History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 51

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

USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois > Part 51

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).

ELAHU PEMBROKE.

MR. PEMBROKE was born in Ontario county, New York, April 27th, 1802. His grandfather John Pembroke, was an Englishman who emigra- ted to this country and settled near Schenectady. He was a sea captain, and was taken sick and died while making preparations for a voyage. His father, Enos Pembroke, was born in New York, and moved to the western part of that state, and settled there when it was almost a complete wilder- ness ; he married Lucinda Warner and the third child by this marriage was Elahu Pembroke. He was raised in western New York and attended school mostly in Genesee county. His mother died and his father married again, and in 1818 the family emigrated to Kentucky. They lived two years within three miles of Louisville, and in February, 1820, came to Madison county, Illinois. His father bought ten acres of land where the main town of Alton is now built, where they lived three or four years, but found the lo- cation so sickly that they were compelled to remove elsewhere. At that day the Mississippi river opposite Alton was covered with a green scum like that which may now be seen on the surface of stagnant ponds, and fever and ague prevailed to such an extent along the river banks that the settlers were obliged to remove. About 1825 or 1826, his father moved with the younger children to the vicinity of Ottawa, in La Salle county. Mr. Pembroke re- mained in Madison county, and in 1827 married Sarah Stout, who was born and raised in Madison county. After his marriage he went to farming in the American Bottom. His wife died in December, 1831. He had three child- ren by his first marriage, all of whom died young. In June, 1833, he mar- ried Louvisa Knowland. She was born in Madison county, Kentucky, March, 1811, and was the daughter of Wesley Knowland and Clara Arm- strong. Her father moved to White and Smith counties, Tennessee, when she was three years old, and in the fall of 1820 to Clark county, Indiana, and settled at Charleston, three miles from the Ohio river ; in 1828 he came to upper Alton.

In the spring of 1834 Mr. Pembroke moved eight miles north of Alton, in what is now Jersey, but was then Madison county. He entered and im- proved 160 acres of land, afterward bought fifteen additional acres, and lived on this farm of 175 acres for thirty-three years. This farm was about five miles south-west of Brighton. In 1867 he bought 200 acres of land lying in section 7, Honey Point township, and section 12 Brushy Mound township, and moved to Macoupin county. He has seven children living,

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whose names are as follows: Clarissa, the wife of Thomas J. Pinkerton ; Wesley N., who is farming in Montgomery 'county ; William K., who is practicing medicine at Gillespie ; Thomas C., who lives in Texas ; Alton W .; John J., living in Texas, and Albert W. He was originally a whig in poli- tics. He cast his first vote for president for Henry Clay, in 1824, and three different times had the pleasure of casting his vote for Clay for the highest office in the gift of the American people. He became a republican on the formation of that party. He has not, however, been a man who has cared much about party, but has generally voted for the best man for the office. He is one of the oldest settlers now in the state. When he came to Illinois, in 1820, there was not a house in Jersey or Macoupin counties, and Illinois had been admitted as a state only two years. It was never expected at that time that the prairies would ever improve. He says that when his father came to Illinois an old hewed log-house and some cabins were the only signs of civilization which marked the site of the present city of Alton.

TRAVIS MOORE MITCHELL

Is the second son and the fifth child in a family of twelve children, and was born February 13th, 1833. Elijah Mitchell, his father, was a native of North Carolina, but removed with his father to Kentucky when he was quite young. He married Jane Moore. He left Kentucky in 1830 and removed to Illinois, and stopped one year in Marion county where he made one crop, and then removed to Sangamon county, seven miles north of Springfield, where he remained until the next year, when he came to Macoupin county and purchased eighty acres of land. He afterwards entered two hundred and eighty acres more. He lived here until his death, which occurred August 16th, 1877. After the death of his wife in 1843 he married Hannah Hollingsworth, by whom he had nine children. The latter wife is still a resi- dent of the old homestead. Travis M. remained at home until he reached his twenty-first year when he left home, bought a yoke of oxen and went to work breaking prairie in order to earn money to pay for them. In the fall of 1856 he made his first purchase of land and has added to it until he now owns nearly five hundred acres in one body. On the 15th of April, 1858, he was married to Sarah Eliza Jackson. She is a native of Honey Point, in this county. Four children have been born to them. All are dead except a son, Frederick Elijah. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Mitchell is an old resident of Brushy Mound township. In politics he is a democrat, and cast his first vote for James Buchanan in 1856.

