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 97

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 97

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Lee H. Greene, is of French and Spanish descent, and was born in Mont- gomery county, Kentucky, April 13, 1850. In 1857, he came with his parents to Illinois, and settled upon a farm, where he remained until 1868. His father died September 7, 1862. In the fall of 1868, he went to Galesburg, Knox county, and began learning the trade of an engineer, with Engineer Fields, who was in the employ of the Frost Manufacturing company of that city. From that time until 1873. Mr. Greene followed engineering. He came to the city of Bushnell, where he has since resided. September 19, 1883, he entered the employ of the American Express company, as master of trans-

portation, in which occupation he has since been engaged. Mr. Greene was married, December 15, 1872, to Lizzie Morgan, and by this union, has one child-Thomas E., born in September, 1874.

Alexander H. McGahan, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad agent at Bushnell, came to that city in 1861, as agent of that company. He is a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was born December 7, 1840. He was reared and educated in his native state, and at the age of 14 years, entered the of- fice of the Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, . Messenger as an apprentice, where he remained some three years. From that time until 1861, he worked in printing offices in Pittsburg and New Brighton, Pennsylvania. He then came to Prairie City, McDonough county, where for four months he was engaged as an employee for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. He was then given a position at Oak Hill, as agent of the company, and was there engaged until coming to this city, as heretofore mentioned. He has been a member of the board of edu- cation for the past four years, now serv- ing second term as president of board. On the 27th day of October, 1864, Alex- ander H. McGahan and Alice West, a daughter of Stockton West, of this city, were united in the holy bonds of matri- mony. As a result of this union, they are now the parents of two children- Willie L. and Walter L. Mr. and Mrs. McGahan and children, are members of the Presbyterian church. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Bushnell, being the present grand representative to the Grand lodge.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

HISTORIC ITEMS.

The first marriage in the town occur- red upon the 6th of November, 1858, at which time W. H. Oglesbee, a justice of of the peace, performed the ceremony that united the destinies of Augustus Downey and Matilda Lindsey.

The first death was that of Edward, a son of Mr. and Mrs. James Cole, who was called to a better land in the fall of 1856.

The second child born in the village was William B., son of John and Har- riet Beach, who first saw the light on the 9th of February, 1856. The first was a child of Hiram Markham's, born during the year 1855.

SOCIETIES.

McDonough encampment, No. 79, I. O. O. F., was organized October 23, 1867, with the following charter members. J. B. Cummings, J. P. Dimmitt, G. C. Rid- ings, I. N. Pearson, S. L. Abbott, J. A. James, G. A. Kaiser, F. C. Grimm, J. Cole and J. E. Miller. The first officers chosen to fill the chairs were: J. B. Cummings, C. P .; G. C. Ridings, H. P .; J. P. Dimmitt, S. W .; I. N. Pearson, J. W .; J. A. James, scribe; and S. L. Ab- bott, treasurer. The camp, which is well attended, now has 60 members, governed by the following officers: J. D. Murphy, C. P .; Thomas Fairman, H. P .; S. C. Sperling, S. W .; H. C. Haines, J. W .; and G. A. Kaiser, scribe and treasurer.

Bushnell lodge, No. 322, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized at Bushnell, in November, 1865, with the following 12 original members: G. C. Ridings, J. B. Cummings, I. N. Pearson, Charles West, W. W. Travis, John Wil-

lis, Fred Seibert, E. J. Dunlap, George Schaffer, F. C. Grimm, Thomas Fairman and John Stokoe. The first officers were duly elected and installed with the proper ceremonies. They were: J. B. Cum- mings, N. G .; G. C. Ridings, V. G .; I. N. Pearson, R. S .; Charles West, P. S., and John Willis, T. This lodge is now in a most flourishing condition, having a membership of 118, and own a beauti- fully furnished room for meeting, and over $3,000 in the lodge treasury. The present officers are: E. D. C. Haines, N. G .; B. W. Ervin, V. G .; John Leib, P. S .; A. H. Cleveland, R. S .; G. A. Kaiser, T., and R. to Grand Lodge.

Bushnell uniform degree encampment No. 15, is a new lodge of the I. O. O. F., and was duly constituted and organized in January, 1883. The first officers were the following named: J. B. Pearson, commander; Thomas Fairman, vice-com- mander; J. D. Murphy, officer of the guard; J. E. Cummings, secretary; and' G. A. Kaiser, treasurer. The camp has now a membership of some 27, and is in. a healthy condition. Its officers for 1885, are the following: G. A. Kaiser, com- mander; W. E. Haines, vice-commander; J. D. Murphy, officer of the guard; Thos. Fairman, secretary; and E. D. C. Haines, treasurer.

