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 97
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Robert Finch settled on a fine tract in the southeast part of the township in 1853. In this corner, also, settled Abner Mitchell, K. Shankland, R. Adsit and Pixley, about the same time, or soon after. Of the early settlers in this part of the township, three (Finch, Shank- land and Mitchell) yet remain, still owning large tracts of land where they first settled. In the northwest corner we find, in 1853, on sec- tion 5: Dale Pierce, in the spring; and late in that year H. C. Smith, who still lives where he first pitched his tent. A few years afterward James A. Smith started a farm in the northeast corner. Here also David Smalley, in 1858, began to help his father improve what is now the Crowther farm. His part of the improving was " driving " fence-posts ; and young David was very glad to return to his home, near Attica, Indiana, after a short experience. He re- turned subsequently, and now owns the best and largest farm in that part of the township.
In 1857 John Greer began to break the sod in the southwest cor- ner, but did not reside here until some years after. Breaking sod in those days was a good business for the favored few who owned breaking-teams and a "breaker." The breaker was a large plow, cutting a furrow from twenty inches to two feet, designed for five or six yoke of oxen. The beam was mounted on trucks ; the depth was · regulated by a lever, and as the wheels in front hield the plow in position it required no holding ; but considerable skill in driving was necessary when starting the first furrow, often a half mile or more in length. The season for breaking began as soon as the grass had got a good start in the spring, and did not end until near the first of July. Such large farmers as Finch and Shankland commonly had one or more breaking teams running, and after doing their own work would break for their neighbors, charging from $3 to $4 per acre. The teams were allowed to feed on the natural grasses they were plowing under at morning, noon and night, commonly being " corralled " after dark to prevent straying. No one at this time
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
had any idea that prairie sod could be plowed with horses. This was one reason why the prairies did not settle more rapidly at first. As soon as it was discovered that two or three horses, with a ten or twelve-inch plow, could turn nearly as much sod as an ox team, the prairie was soon dotted with little shanties or neat cottages, and the era of real improvement set in.
From the organization of the township there has been 'a law restraining stock from running at large. This was quite an induce- ment to the poor settler to start a home in this township. He could take care of his own stock with but little expense ; to fence against his neighbors' was very expensive.
The first road through the township was the old Attica road, which ran in a northwest direction toward Milford. Road-making in Prai- rie Green for twenty years was a miserable farce. The overseer would warn his men out with their teams and tools. On the day specified they would assemble, and with plow and scraper would raise the semblance of a grade here and there, which the judicious teamster would always avoid. The greater part of the day, however, would be spent in talking about the crops, discussing politics or tell- ing stories,-the overseer often taking a prominent part in furnishing entertainment of this nature to his willing listeners. Mr. Pixley, who has before been mentioned, once when overseer turned his road- working force into his hay-field. They soon put Mr. Pixley's hay up, he promising to give them credit for road-work, and to do the work himself. At his leisure Mr. Pixley hauled a quantity of flax tow out to the line of road to be repaired, making, at least for the time, quite a formidable grade. But it all ended in smoke, for the annual prairie fire swept that way soon after, and left not a trace of Pixley's road behind. In the last few years, however, under the contract system, the roads all over the township have been graded and drained, and substantial culverts and bridges have been put in wherever needed.
No creek nor river traverses this township. The north fork of the Vermilion cuts off a little of the southeast corner. Good water for stock and household purposes is easily obtained by digging and boring from twenty to sixty feet. It was while digging a well on the farm of Mr. Greer, August 19, 1867, in section 30, that a very trag- ical event took place. The well had been dug to a depth of about twenty-seven feet, and partly walled up. No water having been found, the workman, Mr. Moore, a tenant of Mr. Greer's, was down in the well boring. He had just withdrawn the auger to clean it. Mr. Greer and Mrs. Moore were at the brink of the well looking
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down, when suddenly Mr. Greer heard a noise similar to that of es- caping steam from a locomotive. He knew at once that it was caused by gas escaping through the hole just bored, and called to Mr. Moore to ascend as quickly as possible. Mr. Moore had been stand- ing erect ; he now stooped over and reached for a cup that was on the bottom of the well, and instantly fell back dead. Mrs. Moore seeing her husband fall, and supposing that if he were extricated at once he might be saved, entreated Mr. Greer to go down and try to get him out. Mr. Greer began to descend ; but before he got very far he saw the foolishness of risking his life where he could do no good, and ascended, mounted a horse, and galloped off to the nearest house to secure assistance. Arriving at his residence, he met his son Nelson, who had just got off a fleet horse. After hearing from his father what had happened, the young man mounted his horse, and almost flew to the rescue of Moore. Before Mr. Greer and two or three others could reach the spot young Greer had begun to descend into the fatal well. He had only gone down a few feet when his hold loosened, and he fell across the wall a few feet below a lifeless corpse. It seems that a fountain of carbonic acid gas had been tapped by the auger, which rapidly filled the well, even to overflowing. Shortly after the death of Mr. Greer's son, the news of the fatal accident spread, and the neighbors soon assembled to help extricate the bodies. It was difficult to do this. No one could approach the well and look into it without feeling the baneful influence of the deadly gas. The bodies were finally drawn out by means of an iron hook that was caught into their boots or shoes. This sad accident deprived Mrs. Moore of a husband, and took from Mr. Greer an only and beloved son.
