USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 25
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In politics he has always been an active and consistent Democrat, working hard and successfully for his party in the county. In April, 1877, the people of his township elected him to the office of supervisor.
HURRICANE TOWNSHIP.
HIS township is bounded on the north by Montgomery County, on the east by Ramsey Township, south by Sharon, and west by Montgomery County, and comprises the congressional township of 8 N. Range 1 West of Third Principal Meridian, and the south half of township 9, N. R. 1 West of the third principal meridian, and is in length 9 miles from north to south, and in breadth 6 miles from east to west, and is the extreme northwestern township of the County. This township is intersected by Hurricane Creek, which enters it from the west and runs & S. E. direction through it, also by Ramsey, which enters from the north. The bottom lands are of a heavy clay soil. Along the creek bottoms there is a considerable amount of heavy timber. Coal was found near Jas. Brown's place, near the north county line on the waters of Beck's Creek, in Sec. 21, T. 9 N. R. 1 E., from 16 to 22 inches thick.
EARLY SETTLERS
were Alexander Prater, Paschall Isbell, John Sears, Henry Hinton, Wm. B. Harris, John Ward, Jerry Ward and B. Massey.
The first school taught in the township, was by Willis Dodson, a Bap- tist preacher, in a shuck pen, between a crib and a stable. The building was constructed of rails.
The first bridge was built over the Hurricane Creek on the Shelbyville and Greenville road in the year 1848.
The pioneer store of the township was kept by a Mr. Bentley, at a place known as Hawkins' Knob, in the year 1837.
Churches. The Baptists, Universalists and Methodists have organice'd denominations in the township. The first church was built by the Baptiets on Hurricane Creek, about the year 1830.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The first saw-mill was erected on Ramsey Creek in 1866.
Improved Stock .- James Pope introduced the first improved hogs. They were of the Berkshire and Poland China breed. John and James Pope brought the first improved sheep to the township ; they were Cotswold. The first Post-office was kept at Prairie Mound by Judge F. H. Stoddard. The office was discontinued about 1867.
First lands entered in Tp. 8 N., R. 1 West, John Ward 80 Acres, Seo. 33, April 14th, 1836. Hugh Bell, 160 Acres, Sec. 19, May 20th, 1840.
Murders .- John Murphy killed a man named Van Beuren Williams, over a game of cards, at a store near Little Hickory. During the war in 1864 a party composed of U. S. troops and some citizens, in passing through the township stopped at the house of John Sears, where some misunderstanding arose which resulted in the shooting and death of Mr. Sears and his wife. During their funeral a man named Smart passing by where the troops still were, was hailed by them, and not heeding the summons, he was shot and
dragged by his horse some distance, when another shot was fired striking him in the head which caused instant death. These troops were sent to suppress the Klingman gang. This township was peculiarly unfortunate in those times, as the same year a man Burris, a horse dealer, was murdered near the Greenville and Shelbyville road, and his body discovered some five weeks after. The parties doing the killing took the horses which Burris had with him to St. Louis, and disposed of them. The murderers were never appre- hended.
The citizens of this township are intelligent, industrious and enterprising, and of good moral character. And some among the best farms and im- provements in the county can be found in Hurricane Township. The popu- lation is composed principally of Americans, though there are quite a number of German and Irish citizens, who by their industrious and fragal habits have done much towards making it one among the best producing townships in the county.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN M. PRATER.
PROMINENT among the names worthy of mention in this work is that of John M. Prater, who was born about one mile from his present residence in Hurricane Township, Fayette County, on the 6th of February, 1834. He is the youngest living child of Alexander and Mary (Sears) Prater, and brother of ex-Treasurer Holloway S. Prater, whose biography may be seen elsewhere in this work.
During his youth he was engaged in working on his father's farm. His early opportunities for gaining an education were in subscription schools. Although his entire schooling did not embrace a period of more than two years, he managed to acquire a good knowledge of the common-school branches, and is to-day a man of average ability and information.
His father's death occurred when he was about eighteen years of age. He remained at home for about one year after, then went to Greenville, thence to Vandalia, where he remained for ten years, and was engaged in black- smithing, at the expiration of which time, in 1865, he moved to Hurricane Townsbip, and turned his attention to farming.
