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 33

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 33

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ELSAH PUBLIC SCHOOL.

The present school building was erected in the year 1857 by the late Gen. James Semple, who was a great friend of education. The building is a large stone structure, two stories high, and is 24x36 feet. The cost at that time was $2,833. After the district was formed the building was purchased from Gen. Semple by the board of directors. The

present teachers are Miss Minnie E. Lane, principal, and Miss Rosa V. Stroud, in the lower department. The school is considered to be in a flourish- ing condition, and with the present board of education will so continue.

CORNET BAND.

Notch Cliff cornet band was organized in 1879 with the following members: Jacob Spatz, Eb clarionet; Jacob C. Reintges, solo cornet; Edward Reed, Bb; J. B. Reintges, first alto; J. Dean, second alto; William Besterfeldt, bari- tone; Edward Besterfeldt, Eb tuba; H. Howard, bass drum; Cosmos Keller, snare drum. The first president of the organization was William Besterfeldt.

TOWN HALL.

A town hall for public meetings of all kinds was erected in 1884, and is now owned by Dr. B. F. Farley. It is a onc-story frame structure, 30x50 feet in dimensions, and was completed at a cost of about $1,000.

ELSAH ROLLER MILLS.

This flouring institution was con- structed in 1878 by MeAdams and Bley- ler and is 40x80 feet in ground area, three stories and a half high, with an engine room 30x35 feet in size. The machinery and fixtures were removed from Newbern, the engine being 50- horse power. The above named firm run the mill about one year, when it was purchased by Enos J. Doron, in Feb., 1879, who still owns and operates the same successfully. When the mill was first erected it was a buhr affair, but in the fall of 1882 it was remodeled by Mr. Doron to the roller system. The

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

mill has a eapacity of 200 barrels of flour per day, and is so situated that its shipping advantages are unsurpassed either by rail or water. It is in good repair, and is valued at $30,000. The mill proper was originally erected for an elevator and ware house in 1861, by a man named Pegram, of St. Louis, who was among the principal grain deal- ers of that city, at that time, and was provided with all the requirements of a first-class ware house.

Enos T. Doron, the proprietor of the Elsah Roller Mills, Jersey county, Ill., was born near the city of Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania, Sept. 17, 1830. His early life was spent in his native state. In 1848 he engaged as elerk in a wholesale hosiery establish- ment in Philadelphia, and in 1858, be- eame a partner in the same firm. He continued there in business until Jan. 1, 1871, when he retired from mercan- tile life. In 1879 he came to the village of Elsah and purchased the flouring mill, which in 1882 he remodeled. and added new machinery, increasing its capacity to 200 barrels per day. Mr. Doron was united in mar- riage Feb. 8, 1859, with Huldah H. Bedell, of Rochester, N. Y. They had two children-Charlie B., born May 28, 1860, and John B., born June 30, 1864. The latter died April 23, 1866. Mrs. Doron died in Germantown, Penn., May 20, 1873. Mr. Doron is a republi- can in polities, and an upright and worthy eitizen, as well as an enterpris- ing business man.

SOCIETIES. Elsah Lodge No. 269, I. O. O. F., was instituted in 1859. Among the

charter members were John H. Onetto, Addison Greene and Jacob Lurton. The lodge has had a prosperous existence, and is well fixed financially. They own the building in which their hall is situated, and rent a portion to the K. of P. and G. A. R. societies. The mem- bership is about 40. Being the first lodge in the south end of the county, it has been a mother lodge, three other lodges having drawn membership from her.

