USA > Illinois > Pike County > History of Pike County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons and biographies of representative citizens > Part 40
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Samuel M. Williams, lawyer, was born in Salisbury, N. C., Feb. 9, 1829, and is the son of John A. Williams, a pioneer of this county, who brought his family here in 1834, and endured all the privations of pioneer life. He was Deacon in the Baptist Church in Detroit 25 years, and died March 26, 1876, in Pettis county, Mo., where he had resided four years. May 1, 1864, Samuel M. married Eunice, daughter of Ede Hatch, deceased, who resided in this township until within two years of his death, which occurred in Newburg township, May 15, 1842. He was a worthy citizen and a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have three children, viz: Frances, Claiborne and Samuel. Mrs. Wil- liams had previously been married and had three children, Henry, Henrietta and Harlow Hosford, deceased. Mr. Williams has prac- ticed law 25 years.
Bula A. Wilson was born Jan. 13, 1828, and was brought to this county by her parents in 1833, and has seen many hardships and troubles ; has done all kinds of heavy farm work, pulled, hackled, spun and wove flax, and hauled many a load of wood. She was unusually kind, benevolent and charitable, and wherever there was sickness and suffering Mrs. Wilson was found ; yet when she was left a widow, sick with rheumatism, and a little speechless boy, she was placed in a poor-house. Sept. 26, 1861, she married John Hol- iday, who was drowned in the Mississippi river at St. Louis, Sept. 16, 1863. They had one son, John H. Jan. 13, 1876, she married Charles Wilson, a native of Sweden.
Luke Yelliott, P. O. Detroit, was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, Eng., about 1809, and is the son of Luke Yelliott, sr. In 1842 he came to Pike county and settled on the farm he now owns, and where he resides. He was married in Yorkshire, Eng., Feb. 10, 1840 (just one week after the marriage of Queen Victoria), to Mary, daughter of John and Rebecca Burland, who came to this county in 1831, enduring many of the hardships of pioneer life. Mrs. Burland used locust thorns for pins, such was the scarcity of household articles. They both died in the house of Mr. Yelliott, aged 87 and 77 years, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Yelliott have had nine children, of whom seven are living. Rebecca and Sarah (twins), John and Annette (twins), Luke, Edward B., and Mary A.
MONTEZUMA TOWNSHIP.
This township borders on the Illinois river and lies between Detroit on the north and Pearl on the south. It was one of the first townships in this early settled county to receive the pioneer. A very complete and interesting historical sketch of this township was prepared by Mr. F. M. Grimes, editor of the Milton Beacon, in 1876, and we make no apology for quoting much of this sketch. The people of Montezuma and neighboring townships had a grand centennial celebration at Milton, July 4, 1876, and Mr. Grimes was appointed to the pleasant yet arduous and difficult task of prepar- ing an historical sketch of this township as a Centennial History. After his introductory, he begins the sketch of the settlement as follows :
SETTLEMENT.
One hundred years ago the sound of the white man's ax had not been heard in our forests. The ringing of the anvil, the rattle of the reaper, the hum of the thresher, and whistle of the engine would have been strange music to the ear of the wild Indian, whose song and warhoop were the only sounds indicative of human exis- tence. The soul-stirring music of the band, the melodious tones of the organ and the still sweeter voices of the choir, would have been in strange contrast with the howl of the wolf or the scream of the panther as they roamed fearlessly o'er the spot where we now stand. The bark canoe and the majestic steamer; the rude wig- wam and the stately mansion; the Indian pony and the iron horse; the slow footman and the lightning telegraph,-but faintly illustrate the vast difference between the savage of then and the civilized of to-day.
But little is known of the history of Montezuma township prior to the year 1819, at which time Ebenezer Franklin settled upon the lands now owned by his son Frederick Franklin, our townsman. Other settlements were afterwards made by Charles Adams, James' Daniels, David Daniels, David Hoover, Daniel Hoover, Joel Meach- am, Thomas Davis (1826), Elijah Garrison (1826), Solomon Far- rington (1827), John F. Long (1828), Fielden Hanks (1829), William Morton, Frederic Franklin (came with his father), E. C. Clemmons, James Cheatham (1834), Josiah Hoover (came with his father in 1826), George Hoover (came with his father), Daniel Hoover (182).6 The last eight are still residents. Z. A. Garrison, John Batter-
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
shell (1832), now a resident of Spring Creek township, Ezekiel Clemmons, Boone Allen, John Morton, George Morton, Peter Dillon, John Garrison, Joseph Garrison, John Loop, Nicholas Jones, John Jones, Wm. McBride, Smith Aimes, Joshua Davis, Josiah Simms, William Kenney (1826), Solomon Seevers, -- Roark, James Grimes (1836), John Bacus, Job Wilkinson, B. Greathouse, John Greathouse, Louis Allen, Elijah Garrison.
