USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough county, Illinois, its cities, towns and villages with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 44
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Sciota, District No. 10 .-- The school building is in the town of Sciota, and was erected in 1872 at a cost of $1,200. In 1875 an addition, costing $600, was added. S. M. Hale, Dr. E. Brown and Obemeyer are the present directors. The main building is 24x36; its addition 17x22.
Good Hope .- This was formerly District No. 9 of Walnut Grove and Sciota town- ships. The school building was then situated on the southwest corner of section 30 of
431
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
the former township, and was erected in 1861. It was removed to Good Hope in 1874, since which time it has given place to a larger and neater building, one that is an honor to the town.
LAMOINE TOWNSHIP.
Colmar. District No. 7 .- The school building is located on the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 8, and was erected in 1857: in 1876 an addition was built and the old building remodeled: value $650. Previous to the erection of the build- ing school was held in a house belonging to Henry Brickell. Among those serving as directors were George Barker, Samuel Morrow, Henry Brickle, George Johnson, and Benjamin Waddle. The teacher for 1877 was Mr. Berry and receives $65 per month.
TENNESSEE TOWNSHIP.
District No. 1 .- There are two school buildings in this district. valued at $600-one situated in Hillsgrove, the other on section 20. Directors-Thomas Fulkerson, George Ruddle, and Van Gilchrist. Teachers for 1875-Mr. S. Rush and Miss E. Ritchie.
District No. 2 .- The school house stands on section 26, and is valued at $500; it was erected in 1869. The directors are Q. Smith and L. F. Carson; teacher for winter of 1876-77 was S. D. Freeland.
District No. 3 .- The school building is situated on section 10, and is valued at $400. Directors-J. Zimmerman and R. M. McClure.
District No. 4 .- For many years, and until 1856. school was taught in northern part of section 5 ; the district then was five miles square : Pinkney Simmons taught here as early as 1851 ; the present building, which is also located on section 5. on the southwest quar- quarter, was built in 1857 : it is about 16x20 feet. and is worth $100. There are sixty- three scholars in the district, with an attendance of thirty ; salary of teachers will ave- rage $30 per month. William Allison. Joseph White, and James Anderson were the first directors. In 1876 J. B. Eakle. Stephen M. Chipman, and J. G. Dixon were elected directors.
Tennessee. District No. 5 .- Building erected in 1878 at a cost of $7,000 ; located in the town of Tennessee. Directors-John Myer, William Cook. and William Cowan. Teach- ers-Miss S. Blazer and Miss L. Grafton.
Union, District No. 6 .- The school house is in Colchester : is a good brick structure, erected but a few years ago at a cost of $8,000. I. B. Hunt, R. Musson, and J. U. Under- hill are directors. C. W. Parker, George McDaniel, Miss M. Finley, and Miss C. Archer, teachers for 1876-77.
Districts Nos. 7 and S .- The buildings of these districts are not in Tennessee town- ships : one is located on sections 19, Chalmers township. and known as District No. 8. the other on section 36. Hire township.
Union District No. 9 .-- The house is situated on section 18. and is valued at $300. Directors-L. Underhill and T. B. Wilson. Teacher-Miss Forrest.
432
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
11IRE TOWNSHIP.
District No. 1 .- The school building is located on section 11, and was erected in 1862 at a cost of $400 ; it is 18x22 feet. The following named persons have served as directors: William Johnson, Lucius Shryack, A. Brown. Marcellus Shryack, Abijah Huff, William L. Shryack, James Keithley, Bedford Graham, Joseph Bice, C. W. Sly, S. B. Davis, and John Hays. The following named persons have been teachers : S. B. Davis, Mary E. Siders, Alice A. Phelps, J. W. Bugg, John Argenbright, Lizzie Argenbright, J. W. Sell, J. W. Siders, Sarah J. Cannon, Jennie Bunger, Thomas Brennon, Christiana Fultz, Eliza- beth Cannon, Peter Pancake, Amanda George, Emma Earp, and Samuel Creighton.
