USA > Illinois > Edgar County > Our first one hundred and fifty years : Hunter, Stratton, Elbridge Townships, 1818-1968 > Part 3
USA > Illinois > Edgar County > Stratton > Our first one hundred and fifty years : Hunter, Stratton, Elbridge Townships, 1818-1968 > Part 3
USA > Illinois > Edgar County > Elbridge > Our first one hundred and fifty years : Hunter, Stratton, Elbridge Townships, 1818-1968 > Part 3
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
The parsonage across the Railroad from the Masonic Hall was in need of repair and in 1959 the Church purchased the home of Mrs. Eathel Redmon, known as the Dr. Lycan residence for a parsonage and sold the old parsonage. In early 1965 the sanctuary was redecorated with new paneling on the walls and a suspended ceiling with 4 ft. x 2 ft. ceiling tile. The ceiling was lowered two feet at center and down to nine feet sidewalls and three new windows on the west side at a cost of $2450.00
The average attendance and membership as of June Ist. 1968 is:
Church Membership. 147
Church School Enrollment 125
Average Church School Attendance .. 100
* *
* *
¥ *
1 1
27
LITTLE GROVE CHURCH
The first organization of the Little Grove Church, six miles East of Paris was in the Fall of 1826 in the home of Samuel McGee. The church was formed through the efforts chiefly of Mrs. Mary Morrison and her sister, Mrs. Anna Fitz- gerald. These women with others in this settlement had come to Edgar County from Kentucky where they had come to some knowledge of the Restoration Movement. Meet- ings for worship was first held in residences, next in the McGee Schoolhouse and about 1829 in the Prior School house. By 1832 the members had increased to near one hundred. People would go sometimes a day travel to be at the Saturday night and Sunday meetings. It was not uncommon for several of the early settlers to take their families together in an ox wagon to Church. In 1835 the congregation to build a meeting house which was finished in 1837 with seats. This served until 1875 when the present house was built.
In its earlier years this church was visited by Alexander Campbell, John Kane, Daniel W. Elledge, Love H. Jameson, the brothers Job and Michel Combs and others.
The leading preacher up to 1865 was Wm. Hartley assisted by Elija Ward. John J. Van Houtin, a grandson of Mrs. Mary Morrison came to the Ministry here.
Written by
Charles Frye.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
28
LITTLE GROVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Little Grove Christian Church was one of the first Christian Churches es- tablished in Illinois.
Two married sisters from Kentucky led in the establishment of Little Grove Church, six miles east of Paris, Illinois in 1826.
The present location was established in April of 1940 with the first Minister at the new location being Delno Brown. The building was later purchased, re- modeled and rededicated as Little Grove Christian Church at special services in 1955. The present congregation is small with average attendance around 30 with a much larger membership. The oldest living member being Mrs. Sally Martin, who is 96 years old.
The present Superintendent is Eddie R. Henson and Paul Crum is the present minister serving the congregation for almost ten years.
1
Some long time members of the church, who are now deceased were Benjamin and Hannah Morrison VanHoutin, Miss Hannah Euphemia VanHoutin, Bert and Maude Bell, Van E. and Janna Wright, Anna Wright, Mrs. W.E. Davidson and Raymond and Fernie Whitesell and Chester A. Hammond.
Present long time members are Ed and Zella Garwood. In addition, Mr. Birt Buntain was very active in the congregation until illness forced him to discontinue.
Mrs. Annabelle Garwood Henson
*
*
*
*
*
*
* *
29
VERMILION
STRATTON
14 13
111
109
108
107 106
102/101.
100
11
116
87 88 89
90
91
92 93 94
HE
9
16/17
18
19/20
21
22
23/24
2.5
7
ORIGINAL
2.9
28
27
26
TOWN
5
30
114
SI
32/33
34 35
36 37
38
37 40
TULOMA PLANT
74
13/12
71
70 69
68
133115
53 52
SI
19
ST
67
54
TELEPHONE
66
15
118
M
MA PL
ST
5
56
77
7.6
18
51
63
58
47
62
59
6%
120
60
U.B. CHURCHN
112
208
85 87
115
Scale 1 inch- 300F1
1968
TOWNSHIP
105/
1047
/103,
110
LINCOLNST
FREMONT ST.
