USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 42
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 42
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There has never been a murder committed in the township, and but one suicide, as far as known. The facts concerning this snicide were related to the writer by Jacob Cress, and are as follows: Mr. Cress, when but a boy, met a man by the name of Stewart in the highway, near the home of the former. Cress had been hunting, and carried a gun, which Stewart asked him for, as he said he wished to look at it. Cress at once handed him the gun; but no sooner had Stewart gotten hold of it than he placed the muzzle to his forehead and tried to discharge it with a long stick. He failed in this attempt to take his life, being foiled by Cress, who tried to take the gun away from him. Finding that he could not succeed in taking his life by shooting himself, he took from his pocket a large, dull knife, and deliberately cut and mangled his throat in such a horrible manner that he died the next morning. It appeared that Stewart was insane, though he regained consciousness before he died.
We have, in the foregoing pages, tried to give a brief and impartial history of Butler Grove Township from its earliest settlement up to the present time. We are indebted for many of the facts and dates to Jacob Cress, Charles Jenkins and Justus Ware, to each of whom the thanks of the writer are due for the courteous and gentlemanly manner in which the desired information was given.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXI .*
RAYMOND TOWNSHIP - BOUNDARIES -EARLY SETTLEMENT-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-BUSINESS INTERESTS-THE FIRE-SECRET SOCIETIES.
R ECURRENCES to the past, with the rec- ollections and associations which make it pass, in life-like review, before our mental vision, will continue to be, as of yore, a source of satisfaction, especially when they connect themselves with incidents reflected back from our own experiences. These reminders van- ish with the life of the participants, when no landmarks remain to save us the pictures faintly delineated on the tablets of memory, the impressions of which are only retracings from the modelings of others. To preserve these from forgetfulness before they have lost their distinguishing originality is the work devolved upon the writer of history. History fails in its mission when it fails to preserve the life features of the subjects committed to its trust. Local history, more than any other, commands the most interested attention, for the reason that it is a record of our own, with the experiences of others, who, in times gone by, traveled the thorny pathway of life as our companions, acquaintances, friends and rela- tives. The township of Raymond, to which this chapter is devoted, is an excellent body of land, composed of thirty-six sections, sit- uated adjoining the county line and Harvel Township on the north, Rountree Township on the east, Butler Grove on the south, and Zanesville Township on the west. It was named in honor of Thomas Raymond, at one time Vice President of the St. Louis Division of the Wabash & Pacific Railroad.
The surface of this township is consider-
ably varied, being rolling, and, in certain places in the southern and western parts, along the different water-courses, broken and somewhat hilly; while in the central and northern portions the land consists of a broad stretch of level prairie, interspersed with numerous small groves, both natural and arti- ficial, at different places. The West Fork of Shoal Creek, with its tributaries, and Blue Grass Creek, are its water-courses, along the banks of which, for considerable distances, the land is covered with a goodly growth of timber, the most prominent varieties being elm, oak, walnut, maple, sycamore, etc. Pre- vious to the year 1830, the country along the southern boundary was in the main a dense forest, containing much valuable timber, the greater part of which has been worked into lumber, rails, etc., and much of it ruthlessly destroyed by the early settlers. The soil, like that found in other parts of the county, differs in different places; near the streams the sandy element predominates; on the high grounds, it is of a clay mixture; while the lower por- tions and level prairie lands in the central and northern parts is a deep, rich black loam. Generally speaking, it is a choice body of land, very fertile, and capable of producing, in a high degree, all the cereals raised. Fruits of all varieties common to this latitude are grown in abundance, as are also vegeta- bles, small fruits, grass, etc., etc.
The date of settlement by the whites goes back to the year 1830, when the first pioneers came into the township and commenced to
* By G. N. Berry.
