History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 105

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 105
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 105

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).

On April 2 the regiment left there in the expedition against Vicks- burg, forming part of Osterhaus' division. Crossing the river at Bruinsburg, the 30th, it was engaged at Thompson's Hill (Port Gibson) May 1, Champion Hill 16th, Black River bridge 17th, and siege of Vicksburg until after the bloody assault of the 22d, in which it also bore a distinguished part. At Thompson's Hill its conduct was so gallant and conspicuous that it received the compliments of the division commander on the field. From the 19th to the 22d the loss was six killed, twenty-four wounded. On the 24th Gen. Osterhaus was ordered back to Black River bridge to ward off attack by Jolinston, and the 118th was engaged in fortifying and skirmishing until June 10, when, by order of Gen. Grant, it was mounted, after which it was continually occupied with scouting. After the fall of Vicksburg it joined Sherman against Jackson, and was engaged there until the evacuation of the place July 17. Early in August the 13th corps was transferred to the Gulf ; on the 6th the regiment turned over its horses, and next day left Vicksburg.

After removal to Port Hudson, Carrollton, Bayou, Boeuff, Brashear City and Berwick City, it arrived October 3 at Camp Bisland, Louis- iana. It moved to Algiers, arrived the 7th, reported to Gen. A. L. Lee, chief of cavalry, and was remounted. Taking cars on the 11th, it went to Brashear City, crossing the bay, marched to Vermillionville, and arrived at Opelousas the 23d. Next day had an engagement near Washington ; November 1, camped at Carrion Crow Bayou ; on the 3d, fought the severe battle of Grand Coteau ; moving again to Ver- millionville, fought in that vicinity the 11th. The next encounter was near Vermillion Bayou, when the regiment took seventy-eight prisoners, the encampment being then at New Iberia. Leaving thence for Donaldsonville, the regiment embarked there for Port Hudson, arriv- ing Jannary 7, 1864, and going on almost daily scouts till July 3,

2DL. Porter-

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ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.

skirmishing sharply and frequently, and taking many prisoners. A part of the regiment was assailed by superior numbers at Bayou Grosse Tete, March 30, when a headlong saber charge, and hand to hand fight alone saved them from defeat and capture. On April 7, a detachment of seventy-five, with twenty-five from the 3d Ill. Cav., and one field-piece, were surrounded near Plain's store by 600 of the enemy, and only after a desperate resistance were able to get away. Moving to Baton Rouge, the regiment was encamped there till Sep- tember +, raiding meantime with Gen. Lee, and fighting August 25 at Redwood, Comite bridge and Clinton. From September 7 to November 24 the regiment was stationed at Hermitage plantation, op- posite Donaldsonville. It was in the engagement under Gen. Lee, at Liberty, November 19. Moving to Baton Rouge on the 27th, it joined Gen. Davidson's expedition to West Pascagoula, Mississippi, and arrived there December 12. Embarked for New Orleans the 24th, arrived the 26th, and returned to Baton Rouge the 27th. From that date the command was picketing and scouting until May 22, when the horses were turned over. Provost duty in the city formed the only employment thenceforward till October 1, when the 118th was mustered from the service. Co. G returned with two commissioned officers : Capt. Shaw and first lieutenant Painter, and twenty-six enlisted men.

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.

This regiment was raised in the early summer of 1864 for the 100 days service, and was organized at Camp Wood, Quincy, by Col. John W. Goodwin, and mustered in June 21. Co. D belonged to Hender- son county, and was enlisted at Oquawka in May, by John M. Wilson and Joseph S. Linel. After the company had gone to Quincy C. D. Elting brought a squad of about twenty from Raritan. Citizens of the county subscribed a private bounty, which amounted to about $18 per man. The company contained eighty-two enlisted men, including two recruits, who deserted before the muster-in. The organization took place at Quincy. Wilson was chosen for captain ; Andrew Kirkpat- rick, of Biggsville, for first lieutenant; and Wilson S. Baughman, of Oquawka, for second lieutenant. The regiment was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, July 26, and on arrival there was placed on post duty. After expiration of term of service it was brought to Springfield and mustered out October 14.

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

SEVENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.

