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 30
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SEAL OF THE
OF THE
URIBUS
SEAL
STATE
UNUM
SOVEREIGNITS
RNATIONAL
UNION
UNITED
STATES
ILLINOIS
Hezekiah & Holger I.A.
STATE OF
THE RESIDENCE AND OFFICE OF DR. H. C. HODGES, SEC.77 T. 8 R25 (DEGGOGNIA TP.)JACKSON CO. IL.
87
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
CAPT. HEZEKIAH CLAIBOURN HODGES, M. D.
THIS gentleman was born in Jefferson County, Tennessee, nineteen miles above Knoxville, Oct. 9th, 1802, and was the sixth of a family of eight chil- dren, of James and Rachel Hodges. James Hodges had been married to a former wife, by whom he had eleven children, being quite a patriarch in his day, having obeyed the Divine injunction, "Go out into the world and mul- tiply." He was descended from a line of hardy English ancestry, and was a native of South Carolina. His wife, the mother of Hezekiah, was born in the same State. She was of Welsh extraction. James Hodges was among the defenders of our liberties in the Revolutionary contest, and by his hero- ism and valor, aided in founding the glorious institutions we now enjoy as the rich heritage of the precious blood of the noble patriots and yeomanry who fought in the ever memorable conflict of '76. He was a captain in that noble army of heroes, and served about six years. His company was attached to the army under the command of the gallant Gen. Marion, and did good service for his country on many an ensanguined field. Capt. Hodges and his whole company were surprised and taken prisoners by Col. Fairman. The circumstance of the capture was as follows : The company had gone home to recruit, and while mustering, was captured at a place near where the celebrated battle of the Cowpens was fought. After two weeks they were paroled or exchanged, and all subsequently joined Marion's army. After the war was over and peace declared, he was honorably discharged, and returned to his home, subsequently emigrated to Tenuessee, remained there until 1808, then moved with his family to the Creek nation, in what was then known as the Mississippi Territory-that portion occupied by the Creek nation since formed into the State of Alabama. Mrs. Hodges died in the year 1828. His death occurred in. Limestone County, in 1837, at the advanced age of eighty· seven years. Hezekiah Hodges, when a boy, had a very meagre chance for gaining an education. His elementary culture was obtained at a neighboring school, kept near where Huntsville now stands, in the State of Alabama. Attended that school only a short time. He how- ever was a very studious boy, and learned considerable by self-culture. He continued to reside at home with his father, and assisted in carrying on the farnı, until the age of twenty-four. He was married November 24, 1827, to Miss Nancy O'Daniel, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth O'Daniel, who were natives of Alabama. He still continned to reside on the home-farm. Having heard wondrous tales of the fertility and grandeur of the country in the Mississippi Valley, he determined to see and witness for himself, there- forc he set out with his family to make the trip to Illinois, landing at Jones- boro', Union Co., Ill., Oct. 15, 1830, and settled seven miles south of Jones- boro', where he engaged in farming. On the breaking out of the Black-Hawk war in 1832, he enlisted in Capt. Craig's company of cavalry, and marched to Galena, and took part in the battle of the Bad-Ax, which broke the back- bone of the Indian forces. The war over, he returned home. Thus it will be seen that when the outbreak of the Indian difficulties commeuced, at the time of the Black-Hawk war, he was ready to engage in the conflict for the preservation of peace along the frontier. Although in no serious engage- ment, they stood ready to protect the brave settlers in their homes, and to save them from the cruelty of their savage foes. Few persous have any ade- quate idea of the barbarities committed during those Indian wars. The com- plete record of those cruelties has never been published ; but if it were, the people would scarcely give credit to the tales of blood and misery, too true, alas, for the peace and quiet of many a home. Though now past the meri- diau of life, the Doctor is able to give a distinct and interesting account of those border wars with the Indians. His memory is remarkably well pre- served, aud his tales are succinct, and seem more like a manuscript than a verbal repetition. The Aborigines have passed away. The old soldier re- mains to tell us of the past, and remind the present generatiou how much they are indebted to those brave men who paved the way for our present standing as a County and greatness as a State. What a change has trans- pired since the arrival of Mr. Hodges, in 1830! The little trading points have given place to cities, aud the Indian trails have been supplanted by long lines of railways and turnpikes. The fierce alarms are chauged into the peaceful notes of agricultural aud mechanical business. The soldier no longer is needed to protect the farmer, for wars, and rumors of wars, are heard no more. Such is the preseut condition of our great State. What
and how much credit is due the noble band of pioneers who, through a long and vexatious series of droughts, storms, and wars, vindicated their charac- ter as upright and God-fearing men !
