USA > Illinois > Washington County > History of Washington County, Illinois > Part 21
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The village of Okawville flourished from the start, and at the present it is the third village in size and importance in the county. There are three dry goods and general stores in the town that do a business of $70,000 annually. There are also one drug store, one tin-shop, one butcher-shop, two cabinet- makers, three hotels, two wagon-shops, three blacksmith-shops, two flouring- mills, with a capacity of sixty thousand barrels annually, two shoe-shops, one tailor-shop, one Evangelical, one Methodist, one Catholic Church, and seven saloons.
There are about 250.000 bushels of wheat grown in the township annually. Of this amount about 80,000 bushels are shipped in the grain to other mar- kets, and the balance is converted into flour, by the two mills in the village of Okawville. Of other grains, such as corn, rye, oats, and barley, there is sufficient raised for home consumption only.
The village of Okawville has a population of 1200 inhabitants. It is or- ganized under the general laws of the state, and has a Board of Trustees. The present members of the board are: Christian Buchmueller, President ; Charles Schulze, William Jones, Christian Fehlber, and J. F. Zetzsche; M. E. Morgan is Town Clerk, and August Schulze, Treasurer.
I. O. O. F., NO. 282.
A charter was granted October 11th, 1860, to organize a lodge of I. O. O. F., in Okawville. The charter members were Simon Spire, James Gurvin, Henry Grier, William Adams, and Robert Stoude. The first member initi- ated was Judge H. P. H. Morgan, since which time one hundred and ten members have passed through its portals and learned of its mysteries. The lodge ie in a flourishing condition, both as to membership and financially. The present officers are : August Schulze, N. G .; A. J. Morgan, V. G .; Green P. Harbin, Secretary ; S. C. Krebs, P. S., and H. Schulze, Treasurer.
In addition to the above there is a Lodge of the I. O. O. F., Daughters of Rebecca, which was chartered in 1875. Herman Scnulze, Susan Schulze, August Schulze, Caroline Schulze, Green P. Harbin, Kate E. Harbin, Philip Gibbs, Mary A. Gibbs, James McElwain, Eudora McElwain, John Donahs, Fanny Donahs, Thomas Cantrell, Litha Cantrell, Richard Tierney, Mary Tierney, S. C. Krebs, and Lucinda Krebs, were the charter members. It is called Excelsior Lodge, No. 82, D. of R. Its present officers are, Fanny Donahs, N. G. ; Kate E. Harbin, V. G. ; Green P. Harbin, Secretary ; Mary A. Gibbs, F. S., and H. Schulze, Treasurer. No. 282 meets every Saturday night, and No. 82, D. of R, meets the second and fourth Thursday nights in each month.
TURNVEREIN.
The Okawville Turnverein was organized June 5th, 1867, with a charter membership of twenty-two members. The first officers were William Schen- metzler, First Speaker ; Gotfried Usbeck, Schriftwart ; Fred. Schultze, Kas- sen wart ; Michle Voegele, First Turnwart; S. C. Krebs, Second Turnwart. The present membership consists of thirty-two members. The present officers are, Phil. Schumacher, First Speaker; Hy. Wlecke, Second Speaker ; S. C. Krebs, Schriftwart ; Christ. Aultsmanberger, Kassenwart; Gustave Eppel, First Turnwart ; Emil Schumacher, Second Turnwart; George Aultsman- berger, Zengwart. The regular meetings of the society are held on the third Monday in each month.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JUDGE H. P. H. MORGAN.
THE above-named gentleman is one of the pioneers and oldest resi- dents of Washington county. He was born in Perry county, Missouri on the 8th of February, 1817. His father was a native of the Carolinas. He re- moved to Missouri prior to 1802, as he received a Spanish "head-right" after the country was ceded to the United States. John Morgan married Martha Campster, a resident of Perry county, Mo., about the year 1805. There were thirteen children born to them, six of whom are at present living. In 1825 Mr. Morgan emigrated with his family to Washington county, Ill., and settled on a quarter section of land, on part of which the town of Nashville now stands. John Morgan died in 1830. The mother of the subject of our sketch remained, and died in 1835.
H. P. H., is the sixth in the family. He in his youth spent his time in going to school in the winter season, walking a distance of three miles evening and morning, in order to secure the priceless boon of education. After the death of his father he remained with his mother until she married again, when he came to the Okawville settlement and lived with his bro- ther, John Morgan, who had settled there some four or five years previous. This was in 1833, and from this dates the time when he practically commenced life for himself. He continued to work for his brother until 1839, when he entered forty acres in section 12 south, town 1, range 5 west.
