USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois > Part 64
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JOHN B. MASTERS,
ONE of the prominent farmers of Macoupin county, was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the 8th day of January, 1826. His father, Irvin Masters, was a native of South Carolina; he left that state in company with his uncle, whose name was Irvin, and came direct to Illinois, when he was about eighteen years of age. After a time he formed the acquaintance of Miss Nancy Jones, whom he afterward married. She was the daughter of Claiborne Jones, who was a native of Kentucky, but emigrated to this state as early as 1802. He was a resident of Sangamon county at the time of his daughter's marriage. There were several children born to them, four of whom have survived the parents, The mother died in 1833. The father survived her nine years, and died in 1842. John B. Masters, the subject of our sketch, is the third in the family. The father married Mellie Parrott, by whom he had four children, two of whom are now living; one resides in the north part of this county, and the other in Morgan county of this state; they are both farmers. In the early days of the history of this state schools were very imperfect, and the result was that Mr. Masters received but &
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RESIDENCE & STOCK FARM OF JAMES WILSON, SEN" SEC . 6. HONEY POINT TP. MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
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rent into the saw-mill business in Kentucky; in-law, William Dixon. About 1833 be more: tere he lived till 1836, and then came wo Mes il the south half of section 31 of Hoger Par raet in Brushy Mound township. He lirei : township till his death in October, 1859. 5. al many striking traits of character. Hief were quite wealthy, and he came into the >> ves, but was opposed to slavery, and so ser ume to Illinois he only had a horse nad itea is industry and energy he was succesful in wtence. He was a decided anti-slavery me Issumed the national importance it attained s party, and on the formation of the repcalix Ie had six children, of whom only trade ynolds, of Montgomery county, are now liras ttle over a year old when his father moreiz raised in Brushy Mound township. Januar Pavis, daughter of Stephen Daris, an old moved on his present farm, which be bad i viou-ly. He owns 969 acres of land.
GUY A. SNELL
of Macoupin county. He was born in Jest He is the eldest child of Dr. Ass Snell and Pe Dr. Snell and wife were both natives of Adisz to Illinois in 1835, and settled in Jersey toc. of medicine. He was a man of more in occurred January 21st, 1875, aged 28 par
received his early education at the disic toled the university at Galesburg, Illinois E to Miss Abbie Voorhees, the daughter of Poz y, Illinois. At about the age of 23 Mr. S. I by dint of energy, industry and economy's I, moved to Macoupin county in the spring ig in Polk township, and continued the his present home in Honey Point township. : at the farm two years before. He now on: ty. Few men have been more successful sisz views he has always used his judgment. B. [u 1868 he became a democrat. In Jancay. h the greenback party. irw of Mr. Snell's life, we find a man who bs :ment in all matters, whether social, religie pected in Macoupin county than the subject uy A. Snell, by those who know him, ths bi And it is with pleasure that we present ts numerous readers.
N B. MASTERS,
of Macoupin county, was born in Ssagens of January, 1826. His father, Irvin Mases 4a : he left that state in company with : ul came direct to Illinois, when he was she time he formed the acquaintance af Me vard married. She was the daughter i vy of Kentucky, but emigrated to this site: lent of Sangamon county st the time ofes re several children born to them, focr & ", The mother died in 1833. The sche 1 in 1842. John B. Masters, the subjer mily. The father married Mellie Park wo of whom are now living; one reside : I the other in Morgan county of this smuk urly days of the history of this state stad sult was that Mr. Masters received but i
RESIDENCE & STOCK FARM OF JAMES WILSON, SENE SEC. 6, HONEY POINT TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
limited education. He has, however, been a close observer, and favored with a good memory he has kept himself quite well posted in the events of the day. In the days of his youth churches and Sunday-schools were not known in his neighborhood. Sundays were spent in visiting and hunting.
