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 40

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 40

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of W. H. Bartlett, of Jersey county; Mary Ellen, born in Albany in 1848, is now living in St. Louis; William Jo- seph, born in Albany in 1851; James D., born in St. Louis, in 1854; Rupert Moseley, born in St. Louis in 1856; Elizabeth A., born in 1858, and John Robert, born in 1860. Of these chil- dren, William Joseph, John Robert and Elizabeth 1., are now living with their mother upon the homestead farm which contains 240 aeres. The brothers, Wm. J. and John R. carry on the farm, wheat-growing being their principal oc- upation. They also raise considerable stock, and are enterprising and success- ful farmers.

James G. Goodman is a son of James R. and Frances (Fuller) Goodman, the former a native of Virginia and the lat- ter of Tennessee. They came to Jersey county in an early day, and were here united in marriage, in the year 1836. They lived two years on section 10, Piasa township, then removed to Madi- son county, where they remained until 1842. In that year they returned to Piasa township, locating on the west half of the northeast quarter of section 29. Here Mr. Goodman, Sr., improved a farm, and resided until his death, which occurred July 6, 1862. His widow still survives, and is now living with her son, John A. Goodman, James G. Goodman was born and brought up in Jersey county. Aug. 22, 1862, he was married to Martha Davis, a native of Macoupin county. He settled upon the homestead farm which he bought in company with his brother, William C. Goodman, and which then contained 200 acres. To this has been added 240 acres, the farm now comprising 440

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

acres. Mr. Goodman, in addition to farming. is engaged in threshing and grinding feed, using for that purpose an "American Mill Co." steam engine, and does quite an extensive business in that line. Mr. and Mrs. Goodman have seven children- Annie L., Addie M., Ira E., Mary E., George A., Edward E., and Nellie May. Mr. Goodman served as justice of the peace from 1880 to 1884. He is a member of the 1. O. O. F., Brighton lodge No. 366.

William Chappell is a native of England, born Jan. 28, 1816. He is a son of Bartholomew Chappell, an Eng- lish farmer. They immigrated to Amer- ica together, in the year 1833, landing in New York city. William remained in New York state, living in Genesee county, until 1837, but his father, Bar- tholomew, came direct to Jersey coun- ty, Ill., locating in Mississippi town- ship, where he died May 15, 1869. Bartholomew Chappell was married in England to Elizabeth Bendle, who died in that country, leaving six children, three sons and three daughters-Wil- liam was the youngest of the family. Mr. Chappell was subsequently mar- ried again, and had by his second mar- riage six children. William Chappell, during the time that he lived in New York, worked out by the month and managed by strict economy to lay by $100 of his earnings, with which, on coming to Jersey county, in 1837, he purchased 120 acres of land in Piasa township. He now owns 610 acres, with good and substantial improvements. About 300 acres of this land is under cultivation, and the remainder in pas- ture. April 1, 1840, he was married to Mary King, who died soon after her

marriage. In the fall of 1842 Mr. Chappell was married to Elizabeth Hooper, and by this union has four sons -William H., Charles F., Chevalier S., and Chester John. Mr. Chappell began life without financial capital, and has accumulated his large property by his own energy and industry. He is now one of the substantial and well-to-do farmers of Jersey county.

EDUCATIONAL.

Diamond district, or No. 3, was or- ganized in the summer of 1883. In the fall of the same year, a school building was erected, on the southeast quarter of section 30, at a cost of about $400. Mary Keeley was the first to teach a term of school in this building. The present teacher is Florence Compton.

CEMETERY.

The first cemetery in the township was that which is located on section 19, on the farm now owned by G. W. Edwards. The first burial occurred in 1827, and was that of the body of Jacob Lurton, Sr. The graveyard has some time since been abandoned.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first death was Elizabeth, wife of John Wilkins.

The pioneer school was taught by a daughter of Horace Landon, and who afterwards became the wife of Dr. Snell. The school was taught in a room of a dwelling house, which was only partially completed, in the summer of 1837.

The first cemetery was established at an early day on section 19.

There are seven school districts in the township, and two union districts.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

The first birth in Piasa township was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Wilkins named Frederick.

The board of school trustees at pres- ent is composed of the following: Geo. Cairns, pres .; Phineas Eldredge, treas .; Geo. Weld and James W. Parish.

The permanent school fund of the township now amounts to $3,500.

