History of White County Illinois, Part 60

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

USA > Illinois > White County > History of White County Illinois > Part 60

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).

Abel Vaughn was the son of Nathaniel Vaughn, and born April 20, 1803, in Fauquier County, Va. His father crossed the Allegheny Mountains in a wagon (the only way of crossing them at that early day), and settled in Rock Castle County, Ky., when Abel was about four years old. After he became grown he went to East Tennessee, where he was married near Knoxville, to Jane, daughter of Captain Stephen Bond, who was a Captain in the Black Hawk war. Abel was intending entering this war, and was educated as a drummer and fifer, but the war closed before he got into service. In 1831 he moved to Bedford, Ind., where he held a commission from Governor Duncan in charge of a military company. In 1833 he settled in White County, four miles below Grayville, on one of the Stanley farms, and commenced the prac- tice of medicine, being very successfully engaged. In 1835 or early in 1836 he came to Grayville, when there were only a few houses, nearly all log cabins, and bought the Cave property, and put up the first house on it. He continued his practice here which 51

Digitized by Google

798

HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.

resulted in a large business. In 1838 or 1839, he bought the lots where the saw-mill of Blood & Vaughn now stands, and put up a warehouse. He shortly afterward sold this property and bought several lots at the lower landing, where he lived until 1844. His health now began to fail him, which resulted in severe attacks of asthma, and hemorrhage of the lungs, and he was obliged to leave and go to Lewisburg, Ky., where he regained his health, and had a large practice. He held the position of Postmaster in that place most all the time he lived there, and in 1848 or early in 1849 he resigned his office in favor of.S. Jackson, of South Car- rolton, and it was moved there. He came back to Grayville, and would have been contented to pass the remainder of his days here, but owing to relatives going into Kentucky he finally moved back to South Carrolton and practiced medicine. He held the office of Town Judge, and again was Postmaster of the place. He died Feb. 25, 1880, aged nearly seventy-seven years. ITis aged wife is still living, and can extend her blessing to her fourth generation.

James F. Vaughn, born near Knoxville, Tenn., March 14, 1828, is a son of Abel and Jane Vaughn. He was educated for a book- keeper, and has followed this business since he was sixteen years old. He was married in Keokuk, Iowa, to Mary Jane Griffith, Feb. 26, 1850. He first came to Grayville with his father in 1833. He was living at Keokuk when he was married, after which he re- turned to Grayville, and lived here till 1857, when he moved to Henderson, Ky. In 1863 he moved to Evansville, where he has resided since. He was bookkeeper for several leading business firms in Evansville, and in 1875 was elected City Clerk,holding the office two terms. They have three children-James Shelley, Ella V., wife of Wm. M. Hull, resides at Louisville, Ky., and Harry Grif- fith, being with his parents at Evansville. One daughter died at the age of five years.

James Shelley Vaughn, born in Grayville, Sept. 29, 1855, is a son of James F. and Mary (Griffith) Vaughn. He was educated at Evansville, and graduated from the High School of that city in 1873. He was deputy under his father during his period as City Clerk, and afterward went to keeping books in a wholesale saddlery house for two years. In 1877 he went to Louisville, Ky., and en- gaged as salesman in a wholesale saddlery house, remaining there a year. He then returned to Evansville, and remained about a year. Sept. 29, 1879, he came to Grayville, and engaged with W. W. Gray in the grain business, and remained with him a short

Digitized by Google

799

GRAY TOWNSHIP.

time. Jan. 28, 1880, he entered into a co-partnership with John M. Blood in a saw-mill, under the firm name of Blood & Vaughn. This mill is situated on the site where his grandfather, Abel Vaughn, built a warehouse in 1839, and carried on an extensive forwarding and shipping business. He was married April 20, 1881, to Callie Cook, of Carmi, a daughter of Dr. Charles Cook, an old physician of the county. They have one daughter-Ella, born Feb. 19, 1882.

