History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 10

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois > Part 10

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

removed to a place on what is now known as Dorsey's branch, then known as Ballard's branch, but shortly after- wards left the county.

Mathew Cowan, who had settled in Madison county, in 1812, came to Jer- sey county in 1822, and made a settlement within the limits of Ruyle township where he lived for many years. He was a native of Virginia and died a resident of Jersey county. He was known by the nickname of "Doc- tor," and for many years had spells of insanity, but was capable of doing busi- ness between them.

John Falkner came to this county in 1823, and purchased the place on sec- tion 30, occupied by John Ballard, and commenced to open up a farm. He was a native of Pennsylvania and an excel- lent farmer. He was frozen to death in the winter of 1824-25.

John C. Whitlock was one of the pioneers of 1823, coming to Jersey county, and locating in what has since been known as Ruyle township. He was a native of the "Old Dominion"- Virginia, but came here from Kentucky. He died sometime in 1879.

William Gillham, the father of John D., following his son, came into the county in 1823, and made a settlement in Mississippi township, on section 29, where he died two years afterward.

Mrs. Jane Gillham, a widow with her family, came from South Carolina, in 1823. and made a settlement on section 28, in what is now Mississippi town- ship. She died here about the year 1828.

Thomas MeDow, a native of South Carolina, came here from Missouri, and settled on section 32, Mississippi town-

ship, in 1823. He had, previous to going to Missouri, lived on the Ameri- can Bottom, being one of the pioneers of the state, where he was married in 1819, to Mary L. Lofton. He died a resident of this county in 1874.

Jacob Cummings settled on section 15, in the year 1823. He was from Madison county, and made an entry of his lands, shortly after coming here. He lived and died a resident of this county from that time on. The last event took place in 1825.

John Findley located on section 22, in Mississippi township, in the fall of 1823, but after a year's stay sold out and moved from the county.

A settlement was made by William G. Waddle, in 1823, on Section 33, Missis- sippi township. He was a native of South Carolina, but raised in Madison county, this state. He lived and died a resident of the county.

Ashur Chase is numbered among the early settlers of Mississippi township, locating there, on the Stone place, in 1823. He afterwards moved to Knox county, and a few years ago was alive. With him came his father, Abel, who is numbered among the oldest settlers. The latter died a resident of this county.

John N. English, still a resident of the county, made his settlement in Jer- sey county in 1824. A sketch of him occurs further on.

Mathew Darr came to Jersey county in 1824. He had been running a horse mill on the American Bottom, but lik- ing the looks of this county, came here and purchased the farm of John Thorn- ton, in English township. He resided here until 1853, when he was removed by the hand of death.

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

John MeDow, father of Thomas, came in 1824, and settled on section 23, on land now owned by Joseph Knight. He came from South Carolina, and was a powder maker by trade, having owned a mill in that state. He lived on the old homestead in this township, until his death, in 1835.

Thomas Cummings, a brother of Ja- cob's, made a settlement just east of the latter in the fall of 1824. He died a resident of this place. His descend- ants are among the citizens of the county.

Orman Beeman, in the fall of 1824, made another settler of the county, locating on seetion 30, in Mississippi township. He was a native of South Carolina. He died here at an advanced age, about eight years ago.

With Orman Beeman came a man by the name of M. Griffith, who made a settlement.

Joah White, a blacksmith by trade, made his appearance in Mississippi township in the spring of 1824, and settled upon the northeast quarter of section 30, and opened a forge, which was the first in the county. He died a resident of this county. He was a na- tive of North Carolina.

James Hinson made a settlement in what is now Mississippi township in 1824. He died on the homestead which he took up then, and all of his children have followed him to the land of shad- ows.

Alexander P. Seott and David Gilbert made settlements and eleared land in the woods of Rosedale township, about the year 1824 or 1825. Here they lived for many years.

Robert Latham, a North Carolinian,

eame to Jersey county in 1825, and set- tled in Jersey township, where he lived for many years. He died at his resi- denee here in 1885. He was a bachelor, and disposed of his property to schools, churches, and relatives.

John Ryan was a settler of 1825, in Mississippi township. He located at first, about five miles southeast of Jer- seyville, on the Caleb Stone place, but afterwards removed to the neighbor- hood of Carrollton. In 1840, he re- turned to this county, and settled on section 27, Ruyle township. Here he died, January 27, 1865.

