USA > Illinois > Clay County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 50
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 50
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403
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
of MeCawley's store, also opened a general store. He sold out in 1863 to J. K. Both- well (who up to this time had been doing business in old Maysville), and finally went to Flora. The latter sold goods at that store for a short time, and then moved the build- ing to the south side of the railroad, and it now forms a part of his present store. Thomas J. Bagwell, who had been running a hotel in old Maysville for so many years, came to the place next, and put up a frame where the present building of J. T. Evans & Co. now stands. He associated with himself his son-in-law, Dr. J. T. Evans, and afterward Israel Mills. The business was continued under the name of Bagwell, Evans & Co. until 1877, when Mr. Bagwell died. This gentleman, from his arrival in this county in 1842 to his death in 1877, was one of the controlling factors of the place. In an early day, his hotel was known far and wide, and his income from that alone was considerable. In endeavoring to have a mill located in old Maysville, he spent considerable money, and as has already been stated, he had finally to take hold of it himself. The educational interest of an early day found in him an earnest and most zealous supporter, and it was through his endeavors that the first church of the township was built. Coming to Clay City, he soon became one of the foremost business men of the place, and had a large share of the patronage of the town- ship; and in his death the township lost one of its best citizens. His wife is still living, at the age of seventy-four, in this city, as well as his four daughters, Mrs. Brissenden, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Mills and Mrs. McIlvain.
About the next person to come to this town was C. H. Sperry. He built a small store on the ground now occupied by the Odd Fel- lows Hall. He only sold goods there a short time, and afterward taught the first school in
Clay City in connection with his wife. From this time the town commenced to im- prove quite rapidly, and now contains about 800 inhabitants. Shannon & Williams were the first to embark in the blacksmith business; John M Armstrong ran the first carpenter shop, and Dr. Boyles was the first practicing physician that located here. The first mill in Clay City was put up in 1864 by D. L. McCawley. It was a saw mill, and to it was added a grist mill. The mill has been in constant nse ever since, and was in 1882 sold to Messrs. Holman & Markle, by whom it is run at present.
Homer Perkey, a son of R. D. Perkey, was the first child born in Clay City, and David D. Duff, Jr., the second.
Ever since the laying-out of the village it has steadily improved, and to-day is quite a business point. The following persons are doing business here:
General stores, J. K. Bothwell & Son, J. T. Evans & Co., Holman & Coggan, J. N. Duff & Co., Allender & Duff, L. Blessing.
Culter & Doherty, drugs.
D L. McCawley, C. L. Feldweg, hardware.
G. C. Miller, furniture.
George Reuben, Martin Armstrong, meat market.
Harness-makers, William Dransfield, David A. Soules.
Jewelry store, A. R. Kiser.
Millinery, Kiser & Armstrong, Mrs. R. A. Blessing.
Shoe maker, Henry Knowdell.
Hotels, Mound Honse, Central House.
Physicians, E. W. Boyles, T. N. Lowns- dale, J. Quertermous.
E. MeGilton, lawyer.
Stock dealers, Israel Mills, M. Brissenden, A. L. Oder.
Commission merchants, J. T. Evans & Co.,
J. N. Duff & Co., and J. K. Bothwell & Son.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
Blacksmiths, V. M. Chaffey, August Hol- bough and Cyrus Emmens.
Livery stable, Figg & Mills.
