USA > Illinois > Woodford County > History of Woodford County > Part 4
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From this beginning schools multiplied as rapidly as the needs required. In 1908 there were nine rural and one grad- ed school in the township, expending approximately $5,500 per annum in their support. In 1909 two rural districts were united with the town district, reducing the number of country schools to seven.
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TOWNSINPS-ROANOKE.
The oldest churches in the township are located in the country. In 1852 the German Baptist now known as the Brethern organized their church, with J. R. and George W. Gish as ministers, and five years later their building was erected. The church grew. R. C. Bryant relates that the building used to be crowded at their services twenty-five years ago.
In 1856 the Baptist church was organized by Elder Sumner Robinson. This church flourished for many years, but was finally abandoned owing to the removal of its mem- bers. Six years ago the building was sold to the Amish, and has been remodeled and is now used by them as a place of worship. The Amish have another church in the southern part of the township erected in 1875. The Apostolic Chris- tian church has a large building southwest of Roanoke. It will seat about 700 people and there is a large attendance. The organization has branches in both Eureka and Roanoke.
David T. Fauber, who became one of the founders of the village, came to Roanoke township in 1855 Ile pur- chased a farm on which a portion of Roanoke is now located. The land was purchased for $15 per acre, and is now part of the most valuable property in town. The residence formed for many years a landmark in the village, being located on Broad street. It was built in 1851 by William Front, and re- mained there until a few years ago, when it was removed from between the bakery and tailor shop. The name of Mr. Fauber is very intimately connected with the carly history of Roa- noke. Four of the children still reside in Roanoke, Mrs. Jennie Heppard, Mrs. Barbara Cox, J. W. Fauber and E. D. Fauber.
The name of Peter Kennell has been closely identified with the financial interests of the township. He settled there half a century ago and has amassed great wealth.
In 1853 Gideon Jeter moved to this county and settled in Roanoke township. Later he moved to Greene township. At the time he came the prairie was practically unsettled
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
and one could look across it for miles without seeing a house. Deer were frequently seen and it was still a pioneer region. Of the children of Mr. Jeter, but one, JJames Jeter, now resides in th county.
One of the most prominent families in Roanoke was that of the Gishes. George Gish was born in Virginia in 1825. and in '48 came to Indiana, where he lived until 1850, when he came to the vicinity of Roanoke. He lived there until a few years before his death, when he moved to Green township. lle was a minister of the Dunkard church. His death oc- curred in 1894. The most prominent members of his family are T. W. and L. C. Gish, the former of whom was sheriff and later both sheriff and treasurer.
Garmon Gish also came from Roanoke, Virginia, at the same time George came and also settled in Roanoke. Later he became sheriff of the county and for many years was connected with county affairs, either as official or deputy.
Chrisley and Abraham Gish also came From Virginia to make their home in the new settlement near where Roanoke now stands. They were brothers to George and Garmon.
Chrisley Gish, or Unele Chrisley, as he was familiarly called, was the oldest of those who came to Woodford county. lle was the father of Rufus and John Gish, both of whom were Dunkard ministers. John Gish suggested the name, Roanoke, as appropriate for the new township and the name was later adopted by the village.
Joseph and William Gish were also pioneers in this township. The former still resides in Illinois, but the latter moved a few years ago to Nebraska, where both he and his wife were killed in a tornado.
In July, 1851, John A. Woltzen landed in Peoria and settled across the river in East Peoria. He lived there until the next spring, when Mr. Woltzen died. The family then moved onto the prairie in Roanoke township. There were five sons. Albert, Simon, Henry, John and Ede Woltzen. Of these, Simon and Henry were for many years identified with
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TOWNSHIPS-LINN.
the business affairs of Benson. Albert was for sometime supervisor from Roanoke township.
Another family that has been well known in the county was that of Samuel Peterson, who came to Roanoke town- ship in 1858, from the state of New Jersey. He later came to Benson, and built the first elevator there in 1874. He lived to be 87 years of age and at the time of his death was an extensive land owner. He was considered the wealthiest man in Benson. Of his children, Simon, S. L. Peterson and Mrs. James Jeter still reside in the county.
