History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 61

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 61
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 61

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The settlers used farming implements that would bring a smile to the countenance of our modern farmers. Their plows had wooden mold-boards, and their harrows were all of wood. William Lafferty states that the first plow he used in the west was one with a wooden mold-board. He started in with the clumsy affair, where the weeds and prairie grass were higher than his head. He rooted along without regard to sectional lines, furrows, angles, or corners, and by night found he had rooted over about twelve acres. The land appeared as if a drove of long-nosed hogs had been turned loose on it. Mr. Lafferty states that he planted his corn in it, but for reasons best known to him- self did not return to look at it until after harvest.

The early settlers along North Henderson creek did the principal part of their trading in Oquawka and Peoria. Grain was frequently, hauled to Chicago, and sold at a very low price. Asa Ransom states that he once worked a week with a yoke of oxen to thresh out and haul to the house of his creditor a hundred bushels of oats, which went to liquidate a debt of five dollars. Dressed pork brought $1 to $1.50 per hundred. Mr. Ransom once gave 1,100 pounds of pork for a pair of pantaloons, after having hauled it to Rock Island.

This stringency in monetary affairs existed from 1840 to 1848. During that period it was almost impossible for the farmers to get money with which to pay for their claims when the land came into market. Money was sometimes borrowed at fifty per cent. for this purpose.

Wolf hunts in early times were of frequent occurrence. Large numbers of the settlers would turn out on these occasions. They were carried on in the following manner: a meeting was called, captains elected, and a day chosen for the hunt. Every settler for miles around would generally be on hand, and every musket, shot-gun, rifle, and pistol was brought into requisition. The lines would form at a uni- form distance from the appointed place, and at a given signal from their respective captains would advance, from all points of the com- pass, keeping time to the melodious music of the hound and the hunts-

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

man's bugle. The wolf, with his usnal cunning, would usually make his escape, however. before the point was reached, and the hunt would prove fruitless so far as wolf-scalps were concerned.

On the night of Angust 10, 1851, a terrible wind and rain storm visited the southern part of the county, which, owing to its disastrous results, will long be remembered by those who witnessed it. For about four hours the rain fell in sheets ; every brook and rivulet was swelled into a mad, roaring torrent. The waters of North Henderson creek rose about fifteen feet above their normal height. Every bridge, from its source to the Mississippi, was carried away before the rushing flood. This was the most severe tempest in the recollection of the old- est settlers. It is said that barrels standing in dooryards, away from buildings, were actually filled with water.

The coldest winter in the recollection of the old residents was that of 1842-43. On November 12 Jack Frost "came down from the north" and held high carnival until the following April. During the month of March the sun shone brightly every day, but so firm was the grasp of the winter king on the shronded earth that its rays were with- ont effect.

ORGANIZATION.

Previous to April 4, 1854, this township was known by the name of Palmyra. It was ascertained however that the name of Palmyra had previously been conferred on another township and postoffice in the state, and consequently the name was abandoned and a new one substituted at the time of organization.

On the date above mentioned a meeting was held at the residence of Henry Bridger, at which the township was organized and officers elected. The names of the first officers chosen are as follows : su- pervisor. Thomas Likely ; town clerk, John B. Hoag ; assessor, William Lafferty ; collector, F. M. Postlewaite ; overseer of the poor, James E. Ray ; commissioners of highways, Harison Brown, John Lafferty, William McGreenwood ; justices of the peace, Robert Pol- lock, J. O. Edwards ; constables, David Molar, A. Trask.

SUEZ POSTOFFICE.

What is now known as Suez postoffice was established in 1842, Henry Bridger being the first postmaster. The office was then known as Pope Creek, and still more generally known as Bridger's Corners.

In 1851 Asa Ransom erected a hotel building at the Corners, where for many years he did a thriving business. Towns being few and far between, emigrants on their way westward would always aim for Bridger's Corners, for a stopping place.

C. D. Elinge

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SUEZ TOWNSHIP.

Samuel Shove opened the first store. He was succeeded by Mr. Turner, who was followed by Mr. Nourse. Messrs. Shaw, Mauk and Sedwick also did business successively at the Corners. James Page is now running a grocery, and is the present postmaster.

The school-house at Suez, commonly known as the "White Lilly " school, was erected in 1851, a Miss Stuart, of Greene township, being the first teacher.

