USA > Illinois > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 27
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Mr. Gill was born in Virginia, and came here with his parents in 1813 (nearly a decade before our great State was born) and is still living, re- siding near De Soto. Mr. Gill is of English and Irish descent, and his wife of German extraction. John M. Gill, Jr., spent most of his boyhood days in assist-
ing his father to carry on the farm, and on January 6, 1859, he married Miss Nancy J., daughter of Washington Wright, of Williamson County, Ill. They have had two children (one deceased) and a son living, Joseph B. S. Gill, now fifteen years old. In 1855 Mr. Gill commenced merchandizing at De Soto, and in '58 moved to Williamson County, and engaged in farming, deal- ing in tobacco and other produce. In '63 he returned to De Soto, which continued to be his residence until 1868, when he located in Murphysboro', and resumed merchandizing, and, unfortunately, was burned out in 1870, after which he turned his attention to milling, in which business he has since been engaged, now milling in partnership with Dr. John Ford. In politics, Mr. Gill is one of the strong and faithful pillars of the Democratic party of the County. In the Spring of 1876 he was elected Mayor of the City of Murphysboro', re-elected in the Spring of 1877, and is the present incumbent, discharging the duties with rare judgment and great satisfaction to all.
He has also been one of the Directors of the Public Schools of the City for three years, and has been a member of the Masonic Order for about twenty years. He laid out and founded the town of Gillsburg, on the Narrow Gauge R. R., situated about eight miles north of Murphysboro', whichı bids fair to become quite a thriving place. As a business man, Mr. Gill is ener- getic, and combines many of those qualities-honesty, integrity and suavity- which are the sure precursors of success in life.
CARBONDALE TOWNSHIP.
BY JOHN MARTEN.
ARBONDALE TOWNSHIP is town nine south, range one west of the third principal meridian. On the north is De Soto, east Williamson County, south Makanda, west Murphysboro' Town- ship. Until about the year 1872, De Soto was included in this, the two constituting a precinct.
The surface of the township is generally of a level or rolling nature, except in the northeast and southeast portions, where there are a few sand-stone hills.
The water courses are Big Muddy, which crosses the northwest corner. Big Crab Orchard crosses the township, from south to north, in the eastern part. Little Crab Orchard, in the western part, crosses from south to north, entering the Big Crab Orchard a short distance above the northern boundary of the township. And Piles' Fork which flows in a northeasterly direction across the central part of the township, entering the Big Crab Orchard near the center of the township. These creeks are all small, but they serve as a complete system of drainage.
The natural resources of the township are rather limited. The timber is principally of oak, ash, hickory, walnut and poplar, of which there is a thick growth in all parts. Coal is found in limited quantities in the cen- tral part. The soil is capable of yielding largely in all parts, if properly cultivated.
The first settlers in the township were a family of squatters by the name of Phelps, who cleared two or three acres of land in section 34, upon which they cultivated corn, but their principal source of provisions was from the game found in the woods around.
Following the Phelps's came John Murden in 1829, as the first permanent settler. He settled in the same section as Phelps, and commenced to clear a farm. Murden was followed in 1831 by James Boren and a family by the name of Wingate, and shortly afterward by the Hansons, Brewsters, Sniders and many others.
Messrs. Holden, Smith and Hanson deeded the first land on which coal was dug, situated on Crab Orchard Creek. Here the coal cropped out, and any man wishing coal had only to dig it and haul it away. Blacksmiths came here from Jonesboro', twenty miles and more, to get coal to supply their forges.
At present there are but two mines in the township, both found in section 22, one on the farm of S. T. Brush, the other on the farm of J. B. Ricbart.
Until the grading for the I. C. R. R. was begun in 1857, the principal produce was corn, but as soon as the railroad was completed, a means of transportation was furnished and the farmers began sowing wheat, which in- creased until the present year (1877) there is scarcely enough corn to supply home wants.
The first mill in this township was a horse mill, built by Mr. Lyphas Davis, in section 29. He afterward sold the mill to a Mr. Biddle, who moved it about half a mile to the southwest. Corn was carried a distance of more than 15 miles to this mill, each person having to await his turn and furnish a horse to turn the mill, and if he wanted his meal bolted, he did it himself.
The first water mill was built in section 35, on Drury Creek, by Wm. Lindsey, and about the same time another by Isaac and Reuben Wingate, on the same creek. At these mills corn was ground and lumber sawed.
The first steam mill was built in the eastern part of the township by Alfred
Singleton. This mill was so situated that the county line between this and Williamson ran through a portion of the machinery.
