USA > Illinois > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 86
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due to the minor children Panerasse, payable in May next, and to satisfy a judgment in favor of Jean B. De Corte, payable in March next. Sale took place at Cahos, November 23, 1778, three days after the order was given :
A tract of land, 2 arpents front (this may have been
400 livres $30 00
200 acres)
1 plow with a plow share 41
101
20 20
1 oxcart.
148 29 60
1 milch cow and calf ..
1 cow and yearling calf 133 26 60
2 yearling calves.
7 20
9 tablecloths
6 napkins
1 pair of boots of Russia leather.
8 00
1 feather bed
34 10
8 carthen pots
1 60
9 tin plates
5 40
1 dozen hens and a cock
6 80
2 china dishes
1 80
1 dozen small china plates.
2 80
1 table deal
1 00
5 cups.
2 copper chandeliers
9 40
1 frying pan
1 20
1 large iron kettle
5 20
1 small iron kettle.
2 80
1 set of shovel, tongs and poker.
7 00
2 old cauldrons.
1 10
1 old harness
16 20 42 25
13 spoons and 2 ladles.
1 85
13 forks
2 00
6 knives.
1 20
1 couch, feather bed and 2 straw pillows.
27 60
3 bed sheets of Russia linen.
8 80
1 bed spread, 5ft. wide, and 1, 2} ft. wide
7 10
1 coffee mill
6 20
3 tubs
1 80
1 table cloth
1 20
1 horse cart
4 80
1 gun
4 40
1 silver mounted pistol
5 60
1 saddle
6 20
65 empty bottles.
2 80
1 empty barrel
80
2 cotton shirts
3 86
1 pair cotton pants
1 50
1 pair of velveteen pants
5 15
1 red silk handkerchief.
3 00
1 scarlet waistcoat.
9 00
1 cocked hat
7 00
Gunpowder, per lb
1 40
1 yoke of steers, 3 years old.
58 00
1 carrot of tobacco, ..
1 00
4 sailing crafts
428 00
$928 40
The above is a translation of one of the 1,300 French salebills which were turned over to W. St. Clair, and are now on file iu the court house. The Hanson sale was, however a forced one and may therefore, not be a proper criterion of prices. We shall quote now, prices obtained at an administrator's sale held in February, 1791.
Household and kitchen articles :- China plates, $6.40 per dozen ; cream pots, 80c. ; soap dish and cover, $7.20 ; 30 picture frames at 80c. each ; coffee kettle, $2.20; common cupboard, (larder) $9.50; milk-board. $14.50; pewter plates, 80c. cach; tin pans, 60c. cach; silver candlesticks, $9.00 each; coffee mill, $4.40 ; sad irons, 90c. each ; iron'stove, $4.20; a fine mirror, $28.50; 1 clock, $55.00 ; 1 complete bed and bedstead, $76.00; 1 folding table, $4.00; chairs, common, $1.40; 1 candle mould, 50c. ; 1 grand sideboard, $151.00.
8 20
16 00
3 60
1 40
1 cupboard.
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CITY HALL & CENTRAL MARKET, EAST ST. LOUIS.
OLD COURT HOUSE, AT CAHOKIA ST.CLAIR CO.ILL.
O.C. BATES
PHYSICAL SURGEON
MAYORS OFFICE& POLICE HEAD QUARTERS, EASTST.LOUIS .- OFFICE OF DOCTOR O.C.BATES, O'FALLONST.CLAIRCO.IL.
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1
329
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Tools :- An axe, new, $2.95; old axe, used, 70c .; pickaxes, $1.90; hatchets, $2.10; iron to toast bread on, $1.90 ; a scythe, $2.95 ; a saw, $1.90 ; 1 hammer, 85c. ; 1 faucet, $1.40.
