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 114
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ent. The first service held by the itinerant Methodist preachers was in 1833, at the house of Henry Hunter, a mile north of Fairmount. In the fall of 1835 the first class was formed by Father Anderson, at the house of Richard Cass, over in Conkey Town. The book had on it the names of Alexander Dougherty and wife, R. Cass and wife and son, three daughters of Mr. Hunter and Miss Dougherty. Of these original members, who forty-four years ago placed their names on the church's books, only A. Dougherty remains in connection with this branch. Services continued to be held at the private-houses, and at school- houses, on both sides of the ereek for years. The earliest preachers were Mr. Harshey, Father Lewis Anderson, Asa L. Risley and Mr. Crissey, the latter quite as noted a man in the church as any who have preached here. Zadock Hall and G. W. West followed, and J. W. York
came soon. This was then the Danville circuit. About 1858 or 1859 this appointment became a part of the Homer circuit, and was removed to Fairmount, by which name it has since been known. The present edifice, 36×46, was erected in 1864. It cost $3.700. Joseph Neville, Thomas Short, A. Dougherty, John Aldridge, G. N. Neville and J. W. Booker were among the most active in pushing on the work of building. The membership is about one hundred and fifty. The Sabbath-school numbers one hundred and seventeen scholars and fourteen teachers.
The Fairmount Cumberland church was organized by Rev. G. W. Jordan,-who lives now at Anna,-in 1866. The ranks were largely filled with those who came here to live, and had belonged to the Mt. Vernon church. John Allen, Frank L. Dougherty and Maj. Wilson Burroughs were the first session, and continue the same with the addi- tion of James Morris. There are about forty members. The pastors, or stated supplies, have been G. W. Jordan, G. W. Montgomery, James Ashmore, H. H. Ashmore and John H. Hess. The church was built in 1871, is 40 x 60, and twenty-foot posts. It cost $4,000. The Sab- bath-school, which numbers forty-five members, is under the superin- tendency of Maj. Burroughs.
The Olive Branch Cumberland, an offshoot of Mt. Vernon church, was first organized at Old Homer, on the South Fork, by Revs. Messrs. Ashmore and Whitlock. It remained there, worshiping in the school- house, until the town was removed to its present site, when a church was built on the State Road on William Hardin's land, now Aaron Lee's, 40×60. It is a strong church. Mr. Ashmore continued to preach for it eleven years, and received fifty-four members at one time. Since his pastorate Revs. Messrs. Beals, Whitlock and Hess have served the church. The Sabbath-school, with a large attendance, is under the charge of James Morrison.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
A Baptist church, called "Salt Fork" church, was originally out west of this near the county line, and was moved to Fairmount.
The Christian church was organized September, 1877. Elder J. C. Myers had been holding a series of meetings, and organized the church. Dr. Hess, of Homer, and Elder A. H. Morris have since served the church. The trustees elected were J. H. Walton, L. Doney, E. A. Hawkins and Parley Martin; H. Jackson, chairman ; Mr. Walton, clerk. E. A. Hawkins was elected elder. There are twenty-nine mem- bers. The church, a neat and pretty edifice, 26×36, with belfry, spire and bell, was built in 1877 and 1878, at a cost of $1,200. Social meet- ings are held each Lord's day. There is no pastor at present.
Fairmount was incorporated on the 1st of January, 1863. It em- braced the E. { of the S.E. } of Sec. 4, and some additions to the town ordinances were adopted on the 16th of February. The town has never licensed the sale of intoxicating liquors. The first board of trus- tees consisted of John Allen, president ; E. E. Bennett, A. Honelin, F. L. Dougherty and R. B. Ray.
District No. 2, which embraces the village of Fairmount, built its first school-house in 1859, at a cost of $400. The present building, 40×48, two stories high, brick, with four rooms, was built in 1865. It is a neat and in every respect a suitable building, and cost $4,500. The district employs three teachers, and has an average of one hundred and fifty scholars. The present school board is composed of Dr. R. B. Ray, president ; H. B. Gibson, secretary, and L. E. Booker. The school is in very good hands and is successful.
