USA > Illinois > De Witt County > History of De Witt county, Illinois. With illustrations descriptive of the scenery, and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 50
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is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and came to this county when a young man. He is a carpeuter by trade, and is also a farmer. Mr. M. L. Griffith learned the printer's art in the office of the Reaper.
Both Messrs. Griffith and Ewing may be regarded as the founders of the Reaper. The paper is edited with ability and typographically is neat and cleau. It enjoys a good circulation.
WILLIAM C. DEVORE.
THE Devore family on the paternal side are of French ancestry, and on the maternal side of German descent. Nicholas H. the father of W. C., was a native of Virginia, but removed to Ohio at an early age. He lived in Cincinati and in Browo county. In 1833 or 4 he went to Chicago, aud in 1836 came down to Piatt county, and was there when the town of Monticello was laid out. Hle was the first post-master of the village. Ile died in 1842. Ile was hy trade both a carpenter and blacksmith. While a res- ident of Piatt county he married Miss Susan Barnes, a native of Marion county, Ohio. She was born in 1817, and was the daugh- ter of William and Sarah Barnes, who came to Piatt county in 1833. The marriage took place in 1836. She still survives her husband and is a resident on the old home farm, where the family first settled when they came to Illinois. William C. is the youngest of four children, two of whom are living, viz : Sarah M. who is the wife of J. N. Bondurant, and the subject of this sketch. The father was born in Piatt county, Illinois, December 28th, 1842. He was raised upou the farm aud attended the conntry schools, wherein he received a fair English education. At the age of twenty-two he commenced learning the printer's trade in the Piatt County Union in Mouticello, aud afterwards in the Piatt County Republican. IIe then weut to Toledo, Tama county, Iowa, and commenced the publication of a paper called the Tama County Republican. One year later he removed to Farmer City, and assisted John S. Harper to start the Journal. In the fall of 1873 he established the Herald, and continued its publication nn- til Angust, 1875, when he sold out. In the Spring of 1876 he went to Lovington, in Moultrie county, Illinois, and there pub- lished the Free Press, which he continued for three years. In April 1879, he came back to Farmer City, moved material and office here, and continued the publication of the Journal under an arrangement made with its former editor and proprietor. Mr. Devore is a good newspaper man, and has demonstrated his abil- ity to conduct a country newspaper and make it a financial suc- cass. He has, since casting his first vote, been an adherent and advocate of the principles of the Republican party.
On the 19th of November, 1877, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mattie A. Stratton, nee Kimler, a native of McLean county. There is one child by that marriage, named Katie Ethel Devore
CHARLES M. WELCH,
THE present Mayor of Farmer City, was born in Marion county, Ohio, September 19, 1839. The Welch family is of Welsh descent on the paternal, and on the maternal side, Scotch. Isaac Welch, the paternal grandfather, was a native of New York. He emigrated to Ohio in 1802, and settled in Delaware county. He married Sarah Shaw, by which union was Daniel Welch, the father of Charles W. He was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1817 ; afterwards lived iu Marion county, where Charles was born, and in 1847 removed to De Kalb county, in Indiana,
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
where he remained until 1863, when he came to Illinois, and settled in De Witt county, where he yet resides. He married Miss Eliza Camp, a native of Onondaga county, New York. She was boru in 1818. By that marriage there were eight children, three of whom are living. The youngest son, R B. Welch, is president of the State Normal School at Emporia, Kansas. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the sons. Ilis advantages in youth for receiving an education were limited, but thanks to his mother, who is a woman of superior mind, and who fostered and cultivated a love of reading and study in her son, he in time, through home and self-culture, became possessed of a good edu- cation. At the age of fifteen he taught school. In the spring of 1854 be entered the Vienna Academy at Newville, Indiana, and entered upon a regular academical course. To sustain himself there he was compelled to teach school in the winter seasons in order to pay expenses of tuition and board. In 1860, his health failing. he was compelled to abandon his studies, He came to Illinois and stopped in Farmer City, and here taught school. In 1861 he returned to Indiana and commenced the study of law in the office of Judge John Morris, of Fort Wayne. In August of the same year he enlisted for three years in Co E of the famous 11th Reg. Iudiana Vols., Col. afterwards Gen. Lew. Wallace commanding. The regiment was at first a part of the Ist Division of the 13th AArmy Corps The regiment remained iu active ser- vice until the expiration of its term of enlistment, when it vet- eranized and re-enlisted for the war. This was in the spring of 1864. It was then sent to Virginia and Washington, and then with the 6th, 8th and 19th Army Corps, constituted the Army of the Shenandoah, under command of Gen. Phil Sheridan. Mr. Welch remained in the service from August, 1861, until the close of the war, and participated with his regiment iu all the skirmishes, battles aud sieges in which it was engaged. The regiment was the best drilled organization in the war, and in many competition drills invariably carried off the prizes. Mr.
