History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 106

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens > Part 106

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The first school house in New Salem township, was a log cabin, erected in 1837, on the northeast corner of section 30. Its first teacher was Martha Camp- bell, a sister of James and Nelson Camp- bell. She afterward became the second wife of John Milton Walker.

The school house in district No. 1 was built in 1858. The first directors were:

David Nebergall, James Burchett and Jesse Carnahan. The first teacher was William Harris. The directors for 1885 are: C. P. McDonald, William Ritter and William Hefner. Elizabeth Hall is the teacher. The building in use is sit- uated at the northeast corner of section 11. It was erected at a cost of $400.

District No. 2-A school house was moved to the present site in 1858. A new building, one with all the modern improvements, was erected in 1870, at a cost of $1,450. It is 24x36. It is loca- ted on the southeast corner of section 4. The first directors were: A. Hanson,. Robert Rutledge and James Partlock. The present directors are: William E. Lance, George E. Porter and David Coyner. The first teacher was Susan Little. Mary M. Kirkpatrick is the present teacher.

District No. 3 .- The first school house in this district was erected in 1855. The present building was put up in 1883, at a cost of $1,200. It is located on the southeast corner of section 6. The first directors were: J. B. Wood, W. L. Rit- ter and Henry Sinnitt. The first teacher was Emma Bethel. Flora Mann is the present teacher.

District No. 5, Reedyville .- About the year 1855, a log house was moved from Fulton county and placed on the north- east corner of section 22, now owned by Emory Lowens. In this building four terms of school were taught, by the fol- lowing teachers: R. C. Porter, William Hammond, Allen Yaple and Elizabeth Miller. On the districts of the township being divided, in 1857, the school was discontinued, and the log house sold at public auction for $20.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

A new school building was erected in 1884, at a cost of $2,500, located at Reedyville. The contractor was Newton Willis, of Table Grove. The first directors were: Jonas Wissler, W. G. Wilkins, Thomas Elwell. The present directors are-W. G. Wilkins, Thomas Ellwell and John Reedy. Minnie Russell was the first teacher here. James Vail now holds that position. Forty scholars attend this school.

District No. 6 .- The school house in this district was erected in 1868. The first directors were John Miner, Sr., Charles Ross and William Ritter. The first teacher was Silas McDugan. Thos. Randolph, Edward Miner, Jr., and Tell Wilson are the present directors. The school building is situated on the north- east corner of section 20.

District No. 7 .- The first board of di- rectors in this district was composed of Joseph Lowens, William Kelly and David Harlan. The first teacher was Maria Griffin. The school house is loca- ted on the southwest corner of section 30. It was built in 1858, at a cost of $700, and was rebuilt in 1879. H. H. Harris is the teacher at present. Į. C. Hammond and J. J. Carlin are directors.

District No. 8 .- The school house of this district is located on the northeast corner of section 33. It was erected in 1858. The first directors of this dis- trict were: John Wetsel, Hugh Chap- man and Addison Griffin. A. B. Wet- sel, M. G. Reedy and John Grim con- stitute the present board. The first teacher was Mrs. Gregory. J. Ross Mickey now. holds that position.

District No. 9 .- The first directors in this district were: S. F. Hammer, Thos.

Moore and Morillo Woods. The first teacher was Anna Gool. The school house was built in 1861, at a cost of $350. The present board of directors is com- posed of the following : Thomas Moore, George F. Harlan, and J. Parker. Carrie Bussart is the teacher. The average at- tendance at this school is 22.

District No. 10 .- The school house used by this district was built in 1881, at a cost of $675. The directors are: E. B. Lowens, Simon Pontious and Benton Gregory. The teacher is Rebecca Lowens.

HISTORICAL ITEMS.

William Pennington plowed the first land in New Salem township in the early part of 1828. This land was on the northwest quarter of section 30.

He built the first cabin on the same section, shortly after his arrival there, which was on January 1, 1828.

The first death was that of Joshua J. Pennington, son of Stewart and Jemima Pennington. He died on the 10th day of September, 1838, and is buried at the Pennington Point cemetery.

The first marriage in the township was that of Morgan Jones and Elizabeth Os- born. They were married on the 20th of February, 1834, by 'Squire Joseph Osborn, at the residence of the bride's parents, William and Coziah Osborn.

The first white child born in New Salem township, was a son of William and Rebecca (Osborn) Pennington. This child is Oliver Perry Pennington. He still resides in the county, living at Blandinsville. He was born July 29, 1831.

