USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 31
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 31
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Of the domestic animals raised by the first settlers, it is a difficult matter to give anything like a pedigree. They were of various kinds and grades, such as the old pioneers happened to have on hand when they landed and settled down in their backwoods homes. At that early date but very little attention had been paid to blooded stock, and hogs and cattle were selected more on account of their qualities for
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PERRYTON TOWNSHIP.
picking their own living in the woods and on the prairies. George Miller, Sr., brought some fine brood mares with him to Sugar Grove, from Montgomery county, Indiana, in the fall of 1834. They were originally the foal of a Goliah dam, by a Mckinney roan sire, crossed by a Smiling Call horse, then by a cross from a Roanoke sire, and then next crossed with the Copper Bottom and the Flag. This stock was large, well proportioned, docile, and of fine spirit, and well suited for the early settlers. One Joseph Tichnor, a young man from Ohio, brought the first Berkshire hogs to Mercer county, and made quite a speculation out of them in the Sugar Grove settlements. George Miller, Sr., brought from Indiana with him a lot of hogs that were a cross between the large China and the large white Shaker hog; they were long, large, heavy-boned, and thought to be as easily fattened as the China. Abraham Miller killed one of this breed in the early history of the Sugar Grove settlement that weighed over five hundred pounds, and thinks he could have been made to weigh seven hundred. Later, a few pigs were introduced of the Byefield and Bedford stock. The Berkshire was regarded as a failure. The stock of cattle were a mixed breed, between the old scrub and the Durham, Patton, etc. They made fine, large work oxen, good milkers, and excellent beef. The sheep were of the commonest stock, and no more were kept than answered the purpose of making the necessary clothing. The little flocks of sheep were highly esteemed by the pioneers, because of their usefulness in furnishing clothing, and they were carefully protected from the depredations of the wolves, as they seemed to have a strong hankering after mutton. This appetite resulted in the destruction of the entire race of the large wolves, and almost all of the prairie wolves, by the writer, whose serious loss in sheep compelled him to resort to an extensive use of strychnine, used in bait to accomplish their destruc- tion. After 1845 the wolves had become so thoroughly extinguished as to occasion no more losses or annoyance to owners of sheep.
Deer were quite plentiful in the early history of Perryton, so much so as to furnish a large portion of the meat required for the table. Of the deer and their habits, much could be written which would no doubt prove an interesting part of this record, but I will desist with the sim- ple relation a fight between two buck deer, witnessed by a pioneer near where the town of Millersburg now stands. When first noticed, they were plunging and pushing at each other, with horns interlocked and in a manner peculiar to these animals. Their horns could be heard rat- tling against each other quite distinctly for a distance of three hundred - yards. They were both large bucks, one of them a monster of his species, and the struggle between them a fierce one. After watching
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IIISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
with deep interest for about one hour, our informant closed in to a dis- tance of about forty yards and awaited an opportunity to get a good square shot. From the extraordinary size of the larger buck he was satisfied that it was the same one that had acquired the designation of "The Town Buck " from the hunters in the settlement, because of his great size, and because of frequent visits to the township, and suc- cessful efforts in always escaping. To capture such a prize would have been regarded as a great honor among the hunters, so our relator was watchful and wary. The bucks kept continually Innging at each other so that it was impossible to get a safe shot. Finally the smaller one broke away and ran off pursued by the larger. Knowing their habits, pursuit was given and the "Town Buck " soon fell a victim to the rapacity of the hunter. The fame of this affair spread for a great distance, as the buck was one of the largest ever seen by hunters who had grown gray in pioneer life.
The tribes of Indians roaming about Mercer county in its first set- tlement were the Sacs and Foxes. The Fox tribe, about the time of the Black Hawk war, formed a union with the Sacs, and became a tribe known as the Fox and Sac. They were large, strong, active, brave and warlike, and used all of the weapons of Indian warfare with great skill. This tribe was formerly headed by the famous warrior Black Hawk. After the war known as the Black Hawk war, he was degraded from his chieftainship because of his counsel in favor of peace. Abraham Miller relates that he saw Black Hawk, with his twelve braves, who always accompanied him after his downfall, strike their evening camp on the bank of the Mississippi, at the mouth of Sturgeon Bay, near New Boston. They were on a last visit to the grave of Black Hawk's daughter, who was buried there in a grove of black oaks. For their evening meal they boiled a pole-cat which they did not even trouble themselves to take the hair off, but the hair sim- mered to the surface of the stew. When sufficiently cooked, Black Hawk gave to each a share of the savory meal ; the first received the head, and so on until all were served. Black Hawk then wore about his neck a long string of silver medals, which had been presented to him by the government, and by English fur companies. Occasionally some few Miamis and Potawottomies wandered through the county, but not to remain. The headquarters of the Winnebagos for the winter season was on the banks of the Mississippi, in Mercer county, a short distance above New Boston. They could there winter their ponies better than elsewhere, in consequence of the tall grass that grew along the bays. Sugar Grove was a great camping-ground for the Indians at one time, especially on the south side along Edwards river.
