USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 19
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His recollections are most extensive and interesting, and many of the facts in regard to the early settlement of this county in this work were obtained from him. His youth was passed the same as all boys of those days; working on the farm, and the sports of the field. He married, Feb. 12th, 1828, Miss Susannah Bayle, daughter of Elijah and Susan Bayle, who were natives of Pennsylvania. By the above union they have had seven children, four of whom are living. Elizabeth, who married Ben. Mahan, Esq., Thomas J., living in Kaskaskia Township, James T., living in Wilberton Township, Mary J., Mrs. L. S. Cluxton, now residing in Vandalia.
Prior to 1856, Mr. Thompson was a Whig; since that time a Republican. He has filled many responsible positions. He was a member of the County Court fourteen years, and County Judge one term, Deputy Sheriff eight years, Justice of the Peace about the same length of time, and has been School Director and Trustee for many years, and Road Commissioner of Vandalia Township nine years; a position he now fills.
Mr. Thompson's father died when his son was twelve-years of age; conse- quently he was thrown entirely upon his own resources. He struggled along, and the fact of his having so repeatedly been elected to important positions is the best commentary that can be passed upon his life and character as a man and citizen.
BEAR GROVE TOWNSHIP.
HIS township was, prior to 1869, a part of Vandalia township, which it joins on the west. They were divided in the above- mentioned year, and the western half was called Johnson town- ship, and subsequently Bear Grove, which name it now bears. It is one of the most delightfully situated of any in the county, or indeed in the State. The eastern portion is rolling prairie, and dotted over with many prominent eminences, covered with beautiful groves, affording pleasant, healthy, and charming sites for building. Towards the western half of the township it is intersected by Hurricane creek, which enters it from the north and traverses it in a southwesterly direction. The land lying immediately adjacent to it is called bottom land, with some very broken land adjoining ; this, however, comprises a very small portion of the area of the township.
THE BOIL
Is fertile and productive, and is a sandy loam, with here and there occa- sional stretches of dark prairie soil. Contiguous to Hurricane creek it is a rich alluvial deposit, adjoining which on either side is the broken timbered lands, principally of clay formation.
EARLY SETTLEMENT AND SETTLERS.
Prior to 1816 there were not more than six or seven families residents of the township. Who they were or what became of them is not known. They lived along the edge of the timber, and near where water could conveniently be had. This is one of the principal reasons why the first settlers invariably selected the poorest land upon which to locate,-the rich prairie land being wholly devoid of springs or rivulets, with which the broken and poorer land
was well supplied. The only evidence still in existence of these early occu- pants is the remains of an old cemetery in section 29; but whose remains are thus quietly sleeping their last sleep is "beyond the ken" of the oldest inhabitant. After 1816, there is little difficulty in getting accurate informa- tion as to who were the families settling in the township, as there are still living some of the pioneers and many of their descendants.
Among the first settlers were Dempsey Yarbrough, Edward Davis, Joel Thomas, James Stull, and Aiken Evans.
THE FIRST LAND ENTERED
in the township was by Wm. Otwell, 80 acres in section 15, August 2, 1819; John Russell, 160 acres in the same section and date; ex-Governor John Reynolds also entered 160 acres at the same time.
MORAL STATUS.
The character of the people, both of the original settlers, their descendants, and more recent occupants is excellent. A spirit of concord and harmony, quite in keeping with the beauty of the surrounding landscape, seems to per- vade its precincts. Its people are spoken of as being among the most thrifty, honest, and law-abiding of any in the county ; and it is not uncommon to hear men of either political party speaking of their opponents in terms of honest and hearty praise.
THE ST. LOUIS AND VANDALIA RAILROAD
intersects the township, running from west to east. The flourishing village of Hagerstown is situated upon the line of it, about four miles from Vandalia.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
It was laid out in 1869 by Wm. Henninger, who is the principal owner, and has a general merchandise store, blacksmith shop, meal and saw-mill, and a number of residences. From its location in the centre of a fertile and pro- ductive country, it is destined to be of some importance, and even now, in its infancy, does considerable in the way of shipping grain, cattle, and hogs.
