USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 34
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
Carpenter's Station, in Lincoln county. Ken- its course, he would shoot that one, and so on tucky (now Casey) where they arrived in due time, and where she met an older sister, and the remnant of the family ; but further progress toward their home in Tennessee was hazardous in the extreme. In fact. Indians were all around the fort : so that it was dangerous to venture out of sight of the fortification where they remained for a long time. After a time Mary's older sister married a man by the name of Spears, who was a son of the Spears she stopped with in Virginia. Two of the Carpen- ters were. also, sons-in-law of the old man Spears. The Spears and Carpenters lived there for many years before the Indians were driven back so that farming could be done with any degree of safety. After a few years some of Mary's brothers ventured back to Ten- nesser to find everything destroyed, stock driven off and utter desolation prevailing in their once prosperous neighborhood : but the Indians had also been driven back from their immediate vicinity, but in close enough proximity that. like a pack of sleuth hounds. they could pounce upon isolated and unsuspecting settlers, which became so annoying that a general and con- certed raid was made on them, and they were driven back to western Tennessee, after which the settlers lived in comparative safety.
On the 24th day of February, 1:85. Mary was imited in marriage to George Spears, shortly after which she and her husband moved to Green county. Kentucky, and lived in the outside house of the settlement for four years. Many times did they have to thee to the fort (Grey's) and twice to Carpenter's, sixty miles away. Many an Indian was made to bito the dust by an unerring rifle in the hands of a Neely. As one of Mary's brothers told the writer. he had killed six of the rascals, but that had not compensated him for the friends they had killed. This brother (Samuel) was with his mother when she was killed. he only nineteen years of age: but he had the satisfac- tion of killing their chief, who, he supposed. killed his mother. On another occasion he killed five while they were crossing the Ten- nessee river. He would shoot the one paddling the canoe. and by the time another would get the paddle and get the canoe straightened on
until he killed five out of eight that started across. The old man, in relating the circum- stance many years after. said if the river had been wide enough he would have gotten them all. This brother remained in Neely's Bend and lived to a good old age, surrounded by a large family of children. He and his com- panion now lie buried near the old homestead. His wife was a Watkins, a sister of the late Sammel Watkins, founder of the Watkins Insti- inte, Nashville, Tennessee. Mrs. Spears, ser- ing the great need of a physician in the carly settling of Kentucky, and having gained a con- siderable knowledge of the Indians how to treat the prevailing diseases of the country, now turned her attention to the study of medi- vine. more particularly the treatment of white swelling, or hip disease, and chronic sores, in which she was very successful. Such became her fame that her practice extended for many miles, hundreds of cases coming to her house. until at times it was converted into a veritable hospital. For fifty years she treated white swelling, with success in every case, never fail- ing in a single instance, while the medical fra- ternity were pronouncing it incurable. Still. they called her a quack, little up-starts that had M. D. attached to their names, would snver at the idea of a woman knowing about the sciences. But she cared about as much for their abuse as a good general would if an enemy was to fire tow wads at his army out of a popgun. But as time went on such men as Dr. Dudley, of Kentucky. MeDowell and Merriman of St. Louis, and many other eminent physicians acknowledged her ability particularly in the treatment of white swelling or hip disease. chronic sores, and. in fact, almost every disease that the human family was subject to, and sent her many cases, in the treatment of which she was very successful. She never despaired of effecting a cure in the worst cases that presented themselves and was successful in a remarkable degree: in fact. a failure in her case was a rare exception in which she took great delight, not in the fact that she could and did cure cases that were pronounced incurable, but from a consciousness that she was doing a duty that was incumbent upon her : neither did she exult
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
of the day that it was im possession of know- be sixty-five years old. Many other cases as coke that others were not. as no one Was more wing to impart knowledge than -10. and ofttunes would she say. dur- Ing the latter part of her life, that she would be glad to communicate all the knowl- edge slu had acquired if any one was willing to learn. But it seemed as if those near her acted as though they felt she would always be with them, as two or three generations had come and gone during her life, and yet she re- mained, and but few would be willing if they had the knowledge, to undergo the hardships that she did for the compensation that she re- ceived, which did not amount to a decent board Doll. I have in mind a son of Mr. Mumford. who laid out the town which hore his name in Kentucky, who had the misfortune to be thrown from a cart on which was a hogshead of tobacco, and falling under the wheel had his leg broken, or, rather two and one-fourth inches of bath hones crushed and broken through. Mr. Mumford being a man of means, sent and Lad four of the most noted surgeons of the state to visit his son, whose unanimous opinion was, the leg must be amputated : but the boy wat- fifteen years old, and let them know he had something to say. He said: "Send for Mrs. Smart if the case of it off. so i it : I will never consent unless she says so." So his father posted a boy after her, thirty-five miles. ud -he returned with him the same evening ; od the most noted surgeon, who had come not miles, stayed to see. as be expressed it. What an old woman would do with a case like Well. he had the pleasure of seeing what . . would do with it. This was in April. and - - and to him: "You came back in October. and I will show you that log sound and well." .1.". Madan" said he. "in four days leg and will Smith Jr. under the ground." "Sier Dr." was her aronie reply. And sure enough. He Ctofor following I drove ninety mile: 10 the astonishment found the boy sound 1. 4. 1. Ad further, and it was the greatest Det in theer that Fad ever been performed. Der tech to the medical journal- Tre Het- Budained from a
