USA > Illinois > Woodford County > History of Woodford County > Part 3
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When the county was divided into townships, Metamora township was named for the town within its borders. The first supervisor was Simon P. Shope, who was honored by being chosen the first chairman of the board of supervisors.
The township is at present governed by the following officers : Supervisor, Henry Heininger; clerk, James Hall ; assessor, Henry Longenbacher; collector, Lewis II. Wagon- er; commissioners, John Schierer, John Minger, Joseph Schneider; justices, John L. McGuire, Frank Giehl ; consta- Hles, J. D. Griggs and Ed Full.
One of the early residents of the township was Yost Bally who came there at an early date from Ohio. Two sons Samuel Bally, of Benson, and Christian Bally, of Roanoke, now reside in the county. Thomas Whorrall was another of the early settlers. For many years he took a prominent part in the affairs of his township. Ile later moved to Iowa where his death occurred.
CHAPTER IV.
Olio and Cruger.
T HE region now embraced in Olio and Cruger townships takes a prominent place in the history of Woodford county. Early in its development it became the goal toward which settlers from Indiana. Ohio. Kentucky and other points of early settlement bent their steps. The forest that covered the banks of Walnut creek invited them to build their modest cabins, under the shade of spreading forest trees, and the invitation met with ready response. The vicinity was called Walnut Grove, taking its name from the little stream that meandered thru it.
HENRY B. MEEK.
AAs early as 1824 settlers began coming to the re- gion, and during the de- Jeade that followed, many pioneers found their way to that favored spot. Joseph Dillon is named as the one who broke the first ground for farming in this vicinity. John A. and Campbell Moore, W.
P. Atterberry, Matthew Bracken and others.
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TOWNSHIPS-OLIO AND CRUGER.
In 1831 Caleb Davidson came from Glasgow, Ky., and settled northwest of the present site of Eureka. The log cabin which the family occupied on coming to this country stood on the Davidson farm, which is still owned by W. A. Davidson, for more than seventy years. Unable to withstand the assult of time any longer, it now lies a crumbled wreck. Barton W. Stone held religious services in the Davidson barn in 1834. The Davidson home was open to all visitors who sought its shelter, and many a student made his home there withont cost while attending the college at Eu- reka. John E. Davidson also came at an early date.
John Summers settled there in 1836, and made his home there for more than half a century. He was a member of the committee that was appointed in 1854 to divide the county into townships. lle was the first presi- dent of the Old Settlers' organized in 1870 and held that office seven years. He also served as county commissioner of schools.
There was little di- versity in the hard ex- perience of the pioneer settlers of those early times in .Woodford county, but a soil of such virgin and continued fer- tility makes this now one HOBE HC of the most prosperous and favored regions of JOSEPH MEEK. our beloved country. By the practice of scientific farming, and the introduction of the best stock the descendants of the early pioneers are proving worthy successors of their progenitors.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
Daniel Meek came in 1826 and four years later Joseph and Henry Meck came from Indiana. The family had come originally from Kentucky, but had resided in Indiana for a short time before coming here. They were here at the time of the great snow, and saw many hardships. They came here in wagons, and settled on farm lands previously pur- chased for $1.25 per acre. Henry Meek was captain of the home guards, a company organized to guard against the depredations of the Indians. The descendants of these pioneers have held numerous places of trust and responsi- bility. Foremost of these was Col. B. D. Meek, who was lieutenant colonel in the 11th regiment of cavalry, judge of the county court, county treasurer, besides filling mummerous other prominent positions in po- litical life. He was recog- nized far and wide as one of the characters who has stood foremost in the rec- ords of the county. Ilis son, L. F. Meck, is a well known attorney in Peoria, and was at one time a candidate for member of congress from the Peoria distriet. Other names well known among those who have shaped the policy of B. D. MEEK. the county are those of D. R. Meck, Secor ; E.P. Meck, Fairbury ; Jesse Meek, Peoria ; Joseph Meek, Metamora; R. P. Meck, Peoria ; Mrs. S. II. McClure, Mrs. J. A. Briggs. Joseph Meck, was elected county treasurer in 1902.
In 1834 B. J. Radford, Sr., came from Kentucky and at once became prominently connected with the church and
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TOWNSHIPS-OLIO AND CRUGER.
college. Llis descendants have been closely identified with the civic, social and religious life of the community. R. N. Radford was for many years an editor and publisher in Eu- reka, being connected with the Eureka Journal. C. II. Rad- ford was well-known as an attorney in the county. Dr. B. J. Radford has been for many years connected with Eureka College as a professor. Recently he has severed his connec- tion with that institution. Ile has filled some of the most important pulpits in the Christian church, including those in Cincinnati, Denver and other points.