CHURCH
S
7.5
95 96 97 98 9.
RAIL ROAD
STREET
SCHOOL
8
34
RAILROADf
ـسـ
MA
ELEVATOR
A T E WATER
44
65
55
49
4.5
LINE
¥8
46
64
HornHO
EDGAR
15 7730and
VINE STREET
SULPHUR SPRING BO -.
/1
- STRATTON- ELBRIDGE-TW ?.
43
86 2/119
7_
MARILE ST
80
42
OFFICE
50
STREET
LANTYM
2
PENN
CENTRAL
1
31
6
12
10
W.
MAY 31, 1968
1
The Number of the Resident will correspond to the Number on the Map on the opposite Page. The Vermilion Maps were prepared by Mrs. Evelyn Ewing Arbuckle.
1. Meredith Dean
41. Wayne (Fete) Ray
81. George Nelson
2. Raymond Nebergal 42. Mrs. Perry Rhoden 82. Mrs. Walter Hill
3. Stotts Grocery
43. Forrest White 83. James Bramlett
4. Coin Wash 44. William Simpson
84. Harold Whitlock
5. Vacant
45. Claude Hickman
85. Ronald Ivy
6. Car Wash
46. William Wright
86. Lloyd H. Adams
7. Bell Building
47. Russell Gore
87. James Shirar
8. Fire Station
48. Paul Osborn
88. Lester Dailey
9. Kenneth Robison
49. Mrs. Mabel McKimmey
89. Forrest Brown 90. Ed Day (Vacant )
11. Frye's Welding Shop
51. William R. Whitesell
91. Mrs. Roy Sanders
12. James Berry
52. Mrs. Mildred Kirby
92. Ben Washburn
13. Mrs. John Yeargin
53. Mrs. Vivian Perkinson
14. Claude (Bud) Reese
54. U.S. Post Office
94. Ed Day
15. Dailey's Feed Mill
55. Lloyd Adams
95. Miss Donna Bradbury
96. Mrs. Ethelene Winans
17. M.E. Parsonage
57. Mrs Arthur Wills
97. Ronald Mirray
18. Joe Murray
58. Max Johns
98. Lloyd Spittler
19. Floyd Turpin
59. Ernest Walling
99. William Riley
20. William Wilson
60. Harold Irwin
101. Mrs. Viola C. Nickles
22. Ernest Guymon
62. Noble Powers
102. Robert Simpson
23. Charles (Jim) Holloway
63. Ralph McCoy
103. Carl Frye
24. John Holloway
25. Ed Day (Vacant)
65. Eugene Sanders
105. Maurice Bedwell
26. John Bruce
66. Mervin Myles
106. Harold Eastham
27. James White
67. James Ricketts
107. Stanley Newman
28. Mrs. Ada Mann
68. Mrs. Millie Ewing
108. Lloyd Dailey
29. William Roush
69. Mrs Jeannette Rogers
109. Emmett Higgins
30. Evinger Seed Co.
70. Miss Lela Cummins
110. Charles Kemper
31. Mrs. Anna McCoy
71. Danely Cash
111. Whorton Raffety
32. Leroy Nickles
72. Ralph Creech
112.George Gore
33. Lige Rogers
73. Theodore Shumaker
113. Nathan Lankster
34. Forrest Duck
74. Charles Wright
114. John Bowersock
35. Mrs. Gail Johnson
75. Kenneth Jernigan
115. Mrs. Collett Dean
36. Harold Nickles
76. Robert Scott
116. Mrs. Marie Murray
37. Walter Vicars
77. Roy Pitts
117. Max Stotts
38. James Kiger
78. Harry Garwood
118. Robert Redman
39. Roscoe Miller
79. Wilkerson Watts
119. Earl Slade
40. Vernon Smithers
80. Dale Funkhouser
120. Louis Mace
10. Kenneth Miller
50. Joseph Davis
93. Forrest Stotts
16. Don Robertson
56. Sam Dugger Jr.
100. Ron Hollingsworth
21. John Yingst
61. Charles Miller
64. Carl Peters
104. Maude Thompson
ELBRIDGE TOWNSHIP
Pike Precinct embraced the present territory of Elbridge Township, with the exception of the north tier of sections which was a part of Wayne Precinct at that time.
