USA > Illinois > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Illinois > Part 42
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Joseph McMeens, one of the pioneers of this section, met with a sad bereavement soon after his settlement. A child, a little girl only four years old, was lost in the woods and was never found, nor was her fate ever clearly established. Whether she was de- voured by wild beasts or carried off by prowl- ing savages will probably never be known.
Births, deaths and marriages are matters of great interest in new countries, partien- larly among the female portion of the inhab- itants. The first birth in Shiloh Township
cannot be recalled, but knowledge of the first death is more easily attainable. All things earthly are fleeting and transitory, even to the human beings who occupy this planet of ours. We look around ns at the landscape clothed with beauty, ornamented with flowers of the fairest hue and rich with verdure. But yet a little while and winter invades the beautiful fields and hills and valleys, and with a relentless hand shrouds in gloom the gorgeous scenery. We behold the sky drawn above us as a magnificent can- opy, dyed in azure and beautiful with pict- ures of floating silver; but as we gaze upon the beautiful scenery, the world, awhile ra- diant with beauty, is mantled in darkness. Man looks upon these changes in nature, and seems unconscious of the fact that he, too, is as perishable as they, and is heedless of the warning voice that tells him " Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Journeying to the tomb, he wastes his price less time, until finally death knocks at his door and finds him unprepared.
"And years may go, But our tears shall flow O'er the dead who have died." etc., etc.
Death entered the settlement through the Maxey family, and an infant of Henry B. Maxey was the victim. It was brought here an infant in arms, and survived the change of climate but a short time. It was the first death in the township, and believed also to have been the first in the county. The well populated graveyards in the township and surrounding country show how well death has done his work and how busy he has been among the " children of men."
The third wedding to occur in the county took place in Shiloh Township, and was a kind of wholesale wedding. Three couples were married at the same time and place, viz., Thomas M. Casey and Harriet Maxey,
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Abraham T. Casey and Vylinda Maxey and Bennett N. Maxey and Sally Overbey. The ceremony was performed October 5, 1819, and the affair was a grand one for those early days. To use a backwoods expression, "the big pot was put in the little one," the fatted calf (deer) was slain. a great feast prepared, and everybody within reach invited. This triple wedding was long remembered as an event worthy of note.
Shiloh Township is as well supplied with roads and bridges as any portion of Jefferson County. Good wagon roads traverse it in every direction, and substantial bridges span the streams wherever needed.
Previous to 1869, the county was divided into election precincts, but in that year, it, under a law of the State, adopted township organization. Since the change, the follow- ing is a list of the township officers:
Supervisors-John R. Moss, 1870-71; J. C. Tyler, 1872; J. M. Galbraith, 1873-74; W. C. Webb, 1875; V. G. Osborne, 1876; A. D. Dollins, 1877; G. L. Moss, 1878; J. J. Willis, 1879; N. L. Frost, IS80; J. C. Tyler, 1881; Thomas C. Allen, 1882; J. C. Tyler, 1883, the present incumbent.
Town Clerks-John T. Johnson, 1872; Sanford Hill, 1873; W. Greer, 1874; J. D. McMeen, 1875; E. S. Dillon, 1876-77; N. H. Moss, 1878; W. A. Piercy, 1879 to 1881; L. Bond, 1882; W. A. Piercy, 1883, now in office.
Assessors-J. M. Galbraith, 1872; J. D. McMeen, 1873; W. T. Webb, 1874; O. A. Dickerman. 1875; J. N. Bond, 1876; J. H. Payne, 1877; J. A. Reed, 1878; W. T. Maxey, 1879-80; J. A. Reed, 1881-82; S. B. Gilbert, 1883, now in office.
Collectors-W. C. Webb, 1872-73; J. C. Payne, 1874; Sanford Hill, 1875; W. C. Webb, 1876; J. A. Reed, 1877; J. J. Willis, 1878; T. C. Allen, 1879-80; Henry B. Wal- ker, 1881 to 1883.
School Treasurers-J. Payne, Sr., J. C. Maxey, T. C. Johnson, J. Henderson, T. C. Allen, J. C. Tyler, C. C. Mayfield, J. T. Payne and R. H. Hubbard, the present in- cumbents.
Highway Commissioners-R. H. Hubbard, C. B. Harper, W. B. Casey, J. M. Beckham. C. B. Harper, T. W. Beal, George Hill, J. M. Beckham, J. E. Ward, J. B. Pearcy, J. R. Driver and J. E. Ward.
