USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 27
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HON. JOHN THOMPSON.
MR. THOMPSON is of English nativity, and was born in Yorkshire, August 19, 1826. His parents, Richard and Mary (Ryder) Thompson, emigrated to this country and settled in Ohio about 1843. Mrs. Thompson died in 1844. Her husband survived her a number of years, and died in 1872. After a short stay in Ohio they came to Illinois, and located in Seminary Township in this county. Until seventeen years old their son enjoyed good opportunities, attending some of the best schools in his native country. These early advantages have been of the greatest practical benefit to him, as after that he was unable to devote much of his time to literary or scholastic 86
pursuits. Upon his arrival in this country he engaged in trading, occa- sionally turning his attention to farming. He was thus constantly engaged until 1849, when, catching the then prevalent gold fever, he started for the Pacific Coast in charge of an ox-team. The dangers encountered and priva- tions endured in the journey in those days seem hardly credible to the pre- sent generation, who can make the trip in such a short time, and with all the comfort of modern conveyances. In 1858 he went to Oregon, when he, shortly after his arrival, married Miss Mary Ann Schwartz, and, together with his wife, returned to California, where Mr. Thompson had previously established himself as a farmer.
In 1855 he disposed of his interest in California, and returned to Fayette County, where he resumed his old business of farming and trading.
Mrs. Thompson, after a short and severe illness, died in October, 1875. November, 1876, he married Mra. Naanie Pratt, sister of Mre. George Hen- ninger. Her parents were natives of Indiana, she being born in Ohio. They have had by that union one child, John R. For a number of years Mr. Thompson has been closely identified with politics in his county. Prior to the organization of the Democratic party he was a Whig ; but upon the dis- solution of that party he transferred his allegiance to the former ; and pro- bably no man in the community wields greater power in its councils than does be. He has been repeatedly called upon to be the standard-bearer of the Democracy, and has always proven himself a signally successful one. He was the first Supervisor elected from his township, and has several times been re-elected to the same position.
In 1876 he was compelled by the Democracy of his district to accept the nomination for the State Senate, and, notwithstanding the fact that there were candidates in the field-one Republican (whom all men unite in saying was a most worthy opponent) and two Democratic such was Mr. Thomp- son's popularity, and such was his hold upon the sympathies and respect of the people, that he was elected by a good majority. While an alien by birth, Mr. Thompson's entire sympathies and affections are with his adopted coun- try. He is an American citizen by choice. He thoroughly understands the principles underlying our institutions.
As a legislator, he has proven himself worthy of the confidence of his con- stituency, and thoroughly competent for the position, familiarizing himself with the various and complex questions that come before that body, and always taking a decided stand upon them all. He is a man that is never known to shirk his duty, and consequently has never availed himself of the popular method now in vogue, to escape committing oneself by being absent when any measure is being voted upon that might weaken their popularity.
Mr. Thompson is also an energetic and progressive agricultorist. He has done much for the advancement of his favorite pursuit. He introduced the first blooded stock in his township, and has endeavored to show by precept and example that intelligent farming pays. He has surrounded himself with the comforts and luxuries of life, and his home bears the evidences of taste and refinement.
There is no man more popular in his county, and none mere deservingly 80. In manner pleasant and affable, and always ready to help a friend in extremity, he has secured a permanent place in the esteem of the people.
HON. JOHN SHIRLEY,
AN ex-Representative and early settler of Fayette County, is a native of Tennessee, where he was born January 15th, 1810. His father, George Shirley, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Elizabeth (Poland) Shirley, of Virginia. His parents were married in East Tennessee, where his father died, when John was about fifteen years of age.
Shortly after her husband's death Mrs. Shirley, with her young family, removed to Illinois and located on Ramsey Creek, in 1829. She subse- quently married Jeremiah Evans, one of the earliest settlers of the county, and removed with her husband to Bear Grove Township.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Mr. Shirley's early life was passed upon a farm. His opportunities for self-improvement were very limited, and he never after his fourteenth year attended school. When twenty-one years old he engaged in farming for himself, an occupation he has followed ever since, except when public daties have engaged his attention. He married November 19th, 1844, Miss Semira Karr, a native of Kentucky. They had a family of six children, of whom three are now living-Susan M., who married Mr. John Bingaman, Martha A., and Angelina A. ; the two latter now living with their father. Mrs. Shirley died September 18th, 1869. She was a consistent Christian woman, and a member of the United Baptist denomination.
