USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume I > Part 46
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M. P. Pullam entered the first land in the township, November 8, 1831, ninety- two acres on section 2. Peter Lair entered forty acres on section 6, December 5. 1833, while Casper Rowland entered forty acres on section 10, in May, 1834.
The first physician to locate here was Dr. Vance.
William M. Clark, son of Samuel and Mary Clark, was the first child born in the township, his birth occurring March 14, 1838.
The first death was in September, 1838, that of Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, at the home of her son, on section 30.
In 1837 Samuel Raffurty and a Mrs. Hoover were married, which was the first in the township.
At an early day a schoolhouse was erected 011 section 30 and Mrs. 'Mary Bacon was the first teacher. She was succeeded by Annie Dorman.
In 1839 Mrs. Mary Bacon organized the first Sunday school in the town- ship at her home on section 19.
Rev. William Vance, a Methodist, and a Rev. Williams, a Presbyterian, conducted services in the schoolhouse on section 30, at an early day. The Bap- tist church at Hickory Point, erected in 1869, was the first in this district.
Daniel Snyder was the first carpenter in the township.
A horse power mill on section 30, built by Henry Miller, was the first in the township. It was a sawmill, and was abandoned about the year 1850. . There is no village in this township.
GILLESPIE TOWNSIIIP.
Gillespie township is bounded on the north by Brushy Mound, on the east by Cahokia, on the south by Dorchester and on the west by Hilyard townships. It was named in honor of Judge Joseph Gillespie by the managers of the In- . dianapolis & St. Louis railroad. The soil is of yellow clay, mixed with sand near the streams but back from the streams the soil is a deep black loam and very productive. The township is drained by the Dry fork and its branches and along the streams in early times was found a heavy growth of timber. mostly oak. The southern and eastern portions are mostly prairie, which are laid out in finely cultivated farms. The southeastern portion of the township is drained by the Little Cahokia creek.
Vol. 1-25
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
The first land entry was made October 28, 1825, by Michael Dodd, when he became the possessor of eighty acres on section 15. Three years later, Septem- ber 15, 1828, Dennis Davis entered eighty acres in the northwest quarter of sec- tion 2. September 29, 1829, B. Nowlin and J. G. White each entered a tract of eighty acres on section 14.
The first house was built by John Wright on section 2. This was in 1828.
The year 1829 witnessed the arrival of several families, among whom were 'Alexander Miller and Abraham Huddleston, Jr., who settled on section 3; and a widow by the name of McCafee, also Dennis Davis, both of whom settled on section 2.
In 1830 Aaron Maxwell settled on section 22, while Gabriel Maxwell settled on section 21.
In 1831 James Robinson settled on section 29, Arter Taylor on section 5, and Giles Adams on section 17.
Daniel Huddleston arrived here in 1832 and made a permanent location on section 5.
In 1833 A. Jackson Rose settled on section 21 and Andrew Clark settled on the same section, while George Harlan entered land on section 2.
Soon after coming here in 1833, George Harlan built a horse mill on section 2, which was the first in the township.
It is not known who was the first child born but it is known that in the fall of 1830 a child was born in each of the homes of John Wright and Gabriel McKinzie.
In the year 1831 or 1832 Louisa Huddleston, daughter of Abraham and Judah Huddleston, aged eighteen months died and was buried on section 3. This was the first death in the township.
The first schoolhouse was constructed of logs in the fall of 1835 and was located on section 3. Alexander Walls and a Mr. Moore taught here in early times but it is not known which was the first teacher.
The first sermon in the township was preached in the home of Daniel Hud- dleston, on section 5, by Pleasant Lamay, a Baptist clergyman. He preached in the different homes and in the schoolhouse until a church was erected, which was in 1834, and was located on section 5. Rev. Lamay was the first to preach in the new church and continued to hold religious services here until the time of his death. In 1854 a larger and more modern building was erected, Alva Huddleston and Nicholas Grimes doing the carpenter work. Rev. William Fitz- gerald delivered the first sermon in the new building. The first Sunday school was organized in 1848 and the superintendent was Henry Fishback.
Giles Adams was the first postmaster and the mail was kept in his home on sec- tion 17. This office was established in 1854 and prior to that time the mail was carried by stage on the line running between Carlinville and Bunker Hill.
The first election was also held in Mr. Adams' home in 1835. The settlers considered this, a great convenience as they had formerly gone to Carlinville to vote.
