USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 64
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
unknown among the earlier settlers who came from the south. The first marriage recorded as having taken place in the township was that of John Slater to Miss Julia Coy. Hiram Holmes built the first mill and kept the first hotel in Audubon. This was at the old town of Audubon. Samuel Patch and M. S. Cush- man were the first merchants, while Isaac Hink- ley, the postmaster, received the appointment as land agent. One of the wealthiest and pos- sibly the largest landowner of this section of the county was Robert Little, and in looking over an atlas published in 1814, forty years after Mr. Little came from Massachusetts to Old Audubon. I find that several sections of the best portions of the township were owned at that time by Mr. Little, but thirty years have gone by since then, and Mr. Little, with all those who came with him from his eastern home, have been borne by the current of years into the great ocean of the past, but many years will pass by before these pioneer spirits will be lost in the depths of forgetfulness. Among those who have contributed later to the develop- ment of the township may be mentioned W. F. Weber. William Blue. Asbery Rhodes, Alfred Brown, Michael Ohlman. Alex Durdy. John Russell, Joseph Whitmore. Iliram Virden, James Bass, Guilford Bass, William MeNich- ols. Alex Stewart. Palmer Hamline. Elijah Ullom. E. N. Prey. J. M. Elwell, S. C. Wag- ner. J. L. Graden, John Marley, James 1]. Glasgow, T. J. Pattengale and Hiram Sperry. These form a list that may well be called a roll of honor for AAudubon township. Many others should appear in this list, but we have forgotten through the years that have gone by since visiting Andubon township. In the little town of Ohlman we desire to mention "Eck" Durdy, son of the late Alexander Durdy. who for quite a number of years represented Audu- bon township on the board of supervisors. "Eck" succeeded his father at Ohlman in the hay and grain business, and it is re- ported that last year Mr. Ohlman shipped from that point about one thousand carloads of hay. exclusive of his grain trade. "Eck" Ohlman, son of Uncle Mike Ohlman, lives on his father's old homestead. Besides he gives attention to several hundred acres, which he owns indi-
vidually. that lie adjacent to his father's farm. "Eck" Ohhman is one of the most extensive farmers in Montgomery county. Hle is also a breeder of fine cattle and horses. The writer has often enjoyed the hospitality of his home. and we can not say that in our travels abroad it has ever been our pleasure to be more royally entertained than we have been at the country place of "Eck" Ohlman.
NOKOMIS CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
In 1840 Bluford Shaw made the first per- manent settlement in this township. In 1843 Ilugh Hightower made a settlement in sec- tion 33 and for some years was the only resi- dent in this section of the county. Mr. Shaw having moved to another locality. In 1846 Mason Jewett, Samuel Redding, John Nichols and John Henry located near where the present city of Nokomis stands, and a few years later Royal Lee, John Wetmore, William Bonton. Absalom Vanhouser, William Lce and Andrew Coiner located north of the present city. John Wetmore was the father of Moses Wetmore. the millionaire tobacconist of St. Louis, Missouri, and when a lad Moses attended the public school in the vicinity of Nokomis. Henry Lohr has the credit of having taught the first school in the township in 1848. and John Wet- more, before mentioned, was the first justice of the peace for that township and J. W. Han- cock its first constable. It is recorded that Constable Hancock and Miss Margaret Merrett were the first couple to be united in marriage in that township. Jacob Haller, who lives on the mound just south of the city. is one of the most prominent characters living in that section. He has been unusually successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, and to-day has one of the best appointed farms in Montgomery county. He is a son of Henry Haller, who at an early day made a settlement in East Fork township. John Beatty was for many years connected with most of the publie enterprises of the community, and at one time held in his possession the large farm just west of Noko- mis which until recently was owned by Abra- ham Bourquin. Mr. Beatty some years ago
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moved to Missouri, and we are informed that he has been dead some two or three years. Il. F. Rood is another of the influential men be- longing to that time when Nokomis was being built. He contributed of his means and in- fluence to make Nokomis enterprises success- ful. He was for some years president of the Nokomis National Bank. Another family to be remembered in this connection is the Culps. B. F. Culp was the first cashier of the National Bank. He did not remain in the neighborhood of Nokomis very long, but removed to Ray- mond, where he established a private bank which he conducted until recently. B. F. Culp was for many years one of the leading citizens of the county. He is at present living in the state of Washington and is engaged in the banking business in his new home. James Young is another of the early settlers of Noko- mis township and is to be reckoned one of the strong financial men of Nokomis. For some years past Mr. Young has been living in the city. His large estate is under the direct man- agement of his son William, who lives at the old homestead and the experience of the writer can attest that he and his good wife are