History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 54

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 54
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 54

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

1865, at a cost of about $4,000. This society consists of about seventy-five mem- bers, and is the principal society of the Xenia Circuit, which comprises four ap- pointments. Since the building of the new church, the following-named pastors have served the society: Revs. Myers, J. S. Barns, Ray, C. D. Lingenfelter, C. W. Branine, Abram Campbell, R. M. Carter, S. J. Har- rington, T. J. Massey. W. B. Bruner, S. P. Chapin, and H. Manifold, the present preacher in charge.

A society of the Methodist Episcopal Church South was formed in 1864, consist- ing of about two dozen members, most of whom withdrew from the Methodist Episco- pal Church proper. They were organized by J. W. Westcott, of Xenia, and among the original members were Abraut and Jacob Songer with their wives, Caleb Lovelace and wife, William Smothers and wife, Louisa, Priscilla and Sarah Lovelace, Mary J. Songer and others.

Their church, which is a humble log struct- ure, was built in 1865, and is located on the farm of Caleb Lovelace, on Section 15, and known as the Pleasant Grove Church. It was dedicated by Rev. M. R. Jones. Their pastor of first year was J. W. Westcott, suc- ceeded by Rev. J. A. Beagle ; the succession of ministers to the present time being Rev. Pierson, J. W. Westcott, T. M. Prickett, Rollins, T. M. Ragsdale, and H. K. Jones, the present pastor.

The organization of the Christian Church dates back to 1857, and was effected by the Rev. Philo P. Dibble, with thirty-seven origi- nal members, among whom were Hiram Gib- son and wife, Michael Davis and wife, William La Rue and wife, Abram Gibson, John Bradley, James Fisher, Mrs. Symonds, Dr. H. Winans, Phoebe Dunn, James Fisher and others. The society first worshiped in

an old wooden building in Upper Town, which they rented for the purpose ; and in 1871 their present frame church was erected, costing about $2,600. Revs. Bradley, John A. Williams and R. B. Henry have been the principal pastors. Their present official board consists of Hiram Gibson, Deacon ; Wesley McGrew, Elder ; and Asa Porter, Clerk.

Besides their church in the village of Xenia, the Baptists have a neat little frame church on the old Onstott farm, near where was built the first church of the township.

The following is the list of officers of the township for the past ten years :

1874-Supervisor, B. B. Thomas ; Assessor, Charles Smith ; Collector, James Oglesby ; Clerk, James S. Roy ; Commissioners of High- ways, Alexander Vickery, H. Baity, J. J. Anderson.

1875-Supervisor, B. B. Thomas ; Assessor, R. S. Evans ; Collector, Alexander Baity ; Clerk, J. S. Roy ; Commissioner of High- ways, John Lawson.

1876 -- Supervisor, B. B. Thomas ; Assessor, G. M. Filson ; Collector, James Songer ; Clerk, J. R. Ganger ; Commissioner of High- ways, J. J. Anderson.

1877-Supervisor, John R. Gauger ; As- sessor, A. H. Porter ; Collector, Gilbert Pritchett ; Clerk. Allen Evans ; Commission- ers of Highways, William Davis, Isaac Baity, John S. Symonds and L. C. McNeal ; Jus- tices of the Peace, Alexander Baity, L. A. Smith and B. F. Modlin, Constables.

1878-Supervisor, B. B. Thomas ; Assessor, Charles Friend ; Collector, James Songer ; Clerk, J. R. Gauger; Commissioner of High- ways, F. A. Davis.

1879-Supervisor, E. S. Shirley; Assessor, J. R. Gauger; Collector, J. P. Hill; Clerk, John T. Renick; Commissioner of Highways, Frank Buffington.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

ISSO-Supervisor, A. H. Renick; Assessor, sessor, C. O. Ramsey; Collector, R. M. Maxey; O. S. Jarvis; Collector, H. H. Bryan; Clerk, Clerk, G. W. Cox; Commisssoner of High- ways, Alex Baity; Constable, B. F. Modlin.

A. R. Jones; Commissioner of Highways, William Davis.

1881-Supervisor, L. A. Gauger; Assess- or, L. A. Baity; Collector, A. R. Joues; Clerk, J. P. Hill. Isaac Baity, Justice of Peace, and Hiram Songer aud J. W. Cable, Constables.

1883-Supervisor, D. F. Strain; As- sessor, T. W. Kepley; Collector, W. O. Bris- senden; Clerk, G. M. Allen; Commissioner of Highways, Charles Songer; Constables, Giles Baity, J. M. Dean and S. K. Oglesby.

