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 90

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 90

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· The lodge was allowed to'die out in 1862, caused by the departure of its act- ive members to the war. It was, how- ever, reinstated, August 5, 1875, by Dep- uty Grand Master Kaiser, of Bushnell, lodge, No. 322, on petition of J. A. Ham- ilton, Joseph Humphrey, and A. T. Ir- win, former members of the lodge; S. T. Young and G. J. Gosselin, of No. 322, and W. T. Magee, of No. 44. Officers were then elected as follows J. A. Ham- ilton, N. G .; S. T. Young, V. G .; A. T. Irwin, secretary; W. T. Magee, treasurer. The present officers are: W. R. Emery, N. G .; C. S. Harris, V. G .; M. R. Turpin, secretary; Hugh Robertson, treasurer. The membership of the lodge is 45, and

the condition is highly prosperous, as a great interest in the welfare of the lodge is shown by nearly all the members. Their hall is 23x70 feet, and is well fur- nished. Prairie City encampment, of this lodge, was instituted October 10, 1876, with the following charter mem- bers: J. Alex. Hamilton, I. F. Weaver, A. M. Stearns, A. N. Davis, J. A. Ham- ilton, G. W. Smith, C. A. Helm, W. T. Magee, C. W. Hamilton, J. M. Helm, L. Neff, Oliver Reeves, Joseph Humph- rey, J. A. Funk, and A. J. De Haas. The first officers were: J. A. Hamilton, C. P .; J. A. Hamilton, H. P .; C. W. Hamilton, S. W .; I. F. Weaver, scribe; G. W. Smith, treasurer; J. A. Funk, J. W. The present officers are; J. B. Kuhn, C. P .; J. B. Grey, S. W .; Edward Singleton. J. W .; Geo. Myers, H. P .; M. R. Turpin, scribe; J. A. Hamilton, treasurer.

Golden Gate lodge, No. 248, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was organ- ized June 2, 1857. The charter bears date, October 1, 1857, and contains the fol- lowing names: J. B. Robinson, R. H. McFarland, C. H. Hemenover, J. C. Hamilton, J. C. Brinkerhoff, H. Phil- lips, S. Lancaster, and C. H. Payne. The first officers were: J. B. Robinson, W. M .; R. H. McFarland, S. W .; C. H. Hemenover, J. W .; J. C. Hamilton, treasurer; J. C. Brinkerhoff, secretary. The officers for 1885 are: G. W. Hamil- ton, W. M .; W. W. Shoop, S. W .; J. E. Pearsall, J. W .; B. F: Bradbury, treas- urer; A. A. Wheeler, secretary; J. T. McGrew, S. D .; E. White, J. D .; A. N. Davis, tyler. The lodge erected a hand- some brick block, 24x70 feet in size, and two stories in height, in 1884. They let

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out the lower floor, and have fitted up the second story in handsome style for a lodge room. The cost of the building proper was $4,000. The furniture cost $300. The hall was dedicated on the 30th of December, 1884, by General J. C. Smith, deputy grand master of the state.

Royal Douglas post, No. 179, Grand Army of the Republic, is the latest so- ciety organized in Prairie City. The charter bears the date of January 17, 1883. The first meeting was held on the 24th of January, in Kreider's Hall, and the post was fully organized, with the following charter' members: Dan- ford Taylor, G. C. Steach, W. T. McGee, George Wiley Martin, Enos A. Boynton, O. M. Hoagland, J. D. Hughson, Thomas Carroll, C. D. Hendryx, Hes- lip Phillips, S. W. Dallam, Robert M. Cox, A. H. Wagoner, T. E. Bivens, and W. C. Rush. The first officers were: Danford Taylor, commander; G. C. Stęach, S. V. C .; W. T. Magee, J. V. C .; W. C. Rush, surgeon; C. D. Hendryx, O. D .; Heslip Phillips, adjutant; Enos A. Boynton, Q. M .; R. M. Cox, O. G .; Thomas Carroll, chaplain.ª Danford Taylor resigned at the expiration of three months, and was succeeded by G. C. Steach, who served the remainder of the term. The officers for 1884 were; J. A. Jones, commander; Joseph N. Perry, S. V. C .; Adam Burnell, J. V. C .; A. H. Wagoner, surgeon; William Clo- vis, O. D .; W. C. Rush, adjutant; Har- vey Oatman, Q. M .; Thomas B. Moul- ton, O. G .; R. M. Cox, chaplain. For 1885, the following offices were chosen: Robert M. Cox, commander; J. N. Perry, S. V. C .; G. C. Steach, J. V. C .; Thos.