Its main business rooms are located on Main street, running south from the railroad, and are nearly all substantial buildings. There are also a number of fine residences, and the general appearance of the town indi- cates prosperity. The village contains two brick and one frame church and two school buildings, which receive proper notice in another place. The village boasts also of a Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodge. Both of these organizations have halls of their own, and the history of their respective organiza- tion is given in another place. There is also a post of the Grand Army of the Republic at this point. Although the town of Clay City is located in the extreme eastern edge of the county, still to it is brought an ex- tensive business. Especially has it developed in the last few years into a stock and prod- uce point. The stock shipments from here reached this last season 147 car loads. The commission merchants also do well at this point, the shipments this last season being about 150,000 bushels of grain. There was also shipped from this point about 3,500 bar- rels of apples. The trade in produce, too, has been quite extensive, but the exact amount shipped is not obtainable. One of the interesting features of this little town is its library. The history of this institution dates back to 1870, when the Clay City Li- brary and Literary Association was formed. Prior to this time, a society composed of young folks and known as the " Alpha So- ciety " was in existence, and already pos- sessed some books, which they turned over to the new association. Other books were add- ed until quite a library was formed. The associatiou rented Duff's Hall, and there the books were kept. Here also the society held
meetings of a literary nature, once a week, from October to April. These meetings were kept up from year to year until 1883, when the Masonic fraternity taking possession of the hall the meetings had to be discontinued. At present, the library, now numbering about 800 volumes, is kept in Dr. Boyles' office. The affairs of the library are managed by a board of six directors. Its present members are E. W. Boyles, President; R. T. Fry, Secretary; and Dr. T. N. Lownsdale, J. T. Evans, Israel Mills and Henry C. Bothwell.
Schools .- As we remarked in closing the history of the schools of Maysville, by a vote of the district the schoolhouse was moved from that village to this town and lo- cated on Lots 2 and 3, in Block No. 11, of Wilson & Cochran's Addition. The re- moval was made about the last of October, 1861, and was conducted by W. H. Hance, who, the record shows, was paid $125 for said removal. C. H. Sperry commenced teaching there on November 1, and tanght five months. About the first business that we find that the new board transacted was to order the building painted and a fence built around the lots. This frame was used as a school until 1865, when, on the 4th day of March, there was an election held, on which it was decided to build a new building and sell the old, and the record shows that there were thirty votes cast on each question. There were two sites proposed for the new building, one a lot in Sperry's Addition on Illinois street, the other on part of McCaw- ley's pasture. There were twenty-nine votes cast in favor of the first site, and one in favor of the second. At the first meeting of the directors after the election, it was decided to borrow $2,060 from the Township Trustees for the purpose of erecting the new building, and on May 27 the contract was let to F. M. Potter, for the sum of $3,930. On No-
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
vember 27 of the same year, the building was received, and upon settling with Potter it was found that it had cost $330 more than the original contract price. The building when completed was of brick, two stories high, and contains two rooms. It is the same that is now in use. The frame build- ing and lot was sold to Thomas J. Bagwell, and is now the property of Henry C. Evans. It is used by him as a residence. In March, 1868, the directors sold the old school lot in Maysville. The number of scholars in the district kept on increasing until in May, 1869, the directors decided to purchase the old M. E. Church in Maysville, and accom- panying lot. But owing to some reason or other the building was not removed to the lot in this city and used for a school until 1872. At present, the enrollment and at- tendance is as follows: Average number of children enrolled-males, 93; females, 85; average attendance, 149.
The following statement shows the differ- ent directors and teachers in this district from 1861 to the present time.
1861-J. I. MeCawley, J. K. Bothwell, R. E. Duff, Directors; C. H. Sperry, teacher.
1862-Miss Mary Crundwell, C. H. Sperry, teachers.
1863-M. Armstrong, Director; I. N. Gwinn, teacher.
1864-E. W. Boyles, Director; Miss Sarah C. Hulm, teacher.
1865-J. K. Bothwell, Director; William S. Rutget, Assistant.
1866-O. D. Schooley, Director.
1867-Jenkins Manker, Director; J. W. Spriggs, J. M. (Boyles, teacher.
1868-J. K. Bothwell, Director; John Eagle. teacher.
1869-J. H. Thompson, teacher.
1870-O. D. Schooley (two years), E. W.
Boyles (three years), Directors; M. L. Wooden, J. H. Thompson, teachers.
1871-J. K. Bothwell, Director; record does not show teacher.
1872-O. D. Schooley, Director; record does not show teacher.
1873-E. W. Boyles, Director; record does not show teacher.
1874-J. K. Bothwell, Director; R. L. Morrow, Maggie Page, Alice Livings, teach- ers.
1875-M. L. Armstrong, Director; T. B. Burley, J. Massey, Cornelia C. Boyles, teach- ers.
1876-J. Quertermous (two years), J. W. Culter (three years), Directors; T. W. Austin, Emma Massey, Jenny Mills. teach- ers.
