USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., gathered from mattter furnished by the Mercer County Historical Society, interviews with old settlers, county, township and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources as have been available : containing also a short history of Henderson County > Part 13
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Among the earlier and better residences we note as landmarks the first brick building in the place, the small house put up by Robert Keith in 1846, on Fourth street, adjoining the Commercial House ; the wing of C. S. Ortli's house by J. A. Noble in 1849, and the two-story front subsequently added by him ; Gayle's in 1850-51 ; Ellett's in 1853 ; T. B. Cabeen's in 1854 ; Rife's in 1855, and Keith's new brick in 1856.
The Central House was built for a residence by Oliver Ross, in 1856, and next year it was enlarged by G. J. Ross. At one time it was the Beasley House.
The Commercial House was erected in 1849 by Matthew R. Patter- son, for a private residence. In 1850 he conveyed it to S. S. Phelps. and then went to California, where he died. Seven years ago it was opened as a public house by the present proprietor, David N. Wolfe. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, February 27, 1833, and is the son of Jacob and Mary (Yount) Wolfe. In 1852 he came to Mercer county, looking for a place for settlement. He soon returned to Indiana and made arrangements to remove and permanently inhabit this county, and in 1855 carried out this plan. His first loca- tion was in New Boston township, where he engaged in farming. In September, 1861, he enlisted in company G, 30th Ill. Inf., and carried a gun in his country's service nearly four years. After his " veteran " re-enlistment he was appointed second sergeant, but very soon was commissioned captain of his company by Gov. Yates. He was hon- orably mustered out of the army at Louisville. On his return he
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began doing a mercantile business, but in a little while was compelled by loss of eyesight to abandon it. He went to Chicago for treatment, which resulted in partial recovery. Since 1875 he has been keeping the Commercial. On March 4, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary J., daughter of John and Sarah (Campbell) Willits. She was born in the same county that he himself was, October 17, 1833, and was brought to Mercer county in her infancy. Gertrude, Josephine and Sarah E. are their children.
The following list is believed to contain about all the tradesmen and mechanics whose length of residence or business importance enti- tles them to mention. The dates cover the term of their residence in the town ; while many of them are exact, some are only approxi- mately so, and a very few may be found wider still of the correct mark :
1838-82. J. J. Wordin. 1848-75. Francis Stebinger.
1839-49. David Bowen. 1848-80. B. D. Ellett.
1840-59. G. J. Ross.
1848-56. L. W. Thompson.
1840-77. C. C. Wordin.
1848-56. John S. Thompson. .
1842-56. James Garner.
1848-S1. B. C. Taliaferro.
1844-82. H. G. 'Calhoun. 184S. Richard Rice.
1845-6. J. B. Patterson.
1849-82. Mrs. E. Smith.
1845-50. Matthew R. Patterson.
1849-82. William D. Smith.
1845-82. T. B. Cabeen.
1849-73. Wilford J. Ungles.
1846-57. James Patterson.
1849-58. R. C. Cabeen.
1846-82. William Gayle.
1849-82. Thomas Freeman.
1846-62. James A. Noble.
1849-69. John C. Pepper.
1846-56. Jonathan Judah.
1849-82. James C. Stevens.
1846-82. H. G. Calhoun.
1850-56. John W. Noble.
1846. Mrs. J. A. Hubbell.
1850-54. James W. Doughty.
1846-82. Abraham Rife.
1846-82. William Willett.
1850-67. Joseph Harvey.
1850-82. Dr. E. L. Marshall.
1850-82. Dr. A. P. Willits.
1846-65. I. J. Mitchell.
1850-72. John T. Calhoun.
1846-51. Dr. S. S. Gruber.
1850-60. Truman Lord.
1847-S. E. F. Barstow.
1847-8. Wm. R. Robinson.
1847-82. A. B. Sheriff.
1851-2. R. H. Spicer.
1852-3. William Hawkins.