A. Bivens, surgeon; J. A. Jones, chap- lain; Enoch Raywalt, Q. M .; Jacob San- ford, O. D .; Stephen Brink, O. G .; W. C. Rush, adjutant. The post was mus- tered in by William Venable, of Ma- comb, appointed for the purpose by de- partment commander, Thomas G. Law- ler. The membership has increased un- til it now numbers 28, and a greater de- gree of interest is beginning to be man- ifested by the members. Meetings are held in the G. A. R. hall, over White & Foster's store, which is leased by the post. There have been no deaths of members since the organization, nor has there been any demand on the benefi- ciary fund. The post received its name in honor of Royal Douglas, who en- listed from here, and was the first sol- dier buried in the cemetery at Prairie City.

PRAIRIE CITY ACADEMY.

This institution was started in 1857, under the auspices of the Free Will Bap- tist church. The building was erected in that year, and on the 14th day of May, 1858, it was blown down. It was re- built in the fall of that year, at a cost of $3,050, the contractor being L. H. Brad- bury. . The school was opened on the 3d of December, 1859. Daniel Branch and wife were the first teachers. For sev- eral years the institution met with good success, students being attracted there from many of the adjoining counties, and a bright. future seemed before it, but, for some cause, dissatisfaction arose as to its management, and the town, which had a half interest in it, with- drew its influence and support, and the church not being able to support it

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

alone, it was compelled to suspend. The property was sold, the town becom- ing the purchaser, and it is now used for the purpose of a public school.

RELIGIOUS.

The class of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Prairie City, was organized in 1856. (See Ecclesiastical chapter.)

The Free Will Baptist church, of Prairie City, was organized in Septem- ber, 1857, by Elder John B. Fast, and others. (See Ecclesiastical chapter. ).

In 1841, a Presbyterian congregation was organized at the residence of George Kreider, in Fulton county, and from this organization sprang the Presbyte- rian church of Prairie City. All other

information pertaining to religious mat- ters, of this church and others in Prai- rie City, will be found in the Ecclesias- tical chapter.

FIRST ITEMS.

The following item is taken from a diary kept by Dr. Kreider at an early day. "The first surprise party in Prairie City took place at my house January 26, 1858. This was given by the young people. I received nothing except a large number of sweet kisses from the young ladies, in way of redeeming pawns during the exercises."

Addie Hamilton, daughter of J. M. Hamilton, and the first child born in Prairie City, was born September 6, 1855.

CHAPTER XXXI.'

ELDORADO TOWNSHIP.

This township lies at the extreme southwest corner of the county, and is known as township 4 north, range 1 west. It was first settled in 1830. It is bounded upon the north by New Salem township, on the east by Fulton county, on the south by Schuyler county and on the west by. Industry township. About one-fifth of the township is timber land, the balance being a beautiful prairie. The timber land all lies in the southern part, with the exception of about 500 acres in the northeast part, comprising

all of section 1, and part of section 2. Divided up, we have 21,292 acres of improved land; 1,490 acres of unim- proved. In the southeastern part of the township, coal is found in great quantities, and of a good quality. Sev- eral small streams run through the township, furnishing living water for stock in all seasons of the year. Sugar creek and its branches are the principal water courses. As showing the value of the township for all purposes, we compile the following facts and figures

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

of its products, for the year 1875, to- gether with the number of head and value of all kinds of stock: There were 21,293 acres of improved land, of which number 7,634 acres were in corn, 1,457 in wheat, 1,467 in oats, and 656 in other products. There were also 2,270 head of cattle-value, $47,574; hogs, 4,192-value, $22,982; horses, 747-value, $31,200. There are no towns in the township, and her people can truly be said to be agricultural in their tastes and habits. In churches and schools, the township is behind none. On the southwest corner of section 15, is a good town hall, known as the Eldorado hall, mention of which is made further on in this chapter. Eldorado, politically, may be classed as democratic.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Records of early settlement and pio- neer times in Eldorado township, are interesting, and they are not without their instruction. By the light of the past, we follow in the foot-prints of the adventurous and enterprising pioneer. We see him, as it were, amid the labors and struggles necessary to convert the wilderness into a fruitful field. We sit by his cabin fire, partaking of his homely and cheerfully-granted fare, and listen to the accounts which he is only too pleased to give us of pioneer life, and of the dangers, trials, hardships. and sufferings of himself and others, in their efforts to make for themselves homes in regions remote from civiliza- tion. Through these pioneer records we make our way along to the present. From small beginnings, we come to the mighty achievements attained from in-

