History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 52

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 52
USA > Illinois > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 52

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).

Claypool came to this township from Mel- rose, where he had settled several years previous. He was one of the earliest school- teachers in the county, and taught the first term in this township, the same year of his settlement. He entered forty acres of land in section 17, which he occupied for a number of years.

Willis Doughetee came to Clark County from Peoria, Indiana. His native State was Kentucky, and he left his early home with the expectation of making a fortune in the newly developed country of the Hoosier State. Not realizing his expectations there he was induced to move to this State, owing to the flattering accounts of the country he beard on every hand. Ile entered land in

section 9, and improved a very good farm. Ilis distinguishing characteristic appears to have been an inordinate love for public posi- tions, and he was what might be termed a chronic office seeker. His official career com- meneed when he was chosen justice of the peace, the duties of which office he dis- charged with all the dignity of a Supreme judge. Later he was appointed postmaster, at Martinsville, and in 1849 was nominated by his party for the Legislature, and elected by a handsome majority. He was a promi- nent and enterprising citizen, but possessed a love of self, which was developed to an abnormal degree. It is related that upon one occasion, he submitted to a public exami- nation, at the request of an audience, to have his character delineated by a phrenological lecturer. After speaking of his many good qualities and characteristics, the lecturer pro- eceded to tell in what vocations of life the subject would best succeed. "He possesses many qualifications of a chief justice, but has peculiar fitness for the army, and would make a brilliant general. As a soldier, you could always find him in the front rank-in a re- treat." A few years after the expiration of his term in the Legislature, he sold his farin t, a man by the name of Shaffner, and moved with his family to one of the Western States. He returned to Illinois a few years later and purchased land on Parker Prairie in the ad- joining township.

Shortly after the foregoing settlers arrived, James O. Hedges, and his son, James V. Iledges, settled in the township, on land which is situated a little west of Martinsville village. They came here from Ohio, and for a number of years were prominently identi- fi .d with the history and growth of the town- ship. The names of many other settlers could be added to the list enumerated, but the limits of this chapter forbid a further mention. But few of these who came in

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

when the county was a wilderness, re- main to tell the story of their struggles and hardships; of their many trials while lay- ing the foundation of the homes where their descendants now live, surrounded by circum- stances calculated to make life happy. The pioneers in this part of the county found no " royal pathway to affluence-for many years their lot was anything but enviable." Hard work was the duty of each day, in order to keep the hungry wolf from the door. The first crops were principally corn, which af- forded the chief means of subsistence for a number of years. The settler's rifle, which was one of his most valuable pieces of property, furnished the table with meat; this was easily obtained, as deer and other game were so plenty as to prove very troublesome. Deer would come close enough to the cabin to be shot from the door, while large numbers of prairie chickens made their roosting places on the roofs of the houses. Much of this gaine was shot during the fall season by a band of Kickapoo Indians, who had their cam» on Turkey Run and North Fork. At the time the first settlers made their appear- ance, there were five hundred of these Indi- ans in the country. They would leave at the beginning of winter and remain away until the following fall, when they would re- turn on their annual hunts. They were not troublesome, but, on the contrary, showed a great deal of friendship toward the settlers. and would bring moccasins, beads, and vari- ous other articles into the settlement, and ex- chang : them for calico, pork, tobacco and whisky, of which every settler always kept a supply. These annual hunts were finally discontinued, and, since 1836, no Indians have been seen in the township. Owing to the lack of natural facilities in this part of the country, there was little inducement to erect mills of any sort, especially as the older communities of Marshall and the castern part

of the county were easily accessible. Situ- ated in the western part of the county, con- siderably removed from the early lines of business activities, the country developed no tendency for mercantile pursuits.

