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 44
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1865
John Buckley
1854-55
Edward Pratt.
1866-67
John Waldon
1856-57
George W. Greeley.
1868-73
Jesse Fisher
1858-59
Leslie W. Leonard.
1874
Edward Pratt.
1860
Wm. H. Roof.
1875-76
John Dillon ..
1861
C. H. Fuller
1877
John Waldon
1863-64
Wm. H. Roof.
1878-79
COLLECTORS.
G. W. Greeley
1850
Allen Leonard.
1865
N. G. Nichols.
1854
Thomas Larimore ..
1866
A. J. Davis
1855
H. T. Davis.
1867
Isiah Newkirk
1856
Aquilla J. Davis
1868
A. J. Davis
1857
L. P. Kingman
1869
E. G. Morse.
1858
Warner L. Pratt
1870
G. W. Ciine
resigned
Lysander P. Kingman
1871
A. J. Davis.
1859
Thomas Larimore
1872
Thomas Larimore.
1860
M. A. Davison
1873-75
G. W. Greeley
1861
W. L. Pratt.
1876
Thomas Larimore ..
1863
John E. Potts
1877-78
John Wolneldorf.
1864
C. B. Bennett.
1879
FOND DU LAC TOWNSHIP.
In the first chapter of this work we give to Nathan Dillon the honor of being the first settler in the county. We mean, of course, aside from the French traders who located here long before any settlers came. But if we take the statements of William Blanchard, who now resides in Woodford county, and we have no reason for discrediting them, to him the credit of being the first settler of Taze- well county belongs. We have no disposition to be partial, or record facts differently from what they really are, indeed we could possibly have no object in so doing. It is our desire to record the facts just as they have occurred and precisely as they are, uncolored and unchanged, and if we had known before this late date of Mr. Blanchard's claims, we would have given his statements in the first
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
chapter. We visited him at his home in Woodford county, Illinois, and found a very genial old gentleman. We obtained the following items from him :
Wm. Blanchard, Jr., is a native of Vermont, where he was born in 1797; left that State when seven years of age, and with his parents went to Washington Co., N. Y., where his father, William, died. When seventeen years of age he enlisted in the regular army, and took an active part in the war of 1812, serving five years, when he, with Charles Sargeant, Theodore Sargeant and David Barnes, veterans of the war, started West, coming to Detroit, Mich., thence to Ft. Wayne, whence they journeyed in a canoe to Vincennes, thence to St. Louis. From there they came up the Illinois in a keel boat manned by a fishing crew, and commanded by a man named Warner, and landed at Ft. Clark, now Peoria, in the spring of 1819. Crossing the river to what is known as the bottom lands they found a cleared spot, and with such tools as they could arrange from wood put in a patch of corn and potatoes. This land is now embodied in Fond du Lac township. Looking farther down the stream they found, in 1822, an old French field of about ten acres, on which they erected a rude habitation, and soon this soil was filled with a growth of blooming corn and potatoes. This was the first settlement between Ft. Clark and Chicago, and was the first dwelling erected. The site is now covered by the fine farm of Jacob Ames. In 1825 he was married to Miss Eliza Donohue, a native of Delaware. The ceremony took place in his cabin, and was performed by Jacob Wilson, first Justice of the Peace between Peoria and Chicago. This was the first license taken out between those cities. She died Dec. 18, 1867, leaving five children. His present wife, Sarah E. Gale, was a native of Virginia. They were married in 1869. He entered the land of his present home, in Woodford county, and settled on the same, in 1830, where he has since made his home. He is now living in quietness, surrounded by his relatives and friends. His experiences of pioneer life, and the dangers that often visited his abode, are interesting in the extreme. At one time he was visited by a stalwart chief of the red skins, who demanded whisky, and upon refusal raised his tomahawk and would have plunged it in his skull, but the keen eye of the settler was upon him, and he wrested the weapon from him, and with the aid of friends the assail- ant was secured. But he never forgot it, and always threatened his life.
