USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 64
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622
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
of Young Hickory township. They have had 5 children, 4 of whom are living,-Elva, Monima, Gail and an infant. He has traveled through the West, South and Southwest. He is a painter by pro- fession but is now farming.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
The following is a full and complete list of the Supervisors, Clerks, Assessors and Collectors serving in this township since its organization :
SUPERVISORS.
G. S. Curtis ..
1850
Daniel Shackler.
1867-76
Anson Smith
1851-62
James N. Moore
1877
J. E. McNair
1863
Irving C. Fox.
1878-79
G. W. Fox
1864-66
TOWN CLERKS.
John Reynolds.
1850
J. W. Dodds.
1863-64
C. P. Boorn.
1851
O. H. Bliss.
1865-66
John Reynolds
1852
T. D. Griffith
1867-72
(. P. Boorn.
1853-60
I. C. Fox.
1873-75
D. B. Smith
1861-62
T. D. Griffith.
1876-79
ASSESSORS.
S. H. Sivley ..
1850-51
Wm. McCracken
1863-64
T. F. Jarrel.
1852
J. M. Wiard.
1865
James N. Moore.
1853-54
M. W. Cozad.
1866
Chandler Hollister.
1855
J. A. H. Speer.
1867-70
Daniel Sheckler
1856-59
W. F. Garrison
1871
G. W. Fox
1860-61
J. A. H. Speer.
1872-79
O. F. Curtis.
1862
COLLECTORS.
S. H. Sivley.
1850-51
William Smith 1866
· Wm. Herriot.
1852
N. Crutz.
1867
Thomas Bell
1853-54
Wm. Kirkendall.
1868-69
S. H. Sivley.
1855-59
D. B. Smith.
1870
O. D. Carpenter
1860-62
John Wallick
1871
Jolin Fouts.
1863-64
D. B. Smith
1872-79
M. W. Cozad.
1865
FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP.
Matthias Swegle was the first settler to locate in this beautiful township. He came from New Jersey and settled at the head of Swegle creek in 1829. He was a very large man and of but little education. He attended school here after he located in the town- ship. He was a pupil of Mr. Morris when he weighed 340 pounds. When he first started to school his oldest child was 22 years old. He was in the spelling class with his younger children and would take his place among the little fellows as they stood up to spell. He attended school about three months. He was a generous, public- spirited man, and as Peter Pumyea's house was the house of the average Jerseyman, so was Matthias Swegle's that of the itinerant Methodist persuasion. He made a wooden cannon during the Black Hawk war to frighten the Indians with. He was the first Justice of the Peace.
Among the early settlers were John Hall, who settled on section 7; Moses Johnson, who located on 7, east and adjoining Hall ; Jerrod Lyons located on section 8; Wesley Cope upon 6; and others.
As the history of the town is so closely identified with that of the township we proceed to give a sketch of it :
FAIRVIEW.
The eldest son of Richard Addis (spoken of in the history of Canton, whose name was also Richard), lived for many years in Fairview tp., then only a wilderness, and induced his cousin, Peter Pumyea, through correspondence, to visit this State in 1835. This year was the beginning of the great internal-improvement system of the State and at a time when speculation ran rife, and also a year when the cholera prevailed. Then many persons were almost at the point of death from an imaginary contact, but being assured that the supposed infectious party had no real cholera, were almost im- mediately restored to health. Nevertheless the fever of specula- tion seized Mr. Pumyea, and he was induced to sell out and move West. In the spring of 1836, with four good teams and well filled wagons, started for Illinois, and after nearly two months of arduous travel arrived in Fulton county, where he purchased of S. Dyer the property long occupied by himself and family as the homestead farm. Upon this place at that time was erected a double staked and
624
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
ridered cabin, one of the largest size and deemed by many of that day an extravagant mansion ; and upon its being raised two logs all around to meet the requirements of the family and visitants, ena- bling a person to stand erect, the exclamation went forth that " Peter Pumvea was too proud for this country." And when he added improvements on the farm, among them a "horse rake," it was regarded as a great innovation. The early preachers would discourse valiantly upon the evils of pride, even to the exent that superfluous buttons upon the tails of coats could and should be dis- pensed with. This sort of preaching, however, soon proved to be unpopular and behind the age of progress and a better state of civ- ilization. Too, all persons not in full sympathy with the dominant sect were styled "Campbellites." They were also often dubbed " Blue-bellied Yankees."
