History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 110

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698

USA > Illinois > Madison County > History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches > Part 110

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Some anderson

WAS born in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1793. His | had two children. Mr. Anderson was eminently success- parents were David and Gertrude (Nagel) Anderson. Upon · ful ; he amassed considerable property, which he improved after a manner worthy of emulation. His houses, barns, orchards, etc., all bespeak his excellent taste. He died April 11, 1875. ITis widow lives on the old homestead, about two miles from Collinsville, surrounded by such luxuries as a competency can yield. Mr. Anderson was a man of commanding presence ; of unquestioned integrity of character ; of excellent business qualifications, and of philanthropic ways.

the breaking out of the war of 1812, he offered his services and was accepted as drummer boy. A pension granted him in this behalf served as a constant reminder of his soldier boy days, during the last years of his life. In 1820 he came west and located in the Marine settlement. In 1822, he married Susan S. Creamer, in Kaskaskia, by whom he had twelve children. By the death of his wife he was left for some years a widower. On the 2311 of April 1868, he was married to Margarett L. Creamer, by whom he

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

CONRAD A. AMBROSIUS

Is a native of Germany, born in 1839. His father emi- grated to America in 1842, first locating in St. Louis, Mo. In 1849 he removed to the vicinity of Collinsville, and engaged in farming. Conrad A. is the second son of a family of four chil- dren. In his youth he received a liberal education, aud early in life began the vocation of a farmer, which pursuit he con- tinned until 1874, at which time he embarked in the business of coal mining, in the neighborhood of Collinsville. IFe is now president of the Cantine Coal and Mining Company of that place, a position for which he is eminently qualified. Mr. Ambrosius has filled the position of alderman in his city for a term of five years, and has served as street commis- sioner for the same length of time. He is still in the prime of a vigorous manhood. Though beginning his career with little but strong hands and a willing heart, his life has been a success, having accumulated considerable wealth, consist- ing of coal lands and valuable city property ; and has filled positions of trust and responsibility in the community. In 1862 he was united in marriage to Miss Maria Smith, which union has been blessed with seven children.

JOHN BECKER.

THIS gentleman is the present mayor of the thriving city of Collinsville. He is the grandson of one of Napoleon's old soldiers, aud a son of John Becker, who was born in Bavaria, and emigrated to America in 1833. He landed in

New York, and there married Eva Nichols, by whom he had a family of twelve children. John Becker, of whom we write, was born in the city of New York, July 25th, 1837, being the eldest of the family. Iu 1839, his father immigra- ted to Missouri, locating in Perry county, where he remained a short time, moving thence to St. Louis, where he died in 1873. Young Becker received his schooling in Perry county and in St. Louis. The first business in which he en- gaged was clerking in a store, after which he went to Cin- cinati, Ohio, where he was employed for three years in the upholstering business. He again returned to St. Louis, and served an apprenticeship at milling in the Saxony Mills, of that city.

On the 20th of May, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Maye, of St. Louis, Misourri, and ten children, eight of whom are living, have blessed their happy wedlock. In 1864, Mr. Becker located permanently in Col- linsville, where in company with George C. Berg, he pur- chased the flouring mill, which he has since continued to operate so successfully. He is now sole owner and proprie- tor. u 1872, at the time Collinsville was organized as a city, Mr. Becker was houored with being elected the first mayor, to which position he has been twice re-elected, filling the office at this writing. He has led an active, energetic life, and his enterprising spirit has been felt in all the move- ments to advance the business and social interests of his city, since he became a resident. In his official positions he has shown executive ability and attends well the duties of his office. He is a popular and much respected citizen.

ST. JACOBS.

