History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources, Part 112

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 112

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The post-office at Del Rey was established August 23, 1854. The postmasters were Dr. Lemuel Boyd, Tom Lindsey and Stewart Lindsey. The income to the government the first year was $1.57. Nebraska post-office, at Jefferson's point, with Hamilton Jefferson as postmaster, was established in 1855, and continued six months; the income was forty-two cents. Onarga post-office was established in 1855, with Townsend B. Gardner as postmaster. The income the first year was $16.99. Charles Rumley was postmaster in April and May, 1858, when Dr. Peyton D. Beecher was appointed. Rumley was again appointed in the summer of 1860. Dr. John L. Parmalee succeeded him, and held it till October 18, 1866, when Franklin Graves was appointed. His widow, Eliza J. Graves, was appointed October 6, 1867, and held the office till July. 10, 1875, when Eme- line Amerman was commissioned, and held the office till January 7, 1880, when John B. Lowe took possession of it. April 20, 1880, James Owen was appointed postmaster at Onarga. The history of this office, and all the various changes and causes for such changes, cannot be given here. To do so would take more space than can be devoted to the subject in this work. It is, however, one of much interest, and ought to be written up.

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ONARGA TOWNSHIP:

The Onarga "Mercury," the first newspaper in town, was com- menced August 13, 1859, by R. McKee Davis and Bockus. It was sustained about a year and a half. Ed. Rumley issued the first number of the Onarga "Advertiser" in August, 1865. It was merged into the Onarga "Review " in February, 1866. The "Review " office was moved to Moline December, 1869, and in the winter of 1870 L. M. Babcock started the Onarga "Times." This office was moved to Watseka in April, 1871, and became the Wat- seka "Times." In the spring of 1870 Jacob Keizer issued the first number of the Onarga "Courier," which continued till that fall, when Keizer moved it to Winamac, Indiana. While both the above papers were in existence, John B. Low opened a small job office, and on their retiring from town lie, in the winter of 1872, commenced the issuing of the Onarga "Review," the present paper.

In the fall of 1862 the war department, after some conference with some of the leading citizens, sent fifty-eight colored persons to.Onarga from Cairo. They were transported in stock cars, and were in very destitute condition. They were well cared for by the people, among whom they found homes. At a school election, April 4, 1870, they appeared at the polls. to vote and were challenged. The fifteenth amendment to the constitution had become a part of the organic law of the land, making them citizens with equal rights of white citizens. After some discussion fourteen of them were allowed to vote, the same members of the school board voting in their favor who voted to allow their children in the public schools a couple of years before.

October 14, 15 and 16, 1857, the first agricultural fair of Onarga was held in a large tent located about a quarter of a mile south .of T. M. Pangborn's present residence. William.C. Moore, Dr. A. N. Crawford and Ray W. Andrews were the movers in this enterprise. A second similar fair was held in town the next fall. Eight years elapsed before another was held, and October 11, 12 and 13, 1866, a similar tent was pitched on the present grounds and the fair held in it. H. P. H. Bromwell and Gen. Charles Black held a joint politi- cal discussion in the same place a day or two before the fair. They were candidates for congress. The success at this time led to the perfecting of a joint stock company in the interest of agriculture, known as the Iroquois County Agricultural Society. It was char- tered by the state, with a capital stock of $25,000. At the annual meeting, December 9, 1868, there were $175.40 in the treasury. May 29, 1869, the society procured a deed for 23 acres of land for $75 per acre, from Allen Pinkerton. It is the N. J of S. ¿ of S. W.

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

fractional ¿ of Sec. 18, T. 26, R. 11 E. This land is admirably adapted for the purpose for which it was selected ; is inclosed by a tight board fence eight feet high; the floral hall is 24×100 feet. There is a large number of complete stables for all kinds of stock, a never failing supply of artesian water, and a fine amphitheater which will comfortably seat 500 persons. The track is a half mile in length, and is the best in this part of the state. The present officers are D. C. Brown, president; H. Pinney, vice-president ; James E. Owen, secretary ; D. Ward, treasurer.