The Grotter lived 10
remarkable could be recited and verified by indubitable evidence, but we deem it unneces- sary. as. if all the good deeds of this remark- able woman were written, they would fill a large volume, for it seemed her whole insiness in life was to do good to others. If she had charged as other physicians did for their servi- ces. she could have been twice a millionaire. but her whole life seemed spent in doing good to others and without compensation. Never was it too cold, or the weather too stormy for her to go to the relief of suffering. Her hus- band had served a short time during the Revolu- tionary war. when he was only sixteen years old. When the Indians had been driven out of that part of Kentucky, and were giving the government a good deal of trouble in Indiana territory. General Harrison called on Governor Shelley for troops. Mr. Spears raised a com- pany, and went a- its bentenant, and continued in the service until their services were no longer needed. and from the close of the war of 1812-15 they were permitted to live in peace and by their own fireside. She continued to live in Green county, Kentucky, until August 10th. 1821. when they sold their possesion- and moved to Sangamon county (now Men- ard). Illinois, which at that time was wild and sparsely settled. where the Indians still re- mained. but not in their immediate vicinity. But they came every fall to hunt, but were friendly. Blackhawk did stir of a fuss in 1833 Mr. Lincoln raised a company in which Mrs. Spears youngest and only living con was or- derly sergeant. but their services were not needed. as General Scott, with sufficient troops of the regular army, had preceded them. and compelled Blackhawk to sue for peace. when he and his tribe were moved beyond the Missis- sippi river. Mrs. Spears, at this period. was getting well advanced in life, iming seventy- two years old: but considering the hardships she underwent in early life, was still as vigor- ous as most ladies at forts. The country being new. physicians were scarce, so she continued to visit those who needed her assistance. and her patients came from Missouri, lowa and from all over the state of Illinois, with white swell- me- and chronic sorts of all descriptions, and
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
nome went away in a worse condition than they came. In fact. in my recollection she cured them in every instance, and it was not a Few isolated case- she treated, but of the worst type, and just such cases as physicians had failed on. Although. as stated. she had no advantages of an early education, she was a good reader, and employed a great deal of her time in reading useful and instructive hooks. not neglecting the greatest of all books, the Bible. Her husband died on the 16th day of April. 1:38, after they had walked together for more than fifty years. One by one her children died. until she was left with her oldest daughter and her youngest son. In 1843, she. with a nephew and his wife and her little grandson. visited her only brother, who still lived in Neely's Bend, whom she had not seen for thirty years. Although eighty-two years of age, she would not consent to go in any other manner than in a farm wagon, which she had fitted up with a mess box and camp equipage. camping out each night. as she contended thet a change of diet would be injurious to a person of her age. When she arrived at the old home- stead, which she had not seen for more than thirty years. she drove to the front gate and halloord. Her brother coming to see what was wanted. asked if she could remain there over night. Without waiting to reply. her brother -aid: "Is it possible that is old Mary Spears " and the scene that followed cannot be described : to see these old people clasped in each other's arms, and crying for joy: but their hearts were too full to utter a word. She remained with him for a month, when they parted to meet no more on this earth, but with a hope in the near future, of meeting on the other shore. where they will meet to part no more, and where father and mother, brothers and sisters that had been so cruelly snatched away from them in this life In the ernel hand of the savage will be there to greet them, where no fear of the tomahawk or the scalping knife will ever he know, for Good, the everlasting Father and His Son shall reign. But their parting was sad to contemplate: one had passed four score years, the other nearing the seventy-eighth mile post. and with the full knowledge that in a few short years they would meet again: but still to know
that must be the last time they should ever be- hold onch other's face in this world=they held each other's hands in silence, then each turned. he to go to his home, and she to her home in Illinois, where she arrived in two weeks. Peu- plo came by the score to greet her on her safe arrival, and for relief from their various ills. Although she long since had passed the allotted time for man to live: had arrived at that ex- treme age when the body and mind fail: al- though her physical strength was gradually wearing away, her mind seemed as clear as a person of thirty.