Through repeated correspondence with their friends in the East, although letter postage was then 25 cents, a desire was awakened in many to better their condition by coming West. To take advan- tage of the circumstances of that time, when immigration was large, Moses Hall and Benjamin Foster put their lands upon the market, by conceiving and coalescing with others in the laying out of a town. Accordingly in the year 1837 they laid out the original town of Fairview, which was added to upon the west by Peter Pumyea and Richard Davis. Jonas Rawalt did the surveying. The town was first called Utica, but as there was already a town by that name in the county, its name was changed to Fairview. The survey of the town was made by Jonas Rawalt, who now resides in Orion tp.
The town was started and the way was thus opened and every inducement given to mechanics and tradesmen to locate here. Lots were set apart for certain religious sects to occupy, and as Rev. A. D. Wilson was sent out in the year 1837 as a missionary in the in- terest of the Dutch Reformed Church, it secured a very nice loca- tion. In order to meet the anticipated growth that was expected to follow the founding of the Church, Rev. Wilson and Peter Pumyea were selected to go back East and solicit donations, and we find a credit upon Mr. Pumyea's book of $449 collected by him, mostly in small amounts; and through the strennous efforts of Cornelius Wyckoff, sr., John G. Voorhees, Richard Davis, Rev. Wilson and many others, the plan of a building was carried out sufficient to meet every future contingency as to increase. of population.
For a time the influx of immigration was considerable, and prior to the time of the era of railroads, Fairview was as good a business point as any town in the county. It then had several pork-packing establishments, and many stores and grain warchouses, which have long since been but little used ; and what was once an incentive to capitalists to encourage and promote has long since lost its charms. Many claimed that this was the result of the selfishness of certain would-be aspirants and tenacity of some to hold and keep the offices and the Church ascendancy, and arrogating to themselves the em-
Peter Sen Cych
If It Hartough
FAIRVIEW
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
627
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
bodiment of all good. That the preponderance of influence. has been derogatory to railroads, is true, as it would necessitate a change of population and sentiment, and, as is claimed that many as- serted, "its corrupting influence ;" thus counteracting and over- balancing the zeal and energy of those who made every effort to obtain a railroad, and avert the present situation. But a better feel- ing now prevails, and Fairview will soon have a railroad, thereby opening up a way for capital and enterprise to come in and assist those already here in developing the resources, and opening up the vast mines of coal underlying this entire section.
While for a time the "Jersey element" was regarded with con- siderable jealousy and suspicion, and on the principle that "like begets like," the drawing of one imaginary State line would tighten that of another, and consequently there was for a time very little interchange of opinion and sentiment. Yet we find that as early as 1838 the "Jersey element" is recognized by the township choosing Richard Davis, Elijah Morton, Moses C. Johnson, Jonathan Mark- ley, and Asa Shreeves School Trustees, and Peter Pumyea Treas- urer. The latter retained the treasurership and other town offices until his death in 1850.
We find upon a school schedule a certificate by Joshua Cooper for two sessions in the year 1838, the following families represented in the Richard Addis neighborhood, viz: northeast of Fairview village-Foster, Leeker, Davis, Tipton, Williamson, Addis, and Martin. The teacher received for his services $13.95. In 1840 we find added to the above list Barlow, Denison, Hiekman, Romine and Kelsey. In the Fairview District taught by Abraham Gulick there are represented in 1839, the following families : Groenendyke, Martin, Vorhees, Wilson, Wyckoff, Davis, Gilmore, Prumyea, Dar- land, Hagaman and Polhemus. School commenced April 8, and ended Saturday, June 14, 1839, and the amount paid teacher was $28.91.
We find that the school in the west neighborhood, taught by Reuben F. Markham, commenced Dec. 7, 1840, and was closed April 22, 1841. There were five families sending children to this school : Therman, Hughbanks, Cope, Johnson and Green, and at $2 per scholar. The teacher's services amounted to $24.25, and the teacher's certificate was certified to by Edward Therman and Jacob Shellen- berger, "employers."
In the Swegle district school, taught by Richard M. Jones, be- ginning July 23, 1838, the following families were represented : James, Swegle, Overman, Gray, Burnett, Drum, Shreeves, Johnson, Flowers, Dunn and Smith. The sum of $19 was paid for the ser- vices of the teacher during the quarter.