Like all settlers of new countries they suffered many hardships and inconveniences. The nearest mill for the first few years was Edwardsville, 80 miles distant. Mr. Franklin informs ns that there were then abont 200 Indians in the neighborhood. * * * *
In the year 1829 a horse-mill was built by Freeman Tucker on the lot now occupied by Mr. Franklin. The nearest trading points were at Atlas and Bridgeport, opposite Bedford. The first regularly laid out road ran from Montezuma to Atlas, and was among, if not the first, in the county. Houston was the physician. Polly Davis taught the first school in a small cabin on the land now owned by Josiah Hoover. In addition to her labors as teacher she had the care of eight children.
The inhabitants were pre-eminently religious. Shouting was very common and the " jerks " had not ceased to afflict the religious fanatic. Preaching and prayer meetings were held at private houses until better accommodations could be had. The Christian Church prevailed at that time, and an organization was effected prior to 1828. There were five resident ministers; four of the Christian and one of the Baptist faith. The present Christian Church has been perpetuated since the year 1833.
The call for volunteers for the Black Hawk war created no little consternation among the people. A meeting was called at Flor- ence and John Battershell, Joseph Gale, William Kenney, Joshua Davis, Smith Aimes, Josiah Simms and Edward Irons enlisted. The first two are still living. There were others from the adjoin- ing towns or counties who afterwards became residents, as Jesse Lester, then a resident of Detroit, now residing here, James Grimes, resident of Greene county, and others whose names we cannot give.
About the year 1830, by virtue of a law allowing slaveholders the privilege of passing through this State with slaves, slavery ex- isted in the township for a period limited by the law to 30 days. Jacob Rosel brought a negro woman here, and not wishing to remove for the time, kept her until the expiration of the 30 days and took her to Missouri for a few days, and brought her back again, and so continued to do, thus evading the law for nearly a year.
The first marriage so far as we can learn was that of Joseph Gale and Elizabeth Garrison, about the year 1830. John F. Long is now the oldest resident voter in the township, having been a legal voter 47 years, and has not missed to exceed three general elections. The oldest native-born resident is Daniel G. Hoover, son of Daniel and Rebecca Hoover. Calvin Greathouse, son of John and Cathe-
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
rine Greathouse, was the first native-born. He is now a resident of Texas.
EDUCATIONAL.
Even in the earlier days the settlers regarded the education of their children as their first duty. In many instances the tuition was paid by the father's labor with the maul and wedge, or the mother's work at the wheel and loom. The first board of school trustees now on record was composed of the following names: Nathan Tucker, R C. Robertson, Jacob Wagner, John F. Long and Solomon Farrington, who met at Milton July 15, 1840, and appor- tioned the funds then on hand, $83.06, upon the schedules of W. M. Porter and Charles Daniels.
A subsequent meeting is recorded as follows:
Trustees of schools met at Milton and ordered :
June 5th, 1841.
1st. That the debtors to the school fund be required punctually to pay the inter- est when due, and annually to pay ten per cent. of the principal.
2d. That 65 days be considered one quarter of a year, and that each school teacher teach 8 hours in each day.
3d. That the trustees receive for their services 50 cts. per day, and the treasurer receive $1.00 per day.
MATHEW BAKER, WALTER W. TUCKER, JAMES GRIMES, FIELDEN HANKS, JOHN S. BACUS, Trustees.
