USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 62
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658 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
Lucinda, who married David Stone, both she and her husband being now deceased, and Elizabeth Jane, widow of Henry Post, who accidently shot himself at Middletown in 1862. The three sons are all living-Robert A., at Middletown; Nathan B., of Martinsburg, Iowa, and James L., in Menard County. Robert A. Rayburn, the eldest child, was born in Adair County, Kentucky, April 12, 1826, but has lived in this vicinity since he came here with his parents. He passed his early life in farming, except what time he served in the Mexican war. Since 1855 he has lived in Middletown. He was appointed postmaster of that place in 1864, at the same time engaging in the grocery trade. He was also elected a justice of the peace at about the same time, and these interests have received his attention since that time. Recently he has been succeeded in the postoffice by Eugenia B. Rayburn, and he was also, by reason of failing health, retired from trade and also from his official position. Mr. Rayburn was married December 16, 1848, to Isabella R. Snyder, born in Washington County, Indiana, in 1832. She is a daughter of John and Margaret (Kelso) Snyder, and came to Illinois with them when a child. June 18, 1878, Mrs. Rayburn died, after a married life of about thirty years. Of the nine children born to them (five sons and four daughters) two sons and three daughters are now living-Garret E., Eugenia B., Lula, Carrie M. and Robert C. The deceased children are-Charles M., Edward E., an infant daughter, unnamed, and Louis.
William P. Richards, deceased, son of Josiah Richards, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in February, 1825, and came to Logan County, from Ohio, with his father's family, settling in Corwin Township. He was reared a farmer, an occupation which he has always followed. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Elizabeth Musick, who died in June, 1853. November 27, 1855, be married Nancy A. Evans, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1834, daughter of D. G. Evans. By his first wife Mr. Richards had one son, who died in infancy. By his second wife he had six children, four of whom are living-Lizzie F., wife of James W. Simmons; John E., David G., and Charles William. The deceased children are-Oella P. and Guy C. In 1849, when a young man, Mr. Richards went by the overland route to Cali- fornia, the trip taking about six months. Here he engaged in mining, in which he was quite successful. After being absent about one year he returned by way of the Isthmus. Mr. Richards died January 8, 1878. He improved the farm where his widow
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CORWIN TOWNSHIP. 1
still lives, and was one of the prominent and successful men of the township. Politically he was a Republican.
John Wilson Robinson, residing on section 34, Corwin Town- ship, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1822, and is a son of John and Hannah (McDill) Robinson. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, coming to Ross County with his paternal uncle, his father having been killed by Indians while engaged in survey- ing and laying out lands where Chillicothe, Ohio, now stands. John Robinson, the father of our subject, reared a large family, all of whom are in prosperous circumstances. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife died when John W. was ten years old. The latter spent his youth in assisting his father on the farm. After reaching maturity he spent eight years in Ross County. The prospect of gaining a competence without much means was not favorable in what had then become a comparatively old country so he resolved to come West, and accordingly, with his brother Joshua, he started for Illinois. They first went to McDonough County but did not like the appearance of the land, nor did they find a location that pleased them till they reached the spot where Mr. Robinson now resides. He purchased 280 acres here in 1851, 240 acres of which was prairie land, and forty acres being timber land. No improvements had been made on this land, but in Feb- ruary, 1852, Mr. Robinson began to improve his farm where he has since made his home. His brother Joshua also made a settle- ment adjoining. He never married and died in 1861, aged forty- one years. Two weeks after his first purchase of 280 acres Mr. Robinson bought another quarter-section, and in less than a year he and his brother had purchased about 1,000 acres. He now owns over 2,000 acres, nearly all being in one body. Since coming to Illinois he has been engaged in dealing in stock and farming, in which he has been very successful. His stock is of the highest grade, and for it he is always sure to get the full market value. When he came there he had about $1,300, which money he had acquired by his own exertions before coming West. He is now numbered among the wealthiest farmers of Logan County. January 18, 1855, Mr. Robinson was married to Harriet Lowrey who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1836, coming to Logan County with her parents, Thompson and Maria (McDonald) Lowrey, when a child. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have no children. In politics Mr. Robinson is a Democrat. He is always interested in educational matters, and is a good neighbor and a worthy citizen.