Justices of the Peace-C. B. Harper, J. Q. A. Berry, J. R. Driver, C. M. Casey, J R. Driver, J. DuBois, C. M. Casey, J. DuBois, L. H. Honse and C. M. Casey.
Constables-Sanford Hill, L. C. Johnson, A. J. Smith, L. C. Johns on, J. M.Galbraith and S. B. Gilbert.
Considerable attention is paid to stock- raising in this township, and that there is not more than there is the more's the pity. When the farmers of this section of the State devote more time and attention to stock and fruit and less to wheat-a crop that has proved so thoroughly to be an uncertain one -it will be far better for them and a good revenue will result. Capt. J. R. Moss and A. J. Moss are among the largest stock-rais- ers in this immediate section. They raised horses, Durham and Jersey cattle, Berkshire hogs and Cotswold sheep-the latter were originally imported from Canada. Capt. Moss was the first man who brought Cotswold sheep to the township and has done more, perhaps, to improve the stock interests than any other man. Others have more recently embarked in stock-raising, until at the pres- ent time it is getting to be the leading pur- suit of the farmers of this region.
The people took a deep interest in educa- tional matters. and schools were organized very early. Among the early teachers were Joel Pace, Edward Maxey. a man named Donglas, E. Knapp, Anderson Booth and
Oliver P. Norris mix
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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others. The old " Jefferson Academy " was one of the first schoolhouses in the township. Shiloh has never let its interest flag in the cause of education, and to-day it has nine comfortable schoolhouses within its limits, all of which support good schools. Christian- ity occupied the minds of the people as early as the cause of education. Some of the earliest settlers were ministers of the Gos- pel --- notably Zadok Casey, of whom much has already been said. Abraham T. Casey and Lewis Johnson were also preachers, as well as some of the Maxeys. These were all ministers of the Methodist Church, and sev- eral societies of this denomination were formed very early. Old Union Church in Mount Vernon Township, was the first. Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1839 in the schoolhouse, and the first preacher was the Rev. W. T. Williams. Among the early members were Thomas M. Casey and family, Abraham T. Casey and family, Bennett N. Maxey and Elihu Maxey and their families and others. The present church building was put up some twenty- five years ago, and is of brick, 30x40 feet in size, costing about $2,000. It has some eighty members. There is at present a Baptist Church in the northwest corner of the township called New Hope Church. Old Shiloh Methodist Episcopal Church was one of the first churches organized in the township. Among the early members were Lewis Johnson, Zadok Casey, William and Edward Maxey, Mr. Depriest and their fam- ilies. Their early meetings were held in a house put up for church and school pur- poses in 1821, and was given the name of Old Shiloh. For years it was used both for church and school purposes, but has long since passed away. The New Shiloh Church was an early organization. The present church building was put up in 1858: the
membership is about seveuty-five; the pres- ent minister Rev. L. S. Walker. The church maintains a Sunday school with some seventy five pupils and five teachers, Little Grove Church was organized in 1833, near James Westcott's, who gave the land upon which it stood. Salem Church was also an early organization, and its origin was due principally to Rhodam Allen, who was a zealous Christian, and took great interest in religious affairs.
Woodlawn Village was laid out by John D. Williams for S. K. Casey aud W. D. Green, and the plat recorded October 1, 1869. It is located on the range line in Section 25, and is on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, west of Mount Vernon, and has about 300 inhabitants. The first house was built by Hiram Ferguson. Among the first merchants of the place were Benton, Masters, J. Q. A. Bay and Dubois. James Farmer put up a fine mill in 1872, and Hicks put up a drug store. The post office was established in 1870, and Dr. Masters was appointed Post- master; the present Postmaster is G. B. Welborn. An excellent school building is in the town. It is a frame, 24x36 feet, and the school attendance is about sixty. A lodge of Odd Fellows was organized in 1874. The present officers are J. T. Slade, N. G. : J. F. Brooks, V. G .; L. H. Hawes, Treasur- er; and G. W. Fyke, Secretary. In 1878, James Dillon put up an oil factory in a part of Farmer's Mill, and for several years car- ried on the business. It was said at the time to be the biggest thing of the kind in the whole country. Pennyroyal and sassafras came in by the hundreds of wagon-loads and was made into oil.
