USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 38
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 38
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307
TOWN OF NOKOMIS.
CHAPTER XVII.
TOWN OF NOKOMIS-ITS LOCATION AND SETTLEMENT-THE FIRST STORES, MILLS AND OTHER BUSINESS-GRAIN TRADE OF NOKOMIS- MANUFACTURE OF AGRICULTURAL IMPLE-
MENTS-SCHOOLHOUSES, ETC .- THE PRESS-RELIGIOUS HISTORY-THE
DIFFERENT CHURCHES, PREACHERS, ETC., ETC
" History enriches the mind, gratifies a worthy desire to be informed on past events, and enables us to avail ourselves of the experience of our prede- cessors."
I T is not expected that the simple narrative of these pages will be anything more than a mere record of events that have occurred within the limits of this quiet little town. To sketch its progress and improvement from the building of the first cabin to its present growth and prosperity, is the extent of our aim in this chapter. In the preceding chapter, the history of Nokomis Township has been given by another writer, and hence the village only will occupy our attention. In gathering statistics concern- ing early settlements, organization of churches, etc., it is sometimes difficult to find records which will give, with certainty and accuracy, the information wanted. While we have taken pains to secure facts, it is possible that in the following pages there are inaccuracies.
The town of Nokomis was settled as a village about the year 1855. It was laid out by T. C. Huggins, of Bunker Hill, Ill., and Capt. Simeon Ryder, of Alton, Ill., and it is beautifully situ- ated on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, about twenty miles northeast of Hillsboro, the county seat. It was incorporated as a village March 9, 1867, and has since been incorporated as a town under special charter. It is the third town in the county in size of population, and is a place of considerable business, having a large grain trade.
The first store in the village was owned by Oliver Boutwell. He was bought out by H. F. Rood, who built another store in the year 1859. The first hotel was built by a Mr. Hart, and is the same building, which, with recent improve- ments, is now called the Eureka House, and stands north of the railroad. The second hotel was built by James Bone, in the year 1865, and burned down in 1881. The first physician locating in Nokomis was Dr. James Welch, who came to the place about the year 1859.
A flouring-mill was built in 1857, by Jewett & Wetmore. This mill, as well as the third one, which was built by Mulkey & Gamble, burned down. The second mill built, which is the one now standing, and doing good work, was built by Rhoades & Boxberger. It is now owned and operated by Hobson & Hartsock.
The first schoolhouse in Nokomis was a one-story rame, built in the year 1858, and served the wants of the town for educational purposes until the present handsome brick building, containing seven rooms, was erected in the year 1871. This edifice cost a little over $13,000, and is finished and furnished in the latest improved style.
The Nokomis Post Office was probably opened about the year 1856, and had for Postmaster Oliver Boutwell. In 1858, Mr. H. F. Rood took the position of Postmaster. He was followed about the year 1861 by W. F. Mulkey. Mr. Mulkey held the situation probably something less than a year, when
* By Rev. T. E. Spilman.
308
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
the office came again into the hands of Mr. Rood, who conducted it until probably about the year 1864, when it came into the hands of Thomas Judson. The present Postmaster, D. P. Brophy, came into possession of the office in the year 1865, and is a faithful and efficient officer.
The grain trade was commenced in Noko- mis probably as early as the year 1860, by H. F. Rood. In 1868, there were four par- ties buying grain: at the present time there are three. The country in the vicinity of Nokomis is a fine one for agriculture, and the grain market is good.
The oldest dwelling house standing in the town is probably the small building, made of logs, now boarded upon the outside, stand. ing south of the lumber yard.
Nokomis has never been much of a manu- facturing town, but has paid most of her at- tention to grain and merchandise. J. C. Runge & Bro. commenced the manufacture of agricultural implements about the year 1868. Their factory is now worked by a steam engine, of about eighteen-horse-power. They do quite a large business.
The Nokomis National Bank had its origin in the year 1872. Its Directors were James Pennington, A. E. Mckinney, J. H. Beatty, T. Ernst, Jacob Haller, John Johns and C. W. Townsend. Its President was J. W. Beatty; Vice President, John Johns, and its Cashier, B. F. Culp. It commenced business with a capital of $50,000. It now has a sur- plus of $10,000. The President of the bank at this time is H. F. Rood; Vice President, George Taylor, and Cashier, Alfred Griffin.
