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 64
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Mr. Joseph Bailey was long one of the active business men here at Georgetown and at other points in the county. His mercantile rela-
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tions were varied and always successful, and during the time of his business life he displayed ability of a high order.
The sons of Mr. Abner Frazier, who have long managed the impor- tant interests and kept up the business which he and his brother built up, are men of excellent business capacity and the strictest integrity. Messrs. Richie & Thompson have, as successors of the important busi- ness of Mr. Canaday, acquired a reputation second only to him whom they succeeded in business. The Cowans have grown into business men of first-elass ability, evincing business traits of a high order, giv- ing close attention to their business. Mr. G. W. Holloway has for years maintained a splendid reputation for business, and earries on a large and successful trade.
The mercantile business of Georgetown has always been its chief interest. Since the day Benjamin Canaday commenced, her leading men have sold goods, grown rich, and left their business, their acquired capital and their reputations to their children, who have followed on in the good way. What Canaday, Henderson, Frazier and Cowan have done here in days gone by their sons and successors are doing now. A similar state of things probably does not exist in this part of the state, certainly not in this county.
SCHOOLS.
In educational interests, Georgetown, under the lead of the public spirit which actuated her early settlers, has always been in advance of neighboring towns. The first school held in a little building on the Square has been described. The school thus begun was continued by subscription, with varying success, until 1844, when the Georgetown Seminary was organized, and for twenty years continued to be the cen- ter of educational light for this and surrounding counties.
Several years before any high-school was in existence at Danville, this seminary was furnishing excellent educational facilities to the youths who came here from the surrounding country. Benjamin Can- aday, Presiding-Elder Robbins, J. H. Murphy, of Danville, and Mr. Curtis, were its early promoters. The seminary was under the charge of the Methodist Conference, and the teachers were selected by that body. They were fortunate in the selection of the first principal, in the person of a young man of excellent education, commanding pres- ence and superior tact,-Jesse H. Moore,-then a local preacher, but sinee one of the leading preachers of that church, a presiding elder, then a general in the grand army of the Union, buekling on "the sword of the Lord and of Gideon " as he went forth to establish the authority of right against treason, then a long time member of congress
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
from this district, and afterward pension agent at Decatur. A gentle- man who in every position has acquitted himself with honor and eredit, and who, as his long and useful life is now certainly drawing to a close, may well feel that in no position, however exalted, in no avocation, however honored, has he done more lasting good than during the four years of his service as principal of Georgetown Seminary. During his administration the school was held in the frame building which had been built for a church and had been moved to the grounds now occu- pied by the district school. His assistants were Miss Fairbanks, Walter Smith, now a Baptist preacher, and Archibald Sloan, since become a minister. Among the pupils who " grew up" under his fostering care were Elijah Moore and Jesse and G. W. Holloway. The seminary building was erected in 1848. It was a plain brick building, two stories high, and eapable of accommodating two hundred pupils. Prof. J. P. Johnson, now of Highland, Kansas, was in charge of the school for five years, his wife and two nieces being assistants. During his excellent management the school increased in numbers and popularity. Pupils came from one hundred miles away to attend the school, and Danville sent great numbers. Miss Sophia Lyons, now Mrs. Holloway, taught music. During a portion of the existence of the seminary there was a kind of a partnership existing between the district and the trustees of the seminary,- wanting in legal anthority, it was admitted, but so just in its character and so successful in its operations that no one com- plained. Among those who received their education here the follow- ing are remembered by Mrs. Wm. Taylor, to whose faithful memory the writer is under obligations for most of the facts in regard to this now almost forgotten institution : Rev. O. P. Light. Daniel Trimble, of Coles county, and Dr. Morris, of Mattoon. Prof. Asa Guy taught two years, from 1853 to 1855. His wife and Miss Hazelton were assistants. Rev. Mr. Railsback, who died recently, was principal for four years, and after him Rev. Mr. McNutt, until it became entirely absorbed in the free school.
The seminary building was built by the proceeds of contributions made by the citizens in general, such as money, cattle, hogs. shoats, lumber, yellow-legged chickens, and anything that a good Methodist preacher could secure by energetic begging.
