History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 114

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 114

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The ground was deeded to the county for said purpose by Mr. J. Scott. Another is located at Paddock's Grove, and still another near F. Gaertner's on the Springfield road. The latter is attached to the German Lutheran Church-St. James Congregation.

The following are the first Justices of the Peace appointed or elected in the township : John Finley was appointed in 1810; John Springer in 1813; Jesse Starkey in 1819; Daniel A. Lanterman, 1821; Emanuel J. West in 1822; and Gershom Flagg in 1825. Isaiah Dunnagan was the first to shoe the horses and mend the clevises and linch pins for pioneers. His shop was a rude affair, situated on his pre- mises in seetion 31. This shop was in running order as early as 1805. John Drum was also an early blacksmith ; his shop was situated in section 29. The first person to establish a store and sell goods was John Newman in 1818 or '19. The building or store-room was a little log concern, and located in section 14. Volney P. Richmond was the first postmaster, and the office was situated on the premises of Gaius Pad- dock, and known as the Paddock's Grove, P. O. Mr. Rich- mond also kept a small stock of goods at that time, combin- ing this business with his official duties as postmaster. This was in 1838. Both a water and a horse grist-mill were con-

SOLOMON PREUITT.

FARM RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM GALT SEC. 14 T. 5 R.8 (FORT RUSSELL TP.) MADISON CO. ILL.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

grand-children living in Fort Russell, the children of Volney P. Richmond. Mr. West took an active part in politics, and in an early day represented the county in the Legisla- ture. Later he was appointed minister to Peru, South America, and died on the passage to that country. In his lifetime. and while residing in Fort Russell, he was the owner of several indentured slaves. They were afterwards liberated. Another of the early settlers, was Joseph Robinson, a native of North Carolina. He came to the county in 1815, and located in section five, Edwardsville township. He drove a four horse team overland, bringing his family in a covered w igon so common in those days. His family consisted of his wife and three children, Margaret, Eliza, and William S B. John and Mary Ann, were born in this county. He bought 160 acres of land on which was a small cabin, and here com- menced the life of a pioneer. Only two of the children now reside in the county, William S. B., and Eliza, widow of the late Rev. Joel Knight. The former moved to the township in 1832, and settled in section 11. Mrs. Robinson died Septem- ber 10th, 1879. She was Miss Letitia A. White, and from this marriage five sons were born, Lewis C. Sidney, W. J., J. A., and J. H., only two of whom reside in the township, Sidney, and J. H. Mr. Robinson now lives with his son Sidney. Edmond Owens, another early comer, was from Tennessee, but born in South Carolina. He migrated from the former state to Illinois in 1838, and first located in Fosterburg township, section 28. He came here with his wife and six children, Gaines, Anna, Susan, Elizabeth, Payton, and Josiah P., only three of whom are now living in Madison, Liza, Gaines, and Josiah P .; the latter resides in section 20, and is a prosperous farmer. His wife is one of the old resi - dents in the county. She was Sarah L., daughter of Martin Jones.

Among others now living who are old citizens, and promi- nent farmers, are Luther W. Lyon, Henry Engelhart, the Belks, C. P. Smith, Nimrod Stillwell, D. C. Scheer, and others. Henry Belk, father-in-law of Russell Newman, is a native of Yorkshire, England, and came to America in a very early day. He is now 94 years of age, and probably the oldest resident citizen in the county.

Mr. Lyon is now residing with his son-in-law, Wiley Preuitt, in section 18. He planted one of the first grafted orchards in this part of the county. He has in his posses- sion a relic of Revolutionary times, being a gun taken from the Hessians at the siege of Yorktown by his grandfather. It has been remodeled by attaching a cap lock, and is in a good state of preservation.

The following are among the first land entries made in the township. On the 15th of August, 1814, Ephraim Wood, entered the southwest quarter of section 17. September 12 h, 1814, Martin Preuitt, entered several acres in section 18, and at the same time Thomas Daniel entered the whole of section 20, except 160 acres. September 21st, 1814, Isaac Hill entered 344 22-100 acres in section 19. During the same month William Jones entered different tracts in sections 18, 19, and 20. There were quite a num- her of entries made in the year 1814, but we have given sufficient names to show who were the first to enter their

