USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 47
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 47
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
odist Church. In the spring of 1839, Joshua Seckler came to the township, and settled in Section 9, on the farm now owned by Christian Balsley. He was a young man of energy, and soon had his new place fitted up with a neat cabin, into which he introduced a helpmate one year later. His brother, M. W. Seckler, fol- lowed him to the new country about the year 1840, and settled on the same section, where he resided for a number of years. A daughter of the latter, Mrs. Carriker, still lives on the old place. They were both Carolinians, and men of influence in the community where they re- sided. In the early part of the year 1841, Williams Lights, from Virginia, arrived in Witt, built a rude dwelling, and began making im- provements. Lights located on Section 8, where he resided about one year, after which he sold the place to Alfred Borer, and moved to Iowa. By this time, the township was quite well populated, especially along the creek, and improvements were pushed rapidly forward. The rich, fertile soil allured many from the more thickly settled portions of the southern part of the county, and the prairies were soon dotted with dwellings. Lands at that time were remarkably cheap, and many men in mod- erate circumstances availed themselves of the opportunity, and purchased good tracts of land which in after years became very valuable. It is a noted fact in this, as in many other town- ships of the county, that the first settlers inva- riably selected the lands among the hills, or lying adjacent to the streams, for their homes, thus leaving the richer and more valuable prai- rie to be taken up by the more fortunate set- tler, who came in later years. These prairies were looked upon with much misgiving by the pioneers from the mountains of Carolina and Virginia, and were avoided for the more broken and less valuable land which more nearly re- sembled their old homes. The early settlers of Witt found it somewhat difficult to travel from one place to another for the lack of good roads.
Everybody had his own thoroughfare, and for some years the township was considerably cut up by these random roadways, but, in the course of several years, they were straightened some- what and properly established. The first thor- oughfare laid out through what is now Witt was the old Shelbyville and Hillsboro road, which connected those two places. This was in the early days a route extensively traveled, and was the only highway of any importance between the two cities. The original course has been changed considerably, and it now passes through the township in a south westerly direction, and is nearer straight than formerly. The second road through the township was laid out about the year 1838, and was known as the Nokomis road. This road enters the township between Sections 3 and 4, and crosses it in a southerly direction, and intersects the Shelby- ville road in Seetion 16. Other roads were planned and laid out to suit various neighbor- hoods, and after being traveled several years, were finally established and improved. The roads of Witt will compare very favorably with the highways of any other township in the county.
The first school in Witt was taught in the southwest part, near East Fork Creek, in a little log honse that had been built by a squatter, and was probably the first building erected in the township. The house was about seventeen feet square, and the first teacher was a man by the name of Gay. The first term was taught in 1836, and, after that date, there were several schools taught in the same place.
There were several schools started shortly afterward at various places in the township, some of which were taught in private dwellings that could accommodate the greatest number of pupils. John Wheat was among the early teachers. He taught the second school in the township in a little cabin about the size of the one already mentioned, which stood on the west bank of East Fork Creek. in the southwest cor-
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ner. The second school in this place was taught by Benjamin Norman about the year 1839. All of these early schools were supported by sub- scription, and, at stated times, the teachers were accustomed to make their regular tours through the neighborhoods for the purpose of colleeting their bills for tuition. The first frame school- house was probably the one known as the Prai- rie Valley Schoolhouse, which was built in the year 1849, and is still standing.
Here the first publie school in the township was taught the same year in which the building was completed. The next frame building was erected the following year, and goes by the name of Maxey's Schoolhouse. Since 1850, there have been several good houses built, all of which are well furnished and in good repair.
There are now seven school buildings in the township, and the schools are maintained dur- ing seven months of the year.
The first ministers to preach the Gospel in Witt were circuit-riders of the Methodist Church, who preached in the township adjoining on the west. Several meetings were held at different places before any permanent organization was effected. The first society was organized at or near the place where James Brown settled on East Fork Creek, by Rev. Aklridge, who preached for the little congregation for several years.