A year earlier Ben Major came from Kentucky. and soon became a leader in the religious life of the little circle at Walnut Grove. He was the founder of Eureka College, and his name became noted far and wide because of his great heart and his devotion to the interest of others. He aided in the re-organization of the church in Walnut Grove, and was elder for a number of years. Ilis son, " opt. Jo Major, was a captain in the 108th Illinois. He has long been connected with the business and political life of the county. Charles Major and Allen A. Major are prominent farmers still residing in the township.
Joshua Woosley, who came here in 1831, was a pioneer teacher and preacher, and was also the first assessor Wood- ford county had. His son, William Woosley, resided for many years in Eureka, and now resides near Mt. Zion.
John McClintock came to Ilinois from Ohio in the 30's and settled in the southern part of the township. He has two sons and a daughter still residing in the county, E. L. MeClintock, Eureka, W. HI. MeClintock, Cazenovia, and Mrs. Fry, Eureka. David and Thomas Deweese were well known characters in the early days, having come in 1830. Mrs. R. D. Smith is a representative of the family in Eureka.
Thomas Bullock came in 1835 from Woodford county, Kentucky. As will be seen from the following chapter, he was at the head of the movement for a new county, and thru his influence secured the passage of the bill providing for its
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
organization. M. R. Bullock came here in 1834. Among the members of the Bullock family that have stood high in the annals of the county, is Capt. W. M. Bullock, of 108th Illi- nois. W. S. Bullock, was for many years prominent as a resident of Secor. Elijah Dickinson came from Kentucky in 1835, and Fas left a record of good works. His sons, R. B. and E. W. Dickinson have identified themselves with the best interests of the community. The former is at the head of the Dickinson & Co. the extensive canners. R. J. and E. B. Dickinson, his sons, are associated with him. E. W. Dick- in a les hold various positions of trust and honor, being at one time county surveyor. Miss E. J. Dickinson has been largely interested in the work of the churches and college. She was one of the editors of the history of Eureka College.
William Long settled in that vicinity, coming from New Albany, ind. He came in 1827. Robert Bullington came in: 1833. His daughter, Mrs. E. Pierce, still resides at Eureka. Among are settlers in the vicinity of Versailles were Amos and Warren Watkins, The Former was one of the pioneer Christian preachers and did much to advance the interests of the church. Warren Watkins' home was noted for its open hospitality. No stranger was turned from the door without having his need supplied and his heart cheered. There is but one representative of the family now living in the county, Mrs. D. R. Meek, of Secor.
At a later date came Garland and David Moore from Kentucky. The former was a pioneer Methodist preacher, and his voice was heard in many a service. Of the children of this carly minister but three remain : Ben L. Moore, J. D. Moore and Mrs. J. J. Mishler. Of the children of David Moore, but one remains in the county. C. D. Moore of Eu- reka. One son, Wm. Moore, represented the Tazewell county district in the state legislature, several years ago.
Rev. Wm. Davenort was another pioneer preacher of the Christian church. His family has been quite largely identi- fied with the interest of Eureka. But one branch of the
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TOWNSHIPS-OLIO AND CRUGER.
family remains, that of Mrs. E. L. Davenport, widow of Edgar Davenport.
James Mitchell and family came and settled in the
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ELDER JOHN OATMAN.
vicinity in 1833. Wm. Mitchell, a son, was for many years a well known resident of Mt. Zion. Another well known character among the pioneers was John Oatman. He was a leader in the organization of the Christian church in 1832. Jesse Oatman was in the Black Hawk war.
The first town in Olio township was Versailles, which was founded in 1836. In 1854-'5 the first railroad was built thru the township, and there are those still living who remember riding on the first train. Il. HI. Simpson recalls his riding on the first train between Eureka and ElPaso. It was a free ride, and the accommodations were common flat cars with seats formed by laying boards on kegs. A rope
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
was stretched around the car to prevent any one from fall- ing off. The railroad was first known as the Eastern Branch of the Peoria and Oquawka, but later became the Toledo. Pe- oria and Western.
A discussion arose as to the location of stations. Cruger was chosen as a site for a town, and a request was also made for a station at Eureka. This brought forth a vig- orons protest from Cruger, the claim urged being that the towns were too close together. The two towns were estab- lished, however, in spite of the protest. Eureka in December. 1855, and Cruger in May 1856.
