History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 47

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 826

USA > Illinois > Clark County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 47
USA > Illinois > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 47

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

At the time of the first settlement of the township by the whites, remnants of the Kick- apoo, Pottawatomie and Winnebago tribes of Indians were encamped on the North Fork and Turkey Run, near the eastern boundary. They came here during certain seasons of the year for the purpose of hunt- ing and were very civil in their demeanor toward the settlers, with whom they bartered skins, venison, beads, moccasins, etc., for

calico, pork and various other articles. Through the efforts of missionaries the ma- jority of these Indians had become Chris- tianized and sustained churches among them- selves. In the observance of their religious rites they were very strict, and punished with severity any infraction of their rules, such as pilfering, lying and Sabbath break- ing. It is related that upon one occasion during religious services, a squaw was de- tected in the act of cutting hair off a deer- skin. This grave offense called down upon her the wrath of the pious braves, who couk not allow such a flagrant breach of decorum and Sabbath breaking to go unpunished. At the conclusion of the services the luck- less offender was tied to a post and cruelly punished with thirty severe lashes on the bare back. The Indians discontinued their annual visits to this partof the county about the year 1842, since which none have been seen in the western portion of the county.

The nearest places where groceries and other supplies could be obtained during the early history of the township were the towns of York and Darwin, at that time mere ham- lets. Some of the early settlers hauled their products to Terre Haute, a town at the time we speak of about as large as the present vil- lage of Casey. The first thought of the pio- neer after securing a home for himself and his family, was a mill, where he might obtain bread for his dear ones. Owing to the absence of facilities no mills were erected in this divis- ion of the county, and the settlers were obliged to rely upon the little horse mills of the surrounding townships for their bread- stuffs. A small horse mill was built a short distance west of Casey in Cumberland County, and was for a number of years extensively patronized by the citizens of this part of the county. In order to get their grinding done people were obliged to take provisions

371

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

with them and remain at the mill sometimes as long as two and three days awaiting their resp .etive turns.

The town of CumberlandI was laid out by Ewing Chancellor and John Doughty, and dates its history from the year 1>35. It was an outgrowth of the National Road and is situated in the western part of the township on the northeast quarter of section twenty. The first house in the village was a lor build- ing erected by John Chancellor for the two- fold purpose of store and dwelling. Chan- cellor brought on a good stock of goods, and for about ten years dil quite an extensive business, when he sold out to Doughty & Co. During the early years of the village it became a prominent trading point aud furnished supplies to the sparsely settled country for many miles aroun lowing to its distance from towns of any considerable size. The early travel on the National Road, at that time being quite extensive, made the town a favorite stopping place, and it grew quite rapidly and soon gained considerable promi- nence. A number of machan es settled in the village in an early day, among whom was James Wilson, who erected the first black- smith shop in the township, which he operated for several years. A post-offic . was established here a short time prior to the platting of the town, and Ewing C ancellor appointe I post- master. The post-office was named for Hon. Mr. Casey, at that time United States Spuator from Illinois. The last store in the village was kept by John Chancellor, who continued in business until the town of Casey sprang into existence about the year 1853. The first election in the precinct of which the township originally formed a part was held inthe town of Cumberland, in the year 1835, when Ewing Chancellor and Mr. Dave- were elected justices of the peace, and Jolın G. Brown and Joshua Chancellor, consta- bles. The village continued to grow apace

until the town of Casey was lail out, when its business interests were absorbed by the latter place.

Casey is situated on the southwest quar- ter of the northwest quarter of section 29, and was surveyed by D. H. H .imer, March, 1854, for John Cole, proprietor of the land. The first builling on the original plat of the village was a hotel which was erected by John Lang for the accommodation of travelers on the National road. Lang was a native of Scotland and a man of more than ordinary information and intelligence. Ile kept the ho- tel until the time of his death, a few years ago. Among the first persons to purchase lots and erect buildings in the village were William Gordon, William Kline and John Anderson. The first store was started by John Cole who erected a house for the purpose in the eastern part of the town. His stock consisted of a miscellaneous assortment of merchan lise, and he was in business about three years when he elosed out, and left the village. J. M. Ryan kept the second store, which he operated very successfully for a period of six years, when he sold out to other parties. Among the early merchants of the place were Thomas Chan- cellor, H. A. Boyd and M. Sanford, the last two of whom are still in business in the vil- lage. The completion of the Vandalia rail- road through the country gave the town new impetus and its growth since that time has been rapid and substantial. A num- ber of large brick business houses have been erected, and at the present time the town is considered the second place as a trading point in the county.

