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 60
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Jonathan Schureman was born in Essex Co., New Jersey, March 13, 1816. His parents were John and Jane (Totten) Schureman, natives of N. J. Mr. S. received a common school education. He is a farmer, and the owner of 500 acres of choice land. He was formerly a carpenter and builder. Mr. S. was married to Miss
627
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Keziah Lawler in 1837. They are the parents of Rachel, who was born in Oct., 1839; Mariette was born Feb. 7, 1841; Israel was born Dec. 27, 1843; Elizabeth was born May 4, 1855. Mr. Schure- man first started from New Jersey in Oct., 1849, on a prospecting tour, for the purpose of finding a place to locate permanently ; going through New York State, Canada, Michigan and Wisconsin. Trav- eling by canal, stage, and where there was no public conveyances, traveling on foot. He passed down into Illinois as far as Jacksonville, where he concluded to stop, on account of meeting a Mr. Goltry, who was general superintendent of carpenter and mason work on the Insane Asylum, which was then being built, and although Mr. S. proposed locating lands for the purpose of farming, as he was offered the superintending of the mason work on the Asylum, he concluded to accept, and returned immediately to N. J. to secure other masons. Mr. S. returned to Jacksonville with his help about March' 24; and, as soon as he got his men fairly at work, he came to this county and bought 320 acres of land, but afterwards sold this tract, and in 1855 he bought 800 acres of raw prairie land in secs. 19 and 20, Dillon township, at $25 per acre. Mr. S. has sold all his farms, and lives at a very pleasant residence in Green Valley.
Samuel Schureman, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 35; P. O., Green Valley ; was born in Essex Co., N. J., March 1, 1818. His parents were John and Jane Schureman, natives of N. J. Mr. S. received a common school education in his native State, and was united in marriage May 15, 1845, to Cornelia H. Dickinson, a daughter of Philomen and Cornelia (Howel) Dickinson, of Essex Co., N. J. Mrs. Schureman died Oct. 27, 1858. She was the mother of five children -Mary E., born Feb. 1, 1846; Alice, born Jan. 28, 1848 ; John W., born Jan. 3, 1851, who died while an infant of one year ; William H., born Sept. 11, 1863; Charles E., born Oct. 25, 1856. Mrs. S. was a member of the Presbyterian Church at the time of her death. Mr. S. was again married March 30, 1865, to Deborah Osborn, daughter of John and Sarah (Clark) Osborn, of N. J. With a stout heart and a determined will Mr. S. has made life a success.
Thomas Schureman was born in Essex Co., N. J., June 16, 1823. His parents were Samuel and Sally (Scudder) Schureman, natives of the same place. Mr. S. was educated at New Providence Academy, N. J. He came to this county in 1852. He is retired, and lives in Green Valley. He has held several local offices. Mr. S. was married to Catharine H. Colie, Sept. 6, 1846. She died Dec. 1, 1857. Mr. S. was again married to Sarah A. Dickinson, March 25, 1859. He is the father of George E., Albert M., Thadora, Cyrus Ellworth, Frederick W., Estella May. Mrs. S. is a member of the Methodist Church.
Christopher Stoehr was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1828. His parents were Nicholas and Elizabeth Stochr. The subject of this sketch came to this county in 1850. He follows the
628
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
oeeupation of farming ; is the owner of 260 acres of land; resides on section 6; P. O., Green Valley. He was married in 1851, to Elizabeth Ekrhart, a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Ger., where she was born May 6, 1831; they have been the parents of fifteen ehil- dren, of whom eight are living, as follows-George, born Oet. 28, 1852; Philip, Sept. 30, 1854; Conradt, Oct. 25, 1863; Margaret, Feb. 5,'65; Alice, March 1, '70; Catherine, March 31, '72; Louisa, July 11, '74; Ada, June 11, '77, and the following children are dead - Martin died at the age of five years; Philip, one year ; Mary, six years ; Elizabeth, age four years; Lena, age three years, and two infants not named.
