mattingly and Samuel Smith, in 1835. They named the settlement after St. Augustine, the apostle of Africa. Mr. Smith returned to Kentucky in 1837, and Henry Mattingly ar- rived about the same time. The latter was born in Maryland, in 1797, and Osten one year later. They came to Illinois from Kentucky, where their parents had settled. The brothers formed a partnership and opened a store, and it was not long before a thriving settlement sprang up. When the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was built, the company found a side track could not be built nearer the vil- lage than the site of the present depot. Conse- quently, business soon drifted away from the old town. In 1854, the original village of what, not improperly, may be called new St. Augus- tine was laid out, and a survey made by E. T. Byram in 1856. Mattingly's first addition was made in 1857. The site is one-half mile north of the old village, in Section 32, of Indian Point.

The place contains four general stores, con- ducted by enterprising business men, and two churches, Catholic and Christian.

April 29, 1897, a disastrous fire destroyed about two-thirds of the business portion of the village. But the inhabitants are industrious and progressive, and probably the loss will soon be repaired. The present population is about three hundred. In 1880 it was two hun- dred and eighty-nine; in 1890, two hundred and fifty-five.

John Brown

935

KNOX COUNTY.

The St. Augustine Camp of Modern Wood- men was organized September 24, 1896, with sixteen members. The first officers were: James Tamney, V. C .; M. J. Babbitt, W. A .; H. V. Harrod, E. B .; J. W. Decker, Clerk. The present membership is twenty-eight, and the officers are: James Tamney, V. C .; M. J. Bab- bitt, W. A .; G. H. Babbitt, E. B .; H. V. Harrod, Clerk.

JOHN BROWN.

John Brown, son of George and Martha (Hop- kins) Brown, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, February 26, 1825. His paternal ancestry is Welsh, his great-grandfather, Joseph Brown, having come from Wales when a young man, in time to carry a musket with the Continental Army in the War for Independence. The mus- ket is now a cherished heirloom of his descend- ants. After the war, Joseph Brown settled in Kentucky, and was one of the pioneers engaged in constructing the Fort Laramie military road through that State into Ohio. In 1880, his son, whose name was Joseph, moved his family across the Ohio River on a raft, and took a farm in Clermont County, adjoining the old Fort Denison tract, an important military cen- ter during the Civil War. His wife was Mary (Parks) Brown, also of Kentucky. There were thirteen children, of whom two still survive. George Brown, the father of John Brown, was born in 1800, just before the removal of the family to Ohio. His wife was Martha (Hop- kins) Brown. They had nine children.

John Brown was horn on the old homestead, and received his education in the common schools. For seven years he served in the State militia, a member of the Newberry Com- pany, First Ohio Regiment. May 1, 1849, Mr. Brown was married to Eliza Ann Cox, daugh- ter of James and Anna (South) Cox, residents of Ohio. Four years later, in 1853, Mr. and Mrs. Brown came to Illinois and settled in In- dian Point Township, where Mr. Brown en- gaged in farming. He afterwards bought land on Section 15, where he now resides. He grad- ually added to his farm until eventually he was the owner of six hundred and forty acres, the greater portion of which he divided among his children. Mr. Brown is a prominent farmer and stockman. He belongs to the denomina- tion called Christian. In politics he is a demo- crat. He never had a lawsuit, nor was he ever summoned as a witness on a case. Mr. and Mrs. Brown celebrated their golden wedding May 1, 1899.

There are five children: John W .; George; Thomas S .; James William; and Ann, wife of J. Warren Dowdy. Three of the sons are farm- ers in Indian Point Township.

BROWN, GEORGE M .; Farmer; Indian Point Township; born in Clinton County, Ohio, September 28, 1855; educated in the common schools. His father, William Brown, was born

in Ohio; his mother, Mary (Smith) was born in Virginia. His maternal grandfather, John S. Smith, was born in Virginla, and his paternal grandfather, George Brown, in Kentucky. June 5, 1879, in Abingdon, Mr. Brown was married to Phoebe Swegle. Three of their children are living, Alta, Roland, and Mary; one son, Her- bert, died in infancy. Mrs. Brown is the daugh- ter of Lafayette Swegle, a farmer who came from New Jersey at an early day. In 1866, Mr. Brown came from Ohio with his father. He was a farmer and died in 1888, leaving four sons: John, Harvey, Robert, and George M. George M. left the old homestead in 1895, and bought the farm where his wife was born. In religion, Mr. Brown is a Christian. In politics, he is a democrat.

