History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 89

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Peoria : C.C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 1096

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

a collection of valuable presents from different members of the Bonaparte family. Among these is a painting by the immortal Raphael of the head of Christ in his last agony. This is a master- piece of art, and was a present from Queen Julie to Mrs. Gallet, mother of Mrs. Mailliard, and when presented, it was with the understanding that it should be inherited by her. It was a present to the Queen by Napoleon First. A daughter of Mailliard's, Mrs. Geo. Simmons, who was a goddaughter of the Princess Charlotte, has an opal cross and ear-rings, of great value, presented by her godmother. The cross contains an opal an inch long, with two others one-half inch long, surrounded by twelve rubies set in gold. This set was a present to Charlotte from Bernadotte, King of Swe- den. Mrs. Mailliard has a gold watch and chain, the watch a present from Princess Charlotte, and the chain from Queen Julie. While living in Rome, Mrs. M. was intimately acquainted with Madame Letitia Ramolina, mother of Napoleon the Great, and visited her frequently. She was at that time 90 years old, and had seen her family rise until they ruled Europe, and saw their influence and power decline until all were exiles. Mr. M. oeenpied the posi- tion of purveyor of the household in the family of Joseph Bona- parte for several years, and was Captain of Militia under Louis Phillippe, having still the uniform he then wore. Mrs. M. was two years older than Princess Charlotte, and four years younger than her godmother Princess Zenaide, and was their companion and con- fidential maid until she and they reached years of maturity. On the death of Princess Charlotte she directed in her will that an annuity of $380 be paid to Mrs. Mailliard from her estate so long as she should live, and it is received promptly each year. Mr. Mailliard's brother, Louis, staid with Joseph Bonaparte until his death, and was executor of his will. He was also in the Franco- Prussian war, and was in Paris during the Siege, attending to the interests of Joseph Bonaparte's family, and sent out a letter by balloon to Mr. Mailliard, which was received. Mr. Mailliard is a hale old man, a little deaf, but quite jovial. Mrs. M. is also hearty and an entertaining old lady. The children are all married except Zenaide, who lives with and takes care of her parents.

Robert A. Mitchell, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O., Avon; was born in the Emerald Isle, Aug. 12, '29, and is the son of Chas. Mitchell, who came across the ocean with his family to Pennsyl- vania in 1831, thence to Ohio, and from thenee to Knox county, Ill., and in 1865, Mr. M. settled in Fulton county. He was married, April 12, '55, to Sarah Hendricks; she was born in Indiana, Aug. 21, '30. They had 12 children, of whom 10 are living, viz : Caro- line, Oliver, Stephen A., Henry, George, Elizabeth, Silas, Emma, Mary and Robert. Mr. M. owns between 400 and 500 acres of land.

Rev. Amos Morey, son of John Morey, was born Sept. 16, '12, on the Penobscot river, in what was then the Territory of Maine.

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

His parents removed with their family in 1815 to Oneida county, N. Y., thence to Huron county, Ohio, in 1831, and in 1837 Mr. M. came to Fulton county. In 1838 he hauled wheat to Chicago, sold it for 50 cents a bushel. He was married Sept. 16, '33, to Lydia H. Wright, by whom he had 10 children. Mrs. M. died April 8, '76, and he again married, Oct. 22, '76, to Elizabeth J. (Shoemaker) Lit- tle. They are members of the M. E. Church ; was Pastor of the Avon M. E. Church last year ; is now a superanuated minister. His son Geo. M. is Pastor of the M. E. Church at Millersburg, and was Pastor of the M. E. Church at Lewistown 2 years. His daughter Emily E. is the wife of Rev. George W. Martin, Pastor of the Prairie City M. E. Church. His son, Amos F., is patentee of Morey's iron truck and of a sulky attachment for plows.

