History of White County Illinois, Part 67

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

USA > Illinois > White County > History of White County Illinois > Part 67

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).

1879 .- Trustees: W. B. Jones (President), F. M. DeBoard, E. A. Lasater, W. M. Boyd, E. Foster and J. F. Hill; Clerk, W. A. Johnson; Treasurer, E. S. Boyd; Constable, John S. Kirk; Street Commissioner, Thomas Mullen.

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1880 .- Trustees: F. S. Barnes (President), E. A. Lasater, S. S. Brill, L. Blackburn, William Boyd and Joel Rice; Clerk, C. F. In- gersoll; Treasurer, T. I. Porter; Constable and Street Commis- sioner, John S. Kirk.

1881 .- Trustees: H. May (President), T. S. Barnes, E. A. Lasa- ter, W. P. Gossett, W. E. Jennings and William A. Johnson; Clerk, C. F. Ingersoll; Treasurer, Thomas I. Porter; Constable, John Denton; Street Commissioner, Orville Wheeler.

1882 .- Trustees : H. May (President), W. P. Gossett, W. E. Jennings, M. S. Green, W. A. Johnson and Charles Barnes; Clerk, C. F. Ingersoll; Treasurer, R. B. Lemmon; Constable, John Den- ton; Street Commissioner, Daniel P. Gott.

Norris City has no debt, except a few warrants outstanding, for which the money is in the treasury. No taxes were levied for vil- lage purposes until 1881, when $222.22 were collected. In 1882 $200 were levied.

Norris City is a temperance village, and for four years has had no saloons, the granting of licenses having been discontinued.

POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice of Norris City was established in the spring of 1871, and William A. Johnson was appointed the first Postmaster, under General Grant's administration as President of the United States. Mr. Johnson, who was also station agent for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, held the office until 1874, when R. B. Lem- mon, a druggist, and who is still in business in Norris City, was appointed. He held the office about one year, and then O. C. Pal- mateer was appointed. Mr. Palmateer held the office about six months, and then resigned. He is now Deputy County Clerk of Richland County. He was succeeded by Harrison May, the pres- ent incumbent, in August, 1876.

It was made a money-order office the first of October, 1877. The first order was issued to Harrison May, in favor of Hugh Kirk- wood, Centralia, Ill., and was for $6.80. It was dated Oct. 1, 1877. The first order paid was issued at Carmi, Oct. 23, 1877, to James L. Dunning, and was paid to James Shephard. The amount was $15. During the year ending Oct. 1, 1882, the number of orders issued was 413, and the number paid was sixty-four. The total number issued up to Oct. 1, 1882, was 2,037. The sales of postage stamps amounted to over $500 a year.

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BUSINESS.

The business of Norris City is carried on by the following firms: W. & H. May, general merchandise; T. S. Barnes & Son, general merchandise; Boyd Bros., hardware and groceries; McGilley Bros., groceries; R. B. Lemmon, drugs; J.H. Langford, drugs; H. Wake- ford, grain; W. B. Jones, flouring mill.

The first business firm in Norris City was Harper, Ritchie & Co., who commenced to deal in general merchandise in 1871. In that same year the store of H. May & Co. was built. Since then the village has grown steadily, and now, in the fall of 1882, its prospects are brighter than ever before. The population of the vil- lage, a trifle over 400 in 1880, is now 500.

Besides the firms mentioned above, there are two blacksmith and wagon, shops, one harness shop and one hotel, the Cleavelin House. The medical profession here is represented by six members, as fol- lows: R. B. Lemmon, C. F. Ingersoll, Elijah Forter, C. C. Green, M. S. Green and J. D. Smith. There are no members of the legal profession in the village.

ELEVATOR.

The grain elevator of May & Gossett was built in the summer of 1878 by Messrs. May & Gossett. It is on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, about 300 yards from the depot. It is 30 x 60 feet, two stories in height, and has a capacity of 12,000 bushels. The firm has had as much as 8,000 bushels in it at one time. During the season just ended they have handled 25,000 bushels of wheat, which was shipped to New York and Baltimore.