Peter Urish, farmer, see. 24; post-office, Green Valley; is a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, where he was born in 1824. He emigrated to this country in 1831, and settled with his parents on seetion 24, this township. His parents were George and Eve (Wyhriek) Urish. Peter Urish was united in marriage in 1846, to Margaret Vogel, a daughter of Frederick and Charlotta (Beek) Vogel, who were natives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. They emigrated to this country and located at Smithtown, Maryland, in 1833, and moved to this county in 1846, bringing Mrs. Urish with them. She was born in Germany in 1828. The fruits of her mar- riage with Mr. Urish are -* Henry, born Nov. 10, 1847; * Mary, born Jan. 29, '49; Eva, born Dec. 10, '53; Elizabeth, born May 30,'56; * Mary Ann, born Feb. 4, '58; John, born Feb. 24, '60; *George, born March 18, '62; Jacob, March 15, '63; Nicholas, April 20, '65; Peter, Nov. 11, '67; Adam, Dec. 13, '69; Amelia, April 17, '73. Those marked * not living. Mrs. Urish has been a member of the Lutheran Church ever since she was 14 years old.
Nicholas Volk, farmer, see. 9; P. O., Pekin. Was born in Ger- many, July 22, 1818. He came to this county 37 years ago. His parents were JJohn and Mary (Sehwin) Volk. Nicholas Volk served in the German army. He was united in marriage to Margaret Ulrich, in 1846. She was born in Germany, in 1826. They are the parents of thirteen children, who were born as follows-Peter, born in 1847, Mary, 1849, Elizabeth, 1851, Jacob, 1853, Eva, 1855, . Caroline, 1857, Balz, 1859 Lizzie, 1861, Margaret, 1863, Nicholas, 1865, John, 1867, George, 1869, Philip, 1871.
James M. Watkins, M. D., Green Valley. Is a son of William M. and Mary Patterson, his wife, natives of Roekbridge Co., Vir- ginia, near the Natural Bridge. The Watkins are of Scotch- Irish Welch descent. The subject of this sketeh was born in the town of Montezuma, Parke Co., Ind., in 1830. He attended the schools of Terre Haute, in his native State. He attended one course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Penn., and two courses at Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he graduated in Jan., 1864. Was united in marriage in 1862, to Sarah B. Megaw, a native of Ind., this union has been blessed with four children -Sarah F., born in Dec. 1858; Samuel M., born in May
CORNELIUS L.GOLDEN,
ELIZA B. GOLDEN,
SPRING LAKE TOWNSHIP.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
1863; Anna E., born March 23, 1865; James Edmund, born in April, 1867. Mrs. W. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Thomas Hartford Wileman, physician, Green Valley. Dr. W. was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1829. His parents were Jesse and Lydia (Gregg) Wileman. Dr. W. received his literary educa- tion in Fulton county, and Knox College, Knox county, and his medical education in the Allopathic, Homeopathic, and Eclectic schools, and practices as a regular physician of these schools of medicine ; has practiced medicine for nineteen years; having com- menced his medical studies in 1857, at Vermont, Fulton county. The Doctor's medieal studies did not cease with lectures that he attended, or at the commencement of his practice, but he has always been a close student ; during these nineteen years of practice he has always taken the leading medical journals of this country, keeping apace with the knowledge gained by experience from all parts of the country. Dr. W. enlisted Feb. 8, 1865, in 147th regt. Ill. vol., and was appointed assistant surgeon, and served in that capacity during the time of service, which was one year. Dr. W. came to this county in April, 1866; was united in marriage April 11, 1871, to Lizzie D. Field, a native of Pennsylvania. Their union has been blessed with two daughters-Mabel, born May 25, 1873; and Bessie, born July 29, 1877. Dr. and Mrs. Wileman are members of the Methodist Church.
