USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, together with historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 106
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In 1828 Absalom Collison came to the settlement on the Middle Fork. He stopped with the Juvinalls for a while. They were all from Ohio, and Mr. Collison was a single man at the time, and needed a home. He did not content himself with that kind of a home long - he concluded to have one of his own. He paid his respects to Mary Chenoweth, who accepted his offer for better or worse, and they were married in 1829. This, we presume, was the first marriage in that neighborhood. Miss Chenoweth had come to the neighborhood in the same year with her father's family. They went to the farm that they occupied so long, immediately. Here they remained and brought up their family, and here Mr. Collison died in 1853. The widow still survives at an advanced age, living on the same farm that she began her married life upon " full fifty years ago."
The Atwoods came to the east end of Pilot township in 1829. They, too came from Ohio. Alfred Atwood, whose biography ap- pears elsewhere, was a prominent member of society. He came with his parents when only six years old. Eli Helmick, who came first to Salt Fork in 1833, came to the east side of Pilot township in 1836. At an advanced age he still lives and enjoys good health in the same neighborhood where for forty-three years he has been one of the principal men. When we remember that this man came here at the age of thirty-four, and that a man in the middle of life may go into a new country where there is nothing but vast wastes of unoccu- pied land, and where but few white men are to be seen, and yet live to see a populous, thriving, well-to-do community spring up around him, with all the facilities for culture and refinement to be had in any locality, no matter how old, we realize that this is an age of progress, and that life means more than it did a hundred years ago. What if Methuselah did live nine hundred and sixty-nine years ; did he see such progress as " Uncle Eli " has seen within his days.
We have mentioned the principal pioneers of Middle Fork in Pilot ; others may have lived here who deserved a preservation of their deeds in the history of their community, but no matter how deserv- ing, unless some one is left to tell the story, their deeds of heroism must sink into oblivion, or, perchance, live in the better lives of those who have been led they know not by whom. The first settler at Pilot Grove is in dispute. Rumor has it that a man by the name of Girard, - a relative of old Stephen Girard, of Philadelphia,- was the first white man who lived there; but others tell us that Mr. All- corn was the first. Certain it is that Mr. Allcorn was there in 1830.
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It is said that he was succeeded by a Mr. Wheat. The grove, and quite a large scope of land around it, is now occupied by W. H. Fow- ler. For some time this has been the seat of a large farm. It certainly is a good place to excite the energy of an ambitious man. The · first settler in the western part of the township, in the prairie, was Robert Butz; but this was recent as compared with the settlements on the Middle Fork. His son, J. K. Butz, has one of the best improved farms in the county. He began on it as wild prairie in 1859. Eph- raim B. Tillotson was the first settler in the northwest part. He came to section 31, T. 21, R. 13, in 1856 ; he has remained there ever since. and has one of the best farms in the township. The earliest settler in the northeastern part was a Mr. Knight, who settled on a branch that has since borne his name. In here the only old settler still living, so far as we could learn, is William R. Furrow, who came with his mother and her family in 1844. He has held on to his early efforts here with advantage and profit.
EDUCATIONAL.
The early settlements in Pilot township were so scattered along the creek that they did not become sufficiently numerous in any one vicin- ity to support a school until a comparative recent date. In the neigh- borhood of the Juvinalls, but just across the creek in Blount township, school was taught at a very early day by Morgan Rees. Children from this settlement would attend the school across there, and conse- quently in those days school was not necessary on the western side of the creek. The first school-house built in Pilot was put up on sec- tion 20, T. 20, R. 12. This was in 1836 or 1837. Ezekiel Lewton taught the first school in this building. There had been, however, a school previous to this, in a cabin, taught by a Mr. Beard. This was about the year 1834. These schools possessed the usual primitive character. The days of loud schools had not gone. The ambitious youth were taught to exercise their vocal organs, and the more noise made the more successful the school. The present condition of educa- tional affairs is quite satisfactory. Good school-houses are seen in nearly all the districts, and competent teachers manage successful schools as a rule.
CHURCHIES.
Pilot is without villages, but is not lacking in churches. Within the narrow limits of one small township we find five churches and several societies that hold meetings without owning any house of wor- ship. Not only do we find a number of churches, but there is a large membership.
