History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 44

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois > Part 44

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Samuel Love remained with his father, going with him to Morgan and Greene counties. In 1842 he married Elizabeth Taylor, a native of Greene county ; she died in 1848. In 1849, on the 1st day of March, he married Minerva Lasater. This union has been blessed by ten children, nine of whom are living. James Madison is married to Nora Vanasdell ; and Mollie Lavina, is the wife of Mr. Charles Kesinger. The rest are at home.

Mr. Love has been a life-long democrat; he voted for Lewis Cass for President in 1848. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church, of which he has been a member since he was thirteen years of age. In 1854 he moved back from Greene county to Macoupin county, where

he purchased one hundred acres of land in Bird township, and remained there until 1865, when he sold out and moved a short distance north of his old place, where he purchased two hundred and eighty acres, and where he has continued to reside up to the present time.

We would like here to recite some of the incidents of the pioneer life of the subject of our sketch if the space allotted us would allow it; but the story is so well told in the pioneer chapter of the history of this county, that it would be, at best, but repetition. We will therefore leave the old pioneer, with the hope that he may live for many years to come, and see his native state rise to the dignity of the first in the Union. He has already lived to see the change from a howling wilderness, where roamed the beast of the forest and the crafty red man ; its broad prairies, where grew the long, rank grass, in which lay concealed the deadly serpent, to that of a broad, expan- sive country, whose surface is dotted over with farm-houses, the happy homes of thousands of honest yeomanry. Where was heard the dismal howl of the wolf or the cry of the cayote, now rises the cheerful song of the husbandman as he gathers the golden grain over the plains and hills; and through the vales, where roamed the deer, is now seen the lowing herds and fatted kine. All has changed, and in the life-time of the subject of our sketch.

LIEUT. ARTHUR D. COMER

WAS born January 24th, 1842, in Knox county, East Tennessee. His father was a native of Virginia. The Comers on the paternal side are of Scotch descent. Lavina Bell was the maiden name of the mother of the subject of this sketch. She was born in Tennessee. She died November 15th, 1874. Five children are living, the offspring of this marriage. Their names are Samuel, Elmira, wife of S. L. Loveless, Arthur D., Parthenia, wife of J. Q. Adams, and Addison. The father removed from Tennessee to Macoupin county in 1844, and rented land in Western Mound township. In 1854 he came into Bird township and purchased land, and has resided here ever since. He married again July 9th, 1877.

The subject of our sketch received his rudimentary education in the common schools of this county. When he was twenty years of age he started in life for himself. He put in a crop. The war broke out, and on the 5th of August, 1862, he enlisted in company " A," 122d regiment Illi- nois volunteers, Col. John I. Rinaker commanding. The regiment rendez- voused at camp Palmer, and from there were ordered to report to Colum- bus, Kentucky, and then were ordered to Trenton, Tennessee, where the regiment was brigaded and attached to the 16th Army Corps. The com- mand proceeded to Jackson, and from there to Parker's Cross Roads, where the regiment engaged in its first battle, and lost heavily in men, killed and wounded. After the engagement the command returned to Jackson, then to Trenton, and from there to Corinth. The regiment participated in & number of battles, and was a part of the command that went after Price through Missouri, then back to Nashville, where they fought and annihi- lated Hood's army. He enlisted as a private soldier, and when the company was organized was elected fifth sergeant, and passed through all the grades to the first lieutenancy of the company, with the exception of the second lieutenancy.

He was with the regiment all the time it was in the service, and fought with his company at Mobile, Spanish Fort, and Fort Blakely, and was mustered out August 5th, 1865, at Springfield, Illinois, having been in the service three years to a day. He then returned home and went to work on a farm, and in January, 1866, purchased one hundred and twenty acres in sections 22 and 23, Bird township, where he has remained ever since. On the 3d of September, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Peebles, daughter of C. H. and Nancy D. Peebles. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and the northern part of Tennessee. Four children have been born to them, one boy and three girls. Their names are Orrin D., Luella E., Mary H., and Geraldine Comer. Both he and his amiable wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Comer is a staunch republican. He cast his first vote for U. S. Grant in 1868, and ever since has been a strong adherent of that political organization. He has been elected assessor of this township for two terms.

