USA > Illinois > Tazewell County > History of Tazewell 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. History of Illinois Digest of state laws > Part 40
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John Sampson, farmer, sec. 5; P. O. address, Washington. Mr. S. was born in Penn. in 1818, Dec. 25. He is of Irish-German descent. He came into Tazewell Co. in 1847, where he has since lived a respected citizen and kind neighbor. He had only such advantages for an education as the common schools of pioneer times afforded. He is married and the parent of nine children, six of whom are living.
John Small came to this county from Kentucky in 1833. He was born in Christian Co., of that State, Aug. 20, 1818. John and Mary (Mason) Small, his parents, were Virginians. John attended subscription schools when small, and has always followed the occupation of a farmer, and now resides on the original home- stead of the Small family, sec. 22, and is engaged in farming. Jan. 13, 1847, he was united in marriage with Nancy Ramsey, who was born Aug. 23, 1827, in Franklin Co., O. The union has been blessed with nine children - Eliza Ann, born Dec. 7, 1847 ; Martha E., Jan. 15, 1850; Sarah A., Nov. 18, 1851; Wm. M., Oct. 22, 1853; Millard F., Oct. 23, 1855; James C., Nov. 2, 1857; Robert F., Nov. 29, 1859 ; Mary J., Dec. 4, 1861; Clara L., Jan. 20, 1869. Post-office, Deer Creek.
Perry M. Stephens, farmer, sec. 28; P. O., Deer Creek. This gentleman is the son of Milo and Sally (Purdy) Stephens, of Genesee Co., N. Y., and was born in Muskingum Co., O., Aug. 10, 1820. When but thirteen years old he was brought to this county. He learned the potter's trade and followed it for some years. At the time we called upon Mr. S., which was Mar. 29, 1879, no other man, save Robert and John Small, had been longer in Deer Creek township than he. He has held minor local offices, but has been no office secker. Jan. 14, 1847, he was married to Mary Jane Small, who was born Oct. 17, 1822. There have been born to them five children -Sarah L., born Sept. 6, 1848; Margaret A., Nov. 27, 1850; Catharine, Sept. 1, 1853; John M., Dec. 4, 1857 ; Robert A., April 1, 1862. Two of the girls are dead.
The following gentlemen have served the township, since its organ- ization, in the various official positions and during the years named :
SUPERVISORS.
Richard N. Cullom. 1850-51
James Mitchell 1865
E. H. Durham 1852
R. N. Cullom.
1866
E. Bogardus.
1853
Abraham Chaffer 1867-68
Edward H. Durham 1854-55
Alex. Small.
1869
James Mitchell.
1856-57
Eri Bogardus
1870-76
John Q. Adams
1858
George H. Small 1877-78
Alex. Small
1859-63
James Mitchell
1879
Eri Bogardus.
1864
HON. IRA B.HALL,
R. FREY.
GEORGE NICHOLS
JOHN MC KINSTRY, DELAVAN,
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
TOWN-CLERKS.
David H. Sherman
1854
D. H. Sherman
1864
T. A. Crane
1855
Tunis TenEyck .
1865-70
David H. Sherman
1856-57
Wm. A. Cory
1871-72
Vivian Cloud
1858
John R. Small
1873-75
David H. Sherman
1859
Wilbur Allen
1876
William R. Miles
1860
John R. Small
1877-78
T. A. Crane
1861-63
ASSESSORS.
Joseph Dressler
1854-55
Vivian Cloud
1864-66
Vivian Cloud
1856
T. A. Crane ...
1867
John Q. Adams
1857
Dennis Osborne.
1868-70
Joseph Dressler
1858-59
Geo. W. Smith
1871-74
Wesley B. Harvey
1860
Dennis Osborne.
1875-77
David Sherman
1861
Wilbur Allen
1878
A. Chaffer
1863
COLLECTORS.
Alex. Small
1854-55
T. Ten Eyck
1868
Joseph Dressler.
