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 60
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In 1850, (the year of his arrival in this state), Mr. Fuller pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land, in section twenty of Rutledge township, where he now resides. He has since added to his original purchase, until he is now the fortunate possessor of 1400 acres of rich farming land; 1030 acres of which is situ- ated in Rutledge township, the balance in the neighboring county of MeLean. Mr. Fuller has exercised good judgment in his selections, and has now the privilege of refusing as much as 850 per acre for portions of it.
In April, 1855, Daniel Fuller was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Foley, a native of Virginia, and daughter of G. L. and Elizabeth Foley, who came to De Witt county in 1848. By this marriage Mr. F. has a family of four children ; all living, viz. : John W. Fuller, horn in 1856. Nancy M., (wife of James Vance). Louina, and Emma F. Fuller, the first and last two named still residing with their parents.
Mr. Fuller has represented the township of Rutledge as su- pervisor. In politics he has always been a democrat, and cast his first vote for J. K. Polk.
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BARNETT TOWNSHIP.
ARNETT is situated in the central western part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Waynesville township, on the east by Clintonia and Wapella, on the south by Tunbridge, and west by Logan county. It contains thirty-,ix sections of excellent prairie land, there being no timber except a few groves situated along Ten Mile creek in the south-east. The western part of the township is quite rolling, sufficient to afford very good natural drainage, although tiling is being used to a large extent, especially in the eastern portion that is more level, and consequently wetter land. Ten-Mile creek just cuts across the south-east corner of section thirty-six. There are also a few small rivulets in the east and south, mainly flowing in a wes- terly direction. The Illinois Midland railway enters from the north in section six, crosses the entire township from north to south, and passes out in the southern center of section thirty-one. This road claims an indebtedness from the township of 830,000 A good deal of feeling and litigation have been the result. From this fact it has now been three years since the supervisor elect would qualify ; hence, no process could be instituted against the citizens of the township. Some future historian must write the sequel. The Wabash Branch enters from the east on the section line between sections twenty-five and thirty-six, and takes a westerly course across the township and crosses into Logan coun- ty in the center of section thirty-one. A junction is formed with the Midland road in the center of said section. The township was named Barnett in honor of Franklin Barnett, he then being the oldest householder within its boundaries.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
The first to take steps toward settling the township was Elisha Butler in the fall of 1829. He moved from Salt creek timber in Tunbridge township, and settled in section thirty-three. October 17th of the same year he entered the E. 3 of the S. E. I of the above section. For a record of his early history, etc., see the township history of Tunbridge. He at once erected on his prem- ises a pole cabin 14x16 feet, and moved into it The following spring he proceeded to break a small patch of ground and planted it with corn. This was the first crop and the first farming done in Barnett. The same year he sold out his possessions to Mahlon Hall. The latter was a native of Virginia, but moved with his father's family to Kentucky when a mere boy. Here he married twice and lived until he was past the meridian of life. In the spring of 1830, he came to Illinois and entered the W. ! of the S E. + of section thirty-three, now Barnett township. At the same time, he bought out the property of Mr. Butler. He then
returned to his family in Kentucky, and in the fall came to his new-found home bringing his family with him. The family con- sisted of his wife, Hannah, and six children, Henry, Polly Ann, James, Mahlon R, Jonathan R, and Susannah. They moved into the pole cabin constructed by Mr. Butler. The next fall Mr. Hall built a comfortable log house, and was thus well fixed for pioneer life. Several of the older children were left in Kentucky. Darius and Ambrose came to the state prior to their father, but settled in another county. They subsequently moved to this county. None of the family are now residing in the township. Mr Hall remained here until his death, which oc- curred in 1856.
Another pioneer, Mason Paine, was boru in Alabama, and migrated to Illinois at an early day, and settled in section thirty- four, this township, in 1831. He had a wife and four children, two sons and two daughters. He lived but a few years after his coming, and was the first person buried in the old cemetery in section thirty-four, Clintonia township. None of the family re- side here at this writing Franklin Barnett, from whom the township received its name, came from Bourbon county, Ken- tucky, in the spring of 1831, and settled in the same section as Mr. Paine. He was then a single man, but afterwards married and reared a family. In 1856 he migrated to Kansas, where he died only a few years ago. Robert Barnett, a brother of the for- mer, came the year afterward-1832. He then had a wife and one child. He located in the same section as his brother. He died in 1864. His wife, Margaret, is yet living on the pioneer homestead. John Barnett, the father of the above, came here and entered land as early as 183f, for the use of his children, and afterward returned to his home in Kentucky. Here his wife died, and in 1845 he moved to the township to be with his chil- dren. He died in [854. James Barnett, another son, moved to the township the same year as his father. He had a family of a wife and one daughter, Sarah. He is yet residing at the old home- stead in section thirty-four, a substantial farmer and a respected citizen.