In the Fairview Academy taught by S. S. Cornwell, we find the following persons in attendance : Suydam, Voorhees, Davis, Martin, Sweeney, Pumyea, Gray, Van Arsdale, Foster, Ward, Davis, Lamb, Wilson, Gilmore, Rockafellow, Mummerst, Foster, Ward, Sweeny,
37
628
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Teethworth, Hagaman, Voorhees, Darling, Wyckoff, Polhemus, Hiekman and Addis. During the next term added to these were Gafney, Laturrette, Young, Weaver and Berger. A certificate was made out as due from each scholar the sum of $2, and signed by G. Groenendyke, Benj. Darling and Simon B. Suydam, Direct- ors. Almost all of these names have become familiar over the county. The younger people have grown up any are to-day classed among the best and wealthiest people of the county.
Henry B. Evans kept the first store in the town. The first death that occurred was a child by the name of Hagaman. The town is beautifully situated.
Fairview Church .- Upon the 19th of August, 1837, a public meeting was held in the town of Fairview at the house of Daniel Groenendyke to make some move toward establishing a Church. Peter Pumyea was called to preside, and John S. Wyckoff was ap- pointed secretary. At this time there were less than half a dozen families living in the infant village and it platted in the midst of the wilderness, where bloomed the wild roses of the prairie, and, unmolested, roamed the deer and the antelope. Application was made to the Synod of the Reformed Church to be furnished with a preacher. Oct. 3, 1837, Rev. A. D. Wilson, from New Brunswick, N. J., arrived at Fairview, being sent to see if a Church could be established. On the 16th the Reformed Church of Fairview was organized by Rev. Wilson. The organization consisted of 8 mem- bers, with John S. Wyckoff and Clarkson Van Nostrand as Elders and Aaron D. Addis as Deacon. This was the first organization of this religious denomination west of the Alleghany Mountains, and is truly styled "the parent Church of the West." Rev. Wilson then returned to his home in the East, and left the congregation without a pastor or a church building. But the people were zealous and steadfast, and from Sunday to Sunday assembled for prayer and praise. These meetings were generally led by Capt. John S. Wyckoff, who is the only one living of the original members.
During all this time the little band was sending up the Mace- donian ery to their friends in the East to come and help them. The matter was laid before the Church authorities in convention assem- bled, and the ery arose, " who will go?" No one, as he contem- plated the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life, had a desire to endure them. For a time silence reigned. At last a voice arose in that assembly saying : "The child born in the wilderness shall not be left to perish alone. If no one else can be found I will go." This was the voice of Rev. A. D. Wilson, who the fall previous had organized the congregation, but had no expectation or desire to move West, being pleasantly situated among his congre- gation at North Branch, N. J. But when this noble man of God found no one willing to respond to the call he determined to go him- self; so bid adieu to his beloved home and came here, arriving in July, 1838, and immediately entered upon his life labor. Meetings
629
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
at this time were held in a log cabin, formerly a blacksmith shop, standing upon the lot occupied by the residence of John Pfeiffer. This structure was not only used for Church purposes, but for all public meetings and as a school-house.
Soon Peter Pumyea, a generous and noble man, deeded to the Church a beautiful square of ground upon which to erect a church edifice. This is the same ground upon which stands the beautiful and commodious structure, the result of the labors and sacrifices of these loved and honored pioneers, and a monument of the noble deeds for the master performed under circumstances more trying and difficult than the present generation, who enjoy the fruits of their labors, ean conceive.
In the fall of 1838 work at the old Academy building was be- gun. This structure was about 26x40 feet in size, two stories high, with a belfry. The upper room was designed for holding religious services in. In the spring of 1839 meetings were abandoned in the old log shanty and the academy was opened. In the fall of 1838 the foundation of the church was begun, and Nov. 26 the corner- stone was laid. At last the frame-work of the building was ready to be raised. This required the assistance of all the men in the village and surrounding country, together with aid from Ellisville and Farmington to raise it. For three years the people struggled on in the erection of this building before it was ready for dedication. Aid was required from the East to complete it. Oct. 3, 1841, the generous contractor, Cornelius Wyckoff, sen., turned the building over to the congregation, and it was dedicated to the worship of the Lord.
On the 11th of April, 1856, Rev. A. D. Wilson resigned as Pas- tor, and Rev. Wm. Anderson took charge in the fall of the same year, and served three years. During the services of Rev. Wilson no parsonage was furnished, he provided his own house and received what salary the people were disposed to pay, but during the survices of Rev. Wm. Anderson a traet of land containing about five acres was purchased and a large and beautiful parsonage built, it being the largest dwelling in the village.
Jan. 16, 1860, Rev. J. S. Joralmon was called to the pastorate. At that time the Church was largely in debt, but to-day no debt or incumbrance of any kind rests upon any of the property. Besides the parsonage and church a large and pleasant lecture room stands on the spot where stood the old academy. The present membership is about 200.