In 1828 his father settled in North Palmyra township; his house was really in Morgan county, while his land was in Macoupin, where he re- mained until his death, which took place as above-mentioned. After the death of his father he went back to Sangamon county, where he remained until 1846. In 1847 he spent one year in the Cherokee reservation in the Indian territory. The same year he was married to Miss Nancy Sims, who was a native of Morgan county, but at that time a resident of Jasper county, Missouri. After his marriage, in the fall of 1847, he returned to Macoupin county and stopped south of Carlinville, and remained there until December, 1848, when he removed to the place where he now resides, on section 2, township 9, range 6.
In 1857 he purchased 80 acres of land, and has added to it since from time to time, until he now has a fine farm of 226 acres, well improved. He had over 400 acres, but he has given away over 200 acres to his children. He has had in all ten children, seven of whom are now living .- James Masters, married to Annie Lackens, and now a resident of Cowley county, Kansas, is engaged in farming ; Jennie, wife of Dr. Buffington, is now living on a small farm, joining the old homestead ; Henry married Miss Malzina Mit- chell; Annie married Andrew Robinson, and is now a resident of Butler county, Kansas; Charles, Katie, and Murdy are still at home. Mr. Masters and his wife are both members of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a democrat, and votes, however, for the best men in local affairs.
When we turn back and reflect over the long years of his life, we find in
him many of those requisite qualities of brain and muscle so necessary in the early development of our state. He has witnessed many changes, and amidst them all he has preserved a character for honesty and righteous- ness, so typical of the early settlers. May he still live to enioy the blessing of a country, made productive by the toil and privations of those who faced the difficulties of a pioneer life ; and now, in his declining years, he has the comforts of a well-spent life, where he and his excellent wife can spend their remaining days in their comfortable home.
N. CARRICO.
N. CARRICO's ancestors were of French origin. They emigrated to Mary- land, where his grandfather, Dennis Carrico, was born; he was married in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Kentucky, where Mr. Carrico's father, Nathaniel Carrico, was born. About 1808 the family moved to St. Charles county, Missouri, settling in the bottom near Portage des Sioux, but moved to Greene county, Illinois, at an early date. In 1826 his father married Mary Brown, daughter of Griffith Brown. She was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, in 1809. Mr. Carrico was born in Greene county, Illinois, September 9th, 1833. His father died in November, 1833. He came to Shaw's Point township, Macoupin county, in 1850, and in 1854 began im- proving the farm which he now owns in Honey Point township. In 1856 he married Miss M. J. Mitchell, daughter of Elijah Mitchell, an early settler of Brushy Mound township. Eight of his twelve children are now living. He owns 675 acres of land, part of which lies in Montgomery county, and is a successful farmer.
NILWOOD TOWNSHIP.
JILWOOD comprises township 11 north, range 6 west, and is bound- ed on the north by Girard, on the west by South Otter, on the south by Shaw's Point, and on the east by Montgomery county. This is a beautiful prairie township, and contains some of the richest farming lands in the county. The soil is peculiarly fertile, and yields immense crops of corn, wheat, oats, grass, potatoes, etc., etc.
The township is well drained by the Macoupin creek and its affluents- Lin Grove Branch, Sherill's Branch, Harris Creek, and Lake Fork.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The first settler, as a land owner, was Gen. John Harris, who located in the north-east part of the township, near the point of timber known as " Harris' Point, " in the year 1829.
Harris was a colonel in the Black Hawk war, and subsequently served as brigadier-general of militia. Gen. Harris also represented his county in the state legislature. He was a brave and intelligent man, and by his courage and energy won hosts of friends among the pioneers. At his death he was buried in the woods a short distance north of the Sulphur Springs. Early in the year 1829, David Steele, John, Samuel, and Edley McVey, brothers of Wm. McVey, settled on what is known as Sherill's Branch, a tributary of the Macoupin creek, which was named in honor of John Sherill. This neighborhood is known as the McVey settlement.
