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 64
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Methodist Episcopal .- This society was organized in 1867. The first trustees being Delos Crosby, Jonah Flora, James M. Walker, E. J. Morgan, Elias Beachlor, George Griffin, and O. R. Morey. The church building was completed in 1870. The first pastor was the Rev. Theodore Hoagland. Owing to very imperfect records the data in regard to this organization are very meagre. The society was first organized by the Rev. J. Fleharty, who held meetings in the old brick school-house, and through whose earnest efforts many converts were brought into communion with Christ.
Congregational Church .- This society was organized in 1857, by the Rev. C. H. Eaton, who acted as the first regular pastor. The church building was erected the same year. The first trustees were : B. C. Perkins, Joseph Schofield, George Bolton, Thomas Merriman. John A. Hoffman. This organization was in a very flourishing condi- tion until about 1865-6, but having been originally composed of mem- bers who had previously belonged to other denominations, it began to decrease in number and soon became practically extinct.
Presbyterian .-- This society was organized April 22, 1872, in the old Congregational church building, and was made up principally of persons who had formerly been members of the Edwards river congre- gation, and the old Congregationalist church at Viola. The first pastor was the Rev. E. Robb, licentiate of Auburn, New York, seminary. The first elders were Russell Park and Hopkins Boom. In 1878 the society erected a church building at a cost of about $2,700. This building is pleasantly located, surrounded by a natural grove, and is an ornament to the village. The interior of the building is handsomely finished, and furnished to correspond. The congregation is in a pros- perous condition, and is at present under the supervision of the Rev. R. H. Fulton.
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Bethel Church .- About four miles west of Viola a society was organized in 1854, and was called the Bethel Free Presbyterian Church. At the time of organization the membership numbered twenty. J. R. Whittim was the first pastor, and the first trustees were James McClure. William M. Carnahan, and John Carnahan. The church was known by the above name until 1866, when slavery had ceased to be an issue and the name was changed to Wesleyan Methodist, and since has gone by that name.
Lodge No. 577, A. F. and A. M., was organized July 16, 1867, with the following officers : Master, J. B. Longley ; Senior Warden, B. F. Morey ; Junior Warden. S. B. Atwater ; Treasurer, Russel Park ; Secretary, V. R. Harriott ; Senior Deacon, Warren L. Smith ; Junior Deacon, Robert Park ; Tyler, M. K. Flory. Following are the names of the charter members : Allen Robinson, W. L. Smith, M. K. Flory, Edward Lynes, John Baxter, Levi Mclaughlin, Russell Park, B. F. Morey, J. M. Erne, Robert Park, V. R. Harriott, S. B. Atwater, S. R. Moore, W. D. Morford, J. B. Longley, Allen MeLaughlin, Rich- ard Cooper. The Lodge was conducted under dispensation until 1868, when they received their charter. The names of the present officers are as follows : Worshipful Master, H. B. Frazier ; Senior Warden, P. F. Mauk ; Junior Warden, B. C. Bowers ; Treasurer, Russell Park ; Secretary, V. R. Harriott ; Senior Deacon, W. L. Smith ; Junior Deacon, J. E. Greenwood ; Stewards, Reuben Perry. M. K. Flory : Tyler, J. B. Smith. The present membership of the lodge number forty-three.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in the township was taught by Elizabeth Collins, in the rear part of her father's (John Collins), residence, in 1840, which, during its existence, was kept up by subscription. The first public school building in the township was erected in 1842, and stood on a hill in the eastern part of the village of Viola, north of the present site of the steam mill, and was used until 1856, when a two story brick build- ing was erected, about forty rods southwest of it, which was occupied until 1871, when the large increase in attendance made it necessary to erect a new and larger building. Accordingly, the people of the dis- trict held a meeting, for the purpose of ascertaining the sentiment in regard to it, and it was decided to proceed at once with the work. Dr. J. V. Frazier drew up and submitted to the meeting a plan for the proposed building, which was adopted, and Delos Crosby employed to superintend the construction of the same. The grounds selected upon which to erect the building are in block 114, where two lots were pur- chased, at a cost of about $500. The building, one of the best in the
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county, was completed in 1871, and school opened in the fall of that year, Miss Sarah Hayes being the first principal. For reasons which might be mysterious to some and transparent to others, the accounts of the expenditures on the building were very imperfectly kept ; in fact they were not kept at all, and the people of the district are to-day ignorant of the cost of their school edifice. An investigating commit- tee was once appointed to look into the matter, but their labors were rewarded by the same success that usually attends such efforts. They were obliged to guess at both the cost of the building, and the disposal that was made of the public funds. We will state that their opinion in regard to the former, but will withhold it in reference to the latter. According to their estimate, the building, including grounds, cost about $7,000. The building is two stories in height, the main build- ing. 54×32 feet in size, and the wing 17×20. It is divided into four departments, which are designated in alphabetical order, beginning at A. Mr. S. P. Wiley, of Aledo, is the present principal, and is con- «Incting the school to the entire satisfaction of the people of the district.