The Fairmount Silver Cornet Band was organized in 1872. It is composed of the following persons and pieces : John Watson, leader, first E-flat cornet ; C. G. Adams, second E-flat cornet ; Zeno Stalons, B-flat cornet; John Simpson, solo alto ; Benny Simpson, second alto ; Jacob Stadler, first tenor; C. H. Simpson, baritone; Reuben Jack, tuba ; Ed. Thomas, bass drum ; Fred Wilkins, tenor drum.
The "Greenback Band " has the following: E. Robertson, leader, E-flat cornet ; Wm. Thomas, B-flat cornet ; Miss Winnie Robertson, solo alto; George Wright, second alto; W. McAllister, first tenor; Armor Trimble, tuba ; Charles Robertson, bass drum.
Fairmount Lodge, No. 590, A.F. & A.M., was organized under dis- pensation, on the 9th of January, A.L. 5868. The officers at its organ- ization were: H. H. Catlett, W.M .; J. S. Cox, S.W .; John Smoot, J.W .; J. H. Dougherty, Treasurer; S. S. Burk, Secretary ; J. Reese, S.D .; J. B. Folks, J.D .; J. Allman, Tyler. The charter was received on the 6th of October, 1868. The charter members, in addition to those given above, were : E. P. Davis, George Cornelius, Alex. Cum-
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ing, Jesse Doney, L. H. Burroughs, J. R. Witherspoon, S. Freese, J. M. Burroughs, D. Gunder, J. H. Littler, G. W. Jordan and F. D. Meb- lick. The Worshipful Masters serving in the order of their election since that have been : H. H. Catlett, John Smoot, H. H. Catlett, T. W. Buckingham, T. W. Buckingham, S. W. Cox, H. H. Catlett, B. F. Kehoe, J. R. Baldwin. The present officers are: S. W. Cox, W.M .; W. W. Stockton, S.W .; B. F. Kehoe, J.W .; Jesse Doney, Treasurer ; J. J. Smith, Secretary ; J. M. Reese, S.D .; Zeno Stalons, J.D .; John Reese, Tyler. The average membership has been forty. It meets sec- ond and fourth Thursdays in each month. The Lodge is in a prosper- ous condition.
A list is given below of the names of those who have been elected to the principal township offices since the organization of Oakwood township, in 1866 :
Date. Vote.
Supervisor.
Clerk.
Assessor and Collector.
1866.
C. Radcliffe
G. W. Powell A. Stearns.
1867 133. .Geo. A. Fox
.G. W. Powell
A. Stearns.
1868
. Jesse Doney. G. W. Powell A. Stearns.
1869
J. H. Dougherty
J. R. Witherspoon A. Stearns.
1870 J. H. Dougherty
T. M. Brittingham A. Stearns.
1871 .. . 132 .W. B. Squires
.T. M. Brittingham A. Stearns.
1872 .. .150 .J. H. Dougherty
Reuben Jack. A. Stearns .*
1873. . .. 158.
. H. Yerkes
Reuben Jack Aaron Lee.
1874. ... 165.
. H. Yerkes.
.G. A. Stadler . L. B. Loomis.
1875. .. 172.
.H. Yerkes.
Reuben Jack L. B. Loomis.
1876. .144. H. Yerkes. . Reuben Jack . L. B. Loomis.
1877.
. H. Yerkes.
W. H. Thomas L. B. Loomis.
1878. . J. K. Mussleman
W. H. Thomas L. B. Loomis.
1879 J. K. Mussleman J. J. Smith. L. B. Loomis.
* L. B. Loomis, collector.
