History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 52

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 52
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 52

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David Stanford's house served as a place of meeting. also Richard Apperson's, Thomas Ausbrook's, and David Duff's warehouse in Clay City. Among the early preachers were Revy. John Thatcher, David Lambert, Blun- ley Knowles and many others. The class was finally divided; those living in the east- ern part of old Maysville Precinct were or- ganized into a class at old Maysville, from which the Maysville Methodist Episcopal Church originated, and from that, in later years, the Clay City Methodist Episcopal Church. Those living in what is now this township continued to meet from house to house until the Fairview Schoolhouse was built, and since that time services were held there. The class is supplied by the pastor resident in Clay City. The present pastor is Rev. Prickett, and the present number of members is about seventeen. In the spring of 1883, a class was organized in the Center Schoolhouse for the people living adjacent to this place. The class now consists of about twenty members. Among them are A. Stanford and family, Frank Lamp and wife, Isaac Stanford and wife and others. Rev. Prickett also holds services in the after- noon of the first and third Sundays of the month. In the summer months, a flourish- ing Sunday school meets here on every Sun- day. Last season the attendence numbered about seventy.

The Harmony Church, of the United Brethren denomination was organized about 1860 in this township. Among thie first members of the organization were Asbury Lewis and family, Ezra Kearney and family and Joe Beard and family. The serv- ices were held for a number of years in Halterman Schoolhouse. In 1883, the pres- ent edifice was erected in Section 5, of Town 2, at a cost of about $900. The present membership is about sixty, and Rev. Gray is 24

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

the present pastor. Among other ministers who have preached here in late years might be mentioned Revs. James Smith, H. W. Bradstone, W. D. Hillis, Pleasant Brock, F. R. Bertner and William Ross. A Sunday school meets every Sunday at this church at 2 o'clock. The present average attendance is about seventy-five. The officers now serv- ing are A. J. Chaney, Superintendent; R. H. Pierce, Assistant Superintendent, and Miss Laura Carmon, Secretary.

Pleasant View Class of the South Meth- odist Church was held first in the Zif School- house in Wayne County. Among the first members were Rice Barker, Westley Mills, Isaac Wells, Lemuel Wells and Jackson Cline and family. Services continued to be held at this place until 1874, when the place of meeting was changed to the Thomas' Schoolhouse in this county. In the spring of 1879, the present edifice was erected at a cost of about $1,200. The present time for holding services is on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, at 3 o'clock. The present membership is about seventy- five. Among the ministers who have preached here, the following names might be mentioned: Revs. Preston, Beagle. McInally, Brandsether, Sevier, Buzley and Reid. The present pastor is Rev. Prick- ett. The present officers of the church are as follows: Trustees -- John W. Satter- field, William Taylor, F. M. Marshall, John Holman, John Sunday, Ernest Nagle and Robert Moseley; Stewards, J. W. Satter- field and Hiram Bunn; Secretary, J. W. Satterfield; Treasurer, E. Nagle; Class Lead- er, J. W. Satterfield. On each Sunday at 10 A. M., a Sunday school is held at this church. The school was first organized at the Thomas' Schoolhouse in 1875. The original membership was abont fifty, and Aaron Bunn was the first Superintendent.

The present membership is about seventy, and the present corps of officers is as fol- lows: Superintendent, Joseph Sunday; As- sistant, John Holman; Librarian, William Taylor; Secretary, John Seruggin; Treasur- er, Hunter Eaton.

Olive Methodist Episcopal Church South was first organized at the Baylor Schoolhouse in about 1868. Among the first members were Aaron Bunn, Caleb Berry, Mrs. Jane Stanford, Mordecai and William Stanford. Services continued to be held at this school- house until 1879, when the present church was erected ou land donated by John M. Baylor at a cost of about $1,000. At present, services are held at the church on the second and fourth Sundays in each month. The church now contains about eighty-five members. Among the pastors who have been stationed at this point in past years have been Revs. Beagle, Brandsether, McInally, Johnsey, Pierson, Lathrop, Reid. Rev. Prickett is the present pastor. The present officers are: Trustees, H. L. Vail, C. R. Berry, John Baylor, Jackson Bissey, Austin Stanford, Wm. Hussleton and B. F. Humphrey; Class Leader, John Hussleton; Stewards, Aaron Bunn and Austin Stanford; Church Clerk, Austin Stanford.

A Sunday school was organized in connec- tion with this church in 1869 at the Baylor Schoolhouse. Aaron Bunn was the first Su- perintendent, and the attendance was about forty. At present the average attendance is about sixty. The present officors are: Mrs. H. L. Vail, Superintendent; Assistant Superin- tendent, Miss Abbery Bissey; Secretary, Miss Anna Blair; Treasurer, Miss Mary Bunn; Chorister, Thomas Hickman.