In August, 1881, a band was organized at Suez, consisting of a few of the musie-loving gentlemen of that locality. The names of the performers are as follows: C. L. Ransom, E flat cornet ; John C. Bowers. B flat cornet ; Charles Furr, B flat cornet ; Ezra Hartzell, first alto ; H. Woltham, second alto; P. F. Mauk, tenor; J. Hughes, B Bass ; James Page, E flat tuba.

THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The above-named congregation was the outgrowth of a union of the "Associate " and "Associate Reform" churches. In 1842, by order of the Associate Presbytery, of Iowa, the Rev. James G. Bruce preached in a small wooden house at the crossing of the roads one mile west of Norwood, which was then the residence of S. L. Brownlee, and organ- ized the Associate congregation, of North Henderson. The member- ship then numbered fifteen, whose names are as follows: James, Elizabeth, and Nancy Imbrie; Robert and Mary Caldwell; John Humphreys and wife ; S. L. and Sarah Brownlee; William and Mary Jane Caldwell; John W. and Sarah A. Caldwell, aud Samuel and Margaret Graham. James Imbrie and Robert Caldwell were chosen elders.

For some time services were held in the little dwelling, except in pleasant weather, when the people would assemble under the trees to listen to the divine teachings. Lumber wagons drawn by oxen were the only conveyances. The men in checkered shirts and the women in plain calicoes came from far and near to listen to the teachings of the scripture. These were the men and women who paved the way for civilization, and made smooth the paths for those who were to follow. Should one of those humble worshipers enter a church in one of our towns or cities to-day, cold indeed would be the reception with which he would meet. The domed and frescoed ceiling, the rich car- pets, the upholstered seats, the people in gaudy attire, and the great pipe-organ would present a strange scene to him, and we fear he would feel that he was not welcome there.

In the fall of 1844 a eall was made in connection with the Liberty congregation for the services of Mr. R. W. French, and by him

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

accepted. October 26, in that same little dwelling in which the infant congregation was organized, he was ordained, the brothers James and William Bruce, being the officiating ministers. The young pastor en- tered upon his duties cheerfully, although the salary was very small. The house in which he was obliged to live afforded a very poor shelter for his wife and little ones against the summer rains and winter blast. In the following year James Graham gave a lot from his farm recently purchased, and a number of able-bodied men turned out and erected a plain but comfortable dwelling thereon, and the pastor was soon occu- pying more pleasant quarters.

An amusing anecdote is related of the reverend gentleman that is worth repeating. It was Saturday morning, as they supposed, when Mrs. French, having an errand to perform, went to a neighbor's house, and meanwhile her husband began some work on his lot. Im- agine her surprise on being told on her arrival at the neighbor's that it was Sunday, and people were by that time seen wending their way toward the church. She went home and informed her husband of the fact. He dropped his tools, donned his Sunday garments, and hastened to the church, where he found most of his congregatton wait- ing for services to begin.

In 1846 the first church building was erected, being two miles west and a mile south from Norwood. The place is still marked by the cemetery. At the end of four years Mr. French was at his own re- quest released from the charge of the congregation. After a brief period of vacancy the congregations of South creek and Bethel were united with that of North Henderson in one charge, and they united in a call for the pastoral services of the Rev. Nathaniel McDowel, which was accepted. His installation took place in the Smith creek church. In 1854 the pastoral relations were dissolved.

During the second period of vacancy, extending over almost two years and a half, a very decided current of emigration carried pros- perity to the rising congregation. Eighty-seven names were added to its membership. In the month of September, 1866, a call was extended to the Rev. J. A. Edie, which was by him accepted, and on the follow- ing March he took charge of the congregation. At his ordination and installation, Revs. A. A. Rogers and John Scott, D.D., officiated.

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED BRANCH.

In the early days of North Henderson there appeared many warm adherents of the Associate Reformed church. On May 12, 1856, the Rev. M. M. Bigger, by direction of the Associate Reformed Presbytery, of Monmouth, preached in the Associate Reformed church at Spring

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SUEZ TOWNSHIP.

Grove, where he organized the Associate Reformed church of North Henderson, and twenty-one names were enrolled. On the same day the Spring Grove and North Henderson congregations each extended a call for the half-time services of the Rev. J. C. McKnight, which was by him accepted, and in the following June he was installed in the united charge and entered upon his labors. This pastorate was brief, ending in the release of Mr. McKnight from his charge in the month of March, 1858.