Mr. Shirley has been a member of the Democratic party all his life, and frequently been elected to positions of public trust. He was appointed treasurer of the county in 1836, and assessed the county the following year. In 1838 he was elected recorder, a member of the legislature in 1842, and sheriff in 1860. In 1832 he enlisted to fight Indians in the Black Hawk war. In the fall of the same year he volunteered in Capt. Duncan's com- pany of rangers and served nearly twelve months. He is justly regarded as one of the best citizens of the county, and one who has by his inherent ability risen from poverty and obscurity to a position of prominence and comparative affluence.
OTEGO TOWNSHIP.
HIS township previous to 1860, went by the name of Cumberland, but in that year the county went under township organization, and the names of some of the townships were changed; among them Cumberland, which was called Otego. It embraces the Congressional Township of 6, Range 2 E., and is bounded on the north by Sefton Township, on the east by Wheatland, on the south by Wilberton, and on the west by Vandalia Township.
The streams are Hickory Creek, which runs through the southern part of the township; Overcup, in the center; and the three branches of Sand Creek, which are in the north-west part of the township ; all of those streams flow in a south-eastern course, emptying into Hickory Creek or the Kas- kaskia River.
The soil in the timber land is a red-colored clay, but in the prairie is a light grey-colored loam. About one-third of the township is prairie, part of which lays in the north-east around Brownstown, and the " four mile" which lays in the center of the township.
The first settler was John A. Wakefield, who came in 1824, settled in Section 17, and built a log house which he afterwards weather-boarded. This was the first house erected in Otego Township.
The first tavern was kept by John A. Wakefield, who used his residence as a public stopping-place from the time he built it." To this tavern came the bands of Indians who used to visit this country periodically to hunt for game, where they would indulge freely in that curse of their people, " fire- water." They would, while returning from the tavern, make night hideous with their wild yells, causing the children in the neighborhood through which they passed to tremble with dread for their safety. On arriving at their camping ground which was generally on Hickory Creek, they would wind up the day with the war dance. Those Indians were very friendly towards the settlers, and seldom committed depredations of any kind.
The pioneers of the township were Henry Scroggins, Thomas Crickman, Wm. Crickman, Mr. Riall, Mr. Clemens, and Mr. Stanfield, who came in 1828. In 1829, came Jacob Tinker. Thomas Osbrook, Winslow Pilcher, Thomas R. Gatewood, Edward Healey, Hardy Healey, Thos. A. Gatewood, Cole Norris, Mr. Robeson, and Wm. D. Brown. In 1830, came Ezra Grif- fith, Rutherford Shelton, Wm. H. Mabury, James Beal, Sr., James Pilcher, and John Springer. In 1831, Isaiah Melton. In 1832, Mr. Roe and Henry Brown. In 1833, Hezekiah Brown, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Taylor, and H. B. Thompson. In 1834, Jordan Smith, William Nichols, Wm. H. Martin, and Joseph Hackett. In 1835, '36 and '37, Harvey Lee, Asa Lee, Abraham Stearns, John Mahon, Isaac Washburn, Wm. Rhody, David Blake, Samuel Blake, and David Washburn. In 1838, came Richard Campbell, Simeon Bishop, and Moses D. Morey. Many of those old settlers had large families when they came to the county, some of which are now among its foremost citizens.
The first birth was in the family of John A. Wakefield, but the name of the child or the date of its birth we were unable to learn.
The first death was a Mr. Clemens, who died about 1828 or 1829, and was buried on Section 16. Malissa Crickman, Rebecca Crickman, and a child of Thos. Osbrook's died shortly afterwards, and were buried on the farm on which they had resided in Section 17, now owned by Wm. Stearns. Those graves are yet discernible, having been fenced up by the present owners of the farm.
The first grave-yard was in Section 16, but it has not been used for thirty years, the principal burying-ground being in Section 15, close to the home of Averilla Pilcher.
The first marriage was Jordan Smith and Mary Tinker, daughter of Jacob Tinker. This occurred in 1830, Smith being then a resident of Vandalia Township.
The first school-house was built in Section 17. It was a log building, and was erected in 1833. A man named Mr. Johnson taught first in this build- ing, and was the first teacher in the township. A Mr. Taylor taught next, in the same building.
The first flour and saw-mill was built by Ezra Griffith in Section 26, on Hickory Creek, in 1834 ; it was run by water-power. He also built the first frame house in the township, located in Section 9 ; this was also in 1834.
The first store was in the residence of Ezra Griffith, and was kept by Harpin Blakely, in 1834. August Dieckman kept it in 1851, and David B. Waterman, in 1854.