As has been elsewhere stated, a major part of the town of Stanford was embodied in the old precinct of Maysville, but in 1862 the Commissioners of the county having adopted

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

the township organization, the town of Stan- ford was established and its present bound- aries fixed. On the 1st day of April, the first annual town meeting was held in the Halterman Schoolhouse. Abel Chaney was appointed Moderator, and E. J. Babcock Sec- retary. The township was divided into four road districts. At that meeting the record also shows that the name of Grant was pro- posed and adopted as the future name of the township, but as we find it used no further in the records of the different meetings, we infer that the use of the name was finally done away with and Stanford substituted. At the election held at this time the following offi- cers were elected:

Daniel D. Elliott, Supervisor; Stephen Booton, Town Clerk; William H. Chaney, Assessor: E. J. Babcock, Collector; David Stanford, Overseer of the Poor; James Kinly, John Baylor and William Price, Highway Commissioners: Abel Chaney and John McGannon, Justices of the Peace; and Will- iam Rodgers and William Raly, Constables.

The Halterman Schoolhouse was appointed the place at which all subsequent town meet- ings should be held. The following statement shows the results of the subsequent elections:

1863-A. W. Bothwell, Supervisor; William Nicholson, Town Clerk: W. H. Chaney, As- sessor; J. R. Finch. Collector; Isaac Stan- ford, Commissioner Highways, and G. P. Ru- ble. Overseer Poor.

1864 -A. W. Bothwell. Supervisor: J. R. Finch, Justice of the Peace: J. W. Culter, Assessor; J. N. Meek, Assessor; G. P. Ruble, Overseer Poor; C. J. Babcock, Com- missioner Highways; David Stanford, Town Clerk.

1865-A. W. Bothwell, Supervisor; Joseph Peak, Town Clerk; John W. Culter, Assessor; J. N. Meek, Collector; Anderson Kneff, R. R. H. Kinnaman, Commissioners of Highways.

1866-Supervisor, A. W. Bothwell; J. H. Leonard, Town Clerk; Assessor, J. Baird; Collector, E. A. Travis; Commissioner High ways, A. Kneff; F. C. Petit, Overseer Poor; Justices of the Peace, J. R. Finch and J. R. Brainard; Constables, W. Raly and R. T. Apperson.

1867-A. W. Bothwell, Supervisor; Lewis Stanford, Town Clerk; Richard Crockles. Assessor; J. W. Culter, Collector; William Davis, Overseer Poor; James Lee, Commis- sioner of Highways.

1868-A. W. Bothwell, Supervisor; Owen Stanford, Town Clerk; Lewis Stanford, As- sessor; E. A. Lewis, Collector; R. H. Kin- naman, Commissioner of Highways.

1869-James Kenley, Supervisor: Oliver Clawson, Town Clerk; Nelson Murphy, As. sessor; William Davis, Collector; Anderson Clark, Commissioner of Highways.

1870-W. R. Lindsey, Supervisor; Oliver Clawson, Town Clerk; W. H. Chaney, Assess- or; John W. Culter, Collector; James Lee. Commissioner of Highways; Justice of the Peace, John R. Finch; Constables, William Raly and G. W. Payne.

1872-W. R. Lindsey, Supervisor; R. L. Apperson, Town Clerk; Elias Lewis, Collec- tor; J. R. Finch, Assessor; E. F. Riley, Commissioner of Highways.

1874 -- J. S. Peak, Supervisor; Town Clerk, Samuel Enyart; Collector, David Stanford; Assessor, William H. Chaney; Commissioner of Highways, James H. Morefield.

1875-Joseph S. l'eak, Supervisor; George Williams, Town Clerk; William H. Chaney, Assessor; Edmond R. Lewis, Collector; E. F. Riley, Commissioner of Highways.

1876-A. W. Bothwell, Supervisor; G. W. Williams, Town Clerk; E. A. Lewis, Assess- or: Elias Lewis, Collector; Ezra Kearney, Commissioner of Highways.

1877-Henry M. Todd, Supervisor; Silas

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Shriner, Collector; Oliver Clawson, Assessor; N. B. Chalfant, Town Clerk; Thomas Bower, Commissioner of Highways; J. R. Finch and D. W. McCawley, Justices of the Peace; Caleb McDaniel and J. H.O'Neil, Constables.

