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 8

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 904

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 8

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Johnson Noble settled in the township in this year, 1835. Mr. Ephraim Gilmore was the first assessor and treasurer, appointed April 13, 1835. He was also the first surveyor and first postmaster.

The following settlements were made in 1836. John W. Ditto, who settled on S. E. } Sec. 27, having previously made the claim in March of the same year. His was the only house out on the prairie except Joseph Denison's on the S. W. } Sec. 34, which was built the same spring. John Denison was living in the timber out on the Edward's Flats, having settled there on his return after the Black Hawk war in the autumn of 1832. John Pratt, Milton L. Willits, Isaac Lutz, James M. Mannon, Gilbert Ives, and Harley Ives, also made settlements in this year.

During this year a somewhat animated discussion arose in regard to the removal of the county seat. New Boston being situated at the ex- treme west of the county lacked a central location, an item of great im- portance in the days of horseback conveyances, and this fact was strongly urged as sufficient grounds for the removal of the county offices to a more accessible point. Those who favored its retention did so on the grounds that as New Boston was the town of the county, and always destined to be, so far as could be ascertained at that time, nothing could be more appropriate than to let the county seat remain.

In 1837 the legislature enacted a law by which Wm. Mc. Murty, of Knox county ; Thomas Spragins, of Jo. Daviess ; and John S. Stephen- son, of Ogle, were appointed a commission to locate a permanent seat

NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP.

of justice. The provisions of the act required that the proprietors of the place selected should donate to the county lots equal to at least twenty acres, the proceeds of the sale of which should be used in the erection of public buildings. The commissioners fixed the site at Millersburg on the N. E. Į Sec. 3, T. 14, R. 4.

Dissatisfaction still existing, the question of its removal was agitated still further, until the legislature, in 1839, authorized an election to be held in April of that year, to decide its location by vote ; providing, however, that, if it resulted in locating it at New Boston, the proprietors "should donate not less than two acres of land and the sum of four thousand dollars in money," the money to be paid in four semi-annual installments. The effort was unsuccessful. The matter did not stop; but, as the topic is a matter of county history, we we will return to our settlements of the year 1836 and 1837.

Lots in New Boston were held at high figures in these earlier times, prices ranging from $200 to $700. The lot where the old "Drury Warehouse" stands brought 8900. James S. Thompson settled and commenced business in New Boston in 1836, and from that time until his death, 1868, was closely connected in public and private life with the welfare of the community. In 1837 John Roberts, J. C. Sloan, N. N. Larrance and John Davis settled in the township.

In 1838 Isaac Lutz came to this township, and began the erection of a grist mill on Edwards river, on section 1. This mill has been kept up ever since, and is still running and doing good work. It belongs to some of the heirs of Isaac Lutz.

Elias Pullen, E. A. Crapnell and Joseph Alyea, with their families, settled in the towhship in this year. Elias Pullen settled on section 9, E. A. Crapnell on section 14, and Joseph Alyea in town, which at that time contained twelve or fifteen buildings. This was four years after the survey and plat of the town was made; and, although the town was laid out, only a small portion had been subdivided into lots. This, together with the fact that the majority of the proprietors were non-residents and held their property at high figures, partially accounts for the slow growth of the town.

In 1839 Jacob Beard settled on section 9, and Charles and Christian Rader settled on section 27. The settlements up to this time had been located mostly along the rivers Mississippi and Edwards ; but from this time forward the settlements increased rapidly in number and take a wider range.

In 1840 Dr. Mark Willits settled in New Boston, the first resident doctor of the place.

He is still living in the town at this date, April, 1882, and has had

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

a wide and extensive practice almost continually during his long sojourn in the county. 'Drs. Hereld, Shiner and Howey were carly physicians. Mr. M. Poffenbarger settled in the town in 1840.

In 1845 the first newspaper in the county was established at New Boston, under the name of the "New Boston Advertiser." The name and management were changed several times, being successively "The Yeoman of the Prairie Land," the "New Boston Broadhorn," "The Golden Age." "The New Boston Nonpareil," "The New Boston Re- porter." and lastly, the "New Boston Herald," the last number of the latter being published in 1872, C. A. Ballard, editor.

The township was organized in 1852; and the first supervisor from New Boston was I. N. Bassett ; the first town clerk, Thomas Alyea ; the first justice, G. W. Warner.

