USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 52
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This was a small hamlet, located at the head of the timber, six miles north of Taylorville, and two miles east of Sharpsburg. In early years it was noted on the maps as "Bethany." It had a post- office by that name, and David Robinson, who gave it the name of Robinson's Point, was post-master. The great Eastern stage passed daily by it, on the publie highway from Shelbyville to Springfield. Mr. Robinson kept a store, and sold goods in this place for over two years in 1835-6-7. It is supposed to have been the first store in the county. It is said Mr. Robinson was too ambitious to become rich, and speculated largely in stock, and failed, involving some of his seeuritics.
The store-house stood for many years near the residence of the late John Langdon, but it has sinee been moved, and now forms a part of the residenec of J. M. Redfern, the present owner of the land, on which was located the town of Bethany, more popularly known as " Robinson's Point."
BLUE POINT
Was one of the old " land marks " of the county, and was familiarly known to the traveling publie, half a century ago. It was one of Allen & Co.'s prominent Eastern stage stands. The old Traveller's Inn, with its poreh in front, now the residence of Daniel De Camp, was built by Robert Allen, of Springfield, in 1838. The land on which this house was built, and Edinburg located, was entered by Abner and Joseph McLean in 1829, and by them conveyed to Archibald and Robert Sattley, Jan. 7, 1832, and they to others. In the chain of title, Abraham Lincoln was owner of it at one time. Robert Allen succeeded to the ownership of the land in Aug. 1837. Abner and Joseph McLean "squatted " on the land, and made some improvements in 1825. A " squatter's title " was as much re- spected in those days, as a land-office certificate is to-day.
Blue Point stage stand was twenty miles distant from Springfield.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
A public house was opened as carly as 1830. As was the custom, this house had a well-furnished side-board. The laws of 1833 required that those who kept a public house and bar, should take out license to sell spirituous liquors ; that they should give bond to the county commissioners' court, that they would provide to keep lodging, diet and provender sufficient for the accommodation of four persons and their horses ; that if they gave credit for an amount exceeding fifty cents, for liquor, they should be debarred from re- covering the excess by law ; nor should they charge a traveler more than twelve and a half eents a pint for whisky; or eighteen and three-fourths cents for a pint of brandy. The customary charge for meals to those traveling in the stage was twenty-five cents; the way-traveler twelve and a half cents a meal. Supper, lodging, breakfast and keeping horse, fifty cents.
There was a post-office established here as early as 1839. The first store was opened by Dr. S. J. Jerald.
BLUEVILLE.
This town sprang up about half a mile north of the Blue Point stage stand. At one time considerable business was done at this point, and several houses were erected. There being a demand for lots, it was surveyed by Richard M. Powel, county surveyor, for Wm. W. Halford, June 1, 1870. It was laid out near the centre of Section 14, T. 14-3. The streets were from 50 to 60 fect in width, and named Douglas, Logan, etc. Lick Creek branch runs through a portion of the town. The first store was opened by W. T. Houston. Edgar Chapman opened the first drug store in April, 1868, in the west end of the place.
A correspondent of the Flag, of August 26, 1867, says :- " This place is the centre of a considerable country trade, one little store in it having sold over $11,000 worth of goods within a year. There are now two stores, owned separately by Houston and Carlin. There is a blacksmith shop and plow manufactory, both of which are under the care of Cook & Cobb."
The Methodist Episcopal Chapel, which was ereeted in 1866, in the extrenie west end of the town, was removed to Edinburg in 1875. J. H. Hatfield was the first preacher. The town also con- tained a neat two story briek school-house. The first teachers were: W. C. Shivers, principal, and Miss M. Green wood, assistant. The first physician was H. T. Moore.
The first Board of Trustees were: W. W. Halford, president ; W. Harrold, clerk; J. W. Houston, Isaac Hart, S. W. Denny, and R. H. Weeden. Police Magistrate .- John L. Culver. Con- stable .- A. W. Halford.