In the year 1833 Dr. Hodges began the study of medicine, under the in- struction of Dr. Brooks, of Jonesboro'. In '34 he practiced some with Dr. Brooks ; 'afterwards alone. Continued to live in Union County until 1847, when he moved to his present residence in Degognia Township, Jackson Co., a view of which appears on another page of this work. Here he has since continued engaged in the practice of his profession, and conducting his farm, and caring for his flower garden, of which he is very fond. On the breaking out of the late Rebellion, as soon as he could arrange his affairs, he enlisted (Sept. 15, 1862) and was made Capt. of company C, 18th Reg't. Ill. Vol., was mustered in at Springfield, and from there went to Jackson, Tennessee, and was a part of the command that pursued Forest. Capt. Hodges, at the age of sixty, found the hard marches and privations incident to camp life too much for his health and constitution. Was taken sick, ordered to Vicksburg, but not being able to go, he was left in charge of the hospital at Jackson, Tennessee. He afterwards bronght two hundred and fifty refugees to Cairo, who had been sick at the hospital at Jackson.
He resigned and was mustered out in the fall of 1863, returned home, and resumed the practice of his profession. Dr. Hodges and wife have both been members of the Christian Church for about thirty years. In the year 1848 he was ordained to preach, and preached quite regularly in his neighborhood until 1863.
Their youngest son, Sebastian S., was also a member of his father's com- pany. After being out for a time, he was prostrated by sickness, and sent to the hospital at Vicksburg. Captain Hodges, believing a change would be beneficial for his health, removed him home. After he reached home he took a relapse, and his disease baffled all medical skill. He died in Oct., 1863. Thus the doctor sacrificed the life of his beloved sou, that the Nation might live, aud that the institutions for which he and his father had fought, might be handed down to a late posterity, in all their pride and glory.
Dr. Hodges and wife have been blessed with seven children (three of whom are deceased) one sou and three daughters living. Jerome B. Hodges is married, aud lives on the old homestead farm ; Josephine is the wife of Wil- liam H. Murdeu, a resident of this Township; Arretta Bant is the wife of Dr. MeRuark, of Georgetown, Randolph County, III. ; Alphenia Stratton is the wife of Wm. Benefield, living a short distance from the doctor's resi- dence. In politics Capt. Hodges is a Democrat of the old Jefferson and Jacksonian school. His first vote for Presideut was for Monroe. He voted three times for Jackson, and believed him to be the greatest and best patriot of his period. He was personally acquainted with the General, and remem- bers many anecdotes told of the old hero. He has voted for cvcry Demo- cratic president since, and he has represented his Township as a member of the Board of Supervisors.
In looking over his long career, we find a mau who begau life in tlie pio- neer era of our great country. His early boyhood days are associated with the primeval forests and wildness of Indian life, while his ripe age has wit- nessed the development, the progress, and the great achievements of modern times. He remembers well the time before steamboats were used, or railroads were iu existence, when the telegraph had not yet been dreamed of; he has seen large Cities and great States formed, where formerly ranged only the wild red man. Through all these cventful changes and material growth, he has ever maintained that honesty, that integrity, that patriotism and Christianity that has marked his career through life. His life is in itself a history. The principal epochs in the history of the Nation have occurred during his life- time: The war of 1812, the many Indian conflicts, the war with Mexico, and the late overthrow by the strong arm of the Government of the Slave- holders' Rebellion. And now, at the age of seventy-five (his wife seventy- three) residing at their pleasant home, in the enjoyment of each other's love, surrounded by children, grand-childreu, and great-grand-children, his life is one that they can fitly imitate. Dr. Hodges is a gentleman of the Old-school; suave and affable, kindly disposed towards all, dispenses a liberal hospitality, and unites within himself, beautifully blended, those Christian graccs of hou- esty and integrity.
LEVAN TOWNSHIP.