District No. 2 .- The school house stands on the southwest quarter of section 3, and is valued at $200. In the district are ninety-two scholars. John Fisher. James Bailey, and Floyd Foster are the directors.
District No. 3 .- This district was organized in 1864. The house stands on the north- west corner of section 8, is 18x28 feet, and valued at $100. There are forty-two scholars in the district, with an average attendance of fifteen. Among the directors elected are : Samuel Logan, William Williams, William H. Hungate, Solomon Hainline, and Charles Libby. The following have been the teachers : S. D. Freeland, Viola Logan, Wharton Alexander, Sarah Sorter, C. H. Hungate, and Julia Courtright.
Rock Creek, District No. 4 .- District organized in 1857, the same year of the town- ship. The present building was erected in 1873, at a cost of $1,060, and is 22x30; it is situated on section 17. There are fifty scholars in the district, with an attendance of thirty. Isaac Oakman, James Williams, James White, James Barnett, John Needler, George Hainline, Jacob Hainline and Jesse Hainline have served as directors, and among those teaching were Susie Campbell, Jennie Freeland, Miss Barr, Sylvester Hutch- ins, Flora Newcomb, Luella Holliday, James Duff, and William Reynolds.
District No. 5 .- The building is located on section 22, is 20 by 30, and was moved to its present site is 1862; the value of the house is $200. The following have served as directors from time to time : T. F. Wilson, William C. Hainline, F. Freeland, A. J. Veal, Israel Null, John Graham, Wesley Hawkins, Jacob Parrish, Thomas Hainline, John Kirk, Elijah Stookey, David Keithley, J. F. Richardson, John Charter, J. S. Veal. As teachers we find the following named persons : Sophrona Freeland, S. B. Davis, Bell Hainline, Miss E. Palmer, T. K. Roach, Belle Courtwright, A. M. Johnson, A. R. Bullock, B. C. Underwood, J. W. Bugg, Homer Fiseus, Sarah Null, J. Fiscas, J. W. Siders, Malinda Bennie, J. E. Hainline, Amanda George. Annie Russell and Nannie Pedrick.
District No. 6 .- School building erected in 1872 on the northeast corner of section 23; size, 20x30; there are sixty scholars in the distriet with an average attendance of thirty-five. John Carmack. J. E. Carlyle, Eli Murray, Thomas Parker, and Thomas Ben- nett have been directors, and Mrs. Sweeney. J. T. Murray. Miss Kane, J. Griswold, John Lovett, M. Martin, and Andrew Adair have been teachers.
District No. 7 .- The school building stands on the northwest quarter of section 36; its value is $300; in the district are ninety-eight scholars. The following are the direc- tors: Elijah Welch, William Cormack, and Allen Murray.
433
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY
Hicks, District No. 8 .- This school district was organized in 1852, and a house built the following year, and in 1867 the present building was erected at a cost of $1,200. It is 24x30, and is located in section 34. In the district are about forty scholars, twenty- five of whom attend school. The directors serving since 1852 are : E. N. Hicks, Jeffer- son Hire, William Swazy, James Beard, Samuel Pulliam, F. F. Myers, James Bice, and Franklin Hire; those teaching were George Davis, Miss Foler, Peyton York, R. Kimble, J. Argenbright, Sarah Null, Martha Welch, Taylor Murray, Alice Humphrey. J. S. Hutch- ens, Vespassion Stookey, James Fulkerson. Amelia Templeton.
Dastrict No. 9 .- In 1863 a house 18x26 was built on section 30. There are forty-six scholars in the district, with an average attendance of seventeen. Since its organization the following-named men have served as directors: Solomon Kious, Vandever Banks, Philip George. B. H. Roberts, Newton Eakle, John Zimmerman, and Jacob George: while the following-named teachers have been engaged: Abner Keithley. Lucretia McEl- roy, Maggie Kious. Austin Allison. Advice Ades. Charles Davis. J. S. Hutchins, Libbie Harris and Nellie Doran.
