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 86
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The Rock Island & St. Louis R. R. was com- pleted through the township in June, 1871. It en- ters in the northeast corner of section 1, and running south by west, passes out on section 34.
The people do their trading mostly at Alexis, and at Gerlaw, from which places considerable stock is shipped. In 1880, the population according to the census, was 1,400, and it is estimated now to be about 1,500.
There is a United Presbyterian congregation at Spring Grove, which was organized by the Monmouth Presbytery, June 22, 1855. J. C. McKnight was the first pastor, serving from June, 1856, until March, 1860. He was succeeded by Wm. M. Gra- ham, who served the Church until 1863. Then they were without a pastor for about a year, when they secured the services of T. P. Patterson, who remained until December, 1868. Rev. David Inches then took charge and remained until 1874, and was followed by Revs. Rufus Johnson, Wm. J. Mc- Croney and A. W. Johnson, the present pastor, who was installed Aug. 25, 1885, this being his first charge.
They have a good church building costing about $3,500, also a good parsonage. The membership is about 85. In addition to the services they have a fine Sabbath-school.
On section 10 there is located a religious society called the Church of God. It was organized in 1865 by Randolph White. The first meeting of this so- ciety was held in school-houses. In 1869 they com- pleted their church building at a cost of some $1,500. No regular services are held here now, but
1
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WARREN COUNTY.
sometimes they have preaching by a woman of the faith who comes from Monmouth.
From the County Superintendent's report for the year ending June. 30, 1885, the following statistics have been obtained : There were to school districts in the township with one graded school, and 9 un- graded. The Io districts embraced I brick and 9 frame school buildings; the value of the school property was $7,050. Of persons under 21 years of age there were 695, of whom 412 were of scholastic age, 551 being enrolled. The highest wages paid teachers was $60; the lowest, $25 per month. The tax levy was $3,459.86.
From the Assessor's report for 1885, the following facts are obtained : Number of acres of improved lands, 21,794; number of acres of unimproved lands, 766; value of improved lands, $283,140; value of unimproved lands, $3,625 ; total value of lots, $35,150; number of horses, 849; cattle, 2,009 ; mules and asses, 19; sheep, 440; hogs, 3,706; steam engines, 4 ; carriages and wagons, 253; watches and clocks, 54; sewing and knitting machines, 85 ; pianos, 4; melodeons and organs, 44. Total cash value of personal property, $92,925.
SUPERVISORS.
Robt. Gilmore. . 1854-56
Craig Hanna. . 1873
M. A. Thompson .1857
L. H. Gilmore .1874-78
R. W. Gerlaw. 1858-62
Angus McCoy .1879
L. H. Gilmore 1863
A. J. Reid 1880
R. W. Gerlaw. .1864-65
R. H. Gilmore .. 1866-68
James B. Porter .1869-70
L. H. Gilmore. .1871-72
Alexis.
HIS pretty and attractive little village is situated in the northeast corner of Spring Grove Township on section 1, and on the line of the St. Louis Branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, about 12 miles northeasterly from Monmouth. It was plat- ted in 1870, by Messrs. Robert Holloway and J. E. Alexander, and was named after the latter gentle- man. The survey was made by Thomas F. McClan- ahan on the 7th of September, and recorded on the 16th of the same month. The original plat contains 160 acres, on section I, in Spring Grove Township, and 160 acres in Mercer County, section 36, town
13 north of range 2 west. With the exception of a few residences the town has not extended into the latter section. Schuyler Palmer originally owned this land; he planted the first crop and made the first improvements here, which was in 1855. His house stood on the east side of where Main Street now is, near the little grove, and was the first house built in this part of the county. Mr. Palmer sold the land to T'homas Lawhead, Sr., and he to Messrs. Holloway and Alexander. It was first named Alex- andria, in honor of one of its founders, but there be- ing a name similar to this in the State, considerable confusion followed in the mail service and in the shipping of goods. Consequently it was changed to Alexis. This name was suggested by the arrival in this country, about this time, of the Russian Grand Duke Alexis.
