History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 116

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 116

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

by her father in New York. Paris Mason, wife, a sister of Mrs. Allen, one child and two negro servants ; James Ma- son and family ; Hail Mason and family ; Elijah Ellison, wife and Townsend, John, and Jacob, his sons; Richard Ellison ; Theophilus W. Smith, an able lawyer, and after- ward a judge, with his family ; William Townsend, Daniel Tallman and several young men composed this party of pioneers. They came in wagons to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and there purchased a large flat boat, in which they pur- sued their journey as far as Shawneetown, where they dis- embarked, continuing their travels by wagons to Edwards- ville, where they arrived on the afternoon of December 23, 1817, and found a comfortable log house provided for their reception, where they spent the winter. In the spring of 1818, Rowland P. Allen and Elijah Ellison moved into Marine, and on section 28 built their cabins, entered the land together, inelosed the same and farmed in common for many years, the land interests not being divided until 1838. Rowland P. Allen lived on his farm several years, then went back to New York, returned to the township again to live on his farm and ultimately moved to Alton, where he died in 1858. Mr. Allen was twice married, but only raised one son, George T., whom he brought with him when he first came west, and who in later years represented Madison county in the General Assembly in 1855, was a surgeon in the army during the late war, and afterward had charge of the United States Hospital at St. Louis, for many years, where he died.

Elijah Ellison lived on the farm, which he improved until his decease, which occurred in 1858, his wife having died thirty years previously. He left a family of six sons and two daughters : Townsend, living in St. Paul, Minnesota ; John, who lives in this township and is the oldest settler now liv- ing in it, being well and favorably known by all the old settlers of the county and having honorably filled the re- sponsible office of justice of the peace for twenty-one years; Jacob, who improved a fine large farm in the northern part of the township, when he died August 1, 1881; William was a farmer of this township, until his death in June, 1866; Mary Jane was killed by lightning while sitting in her father's house in 1838 ; she was a young lady of nineteen; Smith lives in Taylor's Falls, Minnesota, and has never married ; Plæbe married J. Carlton for her second hus- band, and now resides in Champaign, Illinois, while George, the youngest, died at Du Quoin, while on his way home from the army in which he was a soldier during the late war.

During the year 1819, Captain Curtis Blakeman, Captain George C. Allen, James Breath, Justice Deselherst and Cap- tain David Mead, 'all old sea captains, arrived in the town- ship. They all had families, and came from New York, New England and New Jersey. They were all supplied with money, and were able to live comfortably. Captain Blakeman located on the Louis Spies place, which had been previously occupied by an early settler named John Scott, a native of Tennessee. Captain Blakeman brought with him a four-horse wagon, which was driven by David Thorp, a two horse wagon, driven by Henry B. Thorp, and a one-

horse rockaway driven by James Sackett. Captain Blake- man and his companions were all strong Whigs, and while he was a member of the Legislature the question as to whether the state would become a free state or a slave state claimed the attention of the members. Captain Blakeman and George Churchill were the Whig members from this county, and E. J. West was the representative of the Democratic party. A vote was about to be taken; the legislature was very evenly divided, requiring the presence of every member of the Whig party to sustain their position. At this juncture, Captain Blakeman received a message to re- turn home in haste, as a favorite child was lying dangerously ill and momentarily expected to die. He went to his col- league, E. J. West, and requested him to pair with him stating the reason, and was flatly refused. Being unable to secure the desired and reasonable favor, he publicly stated that he would not leave his post in the legislature even though his entire family were dying. A Democratic mem- ber, by the name of Dr. Alexander, from the southern por- tion of the state, hearing of the circumstance, took pity on the old captain and paired with him. Mrs. John L. Fergu- son, of Marine, a daughter of Captain Blakeman, is now the only survivor of his family, but also of those of the same name. Elijah Blakeman, a brother of the captain, came with him in a two-horse wagon, bringing a wife and five children. He improved a farm -- now known as the Sutter place-in section thirty-two. He afterward returned to the east with his family, and in 1840, he again came into the county and remained until his death, which occurred some seven years later. James Sackett, who now lives in Marine, came with Captain Blakeman. He was a boy of only fifteen years, and drove the captain's rockaway. He married a Miss Parker, whose father, Andrew Parker, came into the township in 1829. Mr. Sackett pursued the voca- tion of a farmer, until about nine years ago, when he moved into the town of Marinc. He raised a family of six chil- dren, and lost his wife in 1866. About four years ago he lost his eyesight ; but his memory remains intact, and he can with much accuracy relate the incidents of the early settlements, and a conversation on the events of pioneer times is a sonrce of much enjoyment to the old gentleman. Justice Deselherst, who at one time had been a mate on a ship, commanded by Captain Blakeman, came into the town- ship at the same time. With his family he improved the Frank Frisse place, and was the second justice of the peace in the settlement. During the excitement caused by the discovery of lead at Galena, he went to that place and never returned. M. Botchford, Solomon Curtis and Wheeler Cur- tis, each with families and two-horse wagons, eame at the same time. Captain George C. Allen brought two teams, one driven by himself and the other by William Coon. William May, a carpenter by trade, resided here abont the same time, but soon returned to his former home in the east. A few years later, William Goodsell and family came from the east, but dying about three years subsequent to his arri- val, his family returned to their former home. James Ground, an Englishman with a liberal education, settled on section nineteen, in 1820; and the same year built a com-