dustry, the complex results of daring enterprise, subduing and creative energy and untiring perseverance. Following on in the path of progress and improve- ment, we see once waste places rejoicing under the kindly care of the husband- man; beautiful farms, with all the fix- tures and appurtenances necessary to make the tillers of the soil and their families contented and happy, are spread out before us; villages are built up as if by magic, and by hundreds, human souls are congregated within their precincts; the marts of trade and traffic, and the work-shops of the artizans are thronged; common schools, union schools and high schools have sprung up; young and ardent minds -- children of the rich and poor-may press forward in the acquisi- tion of science, literature and art; churches are built with their spires pointing heavenward, and a Christian minister is sustained for the inculcation of religious sentiments and the promo- tion of piety, virtue and moral goodness; the press is established, from whence floods of light may emanate for the instruction and benefit of all; railroads are built to bring the products of every clime, and the people from afar, to our doors; and the telegraph "upon the lightning's wing" carries messages far and near. Let the records of the pio- neers be preserved in after years, our children and our children's children will look over them with pleasure and profit.

Anson Mathews settled at what was afterwards called Foster's Point, and erected a cabin in 1827 or 1828. He was a practical tinner by trade. Shortly after his settling here he sold out to Foster. He is believed to have been

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

the first to settle in this township, but of this there it much doubt in the minds of old settlers, the committee, giving it as their opinion that the question as to who was the first, could not be certain at this late day.

William Moore, a Georgian, made a settlement north of where the Hushaw farm now is, in 1828. The following year, he became demented,and was taken by his wife, back to the place from which they came.

George Dowell settled in this town- ship late in 1829, or early in 1830, and put up a cabin. He did not remain long, but left the place.

Joshua David came to the township early in 1830, and as he was pleased with the location, he was soon followed by his father, who brought his family.

In the summer of 1830, Abraham David and family settled in Eldorado. He was a native of Hardin county, Ken- tucky, while his wife was born in Ten- nessee. They first settled near the town of Industry, but removed the same sum- mer to this township. Mr. David died here in 1863, and was well and favorably known throughout McDonough county. Mrs. David died in 1878.

Arthur J. Foster and family came to Eldorado township in 1831, and located on section 2. There he resided until the time of his death, in 1843.

James Horris settled in Eldorado town- ship, on section 1, northeast quarter, at an early day. He came from New York.

John Hushaw came to McDonough county in April, 1832, and located in El- dorado township. He came from Foun- tain county, Indiana. He was married to Tamer Comer.

Daniel Sandidge came to this township in the fall of 1833, from Industry town- ship. He resided here until 1850, when he went to Schuyler county, where he died in 1882.

Daniel Sandidge, deceased, was a na- tive of Virginia, born February 23, 1804,. and a son of John Sandidge. Daniel San_ didge was married in 1826, to Permelia Tate, a daughter of William and Eliza- beth Tate, of Casey county, Kentucky. In the spring of 1832, Mr. Sandidge moved to McDonough county, Illinois, and settled in Industry township, where he remained one and a half years, then re- moved to Eldorado township, which was his residence until 1850. In that year he removed to Schuyler county, where he lived until his death, August 8, 1882. He was twice married, his first wife dy- ing in February, 1845. In August of the same year he was again married to Cyn- thia Phillips, daughter of Samuel Phil- lips. By his first marriage he had 11 children-Lucy Jane, wife of Isom David, of Eldorado; William, in Mon- tana; John, in Vermont, Illinois; Mary, widow of Jonah. Lindsay, of Walnut Grove; Harriet, wife of L. Gorsuch, of Schuyler county; Eugenie, wife of Albert Pittenger, of Walnut Grove; Permelia, who died in 1845; Virginia, wife of Na- than Lindsay; Daniel, of Brown county; Charles Clayton and Larkin, living in Montana. He had by his second mar- riage, two children-Ellen, wife of M. McCarty, of Shelby county, Missouri, and Samuel, who died when quite young. 'John Sandidge, son of Daniel Sandidge was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, August 12, 1829, and came with his father to this county in the spring of

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

'1832, and continued to reside with him in Industry and Eldorado townships un- til March, 1850. He then went to Cali- fornia and remained there until Septem- ber 1873, engaged in mining and stock raising. During that time, however, he returned to the east, and was married November 19, 1871, to Emma N. Stock- ton, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Stock- ton, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Sandidge returned soon after his mar- riage, to California, where he had a large amount of property, including a gold mine, he having been very successful in business while there. He disposed of his gold mine in 1873, and in 1875, sold his other interests in that state, and came to Illinois and purchased 400 acres of land in Oakland township, Schuyler county, where he lived till November, 1884. At that date he moved to the town of Ver- mont, Fulton county, Illinois, where he at present resides. He now owns 603 acres of improved land. He has upon his home farm, a handsome and commo- dious dwelling house. a fine barn and splendid accommodations for stock. He owns also, three acres of ground and a residence in Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Sandidge have two children-John F. and Ida L.

