History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 26

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704

USA > Illinois > Clay County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 26
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 26

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Thomas Bradshaw left Kentucky on account of slavery, and came to Jasper Township in 1819, and improved a farm, entering the southwest quarter of Section 10, where he died in 1822, and was buried the first in the cemetery at that place. He left a large family to the care of one of the most excel- lent mothers of the pioneer times, and she is said to have fully discharged her onerous duties to ber children, and to the community, in a manner that cast a halo of glory around her memory, that is not easily forgotten. A friend to the needy, a wise counselor to those in distress, she gave comfort and relief to the afflicted within her reach. A smile of pleas- ure and approbation is seen to play over the countenances of men whose heads are sil- vered with age at the mention of her name, after the lapse of more than half a century. Truly, it may be said. " her works do follow her."

Walter and Richard Owen came with the Martins from Kentucky, being kinsmen of theirs. They were good, honest men, well spoken of and held in general esteem. Their influence was cast on the side of the right, and their lives were living examples of what they professed. Their good works still live, though they themselves have long since passed away.

At a later period came Jonathan Douglas, from Kentucky, and settled on the place known as the " Pigeon Roost," on Section 10. A man of good parts, of unflinching integrity, his influence was felt for many miles around, and his memory is held in great veneration at the present time. In youth, he had not learned to look upon intemperance as an un- mixed evil: but when he beheld the hydra- headed monster in all its deformity he cast

his influence in favor of right, making the first temperance speech in the county. He came to Wayne County in a very large pi- rogue, ascended Elm River, and landed near Mr. Richard Hall's.

George, John, Jacob and Samuel Borah, brothers. came to Wayne County from Ken - tucky in a very early day, and John settled in Jasper Township in 1821, his brother Samuel somewhat later. No family has ex- erted a greater influence for good, or con- tributed more to the Christian and moral stamina of the community than these noble men and their worthy descendants. Through their means were largely counteracted those baneful influences at work at the time of their arrival. They gave tone to the healthy sentiment that has so long prevailed in the community. A numerous offspring perpetu- ate their example by worthy lives and worthy deeds. William N., Jacob B. (John, de- ceased) and Voluntine are prominent citizens in Jasper Township to-day. They are among the most intelligent and influential men in the county, and, with their worthy wives, their hospitalities are of that character that will make a very stranger feel at home while partaking of their welcome cheer.

Thomas Wilson came from the Green River region in Kentucky in 1823, and settled on the southwest of northeast Section 22. A worthy man, of good sense, a fair education, very social, a warm-hearted friend, and fond of a joke. He left a large family, among whom is Judge S. J. R. Wilson. George Wilson, a brother of Thomas, was a pioneer school teacher in Jasper Township. He was a man of integrity and push, served many years as Sheriff of Wayne County, and was accounted a good citizen. His descendants are numerous in the county at the present time.

Among the prominent early and later set-

210

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

tlers may be mentioned the Monroes, James Hearn, Farris, McMackins, Rankins, Green, Bergs, Joseph Wilson (a very prince among good men), Prices, Bowles, Hoskins, Russell, Murfet, Gregorys, Owens, Whites, Thatchers, Fitzgeralds, Shaws, Ellis, Kelley, Messer- smith, Browns, Schenks, Creightons, Heidin- gers, Groves, Georges, Grice, Robinson, Moss, Lacy, Bings, Darrs, Bobbetts, Stan- ners, Darrows, Thomas, Organs, Travers, Witters, Files, and other worthy families, but the want of space admonishes us to bring this class of sketches to a close, and while their history may remain unwritten, their goud works will live, for it is beyond the power of the human ken to estimate the in- fluence of good deeds on the generations fol- lowing.

Dr. Gerren, from Huntsville, Ala., was probably the first physician to practice med- icine in Jasper Township. He came in 1829 and settled southwest of northwest Section 21, the place now owned by James Hearn.