Welch was mustered out and honorably discharged in September 1865, having beeu in active service four years and one month. If space would permit us we would be glad to insert a history of this gallant regiment, which was undoubtedly one of the historic organizations of the war. Its history is Mr. Welch's history for four years and one month. Mr. Welch returned to Farmer City soon after his discharge, and taught school in the surrounding counties until 1873, when he accepted a situation as clerk in the grain business, with J. O. Peckham & Co., of Farmer City, and remained with them, as their agent, for six years. A portion of the time he was agent for the company at Kenney, Illinois, and while there read law in his leisure moments. In 1877 he com- menced his studies under the direction of Judge Ingham, and then with Mr. Herrick, of Farmer City. At the June term of the supreme court held at Springfield, he was admitted to the bar, and commenced the practice in Farmer City, where he still continues. Politically, he is a Republican, and a strong, un- compromising advocate of temperance, and was elected mayor of the city on that issue. He is strenuous in the support of the laws made by the majority, and looks carefully and faithfully to their execution. He is a member of the Order of A F. & A. M. On the 15th of April, 1866, he was united in marriage to T. C. Ryan, of Defiance county, Ohio, youngest daughter of John Ryan, a native of New York. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the M. E. church.
During the war he was the recipient, and has in his possession, two general orders emanating from the General in command, publicly complimenting him for personal bravery and gallant conduct in the face of great danger, and in oue is promoted to the position of scout-a position which required the combination of sagacity, coolness and great personal courage. Mr. Welch l'eels justly proud of those souvenirs of respect given him during the dark and trying times of the late war.
TUNBRIDGE TOWNSHIP.
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HIS township deserves special mention in the history of De Witt county, from the fact that the first blow struek toward civilization, and the first settlement made, was within its bor- ders. Over half a century ago the wood- man's ax was heard to resound through the timber of Salt Creek ; few there were to bear the burdens of the pioneer's life and encourage one another in paving the way for civilization and future genera- tions. Fifty-seven years have passed away, and behold the tran- sition : Splendid farms and farm improvements are seen on every hand-life and activity prevail throughout its territory, and its inhabitants are thrifty and happy.
Tunbridge Towuship is situated in the extreme south-western part of the county. and bounded on the north by Barnett town- ship, on the east by Texas, south by Macon county, and west by Logan. It is in the form of a perfeet square, and contains thirty- six see ions of most excellent land. Originally this territory was very evenly divided between prairie aud timber. Salt Creek, a stream of considerable proportions, erosses through the township from east to west a little north of the center. All along this stream, for two or three miles in width, onee was covered with a heavy growth of fine timber, of oak, hickory, ash, sycamore, wal- nut and other varieties. To-day fine farms abound where these giants of the forest stood. Only enough is left to supply the wants of the people for fuel, fencing and building purposes. The surface is sufficiently undulating in most parts to carry off the surface water. At some points on the creek, the banks approach in their form to small bluff's. The railroad facilities are excellent, not less than two roads passing through the entire township. The Illinois Midland railway enters the south-eastern corner and ex- tends diagonally across the township, passing out at the north- west. The Gillman, Clinton, and Springfieldl road-now known as the Springfield Division of the Illinois Central, extends through it from north-east to south-west, forming a junction with the Mid- land at nearly the geographical center of the township, thereby forming a letter x within a perfect square. At this writing, the people are indebted to the Gillman, Clinton, and Springfield road in the sum of $30,000, the bonds of which are drawing ten per cent. interest, but about to be funded at six per cent. The Mid- land road also elaims an indebtedness from the township of $20, 000, but it is said by the people it is an illegal elaim and, there- fore, will not be paid. Some future historian will have to write the sequel.
