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 93

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 93

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

New York to Cynthia Steele, and by this union had nine children, four of whom are now living. His widow survived until April, 1881. Orrin was born in Ohio, May 5, 1837, and was two years old when he came to this county, where he was reared and received his educa- tion. In 1859, he located on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Peck enlisted, December 13, 1861, in company A, of the 64th Illinois infantry, and served un- til March, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability, after which he returned home and resumed farming. He has 130 acres of land, well improved. He was-married January 15, 1857, to Sarah J. Merritt, a native of Ohio, and by this union has seven children-Artie M., Owen L., Caddy M., Lois, Birdie, Dot and Orrin. In 1880, Mr. Peck dis- covered upon his farm, the mineral springs, which have since made his place famous. Observing that the water had a beneficial effect upon 'stock, he deter- to have it analyzed. For account of this, see further on.

Willis F. Wayland is a son of Willis Wayland, a native of Orange county, Virginia, born in 1795. He, Willis Sr., removed to Kentucky, where he worked at the cooper's trade until 1832. In that year he became a resident of McDon- "ough county, locating on section 34, Chalmers township. He died in 1861. He was married in Kentucky, to Sydney Haines by whom he had 14 children, nine of whom are now living-Willis F., Joshua, John W., Garrett H., Eliza, Lo- rinda, Julius, Elizabeth and Eliza J. His wife died in 1849. He was then married to Mrs. Elizabeth Dennett, a widow, and by this union, had four chil-

dren-Ann M., Rose B., Lucy and Geo. T. Willis F. Wayland, the oldest living child of the pioneer, was born in Ken- tucky, June 28, 1824, and came with his parents to this county. He was here reared and educated, settling on his pres- ent farm in 1848. He was married March 13, 1862, to Emma T. Forsee, a native of Kentucky. They have two children- Frank E. and Eva L.

Henry B. Walker, son of Solomon Walker, was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, February 3, 1855. The following year, Solomon Walker removed to Mc- Donough county, Illinois, and located on section 13, Scotland township where Henry B. was brought up. He attended the district school of this township, thus obtaining a fair education. In 1877, he located on a farm on section 14, Scotland township, and began business for him- self. He continued there until the fall of 1881, when he removed to his present farm in Chalmers township. He has 83 acres of desirable land, which is fairly improved, and deals some in cattle in addition to farming. Mr. Walker was married November 23, 1876, to Alla Yeast, a sister of L. Yeast, a prominent citizen of Sciota township. They have four children-Bertha, Glenn, Perry E., and Harry. Mr. Walker was elected a justice of the peace in the spring of 1884, also holds the office of school trustee and highway commissioner of Chalmers township. He is a member of the Chris- tian church.

James Andrews was born in Somer- setshire, England, May 20, 1832. He was reared, in his native country, to agricultural pursuits, and there remained until the fall of 1854. At that date he

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

emigrated to America and settled in Scotland township, McDonough county, Illinois. He resided in that township until 1859, when he rented a farm in Chalmers township,to which he removed. Ten years later he located upon his present place, on section 26, Chalmers township, where he owns a good farm of 80 acres, Mr. Andrews was married in July, 1854, to Rosanna Brown, a native of England. They have six children- John T., James A., Mary E., Ann E., Jessie W. and Rhoda B. Mr. Andrews carries on general farming.

William Andrews, son of John M. and Anıl (Biddlecome) Andrews, was born in Somersetshire, England, February 2, 1835. He there grew to man's estate, and at the age of 18 years, emigrated to this country. He settled then, (1853) in Scotland township, McDonough county, Illinois, where he resided five years. In 1858 he removed to section 25, Chalm- ers township, where he made his home till 1879. He then moved to section 26, of the same township where he at pres- ent resides. He has a desirable farm comprising 280 acres, and is engaged in general farming.

Hugh McClure is a son of Samuel L. McClure, who came. to McDonough county in 1844, and rented a farm in Industry township. The following year he settled where his son now lives. Samuel L. McClure was born in Cum- berland county, Kentucky, June 23, 1811. He came to Morgan county, Illi- nois, in 1835, there remaining until the date at which he came here. He was married July 9, 1835, to Elizabeth Tay- lor, a native of Christian county, Ken- tucky. They reared six children-James .