Thomas Pool, son of John and Elizabeth (Fulton) Pool; was born in La Porte county, Ind., March 31, '33; removed with his parents to Montgomery county, Ind,, in 1837, thence to Wayne Co., Ind., in 1840, and to this county in 1843. He served 3 years in the Rebellion, in Co. I., 72d Ill. Inf., and was in the siege of Vicks- burg, and the battles of Champion Hills, Mobile, Franklin and Nashville ; was married Jan. 16, '57, to Charlotte Leeper, in Fair- view township. They have had 7 children, 6 of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Pool be- gan in life poor, and has gained a large farm which is well improved and stocked. His brother, Joseph Pool, went to California in 1858, and died there in 1859. Mrs. Pool's brother, John Leeper, married a sister of Gov. Cullom. P. O., Avon.

A. P. Potter, farmer ; P. O., Avon ; son of Nathan B. and Lucy (Northrop) Potter ; was born in Sussex county., N. J., Jan. 21, '27, and came to this county in 1858. He enlisted, Aug. 22, '62, in the late war, and was discharged June 29, '65; was taken prisoner near Scottsborough, and afterward exchanged. He has held local offices, Mr. P. was married Jan. 26, '48, to Elizabeth B. Crate, of New Jersey, by whom he had 10 children ; 7 of them are living. E. V. C. and Lucy D. are married. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. P. has cleared over 100 aeres of land in the timber.

Alrah S. Richardson was born in Harrison Co., Md., Sept. 8, '36, and is the son of Pliny and Elizabeth (Pierce) Richardson, who started West in an ox wagon when Mr. R. was but 10 days old, and settled in Knox Co., Ill. Mr. Richardson was educated in the common schools of Knox Co., and settled in this county in 1868; was married, April 1, '57, to Ann Eliza Dagget, by Chas. B. Housh, J. P., in Warren Co. Mrs. R. was born in Knox county April 1, '39. They are the parents of 11 children, of whom 9 are living,-Eden S., Samuel A., Rodrie R., Sarah E., Harmonia, Christina W., Minerva C., Orpha D., and John P. They are Uni- versalists. He is a farmer and stock-raiser. P. O., Avon.

Gen. Leonard F. Ross. This well-known and distinguished gen- tleman is a native son of Fulton Co., having been born at Lewis-

894

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

town, July 18, '23. His father, Ossian M. Ross, was the founder of Lewistown, and figured very prominently in the early history of the county. His mother, Mary Ross, nee Winans, died in Peoria in 1875, at the ripe old age of 82. The General received most of his education in his father's private school, tutored by Chas. E. Blood, who since died in Knox Co. He attended Illinois College, at Jack- sonville, one year. He was the first Secretary of the Fulton Co. Agricultural Society, and the first President of the Avon Agri- cultural Society. During the Mexican war the General served as Lieutenant of Co. K, 4th Ill. Inf. He has in his possession a blood-stained sword taken at Cerro Gordo. Mr. R. organized the first company (Co. H, 17th Ill. Inf.) that went from Fulton county during the Rebellion. Of this company he was chosen captain, but upon arrival in camp he was elected Colonel, and in April, 1862, was promoted to Brigadier General. He participated in some of the most hotly contested engagements during the entire struggle for Union and supremacy of the General Government, and by superior judgment and having the unshaken confidence of his men, won some great victories. Prior to the war he was a Democrat, politie- ally, but took a determined stand for the Union, and won laurels while defending it that will cause his name to live through future ages in American history. He then acted with the Republican party until the "salary grab" in 1872, when he affiliated with the Independents until, recently, he returned to the Republican party. Besides occupying responsible positions in both the Mexican and civil wars, Mr. Ross has filled the offices of Probate Justice and County Clerk of Fulton Co., also Police Magistrate, Collector of Internal Revenue, Supervisor and minor positions. He was twice defeated for Congress, but was a strong candidate for his ticket. He never sought any office except that of County Clerk. He was married to Catharine M. Simms Nov. 13, 1845. She bore him 7 children. He married a second wife in the person of Mary E. Warren Jan. 10, 1865, by whom he has 4 children. Of all his children 1 is living. The General is engaged in farming and breed- ing Devon cattle. He has some fine herds, some of which took the premium last year (1878) at the St. Louis National Fair, and some at the Illinois State Fair. P. O., Avon.