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The very first meetings within the limits of this township were held, as nearly as we can ascertain the facts, under the auspices of the McGees. As before noted, these people came here very early. The elder McGee was a minister. These were one branch of the Christian church. They seem to have been neither what is called Campbellite nor New Light, though probably a branch of the latter. They had an organization quite early. Stephen Griffith was one of the members at that time,-or, at least, an influential man among them. They held meetings in private houses for some time. It is related that, about 1828 or 1829, they got up quite an excitement. They conelnded to follow the apostolic order and have all things common. But this did not suit all concerned, and difficulty arose in camp. They did other things not considered orthodox at present : such as meeting and wait- ing for the descent of the Holy Ghost. This society was strong and influential in the first days of the neighborhood, but it finally suc- cumbed, and left no vestige of its former strength.
Christian chapel, located in the south edge of Pilot township, was built by the Christians (New Lights) in 1873. It is a neat country church, 26×40 feet, and cost $1,200. The society that meets here had its origin in Oakwood township, for the first efforts of Emly and Wil- kins are recorded there. When the society left the Craig school-house it met at the Snyder school-house next. The meetings in the Snyder school-house were first held in 1862. There was a time when it be- came almost disorganized; some of the members were gone away to the army, and others had moved away, until things were in rather a dilapidated condition. But a revival of the work was begun, and has continued ever since. Meetings were held in the Snyder school-house until the building of the church. Since that time services are regu- larly held in the chapel. A flourishing Sabbath-school is generally kept going; good feeling prevails; there is little clashing with other denominations, and the society holds a membership of about one hun- dred and thirty. Thomas Snyder is the present pastor, and has held the position for sixteen years. He resides in the neighborhood, being a descendant of one of the earliest settlers of the county. There is a society of this denomination in the western part of the township, which meets at the Hope school-house. It was organized on the 4th of April, 1874, with forty-four members. It was organized under the supervision of Thomas Snyder. Previous to the organization of the church here, J. K. Butz and wife, Mr. Hedge and wife, and Mr. Thompson, were the only members of this denomination in the neigh- borhood. Meetings are now held monthly. The Rev. Mr. Rippey is the present pastor ; before him, Elder Green officiated. There are now
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
about fifty members. The school-house at Hope is one of the best country school-houses in the county. It was put up with a view to the accommodation of religious, as well as educational, enterprises. In this house there is a well organized and enthusiastic Sabbath-school. The parents take an interest in it. ' They see that their children have a good place to go to on Sunday.
There are several members of the Campbellite division of the Christian church within the limits of Pilot, but those on the south side belong to the society that meet at the Gorman school-house in Oak- wood township. The people of the north have built themselves a very pleasantly appearing church on the north side of the township. It is 24 x 36 feet, but cost them only about $400. There is quite a flourish- ing little society here. The main man of this organization is Ephraim B. Tillotson.
In the northeast part of the township is located Knight's Branch church, as it is generally known. It is so called from its location on the branch first settled by a Mr. Knight. The proper name of the church is Olive Branch. This society is the only early organization of United Brethren in this part of the county. The first member of this society, or of this denomination, in this part of the country, was Abra- ham Peterson. He came in here about 1839 or 1840. The next man of influence of this persuasion was P. A. Canady. He arrived in this neighborhood about the year 1850. Peterson was a minister and did the first preaching for these people. He held meetings at his own house. The class was soon organized. They built the church in 1867. It is 42×50 feet. It cost $2,700. It was dedicated by Bishop Weaver. At the time of the dedication there were nearly one hundred members, but the society has not been prosperous of late years. There are now only about twenty-five persons belonging to the church. The present pastor is the Rev. Scott. They have a Sabbath-school in suc- cessful operation, superintended by Elon Sperry. Before the building of the church, while meetings were held in the school-house, there was a great interest manifested. During harvest-time, prayer meetings were kept up every day of the week. Men would stop the reaper to go to meeting. As a result of this deep interest, there were seventy- five or eighty additions to the church at that one time.
