USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 24
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Democratic township, he has been five times elected to the office of Super- visor. He has also filled the office of Township Trustee for a period of nine years; thus proving beyond a doubt that he is thoroughly respected by all parties for his sterling merit and ability.
He was married May 15, 1849, to Busan Nigh. They are both consistent members of the Church, living for a bright and happy future beyond the grave. They are a hale, hearty couple, and look as though they might yet be mpared for many years of usefulness. Mr. Peters has always taken & lively interest in school and church matters, and in fact everything else per- taining to the general welfare of the county. He is one of a few men in the world who believe the true aim in life should be to live partly for others.
R. W. BURNETT,
ONE of the leading men of Wilberton Township, was born in Virginia, Oct. 13th, 1826. His parents, Pleasant and Elizabeth Burnett, were natives of that good old State. The former is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-three years; the latter died many years ago.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest of four children. His father, being a cripple and unable to support himself, he was apprenticed to a miller, at the age of five years, and continued to live with him until his ma- jority, when he went to work, by the month, on a farm.
He also traded, between points in Indians and New Orleans, for some seven or eight years of his life, buying poultry and produce in the country, and shipping it down the river in flat-boats, sometimes realizing a handsome profit. Removing to Illinois in 1863, he continued in the same business until June 5th, 1866, when he was married to Mary E Bellamy. They have a family of five children, al living at home.
In politics Mr. Burnett has always been a staunch Democrat, working for the best interests of his party. He commenced the world without a dollar, but entirely by his own exertions, he has made a good living, and possesses a fine farm of one hundred and sixty sores, where he now lives, en- joying the fruits of his early struggles and hardships-a fine specimen of the Virginia gentleman-affable and generous to a fault.
LA CLEDE TOWNSHIP.
HIS township was formed in 18 -; it comprises the congressional township of 5, range 4, and is bounded on the north by Effingham County, on the east by Clay County, on the south by Marion Co., and on the west by Lone Grove Township. The first cabin in the township was built by Jerry Gilmore on section 2 neur where the town of La Clede now stands; the second was built on section 3 in 1832, by a Mr. Hawkins, and on the farm now owned and occupied by Samuel C. Spencer, who moved and settled there soon after. Among the old settlers who came in directly afterwards. were Wm. Loughborough, Thomas Keene, Paris Harrison, Wm. Pancrost, Jacob N. Rush, Wm. Hoffman, and John Todd, they coming to the township prior to 1850. Up to that time there had been but few improvements made in it, and even as late as 1860, at which time the Germans commenced settling the prairie lands; now it is very near all under cultivation, producing corn, wheat and grass, in great abundance. At no distant day it will be one of the best agricultural townships in the county.
TOWNS.
Farina is situated on the Chicago Branch of the Illinois Central R. R. and was organized as a town in 1867 and reorganised as a village in 1875; it has a population of about 400, and amongst its enterprises are one steam- flouring mill with three run of burrs, five general stores, two drug stores, two hotels, three blacksmiths, two shoemakers, one shirt factory, one grain
merchant, two schools, two churches and three church organizations, two physicians, one masonic lodge and one paper, the " Farina News." The present village officers are W. L. Arnold, President of the board, J F. Greenman, R. W. Austin, D. L. Schauffer, R. A. Brown and B. Booth, trustees, with W. S. Dunham as clerk.
Farina Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons, No. 671 and located at Farina was organized in 1871. The charter members were J. F. Wink, C. H. Harber, E. J. Bond, A. H. Bryan, August Beckman, W. L Arnold, John A. Flick, B. H. Bodwell, A. S. Coon, James Poticary, J. W. McClare, T. L. Jones and M. Butts; it has a membership of 17. The officers for the present year are J. W. McClure, W. M .; T. O. Hatton, S. W .; D. L. Shaeffer, J W .; D. L. Clayton, Secretary, and A. H. Bryan, Treas.
Farina claims the credit (if it be a credit), of having once been the home of Victoria Woodhull. Her husband, Dr. Woodhull, was the first station agent for the Ill. Central Railroad at that place. She is well remembered by many of the citizens, who relate some amusing anecdotes about her.
The town of La Clede is situated on sec. 13, and on the line of Chicago Branch of the Ill. Central Railroad, about four miles north-east of Farina. It has a population of about 150, with the following commercial interests represented: one general store, one millinery store, one harness and shoe shop, two blacksmith shops, one flouring mill and one hotel.