School-teaching was begun by Mr. Amer Hanson in 1832, in a log-house, in the southwest part of the township. John Murden taught a school in 1833, on Drury Creek, in a tobacco-barn on the farm of William Bradford.
Preaching was commenced by Mr. Jas. Gentry, who preached in the house of John Murden in 1831.
Mr. Ignatius O. Daniel also preached about this time. He was living in section 33.
The first church and school-house were in one building, built by the Mis- sionary Baptists and the people, on the ground now occupied by the Bowyer Cemetery, in section 23, in 1833. It was in this cemetery that the first child, dying in 1832, was buried. The first marriage was in 1832, when Jonathan Wingate and a Miss Bowen were married.
The School Treasurers of this township were: 1. William Brown, who held the office for ten or twelve years ; 2. Dr. Wm. Richart; 3. Samuel T. Brush, who is the present Treasurer.
At the present time there are six country schools in the township.
Early in the history of this township trade was carried on by barter. Afterward, when money became more plentiful, cows could be bought for $8 per head ; horses for from $40 to $50 each.
In contrasting the farming of earlier days with the present, we must say that the advancement has been almost unparalleled. In 1831 we find fewer than ten acres in cultivation, valued at almost nothing ; the implements of cultivation of the rudest kind. To-day we find the greater portion of the land under cultivation, and valued at from $25 to $50 per acre. And cvery- where the most improved machinery is in use.
Some of the most important farmers are the sons of Ephraim Snider, who have some of the largest and most profitable farms in the county, all situated in the east and northeast of the county.
The old family seat of the Sniders is a fine three-story brick building, 1} miles east of Carbondale, on the old stage road to Marion. Between this and the town is the residence of George Snider, a large, two-story brick building, with all modern improvements. In the northwest part of the township, on the farm of Isaac Dillinger, we find a comfortable brick build- ing, two stories in height, finely situated in the midst of an apple and peach orchard.
On the west we find the farm of the late Dr. Johnson, upon which is a fine three-story brick building, beautifully placed in a grove of evergreens. This is one of the most substantial and convenient country seats in the county.
Also the farm of the late Wm. Sykes, a large brick residence, also sub- stantial brick barns and out-houses.
There was formerly an Indian trail crossing the eastern side of the town- ship, and an old encampment on the Crab Orchard Creek.
There was a stone quarry in section 2, from which as fine stone as any in the State has been taken.
The farmers of the township, speaking generally, are energetic and skilful, and within a few years there has been great improvement in methods of agriculture.
Carbondale is the only town within the limits of the township. This is a great shipping point. The Illinois Central, the G. T. & C., and the C. & S. Railroads all pass through Carbondale. The Illinois Central alone is forced to employ three men to transact its business at this point.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE CITY OF CARBONDALE.
Carbondale is a city of about 2,800 inhabitants, pleasantly situated on the I. C. R. R., fifty-seven miles north of Cairo, in the centre of the township of Carbondale.
The limits of the city, as defined in Article I., Section 2, of the Charter, are: The west half of the southwest quarter of section 15, the south half of section 16, the east half of southeast quarter of section 17, the east half of the northeast quarter of section 20, the east half of the southeast quarter of section 20, all of section 21, the west half of the southwest quarter of section 22, and the west half of the northwest quarter of section 22.
The land on which Carbondale stands was formerly owned by Col. J. H. Dougherty, and was surveyed by Wm. Richart on the 24th day of Novem- ber, 1852. The plat was filed on the 26th of November, 1852, and recorded on the 27th of the same month.
MINUTES OF ORGANIZATION.
Whereas, at an election held by the inhabitants of Carbondale, at the house of William Richart, in said town, on Monday, the 17th day of March, A. D. 1856, it was decided that said town should be incorporated under and by virtue of the laws of Illinois in such case made and provided; which ap- pears by the Poll Book of the said election, duly certified and returned to the Board of Trustees of said town, and now on file in the office of said Board.
And whereas, afterwards, to wit: on the 24th day of March, A. D 1856, at an election held at the place aforesaid, in said town, pursuant to public notice, as prescribed by law for Trustees, as appears by the duly certified Poll Book of the said election, made out and certified by William Dixon as President, and John S. Tutton as Clerk thereof, Gabriel Sanders, James M. Campbell, James M. Morgan, Alfred Singleton, and Asgill Conner were duly elected Trustees of the said town of Carbondale.