1856
P. M. Stephens
1869-70
Andrew Muckey
1857
T. B. Lane 1871
David H. Sherman
1858
H. B. Smith.
1872
Wmn. R. Miles
1859
George H. Small
1873
Joseph Dressler
1860
John Layten 1874
H. C. Cullom.
1861
John R. Smail
1875
L. C. Fisher
1863-64
Wm. S. Pierce
1876
John Vancamp
1865
John Minnich
1877
Henry Kingman
1866
Wm. S. Pierce
1878
P. M. Stephens
1867
DELAVAN TOWNSHIP.
The history of Delavan is peculiar to itself. It began with the Western trip of Deacon Jonas R. Gale, which was made in 1836. Having met Mr. Wright, of Dillon, in the East, the latter invited him, in case he came West, to be sure and make him a visit. Dca- con Gale, after making arrangements to settle at Alton, started for home, with the intention of visiting Tazewell county on the way. He was struck with the beautiful prairie land, which then abounded in all kinds of game, and he conceived the idea of having a colony, from Providence, R. I., settle on these lands. At Tremont he fell in with Mr. Edward C. Delavan, of Albany, N. Y., who took great interest in the proposed colony. The result was, that an organiza- tion was formed, with a capital of over $20,000, and 20,000 or 22,000 acres of land were entered. Over fifty heads of families agreed to come West and settle upon these lands, or to send a sub- stitute to do so. Accordingly the land was laid off in 160-acre farms. A town lot of 300 square feet went with each farm, as it
434
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
was thought the people would want to live in town in winter. The farms were bid off at auction, at Providence, so much being paid as choice money, independently of the regular price of the land; the amount, in some cases, ran up to $1,000. Henry R. Green, Deacon L. Allen and - Harris were the locating committee, and the first gentleman named was the financial agent. Two rules of the associ- ation were, that the place should be called Delavan, and that it should be a temperance town. In 1837, the company sent out carpenters and material to erect the Delavan House, which was to be divided into compartments suitable for family house-keeping, for the accommodation of the settlers, till they should be able to build upon their own places. Part of the material for this building was shipped from Providence, via New Orleans and Pekin, part from Pittsburgh, Pa., and part came from the Mackinaw. The material for a few dwellings was brought from the East. W. W. Crossman, with his family, accompanied the carpenters, and his wife saw no white woman for three months. She lived until the winter of 1874, and was therefore a witness of the entire growth of the com- munity. Mr. Crossman still lives, and enjoys pretty fair health in his old age. Comparatively few of those who enrolled themselves as actual settlers came West, and the growth of the colony was not as vigorous as had been expected. The Deacon left Alton about 18 months after the first settlement, and has lived in Delavan ever since. Himself and Mr. Crossman are the only surviving members of the original colony. James Phillips, another member, was closely identified with the place, died not long ago. In 1840, Ira B. Hall came to Delavan and opened the Delavan House as a hotel, though some slight accommodations had been offered there previ- ous to this. The stage line from Chicago via Peoria to Springfield, passed about one-half mile west of the village, and about four months after Mr. Hall opened the hotel, Delavan was made a stage stand. The telegraph line was put up in 1850, and Delavan became an important point. But a little later, before the C. & A. railroad was built, the poles were taken down, the stage withdrawn, and the place became shut out from the world. Atlanta was the nearest railroad point, and thither the people carried their produce, and made many of their purchases. This continued till 1868, when the branch of the C. & A. road was completed, and from this time the place began to grow with great rapidity. The first store was kept by a man named West, who was also the first postmaster, and who
435
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
was succeeded by Ira B. Hall. It seems that James Phillips bought out West and kept a small stock of goods for a time. Geo. Straut and - Putnam came along one day with a one horse ped- dlers' wagon, and they traded the horse and wagon with Phillips for the goods. Putnam kept the store, and Mr. Straut, who was a blacksmith by trade, went back to St. Louis to work. After a time he returned to Delavan, worked a while at blacksmithing, increased his stock of goods, and was soon doing a prosperous business. Mr. Straut became interested in Mason City and amassed considerable property, and now has an influential voice in the affairs of the C. & A. railroad.