470
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
The second oldest living settler of Fond du Lac township is Jacob L. Wilson, a resident of Washington, Illinois, who, with his father, Jacob, and family, in company with Jakey Phillips, Joshua Walker, Thomas Banks and Elisha Green, started from Wayne Co., Ind., in the fall of 1823. They stopped at the farm of Isaac Wil- son, grandfather of Jacob L., through the holidays. His large area of acres are now covered by the costly stores and palatial residences of Indianapolis, Ind. In the midst of winter, with two sleighs drawn by ox teams, this little colony ploughed their way through deep snows and high waters. When they arrived at the Vermillion river, it was deemed unsafe to cross on the ice, and after consulta- tion it was decided to break the ice, and, if prossible, ford the stream. Accordingly, heavy clubs were cut from the timber skirt- ing the stream, and the band of heroic explorers began the task. Ere the day dawned the ice was broken, and the Egyptian pilgrims passed through with water nearly over the wagon box, and en- camped on the opposite shore. A blinding snow storm set in, which made further progress impossible. While hunting in the woods for game the party were surprised to find six large fat hogs, feeding leisurely upon acorns and other growth that the woods afforded. It is supposed that this stock strayed from a drover, or was the stock of an unknown pioneer. However, the swineships were slaughtered, skinned, and divided equally among the party, whose provisions had began to show a famished condition. With this fortune came bright sunny weather, and the little party journeyed on until they reached the banks of the Illinois river, where they landed in Febru- ary, 1824. Of this number but few remain to tell the story of their trials and difficulties. Uncle Jacob, by which name he is familliarly known, is the only one who has clung to the home of his boyhood. Among those who came in afterward were Cyrus J. Gibson, who came in 1830, and settled on section 11 and 12. His son, who accompanied him, is now a prosperous merchant of Washington, Ill. Austin and Horace Croker, Elza Bethard, Thomas Camlin and Jacob Funk, who was shot by the Sheriff; Major Donohue and David Mathews, whose families all grew up in this township; Jos. Schertz, who came in 1830, is still a living resident near Farmdale ; also, William and Samuel Moberry, brothers, who settled in Grove- land, in 1832, and have experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. There are many others equally worthy of notice, but want of space will prevent the mention of an extended number of names.
471
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
William Blanchard hauled the mother of Jacob Minch to her grave over the bare ground on a sled, it being the only conveyance among the settlers at that time. Samuel Beek came in early and made his living by hunting deer.
The first mill built in Fond du Lac was in 1832, on Ten Mile creek, by Samnel Parks. This mill was aftewards sold to Abraham Lewis. It was burned and afterwards re-built. The first saw-mill was built on the same creek, in 1828, by Hugh Woodruff and David Baily, of Pekin. It has passed away in the debris of time. The first religious meetings were held in this mill by the pioneers. Samuel Brown, a Methodist minister, preached the first sermon. He was soon followed by Zadock Hall, an early pilgrim who settled in this township. Buckeye school-house, on section 11, was built in 1835. It was used as the first church. It has been torn down, and the creetion of a substantial structure is being considered. On the same section it was our pleasure to visit a mound, which had, until 1877, been covered by a heavy growth of timber. On this mound has been found the remains of human skeletons of large proportions. These were, no doubt, the remains of the Mound- Builders. Near this mound stood the relies of a mighty oak, which had spread afar out its garland of geeen sweeping branches for scores of years, and beneath which both the Indian and pioneer children sported in childish glee. In the hollow of this mighty monarch of the forest was imbedded in the debris and bark, a human skull. This was a common curiosity for some years. It was taken out at a later day, and secured by Dr. Hazard, now deceased. Since the Doctor's demise all traces of it has been lost.
We give below a few personal sketches of citizens of this town- ship, in order to more fully detail its history :
Jacob Ames, farmer, sec. 11 and 12; P. O., Fond du Lac ; born in Alsace, Germany, April 5, 1820, and emigrated to America, in 1837, with his parents, David and Barbara (Bard) Ames, who settled in Richland, Woodford Co .; lived with his parents until he was unit- ed in matrimony to Miss Henrietta Pfeffer, at Metamora, Feb. 28, 1850. She was born in Germany, Nov. 26, 1827, and emigrated to America in 1848. He purchased 52 acres of land in Partridge township, where he lived until 1863, when he moved to this Co. and settled on his present farm of 160 acres. Of their several chil- dren there are living-Henry, born Dec. 3, 1850, married Miss Hannah Haedicke Aug. 8, 1876, and resides in Kansas; Charles, born April 25, 1857; and Mary Magdalen, born Sept. 19, 1860. They lost three twins, Sophia, born Oct. 20, 1853, married John
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Conrad, Dec. 25, 1872; and died May 23, 1877 ; one not christened and Jacob, born Jan. 20, 1855, died March 1, 1855.
