History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 41

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 41
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 41

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Many other early settlers, additional to those already mentioned, are entitled to a notice in these pages. Among these were William Townsend, who located in the southern part of the township as early as the

year 1824. He remained here as a citizen for a number of years. The exact date of his death could not be ascertained, and none of his children are living in this part of the State.

William H. Cass came to the county in the year 1824, and settled in the northwestern part of the township, on Section 5. Many other names could be added to the list al- ready given, but the dates of their settlement, and the facts concerning their early life have been obscured by the lapse of time.

Thus many of the old pioneers who were prominently identified with the early history of the township have passed away " as a tale that is told," many being scattered to other lands, but by far the greater number have passed to " that mysterious bourn from which no traveler ever returns." The first improve- ment of importance to the pioneer after he has erected a shelter for himself and family, is a mill, an industry that always advances with civilization. The early settlers of Montgomery County were obliged to go to St. Louis for their breadstuffs, and several days were often required to complete the journey. As early as the year 1823, a mill was built at Edwardsville, a distance of thirty-five miles from Hillsboro, which con- tinued to be the source of supplies during the following two years. The first mill in the township was built by Jacob Cress, in the year 1825, and was known throughout the entire country as the " horse mill," horses supplying the power by which the machinery was run. This mill was kept running day and night, and supplied flour and meal to the country within a radius of twelve miles around, people often coming much farther and remaining several days in order to get their grinding done. At that early date, the threshing machine was unknown, wheat be- ing tramped out by horses and sifted by hand

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at the mill through the large seive made for that purpose. The mill was run in this way until 1845, when the old machinery was taken out, the building remodeled, and new ma- chinery put in, run by steam. One year later, a saw was attached. The mill was kept running a great many years, until the ma- chinery was worn out. The engine was re- moved in the year 1881, and taken to the village of Butler. The old building is still standing, a monument of the days that were. The next mill was built by a Mr. Seward, about one-half mile south of the town of Butler. This was a combination mill also, steam supplying the power. It was erected in the year 1839, but did not prove a finan- cial success, as it was built upon a scale too extensive for the country at that time. In the enterprise, Mr. Seward became financially embarrassed, and the mill was in operation but a short time. Mr. Seward left the mill standing idle, and went to California, where he remained for several years, amassing quite a fortune in the meantime. He afterward returned home, satisfied his creditors, and disposed of the mill, which was torn down and the machinery removed to the village of Butler.

Another flouring-mill was built by Mr. Hoffman west of the town of Butler, but the exact date of its erection could not be ascer- tained. It was the only mill of its kind in the township for several years, and was torn down in 1881.

At the present writing there is a very ex- tensive mill in process of construction just north of the village of Butler, which, when completed, will be one of the most complete mills in the county. The building is of brick, 23x36 feet, the engine room 40x18 feet, and was erected at a cost of $4,500. This mill will have three run of stone, and a capacity of about thirty-six barrels of flour

per day. The aggregate cost of the mill will probably reach $6,000. It is owned by J. S. Emery. late of Ohio, a man who has spent his life in the milling business.

An extensive creamery was built in the town of Butler, in the year 1875, at a cost of $3,500; the apparatus cost $1,600. This fac- tory was owned by a stock company, and was known as the Monte Cabonne Creamery Com- pany. The enterprise proved very remuner- ative, but was in operation only two years, being completely destroyed by fire in the year 1877. The loss occasioned by this fire ag- gregated about $6,000. There have been several planing-mills in the township at dif- ferent times, but none of them did business on a very large scale. D. W. Manners built and operated a planing mill one-half mile west of the town of Butler, but it is not in operation, it having been injured by fire some time since. Aside from the industries re- ferred to, there have been no others deserv- ing of particular mention in the township.

The first roads through Butler Grove were not laid out with any reference to section lines. Each settler took the shortest route across the prairie in order to arrive at his destination as quickly as possible, and, as a result, there are a great many zigzag roads, which have been a source of considerable an- noyance to the land-owners through whose farms they pass. Efforts are being made, however, to have the roads properly estab- lished, and in time it will be effected. The first road that was extensively traveled in this part of the county was the old Spring- field road, which passes through Butler Grove from northeast to southwest. As early as the year 1825, this was one of the principal thoroughfares of Southern Illinois. The Taylorville road runs through the southeast corner of the township, and intersects the St. Louis road at a point not far from the south-

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ern township line, near the city of Hillsboro. The St. Louis road forms part of the southern boundary of this township, and is probably the oldest road in the county.