E. HARLAN

WAS born in Christian county, Kentucky, December 22d, 1810. His father was John Harlan. He was born in Virginia. He died in Kentucky, Octo- ber, 27th, 1834. The family were originally from Wales, and came over in the Mayflower in the seventeenth century. John Harlan was married to Frances Rench. She was a native of Maryland. She was of German de- scent. The subject of our sketch remained at home until November, 1834, when he left Kentucky and came to Illinois. His father had come here and entered land on what is now known as Spanishneedle prairie. The father returned to Kentucky, and died soon after. Then Mr. Harlan and his brother came here and put in a crop, and then sold out the land. The subject of this sketch then went up to Galena and followed mining. In 1839 he came back to Sangamon county and worked for his uncle until 1848. He continued working on a farm until the 23d of February, 1866, when he married Emily Wooten. She was born in Jefferson county, Ten- nessee. She came to Jasper county, Missouri, where she remained until the war broke out, when she removed to Macoupin county where she resided at the time of her marriage. One child, a girl, has been born to them. Her name is Frances Illinois. In September, 1867, Mr. Harlan removed to Missouri, and in March of the next year returned to Illinois, and on the 9th of April came to the place where he now resides and purchased land. He is republican in politics, and cast his first vote for John Q. Adams in 1832.

COLUMBUS WHEELER

WAS born in Christian county, Kentucky, April 7th, 1826. His father, James Wheeler, was a native of the same state. He married Catharine Harlan. In 1835 he came to Macoupin county, and settled on section three in Gillespie township, where he remained until his death, which occurred February 29th, 1852. Catharine Wheeler died July 15th, 1845. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days in the log school-houses and working upon the farm. On the 26th of April, 1849, he married Miss Naoma Wilson. She was born in Kentucky, June 13th, 1831. Her father came to Madison county in 1834, where he remained one year, after which he removed to section nineteen, Brushy Mound township, where he remained until his death. Columbus, in 1848, received eighty acres of land, and built a house on it. He afterwards added four hundred acres more, and at the present time has upwards of five hundred acres of well tilled and improve dland. There have been sixteen children born to Mr. Wheeler and wife, six of whom are living. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Wheeler has been engaged all his life in farming, stock raising and trading.

BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP.

HE township of Brighton is bounded on the north by Shipman, on the east by Bunker Hill, on the south by Madison coun- ty, and on the west by Jersey county, and is geographically known as town 7, north range 9, west of 3d principal meri- dian.

Drainage is mostly toward the south by the tributaries of Wood river. The farms are highly improved and well drained ; it does not contain pools of stagnant water or swamp to generate miasma, hence the location is as healthy a point as, perhaps, can be found in the West. It is traversed by two railroads. The Chicago, Alton and St. Louis R. R. and the Rock Island Division of the C. B. & Q. R. R.

The First Land Entries were made May 6th, 1830, by James Brown, who entered 80 acres in section 19. May 9th, 1830, Alfred Kennier entered 80 acres on section 19. The third entry was made November 12th, 1830, by Joseph Anderson, on section 6.