THE CEMETERY.
The cemetery is located about a half a mile north and west of the village. The ground was donated to the United Presbyterian church by John Collins. The first burial that took place here was the remains of John Kennedy. It is now used as a public cemetery and has recently been enlarged.
It is admirably located on gently rolling ground, and is surrounded by a grove of forest trees. In visiting this burial place one is struck by the surrounding beanty, by the hallowed stillness, broken only by the twittering of wild birds, and cannot but realize how well the loca- tion was chosen. John Collins, the donor, is buried here.
The cemetery in connection with Bethel church was established in 1856 on land donated by William and Porter Carnahan. It is located in section 18, and is used is a public burial place.
THE VIOLA VINEYARD.
Prominent among the places of interest in Mercer county is the vineyard owned by J. M. Erne, contignons to the village of Viola. In 1875 Mr. Erne purchased twenty-two acres of timber land, joining the village on the north and cast, and by ceaseless labor and excellent man- agement he has removed the timber and is now the proprietor of the largest vineyard in the county. He carries on the business in a scien- tific and skillful manner. The hillsides facing the southeast are orna- mented by rows of vines, numbering in all about 6,000, and consisting
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of about thirty varieties of grapes. In 1880 these vines produced about fifty tons of fruit.
In addition to these he has about 600 apple trees, among which about twenty varieties of apples are represented. He also has about fifteen different varieties of strawberries, six of raspberries and three of cherries. He is experimenting with German prunes and several other kinds of fruit which have heretofore been unknown in the American vineyards.
Among the novelties to be found in his vineyard is the " Viola Crab, " which is indebted to Mr. Erne for its name, and which is des- tined to figure prominently among the fine fruits of the country. The tree from which the grafts were taken was discovered by Mr. Erne in the timber south of Viola, and seemed to be a cross between the tame apple and wild crab apple. The fruit resembles the Roman stem in shape and color, and Mr. Erne thinks it superior to any fruit of the crab genus in existence. This fruit is supposed to be transcendent. Mr. Erne is carefully cultivating this novelty and thinks his labor will be rewarded by his being known as the discoverer of a fine species of fruit.
He is also experimenting with seedling grapes and the result of his experiments are several new varieties of that delicious fruit, upon which he has not yet conferred names. He has developed an extra fine white, and a fine copper colored fruit, and also a kind that grows in very compact elusters. He has also developed a seedling peach that ripens early in July, called the Early Mercer.
Mr. Erne deserves great credit for his perseverance and untiring diligence in developing this fruit enterprise. He also manufactures large quantities of wine of an excellent quality.
GREEN BOWER NURSERY.
This enterprise, managed by James Ferry, is situated about four miles southeast of Viola. For many years Mr. Ferry and his father have devoted a great deal of their attention to fruit growing, and in 1869 James opened his nursery. It is handsomely situated and the trees and shrubs so tastefully arranged as to present a pretty view. The land on which it is located, consisting of abont twenty-two acres, is rolling, the hills sloping to the south and cast. Mr. Ferry keeps on hand about sixty varieties of apple trees, and a dozen of raspberries : in blackberries he makes a specialty of the "snyder" and " killina:" in grapes of the "concord." Of strawberries he keeps about ten varieties. Aside from these are found all kinds of ornamental trees. The nursery is well protected on all sides by a natural grove of oak
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trees. It is also well drained, and with these natural advantages, together with the enterprise and excellent judgment of the proprie- tor. we see no reason why it should not be a long-lived success.