There is at present but few men living from whom any information could be had prior to the year 1840, and from them were gleaned the following interesting facts : The first blacksmith shop was built in 1821 by Jeremiah Evans, more for his own use than that of the public ; but it is said that he was always ready and willing to assist his neighbors by sharpening their plows, mending their implements, and repairing their wagons, and, strange as it may seem to the money-loving and money-getting people of the present generation, made no charge. James McAdams was the first storekeeper, and John Lindley kept the first tavern in the township. The first church in the township was the Morris M. E. Chapel at Hagerstown, built in 1856, prior to which time services were held for a number of years at the residence of Wm. Henninger. The people are progressive farmers, and are introdu- cing the most improved breeds of stock and agricultural implements.
The first blooded stock was brought to the township by Augustus Snyder and M. F. Huston, and was of the Durham or short-born breed.
The first bridge built was over Hurricane Creek, on the St. Louis and Vandalia road, and was built prior to 1825.
The first Post-office was located at Hagerstown, and John Henninger was the first post-master.
The Evans Cemetery is the first cemetery of which there is any positive knowledge, although there is in section 15 the remains of one that antedates the memory of the oldest inhabitant-that is prior to the year 1820.
A saw and grist-mill, supposed to be the first in the county, was built by William Elam on the banks of Hurricane Creek.
Dr. Alexander was the first resident physician; and the Yarbrough school district the first in the township.
About 1820 or 1821 an unknown man committed self-destruction by shooting himself at Hagerstown. Some time afterwards, at the same place, & man named Furgusen killed himself by poison.
THE REBELLION.
Soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion this part of the county was overrun by bushwhackers. The Klingman gang were the pioneers of the movement, and committed numerous depredations. On one occasion, in passing through Bear Grove township, they stole three horses from William Henninger and one from Joseph Bowles. At both places they demanded the weapons that were in the houses. Fortunately Mr. Henninger was not at home, and they left without further damage. Mr. Bowles refused to accede to their demands, when they fired, and severely wounded himself and his daughter. Klingman, whose real name was Josiah Woods, was after- wards taken out of jail at Sedalia, Missouri, by an infuriated mob and lynched. He had, without provocation, shot and killed a man named Giger. Upon the mob's breaking into jail, Klingman or Woods snatched a heavy iron bar and felled a dozen men before he was secured. He was then taken and tied behind a wagon and dragged some distance, and hung to a sign-board over a railroad-crossing.
THE GRANGERS
have three lodges, with about one hundred and fifty members. Owing to its close proximity to Vandalia, none of the other Orders have lodges in the township.
THE SCHOOLS
are in a flourishing condition, and the township is second to none in the county in intellectual development.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
M. M. Merriman
THE subject of this sketch though quite a young man, is deserving of men- tion in this work, on account of his character and accomplishments. He is the son of Harrison K. and Idelia E. Merriman, who were natives of Illinois. He was born Feb. 28th, 1850, and was while very young, deprived of a mother's love and counsel, and a father's advice and example, by that grim enemy of mankind, death.
Left thus alone and almost friendless, he was as soon as able compelled to earn his own living. His youth was spent upon a farm, where he had no advan- tages whatever. But he possessed what is better, those sterling qualities that make opportunities, and reap the benefits thereof. When twenty-two years old he had by indefatigable industry and the closest economy, accumulated some money, when he determined to gratify a long-cherished dream, viz. : that of self-improvement, preparatory to taking a place among the cultivated and intelligent people of the county. With this object in view he attended McKendree College and afterwards Westminster College at Fulton, Missouri. As has been mentioned, up to his twenty-second year his opportunities had been extremely limited, and what knowledge he possessed, had been acquired by the hardest mental effort, not having had the proper preparatory train- ing.
Among his friends was a young man, Mr. J. W. Pigg, more fortunately situated than himself, and who by precept and example stimulated him to exert himself to the utmost, and to him Mr. Merriman bears the liveliest gratitude for his kind encouragement. Upon his return from college he immediately began teaching, and met with deserved success. Among his pupils was Mr. J. G. Smith, now engaged in teaching in the county.