John R. Caldwell came to Jersey county about the fall of 1828, and set- tled within the limits of what is now Mississippi township.

Gregg McDaniel settled on Otter creek, on section 7, in the fall of 1828, and died there in 1859.

A. Carson made a settlement in Mis- sissippi township, about 1826.

James Falkner settled on the present site of the town of Jerseyville, in 1826, and lived here until about 1830 or 1831, when he removed to Quiney.

Francis Swan, a native of North Car- olina, made a settlement in Mississippi township in 1826, where he lived until his death, in 1850.

James Dabbs, a native of South Caro- lina, moved thence to Barren county, Ky., several years after his marriage, which oceurred in 1802. There he re- sided until 1819, when he came to Illi- nois, and settled on Wood river, north of Upper Alton. In 1826, he came to Jersey county, and located on what is now the MeAdams farm, but in 1829 or 1830, he removed on seetion 9, of Otter creek township, where he resided until

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

his death, which occurred December 19, 1841. With him came his brother, Samuel Dabbs.

Charles Dodson settled on section 31, Mississippi township during the year 1828, where he resided severel years. He was a son-in-law of Judge Lofton. He afterwards went to Greene county, where he died.

John Stafford settled in Rosedale township in 1828. He was well known to the early settlers, and died on the old homestead, in 1865.

In 1828, William Starr, Coe Edsall, R. C. Baugh and James Perry made set- tlements in Rosedale township. James Perry removed from the county years ago, and Baugh, Starr and Edsall died here, after lengthy residences.

Jesse C. Ennis first settled just west of Jerseyville in 1828, and afterward moved to Rosedale township, settling on section 16, near a spring of water. He and his wife died about 1833, and were buried in Rosedale cemetery, being the first interment therein. They were natives of Tennessee. Mr. Ennis, while a strictly honest, conscientious man, was rather noted in this locality for his aptitude for pretty tough yarns. One of these was, in describing the timber of this country, he said that he had cut down a sumach tree, from which he split out some fourteen joists for a honse. At another time he related a long story about taking the fiddle and sitting down near some rocks com- menced to play, whereupon thousands of snakes came out of their dens, as they will, and that laying about with a club he killed some three thousand of them. Many other stories he did tell all dealing in the same exaggerations.

Gregg MeDaniels and family settled in Otter Creek township, in the spring of 1828, locating on section 7, where Charles MeDaniels now lives.

In 1828, Jasper M. Terry, afterwards associate justice of this county, lo- dated on section 24, in Otter Creek township. He died in 1876. He is noticed at length in connection with his official position further on.

Amos Lynn and Enoch Spaulding, in 1828, settled in what is now Rosedale township, where they lived many years.

Richard and Samuel Rhoads came to what is now Jersey county in 1828, and made settlements. Both these gentle- men were natives of Kentucky, and located in what is now Ruyle township.

John Hart made a settlement in Eng- lish township, in 1828, and in 1829, opened a small stock of goods in his cabin. He remained here a few years, when he left for other scenes.

· W. D. F. Słaten made a settlement in the present township of Quarry, in March, 1829.

Ezekiel Chance, a North Carolinian, came to Jersey county from Madison county in 1829, and settled in Otter Creek township, but two years later set- tled in Richwoods township, where he died about 1879.

With Mr. Chance, came Maurice Armstrong, who was in partnership with Mr. Chance, but in 1831 they dis- solved this and moving to Richwoods, settled down as neighbors. Mr. Arm- strong was a very prominent figure in the county in those early days. He re- moved from here to Montgomery county, but later to Girard, Macoupin county, where he died. ITis son is a prominent merchant in that city at the present.

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Elias and William Palmer made a settlement in what is now Ruyle town- ship, in 1829. They were fr n Ver- mont, of which state they were natives. William located on section 13. He died on this farm afterwards.

In 1829 Tarlton F. Brock settled on section 25, in Otter Creek township. His biography is given elsewhere.

Elijah Brown made a settlement in Otter Creek, also, in 1829. He after- wards removed to Greene county, where he died.

During the years 1830-31, John D. Combs, David and George Settlemier, James Cummings, Benjamin J. Harri- son, William Harrison and Joseph An- drews also made settlements in Piasa township, in Jersey county, and are numbered among the gallant pioneers of this section of the state. John D. Combs has long been numbered with the dead. His widow married Levi McNeil. George and David Settlemier emigrated to Oregon. James Cummings moved to Montgomery county, locating in Litchfield.

