USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 46
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 46
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Grisham Township, and are justly considered among the best citizens in the community where they live. J. W. Garrison was also an early settler of Walshville, locating on what is known as Miller's Tract, Section 25, about the year 1826. Thomas Evans came the same year and settled on the Robb Mound, two miles south of the village of Walshville. Joseph Dokes became a resident of the township some time previous to the year 1826. but at what place he settled was not learned. Among the early settlers can be named John Evans, Joseph Evans, both of whom came in 1826. Robert Kirkland settled on Section 15 a couple of years afterward. No permanent residents settled in the northern part of the township until the year 1840. At that date, John Simpson and John King bought and improved farms near where Walshville now stands. Since that time, the population of the township has steadily increased, and to give a notice of each family that came, up to the year 1842, would transcend the limits of our space. Probably no division of the county was settled by a more worthy set of pioneers than Walshville, as they were with but few exceptions men of piety and sterling integrity. Such lives were not harvests of regrets, but grand realities, and by imitating their many virtues we may become better men and more worthy citizens.
Like the early settlers in all new countries, the pioneers of this township were compelled to brave many difficulties and hardships. While it is trne that there were no hostile Indians to encounter, nor any very ferocious wild animals to guard against, yet the new condition of the country made it very difficult to obtain wear- ing apparel, groceries, breadstuffs and other articles necessary to convenience and comfort. The greater amount of trading during the early days was done at Edwardsville and St. Louis, as they were the nearest market places. Flour and meal were obtained at those places in the summer time, but during the winter seasons
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many families manufactured their own meal by hand, erushing the grain with pestle and mortar, a slow process, but withal a very sure one.
Corn was the most practical staple. The early families, in fact, had to subsist. in the main, upon this product, variously prepared, and yet aside from this chief edible they feasted often upon prairie chicken, turkey, deer and other wild game that thronged the woods and prairie, fish that filled the streams and honey that could be obtained in great quantities from large trees in the forests.
Several small mills were erected in the ad- joining townships at an early day, which served as a source of supplies to the citizens of the locality, and until within a comparatively re- cent period there were no mills of any kind at Walshville.
Very fair roads intersect all parts of the township, as is the case with almost all other parts of the county. The first roads have all been changed somewhat and improved. Some of them were crooked and irregular having been abandoned altogether. During certain seasons of the year, especially in the early spring, these roads became almost impassable in some places owing to the depth of the mud.
The first road that was regularly established was the one leading from Hillsboro to St. Louis. It passed through the township in a southwester- ly direction. The Alton & St. Louis road was laid out in an early day also, and at one time was one of the most extensively traveled high- ways in the southern part of the county. In- tersecting this road near the southern bound- ary is the East Fork road, extending through the township from east to west. Traces of other early roads are still to be seen in vari- ons places, but none of them appear to have been roads of much importance. Many of the first pioneers of Walsliville were men of culture, and education received considerable attention at a very early date. Emil Clowsen was one
of the first teachers in the southern part of the county, but of him nothing is known save that he taught a little school in 1842. The honse in which the school was taught was a little log structure that had formerly been occupied by the family of some " squatter." It was situated in the southwest corner of Section 23.
The second house used for school purposes built on the place where George Hoisington now lives, near the central part of the township. Among the early teachers at this place were Winfield Hicks and Henry Havens, but when and how long they taught are facts which the writer was unable to obtain. The first frame school- house was built in the village of Walshville in 1850. There are now seven good frame school- houses in the township well provided with ap- paratus, in which school is taught from six to eight months in the year. The schools are in progress at the present time and all doing well.
One of the first elections in the township was for Justice of the Peace, held about the year 1850. At this election, Irwin Cory received very nearly the unanimous vote. He held the office several consecutive terms. The first Con- stable was elected at the same time. The honors of the office settled upon the head of William Towell, who wore them with becoming dignity. In the year 1825, James Jordan, son of John Jordan, was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Austin Grisham, at the latter's residence. This was the first marriage that took place in Walsh- ville as well as one of the earliest in the county. A burial ground was laid out on the farm of John Kirkland, in the southern part of the township, in a very early day, and is now known as the Kirkland Graveyard. Among the first interments here were Peggy Garrison and a child of John Woods. It is not known with any degree of certainty which of the above deaths occurred first, some contending for the one and some for the other. There were sev- eral graves here previous to this time, as differ-
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
ent parties had been brought here for burial from the little settlement farther south in Bond County.
