History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 19

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758

USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 19
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 19

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).

Jacob brys

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

155

FAIRVIEW PRECINCT.

on the east half of Section 24, and the latter settled on Section 13. They have no descend- ants in this county now, except one nephew named Winslow Taylor. Then, in 1827, John Lockhart came from Maury County, Tenn., and settled on Section 11, on the farm where L. J. Segraves now lives, where he resided un- til 1841, when he removed to Arkansas. He has one daughter, Nancy, the wife of L. J. Sel- Iers, residing at Mulberry Grove, this county Then came Bennett Segraves, from Georgia, in the spring of 1829, and located in the north- east corner of Section 11, where he remained nntil his death, which occurred in 1868. His son, Lockhart J. Segraves, succeeded him, and now lives on the old home farm.

The first election ever held in Township 5, Range 2, was held in the brush, near the cabin of Bennett Segraves, in August of 1835. The people cast their votes in the old-fashioned manner, by calling out the name of the candi- date whom they desired to vote for, and their own name, a register of the same being kept by a clerk, appointed for that purpose.

It is not known at this day who taught the first school in Fairview Precinct, but the one said to have been the first, was taught by Joseph Williams, the schoolhouse built about 1831, on the northwest quarter of Section 13. It was a log building, the crevices between the logs be- ing plastered up with mud, and the pupils were accommodated with seats upon a slab, the ends of which were stuck into chinks between the logs on either side of the building. The school was taught on the subscription plan, the teach- er receiving a small remuneration (usually from $1 to $1.50 per term of three months) for each pupil placed in his charge.

The first minister, of whom anything authen- tic can be learned, was a Methodist Episcopal minister named Rev. James B. Woolard, who came to Fairview Precinct about the year 1830, perhaps sooner. Usually divine services were held at the house of John Reaves, on Section

14, and it was his custom to gather up his con- gregation on his road to the meeting, as they were generally to be found in the woods engaged in hunting or fishing.

Another church which figured quite promi- nently in the early church history of Fairview Precinct, is the one known as " Hurricane Church." It is of the German Baptist order, and the present organization was established in 1858. For a number of years after the organi- zation of this church, meetings were held in schoolhonses, in barns, and at the residences of the different members, and the first minister was the Rev. D. B. Sturges, who was assisted in his ministerial duties by George Beanblos- som. Rev. Sturgis was some time after this made a bishop, and the Rev. John Heckman succeeded him as pastor of Hurricane Church, and he was, in turn, succeeded by Rev. William Elam. After this, the church was taken charge of by Elder John Metzsger, after whom Elder John Wise assumed the pastorate. The first Deacons of this church were William and Edward Elam and Jacob Cripe. In 1874, this organization built a neat frame church build- ing, at a cost of about $1,500, on land donated for that purpose by Henry Jones, who is the present minister. The present Deacons are Jacob Root, Daniel Noffsinger and Cornelius Kessler. The church has at present a member- ship of about seventy, is in a highly prosperous condition, and regular meetings are held every first and third Sunday in each month.

In 1833, a number of the old, original " Hard- Shell " Baptist denomination organized a con- gregation, and built a log church on Section 12, and Rev. Crouch was installed as pastor. This building still remains standing, and at present is occasionally used as a place for holding divine service. Among the first members of this organization were John Crouch and wife. Mrs. Mary Rushton, Polly Rushton and her daughter Susie, Elisha Mathews, John Taylor, etc.

156

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

Another church of the German Baptist denomination. and probably the first church of this kind in Fairview Precinct, was organized by Joseph Rench and George Beanblossom, prior to the establishment of " Hurricane Church," in 1858, and the teachings of the Bible were explained by Rev. Isam Gibson. Its early membership was, of course, very small, but among those who were the first to join, were : George Beanblossom and wife, William Rench and wife, John Rench and wife, Aaron Rench and wife, Joseph Rench and his daughter, Mrs. Rhoda Sutton, Hiram Reaves and wife, Jacob Cripe and wife, Charles Edwards and wife, etc. This church gradually drifted out of existence, and most of its old members, now liv- ing, have united themselves with "Hurricane Church."

About 1848, a Pennsylvanian named Dr. Daniel B. Sturgis, laid off a town near the section line, between Sections 23 and 24, and gave to it the name of Hamburg, his idea being that the name would induee German emigrants to come there and locate. It, however, being located on low ground, those came who did not take to it readily, and pointed to the hill near by, significant of its superiority as a place of settle- ment. The first store and dwelling house in this village was erected by the Perkins Brothers, in 1854. They also ran a blacksmith-shop. This little hamlet had only about five families in it, and all the dwellings, excepting one, were rudely constructed of logs.

