USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 115
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 115
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1197
EDUCATION IN HENDERSON COUNTY.
The county in 1881, by school census, contained pupils to the number of 3,382 between the ages of six and twenty-one years. During the same year there was paid to teachers the sum of $20,278.38; and the total expenditure for the same year for school purposes was $26,352.94. I have refrained from going into minute statistics of the several townships, as the township compiler, with a view of each locality, in a more complete formn.
In 1850, being the first United States census taken after its organ- ization, Henderson county contained a population of 4,612; its annual income for school purposes was $2,431; its number of scholars at school, 728.
COMPARATIVE PROGRESS.
In 1853 we find of record the first statement of amount of taxable property in the county, to wit : Total value of personal property, $380,659 ; total value of lands, $784,152; total value of town lots, $159,593 ; total value of all property, $1,324,404. Upon this valua- tion a state tax was levied of 493 cents, yielding the sum of $6,533.73; a county tax of 40 cents, yielding the sum of $5,297.60; a special road tax of 15 cents was levied, yielding the sum of $1,986.60.
At the September term, 1861, of the county commissioners' court, a tax of three-fourths of a mill on each dollar's valuation of property was levied for the purpose of supporting the families of soldiers who had volunteered in the service of the United States, to be disbursed under the authority of the commissioners.
On August 2, 1862, the court met pursuant to adjournment at the town of Olena, in conjunction with a public meeting of the citizens of the county, who had met for the purpose of encouraging the enlist- ment of volunteers in the army, at which meeting the court passed unanimously the following resolutions :
"Resolved, That we will, at the next regular September meeting of this county court, levy a tax of two mills on the dollar of taxable property of the county, for the support of the families of volunteers who have enlisted and who may enlist hereafter in Henderson county companies.
"Resolved, further, That we will, at the next September term of this court, levy a tax of three mills on each dollar valuation of taxable property in the county, as a bounty fund to be paid to volunteers who have or may hereafter enlist in Henderson county companies under the late call of the President for 300,000 men."
In accordance with the foregoing resolutions the county court did at the September term of the court levy the tax pledged thereby, which
1198
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
encouraged enlistments and materially aided in promptly filling the ranks of military companies then organizing in the county. At the regular term of the county court held in September, 1863, the death of Willison Hopkins, county clerk, was announced, and the appoint- ment of Robert McAllister to fill the vacancy was placed on file, and Mr. McAllister was duly qualified and entered upon the discharge of his official duties. As showing the material prosperity of the county by the increased value of property in the county, I append after ten years another showing of such valuation : total valuation of all prop- erty in 1863, $1,847,536; total tax, $31,096.66 ; thus showing that our valuation had increased in ten years from $1,324,404 to $1,847,536, and our total tax had increased in the same time from $13,817.95 to $31,096.66. In 1872 there was returned for taxable purposes by the assessor : personal property, $638,833; lands, $1,653,431 ; town lots, $136,776; railroad property, $465,547; with miscellaneous property making a total of assessed value of property in the county of $3,014,054. Upon this valuation taxes were levied to the amount of $96,749.34 for all purposes.
In 1882 the total assessed value of all property in the county was $3,056,065.30, upon which a tax was collected of $68,106.32 for all purposes, showing a large decrease in taxation. The county indebt- edness being now reduced to about $14,000, which will soon be extin- guished, leaves a hope that with economy in county affairs the time is near at hand when the burdens of taxation will be more easily borne.
The population of the county by the census of 1880 was 10,950, which shows a decrease from 1870, to be accounted for by heavy emi- gration to the western states and territories.
LIST OF DECEASED COUNTY OFFICERS.
Many of these county officials died during their term of office, or since their retirement. The list of the dead is large, and is here appended : William Cowden, Joseph B. Jamison, Francis J. C. Peasley, Benjamin C. Coghill, Michael Crane, John F. Morgan, Wilson M. Graham, Alexander Marshall, William Cousland, S. S. Leet, Matthew Findley, Julius Gifford, Ebenezer Chapin, Harvey Russell, John S. Peasley, William McMillan, Booth Nettleton, James A. Maury, John S. Pollock, Peter Downey, Lambert Hopper, William L. Stockton, George W. Cowden, William B. Jamison, Willison Hopkins, William Lomax, Marion F. Button, John A. Summers.