Farming articles and stock :- 1 plow, complete, $14,80; saddle and bridle, $17.40 ; horse cart, $10.00; ox cart, $19.00; 1 chain and rigging, $31.90; 1 set of harness, $18.40; a 1} bushel measure, iron hoops, $1.60; 1 wheat fan, $22.00; 17 large hogs, averaging $10.10; 27 small hogs, averaging $2.00 each; 30 head of cattle of various ages brought $644,55 ; prices of cows (10 were sold) range between $23.00 and $38.00 each ; bulls, and there were 18 of them, brought from $6.00 to 26.00 each ; steers broken to the yoke, were sold for $79.00 per pair ; there was only one horse sold, it brought $54.00; chickens sold for $5.00 and $6.00 per dozen ; corn brought 19c. per bushel ; corn meal, 3c. per lb .; wheat brought 42c .; lard, of which 95 lbs. were sold, is quoted at 19c. per lb., an enormous price; 9 bushels of peas are sold at 98c. per bushel ; and 474 bushels of wheat, sown in autumn previous, bringing $1.30 per bushel, or $1.65 per acre.
Louison, Etienne and Louis Pensoneau, three brothers, emigrated from Canada, and settled in Cahokia in 1798. They all married in the village, and stood high in the estimation of their neighbors. Louis conducted the first ferry established between Cahokia and St. Louis. The landing was situated west of the village, and a lit- tle below where Cahokia creek formerly emptied into the river. It must be remembered that at that time, Cahokia was the metropolis and that St. Louis was but a young and sparsely settled village. The oldest person now living in Cahokia, Mrs. Brackett, informed us that she can remember well when the village of Cahokia con- tained twenty-four stores, and upwards of three thousand inhabi- tants, and that the people of St. Louis made it their principal trad- ing place. Verily, time works wonders in this world of ours; only little more than half a century has passed, and St Louis is the sixth city in the United States, while Cahokia contains not more than three hundred inhabitants.
The first mill constructed in Cahokia was built by Nicholas Boismen.ue about 1771. It was a horse grist mill, of the primi- tive style, and located on the village lot now owned by Dr. Illinski, just south of his dwelling. Some years after the construction of the mill, a man by the name of Peyrot was engaged in building a fence close by the mill. In sinking a post hole he struck a bucket that had been buried there. On examining it, what was his surprise to find it contained $800 in Spanish gold sovereigns. There were none to claim it, neither could the oldest inhabitant throw any light upon the circumstance of the hidden treasure.
There are three houses yet standing in the village, that are built after the old, primitive French style: Dr. Illinski's dwelling, the church, and the old court-house. These are the oldest houses in the village, and probably the oldest in the west. They are con- structed from cedar and walnut logs, placed upright with a space of a few inches between, which is filled in with a kind of cement or mortar. The inside is plastered with cement, and the outside is weather-boarded. The dwelling-houses are supplied with a veran- dah, extending around the entire building. It is said among the villagers that Dr. Illinski's house is the oldest, and was built about the year 1700. The church is not far from the above in antiquity. It has a small cupola and bell. The earthquake of 1811 so rocked the church that the bell gave forth several distinct taps.
The old court-house was built in 1795, or thereabouts in that year Randolph County was formed by taking off the southern por- tion of St. Clair, and at which time Cahokia became the county seat. In 1814, the county seat was removed to Belleville. Many years ago, the village extended more than half a mile west of the court-house ; but at this time, the 'old court," as it is called, occu. pies the extreme north-western part of the village proper. For several years past, it has been utilized for a saloon.
The first marriage on record in Cahokia, was performed by L. Gibault, missionary, on the 10th of June, 1790. The contracting parties were Jean Baptiste Chartran, and Marie Rocheleau, widow of Michael Girardin.