The township on general elections has 1882-Supervisor, L. A. Ganger; As- always been Democratic.

CHAPTER XV.

SONGER TOWNSHIP-DESCRIPTION-AGRICULTURE-VEGETATION-EARLY SETTLEMENT AND SETTLERS-SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ETC., ETC.

"THIS township bears the name of one of the early and numerous families of Clay County, in honor of whom it was so called. It was originally embraced in Xenia Township, with which it forms a voting pre- cinet, and from which it was taken in 1861, by the adoption of township organization. From 1867 to 1869, it was again united with Xenia by act of the State Legislature, but has been independent of Xenia since the latter date. It is a regular township, con- taining thirty-six sections, and is located as Town 3 north, Range 5 east. The northern boundary is formed by Oskaloosa, the east- ern by Harter, and the southern by Xenia Township, the west boundary being Marion County. The surface of the township is chiefly high and rolling, and as an agricult- ural district the township is perhaps the best one of Clay County. While the soil is not so fertile as is found in many parts of the State, it nevertheless produces good crops of corn, abundant returns in hay, with frequent large yields of wheat, and is developing

vast probabilities in the way of fruit-growing. to which many of its farmers are turning with a commendable zeal.

About 75 or 80 per cent of the township is prairie, the remainder being the timber that fringed the streams. Originally along these streams was to be found some very valuable timber, the principal usoful varieties being the white and black oak, walnut, hickory and ash. The greater part of this timber has been long since ntilized in the development of the country, which now presents a picture of prosperity and healthy improvement.

With the clearing off and domestication of the general face of the country, most of the wild conditions have disappeared, some of them wholly. Among the most noticeable changes that have taken place may be men. tioned the almost entire absence now of some of the vegetation, which in an early day was found in great abundance. Among the annual plants which have entirely disappeared may be mentioned the ginseng and several varie- ties of the snake root. The well-known May

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

apple, too, has almost disappeared, now to be found only in small and broken patches, where it formerly grew broadcast, covering the surface of the country. The wild onion, that once grew in rank and rich luxuriance in the bottom lands is no more to be seen. The wild plum, which now is scarce, of stunted growth and very sour, was formerly to be found in large orchards along the bottom lands and fringing the prairies; the fruit was luscious, and ripened in the latter part of August or the early days of September. We think it safe to assert that the oak trees do not yield such bountiful crops of acorns as they did in the early age of the country. The hazel bush was a feature of the early history of the country, which is now almost remembered as a thing which was but is no more. They abounded most along the border of the prairies and through the groves of oak timber. They grew tall and luxuriantly, and produced every year immense quantities of nuts. They seem no longer to grow with much vigor, those that are seen being scrub- by, and produce a scanty fruit correspond- ing. What is true of the plum and hazel is also true of the black haw.

For these disappearances no reason can be assigned, and we are left to the vague con- clusion that the inherent nature of these vegetable productions was essentially too wild to flourish with civilization.

The animal as well as vegetable kingdom suffered loss by the coming of the early set- tlers. Of the animals which were abundant sixty years ago are remembered the deer, fox and wolf, with an occasional catamount or wild cat. Then there was of the reptiles the two species of rattlesnake. the viper and the copperhead. To those who have gone forth with ax in hand to clear the forest for the plow, as well as to those who, with sickle in hand, proceeded to reap the ripened grain,

no description of these serpents is needed. They were here and in distressing plentiful- ness, and that goose-like hiss or harsh rattle, which needs only to be heard to be remem . bered, was a constant reminder to the intrud- ing settler that they would only yield their prestige under protest. An occasional one may still be found, but they are fast taking their places among the things which were.

A half century ago, the actual settlers might have been numbered upon the fingers, while there is now no township in the county that can claim superiority over Songer in its number of substantial farm residences and happy homes. We often wonder, when look- upon the smiling faces and listening to the merry voices of the children who inhabit these homes if they can, by any possible reach of the imagination, understand the value of their surroundings or comprehend the price that bought them. With the aged pioneer, however, it is vastly different. Ask them of facts pertaining to the years long gone by, and you waken the most intense in- terest and their deepest emotions as they recall to mind a vivid picture of times and scenes, dear to the heart of every pioneer. Their thoughts are carried back to the miles of weary travel and the days and nights of exposure experienced in reaching this then new country; of the struggles and hardships of the early years to secure for themselves and their dependent little ones a protection against hunger aud cold; of the long jour- neys over dreary roads, often through swollen streams to reach the nearest mill, or to con- vey to the nearest market the produce to be exchanged for their scanty supply of “ store clothes." Then will come thoughts of the loving companion who shared their earliest sorrows, and who, by the burdens of pioneer life, had been borne through the portals of death, and laid in the little wayside grave-

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

yard. If the young and gay of the present generation should condescend to read these pages, may they do so with an increased ven- eration for the memories of the generation past.