This fine regiment was sworn into the United States service at Camp Butler in the month of September, 1861. In Co. L there were probably a dozen from Henderson county, mostly from around Raritan. At the organization William M. Morris, of Raritan, was orderly ser- geant, and Elijah Jacklin, of same place, second corporal. William Pitt Kellogg, of Louisiana fame, was the first colonel of the 7th, but he was never much with it and resigned early. Col. Edward Prince, of Quincy, led it through its brilliant achievements to the close of its term. It began active duty at Bird's Point and Cape Girardeau, Missouri ; operated around New Madrid and Island No. 10, and was in the siege of Corinth. It was in the battle of Iuka, September 20, 1862; Corinth, October 3 and 4; and in April, 1863, formed a consid- erable part of Grierson's celebrated expedition from La Grange, Ten- nessee, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In February, 1864, it marched, under Gen. W. Sooy Smith, from Guntown, Mississippi, to West Point, where that general was sadly defeated, and did excellent service in covering his retreat. In March 289 officers and men re-enlisted, and in June, when these were absent on furlough. some 120 non-veterans of the regiment went out to Guntown with Sturgis on his ill-starred expedition against Forrest. The regiment resisted Hood's invasion of Tennessee, fought with valor at Franklin, Nashville and other places, and pursued him out of the state. We have mentioned only some of the leading engagements which are a part of the history of the noble 7th. The fighting, scouting, guarding and other service which it did were immense. It was mustered out at Nashville, and disbanded at Camp Butler November 17, 1865. Lewis Pickel, of Raritan, was pro- moted to second lieutenant of Co. L in August before the command was discharged.

BEDFORD TOWNSHIP.

Bedford township is No. Sin N. R. 4, and is bounded on the north by Walnut Grove township, on the south by McDonough county, on the east by Warren, and on the west by Terre Haute. The land lying in the southeast and south part of the township is flat prairie, the soil of which is a deep black loam. In the north and northwest part of the township the land is undulating with a brown clay subsoil. On the ridges which skirt the streams the soil is of less depth and of a lighter

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BEDFORD TOWNSHIP.

color than that of the prairies. It is usually a dark brown yellow color, being light on the slopes of the hills and partaking of the sub- scil. Formerly these ridges were for the most part timbered, but much of the timber has been cut off and the process of denudation still goes on.

Springs are numerous throughout the township and some are large and valuable, furnishing a constant supply of fresh water, in quantities sufficient for the necessities of large herds of cattle.

On Sec. 6 are limestone quarries which have been worked to some extent. Blocks of any desired size, from one to two or three feet, may be had, some of the larger are of a yellowish brown color, others are tinged with blue or light creamy gray. Sandstone quarries also abound near the same range, two specimens appear, they are of a dark gray and creamy yellow.

Honey creek enters the township at the southwest corner of Sec. 6, flows northwest through Sec. 9, and through the northeast of Sec. 8, and southwest of Sec. 5, and through the south half of Sec. 6. This creek is fed by tributaries running north ; one running through the west part of Secs. 16 and 9 finds a terminus near the west line of that section.

Raritan is a flourishing town of 300 inhabitants, containing fifty dwellings, three churches, and ten business houses, a postoffice, print- ing office and several mechanical establishments. It is situated on a high plat of ground on Sec. 11, the principal streets of which run east and west. The town was named in honor of the Raritan river in New Jersey, from which the township owes its first few settlers, a number of whom went from that neighborhood to Fulton county and made set- tlements there, and after moved into this township.

The first store was started in Raritan in the spring of 1856, by Gulick & Voorhees, who continued the business until the following spring of 1857, when they were superseded by Jaques Voorhees, who sold out the next year to Tharp & Eltinge, soon after which Mr. Tharp sold his interest in the business to Eltinge and formed partnership with Groendyke in 1859. This store was situated on the corner on the south side of the main street. Eltinge sold his interest in the business to Elijah Day, who closed up the business in 1867. Parks and Jaques Voorhees then started a dry goods store under the firm name of Parks & Voorhees. This was in 1867. They were succeeded by Dr. H. F. Parks.

The first blacksmith shop in the town was built in August, 1858, by Jaques Voorhees for U. D. Voorhees. He carried on the business until 1865, when J. K. Barns was taken in as a partner. They con-

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

tinned together for two years. and sold out to Douglass Bros., who continued the business until John M. Johnston, the present owner, bought them out. C. Hartman started a wagon shop about 1860. A confectionery was started in 1865, by J. Tharp.

