USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon 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 177
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of Charles L. and Mary Winn, and was born December 29, 1842. They have four children, Corrilla, born February 11, 1866; Alice, born February 25, 1868; Patsey G., born July 9, 1872; Jesse C., born November 28, 1876. Mr. P. owns two hundred and thirteen acres of land worth $60 an acre; raises mixed crops; makesa specialty of improving horses for draft purposes, using the Clydesdale stock; breeds sheep for wool and mutton. On the second call for volunteers dur- ing the war, he assisted in raising troops, but the call being full, was not accepted. Hethen went to Missouri and formed the B and C Company of the Eleventh Missouri Regiment; was quarter- master with rank of captain. His education was obtained in the common schools; his wife was a graduate of the class of 1861 at Jackson- ville Female Seminary, and was a teacher there for some time after graduating.
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.
CHAPTER L.
TOWNSHIP OF WILLIAMS.
The township of Williams is one of the northern tier of townships, and is bounded on the north by Logan county, on the south by Clear Lake township, on the east by Buffalo Hart township and Logan county, and on the west by Fancy creek township. The surface of the country is level, while the soil is good and very fertile, yielding large crops of grain and fruit. Fancy creek, Wolf and other smaller streams furnish water for the stock raised here. Fancy creek waters most of the western tier of sections, while Wolf creek and its tributaries water the central portion of the township.
EARLY SETTLERS.
This township was settled as early as 1820, and between that date and the "deep snow" of 1830-31, many families came in, among whom were James Stewart, Mr. Kellogg, Benjamin Stillman, Jacob Yocum, Oramel Clark, John Dixon, Meredith Cooper, Ambrose Cooper, David Riddle, David Clark, Michael Mann, William Proctor, John Simpson, Captain Hath- away, Solomon Brundage, the Taylors and Con- stants, John Stalings, Samuel Wilson, came during that decade.
John Taylor was born May 1, 1772, in Mary- land. Three brothers, Isaac, James and Wil- liam Taylor, came from England to America long before our Revolution. Where James and William settled is unknown to the decedents of Isaac, who settled in Maryland, and who was the father of John, whose name heads this sketch. The parents of John Taylor emigrated when he was quite young to Chester district, South Carolina, where John was married to Susan Mobley. The family moved in 1818, to White county, Illinois. In the spring of 1819,
they moved to Wayne county, then to Sanga- mon county, arriving in May, 1829, on Wolf creek, in Williams township. Of all the chil- dren of John Taylor, three only settled perma- nently in Sangamon county. Simeon, the eldest, James, the fifth, and Isaac, the eighth, all by the first marriage.
James Taylor, born November 2, 1801, in Chester district, South Carolina, moved with his parents to Hart county, Kentucky, and thence to Wayne county, Illinois, where he was mar- ried to Mary Kelly, who was born in Hart county, also, and taken by her parents when young to Wayne county. They moved to San- gamon county in the spring of 1829, settling in what is now Williams township, near Barclay.
Isaac Taylor, born February 9, 1807, in Hart county, Kentucky, came with his father to White county, and from there to Wayne county, Illinois. He came alone, in 1828, to Sangamon county, being the first of the family to arrive. He was married February 13, 1834, to Sarah M. Elliott, at Springfield, Illinois.
John Simpson was born September 30, 1801, in Tennessee, and when a young man went to St. Clair county, Illinois. Mary Taylor was born August 25, 1803, in Georgia, and when a child was taken to Looking-glass Prairie, St. Clair county, Illinois. They were married there in 1821, and moved to Shelby county in the same State; from there to Sangamon county, arriving in 1824, in what is now Williams township.
Jacob Yocum was born December 17, 1787, in a fort or block-house, in Bourbon county, near where the city of Lexington, Kentucky, now stands. Mary Booth was born February 11, 1791, in the same county. They moved to Marion county, Illinois, and from there to Sangamon
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.
county, arriving November 2, 1828, in what is now Williams township.