T., Edward, Nancy J., Hugh, Lorenzo D. and Elianor P. Mr. McClure died January 26, 1877. Hugh McClure, the subject of this sketch, was born in the house where he now lives, November 3, 1846, and was reared and educated here. In 1864 he enlisted in company I, of the 78th Illinois infantry, and served under General Sherman in the 14th army corps, until the close of the war. He was discharged in July 1865, at Chi- cago. He then returned home and re- sumed farming. In 1867 he went to Ne- braska, thence to Kansas, being absent from this county two years. He owns the homestead farm of 70 acres. He is a member of the G. A. R.

W. S. McClelland, came to McDonough county, in September 1856, from Can- field, Mahoning county, Ohio, where he was born, June 20, 1831, his parents be- ing, Robert L., and Rebecca (Stewart) McClelland. He was brought up on a farm and obtained a limited education. At the age of 18 years, he was bereaved by the death of his father, July 3, 1849. He remained with his mother on the old homestead until 21 years old. He then worked out, two years at farming. He was then married to Betsey Blair, a native of Ohio, born in Huron county. Their marriage took place in Trumbull county, Ohio, November 14, 1854. He settled then upon the homestead farm, where he remained until the date of his coming here. He first settled on what was then the county farm, under contract to keep paupers, should there be any. During his residence on the place, he kept a number, and the first one, of the county. He remained there six years, then moved to section 18, Scotland town-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ship, where he purchased a farm of 75 acres, also 20 acres of timber in Chal- mers township. Six years later he sold this place to John M. Kelly, and re- moved to section 12, Chalmers township, where he purchased 126 acres, on which he now lives. He is engaged in general farming, feeding all of his corn to stock. Mr. and Mrs. McClelland have had seven children, six of whom are now living, Charlie H., married to Anna Reden, and living in Fairfield, Iowa; Nellie G., liv- ing at home, engaged in teaching school; Ada M., at home; Harry B., who died October 12, 1872, aged eight years and seven months; Carrie R., William G., and George H., living at home. Mr. and Mrs. McClelland are members of the Christian church at Macomb. He served as commissioner of highways, in Scot- land township and has been school direc- tor a number of terms. Politically, he affiliates with the republican party.

Ladson Mills, the subject of this sketch, was born January 9, 1820, in Ruther- ford county, North Carolina. He re- ceived a common school education and remained at home until he had reached the age of 21. He was married Decem- ber 8, 1843, to Sarah M. Hill, who was a native of North Carolina. This union was blessed with 11 children, of whom seven are still living. John A., Me- lissa, James E., Charles W., Anna, Mary, Seth, Sarah, Kate, Thomas and Etta. Mr. Mills came to Illinois in 1850, and for seven years farmed for a share of the crops, and in 1857, purchased 80 acres of land, to which he has added from time to time, until he now owns 200 acres of fine prairie land. Mr. Mills is a re- publican in politics, and is always ready

to pull off his coat and do valiant work for the. party of his choice. He is a prominent figure in the affairs of Bethel township.

Robert J., son of Ladson Mills, was married March 22, 1871, to Marcella Hammer, who is a native of Kentucky. They have five children- - Lula V., Mel- . vin A., William N., Frank L., and Ethel Blanche. Robert, like his father is a republican.

Robert Hunter, a son of William and Elizabeth (Harvey) Hunter, resides on section 1, Chalmers township, where he was born July 7, 1855. He was here brought up on a farm, living at home with his parents, and attending school as opportunity afforded. His father moved to town in the spring of 1878, since which time, Robert has been man- aging the farm. The farm consists of 160 acres on the home place, and 120 acres detached, in Scotland township, Mr. Hunter was married February 28, 1878, to Ella Chamberlain, a native of Morgan county, Illinois. Two children have been born to them-Harvey Palmer, and James Roy. Mr. Hunter carries on general farming, and is enterprising and successful. He is politically a republi- can.

EDUCATIONAL.

· It is learned from an examination of the last annual report of the county su- perintendant, for the school year end- ing June 30, 1884, that the district town- ship of Chalmers has 658 children of school age, 575 of whom are enrolled in the 10 sub-districts of the, township, which have an average of 7 and 19-20 months of school per year. There is one brick and nine frame school houses

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

in the township, which have an estimated value of property amounting to $4,600. The highest monthly wages paid any male teacher is $40, and the lowest $40, while the highest salary paid lady teach- ers is $35 per month and the lowest $20 per month. The amount of tax levy for the support of schools is $1,844,93. Chalmers is free from any educational indebtedness. In the township are 12 districts, four of which are union with other townships. As regards educational matters, Chalmers occupies the same ter- ritory as it did previous to the time Colchester township was created. Al- though separate townships, Chalmers and that part of Colchester taken from the original territory to form the latter township, are recognized one and the same with reference to educational mat- ters.