Their meetings were held in a neighboring schoolhouse until the year 1855, when a house of worship was erected. This house became famous throughout the country for its great re- vivals.
The organization was moved farther south several years afterward, and the place of meet- ing again changed to a schoolhouse in the neighborhood. The old building was torn away some time since, and a reorganization of the society effected. Among those who as- sumed the responsibility of membership at the reorganization were the following : Christian Balsley and wife, George llightower and wife,
Alfred Borer and wife, Mrs. Ellegood, James Hall, J. W. Smith, Mrs. Elizabeth Armantront, Sarah Armantrout and J. F. Armantront. The schoolhouse was used as a place of worship un- til the year 1870, when the present church edi- fice was ereeted. This is a neat frame structure, and cost the sum of $900. It was dedicated in 1871, by Rev. W. S. Hooper, of Hillsboro. Rev. George Miller was the first pastor, and to his efforts is the church largely due for its reorgani- zation. Rev. S. H. Whitlock succeeded Miller, and preached from 1871 to 1873. J. E. Lindlay had charge of the church from 1873 until the time of his death in 1875. The unexpired year was completed by Rev. E. E. Cowperthwaite. J. W. West ministered to the congregation from 1875 to 1876 ; F. M. Dillman from 1876 to 1879 ; L. T. Janes, son of Bishop Janes, from 1879 to 1880. The present pastor, J. W. Crane, has been with the church since 1880. The membership will number about forty. A good Sunday school is in progress under the super- intendeney of George W. Hightower. A society known as the Protestant Methodist was organ- ized in the eastern part of the township in the year 1872. They have a good frame building, but the church is not in a very flourishing con- dition. At present they have no regular serv- iees and no pastor. The Sandy Bend Union Church building was built in the year 1880, by the Christian Union and Methodist organiza- tions, which hold services in the house alter- nately. This Methodist church is one of the points on the Irving Circuit, and was organized a number of years ago, though at what date we were unable to learn. Nothing definite con- cerning these two organizations was ascertained, though it can be said that they are in a flourish- ing condition, and are doing good work for the Master.
The next church which claims our attention is the Witt Methodist Episcopal Church. The circumstances which led to the organization of this society are worthy of mention in these
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
pages. William L. Updike and wife moved into the village of Witt in the year 1869. At that time, there was no organization in the place, nor nearer than five miles. The first Sunday after moving to the place, Mrs. Updike took a ride through the country, and seeing quite a number of people at work in the fields as usual, conceived the idea of organizing a Sunday school. Word was circulated throughout the neighborhood to that effect, and the following Sunday saw eight children and a few grown persons at her house. These she organized into a school, and an hour was spent in relig- ions exercises. The next Sunday, the school had increased to eighteen. It continued to grow in numbers each week, until her house would not contain the crowds.
Encouraged by the success of her Sunday school venture, she determined to have a church organized, and accordingly went to work to that end. Rev. John R. Chapman was invited to preach in her house, a room of which was fitted up for that purpose. He accepted the invita- tion, and a two weeks' meeting was held, which resulted in several conversions. After this meeting, Updike and family moved into another house and fitted up their old residence for a place of worship. Another protracted meeting was held the same winter for about six weeks, during which about thirty persons professed conversion, and the church was accordingly or- ganized. Prominent among the first members were the following : A. Duncan and wife, Will- iam Updike and wife, Samuel Williams and wife, J. R. Chapman and wife, John Deer and wife, A. F. Duncan and wife, Samuel H. Wiley and wife, George MeClure, Theresa Chapman, Andrew Chapman, Mrs. George MeClure, John Lohr and wife, William Lolir and many others.
The congregation continued to meet in the residence of Updike until the spring, when the place of worship was changed to the warehouse of William Woods. Their church building was erected in the year 1876. Its dimensions are
32x40 feet, seating capacity about two hundred and seventy-five. The first regular pastor of the church was Rev. J. B. Rhodes, who preached one year. Hazen preached one year ; Stubble- field, two years. George Campton preached a short time ; E. Randall, one year. The follow- ing pastors have had charge of the church at different periods : J. W. Lapham, - Brooks, - Cunningham, - Hamill, - Muhler, and C. R. Howard, present pastor. The church has declined considerably in numbers during the last four years. The exact membership was not ascertained.
