USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 60
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228
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
L.M SNYILÀ
Fletcher Haines 4
Igrice it Plaines
Is a native of Barren county, Ky., and was born November 5th, 1824. He is the fifth child of Christopher Haines, who was a native of Virginia, and whose family was among the early settlers of the old dominion. The family of Haines are descended from a long line of Dutch ancestry. Mr. Haines, when a young man, crossed the mountains with his parents and settled in Allen county, Ky., and there grew to manhood. He married Myrah Gatewood, the daughter of Roland Gatewood. They were natives of Georgia. They had a family of eleven children, of which there are seven brothers and two sisters living. Mr. Haines moved with his family to Illinois in October, 1829, and located in Sangamon county and engaged in farming, and resided there until his death, which oe- curred in 1851. Ilis widow survived him until 1860. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.
Fletcher Haines, the subject of this sketch, received his early education in the district schools of Sangamon county, which at that time were poor. He, however, attained a fair knowledge of the rudimentary principles of an English education, and by considerable industry and application, he has succeeded in acquiring and adding much to his original store of learning and information, and we now find him well versed in the current events of the day. His early boyhood days were spent in assisting his family at work upon the farm. In June, 1846, at the breaking out of the Mexican war, he enlisted in company A, 4th Regt., Hls. Vols., commanded by Col. E. D. Baker. The captain of the company was H. E. Roberts. The regiment was mustered in at Springfield, and from there went to Alton, and from there to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where they were sworn into the U. S service and drilled for three weeks. They then embarked on board a steamer and proceeded down the river
to New Orleans, then to Brazos Island, Texas, in a sailing vessel. Then they were brigaded under Gen. Shields and attached to the division under command of Gen. Scott. Mr. Haines participated in the battles of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. He suffered con- siderably from the ravages of disease incident to that warm and malarious climate. The term of enlistment drawing to a close, they were ordered to New Orleans, where they were discharged, and the regiment disbanded and they returned to their homes. While in the service, he received seven dollars per month, and the land war- rant for 160 aeres of land, which he located in Sangamon county, near the village of Pawnee.
On the 14th of September, 1848, Mr. Haines was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucinda J. Hatler. By that marriage there were two children, only one of whom is living. His name is J. Will. Haines, now living in South Fork township. Mrs. Haines died in Novem- ber, 1851. On the 4th of November, 1852, he married Miss Lydia A., daughter of Thomas and Nancy Anderson. She is a native of Caldwell county, Ky., as was also her parents. There have been born to them eight children, five of whom are living.
Mr. Haines and wife were both early members of the M. E. Church. In politics, he was in early life a whig, and after the disorganization of that party he became a republican, and is and always has been among the stanehest supporters of the principles of that party in this county. During the late rebellion he was among the strong Union men of that county, and did mueh to aid the cause of right and justice. The Union eause had no stronger supporter here than Mr. Haines. In 1860, he was elected justice of the peace, and held that office four years.
Mr. Haines is a man who has achieved more than ordinary suc-
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RESIDENCE OFJ. WILL HAINES.
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RESIDENCE AND STOCK FARM OF FLETCHER HAINES, SEC. 5, T.12, R.3, (BEAR CREEK TP.) CHRISTIAN CO.,ILL.
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The Library of the University of Illinois
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
cess in life, and whatever he has accomplished, has been the result of his own unaided efforts. Industry, energy and economy have enabled him to carve out for himself a comfortable competency. He first settled in Christian county, in February, 1856, when he purchased three hundred acres of land, to which he has added, until he now has eight hundred acres of as fine farm land as can be found, and as well improved as any in the county. A finc view of his home and farm is shown elsewhere in this work. Mr. Haines, judging from what the neighbors say, has many friends, and they have been gained by his straightforward course of honesty, integrity and fair dealing. He is a man who dispenses hospitality with a liberal hand. This trait is characteristic of the Kentuckians, and we present him to our numerous readers as a fair specimen of the best class of men from the " Blue Grass State," who by their energy have done so much to develop, improve and build up Illi- nois. Mr. Haines moved to Springfield in March, 1868, and resided there six years, and during that time his children had the advantages of the best schools. He returned to his farm in 1877.