It is a matter of some doubt as to who preached the first sermon in the township, but it is thought to have been Archy Roberts, a Methodist local preacher.

David McLin, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister of great ability and usefulness, was early in this field, and organized a society which has continued in a flourishing condi- tion to the present time. A Methodist soci- ety was early organized, and has also exerted great influence for good. A full account of these societies will be given in county church histories.

The lands in Jasper Township were sur- veyed in 1809, by Arthur Henry, and the cer- tificate and plat were filed December 4, the same year.

On July 30, 1818, according to the records, the first land entry was made by James Snead aking northwest andl northeast of Section 30,

a large portion of which remains in his name at the present time. On the following day, July 31. 1818, Ormsby & Hite entered southeast of Section 19, and southwest of Section 20. August 17, 1818, Enoch Beach entered northeast of Section 35. Other en- tries rapidly followed by which many set- tlers secured homes and land speculators secured large tracts.

The first birth in Jasper Township is at present unknown, but is thought to have been a child of one of the Frazers.

The first death, as near as can be ascer- tained at this remote period, was the wife of Owen Martin, and the second was that of Joseph Martin, and letters of administration were issued to his sons, Owen, Henry and Joseph, December 18, 1821.

On December 20, 1822, letters of admin- istration were issued upon the estate of Thomas Bradshaw, to Ann, his wife.

" Marrying and giving in marriage " was as prevalent, in proportion to population, in pioneer days, as among their more refined and educated offspring. On August 22, 1820, David Monroe led Nancy Crews to the hy- meneal altar, and on February 1, 1821, James Clark and Sally Bradshaw were made one.

The first school in Jasper Township was taught by George W. Wilson in 1823, in a house built for the purpose, on land now in- cluded in William N. Borah's farm. This house had a dirt floor, but was without chim- ney, windows or door shutter, having a log cut out of the side to let in light. Mr. Wil- son taught two schools here.

The first Sabbath school in Wayne County was also organized in this same honse, in 1824, and John Borah, Richard Hall, Thomas Wilson, George Wilson and James Crews taught classes. The sessions lasted much longer than they do at the present time.

211

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

The second school in the township was also taught by George Wilson, near the " Pigeon Roost," on the Jonathan Douglas place, in 1825. Among the pupils at this school wore S. J. R. Wilson, Jacob Hall. William Borah, Bailey Borah, Finley Shaw, Clinton, Jaek- son and Warren E. McMackin, the Brad. shaws, Pritchets and others.

These early educational instructions were erected conveniently near to hazel thickets. Upon the approach of Christmas, the patrons of the school came early in the morning to witness the exploit of the boys "turning the teacher out," a custom prevalent in those days, and found the shutterless door blocked with benches. By some means, the teacher found access to the inside, and the struggle commenced in good earnest. Some of the boys made their escape, but the more coura- geous, laid hold with a hearty good-will, and soon had the teacher at a disadvantage, wal- lowing him on the dirt floor and pouring water over him, from the drinking gourd. At a signal from the teacher, one of the Pritchet girls snatched the gourd and broke it, so as to stop that part of their fun. These scenes were greatly enjoyed in carly times by teacher and pupils, and on this oc- casion, the citizens resolved to put a floor in the schoolhouse, and one was accordingly made of puncheons, so that the boys in fut- ure could not dirty the teachers clothes so outrageously William Metealf, William Gash. Jacob Love, Minsoy James, Thurmutis Crews, Gibson Davis, Samuel Edmunson, Matthew Blakely, David Reece, and Mr. French, a Baptist preacher, were among the teachers who taught many years since in Jasper Township.

Twenty-eight years ago, the present school system was inaugurated Prior to that time, the schoolhouses wore generally built by the contributions or labor of the patrons, and the

teachers were paid by subscription, by the parent, at a stipulated sum per scholar. The furniture, if such it might bo called, was of the rudest kind and, as to books, one or two were deemed sufficient for a large family. The rod was considered an indispensable requisito in shedding light upon the pupil's mind. " Loud schools" were the order of the day, in which all were expected to study out lond, so that the teacher could detoet any want of application or dereliction of duty.

