History of White County Illinois, Part 51

Author: Inter-State Publishing Company
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 831

USA > Illinois > White County > History of White County Illinois > Part 51

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).

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as a college, and change the name to Southern Illinois College; this will soon be done. They expect soon to have an endowment fund of $20,000.

At the beginning of the fall term in 1881 there were sixty-three students in the college and at the close of the spring term in 1882, there were 120 students.

Public Schools .- Prior to the establishment of the public school system in Enfield, schools were supported partly by sub- scription and partly from a State fund; the latter arose from inter- est on money from sale of land, section 16. Originally, the schools were supported entirely by subscription. The first frame school- house built in the village was in 1860. It was a one-story building 22 x 36 feet. The first teacher was Rev. J. M. Miller, who taught in the vicinity from 1837 to 1864; he taught every terin except one from the time of the establishment of the school till 1864. Among his successors have been G. N. Johnson, George Robinson, Milton Brockett, Mr. Hammel, Dr. Asher, Rev. Mr. Crow, Martin W. Fields, J. Odell, and Mr. Locke. The school was graded in 1866, with Dr. D. C. Asher as Principal. The building is of brick, two stories high, and cost $5,000; it was built in 1882. The present Principal is Prof. I. W. Howarth. There are 180 pupils and three teachers.

CHURCHES.

Enfield Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. B. C. Swan and Elder C. S. Conger, in the Cumberland house of worship, May 2, 1865, with the following meinbers: Felix II. Willis, Mary J. Willis, Gustavus A. Willis, Eliza J. Willis, James E. Willis, Jennet Willis, Robert C. Willis, Benjamin L. Willis, Rufus A. Willis, John Campbell, Sr., Clara Campbell, Angus Campbell, Andrew King, Clara King, Franklin Miller, Almon Miller, R. W. Storey, Mrs. R. W. Storey, Anna Wasson, Mary Miller, J. R. Dales, Susan Dales, Margaret Connery. Elders: Felix H. White, James R. Dales, Andrew King were the first. Since appointed: James E. Willis, S. B. F. Miller, A. R. Tate. Whole number of members, 140. Ministers: George K. Perkins, March 14, 1869, to fall of the same year; B. C. Swan, from October, 1869, to March, 1871; Thomas Smith, from March 13, 1871, to March, 1876. Pastor: Mr. Swan again since March, 1876. Mr. Swan resides in Enfield, and divides one half his time equally with Sharon and McLeansboro

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churches. There is a good house of worship, dedicated Feb. 13, 1871, cost $2,000. Repairs in 1873 cost $100. The records of this church are correctly and beautifully kept, and it is one of the model churches. Its members believe that God is a God of order and not of confusion, and that good taste, neatness, common sense and perfect correctness should be conspicnous in everything per- taining to God's house and God's worship.

Rev. B. C. Swan is the present pastor. Regular services every second and fourth Sabbaths at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M .; Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M .; prayer and teachers' meeting every Wednesday night.

Enfield Cumberland Presbyterian Church .- This church was organized in June, 1819, by Rev. David W. McLin, only nine years after the organization of the C. P. church in the "old log house," Dixon County, Tenn. It was the first organization of the C. P.church in the State. The name of this organization was Hope- well, a name it retained until 1866, when, by consent of the Presbytery, it was changed to Enfield. The early records of the congregation are incomplete, but it is probable that the organi- zation was made at the house of Rev. James Miller, who then lived where John M. Jordan now resides. The meetings were held at the house of the minister for some years, and Mr. Miller was pastor of this church for abont thirty years.

The number of deaths in the society from 1819 to 1864 was thirty-six; number of marriages from 1819 to 1857 was forty- eight; number of baptismns from 1819 to 1868 was 225.