187S-A. S. Chaney, Supervisor; R. L. Stanford, Town Clerk; E. A. Lewis, Assess- or: Silas Shriner, Collector; Scott Dreppard, Commissioner of Highways.

ner, Commissioner of Highways; E. J. Bab- cock, Justice of the Peace; Isaac McGam- mon, Constable.

18SO-A. W. Bothwell, Supervisor; E. A. Lewis, Assessor; William Davis. Collector;

W. F. Finch, Town Clerk; J. M. Chaffin, Commissioner of Highways; C. R. Berry, Constable.

1881-Joseph C. Petit, Supervisor; Joseph S. Peak, Town Clerk; James E. Lee, Assess- or; B. F. Atherton, Collector; A. J. Will. iams, Commissioner of Highways; E. J. Bab- cock and E. F. Higginson, Justices of the Peace; C. R. Berry and L. D. Bess, Consta- bles.

1879-A. W. Bothwell, Supervisor: W. F. Finch. Town Clerk; Elias Lewis, Assessor; 1882-J. C. Petit, Supervisor; P. H. Gar- William Davis, Town Collector; Silas Shri- ' ber, Town Clerk; Z. T. Hardy, Assessor; B. F. Atherton, Collector; Lewis Brissenden.

1883-Silas Shriner, Supervisor; P. H. Garber, Town Clerk; Z. F. Hardy, Assessor; B. F. Atherton, Collector; Thomas Bonner, Highway Commissioner.

CHAPTER XIII.

OSKALOOSA TOWNSHIP -TOPOGRAPHY -EARLY SETTLEMENT - DEVELOPMENT -VILLAGE OF OSKALOOSA-SCHOOLS-RELIGION-POLITICS-OFFICIALS-

INCIDENTS, ETC., ETC.

" Thus doth the ever changing course of things, Run a perpetual circle, ever turning." -Daniels.

THE division of Clay County known as - Oskaloosa Township is a regular Con- gressional town, described by the Government Survey as Town 4 north, Range 5 east, and lies between Louisville Township on the east and Marion County on the west. Its north boundary in Larkinsburg Township and the south boundary is formed by Songer Town- ship. It is principally prairie, but origin- ally contained some very good timber in the sonthwest, and also in the northeast part. The timber has mostly disappeared, at least that portion of it suitable for lumber, as it

early attracted the attention of lumbermen who erected mills, manufactured the most valuable timber into lumber, much of which was sold in distant markets.

The prairie in most parts is low and level, with but slight natural drainage, which fact presents no small barrier to drainage of an artificial character.

The only streams of consequence are Skil- let Creek and Cooked Creek. The former has its source in the west part of the township, and flows southeast, thus traversing the southwest portion of the township. Crooked Creek with its tributaries furnish the north- east part of the township with sufficient drainage, the surface in that region being

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

generally broken, and. in places, precipi- tous.

The various agricultural pursuits are rep- resented, and in the northern half of the township a number of good farm residences are to be seen, indicative of prosperity, while the south half seems less favored; fewer good buildings are found, and other improvements are correspondingly inferior.

A very large portion of the farming land is owned by non-residents who have left their farms and gone to try " city life" in the vil- lages of the three railroads-the Illinois Central and the two lines of the Ohio & Mis- sissippi-which, by their intersection, form a triangle around the township.

The grant of every alternate section of land to the I. C. Railway Company has done much, we think, to retard the growth of the township; the liberal terms of sale offered by the company inducing many to risk the pur- chase of land, who, after paying two or three payments, were compelled to cover their farms with a mortgage, from which in many cases they have never been redeemed.

In the search for the first actual settlers of Oskaloosa Township, the best authority within our reach points to three men named Smith, Romines and Eaton. They were here and had made a small improvement in Section 28 when John Sutton came in 1829. When they came and from where we are not in- formed, only knowing their names, and that they sold their claims to John Sutton in 1829. Mr. Sutton was a Kentuckian origin- ally, though, like most of the early settlers of this part of the county, he came here from Indiana. He was a man of more than ordi- nary energy, and just such a man as was most needed to lead the van in a new and un- developed country. He proceeded to enlarge his improvement, and to surround his home with what comforts were in his reach. After

other settlers had reached the vicinity, he erected a horse mill on his place, which early took the name of Sutton's Point. John Sut- ton has long since died, and his son, Elijah Sutton, living in Section 20, is now the "old. est settler " in Oskaloosa Township. The next to make settlement in this township was Levi Rollins, who came in 1830, and located in Sec- tion 18, where J. S. Phillips now lives. He was a brother-in-law to John Sutton, and came from Kentucky; he was a good farmer, a pious man, who did much toward establishing infant Methodism in this part of the country. In later years, he moved into Marion County, where he died. John Griffith, mentioned in the chapter on Xenia Township, and who was also a brother-in-law to John Sutton, came to the township soon after Levi Rollins, and in the same year. He remained but a short time, however, removing thence to Xenia Township.