Thomas Andrews, miller, sec. 2; P. O., Fond du Lac; born in Mercer Co., Pa., in 1834, came to this Co. in 1852, and engaged on the premises of his present estate, where he remained five years, when he went to California prospecting ten years, at the end of which time he returned and purchased the farm of 109 acres. He afterward formed partnership with Abraham Lewis and erected the mill he now occupies. In 1868 he was married to Miss Sharlotta Lewis, a native of this county, where she was born Nov. 16, 1845. Mr. Lewis died in 1871, and was succeeded by Mr. A. in the busi- ness, where he has conducted a prosperous trade. Charles A., Mary M., Martha E., Amanda and Susan are their living children.
J. J. Arnold, farmer, sec. 26, P. O., Hilton; born in Licking Co., O., in 1847. His parents were Umphrey M. P. and Patsy Maddox Arnold, natives of Va., who emigrated to O. at an early day, and to this State in 1854, settling in McLean Co., where he lived three years, when he came to this Co. and settled on the pres- ent estate. He subsequently moved to Woodford Co., where he died in 1873. His wife still survives him at the age 70 years and resides on the homestead. In Feb., 1865, Mr. A. enlisted in the 150th I. V. I., Co. A. and served one year. Was married in 1869, to Miss Mary A. Allen who was born in England, in 1850. Samu- el P., Charles A. and Daisy P. are the living children. His moth- er still owns the farm of 185 acres.
J. W. Cunningham, postmaster, Farmdale, scc. 36; born in Fond du Lac township, in 1852. His parents were John and Mary Goodman (Cunningham), natives of O., who emigrated and settled in this township in 1838, where he lived until his death, in 1867. His mother survived him until May 12, 1879. The subject of this sketch still resides on the homestead, and was appointed P. M. in 1876, since which time he has filled that office. The same year he opened store, keeping a general stock of goods, and conducts a small yet prosperons trade. Is also School Director and is well known throughout the county. His parents numbering among those of the early settlers. Jane L., a sister, remains at home, and conducts the affairs of the household.
Avery F. Dehority, farmer, sec. 26; P. O. Hilton. Born in Licking Co., O., Dec. 9, 1833. His parents were George W. and Mary Draper (Dehority) natives of Del., who emigrated to O. in 1821, and to this county in 1838, settling on the present estate of 160 acres, where they resided until 1854, when his father moved to Woodford Co., thence to El Paso, where his father died Dec. 9, 1874; mother died in Palestine township in 1855. Mr. D. has always lived on the homestead and was married to Miss Matilda Cross, at Columbus, O., in 1860. She was born in Franklin Co., O., Nov. 19, 1833, and left parentless when young. She was adopted in the family of Alexander Moberry, and at eighteen years of age
473
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
commenced teaching school, and engaged in that capacity until mar- riage. Mr. D. has filled the office of town Treasurer three years ; town Clerk six years and Constable two years, and always been identified with the interests of the town and county.
Samuel R. Mooberry, farmer, sec. 36; P. O., Farmdale. Born in Franklin Co., O., Jan. 18, 1824, and is eldest son of David and Margaret (Stumbaugh) Mooberry, who emigrated to this county in 1832, and settled in Groveland township, where he entered a large tract of land, raised his family, and died in 1850. His aged wife still survives him, and resides on the homestead with her youngest son, Alexander. Mr. M. was married at Morton Oct. 26, 1845, to Miss Louisa C. Hughes, who was born in Franklin Co., O., in 1821. After marriage he moved and settled on his present estate of 240 acres, where he has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. Also owning valuable lands in Nebraska and elsewhere. Has filled the office of Collector and Assessor a number of years, Justice of the peace, Supervisor, School Trustee, Constable, and in fact he has been father to all the town offices, and served with satisfaction to all. He numbers among those of the early pilgrims who stood the trials and sufferings of pioneer life. The writer was shown from his collection of curiosities found in the woods: Fort Crevecœur shoe bottoms, or soles cut from stone ; flint arrow heads, stone ax and mortars, which he has gathered and are valuable curi- osities. Mr. M. has a family of seven children living - David R., born Aug. 30, 1846; George E., born Nov. 20, 1847; Evaline, born March 9, 1853; Alvira, born June 21, 1856; Milton, born April 28, 1858; Dorcas J., born March 7, 1860 and Nettie, born Feb. 6, 1862. Lost 4- Floyd, born June 6, 1851, and died Oct. 18, 1853; Walter, born Aug. 25, 1854, died Feb. 8, 1858; Denna, born Dec. 29, 1863, died March 22, 1877; Luther B., born May 19, 1849, died Aug. 30, 1877.
