USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 13
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
In the year 1825, the Legislature appro- priated $200 to aid in constructing a bridge across Shoal Creek, on the St. Louis wagon road. Before this bridge was built, Benja- min Henson had a primitive boat at his house, a short distance below the present bridge, that was used in cases of high water. It has been stated in a preceding chapter in this book, that Mr. Henson was thought to have been the first white settler in Bond County, having been here in 1812 or 1813, and for a consid- erable time his house was a large, hollow sycamore tree, not far from the cabin he after- ward built and lived in until his death, about 1848. When he first came into the county
106
HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.
the Indians were in some parts of the then large county.
At a session of the County Court held June 3, 1822, an order was made for the erection of a "stray pen in Greenville, forty feet square, to be made of posts and railing, each panel six feet high above the surface of the ground, and the posts let into the ground two feet and a half." In this " stray pen," the estray stock of the county was brought during the sessions of the Circuit Courts, and, per- haps, muster and other public occasions in Greenville, and any one having lost stock would go to the estray pen on these days and examine for his missing animal.
When the county was first formed, not many years had elapsed since the struggle of the Revolution, and the war of 1812 and 1814 had only just preceded the first settlement.
It would be but natural for a people who had so signally in the first and latter struggle achieved and maintained their independence, to call together their comrades in arms, with their neighbors and friends at stated periods, and refight those battles, and thereby infuse into the rising generations, who are always the hope of a country, the spirit of their fathers. Actuated by a spirit of patriotism, the people held the election of military offi- cers, their drills and muster, as their highest privileges. The first election of military officers was held as other elections for county officers, but in later years the mode adopted was for the candidates for whatever office they desired to elect, to step out of the crowd assembled and call out, " All who will join - Company fall into line." This often led to much excitement, but was always kept within the bounds of good humor. Paul Beck was made a Captain as early as May 12, 1817, and Samuel Davidson, Ensign, same date. John Laughlin was elected Cap- tain June 14, 1817, and John Hopton, Lieu-
tenant, and John Whitley, Jr., Ensign, same date. The troubles with the Indians in some of the northern counties, and anticipated trouble within the borders of the county, fol- lowed soon after by the Black Hawk war of 1831-32, kept the military companies through- out the county well organized until about 1840. Since that time it declined rapidly, until a Captain, Major or a Colonel was only a thing of the past, until revived by the ac- tive military movements in this country dur- ing the late civil war .* This civil war in a land so peculiarly blessed, between a people so enlightned and refined, this fratricidal war, now as we review it when it is passed, having seen its commencement, its continuarce and its close, seems only as a dream of the past; yet it was to many hundred thousands a fatal dream.
Bond Connty was in the front in furnishing her full quota of brave and patriotic soldiers to defend and uphold the flag and honor of our whole country. They went promptly at every call for volunteers, carrying with them the prayers of sympathizing friends and rela- tives, many of whom never returned, some returning with lost or shattered limbs, or a diseased body, as can be attested by the large pension roll in our Bond County.
The volunteer companies, with their com- missioned officers for Bond County, may be mentioned as follows:
Company D, Twenty-second Regiment Illinois Vol- unteers .- Captains, James A. Hubbard, John H. Phillips ; First Lieutenants, E. J. C. Alexander, Lem- uel Adams, John H. Phillips, Enoch J. File ; Sec. ond Lieutenants, Lemuel Adams, Edward Stearns, J. H. Phillips, Cyrus M. Galloway, Enoch J. File, Joel B. Paisley.
Company E, Twenty-second Regiment Illinois Vol- unteers .- Captains, Samuel G. McAdams, George Gibson ; First Lieutenants, James M. Hamilton, George Gibson, J. M. McAdams ; Second Lieuten- ants, George Gibson, J. M. McAdams.
* For convenience the war history of Bond County is given in con nection with the city of Greenville .- ED.
107
CITY OF GREENVILLE.
Company C, Twenty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volun- teers .- Captains, George M. Keener, James A. Dug- ger, Owen W. Walls, Isaac N. Enloe ; First Lieu- tenants. Thomas L. Vest, J. A. Dugger, Owen W. Walls, James Manes, John McCallister ; Second Lieutenants, J. A. Dugger, E. B. Wise.
Company E, One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment Illinois Volunteers .- Captains, U. B. Harris, W. C. Harned ; First Lieutenants, William Harlan, Will- iam C. Harned, Charles W. Johnson ; Second Lieu- tenants, W. C. Harned, Charles W. Johnson.