Black Cross Lodge, No. 106, K. of P., was instituted June 13, 1882, with 17 charter members. The following were the first officers of the lodge : Thomas F. Hansel, P. C .; William H. Bleyler, C. C .; William G. Onetto, V. C .; Jacob Kesler, P .; X. Schneider, M. of E .; Nathaniel Greene, M. of F .; Fred. W. White, M. at A .; Tony A. Brock, K. of R. and S .; John N. Warren, I. G .; Jacob C. Reintges, O. G. Those serving the lodge at present in an official position are Nathaniel Greene, P. C .; Charles B. Doron, C. C .; Edward M. Pinney, V. C .; X. Schneider, P .; C. Loehr, M. of E .; A. H. Stephany, M. of F .; John N. Warren, M. at A .; Fred. W. White, K. of R. and S .; Cosmos Keller, I. G .; William G. Onetto, O. G. The present membership numbers 22. The lodge, though small in number, has been active and interesting sinee its institution to all connected with it.

Rutherford Post, No. 206, G. A. R., was organized April 11, 1883, by John G. Maek. The first officers of the post were as follows : E. M. Pinney, C .; B. F. Slaten, S. V. C .; Lewis Keller, J. V. C .; William H. MeDow, Q. M .; William Marshaw, Chap .; L. C. Carrico, O. D .; N. Hartley, O. G .; J. K. Francis, Adjt .;

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Adam Lightner, Q. S .; Myron Hansell, Surg. The membership at present num- bers 62. The post rents the hall of the I. O. O. F. fraternity in which to hold their meetings. The present officers of the society are L. C. Carrico, C .; J. A. Chappee, S. V. C .; Lewis Keller, J. V. C .; E. M. Pinney, Q. M .; W. D. Col- lins, O. D .; J. A. Dabbs, O. G .; Perry Spangle, Chap .; P. W. Dougherty, Adjt .; I. M. Free, Surg .; T. A. Palmer, Q. S. The charter members of the or-

ganization were E. M. Pinney, Lewis Keller, A. F. Swan, Adam Lightner, W. D. Collins, Terry Spangle, B. F. Slaten, L. C. Carrieo, W. H. MeDow, William Burgess, William Deymond, Myron Han- sel, P. W. Dougherty, J. K. Francis, William Marshaw, George Piggott, N. Hartley, William Gillham.

ITEM.

The first white ehild born in the vil- lage of Elsah was John B. Reintges. The date of his birth was June 8, 1853.

CHAPTER XVIII.

OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP.

This sub-division of Jersey county is bounded on the north by English, on the east by Mississippi, on the south by Quarry, and on the west by Rosedale. The township is well wooded, the prin- cipal prairie land being found in the eastern part and in the south row of sections. Otter Creek, with its two forks, North and South Otter, run through this township. North Otter comes in from English about the center of the east line of section 12, and South Otter creek comes in from Quarry about the center of the south line of seetion 36. The two effeet a junction on seetion 8, and thenceforward pass onward as one stream-the main Otter creek, flowing out of the township, and pass- ing into Rosedale, at the line between sections 6 and 7. These streams, with their numerous little tributaries, serve to furnish an abundant supply of water for stock and agricultural purposes, and

giving ample drainage facilities. Con- siderable attention is given to stock- raising in this township, a number of the farmers taking an interest in the im- provement of their live stock. The eastern part of the township has the best farm land, and generally the best improved, though there are a number of good places in the west and south parts.

The village of Otterville lies on sec- tion 11, and affords a number of busi- ness enterprises for the accommodation of the citizens of the township. There is no railroad running through it, though all parts are within easy access of rail- road points. There is some hilly coun- try in the township, but very little indeed that would resist efforts at culti- vation.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The first permanent settler within the bounds of what now constitutes the

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

township of Otter creek was Joseph White, a native of South Carolina, but who came to this county from Kentucky, in 1821 or 1822. His two grand-sons, Daniel P. and John L., are both resi- dents of the townships.

Daniel P. White is a son of Joab and Maria (Randall) White, and was born in what is now Jersey county, in 1834. He was here reared, and in 1855 was married to Mary M. Terry, a native of this county, who died in 1872. In 1874 he was married to Sarah V. Moss, who was also born in Jersey county. She died in 1876, and in 1882 Mr. White was married to Mrs. Mary J. (Turner) White, widow of Louis White, of Mis- sissippi township. Mr. White has always been a resident of this county, and always followed farming. He is the owner of a valuable and well im- proved farm, comprising 80 acres. He is a republican in polities, and an enter- prising and worthy citizen.

