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 38
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in a northerly, and then curving to the left flows iu a westerly directiou. It was covered throughout with the very finest of timber, some of which yet remains.
The surface is rolling, and is striking and varied iu appearance. In this township is found the Natural Bridge, a view of which is given on another page of this work. Here also is found the " Saltpetre Cave," where in carly days powder was manufactured for the unerring flint-lock rifles of the pioneers.
In the western part of Ridge occur a series of " Basins," as they are de- nominated. These are fouud upou the top of the high ridges, and are truly remarkable. No conjecture is hazarded here as to the manner of their origin. They are worth a visit, being from 75 to 100 feet in diameter, and from 30 to 50 feet in depth.
Caves abound also in this part of the County, one of which, situated on the farm of G. W. Black, in section 19, has been explored for one and a half mile without coming to the end of it. This subterranean cavern consists of a succession of rooms, varying in height from 4 to 40 feet. The walls dis- close a fine formation of sandstone. Into the chief cavern open a series of lateral caves.
It is in this township that the town Pomona, so appropriately named for
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
the goddess of fruits of the old mythology, is situated. It is a celebrated fruit-producing region. Many of the inhabitants are wealthy, and the people rank as among the law-abiding and peaceful.
The population of the township is about 1,600, and is nearly all rural, there being but two villages within its limits, and these being small.
There are seven school districts composing the township, and these are provided with good school-houses, which are kept in good repair.
The first school-house was erected in Dutch Ridge settlement many years ago, and the first school-master was a Mr. Corgan, a man of Irish extraction, who had received his education in his native isle.
The first church of the township was also within the limits of this ancient settlement, and was of the Baptist denomination. Rev. Simon Hiller was the first preacher. The churches nnder his leadership seem to have enter- tained some doctrines, not entirely in conformity with the canons of that church, and were called " Hillerites." Whatever may have been said of their doctrines, nothing can be urged against their lives and characters. They are an upright, godly people, zealons in good works. The number of churches is two.
A few veteran soldiers of the Mexican war survive : John W. Robinson, John Milligan, Jolin Morrow, and William J. Hagler, Sr.
The following persons served in the Black-Hawk war: James Harreld, who was a First Lieutenant ; Jacob Schwartz, Matthias and Paul Hagler, Daniel Ellis, Daniel House, and Moses Lyrely.
The township trustecs are B. H. Inman, D. C. L. Halderman, and J. H. Culley. Dr. A. M. Lee, a physician who enjoys an extensive practice, is the Treasurer.
TOWNS.
Eltham is little more than a hamlet, coutainiug but about twenty souls. It is situated on the Narrow Gauge Railroad, some two miles north of Pomona. The plat was surveyed in 1875 by J. C. Blackensdorfer, and the record bears date of June 23, 1875.
Barclay & Brother have a stave and heading factory here, and Mr. Bar- clay is postmaster. There is a store-room, but it lias long been nnoccupied.
Pomona .- This promising little village, scarcely two years of age at this writing, 1877, is likewise sitnated on the Narrow Gauge Railroad. The plat was surveyed by John A. Weimer, County Surveyor, and certified to by him on the 9th of February, 1875; the plat was recorded on the 20th of the same month. Business houses : Dr. A. M. Lce has a drug-store here; A. J. Etherton is a dealer in general merchandize, as is also A. G. Long; Stafford & Co. operate a saw-mill ; G. W. Gregory is station agent; Miss Alice Lipe here teaches her " little school" to the satisfaction of all. The Town Trustees are : Leonard Hagler, William H. Pifer, J. R. Gregory. Dr. Lee, A. J. Hagler, and John Messmore.
This village is far enough removed from the large towns of the county to give good promise of healthy, continuous growth. A good country sur- rounds it, and the inhabitants are sufficiently numerous to support a good town.
