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 55
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
603
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Rachel Collins was the first white child born in the township, her birth occurring in 1833. Joseph Collins, who died the same year, was the first person to die in the township. Joel Meacham and Sarah Adkins were the first couple united in marriage. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Levi Hinman, who also preached the first sermon in the township in 1833. He was a minister of the Baptist denomination. F. A. Collins was the first Justice of the Peace, and John P. Stark the first Supervisor. All of the earliest adventurers are now gone, most of them to that country which is always new, but where the hardships and privations of pio- neer life are never known.
VILLAGES.
Nebo .- This little village is situated on the Louisiana branch of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and is a lively business point. The gentlemen who represent the leading business interests of the town, -Wm. E. Davis, David Hollis, Mr. Moore, the miller, and Dr. Pollock,-are spoken of personally below.
Stewart .- This is a station on the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railway; is situated on the northeast quarter of section 23, and the northwest quarter of section 24, of this township, and was laid out by County Surveyor H. J. Harris, in 1872, for D. W. Knight, Daniel Allison and John McCormick.
CHURCHES.
The Nebo Baptist Church was organized on the first Saturday in April, 1863, by Rev. J. J. W. Place, with a membership of 37. The congregation erected a honse of worship in 1864 and now has services once each month, and sustains a Sunday-school during the summer season. The present membership numbers 67. Rev. F. H. Lewis is Pastor.
The Regular Predestinarian Baptist Church at Spring Creek, was constituted in August, 1862, by Elder Samuel Applegate, with 16 members. The society worshiped for about five years in the Spring Creek school-house, which stood where Nebo now stands. They erected a house of worship in 1857 or 1858, which was burned in February, 1879. The following autumn they erected another and a more commodions and substantial church building. The present Pastor is S. R. Williams.
PERSONAL SKETCHES.
The personal mention of any community forms the most inter- esting feature of its history. As part of the history of Spring Creek township we make mention of the following early settlers and prominent citizens.
Nathan Allison. Being an old settler of Pike county, Mr. A. is identified with its history, and therefore, should have more than
604
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
passing notice in a work of this nature. He was born in Pike county, O., March 8, 1817, and is the son of Benjamin Allison, one of the pioneers of Pike county, and who removed from Ohio to Indiana in 1824, and to this county in 1834; in 1836 he purchased the farm of Silas Wilson on sec. S, Spring Creek township, upon which was the only house in the township, and the Allison family was the only one residing in the township, until a few months later, when the Scranton family moved in. Our subject located in Cal- houn county in the fall of 1836, and there constructed quite a novel mill, there being a stream in the hillside near his house. He made a trough, which worked on a pivot. To one end of the trough was attached a large maul or pounder, which set in a box or trough beneath; the other end of the trough was placed under the falling water on the hillside; as soon as the trough was filled with water one end would be overbalanced, and at the same time the water would pour out of it, when immediately the pounder would fall down with a thud, and smash the few grains of corn that were in the mortar. Occasionally an unfortunate, coon would step in to partake of some of the meal and would remain there until some one came to his rescue, and he would come out all mangled and bleeding, never more to return to the forest. Mr. A. was married in 1836 to Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of Silas Wilson; and they had four children, of whom two are living,-Mahala and Felix. Mrs. Allison died in 1849. Mr. Allison is now living with his fourth wife. He erected the first house in Nebo, and is now engaged in farming and the raising of stock on sec. 30.
Win. H. Bucus, teacher of Nebraska schools, Spring Creek town- ship, was born in this county Oct. 19, 1843, and is a son of John S. Bacus, deceased. He was married in 1873 to Martha J. Mays. To them have been born three children,-Minnie D., James H. M. and an infant, deceased. Mr. B. has a very large and interesting school,-indeed, so large that one with the most unflagging energy and dispatch can scarcely do justice to it. He hears 30 recitations daily and keeps exceptionally good order, although many of the pupils are very small.
William S. Buchanan, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 36, was born March 8. 1833, in Calhoun county, Ill., and is a son of the late Henry P. Buchanan; he was reared on a farm in a wild section of the country where deer, wolves, etc., were numerous, and has killed many deer and other wild animals. There was no free-school sys- tem here in those early days, and money being a scarce article in pioneer days, Mr. B.'s educational advantages were like those of other pioneer boys, very meager. He was married in 1855 to Miss Catharine McConnell, daughter of Robert McConnell, deceased, a pioneer of Pike county, Mo. They have had 12 chil- dren, only 4 of whom are living .- Robert H., Mary O., Thomas A. and James A. Besides a farmer, Mr. B. is also a blacksmith and wagonmaker,-in fact, he can do almost any kind of work he turns his hand to.