Pilot Class of United Brethren was organized about seven years ago, at Pilot Grove school-house. The first members included D. C. Butz, W. B. Tillotson, H. K. Curtis and wife, Mrs. Endicott, Austin Endi- cott and wife. The first to hold meetings for this society were Ira Mater and Joseph Cooper. There are about twenty members in this class. W. B. Tillotson is the class-leader, and H. K. Curtis is steward.
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PILOT TOWNSHIP.
We have yet to notice the Methodists in this township. They are among the strongest here, and their origin in this country dates back to the earliest pioneer days of the white settlements in this part of the country. The Morrison's and Juvinalls were Methodists. Their early settlement here has already been noticed. Meeting was regularly held at the residence of Mr. Morrison till he went away to Wisconsin. This was for some years after the first settlements. The earliest minis- ter recollected is the Rev. McKain, who was here in the earliest times. Meetings were sometimes held at the residence of the Juvinalls. After the school-houses began to be built, meeting was held in them. The Pilot chapel organization met in the Collison school-house till the build- ing of the church. Pilot chapel was built in the early part of the year and dedicated in June, 1871. The Rev. David Brewer was the pastor at the time of building. This is a well-built, attractive country church, and has a flourishing society with a good membership. The preacher in charge, at present, is the Rev. Eli Helmiek. His career has already been dwelt upon at length in these pages, and will simply mention here that he is one of the old wheel-horses of Methodism in this coun- try. He came in here as early as 1830. He traveled all over this country, at that time and subsequently, and preached in almost every settlement in early times. In 1830 he traveled with "Old Freeman Smalley," whom the old settlers will recollect as one of the most re- markable pioneers of early times. The author of these lines met the old man, in late years, on the frontier, where, at an extreme old age, he still made his way to the school-houses wherever Baptist congregations gathered to worship. But he is gone! His comrade lingers on the shores of time, but will soon join the innumerable hosts of pioneers, where nearly all the old settlers have already gone.
Emberry is the name of a church built by the Methodists on the south side of the "California Ridge," and within two miles of the south line of the township. The society that occupies this church was organized by Rev. John E. Vinson. This was at what was called the Sand Bar school-house, about the year 1857. Mr. Vinson was a mem- ber of the Illinois Conference of Methodist Itinerants. He was, at that time, appointed to the "circuit" that included this territory. The Sand Bar school-house continued to be a regular place appointed to hold services for this membership until the building of the church. The first members of this society consisted of Rev. Vinson, wife and two children, and William Price and wife. If there were others their names are forgotten. In 1855, while Rev. John Long was on the circuit, there was an extensive revival here. More than forty persons united with the church; the Cassell family, the Deamude family, the
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
Cannon family and others were taken in at this time. The church was built in 1875. This was during the pastorate of Rev. I. Groves. The building is an elegant frame, and cost $2,300. When the day of dedi- cation came this amount was all provided for, and nothing was asked of the congregation. There is a prosperous society, and a reasonable membership.
In the western part of the township there are a number of persons of the Roman Catholic faith and practice. They have no church, but we understand that services are held semi-occasionally in private houses whenever the priest can come out from Danville.
POLITICAL AND WAR RECORD.
In politics, Pilot is not only republican, but radically so. In all state and national elections, Pilot heaps up heavy majorities for the regular republican candidates. The township offices are seldom changed. Little ambition is manifested in securing them.
In war, as in peace, the people manifest much interest in the gen- eral welfare of the country. There is one soldier of the Black Hawk war living in the township, and one living just across the line in Blount township, that went from this. The former is John Cassell, and the latter, Morgan Rees. They were under Col. Moore. These two companions of forty-seven years ago remain with us. If there were others from this part of the county their names are not remem- bered. These linger at advanced ages, but they will soon be gone, and the soldier of the Black Hawk war will be of the past. If there were any in the Mexican war we failed to find them; but, during the stormy days of the republic, when men were rushing to the front to stop the ravages of an infuriate foe, Pilot furnished her own proper proportion. Eli Helmick lost two sons: George and Eli R. George was in the 21st Ill. Inf. under Gen. (then Col.) Grant. He died at home. The other was in the 35th, under Capt. Timmons. He died at Otterville, Mis- souri. Mr. Atwood also died from the effects of disease contracted in the army. We learned the names of no others. We are inclined to think that the soldiers from Pilot did not experience as great a mor- tality in their ranks as many sections have known. Within a limited area, smaller by far than Pilot, we have found the homes of nearly two- score men who lie on southern fields. But a good portion of Pilot lay open and unoccupied in 1861.