At a meeting held at Thomas Davis' house in November of the same year, the township was laid off in districts, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4. Lots No. 4, 14 and 15 of the 16th section were ordered to be sold on the 24th of December on 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years' time. From 1840' to 1850 we find the name of B. Greathouse as Treasurer most of the time. The names of a portion of the teachers are as follows: T. M. Johnson, Louisa Greene, W. W. Tucker, A. Meacham, A. D. Robertson, W. Porter, G. Lester. Joseph M. Jones (now resident of Oregon), N. W. Saxton, J. J. Meacham, A. Jones, H. D. Bennett, C. L. Easley, T. P. Hoit, Noble Shaw, Martha Greathouse, B. F. Turpin. Matthew Morton, Sidney Coffey, James Brook, Nancy L. Reed, John Porter, Sherman Goss, Edwin Woolley, Joseph Colvin (now living in Time), W. F. Anderson, Addison S. Smith, John W. Allen (now residing near Milton), R. R. Clark. James M. Grimes, Adam Acott, Mary A. Clemmons, Caroline E. Davis, Harmon J. Kim- ball, Wm. B. Grimes, Edwin P. Simmons, Jolın S. Woolley. Emeline Spencer, Robert Owen and Samuel Heaton. From 1850 to the present we can only mention a few of the names: Hampton, Eag- lin, Hurley, Roberts, Walden. Underwood, Eakins, Harris, Ewing, N. C. Boren, P. A. Long, J. H. Long, W. M. Landess, N. J. Colvin, Fannie Allen, Jane Allen, A F. White, W. N. Barney, Sarah B. Stuart, N, D. Mc. Evers, G. W. Manley, J. L. Harris. Lucinda K.
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Smith, G. B. Garrison, W. Z. Garrison, Amanda Boren and J. M. Faris. The teachers during the last year were John King, Miss Cromwell, Mrs. A. Binns, L. D. Riggs, Geo. A. Holcomb, C. E. Thurman, J. G. Webster, J. L. Craven, W. F. Colvin, and the writer. Several of the above named persons have devoted the greater portion of their lives to the profession. During the past 20 years Mr. F. M. Grimes taught 19 successive terms in this town- ship.
Montezuma has always been proud of her schools, and according to her population she stands second to none in the county, perhaps in the State. Liberal wages have been paid, and there seems to be a determination on the part of the patrons to spare no pains in giving to their children the greatest of blessings, a liberal educa- tion. As evidence that our schools have been all that we claim for them, we point to the business and professional men who received their education in our schools, viz: J. F. Greathouse, who now ranks among the best lawyers of the county, F. M. Greathonse, his brother, now present State's Attorney of Calhoun, and stands at the head of the Bar in that county; W. B. Grimes, ex-County Clerk, and V. A. Grimes, present Deputy; W. H. Thomas, attorney, now in California; J. H. Nicolay, who held a position in the U. S. Treasury at Washington; John G. Nicolay, present Marshal of the Supreme Court of the U. S., held his residence here for several years prior . to entering upon his apprenticeship as a printer in Pittsfield, and what education he received in the common schools, was obtained in the schools in this township.
AGRICULTURE.
For many years the tillers of the soil were, of necessity, com- pelled to use such implements as came within their reach. The plow with wooden mold-board is within the recollection of many who were raised in our midst. The sickle and the scythe were suf- ficient for the amount of small grain raised, but as the acreage increased, the demand for something more expeditious was supplied by the introduction of the reaper. Mr. R. H. Robertson was the first to lead in this progressive movement, and in about the year 1845, bought and cut his grain with a McCormick reaper. Next year Mr. E. C. Clemmons followed the example. A. Boren and John F. Long soon after introduced one in the south part of the township. Flailing and tramping with horses soon gave way to the " beater," which was run by Wm. Stults. This was quite a relief to the boys who rode the horses from day to day, and bare- back at that, on a tramping floor not more than 30 feet in diameter. Ourrecollections on this point are very vivid indeed. The " beater " soon gave way to the improved thresher and cleaner ; the wooden fork was not adequate to the task of taking care of the straw; the wooden plows were laid in the shade and the Stebbins and Modie plows took their places; the wooden harrow was not in keeping with the times, and the material from which it was made served
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
for other purposes. That the soil from which our crops is produced is of the best and most endurable quality, is demonstrated beyond a doubt by the manner in which it has from year to year been tilled. Until late years the clover crop was as rare as the flax crop is at the present. Year after year have our lands yielded bountiful crops, without rest or nourishment in return, and why should we wonder that it should show some signs of diminished productive- ness? The improved methods of culture, deep plowing, clovering and pasturing, have made much of our land better than it was when it was first turned by the plow-share.
The introduction of improved and blooded stock was left to a few of our most enterprising farmers, who, in the past 25 years have made rapid strides in this particular, so much so that this for the past two or three years may be called the banner township, so far as the show of fine cattle is concerned. Isaac Brown & Sons, John O. Bolin, E. N. French, Geo. Hoover, R. C. Allen and others, have done a commendable work in the improvement of cattle, hogs and sheep.
