USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan county, Illinois : its past and present.. > Part 23
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The settlement of James Latham, Richard Latham, James Chapman, Jerry Burks, Robert Buckles, Hezekiah Davis, Aquilla Davis, John Stephenson, John Porter, Robert Musick and a few others have already been noticed. These came during the years 1819 to 1823. After that date the year of settlement can not now be definitely ascertained. The following persons are however known to have settled on the Lake Fork, prior to 1830. Benjamin Davis, a son of Aquilla Davis, came from Ken- tucky. He was a Baptist preacher, and was one of the first ministers in the county. In after years he removed to Iowa. Charles Turley came from Kentucky here, and remained until his death. Abram Bowman was from the same state, and is now living in Green County. Samuel Key was a young man when he settled here. He afterward married and remained on his farm until his death. Ezekiel Bowman, with his family, was from Ohio. He died in the county. After the occurrence of the sud- den freeze in 1839, he often told of finding frogs frozen with their mouth open, and said he knew the change was so sudden that they did not have time to close them. James Taylor, a Baptist minister from Tennessee, settled on the Lake Fork ; but in after years moved away. Hugh Depriest was also an early settler, who afterward removed. Washington and Jefferson Turley came with their father, James Turley, from Kentucky. He, the former, remained on a farm near his father's until about 1840, when he removed to Mt. Pulaski, where he died. The latter married a Miss Trotter, and settled on Round Prairie, in Sangamon County, where he died. Charles Harper, Sen., was probably on the Lake Fork at the time of the deep snow. He remained until his death. Spence settled about the same time, and afterward removed. Humphrey Scroggins was one of the earliest settlers here, and lived on his farm until his death. His three sons, Jefferson, who. married Lucy Turley, and died in Mt. Pulaski ; John, who married Emily Turley, and is yet living ; and Leon- ard, who married Mary Sims, and is now a farmer on the Lake Fork, came with him.
Boston Finders, another early settler, remained here during his life- time. Carter Scroggins, from Kentucky, settled in 1825. He died here. Hugh Collins, from Indiana, Charles Barney, from the same state, and George Girtman, from Missouri, were all early settlers, and all died here. The latter was known, far and near, for the excellent buckskin he made,
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and which was largely worn by the young men. Hiram Bowman came from Ohio, but afterward removed to Missouri. William Copeland was among the early settlers. It is stated in the records of the Old Settlers' Association that Mrs. Miller Copeland was the first white child born in the county. This is, however, an error, as Mrs. Martha Turley's birth preceded hers some time. Drury Martin, John Hueston and Solomon Blue, old settlers, are all now dead. David Sims came from Kentucky, and is yet living. Jeremiah and Richard Burks were from Tennessee, and are both now dead. William Turner is yet living. Michael and Abram Mann, John Jessee and Thomas Sr. Lucas, and Samuel Myers were from Ohio, and all are now in their graves. Elijah Friend went to Iowa. William Stallings came from Ohio. He removed to Iowa, where he died. Theodore Lawrence married here, and remained until his death. His brothers, John and Robert, are also dead. James and N. R. Cass were from Kentucky, and are now in their graves. Squire Foster is living in Lincoln. Thomas R. Skinner, an early settler, became one of the most prominent men in the county. He was county surveyor and afterward, for many years, county judge, and was one of the most upright men ever on the judicial bench. He was serving in this capacity at the time of his death. While he was living no man could have been elected against him, so much confidence did the people have in him. Judge Reuben C. Ewing, the successor of Judge Skinner, was equally well and favorably known. He was born in Tennessee, in 1801, and came to White County, Illinois, in 1809, where he lived till 1830. He filled the office of sheriff there several terms. In April, 1830, he came to Moultrie County, where he resided until 1848, when he was elected to the Legislature, and served several years. In 1854 he came to Logan County, and in 1857 succeeded Judge Skinner to the office of county judge. He filled this office until 1869. In 1876 he returned to Moultrie County, where he died on the 10th of July of that year.