The stores of Marshall and elsewhere sup- plied such articles as were necessary, and the settlement was for several years purely a farming community. In the year 1832, how- ever, Joseph Martin came to the county and located in section 7, on the National Road. He was a native of Ohio and a man of no par- ticular enterprise and drifted to this point without any definite motive. The land where he settled had originally been entered by John Chancellor, who subsequently sold it to Amos Potts. Martin purchased the land in about the year 1833. A short time afterward Joshua Cooper, with some genius for specu- lation, suggested to Martin the plan of plat- ting a village on part of the property which was done in the year 1833 under some ar- rangement of partnership by the two men. The platting of the town attracted a small settlement, the out-growth of which was the erection of a little log cabin where a small stock of groceries and more whisky, were of- fered for sale. This little store, or gin-shop rather, was started by Fitch & Redman and was the general rendezvous of the entire neighborhood. The community which early gathered here, consisted largely of a floating class of people whose practices gave the place a very unsavory reputation. The peo- ple were chiefly characterized by their disolute habits and general lack of thrift. Sunday was especially devoted to horse-racing and carousing, a system of things which continued to characte ize the place for several years. In the year 1836, John Stockwell and a Mr. Chenoweth came from Darwin and moved a stock of goods into the little cabin that bad been used by Redman & Fitch for a grocery. About the same time Willis Doughetee com-

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IHISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

menced the erection of a frame building near the central part of the town, for the purpose of engiging in the mercantile business, but sold the house to Stockwell & Chenoweth before its completion, who transferred their stock to it. This firm was composed of men of high character and active business abilities and gave the village a new lease of life. From the time of their advent, a better class of citizens was attracted and society began to amend at once. Their stock of goods con- sisted of a miscellaneous assortment of mer- chandise and represented a cash value of about $3,000. Their business kept pace with the development of the country and their trade became very extensive and lucrative. They continued the business as partners until the year 1840, when they closed out their stock at public auction. A second store had been started in the meantime by Messrs. Hunt & Gamble, who kept a small stock of general merchandise and a liberal supply of " fire- water." They did business about eighteen months, when, filing that they could not cope with the larger and more successful store of Stockwell & Chenoweth, closed out their goods and retired from the field. Stock- well again engaged in business about the year 1841, with MeClure as a partner. They continued the business very successfully to- gether until the year 1846, when MeClure purchased the entire interest. McClure rau the store on an extensive scale until about the year 1856, at which time he sold to other parties and removed from the village. The Preston brothers erected a store building about the year 1842, just opposite the Nicho- las hotel. They stocked it the same year with a large assortment of clothing, dry-goods, groceries, etc., to the amount of $5,000, and soon acquired a very extensive trade. Will- iam Lindsey purchased this store in 1852, increased the stock and continued the busi- ness until the year 1856.

A number of other business houses sprang up from time to time and the place soon be- came noted as a permanent trading point. One of the principal factors which gave char- acter to the town, was the National Road, which offered the only means of communica- tion with other points. The increasing travel over this thoroughfare necessitated the open- ing of hotels, and one was built shortly after the village was laid out. Joseph Martin kept the first public house in a little cabin which stood near the Vandalia Railroad. His place was not very well patronized, however, and he discontinued the business soon afterward. Oliver Hall succeeded Martin about the year 1836, but did not realize a fortune in his "role " as landlord. The first regular hotel was built about the year 1837, and stood where the Nicholas House now stands. It was a large hewed log building and was first kept by a man named Jenkins. He kept a stage stand also, and his house was a favorite stopping place for travelers on the National Road. Major Caldwell succeeded Jenkins in the management of this hotel, and had charge of it until the year 1850. At that time the building was torn down and replaced by a more substantial and convenient brick struct- ure which is still standing. It was built by Jacob Anderson who kept it for some years. Another early hotel was built by Willis Doughetee in 1840 and was known as the Rocky Mountain House. Doughetee kept the house for a number of years and it became a very popular resort. The building is still standing, near the Pan Handle depot, and is used at the present time for a dwelling.

The first mechanic who came to the village was Cornelius Jenkins. H · built a black- smith shop near the central part of the village where the Knapp store building stands, in the year 1838. He was joined the same year by Joseph Dixon, and together they operated the shop for several years and did a very

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

good business. Among other early black- smiths, are remembered, William Gordon and James Wilson, both of whom worked at their trade prior to the year 1842. A very small space will be sufficient in which to notice the early manufacturing interests of Martinsville. The absence of facilities prevented the erec- tion of mills and factories in an early day and it was not until the year 1854 that a manufact- uring establishment of any kind was put in operation. In that year, Messrs. Davis & MeMurray erected a carding machine in the eastern part of the village which proved a moderately successful venture. The building was frame and the machinery was run by steam. It was in operation about five years, when the building was torn down and used in the remodeling of Cooper's flouring mill.

