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 109

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : H. H. Hill and Company
Number of Pages: 1164

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 109

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ties for religious worship. The pioneer log school-house was one of the simplest, yet most celebrated, institutions that has figured in the settlement of our country. It was built of round or hewed logs, and contained one room. Puncheons covered the floor; a rude fire-place in one end reached nearly from corner to corner: in the other end an opening had been made by leaving out a log, and in this upright pieces were placed at proper intervals, and oiled paper pasted on them to admit light. The furniture consisted of rough benches. Pins were driven into the logs, or wooden hooks fastened up, on which the boys hung their eaps, and the girls their hoods and shawls. At the window a long writing-board was put up, with the customary pitch, and a bench which reached across the room was placed before this desk. Here, in the flood of light, the scholars practiced their copies.

This period antedates the establishment of the free system by the state. Schools had to be inaugurated by direct exertion, and supported by private contribution, and only those who paid received their ben- efits. School-houses were built in the same voluntary manner. The settlers met at a place agreed on for the site; some eut down the trees, others hauled them up; while another set of hands were employed in eutting, saddling and putting them in place in the building. On the frontier, where the distribution of labor was little equalized, and all men had to depend principally on their own hands to fabricate ar- tieles of necessity, most people were more or less skillful with tools. In the public gatherings of this kind, the best workmen took the lead and did the most particular portions of the work. Schools were not limited to those houses alone which were built for that purpose, but vacant cabins, suitably located and not less commodious than the school-houses themselves, were customarily devoted to this use. Who- ever proposed to organize a school, went around among the settlers and took subscriptions for the number of scholars that each would send. If a stranger came into the settlement and announced a like inten- tion, someone would volunteer to accompany and introduce him to all interested in that object. The usual price paid was $1.00 and $1.50 per term of three months for each scholar, but sometimes twenty-five cents extra were added for a winter term to pay for fuel. Often those whose financial ability would permit, and who were much concerned to have a school, would subscribe for three or four scholars when they had not more than half the number. Others, who had three or four old enough to be instructed, could subscribe, perhaps, for only one, and would divide the attendance among them, or between the two older, by sending them alternately a week at a time. Reading, writing, spelling and ciphering comprised the studies.

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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.

The first school-house in Newell township was on section 23, at the four corners just east of Samuel Adams', situated on William Newell's land, and was called the Newell school-house. It was built in 1827. A man named Scott, who is described as a good-natured, fatherly old soul, was the first teacher. The second was Duncan Lindsey. He directed the shooting ideas of the young with frequent and vigorous applications of the hickory. Corporal punishment was little remarked in those days, and was, as a rule, laid on in scripture quantity, accord- ing to the inexorable dictates of supposed duty. It is not to be doubted that Duncan Lindsey used the rod with a zeal worthy of a holy cause. His liberal disposition in this respect left impressions which are distinct to this day. This man's scholars learned well, and in other respects he taught a good school. Present methods of school government are in striking contrast to this barbarous and de- grading recourse for correction. The second was known as the Eekler school-house, and was built on land owned by Jacob Eckler. It was situated between Joseph W. Osborne's and William R. Campbell's. A person riding along that road will not fail to see a large beautifully spreading walnut tree standing in the southwest corner of Mr. Os- borne's pasture. Just back of that a few paces was the site of this house. It was built in the fall of 1830. Valentine Leonard, who came with his family about that time, lived in it the following winter. The next summer the first school was opened, with Miss Elizabeth Stipp as teacher.

As early as 1833 a school-house stood on the banks of the North Fork, about eighty rods south of Denmark. Mary Beasly, Noah Sapp and Elizabeth Stipp were among the earliest teachers. After a few years the building was abandoned, and a private house in Den- mark used. The latter is yet standing. The Lamb school-house, located on the southeast corner of section 26, was built about 1835. It had a window on each side, consisting of a single row of 8×10 inch panes placed close up to the eaves, and running the whole length of the building. Among the teachers at this place may be mentioned Robert Price, John McKee, J. Poor and James A. Davis. An inci- dent is related as having transpired at this school-house: The door fastened on the outside by means of a padlock. An irate youth whom the teacher had just punished, went out and secured the door, and then climbed on top of the building and covered the chimney. Coming down, he seated himself on a log to await developments and to enjoy his revenge. Blinded and almost suffocated by smoke, the school was soon in exasperated confusion. At length the teacher thought to ex- tinguish the fire from the water-pail, when one of the boys crawled up