The school house in district No. 1, was built in 1884, at a cost of $600. It is a frame structure, 18x26 feet in size. George North was the first teacher in this building. A school house was erected within the borders of this dis- trict in 1840. It served the district until the winter of 1883-84, when it was destroyed by fire. The present teacher in this district is Miss Hufford. The directors are: James Burke, William Edwards and Godfried Gotter.

The first school house in district No. 2, was erected in 1840. It stood on the southwest quarter of section 14. It served the district until 1856, when the present edifice was erected, at a cost of about $600. It is located on the north- west quarter of section 22, and is 18x28 feet in dimensions. Fannie Davis taught during the winter of 1884-85. The directors are: John G. Ortel, George Springman and Charles P. Long.

DELHI.

The first settlement and building with- in the present boundaries of Delhi, was in 1831, when N. R. Lurton came, erect- ing a double log cabin on the west half of section 18. The first store was established during this year, but no fur- ther effort was made to establish a town until about the year 1851, when other business enterprises were attempted, as

noticed further on in this chapter. The town was laid out by Sarah A. Lurton, Joseph N. Lurton, Jacob M. Early, Car- oline S. Early, William A. Scott and Sarah A. Scott, and was surveyed and platted by George I Foster, county sur- veyor, May 5 and 6, 1868. Delhi is lo- cated on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 18, and is on the Chicago & Alton railroad, about 40 miles north of St. Lonis.

The first store at Delhi was opened by Dr. McClosky, in 1831. He continued the business but a short time, when he closed it out.

After this there was no other business established until 1848, when Edward Tryon opened a general store. His wife managed the business, and he taught school. They continued some time, when the stock was closed out, in Octo- ber of the above named year.

L. C. McNeil put in a stock in 1854, and a year later sold out to William V. Eldredge, who operated the business about a year, and then sold to William A. Scott. Scott was succeeded, a year afterward, by J. N. Lurton, who con- tinued the business about 13 months, when he was succeeded by Elias Tillot- son, who took in J. L. Compton as partner. The latter gentleman disposed of his interest afterwards to Tillotson, who in turn sold to Albert Hoyt, and he was succeeded by Terrell & Clapp. Two years later the firm name was changed to Clapp Bros., and later reverted to Tillotson. H. D. Edwards afterwards bought the stock, and in 1873 consoli- dated with M. V. Hamilton.

A. Myers & Co., engaged in business in 1868. They continued one year, when they removed the stock to Newbern.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

In 1850 John Adamson put a stock of goods, but only continued a short time.

A saloon was opened by John Gregory in 1872, who sold out to Matthew Wat- son in 1873. In 1876 William A. Garry merged the business into a drug store, which he operated until 1880, when the store was closed.

In 1882, H. N Ford opened a grocery store. In October, 1884, he removed the stock to McClusky.

In the year 1857, Messrs. Hamil- ton & Hixon opened a meat mar- ket, which was run about four years. It was the only market ever in the place.

The first blacksmith shop was estab- lished 1836, by Wm. Hackney. He con- tinued the same until 1875, when he closed it out, being too old to work.

Patrick Duffy opened a shop in 1875, which he continued until 1880.

The first shoemaker was John Hop- kins, who established a shop in 1851, He remained only about three years.

John Smith opened a shop in 1875, and remained about a year.

The only general store at present at Delhi is operated by M. V. Hamilton, who purchased the same of W. T. Dow- dy, in 1865. In 1873 he erected the present store building, which is 24x40 feet in ground area, two stories high. He carries a stock of about $4,000.

Martin V. Hamilton, one of the lead- ing business men of Delhi, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, Dec. 26, 1832. His parents, John G. and Dorothy (Crique) Hamilton, were of Irish extraction, but born in the state of New York. In 1836 the family removed to Madison county, Illinois, settling near Godfrey, on a farm, where Mrs. Hamilton died, in 1855. John G. Ham-

ilton died in Virden, Macoupin county. The subject of this sketch came to Piasa township in 1859, since which time he has been a resident here. He was mar- ried, March 13, 1859, to Mary J. Lur- ton, a daughter of Jacob Lurton. She died Feb. 29, 1876. She was an estimable lady, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Nov. 6, 1878, Mr. Hamilton was married to Lillie Bell, of Jerseyville, and by this union has two children-Mabel and Edith. Mr. Ham- ilton was elected supervisor in 1880, and served until the spring of 1885. He is a member of the Baptist church, also of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor, at Jerseyville.

John Myers opened a blacksmith shop in 1878, and is the present repre- sentative in that line.