DAWDY, WARREN; Farmer; Indian Point Township, where he was born September 29, 1847; educated in the common schools. His parents, John and Tabitha (Boydstun) Dawdy, were natives of Kentucky. His paternal grand- father was James Dawdy. John Dawdy came to Illinois and settled in Wood County in 1826. Later, in 1836, he came to Knox County, and died in Indian Point Township in 1875. Febru- ary 1, 1872, Warren Dawdy, was married to Anna Brown in Indian Point Township. They have had two children: Clara, now Mrs. Robin- son; and Minnie. The same year, Mr. Dawdy settled on the farm where he now lives. He is one of the prominent farmers of the county. In politics, he is a democrat.

GRAHAM, BENIAMIN F .; Farmer; Indian Point Township; born in 1865, in Clinton County, Ohio; educated in Bartlett's Commer- cial College, Cincinnati, Ohio. His parents, Samuel and Margaret (Hunter) Graham, were natives of Ohio; his paternal grandfather, Jon- athan Graham, was born in Maryland. His maternal grandfather and great-grandfather were named Benjamin; the latter came from Ireland. October 23, 1894, Mr. Graham was married in Indian Point Township to Bell Myres. Mrs. Graham is a daughter of Stephen Myres, one of the early settlers of Indian Point, who died May 7, 1895, leaving one son, Harry, and four daughters: Bell, Emma, Lena and Nellie. Mr. Graham came to Indian Point Township in 1889, and hegan clerking in a store in Hermon. Later he clerked for Mosser and Son in Abingdon, but in 1895, settled on the Myres homestead, where he is a farmer and stockman. In politics, Mr. Graham is a repub- lican.

HARDIN, MILTON BAXTER; Farmer; In- dian Point Township; born July 12, 1829, in Clermont County, Ohio, where he was educated. His parents, John and Mary (Dole) Hardin, and his paternal grandparents, Peter and Eliza- beth (Rowan) Hardin, were born in New Jer- sey, as were his maternal grandparents, Jo- seph and Rebecca Dole. Mr. Hardin was mar- ried in Fulton County, Illinois, January 28, 1864, to Ada C. Parker, daughter of Payton and Laney (McArthur), of Virginia, and Ohio,

936

KNOX COUNTY.

respectively. Their children are: Hattie, wife of Eddy Cable of Kewanee, Illinois; and King Milton. They are graduates of Hedding Col- lege, Abingdon. Mrs. Cable has two children: Mildred and Merwin H. In 1851, at the age of twenty-two, Mr. Hardin came to Illinois and in 1854 settled in Warren County. He clerked in a store in Abingdon for his brother, E. S. Hardin, for a year, and then engaged in the grain, lumber, and live stock business until 1864, when he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Abingdon, to which he has added until he now owns two hundred and sixty acres of land. He is a prosperous and successful farmer. Mr. Hardin is a member of the I. O. O. F. and has filled all the offices of that lodge. In politics, he is a republican, and has been School Director, Assessor, and Supervisor from 1881 to 1884.

JOHN, ELISHA; Farmer; Indian Point Township; born November 24, 1832, in Clinton County, Ohio; educated in the common schools. His father, also Elisha John, was a native of Tennessee; his mother, Elizabeth (Brown), was born in Virginia. His paternal grandfather, Ebenezer John, was a native of Wales; his ma- ternal grandfather, Christopher Brown, came from Germany. In 1853, in Ohio, he married Rachel Lewis; they had four children: Manda- ville, Mary E., Edwin, and Samuel. Mrs. John was a daughter of George W. Lewis, who came to Illinois about 1829 and first settled near Dan- ville; in 1858, he came to Knox County, and later moved to Missouri, where he died. Mr. John came from Ohio to Indian Point Township in 1856, and bought a small farm. In 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Seventh Illinois Cav- alry, and served until 1865. He was in many hard battles, and was wounded February 22, 1863. He has been a very successful farmer and stockman, and owns five hundred and forty acres of land. He has given each of his sons a good farm. Mr. John is a republican in poli- tics, and always takes a keen interest in public affairs. In religion, he is a Christian.

