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 65

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 65

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tioned, there is a warehouse about 50x50 feet in ground area for the storage of the products of the works, which are operated principally for the manufacture of pottery. The clay is obtained at a bank owned by Mr. Munson, situated about two miles north of the village of Tennessee, which is of excellent quality. The products of this factory rank among the foremost of the country.

E. P. Munson, proprietor of the Ten- nessee stoneware and tile works, is a na- tive of the state of Vermont, and was born on the 11th of June, 1817, his par- ents being Theodore and Lydia (Phil- brook) Munson. He attended school in his native county, and when he had reached the age of 15 years, his parents removed to Schuyler' county Illinois. There our subject made his home until March, 1853, when he came to McDon- ough county, and settled in Industry township, eight miles south of Macomb, and still owns 160 acres of the land on which he then settled. In 1883, Mr. Munson purchased an interest in the stoneware and tile works in Tennessee village, and in 1884 he became sole man- ager and proprietor of the same. He was married in Hancock county, Illinois, on the 16th day of January, 1840, to Catherine Sanders, a native of Beards- town, Cass county. They have had eiglit children: William T., who served three years in the Illinois cavalry. He was under Grant until the latter was called to tlie Potomac. He was hurt in the battle of Holly Springs, and was in nu- merous other battles; he now lives in Carroll county, Missouri. Daniel, now living in Sumner county, Kansas; Mary, living in Industry township; Lydia

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

(Butcher) now in Carroll county, Mis- souri; Edith, now in Springfield, Illi- nois; Nora, living in Tennessee township; Louisa C., now married and lives in Chenoa, Illinois, and Iola, now living in Tennessee township.

SOCIETIES.

Tennessee lodge, No. 496, A. F. and A. M., was organized and received its char- ter, October 3, 1866. The charter mem- bers of the organization were as follows: J. W. Aiken, E. B. Hibbard, Joseph Allen, William Owen, A. G. Owen, O. A. Young, F. A. McElroy. J. W. Aiken has acted as worshipful master since the organization of the lodge, with the ex- ception of one year, which was occupied by James Jenkins. E. B. Hibbard was elected worshipful master for the first term, but moved away immediately after- ward. Joseph Allen was the first junior warden, and A. K. Owen the first secre- tary and treasurer of the lodge. Since the organization there have been but two deaths in the membership-Thomas Way and T. Chenoweth. The former died in this place, while the latter's death occurred in Kansas. For the first few years the lodge was very prosper- ous, and since its organization 87 mem- bers have attained the degree of masonry, including charter members. During the past 10 years, over 45 members have moved away, leaving the lodge with a membership at present of but 42. The lodge is in fair condition and reasonably prosperous. The present officers are J. W. Aiken, W. M .; Edgar Hill, S. W .; J. W. Dickson, J. W .; H. L. Rapelje, secretary; James Jenkins, treasurer.

Tennessee lodge, No. 520, I. O. O. F.,

worked under a special dispensation for nearly a year prior to the signing of their charter, which was received on the 14th day of October, 1873. The charter members of the organization are John J. Werninger, James Eaton, H. L. Rapelje, W. R. Pittman, Chauncey Pal- meter. The first officers of this lodge were H. L. Rapelje, N. G .; C. Palmeter, V. G .; James Eaton, treasurer; John J. Werninger, R. S. Since the organiza- tion of the lodge, the following have served as presiding officers: H. L. Ra- pelje, one year; W. D. Ellis, one year; John J. Werninger, one year; B. F. Thompson, one year; John Harper, one year; C. Palmeter, one year; H. L. Ra- pelje, two years; D. B. Dull, two years; Edgar Hill, one year. The lodge has been prosperous from the start, and has received a hearty support from the citi- zens. Although it has encountered some drawbacks its rate of increase is consid- ered among the best in this locality. The lodge was organized with five char- ter members, and, with scarcely any money, but a membership of 78 appears upon the records. About the year 1882, one-half the members took their cards from the lodge, and a new society was formed at Colchester. The actual cash on hand at present is $681.73, with a membership of twenty. There has been one death since organization, Amos Glasgow, who died at Tennessee, in De- cember, 1883. The present officers are A. T. Salisbury, Na G .; Robert Ruddell, V. G .; H. L. Rapelje, P. G .; James Eaton, treasurer.