The township in the main is well supplied with good roads, which are kept in good con- dition, as the citizens are alive to all public improvements. There are no pikes in the township, owing to a scarcity of gravel.

During the early spring seasons many of the roads become well-nigh impassable, es- pecially those which run through the low prairie lands, and there seems to be no way of obviating the difficulty.

There is one railroad that passes through this township, the Indianapolis & St. Louis, which affords ample means for farmers to ship their agricultural products and live stock. This railroad passes through the southern part, running northeast to the vil- lage of Butler, where it describes a curve, then bears southeast, crossing the southern boundary line at a point near the Shoal Creek bridge. This railroad has aided largely in the development of the township, although it has had a tendency to affect the business interests of the town of Butler in such a way as to discourage business men from locating there, the greater amount of traffic being taken to the cities of Litchfield and Hills- boro.

A great deal of attention is given to the cause of education in this township, and the schools are among the very best in the State. " The opportunities for acquiring an educa- tion in the early pioneer times were scarce, and books were limited," although a school was organized as early as the year 1823. This school was taught in a little log cabin, located on Section 31. The length of the term was three months, and the school was supported by subscription. The name of the teacher was Mrs. Mary Townsend. The first

schoolhouse was originally a part of the resi- dence of Capt. Thomas Philips, situated on Section 29. Reuben Ross assisted Mr. Philips in fitting it up for school purposes. This was the only schoolhouse in the south- western part of the township for a number of years. The next schoolhouse was a log cabin built in the year 1839, near where the Montgomery Schoolhouse now stands, on Sec- tion 12. The first school taught in this house was by Miss Mary Burnap. the year after it was built. One among the first buildings used for school purposes was part of the res- idence of Mr. Seward, near the village of Butler. This building was torn down and moved to the town many years ago, and now forms part of the residence of Mr. Crowley.

Butler Grove now has seven schoolhouses, all good, substantial buildings, five of them frame, and two of them brick. There are six whole districts, and five union districts in the township, and six schools outside of the town of Butler.

The following-named gentlemen comprise the present Board of Township Trustees: William A. Young. Isaac Doyle, Charles W. Jenkins and Robt. Bryce, the last named being Township Treasurer and Clerk of the Board. The school year begins the first Monday in October, and the average length of the term is about six and one-half months.

The neat little village of Butler is situated in the southern part of the township, on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Raliroad, and was at one time one of the most thriving business points in the county. The growing eities of Hillsboro and Litchfield, on either side, and within a few minutes' ride, have affected its business interests to such an extent that its traffie is no longer of any great importance, although there are several firms that are do- ing a very fair of amount of business. This town derived its name from the fact that a

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great many of its early settlers came from Butler County, Ohio. The village was built upon land formerly belonging to William Seward, and was laid out by him in the year 1853. The first survey of lots was made by James Starr, who surveyed eighty-six lots and within a short time afterward the re- maining lots were surveyed and laid out by a Mr. Bayless. The first store was kept by William Wood, who built a very large and substantial brick building upon the east side of the principal street, about ono square north of the railroad. Mr. Wood kept a general stock of merchandise in his store, and was for a number of years one of the leading merchants of Montgomery County. This store building was completely destroyed by fire during the conflagration which swept away the greater part of the town, and of which a more extended notice will be given further on in these pages. There were a number of other business houses built and operated successfully, but the writer was un- able to obtain any authentic facts concerning them. At one time in the history of this town there was more grain and live stock handled here than there was at any other town in the county outside of the city of Litchfield. The grain trade is still an im- portant industry, and is carried on by the Brown Bros., who own the warehouse, and buy and ship grain during the entire year.

