USA > Illinois > Woodford County > History of Woodford County > Part 6
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The danger that was feared above all others was the deadly prairie fire. The tall, rank growth of grass was often high enough to effectually conceal a horse and rider. As soon as it became dry, as it usually did in the fall, it afforded an easy means of starting a fire that spread with inconceiv- able swiftness. The prairie fire can never be adequately pictured by one who has never seen it. The warning glow can be seen for a great distance by night, and the black clouds of smoke, coupled with red flames, create consterna- tion among men and beasts. The roaring of the flames can be heard afar off, and long before the advancing flames arrive, scores of wild animals dash by in their mad flight from the flames which mean certain death to them. Their only hope lies in reaching some stream that may serve as a barrier to the awful advance of the flames. About the only means available for fighting these terrible fires was back firing, in other words starting a fire in advance of the flames, so as to put an impassible barrier of burned prairie grass in its path. These fires frequently covered miles of territory before they could be checked. It was impossible to guard against the ravages of the flames with any degree of security, but it could be done to a certain extent by burning around a claim. A few furrows would be plowed around the farm, then a space would be left large enough to check the adavnee of a fire, then a few more furrows were plowed. The grass be- tween the plowed portion was fired and the furrows proved an effectual barrier to the spread of the flames. Another
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IHISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
method is described in Prof. Radford's Old Settler's His- tory of Woodford County. The settlers of a neighborhood would get together and fire the grass around the borders of their claims. The grass would be fired by one of the party. while the others would keep it in check by the constant nse of brushes. A strip was burned over in this manner that was broad enough to check the advance of any ordinary fre. After the sweeping destruction of such a visitor the terri- tory passed over looked like a dreary waste, with here and there the charred carcass of some animal that had not been able to escape from the rapidly advancing enemy. Only after the county became settled and the prairies came under cultivation was the danger from this source removed.
A serious drawback to the pioneer was the distance from the market. Fort Clark. afterward Peoria, and even Chicago were markets to which the pioneer directed his course when in need of supplies, aside from the simplest household necessities. Mills did a thriving business as the farmer depended on them for all his flour and meal. and wheat was one of the leading erops at that time.
The many ponds, sloughs and swampy places. filled with decaying matter, produced its harvest of malaria and ague. The early settler was fortunate if he did not have a siege of one or the other in his family during the year. Home rem- edies were relied upon to restore the sick.
The seasons were much more severe in the early period than now. The settlement of the prairies, the planting of groves, and the continued cultivation of the soil have served to modify the climate. Snow fell in the winter to a great depth. covering roads and fences and making the whole conntry appear one vast expanse of snow. It often covered the ground from early winter until spring. In the winter of 1830 and '31 occurred what has ever since been known as the great snow. It began in December and reached a depth of four feet on the level and stayed on the ground until spring. Great numbers of animals died from starvation, while the few settlers scattered here and there suffered many hard-
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ships. The broad, unsettled prairies gave an uninterrupted sweep to the storm, which swept across them with terrible fury. Snow storms were often almost blinding, making it extremely difficult for the traveler caught in the storm to find his way. There were few landmarks on the prairie to guide one lost in the storm. Even on a dark night it was easy to become lost. John Brotherhood, who drove a stage thru Hanover, is said to have lost his way and after driving for hours found himself at dawn but a mile from his start- ing place.
There were few roads and no bridges, and the pioneer traveler had to follow an uncertain trail and ford the streams. The sloughs were minature swamps, miry, sticky and extremely hard to cross. It was frequently necessary to double teams to cross them.