THE STEAM MILL.
Early in the spring of 1869, an elderly gentleman, of suave man- ner. appeared on the streets of Viola, introducing himself to some of the citizens as William Cannon. His business in the village was to ascertain the feeling of the people in regard to having a steam mill added to their list of enterprises. After finding the sentiment favorable to his project. he very modestly stated that he would need a little pecuniary aid in constructing the building, and proposed that in case the citizens raised him $2,500, to proceed at once with the work. Enough kind-hearted gentlemen were soon found to make up the desired amount, and as security they were given a lien on the property. At the expiration of two years, the time when the money was to have been refunded, the double-barreled firm of Cannon & Cannon collapsed, and the wily creditors pounced down on the property. After gaining possession of the same they were informed that other parties held claims on the mill amounting to nearly $5,000. After liquidating these liens the property was sold to L. S. Hunter, the present proprie- tor, for $1,800. Just how much these philanthropie gentlemen realized from the speculation. except that they had been swindled. is not known.
WAR RECORD.
In sending out troops to aid in the suppression of the rebellion. Greene was not behind her sister townships. She furnished troops for the Sth Kansas, 17th Illinois, 30th Illinois, 45th Illinois, 65th Illinois, 83d Illinois, 84th Illinois, 27th Illinois, 102d Illinois. 124th Illinois, 140th Illinois and 53d Illinois, and 12th Ill. Cavalry. Upon the alter of her country she laid her sacrifice. Some of her brave sons who had gone out full of life and health, had returned, sick and emaciated from the effects of hardships and exposure, to their old homes to die with their loved ones about them, while the graves of others are scattered over the soil of Tennessee, of the Carolinas, of Georgia, on the banks of the Mississippi, and on the shore of the moaning sea. The tales of their deeds of heroism have been "enshrined in song ;" a stately shaft of marble has been erected to their memory, and their epitaphs are written on the hearts of the American people.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Among the many prominent men of which Mercer county can boast, none are more deserving of the respect of her citizens than Dr. JESSE V. FRAZIER. Dr. Frazier is a son of John and Nancy (Veach) Frazier, and was born in Hubbard. Trumbull county, Ohio, February 15, 1824. Jesse remained on the farm with his father until eighteen . years of age, when he went to Youngstown, Ohio, and began a course of study in the academy, and with the exception of two winters, during which he taught school, continued his studies three years. In the spring of 1845 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. B. F. Richardson, who has since been made a professor in one of the medical colleges in Cincinnati. He studied in the office of that gen- tleman until the spring of 1847. when he and his father started for Illinois. Taking passage on a boat at Pittsburgh they went down the Ohio to Cairo, thence up the Mississippi as far as Keokuk, where they found the river clogged with ice to such an extent as to stop further progress of the boat. Walking across on the ice to the Iowa side, they walked to Burlington, where they hired a man to row them across the channel to where the ice was sufficiently solid to permit them to walk ashore. This, although a very perilous operation, was accomplished without accident. Having made their way to the Illinois side, they started toward their destination on foot, and arrived at Viola on the second of March. They bought a farm one and a half miles from that village, and while the father returned to Ohio for the family, Jesse attended to putting in their crops. Shortly after the arrival of the family he went to Rock Island and resumed his medical studies in the office of Dr. Winslow S. Peirce, now of Indianapolis. In the fall of 1847 he attended lectures at MeDowel's medical college in St. Louis. In the latter part of 1848 he began practising in Millersburg, and in February, 1849, received a diploma from the Rock Island medical col- lege. During his studies in these two cities he distinguished himself as a student of more than ordinary talent. and in his final examination acquitted himself with the highest honors, and received the most flat- tering encomiums from his fellow students and professors. In Septent- ber he was stricken with a fever which defied the contents of an apothecary store as well as the skill of any human physician, and for which there was no antidote nearer than the gold mines of California. He accordingly prescribed for himself a trip to that country. In com- pany with his friend Dr. Peirce he took a boat to New Orleans, and there took passage in a steamer bound for Panama. Shortly after landing in Gorgonia. he in company with several others stepped into a restaurant for dinner. Having partaken of the bountiful repast. he