The following have been supervisors for the township : I. N. Bassett, one year ; Sidney Chidester, one year; Amos Pronty, one year; Wil- liam Drury, one year; John Roberts, five years; D. J. Noble, two years ; Thomas Martin, four years ; Walter Pryne, one year ; William A. Wilson, twelve years. Mr. Wilson is supervisor at the present time.

The following is a list of the town clerks : Thomas Alyea, one year ; R. Thomas, one year ; Isaiah Alyea, one year ; G. B. Tyler, one year ; Simeon Sheldon, one year; J. E. Griffin, six years ; A. F. Waterman, two years; D. T. Hindman, one year; George Lytle, one year; C. A. Ballard, three years ; R. S. Sendder, two years; T. H. Doughty, eight years.

The justices of the peace have been : G. W. Warner, sixteen years ; J. C. Swafford, two years ; Amos Prouty, fourteen years ; John Sharp, four years ; C. W. Bras, twelve years; W. C. Austin, eight years ; John Roberts, four years.

The village of New Boston is situated on a part of sections 31 and 32. It received an addition, known as Turner's Addition, in 1856, and in 1859 was incorporated under a special charter, having at that time about 700 inhabitants.

At the breaking out of the war in 1861, New Boston responded promptly to the call, and was always ready to aid the cause with men or money. To say there were none who sympathized with the South, would, of course, be an exaggeration ; but the town may justly feel proud of her war record. We give elsewhere a detailed history of company "G," 27th regiment. The whole interest of the town, during the four years of this bloody struggle, seemed centered in the welfare of her "boys in blue" and the success of the Union forces.

Shortly before the war, in May, 1859, the township held an election

NEW BOSTON TOWNSIIIP.

to vote for or against a subscription of $18,000 to aid in the construc- tion of the Western Air Line railway. The bonds were voted, but the road was never completed. In June, 1868, another election was held to vote for or against a subscription of $18,000 to aid in the con- struction of the American Central Railway Company. One hundred and eighty-four (184) votes were polled for the subscription and three (3) against. The township bonds were to run ten years, bearing ten per cent interest. In June, 1879, the unpaid bonds were refunded at a lower rate of interest, and there now remains but $5,500 indebtedness against the township, a mere trifle when her magnificent resources are taken into consideration.

The village of New Boston voted bonds to the amount of $30,000, running twenty years and bearing seven per cent interest, for the same purpose. All these bonds were voted with the understanding that the road was to be extended to Fort Wayne, thus making connections with the eastern seaboard lines, and westward to Council Bluff's. The reac- tion in railroad speculation set in before the road was completed, and the company soon found themselves in want of capital, being finally compelled to sell the road to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road Company, by which company it is now owned and operated. Ilad the road been completed as projected, crossing the Mississippi at its present western terminus, there is hardly a doubt that New Boston would to-day have been one of the most thriving cities in the west. At the present time a new road is surveyed from Rock Island south- ward, crossing the Mississippi at or near New Boston, and making con- nections through to Kansas City. Should this road be completed, the future prospects of the town are indeed bright.

SCHOOLS.

The first school was held in a log cabin out at the bluff, and pre- sided over by the Hon. George W. Julian, in 1834 or 1835. The township was finally divided into eight districts, each supporting school for six or more months each year. The only graded school is the New Boston public school, it being divided into five departments. The first school-house built in the city district still stands in a rather dilapidated condition on lot 1, block 3.

At the last census there were 517 school children in the township, district No. 5 furnishing 312.

The religious sentiment of the people is quite diversified, a large number being in opposition to the orthodox church. Of the three or more church organizations, but one, the Methodist, supports a resident pastor.

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOCIETY.

This society was organized in July, 1838, at the residence of Emily Burleigh, with the following members. viz : Joseph Alyea, Thorlea. Alyea, Thomas Alyea, Mary Alyea, Dr. Edmond Harrell, - Butler, Emily Burleigh-7. New Boston at that time was in what was called the Mercer Mission. There were so many appointments that the preacher was compelled to preach almost daily, having but two or three rest days in a month.