1877-George C. Miller, Director; G. H. Page, Emma Brown, Jenny Mills, teachers. 1878-C. M. Pitner, George H. `Page Amy Boyles, teachers.
1879 H. C. Bothwell, Director; G. H. Page, R. T. Fry, S. G. Alexander, teachers.
1880 -- J. W. Culter, Director; G. H. Page, Mrs. H. L. Burbank, teachers.
1881 -- E. W. Boyles, Director; R. T. Fry, Tony S. Doherty, Miss Ella R. Kerr, Miss Lou M. Peak, teachers.
1882-James Quertermous, Director; R. T. Fry, T. S. Doherty, Miss Lon M. Peak, Miss Emma Armstrong, teachers.
1883-E. W. Boyles, Director; R. T. Fry, J. A. Barnes, Miss Lou M. Peak, Miss Emma Armstrong, teachers.
M. E. Church .- As we have already stated. what was known as the Maysville appoint- ment of the Methodist Church, was trans- ferred in 1866 to Clay City. And the first services ever held at this point, were held at the residence of Jenkins Manker, who, at that time, was running the Mound Ilouse.
406
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
Among the members of the church at that time were Dr. F. R. Pitner and family, Thomas J. Bagwell and family, M. L. Arm- strong and family, and Jenkins Manker and family. Meetings continued to be held at the residence of Mr. Manker for nearly a year. Soon after the change of the appoint- ment to this point, steps were taken to build a church. And about the last of December, 1866, the present brick church was finished at a cost of about $2,500. Services were held about January 1, 1867, the pastor in charge being Hugh Carrington. Among the other ministers who officiated here were Revs. Baird. Lathrop, Cooksey, Brown, Barkley and Hooker. The present pastor is Rev. Frank Loy, who preaches here every Sunday. At present the membership is abont 100. With the removal of the church from Mays- ville to this point came the Methodist Sun- day School. The Superintendent at that time was Jenkins Manker, who continued in charge for some time. At present, the atten- dance is about eighty-five, and the school is presided over by the following officers: Super- intendent, M. L. Armstrong; Secretary, Willie Manker; Organist, Mrs. Callie Man- ker: Treasurer, James Osbrooks; teachers, Jenkins Manker, Mrs. Callie Manker, Emma Armstrong and Richard Duff.
Christian Church. - The society of the Christian Church of Clay City was organized on March 10. 1871, with ten members, viz .: William Schooley and wife, Greenberry Owen and wife, J. T. Evans, G. W. Bailey and wife, O. D. Schooley and Mrs. Driscoll. The first services of this denomination were held in the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church, by the evangelist, G. P. Slade. In the latter part of the same year, the present brick chapel on Third street was erected, at a cost of about $4,000, and G. P. Slade assumed the duties of the first pastor. The first Elders
of the church were Greenberry Owen, John Alcorn and J. T. Evans. Since its first organization, the church has continued to prosper until now it contains about 100 mem- bers. Among the ministers who have watched over the flock have been John A. Williams, J. W. Spriggs, E. Lathrop, E. B. Black, W. F. Black, M. W. Reed and J. T. Baker. The present pastor is John A. Mavity, who has but recently entered upon his duties. The present officers are J. T. Evans and O. D. Schooley, Elders; and John Hardy, H. J. Daggitt, William Davis, J. E. MeIlvain, S. S. Doherty and J. G. Brown, Deacons: S. H. Doherty, Secretary, and J. T. MeIlvain, Treasurer. The Sunday school in connection with this organization was organized on February 25, 1872, with a membership of about one hundred. The first Superintendent was J. T. Evans. The present membership is about the same as at the start. The pres. ent officers are Superintendent, J. T. Evans; Assistant. Superintendent, William Davis; Treasurer, J. E. McIlvain; Secretary, A. Doherty; Organist, Mrs. McIlvain.
