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 47
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The position of superintendent is one of great responsibility and of constant trials, vexations and watchfulness, and it is to the honor of each and all who have held the position that they have served year after year in that capacity. That any one of them has served one or more years to the entire satisfaction of everybody could not be expected ; that each has left the farm in better condition than he found it is most highly commendable.
Since the completion of the building the number of inmates has averaged about thirty per year. The largest number ever upon the books at one time was fifty-four, during the administration of S. H. Darbyshire ; and every'available resource of the farm and infirmary were then taxed to the utmost.
Among the present inmates are the following, who have been there for eight years or more, with date of entry: Dedimus Black, April 5, 1859; Mrs. King, December 19, 1861; Logan Smithers, June 7, 1864; John Hall, December 30, 1865; 'Norman Powers, May 12, 1866; Sarah Albee, August 17, 1869; Elizabeth Krouse, October 2, 1871; Richard Bell, May 24, 1874.
Whenever children are admitted it is the rule to advertise at once for homes for them, and where possible secure their adoption by good families. Where this is not possible they are allowed to go and work for their board, or board and clothing, owing to their capabilities.
February 1, 1865, forty acres adjoining the farm were purchased of John Dellett, and on March 1, 1882, 200 acres were purchased of Peter Blue, being the N. E. 4, and the S. E. } of the N. W. } of Sec. 33, T. 15 N., R. 3 W. of the 4th P. M., for which they paid the sum of $10,000 cash. Small timber lots in Sec. 4, T. 14, R. 3, have been purchased at different times, and the farm now comprises 395 acres. One man is hired by the county, in addition to the superintendent, and what he cannot work advantageously with the resources at his command, is leased on good terms to responsible tenants.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
The farm is becoming nearer sulf-supporting year by year, and has proven from the first a paying investment, to leave ont all other con- siderations. It is true that it has not put an end to a deluge of pauper bills from the several townships at each recurring session of the board, but it has largely reduced them in number and amounts asked for, and the bills receive a close scrutiny and thorough investigation before being allowed. But so long as supervisors are allowed to assist pau- pers in their respective townships, at public expense, these bills must be paid ; and some of our supervisors seem to think their townships will be disgraced if they are represented by an inmate in the infirmary, and to prevent this will issue orders and indorse bills that aggregate much more than it would cost to keep the pauper where he or she most properly belong, at the county farm.
The visitor to our county farm and infirmary will see no grand pile of masonry, erected with a view mainly for architectural effect, but a large and substantial building, well adapted for the purpose erected. That improvements might now be added, or that a different plan might embody them if a building was now to be built, which would better the accommodations and lessen the labor, is readily conceded ; but it has and will for some years to come furnish ample accommodation for all who have been or may be consigned to its friendly shelter.
It is situated three and one-half miles due north of Aledo. A beautiful drive leads to the house, the site for which was selected by an artistic eye. Inviting shade trees, the lawn, the orchard, the fruit, the waving grain on either side in summer, the well-filled granaries in winter, all present an inviting appearance ; nothing repulsive meets the eye. . It is a home for the unfortunate and the imbecile : an insti- tution that is a credit to the generosity and liberality of the citizens of Mercer county.
In addition to the gentlemen mentioned as furnishing data for the foregoing, we are indebted to county clerk C. C. Wordin for kind assistance in examining the records in his office, and a long, though fruitless, search for some reports which would have proven valuable could they have been found; to superintendent J. McWillis for like assistance, and to numerous others for the pains taken in answering our numerous inquiries. In the name of the readers of this history we earnestly thank each and all.
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MERCER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL BOARD.
MERCER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL BOARD.
CONTRIBUTED BY L. B. DOUGHITY.
In starting out for data for this sketch we were confronted with the to us startling fact that the first record book of the society, embracing the records from its first organization up to 1873, was missing. Secre- tary and ex-secretaries were appealed to, but no trace of the missing record has as yet been discovered. Here was a dilemma for which we were not prepared, and one that necessitates a mere sketch, which, while generally correct, is so incomplete and barren in detail as to be, to us, at least, very unsatisfactory. An appeal to those who were prominent in the organization and during the first years of the society was made, and while all were willing to render assistance, not one was willing to trust his memory as to details of the beginning. Three men were mentioned as the first secretary ; two of them we have seen, and each thinks the other was the man, but neither is sure. Under these circumstances the reader will pardon us for any inaccuracies or omis- sions he may discover.