The first brick house built in the Mississippi Valley, except one at Kaskaskia, was constructed by Nicholas Jarrot, and situated in the eastern limits of Cahokia village. We are informed that it was commenced prior to 1800, and completed in 1805. It is a two-story building with attic, and 38 by 50 feet on the ground. It rests on timbers of black walnut with about two feet face, imbedded several feet under ground. These timbers rest on beds of charcoal, which are separated from the earth beneath by a layer of sand and gravel. The partition walls of the house are sixteen inches thick, and com- posed of solid brick masonry. The outer walls are eighteen inches in thickness, and are also solid brick. The hall of this mansion is sixteen feet in width, and all of the belongings are of the quaint, aristocratic style of long ago. It has withstood the elements of three-quarters of a century. The earthquake of 1811, only shook down two of the chimneys, and produced two small seams in the rear wall. In the flood ot 1844, water stood ten feet in depth around the house; ingress to the building could only be effected through the upper portion of the high door by means of a canoe. It has withstood four other floods besides the one mentioned, but none were so disastrous to the country and village as this.
It may sound strange, but this house was completed sometime before a brick building was constructed in St. Louis. It is to-day a good house, and looks as though it might last for centuries.
The first school-house in the village was built in 1841, and was situated on the site of the present brick school-house, near the center of the village. It was destroyed by fire some years ago, and the present house erected in its place.
There are two schools in the village, the white and the colored. The former is a fine brick house, and cost about $5000. But one teacher is employed, and there is an attendance of from 25 to 30 pupils. The latter is a small frame, and cost $800. The average ,attendance is about 12 pupils.
Cemeteries .- Cahokia has two cemeteries, but only one of them is now used for burial purposes, as the old one has been full these many years. Indeed, it is said that the bodies were buried one above another, until the villagers were obliged to abandon it for lack of depth. With the exception of the one at Kaskaskia, it is the oldest in the West. It is situated around and in the rear of the old church, after the custom of the Catholics. The new cemetery is situated about half a mile east of the village, and contains nearly two acres ; or, in French parlance, is one arpent wide, and two in length. It has been occupied about thirty-seven years.
The ground was donated to the Cahokians for burial purposes, by Colonel Vital Jarrot, son of Nicholas Jarrot. Mr. Nicholas Mc- Cracken has in his possession a head-stone that he ploughed to the surface, in his field a little south of the Jarrot homestead, that bore the date of 1770. It was cut from a soft lime-stone, and was in size about twenty inches in length, by eight in width, and two in thick- ness. The following is a fac-simile of the inscription :
josy Art. 11 1770.
42
330
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
It is said that the " Aut" is the French abbreviation for August. We present it, and will leave it for future generations to decipher .*
The present business of Cahokia is almost a dead letter. That which was once the metropolis of the West, now contains scarcely three hundred inhabit ints, about one-fourth of whom are negroes. Not even a post-office exists in the village. The following is the extent of the business :-
.
Groceries .- Peter Godin ; Mrs. Melina Ebermann.
Wagon-maker and Blacksmith .- Peter Nadeau.
Saloon .- Peter Godin.
Physicians .- A. X. Illinski ; W. H. Renois.
Supervisor .- Clovis Saucey.
Trustees .- Christian Gerber ; W. H. Renois; Louis Lobenhofer.
Land Entries .- The following is a list of the first land entered in the Precinct :- Adelaid Perry, March 22, 1815, entered 85.15 acres in sec. 19. Josiah Blakely entered April 26th 1815, the south half of sec. 3, containing 320 acres. On the 27th of April, 1815, Nicholas Jarrot entered 140.38 acres on sec. 3. The heirs of J. B. Jourdin and F. Langloise entered May 1st, 1815, 36.81 acres on sec. 18 ; December 23d, 1816, George Blair entered the north-east quarter of sec. 15, containing 160 acres. Philip Creamer, Nov. 15, 1817, entered 83.91 acres in sec. 24.
Cahokia Precinct is well supplied with railroads. Four roads
* Many other interesting facts, pertaining to the early history of Cahokia' may be found in the Pioneer and Civil chapters and history of the Catholic church in the former pages of this volume.
pass through a portion of its territory. The Illinois and St. Louis, and the Cairo Short Line on the north and east, and the East St. Louis and East Carondelet, and the Narrow Gauge on the west.