BLANDINSVILLE TOWNSHIP.
District No. 1 .- The school house is located on the southwest corner of section 2, and was erected in 1872 at a cost of $750; it is 18x28. The district was organized in 1858. There are in it thirty-five scholars, with twenty-five attending school. The following are among those serving as directors : John Huston, James Woodside. S. Guy. Rigdon Hus- ton, John M. Huston, and William Blackhurst. Among those teaching were: L. S. Wright, Maggie Couch. Allice Phillips, Maggie Finley, and C. Fegley.
District No. 2 .- This school house is located on the northeast quarter of section 7, and is valued at $300. The directors are : L. C. Carter and John Langerstett.
Mount Pleasant, District No. 3 ..- School building located on section 18 : its size is 18. x24. Among the directors that have served are: Phillip George, H. R. Grigsby, N. D. Mustain, John Herzog, and Alfred Kaufman. Teachers-Silas Wright. Maggie Finley, Ollie Alexander. and Amanda George.
Center, District No. 4 .- The school house is situated on section 21, and was erected in 1858 at a cost of $600 ; it is 18x24. There are in the district forty scholars, with an ave- rage attendance of twenty-five. The following are the names of directors serving since its organization : Nathan Mastain, Hiram Williams, J. Cross, Campbell Taylor, N. Grigsby, Preston Huston, William Isom, Thomas Melvin, William Campbell. George Mus- tain, and John Huston. The following named are the teachers : E. Dice, I. Reed, John Hungate, William Smith, William Berry. Miss Cartwright. Levi Wright. Rebeca Mayors, John Argenbright. and Ida Griffin.
District No. 5 .- The school house stands on section 36. Its value is placed at $500. The directors are W. B. Kirkpatrick, A. Hickman, and P. Boughman.
District No. 6 .- This district includes the town of Blandinsville. The school house is valued at $10,000. The directors are W. R. Clements. William D. Mustain, and John W. Fowler.
434
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
District No. 7 .- The building in this district is located in Hire township.
District No. 8 .- School building is on section 23, and is valued $300. J. W. Davis. John Key, and S. A. Wells are directors.
District No. 9 .- The school house of this district is on section 29. Its value is $300. The directors are Nathan Wright, J. V. M. Hardesty, and Harrison Sappington.
District No 1) .- The school property of this district is worth $300). The directors are William Metcalf, R. R. Harris, and S. Gaumer.
District No. 11 .- The school house was moved to its present site, southeast corner of section 4, in 1864, and is 18x24. The average attendance is ten, while there are twenty scholars in the district. Isaac Miller, William Hardesty, William L. Woodside, Thomas Mustain, and Thomas Roberts have served this district in the capacity of directors. The following are amoung those teaching: Thomas Goodmight, Nancy Fowler. Julia Ise- minger, Levi Wright. Lizzie Cook, Sam Hungate, Silas Wright, and Charles Hardesty.
age ...
der 21 years of
of persons un-
Whole number
tricts ....
Whole number
of pupils en-
in county ......
school houses
Whole number
ending Sept.
ing the year
received dur-
amount
30, 1876 .....
ending Sept.
tures for year
Total expendi-
paid teachers
Whole amount
property . ......
ue of school
Estimated val-
paid teachers
Highest wages
paid teachers
Lowest wages
-
Chalmers
937
12
593
10.
$4,505 48|
$3,777 35
$2,451 74
$4,250
$40
20
Bushnell towns'p ..
1,560 63
1,282 76
3,200
45
25
Emmet
605
300
2,425 23
2,030 25
1.576 16
2,900
45
20
Walnut Grove
559
403
5,182 86
4,500 19
2,861 14
3,950,
50
Macomb township
673
9
895
4,498 93
3,654 61
2,491 00
5,000
50
Sciota ..