John L. White was born in Jersey (then Greene) county, Aug. 2, 1823. His father, Joab White, was born in South Carolina, and his mother, Jane (Lofton) White, in Kentucky. John L. White is the oldest man, with one exception, born, raised and now residing in the territory comprising Greene and Jersey counties. He was reared here, and in 1843 was married to Martha L. Sansom, a native of Ohio. Three sons were born to them-James J., born in 1845, now living in Kansas; Lewis A., who died in 1880, and Charles Henry, now living in Mississippi township. Mrs. White died Feb. 14, 1851. Mr. White was again married, Oet. 4, 1851; to Rosa J. White, a native of Jersey county. By this union, there were four daughters,

three of whom are living-Susan, wife of John T. Wagoner, of Otter Creek township; Mary Jane, wife of James P. Achford, of this township, and Fannie Evelyn, living with her parents. Josephine died in 1857.

Thomas White, in 1824, located east of Otterville, where he lived for many years.

Samuel Lofton, the same year, mnade a settlement in this township, on sec- tion 14, where he resided for a long time. He came from Madison county to this township, where he subsequently died.

James Dabbs settled on section 9, in this township, in the spring of 1826. He was a native of South Carolina, and was married in that state, in 1802. Sev- eral years after that event they emi- grated to Barren county, Ky., where they resided until 1819, when they removed to the vieinity of Wood river, Madison county, Ill., from which place they came here, as above stated. Jesse Dabbs, a son, was a resident of the county until 1875, when he died. James Dabbs and his wife, Mary, were worthy members of the pioneer band. He died a resident of the county, Dee. 19, 1841, his wife living until Sept. 8, 1852.

Samuel Dabbs, a native of South Car- olina, made a settlement on seetion 8, in this township, about the year 1826. His son, W. W. Dabbs, is a resident of the township still, living near the old homestead.

W. W. Dabbs is a son of Samuel and Mary (Link) Dabbs, who were pioneers of Jersey county. Samuel Dabbs was a native of Kentucky, and his wife of Tennessee. They came to Illinois in 1805, and to what is now Jersey county,

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

in 1826, settling upon Sec S, Otter Creek township, which was the birth-place of the subject of this sketch. He was born on the Sth day of June, 1836. He ob- tained his education in the common schools of that township, and there grew to manhood. Nov. 5, 1855, he was married to Catherine Worthey, a na- tive of Tennessee. Nine children were born to them-John M., George F., Lindley, Hattie E., Margaret E,, Emma E .. Nellie Jane, Oscar and Mary E. Mr. Dabbs owns a large farm, com- prising 534 aeres, and follows farming. He was engaged in a meat market 13 years. Politically Mr. Dabbs is a re- publican, having voted with that party since its organization. He has held the office of school director and is a mem- ber of the A. F. & A. M. Samuel Dabbs died Dec. 12, 1853, and his widow, Mrs. Mary Dabbs, Sept. 12, 1855. Both are buried in the old ceme- tery at Otterville.

The first settlement on what is called Otter Creek Prairie was made in 1827 by Josiah White. He also built the first house on the prairie, on the farm now owned by John Sisson. He died in this township. He was a son of Joseph White, one of the early settlers of Lof- ton's Prairie.

Jesse White, deceased, was born in Madison county, Ill., in 1807. His father, Joseph White was a native of South Carolina, and his mother Eliza- beth (Self) White, of Georgia. They came to this state in 1805 and settled in Madison county, near Edwardsville, in 1818. They moved to Jersey county and lived there four years, then removed to Greene county, and settled near where the town of Kane now stands.