The following is the business outlook:
Payne & Sharp, Smith & Capp, general stores; George B. Welborn, drug store; John A. Lelfield, groceries; Mrs. E. P. Rey- 15
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nolds, millinery; R. Richie, blacksmith, etc. The village was incorporated under the State law in 1880, with the following officers: Dr. Watson, President; Emery Wood, James Trout, Harvey Reynolds, J. W. Beckham, J. H. Hicks; and W. P. Willis, Clerk. The present officers are J. H. Hicks, President; J. H. Clayborne, J. P. Morgan, W. H. Breeze, Andrew Ferguson and L. A. Stevens.
The Methodist Church was organized in the township in the Hicks Schoolhouse, and among the original members were Isaac Hicks and wife, Benjamin Mckinney and wife, Peter Shaffer and wife, George Knox and his mother, John Lemmon and wife, and others. The church was built in the village in 1879, and cost about $1,200. The society has some forty members and a good Sunday school is kept up all the year.
CHAPTER IX.
PENDLETON AND MOORE'S PRAIRIE TOWNSHIPS-GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND TOPOGRAPHY-THE FIRST SETTLERS-MOORE'S PRAIRIE A HISTORICAL SPOT-PIONEER HARDSHIPS AND DIFFICULTIES-EARLY INDUSTRIES AND CUSTOMS-TOWNSHIP OFFICERS -CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-LYNCHBURG-BELLE RIVE AND OPDYKE-THEIR GROWTH, BUSINESS, ETC., ETC.
" Of 'a the trades that I do ken Commend me to the plonghman." -Burns.
T THERE is no truer saying than that of the philosopher that our lives are what we make them. In the city, the village or on the farm is this true, but it is pre-emi- nently true of the farm. If farming is only given over to ignorant and unkempt boors, it will to that extent be forbidding to the growing young men. If the rural popula- tion informo themselves and pursue their bus. iness in the most ennobling way, their every movement guided by a type of intelligence that brings the best adaptation to the natu ral means surrounding them, it will become the most inviting pursuit for the best men and women. There is no foolish notion that more urgently needs to be exploded than the prevalent one which makes a country life below the ambition of a young man of education and spirit, and which regards
towns and cities as the only places in which men rise to distinction and usefulness. Farming is called a tame and monotonous vocation, but can anything better be claimed for the plodding, exacting and exhaustive pursuits which nine-tenths of those who live in cities are compelled to follow? It is a great mistake to suppose that the population of a city is made up of great capitalists, proprietors, manufacturers and eminent law- yers and surgeons, and that it is an easy thing for a young man endowed with the quality of "smartness" to achieve wealth and distinction, or even independence, in the fierce, pitiless whirl of city life. The wrecks to be encountered in city streets every day disprove it. Comparatively few persous amass fortunes in cities, and fewer still re- tain them. It has been estimated that where one man becomes independently rich in a city, a hundred never get beyond moderate livers, and five hundred are but little better
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than beggars. That riches in cities take wings and fly away is proven by the fact that in at least five 'cases out of ten of a wealthy business man in middle life, he will die penniless.
Farming is not subject to these rapid and ruinous chances. In this pursuit industry, economy and good management, aided by the increase which time itself brings, will in- sure a competence in fifteen or twenty years; and it is a property of substance accumulat- ed in farming, that, unlike fortunes ac- quired in mercantile pursuits, generally lasts through life. [Few thrifty, industrious farm- ers die poor; few prosperous merchants who continue in business die rich. The farmer's profits come in slow and small, it is true, and often he does not find himself in com- fortable circumstances until middle age. But it is in the middle of old age he most needs the comforts of independence, and if he is wise enough to keep out of debt, the moder- ate competency which he has managed to accumulate through his better years will come unscathed through the storms and con- vulsions that sweep away towering fortunes in the business world. These reflections are suggested in consequence of writing of town- ships that are devoted almost wholly to ag- ricultural pursuits, and it is our wish to im- press upon the young men of the country their own power to make their lives just what they would have them to be. There is no better pursuit or no more ennobling one than that of a farmer, if we choose to so make it.
The history of this township and the one immediately south of it is so interwoven that it is hard to separate them, and we shall therefore incorporate them in one chapter. The history of Moore's Prairie is really the history of both townships, and outside of Mount Vernon is the most historical spot of
the county. It dates back almost three- quarters of a century, to the period of the first actual white settlement.