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iship, and remained stance north of his seres, and where he

the pioneer life of 'd allow it; but the of this county, that ave the old pioneer, and see his native as already lived to d the beast of the grew the long, rank of a broad, expan- s, the happy home: dismal howl of the of the husbsodmsn ; and through the ds and fatted kine. r sketch.

st Tennessee. His aternal side are of the mother of the he died November is marriage. Their hur D., Parthenia, from Tennessee to Mound township. d, and has resided

education in the y years of age be broke out, and co .22d regiment Ili- e regiment rendes- report to Colum- onessee, where the Corps. The com. ross Roads, where 1 men, killed and to Jackson, then participated in : went after Price ght and annihi- hen the company ;h all the grades on of the second

vice, and fought skely, and was ing been in the went to work ou twenty acres in ·ver since. On Miss Mary L r parents were Four children mes are Orria ad his amiable er is a staunch and ever since He has been

SAMUEL LOVE. THE OLDEST NATIVE BORN CITIZEN, WOW LIVING IN THE COUNTY

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THE FARM RESIDENCE OF T. B. RICE, MEDORA. MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS

THE FARM RESIDENCE OF JOHN H. BROWN, SEC. 18. BIRD TP, MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS .

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BUNKER HILL TOWNSHIP.

HE site of the present town of Bunker Hill was once a prairie, known in the early settlement of Macoupin county as Wolf ridge, from the fact that it was much frequented by wolves, and contained their dens and breeding places.

The earliest inhabitants of the country, of whom we have any know- ledge, were the Peoria, Kickapoo and Winnebago Indians, who had a grand camping ground near the Creamery, north-east of Bunker Hill. On their journeyings north and south they were accustomed to stop here near a large spring of water. But with the advent of the white settlers the red men dis- appeared, and the last seen of them was in the year 1826, when the five wigwams which stood at the head of Wood river were pulled down and the savages left for a country farther west, where their haunts were less likely to be disturbed by the advance of civilization.

The first entry of land dates back to July 31st, 1827, when William Jones entered eighty acres in section 33. Howard Finley entered eighty acres in section 21, January 25th, 1830; and Alexander Conlee 160 acres in section 29, March 17th, 1830.

One of the earliest settlers of the township was John Cooper, a native of Tennessee, who built a house on the edge of the prairie, in section 28, a short distance west of where the railroad now runs. Cooper died in Madi- son county, and all vestiges of his pioneer cabin have long since disap- peared.

In the year 1825, Howard Finley and Daniel Branscomb settled on the east side of the East Fork of Wood river. Finley was a Tennesseean. The second house which he built, and in which he lived for a number of years, was on the east half of the south-east quarter of section 21. He died in Greene county of this state. The year 1827 witnessed the coming of James Breden and his family.

Breden was the first justice of the peace in the township, and held that office for more than twenty years. Two sons, Wiley Breden and John F. Breden, and a daughter, the wife of Edward Baucon, are now living in the township. John F. Breden and his mother reside on the same place where James Bre- den settled. Simeon Jones was also an early settler of the township. He was born and raised in Madison county, his father having emigrated to this state at an early day. For a number of years Simeon Jones was school treasurer of the township. Jonathan L. Wood came in 1830. In the year 1830, also, Benjamin Davis and his sons, Jefferson, Isaac, Alfred and David Davis made a settlement in the north-west corner of the township. The Davis family was originally from North Carolina, but came to Illinois from Tennessee. James Wood, in 1831, settled the farm in section 30, now owned by his son, David Wood. He was born in Loudon county, Virginia. He had five sons, three of whom, Samuel, David B., and James E. Wood, are now living in the township. A Tennessecan, named William McPike, settled in section 30, in 1831, and died there after a residence of a number of years. Mrs. Millie Bayless and her sons, Reese, John, George, and Daniel Bayless, became residents of the township also in 1831. Reese Bay- less and John Bayless were prominently connected with the old militia,

Reese holding the position of colonel, and John that of adjutant. Both were in the Black Hawk war. In the vicinity of the Corneilson mound, or as it was sometimes called, "Tickey Mound," in section 29, the early settlers were Daniel Littrel, Alexander Conley, John Murphy and John Corneilson. Charles Collyer was also an early resident of the township, as were also Fin- ley Jones and Moses Jones. John T. Wood came in 1831.

In the neighborhood of the Springfield road, settlements were made by William Wood, Isaac Wood, Alfred Wood, James Wood, Ephraim Wood, Anthony Linder, George Howland, Elijah Lincoln, Dr. Budden, Samuel Buell, and Charles Goodnight. The Woods had been raised in Madison county. Dr. Budden was the first physician to reside in the township. In 1833 the town of LINCOLN was laid out two miles to the south of Bunker Hill, on the present farm of J. V. Hopper, by Messrs. Tuttle and Lincoln, but a log-cabin and a frame house marked the farthest progress to which the town ever attained.