A. L. Carpenter and wife settled on the site of the town of Jerseyville, pur- chasing the "Old Red House," a stage- ing station, or inn, on the present site of the Cheney mansion, as is more fully detailed in the account of the his- tory of that town.

James B. Pinckard, Levi McNeil, Jo- seph Richardson and Samuel Clarke made settlement in what is now Piasa township in 1830, among the first in that section of the county.

William Phillips settled upon section 25, Fidelity township, in 1830, where he resided some years. He has since died.

Rev. George Slaten made a settlement in this county in the spring of 1829. He was a minister of the M. E. church. He located in Mississippi township, where he resided until the day of his death, in 1844.

Dr. Silas Hamilton was a settler of this county during the year 1830, com- ing to what is now Otter Creek town- ship in the spring of that year. He was a practicing physician. He died in 1834.

James Derick and Solomon Dixon both made settlements near Otterville, during the year 1830. The latter died in 1830; Derrick moved to Missouri. He was a member of Captain Carlin's company of militia, in the Black Hawk war.

James Richey came to Jersey county in 1836, and made a settlement in Ruyle township. He was a Kentuckian by birth.

William Hamilton, a brother of Dr. Silas Hamilton, with his three sons, came to Jersey county in the fall of 1830, and located on section 13, Otter Creek township. He died in 1846, in Calhoun county.

William Moore made a permanent settlement on section 20, in Jersey town- ship in 1831, but came to the county two years earlier, living in Mississippi town- ship until then. He was frozen to death during the winter of 1835-6.

After this the settlement grew more rapidly, and many sought this paradise on earth. The details of the settlement of these and many other pioneers will be given at length in connection with the histories of the several townships, where biographical sketches of many of them are given.

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

HISTORIC ITEMS.

The oldest living white child born in Jersey county was J. T. Grimes, com- monly known as " Tram" Grimes. He was born Jan. 20, 1820, and is a son of Philip Grimes. J. T. now lives about one mile northwest of Jerseyville.

The first child born in the county is believed to have been a daughter of James and Julia Moffit, born in 1819. It lived only a short time, when it died.

The third white child born in Jersey county was Thomas Edward Carroll, son of Edward and Mary C. Wright Carroll. He was born on the 2d day of Feb., 1820, about three weeks after the birth of the second white child. He now lives near the east line of Macoupin county, not far from Litchfield, Ill.

The first death in the county was that of Thomas Carroll, which occurred in July or Aug., 1819. The family of his brother Edward had come to the county, the year before, and settled in what is now Elsah township. Thomas had been keeping store in St. Louis before coming here, to live with his brother Edward. Not two months had elapsed after his arrival in the county, until he had con- tracted an illness which speedily re- sulted in his death. His body was placed in a skiff, and taken down to St. Louis for burial. He was the youngest brother of Edward Carroll.

The pioneer store of Jersey county was established in the latter part of 1829, at the foot of the bluff on which the town of Eminence was laid out, by Henry Mills, who had been running a store across the river at Portage des Sioux, in St. Charles county, Mo.

The second store was that of John Hart, in English township, in 1829.

The third store in the county is be- lieved to have been opened in 1830, by Woodbury Massey, at Mason's landing, but in 1831 moved to the forks of Otter Creek. He remained here but a short time when he removed to Galena, where he was wantonly murdered by two men by the name of Smith, in Sep- tember, 1835. The cause of dispute was a lead mine that Massey was oper- ating at the time. Henry L. Massey, a brother of Woodbury's, shot the elder Smith down upon the street, and Louisa Massey, a sister of the murdered man, arming herself, called Smith out of a store or saloon, discharged the pistol into his breast, and he likewise was called to his long account. Publie opin- ion being in favor of Miss Massey, no action of any moment was taken by the authorities.

The first postoffice in what is now Jersey county was established at Emi- nence, in Elsah township. Isaac N. Piggott was the first postmaster.

Tarlton F. Brock was the second postmaster in the county, having charge of Otter Creek postotlice.

Both Otter Creek and Eminence post- offices were discontinued, and one was established at Newbern, with Jacob Lurton as postmaster.