The first blacksmith shop was erected by Daniel Adams, father of Giles Adams, in 1834.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
The first store was opened in the summer of 1834 on section 3, by John Foster.
The first tavern was conducted by a Mr. Abrahams at Dry Point, on section 15, and was opened in 1833.
GILLESPIE.
The town of Gillespie is located on section 24. The original proprietor was Philander C. Huggins and it was surveyed by J. B. Meads in the spring of 1853. In 1855 an addition known as Huggins' first addition was made on the north side and in the following year, 1856, S. H. Burton made an addition on the south side.
The first building in the town was erected in 1853 by B. F. Clark, the lower floor being used as a store room, while the upper story was used as a dwelling. In 1854 the postoffice was moved from Giles Adams' residence to the store of B. F. Clark and the first postmaster here was Thomas Chandler.
The first hotel, a frame building, was put up by S. D. Martin in the spring of 1856 and was known as the National Hotel.
The first mill was built by Settlemire, Rankin & Holmes in 1859. On Janu- ary 14, 1864, William Robinson, engineer, and Lewis Zinzer, miller, were killed by the explosion of the engine.
The first blacksmith shop was built and conducted by McGoern & Berning. Dr. Isaac Osborn came here in 1855 and began the practice of medicine.
In 1855 Jacob Querbach built a wagon shop and in the same year a school- house was erected and a Mr. Williams became the first teacher.
The schoolhouse also served as a place of worship until 1863, when the Epis- copalians built a church and Rev. Dresser served as pastor for a time. He was succeeded by Rev. Mitchell.
The same year the Methodist denomination built a house of worship and Rev. Morrison served as their first pastor. The German Lutheran church was erected in the fall of 1869. The first Sunday school was organized in the schoolhouse in 1856. This church now has a beautiful pressed brick house of worship and a comfortable parsonage. The present pastor is Rev. L. Krekler.
The records of the Methodist church, now at hand, would show that the church was organized about 1850. Abram Isaacs and wife Mary, D. K. Camp- bell and a number of others were charter members. At the time mentioned it was a mission in the Alton district, with an appropriation of $100 of missionary money. Rev. R. Randall was the first pastor. Five years later the church numbered about ninety members, and its property was valued at about $500. In 1857 J. D. Gilham was pastor and the church numbered one hundred and ten members. Rev. Gilham was succeeded by T. M. Boyle in 1858. He had in- creased the membership to one hundred and ninety. That same year the church was transferred to the Litchfield district and T. W. Jones was the pastor. Among the early pastors of this church may be mentioned Asa Snell, J. S. Morrison, W. F. Davis, George T. Weaver, C. J. Tolle, A. Bliss, S. Walker, N. D. Shack- elford, T. A. Eaton, S. T. English, S. P. Grove and R. H. Massey. In 1864 a new church was built on the corner of Macoupin and Spruce streets, which was used until 1910. The building, which was a frame, was then moved off its
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
foundation to its present location, a block east on the corner of Spruce and Madison, and now forms a part of a new building of frame, constructed in the year last above mentioned, at a cost of about $8,000.
The membership of this church now numbers about 125. The attendance at the Sabbath school is 275. The present pastor, C. H. Spragg, succeeded Rev. Samuel Thero, in 1911.
St. Catherine's and Gude's Catholic church has long been established at this place. In 1879 a commodious frame building was erected to accommodate its members, which at that time numbered about one hundred. The church was en- ·larged and improved in 1902 and in 1910 a rectory was built for the pastor. The value of the entire property amounts to about $16,000. Rev. Thomas Cros- son is the pastor.
There are a Christian and Baptist organization in Gillespie, both long estab- lished, but now weak in numbers. Services are held at the Baptist church every other Sunday by J. M. Gwinn, of Staunton. The Christians have no regular minister.
THE CITY DESTROYED BY FIRE.
January 29, 1905, Gillespie was visited by a destructive fire, which entirely wiped out the business section. Nothing daunted, the citizens at once began to rebuild and today the main street of this pretty little city has on each side of it modern and tastefully built brick structures that would be an adornment to any place. This main thoroughfare, named Macoupin, is 100 feet wide. In the center is the track of the Illinois Traction System, one of the greatest interurban rail- roads in the world. Early in the summer seasons for the past three years the main street has been sprinkled with oil. The citizens have found this method to be preferable to sprinkling with water and much less expensive.
POPULATION INCREASES.