The first resident preacher was George Smith, who was pastor over the society. The first meetings of the class were held at the residence of Emily Burleigh, but after Joseph Alyea had built his house in the town of New Boston, the meetings were moved to that point. Mr. Smith remained with the church but one year, and but little is remem- bered concerning him. Henry Summers was the presiding elder at the time of organization. The next year Thomas M. Kirkpatrick was the preacher in charge. This was about the year 1839. The preacher in those times had to be economical. He was allowed for that year, $75 for table expenses, and $100 salary, and a trifle for traveling expenses. He also remained a year, and accomplished a good work. He was fol- lowed by Brothers MeMurtry, Wilson and Burr. Brothers Doughty and Ross at this time were local preachers, and as the circuit was very large, most of the work devolved upon them.

In 1866 the society built the parsonage on lots 7, S and 9, block +, in Thompson's addition. It cost about $1,500. The church building, in which the congregation has since worshiped, was erected in 1876, on lots 2, 3 and 4, block 13, in Thompson's addition. At the time of its erection it was the best in the county, and it still remains one of the best. Its cost was nearly $6,000. The present board of trustees con- sists of T. II. Bras, J. T. Bell, E. Stevens, John Stevens, W. A. Wil- son, Eli Craft and Thomas Alyea. The last named has been trustee, with the exception of one year, since 1845, and class leader thirty-four years. Three of the members of the first class, Emily Burleigh, Mary Willits and Thomas Alyea, are yet alive and members of the church, having been engaged in the good work forty-four years.

The present pastor of the church is Rev. G. B. Snedecker. The church, like most organizations of such long existence, has had its ups and downs, sometimes in the valley of humiliation and sometimes on the mountain's top, as on the mount of transfiguration ; but always has its course been forward, and the good it has accomplished cannot be compared with anything in this world. Only eternity will reveal the amount of treasure gathered on earth and stored in the Master's gran-

HON, FREDERICK FRICK. (DECEASED)

NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP.

eries above. [To Mr. Thomas Alyea we are indebted for the notes from which the foregoing has been written .- ED. ]

BAPTIST SOCIETY.

The Baptist society was organized in 1844 by Elder Hovey, with the following members, viz: William Denison and wife, James Denison and wife, Harrison Smith and wife, M. Poffenbarger and wife, E. A. Crapnell and wife, William Crapnell, William Noble and wife, Mr. and Mrs. McChesney, and Miss Williamson. In 1845 a church building was commenced on lot 5, block 13. and completed in 1848.

Elder Hovey is described as a man of great mental powers, and one thoroughly in earnest in his work. Although a man well advanced in years at the time he began his labors in the place. he remained as resi- dent pastor for five years after its organization.

The building being situated on sandy foundation, was at length com- pletely undermined by the action of the wind, and fell down about 1859. The last resident pastor was Elder Brimhall, who remained a year or two. The society has had no resident pastor since 1851, but has kept up the organization, and also a Sunday school, holding meetings at present in the town hall. It is hoped at some future time to see the seciety in a flourishing condition:

PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY.

This society was organized in February, 1857, with the following members, viz : Mrs. Eva Nevius, Mrs. Joseph Kane, Mrs. M. J. Edwards, Mrs. Sarah Poffenbarger, Mrs. M. J. Mclaughlin, Mr. G. W. Crabb. The first and only church building the society has had was begun about 1868. It is a large, commodious structure, and cost, when completed, $6,620.17. The first pastor was Rev. S. G. Hair. The church has had no resident pastor for some years, the last one being the Rev. William Gay.

At the present writing, no meetings are held, but the society still keeps up its organization, and the few members left hope at some future time to see the church resume its old position.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS.

In the latter part of the year 1855 a few members of the society of Odd-Fellows determined to establish a working lodge of the order in New Boston, and the following facts have been presented by M. Cham- berlin, D.D.G.M .: The mystic number (five) made application for a dispensation. The Grand Master, by authority of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Illinois, issued a charter dated October 12, A.D. 6

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

1855, granting the dispensation. Monday evening, November 20, A.D. 1855, a meeting was held with District Deputy Grand Master Kelley in the chair, Past Grand Sweeny acting as grand marshal. By order of Grand Master Kelley, the grand marshal presented Charles H. Bell, M. M, Prentiss, John L. Hartson, Mark J. O'Brien and W. T. Power, who were duly obligated, and the grand master declared the lodge duly instituted under the name and title of "New Boston Lodge, No. 188, I.O.O.F.

