USA > Illinois > Washington County > History of Washington County, Illinois > Part 23
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CHARLES F. A. SCHMIDT
WAS born in Jefferson county, Missouri on the 2d of June, 1849. Jacob Schmidt, his father, was a native of Germany. He emigrated to America in 1836. He first settled in Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained three years, and then removed to St. Louis county, Missouri, and two years later removed to Jefferson county, same state, where he has since resided. He is a tanner by trade, but subsequently abandoned that trade and took up farming, at which business he still continues. He married Catharine Blank, who was & native of Nassau, six children were born to them, five of whom are still living. The subject of our sketch is the eldest son. During his minority he was engaged at work upon the farm during the summer seasons, and in the winter attended the common schools of his native county. At the age of twenty-one he entered Wesleyan Central College at Warrenton, Missouri, and remained one term, after which he was employed in teaching schools in the counties of Jefferson, St. Francois, and St. Genevieve. He followed the pro- fession of teaching for five years, at the end of which time he emigrated to Addieville, Washington county, Illinois, where he engaged in general mer- cantile business, and also in the purchase and shipment of grain. He arrived in the village above mentioned in the month of December, 1876, and on the second of January, 1877, he was appointed station agent of the St. Louis and South-Eastern railroad, and was also at the same time appointed express agent and postmaster, all of which positions he filled with credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of his friends and employers. In 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Gaebe. She is a native and resident of St. Francois county, Missouri. Two children have been born to them, both of whom are living. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He cast his first vote for General U. S. Grant, in 1872, and he continues to give his adherence to that grand old party of freedom and human rights. Mr. Schmidt is yet a young man. He has but stepped across the threshold of business life, but from the industry and energy thus far displayed we have no doubt but what the problem of life in his case will be easily solved. He is a good business man, and is thoroughly honest and capable, and as such enjoys the confidence and esteem of the community in which he resides.
ALEXANDER CHESNEY
WAS born in St. Clair county, on the 28th of February, 1821. His father, Benjamin Chesney, was a native of South Carolina, and of Irish ancestry. He was one of the rangers of the war of 1812, and was also a soldier of the Blackhawk war. He removed with his family from St. Clair county, and settled on the Elkhorn, in Washington county, Illinois, in 1837, where he re- mained until his death, which occured in 1847. In 1843, Alexander Chesney entered forty acres of land on section 11, town 2-2, which he improved, and where he has remained ever since. On the 4th of July, 1847, he married Sarah N. Johnson. She is of Scotch ancestry. She was a native of St. Clair county, Illinois. There were seven children born to them, five of whom are living. Two of them are married, and the rest are yet beneath the parental roof. Mr. Chesney is Republican in politics. He however was formerly & Democrat until after 1860, when he espoused the principles of the Republi- can party and has continued one of its firm adherents ever since. Mr. Ches- ney is one of the solid farmers of the county. He acquired his business by years of patient toil, frugal and economical habits, and now in the evening of his life, he and his estimable wife, are enjoying the fruits of their industry and economy.
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THE FARM RESIDENCE OF ALEX. CHESNEY, Sec. II. T. 2, R. 4, ( PLUM HILL), WASHINGTON, CO.ILL.
THE RESIDENCE OF HERMAN SCHULZE, OKAWVILLE , WASHINGTON CO. ILL.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
HISTORY OF PILOT KNOB PRECINCT.
p ILOT KNOB precinct takes its name from the high hill or knob which is situated near its centre. It is bounded on the north by Nashville precinct, on the South by Perry county, on the west by v Elkton precinct, and on the east by Nashville precinct. It is well watered by Locust creek. The sections of land on the east and south sides are covered with timber. Fully one-half of the precinct is timbered land. That portion that is under cultivation produces abundant crops of wheat, rye, oats and barley. Very little corn is raised in the precinct.