EDINBURG.
This is the most thriving town between Taylorville and Spring- field. It is located on the south-east corner of Section 14, T. 14-3, and was surveyed March 26, 1870, by John McGuire, for Daniel De Camp, on the old Blue Point site. It is beautifully situated in the edge of the timber, on high rolling land. Its streets are from 70 to 100 feet wide, and are named Washington Avenue, Lincoln, Douglas, etc. A small stream called Lick creek, passes through the centre.
Blueville, being the oldest place, a rivalry naturally sprang up between them, but was eventually settled by inerging the two into one under the name-Edinburg. This was accomplished by a meet- ing of the two Boards of Trustees August 8, 1874, at which time they voted unanimously for the consolidation, and the two towns have since been under one corporation.
The intervening space is being filled up with improvements, and in a few years it will have the appearance of but one town.
The land on which Edinburg is located was entered in 1829.
After several transfers, as mentioned elsewhere, it was purchased by Daniel De Camp, in February, 1851.
The town is ten miles distant from Taylorville, and twenty from Springfield.
During the first year of its existence (1870), the town made quite a vigorous growth. Several very neat residences and business houses were erected, and the trade opened with flattering prospects.
The first house was built by Daniel De Camp in the spring of 1870. Mumford Pool erected and opened the first store, about the same time.
Mr. De Camp also erected a hotel, and the first blacksmith shop, and had them oceupied during the spring of 1870.
The first grain warehouse and elevator was built by G. H. Peebles, in the summer of 1871.
The first physician located here was Gusham Little, M. D., in the year 1870. The post-office was established in 1871, and Daniel De Camp was the first post-master, and has continued to hold the office ever since. Joseph Gegan taught the first school in 1870. The first and only school-house built in the original part of Edin- burg was in 1863, by the district, and is now used by the Edinburg schools. There is also a two-story briek school-house in the Blue- ville division.
The Methodist church, first erected west of Blueville, in 1866, was moved to Edinburg in 1875, repainted and otherwise improved. On the 16th of February, 1876, the first bell in the town was placed in the belfry and rang out its peals on the following Sunday.
The Christian church was built in 1872, at a cost of $3,000. It is a frame structure 30x60 feet, and neatly finished. The building was somewhat damaged by a tornado, which swept through the town in 1875.
The town was incorporated under the general village law, in 1873, and the following were the first Board of Trustees : Daniel De Camp, President ; I. N. Martin, James M. Camphell, A. D. F. Kemmerer, Henry Wilhte, G. H. Peebles, E. R. White, Clerk ; Wmn. Wyscarver, Treasurer ; J. W. Johnson, Police Magistrate; C. M. De Camp, Police Constable.
The present Board of Trustees are: J. C. Robinson, President ; Geo. P. Herrington, L. C. Carlin, W. W. Halford, J. B. Eaton, J. L. Lindsey, I. S. Goldman, Clerk; C. L. Carroll, Treasurer ; J. W. Johnson, Police Magistrate ; T. B. Hill, Police Constable.
Blueville Lodge, No. 647, A. F. and A. M., was chartered in 1870. Number of charter members thirteen.
First Officers-P. E. Williams, W. M .; L. C. Carlin, S. W .; I. Stokes, J. W .; G. H. Peebles, S. D .; J. L. Culver, J. D .; C. G. Houston, Treas. ; W. T. Houston, See .; G. Ralston, Tyler.
Present Officers .-- S. L. Reefey, W. M .; L. C. Carlin, S. W .; E. R. White, J. W .; H. T. Gardner, Treas .; Wm. Wyscarver, Sec .; I. Stokes, S. D .; G. W. Wolaver, J. D .; M. P. Trame, Tyler. Total membership thirty-seven.
Below is a list of the present business houses of the town :
Physicians-C. L. Carroll, Basil Greenwood, J. M. Alden. Attorney-at-Law-W. T. Houston.