Pendleton Township lies in the east tier of townships, and Moore's Prairie Township forms the southeast corner of the county. They have for their boundaries Hamilton County on the east, Franklin County on the south, Spring Garden and Dodds Townships on the west, and Webber Township north of Pendleton. The latter is Township 3 south, Range 4 east, and Moore's Prairie is Town- ship 4 south and Range 4 east, under the Congressional survey. The fine scope of country known as Moore's Prairie, which forms the larger part of one of these town- ships, and extending far into the other, is probably the finest body of farming land in all the surrounding country. Beautiful roll- ing prairies, sufficiently undulating to drain well, it is specially adapted for grain and is a wheat-growing region almost unsurpassed. Some of the finest and most valuable farms in Jefferson County are to be found in this extensive prairie. The timbered portions of the townships produce oak, hickory and a few other kinds common in this section. There are no water-courses, except a few small and nameless streams that go dry in the summer season.
The first settlement in the county was made in Moore's Prairie by one Andrew Moore, for whom the prairie was named. He settled here in 1810, and the event and his unknown, but supposed tragic, death by the Indians is detailed in a preceding chap- ter, and need not be repeated. He was the pio- neer of all the pioneers of Jefferson County. After Moore's untimely death, no further effort was made at a settlement here until in the spring of 1816, when Carter Wilkey and Daniel Crenshaw came. The latter moved into Moore's cabin and cultivated his
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patch of ground, while Wilkey raised a crop in the prairie. Robert Cook came soon after Wilkey and Crenshaw, and settled in the lower end of the prairie. In the fall of the same year, Barton Atchison came. He bought Wilkey's crop and settled near Cook. Mrs. Wilkey, Carter Wilkey's mother, and Maxey Wilkey, an older brother of Carter's, and his family came in October, and during the winter the two last-mentioned families occupied one room of Crenshaw's cabin. But, like the settlement of Moore, these set- tlemeuts are written up in another chapter, and nothing additional can be said here.
The next settler, perhaps, was Dempsey Hood, who came in 1817, with four stalwart sons, one of whom was a carpenter, and to- gether with Carter Wilkey, also a carpenter, built many of the first houses in the coun- try. In the following winter Theophilus Cook, the widow Hicks, mother of Col. Stephen G. Hicks, and several other fami- lies came in and settled in Moore's Prairie. Uncle "Ophy" Cook, as everybody called him, settled near Sloo's Point. He was a most excellent man, and all who knew him were his friends. He was a pure and upright Christian man in his character, was without blemish so far as man may judge, and as friend and neighbor he lived above reproach. The Cooks, Wilkeys. Mrs. Hicks, Atchisons and Hoods were originally from Georgia. Mrs. Hood and Mrs. Atchison were sisters, and their maiden name Hill. Mrs. Hicks was the widow of John Hicks, who, as stated in a previous chapter, was killed in the battle of New Orleans. Soon after the settlement thus mentioned, a man. Hodge, came in. and a little later Mrs. Robinson came; also about the same time a mau named Fipps, Bales, Fannin and Mrs. Moore, widow of Andrew Moore, moved in and made settlements, which have been noticed elsewhere. Creu-
shaw, whose settlement has already been mentioned, sold out in 1822 to Tunstall, and moved to St. Clair County. In 1824, Dan- iel Wilbanks bought out Tunstall and settled in Moore's Prairie, and since that date the name of Wilbanks has been a prominent one in Jefferson County and closely con- nected with its history. Daniel Wilbanks was originally from North Carolina, but em- igrated to South Carolina, and from the lat- ter State came to Illinois about the year 1820. He settled in St. Clair County in a place called Turkey-foot Hill and was en- gaged in the survey of the lands in that county. But the malaria fastened fon him, and to escape its effects he came here in 1824, and, as we have stated, purchased the Crenshaw place in Moore's Prairie. His sons were Joseph, Robert A. D., William, Dan- iel, Davis, and several daughters. One of his sons, Robert A. D. Wilbanks, once carried the mail-when Uncle Sam traveled mostly on horseback -from Belleville to Metropolis, a fact, perhaps, that many of the old citizens still remember. He was a prominent man of his time, and held many offices and positions of trust, and had also represented his district in the State Senate. The family is still a numerons one, and the male members are to be found among the leading business men of the county, of whom sketches will be found in the biographical department of this work. Robert Wilbanks, the accomplished and ac- commodating Clerk of the Appellate Court. is a grandson and an able representative of the old pioneer, Daniel Wilbanks.