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PERRYTON TOWNSHIP.
The Indian name of this was "Big Turtle river." When the Miller's first settled at the Grove, the Indians had a large encampment there for making sugar, with quite a large wigwam made of poles and covered with bark.
The early history of Perryton, thus hastily and briefly written at moments of leisure, and under many adverse circumstances pertaining to lack of data and conflict of facts, will, I hope, possess the certain interest always attaching to the record of that which has passed away, never to return. It is the reflection rather of a period of pioneer life that long ago ceased to exist, the mirror of an irrevocable past, the grim romance of the adventurous life of the early settler. None of us who were living and moved in the scenes of pioneer settlement ever, in brightest anticipation, contemplated the possibility of such changes as have been brought by the advancing tide of civilization. Never in fondest dreams did the pioneer picture the transition that has actually taken place. The fields have been made to bloom and yield most bountifully of the products which make nations prosperous, thus con- tributing to their happiness. Many of those who are now enjoying the fruits of the labors of the early pioneers have but little conception of what it cost in hardships and privations to open up the wilderness, and when they read of the trials encountered, the adventures endured, to accomplish this result, they can only realize it in the light of a pleasant romance. While the rising generation are amassing wealth in a life of comparative luxury, we, the earlier settlers yet living, experience a lively sense of gratitude in the thought that our hands contributed so materially to the building up of the present condition of prosperity and happiness of those who are now occupying the beautiful homes and magnificent farms to be found in Perryton.
[To the foregoing, contributed by Mr. Lee, we append a few notes relative to the organizations of the township .- ED. ]
HAMLET.
The village of Hamlet, located one mile south of the north line and three miles west of the east line of the township, was laid ont on the land of Josiah and Capt. D. M. Candor, in 1868, and was christened Hamlet, in honor of Hamlet Cooper, now deceased, one of the very first of the pioneers to locate in this section of the country. The prog- ress of the village has been slow, owing to its proximity to Reynolds, the nearest railroad town, but it is one of those quiet country villages where the farmers in the community go for their mail and spend a short time in social converse. The first store erected in the place was that of Josiah and Capt. D. M. Candor, who dealt in general merchan-
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
dise. The latter of the Candor brothers has at this writing withdrawn from the firm ; the former yet continues in the business. Lloyd Girton opened the second store. The first blacksmith shop was opened here by Thomas Lewis. The business houses of the village are one harness shop, one store of general merchandise, by Josiah Candor, one drug store, by Dr. Criswell, one wagon and blacksmith shop, by A. T. Hooples and D. M. Dumbell and son. The village has a good local trade, and has a population of about 125 persons. The postoffice now kept at Hamlet was first established in this neighborhood in 1854. The office was first kept by Graham Lee, who held it till 1869, when it was moved to Hamlet, and Josiah Condor appointed postmaster. He has since continued to hold the office without cessation.
The Presbyterian church of Hamlet was organized in 1870. Pre- vious to the organization here the members of this faith held their membership in the societies of the surrounding country, the greater part at Millersburg. The first members that constituted the church were thirty-two in number. The society was organized by Thomas M. Wilson, W. S. Dool, and T. R. Johnson. Previous to the organization they had preaching in the school-house one mile west of the village, but not regularly. Those present at the organization were : F. A. Sherer, moderator; William S. Dool, C. B. Bristol, Daniel Kelly, T. R. Johnson, and William W. Morehead. The elders were : Thomas Candor and J. M. Gilmore. Of the thirty-two members who consti- tuted the organization in the beginning, fifteen were dismissed from the society at Edgington Mills, Rock Island county ; thirteen from the Millersburg society ; the remaining four were not members of any particular society here at that time. The first elders appointed were : Cornelius Swartwout, J. S. Gilmore, and John Montgomery. The present elders are : William H. Wheaton, D. M. Candor, and John Montgomery. The present membership is eighty-five. The society has a very neat frame church, 36×50, erected at a cost of $3,000. Since its organization it has supported and kept in operation a live Sunday school. The ministers who have labored here are T. M. Wilson and H. W. Fisk, since the organization; the former from 1870 to 1872; the latter from 1873, and is at this time pastor of this charge. The membership of this society represents most of the first families in this community. This is the only church organization in the village.
