History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 42

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 42
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 42

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OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.

The structure being yet somewhat weak, attraction of one particle for another was destroyed, and the party dragged down by gravitation to their waists in the cold element below. In the popular language of the day, they were "ducked," and some one of the party believing in names, christened the stream Duck creek. The party continued their exploration, and when the country was spied ont returned to their families and cabin homes.

The soil of this part of Mercer county is a rich, black loam of an average depth of about one foot. Coal and stone are present in small quantities, the former of which is inferior in quality and quantity. The soil in early days was very abundant in its production of wheat. William I. Nevius bought a piece of land, and in one crop paid for the land, all expenses connected with its cropping, and had a surplus fund besides. But when we mentiou this fact it should be remembered that land in those days did not command fifty dollars per acre, as it does to-day, hence that fact does not indicate failure in the ability of the soil still to produce abundant harvests. Says William I. Nevius: "corn is the chief product, which, in a good season, yields seventy bushels to the acre." He further says, "wheat is raised, but, from some indefinite cause, the quantity and quality is inferior to that of early years.". Grains, cereals, vegetables and fruits of great variety have long been produced from this fertile soil, and for pasturage it is second to none. Water of a superior, cold, pure quality is secured by digging from twelve to forty feet. With all these attractions and promises wisely did the early seeker for such advantages and fortunes accept the proffered gifts of nature and settle upon this spot. No iron ribs had yet been supplied for this part of the old lady "Earth." No great massive iron monster came puffing and rumbling and rushing, hurrying land seekers over plain, among the hills, over stream, or through tunnel at the rate of thirty or fifty miles an hour. Not so came the sturdy, slow plodding, sure pioneer ; but with ox team or horse team, big wagon filled with his family and a very few pieces of furniture, home-made products of genius and a jack knife or an ax, he started to wend his way across endless prairie, through trackless forest, over unbridged stream, through almost bottomless swamp towards the setting sun, leaving here and there a camp fire burning or its ashes, and after a journey of four to seven weeks halting on this spot for a permanent home in the "great West." Instead of this journey many "drifted" down the Muskingum and Ohio rivers on flat boats, and slowly urged their way up the Miss- issippi river to Oquawka, and later to Keithsburg where they landed their families and goods, then walked or were hauled to their wild homes.

428

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

The first comers were from Ohio. They settled near Pope creek, in the northern part of the township, giving to the grove of that sec- tion the name of their native state, Ohio. In after years the township was voted the combined appellation, "Ohio Grove." There were ex- plorations made by different ones prior to any settlement. Prior to 1835, a cabin had been thrown together on the northwest corner of Sec. 3, T. 13 N., R. 3 W. of the 4th P. M., but its builder is unknown. This rude hut gave shelter to those who had come to stay. It also be- came the seat of merchandise where William Mackey sold a few sim- ple goods such as a pioneer could buy. This was the first "store."

September 21, 1835, there started from Muskingum county, Ohio, George McPherren, who had buried his wife in Ohio. In his family were: Mary, James, Susanna, Easter, Daniel, Nancy, Fannie, Sarah and George ; Benjamin Decker, the prospective husband of Miss Fannie McPherren; John Walker, husband of Easter McPherren. Some of the family taking sick, a short stay was made at Washington, Illinois. George McPherren, Sr., accompanied by George Long and Matthew Finley pushed on to find a satisfactory location. Mr. Long afterward located in Knox county, and Finley in Henderson. The family made another stay at Little York, where just previous Hughy Martin had been killed by the Indians. Leaving some of the party at the fort, Mr. McPherren, John Walker, Benjamin Decker, and Daniel McPher- ren came to Mercer county and built a log house on the northeast quarter of section 4, in what is now Ohio Grove township. This "lone mansion " of the country was about 16×18, one story, one room. Some rough boards were hauled from Ebenezer Criswell's saw mill, on Eliza creek, at least fifteen miles distant. This was used for floor. The roof was of clapboards, the window of greased paper. Nails had been brought with them, but were used as sparsely as possible. When ready for "dobbing" the weather was so cold that water had to be boiled for mixing the "mud." The following summer the mortar peeled off on account of its having frozen when put on. The new log "castle" was occupied by the family of eight on Christmas day, 1835. This house was furnished with the old "continental bedstead " of two poles, one leg and two sides of the house and clapboards, etc. Stools served as chairs for a number of years. The other furniture, if it ex- isted, was fashioned to correspond. The house stood close to the sec- tion line, one fourth of a mile from the township line. The small log cabin before mentioned, about a mile to the east, was occupied by part of the family in order to hold the claim to the quarter on which it stood. Thus were the first permanent settlers located after a journey of six weeks overland, with all the obstacles and hindrances incident

yours Ever I'MBabeen

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OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.