The Witt Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1873, by William McDavid, with a membership of about thirty The follow- ing were some of the original members : J. Lohr and wife, Mary Lohr, W. Updike, Eugene Updike, William Lohr and wife, Christian Marks and wife, Maggie Marks, James B. Marks and wife, Alice Marks. The public services were conducted in a vacant dwelling house, which stands in the rear of Wubker's store. This building served the congregation until the year 1875, at which time the beautiful edifice in which the congre- gation now worships was crected. This is a frame building, dimensions 30x38 feet, and cost about $1,300. Rev. T. W. McDavid preached for the church two years. Ile was succeeded by W. C. McDavid, who ministered to the con- gregation for four years, and was in turn fol- lowed by Rev. William Turner, who preached but a short time. - McHenry preached for one year, and was succeeded by Rev. - Baker, present pastor. Officers of the church-Will- iam P. Strain, Adam Bolt, C. Marks-Elders ; James Barton, N. Bentz-Deacons ; John Schooping, Superintendent of Sunday school.
The first mill in the township was a small affair in the southwest corner, on the farm of David Gregory. The machinery was run by horse-power and ground nothing but corn dur- ing certain days of the weck. Gregory after- ward built a carding machine on his place,
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WITT TOWNSHIP.
which was also run by horse-power. A saw was attached, and in addition to carding wool, he managed to saw some Inmber. This ma- chinery was in operation but a short time. This was the only mill, with the exception of the one at Witt, ever erected in the township. The village of Witt is situated in the north- west corner of the township, on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, and dates its growth from the year 1869, at which time the first building was erected by William Woods. This was a storehouse and was stocked with a gen- eral assortment of goods by Keys & Bartlett. They conducted a business here for one year, at the end of which time they became financially embarrassed and were compelled to dispose of their stock. Another store was started the following year by Lee Hall, who had charge of the railroad office also, which was established the same year.
Ilall had charge of this store two years. The next store in the place was started by Antonio Leon, who run it for a short time and then traded it to Christian Marks for a farm. Marks sold out to Lewy & Leon in the year 1876, who did a good business for ten months. Henry Wubker purchased their stock of goods
in the year 1878, and has been in business here ever since. In addition to his stock of general merchandise, he has also a good drug store and deals extensively in agricultural implements. His combined stock will probably represent a value of $7,000, and his business is one of the best in the county.
The Witt post office was established in the year 1869, with a man by name of Keys as Postmaster. The office at present is kept by James S. Vermillion. The first physician to locate in Witt was Doctor Melrath, who came to the place in 1870. D. Luther started the first blacksmith shop in the town, which he worked two years.
N. Bentz erected a large steam elevator and mill in the year 1876. This elevator is said to be one of the best on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad between Indianapolis and St. Louis. The mill has two runs of stone and a capacity of abont fifteen barrels of flour per day. The population of the village will not exceed seventy-five, but the citizens are all wide awake and energetic, and the town prom- ises to become a place of considerable impor- tance in the near future.
384
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXVI .*
HARVEL TOWNSHIP-POSITION AND BOUNDARIES -TOPOGRAPHY -PHYSICAL FEATURES-PRO- DUCTIONS-EARLY SETTLEMENTS-SCHOOLS-VILLAGE OF HARVEL-ITS EARLY HISTORY
-INDUSTRIES, ETC .- VILLAGE CHURCHES-SECRET SOCIETIES.
" We eross the prairies, as of old The pilgrims crossed the sea, To make the West, as they the East, The homestead of the free."