There is also located at this place La Clede Lodge, No 601, of A. F & A.
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VAN DALIA WOOLEN MILL'S.
WOOL WANTED
THE RESIDENCE AND WOOLEN MILLS OF A. B. WEST, VANDALIA, FAYETTE CO. ILL.
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FARINA
Situated on a Branch of the Illinois Central R.R. Laclede Tp. Fayette Co. Illinois.
D.I. Shaeffer Miller & Grain Dealer W.W. Halliday, Merchant. Samt Weal Capitalist. Florimond Schmidt, Di, Ag ? Imp . S.C. Smith, Carpenter & Builder. John Reiter Saloon Keeper.
W. C. Crandall, Merchant.
W. L. Arnold, Express Ag! &Postmaster
Richardson, Merchant. J. W. Harris , Merchant.
M.M. R.Dunham. J. D. Hefton, Justice
Isaac Clawson, Capitalist. B. G. Brown, Carpenter & Builder Chat Rosick, Farmer. Schuyler Carson, Merchant Christian Ambuchl, Saloon Keeper Virgil H. Dearendoff, School Teacher
Names of some of the Residents and Subscribers to the Je View. George Newton Hotel Prop" & Miller. T. 0. Hatton, Physician & Druggist. E.W.Titswell, Druggist. S.S.Randolph, Gardener. R.A. Brown, Veterenary Surgeon.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Masons. It has about twenty-five members, and is in a flourishing condition; the officers for the present year are I. N. Kepner, W. M .; P. L. Spencer, 8. W .; J. M. Chitwood, J. W .; Dr. C. K. Hunder, 8. D .; W. B. Reynolds, J. D .; F. Schwertfager, Treas., and H. Schmidt, Secretary. La Clede a few years ago was quite a lively little town, but has made little or no progress of late.
SCHOOLS.
The first school-house was built on Sec. 3 in 1855 of round logs, a rough old-fashioned affair. The first teacher was Anthony Bennet, and the second, Pina Halliday; the first school district was formed in 1855 by Samuel C. Spencer and Jerry Gilmore; the schools in the township are now in a flourishing condition.
CHURCHES.
The Methodists, Cumberland Presbyterians, Missionary Baptists, and the Seventh Day Baptists have organizations in the township. The first sermon was probably preached by John Cleaveland, a missionary Baptist about 1835. P. W. Halliday was the first preacher to settle in the township. He was a member of the Methodist Church and a man of more than ordinary intelli. gence and energy, settling near La Clede, in 1857. He organized a church there in 1859, and continued to work in its interests during the remainder of his life. The Methodists also have another church at Farina, with a member- ship of about 20 and a good building. The Cumberland Presbyterians organized a church at Farina Jan. 21st, 1875, with W. N. Girard as pastor, and 15 members. They have about the same number now.
Seventh Day Baptists. There being several persons adhering to the faith of the Seventh Day Baptists in and around Farina, they organized themselves into a church in 1866, with a membership of forty-five, and the Rev. Leman Andrews as pastor. This is the only church of the kind in the county. It now has a membership of about two hundred, owning and occupying a nice frame church in the village of Farina. The church is in a flourishing and prosperous condition ; their present pastor, W. C. Tistsworth, is beloved by all for his many Christian qualities.
The first saw-mill was built on Section 12 by a Mr. Meer in 1853, and the first grist-mill by Booth & Spronce in the town of La Clede in 1858 or 59.
W. T. Spronce opened the first regular store in the town of La Clede in 1855, although Wm. Vipond, a railroad contractor, had sold some goods there prior to that time. The first Post-Office was called Dismal Creek, now La Clede, with W. E. Robinson as post-master.
The first burying ground was laid out on Section 2, about 1835-40. It has since been abandoned.
The first Physician was Dr. Slusser, who practiced in this township about 1850.
The first person born was probably Alfred G. Gilmore. In the absence of any record the date cannot be ascertained.
Wm. and Elizabeth Gilmore, were the first couple married, about 1845. Among the first blacksmiths in the township we find the names of John Todd, who built & shop on Section 2, and Landers on Section 1 at an early date.
The first tavern was built by Jos. Renner in Farina, about 1865. It is still kept as a hotel, with mine host, M. D. Hewitt, at the head of the estab- lishment.