Pike Precinct was about one-fourth the size of Wayne Precinct, but for a time had nearly as great a population as the whole of Wayne precinct.
When the white man came to Pike precinct or Elbridge Township in 1818 it was covered with a magnificent growth of native forest trees, prominent among which were oak in several varieties, hickory, walnut, beech, sugar-tree, elm and other kind flourished. Interspersed among these gew a great number of small trees of the same and different varieties, which, with their more powerful fellows, were ruthlessly cut down by the pioneer in the establishment of his home. Many grand old forest trees were felled to the earth by the pioneer's powerful arm and keen ax, trees which, could they be produced now, would yield him a handsome revenue. Yet they stood in the way of progress, and as there were no mills or manufactories to use them, they were consigned to the log-heap and destroyed. Grand sound wal- nuts of a century's growth, so large that when they felled an ordinary man could not see over them in a direct line from his eye, were cut down, sawn into lengths so they could be handled, and rolled to the log-heap to meet the fate of others equally as sound and large, though of a different kind. Such trees as these - whole forests of them - stood on the hills, along the streams and in the valleys in what is now Elbridge Township when the first white man made his home here. Here had they stood for ages - under their outspreading branches had the Indian lover wooed and won his dusky mate; had he pitched his wigwam home, reared his family. The savage beast, the fleeting deer, the heavy buffalo, the swift bird, the raven wolf had all lived here in undisturbed security, or been the delight of the native hunter in his exciting chase. The limpid waters of the streams had furnished him a rate feast, while in their depths he had bathed his limbs, or over their surface paddled his light canoe. His possession of these primeval forests
30
could not always be. A white race more powerful than he, was already close in his footsteps, and warned by the experience of his comrades farther east, he was pre- paring to vacate and follow the western sun .. The white man had his home on the banks of the Wabash, determined to find a home for themselves and their families in this then outpost of civilization, were encroaching closely on his domain.
Some of the first to come to Pike Precinct, or what is now Elbridge Township was John Ray from Tennessee in 1818. Soon after Alexander Ewing same also from Tennessee, and with the next three years came Arthur Forster, Thomas Wilson. Thomas Foster, James Knight, Hall Sims, Thomas Rhoads, James Love and James Eggle- ston from Kentucky. In 1822 Eleven Tucker and David Roll came from Ohio; in 1823 came Andrew B. Ray from Tennessee and Abner Lamb from Kentucky. In 1824 Thomas Hicklin arrived from Kentucky. John Elliott came in 1825 and Solomon Trogdon in 1826 and Samuel Trogdon in 1827. In 1829, William Hanks, James W. Parrish, and George Mack came from Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively, John Vaught, John Cummins, Peterson Yeargin and W.D. Marley came soon after.