1852-4. John W. Ditto.
1847-60. Dr. A. B. Campbell.
1852-6. J. C. Cabeen.
1847-68. N. B. Partridge.
1852-82. J. A. Swezy.
1846-82. A. F. Glover.
1850-58. John H. Marshall.
1846-79. Daniel Keith.
1850-56. Thomas Morehead.
1851-8. W. L. Matthews.
1847-59. Levi Butterfield.
1847-51. Dr. David Campblell.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
1852-62. David Harvey.
1857-68. John Beavens.
1852-68: J. S. Pinkerton.
1857-82. Jacob Wolf.
1852-60. Argilleous Swindler. 1858. M. B. Cox.
1852-82. B. F. Gruwell.
1858-82. Dennis Murto.
1853-73. C. C. Matlock.
1858-S2. C. S. Orth.
1853-72. Philip Coonrod. 1853-71. S. H. Redmon.
1858-63. C. P. Elder.
1853-82. Chas. J. Simpson.
1858-67. T. L. Greenhow.
1853-68. Josephus Wade.
1858-65. Margaret Hughes.
1853-78. R. M. Eddington.
1858-82. C. O'Leary.
1853-82. John Thomson.
1858-82. Jacob Wolf.
1853-S2. R. C. Humbert.
1859-64. Alexander Holland ..
1854-72. Philip Gore. .
1859-72. O. Holland.
1854-64. M. J. O'Brien.
1859-S2. Dr. Samuel Kelly.
1854-78. Dr. Joseph Ogden.
1859-S2. John Kaufman.
1854-7. J. W. Elrick.
1859-82. E. Pritz.
1854-82. G. W. Whiting.
1859-82. Jacob Abraham.
1854-82. Thomas Souster.
1860-65. Washington Wolf.
1854-67. E. D. W. Coville.
1860-82. W. L. Range.
1854-82. Branson Brewer.
1860-S2. George F. Parsons.
1855-82. B. P. Frick.
1861-82. William Kolkenbeck.
1855-82. C. S. Frick.
1861-75. J. H. T. Madden.
1855-7. I. N. Bassett.
1862-6. C. W. Cilley.
1855-9. Richard Reese.
1862-S2. Mrs. Isaac Manns.
1862-4. Edwin S. Stockton.
1855-71. C. Lellyenberg.
1863-S2. Joseph Venable.
1856-80. Andrew Frazier.
1863-70. William Home.
1856-69. S. M. Evans.
1864-79. Gilbert Brewer.
1856-S2. J. C. IIumphreys.
1864-82. P. Buford.
1856-S2. C. A. Frick.
1864-82. W. Mellinger.
1856-S2. Robert McKnight.
1864-73. C. W. Taliaferro.
1856-62. Luther T. Ball.
1864-82. Henry Mellinger.
1857-78. Dr. C. S. Hollingsworth. 1864-S2. David II. Wolfe.
1857-62. Thomas Hardin.
1865-82. William Dempster.
1857-70. L. A. Ender.
1865-82. Dr. E. Rathburn.
1857-60. Charles Eckly. 1865-82. C. A. Mertz.
1857-82. Benijah Lloyd.
1865-82. L. L. Mertz.
1857-60. Robert Gray.
1866-S2. W. II. Phares.
1857-82. William L. Millman. 1866-82. A. II. Eby.
1857-82. William Deterline.
1867-76. Merrick A. Weaver ..
1854-80. Walter J. Pepper.
1860-56. John F. Gurley.
1855-63. P. T. Hughes.
1860-S2. IIngh Campbell.
1855-72. Joseph Thompson.
1858-66. John P. Reed.
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KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP.
1867-S2. F. P. Burgett.
1875-82. C. G. Slocumb.
1868-S2. James D. Clark.
1875-82. John Helwig.
1869-82. S. L. Long.
1879-82. G. B. Sapp.
1869-S2. II. L. Long.