495

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

fortable frame dwelling, the first in the township. The house is still standing, and is used as a residence. He raised a family of three boys and two girls, none of whom are residents of the county, though some of his grand- children are residents of different portions of it. Elizur Judd, a native of Connecticut, came into the state at an early day, and first settled at Old Ripley, Bond county. In 1822, he moved into this township, located on section nine, the place now being known as the George Accola place, where he resided until his decease. For many years he kept a tavern and the post-office on the state road. His death was sudden and caused by heart disease. He left a widow, three sons, Albert H., who settled and improved the south-east quarter of section four more than forty years ago, and there died in 1865 ; George B., who lived on the old home place for many years, then moved to Minnesota, where he was extensively engaged in lumbering, and where he died ; Lewis S., improved a place north of the homestead of his father, and resided there until his death, in 1849. The daughters were Sarah, who married and now lives in Minne- sota, and Emeline, now deceased. Among the seventy-two families who came in a body in 1818, were John Barnaby, Lefferd French, Jacob Johnson, two families by the name of Matthews, the Andersons, Shinns and the Balsters. Adam Kyle was among the earliest to settle out in the prairie, and as early as 1817, he improved the Jacob Schneider place on section twenty-nine. He raised a family of five sons, all of whom made homes for themselves in St. Jacob's township; but all are now dead. Davidson Gooch, whose father settled near Edwardsville at an early day, improved a place in the southwest part of the township as early as 1825. He left one son, Thomas, who has been dead several years. The pioneers on the east side of Silver creek were Ambrose Houser and his father; Felix, Michael, Henry and Joseph Deck and their father, all of whom were natives of Vir- ginia, and thrifty farmers; Mathias Long, John Ambuhl and William Geiger. Reuben Reynolds and Benjamin May were early settlers on the Vandalia road. John llar- rington, whose widow lives on section five, came with his father, Whitmil Harrington, one of the early settlers of the county. Mr. Harrington was an extensive trader and lived in many parts of the county, He raised a family of ten children : Nancy, John, William, Charles, Sarah, Jane, Enoch, Parmelia, Harrison and Susan. Mr. Harrington died while on a visit to his daughter in Troy, his home being in Macoupin county at the time of his death. Jor- dan W. Jeffress was a native of Virginia, and came into the township in 1834, and located where the town of Marine now stands. He, in company with George Welsh, opened a store soon after his arrival, carrying a general stock. Two years later he sold his stock to Mr. Welch and moved to Washington county, Missouri, and engaged in the mercantile business until 1843, when he returned to Marine and com- menced merchandising anew, in company with his son-in; law, Thomas Farquharson, which he continued for two years, and then closed up his business and turned his attention to the improvement of one thousand acres of land in the north and west part of the township. This land he had