JOHNSON, OLOF G .; Farmer; Indian Point Township; born September 21, 1842, in Sweden, where he received his education and learned the shoemaker's trade. His father, Gilbert Johnson, was born in Sweden in 1801. In 1865, Olof G. Johnson came from Sweden and began to work by the month in Abingdon; he later worked at his trade for five years. In 1873, he began farming, and in 1888, bought his present farm, to which he has added until he now owns two hundred acres of fine land. He is one of the successful farmers of his section of the county. February 5, 1872, Mr. Johnson was married in Knoxville to Ingrid Swanson; they have three children: Grant O., Kirk M. and Victor L. In religion, Mr. Johnson is a Pro- testant. He is a republican.

McELREA, WILLIAM C .; Farmer, and for- mer merchant; Indian Point Township; born February 10, 1839; educated in the common schools. His father was born in Ireland and

his mother in Pennsylvania. In 1846, Mr. Mc- Elrea came to Indian Point Township with his father, and, after farming some years, engaged in the mercantile business at St. Augustine for nineteen years. He then conducted a store in Hermon, and in 1887, went to London Mills, where he was a merchant for eleven years. In 1898, he returned to the homestead where he is now a farmer. Mr. McElrea. has been married three times; his present wife was Lottie (Pierce), whom he married in 1891. By a for- mer marriage he has one daughter, Emma, who is now Mrs. Frank Shover. In religion, Mr. McElrea is a Methodist. In politics, he is a republican.

ROE, TRUMAN H .; born in Norwich, Che- nango County, New York, May 19,. 1839; edu- cated in the common schools; Farmer; Indian Point Township. In 1842, Mr. Roe came to Knox County with his father, Silas Roe, and settled in Indian Point on Section 21, where his father died in 1865, leaving four sons: Silas, Daniel, Eli and Truman H. Truman H. Roe en- listed in 1861 in Company B, First Illinois, and served until 1862, then returned and in 1864 settled on Section 20. He was married Sep- tember 22, 1864, in Galesburg, to Lucinda Ste- phens. Mr. and Mrs. Roe have three sons and two daughters: Oliver, Charles M., Perry, Eva, and Della. Mr. Roe is a republican, and was for several years a member of the Central Committee. For many years he was School Director, and has been Road Commissioner. In religion, he is a Christian.

SHUMAKER, JAMES; Farmer; Indian Point Township; born in Jackson County, Ohio, De- cember 30, 1821; educated in the common schools. He came to Indian Point with his father, John Shumaker, in 1837, and the fam ily has been one of the most prominent and successful of that locality. In 1848, Mr. Shu- maker married Mary A. Lowrey; they have three children: Charles, who married Elinor, daughter of Samuel Davis; William, who mar- ried Hattie, daughter of Dr. Reece; and Leon- ard, who married Clara Moss. Charles has one son, James H. Leonard has one son, Clar- ence C.

STEGALL, MILTON; Farmer; Indian Point Township; born in Cedar Township, Knox County, Illinois, May 21, 1851; educated in the common schools. His parents were Frederick and Lovina (Marks) Stegall; the former came to Knox County in 1836 and settled in Cedar Township about 1840, and died there in Octo- ber, 1896. There were four children: Milton, Elery, Sarah A. and Emma J. His paternal grandfather was also Frederick Stegall. No- vember 27, 1879, Mr. Stegall was married to Amanda Fernow in Knoxville. They have two children: Asa and Emery. After his marriage Mr. Stegall began farming in Cedar Township, and in 1887, he bought a farm in Indian Point Township, where he now lives. In politics, Mr. Stegall is a democrat.

937

KNOX COUNTY.

CHESTNUT TOWNSHIP.

By H. M. Reece.

The surface of Chestnut is much broken, and it is frequently described as being one of the "rough" townships of the county. The fact is probably attributable to the number of small streams which flow through it, watering it well. The chief of these are the Spoon River, Haw and Brush creeks, and a large creek-not named -a little south of Hermon. The soil is fertile and the land (very nearly one-half of which was originally covered with timber) is generally well cleared.

The township lies in the southern part of Knox, on the boundary line of Fulton County. It is crossed by two railroads; the Fulton County narrow gauge line passes through it on a very nearly central north and south line, while the Iowa Central crosses its southwestern corner.