A post-office was established in 1833, and called " Lincoln," and Anthony Linder was appointed post-master. He was succeeded by Mr. Cook. Samuel Buell took charge of the office in 1837, and in November of the same year the post-office was transferred to Bunker Hill. Josiah Richards acted as assistant post-master. Nathaniel Phillips was the first post-master ap- pointed after the removal of the office to Bunker Hill. There has been a post-office at Woodburn since 1837.

On the east side of Wood river, in section 33, the first mill in the town- ship, propelled by ox power, was put in operation by Moses Jones. Dr. Budden erected another mill soon afterward, on the prairie, about a mile south-west of Bunker Hill. The first school-house in the township stood on section 21, and was afterward moved to section 22. Mr. Richardson was the first teacher, and he was succeeded by Josiah B. Harris. About 1831 a school-house was built on section 20, on land belonging to John T. Wood. John Wilson, Jesse Wood, and Aaron Leyerly were also early school teachers in the township.

In the school-house which stood on section 21, the first sermon was preached in the township by Elder William Jones. He was a member of the Baptist denomination, with which a great part of the early settlers of the township were connected Elder Alexander Conley was the first minis- ter to reside in the township. The Rev. Mr. Gimlin was another of the pioneer " Hard Shell " Baptist preachers. The first church was build by the " Hard Shell" Baptists, and stood on section 33. The second was the Con- gregational church at Woodburn. The first couple married in this township were Finley Jones and Mary Conley ; and the second Daniel Branscomb and a Miss Gregg. John Finley was the first child born.

The assessors books for 1879 show the following facts concerning Bunker Hill township:

Acres improved land, 20,516; value, $138,184: acres unimproved lands, 2,359 ; value $5,799: total value of lands, $143,983 : vaiue of lots, $69,254. Horses, 668; value, $10,581 ; cattle, 1,312; value, 89,767; mules, 90; value, $4,496; sheep, 557; value, 8559 ; hogs, 1,422; value, $1,207; carriages and

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

wagons, 365 ; value, $4,130; 455 watches and clocks ; 209 sewing machines ; 55 pianos ; 45 organs. Total value of personal property, 65,017.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.

The officers, since the adoption of township organization, have been as fol- lows :

Supervisors .- J. T. Pennington, elected in 1871 ; William Love, elected in 1872; F. W. Cross, elected in 1873, and, by re-election, served until 1878; Samuel Smalley, elected in 1878; P. C. Huggins, elected in 1879, and is the present incumbent.

Town Clerks .- Edward H. Davis, elected in 1871 ; E. Harlan, elected in 1872, and re-elected in 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1876. E. H. Davis, elected in 1877; E. Harlan, elected in 1878; J. F. Cummings, elected in 1879.

Assessors .- August Stoldt, elected in 1871; J. M. Wood, elected in 1872, and re-elected in 1873; J. Kates, elected in 1874, and by re-election con- tinued to hold the office up to 1879.

Collectors .- Chas. A. Herb, elected in 1871; A. Stoldt, elected in 1872; T. L. Spangenberg, elected in 1873; H. Bartels, elected in 1874; J. Flanagan elected in 1875; J. A. Merrifield, elected in 1876 ; E. B. Duncan, elected in 1877, and re-elected in 1878; J. Hanlon, elected in 1879.

The following are the justices of the peace since township organization ; T. F. E. Wiederhold and E. S. Wiliams, elected in 1871 ; T. F. E. Weider- hold and R. H. Wood, elected in 1873; R. H. Wood, and T. J. Vandorn, elected in 1877 ; W. Carson, elected in 1878.

Constables since township organization-E. B. Duncan and Herman Bar- tels, elected in 1871; T. Larmer and E. B. Duncan, elected in 1873; C. Bentley and M. Phillips, elected in 1877.

Commissioners of Highways .- 1871, William Love; David B. Wood, W. A. Burton ; 1872, Wm. Beard; 1873, J. G. Benner, Edward Burton ; 1874, Frederick A. Meineke; 1875, John R. Meldrum ; 1876, Phillip H. Scheldt ; 1877, John Goodwin ; 1878, John A. Davis, Henry Burton; 1879, John B. McPherson, R. O. Wood, Byron Shook.

The oldest town in Bunker Hill township is

WOODBURN.

It received its name from members of the Wood family, who were carly settlers in the vicinity. The town was laid out in 1834, by B. F. Edwards ; Benjamin Stephenson was the surveyor.