At a meeting held in April, 1850, the township was organized, and the following officers were elected : Supervisor, W. W. Cross- man ; town-clerk, Charles Grant; assessor, Daniel Reid ; collector, Geo. P. Vincent ; overseer of poor, W. S. Caswell; commissioner of highways, Geo. Tefft, W. S. Caswell, Folsom Dorsett ; constables, Geo. P. Vincent and John Reese ; justices of the peace, W. S. Cas- well, W. C. Clark; overseer of highways, Hugh Reid; pound- master, Simon Goodal. There is, perhaps, nothing of general interest in the history of the township till the time of the war, when an event occurred which was the cause of no little excitement. It was this :
Some time in 1864, Mr. James H. Mckinstry, who had been chosen special agent by the town to provide volunteers, in order to fill out the necessary quota, and thus avoid a draft, lost $4,106 of the funds subscribed for this purpose, under the following circum- stances. Mr. McK., while at Springfield looking for men, learned that a number could be obtained at Alton, as Mr. Stephen Hobort, of Tremont, was going there, Mr. McK. handed him $4,106 with which to procure men in that place. The money, as it was claimed, was stolen from Mr. H. The important question now arose as to who should bear the loss-the township, the parties who had sub- scribed the money, or one of the gentlemen who had handled it, and which one. In 1865, at a town meeting, three resolutions were adopted. One to re-imburse Mr. McK .; another to refund money subscribed by individuals to avert the draft; a third authorizing Mr. McK. to bring suit against Mr. H. To procure money for the carrying out of these resolutions, a tax of 3 per cent. on the assessed valuation, was ordered levied for town purposes. This was meant to include, also, the current expenses of the town. But an assessment
436
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
of fifteen cents on $100 was amply sufficient for town purposes, and an injunction was therefore issued from the Circuit Court, restraining the collection of this tax, on the ground that such a tax was not necessary for town purposes. The injunction was confirmed by the Supreme Court, though it provided that the town was to bear the expense incurred during the litigation, and then, after two or three years of intense local excitement, Mr. McK. was finally compelled to bear the loss himself.
DELAVAN TOWN.
In 1858 the village of Delavan was incorporated, but opposition to the movement was so strong that the Trustees elected did not qualify, and the incorporation seems to have fallen through. It was organized Oct. 2, 1865, when it was voted to establish the corpora- poration to include the old town proper, and its platted additions. The following were the first officials : Trustees-E. O. Jones, pres- ident ; L. P. Flynt, clerk; J. C. Appleton, Stephen C. Hobart, Wm. B. Orrell, and P. Clark; city marshal, J. H. Upham; col- lector, Wm. Vaughn ; treasurer, D. L. Whittemore. The village was incorporated under the new State law in July, of 1872, with the following Trustees: Theo. Van Hague, president; Wm. H. Phil- lips, clerk ; P. D. Stockwell, Henry Kingman, John Carr, Andrew Stubbs and John Warne. In 1874 the subject of license or no license came up, and the board stood four to two against the grant- ing of license ; in '75, '76 and '77 licenses were granted ; but in '78 the board was again four to two against, and in '79 unanimous against authorizing the sale of liquor.
Delavan is one of the finest villages in the West. It is well laid out, is abundantly supplied with sidewalks, has good drainage, is lighted by about 40 street lamps, and has a Babcock Fire Co. and a Hook and Ladder Co. The stores are numerous and confined to one line of goods as a rule; the houses are neat, with well-kept gar- dens, and the entire surroundings of the place, together with the manners and customs of the inhabitants, show at a glance that the community is composed of Eastern people. The place has a graded school, which, under the care of Mr. J. S. McClung and his assist- ants, has become one of the best schools of the kind in the State. A school building was erected at the time the Delavan House was con- structed, and this building was also used for some time as a church. It is still standing. About nineteen years ago another building, with
437
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
two rooms, was put up, which was used till 1871, when a fine brick edifice was erected at a cost of not far from $25,000. It was com- pleted in the fall and in the following December it was destroyed by fire. An insurance of $22,000 on the building and furniture had been secured, and a new building, after the same design, was erected in 1872, at a cost to the district of only $250.
There are four churches in the place. The oldest one is the Baptist.