Tennessee Post, No. 130, G. A. R., was organized in October, 1881, with the following .charter members: H. M.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Jarvis, J. H. Shultz, J. J. Eighmey, John B. Swinney, William McKanzie, L. Underhill, D. Glasgow, Charles Way, H. L. Rapelje, S. Dougherty, J. A. Sou- ders. The first officers of the post were H. L. Rapelje, P. C .; D. G. Glas- gow, S. V. P. C .; William Mckenzie, J. V. P. C .; H. Jarvis, adjutant; J. B. Swinney, Q. M .; J. H. Shultz, surgeon; J. A. Souders, chaplain; Charles Way, O. D .; J. J. Eighmey, O. G .; S. Dough- erty, S. M .; L. Underhill, Q. M. S. H. L. Rapelje held the position of post commander until the demise of the same. There were several applications to enter the post from eligible members, but on account of very bad weather, and the inability to secure a quorum, they were never admitted. The greater por- tion of the officers resided in the coun- try, and their absence soon led the post to be inactive, and in January, 1884, the state department encampment discon- tinued their charter.

ORGANIZATION.

The town of Tennessee was incorpor- ated a village, November 25, 1872, under the general incorporation act of 1861- '62, of the state of Illinois. The first officers of Tennessee were: W. D. Ellis, president; F. W. Nance, C. W. McElroy, and W. R. Pittman, trustees; H. L. Rapelje, clerk.

At a meeting held May 27, 1874, the following officers were elected: W. D. Ellis, president; M. R. Abbott, W. R. Pittman, William Cook, Chauncey Pal- meter and Amos Martin, trustees; J. H. Lower, clerk.

The following officers were chosen for the year, commencing May, 1875: W.

D. Ellis, president; William Cook, C. Palmeter, Amos Martin, J. H. Atkinson and E. D. Green, trustees.

For the year 1876, the following offi- cers were elected: H. L. Rapelje, pres- ident; B. M. Templeton, James Hall, A. Martin, C. S. Mckenzie, and G. R. Nash, trustees; John Burgess, clerk.

Officers for the year 1877, were as fol- lows: J: Babcock, president; A. E. Cannon, D. Dull, H. Smith, S. Cochran, and B. F. Thompson, trustees; W. B. Houck, clerk.

For the year 1878, the officers were: R. Craycraft, president; J. Babcock, M. Baker, C. S .- Mckenzie, A. T. Salisbury and G. R. Nash, trustees; J. T. Burgess, clerk. .

In 1879, the following officers were chosen: C. S. Mckenzie, president; D. Glasgow, S. B. Smith, E. Faron, J. Babcock, and John Donaldson trustees; W. D. Ellis, clerk.

The officers for 1880, were elected as follows: C. Palmeter, president; R. Craycraft, M. R. Byrd, J. Babcock, Thomas Rutledge, and H. Lower, trus- tees; W. R. Welch, clerk.

Officers of 1881: J. H. Lower, presi- dent; C. Palmeter, J. Babcock, Thomas Thompson, E. Farron, and G. R. Nash, trustees; H. L. Rapelje, clerk.

Officers for 1882: G. R. Nash, presi- dent; J. Babcock, E. Faron, Thomas Thompson, L. Doran, and C. Palmeter, trustees, H. L. Rapelje, clerk.

For the year 1883, the following offi- cers were elected: G. R. Nash, presi- dent; E. Faron, D. Glasgow, Charles Dull, and James Brent, trustees; H. L. Rapelje, clerk.

The officers for the year 1884, were as

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

follows: John B. Swinney, president; J. D. Brent, John Kiser, M. D. Martin, S. D. Cochran, and W. Hankins, trus- tees; H. L. Rapelje, clerk.

Hiram L. Rapelje, the present clerk of the board, is a native of St. Thomas, On- tario, Canada, and was born March 28, 1817, being a son of Daniel and Eliza- beth ( Vandervoot ) Rapelje, both of whom were of American birth, being born in New York. Hiram L. was reared and educated in St. Thomas, remaining there until reaching his 23d year. In 1840, he started west with the intention of taking up land and making a home for himself, and located near Mt. Carroll, Carroll county, Illinois, where he took up a claim. He went to Savannah, Carroll county Ill- inois to reside, and worked a farm north of there adjoining the river. He re- mained there one year and then returned to Black Oak Grove, Carroll county, where he lived till 1843. He was mar- ried there in 1842, to Sarah Bridgewater, a native of England, and a sister of Mrs. Babcock, of Tennessee, Illinois. In 1843, Mr. Rapelje went to Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, where he worked at the trade of harness-making, which he had learned at St. Thomas, Canada. He re- mained there some two years, then re- moved to St. Charles, Illinois, where he lived one year, and then went to Batavia, Illinois, where he commenced the har- ness-making business for himself. He remained there some eight or ten years, after which he made several moves be- fore coming to Tennessee, Illinois. After remaining there some five or six years, he removed to Plano, Illinois, where he had previously lived. After a stay of about one year, he again came to Ten-