Methodist Church South or as it is known better, as the Southern Methodist Church of Clay City, was organized in 1869. It was a split off from the Methodist Episco- pal Church of this place. The originators of the organization were A. Chaney and daugh- ters, Henry Chaney and wife, J. B. Smith and wife, Smith Tilley and wife, Mrs. Cas- sandra Evans and E. McGilton. The first . meetings of the society were held in the old Methodist Church at Maysville, and this building continued to be used as a place of meeting for about one year. Soon after the organization, the erection of their church, which now stands on Fifth street, between Main and Illinois streets, was commenced, but it was not completed for at least one year. The cost of the structure was about $2.400,
407
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
and since then considerable repairs have been added. The first pastor was Rev. Preston. Among the other ministers who have preached here since, have been Revs. Beagle, Mc- Inally, Brandsetter, Sevier, Buzley and Reed. The present minister in charge is Rev. Prickett, who holds services there on the first and third Sundays of the month. The Sunday school in connection with this organization was started about 1870. Its first Superinten- dent was J. L. Pitner, followed by A. J. Liv- ing. At present the attendance is about fifty. The present officers are J. B. Smith, Superintendent; Secretary, S. M. Tilley; and Treasurer, Charles Chaney. Among the teachers are Silas Alexander and Mrs. Wough.
The Masonic Fraternity .- Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M., was organ- ized on April 16, 1868. The charter mem- bers numbered ten. Among them were Thomas J. Bagwell, W. C. Cassell, J. C. Williams, James McKinley, Hamilton Bald- win, J. T. Evans, Henry Archibalds, F. J. Musser and C. Cole. The first officers were: Thomas J. Bagwell, Worshipful Master: Charles Turner, Senior Warden; C. Cole, Jun- ior Warden; J. T. Evans, Secretary; and Robert Duff, Treasurer. The first meeting of the lodge was held in the second story of an old store room that stood on the north side of the railroad. Afterward the lodge fitted up a hall in Bagwell, Evans & Co.'s building, which they used for many years. In Febru- ary, 1883, the fraternity purchased the hall in J. I. McCawley's brick building, and have since fitted it up in fine style, at a cost of about $1,350, and at present it is one of the finest halls in Southern Illinois. Its mem- bership is now about forty, and its present corps of officers is: J. T. Evans, W. M .: C. L. Feldweg, S. W .; J. C. Miller, J. W .; J. N. Duff, Treas. : J. E. Mellvain, Sec .; H C.
Bothwell, S. D .; D. G. Tilley, J. D .; and William Dransfield, Tiler.
The Odd Fellow's Lodge .- Clay City Lodge, No. 384, I. O. O. F., was organized on March 20, 1869. The first charter members were Morris Brissenden. John Taggart, C. Cole, C. L. Feldweg and Henry Brissenden, and its first officers were: Noble Grand, John Tag- gart; Vice Grand, Morris Brissenden; Secre- tary, Albert Rolsavas; and Treasurer, G. C. Miller. The first meetings were held in C. L. Feldweg's Hall, and this hall continued to be used until December, 1882, when the lodge purchased the Hardesty property on Main street, at a cost of about $600, and put abont as much money in improvements on the hall, which is now fitted up very taste- fully. The building is 24x58 feet, two stories high, and there is a large store room underneath the hall. At present the mem- bership of the lodge is about thirty-three. The present officers of the lodge are: Noble Grand, E. MeGilton; Vice Grand, Sylvester Foster: C. L. Feldweg, Secretary; and John Weiler, Treasurer. The trustees are E. Mc- Jilton, H. J. Daggitt, Morris Brissenden, Henry Brissenden and Henry C. Bothwell. The lodge meets on every Saturday night.
On the 10th of June, 1865, the town was re-organized, and the following persons were elected Trustees: E. W. Boyles, Justus Beach, D. L. McCawley, Jacob Myers and R. E. Duff. D. L. McCawley was chosen Presi- dent, and R. E. Duff, Clerk; F. A. Black, Constable; R. E. Duff, Treasurer; D. L. McCawley, Assessor; and F. A. Black, Col- lector, and Superintendent of Streets.
On September 14, the board ordered the first sidewalk of the city, to be laid from the post office, and running west to the corner of D. L. McCawley's lot, where a crossing was also ordered; and thence from McCawley & Duff's store to the railroad platform.