Ridge township lies in the sonthern part of the County. It is bounded on the north by Murphysboro' township, on the east by Makanda, on the south by the county of Union, and on the west by Big Hill. It contains many citizens of influence, as the Ethertons, Capt. Grammar, the Haglers, Con- ners, and Harrelds.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
T. T. ROBINSON,
Sox of Judge U. E. Robiuson and Penelope Bradshaw, who were among the oldest settlers of Jackson County, was born February 28th, 1835, near where he now lives in Ridge Township. He was the fourth child of a family of eight, nearly all of whom are still living in Jackson Connty. He lived at home with his parents nntil he was married, October 2d, 1859, to Mary Ann Gregory, when he moved on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Robin- son has -been a farmer all his life, and a successful one, having acquired a good home and one of the best wheat and fruit farms in the County.
l'olitically he is an old-time Democrat, and has served his neighbors in the following offices, viz. : as Justice of the Peace and Associate Judge of the County Court, for three years, and afterwards as a member of the Board of Supervisors.
He enlisted in the army in 1862 as 2d Lieutenant, Company B, 109th Regiment, and was engaged in the battle of Vicksburg. He served until May, 1863, when he resigned and came home, having been promoted to the rank of captain in the meantinie. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are both earnest members of the Baptist Church ; they, having no children of their own, have adopted two little girls, Clementine and Daisy J., who have a good, pleasant home.
Mr. Robinson is a good sample of the self-made man, with all the energy of that class, and all the intelligence and education necessary to fill any office in the County ; one of those genial gentlemen we all like to meet, and after meeting them, we feel that they have done us good.
TILLMAN HAGLER.
AMONG the oldest settlers of Jackson Connty who had to endure all the trials and privations incident to a new country was Tillman Hagler, who was born in North Carolina, November 4th, 1815. He was the second child of Pe- ter and Sarah Hagler, who were also natives of North Carolina. They emi- grated to Illinois in 1818, and settled in what is now Jackson County at the
old Hagler homestead. Tillman, the subject of our sketch, was married to Miss Elizabeth Hagler, July 4th, 1837. They raised a family of eight chil- dren. Four of them are yet living near the old homestead.
Mr. Hagler, like most of the old settlers, commenced the world with no- thing but a willing mind and a robust coustitution, but by constant industry and application he managed to make a good living and leave his family a good farm. He died September 20th, 1869. His widow, Elizabeth, who is living on the homestead, was born in Jackson County, Illinois, March 22d, 1820, near where she still lives. She is still a hale, hearty woman, with a clear recollection of the trials and tribulations of an old settler's life, and with nerve and ability enough to overcome them even yet if necessary. Mr. and Mrs. Hagler were of that material that develops all new countries. With- out such our State would still be a wilderness.
BRANNER EASTERLY,
ONE of the representative men of Ridge Township, was born. near Green- ville, Tenn., December 7th, 1831. His parents, Casper and Elizabeth Easterly were of that old Virginia stock that is so celebrated for its intelligence and hospitality.
Mr. Easterly came to Illinois with his parents in 1850. They came to this State by river to Preston in Union County, and from there directly to Jackson County, and settled on the old Easterly homestead, where he lived with his parents until he was married, May 14th, 1857, to Martha J. Stivers, of Grayville, White County, Illinois. They have had born to them five children, viz .; W. L., who died March 16th, 1872, and Lucretia, Edward E. May, and Charley. The four living are with their parents at home. Mr. Easterly joined the 81st Regiment of Illinois Infantry, at the commencement of the Rebellion, went immediately into active service and was engaged in the following battles of note : Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill and the Siege of Vicksburg, nntil July 4th, 1863, when he was detailed on detached service at the arsenal. Afterwards he rejoined his regiment,
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
and was in the battle of Spanish Fort and several minor engagements, all of which are still fresh in his memory.
Mr. Easterly glories in being a genuine old-fashioned Republican. By the way there are very few left of the old 81st Regiment who are not in sympathy with that party who first dared to throw the gauntlet into the camp of the slave aristocracy.
He is also an active Granger, in fact you can hardly name an enterprise public or private calculated to benefit his country, his neighbor or his fami- ly in which he does not take a deep interest; and although not a politician he has held several local offices with credit to himself and to the! full satis- faction of his constituents.
Gre
AVA TOWNSHIP.
700 000 HE name of this youthful Township was selected from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. It was organized in 1876. The early settlers of this portion of the County have been noticed in the ac- counts given of the settlements in the several Townships out of which this was formed, and hence need no notice here.
The chief occupation of the people is agriculture, and some finely culti- vated farms arc found herc. The southern and western portions are broken, and in the hills is found fine varieties of limestone and sand-stone. The eastern and northern parts are quite level. The greater portion of the surface of the Township is susceptible of cultivation.