Secret and benevolent institutions are rep- resented in Nokomis by Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor. The society of Free- masons was organized in the year 1856, the Odd Fellows in 1866, and the Knights of Honor February 6, 1879. These organiza-
tions have comfortable halls, and appear to be in a flourishing condition.
Newspapers .- The first newspaper pub- lished in Nokomis was the Nokomis Adver- tiser, edited and published by Draper & Hen- derson. It was established in the year 1868, and had a free circulation. It was devoted largely to the land interest of the country.
About the year 1871, Messrs. Picket & White came to the place and commenced the publication of the Gazette. At this time the Advertiser was suspended, and the whole field given to the Gazette. The expenses of publication being greater than were antici- pated, the concern was sold to meet encum- brances. A. H. Draper then, in 1873, com- menced the publication of the Bulletin. Its career was closed in 1876.
After a time, the publication of the Bulle- tin was resumed, taken up at first by H. F. White, one of its former proprietors, and afterward passed through the hands of sev- eral successive publishers.
In 1877, E. M. Hulburt entered upon the publication of the Free Press, and in March, 1878, it was consolidated with the Gazette, and took the name of the Free Press-Gazette, the consolidated paper being edited aud pub- lished by E. M. Hulburt.
In 1880, H. M. Graden commenced the publication of the Nokomis Atlas, which closed its career in 1SS1.
In December, 1880, E. M. Hulburt began to publish a paper in the German language, called the Deutsch Amerikaner.
In the year 1881, Mr. Hulburt purchased, and has now in successful operation, a Camp- bell cylinder press.
The Free Press-Gazette, and the Deutsch Amerikaner, under the control of Mr. Hul- burt, are the only papers now published in the town of Nokomis.
Churches. - In the year 1855. St. Mark's
300
TOWN OF NOKOMIS.
Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized at the village of Audubon, seven miles east from the present site of Nokomis, and was called Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Sometime afterward, an organization of the Lutheran Church was formed in Nokomis. A house of worship was built, being the first house of worship erected in Nokomis, the cost being about $4,500. This house was dedicated to the worship of God by the Luth- eran Church October 21, 1866, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. M. M. Bar- tholomew. The two churches, the one at Audubon, and the one at Nokomis, were or- ganized into one October 22, 1866, and called St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church. The names of those who signed the Constitu- tion of this new organization were as follows: Christian Easterday, Anna M. Easterday, Daniel Easterday, Jane Easterday, Leonard Leas. Mary Leas, George Culp, Elizabeth Culp. Stephen L. Latimer, Joseph Miller. Isabella Miller, Solomon Miller, Samuel Friend, Martin V. Easterday, J. W. Russell, Martha B. Russell, Isaac F. Strider, Amos W. Easterday, Anna M. Easterday, Hannah M. Easterday, Benjamin F. Culp, Barbara A. Culp, Sophia Graden. The first pastor chosen by this church was Rev. M. M. Bartholomew. His successors have been Revs. John Rugan, M. L. Kunkelman, J. C. Wesner, D. M. Henkle, D. D., and John Booher, the present supply, a student not yet having completed his theo- logical studies.
1
The first Elders chosen by the church were Leonard Leas and Joseph Miller. The first Deacons were S. L. Latimer and J. W. Rus- sell. The church has a membership at pres- ent of fifty, and maintains a good Sunday school.
The Baptist Church of Nokomis was organ- ized in the year 1856, by Rev. Mr. Hutsen, at a schoolhouse in what was known as Cot-
tingham's Grove. The following are the names of those who at that time entered in- to the organization: Mason Jewett, Royal W Lee, Christopher Jewett, Polly Lee, Jane Jewett, Melvina Wetmore, Mary Jewett and Marcusia Smith. The house of worship now occupied by this church in the town of No- komis was built in 1870, and the first service held in it was on the 9th of July of the same year. The following ministers have been supplies of this church: Revs. R. R. Coon, Jacob V. Hopper, E. Jones, J. H. Mize and the present supply, Rev. S. G. Duff. The present membership is probably near fifty.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Noko- mis had an imperfect organization as early as about the year 1857, and appointed as its Class-Leader James Watson. In the year 1860, the society was more perfectly organ- ized by Rev. John E. Lindley, at that time supplying the Irving Cirenit. About the year 1873, Mr. Lindley was appointed to the Nokomis Circuit, and died while in charge, February 19, 1875. His remains were buried in the cemetery near the town. The first sermon preached in Nokomis Township was by James L. Crane, a Methodist minister, about the year 1848. The house of worship now occupied by the Methodist Church was built in 1869, and dedicated November 14 of the same year.
