USA > Illinois > Warren County > Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 81
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R. A. Beck is the present Postmaster, and has had a tenure of office for some 16 years.
Its business is represented by Beck & Lewis, and
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714
WARREN COUNTY.
Dement & Sheldon, who have general merchandise stores. Dr. F. K. Morse keeps a drug store, and is also a practicing physician. C. Oseran has a boot and shoe store, and Thomas Brown does the black- smithing for the village. J. L.'Stormet supplies the people with a market.
The people of this village have provided for the education of their children by erecting a good school building, and securing the services of a good teacher. They have an average attendance at the school of about 30 pupils.
COLD BROOK TOWNSHIP.
SOLD BROOK TOWNSHIP, or the terri- tory that is now embraced by it, was among the earliest that was settled in the county. As early as 1828, Peter Pecken- paugh, from Indiana, found his way up into this locality, and put down his stake for a home, on section 30. Peter did not have long to wait, for Peter Butler and Jeremiah McFarland came on soon, seeking homes for themselves and their families. The former located on section 31, and the latter on section 25. These pioneers were from Kentucky. They all had their families to brighten their pioneer firesides, and this gave them hope, courage and strength to put the axe into the timber, the plow-share into the virgin soil, and carve out homes for themselves and families.
If there is any one position in life more lonely than another, it is that of a man starting out in a new country all alone to make his fortune, without wife or children to assist him in building up a home; it would seem that his condition must be something akin to "Coleridge's Ancient Mariner" --
" Alone, alone, all, all alone Alone on a wide, wide sea. So lonely 'twas, that God himself, Searce'seemed there to be."
Peter Peckenpaugh died but a few years ago. His wife died in 1850. Mr. McFarland has only been dead a few years. Peter Butler, who figured quite extensively in the early history of the county, moved to Oregon, in 1853, where, after an active life, he died. He was one of the first County Commission-
ers. William Whitman and family, and Josiah Whitman, his brother, were the next to settle in the township, which was in the spring of 1829. They came from Kentucky and made claims upon section 32. William was a preacher of the Christian Church, and in those early days, charmed his hear- ers with his eloquence. He died at his home in 1838. Josiah Whitman was married to Han- nah Davidson. He died near Monmouth in 1865. His widow is still living in this city. Wil- liam Whitman's widow married Rev. Richard John- son, who was also a minister of the Christian Church. They are both dead. Richard H. Rag- land and family, of Kentucky, moved into the town- ship at an early day, locating in the timber near Cedar Fork. This pioneer did not live long in his Western home,but passed on to the eternal one, dying in 1839. His widow survived him, nearly half a century, dying in 1885, at the old homestead. Their children are residing in the townsnip. In 1830, Aaron Hardin, from Schuyler Co., Ill., came in and located on section 33. He left the county at an early day. John G. Haley, with his wife, Elizabeth, came in this year, and located their home on section 29. He was a very active and influential man, and an Elder in the Christian Church. He was quite prominent in the early days in county matters, and was at one time Sheriff of the county. He moved to Missouri in the fall of 1870, and died there some years later. His first wife, Elizabeth, died in 1847, at the old homestead. They had a family of seven children, three boys and four girls-Mary Jane, Henry, Edward, Eliza, Cynthia Ann and Thomas. Of these children three are living-Jane and Eliza in Warren County, and Thomas in California.
Mr. Haley married for his second wife, Mrs. Mar- tha Whitman, "Aunt Patsey," who came from Ken- tucky, in 1831, locating on section 7. Her seven children were William C., S. Squire, Sally, C., John C., Lucy A., Huldy A. and Christina J. They are all living except Huldy A. and William C., and all in the county except S. Squire. Aunt Patsey is liv- ing with her daughter, Mrs. Hascall, on section 7, in Floyd Township, in her 89th year. She is still strong and hearty, and bids far to live inany more years.
Of those who came after the pioneers above men- tioned up to 1837, there were Phillip Horney, H. S. Hascall, Max Haley, P. R. Haley, Alva Gordon
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WARREN COUNTY.
David R. Shelton, Sr., with a family of 13 children, Edward Grounds, William Harper, Sr., Seth C. Mur- phy, Jacob Rust, David Morrow, William Fraymeyer, and Mrs. Claycomb and children, Henry and Wil- liam Bruner, Thomas Wallace, Sr., William and Jo- seph Murphy, William Wallace, Alexander Moore, Nelson E. Hills, Thomas Griffee, Jesse Cleveland, Henry Landers, William and John Davidson, John Underwood, John P. Cone, S. S. Wallace and John E. Murphy. Thus a good start was made toward settling the township. They were an industrious, intelligent class of pioneers, and went to work with energy and perseverance to build up homes, develop the town- ship and improve the country.