Therefore, on this day, to wit : the 7th day of April, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, the above named Gabriel Sanders, James M. Campbell, James M. Morgan, Alfred Singleton, and Asgill Conner net at the counting-room of D. H. Brush, in the said town, for the purpose of organizing said Board: Thereupon, the said members severally took and subscribed the oaths prescribed by law for them to take as such Trustees. Then, on motion of James M. Campbell, James M. Mor- gan was unanimously chosen President of the Board.
The Board thereupon appointed Daniel H. Brush Clerk of the Board, who appeared and was duly sworn to faithfully act as such.
Ordered, by the Board, that the Clerk of the Board procure the necessary books to record the proceedings of the Board.
Ordered, by the Board, that the Poll Book of the elections for incorpora- ting the town and for Trustees, held as aforesaid, and certified and returned to this Board, by the President and Clerk of said elections, be delivered to the Clerk of the County Court of this County, for record, as provided for by law.
In Ordinance 8, Section 2.
The selling or giving away of any intoxicating malt or vinous, mixed or fermented liquor in the city or one mile outside, and next beyond the city limits, is hereby prohibited.
There have been many attempts on the part of the disaffected, to change this. It has been several times submitted to a vote of the people, and inva- riably the good sense of the citizens has enabled us to keep saloons away from the city.
But once, in the history of the city, has there been any permanent place of amusement or gaming in the city, when there were two billiard saloons, but these were discontinued when the time of their license had expired.
The officers of the city are as follows: Col. D. H. Brush acted as City Clerk from 1856 until 1861, and also furnished office rooms during this time.
CITY OFFICERS.
List of Trustees, Mayors and Aldermen of the Town and City of Carbondale, from A. D. 1856 to A. D. 1874. The names printed in small capital letters were presiding officers of the Board of Trustees.
1856-JAS. M. MORGAN, Jas. M. Campbell, Gabriel Sanders, Asgill Con- ner, Alfred Singleton.
1857 .- JAS. M. MORGAN, Jas. M. Campbell, R. R. Blackman, Asgill Con- ner, Sam'l. C. Atkins.
1858 .- ROB'T. H. MARRON, Jas. M. Campbell, Claiborn Barrow,. Asgill Conner, Henry Sanders.
1859 .- ROB'T. H. MARRON, Jas. M. Campbell, Claiborn Barrow, Asgill Conner, Henry Sanders.
1860 .- ROB'T. H. MARRON, Jas. M. Campbell, Claiborn Barrow, Asgill Conner, Henry Sanders.
1861 .- JAS. M. CAMPBELL, Jas. M. Reynolds, Levi B. Clements, Asgill Conner, Henry Sanders.
1862 .- JAS. M. CAMPBELL, Isaac M. Kelley, Claiborn Barrow, Levi B. Clements, Henry Sanders.
1863 .- ISAAC M. KELLEY, Jas. M. Campbell, Claiborn Barrow, Levi B. Clements, Silas G. Hindman.
1864 .- SILAS G. HINDMAN, Richard Dudding, Wm. Scurlock, Levi B. Clements, J. M. Richart.
1865 .- ASGILL CONNER, John W. Lawrence, Wm. Hooker, Willis A. Spil- ler, Jos. Ennison.
1866 .- WM. HADLEY, Jos. M. Hamilton, Sam'l. C. Atkins, Isaac Rapp, Wm. D. Harris.
1867 .- WM. SYKES, Stephen Blair, Wm. H. Hord, Geo. W. Feltes, Jos. Ennison.
1868 -STEPHEN BLAIR, S. G. Hindman, Willis A. Spiller, Wm. Sykes, Geo. W. Felts.
1869 .- JAS. B. RICHART, Mayor, Peter A. Smith, Samuel A. Flagler, Sea- born A. Walker, Stephen Blair.
1870 .- JAS. B. RICHART, Mayor, Jas. M. Scurlock, Samuel A. Flagler, Jas. D. Gage.
1871 .- SAM'L. A. FLAGLER, Mayor, (resigned, and JAS. H. CRANDALL, elected Mayor in his stead). Jas. H. Crandall, Daniel J. White, Sam'l. C. Atkins, Jas. D. Gage.
1872 .- JAS. H. CRANDALL, Mayor. Andrew C. Bryden, Jas. W. Darling, H. F. Goe, Jas. M. Richart.
1873 .- A. J. BACKUS, Mayor, (died, and WM. A. LEMMA elected in his stead). 1st ward, Samuel Machælis, 2nd ward, Eli D. Cannon, 3rd ward, Thos. O. Atkins, 4th ward, Chas. Burton.