SCHOOLS.

The school-house at Norris City, which is in school district number 6, was erected in 1871, at a cost of $1,800. It soon after became a graded school, the first principal of which was Melville W. Spencer. He was assisted by Andrew Millspaugh. The next principal was James B. Green, who taught three years, two of which he was assisted by Milton Green, and the other by John Varney. Mr. Green was succeeded by Robert Hammond, who taught one year as principal, when he was assisted by John Wal- ters. E. T. Bowers then acted as principal two years, assisted by Robert, Hammond. W. P. Gossett then tan ht one year, assisted

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by Melville Cook. The present principal is J. B. Kinnear, of Mc- Leansboro, and the primary department is taught by Mrs. Laura Gossett.

BOOIETIES.

May Lodge, No. 718, A. F. & A. M., was chartered Oct. 7, 1874, with a membership of eleven, as follows: Harry a W B. Jones, H. J. Beck, W. L. Howard, John Fairweather, John A. Spence, R. N. Johnson, W. E. Jennings, John J. Funkhouser, A. B. Emerson and George E. Burnett. The first officers were: Harry May, W. M .; W. L. Howard, S. W .; H. J. Beck, J. W .; R. N. Johnson, Secretary; E. B. Emerson, Treasurer; Wm. B. Jones, S. D .; W. E. Jennings, J. D .; John Fairweather, Tyler. The office of Worshipful Master has been held, successively, by Harry May, W. E. Jennings and William Weaver. The present officers of the lodge are as follows: W. E. Jennings, W. M .; W. B. Jones, S. W .; H. J. Beck, J. W .; E. S. Boyd, Treasurer; R. N. John- son, Secretary; Wm. M. Boyd, S. D .; B. P. Shaw, J. D .; J. H. Brown, Chaplain; J. A. Lasater, Tyler. The present membership ot the lodge is twenty-six. The lodge is prosperous, financially and otherwise. It meets Thursday, on or before the full moon of each month, at Boyd's Hall.

Norris City Lodge, No. 179, A. O. U. W., was organized March 25, 1881, by Grand Master Workman C. E. McDowell, of Carmi, with a membership of thirty-nine. The first officers were as fol- lows: C. C. Barnes, Installing Officer and P. M. W .; Alfred Ham- mell, M. W .; E. A. Lasater, Foreman; F. M. De Board, Overseer; H. L. Rice, Recorder; R. E. Delap, Receiver; R. S. Kriger, Fi- nancier; Wm. P. Gossett, Guide; W. H. Gossett, I. W .; Henry Carroll, O. W .; Trustees, H. J. Beck, for term ending July, 1881; Thomas L. Aud, for term ending December, 1881; Wm. N. Robb, for term ending July, 1882. The office of Master Workman has been held successively by Alfred Hammell, Wm. P. Gossett, R. A. Gott, H. L. Rice. The present officrs, choseen in July, 1882, are as follows: R. A. Gott, P. M. W .; H. L. Rice, M. W .; D. H. Gott, Foreman; John G. Wilson, Overseer; C. E. Barnes, Recorder and Financier; William Norris, Receiver; Michael McGinly, Guide; H. J. Beck, I. W .; A. G. Black, O. W .; Trustees, Wm. Oliver, John R. Edmonds and John D. Gossett; Installing Officer, Will. iam P. Gossett. The membership of the lodge is now thirty-four,

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and the lodge is in good condition generally. The representative to the last Grand Lodge was Wm. P. Gossett. The lodge meets Wednesday evening of each week, at their hall.

The Norris City Literary Society was organized in the spring of 1882, through the efforts of several parties interested in social and intellectual discipline. The attention of the members was given principally to dramatic exercises, of which several were rendered in public. Among these were "Don't Lend your Um- brella," which was presented to a good audience and was a success in every way; " Deeds, not Words," which was given a month later to an appreciative audience in Boyd's Hall. The society dis- continued its meetings on the approach of warm weather, but it is the intention of the members to commence again in the near future. The present officers are as follows: M. S. Green, President; H. L. Rice, Secretary; R. S. Kriger, Treasurer.

