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 60
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Samuel McCray, born in Warren county, Ohio, 1816: came to this county in 1836 ; settled near Macomb.
B. Mason, born in 1814, in Tennessee : came to the county in 1836 ; settled on section twenty-eight, Bethel township.
Benjamin L. McClure, Prairie City. born March 1, 1804. in Cumberland, Kentucky ; came to this county in 1834.
Michael McDonald, born in Boone county, Illinois, in 1829; came to this county in 1836 ; residence, Bushnell.
William McKamy, born in Tennessee in 1810. emigrated to this county in 1834, and settled on section five, Industry township.
William Moore came to the county in 1835, and settled on section thirty-one, New Salem township. Born in Monroe county, Kentucky, in 1802.
Samuel F. Morris, born in North Carolina in 1816; came to McDonough county in 1836, and settled in section thirty-six, in Lamoine township.
George W. Mustain, born in the State of Virginia in the year 1832; came to this county with his father the same year. Resides on a farm in Blandinsville township.
James A. Mustain, born in Pittsylvania county. Virginia, in 1829; came to McDonough county in 1832.
Nathaniel Mustain. Place of birth, Pittsylvania county, Virginia. Born in 1819, and emigrated to this county in 1832.
Benjamin F. Naylor, born in Adair county, Kentucky, March 15, 1801, came to this county in 1833, and settled in Macomb.
John Patrick, born in Fayette county. Kentucky, January 1, 1810, and came to this county in 1835. Settled in Bethel township, and laid out Middletown. He resides in Macomb.
Robert Peek came to this county in 1822, and resides in Industry township. He was born in Hardin county, Kentucky. April 24, 1824 ..
Catherine Painter, born in Pennsylvania in 1804, came to the county in 1831, and set- tled on Spring creek.
Richard Pennington. born in Monroe county, Kentucky : in 1814, moved to McDon- ough county in 1830, and settled on Camp Creek. now Pennington's Point, where he has resided ever since.
Thomas J. Pennington, born March 15. 1810, in Monroe county ; Kentucky, came to this county in 1830. Mr. Pennington was one of MeDonough's early settlers, and all through his life labored earnestly for the prosperity of the county. He served as a sol- dier in the Black Hawk war. For many years he represented Industry township in the Board of Supervisors. He was esteemed as a worthy citizen by all who knew him. He died in 1876.
Alfred Pennington, born in Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1827 ; came to the county with his father (William Pennington) in 1828. Resides in Emmet.
Perry Pennington, born in McDonough county, July 29, 1828 ; lives in Emmet town- ship.
George W. Provine was born May 5, 1813, in Clark county, Indiana. Came to this county November 20, 1835. Resides in Scotland township.
William H. Phelps, born in Mercer county, Kentucky. April 20, 1819 ; came to Macomb in 1836.
Margaret Phelps, wife of William H. Phelps, was born in Green county, Kentucky, on the thirty-first day of October. 1819, and came to McDonough county with her father. Samuel Russell, in the year 1831.
William B. Pile, born December 11, 1811, in Adair county, Kentucky : came to McDon- ough county in 1833, and resides in Industry township.
600
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Abraham Powers, born in South Harvard. Vermont. in 1825 : came to this county in 1834, and settled in Eldorado township.
James C. Roberts, born December 19, 1812, in Courtland county. New York : came to Macomb in 1837, where he still resides.
G. E. Robinson, born in Bond county, Illinois ; came to this county in 1836 with his father. Matthew B. Robinson, who was born in North Carolina in 1795. Settled on sec- tion thirty-six, Bushnell township, and was the first person to make a home in the town- ship.
Darius Runkle, born February 10, 1813, in Champagne county, Ohio ; came to McDon- ongh county in 1837, and resides in the southern part of Industry township.
Hiram Russell, born in Green county, Kentucky. October 14. 1816 ; came to MeDonough county in 1831.