The drug business is represented by Dr. J. F. Gary and E. D. Griggs. They also a carry a small stock of confection- ery, tobacco, etc. They engaged in this line of trade in March, 1885.

William Brunhead is engaged in mak- ing boots and shoes, etc., and also in repairing the same. He came to Delhi in 1853, learning his trade with John Hopkins.

Another representative of the shoe- making business is John Snyder, who entered into that line in 1884.

POSTOFFICE.

A postoffice was established at Delhi in 1831, and N. R. Lurton was commis- sioned postmaster. He occupied that position until his death, in 1844, though the office was continued in his name until 1847, and was kept by Joseph Pennifield. Since that time, the following has been the succession of postmasters:

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

William Hackney, 1847-50; William Scott, 1850-62; E. Tillotson, 1862-66; M. V. Hamilton, 1866-69; S. B. Clapp, 1869-73; H. D. Edwards, 1873-83; H. N. Ford, 1883-84; at which time the present incumbent, E. D. Griggs, was / appointed. The postoffice is kept in the store of M. V. Hamilton.

HOTELS.

In 1831 Nelson R. Lurton erected a building in Delhi for hotel purposes, which he operated until 1844, when his death occurred. His widow continued the business until 1846, when she leased the building to Mr. Buffon, but after- ward took charge of it again. In 1848, William Scott became landlord, and was succeeded in 1852 by William Smith, who conducted the house until 1855, when it again reverted to Scott, who operated it until 1858, when it was dis- continued as a hotel, and became a private residence.

A hotel was opened in Delhi about the year 1857, by Harry Spaulding. He conducted it until 1869, when Elias Tillotson took charge. In 1861 he was succeeded by M. V. Hamilton. James L. Pennifield became its landlord in 1866, and so continned for two years. It then ceased to be a hotel and was used for a residence. After a time, Mrs. Myers re-opened it as a hotel. There were hotel accommodations in Delhi until ISSO, since which time John Kent and James Pennifield have kept board- ers. M. V. Hamilton now provides for the transient trade.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school at Delhi was taught in 1838, in a small log cabin, 16 feet

square, which stood within the present limits of the village. The next building was erected in 1840, where the present school house now stands. It was a frame structure, and was used until 1866, when the present house was built. It is 26x34 feet in size, and was com- pleted at a cost of $1,500. John Hender- son taught the first term of school in this building. Lena Ross is the teacher at present. The board of directors is composed of H. D. Edwards, M. V. Hamilton and Dr. Gary.

SOCIETIES.

Delhi lodge, No. 1139, K. of H., was organized July 8, 1878, by John W. Vinson, of Jerseyville. The charter members of the society were: Henry D. Edwards, Spencer Wyckoff, C. M. Wil- son, M. V. Hamilton, C. C. Cummings, William O. Langdon, James P. Walker, Henry B. Rothweiler, J. F. Gary, Ho- ratio M. Ford. The first officers of the organization were: Henry D. Edwards, D .; J. F. Gary, P. D .; C. C. Cum- mings, V. D .; James Walker, A. D .; C. M. Wilson, R .; H. N. Ford, F. R .; M. V. Hamilton, T .; Dr. W. O. Lang- don, C .; Spencer Wyckoff, G .; Henry Rothweiler, Gn .; Dr. J. F. Gary, M. E .; W. O. Langdon, M. V. Hamilton and Spencer Wyckoff, trustees. The present officers of the lodge are W. II. Bartlett, P. D .; Theodore Oscar, D .; John Rue, V. D .; John Long, A. D .; J. F. Gary, R .; H. D. Edwards, F. R .; M. V. Hamilton, T .; D. Sunderland, C .; John Myers, G .; J. C. Reid, Gn .; S. Wyckoff, S .; Dr. J. F. Gary, M. E .; H. MeCloskey, A. J. Evarts and H. N. Ford, trustees. The present member- ship numbers 22. They meet in the

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

hall owned by M. V. Hamilton, where the I. O. O. F. society also meet.

Delhi Lodge No. 659, I. O. O. F., was organized in 1879, and its charter bears date Nov. 19 of that year. The charter members were: Joseph Cham-

bers, William Herring, George H. Van Horn, J. S. Powell, E. T. Francis, Elon Cooke, James P. Walker, Arthur M. DeBow and Darwin Wales. Hon. Wal- ter E. Carlin conducted the organiza- tion.

CHAPTER XXI.

ENGLISH TOWNSHIP.