O. G. Chapinan and C. W. Gates opened the first store in the town, in November, 1870, on Main Street ; they also received the first car-load of lum- ber that was shipped on this part of the railroad.
T. B. Patterson opened the next store, on Market Street, near the Baptist Church, or what is now the Presbyterian Church.
Richardson & Riner opened the first hotel at tlie depot. This hotel is now kept by Blayney and called the Alexis House. About the same time, U. W. Hull started a hotel on the corner of Main and South Streets, called the Alexandria House.
The railroad was completed to Alexis and Mon- mouth about the Ist of January, 1871. The post- office was established Jan. 17, following, and O. G. Chapman was appointed Postmaster, a position he has held since that time.
The town grew. so rapidly, the people decided that they ought to have a village government, and an election was duly called to take this matter under consideration. It was held June 28, 1873; at Churchill & Wray's Hall. The County Judge ap- pointed T. Loveridge, W. T. Richardson and Robert S. Wray, judges of election. This was quite an im- portant event to the people of this new town, and the following named citizens were entrusted with its destinies : John C. Blayney, A. G. Talbot, O. G. Chapman, O. E. Bugbee, Daniel Churchill and James Loveridge. These Trustees met at Flake's Hall, July 28, and completed the city government by electing John C. Blayney, President of the Board ;
B. F. Forwood. .1881-82
John C. Blaney. . 1883
John S. Winbigler. .1884-85
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WARREN COUNTY.
John Douglas, Clerk; Charles E. Johnson, Treas- urer ; and H. R. Gilliland Street Commissioner.
On the night of Jan 24, 1878, fire broke out under the floor of the Masonic Hall on Main Street, and nearly destroyed the west side.of that street. Among the sufferers were D. S. McKnight, hardware dealer, two stores and one dwelling; James Shaw, notions and grocery; Dr. J. P. McClanahan, drug store ; Thomas Loveridge, dry goods and grocery ; Hardy & Knox, dealers in groceries and clothing; Bolinger & Yarde, grocery store; Benjamin Churchill, restaurant and boarding-house; Jacob Wolff, harness and sad- dlery.
On May 8. 1879, another fire broke out, on the east side of Main Street, which destroyed several business houses.
This town is excellently located and is surrounded by a rich agricultural country. It has a healthy growth, and improvements are steadily going on. The industrial interests of Alexis, for a new and small town, are very good. The Alexis tile and brick factory was established in 1878, by George Bruington and Thomas Townsley. The business was carried on two years by them, when Bruington sold out to Townsley, who has since had sole charge and ownership. Mr. Townsley is prepared with machinery and buildings to do an extensive business in this line of manufacture. He has the best of clay, which is easily obtained and comparatively in- exhaustible. At present he has 20 hands in his em- ployment.
Another very important industry for Alexis is Daniel Churchill's wagon and carriage shop. For hand-made wagons, buggies and carriages, Mr. Churchill has a wide reputation.
Porter Bros. have also established a reputation for handling good buggies and carriages.
A creamery was established here last spring by D. W. Little, who is making about 1,000 pounds of butter a week.
There are several good business houses in the town and all appear to be prosperous.
Alexis is one of the desirable towns to live and do business in. It has a population of 398. Pres- ent officers : N. P. Bruington, D. W. Burt, S. B. Miller, F. J. Pine, J. S. Canon and W. E. Durston, Trustees. Mr. Bruington is President of the Board. T. B. Patterson is Clerk; C. W. Postlewaite, Treas
urer ; and George 'Poe, Street Commissioner.
