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 85
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In order of date, the next town laid out in the county was the town of Shokokon, upon the Mississippi river, about five miles below the city of Burlington, Iowa. The original proprietor of this town was Robert McQueen, who laid it out July 16, 1836, on the N. W. } of Sec. 27, T. 9 N., R. 6 W., as will be seen by referring to the records of Warren county, Vol. II, p. 344. John B. Talbott was employed as surveyor. Although a fine and fertile country lay adjacent to this town, it did not prove a success. The river at this point proved to be too shallow for steamers, except at times of high water, the channel or deep water running near the Iowa shore, thus leaving this town
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upon a slough, with but poor shipping facilities. It, however, became a great point for lumber, annually rafted down from the Wisconsin pineries, and finding a market in the country lying east of Shokokon. Its population never exceeded 300.
The town of Olena was laid out by Robert Kendall August 14, 1838, on Sec. 11, T. 9 N., R. 5 W., and the record of the survey by Benjamin Thomkins is recorded in Warren county, in Vol. II of records, p. 215. This town is situated near the geographical eenter of the county, and contains a population of about 300. It is situated in flourishing farming country, and is the center of considerable trade. It has no railroad facilities. Wolf creek, a small stream, flows west- ward near this place.
Warren, laid out March 25, 1840, by Lambert Hopper, on the N. W. ¿ and the N. E. { of See. S, T. 9 N., R. 5 W. The plat of this town will be found recorded in Warren county, Vol. VII, of records, p. 345. Benjamin Thomkins was the surveyor. Some years later Josiah Dunn laid out an addition to this town.
At one time during the lifetime of its enterprising proprietor this town carried on quite an extensive trade. A good flouring mill and a woolen factory drew trade and business from a long distance. The land in the immediate vicinity is of a poor quality, the mills have been allowed to run down since the death of the proprietor, and its former prosperity has in a measure disappeared.
Dallas City, lies partly in Henderson and partly in Hancock county. That part in Henderson county lies in the extreme southwest of the county, Sec. 35, T. S N., R. 7 W. It is a flourishing town of about 500 inhabitants. The Carthage and Burlington division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad passes through this town. The town has a fine landing for steamers, which carry away large shipments of produce from the surrounding country. It is a neatly built place, upon the bluff front, facing the river. Its population are intelligent and enterprising, and carry on an extensive business in general trade and lumber. Among its enterprising citizens we may here make mention of John M. Finch, who was one of its original proprietors and who still continues to reside in his early home, active as in his boyhood days, allowing no enterprise to be undertaken for the improvement of his town without giving it his active aid and support. The town has two churches and its schools receive the active and intelligent support of its citizens and are kept up to a high standard. The town was laid ont and surveyed August 11, 1849, by William H. Rollinson and John M. Finch ; J. Wilson Williamson was the surveyor employed. The
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
record of the survey and deed will be found in Vol. IV, p. 176 of record of deeds in Henderson county.
The town of Terre Haute is situated in the prairie region of the county, on Secs. 20, 21, 28 and 29, T. S N., R. 5 W. It was sur- veyed and platted by William C. Rice, surveyor, March 27, 1854, and the plat recorded in Vol. VIII, p. 184 of records in Henderson county. It contains about 250 inhabitants and is the center of considerable trade. It has no railroad or river facilities for shipping, Lomax station, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, being its principal point of shipment. It is the center of a rich farming country and sur- rounded by lands of extraordinary fertility.
East Burlington lies upon the bank of the Mississippi opposite the city of Burlington, Iowa. It was laid out March 12, 1855, on See. 33, T. 10 N., R. 6 W., by A. D. Green, as trustee for the proprietors, Maj. A. N. Armstrong, acting as surveyor. Prior to the construction of the railroad to that point, it had a small population, but after that time, with the erection of the railroad bridge leading to the city of Burlington, the business of the place was transferred mainly to the op- posite side of the river, and little remains of the former town. The railroad company have erected large stoek yards upon the ground, and made other extensive improvements. Large sums of money have been expended in grading up the river front to a point above high water mark. At this point the Carthage division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad forms a junction at the east end of the bridge with the main line. The land back of, and eastward from the town, is low and cut up with sloughs, and nearly the whole is subject to over- flow for miles inland during the river floods.