John L. Russell, born December 8, 1808, near Campbellville, Green county, Kentucky : came to McDonough county May 5, 1832. Settled on and improved the " Jack Gash " farm, one mile west of Macomb, for which he paid $1.25 per acre.
Mary Russell, wife of John L. Russell, born near Springfield, Washington county. Kentucky, May 16, 1816, came to this county with her father, Wm. Willis, in 1832, who settled three miles southwest of Macomb.
Merritt A. Russell, born March 9, 1815, in 'Green county, Kentucky, came with his father, Samuel Russell, to McDonough county in 1831, settling just west of Macomb.
David Seybold, the subject of this notice, was born in Washington county, Kentucky. in 1805 ; emigrated to this county and settled in Blandinsville township in 1830; lived and died upon the old homestead entered forty-seven years ago. He departed this life August 19, 1877, aged seventy-two years, seven months and nineteen days. Thus the sturdy pioneers are one by one leaving us.
James Seybold was born in Washington county. Kentucky, in 1816, and came to this county in 1830.
Joshua Simmons, born in Halifax county, Virginia, in 1806; came to this county in 1835; settled on Spring creek.
S. C. Simpson, born in Tennessee in 1811, came to McDonongh county in 1835; loca- ted in Macomb.
James B. Smithers, born December 27th, 1823, in Adair county, Kentucky; came to this county in 1833; residence in Macomb.
Thomas T. Smithers, born January 29, 1830, in Adair county, Kentucky; came to Mc- Donough county in 1833; now resides in Macomb,
William W. Stewart, born August 15th, 1820, in Todd county, Kentucky; came to the State in 1829, and to the county in 1839; resides in Walnut Grove township.
Jeremiah Sullivan, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 18th, 1817; came to this county May 2, 1835 ; resides in Scotland township.
George A. Taylor, born in -Henry county, Virginia, January 16, 1809; came to MeDon- ough connty in 1833; has held several county offices, among which were those of Sheriff and Supervisor; well known and universally respected; now lives in Industry.
G. W. Thompson, of Bushnell township, was born in New York City in 1824; came to McDonough county in 1837, and settled on section twenty-five, where he now resides.
John Twidwell, born January 20, 1818, in North Carolina; came to this county in 1836; located on section thirty-three, Lamoine township.
Thomas Twidwell, born in Virginia in 1791: emigrated to MeDonongh in 1836; settled in section twenty-three. Lamoine township.
Iverson L. Twyman, born November 29, 1814. in Barren county, Kentucky; came to Macomb in 1836, where he still resides.
Eleanor Vance, born in 1814, in Wilson county, Tennessee, and came to this county in 1830, and settled in Industry township.
Benjamin Vail, born May 12, 1813, in Ohio; came to this county in 1834; resides in Macomb.
Benjamin Waddle, born in Tennessee township, this county, in 1833; his father, John Waddle, came to this county in 1833.
John Mont. Walker, born April 29, 1819, in Adair county, Kentucky: came to this county in June of 1833.
James R. Ward, born in Washington county. Kentucky. in 1823; came to this county in 1833: resides in Blandinsville.
601
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Horace Ward, born in Washington county. Kentucky, in the year 1828; came to this county in 1833: residence, Blandinsville.
W. F. Wayland, born in Carroll county, Kentucky, in 1823: came to McDonough county November 9, 1832, and settled in Chalmers township.
Thomas R. Wilcox, Scotland township, was born July 7, 1833, in Fayette county, Ken- tucky. Came to McDonough county April 5. 1835.
James Williams, born September 18, 1811, in Washington county, Kentucky ; came to this county in 1834. Residesin Hire township.
Quintus Walker, born in Adair county, Kentucky; came to McDonough county in 1830 and settled in Industry township. and was among the first settlers in Walnut Grove township. where he still resides.
Andrew H. Walker came to this county in 1830, and for many years has resided on section sixteen, Walnut Grove township. He was born in Adair county, Kentucky.
