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 95

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 95

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).

In 1857, Henry S. Dickerman entered the es- tablishment as book-keeper. At this time it oc-

cupied a frame building with two sets of machinery, and six looms, with a capacity of one hundred yards of flannel, fifty yards of jeans, and fifty pounds of stocking yarn per day. In 1860, the main factory building, forty by eighty feet, was erected of brick, three stories with basement and attic. In 1863, Mr. Diekerman purchased machinery with the intention of locat- ing in Rockford, but was induced to become a partner in this factory, the firm name remaining unchanged until two years later. This same year, an addition to the main building was erected, thirty-six by seventy-five feet, of brick, three stories, with basement and attic, and a dry house in the rear, thirty-six by fifty feet. In 1865 large additions were made to the machin- ery, and the products of the mill increased four fold, while the quality of the goods had steadily improved from year to year. Mr. Armstrong's interest was now purchased by Mr. Diekerman and Edward T. Thayer, and the firm name was changed to Dickerman & Company. Gradually the old machinery was replaced with new and improved machines, until all was taken out of the way. In 1873, John T. Capps became one of the partners, the firm name remaining the same.

Prior to the fall of 1880, the mill engaged in the manufacture of a variety of flannels, blankets and cassimeres, but since that time they have paid special attention to cassimeres, and are manufacturing six-fourths goods as well as three-fourths goods. During 1880, they ship- ped their products to Boston, New York and other eastern cities, but their heaviest sales are in the Northwest, Over one hundred hands are employed in the factory. A capital of over $100,000 is invested in the business, and the monthly product amounts to about $18,000.

TIIE PORTUGUESE.

In the city of Springfield are many Portuguese, and as it is uncommon to see such numbers of this nationality in this country, the question is often asked, "How came they here?" Their story is an interesting one.

About four hundred years ago, Gonsalves Zarco was making a voyage of discovery along the western coast of Africa. He was soon taken by a violent storm, and all his crew expected to sink into the deeps. They gave up all hope, when suddenly an island appeared, and they made for its shores. After landing, they called it Porto Santo, or "Holy Haven." Here a set- tlement of Portuguese was formed. But the people were afraid to go to the larger island of Madeira. Some of them would venture near it,

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but it looked so gloomy, and they heard such strange sounds coming from its woods, that they imagined it was the abode of awful giants and terrific creatures-a land of darkness.

Gonsalves, however, ventured to pay a visit to the awful island. The men on the vessel became alarmed as they came near the shores, and thought they saw monstrous giants on the coast. They begged their commander not to expose them to death. He kept on until he proved to them that their giants were only craggy rocks, and the horrid voices they heard were only the beating of the waves against the cliffs. The shores were thick with tangled trees and vines. He thought that men might live on an island where so much wood was growing.

A colony from Portugal settled on the island. They cleared the land by setting fire to the for- ests, and thus they robbed it of its natural beauty. It is said that these fires kept burning for seven years, and left scarcely a tree on the island.

A few slips of the grape vine were brought from the Isle of Cyprus and planted in Madeira. They grew, and from them have grown the cele- brated vineyards of the Isle of Wines. The wealth of Madeira is chiefly derived from its vineyards.

For many centuries the people in Madeira were in deep mental darkness. Few of them could read, and the Bible to them was an un- known book. The Roman Catholic religion prevailed. There were plenty of jails where there were no school houses. Persons who had committed smaller crimes were put in jail to wait their cases to be tried in Lisbon. They kept them in prison many years. Their expen- ses were to be paid by those who complained against them. Hence, after a time accusers be- came rare, for they did not like to pay for their own accusation. This was not done, however, with Bible readers, they had to pay for their own support in prison.

Some years ago the vineyards began to fail. The traveler could no longer pass along under the shadow of the vines, and have rich clusters of grapes hanging over his path. The fruit was cut off. It brought a famine on the Island. The Romanists laid all this to Bible readers. They said it was a curse on the people for allowing such men as Dr. Kalley and Mr. Hewitson to come among them and establish schools, read the words of God, and have meetings for prayer and praise.