The society was organized in 1853, by prominent farmers in the county, for the encouragement and promotion of agricultural and mechanical pursuits. Among the organizers were Tyler Mcwhorter, Graham Lee, Joseph Trego, Dudley Willits, J. E. Bay, Walter Pryne, Elbridge G. Howe, William Green, Cruser Gray, James and William P. Strong, Washington Wolf, the Drurys, Nobles, and many others. We shall not attempt to give the officers; we cannot learn with certainty who they were.
Millersburg was chosen as the place for holding the exhibitions, and the citizens of that village purchased three acres of land of Elbridge G. Howe; cleared it of the timber and undergrowth, and built a fence around it (three sides being fenced with the brush taken from the land, the front only being a substantial board fence), and the whole was donated to the society. The consideration was $50, and the deed was made, September 30, 1854, to "the treasurer of the Mercer County Agricultural Society and his successor in office."
The exhibitions were held during the last of September or the first of October of each year, and have been a success from the start, the society always paying its premiums in full, and with but few excep- tions has had something left after so doing and meeting current expenses.
The three acres. soon became, too small, and two more acres were purchased of Mr. Howe; and when it was decided to add trotting to the
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
exhibition, eight acres were leased from H. W. Thornton, upon which a one-fourth mile track was prepared.
Two features of our early fairs will bear mention, although both have long since lost a place on the programme. An agricultural address, often delivered by a professional politician, who perhaps knew no more about raising corn and potatoes than he did of Greek, was for awhile considered the main attraction ; and the equestrienne exhibi- tion was also relied upon as a drawing feature. It is needless to say that the latter was of the two the most popular, and drew by far the largest and most enthusiastic crowd.
Owing to the excitement consequent to the breaking out of the war of the rebellion in 1861, no fair was held that year, but they were resumed in 1862, and have been held regularly ever since.
When the railroad was completed to Aledo, in 1869, the society decided to remove to that point, owing to the increased facilities for getting to and from the fair, and twenty-seven acres of ground were purchased of D. V. Reed, situated about one mile southwest of the business center of town, and the fair of 1869 was held on the new grounds.
During the first years of the society, membership tickets were sold at $1 each, and the purchaser was presented with a badge which not only entitled him to admission during the fair, but also admitted all members of his family, except children, who were "of age." Under this plan gate receipts were always small in proportion to the number in attendance, and it was finally displaced by the regular ticket system, the purchaser of four twenty-five cent tickets being enti- tled to a certificate of membership, which latter gives him a vote in society, but will not admit him to the grounds.
When the law was passed creating the state board of agriculture, our society reorganized under its provisions, under the name of the "Mercer County Agricultural Board," a name it still bears. Substan- tial buildings, stalls, pens, etc., have been erected as the finances would warrant. The board during the past year paid the last of its indebtedness for land, and has kept other bills paid up. A fine exhi- bition hall is now in course of erection, in the shape of a Greek cross, which will cost about $2,000. On the grounds is a splendid one-third mile track, and fronting it a commodious amphitheater, built, how- ever, more for use than ornament. A sufficient number of wells supply all the water required, and more hay is raised on the ground enclosing the track than is required to feed the stock brought for exhibition.
Gambling and the sale of intoxicants have ever been rigidly
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MERCER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL BOARD.
excluded, and many have favored the abolition of trotting or racing of any kind from the grounds.
There was a time when this feature threatened to overshadow all else, and our fair became what so many others in the state had merged into-a three-days' horse-race, with a few implements and farm products as a kind of side-show. Taking warning, however, by the bankruptcy of neighboring societies, resulting largely from this course, our board adopted a happy medium, which has so far resulted to the best interests of the board, financially, while satisfying all but the ultra advocates of either side. Trials of speed are reduced in number and almost entirely confined to horses owned within the county, and the premiums are liberal without being excessive. Pre- miums on stock and farm products, together with manufactured articles of all kinds of home production have been advanced ; while machinery, farm implements, etc., from foreign manufactories, are simply awarded a diploma.