After election and installment of officers, Brothers J. C. Bell and Daniel Hines were admitted by card, H. W. Denison and B. Milliken were initiated, and J. S. Thompson petitioned for membership. The meeting was regularly held on Monday evening of each week.

During the late rebellion the membership was reduced very nearly to the magic number, several brothers being enlisted as soldiers. The form of one now lies moldering away to kindred dust in southern soil -a tear to his memory. All credit is due to the few members who held their meetings, paid the capitation tax, and held their representa- tion in the Grand Lodge. Several lodges in the state became defunct during the war.

After peace was again restored No. 1SS increased in membership, and in October, 1865, the brothers were very arduous in their endeavors to secure a home for themselves. Cheerfully each brother donated to the building fund, and on the evening of May 21, 1866, the lodge met in their new hall, size 27x40 feet, lodge room carpeted and well fur- nished, and no one regrets the extra effort to secure a home, but with honest pride they can feel that they are beneath "the shadow of their own vine." The membership enrolled from organization up to April 1, 1882, is 178. The number of brothers buried by the lodge has been nine. The amount of relief paid, $1,456.40 (this amount was paid by the lodge and the members by individual donation). Charity abideth in the heart of every good and true Odd-Fellow. It is within the knowl- edge of members of our order that the relief extended by them, under their teachings, has been the means, under providence, of bringing within the church many who to-day would have been aliens from the household of faith. Many of the brothers cheerfully donated in honor to the Wiley monumeut fund ; also to the Lincoln monument fund, not forgetting our worthy and honorable G.R.S .; to his memory, we have a name in the Ridgley Monument Fund. Of the members at the organization of our lodge, only one, Brother Daniel Hines, now holds a membership.

Connected with the order is the Rebekah Degree. This degree associates the wives of Odd-Fellows with them in the high and

NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP.

important work of "visiting the sick, relieving the distressed, burying the dead, and educating the orphan."

ARCHER ENCAMPMENT No. 70, 1.0.0.F.

This is the home of the patriarch, the evergreen retreat of Odd- Fellowship, supported by the three pillars of Faith. Hope and Charity, and here we have the tables of law, likewise the lesson as taught in the golden rule. A weary pilgrim ean here find rest, eat at our table and drink of our pure water. Hospitality to the stranger is a pure prin- ciple within the heart of every true patriarch encampment.

No. 70 was instituted December, 1866. The number of patriarchs enrolled up to April 1, 1882, was eighty-two. Several of the patriarchs instituted a new encampment, others changed their residence, and like our subordinate lodge, the time came when there were but one or two more members than the original number ; but like the ancient Patriarch Abraham, the father of the faithful, our trust was in God, and to-day our tent is enlarged for the increase of membership.

ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.

A dispensation and charter were issued to New Boston Lodge No. 59, in the latter part of 1848. The history from that time to 1853 is somewhat obscure, owing to the fact that in 1851 the records were burned ; also, all books, papers, furniture, etc.

In 1852 a new dispensation was granted, and the following officers duly installed : John E. Willits, W.M .; George Ralston, S.W .; Wil- liam Wilson, Jr., J. W .; Elias Willits, Treas .; Daniel Winslow, Sec .; E. J. Denison, S.D .; M. Poffenbarger, J.D .; Josiah Marfield, Tyler. In October, 1853, a new charter was issued and the following named individuals duly elected and installed as officers, viz: J. E. Denison, W.M .; E. Harrell, S.W .; A. Gingles, J.W .; R. Thomas, Treas .; G. W. Warner, Sec .; Elias Willits, S.D .; John Hoover, J.D .; Josiah Maxfield, Tyler.

The lodge has had a prosperous existence, and to-day is one of the strongest and most efficient in the state. The misfortune of losing the records by fire is more to be deplored, from the fact that the Grand ' Lodge of the state has also lost the records covering about the same facts.

The lodge has always been noted for its activity, and during the somewhat lengthy period of its existence has had no serious dissen- sions.