A short distance west of Alexis, on the county line road, is the stock farm of Col. Robert Holloway, one of the most extensive breeders of horses in the State. (Seè biography.) He breeds pure Clydes- dales, of which he is a large importer. His large farm, containing 640 acres, his extensive stables and long experience, eminently qualify him for achiev- ing success in carrying off the prizes in the Clydes- dale line of stock. At the Chicago exhibition of 1884, Col. Holloway won three-fourths of all the premiums in the Clydesdale list. His Carmerogie, a yearling, took the first prize in New Orleans, St. Louis and Chicago, for the best bred horse in this country from imported stock. Carmerogie Kier, once belonging to Col. Holloway's stables, is now in Scotland, owned by the Duke of Hamilton.
Col. Holloway established his stables about 12 years ago. He has spent many years of hard labor and large sums of money in improving his stock and perfecting his breed, and eminently deserves the suc- cess that has followed his efforts.
SCHOOLS.
Alexis has a good graded school, where a full Eng- lish course is taught. They have a good frame building, large enough to accommodate all the schol- ars. J. S. Canon, is Principal ; Miss Anna Bain has charge of the grammar department; J. P. Campbell, the intermediate ; and Miss Maggie Boggs, the pri- mary department. They have an average attend- ance of 150 pupils.
PRESS.
Alexis is not without its newspaper experience, and, like most all small towns, she has furnished an- other field for the entombment of those enterprises.
The Alexis Journal made its first appearance Feb. 13, 1874, and was a seven-column, folio paper, edited by James Everett. The patronage was not enough to warrant its continuance, and it was sus- pended at the close of the third volume. The plant was purchased by Dr. Chaffee and the Alexis Index was started. This was a five-column, eight-page paper. It had a brief life and expired like its pred- ecessor. Since then no one has been enterprising enough to attempt the publication of another journal here.
SOCIETIES.
Alexandria Lodge, No. 702, A. F. & A. M., was
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WARREN COUNTY.
instituted Oct. 8, 1872, with II charter mem- bers. John E. Alexander was W. M .; John H. Mc- Grew, S. W. M .; Joseph R. Scott, J. W. M. They have at present 46 members, with a good hall ; they were burned out in the fire of 1878. The present officers are: C. W. Postlewaite, W. M .; J. R. Mc- Call, S. W. M .; Wm. Jackson, J. W. M .; Wm. Bel- linger, Tyler; Truman Lord, Secretary ; John Bel- linger, Treasurer. The lodge was named after John E. Alexander, the founder of Alexis.
Alexis Lodge, No. 526, I. O. O. F .- This 'lodge was organized Oct. 1, 1873, and received its charter the 15th of the same month. The charter members were Thomas M. Bell, J. H. McGrew, Daniel Churchill, John N. Carr and R. T. Wray. Thomas M. Bell was the first N. G.
In the fire of 1878 the hall of this lodge was burned, together with all their records, furniture and regalia. They have now a membership of 77, and are in good working condition. Present officers are : George Bellinger, N. G .; Chas. Bellinger, B. G .; S. P. Leonard, Secretary ; Alfred Bellinger, Treasurer. They contemplate the erection soon of a fine hall for their use, and have already purchased a lot.
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church was organized at Blay- ney's Hall, in 188r, in connection with the Norwood Church, with 60 members, by Rev. I. T. Whittemore. Meetings were held for awhile in Blayney's Hall and afterward in the United Brethren Church. The or- ganization of the First Presbyterian Church of Alexis was at a meeting held in the United Brethren church, May 29, 1883, with 65 members. In the summer of 1883 they purchased the building belong- ing to the Baptist Missionary Association for $1,200, and re-modeled it at a cost of $800. After several removals, the present membership is about 75, and is under the pastoral charge of Wm. J. Palm, the first installed pastor. The Church is steadily grow- ing, with hopeful prospects. They have a Sabbath- school connected with the Church, with a membership of 100 scholars, presided over by J. P. McClanahan.