entered and purchased when he first came into the county. Ile continued farming until his death, which occurred on the third day of May, 1866. He was twice married and reared a family of two sons and four daughters, children of his first wife. His sons, Alexander W. and Edward Jordan, are prominent farmers of the township. The latter lives on the old homestead and the former near by. Mrs. Catharine Voight, who lives on seetion five, is a daughter of Martin Schmidt, one of the early German settlers in St. Clair county. Mr. Schmidt came to Madison county in 1838, and settled on Looking Glass prairie near St. Jacobs. He subsequently settled in Pin Oak township, on land purchased from Major Geary, where he died, leaving a widow, three sons and one daughter. George Howard, who resides on section thirteen, settled there forty-four years ago. His father, Blackstone Howard, came from Kentucky to Illinois in 1809. He was a native of Virginia, and first made his home at Turkey Hill, St. Clair county, and in 1812, came to Madison county and located in the six mile prairie, southwest of Edwards- ville, in the American Bottom. Subsequently he moved to the Chouteau Slough, where he improved a farm and spent the remainder of his life. He was a ranger in the war of 1812. He raised a large family of children : Patience, Obediah, John and Lovell were born in Tennessee; George in St. Clair county, in 1809 ; Elizabeth, Electa, Alexander and James B., were born in this county. George and Electa, the widow of James East, are all that are now left. The old gentleman was married four times; and died in 1853, at a ripe old age. William McAdams was one of the earliest settlers of the county, a native of Tennessee, and a veteran of the revolutionary war. As early as 1819, he had quite an improvement on section thirty-five, between the east fork of Silver creek and Sugar Fork. His family con- sisted of five daughters and one son, from whom many of our most prominent citizens trace their lineage. The old gentleman died at an advanced age at the residence of Aaron Rule, a son-in-law,-who was also an early settler-received the military honors at his interment, and all the old muskets in the neighborhood were brought into requisition for the occasion.

Major Isaac H. Ferguson built the first house, a rude log cabin, and also improved the first farm. The first marriage was that of Lefferd French and Sarah Matthews, in 1815. Elijah Ferguson, a brother of Major Ferguson, was the first to die in the settlement, in the year 1815. In the summer of 1814, Arthur Travis taught the first school in the smoke-house of Major Ferguson. About twelve pupils were in attendance. In 1819, a young man from New Haven, Connecticut, opened a school in an empty cabin which stood between the houses of Captain Blakeman and Rowland P. Allen, and for many years thereafter, the youth of the settlement were taught in old cabins and the Union church. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel Lindley, a Baptist minister, at the residence of Major Ferguson, in 1813; and Rev. Peter Cartwright preached in the settlement the same year. The Union church, a substantial frame building, with clapboard siding and split shingle roof, was the first erected. It was built in 1821, on section thirty-three, and was in constant

496

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

use until the Union church was built in the village of Ma- rine. The old building was then purchased by John L. Ferguson, who used it as a barn. The first post-office was established many years prior to the laying out of the village. They received mail every other day. Rowland P. Allen and John L. Ferguson were the first postmasters, and had the office at their houses. Ebeu. Twiss, who settled on the State road, on section eleven, kept the first tavern, as early as 1820. This was a stopping place for the stages, until the village was established. The first will was an old tread mill, requiring ten oxen to furnish the motive power, built by Captain Blakeman on his place in 1823. It was a great improvement on the old horse mills, as one hundred bushels per day could easily be ground. It was destroyed by fire in 1835, and as steam mills were then being established in the neighborhood, it was never rebuilt The school and church facilities of the township are excellent The numerous school- houses that dot the wayside, speak well for the intelligence and culture of the inhabitants. One of the finest school buildings in Madison county adorns the town of Marine, and her schools have a deserved reputation for discipline and proficiency. The gentlemen whose names follow, have been members of the Board of Supervisors: John L. Fergu- son was chosen in 1876, and was in office for three succes- sive terms. He was succeeded by C. W. Kettler, who served two terms. A. W. Jeffress was elected in 1881, and followed in office by E. J. Jeffress, who was choseu in 1882, and is the present incumbent.

The building of a town was early contemplated by the pioneers, and to that end the following prospectus was is- sued, but the attempt was not crowned with success at that time.

" One hundred Town Lots for sale, in the town of Madison, in the Marine settlement, Illinois.

On Saturday, the 18th day of November, 1820, will be sold at auction, at the house of Rowland P. Allen, in the Marine Settlement, between the hours of 12 and 3 P. M., 100 Lots, in the town of Madison."