At the risk of being ridiculed. I must be permitted to relate an incident that I witnessed. In about the year 1836, while the great war president was a resident and postmaster at Salem. Minois, he became very fond of Mrs. Spears company, and seemed never to time of bearing her relate her experience while prisoner with the Indians, and would often walk over io her home on Saturday evening, and remain until Monday morning. The last visit he made her before removing to Springfield, when he went out of her door, she followed him into the yard. He turned about and said : "Grandma. I am going to Springfield : maybe FH never see you again :" while he took her hand between his long. lean hands. said. "Good-bye-God bless von," and she returned his salutation by saying. "Good-live. Abram. God bless you." when both Stand for a moment while the tears trickled down their check- Finally, as their hearts could bear no more, they both relaxed their grasp. he turning to go, walking off at a brisk pace, while she seemed transfixed to the spot for a moment. In a short time she turned to the writer, and said: "That is a very smart young man: I would not be surprised if he was president of the United States some day." Many years after this the writer was telling Mr. Lincoln, in the presence of his brother-in- law and a few others, of the remark on the occasion of his last visit. He sat for a moment in silent contemplation, then remarked : "She was a pretty good guesser, was she not ?" ( That was while he was a candidate) : and he further said she was the most remarkable woman he had ever seen.
Mrs. Spear- was very methodical in her
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
front- Nto aborted the use of calomel and wenne. ontending that both were not only Polis, But injurious. Very little medicine wond she prescribe or use. contending that na- ture was it- best remedy. She was a member of the Baptist church for nearly seventy-live years. Her deportment was always that of a true Christian. While charitable to others, she was firm in the right. as she understood what was right. As long as she lived her whole desire seemed to be to do good to others. Dur- ing the latter years of her life she would weave and sew just as though she was compelled to do -o to gain a livelihood, which very much an- nosed her son. he thinking the community would look upon it as neglect, and got a young minister whom she thought a great deal of. io talk to her and try and induce her to give up trying to do anything. As he afterward ro- marked. he soon found he was giving advice on a subject he knew but little about. as she replied to him: "My brother. I know I don't have to work, but I do it for my own good." Said she. "I have seen many old people who waved to take exercise and as a consequence. they could not cat food which would strengthen the body. and the mind. as a consequence, would become inactive and weak: and I don't want to get into that condition, for if it is the will of God, when my mind fails I would like to go, as I have no desire to live after my mind has lost it- power to contemplate the goodness and werey of that God who has preserved and watched over me through the vicissitudes and varying changes of a long life."
A few years after she moved to Illinois, she had brought from Kentucky two of her old Slaves, children, a boy and a girl. It would be more proper to say two of a family she had won the slave of. for she truly made a slave of Herself for her colored people. The girl Used with her until near the close of her life. when she off her and went to Springfield. The MY remained with her during her life : in fact. created on the family until his death.