The civil sub-division of Jersey county, known as English township embraces all of congressional T. 8 north, R. 12 west. It is bounded on the north by Greene county, on the east by Jersey township, on the south by Otter Creek, and on the west by Richwood, This township was mostly timber land, but is now well cleared up and is in great part level or gently rolling. Borer's creek has its origin on section 20 and 21. It leaves the town- ship, on its northwestward course, from the north line of section 6, thence passing into Greene county. It is the principal, and almost the only water- course, so that there is, substantially, no waste land in the township. The community is composed of a wide- awake, energetic class of citizens, and the farms to be seen here are not to be excelled anywhere in this part of the state. There are no towns within its borders, though Fieldon is but three- quarters of a mile from the west line, and Jerseyville only about two miles from the east line, thus affording post- office and market facilities within easy access of all the citizens of the town-

ship. The prairie land is well dotted with artificial groves, almost every farm having one, serving the double purpose of shade and wind-break. The Jersey county poor farm is on section 16, in this township. There is quite a large German settlement here, which has aided much in the thorough develop- ment of the land. Considerable stock- raising is carried on, and some in fact, devote almost their entire attention to this branch of the business.

In 1817, a party of landseekers came through this part of the county looking for a home, and on the 10th of June, 1817, two of their number, David Stock- ton and James Whitesides, made a set- tlement in what is now English town- ship, on section 25. Stockton remained but a short time, but Whitesides made two different improvements, which he sold in 1821, and then removed to Mor- gan county.

Thomas Lynn located on section 23, in what is now English township, dur- ing the year 1817. In 1822 he sold out to Philip Grimes and removed from the the township, going to a point on Coon creek, in Rosedale township, about a

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

quarter of a mile from the present Rose- dale postoffice. He and his brothers, Amos and Thomas, were chair-makers, and with the rudest machinery imag- inable, they could turn out an excellent chair in a very short time.

Philip Grimes came to Jersey county in 1817, and erected a cabin on section 2, in English township. In the spring of 1818, he moved his family into this house, where they lived until 1822, when he purchased the improvement of Thomas Lynn. His son, Jarrett T. Grimes, is now a resident of Jersey township. Philip Grimes was a native of the state of Tennessee, and served under Gen. Andrew Jackson at the bat- tle of New Orleans. In 1815, he came to Illinois. He was an active, indus- trious man, of excellent habits and much respected. He died in 1851.

James Pruitt located on section 24, English township, in 1824. He bought the improvement of John Thornton. He sold out to James T. Post, in 1834, and removed to a place on Phill's creek, in Fidelity township, where he resided until his death. He was the father of Amos and another son, who went to Arkansas.

John Crain, a native of North Caro- lina, came to Illinois from Harrison county, Tenn., in 1811, and settled in St. Clair county. He was married while in Tennessee to Heriba Rumney, in 1806. They remained in the last-men- tioned locality until 1819, when they came to this county and township, set- tling on section 10. This was their res- idence until October, 1845, when he, with his wife, emigrated to Texas, where he died in 1855 and his wife in 1867. Crain was a plain-spoken man, some_

what rude in his manners in his early life, especially when he was drinking, but was a substantial citizen. In his later years, he became of a religious turn, and thenceforward was a devoted member of the church. His son, Joel, became a minister of the Gospel in Texas, but is now deceased. John Crain had three sons -- Joel, James L. and Silas, and two daughters.

Major Gershom Patterson made a set- tlement in this township in 1820. He was a native of Kentucky, born in 1796. His parents moved to Illinois in 1797. He was married in 1819 to Eleanor Cooper, by whom he had five children. In March, 1820, he removed to Jersey county, and on the 5th of January, 1821, entered a body of land in this township, andimmediately started to improve it. He was a captain in the Black Hawk war, and was afterwards commissioned major in the militia. Mrs. Patterson died Nov., 10, 1853, and on the 24th of Jan., 1856, the major again married, this time Mrs. Mary Mabee. At the time of his death, which occurred Jan. 10, 1857, he owned 1,800 acres of land. He was a prominent and influential member of the Protestant Methodist church, and became a local preacher. He was a prominent figure in his day, and a successful farmer.

John Thornton came to this locality as early as 1820, and, liking the looks of the country, on the 5th of Jan., 1821, entered 280 acres of land, lying on section 23 of this township. Here he made his home until 1824, when it was purchased by Mathew Darr, and then he removed to Richwoods town- ship, west of the village of Fieldon, where he passed the balance of his life.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

John Brown came to the county of Jersey in 1820, and having, on the 19th of January, 1821, entered a tract of 80 acres of land in this township, set- tled on it. Six months later he entered an additional 80 aeres. Both of these pieces were on section 25. He was a native of South Carolina, born in Pen- dleton county, in 1790. llis father re- moved with his family to Georgia, and in 1802, to the French territory of Lou- isiana. In 1813, John volunteered in the United States Rangers, and served until the close of the war. He died while a resident of the county, about 1873.