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RAYMOND TOWNSHIP.
improve farms. Pioneer life in all time has been characterized by incidents peculiar either to the locality or the make-up of the pioneers themselves. Western pioneer life has been subjected to conditions common to the expe- rience of all early settlers. The primary ele- ments in the composition of those who have taken their lives in their hands and battled successfully with the privations and hardships incident to settlements in the wilderness, without companions, save their " household gods," away from the echoes of civilization, depending for subsistence upon their own good right arms-were will-power, physical vigor and energy. Thus endowed, the brave pioneer boldly cuts loose from the moorings of civilization, turns his face toward the wild, unknown West, and, after days and weeks, perhaps months, of weary journeying over trackless prairies, tangled woodland, rocky steeps and through rushing torrents, at last determines the spot where his future home shall be, at once makes a start by erecting a little cabin, breaking a small patch of ground. Soon he is joined by others, and the little settlement becomes the foundation of those communities which are to-day the pride and boast of our country. But we are digressing from the more specific part of our subject. The first permanent settler to brave the soli- tude of nature in Raymond was Butler Sew- ard, who came to Illinois from Ohio in the year 1529, and located near Seward's Grove, in Butler Grove Township, from which place he moved into what is now Raymond the fol- lowing year. The place where he settled in this township is known as Seward's Point, near the southern part, and is now in posses- sion of Elias Miller. Several descendants of this excellent man still reside in the county, among whom can be named Oscar Seward and John Cass, the oldest living settlers of this township. Shortly after Seward had lo-
cated and commenced to improve, he was joined by Matthew Mitchell, who entered a tract of land in the vicinity on Section 30. Mitchell came from Ohio also, and was a man of prominence in the little community. He sold the land on which he settled to David Scherer, another pioneer, shortly after the first improvements were made, and moved to another locality. The farm is now owned and occupied by Fred Mundhenk. Seward and Scherer having done so well in their new home, others were induced to follow them, and the next year saw several families mov- ing into the little community, among whom were James Baker and a man by the name of Conyer. Baker improved the farm where Oscar Seward now lives, in Section 30, while Conyer selected his home near by, in Section 33, on a place which he afterward sold to John J. Cass. The foregoing were the only permanent settlers in the territory of Raymond up to the year 1833. In that year, John Cass moved into the town- ship and purchased the Conyer farm. on which he resided until the year 1836, at which time he died. He was an industrious, exemplary man, and true Christian, who car- ried his Christianity into the actions of every- day life. Two daughters and one son are liv- ing at the present time. The latter, to whom we have already referred, is one of the lead- ing citizens of the township. Oscar Seward, son of Butler Seward, can be called an early settler, as he came here as early as the year 1835, and has been a prominent resident ever since. He purchesed the Mitchell farm of David Scherer, which property he still owns. He is the oldest settler now living in Ray- mond, and has seen many wonderful improve- ments wrought by the busy hand of time. (For further particulars concerning Seward, we refer the reader to his biography, which appears elsewhere.) John Huffman and fam-
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
ily were among the settlers who came in the year 1835, as were also a number of others whose names were not learned by the writer. Huffman settled in the southeast corner of the township, near the Irving boundary line. The prairies in the central and northeastern parts were not taken up until several years had elapsed from the first settlements along the southern border. Among the first settlers on these prairie lands were Thomas Thomp- son, David Huffman and Brookston Lewis, all three of whom settled on land near the present town of Raymond. Samnel Quinton settled north of Raymond, on the Ishmael McGown farm. Simpson Finley bought the land on the opposite side of the road from where William Bowles now lives, a short dis- tance nortliwest of Raymond. William Gray was an early settler, having purchased a tract of land near the Chapman farm a short time after it came into market. Among those who came in at an early date and shared in the privations and hardships of pioneer life, but whose dates cannot be correctly ascertained at present, were John W. Guthrie, Lemuel Mays, William Costley, Morgan Costley, R. W. Grimm, John W. Hitchings and Orson Young. One of the prominent settlers near the town of Raymond was William Chapman (see portrait and biography), who bought the place where he now resides about the year 1851. He was one of the chief movers in the organization of the township, and can be classed among her well-to-do and wealthy farmers.