The modern improvements in machinery were unthot of and the work of the farm was accomplished by the ex- penditure of a large amount of musenlar effort. Harvesting was done by hand. The eradle was used in reaping grain. the eradler being followed by a binder who gathered the grain together and bound it by holding it across his knee. Men acquired great skill in both eradling and binding, but the reaper and self-binder were a welcome introduction as a labor saving improvement. Corn was planted by hand and hoed, while small grains were thrashed on a great floor constructed for that purpose. Neighbors brought their wheat in shoeks and it was scattered over this floor and oxen or horses were driven around until the wheat was thrashed out, when the straw was removed and the wheat and the chaff were separated. Later the eorn planter, eul- tivator and separator were introduced, making it possible to cultivate larger farms with less labor. The farmer of today has his riding plow, and riding cultivator, while his hay is loaded with a patent loader, and his harvesting is done by a self-binder. Water is pumped by a wind mill or by the use of a small engine. The old-fashioned plow with the wooden
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
moldboard has been superseded by the modern highly polished plow.
Probably the first use of steam as a power in the opera- tion of a separator in the county was made by Simon Peter- son in the vicinity of Benson more than thirty years ago. Since that time the number of traction engines has increas- ed very rapidly. Horse power in shelling corn has long since been abandoned and the traction engine furnishes the power required.Aside from these are great numbers of other labor saving improvements that tend to lighten the drudgery of farm life.
The clothing worn was home made, the material being linen, jeans and linsey. The thrifty housewife was skillful in the manufacture of this home-made clothing. The wool was carded, spun, woven and dyed at home, the dye used being walnut bark or blue-dye. The flax went thru the pro- cess of hatcheling, spinning and weaving. For many years the spinning wheel was a necessity in the home, but it has long since ceased to be regarded as such and is now a cari- osity rather than a useful part of the equipment of the household. The sewing machine, now regarded as a neeess- ity, was an unknown luxury in the county for many years after its settlement.
Money was a scarce article, and the settlers' wants were few from necessity. Altho the pioneer suffered many hard- ships, he had many pleasures as well. These were entered into with the greater zest because there were hardships to be endured. Game was very plentiful, and the hunter found an abundance of choice sport. If he sought small game, there were wild turkeys. prairie chickens. and quail in great numbers. These were easily shot or trapped. The larger game included deer, wolves, foxes and raccoons. The great event in the neighborhood was the ring hunt. This was the forming of a great ring in which all the men and boys took part. The ring was gradually narrowed, the game being slowly driven toward the center. When the game was hud- dled together, the signal was given and the slaughter be-
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HARDSHIPS AND PLEASURES.
gan. Squirrel hunts were also frequently indulged in, and were followed by a feast in which young and old took part.
One of the occasions of a neighborhood gathering was a barn or house raising. The timbers of the early structure were heavy, and the entire community was called in to help in the work. It was a time of merry-making as well as of work, and both men and women entered with keen enjoy- ment into the jollity of the event.
The old time spelling school was one of the features of the social life of the early days It was the event of the year and good spellers were known thruout the entire neigh- borhood. Preparations were made for this event, and many a young person could be seen, days before the match, spend- ing all spare moments in pondering the list of words in the old speller. Many were remarkably skillful in the art of spelling, much more so than at the present time. When schools became more numerous, it was no unusual occur- renee for several schools to take part in a joint contest, or for the adherents of one school to challenge the adherents of a neighboring school to a joint match. These occasions were looked forward to with high anticipation by the young people, and advantage was taken of the opportunity offered the sturdy boys to win favor with their sweethearts.
Religious services that were held in the homes of the pioneer were a means of social intercourse as well as of de- votion. They brought the people together and they enjoyed these occasional meetings to the utmost. With his modest cabin, boasting of but a single room, the early settler was far more hospitable than the possessor of the modern, com- modious home. No stranger who happened to be delayed in his journey or was overtaken by darkness was turned away from the humblest cabin. The public stopping places were few and far between, so that the traveler would have been in a sorry plight had it not been for pioneer hospitality. Visit- ors were given the beds, while the family slept on the floor. This spirit of hospitality was indicated by the expression : "The latch string hangs on the outside for you." In the
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
cabin there was always a long wooden latch reaching across the door. A string was attached to it and passed thrn a hole in the door above it. With this string the latch could be easily lifted from the outside, while to fasten the door it was only necessary to pull the string, hence the appropriate- ness of the expression. As the country became more thick- ly settled the practice of entertaining so freely gradually grew less and less, until today open hospitality is but sel- dom practiced as formerly.
