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 76
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On the 2d of September the regiment marched to Medan ; 3d, to Jackson; and on the 2d of November, to Lagrange. On the 11th it
45
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
marched toward Water Valley, Mississippi, arriving December 19th. On the 21st it marched for Memphis, Tennessee, arriving January 19, 1863. It was stationed at Memphis, Tennessee, in Col. Leggett's brigade, Maj .- Gen. Logan's division, Maj .- Gen. McPherson's corps.
February 22, 1863, the regiment moved to Lake Providence, Louisi- ana, and moved soon after to Vista's plantation. April 17, it moved to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, and joined Grant's army, and moved to Bruinburg, Mississippi, crossing Mississippi river. May 1, it moved to Thompson's Hill ; after that it moved to Hankinson's Ferry, on Black river, skirmishing with the enemy en route, and then moved to Raymond, Mississippi. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Raymond, May 12, and then moved via Clinton to Jackson, and pur- sued the retreating enemy after their defeat, 14th of May. May 16 it engaged in the battle of Champion Hills, losing heavily, and crossed Black river with the army, and arrived in the rear of Vicksburg May 19, 1863.
May 25, the regiment moved with the expedition to Mechanicsburg, under Gen. Blair. Returning, it actively participated in the siege of Vicksburg until June 23, and then moved to Black river, under Gen. Sherman, to watch the rebel Gen. Johnson. The regiment then moved with Gen. Sherman's army to Jackson, and assisted in the investment of that place, after which it went to Vicksburg, arriving July 25, and remained in camp until August 20, when it moved to Monroe, Louis- iana, returning the 28th. October 14, it moved, under Gen. McPher- son, toward Canton, Mississippi, and was in engagement at Bogachitta creek, and returned the same month.
January 1, 1864, the regiment mustered in as a veteran organization and on the 10th moved with an expedition up the Mississippi river against guerillas, and returned on the 15th. February 3, left Vicks- burg, on Meridian campaign, under Gen. Sherman, and participated in the several skirmishes with the enemy, and arrived at Meridian Feb- ruary 15th. It returned March 3d. March 5, the regiment left Vicks- burg on a veteran furlough to the state, arriving at Camp Butler March 12th.
April 18, the regiment left Camp Butler, and on the 28th left Cairo with the " Tennessee river expedition," under Gen. W. Q. Gresham, and arrived at Clifton, Tennessee, the 30th. May 5, it marched, via Pulaski, Tennessee, and Athens, Alabama, to Huntsville, Alabama, and on May 25th moved to Decatur, crossing Mississippi river the 27th. Thence it went, via Warrentown, Alabama, to Rome, Georgia; thence, via Kingston, joining Gen. Sherman's "grand army " at Ackworth, June 8th. On the 10th it moved to Big Shanty, and commenced skir-
793
THIRTIETHI REGIMENT.
mishing with the enemy, and on the 27th moved out to make a demon- stration in front, losing about twenty killed and wounded.
On the night of July 2, the regiment moved, with the Seventeenth Army Corps, to the right of Gen. Sherman's army, and on the 5th moved to Nickajack creek. On the 9th the regiment was sent to guard department headquarters, and on the 12th moved to Sweet Water creek. July 17, it moved toward Decatur, via Marietta, crossing the Chattahoochie at Roswell's and arriving at Decatur on the 20th. It was in the battle of July 21st, near Atlanta, and also in the battle of July 22d, near Atlanta ; lost heavily. It was actively engaged until the fall of Atlanta and Jonesboro, and camped at East Point, Septem- ber 6th.
October 4, 1864, the regiment moved northward, in the pursuit of Gen. Hood, via Kenesaw mountain, to Resacca, and returned to Smyrna camp ground via Galesville, Alabama, arriving November 5th. No- vember 13, it moved to Atlanta and on the 15th moved with Gen. Sherman's army in the "march to the sea," participating in the capture of Savannah. Georgia, December 21st. Left Savannah January +, 1865, and moved by water to Beaufort, South Carolina. Left Beaufort January 13th and participated in the capture of Pocotaligo on the 15th ; remained at Pocotaligo until the 30th ; marched with Sherman's army to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where the regiment arrived March 25, 1865. The regiment was engaged, during the march, in the capture of Orangeburg, Columbia and Cheraw, South Carolina, and Fayette- ville, North Carolina, besides destroying railroad track, etc.