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The First Settlers* were Oliver Brown and Wm. Cowan, who built a cabin sixteen feet square, just south of where the Gilson Mansion now stands. This cabin was built in February, 1826. Mr. Cowan was a nephew of Mr. Brown ; he was unmarried, and came from Ohio, but did not remain here long. He was a giant in strength, and was able to do the work of two common men. One day in February he split six hundred and seventy rails ; and one day in June split one thousand six hundred feet of boards. Mr. Brown at first held only a " Squatter's " claim, but he afterward entered the land, now comprising the south part of the town of Brighton. His nearest neighbor for three years was Nathan Scarritt, six miles south, on the Alton road. An incident occurred which serves to show the privations to which the pioneers in a sparsely settled country are subjected. Mr. Brown's family one morning lost their fire by a heavy rain, and matches not being

* For data furnished we are indebted to A. G. Meacham, and Lida Rice, for their sketches on the township, and also to many others.

SOCIO WOODEN GUTTER4. WINDOWS

BRIGHTON LUMBER YARD., S.ACKERMAN . PROPRILIOR

HAND .

BRIGHTON. MACOUPIN CO. ILL.

ON SHORT NOTICE

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ARLAN

ucky, December 22d, 1810. His father Virginia. He died in Kentucky, Oeto- riginally from Wales, and came over in ntury. John Harlan was married to of Maryland. She was of German de- mained at home until November, 1834, Illinois. His father had come here known as Spanishneedle prairie. The d soon after. Then Mr. Harlan and rop, and then sold out the land. The to Galena and followed mining. In county and worked for his uncle until arın until the 23d of February, 1866, he was born in Jefferson county, Ten- Missouri, where she remained until the Macoupin county where she resided at 1, a girl, has been born to them. Her mber, 1867, Mr. Harlan removed to var returned to Illinois, and on the he now resides and purchased land. is first vote for John Q. Adams in 1832

WHEELER

tueky, April 7th, 1826. His father, same state. He married Catharine in county, and settled on section three ined until his death, which occurred Wheeler died July 15th, 1845. The hood days in the log school-houses the 20th of April, 1849, he married orn in Kentucky, June 13th, 1831. in 1834, where he remained one year, nineteen, Brushy Mound township, Columbus, in 1848, received eighty . He afterwards added four hundred s upwards of five hundred acres of well ive been sixteen children born to Mr. re living. Both he and his wife are . Wheeler has been engaged all his life

1 and Wm. Cowan, who built a cabin re the Gilson Mansion now stands Mr. Cowan was a nephew of Mr. rom Ohio, but did not remain here I was able to do the work of two split six hundred and seventy rails; i six hundred feet of boards. Mr. claim, but he afterward entered the the town of Brighton. His nearest rritt, six miles south, on the Alton "es to show the privations to which try are subjected. Mr. Brown's heavy rain, and matches not being G. Meacham, and Lida Rice, for their rs.

SOLID WOODEN GUTTERS, WINDOWS, BLINDS . LIME, CEMENT, HAIR, PUMPS &G &S CONSTANTLY ON HAND, OR FURNISHED ON SHORT NOTICE. BRIGHTON LUMBER YARD, S. ACKERMAN, PROPRIETOR. BRIGHTON, MACOUPIN CO, ILL.

STANDATES STOCK

FAIRBANKS.

PUMPS

CEMENT.

LIME,

BLINDS

DOORS

WINDOWS.

SOLID WOODEN GUTTERS

LUMBER YARD

MULDER VADDI

MANUFACTURERS OF BRIGHTON BEST, PEACE MAKER, EMERALD ISLE, AND SNOW FLAKE.

BRIGHTON CITY MILLS, BRIGHTON, MACOUPIN CO. ILL

C. H. NUTTER & BRO. PROPRIETORS.

Short Line

CHICAGO & TEXAS

1858

Nº

THE JOBBING TRADE A SPECIALTY.

CENTER MAIN

CHTON

MIETS

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HAIR.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

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known in those days, they were under the necessity of procuring fire six miles away, at Mr. Nathan Scarritt's, on Scarritt's Prairie, before they could proceed in cooking their breakfast.