807
11
311
11|
6,168 56
5,542 13
3,456 12
6,815|
60
Hire
691
10
366
10
4,409 84
3,856 82
2,588 44
3,830
50
25
In lustry
849
9
467
9
3,969 93
3,262 19
2,513 70
6,500
75
Brandinsville.
741
10
576
10
7,287 62
6,171 08
3,209 00
10,925
60
Prairie City
889
.4
478
6
6,291 19
4,824 93
3,420 56
6,300
100
20
Mound
715
10
212
10
4,994 29
4,520 99
3,811 54
5,900
60
20
Bushnell City
1,168
1
517
4
7,100 00
6,910 21
4,226 25
25,000
111
40
Macomb City.
1,896
1
347
5
10,279 76
9,221 07
8,050 00
42,000
135
30
Tennessee
1,062
9
557
9,472 99
7,667 86
3,800 13
15,550'
60
Totals
14,899
152
8,056
159 898,237 07 $84, 454 58 $55,566 42 $160, 420
-
. ..
of school dis-
rolled. ......
160
6
1,633 46
Bethel
852
453
6
3,463 24
2,944 36
6,104 16
2,801 00
7,500|
50
1,098 8%
790 52
586 83
6,300
60
Lamoine.
627
358
3,510 41
3,510 41
1,887 74
3,200
55
26
New Salem.
581
9
396
9
4,863 12
3,574 82
2,799 31
3,200
60
9 499917
7,131 48
Eldorado
530
Scotland.
518
9
Whole number
30, 1876
Total
Name of Town- ship.
1,750 00
3,100
15
435
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES CONTINUED.
ELDER JOIIN LOGAN.
The subject of this sketch was born in Rockbridge county, Va., February 14, 1793. His father, Samuel Logan, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country when about twenty years of age, and was married about the year 1789 to Ann Wylie. A short time after the birth of John, his parents removed to Garrett county, Kentucky, making the journey with two pack horses, on which all their worldly goods were borne.
Elder Logan was a self-made man in every sense of the word. On account of the extreme poverty of his parents, he only ob- tained such education as the common schools of that early day afforded, but he had a thirst for knowledge, and read with avidity every book he could get, thus storing his mind with inform- ation that was of service to him in after years in the proclama- tion of the gospel.
On the twenty-eighth day of November, 181t, he was married to Miss Nancy Newell, in Simpson county, Ky., and at once re- moved to Sumner county, Tenn., where he lived for five years. It was here, under the preaching of Elder Lee Allen, that he was converted to Christ, and where he and his estimable wife were buried in baptism on the third day of October, 1819, and on the first Sunday in November of the same year they united with the New Hope Baptist Church, in Simpson county, Ky. From the time of his conversion he began the proclamation of the gospel.
In October, 1823, he removed to Dubois county, Indiana, where he remained for four years. When he first settled here he thought to engage no more in the preaching of the gospel, imagining his labors were fruitless. He had been in the neighborhood but
436
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
a short time when he attended a religious service at the house of a neighbor, when the following dialogue occurred: "John, did you ever preach ?" "I don't know." Did you ever try ?" He had to admit that he had. "Why, don't you know the Lord will kill you if you don't do His work ? Now, we must have preaching, and you must do it." A load was lifted from his mind, and never after that did he fail to preach as an opportunity offered.