In 1856, the Perkins Brothers accepting an offer of four lots to build upon if they would come, removed to what is now the village of Fairview, and Hamburg virtually met its death, most of the inhabitants removing to Fairview.

The town of "Fairview " lies eight miles nearly cast of Greenville, in Section 23, Town- ship 5, Range 2. It was surveyed by R. K. Dewey for the proprietors, E. P. Mathews and John Reaves, on the 28th day of January, 1857. It is situated on a high ridge, affording

a magnificent view in every direction, and sur- rounded by the best and most beautiful portion of Bond County. (Hence its name.) In 1857, the Perkins Bros. traded their store to J. F. Mathews, for land on Section 28. He contin- ued the business for one year, when he died, and his brother, J. J. Mathews, succeeded him, and run the store for about two years, when he sold out to Elisha Matthews and Ephraim Per- kins, who were succeeded by W. C. Perkins and J. H. Perkins (brothers). These gentlemen finally sold out to Owen Walls, who soon after- ward sold out to J. H. Pahlman. He ran the store some time, when he was bought out by J. S. Gorline, who continued the business about one year, when Elisha Mathews again pur- chased it, and atter running it some time it was repurchased by J. HI. Pahlman, who is the present incumbent. The first blacksmith shop was owned by the Perkins Bros., and was run by a German named Fred Kahn. Emmet Roberts was the first wagon maker. The first mill was run by Stephen D. Bourner and Dan- iel Faulkner. It was a wind-mill and ground mostly eorn, and some little wheat. This mill was not a success, and as a wind-mill it was run about one year, when steam power was put in. It has made several changes of ownership, and at present is run by Hammond & Tompkins, who have attached a saw-mill to the grist or grinding part, but as it is behind in the way of improvements, it is doing only a moderate busi- ness.

There were at one time two stores in the vil- lage, but in 1879, the second one, run by Wel- lington Bourner, was closed ont, and since that time no goods have been kept there. The first shoemaker was William Rench. Allen Caylor ran the first drug store in 1876, and the present drug store is run by S. D. Bourner. The first Postmaster was Reuben Coburn, in 1862, and the present Postmaster is J. H. Pablman. There are two churches in Fairview, the United Baptists and the Cumberland Presbyterians.

157

FAIRVIEW PRECINCT.

The latter-named church was founded about 1840, and their first minister was Rev. Barber. Meetings were held around at the houses of the members, until in 1849 a schoolhouse was built on Section 23, on land owned by Jolin Reaves, and meetings were held in it from that time forward, under the spiritual guidance of Rev. William Hutchinson. The church was re-organized in April of 1866, and a frame building was erected at a cost of about $1,300, and Rev. William Turner was installed as min- ister. The first regular minister, however, was the Rev. William B. Poland. The first Elders were George F. Berry, John H. Minor and Will- iam Davis, Jr. The first Trustees were John H. Minor, D. H. MeAdoo and Thomas L. Reaves. At the time of its re-organization in 1866, the membership of the church numbered about thirty, and they have had preaching regularly ever since until within the past year (1881).

At present there is a Sunday school conducted in the church, under the superintendency of G. S. Duff. It is a recent affair, having been organized in April of this year (1882), and as yet they have no library.

The United Baptist Church was first organ- ized December 30, 1869. The first members were E. P. Mathews, Mary J. Mathews, W. C. Perkins, John H. Perkins, Martha A. Perkins, Amanda Perkins, Amanda Stubblefield, Anna Perkins and Catharine Shipby. Their first minister was Rev. R. B. Reaves and the first Clerk was W. C. Perkins. The Deacons in Feb- ruary of 1870 were E. P. Mathews and John Perkins. At this time they worshiped in the building of the Presbyterian Church, and after- ward in an old dwelling-house belonging to J. H. Perkins, where they continued to wor- ship until the erection of their own church building in 1877.

158

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVIII .*

LA GRANGE PRECINCT-TOPOGRAPHY, BOUNDARIES AND PHYSICAL FEATURES-SETTLEMENT BY WHITE PEOPLE - THEIR TRIALS, TROUBLES AND TRIBULATIONS - AN INCIDENT WITH WILD HOGS-NO TOWNS, VILLAGES NOR MILLS - BUT PLENTY OF CHURCHES

AND SCHOOLS-A PRIMITIVE SCHOOLHOUSE -THIE DIFFERENT CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS, ETC.