Joseph Hockett was the first blacksmith in the township. He had a shop in Section 18, in 1834. A man named Mr. Rogers kept a shop in Section 17, about the same time.
The first Post-master was Ezra Griffith, who had an office in his residence in Section 9, as early as 1835, which office existed until about 1861. It was called Cumberland, and was kept by Mr. Griffith's sons for the last few years of its existence, he having died before it was abolished.
Berkshire Hogs were brought into the township by a man from the north- ern part of the State, named Kirkman. He sold the first of those hugs to Abraham Stearns and Thos. A. Gatewood. This was in 1888. Winslow Pilcher brought a Durham Bull in 1836. It is doubtful if any of this stock was full-blooded.
The first Justice of the Peace was John A. Wakefield, followed by Ezra Griffith, Dudley H. Mabury, Moses D. Morey, Robert Mitchell, J. J. Tinker, E. M. Williams, James Beal, Joseph Styres, E. D. Martin, Andrew Craw- ford, J. J. Tinker and Francis Blakemore, the last two being the present Justices.
Isaac Washburn was the first resident physician ; he lived in Section 23, and practiced first in 1837. Then came Simeon Bishop, who lived in Section 17, and practiced in 1838; then John F. Morey, who resided in Section 22, and who was the most prominent physician who had lived in the township. L. A. Morey, son of John F. Morey, is now practicing in Otego, and is living in Section 14. Dr. Noll and Dr. Sethman lived and practiced a short time in the township. Dr. Darnell and Dr. Stringer are the present resident physicians of Brownstown.
CHURCHES.
The Regular Baptist was the first church organized in the township, and held their first meeting at the house of Winslow Pilcher, Sr., the Rev. Thomas Whitely preaching the sermon. This was in 1830. The first mem- bers were Winslow James Pilcher, Rutherford Shelton, Thos. R. Gatewood, Wm. D. Brown, Peyton J. Pilcher, John Stringer and Cole Norris.
The Methodist Church was organized about 1843. Francis Brown was the first preacher who held services in the township, he having preached at house of John A. Wakefield in 1825. Jesse Doolan, Alfred Evans and James Ray were also pioneer preachers in Otego.
Rev. Joseph Gordon was the first Presbyterian minister who preached in
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
the township, he having held service at the house of Ezra Griffith in 1846. The church was organized in 1847 at a log school-house in Section 16, generally called " the Morey School-house," the Rev. Joseph Gordon and Rev. Mr. Chamberlain being the ministers in attendance. Among the first members were Leonard Washburn, Alfred Irvine, Abner Griffith and An. drew Baumgartner.
The Presbyterians erected a good church building in 1871 in Brownstown. They had no edifice before that time, holding their meetings principally at school-houses.
United Brethren .- This church was organized in Otego in 1849, at the house of Isaac Deal, in Section 12, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Mr. Sparks. This sect built a church in Section 11 in 1873, Rev. Mr. Kagee being the present preacher. The first members of this denomination were John Fogler, John Rush, Isaac Deal and Jacob Kepner.
The Christian Church was organized in the township about 1843, at the Central School-house, Four-Mile Prairie, by William Chaflin and Mr. Schooley. Among the first members were Moses D. Morey, M. W. Hickerson, J. F. Morey, Jacob Tinker. Abner Griffith, Mrs. Griffith, Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Tinker and Mrs. Smith. This denomination have a church in Brownstown, erected in 1871. The Rev. Mr. Bridges was the last officiating minister, there being no regular preacher attending there at present.
THE LIVING PIONEERS.
Those in the township who are living and can be called old settlers are as follows : Wm. Nichols, Wm. B. Nichols, Jackson Oglesby, Geo. W. Oglesby, Wesley Mahon, John Mahon, William Pilcher, Winslow Pilcher, Thomas Pilcher, Richard Pilcher, Charles Pilcher, Leroy King, Wm. Devore, L. D. Morey, David Washburn, John H. Smith, J. J. Tinker, J. M. Tinker, M. W. Hickerson, Solomon Campbell, Wilson Campbell, Austin Campbell, Peter Laboytaux, Wm. Stearns, Ezra Washburn, Abner Griffith, Orlando Grif-
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fith, Alfred Griffith, Wm. Griffith, Leroy Washburn, Josiah Williams, C. S. Williams, Thos. Bancy, Christopher Schwarm, Harvy Washburn, Thos. A. Gatewood, Jonathan Pilcher, Wm. Rhody, L. A. Morey and Barney Hines. The following women are those that are living whose husbands are long since dead, and who were the wives of early settlers : Mrs. Abigail Griffiths, Mra. Averilla Pilcher, Mrs. Annie Stearns, Mrs. Rebecca Campbell and Mrs. La- boytaux.