On June 14, 1858, a joint meeting of the Associate and Associate Reformed congregations of North Henderson was held in the Associate church, at which it was agreed that the two congregations would unite in one organization, which has since been known as the United Pres- byterian church.

After the union of the two branches it became necessary to erect a larger and more commodious church building. Accordingly during the summer of 1859 the neat, comfortable building, in which the congregation still worships, was erected. The building is situated one mile west of Norwood, is 45 × 72 feet in size, and cost about $5,000.

During the dark hours of the rebellion, that began soon after, the congregation gave their undivided support to the union cause. Many of its members bade farewell to friends and relatives, to the happy associations that made the old homes dear, and went forth to defend the principles they loved. The gray-haired father and mother knelt under the roof of their cottage home and prayed for the success of the flag, while their sons marched forth to the wild music of war, and gave up their lives in its defense.

Mr. Edie, the pastor, spent some time in the army, administering to the spiritual wants of the soldiers in camp, and to the heroes as they laid mangled and blackened on the field of battle.

After the close of the war Mr. Edie continued his labors for several years, but finally desiring to change the field of his labors, he offered his resignation. Being strongly urged by his congregation to remain for a time, he decided to do so. In 1869 he again offered his resigna- tion, which was reluctantly accepted. During the period of eleven years, through which Mr. Edie's pastorate extended, 338 persons were added to the roll of membership.

In April, 1872, a call was made to the Rev. J. M. French, which was accepted. He entered immediately upon his labors and had charge of the congregation three and a half years, during which time seventy- six were added to the roll of membership. In June, 1876. the Rev. J. T. McCrory took charge of the congregation and was officially installed in April, 1877, and was released in 1880.

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

In 1881 the Rev. W. A. Spalding began his labors and was installed by the Rock Island Presbytery August 23 of the same year. In the past few years this congregation has greatly decreased in number. owing to the fact that many of the members have sought homes in the western states. but it is still one of the largest and most prosperous in the county.

The Sunday school in connection with the church is in a very pros- perous condition. the average attendance being about one hundred. The land on which the church stands was donated by David Molar. The parsonage stands one mile south of the church on land donated for the purpose by Thomas Likely.

THE CEMETERY.

" What is death ? 'Tis to be free- No more to hope, to love, nor fear."

Contignous to the grounds owned by the Presbyterian church is located the Norwood cemetery. The first person buried here was a child of Alexander McKenstry in 1854.

The association which has this cemetery in charge was organized under the state law in 1877. and received its charter in 1881. The present officers are : president. Thomas Likely ; secretary. George M. Evans : treasurer, John Hutchison ; trustees, John Lafferty, J. D. Por- ter. William P. Morgan. The neatly kept grounds indicate the feeling of reverence and love entertained by the surrounding community for their departed dead.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The initiatory movement of organizing this society was made by the members of the Monmouth Presbyterian church, who resided in the vicinity of North Henderson. A meeting was called and held in a school-house on Section 29. on March 17, 1853. R. C. Mathews was chosen chairman, and J. D. Porter secretary.

It was unanimously agreed to petition Schuyler Presbytery to organize a church at Norwood. and J. D. Porter was selected to pre- sent the said petition. For some reason not shown by the records the church was not organized at that time.

In the spring of 1854, F. Postlewaite, S. R. Boggs and Thomas Likely were appointed a building committee, and a church building, for which purpose funds had already been raised, was begun. The committte contracted with Russell & McFarland, of Oquawka, Illinois. to erect a frame building, 36×49, which was to cost about $2,100. The building was begun in the fall of 1854 and completed in the spring

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SUEZ TOWNSHIP.

