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 64
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
Presbyterian. The Presbyterian Church was organized on the 16th day of Nov., 1834, by Rev. Father Bascom and Leonard Fos- ter, a committee of the Presbytery of Sangamon, appointed for the purpose, and upon the petition of certain persons residing at Holland's Grove. The meeting for the organization was held in the store of Charles Dorsey. The following named persons united in the organization : Henry Kice, Mary Kice, John T. Tool, Elizabeth
40
670
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Tool, Horace Blair, Rebecca L. Blair, Elizabeth Reid, Charlotte Berghet, David Gibson and Mary Gibson. Of these David Gibson and Horace Blair were elected Ruling Elders. The congregation commenced the erection of a church building in 1837. The frame- work was erected, but on account of the financial crisis which came upon the county in that year, was not enclosed until 1842. It was then occupied, but never finished. In 1850 the old building was sold and a new one, more suitable to the wants of the congregation, was erected. In 1871 this building was removed, and the present tasteful edifice erected at a cost of $5,000.
St. Mark's English Lutheran. This congregation is a departure or division from the German Lutheran Church of this city, from which the prominent members came. It was the custom in the early history of the German Lutheran Church, to have both the English and German language preached each Sabbath. But the German element being in the majority, that congregation voted to exclude the English language from the pulpit. A meeting of the English brethren was held April 18, 1875, and a committee appointed to draw up a constitution for its new congregation. This organization was effected at a subsequent meeting held at the house of Josiah Snyder, April 26, 1875. First officers, elected May 2d, were, Josiah Snyder, Elder; Henry Mahle and T. L. Benford, Deacons; Henry Denhart, Eli Heiple and Elias Benford, Trustees, and Rev. S. W. Harkey, Pastor. Their meetings, for the first year, were held at the Baptist Church. A festival, held June 12, 1876, gave them net proceeds of $277, with which the ladies of the congregation pur- chased the lot upon which their beautiful church now stands. It was contracted to be built for $3,700. It was dedicated Aug. 26, 1877. The entire cost of the building, including the lot, was $6,500. Of this sum, $2,600 remained unpaid, which was provided on the morning of dedication. The members that united in its organization were T. L. Benford, H. Mahle, L. R. Harkey, Edgar Benford, Sarah Snyder, Elias Benford, Sabella Mahle, Minnie Ben- ford, Mary E. Benford, Sophia Benford, Emma Jones, Mary Heiple, Amanda Mahle, Clara Denhart, Frank Snyder, Isadore Burton, Anna Burton, John Bradle, Mary Bradle, Sarah J. Harlan, Mary F. Kingsbury and Caroline R. Kingsbury.
Baptist .- The Baptist organization was not effected until 1835, meetings being held prior to that time at Tremont. Abraham Van Meter and wife and their son, William C., Matthew and Martha Crane, and Mr. Sherman and wife, were of its first members. The minister officiating at its organization was the Rev. Thos. Brown, and of there members, Mrs. Martha Crane only appears on its church roll.
Catholic .- The Catholic church was erected in 1877 at a cost of $250, the money being raised by subscription by Walter T. Berket.
Omish Church, sec. 20. This people, who have organized under the above name, are a division from the Mennonites, and are so
671
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
called by its leader, Jacob Armour. This Church was organized in 1866 with 30 or 40 members, and the house contracted to be built for $1,500. Its size is 30 by 40, and is 68 feet high, the whole cost being over $2,000. Joseph Stuckey, from McLean Co., was the original mover in its organization, and Peter E. Stuckey and Peter Gingrey were elected, in 1868, by the people to preach. Mr. Stuekey was also elected Bishop in 1875, and has filled the pulpit to the present time. The Church has a membership of 150 and is in a prosperous condition.
It is quite impossible to secure records of church organizations, together with a history of their growth, without the assistance of those who may have been active or taken some part in the church work, and the absence of those not embraced in this work is, in a measure, due to the indifference of those to whom the writer ap- pealed for information. These remarks will apply as well to other places in the county as they do to Washington.
GENERAL HISTORY.