Nost all these men brought families and came about the same time. Their cir- stances, too, varied but little. All were poor, and all equally desirous of bet- tering their fortunes. They came with a meager outfit of this world's goods, but strong in faith and hope, expected to increase their worldly store and provide a home in old age. Some came in frontier wagons, drawn by horses or oxen, and some used the more primitive pack-horse as a means of migration. Either was slow, but as they knew of no other way than that mentioned, unless a river lay in the course, they were content. While on the journey if away from a settled route, their en- campment for the night was made wherever night overtook them. A fire was built by the wayside, over which an iron kettle was suspended, in which the evening meal was cooked. The father's gun through the day provided abundance of fresh meat of the choicest varieties, for squirrels and wild turkeys were common, and deer could be had almost for the asking. Yet, let the advantage of the journey be the best, and it was one of toil and privation. Then there were no bridges over the streams, no fences by the roadside, no well-trodden highways. Each emigrant
31
followed the general trail, but each sought a new track for his own team. If the season was one of much rain, the swamps would be almost impassable, and the roads would be heavy. If dry, the road was rough, so that at its best, the journey could not be said to be pleasant, yet the way was often cheery. The emigrant on his arrival began at once preparations for shelter. During this period, the family lived in the wagon, though the cooking and washing were performed by the women under the shade of an outspreading tree. Oft times a rude pole cabin, with no floor save the mother-earth, and no windows save the intersticos between the poles forming the walls of the cabin, was temporily erected, and should the time of arrival bbe spring, this structure sufficed for a house until the crops were sown. After that important work was done, he had a season of comparative leisure, during which he made preparations to erect a more comfortable home. The cabins or houses were made of unhewn logs, notched at the ends to they would fit closely together. Between the logs chunks split from the heart of an oak were fastened with pegs and daubed over with mud until the crack was closed. The earth in the interior of the cabin was trodden firmly down and was used for the floor. A door was cut in one side, a small window on the other, the hugh old fashioned fire place made in one end and the cabin was complete. In many cabins puncheon floor was laid. The puncheons for floor and clapboards for the roof were almost always split from sound oak-trees, the puncheons being held in their place by their own weight, while the clapboards were held on by weight poles, kept a suitable dis- tance apart by short sticks of wood, placed between them.
The crops raised by the early settlers were generally corn and wheat. When corn was thoroughly dry, it was crushed in a mortar or ground in. one of the horse or water mills. The pioneer was obliged to go to a mill a few miles below Terre Haute or to one of the settlements further north. Most of the settlers were farm- ers.
Mr. Andrew B. Ray stated that at one time he built a water-mill on Sugar Creek, one of the first mills of its kind in the precinct. He constructed a dam of corn stalks and brush, and built the mill. The dam could not stand the
32
spring floods and during a heavy flood was swept away, ending the working of the mill.
Samuel Trogdon came to Pike Precinct in 1827. He remained here, however, but a few years, when he removed to what is now Stratton Township. He was a black- smith by trade, but carried on a farm and tannery. In the capacity of blacksmith and tanner, he was a most valuable adjunct to the youthful settlement. He could mend their wooden moldboard plows, sharpen their hoes and grub-axes, repair broken irons and save them thereby a trip to some shop more remote. His tanner was, probably, one of the first in this part of the county. It consisted simply of a vat, and a pole or two on which to rub and cure the hides. Boots, at that early day, were not a common article of wear; moccasins were more prevalent. Strong shoes were the common article of feet-covering, and even these were considered so valuable that young ladies walked barefoot to church, and when near the sacred temple of worship, paused, sat down on some fallen log by the pathway, and, after carefully dusting or wiping their feet, put on their stockings and shoes and then entered the house of God. After the service, they would walk a short way from the church and remove these luxuries, returning home as they came.
The highway from Terre Haute to Paris ran through this precinct, now the Township of Elbridge; and this road was a stage coach route westward, the stage coaches also carried the mail. A town with a Postoffice, Hotel, Store, etc., was established about half way between Paris and Terre Haute, and named Elbridge. For many years there was a considerable business transacted there, but when the railroad was built from Paris to Terre Haute in 1874, it missed Elbridge by a mile and the town ceased to grow. When the first settlers came to Sugar Creek, Indians principally of the Kickapoo tribe, were quite numerous, in this part of the State. They were harmless and no fear of them until the Black Hawk War in 1831-32. The Kickapoo Indians passed their time in the common pursuits of the Indian life. They were often engaged by the traders at Terre Haute and Vincennes as guides, and in this capacity were very useful. The knew all the choice parts of the country; could point out the best and clearest water courses; could tell where game most
33
a bounded, and with the peculiar instinct of their race, were unerring in their ac- curacy. They were, however, fond of whiskey and when under its influence, like their white brothers, were often quite quarrelsome.