Company F, One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment IlInois Volunteers .- Captains, William M. Colby, John D. Donnell, F. D. Phillips ; First Lieutenants, John D. Donnell, Charles Ives, Fielden D. Phillips, John Murdock ; Second Lieutenants, Charles Ives, F. D. Phillips.
Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regi- ment Illinois Volunteers .- Captaiu, Samuel G. Mc- Adams ; First Lieutenant, James A. Ilubbard ; Sec- ond Lieutenant, Edward Stearns.
Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regi- ment, enlisted June 6, 1864, and discharged Septem- ber 28, 1864 ; served one hundred days ; only one man died during the time, viz .: James MeCann, at Ironton, Mo., July 25, 1864.
The Twenty-second Infantry Illinois Volun- teers was organized at Belleville, III., May 11, 1861, and was mustered into service for three years at Caseyville, Ill., June 25, 1861, by Capt. T. G. Pitcher, U. S. A. July 11, they moved to Bird's Point, Mo. November 7, seven companies engaged in battle at Bel- mont, three being left to guard the trans- ports; loss, 144 killed and missing. At Stone River, December 31, 1862, and January 1, 1863, they lost 199 men out of 342 going in- to action. At Chickamauga, September 19 and 20, they lost 135 officers and men out of an aggregate of less than 300 men. The severity of the battle was such on the 19th they lost ninety-six men in less than ten minutes. They were engaged in many hard- fought battles during the three years of their service, including the storming of Mission Ridge, Resaca, battle of Farmington, Chick- amauga, etc. Among the many brave officers and men who had their names inscribed on
the roll of honor in Company E, may be mentioned that of our lamented Capt. Samuel G. McAdams.
The history of the Twenty-sixth Infantry of Volunteers would be almost a history of the war. They were mustered into service at Camp Butler, III., August 31, 1861, and, after serving four years, were discharged or mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky., July 20, 1865. The company was paid off at Springfield, Ill., July 28, 1865. The commanding General ordered the placing on their banners " New Madrid," " Island No. 10," "Farmington," "Siege of Corinth," " Iuka," "Holly Springs," " Vicksburg," " Mission Ridge, " "Kenesaw, " " Ezra Church," " Atlanta," "Savannah," "Colum- bia," etc., etc., as recognition of the many hard-fought battles in which they had been engaged. The One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment of Infantry Illinois Volunteers was especially noted for bravery, of which Com- panies E and F, from Bond County, whilst in the service, discharged their duty nobly. They were engaged in the battles at Port Gibson, siege of Vicksburg, siege at Jackson, Miss., battle at Sabine Cross Roads, or Mans- field, where Col. J. B. Reid was seriously wounded, siege of Blakely, Spanish Fort. Ala., and Mobile. Maj. J. B. Reid was pro- moted to that of Lieutenant Colonel in this regiment for meritorious services. Dr. David Wilkins was First Assistant Surgeon, and Rev. W. D. H. Johnson, of Greenville, Chap- lain of the regiment.
The Third Cavalry was organized at Camp Butler by Col. E. A. Carr, in August, 1861. The regiment moved to St. Louis September 25; October 1, moved up the Missouri River to Jefferson City, aud thence marched to Warsaw, where they arrived October 11; on the 23d, marched toward Springfield, Me., in Col. Carr's Brigade, Brig. Gen. Ashboth's
108
HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.
Division. On November 2, Gen. Hunter took command of the army. November 13, the First and Second Battalions moved with the army on Rolla, Mo. The Third Battalion, Maj. Rug- gles commanding, remained with Sigel's Di- vision, and was the last to leave Springfield.
On the 18th of February, 1862, the Third Battalion participated in a calvary charge, routing the enemy. The regiment moved rapidly from point to point as ordered and the interest of the service required, and were engaged in many skirmishes and battles dur- ing the three years they were in the service. Their active duty was at Pea Ridge, Hunts- ville. Grenada, Vicksburg, Chickasaw Bayou, Port Gibson, Tupelo, Okolona and Gun Town, Miss. September 27, 1864, six com- panies crossed the Tennessee at Clifton, and confronted Hood's army; fell back skirmish- ing, and took part in the battles of Lawrence- burg, Spring Hill, Campbellsville and Frank- lin. They were also engaged in an expedi- tion after the Indians in 1865. Capts. Thomas M. Davis, J. K. McLean and S. M. Tabor, all be- longing to Bond County, made for themselves a noble record. The regiment was mustered out of service at Springfield, Ill., October 13, 1865. During the time of service, a large number of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans.