In 1870 Cruger township was separated from Olio and the first election resulted in the selection of the following township officers: Supervisor. George Boyd; collector. R. N. Radford : assessor, Jesse Mock ; town clerk, Peter Moye- mont ; commissioners, A. P. Meck ; R.C. Stewart and Thomas Ellis; justice of the peace, John Kaufman and John Me- Peak : constables, John Trimmer and Lewis Myers. The separation was due to the objection of the western part of the township to issuing bonds to aid in building the Chicago Pekin and Southwestern road. The new township was named for the village within its borders.
The first school in Cruger was taught in 1831 by Wil- liam lloshor. The township now has three schools, expend- ing about $1.200 annually for school purposes.
The first school in Olio was taught in 1837 by M. Bul- lock in a log cabin near the present site of Eureka. The township now has one graded school and five rural schools, expending about ten thousand dollars annually in their sup- port.
Cruger township has one church known as the Mt. Zion Christian organization. It was formed about 53 years ago.
Cazenovia.
The settlement of Cazenovia township dates back to the early 30's. The lands that bordered the timber formed an inviting field for the pioneer seeking a home, and in 1832 the first settlement of which we have record was made by a
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TOWNSHIPS-CAZENOVIA.
man named Hubbard. Ile settled in the region that was later known as Low Point. During the next few years numerous settlers came into the new territory, the greater number of them coming from the Eastern states. The same year Isaac Buckingham and his son, Morgan, came from Pennsylvania. Judge W. E. Buckingham, who was the first associate justice in the county, being elected together with W. C. Poynter, in 1849. They were associated with Judge Welcome P. Brown, the first county Judge Woodford county had. In 1853 Mr. Buckingham was elected county judge and in 1865 John Buckingham was elected superintendent of schools for the county. The members of the family settled near Washburn.
About the same time the families of Thomas Jones and Isaac Moulton came to that vicinity. They were both from the east. The year of 1835 witnessed the arrival of a number of families that were to play an important part in the growth of the county. Among these were three brothers, Simen, Samuel and Abner Mundell, who came from Penn- sylvania. The former went to California at the time of the gold fever, but the others remained in the county. In 1850 Samuel Mundell was elected coroner, Other members of the family have been well known in the political and busi- ness life of the county. Rev. James Owen was a pioneer preacher of the township. Ile came to the vicinity of Wal- nut Grove in 1835, having lived in Wayne county for a number of years prior to that time. He was noted as a hunter thruout that region and is said to have killed fifty- two foxes in a single year.
Jesse Ilammers was another pioneer who came from Pennsylvania in 1835. Ile took an unusually active part in the development of the infant settlements and in directing the growth of the township. A few years later Emerald Fisher came. His family found numerous settlers there, but the country about them was stll wlld and unbroken at the time of their coming in 1840. Another member of the Fisher family was Willard Fisher, who came
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
a short time after Emerald. Ile left a Sweetheart back in Vermont and walked back to that state to claim his bride. They returned to Woodford county after they were married but did not make the return trip on foot.
The first church was built by the Baptists in 1849, and in 1857 the United Presbyterians erected a place of worship near Low Point. Their example was soon followed by the Old School Presbyterians, who erected their church in the same neighborhood. These organizations have each passed out of existence.
In 1855 the new township was organized and the town- ship was named Cazenovia. Jeter Foster, Eli Rich, Thomas ('lark and John Safford had come from the vicinity of Caz- enovia lake, New York, and thru their influence the new township was given its present name. The first supervisor was JJohn W. Acres.
The first postoffice was established in 1849 at Low Point. It was located a short distance from the present site of the village bearing that name.
The first school house was built of logs and was located on Mr. Owen's farm. George W. Taylor and JJoseph Perry were those who first taught in this building. This was not the first school in the township as Miss Love K. Morse. had taught in the homes prior to that. There are now seven rural and one graded schools in the townsihp. These ex- pend about $6,000 in their maintenance. The Washburn school is across the line in Marshall county.
Cazenovia township now has the following officers: Supervisor, J. Il. Lesch; clerk, Frank Ehringer; assessor, Thomas MeKee; collector. George Garrison; justices, B. F. Hleighway and Daniel Jones; constable, Charles Tjaden, Jr .; commissioners, John Held, Frank Loscher, and W. W. Ilare.