first class entertainers and that William Young is one of the most hospitable and obliging young farmers that we have met in the county. James Young, the pioneer, is a native of Ireland, and has recently visited his native land and in addition made a trip to the continent, vis- iting France, Italy and several other conti- mental nations. Mr. Young is one of the most interesting men that we have met and at the age of seventy-eight he is hale and strong as the ordinary man of sixty. John Carsteens is one of the older business men of the city. He has been for many years engaged in operating an elevator at this place. Associated with his son Garrett for many years, they did an exten- sive business. John Carsteens represented his county in the legislature some few years ago and it is remarkable that his son Garrett served in the same capacity only a few years later. The older gentleman is living in an elegant home in the city, but Garrett. unfortunately for his family and the community, died when in the very morning of a promising business and political career. Among the business men
that may be mentioned as at present engaged are Wesley Russell, who carries a large line of dry goods and who, by the way. is a son of one of the earlier settlers of Fillmore town- ship. Wells and Brown, who have an extensive stock of ready-made clothing and gents' fur- nishing goods. Joe Weinstein, who carries an extensive stock of ladies' and gents' furnish- ing goods in addition to a full line of dry goods : Todd and Snell. also engaged in a simi- lar line, do an extensive business: Jesse Grif- fin, who carries a large line of hardware in addition to his extensive stock of furniture, and Albert Spannagel, who also carries a sim- ilar stock, and in justice to Mr. Griffin and Mr. Spannagel the writer wishes to say that in his opinion that no two stocks equal to theirs is to be found in this section of the state. John Crickenberger owns and operates the electrie light plant at Nokomis. He is also engaged in other lines of business and is to be reckoned among the very substantial men of the city. Nokomis, like other cities of its size, has its share of attorneys at law, notably D. Zepp, Will Todd and George Webster. These lawyers practice in the county courts, circuit courts and the city court of Litchfield. They are each and all first class in their profession and besides are excellent citizens. (Something that we can not say about all lawyers.) D. Zepp for sev- eral years after coming to Montgomery county was city superintendent of the Hillsboro and Nokomis schools. Since his change of profes- sions. he has resided in Nokomis and has built up a good practice and enjoys a good income therefrom as well as from his real estate hold- ings. Mr. Webster is a genial. whole-soul fel- low, and quite popular in his home and the surrounding community. He is a young man of considerable ability and promises to be heard from in business and political circles at a future time. Will Todd is well and favor- ably known throughout Montgomery county. At one time a teacher in our public schools, he aspired to higher things and after a few years spent in the study of law, was admitted to the bar. At present he resides in Nokomis. He is a thorough Democrat and doubtless will receive at the hands of his party the treat- ment which a loyal party man deserves. Will
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Todd is a fine fellow socially, a good lawyer and a true friend. The writer shall be pleased to see Mr. Todd occupying some position of trust and responsibility, for surely he deserves well of the people of Montgomery county. Alfred Griffin conducts one among the largest real estate and loan tines of any man in our county. The years which he has spent in No- komis building up an extensive trade has also gained for him a reputation for honesty and fair dealing not surpassed by any business man in this section. The writer having had occasion to know Mr. Griffin in a business way, is not surprised at the success which he has achieved. His habits of exactness in detail and his thor- oughness in attending strictly to every phase of his business inspires a confidence in his pa- trons which loose and negligent habits could never accomplish. Mr. Griffin lives in one of the most elegant homes in the city and is of that turn of mind to enjoy his surroundings. A. J. Williford, the very efficient and courteous cashier of the Nokomis National Bank. is a son of Rev. A. J. Williford and a grandson of Jordan Williford, the pioneer. We have no- ticed in our sketch of the Williford family this gentleman, but desired to mention his name in connection with our chapter on the city of Nokomis. Mike Ohilman, at present a resident of Nokomis, was formerly a citizen of Audubon township, but having grown old. Mr. Ohlman concluded to leave the farm and come to Nokomis, so here at the advanced age of eighty-five he, in company with his wife. is spending the evening hours of a long and useful life. It is remarkable that one of Mr. Ohlman's years should be so spry as he is. He walks down town almost every day and few men of sixty years would care to keep paee with him. He has an elegant home near the public school building and here "Unele Mike" is glad to meet his many old friends, among whom the writer is proud to be numbered. Nicholas Bentz is another of the very sneeess- ful business men of the city and Henry Bender and Woltman & Company must not be for- gotten in this narrative. "Tom" Riddler is not only well known in the vicinity of No- komis, but as a buyer of horses and mules is well known throughout this section of the state.