HIS township comprises the whole of town 3, range 6. It is bounded on the north by Marine, on the east hy Helvetia and on the west by Jarvis township, and on the south by St. Clair county. The prin- cipal stream is the east fork of Silver creek, that flows through the northwest part, in a southerly direction. A con- siderable quantity of timber is found along this stream ; but the township is substantially prairie, embracing many sections of the Looking Glass Prairie. In its natural state it was a most beautiful tract of country. It is said by a former writer : " It looked more like a great park than a

wild country. This was not like many other prairies, a monotonous level, where the eye can find no resting-place ; but out of this plain, covered with luxuriant grass and flowers of all colors, rose a great number of beautiful aud shapely hills, all easy to ascend, and many covered with a growth of fiue trees. Small water-courses, frequently embellished with fine willows, crossed the prairie in all directions. A number of small groves made up of trees of great variety, such as linden, oak, hickory, buckeye and locust, ornamented the scenery. The landscape in all directions was surrounded by the timber-crowned hills of Silver creek, and the rich forests of Sugar creek. The country at this time was in its natural state. Along the skirt of timber you might

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

see at different points, not far apart, a small field pushed out into the prairie, the cabins mostly hidden by the trees, and only the smoke arising from them disclosing the abode of man."

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS

were made along the timber's edge, on the east side of Silver creek, by some hardy pioneers from Kentucky and Ten- nessee, in 1810. The families of John Lindley, of Augustus, William and Cyrus Chilton, of Harrison and Smeltzer, lived here in peace and quietness until the war with Eng- land broke out in 1812, aud the Indians began to show themselves hostile. The Chiltons and their neighbors who lived in this and adjoining townships, built a fort and stockade for defence. The fort stood in the northwest corner of section 17, near where Augustus Chilton settled, and eleven families received shelter here the first winter. The fort was commanded by Major Isaac Ferguson and Capt. Abra- ham Howard. This fort was never attacked by the Indians. From Jesse J. Renfro, a worthy old citizen of Madison, and a Ranger during the war of 1812, we received a description of this fort. During the winter of 1814, he with a dozen other rangers, was placed on guard here under the com- mand of Samuel Whiteside. At this time the pioneers lived at their homes in the settlement. and would only come into the fort upon hearing of some Indian depredations, but after a short time would become pacified and return to their cabins. This fort was constructed by picketing around four or five cabins The pickets were logs from eight to ten inches through, set on end elose together, and eleven or twelve feet in height. On each corner of the picketing were log houses, projecting over so that the sides of the fort might be covered by the rifles. Such a venture would be fraught with many dangers, difficulties and privations The desert wastes, the forest gloom and the near proximity of savage Indians, seem to have possessed, however, no terrors for these hardy pioneers. What must have been the nature of their lonely musings during the long and weary months of isolation, is difficult to imagine. Suf- fice it to say, with a fortitude unsurpassed, and a tenacity of purpose which knew no defeat, they patiently bided their time, never dreaming in the early years of this voluntary exile that this was destined to be a populous and pros- perous farming community. It is related by an old set- tler that during the early Indian troubles a lone Indian committed some overt act near the fort. Capt Howard took his trail, riding a little bay animal that was well remembered by the old settlers in later years. After a ninety miles' chase in a northeast direction, alone in a strange land and among savages, he by his adroitness and bravery, killed the Indian and brought his bleeding scalp to the fort. Within the walls of this old fort occurred the first birth in this part of the county, that of Thomas Chilton; also the first marriage ceremony was solemnized here, Joseph Ferguson, a brother of the Major, and Miss Virginia Smeltzer being the contracting parties. It was here that they enjoyed the bliss of courtship, made their solemn vows of marriage and passed their days of honey- moon. Here, too, may be recorded the first death. being that

of Augustus Chilton, who laid down his life and the cares of this world at a good old age, and was buried in the timber near the fort, where since many others have been laid to rest. No stone marks his grave. About 1820 a town was laid out here, and called Augusta, but the plat was never recorded. No lots were sold, and the town only existed in the imagination of its originators. The Chiltons settled in the near vicinity of the fort, as also did the Har- rison and Smeltzer families. Cyrus Chilton afterward im- proved a place about half a mile west of Herrin's Grove. John Lindley was a great hunter and a very successful beaver trapper. He first settled in the timber in the south- west part of section 18, near a spring that affords running water at this time. He afterward improved a farm out in the prairie, where he died, his wife surviving him many years. Their children were John, Matthew, Lucinda, Han- uah, Elizabeth, Ellen and Mary.

Mr. Lindley's father, Simon Lindley, settled on Silver Creek, in the north edge of St. Clair county, in 1812. He was a native of North Carolina, and emigrated from Ken- tucky to this state, and first settled in what is now Bond county. His family of three sons and four daughters were well grown on coming to this state. He was a man of good education, a pioneer Baptist preacher and surveyor. About 1820 he moved north, and settled in what is now Sangamon county, where he resided until his death.