The settlers who came to this neighborhood after the railroad was completed felt the need of the organization of a small fruit and hor- ticultural society, in which could be discussed the various kinds of pursuits in which they were engaged. About the time of the war a farmers' club was organized, composed of the leading farmers in the township, and meetings were held as often as circumstances would permit. During the war these meetings were abandoned; other things took the attention of the people who had a country to save and had sent sons to save it. After the war the meetings were re- sumed by such men as E. G. Babcock, F. P. Beach, H. Pinney, R. B. Pangborn, S. H. Harper, J. B. Clark, I. W. Wilson and many others. In February, 1866, the name was changed to Farmers' Club and Fruit Growers' Association, and in May, 1867, again changed to Onarga Horticultural Society. In December John B. Clark was elected president ; H. Pinney, vice-president ; E. C. Hall, secretary and librarian ; and Dr. L. Pike, treasurer. In the spring of 1868 the State Horticultural Convention held a session here. M. L. Dunlap, of Champaign, Dr. Warder, of Ohio, and other celebrated horticul- turists lectured from time to time before this society. It was for many years considered one of the leading organizations of the kind in the state. Regular meetings were held till 1878, and occasionally since then. The soil in the neighborhood is well adapted to small fruit, and this industry has been one of considerable magnitude. It was commenced by E. Gould, who first made a success in strawberries, soon followed by many others, till for several years there were nearly 100 acres in strawberries, and a number of acres set to raspberries and other small fruits. Some years more than a hundred tons of grapes are raised in the corporation. One year the sales of small fruit amounted to over $30,000, and the culture employed a large number of laborers. In the last few years, on account of the low price of fruit, many have abandoned the business.

December 3, 1864, there was organized a company to prospect for coal. Sech Turner was the superintendent ; E. C. Hall, treasurer ;

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ONARGA TOWNSHIP.

J. D. Bennett, C. H. Wood and M. H. Messer, a committee to cooperate with the superintendent in the work. December 19, 21 and 23, D. C. Wilber was employed to lecture on the coal formation in the state. May 1, 1865, the work was commenced by boring at a point a quarter of a mile south of the depot. Jolin Farlas, in May and June, sunk a shaft 8×12, 75 feet deep, but was compelled to abandon it on ac- count of artesian water. It was located one mile and a quarter north of town. In the fall of 1866 boring was again commenced, and on April 11, 1867, a depth of 222 feet had been reached. The citizens raised for Mr. McCulloch, who was prosecuting the work, $350, and he went on till the depth of 527 feet was reached, but October 29 the project was abandoned.

About 1860 Lewis Russ and Isaac McCourtie bought of Erastus Martin, of Woodstock, Champaign county, Ohio, "Rollin," a fine mahogany bay stallion, which Martin had imported from France. It was the first of that celebrated stock, "Percheron Norman," in this part of the state. In the spring of 1870 the same men, with Timothy Slattery, formed a company, and Slattery went to France and personally selected five horses, and safely landed them in Onarga in the following June. In 1872 the same parties imported eight more, selected by the same party, and delivered in June. The same year Horace Babcock and Lee C. Brown imported five, Brown going to Europe to select them. They were landed in Onarga in the sum- mer of 1872. Russ and McCourtre purchased "Old Tom" from parties in Ohio who imported him. In 1874 about thirty farmers associated themselves together, denominating themselves the Onarga Live Stock Importing Company, and sent William B. Lyman to the old country to select their stock; the result of this effort was the delivery of ten stallions, on the fair ground in Onarga, May 25, 1874. In September, 1874, Russ & Slattery brought over two black stallions, Slattery accompanying them across the ocean. The Onarga Live Stock Importing Company, being successful in profitably dis- posing of their first venture, sent Luther T. Clark and Lee C. Brown for a second lot. Nine were purchased, and delivered in Onarga in May, 1875. Mr. T. Slattery is now in France selecting a lot of three or four, which he expects to deliver in Onarga early in June, 1880. Of all the above lot of horses only four are now owned in town ; the others were sold from time to time and taken into nearly all the western states beyond the Mississippi river. No stock has ever brought the farmers so much money as this ; there has always been a ready sale of all half and quarter breeds of this valuable stock.