Carter Van Vleck post, No. 174, of the G. A. R., was duly organized, Janu- ary 3, 1883, with 46 charter members. The first officers were the following named comrades: J. B. Pearson, C .; C. C. Morse, S. V. C .; A. E. Barnes, J. V. C .; E. F. Currier, Adj't; H. H. Nance, Q. M .; John Livingston, O. of D .; and W. F. Wilson, chap. Commander Pear- son dying before his term of office had

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

expired, the senior vice commander was promoted to the vacant place. The lodge of battle-scarred veterans meet in their own hall twice a month, and has a mem- bership of 101. The post was called after the gallant Colonel Van Vleck, of this county, who so bravely commanded the gallant 78th Illinois infantry, and was killed at Atlanta. The present offi- cers are: J. H. Johnson, commander; L. S. Mills, senior vice commander; R. B. Sperling, junior vice commander; J. H. Laney, adjutant; J. C. Young, officer of the day; J. M. Gale, quartermaster; and J. P. Yoder, chaplain.

T. J. Pickett lodge No. 307, A. F. & A. M., which holds its convocations in the city of Bushnell, was duly consti- tuted and organized on the 15th of Jan- uary, 1859, with the following members: J. H. Smith, J. Seaburn, Hiram Cono- ver, J. W. Kelly, J. Ewald, J. Wells, William Keims, R. Lindsay and E. P. Livingston. J. H. Smith was the first worshipful master. He was succeeded by J. W. Kelly and he by John Neff. The masters from him up have been: : W. J. Frisbie, 1873 and 1874; J. H. Smith, 1875; D. D. Pierce, 1876 and 1877; W. J. Frisbie, 1878; J. C. Cad- wallader, 1879; J. F. Cowgill, 1880 and 1881; W. J. Frisbie, 1882 and 1883; J. W. Haynes, 1884, and D. D. Pierce, the present one. The balance of the officers are at present: Ira Applegate, S. W .; J. W. Haynes, J. W .; W. J. Fris- bie, T .; J. C. Cadwallader, S. The pres- ent membership of the lodge is about 85, and in a healthy condition. Their lodge room, which is one of the hand- somest in this part of the state, is 45x50 feet in size, and is located in a building

which they own. It is fitted up elegantly, and with more regard for artistic taste than is usual, and the "brothers of the mystic tie" can well feel proud of their lodge room in Bushnell.

Chevalier lodge, No. 101, K. of P., was organized under a charter which bears date of October 18, 1832, with the fol- lowing charter members: J. Herring, W. J. Frisbie, J. H. B. Camp, L. O. Gould, M. L. Walker, T. F. Seibert, J. E. Chan- dler, J. Varner, G. M. Rose, T. J. Sorter, A. H. McGahan, M. J. Johnson, J. V. D. Kelly, D. E. Zook, A. T. McElvain, J. C. V. Kelly, M. L. Hoover, H. H. Roman, J. W. Parks, E. K. Westfall, A. W. VanDyke, L. Schamp, T. B. Morton, J. C. Thompson, I. Applegate, H. T. Clarke, J. C. Cadwallader, H. M. Harri- son, S. H. Parvin, C. T. Coulter, A. B. Cooper, J. F. Cowgill, W. M. Scott, A. Reed, W. Pontifex, C. S. Bird, G. M. Ball, J. M. Ball, H. Kaiser, E. Durst, W. H. Wilson, J. W. Hayes, C. C. Bran- son, C. J. Mariner, H. L. Benson. The following were the first officers of the lodge: A. H. McGahan, P. C .; T. I. Sorter, C. C .; Jacob Herring, V. C .; Rev. S. H. Parvin, P .; T. T. Seibert, M. of E .; M. L. Walker, M. of F .; T. H. B. Camp, K. of R. and S .; J. F. Cowgill, M. of A .; M. L. Hoover, I. G .; C. F. Coul- ter, O. G.