The earliest settler was Anson Dolph, who came from Kentucky in 1833. He raised a crop of wheat that year on Section 17, and in 1834 came as a permanent settler. In the year last named came also John Terry, from Virginia, who settled on Section 16 and became the first Justice of the Peace. He enjoyed the distinc- tion of having performed the first marriage ceremony in the township, the contracting par- ties being a Mr. Gay and a Miss Cope, whose wish for a legal union was sufficiently strong to induce them to ride a long distance on a single horse. Those early marriages often pre- sented romantic features wholly wanting in the fashionable weddings of these days of purer refinement and higher civilization. To illus- trate: One of the marriages solemnized by 'Squire Terry was that of a couple who stood on one bank of the Spoon River, while he pro- nounced the fateful words on the other, the stream being too swollen to permit either party to cross to the opposite bank. Mr. Terry after- ward engaged in trade, and amassed what, in those times, was regarded as an independent fortune.

In 1836, Robert Leigh and Archibald Long came from Ohio and settled on Section 33, where Mr. Leigh remained until his death. Soon after his arrival he commenced raising hemp, and, there being no market for the raw product, he constructed a factory of a rude de- scription, where he manufactured his own and his neighbors' hemp crops into rope. For a time the industry proved very profitable; and he, too, amassed a comfortable fortune. Mr.

Long, soon after settling on Section 33, re- moved to Section 19, where, in 1842, he platted the village of Hermon.

He was a local Methodist preacher, and soon after his arrival at his new home he organized a Methodist class, which met regularly at his house for many years. Of this devoted band only one is yet living-Mrs. Sally Shafer. The history of the growth of the Methodist Church in Chestnut-as well as that of other denomi- nations-may be found on one of the succeed- ing pages.

Among the early settlers should be also men- tioned O. P. Barton. He was famous in those times as a pedestrian, and gave repeated evi- dence of his prowess and power of endurance in this description of exercise .. Once, starting on foot at the same time with several horse- men for the land office at Quincy, one hundred miles distant, he outstripped them all, securing the prize offered to the winner of the race, which consisted of forty acres of government land in Section 17. Another pioneer was Har- mon Way, who was famous as a marksman and hunter.

The first house was built of logs by Mr. Dolph on Section 17, in 1833. The first brick house was that of Robert Leigh, erected about 1845. The first road was the old State road, from Peoria to Oquawka, which ran diagonally through the township from southeast to north- west. Its course, however, has been since changed, so that it now follows section lines. The first bridge was built about 1846, at the point where the old road crosses Spoon River. It was a very cumbersome, wooden affair, which was carried away and demolished by a flood in 1855.

The first birth was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Shaver, in 1835. The first death was that of Jacob Harford, in 1836.

The first graveyard was on Section 33, and was established by Robert Leigh, soon after he settled on the section. It is not now used as a burial spot, although the few graves there are well cared for by his son Benjamin, who is a prominent citizen of the township. Two other cemeteries have been laid out, as fol- lows: One on Section 19, near the Methodist Church, by Archibald Long, which has been several times enlarged; the other, in 1863, by the trustees of the Christian Church, near their house of worship on Section 18.

The first school house, after the fashion of those early days, was built of logs, and was

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KNOX COUNTY.

exceedingly rude, as regarded both its exterior and interior. It was put up in 1836, and some years afterward was replaced by a frame build- ing, which, after undergoing many alterations, is still used as the school house of District No. 3. Two years later (1838) the second school house, likewise of logs, was built on Section 28. It disappeared long ago, and the site is now occupied by the church of the United Brethren. The first school teacher to exercise his vocation was Mr. Haskins, who taught in what is now District No. 3. At present the township has eight schools, none of them graded, occupying buildings valued at six thousand, five hundred dollars. The aggregate attendance is two hundred and forty-three, out of a total population of three hundred and eighty-six minors.

The first mill was built by Mr. Howard on Haw Creek, about 1845. It was designed both for sawing lumber and grinding corn, but was only used a few years and has long since been only a memory. There was also a saw mill on Litler's Creek, on Section 25, about the same time, which has shared the same fate. Early in the forties, Mr. Parker manufac- tured brick on Section 23, for several years.

The first store was kept by John Terry on Section 16, and its stock was very limited. A Mr. Moor early established another on Section 15, but it proved unsuccessful, and he soon abandoned the enterprise.

One of the earliest taverns was kept by Jon- athan Potts, on Section 22, on the old State road. The first physician was Dr. Porter, who came in 1838 and remained but a short time. He was succeeded by Dr. Morris, and he, in turn, by Dr. Wilson. At present the health of the town is looked after by Drs. McMaster and Browning.