Nicholas Wise was born in Bavaria, Germany, Ang. 7, 1827. His parents were George C. and Catherine (Soll) Wise. Nicholas was the fourth of eight children. When nineteen years old he came with his parents to America; landed in Baltimore, Md .; went thence to Cincinnati; resided there two years, then moved to Dearborn County, Ind., where he farmed until 1866, when he set- tled on his present farm, in Gray Township, Sept. 12, 1851. Mr. Wise married Miss Vitalina Hering, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 4, 1837. Her parents were Michael and Vitalina (Scherp) Hering. Mr. and Mrs. Wise were married in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church. They have had a family of twelve children-Rasania C., born Aug. 6, 1855, died Oct. 7, 1859; George C., born Jan. 9, 1857, died Oct. 12, 1859; Nicholas, born Nov. 17, 1858, died Oct. 13, 1859; Nich- olas, second, born Aug. 3, 1860; John G., born Sept. 15, 1862; Andreas, born Nov. 27, 1864; Benjamin, born March 31, 1867, died May 19, 1881; Caroline E., born July 3, 1869; Henry, born Jan. 3, 1872; Frederic, born April 8, 1874; Charlotta, born Dec. 22, 1876; Franklin P., born Jan. 15, 1879. Mr. Wise owns 260 acres on sections 26 and 27. In politics he is a Democrat.

Digitized by Google

HAWTHORNE TOWNSHIP.

This township borders on the Great Wabash River, and lies be- tween Phillips on the north and Emma on the south. It consists of township 5 south, range 10 east, and comprises forty-six square miles.

Among the early settlers were Aaron Williams, Nathaniel Black- ford, Enoch Hargrave, Daniel Winkler, the Lands and Sellers. Mr. Winkler started a ferry and ran it for some time, and then sold to a man by the name of Collins. The latter sold to Aaron Williams, and the ferry was long known as Williams's Ferry. Martin II. McCreery is one of the oldest settlers of this township, and, in fact, of White County, having come here with his parents as early as 1811. A more extended account is given in the history of Gray- ville. This was also the home of the McHenrys, Joneses, Lawlers, McCowns, Kuykendalls and Chisms; the elder ones bearing their names have passed away, and their survivors should feel proud of their ancestors, for a more noble lot of men never settled in the county. The Cairo & Vincennes Road runs through this township; also the Louisville & Nashville Railroad.

Like most of our Western countries in pioneer times, the Indians were numerous and sometimes very troublesome. Mr. Richard Davis, one of the early settlers, was riding along a bridle path when he was fired upon by some Indians and had his thigh broken by the shot; he, however, managed to remain on his horse and finally reached home. He lived a number of years after this and died in Gray Township; he will ever be remembered as one of the most prominent citizens of the county.

One of the numerous bear-killings of the township took place a few rods from where James R. Brown now lives, on section 25. A path was being cut through the brush, when a large and very fat bear was discovered. One of the party thought to kill it, and cut- ting a club went at the bear; but the bear being "the better man of the two," was getting the best of the fight, when the other men went to his assistance with their axes, and soon " bear bacon" was plenty in the neighborhood.

A few hundred yards from Mr. Brown's house he killed a very

(800)

Digitized by Google

801

HAWTHORNE TOWNSHIP.

large buck one morning, with twelve points on each beam, or horn. The antlers were taken to Nashville, Tenn., by Government Agent G. W. McKinzie, and by him were gold gilded, and are now in his office. James R. Brown's name is engraved beneath the antlers. Another large pair, taken from a large deer killed by Mr. Brown, are in the office of Wolfin & Co., at Mt. Vernon, Ind. These are the largest antlers known in this part of the country.

Buffalo used to be abundant in this township, but are now ex- tinct; also tigers, catamounts, wild-cats, wolves and panthers, but all are killed off with the exception of now and then a wild-cat. Wild turkeys are abundant, though not so many are found as at an early day. Squirrels, though somewhat abundant, are not so plenti- ful as formerly; prairie chickens and pheasants used to be found, but are nearly all gone; in fact, all kinds of game are becoming scarce.

