USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 14
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 14
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he is not surprised to learn that his columns were stamped with the rough strength and active ability of his tireless brain. IIe was in control only six months when he sold his paper to Theodore Glancey, in whom there was a curious combination of youth and manhood, and who published what was regarded as a very sprightly paper. In March, 1870, he disposed of his office to an Iowa purchaser who moved it away ; but early in September, 1871, he resumed the busi- ness and issued the first number of the "West End Kerana," which was afterward called simply " Kerana." He soon associated Henry Hurst with himself as partner, but this not turning out to be a felici- tous arrangement, Hurst parted with his interest to Edward Thomas. In the spring of 1873 they sold the office and it was moved to other parts.
Some allusion to Mr. Glancey's life and sad end cannot be omitted in this place. He was a native of Mercer county and reared in Abing- ton township, where the survivors of his father's family yet reside. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted as a private in company I, 17th Ill. Vol., and served till the expiration of his three years' term, and was mustered out as first lieutenant. Soon afterward, as already observed, he engaged in the newspaper business ; and after its. final relinquishment in Keithsburg, went to California where, in March, 1874, he became managing editor of the "Placer Argus." In 1880, he became editor-in-chief of the "Los Angeles Press," a republican organ, and in September of that year Clarence Gray, alias Maginiss, a man of dissolute reputation, republican candidate for district attorney, feel- ing himself aggrieved at Glancey's strictures upon his character, foully assassinated him when he was unarmed, without giving opportunity for defense. He lived nineteen hours, at times in great suffering, but conscious to the last and full of courage. His last words just before he expired were: "Tell my friends that I die like a man -die for principle ; and that I would not go back on it now if I could." He · was high-tempered, self-willed, pugnacious ; but earnest, courteous and generous. Strong but honest in bias, he uttered his convictions with great boldness. Whatever opinions were ever formed of his methods, his sincerity was always unquestioned. He was a good speaker, and as a writer is said to have been one of the best on the country press.
About the first of April, 1874, W. C. Brown started the "Keithsburg News," but before the first year was up he sold to Taylor & Blackman. The latter died in September, 1876, and the following spring William H. Heaton bought the office from the Hon. T. B. Cabeen and C. A. Frick, and issued his first number May 17. This is a live paper,
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
abounding in reliable news, crisp and pungent paragraphs and edito- rials, temperate and wholesome in their tone, and it receives from the public solid support. It has been a greenback paper since Mr. Heaton became proprietor ; and it is worthy of remark that he has been longer in the publishing business in Keithsburg than any other man who has attempted to conduct a paper in the place. Mr. Heaton is an easy, rapid, off-hand writer who culls from the mass of daily happenings with true journalistic care and judgment, and who brings to his aid in the profession a thoroughly practical knowledge of men and affairs. To be racy and entertaining he does not believe it necessary to be a scav- enger, nor to be always squinting at the immoral side of things which he has the sagacity to see is relished only by a loose and depraved sentiment. His taste is not in this direction, nor does it run toward public criticism of private character. But to uphold the welfare of the community according to his judgment, and to encourage and defend all that is worthy, engages on his part the closest interest. To do this work he does not want for spirit or independence. In May of this year (1882) his paper was enlarged from a seven to an eight-column sheet, which may be taken as evidence of its growing prosperity. He is efficiently assisted by his wife, who is a fine specimen of healthful womanhood and a lady of education and great good sense. Recently he has associated her name with his own as co-editor.
Mr. Heaton was born November 13, 1828, on a farm in Clark county, Ohio, about ten miles east of Springfield. He was the second son of a family of twelve children, six boys and six girls. Of the boys John Heaton, of Red Bluff, California, and the subject of this notice are the only ones now living. The daughters are all married and mothers of children. William came with his father, James Heaton, to Illinois in 1836. He was given a good English education ; he attended a high school in Paris, Illinois, two years, and though he was the youngest pupil enrolled he was too far advanced for the district school of that day. He learned with facility but always preferred hard work to hard study, which agreed better with his rather delicate constitution. He labored on a farm, taught school in the winter, clerked in dry goods and grocery stores ; but these were not congenial to his love of out-door work, sport and exercise. In 1852, he and his father and brother George engaged in farming and buying raw prairie land in Henderson county. He broke prairie four years for himself and his neighbors ; the two last years he worked twenty-eight head, or fourteen yoke of oxen, and used plows which cut a furrow thirty inches wide. In this way he paid for and improved a half section of land. He was married February 17, 1863, to Miss Millecent E. Davis, of Abingdon, Knox county, and
DANIEL MOWRY.