John Giger, a Pennsylvania German, entered several tracts of land in section five, Nov. 8, 1816, where he im- proved a good farm and resided until his death. He raised a family of four sons and one daughter. She married Ben- jamin Reimmer ; and the sons, Jacob, John, Joseph, and Moses, married, raised families, and improved farms in the county.

Gilmore Anderson, from Bourbon county, Kentucky, settled the southwest quarter of section seventeen in 1816. He was accompanied by his wife and family of four sons and two daughters, viz : William, Carroll, Robert G., James G ; Nancy, who married John Penn ; and Sarah, who mar- ried a man named Flynn. He died, and she afterward married Jacob Giger. All are now deceased but Nancy, who lives in Texas. The sons, after they grew to maturity, all went to other states, with the exception of James G , who remained and lived on the old homestead. His father lived only a few years after coming here. Of James G. An- derson's children, John P., James G, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Miller; Nancy, now Mrs. Stephens; Elvira, now Mrs. Lamb, live in the township. Gilmore resides in Litchfield, Illinois Mr. Anderson was the first blacksmith of the township, and, in company with William Faires, a wood-worker, made many wagons for the early settlers, and manufactured the old wooden mould-board plow. In 1831, Mr. Anderson en- listed as a soldier in the Black-Hawk War. His soldierly bearing brought him into notice. He was soon promoted to the post of Major of his regiment, which position he filled until the close of the war. He was one of the worthy and much respected citizens of the township, and was represent- ing the county in the commissioners' board at the time of his death, which occurred September 25, 1847.

أ - فيجم عليه .

FARM RESIDENCE OF CHARLES W. PRANGE , SEC.36, T.5, R.8, (FORT RUSSELL TP. MADISON CO. ILL.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

William Faires, a native of North Carolina, was one of the early settlers of the township. IIe located on the north- east quarter of section thirty-one, now the James A Smith place. He afterward improved a farm on seetion thirty- four. He raised a family of nine children, viz : Naomi, now Mrs. Abner Pyle; Wilson, William II., Eliza, now Mrs. Abraham Thumas, who lives in Macon county, Illinois ; Sa- rth Ann, now Mrs. John Barton, who lives in Reno county, Kansas; Elim, who raised a family here, was killed by light- ning, while working in a harvest field ; Mary, who was the wife of George Cuddy, now deceased, raised a family, and lived in Helvetia township; James died while yet a young man ; Jane married William Woods, and lived only a short time after her marriage. The old gentleman was a first-class wagon maker of his time, and worked at his trade many years. He died on the place he improved, section 34.

Herrin's Grove, section 16, was settled by John Ilerrin as early as 1816. His house stood on the old Goshen and Ohio Salt-works road, which was laid out in 1808, and which extends in a southeasterly direction through the township. Ile entertained travelers, sold feed to the emigrants, and the timber round about the Grove, at times, was filled with the camps of the frontiersmen. These, with the camp-fires and the white covered wagons, presented a scene resembling an army camp. He raised a large family. and resided here until his death, which occurred more than half a century ago. One of his sons, G. W., improved a farm on section 11, where he died in 1880, leaving a widow and a large family of children.

l'hillip Sarey, a Tennesseean, came in November, 1817, and improved a farm adjoining Giger's, where he lived until his death. Two of his sons, George W. and Edward, live in the township; the former in the village of St. Jacob's, and the latter a farmer on the old home place. Nancy, now Mrs. Potter, lives in Edwardsville. These three are the only de- scendants of the family living.

Wesley Dugger, born in North Carolina, April 30, 1793, grew to manhood in that state, then went to Tennessee, where he married Charlotte Young, a native of Virginia. Ile lived sixteen miles east of Nashville till the fall of the year 1817, when he emigrated to Illinois and settled on sec- tion 3 of this township. Ile carried ou farming, had a horse inill, and for some years kept a store, the first in this part of the county, which was entered and robbed, and was once destroyed by fire. Ile was successful as a business man, and, for that day, acquired a considerable amount of property. He had been a soldier in the War of 1812-14, enlisting with the Tennessee troops, and serving under Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans He died Feb. 14, 1850. His wife died April 23, 1846. They raised a family of nine children, of whom five were boys, and four girls. John C. Dugger settled the F. S. l'ike place. He improved a good farm here, on which he died, leaving a widow, one son and five daughters. Jarrett Dugger settled the A. Zwilchenbart place. About 1828 he erected an ox-mill, which he operated several years, until he sold out ; then Mr. Zwilehenbart ran the mill for a long time. Mr. Dugger moved north into Macoupin county.