The justices of the peace have been : G. A. Fox, F. L. Dougherty, J. D. New, L. M. Moore, Jesse Doney, George Bowen, James Thomas, Reuben Jack.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
William Smith, Homer, Champaign county, farmer and stock-raiser, section 1, son of James and Mary Smith, was born in Clarke county, Ohio, in 1827, and came with his parents to Vermilion county, in No- vember, 1829, and settled within a quarter of a mile of where he now resides. His father was born in Pennsylvania, on the 15th of July, 1792, and died in this county on the 22d of July, 1872. His mother was born in Ohio, on the 25th of January, 1794, and died in this county on the 29th of July, 1854. The subject of our sketch was united in marriage on the 8th of May, 1849, to Miss Lucy A. Sadler, daughter of William and Keziah Sadler, who were early settlers of the county.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
She was a native of Virginia, and was born on the 8th of June, 1829. By this union they have a family consisting of four sons and two daughters : James E .. William E., Byron, Abraham L., Mary B. and Sarah J. Mr. Smith owns a fine farm of three hundred and ninety-five acres, with good improvements, which he has obtained by his industry. He attended the centennial in 1876. He has resided in this county fifty years, and has not once had the attendance of a physician.
William M. Hardin, Homer, Champaign county, farmer, section 14, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 29th of July, 1829, and came to this county with his parents, William and Elizabeth Hardin, in the same year. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio, and they resided in Vermilion county until their death. His father was born on the Sth of March, 1794, and died on the 15th of August, 1868. His mother was born December, 1800, and died on the 22d of October, 1860. Mr. Hardin has been twice married. In 1850 he was united in wedlock to Miss Prudence Acree, who was born on the 17th of April, 1820, and died on the 18th of December, 1858. His second marriage was in 1860, to Mary M. Burroughs, daughter of Jesse and Mary Burroughs. She was born in Ripley county, Indiana, on the 16th of July, 1833. Mr. Hardin is the father of three children by his former wife: Mary E., wife of J. B. Hendrickson; George A. and William L .; and three by present wife : Jesse B., John T. and Eva M. Mr. Hardin and wife are members of the C. P. church. He owns one hundred and thirty acres of land, on which he has made all the im- provements. In politics he is a staunch republican.
Mrs. Elizabeth Elliott, Fairmount, farmer, section 7, was born in Coshockton county, Ohio, on the 22d of January, 1831. She was the wife of the late William Elliott, who was a native of Clinton county, Ohio, and born on the 24th of February, 1827. He came to Vermilion county in 1829. with his parents, and improved a large farm on the prairie, where he was one of the first settlers. He died on the 21st of November, 1878, leaving a widow and six children to mourn his loss. The names of the children were Nancy, Barton S., James W., Ellis R., Milton F., John D. and Rosie B. Mr. Elliott was an industrious and hard-working man, and was a respected citizen. He was a member of the Baptist church of which Mrs. Elliott is now a member.
Mary A. Yount, Homer, Champaign county, farmer, section 2, formerly Mary A. Ashmore, wife of the late Charles G. Yount, was born in Clarke county, Illinois, on the 25th of June, 1826, and came to Vermilion connty in 1846. She was married to Charles G. Yount, on the 6th of January, 1850, who was a native of Kentucky, born on the 26th of May, 1827, and who came to this county in 1830, where he
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remained until his death, which occurred on the 13th of June, 1874. He left a widow and four children: Josephus, Andrew, Armilda and Alice. Mr. Yount was an industrious and hard-working man, and is missed in the community where he lived. He improved a farm of two hundred and forty-nine acres, which is kept in good repair by his two sons.