S. M. Woodrow, Sr., was born in Cincinnati township, Tazewell county, Ill., in the year 1840. His parents were Samuel and Cath- arine (Montague) Woodrow, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively. S. M. Woodrow is a farmer, on sec. 25; P. O., Green Valley. Mr. Woodrow is a Republican in politics. He united in marriage with Miss Anna Hill, Aug. 21, 1862. They have been blessed with five children- Katie A., born Sept. 30, '63; Edna May, born Jan. 15, '65; Louis C., born July 27, '68; Bennie E., born March 23, '72; Richard S., born Sept. 18, '76.
Joseph Woodruff is a native of Fabius, Onondago county, New York, where he was born in 1824. He is a son of Joseph and Lavina (Blanchard) Woodruff. The Woodruff's are of English descent. Three brothers came to this country, one settled in Con- necticut, which was the great grandparent of the subject of this sketch ; another settled in the State of Rhode Island, and the other in South Carolina ; they took part in the struggle for independence in the Revolutionary War. Gurdin W. emigrated to New York when it was a wilderness, his son, Joseph, the father of the subject of this sketch, died at his son's residence in Sand Prairie township, in 1862, at the age of 72, having experienced pioneer life in three States. Mr. W.'s first wife was Adeline S. Davis, of New York. She is deceased. His present wife is Anna Eliza Codding, of Sum- . mit county, Ohio. Mr. W. is the father of- Emma J., born Feb. 5,'50; Esther L., Dec. 14, '54, died Oct. 1, '63; George D., Nov. 9, '59 ; Adeline A., Oct. 4, '63; Nettie M., Feb. 21, '65; Gurdin
38
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
A., Jan. 18, '67; Byron M., Jan. 28, '70; Alta O., Feb. 13, '74. P. O., Green Valley.
SUPERVISORS.
W. J. Thompson.
1850
John Schaffer
1868-69
Lewis Prettyman.
1851-55
Moses R. Meeker
1870-72
James Hamson .
1856-61
James H. Kilpatrick
1873-74
James Hampson
1863-64
Jesse Black.
1875-77
Henry A. Sweet.
1865
John Meyers
1878-79
Jonathan Totten
1866-67
TOWN-CLERKS.
William Dickson.
1854-60
Samuel Renner.
1869-71
William Woodruff
1861
Baltz P. Melick
1872-77
James Hampson, Jr.
1863-64
Samuel Ornofield
1878
John C. Edwards .
1865-68
Samuel Bradfield
1879
ASSESSORS.
William Woodrow, Jr ..
1854
William Edwards
1864-68
David W. Ayres.
1855
Jesse Black
1869
William Edwards
1856
J. W. Burhans
1870-72
Alex. McCrea ..
1857-58
Henry A. Sweet.
1873
William Edwards
1859
Anthony Fisher
1874-75
James Kilpatrick.
1860-61
Enoch Runyon
1876-78
Moses R. Meeker.
1863
P. E. Ripper
1879
COLLECTORS.
David G. Williams
1854
Hubbard Latham
1869 .*
James Hampson .
1855
Samuel Renner
1870
David G. Williams
1856
H. Latham
1871
Lewis Shelton.
1857
Samuel Renner.
1872
Abraham Champion.
1858
John Meyers.
1873
Benj. Priddy.
1859-60
Hubbard Lathan
1874
Thomas S. McKasson.
1861
I. N. Munson.
1875
James H. Killpatrick
1863-64
S. M. Woodrow
1876
Thomas Schureman
1865-66
Peter Ripper.
1877-78
Lewis H. Burns
1867
David F. Lawler
1879
William Woodruff.
1868
SPRING LAKE TOWNSHIP.