Blue Ribbon Movement .- This was started in 1878 by a num- ber of citizens of Norris City and vicinity; among the most promi- nent were: James McNabb, A. G. Black, Wm. Oliver, J. J Johnson, B. F. De Board, H. Wakeford, John D. Gossett, Dr. Enoch Foster, Mrs. Dr. Foster, W. N. Green, Dr. C. C. Green, Mrs. T. S. Barnes and Mrs. M. Wheeler. Judge C. S. Conger and James Fackney, of Carmi, assisted the movement, and were present and spoke before the society several times. The society became very strong, containing over 400 members, and met for a time every week, on Wednesday evening. The first President was A. G. Black; Vice-President, B. F. De Board; Secretary, E. S. Boyd. The meetings were continued about one year, and were held in Johnson's Hall. The meetings were then discontinued, but the good they accomplished was permanent in effect, and is now plainly visible in the elevated tone and character of the peo- ple of the village and vicinity.

NORRIS CITY MILLS.

William B. Jones is proprietor of saw, flouring and wool-card- ing mill, situated on the west side of the O. & M. R. R. The mill was built in 1870 by Weber & Son, who sold to Mr. Jones in 1872. Grind every day except Mondays; saw lumber occasion ally. The boiler is 24 feet by 42 inches; 25 horse-power engine, Custom work is done in all departments; grinding department a specialty; first-class flour and best quality.

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OHUROHES.

Ebeneezer Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at least fifty years ago, by the friends of that denomination living immediately south of Carmi. Among the prominent first members of the society were: Henry Towell and wife, John Vineyard and wife, Henry Trusty and wife, Walter McCoy and wife, Robert De Board, Joel Bolerjack and wife, Abram Gossett and wife, Robert Bruce and wife, William Bruce and wife, William Canada and wife, William Millspaugh and wife, Charles Cook and wife, S. S. Brill and wife, and Hannah Cook. The first pastors of the church were of course itinerants, and, having a large circuit to travel, visited this church seldom oftener than once in three weeks. Among the earliest pastors were: Rev. Charles Coker, who died in the service of the church in Southern Illinois, about 1840; Rev. Mr. Lowpath, of German birth, and immediately from Ohio, who is still in the South- ern Illinois Conference; Rev. Charles Slocum, who came here about 1835, and preached for a number of years; he was considered a very able worker and did a great deal of good in the community; he died many years ago. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Crow, of Gallatin County. The church has a membership of about sixty. The present church edifice was erected in 1878, at a cost of $800. The seating capacity is about 200. The Sunday-school is in a flourishing condition, having an average attendance of fifty. The Superintendent is William L. Bruce, who is earnestly working for the welfare of the pupils.

The Mount Oval Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1863, by Rev. F. C. Wilson, of Hamilton County. He preached in this section of country about twenty years, and then went to Texas, in 1876, where he died the 16th of September, 1882. The credit of organizing the church is largely due to Rev. Thomas Joyner, of Tennessee, who preached in this neighborhood for two years before the organization of the society, and worked up the proper spirit among the people to induce them to organize. Mr. Joyner is still residing about two miles north of the church. Mr. Wilson was followed in the pulpit by Rev. William Green, of White County, who served the congregation about five years, and then went to Arkansas. He was followed by Rev. William Purdue, of William- son County, who remained three years. He was well liked by his congregation, and went from here only to pursue his studies fur- ther. He is now in Colorado Springs, Col., publishing a denomi-