The first church was probably built in 1823, and was made of logs. The spot where it stood is about one mile southeast of En- field, and is still visible. The building was small, not more than 20 x 24 feet. It had a door in the north end, a window in the south end, and a fireplace in the east side. In this humble place the congregation worshiped until 1831-'2; it was destroyed by fire. A new one was soon built of logs like the preceding. The loca- tion was changed, and the new house built a mile and a half south- west of Enfield, near where Patrick Dolan now lives. In 1849 this was torn down, and the location again changed. This time the house was erected one-half mile southeast of Enfield. This was principally the old one moved and repaired. In 1866, ten years after Enfield was laid out, the congregation decided to move to town, whereupon the present church edifice was erected.

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Since the organization of the church, nearly sixty-three years ago, there have been fifteen ruling elders, 589 members, 386 bap- tisms. The present Pastor is Rev. E. T. Bowers; Elders, M. A. Miller, John Miller, P. A. Orr; Deacons, W. M. Gowdy, W. N. Jordan; Superintendent of Sabbath school, Prof. M. A. Montgom- ery; Secretary and Treasurer, Miss Harriet P. Miller. Mrs. W. M. Gowdy is President of the Woman's Missionary Society, and Miss Nettie Gowdy, Secretary. The present membership of the congre- gation is 247. Regular services are held every first and third Sab- baths at 11 A. M. and 7 p. M .; Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M .; prayer and teachers' meeting every Thursday night; woman's missionary meeting Monday night after the first Sabbath in each month.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- This society was organized in 1859, in the yard of Samuel Kirk, about one mile northwest ot Enfield, by A. Ransom, preacher in charge. The following were among the members: Samuel Kirk and wife. Frederick Kirk and wife, William Garrison and wife. Preaching continued for some time at the residence of Samuel Kirk. and then at the residence of William Fields. In 1865 the present edifice was built, and was dedicated the same year. A. Ransom was the first Pastor, and he was succeeded by Revs. J. Leeper, C. D. Lingenfelter, B. K. Pierce, - Nesbit, S. C. Walker. - Baldridge, G. W. Wilson, Will- iam Whitaker, - Thrapp, G. W. Scotharn, J. J. Boyer, -- Manier, J. T. Pender, and S. Green. The last named is the present pastor. Number of communicants, 175. Regular services every alternate Sabbath; Sunday-school every Sabbath morning, at 9:30 o'clock; prayer-meeting every Wednesday night; teachers' meeting Tuesday night.

General Baptist Church was organized Feb. 1, 1882, by Elder J. E. Cox, with thirty members. Since the organization twenty mem- bers have been added. Present officers: Elder J. E. Cox, Pastor; Thomas Wood and Hiram Smith, Deacons; W. I. Smith, Clerk. A house of worship will soon be erected. The following are the names of the charter members: Elizabeth O'Neal, Sarah L. May- berry, Clayton McFaddin, Malinda Cummins, W. I. Smith, Malinda Upton, Margaret Parmeter, Alice O'Neal, George Nation, Fan- nie Wood, Robert Mayberry, Martha Murdick, Mrs. - Emerson, Mary J. Melton, H. T. Smith, Mary A. Smith, William I. Smith, Elder J. E. Cox, Mary E. Cox, Dan Hargett, Katie Hargett, Mal- c Im McLean, Rebecca McLean, Elder William Wood, George W. Coombs, J. E. Langford, E. D. Wood, Henry Caldwell, Thomas

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Wood, Sylvester Watson, Thomas Mayberry, Aurilla Emerson, and Ollie Emerson.