JOHN C. DODSON
Is a native of Greene county, Illinois ; was born March 31st, 1830. He was the fourth child of Thomas and Prudence (Robbins) Dod- son. Thomas Dodson was a native of Yorkshire, England. He emigrated to America while a young man, and first located in St. Louis, and was there in the employ of Mr. Wiggins, who established the Wiggins' Ferry, now one of the largest corporations in the west. Thomas Dodson was in charge of the first ferry-boat. The line was established in 1822. His wife, Prudence Robbins, lived for a time in South Carolina and Tennessee, and subsequently moved with her parents to Madison county, Illinois. She was also of Eng- lish parentage. They had a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. Owing to the malarious condition of the region about St. Louis, Mr. Dodson left with his family and moved to Greene county, Illinois, and was among the first settlers of that county. He engaged in farming, in what is known as Pinkerton's Prairie, three and a half miles north-east of Carrollton. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, in the campaign of 1831. Both he and his wife were members of the M. E. Church. He was also licensed as a local preacher. He died May 6th, 1847. His wife survived him until October, 1864.
J. C. Dodson, the subject of this sketch, received his early edu- cation in the common schools of his native county. He acquired a good, sound knowledge of the rudiments of an English education.
On the 8th of May, 1853, he was married to Miss Ann Green, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Green. She was born in Yorkshire, England, February 7th, 1830. Miss Green left her native land and came to America to keep house for her brother, John Green, who was then living at the house of Mr. Dodson. She arrived here in May, 1862, and was married as above stated. As the fruits of this union there have been born to them five children, three sons and two daughters.
In the order of their ages they are as follows : Thos. C., married, and at present residing in Palmer, engaged in the grocery and pro- vision business ; Mary Addie, Sarah Emma and Frank E. The three latter residing at home with their parents.
In politics Mr. Dodson was originally a whig, and on the aban- donment of that party he became indentified with the democratic party. He is not what you might call a party man, but for local offices he votes for the best man irrespective of party. Mr. Dodson believes in and has made it a point to give his children the benefits of as good an education as the county affords.
In taking a retrospective view of the life and carcer of Mr. Dod- son, we find a man who was born in this state in the pioneer era, and during his life he has witnessed great changes from an unbroken wilderness to a country dotted over with happy homes and thrifty farmers. In May, 1855, he purchased the farm on which he now lives, and here he has resided up to the present. Mr. Dodson has by his own energy and industry, united with that of his excellent wife, succeeded in acquiring a comfortable competency, and now ranks among the leading agriculturists of the county. He has one of the best improved farms in Bear Creek township, and his resi- dence and farm buildings are among the best in the county, a fine view of which can be scen on another page. During the war Mr. Dodson was for a time enrolling officer. He also made the assessments the first two years after township organization. He is ranked by his neighbors as among the best eitizens of the county.
WILLIAM LOGSDON.
THEearliest settler of Bear Creek township, now living, is he whose name heads this sketch. It is not often that we find one who has re- sided so long in what is still a new county. He has been a citizen of Christian county for half a century, coming here in the year 1830. He is a native of Kentucky, and was born in the year 1820. His father, James Logsdon, was also a native of Kentucky, and descend- ed from the early settlers of Maryland. James Logsdon moved from Kentucky to Sangamon county in this state in the year 1828, and to what is now Christian county in 1830, and entered land and settled in section 10 on Bear Creek. He returned to Sangamon county, and died in 1864.
In the year 1838 Mr. Wm. Logsdon was married to Elizabeth Meads, who was born in Kentucky. Her mother was also a native of Kentucky ; her father came from Georgia. It is almost impossi- ble in this day of railroads and the many other conveniences of civ- ilization to understand the circumstances in which these pioneers were placed. There were no mills except horse mills, and these were so inconveniently situated that it often required several days travel to get a saek of corn ground. It was impossible to cross the prairie in the day-time on account of the flies called "green heads." Even the plowing in some instances was done in the night. In case of sickness the only medicine was such as nature supplied in the crude state. Yet, in all the privations, many of the early settlers look back to this as the happiest part of their lives. Mr. Logsdon cast his first vote for Harrison in 1840, and was a Whig until the dissolution of that party, since which he has been a democrat. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and is a good citizen.
J. W. PETRIE, M. D.,
WHO has been practicing medicine in Palmer for twelve years, is a native of North Carolina, and was born November 7th, 1832, in - Cabarras county, of that state. His father, John Petrie, was also a native of North Carolina. The grandfather emigrated from Germany.