of 1855. In that year, a petition, signed by thirty-six members of the Presbyterian church, and eleven persons who were members of no denomination, was presented to the Presbytery of Schuyler, which met in Knoxville, in April of 1855, being in accordance with the sentiment of the members who held the first meeting. viz : that a church should be organized at North Henderson. The prayer of the petition was granted, and Rev. R. C. Mathews and the Rev. T. S. Vaile, with elders John Eiken, of Knoxville, and A. C. Gregg, of Monmouth, were appointed to organize the church. The committee met in the new building at North Henderson, July 7, and proceeded to organize the society. Forty names were enrolled, twenty-four of whom had for- merly been members of the Monmouth congregation. Messrs. J. R. Boggs, R. W. Porter, and S. R. Boggs, were chosen elders, and Thomas Likely, M. T. Postlewaite and T. S. Robb, were chosen trus- tees. No regular pastor was employed by the congregation until June, 1856, when J. H. Nevius began his labor, as stated supply, and was installed as pastor, November 11, of the same year. Mr. Nevius officiated as pastor until April, 1863, when he was succeeded by Rev. George Norcross, who acted as stated supply until June 6, 1865, when he was officially installed as pastor, in which capacity he served abont a year.

The Rev. J. H. Moore was the next pastor called npon to take charge of the congregation. Mr. Moore began his labors on June 2. 1867, but was not installed until November 2 of the same year. This gentleman served as pastor until March. 1876, when he removed to a new field of labor.

The church was without a pastor until January, 1877, when Rev. E. B. Miner began his ministerial labors with them. Mr. Miner was installed in the summer of the same year. His relation as pastor was continued until 1881 when he relinquished his charge.

On April 1, 1881, the Rev. I. T. Whitmore responded to a call from the congregation and entered upon his duties as pastor. This gentleman still has charge of the congregation.

On December 3, 1880, the name of the church was changed from North Henderson to Norwood. The present memberseip is 206. Since the organization of the congregation, four hundred and fifty-four names have been added to the list of membership. The names of the elders who have been successfully chosen by the congregation are as follows : James Boggs, R. W. Porter, and S. R. Boggs were elected on July 7, 1855 ; James C. Stewart, elected November 19, 1855 ; James C. Postlewaite, elected November 19, 1855; Robert Woods was elected January 18, 1860: Joseph B. Stewart, elected January 18. 1860;

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

Robert Holloway, elected December 26, 1869; J. B. Laferty and M. S. Campbell were chosen in September, 1879.

THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.

The society of the above name was organized December 20, 1873. by the Rev. P. R. Adams. The first trustees were : H. R. Peters. George W. Sedwick, and John Mclaughlin. Their church building was erected in the summer of 1875. The building and grounds cost- ing fourteen hundred and fifty dollars. The building was dedicated August 6 of the same year by the presiding elder, N. A. Walker. The membership at the time of organization numbered thirty-six, but now numbers only ten.

The present pastor is the Rev. Orin Dilley, who is located at Alexis, Warren county. The building is situated on section 10.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

In 1875 a number of citizens of the above persuasion, with the liberal assistance of the enterprising people of other denominations. erected a neat church building two miles west of Suez postoffice. The building is 36×40 in size, and stands on the N. E. } of Sec. S.

Owing to the weakness of the society, no regular pastor is employed by them. The membership at present numbers ten.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

GEORGE A., son of Christian and Catharine Shearer, was born in Herkimer county, New York, April 17, 1828. When sixteen years of age the family came to Licking county, Ohio, where they resided nine years. In 1853 they removed to Moultrie county, Illinois, and remained one year, after which they went to Stark county, remaining until 1859, when they came to Mercer county, where they bought land in section 18, Suez township. The father died in June, 1861. The subject of this sketch was first married, Angust 24, 1852, to Miss Sarah A. Whitten, who died in the winter of 1861. He was again married, May 27, 1862, to Miss Sarah J. Morgan. The names of his children are as follows: Mary C., Margaret II., Anna B., Fannie R., Cora B., Sadie (deceased), Nellie R., Blanche E., Fred. M., and George (). Of these the two former are by his first wife. Mr. Shearer now resides on the S. W. # of Sec. 17, which he purchased in 1865.

DAN. W., son of Washington and Elizabeth Sedwick, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1834. When twelve years of age he went to Lawrence county, where he was engaged two years as clerk in a dry goods and grocery store. At the end of that