Mr. Hardsock, the miller, and Robert Paddock, the lumberman, are among the successful huisi- ness men of the city. Dr. T. J. Whitten, son of Austin Whitten. the pioneer, Dr. Wilson and Dr. Hovey and Dr. Strange have each a wide practice in their profession. Dr. Whitten is perhaps more widely known in this section than any other practitioner. He was for sey- eral years in charge of the Prince Sanatarium at Jacksonville, Illinois, and is called in con- sultation throughout a wider territory than any other physician and surgeon in southern Illinois. Among the leading hotels favorably known to the traveling men is the Hagee House at Nokomis, Other good hotels are to be found in the city, but the homelike appoint- ments of this hostelry has made it well known to the "boys on the road" and it has been uni- versally praised by them. The proprietor. Eugene Tagee, has died but recently. His wife will keep the house running. however, but we shall miss the jolly laugh of our old friend "Gene." That he had his faults his friends acknowledge, but at the same time his many good traits covered over the defects and we shall remember him as a good and kind friend. Richard HTill and George Bliss, whose names have appeared in the chapter on Fillmore, are sons of pioneers of Fillmore township and to- day these elderly men are enjoying the fruits of well spent years in the incomes which by toil in earlier years they have gathered. We regret to be compelled to close this narrative, for so much that we should like to include must be omitted that we feel that our work is hardly half done, and that the subject de- serves fuller treatment.
WITT TOWNSHIP AND THE VILLAGES OF WITT AND PAISLEY.
In 1831 James and David Brown located on cast fork of Shoal creek on section 17, Witt township. They did not settle, however, on the same side of the stream, David making his home on the west side and James on the east. They lived here alnost isolated for a period of three years, when Martin Harkey in 1833
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located on a farm near them. Mr. Harkey had previously lived in the vicinity of Hillsboro. The next to make settlement in the neighbor- hood was Christopher Armantrout. In 1839 Joshua Seckler made a settlement north of Armantrout and the following year, 1840, M. W. Seekler settled near his brother. While these carlier settlers have passed away, their descendants may be found in the neighborhood and to the credit of their fathers. it may be said. that they left surviving them an upright citizenship of which the county and the state may be proud. Names that will be remem- bered in the history of the township are the Balsleys, the Carrikers, the Chapmans, the Lohrs, the Hochns, the Marks, and the Hu- bers. Many of these came from Germany and settled this section of Montgomery county, and be it said to their credit that not a better citi- zenship can be found than the German-Ameri- can boys and girls who have come to man- hood and womanhood in Witt township. The village of Witt was laid out in 1869 by William Wood, who erected the first store building in the village. Keys & Bartlett kept the first stock of general merchandise in this building. The following year Lee Hall put in a small stock of goods which he afterward sold to An- tonio Leon. Leon in turn sold to Christian Marks who afterward disposed of the stock to Henry Welker. The Witt postoffice was estah- lished in 1869 and was kept in Keys & Bart- lett's store. The first physician who located in Witt was Dr. MeElrath. In 1867 Nicholas Bentz erected a steam elevator there. This marks the beginning of a very prosperous little village. Some ten years ago a coal mine was sunk just west of Witt on lands belonging to George W. Paisley, and Mr. Paisley laid out an additional village, but not as a part of the town of Witt. The first to organize of these villages was the old town of Witt, and taking advantage of existing conditions, they included the larger part of the new village of Paisley. However, this did not prevent the Paisley peo- ple from securing a separate depot. postoffice and organizing a separate school district. Con- ditions not altogether favorable to the develop- ment of these separate parts of the village of Witt have existed since the organization of that
town. Recently the Big Four Railroad Com- pany has cut out separate stations for these places and has established a depot near the line dividing the town into sections and it is the impression of some that before long things will be more harmonious and that these people will see the advantage of miting their efforts in building up as one town. Among the most prominent characters in the village is the Hon. George W. Paisley, who served as state senator from this district. For many years Mr. Pais- ley was one of the leading members of the Montgomery county bar, but later he became more interested in his large farming interests and removed from Hillsboro to the neighbor- hood of Witt. Later he became interested in the Montgomery County Coal Company, and it is due to his enterprise that the mine was sunk at Paisley. At present he owns a controll- ing