But limited satisfaction has been derived in tracing up the early church history of Walsh- ville Township. The first sermon was preached by Elder James Jordan at his residence, but to this we have already referred. The first religious organization of which we have any knowledge was a society of Methodists organ- ized by the noted pioneer preacher, Peter Cart- wright, at the residence of Elias Baker, in the year 1824.
This society increased in numbers as the years went by, until it became one of the Meth- odist strongholds in this part of the county. The residence of Baker was used as a place of worship until he moved from the neighborhood, when the dwelling of Jacob Holbrook was ten- dered the congregation.
The congregation was finally separated; part of the members organized the congregation known as the Dry Fork Church, in Bond Coun- ty, and a portion united with the congregation that worshiped at Mount Carmel Church in Grisham Township. The Walshville Baptist Church was organized at the residence of Will- iam Kline, about two miles southeast of the place now occupied by the village of Walsh- ville, in the year 1836, by Rev. William Burge. Among the first members of this congregation were the following : William Kline and wife, Reuben Kline and wife, George Varner, Henry Bryant and wife, James Bryant and James Simpson, the greater number of whom have long since left the scenes of their earthly labors to enjoy the fruits of well-spent lives in the " church triumphant above."
The public services of the church during the first eight years of its history were held in pri- vate dwellings of the different members. A little log building was erected in 1846, which served the congregation until the year 1862, when it was decided to remove the organization
to the village of Walshville, and there build a more suitable temple of worship. A neat frame house was built and dedicated the follow- ing year. This building stood but four years, when from some unknown cause it took fire and burned to the ground.
In 1869, their present house was erected at a cost of $1,000. There are upon the records the names of forty-five members in good stand- ing. At present, the church is without a pas- tor, but efforts are being made to secure one. We will speak of the other churches of Walsh- ville in connection with the history of that vil- lage a little farther on. Near the central part of the township is a German Missionary Bap- tist Church, which dates its organization from the year 1879. The church is small in num- bers, but has a very neat and comfortable building, which was erected and dedicated in the year 1880. We were unable to learn any particulars concerning the congregation, and will be obliged to pass it by with above very brief notice.
The beautiful little town of Walshville is sit- nated in the northern part of the township. about two and a half miles from the northern boundary. It is surrounded by an excellent farming country, and its inhabitants are ener- getic and intelligent.
The first building was erected here in 1850. It was a storeroom built by L. D. Smith, who did a good business for three years, when he sold his stock to a Mr. Bowers. Bowers sold to Chapman & Kennedy, who in turn sold to Michael Walsh in the year 1855. Walsh laid ont the village in 1855, and gave it the name by which it is at present known. It was from him, also, that the township derives the name Walshville. One of the first houses was the residence of John King, which was put up about the same year in which the store build- ing of L. D. Smith was erected. I. Irwin had charge of a store about three years. Seymour & Kline built a brick storeroom and stocked it
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with goods in the year 1855. They conducted the business as partners but six months, when Kline sold his interest to Eli De Shanc, who shortly afterward purchased the entire stock, and for several years did a flourishing business. Michael Walsh was one among the first busi- ness men of the place, having sold goods in the residence of John King when there were but two or three houses in the place. Hodges & Sanders, Blevins & Denny, Hodges & Boyd, are the names of firms that have sold goods in Walshville at different times during its history.
The first physician was a Dr. Green, who located in the vicinity in the year 1848, and practiced his profession for about two years. Dr. William Williams located here a short time afterward, and for several years was the only physician in the county south of Hillsboro. Samuel Denney, John Wadkins, L. C. Stoddard, Nathan Jayne, Dr. String, E. F. Newberry, have at different intervals practiced medicine in the village. The present physicians are Ambrose Barcroft, John T. Koen, M. S. Davenport and V. B. Barcroft.
A post office was established here in 1846, with John King as Postmaster. It was kept at King's residence for several years. Allison Corlew was the second Postmaster. The office is at present kept by Samnel H. Henderson, at his place of business.