Biggsville is situated on Sees. 16, 17, 20, 21, T. 10 N., R. 4 W., upon South Henderson creek, and was laid out by Andrew Douglass and Samuel Douglass, October 3, 1855, William MeChesney, surveyor. It now contains about 550 inhabitants. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad runs through this place. The town is surrounded by the finest quality of farm lands, which are kept in a high state of eulti- vation. The town contains three churches, one United Presbyterian, one Methodist Episcopal, and one Cumberland Presbyterian, all of which have a large membership of highly intelligent christian people. The schools of the town have always been its particular pride, and have been of a high order. The citizens have reason to look with pride upon their churches and schools. Near this town resides a gen- tleman whose business success in life deserves at least a brief mention.
David Rankin is a man still on the sunny side of three score years, who has his home about four miles south of Biggsville, upon his farm
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of almost countless acres. He began life a poor farmer boy near the place where now his fine residence stands, and by industry, persever- ance and an extraordinary business capacity, he gained step by step until his possessions in lands and herds seemed almost marvelous. He purchased large tracts of land along the Illinois Central railroad, in Illinois, and operated them successfully : then extending his enter- prises westward he invested largely in lands in Atchison county, in the State of Missouri, which he improved and stocked with swarming herds of cattle, laid out the town of Tarkio, which has filled with an active population, and is rapidly rising in business importance. At this point he has established a national bank which has proved a com- plete success. In addition to these enterprises he has purchased and is operating a vast ranche in the State of Colorado, upon which his im- mense herds of native and Texas cattle are fattened for market. These vast enterprises, besides many smaller ones, he manages and super- vises himself, showing himself a veritable Napoleon in his line of business. In all his various and extended enterprises and his large transactions, he has so conducted his business as to gain the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been surrounded. His integrity is never called in question, and his employes find him a kind hearted and just employer.
In this town also resides Preston Martin, an aged citizen of the county, who has been identified with its history and its development from its organization. One of the earlier commissioners of the county and afterward associate justice of the county court. he filled each office with fidelity to the people and with credit to himself. A man of un- swerving integrity, with a high moral standard, he justly won the esteem of his fellow citizens, and the high regard of all. This town at present writing is contending for the locating of the seat of justice within her borders. The canvassing of the vote of the county for the election to be held in November goes on with great earnestness. The advocates of removal to Biggsville claiming that their town is nearer the geo- graphical center of the county, and therefore it is for the interest of the county to secure the county buildings at this point.
Gladstone (formerly Sagetown), was laid out by Gideon Sage, May 16, 1856, in Secs. 15 and 16, T. 10 N., R. 5 W., James R. White sur- vevor. The town is situated on the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy railroad. The Galva branch of the same road terminates at this point from the north. The town contains about 400 inhabitants. At this point is located the Excelsior sugar refinery, a large and costly estab- lishment, owned principally by Amos T. Hall, of Chicago. It seems not to have been a success so far, although the works and machinery
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
are of the most elaborate kind. Some glucose has been manufactured, but now the owners of the premises are preparing the works for work- ing sorghum cane, of which the surrounding country produces largely.
Gideon Sage, the original proprietor of this town, although far ad- vanced in years, still resides here, hale and hearty, and bids fair to yet renew his lease of life and outstrip in the race many a younger com- petitor. The town has one Catholic, one Presbyterian, and one Meth- odist church, and is well provided with school-buildings.
Raritan, a town in the southeastern part of the county, was laid out by Isaac V. Kelley and James Hixton April 16, 1856, in Sees. 10, 11, 14 and 15, T. S N., R. 4 W., James R. White acting as surveyor for the proprietors. The record of its plat and survey may be found recorded in Vol. XII of deeds, p. 255, Henderson county. It is a beautiful and thriving village. Situated in the midst of an undulating, fertile prairie, surrounded by finely improved farms in a high state of cultivation, upon which means have been lavishly expended in the erection of fine buildings, this place presents an attractive appearance. The houses of the town are of a neat and commodious structure, and so neatly kept in all their surroundings that they tell at once the char- acter of its inhabitants.