farms. J. L. Ferguson, son of Isaac Ferguson, the pio- neer, was the first born in the township. His birth occurred in 1807, in section 20, on the farm owned by John Huron. The first death also occurred in the Ferguson family, about | 1807 or'8. The interment was made on the farm now owned by James Jones. The first school was taught by the Rev. William Jones in 1818, at the old block house, then situated in section 18, on the Jones homestead. At this writing a few apple trees cover the spot. The first regular school- house constructed was in 1819, and situated in section 20. A school was taught in it the same year. Abraham Amos and William Jones were the first to preach the gospel, the former being a Methodist minister and the latter a Baptist. The early services were conducted at the house of Isaiah Dunnagan, in 1809. The Rev. Abraham Amos was then in charge of the ministry in the interest of the M. E. Church in the counties of Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair. The first organized Sabbath-school was instituted by John M. Peck and William Ottwell, in the spring of 1824, at the house of Dunnagan. The German Lutheran denomination constructed the first church house in 1842, near the store of F. Gaertner in section 23. The second church was built by the Methodist congregation at Liberty Prairie, in 1850. The Baptist congregation commenced their house late in the fall of the same year, but did not complete it until the following year. Both houses are yet standing.

LIBERTYVILLE

Is a little hamlet composed of a few houses scattered along the old Greenville road. At this time there is only a wagou and blacksmith shop, conducted by Ludwig Silland. There was once a store and post-office at this point, but they have some years since been abandoned.

There are several well-kept public burial places in the township; one of the largest is situated on Liberty Prairie. The ground was deeded to the county for said purpose by Mr. J. Scott. Another is located at Paddock's Grove, and still another near F. Gaertner's on the Springfield road. The latter is attached to the German Lutheran Church-St. James Congregation.

The following are the first Justices of the Peace appointed or elected in the township : John Finley was appointed in 1810; John Springer in 1813; Jesse Starkey in 1819; Daniel A. Lanterman, 1821; Emanuel J. West in 1822; and Gershom Flagg in 1825. Isaiah Dunnagan was the first to shoe the horses and mend the clevises and linch pins for pioneers. His shop was a rude affair, situated on his pre- mises in section 31. This shop was in running order as early as 1805. John Drum was also an early blacksmith ; his shop was situated in section 29. The first person to establish a store and sell goods was John Newman in 1818 or '19. The building or store-room was a little log concern, and located in section 14. Volney P. Richmond was the first postmaster, and the office was situated on the premises of Gaius Pad- dock, and known as the Paddock's Grove, P. O. Mr. Rich- mond also kept a small stock of goods at that time, combin- ing this business with his official duties as postmaster. This was in 1838. Both a water and a horse grist-mill were con-

SOLOMON PREUITT.

FARM RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM GALT SEC. 14 T. 5 R.8 (FORT RUSSELL TP.) MADISON CO. ILL.

481

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

structed about the year 1815, or perhaps earlier. The former was built by John Newman, and his father Jo- seph, and situated on Indian Creek on section 28. It was a wonderful piece of mechanism, inasmuch as the entire machinery was constructed of wood, even to wooden cogs for the fanning mill. The machinery was utilized for both saw and grist-mill. It has gone with the things that were many years ago. Mr. John Newman also constructed the first frame house in the township, section 14. This house is now standing, and in a fair state of preservation. John Fin- ley built the horse-mill, and it was located in the northeast quarter of section 20, on the farm now owned by John Hu- ron. By some it is said this mill was built prior to 1815. John Springer introduced the first blooded stock into the township in 1845. It was the short horn Durham breed, and was imported from Ohio. The raising of horses, horned cattle, etc., is not made a specialty by the farmers of Fort Russell ; wheat is the grand production, and so well is the soil tilled that the people raise bountiful crops, and are fast gaining in wealth. For the most part, good roads and

bridges are found in all parts of the township; two fine iron bridges, with stone abutments, span Indian creek. There are no towns in this territory, except a small portion of Moro, and Bethalto, the history of which will appear in their respective township chapters. In section 23, on the line of the old stage route between St. Louis and Springfield, ap- pears the business house of F. Gaertner, and the blacksmith shop of B. Schwarzkopf. A coal mine owned by Green & Brothers, is situated about a mile from Moro, in section 6. It was sunk in 1880. The shaft is 90 feet, and the coal vein +3 feet in thickness, and is of excellent quality. The coal is raised by horse-power, and it furnishes coal in quantities only to supply local demands.

We here append the names of those who have represented the township on the county board since its organization : John B. Gibson was elected in 1876, re-elected in 1877, '78 and '79, serving until the spring of 1881. T. O. Springer, elected in 1881, and served one term. The present incuni- bent is H. C. Lanterman.