The pulpit of the Methodist Church has been regularly supplied by the following ministers: Revs. Taylor, Kershner, John E. Lindley, P. Honnold, E. E. Copperthwait, S. H. Whitlock, Martin Miller, George Miller, J. M. West, T. M. Dillon, L. T. Janes, and the present pastor, J. W. Crane.
The roll of the original members has been imperfectly kept; but the following is prob- ably nearly correct: Mr. Taylor, Jonathan G. Fellers, Margaret Fellers, Nancy Rood, Horace Graves, Ann Graves, Elias P. Baxter,
310
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Elizabeth Baxter, James Watson, Mary Wat- son, Solomon Smith, Mary F. Bone, Susan Brophy, John Hancock, Margaret Hancock, Alexander Vanhauten, Martha Jane Vanhau- ten, Stephen B. Waples. The present mem- bership of the church is probably about one hundred and fifteen. A Sunday school is carried on the year round.
The Christian Church of Nokomis was or- ganized by Rev. William Vanhooser in the spring of 1861, with the following members: John Lower, Mrs. Magdalena Lower, Miss Diana Lower, A. B. Vanhooser, Mrs. Mary Vanhooser, Mrs. Mary Swords, F. M. Osborn, Mrs. E. C. Osborn, E. M. Thompson, Mrs. Ann Thompson, Miss Malissa Thompson, Rev. William .Vanhooser, Mrs. Jane Van- hooser, W. F. Mulkey, Mrs. M. A. Mulkey, William R. Vanhooser, J. A. Vanhooser, Miss R. A. Vanhooser, Miss N. E. Vanhooser, T. Patterson, Mrs. M. J. Patterson and Mrs. Maria Lant. At the time of organization, the congregation worshiped in the public schoolhouse. The present house of worship, at a cost of about $4,000, was completed and opened for worship in 1863. Rev. A. D. Northcut preached the dedicatory sermon, assisted in the service by Rev. Newton Mul- key.
The following ministers have been regu-
larly employed as Pastors of the church: Revs. William Vanhooser, Abraham Martin, John Friend and James Ament. Rev. Will- iam Vanhooser has been re-employed, and is at present the Pastor of the church. Several other brethren have, for a few months at a time, also been supplies of the pulpit. The church has at present a membership of about fifty. Only five of the original members are now residents of the town.
The Presbyterian Church of Nokomis was organized by Rev. Joseph Gordon, in June, 1862. with the following members: Thomas Derr, David Nickey, Wilson Sible, Jane Nickey, Rebecca Matkin, Eglantine Strider, Rebecca Sible, Phoebe D. Derr, Nellie A. Derr, Irene B. Derr, Amanda E. Matkin, Nancy Yarnell. David Nickey was chosen Ruling Elder. Rev. Joseph Gordon was the first regular supply of the pulpit. His suc- cessors have been Revs. Gideon C. Clark, C. K. Smoyer, N. Williams, J. P. Mills, James Lafferty, D. L. Gear, and the present supply, T. E. Spilman.
This comprises a brief sketch of the town of Nokomis from its laying-out as a village to the present time. As both time and space were limited, we have confined ourself to a brief statement of facts, avoiding all unnec- essary embellishments.
311
EAST FORK TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XVIII .*
EAST FORK TOWNSHIP-BOUNDARIES-WATER-COURSES-EARLY SETTLERS-MILLS AND CATTLE-
RAISING-ROADS-CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SECRET SOCIETIES.
" Like the race of leaves is that of human kind, Upon the ground the winds stir one year's growth, The sprouting grove puts forth auother brood that Sport and grow in the spring season.
So is it with man,
One generation grows while one decays."-Iliad.