Alexander Walker, born in Adair county, June 29, 1824; came to this county with his father. Cyrus Walker, in May, 1833. Resides in city of Macomb.
James Willis, was born January 3. 1819. in Washington county, Kentucky, and came to this comity with his father. William Willis. in the early part of 1830. Resides in Macomb.
John C. Willis. born in Washington county, Kentucky, November 22, 1824, and came to this county in 1830. Now resides in the city of Macomb.
Martha R. Wilson, born in Jackson county, Tennessee, in 1804: came to this county in 1827 with her father, James Vance, and settled in Industry township. Was married to John Wilson, October 30. 1828, being the first couple to marry in the county. .
Thomas F. Wilson, born In Washington county, Kentucky. in 1822; came to county in 1832.
William S. Wilson. born in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1820, and came to this county in 1833.
D. D. Woods. born in Erie county. Pennsylvania. in 1821 ; came to McDonough county in 1831.
Salem Woods, born in Madison county, New York, June 4, 1799. Visited this county in 1828, to look at the land he had bought the previous year. Did not move until 1831. He is now residing on the land he bought in 1827.
William S. Woodside, born in Washington county. Virginia, and came to McDonough county in 1833.
James A. Woodside. born in Washington county, Virginia : came to this county with his father, J. W. Woodside, in 1833. Resides in Blandinsville township, on a farm.
John M. Wilcox, born in Carroll county, Kentucky, March 19, 1826: came to this county with his mother in 1836, and lived in Chalmers township. Mr. Wilcox now re- sides on section thirty-one. Mound township.
James Williams came to the county in 1834. He was born in Washington county, Kentucky. September 18, 1811. Resides in Hire township.
C. Wilson, born in Casey county. Kentucky. June 11, 1832. Came to this county in 1834.
Edward Woods, born July 4, 1832 in this county. Resides on a farm in New Salem.
Mrs. Mary Yocum, wife of the late Stephen Yocum, born in Sumner county, Tennessee, in 1808. Came to the county in 1833. Settled in section nineteen, New Salem township.
602
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXLY.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The following items of information are of a general character, and, for convenience, are grouped together in one chapter :
STREAMS OF THE COUNTY.
Crooked Creek .- What may properly be termed the head waters of Crooked Creek are hard to determine. In Prairie City township rises a small stream which has been known for fifty years as Drowning Fork of Crooked Creek. This stream passes down near the town of Bardolph, where it is joined by another fork, and the two combined form a considerable stream, which has been given the name Crooked Creek, from its being in fact what its name implies. In all the old maps published this stream is known as Lamoine river-a French word meaning The Monk. It is generally surmised, though not certainly known, that in the very early settle- ment of this country, when the French Catholics occupied it for the purpose of con- verting the Indians to the Catholic religion, the priests gave it this name. In the orig- inal field notes of the United States survey for MeDonough county it is marked Lamine river. In its tortuous course through the county it passes through the townships of Prairie City, Bushnell, Macomb, Emmet, Chalmers, Tennessee, and Lamoine. In the early days a great many mills were erected upon this stream, but all have been torn down or left to the decay of time.
Cump Creek .- An early settler camping upon the banks of this stream one entire sum- mer gave the origin of this name. The head waters are in New Salem township, where it passes on through Scotland, Industry, and Bethel townships, uniting with Grindstone creek in the latter, and the two merging into Crooked creek near Lamoine.
Grindstone Creek .- This stream was originally named Turkey creek, from the fact that at certain seasons, large flocks of wild turkeys were found there. A party of men from Schuyler county, finding upon its banks a good quality of stone for grindstones gave it its present name. Its head waters are in Eldorado township. It passes through In- dustry, and joins Camp creek in Bethel township.