In 1858 the first hotel was started by Charles Hartshorn. He quit the business. In 1863, I. V. D. Kelley built a hotel, and rented the same. In 1864 he sold the same to C. V. D. Spader. John Groven- back went into the business in 1870.

The first physician was Dr. Day. He built a residence in the town and after a few years sold out to Dr. Elliott. This was in 1862, and this was Dr. Elliott's first field of practice. He died in 1863.

CHURCHES.

In August. 1855, a small band of pioneer Christians, thirteen in number, together with the Revs. A. D. Wilson and S. A. Bumstead, assembled at the house of S. P. Nevius, for the organization of a church. This organization was then and there consummated under the name of the Reformed Dutch church, of Honey creek, with six male members for its consistory. Less than a month later, or September 16, 1855, at the house of Peter S. Tharp, the sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered for the first time. On the afternoon of the same day Dennis Nevius Simonson received the rite of baptism, this being the first child of the church, as he was also the first-born of his parents. In 1856, two members, Wm. J. Schenck and Martha, his wife, were added to the church, as were several others by certificate from the church of Fairview, and from eastern churches. It was in the spring of 1856, in the old blacksmith shop which still stands hard by on the premises of Mr. John Livermore, the first Sabbath school was organized with I. V. Kelley as superintendent. Mr. K., it is said, occasionally had to submit to a good-natured rebuke for being late. To this blacksmith shop both barefoot horses and barefoot children were wont to resort, the former for shoes and the latter for Bible truth. From humble homes scattered thinly over the flowery strewed prairie they came to sing and to study of Him who infused fertility into the soil and breathed perfume into the air and crowned the year with fruitful harvests.

During the first year of organization the congregation met in private houses. Afterward they repaired to the blacksmith shop before referred to. In the spring of 1857 worship was conducted at the house of Peter Tharp and W. J. Schencks. When the school-house was inclosed that became the place of regular service, while afternoon lectures were held at other convenient places throughout the settle-

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BEDFORD TOWNSHIP.

ment. Among those who rightly preached at that time before the establishment of a regular preacher was the Revs. Wilson, Bumstead and Morris.

More than a year had now passed since organization, and they were without a preacher. Accordingly, on October 18, 1856. Rev. C. D. Eltinge, of Fort Jarvis, was called, and was installed pastor May 20, 1857. The corner stone of the present church edifice was laid on the same day. Previous to this, of course, it had been foreseen that around the site of this church as a nuclens the village would grow up. Therefore the building became a matter of debate which was carried on not without acrimony. The location was, however, fixed, and a pastor secured. Measures began.to be taken which, considering the fewness of members and comparative poverty of the people, was no easy one. Mr. Eltinge went east and received funds to the amount of $1,600 by soliciting from members there, and by a loan of $1000 from his own little means. Less than half the money was raised by contributions from the people of the new settlement. The lumber used in the con- struction of this edifice was brought over Lake Michigan in the vessel then belonging to the pastor's father.

The year 1858 is memorable as the time when the temple, with its tall spire pointing heavenward, began to take shape and proportion. As it approached completion fond hopes were realized, and there stood a neat and commodious house, ready to be dedicated. Septem- ber 8, 1859, Rev. A. D. Wilson dedicated it and Rev. S. A. Bumstead preached the service, and having now an organization, a pastor and a house, the full career of the Reformed Dutch church of Raritan began.

Mr. Eltinge closed his pastorate in the spring of 1861, at which time the membership had increased from the original thirteen to sixty two. At that time the consistory resolved to make the church self-supporting, and in fact accomplished their desires. In September, 1861, Rev. S. A. Bumstead came to supply the church for six months, and in the spring of 1862 was installed as the second pastor of the church.

In the history of the church so far there have been several marked revivals, the first during the ministry of Mr. Eltinge, the second during that of Mr. Bumstead, and one under Mr. Adams. Mr. Bumstead's ministry closed April 1875, and his place has been filled by A. A. Pfanstiehl. The names of the original members are as . follows : Joseph Nevins and wife, Henry D. Voorhees and wife, Isaac Kelly and wife, Peter Tharp and wife, Simon P. Nevins and wife. Peter Nevins and wife, and Mrs. Simonson, wife of Simon Simonson. The Raritan Sabbath school was organized on the 4th day of May, 1856, and continued through the summer season. On

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

the first Sabbath in May last it was reorganized by the appointment of officers as follows : superintendent, A. Hageman ; vice-superin- tendent, A. Gulick ; librarians, J. Stanton and W. Morris.

