USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 70
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James Huston
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LAKE FORK TOWNSHIP.
his widow and child, Lewis Ethel, make their home with Mr. Hus- ton. Mr. Huston has served his township as assessor two years, and several terms as school director.
James Whiteside, section 13, Lake Fork Township, was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, April 6, 1817, a son of Will- iam F. Whiteside. He was reared in his native county, attending the log-cabin schools when his services were not required on the farm. In 1848 he came to Illinois, and lived in St. Clair County eleven years, and in 1859 moved to Logan County and settled on the farm where he now lives. He began life in limited circum- stances, working by the month several years, but by good manage- ment and frugality has been successful, and now owns a fine farm of 105 acres, all under cultivation, and his residence and farm buildings are among the best in the township. He was married in June, 1849, to Elizabeth Pullin, daughter of John Pullin. She died June 2, 1862. Of their five children four are living-Sarah, Elizabeth, Louisa and John F. Elizabeth married Columbus Will- iams, of Macon County, Illinois, and has two children-Rosa and Ida. Louisa married John J. Giant, of Laenna Township, and has one child-Jennie. June 9, 1864, Mr. Whiteside married Mary J., daughter of Hardy Johnson. Their five children are all de- ceased. Mr. Whiteside has been a member of the Baptist church thirty years.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
MT. PULASKI TOWNSHIP.
GEOGRAPHICAL. - OFFICIAL LIST .- STATISTICS. - POLITICAL. - MT. PULASKI VILLAGE .- EARLY HISTORY .-- INCORPORATION .- COUNTY SEAT .- MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS .- SCHOOLS .- CHURCHES .- MIS- CELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS .- BIOGRAPHICAL.
This is the largest and one of the best townships in the county. It contains sixty square miles of land, being ten miles north and south by six east and west. It is bounded on the north by Chester Township, east by Laenna and Lake Fork townships, south by Sangamon County, and west by Elkhart Township. It is crossed by the Illinois Central and Peoria, Decatur & Evansville rail- roads. Salt Creek passes near the northern border, and Lake Fork drains the southern part of the township.
OFFICIAL LIST.
Below will be found the names of those elected to office in this township since 1867 :
1867-Supervisor, Alexander Fisher; Clerk, Charles S. Capps; Assessor, George W. Howe; Collector, Henry Vanderleith; High- way Commissioners, Solomon B. Lincoln, Isom Birks and C. Seid- mier; Justices, John Weckel and J. N. Pumpelly; Constables, Alfred Sams and Robert Laughlin.
1868-Supervisor, C. W. Clark; Clerk, T. C. Brien; Assessor, Joseph Ewing; Collector, Henry Vanderleith; Highway Commis- sioner, David Birks.
1869-Supervisor, Samuel C. Bean; Clerk, Jacob Yager; As- sessor, George W. Howe; Collector, C. W. Clark; Highway Com- missioner, John Reinders; Justice, Jacob Yager; Constable, Franklin V. Nicholson.
1871-Supervisor, C. W. Clark; Clerk, Jacob Yager; Assessor, George W. Howe; Collector. Robert Copeland; Highway Commis- sioner, James Muldoon; Justices, James W. Randolph and Jacob Yager; Constables, Alfred Sams and Frank V. Nicholson.
1872-Supervisor, C. W. Clark; Clerk, Jacob Yager; Assessor, (746)
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George W. Howe; Collector, U. E. Robinson; Highway Commis- sioner, John Reinders.
1873-Supervisor, C. W. Clark; Clerk, Jacob Yager; Assessor, C. S. Landis; Collector, John Reinders; Highway Commissioner, C. K. Lucas.
1874-Supervisor, C. W. Clark; Clerk, Jacob Yager; Assessor, Jacob Schriver; Collector, Charles Capps; Highway Commissioner, Fred Fueten.