The ladies' department, including needle work, embroideries, samples of culinary skill and dairy work, have ever been an inter- esting, attractive and important feature of the exhibitions, and too much praise cannot be accorded to the ladies for their interest and unremitting efforts to make these departments attractive, and we can say of them what can be said of no other department : the display has always been full and large.
In the exhibition of fine horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep, our fairs have never been surpassed in quality by the state fair, and some years scarcely equaled in quantity ; while in fruits, farm products, and vege- tables, our average display would be creditable at any state exhibition, and in exceptional years is never surpassed anywhere.
The board offer from $2,000 to $2,500 annually as premiums. All articles and animals are admitted free, except horses, entries for speed, and sweepstakes on all other stock. These pay an entrance fee of ten per cent on first premium, except entries for speed, which pay ten per cent on purses offered. Sheep, however, pay no entrance fee on sweep- stakes, as only a diploma is awarded in that class.
We cannot give a list of the officers of the society from its organiza- tion, and must content ourselves with a mention of a few whom we know to have been prominently connected with it, while others who have perhaps been more prominent are necessarily omitted. In addition to those first mentioned are J. E. Harroun, A. J. Streeter, Henry Lee, David Calhoun, D. W. Sedwick, E. B. David, Joseph B. Lair, Samuel Wharton, C. F. Durston, J. U. David, A. P. Petrie, A. B. Swisher, James Feather, William I. Nevius, Robert Candor,
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND 'HENDERSON COUNTIES.
John Brady, O. A. Bridgford, Walter Lloyd, L. B. Lloyd, J. M. Mannon, William Doak, G. D. Miller, John Whitsett, John A. Gilmore, D. T. Hindman, W. K. Fulton, D. H. Hayes, J. M. Warwick, M. L. Marsh, . J. Taylor Gilmore, L. V. Willits, J. H. Purdum, R. J. Cabeen, L. B. Howe, J. J. IIuston ; and right here we will stop, for their name is legion.
Robert Holloway has added much interest to the horse show for the past few years, by an exhibition of his fine imported horses, while William Drury is entitled to the same credit for a much longer period.
As a fact worthy of record the fairs of the Mercer county agricul- tural boards have been more uniformly successful in every way than any other fair in the state, and our exhibitions deservedly stand at the head, taking them as a whole, and have so stood for a number of years. For this proud position credit is due to the citizens of the county generally, who have ever shown their interest in its success by attending its exhibitions and contributing in every possible way toward its advancement. Wise selection of officers and careful management on their part has insured a sound financial basis upon which future im- provements may be safely inaugurated.
The twenty-ninth annual fair of the board will be held on Septem- ber 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1882, at their grounds near Aledo. The fol- lowing are the officers for the current year : president, A. B. Swisher, Eliza; vice-president, R. J. Cabeen, Keithsburg ; treasurer, E. B. David, Aledo; secretary, J. F. Henderson, Aledo ; executive com- mittee, David Calhoun, Keithsburg; J. B. Lair, Aledo; G. D. Mil- ler, Aledo; D. W. Sedwick, Suez; J. U. David, New Windsor; J. B. Chandler, Sunbeam ; Mrs. W. D. Fleharty, New Windsor; Mrs. H. B. Frazier, Viola; Mrs. W. A. Lorimer, Aledo; Mrs. J. M. Man- non, New Boston ; general superintendent, Robert Candor, Aledo ; marshal, Samuel Wharton, Aledo; marshal of the ring, John F. Harvey, Aledo. Capt. E. B. David, present treasurer, was for five years secretary of the board, and is now vice-president of the state board of agriculture for this district.
DUNCAN TOWNSHIP.
