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 87

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

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 87

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).

John Power, the second son of Joseph, born November, 1787, in Loudon county, Virginia, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was a farmer in comfortable circumstances and the owner of a few slaves; but with his numerous family he could not send his children from home to acquire that education which is now to be obtained in district schools, within the reach of all; consequently, this son, of whom we write, grew to manhood without having

mastered more than the simplest rudiments of the English language.

Like many other men who have struggled against adverse circumstances, he commenced his education at a period of life when he should have been in possession of it. He takes pleasure in attributing to a great extent the measure of success he has attained, both morally and men- tally, to his selection of a wife. He was married May 14, 1845, to Miss Sarah A. Harris. The marriage was solemnized about twenty-six miles below Cincinnati, in Aurora, Indiana. Miss Harris was born there October 1, 1824, of English parentage.

Her grandfather, on the maternal side, was the Rev. John Wadsworth, who was rector of a single parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church near Manchester, England, more than a third of a century. His daughter Catalina was the mother of Mrs. Power.

On her father's side, the history reaches back to her great-grandfather, William Fox, who was a wholesale merchant in London. He was also a deacon of a Baptist church in that city. By his business travels he became conversant with the illiterate and destitute condition of the poor people of the kingdom, and made an effort to induce Parliament to establish a system of free school»; but failing in that, he next undertook to persuade his friends to unite with him in or- ganizing and supporting a system of week-day instruction › o extensive "that every person in the kingdom might be taught to read the Bible." When he had gone far enough to realize that the magnitude of the work was almost appalling, his attention was providentially drawn to the consideration of Sunday schools, in order to de- termine whether or not they would answer the same purpose. Becoming convinced that they would, he zealously adopted the latter plan, and

532

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

on the 7th of September, 1775, he organized in the city of London, the first society in the world for the dissemination of Sunday schools. That society stood for eighteen years without a rival, and during that time it was instrumental in establishing Sunday Schools wherever Christian missions had unfurled the banner of the Cross.

William Fox had two sons and three dangh- ters. The eldest daughter, Sarah, became the wife of Samuel Harris, a druggist in London. They had a son and daughter. The son, William Tell Harris, was married April 24, 1821, in Eng- land, to Catalina Wadsworth, daughter of Rev. John Wadsworth, as already stated. They came to America soon after their marriage, and settled in Aurora, Indiana. They have both been dead many years. Their only living child, Sarah A., was educated at private schools, and a four years' course in Granville Female Seminary, an institu- tion under the auspices of the Protestant Episco- pal Church, at Granville, Ohio, from which she graduated in 1842. After her marriage to Mr. Power, in 1845, at his request she directed his studies, and when he began to write for publica- tion she became his critic; in that way render- ing the best possible assistance, which she con- tinues to the present time.

Mr. Power was brought up a farmer, but en- gaged in other pursuits a number of years, al- ways cultivating habits of study and occasional writing, but without any thought of becoming an author until well advanced in life. He met with serious reverses about the beginning of the great rebellion; and at its close, finding himself in possession of a few thousand dollars, determ- ined to return to agricultural pursuits. He ac- cordingly removed to Kansas, purchased a farm and prosecuted the tilling of it for three years. The grasshoppers destroyed the crops of 1866 and 1867, and the drought of 1868 made almost a to- tal loss of those three years, with all the expense of farming. In April, 1869, he accepted the first and only offer he ever received for his farm, returned to Illinois, and since that time has de- voted himself almost exclusively to literary pur- suits.

Ilis prize essay on Self-Education, for which the Illinois State Agricultural Society awarded him a premium in 1868, was revised and publish- ed in " Harkness' Magazine;" the editor express- ing the opinion that those who read it would find it "one of the most profitable, instructive and mentally invigorating essays they ever read."

His "History of the Rise and Progress of Sunday Schools," published in 1864, by Sheldon & Company, New York, was his first publication

in book form. It is the only connected history of that noble branch of Christian work ever at- tempted, and appears by common consent to be accepted as the standard authority on that sub- ject. Mr. Power has written several books and pamphlets on various local subjects; also maga- zine articles on a great variety of topics.