Although possessing no near railroad or river facilities for ship- ping, they yet carry on a large trade in merchandise and stock and agricultural products. Roseville and Laharpe stations are their nearest railroad points. One will hardly find in days of travel anywhere a town surrounded by so many natural advantages, and which exhibits such thrift, unaided by artificial means.
Among the enterprising business men of this place I may mention William Tharp and Robert Barnes, but space prevents the naming of others equally enterprising and deserving of mention. Mr. Tharp has an extensive store, filled with a general stock of merchandise, which he purchases in Chicago and eastern cities. Making his own selections and purchasing from first hands when possible, he has been enabled to offer his numerous customers their supplies at such rates as to leave no inducement on their part to go to larger places to make their pur- chases. By energy and business tact, by fair dealing and unquestioned integrity, he established a business of great magnitude, and won for himself an enviable reputation. He is still a young man, with the ability to grow and advance with the enterprising and thrifty people by whom he is surrounded.
Robert Barnes began business here a few years ago. From small transactions at first his business has increased until at the present his sales are very large. His stock embraces almost every article of
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necessity or luxury required by the customers with whom he deals. Besides a general stock of merchandise, a line of agricultural machin- ery suited to all the wants of the country is carried in large stock. In addition to his mercantile business he is the proprietor, publisher and editor of the "Raritan Bulletin." a weekly newspaper of fair size, which is ably edited and constantly gaining in circulation. It is inde- pendent in all things, and deserves the success that has thus far attended it.
The town contains four churches: Dutch Reformed, Baptist, Metli- odist, and Roman Catholic. It has two hotels.
The town of Lynn, on the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy railroad. adjoining Gladstone, was laid out by Ezekiel W. Lynn on Sec. 10, T. 10 N., 5 W., June 28, 1858. It was surveyed by James R. White. The plat and record will be found in Vol. XV, p. 213, of deeds, in Henderson county.
The town of Carman was laid out and platted by Joseph Carman, September 3, 1870, in Sec. 27, T. 9 N., 6 W., and recorded in Vol. XXIV, of deeds, p. 344, Henderson county. It is situated on the line of Carthage Division of the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy rail- road, about one mile from the Mississippi river, and contains a popu- lation of about 300. Shokokon lies between this town and the river. Carman is a flourishing town, and the center of a large grain trade. Large quantities of corn are annually stored at this point for distribu- tion to the different markets. It is five miles by railroad to Burlington, Iowa, and about fifteen miles to the county seat. About two miles east of this place resides John Fredericks Curts, on his place known as the "Bear Grove" farm, of which further mention will be made in this sketch. Near this place many of the earlier settlers of the county found a home. Alfred Knowles and Dr. Freeman Knowles came from the State of Maine soon after the laying out of the town of Shokokon. in 1836. They remained for a short time upon lands they had entered. The fever and ague, the pest of our bottom lands at that time, was more than they could successfully contend with, and they removed to more healthy locations, Dr. Knowles going to the town of Keokuk, Iowa, which then contained but a few hundred inhabitants, where his practice grew with the growth of that thriving city. He became one of the professors in the medical college of that place. He died in 1880, after a successful professional career. His brother, Alfred, removed to Oquawka, where, upon the organization of the county, he became county clerk. In 1855 he removed to the city of Galesburg, this state, where he still resides.
The last town laid out in the county is Lomax, on the Chicago, Bur-
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
lington & Quincy railroad. It was laid out by Robert Lomax, May 11, 1882, in Sec. 15, T. S N., R. 6 W., J. Wilson Williams acting as sur- veyor ; plat and deed recorded in Vol. I, of plats, p. 64, Henderson county. At this point there has been a railroad station and business point for many years. Prior to the opening of the railroad, William Lomax, the father of the present proprietor, owned and cultivated a large farm, through which the road was located and a station established at the point where the town is now laid out. The senior Lomax errected a dwelling and store, and also other buildings at the station, so that in fact it became quite a town years before any town was marked out in a regular way. The proprietor had resided on the place for many years ; in fact he was among the early settlers of the county, and owned this valuable property before railroads came to further enhance its value.
