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 42
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In time Mr. Nevius returned with ox teams and all were taken to Monmouth. Settlement was first made near Atchison's church, on Cedar creek, in Warren county. In 1835 removal near New Boston was had in time to vote for the organization of Mercer county. In 1837 Mr. Nevius secured the W. } of N. E. 4, and the E. } of N. W. ¿ of Sec. 16, T. 3, and permanently located it. This he improved. He also bought land north of where Sunbeam is now. Here Mr. Nevius became identified with all the interests of Ohio Grove township. He was very handy with tools. Did general repairing for self and neighbors, whether carpentry, blacksmithing, or other repairing. He was a harness and shoemaker also. Mr. Nevius hauled the first apple trees of Mercer county from Hennepin, Bureau county, Illinois, with an ox team. IIe divided with the Cabeens and McPherrens. This
435
OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.
was in 1837. Mr. Nevius' house was the first on the prairie. Mrs. Nevius still lives, the heroine of many a pioneer's struggle and a faith- ful helper in woman's work in Mercer county.
Immigration continued steadily year by year. In 1838 William C. Brownlee came from New York, settling near Viola, Mercer county, and in the following year located in Ohio Grove township, buying 240 acres on North Henderson creek. Here he still lives, one of the few survivors of those early pioneers. The Burnets must have arrived about this time or little later; they owned land in the southern part of the township. In this year also came John Stephens, wife and six children : Edward, now of Keithsburg; Peter, in Ohio Grove; Han- nah, then Mrs. James Trusler, now of Iowa; James W. (died about 1840) ; William J., of Iowa; Catharine (Mrs. James Walters). Mr. Stephens purchased the Vernon interest in the mill; also 160 acres of land. He sold and in 1846 settled on the prairie, where his death occurred. His wife survived him, but is now dead. 1839 seems to have been a blank year. 1840, more fortunate, brought William T. Patterson. He had purchased a few simple goods, as linen shirt- bosoms, jewelry, ete., which he sold as he traveled to such as would buy, or would pay his lodging and board with his wares. He worked awhile for Capt. Bain in the distillery. The captain failing, he received nothing for his work. Before doing this he dug a cellar for Henry Kimel. Thus "he worked around." He soon purchased eighty aeres of land, for which he largely paid by building a sod fence. He farmed four or five years where Norwood is. It was not till 1847 that he bought and located permanently in Ohio Grove township, where he became owner of the E. } of See. 24. In 1842 Joseph Robinson came from Quincy, Illinois, and is yet a resident. In 1843 Hammond Webster settled the S. E. ¿ of Sec. 28. He died in 1845. In this year (1843) James Calhoun emigrated from Ohio. He brought his wife and nine children : David, William, John K., James H., Joseph C., Samuel C., Elizabeth, Franklin, and Alexander T. The family eame via the river to Oquawka. Mr. Calhoun died July 15, 1847. James Emery and sons, James and Robert, must have come about this time. In 1845 came Nathaniel Partridge, a carpenter, and probably Levi Butterfield. James Graham had settled in Warren county in 1842, but in 1845 he located on N. W. ¿ of Sec. 35, T. 13, Mercer county. This place he improved, and here he was identified with township affairs till his death, November 25, 1879.
In 1848 John Seaton laid claim to the N. W. ¿ of Sec. 19, first " squatting on it," and then pre-empting and finally buying it. He had lived the two years previous in Warren county. Mr. Seaton improved
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
his farm building, the present residence, in 1861. He died July 21, 1881. The farm is now the property of George Seaton. 1849 brought William Pepper and Samuel Lafferty. The latter came to Mercer county in 1842, but returned to Ohio till 1846, when he settled in North Henderson, then in Suez, and finally Ohio Grove township, Mercer county, Illinois. He is now old and feeble; he, too, looks back to the time when he shot deer, and wolves howled about the place.