Schools .- In the summer of 1838, ere the town of Fairview was scarcely surveyed, the citizens employed Simon S. Wyckoff to teach school. He taught in an old log cabin situated where the residence of John Pfeiffer now is. The second teacher, Mr. Abram Gulick, taught in an old cabin where now stands Wm. Rockafellow's shop. In 1839 an academy was built east of, and adjacent to, the Reformed church. This structure was occupied as a public school-house until
630
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
1863, when the present school building, in the northwest part of the town, was erected. It is a two-story frame building, and cost $3,500. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds, with delightful grove and lawn,-not excelled perhaps by any public grounds in the county. Its rooms are well furnished, giving ample and comfort- able accommodation for 225 pupils. The present school board is composed of Messrs. P. Berg, F. Davis and Thomas H. Travers, all of whom take considerable interest in the care and improvement of the school property and the education of the young.
Fairview Lodge, No. 350, A. F. & A. M .- At an early day the Free and Accepted Masons urged their claims upon the citizens of Fairview. The first meeting was held Oet. 18, 1859, with J. S. Slack, W. M. Prot .; Jos. Sanders, S. W .; J. B. Craigg, J. W. ; S. M. Curtis, S. D. ; L. B. Martin, J. D. ; C. M. Martin, Sec. ; J. M. Fox, Treas. Brethren present were J. J. Curtis, T. J. Shreeves and J. C. Williams. Sanders, Craigg and Curtis were appointed a com- mittee on by-laws. The lodge was granted a charter Oct. 3, 1860, and the following are the charter members: Thomas J. Shreeves, Joseph Sanders, David Shreeves, J. B. Craigg, J. M. Fox, Charles B. Martin, Samuel M. Curtis and Luther B. Martin. The officers appointed by the charter were Thomas S. Shreeves, W. M. ; Joseph Sanders, S. W., and David Shreeves, J. W. Nov. 20, 1860, J. T. Slack, D. G. M., officiated in the installation of the charter officers, and S. M. Martin, S. D .; L. B. Martin, J. D .; C. M. Martin, Sec., and J. B. Craigg, Treas. The organization has been a good, live working one, continually on the increase, and now has a membership of about 60. Mr. Joseph Negley has served a greater length of time as W. M. than any of his predecessors. As a working lodge it has always proved a success. In acts of charity its reputation stands high and bright.
Evangelical Lutheran Church, situated at Coal creek, was organ- ized by Rev. Swartz about the year 1850. The congregation met in a school-house at first, and indeed until 1866, when their present church structure was erected. It is 30x40 feet in size, and cost $2,000, of which the Swygert family gave $600. Samuel Gourley donated the ground upon which the building stands, and also the ground for the cemetery. The pastor devotes only a portion of his time to this congregation, and receives $200 a year. The present membership is 30.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Henry Alcott, farmer ; P. O., Fairview ; was born in Ross Co., O., Aug. 1, 1811, and is the son of Israel and Ann Alcott. He enjoyed only the advantages of the common schools in a new country at which to gain an education. He came to Fulton Co. in 1836, and has been eminently successful in life. At present he owns 1,435 acres of land in this county and 160 acres in Iowa. He also has 1,000 head of sheep. In 1835 he was married to Martha Foster, who has borne him two children,
631
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
S. B. Bennett, M. D., Coroner of Fulton Co., was born in Lawrence Co., III., Nov. 24, 1838. His father, the Rev. Isaac Ben- nett, died at Canton in 1856. Dr. B. began the practice of medi- eine at the early age of 21 in Canton. He received his medical education at Rush Medical College, Chicago. In 1861 he moved to Fairview, where he now resides, and where he has gained an envi- able reputation as a practitioner. He was elected Coroner in 1878, and during the present year has been elected Director of the Mutual Life Insurance Co., of Canton. The Doctor was united in marriage with Angeline Taylor, Sept. 1, 1863. She was the daughter of the late Robert Taylor, who resided south of Canton. He had resided in Fulton Co. for fifty years at the time of his death. This union has been blessed with 2 children,-Zachary T., born June 3, 1865, and Mary C., born May 27, 1866.