April 10, the regiment moved to Raleigh, arriving there on the 14th, and remained in camp until the surrender of the rebel army under Gen. Johnson. April 29, it marched northward, via Richmond, to Alexandria, Virginia, arriving May 19th. The regiment took part in the grand review May 24, 1865, at Washington, D. C., and camped near Washington the same day. It left Washington June 7th, via Baltimore & Ohio railroad, arriving at Parkersburg, Virginia, the 9th, and proceeded by steamboat to Louisville, Kentucky, remaining in camp at Louisville.
It was mustered out of United States service July 17, 1865, by First Lieutenant Ang. P. Noyes, A. C. M. third division. Seventeenth Army Corps, and arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, July 20th, where the men received final payment and discharge July 27, 1865.
Of company A thirty-one men died from wounds and disease, or in battle, and of company G nineteen reaped a like reward for their bravery.
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IHISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
COMPARY D, EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
Company D was raised largely in the eastern part of Mercer and the western part of Henry county. It was organized August 21, 1862, by the election of Joshua M. Snyder, of Viola, Mercer county, as captain ; Hugh M. Robb. of the same county, as first lieutenant ; and Francis M. Sykes, of Oxford, Henry county, as second lieutenant.
There were but few changes in the officials of this company, and consequently but few promotions. Snyder and Robb went in for the whole war and were mustered out with the boys three years, lacking a couple of months, after their enlistment. Sykes resigned, after having been second liteunant just two years, and Hugh B. Frazier succeeded him, and was mustered out at the close of the war. The S3d was raised largely in Warren county, and was organized at Monmouth, August 21, 1862, by A. C. Harding, who was promoted a year later to the office of brigadier-general, upon which Arthur A. Smith succeeded him. The regiment did heavy guard duty the most of first year and a half. The country along the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers was infested with guerillas, and this regiment had almost daily skirmishes with them, some of them being quite severe. On February 3. 1863, the regiment was brought in contact with 8,000 men of Forest's com- mand, and successfully resisted them, compelling them to retire with a loss of 800 killed and wounded ; and with a loss of thirteen killed and fifty-one wounded in the 83d regiment. It was in consequence of this brilliant achievement that Col. Harding was promoted to brigadier- general and Smith to colonel. During the year 1854, the regiment had about 200 miles of communications to guard. The regiment was mustered out at Nashville, and from thence proceeded to Chicago for final pay and discharge.
COMPANY G, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
The 124th regiment with few exceptions was raised from men resi- dents in the vicinity of the Chicago, Buriington & Quicy railroad between the west end of Mercer county to Chicago, and almost every town and county along the line contributing a share. New Boston and vicinity furnised nearly one whole company, the one above named.
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COMPANY B, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
The company was organized September 10, 1862. Lyman HI. Scudder was elected captain, Ezra C. Benedict first lieutenant, and Benton Pratt, second lieutenant. The first two named afterward resigned, and Pratt succeeded each in course and was mustered out captain. John W. Mosby and William. B. Day each succeeded to higher offices in consequence, and the former was mustered out as first, and the latter as second, lieutenant. The organization of the regiment took place at Camp Butler the same month, and one month later was in the enemy's country at Jackson, Tennessee, and on the 28th of November was assist- ing in driving the rebels across the Tallahatchie river. During the year 1863 the regiment fought in the battles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, and was in the whole of the siege of Vicksburg, including the charge on the fortifications, and the assault on Fort Hill. The 124th received from Maj .- Gen. McPherson the prize banner offered by Brig .- Gen. Leggett for excellency in discipline and drill and soldierly appearance. Upon the banner was inscribed "EXCELSIOR REGIMENT, THIRD DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS." After this the regiment was engaged in the raid to Meriden. the campaign under General Slocum to Jackson. The balance of the term of service was spent mostly in the extreme south around New Orleans and Mobile.
COMPANY B, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
This company was raised near the line between Rock Island and Mercer counties, Duncan and Perryton townships furnishing quite a number of the men. The company was organized September 4, 1862, and the regiment the same day at Alton, Illinois, whither the members . of the company and the companies and parts of companies had gone.
About two months later we find the regiment at Bolivar, Tennes- see, and November 28, at La Grange. December 19 the regiment went to Jackson, Tennessee, to re-enforce that place. September 10, 1863, the regiment participated in the capture of Little Rock, Arkan- sas. The regiment was also engaged in the siege of Vicksburg and Clarendon, Arkansas. It was mustered out June 26, 1864.
796
IIISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
COMPANY F, ONE HUNDRED AND FORTIETH REGIMENT.
One company of this regiment was raised in Mercer county. This was a three months', or 100 days', regiment. The company and the regiment were organized June 18, 1864. Russell S. Osborn, of Aledo, was captain of company F, George Boone, of Aledo, was first lieuten- ant, and Van R. Harriott was second lieutenant. There were no resignations or deaths in the ranks of these officers, and consequently no promotions, and all were mustered out October 29, 1864, 130 days after date of enlistment.
NORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP.
This township, which is T. 13 N., R. 1 W. of the 4th P. M., is one of the best agricultural townships in the county. Pope creek skirting along its northern boundary, sometimes in this and sometimes in Rivoli township, made a strip of rough, broken land, averaging about one-half mile in width the entire length of the township. A portion of this was originally covered by excellent timber. The north half of section 1 was especially noted for the very heavy body of tim- ber on it, and great effort was made by some of the first settlers to find the owner or owners of it, so much did they covet its possession. It was held under what was known as a patent title, and no clue to the ownership being obtainable it became what was known in those days as a "hooking quarter," and many a mile of worm fence was made with the rails ent and split upon this land.
The north fork of the Henderson river, from which the township takes its name, has its sonree in Rio township, Knox county, cross- ing the line into this township near the northeast corner of section 13, and running nearly due west across it, leaves it near the half section line of section 18. There are but two small groves of native timber on this stream, within the bounds of this township; Hickory grove in sections 15 and 16, and Scott's grove in section 18. There is but a small percentage of broken land bordering this stream in this township.
The St. Louis branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, which was built as the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis railroad, in 1871, passes through this township ; entering on the S. E. } of Sec. 24, it runs in a southwesterly direction, leaving near the southwest corner of section 31. The village of North Henderson, which is the only village in the township, is located on this railroad and was laid out
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NORTII IIENDERSON TOWNSHIP.
in 1871, on the W. { of the N. W. of Sec. 26, by Wm. H. and John T. Brown, sons of Allen S. Brown, one of the pioneers of this town- ship. This is now quite a flourishing village, having two stores doing a general mercantile business, two drug stores, two hardware stores, two agricultural implement dealers, two grain merchants, one lumber yard, one restaurant, one harness shop, one shoe shop, one furniture store, one millinery store, one blacksmith and repair shop, one livery stable, one hotel, one barber shop, and four doctors. There is a good two-story school-house in the village and one church, the Methodist Episcopal. The I.O.O.F. also have a fine two-story building here. 28×48 feet, twenty feet posts, built two years ago at a cost of $1,600. The lower story is fitted up for a public hall and the second floor for the exclusive use of the order, which is very strong here.
The Methodist Episcopal class of North Henderson is the oldest church organization in the township, having been organized at the house of David Bruner, in the spring of 1840, by Asa McMurtry, who was at that time on the Mercer circuit, which included all of this county with part of Rock Island, Knox and Warren counties, requir- ing a month for the minister to make the round of his charge. The original members of this class were : David Bruner and wife, Margaret Bruner (now the wife of W. R. Mathers), John Vestal and wife, Susan- nah Wood (who was a daughter of David Bruner), and Andrew J. Holmes and wife.
In this township live several members, including the present pastor, Elder John M. Brown, of the oldest church organization in this part of the state, though organized and having its church building in Knox county. It is the Henderson Predestinarian Baptist church, and was constituted August 14, 1830, at the house of D. Roundtree, by Elders Stephen Stricklin and John Logan, the original members being Jacob and Rhoda Gum ; James and Martha Goff; Reuben and Ruth Nance ; John D., Dariah and Mary Roundtree; Martha, Daniel and Obadiah Fuqua; Nicholas and Deborah Vailes. This church has had a continuous and uninterrupted existence from the time of its constitution until the present, and its records show the proceedings of every monthly meeting, which now lack but one of completing the full period of fifty-two years. This church belongs to the Spoon river association of the Predestinarian Baptist church, formed in 1830, in which connection it has been ever since its constitution. Elder Joseph Jones, who was well known to the pioneers of this county, joined this church in November, 1847, and died January 29, 1848. He had previously been connected with a branch of this church, in this county, called the Regular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, of Edwards river.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
The first record of this church is the minutes of a meeting of the mem- bers, held at the house of George Miller, on Edwards river, July 21, 1838, of which meeting Jeremiah Swafford was chosen mederator, and Abraham Miller, Jr., clerk. This meeting was held within the present limits of Perryton township. Meetings were held in the private houses of members until at a meeting held in the house of Gabriel M. Barkley, in Farlow's grove (now in Preemption township), December 22, 1838, the next regular meeting was appointed at the school-house in Sugar Grove (now Perryton township). March 23, 1839, they voted to appeal to Henderson church for letters of dismission and help to constitute them into a separate church. Their prayer was granted, and the Edwards river church was constituted June 29, 1839, by Elders Joseph Jones, Charles Vandever, and Hiram Bowman. The members at the constitution were : Joseph and Rebecca Jones ; George, Mary Ann, and Julia Ann Miller; Abraham Miller. Jr .; John and Sarah Farlow; Roswell and Mehitable Stanard; Youngs Green ; Michael Donahoo ; Gabriel M. and Hannah R. Barkley; Mary Miller; and Susannah Shelley. Gabriel M. Barkley was chosen first deacon of the church, and Abraham Miller, Jr., first clerk; Gabriel M. Barkley, treasurer; Elder Joseph Jones, moderator and pastor.