The latter mill was built in the year 1854 at a cost of $14,000. The original building was three stories high and stood in the north- eastern part of the village. The machinery was operated by steam and the mill became extensively patronized. It was purchased by G. W. Cooper, the present proprietor, in the year 1856, who afterward remodeled it, en- larged the building and added new and im- proved machinery. _ It is at present three sto- ries and a half high, has ten run of buhrs, and a grinding capacity of about two hundred and twenty-five barrels of flour per day. It is one of the largest mills on the line of the Vanda- lia railroad and ships flour to all parts of the country.

Another steam flouring mill was erected in the town in the year 1868 by Samuel Macy. It stands in the southern part of the village, and is at present run by W. L. Roberts. The Sallee brothers erected a large steam saw- mill near the railroad in the eastern part of the town in the year 1880. This mill does an immense business and manufactures large quantities of lumber.

In the meantime the business interests of

the town had increased, and the completion of the Vandalia Railroad in 1871, gave the place a permanency it did not before possess. Since that time a number of good store build- ings have been erected, and the village has taken upon itself the dignity of an incor- porated town. Its business is represented by the following exhibit: Three large dry goods stores kept by Charles Douglass, W. G. Del- ashmuth and Elizabeth Vaughn; J. Ishlor keeps a general assortment of merchandise, Grange Store kept by Levi Williams; Black & Fasig, Tichenor & Bro. and John Gamble, druggists; Henry Randal and Benjamin Welch make groceries a specialty. There are two large hardware stores kept by the Lindsey brothers, and Martin Flenner, John Sanderson and Martin Taggart, harness- makers. There are in addition to the above, two restaurants, an agricultural store, one wagon shop, two millinery stores, two ware- houses, one shoe shop, two barber shops and one livery stable. The present town board is composed of the following persons: W. H. Randal, John Deahle, W. G. Delashmuth, F. J. Johnson, J. T. Sanderson and O. D. Germain, Trustees; B. H. Welsh, clerk.

Clark Lodge No. 603, F. and A. M. was organized Oct. 6, 1868, with the following charter members: A. G. Fetter, Thomas Milli- gan, Samuel Medkiff, George Stevens, Charles Duncan, John Gamble, Alexander Ryan, G. W. Ewalt, J. Fulton and John F. Alex- ander. First officers were A. G. Fetter, W. M .; Thomas Milligan, S. W .; and Samuel Medkiff, J. W. The present officers are Jerry Ishler, W. M .; H. Gassoway, S. W .; William Barbee, J. W .; John Gamble, Sec't .; W. H. Randal, Treas. There are forty-five members belonging to the lodge at present and it is reported in good working order. The meet- ings are held in Odd Fellows' Hall.

Martinsville Lodge No. 134, I. O. O. F. was instituted February 28, 1853, by J. W.

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

Ellis, G. M. The following names appear on the charter. Benjamin McKeen, B. F. Mc- Clure, Jonathan Rains, George Conger, T. B. McClure, William Lindsey, Daniel Gard, Morrison Spenny and Jacob Anderson. The present membership is about thirty-six. The hall in which the lodge holds its meetings was erected in the year 1854. It is a good sul)- stantial building and belongs to the organiza- tion. The present officers of the lodge are Isaac Ishler, N. G .; Carey Winterowd, V. G .; J. T. Sanderson, Sec't .; J. C. Porter, Treas .; Thomas Troughton, R. S. N. G .; Walter Mc- Cleary, L. S. N. G.

The Martinsville Encampment was institu- ted in the year 1838 by the Paris Encamp- ment. The original membership was fourteen. The present officers are Isaac Ishler, Chief Patriarch; J. T. Sanderson, Scribe; J. P. Spahr, High Priest; J. C. Porter, S. W .; S. A. Fasig, J. W .; and John Deahle, Treas. There are about twenty-one members belonging at the present time. A Lodge of K. of H. was organized in the year 1874 with a member- ship of fourteen which has since increased to twenty.