The ability to teach "reading, writing and spelling " were the common qualifications of the teacher, and at a later date, he was ex- pected to be able " to cipher to the rule of three." The pens were all made by the teacher, from goose quills, and many a bold, round hand-write, executed with a quill pen, might have been seen. But these things are changed now, and Jasper Township has seven neat frame schoolhouses, worth with their furniture and grounds $3,100; 580 children of school age, upon whom were, last year, expended $1,995, while the schools averaged more than six months each.

James Miller, the father of Rev. Miledgo Miller, taught the first singing school in Jasper Township, at William Frazier's, in 1834. Jacob Hall, Douglases, Fraziers, Kings, Beaches, MeLins, McMacking and others at- tended. Old style patent notes were used.

John Gash, Sr., establishod a distillery on Martin's Creek in an early day, which was run for a few years, greatly to the injury of some young men in the neighborhood.

Hunting parties of Indians continued to make their winter camps on the Wabash and Elm Rivers until 1826. A favorito camping ground with them was on land now owned by Dr. C. W. Sibley. They were qniet; but pioneer mothers took advantage of their pres- ence to improve the morals of their own children.

212

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

As Polly Crews was passing through the tall prairie grass, in the dusk of evening, near Mr. Pritchet's, answering what she mis- took for the repeated calls of a woman in distress, she came upon an enormous panther, and was so paralyzed by fear that she could not run, on which account she probably es- caped a horrible death. The beast seemed also bewildered, from some cause, and would rear upon its feet, placing its paws upon her shoulders, and glare in her face with its wild and piercing eyes. Her screams brought men to her rescue, and the panther escaped.

A destructive tornado passed through the country from southwest to northeast in March, 1823, creating sad havoc and causing · destruction, leveling trees and almost every- thing else in its pathway. Its track was about one hundred rods in width, and while a few houses were blown down, much greater damage would have occurred had the country been as thickly settled as at present.

While Jasper Township has entirely es- caped murders, accidents with a fatal termination have occurred in considerable numbers within the last sixty years. Will- iam Mitcalf was drowned in the Little Wabash River in 1839. Thomas Wood was drowned at a later period, and a man by the name of Nickson was drowned at Leech's Mill. Adam Simonson's son was thrown from a horse and killed in 1846. Samuel Frazier, while drunk, was chilled to death as he lay out all night. While he was in the saloon in Fairfield, the men around the place would light sulphur matches and hold them under his nose to see him jerk his head. He was then left out alone with the above result.

Stewart, a son of Rev. Henry Phelps, was ac- cidentally shot with fatal effect while hunting a few years since. Burrel Cook was drowned in Elm River in 1850, while generously as-

sisting other parties to cross. A young man by the name of Stinett while running a blind horse was thrown and killed in 1847. George Posey was killed while felling a tree a few years ago. A five year-old son of Samuel Farris was drowned in Martin's Creek in 1879.

The early blacksmiths in Jasper Township were Joseph Martin. William Posey and Charles Dalton.

Guns were made and repaired by Alexan - der Clark, of Big Mound.

Abram Beach made the chairs; John Mc- Mackin was the first cabinet-maker; David P. McLin, the wheelwright and wagon-maker; and James Bradshaw was the shoe-maker.

Jonathan Douglas built the first frame house, and Jacob Hall burnt the first lime- kiln on the southeast quarter of Section 29. Mr. Hall also ran the first flat boat out of Elm River, and established the first general store on the southwest quarter of the south- east quarter of Section 25, the place now owned by William Murfit. He sold good brown sheeting at 75 cents per yard; good calico at 50 cents (six to eight yards making an ample dress pattern); nails, 12} cents per pound; powder, 75 cents, and lead at 20 cents; eggs were worth 3 cents per dozen; butter, 6} cents per pound; and pork brought $1.25 per 100 pounds.