BIOGRAPHIES.

LITTLE

John Estabrook

NANCY ESTABROOK.

JOHN ESTABROOK, ( deceased ), was born in Lexington, Mass., March 15th, 1799, and died at his home in Fort Rus" sell township, May 2d, 1881. In his youth he received a limited education. Desiring to improve his condition in life, and believing the great West offered larger and better opportunities to a young man who was willing to forego the pleasures of older countries, and endure the hardships of frontier life, heturned his footsteps westward and in company with Gershom Flagg and Paul Enos left his native state in 1816. Arriving at Pittsburg, they bought a flat boat and started down the river, and after a toilsome journey of three months, arrived at St. Louis, which was then a small French village. Young Estabrook found work and remained there two years. In 1818 they came to Madison county, and all three invested in lands in the same neighborhood. There

John Estabrook cultivated his land until his death. He also engaged in other pursuits, such as milling, huying and selling land, speculating, etc. In 1820 he was united in marriage to Nancy White, who was a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. She died November 3d, 1881. There were ten children born to John and Nancy Estabrook, nine of whom are living, and all heads of families. Their names in the order of their birth are: John, Em eline James, Albert, Harriett, William L., Clara, Sarah, Lucy A., deceased. William L. was a soldier in the late war, and served three and a half years. He was a member of Co. E. 25th Regt. Wis. Vol. Infty.

John Estabrook was, in some respects, a remarkable man. To quote from one who knew him long and intimately : " He never used tobacco in any form, never drank a glass of spirits

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

or beer as a beverage, never played a game of chance or bet a dollar, never had a lawsuit or open quarrel with any man, never held an office, civil or military, never was sued and never failed to pay a debt-either for himself or security for others when called upon to do so ; never took a newspaper without paying the subscription in advance ; never was too late for the railroad cars, nor stood on the bank of the river and asked how long has the boat been gone. * * A man of more than ordinary strength of mind and force of will, he made a success of every enterprise he undertook. Attending to all the minutiæe and details of business, he suffered very few losses, and his success in business was such as caused a constant increase of property to the close of his life. Judging of the future with almost prophetical vision, his ex- pectations rarely failed of being realized, and his knowledge and judgment of character were intuitive. Strictly hon- est and always truthful himself, he was intolerant of decep. tion in others. The writer has known him well for forty- eight years, and has had through all these years business

relations with him, and for him with others, and never knew him to vary a point from the strictest rules of honor and justice. Of deep religious convictions, he was a true Chris- tian and ever ready to aid in sustaining religious institutions. Though a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, he was truly Catholic in his views and free from sectarianism. Although more than ordinarily successful, he pursued no devious paths to acquire property or fame. An honest and honorable man. His sympathetic nature, his old time sim- plicity of life and manner, his singleness of purpose to be right and to do right, his dignified manner, freedom from any narrow or jealous feeling, regarding with sacredness and per- forming with fidelity all the obligations which family, society and religion imposed. To him death had no terror and the grave no victory. The funeral took place from the old homestead, improved by him over fifty years ago. * * * We stop a moment in the whir of active life to pay this merited tribute of regard to the life and memory of a valued friend and an old and honored citizen."

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

THE Springer family in Madison county are of Swedish- German descent, and trace back their lineage to Otto the Great, Emperor of Germany, born in the year A. D. 912. Christopher Springer, a lineal descendeut of the 21st genera- tion from Otto the Great, was born A. D. 1592, in Germany, and subsequently by cession of German territory to the King of Sweden, became a subject of and attached to that kingdom, where he became prominent in the councils of the King and a successful and influential officer in the set- tlement of treaties with foreign nations, greatly to the ad- vantage of his sovereign, for which he was munificently rewarded by grants of large landed estates by the King. His son, Charles Christopher Springer, the first to come to America, was born at Stockholm, Sweden, A. D, 1647. When he was twenty years of age, having completed his education in the Swedish language, he was sent by his father to London to finish his education in English, and was placed in charge of the Swedish Ambassador, and became an inmate of his family. In an unguarded moment he was un- luckily pressed on board an English merchant vessel,

brought over to America and sold into slavery to an English planter, in the Colony of Virginia. From Ferris' history of the Swedes on the Delaware, page 281, we make the sub- joined extract of the particulars of the kidnapping of Mr. Springer.