Although the population of the town is small, it has become an im- portant shipping point. Large shipments of cattle, hogs and grain are made at this station, and there is no reason why this should not, in in the near future, with such an enterprising business man as its pres- ent proprietor, become a flourishing town. The elder Lomax died in the year 1879, at an advanced age, loved and respected by all who knew him. He had lived to see the frontier upon which he had settled become a cultivated, populous community. He had, as a citi- zen, lent his aid to advance every laudible undertaking for the advancement of the interest of the county. He had served four years as associate justice in our county court, and well and faithfully did he discharge the duties of his office. With hands clear of official corrup- tion, with consciousness of having performed his duty, he retired from office and his remaining years were made pleasant with the kindest regards of his fellow citizens. His worthy son Robert succeeds him in the estate and business established by his father. The position has fallen to able hands. The father's wishes and plans will now be car- ried out by the son. Possessing youth, vigor and fine business capacity, he still retains that same modesty of character and moral conviction that endeared his father to the people among whom he- lived. Mr. Lomax is at present, as will be seen elsewhere in this sketch, one of the commissioners of the county. Just north of this place the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad forms a junction with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, and over the track of the latter runs on to the city of Burlington.
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NEWSPAPERS.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper published in the county was the "Oquawka Spectator," founded by Col. John B. Patterson, in the month of Febru- ary, 1848, at Oquawka, who issued the first number in February of that year. It was neutral in politics, and issued weekly continuously to the present time. Its founder, Col. Patterson, is still its editor and proprietor, and bids fair to continue its management for many years to come. Since the foundation of the paper, E. H. N. Patterson, a son of the present editor, was for many years associated with his father as junior editor. The latter severed his connection with the paper in the year 1859, and with the great army of gold seekers who set their faces westward, left his native state and took up his abode in the then territory of Colorado. Mining was not to his taste. He was pos- sessed of a fine intellect and was a brilliant writer. These qualities could not long be concealed and he was induced to attach himself to the editorial staff of the "Colorado Miner," one of the leading papers of the state, in which position he gained high rank by the ability he displayed in his editorials. He, in a short time, became one of the proprietors of the paper and its chief editor, in which position he died in the month of April, 1880, at Denver, Colorado. He married, in 1851, Laura Phelps, the daughter of Stephen S. Phelps, one of the founders of the town of Oquawka. His wife died in the year 1867, leaving three children : Harry N., Mattie, and Norman.
Not only as a newspaper writer did the subject of this sketch ex- hibit marked ability, but many of his publications in verse, as well as in prose, bore testimony of the peculiarly fine literary cast of his mind. A specimen is here quoted as illustrating the style of his writings, and the sentiments of its author. It was written nineteen years ago, and is now published for the first time. The original is in the possession of the writer :
" THE PATRIOT MOTHER.
"Dead ! No, no! surely you do but mock me! He's but sleeping ; - Why all these tears, this agony of mourning? Why such weeping?
Death has not come to rob me of the lad. 'Tis only gentle sleep - Deadlike perchance, in being dreamless ; yet only slumber, wherefore weep? When first the tocsin rung the battle blast, Charlie, brave boy, stepped out, Full panoplied, in triple armor clad ; his voice in the great freedom-shout Rising above all others - louder, clearer, filled with grandeur of the Cause For which he fought : his nation's constitution, the supremacy of its laws ! 'Twas but as yesterday I saw him girding his loins for the fight,
Conseious of victory, confident of suecess, because the Right.
Ne'er fell before the opposing hosts of Treason's elan - Ne'er failed because opposed by jaundiced Error's ban !
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Then say not he is dead ! He lives - his faith, example, deeds,
Will nerve his patriot-brothers' arms! Away with funeral weeds :
I will not wear them! Charlie lives -his spirit is away.
In hottest battle -men will feel its power ; death cannot mark him for its prey 'Till war shall cease in all the land -'till peace resume her sway-
And Treason's cloud obscure no more the brightness of the Nation's day."