Aside from the Latham family, at Elkhart Grove, several others came, who generally remained but a short time, and then went to the other settlements. Among these may be mentioned the Stephenson family, who afterward went to Sangamon County. Dr. Jayne, for many years a prominent physician in the state capital, made rails for Mr. Ste- phenson, at one time, for fifty cents per hundred. Mr. Latham had two or three cabins built near his own house, which he ren'ed to persons moving into the country until they could find a location. A family by the name of Lackland, from Tennessee, lived in one of these cabins. A Mr. Glover made a clearing in the timber, where it was about one fourth of a mile wide, and opened a farm here. Though a stretch of prairie, more than eight miles in extent, lay on each side of him, he had no idea its soil could be cultivated. John and Henry Crumbau rented land of Richard and Mrs. Latham for two years. At the expiration of that time they went to McLean County. The springs of pure water in the grove were an inducement to locate here. , Where water was not obtained by the pioneers in springs or creeks, wells were dug. To supply clothing, flax and cotton were raised, and spun by the women. Shoes were a luxury. Often when a young lady went to church she carried her shoes and stockings until near the place of assemblage, when she would pause and put them on. This was done to save them as much as possible ..
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
Who of the young ladies of to-day would do that ? Many of them, did the necessities of the occasion require it. Human nature is not retro- grading, and economy is as much a virtue now as then, and only requires a need to call it out. Springfield was then the post-office, county seat and market for all these settlers. Wheat brought from thirty to forty cents; corn, six to ten. One pair of shoes lasted a year. Boots were unknown. Some one, about the year 1828 or '29, had a pair of red-top boots made when on a visit to the older state., and on his return was known, far and near, by those " red-top boots."
The boys often wore buckskin trowsers and buckskin hunting shirts. As long as they were kept dry, they did well; but when once wet, were almost useless.
Returning to the list of the pioneers, and following the Sugar Creek settlement, after Robert Musick and Ezekiel Hopkins, already mentioned, Daniel Lantis is found to be the next settler here. He removed from Ohio with his family, and located on Salt Creek about the year 1823. He, however, soon came to Sugar Creek. About 1853 he went to Cham- paign County, where he died in 1866. His brother, Henry, may have preceded him a short time on Sugar Creek, as he came from Ohio about 1824, and settled at once in that locality. He afterward went to Tazewell County, where he died. John Reed came from Kentucky with his family in the year 1827. He lived on Sugar Creek twenty-seven years, when he went to Lincoln, where he now resides. Jerry Dixon removed from Kentucky in 1827, and lived on his farm in this settlement until his death. Abraham ' Altic came in 1829, and in 1830 moved to Salt Creek. In 1835, he returned to Sugar Creek, where he died in 1840. Archy Bryant came from Kentucky in 1827, and remained until his death. His wife is still living. William (" Pap ") Ryan came from Kentucky with his family in 1830. He went to Missouri, where he died. His house was for many years the stopping place in this settlement for travelers. Christopher Orendorff and family came early. He built a mill here, the second or third in the county. Daniel Lantis built a saw mill on this creek, which was afterward converted into a grist mill. When Mr. Robert Musick settled, he went to Jacob Moore, a weaver and blacksmith, for work and repairs. He also had a mortar in which to pound corn. A horse mill was afterward erected on Sugar Creek by Fred. Ewing. Mr. Musick's house was partly constructed out of boards sawn by a whip saw. He'did the greater part of his trading, as well as all settlers here, in Pekin as soon as a store was opened there. Mary Ann Musick, now Mrs. Judy, was married April 31, 1829. This was probably the first wedding in this settlement. Mr. Judy settled in Taze- well County in 1825. He was personally acquainted with many of the Indians, who were here then in great numbers. He often shot with them on a trial of skill, and generally defeated them. They had three large villages merged into one near where Bloomington now stands. Here the Kickapoos, Potawattamies and Delawares dwelt, and during the Summer months hunted over the prairie now comprising Logan County. The Kickapoo Creek took its name from the tribe of Indians dwelling in its vicinity. Some of these could talk tolerable English. Mr. Judy knew well Jim Crow, a Kickapoo chief, Toby White Eyes, of the Delawares, and Big Bull, of the Potawattamies. Robert Musick had lost a toe from
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
one foot, and was an object of much curiosity to these children of the forest, who knew him as the " Man-without-a-toe." He was also a good marksman, and was often challenged by the Indians to shoot at a mark. They much respected him on account of his skill with a gun. Indians and deer were a common every-day sight. The former often camped near this stream. They fed on hominy and deer's meat. The former was made by boiling it until thoroughly cooked. They had procured iron vessels at some of the government agencies. The venison was cut into long strips and slowly cooked over a fire of coals. They had also pro- cured blankets at the agency, and many of the squaws wore bright colored dresses.