nessee, and has remained ever since. During his residence in Kaneville, Kane county, Illinois, he was a justice of the peace. While living in Batavia he raised a company of independent horsemen, and served as their captain up to the break- ing out of the war. He enlisted in 1861 in the 8th Illinois cavalry, and was mus- tered in as captain of company I. They served with Mcclellan on the Potomac, and were under Stoneman and Pleasan- ton, and were engaged in the seven days fight at Richmond. In 1863, Captain Rapelje resigned his commission and re- turned to his home. After being in Ten- nessee, Illinois, one year, he was elected police magistrate and served two years, and since that time he has been justice of the peace and notary public, which positions he still holds. He has also held the following offices: Township su- pervisor, one term; postmaster, one and one-half years. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges, and holds the position of secretary in both lodges. Heis also at present town clerk, clerk of the board of trustees of the vil- lage, and treasurer of the school board. Before coming to this country, he was a cavalryman during the civil war of 1837 in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Rapelje have four children-A. W., Hiram L., Lizzie and William R. They have had the mis- fortune to lose two children-Josephine, who died in Kaneville, Illinois, in 1858, and George, who died at the age of eight years. They also have an adopted daugh- ter-Ella-whom they have raised.

. EDUCATIONAL.

The educational facilities of Tennes- see are ahead of those usually found in

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

places of its size and compares favora- bly with the schools of the county. The building is a large two story struc- ture, 44x48 feet, and was erected in 1872, at a cost.of over $7,000. It is con- structed of red brick, with caps and sills of stone, has three gables, over the front one of which is erected a neat bel- fry, the top being about 64 feet from the surface of the ground. There is one large study and two recitation rooms on the first floor, and a study and recita- tion room on the second floor. The ceil- ings of both floors are 14 feet in height, and the rooms are all heated by stoves. It is a fine looking building, both inside and out, and is a compliment to the en- terprising citizens and business men of the fifth district, in which the building is situated. The school was graded from the beginning with two grades, and in September, 1884, was increased to a three grade school. The first principal was L. Freeland, while the present is Thomas McClure, who has occupied that position since September, 1884. He has two assistants-Miss Lillie Cowan, who has charge of the primary department, with 42 scholars enrolled, and Miss Fan- nie Farrenkopf, who has charge of the intermediate department, with about ·40 scholars enrolled. The principal has about 30 pupils under his supervision. The school is well advanced and in ex- cellent condition.

Previous to the erection of the brick school building, school was taught in a small, one story frame structure, about 20x35 feet in dimensions. and was one large room. It was built in 1855, at a cost of $900 and was situated at a point just north of where the new building is

located. Pinckney Simmons was the first teacher. School was also taught in this building prior to 1860 by Mrs. Joe Buzzel. The old building is now situ- ated opposite the depot, and is used as a store room. Since the erection of the new building, the following have served as principals: L. Freeland, John Siders, George McDaniels, Sadie Blazer, George Kendrick, John White, and S. L. Bick- ford, In 1876, Miss Decker started a' private school in the building, but with very poor success.

The present principal of the Tennes- see village school is Thomas McClure, a native of Hancock county, Illinois, and who was born on the 5th day of July, 1848. Mechanicsville, the town in which he was born, is now extinct, but the location is three and one-half miles northeast of Augusta. His father, Thomas McClure was of Scotch-Irish descent. while his mother Mary Ellen (Samuels) McClure, was of German de- scent. Thomas was raised in the vicin- ity of his native place, on a farm adjoin- ing the town of Augusta. He attended the Augusta schools, including the high school, and spent two years at the Ab- ingdon college. He had taught two terms previous to finishing his educa- tion, and, after retiring from Abingdon college, resumed teaching, and has taught ever since. In September, 1884, he assumed the principalship of the Ten- nessee village school, which position he is filling with credit to himself. He is a competent elocutionist, and has incul- cated good ideas in this matter in the minds of both teachers and pupils. He has given this branch considerable study and is entitled to credit for the good he

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

is accomplishing. His father and mother are both dead, the former dying in Hancock county, in 1863, and the lat- ter in 1874.

HISTORIC NOTES.

A child of Abraham Cheney died in the summer of 1854 or '55. This was the first death in the village.