General Stores-Alex. Dixson, J. N. Cantrill, J. W. Stuver & Co.
Grocery Stores-Mason, Peek & Son, Buckner Black.
Drugs, Notions and Grain Merchants-Brownback Brothers.
Drugs and Notions-Geo. W. Milligan.
Hardware, Furniture and Undertaking-Magee and Carlin. Bank-Geo. P. Herrington.
Grain and Lumber Dealers-Pricc and Wilkinson. Grain Dealer-J. B. Eaton.
Livery and Agricultural Implements-George C. Wilkinson.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Restaurant and Boarding House-John H. Richardson.
Restaurants-Henry Henkes, Thomas Bell.
Tin Shop-J. M. Ketterer.
Boot and Shoe Shops-Wm. Harrold, Jesse Williams.
Jewelers and Photographers-Goldman and Graham.
Harness Shop-A. Longatha.
Millinery and Dress Making-Mrs. Nellie Wyscarver, Miss J. Patterson, Mrs. M. MeGuffin.
Blacksmith Shops-John L. Lindsey, Jonathan W. Cook, Wm. Dix
Wagon Maker-John D. Pierce. Blacksmith and Wagon Maker-John M. Adams.
Cooper-Silas Matthews.
Carpenters-R. K. Johnson, Stephen Hunsley, Joseph Patterson,
John Westbrooks, Stephen Williams, I. N. Martin.
Brick Maker-John Robinson.
Brick Mason -M. Whitenack.
House, Sign and Ornamental Painter-Ronin & Staples.
Butcher Shops-John Y. Easley, George Ohlenschlager. Barber Shops-Wm. Hayes, Charles Lawrence.
Sewing Machine Agents - Charles Lawrence, J. H. Love & Bro. The population of the town is upward of seven hundred.
SHARPSBURG
is a small village situated in section 31 of town. 14-2, and is about five miles distant from Taylorville. It was surveyed or laid off into blocks by R. M. Powel, March 21st, 1870, for William Har- gis, the original proprietor. The streets are fifty feet wide, and named Chestnut, Hedge, etc. It contains about one hundred and fifty inhabitants.
The first house was ereeted by A. D. Ebert in 1870. G. R. Sharp and E. A. Hanon, built and opened the first store in 1870. The first blacksmith shop was built by Joseph Hanon, and occu- pied by him in 1870. The post-office was established in 1871, and G. R. Sharp was first post-master. The first church erected was by the Methodist denomination, in 1875. It is a frame building, 36x50 feet in size Price and Wilkinson ereeted an elevator here in the fall of 1877.
The present business in the village is as follows :
W. D. Waller, Dry Goods and Groceries; J. B. Fenner, General Merchandize, Drugs, and Post-master; John H. Hargis, Blacksmith ; John F. Mason, Carpenter and Wagon Maker ; F. A. McNeill, Phy- sician and Surgeon ; Price and Wilkinson, and O. S. Nash, Grain Dealers. The town was named in honor of H. H. Sharp & Brother.
CAMPBELLSBURG.
This was a station on the O. & M. R. R, sixteen miles from Springfield, and eleven from Taylorville. It is located in the north- east corner of section ten. It was surveyed and laid off in town lots May 27th, 1870, by R. M. Powel for Jno. Rodham, Iverson Stokes and Joseph Throwls. It adjoins the Campbell farm, and was named in honor of the old pioneer family.
The first house was erected by James R. Stokes in 1870, and a store-house was built and opened the same year by Allen Stokes. James R. Stokes built a shop and did blacksmithing in 1870. There was also a depot and freight-house built in 1870, but it was taken down and removed by the company in 1877, since which time the station has been diseontinued, and at present there is no business done in the place.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM W. HALFORD.
.