Brownstown is located in Section 2, Township 6, Range 2 E., and is on the St. Louis, Vandalia and Indianapolis Railroad. It was laid out by John Brown, May 13th, 1870, and surveyed by A. H. Wing, County Surveyor. It is a live town of about 100 inhabitants, and contains two grocery and dry goods stores, one drug, and hardware store, two blacksmith shops, two boarding houses, one carpenter shop, two physicians, one shipper and dealer in eggs, and one hay press, owned and operated by John Brown, who bales his hay and ships it to St. Louis, which is quite a source of revenue to the town. The Presbyterian and Christian denominations have each a church building, which are a credit to the town. The post-office was established in 1870, John Brown, Postmaster.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Is a good sized frame building with every modern convenience. The teacher, W. S. Baits, is a young man, but is considered a good educator. The number of scholars enrolled are 28. Average attendance, 23. Branches taught are Reading, Spelling, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography, United States History, Music, and Book-keeping. This school is yet in its infancy, this being its first session, having been before a part of the School Districts of 1 and 2 in 6 Range 2 E. and 4 in Township 7 Range 2 E., and is called district No. 8. The schools throughout the township are good, the people being anxious to give their children a good education. Everywhere can be seen the small white school building, which is very suggestive of increasing intel. ligence among the citizens of Otego.
G GYS
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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WILSON CAMPBELL was born July 17th, 1827, and is the second child of a family of eight children, five of whom are living. He is the son of Richard Campbell and Barbara (Robeson) Campbell. Richard Campbell was a native of the "old Dominion," and moved to Knox Co., Ohio, when about twenty-one years of age, where he met Miss Robeson, a native of Knox Co., Ohio, whom he afterwards married, and where the subject of this sketch was born. Richard Campbell and family emigrated to Fayette Co., Ill., in 1838. They stopped at Howard's Point (now a part of St. Elmo), and in the spring of 1839 he purchased 480 acres of land in sec. 20 and 29, township 6, range 2 east, on which he settled. He died Sept. 19th, 1839, leaving his wife and eight children, the oldest being but fourteen years of age. The subject of
this sketch has resided on this farm ever since, with his mother, who is yet living. In 1856 he was elected county assessor and treasurer, filling that position two terms. In 1862 he volunteered. He with James F. Han and James M. Irvine, raised a company, which was organized as Company I, into the 97th Ill. Regiment, at Camp Butler near Springfield, Ill. He was elected 2d Lieutenant of his company, receiving his commission from Richard Yates, Governor of the state, Sept. 8th, 1862. Oct. 3rd, 1862, his regiment started for the front and was mustered into the 13th Army Corps at Memphis, Tennessee. He participated in the following battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, the Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Cane River, Yellow Bayou, and Blakely, Ala. He served on Brigade Staff during the four last named battles. At Vicksburg and Sabine Cross Roads his horse was shot from under him, but he escaped unscathed throughout the war. He was appointed 1st Lieutenant July 1st, 1863, and became Captain Aug. 1st, 1865. He was discharged at Galveston, Texas, and returned at once to his farm, where he has since lived. Nov. 17th, 1865, he was elected County Clerk by the Republican party, of which he has always been a con- sistent member. He was appointed Supervisor in 1876, to fill the vacancy of Geo. D. Day, and was again elected to that position in April, 1877. Capt. Campbell received as his share of his father's estate, 80 acres of land, but by industry and perseverance, he has added to this until he is now the owner of about 1500 acres. All of this large estate he has made himself, and is considered one of the largest and most successful farmers and stock dealers in Fayette Co.
L. D. MOREY
WAS born in Erie County, Pa., January 30, 1822, and is the son of M. D. Morey and Sally (Aubery) Morey. He was one of twins in a family of eight children, four of whom survive. His parents were natives of Vermont, but had moved to Erie County, Pa., where they were married. In 1838 they
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FARM RESIDENCE OF THOS. HOLLIDAY IN THE TOWN OF HOLLIDAY LOUDON TP. FAYETTE.CO. ILL.
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THE RESIDENCE OF HON. F. REMANN, VANDALIA, ILLINOIS.
THE FARM RESIDENCE OF L.D. MOREY SEG. 18.16.R2 E. OTEGO TP. FAYETTE Go. ILLS.
