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 53
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WAPELLA TOWNSHIP.
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HIS township received its name from the vil- lage of Wapella situated on the Illinois Cen- tral railway in the southern part of the town- ship. There is probably no body of land in that county that surpasses it for fertility of svil and general productiveness. It contains a variety of soil ; the central and southern portion being a deep, rich, black loam, spe- cially adapted to the raising of corn, though other grains can be cultivated with good success. In the last few years tiling has been introduced to a considerable extent, and at this writing there are but few acres of the land that are not under good cultivation. The township contains over 28 sections of land, about one-third of which originally was timber. There is at this time plenty of good timber to supply the wants of the people for fuel, lumber and fencing purposes. The timber belt is mainly in the north, along Lone Brush Creek and its tributaries. This land is somewhat broken, but well adapted to the raising of wheat, blue-grass, fruits, and vegetables. It is of a light yellowish color, and rather shallow in depth. Lone Brush Creek enters the town- ship in the north-east part of section 13, taking mainly a westerly course, and passes out in section 19, when it discharges its waters into Rock Creek, and from thence into the Kickapoo. Several good springs may be found along the timber not far from the creek banks. The Illinois Central railroad enters the township in the western portion of section 15, and passes entirely through it from north to south, and crosses the line of Clintonia and Wa- pella in section 3. The township is bounded on the north by McLean county, on the east by Wilson and Harp townships, on the south by Clintonia, and west by Waynesville and Barnett.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlements were made in this township in 1829, by John P. Glenn, William Vinson, and John Young. The former was a native of Virginia, but subsequently went to Kentucky, and moved here and settled in section 14, in the spring of 1829. Ile had a wife and several children, but moved with his family to Iowa, in an early day. None of his representatives are now residing in the county. Mr. Vinson also came from Kentucky about the same time and located in section 23. He had a wife, but no children, and migrated to Iowa about the same time as Mr. Glenn. John Young came from Kentucky in 1829, and settled in section 25. He was a man of family, and had a wife and seven children, Polly, Larkin, Bryant, John, Sarah, Nancy, and Kate A. Mr. Young and his wife died several years ago. None of the family reside in the county.
Abraham Swearingen, another early settler, was born in Penn- sylvania,'and went to Kentucky when he was a mere boy, where
he grew to manhood. Here he married his first wife, Elizabeth Lowe, in the year 1816. Ten years afterwards he moved to Illinois, and stopped for a few years in Vermillion county. In the spring of 1830, he came to this township and settled in section 15, entering the E. & of the S. E. } of said section. At this time he had a family of seven children, Daniel, George W., Lydia, John H., Elijah W., David P., and Samuel R. The following were born in the township: Elizabeth, Lemuel A., Sarah E., Zilpah, Jemima, Abraham, and Mary J. The foregoing are all children of the first marriage, six of whom are yet living. John H. resides in the township in section 22, and is a successful farmer. Mrs. Swearingen died many years ago, when W. S. married his second wife, Amy Crum, in 1843. From this union two children have been born, Isaac S., and Jacob W., both of whom are living. Mr. Swearingen is now in his 86th year of age, hale and hearty for one of his years, and is now with his second wife, residing at the old homestead in section 15. He has been here 51 years, lived in three different counties, Tazewell, McLean, and De Witt, and yet never moved from section 15 since his settlement. We will leave the old settlers to explain this seeming anomaly to their grand-children. Mr. S. represents 100 grand children, 150 great grand children, and 2 great-great grand-children, being 252 de- cendants in all.
Samuel Spencer came here in 1830, from Kentucky, in the spring of the above year and entered the W. 3 of the N. W. } of section 26, when he returned home. In the fall of the same year he moved to the township, bringing his family with him, consist- ing of his wife, and seven children, William, Lettia, Ann, Lorinda, Joseph, John, and Sarilda. Other children were born to them after coming to the county. Mrs. Spencer died in 1867, and Mr. S lived until about five years ago. None of the family now reside in the county.
