USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 16
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BATTERY C.
Robert Deegen, recruit. M. O. Aug. 3, 1865: Wm. T. Peters, recruit, discharged May 29, 1865, disab.
BATTERY F.
David J. Fleming, died at Annapolis, Md., Feb. 14. 1865.
BATTERY K.
Geo. W. Ritzman, recruit, M. O. May 26, 1865.
BATTERY M.
Alexander Allen, unassigned recruit ; John Smith, unassigned recruit.
29TH U. S. COLORED INFANTRY. COMPANY I. Geo. Agee. M. O. Nov. 6, 1865. COMPANY K.
John Pillow, unassigned recruit : James Smith, unassigned recruit : Henry Van Pierce, unassigned recruit, substitute.
13TH U. S. COLORED ARTILLERY.
William Chandler, enlisted April 1I, 1865: Charles Long, enlisted April 1865.
II,
8
116
PAST AND PRESENT
MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
Jas. W. Anderson, Cavalry, 9th Kansas Cavalry.
FIRST ARMY CORPS.
ROSTER OF ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY 10.
Assigned to Company K. 8th Regiment U. S. Veteran Volunteers :
Joseph Hoffman, M. O. April 11. 1865, as Corporal: Andrew J. Ballus, private, mustered out April 11, 1865; Almers Coch- oran, private, mustered out April 11, 1865 ; Patrick Byrne, private, mustered out April 11, 1865: Henry Knapp, private, mustered out April 11, 1865; James Kervin, private, mustered out April 11, 1865: John Paulus, private, mustered out April 11, 1865: Wm. R. Burnett, private, mustered out April II, 1865: William Singsfield, private, mustered out April 12, 1865; William Quielesh, pri- vate, mustered out April 13. 1866; Joseph Guenther, private, mustered out April 13. 1866: Leonard Miller, private, mustered out April 13, 1866; Martin Engle, private, mustered out April 13. 1866; Howell G. Trogdon, private, mustered out April 13. 1866; John Graves, private, mustered out April 13. 1866; Jacob Hellwig, private, mustered out April 13. 1866; James Gun- ion, private: Wm. Jennings, private, mus- tered out April 13, 1866: Walter Spangler. private, mustered out April 12, 1866.
ENLISTED MEN OF Co. No. 12.
Christopher Brammel, enlisted April 14. 1865: Abraham Burgen, enlisted April 14, 1865: John Becker, enlisted April 14. 1865 : Joseph A. Crawford, enlisted April 12, 1865 : James O. Douglas, enlisted April 14. 1865: Simeon Dabozyinsky, enlisted April 14. 1865: Michael Goedert. enlisted April 14, 1865: Keller Heist, enlisted April 13. 1865: John Halshizer, enlisted April 12.
1865; John Peppercorn, enlisted April 14, 1865.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
War is to be dreaded and the governing power of any nation should never permit its people to be plunged into a terrible war unless for the preservation of the nation, its people, property and integrity. When these are attacked, war, terrible as it is, may be resorted to by any nation for the preservation of its rights and honor. The Spanish-American War of 1898 between Spain and the United States was doubtless precipitated by the blowing up of our battle ship Maine in the harbor of Havana on Feb. 15. 1898, and the destruction of 260 of her sailors. A history of the causes which led to this war is not necessary to be recounted here in detail, but it is sufficient for the purposes of this article to mention that the relations between the United States and Spain had been for a long time strained. The people of the United States were dis- gusted with the conduct of the Spanish gov- erment towards the Cuban inhabitants, es- pecially that of Capt. Gen. Weyler. by whose orders many of the inhabitants had been driven into the towns and a large part of the island became a wilderness.
The "reconcentrados" were dying of star- vation, and our countrymeu, deeply moved at their suffering, began to send them food and medical aid, and while engaged in this humane effort, they were horrified to hear of the destruction of the "Maine." Al- though a court of inquiry was unable to fix the responsibility for the explosion, many people believed it had been perpetrated by the Spaniards, and to so high a tension had the feeling of hostility been wrought be- tween our government and that of Spain, the thread snapped and war was upon us.