James H. Yowell came here with his father, the late Judge Yowell, in 1829. F. A. Butcher was born in this county in 1836, and lives on a fine farm in section 23. William S. Street, a Kentuckian, settled here in 1831, and is at present engaged in merchandizing in the village of Nilwood. Milton Sharp, a native of this county, born in 1838, resides on section 35. D. B. Boston, a native of Indiana, became a resident of this county in 1833, and now resides on section 11.
In 1833 Edley McVey was awarded a premium for having collected the
greatest number of wolf scalps of any one man in the county. At that period wolves were quite numerous in the timbered portions of the county.
The first birth was James Harris, a son of Gen. John Harris, who, at the age of twelve, was accidentally drowned.
The first death was John L. Harris, a nephew of Gen. John Harris. He was accidentally killed while assisting in the raising of a log-house. While a log was being raised to the second story it became unmanageable, and in falling, would have killed two men, who were standing immediately under it, had not young Harris caught it and sacrificed, his own life. He was one of a family numbering twenty-six children.
Nathan McVey and Susan Akins were the first couple united in marriage. It occurred early in 1829.
The Methodist and Baptist denominations each organized a church in 1829. The latter was organized by David Gimlin. In 1830 a Christian church was organized by Thomas Chasteen. He also taught the first singing school.
The first church edifice was erected in the year 1830, at Sulphur Springs, by the united denominations, and used as a union church, the Baptists re- serving the first week in each month. Sabbath-school was first organized by Enoch Hall, in 1814, and held in this church. The first church built by a separate denomination, was in 1846, by the Methodists. The first school was taught in the Union church building, at Sulphur Springs, by a Mr. Harris.
A log school-house, with oiled paper for windows, was built near the Ma- coupin creek, in the year 1838. Enoch Hall was among the first teachers.
Lewis Pitman constructed the first mill. It consisted of a large log set up on end, with an attachment to a sweep, by which the grain was pounded. Mr. Pitman subsequently built, in 1838, a grist mill, run by four horses. He also built the first blacksmith shop. A tan-house was built by John Mc- Vey in 1837.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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The first land entries in the township were- John Harris, January 2d, 1829, 80 acres in section twelve; Robert Palmer, January 20th, 1829, 80 acres in section 2; Samuel M. Harris, October 31st, 1829, 80 acres in section 33. The first land was plowed by Andrew Bigham.
The statistics as taken from the assessors will exhibit the assessed value of property :- Number of acres improved land, 20,284, value, $124,290 ; acres unimproved land, 2,338, value, $6,526 ; total value of lands, $130,816; town lots, $15,822. Horses, 665, value, $8,678 ; cattle, 1,637, valne, 811,- 840; mules, 144, value, $2,732; sheep, 288, value, 8278; hogs, 2,313, value, $1,540 ; carriages and wagons, 300, value, $2,580; 210 watches and clocks, 102 sewing-machines, 8 pianos, 23 organs. Total value of personal proper- ty, $38,888.
We mention a few of the finest and best improved farms, views of which may be seen in this work. Z. Thacker, J. N. McElwain, James H. Yowell, T. W. Thacker, David C. Enslow, E. W. Page, and John A. Rogers. Mr. Rogers is the proprietor of Wild Rural Park, at Sulphur Springs. The park is a beautiful rolling lawn of sixty acres. There is also a pretty little lake, called Minnie Bell, which gives additional charm to the surrounding landscape. These springs are quite noted, and well remembered by the set- tlers of thirty and forty years ago.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS SINCE TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
Supervisors-J. D. Williamson, elected in 1871, re-elected in 1872; A. F. Hamilton, elected 1873; John H. Ballinger, elected in 1874; S. H. Tay- lor, elected in 1875, re-elected in 1876 and 1877; James H. Wolfe, elected in 1878, re-elected in 1879.
Town Clerks-M. Murphy, elected in 1871 ; J. J. Rider, elected in 1872; M. Murphy, elected in 1873 ; J. J. Rider, elected in 1874, and re-elected in 1875 and 1876; C. E. Smith, elected in 1877; C. Cooper, elected in 1878 ; T. Baker, elected in 1879.