Stewart Pennington was the first com- missioner elected in the township.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

The first school was taught by Mar- tha Campbell, in I837.

The first sermon preached in the town- ship, was delivered at the house of Wil- liam Osborn, by the Rev. Harris, a Bap- tist minister, in the summer of 1834.

ORGANIC.

New Salem township was organized April 7, 1857. The judges of the first election,were: Alvah Clark, Thomas Ad- cock and Salem Woods. Simon Pontious and Lyman Porter were elected justices of the peace.

The first clerk of New Salem town- ship, was Joseph Lowens.

The officers elected April 7, 1885, are as follows: Stephen Blackstone, super- visor; J. G. Guffing, clerk; A. B. Wet- sel, assessor; J. M. Elwell, collector; Edward Waters, highway commissioner; W. B. Wright and J. C. Hammond, jus- tices of the peace; H. W. Miller and Aaron Kinnie, constables; Thomas Sea- burn, school trustee.

PENNINGTON'S POINT.

The locality which has so long born this name is on section 30, New Salem township. There are six dwelling houses there, one blacksmith shop, one general store, and a post-office. The blacksmith shop was started in 1858, but in 1862, it was rebuilt at its present location. Itis owned by Simon Raby, and was built by him. The store building was erected in 1863. The business is carried on_by Simon Raby. He is also the postmas- ter, and has held that position since 1858, with the exception of four years. The place has never attained any great importance.

ADAIR.

Although this place was platted under the name of Reedyville, which has never been changed, the location is better known as Adair, which is the name given the post-office. But this can not be said to be the true name of the town.

Adair is situated on the southeast cor- ner of the northwest quarter, and the southwest corner of the northeast quar- ter of section 15, New Salem township. The village was laid out in August, 1870, by John Reedy and Jacob Grim.

The Rock Island & St. Louis division of the C. B. & Q., railroad, runs through the town. That part of the plat west of the railroad track, was laid out by John Reedy, and on the east side by Jacob Grim.

The first building was an old house that was moved on to the town site, in 1870. The first dwelling house erected in the place was put up by Thomas Ell- well, in 1870.

The first store was built in that year, by Strickler & Bennett. They opened out with a stock of general merchandise. Strickler sold his interest to Bennett, in 1872. The latter continued the business till 1882. He then sold to Arnold & Moran, who continued the business un- til the fall of 1883, when Herndon & Company purchased the business, which they still operate.

The next store building was built by A. J. Miner. He kept a general store up to 1883, when he sold to Arnold & Moran, who still continue the business.

There is one drug house, built in 1878, by Byron Pontious. He sold to Allison & Duncan, in 1880. Duncan sold his

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

interest to Allison, in 1884. Mr. Alli- son is now running the store.

A. Hanson built a grain warehouse, in 1872. He was the sole grain buyer, till-1874. In that year, he sold to S. A. Hendee, of Bushnell, who still retains the control.

In 1874, S. West, of Bushnell, built a grain warehouse. In 1879, he sold it to Jonas D. Wissler. This gentleman is now engaged in the business of buying and shipping grain.

Jonas D. Wissler, grain merchant at : Adair, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Pickaway county, May 4, 1834. He resided with his parents until hereached the age of 27, then, in October, 1851, emigrated to Fulton coanty, Illinois, where he followed farming until 1859. He then removed to McDonough county, still following the same occupation. On September 30, 1860, he was married to Nancy A. Mathewson, a native of Han- cock county, Virginia, born June 27, 1837. Mr. Wissler enlisted, in the spring of 1862, in company L, of the 7th Illi- nois cavalry. On the 11th day of Octo- ber, of the same year, he was captured by the rebels at Collierville, Tennessee, and sent to Belle Island, where he was a prisoner until March 20, 1863, when he · was paroled and sent to join his regiment. He served until March 1, 1865, and was . mustered out of the service at Eastport, Alabama, reaching home March 16. He resumed farming, which he continued . until March, 1871. At that date he re- moved to the village of Adair, New Salem township, and engaged in his present business. In addition to his grain trade, he deals also in stock, lum- ber and coal. Mr. and Mrs. Wissler

have two children -- Luella B. and Homer K., both living with their parents. The former is a teacher, having taught 10 terms in different districts in this county. Her first school was at Pilot Grove. Mr. Wissler is, politically, a democrat, and has held the office of school director of district No. 5, New Salem township, two terms. He is an energetic business man, and has quite an extensive trade. He bought and shipped, in March, 1885, between the 23d and 28th days of that month, 12,420 bushels of corn and oats, shipping at one time 21 car loads. Mr. Wissler's father, George Wissler, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1796, and moved with his par- ents to Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1806. His early life was spent in that county, and he was there married to Sarah Throgmorton, who died in 1834, in Pick- away county. He removed to Illinois in the fall of 1851, and followed farming here until the time of his death, April 4, 1884.