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the flue and uncovered it. The Cunningham school-house was built about 1840, and for a number of years stood some distance west of its present site. Levi Cronkhite is said to have been the first teacher. Since 1858 the town elections have been held at this place. Wonder- ful and happy changes have occurred in Newell township, but in noth- ing is the revolution greater than in the matter of the education of the youth. The old log hut with its puncheon seats and paper windows, has given way to comfortable little temples of learning, with the mod- ern patent iron-framed desks. Blackboards, charts and apparatus, which in the pioneer times were unknown, now tempt the willing feet rapidly along the path and up the hill of science.

RELIGIOUS IIISTORY.

The first preaching in Newell township was at the house of Win. Delay, in 1826. One day a Methodist preacher was passing, and Mr. Delay invited him to stop, and before he left he delivered a sermon to the neighbors who had been collected to hear him. The Delay class was immediately organized, and circuit preaching begun. Mr. Delay and his wife Susan were original members. At different times between this date and 1835 the following, with many others whose names can- not be obtained, joined the society : Mary Boston, Anthony Howard, John Brewer and his wife, Lavina; Aunt Polly Makemson, and her husband, James Makemson; Christina Brewer, Sarah Rodrick, Jane and Jacob Delay, Aunt Polly Current and her husband, William Cur- rent. Aunt Polly Current is the only living representative of this class. The next point was at Peter Starr's. Services were commenced there soon after his settlement in the township, in the fall of 1829. This was a stated place of worship for several years, and became a noted resort for christian people. The genuine piety and hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Starr endeared them to all the brethren. Mother Starr still lives at a very advanced age, to cheer the hearts of her chil- dren. The Eckler school-house, in the same neighborhood, was also used for services, and by several denominations. The Methodists, Pre- destinarian Baptists, the Disciples or Campbellites, and a sect distin- guished by the local name of Radical Methodists-all had classes here. James Harshy and Wrisley were the first Methodist preachers ; either one or the other filled the appointment fortnightly. James Norris was the first to the Baptists, and Dr. Hall the first to the Disciples. An- other prominent preaching place was at Jeremiah Delay's. Subse- quently, meetings were held several years at John Johnson's and Win. G. Blair's. The United Brethren held monthly meetings at Samuel Adams' a few years, and afterward at the Newell school-house. The

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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.

Christians held meetings in an early day at William Cunningham's. Some of the earliest preachers in that denomination were Dr. Hall, Walters, Hibbs, Watson Clark, Solomon Mckinney, John Ashby, Sears, Law and Thurman.

In 1834 or 1835 the christian society called Walnut Corners church was organized, and held meetings at the house of William Cunning- ham and at the Eckler school-house. Several years later the place of worship was changed to the Cunningham school-house, a very good frame building for those days. In the summer of 1850 the meeting- house at the Corners was built, Frank Stevens and Samuel Mussulman being employed to do the work. It is a low-post building 30×40 feet. Its cost cannot be known. Money was subscribed and work given by the people, regardless of church or other affiliations. It was erected as a Union house, though its control has either been assumed by the Christians or left to them by general consent. Its pulpit has been freely used by ministers of all denominations. About nine years ago the larger part of the Christian society settled in State Line City, and built an edifice there, but the brethren remaining in the vicinity of the old church preserved their membership with the majority. After standing unused, and in a dilapidated state, for some time, the house was lately repaired, receiving fresh coats of paint and plastering, and it is now in a condition for indefinite use. The repairs were made by the community at large. This was the first frame church ever erected in Newell township. At present the pulpit is not regularly supplied. A flourishing Sunday-school is maintained in the summer- time.