FARM RESIDENCE OF W. R WRIGHT, SEC. 8 T. S. R 4 LACLEDE TP. FAYETTE CO. ILLS.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
emigrated to Illinois, coming by water to Evansville, Ind., and from there by wagon to Fayette County, where they resided until their death. His mother died September, 1865, and his father December, 1872.
The subject of this sketch on arriving at manhood, having received a first- class common-school education, commenced teaching school, from which he realized enough money to purchase eighty acres of land in Otego Township, on which he yet resides. December 10, 1846, he was married to Mias P. B. Lee, daughter of R. N. and Polly Lee, who were natives of New York State, and came to Illinois in 1818, where Mrs. Morey was born October 7, 1827. By this marriage he has three children, viz. : Chester D., Levi L, and Charlie L. Morey, all of whom are living. In 1849 he was one of a com- pany who crossed the plains to California, to dig for gold. He remained
there until 1851, when he took passage at San Francisco for home. He had taken sick before the boat started, and while ou the Pacific Ocean his life was despaired of for some time. He landed at a town on the coast of Central America. Crossing that continent to the Carribbean Sea, he took passage for New Orleans, and from their home, where he arrived in safety after a perilous trip of five months.
Politically, Mr. Morey is identified with the Republican party, but has never aspired to office. He has now a farm of 120 acres well improved, a view of which will be found on another page of this work. The Morey family is one well known in the county, which for business, integrity, and honest success stands in the front rank of the citizens of "Old Fayette."
POPE TOWNSHIP.
p OPE TOWNSHIP, more commonly known as Lost Township, was separated from Kaskaskia Township in 1877.
The first land entered was by Martin Jones; 80 acres, in Sec- tion 6, November 19th, 1816 ; John Whitley, 160 acres, in Sec- tion 7, April 19th, 1816; Thomas Tinley, 240 acres, in Section 18, October 20th, 1816.
Among the first settlers were William Farmer, who settled in the eastern part of the township, and Henry and Milton Jackson. Urias, son of William and Luey Ann Farmer, was the first child born in the settlement ; and the marriage of a sister of Mr. Farmer to Joseph Gilmore, the first marriage.
Simeon Walker was the first clergyman, and Jeptha Meadow, Joseph Helm and Bennett Biggs, the first teachers.
The first house was built by William Farmer, who cut the logs, and hauled them in a contrivance called a lizard, which was, simply a pole, split nearly its whole length and spread apart at one end, and held so by a cross- piece. One end was hitched to the horse, or oxen, and the other dragged upon the ground. Mr. Farmer also cleared six acres of ground, which he fenced, bauling the rails in the same manner.
The soil is fertile and productive, and is about evenly divided between prairie and timber, or bottom land.
In 1860 was built the first Church edifice in the township. Religious ser- vices, however, had been held for many years prior to that time, principally at the residence of William Farmer.
The first School-house was built in Section 25. John Pratt, Bennett Biggs and William Farmer formed the first school districts, called at that time North, East, South and West.
Here may still be seen the remains of one of the "Primitive Mills," & large white-oak stump, with a circular hole in the top.
Few children of to-day probably ever heard of the manner in which their ancestors, only fifty years since, made meal, as fiour was almost unknown. A large tree was selected, usually white-oak, because of its greater durability, and cut down as evenly as possible. A fire was then built on the top, and fanned to keep burning. Water was constantly poured around the edges.
By these means a round hole was gradually made, sufficiently large to hold a quart of shelled corn. An upright pole, with a forked end, was then set in the ground, some fifteen or twenty feet from the stump. Into this was fastened, after the manner of an old-fashioned well-sweep, another long pole, with the small end towards the stump; to this end was attached a pestle, which was a block of wood,-though sometimes the settlers were fortunate enough to possess an iron wedge, which was used. The corn was then poured into the hole in the stump, and pounded, the sweep assisting in the operation. It was then winnowed with the wind, and sometimes sifted through a horse- hair sieve.
In 1843 the only murder that ever occurred in the township was com- mitted by George Ogles. Ogles had been living with a woman named Ellen Clemmens, and though not legally married, were commonly understood to be man and wife. Ogles accused the woman of being faithless, and in a fit of jealous rage killed her, and concealed her body in Big Lake. He was captured, and confessed, and brought to Vandalia, for trial.
The Kaskaskia River intersects the township from north-east to south- west. The land along its banks is a rich black soil, heavily timbered. North Fork Creek, a tributary of the Kaskaskia, runs in a westerly course through the township.
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