1875-Supervisor, C. W. Clark; Clerk, Jacob Yager; Assessor, Jeremiah Mathews; Collector, Henry Vanderleith; Highway Com- missioner, John Reinders; Justice, James W. Randolph; Con- stable, Jacob Yager.
1876-Supervisor, C. W. Clark; Clerk, Jacob Yager; Assessor, Jacob Schriver; Collector, Charles Capps; Highway Commissioner, C. K. Lucas; Constable, William Gordon.
1877-Supervisor, John Reinders; Clerk, Jacob Yager; As- sessor, Robert Copeland; Collector, George Mayer; Highway Com- missioner, Fred Fueten; Justices, James Muldoon and Jacob Yager; Constables, John H. Dement and A. F. Danner.
1878-Supervisor, John Reinders; Clerk, Jacob Yager; As- Bessor, George Howe; Collector, John Vanderleith; Highway Commissioner, Samuel Upp.
1879-Supervisor, John Reinders; Clerk, Jacob Yager; As- sessor, Charles S. Landis; Collector, John Vanderleith; Highway Commissioner, R. B. Lucas.
1880-Supervisor, John Reinders; Clerk, J. W. Wolfe; Assessor, N. B. Gasaway; Collector, John Vanderleith; Highway Commis- sioner, Fred Fueten.
1881-Supervisor, Amos Dillsaver; Clerk, M. L. Mathews; As- sessor, Mahlon A. Newton; Collector, H. W. Curtis; Highway Commissioner, Henry Gulso; Justices, M. L. Mathews and Fred Fueten; Constables, J. H. Dement and J. W. Dillsaver.
1882-Supervisor, Amos Dillsaver; Clerk, Charles S. Landis; Assessor, Jeremiah Mathews; Collector, U. E. Robinson; High- way Commissioner, R. B. Lucas; Justice, Charles S. Landis.
1883-Supervisor, Amos Dillsaver; Clerk, Charles S. Landis; Assessor, Jeremiah Mathews; Collector, George W. Vanderleith; Highway Commissioner, James Poe.
1884-Supervisor, William A. Schafer; Clerk, Charles H. Curtis; Assessor, Charles S. Landis; Collector, George W. Vanderleith; Highway Commissioner, Henry Suedmeier.
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748 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
1885-Supervisor, Jeremiah Mathews; Clerk, C. H. Curtis; As- sessor, James Ducker; Collector, H. C. Suttle; Highway Commis- sioner, S. T. Curtis; Justices, S. H. Newlan and Charles S. Landis; Constables, George Pfund and George Mayer, Jr.
STATISTIOS.
Mt. Pulaski Township increased in population from 1,910 in 1870, to 2,348 in 1880. In 1885 there are estimated to be 2,500 inhabitants.
The valuation and taxation of property in 1875 and 1885 are here given:
1875 .- Equalized valuation, $1,249,167; State tax, $3,747.51; county tax; $2,498.34; no town tax; school tax, $5,074.15; no dis- trict road tax; road and bridge tax, $1,873.74; sinking fund tax, $1,249.18; county bond tax, $1,623.92; incorporated town bond tax, $462.92; town bond tax, $3,747.51; corporation tax, $1,233.02; back tax, $202.63; total taxes, $21,712.92.
1885 .- Equalized valuation, $707,170; State tax, 82,831.33; county tax, $5,258.21; township tax, $404.68; road and bridge tax, $2,426.86; county bond interest tax, $1, 051.64; township bond interest tax, $3,882.96; district school tax, $9,517.32; dog tax, $138; back taxes, $994.84; total taxes, $30,388.80.
POLITICAL.
This township has always given substantial Democratic majori- ties. Following is the vote for President 1868-'84:
1868-Horatio Seymour. .262 89 1880-Winfield S. Hancock ... 304 51
Ulysses S. Grant. .179
1872-Horace Greeley .. .277
Ulysses S. Grant .205
72
James B. Weaver .. ..
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1884-Grover Cleveland.