The first delegation from this church was Joseph Jones, Gabriel M. Barkley, George Miller, John Farlow, and Abraham Miller, Jr., to sit in council with and constitute a church at William Denison's: It was voted at this time to hold meetings one-half the time at Sugar Grove and one-half the time at Farlow's Grove. The last regular meeting of this church was held October 9, 1847, when, "after consultation and due deliberation being had the church and council thought it expedient to letter each other out and so become dissolved, inasmuch as the members are moving away out of the bounds of this church."
There are but two church buildings in this township. Besides the Methodist Episcopal church mentioned above is the Maple Grove United Brethren church, located on the N. E. } of Sec. 36, in a beau- tiful grove of soft maple trees. This society was organized in 1869, and built its church the same year, a very neat structure 30x 40×16 feet. Its present pastor is Rev. Mr. Dilley, resident at Alexis, where is another church of this denomination.
A class of the Methodist Episcopal church was formed at the Mann school-house at an early day, probably soon after the class was formed at David Bruner's, but its early record is not now obtainable. This class was ministered to by David Bruner and other local preachers of the Methodist Episcopal church, transient ministers, with an occasional visit from the minister in charge of the Mercer circuit.
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NORTHI HENDERSON TOWNSHIP.
The Methodist Episcopal church in North Henderson was the first church built in the township. It was built at what is known as Mount Vernon, south of the village, and was moved into the village after that had become a fact.
The Odd Fellows have a very strong lodge, with a fine hall in the village. North Henderson Lodge, No. 628, I.O.O.F., was chartered October 11, 1876, by J. H. Oberly, grand master for the state. Its charter members were Israel T. Jones, Lewis Schwartz. C. W. Cum- mins, Laland Salts. Michael Karl, L. E. Dredge, and James Smith. The first officers of this lodge were J. M. Hall, N.G .; Lewis Schwartz, V.G .; I. T. Jones, Sec .; C. W. Cummins, Treas.
North Henderson Encampment, No. 99, I.O.O.F., was chartered December 28, 1880. Its charter members were H. C. Dodge, A. F. Howard, Fred Rich, John Flory, Jesse Jackson, J. H. Humes, Michael Karl, Dr. C. G. Stewart, John T. Morford, I. N. Frederick, Lewis Schwartz, C. W. Cummins, L. E. Dredge, and C. A. Pinne, chartered by John P. Foss, Grand Patriarch. The first officers of this Encampment were C. G.' Stewart, C.P .; John T. Morford, H.P .; Henry Simms, S.W .; I. N. Fredericks, J. W .; J. H. Humes, scribe ; A. F. Howard, Treas. The Past Grands of the lodge are J. M. Hall, I. P. Jones, A. H. Jones, Michacl Karl, L. Schwartz, John T. Mor- ford, and Fred Rich. In 1880 the lodge built a two story hall 28×48×20 feet, at a cost of $1,600 ; the ground floor being fitted for a public hall and the second floor exclusively for the use of the order.
The township has built a neat and commodious town hall in the village for the public uses of the town. The first postoffice established in this township was called Ethel, and was located on section 21. John Goff, postmaster. After the village of North Henderson was estab- lished, the Ethel postoffice was removed to the village and the name changed, though Mr. Goff continued to be postmaster. George A. Blue, druggist, is the present postmaster.
February 18, 1838, the first marriage ceremony was solemnized in this township by the Rev. Mr. Gardiner, of Galesburg, a Universalist minister, uniting Benjamin F. Brown and Miss Lucinda Mann. The first birth in the township was that of William D. Fleharty, October +, 1834, son of Govert and Margaret Fleharty, who lived on section 1 at that time. The first death to occur in this township was a child of John Pollock, which was the second interment in the Mann cemetery, the wife of James Bridger having been the first, in 1836. Thither Mr. James Mann, who gave the site for this cemetery, soon followed, dying March 10, 1837, at the age of sixty-four. In 1840 scarlet fever broke
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
out as an epidemic in this neighborhood and the mortality was very great for such a sparsely settled country, there having been ten inter- ments in this cemetery in one month.