Enfield Christian Church was organized in 1868, with the fol- lowing named members: Jacob Flick, Elder; Elinor Flick, William Steele, Susanna Steele, Jesse Rose, Sarah Rose, Mary Rose, George Owen, Josiah Williams, Martha J. Williams, Alphonso ILodge, George R. Frymire, Susan Frymire, IIartsell Harriff, Celestia Har- riff, David Harman, George W. Akers, Indiana Akers, James B. Nations, John B. Holmes, Samuel V. Williams, Mary A. Williams, Martha J. Williams, Elizabeth A. Williams, John R. Williams, Sarah A. Taylor, S. Frances Underwood, Ade- line Poff, Jacob Morlan, Martha J. Johnson, Almira Goodrich, Jerusha Underwood, Armilda C. Hosick, Rebecca J. Underwood, Martha A. Underwood, Margaret A. Garrison, Mary F. Baker, Naomi S. Morlan, Rebecca Courtney, Isora I. Morlan, Genetta Hodge, Eleanor Hollister, Thomas Akers and Tolliver Rice. The church edifice was built under the ministration of William H. ('row, who headed the subscription list with $200. Sabbath-school every Sabbath morning at 9:30; prayer-meeting every Wednesday night.

ENFIELD LODGE, NO. 313, 1. 0. 0. F.

This society was established March 4, 1865, by R. S. Graham, a Past Grand of Carmi. The charter members were: Geo. N. Johnson, J. D. Underwood, Mark A. Miller. Dr. Thomas Long was the first Noble Grand; he was Past Grand when he came from England in 1840. The first Secretary was George N. John- son. The lodge meets every Saturday night. Present member- ship, forty-seven. Present officers: Felix Long, Noble Grand, William M. Kirk, Vice Grand; J. T. Vaught, Recording Secre- tary; Thomas Long, Permanent Secretary; William M. Gowdy, Treasurer; A. C. Mitchell, Sitting Past Grand.

ENCAMPMENT NO. 5S,

organized Oct. 10, 1865. The following were the charter mem- bers: Jonah Morlan, Thomas Long, Mark A. Miller, Win. M. Gowdy, G. A. Willis, T. H. Willis and Thomas Marcus.

ENFIELD POSTOFFICE.

The first postoffice established in the township was in 1833, on Seven Mile Prairie, about three miles east of where Enfield now

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stands, and named Seven Mile Prairie. The first Postmaster was Edmond Hawthorn, and he was succeeded by Leander W. McKnight. In 1853 the office was changed to Enfield, Dr. Mar- tin Johnson, Postmaster. Ile was succeeded by Felix H. Willis, Captain John M. Wilson and M. Orr. J. B. Odell is the present incumbent.

WEST UNION.

This town was laid out in 1863 by John Parkhurst and Benjamin F. Brockett, who built a saw-mill and corn-cracker, and, in 1865, added a grist-mill. The mills are now owned by Steele, Taylor & Allen, who make custom and merchant flour. Mr. Brockett is in Kansas. Mr. Parkhurst still lives in the village. He was born in Smith County, Tenn., March 29, 1814, and came to this county in 1821, where he has since resided. In 1838 he married Martha King, and they have three living children-Emily F., William and John. Charles Monroe died at Vicksburg, while in the late war; Mary died in 1873, aged 26 years. Mr. Parkhurst has been a machinist all his life; is also a carpenter.

Six families now reside at West Union. There is one saw and flour mill, one store and a blacksmith shop. The town is fre- quently called Parkhurstville.

For the newspapers of Enfield, see Chapter XI., entitled "The Press."

BIOGRAPHICAL.

John N. Anderson, section 7, Enfield Township, was born on this section Nov. 4, 1834. He is a son of Henry P. Anderson, # native of Sumner County, Tenn .. who came to this county in an early day and settled where his son now lives. He was a black- smith, and died here Jan. 15, 1849. John N. received his edu- cation in the early log-cabin schools. [Ie was married Nov. 8, 1857, to Pauline E., daughter of Samuel Kirk (deceased). They are the parents of three children. two living-Samuel J. and Fannie J. James N. died Feb. 8. 1882, aged twenty-two years. Mr. Anderson has served as Highway Commissioner two terms. All the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Benjamin Austin, born in Warren County, Tenn., Dec. 6, 1816, is a son of Elisha Austin, a native of North Carolina. When a small boy his parents moved to Kentucky. In March, 1830, he came to Shawneetown, Ill., in 1831 to Shelby County and in