The majority of our farmers now have more or less of the im- proved breeds upon their farms. The original scrub hog is as scarce now as the imported was 20 years ago. In order that the progress of the next century may be readily estimated by the readers who at that time may chance to see this record, we give some of the statistics furnished by Eli Grimes, present Assessor:
Merchandise, value, $27,460; moneys and credits, $66,485; im- proved lands, 12,257 acres, $327,925; unimproved lands, 8,261 acres, $43,660; wheat, 3,019 acres; corn, 4,148 acres; oats, 509 acres; meadows and pasture, 3,085 acres; town lots, improved, 155; unimproved, 391; total value of town lots, $58,919; total value of personal property, $173,175; total value of real estate, $371,585. Grand total, $607,539.
VILLAGES.
There are three villages in this township, the largest and most important of which is Milton, situated on section 5. At the close of the Black Hawk war in 1832, and when the people of the South and East were assured that the settlers through this section of the State had no more to fear from the Indians, there was a most wonder- ful influx of settlers here. There has never been a period in the history of the settlement of the Mississippi valley or the Great West, when emigration was greater than it was to Central Illinois during the few years subsequent to the close of the war, say from 1833 to 1837. The people poured in by thousands, and the beauti- ful groves and "points " of Pike county received their portion. During this period we find unprecedented prosperity on every hand. Then, to add to the almost wild excitement incident to the prosperity and speculation then rife, the State inaugurated the most stupendous system of internal improvements ever attempted by a government. The wildest imagination can scarcely conceive the mag-
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
nitude of this vast system. Suffice it to say that it proved an incentive to the settlers here to embark in speculations, especially in land. Towns were laid out on every hand, and a majority of the villages of Pike county were platted. christened and started upon their career during this eventful period. In this township the villages of Milton, Montezuma and Bedford were ushered into existence at this time.
The beautiful little village of Milton was platted by Freeman Tucker, March 2, 1835. As early as 1828 Wm. Kenney erected a log cabin here. Some little improvement was made in the neigh- borhood from that time until they laid off the town. There are several good store buildings, filled with a fine assortment of goods in their various lines, situated around a beautiful little square, which is set with trees, etc., and forms a pleasant summer park. The first store was kept by Tucker & Wethers, and the first school was taught by George Lester. The first church structure was situ- ated on the Public Square. Milton is situated upon a beautiful prairie, and enjoys a fine local trade.
The village of Montezuma, which is located on the Illinois river, on section 12, and four miles from Milton, was laid out by an Alton Company for a river landing. In 1836 Joel Meacham, who ran a ferry across the river at this point for many years, laid out an addition, which comprises about one-half of the town. Monte- zuma had great promise of making a town of some importance, being an excellent landing for boats at all stages of water, but the introduction of railroads and the springing up of inland towns, have so crippled river transportation that at present it affords profit to scarcely any one. The village contains at present about 100 in- habitants.
Bedford, which is situated on sections 13 and 24, and about one mile and a half below Montezuma on the river, was laid out by David Hoge, April 16, 1836. It has an excellent river landing, and for years a vast amount of grain, pork and various kinds of pro- duce, were annually shipped from here. It no longer, however, claims any great prominence among the towns of the county. Its present population numbers about 100.
SONAL SKETCHES.
We refrain from dwelling longer on the history of the township, or any of its villages, choosing rather to devote the space to giving personal sketches of the more prominent citizens of the township, believing such sketches are of equal importance, and afford greater interest.
Austin R. Allen, physician, is the son of John W. and Louisa Allen, who settled in this county in an early day. He was a farmer by occupation but taught school for many years ; was Jus- tice of the Peace in pioneer times, and in 1861 was elected County Judge; in 1865 he completed the canvas for the census, and is now traveling in Virginia. Austin R. began his medical studies with
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
his brother, C. I. Allen, a practitioner in this section since 1866; attended medical lectures at the St. Louis Medical College 1875-8, and March 5 of the latter year he was graduated, and estab- lished himself in Milton, where he now has a large practice. . He was born in Detroit township in 1857.
John Battershell, sr., of the firm of Battershell & Mitchell, mer- chants, Milton, was born in Clark county, Ky., March 13, 1811, and is the son of John and Abigail ( Rector) Battershell, natives of Mary- land and Kentucky. Mr. B. settled in Scott county, Illinois, in 1829, where he engaged in farming; in 1859 he settled in Pike county, on a farm of 305 acres, in this township, valued at $50 per acre. In 1829 he married Miss Betsey Richards, a native of Virginia, who died at Winchester, Ill. They had 8 children, 7 of whom are living,-Martha, Mitchell, Sarah, Hezekiah, Mary, Matilda, and John, jr. He then married Anna Sinith, a native of Tennessee, by whom he has 3.children: Charles, Eva and Emma (twins). The present business partnership was formed in 1878, which is the largest and controls the most extensive trade in Milton.