The Narrow Gauge runs for some distance beyond Cahokia with a third rail, on the track of the East St. Louis and East Carondelet railway.
CENTERVILLE STATION.
This is a small way station, situated on the Cairo Short Line railroad, and about midway between the northern and southern boundaries of Cahokia Precinct. It contains but six houses, all farm houses except two, one of which is a small country store kept by Louis Plouder, who is also justice of the peace, and county com- missioner. It has a post-office with Andrew Touchette as post- master. The French Catholic church stands about a quarter of a mile north of the station. It was built in 1863, and cost about $4000. The first officiating priest was Father Douterligne.
PITTSBURG.
Pittsburg is situated on the bluff, in the extreme eastern portion of the precinct, in sec. 3. It was established in 1836, and at one time had a population of upwards of 200 inhabitants, mostly coal miners. Coal was obtained here by drifting into the bluff, where in places it cropped out to the surface. As many as seven drifts have been in operation at one time, and from twenty to thirty cars of coal mined in one day ; but for several years the mines have been exhausted and abandoned. At this writing the place contains about seventy persons, all miners, who are now employed in adjacent mines.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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BAPTISTE TOUCHETTE ยท
WAS born in St. Clair county, November 15th, 1843, near what was called Big Lake by Americans, the Grand Mare by the more po- etic French, and which, since the introduction of railroads and drain- age of many lakes, has taken the name of Centerville Station. His father, Andrew Touchette, was born in Cahokia in the year 1812. His mother, whose maiden name was Sophia Dashney, was born at Portage, Missouri. The father was in his time a great hunter and trapper, and also followed farming. Baptiste Touchette was married to Judith Besson, March 1st, 1861, by Squire Edward Ploudre. He followed shipping produce from East St. Louis to Chicago and New Orleans, during the years 1864, '65 and '66, then farmed until 1874, when he opened a stock of merchandize adapted to rural
wants at Centerville Station, which business he followed for three years, whereupon he resumed farming, in which he is still en- gaged. In 1878 he was chosen a Justice of the Peace by his fel- low-citizens, a position he yet holds. In politics he is a democrat, and cast his first vote for Gen. George B. McClellan for President. He is the father of five children : Ursula, Baptiste, Jr., Camille, Judith and Mary. In his father's family were five brothers, chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits in the American Bottom. Squire Touchette is progressive in spirit, determined in the prosecution of his aims, and possessed of excellent qualities of head and heart. Was raised a Catholic in faith. He is devoted to his family, and labors faithfully in their interest. Few men are more respected in the community in which he lives, and the judgment of few is oftener appealed to by neighbors than that of Baptiste Touchette.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
331
MM.Era crew
1-2
Ortance Brackett
PERHAPS there are no families having representatives yet living in Cahokia, deserving more honorable historical mention than the ancestors of the subject of this sketch. Among the early settlers they were foremost in every enterprise, and contributed no little to making the Cahokia of old a center of trade, a village of attrac- tion. Robert McCracken, the father, came here from Kaskaskia, where he had been a distiller, in 1826 Here he followed the peaceful avocation of a farmer, and married Ortance Jarrot, who was born in Cahokia May 29th, 1799, and now at the age of more than fourscore years can read large print and sew without spectacles. Her portrait adorns the head of this page. Her family history is largely interwoven with that of the village in which she lives, and may be found in its appropriate place. Her mother, in turn, Julia Jarrot, wife of Nicholas Jarrot, a prominent character in early days, died in 1875, having attained the remarkable age of ninety- seven years. Nicholas McCracken, named for his grandfather, attended school in company with Judge William H. Snyder, in Belleville, during the years 1837 and 1838. Thence he sought employment in Edwardsville, Madison county, and found it at the hands of E. M. West, for whom he clerked in a store. In 1834 he changed his location by going to what was then known as Illinois- town, which was, at the time, the name of the post-office as well, (now East St. Louis,) where he engaged his services to Jarrot &