AMONG the old citizens of Christian county that lived within its boundaries prior to the organization may be mentioned the name that heads this sketch. He was born in Wayne county, Tennessee, November 22d, 1823, and was the son of James and Elizabeth Halford. James Halford was a native of South Carolina, where he married Elizabeth Hammonds; he then emigrated to Tennessee, where he lived a number of years. He had eight children born to him in that state, and in 1834 he emigrated with his family to Illinois, and in the spring of 1834 settled at Blue Point. Ile com- mieneed the improvement of a farm, but died the following fall, aged about forty-five years. His wife, who survived him many years, afterwards married a man by the name of Weeden. Mr. Halford was about eleven years of age when his father emigrated to this state. After his father's death he assisted his mother on the farin, and after her marriage he lived with his stepfather until he was nineteen. His advantages for an education were very limited. At the age of nineteen he began the battle of life for himself. His life occupation has principally been that of a farmer. For a time he was in the grocery business, and was interested in the lumber
business for about two years in Blueville. He has been three times married, and raised a family of six childreu, viz: Mary Jane, now the wife of Dr. J. Peebles, living in Kansas; William S., married, and living in Edinburg; Benjamin F., also living in Edinburg ; Canzadia M., the wife of James Roman, also in Edinburg; Ann E., and Harry, living at home. Mr. Halford, in 1872, built a fine residence near the site where his father built a cabin in 1834. Ile has lived to see a great change in Christian county ; he has watched its development from a wilderness thinly settled to a wealthy and prosperous county. When he was a boy, and even after he was grown up, St. Louis was their market. He has hauled wheat to St. Louis and sold it for forty cents per bushel, and bacon for three cents per pound, and paid five dollars per barrel for salt. He has a fine farm of four hundred acres, lying adjoining the eor- porate limits of Edinburg. When he started out in life he was unaided, and what he has of this world's goods he has gained by industry and frugality. In politics he was originally a democrat, but now votes for the best men regardless of politics. Such is a brief sketch of one of Christian county's oldest citizens.
The Library of the University of lillaats.
RESIDENCE AND STOCK FARM OF JOHN WEISER, SEC. 33, T. 14, R. 2. (BUCKHART TP.) CHRISTIAN CO. ILL.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
197
A M SA rDEA
John Weiser
A CONSIDERABLE part of the development and growth of Illinois is due to her citizens of German birth, who are everywhere known for their industry and all the good qualities which go to make up peaceable and law-abiding members of the community. Among this class of citizens in Buekhart township is John Weiser, who has been engaged in farming in that part of the country since 1869.
He was born at Olshei, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, ou the 1st of December, 1828. His parents were Philip and Mary Weiser. His father was a well-to-do farmer and land owner in the old coun- try, but becoming dissatisfied with the monarchical spirit of the Ger- man government, he determined to emigrate to America and enjoy the freedom and equal advantages of republican institutions. He landed in New York in the fall of 1838. His family then consisted of a wife and seven children. After living two years in Pennsylva- nia, Mr. Weiser's father concluded that he could better his condi- tion by moving to Illinois. Accordingly, in 1841, the family camc to this state and settled in Cass county, about five miles south-east of Beardstown, then the county seat, on unimproved land which was entered at the government price. Their farming operations proved successful, and tract after tract was added to their original entry, until the farm comprised between six and seven hundred acres under good cultivation and with substantial buildings. Mr. Weiser's father lived on this place till his death, which occurred on the first day of August, 1853. His mother still survives, and has her home with her son, the subject of this biography, and though seventy-eight years old, is in the enjoyment of a hale and vigorous old age.
Mr. Weiser was about eight years of age when the family came to this country, and in his thirteenth year when they removed to Illinois. He remained at home assisting on the farm until he was twenty-four, and then married Miss Annie D. Musch, also a native
of Germany. He has three children living : Louis P., Caroline C. and Otto N., all of whom are now living at home.