Something over 200 members have been admitted since the re- organization, and at present the membership is sixty-seven, with the following corps of officers : George Lytle, W.M. ; Ed. L. Willits,

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

S.W .; A. Imber. J. W. : John Fry. Treas. ; W. C. Austin, Sec. : J. J. Mason, S.D. ; N. W. Gibson. J.D. : S. Swartwout, Tyler.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

HENRY W. DENISON was born in Mercer county, Illinois. March 16, 1832. being the first white child born in the county. His father, John W .. together with his grandfather. William, formed the first set- tlement in the county, which was in the year 1827. He is the youngest child of John W. and Margaret (Swafford) Denison. His folks came overland with teams from Wayne county, Indiana, with Indians on all sides of them, reaching Mercer county without losing any of their family. They ever afterward lived on friendly terms with the Indians. One of the Indian warriors once remarked that if they killed them they would do it easy, which meant that they would never do anything more than whip them. He has been mostly engaged in farming and stock- raising. His chances for obtaining an education were limited to what lie could obtain from Simeon P. Smith, who taught his first school in Henry's father's kitchen. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows since the first organization of that society in New Boston. He was either the first or second one taken into the lodge. He does not know whether he or B. Milliken, of Viola, was first, as they both came in at the first meeting. He has held all the offices in his lodge at various times. He was always a democrat until 1872. From that time to the present he has been a "greenbacker." He was married to Miss Turana C. Moore, daughter of John S. and Hannah Moore. Mrs. Denison was born February 17th, 1844. They have had six children, in the following order: Carrie (dead), Sally (married to Herbert Good), Alice (married to .John Fuller), Maggie (dead), Willie (dead), and Freddie.

STANTON V. PRENTISS, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, May 10, 1826, and is the fifth child of Stanton and Susannah (Brookheart) Prentiss. His parents came west and settled at Warsaw, in Hancock county, where they remained until 1833. While living at that point, they were often compelled to leave their farm, and flee to Fort Edwards for safety from the Indians, as this was at the time when Black Hawk was making his raids up and down the Missis- sippi. In 1833 they came to Mercer county, where they have lived ever since, with the exception of a short time in Rock Island county, and two years spent in California. He has always been engaged in farm- ing and raising stock, the latter very extensively. During the period between 1852 and 1857, he also ran a dry goods and grocery store. His means of attaining an education were very limited ; however, he

NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP.

managed to get a common school education between the intervals of farming. He owns 1,900 acres of land on Bay Island, all in one body and under fence, forming the largest pasture in the county, and the largest body owned by any one person. In politics he has always been a republican. He was married to Miss Hannah E. Creveston in May, 1865. They have two children : Park and Don. They are both living and at home with their parents. Mr. Prentiss' mother died in 1852 at New Boston, and his father in 1875.

WILLIAM DRURY, the subject of this sketch, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, September 17, 1809, and removed to Wayne county in 1811, with his parents, where Mr. Drury remained until he attained the age of manhood. The family were subject to all the privations of pio- neer life as well as the alarms of savage warfare, and during the troubles in 1812 they often had to retreat to the block-houses for pro- tection. Mr. Drury's education was limited to a common school, but he attained education enough to teach several terms of school before he came west. In 1833 Mr. Drury came to Illinois to look at the country, and for the first time saw real prairie land-quite a curiosity to one who has been reared in a wooded country. Mr. Drury determined to make this his home, made a selection, and in 1834 returned and made a claim, and settled down at the foot of the bluffs, near where he now resides. Through his influence several families came with him. So disgusted with things were they, that they threatened a dissolution of friendship with him if he did not desist in speaking in praise of the country. In 1840 Mr. Drury returned to Indiana, and was married, July 1, to Miss Vashti Lewis, daughter of Caleb and Polly (Willits) Lewis. Mrs. Drury's father served as a member of the legislature a number of times. Immediately after the organization of Mercer county in 1835, Mr. Drury was elected to fill .the office of county recorder a number of consecutive years. In 1836 he was elected county clerk, in conjunction with the former office. While holding these offices Mr. Drury furnished all his own stationery and met his office expenses ont of his own private means. In 1836 he commenced a small trade in dry goods and groceries in partnership with Levi Willits, under the firm name of Drury & Willits. They furnished the people with all necessaries that were required. They bought pork, grain and other products, and shipped them to St. Louis. They did the first pork pack- ing in the county. They continued business until 1848, when they sold out to Courtney Drury and James S. Thompson, who formed a partner- ship under the name of Thompson & Drury. Mr. Drury spent about a year, after the sale of his interest. in settling up his business, when, in 1850, he started a small cash store, which he conducted until 1853,

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Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 904

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 904