In 1838 they removed to Otter Creek township, where Joseph White built a grist mill on Otter creek, south of the present town of Otterville. He operated the mill and continued to reside here until his death, which occurred in 1840. He had six sons-Joab, who settled in Mississippi township; Josiah, who set- tled in Otter Creek; Jesse, subject of this sketch, who settled two miles west of Kane, in Greene county; Joseph, who also settled near Kane; Stephen, who settled near the same place, and Jehu, who settled in Greene county. Jesse White was married in 1827 to Ta- bitha Carrico, a native of Mason county, Ky. They had six children born to them, two of whom died in infancy. Those who lived to maturity were- Nancy, deceased, wife of J. G. Harper, of Greene county; Lewis, now living in Otterville; Baalam, of Greene county, and Ira, also of Greene county. Mr. White died in 1873 in Otterville. He was a consistent member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church. His wife is a member also. She is now living with her son Lewis, in Otterville.

Lewis White, son of Jesse and Ta- bitha White, was born in Greene county, near Kane, in Oct. 1831. He remained in that county, on a farm, until 1873, when he moved to a place two miles east of Carrollton, where he lived five years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Jersey county, loeating three miles east of the city of Jersey- ville. He then moved to Missouri. One year later he came back to this county, and settled where he now lives, in Otterville. He is by trade a wagon maker. Mr. White was married in Oct. 1856, to Lucinda A. Cook, a native

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

of Tennessee. Seven children were born to them, three of whom are liv- ing-John H., Charles M., and Justus V. Four children died in infancy. Mrs. White died Feb. 1, 1861, in Mis- souri. Mr. White is a member of the A. F. & A. M., a skilled workman at his trade, and an esteemed citizen.

Gregg MeDanel and his wife settled in Otter Creek township in the fall of 1828, on Sec. 7, where he lived for many years. He constructed a dam and mill for saw- ing lumber on Otter creek in 1828, and two years later a mill for grinding corn. Mr. McDanel came here from Madison county, and died in Sept., 1859, leaving a large landed estate. His wife, Rachel (Cooper) McDanel, died May, 1861. Gregg MeDanel built. a large flouring mill at Upper Grafton, in 1857, through the persuasion of Henry Shaff, a young miller, which proved a disastrous fail- ure. His son, Charles McDanel, resides on the old homestead.

Charles MeDanel is a son of Gregg and Rachel (Cooper) MeDanel, who set- tled in Madison county in 1820. They removed to Jersey county in 1828, locat- ing on Sec. 7, Otter Creek township, where Charles now resides. Gregg Me- Danel died in Sept., 1859, and his wife in May, 1861. Both are buried in the Noble cemetery. Charles McDanel was born in Madison county, Ill., in 1827, and was one year old when his parents settled in this county. He was reared to the occupation of farming, also worked in a saw and grist mill. He received a good education, attending the district school and afterwards Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton. In November, 1865, he was married to Amanda Dabbs, who was born in Otter Creek township. Mr. and

Mrs. MeDanel are the parents of eight children-Sarah Leonora, Rachel A., Charles G., Georgiana, Ada Maria, Mark L., William R., and Grace Adella. Mr. McDanel is one of the most extensive land owners in Jersey county, having 1,400 acres, and carries on general farming. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Mr. MeDanel has spent almost his entire life in this town- ship, and has witnessed its development. He has contributed his full share toward effecting the transformation from a scene of natural wildness to a country of com- fortable homes and a land teeming with wealth and material prosperity. These solid comforts of life have been secured by the industry and sacrifice of those early settlers, and among them Mr. Mc- Danel is now in the enjoyment of an abundant competency and can spend his remaining years in peace and happiness.

Jasper M. Terry was a settler of the year of 1828, on section 24. A sketch of this gentleman appears in the National, State and County Representa- tion chapter.