Troublesome Creek .- This is a small stream having its rise in Scotland township, from whence it passes through Chalmers, touching Tennessee, and then into Lamoine town- . ship, where it joins Crooked Creek. A government surveyor, after making vain efforts to effect a crossing, remarked that "it was the most troublesome stream he ever saw." Its banks are almost perpendicular its entire length, although the stream is buta few feet wide, and without bridges, it is a very "troublesome creek."
Spring Creek .- This is another small stream rising in Sciota township, passing through Emmet, joining Crooked creek on the line dividing the two townships. As its.
603
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
name implies, its origin or source is from springs bursting forth from the earth.
Among other creeks of small size are Sugar and Rock creeks, the former commencing in Eldorado township and passing out on the south. Name given, it is supposed, on account of the number of sugar trees on its banks. Rock creek rises in Hire, and is so named on account of its rocky bottom, though running through the prairie.
Matrimonial .- The subject of matrimony has always been an interesting one to the human race since the days of Adam to the present time, and doubtless will be until the angel shall stand with one foot upon the sea and the other upon the land and cry, "Time was, but time shall be no more." As showing how the subject has been dealt with here, we append the following statistics in relation to the number of marriage licenses issued each year since the organization of the county :
Year.
No. issued.
Year.
No. issued.
Year.
No. issued.
1830
1
1846
63
1862
182
1831
1847 ..
70
1863
176
1832
11
1548
78
1864
233
1833
17
1849
1865
2271
1831
1850
1866
356
1835
1851
105'
1867
314
1.836
39
1852
91
1868
331
1837.
39
1853
119.
1869
970
1838
52
1854
12.1
1870
2.18
1839
4.1
1855
121|
1871
275
18-10.
68
1856
178'
1872
251
1841.
57
1857
183 1873
234
1812
30
1858
192
1874
279
1843
72
1859
190 1875
273
1844
52 1860
165 1876
1845
51
1861
217
The above furnishes a grand total of 6,580 marriage licenses issued by the various clerks. Of the number some two or three were returned marked as executions placed in the hands of an officer are sometimes done, "not satisfied." , "Barkis" was not always "willin." The greatest number issued in any one year was in 1866. the year after the close of the war. The "boys in blue" came home to fulfill vows long previously made.
TABLE OF DISTANCES.
The following table gives the distances by rail and wagon roads from Macomb, to the various towns in the county. The distances by railway are from the depot building in Macomb. to the depots of several towns ; the distances by wagon road are from the court house to the post office of each town.
FROM MACOMB TO-
Rail Road.
Wagon Road.
Bardolph
S
Bushnell
15
Prairie City
Colchester
7
Tennessee
1111
llillsgrove.
151
18
Scottsburg **
16
7
Seiota*
*).11
1016
Blandinsville#
301
15
Adair*
21
12
New Philadelphia*
1-1
1.3
Walnut Grove*
171
17
Industry
Middletown
10
Doddsville
14
.2
1334
Colmar.
Good Hope*
2
Via Bushnell.
604
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
M'DONOUGH COUNTY POETS.
We had intended a chapter on the above theme, but the difficulty in securing sufficient data was greater than we anticipated, therefore we have to forego the pleasure. The most of the contributions for our local papers have been anonymously written, but we find several gems among the number that are worthy a place in its history. Following we give a poem by A. K. Owens, Esq., written at our request which speaks for itself :
M'DONOUGH COUNTY'S PIONEERS.
BY A. K. OWEN.
"Of all the;dear hopes among men, These are the sweetest in life ; A hope for salvation -and then A home-for my child-for my wife." 1.
Coming out from the distant east. Out from the ocean's strand, Away from old Ohio's beech, Out from the Bluegrass land.
II.
Coming down from the sunny slopes Of Virginia's mountains, The rocky dales of Old Vermont, Massachusetts' fountains.
IFI.
See-here a man, and there a man From glen, and dell and bay, With oxen, wagon, gun and hounds All westward take their way.
IV.
And now beside a grassy mound They're tenting on the green ; The thin blue smoke, where they are eamped, Above the trees is seen. V.