The first physician that located in Washington was Dr. D. T. Goodwin, who came from Vermont in 1832, where he was a student with the late Dr. G. P. Wood, with whom he shared a partnership for some years. He is still living at Dundee, Ill. Dr. Wood came from the same State in 1835, and resided in this eity until his death in 1871, at which time he was a partner of the late Dr. R. B. M. Wilson. Dr. Burton, from Kentucky, came in 1838, and opened the first drug store in Washington. He also followed his profession. He died in this city in 1859, leaving a large family, many of whom are still residents of Washington.
The first lawyer to secure a footing in this community was Thornton Walker, a Virginian. The first constable elected was Jonathan Hodge, of Stout's Grove. James Harvey was the first member of the County Commissioner's Court from this township. He was succeeded by Benjamin Mitchell. The first land sales for this district was held at Springfield, in 1830 or 1831. Prior to that date no title could be acquired to any land in the district. The set- tlers, however, recognized the justice of securing to each of their number the benefit of his labor, and appointed Col. Benjamin Mitchell Registrar of Claims. By this arrangement, and the paying of twenty-five cents to the Registrar, cach applicant secured the registration of his claim, and the right to buy the land he had im- proved, when it came into the market. This gave a value to the lands in the hands of the holder, and also enabled the person mak- ing the claim to sell and transfer it if so desired. Rough and rude though the surroundings of these pioneers may have been, they were none the less honest, sincere, hospitable, and kind in their social relations. It is true, as a rule, there is a greater degree of real humanity among the early pilgrims of any new country, than
672
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
there is when the country becomes older and richer. If there is an absence of refinement, it is more than compensated for in the pres- ence of generous hearts and truthful lives. They are void of hy- pocrisy themselves, and despise it in others. They hate cowardice and sham of all kinds, and maintain and cultivate a sterling integ- rity and fixedness of purpose, that seldom permits them to prostitute themselves to any narrow policy or artifice. Such were the character- istics of the men and women who pioneered the way to the township of Washington. Those who visited them in their cabins in a social capacity, or settled among them as real occupants of the soil, were always welcome as long as they proved themselves true men and women. The stranger, who came among them and claimed shelter and food, was made as welcome as one of the household. To tender them pay in return for their hospitality, was only to insult the bet- ter feelings of their nature. If a neighbor fell sick and needed care and attention, the whole neighborhood was interested. If a cabin was to be raised, every man turned out, and oftentimes the women, too, and while the men piled the logs that fashioned the primitive dwelling place, the women prepared the dinner. Sometimes it was cooked by camp fires at the site where the cabin was building. If one neighbor killed a pig or a deer, every other family was sure to receive a piece of it, and a welcome remembrance it often proved. One of the few remaining pioneer settlers remarked: "In those days we were neighborly in a true sense. We were all on equality. What one had, we all had. Aristocratic feelings were unknown, and that was the happiest period of my life. But to-day, if you lean against a neighbor's shade-tree, he will charge you for it. If you are poor and happen to fall sick, you may lie and suffer almost unattended, or go the poor-house, and just as like as not, the man who would report you to the authorities as a subject for county care, would charge the county for making the report." This declaration was not made because the facts exist as he put them, but to show the contrast between the feelings and practices of the pioneers of fifty years ago, and the people of the present.