The town was incorporated in the year 1865. The first schoolhouse built in the vil- lage was erected in the year 1857, by John McGowan; an addition was put to it eight years after, so that it consisted of two rooms. When there were more pupils than the house could accommodate, the deficiency was met by securing t e use of rooms in private dwell- ing houses. In the year 1863, the present handsome and commodious school building was erected. It is a two-story brick build-

ing, containing four large and handsomely furnished school rooms, and is surmounted by a lofty steeple. The location is an emi- nence on the eastern slope of Seward's Hill, in the southwestern part of the town, and commands an extensive view of the surround- ing country. This building was erected at a cost of $11,000, and is one of the finest and most completely furnished schoolhouses in Montgomery County. The first school in the village was taught by Charles Seward, in the year 1857. This school lasted but two months, and was supported by subscription. Among the early teachers were George Pais- ley, Edmund Keeler, Charles Parks, Jesse Barrett, Rev. Daniel Lee and Rev. --- Mize. The last named was a Baptist preacher of considerable ability, and, in addition to his duties as teacher, he ministered to the Bap- tist Church during the time that he remained in the village. The schools are, at the pres- ent writing, under the efficient management of Prof. Nathan T. Veatch, A. M., assisted by Lucy Stuckey, Josephine Wilson and Grace Bryce. The average attendance dur- ing the past year was 135. The citizens of Butler are justly proud of their schools, which, in point of discipline and thorough- ness of the work done, will compare favorably with the best conducted schools in the State. The first physician to locate in Butler was Charles Harper, who came to Illinois in company with his early friend, ex-Gov. Bis- sell, with whom he practiced his profession for a number of years. He is not at present a practicing physician, having retired from the profession several years ago on account of his advanced age and infirmities incident thereto. The date of his location in Butler was the year 1857, and he is still a resident of the village.

The following list comprises the physicians who have practiced medicine in Butler at

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

different times: - Sargent, J. B. White, Jesse Stick. C. R. Ross, Daniel Schadron, P. L. Brown, Benjamin Perlee, J. H. Kes- ler, A. Gifford. The present physician is Dr. M. L. Moyer, of whom a more extended notice will be given in the biographical de- partment of this work.

Henry Richmond was the first Postmaster of the town. The office was established sometime in the year 1856, and was the first post office in the township.

Bryant McReynolds kept the first hotel in the Butler House in the year 1858. This house is still standing, and is kept at present by Henderson Howard, who has been in the hotel business here for a number of years past. The business of Butler is represented by the following parties and firms:

J. W. Weisner, M. D., druggist and dealer in groceries, notions and fancy articles. Dr. Weisner keeps a very complete stock of goods, and reports his business good.

Hoes & Bros., is the leading dry goods house in the town. They also keep a line of boots and shoes, hats and caps, and ready- made clothing. Their business is in a pros- perous condition, and their stock represents capital to the amount of several thousand dollars.

H. Boss keeps a shoe-shop and restau- rant.

N. J. Rhodes, dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes and groceries.

Webber, merchant tailor.

Robert Bryce, blacksmith and dealer in ag- ricultural implements.

Brown & Bro., grain buyers and stock dealers. This firm is one of the strongest grain firms in the county, owning warehouses here, and a large elevator in Hillsboro.

Robert Henderson, barber.

J. C. Sammons and Conrad Hentus, black- smiths.

William N. Brookman, Henry Wilson, Hiram Nail and James White, carpenters.

J. C. Emery, miller.

H. Howard, veterinary surgeon.

The Odd Fellows and the Masonic fratern- ities both have lodges in Butler. Butler Lodge, No. 617, I. O O. F., was organized in the year 1865, with the following-named persons as charter members: Henry Rich- mond, G. W. Brown, Jr., W. B. McReynolds, Samuel Berry, Alexander Gray, William Williamson and George Grassell. The char- ter was issued October 11, of the above year. by A. S. Barry, G. M. The present officers of this lodge are as follows: Daniel Pope, N. G .; A. D. Washburne. V. G : George Sharpe. Secretary; George W. Brown, Treas- urer; William N. Brookman, Warden; Fred Luddeke. I. G .; R. B. Hough, O. G .: S. M. Stuckey, Conductor; C. O. Brown, R. S. N. G .: W. A. Weisner, L. S. N. G .; James Duke, R. S. V. G .: A. H. Brown. L. S. V. G .; T. S. Hoes, R. S. S. ; M. L. Moyer, L. S. S .: W. A. Weisner, M. L. Moyer, Fred Luddcke, F. S. Hoes, R. B. Hough, Trustees. The lodge numbers about forty members, and meets every Saturday night in the hall which they own in connection with the Masonic fraternity.