The school building in district No. 1, is located on the southeast quarter of section 1.

In district No. 2, the school house is situated on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 3.

District No. 3, has a school building on the northwest quarter of section 8, and is in what is now known as Colches- ter township.

District No. 4 .- The school building was erected in 1867, on section 17; it is brick, 20x30, and cost $900. Previous to the building of this house, school was held in an old log house, which was built about 1847. The school house in this district is also in what is now known as Colchester township.

The school house in district No. 5 is situated on the northwest corner of sec- tion 22.

The school house stands on the north- east corner of the northwest quarter of section 14, in district No. 6. It was erected in 1857, at a cost of $600. John Saffell, Eugene Pierce and Robert Hun- ter were the first directors. The present directors are George W. Reid, Robert McCutchen, and Michael McGan.

In district No. 7 the school building is located on section 25. It is a good frame structure, and was completed at a cost of about $500.

District No. 8 .- This school is known as the "Long Nine School." The build- ing is located on section 33. It is a good, frame house, and formerly stood in Middletown, and used as a business house. It was purchased by the district in 1866, for $600, and moved to its pres- ent site. The district was organized April 2, 1866.

Union district, No. 1, has a school house located in Bethel township, on sec- tion 1.

The building in union district, No. 2, is located in the town of Colchester.

The school house in union district, No. 8, is located on section 19, in what is now Colchester township.

In union district, No. 12, the school house is situated in Middletown.

SAW MILL.

The Wilson saw mill was built by J. O. C. Wilson and Devine Anderson, on section 14, about the year 1840, who operated it until about 1856, when it was destroyed by fire. Another mill was erected on the site of the old one by Wilson, Thornburg & Ferguson. It was afterward owned by Wilson & Thorn- burg, then by Wilson, then Eugene

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Pierce, then John Saffell & Son, then Thomas Cornelius, then John McCoy, and lastly, by Samuel Fox, who after- ward disposed of the machinery. The building was then torn down, and part of the timbers entered into the construc- tion of the barn on the place of Robert Mccutcheon.

MINERAL SPRING.

On the southwest quarter of the south- east quarter of section 21, is a mineral spring which is destined to make its pro- prietor widely known, as well as to be a never failing source of revenue to him. It was discovered by Mr. Orrin Peck, the owner of the property, in 1880. At that time he did not know of its valuable properties, and probably would never have suspected them had he not noticed the beneficial effects of the drinking of the spring water on his stock. This fact led him, in 1883, to have the water analyzed. Accordingly, Professor Long, M. D., professor of chemistry, pharmacy and toxicology in the Chicago medical college, was employed to make the analy- sis, which he did on October 16, 1883. As a result, it was found to contain in- gredients in the following amounts, per U. S. gallon of the water: Chlorate of sodium, .623 grains; sulphate of sodium, 1.045; sulphate of potassium, 1.092; sul- phate of calcium, 39.181; bi-carbonate of magnesium, 20.756; bi-carbonate of cal- cium, 15.683; bi-carbonate of iron, 2.877; silica, 1.389; alumina, large trace; or- ganic matter, small amount. At the spring he has a commodious pleasure house, built in 1883, which is 16x30 feet in ground area. Another smaller build- ing is situated just below the spring, re-

ceiving water from it through pipes. This water is guaranteed to cure Bright's disease in all stages, liver troubles; pal- pitation of the heart, neuralgia, rheuma- tism and every curable ailment. Mr. Peck feels confident that a trial of the water of his spring will convince any. skeptic of their medicinal value. He sells it in quantities to suit purchasers.

ORGANIZATION.

Chalmers was organized as a full con- gressional township in 1857, but in 1880, some of its western territory was cut off and is part of the present township of Colchester. The first township election was held April 7, 1857, at which time J. C. Simmons and Gholson Lane, were elected justices of the peace, and Charles Dickerson. Jr., and Michael Strader, Jr., were elected constables. Isaac McCown was chosen to represent the township on the board of supervisors. The present officers of the township are as follows: Supervisor, Robert Mitchell; clerk, John W. Wayland; assessor, B. K. Frisbie; collector, Henry D. Hoyt; highway com- missioner, H. B. Walker; justices of the peace, James Cochrane and James Hays, constables, Jesse D. Bowen and J. A. Black.