He was regularly ordained by Elders Graham, Charles Harper, and David Hornaday, and in the spring of 1828 moved to this county, and settled near the present town of Industry, living one season in the old block house, of which mention is made else- where in these records, The block house at this time was the property of William Carter, who, learning Elder Logan was com- ing to the neighborhood to live, was watching for him, and when he made his appearance with his old-fashioned ox-team, with his family and entire household goods packed therein, he was hailed by Mr. Carter, who asked him where he was going to live. He replied that he had arranged with a family in the neighborhood to occupy a part of their house. Mr. Carter then said : "Now, see here, Mr. Logan, I have lived long enough in this world to know that no house is large enough for two women. There is that old block house over there, if that will suit, you can take it and use it as long as you like, and it shan't cost you a cent." The offer was thankfully received, and the place was soon made ready for the use of the family. Here they lived until fall, when they moved into a more comfortable house, where they remained until the following year, when another move was made to Schuyler county, which place was made their home until the fall of 1835, when they again returned to MeDonough, this time settling near the present town of Blandinsville, and where they lived until the day of Mr. Logan's death. While living in the old block house he preached in the neighborhood, and organized the first Sunday school ever held in the county.
As a preacher, Elder Logan was energetic and earnest in the extreme-an off-hand speaker, never writing his sermons, and sel- dom using notes. His whole heart was in his Master's work, and he labored earnestly and zealously in the field in which he was called upon to occupy. In the spring of 1832 he received the appointment of missionary from the Home Missionary Society, of
437
IIISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
Boston, Mass. For this he was excluded from the Spoon River Association in the September following. Previous to this he was what is known as a Regular Baptist, a branch of the Baptist fam- ily opposed to missionary societies and salaried preachers, but which, we believe, up to this time had never made the same a test of fellowship. His exclusion from the Association did not cause him to lose interest in the work, but rather made him the more zealous, and we find him preaching everywhere in the region known as the Military Tract the unsearchable riches of God, and his work seems to have been specially blessed to the salvation of many. As a citizen he was eminently a man of peace ; a christ- ian father and husband, ever teaching his children that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. While living in Schuyler county he was elected justice of the peace, but held the office but a short time, believing it incompatable with his duties as a minis- ter of Christ.
The result of his union with Nancy Newell was the birth of thirteen children, eight of whom are now living.
WILLIAM F. M'CANDLESS.
The subject of our present sketch was born in Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, on the twenty-first day of January, 1812. His parents were Archibald and Elizabeth (Fannigan) MeCand- less, who, when their son was born, were in moderate circum- stances, but gave him as he grew up all the advantages their means would allow. The first years of his life were spent among the grand old mountains of his native State, breathing the pure air of the country. The common schools of the early part of the nineteenth century were all the educational advantages he was permitted to enjoy. The same general traits of character that have since developed in the man were observable in the boy. He was very conscientious, never indulging in profanity, but of a mischievous turn of mind, enjoying the ridiculous side of life and making his share of fun for the neighborhood. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to learn the trade of carpenter, which business he followed for twenty-five years, changing it when it seemed best for his pecuniary interests, having for some years engaged in farming ; and the past few years being engaged in the sale of lumber, flour, etc., in the town of Bardolph, where he now resides.
H-28
438
IIISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
On the twelfth day of September, 1833, he was united in mar- riage to Miss M. C. Seroggs, in Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, and by whom he has had eight children, five of whom are yet living, three having gone before to that beautiful land, where they await the coming of the other loved ones. The fond wife and mother, too, has passed "over the river," and bye-and-by she will be joined by the others, and in the city of our God they will meet never more to part. Mrs. McCandless breathed her last upon the fourteenth day of March, 1876, in the full assurance of the blessed hope of immortality beyond the grave.
When a young man Mr. McCandless moved from the country to the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and from thence, in due time, to Ohio Town, in Ohio; from which place he came west to McDonough county, in the spring of 1838, where he has since continued to reside, and where he has drawn around him a host of friends and acquaintances, who honor and respect the man. A short time after his arrival in Macomb, this county, he was elected to the office of Town Constable, serving the people in that capac- ity for four years, doing at that time a great deal of business, principally in the way of collecting, and it is said of him he made a No. 1 collector. He was also a member of the Board of Trus- tees of the town of Macomb for one or two years.