This township was named by the first settlers in honor of Buford Duncan, who was himself the first of all. The soil in this township is susceptible of a high grade of cultivation, being composed of rich, black loam. Camp creek, the principle stream, runs through the southeast portion, and Eliza creek forms in the northwest part of the township,
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DUNCAN TOWNSHIP.
and runs in a southwest course through Duncan and Eliza townships, emptying into Bald Eagle lake, five miles from New Boston. In places Camp creek is skirted with heavy timber along its banks, to which the various wild climbers cling for support. All along the banks of Camp, from Bald Eagle lake to its source, wherever shaded by tim- ber, was once the favorite camping ground of the red man, and hence the creek derives its name; but they have long since disappeared with the advent of the few first white settlers. They have gone, but have not forgotten the place they once controlled, and those of them who still survive in lamentable tones portray their recollections of the home of their childhood; that once delightful hunting ground. But time has wrought many changes since then; where once was the site of the wigwam are now fields of waving corn. The old mill once in active operation upon its banks just west of Millersburg, has also disappeared, giving way to more powerful modern improvements, and not a vestige of it remains except the recollections of its former usefulness in grinding out its allowance to hungry settlers. Around it was a pleasant spot in summer time, when the woods were green around and the pond like a shield of polished silver, with the water flying in showers of spray over the huge, slowly turning wheel. But in winter, when the trees were bare and the snow lay piled in drifts upon the ground, a weary, desolate place was the mill of Camp creek.
Where once could be seen one vast sea of unbroken prairie, well cultivated farms and handsome farm houses now meet the eye; and dotted here and there with churches and school-houses on every hand, which note the progress that intellect and industry have made.
This township is comprised of No. 15, R. + west of the 4th P. M., and is well supplied with coal ranging from two and a half to five feet in thickness.
FIRST SETTLERS.
The first settler in what is now Duncan township was Buford Duncan, as early as 1834 or 1836. The township took its name from this man. The next family to come was Duncan's son-in-law, James Vernon. William Epperly came also about the same time. These settled in the same neighborhood, on section 16, school land. The first school-house was built on some of this land, of which Duncan donated one acre. It was called the Duncan school-house then. Joseph King was another of the early comers. He settled farther south toward the line between Duncan and Millersburg, on section 23, now owned by J. C. Staley. From about 1837 arrivals were numer- ous. Among these later settlers were Ebenezer Bunting, Joseph N.,
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IHISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Elbridge G., and Lucian B. Howe (brothers), Tyler McWhorter, and his brother-in-law, William S. Roe. They settled together. McWhorter started a nursery, made a handsome place, and finally removed his nursery to his present location south of Aledo.
[The following from an early resident of Duncan township (Tyler McWhorter, Esq.) will be read with interest .- ED.]
The first settler of this township was Buford Duncan, who located on section 16 in the year 1838. Buford Duncan came from Indiana. He was a man characterized for plainness of manners and the strictest honesty. He was already somewhat advanced in life and was the father of a considerable family of children, most of whom settled in the same neighborhood. Soon after Buford Duncan had located in the township, his brother, Braxton Duncan, located on section 17. Brax- ton Duncan was of a slender constitution and only survived a few years. Subsequently several persons connected with the Dunean family located in the same neighborhood and formed a nucleus of what became known as "Duncan settlement." Among the early settlers of that neighborhood should be mentioned William Epperly and James Vernon. Buford Duncan has been dead many years. Among the early settlers of the township of Duncan was also Luman Castle, who located on the south boundary of the township (section 36) near the town of Millersburg.
It was also at an early date that Joseph King located on the south side of section 33. It was near the same time that Robert Morris located on section 25. Robert Morris was from Scotland. He was a man of some mathematical education. In 1844 he was elected county surveyor. He also served as the first township treasurer of Duncan township, and held that position till the spring of 1846, when, being attracted to an overland adventure to California, he resigned his charge as township treasurer, and the writer of this sketch became his suc- cessor. Mr. Morris died in California. About the spring of 184+ Elbridge G. Howe and Lucian B. Howe made a location on the north part of section 33. It was in the summer of 1845 that the writer of this sketch, accompanied by a brother-in-law (William S. Rowe), located on section 31. It was then the sole purpose of the writer, with the limited means at his command, to start a large experimental orchard in con- nection with the nursery business. The name chosen for the nursery was "Pome-Roy (Royal Fruit) Nursery"; and by that name the neigh- borhood is still known. It is scarcely necessary to add that "Pome-Roy Nursery" subsequently produced the trees for most of the oldest bearing orchards of this county, and for some of the adjoining counties. At this early date very few public roads were yet laid out in the township.