. The first marriage in Tennessee vil- lage was a couple from Macomb, in the fall of 1854. The groom was a section boss on the railroad. They were mar- ried at the house of James Jarvis, Rev. Roach performing the ceremony. No one witnessed the ceremony except the family of Mr. Jarvis and a few boarders.

The second marriage was Elwood T. Sidwell and Belle Anderson, the latter being a neice of Mrs. Cephas Tolon. They were married in 1856 at Tolon's house.

The second death in the village of Tennessee, was probably John Walker, a young man who came from Abington a short time previous. He did some painting and soon after purchased laud- anum by which he committed suicide. That was in the year 1856.

The third marriage occurred in 1856, uniting the hearts and destinies of Sam- uel Gibson and Mrs. Lucy Williams. The ceremony occurred at the home of the bride, Squire Knott officiating.

An early birth was the son born to Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge, in the spring of 1855. The child died in its infancy.

Another birth was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Driscoll, who was chris- tened Roselle. She married, Joseph Great, and they, together with her pa- rents, reside in Henderson' county.

The first religious services in Tennes- see village, were held at the residence of James Jarvis, in the fall of 1855, Rev. Coffman presiding. Nearly all the cit- izens of the place were present. It was on a week day, the services being held in the evening under the supervision of the Methodist society. This creed also, had the first organization in the place. James Jarvis was the first class leader, steward and clerk, and was succeeded by Thomas Fulkerson.

The first school house was erected in Tennessee in 1855, just north of where the present building stands, and was a frame structure. Pinckney Simmons was the first teacher. He died of con- sumption, two or three years afterward, in Hancock county. The building served its purpose for the town until the new brick structure was erected, when it was · sold.

William Cook was the first clerk of the town board of trustees. Charles Mc- Kenzie was one of the first trustees.

James Waddill and Sarah Badger were the first burials in the King cem- etery.

PROMINENT PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE TOWN- SHIP.

Among those whose sketches are nec- essary to the completeness of the history of the township are the following, most of whom have spent the greater part of their lives within her borders:

Rutherford McClure owns 1,200 acres of land on section 3, Tennessee town- ship. He divides his attention between farming and stock-raising. He raises horses, cattle and graded sheep, and has on this farm three large drains, for the

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

purpose of watering his immense stock of cattle and sheep. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 26th of September, 1819, his parents being John and Susannah ( Collier ) McClure. Mrs. McClure's father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and among others was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and for his bravery he was presented with a sword by Marquis de Lafayette. That sword is now in the possession of the family, and is in the keeping of James Crawford, of Rose county, Ohio, one of his grandsons. When Rutherford came to this county in the fall of 1839, he was unmarried and a yonng man. He remained in the neighborhood in which he now resides until the following June, when he went to Warsaw and took a boat for Cincinnati. On arriving at that place he started on foot for his home, which was some 75 miles. In Novem- ber, of the same year, he started back to McDonough county, Illinois, with the intention of making this his future home, and in 1842 he purchased his present location. He was married in this county, on the 9th of November, 1841, to Sarah White, a sister of Stephen White, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary White. They have seven children now living: Martha, married William Baumgartner, residing in Hire township; Susannah, married George Moon, now living in Tennessee township; John, died in Sep- tember, 1881; Thomas, died when a child; Alice, married John Pullan, of Hire township; Edward, married Mary Flint; Marion; Clara, died in August, 1863; Lee and Jane.

John S. Douglas, is a native of Fred- erick county, Maryland, and was born

on the the 3d of June, 1814. His parents were Samuel and Rebecca (Young) Douglas, the former of whom was killed in Ohio, in 1829, by a falling log. His mother died in 1878, at the age of 92 years. When John was 12 years of age, he moved with his parents to Belmont county, Ohio, and in 1854 he left there and came to Fulton county, Illinois, and was engaged in the mercantile business. in Vermont. In 1857, he came to Mc- Donough county, and established his business in the village of Tennessee, and afterward sold out to William Lat- timer. In the spring of 1872, he re- moved to his present location on section 34, Tennessee township, where he has 80 acres of land, and raises stock and grain and other products. Mr. Douglas was married in Ohio, on the 20th of Jan- uary, 1842, to Caroline Bevan. Her father, Lewis Bevan, died in January, 1860, and her mother died in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas have had nine children, eight of whom are now living and whose names are: Lewis, married Josie Bales, living in Des Moines, Iowa; Stacy B., married Harriet J. Stephenson, now living in Kansas; Martha A., wife of Michael Doran, of Adams county, Illi- nois; Ellen, married G. H. McDaniel, of Bethel township; William R., married Emma Long, and is now living in Kan- sas; Elmer E., teaching school in Ful- ton county; Minnie L., teaching in this township; and Eddie O., who is living with his parents. Mr. Douglas' son, Lewis, enlisted in company C., 64th Illinois infantry. He was in the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and several others. . He was in the grand. review at Washing-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ton, and in 1865, returned again to his friends.