In 1850, Thomas, Francis, and John McClellan made their advent. Thomas and John bought the Butterfield place, which afterward became the property of John alone. Jesse Mounts and family, John Smith and family, and others were early settlers ; all cannot be found. Settlement became more rapid. The advent of another ceased to be a novelty. Some began to feel crowded and moved away. Several went to Oregon ; some to California. In 1851 James Robb, Jacob and Barnet Unangst became residents. Barnet Unangst moved his family of wife and eight children from New Jersey, a distance of 1,100 or 1,200 miles, over the country, one team doing the work. They arrived after a journey of fifty-two days. They settled the N. E. ¿ of Sec. 13, entered for them a little before by Jacob Unangst, who had preceded them. A shanty, 12×16, rough fencing lumber, one story, which was occupied January 2, 1852. The frame-work of this residence con- sisted of poles sunk in the ground in shed style. The furniture was : bedsteads of home make, blocks of saw-logs for stools, dry-goods box for table, and soon a table made of rough boards. Thus, even in 1851, did emigrants live and endure. The country at that time was thinly settled, there being but one house between Ohio Grove township and Keithsburg. It must have been about this time that John Cameron settled in the southwest of section 19, where he improved a farm. He died abont 1858. His daughter, Mrs. Mary Seaton, now occupies the place. James Cameron is in DeKalb county ; John died about 1865 ; Sarah became Mrs. Samuel Criswell; Peter is in Mercer county. In this year also came William R. McCreight. He purchased a farm of six acres of William M. Hayes. William M. Hayes became a resident here prior to this time, but the exact date cannot now be given. A biography of him may be found in the appropriate place. In 1852 came Thomas S. Robb and others. In 1853 Samuel M. Creighton, Joseph Lafferty, Col. Jonathan Duncan, the Kelloggs and Torbets arrived. Others, as the Findleys, Gilmores, McIntires, McCutchans, Sprowls, Garrets, Shrulls, Chandlers, Shoemakers, Dittos, Nolands, Gustin, M. M. Cross, the Browns, Milligans, and a few others, may be considered as having become tolerably old settlers.
It is impossible to find every one. Space will not admit of extended
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OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.
notices of later settlers. Could those of to-day see those of fifty years ago at their work the fact of progress would be more evident to them by far than these lines can show. The ox-teams, slow but sure, were the stand-bys. The people of this section did their milling at Jack's mills, or Criswell's mills, or sometimes hauled their grain above Moline or to Rockwell's mills. George McPherren and James MeBride made the trip, twenty-one miles above Moline, to Cox's mills. Their load was thirty bushels of grain. Each furnished a horse. Arrived at Rock river, McPherren proposed to take the ferry. McBride, a jolly young fellow of high life, jocosely replied, "No; let's ford the stream and save our money for whisky." McPherren then proposed that James should ride the off horse, to which the latter assented, and with which he immediately complied. In the bed of the stream lay the rocks, covered with their slippery film, which McPherren feared, but which McBride dared. Arrived in deep water the " off " horse slipped, lost his balance, his foot over the tongue of the wagon, horse and rider down in the water. It required lively work for a few moments to right rider and horse, both of whom were in a dangerous position. The day was cold and freezing, and gladly would James MeBride have warmed by a big fire place, with a bowl of bread and milk, instead of traveling in a robe of ice. After that he preferred the ferry. The distance was not often considered in a journey. George MePherren and Ephraim Johnson had made the trip to Oquawka. They were on their return with their ox-team. The winter storm began. The earth was soon mantled in her nightly gown. The air was full of the downy
snow. Intense cold obtained. The party reached Bald bluff. Still the team pushed on as oxen did push, and hour after hour was traveled. Home surely could not be far, when, to their surprise and disappointment and danger, they found themselves again at Bald bluff. By this time MePherren's feet had somewhat frozen. Johnson opened the bosom of his shirt, and McPherren, placing one foot on each breast, gradually abstracted heat sufficient to warm the frozen members. Again the route homeward was resumed. They arrived after much suffering. These incidents but illustrate the journeys and experiences of many others.
The elder George MePherren and William Dilley visited their old home in Ohio. They returned by way of the lakes to Chicago, from which place they walked a distance of 180 miles home. In six days the feat was accomplished. Similar trips have been made to Galena to the land sales.
