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 57
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William W. Dunham settled in section 29 in 1831. He was a native of Massachusetts, and moved to Rhode Island, where he married Miss Mary Greenman. In 1815 he migrated to Ohio, where he remained for sixteen years, and from thence to Waynes- ville, as above stated. His family consisted of his wife and five children-Thomas E., J. P., William S., Mary, and Amy. Mr.
Dunham died in 1833 ; his wife survived him upwards of thirty years. But one of the family is living in the county, J. P. Dun- ham, who lives in Waynesville, and is a prominent merchant and farmer.
George Isham, a native of New Hampshire, settled here in the same year as Mr. Dunham. He had a wife and two children- Andrew B., and Polly Ann. The latter is the only one living of the family, and is now the wife of James Cook, in Waynes- ville.
Another of the hardy pioneers was John Robb. He was a native of Tennessee, and emigrated to Illinois in the spring of 1829, making a halt of one year within sight of Springfield. The spring following he moved with his family into this town- ship, and settled in section 27, a part of which he had entered in the fall of 1829. He had a family of five sons and five daugh- ters, as follows : James R., Samuel H., Wm. R , Eli HI , Thos. C., Elizabeth G., Ann C', Isabel L., Mary Jane, and Lanra C. The mother's name was Barbara. As they had no house when they came, the family camped by the side of a log, and built a rail pen in which to stow away their furniture until they could construct a cabin. This, when built, was of the rudest kind. The door, for some time, was nothing but a bed-quilt suspended from the upper part of the door-jamb. The small stock, consist- ing of four sheep, were stowed away in the cabin with the chil- dren, to keep them from the ravenous wolves. This was the be- ginning of what, in after years, proved a prosperons family.
E. H. Robb, a son of John, who now resides in Barnett town- ship in section 9, relates the following incident, to a part of which he was an cye-witness. It was one of the trials of the " deep snow," in the winter of 1830-31: Josiah Clifton, John Clifton, and David Norfleet, left the old mill on the Kickapoo with two yoke of oxen and sleds, each containing a sack of meal, hound for their homes near where Clinton is now situated. The track was dim, the snow fell very fast, and soon it was almost impossible to keep the road or make any head-way in travelling. They soon became bewildered, and their teams gave ont. They unyoked the cattle, set the yokes by the sled, and started on foot to find, if possible, some cabin. By this time the snow was waist- deep, and they were obliged to take turns in going before to break a path. Several times they borrowed in the snow to rest, that they might retain their strength to complete their journey. A little before sundown they came in sight of a cabin. It was John Robh's meager dwelling. They were nearly frozen and exhausted. Mr. Robb and his son James helped them over the yard fence and into the house. The Clifton boys had sufficient vitality left to get into the cabin without aid, but Norfleet was so exhausted that they were obliged to carry him in. Their faces were covered with ice and snow, and their hands wers badly frozen. They remained here several days before they were in a condition to reach home. One yoke of their oxen wandered to the cabin of Thomas M. Glenn that same night,-the other was found the next day bewildered in the deep snow, and was driven in and cared for.
Joshna Cantrall and his brother Z. G. Cantrall, were natives of Virginia, but emigrated from Ohio here in the fall of 1835; both bad considerable families. The former settled in section 32. His family consisted of his wife Rachel, and ten children ; Thirza, wife of John Thompson; Zebulon ; Mahala, wife of Elijah Hull ; Polly, William, Levi, Nancy, Isham C., and Eli. He was an active church member, and in the spring of 1836, took measures to organize a Presbyterian Society, which was effected in June of the same year. He died the 11th of August, 1840.
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Isham C., a son, now resides in Waynesville, au old and respect- ed citizen. Z. G. Cantrall, brother of Joshua, died many years ago. R. D. Taylor, another early settler, was born in Tennessee, and came to Illinois in 1836. He was brought up on the farm, but when he was 18 years of age he entered the Princeton College, Ky., and studied for the ministry. He was an ardent worker in the canse, and was the first to establish a Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Marion, now De Witt. Mr. Taylor gives an account of the manner of hunting deer and wolves in an early day. He says, "I well remember in the summer of 1836, soon after coming to the country arrangements were made for a general deer hunt. The plan was to form a circle of abont ten miles ju diameter. All hands turned out for miles around, men. hoys and dogs. Within this circle there would be enclosed at least fifty or a hundred deer, and wolves too numerous to mention. No great excitement prevailed at first, only now and then the crack of a single rifle as some stray deer attempted to escape through the lines. But as the circle became smaller, and the huntsmen closer together, with the deer and wolves enclosed as it were within a wall of fire, then the excitement commenced which beggars description. The deer would run and leap from side to side, only to be shot down by the nearest marksman. Sonie would escape in the hurly burly excitement, but many a trophy would be left to the hunters on the field of battle." Mr. Taylor moved from Marion to Le Roy, McLean County, several years ago, where he still resides, well known as one of the pioneer preachers of Central Illinois.