117
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Immediately upon the declaration of war, a call for volunteers was made and Chris- tian county immediately responded with Company B of the 5th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. So readily did the boys of the North and South respond to this call that in a short time the whole `quota was filled and many of the regiments were held in reserve and never went forward to the seat of war. The Fifth Regiment was enlisted at Springfield, Ill., and soon thereafter re- ceived orders to go south to Chickamauga Park, Ga., and wait disposition by the com- manding officers.
This they did, but were never called upon to engage in battle, but they had experi- ence of campaign life, and many of them became sick. Some of them died, and the remainder at last were honorably discharged and returned to their homes, and were here welcomed in the most pleasing manner by their former friends and companions and their names appear upon the muster roll as having offered themselves as a sacrifice for the maintenance of the integrity of this government. The health of the regiment was usually good. Eugene Bricker became sick and died while in the service; Abner Orr became sick in camp and died after the company was mustered out, never having recovered.
This company was officered as follows :
Chas. A. Parrish, Capt .; Clifton G. Mag- ner, Ist Lieut. : Joe C. Michaels, 2nd Lieut. ; Wm. J. Flynn, Ist Sergeant.
Sergeants-Frank O. Nicodemus, Clar- ence A. Parish, Leroy Anderson, Alonzo H. Ranes, Eugene E. Rucker.
Corporals-L. Jean Perkins, Homer Chastain, T. Lead Hewitt, Chas. T. Jacobs, Howard M. Raines, Charles C. Thompson, Julius S. Michels, John T. Brown, Eugene
Denton, Fred O. Edler, Harry Reitzer, Howard J. Roof.
Musicians-J. Clark Waddell, Wm. P. Minnis.
Artificer-Forest C. Carriker.
Wagoner-John Seifert.
Privates-Barton G. Anderson, Charles F. Bair, Ismer Bruce, John M. Bayly, Charles Cole, Harry G. Clay, G. Cook Ca- ward, Joseph H. Claywell, William L. De- hart, Joy T. Danford, Charles H. Diamond, James W. Dempsey. Pharis B. Denlinger, Benjamin J. Daigh, Perry F. Easly, Claude Easly, James Ewing, William P. Ellett, Thomas V. Flock, John George Green, Clin- ton G. Harris, Worth Hendricks, Alvin D. Hawley, Jacob Huebner, William C. Knight, Charles Kelley, Charles C. Kester- son, Peter Larson, George McKee, George W. Matkin, Clinton Maddox, Orrie B. Nichols, James W. Neff. George S. Neer, Irwin Norred, George Oddy, Benjamin Oglesby. Abner Orr. Samuel Peabody, Lewis C. Prouty, Oscar Porter, Reuben Powel, Simon Raines, Charles A. Reeves, Manfred C. Reed, Robert Roper, Lewis Radford, John C. Stoy, Robert J. Slater, William J. Swick. Otto W. Simpson, John C. St. Clair, Frank B. Thompson, John P. Thompson, Al Tolle, William E. Welch, Fred Wilson, Emil L. Wulfmeyer, Leigh Wones, Orville Ward.
Afterwards the following were mustered in, June 18, 1898: Richard W. Alspaugh, Herbert Adams, Owen Barbre, Marcus L. Fulton. Ira A. Honefenger, George W. Hinton. Rudolph Hargis, Albert W. Hud- dleston, Joseph Huddleston, Chester Jones, Henry Keister, Gordon Kirkpatrick, Frank Leach, Robert H. Mason, Edgar Matthew, David A. McAdoo, Clarence Saunders, Au- brey Speer, Dwight Shehan, Mason Thomp- son, Cloyd H. Wallace, Tony H. Writzel.