1880-82. John Dunn.
1870-82. Milton Anderson.
- 82. Tom Marshall.
The third addition to the town, called Mechanics addition was laid off June 10, 1854, by J. B. Stockton. A. B. Sheriff laid out another November 5, 1855 ; Keith's third addition was platted May 21, 1861, and his fourth October 17, 1863; Ender and Stockton's October 26, 1863; and Ender's May 9, 1857. Upper Keithsburg, which is a mere hamlet, was surveyed on section 13 by C. S. Richey in the summer of 1857 for Johalon Tyler and T. B. Cabeen.
A man named Larne was the first blacksmith. James Heaton, who came in 1848, was the second. He burned his charcoal in Main street opposite Dennis Murto's present residence. Thomas Hendricks, O. C. Allen, and another by the name of Pierce were early smiths.
Win. Brewer started the first cooper shop, and his place was taken by Philip Forward. Jacob Cooper had the next, and Nelson Green also worked some time at the trade.
The first barber was a man named Folder, who set up the striped pole in 1854.
NEWSPAPERS.
Owing to the reason that, with a single exception, files of Keithis- burg newspapers have not been preserved, we are obliged to confess our inability to give a full account of the publishing business. As stated on a former page, Col. Patterson of the "Oquawka Spectator" introduced into his paper a Keithsburg department under the title of "Observer." This was begun October 16, 1850, and continued till the spring of 1856, when he was persuaded by the very liberal and confident promises of Mr. Keith and others to found the "Keithsburg Observer." He went to New York and purchased a press and office material at an outlay of $1,300, and on April 23 issued the first number of his paper. Some five hundred patrons were enrolled on the subscription list - not more than half the number anticipated by the too sanguine promoters of the enterprise. Business men were liberal in advertising patronage, and after a useful existence of over a year under Col. Pat- terson, the paper, cleverly avoiding during that time partisan politics and religious dogmatisms, was sold by him to William R. Calhoon, the last issue under the original proprietorship being August 15. 1857. In the summer of 1858 Calhoon changed the title of the paper to "Mercer County Democrat," and at the same time changed it from an
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
independent to a democratie sheet. He was a good printer but bad financier, and this transition was one rather of necessity than of in- clination, for he was from this time simply the publisher while the editorial columns were exclusively under the control of a committee. The paper now ceased measurably (and during the political canvass of that year, when the intellectual gladiators, "Honest Abe " and the "Little Giant," went up and down the state discussing momentous issues, absolutely), to be a medium for communicating local news and discussing home topics, and was an organ only for disseminating the doctrines of a party.
Sometime in 1859 the paper suspended, and on December 28 Mr. Calhoon began the publication of the "Northern Illinois Commer- cial" apparently, if not really, for a company which had furnished the funds for the establishment. This was short lived.
In June, 1860, "The Democratie Press" was started by V. B. Shouf, who continued the publication till he went to the army about the begin- ning of August 1861. The office was the property of the Hon. Thomas B. Cabeen.
Near the close of the year J. A. J. Birdsall and George D. B. Birdsall came to Keithsburg, and in the first week in January, 1862, revived the "Observer" without resurrecting the partisan features. with which it went down. The former was the chief person, for we hear no more of his brother. Bating a constitutional want of steadi- ness and tenacity, Birdsall was above mediocrity in journalism, and he gave the new publication not only life and zest by infusing the spirit of his own energy and talent into it, but by his neutral course commanded the support of all classes, and his subscription list is said to have reached 1,200, the largest ever obtained by any Keithsburg paper. Unfortunately for his interests he was seized with the delu- sive ambition for office and engaged with his paper on the side of the
democrats. For this service it is understood that he received his subsequent but fruitless nomination for the legislature. This swap- ping of a bird in the hand for two in the bush ruined his business, and he departed from the place poor. A. G. Lucas, a man of clerical antecedents, now took the vacant place at the beginning of Septem- ber, 1865, and the paper was under his management until the same month next year, and during that time was run as a republican organ. Col. Isaac McManus succeeded Lucas, and throughout the exciting congressional campaign of that year it was edited with refreshing spirit and logical power. McManus' energy no less than his industry was unbounded, and whatever he did was done with fervent might. From the knowledge this writer had of his composition and character
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KEITHISBURG TOWNSHIP.