The entire surface was heavily timbered in an early day, and the primeval forests in some places yet remain. The people of Ava Township are thrifty, cuterprising and moral. The school districts of the Township are commodi- ous and comfortable. A good quality of coal is mined on the farm of Mr. Henry Cheatam, who supplies the town of Ava with that article. The Deans, Cheatams, Callahans, Wrights, and Stephens are prominent citizens. Ava is bounded on the west by Bradley and Degognia Townships, on the north by Bradley and Ora, on the east by Ora and Levan, on the south by Kin- kaid and Levan.
It contains within its limits the thriving village of Ava, which possesses a population of about 350.
For a great many years there had been at this point a hamlet called " Headquarters," but it was not until the building of the Narrow Gauge Railroad, on which Ava is situated, at a point 16 miles north-west of Mur- physboro', that attention began to be directed to it. Its distance from any
considerable town is so great as to give it a wide circle of trade. It has since the completion of the railroad " sprung into newness of life," and there cau scarcely be a question, but that it is destined to be, in the near future, one of the few really important towns in the County. Its citizens seem to be aware of its advantages, and to possess great confidence in its growth and coming pros- perity. It will eventually be for the north-western part of the County what Murphysboro' is for the central district, and what Carbondale is for the east ern, the centre of trade.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND BUSINESS FIRMS.
The public school building is neat and comfortable, and the number of children in attendance makes it possible to grade them into two divisions, thus facilitating the important work of education. There are two hotels in the place, where the traveler may, in the language of old Jack Falstaff; rest and "take mine ease at mine inn." Mr. Bowers is the proprietor of one, Mr. Burke of another. Dishon & Co., have a good flouring mill, while Dean Bro.'s have a custom mill. There is also a saw-mill at this point. Wag- goner Bro.'s sell drugs and notions, and Jesse Johnson, drugs only ; Gordon & Bigelow deal in dry goods and general merchandize, as also do Husband & Russel ; the firms of A. E. Davis and Clendenen & Co., deal in dry goods and notions.
Mr. Samuel Desberger, the great merchant of Murphysboro', recognizing the fact of the growing importance of Ava, has lately cstablished a branch store here. There is a good cooper shop and three blacksmith shops.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JACOB BOWERS,
HOTEL and Liveryman, of Ava, was born in Kinkaid township, Jackson County, October 16th, 1844. He is the youngest child of Samuel and Cynthia Bowers, The elder Bowers was among the pioneers of the County. By birth a Pennsylvanian. In 1852 he went to California, overland, by a team, with his three sons. Remained in the gold-fields of that State three years, then started for his home. He was overtaken by the Indians, and killed near Fort Kearny. His three sons escaped, and after a perilous journey. arrived safely at home. Jacob, owing to the death of his father, was, at an early age, thrown out into the world to battle for himself, and his education was such, as he could pick up when not at work. On the 25th of June, 1866, he married Sarah F., daughter of Andrew and Martha Jones. As the result of that union, one son was born, who is yet living. Mrs. Bowers died June 12, 1868, at their home in Kinkaid township. Mr. Bowers was married to his present wife, December 16th, 1870, Luvice J. McBride, daughter of James P. McBride. Four children have been born to them, one of whom is deceased.
Mr. Bowers was engaged in farmiug until 1865, when he came to Ava, and opened the well-known " Bowers House." His hotel is the best in the town, where all travelers are well treated. The table is supplied with all the deli- cacies of the season. He has also a first-class livery stable, and in connec- tion with his hotel, he carries on a saloon, where he always has on hand, choice liquors and cigars. His saloon is located ou Main street, between his livery stable and Husbands & Russel's store, recently fitted np in good style.
PROF. JOHN M. REEDER,
THE present efficient School Superintendent of Jackson County, is a native of Hamilton County, Ills .; was born October 18, 1850. He is the fourth of a family of seven children born to Wm. C. and Sarah Reeder, who were also natives of Illinois. The subject of our sketch secured the rudiments of his early education in the common schools. He subsequently attended the Normal University at Carbondale. He came to Jackson County with his
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
father in 1864, and in 1870 he engaged in teaching. He is now classed as among the leading educators of this part of the County. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and a man whom all respect for the purity of his morals. In politics he has always been a strong advocate of the principles of the Democratic party ; however, he does not let his party prejudices interfere with his voting for men of the opposite party when he deems them worthy. In the fall of 1877 he was elected as the candidate of the Demo-
cratic party to the office of County Superintendent of Schools for Jackson County.