United Presbyterian Church .- This congregation was organized April 4, 187r, by Rev. J. H. Hender- son, with about 25 members. M. McClanahan and W. A. Elder were the first elders. Mr. Henderson supplied the Church for a year, and after him Drs. Black and Doig. Meetings were at first held in the
school house, near town. In 1873 the society erected a very neat frame building, which is tastily finished, costing 3,100. With this they have good parsonage, located on the same lot. In 1876 they secured the services of Rev. F. McKerahan, their first regular pastor. He served the congregation until 1882; they were then without a pastor two years. In June, 1884, Rev. J. D. Palmer accepted a call and is the present pastor. It has a membership of 63 and an interest- ing Sabbath-school of 100 members.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- This Church has a small congregation here. When first organized, meetings were held in the grove, then in Caldwell's Hall. Rev. P. L. Call, from Iowa, preached for them awhile. They hold their meetings now in the church of the United Brethren, and have service every two weeks, being supplied from the North Henderson Church.
The United Brethren Church have an organiza- tion in the village. This society was formed in the township in 1856. After Alexis was started, the so- ciety located there, where they put up the first church building. It was dedicated in November, 1872. The building is a good, substantial, frame structure, cost- ing $2,250. Rev. H. Kline is the present pastor, holding services here every two weeks. Present membership about 24, with a Sabbath-school of 48.
Gerlaw.
ERLAW post office was established about the Ist of January, 1871, with A. Elder as Postmaster. Mr. Elder had a long serv- ice, remaining until Aug. 1, 1883, when J. A. Foster took charge. It was established soon after the advent of the St. Louis branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Ger- law was founded by R. W. Gerlaw, who owned the land about here, and was platted by Thomas S. Mc- Clanahan, May 2, 1871. It is located on the north- west corner of section 34. (See view, page 356.) A. Elder opened the first store in the town. He deals in general merchandise and grain. Mr. Elder sold out to Parker & Hart and Hart sold out to Parker, in 1883. Subsequently he took in J. A. Foster as partner.
Dr. W. H. Rupp attends to the medical wants of
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WARREN COUNTY.
this hamlet. J. P. Lindquist has a wagon shop, and there is also a blacksmith and a shoe shop here. Gerlaw has a good school building, and a good school, with an average attendance of 30 pupils. Its popu- lation numbers about 75.
Christian Church. This congregation was organ- ized June 20,' 1859, by Rev. L. S. Wallace, at Mauck's Grove, with 29 members. Of these mem- bers only three are now living-Sarah Lair, Harriet Carson and B. H. Gardner. They had erected a house of worship, before organizing, at a cost of $1, 100, which is a very neat and substantial build- ing. It was moved to Gerlaw, in September, 1873.
Rev. Mr. Lucy succeeded Mr. Wallace, remained one year, and was followed by James Gaston, who also served one year. Revs. Henry Murphy, H. R. Trickett, J. B. Boyer and Mr. McPherson, followed in succession. After this the Church had supplies for some years, when, in November, 1883, they se- cured the services of the Rev. Chas. Laycock, who is the present pastor. They have services every Sun- day, with a membership of sonie 60, and a Sunday- school of 30 scholars.
SUMNER TOWNSHIP.
MEETING was held at Little York, April 4, 1851, for the purpose of establishing a township organization. Thomas Graham was chosen Moderator, and George Black, Clerk. The polls were then opened to receive the votes of the citizens. Upon counting the ballots, the following officers were found to be elected : J. P. McGaw, Supervisor; Thomas Gra- ham, Collector; John E. McGreg, Assessor ; John Porter, John Martin and John Nealy, Commission- ers of Highway ; A. A. Allen and T. J. Caldwell, Justices of the Peace; George Gibson and Hugh Brownlee, Constables ; William Preston and Samuel Graham, Overseers of Roads. The vote for Clerk was a tie, and the Justices of the Peace appointed Thomas Brownlee to take the place.
It was organized first as Union Township, and they changed it to Sumner, in 1855. It is situated in the northwest quarter of the county, in township
12 north, of range 3 west, and is bounded on the north by Mercer County, on the east by Spring Grove, on the south by Hale, and the west by Hen- derson county.