Jonathan Douglas also kept a small store on his place.

Salt was brought from the saline works, near Equality on horseback, for which the pioneer bartered venison hams, peltries, tal- low, beeswax and honey, the latter selling at 50 cents per gallon. Wells were not common, and those who were not fortunate in owning springs, hauled their supply on sleds from the river.

Matches were unknown, and fire was either produced by flint and steel, or borrowed from

213

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

the neighbors. Percussion caps made their appearance some time after 1830, previous to which, and even much later, flint locks were used on guns. Before mills were built, different plans were adopted to manufacture corn into meal for bread while the corn was yet soft. It was grated into corn meal by rubbing over a piece of tin, punched full of holes to make it rongh.

Mortars were made by cutting off a tree about three feet from the ground, and burning a hole a foot in depth and diamater, in the top of the stump. Into this the corn was placed, and a hard hickory pestle, or an iron wedge attached to a spring pole, was used to pound it fine. It was then shaken through a domestic sieve, constructed by weaving long horse hairs over a wooden hoop. The finer portions were used for bread or mush, and the coarser for hominy. Bread was often made by mixing the meal with water and salt, placing the dough in wet corn shucks, or green cabbage leaves, and roasting in hot ombers. The more common method was to place the dough in a skilet, in three oblong lumps, called "dodgers," covering with a lid and putting hot coals above and beneath.

When the lid was turned upside down, coals of fire underneath, and bread baked on top, it was called " hoe cake," and was con- sidered an antidote for dyspepsia. The "johnny-cake," was made by making the dough very rich with lard, and placing it on a board to roast before the fire. The best constructed cook stoves, with all modern ap- pliances, have failed to make corn-bread as palatable as the meanest of these methods.

Granulated honey, well drained and dried, was used for sugar. For tea sassafras root, sage, spicewood and sycamore bark were used. Coffee cost money, and was but little used except on raro occasions. Strings of red pepper and various medicinal herbs were hung

upon the wall, in readiness for any emergency. or demand that might be made upon thom.

Pumpkins were cut into rings and hung upon sticks over-head to dry for spring and summer use. Very few Irish potatoes were used, but yams being a Southern growth, were more generally cultivated. Peaches were plentiful, after a few years, with those who were not too indifferent to plant them.

It is thought that John Borah raised the first apples and the first wheat in Jasper Township, but the latter was little used on account of the difficulty of manufacturing it into flour. Metheglin and persimmon beer were often used as a domestic drink.

After the days of buckskin, the pioneer clothing was carded, spun and woven by hand, the thread, buttons etc., being of home manufacture.

Cotton was grown to a considerable extent, and after the seeds were picked out by hand, was colored by native barks, and made into cloth. A cross-checked, homespun, cotton dress, woven in checks of "copperas and white," made a wedding outfit of which the Queen Dowager might have been proud.

Flax entered largely into the supply of apparel. The seeds were thickly sown that it might grow tall and slender, after which it was pulled up by the roots, rotted, broken, swingled, hatcheled and spun on a small flax wheel for use.

Men, women and children were compelled to work hard in those days for the necessaries to say nothing of the comforts of life. Per- sons roared under the influence and inspira. tion of modern progress, can form no just conception of the hardships endured, or the shifts to which the toiling pioneer was often compelled to resort.

Winter caps were made of the skins of wolves, foxes and raccoons, and summer hats wero made of plaited straw. Grain was cut

214

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

with the sickle, and when the cradle was in- troduced, about 1830, it was almost as great an innovation as the reaper and binder of the present day. The grain was threshed by the hand flail, or tramped out by horses, and " winnowed " in any manner by which could be applied the most wind. After being ground into flour, it was bolted by hand, and a dark, inferior article it made indeed.