An open letter by him to the Postmaster General, on the subject of addressing mail matter, is a brief and interesting magazine article Some of his ideas are quite novel, and will bear investigation. The main point he aims to enforce is, that all mail matter should be addressed by first writing the name of the State in full, next the county, then the postoffice, and end with the name of the person or firm expected to receive it; thus reversing the order practiced from time immemorial. He considers that essay his contribution to the great American Cen- tennial.

Perhaps his most finished work is his monu- mental edition of the "Life of Lincoln." It is a fitting tribute to the Nation's Martyred Dead. His style is peculiarly clear, concise and original. He treats every subject most thoroughly and comprehensively, yet with an ease and grace of manner that charms the reader. A gentleman of the highest literary attainments, connected with Madison University, Hamilton, New York, in a note to the publishers, says : "I have read your 'Life of Lincoln' by Power. It has the charm of a novel."

The work upon which Mr. Power gave more time than any other, was the "History of the Early Settlers of Sangamon County." This work required four years of hard, earnest labor, and is of itself a monument to the literary skill of the author. It is doubtful whether a better work of its kind was ever issued. The citizens of Sangamon county owe him a debt of grati- tude which it is doubtful will ever be repaid. Posterity will give him credit for a work in- valuable to the descendants of the early settlers whose lives are recorded.

Since the completion of the monument to the memory of Abraham Lincoln, and the removal of his remains thereto, Mr. Power has been the custodian, and the pleasure of a visit to the sacred spot is enhanced by his narration of all the facts in relation to the building of the monu- ment, the figures placed thereon, the attempt to steal the remains, and an account of the relics placed in the monumental chamber. On dull days and as the opportunity occurs Mr. Power in- dulges in literary work ..

533

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

JOSEPH WALLACE,

the fourth son of James and Mary Wallace, was born in Gallatin ( now Carroll ) county, Ken- tucky, September 30, 1834, and when two years of age removed with his parents to Jefferson county, Indiana. He was raised on a farm, and received a common school and collegiate educa- tion. In 1856 he commenced reading law in Madison Indiana, under the tuition of Judge Charles E. Walker. Remaining there for one year, he removed to Springfield, Illinois, and completed his preparatory course of study in the office of Messrs. Stuart & Edwards. In 1858 Mr. W. was licensed as an attorney-at-law, and shortly afterward opened an office and began practice. In 1866 he was elected to the office of Police Magistrate for the city of Springfield, and served continously for eight years, after which he resumed the practice of his profession. In 1879 he was chosen a member of the City Coun- cil, in which body he has since industriously servedas Chairman of the Ordinance Committee.

With his other pursuits, Mr. W. has blended a decided taste for letters and literary composi- tion, and during the last ten years has written a good deal for the press, chiefly upon biographi- cal and historical subjects. Perhaps his most noted production is his Life of General E. D. Baker. Mr.[Wallace has also prepared a Memo- rial Life of Judge Stephen T. Logan, written at the request of the family, and which will be published for private circulation. He has also in manuscript "The Life of Stephen A. Doug- las," which will probably be brought out in the near future. Being an ardent disciple of Doug- las, the volume will doubtless be of great inter- est, and be pleasing and profitable to all. The author of this volume is indebted for several sketches to Mr. Wallace.

E. L. GROSS.

A sketch of the life of Mr. Gross is found in connection with the Bar history. His greatest literary work was the compilation of the Statutes of the State. Mr. Gross was an easy and forci- ble writer and a hard and methodical worker. No effort on his part would be spared to make everything perfect that he undertook. He died almost before his powers were fully developed.

W. L. GROSS.

W. L. Gross is a brother of E. L., and a co- laborer with him in the preparation of Gross' Statutes. As a sketch of Mr. Gross appears in connection with the Bar history, it is unneces- sary to add anything in this connection, save

that the Colonel handles a ready pen and is an easy, yet forcible, writer.

ALEXANDER DAVIDSON

was born in Taylor county, West Virginia, Sep- tember 23, 1826. He received his education in Oberlin College, Ohio, and began at once the profession of a teacher, a profession which he has substantially followed since he left college. In 1870 he received an appointment in the office of the United States Inspector, and the same year commenced the compilation of a History of Illinois. In 1871, he associated with himself in this work, Bernard Stuve, a gentleman of fine literary taste. The work was completed and published by the authors in 1873, and was well received by both press and people. It has been more extensively sold than any history of the State yet published. Mr. Davidson, while en- gaged in literary work and teaching, has given some attention to mechanism and has turned out some work, invention of his brain, several of which are worthy of special mention. Mr. Dav- idson is yet a citizen of Springfield.