David M. Stump, dealer in agricultural implements, Avon, is one of the leading and representative men of this township.

Stephen Tompkins, merchant, Avon, is a son of Brownell Tomp- kins, and was born Jan. 17, 1815, in Madison Co., N. Y .; removed to Galesburg, Ill., and entered the farm he now owns adjoining Avon, and a portion of the present town plat of Avon, in '37, and in '38 removed to his land and began improving it. Mr T. is a much married man, having married three sisters : Mary F., Ethel- inda G. and Julia P. Woods. His love affairs are rather sadly romantic. He first became attached to Mary, and as her father was about to start to this country, Mr. T. could not think of forever

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

parting with the one he so dearly loved, hence he also started for Illinois, but was permitted to live but a short time with her until she was called away by death. He shortly afterward married Eth- elinda, who also died in a short time. He then returned to the house of his double father-in-law and took the remaining daughter, with whom he has since happily lived. They have had 8 children born to them,-7 boys and one girl, 4 of whom are living. When he first settled here he followed shoemaking and began keeping a few groceries, after which he established the first store in Avon, and is still in business in this place with his sons, Albert B. and Stephen L. In '41 he erected a tannery, which he operated for several years; and in 1856 built the Avon flouring-mill, at a cost of $20,000.

Joshua G. Walker, farmer, P. O., Avon ; son of Hugh Walker, was born in Lewis county, Ky., Oct. 6, 1831. His parents brought him to this country when but 4 years old ; received his education in a log school-house with paper windows and slab benches ; has served the people as Supervisor of Union township: is now one of the Trustees of Hedding College, Abingdon. He was married March 28, 1854, to Minerva Brown, who was born in Fulton county, June 18, 1831. They have had 9 children, eight of whom are living. Both are members of the M. E. Church. Mrs. W.'s grandfather, Samuel Barrows, served in the war of the Revolution, and she still preserves a lock of his silver hair, which was black when taken from his head. She also preserves his wine vessel, which is in the shape of a barrel, and holds about a pint.

George Woods was born in Sullivan, N. Y., June 5, 1831, and is the son of Asa Woods, who came to this county with his family in 1836. They came in a two-horse wagon, and were on the road six weeks, and the old gentleman was sick nearly the entire time. Asa Woods' brother, Salem Woods, came to MeDonough Co., Ill., in 1831, and still lives on the farm he first entered. The subject of this sketch, Mr. George Woods, attended the first school in Union township. It was taught by a Mr. Davis. He was married, Dec. 20, 1854, to Sarah A. Parkin, who is a native of England, and was born July 4, 1832. They have 5 children, 1 boy and 4 girls. Mr. W. is engaged in farming. P. O., Avon.

TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.

SUPERVISORS.

L. H. Bradbury. 1850

Thomas Vandecar. 1864

J. G. Gallet ...

1851

D. H. Gorham

1865-67

L. H. Bradbury

1852

F. H. Merrill. 1868-69

S. Babbitt.

1853

Leonard F. Ross.

1870

John Gallet.

1854

J. G. Walker.

1871

James Robb.

1855

Silas Babbitt

1872

D. M. Stump. 1856

L. H. Hewett

1873

M. Gutridge

1857-58

James T. Staggs 1874-75

Robert W. Townsend.

1859

James F. Mings

1876-77

Isaac Cunningham.

1861-62

Frederick H. Merrill

1878-79

Stephen Tompkins.

1863

896

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

TOWN CLERKS.

Isaac F. Babbitt.

1850-52

H. V. D. Voorhees. 1863-71

A. Baldwin.

1853-54

A. J. Churchill.

1872-75

George Simmons

1855-60

Mark Ullery

1876-77

Thomas Crabb.

1861

George W. Abbott 1878

Naaman Snively

1862

James R. Shawcross

1879

ASSESSORS.