401
135
1876-Samuel J. Tilden .331
95
James G. Blaine.
266
Rutherford B. Hayes .. . 236
John P. St. John
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MT. PULASKI.
Some of the earliest settlements in the county were made along Salt Creek, on the north of Pulaski, and Lake Fork on the west. The physician who sometimes practiced here was Dr. Alexander Shields, who then resided in Springfield. In the early part of 1836, during one of his visits to his patients in these settlements, he was struck with the great natural beauty and advantages of an elevated portion between these two creeks, and on his return to Springfield spoke enthusiastically of the location to Jabez Capps, then a merchant in Springfield, and an extensive owner of real
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James A. Garfield. .. .. 253
Jabez Caps.
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estate there, then not held at a very high figure. He was not then progressing as he desired in business, and was thinking of remov- ing to some other locality and laying the foundation for a new town. Dr. Barton Robinson, who was in an adjoining room, heard the conversation passing between Dr. Shields and Mr. Capps, and became at once interested. Dr. Robinson became one of the most prominent men in this part of the county. He was well educated, and was an excellent physician and a very public- spirited man. He was born May 19, 1819, in New Malton, York- shire, England. He studied medicine in London, where he gradu- ated. He came to America and joined his brother, James T., at Buffalo Hart Grove, Sangamon County, in December, 1831. He was married in this county in May, 1833, to Mahala Barber. In 1836 he went to Mt. Pulaski, and was always most prominently connected with the town. Here he practiced medicine many years, and was widely known. In 1858 he removed to Kansas. Soon after a company, consisting of Mr. Capps, Dr. Robinson and G. W. Turley, was formed, and in August these persons, with Thomas Skinner, a surveyor, came to the present site of Mt. Pu- laski and laid out a town. The company had a few months before this entered considerable land here, and made one of their number agent. After completing the survey, the party returned to Spring- field. Mr. Capps made arrangements with Jerry Birks, a settler on Lake Fork, to remove a cabin he had previously built there to the west side of what was laid out for a public square. It was moved there, and placed on a spot of ground now occupied by the postoffice. Mr. Capps's wife had died early in the spring pre- ceding these movements, leaving him with three small boys. He married again on his return from the survey, and on the morning after his wedding started with his family for their new home. He put into his wagon some necessary furniture, some pro- visions, and a few goods, and with these followed the road lead- ing to the Lake Fork settlement. From this settlement to the Mound was only a trail, which instead of leading to its top passed by the base on to Salt Creek. Following this, the family soon came to their new habitation, which they found moved and set up. Placing the family in this, the upper story of which they occupied, Mr. Capps returned to Springfield for other necessaries . of life and additional goods. After making a few trips, he had a well-selected stock of a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise
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750 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
suitable for a pioneer store, embracing every article from a nail to a barrel of sugar.
Trade soon began to come to the enterprising pioneer. People from where Clintou is now situated to the site of Decatur made this point one to purchase common household necessities. Those who could not pay in money brought peltry in various kinds, which Mr. Capps took to Springfield and exchanged for goods. He made nearly all his purchases for several years in St. Louis. His goods were shipped up the Mississippi to the Illinois River, thence up that stream to Pekin, where he received them into his wagon, and hauled them across the country home. His route lay through Postville, then containing only a house or two. It was, however, quite a point, as the stages coming from Chicago to St. Louis, and from Peoria down would often meet there. The "tavern " on Sugar Creek, was kept by William ("Pap ") Ryan. He was a rather eccentric but excellent man, and faithfully observed even- ing prayers, to which he would always invite any travelers who chanced to be stopping with him. On a certain evening, while con- ducting this service, a rather amusing incident occurred. For a light he used a " dip," being nothing less than a kettle-lid inverted, the hollow filled with tallow and a cotton rag placed therein, one end of which projected slightly over the edge of the lid and being lighted made a good substitute for a lamp or a candle. While at prayer, one of the travelers, a rather wild fellow, by some means got one of his hands in this dish, and, pulling the rag wick into it, set it all ablaze, and severely burned his hand. Forgetting where he was, and being frightened by the sudden pain, he very emphatically exclaimed, "Gosh ! darn the thing !" " Amen !" said Ryan, at that instant closing his prayer. For many days after the two expressions were common by-words among the amused travelers.