In the limits of the town there are five places where the dead are

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

. buried. The first is called the Lehigh graveyard. It is on a high point, putting out from the south into the big bog southwest of Del Rey ; it is in the S.E. cor. of the W. ¿ of lot 4 of N. W. } of Sec. 1, T. 25, R. 10 E. There are, as near as can be determined, 190 graves in the inclosure. No better place could have been selected in the neighborhood for that purpose, and it is in a reasonably good condi- tion. The second, as to age, is known as the Frame graveyard. It is on the east bank of Spring Creek, near the N.W. cor. of S. W. ¿ of Sec. 15, T. 26, R. 14 W ; the bluff is near twenty feet high at this place, rendering the locality always dry. There are thirty- three graves in all. In one inclosure twelve of the Frame and Rounsavéll families are buried. There are two or three other inclo- sures, but the fences are all going to decay rapidly ; no fence incloses this spot. The third is known as the Pangborn burying-ground. It is in the edge of the timber on a high bluff east of the creek, near the N.E. cor. of S.E. ¿ of Sec. 19, T. 26, R. 14 W. At this place have been buried about sixty-four persons ; about twelve have been removed to the cemetery at Onarga. This place is inclosed by a good fence. The fourth is known as the Jefferson burial-place, located near the creek, on the S. W. ¿ of S. W. ¿ of Sec. 12, T. 26, R. 14. The first, grave was that of Henry Jefferson, and it marks one corner of the spot where Hamilton Jefferson, his father, located his first cabin in 1837. There are twenty-three graves at this place. It is in a pasture, and but few of the graves are inclosed. Onarga Cemetery Association was organized under the laws of the state in March, 1858. Thirty-six persons were present out of the forty- six, who had at a previous meeting subscribed $5 each toward a cemetery fund. Enoch C. Hall was elected president; William H. Skeels, secretary ; Elisha G. Babcock, Jolin C. Culver and Lewis Russ, directors. At this meeting the officers were directed to pur- chase ten acres of land, the present cemetery lot. In the summer of 1858 a tract of land was purchased and laid into blocks, lots, walks and driveways, and on the 7th of August the stockholders met and bid for choice. R. B. McCready bid the highest, and secured the lot where he was afterward buried. The net proceeds of the choice bids amounted to $48. In the spring of 1867 the grounds were orna- mented by shade trees ; a reception vault was constructed at an expense of $350, and a fine substantial gateway with iron gates was put up, at a cost of near $175. In October, 1877, five acres were pur- chased on the south at an expense of $550. It is a most desirable addition for future use. This resting place for the dead is a beautiful knoll, rising gently from all sides to the summit near the center.

M. JEFFERSON . (DECEASED.)

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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ONARGA TOWNSHIP.

The soil is sand, and naturally well drained. There is now a fine growth of elms along the main driveways and a variety of ever- greens along the walks. Such grounds are a credit and an ornament to Onarga. The respect paid to the dead is a just measure of our appreciation of the living.

THE MURDER OF MARTIN MEARA, JR.

Martin Meara, Jr., a boy eleven years old, was burned and whipped by his father till he was dead. June 13, 1871, the lad was - knocked down twice, and most unmercifully flogged until he could not stand. Two or three times the father said he would whip the life out of him, the boy pleading, "Father, don't whip mne any more." The next morning his swollen face gave evidence of the ordeal through which he had passed; and feeling bad he returned to his bed, saying to his sister he did not know why his father whipped him so. After he had been in bed a short time Meara made him get up and feed the stock, and on his return to the house whipped him again, and sent him to the field. Not long after this he brought him in, and commenced whipping him with the stock of a large black-snake whip about a yard long; then laid him on the hot stove (the daughter was baking biscuit at the time), the boy pleading all the while, "Father, don't burn me, don't burn me." He screamed very loud. The skin from his feet and back stuck to the stove, making the room very offensive. Meara would not allow a door or window to be opened. He knocked the boy down with the butt end of the whip stock several times. He then took him to his mother's room, and the children never saw him again. This is the testimony of Sarah Meara, fourteen years of age. Maggie Meara, a bright little girl, seven years old, said to the coro- ner's jury : "Father whipped brother with a whip; he put brother on the hot stove; he laid him down ; he cried when he was put on the stove; there was a fire in the stove; he laid him on his back on the hot stove ; brother tried to get away ; his clothes were all off; father made him take them off himself; father hit brother on the lead ; he hit him lots of times ; he then threw him in the shed ; he then walked back and stood up by the side of the wall; he whipped him, and then took him into mother's room ; I never saw him more ; father told me not to say anything about it, or he would whip me ; I loved my brother; father whipped me sometimes with a whip." Afterward the boy was taken to his mother's room, where she lay sick with an infant one day old. Meara in her presence used the whip on him for a number of minutes, the child dodging around the room