Believing that the first land entries will prove interesting to not only the present, but to coming generatious, we append them below in the order of their entry : Jacob Coppenbarger on the 12th of November, 1823, entered the N. E. quarter of section 7.
John Walker entered the west half of the N. W. quarter of sec- tion 13 on the 15th of October, 1829. On the same date John Fruit entered the west half of the N. E. quarter, and the east half of the N. W. quarter of section 13. On the same date and same seetion, Elizabeth Fruit entered the east half of the S. W. quarter. Thomas Fruit, at the same time entered the east half of the S E. quarter, and the east half of the N. E. quarter of section 14. On the 17th. of October 1829, Jacob Coppenbarger entered the east half of the S E. quarter of seetion 5. At the same date John Coppenbarger entered the west half of the S. E. quarter of seetion . Hugh Bowles entered on the 6th of No- vember, 1830, the S. W. quarter of seetion 4. On the same date, Baron T. Lowrey entered the N. W. quarter of section 9 Same date and same seetion, William Newcomb entered the west half of S. E quarter. Elisha Butler entered the west half of the N. W quarter of seetion 7th, November 7th, 1830. Same date Mahlon Hall entered 31875. in section 4
THE PIONEERS.
had to undergo untold hardships even to obtain the most meagre enjoyments of life. Their nearest grist-mill was situated at Springfield, and after having taken the then loog and tedious journey, they were often obliged to remain three or four days to get a sack-full of eorn ground ; for it must be remembered that in those days the now capital of the state had but one mill, and that run by horse power. Often the roads and weather were such that they were forced to crush their corn for meal in the old-time mortar. This was constructed by hollowing out a stump, and using an iron wedge for a pestle. Another method was to boil the corn to a soft consisteney, and grate it from the cob by means of a tin pan punehed with holes. What little merchandise was used was mainly obtained at Pekin, the goods being boated up the river from St. Louis. To make the trip to Pekin and re- turn took several days and night-, hence they were obliged to camp out ; and iu the language of one of the old pioneers, "when they lay dowu at night to sleep their slumber was fanned by the howling of wolves, and the whooping of Indians." John Bran- son, sen., who is 88 years of age, and resides in Kenney, informed the writer that in the spring of 1826, he crossed Salt Creek timber, coming out ou what is now the old Joseph Howard farm near Kenney, and that there was not a sign of a white man or of his habitation, but that the timber was lined with Ind an wigwams. They were principally the Pottawatomies and Kiekapoos. Large herds of deer and hundreds of wolves were then running through the timber or skulking through the prairie grass. Mr. Branson believed he was alone in this vast expanse so far as any white man was concerned, but in this he was mistaken ; had he crossed
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
what is now section 7, instead of section 4, he would have found signs of civilization. Here it was that the first blow was struck, where the first settlement was made, not only in this township, but in De Witt county.
Ou the 29th, of October 1824, there might have been seen two wagons drawn by oxen, plodding their way wearily through the tall prairie grass, and finally lost to sight in the timbers of Salt Creek. It was near night when they selected a place to stop, and when they stepped from their wagons, there was nothing but the forest for a home. They soon threw together a rude brush tent and moved into it. These hardy few consisted of two families, Elisha Butler and his wife, and Mrs. Shugart and her two sons, Zion and Edom. They had emigrated from Sangamon county, brought their all with them, and heroically decided to brave the adversities of the pioneer. The moon shining brightly, the next morning, long before daylight they were out cutting logs prepar- Atory to the building of a comfortable cabin. Within a reasona- ble time they had completed it, the women helping the men, and they joyfully moved into their new house. As it was October, and too late to raise a crop they were obliged to undergo the incon- venience for nearly a year of going to Springfield for breadstuff's.
These are among some of the hardships that our forefathers have undergone that the present generation may enjoy what has been so bounteously prepared for them. Of these five pioneers, but one is now living ; the others passed away years ago. The surviving one, Edom Shugart, now resides in Nebraska, a very old man, yet he likes to write and talk about "ye olden times." Section 7, where the wilderness first resounded to the woodman's ax is now, mainly, under good cultivation, and fine farms please the eye of those who pass.