Fish used to be very plenty in the Wabash and Skillet Fork, and other streams around, but are becoming quite scarce, although a considerable many are still found in the Wabash. Mr. Brown has a very fine fish pond of about fifteen acres where fish are easily caught, and by calling on him a permit may be had to fish here. Mr. Brown has been one of the best hunters in this township, fre- quently killing from four to nine deer in one day; from six to fifteen turkeys was a fair night's work for this game. He once shot a deer and made six holes through his skin. Mr. Solomon Bryant killed two white deer in this township.

Mr. Brown has the largest and best pecan orchard in White County, there being about 200 bearing trees; hundreds of bushels are gathered nearly every year. Mr. Brown is now fencing this orchard.

Hawthorn Station was established by the Southeastern (now the Louisville & Nashville) Railroad. Seven acres was given to the road by J. R. Jones, now a resident of Carmi. In 1874 the road sold the land to G. L. Hanna, Theophilus Parker, Matthew Land, Benjamin S. Land, J. M. Pomeroy, and S. B. Slocumb, who held the land for sale by lots; it never having been surveyed, they were sold by measurement. The portion north of the railroad was after- ward purchased by Theophilus Parker. This entire property has since been sold several times. The northern part is now owned by James M. Jackson. On the southern part are located one general store, one blacksmith shop and a half dozen dwelling-houses; also one practicing physician. Outside of this seven acres is a large

Digitized by Google

802

HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.

flouring-mill, owned by Myerhoff and Bicking; they are doing a large amount of business. There is more wheat shipped at this station than any other on the line.

CHURCHES.

Mc Henry M. E. Church .- This church was organized as early as 1814, probably by Rev. Daniel McHenry. The commencement of the church was small, but its growth has been strong and vig- orous, now numbering about sixty members. Rev. Charles Slo- cumb has been pastor here, also Rev. Stuart, John Davis, John Fox, Robert Delap, James Hadley, Rev. Moorette, Rev. Phelps, James Massey, Thomas Files, James McCain, William McHenry, John Fox, James Johnson, James Walker, James Nawl, James Gibbs, James Miller, Albert Ransom, Rev. Joy, G. W. Scowthin, David Elam, C. J. T. Toole, Rev. Wieden, R. H. Monierre, J. A. Baird, and John Fields, the present pastor. A church edifice was built in 1870, 48 x 32 feet, costing about $2,000. There have been several revivals of great interest and many conversions and acces- sions to the church. Services are held every Sunday. There is a Sabbath-school of about forty scholars, with Henry Rudolph Superintendent. The present officers are : Henry Rudolph, Class Leader; Luther Mc Henry and Adolph Mohler, Stewards.

Big Prairie M. E. Church .- The first preaching place in this vicinity was at the residence of John Hanna, who was a native of Pennsylvania, but came here from Kentucky in 1810. The first preaching was in 1812, by Rev. John Smith. The first itinerant Methodist preacher having charge was Rev. James Porter. This place then belonged to the Wabash district and was included in the Tennessee Conference; Peter Cartwright was Presiding Elder. In those days people went to church with gun and shot-pouch to defend themselves from the wild Indians that infested the country.

The following are the names of the pastors who have been in charge of this church : Rev. James Porter, one year; Rev. John C. Harbinson, one year; Daniel Mc Henry, two years; John Har- ris, one year; Charles Slocumb, one year; Thomas Davis, two years; Hackaliah Vrendenburg and Thomas Rice, one year; Josiah Pat- terson and William Smith, one year; C. Ruddle, two years; Charles Halady, one year; Thomas Davis, one year; Robert Delap, one year; James Hadley, one year; William Marity, one year; John Fox, one year; Thomas H. Files, two years; James Mc Kean, one year; James W. Carban, one year; Jesse Walker, one year; John

Digitized by Google

- --

803

HAWTHORNE TOWNSHIP.