That biographer says: "Mr. Springer was in the family of the Swedish Ambassador in London. Driving home one evening in a Post-Chaise, he was seized and carried on board a merchant vessel in the Thames, bound to Virginia. He was there sold as a servant for five years ; at the expiration of his term of service he was set at liberty, when he joined his countrymen on the Delaware, and afterwards, by his sterling virtues and fine capacity, became honored and in- fluential, and was elected a Justice of the Peace in the dis- trict of Christiana." It was by his energy and perservance, together with the assistance of the minister in charge of the Swedish congregation, that the old Swedes church of Wil- mington was built about the year 1697. He served the church as vestryman and kept the records during his life. He came to America about the year A. D. 1667. He was a

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

485

devout Christian, and a useful and active member of the Swedish church, and being quite prominent in hoth religious and civil circles his memory has ever been revered by his countrymen. His death occurred on the 26th of May, 1738, at the age of 91 years, and his remains now repose beneath one of the arches of the old Swedish church at Wilmington, Delaware. His grand-son, Charles Springer, was married to Susannah Seeds, at Wilmington, Delaware, April 7th, 1752, and soon after removed to Frederick City, Maryland. where he died, leaving a family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters. John Springer (the second son), was with Daniel Boone two years in his early exploring expedi- tion in the wilds of Kentucky, and afterwards with his family, wife and two children emigrated to Kentucky in 1783, and was among the first settlers around Harrod's Fort, in said state. He afterward removed to Washington county, Kentucky, where he died 1812. His son John, the father of the subject of this memoir, was born in Harrod's Fort, Kentucky, January 8th, 1784, and was married July 13th, 1809, in Kentucky, to Snsan Sage. By this marriage he had four children, one of whom, Sarah A. Davidson, is still living. He emigrated to Illinois in October, 1810, and settled at Jones' Fort in what is now Bond county, Illinois, near Old Ripley. Ou the breaking out of the war of 1812, Mr. Springer was enrolled as a home gnard, and served as first Lieutenant of Captain Jones' Company which was stationed at the Fort. In the fall of 1814, in company with Captain William Jones and others, he removed to Fort Russell town- ship, in Madison county, Illinois, and settled on the farm where Thos. O. Springer now resides. Here he at once en- gaged in the vocation of an agriculturist, and was ever recog- nized as one of the best and most careful farmers of his time. For many years he discharged the duties of Justice of the Peace, and was noted for his high-toned, courteous and impartial bearing, and for his fidelity to the respon- sible trust. Always prominent in matters affecting the in- terests of the community in which he resided, he really filled a large place in public esteem. When he came to Fort Russell township he at once united with the Methodist church at Salem, and was soou after selected as class-leader of that society, which position he occupied and continuously filled to the time of his death, which occurred June 25th, 1849. He was a man of the strictest integrity, firm in his convictions, an energetic and devoted Christian, and faithfully filling all the trusts imposed in him. His death created deep regret among all who knew him. His wife, (Snsan Sage), died July 8th, 1825. On the 16th of March, 1826, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Biggs, nee Byrd, a native 63

of Alabama. By the latter union ten children were born, to wit : Thomas O., William M. T., Levi C., Martha E., Nancy E., Emily P., John W., Lucinda, Joshua S., and Joseph E., six of whom are still living. His wife, Elizabeth, died of cholera June 24th, 1849; his death occurring on the following day they were both buried in one grave.

Thomas O. is the first offspring of John Springer and Elizabeth Byrd. He was born on Sec. 30, T 5, R. 8, in Madison county, Illinois, March 2d, 1827. He was reared upon the farm, and obtained his rudimentary education in the public schools of his neighborhood, attending MeKen- dree College at Lebanon, Illinois, and graduated in the Scientific Department of that institution in July 1849. The death of his parents occurring about that time, he returned home, and with his brothers William M. T. and Levi C. Springer, he succeeded in educating and providing for them until they became of age. The death of his parents and his desire to keep the family together served to modify his plans for the future, and threw him into the channel of farming, which business he has continued almost uninter- ruptedly to the present.

On the 10th of October, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Emily M. Thompson, daughter of John Thompson, of the American Bottom, in Madison county, Illinois. She died January 21st, 1858. There was one child born to them, who died August 2d, 1857.

On the 7th of November, 1872, Mr. Springer was mar- ried to Miss Ella J. Randle, his present wife. She is the daughter of Edmund Randle, formerly of Madison county, Illinois.