Prof. Reeder brings to the discharge of the onerous duties of his office,the requisite qualifications of experience and ability to make a good officer, and we bespeak for him a succes in the office to which he has been called by the franchise of his fellow-citizens.
ORA TOWNSHIP.
BY GEORGE W. HOLLIDAY.
HE first settlement in this part of Jackson was made about the year 1817, when S. Lewis, E. Harrold, and George Butcher canc. In 1320 some five or six families made it their future home. Among these were three brothers named, respectively, Daniel, Henry, and Michael Dilliuger, who were of German origiu, and na- tives of North Carolina. Henry was a good millwright, aud erected the first mill iu the Township. It was driveu by water power, and stood on Beaucoup Creek, in the north-east corner of the Township. His mill was well patronized by the settlers, who found it a great convenience. Henry Dillinger was noted for his charitable disposition and unusual kindness of heart. No inau, howsoever poor, went from his mill without meal for his family. Few men of this day may boast of the possession of sucli large cha- rity as that which formed a prominent trait in the character of this man. Few, too, may boast an ingenuity equal to his, wheu we take into considera- tion the limited facilities of his early day for obtaining a knowledge of the mechanical arts. Marks of his originality are even yet observable, after the lapse of half a century, iu an old frame house which stands near the site of his old mill. The writer of this has taken the trouble to visit this relic of his skill, and has been struck with some of its peculiarities as compared with the styles of the present day. The plastering consists of ordinary clay, which has grown harder by time, until it is nearly as hard as rock. The studding are four inches square, and thespaces between about two and a halffeet. The clay plasteriug was placed between thesc, and extends out even with the iuuer edge of the upright studding, thus being four inches thick, and held in place by small sticks about an inch square, and six inches apart, extend- iug from one upright to another. This good mau, whose memory is fragrant, died in 1830 or '31, and was buried in his garden adjoining his house. The garden has long since been destroyed, and the grave of the good man has beeu plowed over, till all traces of it are obliterated, and the spot where his ashes repose, is only known to a few aged inhabitants. To plow over the grave of a respectable citizen of more modern birth and existence, would be considered a crime, but the deeds and acts of this most worthy man, have not potency enough, in this sordid age, to protect his grave from molestation and rude desecration. That such is true, is disgraceful. The mill changed hands, but soon fell into disuse, and then decay, which, strange to say, is even yet not complete, as evideuces of its existence are still plainly visible.
Robert Carden, Nelson McDowell, William Carpenter and Abraham Crow, settled in Big Rattlesnake. About the same year, 1820, and, nearly at the same time, came Gracy Williamson and two or three others to settle at the same place. Mr. Williamson shortly afterward died, leaving a wife and six small children. Mrs. Williamson lived to a ripe old age, having seen all her chil- dren married and comfortably situated in life. She died of Cardiac dropsy,
in 1874. She deserves praise for having, by her great industry, economy aud honesty, raised her family to become what they are, examples of the highest respectability. Some of her sons have held higli and important offices in Jacksou County, and all belong to the better class of farmers in Township or County.
The first school in Ora was taught by Peter Carroll, in 1829. The first sermou was preached by Rev. William Davis, a Baptist minister, in 1824. The settlers lived in a very rude and simplestylc. They inauufactured their own wearing apparel. Each man tanned his own leather, and made his own shoes ; dressed his own deerskin, and made his own " breeches." They raised cotton and flax, which the women would card and spin into thread, then weave into cloth. I think I never saw a woman wearing a calico dress till I was twenty years old. The men wore home-made linsey hunting shirts, and buckskin trowsers, and moccasins. In dry weather the trowsers were comfortable, but not so in wet.
Ora Township lics in the northern part of Jackson County, west of Ver- gennes and north of Levan. It consists chiefly of high rolling land, nearly all of which is tillable. It is well adapted to the production of wheat, yield- ing, on an average, twenty bushels to the acre. Fruit very rarely fails in this section of the County, and is produced in abundance, while the quality is excellent. It was once heavily timbered, and there are still some fine forests under fence. There are extensive and valuable rock quarries, which furnish fine material for building purposes. There are extensive coal-beds, which can be worked at comparatively little expense.