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PAST AND PRESENT
The Colonel of the Fifth Regiment, J. S. Culver, was a former citizen of this county, and was engaged at business for many years. He afterward moved to Springfieldl. and was residing there at the time of the mustering of the regiment into service.
.A perusal of the foregoing pages and a scanning of the several muster rolls, will demonstrate that Christian county has al- ways been in the front ranks in the raising of her quota of soldiers for defending the rights of her people. The people of the county are proud of the war record of her soldiers, and with a deep sense of their duty to the boys who have taken up arms in de- fence of their country, have erected at Tay- lorville and other places beautiful monu- ments in memory of their valiant and heroic deeds. The writer, appreciating how the soldiers enlisted from this county in many wars are held in esteem by the people. ascribes to them all honor and records their names upon the pages of this history that future generations may know to whom honor is due as soldiers of Christian county.
THE PRESS.
It was on the 23rd day of December, 1857, that the first number of the first paper ever printed in Christian county made its appearance. And never since that time has the county been freed from the influence of this mighty engine of discord or of peace. Never since then has the voice of Christian county been hushed even in the councils of the state and nation. Never since then has there been a home so sacred but that its innermost doings may have been revealed to the gazing world through this faithful, if often mistaken photograph of a "local press." Of course this local press may often have been mistaken in its policies of national as well as local affairs, but it has
never been silent. On that day appeared before a gaping world
THE PANA WEEKLY HERALD.
The business of this paper was to sing the praises of this county regardless of truth, but more particularly of Pana, the new-born child whose name and fame was to be proclaimed to a sleeping world. Its editor was Milan S. Beckwith and he pur- chased the material for the new venture of Dr. Chenoweth of Decatur. Mr. Beck- with was at that time largely interested in real estate near the location of his paper and its pages sang of the fertility of the soil and the desirability of the climate in no uncertain tones. But it failed to record the deaths from chills or fevers unless the person so dying possessed more than a lo- cal reputation. It was independent in poli- tics when it was first started but in 1858 it became Democratic. It lived almost two years, dying with the 4Ist issue of Volume two.
THE PANA PLAINDEALER.
It was born because of the death of the Herald. The first number was issued Oc- tober 7, 1859, by Eli F. Chittenden. He continued its publication to November I, 1860, when it was discontinued and the office was removed to Shelbyville.
THE INDEPENDENT PRESS.
This paper was first issued in Taylorville on January 19th, 1858. It was the second paper printed in the county It was pub- lished by Benjamin Winters, who was a practical printer, and he made the Independ- ent Press intensely Democratic. Mr. Win- ters was an independent thinker and a vigor- ous writer and his invectives and bitter de- nunciation of his own party when he believed it to be wrong lost him the support of
119
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
many. When the publication ceased, which it did on November 28th, 1868, the type was worn out and most of the material was useless. The press had done duty in the office of the Missouri Republican as early as 1808 and in 1831 this same press was used in establishing the Sangamon Jour- nal at Springfield, Illinois. It was brought from Springfield to Taylorville where it was finally broken up. Complete files of this paper are yet to be found in the county.
THE TAYLORVILLE JOURNAL.
It was at about this time that a paper bearing the above name appeared in Taylor- ville. It was Democratic but as there was one other paper published in the town bear- ing the same political stamp, the Journal soon died of want of proper support. It was born January, 27, 1859, and only ap- peared upon this storm tossed world of journalism nine times. The publishers were Messrs. Corr, VanKirk & Co. The office was sold under a mortgage and taken to Pana, where the
CENTRAL ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT
was issued from its material and presses on January 7, 1860. It was issued by E. P. Sanders as proprietor and publisher and J. B. Butler as editor. On the 23d of Febru- ary W. F. Phelon was added to the editorial staff and on the 9th of November, 1860, the office changed hands and G. W. Harper and F. J. Back appeared as editors and pub- lishers. They at once changed the name to the
PANA WEEKLY ENTERPRISE,
but only one paper was issued under that name and on the 24th of the same month O. F. Morrison and M. M. DeLevis pur- chased the office and again changed the name to the
PANA PUBLIC.