They hold their meetings in Odd Fellows' Hall. The present officers are D. W. Tibbs, P. D .; Levi Williams, D. ; H. Bradshaw, V. D .; Thomas Murphy, Ass't D .; F. J. Harris, Rep .; H. Gassoway, F. R .; Jerry Ishler, Chap- lain; B. H. Welsh, Guide; O. D. Germain, Guardian; and C. B. Waterford, Sen't.

The first school in Martinsville was taught about the year 1834 by Lemuel S. Claypool in a little cabin which stood a short distance west of the village. The house had been previously used as a residence by a squatter. Claypool taught here several years but did not seem to give very good satisfaction. The second school was taught by Salmon Rice some time later. Unlike many pioneer teachers, Rice was a man of culture and brought with him to his work the advantages

of a collegiate education. He was a man of extensive information but was marked by many eccentricities among which was his aversion to society. He was an unmarried man and lived in a small cabin by himself and mingled but little with his fellow men. Among the early pedagogues was Seth Hitch- cock. He was a dwarf in stature, but pos- sessed the strength of a giant which he did not hesitate to exercise upon any pupil who had the temerity to violate any of his iron-clad rules. He had but one finger on his right hand but with it he could wield the rod with such force as to bring the most obdurate to speedy terms. Absalom Hurley, Oliver Hall and Robert Williamson taught schools in the village during the early years of its. history. The old Methodist church building was used jointly for church and school pur- poses from 1842 until 1853. In the latter year a frame school-house was erected in the south part of the town near the Vandalia depot. It was used until the year 1871, at which time the present handsome and com- modious briek structure was erected. This building stands on an eminence in the south part of the village and is one of the most complete school edifices in the county. It is two stories high, contains four large size rooms, and was built at a cost of $10,000. The schools at the present time are under the efficient management of Prof. L. S. Kilbourn, princi; al, assisted by Jasper Bennett, Laura Arbuckle, Mattie Sutherland and Lucy Ryan. The average attendance throughout the year is about three hundred pupils.

The first religious services in Martinsville Township were held at private residences, and conducted by missionary preachers of the Methodist church. The early settlers, what- ever their beliefs or lack of belief, were generally ready to open their doors to these missionaries. The early community of Mar- tinsville, however, seems to have been an ex-

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

ception to this general rule, and in 1834 John Chambers, the pioneer preacher of this section found it impossible to hold services because of the people's unwillingness to open their cabins for that purpose. Nothing daunted by the inhospitable treatment, he arranged to hohl a meeting in a grove near by, the novelty of which served to bring out quite an audience. A little later several Methodist families moved into the com- munity, and services were regularly held thereafter. Among the early ministers are remembered, desse Hail, JJohn Strange, - Blundell and -- MeGinnis, all of whom preached to the little band of worshipers " without money, and without price." None of these preachers were men of brilliant scholastic attain ments, but they all possessed a rulle and forceful eloquence which suited the no ils an l appreciation of their hearers. In the year 183> R .v. Mr. Chenoweth, was sent to Martinsville by the Paris circuit for the purpose of organizing a society. With the assistance of Rev. Holland James, and William Wilson, an organization was effected the lat er part of the same year with the fol- lowing members: John Stockwell and wife, Oliver Hail and wife, Wesley Low and wife, Walter Hill and wife, and Miss Hill. Serv- ices were regularly hell at the residences of the different members until about the year 1842, when a small hewed log house was erected on the National Road, in the eastern part of the village. The society was at- tached to the Livingston circuit the same year in which the organization took place. The first pastor was Lewis Amdson, who served one year. He was succeeded by Samuel Burr who preached the same length of. time. L. Oliver followed Burr and re- mained one year. Then came Jesse Hail who had charge of the congregation for one year. Hail was a native of North Carolina, and a man of fine education. He traveled

extensively over the greater part of the western country and was widely known on account of his many peculiarities. Rev. Joseph MeMurtry succeeded Hail, and preached one year. He was followed by William C. Blundell, who remained the same length of time, and was, in turn, succeeded by Thomas C. Lopez. The last named was an able preacher, and did much toward building up the church during his pastorate. The names of other pastors were not learned. The old log house served as a meeting place until the year 1854, at which time steps were taken to build a house more in keeping with the growth of the congregation. The pres- ent edifice was crected the latter part of that year, and is still a comfortable house of wor- ship. It is a substantial, frame structure, and cost about $1,200. The church has increased rapidly in numbers and is now one of the best appointments in the Martinsville circuit. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained in connection with the church, and is well at- tended. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Mc- Elfresh.