At a special election held on the 2d of March, 1878, to vote for or against organizing under the General Law, which was carried by a majority of eighty-three votes. The following city officers were elected on the 16th of April, 1878 : Mayor, Peter Fifer; City Clerk, Eli E. Heiple; City Attorney, J. W. Dougherty ; City Treasurer, T. C. Sonnemann ; Member Board of Supervisors, W. B. Hervey ; Aldermen - 1st Ward, Henry Mahle and D. J. Chaffer ; 2d Ward, Lawson Holland and Henry Denhart; 3d Ward, Ernst Rapp and James Cameron. The first City Council met April 18, 1878.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The present business interests of Washington embrace the follow- ing firms : Banking and Exchange, A. H. Danforth, son of A. G. Danforth, who commenced banking in this city at an early day, and
673
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
retired from active business pursuits in 1871. This was the first bank in the city. Anthony & Denhart formed a partnership in '66, and a few years later opened their handsome brick banking house, where they do a general exchange business. Kingsbury & Snyder, G. R. Hornish, Gibson & Parker, and the Stormen Brothers are all heavy dealers in Groceries and control a large trade. The Dry Goods business is represented by L. S. North, Anthony & Denhart, and E. E. Hornish, all enjoying a lucrative trade. Heiple & Port- man, both honored sons of Eli Heiple and Peter Portman, and pre- senting the dash of business qualifications, are doing an extensive business in Clothing and Gents' Furnishing Goods. T. C. Sonne- mann, who erected the fine store he now occupies, in 1870, controls the bulk of trade in the Hardware business. Lewis Tobias & Son also have a small stock of hardware, but deal considerably in stoves. Israel Zinser and A. Alphonso, Druggists, are both doing a pros- perous trade. The Zinser Brothers are extensive dealers in Stoves and Hardware, and occupy the oldest business premises in the city. The daily and weekly papers may be found at the post-office. Chas. A. Crane, Postmaster, is a social man and always at his post of duty. Jas. A. Crane has an office in the same building, and carries on a general Brokerage. Mrs. Hopkins responds to the call for spring and winter bonnets, and supplies the trade in Millinery. William F. Roehm is an enterprising German in the Boot and Shoe trade. Eli E. Heiple, Peter Fifer and Henry Mahle are extensive dealers in Grain and Produce. J. W. Dougherty, educated under his own tuition, and through his energy and perseverance, has represented Washington city as Attorney for several years. Henry Harms has a Meat Market on North Main street. Unele Jacob Wilson repre- sents the Livery business, and George F. Tobias is a rising young merchant in the Furniture business. Flour and Feed, James Keyes. Harness and Saddlery, Benjamin Frederick.
Wagon Manufactories .- Ross & Zinser both carly settlers, are engaged in this business on north side of Commercial Square. Wm. H. Long, M. R. Brady, and Benjamin Tobias; the last named com- meneed the manufacturing of plows in this city in 1855. Has for some years been engaged in wagon manufacturing, and his work has a good reputation.
Milling Interests .- The flouring-mill erected by A. G. Danforth in 1845 is being successfully operated by the Andrews Bros. John Watson, Jr., is proprietor of the Tazewell County Mill.
The Sherman House was built in 1835 by Stiles and Titus Hun- gerford, and run by them until 1839, when Thomas Cress rented and assumed the proprietorship for one year. It was afterwards opened by the widow of Titus Hungerford, who died in 1846. In 1854 the building was sold to a man named Robinson, whose career as a hotel proprietor proved quite a success. It subsequently be- came the property of a company and passed into the hands of Elias Benford, who rented the premises and conducted a successful busi-
674
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
ness for some years, and retired from public life after the purchase of the building. In 1878 it was occupied by its present proprietor, John W. Patton, a native of Somerset Co., Penn. Although the edifice is one of the oldest frame buildings in the city, and does not present an inviting appearance without, it is neat, clean and tidy within, and in keeping with the standard of a first-class hotel. Patton is a veritable joker, a good talker, and if not overtaken by sickness or disease will not be old at ninety.
WASHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
During the school year of '78-'79, nine teachers were employed at an annual expense of about $3,000, and the number of pupils enrolled in the schools was 419. The schools are all in one build- ing-a substantial two-story brick edifice, recently built at a cost of about $20,000, and supplied with all the modern improvements in the way of heating, ventilation, furniture, etc. The school work is done in the high school and seven subordinate grades. The high school is in charge of the Principal, R. McCay, assisted by his wife, and the teachers of the other grades are, in the grammar room, Mr. J. R. Morse; third intermediate, Mr. S. F. Corley ; second inter- mediate, Miss Latina Patrick ; first intermediate, Miss Mary Rich ; third primary, Miss Carrie Schultz; second primary, Miss Mary Italin ; first primary, Miss Clara V. Crane.
Robert McCay, Principal of Washington schools, was born in McLean county, Ill., Jan. 13, 1852. At the age of eight his perents removed to Macon county, where his mother died shortly afterwards. He remained upon a farm with his father until sixteen, when he was sent to school three years at Bloomington, Ill., during which time he prepared himself for college. Being deprived at this time, by death, of the assistance and encouragement of his father; at the age of nineteen he entered upon the work of teaching, in order that he might obtain funds with which to go to college. Thus, by teaching in winter and working as a farm-hand in summer, he was enabled to go to college, where he completed the classical course of the Wes- leyan University in 1877. In 1878 he was married to Miss M. H. White, of Bloomington, who acted as his high school assistant the following year. He has held his present position since graduating.