In 1828 William Brewer, from Virginia, arrived in the country, and en- gaged to labor for Mr. Brown. He married a Miss Delaplain, of Scarritt's Prairie, and this was without doubt the first marriage in the township, but after living with her a few years, he left for California ; he traveled on foot carrying his provision with him. Aaron Husong arrived in 1828 and settled near Mr. Brown. The land is now owned and occupied by H. G. Stall. In the year 1830 Michael Brown, his brother, and Thomas Cowan, brother to William Cowan, came here and erected a rude dwelling near the creek that leads south-east of the site of the present town of Brighton. In 1831 James B. Pinkard adopted this locality as his permanent place of residence. In 1832 Herman Griggs and some others arrived.

Among the old settlers of this county now living in Brighton township, may be mentioned the following : John Andrews, a Virginian, who came in 1830; Col. J. R. Miles, a Kentuckian by birth, came in 1832; Henry F. Martin and William Jones came in 1833; James Palmer, O. A. Chase, and the late Nathan D. Barber, located in 1836; and John Montgomery, of Madison county, Illinois, in 1839.

The first Sunday-school was organized about 1832, and was held in a log school-house on the land known as the Butterfield place, situated about one mile from the present business centre of Brighton. The superintendent was Jonathan Brown, father of Michael and James Brown. Miss Charlotte Sherman, who afterward married Enoch Moore, was selected as teacher. The religious portion of the community were divided into sects, as follows, Baptists and Methodists. The Baptist Church contained fifteen or twenty members.

Some of the early settlers would ride to Alton, a distance of eleven miles, in wagons drawn by ox teams, to attend church. When preaching was held in the township, it was in private houses, until about 1835, when the Baptists erected a building. In 1838 this church was removed from its origi- nal site to the east side of Main street, on the ground now occupied by the residence of David Collins, and was occupied both for church and school purposes. It was destroyed by fire in 1857. The first pastor, after the edifice was erected, was Rev. Amos Dodge.

The first school taught was in 1832, by Miss Charlotte Sherman. Oliver Brown appropriated his smoke-house for the use of a neighborhood school. The next summer the school was taught by Mrs. Stratton, in the same log- house in which the Sabbath-school had been organized the summer before.

The first school-house was built in 1834 of logs; it was 16 by 18 feet. The house was built on government land. In the fall of 1835 John Squires purchased the land, and was about to occupy the house. It, how- ever, was moved at night by some parties to the present site of the Water Cure ! Here Michael Brown occupied it with his family for a number of years. Mr. L. P. Stratton was the first teacher in the new school-house. He taught a subscription school at two dollars a scholar, per quarter.

Excellent schools are now found in all parts of the township. The young man or woman of to-day can scarcely form an idea of what a great change fifty years has made; not in schools alone, but also in improvement and wealth on every side.

The assessed valuation of the personal property and real estate to the township of Brighton, as reported in 1879 :

Acres of improved lands, 19,652, value, $164,890 ; acres unimproved lands, 3,182, value, $9,973 ; total value of lands, $174,863 ; value of lots, $45,386. Horses, 652, value, $11,814; cattle, 1,210, value, $9,459; mules, 110, value, $1,937 ; sheep, 1,907, value, $1,867; hogs, 1,882, value, $1,295; carriages and wagons, 353, value, $2,928 ; 297 watches and clocks, 136 sewing-ma- chines, 28 pianos, 30 organs. Total value of personal property, $59,393.

THE TOWN OF BRIGHTON

Is located mostly on the north-west quarter of section 19. Herman Griggs was the founder of the town, and it was laid out by Luke Knowlton in the year 1836. A short time before a company had bought 280 acres of Mr. Brown, on the same section. They proceeded at once to survey and lay off a town-plat of 40 acres, which they named Bristol. Nathan Scarritt had the management for the company. The two town-plats were only twenty or thirty rods apart. Quite a competing spirit arose between the parties in town proprietorship. In 1837 there was a financial panic, which operated severely upon the towns of Bristol and Brighton. Mr. Scarritt had built

what is known as the " Hill House," on Main street, and occupied it with a stock of goods. The company became disheartened and sold the entire tract of 280 acres of land to Daniel Nelson for $1,000, and the latter sold one-half of it immediately to J. W. Gilson. Improvements were quite slow for some time; perhaps the only building erected for the first few months was the Methodist church in 1837, which has since been occupied for a dwelling and a liquor saloon by John Thole. They have at present a handsome brick church. On the 4th of July, 1838, the people of Brighton and vicinity celebrated for the first time the great day of national independence.