Other early settlers embraced the follow- ing families: The Ilineses, William Jourdan, Isaac Fortenberry, Aaron Jourdan, Samuel Atchison, Lewis Watkins, etc., etc. Hines came very early and left early. There were bad stories concerning him; he kept a tav- ern on the Goshen road, and there were dark
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deeds hinted at-travelers stopping at this tavern who were never seen to leave. How true were these stories, we do not pretend to know. The time has been so long ago they are becoming dim traditions. William Jour- dan settled here in 1818. He was the father of a large family, and a number of grand- children are living in this and adjoining counties. The old house he built is now used by George Walters as a barn. Isaac Fortenberry came soon after Jourdan and settled on Section 18, but afterward sold out and moved to Missouri. C. and Aaron Jour- dan settled in 1825, on Sections 9 and 10. Descendants are still living. Samuel Atchi- son came in early. Watkins had a store and sold the first goods in the precinct. Samuel Bradford settled near where Belle Rive now stands, but some years later moved to Wayne County. James Vance settled south of Bradford about 1820. He was from Ten- nessee. Others came in, including James Bellow, Willis Harderick, Isaac Smith and John Lowrey, and Moore's Prairie was rapidly settled up, as well as the timbered land ad- jacent to it.
There has been so much said in previous chapters of this work upon the early settle- ment of Moore's Prairie, that really but lit- tle additional can be said here without rep- etition. Moore's Prairie is a historic section, and deserves considerable space, and we deem no excuse necessary for the prominent place we have accorded to it.
The beauty of the country pleased the eye of these pioneers when they first came here, and the abundance of wild animals gratified their passion for hunting. They were sur- rounded by an enemy subtle and wary, but they flinched not from the contest. Even their women and children often performed deeds of heroism from which the iron nerves of manhood might well have shrunk in fear.
They had no opportunities for the cultivation of the arts and elegances of life-of refined life. In their seclusion, amid danger and peril, there arose a peculiar condition of so ciety, elsewhere almost unknown The little Indian meal brought with them was often expended too soon, and sometimes for weeks and months they lived without bread. The lean venison and the breast of wild turkey they taught themselves to call bread, while the fatter venison and the flesh of the bear was denominated meat. This was a wretched " makeshift," and resulted in disease and sickness when necessity compelled them t. indulge in it too long, preceded by weakness and a feeling constantly of an empty stomach, and they would pass the dull hours in watch - ing the potato tops, pumpkins and squash vines, hoping from day to day to get something to answer the place of bread. "What a delight and joy was the first young potato! What a jubilee when at last the young corn could be pulled for roasting ears, only to be still in- tensified when it had attained sufficient hardness to be made into a johnny-cake by the aid of a tin grater. These were harbin- gers from heaven that brought health, vigor and content with the surroundings, poor as they were, and were only still further sur- passed when mills were built and put in operation.
This was the manner in which the people lived, for the first years of their settlement here, and is a very brief and feeble sketch of some of their trials and hardships. The difficulties they encountered were very great, and would have utterly discouraged men and women less brave and resolute. They were in a wilderness, far removed from any culti- vated region, and ammunition, food, cloth- ing and implements of industry were almost unattainable.
The townships of Pendleton and Moore's
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Prairie are devoted principally to grain, and as we have before stated, is the finest wheat- growing section of the county. It is too ex- clusively devoted to wheat for the good of the farmers. If they would divide their at- tention between grain, stock and fruit, they would soon find a great improvement finan- cially in the results of their farms. Then when wheat or fruit failed they would have the other, together with their surplus stock, to fall back on.
The early churches and schools of these townships were on a par with other portions of the county. The schoolhouses were of the primitive log-cabin style, often de- scribed in this work, and the first religious meetings were held in the cabins of the peo- ple, or in summer beneath the spreading trees. The first schoolhouse of which we can learn anything was a log cabin on Sec- tion 7 of Pendleton Township, and the first teacher was a man named Gibbs. The town- ship of Pendleton now has nine schoolhouses, and Moore's Prairie has six. These are all comfortable buildings-palaces, when com- pared to those the first settlers built and in which their children obtained their meager learning. The first church was organized in the northwest part of Pendleton Township, and the Estes family were among the origi- nal members. Of this organization, however, we obtained very little information.
Pendleton and Moore's Prairie Townships are closely connected historically, as pre- viously stated, and not easy to separate the sketch of them. Originally they comprised Moore's Prairie Precinct. Upon the adop- tion of township organization by the county in 1869, they were divided and the south end retained the old name of Moore's Prai- rie, while the north half was called Pendle- ton, as we have been informed, for George H. Pendleton, the able Democratic statesman of
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