The first road laid out was the Vandalia and Vincennes road, which crosses the township from west to east.
GEOGRAPHY, INHABITANTS, &C.
This township did not settle up at as early a date or as rapidly as did some others in the county, for the reason that it is mostly level prairie land and inclined to be wet, although with a thorough system of drainage it can, and doubtless will, be made good tillable land. There are no streams in this township of any importance; it being the dividing line for the waters running east and west into the Wabash and Kaskaskia Rivers.
This, like nearly all the other townships in the county, was first settled by families from Tennessee and Kentucky. From 1850 to 1860, a tide of emi- gration began to come in from the State of New York and settle in and around Farina. Since that time the Germans have taken posession of nearly all the vacant lands and are cultivating them, until now about one-third of the entire population is German.
A small portion of the township only is timber, which consists of narrow belts situated along the streams.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
A. S. COON
WAS the fifth child of Asa and Sarah (Green) Coon, and was born in Rense- laer County, New York, May 8th, 1823. He lived at home with his pa- rents until his majority, working on the farm in summer, and attending school in winter. His educational advantages in early life were very limited ; although through the efforts of himself and family, he managed to acquire a pretty thorough English education, especially in mathematics. He com- menced teaching school at sixteen years of age, and continued, without intermission, for ten years; but finding this occupation did not agree with his health, he abandoned it and went to gardening in Jefferson County, New York; continued in that business five years, then engaged in general farm- ing until 1865, when he sold out and moved to Fayette County, Illinois, and purchased the farm where he now lives, about one mile east of Farina.
Mr. Coon was married February 7th, 1847, to Eliza M. Green. They had born to them five children; four of them are yet living. Mrs. Coon died March 9th, 1873. He was again married October 4th, 1874, to Elizabeth Zim, and has had one child by his second wife.
In early life Mr. Coon was an old-line Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican party fully identified himself with their cause, and became an active and efficient member thereof. He was elected and served as town- ship supervisor from 1867 to 1873. In the fall of 1873 he was elected to the office of county clerk ; served one term efficiently; positively refusing, how-
ever, a renomination, he settled down as a farmer, fully determined to de- vota the rest of his life to the mutual benefit of himself and his family.
He was made a Mason in 1860, and is a warm admirer of its teachings and principles, believing that it makes him a better man.
He is a gentleman who enjoys the esteem and respect of all who know him-genial and affable in his manners, and holds a good position among the intelligent farmers of the county.
DR. ASA SNYDER.
ASA SNYDER, son of Elias and Elizabeth (McLees) Snyder, was born in Albany County, New York, June 7th, 1825. When about four years old his parents moved to Canada West and went to farming; Asa living at home with his parents and working on the farm until he commenced the study of medicine, at about eighteen years of age. Prior to that time he had attended the district schools in the neighborhood, in addition to being placed under the charge of a private tutor, by these means becoming thoroughly fitted for the study of medicine, having decided to adopt that as his profession. He commenced its study under Dr. E. Cook, of Canada West, in 1844, attending lectures at the Geneva Medical College in 1846 and '47. He finally graduated in the Medical Department of the Buffalo University June 14th, 1848.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Soon after graduating he associated himself with his old preceptor, Dr. Cook, in business, and continued with him until 1852, when he moved to Wisconsin, practicing in Chester and Beaver Dam until 1875, and building up a fine reputation. But finding that his constitution would not stand the severe northern winters, he concluded to move farther south, coming at once to Farina where he settled, and resuming the practice of his profession has made it a lucrative one.
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The Dr. was married February 14th, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth Triffry, an English lady of fine culture. To them seven children have been born. Wm. T. died when eleven years of age. The others, Frank H., Emma T., Lilla, Elva Bell, Lizzie Jane, and George are all at home living with their parents, excepting Frank, who resides in Peoria, this State. Politically A. Snyder is a staunch Republican, although he takes no active part in politics, preferrring to find happiness and usefulness in his profession and his family.
For twenty years the Doctor has been a busy and zealous member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' orders. May he live and become a perfect stone, until the Grand Architect of the Universe calls him to complete that temple above.
J. P. PEALER
WAS born in Richland County, Ohio, on the 16th of February, 1839 He is the son of J. F. Pealer and Margaret Pealer, both of whom were natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, in Germany.