This comprises the early settlement of Ray- mond Township as far as we have been able to learn its history. The early struggle of the pioneers with hardships, trials and other objects calculated to deter them is but a re- petition of those experienced by all other set- tlers in a new and uninhabited country. Many daring deeds by many unknown heroes
have passed into oblivion, and many of na- ture's great men, who won signal victories in the hard-fought battles with nature in the wilderness, now lie in obscure and unknown graves. The first year was generally the most difficult, as the little stock of provisions fre- quently gave out, and many hardships were endured in order to obtain the necessaries of life; but after the first crop was harvested. there was generally a sufficiency for home consumption stored away and husbanded with scrupulous care. The deficiencies were pro- cured from older settlements. The forests and prairie generally supplied the meat from the bountiful store of game, in quantity and quality according to demands. As settlers increased in numbers, a common cause was made in meeting the wants of each other, helping for help again. The idea of assist- ing another for a pecuniary consideration never obtruded itself into the mind of the pioneer in those early days. No greater in- sult could have been offered than a hint that money was to pay for a neighbor's help. If a cabin was to be raised, all the occasion de- manded of the neighbors far and near was a knowledge of the time and place; distance was nothing, and other less pressing engage- ments had to succumb in order to render the needed assistance. Those old days are gone, buried in the dead past, but with them are gone a world of happy memories. The senti- ment expressed in the old ballad, repeated in the writer's hearing by an early pioneer,
"For I am one of the olden times, and may be thought too slow,
But give to me those good old days of fifty years ago,“
is the sentiment entertained by all the frosty- headed veterans whose early lives were passed amid the stirring scenes of those early times. The first impulse of the people, upon whom devolved the responsibility of giving form
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and character to society in primitive Ray- mond, was to inaugurate a system of educa- tion which should in the future insure a safe foundation for permanent prosperity. Hence, schools were established at an early date, well sustained and patronized. The first sessions were held in private dwellings, but, as the population increased, more roomy buildings were required, and a number of log school- houses were erected in different localities.
The first term of school was taught by Mrs. Martha J. Cass, mother of John Cass, in a room of her residence, in the year 1835. This school numbered perhaps eight or ten pupils, was supported by subscription, and lasted about two and a half months.
The first building set apart especially for school purposes was a small structure, which stood on Oscar Seward's farm, and had for- merly been used by his family as a residence. Seward fitted up the house, furnished and donated it, and for several years it was the only school building in the township. The second schoolhouse, according to the most au- thentic information, was built a short distance northeast of the town of Raymond. It was built by Ishmael McGown and William Ault but the date of its erection was not ascer- tained. This was, we believe, the first frame schoolhouse in the township. It is still stand- ing. At present there are a number of good frame schoolhouses in the township, in which schools are taught the greater part of the year. The results of the teaching done in the schools have been immense, and is the pride of the people. There is one large graded school building, two stories high, in the town of Ray- mond, but of this building and schools taught therein we will speak more fully further on in these pages. Among the early industries of the township were several saw-mills, locat- ed at different points on Shoal Creek, which were in operation until nearly all of the best
timber was sawn into lumber. These mills have been removed long since, and at the present time there are no mills of any kind in the township outside the town limits of Raymond. The first settlers obtained their flour, meal, etc., from Hillsboro and the mills situated in different parts of the county. There were no early flouring-mills in Ray- mond.