John Troxell located here in the spring of the same year as Mr. Spencer. He was also from Kentucky, and had a wife and several children. He settled in section 28, but moved to Iowa in an early day. Frederick Troxell, a brother of the former, came from Ken- tucky and settled here in the same year, in section 32. He also had a family, and remained for several years, when his wife died. He again married and shortly afterward migrated to Missouri. None of the family are living in the county.
Another pioneer was Jonathan Harrold. Ile was born in Vir- ginia, but moved to the state of Indiana in an early day, and migrated to Illinois in 1833, and settled a little north-east of Waynesville, where he remained until his death, which occured in 1836. IIe brought seven children with him to the state, James M., Isam, Mitchell, Eli, Mary, Naomi, and Sophronia. Their mode of conveyance was the old four-horse wagon, crooked bed, and sometimes in that day called a steam-
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
boat. In 1842, three children, Isam, Mitchell, and Eli came to this township, procured 200 acres of land lying in section 32 and 33 and settled thereon. Mitchell died in 1873. Isam and Eli are both yet living in section 32. Henry and David Troxell, Joseph Nelson, and Jonathan Atherton are among the old set- tlers. David Troxell settled on the farm now owned by Eli Harrold in section 32, and died many years ago. Henry died about 1874. Joseph Nelson is yet living a little north of Wa- pella, and is one of the oldest men in the county. Jonathan Atherton came from Sangamon county, and settled in section 29. He is yet living at the old homestead. His wife was born in the county in 1829. They have four children living, three sons and one daughter. Mr. Atherton is a substantial farmer, and one of the prominent citizen of the township.
The following are the first land entries made : Jnne 6th, 1829, John P. Glenn entered the W. ¿ of the S. E. } of section 14. On the same day, John Yonng entered the E. 3 of the S. E. } of section 15. William Vinson, also at the same date, entered the E. } of the N. E. } of section 23. January 19th, 1830, Frederick Troxell entered the E. & of the N. E. } of section 32. Abraham Swearingen, on the 26th of May of the same year, entered the E of the S. E. } of section 15. June 1st, 1830, Samuel Spencer entered the W & of the N. W. } of section 26. At the same date John Troxell entered the W. & of the & W. } of section 28.
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From the foregoing it will readily be seen that the first to strike a blow toward the settlement of this township were the pioneers Glenn, Young, and Vinson, as they entered their laud on the same day, and were all living here in the spring of 1830, to the personal knowledge of one party who is now living, and has been kind enough to furnish a good deal of the data of the early history of this township. Their honses were all small log cabins, as they had not the means or facilities to build better. The fire-places were constructed very wide, and the winter back- logs were hauled into the house by a horse. The crops raised consisted of a small patch of corn, with a few garden vegetables. At this time the nearest markets were at Peoria and Chicago. Milling was sometimes done at Springfield, then a town of only two or three hundred inhabitants. Wild game was plenty, and " Uncle" Abraham Swearingen tells of the killing of seven deer while standing on the same log.
The first child born was Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Swearingen, in July, 1830; she is now living in the township, and is the wife of Peter C. Somers. The first death occurred in the same year : the deceased was Melinda, a danghter of John Troxell-she was buried on the laud occupied by Mr. Troxell, in section 22. This finally became a neighborhood place of iu- terment, and subsequently dedicated to public use as such, and is now known as the "Crum burial-ground."
The first school was taught by Edom Shngart in the winter of 1831. The school-house was a pole cabin without any chimney, merely a hole in the roof for the smoke to escape. It was situ- ated in section 27, on the farm now owned by George Hume. It was constructed for a school-house, but was such a miserable ex- cuse for this purpose, that only one term of school was taught in it. James K. Scott was the pioneer preacher, and held the ser- vices in the cabins of the settlers. William Ryan and John Montgomery, were also early preachers.