1199
HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
The first permanent settler in Honey Creek precinct was Captain Redman. He was an officer in the second war with England, and became imbued with that daring spirit, dauntless resolution and match- less strategy which are such necessary characteristics in the frontiers- man and pioneer. His attachment for the wild and undeveloped led him to leave his eastern home where plenty seemingly held forth its hand. About 1825 or 1826 le landed here with his family, before a foot of the county's virgin soil had been polluted by the touch of man. He immediately built a small log house, which for many years was the home of the family.
We have nothing positive of the settlers until the coming of the Pence family in 1838. John Pence was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Lycoming county January 12, 1803. He was married to Hannah Pence in 1829, and with his family came here in 1838, landing at Shokokon on June 2, having traveled down the Ohio and up the Mississippi. They moved into an unchinked log house, one end of which was occupied by a family by the name of Tull, who had preceded them a short time. This was on section 11. Dur- ing the first years they endured terrible hardships. The family were all taken with the fever and chills and were unable to help one another, and had it not been for the trusty rifle and unerring marksmanship of the husband and father, starvation would have pointed at them her shrunken and withered hands. The long, dreary winter wore away, and with the sunshine of spring came the hope of better days. The spring following they built a log house for themselves on section 15.
When the Pences came, Jonathan Nichols lived on section 22, Robert Crownover, a New Yorker, lived on section 14, Andrew Stice lived below, on Honey creek.
During the autumn of the year in which the Pences came, Samuel Logan came from Fayette county, Indiana, and settled on the south side of the precinct. Mr. Logan was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born there October 24, 1784. June 3, 1813, he was married to Susan Duffy, in what was then the Territory of Indiana. He enlisted in the war of 1812 for one year, and was honorably discharged from the service at the expiration of his time. As soon as he was discharged he bought a farm in Fayette county, Indiana, then an unbroken forest, which he cleared. But soon the people poured in, and the place lost the wildness of its frontier cast, and with that restless spirit so charac- teristic of men who have become inured to its hardships and fascinated
.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
with its exciting incidents, he could no longer enjoy his home. In 1838 he sold his farm and with his family moved to this county. There then was plenty of game, such as deer, turkey and grouse, and fishing was fine. This latter sport he followed up to the time of his death, December 28, 1859.
Among other early settlers was Noble McKim, who came into the southeast part of the precinct in 1838.
Captain Samuel Summers came from Marysville, Kentucky, to Nauvoo in 1833, where he remained for a short time, and from there he came to this county. He was here before there were any schools or churches. The first school was in what is now known as Snake Hollow. This was somewhere in the forties. The school was taught by a man by the name of John E. Coleman. The first preacher was a man by the name of Booth. The services were held at Major Rose's residence.
The first school in the precinct was taught by a daughter of Major Rose in an old log building standing on section 15, and now used by Robert Pence as a granary.
George W. Logan was an early settler, coming here from Indiana in 1841, and staid a short time, returning to Indiana. He came a second time in 1853, and has since had his home here.
George W. Cartright, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere, came in 1848 and settled near where he now lives.
John Paul, an old and respected citizen, came in 1844, settling on section 34, where he still lives.
Michael Crane, who was a prominent man here years ago, came in 1835. He was a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, emigrat- ing from there by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He was at one time an associate justice of the county.
Joseph Kirby, one of the most successful men of the precinct, was born in Maryland in 1822. From there he went to Ohio, and from there to this vicinity in 1837, coming to Henderson county a few years later. He died in 1878.
Jacob Millman, who is now perhaps the oldest man in the vicinity, came here in 1837. He is a native of Virginia, and was born 1797. His father was a Hessian soldier in the employ of the British, and was taken prisoner at Trenton. Subsequently he allied himself to the patriot band who were struggling for liberty. After the war he settled in Greenbrier county, where Jacob was born.
W. H. Gittings, a native of Kentucky, came to Hancock county in 1834, and to this county in 1838. He was one of the most successful men who have lived in the precinct. He died some years since, leav- ing a large family in good circumstances.
Apm. B. Dean.
1203
HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
There are in the precinet three school-houses, known as Snake Hollow, Honey Creek, and Union. They are all in a flourishing con- dition ; the two former have good and substantial frame buildings.