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660 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
Emanuel Turner has been a resident of Logan County since October 17, 1845. In the fall of 1847 he located on his present farm, purchasing at first 160 acres from C. H. Moore. A small frame house had been built on this land, and about forty acres had been broken. He occupied the house above mentioned till 1877 when his present fine frame residence was completed which was erected at a cost of $3,000. He has now 400 acres of land all under cultivation but eighty acres of timbered land, and his farm buildings are good. He has another residence and out buildings on the northwest part of his farm, a half mile distant. Mr. Turner was born in Page County, Virginia, June 15, 1822, his parents, Nathan and Anna, being also natives of Page County, where they lived till their death. Our subject remained at home till September 17, 1845, when he came to Logan County. Novem- ber 7, 1847, he was married to Mrs. Matilda Musick, a daughter of John Donovan who settled in Logan County in 1834. They have had five children, three still living-William H., of Colley County, Kansas ; James G., in Middletown, and Irvin G. H., at home. Jasper N., the third child, and Emma G., the youngest, are de- ceased. May 9, 1846, Mr. Turner enlisted at Postville in the service of the Mexican war. He was a member of Company I, Fourth Illinois Infantry, his regiment being commanded by gallant Colonel Baker, who fell at Ball's Bluff in the war of the Rebellion. Mr. E. Turner participated in the battles of Mattamoras and Cerro Gordo. He served seven months when he was discharged on ac- count of disability, and has never fully recovered from the effects of his service.
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CHAPTER XXII.
EAST LINCOLN TONWSHIP.
GEOGRAPHY .- LIST OF OFFICIALS, 1867-'85 .- STATISTICS .- POLITI- CAL .- LAWNDALE .- BIOGRAPHICAL.
This township is bounded as follows: On the north by Emi- nence Township, east by Oran Township, south by Chester Town- ship, and west by West Lincoln Township, and contains the greater part of the city of Lincoln. It is crossed diagonally by the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad. Lawndale, a station on this road, is located in the northern part, on section 2. The township is drained by Kickapoo Creek, to the north, and Deer Creek, to the south. The township is exactly six miles square.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The township officers elected each year from 1867 to 1885, in- clusive, are here shown:
1867-Supervisor, James Beers; Clerk, Samnel T. Atkins; As- sessor, William G. Starkey; Collector, Thomas J. Pegram; High- way Commissioners, A. B. Nicholson, L. L. Hatton and Benjamin F. Smith; Justices, John S. Windsor and C. F. Stewart; Consta- bles, Thomas B. Parker and Samuel E. Fergus.
1868-Supervisor, James Beers; Clerk, R. B. Fryer; Assessor, Samuel T. Atkins; Collector, Thomas J. Pegram; Highway Com- missioner, L. L. Hatton; Constable, George Williams.
1870-Supervisor, James Beers; Clerk, George W. Parker; As- sessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, Thomas J. Pegram; Highway Commissioner, Whitby Hunting; Justices, Samuel T. Atkins and Preston B. Knight; Constables, Isaac C. G. Crandall and Jacob Routson.
1871-Supervisor, John T. Jenkins; Clerk, Samuel T. Atkins; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, Colbey M. Knapp; Highway Commissioners, Levi L. Hatton and Leonidas Stephenson.
1872-Supervisor, William B. Cramer; Clerk, Preston B. Knight; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, Jacob Routson; Highway Commissioner, W. J. Wheeler. (661)
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662 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
1873-Supervisor, N. E. Pegram; Clerk, P. B. Knight; Asses- Bor, J. S. Metcalf; Collector, C. E. Coddington; Highway Com- missioner, Whitby Hunting; Justice, Reuben B. Ewing.