HEN township organization was adopted in 1872, to be afterward discarded for the old system of county government, the Commis- sioners gave to this beautiful portion of Jackson County the name of Levan, in honor of Samuel Levan, one of its most prosperous and respected citizens, who made it his home as far back as 1836. Levan is bounded on the north by Ora township, on the east by Somerset, on the south by Sand Ridge, and on the west by Kinkaid. The soil originally consisted of timber and "barrens," but is now under good cultivation, and produces wheat and other cereals in large quantities and of a fine quality. The wheat product is especially large, and engrosses most of the farmers' attention.
W. Eaken was the first settler; the Bysleys came in 1818, also Mark Bradley, James Hughes, and John Barrow, the three latter being the first to locate back from the river. Among the early settlers of Levan were Ben- jamin Ripley, Hugh McMullen, Stephen Eaken, John Bowers, Matthew Reynolds' family, David Sorrels, and Samuel Levan. In 1838 came Thomas McCluer and family. These settlers were believers in education, and ac- cordingly we find they erected a school-house in 1838. It was necessarily a primitive affair, built of round logs, rudely chinked and daubed, and roofed with clap-boards; but the children that crossed its threshold, were not less earnest than those of to-day, little minded the coarseness of their surround- ings, and addressed themselves with as much alacrity and success to their tasks as do the most favored youth of the present, who seat themselves for study in costly buildings in elegant patent seats. This house stood near the present residence of Hugh McMullen; and the man who is celebrated as the first teacher of Levan and who wielded the birch in this temple in 1838, was a Mr. Graham.
In 1865 was built the General Baptist Church, on Camp Creek, Rev.
Henry Gordon preaching the first sermon therein. This was not the first sermon preached in the township, however, as services had been held more than twenty years previously, and often since that time. The Pleasant Hill Church, an engraving of which will be found in another part of this work, was organized many years before the above, as far back as 1842. The elders at the time of organization were Robert P. Gentry and Ignatius O. Daniel. There are at present three churches within the township boundaries -two of the Baptist denomination and one of the Lutheran. These societies are well established in the affections of the people, and receive their liearty support. The township now boasts of four schools, and the school buildings and furniture are in keeping with the spirit of the age on the subject of education, and are in marked contrast to the one built in the early times, and above alluded to. The quality of instruction also has improved as well as the architecture and style of furniture.
The first saw and grist-mill in this division was successfully operated by John Bowers, some of whose descendants yet reside in the township. The township is nearly all capable of cultivation. The land is rolling, well drained and well watered, and abounds in fine springs. His echoing axe the settler has swung with good effect, as a glance at the fine farms of this once heavily timbered region will attest. Coal underlies the township, and a good quality of building-stone is yielded by the quarries in exhaustless quantities. Most kinds of fruits thrive, and many fine orchards may be found. The people of Levan are noted for the possession of all rural vir- tues, are generous, hospitable, and contented.
" Far from the maddening world's ignoble strife, Their sober wishes ne'er have learned to stray ; Along the cool, sequestered vale of life, They keep the even tenor of their way."
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN A. McCLUER.
AMONG the early and well-known settlers of the County appears the name of John A. McCluer, of Levan township, who is a native of Richland County, Ohio, and was born near Parris, November 15, 1816. He is the eldest child of Thomas and Susan McCluer. Thomas McCluer was a native of Virginia, and his wife of the Keystone State, though when quite young they had both removed to Ohio with their parents ; and it was in the latter State that they were married. In 1837, Mr. McCluer, wife, and family moved to Perry County, Illinois, and a year after settled in Jackson County, on the farm now owned and occupied by his son, John A. McCluer. Owing to the then sparsely settled condition of the country in Ohio, John A., when a boy, had only a limited opportunity for gaining an education ; but being of an indus- trious disposition, he has continued to improve every opportunity ; and at this writing we find him to be a man well versed in the current events of the day, intelligent and reliable in his judgment. His marriage occurred on the 22d day of October, 1837, to Clarinda Nase, eldest daughter of Thomas B. Nase, of Ohio; and two days after, on the 24th of October, he started, with his young bride and parents, overland by wagons for Illinois, their future home. Of the many interesting episodes of that long, and to them joyous ride, over hill and dale, and wide expanse of prairie, with their
young and happy hearts breathing love to one another, few of this genera- tion experience the many pleasures that attended these early pioneers. He remained about a year in Perry County, then settled down with his father in Jackson County ; and one thing quite remarkable, never left home or went to housekeeping until the death of his parents. Theirs has always been a home of contentment and happiness. They have had a family of twelve children-six boys and six girls. One of their sons is deceased. - Those that are married are comfortably settled in life. Their youngest son still resides permanently 'at home. One son lives in Kansas. The balance of the family reside in this State.