Henry Clay Terry, son of Jasper M. and Mary A. (Wagoner) Terry, was born in Otter Creek township, Sept. 25, 1845. He was brought up on a farm in this township, and attended the district schools of the neighborhood. In 1864, he enlisted in the 124th Inf., and served in that regiment until July, 1865. He was then transferred to Co. C, of the 33d III. Regt., and served until Nov. of the same year. He took part in the battles of Benton, Yazoo, and Spanish Fort, returning home Dec. 7, that winter, he attended school in Otterville, and the following year, became a student at Shurtleff' College, where he continued

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

one year, then went, in the winter of 1867-8 to the Commercial College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In the spring of 1870, he returned to Otterville, and en- gaged in the milling business, in com- pany with H. E. Dougherty; this part- nership lasted until July, 1873. Mr. Terry then went to Christian county, and bought a farm near Rosamond, on which he lived till Jan., 1875, at which date he sold it and removed to Jersey- ville, where he lived one year. He re- moved from Jerseyville to his present residence, on section 24, Otter Creek township, formerly the farm of his father. It comprises 160 aeres, and is in a high state of cultivation, and well im- proved. His business is general farm- ing. Mr. Terry was married Sept. 28, 1870, to Mary Cadwalader of Otterville, Jersey county, Ill. They have three children-Addie May, born Aug. 18, 1871; Charles H., born Oet. 28, 1873, and Lora F., born Oct. 23, 1876. Mr. Terry belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and also to the G. A. R. He is one of the directors of the board of agriculture, of Jersey county. He is the only one of his father's family now living in Jersey county,

On the 18th of March, 1829, Tarlton F. Broek settled on the northeast quar- ter of seetion 25, in this township. He was born July 16, 1802, in Franklin county, Va. His ancestors, who were originally from England, had resided there for several generations. He en- igrated with his father's family to the Missouri territory in the fall of 1818, and settled in Franklin county, about 60 miles west of St. Louis, from whence he removed to the present limits of Greene county, Ill., in 1825. Mareh

20, 1829, he located on Otter Creek prairie, on Sec. 25, T. 7, R. 12, where he remained until his death, Nov. 6, 1876. He was a life-long Methodist in his church relations, being a member of the quarterly conference for nearly, or quite, 50 years. The writer, his son, well remembers the pioneer Methodist preachers who where always welcome at his father's house-John T. Johnson, Hadley, John Dew, Deneen, Phelps, Cartwright, Akers, Barger, Robbins, Ileath, Wollard, Peters, Anderson, the Corringtons, Norman Allyn, the gifted C. W. Lewis, and many others. T. F. Brock was the first postmaster at Otter Creek, being the second postoffice in the county. He was a strong advocate of education, temperance and Sunday schools.

Dr. Silas Hamilton came to Otter Creek township in the spring of 1830. He was born in Tinmouth, Vt. His father, Captain Nathaniel Hamilton, commanded a company of Green Moun- tain boys, in the Revolutionary war. The family afterwards made a settle- ment in Ohio, and finally he removed to Monroe county, Ill. Dr. Hamilton was an accomplished physician, and be- fore coming to this country, had been practicing in Mississippi, back of Natchez. He bore a high reputation while he lived in this county, and if his life had been longer spared, he would undoubtedly have risen to a high place here. Dr. Hamilton was the owner of a considerable number of slaves, whom, in his lifetime, he liberated. After his death, a fine monument of Italian mar- ble, which still stands, was ereeted to his memory at Otterville. This monu- ment bears the following inscription:

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

"To the memory of Dr. Silas Hamilton, his former master, born at Tinmouth, Vt., May 19, 1775; died at Otterville, Nov. 19, 1834; having in his lifetime given freedom to 28 slaves, and at his death bequeathed $4,000 for the erection and endowment of the Hamilton Prima- ry School." There is also an inscrip- tion stating that the monument was "erected by George Washington, born in Virginia, a slave, died at Otterville, Ill., April 18. 1864, a chris- tian freeman." The school building erected by the doctor, and spoken of in the first inscription, is a stone structure, and is even yet a handsome appearing edifice.