In 1855 the county was divided and the name Roanoke was given to the township, it being suggested by John Gish in honor of Roanoke, Virginia, his old home, April 3rd of that year the first township elec- tion was held, resulting in the selection of the fol- lowing: Supervisor, David S. Brown; clerk, James Stephenson; assessor, John II. Gish; collector, Ben- jamin Sanborn; highway commissioners, Samuel Stitt, Emerald Fisher and Joseph Brubaker; constables, Charles Stoller and Joseph Gish; magistrates, Garmon Gish and John Franz.
Thirty votes were cast at that election. The country districts grew gradually until the completion of the rail- road, when the growth became much more rapid.
The present officers are as follows: Supervisor, C. F. Yeck ; clerk, J. W. Fauber ; assessor, J. E. Woltzen ; collector Arthur Veuve; commissioners, John Beer, Jr., John Schla- bach, Wm. Zeiger; justices, W. A. Porch, E. M. Cox; con- stables, J. W. Fauber, W. F. Brown.
Linn.
Linn township, which was named in honor of the Linn family, was settled somewhat later than Cazenovia on the west, but more than a decade earlier than Clayton on the east. Probably the first family to settle in Linn township was that of Harrison Hollenback, who came from Ohio, in 1840. He was soon after followed by George Hollenback, who
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
lived across the line of Marshall county with his father, Daniel Hollenback. They came there from Ohio in 1835, making the journey in wagons, cooking and camping on the way. Daniel Hollenback later moved to Minonk, where he resided at the time of his death. A short time after 1844, when George came, he was followed by Jacob Hollenback. The latter still resides in Woodford county, being of a ripe old age.
These were soon followed by William and Simeon Linn, and by John P. Davison, who was a member of the Davison l'amily so prominently named in the history of Clayton town- ship.
Amos West, Alfred Coombs, Samuel Jackman, HI. Simp- son. John and Isaac Fisher, Joseph Martin, Benjamin Wil- son. William Parks and Lewis Wyanteer were the earliest settlers.
West of Benson in Linn township we find a region that is now called the Tjaden settlement, from the number of Tjadens who own and occupy land in that vicinity. Jacob 11. Tjaden came to that township in 1857, and purchased a farm. He was the father of Ileika, John, Menka, Henry, Jacob, Ludwig and Hermon Tjaden. John F., represented Linn township on the board of supervisors for several years. Ludwig Tjaden is at present supervisor. Another family of the same name came there at an early date. George Tjaden was the first representative of this family. Charles Tjaden of Low Point is the only child of this pioneer who still re- sides in the county.
In 1855 Wirt Folkers came to Linn township from Germany. Ile settled on Section 16, which was the school section. Of this family, but two sons, Charles and John Folkers. both of Clayton township, reside in the county. Both are well advanced in age, and are able to tell many stories of pioneer life. Charles Folkers remembers that when they planned to go onto the prairie, their Germantown friends told them they could not be induced to go onto the
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TOWNSHIPS-LINN.
prairie if they were given an eighty. Time soon proved that the prairie land was far better than the timbered hills. The winters then were much more severe than now, and he re- members that for three months he did not have his team hitched to anything but a sled. Another brother Fred, was killed in a runaway accident.
Among the other early settlers from Germany were Folkert Monk, who also came in 1855, and Eilert Harms, who settled in Linn township in 1856.
William and Thomas Jury were among the pioneers, but both have within recent years passed away. Bazil, Josiah and Richard Turner were also well known settlers. Marshall Smilie is another of the pioneers, and Weldon Smilie, well known in Clayton, formerly resided in Linn.
Rowland Davison came from Groveland and settled near the present site of the Washington school.
In 1855 Clayton and Linn townships elected the follow- ing as the first corps of township officials : Supervisor, Isaac Fisher; collector, John B. Fisher; overseer of the poor, Harrison Simpson; assessor, William Jury; clerk, Jesse Piekard ; commissioners, JJames M. Martin and Cyrus Acres; constable, Angus Thom. This union of townships was main- tained until 1859, when the population was sufficient to divide.
The present list of township officials is as follows : Sup- ervisor, Ludwig Tjaden ; clerk, Ed. Underwood ; collector, William Damerell; commissioners, John Geyman, Brachter Flohr, Henry Matter; justice, W. T. Wallace; constable, William Reinken.
The first school in the township was held in 1852, and it is known as the Vernon school. The system has met with satisfactory growth. There are now nine schools in the town- ship, expending annually about three thousand dollars for their maintenance.