On the breaking out of the late rebellion, Mr. McCluer and his son Thomas enlisted, August, 1862, in Company D of the 81st Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, commanded by Col. Dollins. The many hard marches and ex- posure incident to camp life so told on Mr. McCluer's health that' he was prostrated by the army plague - chronic diarrhoea. During the first winter he was very much reduced in health, and incapacitated for the more active field service. He was mustered out in December, 1864, and re- turned to his home. His son remained in the service three years, the full period of their enlistment.
In early life Mr. McCluer became a supporter and advocate of the Whig
88
FARM RESIDENCE OF SAM !. LEVAN SEC. 10T.B R.3 (LEVAN TP.) JACKSON COUNTY ILL.
VIEW ON THE FARM OF JOHN A. ME CLURE LOOKING SOUTH.
.S.
MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH PLEASANT HILL (LEVANTP.) JACKSON CO. ILL.
RESIDENCE AND OTHER SCENES ON THE FARM OF J.A.M: CLURE SEC. 3 T. 8 R.3 (LEVAN TPJACKSON Co.ILL
Wayman
MRS. CAROLINE
WAYMAN ( DECD .)
VIEW OF RESIDENCE AND PORTION OF THE FARM OF JOHN W. WAYMAN SEC. 35 T. 8 R.3 (LEVAN T.P.) JACKSON COUNTY ILLINOIS
89
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
party, and after its dissolution he joined the Republican party, and voted and worked for the success of the principles it embodied for many years; and, like some others, believing its great mission was accomplished, he then joined, in 1864, what is known as the Independent movement. After Jack- son County went under township organization, he was elected Supervisor for Levan township, and served as such for two years. The last year he was elected to the honorable position of Chairman of the Board, discharging the duties with satisfaction to all, and with credit to himself He and his wife became members of the United Baptist Church about the year 1841 ; and about two years since he was ordained pastor of the Church at Pleasant Hills, situated about a mile and a half from his residence. All his children are members of the Pleasant Hill Churchi, except one, who is a member of another church. Mr. McCluer has raised his children up in the good old- fashioned way, under the influence of Christianity and honesty; and all are valuable niembers of society. He has given them such an education as the common schools afforded.
In taking a retrospective view of the life and career of our subject, we find a man who, in all the various trials of life, has exhibited that Christian spirit, and those traits of honesty that are so characteristic of the early pioneers. Mr. McCluer is a gentleman well known and highly respected by all.
SAMUEL LEVAN, EsQ.
AMONG the early settlers of Levan Township few if any are better known than Samuel Levan, from whom the township derived its name. He was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, on the 6th day of May, 1806, and is the "eleventh of a family of thirteen children, of Jacob and Mary Levan. His parents were both natives of Berks County, Pennsylvania, but while quite young, moved with their parents to Somerset County, in the same State, grew up there, and were married. Jacob Levan died when his son Samuel was only about seventeen years of age; thus the subject of our memoir was early thrown on his own resources. He continued to carry on for about four years the mill that his father had rented, thereby contributing to the support of his widowed mother, brothers and sisters. On the 25th day of October, 1828, he was married to Miss Amy Husband, daughter of Isaac Husband, who was likewise an old resident of Somerset County. In 1833 Mr. Levan and wife moved to Holmes County, Ohio, and a short time after, to Tuscaroras County, in the same State, where he worked for over two years and a half in a mill, and in 1836 he gathered together all his worldly wealth, and with his family started for Illinois, coming via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, landing at Grand Tower, on Sunday evening, May 1st, 1836. From Grand Tower they went to " Old Brownsville;" lived there until March, 1837, when he purchased the farm on which he now resides, and where most of their children have been born; and by constantly adding to his original purchase, he now has a farm of over two hundred and twenty acres. As the fruits of their union Mr. Levan and wife have had born to them seven children, four of whom are yet living. Their youngest son, Henry Harrison Levan, died in the army hos- pital at St. Louis, May 16th, 1863, from disease contracted while in the service of his country. O. J. Levan is married and lives on a farm adjoin- ing the old homestead, and F. M. Levan lives in the eastern part of this township. Mary is the wife of Jacob Graff; they reside in Ora Town- ship. Adaline is the wife of William A. Kelley, and lives in Miller County, Missouri. Mr. Levan and wife have the pleasure of knowing that their children are all comfortably settled in life. Over twenty years ago he and his wife embraced religion, and became members of the Baptist church. In politics, when a boy, Mr. Levan grew up under the teachings of the Whig party, and was a great admirer of its able and eloquent exponent, Henry Clay ; and when that party ceased to exist, he became allied with the Repub- lican party, and during the war he was a staunch supporter of the Union cause, and sacrificed the life of his youngest son on the altar of his country. When Jackson County went under Township organization (8-3) was then named "Levan," in honor of its early pioneer and well-known citizen,
Samuel Levan, a man whose private character has remained free from blemish, and who has always been respected as a most worthy citizen.