The town of Lomax was surveyed and platted at the instance of the Lomaxes in the spring of 1869, by Isaac Hartford. The plat was never made a matter of record. In consequence of this, J. Wilson Williams resurveyed and replatted the town for R. A. Lomax during the spring of the present year, and it has been properly and duly recorded. The first business here was the opening of the station by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad on January 1, 1870, the road having been built the year previous. During the same year Foggy & Lomax opened a general stock of merchandise. Mr. Foggy retired in 1874, and the firm became R. A. Lomax & Co., the company being Mr. William Lomax, the father of R. A. The firm changed in 1878 to R. A. Lomax, who yet continues the business in a prosperous and creditable manner.
In 1871 a blacksmithing business was begun by Robert Forquar, which he sold to William Cox in 1876, who now does a paying business at the trade.
Early in the history of the place James Rhodes & Co. opened a general stock of merchandise. They closed out their stock and retired from business in 1875.
In the spring of 1881 Dr. W. H. Ball opened a stock of drugs here. He was succeeded by Mr. C. W. Cluff a year later. The only physician in the place is O. H. Russell, M.D., who is a graduate of a first-class medical school, and a man of no mean talent in his profession.
The town was named for Mr. William Lomax, who was one of the most successful, enterprising and highly-esteemed men who ever came to this section, of whom a biography is given in our personal sketches. This little town, started a few years ago, now does no mean business, Mr. Lomax being ever ready to buy anything the farmers may have to put on the market. The aggregate of grain, live stock, and other things which find a market through him, annually amounts to many thousands of dollars.
LOMAX METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
A public meeting was held at Union school, Lomax, June 28, 1871, to take the necessary steps toward building a church. Messrs. William Lomax, Robert Crownover and William Curry were chosen as building committee. At a meeting held August 9, the same year, seven trustees were elected, as follows : Wm. Curry, J. Beardsly, Robert Crownover, Robert A. Lomax, Abram Ashur, Samuel Vaughn, and Jacob Millman.
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1204
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
It was finally concluded to build a substantial frame structure, at a cost of about $2,000, to be open to all denominations, the plan being 32×48 feet, without any ornamentation. The money was readily raised by subscription, and during the year the building was finished. The conditions upon which other denominations were to use the build- ing were, that they should bear a proportionate share of the expenses. This the Baptist organization agreed to do, but failed in it, and at a public meeting held November 20, 1878, the trustees resolved to exclude them until they fulfilled the conditions of the contract. The Methodists have now full control of the building, and the church is in a prosperous condition, at least financially.
DALLAS CITY
Lies within the bounds of both Henderson and Hancock counties, on the east bank of the Mississippi. The name "Dallas," in its applica- tion to this place, originated with John M. Finch, who came here in 1844. At that time there was but one house within the present con- fines of the town. Mr. Finch and W. H. Rollosson opened a store and commenced the erection of a warehouse. While talking with some persons one day, some one asked Mr. Finch what name they were going to give the town ? He always being ready with an answer, replied : "The island in front of the town is called 'Polk,' and I think it nothing more than meet and proper that the honors should be divided, so we will call the place 'Dallas,' in honor of our candidate for the vice-presidency." Subsequently, at the incorporation, it was found that there was another Dallas in the state, and "City" was added, that the two might not conflict.
The first postoffice here was called East Bend, from the bend in the river, and was kept by Mr. Finch. That portion of the town which lies within Henderson county was surveyed and platted by J. Wilson Williams, deputy surveyor of Henderson county, for W. H. Rollosson, in October, 1848, and is on the southwest fractional quarter of Sec. 35, T. S, R. 7. The lines of the plat run diagonally with the points of the compass and parallel with the river. A number of the buildings stand in both counties. By an act of the people represented in general assembly, approved February 18, 1859, the town was incor- porated as a body politic and corporate. The same act named the following as a board of incorporation : Wm. H. Rollosson, R. W. Brewer, Theodore Rea, John Gibbs, James Gassaway, John M. Finch, Daniel G. Baldwin and B. F. Newlon, who were to meet on the first Monday of May ensuing, divide the city into wards and call an election. This was done, and Dallas City became an incorporated town.