1874 .- WM. A. LEMMA, MAYOR. ALDERMEN.
First Ward-JAS. HILL, WM. MELLOR.
Second Ward-JOHN W. SPILLER, ELI D. CANNON.
Third Ward-JAS. M. BOWLING, JAS. MOORE.
1877-F. A. PRICKETT, MAYOR.
EARLY HISTORY.
Jas. B. Richart was the first settler in the present limits of Carbondale. He built a small log cabin on the ground now owned by G. R. Romig, in the first block south of the public square. The cabin was added to and finally torn away and a comfortable frame building erected in its place. Mr. Richart has worked himself up until now he has a brick residence in the east part of the city. Also a large farm east of the city, on one of which the coal mine mentioned above, is situated.
Mr. Asgill Conner, was the next. He erected a log cabin in the 2d block east of the public square. Additions were built to this, making it one of the finest residences in the city, when it was destroyed by fire in 1874.
Just opposite Mr. Conner, across the street, was built, the first grocery store, a small frame building, by Col. D. H. Brush. At the present time, this is used as a law office, by Col. Brush.
The first boarding-house was what is called a box house, erected on the north-west side of the square, by Mr. Alfred Singleton. From this time on- ward the town advanced rapidly, until to-day it is the Metropolis of the County. It is the eastern terminus of the G. T. & C. R. R., the western terminus of the C. & S. R. R.
The town is laid out with the streets at right angles to each other ; those running north being parallel with the I. C. R. R., which here runs 7º west of north. In the centre of the city there is an excellent and spacious public square, around which the principal business of the town is transacted.
IT has been observed by a distinguished writer, that some men are born to prosperity, while others carve it out of the very desert of life, and rear an oasis of success in its midst. Of this class is the subject of this sketch; and in this connection we may add that, in reviewing the history and experience of the prominent inen of the west-to-day, few, if any, will be found who commenced the struggle of life with brilliant prospects. The large body of the truly successful and solid men, whom we jostle in the every-day walks of life, have purchased their success through years of patient industry and labor, but nevertheless it steadily and surely comes. Andrew D. Duff, the eleventh child of Philip Duff and Mary Duncan his wife ; and ouly child living ; was born Jan. 24th, 1820, in Bond County, Illinois. Philip and Mary Duff were married in South Carolina in the year 1801, moved to the territory of Illinois in 1809, and settled in St. Clair County, and subse- quently moved to Bond County, where they resided for a number of years ; afterwards located in Franklin County, Illinois, which continued to be their home until their deaths. Andrew D., like many of the boys of that period,
had to battle with the fortunes of life at an early age, and when still a boy commenced work on a farm at thirty cents per day. His advantages for gaining an education were such as the district school afforded. But so in- tent was he in acquiring a greater breadth of culture, that he never wasted an hour in idleness that could be devoted to his books. From 1842 to 1844 he was engaged in teaching, which afforded him additional leisure to con- tinue his studies. In 1846 he began reading law; served in the army during the Mexican war nearly two years. Elected county Judge of Franklin County in 1849, and admitted to the bar in 1850; elected Judge of the twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit in 1861, and a member of the Constitutional con- vention of 1862, re-elected Circuit Judge in 1867. In all his official posi- tions, he has filled the offices to which he has been called, with eminent sat- isfaction to his constituents. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat. Moved to Carbondale in 1873. In his domestic relations he is happily situated. Was married March 24th, 1845, to Mary E. Powell. They have four children living.
