History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 92

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 92
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 92

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP.

and heater, and other repairs were made ; the whole cost of which was $929.78. The whole amount was paid at once, not leaving a dollar to be provided for. The congregation is greatly indebted to the commit- tee appointed by them, consisting of H. F. McAllister and W. B. Rice, for planning and superintending the work, as they have now one of the neatest and most comfortable church buildings (though small) in the county.

The church has never been strong in membership, owing to the number of denominations in this small community, and the Presby- terian element being for a long time divided between three Presbyter- ian churches, namely, the Associate Reformed, the Cumberland Pres- byterian, and the Presbyterian Old School. But it has always had the cordial support of many of the most liberal givers in the community. The present officers of the church are : Rev. Hezekiah Hanson, pastor ; members of session, R. W. Richey, Joseph Chickering, Eleazer Pogue, Asa Smith, H. F. Pattan ; trustees, R. W. Richey, Joseph Chickering, W. C. Rise.

The record of this church, as given by the pastor in his twenty- fifth anniversary sermon, is certainly a good one. In it he says : " During the early history of this church, and that, too, in the time of the town's highest prosperity, this congregation did not contribute as much for the work of the church as it has done during the past ten or fifteen years, and to-day it stands in the front rank of the churches of Schuyler Presbytery for its contributions to the general and special work of the church, its average per member being equal to that given by any of the churches. And it has never resorted to any of the questionable means for raising money for any purpose. It is a great pleasure to be able to say that during a period of over twenty-five years this congregation has liberally responded to every appeal in the church, oftentimes giving more than was asked for, never less. Few churches have a better record for peace ; for this over a quarter of a century we have had but four cases of discipline, and during the ter- rible war of the rebellion, when excitement ran high everywhere, and while many of the churches were distracted and torn to pieces, we passed safely through without the least trouble."

In 1856 there were both "Cumberland " and " Associate Re- formed " Presbyterian congregations in Oquawka, worshiping in the halls. No church has been erected by them.

The following notes in honor to Hezekiah Hanson, so long the faithful pastor of the Presbyterian church, are furnished by E. Mathews : Hezekiah Hanson was born in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1824. His early life was passed in Mercersburg. He was atten-

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tive to his books, graduating from Marshall College in 1845, being then but about twenty-one years of age. He became interested in theology, studying with Dr. Thomas Creigh. He then entered West- ern Theological Seminary, at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. October 4. 1848, he was licensed to preach by the Carlisle Presbytery and or- dained August 22, 1849. Mr. Hanson devoted himself to the pastor- ate in his native state till 1856. when he became pastor of the Presby- terian church of Oquawka. Of his labors here as pastor the church history speaks louder than the writer can speak. It seldom occurs that a minister remains in charge of one flock a quarter of a century. There is but one other instance in the state of Illinois. Mr. Hanson, during his ministry, has to this date, May 23, 1882, delivered 5,64+ sermons and lectures, attended 346 funerals, performed the marriage ceremony 256 times, received into the church 325 persons, 213 of whom he baptized. His labors have not been confined to the church ; he has taken an active part in educational affairs, having served on the school board in an important era. He has mastered the mysteries of both Odd-Fellows and Freemasons. Mr. Hanson was married at his native place April 17, 1849, to Miss Nancy T. Dick, who died Decem- ber 25th following. He was next wedded February 10, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth B. Roney, of Duncannon, Pennsylvania. Three children are dead. Three are living : Mary, Frank and Elizabeth.

First Baptist Church .- The pioneer preacher of this faith was Father Hovey. He was a native of West Virginia. Here he labored and here he died, and was buried six miles southeast of Oquawka. He was venerable and honored. Meetings of the Baptist church were held at different places. When Dr. S. H. Ruple came to Oquawka in 1859, he found them holding meetings in the court-house. Up to that date fifty-seven members had been connected with the Baptist church. Elder S. F. Ives was the court-house pastor. In 1862 Allen's hall was secured, and in 1863 Mckinney's hall was used, and continued to be the place of worship till 1870, when the present large editice was constructed at a cost of $5,550. The building is well furnished, has stained glass windows, the largest bell in the town, and is supplied with an organ. The leading subscribers to its erection were J. E. Bosler, Mrs. Robert Moir, Benjamin Harrington. Frisbie Sloan, John Nicol, Robert Moir, James Musgove, Lewis Duke, James Duke, Lewis Duke, Jr., J. II. Zeigler, James A. Caswell, Hiram Rose, R. T. Pence, Drs. S. H. Ruple, C. Park, and Milligan. Services have been held up to March 1880. Some members having died and many having moved away, the church is weak, yet will not be long without services. The minis- ters who have been in charge since Elder Ives, are Rev. Norman

