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 61
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318
FARM RESIDENCE OF JAMES S. TODD, SEC. 34, T. 19, R.I. (TUNBRIDGE TP) DE WITT COUNTY, ILL.
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FARM RESIDENCE OF GEORGE W. GRINER SEC.31, T.20, R.I, ( BARNETT TR) DEWITT COUNTY, ILL
PHOTO. BY F. O. PFASF.
Won Moon
THE preseut efficient and capable Superintendent of the County Farm and Alms-house, was born in Virginia, Loudoun connty, December 25th, 1831. On both the paternal and mater- nal sides the ancestry is Irish. His grandfather, Peter Moore, was a native of the same State. He married IIannah Ewers. Of that marriage was Mason Ewers Moore, the father of William M. He was born in Loudoun county, Va., in 1801. He emigrated to Ohio in 1839, and settled in Morgan county, and there died in Sept., 1847. He married Margaret Ann Adams, who was born in the same county in Virginia, in 1803. She was of Irish parentage on her father's side. IIer father, Henry Adams, came to America while yet young and died in Virginia. Mrs. Moore came to Illinois in 1858, and settled in Texas township, in De Witt county, in 1860, where she still resides. William M. is the third in a family of four sons and three daughters. His educa- tiou in his youth was of a limited character. He remained at home until after attaining his majority. In 1853 he raised a crop of tobacco, and in the winter following worked in a warc- house, and the next spring went to Indiana, and in the fall re- turned to Ohio. On the 14th of February, 1855, he married Miss Hannah Wright, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, February 1st, 1834. Her parents, Ira and Jane Wright, were natives of Vermont. Her mother was of Irish parentage. In the spring of 1857 Mr. Moore came to Illinois, landiog in De Witt county, May 9th of that year. He settled in Creek town-
ship, and engaged in farming. In 1863 be removed to Texas township, and farmed and operated in stock business, in connec- tion with Robert Magill, in which he continued until 1871. In 1872 he went to Colorado, but soon returned, and then gave his attention to farming and stock-raising until Jan. 1st, 1879, when he was appointed to the position he now holds. It can be truly said of him that, as Superintendent of the Poor Farm, he has brought the institution up to be self-supporting, and is most cer- tainly the right man for the right place. Politically, Mr. Moore has always been an unswerving, uncompromising democrat of many years' standing. While a resident of Texas township, he represented the people in the Board of Supervisors for two terms. He also held other offices of local trust, and was Deputy Sheriff for four years. In matters of religion be is liberal. By his mar- riage with Hannah Wright there are four children to hallow and bless the union. Their names, in the order of their birth, are : Franklin M., Lucy J., Humphrey A., and William Merton Moore. All are yet at home. He is a member of I. O. O. F., and belongs to Maroa Lodge, No. 314. Mr. Moore belongs to the positive order of men, and is outspoken and free in his man- ners. No one is left long in doubt upon any question upon which his opinion is desired. He is of a generous nature and lively disposition, kind and affectionate in bis nature, and a hospitable man in his home.
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.
CREEK TOWNSHIP.
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HIS township is a regular square, comprising all of Congressional township No. 19 N., R. 3 E., in all thirty-six sections, or 23 040 acres, of which nearly one-third was originally forest. The northern part of the township is drained by Salt creek and its tributaries. Salt creek enters the township in section two, and flows in a general south-westerly direc- tion, leaving it in section seven. Its course is marked by hills and bluffs, rugged in ap- pearance. The small feeders rise in living springs, in which this section abounds, and whose waters find their way through deep ravines to the main creek. The bluffs present a compara- tively barren clay soil, supporting a growth of oak, maple and other woods, whilst the valleys, possessing a stronger soil, are lined with cottonwoods, hickory and occasionally walnut timber. The southern part is poorly drained, being low and flat prairie. Until artificial drainage was inaugurated much of it was thought to be practically worthless for agricultural purposes. By drain- age, first in open conduits, then by tilling it, has become the best portion of the township, and its possibilities are yet quite undeveloped. Fair farms gladden the eye where until a quite recent period deer congregated in herds.