CHAPTER VIII.
Education and Religion.
T HE early pioneer, tho far removed from educational in stitutions, maintained a high intellectual standard. With- in a few years after the coming of the first settlers, steps were taken for the education of the youth of that day. Schools sprang up here and there, sometimes in the home of some great hearted pioneer, at other times in a rude log building erected for a school house. These were conducted under trying conditions. The terms were short and the equipment was of the crudest character, yet in spite of dis- advantages, the school, coupled with the rough pioneer life, developed the children of the pioneer into stalwart , trust- worthy men and women
The first schools were supported by private contributions or tuition. In some instances the teacher boarded from house to house as a part of his salary. The school houses were built of logs, with a hole cut in the side for light. In one end was a large fireplace, and the seats were near the wall. These consisted of boards sawn from the neighboring timber. Iloles were bored in the bottom and pegs were driven in for legs. A board was fastened to the wall and served as a desk. There was little attention paid to the child's comfort. The individual seat with its highly polish- ed desk, and the well lighted school building, heated by steam, were as yet undreamed of luxuries.
It is probable that the first school was taught by Wil- liam Hoshor in 1831, near Walnut Grove. There was also
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ITISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
one taught at an early day in the barn belonging to Benja- min Williams on the west side of the county.
As the settlers became more numerous, more ample pro- visions were made for school work and in 1837 the first free school was conducted by Miss Love Morse in the vicinity now known as Cazenovia. From this humble beginning the public school system has developed until every child now has the opportunity of attending school at the public ex- pense.
Walnut Grove became the center of an educational movement that has since its origin played an important part in the history of the intellectual development of Central Illinois. In 1847 Elder John T. JJones opened a school at the head of Conover avenue, but the work was cut short by an epidemie of measles.
In August, 1848. A. S. Fisher was employed to teach ton months. His salary was guaranteed by Elder Ben Major. E. B. Myers, Elijah Dickinson, Sr., and B. J. Radford, Sr. This school was located on a lot northeast of the cemetery in Walnut Grove. The course included some of the higher studies, and drew pupils from the entire neighborhood. The next year the building was enlarged, and Miss Sue Jones was employed to teach the primary work, while Prof. Fisher gave his attention to the higher branches. This was the beginning of Walnut Grove Seminary. In 1849 $2,500 was raised for the erection of a building to be devoted to the work of the growing institution. It was located west of the old brick boarding hall and was a two-story brick structure. In December the school was incorporated as Walnut Grove Academy with John T. Jones, as president, and A. S. Fisher, as secretary. Elder Ben Major, who was so earnest in the support of the plans for the school, is honored as its founder. The first bepuest was made by Jonathan Tressler, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Walnut Grove in 1838.
In 1855 a charter was granted Eureka College and in September of that year it opened with William M. Brown, president; A. S. Fisher, professor of Mathematics; John II.
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EDUCATION AND RELIGION.
Neville, professor of language; O. A. Burgess, professor of science and philosophy ; and Richard A. Conover, teacher in the preparatory school.
In 1857 and '58 the first college building was erected on the present campus, which was deeded to the college by Elias B. Myers and Elder James Conover. In 1860 E. W. Dickinson was the first graduate. He has been identified with the interest of the institution and the city since that time. In 1869 the chapel was erected, west of the original building. In 1884 Abingdon College, which had been con- ducted by the Christian church for a number of years, was united with Eureka College. A modern structure was erect- ed in 1890, known as the Burgess Memorial hall, half of the funds necessary for the construction of the building being contributed by Mrs. O. A. Burgess.
BURGESS MEMORIAL HALL.
Prominent among the names of men who have taught in the institution stand those of Dr. J. M. Allen, John Lind- sey, II. W. Everest, B. J. Radford, Carl John and R. E. Ilieronymus. Among the most liberal friends have been, John Darst, who at one time mortgaged his farm to save the institution ; Thomas Bondurant, of Deland, who gave a large
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
sum to aid in securing a fund of $100,000 for the school; and Dr. N. B. Crawford, who gave $25,000 in a single gift. He is at present president of the board of trustees, while R. E. Hieronymus has been president of the college, until re- cently, when his resignation was tendered.