Seth C. Murphy taught the first school in the township, in a small log house on section 30, or in the "Neck." This was in 1832. Mr, Murphy died in the fall of 1836. Rev. William Whitman was the first preacher to entertain these pioneers with gospel eloquence, which was in the old town of Cold Brook, in 1831, the services being held in Peter Pecken- paugh's house. Alma Arasmith and Elizabeth Peckenpaugh led off in this township in the first matrimonial venture. This very interesting event, which created quite a sensation in this neighborhood, was duly solemnized on Christmas day, 1831, by Rev. William Whitman. Jacob Rust was the first man to embark in the mercantile business, which he did by opening a store in a log cabin in the town of Cold Brook. Jacob did not have an elaborate assort- ment of goods, nor was there much capital invested, but his little cabin store, as humble as it appeared, was a pleasing sight to those pioneers. A postoffice was opened at Cold Brook, in 1832, and Alva Gordon was the favorite son who held Uncle Sam's commis- sion.
Thomas Wallace started the first saw mill in the township, about a mile north of Cold Brook, on Ce- dar Creek. This was one of the first mills in the county, and was started in the summer of 1832. Subsequently he put in a stone for grinding corn. Cold Brook received its name from some cold springs which were located near there. It was platted. by John G. Haley.
In 1832, Mr. Haggett and John Bundy started a blacksmith shop here, which was the first in the township. At one time, Cold Brook was quite a town, and. a thriving trade carried on. The Brink & Walker stage line passed through the town. It
was twelve miles from here to Knoxville and eight miles to Monmouth. Mr. Gordon served as Post- master until 1840, when H. E. Haley was appointed. A. D. Hawkins succeeded him and -was the last Postmaster in the town. Upon the completion of the railroad, Mr. Hawkins moved the office with his store to Cameron, where it was established in 1855. The starting of the town of Cameron broke the town of Cold Brook up, and the owners of the land there have had the good sense to convert the site into fields. If many of the other would-be towns in the county would follow the example of the town of Cold Brook, there would be many acres of good land put to a proper and beneficial use.
A sad accident occurred near this town in the early days (1838). Mat Dean and John Hardin were fishing in the mill pond. They were sitting on a log, one end of which lay on the bank and the other ran out into the pond. Dean suddenly had a fit and fell off the log into the water. Hardin see- ing him go down, plunged in after him, and they 1 were both drowned. Singularly enough, their bodies were found some distance apart. Hardin's body was found a few hours after the accident, but that of Dean was not recovered until the next day, and not until after the pond had been dragged. It was found clinging with knees and arms to the under side of the log upon which they had been sitting.
This township was organized April 4, 1854. The minutes of this meeting are imperfect, but we find that Philip Horney was chosen Moderator, and Jos- eph Stewart, Clerk. After the votes were polled, it was found that Benjamin F. Morey was elected Sup- ervisor; J. S. Parker, Clerk; James McFarland, Assessor and Collector; Andrew Claycomb and B. F. Morey, Justices of the Peace; W. H. H. Clay- comb, T. F. Taylor and B. S. Parker were elected Commissioners of Highways. It is .township II north of range I west, and is bounded on the north by Kelly, on the east by Knox County, on the south by Floyd and on the West by Monmouth Town- ship.
The only village in the township is Cameron, sit- uated on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, where some of the people do their trading.
This road runs nearly all the way on the southern line of this township and was completed through it in the early part of 1855.
It is watered by Cedar and Talbot Creeks and
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WARREN COUNTY.
their branches. Much of the township contains broad, rolling prairie, and some parts are rather broken. The land lying along and bordering the streams is very well timbered. Most of the farms are well cultivated and provided with good buildings. The farmers with but few exceptions are out of debt and prosperous. More attention is being given by the farmers to the raising of stock than was formerly done, and the production in this line is increasing every year.
The population, in 1880, was 1,084, and it is esti- mated there has been a little gain since that time.
The County Superintendent's reports for the year ending June 30, 1885, contains the following school items : There are eight school districts, one graded and seven ungraded schools, with a valuation of school property amounting to $6,400. All of the school-buildings are frame. Of persons under 21 years of age, there were 425, of whom 27 2 were of school age, and 252 were enrolled. The highest wages paid to teachers is $45 and the lowest $25 per month. 'The tax levy for this year was $2,170.