Pilot Knob is one of the old settled portions of the county. The first set- tlement that anything is definitely known of, took place in 1818, and the first settler was John Rainey, father of William Rainey. He settled on the Old Hood place, west of the Knob, about the year 1818. In the same year James Gordon settled on the Rainey place. He sold out to William Rai- ney in 1835, and left soon after. Rainey and Gordon were the only settlers until 1819, when a man of the name of Afflack settled on Three Mile Prairie. He however only remained but a short time. Benjamin Bruten settled on the same prairie in 1819, from which it took its name, and was known as "Bruten's Prairie," for many years afterward. William Minson settled on the same prairie about the same time. Other persons came, but made no per- manent settlements. In 1832 Robert Burns settled north of Locust Creek point, James Gordan settled near the Lane place, and John Franklin the old .James Adams place. In 1828, Alexander Hodge, Jonathan King and Colonel M. Hall, settled on and near the Knob, and in 1830 the McElbanon family came from Randolph county and settled in the precinct. John and William Hutchings, and their families were down near the Beaucoup Creek, in Perry county. The Maxwell's came about the same time. Very few of the old families or their descendents remain in the precinct. The Brutens', Minstons', Gordons' and Washburns', moved to different parts of the county. In 1837 the Hutchings came, and in 1836, Hugh Adams made a permanent settlement, where he now resides. The first school-house was built in 1834, on Sec. 27, near where William Rainey now lives. It was the traditional and original log school-house, with puncheon floors, and greased skins for lights. The first school teacher was a man by the name of Horatio Burns, grandfather of Squire Burns, of Nashville. The first frame school-house was built just across the line in Perry county in the year 1857. The first spread of the gospel and introduction of religious exercises in the precinct was made by Methodist circuit riders in 1833. Preaching was held at the houses of citizens. The Baptist denomination built the first house of worship in
1852. The first regular Baptist minister was J. R. Hutchings, brother o Esquire Hutchings, and Peter Hayler. They were both regularly ordained ministers. The church building was erected on Sec. 36, T. 3-3. It was burned down in 1870, and re-built in 1872. It is known by the name of the Concord Baptist Church. The first marriage in the precinct took place in 1832. The contracting parties were John Crane and Mary Gordon. The first man to open a store and sell goods was William Rainey, at the place where he still resides. This was in 1835. He sold the usual staple articles, whiskey included, which in those days was regarded as a necessity and not a luxury. He made semi-annual trips to St. Louis, and purchased his goods and hauled them through with teams. Mr. Rainey was also the first man to bring into the precinct an iron-bound wagon, and the first top-buggy.
In 1854 the first reaper (McCormick) was brought into the precinct by Robert Curreck, and Hugh Adams was the next to purchase one. The first threshing machine was brought in 1853 by McElvy. In 1855 W. W. Hutchings, J. M. Slade, and Isaac Hael, purchased a separator, which was the first one introduced into the precinct. It was built in Bellville, by Cox and Roberts. The first horse mill, for grinding wheat and corn, was erected by Richard Cole in 1835. These kind of mills were the only dependence of the people for flour or meal. The nearest points where grinding could be obtained were Tamarora, afterwards Oakdale, and Nashville. The Hutchings brothers moved a mill out from Nashville in 1854. The first physician to administer antidotes for snake-bites, and to cure the chills and fever, was Joseph Brashaw. He lived near Duquoin, a distance of forty miles; there- fore persons were positively certain they were sick before sending for a doo- tor. He practiced through this part of the country from 1832 to 1837, at which time Dr. G. W. Hotchkis, located within a reasonable distance, and the calls were correspondingly increased. Fever and ague were the prevail- ing diseases, and calomel, jalap, quinine and whiskey, the staple remedies. If the medicines failed, the case was well-nigh hopeless, and the patient was turned over to providence. If he got well it was regarded as a divine inter- position, and if he died, why "his time had come," and he was buried with due solemnity.