The present condition of the lodge is most excellent, the membership being 148. Meetings are held twice a month, and much interest is felt in the work. The present officers are as follows: L. O. Gould, C. C .; T. H. B. Camp, V. C .; A. H. McGahan, P .; A. I. Hewes, K. of R. and S .; T. F. Seibert, M. of. E .; G. M. Rose, M. of F.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Harmony lodge, No. 867, Knights of Honor, was duly organized on the 4th of September, 1878, with the following charter members: G. A. Kaiser, H. Kaiser, J. W. Sparks, A. H. Roman, J. Ayres, J. C. Thompson, T. F. Capp, George Kuhn, H. E. Tippit, D. T. Mor- gan, J. C. Cadwallader, H. Darnielle, H. E. Whittier, A. Peterson, S. A. Hendee, E. F. Currier, A. C. Decker, H. L. Goudy, A. Logan, and J. R. Sperling. The first officers were: J. C. Cadwalla- der, dictator; T. F. Capp, vice-dictator; W. E. Whittier, assistant dictator; E. T. Currier, reporter; John R. Sperling, financial reporter; G. A. Kaiser, treas- urer; and J. C. Thompson, past dictator. The present are: G. W. Fox, dictator; Robert Orr, vice-dictator; J. Bowie, as- sistant dictator; W. E. Whittier, reporter; G. A. Kaiser, financial reporter; and J. C. Cadwallader, treasurer.

Phoenix lodge, No. 17, Ancient Order of United Workmen, located at Bush- nell, was organized October 2, 1876, with the following members: G. A. Kaiser, Charles West, Thomas Fairman, J. Leib, O. C. Hicks, W. A. Spader, F. Craig, H. D. Brooks, C. Nessel, C, E. Weyman, A. Applegate, S. A. Greenbaum, L. Kaiser, J. V. Sorter, G. Kuhn, R. Fees, H. T. Walters, F. Nessel, J. Fees, J. Stephen- son, L. Mills, J. W. Sparks, J. E. Moore, H. T. Clarke, J. J. Hosselkus, J. A. Gardner, J. B. Seeley, W. E. Whittier, I. Applegate, C. A. Davy, A. Schamp, and G. A. McElvain. The first officers of the lodge were the following named: G. A. Kaiser, P. M. W .; Charles West, M. W .; Thomas Fairman, F .; J. Leib, O .; O. C. Hicks, recorder; W. A. Spader, financier; F. Craig, receiver; H. D.

Brooks, G .; C. Nessel, I. W .; C. E. Weyman, O. W. The present member- ship is now about 56, and meetings are held in the I. O. O. F. hall. The pres- ent officers are: J. D. Murphy, P. M .; H. T. Walters, M. W .; "C. A. Baldwin, F .; W. D. Shrader, O .; Thomas Fairman, recorder; M. S. Walker, financier; T. F. Seibert, receiver; J. A. Carson, G .; W. E. Whittier, I. W .; S. L. Duntley, O. W.

MUNICIPAL.

At an election held March 24, 1869, for or against the adoption of a city charter, there were polled 284 votes for, and 24 against the proposition. At the first annual election for city officers, held April 5, 1869, the following named persons were elected: J. B. Cummings, mayor. Aldermen, First ward, Manning F. West, one year; James W. Kelly, two years. . Aldermen, Second ward, James Ayres, one year; James Cole, two years. Aldermen, Third ward, William H. Oglesby, one year; I. N. McElvain, two years. Aldermen, Fourth ward, Fisher Brown, one year; A. E. Barnes, two years. 'M. A. Luce, attorney and clerk; Joseph Parks, treasurer.

Almon Tainter, the present mayor of the city of Bushnell, and a member of the firm of Haines & Tainter, furniture dealers, at Bushnell, Illinois, is a native of Genesee county, New York, born September 20, 1817. He is a son of John and Rachel (Hendricks ) Tainter, natives of the same state. In 1820, John Tainter removed with his family to Huron county, Ohio, where they re- mained until 1836. In that year Almon came to Illinois, and located in Fulton county, where he was a very early set-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

tler, The following year he returned to Ohio, and two years later, went to New York state, where he remained till 1840, He then came back to Fulton county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until.1871. At that date he removed to Independence, Kansas, and there fol- lowed merchandising three years, after which he came to McDonough county, and located in Bushnell. Here he em- barked in the grocery trade, which he continued four years, then sold out, and engaged in his present business. He was elected mayor of the city in the spring of 1883. He was married in May, 1871, to Ann Boyle, a native of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

EDUCATIONAL. [By Arthur Loomis.]

In writing a short history of the Bushnell public schools, I will mention briefly the condition of the schools first established. In all of the western states, the privileges of having good schools were formerly very scarce. And in tracing the history of any of the western villages at the present time, one cannot fail to notice the wonderful prog- ress that has been made in the school department.