From the Assessor's report for the year 1885, the following information is obtained : Number of acres improved land, 22,439 ; value of improyed land, $314,- 025 ; total value of lots, $3,375 ; number of horses, 922; cattle, 1,688 ; asses and mules, 37 ; sheep, 157 ; hogs, 3,249 ; steam engines, i; carriages and wagons, 308; watches and clocks, 197; sewing and knitting machines, 99; pianos, 7 ; melodeons and organs, 35. Total value of personal property, $708.02.
Below is given the names of the citizens who have been honored with the office of Supervisor:
SUPERVISORS.
Benj. S. Morey .. .1854
L. M. Gates. .1863-4
Philip Horney ... .1855
J. H. Murphy.
.1865
W. H. H. Claycomb. .. 1856
Philip Horney. .1866
Philip Horney . 1857
J. R. Barnett .1867-70
W. H. H. Claycomb .. .1858
L. M. Gates. .1871-3
Henry Murphy. .1859
J. T Hartman 1874-5
James McFarland .. 1661~2
J. T. Hartman
1877-85
Cameron.
AMERON is located on the line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and principally in Floyd Township. Af- ter the route of this road was determined, Robert Cameron concluded that this would be a good locality to lay out a town. It was first platted Feb. 22, 1854, and was called Cameron-
ville, and was located south of the track. There were a few people at least here who must have had great expectations regarding this town. Why they did so remains a mystery. We find it was platted again at two different times, once by Ivory Quinby and John H. Warren. This plat was filed Dec. 21, 1854, and was located on sections 32 and 33 in township 11 north of range I west, containing 79 acres. It was surveyed by J. W. Adcock. Camer- onville south of the railroad track was platted by Robert and Sarah Cameron, March 6, 1854, and was located on sections 5 and 6, township 10 north of range I west, and was also surveyed by J. W. Ad- cock. Waste's Addition to Cameron was platted July 13, 1855, and was located on section 4, town- ship 10 north of range I west, and was surveyed by S. M. Moore.
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Robert Cameron made another addition to Camer- onville, Aug. 2, 1856. Waste's addition lay east of the first plat and also extended across the railroad track into Cold Brook Township, and was called Cameron. This place, or noted village, is known in the sad years gone by, by travelers as a sort of a cross between a watering place and a harbor of re- fuge. It is not remembered, that anybody ever had the courage or audacity to accuse a traveler of vol- untarily stopping, but he has been quietly or uncere- moniously "dropped," by the conductors, to foot it back to Galesburg, and there wait for the next train to carry hini on to his destination, giving him in the meantime ample opportunity to stretch his limbs, for which he left his car, and was left by it. The railroad officials corrected their management at Galesburg some years ago, and hence Cameron has gone down, not having any more unfortunate travel- ers to supply with cigars, cookies, crackers and cheese.
The first man to open a store here was A. B. Haw- kins, who moved over from the old town of Cold Brook. The postoffice was established here after the railroad was completed, in February, 1855, and Mr. Hawkins was appointed postmaster. After this, the name of Cameron was united upon, and it has been known as such since that time. Edward Hunt followed Hawkins as postmaster, and served during President Buchanan's administration. Har- rison Waste came in during the Republican admin- istration of President Lincoln. He was followed by H. C. Higgin, H. H. Kelly, and E. Hart, who is the
L
W. H. H. Claycomb ..... 1860
Philip Horney .1876
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WARREN COUNTY.
present postmaster. After the advent of the rail- road, some houses from Galesburg opened business here. At one time it was quite a shipping point for grain, and it still receives most of the products from the western portions of Cold Brook and Floyd Townships, and some from the eastern parts of Lenox and Monmouth. The population, as estimated by S. T. Shelton last spring, is 306.
There is a general store carried on here by E. Hart, and one by L. T. Kelly. Robert Atkinson keeps harness and saddlery ; Temple & Son carry on the drug business ; E. W. Rowe has also a general store.
CHURCHES.