Hunting was one of the pioncors enjoyment, or necessity. Wild gamo was very plenty in the early day. Venison was one of the staple articles of food for the early settlers. Deer were often see in vast herds, as they wandered over the plains. Their flesh furnished an excellent food, while their skin, especially of the younger ones, when properly tanned, made very durable clothing. It was commonly well tanned, and made into hunting-shirts and leggings, buckskin pants were a common sight. Bees and their product, entered into the luxuries of the pioneer's life. Bee-trees were very planty, and in their hollows were often stored large quantities of honey. It was not uncommon for three or four m en, when hunting for honey, to find in a few days, enough to fill two or three barrels. Another was the numerous sugar-trees, and before the settlers had been there many seasons, they had learned to utilize these, and maple sugar and maple molasses werc among the exports of the pioneer. It is proper to remark here, that all surplus corn, wheat, prok, honey, or whatever could be obtained here, including peltries of various kinds, were hauled to the Wabash River, sold to merchants at Terre Haute or Vincennes, and by them taken down the river in flatboats. The great mar- ket at that day was New Orleans. The journey to New Orleans by flatboat required a great deal of time, as the boat was commonly allowed to float with the current. After the cargo was sold, the trader was compelled to foot his way back, or now up the river in a canoe, either way was very laborious and tiresome
The steam-boat made its first appearance on Western Waters in 1811. Six years later on August 2, 1817, the first steam-boat came beyond the Ohio river up the Mississippi river to St. Louis. Still, many of the pioneers stayed with the flat-boat, as the flat-boat provided a very cheap mode of transportation, it was commonly used for several years after the settlement of the country.
Elections in the early days were no inconsiderable part of their History. Mr. Sims says that after his arrival they went to John Laswell's house, or the
34
North arm of Coal Creek, to vote, and that William Lowry was the first Represent- ative sent from this region. Until the adoption of the township organization of 1848-modified in 1851-all precints governed themselves by three commissioners. The act was not adopted in Edgar County until 1856, when a Supervisor was chosen from each township, the body constituting the County Court. During the regime of the Commissioners, Mr. Hall Sims, from this precinct served eight years. He was also sent to the Legislature for two terms. In the early days, several precincts would be grouped together for election purposes, owing to the sparness of the population. As the country settled, these limits would be narrowed down from time to time to suit the convenience of the people. This necessitated a change in the voting places. At first, elections were held at the cabin of a settler centrally located. As soon as school-houses were erected here and there in the settlements, the vot- ing-place was made at one of these. Mills and Stores were also used, if built in some prominent locality. The records in the Commissioners' Court show that Elbridge Township - then called Pike Precinct - was made a separate voting-Precinct at the March term, 1832. The election was ordered to be held at "Liberty Meeting House, ". At the June term, 1836, the place of voting was changed to the school- house near Elbridge village, then not platted, only contemplated, and containing but one house. Changes were quite often made at this date, as the Black Hawk War, four years before, had settled Indian question so far as Illinois was con- cerned, and settlers were coming rapidly into her borders.
* *
* *
* * * *
* *
THE VILLAGE OF ELBRIDGE
The village of Elbridge was the first in the Township. It was laid out by Mr. James Ray, on his own land, in August, 1836. Mr. Brown Wilson was the County Surveyor at the time, and a little over a year after, in December, 1837, he laid out an addition to it for John Campbell. Mr. James Ray's own house stood on the plat, and may be accounted the first thereon. About the time the town was con-
35
templated, a Mr. Elbridge G. Howe, a colporteur, was selling religious books and tracts about the country. Rev. John V. Campbell, already mentioned, was Pastor of the small Presbyterian congregation south of the proposed village. He, with others in the vicinity, wanted a post office, here, and in his petition to the Postal Department at Washington, named the embryo office Elbridge. This name was also attached to the village. The town had, however, been well advertised for that day, and before winter came on, a store was opened by John Calvin and Reuben Owens. A Mr. Lightfoot kept a store here also. After Mr. Owen's death, the store in which he was interested went down, and Mr. Lightfoot continued alone in busi- ness some time. About 1855, Henderson Burson built the third store, and for a while carried a good trade. He, afterward, moved to Vermilion. His successors were Foreman & Piper, who soon sold out and followed Mr. Burson. They left Swisher & Elliott in the Mercantile business, who gave way when railroads began to exert and influence on the towns. In 1879 there was only a small store kept by H. K. Hitch. The post office was moved to Ferrell, on the railroad.