The first school that was built in Bushnell was located on what is now. Sperry street, block 57, in the year 1856. Dan Markham was the first teacher. The school was then trans- ferred to Temperance hall, now the Nor- mal eating house, in the year 1860. The first teacher here was Mr. Snyder. Mr. Frisbee next conducted a school, in what is now the Catholic church build-

ing, from 1864 to 1867. In 1868 a graded school was established, of which Mr. Hyde was the first principal. From this time down to the year 1875, there were four schools, one in each ward, but the people, feeling their need for a bet- ter school, determined to build and found a high school. In 1875, the walls and foundation of the present school building were made, and in 1876, the building was completed. It is located in the northwest part of town, on block 20. At this time the board of educa- tion was composed of four men, viz: C. M. Baldwin, J. L. Griffith. R. S. Ran- dall and J. W. Sparks. On approach- ing the building, a person beholds an elegant structure., It is built of brick, on a foundation of stone, and is two- stories high. The basement walls ex- tend about 10 feet above ground, thius giving the building the appearance of having three stories. In ascending the steps in front of the building, a person enters through double doors, and an outer hall about 15x10. At the further end of this hall there is a raise of three steps, where a person again passes into a hall through double doors. On both sides of this hall there are two doors, opening respectively into rooms 3, 4, 5 and 6. At the extremity of this hall there is a flight of stairs which brings you on to a small platform from which proceeds another flight of stairs, in the opposite direction. At the head of this flight of stairs there is another hall, or corridor, from the sides of which, as below, proceed four doors, opening respectively into rooms 7, 8, 9 and 10. At the extremity of this hall there is a door opening into the superintendent's

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

HIHIENESAS LV HOOHOS HDIH TIENESAS

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

room. Besides the rooms already men- tioned, there is a small cloak room to each room, where hats and wraps are deposited during school hours, and a small closet where necessary articles are stored. The building is heated by steam, which is conveyed along the sides of the room by a number of pipes.

There is, also, a smaller building on the north side of the main building which was built for the convenience of the primary scholars. This building is composed of two rooms, but as I have never had the privilege of entering this building, I cannot further describe it.

The expense of finishing and fur- nishing such a building, was of course quite considerable. The building and furnishing in the first place amounted to $22,000. The furnace, pipes etc., which have been obtained since the building has been in operation,amounted to $1,750. \The expenses for teachers, - fuel etc .. amounts to $600 per month. Incidentals to about $400, per year.

The school possesses a small library containing 16 volumes of an encyclope- dia, several dictionaries, etc.

Among the branches taught in this school, are physiology, philosophy, alge- bra, rhetoric, geometry, English litera- ture, botany, etc., besides the lower branches.

Good and competent teachers are em- ployed, so that considering the size of the town, Bushnell has schools of which she may well be proud.

John P. Yoder, who has so acceptably filled the position of superintendent of the Bushnell schools since 1880, is a native of Pennsylvania, having been

born in that state on the 4th day of September, 1846. When John was 3 years of age, his father removed to Mc ' Lean county, Illinois, and located on a farm, following farming and carpenter- ing. Jolın remained at home, assisting his father on the farm and at his trade, until reaching his 17th year. He then enlisted in the 150th Illinois volunteer infantry, for one year "or during the war," and received his discharge after serving 14 months. He then returned to the old homestead, and attended the State normal university, at Blooming- ton. Previous to attending the univer- sity, his education had been obtained in the district schools and by personal ap- plication at home. He was ambitious to have a good education, and as a conse- quence, was very studious. While at- tending the university he taught occa- sionally, to procure the money necessary to pursue his studies, and finally gradu- ated therefrom in 1871. He then ac- cepted the position of principal of the Blue Island, Cook county schools, in which position he gave entire satisfac- tion. He then engaged in business at Chicago, but one year later resumed his profession at Danvers, McLean county, where he continued for seven years, then coming to Bushnell, as before stated, and took charge of the city schools. This position he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to all, and to his efforts is largely due the high posi- tion which the schools of the city have attained. John P. Yoder and Rebecca Lantz, a native of this state, were united in marriage on the 28th of December, 1874. They have been the parents of four children, three of whom are now

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

living-Jennie L., Arthur E. and Hattie J. Politically, Mr. Yoder is a republi- can, having been a member of that party

since reaching his majority. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the. Republic organization.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

BLANDINSVILLE TOWNSHIP.