DENNIS WILLIAMS.

Dennis Williams, the well known crayon art- tist of Springfield, was born in Burton, Clayton county, Mississippi, December 25, 1853. His mother was a native of Kentucky, but sold and taken South and made to do duty in the cotton fields. The first recollections of Dennis was riding behind his mother, on a mule, to the cot- ton fields in the early morning and returning late in the evening, and of playing with other boys of his age about the old plantation. When about six or seven years of age he was set to picking cotton and thought it sport for a while, but soon found his mistake, but there was no way of avoiding it-work he must.

The war breaking out, the slaves of the South waited patiently but anxiously for the coming of the Yankees, and for their "day of jubilee." Their faith was strong that their deliverance was at hand, and the armies of the North had no sooner invaded the soil of Mississippi than the "contrabands" broke for the Union lines. Among the first to bid farewell to " Massa and Missus " was the mother and step-father of Den- nis, accompanied by their son. The first point made was Carson's Landing, from whence they were sent to Haine's Bluff, Mississippi, where they were all taken sick with the fever. As soon as they were able, they were sent on to Vicks- burg, then invested by the armies under General Grant. After the surrender of Vicksburg they

534

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

remained in that city until the close of the war, when they came to Springfield, arriving here May, 1865.

While in Vicksburg, the mother of Dennis taught him his letters, and it was her anxiety to give him an education that caused the family to turn their faces northward. On arriving at Springfield, he was soon placed in school, his first master being Thomas York. Dennis says he shall always remember his first teacher, as he on one occasion gave him enough to cause him to never forget him. He considers him a hard master.

When first given a primer, Dennis felt happy, the pictures of dogs, cats and other ani- mals at once arrested his attention, and these small, if not rude pictures, first turned his atten- tion to the life of an artist.

In 1869 he began to draw upon the blackboard straight and parallel lines, cubes and such things, and, in 1870, he made his first crayon sketch- the head of James Fisk, of New York. The picture was pronounced a good one for the first attempt, and was placed on exhibition in the window of Simmons' book store. Shortly after this he abandoned the idea of becoming an artist, there being so much to discourage him. Ile was a poor, ignorant colored boy, one com- pelled to earn his living by the low occupation of a boot-black. The people among whom he lived, with a few honorable exceptions, sneered at his pretensions. The idea of a "little nigger" becoming an artist-it was preposterous! But the artistic aspiration was in him; the desire to become an artist must be appeased, and he again took up his pencil. Frequently he would go to some studio to see how others drew portraits and would be driven away by the artists No one would give him encouragement. Still he would not despair. He secured a room in the rear end of a building on the southeast corner of the square, and when released from his daily labor of blacking boots, he would repair to it, and as best he could, copy some rude picture he picked up, or the cheap lithographs sold in the book stores. To this day he has never witnessed another sketch a portrait, nor has he received instructions from another in drawing. He is

self-taught and self-made in every sense of the word.

In the fall of 1874, he placed some of his sketches on exhibition at the county fair, and was rewarded with three premiums, two being for portraits, and one for a landscape scene While these pictures were on exhibition, he could not refrain his curiosity from listening to the remarks made about the work, and now qui- etly laughs at the criticisms he overheard. The people generally would not believe the pictures were the work of a " nigger." It was too much, to tax their credibility so much. But the criti- cisms were generally of a friendly nature, and he felt encouraged thereby.

The first picture that he ever made and sold was a portrait of General Grant, and sold to Colonel Robert Andrews, General Superinten- dent of the Wabash Railroad, at Toledo, Ohio. Colonel Andrews paid him $5 for it. Since then he has made portraits for Governor Cullom, James A. Connelly, United States District At- torney, Coles county; Judge O. L. Davis, of the Appellate Court; L. C. Collins, Cook county; R. W. Miles, Knox county; O. F. Ottman, Stark county; R. L. Mckinlay, Edgar county; Thomas P. Rogers, McLean county; W. S. Hunter, R. W. Diller, E. A. Snively, Springfield, and many others. His work is now scattered through al- most every State in the Union, and even in the Old World. In the winter of 1880-81, he made pictures of Lieutenant Governor Hamilton and Speaker Thomas, of the Thirty-second General Assembly, both of which were purchased by their respective Houses. The press of Chicago, St. Louis, and other places highly complimented this work.