Among other old settlers are Isaac Ellington, Z. D. Cantrall, A Jeffrey, John Pollock. Wiley Marvel, E. H. Robb and others. The former was a native of Ohio, and came with his father's fam- ily to the state in 1829. He is now residing, an old man in com- fortable circumstances, in section sixteen. Mr. Cautrall is a na- tive born, and lives in section ten. A Jeffrey was born in In- diana, and came to the county in 1836. He now resides in sec- tion fifteen. Mr. Pollock is a native of Ohio, and settled here in 1839. Ile owns a good farm, where he resides, in section twenty- three. Wiley Marvel is one of the descendants of Prettyman Marvel, the pioneer, and was born in the county in 1839. He is now living in section six, a good farmer and an enterprising citi-
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Zen. Mr. Robb is residing in section nine, and is one of the rep- resentative citizens of the township.
Although Barnett is not one of the oldest settled in the county, it is among the foremost in farm improvements : and good farms, farm-houses, barns, etc., are to be seen on every hand. The soil is inexhaustible, and specially adapted to the raising of corn, which is the chief product. The people are an energetic, thrifty class, who by their efforts are determined to make it one of the wealthiest portions of De Witt county. The increase of popula- tion has been of a steady and healthy growth. For the last three decades it has been as follows : 1860, the population was 804; 1870, 1078; 1880, 1122, an increase of over three hundred within said time.
The first land entries made are as follows: October 17, 1829, Elisha Butler entered the E. 3 of the S. E. } of section thirty- three. Mahlon Hall, March 6, 1830, entered the W. 3 of the S. E. Į of the same section. November 6, of the same year, Mason Paine entered the E. 3 of the S. E. { of section thirty-four. Same vear, December 2, Solomon D. Spaiu entered the E. 3 of the S. W. 1 of section thirty-four. The following are all the entries made in 1831 : March 15, Joseph Bowles entered the N. E. Į of the N. W. 1 of section thirty-six. April 6, William Kincaid entered the W & of the S. W. ] of section thirty-four. At the same date, Hiram Daniels entered the W. 3 of the S. E. } of the same section. William J. and George W. Butler entered the W. 3 of the N. W. I of section thirty-five, April 25. June 14, John Barnett entered the E. I of the N. E. 1 of section thirty- four. June 16, Franklin Barnett entered, in the same section, the W. J of the N W 1. James Farris, October 28, entered the E & of the N. W. 1 of section thirty-five.
The first marriage rite solemnized in the township was in the spring of 1832, by Hugh Bowles, a pioneer and Christian minis- ter. The contracting parties were MeCarty Hildreth and Eliza Hall. They were married in the log house of the bride's father, Mahlon Hall. The first born was Elisha Butler, junior, in the fall of 1830. He was the son of Elisha Butler, senior, the first settler. Elisha, the younger, is yet living aud is in Leadville, Colorado. The first death occurred in 1830, the deceased being George Bruner one of the pioneers who was then living in sec- tion twenty-five. He had a family, one of whom, Jacob, now re- sides in the county. The oldest place of interment is situated in section thirty-three, and was reserved for a private place of burial hy Mahlon Hall in 1833. It was at this time that triplets were born to the first married couple, McCarty Hildredth and his wife Eliza The children were all born alive, but lived only a few hours. These were the first interred in this burial ground. There are several private places of burial in the township, but none that could be termed public cemeteries.
The first school was taught by William Lowrey in 1833 The house was a log cabin, and situated on the E. } of the . E. 1 of section thirty-three. It was a small affair, 14x16 feet in size. just convenient in dimension for the teacher to stand in the middle of the floor, and with a hickory gad reach the refractory pupils in any part of the house. It must be remembered that in those days corporal punishment might be inflicted in the school-room for just cause, and there was no question raised but what the " mas- ter " had performed his duty. Not that parents were more thought- less of their children, than now, but a more perfect degree of confidence prevailed among the people. The teacher was nsually one of the pioneers, known for miles around, and had the most complete confidence of his neighbors ; in fact, he was a sort of pa- triarch among them, and his wisdom and authority no one pre-
sumed to question. Hugh Bowles and James K. Scott were the first preachers. At this time the few settlers of this township at- tended church services over in Tunbridge at what was called the "Old Union." The first church building constructed in Barnett was by the M. E. Church denomination abont 1855, and situ- ated in section seventeen. It was a comfortable frame building of medium size, and is yet standing. Mason Paine was the first justice of the peace. Robert Barnett was also among one of the first The first to practice medicine was Henry M Gorin in the summer of 1832. He was originally from Missouri, and when he first came to the state he stopped at Decatur. From there he came to this township and practiced one season, when he returned to Missouri. Wm. Reddick and Thomas Laughlan were also early physicians. The latter lived in Tunbridge township.