William Mooberry, farmer, sec. 36; P. O. Farmdale. Born in Franklin Co., O., May 26, 1825. His parents were David and Mary Stumbaugh, natives of Pa., who emigrated to O. in 1806, and to this Co. in 1832, settling in Groveland township, where he en- tered a large tract of land. Here he engaged in farming and in a saw-mill, conducting a successful trade in both branches of business. His death occurred in 1849, by cholera. His wife is still living on the homestead with the youngest son, Alexander, at the age of 76 years. The subject of this sketch was married in 1848, to Miss Matilda Marion, who was born in Franklin Co., O., Dec. 29, 1830. After marriage settled on his parents estate of 375 acres, where he has since made it his home, and is one of the carly pioneers of the county. His farm was a dense woodland, which he has cleared by his own hands. Here he erected a rude cabin without a floor, and has experienced all the hardships which attended the early settling of this deeply wooded country. Has been Justice of the Peace two years, and at different times held nearly all the offices in the town- 29
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
ship. Is a strong supporter of Churches and Schools and always identified with the interests of the town and county, William C., Laura M., Lizzie L. and Maggie E., are their living children ; Lost one- Francis M.
Thomas V. Pinkham, farmer, sec. 26; P. O., Hilton. Born in Grafton Co., N. H., in 1841 ; his parents were Thos. and Margaret (Vincent) Pinkham, natives of New Hampshire, where they died. Came to this county in 1838, and settled in this township, and on his present estate of 80 acres, in 1840. Was married in 1843, to Miss Mariah Camlin, daughter of Thomas Camlin, who settled in this township in 1823, where he died. Mr. P. is one of the county pioneers, and has been prominently identified in the interest of the town and county during his eventful life, having been Justice of the Peace for seventeen years, and served in about all the offices of this township. He is a citizen esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, honorable in all things, and having a just pride in all his business operations. Emeline, George, Lizzie, Susan, Albert, Luella and A. J. are their living children.
Joseph Schertz, merchant, Hilton; P. O., Hilton. Born in Alsace, Germany, in 1827. His parents were David and Annie (Rosche) Schertz, who emigrated to America in 1830, and landed at Ft. Clark, now Peoria, in August of that year, where he built a hut and settled, purchasing a claim for $800., where the family settled and experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. His fath- er died in 1859. Mr. S. built the mill near his residence in 1852. After his father's settlement on the present place, coal was discover- ed in the hills, and a mine opened, which is still in operation. In 1849 the subject of this sketch went to California prospecting, and returned in 1851; became extensively engaged in milling, and in 1861 he sold out and retired from the active pursuits of life. His active nature, however, rebelled against a life of rest, and wishing to advance a son in a successful start in life, he opened a store at Hilton in 1877, keeping a general stock of groceries where he is still actively engaged. Is President of the Bridge Association ; has been Town Clerk, and otherwise identified in the offices of the township. He is well and favorably known for his liberality in the advancement of the cause of education, and his father spent large sums of money in the cause of emigration. Was married in Sept., 1851, to Miss Catherine Belsley, who was born in Germany in 1826. Benjamin F., Mary A., Sarah C., are their living children. Lost two children - David H., and one that died in infancy.
. Charles E. Sheets, postmaster, Fond du Lac. Born in Salem Co., N. J., July 12, 1827, and came to this county in the spring of 1859, settling near his present place, where he engaged at his trade, milling, and where he has since made his home. Married Miss Ellen Genoways, a native of this State, who died in 1871, leaving three children, Anna C., John G., and Roland. Was appointed postmaster in the Spring of 1876, and has since filled that office.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Is also School Director, and well known throughout the town and county.
GROVELAND TOWNSHIP.
This township received its name from the village of Groveland, and it from the beautiful groves in the neighborhood. A visit to the township at this late day shows it to have been very appropri- ately christened. The first settler to locate here was James Scott. He built his cabin in the timber on section 35, as early as 1827. Others who came in shortly afterwards were Milton Shurtleff, John O'Brien, Daniel and John Mooberry, John Anderson, Joseph Lan- des, Benjamin Dobsone, Alexander Caldwell and George Dupree. The only ones of these pioneers now living are John Mooberry, Joseph Landes and John O'Brien. The first school in the town- ship was taught by John McGinnis, in a little log cabin built for that purpose on the southwest quarter of sec. 11, in the winter of 1834-35. Some claim that Mathew Kingman was the first " master."