TT is difficult to realize as we travel along the highways that traverse this beautiful prairie township, and note the broad, fertile acres of well-tilled soil and the stately farm- houses, where the happy husbandman lives in the midst of plenty and contentment, that scarcely three-quarters of a century ago these luxuriant plains were peopled by a few wan- dering savages and formed part of a vast, un- broken wild, which gave but little promise of the high state of civilization it has since at- tained. . Instead of the primitive log cabin and diminutive board shanty, we now see dot- ting the prairie in all directions comfortable and elegantly formed mansions of the latest style of architecture, graceful, substantial and convenient. We see also the bosom of the country decked with church structures of all religious denominations and well-built school- houses at proper intervals. Her fields are laden with the choicest cereals, her pastures all alive with numerous herds of the finest breeds of stock, and everything bespeaks the thrift and prosperity with which the farmer in this fertile division of the county is blessed. East Fork is one of the southern townships of Montgomery County, and is also one of the largest, being ten miles in extent from north to south and six miles from east to west. It contains sixty square miles of land, and is. in many respects, one of
the best townships in the county. The north- ern boundary is Irving ; eastern, Fillmore; its southern boundary is La Grange Township, of Bond County. It is bounded on the west by Hillsboro and Grisham Townships. The area embraces one township and a half, the northern part being designated as Township 8 north, Range 3 west, while that division lying south of the dividing line is known as Township 7 north, of Range 3 west. The township is well drained by a number of small creeks and their tribu- taries, which meander through the prairie in many different directions. The most prominent of these are McDavid's Branch, in the south- eastern part, and the East Fork of Shoal Creek, near the eastern boundary. The first named rises near the northeastern corner of the town- ship, flows in a zigzag channel toward the southwest, to within a mile of the county line, where it empties into Shoal Creek.
East Fork, the largest and most important water-course, flows in a southerly direction through the eastern part of the township, and affords an excellent system of natural drainage, plenty of stock water and is indispensable to the success of the farmer and grazier in this region. Bear Creek is a stream of considerable size in the western portion. It receives many small tributaries, which frequently flood the lands through which they flow during very rainy seasons. Brush Creek flows in a northwest- erly direction and intersects the northern bound- ary at a point about one half mile east of hills- boro Township. Wolf Pen Branch and Indian Camp Branch are small streams in the western part, but are of no considerable importance. The greater part of the surface of East Fork
*By G. N. Berry.
312
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
consists of undulating and gently rolling prai- rie lands, of the very best and most fertile soil in the county. In the southern and southeast- ern parts, for about three miles along Bear ('reek and McDavid's Branch, the surface is broken and in some places hilly. The soil on these high places differs very materially from that of the prairies, being thinner and more sandy, but nevertheless very productive.
The greater amount of timber is in the southern part of the township, adjacent to the creeks already named. There are also small strips of woodland in the eastern and north- eastern parts, but the most of this has been cleared and put in cultivation. Like the tim- ber in the other townships of the county, the varieties consist of elm along the water-courses, hickory, oak and walnut on the uplands. The best of the timber was ent years ago, what is left being merely a new growth, which has made its appearance since the country was settled. On MeDavid's Branch, in the western part of the township, is a large, beautiful spring, where the Fox Indians, in years gone by, made their home. Near this spring numerous relies have been found, such as beads, flint spear heads, silver trinkets of various kinds, pipes, stone axes, etc. These Indians did not remain long after the white man made his appearance, but left for parts unknown in the year 1828. Scat- tered bands frequently visited the scene of their former camping grounds in after years, but they never remained for any great length of time. These visits were finally discontinued, and no Indians have been seen in East Fork since 1835. The first settler in this township was William McDavid, who came to Illinois from Tennessee as long ago as the year 1820, and entered a piece of land lying in Section 34. near the place now known as MeDavid's Point. He came in company with one Jesse Johnson, who stopped at the little settlement in Grisham Township, near where the village of Donnellson now stands.
1
At the time McDavid settled in East Fork, there was no house nearer than five miles, and for several months his neighbors were few and scattering. Time, however, makes great changes, and within a few years the little set- tlement became one of the most thrifty and flourishing communities in the county. Mc- David lived in the place where he first settled exactly forty-six years. He died the 14th day of February, 1866. His wife is still living, having reached the ripe old age of eighty-two I years. The old homestead is now owned by his son, T. W. MeDavid, who has added to it much of the surrounding land. His farm is one of the largest in the county. Another son, W. C. MeDavid, lives on the farm adjoining that of his brother. He was the first white person born in the township, and his whole life has been passed within its borders. The next settler of whom anything definite is known was James Card. He found his way into the wilds of East Fork in the year 1821, and located the farm now owned by Daniel Cress in Section 4. Here he erected a cabin and lived one year, ! when his wife died, after which he returned to his former home in Kentucky. In the year 1823, he came back to Illinois and settled in the northern part of East Fork, near the Irving Township line, where he remained for two years. lle moved from this last place to Fill- more Township. Card came from the mount- ains of North Carolina, and was in many re- spects a remarkable man. Daring, intrepid and intensely religious, he knew no such word as fail, and all his undertakings were crowned with success. He made the first journey from this township to St. Louis for flour for the set- tlement, a task at that day attended by no little trouble and inconvenience, as there were no roads in the country. Ile directed his course across the almost trackless prairies by means of a pocket compass, eut his own roads in the woods through which he was obliged to pass, and reached his destination after many weary days'
313
EAST FORK TOWNSHIP.