There is another Presbyterian society in the township, south of Camp creek, known as the Perryton Presbyterian church society. This society was organized in 1871. The first meeting preliminary to the organization was held February 18 of the same year. It is connected
319
PERRYTON TOWNSHIP.
with the society at Hamlet. At the above meeting a committee was appointed, consisting of J. Harris, William Doak, and Cruser Gray, for the purpose of erecting a church-house. This committee located the church at Gingles' Corner, in conformity with the will of the mnem- bers. The church is a neat, frame edifice, erected at a cost of $2,100. It was dedicated in 1872, out of debt. The society at its organization numbered thirty communicants ; but from various causes, over which the church has no control, it now numbers only twelve active members. Its pastors are the same as those of the Hamlet society. Previous to effecting the organization, the people of this faith held their meetings at the school-house near by, but like the members of the society at Hamlet, were members of the societies of the same faith at other places. The first members who constituted the society were Samuel and Frank McHard, Mrs. Jane Martha McHard, Martha Blue, Sarah Doak, Mary J. and J. Harris, Mary Guffy, Mary A. Bristow, and William McHard, Sr. The society supports a very good Sunday school.
The only Baptist church in the township was located in 1871, near where the Methodist Episcopal church now stands. It was organized in 1869. Almost from the first settlement of the township the Baptist people were represented, but built no church-house; they held their meetings in private houses and school-houses, and held their member- ship principally at Edgington, in Rock Island county. Their first and only church building in the township was a frame, erected in 1869, two and a half miles east of Hamlet, where it held its meetings till 1879, when the society moved its building to Reynolds, Rock Island county, where the members of the society now hold their membership. The first minister of the society in Perryton township was John Tittering- ton. The cost of the church as erected in Perryton township was $3,000; size, 30×38. It always supported a live Sunday school in connection with the church.
The Methodist Episcopal church, like the Presbyterian, came with the first settlers. They held their meetings in the pioneer days at private houses, and later at the school-house till 1869, when they built their present church-house two miles east of Hamlet. It cost $2,100, and in size is 30×44. At the time it was erected the society numbered thirty-six communicants, now numbers twelve. It has at various times lost many valuable members by removals, but the greatest loss was caused by the organization of a like society at Reynolds. The building committee were II. Ketzel, S. Honeycut and Holiday. The present pastor is Rev. J. Small ; class leader, Albion Nichols ; trustees,
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES,
. H. Ketzel, George Hauck, and Thomas Vannatta. Among its mem- bers have been and are many influential and prosperous citizens of Perryton.
Among the organizations of Perryton township, none are more deserving of mention than the Library Association of Hamlet. It was established in 1879, with a view of furnishing reading matter at a small cost to those who wished to invest in the enterprise. The first officers were: President, Graham Lee; Secretary, Edward Hollister. Mr. Lee still holds the office of president, W. C. Vandalsem is present active secretary. The first directors were : D. M. Candor, H. W. Fisk, and P. W. Dumbell. The present directors are: P. W. Dumbell, II. W. Fisk, Elisha Lee, D. M. Candor. Librarian, Dr. M. Criswell. The association requires an admission fee of one dollar to become a member of the society, and after that each member pays an annual fee of fifty cents, and has the use of any book in the library without further charge. The income, up to the present time, has been about $205, much of which has been raised by entertainments. The library now contains 213 volumes, all of which have been selected with great care. It requires three of the directors to place a volume on its shelves. The association is in a prosperous condition.
The Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company was organized at ITamlet in 1878, under the insurance laws of Illinois. Josiah Can- dor and Graham Lee were the principal leaders in effecting the organ- ization. The first officers of the company were : Graham Lee, president, and Josiah Candor, treasurer. The subscribed capital was $62,046.65. The present board of directors is: Graham Lee (presi- dent), II. Ketzel (secretary), W. Wilmerton, J. I. Everett, G. D. Miller, David Mayhew, R. S. Montgomery, William Wait, J. B. McConnell, and G. Peate. The number of policies now out is 146, with an aggre- gate capital of $304,720. The company, during its organization has not met with a single loss, hence their insurance during the time has cost them nothing. This has proved the best system of insurance to the farmer of Hamlet and vicinity ever adopted by them.