David Clarke was born August 28, 1776, in Essex county, New Jersey; came to Kentucky in 1798, and was there married in 1800, to Rachel Rutter. Mrs. Rachel Clarke died in 1804. David Clarke moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1805, and made brick for the first brick house built in that city. He returned to Somerset county, New Jersey, in the same year, and was married there in February, 1806, to Sally Winans, who was born October 25, 1788, in that county. They moved to Miami county, Ohio, in 1809, and from there to Sangamon county, in 1829, settling on Sugar creek.
Meredith Cooper first settled in Fancy Creek, and previous to 1830, settled a mile and a half east of the present village of Sherman, and died there. His widow lives near there.
Michael Mann, a Baptist minister, settled on section twenty-seven, previous to 1830. He sub- sequently moved to Logan county, where he died.
Isaac Constant was born in Clarke county, Kentucky, April 3, 1789. He was there mar- ried July 4, 1811, and in 1830 the family moved to Sangamon county, arriving October 7, 1830, in what is now Williams township. He died on Christmas day, 1854, on the farm where he then settled.
William Proctor was one of the earliest set- tlers, arriving here in 1820 or 1821, and settled on section seven. He subsequently sold the place to Isaac Constant, and moved to Lewiston, Fulton county, Illinois, where he died about 1874. Mr. Proctor, shortly after his arrival, planted an orchard, which was bearing in 1830, when the place was purchased by Mr. Constant. He also established a tannery on the place.
Captain Hathaway settled on section twenty, at an early day. He left for Galena about the time lead was first discovered, and there died.
. WHERE THEY SETTLED.
The first settlers of the township settled along the timber, near Fancy creek. The same fear of the prairie, and the same reason that caused other early settlers to locate in the timber, gov- erned the pioneers of Williams. It was not until 1845 the prairie began to be settled. Some of the best and most improved farms are now prairie farms.
EDUCATIONAL.
"Knowledge is power," and for the purpose of disseminating knowledge, the pioneers of Williams township early employed the services
of the school teacher, and in educational pro- gress have since kept pace with other sections of the county.
The first school was in the winters of 1822-3, in a log cabin on Fancy creek, Patrick Lynch being the teacher. One among the first teachers here was Erastus Wright, well known in all parts of the county, who taught a term of school in a small log cabin on section seven, as early as 1823. The change made in the mode of teaching, and in the conveniences of the school room, are great, indeed. There are now, in 1881, seven school houses in the township.
RELIGIOUS.
The minister of the gospel ever keeps pace with the western tread of civilization, and a settlement is no sooner formed than some zeal- ous defender of the Cross begins to plead to sinners to obey the word and bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. Elder Stephen England was probably the first to conduct religious exercises with preaching, in the township. Revs. James Sims, Rivers Cormack and Peter Cart- wright were among the first ministers in the township. The first meeting conducted by a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church was at the house of David Riddle, in 1821.
MILLS.
A Mr. IIarburt settled on section seventeen as early as 1820. He built and operated the first mill of any description in Williams town- ship, and probably north of the Sangamon river. It was the old band mill, run by horse power. A cabin was erected near the mill for the ac- commodation of those bringing their grain to be ground. Mr. Harburt left in 1822, taking his mill with him.
David Riddle built a horse-mill in 1826 with which he ground wheat and corn, though he had only one run of stone. It could grind about twenty bushels a day.
Thomas Constant built a water-mill on Wolf creek, on section twenty-three, in 1825, which was the first in the township. The mill was a combined saw and grist-mill, and did a large business in both branches, having custom for many miles around. The mill had two runs of burrs, one for corn and the other for wheat. It was run until about 1854, and was owned or run by the following named: Thomas Con- stant, Alexander Edmonds, John Simpson, George Fisher and John Johnson, the latter of whom tore it down. All that now remains of the mill are the stones, which yet lie upon the banks of the stream.
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.