G. P. Wood has for some years conducted a select school in this city.
POTTAWATOMIES.
This tribe of Indians was the largest of three tribes that were located in this section, and had conquered the Sugars and Kickapoos. They were all settled under Snatchwine, the Chief of the Pottawato- mies. He was honored and loved by all the braves of these tribes ; his word was law, and his presence and council always sought in times of disturbance or trouble. Among the whites he was gener-
675
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
ally honored and respected. To them he always extended the hand of welcome, and the fatted deer of the forest was brought to their door in token of good will. The peculiar habits of these time- honored natives were naturally a deep curiosity to the whites, and from the well-stored memory of Lawson Holland we were enabled to gather some facts and incidents which we place upon the records of this work, knowing that only a few years could pass ere they would have been lost in the debris of time.
Gathering Turtles. The preparations incident to this journey arc somewhat extended. Two horses are placed side by side, and a blanket stretched between them, and the party start for the streams. The turtles are thrown in this blanket, and when a full load is secured they are carried to the camp, and a large kettle filled with water is placed over the fire, and in the boiling chauldron the living turtles are thrown, until the kettle is filled. When thoroughly boiled, the meat is plucked from the shell and eaten.
Tradition. A tradition which has existed among the Pottawato- mies for ages, is, that at a certain time of the year, a deer must be killed and caten without breaking a single bone. This performance is entered into largely, and the greatest caution taken to secure the animal without a bone being broken. It is then roasted, and the meat eaten with the greatest possible care. The remains are then gathered up, placed in the skin of the animal and buried.
Punishment for Adultery. The punishment for adultery is cutting off the nose ; the first offense being punishable by a small piece, the second a larger one, and the third cuts it to the bone. These are rare cases, however, both sexes having a high regard for purity and virtue.
Marriage. In marriage the women promise to do all the work, such as skinning animals, dressing hides, building tents, and per- forming all the manual labor, the males only furnishing the necessi- ties of life. The marriage covenant is made by the exchange of corn for a deer's foot by the parties to be united, and is a time of great solemnity.
Ornamental Wealth is indicated by piercing the nose and ears, from which hang large rings and bells ; also bells attached to a strap bound around the leg or ankle.
Their Dead. In the winter the dead are entombed by standing the body upright, around which is placed poles run in the earth.
At one time when Mr. Holland's wife was washing, a squaw entered the cabin and interrupted her in her work. She had just put a kettle of boiling water in a tub, and in passing, the squaw fell or sat in the tub of hot suds. Her cries called the braves, who lifted her out and carried her to the wigwam.
One day, when Lawson was a boy, and while the family were at dinner, and a Frenchman, named Louey, who was stopping with them, had finished his meal, lighted his pipe, and was leisurely smoking outside the cabin, a stalwart Indian came down the trail
676
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
and demanded his pipe, which was refused. The Indian then drew his tomahawk and drove it into his skull. Holland and old man Avery, who was there at the time, rushed from the cabin, and Avery grappled with the redskin. He sounded the war-whoop, and in a twinkling the little band of whites were surrounded by hundreds of the swarthy tribe. The Chief, taking in the situation, drew his war-club and struck at Avery with this deadly weapon, but Avery's quick eye dodged the blow, and the instrument was buried in a large tree behind him. It was a perilous moment and there seemed to be no earthly escape for this little band of pioneers, but Holland was regarded as a friend, and his counsel was at all times sought. The Indians then had a war-dance, and returned to their camps, and peace and quietness was again restored. This occurred in 1822.