J. P. Pealer received a good education in early youth, which enabled him at a later period to become a teacher himself, which position he filled most creditably for five years, namely, from 1861 to 1866. In addition to his English education he acquired a knowledge of the language of his ancestors, speaking the German tongue most fluently.
In September, 1863, he was married to Mary S. Gillmore, by whom he has a family of six children. By profession Mr. Pealer is a farmer, owning and cultivating a good farm of eighty acres on Section 2, Township 5, Range 4 (La Clede Township). His politics are Democratic, and being an enter- prising, public-spirited man, we can foresee in Mr. Pealer's career for the future a successful issue to any office of trust in the county to which he may aspire. He has served as Township Treasurer three years. His religious views are those of the Lutheran Church, of which denomination he is a member.
WHEATLAND TOWNSHIP.
AMONG the first settlers of Wheatland Township were Dutee Gerauld, James and John Oliver, Frank F. Pippin, John and James Hankins, Aaron Lock, James Booth, William and James Fulton, George and William Sidenor, Thomas Cooper, Adam Stein, John Campbell, David Lovelace, Thomas Pippin, John McGehon, Martin Eistone, Henry I. Lovett, and others, most of whom came to the township between 1830 and 1840. Like most of the other townships in the county, this was settled first by families from Tennessee-some of that old pioneer stock that has helped to develop so many new countries; a people who were seldom known to refuse a stranger the hospitalities of their humble homes; men who are firm friends, but dangerous enemies. A few of them are yet left in the township, and many of their descendants, who appear to have inherited all of the good qualities of their ancestors. At a later date there appears to have been a tide of emigration set in from Ohio-a class of people too well and favorably known to need any comment at our hands. Some of these old settlers came to the township before the Indians were all gone, and the panthers, wolves, deer, and other wild animals were yet numerous in this part of the county.
POST-OFFICE, STORES, ETC.
The first post-office in the township was located at Hickory Creek, now Loogootee, about 1880 or '35, with Dutee Gerauld as post-master. He was afterwards killed by being caught in the machinery of his mill at Loogootee.
The first store was opened in Olivie in 1850 by James Booth, although John Fulton had sold some goods at an earlier day at his private residence. Wilson Nichols kept a tavern at Hickory Creek as early as 1825. He also built the first horse-mill on Hickory Creek : the date cannot be determined.
LOOGOOTEE
Is a little inland town, dependent for its support upon a good enterprising community around it. It is situated in the southwest corner of the township, on Section 32, having a population of about one hundred inhabitants, with a good steam flouring-mill, two general stores, one church (Lutheran), black- smith and wagon shops, etc. " Loogootee," or Slab Town, as it is more fami- liarly called, was at one time a place of considerable importance. It was near here that the first settlement in the township was made, and was in fact almost the only one for twenty years.
The first settlement was made in 1825 in the southwestern part of the township, on Sections 32 and 33, near Loogootee, old father Ledbetter build-
ing the first log-cabin, one-half mile east of where the present town stands, in 1825. The building was standing a few years ago as a relic of pioneer life. The builder has long since died.
The first child born in the township was Mary Ann Hankins, in 1837; the second was Thomas C. Pippin, born in 1839.
The first couple married in the township were Thomas S. Pippin and Dicy Hankins, in the year 1838, both of whom are still living, about two miles from where they were married-a hale, hearty, and intelligent old couple.
. There is no record of any person dying in the township sooner than 1844, when John Ingle died from an attack of yellow fever. He had contracted the disease in New Orleans, and came up here to die. He was buried in the Sidener burying-ground.
The first school-house was built on Section 16 in the year 1840. It was built of logs, and by private enterprise. February 20, 1840, the township was formed into school districts, there being two districts formed, comprising the north and south halves of the township. The first trustees were Thos. Cooper, James H. Johnson, James A. Oliver, William Fulton, and John B. Hankins, clerk. There are now eight school districts, with a house in each, and supplied with good teachers. The first teacher of whom there is any record on the books was E. P. Anderson, who taught the school in 1841, for the sum of twelve dollars and fifty cents per month. Teachers are now get- ting, in the same locality, from thirty to fifty for the same amount of labor. It is fair to presume that there were teachings at an earlier date than this record would indicate, on the old subscription plan.