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national paper. The society next called to their pulpit Rev. James Green, of this county, who is now serving his fourth year with the church. The church edifice was erected in 1872, and is situated on section 7, in the southern part of the township. It cost the society about $1,300, and will seat 350 persons. In building this church, one man, not a member of the society, paid $125, and, being a member of the building committee, eventually paid about $250, with the most Christian cheerfulness. He is now an elder of the church. The Sunday-school, organized about 1867, now has an average attendance of about sixty. The first Superintendent was William Walters, and the present incumbent is A. J. Tarrant. The church was organized with sixteen members, and has steadily pros- pered until it has now over 160. The first Elders of the church are still living, and their names are as follows: JohnHughes, Elijah Shaw and William Walters. The church has kept up a regular weekly prayer-meeting on each Tuesday evening, without intermission since the organization of the society. It is an item of interest in connection with the history of this church, that all the organic mem- bers but one are still living. That one is James P. Garrison. The society has held a series of protracted meetings each year; and these were especially successful in 1873 and 1874, in which latter year there were sixty-three conversions. The Mount Oval church is one of the strongest religion societies in the township. Its membership comprises many living in Hamilton County, the church being situated near the county line.

Norris Cumberland Presbyterian Church, was organized Nov. 29, 1876, by Rev. John Crawford. The charter members were the following: E. Foster and wife, A. Parks and wife, Martha Barnes, Hettie Barnes, Henry J. Beek, Charles Barnes, George Floyd and wife, A. G. Black, J. J. Johnson, W. H. Bajan and wife, Mahala Wilson, M. N. Thompson and wife, J. Hill and wife, Mary C. Hill, Louisa J. Weaver, Mary Powell and Elizabeth A. De Lap. The first Clerk was A. G. Black one year, and the next was L. M. Ramsey, who has held the office ever since. The first pastor was C. W. Hutchinson; and the present one, R. N. Davis. Services are held once a month; Sabbath-school and prayer- meeting every Sabbath; number of communicants, seventy-two.

MIDDLE POINT.

The village of Middle Point, on section 11, is one of the oldest in White County. Among the first settlers were John Pearce, Alex-

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ander Trousdale, Henry McMurtry, Kater Herald, William Eu- banks and John Eubanks, most of whom came before 1820. The postoffice at this point was established in 1874, and Alfred Pearce has been Postmaster from that time till now. There is one store there now.

The Village Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized Sept. 22, 1819, and the church building was located on section 11, south of Norris City. It is one of the oldest religious organiza- tions in this part of the State, and derives its name as follows : In the early day several families settled in the vicinity, and the custom became prevalent of calling their settlement "The Village," hence their church became "The Village Church." It is beanti- fully situated on a little knoll, and near it is the old grave-yard, which contains the remains of many of the oldest settlers. Under the auspices of this church, camp-meetings were held for fifty-two consecutive years,-a record equaled by few localities. Some of these camp-meetings were of great magnitude and attracted multitudes from the country for a great distance. Many conver- sions were made at these camp-meetings, and many interesting stories are told of them by those in whose minds the memory of those times is yet green. The church has held services with remark- able regularity, which was only interrupted in 1874, when for a year or so no services were held, many of the members having joined the Mount Oval church and other societies in the vicinity. Among the first members were Alexander Trousdale and wife, Ed- ward Garrett and wife, Priscilla Davis, Polly Davis, Robert Davis and Samuel Hill and wife. The first Elders of the church were Henry McMurtry, Austin Hill and Samuel Hill. The first pastor of the church was Rev. David Macklin, of Tennessee, who remained with the congregation till his death. The next to fill the pulpit was Rev. Jesse Pearce, also of Tennessee, who preached for many years, until by his death the pulpit again became vacant. He was followed by Rev. John Porter, of Kentucky, who preached until his death. After the services were discontinued, little was done by the congre- gation until Jan. 4, 1875, when they met and adopted measures to revive the work. They were successful in this, and the meetings have been held without intermission since. They employed Rev. William Trousdale, who remained but a few months, and was then followed by Rev. R. M. Davis, of Omaha, and he by Rev. William Purdue. Next came Rev. Erastus Bowers, who was in turn suc- ceeded by Rev. George Montgomery. He resigned, to accept a

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position in the academy at Enfield, and was followed by Rev. Frank McQuay, of Norris City. The present membership of the church is 125. The Sunday-school is in a flourishing condition, with an average attendance of about fifty.

