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 47
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The Unfortunate Calf .- In the pioneer days of this county there occurred many laughable incidents. Among those which were related to us as happening in this township is the following, showing how great a trouble may arise from a little matter. On a certain occasion John Dix purchased a calf and tied it to his cart to lead home. On the way home his oxen took fright and ran away, dragging the poor calt over the rough roads by the neck. We imagine it an interest- ing scene to observe Mr. Dix running at the top of his speed, and keeping barely close enough to reach the caudal appendage of the calf as it dangled among the brush. He finally overtook the oxen and rescued the choking calf by lifting it up and throwing it into the cart. A neighbor's dog subsequently bit the calf, from the ef- fects of which it died. Had this been the last of the calf it would have been better for all the parties concerned, but it still lives in the memories of many. Had it been forgotten, a vast amount of time, worry and expense would have been saved. Not being able to settle the case among themselves, Mr. Dix sued his neighbor. From the Justice's Court it was appealed to the Circuit Court, which then sat at Atlas. After a somewhat extended trial for so small a case, it was finally settled, as it was thought; but one day an officer of the Court came to Mr. Dix with a demand for the costs of the case, which surprised him not a little. The demand however was upon Levi Dix, another individual. Mr. Dix refused to pay it, and another lawsuit occurred, which was finally settled by Mr. Dix proving that Levi Dix never owned a calf.
EDUCATIONAL.
The settlers of Griggsville township, like all the setlers of 50 years ago, had many difficulties to overcome before any perceptible progress could be made in establishing educational institutions. The first efforts at instruction of any kind were very simple lessons in rudimentary knowledge, given at the residences of the early set- tlers. The first school was taught by John Cavender in a small log cabin on the Judge Harrington farm, where now resides George Harrington. The first school-house was built before there were any regular schools. It was erected on sec. 14 in 1833. Since, the schools have multiplied, and at present they stand second to none in the county, great care being taken in the selection of teachers and the use of proper text-books. This locality has a system of schools that the patrons may well be proud of. There are now seven school-houses in the township, besides the city schools of Griggsville.
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ORGANIZATION.
The township of Griggsville was organized under the townshij. organization law in 1850. The first election was held in April of that year. At that election Amos Hill was chosen Supervisor, James A. Kenney, Town Clerk; Porter Cotton, Assessor; Samuel Reynolds, Collector; Samnel Hill, Wmn. Hinman and James Shinn, Commissioners of Highways; John Crow and B. F. Coffey, Jus- tices of the Peace; S. B. Elledge and Frank Hatch, Constables.
GRIGGSVILLE.
This city is pleasantly located upon the Wabash Railway, about four miles from the Illinois river. It is situated upon a beautiful eminence. In its immediate vicinity the land is sufficiently roll- ing, requiring no drainage, and makes what is apparently a healthy location. It was laid out in 1833, by Joshua Stanford, Nathan W. Jones and Richard Griggs, and was named Griggsville by Mr .. Jones in honor of Richard Griggs. It consisted of eight blocks on the north side and eight upon the south side of Quincy Avenue. Each block contained eight lots of one-quarter of an acre each. The original plat made provisions for a public square, containing two acres. It was subsequently re-platted, however, and instead of a public square two lots in block 3, two lots in block 14, two lots in block 2 and two lots in block 15, were given for Church and school purposes. There has since been added to the original plat John- son's, Jones & Purkitt's, McConnell & Clark's, Parsons', Simmons' and Hatch's additions. The place was incorporated by a vote under an act of the General Assembly approved Sept. 10, 1849, on the 16th of November, 1852; and on the 23d of the same month, Reu- ben Hatch, Porter Cotton, Jesse G. Crawford, Charles Kenney and Marshal Ayers were elected Trustees. On the 26th of November, 1878, it was voted to organize as a city under an act of the General Assembly approved Sept. 10, 1872. At an election held April 15, 1879, the following officers were elected : Mayor, Daniel Dean; Aldermen-James B. Morrison, H. L. Hurt, Wm. A. Wise, James Oliver, David Borrowman, John W. Stead; Clerk, E. A. F. Allen; Attorney, Edward Doocy; Treasurer, James A. Farrand.