Joseph Cook was born in Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, Oct. 23, 1823. He is the son of Joseph and Rosiana. Mr. C. came to America in 1836, and remained at New York until the following year when he went to New Jersey, and May 10, 1852, landed in Fulton Co. At the early age of 15 he began to learn the trade of cabinet-making, which he has followed ever since, and in which he has been successful. He has been President of the Board of Trus- tees and a member of it almost all of the time for 20 years. He has been married twice,-the first time to Mary Robison, June 2, 1846 ; the second time to Sarah Blene. They have 3 children,- Milton, born in Nov., 1865, George W., born in 1869, and Lorena, born Jan. 5, 1877. Mr. C. united with the M. E. Church in 1848. James D. Curtis, M. D. was born in Warren Co., N. Y., March 14, 1832. His parents, Silas and Margaret (MeDonald) Curtis, were both natives of the Empire State. Mr. C. visited this county in 1848, but did not locate here till 1861. After receiving a common-school education he took the Latin and scientific courses at Kingsborough College. He also attended medical college at New York. He is also a graduate from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. The Doctor is a member of the State Medieal Society. He has prac- ticed- his profession since coming to the county. He has served Fairview as Mayor. In 1862 he was married, and again in 1875, May 24; this time to Elizabeth Greenwell. The Doctor made a profession of religion when 20 years old and joined the M. E. Church. In 1852 he united with the Baptist Church and was im- mersed by Elder Corwin by cutting a hole in the ice. He again united with the M. E. Church in 1863. Changing locations caused him to change Churches.
Edward Cor, sr., is among the first settlers of Fulton Co. He erected the third frame house in the town of Fairview, and he thinks the third in the township. When he came to the county only one family lived within the present corporation of Fairview. This man's name was Henry B. Evans, and he owned the first grocery store in the township. The building is still standing and used as a
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632
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
barn. He built a large house which he used for hotel purposes for 14 years. He was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Feb. 9, 1814. His father, Jacob E. Cox, and his mother, Rebecca (Lane) Cox, are both living with him. He came to the Co. in May of 1837, and has 403 acres of good land at present. He did not get married until well advanced in life. He was united in the bonds of wedlock March 18, 1879, with Gertrude Cox. He became a member of the Reformed Church in 1850.
William H. Dailey, farmer, see. 8; P. O., Fairview. On the 16th of Aug., 1830, there was born to John Y. and Elizabeth (Hall) Dailey, in Henderson Co., N. J., a son, the subject of this sketch. He grew up, attending the common schools, and learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed some years, but changed it for farm- ing, and by his own exertions has succeeded. Miss Lettie Ellen Dilts and he were united in marriage in September, 1853. Five children have blessed their home, -- 2 boys and 3 girls,-4 of whom are living, and one son and one daughter married.
Frederick Daris, butcher and farmer, was born in Fairview tp. March 14, 1842. His parents, Richard and Sophia (Suydam) Davis came to this county as early as 1831. In 1861 Mr. Davis enlisted in Co. L, 7th Cav., under Capt. Scott, of Bushnell. He never was off duty and participated in all the raids and scouts, and his horse was as faithful and plueky as he. He was on the famous Greerson raid, when a distance of 800 miles was traveled in 14 days. In 1868 he married Mrs. L. Robison, who bore him 4 children,- one boy and 3 girls,-all living. Ardelia, Lorena, Alta and Martin Seward are their names.
L. W. Davis, farmer, see. 27; P. O., Fairview. This gentleman was born in Fairview in 1839, and is the son of Richard and Sophia Davis. He attended the commmon schools here and Knox Acad- emy, Galesburg. He was united in marriage with Miss Susan Bean, April 29, 1864. Mollie and Carrie are their living children. They have one dead. Mr. D. has served in several local official positions.
James W. Downin, farmer, sec. 6; P. O., Farmington. Mr. Downin is the son of Jacob S. and Mary Jane (Kreigh) Downin, and was born in Wayne Co., Ind., Sept. 3, 1844. Three years later he was brought into this county. In 1875, Feb. 11, he took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Hettie Catlett. Emry L., born June 16, 1876, and Mary Jane, born April 10, 1878, are their children.
John H. Dunn, farmer, see. 8; P. O., Fairview ; is the son of John S. and Elizabeth Dunn, and was born in Fairview township April 27, 1840. He received a liberal education, and at the age of 23 embarked in life's work as an agriculturist, which he likes, and at which he has been successful. He is J. P. at present and has held several local offices. He was married near Nebraska City Aug. 15, 1866. Ada and Matthew are his children.
J. W. Dunn, farmer, sec. 7; P. O., Midway. Mr. Dunn was
633
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
born in Indiana Sept. 21, 1834, and is the son of John S. and Eliza- beth (Norvel) Dunn, pioneers of this county. He had only the ad- vantages the common schools of a new country offered for an educa- tion. He has served as School Director for a dozen years. June 3, 1875, he was married to Susan Pratt. Politically he is a Demo- crat.
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