The Christians of the United States took a deep interest in the famishing people of Ma- deira, and sent them supplies and induced them

to cultivate such eatables as are raised in this country. The famine made many people poor, and the people of the island, who have always done most of the labor, began to turn most of their skill to account in the manufacture of fancy articles for sale.

Robert B. Kalley was a young physician in Scotland. He felt it his duty to go as a mission- ary to China, and was ordained by the Free Church to preach the Gospel. In 1838, he and his wife left their home to go to China. On the voyage Mrs. Kalley was smitten with dis- ease. Her friends thought she would not live to reach China. There was no vessel to carry them back to Scotland, so they turned aside to visit Madeira. Dr. Kalley did not know a word of Portuguese, but thought that while hindered in the work he had set out to do, he yet might do good in instructing the people on this island. He at once set about learning the language, and soon mastered it so that he could begin his labors.

A co-laborer with Dr. Kalley was Rev. Wil- liam Hewiston. The two, with the aid of such others as could be secured, did a grand work on the island. But a time of persecution came. The Catholics on the island would not endure the hated Protestants. The life of Dr. Kally was threatened and he had to flee from the island in disguise. The Portuguese converts, too, had to flee for their lives, or that they might wor- ship God in peace according to the dictates of their own conscience. Hundreds fled to other countries. A vessel was chartered to take as many as could be accommodated to Trinidad. But this was only to be of a temporary place of rest.

Arsenio Da Silva was born on the Island of Madeira and educated for the priesthood, but would not take the vows. He became a mer- chant and accumulated a large fortune. He married and had one child, a beautiful daughter, who grew to womanhood, when disease over- took her. The best physicians of the island were called, but could do her no good. Finally, Dr. Kalley was called. The daughter was healed, and father and daughter were converted to the Protestant religion. Mr. Da Silva became a member and elder in the church under Mr. Hewitson. But he was too prominent a man to be permitted to dwell on the island and he had to flee for his life.

In the early part of 1847, there were about five hundred Portugese exiles in Trinidad. How were they to be supported? They were in a strange land, and were not familiar with the lan-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

guage of their benefactors. They found all classes of people here from different nations. Several of the planters were willing to hire them to work on sugar estates, but they knew nothing of that kind of labor. Some of them had been wealthy, and their hands were notskillful enough to toil for their daily bread.

A church organization was formed in Trinidad in April, 1847, by Mr. Hewitson, who could not remain to care for them. Mr. DaSilva was at once selected and was ordained as their pastor. He had six hundred in his flock and all exiles. It was truly a charge. The labors were great, but he did not despair. The property of the ex- iles, and the uncertain prospect of a better con- dition in Trinidad were truly an anxiety in his mind. No land could be obtained for them to settle upon, and there was little hope of their living by their toils so long as they must become mere slaves in the hot fields, or in the friendless houses of strangers.

Like the Pilgrim Fathers in Leyden, they be- gan to look toward some other land for a home. Their cry went out to the Christians of the United States, and a voice of welcome rolled across the waters. The " Great West" the beau- tiful Illinois country, with its grand prairies, were pictured before their eyes.

The American Protestant Society sent Rev. G. Gonsalves to Trinidad to inquire into the condi- tion of the exiles. Mr. Gonsalves returned and was followed shortly after by Mr. DaSilva, who arrived in New York in December, 1848. But death claimed him before he could make the ar- rangements that he desired for his flock. He died January 10, 1849.

Appeals were now made for help to transport these exiles to the United States, and the appeals were not in vain. Arrangements were made to care for all that should come at Springfield, Jacksonville and Waverly. On the 19th of October, 1849, nearly three hundred left New York for their new homes in Illinois. Rev. Albert Hale, a father in Israel, thus wrote of these exiles shortly after their arrival in Spring- field:

"We are much occupied these days in minis- tering to our brethren, the Portuguese exiles. They arrived here just in time to enter on the severe winter weather, which now they, in com- mon with all of us, have to endure. They are not much accustomed to severe cold weather, and as our city was very full of people when they arrived, it was well nigh impossible to pro- vide them habitations; to provide comfortable dwellings was out of the question, as everything

worthy of that name was already crowded full. But we have done what, under the circum- stances, we could, and they are hoping for better times. So far as I know they are contented and happy. Many of them find employment at good wages and ready pay. They are highly valued as laborers, and will soon be able to take care of themselves without the aid of others. Indeed, the last thing to be looked for is that such men should long be a charge to their fellow men. If they maintain their strict religious principles and their habits of industry, there is but one destiny for them here, and that is plenty-inde- pendence."