On the 10th of April of the same year he married Martha Matthews. Seven children were the fruits of this union, two of whom are living. Martha Morgan died January 4th, 1855. In the same year he married Elizabeth Ann Hitt, a native of Missouri, but a resident of Washington county when married. Five children have been born to them, two of whom are at pre- sent living, viz. : Melissa E., the eldest, and Frances E. Morgan, both of whom are yet beneath the parental roof. Elizabeth Ann Morgan died in 1877.
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When Judge Morgan entered the first forty acres of land, he improved it by building a log-cabin, and moved into it with his wife. He lived in it for three years, when, by careful and economical habits, he had saved enough of money to build a larger house. He remained on the original forty acres for nine years, when he removed west of Bridgeport (now known as Okawville) about two miles, where he purchased land, and where he remained until 1865, when he removed to his present residence in Okawville. He had some years previous to 1865 purchased land and laid out an addition that be named Okaw. He had also laid out town-lots which were and are known as Morgan's Addition to Bridgeport.
Mr. Morgan's principal occupation through life has been farming, in which he has been more than ordinar ly successful. In politics he is a staunch Republican ; but he was formerly a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren in 1840, and voted that ticket until 1860. When the war broke out he joined the Republican party, and has been ever since found in its ranks. He has frequently been honored by his fellow citizens with offices of trust, particularly in his own locality. He was con- stable for seventeen years. In 1854 his friends made him a candidate for the office of sheriff. He made no effort to secure the election, but let the canvass go by default. He was defeated by only four votes. He received every vote in his precinct, which showed in what estimation he was held by his friends and neighbors. In 1861 he was honored by the citizens of Washing- ton county by being elected to the honorable position of Associate Judge of the county. He held the office for four years, discharging his duties in a manner which did credit to himself and gave satisfaction to his constituents.
The life of Judge Morgan exemplifies the fact that a man in any situation of life can and will rise by the practice of industry, perseverance and econom- ical had its. He started in life unaided except by the above requisites, and har maceseded in carving out for himself a fortune that is second to none in
the county, and at the same time making and maintaining for himself a name for strict honesty and probity of character which, after all, is the best heritage to leave to his children.
JULIUS F. ZETZCHE
Is a native of Washington county, Illinois, and was born three miles east of Okawville, on the 25th of December, 1856. His father, John F. Zetzsche, is a native of Saxony, Germany. He emigrated to America, in company with his father, in 1841, and settled at a point three miles west of Okawville. He is now a resident of the above-named village, but still continues farming, which has been the principal business of his life. He married Margaret J., daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Beckham, by whom he had eleven child- ren, six still living, of which the subject of our sketch is the eldest. He spent his boyhood days in going to school in the winter and working upon the farm in the summer, until 1872, when he entered the general store of R. Tierney & Co., of Okawville, as clerk. He continued so engaged until the following fall, when he entered the McKendree College at Lebanon, Illi- nois. He entered the classical and scientific department. He remained at college for two years, when he returned to Okawville, and from there went to Chicago and entered Union College of Law, with the intention of gra- duating and adopting the law as a profession. At the end of two months, however, he changed his mind, and returned to Okawville, and engaged in general mercantile business. In the spring of 1878, he was appointed post- master of the village. He, however, resigned the position on the 1st of January, 1879. On the 1st of January, 1878, he formed a partnership with his father, in the mercantile business, and continues so engaged to the pre- sent. On the 5th of September, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Flora, daughter of Rev. L. S. Walker, present chaplain of the Southern Penitentiary at Chester, Ill. She was a resident of Richview, this county, at the time of her marriage He is a Republican in politics, and is at present a member of the Republican Central County Committee.
Mr. Zetzche is yet a young man, just upon the threshold of business life. He possesses energy and industry joined to good habits, and in possession of these two traits of character, the problem of life is easily solved.