Assessors .- T. J. King, elected in 1871, and re-elected in 1872; J. D. Williamson, elected in 1873 ; J. P. Moore, elected in 1874; T. W. Thacker, elected in 1875; J. D. Williamson, elected in 1876; T. P. Hughes, elected in 1877; T. W. Thacker, elected in 1878 ; E. W. Page, elected in 1879.
Collectors-A. F. Hamilton, elected in 1871, and re-elected in 1872; T. J. King, elected in 1873; T. Thacker, elected in 1874; J. Graham, elected in 1875; J. P. Paden, elected in 1876; B. F. Boston, elected in 1877 ; C. H. Street, elected in 1878, and re-elected in 1879.
The following are the justices of the peace since township organization :- J. D. Kendall and R. B. Baker, elected in 1871 ; J. B. Draper and W. H.
Richardson, elected in 1873; Mr. Baker and C. E. King, elected in 1877; W. H. Richardson and E. Rogers, elected in 1878.
Constables since township organization :- J. P. Snow and W. Armitage, elected in 1871 ; J. E. Drury and J. L. Harris, elected in 1873 ; E. B. Car- ter, elected in 1876 ; J. L. Harris and C. Rice, elected in 1877 ; J. L. Harris, elected in 1878.
Commissioners of Highways - 1871, David Boston, Henry Cooper, William Seaton ; 1872, David Boston ; 1873, R. J. Fox ; 1874, J. W. Mc- Vey ; 1875, Samuel S. Grant; 1876, Harvey Madison ; 1877; J. J. Bal- linger ; 1878, John H. Bailey ; 1879, Frank W. Gates.
THE VILLAGE OF NILWOOD
Was laid out by Samuel Mayo and Philander Bayly, proprietors, and sur- veyed by F. H. Chapman in 1855. It is situated on section 18, in Nilwood township, on the line of the C. A. & St. Louis R. R., about eight miles dis- tant from Carlinville.
The first buildings were erected by J. Benneyworth and H. Cooper. H. Cooper occupied the first dwelling as carly as July 9th, 1852, which is now almost in the centre of the village.
The first child born in the village was Charles Cooper, son of H. Cooper, October 10th, 1853.
Rev. Bardrick and Jane Benneyworth was the first couple married.
A store was established by a Mr. Bristow in the fall of 1857.
A Mr. McKee taught the first village school.
In 1857 there were erected five dwellings and two stores, and the follow- ing year the growth continued rapidly.
The Methodists built the first church in 1862. Rev. McDougal was the first preacher. The Baptists built a church in 1869.
In 1857 J. Benneyworth erected a grist-mill. Mr. Benneyworth now owns and operates a very fine coal mine, which was opened in 1873.
There is at present in the village two churches, Methodist and Baptist, and a school-house. The school is divided into four departments, and is in a flourishing condition. The population is a little over four hundred. A list of its business houses is as follows :-
Dry Goods and Groceries-Robert Stevenson, (also P. M.), R. B. McMel- len, Jos. Ballinger, W. S. Street, Patrick King, John O. Dell, Sidney Hall. Physicians- H. T. Jones, A. Miller and J. M. Hunt. Drug Store-Alex- ander Smith. Grain Dealers-H. Cooper and J. Reader & Co. Blacksmith Shops-T. E. Malone and Wm. Tomlin. Wheelwright Shops-Chas. Clyse and John Worley. Shoe Shop-A. Schlicht. R. R. Agent-Martin Murphy.
Nilwood is one of the thriving and enterprising towns in the county.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SAMUEL STEAD.