The first church house was built by the Christian denomina- tion in 1856. It is a plain frame building, and situated in the little hamlet of Zabriska, in section 22. The church is yet stand- ing and in a fair state of preservation, and the passer-by would
conclude that it was built by the Catholics, as the cemetery grounds are sitnated in the same lot close by the church.
The first justice of the peace elected was John Montgomery, Sen. He died only two years ago, a citizen of the township, and was nearly a ceutenarian at his death.
The second justice was John B. Swearingen, who now resides in Minnesota.
The first post-office was established in 1845, and was kept by Abraham Swearingen at his private residence in section 15. 1n 1849 it was moved to the hamlet of Zabriska, and subsequently to Wapella.
The first mill was built by Samuel Spencer in 1832, and situated in section 22, on the land now owned by J. L. Barrick. It was a fair mill for that day, and run by a single horse, and had the capacity of grinding about twenty-five bushels of corn per day. The mill with all its belongings disappeared long ago. The first saw-mill was located at Zabriska, and constructed by William Rolefson in 1843. It had a small circular saw, and was run by horse-power. Nothing of it remains at this time.
Isam Harrold was the first blacksmith, and the shop was situ- ated on his premises in sec. 32. It was a log cabin constructed for the purpose of a shop in the year 1845. He then had but a meagre set of tools, just enough to shoe a horse or mend a king- bolt. The shop is yet standing, and is conducted by Mr. Har- rold for his own and his neighbors' smithing purposes.
At this writing the township abonnds in fine farms and im- provements of all kiuds, its inhabitants not being obliged to undergo a single privation or hardship in order to enjoy the con- veniences of what this day and age afford. Good, substantial school-houses are located all through its territory, and thus the best advantages to obtain a common-school education are given to all alike, rich or poor. The roads and bridges are kept in a fair condition, and reasonably passable, except in the wet season of the year. This will be remedied in time by the general sys- tem of tiling, which improvement is being pushed forward so rapidly. The old State Highway passes through the township from north to south, along which is located one of the telegraph lines of the State. A novice, at a distance, would conclude that it was another line of railroad.
The following are the supervisors who have represented the township since its organization :- George A. Hnme was elected 1859, and selected chairman of the board for that year. Thomas Loer, elected in 1860. Walter Karr, elected in 1861, served one term. Thomas Loer, re-elected in 1862, and served until 1865. W. R. Carle was elected in 1865, and served one term. T. L. Groff, elected for the year 1866. W. R. Carle, re-elected in 1867. H D. Watson, elected in 1868; and William Wright in 1869. E. B. Harrold was elected in 1870, and served until 1875. Jacob Parlier, elected in 1875, and served four terms. F. L. Ilarpster, elected in 1881, and is the present incumbent.
VILLAGE OF WAPELLA.
This town was laid out by David A. Neal in the fall of 1854, and the first lots were sold in the spring of 1855. Neal was in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and was then the vice-president of the road. He it was that gave it a name, and it was first spelled Wapellah. The first survey was made by the civil engineer of the railroad company, the then county surveyor of De Witt being Alexander Barnett, who simply recognized said survey without certifying to it officially. For this reason and some little dispute with regard to some of the corners it was again surveyed in 1861, by Oliver Lakin, then
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
county surveyor. The lines, streets, and all were left intact, no change being made from the original platting. The following is the official description of its boundaries. : Commencing at the north-east corner of the south-east quarter of the south-east quar- ter of section 34, town 21, range 2 east the 3rd principal meri- lian ; thence running west one-half mile, thence south one mile, lackiug fifteen rods; thence east one-half mile ; theuce north one mile, lacking fifteen rods to the place of beginning. At one time, soon after the railroad was built, in 1854, '5, it looked as though Wapella might be the leading town in De Witt county. The Central Railroad built an immense brick hotel here, and located the machine-shops and round-house at this point, expecting to make this the central objective point between the northern and southern termini of the road. The question of moving the County Seat from Clinton to Wapella was mooted in 1857, and the bat- tle between the two places waxed warm, but the effort proved a failure. In 1879, another effurt was made to the same end, but proved abortive as before. In this effort it was proposed to change the boundaries of the county line, the petition asking for a portion of the southern part of MeLean county to be joined to De Witt ; thereby making Wapella more central. The machine shops were subsequently moved to Clinton, and the question of changing the county seat was abandoned.