A. J. Sitten erected a neat little hotel in the year 1867, which was extensively patronized by the traveling public. It is now run by William Shurtleff. John G. Ilawkins keeps a hotel in the town, also. The Walshville mill was built in the year 1853, by Messrs. Grisham & Simp- son. This was a steam mill with three run of stone, and for nine years was kept running al- most constantly, doing an immense business for a mill of its capacity. It was completely destroyed by fire in the year 1862, entailing a loss of at least $13,000 on the proprietors.
A steam saw-mill was erected in the village in 1855, by Nicholas Price, who operated it
about five years, and then sold it to Isaac Par- ish. It was by him moved from the town to Shoal Creek, shortly after he made the pnr- chase.
John Rud built a steam flouring-mill in 1863, which he operated for two years. It was sold to F. C. Kirkland for the sum of $7,000, and afterward purchased by McCracken & Lilly, who ran it at intervals until the present time. It is not now in operation. There are four neat church buildings and five religious organizations in the town, of which the follow- ing is a brief history. The Walshville Method- ist Episcopal Church was organized in 1850, with a membership of twelve. Their names, as recorded on the church book, are as follows : Joseph Price and wife, Anna Price, Edwin Brown and wife, James Whitesides and wife, Martha J. Whitesides, Caroline Whitesides, Maria Clark, William M. Towell and wife. The most of these had been members of previous organizations elsewhere. The church owes much of its success to the labors of Rev. Rogers, the first pastor and principal mover in the organization. The first preaching place was the village schoolhouse, which was used until the Baptist meeting-house was completed, when they were allowed the use of it every alternate Sabbath. Up to this time the church had so increased in numbers that it was decided to ercet a house of worship in harmony with its growing strength. The building was erected and dedicated in the year 1866. It is a sub- stantial edifice 40x56 fect, and, with improve- ments recently added, is valued at $3,300. The following is a list of the pastors who have had charge of the church since its organiza- tion : -- Moore, Asa Snell, George Comp- ton, C. J. F. Tolle, David Stubblefield, - - Walker, S. P. Groves, L. C. English and Will- iam Van Cleve. Sixty members comprise the strength of the church at present. Their first Sunday school was organized in 1867, William M. Towell was the first Superintendent. The
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IIISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
school is now one of the best in the village, and is superintended by T. T. Smith. The Cumber- land Presbyterian Church of Walshville is one of the live religious organizations of the town- ship. The original congregation from which this society sprung was known as the Mount Pleasant Church, and met for worship in Grisham Township. From this congregation two churches were organized, the one at Pleas- ant Branch in Bond County and the other at Walshville. The dates of these different or- ganizations were not aseertained, though we may be safe in saying that the latter was or- ganized about the year 1868. Thirty-five names were enrolled at the first meeting, the most of whom had previously belonged to the old Mount Pleasant congregation. The school- house supplied the wants of the society as a place of meeting abont one year, after which their public services were held in the Method- ist Church until their present house of worship was built. This edifice is situated in the east- ern part of the town, and was erected in the year 1871. It cost the sum of $2,000. C. G. Keon preached for the church two years ; D. R. Bell two years. For several years the church was without a regular pastor, the pulpit being supplied occasionally by ministers from neighboring churches.
Rev. R. 11. McHenry, the present pastor, commenced his labors in the year 1879, and wasshortly afterward regularly called as pastor.
A Sabbath school has been conducted in con- nection with the church ever since its organ- ization.
The Christian Church was organized in the year 1874, by Elder A. D. Northeut. The orig- inal membership numbered ten. With little in- fluence in society, few in numbers, without a house of worship, and all these disadvantages under the shadow of the three other strong or- ganizations, this little band of disciples, pro- tected and blessed by Him "who doeth all things well," began to increase in numbers rap-
idly until within a short time it was the strong- est church in the place. L. M. Linn, the first pastor, preached two years, and did much to- ward making the church what it is to-day He was sneceeded in the pastorate by Elder J. H. Garrison, of St. Louis, one of the most gifted pulpit orators of his church in the West, and editor of one of its leading periodicals.
He remained about three years, and was fol- lowed by Elder J. H. Smart, who preached nearly or quite two years. H. P. Tandy preached one year ; L. F. Wood six months. Elder Vance, the present pastor, has been with the church since 1881.