The territory that is now embraced by Sumner, was settled as early as any other part of the county. Matthew D. and Adam Ritchey, and Otter Craig, came into the township in 1828. William McCoy, Jonathan Buffun and L. P. Rockwell, 11 oved in, in 1830. Hugh Martin, Sr., with wife and seven chil- dren, came in the fall of 1832, locating on section 28. Mr. Martin, who first located in Fulton County; had, previous to moving into the county, been in and se- cured his land. William McCoy and L. P. Rock- well bought Adam Ritchey's claim of 160 acres, which included a block house that he had erected upon the hill and used as a fort. This house was the first building in the township. Among others who came in, in 1832, was Chester Potter and David Maler. Mr. Potter located with his family at Rock- well's Mill, on Cedar Creek. He moved from here in 1833, and located in Kelly Township, on section 22, where he died, Oct. 19, 1851. Cecilia, his daughter, who was married to Hiram Ingersol, is the only one of the Potter family now living.
The first child born in this township, was Hen- derson, son of Adam (Sandy) Ritchey, who was born Dec. 23, 1828.
The first death was that of William Martin, in the fall of 1832. The second death was that of a young man by the name of Moffit, who was killed by falling off a fence, the fall breaking his neck. They were buried by the side of each other in Sugar Tree . Grove Cemetery.
William Martin, as is well known, was killed by the Indians, soon after the close of the Black Hawk War. This occurred Aug. 9, 1832. He was out in the field, mowing some grass for his horses, near the old town of Denny, southeast of Hugh Martin's res- idence, when some half dozen Indians rushed out to him from the timber, shot him and then fled to the woods, One of the shots was fired so close to him that the powder burned his hair. It is reported that after shooting him the Indians took his scalp, but this is denied by some old settlers who are good au- thority. The murder was supposed to have been done by Indians who had been detached from the main band, and were prowling about seeking some
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.WARREN COUNTY.
subject for their vengeance. This sad affair was witnessed by the McCoy girls, who were not very far from the old fort. The killing of Martin threw the entire settlement into great consternation, and it was feared that another Indian war would be inaugu- rated. The families in this vicinity gathered into the fort, bringing with them their provisions, where they remained for some weeks, until all apprehen- sions from any further trouble was removed. Happily there were no further attacks from the Indians.
L
The saddest events of life often have amusing fea- tures. It was so in this unhappy affair. This fort, which was located west of Cedar Creek, near the old town of Denny, section 27, had been used at times during this period for the holding of religious meet- ings. At the time of this tragic event religious ser- vices were going on in the fort, attended by the set- tlers living in the vicinity, particularly the women, and presided over by Mr. Miles, a Methodist preach- er. While Miles was preaching, a man rode swiftly into the fort, and with bated breath announced the murder of Martin by the Indians. The preacher, it is reported, did not wait to close his sermon, nor even pronounce a benediction ; nor did he " stand on the order of his going," but mounted his horse, which had been hitched near by, and away he flew, trusting more to the speeed of his animal than he did to the protecting hand of God. He did not stop his horse until he reached Yellow Banks, on the Missis- sippi, and it is stated that the last that was seen of him, he was swimming his horse across the Illinois River.
James Kendall opened the first store in the town- ship, in 1833. It was located in Little York, and he had for his store house a little log cabin. He died soon after, and William, his brother, took the store, and subsequently sold it to Arthur McFarland.
The first post office was established at Little York, in 1838, and J. F. Pollock was the first Postmaster ; held the office about 16 years, when he moved to Oregon. Mr. Pollock came in 1837, and located on section 28.
Peter Terpening taught the first school, in 1837.