Henry Burton Thorp was born in Stratford, Conn., April 30, 1795. In 1819 he came to Madison county with Capt. Curtis Blakeman, driving a four horse team for the captain. Two years previous he had one hundred and fifty acres of land entered in section two, this township, where he started an improvement, and then returned to the east for his wife, who lived only a short time after her arrival in this new country, leaving one child, Hannah, who afterwards mar- ried William Hull. Mr. Thorp subsequently returned to the east for a second wife, and married Sarah Sheppard, of Redding, Conn. He immediately returned with his wife, and brought out one of his brothers, Samuel Thorp, who, in 1833, returned east, and influenced another brother, Nathan, to try his fortune in the far west. Nathan Thorp had five grown daughters, three of whom were afterward married at their father's house on the same occasion, the Rev. John H. Benson officiating. H. B. Thorp had a family of seven children by his second marriage, viz: Harriet, Henry B., Eliza, Charles, Frank, William, and George. His occupa- tion was principally that of a farmer. He and his brother Samuel, as early as 1830, built a distillery on their place, and continued to run it for several years. David Thorp had a store here in early times. He and Albert Judd built a distillery on the Marine and St Jacob's wagon road, at the Silver Creek ford. Henry B. Thorp died Jan. 14th, 1849; his wife died the 27th of January following. Mr. Thorp was a public- spirited man, and lived beloved and respected by all who knew him.

John Howard, a son of the widow Howard, who built the first cabin in the southeast part of Madison county, settled the Sohler place, near the Augusta church, in an early day. Ile was a ranger during the Indian troubles. In the Legis- lature of 1818, he represented his county, and was the first Justice of the township, and filled the office until his death. He had a liberal education for his time, was honest and upright in his dealings, and lived a much re- spected citizen. He reared two sons: Abraham, the eldest, lived on his father's old homestead until his death, and now lies buried in the Augusta graveyard; Riley, the youngest, lives iu Iowa. Nicholas Kyle, a son of Adam Kyle, one of the early settlers of Marine township, located in the edge of the timber northwest of St. Jacobs, among the early settlers. where he improved quite a large farm, and built a sub. tan- tial brick house which was among the first of that kind of structures in this part of the county. He was the first constable of the township His family consisted of three sons and two daughters. William Parkinson, a native of White county, Tenn., came to the township in 1816, and lived on the Searey farm which was originally the Chilton place, near the old fort. May 31, 1817, he entered his first land, the west half of the southwest quarter of seetion one, eighty acres. After his family grew up and settled in life for themselves, he sold out and moved to Wisconsin, where he died. None of his family now live in the county. Washington Parkinson, his brother, came two years later. The first two crops he raised in the Marine prairie. In 1820, he settled the E C. Dugger place, section two. The records show that he entered this traet of eighty aeres in the

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

fall of 1816. He had three children born to him in White county, Tenn., viz .: William, George, and Alfred J., and two in Madison county, viz .: Catharine, who died a young girl, and Melinda B., who married Edward C. Dugger. The old gentleman improved a fine farm, was a successful farmer, and lived here a quiet citizen until he was assassi- nated, in 1846. He was in his sitting room just after sup- per, when some one unknown, in the darkness of the night fired a shot through the window and during the excitement that ensued made his escape. The murderer has never been brought to justice. Alfred J., his son, who was born in White county, Tennessee, January 20, 1816, is one of the prominent farmers of the township, having often been called upon to fill important positions of honor and trust. At the present writing he is a member of the State Legisla- ture. In 1842, Miss Mary E. Baldwin became his wife, and they have had nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Jorden Uzzle, a Tennesseean, settled in the edge of the timber on section three, about the same time the Duggers located here. In early years camp-meetings were held at his place or near his spring, ou what was called the Uzzle camp-meeting grounds. He was a devout member of the Methodist church. He died on his old homestead, leaving a widow and quite a family of children. James A. Smith, who lives on section 31, came to the county from Tennessee, with his father, Thomas Smith, in 1827. In 1835, the latter with his family went to Arkansas. After a short stay, James A., returned to Madison county, where he has since resided. Edmund Townsend, who lives on the same section, while not a very old settler of this county, was born in this vicinity. His father, Whitfield Townsend, a native of North Carolina, settled in the northern part of St. Clair county, in 1814. William C. McAlilly located on the place where he now lives, in 1840. (For early history of the family see Saline township).