Mr. DeLevis was editor. It was inde- pendent in politics. The paper was well gotten up and flourished till June 1, 1862, when the office and paper were moved to Clinton, Illinois.
THE TAYLORVILLE FLAG.
On July 26, 1864, appeared the first Re- publican paper in Christian county. It was edited and managed by I. D. Munday but he remained but three weeks when he resigned and Paul Conner was placed in charge, and soon purchased the office. Mr. Conner con- tinued as editor till April 12, 1866, when John J. Squier purchased a half interest. On November 15, 1866, Mr. Squier pur- chased Mr. Conner's interest and became ed- itor and publisher. On the 24th of March, 1870, Mr. Squier changed the name of The Taylorville Flag to that of the
ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN,
which name it continued to bear for many years. On the 18th of November, 1870, Mr. Squier sold a half interest in the Re- publican to W. B. Squier, his brother, which partnership continued till March 19, 1874, when John J. Squier again became sole owner.
THE SATURDAY REPUBLICAN.
On August 19, 1876, Mr. Squier com- menced the publication of the above jour- nal in addition to the Illinois Republican and continued it several years. Some time during the year 1887 Mr. Squier sold the paper and all things pertaining to it to Jo- seph Torrey who continued its publication for a year or more when the plant was again sold to The Courier Printing Co., and became the nucleus around which the pres- ent daily and weekly Courier was built.
120
PAST AND PRESENT
This occurred some time during the year 1893.
THE PANA GAZETTE.
The first number of this paper was issued July 27, 1865. The editors and proprietors were Richard Couch and R. M. Carr. Mr. Couch and Mr. Carr purchased some new material and added it to a job office owned by Mr. Couch and from the combination was issued the Gazette. On April 17, 1866, Mr. Carr purchased the entire interest in the paper and remained editor and publisher until December 11, 1868, when he sold a half interest to R. W. Coon. The partner- ship of Carr & Coon continued till Feb- ruary, 1871, when Mr. Coon retired. Mr. Carr then continued the publication of the Gasette till some time in 1889, when J. C. Essick, a lawyer of ability who wished to try journalism, purchased the outfit and greatly improved the plant. A year or two later he sold to Kelliger & Son, who soon sold to Burch & Merry, but in a few weeks Mr. Merry retired and Mr. Burch continued the paper for several years, when he sold to E. Gorell.
After keeping the paper but a short time Gorell disposed of the Gasette to W. S. Childers, who retained control of it but a sort time when it passed into the hands of Mrs. Lizzie Weaver. This was some time during the year 1895. Mrs. Weaver con- ducted the paper for some time, but not meeting with the success anticipated, she sold the material and plant to Mr. C. N. Walls, who removed it to Assumption.
THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT.
This paper was established by John J. Smith and the first number appeared on August 13, 1868. He remained editor and publisher till November 20 of the same year when he sold to Jonas Suttle. Mr. Suttle
conducted the paper till September 17, 1869. when he sold the office to S. P. Davis of Belleville and F. L. Powers of Decatur. The firm of Davis & Powers continued to publish the paper till February 11, 1871. when W. S. Martin became the purchaser. On May 21, 1874, the words "Christian County" were omitted and the word "Tay- lorville' substituted in the name of the paper. On August 2, 1875, George W. Webber became a partner in the Democrat and con- tinued so till June 1, 1877, when Mr. Web- ber retired and Mr. Martin continued the publication till January 1, 1880, when he sold to Benjamin A. and Philip A. Rich- ards. In 1884 J. F. Harner purchased the plant and in 1886 V. E. Foy became owner. Mr. Foy was owner and editor for but a short time when C. N. Walls, a veteran newspaper man, became its owner by pur- chase. Some time during 1898 The Tay- lorville Democrat was absorbed by The Courier Printing Company and it ceased to have a separate identity.
THE CENTRAL ORIENT.