We acknowledge our obligations for information concerning the early settle- ment of Pilot Knob precinct to W. W. Hutchings, Esq., Hugh Adams and Hon Amos Watts's centennial history of the county, and kindly thank them- for the information herein contained.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WESLEY W. HUTCHINGS
Is a native of Illinois. He was born in Perry county, on the 4th of October, 1822. His father, William Hutchings, was a native of North Carolina, and was of English ancestry. At an early day he emigrated to Tennessee, and in 1816 removed to Illinois and settled in what is now known as Perry county, where he remained until his death, which occurred December 25th, 1824. He married Celia Jones, who was also a native of North Carolina. She died on the 15th of August, 1836, on the same place she settled twenty years before. Eight children were born to William and Celia Hutchings, five boys and three
girls. All now sleep peacefully in their graves except the subject of our sketch Wesley W., remained at home until he was eleven years of age, when he en- tered the family of his brother, J. R. Hutchings, with whom he remained until the death of his mother, after which he lived with his brother, E. J. Hutch- ings, where he remained until he was married. During his youth he had but little opportunities for receiving an education. It was at a time known as the "Log School-House" era, when education of any kind in those pioneer times was obtained under difficulties. But yet with his naturally quick mind and powers of observation, he has been enabled to get a good practical education.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
On the 18th of December, 1843, he was united in marriage to Amanda J., daughter of Thomas H. B. and Jerusha Jones. She was a native of Tennes- see, but a resident of Illinois at the time of her marriage. Twelve children have been born to them, five of whom are at present living-three boys and two girls. At the breaking out of the Mexican war he enlisted in company A, under Captain Coffee. This company was attached to the 2d regiment, Illinois Infantry, Colonel Bissell commanding. He participated with the reg- iment in the hard-fought battle of Buena Vista, and was slightly wounded in the engagement. After the expiration of his term of service, he returned home and engaged in farming, which occupation he has followed up to the present time. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast lis first vote for .James K. Polk, in 1844, and has remained true to the party of his first choice ever since. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church-he since 1842. In October, 1860, he was regularly ordained a minister in the Baptist church, and since that time he has until the last few years officiated as min- ister of the congregation at the Concord church, near his place of residence. Mr. Hutchings, with one exception, is the oldest justice of the peace in Wash- ington county. He was elected in 1848, and with the exception of one term has held the office ever since. As a man he is universally respected by his neighbors, as the mere fact of his being elected to the position of justice of the peace so many times will attest. He is a plain, unassuming Christian man. In his official capacity he metes out equal and exact justice to all, and merits the entire confidence and esteem of the community. His children are Susan F., who is married to Z. H. Rice; W. M. Hutchings, eldest son, married to Mary Jane McCune; Amanda E., married to Robert Dempsey ; Kinchen K., married to Louisa J. Coffull; and Henry B., youngest son, who is unmarried and at home. All live near at hand.
HUGH ADAMS.
HE whose name heads this sketch may be regarded as one of the pioneers of Washington county. True he came long after the county was organized ; but yet little progress had been made in the settlement and development of the country. He was born in county Armagh, Ireland, July 1st, 1811. He
was but eight years of age when his father, James Adams, with his family, left his native land and emigrated to America. They landed in Quebec, Canada, in 1820, where they remained for two years, when they removed to Montreal, and soon after came to Philadelphia. In 1835 young Hugh, being imbued with a desire to better his condition, and believing that in the great west he could the more rapidly accomplish that object, he left the parental roof and beut his step westward. In company with a man by the name of McAfee, he came to Illinois and landed in Chester in 1835, and walked the same night to Pilot Knob in Washington county, where a few days later he obtained work in a brick-yard. In September of 1836 he entered forty acres of land in the section, and at the place where he has ever since resided. He also soon after purchased forty acres of improved land, and gave it to his father. In 1842 he was united in marriage to Mary Smith, who is also a native of Ireland, but was a resident of Washington county at the time of her marriage. Eight children have been born to them, all of whom are liv- ing and residents of the county. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and as an old line Whig cast his first vote for Henry Clay in 1836. After the disbandment of the Whig party, he joined the Republican organization, and has voted steadily with it since its first formation. He is a zealous and con- sistent member of the Presbyterian church, and has been an active member of that Christian organization since his first connection with it in 1840, and perhaps has given more liberally to its maintenance and support in the county than any other member of it.
Mr. Adams has been for the greater part of his life engaged in farming, stock-dealing and trading, in which he has been more than ordinarily successful. He practically started in life with nothing but industry, perse- verance and a good share of hard, practical, common sense, and with these, aided by the paltry sum of thirty-seven dollars, the entire amount of his capital when he first came to Illinois, he has succeeded in adding to his wealth until he is now and has been for years recognized as one of Washing- ton county's substantial citizens. While many with like opportunities of success have sunk and gone down beneath the waves of unpropitious circum- stances, he by an indomitable will has utilized his surrounding to subserve his purpose and best interests, and has advanced step by step until he has attained his present position, and can hand down the noblest legacy man can bequeath to posterity-an honorable and successful life.