An Abolition Melee .- In the year 1838 there occurred an inci- dent in Griggsville which, although not commendable in itself, would be well to record in the annals of Griggsville's history. In those early days, as in more modern times, there were the pro- slavery and the anti-slavery parties. At the annual election that autumn each party brought forth a strong man for Constable. Marshall Key was theDemocratic candidate, and B. F. Coffey the Whig candidate. A very hot contest ensued, which resulted in the election of Coffey. Some of the opposition seemed to take offense at the proceedings. Whether Coffey was fairly elected or not we are not prepared to say. Be that as it may, however, a Key man assaulted a Coffey man immediately after the election, striking him
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in the back. A general melee then followed, but no one was se- riously hurt.
In a few weeks after the above occurrence a gentleman visited Griggsville, holding anti-slavery meetings and circulating a peti- tion to Congress asking that honorable body to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and the non-admission of Texas as a State. The petition was first presented for signers at a religious meeting at the Methodist Church. Previous to the close of the service the minister gave notice that the above petition was in the hands of a gentleman present, and that he would be pleased to have any one present who felt so disposed, sign it. Quite a number walked forward and signed their names. A few parties in the audience signified their disapproval of such proceedings, excitement running high among the more ignorant class. They met in a saloon, known then as a "grocery," where liquor was sold, and passed resolutions that the parties who had signed that obnoxious petition should be compelled to erase their signatures from it. To carry out this design, on the morning following the last anti-slavery meeting, they pursued the gentleman who held the petition, overtaking him on the farm of J. K. Moore, and compelled him to produce the document. They then returned and waited upon those parties whose names appeared upon the paper, and demanded of them that they should immediately erase them, under the penalty of violence if they should refuse. Some complied with this demand, but others did not. These disturbers of the peace then notified the obstinate ones that they must erase their names, and accordingly appointed an evening to "finish up the business." They again met in the same grocery to more fully complete their organization, and " fire up." The good people of the country being afraid of their man œn- vers, came pouring into town about twilight, well armed and equip-
ped, to act on the defensive. They met with the peaceable people of Griggsville in the hotel and organized, appointing Mr. Blood as their Captain. A committee was also appointed to confer with a committee of the other party, in which conference the committee from the citizens informed the disturbers that they must imme- diately disband, or else they would be dealt with harshly, and that the first man who dared to intimidate another petitioner would receive a " fresh supply of ammunition."
The disturbers then seeing the turn of affairs, decided to abide the decision of the citizens and immediately disbanded. Thus ended what might have assumed the form of a riot, had it not been for the timely aid and energy of the peaceful citizens of the neigh- borhood.
War Record .- It is no wonder that this township, whose politi- cal education has consisted largely in means of bringing discomfort to the slaveholders and their hired slave-catchers, should take a deep interest in a war which, though not primarily waged in the interest of the colored race, must nevertheless result in their lib- eration. To that end Griggsville made a large and precious sacri-
Robert Seatown
GRIGGSVILLE
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fice. The alarm of war had scarcely sounded before the able-bodied citizens of the township were seen marching toward the nearest recruiting stations in squads, as it were. It is difficult to give the number that went from the township, but suffice it to say that more enlistments are recorded from Griggsville than from any other point in the county.
Quite a number of those who went to defend their country from Griggsville were killed in actual conflict. Some died in rebel prisons from starvation, and others of wounds or disease contracted in the army. Their bones lie mingled with the soil of the country which they went out to rescue from the hands of those who sought to destroy it. The sacrifice was a costly one, but their country demanded it, and they gave it willingly.
RELIGIOUS.
The old pioneers, though they would not have hesitated much to engage in a rough-and-tumble fight, and did not hesitate to take a dram once in a while (though they say the whisky did not con- tain as much infernal fire as it does now), were yet almost uni- versally pious people, and enjoyed themselves religiously quite as well as the more fastidious church-goers of to-day. The religious services were simple, the church buildings were simple, the meth- ods of conveyance to and from the church were simple, and the manners, dress and intercourse of the people who attended church were primitive in the extreme. But some of the old pioneers assert that the natural organs of voice with which they praised God were to be preferred to the organ now pumped by a boy, and skillfully manipulated by a popular but not piousyoung lady or gentleman, dressed in silk or broad-cloth instead of the ancient linsey-woolsey or jeans. In a religious point of view, from the very earliest days this township has always taken a great interest in the establishment of Churches and missions.