1205
HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
The first postoffice here was established in 1844, with John M. Finch as postmaster.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
The Lomax family are among the most prominent of Henderson county. The grandfather of the subject of the present sketch, Robert Lomax, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, June 25, 1775. He grew to manhood in his native place ; was educated in private schools, learned the trade of a carpenter, and married Miss Anna Dwiggins, a native of Carolina, who was born November 5, 1779. She was the daughter of Robert and Sarah Dwiggins. In 1811 he emigrated to Clinton county, Ohio, where he commenced farming ; came to Hen- derson county in 1830 and settled on Sec. 22, T. 8, R. 6. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. Mr. Lomax was a whig and republican in politics. The father of our subject was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, December 12, 1801, and at his father's removal to Clinton county, Ohio, he came with him. He was raised on a farm and received a common school education. He was married to Mary Rankin, daughter of William and Elizabeth Rankin. . Mr. Rankin was a native of Ireland, and came to this country at the age of eleven years. Mrs. Rankin's maiden name was Cray. Mr. Lomax removed to Henderson county in 1853 and settled on Sec. 22, T. S, R. 6, and engaged in farming and stock raising. A few years after coming here he was elected and served a term as associate judge. He was the father of two children : Elizabeth Lomax, born January 28, 1836, married to Adam Foggy January 28, 1859 (who now live at West Point, Iowa), and ROBERT A. LOMAX, the subject of this writ- ing, born January 31, 1842. Mr. Lomax died September 7, 1878, and lies buried at Terre Haute cemetery. Robert A. was born in Clinton county, Ohio, and with his father removed to Henderson county in 1853. His youth was spent on the farm and in the common schools. He attended Denmark Academy, Denmark, Iowa. He followed farm- ing until 1871, when he engaged in the dry goods and farming imple- ment business at Lomax, a place named for his father. In 1874 he closed out the business in farming implements and commenced to buy grain, in which he is yet engaged. He is township treasurer, and November 8, 1881, was elected county commissioner. He is a mem- ber of Carman Lodge of Masons, No. 732, and in politics is a straight republican. March 22, 1871, he married Miss Arminia D. Paul, who was born June 6, 1842. She is the daughter of M. C. and Mary Paul. The Pauls are originally New Yorkers. Mr. Lomax owns a splendid farm of more than a thousand acres.
1206
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
The forefathers of William K. Gittings, one of the pioneers, were from England. Before the revolutionary war they came to the United States, finding a home in Baltimore county, Maryland. The father of our subject, Kinsey Gittings, who had married Miss Mary Clem- mons, removed from Maryland to Washington county, Kentucky, while yet the country was almost in its primitive state. With resolution born of the surrounding circumstances, he went to work as a farmer, which he ever followed until his death, in 1830, at the age of sixty-five years. He left a wife and six children. The wife died in 1840. The eldest son, WILLIAM H. GITTINGS, who was born in Maryland March 12, 1792, was brought up on his father's farm in Kentucky, receiving a very meager education. Here he lived and worked at farming or flat- boating to New Orleans. In October, 1818, he wedded Miss Eleanor, a daughter of Richard and Mary Mudd, of Maryland. Richard Mudd served in the revolutionary war as an officer under Washington. Soon after the war he with his family removed .to Kentucky. After his marriage he lived in Union, county, Kentucky, where nine children were born to him. In 1834 he moved to Illinois, stopping for a year in Morgan county. . In 1835 he moved to Hancock county and settled on section 7 in Fountain Green township, where he afterward bought 180 acres of partly improved land. In 1839 he removed to section 25, Honey Creek township, T. S, R. 6, in Henderson county, where he resided until his death, November 7, 1869. When he came to this vicinity he had nothing with which to start, but afterward, by prudence and economy, became one of the wealthiest as well as one of the most highly respected men of the county. He was a whig in politics, and was once his party's choice for the state senate. His wife was born October 20, 1794, and died June 12, 1855. This pair of worthy ones lie resting side by side on the apex of the mound which bears their name, and is known far and wide for the splendid view which can be had from it. Of a family of fifteen children, ten are married and living. Win. K. lives near, in Hancock county, and is one of its most staunch and reliable citizens. B. B. yet remains on a part of the old homestead. It might truly have been said of Mr. Gettings : "Life every man holds dear, but the dear man holds honor far more precious, dearer than life."