Songer Township was not settled as early as the townships adjoining it. Its settlers of the first three decades were principally from Indiana, Washington County of that State furnishing the greater part. This faet in- sured the settlement against " elannishness," so often observed in a settlement composed of a representation from sections of the coun- try remote from each other. They were hardy, industrious people, and given to hos- pitality and deeds of kindness, the genuine- ness of which was proven by the fact that these deeds of kindness were extended not only to neighbors but to the stranger as well.

Of the first settlers, Alexander Cockrell came about 1825 from Washington County, Ind., and settled in Section 19 of Songer Township. In 1828, two brothers, Jacob and John Colelasure, from the same State, came and settled in Section 26, where some of their descendants still live. Their father, ; Abram Colelasure, came a few years later, and settled in the same neighborhood, to which he proved a valuable annex, he being one of the most industrious and enterprising of the then sparsely settled country. He died about 1858, and left a large number of relatives who are still residents of the town- ship.

Edmund Golden settled in the east part of the township, about the same date as did the Celelasures. He was also from Indiana and died several years ago, leaving as a legacy to the county, two sons of sterling worth- Wesley and Thomas Golden-whe now live in the west part of Harter Township. Sam- nel Songer came as early as 1828, and settled in Section 33, in the southern part. Giles

Songer settled in the western part in Cen- ner's Prairie in 1830. Of these men wo have spoken elsewhere; but one opinion is rendered of these families. Micajah Brooks came from Indiana in IS30, and made set tlement at the head of Raccoon Creek, to which place he was accompanied by his three sons-Silas, William and Elijah Brooks-and also his son-in-law, William Hill. Micajah Brooks was characterized by a desire to ac- complish something in life, and especially desired to have a well-filled coffer to console him in the hour of his death; to this end he adopted the motto " get all you can (honor- ably of course), and keep all you get," and it is said of him that he actually boasted of having been for twenty-five years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the snp- port of which had cost him but two bits. Those acquainted with the financial policy of that particular church will need no further guaranty of this brother's saving grace. A Mr. Hampton was one of the earliest men in the township, and located in the northwest- ern part, at what was known for many years as Hampton's Point.

Hampton was the first man in that portion of the country to undertake the cultivation of the prairie land. He broke and planted a field of corn as an experiment, and was for a time regarded by his neigbors with a mixture of pity and surprise; this, however, was soon changed to admiration, as they saw him gather a bountiful erop, which was pro- dueed with a small amount of labor, and without any fence, the deer which were plentiful, being the only source of loss to the crop. Where or when Hampton died is unknown tons. A son, Turner Hampton, was for several years a resident of the township.

William George, who was mentioned in another chapter in connection with the first marriage, settled in the township abent

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

1833. He located on the place now occupied by William Anderson. He was followed to the same place by Benjamin Hodges, the first blacksmith of the township.

Isaiah Bradley and family, including his son James Bradley, settled in the township, Section 20, some time previous to the year 1840.

The development of Songer Township has kept pace with other portions of the county, though it contains no railway nor village. Neither can it claim any attraction not pos- sessed by other and adjoining townships, unless it be the mineral springs, in Section 26, and owned by R. R. Colclasure. These springs are several in number, and each dif- fers from the rest in the character of its min- eral ingredients, the sulphur, iron and mag- nesia being the chief attractions. Some attention has been given to the preservation of

these springs by Mr. Colclasure, and many who have used of their waters are ready to pronounce them of great value. Where the first schoolhouse in the township was located, and who the first teacher was cannot now be definitely determined, but the best infor- mation points to the Colclasure settlement as the location of the first school; and to Hen- ry Stipp or Rev. Whiteley, a pioneer Bap- tist minister. The township is now well supplied with schoolhouses, where are kept schools which favorably compare with any in Clay County.

The first religious services in Songer Town- ship were held by the Baptists, Rev. Whiteley or Benjamin Coats conducting them. At the present time the township contains but two churches, the Cumberland Presbyterian and the United Presbyterian Church, both in the western part.

CHAPTER XVI.