Baptist Church was organized Dec. 17th, 1846, with Deacons Henry R. Green, Jonas R. Gale, and Joseph Grant, John Daniels, Annes Green, Cynthia M. Gale, Sarah Grant, Eunice Hall and Mary Ann Phillips, as constituent members. The pastors, from the organ- ization to the present time, have been, Rev. Nelson Alvord, John Scrogins, S. S. Martin, Wm. C. Pratt, R. Morey, L. L. Lansing and T. P. Campbell, who is now pastor and has served as such since January 24, 1872. The meeting house was dedicated April 2, 1854. The parsonage was finished during the year 1868, at a cost of about $2,500. In April, 1861, twenty-three members were dismissed to organize a Baptist Church at Green Valley, Illinois, and on Septem- ber 5, 1868, nine were dismissed to organize a Baptist Church at San Jose, Mason Co., Ill. Two of the former members, Daniel Drake and Chas. A. Reese, are ordained Baptist ministers. The former has been a missionary to the Telegoos for the last five years, and the latter is now the pastor of a church in Roxbury, Mass. There have been four clerks since the organization of the Church - J. R. Gale, D. A. Cheever, Daniel Cheever (who served in that capacity for twenty-three years) and A. B. Cheever. The officers of the Church at the present time are, Deacons, Edward Drake, W. Bower and T. E. Ward; Trustees, G. D. Randolph, J. S. Henstreet and Geo, Drake; Clerk of Church, A. B. Cheever. The Church now numbers about 165 members.
M. E. Church. The M. E. Church was organized about 1850, and was at first merely a circuit station. George Miller and John Webster are said to have been the earliest preachers in charge. The first church building was erected about the year '52, and it is still in existence. A few years ago a fine brick church was built, and is a very commodious building. The church was organized with about 20 members, among whom were the following: Samuel Hall, Sam- uel Briggs, Jesse Trowbridge, John Fraze and Levi Cheever, There is a parsonage in connection with the church. At present the mem- bership includes about 175 persons.
438
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Presbyterian. On the 19th of June, 1855, Rev. W. T. Adams and Elder Cantrell organized this church, consisting of twenty-two members, viz: Wm. Dorrence and Mary J., his wife ; J. C. Duncan and Margaret M., his wife ; Mrs. Jane Davidson, J. H. Mckinstry and Sarah J., his wife ; Mrs. Martha Crawford, Wm. E. McDowell and Elizabeth, his wife ; Miss Nancy R. Davidson, Miss Sarah Bell Davidson, Mrs. Susan Work, John Mckinstry and Anna M., his wife ; Ralph Martin and Eliza, his wife; John Harbison, Thomas McKinstry and Mary A., his wife ; Jacob McCollister and Catherine, his wife. J. C. Duncan and Ralph Martin were elected ruling Elders, and John Mckinstry and Wm. E. McDowell were elected Deacons, all of whom, except Ralph Martin (he having been a ruling member before), were ordained and installed in their respective offices by the committee of Presbytery. The Lord's Supper was administered for the first time by Rev. W. T. Adams, of Washington, Illinois. In July, 1857, being a little more than two years after its organization, the congregation began the building of a house of worship, which was finally completed at a cost of $4,400, and dedi- cated, free of debt, in July, 1859, being about two years after the work was begun. In 1872, the church building was remodeled and enlarged at a cost of $4,600. The pastors of the church have been as follows: Rev. S. M. Templeton, 1856-'67 ; Rev. Wm. Baldwin, '67-'69; Rev. R. C. Colmery, '69-'71 ; Rev. J. A. Hough, who was installed in April, 1872. The church has about 175 members.
Catholic. The Catholic Church was founded by Father Mur- togh, in 1868. The principal benefactors were Messrs. Ryan, Leoni and Reardon. The membership numbers 400. Pastor, P. A. Maeshaur.
