USA > Illinois > Rock Island County > Past and present of Rock Island County, Ill., containing a history of the county-its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late Rebellion, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 25
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
years in England were spent as pastor of the Baptist Church at Uxbridge, near London. On March 11, 1847, he married Miss Hepzibah Hayman, of Dartmouth, England. He has one son, Thos. A., and two daughters, Charlotte E. and Mary A., living, and three children dead. He came to this country in 1874, and settled as the pastor of the Baptist Church at La Salle, in June of that year, and in 1875 came to his present charge, having preached the gospel continuously for twenty-seven years. Wm. Cline was the first deacon. The present deacons are Jos. Seaver, Stephen Brayton, Jno. Spickler. The trustees are Jos. Seaver, Lorenzo Parmenter, Dan. Bopes, Jno. Spickler, and Elijah Bateman. The following ministers were ordained by the church : Rev. O. T. Conger in 1859, Rev. J. M. Titterington 1869, Rev. E. N. Elton 1869, now pastor of the Cordova Baptist Church, and Rev. Ansel Post 1875, now pastor of the Baptist Church at Victor, Iowa. The present membership is fifty-four. A comfortable parsonage was built in 1863, at a cost of about $500, on a lot bought for that purpose for $200. The parsonage and church building are located near the Centre school- house, Dist. No. 3. East of the village of Edgington, for several years after the organization of this church, a Union Sabbath School was kept up by the friends of the various churches; and subsequently in 1852 a Baptist Sab- bath School was organized. This school was well provided with such papers as "The Child at Home," and "The Sabbath School Banner." During re- cent years the Sabbath School is taught during the summer season.
The Presbyterian Church, of Edgington, was the first church organ- ized in the township, and is the oldest Presbyterian Church in the county. It was organized in the fall of 1837, by the Rev. John Montgomery, by the appointment of the Presbytery of Schuyler. The first sermon was preached by him in the Autumn of 1836 in the log house of Mr. Joseph Dunlap, where he held services occasionally during that year, and subsequently in the house during the winter, and in the summer season meetings were held in the barn-a commodious building-until 1842. This barn is still stand- ing, and is about forty rods west of the residence of Charles Dunlap. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Woodruff, who occupied the field until 1843. Afterward Rev. Mr. Church preached to the congregation on alternate Sabbaths for a few months. Rev. Henry U. Davis preached in 1846-7. About this time (1848) Rev. Samuel Cliland purchased a farm within the bounds of the congregation, and his ministerial services were secured as a supply for a few years. In the Autumn of 1854, Rev. A. W. Loomis, who had been a missionary to China, took charge of the church as stated supply, and continued in the work until the spring of 1859, when he went to Cali- fornia to preach the gospel to the Chinese. In May, 1860, J. M. Jameison, D.D., returned missionary from India, was employed to preach as stated sup- ply, giving half of his time to the church at Millersburg, Mercer Co. Ile was succeeded by Rev. T. M. Wilson, in May, 1862, whose health failing, he felt compelled to leave the field. and did so in December, 1864, very much to the regret of his congregation. In May, 1865, Rev. T. R. Johnson came to visit the field at the solicitation of his friend, fellow-student, and pre- decessor, Rev. T. M. Wilson ; and preached his first sermon on the 28th of the same month. He was then employed, as stated supply, for one year, at a salary of $600. In September, 1866, the congregation presented a call to the Presbytery of Bureau for his pastoral services, which was found in order, put in his hands and accepted ; and he was ordained and installed October 9th, 1866. He still occupies the field, and is very much attached
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
to his people, and they to him. The meeting-house in which the congrega- tion still worships was erected in 1843, at a cost of about $2.000. The lot upon which the building stands consists of three acres of choice prairie ad- joining the village of Edgington, and was donated for this purpose by Daniel Edgington. In 1870 a parsonage was built, at a cost of $1,400. It is handsomely located in the village, on a lot containing two acres, pur- chased at a cost of $700.