to the times, and their waitings at different places ere a home was. found. Where are the McPherrens now? The father sleeps beneath the sod where all must lie. Benjamin Decker is dead, but his wife, Fannie, owns a farm in Ohio Grove. James is near Reynolds, Sarah is in Iowa, Susanna died in Iowa, John Walker is dead, and his wife is Mrs. Boyer, near Viola. George, son of George, owns over 400 acres of land in Ohio Grove.

In the same year, 1835, it is thought George Smith, Richard Rice, James Moore, and William Moore made their advent. John Moore- head, a native of Pennsylvania, but at that time resident of Muskingum county, Ohio, also settled in the McPherren neighborhood in 1835. He died in August, 1836, the first instance of mortality in this new settlement. He had lived on section 2. His wife survived him till 1862 or 1863. In their family were seven children, one of whom was buried in Warren county. The six were pioneers here. But two are living at this writing (May 12, 1882): Mrs. Ashford Hardy and Mrs. George Smith. Both are venerable ladies, examples of women of busy lives from the beginning to the present of this township's history.

There may have been one or two others who came in this year, but if so they are unfortunately unknown to the writer.

The year 1836 witnessed several additions to the little group of Ohio Grove. Ashford Hardy, born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1802, moved to Warren county, Illinois, in 1835, and in the following year bought the N. W. } of Sec. 1, T. 13, Mercer county. He married Sophia Moorehead in an early day. He also early purchased a quarter section in what is now Mercer township. He lived on his first purchase till his death, July 18, 1871. His children were : George, Sarah, Elizabeth, Noah, and Delilah.

James McBride, having heard of the exceeding rich land and the immense quantities of it in Illinois, left Muskingum county, Ohio, early in April, 1836, embarking at Wheeling. He was attracted to Rock Island by reports of the soil, etc., but upon arriving found prices so high, and having a friend, George Jay, at Keithsburg, he determined to land there, which he did. Mr. McBride camped on the N. W. ¿ Sec. 4, T. 13, on May 10. He bought two quarters, the N. W. ¿ Sec. 4, and the N. E. ¿ Sec. 5, T. 13 N., R. 3 W. of the 4th P. M. A small log square had been thrown together by some squatter. Here Mr. McBride brought his family by ox teams furnished by George McPherren and others of the few already here. In his family were wife and five children : John H., Almeda, James C., Elvira J., and Sarah E. Mr. McBride improved his farm, besides his milling enter- prise to be hereafter mentioned. He died November 14, 1847.

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

Samuel Cabeen, with wife and six children, Thomas B., J. W., S. P., R. J., R. B., and Sarah C., emigrated in 1836 overland, transporting themselves and goods in. a wagon drawn by a four-horse team. The S. W. ¿ Sec. 6, was laid claim to and afterward bought. On this a cabin 18×22 was erected. A very low loft was provided for a bed- room for the "boys." The roof of clapboards, floor of puncheon, chimney with back wall and jambs of dirt; two doors. Also a six- light window, a rare expenditure, glass lights being'unfashionable in those days. Mr. Cabeen and George McPherren each had purchased a sash of six lights at Jack's mill, in Henderson county. This house of Mr. Cabeen's frequently gave shelter to fifteen or twenty persons, who also partook of the cookery of the hostess. The furniture of this house, too, was meager. Two continental bed-spreads down stairs, a bureau brought from the "East," stools in place of chairs, until the following year, when they were displaced by half a dozen split-bottom chairs, the luxury of that day, furnished for company when present, thus necessitating the use of the stools again. The log cabin served for four or five years, when it gave place to a hewn log house 18x18, almost two stories high. This subsequently received a frame addition, which stands to-day, a relic of the past. Samuel Cabeen died May 1, 1856, his wife surviving him till December 6, 1874. The children are spoken of elsewhere. Richard B. owns part of the homestead, his residence being somewhat of a contrast to the first cabin. .

Joshua W. and Samuel P. improved large farms, becoming promi- nent in the county's welfare.