Mis. Spears 2000 until the 20th day of Janu- a . 1-52. rotrong ver intellect to within one but @ ler mais, falls realizing that her tie Rod cong. At Ker death -he was ninety Mars, Ne sontles end tuent -six days old. It
was the privilege of the writer to assist in nursing her in her last illness, and I have never sven any one that bore their affliction with more patience, or who seemed to have more judgment in directing her attendants how to attend her wants with the least trouble. She gave direc- tions how she wanted to be buried. and exacted a promise of her granddaughter's husband ( who was a carpenter ) that he would make her coffin of walnut lumber (as she wanted some- thing that would last ). all of which was carried out to the letter, and she was buried in the family cemetery in the midst of the farm she had lived on so long. by the side of her hus- band, and surrounded by a daughter, grand- children and many other friends, and many have joined her company since. in the great Beyond. She has left to as an example of what per-overance will do, even under the most trying disadvantages. llers was truly a school of adversity. but prompted by the highest mo- tives. she was able to attain to a position among the people of her extended acquaintance that any one might envy and strive to emulate.
When Mr. and Mrs. Spears came to linoi- in October. 1824, there was no church organiza- tion in Central Illinois. She and her husband. two daughters, a son-in-law and eight other pioneers organized the Clary's Grove Baptist church on December 25th, 1821. at their resi- dence (a log cabin). which is believed to be the first church organization in Central Illi- nois. Their meetings were held at their resi- dence and her daughters', for a number of years until they built a very commodious brick elwelling which served their purpose much het- ter: but after a time her companion having died and her youngest son and wife, with whom she made her home having united with the church. they coneluded to build a hewed los house to serve as a schoolhouse and also a met- ing house, which answered the purpose for a time. it being twenty by thirty feet in dimen- sion -; but as time went by emigrants were con- tindally arriving. Her son had built a sawmill. one of the very necessary things in a new country, and concluded that their place of meat- isg was too small to meet the requirements of the rapidly growing congregation. With the help of his son-in-law. who was a carpenter.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
and a small contribution from a few others, he built a very commodious house of worship, for that early day, thirty by forty fect. a sub- ¿tantial frame, in which the congregation wor- -hipped until death ended her long and useful life. Although long since dead. yet her in- fluence still lives, and how long it will con- tinue Eternity alone can tell. History does not give us the example of many of the pioneer women of the west that is more interesting than this noble and remarkable woman, of her early privations, her great trials during her imprisonment with the Indians, her escape and struggle to get home and amongst friends. We of the present generation have but little con- ception of the trials our parents and grand- parents endured. to bequeath to us our civil and religious liberties. To read it. it sounds like fiction. but to hear it as it fell from their lips. we must feel. although it is strange. yet how
GRANDPARENTS OF GEORGE SPEARS.
William Neely, date of birth not known; killed by Indians October, 1280.
Margaret Patterson (Neely), wife of William Neely: born May 25th. 1131. His wife was killed about two years later: 1282.
CHILDREN.
Jean Neely, born Friday, July ith, 1155: married JJacob Spears: died near Carpenter's Station. Lincoln county. Kentucky.
Elizabeth Neely, born March 8th. 1758.
Isaac Neely. born March 21th. 1759; was killed by Indians at Neely's Gap. near Carpen- ter's Station, Lincoln county, Kentucky.
Mary Neely. born Angust 20th. 1761. Sub- jeet of this sketch.
Martha Neely, born April 25th. 1:64.
William Neely. born December 12th. 1766.
Samuel Neely. born May 30th. 1769. This son was present at the killing of his mother. and killed the head Indian. who was very large. measuring some three feet from shoulder to shoulder. He died on the old homestead. in Neely's Bend. Tennessee.
Margaret Neely, born December 20th, 1772. John Neely. born May 16th. 1:21.
Jane Neely. born December 31st. 1926. Mar- ried Thomas Buchanan, and joined the Shakers with her husband. and moved to their settle-
ment, near Bowling Green. Kentucky. Their daughter was living with the Shakers in 1879, at which time she was over eighty years of age.
GEORGE C. REED.