The soil of this township is not unlike that of Cincinnati, and the history of its early settlement is similar. Joseph Offutt erected a cabin on the border of Spring lake in 1839, and moved in the following year. The first school-house was built in 1849, on see. 11, range 7, 23 north. Mr. Offutt was to the expense of getting the shingles and lumber for this house. The neighbors joined in and hauled the logs for this building. Daniel Hawkins was the first to wield the rod in this school-house, the same year. The children of all the settlers attended. The first sermon preached in the township was by a Mormon by the name of Woods. This meeting was held at the house of a man named Grover. Quite a
MRS HARRIET WOODS
ABRAHAM WOODS
SPRING LAKE TOWNSHIP
633
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
number of the neighbors went to hear him, not knowing that he was a Mormon, and they were prejudiced against that people. Two weeks thereafter he preached by appointment again, but no one went to hear him. This finished his ministration here. Lonis White tells, that when he settled here, he had but few neighbors, and no church nearer than Long Pine Church, but he had preaching in his house occasionally, both in English and German. The nearest mill was seventeen miles away; they would start in the early morning with a load of corn and wheat, and get back the next morning. The first school in his neighborhood was held at what is now No. 4. The first teacher's name was Hoagland. This house was used for school, Sunday-school, preaching, town-meetings, and elections. The first regular Methodist meeting was began in this house, the preacher being Rev. Joseph Hart.
The first church organized was the Dutch Reformed Church in 1856. The first death was that of John Owen Offutt, Oct. 10, 1841. The first marriage was that of Chas. Seiwell to Deborah Claton, iu 1842. Among the earliest settlers in the township were Valentine Haas, Chas. Seiwell, Maxon Claton, James Flemings, Daniel Devore, and the MeLeashes and Hibbards. Mr. Christian Hermann bought a land warrant of an old veteran of the Mexican war, named John H. Banker, and settled on the land in 1851. It is the farm David W. Hermann now lives on. He tells us that this part of the county, to a great extent, was used as a public range for stock for many years after the first settlement of the county. The soil was then regarded as not desirable on account of its sandy nature, consequently, it was not settled as rapidly as some other portions of the county. There were other drawbacks besides the soil. There was no bridge across the Mackinaw, and the settlers had to depend upon the slow-going ferry of John Bequeaith, and when the water was high, it was impossible to eross even on this. But as the people learned of the productiveness of the soil, it was rapidly settled. A good iron bridge has taken the place of the ferry. He also tells us that game was plentiful here. He has seen, within rifle-shot of where he now lives, twenty-five deer in one drove. Prairie wolves were numerous, and timber wolves were often seen. These would destroy pigs, calves, sheep, and other domestic animals.
A terrible tornado passed through the township in 1859, carrying destruction in its path. It destroyed Mr. Hermann's fine orchard
634
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
of 150 trees, leaving but one standing. It destroyed corn-bins, barns, out-houses, carried off wagons, etc. It carried off a spring wagon which was never heard of afterwards ; destroyed fowls, many of which, when found, had no feathers on them at all, and were as clean as though they had been picked. Mr. Christian Hermann re- ceived an injury from a flying timber, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. He was a large, portly man and healthy, and during the prevalence of the cholera at Pekin, he took upon himself the care of many a poor sufferer of that dreaded disease. He was fearless, and although constantly with it, did not catch it himself.
TERRIBLE TORNADO.