In 1904 the population of Gillespie was 1,716. The federal census of 1910 gave it 3,075. Shortly after this census was made public, a school census was taken, which increased the number to 3,160.
LARGEST MINES IN THE WORLD.
The chief industry of Gillespie and the section surrounding it is the mining of coal, and it is said that three of the largest mines in the world are located at this point. They are owned and operated by the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- road Company which places none of its product on the market. It is therefore presumed that this great railroad system uses the coal in the operation of its own rolling stock.
PROPOSED CITY HALL.
In the spring of 1911 the citizens of Gillespie voted on the proposition of is- suing bonds to the extent of $8,000. for the purpose of building a city hall. The proposition carried and bids were made on the structure, but rejected. New plans
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
for the improvement are now being made. The hall will be constructed of brick and two stories in height. Provisions will be made for a council chamber, jail, fire department, and other public conveniences. The city has a volunteer fire de- partment. The paraphernalia consists of a chemical engine and hose carts. Of the police force, there is a marshal and two night patrolmen.
ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT.
The city is well lighted by an electric plant, built in 1890, by private parties. Frank Edwards of Benld is president of the concern and C. W. Smith, of Gilles- pie, manager. The city has a continuous service.
OTHER FEATURES.
Gillespie is without a water works, or sewerage system but the city is so pros- perous and its people are so energetic and enterprising that it is only a question of a short time before these necessary utilities will be installed. However, the citizens here take great pride in their sidewalks. Within the last three years there have been, laid twenty miles of granitoid walks. Five years ago there were but two blocks of them. In 1897 a commodious and tastefully built two-story frame opera house was erected, with a seating capacity of 350, by H. F. Mein- ecke and others.
MINERS HOMES.
Gillespie can well pride herself on the appearance and construction of the company homes for miners. One does not see here long, forbidding looking rows of shacks, without any shade trees or other comforts surrounding them. On the contrary, there is a diversity in the appearance of the buildings. Each take on the cottage design, are painted, and really look home like, as they should. In 1910 the Northwestern established repair yards at Gillespie for its coal cars. Here 2,000 cars are used each day in handling coal. That means that many need re- pairs and seventy-five men are employed in the shops on that work.
SOCIETIES.
Like all other progressive little cities, Gillespie has her societies, chief among which may be mentioned the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Wood- men, Red Men, Owls, Hibernians, and Foresters. There is a post here of the Grand Army of the Republic, which was once quite strong in its membership, but at this time only five of them answer to the roll call at its meetings.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
The city of Gillespie has two strong financial concerns in the Gillespie Na- tional Bank and the Bank of Gillespie. The first was organized October 1, 1905, by H. H. Behrens, H. W. Rice, J. K. McDavid, Marvel Thomas, J. M. Rodiner, G. W. Smith, Sr., P. H. Dorsey, Sr., Thomas Elliman, Edward Lane and others.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
H. H. Behrens was the first president; M. Thomas, vice president; and W. J. Joyce, cashier. The bank was capitalized at $50,000. The present officials are : President, J. M. Rodiner; vice president, Thomas E. Elliman; cashier, H. W. Rice ; assistant cashier, W. E. Cavanaugh. Directors, J. E. Barringer, Joe Quer- bach, J. P. Querbach, P. H. Dorsey, H. F. Bycroft, Sr., H. W. Rice, J. M. Rodi- ner, Thomas Elliman, J. K. McDavid.
The Bank of Gillespie was established in 1894 by S. M. Grubbs and E. R. Davis, of Litchfield, under the firm name of Grubbs, Davis & Company. About 1900 Mr. Davis retired and E. I. Miller of the First National Bank of Litch- field assumed his interest in the concern, which then took the title of the Bank of Gillespie. It took the firm name of Grubbs, Miller & Isaacs, the latter gentle- man having entered the firm in 1897. In 1906 this company erected its bank building, which was the first new structure put up after the coal industry was established.
DORCHESTER TOWNSHIP.
Dorchester township is bounded on the north by Gillespie, on the east by Staunton, on the south by Madison county and on the west by Bunker Hill town- ship. The district is drained by Cahokia creek and the west fork of Cahokia and its tributaries, which runs through the central portion from north to south. In former years the land along these streams was heavily timbered but much of it has been cut off for fencing and for other purposes. It is a rich farming district.
The first settler in this township was a Mr. Williams, who came here in the latter part of the year 1818. He was a "squatter" and it is not certain that he ever owned any land here. He removed to Missouri in 1833.