Mr. Williams received premiums at the San- gamon county fairs of 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, and at the State Fair of 1880. At this latter fair, he received two diplomas and a silver medal. The diplomas were for the best portraits in crayon and pastel, the medal for the best crayon.

In the life of Mr. Williams, is another illustra- tion of what it is possible for one to do in this free land. Born a slave, a boot-black in his youth, to-day one of the best crayon artists in this country; and, to crown all, truly self-made.

535

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXIV

MISCELLANEOUS.

In this chapter is presented a large number of historical points, too short each for a chapter, yet of sufficient interest and importance to be inserted in the work.

THE MORMONS.

On their expulsion from the State of Missouri, a number of this peculiar sect who style them- selves the Latter-Day Saints, settled in Sanga- mon county. Among their number was a young man named James C. Brewster. In 1842, this Brewster published what he termed one of the last books of the Bible, written by himself when divinely inspired. The publication having been circulated among the Mormons at Nauvoo, the Nanvoo Times and Seasons, Joe Smith's organ, gave notice that no one but Smith was permitted to be inspired, and that the work in question was a perfect humbug.

In 1845, it appears the church in Springfield had seceded from the church in Nauvoo, and had set up young Brewster as its prophet. His rev- elations at this time had become quite numerous. Among one of the prophecies of Brewster, was one in relation to the death of Joseph and Hy- rum Smith. This prophecy being literally ful- filled, caused many to unite their fortunes with him, and "contend for the faith" as promul- gated by him. During this year Brewster issued what purported to be the lost book of Esdeas, in which was clearly fortold the destruction of Nauvoo.

SHOOTING STARS.

The "shooting stars" of 1833 will ever be a mystery to many, and many will continue to be- lieve it was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Christ, that "the stars should fall from Heaven before that great and notable day of the Lord's coming." The Sangamo Journal, under date of November 16, says:

" An extraordinary phenomenon was observed in the Heavens on Tuesday night, November 12.

At 3 o'clock a. m., the whole atmosphere was lit up by what appeared to be the falling of myriads of meteors, or what was commonly called 'shooting stars.' At times the appearance was not inaptly compared to the falling of a shower of fire. The air was entirely calm and free from clouds. The scene presented was one of extraordinary sublimity, and must have excited intense admiration in all who beheld it."

The Journal, in its issue of December 7, gives an illustration of the meteors and extracts from New York and Philadelphia papers showing that the phenomenon was not local in its charac- ter, but extended over the entire Union.

COUNTY JAIL.

A local reporter visiting the jail in 1860, thus writes : "One of the prisoners is a little old man who has become quite a fixture in the jail. His first name is Peter. About seven years ago he was arrested for stealing a lot of copper pipe. When his trial was called in the Circuit Court his counsel made a rather novel plea-that the pipe was real estate-and the jury taking that view of the case gratified Peter by acquitting him. We are not informed of the singular process by which copper pipe was reduced to real estate, but Peter's counsel explained the matter to the entire satisfaction of the jury. Peter was not long afterwards arrested for steal- ing hams from a smoke-house. Fortune was against him for a short time in that matter, for he was found guilty of burglary and sentenced to one year in the penitentiary ; but his counsel applied for a new trial, on the ground that his client had not committed burglary-the law saying nothing about burglary in connection with unlawful entry into a smoke house ! Peter's counsel made a good point, and a new trial was ordered. It is supposed that Peter would have been tried at the next term of court for larceny- and it is equally certain that he would have been

62 --

536

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

convicted-but before the opening of court the principal witness went crazy and was sent to Jacksonville. So Peter got out of that scrape. His next arrest was on account of old copper. We believe he admitted that He took the metal, but excused himself by saying that he could not keep from stealing copper or brass when he had half chance. His prospect for a residence in the penitentiary was quite flattering, until his coun- sel proved, to the satisfaction of the jury, that the copper was not worth a farthing more than four dollars and seventy-five cents. He was provided with board and lodgings in the county jail for six months, and not long after the expi- ration of his term of imprisonment, he was arrested for removing hides from the bodies of three deceased steers, and appropriating them to his own use. He was bailed out of jail, com- promised the matter, and kept it out of court. He is now in jail for stealing two brass scale beams. Ile values them at the price of old brass, but others say they are worth not less than ten dollars apiece. Ile has been in jail ten times- six times for larceny, and four times for selling liquor contrary to law."