F. H. Roby

1850

L. McGarraugh 1864

Ansting Mattingly

1851

M. Head

1865

Isaac Babbitt

1852

L. R. Thorp

1866-67

E. M. Clements.

1853

Giles Crissey

1868

J. Mings

1854-55

George Simmons 1869

Isaac Babbitt.

1856

Jerome B. Hatch

1870-71

D. C. Woods

1857

James Staggs.

1872

P. H. Smith

18558

M. R. Gutridge

1873

George Simmons.

1859

J. W. Fisher.

1874

E. M. Clements

1860

James F. Mings

1875

J. M. Mattingly

1861-62

D. H. Gorham

1876-79

D. H. Gorham

1863

COLLECTORS.

George R. Tippett

1850-51

L. R. Thorp. 1868-69

Isaac Cunningham

1852-53

Chas. Edmonson

1870

George Simmons.

1854

John W. Thorp.

1871

Isaac Cunningham

1855-58

L. A. Hall.

1872

W. S. Woods

1859-60

W. B. Stoddard

1873-74

Oliver Crissey ..

1861-62

A. B. McFarland

1875

A. Harrod.

1863

Geo. Simmons.

1876

James McGowen

1864

M. F. Shawcross.

1877

David Armstrong.

1:65

Luther J. Adams

1878

Wm. Stewart.

1866

John M. Heller.

1879

Job Babbitt

1867

VERMONT TOWNSHIP.

One of the best improved townships in Fulton county is the one the history of which we now write; yet to attempt a history of the township separate and distinct from that of the town would be to recapitulate or repeat in a great measure what is to be said of the town of Vermont. Hence with a few references to some of the leading historical items of the township, we will pass to the history of the town.

It is probable that Moses Davis was the first settler to locate in the township, who came as early as 1832 and erected his cabin one- half mile southwest of where the town of Vermont is located. The first Church was that of the Protestant Methodist denomination, and was organized in 1843. The society erected a building the same year. The first school-house was built in 1836 on the Public Square in Vermont. It was constructed of hewn logs. James Spicer taught the first school in the same year. The first saw-mill in the township was built by JJob Bogue in 1838 or '39. The first grist-mill was built by Rhodes Dilworth in Vermont in 1840. The first tannery was erceted by James Boyle in 1843. On the farm of Jonathan Bogue stands the first barn that was ever erected in the township. It was built by Jesse Cox about the time of Job Bogue's settlement in this township.

By 1844 there were quite a number of settlers in the tp. Among them were Isaac Cadwallader, John Evans, the Deane family, Stephen Lindsey, Josiah Zull, Thomas Holmes, J. P. and J. W. Powell, Wm. Marshall, Mr. Chaddock and others.

At this date and previously there were no frame houses in the township and very little land under cultivation, and supplies for settlers were obtained at Lewistown and St. Louis. A horse-mill located on Spoon river and a little water mill on Potatoe creek, built by Mr. P. Williams in 1832, supplied the settlers with their grist. Considerable time, however, was consumed by the pioneers in se- curing a sufficient quantity of meal to run the family larder.

As immigration set in rapidly westward, the township soon be- came thiekly settled by an industrious, energetic people whose en- terprise has brought Vermont to the front rank among the townships of the county. Among the leading farmers of Vermont township outside the town who have contributed most largely to the devel- opment of the resources of the county, we mention the names of Jonathan Bogue, T. C. Robinson, Joseph Robinson, J. W. Robin-

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

son, J. H. Marshall, John Fleming, Samuel Etnier, Isaac Cadwalla- der, Abraham Kost, Granville Wright, Nicholas Hipsley, J. D. and Geo. W. Powell, Reuben Kinsey (who planted the first vineyard), Charles Russell, Evan Fremont, Thos. Holmes and others.