FIRST MARRIAGE.
As stated in the sketch of Philo Beers, his marriage with Martha Stillman was the first in the township, and the first north of Sangamon river. Several of the descendants of this couple occupy prominent positions in society.
VILLAGE OF CICERO.
On the 15th of April, 1836, Archibald E. Con- stant had platted and recorded the "northwest part of the southeast quarter of section twenty- six, township seventeen, range four west," a vil- lage under the name of "Cicero." Like hun- dreds of others in the West, the village existed only in name.
FIRST MERCHANDISE.
William Hamilton and Mr. Mack sold goods here on section seventeen, in 1821. Myron Phelps came in 1822, and purchased their stock, and continued the business about two years, when he sold out and went to Lewiston, Fulton county. The store was in a log cabin, and a general assortment, usual for the times, was kept for sale.
CURIOSITIES.
Charles Miller has in his possession a rifle once owned by his father, and brought by him from Virginia in 1802. The gun is a hammered barrel, full stock, and finished in a neat, work- manlike manner, with engraved brass mountings, with cap-box apartment in the stock. It was originally a flint-lock, but was changed when percussion caps began first to be manufactured.
Mrs. Rebecca Miller has a silver half-dollar given to her when a child by her mother, bear- ing date 1822, the year in which Mrs. Miller was born. In 1846, her husband desired to purchase a piece of land, and lacked one-half dollar of having the necessary amount to pay for it. The coveted half-dollar was given to him, and paid out on this purchase. In 1876, the identical half-dollar was given to him in change by a merchant in Williamsville, and by him returned to Mrs. Miller. Thus, after a lapse of thirty years, she received back the precious coin, paid out in Jackson City, Missouri.
Mrs. Maria Chenoworth has in her possession a wooden chest brought from Europe in a his- torical and noted vessel, the Mayflower. Mrs. Chenoworth traces the chest back through her ancestors to her great, great grandfather, and the chest, with its history, has been preserved in the family.
Mrs. Chenoworth has also in her possession two old-fashioned pewter dishes as large around
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as a flower barrel, which were brought from Vir- ginia by her parents.
George W. Constant has an old-fashioned wooden clock, which waspurchased by his father in 1827, and brought with the family to Illinois, in 1830. It has been running fifty-four years and is yet a splendid time-keeper. It stands on a pedestal some eight feet high, and marks the time by seconds.
Mr. Constant has also a red cedar churn, bought by his parents the week after they were married, which occurred July 4, 1811, and is in a good state of preservation. He also has his grand- father Constant's family Bible, one hundred and ten years old.
ORGANIC.
Williams township was organized at same time with the remaining townships in the county in 1861, and was named as was the village in honor of Colonel John Williams, a noted pioneer and business man of Springfield. The first election was held on the first Monday in April of 1861. The following named being elected to the offices mentioned: Miletus W. Ellis, Super- visor; George T. Hickman, Treasurer; George H. Brown, Clerk; F. A. Merriman, Assessor; George W. Sutton, Collector; Eben M. Douglas, John O. Towner, Justices of the Peace; George W. Sutton, Meredith Cooper, Constables; James Lester, William Yocum and George T. Hick- man, Commissioners of Highways.
VILLAGE OF WILLIAMSVILLE.
The village was laid out in 1853, under the name of Benton, so named in honor of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, of Missouri. The plat as recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds, describes it as comprising the " southwest quar- ter of section four, township seventeen, range four west," and owned by Abraham V. Flagg.
The first public sale of lots was on the 14th day of September, 1853. Quite a number were disposed of at satisfactory prices.
The first house built in the place was a frame dwelling, by Jacob Flagg, in the fall of 1853.
The first merchandise sold here was in the spring, of 1854, by Peter L. Earnest, who opened a stock of general merchandise, and continued in the trade here for some years.