HISTORIC.

The first marriage was John W. West- fall and Icemenda Neece. They were uni- ted by James Clarke, a justice of the peace, December 15, 1834.

The first birth was Martin, son of Robert Phelps, during the year 1830.

The first death was Truman Bowen, who died in 1830, at the residence of David McFadden, on the farm now owned by William Hunter, near the city

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

of Macomb. He was buried in the old grave yard near Macomb, and was the second person interred therein.

The first sermon was preached by Rev. John Barker, about the year 1830, at house of Daniel Troxwell, on the south side of the township, near Troublesome creek.

The pioneer school was taught by William Shelton, on section 20, about the year 1833.

The first justice of the peace was Jesse Neece, and Isaac McCown was the first supervisor.

MIDDLETOWN.

This was laid out in the spring of 1837, by Major John Patrick and James Edmonston, Esq. The first house was erected by Major Patrick. The first settlers were James Edmonston and John Gibson. Andrew Cox started the first store. It was called Middletown . from the fact of its being the central point or middle town between Beards- town, on the Illinois river, and Burling- ton, on the Mississippi river. It was also the crossing of the Beardstown and Burlington, and the Peoria and Quincy public roads. The first public sale of town lots occurred in April, 1837, lots realizing from $15 to $30 each. Very few have at any time commanded a higher price than this.

Although the town never grew to any considerable size or importance, it was at one time a busy and prosperous vil- lage, as will be seen by the following article taken from the McDonough Inde- pendent of October 31, 1853:

"A few days since we paid a flying visit to this beautiful village in the

western part of this county. We were much pleased with the evidences of prosperity which the town presents. It contains about 180 inhabitants, 3 dry goods stores, 3 taverns, several black- smith shops, and a splendid steam saw mill, which does a fine business. Col. Patrick, who is engaged in the mercan- tile business, has just received an ex- tensive stock in store, which were shown us by Captain Lipe, his gentlemanly clerk."

The country in the vicinity of Middle- town is thickly settled by a good class of farmers, and is generally level prairie land, well drained and fertile. There was no portion of the county that labored' harder to secure the line of the North- ern Cross railway than Middletown, which was to be on the main line of the contemplated road. At an election held August 20, 1853, for the purpose of vot- ing for or against the county subscribing $75,000 to this railroad, Middletown pre- cinct cast 198 votes for and and but 2 against the proposed enterprise. The road, however, when it was finally brought to completion. failed to be a benefit to the town; it was on the other hand, the means of taking her established trade from her, and causing many of her more prominent and enterprising citizens to seek other locations. The reason was, that, instead of the road running through the town, it ran five miles north, where new towns sprang up, which with the advantages of the railroad, commanded the patronage and interests of the peo- ple in the surrounding country. It is due the citizens of Middletown at the time the railroad was projected, to record that the failure of the road to pass

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through their town, was not a want of interest in the enterprise, or lack of earnest labor on their part to secure the road, for as before mentioned, none worked harder to secure it than they, but it was on account of the condition of the country through which the road would necessarily have to be constructed. The business interests are few at present and the postoffice is known as Fandon.

Douglas Dunsworth, dealer in general merchandise, commenced business in 1885. The store was started by Elias Hat-

field in the spring of 1870. He was suc- ceeded by Winston Hatfield, who sold out to the present proprietor. He carries a stock which he values at $2,500, consist- ing of such goods as are usually kept in a country store. The building he occu- pies is 16x48 feet in size.

V. Stookey, M. D., is located at Mid- dletown.

Josiah H. Voorhees, blacksmith, com- menced business in 1875, buying out the shop of W. W. Moore. He does horse- shoeing and general repairing.

CHAPTER XXXIII. 1

BUSHNELL TOWNSHIP.

