USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. I > Part 67
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Concord Township was organized at the spring eleetion of 1850 with the following officers: Supervisor, Edward Sharp : clerk, Wil- liam Hobbs; assessor, David Hobbs: collector, Shannon Wallace. The first settlements. in the early '30s, were made by John Wells, John Ausmus, H. Bennett and Elijah Ellison. William Hobbs taught the first school, a house for which was built on section 4 in 1835. The pioneer minister was a Methodist, Rev. Granville Bond. The first house of worship, erected by the Lutherans, was built in 1860 on section 30. The German Lutheran Society was organized in 1862 hy Henry Lessinan, Christ Vollbracht and Frank Kestner, with their families, and Rev. B. Burfeind was its pastor.
CHAPTER XXI
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS AND HISTORIES
WHY ADAMS COUNTY COULD APPROPRIATELY CELEBRATE -COUNTY CENTENNIAL COMMISSION FORMED-CELEBRATIONS IN THE COUNTY -LIBERTY TOWNSHIP CENTENNIAL PICNIC-ELLINGTON, BURTON, MENDON, RICHFIELD, GOLDEN, CAMP POINT, PAYSON, HOUSTON, COLUMBUS, GILMER, HONEY CREEK, CONCORD, MELROSE AND FALL CREEK TOWNSHIPS-CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF LIBERTY TOWNSHIP (BY W. A. ROBINSON, HISTORIAN)-HHISTORY OF BURTON TOWN- SHIP (CONTRIBUTED)-HISTORY OF RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP (CON- TRIBUTED)-IlONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP (BY W. S. GRAY).
In 1918 the different townships of Adams County, through their specified chairmen, or historians, prepared quite complete centennial histories, which were read at the celebrations of that year. As much of this material as was presented in manuscript form, and could be obtained for this work, is here reproduced. Although some repeti- tions in subject matter already published may be noted, the town- ship histories thus prepared are more complete than any which have heretofore been offered, and are therefore published in this chapter.
WHY ADAMS COUNTY COULD APPROPRIATELY CELEBRATE
It was not the good fortune of any citizen of Adams County to have any part in the formation of the State of Illinois or in the adoption of its first constitution, for at that time so far as history informs us no white man had ever set his foot on the soil now com- prised in the territory of Adams County. It was not until the spring of the following year (1819) that the first white man, Willard Keyes, who afterwards became a prominent citizen of the county, while floating down the Mississippi River in his rude bark first gazed upon the bluff where the City of Quincy, the county seat of Adams County, is now located.
However, the citizens of Adams County could very appropriately celebrate the centennial of the state for soon after its admission into the Union, Adams County was rapidly settled and furnished two governors, namely John Carlin and John Wood.
Another reason why Adams County should enthusiastically cele- brate the centennial was because it was Honorable C. S. Hearne, the
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senator from the district of which Adams County comprised a part. who offered the resolution in the State Legislature, in the winter of 1915, providing for the appointment of the Centennial Commission, and Mr. Hearne, himself, was a member of that commission up to the date of his death.
COUNTY CENTENNIAL COMMISSION FORMED
At the request of this State t'entennial Commission a meeting of the county and city officials was held in the month of February, 1917, for the purpose of arranging for an organization in Adams County to celebrate the centennial, and at this meeting it was decided to call a mass meeting in the early part of March when the supervisors of the county would be in session.
Accordingly on the sixth day of March, 1917, a mass meeting was held in the Cireuit courtroom, Quiney, of which Judge Lyman MeCarl was chosen as chairman and J. L. Adair, state's attorney. secretary. A committee comprising J. H. Steiner, county superin- tendent of schools, and J. L. Adair, was appointed to prepare and report a constitution and by-laws for the organization.
The Honorable M. J. Daugherty, of Galesburg, a member of the State Centennial Commission, was present and addressed the meeting. explaining the object and scope of the celebration.
After this address the committee on constitution and by-laws reported the following constitution and by-laws, which were adopted :
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1 The name of this organization shall be Adams County Centennial Association.
ARTICLE II
Any citizen of Adams County interested in the objects of the Association may become a member thereof.
ARTICLE III The officers of this Association shall consist of a presi- dent, vice president, secretary and treasurer, also au honorary vice president from each township.