H ARVEL TOWNSHIP is situated in the northeastern part of Montgomery County, and has the following boundaries : Bois D'Are Township on the north, Raymond on the south, Christian County on the east, and Pitman Township on the west. It originally included the territory of Pitman, from which it was sep- arated in the year 1878, upon petition of the citizens living in the eastern part of the town- ship. The surface, is generally speaking, level in appearance, especially in the northern half, where, in certain localities, the ground is low, flat and marshy, rendering agriculture exceed- ingly difficult. Many of these low, wet places have been drained by a successful system of tiling, and much fertile soil has been reclaimed, from which abundant and well-paying crops are produced. In the southern portion of the township, the land is more rolling, although there are no undulations sufficiently high to be termed hills. Prior to its settlement by the whites, and before there were any roads, travelers had no difficulty in crossing the territory of this town- ship in any direction, as there were no streams, ravines, hills, woods, or any natural obstacles to impede their progress.
The soil in all parts of llarvel is the fine, black, rich loam, so common in the Western prairie States, and which has given to this part of the country its peculiar advantages as an
agricultural district. In many places, it is mixed with sand, drift and rests upon a stratum of clay, thus making artificial drainage compara- tively easy where sufficient outlets can be ob- tained. There is but one stream of any con- siderable importance within the limits of llar- vel, the West Fork of Shoal Creek, into which a number of small streams and rivulets empty. This ereek has its source in the western part of Pitman Township, and flows in a southeasterly direction through the southern part of Harvel, crossing the township line at a point in Section 31, about one mile and a half from the western boundary.
This division of the county is almost entirely bare of native timber, there being but few scat- tering trees skirting the banks of the creek al- ready named, while in the northern part of the township at the time of its settlement there was but one large tree standing alone on the wide prairie.
This tree still stands, and is known as the lone elm. It can be seen for several miles, and in former years was an object of almost ven- eration to the red men, who held their couneils, concocted their hunting schemes, planned their forays against their enemies, and made their treaties while seated under its wide-spreading branches.
Artificial timber-growing is everywhere en- couraged, and several groves of considerable magnitude are to be seen at various places in the township. The principal occupation of the people is agriculture, and as a farming coun- try this section ranks among the best in the
* By G. N. Berry.
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HARVEL TOWNSHIP.
county. The prairies, clothed only by natural processes, presents its own testimony to the rich- ness of the soil, which, when properly culti- vated, returns a rich yield of grain of all kinds. Corn has been one of the principal crops in this township ever since its first settlement, and it matures well and yields abundantly al- most every season. The average yield of wheat for the last five years exclusive of 1881, which was an unusually dry season, was about fifteen bushels per acre. The oats grown here are gen- erally heavy, and contain an nnusual propro- tion of nutritious constituents. Rye yields a good average ; barley, timothy, clover, flax, grow here abundantly, while the will prairie grasses are famous for the nourishment they contain. Garden vegetables, root crops of all kinds, and the different fruits are produced in great variety. The richness and abundance of the native grasses naturally attracted the attention of cattle-growers at an early day, and stock-raising is now an important industry of this part of the county. It was found that pas- turage frequently continued fair until nearly winter time, and in the spring grass made its appearance very early, and grew so rapidly that the feeding season was comparatively of short duration. This fact has led several parties to engage in stock-raising, and the business has already assumed considerable magnitude, in- volving in the aggregate a good proportion of capital. Harvel was one of the most recently set- tled townships of Montgomery County, although its lands were surveyed and sold many years before any permanent improvements were made. The early settlers were nearly all Germans and French, fresh from their native lands, who came to this country with a goodly stock of that energy and perseverance, so necessary to the success of the pioneer in a new and uninhab- ited country. According to the most reliable information within the writer's reach Herman Poggenpahl led the van of civilization in the township of Harvel. He came to Illinois from
Germany in the year 1854, and located on the northeast quarter of Section 30, near the cen- tral part of the township, where he still resides. Interested in all movements calenlated to de- velop the township's resources, he is justly looked upon as one of its leading and influential citizens. C. Courcier, an early settler, made his appearance in the latter part of the year 1854. and purchased land near where Poggenpahl set- tled, in Section 20. Courcier came from France, and was a man of more than ordinary intel- lectual culture and refinement. After resid- ing on his place until the year 1866, he sold the land to Joseph Vincent, and with his fami- ly went to Texas, where he has since accumu- lated a vast property, and is now a very wealthy man. The farm is at present owned and occupied by Adolphus Aull. Nicholas Hankinson was among the first settlers in the township, having made his appearance a short time after the arrivial of Poggenpahl and Cour- cier, in the year 1854. The land on which he made his first improvements lies near the cen- tral part of the township, directly north of the Poggenpahl place in Section 29. It was sold to William Bail several years ago, who at present occupies it. Several decendants of Hankinson still live in this part of the county, all of whom have been identified with the history and growth of Ilarvel. The Jordan family were among the prominent settlers in Western Har- vel and Pitman Townships, where they came early in 1855. William F. Jordan purchased the southwest quarter of Section 7, and the southwest quarter of Section 8, on the latter of which he at present lives. A. C. Jordan lo- cated in the northwest corner of the township, on Section 6, while C. II. Jordan purchased land lying adjacent to the western boundary line in Section 19.