William Dilley, now hale and hearty at the date of this writing, a wool carder by trade, shipped his carding machine from Ohio in 1836 to Oquawka, Illinois, by river, and in May of that year came, a young man, to blend his future with that of Mercer county. He remained for some time in the McPherren neighborhood, "boarding and work- ing around." In that summer he raised a cabin on a piece of land in what became Green township, and there brought his machine. IIe married in 1837. He followed wool carding in Green township till 1848, when he sold and settled in what became Ohio Grove township. Here he has improved his farm in sections 1 and 2.

John Wall and wife, a sister of the elder McPherren, were also very early settlers, living in a cabin on Pope creek. Both died in the neighborhood.

Another sturdy pioneer of 1836 was John H. Brown, who emi- grated with the Cabeens, bringing wife, Mary (McPherren) and six children : Alexander, George, John, Sarah J., James M., William. He bought no land for about eighteen months, living the first year

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OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.

near New Boston, then near McClure's bridge, then entered eighty acres in Olio Grove in 1838. He was a poor man, but by his won- derful energy finally became the possessor of about a thousand acres. A small piece of the land now owned by William Brown was broken in 1836, on which stood a small log cabin. Says William Brown in that year, 1836, the nearest hog to our house was twenty-three miles dis- tant, so that pork was not a common dish for the first year's table. Alexander Brown kept a bachelor's hall for several years. He was the great ox driver of his day. Like his father, he has amassed a large farm.

"A rolling stone gathers no moss." So thought the nucleus of pioneers who settled Ohio Grove. They had come to stay, and stay- ing attracted others. "In union there is strength." All put their hands to the wheel of industry, all aided one another. In trouble sympathy was universal ; in pleasure all participated.

The year 1837 brought new neighbors and good citizens. In the fall of 1836 Thomas Candor and his brother, Robert Candor, made the trip from Pennsylvania to Rock Island, then into Mercer county on horse back. Thomas laid claim to the N. W. ¿ of Sec. 6, T. 13 N., R. 3 W., also the S. W. ¿ of Sec. 7, and cut his name in a large oak standing near what are known as Candor Springs. He then left orders with William Sheriff, of Keithsburg, for the building of a cabin on his farm. The Candors then sold their horses and returned by water to Pennsylvania. Robert died in his native state. In the following year Thomas sold his tannery in Pennsylvania and moved his family of wife and five children, John M., Robert, Josiah, Mary H., and Daniel M., with goods, by one big wagon and a spring wagon with two teams. A part of his goods he shipped by river. East of the Illinois river he bought some stock which was driven through. Arrived in Mercer county, after a short stay in Keithsburg, the family rendezvoused in the log cabin ordered built by Thomas Candor the preceding year. The cabin was 18×18, two-story, the first built in the N. W. of T. 13, and it still stands a relic of bygone times. Could it speak it could tell of many pleasant family circles, friendly hospitalities, merry parties, sacred meetings, as well as burdens and disappointments, and pain and death, followed by tears of bereavement and loss. Mrs. Candor succumbed to the toils of frontier life, dying September 30, 1841, aged forty-two years. Thomas Candor, after a busy life devoted to the good of others as well as himself, died March 13, 1871. The old homestead, owned by Robert Candor, wears a far different aspect from that of forty years ago.

In 1832 William I. Nevius emigrated to Warren county, Illinois,

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

via the rivers from Ohio. He brought a wife and young children, also some goods with about ten barrels of flour. Flour was a scarce article on the way, and many applications to buy were made but refused. For some reason the party was landed on the Iowa side of the river, near where Keokuk is, by reason of the rapids being so shal- low, being told they would be transferred by a special craft. No craft appeared. Finally leaving the family in the wilderness alone, Mr. Nevius secured passage in a skiff and started in search of some one to haul the family and goods to Monmouth, where his brothers-in-law resided, expecting that by his return all would be conveyed over the river. Finding no settlers he gave word to a man, owner of an infe- rior river craft, that he would push on to Monmouth if necessary to get conveyances. This man delivered the word to Mrs. Nevius, who had taken shelter in a shanty with her four sick children. Imagine yourself, good woman of this decade, in such circumstances! The only cabin within miles. All weird and wild without, and lonely and desolate within, the shadow of night falling as a cloak over all. The real or fancied noise of the approach of wild and savage beasts, or more savage men! The voice at the door calling for admittance and lodging, but sternly and resolutely refused by the heroine within. Anxious to cross the river Mrs. Nevius secured transportation of her goods. She first sent the flour over by the craftsman, who, going home for the night, refused to convey more that day. Next day another load of goods was taken across with the oldest child, small indeed then, to stay with the goods, and a similar postponement of the bal- ance of the work. The mother could see her goods and her child across the water, and must the child remain alone through night in such a place? So said the craftsman. Finally the woman prevailed and the family united on this side the river.

