History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 8

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

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With Mr. Hodge came John Love, to whom his heart was knit with bonds of no ordinary affection; and this love was fully reciprocated. Their love was like that of David and Jonathan. Many years after the arrival of these brave pioneers, was indicated the depth of their affection. Mr. Hodge's death was caused by an accidental fall into a well. He felt that he was badly, and perhaps mortally hurt, and sent at once for the doctor and his old friend, John Love. Mr. Love was plowing when the news came to him of his friend's misfortune. He instantly ceased work and went to his bed- side, where he remained till he died, and after his death administered upon his estate. John Love was married to Cynthia Seymore before he left the south. He, with his wife and two children, came to the Illinois settlements on horseback. Richard Wilhelm and Abram Fulk were his brothers-in- law, all having married daughters of John Seymore. Mr. Love, like his friend Hodge, was of fair complexion and medium height. In his early manhood he weighed about 150 pounds, but before his death, which occurred in Greene county in 1844 or '45, he grew quite corpulent, and weighed over 200. Like his friend also, and indeed like all the early settlers and pioneers, he was an accurate marksman and a good hunter. His son, Samuel Love, now a resident of the county, was born here in the year 1824.

The same year-1815-that saw the coming of the Coops, and Hodge and Love, witnessed also the immigration of Abram Fulk and John Powell, the latter a son-in-law of David Coop, and the former, as has been seen, of John Seymore. They came in the fall of the year, and selected their homes in the northeastern part of Hilyard township. Fulk was of German, and Powell of Welsh, origin.

These were probably all the families who settled in the county prior to 1817. That year brought with it a considerable accession to the population. The first to come that year were John C. Wood and Richard Wilhelm, with their families.

Mr. Wood was of medium height and stoutly built. He was a native of Virginia. While living on Silver creek, he won, by his gastronomic ability, his title of "Slaymush," from having, it is said, at one time, swallowed twelve quarts of mush and milk, a dish well known in pioneer days. He also was dubbed " Windy " Wood, from his propensity to spin marvellous yarns. He was a rude kind of blacksmith, and also cut out mill-stones. One of his astonishing stories has come down to us, and proves him to have been the Munchausen of the pioneers. "One day, just as I was finishing a mill- stone," said Mr. Wood, " I saw a hurricane approaching, and could think of no means of safety except to edge up the mill-stone and lock my hands through the eye. In this situation I awaited the approach of the storm, which, as it reached me, caught up myself and the stone, and carried us both some three miles. As the storm abated, and I began to near the ground, I managed to climb on top of the stone, and when within a few feet I jumped off, entirely uninjured." This weakness was a companionable one, and Mr. Wood was popular and a good citizen. He built the first horse-mill, but only run it one or two years, when, having lost his wife, he moved to Mis- souri.

Richard Wilhelm was born in Pennsylvania, and, as his name would indi- cate, was of German descent. He settled on Cahokia creek, in Staunton township, in 1817. It is said that he and his family lived for a time in the hollow of an immense sycamore tree, until he could put up a cabin. Joseph Vincent, many years after, measured the tree in which the Wilhelms lived with a rail, and found the hollow of it to be ten feet in the clear. It stood on the land entered by Mr. Camp in 1819, and the remains of the stump were visible as late as 1870. The following anecdote has survived of Mr.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Wilhelm. Following closely upon the blazed pathway of the pioneer came the hardy circuit riders of the M. E. Church, preaching in the wilderness the word of the Lord. Wilhelm, it would seem, was not very kindly disposed towards them, so he soon sold out his claim and moved to the southward. When asked what was his destination, he replied that he was going until he found a country much hotter than this, but that he would get away from the Methodists. When last heard from, many years ago, he was in Texas.

In 1817, also, came Telemachus Camp, whose eyes first saw the light in Georgia, but who became a resident of Alabama before removing to the ter- ritory of Illinois. He made the first entry of land in the county, which bears date of August 18th, 1819. About the year 1826, Mr. Camp removed to the prairie southeast of Staunton, where he died, and where Peter L. Camp, his son, now resides. Mr. Camp was a pious and godly man, and was a close student of the Scriptures, in which he was exceedingly well versed.