he is not surprised to learn that his columns were stamped with the rough strength and active ability of his tireless brain. He was in control only six months when he sold his paper to Theodore Glancey, in whom there was a curious combination of youth and manhood, and who published what was regarded as a very sprightly paper. In March, 1870, he disposed of his office to an Iowa purchaser who moved it away ; but early in September, 1871, he resumed the busi- ness and issued the first number of the .. West End Kerana," which was afterward called simply "Kerana." HIe soon associated Henry Hurst with himself as partner, but this not turning out to be a felici- tous arrangement, Hurst parted with his interest to Edward Thomas. In the spring of 1873 they sold the office and it was moved to other parts.
Some allusion to Mr. Glancey's life and sad end cannot be omitted in this place. He was a native of Mercer county and reared in Abing- ton township, where the survivors of his father's family yet reside. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted as a private in company I, 17th Ill. Vol., and served till the expiration of his three years' term, and was mustered out as first lieutenant. Soon afterward, as already observed, he engaged in the newspaper business ; and after its final relinquishment in Keithsburg, went to California where, in March, 1874, he became managing editor of the "Placer Argus." In 1880, he became editor-in-chief of the "Los Angeles Press," a republican organ, and in September of that year Clarence Gray, alias Maginiss, a man of dissolute reputation, republican candidate for district attorney, feel- ing himself aggrieved at Glancey's strictures upon his character, foully assassinated him when he was unarmed, without giving opportunity for defense. He lived nineteen hours, at times in great suffering, but. conscious to the last and full of courage. His last words just before he expired were: "Tell my friends that I die like a man-die for principle ; and that I would not go back on it now if I could." He was high-tempered, self-willed, pugnacious ; but earnest, courteous and generous. Strong but honest in bias, he uttered his convictions with great boldness. Whatever opinions were ever formed of his methods, his sincerity was always unquestioned. He was a good speaker, and as a writer is said to have been one of the best on the country press.
About the first of April, 1874, W. C. Brown started the "Keithsburg News," but before the first year was up he sold to Taylor & Blackman. The latter died in September, 1876, and the following spring William H. Heaton bought the office from the Hon. T. B. Cabeen and C. A. Frick, and issued his first number May 17. This is a live paper,
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
abounding in reliable news, crisp and pungent paragraphs and edito- rials, temperate and wholesome in their tone, and it receives from the public solid support. It has been a greenback paper since Mr. Heaton became proprietor ; and it is worthy of remark that he has been longer in the publishing business in Keithsburg than any other man who has attempted to conduct a paper in the place. Mr. Heaton is an easy, rapid, off-hand writer who culls from the mass of daily happenings with true journalistic care and judgment, and who brings to his aid in the profession a thoroughly practical knowledge of men and affairs. To be racy and entertaining he does not believe it necessary to be a scav- enger, nor to be always squinting at the immoral side of things which he has the sagacity to see is relished only by a loose and depraved sentiment. His taste is not in this direction, nor does it run toward public criticism of private character. But to uphold the welfare of the community according to his judgment, and to encourage and defend all that is worthy, engages on his part the closest interest. To do this work he does not want for spirit or independence. In May of this year (1882) his paper was enlarged from a seven to an eight-column sheet, which may be taken as evidence of its growing prosperity. He is efficiently assisted by his wife, who is a fine specimen of healthful womanhood and a lady of education and great good sense. Recently he has associated her name with his own as co-editor.