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408
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
From that time, each year the people of the village elected the Trustees, and the board in turn chose the other officers. The following statement shows the officers of the different years:
1866-D. L. McCawley, R. E. Duff, J. G. McSchoolter, Justus Beach, William Bris- senden, members of the board; R. E. Duff, Clerk; R. E. Duff, Treasurer.
1867-William Brissenden, D. L. McCaw . ley, R. E. Duff, J. I. McCawley, C. L. Feldweg, members of the board; R. E. Duff, Clerk; R. E. Duff, Treasurer.
1868-D. L. McCawley, C. L. Feldweg, R. E. Duff, J. I. McCawley, Charles Peshall, members of the board; R. E. Duff, Clerk; R. E. Duff. Treasurer.
On the 27th day of March, 1869, the Leg- islature passed an act incorporating the vil- lage of Clay City, and granted a special charter for its government. An election was held under this charter in June, 1869, when D. L. McCawley, R. E. Duff and J. I. Mc- Cawley were elected Trustees. Richard E. Duff was chosen Treasurer; William Black- lidge, Superintendent of Streets; and Will- iam B. Shepherd, Constable.
The following statement shows the village officers appointed and elected subsequently :
1870-D. 1. McCawley, J. I. McCawley, R. E. Duff, Trustees; R. E. Duff, Clerk; Johnson Martin, Superintendent of Streets.
1871-M. Brisseuden, C. L. Feldweg, I. Creek, T. A. Martin, Trustees; Chris Buser, Treasurer; R. S. Riney, A. J. Gordon, Con- stables; David Lewis, Superintendent of Streets.
1872-Thomas Martin, John Ansbrook. Israel Mills, Trustees; Chris Buser (resigned), S. Holman, Town Clerk; Chris Buser (re- signed), S. Holman, Treasurer; J. Ander- son, Constable; David Lewis, Superintendent of Streets.
1873-T. A. Martin, J. M. Ausbrook, John Taylor, C. I. Pennybacker, Trustees; S. Hol- man, Clerk; S. Holman, Treasurer; Johnson Martin, Superintendent of Streets.
The town was re-organized in 1871 under the general State laws, and the following are the list of officers:
1874-Trustees, J. K. Bothwell, C. Cole, F. R. Pitner, I. Creek, H. J. Daggett, Thom- as Mills; Town Clerk, J. G. Hance; Treas- urer, J. K. Bothwell; Constable, David Bar- nett; Commissioner Streets, Joseph Barnes.
1875-Trustees, D. L. McCawley, Jabez Coggan, J. M. Ausbrook, Silas Alexander, D. N. Sonles, A. Hunley; Town Clerk, J. Quertermous; Treasurer, R. E. Duff; Consta- ble, D. M. Barnett; Commissioner Streets, W. Blacklidge (resigned), A. Hunley.
1876-Trustees, H. C. Bothwell, J. W. Manker, C. L. Feldweg, J. M. Billings, Israel Mills, David Railey; Town Clerk, Silas Alexander; Treasurer, Samuel Holman; Con- stable, D. M. Barnett; Commissioner Streets, Nathan Martin.
1877-Trustees, C. Feldweg, M. Brissen- den, David Railey, S. M. Tilley, John Tay- lor, V. M. Chaffey; Town Clerk, W. L. Har ris; Treasurer, D. L. McCawley: Constables, J. Blacklidge (resigned), H. Bare (resigned), D. M. Barnett; Commissioner Streets, Ira Cook.
1878-Trustees, M. Brissenden, David Tilley, A. J. Simmons, H. C. Bothwell. W. Brissenden, G. C. Miller; Town Clerk, E. MeGilton: Treasurer, D. L. McCawley; Con- stable, J. Brummett; Commissioner Streets, James G Rxc.
1879-Trustees, M. Brissenden, J. D. AI- lender, J. T. Evans, D. G. Tilley, O. D. Schooley, F. M. Schooley; Town Clerk, E. McGilton; Treasurer, Charles Duff; Consta- ble, J. Brummett; Commissioner Streets, S. Alexander,
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IHISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
1880 -- Trustees, D. G. Tilley, W. Brissen- den, J. Mellvain, J. Quertermous, O. D. Schooley, J. D. Allender: Town Clerk, E. McGilton; Treasurer, Charles Duff; Consta- ble, J. Brummett; Commissioner Streets, H. N. Wilsey.