The first church building was erected in 1851 at Loogootee by the Lu- therans; but the Rev. Jesse Hale, a Methodist, and Henry Walker, Baptist, had preached many sermons in the township at an earlier date. The follow- ing churches have organizations in the township at present, viz. : the Pres- byterians, German Reformed, Methodist, United Brethren, Christian, etc.
Some ten years ago Sanford White killed a man named Hamilton, and a comparative stranger, at a dance. The deed was committed on account of some private quarrel. White was tried, found guilty of manslaughter, and sent to the Penitentiary.
This township is peculiarly adapted to the raising of wheat, and to this fact it owes its name. About one-half of it is covered with a heavy growth of oak, black walnut, hickory, maple, sycamore, and other varieties of tim- ber common to the county. This belt extends across the entire southern por- tion of the township. It was along the edges of this timber that the first settlements were made. There can yet be seen some of the primary cabins,
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
and the remains of others, standing as relics of the past. The north half of the township is all prairie, with a rich black soil, well adapted to corn and grass. The farmers are giving considerable attention to stock raising; by that means making a home-market for a portion of their crops.
The township is well watered, several small streams running through it from northeast to southwest. The largest, Hickory Creek, is a tributary of the Kaskaskia River.
About one-half of the population are Germans, most of whom have settled
on the prairie land in the northern part of the township. They have exten- sive farms, which they are improving as rapidly as possible. The Americans who came to the county at an earlier day, and settled the southern portion of the township, have better improvements, and are keeping pace with the times.
The Grangers have one lodge in this township, with a fair membership. It was among the first organized in the county in 1873. O. E. Lovett, the Master, has been a delegate to the State Grange.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WM. H. JOHNSON
Is one of a few of the early settlers of the county who are yet living. He came to the state in 1830 with his parents, and shared with them all the trials and hardships of a pioneer's life. He was born in Overton County, Tennessee, March 14th, 1819, and was the seventh child of John and Elizabeth Johnson, who were originally natives of Virginia, but moved to Tennessee at an early day.
Before he was of age he worked on the farm for his father, sometimes getting the benefit of two or three months' schooling, in the winter, which was all the education he ever received.
He was married May 26th, 1837, to Mary F. Doolan ; soon after this event he swapped a horse for a squatter's claim about three miles from where Shobonier now stands, and at once commenced to improve it; he lived on this place until 1847, when he sold out and moved to Marion County; staid there three years, then came back to Fayette County and bought the farm in Wheatland Township, where he now lives in 1850. In 1856-57 he owned and operated a saw and grist mill on Hickory Creek. Since then he has devoted his entire energies to farming. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had born to them a family of eleven children. Five only are now living, viz. : Thomas G., Harriet E., Sarah A., Mary C., and Susan A. Mrs. Johnson died in 1863 of small pox. She caught the disease while nursing a son who had contracted it in the army, and came home sick.
Mr. Johnson was again married in 1868; this time to Eliza J. McMillon, who is still living.
In politics he is as he says himself a good square Republican, and glories in it, never losing a chance to vote that ticket, although he takes no other active part in politics. He is certainly one of the self-made men of the county, having absolutely nothing when he married and commenced life, but he went to work with energy, which always wins, accumulating property
rapidly. He has made two or three small fortunes, and lost them through the rascality of men whom he tried to befriend; now he owns a fine farm of 170 acres, and enough to live on. honored and respected by his many friends.
G. W. HANKINS.
A HISTORY of Fayette County would be incomplete without a mention of G. W. Hankins, both as an old settler and a prominent man. He was born in Wheatland Township, this county, September 7th, 1838. His father, James Hankins, came to the county in 1830, from Tennessee, and was one of the first settlers in the township, encountering all the hardships of & pioneer life. He died in 1844.
George, being the youngest child, it fell to his lot to remain at home and support his widowed mother, which he did, without a murmur, sometimes working for the farmers, at ten dollars per month, or splitting rails, at thirty- seven and a half cents per hundred. Owing to the poverty of the family, he had no educational advantages, but managed to acquire through his own efforts entirely enough for the transaction of all kinds of business. He was married March 17th, 1861, to Julia Ann Johnson. She dying in the fall of the same year, he was again married, June 25th, 1863, to Nancy C. John- son. They have had born to them a family of seven children; five are living at home with their parents, the other two died while young. Mr. Hankins and lady are consistent members of the Methodist Church, believ- ing there is a bright future for all those who believe and practice the teachings of the Bible.
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