William Hamilton, a brother of Dr. Silas Hamilton, made a settlement on section 13, of this township, in 1830. He was from the state of Vermont, and losing his wife in 1828, he with his three sons immigrated to this state in 1830, and located upon the northeast quarter of the section, where he lived the re- mainder of his life. He was an active, energetic man, and highly esteemed by all. He died at the residence of Jephtha Dixon, in Calhoun county, July 22, 1849.

William McDow came to Otter Creek township, in the fall of 1830, and set- tled where he now resides.

William MeDow, son of John and Margaret (Gilham) McDow, was born in Madison county, Ill., Feb. 2, 1808. His parents were natives of North Carolina. In 1809, his father moved his family to a farm, near St. Luois, where they lived till 1815. In that year they moved to Boone county, Mo., where they lived nine years, and then returned to Illinois, locating in Jersey county, near New-

bern. William resided here with his parents until the fall of 1830, when he removed to Otter Creek township, and bought 160 acres of government land, for which he paid $1.25 per acre. He built a log house the same year, in which he lived about 30 years. He now has a well improved place, with a good frame house and barn. He was married April 11, 1830, to Delilah Wagoner, daughter of David Wagoner. She was born in Virginia, in 1808. They have had cight children, seven of whom are now living-Marion, living in Otterville; Ellen, wife of Charles Shelton Roads, of Macoupin county; Margaret, living with her parents; Mary, wife of Ziba Noble, Quarry township; William H., of Alton; Josephine, wife of Lawrence Green, of Kansas City, Mo., and Allie, living at home with her parents. Mr. McDow's farmi contains 278 acres, which he rents, but still resides upon the place.

Marion McDow has resided in the township over half a century, having been born here in 1830. He is a son of William McDow.

James Derrick settled where Samuel Dougherty now lives in 1830. That loca- tion was on Sec. 14. That same year all the family had the bilious fever, and Mrs. Derrick took an overdose of lauda- num and died. Derrick knocked around about a year, married a widow named Hurd, and moved to Missouri. He was driven out of there by bushwhackers during the war. He returned to Mis- souri after the rebellion was over.

Solomon Dixon came in the spring of 1830, and located on the place where William Dougherty now resides. He died in 1831, and his widow sold the ini- provement to Thomas Hamilton. The

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

widow and her family then removed to Macoupin county. Dixon was a native of Tennessee.

Among the other settlers of this year, 1830, were the following : Maurice Arm- strong, on Sec. 13; Elijah Brown, Sec. 12, and James Hinson. Maurice Arm- strong soon sold out, removing to the neighborhood of Fieldon, from whence he removed to Montgomery county.

Thomas H. Hamilton came in the spring of 1831, and bought the improve- ment made by Solomon Dixon, buying from the latter's widow. He came to Illinois, from Ohio, in 1818, and located in Monroe, county. On the 9th of May, 1831, he came to Jersey county. He was a carpenter by trade. He died in the fall of 1844, leaving three sons- Nathaniel, Dr. J. O., and Rev. B. B.

With him came Daniel H. Hamilton, who also entered land on section 14. These were both brothers of Dr. Silas Hamilton.

Jay M. Hard, whose sketch occurs elsewhere, was a settler of 1831. Ile came here the year previous, with his uncle, Dr. Hamilton, but, being taken sick, returned to his eastern home, but the following spring came back. With him came his parents, Ezra and Polly H. Hurd, but they died soon after.

James F. Terry and Ezekiel Chance were also settlers of the year 1831, the former locating upon section 24.

William Dougharty, Sr., came in Scp- tember, 1832, and located on the farm now owned by his eldest son-John G.

John G. Dougherty has been a resi- dent of Otter Creek township since 1832, having come here with his parents in September, of that year. He was born in Adams county, Miss., in 1820,

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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 33

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