There is reason to believe that in the fall of this year Mr. John Seymore, a native of Pennsylvania, but who had recently been a citizen of Alabama, no doubt desiring to be near his daughters-who, it will be remembered, were married to Abram Fulk, Richard Wilhelm and John Love-came to make this county his home. He settled with Wilhelm, on Sec. 24, T. 7, R. 7. He afterwards made his home with Mr. Love, where he and his wife died, and where they were buried.

In 1818, the year distinguished as the one in which Illinois was admitted into the Union, with a population of 40,000, Thomas Smith arrived and settled near the banks of the small stream, since called in his honor, Smith's creek, near the southeast part of Hilyard township. Thus it has been seen that at the time of the admission of Illinois into the sisterhood of States, there were settled within the limits of Macoupin, ouly ten families or about forty souls. Three years had passed since the first pioneer, Coop, had, with the aid of his sons, reared his roof-tree on the lonely banks of Coop's creek. Three years had past since the first permanent settler, Seth T. Hodge, with John Love, hunted the deer, and the honey of the wild bee in the forest. Little apparently had been done. But in reality much had been accom- plished. The Indian barrier had been broken and security found to reign on beyond it, northward. The soil had been proved of surpassing fertility, and no obstacles had been found too great for industry and resolution to surmount. Henceforth the tide of immigration was to set in more strongly.

John D. and Richard Chapman were farmers and mechanics, natives of North Carolina, but had for a year previous to their settlement lived in St. Clair. In November of 1819, they came with their families and settled, in what is now Dorchester township. Both families occupied one cabin and one room until a second could be built. In 1826, they left the timber, "struck for higher ground," and settled just east of the Sawyer place.

The next year, 1820, in September, came Jesse Chapman, a ship carpen- ter and sailor by trade, and " squatted," to use the expressive western phrase, near his brother. He staid but a year when he moved to Alabama, and the cabin he had built was occupied by a Mr. Casteel, and later by a Mr. Piper. Mr. Chapman returned however in 1824. In 1821, several families arrived to swell the numbers in the feeble settlement.

First among them were James B. Cowell and family. Mr. Cowell was bora and reared in North Carolina, but had lived for a while before coming to Illinois, in Tennessee. He had first settled in Madison county near Edwardsville, and from thence in 1821, moved to the " Land of the White Potato." Becoming disgusted in a short time, with the country, he went back to Madison, but, in a year, came back again, this time to stay. " Uncle Jemmie," as he was called, was remarkable for kindness of heart, great pa- tience and his superstitious horror of the skulls of dead horses. In travel- ing, he would carefully avoid them ; and used to say that if any one should bring one on his place, and he should find out who did it, he would shoot him as he would a wolf. He thought at times he heard voices calling him, and heard, in his distorted imagination, apparitions talking to him on dark and stormy nights.

Then, too, came Roger Snell, a farmer from Tennessee, but like the former, a native of North Carolina, with his family, to settle in the same township, just east of the present town of Staunton, where he lived till his death.

In 1821, or near that period-for it has not been possible to fix dates accurately in all cases-John Cormack settled near the home of Mr. Camp. Mr. C. soon became dissatisfied with the country, and returned to Edwards- ville, but not long after again moved back here.

Another immigrant about this time was Abraham Wyatt of Tennessee, who built and occupied for a short time what became the first school-house

in the county. Mr. Wyatt not being satisfied with the country, moved back to Tennessee, but subsequently returned.

Then, too, came Ephraim Powers and his family, with his sons-in-law, James Caulk and Joshua Perkins. Becoming discontented with the absence of markets, the prevalence of diseases, and the discomforts of frontier life, they went back to their old home in Tennessee. They all returned in 1824. Mr. Powers first settled on the place which had been improved by Wilhelm, and afterwards lived on one which had been slightly improved by Mr. Cow- ell, on the mound, the homestead of the late Stephen Sawyer.

When Mr. Cowell returned, he brought with him old Lewis Cormack and his son William, the father and brother of John Cormack. About this time also, there settled on the south side of Macoupin creek near the line of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, Abraham and Evan Smith with their families.

To the same vicinity also came Shadrach Reddick and Daniel Deadrick with their families. "Shade " Reddick was one of the bold rangers of the war of 1812, whose courage protected the frightened and feeble settlements from the merciless Indian tomahawk, which Great Britain had called to her aid. He liked to tell of his adventures; of the " battles, sieges, and fortunes, he had passed ;" and to his anecdotes the boys would listen in open-mouthed astonishment.