"Occasionally a farmer hauled his wheat to Chicago," says William I. Nevius, "bringing back a load of salt and other articles needed by
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
the families. They plodded on and on day after day through the prairie grass, fording creeks, some having their clothes so badly eut to pieces by the grass that they were compelled to change their unmen- tionables 'hind-side before to appear decent in their own crowd, not caring for the outside world, as the face of a human save one of their own crowd was seldom seen on the way." Some of the present might say the expenses of those trips must have equaled the profits, but not so. Food was carried from home for the journey. It was that or starve, for there was only here and there a house (or one here and none there). But little chance offered for expenditure of money. Their wheat was sold for forty-five or fifty cents per bushel, then all returned as happy as lords.
Long trips to mill soon became unnecessary. In the fall and winter of 1836 James McBride and Joseph Vernon built a saw-mill on Pope creek. This did the sawing for many years, but not the grinding. Vernon sold his share to John Stephens, who in turn sold it to Van- scook. The site finally became the property of Henry Kimel, who . erected a good flouring-mill. This has given place to a far inore exten- sive building and apparatus, now owned by James Kimel, although not on the same site as the old mill.
The trades were represented by the elder George McPherren as cooper. His work was scattered far and near, and many pieces still remain in use to testify to the workmanship. William Nevius was carpenter, shoemaker, and blacksmith. His work, too, was made to last and not for repairs. The works of these two men live after them. Since the war George Werts has been the village blacksmith. William Mackey kept the first store in 1836. John Stephens became the merchant in 1839. Since that day C. S. Richey and James Feather have sold goods, while the present firm is MeCreight & Co. The first postmaster at Sunbeam was Samuel M. Dihel. Mary J. Williams, afterward Mrs. George McPherren, kept the postoffice for many years. Moses MeIntyre has been postmaster of Duck Creek since its estab- lishment.
The first secular school kept in the township was taught in a barn belonging to Capt. Richard Rice. The teacher to whom this honor is due was Miss Ruth Conner. The time was 1839, hence it is evi- dent the early pioneers understood the necessity of education even for frontier life. It is said Miss Conner used to punish the children by putting them in the mangers of the stable when they desired other treatment than whipping. The first school-house was built on the S. W. ¿ of Sec. 4, in 1841. This was built by subscription and so sup- ported. It was not long before Thomas Candor and Samuel Cabeen
-
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OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.
erected a log school edifice on the S. W. ¿ of Sec. 7. As the popula- tion increased other schools were established. As circumstances im- proved the log building with its slab benches, etc., gave place to frame buildings. To-day nine good edifices give shelter to the bodies of many children, while their minds are instructed by as many able teachers. The enumeration of 1881 showed 447 persons under twenty- one years of age. Besides the nine districts there are some partial dis- tricts. Emily Paine, now the widow of Nathaniel Brownlee, was the first teacher at the Candor school. S. Hogan was a very early teacher. Perhaps no man has taught so long as E. Forsyth, who has been a teacher for over twenty years. He also taught for twenty years before coming to Illinois.
ELECTIONS.
The first election was held at the house of George McPherren, in the fall of 1836. For several years afterward voting was done at William I. Nevius' residence. The following is a list of the princi- pal officers of the township since its organization :
Date of Election.
SUPERVISOR.
CLERK.
ASSESSOR.
COLLECTOR.
1855
James Burnet
T. S. Robb
John W. Dihel
1856
Samuel Cabeen.
Samuel Miller.
J. W. Cabeen
1857
Ashford Hardy
Samuel Miller
Horaee Williams
1858
William M. Hayes.
E. Forsyth.
J. P. Gilmore.
A. P. Brown.
1859
William M. Hayes.
E. Forsyth
J. P. Gilmore.
A. P. Brown.
1S60
William M. Hayes.
E. Forsyth
J. P. Gilmore.
John H. MeBride.
1861
William M. Hayes.
E. Forsyth
J. B. Gilmore ..
John H. McBride.