The township of Bushnell consists of 18 sections of land, the most part of which is prairie, there being but very little timber within its borders. The land is as good for agricultural purposes as can be found in the Military Tract and has increased very rapidly in wealth and population since the comple- tion of the first railroad. The thriving town of Bushnell is located on sections 27, 28, 33 and 34, and is the centre of three lines of railroad, furnishing the best railroad facilities for the shipment of the products of the soil of any town- ship in the county.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first to make a settlement within the limits of what is now Bushnell town-

ship was Matthew B. Robinson, who, in the fall of 1836, located upon section 30, where he put up a house and com- menced to open up a farm. For several years he was there almost alone, when a few more came to his neighborhood. But sparsely settled at the time of the laying out of the city of Bushnell, its history is almost identical with the growth and development of that place.

The first birth in this township was that of Missouri E., daughter of M. B. Robinson, in the autumn of 1837. The first death, that of John W. Clarke, in September, 1847.

The first marriage took place in Octo- ber, 1841, at the residence of M. B. Robinson, when Rev. W. K. Stewart sol- emnized the rite of matrimony, joining

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the destinies of Permenium Hamilton and Elizabeth A. Robinson.

David Robinson is said to have taught the first school in 1838, and about the same time the first religious services were held at the house of M. B. Robin- son, by Rev. William K. Stewart, at that time a Presbyterian clergyman located in Macomb.

But little was done toward the settle- ment of the township until the comple- tion of the Chicago, Burlington & Quin- cy railroad, when, in a short time, every quarter was taken up and occupied. The history of this township is so interwoven with that of the city of Bushnell and the residents of the city and township that it would but lead to repetition were we to place it in detail here. The reader is consequently referred to the places men- tioned.

REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

No township in the county can boast of a better class of people than can Bushnell. The following sketches are those of representative men of this town- ship:

John C. Cadwalader was born in Ver- mont township, Fulton county, Illinois, January 5, 1834. His father, a native of of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, was born August 18, 1806, and is still living. His mother, who is also living, was born in Pennsylvania, April 12, 1812. John C. resided with his parents until 21 years old. He was then married, January 11, 1855, to Eliza J. Miller, who was born July 16, 1833. After marriage he en- gaged in farming and trading in stock in Vermont township, where he resided till 1870. In that year he purchased and

moved to the farm where he now lives, located on the the northeast quarter of 28, Bushnell township. He has 120 acres of land which is in a high state of cultivation. His improvements are among the best in the township. Since his residence here he has been much of the time in office, holding the position of supervisor six and one-half years, commissioner of highways four years, and has been school director almost con- tinuously. Mr. and Mrs. Cadwalader have had six children born to them- Charles L., living with his parents; Mat- tie H., wife of Jacob H. Gingle, living in Nebraska; Millie A., wife of William Osrum, of Bushnell township; Ella M., living with her parents; Adda and. Liz- zie dying in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Cadwalader are members of the Presbyte- rian church. Politically, he is a sup- porter of the republican party.

Benjamin Tainter, deceased, a for- mer resident of Bushnell township, was a native of the state of New York, born in 1819. He is a son of John Tainter, also a native of New York, He was married in . 1859, to Minnie Stanton, of Ohio. They had three children - Henry L, John N. and Benjamin, all now living with their mother in this township. Mr. Tainter owned a fine farm, comprising 360 acres of land on section 25, Bush- nell township, where Mrs. Tainter and her sons now reside .. 7 John N., the second son, carries on the farm. Mr. Tainter died December 21, 1879. He was a member of the Free Will Baptist church, also the Masonic fraternity, and a man well deserving of the respect and esteem with which he was regarded in the community. Mrs. Tainter was born

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in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Jas. Stanton, who was nearly related to Secretary Stanton, who came to this county, and settled in Prai- rie City, in July, 1859. She is, in her religious faith, a Congregationalist.

William H. Cowperthwaite, a promi- nent citizen of Bushnell township, set- tled where he now resides, in 1867. He owns 200 acres of well-cultivated land, located on section 25. He has good and substantial improvements, and carries on general farming. He was born in Ful- - ton county, Illinois, November 10, 1839, and is a son of Samuel Cowperthwaite, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Illinois in 1836, and who now lives in the city of Bushnell. William H. came to this county from Fulton county in 1859, and located in Bushnell town- ship. October 2, 1862, he was married to Margaret Yant, of Ohio. They have three children-Charles C., Emma May, and Elizabeth E., all living at home. Mr. Cowperthwaite has acted as school director of his district for six years. He is a democrat in politics. He came to this county in limited circumstances, but by economy, industry and judicious man- agement, has accumulated a comfortable property.

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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 93

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