BENJAMIN BERRY GITTINGS was born in Union county, Kentucky, October 6, 1828. He is the son of Wm. H. and Eleanor Gittings. He removed with his father from Kentucky to Illinois in 1834, and settled with him in 1839 in Henderson county. Here he grew to manhood, inured to hard toil. While riding over the old homestead with the writer, he pointed out fields which he broke when a boy.
1207
HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
The old homestead consisted of more than 1,000 acres. September 28, 1854, he married Miss Sarah Ann Howard, daughter of Thomas and Martha Howard, of Monticello, Missouri. She was born in Ken- tucky, June 16, 1834. They have no children ; are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Gittings is a democrat in politics. A few years ago he was so unfortunate as to be stricken by paralysis, from which he has only partially recovered.
CORNELIUS CLOVER, one of the early and more prominent settlers, was born in Greene county, New York, March 21, 1794. Here he grew to manhood, and when the war of 1812 broke out he was found among those who were battling against the "right of impressment." He was with the army of the North, and for a long time was stationed at Sackett's Harbor. Returning and laying aside the habiliments of war, on July 29, 1818, he was wedded to Miss Rebecca Parsons. Having caught the spirit of the times, he turned his face westward and found a home within the forests of Jennings county, Indiana, where death stole quietly among them, and Rebecca, the noble wife and tender mother, was laid away to rest. 'On November 27, 1833, he was a second time married, the woman of his choice being Narcissa Billingsly, and two years later he removed to Warren county, Illinois. From there, in 1852, he came to this county, settling on Sec. 3, T. S, R. 6, where, on April 5, 1863, he died, respected by all who knew him, and leaving behind him a competence. Two of the sons, Josephus and John, now live on the old homestead.
Rev. JACOB R. KING, of Lomax, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1845. His parents were born in the same county, and were of Hollandish extraction. His youth was spent attending school and in the pursuit of agriculture. He came to Illinois in 1856, with his people, and was sent to Denmark Academy, where he received an academical education. In 1864 he connected himself with the Congregational church, and the following year became a mem- ber of the United Brethren in Christ. In 1869 he was admitted to the annual conference of Illinois, since which time he has been en- gaged in the work of winning souls to Christ. For the past eleven years he has been very actively engaged with his duties as a minister. He was married to a Miss George in 1877. He is a republican in politics.
WILLIAM B. DEAN was born in Roscommon county, Ireland, Feb- ruary 16, 1809. He was the son of William and Elizabeth (Hygins) Dean. At the age of seventeen. to better his fortunes, Mr. Dean left his native heath for America, first settling in New York, where he remained some years, but finally found himself at Port William, Ohio.
1208
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
March 17, 1841, he was married to Miss Margaret Ann Rankin, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Rankin, of Clinton, Ohio. In 1853 they came to Illinois and settled in township 8, range 6, Henderson county. Mr. Dean was a farmer, and was successful in money making. He died June 14, 1872, leaving his heirs well provided for. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin were the parents of seven children : Bartley Rankin, born January 28, 1872; William Lomax, born March 2, 1843 ; Albert and Alfred, twins, born March 14, 1845 ; Mary Elizabeth, born October 3, 1848 ; Arthur, born October 12, 1850 ; Charles Edward Franklin, born April 1, 1861, died June 10, 1869.
Judge JOIN LOGAN was born in Fayette county, Indiana, March 20, 1822. His parents were very respectable farmers, who settled in Henderson county in the autumn of 1839. Their names were Samuel and Susan (Guffy) Logan. With the help of their sons, John foremost among them, they went to work with a will on a farm, and experienced all the hardships incident to pioneer life. The youthful and stalwart John became smitten with the charms of Miss Delilah Ann, daughter of Edward Davis, an early settler in Hancock county. The young lady looked favorably upon his wooings and they were married. In 1853 Mr. Logan was elected to an associate judgeship of the county, serving with Judges Downey, Richey and Hopper. Mr. Logan, al- though his chances for an education were meager, has succeeded in collecting a good store of information. He has always followed the business of a farmer, only when interrupted by his public duties. He is the father of ten children : Susan, Alexander Taylor, Mary, Jane, Nancy, Elmira, John, William, Nannie and Lincoln.
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