Mill going in the early times was attended with much inconven- ience. One of the early settlers, J. Crawford Pugh, a blacksmith, had a mill for grinding corn run by horse-power in the east part of the township, not far from Mr. Finch's. He conceived the idea of making a wheel for the wind to turn, so as to dispense with his horse-power. He erected his wheel, which was an immense affair, thirty or forty feet in diameter, on a framework of massive posts, the raising of which required all the men for miles around. The projector found the wind a very unsteady and uncertain power. It did the farmers some good, but financially it was a failure, and the mill has long since disappeared. This same J. C. Pugh kept a small stock of groceries, and in some manner his place acquired the curious name of "Goose Nibble."
There is now no cross-roads store, blacksmith's shop, post-office
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
nor town within the limits of Prairie Green : nor does any railroad cross its territory, yet the shadow of a railroad debt falls over the land. Prairie Green is mostly tributary to Wellington, a small town on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railway about one mile and a half west, yet this township has some institutions that would do credit to much older and more favored communities. These institutions are due to the genius and enterprise of several unmarried young men in the northeast part of the town.
First, there is the Prairie Green Glee Club, under the leadership of R. G. Cowan, an institution of great merit and long standing, com- prising nearly a dozen voices, all above mediocrity.
The Prairie Green Dramatic Troupe was organized in October, 1876, and contains twelve members who all rank high in histrionic talent. This company has played for various charitable and public purposes, and each time has received the highest encomiums of both public and press. The officers are : Stage manager, R. M. Denholm ; treasurer, H. W. Cowan ; secretary, E. J. Cody.
The Prairie Green Quadrille Band, an association organized in 1879, now numbers twelve instruments : Three first violins, two second violins, three German flutes, two flageolets, and two violon- cellos. This orchestra has met with an enthusiastic reception at all performances where it has taken a part. Its leader is R. G. Cowan ; vice, H. Crowther; treasurer, John Cowan ; secretary, R. M. Den- holm.
The Round Top Silver Fife Band, as an organization, dates from October, 1879, and numbers twelve fifes, two drums and a triangle. The boys have made rapid progress under their able leader, and promise to be an interesting feature at future public and political gatherings. Leader, R. G. Cowan; vice, H. W. Cowan; treasurer, E. J. Cody ; secretary, R. M. Denholm.
The Trego Blue Ribbon Society was organized in the winter of 1878, under the lecturing of Mrs. Trego, and numbers over 200 members. It meets once every week. It maintains its interest unabated.
The schools of Prairie Green are in the front rank among the edu- cational interests of the county. The township was organized into four school districts about the year 1858. Lamont and Prairie Green school-houses were built soon after. Round Top was not built for some years after these two, but has become more famous than all the others. It was so named on account of the roof which covered the building, having the appearance of being round at a distance, although the house was really an octagon in shape, and the roof
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eight-sided. The foregoing institutions that have been named, all had their birth in and about old Round Top. There are now seven schools in the township, all well attended and under the charge of competent teachers.
The school fund of the township amounts to the handsome sum of nearly $12,000.
While speaking of the institutions of Prairie Green we must not omit the broom factory of Robert Finch, of which his son Fremont is superintendent and working force. The low price of broom-corn for the last few years induced Mr. Finch to try manufacturing. Out of his crop of 1879 he will make about 350 dozen· brooms. The use of tools coming nearly as handy to Fremont Finch as the use of his hands, he made his own broom machine, learned the trade in a few days, and is now an expert broom-maker.