The first dwelling-house in the town was erected by Rev. Eljiah Dodson. He was a pioneer Baptist preacher ; he was born in Clark county, Ken- tucky, in the year 1800, and came to Macoupin county in 1835. He died in 1859. He was pastor of Baptist Churches at Edwardsville, Belleville, Winchester, Bunker Hill, and other places. Mr. Dodson moved into his dwelling April 5th, 1835. His wife, Mrs. Nancy Dodson, was the first woman to live in the town; she died in October, 1877. A store was erected by E. J. Miner, before the completion of Mr. Dodson's house. Daniel Lut- trel built in 1835; also Enos Grandy ; and the same year Dr. Edwards, in order to prepare for convenience of the traveling public built a tavern. James and Wm. Hamilton were the first landlords. Many of the first buildings were erected by James and Robert R. Tompkins, who came to the place Feb. 13th, 1835, from Virginia. In 1836 Dr. Edwards and John Adams commenced building here the first steam mill in the county, but be- fore they completed it they sold their interest to Moses Jones, who after- wards sold to Mudge, who finished the saw mill part of it. In 1841, T. J. Van Dorn bought the mill and put in a large engine and two run of burrs. Some time previous to 1840 Daniel Luttrell built a mill for grinding corn, the motive power being horses, mules, oxen or anything that could be hitched to it. This was a big thing for a large section of the county, but was soon laid aside when Van Dorn's steam mill got into operation. About 1837 the Perry Brothers built and operated a blacksmith shop, but whether they or Alfred Davis were the first blacksmiths cannot now be ascertained with certainty.

The first church organized was the Baptist church, June 24th, 1835, with eleven members; the pulpit was supplied by Elders Starkweather and Dod- son for about one year when Elder Dodson was settled as first regular pastor. March 15th, 1842, the church took steps toward building a house of worship, and completed the same in 1843. In 1867 an addition was built surmounted by a steeple in which was hung a bell. After several prelimin-

ary meetings, the first of which was held Dec. 29th, 1837, the Congrega- tional church was organized March 25th, 1838, with about 40 members and the Rev. Robert Blake as pastor, who served until his death, March 21st, 1842. In 1838 the congregation built a house, which was used for many years as a place of worship for the different denominations; also for school purposes and as a town hall, being the only public hall until the Baptist church was built in 1843. In it was organized the first Sabbath- school of the place in 1843, deacon E. B. Godard, superintendent. They built their present house of worship in 1853. The earliest records of the Me- thodist church are lost, but it was probably organized about 1838. In 1850 the Methodists built the present house of worship. About 1858 the Christians organized a church and built a house. The Seventh-Day Adventist's church was organized in 1868, and occupied the house built by the Chris- tians.

Dec. 11th, 1843, was organized the first permanent Bible Society in the county. The meeting for organization was held at the Congregational Church, Deacon Justus Rider, president and Deacon Wm. Bailey secretary.

The old church building was used for school purposes, but in 1852 the school trustees, with some of the principal citizens, took steps to build a school-house. To raise the necessary amount by taxation was slow work, as the per cent. was limited by law. But the people were equal to the emer- gency, and appointed R. R. Tompkins, Henry Burton and A. L. Sturges a building committee, put on as heavy a tax as they could, and raised the rest within two days by subscription.

In the year 1836, Moore and Kellum, laid off over eighty acres in town lots as an addition to the town of Woodburn, giving a large block as a public square.

The mail route between Alton and Carlinville, ran through Woodburn, and William and James Hamilton were the first mail contractors. The contract was turned over to George Gordon, who carried the first mail in 1837. About that date the post-office was established with Mr. Corey as post-master. The state road between Alton and Springfield was surveyed in 1833. The Rev. Robert Blake moved on the prairie west of Woodburn in 1836; he was a congregational minister, and was instrumental in organiz- ing the Woodburn and Bunker Hill Congregational churches. Dr. Pen- nington became a resident of Woodburn in 1836, as did also Elder Stark- weather. In 1837 Wm. West made the first kiln of brick. West also es- tablished the first grocery. Deacon I. Long came in 1837. In 1846 the steam mill of T. J. Van Dorn burned down; and in 1848 the Tompkin's Brothers commenced building a mill, starting it as a saw mill, and grinding corn ; in 1852 they put in the flour burs and bolts.

Jonathan Huggins established his residence at Woodburn in 1839, and in 1845 started the Woodburn Nursery, the trees from which have contri- buted greatly to beautify Woodburn and the neighboring towns. The town has always been strictly temperate, and various attempts to establish places for the sale of intoxicating liquors have failed. In 1850 there were three places where liquor was sold. The first store passed from Mr. Miner into the hands of L. L. Brown, of whom P. C. Huggins in August, 1838, purchased the establishment, goods, fixtures and all, amount- ing to not more than six hundred dollars. Judge Huggins was pro- prietor of this store till he removed to Bunker Hill in 1840. The town was incorporated under the general law in 1867, and in 1869 the legislature granted a special charter. A Cemetery Association was organized in 1867, and improvements were made under its direction. In 1870 the care of the cemetery, however, was given up to the town authorities. The subsequent rapid growth of Bunker Hill and the building of railroads, prevented Woodburn from developing into a town of large size, but it still remains a quiet and attractive village, surrounded by a rich farming district. Its population is now about three hundred.