1874-Supervisor, Thomas J. Larison; Clerk, Preston B. Knight; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, Thomas J. Pegram; Highway Commissioner, Stephen Zollers; Justices, Jacob T. Ru- dolph and Wilford D. Wyatt; Constables, Elza S. Hukill, Job J. Whiteman and John W. Grantham.
1875-Supervisor, Edward D. Blinn; Clerk, Preston B. Knight; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, A. E. Brown; Highway Commissioner, Joel U. Starkey.
1876-Supervisor, Robert Scarth; Clerk, Preston B. Knight; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, William A. Howard; High- way Commissioner, Whitby Hunting; Justice, H. Maltby.
1877-Supervisor, Robert Scarth; Clerk, Preston B. Knight; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, T. Newkirk; Highway Commissioner, William D. Duff; Justices, J. T. Rudolph, Frank Fisk, C. F. Stewart and Wilford D. Wyatt; Constables, Job J. Whiteman, W. S. Larison, E. S. Hukill, Charles Phillips and R. C. Ewing.
1878-Supervisor, Robert Scarth; Clerk, Preston B. Knight; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, T. Newkirk; Highway Com- missioner, Joel U. Starkey; Constable, W. H. Crawford.
1879-Supervisor, Robert Scarth; Clerk, Preston B. Knight; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, Tunis Newkirk; Highway Commissioner, James M. Houser.
1880-Supervisor, Robert Scarth; Clerk, H. Maltby; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, Tunis Newkirk; Highway Commis- sioner, James McConnell; Justice, J. W. Grantham.
1881-Supervisor, Robert Scarth; Clerk, Joel U. Starkey; As- sessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, Tunis Newkirk; Highway Commissioner, Thomas Musick; Justices, J. T. Rudolph, H. Maltby, W. D. Wyatt and J. W. Grantham; Constables, J. J. Whiteman, J. L. Sims, W. S. Larison and William Crawford.
1882-Supervisor, Robert Scarth; Assistant Supervisor, Joel U. Starkey; Clerk, Harrison Maltby; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, Tunis Newkirk; Highway Commissioner, Joseph Rhodes.
1883-Supervisor, Robert Scarth; Assistant Supervisor, Joel U. Starkey; Clerk, Harrison Maltby; Assessor, John S. Metcalf; Collector, Tunis Newkirk; Highway Commissioner, James
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EAST LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
McConnell; Constables, James Ward and William H. Crawford. 1884-Supervisor, Robert Scarth; Clerk, Harrison Maltby; Assessor, J. S. Metcalf; Collector, Tunis Newkirk; Highway Comissioner, J. T. Mnsick; Constable, James S. Jones.
1885-Supervisor, Robert Scarth; Assistant Supervisor, Joel U. Starkey; Clerk, Harrison Maltby; Assessor, Edward Spell- man; Collector, T. L. Hoskins; Highway Commissioner, John Ahrens; Justices, J. T. Rudolph, H. Maltby, W. D. Wyatt and J. W. Grantham; Constables, L. J. Sims, J. S. Jones, R. Rosen thal and Z. T. Ewing.
STATISTICS.
East Lincoln's population in 1870 was 3,397; in 1880, 4,056; in 1885, estimated 4,300. Outside of Lincoln City there are about 1,000 inhabitants.
The valuation and taxation of property in 1875, are here given for comparison with the same items in 1885.
1875 .- Equalized valuation, $1,440,743; State tax, $4,322.22; connty tax, $2,881.50; town tax, $1,008.52; district school tax, $4,026.74; district road tax, $650.55; road and bridge tax, 85,761 .- 98; sinking fund tax, $1,440.74; county bond tax, $1,872.96; city and corporation taxes, $24,772.60; back taxes, $1.410.79; total taxes, $48,148.60.