The plows were decidedly primitive in their construction; first the bull-tongue, then the barshare and the Cary, with wooden mold-boards, from which the dirt had fre- quently to be scraped with a paddle. Work oxen were in general use, but a mule had not been seen in Jasper Township until Peter Cartwright passed through, riding one, which caused no little stir among the people. The men were attracted by the sight of the great pioneer preacher, and the boys by the mule.

That terrible scourge, so common at an early day, and even at a much later period, known as the "milk sickness," was held in dread by the inhabitants of Jasper Town- ship, and so general was it that the people did not deny its presence. What is it ? I don't know! though my limbs for more than thirty years have quivered under its baneful influence. What is your opinion ? It would settle no question if I were to answer you. Thirty-five years ago, Sailor's Springs and some springs in Crawford County were se- curely fenced, to preserve cattle from the clutches of this fell destroyer. Finley Paul and Martin Woodworth, of Palestine. Ill., claim that it is caused by an herb, and that its use by stock under certain conditions is sure to produce the malady. If the scattered blades of fodder were left over night in Henry Gardner's dooryard, northwest part of Fay. ette County, Ill., and his calves were per- initted to eat it in the morning with the dew on, they soon grew shakey and died, and this

was repeated A few miles northwest of Al- tamont, some years since. was a well from which several people contracted this disease and died. Its victims become dizzy and nervous, while an intense, burning fever tor- ments the whole system. Congestion and excruciating pains in the stomach rack the very life from the sufferer. A peculiar odor is emitted that need not be mistaken. Hap- pily, the cause, whatever it may be, passes away when the ground is cultivated. tramped or the original wild growth is eaten out.

From Mr. E. B. Hearn, Township Clerk, we have secured the names of the following officers who have served in Jasper Township since the adoption of township organization in 1859. In 1860, J. Bailey Borah was elected Supervisor : Robert Black, Clerk; John A. Russell, John M. Creighton and John C. Borah. Highway Commissioners; J. Morland and Amos Phelps, Justices of the Peace.

1861-Samuel Stewart, Supervisor; Robert Black, Clerk: J. C. Borah, Commissioner. and Z. C. Roberts, Justice of the Peace.

1862-James A. McLin. Supervisor: Rob- ert Black. Clerk: Amos Phelps, H. C. Phelps, E. P. Grove, Commissioners.

1863-James Hearn, Supervisor: Alex. Crews, Clerk: William Crews, Justice of the Peace: and J. C. Borah, Commissioner.

1864-James Hearn, Supervisor; Joseph Wilson, Clerk; Henry Darr, Commissioner; and B. S. Brown, Justice of the Peace.

1865-William N. Borah, Supervisor; E. B. Roberts, Clerk; John M. Creighton and Henry Rankin, Commissioners.

1866-William N. Borah, Supervisor; E. B. Roberts, Clerk; John M. Creighton, Com- missioner; and James A. McLin, Justice of the Peace.

1867-James A. McLim, Supervisor; Ben- jamin H. Hearn, Clerk; William E. Pilcher, Commissioner.

215

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

1868-L. P. Hay, Supervisor; Robert Black, Clerk; Robert Schell and James A. MeLin, Commissioners; L. P. Hay and E. B. Pileher. Justices of the Peace.

1869-L. P. Hay, Supervisor; John W. Borah, Clerk: Robert Schell, Commissioner.

1870-E. B. Pilcher, Supervisor; A. M. Cable, Clerk; J. H. Thomas, Commissioner.

1871-William N. Borah, Supervisor and Justice; - Limpert, Clerk; T. H. Darr, Com- missioner.

1872-William N. Borah, Supervisor; Gil- lison George, Clerk; B. E. Johnson, Com- missioner; William Crews and E. B. Pilcher, Justices of the Peace.

1873-William N. Borah, Supervisor; E. Berg, Clerk; J. B. Borah, Commissioner; Emanuel Berg, Justice of the Peace.