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March, 1833, to White County. He saw the stars fall that year, when returning from a corn shucking. He was raised on a farm, and received a very limited education, always being obliged to work hard. He was married in February, 1837, to Lucinda, daugh- ter of William Emerson, deceased. To them have been born nine children, only two now living-Benjamin F. and Sarah J. One on, Alex, was shot by accident in Kansas, in January, 1877, and left a family. A son, Jesse, and a daughter, Mary E. (Mrs. Matsel), both died with small-pox in the same house in March, 1877. Mrs. Austin died in 1856, and he married Susanna Kello. They are the parents of eleven children, ten living-Emily A., Elisha, Mary E., Isaac, Elijah, Angeline, Minnie, Josephine, Dolly and William. Mr. Austin is a member of the Christian church. He owns 400 acres and is engaged in farming and stock- raising. He acquired his property by his own labor, as a two-year heifer and a two-year old billy was all he had to begin life with.

William II. Baird was born in DeKalb County, Ind., April 3, 1851. ITis father, Lorenzo Baird, was a native of Castleton, Vt., and came to Ohio when sixteen, and in 1850 to Indiana. When William H. was sixteen he learned the carpenter's trade, and has worked at that and contracting alinost constantly to the present tim e. He came to this county in 1870, and worked at his trade till 1878, when he established a lumber yard and does a large busi- ness there in connection with the other. He built the first and only brick business house in Enfield, in 1882, the property of P. C. Kuykendall. He was married in the fall of 1872 to Mary J., daughter of James Hawthorn, of this township. They are the parents of three children, only one living-Bertha. Harry and Bessie are deceased. He was a member of the Town Council two terms and Township Collector one year. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Belongs to the Masonic Fraternity.

Alfred Baker, M. D., born in Owen County, Ind., July 10, 1826, is a son of William Baker, a native of Mason County, Ky., who moved to Indiana in an early day and was Captain of a com- pany of rangers for protection from Indians. Both parents died when small, and Alfred went to Kentucky and was educated there. Ile started with a company for Texas in 1846, by boat via New Or- leans; thence up Red River to Shreveport, La., where the citi- zens were dying at the rate of seven or eight a day, of measles, and they returned. Alfred took the measles on the way back and was left in the St. Louis hospital five weeks; then went to Jefferson

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County, Ill., part of the way on foot. He ran out of money, his feet were sore and bleeding, and wrapped in his old shirts he lay down to die at the house of one Welch, who saw him writing, and at once proposed to get him a school, which he did. He had a subscription school and was paid $2.50 a pupil for three months, half cash and half in produce or young cattle. He taught in that county about two years, and then went to Marion, Ill., and read medicine with Dr. Thos. M. Sans. He attended medical college at Evansville, Ind., and in 1851 came to Enfield, where he has built up a large practice. He was married in July, 1851, to Sarah J., daughter of Dr. M. Johnson. Of their four children, only one is living-E. Alice, now Mrs. Goddard. One daughter, Mary F. ( Mrs. Oldham), died at about the age of twenty three. She was an intelligent and able writer; wrote for the Christian Monitor of Indianapolis. Dr. Baker belongs to the Christian church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

Stewart Benham was born in Harrison County, Ind., April 25, 1820. His father, Joseph Benham, of Massachusetts, settled in Indiana in 1819, and died in 1832. Stewart was educated in the log-cabin subscription school. He came to this county in 1854 and settled in Enfield Township, where he has been engaged in farming. He also had a flour and saw mill at Enfield a few years. He owns 240 acres of fine land. He was married Aug. S, 1847. to Mary Jenkins. They have had eight children, six living-Lu- ther, Julius, Anna B., Reuben, Mark and George. One daughter, Joanna, died at the age of nineteen years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1882 he visited the scenes of his childhood and drank from the same old spring. He brought home three apples from a tree (the only one living) that he helped his father plant in about the year 1825; he helped by holding the tree while his father did the work.