Jehu Brown, a native of South Caro- lina, came to this county about the year 1820, from Florissant, Mo., and being in affluent circumstances, rode down to Edwardsville, and on the 5th of Janu- ary, 1821, at the land office there, en- tered some 880 acres of land, lying on sections 1 and 2 of this township. Philip Grimes had part of this land under cultivation, but Brown paid him $300 for his improvements, and he va- cated. Brown served as probate judge ef Greene county, while this was a part of that county, and was well known as Judge Brown. He died here in 1835.

Abiram Mckinney came to English township in the fall of 1821, although he had come to the county a year ear- lier. He entered the southeast quarter of section 23, of this township, in Octo- ber, 1821, and resided there until the following year, when he removed to see- tion 24, this same townsnip. He was a native of the state of Virginia. In 1818 he came to Illinois, and made a tempor- ary sojourn in Madison county, when he came here, as above stated. Ife died

while a resident of this county, in April, 1840. He was the father of James, Joseph, Ann, Mrs. James Rowden, and Jacob, all of whom are deceased except Mrs. Rowden.

Silas Crain made a settlement in this township during the year 1821. He en- tered 160 acres of land on section 15, on the 21st of January. of that year, and commenced to open it up.

Silas Crain, Sr., was the father of John, James B. and Silas Crain, Jr. The wife of William Adair was another child of Silas Crain, Sr. Thomas Rob- erts' wife was another daughter, as is Mrs. Hester Vaughn. Silas Crain, Sr., was a well known and much respected gentleman, and lived to the age of nearly 100 years, He died about 1844 or 1845. lle is buried in the Lax cem- etery. He settled on the northeast quarter of section 15.

Francis Colean, came to English township in 1822, and on the 2d of April, entered the west half of the southwest quarter of Sec. 13, in this township. He commenced to open it up and make a farm. Mr. Colean was of French and English descent, and was born at Cahokia, then in the terri- tory of Illinois, July 15, 1794. He was a soldier in the war of 1812-15, and was with General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815, and where he was slightly wounded. He was mar- ried in 1814, to Polly Cox. After the war he settled on the American Bottom, where he resided until coming to this county. On the breaking out of the Black Hawk war, he enlisted and took part in several campaigns of that early contest. A man of great energy and determination of character, he enjoyed

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He died at his residence, Nov. 19, 1846. He is buried, with his wife, in the old Jerseyville cemetery.

Nelson Colean, (deceased), formerly a leading farmer of Jersey county, was born March 7, 1822, being a son of Francis Colean. Nov. 11, 1847, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Wad- dle. They were the parents of six children-Sarah E., William N., Charles Il., James R., Mary E. and John E. Of these, only three are now living- Sarah E., James R. and Mary E. Nel- son Colean died Aug. 9, 1880, aged 58 years. He was a successful farmer, and on account of his sterling qualities, was highly esteemed in the community where he resided. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church. Mr. Colean had been, for 15 years, prior to his decease, retired from active business.

Among the early settlers of 1823, was John Vaughn, who located on section 14, English township. He was quite a prominent man in the county, well known for his energy and enterprise. He was married to Hester Crain, a daughter of Silas Crain, Sr. They raised a family of 13 children, now nearly all deceased. Mrs. Vaughn is now living with members of her family. A son, Erastus, lives near Girard, Macoupin county, and a daughter-in-law lives near Litchfield, Montgomery county. Mr. Vaughn died at the old homestead, and is buried in the Lax cemetery. IIe was an active member of the Baptist church.

Mathew Darr came west in 1801, and stopped at St. Louis. He afterwards came to Illinois and settled in Madison county, where he was married. He was born in 1785. He came to the county in

1822, but settled, at first, in Richwoods township, but in 1824, came to English township, purchasing the John Thorn- ton place. He was a very successful farmer, and it is said that from his farm he was one of the first that had an over- plus of provisions to sell to new and needy settlers. He was the father of 16 children, and a consistent member of the Baptist church. In 1853, he was called to his long home, and left a large circle of mourning friends. He was attached to the milling trade, and built two mills on Sugar creek. He also erected a horse-power mill in his yard.

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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 40

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