1862
William M. Hayes.
E. Forsyth
William I. Nevius
J. B. Gilmore.
1863
William M. Hayes.
E. Forsyth
J. N. Markee ..
J. P. Gilmore.
1864
William M. Hayes
E. Forsyth
J. P. Gilmore. .
J. M. Hamilton.
1865
William M. Hayes
E. Forsyth
William I. Nevius.
J. S. McCreight.
1866
William M. Hayes
E. Forsyth
J. S. McCreight.
1867
William M. Hayes.
E. Forsyth
S. D. Paxton.
1868
William M. Hayes
E. Forsyth
S. D. Paxton.
1869
Horace N. Chandler.
Alexander Pollock
S. D. Paxton.
1870
Horace N. Chandler
E. Forsyth
E. Forsyth
S. D. Paxton.
1871
Robert Candor.
E. Forsyth
E. Forsyth
Joseph Carns.
1872
Horace N. Chandler.
E. Forsyth
E. Forsyth
Joseph Carns.
1873
T. S. Robb
E. Forsyth
T. R. Gourley
Joseph Carns.
1874
Horace N. Chandler.
E. Forsyth.
Jeseph Carns.
1875
T. S. Robb
J. W. Sidwell.
M. M. Cross
Joseph Carns.
1876
Horace N. Chandler ...
J. W. Dilley
Joseph Carns.
1877
Horace N. Chandler.
E. Forsyth
J. W. Dilley
J. S. Hamilton.
1878
Horace N. Chandler ....
E. Forsyth.
J. W. Dilley
J. S. MeCreight.
1879
Horaee N. Chandler.
E. Forsyth
J. S. Hamilton
J. S. MeCreight.
1880
Horace N. Chandler ..
E. Forsyth
J. S. Hamilton
J. S. MeCreight.
188]
Horace N. Chandler. .
E. Forsyth
D. J. B. Ross
J. S. McCreight.
1882
T. S. Robb
E. Forsyth
N. H. Guthrie
J. S. McCreight.
The justices of the peace have been T. S. Robb, Levi Butterfield, John W. Dihel, Andrew Carns, C. S. Richey, E. Forsyth, James Gra- ham, H. M. Chandler, William S. McCormick. The present are E. Forsyth, and William S. McCormick.
E. Forsyth.
E. Forsyth
E. Forsyth
E. Forsyth
J. W. Sidwell.
E. Forsyth
Horace Williams. John H. McBride. Horaee Williams.
440
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
The population of Ohio Grove township, according to the census of 1880, is : Male, 562 ; female, 494; total, 1,056. Assessed valua- tion of property, 1881, $442,275 ; real estate, $337,085 ; personal, $95,190. Equalized by state board : Real estate, $335,691 ; personal, $94,883 ; total, $430,574. The taxes for 1881 were : State, $2,284.23 ; county, $1,078.26 ; town, $260.13 ; road and bridge, $798.37 ; road, $647.93; bond, $2,004.01; coupon, $231.55; district school, $1,956.89; district road, $245.42 ; dog, $157.00. It must be remembered that tax valuation is far below real valuation of property.
Although Ohio Grove has no railroad, she has aided the county in securing such a valuable convenience. In 1870 the township voted $7,000 toward building the American Central, since a branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. Bonds were issued at ten per cent, payable in three payments. About 1880 the bonds were refunded at eight per cent. In 1881 one-third the debt was paid. At present writing there is in the hands of supervisor Robb sufficient to meet the second payment. This indicates the early liquidation of the whole debt.
"Away back in bygone times,
Buried mid the rubbish of forgotten things,"
are many incidents which cannot be recorded. Some are not forgot- ten. In those days, as to-day, there was marriage and giving in mar- riage. No bell sounded the hour, no wedding march pealed from a hundred pipes ; but nature was full of music everywhere with cupid as chorister.