Carr, who kept a stock of merchandise near the landing of the Wiggins' ferry company. Changed places again shortly thereafter, entering the employ of David F. Brigham, with whom he remained until the year 1844, the year remarkable for the big flood, which completely destroyed the store by washing it away. He thereupon returned to his old home in Cahokia, where he followed farming until the breaking out of the gold fever in 1850, when, in company with seven others, he made his way to the western slopes, which they reached in ninety four days' travel after leaving the Missouri river. After three years' life in the gold fields he returned via the Nicaragua route to New York city. What is remarkable, is the fact, that although there were eight hundred persons aboard the vessel which carried them, and absolutely hundreds were losing their lives by other vessels, not a life was lost en route Returning to Cahokia he followed farming until 1857, when he opened a mercantile establishment, which business he followed until 1876, when he retired from active pursuits, although his nature scarce permits him to live in idleness. He pays more or less attention to the lumber interests of the firm, McCracken & Butler. He has one full and two half sisters and three half brothers, his mother having married Mr. Brackett. Politically he affiliates with the democratic party. Is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
332
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
WAS born February 3d, 1817, in Wollhynia, a part of Poland that was annexed to Russia during the tripartite theft made by Russia, Austria and Prussia, in 1833. He received a classical education in the Gymnasium at Krzensieniec, where he remained five years. At this institution the study of the Latin, Greek, French, Russian, German and Polish languages, mathematics, and the natural sciences were obligatory. The school was maintained on the high pressure principle-studies were crowded too rapidly one after the other -- youths were expected to accomplish the work of adults. Those who possessed strong constitutions stood the ordeal, whilst others failed. The doctor stood well in his classes. Prompted by patriotism, at the age of fourteen he joined the insurgent army as a lancer. After the capture of Warsaw the command to which he was attached retreated to Galicia, a part of Austria, for refuge, where they remained about a year, when in 1834 a peremptory order was issued exiling all insurgents either to Russia or France. After a start was made, each one selecting one or the other of these countries to be his future abode-the order was changed, America being substituted for France. At the time of the issuance of the order the subject of this sketch was confined in a prison at Olmutz, where he lay for six weeks without knowing why or wherefore. He believes that a mistake had been made, the authorities intending the incarceration and punishment of an older brother Anthony Illinski, who was a leader amongst the insurgent soldiers, and as such was thought to merit greater punishment than simply to be exiled. Upon being liberated he chose America as his future home, and reached Castle Garden, New York city, March 28th, 1834. His brother, for whom he was made to suffer a brief im- prisonment, made good his escape, and true to his military instincts joined the French in the Algerian war, then served as a Turk, joining the regular army of that people. The love of Poland, as a dear dream yet lingered with him, hence he obtained leave of ah- sence from his command and joined Kossuth in his vain endeavor to redeem his fair land. He was every inch a soldier; and life
presented no charm for him, so that no sooner were Kossuth's hopes crushed, and his armies disbanded, than he joined the Turks again, becoming a general in their armies. In the memorable charge of Balaklava he received a wound from which he soon after died in 1856. The doctor, once in America, cast about him for something to do, and after a year's wanderings brought up in Havana, the capital city of the Queen of the Antilles, where he obtained em- ployment in the government hospital. This employment engen- dered in him a taste for the practice of medicine and surgery, and eagerly did he pursue its study. From Havana he came to St. Louis, Missouri, where he entered the newly opened medical school known as McDowell's College, and graduated in the first class sent forth from that famed institution. It is believed that but one other member of the class ( Dr. Frazier) now survives. Imme- diately after gra luation the doctor commenced the practice of his profession in the then thriving village of Cahokia, where he has since remained with the exception of a three years' sojourn in Cali- fornia, from 1849 to 1852. Here he combined with the practice of his profession merchan lizing aud keeping a public