HENRY WLECKE
WAS born in Osnabruck, Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, the 5th of June, 1837. Ernst Wlecke, his father, emigrated to America and arrived at Okawville October 18th, 1854. He settled near the village. There were ten children in his father's family, of which Henry is the eldest. The father died in the spring of 1865, at the age of sixty-one years. The mother is still living, and resides with the subject of our sketch. She is in her eighty-third year. Henry worked on the farm until 1867, when he opened a saloon in Hoyleton, this county. At the same time he was elected constable. He held the office for a number of years, and at the same time carried on farm- ing. He continued so engaged until he removed to Okawville, where he entered the general merchandising business, and at which he still continues. On the 31st of January, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Wil- mina Rolfing. She is a native of West Farling, Alswede, by Lülke. She was a resident of St. Louis, Mo., at the time of her marriage. This union has been blessed by nine children, five of whom are still living, and all beneath the parental roof. Bot' Mr. Wlecke and his estimable wife, together with his family, are members of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Wlecke has succeeded by dint of hard toil and perseverance in accumulating sufficient of this world's goods to make him comfortable. In the community where he is
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RESIDENCE.
AVENUE THROUGH THE PARK.
BEER GARDEN.
THE RESIDENCE AND OTHER SCENES ON THE STOCK FARM OF ROBT HUGHS, OKAWVILLE, WASHINGTON CO. ILL.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
best known, he is regarded as an honest, upright and honorable citizen, and as such enjoys the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and friends.
JOB HARRYMAN
WAS born in Washington county, Illinois, Feb, 1st, 1831. He was the son of Charles and Winny Harryman. His father was a native of Tennessee ; born Sep. 1st, 1793, he emigrated to and settled in what is now Okawville precinct ; in 1818 he settled on Sec. 36, T. 1, R. 5. He raised a family of twelve children, and died at Okawville, March 7th, 1867.
The subject of our sketch was raised on a farm. At the age of twenty-two he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Land ; after three months she died, and he married Miss Louisa Cook in 1865. By this union they had a family of six children born to them ; viz. : Joseph M., Rachael L., Charles W., Thomas J., Job L. and Carl. His second wife died January, 1872. He was again married to Miss Margaret Merrick, Sep. 22d, 1872. They have a family of three children ; viz. : William E., Susan A. and Matilda M.
Mr. Harryman has always lived the life of a farmer, and now lives within one mile of where his father settled in 1818. In politics he is a Democrat. Such is a brief sketch of one of the oldest native-born citizens in Okawville precinct.
HERMANN SCHULZE
WAS born in the north part of Germany, on the 30th of June, 1832. He emigrated to America in 1853. His father and family followed him one year later. The subject of our sketch came direct to St. Louis and engaged in the cigar business until 1858, when in the fall of the same year he re- moved to Okawville, or Bridgeport as it was then called, where he erected a building for mercantile purposes, and in the spring of 1859, in connection with his brother, Charles Schulze, opened a general store. This partner- ship continued until 1866, when it was dissolved, and August Schulze was taken in, and the firm of H. Schulze & Bro., was then started, and continues to the present time. In 1876 they brought out the Excelsior Flouring Mills, and since that time have operated the mill in connection with their 'other business. On the 2nd of August, 1860, Hermann Schulze was married to Miss Susan Tcharner, a native and resident of Washington county. Six children have been born to them, all of whom are living yet beneath the parental roof. He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has voted with the party of his first choice ever since.
Mr. Schulze is and has been a very successful business man. He is quiet and unostentatious in his manners, industrious and methodical in his business, and as a man and citizen, enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
GREEN P. HARBIN
Is a native of Georgia. He was born June 29th, 1849. Rev. T. B. Harbin, his father, is a minister in the M. E. Church. He is also a native of the. same state. He removed from Atlanta, Georgia, to Nashville, in Washing- ton county, in 1857, where he was pastor of the M. E. Church. After re- maining in Nashville for several years, he removed to Kinmundy, Illinois, and from there to Lewiston, Fulton county, where he at present resides. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days in the schools of his na- tive state. In 1867 he commenced the study of law in the office of O. G. Gurley, of Baker county, Georgia. In 1868 he came to Nashville and con- tinued the study in the office of Hon. Amos Watts, and on the 3d of November, 1869, was admitted to practice. He commenced the practice in Nashville, soon after his admission, and continued thus until 1875, when he removed to Okawville, where he continues engaged in his profession at the present time. In 1871 he was the attorney for the city of Nashville, and filled the office with credit to himself and acceptably to his many friends. On the 25th of July, 1869, he was married to Miss Kate E. Haywood, & resident of Nashville, Illinois, but a native of Virginia. Three children have blessed this union, two of whom are still living. He is a member of the Democratic party, and cast his first vote for Samuel Tilden. He is a good lawyer, and in time will make his mark in the profession.