Butler Lodge, No. 459, A., F. & A. M., was established in 1865, with nine charter members. The first officers of this lodge were Samuel Holmes, W. M .; James Rogers, S. W .; J. A. Roth, J. W .; C. M. Ross. Sec- retary; William Wood, Treasurer; J. Judd, S. D .; M. Helm, J. D .; G. W. Van Sandt, Tiler. The first petition was presented Aug- ust 1, 1865, by Thomas T. Eliman. The present officers are: G. W. Brown, Jr., W. M .: M. M. Stuckey, S. W .; Isaac Doyle, J. W .: Charles O. Brown, Secretary; H. S. Stanley, Treasurer; W. G. Diddle. S. D .; William Eliman, J. D .; John Van Dorn,

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Tiler. There are about forty-five members of this lodge, and it is in good working con- dition. The hall in which both lodges meet is very nicely furnished, and is situated on the main street of the village. It was built in the year 1866.

Several very destructive fires for so small a place have visited Butler at different periods during its history. In 1866, the large store building occupied by J. R. Roth, near the railroad, and the saloon adjoining it, were to- tally destroyed by fire, entailing a very heavy loss upon the owners of the property. The planing-mill of D. W. Manners, located in the western part of the town, was burned to the ground in the year 1867. In the spring of 1875, the dwelling belonging to William Van Sandt, in the northern part of the village, adjoining the blacksmith shop of Robert Bryce, took fire, and. before the flames could be checked, the building was al- most entirely consumed. The most destruc- tive fire that ever visited Butler was the con- flagration of 1877, which swept away an en- tire block of buildings on the east side of the main street, opposite the Butler House. Concerning this fire we copy the following account from the revised village ordinance of December, 1871. " On the night of the first or the morning of the second day of October. 1877, a fire broke out in the building adjoin- ing Seward's Hall and continued its destruc- tive work until the building and the hall, containing all the village records, papers and other property belonging to the village were consumed by the devouring elements against all the attempts made to save them." Later, in the same year, the creamery was burned, but to this fire we have already re- ferred.

The religious history of this township dates from the first settlement, although there were no churches organized for a number of years

later. Religious services were held from house to house, and it was quite a number of years before any of the denominations gained sufficient strength to erect plaees of public worship. The first regularly organ- ized church, of which there is any authentic record, is the Montgomery Methodist Episco- pal Church, about five miles north of Hills- boro, and about the same distance northeast of Butler. This church was organized in the year 1836, and consisted of the following members: James Osborne and wife, Michael Webber, Mrs. Sarah Webber, Henry Nichols, Mrs. Ellen Nichols, Joseph Webber, Mrs. Eunice L. Webber, James Wiley, Mrs. Sarah Wiley, Nicholas Webber, Albert Dryer and Mrs. Eunice Dryer. The church was organ- ized under the ministerial labors of the Rev. -- Hall. For a number of years the con- gregation worshiped in a schoolhouse near where their church building now stands. The neat and comfortable house in which the congregation now worship was built in the year 1872. The building is frame, 40x60 feet, and was erected at a cost of $2,000. It was dedicated the latter part of the year 1872, by the Rev. C. P. Baldwin. It belongs to the Irving and Butler Circuit, and is at pres- ent ministered to by Rev. W. C. Howard, of the latter place. The Cherry Grove Method- ist Episcopal Church, situated about three and a half miles northwest of Butler, was es- tablished as early as the year 1838, at which time it had a considerable membership, the names of whom were not obtained, as the early records of the church have been lost. From some cause or other, this church so declined that in a few years after its organi - zation there remained of it but a few seat- tered families. It was re-organized in the year 1851, when the church for the first time elected Trustees, and assumed the name of Cherry Grove Church. The following are

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the names of those who assumed membership at its re-organization: John Nail, Mrs. Martha Nail, Nathan Nail, Mrs. Sarah Nail, Mrs. Susan Williams, Anderson Walker and wife, Manasseh Camp and wife, William Williams and wife, James Roberts and wife and Mrs. Sarah Baker. The congregation originally worshiped in a private dwelling house, upon the farm now belonging to D. C. Burris. Their present house of worship was erected in the year 1856, at a cost of about $1,600. This church is one of the points on the But- ler and Irving Circuit, and is at present en- joying the pastoral labors of Rev. W. C. Howard.