The first physician was Dr. McKee, who came in 1836. Until this time there had been no physician in the vicinity nearer than Alton. The Doctor was doubtful whether it would justify him to remain. He circulated a sub- scription list, in which meu of families by their own consent were assessed ten dollars, and the unmarried men five, which secured them his services for one year. His sheet-anchor was the mercurial dose. On one occasion he spilled his calomel, upon which he declared he " might as well stay at home." Dr. L. S. Pennington arrived in 1838, with the intention of permanent loca- tion, and to insure his support he drew up a similar subscription list.

The first post-office in the township was at Brighton in 1838. Daniel Blodgett was appointed post-master. His commission for the first year was six dollars. Before that time this region of country was included within the delivery of the post-office at Alton.

The first passenger train passed through Brighton July 4th, 1852. The operating of the Chicago and Alton road had the effect of imparting new life and energy, and inspiring hope to the long-depressed communities. With renewed vigor little Brighton began to show signs of life and to look up. Herman Griggs was appointed station agent; he put up a brick store close by the railroad, and admitted as co-partners with him in trade William Loveland and Lucius Griswold. The same year he built the brick building adjoining for a warehouse, and in 1853 he converted it into a steam custom mill. In the fall of 1853 R. H. Peter and John Moore opened a store of dry goods and groceries on Main street. In 1857 Mr. Peter and Rev. Horatio Nelson built a store on Main street, since owned by Daniel Blodgett. J. Burton built a store west of the mill in 1857, which has been occupied for some time by C. W. Heidemann. The first drug store was opened in 1857 by W. C. Merrill and T. S. Bean.

The first marriage in the town took place at the old house, now owned by James Palmer, September 14th, 1836. The parties were Herman Griggs and Mary Starkweather.

In September, 1854, the people formed a company for the purpose of building a school-house. The stock was fixed at ten dollars a share. The house was built on the first lot south of the M. E. Church. The stockholders afterward sold out their interest to the district. There has been a school in the place since 1832, but it was a subscription school up to the time of the district purchasing what now is the primary school. In 1860 the front part of the school-house was finished.

More could be said about this enterprising town did space permit; but we must content ourselves by giving the names of the leading business firms.

Bank .- Stratton & Amass.

Boot and Shoe Dealer .- John C. Fritchie.

Bakery and Confectionery .- F. W. Fraclich.

Drug Store .- J. T. Dickerson.

Dry Goods .- Merrill & Chase.

Dry Goods and Groceries .- C. W. Heidemann, S. S. Miles, Bruno Franz. Furniture .- James Howell, John Thole.

Groceries and Hardware .- French & Bean, Keas & Carter.

Groceries .- N. W. Waldo, R. H. Peter, August Bloomer.

Hotels .- Brightwood Cottage, the leading hotel in the town, is owned and carried on by Mrs. Kate R. Glenny. It is one of the neatest hotels in the county; the rooms are large, airy, and well-furnished, and the table is sup- plied with all the delicacies of the season. The other hotels are the El Dorado and Moore House.

Livery Stables .- C. W. Copley, W. E. Smith.

Lumber Dealer .- S. Ackerman.

Mill .- C. H. Nutter & Brother.

Stationery and Post Office .- Asa Potter.

Stationery and Notions .- Miss Lynch.

Churches .- There are seven churches in the town : Methodist, English and German M. E., Lutheran, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Baptist and Catholic church.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.