August 26th, 1858, he married Miss Mary Stein, daughter of Conrad and Eva Stein, who were natives of Germany. Their daughter was born in Fay- ette County. By this union they have had eight children, six of whom are living, all at home. Their names are as follows, in order of birth : Mary E., Charles, Emma, Ida, Horatio, Ella C.
In politics Mr. Prater has always been a Democrat. He has filled various township offices. Has been frequently elected County Supervisor. Mr. P. has always filled the position acceptably to the people and creditably to him- self. He began life with little means, but he possessed what was better. good morals, industrious and sober habits, and a determination to suc- ceed. He is regarded as among the best citizens of the county, and has the good will and esteem of the community.
HOLLOWAY S. PRATER.
THE lives and career of good men, of great men, and of men of enter- prise always are interesting. They furnish examples for the young to imitate; their successes stimulate and console the disheartened and unfortunate. Every man who has, by self-denial, energy and industry, risen from poverty to a position of prominence, is beyond question one whose life is worth pe- rusing.
Holloway S. Prater is a native of Bond County, and was the eldest child of Alexander and Mary (Sears) Prater. His father was born in Tennessee, and his mother in Kentucky. They were married in Bond County in 1826, where Mr. Prater located in 1819. Their son, Holloway, was born September 18th, 1827. In 1832 his parents moved to Fayette County, soon
after which his father enlisted in the Black Hawk war. Young Prater took every advantage that came in his way of improving himself, and continued going to school after his majority. In this way he qualified himself to teach. In 1845 he enlisted in Col. Forman's regiment, 3d Illinois In- fantry. They were mustered in at Alton, and he served with his command, the history of which appears elsewhere. He was honorably discharged and mustered out at New Orleans May 25th, 1847. After his return he com- menced farming, occasionally teaching school. When twenty-three years old he commenced farming on his own account, in Hurricane Township, on what is known as the Morrison Farm. He married December 23d, 1852, Miss Siner Casey, daughter of Samuel Casey. Mr. Casey died while in the United States service, as a ranger in the Black Hawk war, in 1833. He was a native of Kentucky, and came with his parents to Illinois at an early day. As the fruits of the above union they had six children-Samuel A., Mary V., John J., Lyman A., Margaret A., and Joseph F. Mrs. Prater died February 21st, 1866, after a short illness.
Mr. Prater was successful in his business, and his well-known integrity led to his being selected frequently by the Democracy, of which he has been a life-long member, as their candidate for public offices. His first office was that of constable; he was next elected justice of the peace, which office he held two terms; he has 'filled nearly all the township offices, and is at present county supervisor. He bas been school treasurer continuously since 1854. In 1875 he was elected treasurer of the county.
Such is the creditable record of a man who began life without means, and unknown save to his own immediate family.
MICAJAH POPE
Is the second son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Davidson) Pope, and was born in Tennessee December 22d, 1823. His parents were natives of North Carolina, and went to Tennessee at an early day. In 1829, with a small family, they emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Hurricane Township, Fayette County. His father died in 1844, and his mother in 1862. Mr. Pope remained on his parents' farm until his twenty-second year, when he commenced farming for himself. April 3d, 1845, he married Miss Drusilla Pope, daughter of Matthew and Susan Pope, who came to this State in 1836. They have had ten children, five of whom are living-Mary, Jeremiah, Jane C., Susan and Hettie. Mary, the eldest, married Franklin Pope, and is now living in Shelby County.
Mr. Pope was in early life a Whig, but transferred his allegiance to the Democratic party. He is an industrious and upright citizen, and is en- titled to credit for his battle with adversity, and conquest. He commenced life penniless, and has, without aid, made himself and family comfortable.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
LEVI SEARS.
.
THE eldest child of John and Hannah (Johnson) Sears, was born November 17th, 1818, in Warren County, Kentucky. His father was a native of North and his mother of South Carolina, were married in Kentucky and emigrated to Illinois on October 8th, 1828, and located about one mile south of the present residence of their son, Levi Sears.
Young Levi's childhood and youth were passed on his father's farm, work- ing and going to school whenever opportunity afforded.