The town of Madison is situate near the centre of pop- ulation of Madison county, in perhaps the most flourishing settlement in the state of Illinois. The beauty of its site surpasses that of any other town in the state, being situated on a handsome prairie, embracing at one view almost every variety of scenery. From the town site, on the north, the view is uninterrupted hy timber; the eye wanders over a vast extent of prairie, variegated only by its appearance, so much as to prevent satiety and the view is ultimately lost in the sublime idea of infinite extent. On three sides, ea t, south, and west, there are seen more than thirty finely im- proved farms, which, with the numerous flocks of cattle and the operations of the inhabitants, afford the most active and delightful employment to the mind. Beyond this busy scene the eye rests upon a beautiful and variegated view of woods.

In addition to the beauty of its situation, the town pos- sesses every substantial, natural and acquired advantage, among which are, an intelligent and industrious society, a salubrious atmosphere, an abundant supply of fine water, a

first-rate soil for cultivation, timber, building stone, coal of a superior quality and an abundant supply of salt will shortly be produced from works lately established. Besides these local advantages, the great road from Vandalia to St. Louis and the roads from Vincennes to Edwardsville and Alton, and from Shawneetown to the Sangamo country, pass through this settlement. It is, however, needless to dwell upon the advantages of a place so well known as the Marine Settlement. Its reputation is established, and has become proverbial.

The sale of the lots above mentioned, will he made without reserve. Terms, ten per cent. of the purchase money cash The residue in equal instalments of 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

Curtis Blakeman, Rowland P. Allen, George C. Allen, Pierre Teller, Adrian Hegeman, Abraham Beck, Nehemiah Allen, W. M. O'Hara, Justus Post, T. W. Smith, proprietors."

MARINE.

Situated on the contemplated site of the town of Madison, is the beautiful little village of Marine, with its fine public park, handsome church edifices and fine public school building. The town is well built, the private residences are handsome, while their surroundings are of the most pleasing character, bespeaking the wealth, taste aud thrift of an intelligent and refined people. The town was laid out in 1834, on sections sixteen, seventeen, twenty and twenty-one, by George W. Welsh, James Semple, Jordan W. Jeffress and Abram Breath. The streets are wide, well shaded, kept in good re- pair and cross each other at right angles, The first stores were kept by Jordan W. Jeffress, George W. Welsh and Abram Breath. The first physicians were Drs. George T. Allen and P. P. Green.

The Cable Mill .- This mill was built in 1866, by Curtis Blakeman, John B. Parker and Jacob Spies. When first built it had but three run of stone ; but since falling into the hands of Charles Valier and Jacob Spies in 1876, it has been greatly enlarged, until it is now a handsome four-story brick building, with numerous frame additions, cooper shop, and all necessary attachments for its successful and profita- ble operation. It now contains six run of stone, two sets of rollers, with a capacity of two hundred barrels per day, most of which find a ready market in the New England States. The flour is hauled in wagons to St. Jacobs, from which station it is shipped.

BUSINESS OF MARINE.

Physicians .- Peter S. Weidman, Peter Fischer, Henry L. Judd.

General Stores -Valentine Miller, John G. Goerke, Henry Hoppe & Co., Henry Gehrs, Blanke Bros.

Hardware .- Fred. Wentz, Kold & Richardson.

Drug Stores .- L. A. Richardson, Porter G. Parker.

Hotel .- H H Elbring.

Post Master .- Fred. Blanke.

Store and Tinware .- John M. Hettel.

Blacksmith and Wagon Shops .- Charles Adler, John Koch, V. Deibert, Michael Ford.

FARM RESIDENCE OF RUDOLPH BRUNNER, SEC.12 T. 4 R.6 ( MARINE TP.) MADISON, CO. ILL ..

HHI HI

STOCK AND GRAIN FARM OF ALSEY S. SMART, SEC. 25 T. 4 R.7. (PIN OAK TP.) MADISON, CO. ILL.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Wagon Maker and Bridge Contractor .- Henry A. Hoyer. - principal, and Messrs. H. C. Gerke, H. H. Elbring and Carpenter and Bridge Builder .- Fred. Webold. Angust Versen were the directors at the time the house was Wagon Maker and Millwright .- Julius Busch. built. The Park was given to the town by Abraham Breath for a public square, and has since been fenced, trees planted and otherwise beautified by the citizens. It is now under the jurisdiction of the city authorities and is kept in excel- lent order.

Furniture Dealers .- George Gravins, Henry Ortmann. Barbers .- William Apffel, John Weber. Clothing and Furnishing Goods .- John Deibert & Son. Harness and Saddlers .- Henry Brandes, William Koch. Cigars .- Charles Lewis Varwig, Edward Frey.