Benjamin Decker was born in Muskingum county, Ohio. There he was raised to the toil of a farm and scenes rustic as himself. Fannie McPherren also grew to blooming and blushing womanhood under similar circumstances. That sprite, ever casting glances from one to another, sought to do his wiley work as usual. When the removal was talked of the maid wondered how it would be with Ben- jamin. Benjamin decided to accompany, instead of follow, his be- trothed ; hence we find him assisting in building the first permanent house in Ohio Grove. He made his home with the McPherrens. Spring of 1837 came, with its verdure and flowers and music from a thousand throats. As cooed the doves, so wooed Benjamin and Fannie. No nuptial knot had yet been tied in Ohio Grove. Such was actually to take place June 15, 1837, about 11 A.M., at the residence of the bride's father, George McPherren. Invitations were extended and answered by Ashford Hardy and wife, James Moorehead and wife Matilda, James McBride and wife Polly, Richard Rice and wife Jane, Eliza Moorehead, afterward wife of William Dilley, John H.
441
OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.
MeBride and his sister Almeda (John isn't married yet), Thomas B. Cabeen, George and Sarah McPherren, and perhaps a few others. Rev. John Porter, of the United Presbyterian church, was present. The bride was dressed in white. No orange blossoms decked her hair ; she needed none. The groom was clad in brown. Rev. Porter pronounced the service that made these two hearts beat in unison, and the chords of whose lives vibrated harmony for so many years. The service over, some of the guests retired to their homes, while others remained to partake of the wedding dinner prepared by the bride's own labor. The patron had prepared a long, narrow table made of slabs. The table was spread with the best the country would afford. White bread and butter, pork, pickles from New York, furnished by a neighbor, fish caught in Pope creek, dried apples and peaches brought from Ohio, dried apple pie and dried peach pie, home-made maple syrup and coffee ; no cakes and custards were indulged in. The style was simple, the couple were happy, and the guests retired to their homes to reflect and talk of the wedding, the "match " and the pros- pects. The paternal roof gave shelter till the following fall, when housekeeping was begun at Bridger's corner. The log cabin stood in the brush, was very small, meagerly furnished with home-made furni- ture. The nearest neighbors were Indians, who numbered from three to five hundred. For two years this brave couple lived in such a wilderness, when they erected a log cabin of their own. In four years more they removed to their parent's home to keep house for him. Mr. Decker became an independent farmer. Death ended his career March 20, 1875. His faithful bride and wife survives him. She is the mother of ten children. James lived to manhood, then died ; Mary, Ester, Lucinda, Silas, Sarah A., Eva M., William L., George (dead).
Spring seems to have been a favorable time for beginning a new. life ; appropriately so, too. It was an April evening of 1840, when William C. Brownlee dropped into esquire Nevins' house and inquired for the squire. The squire was away, but would be back at dusk ; so, also, would this young man. A short journey was made by the young man. When he returned the squire was at supper. The young man was accompanied by a young lady, Miss Mary A. Brownlee, a very distant relative. Conversation of a lively style was indulged in. As the squire finished his meal, young Brownlee produced a suspicious looking document, which soon explained itself. Ceremony was actu- ally called for. The company was then gathered in the squire's smoke-house. The squire, with all the dignity of his office, adminis- tered the service. It was dark. The squire suggested the couple
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
remain till the morning. The good wife of the squire then performed her part of the ceremony, and the twain were safely conched for the night. Thus occurred the smoke-house services, which have ever been a reminiscence of merriment to old and young.
RELIGIOUS.
Says William I. Nevius in his notes : "The first publie worship in Ohio Grove was enjoyed in the cabin of the elder George McPherren, and conducted by Rev. John Wallace, an Associate Reformed Presby- terian. The McPherrens were Methodists, but his door was open to all religious teachers. In 1837 Rev. John Montgomery, a mission- ary of the Old School Presbyterian denomination, visited the settle- ment, and held public worship at Mr. McPherren's for some time, then at the house of William I. Nevius, and little later at Thomas Candor's. The congregation in 1837 numbered about twenty persons. There were the McPherrens, George Smith and family, Ashford Hardy and family, Richard Rice and family, in 1836; William Moore and family, the Candors, Cabeens, McBrides, and Nevinses, in 1837. Rev. Wal- lace preached till as late as 1841."