Politically Mr. Springer was originally an old line Whig, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Zachary Taylor, in 1848. On the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, and from that time to the present has been an active and staunch Republicau. In 1856 he received the nomination for Clerk of the Circuit Court, and in the ensuing election was elected to that office. In 1860 he was again the nominee of his party, and became his own successor, and held the office until December 1864. He made an able and efficient officer, and retired from the office with honor and credit.

In September, 1880, he was appointed to fill the vacancy in the Board of County Supervisors occasioned by the death of John B. Gibson, and in 1881 was elected by the voters of his township to the same position. He is a member of the order of A F. & A. M. and R. A. M., and Knights of Honor. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the M. E. church.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Ladock Numan

ZADOCK NEWMAN, was a native of Pennsylvania, as was also his father before him. His grandfather was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to America during the colonial days. He reared a large family of children. Of his seven sons, six settled in the southern states. Joseph, who was a boat maker came west in 1804, and located in Madison county, (for particulars see history of Fort Russell township). Zadock Newman, his son, was in his fifteenth year when his father brought the family to Illinois. He remained at home and received a fair education for those days. He taught school for some time, but farming was his chief occupation. He remained in Madison county until 1840, when he removed to Missouri and settled in Lawrence county, where he spent

the remainder of his days, and died there in 1864. During the Indian troubles in the early history of this state and during the war with Great Britain in 1812, he was in the ranger service and helped to put down the marauding bands of Indians who threatened the settlements of Illinois. In the year 1810, he married Miss Martha Ewing, whose father was one of the early pioneers of the territory. There were six children by that union, two sons and four daughters. Their names are Louisa, who died in infancy ; Eliza, wife of Joel Johnson, a well known hotel keeper of Springfield, Illinois ; Julia A., married Alva Beecher; J. Russell, Wil- liam E, and Emily M., who married William Graves. The two sons are now the only survivors of the family.

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

487

of R . Newman Eyaleth Nauman

ONE of the substantial farmers of Fort Russell Township is the subject of the following brief biographical sketch. He was born in Madison county, October 19, 1818, and is the son of Zadock and Martha (Ewing) Newman. His grandfather, Joseph Newman, settled in the territory of Illinois as early as 1804. He belongs to the pioncer stock, not only of the county, but of the state. He grew to man- hood in the same township in which he now lives, and has followed the occupation of farming throughout his life. In 1845, he married Elizabeth Belk, daughter of Henry Belk. Mr. Newman and his brother, William E., are the only sur- vivors of Zadock Newman's family. The latter (William

E.) was born in January, 1821. He married Martha A. Harrison, and has a family of four children, whose names are Charles E., Eliza, Henry and Mattie Newman. Iu matters of religious faith, J. Russell Newman is a Cum- berland Presbyterian. He is exceedingly liberal to the church, and gives freely of his means to support and sustain it. Politically he is a Democrat. In his habits he is quiet and unassuming, and with a kind and honest heart, he aims to do all the good he can, and that without the least show or ostentation. He is temperate, and an advocate of prohi- bition. It is with pleasure that we here present this short sketch of one of Madison county's best citizens.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

in A Sinith

WAS born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1835. His father, Samuel Smith, was born in the same county, Oct. 30, 1791. Hugh Smith, the paternal grand- father of William A., was a native of Scotland, and subse- quently moved to Ireland, and emigrated to Cumberland county, Penn., about the year 1765. He there married Elizabeth McCormick, the date of which was Feb. 22, 1784. He died March 17, 1823, and his wife died May 28, 1822. There were nine children. Samuel, the father of Wm. A., was the eldest. He came to Illinois in 1843, and stopped in Alton one winter, then moved to the northern part of Fort Russell township and purchased land in Rattan's prairie. It was raw and unimproved. He moved on it in 1845 and commenced its improvement, and thus he lived until his death, which took place June Sd, 1856. He married Ruth Duncan, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, daughter of David Duncan, a native of the same county, whose father was a native of Ulster county, Ireland. She was born January 11, 1800, and died March 6, 1855. Her father, David Duncan, married Silicia Anderson. There were six sons and four daughters; three sons and two daugh- ters are yet living. William A., the subject of this memoir, was but eight years of age when his parents came to Illinois. Here he has lived, except six years he spent in Missouri and the time he was in the army. Soon after the war broke out, or in 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. D., of the 117th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He partici- pated with his regiment and company in all the skirmishies,

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 114

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