Mrs. James Scott, wife of the first settler, gave each new comer into the settlement a hen with her chickens. This was her mode of welcoming them to their new homes. Austin Harding, when a lad of ten, remembers well the circumstances attending the gift of his hen and chickens. With a light heart he carried them home from Mrs. Scott's, but the hen managed to get out of her place of confinement, the chickens scattered, and his present, which was so highly prized, was lost to him. The good motherly Mrs, Scott, however, replaced it by another hen and her brood. James Scott moved to El Paso in 1859, where, in 1860, he died. George, son of Joseph Landes, bought the original Scott farm, being the southeast corner of section 35, (not 33, as has been recorded,) in 1858, of Mr. Elijah Brown, Mr. Scott's son-in-law, who accompanied Mr. S. to El Paso.
The first settlers here experienced many hardships. During the winter of the big snow, 1830-31, they suffered greatly. The slight snow and sleet that fell before the heavy snow came froze the mast to the ground, which, when the big snow came, the wild animals were unable to get to subsist upon, and, consequently, many died. Those, however, that could get to the cornfields lived well. Wild hogs were quite abundant these times. These were the progeny of the hogs the old French traders formerly raised about Wesley City. They would often mix with the hogs of the settlers running in the
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
timber. Sometimes they would become furious and attack other stock. One old hog, with ancient and mammoth tusks, became quite fierce and troublesome. Many efforts were made to kill him, but in vain. His thick callous hide resisted many a shot and riffe ball. However, Franklin, son of B. J. Montgomery, found his weak spot one day, and sent the fatal lead to the monster's forehead, and relieved the neighborhood of their dreaded terror.
For overshoes, Mr. Landes tells us they would tan the skins of the wolf and wild cat and work them up, and they made good shoes, too.
Alexander McKnight had a horse mill here, where the settlers could get all kinds of grain ground, but the bolting had to be done by hand. This mill was located on section 1, Elm Grove township, three-quarters of a mile from the sonth line of Groveland. There was another mill in Elm Grove, driven by tread-wheel power, using horses or oxen. Bolting was also done by hand here. Both mills did good work. The latter, Mr. Shipman's mill, was running in 1830, how long previous, not known. A negro by the name of Mose was the miller. A fuller sketch of this historic individual may be found in the history of Sand Prairie. The other of the three mills in the county, at this time, was a small water mill in Dillon township. This did the bolting by water power ; it could only run, however, in wet seasons. In an early day there was a saw-mill on sec. 27. It was first run by horse-power, afterwards by steam. It was built by Charles Hinman, but changed hands many times after- wards. Others have been built and flourished for a time, but only one remains, and it is in the north part of the township.
The streams of the township are the South, Middle and North forks of Liek creek, named from the Deer licks of salt springs. At the lick on the Middle Fork, Mr. B. J. Montgomery found the skeleton of two large bucks, that had locked their horns together, and unable to separate themselves died. He kept these horns for many years. This same gentleman also describes the Indian bury- ing places of this section. A pen was made about the size of a cof- fin, of split timber about four inches square, nicely locked together at the corner, joints all very close. These were covered with bark. A hole was cut through either side of this pen, one for the good spirit to go in, and the other for the evil one to go out. These when first seen were somewhat decayed. The bones, beads and an old hat were all that was visible in the enclosure, where, evidently,
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
an Indian woman, with a child about four years old, were laid to rest. As many as half-dozen of these pens were seen on ths east bluff, near Wesley City, section 6.
The pioneers had many novel rules that are lost to the present generation. For instance, rules for trailing Indians and wild beasts. The course taken was known by the way the grass leaned, or had been pressed by the foot. The Indian travels with his toes turned in, the white man with his pointing outward. The panther, wolf and other like animals make a hollowing track, with grass gently bent. The deer, with its small sharp hoof, cuts or makes a short bend in the grass. These points were all noted. Children were also taught to do many things whereby their course might be fol- lowed, should they be captured and carried away by the Indians. One was to break spears of grass, leaning them the way they were going. Also to tie as many knots in strings as there were Indians in their company, dropping them in their path. This was done, to show the force of their captors.
The oldest house in Groveland is owned by Thomas Hancock, section 27. Some twenty years ago it was moved from the bottoms near Wesley City, and is said to be over fifty years old. It is made of logs and looks quite pioneer-like, as also the present owner, who believes in old-time ways and customs, and has never been on a railway car. Although he does not believe in sewing machines and many other modern improvements, yet we see he has a modern mowing machine. Still he is of that liberal turn of mind which leaves every one, without let or hindrance, to enjoy his own chosen ways.
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