According to the researches of Elijah Forsyth, an Associate Re- formed (now U. P.) congregation was organized in 1842, consisting of Jane Rice, Elenor Moorehead, Phebe Smith, Sophia Hardy, William Moore, William McMichael, Ella McMichael, Josiah Moor, Samuel Moor, of Ohio Grove ; George Jay and Agnes Jay, of Keithsburg; John, Elizabeth, Ann, Jane and Elenor Collins, of Twin grove. Ser- vices were held in the groves, at school-houses or in the barn of Wm. I. Nevins. For some time immediately previous to 1852, J. C. Porter ministered to this congregation one-fourth of the time. D. C. Cochran and Revs. Fulton, Morrow and Finley also labored here. May 5, 1852, the congregation was reorganized. Robert Miller and William M. Hayes. were elected ruling elders ; Rev. J. C. Porter officiating. William M. Hayes, Robert M. Miller and George Smith, trustees. At a meeting of the session, William M. Hayes was elected clerk, which office he held till 1869. At that time the membership was forty- five. In 1853 sixteen joined by certificate and two on examination. From 1853 to 1859, Rev. M. Bigger labored as stated supply. In 1854 twenty-two joined on certificate and fourteen on examination ; in 1855, thirty-seven by certificate and eight on examination. In 1853 to 1855 a house of worship was erected at Sunbeam, 40×60 and twenty . feet from floor to ceiling. This was largely the result of the liberality, untiring energy and perseverance of William M. Hayes, an honored member. In 1860 Rev. J. H. Nash became pastor. In 1877 Rev.
443
OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.
D. F. Mustard began his labors. The church numbered at one time 163 persons. Its present membership is about 100. The ruling elders have been, besides those named, J. II. McCreight, Elijah Forsyth, Samuel Wright, John Torbit, M. M. Cross, Alex Pollock, David Milligan, N. Reasoner, J. P. Finley, and . R. H. Guilinger. David Milligan, Elijah Forsyth and J. P. Finley are now in the congregation of Sunbeam. In 1848-9, Thomas Candor built the Candor Presbyter- ian church. Rev. Montgomery remained its minister till his death. This church is further noticed in the history of Abington township.
The first Methodist services were held at McBride's by Rev. Burr. The school-house was next used as a church. In 1844 a great revival was conducted in George McPherren's barn. People came thirty miles, camping out. The McPherrens, McBrides, Browns, Moore- heads and others were members of the church. Horace Williams was class-leader, and able in his duty. George Williams also occupied the position early. An effort was made to build a church, but failed. Finally George McPherren proposed to advance the money and build the church. His offer was accepted and the church, 35×45, built about 1860, at a cost of $1,400, without much of the labor reckoned. The house was dedicated by Elder Frank Smith, for years a laborer in the neighborhood. Other early preachers were William Hanly, Elder Cullis and others. Other early class-leaders were Peter Stephens and Abraham Crabtree. Just after the dedication the church enjoyed a great revival, receiving about sixty additions. The present board of stewards consists of George McPherren, Peter Stephens, George Wil- liams, Solomon Guthrie, William Frankleberry. Rev. Ayers is in charge.
CEMETERIES.
Three spots are especially dear to the early settlers of Ohio Grove. When the toils and hardships were over the pioneer was at rest. There was no "Cavendish Duke of Devonshire" with his five thousand ten- ants to follow a son to the grave. But family and neighbors equally royal followed their loved and respected to burial. The plat known as McClure's Cemetery, formerly McPherren's, was donated for the purpose by the elder George McPherren. How sad and tearful were they who followed the remains of John Moorehead, deceased August 8, 1836, to the dedication of that sacred spot. This was the first funeral service in Ohio Grove. The first death of a pioneer; the beginning of that funeral march that has so oft been resumed in subse- quent years. The yard is dotted with graves. IIere lie Ashford Hardy, George MePherren, George W. Stephens, John M. Walker,
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