Dr. Petrie removed from his old home to California in the year 1855, for the purpose of hunting gold, and in the year 1860 eame to Illinois, and in 1866 to Christian county. He commenced the study of medicine in 1853, under the direction of Dr. P. J. A. Haynes, at Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina, and afterward attended a course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. He began the practice of medicine in 1866, and located at Palmer in 1868. He was united in marriage to Annie M. O'Rourke, in
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
the year 1869. She is of Irish ancestry, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.
In politics he supports the democratic party, but is liberal in his views; is a strong advocate of temperance, and believes in the abo- lition of the liquor traffic, seeing in common with all who support this cause that the sale of intoxicating drinks is detrimental to the best interests of society.
Dr. Petrie belongs to the eelectic school of medicine, and in common with all of that school, believes that a physician should nse any method or any means that will relieve suffering and restore the sick to health. He is faithful in the discharge of his professional duties, and in his manners a very agreeable gentleman.
ALFRED BOYD
Is a native of Burke county, North Carolina ; was born on the 7th of Nov., 1809. His father, John Boyd, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., about the year 1769, and descended from Scotch ancestry. John Boyd moved to North Carolina with his father when a boy, and afterward moved to Tennessee, where he died. Mr. Alfred Boyd moved to Kentucky, residing there six years, and in April,
1839, moved to Christian county, Illinois, securing by purchase and entry, a farm of two hundred acres, in Bear Creek township. He was married in 1832 to Zillah MeCormick, who was of Seoteh-Irish ancestry. Thirteen children have blessed this union, eight of whom are still living, viz. : Joseph H., a grain merchant in Palmer ; James M., Alfred E., and J. L., farmers living near Palmer, Robert A. living in California, Elizabeth E., the wife of C. B. Denny, Sarah E., now Mrs. J. T. Anderson, and Mary L., the wife of G. E. An- derson ; John, Thomas, Harriet and David, died at an early age. Rebecca A. married B. M. Burdick and died in 1880, and the mother died in 1877. Mr. Boyd has been a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church for many years, and by his consistent life has adorned his profession. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and was a democrat to the time that the republican party was organized, since which he has supported that party. In the first and only lawsuit he ever had he employed Abraham Lin- eoln as his attorney, and of course won his case. Mr. Boyd has lived to see many changes in that part of Christian county in which he resides, and has reached a ripe old age. He is a man of sterling integrity, and has lived a quiet, consistent life.
STONINGTON TOWNSHIP.
HIS township is bounded on the north by Mosquito, east by Macon county and Prairieton township, south by May and west by Buekhart township; it comprises the Congressional town 14, range 1 W., is six miles square- and contains a fine body of land-its farmers are among the most enterprising in the county. This township entered into one of the four original precincts formed on the organization of the county. It then embraced the whole south-western portion of the county. And when curtailed in its boundaries, it has continued to retain its orig- inal name. At the first election held August 5, 1839, Peter R. Ketcham and David Simons were elected Justices of the Peace, and William L. Hammer Constable. For the other constable there was a tie between Frederick Fitch and Nicholas Sanders. The lat- ter drew the prize by lot. The Judges of election were Elijah Pal- mer, David Simons and Peter R. Ketcham. As this returning Board adjudicated in their own cases, it is presminable there was more honesty in "counting" in those days than now. The arca of the precinet was then 195 square miles, and cast 48 votes. The same territory at the election in 1876 cast a vote of 2,400. At the first election there was not a single vote cast in what is now Rose- mond, Pana and Assumption, then included in Stonington Precinct.
PIONEER SETTLERS.
THE pioneer settlers in Stonington township, were Peter R. Keteh- am, Christopher Ketcham, JJohn Biggs, Elijah Paliner, Nicholas Sanders, Deacon Peabody, Thos. P. Chapman, Samuel N. Pea- body, William S. Peabody, Frederick Fitch, Allen B. Peabody, Leonard G. Lillie, Andrew B. Chapman ; later eame Asa Bowman, J. G. Armstrong. C. Tyler Chapman came in 1849. John T. Slaughter came in 1845. Matilda Compton, 1840. W. S. Spin- gate, 1834.
The first steam saw and grist mill was erected a short distance above "Sandersville," in 1842, by Leonard G. Lillie, who operated it sucessfully for several years. Next to the one at Mt. Auburn it was the second steam mill built in the county. After a few years, Mr. Lillie emigrated to California, and the mill was sold and moved away.