The religious history of Prairie Green is perhaps similar to that of all other newly settled communities. A Methodist class was formed at Abner Mitchell's early in 1858. There was preaching around at houses, and after the school-houses were built meetings were held in them. Nearly every winter revivals of great interest would take place in these school-houses. Some of these first Meth- odist preachers did not turn out very well, however. The class at Mitchell's died out in a few years.
There is a small society of the United Brethren at Willow Brook school-house, and a prosperous Methodist class at Maple Grove (formerly Round Top) school-house. This is under the ministration of Rev. J. D. Calhoun, of Wellington circuit. There is a splendid Sunday school connected with this society. J. W. Dixon has been superintendent since its permanent organization in April, 1878, and M. Garrison, secretary. The greatest interest is kept up at all sea- sons of the year, and the school is well supported by regular weekly contributions. The average attendance is about seventy-five.
Christian chapel is the only church edifice in the township. It stands on section 12, and was built a few years ago at a cost of about $1,000. J. J. Robb, D. Smalley, B. P. Cowan and J. B. Ferrand gave liberally to aid in its construction. Its size is 30×40, and it is a neat and substantial structure, and is owned by the Christian soci- ety of the neighborhood, some of the members living in Indiana.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
F. Williamson, farmer, Wellington, was born in this county, in what is now Stockland township, September 6, 1843. He is the son of Bethel P. and Margaret (Williams) Williamson. His father was a
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
native of Ohio, and his mother of Indiana. His grandfather was the first settler of Stockland township. Mr. Williamson spent his early life on his father's farm in Stockland township. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 76th Ill. reg. for three years. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and participated in the battles of Jackson, Mississippi, Blakeley and Mobile. One of the hottest engagements he was ever in was at Canton and Jackson' cross-roads, where the 76th lost 117 men in one · hour. In this engagement lie was slighly wounded in the right breast. During his three-years experience in the armny he was in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Ar- kansas, Missouri and Texas. He was married, March 21, 1869, to Dinah Slaughter. She was raised in Jefferson county, Indiana. Her parents are both living in Stockland township. After marriage Mr. Williamson rented awhile. He owns the farm of 80 acres where he now lives, having come here in the spring of 1872. He has four chil- dren living: Glennie E., William B., Leni Leoti and Harlan L .; there was one that died in infancy. Mr. Williamson has been collector of this township for two terms, and is. now serving out his third term as supervisor. He is a republican.
James K. Williamson, farmer, Wellington, is the son of Bethel P. and Margaret (Williams) Williamson. His parents were the first settlers at Crab Apple Grove, in Stockland township. He was born in Stockland township, February 21, 1845. His youth was spent on his father's farm, until December, 1863, when he enlisted in the 76th Ill. Vol. He was with this regiment until July, 1865, and was then trans- ferred at Galveston, Texas, to the 37th Ill. Vet. He was in several skirmishes through Mississippi, and was mustered out at Houston, Texas, May 18, 1866. After coming home in the fall of 1866, he entered the school at Onarga, where he remained four terms. He then began farming in Stockland township. He came to Prairie Green in 1872 ; here he rented a farm, then bought 80 acres, but did not keep it long, and in 1876 went to Iowa. While in Iowa he was married to Tinnie Walton, daughter of A. L. Walton, an old settler and respected citizen of Iowa. The marriage was consummated October 17, 1877. Since his marriage he has lived in Prairie Green, and has been engaged in farming. He now owns 80 acres. He has one child named J. Harley, who was born April 2, 1879. Mrs. Williamson is a member of the Christian church at Eden, Iowa. Mr. Williamson has served four terms as assessor of this township. In politics he is a republican.
A: J. Decker, farmer, Wellington, was born about 1844, in Page county, Virginia, and is the son of Chrysley and Mary Decker, both of whom are now living near. They were natives of Virginia, and
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PRAIRIE GREEN TOWNSHIP.
