USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 6
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224,812
Kaskaskia
97,469
29,610
127,029
$1,055,097
$570,319
$1,625,416
THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN FAYETTE COUNTY FOR THE YEAR 1877, BY TOWNSHIPS.
Names of Townships.
Real Estate.
Personal Prop'ty.
Total.
Seminary
$ 93 922
$ 22,762
$126,684
Sharon
164,676
74,681
299,307
Loudon
94,896
49,480
144,376
. Wheatland .
95,517
40,277
135,794
La Clede. .
187,995
70,655
258,650
Wilberton
162,743
44,804
207,547
Otego
180,817
67,585
248,402
Avena,
155,746
63,070
218,816
Bowling Green
119,582
35,683
155,265
Hurricane
206,436
57,333
263,769
Ramsey,
115 037
70.297
185.334
Vandalia
358,936
350,895
709,831
Lone Grove
133,595
43,064
176,659
Bear Grove
189.818
54,822
244,640
Sefton. .
221,964
68,647
290,611
Kaskaskia
194,938
57,976
252,909
$2,676,602
$1,077,051
$3,755,658
A LIST OF THE NAMES OF THE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES from Fayette, or from the District in which said County was included, from 1822 to 1877. (County Incorporated 1821).
SENATORS.
Martin Jones,
. in 1822
Francis Kirkpatrick,
in 1824 & 26
R. K. Mclaughlin,.
in 1828 & 30
Wm. L. D. Ewing,
in 1832 & 34
R. K. Mclaughlin,
. in 1836
R. Black well,.
in 1838
* Including the present Township of Pope.
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COUNTY FARM
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COURT HOUSE.
PUBLIC SCHOOL, VANDALIA
THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS .
22
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
Thomas S. Thompson, . 1845 to 1847
Radford Carroll,
. 1>47 to 1849
Wilson Campbell,
(two terms.)
1849 to 1853
James F. Han,
1853 to 1857
E Ireland,
1857 to 1865
G. W. Bolt, .
1865 to 1867
Wm. Buchanan,
1867 to 1869
Ed. Williams, .
1869 to 1871
R. J. McFarland,
1871 to 1873
Joshua Arnold,.
1873 to 1875
H. S. Prater,
1875 to 1877
C. C. Wagner
(Present incumbent.) 1877
FAYETTE CO. SURVEYORS.
Wm. C. Greenup, Beal Greenup, Jno. McCollum, surveyed
the town of Vandalia,
. 1819
Wm. Lee and D. Ewing, .
.July 4, 1823
James Galloway,
Aug. 27, 1829
Thos. C. Kirkman,
June 12, 1832
Silas Smith, .
May 12. 1840
Wm. C. Greenup,
June 24. 1846
James Carson,
March 24, 1851
John Carson, . 1857
James R Oliver,
.1858
James Carson, .
May 4, 1859
John Carson,
1861
George H. Owen,
1864
John Carson, 1867
Juo. M. Bradford,. 1869
A. H. Wing, (still serving.) 1869
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
Levi Davis, .. . 1834
Col. Ferris Foreman, 1837
Wm. C. Greenup, 1839
J. P. Rigdon, 1841
David M. Wear,. 1843
Dempsey Yarbrough, 1847
Ezra Jenkins, .
1856
Salmon Washburn, 1857
G. H. Dieckman,
1859
B. W. Henry,
1863
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
T. K. Jenkins,
1865
Ziba S. Swan,
1869
D. H. Mays, .
1869
B. F. Shipley .. 1873
B. F. Shipley,
.1877
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1876.
VOTES CAST IN FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
TOWNSHIP.
R. B. HAYES.
TILDEN.
P. COOPER.
Wilberton, .
75
103
-
Kaskaskia, upper,
112
47
do.
lower,
22
81
4
Otego, .
110
101
La Clede,
139
93
4
Sharon,
156
186
Seminary,
44
186
Avena, . .
175
111
1
B. Green,
73
165
33
Vandalia township,
82
67
2
do. city,
256
178
1
Ramsey, .
114
256
4
Bear Grove,
54
156
1
Wheatland, .
81
97
Loudon, .
108
155
2
Hurricane,
37
243
1
Sefton, .
183
85
Lone Grove,
65
111
1
Total,
1886
2421
53
FAYETTE COUNTY FIRST UNDER TOWNSHIP ORGANIZA- TION, SEPTEMBER 10, 1860.