The annual prairie fires were a great annoyance to the early set- tlers. Many years ago, some emigrant wagons passed where Ston- ington is now located, going towards Mt. Auburn. The emigrants at night camped in the tall wild grass that grows so luxuriantly in the low land, of that vast prairie. During the night the prairie was set on fire ; it came sweeping toward them with almost the velocity of the wind, and not knowing how to avoid it they nearly all perish- ed in the flames. Had they burned the grass for some distance around their camp-they would most probably have passed through the danger unscathed. Green B. Keteham, a citizen of Stonington township, was elected as one of the carly Coroners of the county. Ile could neither read or write. There was a time in the country's history, when this seemed to be a necessary qualification. A writ was placed in his hands to be served on the sheriff. As he could not read it, but was informed as to the nature of its contents, a wag, comprehending the situation, informed him that in order to make a legal service, where the officers could not read it, he was to communi- cate the nature of it, and at the same time place his hand on the person named in the writ. The sheriff humored the joke; both of- ficers had their horses saddled; each made for his horse, when 2.40 time was made, sheriff H. in the lead and the Coroner close in the rear. Round and round the public square, at the county seat, first up one street and down another. At length the writ was served, and the green Coroner made for his cabin well nigh exhausted.
The first land entered in this township as shown on the records,
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
was by James Ketcham, January 6, 1836, the S. E. } of the S. E. } of section 34, 40 acres. Other entries were made on the same day by Richard F. Barrett-S. W. } seetion 35, 160 acres, S. E. } sec- tion 35, 160 acres, S. W. section 36, 160 acres and S. E. section 36, 160 acres. September 27, 1836, Thomas H Hewitt and Robert Allen, each entered land on section 25.
"Sandersville" was an old trading point in the south-east corner of this township, on the old county road from Taylorville to Mow- eaqua. Goods were sold there for nearly a quarter of a century, by Nicholas Sanders, John Catherwood, Charles F. Moody and others. It had a Post-office, and near by was the old Baptist church and the district school-house.
STONINGTON COLONY.
A number of New Englanders desiring to emigrate to the west- ward, organized an association, in North Stonington, Connecticut ; and as early as 1836, sent out Rev. Gideon B. Perry and Thomas H. Hewitt, as special agents, to prospect, loeate and enter a large compaet body of land in some desired portion of Illinois. These agents, after traveling over most of the northern part of the state, came to Springfield, where they mct Dr. R. F. Barrett and Robert Allen, two prominent and well-known citizens, and it was there de- termined, to locate on the west side of Flat Branch ou lands then in Shelby and Sangamon counties. They entered 10,000 acres of land, which was divided, and allotted by auetion among the mem- bers of the colony, in North Covington, Connecticut. The names of the principal colonists, who came to the county, were Thomas P. Chapman, Nicholas Sanders, William S. Frink, Benj. F. Chap- man, Gideon Wilbor, Elijah Palmer, Allen P. Peabody, Frederick Fitch, William S. Peabody, Rev. A. Ackley, Elias S. Peabody, Amos Peabody, Thomas Skiff, Thomas Millard, and probably others in 1837. In the following year, Samuel Peabody, Samuel N. Pea- body, Paris Pray, Horace Morgan, John D. Brown, Deacon Smith, John P. Williams, Andrew B. Chapman and C. Tyler Chapman, joined them.
The county, at that time, was very sparsely settled, and the set- tlers looked with a jealous eye upon all bodies of new comers, and on none more than those from the New England states. In 1834, William Kinney, of Bellville, then a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, said much in his speeches to engender this sectional hate.
The arrangements of the colonists were projected on a grand scale. It was determined that a tract of 160 acres of land should be appropriated, before division, to the founding of a city. This was done. The name was to be "Stonington City."
The tract was situated on the W. ¿ of S. E. }, and the E. } of S. W. 4, of section 25, T. 14 N., R. 1 W. It was surveyed into lots and blocks, and platted May 11, 1837, by John B. Watson, surveyor of Sangamon county, under the direction of Gideon B. Perry, chairman of the executive committee of the "Stonington colony." It contained a public square, park, forty-two blocks and five hundred and four lots. The strects were seventy-two fect wide, with high-sounding names.
This city looks well on paper, and may be seen in Book No. 47, page 390 "Transcribed Record," in Recorder's office.