L A GRANGE PRECINCT, the subject of the following pages, is situated in the northern part of the county, adjoining the Montgomery line, and is comprised of frae- tional portions of Townships 6 and 7 north, in Range 3 west. It has something like about thirty-two sections of land, which are well wa- tered and drained by the East Fork of Shoal Creek, Indian Creek and Panther Braneh. East Fork flows through the eastern part a lit- tle west of south, receiving a few small tribu- taries within the preeinet, while Indian Creek and Panther Branch drain the southwestern portion. The land is diversified with hills and prairie, the latter predominating, the hills being contiguous to the water-courses, and were orig- inally well timbered. As now formed, it is bounded on the north by Montgomery County, on the East by Zion Precinet, on the sonth by Greenville Precinet, and on the west by Cotton- wood Grove l'reeinet. It has no towns, villages, railroads nor manufacturing establishments, but is dotted here and there with churches and schoolhouses, affording to the people excellent religious and educational facilities.

Settlements were not made in what is now La Grange Precinet as early as in some other portions of Bond County. Among the pioneers of the precinet may be mentioned John Ber- neathy, Jonathan Teasley, John A. Laws and Fielding Laws, Abner and Allen Thacker, Rich-

ard Savage, Elizabeth Mallard, John and George Denny, T. G. McCasland, James White, Thomas Wafer, C. D. MeLean, Charles Wood, a Mr. Parr, Humphrey Jett and others. Who of these are entitled to the honor of being the first settler we do not know ; most of them settled prior to 1830. Berneathy, Teasley, the Laws, Thackers, Savage and Elizabeth Mallard were from Kentucky, and some of them still have descendants in the county. The Dennys eame from North Carolina and settled on Seetion 33; MeCasland settled on the northeast quarter of Seetion 29 ; Wood settled also on the same section in the fall of 1828 ; Wafer and MeLean settled on Seetion 30, and Parr on Section 35. Settlers were now coming in too rapidly to keep traek of them. And after this long lapse of time, it is not strange if names have been over- looked that are entitled to mention in the list of early settlers.

The first decade or two after the whites oc- cupied this country they lived in constant dan- ger, exposed to marauding bands of Indians and the depredations of wild beasts. Incidents are related in other parts of this work, of per- sons slain in what is now Bond County, by the savages, before they were finally removed to distant reservations in the West. Other dan- gers, as well as from savage foes, surrounded the early settlers. Wolves, panthers, bears and other wild beasts were numerous, that, when made furious by hunger, did not hesitate to at-

*By W. H. Perrin.

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LA GRANGE PRECINCT.

tack human beings. Add to these actual dan- gers the troubles and annoyances that the peo- ple were exposed to from the "ager " and other malarial diseases ; from mosquitoes, buffalo- gnats, " greenhead " flies ; the difficulty of pro- curing supplies, and a hundred other drawbacks which stood in the way as large and bold as Don Quixote's windmills, and we conclude that the pioneer's lot was not cast

"On flowery beds of ease."

But little stock was kept for many years ex- cept cattle and hogs, and the latter were reared principally in the woods, where they lived on the "mast," otherwise nuts and acorns. By the time they were wanted for meat, they were almost as wild as the native animals of the for- est, and quite as fierce and dangerous when a little angered and excited. Mr. White relates an incident illustrative of their savage nature when half wild and provoked to anger by a re- strietion of their liberty, which, although it was quite dangerous, was Indicrous in the extreme. A drove of large, half-wild hogs had been driven into an inclosure in the spring of the year for some purpose, when the sap was running and the bark peeled easily from the trees. Several men were present with dogs by which the wild- est of the hogs had been caught in order to get them in the iuclosure, and this had served to madden the entire drove to quite a degree. The iuclosure contained several acres, in which stood a number of trees. The men were all iu- side endeavoring to drive the hogs through a gap into another lot, but the more they tried to drive them the more they, hog-like, wouldn't drive, while all were more or less afraid of them. At last, one fellow who had made much sport of the others on account of their timidity, swore he was not afraid of any hog " that ever wore har," and so boldly started toward the gang, waving his hat at the excited porkers. Not one moved until he was in twenty paces of them, when a large male started right at him with an angry snort, displaying an array of long

white tusks that did not look at all pleasant. Quick as thought the brave man dropped his hat, turned tail, and made for the nearest tree, which chanced to be a small elm, not over six inches in diameter, and from which the bark had lately been peeled, rendering it about as sleek as if it had been smeared with soft soap. The sapling was perfectly straight, and it was fifteen or twenty feet up to the first limb, and when the luckless individual reached it the hog was in ten feet of him. The exertions he put forth in trying to climb that tree was probably never excelled by mortal man. He gave a bound and sprang as far up the tree as possible, clasping it with his arms, legs and feet, and clinging for dear life, tried to hold fast, but de- spite his efforts down he went to the ground. But the hog, as it happened, passed the tree while he was up out of reach, and, missing its enemy, kept on beyond. The man, however, unaware of that fact, continued his efforts to climb the tree, believing that his life depended upon his accomplishing it, until he fell ex- hausted. His companions were in convulsions of laughter, but he, even after he discovered the danger was past, failed to see the least bit of fun in the matter. It cured him effectually, however, of his boasted bravery among wild hogs.