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time he went to Columbiana county, Ohio, where he remained one year and a-half, where he was engaged in farming and sheep-driving. From here he returned to the town of Mercer, in Pennsylvania, where he was employed as turnkey in the county jail under Sheriff Mckean, in which capacity he acted about six months, after which he went to Crawford county and located at Steuben, on Oil creek, where he remained a few months and then went to Centerville, where he remained about five years, doing general work around a store and saw- mill. In 1855 he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, and located at Bridger's Corners. During the two following years his time was oecu- pied alternately in teaching and clerking. On September 3, 1857, Mr. Sedwick was married to Miss Frances A. Bridger, a native of Troy, New York, and daughter of Henry Bridger, one of the pioneer settlers of the county. The fruits of the union are six children, whose names in the order of their ages are as follows: Ida E., Cora A .. Henry D. (deceased), Edwin E., Bertram B., and Fannie M. In the spring of 1857 he was appointed postmaster at Pope Creek, which position he held until 1870. In the same year he purchased the stock of goods owned by his employers and embarked in business for him- self. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted as a private in Co. E, 102d reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. When the company was organized he was elected first lieutenant, and on April 28, 1863, to the position of captain. In 1865 he received the following letter from the secretary of war :

WASHINGTON, D. C., June 19. 1865.

SIR, -- You are hereby informed that the President of the United States has appointed yon, for gallant and meritorious conduct during the war, a major of volunteers by brevet in the service of the United States, to rank as such from the 13th day of March, 1865. Should the senate at their next session advise and consent thereto, you will be commissioned accordingly.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

Brevet-Major Dan. W. Sedwick, U. S. Vol.

No further comment is necessary concerning the bravery and fidelity with which he served his country. In 1866 Mr. Sedwick was elected to the legislature, where he represented his district for a term of two years. In 1870 he sold out his store, purchased a farm sonth of Bridger's Corners, and since that time has devoted his entire atten- tion to tilling the soil. He is a member of the Mercer Country Agri- cultural Board, and during the year 1879 acted as president of that body. He is also president of the Soldiers and Sailors' Association, of Mercer county.

LORIMER JOHNSTON, a portrait of whom appears in this book, son of Andrew and Mary Johnston, was born in Richland county, Ohio, No- vember 20, 1820. He resided in that county until 1850, in which year

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

he went to California, crossing the plains with a wagon and a mule team. He located on the Middle Fork of the American river and there engaged in mining in company with his brother, William. After having accumulated a considerable amount of wealth his brother started back to their native state, but died on the way of " Panama fever," and their hard earnings stolen from his person after death. In the spring of 1852, Lorimer returned to Ohio and remained until 1857, when he came to Mercer county. In 1864, he bought land in section 13, Suez township. He now owns a farm of 415 acres, the results of economy and industry. Mr. Johnston was married July 3, 1849, to Miss Hannah Hayes, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio. The fruit of this union are five children, William S .. Park R., Michael HI., Flora M. (deceased), and Laura A.

THOMAS LIKELY, whose portrait appears in this book, son of William and Agnes (Taylor) Likely, was born January 29, 1823, in Hunting- don county, Pennsylvania. The family on both the father and mother's side are of Irish origin. His father came from Ireland in 1791 and located in the Tuscarora valley. He had six sons and five daughters. Of these Thomas is the youngest but one. He was raised a farmer, assisting his father perform his labors. He was married September 26, 1844, to Miss Diana A. Doyle, also a native of Hunting- don county. The fruits of this union are ten children, whose names in the order of their ages, are as follows: Ann E. (deceased), Agnes J. (now the wife of E. L. Simpson, of Ringgold county, Iowa), Martha B. (wife of J. C. Fester, of the same county), William D. (deceased in infancy), Henry T. (deceased), Thomas D. (now residing in Buena Vista county, Iowa), Lyman L., Samnel R. (also of Buena Vista county, Iowa), William M., and Mary J. For about three years he was engaged in landing general merchandise in Trough creek valley, Huntingdon county. In the spring of 1850 he came to Pike county, Illinois, and remained until fall, after which he went to La Salle by boat; after arriving here he set out on foot to find a suitable place to locate. He traveled in this manner over Lee, Henry, Whiteside, Ogle, Bureau and La Salle counties, and failing to find a place to suit his taste, he came to old Mercer and bought land in the N. E. ¿ Sec. 32, in Snez township. In 1858 he was elected justice of the peace. At the beginning of the war he received anthority from Adjutant-Gen- eral Fuller to organize a company, which he did in seven days, and was chosen captain. The company was afterward attached to the 102d Ill. Inf., and known as company E. He remained with that regiment until April, 1863, when he resigned on account of disabilities, and was succeeded by D. W. Sedwick. In the winter of 1863 he was elected

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 61

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