Delavan has two temperance societies, the Good Templars and the Washingtonians, both vigorous organizations. It has a lodge of Odd Fellows-Siloam, No. 207, which was organized in 1856, with the following charter members: S. W. Hall, E. J. Davis, L. D. Smith, A. S. Stilman and E. O. Jones. It has also a lodge of A. F. and A. M., No. 156, which received its charter in 1854. The following were the first members: W. W. Crossman, W. M; H. S. Latham, S. W. ; and A. P. Littlefield, J. W. Mr. Crossman is the oldest Mason in the State, having been made a Master Mason in 1814.
This township, with its beautiful village, is inhabited by an enter- prising, wealthy and cultured people. In these respects it compares favorably with any portion of the great Prairie State of like popu-
439
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
lation. We give below personal sketches of some of the leading and representative people of the township and town.
Joseph C. Appleton is the youngest of a family of three children, of Rev. Geo. W. and Mary (Guild) Appleton, natives of Mass. He was born in Sterling, Windham Co., Vt., May 18, 1825. His father was a Baptist minister and came to Delavan in 1848, where he died three years later. His mother passed from earth in 1859. Joseph C. had a good education and has been actively identified with the county's history for over twenty years. He has served seventeen years as Justice of the Peace. He is by trade a tailor. In 1853 he was married, at Woonsocket, R. I., to Frances Baken. They have one child. Politically the 'Squire is a Democrat.
Andrew W. Ball was born in Irvington, N. J., Mar. 17, 1834. In 1836, his father, Amzi Ball, moved West, to Fountain, Ind., where he remained for fourteen years. In July, 1851, he came to Tazewell county and shortly afterwards came to Delavan. His mother's maiden name was Mary Meeker. When a young man Mr. Ball taught school during the winter and worked in summer, and by dili- gence has made life a success. He is the possessor of 80 acres of land here and nearly 400 in Champaign Co. On the 27th of Dec., 1855, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Mosely, at Delavan. The union has been blest with four children - Arthur A. the eldest, was born April 7, 1858 and died Mar. 5, 1859; Clarence H., born Sept. 26, 1860; Gertrude H., born Jan. 22, 1862, and Joseph H., born Mar. 20, 1866.
Uriah Briggs, farmer, section 7; was born in Ontario county, N. Y., April 9, 1829. His parents, Uriah and Mary (Holcomb) Briggs, were both born in Ontario county, and were farmers. Mr. B. was educated in the common schools and at the age of twenty- one came to this county. Before coming, however, he was married, at Granger, O., to Cornelia Hatch, of Medina county, O. This memorable event of his life occurred on the 11th of April, 1850, and has been blessed with four children : Delia A., born Feb. 9. 1855, Adella M., born June 26, 1862, died Mar. 5, 1865, Jennie A., born Feb. 15, 1866, and Meloin E., born Dec. 28, 1872. P. O., Delavan.
J. H. Burlingame, farmer sec. 14; P. O., Delavan ; was born in Meig Co., O., July 13, 1824. His parents were Edwin and Jane (Evans) Burlingame. When Mr. B. was a boy between four and five years old, his parents moved to Muskingum Co., where he received a good common school education. In 1851 he made his entrance into this county and located at Delavan. His parents moved to the same place about two years thereafter. Mrs. R. died March 25, 1875, at the ripe old age of 77. Mr. B. is still living and resides with one of his children. He is 82 years old. In March, 1869, this estimable couple celebrated their golden wedding. J. H. was married to Jane Allison, Jan. 1, 1851, at, or near, Zanes-
440
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
ville, O. They have eight children -Thomas E., born Feb. 16, 1853; Mary S., April 11, 1855; Sarah E., Sept. 10, 1857; Jane E., April 7, 1860, died Oct. 23, 1862; Fannie P., July 30, 1862; Louisa E., April 25, 1865; Charles H., Sept. 3, 1868, and Robert C., August 5, 1871, died in 1872. Mr. B. is a member of the Pres- byterian Church.
Robert W. Crothers. Dr. Crothers was born at Mt. Pleasant, O., in 1833, and graduated at the Jefferson Medical College, of Phila- delphia, in 1855. In 1856 he came to Delavan, where he has since engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he has been eminently successful. In addition, he has conducted a drug store there and in this he has also been successful.