George (. Reed, proprietor of a grocery and meat market at Greenview, as a member of the firm of Reed Brothers, was born in Mlo- nard county. April 9. 1860, and is a son of W. W. P. Reed, who is represented elsewhere in this work. In the public schools of the county George (. Reed acquired his education and in the usual manner of farmer lads he was reared, remaining at home until twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life on his own account. He worked as a farm hand for two years and then rented land and began farm- ing on his own account. After two years, how- ever. he removed to Greenview, where he turned his attention to the livery business. conduct- ing his barn for about nine years. He then sold out and bought eight acres of land in Pike county, Illinois, and once more resumed farmi- ing. but after a year he returned to Green- view, where he established a livery barn. of which he was proprietor for a year. He then traded his farm for a stock of hardware in Keokuk, łowa, and went to that city. but after two months he brought his stock of mer- chandise to Greenview. where thirty days later he sold it. He was next a partner in the gen- eral mercantile firm of Hatch, Alkire & Roed. with which he was associated for a year and a half. when he sold out and established his present store in connection with his brother. W. M. Reed. Under the firm style of Rerd Brothers they are conducting a grocery and meat market and have a good trade, which they easily retain because of their honorable deal- ings and earnest desire to please their patrons.
On the 23d of August, 1891. Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Fahay. a daughter of James and Mary Fahay, now of Petersburg. They have two children. Edith May. born May 15. 1891. and Ruth R .. born June 25. 1895. In his political affiliation Mr. Reed is a Demoerat and he has served on the town board for two terms. Fraternally he is
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
connect with Localty lodge, No. 181. K. P. Nimrod Ott was a blacksmith by trade and in He has a wide acquaintance . in the county which has always been his home and the fact that many of the stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boy hood days is an indication that his career has been worthy of public confidence and is- frem.
JESSE M. OTT.
Jesse M. Ott, who for many years has been one of the fore ful and honored factors in business circles in Petersburg and one whose influence has not been a minor element in pitt lie affair -. has attained prominence through the inherent force of his character and exercise of his native talent and the utilization of sur- rounding opportunities. He has won notable stress in business, yet it is not this alone that entitles him to rank as one of the foremost men of his day in Menard county. His con- nection with the public interests of his city has been far-reaching and beneficial for he has aid- ed in shaping the municipal policy and in pro- moting the social, educational and political de- Velopment of this portion of the state. His patriotic citizenship and his interest in com- munity affairs has taken tangible form in his walons labors for the improvements instituted through aldermanie measures. He is now -erving for the fourth ferin as mayor of Peters- borg. having been elected for a fourth time in 1903.
Mr. Oft was born in Petersburg township. Menerd county. on the 29th of March, 1855. und is a som of Nimrod Ott. a native of Louis- ville, Kentucky. The family is of German lin- reage and the grandfather was born in Ger- The founder of the family in America wis the great-grandfather of Mr. Of. who on Cross og the Atlantic established his home in Kerthe s at the time General Boone was mak- nf la- explorations in that state, Mr. 011 Har carried on fatrong in pioneer times and the grandfather, who also became a farmer. pont - entre life The the Blue Grass state. Vit road Out and his brothers. however, removed to Ind ana. localin_ on Harrison connty, where Gu Hl are still found.
1819 be removed from Indiana to Illinois, lo- cating on a farm five miles west of Petersburg. where he engaged in farming, having a val- nable tract of land there of two hundred and fifty aeres, upon which he made his home until Istis. when he sold that property and took up his abode in the county seat in order that he might afford his children better educational opportunities. His death occurred in Peters- burg in 1895. Il . married Miss Perlina Gum, also a native of Kentucky, and they had eight children.
.isso M. Ott, the youngest. acquired his education in the public schools of Petersburg and after putting aside his text-books engaged in clerking in a drug store for two years. Ile then turned his attention to teaching in the public schools, which profession he followed for seven years and the periods of vacation dur- ing that time were devoted to employment in a drug store. In 1883 he entered the insur- ance field, in which he has since continued and has built up an extensive clientage. represent- ing a large member of the leading insurance companies of the country. In 1885 he also extended the field of his labor by becoming connected with the cual trade and has since conducted business along this dual line.
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