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put his hand in his pocket and made the startling discovery that his money was gone. ITis pocket had been picked. His feelings may easily be imagined on finding himself penniless in a strange land whose inhabitants spoke a language unknown to him. He went to the American consul, located in that city, and stated his case and pro- duced his diploma. Having convinced that official of the truthfulness of his story, he received the promise of a commission as surgeon on the first vessel that would depart for San Francisco. The first vessel to conie in was the "Sea Queen, " a British vessel from Dundee, Scotland, laden with coal. After being unloaded this vessel was cleaned up. banks and berths put in and made ready for carrying passengers. This completed she soon hove anchor and departed for San Francisco, in which port she landed on the evening of January 9, 1850. On his arrival here he was prostrated by a fever contracted during his stay in Panama. After remaining a short time he managed, with the assistance of a friend, to get to Marysville, where they lived in a tent until his recov- ery, when they went to a mining camp known as Rough and Ready, in Nevada county, and began work in the mines. The Doctor remained here until September when he sold his claims and bought two ox teams with which he engaged in hauling supplies from Sacramento to the mines. In the spring of 1851 he again entered the mines, and remained until January, 1852, when he received an appointment as first clerk in the state comptroller's office, by his old friend Dr. Peirce, who had been elected to that position. Ill health soon compelled him to abandon that pursuit, however, and he resolved to try his fortune in Los Angelos, where he embarked in the live stock business, which proved to have been a very lucrative one, and in which he exhibited great financial shrewdness. He continued dealing in stock until January, 1853, by which time he had accumulated about $10,000, and had resolved to return to Illinois. A treacherous partner, however, vetoed that decision by absconding with all but about $500 of the doctor's money, and that was consumed in paying detectives and vainly searching for the miscreant. Undaunted by this terrible mis- fortune, he went to Sonora and again entered the mines. In 1856 the doctor was chosen by the republican element of the county as a candi- date for the legislature, and although that party was in its infancy, and so decidedly in the minority as to render his election hopeless, he entered the contest with the same vim and enthusiasm that has ever characterized his actions. He "stumped" the entire district and came within eighty votes of being elected. May 1, 1857, he sailed for New York and arrived in that city about the last of the month. After spending several months visiting the principal cities of the east. he
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returned to the sucker state, which has since been his home. The doctor is a prominent member of the scientific and historical associa- tion of Mercer county, of which organization he was the first president. also a member of the state medical association. He was married in 1859 to Miss Salina P. Cowden, whose father was one of the pioneer settlers of the county. He is the father of five children, four of whom are living: Kate M., born Angust 10, 1863; Charles Edward, born August 12, 1866; Pearl, born September 3, 1870 (died October 12, 1870); and Lena, born September 30, 1873. The Doctor located in Viola in March, 1861, and since that time has devoted his entire atten- tion to his professional duties. Although a politician of great foresight and sagacity, he has never been an office seeker, and contrary to the wishes of his many friends, he has furthered the political interests of others rather than those of his own.