605
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
John A. Bunn was born in Pike county, Mo., March 4, 1845, and is a son of George Bunn, deceased. Mr. B. went into Calhoun county, Ill .. with his mother in 1851, where he remained until 1865, when he went to Missouri and remained five years; he came to this county in the spring of 1871 and resides on sec. 36, where he is engaged in farming. He was married in 1871 to Mary E. Borrowman, by whom he has four children,-Minnie O., Edgar R., deceased, Cora A. and Hattie A.
E. B. Collard was born Oct. 16, 1841, in Pleasant Hill township, this connty, and is a son of John J. and Mary E. Collard, deceased, so well-known in the early settlement of Pike county. His father filled the office of County Clerk of Pike county for two terms and filled every county office as deputy, except that of Surveyor. Our subject was raised for the most part on a farm and educated in the common schools; he was married Nov. 25, 1877, to Miss Emily M. Harpole, daughter of L. C. Harpole, of this township. They have one child, Arthur B. Mr. Collard is engaged in the mercantile business at Strout Station, on the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis R. R., and carries a stock of about $1,500, consisting of dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and the general variety usually kept in a first-class store. He is also Agent for the Railroad Company, express agent and Postmaster.
John Collyer was born in Owen county, Ind., June 30, 1838, and is a son of William Collyer, deceased; Mr. C. was reared on a farm, and is now engaged in farming and stock-raising on secs. 7 and 8; he came to this county in 1851, and was married Aug. 15, 1857, to Miss Ellen Baker; to them have been born five children, four of whom are living, namely, William E., Llewella, Nora A. and Jolin M.
Leonard G. Hamner, agricalturist and stock-raiser, sec. 8, was born May 31, 1832, and is a son of Jesse Hamner, deceased; he was brought up on the farm and educated in the common school; Aug. 23, 1854, he married Miss Pearcy Wilson, by whom he has had six children: of these 3 are living, namely, Eliza J., Minerva A. and John Henry. P. O., Nebo.
Bruce Harpole, farmer, stock-raiser and dealer in stock, sec. 27. Was born in Pleasant Hill township, this county, Nov. 12, 1835, and is a son of Adam and Lucinda (McMullen) Harpole, so well known in the early settlement of this county. Mr. H. was raised a farmer's boy and knows all about grubbing and picking brush, rolling logs, driving oxen, etc. He has plowed with the wooden mold-board plow, used wooden-wheeled wagons and hickory- bark lines in driving horses. He was married Nov. 13, 1859, to Miss Rebecca E. Stark, daughter of John P. Stark. Four of their eight children are living,-Adam, Lncinda, Robert B. and Charlie A.
Charles E. Harpole was born in Calhoun county, March 22, 1846, and is a son of Adam and Lucinda Harpole; the former is de- ceased, and the latter is residing near her son in this county. Mr. H. was reared on a farm and received a common-school education.
606
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
He was married April 6, 1866, to Miss Martha A., daughter of Willis and IIannah (Mc Neely), of Calhoun county. They have had 5 children, 4 of whom are living,-Henry A., Mary O., Hattie J. and John B. Mr. II. resides on sec. 33 and is engaged in farming.
L. C. Harpole, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 26, was born in Pleasant Ilill township Dec. 11, 1830. His parents, Joel and Hannah Harpole, were well known to the pioneer days of Pike county. His father served in the Black Hawk war. Onr subject was reared on a farm and knows all about the privations that pioneer boys are heir to. His educational advantages were very limited, there being no free schools in those days. His mother wove cloth to pay for his education. He has plowed many a day with a wooden mold- board plow, and has reaped grain with a hand sickle, trampled ont wheat with horses, went to church in an ox wagon, and ground corn on a hand-mill and was compelled to do a good many other things which seem odd to the boys of this day. In 1853 he was united in marriage with Sarah Martin, daughter of Willis Martin, an early settler of Illinois. Of the 9 children born to them 7 are living,-James R., William H., Emily V., John D., Martha, and Albert and Alice, twins.