Hilliard Rifles .- The company was first or- ganized with a view of entering the State militia, entitled the National Guards of Illi- nois. Charles H. Beatty was one of the most active in securing the names that formed the first organization, effected December 30, 1878. At a meeting held at the county court house the above date, and presided over by Lieut. Col. James T. Cooper, of Alton, Ill., the fol- lowing list of officers was elected: Captain, P. E. Holcomb, a retired Major of the regu- lar army; First Lieutenant, S. M. Inglis; Second Lieutenant, Charles H. Beatty. The number enrolled in this first company was
seventy-one. Maj. Holcomb, being a retired army officer, consequently skilled in milli- tary science, the company, under his com- mand, became one of the best drilled com- panies in Southern Illinois, and enjoyed gen- eral prosperity. In December, 1878, it re- ceived the title of Company G, Fifteenth Battalion, I. N. G., and was assigned to the Second Brigade, under command of Brig. Gen. J. N. Reece, and in September, 1879, entered encampment at Camp Cullom, near Springfield. The company at this time had been recruited to the number of forty-five members, with three commissioned officers. The Hilliard Rifles, as a social organization, by this time had gained some local promi- nence. In November, 1880, they leased and established themselves in their commodious and well-equipped armory (hall), in which, from time to time, under their auspicies, the public was treated to first-class lectures, musical and other entertainments, festivals, etc. In the fall of 1881, they again went into encampment near Bloomington, Ill., where they made a reputation and an excel- lent record in target practice, Lieut. Elam representing his battalion, and doing excel- lent work. February 18. 1882, the company was re-organized by a new election of officers, the term of service of the first elected having expired. Col. George C. McCord, of Gov. Cullom's staff, and a resident of Greenville, presided at this meeting, and Lieut. S. M. Inglis was elected Captain, C. F. Thraner, First Lieutenant, John A. Elam, Second Lieutenant. About this time the State militia was also re-organized into ten regi- ments, and the Hilliard Rifles, Company G, Fifteenth Battalion, was assigned to the Eighth Infantry as Company F. It has been recruited to fifty-three men, with three com- missioned officers, and in all essential respects. is enjoying prosperity.
109
CITY OF GREENVILLE.
CHAPTER XI .*
GREENVILLE - EDUCATIONAL HISTORY -COMMON SCHOOLS - ALMIRA COLLEGE - RELIGIOUS - ORGANIZATION OF CHURCHES-THE PRESBYTERIANS AND METHODISTS-THE ERECTION
OF CHURCH BUILDINGS-SECRET AND BENEVOLENT ORDERS - MASONS AND ODD FELLOWS-OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, ETC., ETC.
"The Church and State, that long had held Unholy intercourse, now divorced
She who, on the breast of civil power," etc., etc.
THE education of children at an early day, all over the country, was much the same, and many were to be found who would recognize the necessity of any special effort to educate the females. They were quite unanimous forty years ago in believing that, at most, they might learn to read and write. Arithmetic and gram- mar were thought to be quite useless. But however much the parents may have desired to give their children a good education at that time, they would have found it often very dif- ficult to find teachers with the requisite qualifi- cations to teach the required branches to enable them to draw the small school-fund distributed annually by the State.
The first schools taught at Greenville, so far as can now be known, was by Mr. Enloe, a Mr. Beeman and White. Miss Elizabeth Norton (afterward Mrs. Foster) taught a school in 1835, in a cabin on part of Lot 22, Greenville, nearly in front of Mrs. Larrabee's present residence. A number of teachers were at different times employed with varying success, until under the free-school system the present briek school building was erected about 1859. The first teachers in the new building as principals, have been Messrs. Cunningham, Clark, Hynes, Taylor, Mudd, Dean and Inglis.
August 8, 1868, the School Directors of
Greenville Distriet employed Samuel M. Inglis, at a salary of $100 per month, and who has also been employed from time to time since, and at the end of the fifth year as Principal of the school he had the pleasure of having seven graduates. The sixth year, 1874, seven more graduated; in 1875, nine graduated; in 1876, eight; in 1877, eleven; in 1878, six; in 1879, nine; in 1880, fourteen; in 1881, eleven; in 1882, twelve, making a total graduation of ninety-four for the ten years after the school was brought up to the present graded system. The same Principal is employed for the com- ing school year, making fifteen years of contin- nous principalship. Ten assistants are now necessary to aid in giving instructions in the different departments.