The first to settle in what is now the village of Wapella was Gibson Coy, in the summer of 1858, at the time of the grading of the Central Railroad. ITis house was a board shanty, 16x40, situated in the middle of what is now called East and West Cen- tre street. The shanty had bunks arranged one above the other, extending along on either side of the building, and were filled with straw for sleeping purposes. Samuel Rounds was the ar- chitect, and by trade a mason and bricklayer. Ile afterwards made the brick for the machine shops and hotel for the Railroad Company, and aided in their construction. The second inhab- itant was Philip Dounigan. He built a small shanty for a dwell- ing, 12x16, and it was situated on North Main street. This was the same year as the above. Daniel Thompson sold the first goods. The store-house was a little shanty, and located in the lot now ocenpied by A. D. Metz's business house on South First street. This was in the fall of 1854. He continued here in busi- ness until 1878, when he moved to Lead City. . Mr. Thompson was also the first postmaster, and the office was established in 1855. He kept the mail matter in his store, and every person helped himself to his own mail. The second frame house con- structed in the place was a story-and-a-half building, 18x26, and situated on South First street. It was built in the fall of 1854, and utilized for a hotel, and kept by A. J. Foster. The sleep- ing ruoms were in the upper story. The beds were eight in num- ber, and so closely packed together that one could scarcely pass between them. It was no uncommon occurrence to stow away the guests with three in a bed. At that time it was neither lathed nor plastered. It is yet standing and occupied by Isaac Bolin for a dwelling. The large briek hotel built by the railroad com- pany was commenced in 1854, and completed the following year at an expense of about $20,000. It is now utilized by the com- pany for a general freight-honse and ticket-office.
William Graves was the first blacksmith in the town. His shop was a board shanty, and sitnated on Loenst street, between South First and South Second streets. This was in 1854. The shop was torn away long ago.
The first brick edifice constructed, except the railroad buildings, was built by Johnson and Rigg for a store-house in 1855. It is situated on the corner of North First and Oak streets, and is now
occupied by J. M. Green for a grocery, boot and shoe store. Father O'Ilarry held the first church services in 1854, in the shanty of Philip Dunnigan. Dr. John Wright was the first to practice medicine, about the same year as the above. IIe then lived with Juseph Spencer, a mile north of town. The first teacher was J. C. House, who taught in the summer of 1857. The school-house was a board shanty, 16x20 feet, and sitnated in lot 5, block 7, coruer of Loenst and North First streets. It was built by Lewis Celeskia, and is yet standing. It was last used for a barber-shop on Loenst street. Gibson Coy was the first elected Justice of the Peace, in 1856. He soon afterwards re- signed, and Thomas Loer was elected to fill the vacancy. The first church building was constructed by the M. E. Church in 1858, and located on the corner of Locust and South Third streets. It is a frame building, 35x45 feet iu size, and cost about $1,500. It has a cupola and bell, and is still in good condition for hold- ing church services. The town now contains three other churches -Catholic, Christian, and Presbyterian,-a full history of which will be found in the Ecclesiastical chapter. The first fruit tree and the first fence-post was set by J. D. Metz in 1855. The latter was placed at the corner of South First and Locust streets. It was removed only two years ago.
Incorporation .- The preliminary meeting for incorporating the town was held on the 9th of February, 1867. Daniel Thompson was chosen president of the meeting, and F. M. Vanlue, secretary. A vote being taken for and against incorporating, resulted in 37 ayes and 17 nays. The first election for officers was held on the 16th of February fullowing. Daniel Thompson, T. Green, E. Swift, F. M. Vanlue, and J. D. Metz were elected trustees. At the meeting of the board, Daniel Thompson was chosen presi- dent, and F. M. Vanlue secretary, for the ensuing year.