The axe of that sturdy pioneer Lisenby was the first to break the stillness of the forest in this township, as he staked off his claim and commenced preparations for the erection of a cabin in the wilderness on section one, a little more than a mile from Salt creek, in the year 1830. Ile was a descendant of good old revolutionary stock, his father, Reuben Lisenby, having been a soldier in the war for colonial freedom, and having lost his life in the siege of Charleston. A brother, Josiah by name, trne to his patriotic impulses, had enlisted in the same struggle, and was killed in the same siege. Abraham and a sister were bound out to a North Carolinian soon after the Revolution, from whence he moved, ou gaining his majority, to East Tennessee, and thence to Illinois. He was the father of ten children, six sons and four danghters. With a hearty good will he commenced his improvements by breaking a small patch of ground about his cabin. He lived but a short time to enjoy the fruits of his labors, as he died in May, 1831. He was buried on the tract he had selected as a home, and which is yet used as a cemetery ; his remains were placed in a rude, undressed coffin of black walnut, procured from Waynesville, twenty miles distant. A knot-hole in the lid exposed the body partially when it was lowered iuto the grave. Wolves attracted to the spot, dug down almost to the body, their work being discovered only in time to prevent greater mischief, whereupon the grave was made secure against these ravages. After his death Benjamin Lisenby, one
of his sons, ocenpied the lonely home, made more lonely by his ' loss. Another son, Ezekiel, remained the first year, aiding in the cultivation of the clearing, then returned to Tennessee, where he remained until 1848, when he again came to Creek township, where he has since resided. Numerous representatives of this family yet live to do honor to the brave old pioneer's memory ; his wife, too, old in years, loved by all, yet lives in the enjoy- ment of life's evening time. In 1832 a traveling preacher, named Dodge, visited his lone home, and with characteristic Methodist zeal, proclaimed the unsearchable riches of Christ, although, by a hard day's ride, Lisenby could secure an audience of but three neighbors to hear him. Soon after another traveling minister called, declaring himself to be lost. When asked from whence he came he replied, " From everywhere and from nowhere but here, and I wish I wasn't here." IIis zeal had departed with losing his way around one of the extended circuits of those early days.
John Miller was the second pioneer settler. He came from Casey county, Kentucky, where he was born in 1799, via Madi- son county, this state, where he was united in marriage to Mary Slatten, in 1818; thence he moved to Morgan county, whence after a few years' sojourn, he came to Creek township, where he located on the north half of Sec. 1, which he had entered on the 21st day of June, 1831, upon the occasion of a visit, looking out for a new home. Ile was the father of seven children, five of whom were sons, and two daughters. Two of his sous, Eben- ezer and Benjamin, still live in Clinton county ; a son, Joseph, lives in Harrison county, Missouri; another, Tyra, in Linn county, Kansas, and a daughter in Mason county, this state. The land he entered included the improvements made by Li- senby, which he bought, and which at the time amounted to a clearing of about six acres, which was fenced and broke, a cabin, 14x16, and a log stable, 12x14. Ile set out a hundred apple trees, which he procured from the vicinity of Decatur. This was the first attempt made at securing an orchard in this section of country ; some of the trees, like grand old patriarchs, are still standing. He employed Felix Jones, Solomon Cross and Tyre Harp, all residents of Harp township, to break fourteen acres additional ground, so that the first season after entering his new home he had iu all twenty acres iu cultivation. Jones made for himself a pair of mocassins of hog-hide, in which to plough. They were clumsy, uncouth coverings for the feet, but, as was said, there was no wear out to them.
A man named Hamilton was the third person to locate within the limits of the township. He erected a cabin on Sec. 8. In the year 1835 two brothers, Ezekiel and John.Lane, or Jackie, as he was familiarly called, came from Hamilton county, this state, where they had lived since 1827, baving originally come
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322
HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
from Tennessee. Ezekiel made his temporary home in the cabin deserted by Hamilton, whilst, with the aid of Felix Jones and neighbors, John built a rude cabin on Sec. 11. In the fall of the same year Felix Jones erected a cabin near where Tillmon Lane now lives, ou Sec. 10, into which Ezekiel Lane moved. Ezekiel Lane was a prominent citizen of the county, and at one time held the office of sheriff. He was an active church member, and in the later years of his life preached considerably ; his church membership was with the Christian connection, but his views were in common with those entertained by the Reformers. John Lane was also a preacher of the Christian connection, or New Light faith, bold in his declarations, very firm in his con- victions,-indeed, his firmness amounted almost to obstinacy. He was au original Abolitionist, one of the first four within the limits of the county. An impediment in his speech detracted from his power as a preacher. Tillmon Lane, son of Ezekiel, yet lives on the old homestead ; he has held various positions in public life; among them has represented the county in the Gen- eral Assembly of the state. Ile and a sister attended a school taught hy J J. McGraw, on Rock creek, in 1836-7, the nearest available school at that time.