Just across the line in Marshall county are several well known characters, who have been connected with the his- tory of this county. Among these is Oliver Fisher, whose parents came here in 1859. Among the members of his
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TOWNSHIPS-EL PASO.
family who came here were Elias and Elihu Fisher. The sons of Elias Fisher were Isaiah, Jabez, Oliver and Ira, and the daughters were Mary and Louisa. Isaiah and Jabez were in the Union army. T. II. Vaughn came from Greene county in 1850. Ifis memory is filled with interesting data concern- ing the early history of Washburn.
On the completion of the railroad three towns, Wash- burn, Low Point and Cazenovia, sprang up. These have be- come the center of interest in the historic arena since their organization.
ElPaso.
Settlers did not come to ElPaso township as early as to some other regions, but on the completion of the Central road, home seekers began to be attracted to its borders in great numbers. When the Toledo, Peoria and Western road was completed thru the township in 1856, crossing the Cen- tral at right angles at ElPaso, the inducement to settlers in its precinets was greater than ever. Many of the pioneers of the township were residents of the towns. There were how- ever, settlers there long before the railroads were construct- ed or towns were established. In 1835 William, John and David Ilibbs settled in the southeastern part of ElPaso township. These were perhaps the earliest settlers in that region, but there were others who came in a short time. Thomas Dixon came to the county in 1833, and first settled on the banks of the Mackinaw. Here he had a small mill. He later moved to the vicinity of Kappa. Smith Dixon, who resides near Kappa now is a son of Thomas Dixon, the pioneer. Ile has several children who have been prominent in the county. E. E. andF. E. Dixon, ElPaso township; Fred of Palestine, and W. Il. Dixon of Kansas. The latter is a member of the board of supervisors from his township. The daughters are Mrs. Charles Metzger and Mrs. William Woosley.
Another pioneer was John Messer, who came from Ohio in 1836-7. Both Mr. Dixon and Mr. Messer were great hunters and game was plentiful. There was an abundance
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
to furnish all the meat the pioneer desired. Mr. Messer is said to have seen at least sixty deer in a single herd in El Paso township.
John Tucker came to Illinois in 1834 and settled in Taze- well county. In 1852 he came to the vicinity of Kappa. Among the living members of this family are Henry R. Tueker, of Eureka, and Frank Tucker, of ElPaso. Asa Sparks settled at Kappa among its earliest residents. Christian Schafer was another of the pioneers. He became one of the wealthiest men of the county. His son, F. B. Schafer, is a busi- ness man and attorney of ElPaso.
Two others who were prominent in the early life of the township were Major James II. Wathan and George L. Gibson, who became the foun- ders of ElPaso. They wore men of wide in- fluence and possessed MAJOR J. H. WATHAN considerable wealth They came in 1856 and '57, and resided in ElPaso for many years. The name, ElPaso, was given to the new town and township by Major Wathan, who is said to have suggested the name in honor of ElPaso, Texas. The name is Spanish and means The Pass.
The first sermon of which we have any record, was de- livered in the depot at Kappa, by Rev. Gregg, of Hudson. Since then the religious interests have grown until there are now ten churches that have organizations in the town- ship. These are, however, located in the towns, Kappa and El Paso.
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TOWNSHIPS-EL PASO.
The first school was opened at Kappa about 1856, with Miss Matilda Ilassen as the first teacher. The educational interests have always received careful attention, and there are now two excellent graded schools and five rural schools in the town- ship. The tax levy for school purposes will reach about eleven thon- sand dollars annually.
The history of the township is very closely associated with the his- tory of towns, which is discussed in another chapter. ElPaso was founded April 20, 1854, while Kappa was es- tablished November 6th, GEORGE L. GIBSON. 1854. The latter, how- ever, first gave promise of a speedy growth. Its name was given to it by the Central Railroad officials, by whom the land on which it was located was owned.
In the list of supervisors given at the time of the divi- sion of the county into townships in 1855, the name of ElPaso was not given. It was only a short time, however, until it was settled sufficiently to have an organization of its own. It was not, however, a full township, being only four miles in width.
The following are the officers: Supervisor, E. A. Childs; clerk, John W. Becker; assessor, D. K. Tobias; collector, C. M Parmalee ; commissioners, E. E. Crawford, John Wads- worth, J. N. Valentine; justices, S. A. Kuhn and F. L. New- ton ; constables, Thomas Umbarger and S. J. Moffatt.
CHAPTER V.
Minonk.