HISTORY OF COVINGTON PRECINCT.
HIS precinct is bounded on the north by Clinton county, on the cast by Hoyleton Precinct, on the south by Nashville and Plum Hill Precinct, and on the west by Okawville Precinct. It is watered on the north by the Kaskaskia river and Crooked creek. Little Crooked oreek flows through the precinct near the centre in a northerly direction, and empties into Crooked creek. The first settlements in the county were made in what is now Covington Precinct. It was here that he Lively family was massacred, see general narrative. William H. Bradsby, in 1818, settled at the crossing of the old Kaskaskia and Peoria trace, where he opened up a small farm. When Washington county was organized the county-seat was located on his farm. In 1819 he was appointed Circuit clerk by Governor John Reynolds. For many years he held the office of Circuit and County clerk, Probate Judge, County Surveyor and postmaster. He died in Nashville, in 1839. Hartshorn White settled at Covington, in about 1819, and established a ferry there. Jesse Moore came in about 1820. He settled in what is now called North prairie, north of New Minden. He was from Kentucky accumulated considerable property, and died on the place he improved, in 1836.
Thomas L. Moore settled on Crooked creek, in about 1822. He was a native of Maryland ; he lived upon the farm he improved, until his death, in 1842, at the advanced age of seventy-five.
Michael Noland settled in the west part of the precinct as early as 1822. He was a native of Ireland.
The original settlers in the precinct and their heirs have generally sold their farms to German settlers, as the inhabitants of the precinct now are mostly from Germany. The first German settler in the precinct was F. W. Hoffman. He came in 1840. He was followed in 1841 by Frederick Par sohn and F. Ellerbush. The early settlers that followed were Frederick, Kasten, A. Keiser, Henry Reinhart and Gastemper. A. Keiser settled in the north-west part of the precinct. The others located east of Little Crooked creek and near the timber. In about 1853, a German by the name of Schmidt opened a general store one half mile north of the present site of New Minden, and continued business there about five years. He then built a store, building on the present site of New Minden, and continued business until 1865, when he sold out to J. H. Sabert.
Frederick Kasten laid out the village of New Minden, in 1865. It is situated on the south-west quarter of section eighteen, town one south, range two west. There have been three additions laid out since. In 1865, C. Weihe & Co. built a large mill; it is now run by Meyer and Hohlt. The town con- tains three general stores kept by J. H. Sabert, Henry Reinhart and Louis Kilbrock, and a clothing store by William Meentemeyer, three blacksmith and wagon shops, three shoemakers, one tin-shop, one brick-yard, two hotels- kept by Earnest Budde and Christ Hasseldick, three physicians, Dr. S. Goodner, Dr. M. W. Caster and Dr. August Ranke. They have one large stone church of the Lutheran denomination ; there is a school connected.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The town contains a population of about three hundred, mostly Germans. There are two other Churches in the precinct, one located on section nine, township one, range three, of the Baptist denomination, and one on section twenty, township one, range two, of the Evangelical denomination. William H. White, in 1857 laid out a town and called it White Town. It was situated
on the north-east quarter of the south-west quarter of section thirty in town- ship one north, range two west, near Crooked creek. It never ranked very high, and became obsolete many years ago. Covington stands high as a wheat producing precinct. The land is rich and well cultivated.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
J. H. SABERT.
AMONG the list of those who have risen to prominence and reflect credit upon the county of their adoption, the subject of this brief memoir is en- tiled to honorable mention.
Mr. Sabert was born in Hanover, Germany, April, 1836. At the age of fifteen he emigrated to this country, in 1851. When he arrived at St. Louis his entire capital was five dollars ; but he was determined to make a success in life in this western world. The first business he engaged in was the cigar trade. He received some education in the schools of his fatherland, and by attending the evening schools of St. Louis, acquired & fair education. He was engaged in the cigar business in St. Louis and Bellville, Ill., for four- teen years.