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KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP.
lived on the farm with his young wife five years. In 1868 he rented his farm and moved to Abingdon, and for two years was engaged in traveling for the Wier Plow Company, of Monmouth. Getting tired of being away from his family, he was persuaded to buy a newspaper office, which he did in 1870, and started a democratic paper which he called the "Knox County Democrat." With this enterprise he was very successful, but at the end of six years sold the office at a large advance on the cost of the same when new. He made arrangements to go to his brother, who was then in Texas engaged on a large scale in the stock business, and by whom he was advised that it was not safe to bring his children to that climate before the autumn season. He heeded this advice, and while waiting in the north was allured into pur- chasing a half interest in the Hannibal, Missouri, "Clipper," for which he paid $3,000 down. In this office he spent most of his money in trying to keep the business and his partner out of debt. In April, 1877, he and his wife visited his aged father and mother, at Keithsburg, and while here was induced to purchase the "Keithsburg News," which had been taken on a debt. He went forthwith to Hannibal and sold his interest in the "Clipper" office to his partner, taking promissory notes which he still holds. Under his management the "News " has been a successful venture ; not a dollar is owing on the office, and the paper has just been enlarged. Through the indefatigable energy of Mrs. Heaton, they have purchased a small farm a mile northeast of the town, on the Aledo road, and christened it "The Wilderness." Here they live in domestic enjoyment with their six happy, sprightly and intelli- · gent children, who read and work, and bless and enliven the home of their parents. It gives us pleasure to say that no happier house- hold exists in all the land. Mrs. Heaton keeps her husband's books and writes most of his correspondence, and he holds that her help is invaluable. In his judgment every newspaper man ought to marry an intelligent wife and give her his entire confidence-a sentiment which does honor to both head and heart of its author.
The "Keithsburg Times," an independent weekly, was established by Richard Wolfe and H. C. Cook, the first number being issued June 8, 1881. December 23d Mr. Cook withdrew, and the publication of the paper was continued by Mr. Wolfe until its suspension, April 12, 1882. The latter, son of Washington and Rebecca (Marlott) Wolfe, is a native of this county, was born in 1852, and reared a tiller of the soil. His parents emigrated from Wayne county, Indiana, to Mercer county subsequently to 1840. From 1861 to 1866 he lived in Keithsburg; in 1872 he matriculated at Hedding College, where he was in attendance
9
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
one year, and since that time he has taught school irregularly. In 1875 he began reading law in the office of B. C. Taliaferro and studied the required time, but has never been admitted.
R. S. Scudder brought the "Keithsburg Independent" here in March, 1880, and kept it alive about six months. It was printed by the "Burlington Hawkeye."
SCHOOLS.
It was many years from the first settlement before any educational progress had been made. Settlers were few, everything was in a rough state, all improvements had to be supplied by slow and hard toil ; ground broken up, timber felled, cabins built, fences made ; so that rigid muscle was the first demand, while little use was found for books, and pictures, and teachers.
But the schoolmaster came at last, and his dominion has grown more powerful than church and more extensive than state. The begin- nings were of the feeblest character. One term in a year was thought to be a good achievement, and indeed it was for the frontier ; but who would think of calling this the frontier as late as 1847 or 1848? Fifteen years had elapsed since the Black Hawk war. Children had passed the school age in that time. Does it not seem to our young friends that it must have been a gloomy era ? We dare say that it was not less joyous than the present. Wants were fewer then than now, and the greater number of to-day are not more easily satisfied. Then they were supplied without vexation, because they were mostly natural ; but now they are gratified with sensible, if not painful, effort, for the . reason that they are largely artificial. Intellectual attainments cost. something ; physical power is the gift of nature. In the former time hewers of wood and drawers of water were of the first station, eco- nomically, for they accomplished that which was the chief necessity- material development. Education was less valued when bone and sinew held sway, but mind has taken the throne of power, and skilled labor and intelligent machinery, to use a figure, have driven blind force into the rayless gloom beneath the feet of the majority. Acquire- ments which mean cost to the possessor, the world demands of him with all ease. Hence the multiplication of wants and the sharper struggle.