The village was incorporated on the 13th day of May, in the year 18:1, when the fol- lowing board of trustees were elected : Lon Archer, Shannon Wilson, A. J. Snavely and Rufus Neal. H. A. Boyd was elected presi- dent of the board, Thomas Ensign, clerk, Da- vid Coffinan, town constable, and Wash. San-

372

IIISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

ford, treasurer. The present officers are the following: Wash. Sanford, president, John Brooks, clerk, H. G. Morris, police magistrate, Silas E. Tippey, police constable, William Echelberry, Charles Weckerman, John F. Emerick, R. A. Young and James Ernely, trustees.

The Casey mill was erected in the year 1869 by Rufus Neal, and is the only mill of any kind in the town or township. It is a three story building operated by steam, has four run of buhrs, and with elevator attached is valued at $9,000. The present owners are Baughman and son, who are doing an exten- sive business, and under their management the mill has gained quite a reputation.

A bank was started in the village in the year 1873 by David Steeples. It was known as the Home bank, and for four years did a very flourishing business. Steeples had good credit and large deposits were placed in his bank, but being of a speculative turn he used considerable of this money in his ventures, and as a consequence became financially em- barrassed and was obliged to quit the busi- ness owing to his inability to meet the de- mands made upon him.

The Casey Bank was started in the year 1874 by Chas. Clement of Rutland, Vermont, with a capital stock of $50,000. Clement being the principal stockholder, this bank was run until the year 1877, at which time it was discontinued. Fugua and Sanford en- gaged in the banking business in the year 1877, and continued very successfully until 1879, when the entire interest was bought by Fugua. It has been run since that time by Fugua and son, who are doing a very good business. J. O. Fugua is the present cash- ier.

A publication known as the Casey Times was started in the year 1872 by John Garri- son and B. F. Ward. It was a six-column quarto and soon reached a handsome circula-

tion. H. A. Boyd purchased Garrison's inter- est about seven months after the scheme was inaugurated, and one year later Ward became sole proprietor. The paper was started as an independent publication, but under the man- agement of Ward it was run on the Green- back basis, and afterward merged into a full- fledged Democratic sheet. This vacillating course proved very displeasing to the Repub- licans, who refused to renew their subscrip- tions. Ward continued the paper under many difficulties until the year 1878, when the office was moved to Marshall and merged into the Illinoisun. A second paper, known as the Exponent, was started in the year 1822, by a stock company, under the management of Edward Hitchcock. This paper was Re- publican and outspoken in its sentiments. It was continued here during the fall and winter of 1878, when the office was moved to Mount Huron, where it is still run under the editorial management of Hitchcock.

The Casey Advocate was started, June, 1881, by H. G. Morris. It is a six-column quarto, run on an independent basis and issued weekly. Mr. Morris has labored ear- nestly and spared no pains in order to give the people a paper worthy of their patronage, and his independent manner of treating the subjects of the day has won for him many fa- vorable comments from the "brethren of the quill " elsewhere. The present circulation of the paper is seven hundred and fifty.

The Casey Banner was started, January, 1879, by B. F. Ward. It is a six-column Quarto, issued weekly, and is independent in politics. Its subscription list, which is already large, is constantly increasing, and the paper is rapidly growing in favor. Its present cir- culation is between six and seven hundred.

Casey Lodge, No. 442, A. F. and A. M., dates its history from October 4, 1865, at which time the charter was granted by the Grand Lodge then in session at Springfield.

373

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

On the charter are the following names of orginal members: J. M. M.Clary, J. W. Wallace, G. S. Henderson, John Closson, Henry Sherman, A. S. Ross, John Wolford, William Carlisle, A. Jacobs, M. Jacobs, A. W. McMurry, W. H. Sherman, Fred Peters, Mahlon Lee, William Closson, Andrew Drum, John Hendricks, William M. Guthrie, Allen Minor, and Deming Sturdevant. The first officers were J. M. McClary, W. M .; J. W. Wallace, S. W .; G. S. Henderson, J. W .; Henry Sherman, Sect .; and John Closson, Treas. The officers at present are the follow- ing: William W. Bruce, W. M .; Bronson L. Adams, S. W .; Austin L. Bloomer, J. W .; Samuel Dosbaugh, Treas .; J. C. Kelly, Sect. Past Masters of the lodge are D. C. Sturde- vant, J. W. Balsley, and Allen Miuor. The lodge is in good working order, and has on its records the names of forty-five members in good standing. The lodge owns the hall where its meetings are held.