The following account of the disastrous storm of May 26, 1859, · as referred to above, is gleaned from a letter of Dr. C. C. Hodgland, of Spring Lake, to the Tazewell Register :
"We had a refreshing shower during the night of the 26th, and the early morning wrapped the hills in dense fog. About 9 o'clock rain began to fall which continued at intervals till mid-day. About 4 o'clock our attention was attracted to a very dark and heavy cloud which arose out of the southwest, and soon began to show the shape and indications of a waterspout-from the dark cloud above the eart spiral tubes of vapor, varying and shifting in a circle, accompanied with vivid streaks of lightning and heavy thunder in the distance. Soon the cloud advanced rapidly with a gyrating motion, appearing very grand and awful, but filling our minds with apprehension as it ap- proached with the rapidity of the wind. Rev. Mr. Brumstead's house is about a mile and a half from mine and it was doubtful whether the cloud was pass- ing east of his house or over it; but all doubt was dissipated in a moment more as the tornado struck his barn and smashed it in a moment, scattering the timbers and enclosures, and carrying them to great height in the air, whirl- ing and tossing then as if they were feathers. A young man in the barn hear- ing the roaring ran out and was overturned at once, and rolled over and over thirty or forty yards before he could regain his feet. The farm wagon was taken next and deposited, the fore wheels with the tongue, three hundred yards from where it stood, while the hind wheels were carried one hundred yards further. Then a small granary was crushed like an egg shell; a two- rowed corn planter was hurled fifty yards over the ruins of the granary and deposited against a shed in the yard which next shared the fate of the granary, and the well-curb was lifted from its place and hurled against the house and broken in pieces. The kitchen was next in order, and instantly unroofed, the shingles flying in every direction and the fragments covering the prairie for hundreds of yards with cloth and household furniture. Trees were twisted down and flower gardensand shrubs made a desolation. The fence was broken thoroughly and then across the prairie the tornado marked its path with the ruins of fences and buildings. George B. VanNortwick's buildings were next in range. Here fences, outhouses, well-curb, boxes, barrels, stove furniture and clothing were at once flying in very direction. The house-door was burst open, window panes and sash smashed in, and the south half of the roof torn bodily from its place and sent flying over the prairie. Mr. Hermann's fence was extensively torn up, an out-building demolished, and the house moved from its foundation several inches.
"It is wonderful that no lives were lost. The minister's four horses were in the barn, and were covered with the ruins, but were taken out uninjured. In his house he was struck by a falling rafter, but only slightly bruised. Mr. VanNortwick and his daughter, in trying to close the door, were thrown in violence across the room but only bruised."
635
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
From the earliest period of the county's history down to the present time, we find that the loss of life by accident has been most remarkably frequent. Scarcely a week has passed but some home has been darkened by the gloom cast over it by the loss of one of its inmates. One of the saddest of these painful accidents occurred in this township in October, 1865.
A party of young people embarked on a boating and fishing excursion on Spring lake, unfortunately, in an old leaky boat, which cost the lives of three young ladies. The party was composed of Joshua G. Claton, Silas McLean, the Misses Julia and Susan Van Benthusen, and William Van Benthusen, of Bloomfield, Iowa, Miss Mary Moore, of same place, Miss Mattie King, and the Misses Amanda and Bina Claton,of Spring Lake. Happy and jovial were the party as they left the shore in their fated boat, but ere they had got sixty yards from shore it began to leak. It grew worse and worse rapidly and before anything could be done toward returning to the shore a hole was broken in the bottom of the boat and it filled immediately. McLean, becoming excited jumped out and swam ashore, but in doing so upset the boat, precipitating the entire party into the water. At this critical moment the presence of mind of Mr. Claton prevented the six young ladies from all going to a watery grave. He remained with them, directing them to hold on to the side of the boat. Three of them, with Willie, managed to retain their hold on the skiff, and Mr. Claton shoved the boat ashore and saved three. Although he made strenuous efforts to save the other three, they went down before he could rescue them. The unfortunate ladies were the Misses Van Benthusen and Miss Bina Claton. The sad catastrophe cast a gloom over the en- tire neighborhood, which remained for many a day, and even at present it is referred to only with sighs and tears by those who were living there at that time. The grief-stricken parents of the young ladies, had their bodies removed to their home in Iowa, for interment.
Mr. Benj. Priddy, of this township, was the first to introduce the Osage orange hedge in the county. About the year 1846, when he was in Texas, where this tree grows in a wild state, he saw its qual- ities as a fence. It was there known as "boyedare." The timber is used for the purpose of manufacturing wagons, furniture, etc., where a fine-grained, tough timber is needed, being susceptible of very fine polish. Another peculiarity of the wood is, that it will
636
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
neither swell or shrink. Mr. P. sent home seed to his friends, for them to experiment on its growing in this climate. Their trials proved eminently successful, and in 1852, when he came back to this county, he brought 500 bushels of the seed and introduced it generally. It is unnecessary to say anything of the usefulness of the Osage orange for fences, if properly cared for, or to the extent to which it is used, as it is so general, all of our readers are acquainted with those facts.