The present village officers are, President, W. R. Carle; other members of the board, G. R. Davis, II. B. Ives, A. II. Lighthall, James Butterworth and A. D. Metz. Village Clerk, Edward Norvell.
The town now comprises about 400 inhabitants, principally of American and Irish nationality. It is strictly a temperance town, and it is said by the inhabitants that it is prospering under this regime, there not having been au inmate of the calaboose for more than two years, and business being good for a country town. It has had its ups aud downs in various ways, by first losing the hope of making it at some time the future county seat, and subsequently the removal of the machine shops and round honse of the Central Railroad. In the winter of 1867, the smallpox prevailed in the town to an alarming extent. It issaid that there were not less than a hundred cases of this dread dis- ease and varioloid, only five of which, however, proved fatal. And yet with all its drawbacks, it is a growing and thrifty little village, with fair side-walks, business houses and other improve- ments to make it a pleasant place in which to reside.
PRESENT BUSINESS, ETC.
Carle & Butterworth's Warehouse .- This is one of the largest grain honses in the county, and is situated on the west side of the railroad and south of sonth First street. The building is a brick, and was formerly nsed by the Illinois Central Railroad Company for their car shops. It is two stories, and 41x160 feet in size. It contains 5 dumps and a storing capacity of 50,000 bushels of grain, besides cribs sufficient to contain 25,000 bushels of corn. The dumps including approaches are 320 feet in length. This firm is composed of experienced grain dealers, and was estab- lished Angust 1st, 1881.
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Warehouse of E. Kent & Co., is located just west of the rail- road and north of south First street. The business was estab- lished in 1877, and the building of the firm is leased from the Central Railway Company. It was originally a part of the car shops of the company, and is a brick building, 32 feet high, and 40x100 feet on the ground. It contains three dumps, and a capacity of storing 25,000 bushels of grain ; also, 400 feet of cribs which will hold 20,000 bushels of corn.
Corn Grist Mill, owned and operated by A. A. & W. Alexan- der. This was the first and only enterprise of the kind estab- lished in the town. It was built in 1875, and is situated west of the railroad track in the northern part of the town. The building is a frame, one story, and 22x84 feet in size. It has an engine power of 25 horses, and has the capacity of grinding 150 bushels of meal daily. Three men are given employment, The proprie- tors propose to enlarge their mill, and make many new improve- ments, suitable to a first-class flouring mill.
A tile factory and saw mill are also situated about two miles north of the village near the Central Railroad. The former is owned and conducted by Karr & Downing, the latter by John Marker. The engine of the tile works also runs the saw mill.
The present school-house was built in 1868, at a cost of $7,000 including furniture and ground. It is a neat frame building, two stories higb, and 34x50 feet on the ground. It also contains an L 14x18 feet, and of the same height as the main building. Three teachers are employed, and therefore the school is fairly graded. The house has a cupola and bell, and is surrounded by one acre of ground. Maximum attendance 150 pupils. Carle's Hall is situated in the building over the store-room of A. J. Latimer. The hall is 22x48 feet, and is conveniently seated with chairs, and can accommodate an audience of 100 persons. It has a stage 10x22 feet.
General Merchandise .- A. J. Latimer, C. C. Smith, S. E. Coy. Groceries, Provisions, Etc .- E. F. Turner.
Druggists .- F. L. Harpster, T. W. Davis. Groceries, Hardware, Etc .- A. D. Metz. Groceries, Boots and Shoes .- James M. Green.
Groceries und Confectionery .- J. H. Lighthall. Millinery and Notions .- Mrs. M. M. Gossard. Physicians .- T. W. Davis & Son, J. H. Potter. Dressmaker .- Miss Ida Blossom. Meat Market .- Clark & Bolin.
