History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 27

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 27
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 27

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).

Jacob B. Borah, another son of John, the pioneer, was born in Wayne County, Ill., in 1820. He is mentally well preserved, bright. quick and well read. He has certainly been of great value in compiling this history, by the accurate fund of information from which

copious notes have been frequently drawn. He was a Captain in the late war, and is highly esteemed as a private citizen. It is by such men that the world is made better.

James Hearn came from Tennessee and settled on the southwest quarter of the north- west quarter of Section 21. about 1842. He served as a soldier in the Seminole war, and also on the Union side in the war of the great rebellion. As a man he is positive in his convictions, gentle in his temperament, a very active member of the Missionary Bap- tist Church, but catholic in his sentiments, and no man among his numerous acquaint- ances possesses, in a higher degree, the confidence and friendship of all than " Uncle Jimmy Hearn."

John M. Creighton came from White County, and settled on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 35, in Jasper Township, where he improved one of the finest estates in Wayne County. He was a thorough Methodist, a thoroughgoing busi- Less man, and one of the grandest accessions that the county has ever received. Possessed of a well-balanced mind, he managed his own affairs with prudence and was a wise counselor and true friend to those in need. His death, which occurred in the fall of 1869, was a heavy loss to the community at large. His sons, James A., of Springfield, Joseph, of Taylorville, and Jacob R., of Fairfield, are attorneys. Charles E. is a minister, and Mattie is the wife of Dr. Borah, of Louis- iana. His younger sons are cultivating the estate upon which his worthy widow, the daughter of Rev. James Crews, resides.

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVII.

MASSILLON TOWNSHIP

EARLY FACTS AND REMINISCENCES AS GATHERED FROM JACOB HALL, W. N. BORAH, J. B. BORAH, JUDGE WILSON AND OTHERS-LOVELETTE, THE TRADITIONAL FIRST COMER-ENOCII BEACHI,

THE FIRST SETTLER, WITH A SKETCH-NAMES AND SKETCHES OF OUR SETTLERS

AND THEIR FAMILIES-CAMPS AND CABINS OF THE EARLY DAY-TRUNDLE

BEDS AND THEIR TRASHI-FIRST SCHOOL AND WHO TAUGHT IT FIRST MARRIAGE, BIRTHI AND DEATHI-THE OLD RANGERS -JUDGE WILSON AND THE DEER THAT TORE HIS CLOTHES OFF-JOHN MCCOLLUM AND HIS COON-WILD CATS-FIRST MILLS, CHURCHES, PREACHERS, ETC., ETC., ETC.

TO demand a complete and thorough his- tory, perfect in all its parts and bear- ings, in relation to the events of the "long, long ago " -- events that were second-hand at a time when heads now silvered by the frosts of many winters were in the bloom of child- hood-is only equaled by the expectation of finding perfect men in this world, or seeking infallibility in a weak and fallen race. The standpoint from which events and incidents are observed must be considered as well as the opportunities of the witnesses upon whose testimonies we are chiefly called upon to rely for the most accurate information ob- tainable at the time.

The intelligent observer is sometimes led on to wonder, and even to amazement, when he hears, in our courts, good men, honest and true, testifying diametrically opposite to each other about events, viewed at the same time by each, yet from different standpoints. But, in rendering judgment, the reasonable. ness, the weight of testimony, as well as the idiosyncrasies and opportunities of each wit- ness, must be taken into consideration.

It is little different in gathering incidents of history, for, after the greatest care and diligent research, many items will doubtless remain untold, and others will appear among chronicled events that are questionable as to accuracy, and some may possess an air of im- probability.

But history is useful, inasmuch as it se- cures to ns the advantage of the experience of others, whose successes and failures in life are as beacon lights, by which we may safely guide our floating barks on life's sea to a haven of security.

The first actors on the arena of civilized life in Massillon Township, the men who " came, and saw, and conquered," have long since passed to their reward, and their places are now largely occupied by men who knew them not, but have entered into their labors and are enjoying the blessings procured by the others' hardships. There is no excel- lence without great labor, and the labor and endurance of the first were the means by which the latter generations have procured immunity from kindred privations. Some of them were, indeed, grand men-men whose

*By F. M. Woolard.