This school is very popular at home and en- joys a high reputation abroad.
Alira College .- In 1827, two lads, Ste- phen Morse and John B. White, attended school together at a publie institution in New Hampton, N. H. One year later they entered Brown University, Rhode Island, where they were elass and room mates during their colle- giate course. After a few years, one devoted himself to teaching, and the other engaged in the mercantile business. These boys were raised by unusually intelligent, devoted, Chris- tian parents, and each sought the path in life that seemingly would promise the most useful and lasting results.
Mr. Morse was prospered in his business,
* By Williamson Plant.
110
HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.
and accumulated wealth. Occasional letters passed between these old friends and class- mates, in which the subject of education was frequently discussed. Nothing of unusual in- terest occurred, however, nutil 1854, when they arranged to meet in Greenville, III., which meet- ing resulted in the initiatory steps for founding the much-talked-of institution. After some days of consultation and study. it was decided that the institution should be for the higher ed- ucation of young women. That it should not be engaged in as a private enterprise, but that an act of incorporation should be secured, so that the contributions could be held in perpe- tuity for educational purposes. Mrs. Almira B. Morse, a lady of thorough and accomplished education, was fully in sympathy with her hns- band, and secouded every effort of his for the advancement of the worthy enterprise, aiding not only by words of encouragement and cheer, but with a generous personal money gift; and thus the institution was founded in 1855-56, a charter being obtained in 1857. The work of erecting the building was immediately begun, and one wing completed and occupied in May, 1858. Work was gradually carried on and the main structure was finished in 1864. It pre- sents a frontage of 160 feet; width, forty-eight feet; is four stories high, and contains seventy- two large and elegant rooms. The college grounds contain twelve acres, consisting of a park, a yard front of the building, and land in the rear for domestic and ornamental purposes. In honor of the lady, Mrs. Almira Blanchard Morse, who endowed it with her little fortune of $6,000, this college was appropriately named Almira.
From its foundation, the institution has been under the instruction and general management of Prof. White, and his wife as assistant, except for three years during the rebellion, during which time the Rev. D. P. French and Mr. Morse assumed control. Prof. White severed his connection with the institution in 1879,
when Prof. J. B. Slade, of Springfield, took con- trol.
Mrs. Almira B. Morse died at her home in Palva, Kan., in August, 1881. Her remains were returned to Greenville and interred in Mt. Rose Cemetery.
The ladies of Greenville and vicinity, desir- ous of promoting social intercourse and of aid- ing in the intellectual and moral elevation of society, met on the 19th of January, 1856, and organized a society for the aforesaid pur- pose and adopted a constitution and by-laws. It was called the Social Circle, and its object was the purchase of a library. The ladies pres- ent at the meeting for organization were Mrs. A. Morse, Mrs. M. Shields, Mrs. L. Stewart, Mrs. E. Hutchinson, Mrs. S. Morse, Mrs. E. G. Smith, Mrs. S. Sprague, Miss J. Merriam and Miss E. M. White.
The meetings were held once a week. In the afternoon, the ladies sewed, aud, in the even- ing, gentlemen came in and some literary enter- tainment was given. An idea of the energy and labor bestowed upon the project may be seen from a single quotation from the records: "Work on haud for January 28-Knitting, a cradle quilt, three sun-bonnets, two pairs of pantalets, infants' dresses, caps and aprons, three shirts finished and price for making the same $2.25.
An attractive feature in the evening enter- tainments for years was the reading of The Ga- zette, a collection of articles and essays written by the members of the society. Many of the papers contained productions that reflected no discredit upon their composers, indeed some evinced more real literary merit than much that appears in the leading periodicals of to- day.
Besides the labor thus bestowed, we note a supper given April 25, 1858, at which $61.88 were realized ; also, June 25, a concert, the pro- ceeds of which were $21. The first purchase of books was made August 26, 1856; the
111
CITY OF GREENVILLE.
amount invested, $100. October 22 of the same year, by vote, the name was changed to Ladies' Library Association. Thus we find the little germ, planted and nurtured by the ladies, and supported by the good wishes and patron- age of the gentlemen, steadily growing.
In the year 1867, through the instrumental- ity of Hon. J. F. Alexander, a charter was ob- tained. About this time, the need of a town hall being greatly felt in Greenville, a number of ladies, many of them being also members of the Library Association, determined to raise money to build one and connect with it a room for the public library, which had been kept at the residence of some member of the society. After nearly $1,000 had been ob- tained, the project was abandoned, and a dona- tion of $712.40 was made to the Library Asso- ciation on the 13th of February, 1873.