Mr. Heaton was born November 13, 1828, on a farm in Clark county, Ohio, about ten miles east of Springfield. He was the second son of a family of twelve children, six boys and six girls. Of the boys John Heaton, of Red Bluff, California, and the subject of this notice are the only ones now living. The daughters are all married and mothers of children. William came with his father, James Heaton, to Illinois in 1836. He was given a good English education ; he attended a high school in Paris, Illinois, two years, and though he was the youngest pupil enrolled he was too far advanced for the district school of that day. He learned with facility but always preferred hard work to hard study, which agreed better with his rather delicate constitution. He labored on a farm, taught school in the winter, clerked in dry goods and grocery stores ; but these were not congenial to his love of out-door work, sport and exercise. In 1852, he and his father and brother George engaged in farming and buying raw prairie land in Henderson county. He broke prairie four years for himself and his neighbors ; the two last years he worked twenty-eight head, or fourteen yoke of oxen, and used plows which cut a furrow thirty inches wide. In this way he paid for and improved a half section of land. He was married February 17, 1863, to Miss Millecent E. Davis, of Abingdon, Knox county, and
DANIEL MOWRY.
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KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP.
lived on the farm with his young wife five years. In 1868 he rented his farm and moved to Abingdon, and for two years was engaged in traveling for the Wier Plow Company, of Monmouth. Getting tired of being away from his family, he was persuaded to buy a newspaper office, which he did in 1870, and started a democratic paper which he called the "Knox County Democrat." With this enterprise he was very successful, but at the end of six years sold the office at a large advance on the cost of the same when new. He made arrangements to go to his brother, who was then in Texas engaged on a large scale in the stock business, and by whom he was advised that it was not safe to bring his children to that climate before the autumn season. He heeded this advice, and while waiting in the north was allured into pur- chasing a half interest in the Hannibal, Missouri, "Clipper, " for which he paid $3,000 down. In this office he spent most of his money in trying to keep the business and his partner out of debt. In April, 1877, he and his wife visited his aged father and mother, at Keithsburg, and while here was induced to purchase the "Keithsburg News," which had been taken on a debt. He went forthwith to Hannibal and sold his interest in the "Clipper" office to his partner, taking promissory notes which he still holds. Under his management the "News" has been a successful venture; not a dollar is owing on the office, and the paper has just been enlarged. Through the indefatigable energy of Mrs. Heaton, they have purchased a small farm a mile northeast of the town, on the Aledo road, and christened it "The Wilderness." Here they live in domestic enjoyment with their six happy, sprightly and intelli- gent children, who read and work, and bless and enliven the home of their parents. It gives us pleasure to say that no happier house- hold exists in all the land. Mrs. Heaton keeps her husband's books and writes most of his correspondence, and he holds that her help is invaluable. In his judgment every newspaper man ought to marry an intelligent wife and give her his entire confidence-a sentiment which does honor to both head and heart of its author.
The "Keithsburg Times," an independent weekly, was established by Richard Wolfe and HI. C. Cook, the first number being issued June 8, 1881. December 23d Mr. Cook withdrew, and the publication of the paper was continued by Mr. Wolfe until its suspension, April 12. 1882. The latter, son of Washington and Rebecca (Marlott) Wolfe. is a native of this county, was born in 1852, and reared a tiller of the soil. His parents emigrated from Wayne county, Indiana, to Mercer county subsequently to 1840. From 1861 to 1866 he lived in Keithsburg: in 1872 he matriculated at Hedding College, where he was in attendance
9
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
one year, and since that time he has taught school irregularly. In 1875 he began reading law in the office of B. C. Taliaferro and studied the required time, but has never been admitted.
R. S. Scudder brought the "Keithsburg Independent" here in March, 1880, and kept it alive about six months. It was printed by the " Burlington Hawkeye."
SCHOOLS.
It was many years from the first settlement before any educational progress had been made. Settlers were few, everything was in a rough state, all improvements had to be supplied by slow and hard toil ; ground broken up, timber felled, cabins built, fences made; so that rigid muscle was the first demand, while little use was found for books, and pictures, and teachers.