Baptist Church .- The first regular Baptist church at Griggs- ville was organized Aug. 4, 1834, by Rev. Alvin Bailey, with seven members. Henry Carmer was chosen Deacon and Clerk, which position he held until 1861, when he removed from the place. The first members were Amos Blood, two ladies by the name of Susan Blood, Joseph B. Cooper, Sarah Bradstreet, Henry Carmer and Mary B. Carmer. This church struggled hard in its infancy, but by the earnest labors of its faithful members has grown to a large and prosperous organization. For some time the church held reg- ular services in a house owned by Mr. Blood, and they had no pas- tor until in 1835, when Rev. Calvin Greenleaf took charge and held the position until 1838; then Thomas H. Ford to 1840; Chandler Curtis from 1840 to 1841; Ambler Edson from 1843 to 1844; B. B. Carpenter from 1845 to 1870. Since that time the following-named pastors have served: L. C. Carr, H. L. Stetson, R. F. Gray, B. W. Morgan, and C. R. Lathrop, the present Pastor.
In the year 1836 the congregation began the erection of a frame 31
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building, 40 by 54 feet in size, which was finished in 1840. About the year 1853 they built an addition to this structure. In 1873 the old building was torn down and a new brick edifice was erected, at a cost of about $20,000. Services are held each Sunday morning and evening by Rev. C. R. Lathrop, Pastor, and Sunday- school at 12 o'clock. The present number of communicants is 213. When Mr. Carmer removed in 1861, Mr. John Petrie was elected his successor as Deacon, and Henry Lynde as Clerk, which positions they both hold at present. This Church has enjoyed various revival seasons, and over 650 different persons have at vari- ous times been members of the Church.
Griggsville M. E. Church .- This Church was organized in 1835 by Rev. William Hunter, with the following charter members: Dr. James M. Higgins, Mrs. Margaret Higgins, Jesse G. Craw. ford, Peleg Gardner, Mrs. Caroline Gardner, James Hutchinson, sr., and James Hutchinson, jr., and Samuel, Mary, Eliza and Sarah Hutchinson. Dr. Higgins was the first Class-Leader. Among the early pastors was the Rev. Wilson Pitner, a very earn- est worker, and a preacher well fitted for conducting revivals and camp-meetings. On one occasion during a camp-meeting here, while discoursing upon the day of judgment and upon the appear- ance of Gabriel with his trumpet on that great and awful day, the appearance of the saints robed in white, etc., the women became very happy and set up a shout which completely drowned the sten- torian voice of the enthusiastic minister. In order to quiet them he reached back and took the horn, which was used for calling the audience together, and began blowing it. This only intensified the excitement of the almost fanatical persons who were engaged in shouting. They thought, without looking to see from whence the noise came, that Gabriel had indeed come, and was now in their very midst, blowing his trumpet. It was some time before the people could become quieted.
There was a "class" organized in the county about two miles east of Griggsville, previous to 1831, but the members of this soci- ety united with the Griggsville Church immediately after the erec- tion of a church edifice, which was in 1836 or 1837: In 1846 the society erected another building, and so rapid was the growth of the congregation that they soon found it necessary to erect another structure, which was accomplished in 1852. This society now has a membership of about 250. Services are held each Sunday morn- ing and evening by Rev. H. Shaw, the Pastor. Sunday-school at 2:30 P. M.
Congregational Church .- On Feb. 1, 1837, 11 persons, residents of Griggsville, but members of different Congregational and Pres- byterian Churches elsewhere, met for the purpose of consulting respecting the organization of a Church. Resolutions were passed declaring that it was expedient to organize a Church, and the day previous to the organization was to be set apart as one of fasting and prayer. In accordance with the resolutions the 16th day of
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February, 1837, was observed as a day of fasting and prayer ; on the following day the Church was duly organized, with Rev. A. G. Norton as Pastor. Geo. T. Purkett was regularly appointed Dea- con Jan. 4, 1838. The Sunday school was organized May 12, 1837. Rev. A. G. Norton closed his labors with the Church in February, 1838, and has been succeeded by the following Pastors, given in their order : Revs. Wm. Whittlesey, A. L. Pennoyer, J. Ballard, J. T. Holmes, G. B. Hubbard, W. H. Starr, T. Lyman, Rollin Mears, W. Herrott, N. P. Coltrin, W. W. Whipple, G. H. McArthur, E. C. Barnard, G. H. Bailey and S. M. Wilcox, the present Pastor. The whole number of members, from the organization to the pres- ent time, has been 563 ; the present membership is 169.
Hinman Chapel M. E. Church .- The church edifice of this society is on sec. 6, this township. The class worshiped in pri- vate and schoolhouses for several years. About the year 1844 they erected a house of worship. Services are held each alternate Sabbath by Rev. A. P. Stover, Pastor. Sunday- school each Sun- day.