Hibbard Lodge, No. 249, A. F. & A. M., was organized Oct. 7th, 1857. The lodge is in a good, healthy condition. The first officers were C. Skill- man, W. M .; J. Coleman, S. W .; T. L. Keas, J. W .; W. C. Moore, S. D .; J. D. Combs, J. D .; W. V. Eldridge, Sec. ; D. P. Berry, Treasurer and Tyler. W. A. H. Loveland, J. Crandall and others were members. Present officers : John Ash, W. M .; G. L. Bean, S. W .; M. S. Brown, J. W .; A. Gifford, Treas .; T. A. Jones, Sec. ; T. L. Keas, S. D .; E. T. Davis, J. D ; A. Seaman, Tyler. The lodge at this writing has a membership of seventy members.

Brighton Lodge, No. 366, I. O. O. F., was instituted by (P. G. M.) A. S. Barry, March 5th, 1868. The charter-members were J. G. Dickerson, Geo. Compton, J. Howell, A. S. Hart and F. W. Heidemann. The present officers are J. Howell, N. G .; Philip Louck, V. G .; William Brant, Treasurer ; George L. Bean, Secretary. The number of members at this writing is fifteen. (To the secretary, Mr. Bean, we are indebted for the facts concerning this lodge.)

Brighton Lodge, No. 1253, Knights of Honor,* was instituted November 18th, 1878. The following is a list of the first officers : J. P. Strong, Dicta- tor ; M. S. Brown, Vice Dictator; G. G. Kenny, Assistant Dictator ; C. H. Bliss, Reporter; A. J. Howell, Financial Reporter; N. W. Waldo, Treas- urer ; J. E. Martin, Guide; H. Lippold, Guardian ; T. R. Owen, Sentinel ; R. H. Peter, Chaplain ; E. T. Davis, Past Dictator ; J. T. Dickerson, Medi- cal Examiner ; Trustees, G. L. Bean, T. L. Keas, Dr. J. T. Dickerson. The present officers are J. P. Strong, Dictator; G. G. Kenny, Assistant Dictator; T. A. Jones, Vice Dictator ; C. H. Bliss, Reporter ; A. J. How - ell, Financial Reporter; N. W. Waldo, Treasurer; J. E. Martin, Guide ; H. Lippold, Guardian ; A. Behler, Sentinel; F. A. Clement, Medical Ex- aminer ; E. T. Davis, Past Dictator; J. Howell, Chaplain. The mem- bership at present numbers thirty-seven, and the lodge is in a healthy and flourishing condition.

MILES' STATION.

Is situated on the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad. The proprietor was Col. J. R. Miles, and it was platted by S. F. Spaulding, surveyor, in the

* From information furnished by C. H. Bliss.

year 1867. It occupies a portion of the north-west quarter of section 9, and a small portion of the east side of the north-east quarter of section 8. The business is not extensive, yet it affords many advantages for the neighbor- hood. It contains one large steam flour-mill, a depot and post-office, black- smith shop, etc., a Methodist church, and a district school. Much credit is due to its enterprising proprietor. It is located in the midst of a rich agri- cultural community.

We give below the names of those who have been honored with township officers since township organization.

Supervisors .- Henry F. Martin, elected in 1871; re-elected in 1872; re-elected in 1873. George A. Brown, elected in 1874; and by re-election held the office up to 1879. E. T. Dain, elected in 1879, and is the present incumbent.

Town Clerks .- H. Spencer Brown, elected in 1872, and re-elected in 1873; again in 1874, 1875 and 1876. N. W. Waldo, elected in 1877, and re-elected in 1878 and 1879.

Assessors .- H. C. Clark, elected in 1871, and re-elected in 1872, 1873, 1874 and 1875. J. G. Hill, elected in 1876, and re-elected in 1877. H. C. Clark, elected in 1878. J. G. Hill, elected in 1879.

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History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 51

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

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