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DUNCAN TOWNSHIP.
The few traveled roads wound their way over the prairies, following the most favorable make of ground.
The small number of domestic animals had very little effect in sup- pressing the free growth of the wild prairie. grass which on all sides grew up and waved to the summer winds. For many years the early settlers conld mow a full supply of hay on the open prairies, and when the frosts of autumn had killed the prairie grass it was with watchful care that the early settlers felt the necessity of protecting their prop- erty from the sweeping destruction of prairie fires. These fires were often started ten or fifteen miles distant; how or by whom started could seldom be ascertained. On many occasions both men and women were rallied out through the hours of night to defend fields and fences against the approaching prairie fires. Some very serious losses occurred in the early settlement of the country. It was the prac- tice to plow "fire gnards " around exposed sides of farms.
At the time the writer of this sketch first settled no school-house was built in the township, and the only religions services that had vet been held were conducted by a branch of the Mormons. It was under a preacher by the name of Hinekle that these exercises were mainly conducted, but a more noted revivalist, by the name of Ringer, came to his assistance. Considerable zeal and earnestness were awakened. But subsequently this movement met with some unfortunate disasters.
The first school-house was built in the Dunean settlement. the whole township being taxed as one district. Subsequently another dis- trict was set off on the south side of the township, called the Pome-Roy distriet. Several other divisions of school districts have since taken place. It now has nine school-houses and three churches. It has become a prosperous agricultural township, and sustains an able and industrious population. But this township is so peculiarly situated that it is not crossed by any of the leading lines of travel.
TYLER MCWHORTER.
CHURCHES.
There are four churches in the town. The Wesleyan Methodist was the first to organize, December 7, 1855. In the spring of 1833, E. R. Powers and George Keneday moved with their families from Ohio to Illinois. Being members of that church in the former state, they brought their letters of recommendation with them. They purchased land in Perryton township. There was no religious organization near where they settled, and they were anxious to promote the cause of christianity, and had a preference for a church that did not recognize slave-holders and which did exert its influence against intemperance,
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
war, and secret oath-bound societies. They had been in Illinois nearly a year before they found a member of that order. Finally learning that there were Wesleyans at Millersburg, they went there to obtain a preacher, and after a short time the Rev. Mr. Mekpam came to their place and preached the first sermon listened to in Perryton, and preached by a Wesleyan. About two weeks after this, a young man named B. F. Haskins preached at the same place. These ser- mons were delivered some time in April, 1854. In the month of July following, the Rev. J. M. Snyder visited the neighborhood, and preached by appointment. His field of labor included Perryton, and here he made appointments to preach once in four weeks on Sabbath. These exercises were held, alternately, at the houses of Mr. Powers and Keneday. At the beginning of the next conference year the citizens of Perryton erected a school house near the Hamlet postoffice, where the services were then held. The Rev. Mr. Snyder having dispensed with his former field of labor, he was now able to preach to them once in two weeks, on Sunday. During this time a revival was held and twenty-seven members were added to the church. Mr. Powers and Keneday, with their families had, a year previously, joined the church at Millersbusg, but by request changed and joined the church in their own neighborhood. The first officers of the church were: J. M. Sny- der, officiating élder; Levi Cooper, clerk. The first members were : Ebenezer R. Powers, Cornelia Powers, George Keneday and his wife, Celestia Keneday, Levi Cooper and his wife, Lucy Cooper, Jonas Fender, John Cooper, M. Welch. On the 16th of December of that year, were added to the church: Daniel Bopes, Henry Freeman, Joseph F. Cooper, D. H. Cooper, Sarah Cooper, Sarah McIntyre, Ann Asquith. Up to 1856 they had thirty-one regular members and twenty- one probationers. This church was prosperous from the first; but having no place in the township large enough to accommodate all who thronged to the place of worship, they accordingly built a church of their own on the center of section 24.
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