But little was done in the way of building up a town until the Chicago & Alton Railroad es- tablished a station here in the spring of 1854. This gave confidence to interested parties that their anticipations would be realized in the building up of a town. The growth of the vil-
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.
lage has been slow, but no real backward step has been taken.
A POST OFFICE.
A petition of the citizens was circulated, pray- ing the post office department at Washington, to establish here a post office. Their petition was granted, and an office established in the spring of 1854, named Williamsville Post Office, with John George as postmaster. Mr. George was subsequently succeeded by his son, Wesley George, who served until 1858, when Jacob Mc- Clure was appointed. From 1858 to the present time, the following named have had charge of . the office: George Brown, Jacob McClure, Charles Elder, R. M. Lawrence, William Stew- art, Sarah Stewart, and Jacob McClure, the second time, the incumbent.
MEDICAL.
No community can exist without the aid of the doctor, at least this is the general opinion. In 1850, Dr. Connery, of Ohio, moved to the township, and commenced here the practice of medicine. In 1855, he moved into the new vil- lage of Benton, now Williamsville, and con- tinued to practice, being the first physician in the place. He was a clever man, a good physi- cian and enjoyed the respect of the community in which he lived. He secured an excellent practice, but died in 1857. Since Dr. Connery's time there have been a number of physicians who have practiced their profession in the place, among whom were Drs. Henry Van Meter, J. M. West, Thomas M. Helm and J. Y. Winn. The present resident physicians of the place are: M. Mathus, J. Y. Winn, A. D. Taylor and R. E. McClelland.
EDUCATIONAL.
The village of Williamsville comprises a por- tion of District No. 5, which was organized in October, 1855. The first school-house erected in the village was that same fall; it was a frame building eighteen by twenty, one story in height, and only one room. At this time the building was amply large enough to the demands of the district, but subsequently the addition of an- other room was made. In this house the follow- ing named were employed at different periods as teachers; Erastus W. Mills, Jacob Beck, A. W. Botsford, A. J. Leach, Stephen H. Wilbur, Homer E. Aylesworth, Francis Springer, George P. Carpenter, W. H. Raymond, J. S. McClure, Edmund Rogers, C. H. Mitchell and Henry Allen.
In 1867, a large brick school-house was erected at a cost of $12,000. It contains four
school-rooms-three occupied-and is capable of accommodating one hundred and sixty pupils. The building is neat, tasty and convenient, and would be an honor to a much larger place than Williamsville. The schools were then graded into three grades, that system being in opera- tion ever since. The following named have served as principals, the year given being that in which they commenced their work, and serv- ing until their successors were installed: H. A. Allen, 1867; B. F. Connor, 1870; B. F. January, 1871; Charles Howard, 1872; O. S. Webster, 1873; C. H. Mitchell, 1875; O. S. Webster, 1876; E. D. Matheny, 1877; W. L. Perce, 1878; Charles F. Wilcott, 1880; Hezekiah Miller, 1881.
RELIGIOUS.
The religious element of the place is repre- sented by three denominations, each having a neat house of worship, Christian, Methodist Episcopal, and Presbyterian.
The Christian Church was organized at the house of William T. Jones, November, 1843, and was first known as the Fancy Creek Christ- ian Church. A large part of the original mem- bership were connected with the Wolf creek congregation, and on account of the distance from the place of worship, it was thought best to organize another congregation. The Wolf creek congregation consented to so many of its members as desired, withdrawing for this pur- pose.
Miletus W. Ellis, Mary A. Ellis, Isaac Con- stant, Amy Constant, James Stewart, Roxanna Stewart, George W. Constant, Martha B. Con- stant, Wm. F. Elkin, Elizabeth Elkin, Thomas Elkin, Harriet Elkin, Thomas Branch, Elizabeth Branch, Mary M. Constant, Wm. T. Jones, Lavina Jones, Lotta McClelland, Nancy Mc- Cray, Mary McClelland, Sarah Forguson, James Langston, Harriet Langston, James Stewart. Miletus W. Ellis was elected elder, and William T. Jones and William F. Elkin, deacon.