FREEMAN KING, EsQ.
IN the spring of 1841, Charles and Mary Ann King, both natives of Som- erset County, Pennsylvania, with their infant son Freeman, emigrated to Jackson County, Illinois, and settled two miles north of Murphysboro'. Mr. King was engaged in farming until 1843, when he died. Mrs. King subse- quently married Mr. Peter Bowlby, and died, November 4th, 1866. Free- 'man King, their son, and only survivor of five children, enjoyed only such advantages as were to be had in the County; working during the summer on the farm and attending a subscription school during the winter months, until he was thirteen years old, when he commenced carrying the U. S. Mail from Murphysboro' to Marine and other places, in which he was engaged about seven years. He enlisted in Col. Lawler's Regiment, 18th Illinois Volun- teers, May, 1861, and was mustered in at Anna, proceeded to Bird's Point, Missouri, thence to Mound City and Cairo, Illinois, thence to the seat of war via Tennessee River, and was engaged in the battles of Forts Henry and Donaldson, Pittsburg Landing and Shiloh, through all of which he passed unhurt. Participated in the siege of Corinth, rendezvoused at Jackson, Tennessee, and in the following December his company was transferred to the Mississippi River Ram Fleet. They were engaged in patrolling the river, and in the sieges of Vicksburg and Arkansas Post, his boat was sunk running the blockade, and the troops transferred to another. June 7th, 1864, he received an honorable discharge and was mustered out at Spring- field, Illinois. During the last twelve months of his army life he was ser- geant of his company. He served as enrolling officer for Jackson County until 1865, performing his duties in those perilous times in a most efficient manner. He was afterwards engaged in farming, and inarried, April 23d, 1865, Catherine, daughter of John Butcher, Sen., one of the oldest settlers in the County. Mr. and Mrs. King have had a family of five children. three boys and two girls, all of whom are living. They are both members of the Baptist Church. Mr. King has always been a Republican, and cast his first vote for the immortal Lincoln. He removed to his present residence in Levan Township, in 1873, and was elected as supervisor. He is highly respected as an energetic and honest man, a good neighbor, and a worthy and patriotic citizen.
HENRY J. FRALEY,
WAS born in Rowan County, North Carolina, September 17th, 1824. He is the fourth of a family of ten children, of Anthony and Amy Fraley. While Henry was an infant his parents moved to western Tennessee, and engaged in farming. Residing in that locality until Henry was about fifteen years of age, they then moved to Jackson County, Illinois, where they bought some land and made a farm, and continued to live in this County until their death. Anthony Fraley was fond of the chase, and was quite a noted deer hunter ; Henry J., had in early life but a limited chance for getting an education. He continued to reside with his father until the age of twenty-three, when he married Drucilla Collier : she is a native of this state. Mr. and Mrs. Fraley have had born to them, a family of five chil- dren, one of whom is deceased. Amy is now the wife of Alex. Ripley; they make their home with Mr. Fraley. Samuel and George are both married, and living on the home farm. Henry Jefferson Fraley, Jr., is also at home with his parents. Mr. Fraley, in politics, was raised a Democrat, and still continues to vote with that party. He, and his wife have been members of the Baptist Church for about thirty years. When Mr. F. cominenced life he had very little money, and his accumulations since have been the re- sult of industry and economy. He now has a sufficient competence for his declining years. He is well respected in the community where he resides, and his neighbors say his word is as good as his bond.
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