The simplicity of agricultural implements in early days may be more readily conceived from the following incidents, as related by W. G. Clark : The old wooden mold-board plow then in general use would not scour in the tough prairie soil, and Talman Litchfield, disgusted at having to clean his plow every rod or two, offered to deed 50 acres of land to any one who would produce a plow that would scour itself. Mr. Clark, who was then in very limited cir- cumstances, thought this an excellent opportunity to obtain some real estate without expense, and accordingly he and Warren Vail, a blacksmith, manufactured one which was very similar to those now in use. It worked exceedingly well, keeping itself perfectly bright. This was the first really improved plow in Vermont township. Mr. Litchfield was now asked to fulfill his agreement and deed the land ; but this he refused to do. Consequently a lawsuit was under- taken, and a sort of moek trial was had in the old log school-house at Vermont, where much joking, laughing speech-making and flow- ing of whisky ended the contest.

As illustrative of the happiness of some of the pioneers, the fol- lowing was told by Mr. Cassidy, of this township: During the earli- est settlement of this country there dwelt at Barker's Grove a man named Osborn, who lived alone in a small cabin. When the deep snow of 1830-1 fell his humble abode was almost obliterated under a heavy drift of snow. As the snow remained upon the ground for several months, some of those who had settled in his vicinity be- came uneasy about him; and having discussed the matter among themselves, they determined to rescue the man or furnish him pro- visions. Accordingly several citizens, laden with provisions, made their way over the crust that had formed upon the snow to his cabin. When within a short distance of his house, they heard the sound of a violin, and when they entered the rude home, the supposed corpse, or at least invalid, was found with his face wreathed in smiles and enjoying the sweet strains of his violin, and his only visible means of support was one, solitary half-gallon of corn meal.

VERMONT.

This is one of the most attractive and beautifully situated towns in Fulton county. It contains many as handsome residences as can be found anywhere in this part of the State. As an old land-mark of this county, the history of its growth, past and present, will no doubt be appreciated by those who have been instrumental in its growth and by those whose settlement in the county has been of recent date. As much of our history is obtained from the original pioneers who came from the sunny South and the enterprising East,

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

we shall, before entering upon any detailed description of Vermont, mention the names and dates of arrival of many whose honorable record and business thrift have made them respected in the com- munity, where many years of trying and eventful life have brought them their reward.

James J. Crail came here in March, 1833, and settled permanent- ly in 1834; Joab Mershon located here during the autumn of 1838, James Dilworth in 1837, Henry Nelson in 1836, Eliakim Kirkbride in 1839, Ezra Dilworth in 1837, Dr. Wm. H. Nance in 1841, S. F. Hoopes in 1841, James A. Russell in 1847, Col. Thos. Hamer in 1845, Edward and Patterson Hamer in 1854, Cephas Toland about the year 1841, Emer Dilworth in 1837, Robert Dilworth was born in the township in 1833 and was brought into town in 1839, Ed- ward Webster settled here in 1850, and others.

James and Joseph Crail were the founders of Vermont. They were Kentnekians by birth and came from Indiana to Vermont in 1833, as above stated, but did not locate permanently until the fol- lowing year. They had purchased an 80-acre tract of land, which is now within the corporate limits of the town; and seeing the ne- cessity of a town in this part of the county, they determined on founding one. Assisted by Jonas Rawalt, County Surveyor, who at present resides in Orion township, in 1835 they began a preliminary survey for the town, and ere long the 80 acres just mentioned was platted into town lots. These lots sold quite readily and at fair prices to the few pioneers who then dwelt within the limits of Ver- mont township. Jas. Crail built the first dwelling, which was a small frame building, and is now occupied by Mrs. Margaret Collins. Mr. Joseph Crail, a brother of the well-known James J. Crail who resides in Vermont, and who died in Kansas several years ago, erected the second residence. The first store building was rected in 1837 by Mr. G. Reeves.