The first church in the village was erected by the Methodist about 1838. It was a log structure and was used until the congregation by removals became so dimished that the organization was disbanded. A year or two later, the Disciples of Christ organized a congregation and met for divine services in the members houses or in a school house. When they became able, in conjunction with the United Brethern, a fram house of worship was erected. In 1876 the house of worship was sold to the school district and was used for school purposes in Elbridge.
The first school in Elbridge was taught by Dr. Peter Yeargin. He began on February 21, 1837 to teach in part of Mr. James Ray's old cabin. The interior ar- rangements were rather meager and the school crowded. They had about fifty schol- ars, showing a considerable population at the time, though it must be borne in mind a school district then embraced a large scope of country. In 1850, the school dis- trict erected a small frame house at an expense of $225.00. It was used until 1876, when they bought the church mentioned above for a school house.
36
THE VILLAGE OF NEVINS
The charter for the Paris and Terre Haute Railroad was obtained March 1, 1872. Its completion through Elbridge Township was a signal for the starting of some new stores. One of these, the largest was Nevins. It was surveyed by George W. Foreman, County Surveyor, for James W. and B.F. Parrish and Ashier Morton, early in 1874, on the land belonging to them. Mr. Morton and his brother, John, erected a store soon after, in which they opened a general stock of goods. A post office was secured and named in conjunction with the town in honor of Mr. Robert N. Nevins of Paris.
A warehouse was built by John W. Morton, about 1876, from which considerable grain was shipped. Soon after the town was laid out, a blacksmith shop was erected by Robert Osborne. For a while a shoe-shop was kept there.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF NEVINS
1875
NAME
BUSINESS
NATIVITY
Settled in year
Osborn, Robert W.
Blacksmith
Indiana
1870
McGuire, G.W.
Carpenter & Builder
Virginia
1875
Morton, Geo. W.
Farmer and Teacher
Illinois
1850
Morton, Asher
Farmer, Stock Dealer,
Builder & Lumber Manu- facturer
Ohio
1850
Tennis, Miss Hannah
Teacher
Illinois
1855
Wright, Nathan
Minister
North
of Christian Church
Carolina
1862
* *
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
THE VILLAGE OF FERRELL
The village of Ferrell was the farthest of the towns on the railroad through El- bridge Township. It was the outgrowth of the village of Elbridge, which was nearly a mile from the railroad, very naturally had a depot erected at the railroad for its own use. People at once saw that a town might be located here and put the thought into action. The last week in March 1874, Mr. Foreman laid out the town
37
on land belonging to Mr. I.C. Ferrell, from whom the village obtained its name. The first store was opened by Stephen Maddock and H.R. Hicks, who removed their store from Elbridge. After a year or more, they sold to I.C. Ferrell. M. Ferrell was also Postmaster. The Masons had a two story building at Elbridge and they moved it to Ferrell and rented the lower story to Thomas Pearce for a store. M. H. Ferrell erected a warehouse from which he shipped considerable grain.
A flouring-mill was built there by Mr. George Mock, at a cost of nearly $7,000.00. No school or church was started at Ferrell. The children were sent to Elbridge, as the district embraced both towns; while those who desired religi- ous privileges attended some of the country churches.
*
* *
*
*
*
*
*
x
THE VILLAGE OF MARLEY
In April 1874, Mr. Foreman laid out the village of Marley, just a few miles south of Nevins, for Mr. W.D. Marley, on whose land it was located on. Soon after the railroad was finished a store was opened byO.S. Jones & Co. Later it was owned by James Marley and E. P. Brown, who had a good local trade. Mr. W. D. Marley controlled the warehouse and shipped large amounts of grain annually. It was mainly for this reason, affording a near market to the surrounding farmers, - that the station was established.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.