The religious interests of the township are looked after by two Lutheran churches. In 1860 a number of German Lutherans went to Rev. Heid of the Lutheran church in Pe-
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IHISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
TRINITY GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
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TOWNSHIPS-LINN.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
oria with a plea for pastoral care. Their petition was granted, and a member presented the new organization iwo acres of land and a house on Panther creek in Roanoke township for a meeting place. In 1863 40 acres of land were purchased and the present church was erected. The other church was then used as a school house The first pastor was P. F. Warnke. Since the erection of the present building numerous changes and improvements have been made. The present pastor, Rev. D. M. Ficken, has served his charge longer than any other pastor in the county. He came to that church in 1879, and has been in constant service for more than thirty years.
In October, 1871, a second Lutheran church was organiz- ed and was affiliated with the church at Secor until 1874, when Pastor Carl Weber, of Gilbert, Penn., was called to the charge. The next pastor was Theo. Pissel, who served the church faithfully for nineteen years. JJanuary, 1899, the present pastor, Rev. JJ. B. Graupner, formerly of Mt. Carroll, Il., took the position. During ten years he has faithfully served his church in that capacity
Panola.
Panola township geographically coincides with the congressional township which is designated as township 27 north, range 2 east of the 3rd Principal Meridian. It is therefore a full township. There were few settlers in that vicinity prior to the building of the Illinois Central railroad. As in other regions thru which the Central passed, the com- pletion of the road was the signal for its rapid settlement.
In 1836 John Brewer came to the township and became the first actual settler. It was not until 1851 and '52 that he was followed by others. George W. Kingston settled there in 1851 and Edward Waldron and family came in 1852. Dennis Sharp was an early settler, and continued to make his home there for many years.
Willian Crosley came there in 1854, and F. Y. Barnard moved to the township from Greene about the same time,
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TOWNSIHPS-MONTGOMERY AND KANSAS
Robert MeClelland came a year later and was chosen the first member of the board of supervisors from Panola town- ship. In a short time William Tompkins came from New York, JJames Dye, from Virginia, and Henry Saltsman from New York. Jacob (. Myers and his brother, O. P. A. Myers, who had previously lived in Greene township, came to Pau- ola in 1855 and '56. Levi Ilodson came from Tazewell county so that by the close of 1855 there were sixteen families.
When the county was organized into townships in 1855, two townships, Minonk and Panola, were united in a single precinet, and at the first election chose the following offi- rers : Supervisor, Robert A. MeClelland; assessor, William Tompkins; clerk, Horace G. Allen; overseer of the poor, William A. Crosley; highway commissioners, Francis 1. Barnard, Joseph Hanna, Thomas Patterson ; constables, Wil- liam II. Brewer and Charles Dobson ; magistrates, Samuel G. Lewis and Samuel Work; overseer of roads, James Dye. This union of townships continned until 1857, when Minonk was separated From Panola, the population at that time hav- ing become sufficient to warrant such a separation.
The first school in Panola township was taught by Jane Nesmith in 1857. The building was erected in the village at a cost of $600. From that time the number of schools in- creased as the growing population demanded. The township has ten schools with more than four thousand dollars ex- pended annually in the cause of education.
The township has the following officers: Supervisor, Theobald Stimpert; clerk, William Oberlander; assessor, Lewis Kingdon; collector. C. W. Major; commissioners, John Krug, Dan Longman, justices, N. S. de Vries, Ed. Bur- roughs; constables, Almond Drury, Michel Danner.
Montgomery and Kansas.