1881 - Trustees, MI. Brissenden, H. J. Dag- gitt, A. C. McFadden; Town Clerk, E. McGil- ton; Treasurer, C. D. Duff; Constable, R. S. Riney: Commissioner Streets, H. N. Wilsey.
1882-Trustees, O. D. Schooley, D. G. Tilley, H. Brissenden; Town Clerk, E. L. Dickson; Treasurer, C. D. Duff; Constable, R. S. Riney; Commissioner Streets, A. G. Brown.
1883-Trustees, H. L. Daggitt, M. L. Arm- strong, A. R. Keyser; Town Clerk, E. McGil- ton; Treasurer, C. D. Duff; Constable, R. S. Riney; Street Commissioner, John Gregory, (resigned), H. N. Wilsey.
CHAPTER XII .*
STANFORD TOWNSHIP-ITS LOCAL HISTORY-TOPOGRAPHY-ITS NAME-STANFORD FAMILY- JUDGE N. II. DUFF-J. K. BOTHWELL-FIRST SETTLERS AND THE ORDER OF THEIR COMING-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-ANECDOTES-LYNCH COURT-
EARLY PREACHING AND HUNTING-A WOLF STORY- TOWNSHIP RECORD AND OFFICERS, ETC., ETC.
"-he who goes
In the full strength of years, matron and maid And the sweet babe and the gray-headed man Shall one by one, be gathered to thy side, By those who in their turn shall follow them." -BRYANT.
R ECURRENCES of the past with the recollections which make it pass in life like review before our mental vision will cou- tinue to be as of yore, a source of satisfac. tion especially when they connect themselves with incidents reflected back from our own experience.
Local history more than any other com- mands the most interested attention, for the reason that it is a record of events, in which we have a peculiar interest, as many of the participants traveled the rugged and thorny pathway of life as our companions, ac- quaintances and relatives. The township of Stanford, which forms the subject of the
following pages, is a somewhat diversified and broken body of land, lying a little east of the central part of the county. The following townships form its boundaries: Hoosier on the north, Clay City on the east, Wayne County on the south and Harter on the west, and comprising under the Congres- sional survey the whole of Town 3 north and one-half of Town 2 north, Range 7 east. Originally a large part of the township formed part of Maysville Precinct, but in 1862 the present township was given the name of Stanford, in honor of one of the oldest families in the township. Tho sur- face of the township is somewhat varied. On the north it is very low, and swampy along the Little Wabash. In the central portion, it is somewhat high and rolling and this portion of the township consists of a long, undulating prairie extending from southeast to northwest, forming a part of
-
*By F. S. Tyler.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.
the famous "Long Prairie." This prairie contains the best farming and grazing land of the township. It is from three to four miles in width and extends clear across the township. In the southern portion of the township the land is also low and swampy along the banks of Elm Creek. A portion of this part of the township is somewhat rolling however, the bottom land lying in patches of small extent. Originally from a half to three- fourths of the township's area consisted of timber land. A part of this has of late years been cleared and brought into cultivation. A large amount of valuable timber was cut down and wasted in an early day. Still there is quite an amount in ex- istence, especially in the northern part of the township, along the banks of the Little Wabash River. Here it is to be found in abundance, and consists mostly of the fol- lowing varieties: Walnut, oak (of several different kinds, among them being pin, red and water oak), sycamore, hickory, ash, etc., with a thick growth of underbrush, chiefly hazel. The timber in the southern portion of the township has been cleared away to a considerable extent, and the land thus cleared forms very fair farming land. The soil of the prairie land is mostly of light color, and in some places of a white clayey nature. In the north and south, the soil is a black loam, interspersed with clay. As an agricultural district, this division of the county is as good and better than its sister townships, especially in the prairie land. Large crops of corn, wheat and other cereals are raised. Of late years, a good deal of at- tention has been paid to stock-raising. Also in the last few years many of the better class fo farmers are devoting considerable atten- tion to horticulture, and especially to the culture of the apple.
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