ARTICLE IV The officers and as many others as they may choose shall constitute an executive committee to have charge of the affairs of the Association when not in session.
ARTICLE V The officers shall hold office for one year and until their sheressors are elected and qualified, and shall have power to fill all vacancies.
By-LAWS
ARTICLE I The annual meeting shall be held on the first Thursday of March each year,
ARTICLE 11 Special meetings may be called at any time by the President or a majority of the officers.
ARTICLE 111 The executive committee shall meet as it may her -- after determine.
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It was resolved that the matter of selection of the officers be referred to the county officials, who met on March 21, 1917, and chose George Gabriel, former superintendent of schools of the City of Quiney, president; Judge Lyman MeCarl, vice president; Joseph L. Thomas, secretary, and Major J. E. Adams, treasurer. Soon after this meeting the country was drawn into the World war and no more meetings were held until November 5, 1917,
On the latter date a meeting was held at the Hotel Quincy to meet Horaee Baneroft, of Jacksonville, Illinois, a member of the State Centennial Commission, who was present and addressed the meeting and requested that delegates be appointed to a meeting of the Centennial Commission to be held at Springfield on December 3. 1917. Judge S. B. Montgomery, Major J. E. Adams, J. L. Thomas and Judge Lyman MeCarl were appointed delegates to the meeting.
George Gabriel presented his resignation as president and stated on account of his ardnous duties as a member of the Exemption Board that it was impossible for him to serve in that capacity. The resignation was accepted and on November 30, 1917, Judge S. B. Montgomery was chosen to succeed him.
On December 3, 1917, Judge S. B. Montgomery, Judge Lyman McCarl and the secretary, Joseph L. Thomas, attended the state meeting of the Centennial Commission at Springfield, and reported a very interesting session. The next meeting was held on Jannary 22, 1918, when the officers reported that they had selected an execu- tive committee consisting of the officers of the County Commission and the following persons : Mayor J. A. Thompson, John H. Steiner, Joseph W. Emery, Truman T. Pierson, David F. Wilcox, William A. Richardson, William A. Jackson, William A. Fifer, Mrs. E. J. Parker, Mrs. O. G. Mull, Mrs. O. F. Schullian, Mrs. T. D. Woodruff, Mrs. Robert B. White, Mrs. A. S. Ellis and Miss Julia Sibley.
.Judge Lyman McCarl outlined the aims, plans and possibilities of the Centennial Celebration, as he had done in an address at the meeting at Springfield. A committee consisting of Judge MeCarl, .J. H. Steiner, and J. L. Thomas was appointed to recommend names of vice presidents in each township, as provided in the constitution.
Messrs. Steiner, MeCarl and Wilcox were named a committee to confer with Superintendent Gill, of the public schools, with refer- ence to the Lincoln Birthday Celebration in the schools and to have attention called to the Centennial Celebration in connection therewith. Judge S. B. Motgomery, J. H. Steiner, Judge Lyman MeCarl, Mrs. A. S. Ellis, Mrs. T. D. Woodruff and David F. Wilcox were appointed on committees, and instructed to report such organizations as they deemed advisable to carry on the work at an adjourned meeting on the first Monday in February.
On February 4, 1918, a meeting was held at the Chamber of Com- merce at which the following committees were reported : on Finance, Churches, Fraternal Societies, History, Schools, County Organiza- tion, Fall Celebration and Publicity.
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
Thereupon the president appointed as chairman of the various committees the following named persons: Finance, James E. Adams : Churches, Mrs. T. D. Woodruff : Fraternal Societies, Truman T. Pier- son ; History, William A. Richardson; Schools, John H. Steiner; County Organizations, Lyman MeCarl: Fall Celebration, W. A. Fifer : and Publicity, William A. Jackson.
From this time on the celebration naturally fell into three divi- sions which will be treated as follows: Celebrations in the county; the presentation of the Pageant of Illinois, and the celebrations in the City of Quiney.
CELEBRATIONS IN THE COUNTY
The eclebrations in the county consisted largely of appropriate exercises in the public schools, one meeting. also, in each lodge. and a collection of the names of the soldiers who had served in the War of 1861, in the Spanish-American war and who were then in the World war. Judge Lyman Met'arl was chairman of the organi- zation of the county outside of the City of Quincy.