On the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion in 1861, Mr. Weiser was one of those patriotic men who stepped forward to save their country from destruction. He enlisted in company A., 27th Illinois Infantry. His company was commanded by Captain Smith, and the regiment by Colonel Buford. His regiment did its full share in sustaining the credit of the Illinois soldiers for hardihood and bravery, and took part in many a hard-fought battle. Mr. Weiser was in the battle of Belmont, the first engagement under Gen. Grant, Union City, Island No. 10, the siege of Corinth, Stone River, Lavergne, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face, Resaca, Dallas, Mud Creek, and Kenesaw Mountain. In the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, he received a wound. He was discharged at Springfield on the 20th of December, 1864.
Returning to Cass county he resumed farming. He lived in that county till 1869, when he purchased the farm on which he now lives in Buckhart township, Christian county. He is known as one of the enterprising farmers and progressive citizens of Buck- hart township, and a full page illustration of his farm is found on another page of this work. This farm embraces 345 acres of excel- lent farming land, and has substantial buildings and improvements. He has been content to lead the unobtrusive life of a peaceful fariner, and has no aspiration to hold public station, or to mix con- spicuously in public affairs. Although ready to discharge every obligation resting on a good citizen, his time has been occupied with his farm, where he has found full scope for his energy and industry.
In politics, he is a member of the republican party. He has ac- quired an excellent reputation as a man of honesty and integrity, and is one of that class of citizens who do most toward developing the resources and promoting the prosperity of a country.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
CAPT. DANIEL DE CAMP
WAS born in Giles county, Virginia, August 31, 1824. He was the son of David and Sarah De Camp David De Camp was a native of Virginia. His father, Zachariah De Camp, was a native of New York. His father and great-grandfather of Daniel De Camp was a native of France, and emigrated to America long prior to the Revolutionary war, and was one of the first settlers in New- ark, New Jersey. He was an enterprising business man, of good education, and accumulated quite a fortune. Before his death he made a will bequeathing his entire possessions to his two sons, Zachariah and brother. The realization of this estate was funded, and has not since been reclaimed. Zachariah De Camp raised a family of eight children, of whom David De Camp, father of the sub- ject of our sketch, was the eldest son. He was born in the year 1792.
Zachariah De Camp, when a boy, was placed as an apprentice to learn the hatter trade, in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. When he grew to manhood he went to Virginia, and subsequently went to Salisbury, North Carolina, where he afterward married Miss Eliza- beth Kinder. He then returned to Virginia and settled in Monroe county, where he lived until his death. He raised a family of eight children, four boys and an equal number of girls, viz : David, Hen- ry, John, De l'orter, Mary, Sarah, Maria, and Elizabeth. John De Camp, now living in Springfield, is the only surviving member of the family. Zachariah De Camp's father left his estate in the hands of some institution in Newark, N. J., to be turned over to Zachariah and his brother when they became of age. Whether his brother ever drew his portion of the estate or not is not known, but Zachariah never received a dollar. He proved his identity, but before he drew his portion he was taken sick and died. Daniel De Camp is now making efforts, in connection with his uncle John, in Springfield, to recover this property that is justly due the heirs of Zachariah De Camp. David De Camp was a soldier in the war of 1812. Ile went as a substitute for Joel Canterbury, who was drafted. After the close of the war, he returned and claimed the hand in marriage of Miss Sarah Ford, the only daughter of Louis Ford. They raised a family of eight children-six boys and two girls, of whom Daniel De Camp was the fourth. He attended school very little during his minority, and what education he received he attained after he grew to manhood by his own exertions. At the age of eighteen he began to tire of the hills of Virginia, and desirous to better his condition in life, he turned his face westward in the fall of 1842. He arrived in Springfield, December of the same year. For a time he was engaged in teaming and driving stage. In 1845, he went to Galena, Illinois, where he took charge of part of the stage line running between Galena and Milwaukee. He had charge of the West End, between Galena and Madison, Wis. In the spring of 