One of the largest Indian towns was not many miles from the present town of Pontiac, county seat of Livingston County. Another village was on what was called Monk Creek, a small tributary of Sangamon River. After the settlers began to take possession of Logan County, the Indians gradually withdrew, until within a few years, by 1836, none were to be found. At the salt spring on Salt Creek was a famous place for their gathering before the whites came. Here they made salt, and an- nually made a visit to the place for this purpose. The spring seems to have been equally well known to all the wild animals for many miles around it. Old settlers inform the present generation how they have seen the place when for several rods around the spring the ground was eaten away to the depth of several inches. This had been done by the wild animals, who, having a fondness for the salty taste imparted to the earth wherever saturated by the water, would come to the spring whenever nature demanded more of this element for their food, and satisfy their taste by slowly eating the salty earth. After the establishment of Indian agencies east of this locality, the Indians of other tribes would occasionally pass through the county on their way to and from the agency. They would almost always stop a day or two near some of the streams, and hunt in order to obtain a supply of food. Their manner of hunting the deer was for a number of the warriors to surround a certain scope of country, and gradually close in upon whatever game they could secure. As they advanced nearer and nearer together they would commence a series of yells and vociferations, which would thoroughly frighten the deer, who would run from one side of the ring to another, only to hear the same outcry, and if sufficiently near, a shot would be fired at them by some of the hunters. These being mounted on ponies, and riding at a furious gait, would be very uncertain in their shots, and seldom brought the deer down until within close range. The hunter did not always seem to care as to the result of his shot, as the excitement of the chase was to him quite enchanting, and he often prolonged it to gratify himself. After the chase they would remove the best part of the carcass, and, building a fire in an excavation in the ground, would suspend the meat over the fire after it had burned to coals. Here it could slowly cook, and would in this manner become excellent eating. It would also keep for many days, which was the Indian's primary object in the proceeding. Some- times they would become tired of the venison, and would go to the set- tlers' houses to exchange it for "hog-ee meat," as they called it. As they cared more for the quality than the quantity, they would often get only a small piece of "hog-ee meat" in exchange for a large piece of
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
venison. On one occasion several of them came on this errand to one of the settlers. One of them brought with him his gun, a large smooth bore rifle. While at the house the white man showed. the Indian, who appeared to be a chief, his gun, a small rifle, and by signs indicated to him he would like to exchange. The Indian, after looking it carefully over, raised it to his shoulder, and sighting it, gave an ejaculatory " tush," throwing his head to one side. He then picked up his own gun, sighted it, and giving another " tush," inclined his head toward the earth. The pioneer knew the first movement indicated that the hunter supposed that if the deer was hit by a ball from such a small rifle, it would only shake its head in disdain ; but if struck by a ball from his gun, it would fall dead to the earth.
After the Black Hawk war, the most of the Indians went to their reservations west of the Mississippi, while the remainder gradually left the country on the approach and settlement of the white man.
In speaking of the Indians, Mr. C. C. Ewing, now'a resident of Lawn- dale, and an early settler, says : "They were of the Kickapoo tribe about our place. The government permitted them to remain and hunt, after having treated with them for their lands." He further says: "These savages were a fearful sight to us boys, they being the first we had ever seen. Some were painted different colors ; others had heavy rings in their ears, or had notches cut in them. Their camp was close to our place, and we visited them frequently. They were quite friendly, and we could easily learn their peculiarities. They would spread their deer hides around their wigwams and cut the venison in small slices, and place these on the hides to dry in the sun. Their dogs, which were numerous, had first choice in these pieces, and were generally undisturbed. When a deer would come in sight, the entire squad of braves would rush for their ponies and ride pell-mell after it, shooting from the backs of their ponies. As soon as the deer fell it would be slung across the back of a pony trained to the purpose and brought to camp. On Sundays all was quiet in the village ; no hunting was allowed on that day. When their dinner was prepared of venison and soup, the warriors arranged themselves around the pot in a circle, spoon or ladle in hand. The chief placed himself in a prominent position, and amid deep silence, pronounced a harangue in the Indian tongue, which," says Mr. Ewing, " we supposed was saying grace. The moment he concluded, each Indian rushed for the pot as if on a race for life, and rapidly began to devour its contents." Their habits were disgustingly dirty and filthy. The favorable opinion of the early settlers concerning these natives was very much changed when the Black Hawk war broke out, and they committed some startling atrocities. These were not, however, within the confines of this county, but generally further north.