FIRST BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. (PRESENT).
NAME. TOWN.
The Hon. Henry G. Habick, (Chairman), Vandalia.
66
= Abner Griffith, .
. Cumberland.
Campbell Carson,
Sefton.
John Thompson,
Seminary.
= George W. Bolt,
. Ramsey.
Henry I. Lovett, .
Wheatland.
Oran Lawler,
Sharon.
= George R. Durbin,
Loudon.
=
4. Richard Morrison,
Avena.
=
Paschall Isbell, .
Hurricane,
= Frederick Klinge,
Kaskaskia.
" Jacob Austin, .
Bowling Green.
= J. E. Peck,
. La Clede.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1861. (PRESENT).
The Hon. Paschall Isbell,
Hurricane.
" Jesse Mays, .
. Bowling Green.
G. W. Bolt, .
Ramsey.
=
" Abner Griffith,
Otego
H. J. Lovett,
Wheatland.
= John Thompson,
Seminary. Sharon.
= Richard Morrison,
Avena.
" Eli Dial, . .
Loudon.
.. .James M. Brown,
Kaskaskia.
=
S. G. Harris, .
La Clede.
" Campbell Carson,
Sefton.
" C. W. Jenks. .
Vandalia.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1862.
R Morrison,
Avena.
W. W. Johnson,
Sefton.
F. H. Stoddard,
Hurricane.
J. M. Brown,
Kaskaskia.
S. G. Harris, .
La Clede.
G. R. Durbin,
Loudon.
J. M. Watwood, .
Ramsey.
W. R. Booth, .
Wilberton.
Wm. Richardson,
Otego.
Jesse Mays, .
. Bowling Green.
Wm. Allen,
Seminary.
J. Kepner,
Wheatland.
H. P. Collins,
Vandalia.
Ewing Wright,
Sharon.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1863.
R. Morrison,
W W. Johnson,
H. S. Prater, .
F. Klinge, .
Kaskaskia.
P. W. Halliday,
La Clede.
G. R. Durbin, .
Loudon.
J. M. Watwood,
Ramsey.
J. W. Peters, . .
E. D. Martin,
Wilberton. Otego. Bowling Green.
Wm. Allen, .
Seminary.
Jno. Kepner,
Wheatland ..
H. P. Collins,
Vandalia.
E. Wright, .
. Sharon.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1864.
E. Wright,
Sharon. Vandalia.
Jno. Kepner,
Wheatland.
Wm. Allen,.
Seminary. Bowling Green.
D. H. Maybry,
Otego.
J. W. Peters, .
Wilberton. Ramsey.
G. R. Durbin, .
Loudon.
W. E. Robinson,
La Clede.
F. Klinge, .
Kaskaskia.
H. S. Prater,
Hurricane.
Chas. Smith,
Sefton.
R. Morrison,
. Avena.
Digitized by
.. W. R Boothe,
Richland.
Oran Lawler,
Richland.
Wm. R. Boothe, ..
Avena. Sefton. Hurricane.
Lemuel Jackson,
D. Yarbrough,
Guy Beck,.
J. M. Watwood,
-
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
23
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1865.
NAME.
TOWN.
R. Morrison,
Avena.
Bowling Green.
Guy Beck,. Geo. R. Durbin, . Loudon.
Chas. Smith, . .
Sefton.
F. Klinge, .
Jno. Kepuer,
Kaskaskia. Wheatland. Sharon. Wilberton.
Ewing Wright, R. H. Sturgess,
W. C. Houston, Vandalia. Ramsey. J. M. Watwood,
Chas. Matthewson,.
Hurricane.
Jno. Shirley, Wm. E. Robinson, La Clede.
Dan'l Brickey,
Otego.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1866.
Ewing Wright,
Sharon. Wilberton.
R. H. Sturgess,
R. Morrison,
. Avena. Sefton.
C Carson, .
W. Watkins,
Vandalia. Kaskaskia.
F. Klinge, .
W. E. Robinson,
Lo Clede.
F. Trieble. .
Wheatland. Loudon.
C. Hissong.
Seminary.
Otego.
A. W. McDonald,
Bowling Green.
C. C. Matthewson,
Hurricane.
John Pope .
Ramsey.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1867.
R. Morrison,
Wm. Allen,
Campbell Carson,
Sefton.