William II. Berry was born in Enfield Township, Dec. 14, 1841. His father, Joel Berry, was an early settler in this county. He en- listed in the late war in Company C, Fortieth Illinois Infantry, and served four years. He was in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Mission Ridge, siege of Atlanta, and Sherman's march to the sea. He was wounded at Mission Ridge. He was married Nov. 25, 1865, to Mary Underwood. They are the parents of five children, three living-Minnie L., Georgia D., and Anna E. One daugh- ter, Laura, died at the age of ten years. He is a member of the Christian church at Enfield.

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Rev. Erastus T. Bowers, pastor of Enfield Cumberland Presby- terian church, Enfield, was born in Clifton, Madison Co., Ill., Jan. 29, 1847. His father, E. Marion Bowers, was a native of Tennes- see, and came with his parents to White County when twelve years old, and settled in Enfield Township, then known as the seven mile prairie. When sixteen he left home and cut wood on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In 1849 he went to California, and Erastus and his mother went to Hamilton County, to his grandfather's, and remained till his return in 1851. In the fall of 1851 the family moved to Champaign County, Ill., and in 1852 re- turned to Hamilton County, his mother having died that year. He enlisted in the late war in Company G, Fifty-seventh Illinois In- fantry, and served two years. He was the youngest in the regi- ment, not being seventeen years old when he enlisted. He was in the battles of Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, second Resaca, Salke- hatchie, siege of Savannah, etc. He was educated by private in- struction, and at Hoodville, Ill. He was married Sept. 12, 1867, to Nancy Boyd. Of their seven children but three are living- Charles A., Lulu and George McAllan. One son, Willy M., died at the age of nine years. He joined the Methodist church, South, in Hamilton County, in 1868, and began preaching in 1872, as a local preacher. In the spring of 1877 he joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church. and continued preaching for them. In April, 1881, he located in Enfield, where he is pastor of the latter denom- ination. He has taught school twelve years during the winter, and part of the time by private instruction during the summer.

Michael S. Brockett, son of William B. Brockett (deceased), a native of Louisiana, who moved to this county with his parents in 1828, and afterward to Effingham County, Ill., was born in the latter county, March 31, 1839. He came with his parents to this county in 1846, and spent his boyhood on a farm. He enlisted in the late war in Company F, Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and served nearly four years. He was in the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Black River Hill, Vicksburg, Atlanta, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. March 28, 1865, 404 of the regiment took ship- ping on the United States steamer, General Lyon, at Wilmington, N. C. March 31 a cask of kerosene on the upper deck was broken during a tornado, and the fluid drenched every deck, and finally reached the furnace, when everything took fire. Of the entire 404 Mr. Brockett and two others-George Williamns and Jasper Fitz- gerald-were the only ones to escape. The former is supposed to be

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dead, and the latter is living in Saline County, Ill. Mr. Brockett jumped overboard with the expectation of drowning, but after swimming around for five hours, was picked up by another vessel. He was married Sept. 27, 1865, to Elizabeth E. Draper. They have seven children-Lola M., Laura E., Estella, Lizzie A., Jonah, Willard, and Mollie. Mr. Brockett was Assessor and Treasurer of this county four years, from 1865-'69, before the township organi- zation. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of Enfield.

William W. Brockett was born in Equality, Saline Co., Ill., Feb. 10, 1817. His father, Benjamin Brockett, was a native of South Carolina, and came to Illinois in a very early day, and to this county with his family in 1822. William W. was educated in the early subscription schools of this county. He was married March 9, 1841, to Matilda M. Bailey. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living-George F., Martha, Oliver, Bowdoin and William M. Mrs. Brockett died in 1861. Mr. Brockett married Martha R. A. Turner. They have two chil- dren-Luella and Harry L. Mr. Brockett owns 280 acres of fine land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He resides on section 36, Enfield Township. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church. George F. was in the late war, in Company I, Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, under Captain Benj. F. Brockett.