T HIE history of Minonk township and the City of Mi- nonk are almost identical. During the years of 1852 and onk are almost identical. During the years of 1852 and 53 '53 work was being pushed on the linois Central railroad and a year later trains were running thru Minonk. Prior to that time the township had been unsettled. It belonged to that prairie region that had for so many years been shunned by the pioneer. The prejudice against the prairies was gradually giv- ing . way before the positive proof of the fertility and value. When the Central was completed, it opened a wide field for settlement, and advantage was soon taken of the cheap lands coupled with the advantage of railroad con- nections.
The first man to make an actual settlement in the town- ship was Samuel Work, who came from Pennsylvania to Illi- nois in 1831. He came to Woodford county in 1854, and set- tled in Minonk township. Ile was the first station agent and was also elected as the first justice of the peace. The second man to come was Charles Dobson, whose name fre- quently occurs as one of the prominent characters of Mi- noke. Ile erected the first house built in the township. C. W. Goodrich was next in the settlers of the region. Ile erected the second house. Next, Johathan Macey came. Others who were pioneers, were James Par- ker and Americus Pogue. Thus far the settlers have resided
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TOWNSHIPS-MINONK.
in the town, but it was not long before the country surround- ing was settled. The first man to open a farm was Samnel Wiley, who came from Vermont in 1855. Thornton Tay- lor came there in 1856 from the western part of the county. 11. A. Christians opened the first blacksmith shop.
The first school was taught by Miss Frances Reeder in the City of Minonk in 1857. The trustees in 1857 divided the township into two distriets. This number was increased until now there are seven rural and one graded school in the township. These require an annual levy of more than $12,000.00 for their maintenance.
The first preaching in the township was done in 1856, by a Presbyterian minister named Frost. The services were frequently held at the hotel conducted by Jonathan Maecy. From this beginning the religious interests have grown until there are eight churches in the township, all of them located in town.
There are now two towns in the township; Minonk, founded Nov. 7, 1854, and Woodford, established in 1874.
When the county was divided into townships in 1855, Minonk and Panola were united and the first list of officers is included in the history of Panola. In 1857 the popula- tion had increased sufficiently to form Minonk into a sepa- rate district. The first officers were as follows: Supervisor, George P. Danforth; clerk, A. L. Pogue; assessor, Charles Dobson; collector, Thomas Reeder; overseer of the poor, Jonathan Macey ; commissioners, George P. Danforth, Sam- uel Clegg, John Vance; justice, William Reeves; constable, Joel B. Pratt, Lewis Fowler ; poundmasters, Jonathan Macey, Lewis Fowler, George Danforth ; roadmasters, Lewis Fowler, Thornton Taylor, A. II. Danforth.
The first board of school trustees was L. G. Keedy, Charles Dobson and Jackson Parker.
The township is controlled by the following officers: Supervisor, N. L. Davison ; clerk, Henry G. Hohlen ; assessor, John Hertschuh; collector, John Katzmareck; commission- ers, John Meridan, Edmund Ioerger, John Waldschmidt;
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
justices, Alfred Rogers, Jacob Gerdes, J. C. Wickler; con- stables, J. R. Pray, Ollie White. Robert MeKay.
Roanoke.
The first settlements in Roanoke township were made in the timber southeast of the present site of the village. Ilere as in the other townships of the county the settlers were slow to occupy the prairie regions. In 1832 Jacob Stephenson, formerly a resident of Christian county, Ken- tueky, settled in these timber lands. He was followed at a later period by JJ. W. Ewing, also from Christian county. Joseph Wilkinson, from Indiana, and JJoseph Wilson, from Tennessee, were on the scene shortly after the arrival of the predecessors. The first cabin in the township was built by Mr. Stephenson, who sometimes aided his neighbors by do- ing blacksmithing for them. Joseph HI. Causey was another early settler who did blacksmithing. As late as 1850 there were but few houses in the township.
In 1848 Elijah Marshall came to the township from Chester, Vermont. He came by water and drove back in a short time. In 1850 his father, Thomas Marshall, came and settled in the township. Nelson Marshall came at a later date. Iliram Barney also came from Chester, Vt., but did not arrive until about 1852, coming there from Olney, where he had been a short time. The first frame house was built by Elijah Marshall, as was also the second and the first frame barn was also erected by Mr. Marshall. In 1855 a school was opened in the distriet now known as the Bunch. In 1856 Miss Cinthia Fisher taught just east of Mr. Marsh- all's farm. This was the first school taught in that part of the county.
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