Township organization was effected in 1855. The first town-meet- ing was held in 1855, at Gingles' corners. Graham Lee was appointed moderator, and S. D. Trego made clerk. In 1856 Wm. McHard was made moderator, and S. D. Trego clerk of the meeting. At this meeting township organization was adopted and officers elected. The following is a list of all the officers elected to the present.
The justices of the peace of Perryton township, so far as we were able to make up the list from the county records, are as follows : Edward Burrall, elected April 30, 1838, and resigned April 6, 1839;
JACOB BEAR.
PERRYTON TOWNSHIP.
William Moore, elected June, 1842; Joseph G. Gilmore, 1847; Edward Burrall, 1847 ; C. G. Taylor, 1849 ; J. G. Gilmore, 1858; Lee Holister. 1858; Lee Holister, 1862; J. G. Gilmore, 1862; J. G. Gilmore, 1870; Lee Holister, 1870; J. G. Gilmore, 1874; Lee Holister, 1874; John Gingles, 1877; J. G. Gilmore, 1881.
Date of Election.
SUPERVISOR.
CLERK.
ASSESSOR.
COLLECTOR.
1856
Graham Lee.
S. D. Trego
William McHard
J. C. Gilmore.
1857
Graham Lee.
S. D. Trego
William MeHard
J. G. Gilmore.
1858
J. C. Gilmore .
S. D. Trego
William Me Hard
J. G. Gilmore.
1859
J. G. Gilmore
S. D. Trego
William McHard
William Clark.
1860
J. C. Gilmore
S. D. Trego
William MeHard
William Clark.
1861
J. G. Gilmore
S. D. Trego
Aaron Thompson
William Clark.
1862
J. G. Gilmore .
L. W. Hanes.
Aaron Thompson
William Clark.
1863
William Doak
L. W. Hanes
William Meffard
G. D. Crabs.
1864
William Doak
L. W. Hanes
H. J. Walter
G. D. Crabs.
1865
William Doak
II. J. Walter
Charles York
G. D. Crabs.
1866
L. V. Willitts
Theodore Guffy
Josiah Candor.
William Mc Hard.
1867
Thomas Love
J. M. Gaily
Meigs Wait
G. D. Crabs.
1868
Thomas Love
Frank McHard
G. D. Crabs
David Blue.
1869
G. D. Crabs
John Gingles
John Ball
J. R. Ball.
1870
William Doak
Jolin Gingles
Lee Holister.
C. Melntire.
1871
William Doak
C. C. Watters
Charles York
C. Melntire.
1872
William Doak
G. D. Walter
David Blue.
C. B. Halstead.
1873
William Doak
H. J. Walter
David Blue ..
C. B. Halstead.
1874
G. D. Miller
John Gingles
Theodore Guffy
David Blue.
1875
G. D. Miller
L. Girton
D. Blue
A. J. Birrkett.
1876
D. M. Candor.
14. Girton
D. Blue
L. Girton.
1877
William Doak
L. Girton
D. Blue.
J. Hartman.
1878
William Doak
L. Girton
D. Blue.
J. Hartman.
1879
William Doak
L. Girton
A. Kendall
J. McDonald.
1880
G. D. Miller
M. Criswell.
J. G. Gilmore
George Harness.
1881
G. D. Miller
J. T. Hartman
A. Kendall
L. H. Cooper.
1882
G. D. Miller
G. F. Hartman
A. Kendall
J. G. Gilmore.
The census report of 1880 gives the population of Perryton town- ship 987. The taxable property of 1881 was valued at $367,134; the real estate at $281,248 ; and personal property at $85,886. In 1881 there was collected taxes for general state purposes and schools, $2,091.60; county tax, $987.61; town, $191.61; road and bridge tax, $396.66; bond tax, $987.61; district school tax, $2,250.28; dog tax. $134.