1885 .- Equalized valuation, $895,835; State tax, $3,451.15; county tax, 86,409.29; township tax, $2,267.90; road and bridge tax, $2,465.12; county bond interest tax, $1,281.86; township bond interest tax, 86,310.69; corporation tax, $22,095.60; district school tax, $3,156.79; dog tax, $196; back taxes with costs and interest, $2,948.64; total taxes, $50,583.04.
POLITICAL.
East Lincoln was once heavily Republican, but a gradual change has taken place, until in 1884 the township went slightly Demo- cratic. Following is the vote for President since the township was organized:
1868-Ulysses S. Grant .. .418 166
1880 James A. Garfield.
.491
Winfield S. Hancock ... 401
Neal Dow.
40
90
Horatio Seymour. .252
1872-Ulysses S. Grant
.375
185
James B Weaver.
32
Horace Greeley
.240
30
1876-Rutherford B. Hayes ..
505
Samuel J. Tilden. .
.408
Peter Cooper
3
97
1884-Grover Cleveland.
461
James G. Blaine ..
431
John P. St. John
81
Benj. F. Butler
19
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
LAWNDALE
is about seven miles northeast of Lincoln, on the Chicago & Alton Railroad. It was laid out by Thomas Esten, who built the first store on the plat. His son still carries on the business in the same building. The first dwelling in the village was built by R. K. Webster; the second by Mr. Esten, who was the first postmaster here. He came to this place as agent for a colony from Massachu- setts, and built a saw-mill on the banks of the creek, which mill was, for several years, a great convenience to the people living in this vicinity. It has been torn down and removed. The village is an excellent grain point, shipping mostly to Chicago. It contains two stores, two shops, one church and one school. C. C. Ewing is one of the earliest residents in this vicinity, he, his father, and his uncle, Judge Reuben B. Ewing, locating in 1830. The country was then a wilderness.
The business interests of Lawndale in 1885 are represented by these names: Aurelian Esten, general store and grain elevator ;. Brearly & Co., general store and corn buyers; Pegram & Bro., grain elevator; J. F. Stewart, blacksmith; Reuben F. Druley, blacksmith; George Naugle, wagon shop; Lafayette Barger, post- master; J. A. Cooper, station agent.
The population of the village is nearly 200.
A graded school is maintained here, B. S. Brown being princi- pal, and Ora McClain, assistant.
The church was built in 1872, by the Cumberland Presbyterians and Methodist Episcopals jointly, and the usual custom has been for them to have services alternate Sundays. Rev. Johnson, of Atlanta, comes here for the Methodists. The Cumberland Pres- byterians have no minister, but Rev. A. Ritter, a Methodist Prot- estant, came to Lawndale in September, 1885, on a year's engage- ment. A. F. Poe is superintendent of the Sunday-school which is undenominational in character.
The Lawndale Literary Society was organized in December, 1885, with the purpose of holding meetings every week. Officers: J. O. Miller, President; W. H. Crawford, Vice-President; Patsy Peifer, Secretary; George Naugle, Treasurer.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Thomas Beers, deceased, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio,. October 8, 1830. He is the son of Charles and Mary (Spowr) Beers. He was roared on a farm, and when a boy his parents re -.
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EAST LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
moved to Shelby, Shelby County, Ohio. When he was five years old they moved to Illinois, settling where Bloomington now stands. After living there two years they returned to Shelby County, Ohio, where our subject grew to manhood, receiving more than an ordinary common-school education. December 4, 1859, he was married in Miami County, Ohio, to Miss Hettie J. Martin, a daughter of Daniel and Susan (Shelley) Martin, who came from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, when Mrs. Beers was twelve years old. In May, 1861, Mr. and Mrs. Beers came to Logan County, set- tling on what was known as the Duff farm, in Atna Township, where they resided one year. They then moved to East Lincoln Town- ship, two miles east of Lincoln, residing there four years, moving from there to the farm joining the homestead. In 1868 they set- tled on the homestead, where Mr. Beers passed the best of his days. Mr. and Mrs. Beers had four children, three of whom are living-Emma A., wife of William E. Town; Ida N. ; John Will- iam, married Hattie Poe; Eva E., who died at the age of ten years and nine months. Mr. Beers and his wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Beers cast his vote with the Republican party. He died October 8, 1883.