The first settler within the limits of this township, was Mr. Govert Fleharty, who located on the southeast quarter of section 1, in the spring of 1833. In the fall of 1834 James Mann and his son, Young C., and Timothy Meeker, arrived from Indiana, wintering in Knox county, just east of Mr. Fleharty's ; they made claims in this township, upon which they located the following spring of 1835, Mr. Mann's claim being on section 6, where Young C. still resides, and Mr. Meek- er's on section 5, his widow now residing on the old homestead with one of her sons, other sons and daughters living in the vicinity. The same spring of 1835 Benjamin F. and Harison Brown made claims on sections 18 and 19. The Scott family came into this township in 1837, Notley Scott buying the claim of Harison Brown on sections 18 and 19, alluded to above, Benjamin F. having previously sold his claim to Harrison. The latter then made a claim on section 1, Suez township, where he still resides. March, 1838, Benjamin F. made a claim on sections 6 and 7, where he resides yet. In the spring of 1839 Allen S. and Benjamin Brown made claims in the southeast part of this township, the former on section 25, and the latter on section 35. They were followed that fall by David Bruner and Andrew J. Hohnes, who also located in the southeastern part of the township.
The first schools taught in this township were by John Wilshier, the first term in the house of William MeGreenwood, and the second in the cabin of Young C. Mann, both on section 6. Afterward Robert Shaw taught a term of school in this same neighborhood, for which he was to receive $8 per month, and take his pay in wheat. The early records of the schools of this township after organization are not attain- able. As early as 1839 there was preaching in the cabin of Benjamin F. Brown, on section 7, by the Rev. Mr. Fuller, of Galesburg, a Uni- versalist minister. Mr. F. is still living in Galesburg.
The township was called Liberty when first organized in 1854, but was changed to its present name on or before the annual town meet- ing in 1855. The first officers elected in this township in 1854 were Notley Scott, supervisor ; Joshua Bruner, town clerk ; Jolin W. Miles, assessor ; James M. Holmes, collector ; R. R. Mathers, Eli Tangham and Nathan Bailey, commissioners of highways ; Timothy Meeker, overseer of poor ; Andrew J. Holmes and William F. Garret, justices of the peace ; and James M. Holmes, constable. Total number of votes cast at that time, twenty-four.
801
NORTH HENDERSON TOWNSHIP.
The principal offices of this town have been filled since its organi- zation by the following persons, and for the number of terms men- tioned :
Supervisor-Notley Scott, two years; Lewis L. Heflin: Joshua Bruner, four years; Allen S. Brown, two years; Thomas J. Jones, three years; H. M. Buchanan; G. W. Higgins, two years; L. F. Gentry ; William HI. Brown, four years; P. W. Johnston, two years ; Richard Garrett, three years; M. D. Scott ; A. W. Nelson, four years.
Town Clerk-Joshua Bruner; Michael Stumbaugh ; R. R. Simms ; J. C. Morford, two years; James Bruner; E. L. Carroll; W. M. Fle- harty ; J. T. Morford, three years; I. R. Evans; James M. Goff, four years ; William Church, two years; O. M. Bartlett; D. N. Holmes ; John L. Goff. four years ; L. C. Heare; O. W. Caldwell; George W. Miller; Joseph H. Humes, four years.
Assessor-John W. Miles; Thomas Tate; G. W. Taylor; A. J. Walker; James M. Holmes; James M. Goff, three years; John Douglass ; H. M. Buchanan ; Joshua Bruner; I. R. Evans; William H. Brown; Richard Garrett, nine years; William A. Nelson, two years; S. M. Brown ; Thomas Camblin.
Collector-James M. Holmes ; Nathaniel Bailey, four years ; John T. Marford; C. M. Barnett ; Michael Stumbaugh, two years; John C. French; L. F. Gentry; G. A. Crosby; D. N. Holmes; Levi G. Bair ; A. H. Jones; J. N. Blackburn ; A. W. Nelson, two years; L. T. Johnston ; Frank Herbert; George A. Blue; Lewis Scott; M. V. Drew ; Robert Blaney.
Justices of the Peace-Andrew J. Holmes; William F. Garrett ; Thomas Camblin, three terms; James Marford, two terms; W. R. Mathers, three terms; Richard Garrett; J. B. Hoag; G. W. Green- wood; Jacob Shauholtzer; Lewis L. Heflin, two terms; J. N. Black- burn; J. C. Jackson, two terms ; John T. Marford.
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