This is how the Portuguese came to be in Springfield and Sangamon county.

REMINISCENCE OF ELIJAH ILES.

" My name is Elijah Iles. I was born in Ken- tucky, March 28, 1796 (now in my eighty-sixth year.)

"My father, Thomas Iles, was born in Penn- sylvania, in 1765. At the age of sixteen he was sent by his father about one hundred miles to collect some money, and was furnished with a good horse and a good outfit of clothing. After collecting the money, not being on good terms with his step-mother, concluded to put out and set up for himself. He went to Virginia and emigrated to Kentucky, with a family by the name of Trumbo. The Indians were trouble- some, committing murder and stealing horses, and much of his time was employed in guarding the settlers, and driving the Indians across the Ohio river into the Territory of Ohio. He was in several skirmishes with the Indians. The In- dians finally stole his horse, and by this time his clothes and money was about used up. He then went to work for wages in the summer, and to school in winters, paying for his board by his work mornings, nights and Saturdays. When he got an education enabling him, he taught school in winter and worked on farms in sum- mer. After occupying himself in this manner for a time, he married Betsey Crocket, and then formed a colony with my mother's brother, John Crocket, and a few others, and settled on the Prickley Ash creek, on the waters of Licking river, in a heavily timbered section, and cleared ground for raising corn. They relied on game for their living, such as turkey, deer and bear. They could not raise hogs until the bear was killed out, as they eat the pigs. But they made good use of the bear by killing them and cure- ing the meat as we do pork. At that day most everything used for housekeeping was brought

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

from Virginia to Kentucky, on pack-horses. We had to do with little. Our table-ware was pewter plates, spoons and Japanned tumblers. Our cooking utensils, a frying pan, skillet and oven; our bread was mostly baked on a board, set up before the fire, and called Johnny-cake, or in the ashes and called ash-cake,the meat often hung up and roasted before the fire.

" My mother, with her wheel, wool cards and loom, manufactured all the wearing apparel used by herself and family, other than buckskin pants, mostly used by men and boys.

" My mother died in 1802, leaving five child- ren: Polly, Elijah, William, Washington and Betsey, the youngest eight days old. We were in a bad fix; but my Aunts Carlyle and Harper, of Woodford county, Kentucky, took my sisters and brother Washington home with them, and my Aunt Crocket, in the vicinity, took myself and brother William until my father visited bis sister ( Aunt Barnet ), at Winchester, Virginia, and bought and brought home a negro woman, and myself and William were taken home and put under her charge and care; we were taught to call her Aunt Milly, and to obey her; she proved to be a good woman. After living eight years a widower, my father married the Widow Wheeler, with two children ( Samuel and Eliza); and my brother, Washington, and sisters were brought home.

"My education was limited; never advanced to study English grammar. My father, being a good scholar, taught me some at home in spell- ing, writing and arithmetic.

" At the beginning of the war of 1812, my father was sheriff of Bath county, Kentucky. I was then sixteen years old, and acted as his dep- uty, after which I bought one hundred calves at $3 a head, which I wintered in a very rugged section, remote from settlements, on the waters of Little Sandy, three summers and two winters. The cliffs were very high and precipitous, shelv- ing over in places, so as to form shelter for the cattle in winter. The valleys were very narrow, but by changing from valley to valley, my cattle wintered without being fed. My only compan- ions during the two years, was my horse, dog, gun and cattle, other than occasional hunters. I had an object, enjoyed it, and did not feel lone- some. I then sold my cattle for a sum, thoughi small, was at that day a good start for a young man. Being then of age, I concluded to hunt a new country, and set up for myself ( although Kentucky was yet new), so I took my money and put out for Missouri.