The first settlers of the township were com- pelled to depend on Troy, in Fulton County, and on Knoxville, then the county seat, for postal facilities; but in 1848 a postoffice was established at Hermon, the mail being brought from Knoxville once a week. The first post- master was a Mr. Massie.

The township was organized at a meeting held in 1857, by the choice of the following offi- cers: Samuel Collins, Supervisor; John Terry and David Massie, Justices of the Peace; Mr. McCoy, Clerk; William Graves and Freeman West, Constables; Robert Benson, Collector; and Owen Betterton, Assessor.

For a complete list of supervisors since the

organization of the township, the reader is re- ferred to the article on "County Government," in Part I.

Justices of the Peace since the first elected have been Owen Betterton, Hiram Culver, Wal- ter Bond, Samuel Jamison, Henry Bond, George Haver, Marion Dyer, T. J. Routh, Clayton Trumbeel, J. W. Ogden, and John E. Davis and Lee Lucas, the present dispensers of justice for the township.

There is but one village in Chestnut, original- ly called Harrisonville, but now known as Her- mon; a somewhat detailed description of which is given in a succeeding paragraph. A village was laid out in Section 23, in 1852, by Andrew J. Parker. It was situated on the right bank of the Spoon, near where the present bridge crosses that stream. It never grew, and the plat was vacated by the legislature in 1869.

Four denominations have churches in the township,-the Methodist Episcopal, Christian, United Brethren, and Baptist. The first of these, in order in time, was the Methodist. Reference has been already made to the class established by Mr. Archibald Long, an early settler and local preacher. Through his efforts a modest church building was erected in 1842, and eight years later the congregation built their present commodious house of worship. Its original membership was thirty, and this has been increased to eighty. Rev. W. S. Welsh, a minister noted for piety and elo- quence, is the present pastor, and Rev. G. W. Shafer is class leader.

The Baptist Society was organized early in the forties, by Elders A. Gogorth and C. Hum- phrey, and for a while numbered about forty. Of late years it has lost through deaths and removals, until only a few remain. They nev- ertheless maintain their organization, and monthly services are conducted by Rev. S. H. Humphrey.

The Christian Church in the township was organized in 1854, by Revs. John Miller and Gaston. The first officers were: Jonathan Price and A. L. Reece, Elders; and Joseph Rauth and Charles Smith, Deacons. At the outset the membership was about thirty, and services were held in the school house for the first ten years. At the end of that time the congregation erected their present comfortable house. The present membership is about one hundred, and the officers are: Joseph Beery and J. W. Ogden, Elders; Charles Martin, Ed- win, John and C. E. Routh, Deacons; Mrs.

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KNOX COUNTY.

Kate Routh, Sally Moon and Ophelia Bliss, Deaconesses.

The Church of the United Brethren was or- ganized in 1859, and the denomination has a well-huilt edifice, on Section 28. The present membership is ahout forty. Rev. Mr. White is pastor.

The population of Chestnut Township, as shown by the United States census returns, at stated intervals, has been as follows: 1840, three hundred and thirty-five; in 1860, twelve hundred and sixty-eight; in 1870, eleven hun- dred and forty-four; in 1880, one thousand and eighty-seven; in 1890, nine hundred and nine- teen.

One veteran of the Mexican War-W. W. McMaster-resides within its limits. It fur- nished its full quota under each call during the War of the Rebellion, besides a number of vol- unteers who were credited to other localities. School District No. 5 sent thirty-eight men to the front, of whom three were given commis- sions on the score of bravery in action, viz .:- Davis Vulgamore, made Captain, and Samuel Way, Lieutenant, in the Seventh Illinois Cav- alry; and John Hall, Lieutenant in the Eighty- sixth Infantry Volunteers.

HERMON.

The village of Hermon was platted by Arch- ibald Long, May 3, 1842. A fairly good clew to Mr. Long's politics is afforded hy the fact that he named it Harrisonville. It did not grow rapidly at first, the United States census giving the place a population of only eighty- four in 1850, eight years after it had heen platted. The change of name was made in 1848, on the establishment of a postoffice. For sev- eral years it was more or less of a business place, hut the rapid development of Knoxville and Abingdon, with their better railroad facili- ties, sounded its death knell. Today it is noth- ing more than a dull, country postoffice, on the line of the Iowa Central Railway. It can boast of two general stores, a blacksmith shop, and two churches.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 192

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1388

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388