The Raritin Methodist Episcopal church has a membership of sixty. The first class was formed in Raritin in 1864, and held its first meetings in the old school-house now gone. Rev. A. Morey was the first pastor. The first members were Geo. Mosier and wife, David Dilley and wife. Perry Gardner and wife, and Emanuel Alpaugh and wife. George Mosier was chosen the first class leader, under whose leadership the class soon became well established. Only two of the original members now remain members of the society. -

In the year 1873 the society determined to build a church, and with its characteristic energy proceeded at once to erect a splendid house of worship, which for convenience and architectural beauty is not surpassed in the county. The style is Gothic, with corner tower and bell and with arched ceilings twenty-five feet from the floor in the center, and a seating capacity of about three hundred and fifty. This edifice was built by subscription, contributed largely by persons now members of the society, and the members were few in numbers and not riehl, but contributed freely and as far as their ability would permit. There were 217 subscribers to the building fund. The cost of building, including interest account and other incidental expenses, was $3,962.81. This did not include labor performed by the members, which was not applied on their subscription. Had the labor been paid for in cash the building would have cost about $4, 800.

This society has employed the following ministers to preach for them : Thomas Watson. A. Morey, A. S. Atherton, J. E. Taylor, E. Ransom, P. S. Garretson, G. W. Miller, S. P. James, and A. C. Calkins, their present pastor.

During the pastorate of P. S. Garretson the noted revival known as the Swarts meeting was held, resulting favorably to society here for the time being, but not lasting. Up to the time of the close of Rev. G. W. Miller's term as pastor the Raritan society was a part of the Ellison charge, but at the fall conference of 1878, held at Macomb, Raritan was set off with the Colfax church as self-supporting, to be known as the Raritan charge.

During the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Calkins the church building was improved by papering the walls and ceiling and the purchase of new pulpit furniture, at a cost a little less than $100. Great credit is dne the pastor's wife and others of the society in securing the needed improvement. A neat little parsonage is owned by the society, which cost $1,000.

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BEDFORD TOWNSHIP.

At a meeting held in Raritan December 24, 1858, Henry Johnson. of the Baptist church of Roseville, was moderator, and J. Voorhees, clerk. They resolved to adopt the ordinances of the gospel com- munion. It was also resolved that a council meeting be called for the purpose of being recognized as a regular Baptist church, and adopt the basis of the doctrine and practice the declaration of faith and covenants published by the American Baptist publication society. This declara- tion was signed by Harry Burrell, Elvira Burrell, L. W. Otis, Clarressa Otis, William Perine, Aletta Perine, C. V. D. Spader, Jane Spader, J. Voorhees, Sarah Voorhees, Elizabeth Hill, and Amanda Voorhees. On February 22, 1859, a council was called and the above members were recognized as comprising the Baptist church of Raritan. This meeting was called to order and presided over by J. L. Gordon as moderator, and J. Voorhees, clerk. The following churches were represented : Roesville, by Elder H. B. Johnson, Deacon B. W. Smith and James Tucker; Berwick, by Elder H. S. P. Warren, of Linden, William L. Johnson, of Hillsborough, J. G. Gordon and A. Hengate. Twelve members having organized, presented their petitions, and were recognized as a church. The first sermon was preached by II. S. Warmouth.

The first business meeting occurred on February 27, 1859. Henry Bull and William Perine were elected deacons, and J. Voorhees, clerk, and H. B. Johnson was called to preach. During his pastorate there were added to the church one by baptism, one by letter, and two by experience. On May 5, 1860, Elder Trower was employed to preach two sabbaths in each month. He officiated until October, 1862. In 1862 a revival took place which closed on December 16. Twenty-three were added to the church by baptism, three by experience, and one by letter. During the pastorship of Elder Trowers the church was admitted to the Salem Baptist Association.

On January 3, 1863, a building committee was appointed to build a house 32×44 feet, with 16 feet posts, which was erected and inclosed during the summer and fall of 1863, and plastered in the fall of 1864. In the summer of 1865 it was furnished, and on the fourth Sabbath of June, 1866, dedicated.