The night is gone ; the early morn Salutes the coming day :
In dreams, last night-new hopes were born ! Again they're on their way ! VI.
With faces to the setting sun, Their kin, their loves behind ; Their hope, their aim, their object one, Each, in each heart enshrined : VII.
For nature's wish in ev'ry heart, Though often it may roam, Is still to have some hallowed spot That heart may eall "Sweet Home." VIII.
Then, what was toil, or, what was strife To sturdy souls like those Who saw the forest yield new life And blossom as the rose ? IX.
Who saw the prairies robed in green Put on new life again ! League after league their lands were seen In waves of golden grain. X.
They heard the red man's barb'rous yell -- Triumphant roll along, But, soon the hill-top and the dell Broke forth in Christian song!
XI.
And where the little cabin stood, Half hid by shady bough, Stands towering up above the scene The stately mansion now. XII. And where the dark blue smoke arose From eamp-fire's burning brands, Queen City of the Pioneers Macomb, in beauty stands. XIII. And, so in pride we gaze upon IIer spires and her domes, We'll not forget the hands that raised Our humble childhood homes. XIV. But, as the days grow old and die ; As summers come and go, Our hearts return to other seenes, Of "Forty Years" ago! XV. To sugar camp where boiling down The garnered sap, again We listen to the deep mouthed hound (Close followed by the men) XVI.
Cry long and loud upon the track Of some poor wounded deer, Whose doom is sealed-the rifles crack ! Ah ! hear the hunters' cheer ! XVII.
The chase is done-the trophy won ; And breakfast waits at dawn ; 'Tis syrup stored-in thin seraped gourd, "Corn bread," and roasted fawn. XVIII. No days are there like "early days," No real joy since then : Time robs us of our happiness As we lose faith in men. XIX. ( blessed sports! O by-gone years, O'er you old hearts yearn. And as our eyes grow dim with tears, To sadder seenes we turn !
To grassy mounds, Jong years o'ergrown, By thieket and by thorn, Where, precions dust, our loved, our own, Sleep till the coming morn.
For many of the Pioneers Are camping on the shore Of death's dark deep, whose tide of years Will wake them never more! XXII. Though some remain, tieir loeks of gray Admonish us that still They're drifting from us day by day, Adown life's sunset hill. SEVEN HILLS, IlIs., March 26, 1877.
605
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
PAUPERISM.
The following facts relative to pauperism in the county will be found of interest :
Since August 11, 1863, one hundred and twenty-two persons have been admitted to the almshouse. Of this number 78 were born in the United States, 18 in Ireland, 4 in Germany, 1 in England, 8 in Scotland, 2 in Canada, 1 in Sweden, 2 in Denmark, and the nativity of 4 unknown. During this period 5 of the inmates have died and 83 dis- charged, leaving there at the present time 34 persons. In 1876 there were admitted 25 persons, and up to the first of August, 1877, a number still larger, viz, 29. The largest number admitted during any one month was in June of the present year (1877), when 10 were received. For the year 1863 only 1 was admitted ; 3 in 1864; none in 1865 or 1866 ; 3 in 1867 ; none in 1868 or 1869, and but one in 1870. Of the whole number ad- mitted, 85 were males and 37 females. The oldest person admitted was Charlotte Bacon, colored, the only one of her race ever received. At the time of hier admittance, which was in February, 1864, she was 97 years old. She died February 5, 1876. at the . very old age of 109, having a greater age than any person that has ever lived in the county. She came to McDonough county in 1832. The oldest man ever received was Joseph Wheeler, admitted October 13, 1872, at the age of 77 years. He is yet an inmate. The oldest man now there is John Scissils, who was admitted January 1, 1864, and is at present 87 years old.
606
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
CHAPTER XL.
MACOMB.