The directors of the district came into full management of the school in 1861, by the disbanding of the seminary in consequence of the growing sentiment in favor of free schools, and the perfecting of our school system by state action. Asa S. Guy taught first, and was assisted by T. Barnett and Rebeeea Lawrence. After them Mr. Spang- ler, Mr. Barnett, Mr. Mack, Mr. Lane and Mr. Cathcart taught. The
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GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP.
present teachers are : F. N. Tracey, principal ; Mrs. Tracey, Miss Mary Ankrum, Miss Emma Jenkins and Miss Laura Richmond, assistants. The district has a magnificent school-building, erected in 1872 at a cost of $10,000. It is of brick, two stories high, and is substantial and well built, nicely set off with neat display work in brick. It is 28 x 90 in front, with a rear extension 30×40; six rooms. The school is in good hands, and is deservedly popular. It is graded, high-school, grammar school, first and second intermediate, and primary. All the branches usually taught in the high-schools of this state are taught.
The annual report of Joseph Thompson, Esq., treasurer of schools for town 18, range 11, and fraction of range 10, for the year ending July 15, 1879, is as follows:
Number of children under 21 years 1,221
Number over 6 and under 21 years 886
Number of districts. 10
Number of teachers 21
Number of school-houses brick, 4 ; frame 6 10
Average number months taught
612
Value of school property
$11,550
Principal of township fund $4,080
Amount paid teachers $3.816
Total expenditure for schools $4,638
Russell Lodge, No. 154, A.F. & A.M., was constituted on the 3d of October, A.L. 5854. The charter members were John Kilgore, W. P. Shockey, W. T. Hohnan and others. The first officers were : W. P. Shockey, W.M .; J. Kilgore, S.W. ; W. T. Holman, J.W .; O. E. D. Culbertson, Sec. The lodge has since been served by the following Masters in order: W. D. Craig, E. R. Ankrum, W. C. Cowan and J. P. Cloyd. The present officers are : D. B. Reid, W.M .; D. Bennett, S.W .; W. V. Jones, J.W .; R. W. Cowan, Treas. ; W. L. Hall, Sec .; W. C. Cowan, S.D .; E. R. Ankrum, J.D .; J. P. Campbell, T. The lodge numbers thirty-eight members, and owns its hall.
Georgetown Lodge, No. 62, I.O.O.F., was chartered on the 25th of July, 1850, by G. W. Woodward, G.M. The original members were : Samuel Huffman, J. E. Dugan, D. C. Hill, Othniel Gilbert, William Anderson, Wm. Tayor, Newton Dukes, Dr. Balch, Dr. Davis, A. A. Dunseth and H. Cook. The lodge was prosperous for a time, and then, owing to the dispersion of its members, became weak, and sur- rendered its charter. In 1872 it reorganized, and the following officers were installed : Henderson Cook, N.G .; A. H. Kimbrough, V.G .; J. H. Ladd, Sec .; William Taylor, Treas. The present membership is twenty-two, and its officers are: James A. Dubre, N.G. : James H.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
Gadd, V.G. : James Baldwin, Sec .; J. A. Blakeney, Permanent Sec. : J. B. Clifton, Treas. ; James Baldwin, Lodge Deputy.
There were flourishing lodges of Sons of Temperance and Good Templars in times past : but both have been discontinued, as the need for their special work seemed to grow less.
W. C. Cowan is collecting a museum of antiquarian curiosities, among which are a land patent of 1825, bearing the autograph of J. Q. Adams, President : a six-dollar bill of Virginia. agreeing to pay six Spanish milled dollars, or their value in gold or silver, dated May' 6. 1777, on the thick brown paper of that day ; and quite a collection of the different scrip issues of the United States issued during the recent "unpleasantness," and a petrified buffalo's tooth. The Historical So- ciety will be glad to enlist him in their work.
The streets of the village are wide. and a general air of neatness pervades them. While this is true, the habit of crowding the build- ings which are used for residences, out near the street, leaving insuffi- cient yards before them, or none at all. detracts from the elegance which would otherwise attach. No amount of decorative taste can make amends for a cramped door-yard, in a locality where land is no object. There are many pleasant residences, ard several substantial business blocks in Georgetown.