Amid the toils and privations of pioneer life, the first settlers found time to look after those higher and holier duties which they owed to their Creator. Pure religion and fervent piety flourished in those times in a very marked degree, long before any relig- ious society had an organization, but, as soon as time and means would permit, church edi- fices were erected and societies of various de- nominations established, so that all could worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences. The original settlers in the southern part of the township were nearly all members of churches in Butler Grove, Litchfield and Irving Townships, farther south, and it was not until many years after- ward that a permanent religious organization was effected in what is now Raymond. The Methodists had a flourishing society about one mile south of the town of Raymond, which was, according to the best information at hand, the first church organization in the township. This was a number of years ago, but, as the early records could not be found, but little satisfaction was obtained in looking up its early history. Public services were held at this place until about eight or ten years ago, when the congregation decided to remove the organization and building to the town of Ray- mond, which was accordingly done. Previous to its removal, the church was known as Ash- ery Chapel, and nunbered about eighty mem- bers. The building was moved and remod- eled at a cost of about $800. It is now a
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
handsome edifice, capable of seating 350 per- sons comfortably, and is valued at $1,500. The following pastors have, at stated times, ministered to the congregation: -- Bar- rett, John Roberts, E. M. Pitcher, -- Alk- ier, A. D. Beckhart and John Slater; present pastor is Elijah Haley. In connection with the church services is a large, flourishing Sunday school, at present under the efficient superintendency of David Colvin, with an average attendance of over one hundred schol- ars. The church membership at present ex- ceeds one hundred, among whom are some of the best and most highly respected citizens of the town and surrounding country. The United Baptist congregation, known as the Blue Mound Church, was organized in a schoolhouse situated about three miles south- east of Raymond, in the year 1871, Elder John Barbee officiating at the first meeting. The original membership was about twenty, but quite a number of others were added to the church during the meetings which fol- lowed its organization. The present edifice which the congregation occupies is situated near the place where the church was organ- ized, in Section 19. It is a frame build- ing, and was erected in the year 1876, at a cost of $1,000. Among the regular pastors and stated supplies of this church may be mentioned Thomas Jones, -- Culp, -
Hanks. There are now about forty-five names on the church records. George Fry is Super- intendent of the Sunday school, which is in good condition and well attended. Rhodes Chapel M. E. Church dates its history from the year 1872. Their house of worship is a neat frame building, situated near the Blue Mound Church, in Section 19, and was built in the year 1876. The church has continued, with varied success, from its organization un- til the present time, the membership now be- ing about forty. A Sunday school is main-
tained during the greater part of the year, and is reported in good condition. The pres- ent Pastor of the church is Rev. Elijah Haley. The remaining churches of the township are in the town of Raymond, and will be spoken of in connection with the history of that village fur- ther on in this chapter. The first ground conse- crated to the burial of the dead was laid out on the farm belonging to John Cass, and is still known as the Cass Graveyard. The first in- terment made in this cemetery was in 1852. The name of the person buried was James Crosse. The St. Louis Division of the Wa- bash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad runs through the northwestern corner of the town- ship, intersecting the northern boundary about two miles from the Pitman line and the west- ern boundary at a point near the west central part of the township. This road has been a decided advantage to the farmers of this sec- tion of the country, furnishing them an easy means of transportation for their farm prod- ucts and live stock. The township's develop- ment has been very marked since the comple- tion of this road. The town of Raymond is situated on this road, about one mile east of the Zanesville line, in the western part of the township, and is one of the live business places of Montgomery County. Its popula- tion is estimated at abont nine hundred. The ground on which the principal part of the town stands was formerly owned by Ishmael McGown and Nimrod McElroy, who had it surveyed into lots in the year 1870. The lines were run by an experienced civil engi- neer by the name of Bass. The first house in the place was a residence erected by James Sanders, shortly after the survey was made. A few weeks later, another house was in pro- cess of erection, belonging to Thomas Fahey. A business house was erected the same year, by David Hoffman, and rented to Messrs. Van Dorn & Van Evor, who stocked it with a
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general assortment of merchandise, and did a large, flourishing trade for three years. This building is at present occupied by the dry goods and grocery store of Brown & Co. In connection with their mercantile business, Van Dorn & Van Evor built a large warehouse near the central part of the village in the fall of 1870, and handled an immense amount of grain during the next two years. Encouraged by the success which attended the business venture of the foregoing, other business men came to the village shortly afterward, and, finding it a safe place for capital, several stores and different kinds of shops were started.