I. Jennings, . Fred. Klinge,
Loudon. Kaskaskis.
Geo R. Maxon,
La Clede.
G. W. Naylor,
. Wheatland.
N. B. Owings,
. Bowling Green. . Otego.
John Pope,
Ramsey.
James Pope, J. M. Russell,
Hurricane. Sharon.
R. H. Sturgess,
Wilberton.
Wm. Watkins,
Vandalia.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1868.
R. Morrison,
Wm. Allen,.
F. Blankenship,
D. Buzzard,
E. S. Carter,
A. S. Coon,
La Clede.
N. B. Owings,
Bowling Green. Otego.
G. B. Phifer, J. M. Russell,
Sharon.
R. H. Sturgess,
Wilberton.
Levi Sears, . Fred. Trieble,
Hurricane. Wheatland.
Wm. Watkins,
Vandalia.
J. M. Watwood,
Ramsey.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1869.
R. Morrison,
. Avena.
Wm. Allen,
Seminary. Vandalia.
J. N. Barnett,
Kaskaskis. Sefton. Bear Grove.
Levi Eckle, A. S. Coon,
La Clede. Loudon.
J. S. Lilly, N. B. Owings, J. W. Peters,
Bowling Green. Wilberton. Otego. Sharon.
Levi Sears, . Philip Shutt,
Hurricane. Ramsey.
F. Trieble,
Wheatland.
. City of Vandalia.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1870.
NAME.
TOWN.
Joshua W. Ross,
Vandalia.
R. H. Sturgess,
City of Vandalia. Seminary.
Wm. Allen, .
Levi Eckle, .
Bear Grove. Sharon. Hurricane.
A. M. Jerden,
Ramsey.
Bowling Green.
W. P. Smyth,
. Loudon. Avena.
Thos. Turner,
Befton.
J. H. Owen,
Wheatland.
A. S. Coon,
La Clede.
Samuel Lape,
Wilberton.
J. N. Barnett,
Kaokaskia. Otego.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, (PRESENT), 1871.
F. Remaun,. Samuel Lever,
City of Vandalia.
John Thompson,
Seminary.
Wm. Elam, .
Bear Grove.
N. O. Perryman,
Sbaron. Hurricane.
Geo. T. Bridges,
Ramsey.
Jno. Adams, .
Bowling Green.
T. Wright, .
Loudon. Avena. Sefton.
Thor. Turner,
Otego
J. N. Owen, .
Wheatland.
A. S. Coop,
La Ciede.
Hamuel Lape,
Wilberton,
F. M. Blankinshop,
Kaskaskia.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1872.
Samuel Lever, .
. Vandalia. . City of Vandalia.
Juo. Thompson,
Seminary.
Levi Eckle, .
Bear Grove.
N. O. Perryman,
Sharon.
J. M. Prater,
Hurricane.
J. F. James,
Ramsey.
J. D. Perine, .
Bowling Green.
J. D. Jennings,
W. P. Smyth,
Thos. Turner,
Abner Griffith,
J. H. Owens
A. S. Coop, .
La Clede.
Samuel Lape,
Wilberton.
N. W. Holland,
Kaskaskia.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, (PRESENT), 1873.
J. H. Owens, (Chairman),
. Wheatland.
S. Lever,. E. Jenkins,
.City of Vandalia.
A. J. Taylor, .
Wm. Bennett,
Seminary. Bear Grove Sharon.
J. M. Prater,
Hurricane.
Jno. Rogers,
Ramsey.
J. D. Perine, W. P. Smyth,
Bowling Green. Avena. Otego. La Clede.
A. M. Whitford,
S. Lape, . . N. W. Holland,
Wilberton. Kaskaskia.
R. Sefton, .
Sefton.
J. D. Jennings,
. Loudon.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1874.
John Adams, .
E. S. Carter, Eli Dial,
. Bowling Green. . Sefton. . Loudon.
John Davidson,
Sharon. . Bear Grove.
Levi Eckle, .
Jacob Fouke,
City of Vandalia.
Abner Griffith,
A. M. Jerdan,
Samuel Lape,
Otego, Hurricane. Wilberton.
Digitized by
S. E. Bailey,
E. S. Carter,
G. B. Phifer, J. M. Russell,
J. P. Van Dorston,
. Avena. Seminary. Kaskaskia.
Loudon. Sefton.
Vandalia.