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

to avoid the blows, pleading, " Don't whip me, father, please don't ; I will work." At last he stopped and told him to put on his shirt. The boy made an effort and failed, saying, "I cannot see it, I can- not see it ; no, father, I cannot see you," and fell to the floor dying. Meara said, "Have I killed him ?" The sick wife, the only human witness to the awful scene, replied, "Yes, you have ; you have fin- ished him." Meara then bathed him with whisky, tried to have him drink some, threw some over him, and labored to revive him. Failing in this, he cried, "Have I killed him ?" After rubbing him for a half hour the boy lifted his hand, moved his lips and was dead. He then pushed the body under the mother's bed, where it remained till near midnight, when Meara laid him on a sheet, with his clothes on, drew his cap over his face, pinned the sheet closely around him, and taking him in his arms, carried the remains of his murdered son to the previously prepared grave, about four rods south of the house, and buried him five and a half feet deep. So complete had this work been done that the soil was replaced in its natural position. This severity of the father to the son was because he said the boy would tell lies, and would not work. The other members of the family said he was a good boy, and only told falsehoods when his father made him own to things he had not done, to avoid greater punishment. After Mrs. Meara was able to go out she made an_ effort to find the grave of her son, but failed. She told him so, and he replied, "I don't think you could." The day after the murder Meara posted notices in Gilman, written by himself, stating his son had run away, and offered a reward for his return. The neighbors suspecting something wrong at Meara's, June 29 so stated to George B. Winter and Isaac McCourtie, of Onarga, who the next day un- earthed this atrocious affair. A sufficient statement was by them obtained from the eldest daughter, who was interviewed at school, to satisfy them of the truth of the rumor. The girl was brought to town, the father at once arrested, and search made for the body. Meara was allowed to go home that night, being secretly watched by a number of men all night. The next day a large number of citizens from Gilman and Onarga searched the premises. Many gave up and went home before noon, and others came, and the search went on. Meara was taken back to Onarga during the fore- noon. At no time did he make any effort to escape; he feared be- ing lynched, and asked the officers to protect him. He went un- manacled about the village with the officer. Mrs. Meara denied all knowledge of the affair till she knew he was in the custody of the law. She said, "I knew Martin was a passionate man, and our lives

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ONARGA . TOWNSHIP.

were in danger." A partial examination was had before Justice Amerman, hoping the daughter would tell the court the same she had Winter and McCourtie; but the moment she entered the court- room and the eyes of her father were upon her she was dumb; not a word could be got from her. Late in the afternoon the men began to go home; nothing had been accomplished, either in the court- room or on the farm. At last a small piece of clay, smoothly cut on one side, was picked up. This belonged several feet below the sur- face, and led to a thorough investigation at that place. By forcing sharp sticks into the ground till the grave was found the body was soon exhumed. When this news reached town the perpetrator of this foul deed was talking to some men about the suspicions that he had made way 'with his boy. While thus engaged McCourtre told him the body was found. He appealed to McCourtre to have mercy upon him. The reply came, " Why do you ask me for mercy, when you had none for your boy when you killed him ? "". Meara said, "I whipped him to death." Irons were then put on him, and he was put under close guard. While in charge of the officer he said, if he had it to do again, he would fix it so no one would find the grave. There were strong indications that he would be lynched that night, but better counsel prevailed and the people dispersed, and under the cover of an approaching thunderstorm he was removed, by special constable Thomas Robinson and his assistants, to a wagon a half a mile away, and delivered to the sheriff at Watseka early the next day. The excitement increased day by day until, on the fifth day, the death of Martin Meara occurred as has already been related on page 40 of this work.

In 1878 Goodrich Marshall, in making a ditch about fifty rods northeast of the Lehigh graveyard, discovered the skeletons of two human beings. The ditch was along the margin of a "bot- tomless bog." The bones were about one and a half feet below the surface, and extending as much farther down. The smaller of the two, supposed to be that of a woman, was farther in the bog, and in a partly sitting position. The other was about six feet from it, and on its side. Nearly all the smaller bones were decayed, and readily crumbled on exposure to the air. The large bones and skulls of each were in a good state of preservation. Immediately beneath where the stomach of each must have lain was a quantity of watermelon seeds (recognized as such by visitors). The larger must have been a man above medium size, and the smaller a boy, or if of the opposite sex, a medium-sized woman. There is no tradition of any event of the kind ever occurring in the neighborhood, and no