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lights would shine in any age or sphere, and brilliantly illume the horizon around them. In a few instances, their sons, who either came with them in early childhood, or were "to the manor born," are still living, as bright men as any among us, but even their steps are tottering with age, and, ere many changing seasons, as the morning dew be- neath the summer's sun, they, too, must pass away and be gathered to their fathers.

We here wish to acknowledge our obliga- tions to Messrs. Jacob Hall, William N. Bo- rah, J. B. Borah, Judge Wilson and some others, for reliable information concerning the early pioneers and many incidents in this narrative. These gentlemen are all re- markably well preserved in mind and body, and in addition to being the sons of hardy pioneers, possess stores of valuable informa- tion from which we have copiously drawn for these chronicles.

Massillon Township embraces the whole territory designated by Government survey- ors as Town 1 south, Range 9 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, in Wayne County, Ill. It is bounded on the east by Edwards County, on the south by Leech Township, on the west by Jasper Township, and on the north by Mt. Erie Township. In its physical features it differs somewhat from any other township in the county, having within its boundaries two rivers, between and along which are large areas of swamp lands cover- ing almost fourteen sections, which are sub-

generally been left in their wild and uncult- ured state, and furnish ample pasturage for thousands of cattle and other stock dur- ing nine or ten months in the year. This pasturage will probably remain for many generation to come, and will continue to fur- nish a luxuriant growth of rich and succu- lent grasses that may be turned to advantage by the thrifty stock-grower of the future. These flat lands must of necessity remain unfenced for many years to come, and the grand range be open and free to all men un- til large sums are expended for levees to secure fences from breakage by high waters.

Much the larger portion of Massillon Township, as the white man found it, was covered with a heavy growth of timber, which has been of great value, not only to the surrounding country but for exportation. Very considerable quantities of the better grades of hard wood yet remain, and can be obtained at fair prices.

When the red man abandoned this country, these forests were comparatively open, but little undergrowth being found to obstruct the vision. This destruction of the germs of trees and shrubs was brought about by the annual autumnal fires that swept over both timber and prairie alike. These fires were not the result of accident as many have sup- posed, but were caused by the deliberate act of the Indians, that there might be no hiding places for the wild game, upon which they ject to overflows, and are often submerged to . relied for sustenance. The prairie fire must considerable depths. These low lands, when cultivated, yield an alluring wealth of farm products, unequaled in their abundance, but the uncertainty of harvesting the fruit of the husbandman's labor, on account of overflows, has, to a large extent, acted as a hindrance to their general cultivation. While very pro- ductive in favorable seasons, these lands have be seen, and that in the night time, to be fully appreciated. The sight is a grand one, often terrific, and not easily forgotten: but he who relies upon the account of western sen- sational writers for information on this sub- ject, is sure to be misled, and can have no just conception of this really beautiful pan- orama, for the simple reason that their state-

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

ments are overdrawn, and the authors never saw what they pretend to describe.

Over portions of Sections 4, 3, 10 and 9, in Massillon Township, extends an arm of Grand Prairie, which is known here by the name of Long Prairie. In the southeastern portion of the township. next to Jasper Township. Tom's Prairie covers about one section of land. Since the cessation of the early fires before mentioned, the timber growth has made considerable encroachments upon these prairies, so that their area is not so great now as it was sixty years ago.

Massillon Township, as a whole. is very fertile, and some of the finest bodies of farm- ing lands to be found in Southeastern Illi- nois are located within her borders. The lands, aside from the flats, or overflowed lands along the river, are undulating, with sufficient drainage to carry off the rainfall within a few hours' time. The abundant crops of hickory nuts and various kinds of acorns are of great value as swine food. be- sides which large quantities of hickory nuts are shipped and bring considerable revenue into the community. In the good old times, pecans grew in great abundance, and formed no inconsiderable article of early commerce. being bought by merchants and shipped in flat-boats to New Orleans, where they found a ready market. But the vandal hands of shiftless men, who, like the fabled boy that slew the goose that lay the golden egg, have felled the trees bearing these truly luscious nuts, that they might share the profit of the single crop obtained thereby, though their destruction deprived themselves and others, including their own children, of the enjoy- meut for many years, the luxury of this fruit. It has been said that " the Anglo-Saxon race is a race of pirates," and one must indeed close both eyes and ears almost every day of his life to not be forced to the con-

clusion that the declaration is but too true.