In the year 1856, the Butler Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by Rev. - Boon. This was the first church estab- lished in Butler, and consisted of the follow- ing members: Mrs. Alexander Gray, Moses Berry, Mrs. Eliza Berry, Mrs. J. M. Ghas- ton, Thomas Wood, William Williamson, James Wood and wife and Mrs. Benaiah Kelly. The first preacher who ministered to the congregation was the Rev. J. E. Lind- ley. Since its organization it has had the services of the following pastors: Revs. Aldridge, - Calric, R. W. Travis, T. S. Johnson, O. E. Orr. J. H. Holloway, W. F. Lowe, M. M. Cooper, J. D. Bodkin, R. M. Beech, J. W. Lapham, E. D. Randall and W. C. Howard. Their house of worsihp is a very neat, substantial frame building, lo- cated in the western part of the village, and cost the sum of $2,500. It was built in the year 1867, and dedicated the year following. The present membership of this church is about seventy-five or eighty, a number con- siderably smaller than it was several years ago, many families who once belonged hav- ing removed from the village.

The Presbyterian Church of Butler was organized in the year 1858, in the old school-

house, by a committee, consisting of - the fol- lowing persons: Rev. R. M. Roberts, minis- ter; F. W. Washburne, M. D., and J. F. Eckles, Elders. The names of the original members are as follows: Mrs. W. H. Harper, Mrs. Catharine Coudy, Israel Seward, Will- iam Seward, Mrs. Mary Cunningham, Mrs. Martha Burnap, Robert Bryce. S. M. Hedges, Mrs. Deliverance Hugg, Mrs. Mary McReynolds, Mrs. Steere and Mrs. Sarah Ware. The first pastor who ministered to the church was Rev. R. W. Roberts. Since then the following ministers have preached for the church: Rev. W. L. Mitchell, - Todd, Mr. Cornelius V. Canfort, licentiate, Rev. Lougheed, Mr. Moses Paisley, licen- tiate, and Rev. J. E. Spillman. The last- named minister had charge of the church from 1872 until the year 1881, and was a man of a high order of intellect and a writer of considerable note. The pastor who has charge of the church at present is Rev. A. S. Hughey, a recent graduate from Wabash Col- lege, Ind. The membership numbers about sixty-five. The house of worship in which the congregation meets is a beautiful frame building located in the southwestern part of the village. It was built in the year 1864, and was dedicated July 3 of the same year, Rev. T. W. Hynes preaching the dedication sermon, R. M. Robinson assisting in the serv- ices. The house cost about $2,200. A Sunday school is maintained the entire year, with an average attendance of 100 scholars.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church, known as Ware's Grove Church, was organized De- cember 24, 1860, by Rev. J. Livingood, with a membership of five persons-Jacob W. Scherer, Henry Meisenheimer, Mrs. Rachel Meisenheimer, Mrs. Mary Scherer and Mrs. Rebecca Cress. Their present membership is forty-five, among whom are some of the first citizens of the township. The congrega-

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tion built the house in which they now wor- ship, in the year 1862. It was dedicated in December of the same year, the dedication sermon being preached by Rev. George A. Bowers.

A society known as the Farmers' Club was organized in the year 1879, for the purpose of a mutual interchange of views relating to agriculture, stock raising, fruit growing, and all the subjects pertaining to the farmer's occupation. The exercises were frequently varied by a literary programme, music and original essays upon a variety of topics. The meetings were held weekly, to which the pub- lic were invited, and any one who so desired could participate in the exercises. The offi- cers consisted of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. This society was finally merged into the Grange, a lodge of which was organized at Butler in the year 1871. This lodge ceased to exist several years since, and facts concerning its organ- ization, first officers and length of time it lasted could not be obtained.

Butler Township has a war record of which her citizens feel justly proud, having sent eighty men to the front to do battle for the country during the dark days of the rebell- ion. Of this number sixty-six returned at the close of the war, twelve having been killed in battle, and two lost, of whom noth- ing has ever been heard.

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History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 41

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