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The Christian Church is the same society that was organized at Peter Peckempaugh's on section 30, April 30, 1831, and is one of the first church or- ganizations in the county. The first members were among the first settlers of the county. As they were somewhat historical, their names are given be- low: William Whitman, Sarah Whitman, Julia A. Whitman, Henry C. Haley, Elizabeth Haley, John C. and Francis Murphy, John G. Haley, Richard H. Ragland, Nancy Ragland, Wm. M. and Elizabeth Davidson, Josiah Whitman, Elijah Davidson, Sr., Margaret Davidson, Sr., and Margaret Davidson, Jr., Elijah Davidson, Jr. Six of the above members are still living: Julia A. Whitman, now Mrs. Davidson ; Elizabeth Haley, now Mrs. Jones ; Francis Murphy, now living in Oregon; Margaret Davidson, Jr., also in Oregon; Elijah Davidson, Jr., in Oregon ; and Elizabeth Davidson, now Mrs. Lucas, and living at Abingdon. This church was constituted upon the belief that the scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice, and sufficient for the government of the Church. They erected their first church building at Savanna, afterward called Cold Brook, which was completed in 1839. Rev. Wm. Whit- man was their first pastor. Before their church building was constructed, meetings were held in school houses and in private families. This society at one time numbered over 200 members. In 1851 inany of its members went to Oregon, enough to form quite a congregation there. The place where they settled was called Monmouth, after the town in Warren County. In 1860, Cameron having be- come a thriving railroad town, and the business of
Cold Brook having been transferred to that place, it was decided to move the church also. Accord- ingly an edifice was put up at Cameron, at a cost of $2,300. In an early day the people attended this church from far and near; from Abingdon, Mon- mouth, Ellison, Gerlaw, etc. Among the preachers that have served this church are: Revs. Wm. Whit- man, Alexander Reynolds, James R. Ross, Livy Hatchett, John Rigdon, (cousin of Sidney Rigdon of Mormon fame), William Davenport, A. J. Kane, Isaac Murphy, John G. Haley, Josiah Whitman, Alex Johnson, L. S. Wallace, . J. S. Ed- wards, John E. Murphy, and T. H. Good- night, now in Kansas. Some of these early preachers are still living: When the church had no regular pastors, Elder S. T. Shelton, one of Cold Brook's most prominent and favored citizens, would preach to the congregation. Re- cently they have secured the services of Rev. Charles Laycock, a talented young preacher. They have now about 125 members with a large and in- teresting Sabbath-school. This society is prosper- ous and is doing good work in the Christian field of labor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1856; M. B. Morey and wife, J. B. Porterfield and wife, Benjamin Tinkham and wife, and William P. Crosby and wife, constituted the first members. Their building was erected in 1857, at a cost of $1,300. This building was burned in Sept. 1877. A new edifice was erected in 1883, and was dedicated July Ist, the same year. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Revs. George W. Paliner, pastor, and Thomas H. Pryon. It is a neat frame structure, costing about $3,000, with a seating capacity of probably 250 persons. They have a good parson- age, which cost $1,000. Rev. J. B. Snedaker is the present pastor who presides over about 60 members. In connection with the society is an interesting Sab- bath-school with about 45 members.
The First Baptist Church. A number of the meinbers of this church assembled June 30, 1866, for the purpose of perfecting an organization. Rev. J. N. Talman of Monmouth preached the sermon, when Rev. H. H. Parks was called to the chair. J. N. Talman was chosen clerk pro tem. Letters were presented by D. F. Smith, C. C. Manford and F. G. Manford. Several others gave their names and de-
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clared themselves in favor of uniting as soon as they could receive letters from their former churches. After this, articles of faith were adopted. Rev. John Balton was the first pastor. The church was com- pleted and dedicated in August, 1869. Rev. Balton terminated his labors with the church, March 4, 187 1. He was followed by J. K. Pennington, who remained until 1878, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. G. Kent, who served until 1880. Rev. T. W. Jones then took charge and remained for a while, when he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Depperman. At present the society is without a pastor, but occasionally they have services at the church.
SCHOOLS.
Cameron has a fair graded school. It is a union district from Floyd and Cold Brook. Before the con- solidation in 1871, they had separate schools and school buildings. After the districts were united, a good two-story building was erected for school pur- poses. Miss Libbie Regnier is the present principal, and Miss Kate Boggles, assistant, with an average attendance of 75 pupils.
ELLISON TOWNSHIP.
LLISON was organized as a township, April 4, 1854. Agreeable to the notice previ- ousty given, the legal voters of this town- ship met on this day and proceeded to elect their officers and perfect their organization. E. Mitchell was chosen Moderator, and A. S. Smith, Clerk. The result of this meeting was the election of E. Mitchell, for Supervisor, Wm. Coleman, Clerk; J. P. Rutherford, Assessor ; N. B. Cramer, Collector ; H. F. Sexton and S. D. Perkins, Justices of the Peace; H. S. Sexton, Overseer of the Poor ; D. Leacock and N. Eldridge, Commissioners of Highways ; W. H. Gilmore, George W. Scott, Con- stables. Thus equipped for self-government the people of this township, received new life and went on in their development and prosperity.