Maysville United Brethren Church was organized in 1842, in the house of Lewis Dunham. Caleb Boyer, now of Fulton county, was among the first ministers. This society erected a small 'house of worship about the year 1857, and in the year 1870 they erectee a new edifice, at a cost of $1,000 besides the labor. Services ard held each Sunday, and preaching each alternate Sunday by the Pas- tor, Rev. Wm. Pease. The number of communicants at present is 65.
Griggsville Church of Christ was organized July 26, 1874, with the following 12 members : J. E. Alcorn, M. E. Alcorn, Jesse Fielding, Atlanta Fielding, Theodore Ball, Anna Crawford, Adelia Elledge, Phobe Rickart, Rachel Mason, Eadie Jenkins, Amos Wil- liams and Ellen Williams. This was at the beginning of, or soon before, a protracted effort which closed Aug. 25, 1874, with a mem- bership of 141. The Trustees elected were J. E. Alcorn, I. L. Lewis and Peter Harshman. The congregation completed the erection of a house of worship in 1877, at a cost of $1,800. The present mem- bership numbers 72.
MILLING.
Mill interests in the early history of the county were considered of much greater importance than at present. The easy communi- cation between neighborhoods, towns and cities by means of the railroad has revolutionized almost everything, but nothing more than that . of transforming the grain into flour or meal. To the early settler one of the most important items in his calculations was the grinding of his grain. There were no steam mills then, and a site for a water mill was an important thing. The pioneers were all poor, and though mill sites might have been plenty, they could not improve them. Therefore numerous devices were invented
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to convert wheat and corn into bread. A few were possessed of hand-mills, not greatly unlike those in use some 2,000 years ago, and to which allusion is made in the Bible, Matthew xxiv, 41: "Two women shall be grinding at the mill," etc. By and by some of the more forehanded farmers brought in a kind of horse-mill, which, though a very primitive affair, was considered a valuable accession to the industries of the neighborhood, and a wonderful convenience. These mills were mostly used for simply cracking corn, upon which the old pioneers lived. Corn was the staple feed for man and beast, and upon it they all thrived and grew healthy and strong.
The " Pike Mills" were erected in 1877, by the firm of McMa- han & Co., composed of L. W. McMahan, D. P. Baldwin and G. P. Baldwin. The latter has sold out his interest. The machinery is all of the latest improved style, adapted to the new-process system, and this was the first mill of the kind in this section of the State. It has proven a success to the owners, giving a larger yield and better quality of flour than the old system. The building is four stories high, with four run of burrs and a capacity of 200 barrels in 24 hours. They have a large patronage in the New England States and in Chicago for their flour.
L. W. McMahan has been a resident of the county for 24 years. For a number of years previous to going into the present business he was in the grain trade. His acquaintance with the valuable milling qualities of the wheat raised in this section induced him to invest in this enterprise.
Frye's Flouring Mill .- This mill was erected about the year 1855, by Mr. C. Simmons. After passing through different hands, Mr. Frye, in 1877, purchased it, and in 1878 he sold a half interest to Mr. McWilliams, of Griggsville. The mill has been re-modeled by Mr. Frye, and is one of the best mills in the county. Its capac- ity is 80; barrels in 24 hours, and the flour is of excellent quality.
BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
In justice to the pioneers and prominent citizens of the city and township of Griggsville-those who have made and are now making the history of this section-we wish to speak personally, and short biographical sketches of them here follow:
Edward A. F. Allen was born in Beverly, Essex Co., Mass., July, 13, 1823; he came to Quincy, Ill., in 1838, and to Griggsville in 1841. He served three years in the late war in Co. I., 33d Ill. Inf., and one year of this time was 2d Lieutenant. He was subsequently in the Quartermaster's department for three years. He was married July 13, 1844, to Sarah A. Lyon. They had 9 children, of whom 6 are living: Henrietta, now Mrs. Gilbert Brooks, of Clinton, Ill .; John J., M. E. preacher, of Monroe City, Mo .; Martha E.
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now Mrs. James Vannatta, of West Chicago; David E., Hattie M. and Ruth. David E. is a painter by profession.