J. Wright, ..
A. Griffith,
. Loudon. Avena. Sefton. Otego. Wheatland.
J. M. Whitman,
Vandalia.
J. M. Prater, ..
W. P. Smith,
Abner Griffith,
. Avena. Seminary.
Geo. B. Phifer,
Wm. Allen, . J. F. Morey,
Seminary.
J. C. Lakios,
J. C. Hall, . J. D. Perine, Daniel Buzzard,
W. B. Richardson,
24
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
NAME.
TOWN.
NAME OF OFFICER.
OFFICE.
DATE OF COMNIMION. OR INAUGURATION
H. H. Maxwell, .
. Auditor Public Accounts, 1816
Daniel P. Cook,
January 13, 1816.
Joseph Phillipe,.
Secretary,
December 17. 1816.
Robert Blackwell,.
. Auditor Public Accounts, .
. April 5, 1817
A. J. Taylor, ..
Seminary.
Fred. Trieble,
. Wheatland. . La Clede.
John Thomas,
Treasurer,
1818.
A. M. Whitford,
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1875.
R. A. Campbell,
City of Vandalia. Seminary.
J. M. Carroll, .
E. S. Carter, .
Sefton.
John Davidson,
Sharon.
John Thomas, .
Treasurer, . "
August 2 1819
Henry Kasten, .
Vandalia. Kaskaskia.
Wesley McInturff,
Bear Grove.
Jacob Miller, .
Ramsey. Hurricane.
Abner Field, .
Treasurer,
January :4, 1823.
David Black well,
Secretary of State, .
April 2, 1823.
Morris Birbeck, .
Geo. W. Spurgeon,
Loudon. Wheatland.
Fred. Triebel,
Alfred Watson,
Avena.
A. M. Whitford,
La Clede.
N. B. Owings, .
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1876.
E. S. Carter,
Sefton. Bear Grove.
Wm. Bennett, Wilson Campbell,
Otego.
City of Vandalia.
D. M. Clark, . . Wm. Collier,
Seminary. Hurricane.
Joel Hill,
A. J. Hogge, Henry Kasten, James Kepner,
Loudon. Vandalia. Wheatland.
B. F. Lee, .
Kaskaskia.
J. D Perine,
Bowling Green. Wilberton.
J. W. Springer,
La Clede.
James Shields, .
Thomas Ford,
Governor, . .
December 8, 1842.
Lieut-Governor, 8, 1842.
. Secretary of State,
March 6, 1843.
William L. D. Ewing, .
. Auditor Public Accounts, . " P.A. (to fill vacancy).
6, 1843. 26, 1846. December 9, 1846.
Lieut-Governor,
9. 1846.
Wilson Campbell,
Otego.
James M. Carroll,
Seminary.
D. M. Clark, . .
City of Vandalia.
James M. Greer,
Sefton.
G. W. Hankins,
Wheatland.
Joel Hill, .
Hurricane.
Henry Kasten,
Vandalia.
Samuel Lape,
Wilberton.
. Sup't Public Instruction, . Governor, January 12, 1857. March 24, 1854.
Lieut-Governor,
12, 1857.
Ozias M. Hatch, .
Secretary of State,
12, 1857.
Jesse K. Dubois, .
Auditor Public Accounts,
= 12, 1857.
Alfred Watson, .
. Avena.
John Walker,
. Sharon.
J. M. Watwood,
Ramsey.
L. T. Yarbrough,
. Bear Grove.
Illinois was constituted a separate Territory by sot of Congress, February 3d, 1809.
OFFICERS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
STATE
SOVERLICHT
FROM 1809,
UNION
To 1878.
Richard J. Oglesby, William Bross, . Sharon Tyndale,
Orlin H. Miner,
. Auditor Public Accounts, . Treasurer, .
. Sup't Public Instruction, . . Treasurer,
. Governor, .
Lieut-Governor,
. Secretary of State, .
11.1869.
Charles E. Lippincott, . . Auditor Public Accounts,
" 11, 1869.
Erastus N. Bates, .
. Treasurer, .
. December 12, 1864. January 9, 1865. . January 10, 1865. January, 1867. January 11, 1869. 6. 11, 1869.
Nathaniel Pope, . . Ninian Edwards,
OFFICE.
DATE OF COMMISSION OR INAUGURATION.
. Secretary of the Territory, . . March 7, 1809.
. Governor, . . . . April 24, 1809.