Among other early settlers, were Thomas Cuppy, Jonathan Atherton, Edward W. Fears, Wm. Branson, John Strange, Nicholas and Enoch Lundy, Henry Atherton, Matthew Ham- mett, now living iu section 9, George Robb, and J. C. Riley.
Many are the accounts of privations and hardships, mingled with pleasures, as recited by a few of the remaining pioneers. The friendly feeling and hospitality then existing are unknown to this generation of greed and selfishness. A stranger was al- ways welcome, and remained a guest of the family as long as he desired. The women manufactured their own clothing from wool and flax. A young man was in full dress with a linen shirt and buckskin pants. All of the early settlements were made in the timber, the prairies not being improved until the railroads developed the country. The old settlers date every event from the winter of the " deep snow,"-1830-1. It is their almanac- their substantial guide to early and subsequent data. It is the important epoch in the pioneer history of Central Illinois Io- deed the " deep snow " prevailed throughout the western States and territories. On account of this severe visitation, the early settlers suffered untold hardships and privations. The snow commenced falling early in December, and continued without abatement throughout the winter. The measurement in the tim- ber was upwards of four feet deep. The stumps stauding, where trees had been cut for fire-wood, after the snow had passed away, had the appearance of being felled by giants, as some of them measured over six feet in height. For weeks the settlers were buried in their cabins, and only went forth, as food and fuel de- manded, from pure necessity. The people lived on rye, hominy and potatoes, as they could not have meal, the mills being inac- cessible for the grinding of their corn. Apropos of this we will here relate a circumstance of true charity, equal to the suffering and subsequent relief of the Russian peasants, the story of which is so familiar to every school-boy in the land. It was at this time that Judge McGraw, and one of his neighbors had exhausted their little store of corn, wherewith to feed their families ; neither
had they money to purchase it. They counseled together, and concluded that they would make the trip, a short distance, to Mr. John Barr's, and see if they could not obtain enough to supply the wants of life. They accordingly mounted their horses, and by evening reached Mr. Barr's cabin. They made their wants known, informing him in the meantime that they had no money to pay for the corn, but that they were strong and willing to work, and when the snow went away in the spring, they would pay him by making rails. Mr. Barr replied that they could have all the corn they wanted, and pay for it as per agreement. And now comes the point of this anecdote that will, perhaps, surprise this generation of selfishness and money-getting. Said Mr. Barr, " I had a man here the other day wanting a few bushels of corn, and he informed me that he had plenty of money to pay any price I might ask. I told him if he was so well pre- pared with means he could buy corn most anywhere, and that I would keep mine for those more needy." The stranger went away without purchasing. Mr. McGraw and his neighbor each shelled a sack of corn, posted off to the nearest mill, and came home, making their families happy with plenty to eat. By way of supplement, Judge McGraw informed us that in the spring they paid the debt; and that he never mauled rails with more pleasure, or gave bigger count than he did in payment for that sack of corn.
In the fall prior to the winter of the deep snow, Governor Reynolds was running for the Chief Magistracy of the State, and according to the customs of those times, visited nearly every town and hamlet in the State. Among his appointments was one at Murphy's mill, then just bnilt-on Kickapoo creek, in what is now Waynesville township. At that time the politi- cal parties were Whigs and Democrats. There were a large number in attendance, voters for miles around-being in all about twenty-five voters. It was a motley crew, half of them, at least, were barefoot, while the best dressed were in their shirt sleeves, and wore buckskiu for pants. The Governor made a stirring speech under an oak-trec. Some one passed around a copious hottle of whisky, and of course when election came, all voted for Gov. Reynolds, both Whigs and Democrats.