Marcus L. Brown, M. D., was born in Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 18, 1838. His father, Dr. Marcus L. Brown, Sr., brought his fam- ily to this county in 1850, and settled where Brown's Station now is. He practiced medicine here about fifteen years. Marcus L., Jr., read medicine under his father, and was educated at Moore's Hill Academy, Ind. He enlisted in the late war in Company I, Eighty- seventh Illinois Infantry, and was immediately detailed to the hos- pital of the regiment, where he was soon after appointed Warden, and was also acting Steward a greater part of the time. Here he had superior advantages for learning surgery. He also spent a few months in the McPherson Hospital, St. Louis, and a short time at the marine hospital, New Orleans. He was frequently sent with detachments of sick to different localities. Fourteen months of 1867-'68 he spent with his brother, Samuel A. Brown, a prominent physician of Sharp County, Ark., where he commenced his first regular practice. In 1868 he came back to this county, and has built up a large practice, which he has a firmn hold of. He was taught to nurse and doctor the sick from his boyhood. In the

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last fourteen years he has only been ont of the county once, ex- cept as practice called him. He was married Oct. 24, 1861, to Be- linda, daughter of William Draper. They are the parents of eight children-Alice J., Mary E., Georgia E., William M., Robert J., Martha J., Samuel C., and Joseph O. Dr. Brown belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Prof. Jacob M. Chance, son of Samuel S. Chance, Clerk of the County Court of Marion County, was born in Salem, Marion Co., Ill., March 9, 1858, where he was reared and educated, grad- uating from the Salem High School in June, 1878. In 1881 he graduated from the Conservatory of Music, in Lincoln (Ill.) Uni- versity, receiving the degree of " Musical Bachelor." In August, 1881, he became connected with the Southern Illinois Academy at Enfield, as musical professor. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and the Adelphi Musical Society at Jacksonville, Ill. He is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Salem.

Hon. Patrick Dolan, son of Michael Dolan (deceased), was born in Queen's County, Ireland, in 1815, and came to America in 1834, and lived in the States of New York and Connecticut three years. He was engineer in Niles's foundry, Cincinnati, two years, and in 1839 came to Shawneetown and was engineer in John Crenshaw's mill, on the Shawneetown & Equality Railroad, about six months; then went onto his farm in Enfield Township. In 1841 he returned to Cincinnati and engineered in the same foundry for three years, where he was crippled in the left hand, and returned to this county in 1844. In 1848 he went to Evansville, Ind., and built a large business block and engaged in the mercantile business a few years. He was a member of the City Council there three years. In 1851 he returned to Enfield, where he has since resided. He kept a general store on his farm, two miles southwest of Enfield, for twelve years, and also carried on his farm. Mr. Dolan made the eulogiz- ing speech for the coming town of Enfield at the sale of lots of said village in 1853. He was elected to represent White County in the Illinois General Assembly in 1868, and again in 1872. Corron, from La Salle County, was speaker during his first term, and Gov- ernor Cullom during the second. He was the first Irishman and first Catholic to settle in this locality, and services were held in his house several years. He was married in 1835 to Maria Con- nelly. Of their ten children but four are living-Julia, Mary A.,

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Mark and Hugh P. One son, John, died in 1863, at the age of twenty-five years. Mrs. Dolan died in March, 1876.

Milton I. Emerson was born in White County, April 4, 1839. His father, William H. Emerson, is a native of Carmi, White County, and also resides here. His grandfather, Reuben Emerson, was a pioneer of this county. Miltou I. is the eldest of four sons. He established a general store in West Union in October, 1882, buying the old stock of J. K. Montgomery, and adding a large supply of new goods. He has a fine store and competes with Carmi and Enfield prices in everything.

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History of White County Illinois, Part 51

Author: Inter-State Publishing Company Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 831

Author: Inter-State Publishing Company
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 831