Snatchwine, the Chief of the Pottawatomies, in about 1823, found out the whites were becoming alarmed, and called a council with the whites, to talk. He spoke about four hours. He began his history back to old "Kentuck." He said: "When you palefaces came to our country we took you in and treated you like brothers. We furnished you with corn and gave you meat that we killed, but you palefaces soon became numerous and began to trample upon our rights, which we attempted to resist, but was whipped and driven off. This is returning evil for good. The graves of my forefathers are just as dear to me as yours, and had I the power I'd wipe you from the face of the earth. I have 800 good warriors, besides many old men and boys, that could be put in a fight, but this takes up a remnant of these tribes since the last war. I believe I could raise enough braves, and taking you by surprise, could clean the State. I know I could go below your capital and take everything clean. But what then ? We must all die in time. You would kill us all off. You tell me that you have forbidden your men to sell whisky. You enforce these laws and I stand pledged for any depredation my people shall commit. But you allow your men to come with whisky and trinkets and get them drunk and cheat them out of all their guns and skins and all their blankets, that the Government pays me yearly for this land. This leaves us in a starving freezing conditon and we are raising only a few children compared to what we raised in old Kentuck, before we knew the palefaces. Some of my men say in our consultations, let us rise and wipe the palefaces from the face of the earth. I tell them no, the palefaces are too numerous. I can take every man, woman and child I've got and place them in the hollow of my hand and hold them out at arm's length. But when I want to count you palefaces I must go out in the big prairie, where timber ain't in sight, and count the spears of grass, and I hav n't then told your numbers." Mr. Holland knew this Chief for ten years. He was a large stalwart man, and always sorrowful. He said : " When you make my men drunk, my men are just as big fools as your men when they are drunk. But when sober, I say come, and they come, and I say go, and they go."
677
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Washington city and township are settled by a cultured, refined and wealthy community, many of whom deserve personal notices in this volume, which we append :
Alfred Alphonso, druggist and proprietor Academy of Music, was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1835, and received his early education at the medical university of that city; emigrated to America in 1861, and settled in Chicago, where he followed his profession. In 1863 he enlisted as Acting Surgeon in the 17th Illinois Cavalry, and served one year, and returned to Chicago. The following year he married Miss Susan Cassen, a native of Baden, Germany, where she was born in in 1846. After a residence of eight years in Kane Co., he moved to Ottawa, III., where he resided until 1875, when he settled in this eity and opened a small drug store, now occupied by Dr. Wood. By strict attention to business he was enabled, in 1877, to erect the Washington Academy of Music, and became extensively engaged in the music trade, and has, in a masterly manner, made an entire success." Edwin, born June 16, '68; Clara, Jan. 11, '70; and Ida, June 1, '72, are his living children.
Margaret Aubray, residence Elm street, Washington, widow of Frederick W. Aubray, a native of England, who emigrated to America at an early age, and settled in Deer Creek township, in 1848, where he engaged in farming and mercantile pursuit, and entered largely into the interests and development of the township; was prominent in all the enterprises pertaining to its growth, and successful in all his business transactions. Through his energy and perseverance he accumulated a large landed property ; was called from the field of life just when in the enjoyment of his home. He died in August, 1872, beloved and respected by a large circle of friends and relatives.
John H. Anthony, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Washington ; born in Shelburn, Vermont, in 1820, and emigrated to this county with his widowed mother, two brothers and one sister, in the fall of 1837, settling in this city, and with strong hands and willing heart com- menced the struggle of life. Sagacious, industrious and frugal, he was enabled, in 1843, to purchase 80 acres of his present estate, and in 1846 he became engaged with a house at Peoria, and traveled extensively through all the Southern and Western States, establish- ing agencies for the sale of patent medicines, and in 1852, connected himself in business with his brother, Charles S. M. Anthony, at Washington, but continued traveling until his brother's death, in 1857, when he assumed control of the business, and formed a part- nership with Wm. Ross, in keeping a general stock and hardware. He engaged extensively in the manufacture of tin ware, with which the surrounding country was supplied. In the spring of 1858 he sold his interest to Lewis Tobias, and moved on his present estate, now consisting of 400 acres, valued at $65 per acre; also 130 acres southwest of the city. The same year he married Catherine Keys, a native of Michigan, by whom he has four children-John A.,
678
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Charles H., Mark and Kate. In 1857 he was elected Justice of the Peace for one year, to fill vacancy occasioned by the death of his brother. In 1871 he was elected Supervisor, and has been the people's choice for that office every year since; he was also elected a member of the State Board of Equalization, in 1876, and is prom- inently known throughout the county. Mr. A. is in every respect a self-made man ; with indomitable energy and tireless industry and courage, he acquired wealth. He has for years been Trustee in the Methodist Church, of which the family are members.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.