The first land entries were: October 9, 1820, eighty acres on section 24, by Richard Wilhelm; March 1I, 1829, forty acres on section II, by Charles G. Spence; January 25, 1830, Telemachus Camp.
At first the settlers sought land in the edge of the timber but after a time they began to push. out on the prairies. In 1829 the following people came to the township: William McKenney, who settled on section II; Thomas Grant, sec- tion 35; John Funderburk, section 23.
In 1830 came Valentine Sawyer, who located on section 13: William Davis, section 22; Abraham Smith, section 34.
The year 1831 witnessed the arrival here of Daniel B. Sawyer, who located on section 10, while in 1832 he was followed by Thomas Hart, who settled on section 23. In 1833, Abraham Isaacs, made a permanent settlement on section I; in 1834, John Walker, located on section 16; in 1835, Joseph Walker on sec- tion 35; Cleveland Walker on section 5; in 1836, David Bentley on section 27; and in 1837 Dana R. Hayden located on section 4, while William Purdy settled on section 23.
The first birth was a child born to Mr. and Mrs. Telemachus Camp, in 1820.
John A'. Funderburk performed the first marriage ceremony, when he united Daniel B. Sawyer and Miss Minerva Scroggins.
The first deaths in the township were two children of Telemachus Camp from the years 1824 to 1826. They were buried on his farm, which was the begin-
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
ning of the first cemetery in the township. Later others were buried on his farm, twelve or fourteen in all.
The first sermon was preached in Mr. Camp's home in 1829 by a traveling missionary of the Baptist denomination. Peter Long was instrumental in or- ganizing the first Baptist church here in 1836. The first church to be erected was by the Christian denomination at Round prairie, on section 32, in the year 1852. The first ministers were Robert Foster and Jonathan G. Wood. The first Sun- day school was organized in 1870 and was held in a schoolhouse.
The first mill in the township was operated by horse power and erected on · section 7 by Valentine Sawyer. Every one who came to mill did his own grind- ing, giving in payment one-eighth of the grain.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1839 on the southeast quarter of section II. It was built of logs. The first teacher was Jeremiah Wilcox.
The first postoffice was kept at Dorchester by William T. Keas.
The first steam sawmill was erected in 1850 on section 24.
The first blooded cattle brought into the township was by Henry Bowers.
In 1855-56 the Indianapolis & St. Louis railroad built their line through the northwest portion of the township, thereby furnishing facilities for the shipment of grain and produce.
DORCHESTER.
The village of Dorchester is located on sections 4 and 5 of Dorchester town- ship, and sections 32 and 33, Gillespie township. It took its name from Dor- chester Heights and the township later took the same name.
Alonzo Cutler was the original proprietor of the village and it was through his efforts that a railroad station was established at this place. In 1859 Fletcher H. Chapman made the survey. In the spring of 1861 was laid out P. R. Hay- den's addition on the southeast side of the village. In 1866 Hayden's second addition was laid out. A depot was built in the spring of 1861 and about the same time William Whitfield erected a building which he used for a dwelling and a store. In the summer of 1860 Mr. Hayden built a side track on the south side of the railroad and put up a small warehouse for grain. He rented this building to B. F. Williamson but in the spring of 1861 took possession of it himself.
The first hotel in the town was built in 1866 by Thomas Potts.
The first marriage was that of a Mr. Duncan and Miss S. Grant.
A Methodist church was erected in 1868, and the first preacher was Rev. Morris.
A Christian church was erected in 1874 and the first minister was Rev. David Davis. Prior to the erection of these houses of worship union services were held in a hall owned by P. R. Hayden.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1869 and the first teacher was James Ayres.
Dorchester is now a village of 102 inhabitants. The town is situated on the line between Dorchester and Gillespie townships and the people are equally divided between the two of them.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
NORTH PALMYRA TOWNSHIP.
This township lies in the extreme northern portion of the county. It is geographically known as township 12, range 8 west, and contains 23,040 acres of land. . It is bounded on the north by Morgan county, on the east by North Otter township, on the south by South Palmyra and on the west by Scottville town- ships. There is some timber to be found here but the land is mostly a fertile prairie, under a high state of cultivation. Apple creek drains the northern por- tion, while the east side is drained by Massey creek, the central and southern portions by Solomon's creek and the western portion by Joe's creek.