It has two general stores, carried on by Richard Welch, and Carson and Smith, the letter firm being composed of William T. Carson and Joseph A. Smith. R. H. Wood and Elijah T. Dodson are wheelwrights and wagon makers. Robert E. Smith and William A. Bartlett are blacksmiths. James Rumbolz carries on the painting business. The town has a large flouring .mill of which Edwin Hollister is proprietor. Richard Welch is post- master, and Dr. A. B. Panniman the only physician. There are four church societies, Congregational, Baptist, Methodists and Seventh Adventists. Rev. Charles Slater, until recently, was pastor of the Congregational church ; Rev. George E. Silver is pastor of the Baptist church, and Rev. M. Fahs of the Methodist.

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2. 29th, 1837, the Coogry , with about 40 members si until his death, March Es touse, which was used for ferent denominations; ## le only public hall undã ce organized the first Salles dard, superintendent. T 'he earliest records of the ! mized about 1838. In 1Se . About 1858 the Christin e Seventh-Day Adracisi ne house built by the Chris-

anent Bible Society is de eld at the Congregara acon Wm. Bailey secretary. purposes, but in 182 de tens, took steps to bau! ! taxation was slow wat # e were equal to the era- urton and A. L. Sturgess y could, and raised the ret

over eighty acres in tor: giving a large block # 1

, ran through Woodban, st mail contractors. The carried the first mail si lished with Mr. Corey# Springfield was surmeral prairie west of Werdbun us instrumental in orgsti- nal churches. Dr. Pa- as did also Elder Start- of brick. West also es 1837. In 1846 the sean ; the Tompkin's Brechas 1, and grinding com ; is

Woodburn in 189, and rom which have contre ighboring towns Te Is attempts to estaká ailed. In 1850 the 'irst store pawel fre om P. C. Huggins à tures and all, am: uzt- re Huggins was pre 1 in 1840. The tor 1 1869 the legislature as organized in 186. 1870 the care of the ies. The subsequist railroads, prevical ut it still remains s irming district. Is

'ch, and Carson sod rson and Joseph & 'wrights and maxe blacksmiths. James & a large flourig rd Welch is pos- ere are four church venth Adventists ne Congregational church, and Bet.

CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, PARSONAGE & SCHOOL, BUNKER - HILL , ILLINOIS

ST. JOSEPHS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH , CARLINVILLE, ILLINOIS

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

BUNKER HILL,

next to Carlinville, the largest town in Macoupin county, well deserves the reputation which it bears of being one of the prettiest places in Illinois. It has a fine location on rising ground, and its streets shaded in summer by a dense mass of foliage, and the neatness of its private residences, have con- spired to make the town attractive.

An entry of eighty acres of land covering the central portion of the town was made in 1834, by Luke Knowlton, then county surveyor. A little to the north of this tract, on the highest point of Wolf Ridge, he also put up the body of a cabin with the purpose of keeping others off until he could command sufficient means to enter additional land. In this hope, however, he was disappointed, for in 1835, Mr. Wilbur came out from Boston and entered land north, east and west of Knowlton's tract. He also purchased the eighty acres which Knowlton had entered, and built a house on the Reuben Barnes farm. The season of 1835 was marked by the great pre- valence of malarial disease and continued sickness, and for this reason Wil- bur seems to have sold his tract to Robert Smith of Alton. J. R. Nutter entered land, and in 1834 built a house west of the city limits; he also dis- posed of his tract to Mr. Smith.

Christmas day of 1835 should long be remembered in the history of Bunker Hill. That was the date of the arrival of Moses True and John Tilden. Both were from New Hampshire. Mr. True was born at Salis- bury (now Franklin) in that state in 1805, and from the time of his first coming to Bunker Hill till his death was intimately identified with the growth and prosperity of the town. A company was formed, with the ob- ject of laying out a town, and improving the surrounding country. This company was composed of John Cavender, John Tilden, Moses True, James Smith and William H. Smith, all men of New England birth, and endowed with the characteristic of New England enterprise. The tracts in possession of Robert Smith were purchased, and in addition, on the 26th of Decem- ber, 1835, three thousand acres of land were entered at the land office at Edwardsville. The title to the property was in the name of Cavender. Subsequently in 1839 a division of the property was made among the in- dividual members of the company.

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History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 44

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 440

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440