When he came to this county the whole eastern part was unset- tled, save here and there, hugging the timber, were a few scat- tered settlements. Ile purchased a tract of land northeast of Macomb, erecting on it a cabin, moved his family thereto, and began its improvement. One winter day he took his wife and child with him in a sleigh, and drove to Macomb to attend to some business, which attended to, a little while before night he started home. When just outside the town a large black wolf sprang in his path. With whip in hand he endeavored to keep it off, while urging his horses onward. It appeared to be the design of the wolf to seize the child, and, while the father would attend to the team and receive the attacks of the animal, the mother would attempt to shield it from its clutch. The enraged and hungry animal continued the attack for some miles, until the house of a Mr. Booth was reached, where Mr. McCandless drove in and remained during the night. We have heard him say that many times has he driven across the prairie when the hungry wolves were howling all around him, and when he supposed he
439
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
was in considerable danger from their attack, but it is probable there is no incident more indelibly impressed upon his mind than the one narrated above.
When a young man, Mr. McCandless united with the Presby- terian Church, in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and has ever since retained connection with that branch of the Christian church, a great portion of the time occupying the office of deacon. IIe is a firm and consistent believer in the doctrines held by that body, and has ever lived up to his profession. For many years he was connected with the church at Macomb, but now holds membership with the church at Bardolph, his present residence.
Mr. MeCandless is a man rather below the medium height, well and strongly built, having a good constitution, and when young must have been quite active. He wears no beard, his face always being smoothly shaven, and now, at the age of sixty-five, he is yet hale and hearty, and wears his age as lightly as one twenty years younger. Although not wealthy, he is in good, comforta- ble circumstances, the fruit of a life of toil and rigid economy.
CAPTAIN J. C. M'CLELLAN.
James C. MeClellan was born in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, April 1, 1829. His parents were James and Abigal (Cromwell) Mcclellan, natives of the same State. They were poor in the world's goods, but rich in faith, and in their inter- course with the world ever endeavored to observe the golden rule. The father was by trade a carpenter, and when James was but fourteen years of age he took him in the shop that he might learn the same trade. The common school, that institution from which so many eminent men of the land have graduated, was the only place where a knowledge of letters was imparted to him, and the place where all knowledge of books was received, save what he has since learned by self-application. For nineteen years he followed his chosen trade, acquiring considerable skill in the work.
At an early period in his life his parents moved to Preston county, Virginia, where they remained until their removal to Illi- mois in 1854. James accompanied them to West Virginia, but tarried there after their removal to this State, having in the mean- time been bound by ties stronger than that of blood-that of marriage with Miss Venia J. Harned. The result of this union was one son, P. H. McClellan, who has now arrived at man's es-
440
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
tate, and was lately himself married with Miss Hattie Burt, of Quincy. The young couple now reside at Mt. Sterling, Illinois, where the husband is engaged in the mercantile trade.
While a citizen of West Virginia, Mr. McClellan concluded he would subscribe for and read the New York Tribune, that he might know what was transpiring in the outer world. This was in ante-war times. Uncle Sam's officials permitted him to re- ceive one copy of the paper, after which they confiscated each number as it appeared and fed it to the flames.
In the fall of 1857 Mr. McClellan came to Illinois, and during the winter of 1857-58 was in the employ of Wm. L. Imes & Co., Macomb, in manufacturing agricultural implements. In the spring of 1858 he went to Missouri, remaining there one year, when he returned to MeDonough county, settling in the village of Industry, where he labored at his trade until the summer of 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Co. I, 78th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with the regiment was mustered into the United States service at Camp Wood, near Quincy, on the first day of September of that year. With this regiment he continued for some fifteen months, participating in very active service. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and many minor skirmishes and battles-the 78th always being in the front. In December, 1863, he was discharged for promotion, receiving the commission of First Lieutenant Co. H, 17th Regiment United States colored troops. Shortly after the battle of Nashville, the most important battle in which the regiment was engaged, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, which position he retained during the war, and as such was honorably discharged in August, 1865, a few months after the close of the war.
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