Fox, one year; William Taylor, one year; R. Allen, one year; G. W. Stribling, one year; William Cummins, one year; John Shep- herd, one year; John Gilham, one year; James H. Dickens, one year; Arthur Bradshaw, one year; Jacob E. Reed, two years; Eli- jah E. Gentry, two years; J. T. Johnson, one year; John Hill, one year; Grover and Foster, one year; Norman Allen, one year; J. Y. Johnson, one year; A. B. Morrison, one year; David Williamson, one year; A. Ransom, two years; C. D. Lingenfelter, two years; John Leeper, one year; R. R. Pierce, three years; S. C. Walker, one year; H. Manifold, one year; C. Gibbs, two years; D. Elam, one year; L. M. King, three years; C. J. T. Pole, two years; R. H. Manier, two years; J. A. Baird, two years; John W. Field, the present pastor, three years. In 1816 the Missouri Conference was organized and this circuit was included in it.

At present the society numbers 110 members. It has had a good Sunday-school for about fourteen years; G. S. Allen is the present Superintendent. This is, indeed, a model church, the garden of White County.

African M. E. Church .- This church was organized in 1879. Henry Broadie, Class-Leader, and Zenah Bell, Steward; George Hathman, Pastor. Mr. Hathman remained one year, and was succeeded by George Benson, R. S. Denning and Rev. Hammond; the latter is the present pastor. James Parks is Class-Leader, and Harry Chism and George Black, Stewards There is a member- ship of twenty-one. There have been three revivals, with several conversions. A building has recently been bought for church pur- poses and moved upon a lot owned by the society.

SCHOOLS.

To show the progress schools have made in this township since 1862, we compile the following from the county superintendent's report:

1862 .- Number of schools and districts, 4; male teachers, 3; female, 1; average number of pupils to each teacher, 25; number of persons in the township under twenty-one, 280; average length of schools, 6 months; teachers' monthly wages, $20 to $40; State fund, $350; township tax, $475; amount paid teachers, $828; total amount of funds received, $900; total expended, $853.

1882 .- Number of males under twenty-one, 345; females, 355; total, 700; total number over six years of age, 519; number of un- graded schools, 11; number of months of school, 81}; average

Digitized by Google

804

HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.

number of months of school, 14; total number of pupils enrolled, 473; number between twelve and twenty-one unable to read and write, 18; number of male teachers, 11; female, 3; number of days' attendance in school, 54,569; number frame school-houses, 7; log; 4; highest monthly wages paid male teachers, $55; female, $50; lowest monthly wages paid to any male teacher, $30; female, $20; amount of district tax levied for support of schools, $2,710; esti- mated value of school property, $3,475; estimated value of school apparatus, $40; amount of bonded school debt, $110; income of township fund received during the year, $254.02; received from county superintendent, $675.51; incidental expenses of treasurers and trustees, $15.75; for publishing annual statement, $9.25; com- pensation of treasurers, $162.50; total amount received by town- ship treasurer during the year ending June 30, 1882, $4,699.81; total expenditures for the year, $3,494.93.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS SINCE 1872.

Supervisors .- John Land, 1873-'4; John R. Jones, 1874-'6; John Land, 1877; Joseph P. Stilwell, 1878-'9; G. L. Allen, 1880; John M. Simpson, 1882.

Clerks .- W. T. Pomeroy, 1873-'4-'5; R. S. Graham, 1876-'7- 8-'9-'80, 1882.

A8868808 .- Elvis Stinnett, 1873; J. P. Stilwell, 1874-'5; George G. Kuykendall, 1876; Joseph P. Stilwell, 1877; J. W. Monical, 1878; John W. McHenry, 1879-'80; Samson F. Land, 1882.

Collectors .- Theophilus Parker, 1873; G. R. Pomeroy, 1874; S. B. Small, 1875-'6; Alfred Rudolph, 1877; E. E. Puntney, 1878; Geo. R. Pumroy, 1879; Sampson Land, 1880; Wm. A. Raglin, 1882.

Commissioners of Highways .- John M. Simpson, 1873; An- drew J. Bowen, 1874; David Tanquary, 1875; H. W. Jones, 1876; Thomas Spillman, 1877; Davis Tanquary and Allen M. Stumm, 1878-'9; Stephen Williams, 1880; Thomas Spillman, 1882.