STATE OF ILLINOIS.
Shadrach Bond,
Governor, .
October 6, 1x1x
Pierre Menard, .
Lieut-Governor, 6, 1818
Elias K. Kane, .
. Secretary of State, . 6, 1818.
Auditor Public Accounts, 1818. 1818.
George D. Day,
Otego.
Robert K. Mclaughlin, . Edward Coles, .
Governor,
December, 1822. .. 1822
John M. Prater, John W. Peters,
Wilberton.
George Forquer,
Ninian Edwards,
Governor, .
December, 1826. 1826.
James Hall, .
Treasurer,
February 12, 1827.
Alexander P. Field,
. Secretary of State,
January 23, 1829.
John Reynolds, .
. Governor, . .
December 9, 1830.
Zadock Casey,
Lieut-Governor,
9, 1830.
John Dement.
Treasurer,
February 5, 1831.
James T. B. Stapp, .
Auditor Public Accounts. .
Governor, .
Alexander M. Jenkins, . Lieut-Governor,
Levi Davis, .
Auditor Public Accounts, .
November 16, 1835.
Charles Gregory,
Treasurer,
December 5, 1836. March 4. 1837
John D. Whiteside .
Thomas Carlin, . . Stinson H. Anderson, . Stephen A. Douglas, Lyman Trumbull, .. Milton Carpenter, .
. Lieut-Governor,
1838
. Secretary of State,
November 80, 1840. March 1, 1841. .. 1841.
Treasurer,
Auditor Public Accounts, 1841
John Moore, .
Ramsey.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 1877.
John Blankenship,
Kaskaskia.
Daniel Buzzard,
Loudon.
Horace 8. Cooley,. John Moore, .
Treasurer, (to fill vacancy). . August 14, 1848. . Lieut-Governor, . January. 1849.
. Sec'y of State (to fill vacancy), April 3, 1850.
. Governor, .
January, 1853.
Lieut-Governor,. .
1853.
. Secretary of State, .
1853.
J. D. Perine, . J. W. Springer,
Bowling Green. La Clede. Lone Grove.
Treasurer, 12, 1857.
12, 1857.
. Sup't Public Instruction, 4
S 10,1859
. Treasury (to fill vacancy), Governor, . .
. September 3, 1859. January 14, 1861.
. Lieut-Governor, 14, 1861.
. Secretary of State, . 14, 1861.
4 14, 1861.
Newton Bateman, . Alexander Starne, .
. Sup't Public Instruction, . Treasurer, . .
12, 1863.
John P. Brooks,
. Sup't Public Instruction, 12, 1863. . Governor, . 16, 1865.
Lieut-Governor, 16, 1865.
. Secretary of State,
" 16, 1865.
James H. Beveridge, . Newton Bateman, . . George W. Smith, .
John M. Palmer, . . John Dougherty,
Edward Rummell,
11, 1869.
Benj. F. Lee, .
Kaskaskia.
Jacob Miller, . Ramsey. W. P. Smyth, Avena. Vandalia.
C. A. Sonnemann,
Elijah C. Berry,
=
August 29. 1817
Benj. F. Lee, .
Adolphus F. Hubbard, . Lieut-Governor,
Samuel D. Lockwood, . . Secretary of State, 18. 1822
October 15.1824.
January 15, 1825.
William Kinney, .
Lieut-Governor,
. August 27, 1831. December, 1834. 1834.
Governor, .
December, 1888.
J. W. Peters, .
Alfred Watson,
Avena.
John Walker,
Sharon.
J. M. Watwood,
Thompson Cambell,
Thomas H. Campbell, Augustus C. French, . Joseph B. Wells, . .
. Governor, .
Secretary of State,
" 23, 1846.
William McMurtry, . David L. Gregg, . Joel A. Matteson, Gustavus Koerner, . Alexander Starne, . . Ninian W. Edwards, . William H. Bissell, . John Wood, .
James Miller, William H. Powell, . Newton Bateman, . William Butler, Richard Yates. . Francis A. Hoffman, .
Ozias M. Hatch, . Jesse K. Dubois, William Butler,
Auditor Public Accounts, . Treasurer, . .
January 14, 1861. 14, 1861.
J. W. L Tucker,
ILLINOIS TERRITORY.
NAME OF OFFICEE.
Digitized by Google
-
Elijah C. B-rry, .
Bowling Green.