ROBERT HUGHS
WAS born in Kentucky, June 8th, 1807. His father, Robert Hughs, was a . native of Virginia. He married Litta Brunt. There were six children born to them, of which the subject of our sketch is the eldest. In his younger days he roamed around over the country. In 1831-2 he enlisted as a soldier in the Black Hawk war, from Bellville in St. Clair county. In 1833, he mar- ried Mrs. Sallie Johnson. She died three years later. On the 21st of De- cember, 1837, he married Miss Miller, a native of Germany. Her parents emi- grated to America in 1835. Two children have been born to them ; one boy and girl, and both are married. Robert Hughs, the son, is a practicing physician, and is located at Muscortal, Ills. In 1838 Mr. Robert Hughs, Sr., removed to Washington county, Ills., and settled one mile east of what is now known as Okawville, where he remained about three years, when he re- moved north about one mile, where he staid two years, at the end of which time he entered land on the section on which he now resides, and which he commenced at once to improve, and where he has remained up to the present time. A fine view of his home, farm and residence will be seen elsewhere in this work. He is a Republican in politics. He does not belong to any par- ticular church organization, but favors the M. E. Church. It is with plea- sure that we present the name of this pioneer of the county.
HISTORY OF ELKTON PRECINCT.
HIS precinct is bounded on the north by Okawville and Plum Hill precinct, east by Nashville and Pilot Knob, south by Perry county, west by Venedy and Lively Grove. John Raney was the first settler in the precinct. He located on the old Vincen- nes and Kaskaskia trace, about two miles from Mud creek, east side, in the edge of Elkhorn prairie, in the year 1822. He was a native of Tennessee. The next settler was William Rountree, Sr. He settled on Section 16, near where Elkton now is, in the year 1823. Six years previous to this time he had lived in what is now Clinton county, this state. He was a native of / Virginia. He died at the old homestead in 1859. He raised a large family, and several of his descendants are now prominent citizens of Washington county.
The next settler was William Ayers. He located at the head of the Elk- horn creek in 1823, now Oakdale, and the place was for many years called Ayers' Point. It was also on the old Vincennes and Kaskaskia trail. Ayers was also a Virginian. In 1850, Thomas Bird established a post-office at the Point. It subsequently took the name of Oakdale. Isaac Perlie came in 1830. He was the first postmaster. Elkhorn was the name of the post-office. The same year came Daniel Wells, who was a native of Kentucky, he also settled near the old Vincennes and Kaskaskia trail. Soon after a colony of Scotch Covenanters, principally from Pennsylvania and South Carolina, be- came residents of this precinct. Among the first South Carolinians who came were John and Archie Hood.
The first mill was owned by Greenville Rountree, which was a saw and
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
grist-mill combined, and was on the Elkhorn, and operated by water. power.
The first blacksmith was Linville Rountree.
The first school-house built, was located where Elkton now is, about two years before Elkton was laid out, and George Talbot was the first teacher.
The first store was opened and carried on in the residence of William Roun- tree by H. H. Talbot in 1835.
OAKDALE.
This town is located on section 14, tp. 3, range 4. Was laid out in 1867, by Daniel Mcclurkin, James B. Mcclurkin, John McAfen, and S. D. Mcclurkin under the firm name of James B. Mcclurkin & Co. The company opened a general store and carried on merchandizing for one year in the old Ayers building. This was in the year 1867. In the latter part of the same year, Steele and McCleish opened a general store. They were followed in 1868, by Gormley & Co. The town now contains two stores, a general store by Ardrey & Bro., and a drug store by J. R. Morrison & Co.
There are also two blacksmith and wagon shops, and one shoemaker. The physicians are Dr. A. D. W. Leavens, Dr. J. R Ready, Dr. S. G. Arnett.
In 1867, James McAfee & Co. built a brick flouring mill, and is now opera- ted by J. Burns and R. Guthrie. The mill does a large custom business.
There are two churches in the place. The first was built in 1867, by the Reformed Presbyterians or Covenanters. It is a commodious brick edifice.
The second church was built by the U. P. denomination, and is a neat frame structure.
The second school house built in the neighborhood of Oakdale, and perhaps the first in the precinct, was on the farm of John Hood, section 28, about the year 1834 or 35. It was a small log building, and J. J. Mcclurkin was the first teacher. In 1831, A., and John Hood, James Mcclurkin, Thomas Mc- Clurkin, and James Kirkpatrick, from South Carolina, settled in this pre-
cinct. They located in and around Ayers' Point. In 1833, they were followed by John and David Mcclurkin, and John Donnelly. They were all Cove- nanters. They were followed in after years by several families all of the same religious faith. They now comprise a large portion of the citizens of the pre- cinct.