In the year 1821, John L. Evans built a grist and saw mill on the Macoupin creek, on Sec. 33 or 34, T. 9, R. 13, This was a sash saw, and grist mill and had two run of five foot buhrs. One run of these buhrs is in C. C. Buzby's mills in Fieldon, at the present time. This on the authority of Moses Ward, of the latter village.

William Kelley was the first person married in the county by a Catholic

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

priest, the event occurring in 1839, · Rev. Father Hamilton officiating.

First blacksmith shop in county by Josiah White on section 30, Mississippi township. Established about the year 1824.

Gregg McDaniel erected a grist mill run by water power, in the county, and also the first saw mill. The saw mill was built in 1828, and was located on seetion 7, Otter Creek township, on the south bank of Otter creek. The grist mill was erected in the spring of 1830, on the opposite bank of the creek. The dam afterwards washed away, and as steam mills were then being built in this vicinity, the damage was not re- paired, and the mills were allowed to go to decay.

The second grist mill erected, actual- ly within the present limits of Jersey county, was that of Major Gershom Patterson. It stood right east of what is now known as the John Brown place, about two miles from Jerseyville, and was built in 1828. The grinding ma- chinery was operated by a treadmill run by cattle. It would grind about 30 bushels per day. He had a small bolter, which turned by hand, but the wheat- was generally not cleaned before grind- ing, and the bolter, working very slow- ly, the bran generally had to be separa-

ted from the flour by the customer him- self, after arriving at home.

The first brick house built in the county was that of Gershom Patterson. It was built about 1827, and was blown down by a wind storm in the spring of 1830.

The briek house of J. D. Gillham, built in 1828, was the second brick house in the county.

James Redden and Nancy Bates, then residents of what is now Jersey county, were one of the first couples in the early settlement to be married. Greene county (Jersey was then a part of Greene) had just been set off from Mad- ison, and no court was yet organized in Greene. So, Redden went to Edwards- ville, got a license in Madison county, and then came back to get his intended bride. They traveled on horseback un- til sure they were in Madison county, then lighted a fire under a large tree and were there married by a justice of the peace. They then went back to Bates' to live.

John Clark, a Baptist, was one of the early preachers. He went about on foot ministering to the spiritual wants of the pioncers. He is described as a tremen- dous tobacco chewer, though this in no wise interfered with his efficiency as a minister of the Gospel.

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

CHAPTER V.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

When the state of Illinois was ad- mitted into the Union as a great sover- eign state, in December, 1818, the terri- tory now known as Jersey county was a part of Madison county, that then stretched away north to Chicago. In 1820, the inhabitants of this and Greene county put forth an effort for a sepa- rate organization, and the matter was brought to the attention of the legisla- ture, that convened at Vandalia, in the winter of 1820-21. In accordance with the wishes of the people, an act was passed, organizing the county of Greene, which was approved by Governor Bond, January 20, 1821. This sub-division was made to include the present counties of Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan and Seott, and was named in honor of Gen- eral Nathaniel Greene, of revolutionary fame. For a history of the government while Jersey and Greene counties re- mained as one, the reader is referred to the history of Greene county, in this volume. But that no item of history may be lost, it would be well in this connection to briefly mention some of the minor events that occurred in this end of Greene county. It is of record that in 1821, the court laid the county off into military districts, for militia purposes; these were called company districts. The first district comprised what are now the townships of Quarry,

Elsah, Rosedale, Otter Creek, Missis- sippi and Piasa, and an election for officers -- one captain, one lieutenant and one ensign-was ordered, and John D. Gillham, John Waddle and Samuel Kinkead were authorized to act as judges of election. The second district was also in this county, and embraced the present townships of Richwoods, English, Jersey and Fidelity, and Ger- shom Patterson, William Adair and Nathaniel Rowdon were appointed as judges ef election. At the same time, Ira Kelly, Samuel Kinkead and Jehu Brown were recommended to the gov- ernor, Shadrach Bond, as suitable per- sons for the offices of justice of the peace. Jurors were also selected at this term of the county court, to serve as such at the next meeting of the circuit court, and among those drawn were the names of the following residents of what is now Jersey county: Ezekiel Gilham, William Davidson, Gershom Patterson, John D. Gilham, James Whitesides and Philip Grimes. The first probate judge of the double county was John G. Lof- ton, who received $30.12} for his ser- vices, and $5 for recording deeds. Among the jurors for the spring term of 1822 were the following residents of what is now Jersey county: Edward Carroll, Joseph White, Robert Avery, Joseph Piggott and John Gunterman.