Daniel Deadrick came to this county with a family consisting of wife and five children. He was from North Carolina. Rev. D. P. Deadrick, a son of his, was born here in 1829. Mrs. Elizabeth A. Armour is a daughter. In 1835, Daniel Deadrick moved to Missouri, where he died. Three of his sons and one daughter are buried here.

About this time, also, came William Wilcox, afterwards a member of one of the first boards of County Commissioners. He was a lame man. Mr. Wilcox taught the first school ever taught in the county, in 1822, beginning after corn was laid by and continuing three months. It was held in the log cabin built by Mr. Wyatt, and abandoned by him, as before stated. Mr. Wilcox offered to teach the school. provided he could get fifteen pupils at two dollars each per term, which offer was accepted. It was further agreed that he was to teach eight hours a day, five days in the week, for thirteen weeks. The course of study embraced writing, arithmetic, reading and spell- ing. The house was 14 x 16 feet ; had one door, but no window ; was pro- vided with a puncheon floor and fire-place. The patrons furnished the seats, and the teacher " boarded round." In 1823 Mr. Wilcox, finding it not good to be alone, wooed and won Miss Polly Cormack, and ceased to board around.

From 1821 immigration.increased. The fear of Indians had died away, and the chief enemy the settler had to combat was the malarial diseases so prevalent in a new country, and which still linger in our midst. It will have been observed that, with few exceptions, the first settlers were from the southern states, from the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and Ken- tucky. A very few were Pennsylvanians; but no Yankee came, bringing with him the shrewdness, energy and nasal whang of his race.

EARLY PREACHING.

In the fall of 1820, Rev. Parham Randle, a Methodist minister, preached at the house of Richard Chapman, who, with his wife, was a member of that denomination-the first sermon ever delivered in the county. Mr. Chapman and his wife gladly offered their house for the services. Mr. Randle's home was south-east of Edwardsville, twenty-five miles away. It was late in the season, and the weather was cold; but with the bravery of a Christian sol- dier, he braved all discomfort, and came to found a society of the faithful in the infant colony. Services were held at Mr. Chapman's at stated times for several years.

In the fall of 1821, James Lemon, a Baptist minister, conducted services at the house of Telemachus Camp. He belonged to what was then 'called the "Emancipating Baptists," so designated from their hostility to slavery and its extension.

EARLY MARRIAGES.

Same early marriages are to be chronicled of that early time : viz. that of Stephen Wilcox-a brother of William, and who came to the county not long after him-to Miss Mary Piper in August, 1824. Wm. G. Cormack, whose sister had married Wm. Wilcox, evidently thinking a " fair exchange no robbery," took Miss Mary Wilcox to wife in September of the same year -1824. In 1826 Mr. John Snell, influenced by these good examples, led Miss Elizabeth to the hymenial altar.

William Wilcox, who was a childless man, had early in the spring of 1826 an adventure with a male wolf, which will bear relating. A large gray wolf attacked some sheep about midnight in his yard. He opened the door to

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

discover the cause of the commotion, when the wolf fiercely attacked him, springing upon him, and seizing him by the waist. He sprang hastily back to close the door, and pulled the wolf in with him. Being badly bitten, and perhaps worse frightened, he climbed up into the loft, pulling his wife Polly up after him. Lying in one of the beds was a young man, Anderson Scrog- gins, and the baffled wolf turned his attention to him. Scroggins no doubt thinking his time had come, dived 'neath the covering, and held it closely around him. The wolf gnawed away on the bed-clothes for a time, and then went out at the open door, going to the house of Stephen Wilcox, where a hog gave it battle and was badly bitten. It then went to the house of Rich- ard Chapman, where, after a hard fight, in which Mrs. Chapman took a hand with the boys, it was clubbed and shot to death.