So successful has Mr. Merriman been in his chosen profession, that his services are sought by several of the school districts, and not only is he recognized as a most successful educator, but as also one who possesses great strength of character, who by his own unaided exertions has risen from ignorance, poverty and obscurity, and now occupies a prominent position in the community, and commands the respect and good wishes of a host of friends.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
J. W. CROUCH,
WAS born Nov. 11th, 1833, in Hurricane Township, Fayette County, Ill., and is the child of John and Susannah Crouch. The elder Crouch about that time removed to Bond County, where his son continued living until October, 1865, when he purchased and moved to the farm where he now re- sides, in Bear Grove Township. July 18th, 1855, he married Miss Sarah A. Maxey, of Tennessee. They had two children, a son and daughter. These Mr. Crouch endeavored to give all the advantages possible in securing a good education. They both have, with the assistance of their father and their own application, acquired a good education, and are now engaged in teaching. Wm. M. is at present teaching in Sharon Township, and is said to be emi- nently well qualified for the profession he has chosen. His success is attribu- ted as much to his own efforts and application, as to any advantages he may have enjoyed. He is one of several of the old scholars of Mr. M. M. Mer- riman who are following in the footsteps of their preceptor. Mrs. Crouch died Jan. 11th, 1858. Mr. Crouch subsequently married Jane M. Creel, of Clinton County. They have had six children, all of whom are now living. Mr. Crouch comes of patriotic stock, his ancestors paternal and maternal, having fought in the revolutionary war. His father died in his seventieth year. His mother still survives, a venerable old lady, now in her eighty-fifth year.
Mr. Crouch's life has been devoted almost entirely to farming, in which he has been very successful, and bids fair to become one of the prominent and wealthy men of that class in his county. By a life of industry and economy, he has already accomplished much in that direction, and has now in his homestead one hundred and sixty acres of good land in a fine state of cul- tivation and well improved ; besides this he has a farm of eighty acres in another part of the township, all the results of a life of honest industry and strict attention to business.
His whole life has been such, that while he has in no instance solicited pub- lic preferment, he has several times been called upon to fill public positions in his township. Mrs. Crouch is a sister of Mr. E. J. Creel, one of the well- to-do farmers of the county. They are now enjoying on their homestead the result of their economy and early self-denial.
AUGUSTUS SNYDER.
EMANUEL and Ann Eliza Snyder, natives of Germany, emigrated to America about the year 1820, and landed at Baltimore. Immediately after they started West, and arrived at Vandalia December 19th, 1820. They had a family of five children. Augustus Snyder was their second son, and was born at Kuhrfurch Hessen on the 29th of April, 1805. His father was quite delicate, and died shortly after their arrival in Vandalia. Mrs. Snyder died on her son's farm about the year 1848. At the time of his father's death Mr. Snyder was about sixteen years old, and immediately commenced the work of hewing out his own fortune. His early years were spent in laborious farm-work, and so great were his necessities and those of his family, that he had no time to devote to self-improvement. The only opportunity he had was that of attending a subscription school about three months. At twenty-one years of age he launched out for himself. On the 17th of November, 1836, he married Elizabeth M. Watson, whose parents were natives of North Carolina, where she was born, August 11th, 1807. She died February 22d, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder had one child, a daughter, and now the wife of Mr. M. F. Hueston. She was born March 7th, 1841, and was married March 10th, 1864. Mr. Snyder participated in the Black Hawk war, under command of Major Henry, where he met and became acquainted with Mr. Lincoln, whom he says at that time could dust the back of any man in the regiment.
In early years he was a Whig, but latterly a Democrat, and during the war was a staunch Union man.
Mr. Snyder settled on the farm where he now lives about 1838, and which is now known as the Old Snyder Farm, where his wife died and his daughter was born and married. Mrs. Snyder was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Their daughter was educated in the schools of her native county.
Mr. Snyder commenced life without money, and with but few friends; but such was his character, and such has been his conduct through a long and eventful life, that he has succeeded in accumulating considerable of the former, and of the latter he numbers most of the worthy citizens of his county.
He has, in partnership with his son-in-law, Mr. Hueston, over eight hundred acres of good average land, well adapted for grain and stock- raising. He has outlived his three-score years and ten, and is now a hale and hearty old gentleman, with a kindly heart and a most generous disposi- tion; and one who, despite early disadvantages, has made for himself an honorable name and record.
JAMES S. EVANS.