POE-TRY.

'Twas in the year of thirty-six, A traveler young and strong, Tried to pass through Illinois, And force his way along.

The mud and sloughs he heeded not In his firm onward course;

But as he traveled to the north, The roads grew worse and worse.

But still being bent his way to force, And onward still move- Muddy and tired, on Friday night, He arrived at Irish Grove.

But here his onward course was stopped, For more than a long week,

By the depth of mud in the cursed sloughs, And the waters of Salt Creek.

This seemed at first to give him pain, For sorely did he grieve; · But when the waters did dry up, He hated much to leave.

How came it that this wild young man Who loved so well to rove,

Should love to linger at this place, The pleasant Irish Grove?

He said 'twas because the folks were kind, And they all pleased him well, And something else, but what it was I could not make him tell. ('Twas a gal.)

I used to try him very hard, And when brought to the test,

He said if there had been no pre emption right, The Grove he would not haveleft. (Told you so.)

I've seen him often since that time,

He says I've far to rove; But go where I will I can't forget My friends in Irish Grove.

CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS.

Sangamon county furnished its quota of emi- grants to California, in the days immediately fol- lowing the discovery of gold in that far-off land. A company was organized called the Illinois and California Mining Mutual Insurance Com- pany, which left Springfield, Tuesday, March 27, 1849. The following named composed the com- pany :

B. A. Watson

T. Billson

C. E. White

Lewis Johnson

Albert Sattley John Rodham

Benjamin F. Taylor Richard Hodge

E. Fuller

Jacob Uhler

William B. Broadwell

B. R. Biddle

W. P. Smith J. B. Weber

B. D. Reeves John B. Watson

William Odenheimer F. S. Dean

Henry Dorand

T. J. Whitehurst

E. T. Cabaniss

HOW MILL PRIVILEGES WERE SECURED.

When a party desired to build a dam across a stream, he was required to go before the court and ask that a writ of ad quad damnum be is- sned summoning a jury of twelve men, who should view and assess whatever damages might be caused from the dam by reason of overflow of the water. As an illustration of the course usually pursued, the following report is ap- pended:

"We, the undersigned, jurors, being sum- moned and impanneled by Andrew Orr, Esq., Deputy Sheriff in and for the county of Sanga- mon, by virtue of a writ of ad quud damnum, issued by the Clerk of the County Commission- ers' Court in and for said county, and directed to the Sheriff of said county, on the application of Thomas Kirkpatrick, to ereet a mill-dam on the northwest fractional quarter of section number three, in township number sixteen, north of range number six, west of third principal merid- ian, across Prairie creek; after being duly assem- bled and impanneled upon the premises, and being charged by the said Andrew Orr, Esq., Deputy Sheriff, as aforesaid, impartially and to the best of our skill and judgment, to view the land proposed for an abutment, and to locate and circumseribe by metes and bounds one or

537

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

two acres thereof, having due regard therein to the interest of both parties, and to examine the land above and below the property of others which may probably overflow; and all springs that may be overflowed by the same, and ap- praise the same accordingly to its true value, re- port that we have diligently inquired into and examined the same, above and below the point at which said mill-dam is proposed to be erected, and find that the land on both sides of said stream, together with the bed thereof, where said dam is proposed to be erec ed, belongs to the said Thomas Kirkpatrick, and that by erect- ing a dam no more than ten feet high, the height said dam is to be as contemplated by said Thomas Kirkpatrick, and estimated by us, no springs, either above or below said dam will be overflown by reason of the erection of the same, and that no injury will result to the property of any individual or individuals whatever by reason thereof; and we also believe that the erection of said dam and mills thereon, would be a matter of general utility to the neighborhood, saving and excepting a quantity of land owned by Wil- liam Kirkpatrick, lying above the place where the proposed dam is to be erected, which is sub- ject to being overflowed by reason of the erec- tion of said mill-dam, and we assess the damages by reason thereof at twenty dollars.

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.

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 87

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084