James and Matthew Hall were born in Buncomb county, North Carolina, and had emigrated to Illinois, probably in 1816, certainly prior to the change from territorial to state government, and settled in Madison county. James moved to this county, with the families of Messrs. Hodge and Love, at an early day, and was favorably impressed by the appearance of the country. In 1823, having completed his arrangements, he quit his home in the old settlement, and came to cast in his lot with the new. He selected his home on the creek about seven miles southwest of Carlinville, and near where the railroad crosses the Hurricane. He was the father of eight children, four girls and four boys, one of whom, Oliver W. Hall, is now in the county, and whose recollections of early days have been freely given for this work. James Hall was below medium stature, of fair complexion, but with jet black hair. His was a large brain, and his muscular strength was beyond that of most men. Mrs Hall died in 1835. Matthew Hall, a brother, was a black- smith by trade, who came to the county several years later. John Pope came to the county also in 1823. He sold out his claim to Chas. McVey in 1825, but remained in the county.

Theodorus Davis, Sr., was a native of Kentucky, who at an early day had emigrated to St. Clair Co., Ill. In the latter part of 1822, or spring of 1823, he came with his family consisting of wife, Theodorus, Jr., John L. Davis, Belden Davis, Wm. H. H. Davis, Morgan Davis, Oliver C. Porter Davis, Polly, who married David Gregory, Sallie, who married Jno. Tomer, and Levina, who became the wife of a Mr Ward. The boys were excellent players on the violin ; but Oliver C. P. was very highly proficient, and his skill in bowing was the admiration and envy of all beholders. Theodorus, Jr., wedded a widow lady, sister of John Burleson ; John L. became the husband of a sister of Oliver W. Hall; Belden took lo wife Mary, eldest daughter of Seth T. Hodge. Theodorus Davis was a useful and prominent man. None of the family name are now living in the county. They re- mained some years, and then moved to Iowa. Oliver died on the plains on his way to the land of gold. Some died here. Belden is now living in Missouri.

It may serve to convey to the minds of those now living in comfort in this county, surrounded by all that can embellish life, an idea of the trials, tribulations and distresses endured by the early settlers, if an account be given of a death and burial of that olden time.

Some years after James Hall settled in the county, and subsequent to the marriage of Polly Davis to David Gregory, Isaac Hall, a young man noted for his herculean strength, and brother of James and Matthew, hearing at his home in Madison that his brother James lay sick, came up to visit him, and, if needed, be of service during his illness. James Hall had heard that Mr. Gregory was seriously ill, and requested his brother to go over and see if help was needed. Isaac was absent several days, and it was noticed on his return that he wore an unusually solemn face. He related the sad story. When he reached their lonely cabin he found Mr. Gregory in the delirium of fever, while his wife and two little children were also sick. Mr. Hall waited on the sick man, and at times all of his great strength was required to hold him in bed. The sufferings of the wretched man were speedily ter- minated by death. No neighbors were there to aid. All were sick. Mr Hall took an ax and, leaving the poor woman with the sick and dead, went to the woods. There he split out rude puncheons for a coffin. Then he dug a grave on a knoll, and with axe and auger made a coarse coffin, which he fitted in the grave. Then returning to the house, and, taking the corpse on his shoulder, he toiled with it up the hill, and laid it away to sleep until the resurrection morn.

Andrew Hettrick became a resident of this county in 1825. He came from near Carrollton and built a small cabin on Negro Lick. His family consisted of a wife and seven children. He was a skillful hunter and trap- per, and the waters and timber of Negro Lick and Apple creek furnished him abundance of game, and plenty of furs of the mink, muskrat and otter.

This year also saw the arrival of Howard Findley and a Mr. Branscomb, who settled in Bunker Hill township.

In 1824 or '25 a Mr. Shaw, whose name has been rescued from oblivion by having been attached to the name of a township, settled in Shaw's Point. He built a cabin and cultivated a few acres, but he was a pioneer by instinct, and, when neighbors began to gather around him, he moved away in search of a new country. After him there came to Shaw's Point, Job Sperry and C. R. Hutton.

As early as 1823, and possibly a year or two before, Samuel Lair, a use- ful man, and prominent in the history of the county, with his family, con- sisting of wife and two boys, left his home near Troy, in Madison county, and moved hither, settling first with his brother, Charles Lair, Sr., on Otter creek. He was of German descent and possessed the industry and thrift of his race. After leaving Otter creek he built a log cabin west of the city of Carlinville, where the noble Burke mansion now stands. Mr. Lair was a member of the second Board of County Commissioners. Charles, Jr., John Austin and William Lair were his sons. Charles is dead. William reared a large family and is now a resident of the county. John moved to Missouri. Aunty Pritchard, of Carlinville, is a daughter of Mr. Lair. In this year or the preceding, George Matthews erected a cabin and began to improve a farm near that of Seth Hodge on Hodge's creek. And here he died. His character was good and his kindness of heart made him many friends. Mrs Matthews afterwards became the wife of Mr. Hodge.