He married Sept. 19th, 1839, Miss Frances J. Harris, daughter of Wm. B. Harris, one of the early settlers of the township. They have had thirteen children, eight of whom are now living, in the following order of their births, William, Cynthia, Emily, Smith, Starling, Pattie, Joseph, Delilah. Mr. Sears has endeavored to be just and upright in all of his dealings in life. He has been industrious and energetic, and has, for one commencing without means, accomplished considerable, and is now in the enjoyment of a compe- tency. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been elected Supervisor from his township. During the war a terrible tragedy was enacted at the house of his parents, which resulted in their death.
Their son Levi erected over their graves a monument, upon which is the following inscription :-
In memory of John Sears, who fought under Gen'l Jackson at New Or- leans, and was killed in his own house by the soldiers of the 41st Regiment Ill's Volunteers, August 11th, 1864, aged sixty-eight years, ten months and seventeen days.
In memory of Hannah J. Sears, who was killed by soldiers of the 41st
Reg't Ill's Volunteers, August 11th, 1864, aged seventy-five years, eight months, eight days.
JOHN POPE
Is the seventh child of Valentine and Elizabeth (Davidson) Pope. He was born the 20th of July, 1826. In early life he worked on a farm, and attended the common schools whenever he had an opportunity, and by perseverance and hard study be acquired a good knowledge of the common branches.
Mr. Pope, when about twenty years of age, commenced life on his own ac- count. His first venture was in farming which he followed about four years, when he engaged in clerking, at which he continued for five years, at the ex- piration of which he commenced merchandizing for himself.
Two years later he moved on a farm which he had purchased.
On the 5th of February, 1863, he married Miss Charity A. Donaldson. By this union they had six children, of whom only two are living, viz. : Car- rie and Lola, living with their parents.
In politics, Mr. Pope has always been a Democrat. He has been frequent- ly called upon to fill public positions in his township. His first office was that of Assessor. Was Town Clerk for two years in Ramsey Township, and was Supervisor for the same length of time in Ramsey. Has been elected for three terms Justice of the Peace in Hurricane Township.
Mr. Pope commenced life without any means, but by strict industry and honesty, has accumulated some property.
He is a gentleman of good morals, honest and upright, and ranks among the best citizens of Hurricane Township.
SEFTON TOWNSHIP.
EFTON TOWNSHIP is bounded on the north by Loudon, on the east by Avena, on the south by Otego, and on the west by the Kaskaskia River, and contains that part of the town of 7-1 east, that lies east of the Kaskaskia River, all of 7-2 east, and that part of 8-2 east lying south of Big Creek. About three- fourths of this township was originally covered with a heavy growth of the woods common to the county ; consequently its industries are about equally divided between lumbering and agriculture. It is well watered, being divided by Suck Creek, which runs through from east to west, emptying into the Kaskaskia River. The other streams are Lynn Creek, Indian Camp Creek, and the south fork of Big Creek. There are also several lakes in the river bottom, on the west side of the township, of which Grassy is the largest, and is fifteen to twenty feet deep in places.
This township was named in honor of Hugh and John Sefton, two old settlers. John is still living, as are many of his and Hugh's descendants, honored and respected by all who know them.
FIRST SETTLERS.
Eli Forbis and John Little, came to the township together in 1830, and settled on section 19, 7-2 east, both building cabins and making improvements that year. John Johnson and Robert Green settled in the township in 1832, and Wm. Padon in 1833, the latter settling on section 24, 7-1 east, where he still lives in the house built that year. Among the old settlers whose names deserve honorable mention, appear those of James Allen, John McAlilly, Patrick Holland, Wm. B. Forbis, Thomas Granfield, Wm. Dively, Henry Stahl, Michael Radcliff, Geo. Tinsher, Henry L. Davis, Mike McDonald, the Howard family, Isaac Workman, Amos Workman, John Sefton, Washington Ledbetter, James Brazzel, Joseph Stephenson, Joseph Reynolds, Moses Briscow, David Ernest, Chas. and Dan'l Sapp, James Owens, James Hayden, John Arnold, John and Campbell Carson, Robert McConnell, Chas, and Silas Smith, Henry Turner, Geo. Sage, John Sage, and John D. Lee. The settlers for the first few years were nearly all natives of Tennessee, who settled along the Bluff near the Kaskaskis bottom. Between 1835-40 a colony of families from Ohio settled about four miles farther east. Some few of them are still left to enjoy the fruits of their early hardships and
struggles. A majority of the present inhabitants of the township were natives of Ohio, with some from Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.