Postmistress. Mrs. R. Nelson. Barber .- E. F. Turner. Bakery .- Mrs. Julia Comboy.
Undertaker .- A. D. Metz. General Trader .- W. R. Carle.
Blucksmiths,-Scott Roberts, William R. Rogers, Dennis Ryan.
Carpenter and Wagon maker .- W. A. Hickman.
Wagon makers,-A. C. Karr & Son. Contractor and Builder .- James W. Karr.
Plasterers and Bricklayers .- Robert Dunbar, James Alsop. Wearer .- Mrs. A. C. Karr.
Shoemaker .- Thomas Foley. Telegraph Operator .- E. J. Caddy.
Justice .- Edward Norvell.
Tailor .- D. D. Dunseth.
Stock Deulers .- J. K. Davis & Sons, Nicholas Foley. Coal Dealer .- Joshua Carle. Hotel .- S. S. Cone.
SOCIETY.
Forest Lodge, No. 255, I. O. O. F. was chartered October 15, 1858. The charter members were, I. N. Frost, W. T. Sherr, George Harrington, William Green, and Lewis Carey. The fol- lowing are the present officers : I. S. Swearingen, N. G .; C. W. Short, V. G .; E. J. Caddy, Seo: ; A. A. Alexander, Treas. ; E. J. Caddy, " Rep." Present membership 35. The Lodge meets in Woy's Hall every Saturday night. The Lodge financially is in a good condition, having moneys, notes, and property valued at $1,000.
The little hamlet of Zabriska is situated on the old state road three miles north of Wapella, and from its general appearance would strike the observer as having its origin as early as 1800 ; but this is a mistake, as it dates back only to about 1850. A mill was erected here at this time, and as it was situated on the public thoroughfare of the township (there then being no rail- road) a nucleus was formed, which under favorable circumstances would have finally developed into a town. The hamlet now contains seven houses with a population of about thirty inhabi- tants, and is one of the landmarks peculiar to the state road of ye olden times, prior to the screeching of the iron horse through the prairies of central Illinois.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
mielaily
THE world loves to honor those who through their own exer- tions and by virtue of native ability aequire enviable positions in life. Success is largely measured by one's acquisition of pro- perty, and he who begins in poverty and unaided works his way to wealth, is looked upon as successful in life. To this class belongs William R. Carle, who was born in Wellsburg, West Virginia, March 24th, 1832. His parents were John Carle and Rebecca Carle, (nee Miller) natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Ephraim P. Carle, who lived in New Jersey, was a Hollander, his wife, Naney Clark, was of Seoteh origin. Wil- liam R., was the eighth in order of birth in a family of nine children. His father was a carpenter by trade but forsook its following for the more luerative business of manufacturing cotton eloth. He ereeted a factory in Williamsburg, and in company with others opened a store in connection therewith. In 1857 the company failed, so that William, whose advantages had been good for the acquisition of knowledge found himself con- fronting a cold world, penniless. Although poor in means he was rich in energy, in tact and talent. He left his native home for the west ; reaching St. Louis he found cholera reaping its harvest of death, and so made his way north-ward to Blooming- ton. Here he took charge of a publie sehool just outside the limits of the city. For this work his attainments, commanding presence and excellent judgment well fitted him. His success is attested by many patrons, and further by the fact that his ser- viees were in demand. He taught in Major's Grove without interruption, summer and winter for three years, when having saved some means he formed a co-partnership with David S. Hord, in the grain business. The new firm bought a warehouse just being construeted, and had the misfortune to lose it by fire when it was ready for occupaney. With commendable energy they built upon its ruins and within thirty days were in occupa- tion. In 1859 he disposed of his interest to his partner. As indieative of the fact that his a b e in the grain trade was dearly bought experience, he found himself barely square with the world financially upon elosing out his share in the business. In April, 1859, he formed a co-partnership with Sabin Taylor, to prosecute the grain trade in Clinton, which they did in the place
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