William Cowan was born in Nova Scotia, on the 16th day of February, 1828. His parents being John and Jane (Mitchell) Cowan, both natives of Scot- land, but had removed to Nova Scotia. When William was a few years old his parents returned to Scotland where they remained some four or five years, and again returned to Nova Scotia. When William was 14 years of age, the family removed to the United States, and lo- cated at Clinton, Summit county, Ohio. They remained in that place until a few years later, when they removed to Youngstown, Ohio, and in that place William received his education and was reared to manhood. They next went to Appanoose county, Iowa, where Mr. Cowan died in the fall of 1856, where- upon Mrs. Cowan came to Colchester, Illinois. While in the vicinity of Youngs- town, William followed the occupation of mining, and from there moved to Col- chester, McDonough county, in Novem- ber, 1855. On his arrival at that place, he at first began work for Roberts & Pearson, in their mine. There was at that time very little coal mining done in that place, and he witnessed the growth of the coal interests of Colchester from their infancy to their present state. He was appointed superintendent of the works of the Quincy coal company, when William Morris had the control of that company. Mr. Cowan held that position about two years when he gave up min- ing, and during the years 1868 and 1869 he was engaged in the dry goods busi- ness at Colchester, his store being where Enos' place now stands on Front street.

He sold out to Anson and James Under- hill in 1869, and retired from business pursuits to those of an agricultural na- ture, and purchased 169 acres of land from the heirs of the Riley estate. Mr. Cowan was married in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1856, to Mary Ann Bright, a native of England, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary Bright. Mr. and Mrs. Cowan are the parents of seven children: William, living now in Colchester; Thomas, now residing in Cal- ifornia; Mary, wife of Charles Lowder- man, of Tennessee township; Charles, Samuel, Lillie, Emily. Mr. Cowan was one of the promoters and organizers of the Miners' Friendly Society, and he and Thomas Arundel, now deceased, have held the office of treasurer of the society with the exception of a short time. He has also held the office of assessor of Tennessee township two terms, and col- lector one term. He is a man of great ability, and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

John Farrenkopf was born in Baden, Germany, in March, 1827, his parents being Michael and Eva (Balveriset) Farrenkopf. John was reared in Baden, and when 14 years of age, his father died, and John was left to help provide for the family. When 26 years of age he emigrated to America, and pro- ceeded to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming about 10 miles from the latter city. He there worked about one year, when he removed to Galesburg, Illinois, and was there en- gaged in the depot of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad Company, until 1860, when he came to Colchester, McDonough county. When he first

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

located in this place he was engaged in the mining operation of the Quincy Coal Company. He held this position about two years, when he began farming on his present location, which is located on section 17, Tennessee township. He has now 120 acres of land, and pays atten- tion to both farming and the raising of stock. Mr. Farrenkopf was united in marriage on the 10th day of May, 1860, to Elizabeth Kummer, a native of Lux- embourgh, Germany, and is the daugh- ter of Anton and Susanna (Daufel) Kummer. Her father died February, 1854, and her mother is now living in Brookfield, Missouri, with her daughter, Mary Hanson. Mr. and Mrs. Farren- kopf are the parents of seven children- Mary; Carrie, wife of Amos Lawyer, now living in Tennessee township; Fannie, Joseph, John, Charles and Thomas. Mr. Farrenkopf is a school director of this township, of which he has been a representative for some time.

James Jarvis, a native of Madison county, Kentucky, was born August 1, 1812. and is a son of William and Mary (Hale) Jarvis. William is the fourth, of a family of 13 children, three of whom are now living. John, a farmer of Tuscola, Douglas county, Illinois, and Ephraim, at Jacksonville, Illinois. James lived in Kentucky, until 18 years old, then, in 1829, the family removed to Edgar county, Illinois; there the parents died, the father in 1843, aged 63 years, and the mother November 6, 1844, at the age of 56. James came from Edgar county to McDonough county, in Novem- ber, 1839, and located in Hire township, where he lived till March, 1845. He re- moved at that date to his present home

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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 65

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