Joseph Duncan, . .
25
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
NAME OF OFFICEN.
orrice.
DATE OF CONMIRSION OR INAUGURATION.
Newton Bateman, .
. Sup't Public Instruction, . . January 1871.
Erastus N. Bates, .
. Treasurer, .
November 8. 1870
Richard .J. Oglesby.
. Governor,
January 13, 1873
John L. Beveridge,
. Lieut-Governor.
13, 1873.
George H. Harlow.
. Secretary of State,
"
13, 1873.
. Auditor Public Accounte,
= 13, 1873.
Charles E Lippincott, Edward Rutz, John L. Beveridge John Early,
. Treasurer, . . Governor,
"
23, 1873.
. Lieut Governor,
23. 1873
S. M. Cullum,
. Governor, .
8, 1877.
Andrew Shuman,
Lieut-Governor,
8, 1877.
Geo. H. Harlow, .
. Secretary of State,
8, 1877.
Edward Rutz,
Treasurer,
8, 1877.
T. B. Needles,
. Auditor Public Accounts.
8, 1877.
S. M. Etter, .
. Sup't Public Instruction, .
8, 1877.
-
CHAPTER XIII.
PIONEERS AND EARLY SETTLERS. INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES.
T would be almost impossible to make particular mention of all the early settlers whose bravery, endurance and intelligence have provided their descendants with such a valuable heritage as is to be found along the alluvial and historic banks of the Kaskaskia. One grateful tribute is due to all. If, at the expiration of nearly three-quarters of a century, we can take a retrospective view of the past, and feel that all has been done towards preserving the institutions which their lives were spent in establishing, in their original purity and simplicity, we shall have paid to their memory the most worthy tribute in the power of man to bestow, by passing them on to posterity as we received them.
" What constitutes a State ? Not high-raised battlement or labored mound, Thick wall or moated gate; Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned ; Not bays and broad-armed ports, Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride ;- Not atarred and spangled courts, Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride.
No :- Men, high-minded men, With powers as far above dull brutes endued
In forest, brake, or den, As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude ;
Men who their duties know, But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain, Prevent the long-aimed blow,
. And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain : These constitute a State."
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To Guy Beck and wife undoubtedly belongs the credit of having been the first settlers within the present limits of Fayette County. They were both natives of Kentucky, and came to Illinois when it was a Territory, and located in St. Clair County, near the " Kahokia Village," in the year 1809. On the breaking out of the second war with Great Britain, he enlisted as a ranger, and served until peace was declared. He was quite celebrated as a hunter in those days, and he set about to find a locality where he could gratify his ambition in the pleasures and sports of the chase. He selected a tract of land and built a cabin, in the spring of 1815, on the banks of a creek (afterwards named Beck's Creek) in honor of him. His improvement was made on section 9, township 8, range 2, east, now a part of Bowling Green Township. His father, Paul Beck, with his family, consisting of sev- eral sons,-John James, Hiram, Fleming and Paul, Jr., all of whom had families, came to and settled in the neighborhood of Guy's place in the spring of 1818, and spent most of their time for many years in hunting and fishing, preferring that mode of gaining a livelihood to the more arduous labor of the farm. They were quite a numerous family, and many of their descendants now live in the county.
FIRST BLACKSMITH SHOP.
Guy Beck was a blacksmith, having learned the trade in Kentucky. He built and carried on a small shop at his residence, where he occasionally repaired the rude implements of farming then in vogue and used by his neighbors, and it is quite certain that he was the first blacksmith in Fayette County. * Valentine Brazil and Thomas Higgins t each made a settlement and improvement on section 34, township 8, range 1, east, in the year 1816. In 1817 a Mr. Hinds and family settled in township 7, range 1, east. They were Kentuckians. During the years 1818-19 many settlers came to the County, among whom were the Haley family, consisting of William, John,
* Recollections of John Enoch.
t More mention of Higgins elsewhere.
Edward, Harding and James Haley. The three former were married, and had, small families. They were Tennesseeans, and came to and settled in what is now Fayette County, in the fall of 1818, and made improvements on the east side of the Kaskaskia River. Their first settlement after leaving Ten- nessee, with their parents, was in St. Clair County, Illinois. in the year 1807. Mr. Enoch says. they were quite noted for their love of field- sports, and a strong predilection for Jacksonian Democracy. Fishing, hunt- ing and horse-racing were their chief occupations and amusements. The older members of the family are now dead ; they were among the prominent and respectable of the early families.