For several years the Baptist Church was placed at the disposal of the congregation, who used the same until 1878.
A new house of worship was then erected, which, in point of neatness and finish, is one of the best church edifices in the county. It was dedicated the same year in which it was built, by J. H. Garrison. The membership is at pres- ent about eighty-five. J. T. Koen is Superin- tendent of the large, flourishing Sunday school. A society known as Free Methodists was organ- ized in 1880, by Rev. F. H. Ashcroft. At the time of organization the society consisted of fifteen members, which has since increased to thirty. Their meetings are held in the vacant storeroom belonging to Mr. Blevins. The present officers of this organization are J. D. Tiffin and N. Neal, Stewards ; H. S. Henderson, Class Leader ; Miss Norah Neal, Superintend- ent of Sunday school. Public services every Sunday.
In 1865, the Walshville Lodge, No. 475, A., F. & A. M., was established. The' first meet- ings were held in an unfinished room in the school building, which was afterward fitted up for a hall. The following names were copied from the charter : Isaac Sturges, W. A. King- ston, L. Baily, F. D. Whitesides, William M. Towell, Peter L. Davenport, John J. Miller and M. S. Davenport.
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WALSHVILLE TOWNSHIP.
The different offices are filled by the follow- ing persons, viz .: A. T. Strange, W. M .; John T. Koen, S. W .; E. M. Root, J. W .; Thomas Greenwood, Treasurer ; A. B. Copeland, Secre- tary ; J. J. Davenport, Tiler.
The township of Walshville bore a commend- able share in the gallant and patriotic work of putting down the great rebellion. She gave of her sons and citizens with their blood and treas- ure without stint until the flag of beauty and glory waved in triumph over a united country. It would be invidious to make comparisons be- tween this and other townships, as they all did their duty willingly, fearlessly, well, and their whole duty.
Soldiers from Walshville did service and par- took of the dangers and glory of every battle of
any considerable note. We would give a list of all the soldiers the township sent to the front were it practicable, but it would far transcend the limits of our space. May the country never need their services more in the dread business which carries fire and sword among mankind, and leaves widespread desolation and black- ened ruins where all was smiling plenty. Those who went but never returned-who laid down their lives to avenge the honor of an insulted flag-will never be forgotten. It is the verdict of the loyal heart of Walshville, expressed not without a tinge of regret, that she can well afford to spare her noble dead. May they rest in peace. Let not the flowers that spring from the mold above them be trodden down by sol- dier nor war-horse.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXV .*
WITT TOWNSHIP-SOIL, TIMBER AND CONFIGURATION-SCHOOLS, PAST AND PRESENT-THE CIRCUIT RIDER-CHURCHES AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS-MILLS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.
T HE greater share of Witt Township consists of a beautiful, undulating surface of prairie land. Its western and southern parts, though not exactly level, are not so broken as much of the land of East Fork and Fillmore Townships lying farther south. The principal and only stream of note is the East Fork of Shoal Creek, which flows through the township from north to the southwest. In its course it passes through the following sections of land, viz. : 5, 8, 17, 19, 30 and 31. Its bed and banks are very muddy, and the stream, through an un- known period of years, has cut several channels in the soil at different places. The flow of the current is characterized by a sluggishness in some places and by great rapidity in others. The territory through which it passes in this township is nearer level than the land lying adjacent to it in the township of East Fork. During the warmer months of dry seasons, the waters of this creek are very low, and some- times becomes almost or quite dry, but in ordi- nary years the stream remains quite full, and sometimes during heavy rains, the current be- comes a rushing torrent, which overflows the banks on either side for several hundred yards. The higher portions of land which skirt this creek in the southern part form a very pleasing contrast to the broad stretch of monotonous prairie, and are covered with thick growths of walnut, oak and hickory trees. The largest and best of these trees have been cut down and sawn into lumber years ago, although there are still standing many good sized trees of more recent growth. Among these higher portions of the township are to be seen a number of
springs of pure clear water, where the Indians had their camping grounds many years ago and around which many interesting and curious relics have been found. A small stream in the southeast part drains that portion of the town- ship, and flows into Fillmore from Section 16. Another small creek rises near the south cen- tral part and takes a northwesterly course, flow- ing into East Fork Creek, near the line which separates Witt from East Fork Township. The surface soil of this section of the county is largely a black loam, very fertile, rendering till- age casy, and, in an agricultural point of view, this township is one of the best in the county. In the low flat lands along the creeks, the soil contains much decayed vegetable matter, and when properly drained and cultivated produces immense crops of corn and grass. Among the broken and hilly portions in the southern part, the soil is largely sand, mingled in some places with clay in sufficient quantities to make the land very productive and valuable. There is, perhaps, as little waste land in this region as there is in any other township in the county, but very little, if any, being too broken or wet for tillage.