HUGH B. FRAZIER, son of John and Nancy (Veach) Frazier, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1835. In 1847 the family removed to Mercer county, where Hugh assisted his father on the farm in the summer and attended a district school in the winter. until 1854, when he went to Rock Island and attended school during the years of 1854-5. In the fall of 1826 he went to Detroit, Michigan, and attended school four months at Gregorie's commercial college, from which insti- tution he graduated. In 1858 he went to Kansas and bought land near Olathee, intending to devote his attention to farming, but becom- ing dissatisfied with the monotony of farm life he returned to Illinois, where he remained until August, 1862. when he enlisted as a private in Co. D, 83 Ill. Inf., and was with that regiment during all its weary marches, all its hardships in camp and on the battle-field. He was soon promoted to the position of sergeant, then to 1st sergeant, finally to 2d lieutenant, and acted in that capacity until the close of the war. He relates an incident that occurred near Bowling Green, Kentucky, which, like many other occurrences of a like nature, is not found in gen- eral histories. He in company with his father-in-law, Lieut. Robb, and five other soldiers, were detailed to guard a train on the Louisville & Memphis railroad en route for Bowling Green. The train was thun- dering along at the rate of twenty miles an hour, when it suddenly left the track and plunged into a steep embankment, and ahnost simulta- neously with the crash came a volley of musketry from the hill above, accompanied by oaths and a demand for all " on board to surrender." Two of the union soldiers were shot dead the first volley, but the remaining five seizing their arms returned the fire, killing four rebels, one of whom was the captain, after which the guerillas, for such they were. beat a hasty retreat. A telegraph wire was cut and an engine
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telegraphed for which arrived within an hour and the train proceeded on its way. Lieut. Robb afterward received a very complimentary letter from Gen. Rosseau, congratulating him and his brave little band that saved the train. In June, 1865, the regiment was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, and returned to Chicago, where after receiving their pay they disbanded. In October of the same year Mr. Frazier, in company with his brother-in-law, V. R. Harriott, embarked in the dry goods and grocery business in Viola. Since that time Mr. Frazier has been one of the most active business men in the county and has exhibited excellent business qualifications and great financial skill in all his undertakings. Mr. Frazier was married on July 4, 1864, to Miss Mary Robb, a daughter of Lieut. Robb, and is father of six children : John, Fred, Ada HI., Nannie A., Edwin R., and Sadie R. Mr. Frazier is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 577, with which he united August 24, 1871, and is worshipful master of that lodge, also a member of Horeb Chapter, No. 4, at Rio, and Everts Commandery, No. 18, at Rock Island. Mr. Frazier started out in the world with nothing in the way of wealth, but possessing an ambitious disposition, he has accumu- lated a large competence, besides winning for himself the reputation of being a successful business man.
WILLIAM P., son of John and Eleanor Collins, was born in the town of East Liverpool, Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1828. John Collins was a merchant in that village, and continued business until the spring of 1837, when he came west to Illinois. With his family and personal effects loaded on a flat boat, without sail or rudder, he floated down the Ohio river as far as Cincinnati. A buggy box, which was fastened on the roof of the craft, and the wheels, suspended from the sides by ropes, attracted attention on the voyage. and in passing steamboats was the subject of frequent jests. They were often asked if they intended, in case the river went dry, to proceed on wheels. At Cincinnati the clumsy vessel was exchanged for two barrels of flour, and the family took passage on a steamboat, and arrived at New Bos- ton, without having encountered any mishaps worthy of note, in May, 1837. On landing, a gang of red men, loaded with fish and trinkets, came on board the boat for the purpose of trading with the whites. This cirenmstance reminded them that they were in a wild country. As the trials and hardships of the carly settlers during the pioneer period will be portrayed in the general history, we will pass over that part of Mr. Collins' life, and speak of his career since he arrived at the years of manhood. Mr. Collins was married in 1857 to Miss Mary R. Bradford, and is the father of ten children, nine of whom are living: Ella M., Clara A. (deceased), Lottie E., William R., John B., Effie J.,
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Sammel E., Charles H., Mary E., Mattie Bell. He is a prominent member of the United Presbyterian church, with which he united several years previous to the organization of the Viola congregation. By hard labor and skillful financiering, Mr. Collins has acquired a large property. He has excellent advantages for stock raising, and turns his attention mostly to that business. Having come west when Illinois was almost a wilderness. he has lived to see cities and villages take the place of the log cabin and the Indian wigwam. Where he once saw the bounding deer, and listened to the wolf's long howl, are heard the shriek of the locomotive and the chiming of church bells. His father and mother now lie in the cemetery, north of Viola, and their quiet resting place is marked by a granite shaft. Hand in hand they walked down the journey of life, sharing its sorrows and its joys. and after a long career of usefulness Mr. Collins grew weary and laid ·down his burden by the wayside. Mrs. Collins remained on earth but · a few years after, and they now lie side by side in death, leaving as a legacy to their descendants a noble example, which, if followed. will win for them the respect of the entire community in which they live.
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