This precinct, as we have said, has no vil- lages nor mannfacturing enterprises. It is an agricultural region, and is devoted wholly to that calling. The early settlers went to other neighborhoods to do their milling, and even follow the same example to the present day. The first roads through the precinct were but trails, which were improved as the country set- tled up, and finally made into good roads. In later years, these have been further improved by bridges over the largest streams, which tend to facilitate travel. The people go to the neighboring villages and to Greenville to do their trading, and to purchase their supplies.

The pioneers of La Grange were alive to the

160

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

value of education, and established schools at an early day. The first school of which we have any reliable account was taught in a small log cabin on Section 28. This primitive temple of learning was without floor other than the ground, and had a chimney of mud and sticks. When the pupils practiced writing, it is said, they sat on a sycamore pole, the ends of which were placed in the cracks between the logs. The first teacher in this cabin was MeCasland, and he taught at $1 and $1.25 per scholar for three months. If the youth of the present day de- serve credit for educating themselves, what did they not deserve in those days for obtaining an education under the circumstances such as de- scribed above ?

Another of the early schools of this precinct was taught hy Rev. John Barber on Jett Prai- rie. It was also taught in a small log house, which has disappeared with other pioneer land- marks. To note the advancement in educa- tional matters, we have but to look around us at the neat schoolhouses to be found in every neighborhood, which atford ample evidence of the present perfect school system. There are about nine schoolhouses in the precinct as at present laid off. These are comfortable houses, well furnished, in which good schools are main- tained during the school year.

On the land of Thomas Booker in this pre- cinct is a mound, supposed to have been made by the pre-historie races. Bones, it is said. have been dug up, which show their owners to have been of extraordinary large size. This corresponds with many writers upon the Mound-Builders, who are represented as a race large in stature.

If the citizens of La Grange Precinct are not a God-fearing people, it is certainly their own fault, and not for any lack of church facilities. There seem to be almost as many churches in the precinct as schoolhouses. Nothing speaks more loudly for the civilization of a communi- ty than its churches and schoolhouses. Where

plenty of these evidences of enlightenment ex- ist, the people cannot be very bad or very igno- rant. One of the first churches organized in the north part of Bond County was by the Old School Presbyterians in this precinct in 1825. Among the principal members of this pioneer organization were George Donnell, Newton and Joseph Laughlin, Robert Stewart and John Denny. These were from Ohio. Denny was a prominent member of the church from its or- ganization, an Elder, and an upright and zealous Christian. Robert Stewart's remains lie buried in the cemetery adjacent. He was the first per- son buried there, about 1826; one of the Laughlins is also buried there. This was an old log building, and stood upon the site of the present Union Grove Church. It was heated by a charcoal fire in the center of the building. and the floor and " loft" were laid with broad puncheons. A Sunday school was organized about the time the church was, which was kept up for a number of years. Services were final- ly discontinued at the church about 1831, when the building, grounds, etc., were vacated until the organization of Union Grove Church.

The church originally known as " Union Grove Church " was organized January 12, 1855, under the superintending care of the Vandalia Presbytery of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church. The minister at this time was Rev. William T. Hutchinson ; the Elders were Thomas Cline, S. N. Jett and Thomas M. Davis. The members were William T. and M. C. Hutchinson, Thomas N. and Jane Davis, Thomas and Sarah Cline, S. N. and Agnes E. Jett, John M. and Sarah Johnson, Thomas and Elizabeth Scott, Henry C., Elizabeth and Patty Hutchinson, James Hunter, Isaac and Minerva Kershner, Caroline Crocker, Newton Barr, J. L. and Martha Matherson, Mary Enloe, Maria Balch, and William and Lucy Davis. The soci- ety occupied the house known as the Union Grove Church and grounds, which had been deeded by William T. Hutchinson to four de-

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LA GRANGE PRECINCT.

nominations, viz .: The Old School Presbyteri- ans, United Baptists, Cumberland Presbyteri- ans and the Methodists. This organization continued until the formation of Maple Grove Church, sinee which time the other three de- nominations have ocenpied Union Grove until recently. It is now oeenpied by the Free Meth- odists. The church is a frame structure, about 20x30 feet, and was built in 1854-55 by volun- tary labor of the people.