When John Baker erected his log cabin near where the high school building in the fourth ward now stands, little did he think there would spring up around it a busy little city, with all its varied industries. Time, in its unceasing round, brings many changes, and the wild prairie land, with its beautiful flowers, the perfume of which was wafted upon every breeze, is now dotted over with home-like residences, from the lowly cottage to the stately mansion-the homes of those who have prospered in this life. Elegant buildings, filled with products gathered from the entire world, surround a beautiful temple of justice ; while the sound of the hammer and hum of machinery are heard upon every hand.
Having a population which entitled them to the benefit of the act which authorized the organization of counties, in the year 1830 the citizens of MeDonough voted to organize. The present site of Macomb, being the centre of a county that was square, was selected as the place of meeting of the newly-elected Board of County Commissioners. On the third day of July in that year, the Board met and resolved, that "the present seat of justice be at the house of John Baker, and that for the present the same be known as the town of Washington."
In December, Ilon. James Clarke, one of the County Commis- sioners, went to Springfield and entered the southwest quarter of section 31, in township 6 north, range 21 west. The Legislature of the State, about the same time, passed the following act, which was approved by the governor :
AN ACT to establish a permanent seat of Justice for the County of MeDonough.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the Gen- wral Assembly. That the County Seat of the County of MeDonough be, and is hereby permanently established on the southwest quarter of section 31, in township 6, north of
607
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
range 2 west, and that the Commissioners of said county are hereby authorized to pur- chase the said quarter section of land of the United States, as provided by the laws of Congress ; and that the name of said County Seat be called Macomb).
APPROVED December 24, 1830.
Thus the town of Macomb was brought into existence. For several months our fathers persisted in spelling it McComb, all the original records having it thus written. As will be surmised, the town was named in honor of General Macomb, who commanded the land forces in conjunction with Commodore MeDonough, the commander of the naval forces, at the battle of Lake Champlain. General Macomb was for many years the second military officer in the nation-General Scott ranking first.
By reference to the foregoing act it will be seen that Macomb was made the permanent county seat of MeDonough county, and we are told by carly settlers that every lot sold in the original town was with the stipulation that such was the case. When the question of removal of the county seat was agitated a few years ago, it was then argued by some that it could not be done, as the conditions on which the lots were sold were such that damages could be secured from the county by the holders of lots for a vio- lation of contract. How true this may be can be determined by reading the act.
The first sale of lots in the town was in May, 1831. Eleven sales were made before the entire quantity was disposed of, by which was realized $4,903.55. The cost of the same was $186.88, therefore netting $4,816.67. The assessed value of this same property is now over $600,000.
In 1831 a considerable increase to the inhabitants of the town was made. In the spring of this year James M. Campbell erected the first store building in the county, about sixty feet south of the residence of John Baker. The building was of hewn logs, cov- ered with boards, with a puncheon floor. It was in size 18x18. The stock contained in that store was a wonder to behold ! A conglomeration of dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, hardware, iron, nails, queensware, groceries, and the inevitable barrel of whisky, occupying a prominent place, and quite handy to the thirsty customers of the store. Moses Hlinton and G. E. Robinson shortly after erected a building on the northeast corner of the square, to be used for general trade. This was a portion of the building long known as the "checkered front," and which now stands on the corner of Randolph and Carroll streets. James
608
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Clark, who had up to this time been living a little southwest of Macomb, erected a log house on the corner of West Jackson street and the square, to be used as a tavern. Originally it had but two rooms in it, but others were added from time to time. The St. Elmo now occupies the site of this old tavern. Al- though the "accommodations for man and beast," so far as lodging was concerned, was limited, the culinary department was excellantly managed. Wild game was abundant in those days, and the "bill of fare" always contained venison, turkey, quail, prairie chicken, rabbit, squirrel, etc., and the bread baked in those old covered skillets cannot be beat for sweetness. A "tav- ern," or "hotel," has always stood upon that site, and thousands of weary travelers have found a comfortable resting place there- in, and a hearty welcome.
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