Isaac Powers and family came in 1833, and took up land on sections 1 and 12, Eldorado township. He had got im- . provements well under way, when, on the 10th of February, 1836, he was killed by a runaway team.

Daniel Stockton located on section 30, Eldorado township, in the fall of 1834. There he resided until the time of his death, January 29, 1883.

Robert Comer located in Eldorado township in 1836, on section 18.

Wm. R. Pennington came to the county in April, 1836, and located in Industry township. He afterwards removed to Eldorado township, where he now re- sides on the southeast quarter of section 18.

William R. Pennington is a son of Joel and Elizabeth (Smith ) Pennington, and was born in Franklin county, Illi- nois, March 16, 1824. When two years of age, he removed with his parents to Schuyler county, Illinois, where they remained 10 years, then, in 1836, came to McDonough county, and settled in Industry township. In 1858, William R. was married to Sarah Ann Conner, and removed to section 18, Eldorado township, where he has since resided. He owns a well cultivated farm of 334 acres, with good and substantial im- provements. Mr. and Mrs. Pennington are the parents of 10 children-Elnora, wife of Henry Snowdon, of Eldorado township; J. M., living at home; Letitia, wife of Ross Miller, of Industry town- ship; Roswell, Edgar R., Elliott, Angel- ine, Charlie, Edith and Archie, living at home with their father. Mr. Penning- ton has held the offices of constable and justice of the peace. He has also acted as school director for a number of years. He is politically a democrat, and one of the influential citizens of Eldorado town- ship, and the county. Mrs. Sarah Ann Pennington, wife of William R. Pen- nington, died December 25, 1879.

Joel Pennington was born in Kentucky in 1803, and died in May, 1865. He settled in Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1826, there being then only 12 white

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

families in the county. He served there as sheriff for seven years previous to 1836. He was also sheriff of McDonough county before its organization. He re- moved to this county in 1836, where he was also a prominent and honored citi- zen. He here acted as justice of the peace, and county commissioner for a number of years. He was one of the leading men of this portion of the county. In politics he was sensible, sincere, but not radical. He was often solicited to be a candidate for office, but declined with the exception of the instances above mentioned., His wife, Elizabeth, died in the spring of 1861.

OTHER CITIZENS.

Some of those mentioned below are comparatively early settlers, though not, strictly speaking, pioneers; the others are enterprising people, justly worthy of note in this connection.

John N. Foster, a farmer of Eldorado township, is a son of Arthur J. and Sarah Foster, natives of South Carolina. He was born February 8, 1829, in the state of Indiana. In 1881 he removed with his parents to McDonough county, Illi- nois, and located on section 2, Eldorado township, where his father died in 1843. John N. Foster was married in 1852 to Frances J. McClintock, of Ohio. They have three children living - Sanford Karr, born in 1854; Lois, born in 1858, now the wife of Jacob Barley, of Ma- comb; and Willie M., born May 1, 1869. One daughter, Josephine, died when quite young. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members of the Cumberland Presbyter- ian church. He has held the offices of supervisor and assessor, the former for

two years, the latter for three. He owns a fine farm of 240 acres of farming land, and 27 acres of timber. His residence is a commodious structure, erected at a cost of $3,000, and his barn and other farm buildings are of equally good con- struction. He is a republican, politi- cally.

William Cox is a son of Thomas Cox, who was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, in 1801, and emigrated to Illi- nois in 1853. In 1856 Thomas Cox came' to this county, and located on section 11, Eldorado township, where William Cox now resides. The latter was, born in Ohio, October 8, 1848. His mother was formerly Emma Johnson. His childhood and youth were spent in his native county, and he was there married, Sep- tember 30, 1874, to Ritta Beal, daughter of David Beal, of Vermont, Fulton county, Illinois. By this union there are three children-Bertha, born Septem- ber 19, 1875; Mabel, born March 26, 1877; and Clifford, born February 15, 1879. Mr. Cox has a good farm, con- taining 140 acres. He is a democrat in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