"Now, for incidents and events of some of my numerous footsteps wanderings and doings from the time I left my father in 1818, to the present year, 1881. My object was the Boomlick country, in Missouri, in Howard county. I started on my trip in October, 1818. My route was via Lexington, Frankfort and Louisville, Ky., Vin- cennes, Ind., St. Louis, and St. Charles, Mo., thence to Franklin, in Iloward county, the ex- treme western settlement at that day. The towns were all small, St. Louis the largest, about 2,000. Franklin was the only town west of St. Charles on the Missouri river. My object was farming. The lands were not yet brought into market. After getting to Franklin and explor- ing the country to some extent, I was employed a portion of my time as clerk in a store, and also to select lands for speculators. I made good se- lections for myself and laid out every dollar I had, and in a short time on one tract I realized one hundred dollars. I got home-sick and de- termined to visit my old home in Kentucky, but before doing so, I desired to explore more of Missouri so as to satisfactorily decide where I should permanently locate. A young man and myself prepared ourselves for camping out. We went west on the north side of the Missouri river, and into the then Indian Territory more than a hundred miles above the border line, then meandered the river down to Fort Osage, twenty miles below the mouth of Kansas river. The officers sent a boat over for us. The fort was commanded by Colonel Sibley. From here we passed down the south side of the river, camping out one night, to the settlement above where Boonville is now situated.

"In January, 1821, I made my visit to Ken- tucky. About this time I heard of much talk about the Sangamon country in Illinois, and de- termined to explore it, and on my return in March, about thirty miles west of Vincennes, at a place called Maysville. When I got there I was told a party had just staked out a road to Vandalia and to Sangamon. It was easy to fol- low the route by the stakes and fresh made track of the wagon that had hauled the stakes. There were but few in Vandalia at that time. I fol- lowed the staked road to Maccoupin point, where I struck the trace to Sangamon river, then the only trace from St. Louis to Sangamon. After exploring to some extent I went to St. Louis and then to my home in Missouri. I liked the people and the lands bordering on both sides of the Missouri river-could not be excelled to the In- dian border-yet, the distance from market, and the thought that Missouri would remain a border

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

State during my life time, determined me again to visit Illinois, which was more interior and more accessible to market. My route back to Illinois was mostly without a road or trace. After leaving the settlement on the Missouri river, I crossed the prairie to the head waters of Salt creek, or river, above the settlement. There I camped out one night. It did not trouble me a bit to camp out as I had been accus- tomed to camping out with my cattle in Ken- tucky. I felt at home. I then meandered the river to the settlement near New London, thence to Louisiana, then crossed the Mississippi river to a colony in Illinois, headed by the Rosses, (now Atlas) of a dozen families, who had just landed, living in tents, and were erecting their cabins. I then meandered the Mississippi to near the mouth of the Illinois river, to another colony of eight families. These two colonies were the only whites residing on the Military Tract between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.

" I there swam my horse across the Illinois river at the mouth, then meandered the Macou- pin creek, to a trace leading to Diamond grove, now Jacksonville. There I found three families in the grove, Kline, Abrams, Wilson, and Wyatt and some others in the vicinity. I then went up the Mauvester creek about ten miles, until I could see the timber in the Island grove, then crossed the prairie to the grove. No one was then living in the grove. Leaving the timber on my right, I followed the prairie to a trace leading through the timber to a place where I found a stake, set up for a temporary county seat, to be called Springfield; and here I found Charles R. Matheny, living in a one-room log cabin, with a large family of little children, near the stake. (Mr. C. R. Matheny was judge of probate and clerk of the circuit and county courts). Within the distance of two miles of the stake, I found the families of John and William Kelly, Andrew Elliott, Samuel Little, John Lindsay, Peter Laut- erman and Jacob and Levi Ellis. The reason given me why the temporary county seat was lo- cated here, was that it was the largest neighbor- hood in the country, and, as it was only to be temporary, until the land sales, the judge and lawyers could get quarters among the farmers. This was in 1821. A rough log house, was erected with a dirt floor, for a temporary court house.

No one had settled in the place during the first year, other than Matheny and myself. In 1822, although on government lands, seven families erected temporary cabins and moved to the town before the land sales.