This paper was first issued June 20, 1866, in Pana. It was Democratic in tone and had J. F. Harner as publisher and C. S. Hilburn as editor. The Orient continued till May, 1868, when it was discontinued for want of proper support.'
THE PANA PALLADIUM.
From the exit of the Orient Pana was without a Democratic paper till the Pal- ladium made its appearance. It was first issued by S. B. Rich some time during the latter part of 1869. On April 23. 1870, Mr. Rich disposed of the office and the paper to Messrs. P. A. and J. J. Farley. After several years' connection with the paper Mr. P. A. Farley retired and the pub-
121
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
lication was continued by J. J. Farley. On March 15, 1877, A. W. Chabin became the purchaser of the Palladium. Three months later Mr. Chabin sold a half interest to Jacob Swallow. In three months from that time Mr. Swallow retired, and Chabin again became proprietor and so continued until March 10, 1879, when the office revert- ed to Farley Brothers, who sold it to Jacob Swallow. And Mr. Swallow has been the owner and publisher of the Palladium ever since. At this date (February, 1904) Mr Swallow has seen the longest continuous service on the same paper of any editor in the county.
THE ASSUMPTION INDEPENDENT.
This paper was at first printed in the of- fice of the Pana Gasette and was shipped to Assumption. R. M. Carr was the publisher and J. M. Birce the local editor. The first number was issued on April 22, 1871. Mr. Carr continued the publication till April 15, 1872, when he sold to I. V. Park sufficient material to continue the publication at As- sumption, but six months later when the notes became due Mr. Park was unable to meet them and the sureties paid the notes and issued shares of stock in a printing company. They placed John M. Marnell in charge as editor and manager. He was a bad manager and the Independent appeared semi-occasionally. In July, 1874, the stock- holders secured the services of Richard Couch and he changed the name of the paper to the
ASSUMPTION RECORD.
Mr. Couch published the paper one year and then A. W. Chabin assumed the man- agement. He continued nine months and sold to A. M. Anderson and the presses and material were removed to Shelbyville.
THE ASSUMPTION NEWS.
Since that time H. E. Bixby conducted the Assumption Notes for something about six years and made a financial success of the venture. Mr. Bixby died and his widow and administrator continued its publication till January 1, 1904, when it was absorbed by Hodge Brothers and became a part of the
PRAIRIE STATE TRIBUNE.
This paper is now being managed by Hodge Brothers, who came to Assumption from Indiana. They are making a success of the Tribune and attained their first noto- riety by publishing several books of the old testament scriptures as a serial. They have been publishing a paper in Assumption for about four years under various names and the name is never changed oftener than the moon. But no matter under what name they may appear, the paper is always newsy and reliable.
THIE MORRISONVILLE TIMES.
The Times was first issued August '20, 1875, with Thomas Cox as editor and pro- prietor. Mr. Cox sold the Times to M. J. Abbott the last day of December. 1875. The latter gentleman remained owner and publisher until May, 1877, when he sold to George H. Palmer & Son. F. M. Pal- mer assumed editorial control. In the spring of 1878 F. Grundy became associate editor. August 16, 1879, the office was leased to Messrs. Said & Poorman. On Oc- tober 2, 1879, Steen Brothers purchased the office. Later the Times passed into the hands of S. W. Culp, who has been con- ducting a consistent Democratic paper ever since. Mr. Culp has managed the Times for more than fifteen years.
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PAST AND PRESENT
THE INDEPENDENT.
The first number of this paper appeared in Taylorville on March 25. 1875. with Messrs. Malloroy & Danley, proprietors, and R. V. Maloroy as editor. It died for want of support with the 13th number so far as its old editors were concerned, but Mr. Noyes B. Chapman of Stonington con- tinued the publication with C. F. Tucker as editor and afterwards with M. A. Bates, but on January 14, 1876, it was discon- tinued.
THE FARMERS' JOURNAL.