came to Milford township about 1849. Old Mr. Decker rented land in the vicinity of Milford until about the year 1865. He then removed to this township. In August, 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in the 113th Ill. Vol. He was in the battles on the Yazoo, at Mem- phis, and Island No. 10. He was then laid up with the measles, and sent to the hospital at Memphis. He rejoined his command before he was really well, and taking cold was sick for nine mon'this. All this time he staid with his command, but at last, being unable to walk, he was discharged and sent home, in August, 1863. At home Mr. Decker soon regained his strength, but as he liad enlisted with a view to see- ing the end of the contest, he now reënlisted at Springfield, Illinois, in the same regiment, and finally joined liis old comrades at Memphis in February, 1864. He took part in the battle of Holly Springs, and in June, 1864, was captured by the rebels at Ripley, Mississippi. He was sent to Andersonville, and for ten months suffered all of the tort- ures that the wretch Wirz knew so well how to inflict. When he entered the prison-pen he weighed 150 pounds, and in ten months after only sixty-three. While here he saw Jeff Davis, and says he heard him threaten to hang Wirz if the prisoners were not treated better. Mr. Decker was so reduced that he could not walk for three months after he had been released. He was mustered out at Quincy, in July, 1865. He returned to his parents, where he remained until he was married. This occurred September 6, 1868, his bride being Adiline Stanton. She was the daughter of James and Martha Stanton, natives of Virginia, who settled near Crawfordsville, Indiana, where she was born. Her mother is still living in this township with her children. The children of Mr. Decker are named as follows: Eva, born June 10, 1869; Alice, born February 21, 1872; and William, born August 19, 1878. Mr. Decker is an experienced thresher, and owns a steam threshing machine. He is a republican. His farm con- sists of 120 acres in section 7, worth about $4,000.
Robert Fincli, Ambia, Indiana, was born at Lawrenceburg, Indi- ana, September 25, 1819. His parents were Jubal and Filena (Earl) Finch, of English descent. His father was a practicing physician, and died when the subject of this sketch was quite young. His mother married again ; lived awhile at Vevay, and came to Fountain county, Indiana, in 1832. He staid with his step-father until he was about sixteen years of age, and then, with his mother's consent, he ran away to his grandfather's, near Noblesville, Hamilton county, Indiana. He remained here about one year and then returned home. At the age of nineteen he went to Cincinnati, intending to go into business with a cousin there, but did not do so, and went to his uncle's, Judge Finch,
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
at Franklin, Indiana, where he attended a Baptist school for six months. He then taught school one term in the woods near here, in an old- fashioned log school-house, and acquired considerable reputation as a ~ school teacher. While at Franklin he and William S. Holman, who has since had a seat in congress, started the first debating society in Franklin. From Franklin he went to Crawfordsville, where he at- tended two terms at Wabash College, and then went home, teaching school in the vicinity until 1845. At this time he came from Foun- tain to Warren county, and bought a farm on the Grand Prairie, three miles from West Lebanon. In 1847 he married Sarah A. Crawford, daughter of Dr. Crawford, who lived near Attica. He taught school awhile, and then moved into his own cabin on his farm, where he lived until 1853. He sold this farm of 120 acres for $1,800. He invested a larger part of this money in government land, entering all of section 26 and half of section 25 in Prairie Green township, in this county. He built a shanty on the new farm and moved into it. This was in the spring of 1853. The shanty was afterward used for a stable. His present residence is an old-style family mansion, pleasantly situated in the midst of his fertile acres. Mr. Finch is the father of eleven chil- dren, and has six grandchildren. His children are named as follows : Edwin, John, Robert, Cyrus, Theodore, Fremont, Geneva, Lizzie, Fred- eric, Leon and Leonora, all of whom are living. Such has been the confidence of the people in Mr. Finch's ability and honesty that he has always held office since the organization of the township. He is a republican in politics.
H. C. Smith, farmer, Wellington, was born June 13, 1829. His parents were Eli and Mary Smith, of the Society of Friends. His father was an industrious shoemaker. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of a family of seven. At the age of three his parents died. An aunt took care of him until he was fourteen years old. He lived with his sister awhile and then went to his brother and staid four years. While living here he learned the shoemaker's trade of his brother. He had but little opportunity to obtain an education from the time that he was old enough to work. In 1846 he went to Louisi- ana, and spent the winter in chopping cordwood. He returned to Ohio and worked awhile on a farm, and in 1848 he worked at digging iron ore at Ironton, Ohio. He was also engaged for awhile on a flat- boat that carried iron ore from Ironton to Cincinnati. While on the river he became an expert swimmer, and by reason of this, has saved three men from drowning. He was married, December 25, 1849, to Harriet Moreland. He came with his young wife to Portland, Foun- tain county, Indiana, in April, 1851. After many discouragements he
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at last managed to save fourteen dollars, and made the first payment on the 40 acres of land where lie now resides. He moved here in De- cember, 1853. He went to work wherever work could be had, and his children grew up about him to help, and at last the home was paid for. He was elected town clerk of Crab Apple township one term, and served as justice of the peace from the organization of this township, for fourteen years. He was also supervisor for three terms, and assessor three terms. Mr. Smithi has six children : Arabella, Mary E., Martha E., Lorena E., Morean and Eli Tad. Three of the oldest are married, and all live in this county. He is a member of the Milford Lodge of Masons, No. 168, also a member of Prairie Green Grange, No. 1166. He is a republican.