INDIAN REMAINS.
There are traces of Indians or some other race of people that has become extinct, scattered all over the western part of the township. There are four mounds on section 7, 7-2, near the mouth of Suck, that appear to have been made by the same race of people, as those found in the Mississippi bottom. The neighbors opened one of them in the spring of 1877, and found the skeletons of some eight or ten persons, also the remains of some pottery vessels, which appear to have been made of clay and shells mixed. The other three mounds were not opened. There are other mounds in the township similar to these. Near these mounds on section 7, was once the most famous deer lick in the county, which accounts for the numerous Indian relics still found near there. The writer has been shown some very fine specimens of tomahawks, arrow heads, etc., which were plenty there only a few years ago. It was probably an old Indian hunting and camping ground. +
Asa Greet, on section 33, 8-2, ploughed up some fifteen years ago several parts of skeletons; these remains indicated the existence of a race of people much larger than any now known. There is also on his farm what appear to be the remains of a pottery kiln, with pieces of pottery similar to that found in the mounds.
CHURCHES AND RELIGIONS.
Wm. Padon, one of the oldest pioneer preachers of the county, preached the first sermon in this township. The first church organization was made at his house in 1834, by Mr. Jas. Massey, a circuit preacher of the M. E. Church. Mr. Padon has preached in this and the adjoining townships over fifty years. The first church was built by the Christians or Campbellites in 1847 or '48, who have quite a large membership. The Methodists are also strong in the township. The German Methodists have a church near Browns- town, with a fair congregation.
Jeremiah King, a Mormon preacher of some note, was a resident of this township for many years, and converted several families to that faith.
It will not do to forget in this connection, the Old Buckskin preacher,
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Joseph Boleyjack, an eccentric old man who preached in the township thirty- five years ago. He derived his name from a suit of buckskin clothes, that he wore for many years without changing. There is a tradition in the neighborhood that when they wore out, he washed, put on a new suit and died. When his wife died some of his neighbors accused him of starving her ; he said he knew that was not so, as he had offered her parched corn not an hour before she died, and she refused to eat it.
The first death in the township was an infant daughter of Robert Green, in 1832; soon after, John Little lost a little girl. The first grown person, Eli Forbis, died in 1834, and Mrs. Hollingshead in 1835. They were all buried in the Forbis burying-ground, the first one in the township, and laid out in 1832, on Section 19.
The first marriage was probably that of Louis Barton and Eveline Forbis, which was celebrated in 1832. John Sage and Eliza A. Padon were mar- ried March 5, 1840. They are still living near where they were married.
The first person born was Charles Padon, January 30, 1835.
John Arnold built a horse-mill on Section 11, Township 7, Range 2, in 1841 or '42. William Padon built one in 1846 on Section 13, Township 7, Range 1. George Washburn built a saw and grist-mill on the river about 1850, run by water. There are now two steam saw-mills in the township doing a good business. It won't do, however, to forget some of the old stump-mills owned by nearly all the first settlers.
SCHOOL8.
The people of this township take an especial pride in their schools, and have built good houses in each district, and employ good teachers. The township is divided into ten school districts. The first school-house was built about 1839 on Section 25, of logs, with a stick chimney. Wesley Car- son was probably the first teacher, although we can find no record of any school until 1841, when Hiram Carson taught in the cabin mentioned above. Samuel Carson taught in 1843.
John Buckhannon kept the first and only store ever in the township from 1864 to 1868.
Dr. Johnson, an old Indian doctor, practised in this township as early as 1833. He is said to have been very successful in his practice. Dr. Wallis was the first regular physician who located here. He was afterwards ap- pointed United States Marshal.
There are two granges in the township, although they are not flourishing. The first road laid out was what is known as the Shelbyville road, opened and made in 1838. There were several bridges built on this road that year, which were probably the first in the township.
To James E. Foster belongs the credit of introducing the first fine stock into the township. He probably has some as good cattle as can be found in the State, and has given some attention to sheep and hogs. John and Campbell Carson, Henry Sefton, John Sidwell, and some others deserve praise for their efforts in the same direction.