Justices of the Peace .- J. R. Russell and S. B. Slocumb, 1873; S. B. Small and S. B. Slocumb, 1877.

Constables .- Theodore Winkler and W. A. Slocumb, 1873; A. Bromley, 1874; Edward Knowles, 1876; Thomas E. Floyd and James M. Ackman, 1877.

Digitized by Google

805

HAWTHORNE TOWNSHIP.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

George L. Allen was born in White County, Ill., July 20, 1829. His father was a native of Kentucky, and came from Logan County, Ky., to what is now White County, over sixty years ago when quite young. He married Mrs. Elizabeth (Clark) McHenry, widow of George McHenry. George L. is next to the youngest of their seven children. He was reared and educated in this county. Feb. 9, 1853, he married Susan Clark, a native of White County, born June 20, 1835. They have two children-James Franklin, born Jan. 7, 1856, and Albert R., born Oct. 22, 1862. They are members of the Methodist church. He has held the office of Steward in that church. Politically he is a Republican; has held the office of Township Supervisor. He owns 120 acres of good land on section 29, Hawthorne Township. His father, W. B. Allen, was the first man in White County to have a corn-husking without a jug of whisky.

Leonard Blagg was born in White County, Ill., May 16, 1817. He is the third of six children. His father was a native of Vir- ginia. He has lived in this township all his life, within four miles of where he was born. He was married in 1837 to Mary Kulbrath, who died in 1842, leaving two children-David and Elizabeth, now the wife of W. H. Brown. In 1844 Mr. Blagg married Winnie Young, a native of Wayne County, Ill., born in 1823. They are the parents of five children-Nancy, Solomon, George, Newton and Leonard. Mr. Blagg resides on section 31, Hawthorne Township, and owns 200 acres of finely improved land. He never belonged to any political party or secret order.

Rev. John W. Field, pastor of the Big Prairie Methodist Epis- copal church, was born Nov. 8, 1839, in Massac County, Ill. His parents were John H. and Prithena (Stewart) Field, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Tennessee. Mr. Field was a farmer, and John W. was brought up on the farm, attending the common schools until the age of eighteen. At this time he com- menced teaching, an occupation which he followed, principally in Massac County, for nine yeare. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, and served one year. In 1869 he entered the Methodist ministry, and since 1872 has been a member of the Southern Illinois Conference. His charges have been as follows: 1872-'4, Golconda and Eddyville; 1874-'5, El Dorado; 1875-'6, Elizabethtown; 1876-'8, Vienna; 1878-'9,

Digitized by Google

806

HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.

New Haven; Opdyke, 1879-'80; Hawthorn, 1880-'82. Mr. Field was married in August, 1859, to Sarah A. Tiley, of Cincinnati. They have been blessed with two children-John Logan and Mary.

Grandchain Franks was born in White County, Ill., March 20, 1845. His father, Isaac Franks, was a native of Virginia, and came to White County in 1832 and settled near the Grand Chain, on the Big Wabash River, where he lived till his death, in 1870. His mother, Cynthia Ann (Patton) Franks, was reared in White County, and died in 1862, leaving four children-Grandchain, born in 1845; Lafayette, in 1850; Aaron, in 1854, and Mary Ann, born in 1856, and died Sept. 22, 1872. Grandchain was married Ang. 2, 1868, to Harriet J. Ezell, who was born in Posey County, Ind., in 1856. They had one child-Harriet Jane, born Sept. 18,1876. Mr. Franks has been in the employ of the St. Louis Division of the Louisville & Nashville R. R., as watchman on the bridge over the Wabash River, six years. Politically he is a Democrat. He has eighty acres of good land in Hawthorne Township.

William C. Gentry was born in Enfield Township, White Co., Ill., Dec. 22, 1859. His father, G. C. Gentry, is a native of Vir- ginia, and came to Illinois in the early part of 1857, settling in Enfield Township, White County. He lived in Decatur County Ind., a number of years previous to coming to Illinois. While in Indiana ho married Sarah I. Draper, a native of that State. Their children are Julia, William C. and Frances A. Both the girls are living at home. William C. is teaching the Big Prairie district school. He commenced teaching at the age of seventeen, and is now teaching his sixth session. Heis a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican.