It should be stated that the "Spectator," which commenced its career as a neutral, was, in the year 1863, transformed into a democratic organ of its party in the county, and to this time has been an advocate of conservative democratic principles, through the long pilgrimage of defeat to which its party has been subjected. Its venerable editor stands high with his professional brethren and earns the esteem of his political opponents. Few men have wielded the editorial pen for so many consecutive years, as editor and proprietor of one newspaper. All his acquaintances join in wishing him many happy years of success in the path he has so long and successfully traveled.
The " Oquawka Plaindealer" was the next newspaper enterprise started in the county. This was a weekly publication, commenced July 24, 1852, by Francis A. Dallam, editor and proprietor, and so continued until March 6, 1855, when Horace Bigelow, Esq., purchased a half interest in the establishment; from that time until May 6, 1856, when Mr. Dallam sold his interest to James H. Reed. The firm of Reed & Bigelow continued the publication of the paper until May 1, 1857, when they sold the whole concern to J. K. Magie and David Mitchell. It was whig in politics at its commencement and after the defeat of Scott, in 1852, it shared the fate of its party, and drifting with the wreck until the formation of the republican party in 1856, when it cast its fortunes with that organization, to which it ever afterward adhered. Magie & Mitchell disposed of their interest and the paper was next under the control of Lewis Leslie ; then of M. H. Jamison, when, under the editorial control of a Mr. Chamberlain, it was removed to Biggsville, in this county. Shortly after Chamberlain retired from the paper and Judson Graves became its editor. Subse- quently Graves removed the paper to Kirkwood, in Warren county, when, after a brief period, he again moved, and this time to the city of Galesburg, in this state.
The " Clipper" is a small weekly paper, established in Biggsville by M. M. Rowley, editor and proprietor, about the year 1874. It is republican in politics, and still continues under its first management, and is meeting, as it deserves, with very fair success. Its editor is an excellent writer for such a paper and earns the deserved success he has enjoyed.
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COUNTY OFFICERS.
The " Raritan Bulletin," a weekly paper, is published in the town of Raritan, in the southeast part of the county, by Robert Barnes, as editor and proprietor. It was established in the year 1875. It is inde- pendent in politics and is meeting with deserved success. Its editorials evince marked ability and its circulation is rapidly increasing.
"The Henderson County Journal " was established in Oquawka by Eugene A. Hail, editor and proprietor, in the month of May, 1872. It was a weekly paper and republican in politics. In June, 1872, Mr. Hail, its editor, removed the establishment to Macomb, in McDonough county, in this state, where he continued its publication until August, 1878, when he returned with his paper to this county and again com- menced its publication at the county seat, under the name of the "Henderson County Journal," a weekly issue, devoted to the interests of the republican party. The paper is ably edited by Mr. Hail, its proprietor, a gentleman of refinement and sterling worth, and is prov- ing for its owner a good investment.
All the papers here named have received not alone from their party friends, but from the general public of the county, a generous support, which bears evidence of the intelligence of the inhabitants.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
The names of the county officers from the date of the organization of the county is shown in the following table, with the date of their election or appointment :
NAME. OFFICE. DATE.
John S. Pollock. Clerk Circuit Court .. April 5, 1841.
Alfred Knowles. Clerk County Commissioners' Court. April 5, 1841.
John Mckinney Recorder April 17, 1841.
William C. Rice,. Surveyor April 17, 1841.
William Cowden Probate Justice of the Peace.
April 22, 1841.
William Elliott.
State's Attorney May 20, 1841.
Alfred Knowles.
Probate Justice of the Peace. .June 30, 1841.
Joseph B. Jamison School Commissioner Aug. 2, 1841. W. D. Henderson Sheriff. April
5, 1841.
Francis J. C. Peasley
.County Commissioner
Ang.
2, 1841.
Joseph B. Jamison
. School Commissioner. Aug.
2,1841.
Preston Martin.
.County Commissioner. April 5,1841.
Benjamin C. Coghill.
County Commsisioner April 5,1841.
William D. Henderson. . Sheriff. Aug.
1, 1842.
Michael Crane.
County Commissioner Aug.
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