A. Hatch. This enterprising young man was born in Ontario county, N. Y., May 6, 1852. He came to Pike county with his parents in 1862. He received a good common-school education and a musical education, and is now teacher of cornet-band music, and has met with excellent success thus far. In Prairieville, Pike county, Mo., in 1879, he began with a class of new and inexperi- enced men, and in six months time it was demonstrated that that was the best band in the county. The parents of our subject are A. G. and Alvira Hatch, and he is the youngest of 3 children,- A. W., Ellen J. and himself. He resides with his mother on the farm, sec. 24, and during the summer season is engaged in farming.
David Hollis, Nebo, was born in Gibson county, Tenn., April 6, 1824, and is a son of A. L. and Sarah (Payne) Hollis, who brought their family to Illinois in 1830, and to Pike county in 1845. Mrs. Hollis is a second, or grand niece of Thomas Paine, the noted deist of revolutionary fame. Our subject was raised on a farm and received a limited education in the subscription schools, paying his own tuition with money he earned by hard work. He began act- ive life with nothing but his hands and a determined will. He now owns 400 acres of land and a third interest in a large store at Nebo. This firm carries a stock of about $4,500, consisting of general merchandise, and is doing a large business, employing 3 to 4 clerks. Mr. Hollis held the office of County Treasurer for 2 years, and Justice of the Peace for Spring Creek township for 20 years. He was married in 1846 to Mary C. Leggett, and by this union 5 children were born: Sarah M., Lewis Y., Elizabeth J., Barbara E. and Mary, deceased. Mrs. II. died in 1868, and in 1878 Mr. H. married Sarah M. Mason, by whom he has 3 children,- Anna L., David P. and Nellie M.
607
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Dennis Leary, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland, June 24, 1812, and came to America when a young man. He was a painter by trade, and did a good deal of work in New Orleans, Mobile, and throughout the Southern cities generally. He owned land in Pike county for many years, and in 1872 purchased a farm on sec. 25 of this township. He was united in marriage Feb. 17, 1851, with Mrs. Eliza French, daughter of Wm. Morton, of the vicinity of Milton, this county. She was born Ang. 21, 1825, in East Tennessee. They had six children,-John, Leander, Thomas, Albert, deceased, Alfred and Ella. Mrs. Leary had two children by her former husband,-Martha and William French. Mr. Leary died May 7, 1876. His son Thomas, who is a subscriber for this book, is a prominent school-teacher, and is now (March 4, 1880) teaching at Pearl Prairie.
S. T. Moore, proprietor of Nebo Mills. This enterprising gen- tleman took charge of the Nebo flouring mills in 1877, and has operated them with the very best of success. Others have tried at different times to build up a trade here, but in vain. The secret of Mr. M.'s success is that he makes the very best of flour, and has won the confidence of the farmers of the surrounding country. He also has a corn-sheller attached to his mill, which enables him to pay the highest market price for that cereal. He was born in Mon- roe county, Ill., Jan. 12, 1836, and is a son of James B. Moore, of Brighton, Ill. He was married May 4, 1860, to Harriet F. Ran- dolph, of Jersey county, Ill. They have had 7 children, of whom 5 are living,-Josephine C., Eddie, Frank T., Nellie R. and James L. Mr. Moore was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools, and also attended the McKendree College, of Lebanon, Ill.
Dr. R. R. Pollock, Nebo. The subject of this sketch was born in Union county, O., Feb. 28, 1843, and is a son of John D. and Rachel G. Pollock, who brought their family to Edgar county, Ill., in 1844, where they remained until 1856, when they removed to Polk county, Iowa. Our subject remained there until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he enlisted in Company A, 10th Iowa Inf., and served three years and two months .; He participated in many of the leading battles of the war, such as Corinth, Black River Bridge, or Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Dalton, etc. The Doctor afterward attended Abingdon College, Knox Co., Ill., for two years, where he became acquainted with Miss Anna E. Ferguson, whom he married Aug. 8, 1866. The union has been blessed with two children, Robert Cleon and John Roy. The Doctor attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical Col- lege at Philadelphia, Pa., in 1870 and 1871, and began practice in Nebo iu the latter year, where he enjoys a good patronage.
John W. Scranton was born in this township Jan. 19, 1847, and is a son of David Scranton, also of this township; he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of this county; before settling in life he took two trips through the West. March 3, 1872, he married Miss Mary E. Bowman, daughter of Robert and Mary
608
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
E. Bowman. They have two children, Cora Belle and William Otis. Mr. Scranton is engaged in farming and resides on sec. 7; P. O. Nebo.