Two young men, Philip Luster and James Beal, settled here a short time after the Haley family, in the latter part of the year 1818. Philip Luster was born in Tennessee, in April, 1801, and emigrated, with his parents, to Clinton County, Illinois, in 1817; from thence came to this county, as above stated ; afterwards made an improvement on a tract of land in the north- east part of township 5, range 1, east, where he resided until his death, which took place a few years since.
Allen Wakefield, a well-known pioneer, came with his father, William Wakefield, and family, to St. Clair County, in 1812. They were Ken- tuckians. In 1817 Allen W. married a sister of Ward Thompson, then living in Clinton County ; moved with his young bride to Fayette County, in 1818, and made a farm, where Robert Mitchell now resides, in the south east part of Bear Grove Township; * lived there about three years, then moved to what is now Vandalia Township, where he continued engaged in farming. He figured quite prominently for many years, and served one term as a member of the legislature, representing Fayette County in that body. He defeated the Hon. Robert K. Mclaughlin, who was his competitor. Mr. W. was a Whig, and did yeoman service for the interest of his party ; yet in his zeal for his party he never forgot the duties he owed to his constituents. He served as a ranger in the war of 1812, also in the Black Hawk war, in which he attained the rank of major. He was a man of great courage and bravery, and besides possessed considerable ability. He published a brief history of the Black Hawk War, which is regarded as very authentic. He left Fayette County about the year 1838, and moved to Iowa, and subse- quently settled in Kansas, where he died a few years since.
Benjamin Ward Thompson, who is yet living, hale and hearty, is among the early pioneers. He is a Kentuckian by birth, and settled, with his parents, in Clinton County, Illinois, in 1816, and in the early part of the year 1819 settled in Fayette County, t accompanied by his mother and his sister Anna, who bad a short time previously married Abraham Stearns. Mr. Stearns raised a large family. He devoted much of his time to study and improve- ment, and became quite a noted botanical physician. and was highly re- spected. He died a number of years ago. His widow is yet living. James, Henry and David Luster (brothers of Philip) settled here in 1818. They made improvements about two miles north of Vandalia. William Hickman, & Tennesseean. resided, with his family, three miles south-west of Vandalia. He also came in 1818, and was a man respected for his honesty and good qualities, and left a large family connection in the county. Z. F. Watwood settled in what is now Ramsey Township, in 1817
Lemuel Lee, a native of Cayuga County, New York, with his family. consisting of a wife and the following children, became residents of the county in 1819 : Mason, William H., Benjamin F., Sarah, Monroe, and George. Wm. and Benjamin Lee still live in the county, residing near Shoborner.
Henry, Abijab, Chauncey, William and Newlin Lee, all brothers of Lemuel Lee, located here the same year, 1819. They all settled in the town of Vandalia, and were among the more industrious and energetic citizens of that period They built and operated the first saw and grist mills in Vandalia.
Wm. H. Brown, a lawyer, and very noted in the early annals of the county, was a native of New York, and with his family came to the settle- ment at Vandalia in 1819, lived in the county a few years, and subsequently moved farther west.
Another name which we must not fail to mention is that of the venerable William Padousen and wife, who settled on a tract of wild land about five and a half miles above Vandalia, at a place near Capt. Ray's farm, in what was then known as the Buckmaster settlement. He is yet living, hale and hearty, now over eighty-two years of age.
Bowlen Neeley, located with his mother on a tract of land in what is now Ramsey township, in 1819, where he engaged in farming.
Among the early settlers who came to the county were Jeremiah Evans, wife and sons, John and Akin Evans. They located on a tract of land in what is now embraced in the territory comprised in Bear Grove township. Some of the same family moved a mile or two south of the first settlement-three or four miles-into what is now Seminary township. They came to the county in the year 1818.1
Joseph Hines with his wife and three sons-John, Joseph Jr., and Simon, all now deceased-came from Kentucky in the fall of 1819. They were a very respectable family, and made a settlement in what is now Sharon township, on Boaz Prairie.
William Nicholls, Hudson Cotheren, and Andrew Chandler also came in the summer of 1819.
* Recollections of B. Ward Thompson. t Settled in what is now Fayette County.
# Recollections of the venerable John Enochs.
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January 13, 1873.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. ILLINOIS.
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