house. At Ca- hokia his practice has always been extensive, reaching over a wide scope of country, embracing that part of St. Clair county known as the American Bottom. His professional skill has re- ceived full recognition, and his services have been much sought. He was married to Mrs. Jane Butler in August, 1843, by whom he had two children-daughters. She died in 1852 He was mar- ried to Virginia Black in August 19th, 1870, by whom he has three children living. Politically the doctor is a democrat. He voted for every democratic presidential candidate since the time of Har- rison. He is much interested in bee culture, in which business he excels. Active, energetic, possessed of a strong constitution and great will power, he hesitates in no undertaking calculated to benefit himself or his fellows. Social, generous-hearted, scholarly in his attainmeuts, his society is courted by men of letters, and en- joyed by all.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
333
F
LOUIS PLOUDRE,
AT present a member of the board of county commissioners, was born in Cahokia, Sept. 22d, 1846. His ancestry are of Canadian French extraction, and were among the early settlers of St. Clair county. His father, Calvert Ploudre, was born in the St. Francis district of the Three Rivers, Canada, came to this county about 1840, where he died April 7th, 1880, at the age of sixty-seven years. His father's brothers, Edward and Peter, both came with him Lere. One of them is now living in St. Paul, Minn., whilst the other is among the dead. His mother, whose maiden name was Catharine Paridy, was a daughter of Julia Paridy, nee Lepance, who was born in Cahokia in 1783, and died there Sept. 25th, 1869, at the age of cighty-six years. When her people came to Cahokia we have no means of knowing. The Paridys, of whom there are numerous rep- rosentatives in this county, came about the year 1812, just preced- ing the breaking out of the war. They too were Canadians. His parents were married during the year 183y. His mother died, October 11th, 1866. He received a common school education, such as was afforded thirty years ago in the rural districts. Although meagre he has made the best possible use of it, having read liber- ally and built well upon the foundation laid in the old school-room. On the twenty-fifth of April, 1865, he was united in the bonds of wedlock, to Elmira Geurard, the Rev. Father Azbell officiating. By this union there have been six children born, five of whom are living. His wife was born in St Joseph, Mo. Her parents were likewise Canadian French, her father having lived in Montreal, where he followed carpentering and building for a livelihood. Their children are named respectively, Mary Elmira, Clementine Jose- phine, Louis Theodore, Esther Elizabeth, Lovina Curtis and Emily Lothe. Louis Ploudre followed farming, but his talents have led
his fellow-citizens to repeatedly place him in office. Was chosen road supervisor in 1868-9 and 70; constable in 1869, which office he held but eight months, upon being elected as Justice of the Peace which position he has held continuously since. He has been chosen as deputy Assessor for nine years in succession. Was elected in 1879 as County Commissioner. Owing to some irregularities in the count his competitor was at first declared elected by a majority of fourteen, and served for several months until a recount established Louis' rights to the position by a majority of forty votes, this too when his politics were at variance to those of a majority through- out the county. He has served his neighbors, too, as township Trustee for a period of six years. In each and every office he has beld, he has spared no pains to do the work set before him to the best of his ability. His efforts in behalf of a thorough drainage of the American Bottom which he believes ought, and will be, the garden spot of the great city of St. Louis, have been cordially seconded, and he entertains strong hopes of accomplishing, by the co-operation of enterprising meu, his aim in this direction. As a commissioner he has proved himself, prudent, painstaking and com- petent. Politically he is an active republican, and has served as a member of the republican central county committee for a period of eight years. His first presidential vote was cast for the soldier General, U. S. Grant. As a business man he has been active and persevering. He engaged in merchandizing in 1879, followed it for a year, and sold out to re-engage in the same calling again in 1878. At present he is the proprietor of the store and gardens at Centerville station. He adheres to the Catholic faith. Esteemed of all his neighbors, thoroughly alive to the best interests of his county, his is a future bright with promise.
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