The interest of this fund is annually ex- pended in the purchase of books. The serv- ices of librarian having always been gratuitous, the institution is self-supporting, and has added some to the permanent fund.
The twenty-fifth anniversary was celebrated on the 19th of January, 1881, at the residence of Dr. William Allen. The event proved an important epoch, in that it revived much of its history that had never been put on record, and awakened new zeal in the work. Letters were read from absent members, an historical sketch of the society was given, some poems of merit, good music and an elegant repast, combined to form a delightful re-union.
At present the library consists of 1,500 vol- umes. Seventy-five or one hundred new books are added yearly, and it furnishes patrons the best magazines of the day. The library room is large, pleasantly situated in Bennett's Block, well furnished, and kept open every Saturday afternoon.
The following is a list of the officers at the present time :
Mrs. F. C. Mudd, President ; Mrs. E. Denny,
Vice President ; Mrs. J. W. IToiles, Secretary ; Miss A. E. White, Treasurer and Librarian ; Misses E. Birge and G. Blanchard, Assistant Librarians.
Presbyterian Church .- On the 10th day of March, 1819, a chureli was formed in Bond County, called the "Shoal Creek " Church, em- bracing all the Presbyterians in the county at that time, with thirty-three members enrolled. On the 15th of September, 1825, the committee appointed by the Presbytery of Missouri, at a meeting held for that purpose, divided this church into three separate churches, known as the Bethel, Shoal Creek and Greenville ; and the following list of male members was assigned to Greenville at that time: John Gilmore, Hugh T. White, James White, John B. White, Samuel White, John Russell, John Short, George Donnell, Robert G. White, John White, Joseph Howell and William Nelson.
The location of Shoal Creek Church was in what was then known as the Ohio Settlement, some four or five miles northwest of Green- ville, where the Union Grove Church now stands. The Bethel Church was about ten miles northwest of Greenville. These churches maintained a separate existence until April 7, 1832. At this time, the Shoal Creek Church had become so enfeebled by removals and deaths, it seemed necessary for them to unite with the Greenville Church. The Greenville Church was organized by Messrs. Giddings and Lacy and Elder Collins, of Collinsville, September 15, 1825, with twenty-nine mem- bers. As before stated, the two branches of the church were consolidated April 7, 1832. Up to this time, no house of worship had been built at Greenville, but soon after the churches had united they built a house about two miles northwest of Greenville, as a more central and convenient point for all the members. The members of the united church hauled and hewed the logs, sawed the timber, split the boards and shingles, and did all the work for
119
HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.
the completion of the same within the member- ship. From 1825 to 1829, the church had no stated pastor, but was served from time to time by transient ministers whose names are un- known. From 1829 to 1831, Rev. Solomon Hardy was the minister in charge; in 1832, Rev. W. J. Fraser ; then followed the labors of Revs. A. Ewing, T. A. Spillman, W. K. Stewart; Rev. J. Stafford, from 1837 to 1838, and again from 1840 to 1850. In 1847. the pastor was absent, and P. D. Young supplied the place for six months. In 1851 and 1852, Rev. Will- iam Hamilton, and from 1852 to 1867, Rev. Thomas W. Hynes were the stated supply ; 1867 to 1868, Rev. Arthur Rose, 1869 to 1872, Prof. George Frazier, were the ministers in charge. About this time, eighteen members withdrew from the New School or Congrega- tional Church, and joined the Presbyterian Church of Greenville. Rev. N. S. Dickey was the stated supply from 1873 to 1880, since which time the Rev. Hillis has been their very acceptable minister of the Greenville Presby- terian Church. In 1873, the building of the church had become so dilapidated, having been built and occupied since about 1845, that the members and friends enlarged the same with cupola, at a cost of about 82,000. It was re- dedicated July 13, 1873, free from debt. And now to-day it stands, as it has stood for more than fifty-seven years, like a city set upon a hill, radiating its light, shedding its beneficent influence on all around, in harmony with the community for good, and in fellowship with its sister churches. Its large membership and its admirable Sunday school speak well for its continued usefulness in the future.
Congregational Church .- The origin of the Congregational Church was with the divis- ion of the Presbyterian Church about 1836, into the old and the new school churches. Dr. Lansing from New York came to Greenville in 1839, and through his influence a house of worship was commenced soon after. which was
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.