A. H. Dougherty, Fairmount, was born in Brown county, Ohio, on the 22d of July, 1805, and there he remained until twenty-seven years of age. He was married to Miss J. Kirkpatrick, on the 13th of June, 1829, a native of Brown county, Ohio, born on the 26th of August, 1811. Mr. Dougherty removed to Vermilion county in 1832, and settled within a mile and a half of Fairmount, where he remained until the death of his wife, on the 3d of March, 1863, when he came to Fairmount. He married Mrs. Mary A. Hays, on the 8th of Decem- ber, 1864, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, born on the 8th of October, 1823. He has been unfortunate in raising a family. He has had five children, all of whom are deceased. Mr. Dougherty came to this county with his father, mother, three sisters and a brother. One brother came a year previous, and a brother and sister came one year after. His father was a native of Maryland, born in March, 1769, and died in October, 1860. His mother was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1775, and died in 1850. Mr. Dougherty has been a constant member of the M. E. church since 1835. His wife, now deceased, was also a member from 1834 until her death. His present wife has been a member of the same church for twenty-five years. Mr. Dougherty returned to his old home in Ohio, after an absence of forty years, and left there to return home on the same day of the year on which he came west, forty years previous. Mr. Dougherty has been an honest and respected citizen, and now is in his seventy-fourth year, apparently in good health; but if he should live the longest life allotted to man, he must soon be called to join his friends in that distant land where the pioneer will ever be at rest.
Alvin Stearns, Homer, Illinois, farmer and stock-raiser, section 1, son of Harvey and Fannie Stearns, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 28th of November, 1815, and came with his parents to Ver- milion county in 1832. Mr. Stearns now resides on the farm where his parents first settled when they came to the county. His father, Harvey, was born in Vermont in 1791, and resided in this connty until his death, on the 30th of November, 1847; and his mother, Fannie Lock- wood, was a native of York state, born on the 8th of December, 1790, and died on the 1st of August, 1877. Alvin Stearns was united in marriage, on the 12th of April, 1838, to Miss Elizabeth Lee, daughter
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
of W. H. Lee, who came to Vermilion county in 1829. Mrs. Stearns was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 19th of April, 1819. Her father was a native of South Carolina, born on the Sth of August, 1798, and died on the 14th of January, 1855. Her mother was a native of Virginia, born on the 7th of June, 1797, and now is living with Mr. Stearns. Mr. Stearns is the father of two sons and one daughter: Lawson, Ersom, and Rosella J., wife of T. B. Craig. He has served as assessor and township collector for eight years. He and his wife have been constant members of the Baptist church for thirty years. The result of the industry and thrift of Mr. Stearns is a fine farm of six hundred acres. He is a staunch republican.
Calvin Stearns, Fairmount, farmer, section 6, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 28th of October, 1820. He came to Vermilion county with his parents in 1832, and now lives within one mile of where they settled when they came to the county. Mr. Stearns has been three times married. He was united in wedlock to Miss Priscilla Lee on the 25th of February, 1844, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 30th of December, 1821, and departed this life on the 10th of June, 1850. His second marriage was to Mary H. Rodgers, on the 31st of March, 1853, a native of this county. She was born on the 13th of August, 1836, and died on the 13th of October, 1858. . He married his present wife, Miss Clarinda Cronkhite, on the 20th of June, 1867,-born in Warren county, Indiana, on the 16th of February, 1848. He became the father of one child by his first wife, Eveline, and one by his second wife, Mary H., now wife of F. Cronkhite, and by his present wife, two: William C. and Lillie M. Mr. Stearns owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, on which he has made the improvements. He was formerly a whig until the republican party was organized, when he joined its ranks, and has since been identified with that party.
Alonzo Stearns, Fairmount, farmer and stock-raiser, section 8, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 28th of June, 1826, and came to Vermilion county, Illinois, with his parents in 1832. He was married in 1850 to Miss Sarah E. Catlett, daughter of L. T. Catlett, who was an early settler of this county. She was born in Virginia on the 8th of January, 1833, and by their union there have been born six children : Edwin H., Herald J., Hermon A., Lawrence O., Clement H. and Her- bert E. Mr. Stearns and his wife have long been united with the Baptist church. He owns a fine farm, which is the result of his industry.