The Sabbath School was organized about the year 1844, and was con- tinued during the summer months only until 1865; since that time it has been kept up during the whole year. Formerly it was supplied with a library, but those active in the support of the school, deeming it a better plan, now furnish the scholars with a sufficient number of religious papers. The average attendance of teachers and scholars is about fifty.
EDGINGTON VILLAGE
Is pleasantly situated on the corners of Sections 7, 8, 17, and 18. The prairie lands surrounding this village are unsurpassed by any in the county, and by few in the state, for agriculture.
In 1842-3 Geo. D. Parmenter, who was an enterprising pioneer, built a flat-boat. Timothy Dutton, Esq., was Captain of this boat, and owned a part of the cargo of wheat, which upon its arrival at New Orleans, he shipped to New York, requiring about six months from the time it was placed on the boat to receive returns from that city. Mr. Parmenter sold the first goods in Edgington; his place of business was a log house in which he lived. Subsequently he built the house now owned and occupied by David Fountaine. In this house he lived and kept a small stock of goods; and later, he built the Red Store, as it was called; after doing busi- ness in this store for some time, he was succeeded by Isaac Negus and E. Burrell. This building is now used by Mr. Fountaine as a blacksmith shop. Negus & Burrell afterward built the store on the corner, in which Martin Schoonmaker is doing business. Mr. Burrell was succeeded in busi- ness by Chas. R. Ainsworth, now in Moline; then Rufus Walker, now in Rock Island. In about the year 1855, Fish and Lee built a store a short dstance east of this; it is now standing directly in front of that occupied by Martin Schoonmaker.
The village, at this time, contains two churches, one store for general merchandising, two for agricultural implements, two blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, one harness and shoe shop, twenty-three dwelling houses, and about thirty other buildings. The village is laid off into about twenty-five lots. The Postoffice was first kept by E. D. Cushman, at his own cabin, where the first school was taught in this Township; it is now kept by Mar- tin Schoonmaker in his store. Considerable business has been and is being done at this place. It has grown, as a matter of convenience, with the set- tlement of the township.
SCHOOLS.
In September, 1839, the first School Trustees, Charles Eberhart, Dan- iel Edgington, and James Robison, were appointed by the County Commis- sioners' Court, and they were sworn into office, in pursuance thereof, by Timothy Dutton, J. P. On February 29th, 1840, at which time there were about sixty-five inhabitants in the township, a petition was made for the
Eco Cuatro
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
sale of the School Section No. 16, containing six hundred and forty acres, and on April 30th, 1840, it was sold for $1,200, which is now the amount of the school fund. The township originally contained one school district, and the first school was taught by Mrs. Amanda Cushman, sister of Loren- zo Parmenter, one of the very early settlers. This school was taught in the cabin of Mr. Cushman, which then stood on the land now owned by Daniel Bopes, about one and one-half miles north of the village of Edg- ington. In November, 1843, the township was divided into two districts; No. 2 consisted of the south-east quarter of the township. In March, 1845, into three districts; July 6th. 1847, into four; October 7th, 1848, into five; and on April 6th, 1850, the sixth district was formed. The township re- mains thus divided, with the exception of such changes as have been made to accommodate individuals who desired to be set off from one district and annexed to another. The school houses are well built, in good repair, and furnished with the most approved seats, etc. In 1876 the whole number of persons attending these schools was three hundred and twenty-two, of whom one hundred and sixty-three were males, and one hundred and fifty- nine females, and the total number of days attendance was 15,636, and $2,127.45 tax was raised for school purposes.
LODGES.
Edgington Grange No. 333 .- Officers: Charles Seaver, Master; Les- ter D. Mudge, Overseer; Samuel Roose, Treasurer; Storer Johnson, Secre- tary; Charles Titterington, Steward.