The third settlement in the county was made on Salt Creek, so named from its saline springs, after Mr. Chapman's location and selling to Mr. Burks in 1822. The next settler here was probably Samuel McClure. He located on Salt Creek in 1823. William McGraw was another pioneer ; also William Long. In 1825 Philip Suiter settled in what is now Broadwell township. Solomon Wood located near the Rocky Ford; Nicholas Moore at Hurricane Point in 1830. He after- ward went to Iowa and died there. East of the mouth of Lake Fork,
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
on Salt Creek, Abram Vandeventer settled in 1828. In 1826 or '27, Charles Council and Montgomery. Warrick. Samuel Musick located in 1823 or '24, near the present village of Middletown. In 1826 John Barnes came with his family from Kentucky. He lived two years in one of Richard Latham's cabins and then moved to Salt Creek, settling in what is now Corwin Township. James Latham had by this date removed to Peoria, having been appointed Indian agent by President Adams in 1824. He lived here but two years, when death occurred. Between the years 1824 and 1827 or '28, John, Robert and James Downing, David Laughery and James Morrow settled. Harry Crocker came from the south part of the state, married and died here. Henry Dement settled about 1829. Moses Moore, a nephew of Nicholas, located about the same time. Stephen Moore settled here, but afterward moved to Postville, where he was among the first county officers. He again moved, this time going to Iowa. J. D. and William Dement were from Kentucky, and are now dead. Joseph Bowles purchased a farm of a Mr. Dotson, an early settler about 1830. Mr. Bowles went to Sangamon County, but returned to Logan in 1840 or '41, where he died. Brooks Randolph came from Virginia about · the time of the Deep Snow. He remained during his lifetime. James Randolph was a native of the same place; his widow is yet living. Wil- loughby Randolph also came from Virginia. He removed to Iowa. John Vandeventer was from the Old Dominion, and lived on Salt Creek until his death. Alfred and Edmond Sams were natives of Tennessee, and are both in their graves. Preston Pendleton and wife came from Kentucky in 1829, and settled on what is now the John Martin farm. After various removals they located at the Big Grove timber on the Kickapoo, where Mr. Pendleton died in 1871. His widow still lives. Peter Bashaw settled near the Rocky Ford about 1827. About ten years after he went to Missouri. John Critz is yet living on the old home- stead. His father went to Dewitt County, where he died. Samuel Evans settled about 1827 or '28. He afterward moved to the place known as the Boren farm. He next established a ferry at the Lincoln Cemetery. This he changed to a toll-bridge, which he in after years sold to the county. He then removed to his farm, where he died about 1849. Berryman Vaugn was from Ohio, and settled here on James Chap- man's farm, which he purchased. He died on his homestead. Peter J. Cowarden also died on his homestead. Thos. Briggs settled early ; he died here. These are all the names that could be obtained. There were many settlers here shortly after the Deep Snow, and there may be those not named who settled prior to that memorable winter.
The remaining settlers, before the Deep Snow, located on Kickapoo Creek. The first settler here did not arrive until 1826. Prettyman Mar- vel arrived near the eastern limits of the county in the timber skirting this stream in February, 1826. He and his wife scraped away the snow from beside a large log, kindled a fire, wrapped themselves in their blankets and slept during the night. They came from Gibson County, Indiana. They moved to near Waynesville, De Witt County, where Mr. Marvel died in 1842. Mrs. Marvel is yet living. One week after their arrival John Barr and wife came from the same place and located near them. They came in an ox cart, and camped out while on the way. Mr. Barr is yet living. In the biographical portion of this book a full history
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
of this family will be found. Felix Jones settled near the present Atkin- son place, and is now dead. Dr. Throgmorton brought his family here from Indiana. He removed to Mason County, where he died. Chauncy Spears and Matthew Robb are both in their graves. Thomas, Robert, James and Samuel McClure settled near the junction of Salt Creek and Kickapoo, about 1823. John and Reuben Ewing, Hiram Chapin, Benjamin Shipley and Abraham Hamilton are all dead, and were all early residents. Timothy Hoblit located about 1829. He was from Ohio. William Hutchinson came from Indiana. Andrew Brock and Hiram Bowman from Ohio. The first two are dead. Mr. Bowman was one of the first teachers here. He was a Baptist minister, and in after years went to Missouri. Joseph Rodgers removed to Spoon River, and there died. Samuel Hoblit came from Ohio to Sangamon County in 1827. He removed to the Big Grove in the Spring of 1829 where he resided until his death. The Hoblit family are now very numerous, and are among the best citi- zens of the county. Samuel Hoblit was for many years the only mechanic in this part of the county, and performed all repairs on the farming im- plements used at that time. John Scott owned a small corn mill built by Zion Sugars, in 1828, on the Kickapoo. It was run by water, and had one · set of stones. It was the first mill in this part of the county. Wheat was ground on it, and bolted by hand. It was afterward changed to a saw mill. Thomas Lucas, from Ohio, died here. Charles Council moved to Iowa, Thomas Davis to Missouri, James Ennis, from Tennessee, to the same state. Joseph Clifton settled on a hill near Jerry Bently's .. Adam Stephens and wife came from Ohio. They are yet living. Mat- thew Martin came from Indiana, and afterward settled in De Witt County, where he died. Ezra Knapp is dead. Gabriel Watt probably came from Indiana. He, William Lee and a Mr. Overstreet were among the first Methodist preachers here. George Clark moved to Delevan Prairie. Levi Johnston is dead. James Barr, lately deceased, was an early settler here, and a prominent man.