The Monroe Post, No. 100, G. A. R., was organized July, 1881, with a membership of twenty-two. The meetings are held semi- monthly in Sanford's Hall. The officers in charge at present are: John Brooks, Com- mandler; Joel Weaver, Son. V. C .; John Brooks, P. C .; and S. B.,Cook, J. V. C. The number at present belonging is about one liun . dred. On the 6th of February. 1881, occurred a very destructive conflagration, which will long be remembered by the citizens of Cisey. The fire originated in the rear end of E. S. Moore's store building, and had got under strong headway when first discovered. The flames soon reached Moyer's residence and the wareroom of H. A. Boyd, both of which were soon enveloped by the merciless flames. A few seconds later the meat market belong- ing to Mr. Myers, and the buildings on Gil- kinson's corner, were added to the list of ruined buildings. From here the course of the flames turned the corner of Jasper street,

through the old buildings belonging to Boyd, the meat market of Mr. Smith, and the barber shop of Joe McDowell, all of which were soon a smouldering mass of blackened ruins. The Hays building and the Burnap property adjoining it, were next attacked by the fire fiend, and before anything could be done to stay the flames, both houses were completely destroyed. From these buildings the fire leaped to the opposite side of the street and caught in McDaniel's shop, which was soon reduced to ashes. At this juncture the fire was checked, partly through the efforts of the citizens, all of whom did everything in their power to arrest the course of the devour- ing element. The following is a list of the losses sustained in this most destructive fire : S. S. Burnap's building, $450; Hays' build- ing, 8400; H. A. Boyd's stock of goods, val- ued at $6,250, building $1,000; Dulaney's two buildings, $900; Myers' block, §200; Wake- man's building, $250; Griffin's store-room, 8600; Moore's store-room and stock, $1,100; and Gilkinson's building and stock, $2,000. This fire fell like a destructive blow upon a majority of the parties named, but two of whom had any insurance upon their property or goods. Boyd and Moore were insured, the former to the amount of $1,000, and the latter but $600. The fire was supposed to be the work of an incendiary, and a certain suspi- cious character was at once arrested. While all believed in his guilt, it could not be legal- ly established, and in the trial that ensused he was acquitted. The town soon rallied from the effects of this calamity, and a num- ber of substantial business houses soon took the place of those burned.

The present population of the village is about 750. The following exhibit represents -its business interests. Four large dry goods stores, six grocery stores, two drug stores, two restaurants, one flour and feed store, one furniture store, five millinery establishments,

3-4

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

two hardware stores, one jewelry store, one butcher shop, two lumber yards, two shoe shops, one barber shop and one marble shop. The town is steadily increasing in growth and prosperity and its future outlook is very promising.

The first school in the township was taught by Samuel G. Hoskins in a little log building that stood in the town of Cumberland as early as the year 1837. The house was erected for school and church purposes by the neighbors, each of whom contributed so much work and one cord of wood. Hoskins was a doctor and came to Cumberland for the purpose of prac- ticing his profession, but not realizing a fortune in treating the ailments of the body, he turned luis attention to other pursuits. As a peda- gogue he was a success and he appears to have given universal satisfaction to the patrons of the school. He was afterward elected jus- tice of the peace and exercised the duties of that office in a manner not at all satisfactory to evil-doers. The second school-house in the township stood near the eastern boundary, and was fisrt used by James V. Hedges about the year 1839. Hedges was a man of more than ordinary intellectual attainments, and brought with him to his work the advantages of a collegiate education. His first school was attended by about fifteen pupils and lasted three months. An early school-house stood in the northern part of the township near the Whitehead farm, but the date of its erection could not be ascertained. It was, like all the pioneer school-houses, a log struct- ure about 16×18 feet, and was in use for a number of years. The first pedagogue who wielded the birch in this building was Thomas S. Batey, of Portsmouth, Ohio, a very good teacher and a fine scholar. Simon Mercer taught school at the same place about the year 1811. The first school in the town of Casey was taught by Silas Nelson in a little building which stands in the central part of