The first post-office was established in 1833, at the residence of Mahlon Hall, he being the postmaster. At that time, for the transmission of a letter 400 miles it cost twenty-five cents. No such thing was then known as an envelope. The letter was merely folded and stuck together with a wafer. B. Brown was the first mail carrier. The first person who had a kit of tools and did blacksmithing, was James Cadel. He came from Ten- nessee, and located in section 35. His shop was a pole shanty, and his tools consisted of a wheezy old bellows, an anvil, a ham- mer and a pair of tougs. This was in 1835. The first mill was constructed by Mason Paine in 1533, and situated in section 34, on the land now owned by James Barnett. It was a " one- horse " mill, with a capacity of grinding from ten to fifteen bush- els of meal in twenty four hours. To put it in the language of one of the pioneers : " It ground about as fast as a houud pup could eat it." The burrs were about two feet in diameter, and manufactured from the prairie boulders. John Brown, who came from New Hampshire, had the honor of selling the first goods in the township, in the year 1839. The store-house was a small frame building, situated in section 29, on the premises now owned by John W. Wasson. Mr. Brown remained here but a short time, when he moved to Waynesville. The first blooded stuck was introduced by John Barnett in 1845. They were of the short-horn Durham breed of cattle, and imported from Bonr- hon county, Kentucky. The present leading stock raisers are James Barnett, William Gambrel, Robert Black, and Prettyman Barr.
The following are the names of the supervisors who have re- presented the township since its organization : A. A. Eads was elected in 1859, and served nntil 1862, and was Chairman of the Board during the year 1861. J. R. Hall elected in 1862, and served one term. William Marrow elected in 1863 Eli H. Robb in 1864. William Marrow re-elected in 1865, served one term. John Bartley was elected in 1866. J. M. Maddox elect- ed in 1867. Thomas Maddox elected in 1868. William Gam- brel elected in 1869. A A. Eads was re-elected in 1870, and served until 1874. He was Chairman of the Board for the year 1870. Z. D. Cantrall elected in 1874, aud served two terms J. E Bradley elected in 1876. N. M. Barnett was elected in 1877, and served two terms Lyman Barnett was elected in 1879, and is the last representative from this township Since which time the supervisorselected have refused to qualify for reasons already given in this chapter.
MIDLAND CITY
is situated at the junction of the Illinois Midland Railway and the branch of the Wabash, iu the center of section 31. It was laid out and platted in the interest of Robert Black in 1875, and
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
was first named Dunham, and subsequently changed to Midland City. The Midland Railway Company were in favor of the town retaining its original name, but Mr. Black succeeded in carrying the day ; hence the old sign " Dunham," at the depot, was taken down and that of " Midland City " substituted.
The first house was constructed hy G. W. Middlecoff in the spring of 1875. It was a frame building, one story high, and 40 x50 feet on the ground, and situated on the south side of the Dow principal street. It contained two rooms, one being used for gro- ceries and the other for hardware. Mr. Middlecoff, prior to this, bought corn, and sold coal and Inmber at this point. The same year, E. Fawcett erected a frame building, and engaged in the grocery business besides handling corn, coal and lumber. The post-office was established the same season, and John A. Zambro was the postmaster. He was then a partner of Middlecoff. and the mail was distributed in the business house of this firmn. One addition has since been made to the town, entitled the " Jones' addition," belonging to the Jones' heirs. The town at this writ- ing has a population of 1230. The following is the present busi- ness : Heisserman & Hill's wagon and carriage factory. This in- dustry was established by the above firm in the spring of 1881, and is situated on the corner of East Second street, frouting Spruce. The factory is a frame building, two stories high, and 24x44 feet in size, besides an addition 16x18 feet. It is run by a ten-horse power engine, and gives employment to five men. The annual value of manufactured product is estimated at $3,000.