There is one harness shop, built in 1875, by George Morgan. In 1876 he sold to John Armstrong, who in turn sold to J. J. Wafer, in 1877. He now carries on the shop.

Chapman, Ellwell & Co. built a wagon and blacksmith shop in 1875. They conducted the business until 1878, when Chapman sold his interest to the Sylves- ter Brothers, who, in 1881, sold to E. M. Lowens. He sold, in the fall of 1884, to Chapman & Leighty. The wagon and wood-working business is now carried on by them, while Mr. Ellwell conducts the blacksmith shop.

Thomas Ellwell, blacksmith in the vil- lage of Reedyville, is a native of Knox

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

county, Ohio, born November 21, 1835. He emigrated to McDonough county, Illinois, and located, with his mother, on a farm in Eldorado township. In the spring of 1849 he went to Vermont, Ful- ton county, and there engaged with T. G. Wisdon to learn the blacksmith trade, and with whom he served an apprentice- ship of three years. He then went to Quincy, Illinois, and worked three months as a journeyman blacksmith, for T. J. Weatherwax; remained, with him three months, then returned to Mc- Donough county, and worked two months at his trade for Andrew J. Donelson, after which he went to Browning, Schuy- ler county, and remained three years, still following his trade. While in that place he was married, in 1858, to Ellen E. Edwards, who was born in Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, August 16, 1839. They have had six children, five of whom are living-Mary E., aged 25, now mar- ried to C. M. Sylvester, of Fairfield, Clay county, Nebraska; Henry M., aged 22; Fannie M., aged 18; James H., aged 16; and Lewis G., aged 13 years. Ange- line C. is deceased. 3

Mr. Elwell built the house which he now occupies, in 1870. It cost $500, and was .the first house erected in the village of Reedy- ville. He is a republican in politics, and an enterprising and useful citizen.

HOTEL.

The hotel was built in 1878 by the present proprietor, R. M. Hammer. It is not a large hotel, but furnishes ample accommodations for those coming to Adair.

. R. M. Hammer, the subject of this sketch, was born in McDonough county,

November 4, 1834. He remained on the home farm until 1875, when he removed to Crawford county, Kansas, and farmed until 1878, when he returned to McDon- ough county, and took up his residence in the village of Adair, where he built the hotel property which he now occu- pies, a two-story frame building in good repair. Mr. Hammer owns a fine team of horses, with which he transports pas- sengers and baggage to different parts of the country. His place is one of the neatest in the country, and is a favorite resort. Mrs. Hammer is a daughter of Nelson Bates, and was born in Kentucky January 10, 1841. They have had four children, three of whom died in infancy. Mr. Hammer is a republican in politics.

A building for a hardware store was erected in 1878 by Leroy Pontious. He continued the business until 1882, when. he took his brother Lyman into partner- ship. The business was conducted by the firm until 1883, when Herndon & Co. purchased the stock." The Pontious Brothers then engaged in the manufac- ture of hedge trimmers, putting in ma- chinery for that purpose in the building which they had occupied as a hardware store. They have made . additions to that building, and now do a general machine business, repairing and manu- facturing.

Samuel Leighty carries on the agri- cultural implement trade. The business was started in 1880, by C. R. Sylvester. He sold out to the present proprietor in 1882.

Samuel Leighty is a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and - was born March 12, 1851. He was brought up on a farm, and lived at home on the old

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

place until 21 years old. He then started out for himself, working by the month on the farm. He was thus employed for four years, when he engaged in running a threshing machine, and continued that business for 10 seasons, working mean- while on the farm for different persons. He then continued until 1875, when the important event occurred of his marriage to Eva Seaburn, daughter of George and Sarah (Kerr) Seaburn. They have had born to them four children-Fred, born November 26, 1876; Olive, born July 29, 1879; Bessie B., born November 20, 1881. Mr. Leighty followed farming until 1881, then removed to the village of Adair, and has since that time been engaged in the agricultural implement trade, selling machinery of all kinds. In 1879, he was elected township collector. Politically, he is a republican.