the village. This was in the year 1859, and one year later a neat frame building contain- ing two rooms was erected for school pur- poses. It stood where the present school- house now stands and was first used by D. W. English. It was in use for about ten years when the growing population of the village demanded a more commodious structure and a brick house was erected in its stead in the year 18:0. This building was two stories high, contained four rooms, and cost $11,000, a sum which was considered exorbitant. Owing to a defect in the walls, the house was con- demned and torn down in the year 1881, and replaced by the present handsome structure which was erected during the summer and fall of the same year. The present building is brick, two stories high, contains six large well- furnished rooms, two halls, and was erected at an expenditure of $12,000. It stands in the eastern part of the village, and in point of architectural finish is one of the finest school edifices in the county. The present teachers are Alvin Smith, principal; John Arney, Juletta Ashby, Rebecca Carr and Annie Mauring, assistants. The present attendance of the village schools is about three hundred and fifty pupils. There are in the township nine school-houses, six of which are frame, two brick, and one log. Schools last about eight months of the year, and are well supported and patronized.

The first religious services in the township were conducted by the Baptists at the town of Cumberland as early as the year 1838. Private residences and school-houses were used as meeting places for a number of years. There was no regular church organized until about the year 1850, at which time the Cul t- berland Baptist church sprang into existence. This society was organized at the residence of Elder John Doughty with the following members: F. M. Howe, Margaret Chism, Daniel Gordon, Phehe Chancellor, Burgess

375

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

Riv, John Donghty and Jane Doughty. Five years later a house of worship was erected in the vil age at a cost of about $1,- 200. It is a frame structure 40x32 feet, and will comfortably seat two hundred and fifty persons. The first trustees of the church were John M. Doughty, Francis Doughty, Enoch James, George Conger and Burgess Ray. The house was dedicated in the spring of 1856 by Elder Jared Riley. At the or- ganization of the society, Elder John Doughty was called to the pastorate, a position he filled acceptably for a period of over thirty years. He was born in Kentucky in the year 1796,' and moved to Indiana when nineteen years of age. He united with the Baptist church at the age of twenty-two and commenced preaching soon afterward. He was in the ministry fifty-six years and gave the best en- ergies of his lite to the noble work of saving souls. During the last ten years of life his physical strength failed to such an extent that he was unable to preach publicly. He died September 2, 1815, at a ripe old age, universally respected by all who knew him. The church, at one time the most flourishing organization in the western part of the county, has diminished in numbers during the last ten years, many of the members having died, and others having moved from the country. The present membership was not ascertained.

The Casey Methodist Episcopal church was organized through the efforts of Rev. Mr. Slater in the year 1853. The constitutional members were John Cole and wife, Jacob Ryan and wife, Dr. Barber and wife, Jacob Smith and wife, Mr. Andrews and wife, Susan Nettleton and Mary Long, the last two being the only ones now living in the place. The church was attached to the Martinsville cir- cuit at the time of its organization and was ministered to by Rev. Mr. Slater for two years. Since then the following pastors have had charge of the church: Revs. Hungerford,

Harris, Barthlow, Orr, Gay, Palmer, Mitch- ell, Hornold, Shields, Carrington, Shelby, Aldrich, Cabric, Hedges, Shoemaker, Dillen, Pattle, Ganaway, Graham and Potter, the last named being the pastor in charge at the present time. Meetings were held in the school-house until the year 1855, when the present building was erected. The house is frame, and was erected at a cost of about $1,800. It stands near the eastern part of the village, on Cumberland street, and is a very comfortable and convenient structure with a seating capacity of about three hun- dred. The church is in a flourishing condi- tion at the present time, and numbers one hundred communicants. A Sunday-school was organized with the first starting of the church and has been successfully maintained ever since. It has an average attendance of one hundred pupils and is under the efficient management of J. W. Johnson, present su- perintendent.

A Presbyterian church was organized south of the village of Casey in the year 1862 by Revs. C. P. Spinning and J. E. Harvell of the Presbytery of Palestine. It was known as the Union Presbyterian church and num- bered nine original members i. e. John Scott, Christina Scott, Rebecca Gamble, Elizabeth Kline, Mary Forester, Samuel A. Peters, An- geline Peters, Eliza Jane McClain, and a Mr. McClain. The occasion of the organization of this church was the settling in the com- munity of a number of families from Ohio and Indiana who had been brought under Presbyterian influences in their native States. The society was maintained in a flourishing condition for some time but gradually went into decline and the organization was aban- doned.