In 1861 he was united in marriage to Miss Louise Schierbecker, of Bell- ville. By this union they have a family of five children.
In 1865 he came to New Minden and purchased from A. J. Smith his general store. He has since carried on merchandising at that place. For the last five years he has been postmaster at that place. He held the office of justice of the peace from 1867 to 1873 with credit to himself and satisfaction
to the public ; but it came in contact with the business in his store, and he refused to hold the office any longer.
In the fall of 1878 he received the nomination at the hands of the Re- publican party for county commissioner, and after a spirited contest was elected, and is now one of the members of the county board.
He is a member of the Lutheran church.
In the everyday walks of life Mr. Sabert is an estimable and genial gen- tleman, and is a citizen with a highly enterprising bent of mind, and & na- ture that is at once frank, candid and generous, the aim of his life being to " render unto Cæsar the things which are Caesar's." His duties as an officer of the public he always discharged with signal ability, honor and integrity. He is a staunch Republican in politics, and an active worker for the success of the party.
Such is a brief sketch of one of the prominent citizens of Washington county. He came to this country a poor boy, and by strict industry he has acquired a competency of this world's goods. It may be seen how a boy possessed with firmness of purpose and good resolves, may rise from ob- scurity to be a man of influence and distinction.
HISTORY OF LIVELY GROVE PRECINCT.
HIS precinct is situated on the extreme south-west corner of Wash- ington couuty. The lands of this precinct are very rich. South of Mud creek is situated Grand Cole prairie, where the first set- tlements were made. Elk-Horn prairie is north of Mud creek, and is also a rich district of country. There is also large tracts of timber situated along the margin of the creeks and water courses.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Henry T. East, was the first settler. He settled in Grand Cote prairie on section 22, in the year 1828. He was a native of Tennessee. The year fol- lowing came Jesse Lively, William McBride, and Absalom Tidwell. These parties located on land north of Mud creek. Samuel Gibson settled here in 1831. He was a South Carolinian. In 1832, Robert Stewart Coulter, John Wiley, James Gillespie, and Archie Coulter, settled in Grand Cote prairie. Other early settlers were John Paul, in 1836, John Dickey, and William Dickey, in 1839. John and Isaac Crane, and their families came from Tennessee in the year 1838.
FIRST SCHOOL
was taught in Grand Cote prairie in the winter of 1838, by Daniel Morton. The building was a small log structure with greased paper for windows, for purposes of shedding light in the room. It was located on section 28.
FIRST MARRIAGE. The first marriage occurred in the year 1834, and was that of John Dickey to Jane Gibson.
FIRST BIRTH was a son of Henry East, March, 1829, on Grand Cote prairie.
FIRST CHURCH AND PREACHING.
The first church was built on section 20, near big Mud creek in 1837, by the citizens of Grand Cote prairie. It was a Union church. The first preach- ing was at the residence of John Wiley. The church was erected near his residence, and was a frame structure. There is now three churches in the precinct, a Catholic, Lutheran, and United Presbyterian.
POST OFFICES.
There are two post offices, one at Kasper's store, and one at the village of Lively Grove.
VILLAGE OF LIVELY GROVE.
The first post office in the precinct was established in 1860, and Robert Kennedy was the first postmaster. It was subsequently moved to Petersburg in what is now Venedy precinct, and known as stone church, where it re- mained one year, John Luhrmann being the postmaster. In 1866, it was moved to its present location on section 1, town 3, range 5. Henry Eilers is
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
now postmaster, he also keeps a general store. There are also two churches, & Baptist, and Catholic here.
The first goods sold at this place was by Keller & Dateman. The store subsequently passed into the hands of Wienkeller & Bro., and from them to the firm of J. & H. Eilders.
The Germans compose a large element of this township. They began set-
tling in Lively Grove in 1840. Schwilthard Meyer was the first German settler in the precinct, and Thomas Eidman the second. There are now many prominent German farmers in this locality, who are among the most enter- prising citizens of the county. "The Lively Grove" located on section 26-27 gave rise to the name of the precinct from an incident which occurred in early times. (See general narrative.)
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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