Digressing a little from detailing first occurrences, we will relate the circumstances under which Vermont was named. In early day the " little brown jug " was thought to be an indispensable article among the pioneers. Mr. Crail was at a loss to know what the name of the town should be. At the general sale of lots, which was held shortly after the laying out of the town, much discussion and jesting was indulged in on this point; for, be it known, the early settlers were inveterate jokers, and they never lost an oppor- tunity for a little fun. Abitha Williams, said to be an eccentric character, proposed to Mr. Crail that if the naming of the town was left to him he would see that a gallon of whisky would be forthcoming. The proposition was accepted and the bidders for lots when they were sold partook freely, and then, as now, no doubt, some felt considerably exhilarated. Mr. Williams was a native of the Green Mountain State, and accordingly selected for the name of the town " Vermont," in honor of his State. Jonas Rawalt, the surveyor, had suggested the name of " Meridian," owing, no doubt,

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

to his knowledge of latitude and longitude, and as the town was located only one-half a mile from the fourth principal meridian.

During the autumn of 1837 Wm. Dilworth and Jesse Cox set- tled in the township, and the following year moved into the village. There were at that time perhaps a dozen buildings, log and frame, in the place. A postoffice, of course, was a necessity to the pioneers, and accordingly, in a rough round-log building in the vicinity of David Kirkbride's hotel, a postoffice was started. Wm. McCurdy and A. G. Frisbie were postmasters, and mail was carried once a week by A. G. Frisbie first, who made the trip to Bernadotte with a little mail bag thrown over his shoulders. After him James Crail was carrier. The trip was made on horseback, and often Mr. Crail carried the mail in his hat. The postage ranged according to dis- tance, from 6} cents to 25 cents on each letter. In those days let- ters were not enclosed in envelopes, but were folded and sealed in a mysterious way and bore an undisguised appearance of quiet dig- nity. Very often considerable skirmishing around had to be done by the settlers to procure the necessary 25 cents to get the long looked-for letter from relatives hundreds of miles away.

In 1837 there were three small general stores in the place. Trade was quite limited, and the three merchants did not continue in business a great length of time. Wm. Dilworth started a general merchandise store in 1840, and the same year Rhodes Dilworth built the first steam mill, which is supposed to be the first in the Military Tract. Customers came from a distance of 50 or 60 miles to this mill. Goods were purchased from St. Louis, transported to the most convenient landings on the river and hauled from there in wagons. During the winter of 1838 salt sold as high as 6} cents per pound ; subsequently it sold readily for 8 cents per pound. It was not long before the increased immigration began to tell upon the business and prosperity of the town. In 1838 Joab Mershon, poor and unknown, entered the town, and for several years engaged in shoemaking. In 1841, with a light capital but an abiding faith in the future prosperity of the town, he entered into business, erect- ing a two-story brick building on the east side of the Square. This was at the time the only store in the place, and from the start Mr. Mershon transacted a very good business. The following year Enos Monohan, a Christian preacher, bought a small building south of town and entered into competition with Mr. Mershon.

Previous to 1850 the several merchants of the place, besides those we have mentioned, were Edward Stapleford, who kept a general store, John J. Lynn and James Dilworth. In 1842 the American House was built by the present proprietor and J. W. Kelly. It was then 18 by 20 feet, and two stories in height, and ereeted of brick. It was looked upon by the citizens with something akin to pride. In 1840 a grist-mill was built by Rhodes Dilworth and William Fellon, west of the Square, 40 by 40 feet. This was a three-story frame building, and was really the main stay and hope of the town

901

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

for some time. It brought many customers from the remote parts of this and adjoining counties, to the joy of its enterprising proprie- tors. About this time James Boyle erected a small building, and in connection with Robert Anderson built a tannery, which estab- lishment boasted bnt little of the modern and improved machinery of this day, the process of tanning then requiring weeks. Being only moderately successful, they sold to Cephas Toland, who trans- acted quite a large and successful business. Still a second tannery was found to be necessary,-at least it was thought so. The pro- prietors of this one were Heizer & Stevens, who built a tan-yard in the western part of town.

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History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 89

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Peoria : C.C. Chapman & co. Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Peoria : C.C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 1096