The first man to settle in this township was John Cummings, who came with his family in August, 1824. He was followed by Jonas Thompson and family who came in the same year. In 1825 Mrs. Woodring and family came and in the fall of 1826 Elijah Wills and his family made a permanent location in the township. On the 27th of March, 1827, Judge Lewis Solomon, Sr., came here from Morgan county and located on section 20. Solomon's creek was named in his honor. The district in which he located was afterward known as Eagle's point and received its name from the following circumstance : When Judge Solomon came to the county to look for a location, he burned off several patches of prairie and as the fire neared the timber a large number of spotted eagles flew around. These eagles are found only in new and unsettled country. Here Judge Solomon, assisted by his sons James and Lewis, erected a log cabin, which had no windows, the only light in the building being received through the door and chimney.
In the fall of 1828 William Norvill and family came from Sumner county, Tennessee, and settled on section 23.
The first man to enter land was Jonathan Thompson, February 17, 1827. He entered eighty acres on the southeast quarter of section 4. Ezekiel Springer en- tered eighty acres on the northwest quarter of section 3, on the 12th of Novem- ber, 1827. The third entry was made by E. C. Vancil, January 19, 1828, which comprised eighty acres of the southeast quarter of section 4.
After this time settlers came in quite rapidly. John Nevins, Sr., came from Madison county in 1827 and bought the improvements of Elijah Wills. In the same year John Nevins, Jr. and John Scott, with their families, arrived and set- tled on section 7. William Nevins, the father of John, came and settled on the same section. Jacob Nifong came here in 1828 and bought the improvements of John Nevins. James Howard came from Morgan county in 1828. He married a daughter of Judge Solomon and became the first schoolteacher in the township. Alexander Carson came from Kentucky and settled on section 28. This was in the spring of 1828. The same year I. B. Vancil and Spencer Norvill came and settled in the township. Aaron Turner and Larkin Richardson arrived in 1829. In 1830 John Cherry and Russell, William, Henry and John Taber arrived in the township. All settled just north of the present site of Palmyra. Robert Ross came in 1829 or 1830 and settled on section 27. Joseph King came in 1829, locating on section 28. His brother David joined him here in 1835. James Pocklington, an Englishman, came with his family in August, 1830. Isham Gib- son was an early settler.
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GIRARD COAL MINE
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LIBRAHY
UNIVEROUT OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
In 1831 the following came: James Young and family, Newton Berry, Stephen Jones and Stephen Robertson. The latter purchased the improvements on section 33, made by Russell Taber. William Sims also came this year and his brother George had preceded him here in 1829. William Rice came here from Kentucky in 1830, locating on section 33. The same year William Hodges set- tled on section 34. John B. Clevenger came with his father in the year 1830. Daniel Chapman was here in 1831 and Garrett Davis was here the year pre- vious, as was also James Bryant and family, who settled on section 2. Clai- bourne Gooch, who had a large family, came here from Kentucky in 1833, set- tling on section 29. Jasper Rice, also a Kentuckian settled on section 28, in the year 1832. Jonathan Landreth came here in 1833 from Virginia. John Cotts came from Kentucky in 1835 and settled on section 22. He married a Miss Wise after coming to the township. In 1835 Thomas Steward, D. A. Pulliam and Jesse Berry arrived, while in the following year, 1836, Lewis O'Neal and Jos- eph Liston, Sr., came.
The first sermon in the township was preached at the home of Lewis Solo- mon, Sr. in the year 1827, by Austin Sims, a Baptist. Lewis Solomon, Sr. and William Hodges, both Baptists, also were among the early preachers here. Jacob Nifong, who was of the Christian faith, also was an early preacher here.
The Methodist denomination built the first church in 1840. It was located a mile and a half north of the village of Palmyra and was called Bethel. It was constructed of hewed logs and was subsequently used for school purposes.
The first schoolhouse was located in the northwest part of the township, on section 18, and built in 1829. It was first conducted as a subscription school, the teacher being James Howard.
The first marriage was that of Andrew Thompson and Sarah Woodring, Lewis Solomon, Sr. performing the ceremony. . The first child born in the township was in 1827, a son of Elijah and Drusilla Wills. He died in infancy.
The first mill was erected by E. C. Vancil and was run by horse power. Prior to this the settlers had to go to mill at a place now known as Rockbridge.
Dr. George Sims located here in 1829 but prior to that time E. C. Vancil practiced medicine to some extent. Dr. Palmer arrived here a little later.
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