Jeremiah Thompson came in 1836, and located on Sec. 1. He brought with him a family of ten, seven of whom lived to man- hood and womanhood. Numerous representatives of this family yet live in the vicinity, and are all pushing, energetic men.
John MeDeed came with his father, James McDeed, in 1837, and also located in Sec. 1. He was of Irish descent, quick- witted, whole-souled ; as a neighbor and friend he was held in
high, a preacher called to get a few bushels, for which he ex- pected to pay a good round price. McDeed filled his wagon to overflowing and then declined anything in payment, saying that though he wasn't a church member, he would contribute some- thing to helping on the good work. No one ever appealed to him in vain for aid when in distress.
Parmenius Smallwood, with a family of fifteen children, located in what is now Macon county, near Decatur, in 1826. He was an Ohioan, born in Champaign county, of that state. George D., his son, was born in Rose county, Ohio, March 31, 1810, and came with his parents to this state; attended the first schools of Macon county, and grew to manhood, after which, in 1830, he located in this township. He was among the early settlers, and was here during the "deep snow." The same year, 1830, he commenced, with his father, building a saw-mill, to which he soon after added a burr, and did the grinding for the com- munity. It was located ou the N. E. quarter of Sec. 5. The burr was made from a prairie boulder, which is still in use, and is pronounced to be of very fine quality. Mr. Smallwood was in the Black Hawk war He was an early surveyor in this part of the country ; was married to Mary Ann Brown, March 24, 1839. The ceremony was performed by James M. Scott, a Christian minister.
The first land entered in this precinct was made by Hamilton. Eutries were made as follows : March 4, 1830, Robert Hamilton, W. half N. W. quarter Sec. 9, 80 acres ; March 4, 1830, John P. Hamilton, E. half N. W. quarter Sec. 9, 80 acres ; March 4, 1830, Eliza M Hamilton, W. halfS. E. quarter Sec. 9, 80 acres; March 6, 1830, Parmenius Smallwood, N. E. quarter Sec. 5, 157 acres ; June 18, 1831, Ira Norfleet, W. half S. W. quarter Sec. 5, 80 acres ; June 21, 1831, Warrington Spillers, W. half S. E. half Sec. 1, 80 acres ; June 21, 1831, John Miller, N. E. quarter Sec. 1, 158 acres.
The first school taught iu the vicinity was by Jefferson Cross, a lame man from Tennessee, in 1837-8. The school-house, a rough log building, was erected by the neighbors ou section one. It did not aspire to windows, although a place made vacant by the removal of a log was covered by a strip of muslin. Children learned their letters, and subsequently to read, from the Testa- ment. The Testament, Pike's Arithmetic, and two or three spelling books, completed the list of text books. The school- house was also occupied for religious worship. The first regular services held here, were by Rev. Thomas Welch, a pastor in the old Christian, or New Light order. He perfected an organiza- tion of those of that faith in this vicinity. John Pugh, a man of some ability, had gathered together the friends of Christianity occasionally in the school-house prior to this, but had not at- tempted any organization.
A saw and grist mill was erected by Parmenius Smallwood on Salt creek, section five, in the year 1835. Smallwood lived near Decatur, and placed the mill in charge of his sons, George D , Samuel and Daniel. These sons kept " bach," in a cabin, on the banks of the creek, save when relieved of the tedium of house- keeping by a sister, who remained part of the time with them. This mill was patronized by people from an extensive tract of country. It filled a want long felt. People no longer had to go twenty miles for a sack of meal or flour, or as many did, pound corn with a maul.
The earlier settlers raised sufficient cotton to supply a home demand for cotton goods, which were manufactured by them- selves. However they were chary of its use, as it was related to high esteem. It is related of him that when corn was scarce and : the writer by an eye-wituess, that a young lady of sweet sixteen, in attempting to kick a dog, succeeded in flooring herself, owing to the closeness of the fit of her skirts. The kicking leg jerked the other from under her. Flax, too, was raised in considerable quantities.
Along the creek bottom a number of hunters settled, or rather sojourned for a time, to engage in hunting and fishing. They were of the do-little class of humanity. As they sat around their camp-fires, spinning yarns, passers-by would hail them, with " What are you doing?" "Nothing to-day, but will give it Hail Columbia to-morrow." On the morrow they would give up the Hail Columbia business, So universally was the reply made by this class, that even yet an idler is accosted with, " I reckon you'll give it Hail Columbia to-morrow," or " that fellow be- longs to the Hail Columbia class."