J. H. Dougherty, Fairmount, miller and grain dealer, was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1827, and came with his parents to Vermilion
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county in 1833, and first settled one mile north of the now village of Fairmount. His father, James, was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1802, and died in this county in 1835. His mother, Mary Dougherty, was born in Ohio in 1800, and died in 1834. Mr. Dougherty then resided with his friends for some time, living four years with Samuel Gilbert, one of the early settlers of the county. When grown to manhood, he started for himself by farming in different parts of the county. He has been twice married. His first union was in 1854 to Miss Margaret Chenoweth, but she lived only eighteen months. His second marriage, in 1857, was to Miss C. A. Groves, and by these unions there have been born three sons and two daughters: James L., Mary, Joseph, Bertie, and Charley, now deceased. Mr. Dougherty has served on the board of supervisors, and has been a member of the Masonic order for twenty-six years.
William Davis, Fairmount, farmer, section 6, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 25th of January, 1811, and came to Vermilion county in 1834, settling on the farm where he now resides. He has been twice married. His first union was on the 17th of September, 1834, to Miss Elizabeth Hays, a native of Washington county, Penn- sylvania. She was born in 1811, and departed this life in 1861. His second marriage was to Mary C. Catlett, in 1863, a native of Virginia, born on the 23d of August, 1821. Mr. Davis is the father of three sons and four daughters by his former wife: Rachel, wife of D. Rondybush ; Edith J., wife of B. Browning ; David C., Henry, Jemima, wife of S. Cox; William F., and Lydia, wife of G. Baird. Mr. Davis now owns eight hundred acres of fine land, and has given property to the amount of $3,500 to each of his children. He and his family are members of the Baptist church.
James Davis, Homer, Champaign county, farmer, section 1, son of Henry and Rachel Davis, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 21st of January, 1828. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was born on the 20th of September, 1781, and died in 1855. His mother was born on the 3d of June, 1785, and died on the 1st of November, 1848. They were among the early settlers of Vermilion connty, having removed from Ohio to this county in 1836, and settled on the farm where James now resides. On the 18th of October, 1849, Mr. Davis took a life partner, his choice being the daughter of an early settler of this county, Miss America J. Boggess, who was born in this county, on the 3d of May, 1833. They have one son and one daugh- ter: John T., born on the 17th of September, 1850; Rachel A .. born on the 19th of November, 1852, now wife of E. R. Danforth. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have long been united with the Baptist church. Mr. Davis
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
is a member of A.F. & A.M., 199, Homer Lodge. He made a trip across the plains to California in 1875, and was at the Centennial in 1876. He was a democrat until the breaking out of the war, since which he has been a staunch republican.
E. P. Davis, Fairmount, farmer, section 5, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 12th of September, 1836. His parents were of Welsh descent. His father was born in 1808, and died in 1857. His mother was born in 1808, and died in 1837. They were among the early settlers of the county, coming here in 1832. Mr. Davis is a mem- ber of the A.F. & A.M., and politically, is a republican.
Wilson Burroughs, Fairmount, farmer, was born in Dearborn coun- ty, Indiana, in 1825, and came to Vermilion county with his parents in 1839. They settled near Catlin. Mr. Burroughs is a patriotic man, and took an active part in the late rebellion. He went out as captain of Co. E, 73d Ill. Vol. Inf., which office he faithfully filled until 1864, when he was promoted to major, and served till the close of the war. He was in the battles of Perryville, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Ken- esaw Mountain, Resaca, Jonesboro, two days at Nashville, and all the battles in which the regiment was engaged, except Murfreesborongh. In 1844 he was married to Miss Martha A. Thompson, daughter of John and Esther Thompson, who were early settlers of the county. She was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, in 1827, and came with her parents to this county in 1830. Mr. Burroughs has two sons and two daughters : Melissa, wife of I. N. Wilcox; Ellsworth T .; Esther M., wife of W. P. Witherspoon, and Newton W .; and two deceased, Esther and Josephine M. Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs are members of the C. P. church.