ROLAND.

The settlement of Roland was made about 1859, on section 12 near the line of Herald's Prairie Township. Among the first set- tlers were John Porter (died shortly after; the village was laid off on his farm), D. M. Porter (now in business at Roland), D. W. Gal- loway (still living near Roland), T. S. Barnes (now in Norris City), John Canada (dead), and James A. Porter, still living at Omaha, Gallatin County. The first store was kept by Captain D. M. Por- ter, who is still doing a thriving business.

CHURCHES.

General Baptist Church (Powell Church) .- This church was or- ganized in the fall of 1872. by Rev. Mr. Hart, with eight members- Bettie Satterfield, Kate Satterfield, Jane Acord, William Holland and wife, Robert Cummings, and Wilson Hale and wife. They pur- chased the Powell Church in May, 1875. The house was built by Daniel Powell, about twenty years ago, for the Predestinarian Bap- tists, but they never organized a church there. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Hart, and he was succeeded by Revs. James McIntosh, David Ashley, William Clark and John Cox. There are now 100 members. Services are held once a month; Sabbath-school and prayer-meetings once a week. Wilson Hale and B. Green are the present Deacons, and Rev. Mr. Ashby the present pastor.

The Union Presbyterian Church is situated one and a half miles northwest of Norris City, and was built in 1863. It now has over a hundred members, and is in a flourishing condition. The present pastor is Rev. James Green.

The Norris City Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in March, 1882, with a membership of twelve. They have no church edifice, but measures are being taken to erect one this winter (1882-'3). At present their services are being held in Boyd's IIall, by Rev. L. F. Crow. They have a Sunday-school of an aver- age attendance of thirty, which was organized shortly before the church society. The Superintendent of the Sunday-school is John D. Gossett.

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SACRAMENTO

was laid out in the spring of 1857. The first building was erected by Joel Rice, who kept hotel. John N. Mcclellan built and ran a store soon after the town was laid out. Archibald B. Rice also built a dwelling and blacksmith shop the same year. John Green also built a store. The two Rices, George B. McCarthy and W. Steele laid out the village, and employed John Storms, then County Surveyor, to do the surveying and platting. George B. Mc- Carthy kept a saloon in 1858-'9; he died in 1861, and John E. Glasco bought the property. Joel Rice died in his hotel in 1862. George L. Mcclellan is an old pioneer of this vicinity; was born Feb. 14, 1817; his father, John McClellan, settled here in the fall of 1816. He married Fannie Winkler, and they had one child-Margaret. Mr. McL.'s twin brother was the first one buried in Sharon Cem- etery; it was in 1817.

Macedonia Baptist Church was organized in July, 1878, by Elders J. M. Billingsby and W. W. Hay. The charter members were: J. C. Henson, Sarah J. Henson, George R. Henson, Orpha Henson, N. A. Varney, W. M. Henson, Emanuel Pyle and Ruth Veatch. The meeting for this organization was held in a grove near Sharon church, were they continued to worship until cool weather, when the O. & M. R. R. Co. gave them permission to worship in the depot at Sacramento. Here they held meetings one year; then built a house at Sacramento. It is a commodious frame structure, 30 x 48 feet. There are now forty-three members. The present pastor is W. W. Hay, who preaches here once a month. Sabbath-school and prayer-meetings are held weekly during nine months of the year, being omitted during the summer months. The Deacons are: J. C. Henson, A. Pyle, Joel Rice and James M. Hagood; George R. Henson, Clerk.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Elisha Barnett, section 12, Indian Creek Township, was born in Gallatin County, Ill., Oct. 27, 1824. His father, Joseph Barnett, was a native of Kentucky, but came to Gallatin County with his father when a boy, and settled on Eagle Creek. Elisha was reared in the woods and educated in the subscription schools. He has shot two bears and one panther, when a boy, besides numerous deer and wolves. He ground corn with a horse mill, turned by oxen, and bolted flour by hand. He came to White County in January,