This township has been represented on the Board of Super- visors as follows: B. G. Lisenby, elected in 1859 ; Tillmon Lane, elected 1860; Thomas Ritchie, elected 1861 ; John Mc- Aboy, elected 1862, and served two terms ; Tillmon Lane, re- elected 1864, and served until 1869; J. D. Graham, elected 1869, served three terms, and was chairman of the board during the year 1871; Henry Bennett, elected 1872; S. E. Aruold, elected 1873; J. M. Hendrix, elected 1874; Benjamin Miller, elected 1875; J. M. Hendrix, re-elected 1876; George Scott, elected 1877 ; J. D. Graham, re-elected 1878, and served twn terms ; J. D. Miller, elected 1880; H. C. Spainhour, elected 1881, is the present incumbent.
The following exhibit, taken from the assessor's record for 1881, shows the Agricultural development of the township. Valne of farming lands, $282,022; town lots, $4,841 ; number of horses, 592; neat cattle, 837; mules, 85 ; sbeep, 418; hogs, 2148 ; carriages and wagons, 232; watches and clocks, 154; sewing machines, 92; pianos, 2; organs and melodeons, 22. Total valne of personal property, $57,034.
323
HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Lane Station; or simply Lane, as the post-office is called, was surveyed by John S. Brown, February the 5th, 1873, on land owned by Tillmon Lane, with metes and bounds as follows :
Beginning seven and fifty hundredths chains north of the S. E. corner of the west half of the N. W. quarter of section 10, T. 19, R. 3 E .; thence north 3963 feet ; thence west at right angle 816 feet ; thence sonth 420 feet ; thence easterly to point of beginning- It contains three blocks, of eight lots each.
The first addition was made by Tillmon Lane, of twenty-four lots. February Ist, 1875.
The second addition by Messrs. John T. and James Lane, of four blocks, divided into thirty lots. March 5th, 1881.
The Lane Elevator was built at a cost of $3,000. It is con- strneted for handling all kinds of grain, with a capacity of 6,500 bushels. The shipments for 1881 amounted to 100,000 bushels. The village contains a
Dry Goods Store .- J. A. Fosnangh.
Groceries .- B. F. Martin.
Blacksmith .- Lonis Dement. Wagon-maker .- E. J. Deveree.
Physicians .- Dr. J. A. Simmerman ; Dr. J. R. Gardiner. Station _Igent .- Lewis Lane.
Post-master .- B. F. Martin.
Grain Dealers .- J. Lane, and George Bennett, George Scott.
Town Hall and Livery Stable .- Drury Thompson. There are here two elevators ; one owned and operated by Lane and Ben- nett, the other by George Scott. Lane and Bennett's was erected at a cost of 8 -- , and has a storage capacity for- bushels grain. There were - bushels handled during the year 1881.
Scott's Elevator was built in the earlier part of 1881, at a cost of $1600 ; is provided with a steam engine of fifteen horse power. Has a capacity for storing 6,500 bushels grain, and during the five months it has been operated, there have been shipped from it abont 40,000 bushels grain.
Alexander Swan built the first honse erected in the village of Lane.
In the spring of 1873, Dr. J. A. Simmerman brought the first stock of goods, and opened a general store. In the fall of the same year, John Nelson opened the second store.
Harrison Kidder was the first postmaster appointed in 1873. The office was established on application, quite generally signed by citizens living in the near vicinity.
Outside of Lane, no industries, save a wagon and blacksmith shop, by Samuel Arthur, and the tile works operated by Messrs. Lane, Britten and Thompson, near by the village, are carried on. These works were erected in the year 1880. Capital stock, $2,500. During 1880, about 225,000 feet of tiling were made, for which there was a home demand.
The population of the township for 1860, was 794; for 1870, 1022, and for 1880, 1211, showing a steady and regular growth.