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Parks, called November 29, 1862; Father John Warren, called July 1866 ; Rev. E. N. Elton, April 30, 1869 ; Elder Walter L. Wood, called in the spring of 1877; and E. G. Cheverton, who was ordained here June 3, 1879. His labors were closed in 1880. March 30, 1880, Mrs. Moir reported the church entirely free from debt. Since its organiza- tion 163 have been members. The present membership is twenty- . eight. The officers are Frisbie Sloan, deacon ; Dr. S. II. Ruple, clerk. Trustees, Dr. 'S. H. Ruple, Frisbie Sloan, and Isaac Thomas. The Sabbath school was organized in the court-house in 1859, through the instrumentality of Dr. S. II. Ruple. General Hiram Rose was the first superintendent, J. E. Bosler, librarian, and O. S. Bearce, secre- tary. A good library and plenty of papers were furnished. No school has been lately sustained.

Methodist Church .- After some years of worship at private dwell- ings, and in the school-house in the town, the Methodist society of Oquawka numbered about fifty members in 1856. Services were at that period, and had been for some time, held at the court-house. Revs. Frank Chafey, Urial Giddings, Wm. Haney, and John P. Brooks labored with the church during those years of inconvenience. In 1856 efforts, which were successful, were made to build. A large brick edifice 44×64 was erected at an expense of $4,462.54. The church was dedicated September 21, 1856, by Bishop James, in an eloquent dis- course. There had been subscribed $2,242.54. During the service of dedication $1,478.18 was contributed, leaving $741.82 as an indebted- ness. Rev. J. S. Cummings became pastor, and the church prospered. At one time the society numbered about 180. The church subse- . quently suffered damage by storm to the amount of $60. Again in 1872 by a terrific storm the church was almost demolished, having the rear blown in, erushing the pulpit and despoiling the furniture gener- ally. The cost of these repairs amounted to about $1,200. The church was rededicated by Rev. Stephen Brink, the pastor. The church is now out of debt. Its class leaders have been D. S. Brainard, James Ryason, W. S. Sterling, Henry Camp, Edward Morgan, and others. The trustees at the building of the church were James Rya- son, Lambert Hopper, John Reed and D. S. Brainard. The present trustees are Luke Wadleigh, J. O. Anderson, James Thomas, and W. S. Sterling. The pastor in charge is Rev. David MeLeish.

SCHOOLS.

Wherever a few pioneers settled together, mind as well as wealth received early attention. There were not very many school children in Oquawka when the first school was kept by Rhoda Greeno, about 1838.

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She taught for a number of years at different periods. She came from Ashtabula county, Ohio. The school-house, not very pretentious, stood on the southwest corner of block 43. The first winter school- master was Thomas McElrea, who had previously taught in the coun- try. In 1840 Rev. George Stebbins, a Presbyterian minister, became a laborer both in the church and school, the one branch of the educa- tional business being at that time insufficient for a livelihood. He . taught the village school. He also conducted a private advanced elass in Latin at his home. The members of the class were E. H. N. Pat- terson, Nealy A. Chapin. William H. Phelps, and D. S. Brainard. They were preparing for college, but only one, E. H. N. Patterson, finished the contemplated course, graduating at Jubilee College. Will- iam II. Phelps attended college a short time, became a merchant, and later a farmer. Nealy A. Chapin became a successful merchant of Kirkwood. D. S. Brainard became a merchant but met with reverses in fortune. Rev. Stebbins was a scholar of considerable attainments. Another early teacher was Thomas Hutchison. Schools continued in the old school-house in the north of town. The court-house became a school-house, especially for summer normals, etc. In 1848 Jonathan Simpson made his home in Oquawka. In that year appeared in the "Spectator" the following: The undersigned intends to open a school at the court-house in Oquawka, on Monday, December 18, for the in- struction of youth in all branches of English education usually taught in our common schools. Terms, $2.50 per term of twelve weeks .- J. SIMPSON.