AMONG the many prominent English farmers of Macoupin county may be mentioned the name that heads this sketch. He was born in Skelman- thorpe, Yorkshire, England, May 17th, 1823; was the son of Benjamin and Martha Stead. The Stead family were quakers, and have lived in Yorkshire for many generations. Mr. Stead's father was a farmer, and owned a small place, but as he carried on farming rather extensively, he also rented land of Lord Lumley Savel. In the spring of 1840, he emigra- ted to America with his wife and family of seven children ; the subject of our sketch remaining in England. Mr. Stead landed at New York in April, and immediately came to St. Louis, where he remained two months; he then came into Matoupin county and settled on section 1, in Nilwood township, this being in the summer of 1840. On the trip from St. Louis he accidentally shot himself and received injuries from which he never entirely recovered ; he lingered along until the following Christmas, when he died. His wife sur- vived him many years. The subject of our sketch remained in England for
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four years after his father's removal. In 1844 he came to Nilwood, Macou- pin county, direct from England. For four years he lived with his mother and assisted on the farm. June, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Howard, a native of Kentucky. Her father, Samuel Howard, settled in Macoupin county in the fall of 1830. After Mr. Stead's marriage he began farming for himself, and has so continued up to the present time, and has made a success out of his chosen vocation. Mr. and Mrs Stead started out in life little aided, and what they have acquired in this world has been gained by industry and economy ; they have a good home and every- thing around them to make their declining years comfortable. They have had a family of six children; four living, namely : Helen, now the wife of Frederick Garst, living in Kansas ; Robert T., now farming in Nilwood township; Lu- cinda D., and Jonas K: D., now at home. In politics Mr. Stead is a repub- lican. He is a member of the Methodist church, and Mrs. Stead is a member of the Christian church. Such is a brief sketch of one of the old and much respected citizens of Nilwood township.
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BUFFALO AND DEER PARK
AVENUE TO RESIDENCE.
"ORNAMENTAL WATERS, SCENES AT WILD RURAL PARK .. THE PROPERTY OF J. A. ROGERS , SEC 25, NILWOOD TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
WILD RURAL PARK,
at Sulphur Springs, on the east border of Macoupin County, twelve miles northeast of Carlinville, and eighteen miles northwest of Hillsboro', Ill., is a beautiful rolling lawn of sixty acres, laid out as follows : five acres,
ANIMAL PARK,
in which will be kept a variety of wild animals of the West; fifteen acres, PEOPLE'S PARK,
in the midst of which is the beautiful lake, Minnie Bell, upon whose waters floats the magnificent little steamer, "Maggie, Lady of the Lake," and upon whose shore stands the gigantic
AMPHITHEATRE,
ever memorable for its Dedicatory Camp-Meeting of 1875; forty acres of wild timber land, for Feed-Ground, Wagon-Yard, etc.
From this tract flow the little, bubbling Sulphur Springs, never to be forgotten by the school-boys of forty years ago.
The intention of the proprietor of these grounds is to make them a pleasant place of resort for old and young, calling them away from places of vice and immorality, and planting in their bosoms a love for that which is good and great, and to raise the standard of morality, sociability, and refinement among the rising generation. These grounds are offered
FREE TO ALL CIVIL SOCIETIES,
for holding their mass meetings, picnics, celebrations, etc., excepting on the Lord's day, which is reserved especially for religious worship. The proprietor reserves the exclusive right to all sales and traffic upon the premises.
Persons visiting these grounds must be of good character, and observe the rules as posted conspicuously in the Park.