This chapter would not be complete without relating the fol- lowing circumstance, which occurred the 4th of July, in the same year as the above. Both of the parties were pioneers, and are yet living, one residing in Clinton, and the other in Texas township. Mr. Thomas Davenport, then a young man, was passing through Waynesville with his family, to visit friends in another part of the county. He made a halt in the prairie, near Judge McGraw's premises. While here the question came up with regard to physieal powers, etc., and a banter was made by some one present, that Mr. McGraw could beat Davenport in a foot-race. Both parties prided themselves in their capacity as foot-racers. The champions eagerly sought the opportunity to prove their valor. A partially plowed prairie was selected as a scene of contest. A land that had not been completed, about six or eight feet wide, was the chosen spot. The furrows were straight, and it was arranged that each should take a furrow, and start at the word, "Go!" The distance was a hundred yards. The race was run, and it was conceded that the Judge came out a little ahead. Our informant says that Davenport walked around his competitor, after the race was over, looked him up and down in astonishment, and finally exclaimed, "that he did not think that that man had been created who could beat him on foot." Last year-1880-fifty years afterward, Judge McGraw jokingly bantered Mr. Davenport, on the fair
297
HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
ground at Clinton, to have their youthful foot-race over again Of course the race was not run.
The following are the first land entries made in the township: November 3d, 1827. Samuel P. Glenn entered the E. 3 of the S. W. ¿ in section 26. On the same date, James K. Scott entered the E. } of the N. E. } of scetion 27. These were the first land entries made in De Witt county. Levi Johnson entered the E. } of the S. E. } of section 15, the 18th of March, 1828. Prettyman Marvel entered the E. { of the N. E. } of section 31, March 28th, 1828. On the same day, Samuel Curtright entered the W. } of the N. W. 4 of section 32. April 7th, 182", Daniel Vinson en- tered the E. } of the N. W. } of section 28. Abraham Onstott on the 2d of December, 1828, entered the W. 3 of the N. W. } of same section. Heirs of George Kline at the same date, entered the E. } of the S. W. } of section 22. January 14th, 1829, Ed- ward W. Fears entered the W. } of the N. W. # of section 27. Thomas M. Glenn entered the E. & N. W. } of section 35. June 6th, 1829, Henry Atherton entered the W. 3 of the N. E. } of section 28. Jonathan Atherton entered the W. } of the S. W. { of rection 26, June 26th, 1829. John Robb entered the E. } of the S. E } of section 27, October 13th, 1829. October 16th, 1829, Isaac Carlock entered the W. } of the S. W. } of section 22. Wm. Branson entered the E. } of the S. W. } of section 27. Mark McPhearson entered the E. } of the N. W. } of section 32, May 28th, 1830. November 19th, same year, John Strange en- tered the W. 3 of the S. E. } of section 27. Nicholas and Enoch Lundy entered the W. & of the N. E. { of same section, Novem- ber 27th, 1830. Same date, Jesse Sutton entered the E. } of the N. W. F of section 29. December 8th, 1830, John B. Jones en- tered the E. } of the N. W. } of section 21. In the same year December 18th, Thomas Cuppy entered the E. } of the S. W. } of the same section. IIiram Crum at the same date, entered the W. } of the S. E. 4 of section 28.
The first interment made was on the farm of Samuel P. Glenn in section 26, in 1829, and the first person buried was Samuel Scott, a brother of James K. Scott. The grave was situated on a little rise of ground just west of where the Christian church now stands. The cemetery at this writing contains one acre of ground, and was donated by Mr. Glenn to the county for a pub- lic place of burial. Many of the deceased of Waynesville and the vicinity are buried here.
The first couple married were James Johnson and Mahala Nichols. The marriage rites were solemnized by Samuel P. Glenn, then justice of the peace. _ This occurred in the summer of 1829. The first child born was a daughter of Prettyman and Rebecca Marvel, which occurred the 4th of November, 1827. She was born at their log cabin, situated in section 21. The sec- ond born was Nancy, a daughter of Thomas M. Glenn, in the spring of 1828. The first school taught was a private session, and conducted by J. J. McGraw in the winter of 1832. To this day the old settlers claim it was one of the best schools they ever had. The house was a log cabin, situated in section 28, on the land formerly owned by A. P. Cushman.