The first Post Office and trading point for these settlers was Spring- field. The next were Bloomington, Pekin and Waynesville. This small town in De Witt County was laid out by George Isham. Here the set- tlers first attended church. Many of them went to Peoria for trade. It was then better known as Fort Clark. In addition to the early settlers mentioned, several names will be found in the history of Atlanta. They are those who located in its vicinity. The habits of life of these pioneers were the same as those previously narrated. Their early life was as full of interest as any. John Barr had one clevis when he came. He and others used hickory withes in fastening implements together where any . strength was required. They broke ground with three or four yoke of oxen, and when one gave out, would go out, drive in a wild steer, compel him to enter the yoke, and go on.
Between the various streams on which were the settlements, already described, no persons located until later years. The country remained unbroken in many places until the advent of the railroad in 1853. When J. T. Chestnut settled in what is now Prairie Creek township there were but three houses in that part of the county. Delevan was his trading point. Thomas Fletcher was the first settler here. Before closing this it will be very interesting to read the experiences of some of these pioneers
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
as narrated by them in letters and at the gatherings of the old settlers. In a letter written to the Secretary of the Old Settlers' Association, Mr. C. C. Ewing, in narrating the early experiences of his father's family, says : "I emigrated with my parents from Tazewell County, about the 30th of May, 1829. We settled upon the border of Kickapoo, about one mile west of where the present village of Lawndale now stands. My father brought with him one hundred and sixty head of cattle, beside oth- er stock. We had to settle on raw land, there being but little cultivated. We broke sod and planted sod-corn until about the 25th of June, on which to winter our stock. The fall was very favorable and the corn matured well. There was any quantity of blue stem prairie grass. Of this we availed ourselves abundantly. Yet we had to buy corn and haul it four miles, that being the winter of the deep snow. We hitched two or three yoke of oxen to a sled and drove after the corn in the morning, and would fre- quently find our trail completely covered on our return. The snow was two or three feet deep. Sun-dogs frequently followed the sun all day, and the weather was often bitterly cold. We got through the winter with a lot of very poor stock ; but the grass being abundant the following spring, we soon forgot the hard winter."
Wild game was remarkably plenty, and all settlers had an abundance of meat. The county seat of Tazewell county was then at Fremont, about thirty miles distant. To neither it, or Springfield was there a road. Each one on making a journey to either of these towns followed an Indian trail. As Pekin was rather a poor market, the settlers determined to try Chi- cago. The journey there would occupy about four weeks. Wheat could be sold there at from 75 to 90 cents per bushel, while in Pekin it would bring but fifty or sixty cents. Salt, sugar, coffee and other articles needed in the settlement would be brought back. Purchases could be made cheaper in Chicago than Pekin, and on the return of the party could al- ways be sold in the settlement. Mr. Ewing further says : "The item of milling was the most to be dreaded. Cooking stoves were very rarely seen, while a match was not thought of. In our long drives, to Chicago, we had to keep a supply of flints, steel, tow and punk. With these we made our fires in camp. My father made what he called a mortar in which to make meal, by hollowing out a solid block of wood and making a pestle to fill the cavity.
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