Warehouse, owned and operated by Seth Turner. This build- ing is a frame structure, two stories in height, and is situated on the switch of the Illinois Midland Railroad ; it was constructed in 1876 at a cost of $1,200. It has five dumps, with convenient driveways, and a capacity of storing 9,000 bushels of grain, he- sides cribs detached capable of holding 30,000 bushels of corn.
Grain Buyers, Dealers in Coal, Lumber and Tile .- Seth Turner, Evans & Black.
General Stores .- Evans & Black, J. Curry & Co.
Druggists .- Pacard & Son.
Hardware and Tinware .- A. W. Groves.
Harness and Saddlery .- David E. Randolph, James Temple- man.
Agricultural Implements .- J. W. Wasson.
Stock Dealers and Shippers .- Turner & Morris, Robert Black. Insurance Agent .-- V. P. Turner.
Blacksmith .- C. C. Colwell.
Millinery -Mrs. A. W. Groves.
Meat Market .- Joseph Morris.
Physician .- W. E. McCleland. Carpenter .- Charles Markeland.
Hotel .- John Lane, proprietor ; J. H. Piatt, landlord. Postmaster .- John A. Evans.
Besides the foregoing, the town contains a good school-house, which was built in the spring of 1881. It is a frame building,
two stories in height, and is adorned with a cupola and bell, and cost $2,200. It contains two rooms, and is thus partially graded, and has an attendance of about 75 pupils. The rooms are sup- plied with the latest improved furniture, while the grounds are ample for the convenience of the scholars for a play-ground. There is also one neat little church building. It belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, and is conveniently pre- pared for church services.
HALLSVILLE
is situated on what was formerly the Champaign, Lincoln and Havana Railroad, now a branch of the Wabash road, and in the north-east corner of section 33. It was laid out by Jonathan Hall in 1871. The first house in town was moved from Tun- bridge township by John O. Dee in the fall of 1871 It was a little frame house u-ed for a dwelling, and was located in block 10, lots 1, 2, and 3. At the same time Mr. Dee moved his black- smith shop to this point, and it was, therefore, the first shop in the town. It was afterwards taken to Midland City. and is now used for the same purpose by C. C. Colwell at that place. The second dwelling was that of W. O. Rogers, about the same time. Mr. Rogers moved it here from his father-in-law's farm, John Bart- ley, and the December following improved it by building an addition. The first store-house was commenced in the fall of 1871, and completed the following spring. It was a frame build- ing, one story, and constructed by Hall & Deland, and situated in block 8, lot 1. Their merchandise consisted of a general stock, suitable for a country store. It was destroyed by fire in 1875. The post-office was established in 1871, with W. O. Rogers as postmaster ; he is the present incumbent. The first person to practice medicine was Dr. James Martin, in the fall of 1871. He remained about three years, when he moved to Kansas. The town at this writing contains about 60 inhabitants, with the fol- lowing business :
Physicians,-W. F. Ward, C. T. McLane.
Blacksmith .- W. H. Jones.
Wood Workman .- E. T. Hunter.
Contractor and Builder .- W. T. Hunter. Grain Dealers and Shippers .- Armstrong & Black.
The first and only hotel was built by W. T. Hunter in the sum- mer of 1873. It is a two story frame building with a wing, and situated in block 5. It is now occupied for a dwelling by Dr. W. T. Ward.