This territory is in township 9 north of range 3 west, and is bounded on the north by Tompkins, on the east by Roseville, on the south by Point Pleas-
ant Township, and on the west by Henderson County.
Field Jarvis was the first settler in this township, locating in 1829 at the head of Ellison Creek. It was some years before he had any neighbors.
Isaac A. Watson and Wm. P. Thompson settled in this township in 1835. Kenner Brent, his wife, Eliza- beth, and a large family of children,among whom were Kenner, Jr., David C., Wm P. and Paul, came in March, 1836, locating on section 18. They were from Lancaster Co. Va. Mr. Brent and his wife, Elizabeth, are both dead. Some of their children are still living in the township. Mr. Brent was in the war of 1812, where he distinguished himself for his bravery in several active engagements, Seneca Sals- bury and family from Ohio, located in 1836, on sec- tion 4. Among those that soon followed these pio- neers and settled in the township before 1840, are Mr. Meacham and family, C. Higler and family, Mathew Cox and family, Samuel Baldwin and Jesse Coleman with their families ; also, Mr. Staley ; John and Edward Ray, with their families ; Benton God- frey, Paul, William and John Birdsell, Daniel Lea- cock, James Gregory, William Talbot, Decatur Lof- tus, and family from Tennessee ; William Brown and family from Virginia. Mr. Jarvis was a large, pow- erful man, and a noted bee-hunter. The early set- tlers depended upon Field almost entirely to furnish them with honey. Horace Sexton and wife, Hannah, came in and settled in the northwestern part of the township, in the spring of 1840. When they settled, there was but one house between them and Mon- mouth. They came from Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Horace Sexton died at the old homestead, in Oct., 1877 ; his widow is still living. Seneca Salsbury and wife are both dead, the former but recently. It is said that at the time he erected his dwelling house, it was the finest house in the county. Mr. Salsbury was the first Postmaster in the township.
The first village that started was Lancaster, on section 22. It contained a tavern, two stores, a black smith shop, and Post Office. As a village it is now deserted, and is only known in the memory of the early settlers.
" But now the sounds of population fail, No cheerful murmurs fluctuate the gale; No busy steps the grass-grown foot-way tread, But all the blooming flush of life is fled."
But while it is no longer a village, on its site can
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WARREN COUNTY.
be traced broad fields of grain, and extensive herds of cattle graze and chew their cuds at ease on the green pasture.
The first couple to enter into the sacred ties of matrimony were Decatur Loftus and Mary Barrett. Their honey-moon and after life were spent on sec- tion 25. The first birth and death are not remem- bered. This township has not been exempt from the wrathful winds of earth, though it has been shown that it deserved no such affliction. On the 30th day of May, 1858, towards sunset, the blue sky became overcast with dark, ominous clouds. Soon the roar of the wind was heard in the timber west of Ellison Village. The dreadful sound increased and in a few seconds a tornado with lightning-like speed and des- tructiveness overshadowed the town. But a few mo- ments and only a few, buildings were left standing, and nearly all of the inhabitants were more or less injured, and many of them killed.
The gale came from Iowa and did no damage un- til after it passed tlie Bluffs. Its path was about 40 rods wide and about 6 miles long in its destructive course. It made one of its fearful revolutions in front of Mr. Kelly's house, and after demolishing the town, raised up from the ground a few miles northwest and passed away. There were several stores in the village, blacksmith shops, taverns, etc., all of which were demolished. Fifteen persons were killed and fatally wounded and many were disabled for life. Of those killed and who died from the ยท ef- fects of their wounds, were the Misses McWilliams, Mrs. Thompson and child, Mrs.' Brazelton, Martin Wentworth, Miss Lacy, Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. McCartney and child, Mr. Johnson and child, Mr. Hurd, and Mr. Thompson, who lived out on the prairie. On the approach of the tornado, Mr. Thompson, with his family, had gone into a cave, dug on purpose for protection against such a catastrophe. Curiosity got the best of his judgment, and against the admo- nitions of his sensible wife, he put out his head to see how a tornado looked in its best humor, when the end of a rail that was flying about in the air struck him in the head, knocking it off, and sending his headless body back into the cave, where it fell at the feet of his wife and children. This tornado was terrible in its power and must have been very heavily charged with electricity. It tore the ground up for rods, and took wagons and literally tore them to pieces. From one heavy wagon wheel it took off
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