Perryton township is located along the north line of the county, and is bounded on the north by Rock Island connty, on the east by Pre-emption, south by Mercer, and west by Duncan. It is divided into two sections by Camp creek, which enters the township on the sonth half of section 24, and flows west across and out of the town- ship on section 19. The country for some distance on either side of this creek is very broken; but both north and south Perryton is a fine farming country. In the neighborhood of Hamlet, the country can- not, for farming purposes, be excelled by any locality in the county. It is peopled by a well-to-do class of farmers, who pride themselves in having good improvements, and many of them have their farms so
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
beautified by fine buildings, groves and lawns, as to attract the atten- tion of lovers of the beautiful. The farm of Graham Lee is the most beautiful farm in the township, and justly merits the title, "The Ever- green Home." There are a number of farms both north and south of Camp creek that need to be mentioned, but the owners names of most of them will be found in the biographical department of the township. The stock of the township in every particular will compare with that of every other section of the county.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
MEIGS WAIT is a native of Switzerland county, Indiana, born in 1826. Ifis parents were Henry and Sophia (Wells) Wait, the former a native of Grand Isle county, Vermont, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812 at the battle of Plattsburg, and died February 9, 1882, at the age of eighty-nine years. His father, Gardiner Wait, grandfather of Meigs, was a native of Wales, and came to America at an early date and settled in Grand Isle county, Vermont, and served in the Continental army as a soldier, and died about the year 1788. Henry Wait, by this marriage with Sophia Wells, raised a family of eight children : William, Sarah, Ruth, Rhoda, Harriet, Jacob, Lucretia, Lavina (deceased). Meigs Wait was married in Switzerland county, Indiana, in 1856, to Caroline Robinson, of Indiana, daughter of Thomas and Mary Robinson, and emigrated to Effingham county, Illinois, in 1864, where they both died. Mr. Wait has by this mar- riage two children : Frank G. and Katie, whose mother died in 1862. In 1863 Mr. Wait was married a second time, to Miss Edith Clark, of Pennsylvania, born in 1842, and daughter of William and Mary Clark, both of Pennsylvania. They came to Mercer county in 1853, and located near New Boston, where they remained only a few months, when they moved to Perryton township. There they both died, the former 'in 1882, aged seventy-seven years; the later in 1875, aged sixty-six years, both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. IIe was a local preacher. By this marriage Mr. Wait has seven children : Harry, Ernest, Daisy, Bertie, Marion, Guy, and Mark. Ilis wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a beautiful and well improved farm of 400 acres, located at the north line of Mercer county, one mile west of Reynolds. He raises on his farm thorough- bred cattle, and feeds cattle for the market. His hogs are of the best breeds. IIe does the largest business in buying and shipping stock, especially cattle, of any man in Perryton township. The Wait family came here as early settlers. They are all well-to-do and highly respected citizens.
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PERRYTON TOWNSHIP.
LEE HOLISTER is a native of Connecticut, born in Litchfield county in 1822, son of Horace and Sarah (Lee) Holister, both natives of Con- necticut. His mother died in Connecticut in 1830, aged thirty-nine years. His father came to Macoupin county, Illinois, in 1864, where he died in 1866, aged seventy-five years. He was by vocation a farmer. He and wife were members of the Congregational church. Mr. Lee Holister was reared in Connecticut where he remained till he was twenty-four years old. He then came to Illinois and located in Peoria county where he remained till 1856, when he came to Mercer county and located where he now resides. He was married in 1847 to Esther Barker, of Greene county, New York, daughter of Charles and Armina (Smith) Barker, both of New York. They came to Peoria county, Illinois, in 1846, where they are yet residing; the former is now seventy-eight years old, the latter seventy-seven. Mr. Holister has by this marriage four children : Minnie, Edward, Clara, and Alice. He and wife and three children are members of the Presbyterian church at Hamlet. He has a well improved farm of eighty acres, one-fourth of a mile west of the village of Hamlet, and keeps a good grade of farm stock. He has held the office of justice for the past eighteen years.
GEORGE D. CRABS is a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, born December 11, 1824, and is a son of Philip and Sarah (Duffield) Crabs, both of Pennsylvania ; his father of Westmoreland county, and mother of Cumberland county. They emigrated to Ohio with their parents, where they were married. The latter, Philip Crab's wife, died in Ohio in 1836, at the age of fifty-five years ; the former came to Rock Island county in 1858, and died there in 1878, at the age of seventy-five years. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, was wounded by the enemy in an engagement near Lake Erie ; at another time by one of the guards who accidentally hit him while shooting at a pig a negro was trying to force across his beat. By trade he was a carpenter and joiner. His father was Abraham, born in 1767, and died February, 1836; his mother, Thankful Crabs, was born in August, 1775, and died in Sep- tember, 1814. G. D. Crabs received a fair educational training in his boyhood. He was reared to the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed for a livelihood till 1859 when he located in Mercer county where he now resides, and engaged in farming. He emigrated with his family in 1844, from Ohio to Rock Island county, where he resided till he located in Perryton township. He was married July, 1850, to Sarah B. Hazlitt, of New York, who was born in 1827, and is the daughter of Alexander and Sarah (McKay) Hazlitt, both of New Jersey. They emigrated to Illinois in 1838, and located in Rock Island county in 1839, where the father died in 1849, at the age of eighty-two; the
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