In time Mr. Nevius returned with ox teams and all were taken to Monmouth. Settlement was first made near Atchison's church, on Cedar creek, in Warren county. In 1835 removal near New Boston was had in time to vote for the organization of Mercer county. In 1837 Mr. Nevius secured the W. ¿ of N. E. }, and the E. } of N. W. 4 of Sec. 16, T. 3, and permanently located. it. This he improved. He also bought land north of where Sunbeam is now. Here. Mr. Nevius became identified with all the interests of Ohio Grove township. He was very handy with tools. Did general repairing for self and neighbors, whether carpentry, blacksmithing, or other repairing. He was a harness and shoemaker also. Mr. Nevius hauled the first apple trees of Mercer county from Hennepin, Bureau county, Illinois, with an ox team. He divided with the Cabeens and McPherrens. This

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OHIO GROVE TOWNSIIIP.

was in 1837. Mr. Nevius' house was the first on the prairie. Mrs. Nevius still lives, the heroine of many a pioneer's struggle and a faith- ful helper in woman's work in Mercer county.

Immigration continued steadily year by year. In 1838 William C. Brownlee came from New York, settling near Viola, Mercer county, and in the following year located in Ohio Grove township, buying 240 acres on North Henderson creek. Here he still lives, one of the few survivors of those early pioneers. The Burnets must have arrived about this time or little later; they owned land in the southern part of the township. In this year also came John Stephens, wife and six children : Edward, now of Keithsburg; Peter, in Ohio Grove; Han- nah, then Mrs. James Trusler, now of Iowa ; James W. (died about 1840); William J., of Iowa; Catharine (Mrs. James Walters). Mr. Stephens purchased the Vernon interest in the mill; also 160 acres of land. He sold and in 1846 settled on the prairie, where his death occurred. His wife survived him, but is now dead. 1839 seems to have been a blank year. 1840, more fortunate, brought William T. Patterson. He had purchased a few simple goods, as linen shirt- bosoms, jewelry, etc., which he sold as he traveled to such as would buy, or would pay his lodging and board with his wares. He worked awhile for Capt. Bain in the distillery. The captain failing, he received nothing for his work. Before doing this he dug a cellar for Henry Kimel. Thus "he worked around." He soon purchased eighty acres of land, for which he largely paid by building a sod fence. He farmed four or five years where Norwood is. It was not till 1847 that he bought and located permanently in Ohio Grove township, where he became owner of the E. ¿ of Sec. 24. In 1842 Joseph Robinson came from Quiney, Illinois, and is yet a resident. In 1843 Hammond Webster settled the S. E. ¿ of Sec. 28. He died in 1845. In this year (1843) James Calhoun emigrated from Ohio. He brought his wife and nine children : David, William, John K., James H., Joseph C., Samuel C., Elizabeth, Franklin, and Alexander T. The family came via the river to Oquawka. Mr. Calhoun died July 15, 1847. James Emery and sons, James and Robert, must have come about this time. In 1845 came Nathaniel Partridge, a carpenter, and probably Levi Butterfield. James Graham had settled in Warren county in 1842, but in 1845 he located on N. W. ¿ of Sec. 35, T. 13, Mercer county. This place he improved, and here he was identified with township affairs till his death, November 25, 1879.

In 1848 John Seaton laid claim to the N. W. ¿ of Sec. 19, first " squatting on it," and then pre-empting and finally buying it. He had lived the two years previous in Warren county. Mr. Seaton improved

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

his farm building, the present residence, in 1861. He died July 21, 1881. The farm is now the property of George Seaton. 1849 brought William Pepper and Samuel Lafferty. The latter came to Mercer county in 1842, but returned to Ohio till 1846, when he settled in North Henderson, then in Suez, and finally Ohio Grove township, Mercer county, Illinois. He is now old and feeble; he, too, looks back to the time when he shot deer, and wolves howled about the place.