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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

clue has been found to the mystery. No marks of violence were discoverable ; no fragments of clothing, not a button or a knife was found. It is possible they were travelers through the country at a very early time; were murdered and thrust beneath the surface of this quagmire. It is possible they were made away with during the building of the railroad in 1853-4, when there was a rough set of men employed, some of whom would dare to commit any kind of crime. The mystery will probably never be solved. The skull of the smaller person and some bones are in possession of the writer.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Mrs. Lydia Maria Boyd, Del Rey, is one of the oldest settlers in this part of the county. She was born in Chautauqua county, New York, March 18, 1810. Her parents were Samuel and Lydia Ayers. Her twin-brother, John Carey, graduated in the same class with Daniel Webster. Mrs. Boyd herself is an old lady of remarkable presence, and has possessed strong mental qualities. When she was twelve years old her parents removed to Mason county, West Virginia. Here her father died. Mrs. Boyd was married to her first husband (Ira Lindsey) January 13, 1832. They lived in Mason county about two years, when they removed to Iroquois county in 1834, and took up and settled upon the land now occupied by the family. This land Mr. Lindsey entered as soon as it came into market. Their children were: Virginia T., James S., Benjamin F. and Adaline A. James died soon after gradu- ating with honor from Lombard University. The eldest daughter married Francis Walker, of Champaign. Benjamin F. now lives on the same farm with his mother. Mr. Lindsey died April 3, 1844. His widow married Dr. Boyd in October, 1845. He died in March, 1865. B. F. Lindsey married Miss Frances Wiswell in March, 1865. They have five children. ¿ Ira Lindsey was the first justice of the peace west of Spring creek.

Hamilton Jefferson (deceased), was born in Alexandria, Virginia, May 1, 1798. His father, George Jefferson, was born in Scotland, and emigrated to America when he was fifteen years old. His mother (Anna) was a daughter of Sir Harry Glenlyn; she was married in England, and arrived in this country in 1796. Two sons were born to this couple. Thomas, the younger, died early. When Hamilton was eleven years old his father and mother both died, leaving him alone in the world. Though the relationship between the subject of this sketch and Thomas Jefferson was remote, nevertheless both descended from the same stock. Hamilton lived with an uncle in Alexandria until the commencement of the war with Great Britain, when he ran away and

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ONARGA TOWNSHIP.

enlisted. He served throughout the war, was in several actions, and at its close went to Philadelphia. There he worked for two years in a cigar mannfactory. He next went to Cincinnati, and in 1820 was mar- ried to Mrs. Sarah Sayres, whose maiden name was Jones. They lived in Virginia till 1836, when they moved to Illinois, and settled first near Georgetown, in Vermilion county. In 1837 they came to this county, and fixed their home on the banks of Spring creek, in Onarga township, on Sec. 24, T. 26, R. 14. They brought eight children- four sons and four daughters. Of these only two are living: Thomas, residing in Deadwood, Dakota ; and Hannah, who married Moses Oppy, and now lives in Kansas. His wife died in Virginia in 1858, while there on a visit. He celebrated his second marriage with Nancy (Darby) Eoff, relict of Garrett Eoff, January 9, 1859. They had one danghter (Cincinnati M.), who was born March 8, 1860. In 1873 he moved from his farm to Onarga, where he had previously resided between 1865 and 1868. In an early day he held the office of postmaster, and served one term as county commissioner. He was reared "after the straitest sect " of Scotch Presbyterians, whose rigid discipline caused him to conceive a strong dislike of that denomination, and when he was twenty-three years old he united with the M. E. church. Toward the close of his life liis sentiments were largely tinged with Universalism. He was a Royal Arch Mason for many years. He died, much esteemed, September 29, 1876.

Annt Diana Harper, Onarga, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, October 11, 1816, and is a daughter of Reuben and Sallie (Reed) Skeels. September 29, 1836, she was married to Mr. Alexander Harper, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, born October 16, 1808. In the fall of 1837, with her husband, she came to Iroquois county, Illinois, and settled in what is now Onarga. He immediately entered land and permanently located where he lived engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising up to the time of his death. She is still living on the old homestead. Her husband died February 15, 1845. She is one of the pioneers of this county, and is in possession of a remarkable memory, and from hier much of the early history of this county has been obtained. She is one of the pioneer log cabin school teachers of this county. She became disabled in one of her limbs, supposed by physicians to have been caused by spinal affection, and from which for many years she suffered greatly, not knowing what it was to have one niglit's sleep for thirteen years, and not being able to walk for twenty- nine years ; she is now just able to walk. She has been a member of the M. E. church for nearly fifty-two years, and her faith in Christ has supported and been her shield through all her suffering and trials, and

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History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources, Part 112

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903 Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180