AMONG the earliest and most respected residents of Fayette County was Aiken Evans, father of James S. He emigrated from Virginia when a youth of thirteen, and located in this county in 1818, with his parents, who first settled in what is now Seminary Township, and entered land in Bear Grove and Vandalis Townships. James S. is the eldest child of Aiken and Hannah (Chandler) Evans, and was born March 4th, 1848. His father dying when he was quite young, his early opportunities were limited. During the winter months he attended the district schools, and the re- mainder of the year worked upon the farm. He succeeded by steady appli- cation in acquiring a fair English education.
ยท Aiken Evans died November 10th, 1861; his wife survived bim until January 11th, 1872. Mr. Evans continued with his mother, performing the part of a dutiful and filial son until her death, after which he continued farming on his own account, on the home place. He married November 17th, 1870, Miss Mary Mitchell, daughter of A. L. and J. Mitchell, who were among the early pioneers of the State. They have one child-Albert.
Mr. Evans is entirely free from any political ambition, preferring to devote his energies to agriculture. Notwithstanding this, however, his friends and neighbors have, as a mark of their respect and confidence in his integrity and business qualifications, called upon him to devote a portion of his time to public duties. In politics he is and has always been a Democrat. He is yet a young man, and one who has by his own exertions succeeded in accumulating property. He is by nature shrewd, cautious and calcu- lating, and an honest and high-minded gentleman withal.
THE YARBROUGH FAMILY.
AMONG the old and familiar names of Fayette, the above takes a front rank. Dempsey and Mary Smith Yarbrough were married in this county, about the year 1825, and spent their lives within its boundaries. They suffered all the privations and perils of a frontier life, and lived to see the development of a wilderness into a great and free state; they lived an honest and useful life, and died leaving an honorable name and record, to their posterity. They also left, in the persons of their sons L. R., and Lafayette, worthy men, to preserve and transmit untarnished the family name. Mr. Yarbrough died at the old homestead March 18th, 1865. His wife lived some years later and died.
L. R. Yarbrough was born June 13th, 1830, and lived during his youth and until his marriage with his parents. He married April 27th, 1856, Miss Lydia, daughter of Wm. and Eleanor Rodecker, who were natives of Penn- sylvania and Ohio, respectively. They have had siz children, four of whom are now living with their parents in the old homestead. Mr. Yarbrough is spoken of as one of the solid and substantial men of his neighborhood. Lafayette, his younger brother, was born July 3d, 1882, and remained with his parents until his 21st year. He married Nov. 22d, 1857, Miss Mary A. Rodecker, sister of Mrs. L. R. Yarbrough. By that union they have had six children, three of whom are now living. In politics they are both Demo- crats, and firm believers and supporters of its policy. In 1861 seeing that war was inevitable, they advocated vigorous measures, and believed that a prompt suppression of the rebellion, would settle at once, and forever, the questions then agitating and distracting the country. They are men of sterling integrity, and as a consequence possess the confidence and esteem of friends and neighbors. Men whose example is cited by the aged and emulated by the young. They have both been selected to fill public posi- tions by the community. Lafayette at the present time (1877) being super- visor from his township, the duties of which he performs in a most expeditious and satisfactory manner. L. R., was selected and elected for township collector, and notwithstanding the fact, that there are no emoluments con- nected with the office, under the present system of township organization, he faithfully attends to the work of it, in all its details.
They reside upon their homesteads, surrounded by their families, and the
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
conveniences attending a life of industry and thrift, and are good repre- sentatives of that large and important element in our body politic, the American Agriculturalist.
HENRY WHITTENMEYER.
THIS gentleman is the fourth child of John G. and Elizabeth Whitten- meyer, and was born July 6th, 1806. His father was a native of Berks County, Penna., where he followed the occupation of a tailor.