The second store building was erected in the western part of the town, in the spring of 1871, by Charles Davis, who did a good bus- iness for four years, when he disposed of the stock to W. P. Carter. The latter continued the business at the same stand for three years, when, meeting with several financial reverses, he concluded to retire from the store, which resolution he put into effect a short time afterward.
In the fall of 1871, a third store was started, by Parrot & Scott. Like other stores in the place, their stock consisted of a gen- eral assortment of merchandise. The name . of the firm was afterward changed to that of Scott & Nevins. The entire stock was finally purchased by Nimrod McElroy, who for some time conducted a business with a stock rep- resenting several thousand dollars. One of the first merchants of the town was A. W. Marshall. The first brick building was erected in the year 1876, by John O'Bannon. This was a large storeroom. A. Henn erected a brick store-house the same year, also. D. J. Parrot built the large elevator near the railroad crossing in 1874, and still operates it. This is one of the largest and most ex- tensive elevators on the line of the St. Louis
Division of the Wabash road, and many thousand bushels of grain of all kinds are handled and shipped yearly. Another eleva- tor was erected in the year 1880, by E. Il. Carter, who sold it soon after.
Frank Hicks was the first physician of the town. He located here shortly after the town was laid out, and is still one of the practic- ing physicians of the place. Dr. Barton came next. Dr. Hermon was one of the early physicians of the township, where he has a large and lucrative practice. He moved into the town several years since, where he still resides. Drs. Easley, Wheeler and Blevins are located here, all of whom are regularly graduated M. D.'s of the different schools of medicine.
The Raymond Post Office was established in the year 1871, with Charles Davis as Post- master. The office is now kept in the hard- ware store of Thomas Kissinger. The first blacksmith to locate in the village was Will iam Develin, who started a shop in the year I871. W. H. Pepper built the second black. smith shop the same year. The citizens, realizing that, "'tis education that forms the common mind," turned their attention, dur- ing the early days of the village, to the ne- cessity of erecting a schoolhouse large enough to meet the demands of the increasing popu- lation. A building was erected in the year 1874. It is two stories high, contains four large-sized, comfortable rooms, all of which are well finished and furnished, and the building, as a whole, does credit to the town and township. It is situated in the north- eastern part of the town, and surmounted by a large bell-tower, from the top of which an extended view of the surrounding country for many miles can be obtained. The first schools in this building were taught by Misses Hattie Wood and Bettie Street, in 1875. The next year, the schools had so increased in size that
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
a third teacher was required, when they were placed under the able supervision of Prof. James Young, who gave a new impetus to the educational interests of Raymond. Prof. S. A. Moore had charge of the schools during the years 1877 and 1878; George Bowers, in 1880. The present corps of teachers consists of the following: Prof. C. E. Cook, Princi- pal; C. J. Lapp, Louisa Watson and Hetty C. Doer, assistants. The schools have been brought up to a high standard of usefulness under the successful management of the dif- ferent Principals, and are now enjoying well- earned and well-merited prosperity. The Board of Education is composed of the fol- lowing gentlemen: William Bowles, Presi- dent; D. J. Parrott, Vice President; P. J. Hermon, Clerk. The schools last eight months of the year, and have an average at- tendance of about two hundred pupils.
The Raymond Steam Flouring-Mill was built in the year 1875, by Montgomery Range, and has been operated by him ever since. It has three run of stone, and a capacity of about thirty barrels of flour per day. George H. Hooser built a steam merchant mill in 1880, at a cost of $6,000. This mill has three buhrs, and does a large and lucrative business.
The first hotel in the place was erected by John Brusaw, in 1872, and by him sold to James Sanders six months later. It is known as the Central House, and is at present kept by T. J. Kissinger. B. R. Hubbard built a hotel in 1875. It was purchased by Mrs. Pallard, who kept it about three years, when it was com- pletely destroyed by fire in the general con- flagration which visited the town in 1881. The Raymond House was built in 1881, by Louisa Chism, and is at present under the management of her brother, Robert Chism, who keeps one of the best hotels in the county.
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