The second to aid in the settlement of this township was John Coppenbarger, a brother-in-law of Zion and Edmon Shugart. He was a native of Virginia, and moved to Illinois in an early day and settled in Sangamon county. In the spring of 1828, he em- igrated to this township and located on section 8, aud raised a | small erop that year. He died in 1869, and at this writing has but one direct representative living, Sylvester P. Coppenbarger, who resides here.
Jacob Coppenbarger, father of John, made the first land entry in the township. This was in the fall of 1828, at the time of his coming. He died many years ago. One son is yet living here, Joseph, who is upwards of 70 years of age.
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John Walker, an emigrant from Ohio, came in the fall of 1829, 1 and settled on section 13. He had a wife and two children ; the names of the children were John and Sidney. Mr. Walker moved to California, about 1848. None of the family are living in the county at this time.
Another prominent old settler was William Randolph, who was a native of North Carolina. He moved with his father to Virginia when he was a mere lad, where he remained until he grew to manhood. In the fall of 1830 he moved with his family to this township. His family consisted of his wife and eight children, Levi, Love, Polly, Willoughby, Sarah, William, Josiah, and J. H. Ilis mode of transit was the Southern style four- horse crooked bed wagon, which was driven by one of the parties who rode the wheel horse using one line. The first house he oc- cupied was a pole cabin with stick chimney, and the ground for a floor. The spring following he traded one of his horses and the wagon for eighty acres of land of Elisha Butler. This was the west half of the north-west quarter of section 7. The same spring he built a comfortable log house, and nsed the pole cabin for a kitcheu. This was the spring following the winter of the " deep
snow." This year Mr. Randolph ploughed and planted a few acres of corn, but the spring being late, and the summer cold, the early frosts cut the crop so severely that it did not mature. It was in such a sappy condition when it was gathered, and, being frozen solid, it actually had to be placed before the fire and thawed before it could be fed to the stock. From the fact that there was no sound corn in Central and Northern Illinois, the few people of this part of the state were obliged to go to the more southern portion to obtain seed corn the following spring, hence the name given to that part of the state, "Egypt." Five other children were born to the family after coming to this section, making thirteen in all. Mrs. Randolph died in 1863, at the age of 63 years. Mr. Randolph lived to the good old age of 74, and died four years after his wife. The only direct representative of the family living in the county is J. H. Randolph, one of the prominent and substantial farmers of De Witt County. He was the youngest of the family, when his father moved to the state. Ile is now living on section 7, the old homestead. He married Miss Margaret Wallace, in the fall of 1853. His wife was the daughter of Colonel Andrew Wallace, another old settler who located on section 6 in 1830, and who was a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky. From this marriage there have been eight children born, Alice, Andrew W., Charles C., Laura, Grace, Moses W., Ivan Lee, and one infant son that died without name. Mr. Randolph is one of the leading stock growers in the county. He has some of the finest blooded sheep in the state, and is said to be the heaviest wool grower in Tonbridge.
Hugh Bowles came to this part of the county in the fall of 1830. On the 6th of November of the same year he entered the south-west quarter of section 4. His family was very large, con- sisting of six boys and five girls. He died many years ago. Anderson Bowles, the eldest son, is living in Barnett township, and the only one of the family now in the county. William Newcomb migrated here in the fall of 1830, and located on sec- tion 9. He was a native of Virginia, moved from there to Ken- tucky, and subsequently to Indiana, and from thence to Illinois as above stated. Prior to his advent here his wife died, but he brought bis children with him, eight in all. Their names were as follows: Juda, Susan A., Daniel, Jane L., Polly, Hannah, Ruth, and Elizabeth. The first four were then married, but came along as part of the family. The conveyances were the usual emigrant teams, oxen yoked before heavy lumber wagons. Mr. Newcomb bought ont the pre-emption right of a widow in section 9, and moved into the little cabin that was situated on the premises. He lived to become a prominent farmer of the times, and died in 1851, the day he was 76 years of age. There are but three of the family living, Aunt Hannah Watson and Susan Alsop, who reside in this township, and Mrs. Jane Knight, who lives in an adjoining county.
Darius Hall came here in 1831, and located in the Coppenbar- ger settlement. IIe was a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, and came to this state in 1829, and stopped two years near Spring- field. He was married in Kentucky in 1819, to Mary Jones. When they came here they had five children. Mr. Hall moved to Clinton a few years ago where he died. He was elected con- stable in 1831, and afterwards served two years as deputy sheriff.