J. T. Griffing has a book and stationery stock in the postoffice building, which he carries on in connection with his duties as postmaster.

J. T. Griffing, the present postmaster at Adair, is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Moore) Griffing. Thomas Griffing died in 1859, in Jasper county, Illinois. His widow, Mrs. Sarah Griffing, is now liv- ing in Kendall county, Illinois. J. T. Griffing was born in Jasper county; on March 20, 1849. His early life was spent upon a farm, where he remained until 1866, then went to Fulton county and engaged in farming for two years, after which he went to Cumberland county, Illinois, and was there employed in teaching school, winters, and farming in summers, until the spring of 1877. At that date he came to McDonough county

and went to work on a farm, which he continued 18 months, then again engaged in teaching school: He followed that occupation until the spring of 1884, at which time he was appointed to his present position. In addition to the postoffice, he keeps a stock of stationery, tobaccos, cigars, confectionery, etc. He is, politically, a republican.

Arnold and Moran conduct the only lumber yard in the place. They handle lumber of all kinds, shingles, lath, lime, etc.

There are two billiard halls in the place, conducted, respectively, by L. W. Lybarger, and E. Hodgson.

FIRE.

There has been one fire in the town, which destroyed three store houses and their contents. The parties burned out were: N. J. Miner, dry goods and gro- ceries; William Miner, general stock, and Pontious Brothers, drugs and hard- ware. All were partially insured.

William G. Wilkins shipped the first car load of corn, and the first car of rye, from Reedyville, or Adair.

PENNINGTON'S POINT CEMETERY.

The first burial on the site of this beautiful city of the dead, was that of Agnes, wife of Thomas Ausbury, in 1834. In 1845 or 1846, the land was purchased by J. E. D. Hammer, and afterwards deeded to the county, by him, and in the later year by the county to the trustees. In 1881 or 1882, it was surveyed and laid off in lots. It contains about two acres, and is nicely fenced and improved.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXVI. -

SCIOTA TOWNSHIP.

This township lies in range 7 north, 3 west, and is bounded upon the north by Warren county, on the east by Wal- nut Grove township, with Emmet on the south and Blandinsville on the west. It is a very fine body of land, and with the exception of one-quarter of a section in the southwest corner, it is entirely prairie, and nearly all available for cul- tivation. The land is very fertile, and at the present time there is scarcely a foot of soil, outside of public highways, but what is under fence, and all under cultivation, with the exception of the timber land mentioned above, and a lit- tle on the brakes of the creeks. The township was not settled until 1855 or 1856, to speak of, although a few settlers came as early as 1834. There being so much prairie land within its boundaries, it seemed a perfect barrier to its settle- ment. Where was the timber to come from for fuel and fencing purposes, and what protection could be had from the cold blasts of Boreas during winter? The fuel and fencing question was effectually solved by the introduction of the railroad, in 1856, and, from ex- perience, it was found that one could live about as comfortably upon the open prairie, as in the timber. The township is, mainly, well watered, the Walnut Grove branch of Crooked creek and its tributaries passing through some 10 or

12 sections. The principal products are wheat, corn and oats, the yield of which the township largely predominates over any other in the county. There are two villages in the township-Good Hope and Sciota, the latter more generally known as Clarksville, in years gone by, a name given it in honor of William B. Clarke; who established the point. A description of these villages appears further on in this chapter.

Presley Purdy, a native of Kentucky, came to Sciota, in 1834, making a set- tlement on section 31, where he erected a cabin, which was probably the first in the township. Some 20 years since he emigrated to Oregon, where he after- ward died.

In 1834, Victor M. Hardin came, set- tling near Purdy, on section 31. He lived there many years, and afterward removed to Blandinsville, where he died some 10 years ago, from the effects of a cancer. He was an infidel, but stood high as a man of good morals and integrity.

John Hainline and family came in October, 1836, settling on section 31, erecting a log cabin on the southeast quarter, where he lived until his death, which occurred June 28, 1861. He was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, March 14, 1796, and was married in March, 1826, to Mary Devary, of Clarke

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

county, that state. They had 10 child- ren-David T., Susan W., Mary D., Henry C., Thomas S., John, deceased; Joseph H., Nancy E., Baxter, Sarah I. and John W. In 1840, Mr. Hainline erected the residence in which John W. now resides, on the southwest quarter of section 31.