The first steam-mill was put up by James, and A. McClurken about the year 1836. It was a flouring and saw-mill. It burned down in 1842, and was not rebuilt. The first plows with iron moldboards used in this precinct were made out of the old boiler and iron of this mill, by William Morrison and William Ardrey.
The first church built in the precinct was on section 21, in 1835, by the Covenantors, and was the first brick church in the county. Near this church was located the first grave-yard, and the first death in the precinct was that of a child of A. Mcclurkin.
ELKTON
was laid out by Henry H. Talbot and James Steele Jr., in 1837, on section 5, town 3, range 4. There are now three general stores, kept by J. Blum, Aug- ust Fisher, and Henry Dunkhorst. The latter is also postmaster. There is one harness shop; two blacksmith shops; hotel, kept by Henry Schaefer. The physicians are Dr. R. E. Vernor, and Dr. S. F. Wehr.
There are two churches, the Lutheran and Union church.
ELKTON LODGE, NO. 453, I. O. O F.
was organized on the 10th day of October, 1871. The charter members were : M. Fox, R. B. Klane, H. F. Dancke, Henry Bollmeier, E. Hulsemann, and H. Hahne. The hall was built in 1873, and is owned by the lodge The present officers are: David Luke, N. G .; Jno. Muller, V. G .; Geo. Hendricks, R. Sec .; Aug. Fisher, F. Sec. Trustees: Dr. S. F. Webr, L. Hausotte, A. S. Miller, J. T. Laney, and Wm. Laney.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
J. T. HIBBARD
Is a son of the Green Mountain state. He was born in Windsor county, Vermont, February 19th, 1816. He was raised on a farm. He attended the common schools of his native state, and at the age of nineteen years entered Norwich Plain Academy, where he remained two years. He then came west and taught school in northern Illinois one year. After this he returned to his native state and remained there for one year, at the end of which time war was declared with Mexico. He entered the service, and was assigned to the Quarter- master's department, in General Twiggs' Division. He remained in Mexico for two years and a half, or until peace was declared and the troops returned home. In the fall of 1848 he settled in Elkton precinct in Washington county, near the village of Elkton. He purchased one hundred acres of land, to which he has added tract after tract, until he now owns over one thousand acres. He has one of the best improved farms in Elkton precinct.
In April, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy McAfee. She died the following fall. In 1850 Mr. Hibbard married Miss Harriet C. Ford, his present wife. Six children were born to them as follows: Addie, now at home, Sarah, wife of W. F. Donnelly, Alvah H., Henry, Orvis P. and Minnie R. All are yet beneath the parental roof except the one above named, who is married as stated. Mrs. Hibbard is a native of Grafton county, New Hampshire. Her father, James Ford, emigrated with his family to Randolph county, Illinois, about the year 1841, where he remained until his death. In the local affairs of Elkton precinct Mr. Hibbard has been quite prominent, was elected Justice of the Peace, and has held the office for, sixteen years, Notary Public for eight years, and also Postmaster in the village of Elkton for nearly fifteen years, although he always employed a deputy to attend to the duties of the office. In politics he is a Republican. He is a consistent
member of the United Presbyterian Church, and he has raised his family and instructed them in the tenets of that Christian organization.
Such is a brief sketch of one of the prominent citizens of Elkton precinct. His property, of which he has a comfortable competency, was obtained by industry and the practice of economical habits.
HENRY HAHNE
WAS born June 2d, 1838, in Hanover, Germany. His father, Frederick le Hahne, emigrated to America with his family, and landed at New Orleans December 10, 1854. He made no stay in the latter city but came imme- diately to St. Louis, by the river, where he remained only a few days, after which he came to what is now known as Plum Hill precinct, where he re- mained for three years. He then removed to Hoylton Prairie, and subse- quently to the village of Hoylton, where he now resides. The subject of our sketch is the eldest in a family of two children. During his minority he assisted his father and attended the common schools of his native country in which he received a liberal education. On the 18th of February, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wheeles, who was a native and re- sident of Washington county, Illinois, at the time of her marriage; this union has been blessed by five children, three of whom are living, viz .: John H., Mary E., and Allen A.
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