The alumni of Eureka College number nearly 600 men and women, of whom seven have been called to be presidents of colleges, and normal schools. One has been a governor of a state, another of a territory, while still others have repre- sented their districts in congress and in the state legislature. While numerous churches and schools have felt the uplift- ing influence of the institution thru ministers and teachers.
The Low Point Academy was an institution that promis- ed good results in the field of education, but its usefulness was cut short by its destruction by fire in 1877. It was built by a company each of the members of which paid $100. Prof. J. E. bamb, who served two terms as county superin- tendent of schools, was elected as principal and the attend- ance was very encouraging. The fire occurred shortly after its erection and, as there was no insurance on the structure, it was never rebuilt.
The high school is the product of the public school system, and has developed in this county during the past twenty-five years. In spite of its recent introduction it has met with gratifying success. More than 50 young people graduate annually from the high schools of the county. Four of the schools are on the accredited list of the Univer- sity of Illinois ; Eureka, Minonk, East and West Side ElPaso. Today there are eleven graded schools in the county, em- ploy fifty-seven teachers. The total enrollment of pupils in the graded and rural schools of the county in 1908 was 4343, while the value of school property was estimated at $242,695. The expenditures for the support of the public school during that year were $115.672.79.
Recently the County Superintendent. F. H. Doeden, has instituted the rural commencement, at which those who have successfully passed the seventh and eighth grade examina-
EDUCATION AND RELIGION.
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Minonk Public School
1902
MINONK HIGH SCHOOL.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
tions receive diplomas from the Superintendent. The com- mencement of 1909 was the third, yet in that brief time it has become very popular. The class this year numbered fifteen.
In 1908 there was opened the first consolidated school in the county at Congerville. The children are transported in wagons and the principal of the school, Prof. J. C. Whet- zel, reports a successful operation of the plan. This year Roanoke and Metamora have each enlarged their districts by taking in new territory.
The school library has come to be one of the most help- ful features of the public school in the county. The Mi- nonk school has the best equipped library among the town schools, it having been enlarged by donations in memory of Donald Stoddard and Mrs. Louisa M. Parkes. It is estimated that there are now 9,000 volumes in the public school li- braries of the county, with a value approaching $6.000.
Hand in hand with the intellectual development of Woodford has gone its spiritual growth. The path broken by the pioneer in his search for new lands was quickly sought and followed by his spiritual adviser and friend.
The pioneer preacher was early on the ground to ad- minister comfort to the discouraged and saddened and re- buke to the wayward. Long before the first church was erected services were held wherever circumstances would permit. Sometimes they were held in a school house, some- times in a barn, or in some home thrown open to the people. and occasionally they were held in the grove. The preacher was a God fearing man, fearless in rebuking sinners and in warning them to flee from the wrath to come. Zadock Hall Worth township. An old companion of Peter Cartwright, he came to this county in 1830 and settled in what was later had many of the characteristics of that fearless exponent of Methodism. His voice was raised thruont Central Illinois calling men to repentance and a new life. He was but one of the many who have been instruments in. the hands of God
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EDUCATION AND RELIGION.
for the accomplishment of his work in the county. John Oatman, William Davenport, James Robeson, JJ. D. Newell, Barton W. Stone, Jeter Foster, and W. T. Adams raised their voices and preached the gospel among the pioneers. There was a high moral standard established among the settlers, and they were not satisfied until churches were formed. The first church to organize in the county was the Christian church at Eureka. It has maintained its organi-
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, EUREKA.
zation since 1832, and is now one of the strongest Protest- ant organizations in the county. The denomination has be- come strong and now has ten churches within the borders of Woodford, with an estimated membership of 1,650.