A. W. Bemis, retired farmer and claim agent, was born in Wor- cester county, Mass., in 1814, and is the son of Aaron and Martha (Frost) Bemis, who settled in Summer Hill, this county, in 1835, where he purchased land and resided until his death, in 1874. The subject of this sketch married Mary P. Ford, a native ot Greene county, and they have 2 children, Albert and Laurie. He first set- tled at Atlas, then on the old homestead at Summer Hill, then in 1851 he engaged in the lumber business in Montezuma, and in 1853 he became extensively engaged in the mercantile trade at Time, where he resided until 1873; he then returned to his present place in Montezuma. He was Township Treasurer 13 years, Justice of the Peace many years, was the first Supervisor of Martinsburg tp., and in 1851-3 he was Postmaster at Montezuma.
John O. Bolin, retired fariner; P. O. Milton; was born in Pick- away county, O., in 1824, and is the eldest son of Charles and Betsey (Griffin) Bolin, natives of Delaware, who came to this county in 1838 and settled in Pleasant Hill township; in 1848 they moved to Martinsburg township, where Mrs. B. died the next year; he then moved to Milton, where he married Miss Minerva Clemmons, and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1851 John O. was admitted to the partnership, and for 10 years this firm carried on a large dry-goods trade. Mr. Charles Bolin then retired, and in 1868 died. He was a minister of the Gospel. John O. then dis- posed of the stock of goods in 1865, and built his present residence, where he has 60 acres of land, valued at $100 per acre. He also has a farm of 155 acres on sec. 16, valued at $50 an acre. In 1845 he married Rebecca McCoy, a native of Missouri, who died in 1863. His present wife, Mary, is a daughter of Daniel Hoover. Mr. Bolin was Supervisor for a number of terms. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Christian Church.
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Absalom Boren, jr., farmer, sec. 32, P. O. Milton ; is the son of Absalom and Catherine (Anderson) Boren, natives of Indiana, where, in Posey county, the subject of this sketch was born in 1819; he came to this county in 1839, and settled in this tp. where he has since made his home. The same year he was married to Miss Lucinda, daughter of James Grimes, an early settler of this county. She was born in White county in 1823. The fruits of this union are 5 children, living,-Nancy K., John W., Uriel E., Angeline Q. E., and Sarah A. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Boren has served as School Di- rector, and his name is linked with those who were the founders of Montezuma.
John W. Boren, harness-maker, was born in this county, Aug. 2, 1842, and is the son of Absalom and Lucinda (Grimes) Boren, who settled in Montezuma tp. in 1836, where they still reside. He was married in 1872 to Miss Mary Smith, a native of this county. He first established himself in business on the northwest corner of the Square, and in 1876 settled in his pres- ent location. He carries, a stock of $1,500, and has a good trade. Is Justice of the Peace, having filled that office 4 years, and is a inember of the Christian Church.
John M. Brooking, farmer, sec. 32; P. O. Milton; born on the Ohio river, in Ohio, in 1822, and is the son of Wm. and Sarah (Rubell) Brooking, natives of Ohio, where they both died. The subject of this sketch was married May 4, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John Colvin, who came to this county in 1852 and settled in this tp., where he has since made his home; moved to his present es- tate in 1858, consisting of 120 acres, valued at $40 per acre. Their children are Andrew F., Arnold D., John W., Amanda, Sarah J. and Rebecca M. Mr. B. served as School Director one term, and is a self-made man, who, by his energy and perseverance has secured for himself a good home.
James Cheatham, retired farmer, residence Milton, was born in Cumberland Co., Ky., in 1812; is the son of Richardson Cheatham, a native of Kentucky, where he died at an early day. The subject of this sketch came to this county in 1834, and settled in this tp. on sec. 4, where he built a log cabin and cultivated 80 acres of land ; the same year he married Miss Virginia Robertson, a native of South Carolina, who with her mother and brother came to this county the same year. The license for this pioneer couple was the 3d one issued at Pittsfield. Three children have been born to them; Samuel, who married Sarah Lyster, and resides on the homestead; Lucy Ann, wife of F. McFadden, residents of Magnolia ; and Walter, who was drowned when 19 years of age. Mr. C. settled on his present place in 1872. where he lives in retirement and en- joyment of past industry. They number among the living relies of Montezuma.
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