Lewis Solomon, Sr., settled here in 1826. He was the father of Judge Lewis Solomon, still living in the county and widely and favorably known. The name of Solomon since the year above given has been prominent in the county. He was a thrifty, useful and valuable citizen. '

Thomas Judy, a son of Col. Judy, of Madison county, arrived with his family in the same year, and settled in Western Mound. He married the widow of John Love afterwards. His brother Samuel came several years later. He settled in the forks of Hodge's creek. They moved back to Madison county, where they now live.

In February of 1826, Oliver Brown, a merchant of Carrollton, with his nephew, Wm. Cowan, built a cabin sixteen feet square in Brighton township. Cowan was an Ohioan, and renowned for his giant-like strength, and his ability to do the work of two men. In '34 he was paid double wages throughout the year.

Mr. Brown held a squatter's claim until 1827, when he entered the land, which was that on which the south and business portion of Brighton now stands.

John Pope, who, as has been noted, came in 1823, held a claim which in 1825 he sold to Charles McVey. Charles was the first of the name to settle here. In 1826, or about that time, others of the family came from Tennes- see and settled east of Coop's Mound. The family was a large one, consist- ing of seven brothers. They did not all come the same year. William came in the spring of 1831. Charles sold out his claim to John Yowell. The five brothers of Charles and William were John, Nathan, Samuel, Ed- ley and Thomas. Their home was in what was known as Sherrill's Fork, so named for John Sherrill, who settled there at an early day. One of the brothers served in the Black Hawk war. John and William died here. Edley and Charles moved to Iowa. One of William's sons, John Wesley McVey, is a well known citizen of the county, living at present in Nilwood township.

About 1826, also, came John Harris, a man honorably connected with the history and development of his 'county and state ; who of great and en- during popularity held many offices of trust and profit, and in all cases dis- charged the duties of a citizen and officer honestly and efficiently. He rode gallantly at the head of a company in the Black Hawk war, and was a brigadier-general of militia. He was the first sheriff of the county. He settled on Lake Fork, where he improved a fine farm. An old friend gives this testimony concerning him: " He was a man of good sense, penetrating thought, a warm friend and good citizen. He was looked up to as being a man endowed with more common sense, and possessing a better education than the majority of the people." His name was given to Harris Point in the eastern part of the county. He was twice married, the second time to the widow of David Coop, Sr. He went to Iowa, whither Mr. Coop had moved, and where he died, and brought his bride back with him. He owned, and for many years operated, a water mill. This noble man, of whom old settlers speak only in terms of respect and affection, lies buried in the wood a short distance north of Sulphur Springs; and only a rude stone marks the spot where the bones of John Harris repose.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

In September 1827, John Bourleson, a well-known citizen of the county, and a half brother of Seth T. Hodge, with his mother's family came to the county, the home of Mr. Hodge, who took them under his charge. Mr. Bourleson, whose knowledge of the county of the past, has been valuable to the author of this history, was born in Alabama, but before coming to Illi- nois, lived a year in Tennessee. He has lived here continuously since '27, and has reared a large family. Rev. James Solomon, came from Johnson County, North Carolina this year. The same year arrived Andrew Hughes, Henry Etter, and Mr. Robinson, all heads of families. Ezekiel Ross came late in the fall of this year, and built a cabin on Apple Creek, into which he moved with his family on Christmas day.

William Brewer, a Virginian, became a resident also in 1827, and for a time was employed by Mr. Brown of Brighton. In 1849 he shared in the excitement caused by the discovery of gold in California, and went there to return no more.

Bennett Tilley and family settled Western Mound this year. They were natives of North Carolina. To the same locality, the same year, came William Smith and family.

As early as 1827, and possibly a year previous, Nathan Scarret had settled seven miles south of the site of Brighton on the line of the Chicago and Alton road.

James Briden, wife and children, became residents in 1827 of Bunker Hill Township. Mr. Briden was the first justice of the peace of that section.

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History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 8

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

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