A. F. AND A. M.
Reeney Lodge No. 223 .- Officers: I. H. Hazlitt, W. M .; Wm. A. Hubbard, S. W .; S. E. Roberts, J. W .; Timothy Dutton, Treasurer: Stor- er Johnson, Secretary; Charles T. Seaver, L. D .; John I. Brown, J. D .; Matthew Robison, Tiler. This Lodge meets at the Village of Edgington on each Wednesday before the full of the moon.
THE HAMLET MUTUAL FIRE AND LIGHTNING INSURANCE COMPANY.
This Company was organized by the farmers of Edgington, Buffalo Prairie, and Bowling Townships of Rock Island County, and Duncan, Per- ryton, and Pre-emption of Mercer County, on December 30th, 1875, for the insurance of farm property only; and like about one hundred other companies organized in this State under a recent law providing for these truly mutual companies, it is a success.
It is claimed for these mutual companies in which farmers insure them- selves, that the cost is only about forty per cent. as much as in other com- panies. Their operation is such that there is nothing to pay for insurance until a loss shall occur, excepting enough to pay for printing, postage and secretary services.
At the meeting held for the organization of this Company at Hamlet, the following named gentlemen were chosen a Board of Directors : Graham Lee, Pres .; Lloyd Girton, Sec .; Josiah Candor, Treas. William Miller, Wm. Wait, Robert S. Montgomery, Samuel Sloan, John Kistler, Cruser Gray, Leonard Garber, all of whom have been re-elected, and now serve, excepting Samuel Sloan and Leonard Garber, to whose positions Ambrose Eddy and Daniel Wheaton have been elected.
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
The aggregate amount of policies is $64,696.66; amount of receipts $61.00; amount of expenditures $30.10; amount in the treasury $30.90.
This illustrates with what economy these companies may be managed. By a comparative statement as to the premiums received and losses paid by an old company, it is shown that had the insurance been accomplished upon the principle of this company, under the new law, there would have been saved to the insured nearly $2,000.000. Whether the anticipations induced by these statements can be fully realized by the patrons of this system of insurance, remains, to some extent, to be tested. To say the least, the matter is of great interest to every agricultural community, and is deserving of their most earnest consideration and trial.
TAYLOR RIDGE
Is a village laid out on section seven (7) and twelve (12) in Bowling and Edgington Townships. The R. I. & M. C. Railroad was completed to this place in September, 1876, and on the day of its completion there were twenty-three cars of stock, and the next day seventeen cars shipped for Chicago. The village is surrounded by a good agricultural district, and well located for manufacturing, as it is convenient to coal, a few miles dis- tant by rail. It was laid out by J. L. Frankeberger, a civil engineer em- ployed on the railroad, and contains two blocks and twenty-four lots, two stores, one blacksmith shop, an eating-house, and conveniences for the grain and stock business. The M. E. parsonage is being built on Gibson Ave. The other street leading east and west is Glasgow-it is on the north side of the village. Those running north and south, as named from east to west, are Reynolds and Lee. The people along this line of railroad have shown a remarkable degree of enterprise in contributing to the construction of this road. Mr. James Taylor gave the right of way and one thousand dol- lars, ($1,000) and as good causes produce good effects, the place was named Taylor Ridge in his honor. It is a beautiful and healthy location.
REYNOLDS
Is a thriving village on the R. I. & M. Co. R. R., located on the. S. E. cor- ner of Sec. 36, in Edgington Township. The railroad was completed to this place Oct. 6th, 1876. On the morning of that day the rails had been laid within one-half mile of this point, which half mile was completed, and a switch track laid, by three o'clock, P. M .; and before six o'clock, there were thirty-three cars loaded with stock for the Chicago market. The place was surveyed on land owned by Wait and Walker, who caused the survey to be made in September, 1876. By this survey it contained four blocks, and two half blocks containing eighty-six lots. The streets running from east to west, as named from south to north, are Perryton, Main, and Edgington; and those running north and south, named from east to west, are Bowling, Front, Williams, and Posey. The first building was erected by A. S. Crandell, in September, 1876. This village now contains one hotel, five stores, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one harness shop, eight dwelling houses, one furniture store, a grist mill, and the foundation of a warehouse is being laid. This village is surrounded by a good agricultural country. A supply of coal is obtained by shipment from the Cable coal mines, a few miles distant south-east. The people think that this must
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
soon be a point of considerable business importance, and improvements are being pushed forward with a corresponding energy.