The Asbury church building is Methodist property, and was erected in 1851. The community contributed the timbers and hauled all the material. The work was done by Frank Stevens and a man named Wilson. About $700 in cash were distributed by the society in its construction. It is 26×36 feet, low-posted, and what would be called an old church. The frame is of the old-fashioned kind, and con- sequently substantial. Should the building be kept in repair there can be no doubt that it will outlast many more imposing structures. It is situated on land given for the purpose by William Current, sr., in sec- tion 36, town 20. The house was consecrated on the 4th of April, 1852, Elder Fairbanks preaching the dedication sermon. Religious services are held once every three weeks. Rev. G. B. Goldsmith is the preacher in charge the present year. A Sunday-school is kept up through the summer season.

The Christian church, called Pleasant View, is located in the Leon- ard settlement. The society was organized at the Nauvoo school-house

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about the year 1848 or 1849. Among the original members were an old lady named Morris, Abram Long and his wife Barbara, Elizabeth Clapp, Angustine Clapp, and a few others. In the course of the first year numerous additions were made. Isaac Emily, who was so nearly blind that on dark days he was obliged to have a guide, was the first minister. He was a noted organizer of churches, both in Illinois and Indiana. He and his successor, Z. M. Wilkins, were the leading spirits of this society. Samuel Gregory and Absalom Kearny were the two next elders. In the summer of 1852 a house of worship, 30×40 feet in size, was built at a cost of $1,200. The site was donated by 'Squire Leonard. Four years ago it nnderwent a general refitting, and is at present in first-rate condition. This organization was once very numer- ous, having as many as three hundred. Though now decreased to one hundred and fifty, it may yet be said to be strong. The church enjoys a fair degree of prosperity. The Rev. Jones is pastor the current year.

On the 11th of June, 1871, Mahlon Thrapp and his wife Sarah, Mrs. Francis F. Scott, Elizabeth Campbell and Mary Knott organized a United Brethren society, and arranged for holding regular monthly meetings. Mr. Thrapp and the local preacher at Danville, George Holycross, conducted the services. The former was appointed class- leader. In the fall the Rev. William Coffman was stationed at Dan- ville, and this charge was attached to his circuit. At his first ministra- tion Ruth Saunders and Martha Campbell united with the church. A protracted meeting was commenced at an early day and eighteen were added to the membership. In the following spring subscriptions were taken for erecting a house of worship. The undertaking received liberal encouragement, and before autumn the house was built. Farm- ers Chapel is a plain, substantial structure, supported by a brick under- pinning. Its size is 30 ×40 feet. Its cost was $1,400, exclusive of considerable donations of labor. Alexander Johnson gave an acre of ground for a church and a grave-yard. It is situated in the Blair neigh- borhood on section 21. The membership is fifty-seven, and the class, of which Francis F. Scott is leader, is in a flourishing condition. Reg- ularly on the 1st of May of each year a Sabbath-school is organized and maintained in excellent life, until the cold weather and the bad roads of winter render its discontinuance expedient. During the winter sca- son a regular weekly prayer-meeting is kept up.

MYERSVILLE.

The first improvement in Myersville was the Chrisman mill, which formed a nuclens for this once thriving and important village. The Gundys, Davisons, Henkles, Wiles, Kerr, Wood, Andrews, Carter,

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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.