The Old School Baptists had a small con- gregation in Martinsville at an early day, but its existence was of short duration. Their preachers were Richard Newport, Stanley Walker and -- Shields.

The Church of God at Martinsville was established in the year 1847. The members comprising it were all from Richland County, Ohio, and their names are as follows: H. Rupp, Sarah Rupp, William Fasig, Betsy Fasig, Henry Fasig, Elizabeth Fasig, Chris- tian Fasig, Catherine Fasig, John Snavely, Eliza Snavely, William Taggart and Sarah Taggart. The first minister, was Eller Henry Rupp, a German preacher, of the Ohio Eldership. Ilis zeal, and devotion to right principles, gave him a firm hold upon the people, which he still retains, at the age of 77 years. It is said that he has officiated a

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

more funerals than any other preacher in the on ity. The second pastor was Elder J. Blickenstaff, under whose pastorate large ac- ressjons were made to the society. The next pastor was Eder Geo. Sander, who was sent out by the East Pennsylvania Ellership, as a hom? missionary, in the spring of 1851. He served the church ten or twelve years at different intervals. Elder S. N. Miller, came next in the line of pastors. He was an old and tried man and served the church with great acceptance. Elder R. H. Bolton, pres- ent secretary of the General Board of Mis- s'ons, preached for the congregation from 1861, until 1867. ITis son, Cyrus Bolton, as- sisted him in the work during the last year of his pastorate. Elder A. J. Fenton suc- ceeded Bolton, and preached very acceptably for two years. Elder J. W. Neely acted as pastor two years. Ile was a physician of extensive practice and a fine theologian. Elders W. B. Lewellen and E. Hart, each served the church acceptably as pastors. The present pastor is Elder R. Perry. Their house of worship was built in the year 1853. It is a good frame building and cost $1.000. The present membership is seventy-five. Their Sunday school was organized in the year 1859, with J. McManus, as superintend- ent, a position he held for over fourteen years. Henry Ishler, is the present superin- tendent. The school has ten teachers and an average attendance of seventy-five scholars.

The Island Grove Baptist Church dates its history from the year 1858. It was organized by a council, appointed for the purpose, of which Elder Linus Gilbert was moderator and Rev. Daniel Harbert, clerk. At the first meet ng, the following names were presented for membership: Gideon Stafford, S rah Staf- ford, Samuel Midkiff, Agnes Midkiff, John Cooper, Elizabeth Cooper, Matil la Stevens and Phebe Nichols. Rev. Daniel Harbert was chosen pastor, a position he filled but a

few months, when he resigned, on account of poor health. He died a short tim > afterward. Rev. Eli Frey was called in 1859 and served the church until the year 1870. He was succeeded by Rev. F. M. Doty, who ministered to the congregation until 1822. The fourth pastor was L. W. P. Gilbert, a native of Ohio, and graduate of Granville college. He was a very able preacher, and remained with the church until the year 1825. Rev. T. J. Thornton, was next employed, and preached acceptably for three years. Then came Rev. T. J. Neal, who served from 1878 until 1881. The seventh, and present pastor, is Rev. S. T. Reynolds, who was called to the pastorate in the year 1881. The present church edifice is a frame structure thirty by forty feet, and was erected at a cost of $1,260. It was built in 1873.

A Sunday school is maintained during the greater part of the year, and is at present under the management of Mills Huckabee, superintendent.

The Methodists have two churches in the southern part of the township, both of which are strong organizations and in flourishing condition. They have good, substantial houses of worship, and are known as the Saint Paul, and Shiloh churches. Their pres- ent pastor is the Rev. McElfresh. The Methodist Church South maintains two or- ganizations in the township also. They were organized about twelve years ago, and at present, are ministered to by Rev. J. D. R. Brown.

The United Brethren have a strong society in the western part of the township, known as the Lincoln church. Their church edifice is a good, brick structure-a model of neat- ness-and was erected at a cost of about $2,000. The pastor in charge at the present time is Rev. E. Hanley.

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History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 52

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