A Frenchman, by name of Jean Baptiste Millett, came to the township in an early day, purchased land and made improvements in the southwestern part, about two miles north of
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
the village of Harvel, in Section 28. The date of Millett's arrival was the spring of 1855. The place on which he settled is at present oc- cupied by the farm of William Bockenwitz. In connection with the township's carly history can be mentioned the name of John Munster- man, a stanch old German, who located near the northern boundary, on farm now owned by Conrad Weller, in the summer of 1855. He was a person in whom were combined many of these elements necessary to the successful ca- reer and all movements calculated to develop the township's material interest received his hearty and willing support.
Several representatives of this family are living in the township and various places throughout the county. A list of Harvel's early pioneers would be incomplete without the name of B. Tulpin, a Frenchman, who passed over nearly every aere of its territory about the time the first settlements were made. He is now a leading business man in the village of Harvel, where he is operating a store with a stock representing a capital of several thou- sand dollars. Since the year 1860, the popu- lation has steadily increased until now the township is thickly settled with a class of in- dustrious, thrifty and intelligent people, and it can be said without the slightest tinge of prej- udiee in favor of Harvel, that it is destined at no very distant day to become one of the lead- ing townships in Montgomery County.
The first roads across the prairies of Harvel were mere paths or Indian trails, which after being changed and improved somewhat, in time became regularly established thoroughfares. There are no really good roads in the township, especially during the early spring months, when they become so muddy that they are only accessible to horsemen. Considerable attention is given to grading and otherwise improving the highways, but the absence of gravel and stone for piking purposes will always cause them to remain in poor condition during certain seasons
of the year. The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific R. R. runs through the southeast corner of the township. This road is a great advantage to the citizens of the township, especially to those living in the town of Harvel and vicinity, as it affords ample means of shipping the large amount of corn, wheat and other crops pro- duced in this region. The educational history of Harvel cannot be given with accuracy, al- though it is evident that schools were estab- lished as soon as there were children enough to start them. It is not known who taught the first school, nor could it be ascertained where the first school building was located. Among the first teachers, if not the first, was one John Hitchings, who taught in a small frame build- ing known as the Munsterman Schoolhouse, situated near the central part of the township. This school was taught at some period prior to the year 1860. The second school building was erected about the year 1862, and is known as the Lone Elm Schoolhouse. The first term in this house was taught by William Moore, one of the foremost instructors in the county. There are at present three good frame school buildings in the township, outside of the town of Harvel, which supports a graded school, of which we will speak more fully further on. The schools last seven months in the year, and are at present taught by William Moore, Logan Slater and Mr. Ash. The educational inter- ests are looked after by W. D. Matney, Harmon Hendricks and James Braden, Township Board of Trustees.
The live little town of Harvel is situated in the southeast corner of the township, on both sides of the line which separates Montgomery and Christian Counties, a small part of the village being in the latter. It was laid off by John Harvel, after whom it was named, in the year 1869, at which time there was not a single house standing in the locality. The survey was made by Col. Monroe, a civil engineer, who had been an officer in the rebel army, from
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