The large double three-story store, occupied by Richie & Thomp- son, was erected by Benjamin Canaday about 1850, and like its builder. is a great broad-shouldered, honest specimen. It cost $5,000. The Holloway building, fifty feet on the square and sixty on State street, three stories high, brick, was built by the proprietor in 1867. His store and the bank occupy the first floor, offices the second, and the upper story is occupied and owned by the Masonic fraternity. The Frazier store, 36 x 60, brick, two stories, was built in 1859 at a cost of $5,000. W. C. Cowan's drug store, 18×40, built in 1872, brick, two stories, 82,000. Elam Henderson built the drug store occupied by Cowan & Co., 18 x 40, brick, two stories, later, at a cost of $1,800. The residence of Dr. E. T. Pritchard, one of the best in town, is 34 x 40, two stories with addition one story, and cost $2,500. The grounds are nicely adorned with shade trees and shrubbery. Elam Henderson's brick residence was built in 1870. and is about the same size; it has ample grounds. J. K. Richie has a nice two-story brick residence, with comfortable grounds and pleasant surroundings. Wm. Frazier has a good story-and-a-half brick residence, and Zack Morris a pleasantly fixed framed house of similar dimensions. Miss Haworth has a fine two-story residence. and P. West has a very pleasant one.
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GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP.
VILLAGE ORGANIZATION.
The first record which appears in the office of the clerk is of a meet- ing of the town council, April 12, 1866, at which were present, H. Cook, president ; Patrick Cowan, clerk : J. H. Lockett, Josiah Bailey, J. H. Gadd and W. C. Cowan, trustees. There is no further record until April 5, 1869, when John Newlin was elected president; Elam Henderson, Abner Frazier, D. B. Reid, Oliver Finley and J. H. Lock- ett, trustees ; Titus Bennett, police magistrate; W. II. Newlin, treas- urer, and J. E. Moore, clerk.
February 22, 1873, the question was submitted to a vote of the legal voters whether Georgetown should become incorporated under the general act of 1872, and was decided in the affirmative by 51 to 35. The first election under this organization resulted in the election of Titus Bennett, W. O. Mendenhall, A. Frazier, E. R. Ankrum, B. F. Cook and P. West, trustees; J. H. Hewitt, police magistrate, and W. H. Newlin, clerk. The present Board consists of Jacob Yapp, J. Thompson, W. F. Henderson, W. B. Cowan, J. H. Hewitt and J. D. Shepler; clerk, C. A. Fertig; treasurer, Daniel Alexander; police magistrate, W. B. Hanes. License for the sale of liquor is not granted.
WESTVILLE.
Westville, a station on the Danville & Southwestern railroad, four miles from Georgetown, was laid ont by William P. West and E. A. West, on the southeast corner of section 6, in May, 1873. Two blocks only were platted for record. Parker & Ellsworth commenced business in 1872, west of the railroad .. When they moved across to the east side, Cook & Alexander bought them out, and began a general mer- cantile trade. Dukes & Doops succeeded that firm, and Boone & Jumps Brothers followed them. They continued in business here only a short time, and were succeeded by J. W. Lockett & Brother, who are carrying on a fair trade in general merchandise, and buying country produce. H. C. Myers opened a drug store in 1877, and has been suc- ceeded by Dr. W. D. Steele, who is engaged in the practice of medicine. Jonathan Clayton commenced the blacksmith business in 1872. He died three years ago. Mr. Haller had the shop a year, and was fol- lowed by J. F. Hutchinson. The post-office was established in 1876, and S. W. Dukes was appointed first postmaster. He was succeeded by J. W. Lockett, the present incumbent. John Dukes is engaged in buying and shipping stock.
Graves' is a flag-station about half way between Westville and Georgetown, for the convenience of that neighborhood.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
James O'Neal, Westville, farmer, was born near his present place, in Georgetown township, on the 20th of April, 1822. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age, when he moved near Kyger's Mill, and from thence to his present place. On the 18th of May, 1848, he married Miss Vesta Pratt. She was born in this county, near Danville, on the 2d of October, 1829. They had ten children, eight of whom are living, viz: Cynthia Ann, Oliver P., Jonathan T., Mary Lincoln, Silva A., Clarrissa E., Effie L. and James Hawes. Mr. O'Neal's parents, Thomas and Sarah Howard O'Neal, were natives of Nelson county, Kentucky, and settled here in the fall of 1821. He died in the fall of 1861, and she in the fall of 1863. Mr. Thomas O'Neal and one of his sons volunteered in the Black Hawk war. His son James was among the first born in this county. The latter's daughter married Mr. Simon Doop, on the 19th of November, 1868. They are living here with .Mr. O'Neal. They had five children, three living: Alfred E., Jessie P. and Vesta J.