Jolın W. Hainline is the 10th child of John Hainline, the pioneer, mention of whom appears above. He was born May 10, 1846, and is now the oldest na- tive resident of Sciota township, where his entire life has been spent. He owns a good farm, the same one on which his father made his first settlement in Sciota township, in October, 1836. John W. Hainline was married November 25, 1869, to Catherine James, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of seven children -Charles H., Laurence, Fred, Effie J., Ernie A., Wilmer M. and Frank. Mr. Hainline's farm contains 155 acres of land and is well cultivated and improved. He is engaged in general farming.

Benjamin Clarke came from Kentucky to Sciota, in 1838, and entered a farm on section 30, where he died about the year 1854.

In 1843, Harrison Head settled on sec- tion 32, where he lived until his death, which occurred in March, 1881. He was a native of Washington county, Ken- tucky, and came with his parents to this county in 1832, settling in Emmet town- ship.

Thomas W. Head came to McDon- ough county in 1832, living with his par- ents in Emmet township until March, 1848, when he came to Sciota township, settling on section 32. He still owns the farm on the above named section, but at

present is living a retired life in the vil- lage of Sciota. His sons are in business in Good Hope.

After this the settlement was slow and the township made no special growth until about the time of the completion of the first railroad through the county, in 1856, as it was not until about that year progress was made in settling upon the prairie. Previous to this the settlers all hugged close to the wooded lands of the timbered townships. Therefore, after the advent of the railroad, the settlement was rapid.

In the spring of 1856, Zachariah Rick- ets settled upon section 25. He lived here until his death, in 1870, which was occasioned from the effects of being bit- ten by a rattlesnake.

Lewis Woolley settled on the southeast quarter of section 12, in 1856, where he resided until 1863, when he removed to McLean county, Illinois. He was a man of some education, but was possessed of little energy or business ability, and as a farmer, was a failure.

Hugh Long came from Fulton county in the spring of 1857, and entered the farm now owned by William Yeast. He did not attain a very savory reputation during his stay here. In 1861 or 1862, he escaped from jail, where he had been confined for some petty offense, going to Washington territory. He afterward re- turned and finally removed to Nodaway county, Missouri.

In 1857, Henry Baldwin came from Fulton county, purchasing a farm of 80 acres on section 11, which he located upon and improved. He afterward mar- ried one of the Long girls, and later sold his place and removed to Warren county,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

but has since returned and is now a resi- dent of this township.

William and Richard Jones came to section 23, in March, 1857, improving a farm on the northwest quarter, They came from Fulton county to this county. About the year 1870, they sold out and left, Richard going to Kansas and Wil- liam to Keokuk, Iowa.

Lewis Shaffer located on section 12, in the spring of 1858, where he remained till 1862, when he removed to Fulton county.

Robert Bishop came to the township from Walnut Grove, in 1859, settling on section 11, on the farm now owned by Leonard Yeast. He sold out a year later and removed to Kansas. His father was one of the early settlers of Walnut Grove township.

LEADING PEOPLE.

Under this head are placed many, who, though not strictly early settlers, are still thoroughly identified with the town- ship:

Arlington Reed came to this county in April, 1865, and settled, then, in Em- met township. Three years later he lo- cated on the farm, where he now resides, on section 23, Sciota township. He has a well-improved farm of 160 acres. Mr. Reed is a son of Smith W. Reed, who was born in Tompkins county, New York, July 16, 1806, and remained there until 1865, when he came to McDonough county. He was married to Lydia Hunt who is still living. They reared a family of six children, of whom Arlington is the fifth. Smith W. Reed died in July, 1880. Arlington Reed was born in Tompkins county, New York, in March, 1839. He was brought up and educated

in his native county, there learning the moulders's trade, which he followed un- til 1861. In May of that year, he enlis- ted in company A, of the 32d New York infantry, and served two years, having been promoted to the rank of sergeant. He re-enlisted in November, 1863, in company L, of the 21st New York cav- alry, in which regiment he held the same rank, and continued in the service until February, 1865, when he was dis- charged on account of a wound in his hand, by which he lost two fingers. He then returned home, and the following April came to this county, as before stated. He was married March 28, 1883, to Eliza Barnhart, of this county, a daughter of George Barnhart, of Scot- land township. Mr. Reed is a member of the G. A. R., of Macomb.

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History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 106

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150