The enterprising colony, imbued with the laudable spirit which actuated their Puritan ancestors, determined on having early edu- cational facilities. Schools being provided for, they procured the passage of a liberal charter for the founding of a school, to be known as " Brush College," which lives only in memory.
They also brought with them the inherited love for churches and a preached gospel. A Baptist church was organized in 1838. The
Rev. Gideon B. Berry, Rev. Amos Dodge, and Rev. P. Pray were the pioneer preachers.
The town had a post-office, but it was subsequently moved to the new town of Stonington.
The old hotel is now the residence of N. B. Chapman.
Below we add the township officers :
Supervisors .- Asa Bowman, elected 1866, re-elected 1867, and continued in office up to 1874; Joshua Barrich, elected 1874; R. W. Covington, 1875, and by re-election continued to hold the office until 1879; Charles A. Peabody, 1880.
Assessors .- C. A. Peabody, 1876, re-elacted 1877 and 1878; J. H. Foltz, 1879, re-elected 1880.
Collectors .- Wm. E. Peabody, clected 1866; re-elected 1867, and cach year up to 1872; John M. Spires, 1872 and 1873; B. F. Young, 1874, and by re-election held the office up to 1880.
Town Clerks .- J. H. Meyers, 1876; J. H. Foltz, 1877; W. H. Sabin, 1878, re-elected 1879, and 1880.
Commissioners of Highways .- W. E. Peabody, 1876; J. H. Solli- day, 1877 ; J. M. Smith, 1878; Daniel Doyle, 1879; J. H. Solli- day, 1880.
Constables .- James Baughman, elected in 1873 ; Gustavus Smack, 1876; B. L. Vermillion and John Langdon, 1877.
Justices of the Peace .- James Ferguson, elected 1866; N. B. Chapman, 1866; James Ferguson resigned, and P. P. Dough re- moved 1870. Jolin W. Farrow, 1872, re-elected 1873; James Miller, 1873 ; Joseph H. Foltz and James Ferguson, 1874; John Smith, J. H. Meyers, and J. H. Foltz, 1877.
STONINGTON
Is a small town and station on the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railway, about nine miles north-east of Taylorville, in the heart of a farm and stock-growing country. At first it was called Covington, in honor of one of its proprietors. But the removal of the old Ston- ington post-office from Sandersville, carried the name with it; and from the expressed wishes of many of the older inhabitants, the name Stonington was substituted for that of Covington, by which name it has sinee been known.
The town was surveyed and platted by Richard M. Powel, county surveyor, June 14, 1870, for E. O. Smith, of Decatur, and R. W. Covington, of Stonington township. It is located in the north-west corner of section twenty-seven of this township.
The streets are fifty and sixty feet wide, and named Walnut, Main, Maple, Pine, etc.
The first store was built and opened by John Catherwood, who laid in a general stock of goods.
The next building was moved down the railroad from about three miles, by John Downey, in which he kept a saloon. This was in the spring of 1870.
During the following summer, Hayden & Stumpff built a shop and began blacksmithing.
Dr. J. B. Maple, Wm. Slaughter, Jolin W. Slaughter and John Stumpff also built their residences in 1870. John W. Tarrow built a hotel in 1870.
John W. Slaughter erccted a store-house and opened a general stock of goods in the spring of 1871. The town was nearly all built during 1870 and 1871. It now has a population upward of one hundred and fifty.
The post-office was established in 1870, and John Catherwood was the first post-master. R. B. Temple and A. J. Palmier are the succeeding ones.
The school-house was built in the fall of 1874, by directors R. W.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Covington, Benj. Colbrook and John Catherwood. It is a one-story frame building, and cost $700.
The M. E. Church was erected in the summer of 1874, by direc- tors James Ferguson, J. B. Maple, Wm. Garwood, Wm Limer, C. C. Hice, R. W. Covington and Wm. Wood, at a cost of $2000.
The Catholic church was built in 1879. It is a fine frame struc- tnre with spire, and cost upward of $3000.
The elevator, owned by S. S. Sprague & Co., was erected in the winter of 1878. It is constructed for handling all kinds of grain, and has a capacity of 20,000 bushels small grain
There are at present in the town :
Physicians .- D. W. Porter, E. M. Alverson. General Store .- A. J. Palmer, J. W. Slaughter.
General Store and Drugs .- J. T. Bauer.
General Store and Agricultural Implements .- R. B. Temple. Barber Shop, Cigars and Tobacco .- Wm. Flynn.
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