Kendall Shankland, farmer, Hoopeston, was born July 1, 1825, at Eaton, Ohio. His parents were Kentuckians, and were among the first settlers of Ohio, and also of Warren county, Indiana, where they came when Kendall was about four years of age. The town of West Lebanon sprang up near where his parents settled, and here the subject of this sketch grew up to manhood. His education was rather limited. He was married in Boone county, Indiana, to Amanda Harris, a native of Marion county, Indiana, on February 14, 1848. They lived on a farm in Warren county, Indiana, near West Lebanon, until they moved to this township in 1854. Mr. Shankland was among the first residents of Prairie Green. He now owns 840 acres of land in this township, besides the old farm in Warren county. He is the father of five chil- dren : Ben. F., now at Watseka, in the office of the county clerk as deputy ; George, Florence, David and Laura. Mr. Shankland took an active part in organizing the township of Prairie Green, and has since been prominently connected with public affairs in the township and county. He has been supervisor in all for eighteen years, and was the first one to hold that office in the township. He has been a republican from the formation of that party. Mr. Shankland has also held the office of school trustee. His grove and orchard, crowning the brow of one of the highest knolls in the township, can be seen for miles in any direction.
L. E. Barritt, farmer, Wellington, was born March 28, 1836, in Westville, Champaign county, Ohio. His parents were Lemuel and Matilda (Pearce) Barritt. They left Ohio and settled in Madison county, Indiana, about 1839, and remained in that county until 1844, when they came to Warren county, Indiana, and from there to Iro- quois county, Illinois, in 1854, and settled in Stockland township. They both died in this county. He remained with his parents up to the age of twenty-two. On March 18, 1858, he was married to Mary
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
J. Dawson, daugliter of C. W. and Mary J. Dawson, of Milford town- ship. Mrs. Barritt died in the same year, December 2, and Mr. Bar- ritt returned to his mother's home in Stockland township, his father having died the year before. He was married again, September 4, 1859, to Lavina J. Decker, who was born June 28, 1841. Her parents were old residents of Milford township, having come from Virginia more than thirty years ago. By this last marriage Mr. Barritt has three children living: Cornelia, born November 17, 1860; Andrew L., born September 7, 1864; and Lillie M., born August 14, 1866. Jasper S. was born July 28, 1862, and died December 17, 1877. Mr. Barritt and his first wife were members of the United Brethren church. He and his present wife now belong to the Methodists. He has 100 acres, which he values at $4,000. He is a republican, but no office seeker.
Jasper N. Barritt is one of the wide-awake, progressive farmers of Prairie Green. His comfortable home nestles in the midst of the grove and orchard which his own hands have planted. His farm is in section 8, and consists of 180 acres, valued at $35 per acre. He was born February 4, 1841, in Madison county, Indiana. He is the son of Lemuel and Matilda (Pearce) Barritt, who canie from Ohio and settled first in Madison county, Indiana, and afterward in Warren county, Indiana, near Pine village. In 1854 the family moved to Stockland township and settled four miles east of Milford. They owned a farm at that place and also the land where Jasper now lives. He staid with his parents, working on the farm, until August 9, 1862, when lie enlisted in the 76th Ill. Vol. He was at the siege of Vicks- burg, and after the fall of that city was in the battle at Jackson and in a skirmish at Benton, Mississippi. He was mustered out at Galveston, and discharged at Chicago, August 4, 1865. He was married, Septem- ber 17, 1865, to Matilda Stephenson. Her parents, Aaron and Eliza- beth Stephenson, are both living in Warren county, Indiana, having been married fifty-eight years. They came from Ohio, and were the first settlers of Warren county, Indiana. Mr. Barritt has a family of four lovely daughters and one boy. Their names and dates of birth are as follows : Estella, August 14, 1866 : Mary A., June 22, 1868; Lura L., February 21, 1871; Loda, January 9, 1873, and Ira J., November 6, 1878. He rented a farm near Milford for two years after marriage, but in 1868 he moved to the place where he now resides. Mrs. Barritt is a Methodist. His political views are republican.
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