HAMPTON.
This township is situated north and east of Moline, the Mississippi forming the north-western boundery, and the Rock River the southern, containing rich coal beds, some of which have been worked many years. It now has four railroad stations, and five post-offices, viz .: Rapids City, Hampton, Watertown, Happy Hollow, and Franklin Crossing. Martin Culver made the first land claim in what is now Hampton Township. Rev. John Kinney, and two brothers of his, made the next claims in the year 1827. In the following season, Henry McNeal, Joel Thompson, Michael Bartlet, Asof Wells, and Joel Wells, Jr., settled in the same vicin- ity. The first birth was the daughter of H. McNeal, Mary Ann, born Oct. 5, 1832. The oldest person, now living in Rock Island County, born in Hampton, is George MeNeal, son of H. McNeal, of Rapids City, born in 1834. The first death occurred in the year of 1829 or '30, on board of the Steamer Josephine, on her way to Galena; a lady from England, coming to Galena to visit her son, died just as the boat was landing, and was buried at Hampton. The first couple married in town were Joel Wells and Mary McMurphy, by Jonas Wells, J. P .. in 1835. The first ferry-boat across Rock River was run by Erskine Wilson, about two miles above Wm. Porter's coal bank. Charles Ames opened out, and marketed, the first coal in the town.
Heagy & Stoddard are operating quite extensively in coal on Secs. 15, 16 and 22. They have a railroad connecting with the W. U. Railway at Watertown, built in the winter of 1872-3. Other parties are operating in coal at Rapids City, and Samuel Bowles and D. G. Porter in the south-west part of the town.
Joel Thompson was the first postmaster, and received his appointment in the winter of 1837 and '38. Rev. John Kinney, a local preacher of the M. E. Church, preached the first sermon, and continued to officiate in the interest of the M. E. Church for many years, before any regular circuit preacher reached this part of the state. Lucius Wells taught the first school, in a log cabin near where the residence of D. Altman now stands, in 1833 and '34. Elihu Wells was the first teacher under the present school law.
In the years of 1833 and 1834, H. McNeal furnished all of the wood for steam-boats on the Mississippi River above the Des Moines Rapids. He also has the first tax receipt issued in Rock Island County, for taxes paid.
The town assumed their organization April 7th, 1859. Lucius Wells was elected its first Supervisor, receiving eighty-eight votes; S. S. Britton received eighteen, and Wm. McDonald twelve.
CHURCHES.
Rev. G. G. Worthington, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1842 or '43, organized the first Class in the town. Among its members were Harmon G. Reynolds, E. F. Arcularius and wife, and Nancy Thompson; total membership being only eleven, as belonging to the Rock Island" Cir- cuit. Other Classes have since been organized in the township. They have since belonged to Moline Circuit, then Port Byron. In the year 1865, the
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IIISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
Hampton Circuit was organized, B. C. Swartz, P. E .; A. Freeman, preacher charge; A. G. Turner was the second, and John Palmer the third preacher in charge. In 1870 Hampton was joined to Zumna, and called Rock River Circuit. In 1874, Zuma being cut off, Hampton Cirenit was again re- sumed; G. C. Woodruff, preacher in charge; present pastor, C. W. Sher- man.