The County Poor-farm is situated in this township, joining the town of Hallsville on the north-west. William Moore is the pre- sent efficient poor-master, and has served in this capacity for the last three years, and has been reappointed by the Board to fill the position for the ensuing year. At this writing. December, 1881, it contains 25 panpers, and is said to be the best managed county- house in Central Illinois.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
0
W. O. ROGERS
WAS born in Bourbon County, Ky., September 9th, 1836. The family were originally from Virgiua. Ilis father, John Rogers, was born in Kentucky, iu 1800. Ile died in the same state in 1867. He was a minister in the Christian Church, and a co- worker with Rev. B. W. Stone and Alexander Campbell, the pioneers of the Christian Church in America. He married Elender Hildreth, of Bourbon County, Ky. She died in 1838 He afterwards married Mildred Adair, who was of a Virginian family. By his first marriage there were eight children, of which the subject of this sketch is the ouly survivor. He was raised in Bourbon County, Ky. In his youth he learned the saddlery aud harness trade. In the fall of 1856 he came to Logan County, Ill., and worked upon a farm. Two years later he re- turned to Kentucky. In 1859 he made arrangements to take a company of men to Pike's Peak, but after arriving at Fort Lara- mie on the Platte river, concluded to abandon the enterprise, and returned home. On his return he stopped in Clinton, in De Witt County, and found work in a general store, clerked for one year, theu returned to Kentucky, and in August 1861 he enlisted for three years in Co. " L," of the 4th Illinois Cavalry. The company was raised in De Witt and MeLean Counties The 4th was placed under the command of Gen. Grant, and assisted in the capture of Fort Donelson, was also in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, aud first battle of Corinth They were stationed at Trenton, Tennessee, from there went to Humboldt, and were with Grant on the Hatchie river campaign, and in the battle of Coffeeville, where the regiment lost, Col. McCollough in the fight. In the summer of 1863 the command did picket duty, and guarded lines of railroads in Tennessee. lu the fall went to Vicksburg aud were sent out on the Black river, and in December went to Natehez, Miss , where they remained until expiration of service. In November 1864 Mr. Rogers returned to Clinton, and in spring of 1865 engaged in farming in Barnett Township. In the spring of 1866 moved to Tazewell County, and farmed three years, then returned to his father iu-law and farmed two years In 1872 he moved to Hallsville and built a dwelling-house, which was soon after burned down. He sold the first gool- iu the town, and was the first Postmaster, and still continues in that capacity. Mr. Rogers conducted the mercantile business for Messrs. Deland & Hall. In 1874, he in connection with J. C. Ilumphreys, started in the general mer- chandising business Six months later he sold out to Ilum- phreys, but elerked for him for two years. He then went into business for himself, in which he still continues. On the 24th of August, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Bartley, a native of Madison County, Ohio, daughter of John and Nancy Bartley, who settled in De Witt County in 1849. Three children were born to them, named Minnie W John and Maud Rogers. His wife and daughters are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of A. F. A. M. He has always voted the Republicau ticket. Iu 1878 he was elected Justice of the Peace to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- tion of Squire Faucett. and held the scales of justice impartially until the end of his term in 1881.
GEORGE W. GRINER.
THE Griner family on the paternal side are of German ancestry. James Griner, the great-grandfather of the present family, emi- grated from Germany to America prior to the Revolutionary war. While on his passage across the ocean both parents died. He settled in New Jersey, and during the war for Independence was a captain in the service. He emigrated to Indiana soon after that state was admitted into the Union, and there died at the great age of one hundred and ten years. Charles, his son and grandfather of George W., was born in New Jersey. Ile came West to Indiana, where his parents were living, in 1837, and there died lle had two sons, William and Peter. George W. is the son of William, who married Margaret Brooks, a native of New Jersey, and she died iu 1837. By that marriage there were three sons and two daughters. George W. is the youngest of the family. He was boru in New Jersey, June 22d, 1835. He lived in Indiana with his father and family from 1837 until 1853, when he was in his nineteenth year. Ile then came to De Witt County, Illinois, and here he stopped with his brother-in-law, and worked on a farm. Soon after went to work on a saw-mill. He continued to work around uutil March, 1856, when he moved to a forty acre tract of land in seetion thirty-one in Barnett Township, and there he has lived to the present. The land was raw and nnimproved, aud all of the im- provemeuts now on it were put there by Mr. Griner. A view of the place can be seen by reference to another page in this work. On the 25th of November, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of George Coppenberger, a native of Ten- nessee, and one of the first settlers of De Witt County He settled on Salt Creek about the year 1825. George Coppenber- ger married Nancy Henderson, who was a native of Kentucky, and also among the early settlers of De Witt County. Mrs. Griner was born on Salt Creek, in Tunbridge Town-hip, De Witt County, May 2 th, 1835. By her marriage with George W. Griver, there are six children living. Their names in the order of their birth are, Rachel Jaue, boru May 22d, 1857, and is the wife of James A. Trowbridge, Charles W. died in infancy, Nancy A., born October 14th, 1860, is the wife of George E Kimball, a farmer in Barnett Township George B., born July 16th, 1863, Olive M , born May 29th, 1866, May W., born April 16th, 1870, Myrtie, born July 1st, 1874. Both Mr. and Mrs. Griner are members of the Christian Church. Politically, Mr. Griner has been a Democrat siuee 1856, when he east his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. He is uot, however, a poli- tieian, and takes no further interest in polities than to express his opinion through the right of suffrage. Mr. Griner has been re- markably successful in life. He started poor, and had nothing but health and strength, and aodetermination to rise, and he was above depending upon others. With that idea in view, aud assisted hy his estimable wife, he has succeeded in gaining a competency, and at the same time has built up a reputation as a fair, honest and honorable man, which is far better, and brings more pure enjoyment thau great richies.
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