Among the pioneer preachers were Peter Cartwright, James K. Scott, William See, Hugh and Walter Bowles, James Hughes, R. D. Taylor, and Abner Peeler. Peter Cartwright was then the presiding elder of the M. E. Church. It must be remembered that at this time there were no church houses, and the services were held at the cabins of the pioneers. Prettyman Marvel's house was one of the favorable resorts for church services. At this time-1825-, an informant tells us that there were but six who would congregate to hear the word expounded; and the en-
joyment of these few who gathered together on the dirt floor of their cabins, was only equaled by the simplicity and earnestness of the worshippers. The first church house was constructed in 1837, and located in section 26, in sight of Samuel P. Glenn's residence It was a frame structure, and the first frame buildidg in the township. It was moved to the village of Waynesville three years ago, and is now utilized for a blacksmith shop and carriage factory by Evans Bros, a relic of the olden time.
John Glenn was the first justice of the peace Thomas M. Glenn, and Samuel P. Glenn were also among the first. The first blacksmith was Robert Eckler, a native of New York. His shop was a little pole cabin, situated in the north part of the town of Waynesville. This was in 1833. Mr. Eckler moved away in an early day to parts unknown. The first mill was built by Ziou and Edom Shugart in 1829, and was situated on Kickapoo creek in the northern part of the township on the land now owned by Mrs. Tenney. It was a water grist-mill, and had a capacity of grinding from 15 to 20 bushels of meal daily. The burrs were about two feet in diameter, and hewn out from prairie boulders. The first saw mill was built by Russell Post iu 1837, and situated ou the Kickapoo in section 23. It had an upright saw, and was run by an undersbot wheel. Nothing but a portion of the old dam now remains, to point out to the passer-by that here was once a mill.
Charles Maltby was the first postmaster, and the office was situated on Maltby street a little north of J. P. Dunham's store. It was established in 1834.
The township in 1860 contained 872 inhabitants: in 1870, 970 inhabitants ; and the last census, 1880, there were 1,042. Among the most prominent stock raisers at this time are: Taylor Bros. They make a specialty of propagating the finest quality of sheep and swine. The prizes taken at the fairs for their stock in 1879 were upwards of 82,000.
The following is a list of the Supervisors elected since Town- ship organization : Thomas C. Robb was elected in 1859, and served two terms. Boynton Tenney, elected in 1861, and served two terms; was chosen Chairman of the Board for the year 1862. Thomas C. Robb, re-elected in 1863, and served one term. J. M. Simpson, elected in 1864; I. C. Cantrall, elected in 1865, and served two terms. E. Davenport was elected in 1867. Boynton Tenney, re-elected in 1868, and served as Chairman of the Board for that year. Calvin Timmons, elected in 1869, and served un- til 1872. W. H. Oglevie, elected in 1872. James P. Strange was elected in 1873. Amos Dick, elected in 1874, and served three terms. Mathew Hammett, elected in 1877, and served three terms. E. D. Sessions was elected in 1880. Charles Jones was elected in 1881, and is the present incumbent.
VILLAGE OF WAYNESVILLE.
This is the oldest town in De Witt county, and is situated in section 29, just in the southern edge of the Kickapoo timber It was named by George Isham in honor of Gen. Anthony Wayne, of whose exploits and generalship Isham was a great admirer. The township afterwards received its name from the village. The first town-plat was filed by Isham the 4th of June, 1832, and de- scribed as follows : A part of the E. ¿ S. W. } section 29, and con- tained six blocks. This territory was then a part of McLean county: Subsequent additions were made as follows : Post and Isham, addition made Jannary 12th, 1836. Russell Post, addi- tion made October 10th of the same year. The first attempt for incorporation was made June 26th, 1844. A meeting was called and a vote taken, with the following result. For incorporating :
298
HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
A. Hamilton, David Wheeler, Charles Maltby, Bussel Post, E J. Lawrence, Harrison Maltby, J. L. Ginnings, William Evans, John F. Buckner, Samuel Richards, R. E. Post, John Zoller, D. J. Grosh, Thomas Congher, Jessie Griffin, Victor N. Sampson, Jacob F. Sampson, James II. Morley, F. S. Harrison, J. M. La- ton, G. W. Stipp. John W. Anderson, and A. N. Dills. Against incorporating : Nathaniel Harris and James McNealy.
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For some cause no organization was effected, and it was not until in the fall of 1868 that the town was incorporated, and then under a general act of the Legislature for the incorporating of villages. The first elected officers were : F. Brock, President of the Board ; J. W. Dix, J. Wilson, J. J. Starkey, Charles Wil- liams, and James M. Evans. John Dickey was chosen clerk. The present officers of the village are: W. C. Whiteman, Presi- dlent of the Board ; William HI Cantrall, Charles Tenney, Henry Armstrong, William P. Gambrell, and James M. Evans ; Clerk : Dr. S. A. Graham ; Treasurer, C. W. Williamson ; Police Magis- trate, John McLeod ; Town Constable, E. Gambrel.