.The school proved a success. lasting about two years, with an attendance of about 100 pupils. Miss Bigelow (now the widow of the late Capt. O. Eames, and now of Minneapolis), was assistant teacher. A new school-building became imperative. Accordingly, about 1848, a tax of $1,200 was levied for school-building purposes. Prior to this it was also intended to build a school-house in the north part of the town, and about $400 collected for that purpose. The $1,200 proving too little for the former enterprise, the $400 was added to the $1.200, and in 1850 the new brick school edifice was erected at a cost of about $1,800. Luke Strong, John Gillis, and others whose names do not appear, were early instructors in this building. About 1857 it became necessary to secure additional room. The basement of the Methodist church was rented for two or three years for school purposes. For several years subsequent, Moir's hall was fitted into a school-room. About 1858 some people and directors called for an additional school- building in the north part of town. After a defeat at the polls a second trial allowed what is known as the Oak Grove edifice to be erected.

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Asa Smith performed the labor and furnished the material for $824. This was utilized till about 1878.

An effort was at one time made to establish a seminary, by George and Charles E. Birdsall. A building was erected, but soon sold for a German Lutheran church. In 1873, at an expense of about $3,000, an addition was built to the brick school-building. The education of . the town is now confined to the enlarged building. In 1880 the rooms were refurnished at an expense of $625. Since 1860 the principals of the schools have been : George Birdsall, C. C. Button, J. A. Summers, John E. Chapin, Cyrus Chapin, S. II. Peterman, E. G. Stiles, J. M. Akin, George L. Guy, John S. Muir, J. R. Logue, E. G. Glenn, and John Brock.

HEALTH.

Perhaps no place along the Mississippi river has enjoyed exemption from disease to a greater degree during fifty years than has Oquawka, situated as it is on the sand, where no water lingers to become stag- nant and foul, and the Mississippi river hurrying its waters by, carry- ing whatever obnoxious debris may settle into its vicinity.

In 1849, when the cholera attacked various places with so much virulence and fatality, Oquawka suffered some, losing three persons one week and two the next week. This was nearly the limit of the death list, although quite a number were sick. In 1851 and 1852 cholera claimed some ten or twelve victims, but the number is far below the results of its deadly work in other places. Since that time cholera has left Oquawka unmolested.

But in 1854 and 1855 small-pox made its appearance. For some time the doctors differed in their diagnoses, the usual similarity be- tween it and other eruptive diseases baffling the medical skill of some. However, it was soon verified and announced by the doctors in con- vention. The board of town trustees in February, 1855, appointed Drs. C. Park, J. A. Maury, H. Burkleo, J. R. Snelling, George C. Pearce, a sanitary committee, with authority to impose such restric- tions, where disease existed and upon persons having been exposed, as they deemed proper. The board proceeded to vaccinate all within the corporation limits. Each committeeman received $10 for his labor. In 1871 the small-pox rumors again took wing, but proved only a case of varioloid. It is said that the fish diet so largely indulged in is highly favorable to health. Life of fifty years here confirms the gen- eral healthı statements.

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

LAWYERS.

Harry Jenings was the first attorney that settled in the county after its organization. He was a native of Kentucky. He died in Oquawka in 1845. James C. Hutchinson practiced some at an early day. Then William C. Rice, Charles M. Harris, -. Flemming, and James H. Stewart appear upon the docket as residents of the county. M. Brocklebank, John W. Jones and John Mitchell come next in order of date; R. Swift, who practiced a year or two before his death, also resided here. James T. Sanders, Jonathan Simpson, Marion William- son, Williard B. Spaulding, Marion F. Button, James D. Wolf, C. C. Secrist, J. II. Jenings, J. F. Duff, Rauselden Cooper, Simeon Darnell, David R. Waters, Daniel M. Hammack, complete the list of attorneys who have resided and practiced in this county. Of this number Harry Jenings, Swift, Mitchell, Spaulding, Hutchinson, Flemming, Button, and Williamson are dead, and Rice, Simpson and Cooper alone re- main as resident attorneys.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN B. PATTERSON, of Oquawka, Illinois, was born in Virginia, January 11, 1806. His father, Thomas Patterson, was a native of Londonderry, Ireland, a finely educated gentleman, who was ardently devoted to the cause of education, and spent the greater portion of his life as a professor in different educational institutions in the State of Virginia. The subject of this sketch removed to Win- chester when quite a boy. After receiving such education as he was able to acquire in the schools of the county of his residence, and undergoing the usual vicissitudes that fall to the lot of boys similarly situated, he at the age of eighteen entered a printing office to learn the art of printing. After two years of experience, he took charge of the mechanical department of the "Winchester Virginian," a new demo- cractic paper, and remained in this employ for one year. On January 11, 1827, he was united in marriage with Mahala Jane Norton, of Loudon county, Virginia. In April of the following year he started a new democratic paper, the "Leesburg Observer," advocating the claims of Andrew Jackson to the presidency. This enterprise proved not to be a pecuniary success, and the paper was discontinued. In May, 1829, he went to the city of Washington and commenced the pub- lication of the "American Argus," which, after the issue of a few num- bers, was discontinued for want of paying support. In March, 1832, he joined the advance guard of the grand army that was soon to follow, and set his face toward the great west, and arrived in Rock Island the following month. From this place, he was invited to Galena to take