Bakery and Confectionery -Charles Pfister.

Millinery .- Catherine Nemnich, Mrs. Mary Ellison, Mrs. William Koch.

Meat Market .- Henry Schmidt, Jacob Weder.

House and Sign Painters. - John R. Kircheis, F. W. Over- beck.

Watch Maker .- Andrew Volk

Shoe Makers .- Herman Vandersten, Peter Harnist, Henry Ackermann.

There are five churches in the town. The Roman Catho- lic, German Lutheran and Christian, have fine brick build- ings, while those belonging to the Presbyterian and Metho- dist denominations are neat frame structures A handsome, two-story, five room brick school-house building was erected in 1874, in which are employed five teachers. The cost of the building was $10,000. Prof. William E. Lehr is the

Marine Lodge No. 355 A. F. and A. M .- This lodge was instituted on the 18th day of July, 1859, with Thomas J. Prickett, as W. M, and William W. Pearce, George W. Fitch, William J. Loury, Curtis Blakeman, Alexander Keown and Joseph P. Steppe, as Charter Members. The Lodge now has a membership of forty-two, and is in good working order. The present officers are William E. Lehr, W. M .; Henry Geisemann, S. W .; Charles Schacht, J. W .; Fred. Wentz, treasurer, and H. Elbring, secretary.

Marine Turners .- This order has a membership of seven- ty-five, owns a nice hall, handsomely arranged with stage and scenery, and frequently entertain the citizens with thea- trical and athletic entertainments.

Treubund Lodge No. 30, was organized June 5th, 1879. It is a German organization, and has a membership of twenty-four. It is in good working order, and meets every Saturday evening, in Philipp Volk's Hall.

BIOGRAPHIES.

HENRY L. JUDD, M. D.,

WAS born in Marine, Illinois, on the second of December, 1842. He is of English extraction on either side. His parents were Louis S. Jndd and Mary . Danforth ) Judd. His father was born in Massachusetts, in 1801 and came to Illinois, locating in Marine, about the time the state was ad- mitted into the Union. His wife came to the county with her uncle, Mr. Caldwell, and it was here that they were united in marriage in the year 1835. Mr. Judd was one of the early merchants of Marine, and subsequently one of the leading farmers in that township. He reared a family of three children, two sons and one daughter, viz : Samuel, re- siding at Marine Mills, Minn. ; Mary E., the wife of James M. Patterson, of St. Louis; Henry L., of whom we write, and one child who died in infancy. Louis L. Judd, the father, died December the 28th, 1849, aged forty-eight years, and his wife died August 29th, 1863, there being bnt a few weeks' difference in their ages at death. Henry L. Judd, as before mentioned, was born and reared in Marine. He ob- tained his early training in the common schools of his native town, and attended for three years the MeKendree College at Lebanon, Illinois. At the age of twenty he attended the

St. Louis Medical College, from which institution he gradu- ated in 1865 In the same year he located at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, where he engaged in the practice of his profession for two years, which he was compelled to abandon on account of ill health. For five years he traveled in this country and Europe, for the benefit of his health, after which he located at his old home, Marine, where he has ever since engaged in his profession. In 1865, he was united in marriage to Marie Antoinette Sherwood, daughter of Lyman Sherwood, of Albany, N. Y., who was at one time a prominent man in the business circles of Springfield, in this state, where he died in 1875. This union has been blessed with three children, Elith May, born July Ist, 1866, Samuel Sherwood, born Ang. 12th, 1872, and Nellie, born Feb. 22, 1878, being just six years between their ages respectively.

The doctor has held several offices of trust in his town, having been elected to serve on the town board, of which he has been the presiding officer, has been school trustee, and is at present a formidable candidate for coroner on the Re- publican ticket. Dr Judd is a clever gentleman, much es- teemed by the citizens of Madison county,

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Jarabe Jovics

AMONG the prominent and influential Germans of Madi- son county is the subject of the following biography. He is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born August 3d, 1817. He is the second son of Valentine and Phillapena (Rietzman ) Spies, who were also natives of the same country. His father died in 1834, and his mother in 1838. Jacob was reared upon a farm, where he remained until his twenty-third year, then came to America on a tour of observation. He landed in New York April 20th, 1840, and a few days later came west to Illinois, and settled in Belle- ville, St. Clair county, and there remained for one year. In

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 116

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