At first there was little public money, and schools were maintained by subscription. In this township the school section, number 16, was surveyed and classified with the swamp lands. It was but a fractional tract, and the trustees made a selection on section 9, but did not get the
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quota to which the township was entitled. It was all timber land and was sold in small lots varying in price from $2.50 to $10 per acre.
" Delightful task ! to rear the tender thought, To teach the young idea how to shoot."
The first school in Keithsburg was taught in a log cabin on the lot now occupied by C. S. Orth's house. This was in the summer of 1846, and Thomas Libby was the teacher. Isaac Bliss taught next in 1847 in a vacant cabin in Robert Keith's dooryard. The third pedagogue was John Heaton, who had a school in 1848 in a small frame house on the site of Dennis Murto's residence. He taught also in 1849. Mrs. Lucretia Freeman opened a small school in the summer of that year in the brick building belonging to Mrs. Isaac McManus.
The first school-house was a brick structure built in 1849 on lot 3, block 13, the site of the present Methodist parsonage. John C. Pepper, who had just arrived, and was preparing for the bar, was employed to teach. He filled three terms and yielded the post to Isaac N. Smith, who was at the head of the school through the following winter, and was assisted by Mrs. Freeman. Harvey Senter was the principal from the fall of 1851 to 1855. He was an instructor of excellent capabilities, ingenious in resource, practical in method, untiring in effort, sharp in discipline, and a splendid arithmetician. He died in Aledo a few years ago. N. P. Brown took his place and taught the last term in the old school-house. This building had been erected by private subscription on a lot donated to the public by Robert Keith so long as it should be used for school purposes. The donor deferred the conveyance till suit was brought to compel such performance, but on his promise to execute a deed the action was withdrawn ; still he failed to carry out the agree- ment, and afterward sold the property to the Methodists.
The main part of the present building was erected, as near as we can learn, in 1856, and was dedicated by Warren Shedd, who was. principal about two years. He served in the war of the rebellion as: colonel of the 30th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. His death in Montana occurred in 1881. No records of this distant period can be found, and the recollections of men fail at this point.
T. C. Swafford, of New Boston, a printer by trade, was principal in the year 1862-3. He died in the profession at Oneida, Knox county, in 1878. 'Isaac McManus taught about 1867. The principalship has been held by the following persons : William A. Wray, 1869-70; John P. Chowning, 1870-71; C. W. Searles, 1871-2; W. H. Farris, 1872-3; E. H. Jamison, 1873-6; William A. Griffin, 1876-80; B. V. Leonard, 1880-81; William A Willits, 1881-2. I. Cook Brisbin and
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Philip Weaver were teachers of good reputation in the lower depart- ments in the long ago, prior to the war. Rebecca Weaver and Josie L. Calhoun taught several years in succession at a later period. Of the present teachers Miss J. Hannah Willits presides over the grammar department, and has been connected with the school as teacher nearly twenty years. Miss Julia Willett is employed in the first intermediate, Miss Mary Thomson in the second, Miss Alice Sheriff in the third, and R. W. Kile in the primary. Mr. Kile commenced in the school in 1865, and since 1870 has been continuously employed. He first began teaching in Ohio in 1846. In the spring of 1850 he emigrated to this town, and has taught until the present time without intermission, excepting three years when he was fighting the battles of his country.
The school-house is a strong, two-story brick edifice, with low ceilings, but apartments that are models of neatness and taste. They are all seated with patent furniture and heated with Snead's school room heater and ventilator, and supplied with necessary charts and apparatus of approved kinds. The main part is 30X56 feet on the foundation, and the wing in the rear, built in 1875, is 26×36 feet in dimension. The location is on block 7, second addition. This is the best school building in Mercer county. Under its efficient manage- ment for several years past the school has taken a rank inferior to no other of similar grade anywhere.