Witt lies in the eastern part of the county with the following boundaries : Nokomis Township on the north, Irving on the west, Fill- more on the south. The castern boundaries are Audubon Township and Hurricane Township, of Fayette County. It is exactly six miles square, and contains thirty-six sections of land. Forty-six years ago, the area embraced in Witt was comparatively an unbroken wild. The set- tlers were few and far between, and it was only
* By G. N. Berry.
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WITT TOWNSHIP.
after a ride of several miles across the track- less prairies, and through the scraggy forests, that the traveler might find evidence of advancing civilization in the presence of a log cabin planted near a spring, or some small stream, or an insignificant board shanty near the edge of a small plowed field on the prairie. Broad expanses of prairie lay around him without the sight of a human habitation, while the woods along the creeks as yet furnished but few signs that they had been penetrated by the white man, and these signs were principally the blazed paths, made by cutting through bark of the trees, a sign scarcely distinguishable after twilight set in. Here and there corners had been staked out by county surveyors, and they were always a welcome sight to the luck- less one who found himself lost on the wide, trackless plains. But the scene has changed marvelously since then, and the wilds of Witt now blossom and bloom like the rose. Her broad, fertile prairies are now divided off into well-tilled farms, on which are many fine and elegant residences, evidences of the prosper- ity with which the farmer is surrounded and blessed. The iron horse dashes through the verdant fields, and its white plume curls over the smiling land, where peace, plenty and intel- ligence combine to render the well-to-do and hospitable citizens contented and happy. Witt was not settled as early as some of the neigh- boring townships of the county-that is, by permanent settlers. A number of squatters entered the township several years prior to the first permanent settlement, but just when they made their appearance cannot be known with any degree of certainty. It is well known, however, that when the first permanent settlers who were owners of the land appeared, there were living in the township, along the creeks, several of these transient settlers, none of whom appear to have made much improvement in the way of tilling the soil or clearing the woodland. The remains of several small cabins are the
only vestiges left of these squatters, who packed up their effects and moved on farther west as the country became more thiekly pop- ulated. The first permanent settlers of the township were two brothers, James and David Brown, who came to Illinois in the year 1831, and located on East Fork Creek, in Section 17. Their two places lay on opposite sides of the stream. David settled on the west side, on the farm now owned by a Mr. Thumb, of Irving, and James located the farm on which a Mr. Blipsen now resides. For two or three years, these two families were the only settlers in the township ; north and cast of them was an un- settled prairie of many miles in extent, while south and southwest were no houses for the dis- tance of four or five miles. About the year 1833, Martin Harkey came into the township, and lo- cated a farm in the southwest quarter of See- tion 17. He came here from Iredell County, N. C., and settled in Hillsboro when it was hut a mere hamlet. From Hillsboro he moved to the place in Witt already named, where he re- sided until the year 1837. Another early set- tler on Section 17 was Christopher Armantront. He appeared a short time after the Browns, and settled close to their places, on an eighty acres of school land, which he purchased. lle after- ward purchased other tracts of land, which are now the property of his descendants. When Armantront first arrived, his family lived for some time in a little hut built on the piece of land we have already described. In 1837, he bought the farm on which Martin Harkey set- tled, and erected thereon a more comfortable and permanent residence, which is still standing. Armantrout died in the year 1856, after a long and useful life. By his industry and frugality he became the possessor of a great deal of very fine land, which is still in possession of his widow and family. Two sons are now living in the township-George W. and John L., both of whom are in affluent circumstances, and prominent members of the Prairie View Meth-
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