Of A Lemma
JUDGE WILLIAM A. LEMMA, the present State's Attorney of Jackson County, Illinois, and one of the most prominent of the leading members of the legal fraternity in the County, was born in Shawneetown, Illinois, on the 25th of December, A.D. 1840. He is the seco .. d and youngest child of James Lemma, formerly a citizen of Shawneetown. His father emigrated to this county from Ireland a few years previous to the birth of his son James, and subsequently returned to his native land and died. The Judge in his youthful days improved the means of culture and education afforded by the common schools of the day, and in 1854, entered Chappel Hill Col- lege, at Dangerfield, Texas, and availed himself of the more ample and ex- tended means of mental culture there afforded him, which, as good seed in a fertile soil, were destined to yield an abundant harvest in after days. The Judge returned to Illinois in 1856, and afterwards, in 1858, he commenced the study of the law under the instructions of the able and distinguished lawyer. Judge William J. Allen. His legal pursuits and studies were sus- pended temporarily by the breaking out of the war of the great rebellion, when, animated by the patriotic influence that fired the breasts of multitudes of our brave young men, he enlisted under the banner of the Union, in the fall of 1861, in company B of the 128th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteers, and was appointed adjutant of the regiment. He was mustered in at Camp But- ler, at Springfield, Illinois, and thence he proceeded with his regiment to Cairo, and thence to Columbus, Kentucky, and thence to Pochahontas, Ten- nessee. He was appointed in command of a detachment of the 128th Regi- ment, which was afterwards consolidated with the celebrated 9th Illinois Regiment. He shortly afterwards resigned his connection with the regiment
and connected himself with the quartermaster's department, at Columbus, Kentucky, where he remained until the close of the war, after which he soon located himself in Carbondale, Illinois, where he resumed his legal pursuits, and was admitted to the profession in 1867 ; immediately he engaged in prac- tice, and rapidly won for himself laurels of professional honor and an honor- able and prominent position at the county Bar, by his gentlemanly deport- ment, affable disposition, genial manners, persistent industry and assiduous attention to business.
In the same year (1867) of his admission to the Bar he was elected Judge of the City Court of the City of Carbondale, and in the fall of 1871, he was elected a member of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, on the De- mocratic ticket, and at the expiration of this term was re-elected to the same honorable position. In the winter of 1873 he was elected Mayor of the City of Carbondale, and was re-elected again to the same position in 1874. In the fall of the year 1876 he was elected State's Attorney for Jackson County, which important position he now fills with eminent ability and the marked approbation of the citizens of his native county. In politics Judge Lemma has always been an unswerving supporter of the principles and policy of the Democratic party, and wields a potent influence in the Democratic ranks of southern Illinois. The Judge is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
As a judge, lawyer, politician, and private citizen, William A. Lemma has won for himself a fair fame and an unblemished reputation in this State, and has participated in many important legal contests with an ability and genius that sheds lustre on the Bar of southern Illinois.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
From the Carbondale Transcript, July 16th, 1857.
POPULATION OF CARBONDALE.
We are indebted to Mr. Asgill Conner for the following facts in relation to this town, he having made an enumeration of the inhabitants some two or three weeks since : The total population within our corporation is 951, of whoin 865 are permanent residents, and the balance mechanics and laboners, most of whom will doubtless continue to reside here. Immediately outside the corporation line, and within the jurisdiction of the town authorities, live a number of families, consisting of about 130 persons, making our population 1,081. Of these, 13 are widows, 5 preachers, 5 doctors; and 4 lawyers. There are 4 blacksmiths' shops, 1 carriage shop, 1 furniture store, 1 hardware store, 2 drug stores, 1 family grocery, 1 saloon, 7 dry goods stores, 1 livery stable, 1 hotel, 1 printing office, 2 steam saw mills, 1 steam flouring mill, and 3 brick yards-one of these yards has already burned a kiln of 180,000 brick, and the others are hurrying up with all speed-in all they will probably turn out 1,200,000 brick this season. This place is progressing rapidly ; buildings are springiog up in every direction, and a larger number of improvements are in contemplation than are now under headway. Some idea of the amount of building going on may be formed from the fact that over sixty carpenters are constantly employed, most of whom have on hand enough work to keep them busy for three months to come. The scarcity of money in Jackson and adjoining countics, consequent upon the short crops of last year, has retarded the growth of Carbondale very materially. Had the times continued as good as during the past year, our population would have nnm- bered at least 1,300, and improvements increased even in greater ratio.
From Transcript, June 25th, 1857.
WEALTH OF CARBONDALE.
The County Assessor informs us that the value of the real and personal property in Carbondale is about $300,000, and :hat the number of our tax- payers is 120. When the first assessment was made, three years ago, the whole amount of the property hardly reached $4,000. This shows a remark- ably rapid increase in wealth and importance, and we trust it will progress in the ratio for many years to come. When such facts as these become fully appreciated abroad, the attention of capitalists and emigrants will inevitably be turned to this vicinity, and the undeveloped riches of this region be brought to light. Was the same capital and population introduced here as at the north, " Egypt " would be the most desirable portion of the west, and the " garden " of the Mississippi Valley.
Having seen Carbondale as she was in the past let us see her in the present.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Carbondale contains an unusually large number of fine buildings. First, among them is that of the Southern Normal, a cut of which is given in this work, and which is elsewhere described. This is located in the southern part of the town near the centre of an enclosed tract of twenty acres. It was erected at a cost of more than a quarter of a million.
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