About forty years ago John D. Lee, the leader of the Mountain Meadow massacre, lived in the north part of this township, near where John Reynolds now lives. Mr. Reynolds remembers him distinctly as a still, morose man, of considerable ability, and not well liked by his neighbors, probably on ac- count of the Mormon doctrines preached by him, which were very unpopular at that time.
Harvey Radcliff was killed by Beach about 1856, as it was supposed at the instigation of Thomas Pickens. Beach was arrested for the crime, and broke jail. Pickens was then arrested, and tried for being accessory to the crime, and was finally cleared ; but having made some very bitter threats against some of his neighbors, he was shot and killed one day while at work in the field. No steps were taken to discover who did it, every one believing it to be a just retribution.
Charles Doxey was killed in 1867 in the Kaskaskia Bottom by Thomas Granfield, who was afterwards cleared on the plea of self-defence.
Dudley Padon was killed in January, 1878, by Lincoln Padon, a boy twelve years of age. The deceased was a son of William Padon, and an uncle of Dadley's. He was killed with a shot-gun, the entire charge hit- ting him in the thigh, causing him to bleed to death in a few hours. There appears to be some mystery in connection with this affair.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HENRY SEFTON.
THE people of Fayette County in 1860, honored the name of Sefton by giving it to one of the best townships in the county. Henry Sefton was born in Decatur County, Indiana, May 28th, 1829, and was the only child of Hugh and Mary Sefton. Hugh was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, and was of Irish parentage.
Henry's only advantages for getting an early education were the common schools which he attended in winter until he was thirteen years of age; after that he devoted his entire energies to the farm. He came to Illinois with his father's family in 1848, and was married July 25th, 1850, to Mias Phoebe Farmer, whose parents were among the first settlers in the county. They have had born to them a family of six children; five are living, viz. : Chas. H., Savanah A., Mildreth A., Charlotte M., and Joseph U. S. Mary C., wife of Wesley Workman, died May 16th, 1876. Mr. Sefton has made farming his principal business through life. Settling in Loudon Township soon after getting married he remained there about two years, then bought eighty acres where he now lives in Sefton Township, ou time, not having a dollar in the world when he commenced life. In 1872, he was elected to the office of Sheriff, serving the people faithfully, and probably arresting more desperadoes during his term than any man who ever held the office. Although a Republican in a Democratic county, he is deservedly very popular. Mr. Sefton took an active part in the late war for the protection of the government, raising twenty-two recruits in February, 1865, by that means relieving his township of a draft; he has always taken an active interest in everything that pertains to the public welfare, trading largely in stock for a number of years, thereby furnishing a home market for his neigh- bors ; he has taken some pains to improve the stock of his township. Mr. Sefton and lady are both members of the M. E. Church.
JAS. M. GREER,
THE oldest son of Asa and Sarah Greer, was born in Knox County, Ohio, May 9th, 1840. His ancestors were among the old pioneer settlers of Ohio and occupied prominent positions. His grandfather Greer, was a Colonel in the war of 1812, and his grandfather Blair was one of the very first settlers of Knox County and occupied a very prominent position, holding office in that county from the time he was twenty-three years old until he died, a period of over forty years ; there are several families living in this county who still remember him. James Greer, the subject of this notice, was born and edu- cated a farmer, with fair educational advantages, such as the common schools and seminaries of Ohio afforded. In 1859 he also commenced the study of law, and finished in 1864. Although he has never followed it for a profes- sion he is amply qualified to do so. Coming to Illinois in 1859, he settled in Sefton Township, on what is known as the old Brazzle farm, where he now lives, and went to farming, which has been his principal occupation ever since. He was elected Township Assessor in 1862, and held the office seven years; was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and served two years, and in 1877 was elected Supervisor, which office he now holds.
Mr. Greer has all the intelligence and ability necessary to fill any office in the gift of the people, together with those sterling qualities, honesty and integrity, so desirable and so much needed in our public offices.
He was married November 16th, 1874, to Mies Julia Washburn, a native of Fayette County, Ills. The fruits of this union are two nice little girls, Nora and May.
ABRAHAM SIDWELL.
ABRAHAM SIDWELL was born in Brown County, Ohio, near Georgetown Feb. 23d, 1829, and was the ninth child of Nathan and Anna Sidwell, both
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