Two very valuable additions were made to the settlement in 1831, in the families of Levi Daniels and John Craig. Daniels settled in Section 14, on land now owned by W. Jeffers. Craig located in Section 10, near the present residence of his son, Jobn W. Craig, and died about 1856. The Bishop settlement was an early feature in the history of the township. This settlement comprised several families of that name, and was first represented by " Old Bennie Bishop " as he was familiarly known. Wash Jones and Joseph Bishop-the latter now of Iola-were early in the township. Robert Smith came from Henry County, Ky., to Oskaloosa Town- ship in 1838. R. N. Smith, an old settler living in Section 9, is his son. Samuel Dill- man, in 1834, settled where he now lives in Section 16. He, too, came from Henry Coun- ty, Ky., and is regarded by all as an lionor- able man and good farmer. About 1843, the families of Samuel Turner and - Jones came

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

to the township, settling near Sutton's Point, in Section 28. Jeremiah Fleming came soon after, making a residence of some years in the township, but afterward removed to Texas, where it is supposed he died.

James O'Neal was an early man, and settled in Section 32. where James Rutter now lives.

Jacob Stipp came from Indiana to the township, settling in the southern part, in 1838. He was a man of more than ordinary scholastic ability, and an experienced school teacher. His coming was therefore hailed with more than usual delight. His connection with the children of the early settlers makes him especially remembered by many who enjoyed the benefits of his instruction in their childhood. These recollections are, in the main, of the most pleasant character, though mingled occasionally with a stinging sensation, the natural result of his adminis- trations of justice, which were always tempered with mercy. Henry Owens and Joshua Nixon were very early in the township, as was also Enoch Sceife, who located in Section 4, near where his son Alfred now lives, and where he died about 1870. Jephtha Allen settled in Section 5, and has been dead many years, leaving no descendants in the township. Michael Hockman settled in an early day in Section 33. He came from Indiana, and died about the close of the late war. Ed- mund and William Hockman are his sons, and are residents of the township. Henry Cox, who now lives in Section 20, on the old Vandalia road, is among the oldest. settlers of the county now living.

Samuel Delong settled in the same section about 1848. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, participating in much of that decisive conflict. Mr. Delong, it is said, never grew old, but, until the time of his death, which occurred in St. Clair County in 1875, maintained much of his boyish

love for the popular amusements. While a resident of Clay County, he followed farm - ing, with which he combined merchandising and general trading. He was an expert fifer and drummer, took especial delight in fast horses and cards, but withal was a man of unquestioned honor, and regarded as a good neighbor.

Joseph Higginbotham, a colored man and an ex-slave, settled in the west side of the township near Skillet Creek very early, per - haps about 1835. He was a thrifty, hard- working negro, and possessed a degree of in- telligence far in advance of the average of his race for his time. He soon made for himself a comfortable home, and in time be- came the owner of a large amount of land- it is said about eight hundred acres. Not- withstanding this fact, he remained a modest. unassuming man, and a marked contrast with his immediate descendants, who, for a time, flourished upon their father's accumulations. They drove their gay teams to still gayer ve- hicles, themselves the gayest of all the gay, dressed in their purple and fine linen. A few years, however, sufficed to reduce them to a level with their less favored white neigh- bors. At the present time, there are no traces left of the thrift that was so noticeable in the life of " Uncle Joe." His presence in the township soon attracted other colored fami- lies, who located in the same settlement, which has ever since been known as the " Nigger settlement." With but slight ex- ception, they are considered honest citizens. They have a " colored school," which is sup- ported by the public tax. " Uncle Joe Hig- ginbotham " came from Kentucky, and died in Oskaloosa Township in 1860.

A half century has produced vast changes in the appearance of the township in many respects, but in no instance is that change inore noticeable than in the education of the

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

mind. Then the entire county afforded but few men who could, with any degree of credit, fill the office of Justice of the Peace, to say nothing of the more important offices of the county. The result was that those who were elected were but poorly qualified for the duties of office. A case in hand will fairly illustrate this point. The following extract is an exact copy of an entry taken from the records of the county, and is a fair sample of hundreds that may be found by ref- erence to the old books of the county :

Taken up by Jessee Bishop in the north west part of Clay County sixteen miles from Maysville, one yoak of cattle drove up out of the settlement one is Black with white back and belly with a lump on its gaw the other is a read and white pied marked with a crop hole and split in the left ear a erop hole and split in the others ear judged to b 8 or 9 years old no brands percevvable large and likely appraisd to 30 dollars before S. L. Heflin J. P. the 11th day of decem 1835.