During Mr. Capps' first two years of life at the Mound he and the adjacent settlers often drove their hogs to Pekin, where they were slaughtered, and the pork shipped to St. Louis by the rivers. Occasionally he would exchange goods for dressed pork, which he hauled to the same place, and then shipped to the same market.
At the expiration of nearly two years he was joined by three young men, Andrew Danner, a blacksmith, a Mr. Miles and Hor- ace Roe, carpenters. All these boarded with Mr. Capps, and worked at their respective trades. Christian Danner, a brother of Andrew, came soon after with a family. These persons were from Pittsburg, and had probably come to St. Louis by water, and there
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MT. PULASKI TOWNSHIP.
hearing of some of the interior Illinois settlements, and their great desirability as homes, finally found their way to Mr. Capps's new town. Thus far it had received no name. In deciding upon one, the few residents chose that of Pulaski, and the place heretofore being called, from its location, the Mound, easily came to be called its present name. The situation is, indeed, enchantingly beautiful. At the date of which we are writing, the scene must have been be- yond description. The wildness of the prairie, bounded on the north and west by the Salt Creek and Lake Fork timber, and on the east and south by an extended plain, whose boundary was be- yond the vision, covered with the wild, rolling prairie grass, is a scene vividly impressed on the minds of those pioneers, and one on which they love to linger.
Christian Danner built a frame house soon after his arrival, it being the second in the place. Mr. Capps had erected one about a year and a half after his arrival, the upper story being used for a dwelling, the lower for a store. The carpenters found work enough among the surrounding settlers. The two named were soon joined by Willis Roe, who afterward lost his life by the fall of a beam in a building on which he was working. The blacksmiths set up a small shop immediately on their arrival, in which they sharpened hoes and plow points, and made other instruments used by the frontier settlers. The plows then had only a wooden moldboard, and attached to the plow-point was an iron shoe, in which a socket was made for the insertion for the wooden plow-point. The corn was generally cultivated with the hoe and a single corn-plow.
No sooner had these families located here than ministers of the gospel came to visit them. Even when Mr. Capps 'was the only resident on the " point," some stopped with him over night when on their way from one settlement to another. Prominent among these was " Father Bowles," as he was called, of the Christian church. In 1840 or 1841 Dr. John Clark located in the village, on the lot his family yet occupy. His was the fourth or fifth fam- ily in the place.
The second store was built by Benjamin Davis, which stood near the corner of the square, on the ground now occupied by Scrog- gin's hotel. This store was in all respects like its predecessor, and contained every article demanded by the settlers. Jefferson Scrog- gin built a house about this time, in which he accommodated trav- elers. Frank Schick, a German, was among the earliest residents of Mt. Pulaski, and afterward one of her most enterprising citizens.
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752 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
Soon after coming, he worked for Mr. Capps in his garden for 50 cents per day. Next he tried making shoes, and being the first, and for some time the only shoemaker in the village, soon built up a good trade. His shoes at first were more noticeable for strength than elegance; but people's tastes were at that time not so difficult to satisfy as now. The " wear and tear " of the article was more considered than the appearance. The only tannery in the vicinity was at Carter Scroggin's-a " trough " tannery. The location of the persons and industries mentioned had given the frontier village quite a business appearance, and made it a good trading place. In 1846 the third store was built by Thomas Lushbaugh. Comforta- ble frame houses were being erected, and the comforts and luxu- ries of life were beginning to appear. In 1844 a frame school-house was built, and school regularly held therein. The Methodists held weekly services in Dr. Clark's house, and at Nicholas Moore's, a few miles north. The first brick house was built by Alexander Morgan, and used as a hotel. Brewer Bunn, since then a prominent lawyer in Decatur, carried brick and mortar as a day laborer during its erection. The first brick business block was built by Dr. Robin- son, referred to. It is now torn away. A brick house was not long after built by Mr. Zimmerman, also one by Mr. Craig.