Glaze, Barger and a few others were living in a cordon around the place. In 1838 Peter Chrisman, of Indiana, bought the mill site and commenced work on the building. He designed erecting a combined saw and grist mill, but when the first was up, and before the second was begun, his son, Joseph, was killed while prosecuting the work, which melancholy event so affected him that he left it unfinished. A sharp ridge lay transversely to the mill-race which the men were cut- ting, and it was determined to tunnel it to avoid removing so much earth. Young Chrisman had driven the digging too far without prop- ping up the immense weight overhead, and it broke down, instantly crushing him to death. This occurred in February, 1839. The exact spot of this accident is pointed out at the north side of the bridge across the race. In the fall Chrisman sold the property to a man named Koontz, living in Indiana. He employed John and Samuel Myers, who were millwrights, to come and complete the work which was begun. They arrived in the spring of 1840, and not long after- ward bought out Koontz. Early in 1841 they removed their families from Indiana. These brothers, besides running the saw-mill, at once put in a run of stones, and also set a carding-mill in operation. In June, 1843, they raised the grist-mill. This last is the only one re- maining. They owned and operated it nearly twenty years. It has been a paying property. Joseph Smith, of Danville, is the present owner. William and Andrew Zeigler, of Attica, Indiana, built the first store and sold the first goods in the place. William Briggs suc- ceeded them, and he in turn was bought out by Green & Gundy (Joseph Gundy) in the spring of 1852. Columbus Crossen started the first wagon shop, and Thomas L. Silvey was one of the earliest black- smiths. Dr. John B. Holloway located here as early as 1844, and opened a drug store, but he was not an early settler. Early in 1854 Andrew Gundy took charge in his own name of the business previous- ly carried on by Green & Gundy. In 1857 he retailed $36,000 worth of goods from the establishment. His business embraced corn and wool-buying, and the feeding of cattle and hogs, and this branch by itself considerably exceeded $100,000 that year. People came here for distances of seventy miles to trade and to get milling done. That in- toxicating liquors were never sold in this place is the best possible evi- dence of the highi social and moral character of the people. Joseph Gundy and the Myers owned the land, and they guarded the interests of the little community as men having a lively sense of their responsi- bility, and of the evils of this costly and unholy traffic. Myersville has always excelled in celebrations of our national holiday. The pretty location of the place upon the North Fork, the adjoining wood, and

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NEWELL TOWNSHIP.

the public spirit of the citizens, have contributed to recommend it to everybody. The matrons of the place have always borne a prominent part in these affairs, and it is but just to add that their spirit and their services were indispensable. Aunt Sarah Holloway, Aunt Susan Hea- den, Aunt Katie Duncan, Mrs. Joseph Smith and Mrs. Ava Tuttle constitute this roll of honor. The first post-office established here was called Myers' Mills, but owing to some irregularity it was discontinued for awhile, and when it was reestablished was named Myersville. Prior to this change the village had always been designated by the first name. Before they had a post-office in this place the people got their mail at Samuel Gilbert's, in Ross township.

The early history of the Methodist society at Myersville is nearly dissolved under the triturating wheels of time. As near as we have been able to ascertain, it came into existence as a complete organization about 1840. James Davison, Henry Wood and his wife, Jesse Wood, Robert and Elizabeth Davison, Nathaniel Glaze and Joseph Kerr are all the original members who can now be recalled. All these were pillars in the church, but this distinction is particularly applied to James Davison. Meetings were held at Henry Wood's, John Hum- phrey's, James Davison's, and the Kerr school-house. In 1854 the meeting-house at Myers' Mills (since Myersville) was built, and called Wesley Chapel. It is thirty by forty feet on the ground, one story of fourteen feet, four windows on each side, and two in one end. It is a heavy, substantial frame, and cost $1,375. On the 28th of July John B. and Sarah Jane Holloway conveyed the site in fee simple to the trustees. The church is experiencing some Inkewarmness, but there are hopeful indications of a recovery of interest. The society num- bers about sixty members. A flourishing Sabbath-school has been do- ing continuons work for the four last years. Joshua A. Shockley is the superintendent. The Rev. G. B. Goldsmith has been the pastor during the last conference year.

BISMARK.

The Coal Branch of the C. & E. I. R. R., which intersects the main line at this place, was surveyed and built in 1872. Charles S. Young and Dr. John B. Holloway each gave twenty acres of land for a town site. John Myers added ten acres, reserving the alternate lots and selling the remainder to the railroad company. The town was laid ont in the fall. The first building put up in the place was by Robert Kerr, a year or more anterior to the laying out of the town, and was used for a store. He was succeeded by John Leonard and Asa Bush- nell. The latter bought out the former, and, entering into partnership

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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.

with Francis M. Gundy, they erected a commodious building, and are now keeping a general store. They also deal largely in hogs and some in cattle. William Tate first sold lumber and bought corn. He put up several buildings. At the end of two years he sold out to John R. Carter, who is engaged in the grain trade. Green & Phillips kept a grocery and provision store two years, and were succeeded by the Phillips Brothers, who are not now in business. In the winter of 1871-2 the post-office was removed from Myersville to Bismark. Robert Kerr was the first postmaster. Asa M. Bushnell is the present ineumbent. About four years ago the railroad company built an en- gine-house and turntable here. The former was destroyed by fire in the spring of 1879, and another was erected. The district school-house, standing in the village, is very old, having been in use nearly thirty years. On the 24th of May, 1879, at an election held for that purpose, the people authorized an issue of bonds to build, a new one. The prin- cipal buildings are the depot, engine-house, a general store, drug store, wagon and blacksmith shop, and a boarding-house. About thirty fami- lies live here. Two physicians have established themselves in the place. In 1876 a voting precinct was established at Bismark, and the first poll held at the general election of that year.