The Cong. Church in Hampton was organized February 15th, 1853, by the Rev. A. B. Hitchcock, the membership numbering fourteen, among whom were Luther Pearsoll and wife, Elisha Barr and wife, Milton Ward and wife, David Jennings and wife. Deacons: Elisha Barr, Milton Ward, and Henry Clark. The present membership is about one hundred and fifty. The Sabbath School numbers one hundred and fifty; average at- tendance, one hundred to one hundred and ten. The cost of the house of worship was about $2,500, built in 1856 and '57. The pastors since organization have been Rev. A. B. Hitchcock, Rev. William Porter, Rev. Mr. Miles, and Rev. A. Harper.
The Baptist Church in Watertown, was organized, in July, 1865, by Rev. H. S. P. Warren, who is still officiating as pastor. Among its first members were G. Albertson and wife, L. D. Edwards, Mrs. H. Aren- schield, Mrs. P. S. Upson, and others. The present membership is twenty- two, who are erecting a house of worship, to be completed this season. The Sabbath School has been well sustained since its organization; average attendance about thirty-five to forty.
The Church of Christ at Rapids City, Rock Island County, Illinois, was organized on the 8th of September, 1856, by Elder G. W. Smith, of Benton County, Iowa, and consisted of only twelve members, (six males and six females) of which number four have died; five still live within the bounds of the congregation, viz .: Theo. Steele, Elizabeth Steele, Wil- liam W. and Louisa J. Meader, and Nancy M. Gallino; the others have removed to different localities. In May, 1857, A. G. Lucas, an Evangelist, labored two years for the church, and added eighty members. Elder HI. C. Brown was next employed, and remained one and one-half years, and added forty-two members. The next regularly employed preacher was Elder C. W. Sherwood, who continued to labor for the church during a period of over three years. Next in the order of time, was Rev. Mr. Dogghall, Rev. Mr. Swaim, and Rev. Mr. Smith. At this present time, Elder Ingram, of LeClaire, Iowa, labors half of his time for the church here. Whole mm- ber of names on the church record, since its organization, two hundred and forty; present membership, forty-five. In the year 1863, Geo. J. Rowe was ordained an elder and preacher for the church, and has continued to labor, in word and doctrine, from that time to the present, being a resident of this place, and united with the church in the year 1857. The church owns a commodious brick house, built upon the land donated by Jonas Barber.
HAMPTON SOCIETY OFFICIALS.
DRUIDS.
Richard Brogan, P. N. A .; Thos. Cowen, N. A .; G. C. Ilanawaker, Treas .; S. S. Crampton, Sec'y .; John B. Lloyd, Con.
A. O. U. W.
S. S. Crampton, P. M. W .; Henry Albright, M. W .; Job Sutten, G. F .; Henry Fullerton, O .; C. C. Cox, Sec'y .; J. H. Thomas, F .; Samuel Heagy, Treas.
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLND COUNTY.
I. O. O. F.
Fred. Hanson, P. G .; Job Sutton, N. G .; A. R. Cox, V. G .; Alex Morton, R. S .; John A. Hicks, F. S .; G. C. Hanawaker, Treas.
VILLAGE OFFICERS.
Frank Stevens, Fred. Wendel, H. O. Norton, Samuel Heagy; W. B. Webster, Pres .; Albert Wells, Clerk.
ANDALUSIA.