In Keithsburg select schools have flourished with no common success, and their number has not been small. As far back as the autumn of 1855 a Miss Mulky opened a female seminary in Apollo Hall. She retired from the work at the close of the spring term of 1857. The Misses Todd immediately organized the Keithsburg Seminary, but it is not known how long it was continued. The sessions were held in the Methodist church. The Rev. C. M. Wright started the Mercer Female College in 1863, in the Orth house, subsequently occupying the Masonic building. Late in 1864 the reverend educator · was commissioned chaplain of the 102d Ill. reg., on the request of the rank and file, and at once departed for his new field of labor. He was very ably assisted by the Misses Mary W. Evans and Emily J. Whit- lock, from Pennsylvania, and probably by Miss Louisa B. Gass. The first two ladies remained in charge of the school after Wright's with- drawal, and the institution was kept up about three years. J. S. McMillan, another tutor of rare qualification, gave instruction there immediately after, and Miss Gass kept select schools in the same place. Mrs. Lou Kessel also taught several schools of the same class. Five or six years ago W. P. Allen had a business school in Apollo Hall. These do not comprise all, but are the principal ones. The veteran
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pedagogue, Rezin W. Kile, has organized and taught numerous "pay schools." These private schools have usually been well patronized.
Until recently this township was divided into but two districts. It now contains three, and will likely remain without important change for a long time. District No. 2 extends from east to west across the north part of the township and is two miles wide north and south. No. 3 embraces sections 14, 24, part of 23, including Upper Keiths- burg, and all of 13, except the E. ¿ N. E. 4, which, with sections 25 and 36, is attached to Abington for school purposes. The rest of the township constitutes No. 1, having Keithsburg in the center. District No. 3 was formed from No. 1, after a long and determined contest. The first effort for a division was made about eight years ago. A vote had been taken on the question of authorizing a bonded debt to enlarge the school-house in Keithsburg, and was adversely decided. As soon as the movement for a division was begun the opportunity was seized by those favoring the extension (which was seriously needed) to obtain the necessary authority by election. As the law then stood a district with a bonded debt could not be dismembered. Before the inhabitants in the proposed district began the agitation, the want of more room in the school building was not apparent to the majority. As soon as a separation was seriously attempted it was instantly recognized with sweeping unanimity. The debt was made and the addition built. The matter slumbered some two years, then the petitioners revived it, on the technical failure of the board of trustees to follow the exact require- ments of the law concerning the registration of the bonds. The trustees denied their prayer, and the subject was allowed to rest. In the mean- time the law was changed so as to permit a division of bonded districts and an apportionment of their liabilities. In 1880 the struggle was renewed. Some additions to the number of pupils had been made in the dissatisfied territory, and the bounds were now extended by the petitioners, enlarging the proposed district. They went to work this time with every advantage in their favor. The trustees again rejected their claims. The case went to the county superintendent on appeal. The application was successful. But before proceedings could be taken upon the order of the superintendent, an injunction was served upon the trustees and treasurer, restraining them from any action in the premises until the question should come before the circuit court of Mercer county for review. Here the decision of the superintendent was sustained. An appeal was next carried to the appellate court, sitting in Ottawa, and on February 28, 1881, the judgment of the lower court was affirmed. This victory was followed by the election of directors for the new district on March 19. These were H. S. Scott, David Pardee and
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
O. A. Wilson. The enumeration of scholars at this time was fifty- seven. A school-house was straightway built at an expense of $700.
RELIGION.
Preaching in Keithsburg was of irregular occurrence until near 1850. Several persons are mentioned as having held meetings before that time, but it was individual rather than organized work that was done. The Rev. Vail was probably the earliest Presbyterian, and the Rev. Crittenden was another who visited this locality at a somewhat later date. He was here in 1849, and very likely before and after. The Rev. Gregg, Universalist, held early meetings. Various Metho- dist ministers came to lead the hearts of men, but the names of most of them, no doubt, are lost. The Rev. Kirkpatrick is remembered, and the local preachers, Thomas L. Doughty, of New Boston, and James Ross, a United Brethren, of this township. The last two are best known, for they were a part of the people and their ministry covered longer periods. Services took place wherever a room could be found that would accommodate the small audiences. After 1845 Willett's warehouse was used; in 1849 the old briek school-house was built, and then resort was had to that; and in 1851 the court-house was finished, when that also was occupied for the same purpose.