.At a meeting of the Teachers' Association held in Quiney on February 14 and 15. 1918, Judge Lyman MeCarl appeared before the teachers of that association on the latter day: explained to them the scope and plan of the celebration of the schools, and requested that each teacher take the matter up with the directors in her distriet and provide for a celebration in her school. This was largely done. some of the schools holding the celebration in the spring and others in the fall.
Early in April a letter was sent to each vice president in the township requesting that a chairman be appointed of schools, of churches, of lodges, and of collection of names of soldiers. This was done in many of the townships. AAlso a request was made that some pienie, old settlers' meeting, or one day of a Chautauqua that had heretofore been held in the villages and townships, be this year de- voted to a Centennial celebration.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP CENTENNIAL PICNIC
The first one of these Centennial pienies to be held was in Liberty Township on August 9th. The churches of Liberty had been for more than fifty years last past holding a nnion Sunday School pienie. This year it was turned into a centennial celebration. A great throng estimated at 5,000 was in attendance. Mrs. Lillian Brown Inghram. of Quiney, a most accomplished singer and musician, was present and, under the auspices of the Adams County Home Bureau, led in community singing. Addresses were made by Horace H. Bancroft. of Jacksonville, Illinois, a member of the State Centennial Commis- sion, and also by Hon. William Schlagenhauf. A history of the township had been prepared by W. A. Robinson, editor of the
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"Liberty Bee," and was read by the pastor of the Lutheran Church. In the evening the "Masque of Illinois" was given under the auspices of the Council of National Defense, which will be referred to in another part of this history.
ELLINGTON TOWNSHIP
Ou Angust 14th a celebration was held in Ellington Township, T. Will Turner, vice president, having it in charge, and assisted by the other members of the committee-Miss Elizabeth Chase, Mrs. Jen- nie Long, C. T. Sterne and John Fraser. An address was given by Samuel Woods, who had taught school in that township when a young man, and many interesting reminiscences were referred to by him. A splendid time was reported.
BURTON TOWNSHIP
On the same day, August 14th, a centennial celebration was held in Burton Township, at the Village of Adams. This meeting was perhaps the best and most methodically arranged of any held in the county. H. W. Wheeler had prepared a history of the lodges of the township ; Mrs. Henry Lohse, of the schools: Mrs. Amelia Tandy, of the churches: and James B. Cook, of the soldiers, which were read by the respective authors. The pienie was held on the school grounds, and in the school building was a collection of many old relies and, best of all, a pieture of each boy, at that time in the service was exhibited. Mrs. Lillian Brown Inghram was present, and led in the community singing in her usual interesting way. Addresses were made by one of the local pastors, Judge Lyman MeCarl of Quiney, and by J. L. Adair, states attorney, who was the orator of the day. A very appe- tizing cafeteria lunch was served in the evening.
The next week was the busiest one of the season. On August 15 and 16, 1918, a meeting was held at the Village of Clayton, this usually being the time that the Old Settlers' meeting was held, which this year was turned into a centennial celebration, but, on account of there being so many celebrations, a small crowd was present on Thursday, the first day ; while on the second. Friday, a record-break- ing crowd was in attendance. Mrs. Lillian Brown Inghram was present and led in the community singing. Addresses were made by Horace H. Baneroft, member of the State Centennial Commission : Judge Lyman MeCarl of Quiney, and Mr. Hoover, president of Carthage College ; also by an Indian chief. One of the most interest- ing attractions was a booth in which had been collected many old historical relies.
MENDON
For many years the Tri-State County Mutual Life Association had been holding pienies at Mendon on the third Thursday of August.
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In 1918 that pienie was turned into a Centennial celebration. AAppro- priate exercises were held, a history of the township was prepared and read by Joseph Frisbie, editor of the Mendon Dispatch, and vice president of the township. The event of the day was an address upon the war given by John E. Wall of Quiney. In the evening the "Masque of Illinois" was given, which will be referred to later. It was the opinion of those participating that the largest crowd that had ever been in attendance was present on this day.