Abraham Fry was the first to discover coal, in 1840, on Sectiou 24. One of the finest mines is found in the northern part of the Township. The vein is from five to six fect thick, aud extends up under the hill on an inclined plane, which enables the water to readily drain off. The roof consists. of the finest quality of rock, which is very important, as it diminishes the danger of mining. This is one of the best and most convenient mines in Jackson County, when the cost of working it is taken into consideration.
The work of felling the trees has gone on bravely since 1830, and immigra- tion has gone on constantly. Ora is now thickly settled, and is almost a solid mass of farms, which are well tilled, and invite comparison with those of any other portion of the County. All cereals are grown in abundance, but the great crops are wheat and corn. The inhabitants are industrious, and generally comfortably situated. A large portion of them are of German extraction, and are a frugal and prosperous class of people. Attention is giveu to the improvement of stock, and good teams may be scen on almost every farm. The people, while contented, are yet not satisfied with their present degree of advancement, but are pushing on in the line of improve- ment.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
URIAH BLUE
WAS born in Miami County, Ohio, October 31st, 1823. He was the 10th child of Solomon and Elithaonmy Blue. Solomon Blue was a native of " old Virginia." He died when Uriah was about fifteen years old. The latter started in life for himself by moving to Randolph County, Illinois, where he went to work for the farmers, making a bare living for himself until he was married Nov. 25th, 1854, to Mrs. Melinda Brownfield. They had born to them five children, all of whom are still living.
Mrs. Blue died June 17th, 1866. He was again married to Elizabeth Miller, Sept. 16th, 1867. They had one child by this marriage, which is living at home. Mr. Blue's second wife, died June 22d, 1872. He was mar- ried to his present wife April 12th, 1874. They have two children, both of whom are living at home with their parents. Politically, Mr. Blne is a firm old Jackson Democrat, although a strong partizan, he has never sought office, preferring to make a pleasant, happy home for his wife and children, and to know how well lie has succeeded, you have only to visit him there, when you will find one of the best, if not the best farm in Ora Township. Mr. and Mrs. Blue, are both members of the United Baptist Church, and are attempting to raise their family in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Mr. Blue may be considered as one of the successful men of Jackson County, as lie commenced with nothing but health and energy. Now he owns 760 acres of good land, and everything necessary to make him com- fortable.
WILLIAM RUSSELL
WAS born in Cartwright County, North Carolina, December 9th, 1809. His father was a farmer by occupation, and brought up William on the farnı. His educational advantages were very limited. At the age of twenty- five he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Russell. After two years, he emigrated with his young wife to Jackson County, Illinois, and settled about six miles south of Murphysboro', and improved a farm. After two years, his partner in life. died. He was again married, to Miss Delia Hegley, Decem- ber, 1842. She was a native of Jackson County. Her father, John Hegley, was one of the very early settlers. To this union they have had a family of nine children born to them. five boys and four girls, viz .: Edmund, now married and farming, in Ora Township ; David, married and farming, near the old homestead; William Carroll, Marion, and Samuel. William and Samuel, are living at home; Marion is a merchant in Ava. The girls, Dar- thena, Mary, Jane and Hannah ; Mary is now the wife of John Derrington ; the other three girls are living at home. After living about twenty years south of Murphysboro', he went to what is now Ora Township, where he still resides. He entered a tract of timber land, and with axe in hand, he com- menced to improve a new farm, and by his own industry, he now owns a fine farm of two hundred acres, most all in a fine state of cultivation. When Mr. Russell settled in Ora Township there were but about five families in the township. His nearest neighbor was James Bradley, a mile and a half distant, and not a school-house in the township. He has now four neighbors in sight of his residence, and a school-house on his land. Mr. Russell has lived in Jackson County since 1836. He has seen this County grow from a wilderness, covered with a dense forest, dotted here and there with a squat- ter's cabin, to a fine agricultural district, with growing fields of grain 'and pleasant homes dotted thickly throughout the County. He has also lived to see churches of all denominations built up in the County, and schools at proper intervals. He is endeavoring to give his children a better education than he received. Politically he is a Democrat. We set Mr. Russell down as a good man, not flashy, but honest and earnest, and loyal to manhood.
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