BLAIR TOWNSHIP-FULL ACCOUNT OF ALL THE PIONEERS AND PEOPLE DOWN TO DATE-

INCIDENTS-CHARACTERS-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS-TOWN OFFICERS, ETC.

THE division of Clay County known as T

Blair Township is bounded on the north by Effingham County, on the east by Bible Grove Township, on the south by Louisville Township, and on the west by Larkinsburg Township. In the spring of 1862, it commenced to do business under township organization. The eastern portion of the township is drained by Panther Creek, and the western part by the Little Wabash River, and Lucas Creek, one of its tributaries, and in the extreme southwest corner by Dismal Creek. Panther Creek rises in Section 12, and flows first south

and then southeast, leaving the town- ship in Section 35. Its bottoms are well timbered with soft and hard wood. It de- rived its name from the fact that panthers made it their haunts in an early day, and the skins were an article of commerce with the new comers. Some very fine farming laud lies on each side of this creek, which fact seems to have been well known to the early pioneer.

Lucas Creek rises in Effingham County; it enters this township in Section 3, and flows southwest till it enters the Little Wabash in Section 20. The Little Wabash enters the township in the northwest corner in Sec-

441

HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

tion 6, and flows south; it makes many grace- ful curves, and leaves the township in Sec- tion 33. It furnished water-power to the pioneer mills which were erected on its banks. Among the first mills was Isaac Cole- man's grist and saw mill, put up about 1842, and continued about fifteen years, when it burned down. It was located in the north- west corner of Section 29. Another saw mill was put up by Tom Pettijohn, probably in Section 32.

On the banks of the Little Wabash a tragedy was enacted near what is known as the Coleman Mill. John Osborne, who was running the mill, was killed by an unknown man while Osborne stood in his own door talking to his wife. Suspicion pointed to Pettijohn, the owner of the other mill, who ran off and has not been heard from since. The Little Wabash in Blair Township has witnessed many tragedies and mysteries. In the northern part of the township they seem shrouded in mystery. Many hard cases set- tled near the stream in an early day, and many dark deeds were committed. But few of the perpetrators could be brought to justice. Among the principal vices that could be found among the early settlers of the Little Wabash bottoms were those of counterfeiting. and horse and hog stealing, which latter vo- cation was conducted with great skill and success, but to which the better class of citi- zens put a stop to during the war by organ- izing regulators.

About the year 1835, a man by the name of Snelling shot another man by the name of Robison in a quarrel. Robison was at- tended by Dr. P. S. Green, but died shortly afterward from his wounds. In the same vicinity, about 1845, a man by the name of James Pugh was killed by Dave Landreth, who hit Pugh on the head with a slab board while he was re-entering his own house, out

of which he had been called by Landreth. The latter was arrested and held to bail, but ran off to parts unknown, much to the satis- faction of the people. The killing created a big excitement all over the county.

Blair Township was named by Henry R. Neff, who was formerly a resident of this township, but now a resident of Louisville. Ho named it in honor of Josiah, Jesse and James Blair, who were the heads of families which settled here in 1837 and 1839. Al- though a number of families settled in the limits of this township previous to this date, yet little or nothing could be learned as re- gards their present existence or departure from the township. They were mainly hunt- ers and trappers, and most of them settled near the Little Wabash, and as the other set- tlers poured into the country and began to work and improve, the deer and other game moved westward, and it may be said that the early and shiftless settlers of Blair Township moved West with the game, and their places were invariably filled by better citizens. We do not pretend to say that all the oldl settlers who hunted and moved away were disrepu- table, for some of them were earnest, honest, big-hearted men, who were suited to the times, and although they may never have done much good to the country were at least harm- less. Moving from place to place was as nec- essary to them to keep them in the society they were brought up in as quiet is to the student, or permanency to the steady farmer of the present day. They neither sought nor obtained glory, and if the present was provided for were as free from care as if they had been surrounded by plenty and luxuries. But they acted their part in the different stages every new country must pass through, and consequently we will not criticise nor censure them.