The Methodist circuit rider was early on the field evangelizing, and but a few years elapsed before the organiz- ing of the first church. The earliest churches of this de- nomination were at Metamora and on the Ten Mile. From this beginning the number has multiplied until there are
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
now ten societies, having a membership of 846, and property valued at $60,000.
From the earliest days there has been preaching by Pres- byterian ministers, but the first church of that denomination was not established until 1853, when the Low Point church was founded. The year following a United Presbyterian church was opened. There are four congregations of the Pres- byterian faith in the county with a membership of about 550. More than $8,000 is annually expended by these organi- zations in the support of the gospel.
The first Baptist church was organized at the home of James Vance in 1837 by Rev. J. D. Newell. Soon afterward the Richland Baptist church was formed. These have passed out of existence, but there are now in the county, five organizations with 500 members, and churches valued at. $38,000. They expend about $5,000 in support of the work of their denomination.
The test Lutheran church was in Worth township. It was a small log building but it served as a meeting place for a number of families. The organization long ago ceased to exist and has passed out of the memory of many of the old- er settlers. There are now two synods of the Lutheran church represented in the county. The Missouri synod has four organizations with a membership of 579, and with church property valued at about $15,000. The Iowa synod has one society with a membership of 1,000. The Catholic church is the strongest in the county both in point of mem- bership and wealth. The first church built was that of the Immaculate Conception at Lourds. This was organized in 1838, and in 1840 their church was erected. This is said to have been the first church built in the northern part of the state, altho there were others organized at 'an earlier date. There are now seven societies in the county, with church property exceeding $100,000, in value. They minister to the needs of about 600 families.
The Dunkards, or Brethern, as they are now called,
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EDUCATION AND RELIGION.
organized their first church in the county in Roanoke town- ship, under the leadership of J. R. and Geo. W. Gish, in 1852. In 1857 they erected their church. This organization has since that time been the center of the work of this society in the county.
The Amish church has developed considerable strength among the Germans during the last few years. In 1875 they erected a church northeast of Eureka, and have services there regularly. There was an Amish church organized in Worth township at an early date. There are two other or- ganizations of this denomination in the county.
The Apostolic Christian Church has a strong membership in the country surrounding Enreka and Roanoke. Their church, southwest of the latter town, was built in 1873, and will seat 700 people. The congregation also has churches at Eureka and Roanoke.
The Congregationalists at one time had a church in El Paso, but it ceased to exist years ago. The Episcopalians organized a church at Metamora at an early date, but now have the only church of their denomination in the county at ElPaso. The German Evangelicals at one time had a church in that city, but this has been abandoned and an English Evangelical was established. This was the forerunner of a number of prosperous little churches of that faith in the county.
Rev. D. M. Ficken has served his congregation as pastor longer than any other minister in the county. He was born in Germany in 1845 and came to America thirty-eight years ago, having first been highly educated in Erlangen, Goetling- en and Leipzig Universities. After coming here he served churches at Fort Madison, Peoria, Waverly and other points. March 23, 1879, he came to his present charge, the Lutheran church in Linn township. He has resided there since that time. During that period he has baptized 1151 children. confirmed 495 young persons, married 224 couples, buried 310 persons and collected nearly $6,000 for charity purposes.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
The first Sunday School was established in the county in 1837 in what was known as the Morse settlement, the ser- vices being held at the home of Parker Morse, who lived near Cazenovia. The institution has grown and has been one of the most effective departments of the church. There are 38 schools in the county with a membership of 3,475 pupils. The Woodford County Sunday School Association has been an effective feature of the work. The association holds a county convention annually and also arranges for one in each township in the county. The officers are as follows: President, James Warner; vice-president, Amos Marshall ; secretary, Mrs. W. HI. Foster; treasurer, George Shuman , department superintendents : temperance. L. J. Freese, pri- mary work, Mrs. W. F. Dudman ; home work, Miss Alice Briggs; teachers' training. W. H. Foster; men's classes, J. F. Shephard ; executive committee, O. M. Davison, L. J. Freese and W. H. Smith.
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