The Swedish Evangelical church was organized October 7, 1877. This was the original Lutheran church, but the name was changed in order to obliterate church prejudice and thus combine all denomina- tions and worship under the new name. The first members were Deacons J. M. Johnson, John Brown, Otto Peterson and Anton Peter- son. This church has at present about fifty members.

The organization of the Roman Catholic church was effected in

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

1855. and its membership is composed largely of members from War- ren county. The first step taken in this direction was at the house of John Leareys, in Warren county, before which worship had been held in many of the private houses. and especially at the house of John Berry, who, with the Hustons. McLaries. Slaters. Downs. Sulivans, Denivens, Tiernies, from Henderson county, and others from Warren county, were among the first members. and also prominent in the building of the church. The church was built in 1876, under Rev. James Halpins' administration, at a cost of $2,100, which was paid for by subscriptions from its membership and many Protestants throughout the neighborhood. the Catholics having first helped the building of Protestant churches in a similar way. The church is situ- ated on section 2 in Bedford precinct and is known as St. Patrick's parish. This church is in size 32×42, with a spire sixty feet high. Since the organization of the church Father O'Farrell, Father Welden and Father Murphy have presided.

Raritan Lodge, No. 616. I.O.O.F., was instituted June 30, 1876, and was moved to Terre Haute in 1868. The charter members were : M. M. Field, A. E. Stanley. J. C. Coulson, C. W. Hardesty, and L. W. Calhoun.

THE PIONEERS.

The points for early settlement were two, the timber of the south- east portion of the precinct and the southwest, near Bedford church. Accordingly we find settlements made at these places at quite an early date. The first white settler within the limits of this precinct is not now positively known. So many conflicting stories reach the ear that one cannot positively decide. It is probable that John Scroggins was the first. He came. as near as can be ascertained, in 1829 or 1830. He was a native of Tennessee. He did not remain long in the neighborhood, but sold his patch of ground, containing ten acres, to Walter Huston and moved back, it is said, to Tennessee. Some not knowing these facts claim that Joel Huston came before this man, but he did not arrive until 1832 or 1833. He settled on section 30. Huston was from Tennessee. He left that state some two years prior to his settlement in Bedford township. He made the journey with teams and stopped a year or two in Morgan county on his way out. William Pennington, who had come out with Huston. settled about the same time and place on section 32. A German by the name of Cloberg was the next. He settled on section 35. Two other Germans, Statt and Young, soon after settled on the same section. Henry Isom. from Tennessee, settled on section 34. The place is better known as the old

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BEDFORD TOWNSHIP.

Beaver place. After this new arrivals were quite frequent, and Uncle George Huston said that when he arrived here in 1837 he found John Huston living in a point of timber just on the south side of the pre- cinct. There was a school-house near Bedford and a log house was built near by it soon after. The settlers did their trading at Burling- ton and Oquawka. There was no mill on the Henderson and they were compelled to go to Crooked creek, some twenty miles distant, to get their milling done.

George Huston is still living in the precinct, at an advanced age. He is a native of Rockingham county, Virginia. He moved to Ohio in an early day, from which he came to Illinois. He has been here most of his time, and is perhaps better acquainted with the history of the vicinity than any other man living. His first settlement was sec- tion 26, where he bought the tax title for 320 acres, and after bought a second tax title on the same place, held by another person. The house he rented when he first came to the country was the only one in that vicinity, and the prairie was one vast sea of waving grass. It was not until 1841 that he erected his first log house, with sod chimney. In later years it was torn down to give place for one of more modern style. Although entirely obliterated from the sight of the later settlers, the recollections of its former usefulness are still fresh in the minds of those who shared the protection of its sheltering roof and enjoyed the warmth of the sparkling embers on the hearth. In this log cabin Mr. Huston reared his family of children, who are mostly all settled about him. The nearest pork market was at Beardstown, on the river. On one occasion Mr. Huston started with a drove to that place in company with his neighbors, and when about half-way to that place they discovered that the hogs were chilling and they could pro- ceed no farther with them. They concluded to kill them, but having no kettle in which to heat water with which to scald and dress them, after consulting, a plan not thought of before happened to strike Mr. Huston. He said : "We will dig a large hole here in the ground and kindle a large fire in it, and after the fire has burned sufficiently we will pour the water on the coals, which will make the water amply hot to seald." The idea was laughed at at first, but they tried the experi- ment, which proved a success.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 105

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424