Elam Henderson, Georgetown, president of the Citizens' Bank, is a native of Union county, Indiana. He was born on his father's farm, on the 6th of July, 1810, and lived on the same fourteen years. The family then moved to Illinois, and settled in Edgar, now Vermilion county, about five miles south of Georgetown, where they engaged in farming, and remained until 1831. In the year last named he moved into the neighborhood of Georgetown, and engaged in farming on his own account, and continned at the same until 1853. He then engaged in the general merchandise business in Georgetown, and in 1855 moved his family to the village. He continued in the business until 1876. At this date he took an interest in the Vermilion County Bank, of Danville, and retained the same about a year. He then occupied him- self in looking after his farm and in building. In 1878 he formed a partnership and engaged in the banking business, under the firm name of Henderson & Mendenhall's Citizens' Bank. The institution was opened on the 1st of January, 1878, and is now conducted by E. Hen- derson & Co. Mr. Henderson held the office of county commissioner from 1836 till 1839. He was then elected associate justice, and held that office until 1853, and that of supervisor from 1857 till 1873, except two years. On the 11th of March, 1830, he married Miss Mary Golden. She was born in East Tennessee.
Elijah Moore, Georgetown, farmer, is a native of this township; he was born on his father's farm on the 16th of October, 1825, and is the oldest living resident native of this part of the township. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-one. He then bought feathers,
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GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP.
marketing them in Chicago. He traveled in Illinois and Indiana, and then began farming on his own account on a farm adjoining his father's, and lived there about six years. He then sold his farm and came on the home farm, buying the location of present residence ; built a house, and has lived here since. After his father's death he bought the old homestead, and has added to it, until now it contains nearly four hun- dred acres. On the 7th of December, 1848, he married Miss Nancy S. Chambers, a native of Indiana. They had five children, four of whom are living : Jesse C., Homer, Romazo E. and Nelson R. The name of the deceased was Sarah Ann.
Esau Starr, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Ver- milion county, Illinois ; he was born on the 10th of February, 1826, and has always lived in this county. His father died when he was about four years of age. He lived with his mother until he was twenty-three. On the 31st of May, 1849, he married Miss Rebecca Sherer, who was born in this county on the 23d of October, 1831. After his marriage he rented one year; he then bought his present place and settled. He has made many trips to Chicago by team, dating back as early as 1840. He had six children, three are now living: James T., Carrie A. and Lydia J. He owns one hundred and eighty- seven and a half acres of land in this county, which is principally the result of his own labor and management.
Henry Howard, Danville, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Pike county, Ohio, on the 12th of December, 1821, and lived there five years with his parents. He then settled near Danville, Illinois. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age. Febru- ary, 1844, he married Miss Susannah Ogden. She was born in this county, and died in November, 1851. They had four children, three living, viz : James, Lucy J. and Reason. On the 11th of May, 1852, he married Mrs. Rachel Martin, formerly Miss Mossbarger. She was born in Vermilion county, Indiana. They have seven children, viz : William H., Eliza A., Jacob, Daniel, Charles, Mary A. and Melissa. Mr. Howard has served one year as supervisor of this township. He owns one hundred and six acres of land in this county. His parents, Aaron and Jane (MeDougal) Howard, were natives of Ohio. They came to this county in 1826. He died in April, 1860, and she in March of 1844.
Wm. D. Smith, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Washington county, Tennessee, on the 29th of December, 1822, and lived there nearly six years ; then, with his parents, he came to Illinois, and settled in Vermilion county, near his present place. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-four, when he came to his present
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
place and has lived here since. On the 22d of August, 1848, he mar- ried Miss Sarah F. Littner. She was born in Knox county, Tennessee, on the 1st of July, 1831. They had thirteen children, nine of whom are living, viz: James F., Sarah F., Thomas, Phebe, Theodore, Will- iam D., jr., James, Andrew S. and Susan. He owns two hundred and eighty-five acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management. He teamed to Chicago, beginning as early as 1836. From 1842 to 1846 he made seven trips by flat-boat to New Orleans, from Engene, Indiana. He followed threshing for twenty-six years, and took the premium at Catlin fair for best threshing. He was also considered one of the best feeders.
James Sandusky, Westville, farming and stock-raiser, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 27th of July, 1817, and lived there nntil 1827, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois and settled on the present place, and lived here until 1836, when they moved to where Catlin now stands, and lived there imtil 1848, when he again came to the present place, and lived here until 1859. He then rented the place and moved to his brother's farm at Catlin, and lived there until 1864. He then came to the present place, where he has since lived. On the 6th of December, 1847, he married Miss Mary Ann Greene. She was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, where they were mar- ried. They had eleven children, nine living, viz: Sarah E., Josiah, James S., Henry C., Eliza, Stephen A. D., Thomas, Susan A. and Lora. Mr. Sandusky marketed wheat in Chicago in early days. In 1838 he, with six yoke of oxen, took one hundred bushels, and received $1.25 per bushel. He owns three hundred acres in this county. His parents, Isaac and Euphama McDowell Sandusky, were natives of Ken- tucky and Virginia, and came here as stated. He served in the wars of 1812 and the Black Hawk war. He was taken prisoner in the former. He was with Harrison at Tippecanoe. He died on the 6th of August, 1852 : she died on the 15th of June, 1864.