At the organization of the county in 1839, the seat of justice had been placed in Postville, nearly the center of the county. Then the county's limits were not the same as now-portions of Taze- well and De Witt having since been added-and, as has been noted in the history of the county, a division of Logan was antici- pated. In 1848 the county seat was, by a vote of the people, re- moved to Mt. Pulaski, with the hope that a new county would be formed from the southern part of Logan. At that time Mount Pulaski had increased to a prosperous village of 300 inhabitants, and was enjoying an excellent trade. The town by subscrip- tion raised 82,700; the county gave $300, and a comfortable court-house. two stories in height above the basement, was built on the public-square. It faced the west, and was ready for occupancy soon after the location of the seat of justice was fixed. The village had been incorporated in 1852; but this by some means, was after a few years not recognized. The next year after the erection of the court-house, the incorporation was revived, and kept in active existence until 1872, when it was re-incor- porated under the general law for the incorporation of towns. By some means the boundaries to the town had never been stated.
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and any suit brought by the village would not stand in court. After a few years the citizens saw that this would not do, as criminals would always go free on an appeal to the county courts. A petition was presented to Judge Dicks early in 1876 to order an election to be held, to decide for or against an incorporation of Mt. Pulaski. The petition was dated March 16, 1876. The election was held April 3, at the office of Dr. John Clark, and resulted in favor of incorporation.
VILLAGE OFFICERS.
The first election for village officers was held April 26. The officers chosen then and each succeeding year have been :
1876-Trustees, William A. Schafer, Uriah Snider, John W. Seyfer, Alexander Fisher, John Krieg and Charles S. Capps. Charles S. Capps was President, and Jacob Yager and Charles Capps, Sr., each served a part of the year as Clerk.
1877-Trustees, William A. Schafer, John W. Seyfer, C. J. Hurt, Uriah Snider, J. N. Pumpelly and S. C. Bean; President, Uriah Snider; Attorney, S. L. Wallace; Clerk, Charles Capps, Sr .; Police Magistrate, M. Wemple; Constable, F. V. Nicholson.
1878-Trustees, Peter Reinders, Charles R. Capps, J. R. Ayres, J. H. Masten, I. N. Rankin and David Vanhise; President, David Vanhise; Clerk, Charles Capps, Sr .; Constable, F. V. Nicholson.
1879-Trustees, Henry Vonderleith, Uriah Snider, Wm. A. Schafer, John W. Seyfer, J. R. Ayres and S. L. Wallace; Presi- dent, Uriah Snider; Clerk, Charles Capps, Sr .; Constable, F. V .. Nicholson.
1880-Trustees, Charles S. Capps, H. B. Roe, W. H. Ralston, Uriah Snider, Henry Vonderleith and George P. Zeiss; President, Uriah Snider; Clerk, Charles Capps, Sr .; Constable, E. Werlich; Treasurer, C. F. Schafer; Attorney, A. G. Jones. The Trustees drew lots for long and short terms, so that in the future but three need be elected annually. Those drawing for the long term were, Henry Vonderleith, H. B. Roe and W. H. Ralston.
1881-Trustees, Uriah Snider, Charles S. Capps and J. F. Schick; to fill vacancy, G. L. Schafer; President, Uriah Snider; Clerk, John H. Capps; Police Magistrate, F. V. Nicholson; Treasurer, C. F. Schafer; Attorney, A. G. Jones; Constable, A. G. Green.