Catalpa, a tree of large and abundant growth, with a luxuriance of flowers, and ex- tensively used for shingles and posts on ac- count of its durability, is indigenous and deserves a special mention. In fact, the tim- ber growth of this, both in quantity and va- riety, is scarcely excelled by that of any other township in the State.

The fauna of Massillon Township was the great attraction to the red man in his day, and this was the Elysian field of the pioneer hunter, the alluring magnet that drew him here. From the best information now at hand, the bear, deer, turkeys and larger game, to say nothing of the smaller varieties, existed in larger numbers, and remained longer after the first settlement in this town- ship than elsewhere in Wayne County. Birds existed in great variety, many species of which yet remain. Wild fruits in great abundance were indigenous to the soil, and were a welcome article of food to the early settler.

At the intersection of Sections 20 and 28, but lying chiefly in the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 28, is a pond somewhat noted for the large numbers of water-fowl that formerly congregated there, and was a place of resort for hunters in quest of the same. Wild ducks and geese were killed here in quantities sufficient to make the modern quail and snipe hunter feel the utter insignificance of his calling.

Owing to the deposit from the frequent overflows, and the rank growth of vegetation, falling and remaining on its surface, it is supposed that, within the recollection of men now living, the depth has decreased not less than three feet. In addition to this the portion belonging to Mr. David Monroe has been partially drained, and some attempts made at cultivation; but the overflow, which

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

seems to be almost as sure as death and taxes, precludes the possibility of successful culti- vation, notwithstanding the great wealth of accumulated soil on its bosom.

Near this pond, on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 29, the property of Marvel Hill, are three mounds, composed of sandy loam, about ten acres of which are above all overflow, supposed to have been the work of ancient Mound-Build- ers. Signs of Indian burial are to be seen there yet, and small pieces of human bones, teeth, "scraps of pottery with other relics are still to be found.

In 1833, while Judge Wilson, then a lad, was plowing on the largest of these mounds, his plow struck something hard, which caused him and his father to investigate, and, upon digging down, they unearthed a slab- stone vault, 2x3 feet in size, in which was doubled up a large human skeleton, apparently in a fair state of preservation, but which soon crumbled, with the exception of the teeth, when exposed to the atmosphere. The flat stones of which this vault was composed were unlike anything of the kind found in the neighborhood.

The Little Wabash River enters Massillon Township near the center of the eastern line of Section 12, bearing in a southwesterly di- rection through Sections 11, 14, 15, 22, 27, 33 and 32, where it enters Leech Township. The western portion of the township is drained by Elin River, which runs through Sections 18, 19, 30, 29 and 32, where it en- ters the Little Wabash River.

Village Creek in the east and Little Elm in the northwest carry off the surplus rain- fall in those portions of the township.

On the premises of James Ed Lane, south- east quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 31, are yet distinctly to be seen portions of the buffalo trace, along which were scattered many

bones when the county was first settled. Signs of an Indian village having existed here are numerous, and many relics, such as stone axes, arrow points, etc., have been found at this place. Along the bluffs of Section 31 are numerous springs of water that flow the year round, and the driest seasons have not perceptibly affected them.

There is not the uncertainty as to who were the first permanent settlers in Massillon Township that we sometimes encounter in others.

There is an old tradition, however, wheth- er true or nntrue we have no means at hand of ascertaining, that a Frenchman by the name of Lavalette, prior to the war of 1812, had a trading post, for barter with the Indi- ans, at or near the place where the town of New Massillon was afterward founded. Through the same tradition, we also learn that, being impressed with a sense of inse- curity. so remote from any other white man, when the war clouds began to gather, he also " gathered " his traps and sought a place of greater security.