Mr. Whittenmeyer married October 31st, 1826, Mies Lydia Woodling. She was born June 3d, 1805. They have had twelve children, of whom the following are living: Matilda, now the wife of Wesley McInturf was born Feb. 18th, 1828, and still resides in Bear Grove Township; Caroline, now Mrs. Tuttle, and living in Missouri, born Dec. 20th, 1831; Louisa, Mrs. Morey, born Dec. 8th, 1834, living near her parents; Susannah, born Oct. 28th, 1837; she was married to John D. Fahnestock, and died about five years since, leaving two children; Bet Liza, born Dec. 4th, 1839, and mar- ried to Jacob F. Baldwin, and Sarah, born May 26th, 1842, now Mrs. Lewis Lippel. Mr. and Mrs. Whittenmeyer, came to Illinois in 1839 and located on the farm, where they have ever since resided. At the time of their arrival in this county, their fortune consisted of thirteen dollars and five children. But they were of that hardy and indomitable stock that defy adverse circum- stances, and energetically set to work to provide a home for themselves and children. Mr. Whittenmeyer had no opportunities when young, and whatever education he possesses he acquired at such idle moments as he could spare from his daily labor. For a period of nearly twenty years after his arrival in Fayette County, he followed the business of carpenter and builder, in which he was moderately successful. He then retired to his farm, where he has ever since continued to reside, devoting his time to agriculture, and now enjoys the satisfaction of having one of the best cultivated farms in his town- ship. He has never been an office-seeker, preferring the more peaceful life of a private citizen. He has, however, been called upon at times, to fill public positions, and was elected Township Assessor. He was also School Director for a number of years, resigning the position when he was seventy years old. The cemetery in his neighborhood was his donation to the public, he having purchased the land and appropriated it to that use. In politics he has always been an ardent Republican, and believes its course and policy are best adapted for the preservation and advancement of civil and religious liberty.
He is now in his seventy-first year, a fine specimen of an amiable, cheerful and well-preserved old gentleman.
ROBERT MITCHELL.
AMONG the early settlers of Fayette County, were Michael and Jane Bryan Mitchell. They emigrated from North Carolina to Kentucky, re- moved from there to St. Clair County, and finally to Fayette County, where they died; Mr. Mitchell in Feb., 1844 and his wife in Feb., 1849.
They had a family of eleven children, of whom Robert was the sixth, and was born in Kentucky, in 1819. He came with his parents to Illinois in 1829, and to Fayette County in 1836, where he has since continued to reside.
His youth was spent on his father's farm. Owing to absence of schools he enjoyed few opportunities. He however occasionally attended subscription schools, and succeeded in acquiring considerable information. In 1848 he married Minerva Brown, daughter of Hezekiah and Delilah Brown, who were among the early pioneers of the county.
Shortly after his marriage he commenced farming, which occupation he has followed ever since, except when public duties demanded his attention.
As the fruits of the above union they have had twelve children five of whom are living. Charles R. died Dec. 24th, 1877.
In politics Mr. Mitchell has always been a Democrat, and prominently identified with that party in Fayette County. He was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held six years, when he was elected coroner, and filled the office acceptably for five years.
He has devoted most of his time to agriculture, in which he has been quite successful, and has a nicely improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He is a man of sterling worth, and has won the good-will and respect of the community by his upright conduct and genial manners.
WM. H. SNYDER.
THE Snyder family is one among the oldest in Fayette County. In 1820, Ferdinand Ernst put in execution a well-conceived project of founding a colony of Germans in this country, and in that year arrived with about thirty families, the majority of whom settled in and around Vandalia. Among them was Henry Snyder, the father of the subject of this history. He married Nancy Corbitt, and William, their third child, was born Janu- ary 13th, 1838. He commenced life without means, but was industrious, honest and economical, and secured a competency and an enviable reputa- tion for good sense and strict integrity. He died at his old home in Vandalia, February 14th, 1865. His wife, a sister of Wm. and John B. Henninger, died -. She was a sincere Christian woman, a good wife and mother. Their son William, like most youths of that early day, had few advantages. When only eleven years old he started in life without money and almost without aid of any kind. His uncle, Wm. Hen- ninger, gave him opportunities which he improved, and which yielded him some profit and considerable experience, which was of great benefit to him. When twenty years old he married Miss Cynthia Ann Diamond, a niece and adopted daughter of Mrs. Augustus Snyder. They were married No- vember 25th, 1858. By that union they have had seven children, five of whom are living, two boys and three girls: Martha Isadore, William Haller, Julia Augusta, Mary Ann, and Karl Edward-all still at home with their parents. They have also an adopted son, John Shroyers, a bright and promising lad.
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