But the schoolmaster came at last, and his dominion has grown more powerful than church and more extensive than state. The begin- nings were of the feeblest character. One term in a year was thought to be a good achievement, and indeed it was for the frontier; but who would think of calling this the frontier as late as 1847 or 1848? Fifteen years had elapsed since the Black Hawk war. Children had passed the school age in that time. Does it not seem to our young friends that it must have been a gloomy era ? We dare say that it was not less joyous than the present. Wants were fewer then than now, and the greater number of to-day are not more easily satisfied. Then they were supplied without vexation, because they were mostly natural ; but now they are gratified with sensible, if not painful, effort, for the reason that they are largely artificial. Intellectual attainments cost something ; physical power is the gift of nature. In the former time hewers of wood and drawers of water were of the first station, eco- nomically, for they accomplished that which was the chief necessity- material development. Education was less valued when bone and sinew held sway, but mind has taken the throne of power, and skilled labor and intelligent machinery, to use a figure, have driven blind force into the rayless gloom beneath the feet of the majority. Acquire- ments which mean cost to the possessor, the world demands of him with all ease. Hence the multiplication of wants and the sharper struggle.
At first there was little public money, and schools were maintained by subscription. In this township the school section, number 16, was surveyed and classified with the swamp lands. It was but a fractional tract, and the trustees made a selection on section 9, but did not get the
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KEITIISBURG TOWNSHIP.
quota to which the township was entitled. It was all timber land and was sold in small lots varying in price from $2.50 to $10 per acre.
" Delightful task ! to rear the tender thought, To teach the young idea how to shoot."
The first school in Keithsburg was taught in a log cabin on the lot now occupied by C. S. Orth's house. This was in the summer of 1846, and Thomas Libby was the teacher. Isaac Bliss taught next in 1847 in a vacant cabin in Robert Keith's dooryard. The third pedagogue was John Heaton, who had a school in 1848 in a small frame house on the site of Dennis Murto's residence. He taught also in 1849. Mrs. Lucretia Freeman opened a small school in the summer of that year in the brick building belonging to Mrs. Isaac McManus.
The first school-house was a brick structure built in 1849 on lot 3, block 13, the site of the present Methodist parsonage. John C. Pepper, who had just arrived, and was preparing for the bar, was employed to teach. He filled three terms and yielded the post to Isaac N. Smith, who was at the head of the school through the following winter, and was assisted by Mrs. Freeman. Harvey Senter was the principal from the fall of 1851 to 1855. He was an instructor of excellent capabilities, ingenious in resource, practical in method, untiring in effort. sharp in discipline, and a splendid arithmetician. He died in Aledo a few years ago. N. P. Brown took his place and taught the last term in the old school-house. This building had been erected by private subscription on a lot donated to the public by Robert Keith so long as it should be used for school purposes. The donor deferred the conveyance till suit was brought to compel such performance, but on his promise to execute a deed the action was withdrawn ; still he failed to carry out the agree- ment, and afterward sold the property to the Methodists.
The main part of the present building was erected, as near as we can learn, in 1856, and was dedicated by Warren Shedd, who was. principal about two years. He served in the war of the rebellion as: colonel of the 30th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. His death in Montana occurred in 1881. No records of this distant period can be found, and the recollections of men fail at this point.
T. C. Swafford, of New Boston, a printer by trade, was principal in the year 1862-3. He died in the profession at Oneida, Knox county, in 1878. Isaac McManus taught about 1867. The principalship has been held by the following persons : William A. Wray, 1869-70 ;. John P. Chowning, 1870-71; C. W. Searles, 1871-2; W. H. Farris, 1872-3; E. H. Jamison, 1873-6; William A. Griffin, 1876-80; B. V. Leonard, 1880-81; William A Willits, 1881-2. I. Cook Brisbin and
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
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