Thomas Fruit was born in North Carolina and afterwards emigrated to Kentucky. In the fall of 1829, he came to Illinois and entered land in section 14, Tunbridge township, when he returned to his home in Kentucky. In the fall of 1834, he moved with his family to his possessions here. The family consisted of a wife and nine children, Susan W., William L., Mary R., Sahilla
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
M., Sidney C., Edmund W., Martha J., Enoch A., and John D. Two of the children were left in Kentucky, James S, and Thomp- son C., there being eleven children in all belonging to the family. Mr. Fruit lived to amass and enjoy a good property, and died the 8th of December, 1871, at the advanced age of 85 years. Mrs. Fruit died a few years before her husband. James Fruit, the father of Thomas, made a settlement prior to the latter, coming in 1831. No one but his wife was with him when he made his advent here. He settled on section 13, but soon died, his death occurring in the fall of 1834. Edmund W. Fruit, son of Thomas, is now a man considerably advanced in years. He is living in section 26, and one of the wealthy and substantial farmers of Tunbridge. He is living with his fourth wife. There are five children James A., Mary E, Arthur W., Laura B., and Sidney J., all of whom are living in the township except the latter, who resides in Missouri. John D Fruit, a younger brother of Edmund W., also resides here on section 21. He is a native of the township, being born in 1835. He has a wife and four children, one son and three daughters.
Another old settler, John Kenney, came from Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1834, and settled in what was called the Bowles and Hall neighborhood. He came with his father's family, which consisted of father, step-mother and six children, three sons, and three daughters. None of the family are living at this time. John died only a few years ago. The village of Kenney was named in honor of him, and it now occupies the ground on which his father first settled. Their pioneer log cabin was situated but a short distance north of the town.
Joseph Howard was a native of Kentucky, and emigrated to Ohio in 1826. He remained there ten years, when he moved to this part of the county, and settled on section 14. His mode of conveyance was what is called in these days the " prairie schooner." He had two wagons, drawn by three yoke of cattle, and the other by a four-horse team. It took one month to make the trip. The roads were new, and in places almost impassable ; sometimes ten miles a day was considered a heavy drive. He brought his family, consisting of a wife and six children with him. The names of the children were Benjamin, Rachel, Ellen, Peter, William, and Reuben. Four other children were born in the township, Francis M., John, Jane, and Annie. Mr Howard lived to improve a large farm and enjoy the fruits of his labor. He died at the age of 81 years in the summer of 1878. Mrs. Howard died many years ago. Four of the children, Benjamin, Peter, Francis, and Annie are residents of Tunbridge ; others of the family are living in the county.
Among other old settlers are the following : John Morrison, who resides in section 11 ; Nathan Cooper, in section 26 ; D. W. Hickman, section 6; James R. Turner, and James C. Scott, both residents of Kenney.
The first frame building of any kind built in the township was constructed by John Walker on section 13, in 1838. It was a small affair, and attached to his log house for the purpose of en- larging his dwelling. Luther Newcomb was the carpenter. The second frame was built some two years afterwards. It was a dwelling constructed for Thomas Hutchin, and situated in section 16, near Salt Creek. A. Mr. Hoover was the carpenter, and James R. Turner did the plastering. It is yet standing, and is owned and occupied by Stephen W. Hutchin, a grandson of Thomas.
The first marriage ceremony took place in 1829. James K. Scott was the officiating clergyman of what was then called the New Light persuasion. Elisha Butler and Mary Coppenbarger,
daughter of Jacob Coppenbarger, were the contracting parties. Both have long since departed this life.
Tradition says, that Trink Alsop was the first born. He was the son of the pioneer Thomas Alsop, who then lived on section 10. As to the date of the birth, tradition is silent. The first death was that of a girl twelve years of age, the daughter of Nathan Vestal. This occurred in 1825. In those days there was no lumher to be had only as it was hewn out by the ax. Edom and Zion Shugart shouldered their axes, and sought a tree that would answer their purpose. A basswood was selected, and from this they procured slabs which they smoothed down as well as they could and constructed a rude coffiu. The remains were placed in it and taken to a hill in section 7, where she was buried.
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