Andrew Reynolds, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, is one of the early settlers of this county. He was born on the 25th of May, 1819, in Knox county, Tennessee, and lived there about eight years. During this time his parents died. He then came to Illinois with his brother, who lived near Catlin, and remained with him four years. He then came to Georgetown township, and lived with Mr. Gardner until he was twenty-one. He then rented a place, and has farmed on his own acconnt since. In 1859 he came to his present place. He owns one hundred and six acres in this county, principally the result of his own labor. He married Miss Amanda Smith. He came here from Tennessee by wagon. In 1835 he made his first trip to Chicago by
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GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP.
team, and has since made the trip in all kinds of weather, and in some cases suffering extreme hardships and privations.
A. B. Smith, Danville, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Wash- ington county, Tennessee. Ile was born on the 25th of December, 1817, and lived there eleven years. He then, with his parents, caine to Illinois, and settled near Georgetown. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-three. On the Sth of October, 1840, he married Miss Eliza Lockett. She was born in Wythe county, Virginia. After his marriage he settled on his present place. He is no office-seeker, and has held no offices except those connected with the school and roads. He owns five hundred acres in this county, principally located nine miles southeast of Danville. In early days Mr. Smith made journeys by team to Chicago, making his first trip in 1832, and he has sold wheat there as low as forty-two cents per bushel. His parents, Joseph and Sarah (Brown) Smith, were natives of Tennessee, where they were married on the 15th of August, 1812. He was born on the 7th of March, 1793, and she was born on the 29th of May, 1793. Both died in this township.
O. S. Graves, Westville, farming and stock-raising, was born in Clark county, Kentucky, on the 5th of May, 1818, and lived there until he was ten years of age. With his parents he then came to Illi- nois, and settled in Vermilion county, near the present place. He lived with his parents until he was thirty years of age. He then came to his present place. On the 21st of September, 1843, he married Miss Sarah Ann Ashby. She was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, and came to Vermilion county, Illinois, with her parents, in 1829. Mr. Graves has made a number of trips to Chicago by team, taking wheat, stock, etc. His first trip dates back to 1838, and he has sold wheat there at from forty-four to sixty-four cents per bushel. They had six ehil- dren,- five living, viz: James L., Henry C., Martha E., Isabel and Orvil D. The two former are married, the latter live at home. Mr. Graves owns four hundred and forty acres in this county, located on the main road from Danville to Georgetown, seven miles south of the former place. His parents, James and Margaret (Blackburn) Graves, were natives of Kentucky. They were married there, and came to Illinois in 1828. He died in July, 1857, and she is living with her son.
Charles Yoho, Georgetown, retired farmer, was born in West Vir- ginia in the spring of 1807, and lived there eighteen years. He then went by water to Eugene, and from there to his present place, where he lived one year. He then went back to his home, and in the follow- ing winter went down the Ohio to Rising Sun, and cut wood. In the
34
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
spring following he came to Illinois, and worked in this neighborhood. He has lived here since, with the exception of the time spent in a few short trips east and to Chicago. In 1832 he volunteered in Major Sloan's regiment to fight Black Hawk. He has teamed to Chicago a number of times, and sold wheat as low as thirty-seven and a half cents per bushel. He married Miss Annie Brown, of Tennessee. They had sixteen children, fourteen of whom are living, viz: Hiram, Jacob, Thomas, William, Alleck, Catharine, Eliza, Jamina, Nancy, Victoria, Lucinda, Lilly, Elmyra and Julia. After his marriage Mr. Yoho engaged in boating to New Orleans. He owns two hundred and eighty acres of land in this county, which he has earned by his own labor. He came to Illinois in company with James and Thomas Pribble and N. Henthorn. They had two boats, and at the Falls of Ohio had to pay $10 to be piloted through. Mr. Yoho accompanied the first boat, and concluded he would save the $10 on the second, and so piloted the same through in safety, though greatly opposed by the native pilot.
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