If any one should be pining for amuse- ment, it may be obtained by supplying the above notice with punctuation, this essential being overlooked by the original writer, so that you are left to study your own taste.

In 1853, Henry Smith bought the land of John Sutton, known as Sutton's Point, and conceived the idea of a town. As a result, he laid off and platted seventy-four lots and proceeded to sell them, at both public and private sale. To the new town Mr. Smith gave the name of Oskaloosa in honor of a beautiful town in Iowa of that name, near which he had formerly lived. As has been previously stated, Sutton had already a horse mill here, and soon four or five buildings were erected. John Todd and William Gam- mon erected the first of these, which was used by them for a general store.

The horse mill was then superseded by a steam grist and saw mill, which was erected by Henry Smith. It was a very important

annex to the town, as was proved by the large business which it did, until other mills at competing points were built.

Hardin Cox, Elijah Sutton and Elijah Dillman erected the first residences, and for a time hopes were entertained of a great city. Several conditions have com- bined to defeat these expectations, the most fruitful of which was the surrounding towns that sprang into existence as a consequence of the coming of the railroads.

Whisky and its advocates have not been without their influence to operate against the development of a town. Until late years, it was always cursed by saloons, often four or five of them, and many and varied were the fisticuffs and cutting affrays which were en- gaged in, much to the satisfaction of the hoodlums as well as to the utter disgust of a few order-loving citizens.

This latter class, to operate against evil influences, early conceived the idea of the erection of a church house. There were in the neighborhood a respectable number of Baptist people and a corresponding number of Methodists, and in 1857 a " union church " was begun with brilliant prospects of success; but our fondest hopes are often doomed to blight, and the truth of this was painfully felt in this case. No sooner had the good work attained a fair beginning than some one with more contrariness than contrition, sowed the seeds of discord which soon ger- minated and rapidly grew into an irreparable rupture. A complete separation was the re- sult, and the Baptists began the erection of a house wholly under their own control, the Methodists meantime falling heir to the first.

Though their number was flattering, their financial strength was very limited. They thus soon found themselves unable to com- plete their buildings, which were never fin- ished, and their dilapidated remains still

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

stand as a fit monument to the memory of their departed glory as well as io the su- preme stubbornness of their projectors.

The politics of Oskaloosa Township has always been strongly Democratic, and now polls about 240 votes, of which about one- fifth are Republican. During the late war, excitement of a political nature ran very high, there being those of each party who, as is too often the case, allowed their party zeal to greatly exceed their judgment. As a legitimate result, many tonguey altercations ensued, ill feelings were engendered, and friends were then alienated, never to be re-united; at least this is true to the extent that an unbiased observer can note in their musings the burnings of the old fire.

The village of Oskaloosa has had one homicide, which, by some, is said to have grown out of this political strife, while others claim it to have been the result of a family grudge of long standing. Henry Richardson had married a daughter of John W. Nichols. Both were residents of Marion County, both were political agitators, and, unfortunately, arrayed on opposite sides with reference to the issues of the war. In the course of time, Nichols removed to Oska- loosa, meantime inducing Richardson's wife to desert him, and she again took up her res- idence with her parents. Richardson after- ward presented himself at the house of his father-in-law, armed with a warrant and ac- companied by an officer of the law, for the purpose, as he claimed, of searching for goods which the wife had unjustly taken. While the official was searching the house, Richardson remained seated on the wood. pile, and while thus seated was shot in the back by some unseen foe, and from which he almost instantly expired. Nichols is sup- posed to have been his murderer, but no pos- itive proof of his guilt was ever sustained.

Besides the absence of such proof, he had the warm sympathy of a majority of citizens, who were ready to justify the deed.

Such procedure, however, only tends to demoralize a village, and this proved no ex- ception. Rowdyism and riot ran high, and for a time the name of Sutton's Point might with propriety have been changed to Satan's Point. The drafting of several men for the United States service had no mitigating in- fluences on the already agitated public senti- ment. Of those who were drafted are re- membered the names of Edmund Hockman, Elijah Dillman, James Dillman, Robert Mc- Cully and Stephen Robinson. The last named, not desiring to place himself in the range of rebel bullets, nor to place a substi- tute in a position so unenviable, decided to " visit" his wife's relation in "Iugeany," and with all possible dispatch departed for the Hoosier State. He was there apprehended by an officer, but his adaptability enabled him to turn his greatest calamity to such ac- count as to prove the one great blessing of his life.

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 52

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