1847 he returned to Springfield, and the fall following married Miss Pernecy Langley, a resident of Chris- tian county and daughter of Jesse and Sarah Langley. After his marriage, he opened a livery stable in Springfield, this being in 1848, a business he followed until 1852. In 1851 he bought a farm in Christian county, where he now lives. He subsequently sold out his livery interests in Springfield, and devoted his entire attention to his farm until 1862. He raised a company and went into the late war, he being the captain of company D, 130th Ills. Vols., under Col. Niles. He was in the tenth division, 13th army corps, and was in thirteen hard-fought battles, among which were Magno- lia Hill, Raymond, Champion Hill, Black River, Siege of Vicks- burg, and battle of Mansfield, Louisiana, where he lost two-thirds of his company, among killed, wounded and taken prisoners. After that battle the regiment could not muster one hundred men, and the captain was placed in command over the remnants of four regi-
ments that had participated in the engagement ; the total amount of men were about four hundred. He returned to Alexander, on Red river, where the forees built a dam and floated the gunboats, seven in number, and transports over the falls at Alexander. Soon after this, he received a sun-stroke, which disabled him for military service, and was forced to resign, this being in the summer of 1864. He went to the hospital at New Orleans, where he remained about two weeks, and then returned to Baton Rouge, Mississippi, and from there home. He was in the service just two years In 1870, he laid out the town of Edinburg, the railroad being built through his farm ; and since the war he has devoted his time to farming, trading and handling horses, in which time he has fitted and started some very speedy ones. He now has some very promising eolts, that he is just putting on the traek. He has a half-mile traek on his farm, with good barn and every convenience for handling fast horses.
In politics, he is a republican. He held the office of justice of the peacc for eight years. When Edinburg post-office was estab- lished, in 1870, he was appointed post-master, a position he has held to the present time. In social life, the captain is one of the most genial of men, his society ever pleasant and agreeable. As a eitizen, he is liberal, enterprising, and public-spirited, and has ever taken an active part in all matters calculated to advance the ma- terial interests of his town and county.
E. S. HURLBUTT,
ONE of the prominent agriculturalists of Buckhart township, was born April 9th, 1821, in Odletown, Lower Province, Canada. ITis father, Elijah Hurlbutt, was a native of Connecticut, and of English ancestry. His mother, who was a Miss Patience Carpenter, was a native of Rhode Island, and of English ancestry. Both families settled in America at an early day. Mr. Hurlbutt's parents were married in Connecticut, where they had ten children born to them, and afterwards emigrated to Canada, where they had two children born to them, viz .: Sarah and the subject of our sketch. Mr. Hurlbutt was about six years of age when his father emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Medina county, where he im- proved a farm and lived until 1857. They then emigrated to Illi- nois and settled in Woodford county, where his father and mother died. Mr. Hurlbutt was married in Medina county, Ohio, in 1843, to Miss Mary Ann Houghlan, a native of Ohio. He followed farming while in Ohio, and in 1857 moved to Illinois and settled where he now lives. His first purchase was eighty acres of raw prairie; he built a small house and assiduously applied himself to the improvement of his farm. His farm now consists of threc hundred and fifty-nine acres of well improved land with good build- ings, a view of which can be seen in another part of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Hurlbutt have acquired this pleasant home by in- dustry and economy. They have had a family of nine children born to them, five now living, viz. : Sarah F., now the wife of John T. Fowkes, living on part of the old homestead; C. A., married and living also on part of the place ; Edwin F., married and living also near by ; Louis G. and Arthur E. now at home. Mr. Hurl- butt, in politics, is a republican ; his sous that have grown up also vote that ticket. He never has taken an active part in polities, desir- ing rather to devote his entire time to the farm. He lias made wheat growing a specialty, and has never failed to raise a fair crop but once in twenty-two years since he has been in Illinois. His farin is entirely fenced with hedge, the most beautiful of all fences. He has upwards of four miles of hedge on his place all in good condition. He is known as an enterprising and successful farmer, and a man highly esteemed by all.
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