Rudolph Frey, banker, was born in Germany Oct. 30, 1841. His parents, who were Germans, gave him a good common school educa- tion. At an early age he crossed the Atlantic and was landed in the United States ; and when only ten years old was brought to this county. Just as he was emerging into manhood, when he expected to enter upon the stage of active life, the Rebellion broke out. True to his adopted country and to the flag of our glorious Union, he shouldered his musket and went to the front to defend it; and for three long and bloody years he served in the 94th Illinois Infantry. In 1865, at Pekin, Mr. Frey was united in marriage with Rose Clauser. They have one child. He has held a position on the Town Board of Trustees for some time and President of that body. He is a Republican in political views. Mr. Frey is a well known and respected citizen of this town and largely identified in the bus- iness interests of the place. His portrait may be found in this volume.
Elwood M. Garlick, printer, is a native of Pleasant Valley, Clark county, O., having been born at that place Sept. 19, 1849. His parents are Mortimore A. and Martha (Gilmore) Garlick. When a young man Mr. G. entered a printing office, in Loudon, O., where he acquired his trade. He came to this county when at the age of nineteen, and is now foreman of the Delavan Advertiser. He had the privilege of attending only the common schools, but the printing office is one of the best schools in the land. On the 9th of April, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Keefe, at Delavan. They have two children-Minnie M. and Mattie E. The latter died Nov. 27, 1877.
Augustus Giles came to this county, in 1858, and settled in Malone township, and came to Delavan in 1873. He now resides on section 18, and is engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the son of Benjamin A. Giles and Mary Clauson, both natives of Middlesex county, N. J., where, in Piscataway, of that county, he was born July 5, 1824. He was raised on a farm, and engaged in the hay- pressing business before leaving New Jersey. At Plainfield, N. J., Jan. 18, 1846, he was married to Anna M. Brokaw. She is the mother of nine children, seven living, two dead. Mr. G. has served
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
as School Director several times. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for a number of years. Post-office, Delavan.
Vandiver Giles. This gentleman, who is engaged in farming, was born in Piscataway, Middlesex county, N. J., Oct. 15, 1822. His parents, Benjamin E. and Mary (Clauson) Giles, were also natives of Middlesex county. . His father was a farmer and a weaver. Mr. G. was well advanced in life before he cast his lot and fortune among the people of this county. He came in Feb., 1865. Before coming to the West he was engaged in farming in his native county. In 1842, at the age of twenty, he was married to Miss Experience Giles. Twenty-one years later she died. She left three children, who are still living - Patterson S., Martha A. and Martin. Martha is the wife of Alfred Runion, who resides in this township. Pater- son married Jane McCray, of New Jersey, and they now live in Terre Haute, Ind. Martin married Sarah Z. Runion, and resides in Delavau township. Mr. G. was again married in 1865, to Elizabeth D. Boice. For many years he has been a member of the Baptist Church.
Hon. Ira B. Hall is the oldest son of Preserved and Eunice (Browning) Hall, and was born in Exeter, R. I. Nov., 29, 1812. His father came to Delavan in 1844, where he resided until his death, which occured Oct. 26, 1847, in his 68th year. His wife passed from earth Sept. 29, 1849, and was in the 68th year of her agc. Ira B. Hall had the advantage of only the common schools of his native State, but received good home training. Mr. Hall early in life went to New York city and engaged with a publishing house. He then returned home and engaged in teaching, which profession he subsequently followed, both in New York and Ken- tucky. He came to Ill., and located in Springfield in 1839. Here he was intimately associated with Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas and others of Illinois' honored sons. In Sept., 1840, we find him landlord of the Delavan House. July 4, 1845, he quit the hotel business and since has been mostly identified with agriculture. In 1840, Oct. 22, he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Thurston, of Lec Co., Iowa. By this marriage they had two children - Al- bert T. and Mary E. Mrs. Hall died Sept. 16, 1844. He again married Feb. 11, 1846, to Sarah A. Briggs, formerly of Providence, R. I. This union was blessed with two sons and four daughters. In 1870 Mr. H. was elected to the Legislature and served with distinction. He is one of the representative men of Tazewell Co., and as such we give a portrait of him in this book.
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