In consequence of Mr. Ellis having gone to Oregon, and other officers being needed, in March, 1852, an election was held, and William T. Jones and James Lester were elected elders, and George W. Constant and James Barr, dea- cons.
On the first of March, 1854, James Barr resigned and Andrew Lester was elected to fill the vacancy. Subsequently Mr. Ellis returned from Oregon, and was still recognized as an elder.
The congregation met from house to house for worship until 1849, when the Lake school
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.
house was secured for regular services. Here they met until 1858, when a house of worship was erected in Williamsville, and the services commenced there that fall. The building is thirty-six by fifty-six, frame, twenty-feet posts, and is valued at $2,500.
On removal to the village, the name of the church was changed from Fancy Creek to Williamsville Christian Church. At this time J. M. Britton was elected Deacon in place of Andrew Lester, deceased. In April, 1866, two additional elders were chosen-T. M. Helm and A. W. Elder, each of whom were ordained by Elder A. J. Kane, of Springfield. At the same time F. A. Merriman, Charles Turley and Isaac Groves were elected and ordained deacons.
In June, 1879, in consequence of removals and deaths, it became necessary to elect other officers, and accordingly A. J. Bronsom, N. R. Taylor, G. B. Jones and G. W. Constant were elected elders, and J. B. Taylor, Jr., J. H. Groves, G. F. Strawn and W. F. Constant were elected dea- cons. On the 5th of October, 1879, they were each set apart to the office in which they were called, Elders A. J. Kane and M. R. Elder con- ducting the ordination.
The first regular minister who served the congregation was A. J. Kane. Joel Ethridge and J. H. Hughes also preached for them at an early day. As regular pastors, the following named have served: A. J. Kane, April, 1858, to October, 1859; Alex. Johnson, October, 1859, to July, 1861; Charles Berry, July 1861, to Septem- ber, 1862; John S. Sweeny, November, 1862, to September, 1863; A. H. Rice, September, 1863, to September, 1864; A. J. Kane, October, 1864, to February, 1867; Thomas W. Ramey, June, 1867, to October, 1868; Samuel Lowe, October, 1868, to October, 1869; A. J. Kane, October, 1869, to March, 1871; A. J. Kane and J. M. Allen, March, 1871, to March, 1873; Philemon Vawter, July, 1873, to July, 1874; J. W. Spriggs, March, 1875, to March, 1877; M. R. Elder, March, 1878, to March, 1881; G K. Berry, March, 1881, to September, 1881.
A number of "revivals" have been experienced by the congregation. W. W. Happy held a protracted meeting at Lake school house, which was continued about three weeks with good results. A. H. Rice held a meeting beginning November 9, 1863, and closing December 13, with eighty additions. L. B. Wilkes and A. J. Kane in February, 1867, with a number of ad- ditions; Charles Rowe in March, 1868, with about sixty; D. R. Lucas in October, 1873, with
thirty; B. F. Bush in December, 1880, with thirteen.
An interesting discussion was held in this vil- lage in March, 1864, between John S. Sweeney, of the Church of Christ, and Rev. Davies, of the Methodist Episcopal, lasting ten days.
The present membership of the church is one hundred and sixty, and the church is in good working order, with a Sunday school numbering one hundred members, of which J. HI. Groves is superintendent.
The Presbyterian Church, of Williamsville, was organized by the Presbytery of Sangamon, Angust 26, 1857. The following named were enrolled, and became part of the original con- gregation: Bryant Purcell, Dority Purcell, John Earnest, Elizabeth Earnest, Elizabeth Fisher, Mary Hunter, Eliza I. Munce, Hannah Stock; dale. The first ruling elder was Bryant Purcell. After its organization the meetings of the con- gregation were held in the Methodist Church for a number of years, until 1869, when a very neat brick house of worship was erected, at a cost of $7,000. The following named have served as pastors, or stated supplies. Revs. George Mckinley, D. R. Todd, R. Rudd, A. Bartholomew, W. G. Keady, Edward B. Mays, M. M. Cooper, Samuel B. Ayres, the last being the present pastor, who began his labors in 1880. The congregation is now in a flourishing condi- tion, with the following named elders: Richard Fulkerson, Thomas J. Shreve, George W. Shep- herd, Benjamin Donnan.