This country, in an early day, was infested by bands of horse- thieves, who were regularly and strongly organized. In these bands were some daring, reckless fellows, and an account of their exploits is exciting, even in detail. At the close of the career of these des- peradoes a book was written recounting their adventures and detail- ing their crimes. This was called "The Banditti of the Prairie." Abraham Woods had an experience with a member of one of these bands in 1853. A very gentlemanly appearing man stopped at his house for dinner. He was sociable, agreeable in conversation, and, withal, a clever fellow. He claimed to have plenty of money, and said he was on his way to California. He left, and a few days thereafter again appeared and called for breakfast, remarking as he entered, " Treat a dog well and he is sure to return." He was such a fluent talker, so intelligent and agreeable, that Mr. W. was glad to see him. He soon left. Mr. W. observed that he had a sharp eye, which could not be caught for an instant. On coming to the house that morning he passed the barn and looked at two spans of fine horses, a gray and a bay team. He expressed much admiration for the grays, and made inquiries about their gentleness, &c. Mr. W. replied that they were his "darlings," and were perfect pets.
A week passed, when Mr. W. was awakened during the night by the running and whinnying of a horse, as if it had lost its mate. He sent his man out, telling him one of his horses was loose. He soon returned with two letters, one had been stuck up on the door, the other was found on the ground. He also reported one of the gray horses gone. One of the letters read as follows :
"Oh, avick! shure and its meself that's trying to make a dacent outfit to go home to Sarah and the childer. As Col. Doniphan said in the Mexican war, I came across your ranche and made bowld to take into my sarvice two Ille- gant Gray travellers I found on your premises. I wunst thought of calling and telling yer Honor what I was after transacting, But thinking it would be to bad intirely to be Robbing a dacent gentlemon of his Darlings and sweet sleep at the same time I mean, I hope and trust your Darlings can travel Handsomely, for I shall be after putting them to their trumps, for a while at least, for it's no more than likely you'll be after sending the dirthy spalpeen
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
of a constable after me. Bad cess to the likes of him, He'd be asking my name and other unconstitutional questions, for what does Will Shakspeare say,
' That which we call the Rose By any other name would smell as sweet.'
"So you perceive that this settles the point at issue. Perhaps you would be mighty well obliged should I tell you my name, place of Residence, and where I anı from. Well, yer honor, I am from every place but this, and shall be from this Just as quick as your Darling's legs can carry me. Now to con- clude. Fare ye well, and still forever fare ye well, Hoping your Darlings you'l see never, before I can them swap or sell. ACUSIILA MAVOURNEEN."
The above letter goes to show that the writer was undoubtedly the stranger who had been so hospitably received a few days before. As soon as this letter was read, and Mr. W. found his horse gone, he notified his neighbors. Soon a large number of his neighbors assembled and prepared for the chase, but ere they had fairly started the stolen horse returned. It was evident that the thief got alarmed before he had fairly started. He attempted to take both horses, but one had broken loose.
It was evident from the other letter found, that there was a regu- lar systematic gang of horse-thieves running from here to Texas. It was in a sealed envelope, and was directed to Frederick Gamble, Galvaston, Texas, forwarded by Patrick Dougherty, and contained a promisory note for $220, on David C. Jones, of Texas. He states in this letter that, " Patrick and Jim have gone in the neighborhood of Pekin to make a raid on fine horses, which they would likely get away with, as Patrick was a good engineer, and knew the country. They would stop the first night with a friend on Salt creek, thence to W. Davis', near Carlinville, from there to Chester, where they knew the ferryman, who would take them across in the night, thence proceed with due dilligence to Texas."
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