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1848, and has been engaged in farming. He has cleared two farms, both times from the stump, and had to cut the trees to get the stumps. He has also improved two other farms; has always been a hard worker. Jan. 16, 1845, he married Mahala Walts. Of their five children three are living-George W., Mary A. and Elvey. Mrs. Barnett died in 1851. Mr. Barnett married again Mrs. Annie Berry. They had one son-John, deceased. Mrs. Barnett had four children by her first husband, only one living-William Berry. Mrs. Barnett died in 1853, and he married Mrs. Lucinda Atkinson. They were the parents of four children, three liv- ing-Joseph, Susanna and Lauretta. His wife died in 1861, and he again married Mrs. Mary J. Grubbs. They have one child, de- ceased. Mrs. Barnett has two children by her first marriage- Abigail (Mrs. Chrisman) and David W. Grubbs. Mr. Barnett is a prominent and successful veterinary surgeon.

A. G. Black, born in Indian Creek Township, July 13, 1850, is a son of James Black, a native of South Carolina, who came to this county about 1839, and now resides in this township. A. G. was reared on a farm, and learned the blacksmith's trade when young, and is now engaged in blacksmithing and carriage and wagon mak- ing. He is doing a good business. He was married in January, 1869, to Julia A., daughter of J. J. Johnson. They were the par- ents of three children, all deceased. His wife died in 1874. In December, 1876, he married Margaret A. Pearce. Of their four children, but one is living-James M. Mr. Black is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and A. O. U. W. He was Police Magistrate of Norris City four years. Mr. and Mrs. Black are members of the Presbyterian church.

James Black, born in South Carolina, March 22, 1855, was a son of Alexander Black, a native of Ireland. He was reared a farmer's boy on the Catawba River, fifteen miles east of Yorkville, York District, S. C. He came to this county and settled in Indian Creek Township in 1838, where he still resides. He was married in 1838 to Mary E. Giles. Of their thirteen children, only five are living -Mary P., Elizabeth J., Andrew G., Isabella S. A. and John W. An orphan grandson, Christopher C., son of Robert T. Black, re- sides with the family. Mrs. Black died in 1873. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. He has always been a hard working man, and has cleared many acres of land.

James K. Bolerjack, section 18, Indian Creek Township, was born in this county, June 12, 1822. He is a son of John Boler- jack, a native of North Carolina, who came to this county in 1818.

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James K. attended the early schools of the county, but they were very poor and he is mostly self-educated. He taught from 1857 to 1861 in Sacramento. In those early days bears and deer were abun- dant. His father killed a bear within thirty steps of where they now live. He was married March 4, 1846, to Mary, daughter of George, and sister of William Mckenzie, of Norris City. Of their nine children, only seven are living-William H., George W., James C., Silas W., Sarah E., Robert S. and Lorin K. He has been School Trustee for nine years, and School Director for thirteen years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Nor- ris City; has been a member of the Methodist church forty years.

Boyd Bros., hardware, stoves, tinware, glassware, farm machinery and groceries, Main street, Norris City, established their store in 1878. They have a capital stock of $5,000, with annual sales of from $15,000 to $18,000, and their trade constantly increasing. This firm is composed of Edwin S. and William M. Boyd, both natives of Gallatin County, Ill. They were reared on a farm, and the former graduated from Quincy College, Ill., in June, 1875. The latter was educated in the schools of this vicinity. Edwin S. married Louisa K. Knight, daughter of G. B. Knight, of this county. They have one child-Mabel. William M. married Het- tie M., daughter of Henry Wakeford, of Norris. They have one child-Walter. They are both members of the Masonic fraternity

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History of White County Illinois, Part 67

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