What is now popularly called the Havana branch of the Wabash railroad, was built through this township in 1872. In 1870 the township was asked to subscribe $30,000 in behalf of the Havana, Mason City, Lincoln and Eastern railroads, nnder the management of Smith, Griggs & Co., with Thomas Snell of Clinton, as President. In accordance therewithi, a town meeting was called on the 21st day of June, 1870, to vote for or against the proposed subscription, which resulted in 121 votes for, to 44 votes against the proposition. The amonnt of the subscription was to be raised in bonds, with payment to run from ten to twenty years. The bonds were deposited with the State Treasurer, to be holden by him until the company had complied with the con- tract and completed the road, which was to be done within two years from the date of the issue of the bonds. In 1872 the road was completed ; that part passing through this township having been graded and built on a sub-contract, taken by Tillmon, Lane, Drnry, Thompson and A. K. Miller. The interest on bonds, ten per cent. per annum, has been generally met since their issue.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
Tillman Lane
WHO is among the prominent old settlers, was born iu Monroe County, Kentucky, October 14th, 1823, and was the son of Ezekiel and Talitha Lane. In 1827 his father came to Illinois, and settled in Hamilton County, where he lived until 1835; he then came to what is now De Witt County, and entered land where the subject of this sketch now lives, in Creek Township, where he continued to reside until his death, October 19th, 1853, his wife having preceded him seven years. They raised a family of seven children, Tillmon being the eldest. He acquired such an education as the schools of his day afforded. He assisted
his father on the farm until he arrived at the age of maturity. November 15th 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Thompson, who was born in Sangamon County. They have raised a family of eight children, five now living. Mr. Lane's life occupation has been that of a farmer. In politics he has always been a Democrat. For a number of years he repre- sented his township in the County Board. In 1873 he repre- sented his couuty in the State Legislature. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian Church. He lives a half-mile north of Lane, a growing, little village he laid out in 1873.
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NIXON TOWNSHIP.
HIS was the latest settled township in the county. It contains a prairie surface, with only now and then a few groves of timber of a very small growth. Its form is irregular, and contains 27 sections. A notch of 9 sec- tions is taken out of the south-east corner and joined to Piatt county. The surface is mainly flat or level, but of a deep, rich soil, specially adapted to the successful culture of corn or grass. When under- drainage or tiling shall have been fully adopted, it will be found that this is one of the most productive parts of the county. The natural drainage is somewhat meagre, and it will take time and patience to bring this land to yield what it is really worth to the husbandman. Friend's Creek and a small tributary, rise in the north part of the township and flow in a southerly course through its territory. Two brooks or small rivnlets take the same course through the township. These constitute the surface drainage, except the line of railroad which bisects the township from west to east. The Division of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific rail- way enters from the west in section 7, and takes an easterly course, passing into Piatt connty in section 12 .; Nixon is situated in the extreme south-eastern part of the county and bonnded as follows: On the north hy De Witt township, on the east and south by Piatt and Macon counties, and on the west by C'reek township. Its first settlement hegan as late as 1850. At the time of township organization-1859-, there were bnt 32 voters in the township. It is trne that there had been land cultivated within its boundaries years before, but they were parties living near the borders, not citizens of the township
FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
The first to locate in this township was Cicero Twist, in the spring of 1850. Hle settled in section 8, and that year broke a small patch of prairie, and raised a crop of sod corn. He came from Sangamon county, and had two children, Ann and Eliza. Mr. Twist yet resides in the township, and has a family of eight children. His first house was a rnde cahin, constructed of rongh logs just as they were cut from the timber, and covered with boards for a roof. He is now in comfortable circumstances, and residing at the old homestead.
A M. Pue broke the first prairie, and raised the first crop within the boundaries of the township, but resided in an adjoin- ing precinct. This was in 1837. George, William, Morris, and Nixon were all early settlers. They were brothers, and came from Ohio, about 1850, and settled in different parts of the township. They became prominent farmers, and at the time of township or- ganization the commissioners gave it the name in honor of these citizens. George is dead, and the others live in different parts of the county.
John N. Manlove, a native of Ohio, was also one of the first citizens. He emigrated from his native state to Indiana at an early day when he was a mere boy, and from thence to Illinois,
about 1852. He has been twice married, and reared a family of ten children, five boys and five girls. He is yet living in the township, and among the first of the citizens. Hiram Chandler came from Vermont, and located here about the same time as the above. He married a sister of Mr. Manlove in Indiana before his coming. He died some years ago, but his family yet reside in the township. C. S. Lisenbey also improved land in this town- ship in an early day, but resided just over the line in Creek township.
The first land entry was made by A. M. Pue, January 2d, 1835, being the N. 3 of the N. W. 1 of section 6. In the same year, April 15th, 1835, T. R. Davis entered the S. 3 of the N. W. } of the same section. October 25th, 1336, P. S. Longborough en- tered 485.98 acres in same section. September 2d, 1848, Benja- min G. Lisenby entered the S. 3 of lot 1 of the N. W. # of said section. October 16th, 1848, Charles S. Lisenbey entered the N. 3 of lot 2, of the S. W. } of section 7. June 22d, 1849, George Nixon entered the W. 3 of lot 2, of the N. W. } of section 5. November 22d, 1849, Pleasant Lynch entered S. E. | of the N. E. I of section 7.
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