R. S. Graham was born in Gallatin County, Ill., Aug. 19, 1814. His father, James S. Graham, was a native of Virginia and came to Carmi in the fall of 1815. The first family in Carmi con- sisted of James S. Graham, his wife, Elizabeth Graham, and their son, R. S. His brother, Burnett, was the first child born in Carmi. His mother died, Feb. 11, 1817, the first death in Carmi, and his brother died shortly after. James S. Graham established the only ferry across the Little Wabash, at Carmi. He also built the first blacksmith's shop at Carmi, and built the first hotel. He died in June, 1822, and is buried on the shore of the Mississippi, be- tween Vicksburg and New Orleans. He had been flat-boating and had sold out and was returning home when he was taken sick and died. Mr. Graham well remembers when the vote was taken to

Digitized by Google

807

HAWTHORNE TOWNSHIP.

admit Illinois into the Union as a State. He was married Dec. 10, 1834, to Mary Jane Blue, a native of Kentucky. They had two children, both died in infancy. His wife died in April, 1856. In 1857 he married Mahala Harman, a native of Tennessee. They had eight children-James S., Mary A., Mariah E., Mahala A., Virginia I., William R., Charles E. and Lillian O. James S. died at the age of twenty-five years, and Mary A., at the age of twenty. The others are living. He married his present wife, Mrs. Sarah Forbes, a native of White County, and a daughter of Jonathan Bradshaw. Her first husband was John Harvey. They started for California, via New York, and he died on the way. She proceeded to Sacramento, and in a few years married John Forbes, a na- tive of Maine. They moved to that State, near Bangor, and sub- sequently returned to White County, where he died of cerebro spinal menengitis. In 1839 Mr. Graham was elected Justice of the Peace, and served until 1852. He then resigned, and was elec- ted County Clerk, and served till 1866, during which time he served as School Commissioner of White County. In 1866 he commenced the mercantile business, which he continued till 1872, when he moved to his farm in Hawthorne Township, where he has since re- sided. He owns eighty acres on section 19, town 15, range 10. He has been Clerk of Hawthorne Township, six or eight years. He is a member of Carmi Lodge, No. 272, A. F. & A. M. He is the only member of the first Methodist class organized in Carmi in 1850. Politically he is a Democrat.

George L. Hanna was born in White County, Ill., Dec. 12, 1832. His father, William Hanna, was a native of Logan County, Ky., and came to White County with his father in 1810, and set- tled on section 28, Hawthorne Township. His father, John Hanna, was a native of Pennsylvania, and moved to Kentucky in an early day. He died in this county in 1823. William Hanna died in 1870. George L. was reared and educated in this county. He was married May 10, 1859, to Mary Hick, a native of New Haven, Gallatin Co., Ill., born June 4, 1840. They are the parents of five children-Fatima, born Dec. 29, 1860; Thomas, born April 10, 1863, and died Dec. 17, 1864; William, born Nov. 18, 1865, and died March 15, 1869; Harry, born Jan. 9, 1870, and Philip, born Sept. 16, 1873. Mr. Hanna and family, and all his father's fam- ily, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Repbulican; cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. He owns 900 acres of fine land, under a good state of cultivation. He

Digitized by Google

808

HISTORY OF WHITE COUNTY.

raises and deals largely in both stock and grain, which he ships on the L. & N. R. R. from Hawthorn. Mr. Hanna's mother, Hel- lena Hanna, is living with her son, aged seventy-five years June 2, 1882. Mrs. Hanna's father, Thomas L. Hicks, was born in Eng- land in 1809. He died at Vincennes, Ind., in 1865, of cholera, while on his way home from Cincinnati, where he had been to buy a stock of goods. Her mother, Fatima (Bangor) Hicks, was born in Shawneetown, Ill., Aug. 22, 1817, and died in 1855.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of White County Illinois, Part 60

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