The Methodists have held meetings at Bismark about six years. The United Brethren had meetings much earlier. The former have no regular organization ; their membership is at Myersville. The Rev. James T. Barr began preaching for them. Services have been con- tinued at this place ever since. They have a successful Sunday-school, with an average attendance of about fifty. The Rev. Gilbert B. Gold- smith is the present pastor. An effort is making to build a church at an estimated cost of $1,500-$600 being subscribed, and a small portion of the sum paid. Their plan and specifications are drawn, and if they succeed in raising the necessary funds to erect the house as contem- plated, it will be a Gothic, 30 x 50 feet on the ground, fourteen-foot posts, arched ceiling, two class-rooms and a gallery. When the house shall have been erected the Myersville society will be removed, and the two appointments merged in one.

The Christian Society was organized on the 11th of January, 1879, by the Rev. Henry H. Gunn, assisted by the Rev. John A. Clapp, with eleven members. Subsequently, seven were added. The Rev. Gunn is pastor of this congregation. They have no house of worship.

DESCRIPTION AND ORGANIZATION.

Newell township is bounded on the north by Ross, on the east by Indiana, on the south by Danville township, and on the west by

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NEWELL TOWNSHIP.

Blount. It embraces all of township 20, range 11, except a strip on the west side three-fourths of a mile wide, but includes about an equal quantity of range 10 on the east. It further comprises all the sections from 19 to 36 inclusive, in township 21, range 11, except the west half of sections 30 and 31, which belong to Blount, making an irregular west boundary with four mediate right-angles. It covers an area of about fifty-three sections-the first tier in township 20 being short one half- and, with a trifling variation, is eight and one-half miles from north to south, and six miles from east to west. It presents a boldly undulating surface of prairie and timber land, the latter embracing the three southernmost tiers of sections, and the remaining space west of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad. The more valuable timber- growth is found in the southern portion, and consists of the common varieties, including some beech. Great quantities of black walnut abound. Stony and Lick Creeks are the principal streams. The North Fork of the Vermilion winds along the western border, crossing it half a dozen or more times.

At the election held on the 5th of November, 1850, Vermilion county adopted township organization. John Canady, Alvan Gilbert and Hamilton White were the commissioners to divide the county into townships. Newell township was originally named Richland. At the first meeting of the board of supervisors on the 13th day of June, 1851, the name was changed to Newell, as there was another town of Richland in the state. The town bears its present name in honor of 'Squire James Newell, the first justice of the peace. The first elec- tion in the township after the adoption of the new system of county government was the annual town election on the first Tuesday in April, 1851, held at the house of Otho Allison. John Woods was chosen moderator, and Benjamin Stewart, clerk pro tempore. The electors then proceeded to elect a moderator and a clerk of the town. John Woods received twelve votes for the first position, and William R. Chandler, eleven, and Benjamin Stewart, two, for the second. The remaining offices were filled by the election of the following persons: Asa Duncan, supervisor; William G. Blair, Samuel Copeland and Solomon Clapp, commissioners of highways; Willard Brown and Ben- jamin Stewart, justices of the peace; David Cosatt, constable; Augus- tine Clapp, assessor; J. C. Rutledge, collector; and Peter Starr, over- seer of the poor. At this meeting two pounds were established ; one, known as the East pound, was located at Peter Voorhees', and the other, described as the West pound, at David Cosatt's. It was voted to hold the next annual town meeting at the Nauvoo school-house. Elections were held at this place till 1857. No minutes of this meeting

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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.

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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 109

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903 Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : H. H. Hill and Company Number of Pages: 1164

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : H. H. Hill and Company
Number of Pages: 1164