P. L. Rockwell and Jonathan Buffun put up the first saw mill. It was erected at the Cedar Fork of the Henderson, generally called Cedar Creek, a short distance east of the old town of Denny. They worked on the mill during the winter of 1830-1, and had it
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ready with the opening of spring for operation. This was also the first saw mill in the county. A stockade was put up near this mill, upon the west bank of the creek, for protection against Indian raids. In 1832 Chester Potter took charge of the mill, and, having had sonie experience in the grist ınill business, in Ohio, where he came from, he concluded he would . try his hand in the far West. After some geological prospecting, he succeeded in finding a granite boul- der (" nigger-head, as Mr. Potter called it "). from which he cut two burrs, 12 inches in diameter, and set them up in the saw mill for grinding corn. With these stones, grists were ground for the neighboring families and others in different parts of the county. As this was the first and only mill at that time in the county, it was largely patronized. The proprietors of this enterprise were truly benefactors. While it was not equal to the mills of the present day, yet-it was undoubtedly appreciated more, for to it the early pioneers looked for the mneal with which to make their bread. These old burrs can yet be seen in the township; Mr. Potter remained here one year and then moved into Kelly Township. It may be as well to close the history of this mill, at least up to the present time, though we travel ahead of the de- velopments of the township. In 1837 Mr. Rockwell formed a partnership with D. G. Baldwin and erected, on the site of the old pioneer mill, a new and large flouring mill. With the exception of shut- ting down a few days for repairs, this mill has been running pretty constantly ever since. It has been enlarged and its machinery improved, which includes two French burrs. It is now owned by A. H. Rock- well, son of L. P. Their brand of flour is called the Eagle Mill Brand. Water-power is still used, with a double Laffell turbine wheel.
The first post office in the township, and one of the first in the county, was located at this mill, with Jonathan Buffun as Postmaster. Mr. Buffun held the office for about a year, and then L. P. Rockwell was appointed, and held it for nearly 20 years.
The first religious society organized in Sumner Township was the Cedar Creek Church, July 4, 1835. It was called the Associate Reform, and was organ- ized by Rev. Dr. Blakie, now of Detroit, who was a Missionary sent out to the new settlement of the West, to gather into an organization those who had been members of this society in the East. It was also called the Sharon Church. A few families made
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WARREN COUNTY.
up the first organization, of which the Giles family seemed to predominate. There was John Giles, who was the ruling Elder, 'and who probably succeeded to that distinction by virtue of a large kindred con- stituency; John B. Giles, Susanna, Nancy, Pru- dence, Margaret, Susan, Jane and Mary L .; Hugh . Martin, James Campbell, John Williamson, James and Mary Findley, Nancy Robinson, George and Mary A. Jay, constituted the remainder of the con- gregation.
Some years before Dr. Blakie came, Rev. John Wallace, a Missionary from Virginia, was here preaching, in private houses, to the people. He was finally employed by this congregation, after it had organized, as a stated supply, preaching pretty regu - larly here from 1835 to 1840. Rev. James C. Por- ter came out in 1840. He was liked by the society, and was installed in 1841, and continued in the ser- service of this congregation until about the time of his death, Nov. 15, 1863. He was a man of consid- erable ability and largely increased the membership of this Church.
It was during the latter part of his pastorate that this Church joined in the Union with the Associate Presbyterians and became United Presbyterians. Rev. John C. Reynolds succeeded Mr. Porter, and remained until July, 1872, when he gave place to J. M. Atchison, who was installed Dec. 1, 1872. Mr. Atchison served the congregation several years, and was followed by the Rev. J. A. Gherett, who retired in the spring of 1885, and was their last pastor. This congregation had a long and prosperous life. Their first house of worship was built of logs and was located about two miles northeast of Little York; it was built in the summer of 1836. In 1845 they erected a larger building of frame near the old log one. In 1866, the congregation outgrew this building, and they erected a larger and more com- modious edifice, at a cost of about $4,000; later on a good parsonage was put up. The church build- ing is beautifully located, about three miles north- east of Little York, and the parsonage about a mile north of the church. All of the original members are either dead or have moved away. The widow of Rev. John Wallace is yet living, in Little York. At the present time they have no service, but the Sabbath-school is still kept up. Last 4th of July, it celebrated its semi-centennial anniversary.
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