interest in the stock of the company be- fore mentioned and is its president and general manager. Mr. Paisley is an unusually force- ful character and in all his enterprises he has been fairly successful and to-day at the age of sixty-six he is one of the active, energetic busi- ness men of Montgomery county. Robert Dix- on and Henry Shuping are engaged in the grain business and operate one of the largest elevators in the county. Both are genial, en- terprising men and have succeeded in building up an immense trade in their town. Short & Ernst operate an elevator in the west portion of the village or in that part usually known as Paisley. They have likewise a fine trade and are both good business men. Quite a num- her of general stores are located in the two parts of the village. We have not space. how- ever, to enumerate or to give the attention that they deserve. Rufus Barringer, son of Caleb Barringer, is the present supervisor of the town- ship. Hle is a livery man and has a good busi- ness. Dr. Charles Lockhart is the only physi- cian in the village, and enjoys a large income from one of the most herative practices of any physician in our county. The doctor deserves all the success which he has received, for no other physician in this section of the state has prepared himself more thoroughly for the practice of his profession than Dr. Lockhart. The present postmaster of the Paisley end of
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the town is Mis- Kate Daly, once a teacher in the public schools of the county. Her people are old residents of Irving township and for- merly came from the Emerald Isle and settled in Illinois near Alton, but afterward removed to Irving township, where Mr. Daly for many years was engaged in farming, but like many others, when he felt the weight of years, deemed it best to retire and consequently we find him enjoying a pleasant home during his declining years in the village of Paisley. The people of these villages do not lack for church privileges and we find several church organizations in thriving condition with houses of worship and regular services every Sabbath day.
GRISHAM TOWNSHIP AND THE VIL- LAGE OF DONNELLSON.
The first settlement made in this township was by Spartan Grisham about the year 1819. Ile settled on a farm west of the village of Donnellson and his estate passed into the pos- session of his descendants. Spartan Grisham came to Illinois with Melcher Fogleman and lived with Mr. Fogleman until he set np house- keeping for himself. He was a man of great force of character such as the times demanded, and he was indeed a Spartan in character as well as in name. In the settlement of that section Mr. Grisham was for many years the central figure. Next in settlement in this im- mediate neighborhood was Jesse Johnson, who settled just north of the present village of Donnellson, yet to the westward of the town- ship line. Ile afterward removed across into East Fork township and made a settlement on the branch near what was afterward known as the Russell place. Thomas Johnson, his son, made a settlement just north of his father Jesse, and lived here until he was quite an old man. He died a few years ago and was buried in the Bear Creek cemetery. Jesse Johnson about 1840 sold his possessions in Illinois and migrated to Iowa, where he lived but a few years and again turned his face westward for the Pacific slope, and in 1850 we find him in far away Oregon. It is related of him that he enjoyed every species of adventure and that
when he could hear his neighbor's axe or his neighbor's wife calling the cows, he thought it time to move. He lived to a good old age and died and was buried amidst the mountains that girt the wilderness in which he had made his home. Nathan Irving was another who made his home in that part of the county em- braced within Grisham township. He was also a rover, having lived in quite a number of states, and hardly had he warmed a new cabin until the spirit of adventure pushed him west- ward and we last hear of him in Missouri. The home of James Street, who settled near the old pepper mill, was just over the line in Grisham township. He built his cabin at this place in the year 1820 and was the first to preach the gospel in what was known as the Clear Spring settlement. This same James Street by holding over the head of Nicholas Lockerman the fires of an eternal hell, per- snaded that gentleman to marry the woman who he had kept for several years as his wife. Street was a man of untarnished char- acter and in his day was considered a very able preacher. He was not a rhetorician nor was he able to express himself in those finished and superb sentences of the classical scholar, vet he could preach hell and damnation until the sturdy pioneers quaked at the awfulness that awaited the wrong door. And, gentle reader. would not just a little bit of that same kind of gospel accomplish better results than the sugar-coated sermonizing to which we are continually treated? Yes, if heaven is to be gained by righteousness in our lives and hell is to be shunned, would it not be well for the clergy to dwell with especial emphasis npon the consequences of a life spent in wickedness ? William Griffith settled near the central por- tion of the township near the same time that Mr. Street made his settlement. He was a modest and unassuming man and like many of those whose names are forgotten, his work was done without ostentation or show. Many of his descendants live in the county and are among its best citizens. Thomas Edwards came to Illinois from Kentucky in 1826 and im- proved a farm near Bear creek in the north- eastern part of the township. It was the same that for a number of years was owned by the