1874-James A. MeLin, Supervisor; E. Berg, Clerk: Caleb Crews, Commissioner.

1875-William N. Borah, Supervisor; E. Berg. Clerk; P. B. Grice, Commissioner.

1876-D. C. Monroe, Supervisor; S. H. Rea, Clerk; Z. C. Roberts, Commissioner; Caleb W. Crews, Justice of the Peace.

1877 -- Voluntine C. Borah, Supervisor; E. B. Pilcher, Clerk; B. E. Johnson. Commis- missioner; James A. McLin and Caleb W. Crews, Justices of the Peace.

1878-M. H. Crews, Supervisor; E. B. Pilcher, Clerk; B. E. Johnson, Commissioner.

1879-Samuel H. Rea, Supervisor; E. R. Hearn, Clerk; Thomas M. Young, Commis- sioner.

1880-V. C. Borah, Supervisor; E. R. Hearn, Clerk; O. Beard, Commissioner.

1881-V. C. Borah, Supervisor; E. R. Hearn, Clerk; T. E. Darr, Commissioner; Charles E. Creighton, J. A. MeLin and Sam- uel S. Farris, Justice of the Peace.

1882-S. H. Rea, Supervisor; E. R. Hearn, Clerk: George M. Owen, Commissioner.

1883-David H. Holman, Supervisor; E.

R. Hearn, Clerk; John H. Bradbury, Com- missioner.

William A. Frazier came from South Car- olina with the other Fraziers in 1818, and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 13. He was an illiterate man, but aspired to better things than he had been accustomed to, desiring to associate with those who tread the higher walks of life. Being an aspi. rant for honors, he sought the company of educated people, and, wishing to appear to advantage in their presence, he, indiscrimi . nately used big sounding words withont re- gard to their meaning. His ambition was chiefly to be well thought of, and such a man cannot be mean. He was elected Major of the militia. He was a hatter by profes- sion, and as his finances improved, he im- proved his premises. His wool hats sold at $1.25, and were so stiff that they could be used as a stool. His fur hats were made on the shares, or, for sixteen coon skins he would make a hat that would last ten years. He was a good man, and died in 1835. His son John died in the Mexican war. Other sons moved to Arkansas many years ago.

John Borah, Sr., was born in Lancaster County. Penn .. about 1777, and removed to Butler County, Ky., in an early day, and came to Wayne County, Ill., and settled on the southwest quarter of the southeast quar- ter of Section 23, in Jasper Township, in 1821. He was a man of sterling integrity. of good common sense and fixed principles. He was long an Elder of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and died in 1842. His father, Jacob, was a Revolutionary soldier.

William N. Borah, the first son of John, is one of the most substantial citizens of the county. Few among us are more extensively read in general literature than he. He has five times filled the position of Supervisor,

216

HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

and has paid especial attention to the in- terests of education. He is a pleasant, hale gentleman of the old style, and it is a treat to spend an evening with him, when the con- versation will not be allowed to falter.

John MeMackin came from Kentucky about 1822, and first settled near Fairfield, where the great tornado blew down his house with- out injuring his family, and he afterward moved to the northwest quarter of Section 21, where he died. He was an early cabinet- maker and carpenter. His sons were Clin- ton, a great singer, John and Warren E. The latter became a Cumberland Presbyte- rian minister of considerable note; but it is not especially in this capacity that he has most brilliantly shone. At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, he was ap- pointed Chaplain of the Twenty-first Illi- nois Infantry, by U. S. Grant, the Colonel. Upon the promotion of the latter, he was ap pointed Colonel of the regiment, and won many laurels during the war. When Gen. Grant became President, with his usual cus- tom of remembering true and tried friends, he did not forget Col. MeMackin, but ap- pointed him to different positions, among which was Pension Agent in this district. He is now enjoying an honored old age in Salem, Ill., though his health is impaired by his army life.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 26

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 704

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704