W. B. Bradsby, who lives on section thirty-two, was born on the township line, now the Erastus Pyle place, in 1846. He is a son of John Bradshy, who was a descendant of the Bradsby family, of St. Clair county. Early in the spring of 1804, William H. Bradsby, in company with two other young men from Kentucky, located on Silver Creek, about three miles north of the present town of Lebanon, where they made an improvement and raised a crop. In the fall of the same year the elder Bradsby brought the balance of the family from Kentucky and located on a farm where he continued to reside. Reynolds in his Pioneer History says: " The Bradsby family were brave and energetic pioneers. They possessed good talents and were fearless and intrepid, they were firm and decisive, when they took a stand, and were also moral and correct, and made good citizens. The elder Bradsby taught school in various neighborhoods. His sons were in the Ranging service, and made good soldiers. In 1814, William H. Bradsby represented St. Clair county in the territorial legislature. He became a physician, and was quite prominent in the early history of Washington county."

The first school was taught in the old fort, by David Smeltzer. The first school house, a small log cabin put up

about 1818, stood near the site of the fort. The second was built in the Dugger settlement, and stood near the Uzzle spring. Alexander Truesdale was one of the first teachers. He was also a preacher, of the Cumberland Presbyterian faith. For several years prior to the building of this house, school was taught by Edmunds and others, in an abandoned cabin that stood near the Dugger ox mill. John Kyle also taught near Wesley Dugger's place, before any school-house was built in this settlement. He afterward improved a farm in Helvetia township, being one of the first settlers there.

Augusta Church was the first house of worship, and was built near the site of an old log school-house, by the Metho dists about thirty years ago. It is a brick building, and stands in the southeast part of section seven, in a good state of preservation. For many years before this church was built, the congregation met at the residence of John C. Dugger who was a worthy member of the church, and was mainly instrumental in the construction of the building. Between the site of the old fort and the place where the Augusta church now stands, in early times, the militia were accustomed to meet, this being their training ground. It was here, also, that the young athletes of the country gath- ered to exhibit their muscle. Each settlement or neighbor- hood would have its champion, and as this was the place of general resort for sports of an athletic kind, many are the tales told hy the old settlers of feats performed and plaudits won by the wrestlers, runners and jumpers.

Among the Germans first to come to this township was Dr. Henry C. Gerke, who emigrated from his native land, Laar, in Hessen Cassel, Germany, to America, coming direct to Madison county in 1824. He left his family behind him, and afterward crossed the ocean several times. On his second trip, in 1830, he brought with him his oldest son, William H. The Dr. located on the Herrin place, Her- rin's Grove, and placed his son William H. in the Marine settlement. In 1842, William H. married Miss Levina Blakeman, a daughter of Capt. Curtis Blakeman. Mrs. Gerke died young, leaving one child, Judge Henry C. Gerke, of Edwardsville. Mr. Gerke never married again, and died in the Marine settlement in 1840, about six years after his wife's death. Dr. Gerke was a classical scholar, besides being educated to the profession of law. He was the author of several volumes, published in Germany, relating to the history of North America, and especially to that of the Mis- sissippi valley. These works were largely distributed throughout Germany, and it was through their influence. and the efforts of the Doctor, that this part of the State has become so largely populated by the Germans. He was thoroughly democratic in his views of government and po. litical economy ; in fact the very cause that induced him to come to America was on account of her free institutions. In 1836 he brought to this country the remainder of his family, consisting of his wife and son, John P. The Doctor lived on his place in St. Jacobs until his death in 1842. He left a vast estate, and a wide circle of friends. His widow survived him until 1871, and died at Marine, at the resi- dence of her grandson, Judge Henry C. Gerke. Johu P.

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 110

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698