Montgomery and Kansas townships occupy the southern part of Woodford county, and each has a broken boundary line. Altho of irregular shape Montgomery is almost the equivalent of a full congressional township, its area being thirty-six square miles. The latter has an area slightly great-
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IHISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
er than hall' a township This territory is crossed by the Mackinaw river and several of its branches. and a large area is covered with timber. While much of this has been cleared, there is still much of the land that is not under cultivation
Kansas is one of the townships of the county that has no towns .within its borders, and has never had a postoffice The region was settled at an early date, and within a few years a number of families had been attracted to the region. As early as 1828 Robert and Samuel Phillips came to Illi- nois and shortly after settled in Woodford county. James Phillips also came a little later. The former of these died in 1835 and was the first death of which we have any record in that vicinity. Prominent among the names of the early settlers stands that of Carlock. In 1833 Abraham W. Car- lock came to the vicinity, and a year later was followed by his brother. These pioneers came from Tennessee, as did Isaac AAllon and Zachary Brown. Among the names of Car- lock are the following descendants of these worthy pioneers : John J. and Winton, sons of Reuben Carlock, and John G., William and A. H., sons of Abraham Carlock. The little town across the line in MeLean bears the family name. Zachary Brown came to the county in the early thirties and was later followed by his brother James. Two sons of the former. Eli S. and Warren Brown remained in the county while another son. Ellis, lived in MeLean. When Mr. Brown came to the vicinity there was no house between his cabin and Bloom- ington. James. William and John Benson were settlers who came before the breaking out of the Black Hawk war. as James and John took part in that struggle, as did also JJames V. Phillips, Samuel Kirkpatrick. Thomas and Elisha Dixon came from Ohio at a very early date. Adam Moore and his father. William (. Moore, were pioneers in the county. Daniel Allison came from Ohio in 1831 and settled near Farnisville. Marvin and James Allison, who have been widely known thruout the county, were his sons. Lewis Stephens came from Ohio in 1833 and purchased land. Ilis son, Adam
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TOWNSHIPS-MONTGOMERY AND KANSAS.
Stephens, has been closely identified with the political life of his township, having represented Montgomery on the board of supervisors. James Vance came from Christian county, Kentucky, and when he settled there in 1835 found a number of families there before him. Christian and Peter Farni, whose names figured so largely in the history of Farnisville, were natives of France. Peter Farni, of Eureka, is a son of the former. JJoseph Gingerich, who came in 1833 was associated with Peter Farni in building the saw mill on the Mackinaw. James Harlan came from Kentucky, in 1833. lle was the father of J. N. Harlan who lived in Eureka and bought stock there and grain in Cruger.
Mortimer Robinson came from Ohio in 1838, and in 1842 moved from Tazewell county to Montgomery township. IIe was the father of II. M. and James Robinson. The former is the most extensive stock raiser in the county, as well as one of its wealthiest men. Ilis business requires many hundreds of acres of land in the southern part of Woodford county, and his shipments are heavy
The pioneer preacher of this vicinity was Rev. John Dunham, who proclaimed the gospel both in Kansas and Montgomery townships. The first church was organized at the home of James Vance under the leadership of Rev. Isaac Newell, in 1838. This was the first Baptist church in the county. Another pioneer minister was Rev. Abner Peeler, who was both preacher and teacher. His name holds a promi- nent place in the history of the Christian church in this county. Among other good works, he was the organizer of the Christian church at Roanoke. James Wells was another of the early leaders in the religions life of the people in the sonthern part of the county. Hle frequently preached and was for a number of years superintendent of a Sunday school near the present site of Goodfield. Theodore Haze preached for the United Brethern near that place for many years. Their church was built about 1866.
Jacob Simpson, father of II. II. Simpson, came at a later date with Elias and Adam Neff. Mr. Simpson reports
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
that as late as 1850 he saw as many as twenty-five deer in a single herd.
Andrew Galbreath was another who came at an early date. A family that has had much to do with the growth of the southern parts of the county is that of Finley. The first of these was James Finley, who came here prior to the organization. Ile was a member of the first grand jury ever chosen in the county. Andrew Galbreath was chosen as a member of the first petit jury in 1841. Later John and Robert Finley came, and finally John Finley, Sr. James and George Finley followed in the steps of their forerunners.
The first school in Montgomery township was taught by Mary Ann Brown in 1843-'44, in a log house. Prior to this Rev. Abner Peeler had taught a school across the line in Mcbean county, which was attended by a large number of children from Kansas township. It was not until about 1850 that a school house was built in Kansas, altho the children had school advantages prior to that time. The township now has four schools that are maintained at an annual cost of about $1,600. Montgomery township now has six schools. Prior to 1908 there were eight schools, but in that year the new consolidated school at Congerville was completed, and the schools in distriet 109, 112 and 113 were abandoned. The school building in Congerville is the first consolidated school in Woodford county. It was erected at a cost of about ten thousand dollars. Three teachers are employed, with J. (. Whetzel as principal. High school work has been intro- dueed and the attendance is quite large. Goodfield also has a graded school. A neat two-room brick structure was erected in 1907.