J. A. ROGERS, Proprietor.
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BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF THE STOCKAND GRAIN FARM OF Z . THACKER, SECTIONS
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THACKER , SECTIONS 16,9 817, NILWOOD TP., MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILL.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Thacker
Nancy 11 Thacker
WAS born in Edwards county, Illinois, October 4th, 1820. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Thacker. His paternal ancestors were English and German, and his maternal Scotch-Irish. Thomas Thacker was left an orphan when quite young. He was brought up by an older sister in Ken- tucky. He was married in Kentucky, and shortly after his marriage, he emigrated to Indiana with his young wite with the view of making a home. He engaged in farming about two years in that state, when he emigrated farther west, and settled permanently in Edwards county, Illinois, as early as 1818, where he remained until his death, Feb. 16th, 1823. The subject of our sketch, was the youngest child in a family of three children, his father dying when he was quite small. Mrs. Thacker, on the death of her husband, returned to her relatives in Kentucky, where she. lived five years. She then removed to St. Clair county, Illinois, where she lived two years. At the expiration of this time she went to Morgan county, and remained in Morgan and Greene counties until she died. Mr. Thacker, during his minority, worked for his mother, farming, and made himself generally use- ful; as her means were limited, he was compelled to work hard during his boyhood days. He attended school a few winter months, and by close at- tention to his studies he received a fair education, sufficient to transact most any ordinary business, Feb. 16th, 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy M. Walker, of Greene county, Illinois, but a native of Kentucky. After his marriage he settled down to business in earnest, with a determina- tion to succeed in the world. He entered from the government eighty acres of land, with a little improvement on it, made by a " squatter ;" this he also bought; after putting in one year's time on his eighty, he sold it for three hundred dollars. With this capital he moved into Macoupin county in 1843, and settled in what is now Nilwood township. His first purchase was one hundred and forty acres at three dollars per acre, and by adding tract after tract, until his farm or farms, consisted of over one thousand acres ; he has accumulated sufficient land to give each child a quarter section. These farms, by the energy and thrift of their owner, have been brought under a high state of cultivation. The fences consist mainly of hedge, which is the most beautiful of all fences. The condition of the buildings, the state of the fences, the appearance of the stock and the fields, all speak well for the industry and taste of this excellent farmer, and furnish evidence that a love for the beautiful may exist in the mind of the most practical and thorough farmer. His whole life has been spent at farming and stock raising, and he has been eminently successful in his chosen vocation. He started in life
with comparatively nothing, but with a strong constitution, abundance of energy and willing hands, he has succeeded in carving out for himself a competency, whereby his declining years should be one of ease and serenity. Mr. Thacker has raised a family of eight living children, viz. Caroline, now the wife of Isaac M. Mulkey, living in Kansas ; Thomas W., married, and living near the old homestead ; he is the oldest son, and was a soldier in the late civil war. He enlisted at eighteen years of age, on the 5th of August, 1862, in company H. 122d regiment, Illinois volunteers, Col. John I. Rinaker commanding. The regiment rendezvoused at camp Palmer, Carlinville, Illinois, and from there was ordered to Trenton, Tennessee, where the regiment was brigaded, and became part of the 16th army corps. The first battle that Mr. Thacker's regiment engaged in was at Parker's Cross Roads, after which it went on the memorable raid after the rebel Gen. Price, through Missouri; then back to Nashville, Tennessee, and engaged in the battle in which Gen. Hood's forces were annihilated ; and then to Mobile, and on to the close of the war. He was honorably discharged, and mustered out of the service July 15th, 1865. He returned home and engaged in farming, at which he remains up to the present. Nancy E., now the wife of Samuel Garst, living near by, also; John married, and living within sight of the old place ; Melvina, now the wife of James Solomon, also living in Nilwood township; Edna, now the wife of Harvy Tietsort, living near ; Fannie B., the youngest, now living at home. Mr. Thacker has all his chil- dren living around him, within a few minutes' ride, with the exception of one daughter in Kansas. In politics he was formerly a democrat, but when Buchanan and Fremont made the race for the presidency, he cast his vote for Fremont, being his first republicau vote ; he continued to identify him- self with the republican party until our last presidential election, when he joined the Greenback ranks, and to-day is a strong advocate of the Greenback principles. Mr. Thacker and his wife have been members of the Baptist church for many years. He is s liberal supporter of reli- ous and educational institutions, and never refuses to assist any laudable enterprise whatever. In character he is honest and upright ; in disposition, kind and charitable; in manners genial and courteous. He is an affectionate husband, a loving father and a firm friend, and being such, he holds an ex- alted place in the estimation of the public, and enjoys the respect of all who know him. Such is a brief sketch of one of the old citizens, and one of the prominent agriculturists and stock-raisers of Macoupin county, Illinois.
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