James T. Brown was born in Hart County, Kentucky, in April, 1843, and is the second son and third child of Patrick Henry Brown, a native of Virginia, of Scotch descent. The mother of our subject, Louisa (Enlows) Brown, was the second wife of Pat- rick H. Brown, and was a native of Kentucky. James T. Brown was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. In 1856 he, with his father's family, came to Illinois, settling in Pike County, where the father died in 1859, leaving his wife and a large family of children in limited means. As the elder brother of our subject enlisted in 1862, dying while in the service of the terrible civil war, the care of the family devolved upon our subject. In 1864 they came to Logan County, and set- tled on the farm, adjoining his present farm, and in 1869 he moved on his present farm, which contains 160 acres of improved land. In 1867 Mr. James T. Brown was married to Miss Mary Lewis, born in Kentucky, a daughter of Francis and Frances (Jarber) Lewis. They are the parents of three children-William F., Wal- ter V. and Nellie. Both Mr. Brown and his wife are members of the Baptist church. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.
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666 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
John R. Downey, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Warren County, Ohio, April 18, 1848, and is the eldest of the six children of Eleazar and Elizabeth (Worley) Downey. Eleazar Downey was a native of Virginia and his wife was born in Ohio. Our subject was reared on a farm, receiving his education at the common schools. He resided with his parents until 1868, when he came to Logan County, where he remained for a time. He then returned to his native home, remaining till the following spring, when he returned to Logan County and engaged in farming on his present farm in 1873, where he has 120 acres, all under a high state of cultivation, the farm being owned by his father. He was married October 2, 1872, to Miss Mary Alice Riggs, a native of Sangamon County, Illinois. By this union there was one child-Fairy Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Downey are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Downey is a Republican.
W. D. Duff was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, February 20, 1835. He is the youngest son of Ebenezer and Sarah (McClure) Duff; the former, of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in North Carolina and reared in Kentucky, and the latter, of Scotch descent, was born in Kentucky. In the year 1828 they moved to Sanga- mon County, Illinois, residing there until 1855, when they re- moved to Logan County, where they resided until their death, Mrs. Duff dying in 1868 and Mr. Duff March 29, 1884. They were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Our subject was reared in his native county, and came with his parents to Lo- gan County in 1855. He settled in AEtna Township and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married March 15, 1859, to Miss Emeline H. Lavison, born in Logan County, a daughter of T. J. and Catherine Ann (Hoblit) Lavison. In 1866 Mr. Duff removed to his present farin in East Lincoln Township, which contains 320 acres of improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Duff have eleven children -- Adah Bell, wife of T. L. McConnell; J. T. married Kittie Gra- ham; Charles E., James M., [Myrtle E., Emeline H., Maud C., Jessie, Blanch, Elizabeth H. and Helen. In politics Mr. Duff is a Republican.