The earliest business enterprise was a blacksmith shop, one being conducted by a man named Craig in Kansas town- ship, and another being opened in Montgomery township but a short time afterward.
Montgomery township was organized at the time of the division of the county into townships and James Vance was first supervisor. The name for the new township was sug-
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TOWNSHIPS-MONTGOMERY AND KANSAS,
gested by John Wells who was at one time a resident. Kan- sas township was originally a part of Palestine township, but was separated in 1859. Mr. Vance, who was still super- visor, suggested the name of Kansas for the newly organiz- ed township. The first postoffice was at Farnisville, but it was not continued a great while. There was none after that until the completion of the railroad when offices were soon established at both Goodfield and Congerville.
John Wells conducted a saw mill on Hohulin's place near where Goodfield now stands, and James Wells made all the coffins needed in that vicinity. Another feature of Mont- gomery township was Clark's quarry, which was on Henry 1. Clark's farm. Many a house in the southern part of the county has a cellar walled with stones from this quarry or a foundation built from there.
CHAPTER VI.
Palestine.
P PALESTINE township, which derives its name from the Holy Land, was settled at a very early date. The south- ern part of the territory along Panther creek was settled first.
Francis M. Willis came from the vicinity of Eureka abont 1832, but found that he had been preceded by Josiah and Campbell Moore and also by James and Aaron Richard- son, the former of whom came in 1830, and the latter the year following. The Moores built a mill, which eventually passed into the hands of Mr. Willis. As mentioned more fully in the history of Bowling Green, that town was the first in the township, being laid out in 1836 by Franeis M. Willis, while Aaron Richardson laid out an addition in 1837.
One of the most striking figures in the early history of Palestine was Rev. James Robeson for years known far and wide as " Unele Jimmy" Robeson. He came from Christian county. Kentucky, and settled first in Walnut Grove in 1835. Later he opened a store at Bowling Green. He began preaching when he was twenty years old, and preached for seventy years. He died in 1888 aged 91 years. He was the father of ten children. Polly A. Jennings. Martha P. Wolley, Elizabeth J. Hughes, W. II .. Thomas P .. J. W., John E .. C. A .. M. A. and Albert E. Robeson. C. A. Robenson was sheriff of Woodford county, and his son. E. E. Robeson. is a rising attorney at Eureka.
Samuel Arnold and Allen Hart were also pioneer set-
(62)
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TOWNSHIPS-PALESTINE.
tlers, the latter heing the first supervisor from Palestine township. Ile came from New York in 1836, and settled in what was then known as the Palestine Prairie. William Lucas came from Kentucky in 1840, John G. Mohy came from Germany in 1836. Ephriam and Samuel Potter came from the east, being born in Carolina. Among the later comers who have played a prominent part in the history of the township can be mentioned the following: Joseph Frey, Sr., came to Palestine in 1858. Since that time the family has been one of the most prominent in the county. The children were JJoseph Frey. who resided near and in Secor for many years; William Frey, Mains, lowa; Mrs. Marion Potter, Secor. At the present time his grandson, C. W. Frey, is a prominent citizen and business man of Secor. William Billinger came from Eaton, Ohio, with Joseph Frey, the journey being made overland in a wagon. Anderson Van Seyoc came to Woodford county in 1835 and has since be- come an extensive land owner. Ile was supervisor for sever- al years. John A. Van Seyoc. his son, was widely known in the county for many years.
John Colburn came to the township in 1842, coming originally from Grafton county, New Hampshire, altho he made several stops on his journey westward. His son, Rich- ard O. Colburn, had a prominent place among the farmers and stock raisers of the county. The sons of the latter, Wil- liam, John and Cecil, still farm in the vicinity. Byron is deputy county clerk, while Cary was for some years con- nected with educational work in Japan.
Christian Deiner came in 1855, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, L. R. Deiner. The latter ocenpied the farm himself for many years, but recently moved to Secor.
As suggested in the history of Greene township a num- ber of representatives of the Armstrong family reside in Palestine. W. H. Armstrong lives near Secor and is a member of the Board of Directors of the publie school,
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
John Armstrong is also a resident of Secor, one of his sons. Clarence, being in business there. Mrs. Polly Ann Arm- strong still resides there, as do also a number of the younger members of that family.
Merritt. Green and William Patterson came at a later date, but have been identified with movements for the ad- vancement of the county since their coming.
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