The first Sunday school in Keithsburg, except one as early as 1844, in the cooper shop on block 13, corner of Main and Seventh streets, was started in August, 1849, and was founded and taught by John Heaton and Mrs. Lucretia Freeman. About two dozen little boys and girls were regular attendants. After thirty years' improvement in everything else, the editor of the "News" says "this was the best behaved school we were ever in, and was a complete success." They met from Sabbath to Sabbath on the lot where Dennis Murto's house is situated. In the spring of 1850 another school was organized in the brick school-house. Uncle John Kile was the superintendent, and W. H. Heaton secretary. At that day Mrs. Thomas Hiatt was the only Methodist living in the town, but a few months later the number was advaneed to two by the arrival of Col. George S. Pierce. Within two miles of town were John Wilson, James Gibson, B. L. Hardin, John Kile and John Eckley, all Methodists. These could not always attend, so it became necessary to reorganize the school, and W. L. Mathews was chosen superintendent, and B. C. Cabeen taught the bible class. Of the ladies, Mrs. Mathews, Mrs. Freeman, and Mrs. Hiatt were active workers. The young ladies were: Maggie and Emma Ungles. Mary Jane Mount, Maria Heaton, Mary Pie, and three by the name of Williamson. The singing, which J. W.
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Doughty led in splendid style, was excellent, and, according to testi- mony, has not since been excelled in Keithsburg. The present editor of the "News," writing of this school, says: "Uncle John Kile did the praying for the school when he was there. In his absence, the superintendent or secretary read from the scriptures, and a hymn was sung. We had a committee on attendance, and if a scholar or teacher was not in his or her place, next Sunday he or she was called on, and a reason had to be given and reported for absence. . We will remark that this school, for two years, was not under the auspices of any church, yet it embraced about all the children in the town."
The first circuit preaching was begun in the autumn of 1849 by the Rev. Pierce T. Rhodes, who was on the New Boston circuit and held meetings every two weeks. He was a man of too much business energy and capacity to fail to work up an interest favorable to the building of a meeting-house, and therefore we find that in the fall of 1851 a brick church was erected on the northwest corner of block 13, original plat, at a cost of some $1,600. It was not entirely finished and plastered till 1853. The Rev. Chandler, of Peoria, conducted the dedicatorial services. The Rev. C. M. Wright came shortly after, and
superseded Rhodes. From this time to 1860 the history of the church is a blank. In that year Keithsburg, which had heretofore belonged to the New Boston circuit, was erected into a separate one. Mr. B. L. Hardin furnishes a list of pastors from 1860, and we use it as it comes to our hands, although it does not complete the period by one year: Job Mills, two years ; - - Steward, two years; C. M. Wright, one year ; J. L. Phares, one year ; - Stafford, one year ; . G. W. Brown, one year; J. Winser, one year ; S. Brink, three years ; A. R. Morgan, two years; L. B. Dennis, one year; J. Smith, two years ; Richard Haney, one year; G. W. Martin, one year; C. B. Couch, one year ; and the present minister, H. S. Humes, who came upon this charge in the conference year 1881-2.
About 1856 the society purchased from Robert Keith the old brick school-house ; the walls they partly tore down and rebuilt for a parsonage on the original foundation.
The Rev. Stephen Brink conducted a great revival in 1871 and added over one hundred to the membership. He was a very popular preacher and successful revivalist, and taking the movement in the church at its highest tide led the society at once into building their present imposing edifice. This was done in the year 1872. The site was purchased from Bennett Hurst for $1,300 and the old church was taken by him in payment of $100. John McH. Wilson, B. L. Hardin, Dr. C. S. Hollingsworth, Merrick A. Weaver and William Gayle were
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