John N. Smith, book-keeper, was born May 22, 1845, in this township, and is a son of Win. E. Smith, of Nebo, and of whom we make further mention below. Mr. Smith was reared for the most part upon the farin, but worked in a flouring-mill prior to reaching his majority. He is now engaged as book-keeper in the Nebo flouring-mills. He was joined in matrimony Oct. 1, 1865, with Miss Sarah E. Creigmiles. Three children have blessed this union, namely, Laura M., Thomas T. and Ellen F. Mr. Smith served six months in the late war, in Company I, 70th Ill. Inf.
William E. Smith. Being an early settler of Pike county, Mr. Smith is entitled to personal mention in a work of this nature. He came with his parents from Oswego Co., N. Y., to this county in 1836. He was born in Columbus Co., N. Y., Dec. 14, 1819. His parents were Amasa and Sarah (Sikes) Smith. William was reared upon a farm, and received a common-school education, and has suffered many of the privations incident to pioneer life. Jan. 3, 1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Polly Allison, daugh- ter of Benj. Allison, deceased, one of Pike county's pioneers. To them have been born 11 children, 4 of whom are deceased. The names of the children are, William, John, Mercy A., Mary J., Samuel H., Daniel W. and Charles W. Mr. Smith is engaged in the lumber trade at Nebo, carrying a stock of $2,500. He is also an undertaker.
John D. Wilson. The subject of this sketch was born in Lincoln county, Mo., March 21, 1834. His father, David Wilson, brought his family to this county in the autumn of 1834, and located in Pleasant Hill township, where he remained the rest of his life, save the last 3 years which he spent in Nebo. Our subject was raised upon the farm, and being a pioneer boy knows all about the privations of frontier life. He was married in 1856 to Miss Nancy, daughter of George Turnbaugh, so well known in the pioneer days of Pike county. Mr. W. is a farmer by occupation and resides in Nebo.
W. R. Wilson was born and raised ou sec. 13, Pleasant Hill township, this county, and is a son of David and Isophena Wilson, deceased. His birth dates Aug. 17, 1844. May 13, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen J., daughter of Harrison and Matilda Frye, of Pike county, Mo. Only 1 of the 3 children born to Mr. and Mrs. W. is living, whose name is Clandie. Mr. W. has been engaged in the mercantile business in Nebo for the last 12 years, but has recently sold to Fowler & Son, near Pittsfield.
Jacob Windmiller, proprietor of the Nebo Hotel, is a native of this county, and was born Jan. 3, 1849, the son of Peter and Se- velia Windmiller. Peter W. was one of the pioneers of Pike county, and, like other settlers, endured many privations and hard- ships in preparing the way for the prosperity of future generations.
609
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
For some time after he first settled here there was only one wheeled vehicle in this entire neighborhood, and that was a wooden- wheeled ox-cart. He often gathered his corn in a one-horse sled. Our subject was reared on a farm, and Nov. 27, 1873, was married to Mary Stone, and they have one child, Laren O).
FAIRMOUNT TOWNSHIP.
This is certainly one of the finest townships in this favored county, and for general agricultural purposes, is unrivaled by any. Where, less than half a century ago the deer, wolf and bear roamed at will, the native red man their only enemy, are now handsome residences, with fine grounds and convenient out-houses, churches, school-houses and well cultivated fields. . The native prairies have been conquered from their virgin state. by the energy and skill of the sturdy pioneer. Instead of rank growths of prairie grass, which blossomed in its beauty over these fertile prairies, we now behold the waving fields of corn, broad acres of undulating wheat, numerous herds of thorough-bred stock grazing in green pas- tures,-indeed, every evidence of wealth and prosperity.
To those who opened up and developed the wonderful resources of Fairmount, the present and coming generations will owe eternal gratitude. They suffered untold privations and inconveniences, labored with unflagging energy and will, receiving only meager compensation for their toil, were far away from their friends and their old homes, and with scarcely any means of communication with them. The pioneers were encouraged and kept up with the hope of soon establishing comfortable homes for themselves and their families and with a noble ambition of conferring on posterity blessings which shall ever be a monument to their memories.