A TILE FACTORY
Is in successful operation in this township. The surface of the country here is not particularly level, but it soon runs into that kind of surface
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as we go out from the "California Ridge." This factory was built in the fall of 1877. It is located in the northeastern part of the township, and was put up by James Acton. The factory is composed of kiln, shed and round-house. The kiln is 15x17 feet, the shed 24×100 feet, and the round-house forty-two feet in diameter. The machine for molding the tile and grinding the clay is a four-horse Pennfield patent. It is capable of turning out two thousand six-inch tiles per day. It will mold tiles of 3, 33, 4, 5 and 6 inches in diameter. They make the flat-bottomed tile. The factory is owned by James Acton and Conrad Friedrich, the latter having charge of and oper- ating it. They make tiling from remarkably peculiar, tough, blue clay. This is said to be the best for the purpose; it certainly makes very good tile so far as appearance goes. The manufacturers claim that their tile is harder than the usual kinds ; it is almost, if not quite, as hard as the best burned brick. They are selling quite a large number of tiles. This country when thoroughly drained will be un- surpassed in fertility, as it is now in soil, in the United States. It is certainly commendable that an effort be made to manufacture so neces- sary an article in the community in which it is needed.
HIGHWAYS.
As Pilot lies principally on a prairie ridge, there were few public thoroughfares in early days. Persons traveled across the prairies in those days without roads, or even paths. For many years after settle- ments were made along the timber, the traveling over the prairie was done by direction. The traveler would ascertain the direction he must take to reach his desired destination, and then keep to his course, over pathless waste, crossing streams and swamps as best he could. A few roads along the Middle Fork date back to the days of early settle- ment ; more recently nearly all the section lines have been made public highways. As the herd law is operative here, all that is necessary for a road in many places is a space left between the cultivated portions of adjoining farms. There are few streams, and consequently few bridges are required. In many places the roads present a pleasing appearance on account of the clover and timothy that grow beside them.
ORGANIZATION OF PILOT.
This was one of the first townships, as before stated. The commit- tee who fixed the original boundary and gave it the name Pilot, was composed of John Canady, Alvan Gilbert and Hamilton White. The township was represented in the first supervisor's court that met on the 13th of June, 1851, by Samuel Partlow. The next supervisor was 58
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
Eli Helmick, who continued in the office a number of years. As be- fore remarked, the people of Pilot are not given to a great deal of changing of officers. Mr. J. E. Vinson was justice of the peace for twenty years, and the present supervisor, Mr. Keeslar, is serving his ninth term. At the election held on the 1st of April, 1879, the following officers were chosen : Charles W. Keeslar, supervisor; L. Tillotson, town elerk ; J. C. Tevebaugh, assessor ; T. C. Smoot, collector ; John Z. Selsor, commissioner of highways; J. A. Knight, constable, and F. A. Collison, pound-master. The latter resigned and C. O. Ball was appointed to fill the vacancy.
HOPE POST-OFFICE.