- 1882-Trustees, H. B. Roe, G. L. Schafer and Jacob Mayer; -
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754 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
President, Charles S. Capps; Clerk, J. H. Capps; Treasurer, C. F. Schafer; Attorney, A. G. Jones; Constable, George Pfund.
1883-Trustees, Uriah Snider, John F. Schick and L. B. Scrog- gin; President, Uriah Snider; Clerk, John H. Capps; Treasurer, C. F. Schafer; Attorney, William H. Ambrose; Constable, George Pfund.
1884-Trustees, Jacob Mayer, H. C. Philbrick and G. L. Scha- fer; President, Uriah Snider; Clerk, Charles Capps, Sr .; Treasurer, C. F. Schafer; Attorney, W. H. Ambrose; Constable, George Pfund.
1885-Trustees, E. A. Danner, Uriah Snider and John F. Schick; to fill vacancy, R. S. Hershey; President, Uriah Snider; Clerk, Charles Capps, Sr .; Attorney, A. G. Jones; Treasurer, C. F. Schafer; Police Magistrate, F. V. Nicholson; Constable, G. W. Connolly.
With the advent of the court-house, a remarkably rapid growth of the town began. In ten years the increase of population was over 100 per cent. New stores and comfortable dwellings were rapidly built, and several new industries came quickly into exist- ence. A jail was completed shortly after the court-house was built. It was constructed of brick, and was made two stories in height. The windows were covered with iron grating. This jail contained criminals' and debtors' cells, and, though considered an improvement on the old log jail at Postville, could hardly be recognized as equal to it in safety. The contractor received $1,000 for its erection.
In 1850 the Methodists erected their church-the first in town. Two years after, the First German Evangelical Lutherans erected their first house of worship.
The industries of the town were the ordinary blacksmith and . wagon shops, carpenter shops and small mill. Prior to the open- ing of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, in 1853, mail was brought from Springfield, or from the stages on their route from Chicago and Peoria to St. Louis. When this railroad was com- pleted, a stage made regular trips to l'ostville or Lincoln, which was then just coming into existence. At every session of court lawyers from Springfield and Peoria were in attendance, and during that time the town presented an animated appearance. Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, David Davis and others since famous in State and national history were often seen in attendance at the Mt. Pulaski courts. The gentlemen named gen-
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erally stopped at Jabez Capps's while in town, he being an old friend and neighbor of Mr. Lincoln's, at Springfield.
On the adoption of the new State Constitution, in 1848, all hope of a division of Logan County was lost. Ere long, people living in the north part of the county began to complain of the long dis- tance they were compelled to go to court, and a more central loca- tion was demanded. Colbey Knapp was in the Legislature at the time, and succeeded in passing a bill allowing the residents of the county to vote on a re-location of the seat of justice. This was in the session of 1852-'53. The bill authorized the people to vote upon the question, but contained certain provisions relating to the re- moval of the county offices and county records, stipulating that they should remain in Mt. Pulaski until the completion of the new court-house. This was not ready until late in December, 1855, at which time the change was made.
This was a severe blow to Mt. Pulaski. During the next four years the population, fully 600 in number, increased only fifty- three. The lawyers moved to Lincoln, and that town began to partake of the early prosperity of Mt. Pulaski. Its founders were men of energy, money and enterprise, and made vigorous efforts for the advancement of their town. They had the advantage of a direct railroad between the two largest cities in the West, and were not slow to improve their opportunities. .
From the removal of the seat of justice, the growth of Mt. Pulaski was marked with no important events. It has been slow and sure, and since the completion of railroads, crossing here, has been reasonably speedy. On the east, west and south sides of the public square, and on the west side of the street leading south from the southwest corner, good brick business blocks have been built.
The old court-house yet stands, and is used by the village for offices of the village clerk and magistrate. An attorney also offices here. The upper story is unused. The Supreme Court decided that the building and square are held in trust for public purposes. It has been proposed to replace the historic structure by a new and safer one.
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