This is a full congressional township, comprising the territory known as township 7 north, range 4 west, and contains 36 sections of land. It is loca- ted in the extreme northwestern part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Warren and Hancock counties, on the east by Sciota township, with Hire on the south, and Hancock county on the west. It is mostly prairie, there being now but about 4,000 acres of timberland within its borders. At an early day, along the streams, there was a consider- able amount of timber which has to a great extent been cut away, and the land put under cultivation. There are four small streams having their source in this township, from which water is de- rived for stock and culinary purposes. One in the southern part has its begin- ning in section 26, and, flowing in a southwesterly direction, passes through sections 27, 33 and 32, making its exit on section 31. The next one north has its source in various springs, one of which is situated in Sciota township, and pursuing a similar direction, passes through section 13, 14, 23, 22 and 21, and thence along and near the dividing

lines between sections 20 and 29, then through section 30, leaving the town- ship from the latter section. The third stream has a source near the northeast- ern portion of the township, in different portions of sections 12, 1, and 2, and then pursuing a southwesterly ,course, passes through section 11, a portion of 10 and 15, thence through 16 and 17, making its exit from section 18. The fourth stream passes only through the northwest corner of the township. Along all these small creeks there is considera- ble timber, mostly of a young growth, as there is very little heavy timber in the township. The soil along the streams, and adjacent to the wooded lands is of fair quality, consisting of decayed vege- table mould, and a mixture of clay, sand and gravel in places. It is generally well adapted for the growth of various cereals, although less productive than the prairies. The surface of the town- ship is gently undulating, except in places along these streams, where it is a little broken. The more level or flat portions in most cases have natural drainage, so the township may be con- sidered a good body of land. The early

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

settlers, as will be seen, were mostly from the Southern states, and the popu- lation of the township, is generally made up of Americans. The lands are owned, to a great extent, by retired men who lease them to other parties. The im- provements on the latter lands are gen- erally poor compared with the excellent buildings, etc., upon most of the farms where the owners make their homes. There is one village in this township called Blandinsville, a history of which appears elsewhere. General farming and stock raising are the chief pursuits fol- lowed, and some of these interests are noticed under their proper heads. The Wabash and St. Louis railroad traverses the township from east to west in the southern part, affording convenient ac- cess and transportation.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Many interesting features cluster around this branch of history-recollec- "tions of by-gone days, of joys and sor- rows, of prosperity and adversity. All such early experiences will be more fully described in the general chapter on this subject. The early settlers of this town- ship came at a time when it tried men's souls, just previous to the winter of the great snow, and at a time when a start was a difficult matter. Consequently it will be found that the majority of the first settlers, thinking that they had ven- tured too far 'north, sold out or aban- doned their claims, and went southward -some of them to again return and find eventually a land full of promise. Dur- ing the winter of 1830-31, many were discouraged. The immense quantity of snow interfered with the construction of

the log house, and they were obliged to live together in such habitations as had been rudely and hastily constructed, many families in one small cabin. That winter seemed to try the grit and spirit of many, and in the spring quite a num- ber left for Missouri, hoping to there find a more congenial clime. After that winter, which was an unusually severe. one, there was less abandonment of claims, and selling out for the season. Those who remained through those times have witnessed the development of a fine country, and as a rule have re- ceived the reward of industry and pa- tient endurance.

The first person to make a settlement within the borders of what is now Blan- dinsville township, was William Job, who came from Morgan county, this state, in company with several other men, to look for land and a home, in the fall of 1825. After spending some time in looking over the county he returned to Morgan to spend the winter, and the following spring brought his family to the county, stopping some three weeks with a man by the name of Richard Dunn, just across the line in Hire township, while Mr. Job constructed a cabin of split logs on the land he had previously selected, on the southeast quarter of section 33. The rudely-con- structed habitation, erected by Mr. Job, was their home but a short time, when it was replaced by a hewn log cabin, which was well built for the kind at that time. The same building is still in ex- istence, and is now occupied by J. C. Phillips as a residence in the village of Blandinsville, and is, consequently, the oldest building now standing in the town-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ship. More modern improvements have been made to it, but the same old logs are there as were placed by the Job family almost sixty years ago. Pre- vious to the time of Mr. Job coming to McDonough county, he settled in Han- cock county, on the Mississippi river, but at that time the Indians were so troublesome that they only remained one season and then removed to Mor- gan county, three miles from Jackson- ville. It was only after great solicita- tion and urging on the part of Mr. Job, after he returned from this county for his family, that they were induced to again come to the frontier, as Mrs. Job was deathly afraid of the Indians. Even after they came to Blandinsville, in the spring of 1826, the Indians would fre- quently flourish their tomahawks over the heads of the children and women and display to them how a scalp was taken. This pioneer was, in his way, a determined man, and resolved to here make a home, notwithstanding the ap- parent difficulties and set about opening up a farm, but the cold hand of the grim destroyer, death, came upon him ere his hopes were realized, although a goodly start toward the goal of his ambition had been obtained, and he passed away, on the identical spot where the first settle- ment was made, in the fall of 1835. One daughter, Parmelia Davis, is the only survivor of that pioneer family, who re- sides on the old Job homestead, at an advanced age.

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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 97

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