The Williamsville circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church has four appointments and two churches, Fancy Creek and Williamsville. Fancy Creek was built in 1856, and Williams- ville in 1857. The church edifice at Williams- ville is a frame, about thirty-five by fifty feet, is in very good repair, has a good bell-the only one in the village-and is valued at $2,000. The society also own a good parsonage, valued at $700. The church property embraces half a block, with the house of worship on one corner and the parsonage on the other. The society num- bers ninety members, and is in a healthy, pros- perous condition, with no indebtedness. Rev. James W. Sinnock is the present pastor. The present officers are: Stewards, W. L. Perce, W. S. Hussey, J. R. Jones, J. P. Mountz, and John Nauson; local preacher, Fred Joynt. The church has in connection a flourishing Sunday school, of about one hundred members, with W. L. Perce as superintendent.
The first Quarterly Conference of which there is any record extant, was held November 27,
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.
1858, in Fancy Creek Chapel. The pastor in charge was then Rev. W. F. Short; W. S. Pren- tice, presiding elder. The board of stewards at that time were William Yocum, W. R. Brass- field, and M. M. Ramley. Mr. Short was followed by Rev. D. Bardrick in 1860, Rev. J. Slater, suc- ceeded him in 1861, before the close of the con- ference year. Peter Cartwright was appointed presiding elder in the fall of 1861. Rev. W. T. Bennett became pastor in the fall of 1861. He was succeeded in the fall of 1863, by Rev. L. Smith; he by Rev. George Stevens, in 1865. At the same time J. L. Crane succeeded Peter Cart- wright as presiding elder. Rev. W. H. Ray- burn, became pastor in 1867, and was followed by John S. Barger, in 1868. Rev. O. H. P. Ash was next, in 1869, with Rev. M. M. Davison in 1870. In 1871, Rev. H. C. Adams was sent to the charge, and remained until 1874, when Rev. C. A. Obenchain was appointed; Rev. W. E. Johnson was the next appointed, and remained two years, and was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Wolfe, in 1878, who remained until the fall of 1881, when the present pastor was sent to the charge.
INCORPORATION.
The village of Williamsville was incorporated and its first election held May 14, 1866.
BUSINESS OF WILLIAMSVILLE.
For the benefit of future generations, and not for the present, is the following directory of the business of Williamsville here given: Mer- chant Tailor-Adam Sehy; Wagon-Maker-Urias Haines; Blacksmith-A. D. Clark; Tinware and Stoves-J. L. Fourmier; Groceries, Tinware and Hardware-John McKee; Drugs and Station- ery-L. W. Perce; General Merchandise- Lemon T. Berryhill, Strawn, Mayo & Co., R. M. Lawrence, G. Groves & Sons; Boot and Shoe- Maker-Geo. Ketzler; Restaurant-D. C. Dun- can; Boots and Shoes -- Henry Miller; Groceries and Hardware-N. R. Taylor, John B. Zader; Harness Maker-J. B. Kiplinger; Elevator and Grain Dealer-Wesley Council; Groceries-J. S. McClure; Postmaster-Jacob S. McClure.
BARCLAY.
The Barclay Coal Mining Company shipped their first coal from Barclay, December 3, 1872. The same company built the first house, the first store and the first hotel. The first parties em- ployed to manage the business were R. D. Law- rence, superintendent; Michael Palmer, pit boss; D. C. Robbins, coal agent; H. R. Stevenson, manager of store; Colonel William Allen, pro- prietor hotel; J. Y. Hussey, agent, G. C. & S. R.
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