William Henry Dunham (deceased) was one of the most prom- inent pioneers of Logan County and none is more worthy of no- tice. He was born in Warren County, Ohio, November 15, 1821, and is the eldest of the eleven children of James and Catherine (Banta) Dunham. His parents were both of English descent and came from the New England States to Ohio at an early day. Our
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Elizabeth Giving
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EAST LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
subject was reared on a farm and received his education at the com- mon school, mastering the languages by hard study at home. In connection with his farming pursuits, he engaged in teaching. He also fitted himself for the ministry in the Christian church, be- ginning to preach when only nineteen years of age. He also be- came conversant with the medical profession. He resided with his parents till his marriage, which occurred October 30, 1844. His wife was Miss Lydia Wilgus, born in Warren County, Ohio, July 4, 1823, a daughter of William and Mary (Wright) Wilgus, natives of New Jersey, who came to Ohio at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham resided in Warren County until 1856, coming in the spring of that year to Logan County, Illinois, locating in Atlanta. After engaging in the mercantile business for a short time he moved to a farm near that village. He then moved to Centralia, where he lived three years, engaged in school teaching. He then returned to Logan County and purchased eighty acres of unim- proved land and began making a home. In August, 1862, he en- listed in Company C, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry. He was first made Sergeant and served in the Army of the Ten- nessee until near the close of the war, when he was honorably dis- charged June, 1865. He here lost his health, which he never recovered. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham had nine children of whom five lived till maturity. Two still survive-Lydia and Rosa. Those deceased are-Augustus, Quincy, Monroe, Lucy, William J., May O. and Anna. Mr. Dunham died July 12, 1878, leaving his wife, children, and a large number of friends to mourn his loss. He had been magistrate under the administration of Governor Oglesby.
Christopher C. Ewing, one of the prominent early settlers of Logan County, is a native of White County, Illinois, born Novem- ber 25, 1818. He is the fourth son and sixth child of John and Elizabeth (Dillard) Ewing, the former a native of East Tennessee and the latter of North Carolina. They were married in East Ten- nessee, coming to Illinois in 1809. John Ewing was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving until its close. When the subject of this sketch was eleven years of age his parents moved to Tazewell County, now a part of Logan, and bought of the Government a large tract of valuable land, where they died, the mother surviving the father six years. Christopher C. Ewing was reared in Logan County, living with his parents and caring for them as long as they lived. When they settled in this county, the Indians were 43
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668 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
their neighbors and were often troublesome and even quarrelsome. The Black Hawk war broke out the year following their settlement and the eldest son of the family enlisted and served till its close. Our subject well remembers the deep snow of 1831. His father brought 150 head of cattle, besides horses and sheep, to the county, and they were obliged to haul feed for their stock a distance some- times of four miles, with the snow three feet on a level and drifted in some places over the fences. This was a hard winter and often did they repeut coming North, and many times were tempted to return to their old home, but have never repented their decision to remain in their prairie home. In November, 1833, was wit- uessed what was called the meteoric shower, which, in grandeur, surpassed the great snow and Indian horrors. From midnight till daylight there was a blaze of meteors as thick as snow flakes, and apparently everything was on fire. Some thought the end of the world had come, and many got together and held a prayer-meeting. In the summer of 1835 our subject accompanied an older brother to Chicago, with a load of wheat. They drove an ox team and were two weeks in making the trip, and six weeks in completing the journey home. They sold their wheat at 75 cents a bushel and loaded their wagon with salt, sugar, coffee, etc. Chicago at that time was a small village, and several tribes of Indians were camp- ing on its present site, many of them being there awaiting pay day. Fort Dearborn was at that time strongly garrisoned to hold them in check, but they were often imposed upon, the whites with the aid of whisky often robbing them of the greater part of their money. In December, 1836, our pioneers experienced another severe change in the atmosphere and lost heavily of their stock and poultry, and in some cases their own lives. The snow had been falling for a day or two when a drizzling rain set in which continued until about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, melting the snow and converting it into a thin mushy ice. Suddenly there came a mighty, rushing wind from the northwest, which roared at a distance like a hurri- cane and froze everything in its course. The water on the ponds was frozen in waves, and all who were out suffered more or less, as in an hour the mercury changed from forty degrees above to thirty degrees below zero. This severe weather continued three days, and resulted in much sickness throughout the country. Experiencing in his youth these severe tests, our subject learned lessons of en- durance and perseverance which in later life has made him one of the most successful and progressive of Logan County's citizens.
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