The first goods sold in the town ( being the first in the county,) were by Greenman & Dunham in 1830, two years before the towo was laid out. They had a small stock of notions and groceries, and their customers came for many miles around. At this time there was but one store in Bloomington, which was kept by James Allin, founder of both the towns of Bloomington and Clinton. The store-room of the firm of Greenman & Dunham was a small hewed log cabin, situated in the eastern limits of the present corporation of Waynesville. It was afterwards taken down and moved to another spot in the same part of the town. It is now weather-boarded, and is used as a part of James M Evans' dwell- ing.
The first house built in the town proper, after it was platted, was erected by George Isham in 1832. It was a hewed log build- ing, 16x18 feet in size, and situated on Maltby street, opposite what is now Odd Fellow's Hall. I. N. Chrisman put in a small stock of goods, which business be conducted for some time. The building was afterwards moved back from the street and used as a stable by Linus Graves. Some of the old logs may yet be seen in the north-west part of the town where they are utilized for a sidewalk.
The first frame building was erected by Benjamin Day for a dwelling in 1832, and located on Maltby street in the lot now oc- cupied by R. H. Dragstern's store-room. The building was toro down many years ago. The first school-house was built by George Isham in 1836, and situated in the first addition to Waynesville, on Maltby street, in the lot now occupied by Addison Harrison. It was a little log building, and the first school taught in it was by Linus Graves.
The first and only grist-mill constructed in the town was under the auspices of James Metland in 1850, and was situated in the northero limits of the village, a little east of Eber Davenport's tile factory. George Isham donated seven acres of ground in or- der to establish it. The building was a frame, two stories, and cost about 83,000. It had two run of stones, and other belong- ings to make a very good mill. Several years ago it was taken down, and moved to McLean county. Livingston & Davis con- structed the first saw-mill in 1853. It was situated a little west and north of the Illinois Midland depot. It was run by steam-power, and had, an upright saw. The relic of the old frame may yet be seen, but the machinery was taken out several years ago and utilized for other purposes. It may be interesting for the present generation and late settlers to know that the town could once boast of a tan-yard. It was constructed in 1833 by
! Homer Buck, and situated on First street, in the lot now owned by the Ginnings family. It passed from existence many years ago. The village has two cemeteries, one situated in the east part of the town and the other in the west. The ground of the former was donated to the inhabitants of the town by George Isham in 1852. The latter was donated by Prettyman Marvel, and ante- dates the former.
The present school building is situated on the public square, and was erected in the fall of 1866, at a cost of $4,000. It is a square building, 36x36, and two stories in height. There are two rooms, furnished with the latest improved furniture, etc. A cupola adorns the building, from which is suspended a school bell. Two teachers are employed, and it is thus partially graded. Nine months is the usual term taught in the year, and it has an attendance of about 75 pupils. The town also contains two good church buildings, Cumberland Presbyterian, and Methodist. The former is a large frame building with spire and bell. This was the first church house built in the village, and was con- structed in 1839. The latter is a substantial brick house, also ornamented with a spire and bell. For a more complete account of the churches, see special chapter on Ecclesiastical history.
At this writing the town 'of Waynesville contains about 360 inhabitants. Two fine brick business houses are already in pro- cess of erection ; and there appears in all parts of the town a good show of energy aod push for a small country town. The people have met with several reversee to retard the progress of their town, among which, probably the most prominent, was the cholera epidemic in the latter part of the summer of 1855. The following are the names of the deaths in the village of that year : Dugald Walker and wife; Young Fouts, wife and child ; Mrs. Hogland ; Mrs. Isaac Bowman and child ; Mrs. Grimes ; Dr. F. S. Harrison; a child of J. P. Dunham, and a child of Mr. Shelly, -12 in all. In the neighborhood of the village the following were the deaths : John Ackerson, wife, sister and four children ; Alexander Gaston, and one other person, name not known. Great suffering and privations prevailed at this time for the lack of nurses, and medical attendance. The family of Ackerson were all buried in rude boxes, and interred in the night, so afraid were the people of the infection spreading in their midst.
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