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charge of the "Galenian," a paper published at the time in the far famed lead mines of Illinois. His engagement was to continue for a few weeks or until the close of the Black Hawk war, then just begun. At Galena he joined Capt. Milton Waugh's company of Col. James Strode's regiment, and was by the colonel detailed as regimental printer (a new office) and served as a staff officer until the close of the war, and continued on the paper until October of that year. After closing his connection with this paper he returned to Rock Island, and entered the employment of Col. Davenport in his large mercantile establishment, who was also a member of the American Fur Company. He remained thus employed, and in keeping books for the Indian agent, Major Davenport. On the return of that renowned warrior and chief, Black Hawk and his party, from their celebrated tour of the great cities of the east, Mr. P., at the solicitation of Black Hawk, pre- pared, wrote and published his autobiography. He came to the Yel- low Banks in the summer of 1834, and made arrangements to spend the fall and winter trading with the Indians in the country west of the Mississippi. Going to Keokuk, Iowa, he was detained some six weeks, and while thus waiting he opened a school and taught ten scholars. This was the first school ever taught in Keokuk. In September he came up to the Yellow Banks, loaded a boat and started for the Forks of Skunk river, Iowa. Arriving there, he built a storehouse and remained trading with the Indians until April, 1835, when he came down the Skunk river on a rudely constructed raft, upon which he freighted his furs that he had collected in trade with the Indians. Arriving at the Mis- sissippi river he found the ice solid, nor did it break up until the 7th of April. In 1836 the town of Oquawka was laid out, and Mr. Patter- son opened in that town a general retail store and continued the busi- ness for many years. In February, 1848, he commenced the publica- tion of the "Spectator," a weekly newspaper which he continues to manage and edit at the present time. In 1849 he admitted his son, E. H. N. Patterson, as associate editor and proprietor, the firm con- tinuing until 1875, when his son went to Colorado and became editor of the "Georgetown Colorado Miner." The press on which the "Spectator " has been printed since its first advent, was the first press brought into Iowa, on which the Burlington " Gazette " was printed for some years, and is still a good press. Mr. Patterson held the office of justice of the peace while he resided in Rock Island in 1833. He also held a like office at the Yellow Banks, then in Warren county, in 1835; in 1838, postmaster at Oquawka; in 1837, was appointed brigade inspector and commissioned colonel. Col. Patterson is one of the oldest editors in the state, and few, if any, have had continuously

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unbroken editorial charge of one paper for so many consecutive years. He is now past his allotted three-score-and-ten years, and feels that he is now living on borrowed time. Still mentally and physically vigor- ous, he bids fair yet for a long time to remain to cheer his friends, with whom he has been so long and favorably known.

ABNER DAVIS was a native of Vermont. He was born September 21, 1798. Lucy Oaks Davis, his wife, was born October 27, 1797, in the same state. After their marriage they removed to Saratoga county, New York. In 1835 they removed to Illinois, landing at Monmouth, Illinois, November 25 of that year. They made a temporary home that winter at Center Grove. On August 6, 1836, Mr. Davis sought out and found the land which he subsequently settled on and made his homestead. He held a patent for the N. W. } of Sec. 36, T. 9 N., R. 5 W., and this was the land that he came to find. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and had passed through the bloody battle of Lundy's Lane, under Gen. Winfield Scott, when he encountered on that sanguinary field the British army under Sir John Harvy. For his services Mr. Davis had drawn a patent for the land above described, where he resided until his death. He died December 10, '1874, aged eighty years, nine months and eleven days. A curious incident occurred a few years ago, which shows the unscrupulous character of a class of "land-sharks," or pirates, that fattened and grew rich in warring upon the titles of farmers to the lands they had honestly pur- chased and owned in this county. These sharks would mannfacture pretended genuine patent titles to a farmer's land, and, with the audacity of a highwayman, present it to him, coolly informing the owner that the title by which he claimed to hold his lands was worth- less, and demanding of him large sums for their pretended titles ; as a last resort, threatening the farmer with a suit in ejectment in the United States court at Chicago. Rather than risk a ruinous litigation in a distant court, many a deluded citizen parted with his money to fill the pockets of those rascally sharks, receiving in return a pretended title not worth the paper upon which it was written. One of these sharks had in his possession a bogus patent title upon the home farm of Mr. Davis. Going out from a neighboring town in his fine buggy to view the premises from which he expected to realize a small fortune by frightening the occupant into a so-called compromise, by which he would be able to dispose of his bogus title for a large sum, he encoun- tered Mr. Davis at work in his farm-yard, pitchfork in hand, stacking grain. The shark at once made known his business, informing Mr. Davis of his lack of genuine title, and offering him his forged title for a large sum. Mr. Davis parleyed with him for awhile, when the