The northern part of Pike county was not settled for over a de- cade after the southern portion was. It is a matter of no little sur- prise to know that for so many years this beautiful section was left without the pioneer. Many doubtless passed to and fro through it on their way northward and westward and return, and perhaps marveled at the beauty of its groves and prairies; but it was so far from civilization that the most sturdy and daring did not feel dis- posed to pitch their tents and make their home here. Over 11 years elapsed from the time that Ebenezer Franklin, Daniel Shinn and the Rosses came to the county, before Barker Crane, the first settler of Fairmount, came to live in this then wild country. Mr. Crane made improvements on sec. 3 in 1831, but even le re- mained for only a short period. We do not know whether it was his remoteness from other settlements that drove him away, or that he found a more desirable location, as none are left to inform us.
At the close of the Black Hawk war, and when the people of the older settled East and South were assured that no further apprehen- sions need be felt relative to Indian troubles, settlers came pouring
611
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
into this fair State by the thousands, and the beautiful groves and prairies of Fairmount did not fail to receive her portion. Prior to 1841 we find the following settlers, besides others, living in this township: H. Lake, who located on section 10; John Wilson, on section 3; Thomas Kirgan, on section 2; John Brown, on section 14; Ebenezer Franklin, on section 12; Asa Lake, on section 10; Tandy Hume, on section 16; and Henry Benson, on section 19.
The children of these early settlers were not long without the instructions and discipline of the schoolmaster, for we find as early as 1840, Henry Benson taught school in a log school-house on sec. 16. This rude structure, which was erected by the contribu- tion of the labor of the pioneers, would not compare favorably with the more modern, neat and tasteful frame and brick structures that adorn many of the knolls through this section. Jesse Elledge, a Baptist minister, was one of the earliest teachers of the township. Soon, too, the minister of the gospel found his way here among these pioneers. The first preaching was done by Elder Michael Hobbs, of the Christian denomination, in 1841. He was not a regular preacher, being engaged in farming, but desiring to see his friends and neighbors following the meek and lowly, yet truly di- vinely great Nazarene, would have them assemble in cabins and school-houses, and tell them of his love and earthly mission. His brother, the well known Elder David Hobbs, was also a preacher. For a time the Mormons, who were numerous in Adams county, which lies just north of this township, preached their peculiar faith to this people, and won many converts. A few years afterward, however, this community joined in the excitement incident to the expulsion of the Mormons from Illinois.
During the late war Fairmount proved loyal to the core, and furnished many of her brave sons as a sacrifice to retain an undi- vided Union. Many of those who went to the front, after enduring years of untold hardships and danger, were permitted to return to their homes, where they are now living, to enjoy the liberties they so nobly fought for. Many of them, however, went to return no more. They were pierced by the shot and shell from Southern musket and cannon, or died from the cruelties inflicted upon them in the prison pens to which they were consigned,-all for defend- ing the best government ever established by man.
CHURCHES.
There are no villages in this township, yet the people enjoy almost equal religious privileges with the citizens of towns. There are in the township five church organizations, with three church buildings. The United Brethren church stands on sec. 29, near the school- house, and cost about $1,600. This is known as the Woodland Church, and was dedicated in 1867, and was the first church build- ing erected in the township. It was dedicated by N. A. Walker. The Society was organized in 1866, by Rev. D. C. Martin, and meetings were held in the Woodland school-house until their church
612
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
edifice was completed. The present membership is 140. Rev. W. P. Pease is Pastor. The attendance at the Sunday-school is about 80.
The Presbyterian church, which is located on sec. 10, cost about $1,500. The house of worship of the Baptist congregation is on sec. 7, and cost $400.
The Society of the Methodist denomination worship in the Pres- byterian Church, while the Christian congregation hold their meetings in the South Prairie school-house, on sec. 11. The first Methodist preacher in the township was Rev. Mr. Cleveland. He preached his first sermon in this township at the residence of Wm. Morrison in 1840.
PERSONAL SKETCH HISTORY.
Following we give personal sketches of the early settlers and prominent citizens of the township, which forms an important factor in its history.
A. B. Allen was born in Ohio county, Ky., Sept. 14, 1825; his father, Asa Allen, was born in Tennessee and of German descent, his mother, Abigail (Campbell) Allen, a native of Kentucky and of English descent. Mr. Allen came to Pike county in 1844, and in 1846 was married to Emily Askew and they have had 11 children, 8 of whom are living. Mr. Allen was very poor in early life, and worked out for $8 per month. He now owns 320 acres of land, raises stock, and is considered a very good farmer. He belongs to the United Brethren Church, and is a Democrat.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.