Enoch Beach is entitled to the honor of being considered the first settler in Massillon Township. He came from Sonth Carolina and located on the northeast quarter of Section 30 as early as 1817. He moved in a large "schooner" wagon, a style of wagon un- known to the present generation, the first wagon brought to Wayne County, and with him came King, his brother-in-law, who sood died, and Pritchet, who settled in Jas- per Township, and also Abraham Beach, his nephew, with their families. The intelli- gence, benevolence and energy of Mr. Beach made him a prominent factor in the com- munity until his death, which occurred about the year 1836. He early became an exten- sive land-owner, and improved a large farm; was elected or appointed Justice of the

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Peace, the duties of which he administered to the satisfaction of all; he filled the posi - tion of State Senator with honor, and, while modest and unassuming, he was foremost in all public enterprises or movements for the welfare of the people. Prudent in the management of his own affairs, he always had some ready money, a matter of no small moment at that time, and it is said that if a neighbor was in want of money he could sell his stock to Mr. Beach for cash, and thus ob- tain relief, when without such an opportu- nity many would have been distressed. Hav- ing the only wagon in the neighborhood, he would gather the people's corn and do their heavy hauling, for which he charged five bushels of corn per day. A man of enlarged views, he did not follow hunting for the sake of the peltries that could be secured, but as a sportsman engaged in the chase for recrea- tion. Seeking larger game, he kept heavy dogs, and bear-hunting was his favorite pas- time. After the extermination of the bears in the country, his instincts led him in quest of the deer, and the dash and game in his nature were shown when mounted on a fine charger. His hunting was always on the " drive."

Sixty-three years ago, he built what was then and remains to this day one of the best Iwelling houses in the community, owned and now occupied by Mr. Stewart Cunningham.

Not himself a church member, he opened his house to public preaching, and it is thought by some that the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church of Tom's Prairie was first organized in his dwelling.

He planted the first apple-trees in the county, some of which are still standing, but gradually are being borne down by the weight of years. He also raised the first wheat in the community, and by his enterprise the interests of the country were greatly advanced.

Mrs. Mays and her daughter, of Fairfield, and Mrs. Andrew Crews, of Marion, are the only lineal descendants remaining to him in this community.

Abraham Beach came from South Carolina with Enoch Beach in 1817, and is reputed to have been a good, quiet man. A millwright by profession, he built many of the early horse mills in the country, and also made coffins. He lived to be quite old, and died about 1838.

In 1837, Andrew Crews came from Ken- tucky and lived one year in Barnhill Town- ship, and in 1818 settled on Section 31 in Massillon Township, where his descendants still own a fine farm. He was born in Hali- fax County, Va., lived near the Cumberland River in Tennessee, remained in Kentucky but a short time, and then came to Illinois. He is remembered as a man of moral stamina, having a determined will in favor of right, and his counsels were of weight in the com- munity. Being a Methodist, his house was long a preaching place, and the present Ebenezer Society was organized there. He was, for many years prior to his death, afflict- ed with rheumatism.

George Russell came with the Frazier's, his brothers-in-law from South Carolina in 1818, and settled on Section 19. He was an uneducated man, talked too much, and often about other people's business, sometimes causing trouble, without so intending. He was a successful hunter, and shiftless in other respects, but possessed an active busi- ness wife. Being an Old School Presbyte- rian, the early preachers of that denomination preached at his house. He died about 1842. His son Macomb was killed by the Indians in California in 1849. His son John be- came n Baptist minister, and with his brother Frank moved to Arkansas.

Rev. James Crews came to Illinois with

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

his father, and was for many years a useful Methodist Episcopal local preacher. Though a Methodist, he was a lover of all Christian people, and died greatly respected a few years since.

Rev. Woods M. Hamilton lived on the Enoch Beach farm in an early day, and, be- ing a regular pastor, a fuller account will be given of him in the account of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church,

Rev. David McLin, a Cumberland Pres- byterian minister of great ability, and one who made his impress in all this region of country, organized his church in Massillon Township as early as 1822. He will be more fully mentioned in connection with his church.

Edward West came from Pennsylvania, about 1822, and settled on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 10, where he improved a good farm and be- came the wealthiest man in the township. A man of good education for the times, he was possessed of good tastes and refinement, and was intelligent and progressive. He was the first Justice of the Peace in the present ter- ritory of Massillon Township, also a Repre- sentative in the Legislature; was a live-stock dealer, and died about 1846. One of his daughters is the wife of William N. Borah.