The following is a copy from the entry

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

book, showing the names of people who entered land down to 1840: 1818, Ransom Freeman, Section 15; 1836, William Lewis, Section 31; 1837, Jesse Blair, Section 14; Josiah Blair, Section 14; Harman Ernest, Section 19; Theodore Pridemore, Section 25; James McKnight, Section 25; Martin Dukes, Section 29; Jesse Dobbs. Section 32; 1838, Theodore McKnelly, Section 9; William Brooks, Section 13; Charles Shirley, Section 14; David Bohall, Section 18; John Connel- ly, Section 27; T. and T. MeKnelly, Section 36; 1839, James Tompkins, Section 6; San- ford Webster, Section 14: Jennings Shirley, Section 14; Alexander Shirley, Section 14; James Blair, Section 15; George Hord, Sec- tion 15; Roderick Jenkins, Section 19; and a number of others. Some of the above have lived but a short time in the township, and it is impossible to get a full history of them. Among some of the early settlers we note Theodore Pridemore, Sr., a native of Vir- ginia. He came from Indiana and entered land in this townshlp in Section 25 in the year 1837. He brought his wife and seven children, viz .: Elihu, Jackson, Thomas, Jerry, Theodore, Polly A. Bailey and Sarah J. Bond, of whom the first four children served in the Union army in our late war, and of these Thomas, who is yet a resident of Louisville Township, also served in the Mexican war. Only one descendant of Jackson Pridemore is now living in Blair Township. The other children and their descendants are living in different States. Theodore Pridemore, Sr., was a large, powerful man, a good farmer and neighbor. After the death of his first wife, he married Elizabeth Lewis, who was the mother of John H. Pridemore, now a resident of Neoga, Ill. Mr. Pridemore, Sr., died in this county. Robert and James Ben- nefield came here about 1837. The latter moved to Effingham County, but Robert and

his wife, Elizabeth Bennefield, reared a large family here, viz .: William, Josiah, Harrison, Clarinda Smith, Mary A. Asbel, Barnett, Robert, Jr., Ala Hord and Catharine Bryant. Mrs. Elizabeth Bennefield died in this county. Her husband, Robert Bennefield, Sr., moved to Texas, where he was bitten by a rattlesnake while out on a hunt in company with his son, from the effects of which he died in the wilds of that country.

The following is a list of old settlers who once lived here, but of whom but little could be ascertained: Woodford, Cora and John Lee, who died here; Lewis Ford, who was drowned while attempting to cross Pan- ther Creek at its mouth; Joe Hatfield was a great hunter who lived on the east side of the Little Wabash; he finally moved away. Bowhall, who lived on the west side of the Little Wabash, was another old hunter. But the greatest hunter in this county was undoubtedly Washington Curbow, who lived near the Little Wabash. Many stories are afloat of the old hunter, and one of his say- ings has become proverbial. At one time, when asked what he thought of a certain stranger, he said, with his usual profanity, " Well, he's a d -- n sorry man." Consid- ering that Curbow was one of the hardest of men, the saying was taken up by the old settlers as a huge joke, and often when asked wha they thought of a new-comer, would laugh and say, "He is one of old Cur- bow's men." Curbow finally, after getting in debt to William Sunderman for provis- ions, left for parts unknown, probably going West, following the track of the game. Charles Shirley came here from Indiana in 1838. He entered land in Section 14, on which he settled. He brought his wife Sarah (Ingledove) Shirley, and eight chil- dren-Indiana, Alexander, Katharine, Jen- uette, Huram, Samuel, Amanda and Mary

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

E. Another son, Jennings Shirley, came to Blair Township in 1837. Of the above chil- dren. only Indiana, Jennette and Mary E. are now living in this county. Charles Shir- ley was known as an industrious man and a quiet citizen. L. A. Tolliver came from Lawrence County, Ind., to this township in 1838, and the next year entered eighty acres of land in Section 34, where he now resides. He is a native of Huntsville, Ala., but was principally reared in Indiana, where he was also married to Frances Burton, daughter of David Burton. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom eight are now liv- ing-Wesley G., George W., John, William H., Martin, Robert, Sarah Rains and Mary J. Steel. all of whom, with the exception of Wesley G., now a resident of Christian County, and Martin, a resident of Arkansas, are living in Clay County. Mr. and Mrs. Tolliver are members of the Baptist Church. He has served many years as a detective, and his life abounds with many interesting events fraught with danger. His father, John Tolliver, was a native of North Caro- lina, where he married Salona C. Miller, by whom he had twelve children; of these, elev- en reached maturity. He came to Blair Township in the fall of 1839. and died here. Numerous descendants are yet living in this county. Theodore and Thomas McKnelly were early settlers; they came here in the fall of 1838, and the same year entered land in Section 36. Thomas McKnelly died in this township, in which his widow is yet a resident. Theodore McKnelly is a native of Lee County, Va .; from that State he was brought by his parents to Indiana, where he grew to manhood and then came to Blair Township, Clay County. Here he engaged in farming, and now owns 600 acres of land. He has been Township Supervisor. His first wife, Elizabeth N. Blair, daughter of James

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 54

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