Robert Allen, sr., was born in Cumberland Co., Ky., May 31, 1803. He was married to Miss Amanda Turk in 1824, and removed to Henry Co., Tenn., thence to Naples, Ill., 1834, where for three years he was extensively engaged in building flat-boats, trading in live stock, and freighting to New Orleans and other Southern points. He left Naples in 1837, and took up his residence in Griggsville, dealing in live stock and butchering. Mr. and Mrs. Allen were the parents of 7 children, of whom 3 are living : A. S. and R. P., prominent citizens of Griggsville, and Mrs. Wm. Jones. now of Chillicothe, Mo. Mrs. Allen died Jan. 16, 1841. In 1842 Mr. Allen again was married, this time to Sarah Stanford, who now survives him. Mr. Allen gave liberally to the support of Churches and missions, and held positions of honor and trust ; one being that of Postmaster during President Buchanan's administration. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and died Jan. 1, 1880, from a stroke of paralysis received some years before. In the death of Mr. Allen his wife lost a loving husband, his children a kind father, and the community an honest and influential man.
Wm. F. Anderson, deceased, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1801. He was the oldest of 4 brothers, whose father, Capt. Wm. Anderson, was lost at sea, in the year 1813. Mr. Anderson was one of the firm of Beecher & Anderson, of New York, for about 5 years. He came West during the financial crisis of 1836, and traveled in different parts of the country until 1841, when he mar- ried Laura E. Gilpin. They settled in Springfield, Ill., where he engaged in farming for 2 years. In 1849 he engaged in business in St. Louis. In 1851 he came to Griggsville and engaged in the mercantile business with J. D. Philbrick for a short time, when the latter retired and Mr. Anderson carried on the business alone until his death, which occurred May 21, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had 7 children, whose names 'are Eloise I. (now widow of Henry Cotton), Wm. F., M. Louise, deceased, A. G., Alexander C., Charles H. and Geo. S.
Isaac Bailey was born in Cumberland Co., Me., in 1829; son of Josiah Bailey. He was raised on a farm, and at his majority began working on the railroad as a section hand, then as section boss; in 1854 he came to Illinois and was Roadmaster of the C., B. & Q. for some time; then section boss again for 3 years, then Roadmaster again on the H. & St. Joe R. R. 7 months; 2 years on the Missis- sippi Central, and is at present Roadmaster on the Hannibal branch of the Wabash R. R. Oct. 9, 1861, he married Miss Lizzie E. Pitney, and they have had 5 children, of whom Geo. W., Minnie and Frank are living.
David Baldwin, deceased, was born in Newark, N. J., in 1793. He was a large contractor in New York city for 25 or 30 years. He came to Pike county in 1835, located in Perry and purchased
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large tracts of land; also engaged in farming. In 1849 he erected the Perry Flouring Mill; was the father of 5 children, of whom 3 are living: Alex., David P. and Geo. W. Mr. Baldwin died in 1854.
T. K. Ball, son of G. O. and Delia (Kellogg) Ball, the father formerly of New York, was born in this county in 1848; was edu- cated in the common schools; has followed farming until the last three years. In 1867 he married Anna Cadwell, and their 6 children are all living. He belongs to the Christian Church, and in politics is a Democrat.
Levi Bartlett is a native of New Hampshire and came to Illinois about the year 1867; is engaged in all kinds of mechanical jobbing in light machinery, making sewing-machines a speciality : he also re- plates spoons, etc. He was married in 1861 to Harriet G. Crane, and they have 2 children, Albert J. and Gracie G.
E. W. Baxter is a native of Hillsboro, N. H., and was born July 19, 1837; he is the son of M. E. Baxter, of Griggsville. Mr. Baxter came in September, 1857, to Griggsville, where he engaged in the meat business for 15 years, holding an interest in the same for four years afterward. In Jan., 1872, he associated him- self with Allen & Bryant, grain and live-stock dealers. This firm dissolved in Sept., 1873, Messrs. Baxter and Bryant continuing in the business for 6 years, for the most part in connection with merchandising. In 1877 Mr. Baxter purchased the entire interest in the mercantile business, and is now conducting the same. He also has a stock of groceries, queensware, and is doing a large business. He was married in April, 1857, to Helen M. Harvey, sister of Dr. Harvey, of this place. They have 6 children: Mary E., Helen M., Emma F., Harvey E., Geo. E. and Arthur.
John Bickerdike was born in Yorkshire, England, Ang. 18, 1835, and is a son of John Bickerdike, deceased, who came to this county in 1842. He selected a location for his future home and returned to England, bringing his family here the following year. He was the father of 9 children, of whom our subject is the 5th. Mr. B. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Pike county. His brother, George, was killed during the late war. Mr. Bickerdike has been married twice, and is the father of 7 children, of whom five are living : Wm. A., George F., Charles E., Mary R. and Nancy E. His first wife was Rebecca J. Pearcy, and the second was Elizabeth Perry. He resides on sec. 36, Griggs- ville tp., and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. P. O. Griggsville.
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