Although Pilot cannot boast any villages, it has its post-office. We have yet to find in this part of the county a lovelier place for a little village than the spot where the post-office is located. But these people seem not to be ambitious in this line. No railroad facilities can ever be expected here, and these are necessary for a successful village in these days of fast traveling. This office is in the southwestern part of the township. It was first a special office, the people paying their own carrier. J. K. Butz was the first postmaster. The carrier at this time, came to Hope from Compromise, in Champaign county. In 1873 a regular office was established, and Mr. Butz was made postmaster, and continued till 1875. Since that time E. A. Donaldson has held the office at the "Cross-Roads." They now have two mails a week. The school-house here and the society of New Lights were noticed under the heading "Churches." In 1876 Mr. Butz put up a blacksmith-shop. Wicoff and son worked in it a while, and then J. T. Johnson swung the hammer and blew the bellows. At present, G. W. Cool manages the fires. Ezra Harrison began a mercantile business at this place in the spring of 1878. Although he has been operating for so short a time, he has built up a successful trade. He occupies a store-room 16×38 feet. He carries on a general country trade, dealing in such things as are in demand in a farming community. Mr. E. A. Donald- son, the postmaster, who is also a school-teacher, carries a small stock of goods, for the benefit of the community and himself.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Samuel Bloomfield, deceased, was one of the earliest settlers of Vermilion county. He was a native of Ohio, and came here in the spring of 1823. He stopped awhile in Indiana. The first place that he occupied in this county was Quaker's Point. He was the first set- tler there. He remained here two years and then moved close to
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Georgetown. After a short residence there he moved to six miles sontheast of Danville, and then two and a half miles below Danville. After a stay here he came to Middle Fork. He lived and died in that neighborhood. He died on the road home from mill, in 1862, of heart disease. His wife lived until 1871. They had five daughters and four sons. The eldest, Mrs. Deamude, lives on her farm in Pilot township. She was married to Samuel Deamude on the 3d of April, 1842. He was born on the 16th of August, 1807. He, too, was an early settler. He came in 1835. He had married Miss Hillery previously. Mr. D. died on the 27th of January, 1868. He had five children by first wife and four by second. They came to the farm in Pilot in 1848. He bought four hundred acres of land here. Mrs. D. still lives on the place. It has been divided up among the children, but the mother has a large and pleasant house to live in, and she still carries on a good deal of business.
S. P. Leneve, Pilot, farmer, is one of the oldest persons that we have found who were born in this county. He was born here on the 23d of December, 1828. His father was one of the very first in this country. S. P. Leneve grew to manhood on his father's farm. He then went to California in 1852. He had received a fair education at the Georgetown high school, and was prepared to make his way in the world. He went by way of New Orleans and the Isthmus. They touched at Acapulco. On the way they had some difficulty in regard to food. He first went to Maryville. He worked in the mines at $110 per month. From this he went to teaming, and followed the business fourteen years. He then went to Nevada and dealt in stock and grain. He made his home in Virginia City two years. He then came back to this county by way of New York city. In 1869 he married Adaline Wilson. He has since lived on his farm in Pilot township.
Alfred Atwood, deceased, Pilot, was a well-known character in the community in which he lived. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, on the 10th of October, 1823, and died on the 2d of June, 1865. He died of chronic diarrlica, contracted in the United States service. He came with his parents to Illinois at the age of six years. They first stopped on Middle Fork, in the east end of Pilot township. Here he grew up, and on the 21st of January, 1847, married Diadama Bloom- field. She was born here on the 18th of June, 1832. She still lives here with her children. Mr. Atwood joined the Christian church in 1850, and was ordained elder in 1852. He enlisted in the 125th Reg. Ill. Inf. in Angnst, 1862. He maintained his Christian character through all the trials of war. He was earnest, devout, and often preached to his gathered comrades. On the 1st of May, 1864, he was
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
sent to the hospital, and was discharged in 1865. He then came home and died as above. Funeral services were not held till the return of his comrades, on the 3d of September, 1865. He left a wife, three sons and one daughter to mourn his loss. He owned at that time one hundred and ninety acres of land in east end of Pilot. Mr. Atwood's christianity was unchallenged. The goodness and piety of his life threw a radiant halo of eternal glory around his every action. Men loved and admired him, while his faithful performance of duty enno- bled his life and established confidence in humanity.
David H. Lindsey, Higginsville, farmer, is a native of Kentucky, having been born in Harrison county on the 26th of July, 1817. His father died when he was young, and his mother married Mr. Martin. They came to Illinois in the fall of 1829. David came along, and has made this his home ever since. They stopped close to state line, where the family grew up. Mr. Lindsey married Mariah Boyd on the 30th of June, 1839. She died, and he married Sophronia Canady on the 19th of March, 1844. Upon her death he took to himself Minerva J. Wood, on the 30th of April, 1852. He was united with his last wife, Ordelia Anderson, upon the death of the third. Her father was a pioneer Methodist preacher in early times. Mr. L. has five children living. He came to Pilot in 1849. He bought a large tract of land here at first. He now owns two hundred and fifty-four acres. He is a member of the M. E. church, being steward and trustee.
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