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late Charles Edwards and is the same now owned by his sons, Jesse, Charles and Edward. Thomas Edwards, the pioneer, was fourth cor- poral in Captain Rountree's company during the Black Hawk war. Mr. Edwards left sev- eral sons, among whom were Sidney, Allen, Wesley, Charles and George. Sidney Edwards located in Bond county near Sorento, where he lived until his death, which occurred some years ago. Allen Edwards and Wesley Edwards were in the Mexican war, Company C. James C. Mc Adams, captain. Allen Edwards settled in East Fork after his return from the Mexican war and by industry and economy succeeded in acquiring quite a large estate. He did not live, however, to enjoy what he had succeeded in gathering. for he died at the carly age of forty-eight years. Wesley Edwards. a very genial and pleasant gentleman. lived to be quite an old man. He died but recently and left quite a family of sons and daughters. Charles Ed- wards, who for many years resided upon and owned the ancestral estate, died but a few years ago and left surviving him a wife and several children, all of them having arrived at ma- turity. Among his sons are Thomas C. Ed- wards and Walter, very successful business men of Coffeen. William Edwards, the older son, is connected with the postoffice department in the city of St. Louis. The other sons are en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. He has several daughters who are married and reside in this section. George Edwards, the younger son, resides in the village of Donnellson. He has several sons, among whom are Thomas H. Edwards, who lives in Coffeen. and Robert, who at present resides in Bond county in the vicinity of Greenville. Accompanying Thomas Edwards to Illinois from Kentucky came John Elder, who improved the farm owned by the Jato John Price. We do not know that any of Elders' descendants remain in this county. Robert Mccullough. another of the early pio- neers who settled in this neighborhood. has left the influence of his example in the vicinity where he spent so many years. His grandson. Samuel MeCullough. resides near Donnellson. In 1827 Clement C. Aydelott. a Methodist preacher, located on the farm now owned by his son. George R. Aydelott. While the Rev.
Aydelott is remembered by the writer as one of the most devout men, yet we find that he was not afraid to go to war and his name is to be found upon the roll of privates in Rountree's company to serve in the Black Hawk war. None of the early pioneers could have exer- cised greater moral influence than did Rev. AAydelott. His religious life was an open book and no one doubted that Clement Aydelott was an earnest, sincere Christian man. He or- ganized the first Methodist church in Grisham township. He died in 1865 at the age of sixty years, but his wife survived him many years and died at the age of over four score. His son George has long been one of the most promi- nent citizens of Grisham township and like his father, he enjoys the confidence and es- teem of all who know him. Clement Laws of Coffeen and William Laws of Greenville are great grandsons of Clement Aydelott by their mother's side, whose mother was an only daugh- ter of Clement Aydelott. George Aydelott has no children and with him one pioneer name will cease to exist. William Young, a brother- in-law of Clement Aydelott, came to Illinois in 1828, accompanied by his brother James. Mr. Young in 1830 located on the farm now known as the old Young homestead. Here he lived for fifty years and it was here that he succeeded in laying the foundation of one of the largest estates ever built up in Montgo- ery county. Mr. Young at one time served his district in the state legislature and refused a re-election because, as he said, "a man with- ont an education has no business in the legis- lature." While the educational acquirements of Mr. Young were limited, yet for good horse sense he has had no superior in this section of the country, and it can be said with credit not only to Mr. Young and to those who bear his name, but to the community at large, that the annals of Montgomery county will show no name in its long record of honest and upright characters more loved and more esteemed than that of William Young, very familiarly known as "the old Squire." The writer well remem- bers when a boy in assisting Mr. Young in loading some grain that had been grown on a rented farm that the question of honest di- vision on the part of the renter came up and
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