Henry S. Leighty, son of Henry and Sarah (Smith) Leighty, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1825. He came to McDonough county, in the fall of 1848, and located on section 15, Eldorado township. In 1849, he was married to Margaret McFadden, who af- terwards died. In 1852, Mr. Leighty crossed the plains to California, and re- mained in that country two years, en- gaged in mining, then returned to Eldo- rado township. In 1854, he was again

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

797

married to Eliza A. Keach, daughter of E. D. and Anna Keach, of Ohio. By this union there are eight children- M. D., married, of Eldorado township; Elwood, not married; Emma G., wife of Wade Campbell; Everett K., married, and living in this township; S. Anna, Henry U., Viola and James F. Mr. Leighty owns 760 acres of land, and is an enterprising and successful farmer. He has a handsome and commodious residence, one of the best in the town- ship, which was erected at a cost of $4,000. He is a republican, (formerly a whig) in politics, and has held the office of asses- sor, two years. Mrs. Leighty is a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. Leighty is one of the lead- ing citizens of Eldorado, and highly re- spected by all.

Samuel M. McFadden, of Eldorado township, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1824, and is a son of Joseph and Rachel (Newell) McFad- den. In 1849, he located in Adams county, Illinois, where he remained six months, then came to McDonough county, and settled upon his present farm, on section 16, where he owns 260 acres of land, in a high state of cultivation, and splendid improvements. He was married in 1847, to Elizabeth Golley, daughter of Peter Golley, of Pennsylvania. She died at a later date, leaving him three children- Mary Ellen, wife of Frank Wylie, of Adams county; Joseph C. and Nancy, who is now married. Mr. McFadden was again married, to Louisa Reve, and by this union, had two children-Living- ston and Elizabeth, who died when quite young. Mr. McFadden served six months in the army, during the war of the Re-

bellion, being a member of company F, of the 84th Illinois infantry. He is polit- ically, a republican, and has been school director and constable of this township, and is one of the prominent and leading citizens.

William B. Moran resides upon sec- tion 3, Eldorado township, where he set- tled in 1853. He came to Illinois in November, 1836, and settled then, in Ful- ton county, where he remained until he removed to his present home. He was born near Baltimore, Maryland, in the year 1826, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah J. Moran, natives of the same state. William B., was married in Jan- uary, 1852, to Sarah J. Turner, daugh- ter of Horace and Jane Turner, who died, leaving him one child-Sarah Jane, now the wife of James M. Arnold, of Adair, Illinois. November 6, 1856, Mr. Moran was married to Mary J. Turner, daughter of Samuel and Sallie Turner, of Fulton county, Illinois. By this union he has five children-Sarah Julia, wife of William Leighty, of New Salem town- ship; Mary E., wife of Thomas G. Moran, of Adair, Illinois; Susie, Elizabeth and Samuel T., living with their parents. Mr. Moran has a fine farm of 160 acres, well cultivated, a nice residence costing $4,000, a spacious and convenient barn, and other farm buildings of a good de- scription. He is engaged in general farming and is a thorough-going and suc- cessful agriculturist.

Joseph Conner was born in Eldorado township in the year 1839. His parents, Robert and Nancy (Wilson) Conner, were natives of Ohio, but came to Mc- Donough county from Indiana, in 1836. They settled on section 18, Eldorado

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township. Joseph Conner grew to man- hood and received his education in this township. He was married in 1872 to Frances Craig, daughter of Richard Craig, of Kentucky. They are the par- ents of five children-Gilbert R., Mary E., Rettie M., George W. and Charles E. Mr. Conner is the owner of a large farm, comprising 257 acres of desirable land. His improvements are of a good class, and substantial and comfortable. He is a thrifty and well-to-do farmer, having accumulated his property without assist- ance from any one. He is a democrat, politically, and a member of the Masonic fraternity, Industry lodge, No. 328. Mr. and Mrs. Conner are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

Jonas Hushaw, a native of Ohio, was born in Ross county, of that state, in the year 1814. He remained in Ohio until 13 years of age. In 1839, he came to McDonough county and located in Eldo- rado township, where he has ever since resided. He has a good farm upon sec- tion 16, containing 150 acres, and is en- gaged in general farming. He was mar- ried October 29, 1839, to Matilda Jane David, daughter of Abraham David, of Hardin county, Kentucky. Mr. Hushaw is one of the earliest settlers of this por- tion of. McDonough county. The first election at which he voted in this county, was at Industry, when there were but five votes cast for four townships. He took part in the Mormon war, and par- ticipated in the capture of Nauvoo, and witnessed the shooting of Joe Smith. Mrs. Hushaw was born in Kentucky, in the year 1824. They have no children of their own, but have one adopted daughter-Mary Jane, wife of David C.

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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 90

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