traveling with his slow ox team. The return he disposed of all his possessions in this State and moved to Arkansas. trip was made in face of fully as many difficul- ties, as he was more heavily loaded, and the lle was a man of sterling integrity, high, moral character and unbounded hospitality. No one was ever allowed to leave his pioneer home in need of anything which his liberal hand could supply. He raised a family of eleven children of whom seven are still living. Andrew J. Williford, one of the sons of Jordan Williford, can be called an early settler, as he came here with his father when but eleven years old, and has been a resident of the town- ship ever since. He is a Baptist preacher, and, respected by the community in which he has resided. Robert and Joseph Mann, two broth- ers, were among the first settlers in the north- ern part of East Fork. Little is known deti- nitely about them, as to where they came from or how long they remained, but they are spoken of as good citizens, and were well thought of. Just south of the place where the Mann broth- ers settled, James Wiler located, though how long he remained was not learned. The Allens were also an old family of East Fork, and set- tled here prior to the year 1830. Many repre- sentatives of this family are still living in the way was made almost impassable in some places by the heavy rainfall. Several sons of Mr. Card are living in Illinois, one of them being a business man of Hillsboro. A number of settlers located in the southern part of the township between the years 1821 and 1826, among whom were the following: Joseph Williams, John Kirkpatrick, E. Guin, Henry Rowe and David Bradford. Williams settled on the farm where Riley Hampton now lives. Kirkpatrick located in the southwest corner of ; like his father before him, is a man universally the township near the village of Donnellson. The places on which the other three settled is not known, nor could the dates of their deaths be ascertained. The earliest settler in the northern part of East Fork was Benjamin Rhodes. He came here from Southern Indiana in the year 1826 and located a farm in Section 8, about two and a half miles east of Hillsboro. Aside from the little settlement at MeDavid's Point already alluded to, Rhodes' cabin was the only house in the township at this time. He died in 1877. William R. Linxwiler, a step- : son of the preceding, came to East Fork while very young, and has lived here ever since. His . county. whole life has been identified with the growth and development of his township in which he takes a deep interest. He has lived on the farm which he now owns for the last thirty years, and is one of the oldest citizens in East Fork.
Among the first settlers was Jordan Williford, a Tennessean, who came in an early day and rented a small piece of land lying in the central part of the township. This was in the year 1825. The following year, he located on Me- David's Branch, where he lived for three years. when he sold his farm to William McDavid, and moved farther west on Shoal Creek. Here he purchased an extensive tract of land, which was his home till the year 1856, at which time
Prominently identified with the early history of this township was one Samnel Haller, who settled near the northeast corner on a large tract of land known as the old Haller farm. [Iere he built his little cabin, and raised a goodly family of children, who figured largely in the early settlement of the county. One of these. T. B. Haller, is now one of the leading physicians of the State, and is located at Van- dalia. Many privations were experienced by the early settlers, among which was the diffi- culty of obtaining flour. In order to obtain this, they were obliged to go to St. Louis or Ed- wardsville, which required a great deal of time, as there were but few if any good roads in those early days. For a number of years, the mill at
314
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Edwardsville and the little mill on Shoal Creek, in Grisham Township, were the only places where breadstuffs could be obtained. The first mill in the township was built by G. W. Tray- lor in the southeastern part, about the year 1830, as near as could be ascertained. This was a steam mill with saw attached, and was in operation about twenty-five years. Another mill run by steam was that of D. M. Williams, in the southern part. This mill was in opera- tion as early as the year 1840, but at just what date it was erected, and how long it was run, was information which the writer was unable to obtain. A. M. Miller built a mill in 1867, which is still in operation. This is a steam mill with saw attached, and is doing a good business. The Brown Mill was moved into this township about the year 1875, and operated till 1877, when it was torn down, and taken to Fillmore Township, a few miles away, where it is still standing.
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