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speculator threatened him with a suit in ejectment. At this Mr. Davis boiled over, and leaping from the stack, and in language not to be misunderstood, and that, too, made still more pointed by the sharp points of his fork, he informed his would-be persecutor that on the battle-field he had earned that land, and received the title from his government ; that he had fought for his title ; was ready to fight again. About that time a land-shark was seen beating a retreat from the premises, followed by a pair of sharp fork-tines. Never did a swindler make better time than did this one make until he had placed many miles between himself and his intended victim.

JONATHAN SIMPSON, who has been at the head of the bar of Hender- son county for more than a score of years, and is one of the leading practitioners of western Illinois, is a native of New England. His ancestors were of those who left England and went to Amsterdam, Holland, that they might acquire the privilege of worshiping according to their own beliefs. From here they, with the other persecuted ones, drifted to America, and finally to Penobscot county, in the State of Maine, where Jonathan was born August 28, 1825. His father, Jona- than Simpson, was a ship captain, engaged in European-China trade. He died at Point Aupetro, Guadalupe, while Jonathan was yet quite young. His mother's name was Abigail Knowles. He grew up as most boys under similar circumstances would. At the proper age he was sent to Professor Wooster's institution, at Bangor, Maine, for the preparation of young men to enter college. Having finished the cur- riculum of studies, he prepared to enter Walterville college, where he might receive more liberal instruction. Ill health compelled him to lay aside his studies, and after traveling for some time in the south he returned to his native district and commenced life as an instructor. The year 1846 was spent in travel, mostly on the West India Islands, to recuperate his wasted energies. His health being much improved he went to Louisiana where he remained a short time. During the year 1847 he came to Oquawka, Illinois, where he has ever since resided. Soon after his arrival he embarked in merchandizing, in company with his brother, Jason B. Simpson. Being unsuccessful at this, and consequently acquiring a dislike for the business, at the end of four years they elosed out their business. Having read law for a while prior to his advent at Oquawka, he concluded to finish his legal studies. He entered the office of Charles M. Harris, afterward a mem- ber of congress from the fifth district, was admitted and commenced practice in 1853. At the election in 1854 he was chosen to fill the office of school commissioner, for Henderson county, and was re- elected in 1856. His official duties were conscienciously fulfilled, to

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the satisfaction of his constituency. Although he had been a life-long democrat, when Fort Sumter was fired on he declared for the vigor- ous prosecution of the war. In 1862 he was chosen as the union candidate of Warren and Henderson counties, to represent them in the convention called to revise the constitution. He was elected by an overwhelming majority, defeating Judge Ivory Quinby, of Monmouth, Illinois. When the convention assembled Mr. Simpson was ap- pointed on the Committee on Bill of Rights, on the Committee on Schedule, and on the Committee on Law Reform. Mr. Simpson was an active worker during the season, and introduced several important propositions. He proved himself to be of no mean ability as a funda- mental legislator. In 1864 he was chosen as the union candidate to represent Henderson and Mercer counties in the general assembly, against editor Birdsall, of Aledo, Mercer county, defeating him by a large majority. Here, as in every other public capacity in which he served the people, he proved to be a valuable functionary. Besides these official positions he has filled two unexpired county offices, with great credit to himself and those he represented. Mr. Simpson is a married man and has three children living: Cora Frances (now in Colorado), Donald (in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad), and Frederick (printer and student in school, aged eighteen years).

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 92

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