John Henson came from Indiana about 1826, and was the first to settle on the In- dian mound between the rivers. He built a camp for his family, and being a successful hunter, supplied them with meat, and noth- ing more, his wife having to furnish the other supplies by her own labor. He was not a good man, being unscrupulous, a practical joker, and his gallantry among the ladies was often offensive. A Mr. Chapman, father- in-law to Henson, eame soon after, and built a small cabin on the mound near the pond, but died in a short time. He was almost a giant

in stature, weighing over 300 pounds. He was a fine-looking man, and reared a large family of well developed and exceedingly handsome sons and daughters. The sons were fond of good horses, and were great- fighters. The family moved away after the death of the father.

Samuel McCollum came from Indiana about 1828, and it is thought that he was originally from Georgia or Alabama. He was a large and very portly man, always dressed well, full of life, fun and frolic, very fond of fine horses, a jolly jockey, ran many horse races, and was fond of seeing a fight, though peaceable and good-natured himself. He bought the water-will of Saunders, which he ran for many years afterward.

William McCollum, a son of Samuel, im- proved a farm on the southwest quarter of Section 16, where he died. He was a quiet, peaceable man, attending to his own busi- ness, and was highly esteemed as a good citizen.

Matthew Monroe lived one year on Richard Hall's place, and then moved to Tazewell County, Ill., where he recently died.

Gillison Price came from Indiana about 1835, and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 6. He was a good, upright. indus- trious and progressive man, and left a worthy family. When Gen. MeLernand was a can- didate for Congress, he told him frankly that he should not vote for him, because he liked his opponent better. His death occurred about 1860.

Larkin Price came with his brother Gilli- son, and improved a good farm on the sonth- east quarter of Section 6. Like his brother, he was a truly good man, and at his death, which occurred in 1859, he left a worthy family, that have, by their upright lives, re- flected anew their father's memory.

Miles Morris came from Indiana about

J.P. Walters M. N.

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

1826, and settled near " Farmer's Lick." He was a good hunter, but not progressive, and died many years ago.

Farmer's Lick was a famous evening resort for deer, on or near Section 15, where the un- suspecting animals were ambushed, and, dur- ing their career, many thousands of them were slain there.

William Farmer settled on the northwest quarter of Section 15 as early as 1825. His occupation was that of a hunter. He built scaffolds in the trees, near the lick, where lie concealed himself of evenings, where, it is claimed, he killed 500 deer. He moved to Elm River Township, and died about 1848.

Nathan Martin, generally called "Big Nuck," the son of James Martin, came to Wayne County in 1818, and settled in 1825 on the southwest quarter of Section 15. He · was a peaceable man, but would defend the weak, when oppressed; hence his many fights, in which he was always victorious. He died at Clay City a few years since. Monroe Martin and Mrs. Melinda Crews are his chil- dren.

Daniel Baily, whose wife was a Cannon, came from Kentucky in 1817 or 1818, and was the first man to settle east of the Wabash River, in Massillon Township. He improved a fine farm on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 25. An indus- trions, progressive man, he came to the county poor, and by his thrift, previous to his death, which occurred in 1847, he amassed a good property.

William Batson came to Massillon Town- ship as early as 1828, and settled on the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 34, where he improved a good farm, planted a large orchard. built a hotel on the road lead- ing from Mt. Carmel to Salem, and was a progressive man, and valuable citizen gener- ally. He died in Leach Township about 1844.

Joseph Welch came from Pennsylvania about 1826, and lived on Richard Hall's place, being too shiftless to build a cabin of his own. Being a good hunter, he provided wild meat for his family, but let them raise their own bread.

He was fond of whisky, and when drunk would drive his family from home. When his wife was tired of venison, he would fur- nish a fresh supply of coon and ground hog. To insure a supply of meat, he salted down coon and possum, which was called Welch's " small bacon." He moved to the mouth of the Wabash River, Indiana, where his fami- ly nearly all died. His son, an old man, after an absence of forty years, returned to Fairfield, where he lived a year or two, but recently returned to Ohio and died.

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 27

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