In 1850, Thomas, Francis, and John McClellan made their advent. Thomas and John bought the Butterfield place, which afterward became the property of John alone. Jesse Mounts and family, John Smith and family, and others were early settlers ; all cannot be found. Settlement became more rapid. The advent of another ceased to be a novelty. Some began to feel crowded and moved away. Several went to Oregon ; some to California. In 1851 James Robb, Jacob and Barnet Unangst became residents. Barnet Unangst moved his family of wife and eight children from New Jersey, a distance of 1,100 or 1,200 miles, over the country, one team doing the work. They arrived after a journey of fifty-two days. They settled the N. E. } of Sec. 13, entered for them a little before by Jacob Unangst, who had preceded them. A shanty, 12×16, rough fencing lumber, one story, which was occupied January 2, 1852. The frame-work of this residence con- sisted of poles sunk in the ground in shed style. The furniture was : bedsteads of home make, blocks of saw-logs for stools, dry-goods box for table, and soon a table made of rough boards. Thus, even in 1851, did emigrants live and endure. The country at that time was thinly settled, there being but one house between Ohio Grove township and Keithsburg. It must have been about this time that John Cameron settled in the southwest of section 19, where he improved a farm. He died about 1858. His daughter, Mrs. Mary Seaton, now occupies the place. James Cameron is in DeKalb county ; John died about 1865; Sarah became Mrs. Samuel Criswell; Peter is in Mercer county. In this year also came William R. McCreight. He purchased a farm of six acres of William M. Hayes. William M. Hayes became a resident here prior to this time, but the exact date cannot now be given. A biography of him may be found in the appropriate place. In 1852 came Thomas S. Robb and others. In 1853 Samuel M. Creighton, Joseph Lafferty, Col. Jonathan Duncan, the Kelloggs and Torbets arrived. Others, as the Findleys, Gilmores, McIntires, McCutchans, Sprowls, Garrets, Shrulls, Chandlers, Shoemakers, Dittos, Nolands, Gustin, M. M. Cross, the Browns, Milligans, and a few others, may be considered as having become tolerably old settlers.

It is impossible to find every one. Space will not admit of extended

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OIIIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.

notices of later settlers. Could those of to-day see those of fifty years ago at their work the fact of progress would be more evident to them by far than these lines can show. The ox-teams, slow but sure, were the stand-bys. The people of this section did their milling at Jack's mills, or Criswell's mills, or sometimes hauled their grain above Moline or to Rockwell's mills. George McPherren and James McBride made the trip, twenty-one miles above Moline, to Cox's mills. Their load was thirty bushels of grain. Each furnished a horse. Arrived at Rock river, McPherren proposed to take the ferry. McBride, a jolly young fellow of high life, jocosely replied, "No; let's ford the stream and save our money for whisky." McPherren then proposed that James should ride the off horse, to which the latter assented, and with which he immediately complied. In the bed of the stream lay the rocks, covered with their slippery film, which McPherren feared, but which McBride dared. Arrived in deep water the "off" horse slipped, lost his balance, his foot over the tongue of the wagon, horse and rider down in the water. It required lively work for a few moments to right rider and horse, both of whom were in a dangerous position. The day was cold and freezing, and gladly would James McBride have warmed by a big fire place, with a bowl of bread and milk, instead of traveling in a robe of ice. After that he preferred the ferry. The distance was not often considered in a journey. George MePherren and Ephraim Johnson had made the trip to Oquawka. They were on their return with their ox-team. The winter storm began. The earth was soon mantled in her nightly gown. The air was full of the downy snow. Intense cold obtained. The party reached Bald bluff. Still the team pushed on as oxen did push, and hour after hour was traveled. Home surely could not be far, when, to their surprise and disappointment and danger, they found themselves again at Bald bluff. By this time McPherren's feet had somewhat frozen. Johnson opened the bosom of his shirt, and McPherren, placing one foot on each breast, gradually abstracted heat sufficient to warm the frozen members. Again the route homeward was resumed. They arrived after much suffering. These incidents but illustrate the journeys and experiences of many others.

The elder George McPherren and William Dilley visited their old home in Ohio. They returned by way of the lakes to Chicago, from which place they walked a distance of 180 miles home. In six days the feat was accomplished. Similar trips have been made to Galena to the land sales.

"Occasionally a farmer hauled his wheat to Chicago," says William I. Nevius, " bringing back a load of salt and other articles needed by

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 42

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