Maple Grove Church alluded to in the above sketch, was organized by Rev. William T. Hutchinson, and worshiped at Union Grove until their church here was built in 1868. It is a frame building, 30x40 feet, and cost about $800. The present officers are N. A. Hughey, Wm. Smith, D. D. Jones and J. M. Jett, Elders ; Madison Jett, D. D. Jones and W. H. Vaughn, Trustees. Rev. Thomas MeDavid is the pres- ent minister, who preaches twice a month, and has a membership of about sixty-five. A Sun- day school was organized at the same time of the church, and it is still maintained.

Hopewell Christian Church was organized in 1869, of seattering members-some from Wal- nut Grove Church and some from other points. Among the original members were Jacob Young and wife, James Baker and wife, Charles Baker and wife, John Davis and wife, Mrs. Rahm, William T. Gwinn and wife, Mrs. Caro- line Jett, William Clouse and wife, Miss Mary Oaks, Mrs. Eliza Harris, Miss Caroline Laugh- lin, Miss Jennie East, Mrs. Sarah A. Sharp, Mrs. Nancy J. White and John Haley. The society first worshiped in the brick school- house at Elm Point, then at the schoolhouse on Section 33, where they remained until they built their church in 1870. The first minister was Elder O. IIulen, J. G. Baker and W. T. Gwinn, Elders ; present Elders, Ezra Wood, Hiram Crocker and William Vaughn. The Sunday school was organized sinee the church was built, and is flourishing at present.

The Mount Carmel congregation of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church was first organ-

ized by Rev. Joel Knight, in Montgomery County, III., February 24, 1868, and after one or two changes in reference to name and place of worship, said congregation having erected a house of worship in Pleasant Prairie, Bond County, they therefore petitioned Van- dalia Presbytery at the regular session at Blue Mound (in Bond County) in the fall of 1868, to change the name of the congregation, so that it should be known as the Pleasant Prairie Congre- gation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church .*

After leaving Mount Carmel, the church worshiped at Willow Spring Schoolhouse until the ereetion of their house of worship. The trustees of the Pleasant Prairie Church are Jas. E. Rankin, James F. Nicholson and Imbert H. Denny. The church is in a goodeondition.

Mount Tabor Baptist Church was organized about the year 1857 by Richardson Grigg. J. G. Davis, Gabriel Jett and Kinley Hittle were the first Deacons, Robert Horton, Clerk. Among the original members were J. G. Davis and wife, Gabriel Jett and wife and daughters, Kinley Hittle and two sisters, Richard Savage and wife, Parmela and Mary Teasley and others. The church was built by the voluntary labor of the neighbors, and was 30x40 feet in size. It has prospered since organization, and at present has some sixty-five members, under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Duff. The present Trustees are Thomas Jett, James T. Davis and George Sharp ; Deacons, John G. Davis and Martin Nelson, and Robert Savage, Clerk. A Sunday school has been in existence for a num- ber of years, the first Superintendent was Elijah Thaeker ; the present Superintendent is Jesse Denny, and the school is in a flourishing state. This church was built by three denomi- nations, viz. : Baptist, Methodist and Presby- terian ; but is now only used by the Baptists.

Thus we see from the foregoing that the people of La Grange Precinct have no lack of religious facilities, and if they are not good Christians it ean certainly be the fault of none but themselves.

* From the Church Records.

162

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIX.

ZION PRECIN. T-TOPOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE-EARLY SETTLEMENT-EARLY PIONEERS- LIFE ON THE FRONTIER - PIONEER INDUSTRIES-" OLD ZIONY CAMP GROUND- VILLAGE OF WOBURN-SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ETC.

W HEN that section of Bond County known as Zion Precinct was first settled, the brave men who undertook its subjection were exposed to cold, hunger and savage brutality. They commenced clearing the wilderness, and thus laid the foundation of the beautiful coun- try, thickly dotted over with comfortable, lux- urious homes that we find there to-day. The pioneers of fifty years ago are gone, and " Old Time " with his seythe has made sad havoe among the children of men. They sleep in the quiet graveyard, beneath the sighing elms and weeping willows. where the balmy breath of summer brings beautiful blossoms and luxuri- ant verdure. We know comparatively little of their trials except as they are handed down to us through family traditions. To the early settlement, and to the pioneers of that portion of Bond County now formiug Zion Precinct, this chapter will be devoted.

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History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 19

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin Number of Pages: 758

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758