Charles Tilton, Fairmount, merchant, was born in Montreal, Can- ada, on the 30th of April, 1837, and came with his parents to Danville in 1839. When but six years of age his mother died, and he lived with the family of Willis Hubbard, one of the early settlers of the county, but his father married again and he moved with the family to the Eight-Mile Prairie, where he remained on the farm until fourteen years of age, attending school winters and working on the farm in the sum- mers. He left the farm and engaged as clerk at Higginsville, where he remained one year, and then returned to Danville and became an ap- prentice-clerk with Palmer & Leverich. He remained with them until 1857, when he engaged as book-keeper with Partlow & Co., with whom lie remained one year. He came to Fairmount and went in partner- ship with William A. Lowery, where he remained one year, after which he closed out and returned to Danville. He continued in the latter place in business until 1862, when he returned to Fairmount, and in
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July, 1862, enlisted a company of infantry for the late war, and on the 21st of August an election being held, was elected 1st lientenant. The company became Co. E of the 73d Ill. Vol. Inf., and was transported to the field of action. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, At- lanta, Jonesborough, Franklin and Nashville. He was promoted to captain, and at the close of the war returned to this county. He was engaged in the grain and produce business in Chicago for three years. He then went to Kansas and founded the town of Oxford, and re- mained there four years and then returned to Danville, and married Miss Martha Craig in 1872, a native of this county. He returned to Kansas where he remained until the death of his wife, on the 9th of October, 1873, which left Mr. Tilton with one child -Martha. He returned to Danville, and then came to Fairmount, where he engaged in the dry-goods business.
Rev. Hiram H. Ashmore was born in Vigo county, Indiana, on the 10th of April, 1829. In 1840 his father moved from near his birth- place to Vermilion county, Illinois, since which time he has been a resi- dent of this county, except ten years following 1864, in which he lived at Ashmore, Coles county, Illinois. He received a moderate education at Steel's Academy, Grand View, Edgar county, and at Georgetown Seminary, in this county. He was licensed a minister of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church, at Bloomfield, Edgar county, in October, 1853, after which he spent near two years teaching and preaching in Arkansas, during which time he became acquainted with southern so- ciety and institutions. After two years in the south he returned to this county and settled in Elwood township, near Ridge Farm. He was ordained a member of Foster Presbytery in 1856, and preached in Ridge Farm until the war. In 1856 he took an active stand against the institution of slavery, and the unjust laws enacted in the interest of that institution compelling any man, north or south, under heavy pen- alties, to assist the army and civil officers, if necessary, to catch and re- turn the fleeing slave. In 1860 he took an active part in the election of President Lincoln, and in the following year he was called upon to make a speech to the Georgetown company of the 25th regiment, and advised them to go and stick together, as their country needed their services, and that he intended to raise a company of cavalry and go into the service. The men, divided as they were, answered, " You go and we will go." "I never back out in a good cause," was the answer. He enlisted as a "high private," was appointed commissary sergeant of the regiment, and in eleven months was appointed and commissioned chaplain. Many soldiers-a thousand or more- professed religion
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
under his preaching. He was with his regiment under fire in seven- teen hard-fought battles, and over three hundred small engagements; was captured in the battle of Chickamauga, sent to Libby Prison, after a week's preaching each alternate night, was exchanged; joined his regiment again in the midst of the battle of Mission Ridge. He never would allow himself to be detailed away from his regiment, because he had promised the Georgetown boys he would "stick to them as long as there was a button on their coats." Mr. Ashmore wants the rebels forgiven, but not to be made leaders in our national affairs. He and his father, Rev. James Ashmore, live at Fairmount in this county. Mr. Ashmore says he prides himself in Vermilion county, because she takes his maimed and crippled comrades and fills her places of honor with them; has been identified with her interest nearly all his life ; wants to see Danville - our capital - a first-class city ; wants to see one metropolitan, agricultural and mechanical county fair decorated by all the fine arts. In fine-
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