"In 1825, commissioners were appointed to select and locate a permanent county seat. We had a hard row to hoe and manage to get the commissioners to selectthis place for the perma- nent county seat. The growth of the place was slow until after it was selected for the capital.

" After I got to Springfield in 1821, and ex- plored the country to some extent, I determined to make this section my permanent home; my intention was farming, but as the land was not yet in market, I erected a cabin, sixteen feet square, with sheds, and went to St. Louis and bought a general assortment of goods, and opened the first store in Springfield, in June, 1821. ( had no competition for two years.) After I bought the goods, I chartered a boat to bring them up the Illinois river. On my trip, the only house at now Alton, was the residence of the ferryman; the next was at the mouth of Illinois river; the next a vacant cabin at now Beardstown. At that day there was no other house on the Illinois river, from head to mouth, other than a trading house for Indians at the foot of Lake Peoria (now city). My goods were landed at the vacant cabin and the boat discharged. I was alone with my goods on the bank of the river. After a search, I found a dim trace leading out to a Mr. Jobe, fifteen miles out, was the first house on the route; but, before I got to his house, I met two teams, driven by Lauterman and Broadwell, going after furniture which was brought up the river by dug-outs and left at the cabin. As neither had a full load, I went back and made up their loads with some of my most perishable goods. It was more than a month before I got all my goods from the river, yet nothing was molested; there was no one to steal then. I did a good business, and aside from whites, I had a good trade with the Indians. In 1823, at the land sales, I bought land, and, in addition to selling goods, opened a farm, and drove hogs and cattle to St. Louis, until 1830; then sold my goods to my clerk John Williams, now Colonel Williams, and established him in business.

" I then occupied myself in farming, buying and selling hogs and cattle in St. Louis, and mules to Kentucky, and buying and selling lands and town lots, to the year 1838. In this year, I packed hogs at Alton, with others, and lost more than $10,000. This closed my career in pork packing, after which I occupied my time in farming and buying and selling lands and lots. In 1838, I erected the American House, in Springfield, then the largest hotel in the State, now torn down and built up with large store houses by Lawrence & Britton.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

"In 1826, I was elected State Senator, and again in 1830. At that time, the Senate con- sisted of thirteen members, and the House of Representatives twenty-five. In 1821, when I came to Springfield, twenty miles north were the extreme northern settlers. All north of that was occupied by friendly Indians, but after the lead mines were discovered, at Galena, and set- tlers began to move up and work the mines, the Indians became troublesome. This was in 1827. Troops were mustered, under the command of Colonel T. M. Neal, who marched to Galena, to drive them off. I was elected Major. This was called the Winnebago campaign. A treaty was made at Prairie DuChien, and we were disbanded.

"In the Black Hawk War, of 1832, I went as a private. Our route was from Oquawka to the mouth of Rock river, thence up Rock river to the road crossing to Galena (now the city of Dixon). The army was commanded by General Atkinson, of the United States Army. Here we called a halt, and General Stillman's command advanced fifteen miles above, on Rock river. He met the Indians, had a battle, and a number of his men killed, and his command completely routed. We were ordered next day to the battle-field, and collected and buried the dead; then returned to Dixon and got news that some of the Indians went over to the outer set- tlement on the Illinois river, committed mur- der, and took two young girls prisoners. We then crossed over to the Illinois river to what is now known as Ottawa. The term of service of this army having expired, they were mustered out. A call was made for volunteers from the disbanded army, to remain and protect the fron- tier until new troops could be enlisted. Several companies were organized for this service for twenty days. I was elected Captain of one of the companies, and felt proud of my company. They were men I could rely on, many being officers from the disbanded army. Among them were A Lincoln, late President; John T. Stuart, of Springfield, and others who afterward became prominent.

"My company was mustered into service by Lieutenant Anderson, Acting Adjutant (of Fort Sumter memory). My company was held in camp as a reserve, by General Atkinson, whilst others were scouting. Colonel Taylor, late President, was left stationed at Dixon, with two companies, to guard the road to Galena. One company was ordered to Dixon and to report to Colonel Taylor, but just as it got to Dixon, one man made his appearance and reported that he, with six others, were on the road to Galena, and

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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 95

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