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

As the southern part of Greene county increased in population, the idea of a separate organization began to en- ter into the minds of the people, and was agitated seriously. Greene county was at this time represented in the gen- eral assembly by two members, one of whom it was the custom to elect from the territory south of Macoupin creek. In 1838, Edward Daley was the member from this section, and it is somewhat due to his exertions that the new county organization was effected. The people generally were in favor of it, Col. John N. English canvassing the county for signatures to a petition to be pre- sented to the legislature, in favor of the measure, securing several hundred names. Many people in Greene county were not averse to the measure, but some opposition was manifested in the town of Carrollton, the citizens fearing that taking off so large a portion from the south end of the county, the re- moval of the seat of justice from that place to a more centrally located one would soon ensuc. A vote on the question of separation was therefore taken, on the 5th of August, 1839, which resulted in 1,239 voting in favor of the erection of the new county, and 714 against it, a clear majority of 525 in its favor. So the separation took place. The larger part of the later emigration having come from the state of New Jersey, the new county was christened Jersey in honor of that noble state, and Jerseyville was elected the county seat without opposition. At this time the government of the eoun- ties of this state was vested in a county commissioners' court.

The first commissioners of the county

were Thomas Cummings, Solomon Cal- houn and Amos Pruitt, and the first court held by them was a special term, which met on Monday, Oct. 4, 1839, at Jerseyville, when all three of the commissioners were present. In the absence of the clerk eleet, who had not yet qualified for the office, the court appointed Robert L. Hill, as elerk pro tem., to hold the same until the duly elected clerk should file his bond and be sworn in, whereupon Robert Hill, filed his bond and entered upon the discharge of his duties. His bond, which was ordered to be recorded, was for the sum of $1,000, and was signed by Edward M. Daly, John Brown and Joseph Crabb, as sureties. The first business brought before the court was the appointment of trustees for the townships, and a county agent, Joseph Crabb, being the gentlemen selected to fill the latter position. Robert L. Hill was instructed to purchase a stove, and Edward M. Daly, the books, seals, papers, etc., necessary to carry on the various offices of the county govern- ment. It was also ordered:

"That Solomon Calhoun and Robert L. Will be appointed to contract for, and super- intend the erection of a building, to be located on the public square in Jerseyville, for the use of the county of JJersey, and to obtain from the trustees of Jerseyville a lease of the said square; the said building to be 18 feet square, and one story high, and to be built in a strong and workmanlike manner, and to be paid for out of the county treasury."

The second meeting of the county com- missioners' court was also a special one, held Oct. 28, 1839, when John R. Black, the newly elected county treasurer, filed his bond for $15,000 and qualified. His sureties were Joseph Crabb and E. Van

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Horn. At this meeting of the court the following were appointed as road super- visors of the various road districts of the county: John Utt, Joseph Duncan, Pol- lard Kirkland, John Gilworth, H. N. Belt, William Tompkins, George Stamps John Cowan, Joseph Crabb, George Set- tlemiers, Perley Silloway, Henry Rip- son, William MeDow, Thomas Cress- well, William Williams, Ezekiel Gil- Jam, John Simmons and Jacob Lurton.

Richard Graham, who had been eleet- ed to fill the office of clerk of the eom- missioners' court, eame forward, at this meeting, and filing his bond for one thousand dollars, with John Anderson and R. H. Van Dike as sureties, was duly qualified, and entered upon the discharge of his duties.

The first regular session of the com- missioner's court was held in Decem- ber, 1839, commencing on the 2d of that month. The house, contracted for by Messrs. Calhoun and Hill for the use of the county, having been finished by the contractor, Peyton C. Walker, it was received from his hands by the commissioners, and the clerk ordered to draw warrants for the sum of $220, in payment for the same.

Thomas Cummings having, with Chilton Smithe, been appointed a com- mittee to confer with the county com- missioners of Greene county, and to ad- just the claim of Jersey county to ap- portionment of the internal improve- ment fund, at this meeting presented a report stating that they had secured the sum of $6,000 and an agreement to make a final adjustment "under and after the eensus of 1840." Thomas Vance was at once appointed as an agent to loan this fund at a rate of 10 per

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 10

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150