This paper first appeared on March 2. 1876. Messrs. Lewis & Brown were its first editors and publishers. The paper was published as a grange or greenback organ. On August 31. 1876. the office came into the possession of J. F. Harner, who changed its political tone to Democratic after pub- lishing the paper for a year. After this sev- eral changes occurred in the management of the Journal, its name being changed to that of the
TAYLORVILLE JOURNAL
in 1880 and its politics to Republican, with a strong greenback tendency. At one time Messrs. Sanford & Kelley were its editors and later for a short time Mr. W. H. Kel- ley, but in 1886 the paper came into the hands of A. D. Webb as editor and pub- lisher and it is still (February. 1904) be- ing published by the same party. It is Re- publican in politics and fearless and out- spoken in its dealing with all public ques- tions.
THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY COURIER.
This paper was founded by the Courier Printing Co. by those opposed to the man- agement of the Taylorville Democrat in the
year 1894. As a starter the job office be- longing to A. O. Murphey and the material of the Illinois Republican formed the out- fit. A new press and some type were pur- chased and the Taylorville Courier was launched with D. O. Witmer as editor and A. O. Murphey as business manager. As recorded in another place, in a few years it absorbed The Democrat and has been suc- cessful in printing a daily as well as a week- ly edition for the past seven years It is the best newspaper office in the county and is well equipped to do all kinds of work. It is Democratic in politics.
THE TAYLORVILLE NEWS.
This paper was founded about the year 1896 by several gentlemen from Pawnee and vicinity. They published a daily ex- clusively but the venture was not a success financially and the plant was sold after publishing the first daily paper in Taylor- ville for less than a year. It was purchased by Messrs. Reed & Kelley, who changed its name to that of
THE BREEZE.
This paper has appeared regularly since its first publication in 1895. Frank Reed is the editor and manager and it is run by a stock company. They publish both week- ly and daily editions. It is Republican in politics and quite "breezy."
THE WEEKLY ARGUS.
This paper was first published by A. W. Chabin on March 15. 1879. Five numbers were printed in Shelbyville and taken to Pana and distributed. after which Col. J. A. Hayward purchased material and presses and became joint owner with Mr. Chabin. The paper was Democratic in politcs. The partnership continued till June 1. 1880,
123
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
when Colonel Hayward became sole pro- prietor and editor. He continued to pub- lish it for several years, when the plant and paper were removed to another city.
THE PANA BEACON LIGHT.
Soon after Mrs. Weaver acquired the Ga- sette Mr. Childress, through the assistance of Mr. Hayward, bought a new outfit and commenced the publication of a paper, both daily and weekly, with the above title. Mr. Childress was an energetic and fearless writer. He disposed of the plant to E. O Gilmer, an old newspaper man, who con- tinued to publish the paper for several years with varying success. He finally sold to Arthur E. Paine & Co., who changed the name of the paper to
THE PANA NEWS,
and the paper has been issued for the past five years with the above management. The paper is Republican in politics and ap- pears ably managed.
THE EDINBURG HERALD.
This paper was established in Ed- inburg on May 1, 1883, by F. T. Kauerauf, who was both editor and owner. Mr. Kau- erauf is a practical printer and the paper has been a financial success from its very first issue. It is a deserving sheet and the people of Edinburg seem to appreciate it. Mr. Kauerauf has made some money with the Herald.
THE OWANECO PROGRESS.
In the spring of 1902 this paper was es- tablished by Clinton G. Griggsby, a practi- cal printer from Taylorville. It was first published in Taylorville, but later Mr. Griggsby secured material and continued the publication in Owaneco. It is a very creditable sheet and reflects the progress of
the town in which it is located. Mr. Griggsby appears to be making some money.
THE MOUNT AUBURN TRIBUNE.
This paper was established by P. T. Dan- ford in the fall of 1901. Soon after C. O. Gates purchased the plant and still continues its publication. It is a six-column quarto. well filled with advertising and appears to be well managed.
THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE.
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