In 1827 this was a favorite hunting ground of the Black Hawk In- dians, whose squaws cultivated corn on the foot hills bordering the valley below Rock Island, where they had a village containing numerous bark houses. These houses were constructed in a quadrangular form by setting poles in the ground and binding poles horizontally to them with bark cord. at proper heights, to which, in a perpendicular manner, broad strips of bark were fastened with the same material. Black Hawk's habitation was about twelve feet wide and sixteen long, and stood about one-fourth of a mile below the location of the wagon bridge at Rock Island. But their traveling tents or wigwams, used in this vicinity while on hunting expe- ditions, were circular, and about ten feet in diameter on the ground, of a conical shape, covered around horizontally, on a frame work of poles, with very thick rush cloth four or five feet in width overlaping, so as to shed rain completely, and leaving an opening at the top for the escape of smoke, and at the side another, before which a rush mattress was suspended for a door. The mattresses used within were of the same material, beautifully varegated with rushes of various colors. From Andalusia and the Sulphur Springs down the valley to Sunfish Lake-a fishing resort to this day-seems to have been a preferred fishing and camping ground; while that east of here they seem to have associated with the whisperings of the Great Spirit and futurity, by interring their dead in that locality, where a great num- ber of the remains have since been exhumed. In 1867 a tomb was unearthed, on the farm of John Buffum, containing fifteen remains. It was made with five large slabs of stone placed in box-form, barely of sufficient dimensions to answer the purpose. Why these were thus honored, in death, is probably explained by that principle of human nature upon which mon- uments are built for the illustrious of our own race-they were probably once distinguished chieftains. It was a practice with the Indians, just be- fore leaving Rock Island for better hunting ground, in the fall, to bury corn they had placed in sacks made out of bark for that purpose, and to sink their canoes about where the foot and wagon bridge is now located, to be be taken out the following spring. The frozen condition of the earth and river during the winter were a protection against thieves.
Ere long a great change took place. Empire and civilization westward- bound had risen with the sun, intensified with the increasing brilliancy of a higher civilization, was looking in upon the beautiful valleys and plains of the Mississippi, and its tributaries for an abode, over which it is raising the dome of the grandest republic in the world. Ilence, the Blackhawk war in 1832, then followed the settlement of this place by our own people. In 1833, Captain B. W. Clark, of Va., who had been Captain of a company of mounted Rangers under Gen. Dodge, in the Black Hawk war, came
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HISTORY OF ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
here from White Oak Springs, near Galena, with a flat boat, established a ferry; and on his claim of 160 acres, built a hewed log residence near the mouth of the creek. This was the first house built in this place, or in the county south of Rock River. This ferry, about that time, became the most important one above St. Louis, attributable to the course of immigration, and its approaches being free from any marshy areas and gradually de- scending to the valley and shore. It is now supplied with a steam ferry boat-"The Tulum"-owned and operated by Captain J. C. Bromley. The second cabin was built by H. Sams, at Sulphur Springs, and the third by John Vanatta on the land now owned and occupied by John Buffum. These farms were the first under cultivation in this county below Rock River. From that time this vicinity has gradually settled up. About twenty-three years ago considerable shipping was done at Cobldick's Land- ing, now Greenbush, two miles below the village of Andalusia, but after- wards the business was discontinued.
In 1841, Jonathan Buffum built a log grist mill, 16x20 feet, on Fancy Creek. It stood about forty rods north of the Andalusia road leading from the east to that village. This was the first mill built in this neighborhood. It contained a bolt for the manufacture of flour, and the run of stone pre- viously used by Joseph Dunlap, in Edgington.
In 1859 Andalusia was set off from Edgington Township, and organ- ized on April 5th, of that year, by electing the following town officers : John Buffum, Supervisor; James S. Ferguson, Town Clerk; B. F. Eby, Collector; Samnel Renworthy, Assessor; Isaac Richards, Jonathan Mosher, and A. II. Mosher, Commissioners of Highways; James W. Ballard, and James Roberts, Justices of the Peace: James Hill and Joseph C. Buffum, Constables; and Lorenzo Parmenter, Overseer of the Poor. Since the or- ganization John Buffum has held the office of Supervisor eight terms; Sam- uel Renworthy, one; Lorenzo Parmenter, one; Rennah Wells, two, and re-elected to a third in 1877; on April 15th he was removed by death, and subsequently John Buffum was appointed to the office; Seth Buffum, one; James W. Ballard, two; John T. Kenworthy, one, and was re-elected; a vacancy occurring, James Cozad, M.D., was appointed to the office; Wil- liam Smith, one.
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