After Casey was laid out the scattered members of Union church were gathered up and the church of Casey organized February 11, 1872. The organization was effected by

376

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

Revs. George F. Davis of Lagrange, Mis- souri and G. A. Pollock of Effingham. At the organization the following names were enrolled as members : John Scott, Christina Scott, Elizabeth Kline, Rebecca Scott, G. W. Yoke, W. T. Adams, Rebecca Adams, Har- riett Melcher, Amelia Wilson and Mrs. Mar- tha Bergen. At the first meeting John Scott and W. T. Adams were chosen ruling elders and duly inducted into that office. The church has been served by the following pastors : Rev. Geo. T. Davis, from April, 1812, to April, 1876, Rev. Philo Phelps during the summers of 1876 and 1877, Rev. T. E. Green from April, 1828, to September 1828, Rev. R. A. Mitchell from April, 1879, to Oc- tober, 1880, Rev. J. W. Fulton from Novem- ber, 1880, to June, 1881. Rev. G. W. Fisher took charge of the church October, 1881, and is the present pastor. The present member-

ship is sixty. The house in which the con- gregation worship is a substantial brick structure; it was erected in the year 1873 and represents a value of $3,000. The Sunday- school was organized in the year 1874 and at the present time is in good working order. The superintendents are P. B. Odeor, and W. W. Bruce.

The Roman Catholic church of Casey was established in the year 1879 by Father Kuhl- man, of Marshall, and Charles Wekenman, of Casey. The original membership consisted of the families of Ed. Dyers, Michael Heim, Mrs. Rodman, Chas. Wekenman and Mrs. Orth. Their house of worship is a neat frame edifice 24x36 ft. and cost the sum of $500. It was erected shortly after the church was organized and stands in the south part of the village. Services are held every third week by Father Kuhlman, pastor in charge.

CHAPTER XIII .*

WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP-TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES-EARLY IMMIGRATION-SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS-GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SETTLEMENT-RICHMOND -WESTFIELD VILLAGE-ITS RISE AND PROGRESS-THE COLLEGE- CHURCHES, MINISTERS AND SCHOOLS.

" Turn wheresoe'er I may, By night or day,

The things which I have seen I now can see no more. " -Wordsworth.

W ESTFIELD Township, one of the small- er divisions of Clark, forms the north- west corner of the county. But half a Con- gressional Township in area, it contains of that which makes a people prosperous, much more than its proportional share. The first settlers were not dissimilar to those who pioneered the way in other parts of the county, but they early shook off the liabits of dissipation that so unhappily retarded advancement of society in the new northwest, and cherishing that torch-light of civilization, the school, have achieved a progress of which their descend- ants may well be proud.

Originally, Westfield was a fine rolling timber land, somewhat broken along the streams, but easy to subdue and bring under fruitful cultivation, and very inviting to the pioneer seeking a home in a new country. The North Fork of the Embarras River takes its rise here in eight or ten little streams that unite within the limits of the township, or just below, and joined by others as it passes along the western tier of townships joins the main stream in the county below. These water-courses reach out from the central part to all points of the compass, affording fine

natural drainage and a good supply of water for agricultural purposes. The land is & rich agricultural soil returning generous harvests of all crops. The native woods contain all varieties of timber known in this region, wa - nut along the deep black loam of the creek bottoms, and oak, maple, ach, etc., on the light clay of the uplands. Farmers devote their attention to a mixed husbandry, and good homes and comfortable out buildings mark their thrift and enterprise.

Situated on the verge of two connties, at considerable distance from the established lines of carly travel, Westfield was not ad- vantageously placed for quick settlement. Fortunately, James Hite settled in Edgar county, just north of this township, about 1828 or 1830, and having a large acquaintance in his native State of Kentucky, by his glow- ing descriptions of the country was instru- mental in attracting a considerable settlement here. Of this immigration the first family was that of James Shaw. He came from Law- rence county and was probably not known to Mr. Hite and was attracted hither by the flourishing settlement in Edgar county. A small cabin was erected, twelve acres cleared off, and for a time was the only evi- dence of civilization within the present limits of the township. In 1831, Mr. Shaw entered his land, on section 32, and stayed here until about 1834 when he sold to Daniel Evinger and moved to Crawford county. Absalom Kester followed in the fall of the same year.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 47

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 826

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 826