RICHFIELD
On the same day, Thursday, August 15th, a celebration was held in Martin's Grove, Richfield Township. This was a special one for the occasion, and A. J. Gamble, vice president of this township, deserves a great deal of eredit for the efforts made in holding the celebra- tion. Edward Lutner, Herman Kill, Earl Rice, Orville Hess and W. J. Gamble had been appointed on a committee to prepare a history of the township and arrange for this celebration. Mrs. Lillian Brown Inghram led the community singing with her usual ability. Also there was a solo by Margaret MeCarl and music by a local or- chestra. Addresses were made by HI. E. Schmiedeskamp. Hon. Wil- liam Schlagenhauf and Judge Lyman MeCarl. The latter spoke very feelingly, as this was his old township and many of his friends were present. At the elose of the meeting a Red Cross sale was con- dueted by George Hendricks of Beverly and W. F. Smith, county clerk. as anetioneers which netted a neat sum for the local Red Cross Society.
GOLDEN
The town with a rich name celebrated on Saturday, August 17, 1918, with J. H. Paxton, vice president, as master of ceremonies. A very interesting history of the township had been prepared by Ira Reynolds, E. M. Oetting, Prof. C. L. Hawkins and Dr. J. F. Ross which was read. Music was furnished by a band of young girls dressed in khaki from Plymouth; also by a quartette of young ladies from Clayton who sang very sweetly and entertainingly. Mrs. In- ghram was also present and led the community singing in her match- less way. John E. Wall was the orator of the day, and he made a state- ment on that occasion that attracted much attention ; and that was that "he believed that the World war would be over in this Centennial Year." Many hoped that his prediction would come true, but few could believe it would be so; yet recent events have proved the cor- reetness of his prophecy. Judge Lyman MeCarl spoke briefly on the C'entennial and in the evening the " Masque of Illinois" was given, which will be treated in detail in another chapter.
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CAMP POINT TOWNSHIP
The week beginning Sunday, August 18th, was devoted to the . Annual Chautuaqua. Monday was given over to the Centennial cel- ebration. George W. Cyrus, the veteran editor of the Camp Point Journal, was made vice president of this township, and to him was allotted the task of preparing a history of the township. In the evening Hugh S. Magill, director of the Centennial celebration, was present and delivered what was perhaps the ablest address given in the county on the Centennial of Illinois.
PAYSON TOWNSHIP
Mrs. II. F. Scarborough was appointed vice president of Payson Township. She selected some very able assistants and had prepared one of the completest histories of any township in the county. Pay- son Township has been celebrating for years "Old Settlers' Meet- ing" on the fourth Thursday in August, and this year extra efforts were made to entertain the people. Henry M. Seymour, with his usual generosity, had ereeted a new band stand in the publie park. George Mahan, one of the ablest speakers in Eastern Missouri, was the orator of the day. The day opened beautiful, and by two o'eloek in the afternoon every available standing spaee in the public park was occupied. The Red Cross Society served a delightful ehieken dinner and supper. The history of the township was read by Reverend Brown and was thoroughly enjoyed by the old settlers. In the eve- ning the "Masque of Illinois" was to be given and, after the crowd had assembled and the enrtain had been raised, a terrific rainstorm swept over the village and sent the crowd hurriedly to seek shelter. Every house in the Village of Payson was thrown open, even to the schoolhouse, to aceommodate the visitors. Many from Quiney tried to return to their homes, but the roads were so muddy that those in automobiles found it a diffienlt task. The next morning the road was strewn with automobiles in the ditches, and it was a fruitful day for all garage men going out and bringing in disabled ears. It will be a day long to be remembered by those who were caught in that storm. Perhaps nothing could have oeeurred to so impress the Cen- tennial upon the memory of those who attended Payson Centennial as that storm did.
HOUSTON TOWNSHIP
The celebration of the Centennial was held in this township at Big Neek on the last Saturday in August, 1918. The Modern Wood- men have been holding for years a pienie at that locality, which, this year, was turned into a Centennial. As usual a large erowd was pres- ent. Addresses were made by Hon. R. M. Wagner and Hon. William Schlagenhauf, of Quincy. A history of the township which had been
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prepared by George II. Rice, W. A. Taylor. Miss Neva Tipton, Miss Zelma Woods and Miss Ella Eckles, was read.
COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP'
A pienie was held in Columbus the first Saturday in September, 1918, under the auspices of the Farmers' Association of Adams Coun- ty. Farmer Rusk had charge of the meeting and many appropriate addresses were made and a good time was had.
GILMER TOWNSHI'
This township was organized, with Clay Lawless as vice president and Dr. G. E. Whitlock, chairman of the committee on soldiers; Mrs. Hngh C. Lawless, chairman of committee on schools: James MeConnel, chairman of committee on churches; and Holford Whit- loek, chairman of committee on lodges.
HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP
W. S. Gray was the moving spirit in Honey Creek Township. Al- bert Brosi was appointed chairman of the committee on lodges; D. W. Morton, on sehools: Samuel Tallcott, on soldiers: Miss Nannie White, on churches. A complete history of this township was pre- pared by W. S. Gray, which appears at length in the Adams County History of this year.
CONCORD TOWNSHIP
Coneord having no village within its limits held no celebration. but was organized with T. Elmer Jefferson as its vice president, who appointed the following committees : Amos Sharp. William T. Roy, George Vollbracht and Albert Beckman, who assisted him in prepar- ing a history of the township, and many of the schools observed the celebration.
MELROSE TOWNSHIP
"Daddy Mast" was made chairman of Melrose Township and attended all of the meetings of the committee. ITis township was or- ganized, a celebration was held in many of the schools and a very com- plete history of the township was prepared by E. D. Humphrey.
FALL CREEK TOWNSHIP
Mrs. Henry M. Seymour was appointed honorary vice president of Fall Creek Township. She had a very interesting history pre- pared of the township, which showed that one of the earliest schools
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was held therein. On account of there being no village in the town- ship, its citizens united with Payson in the celebration of the Centen- nial on the fourth Thursday of August.
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
By W. A. Robinson, Historian
Just four years after Illinois became a state this territory, of which Liberty Township is a part, knew no sounds except the sounds of Nature. No white man trod the forest and the plains-nothing disturbed the stillness but the eries of the wild animals and fowls; the bear, the deer, the wolf, the panther, the wild turkey, ete., and the bands of roving Indians. Four more years and the eentennial of Illinois would be the eentennial of Liberty Township. We can imagine the prairie schooner wending its way aeross this fair land, containing the family of Daniel Lisle, who in 1822 settled on seetion 28, where Adam Lentz now resides. This farm for a number of years was known as the Wigle farm. The Wigle and Hunsaker families soon followed, and ere long a small settlement was formed. Other families came in and settled, and these marked the beginning of this township. There were no towns near; not even Quiney, which was first settled in 1825, was in existenee. The first postoffice was located on what is known as the Kimmons farm, where Jonas Schoonover now resides. There were no postage stamps and no envelopes, and the mail came only at long intervals.
In 1831, A. H. D. Buttz settled on section 31, which was then owned by Mr. Pierce and which is still known as the Pierce place. He worked for Mr. Pieree for awhile. He later eut logs and ereeted a building and started a store, which was perhaps the first institution of the kind in this territory. From that time until his death, his life was indissolubly connected with the history of this township.
A man by the name of Paris T. Judy laid out some lots in seetion 20, but it was afterwards discovered that he did not own the lots, so the venture fell through. Later, a Mr. Talbot sold this land to a Mr. Dudley, who in June, 1836, laid out the town of Liberty, or rather New Liberty. The first postoffice was ealled Liberty, but when it was moved to the village it was ealled New Liberty, with A. H. D. Buttz as first postmaster.
The first schoolhouse in Liberty Township was built on the south- east corner of section 21. The first church was located where the Seigel schoolhouse now stands, and the first preacher was George Wolfe of the Brethren Church.
The first horse mill was built by Daniel Lisle on section 21.
The first marriage was Jacob Wigle to Miss Catherine Hunsaker, at the home of the bride's father, Rev. George Wolfe officiating.
The first birth and death was the infant child of Mr. Kimbriek.
The first supervisor of this township was David Wolfe.
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It was the custom, in the early days, to go around and hold meet- ings at the various houses. One of the favorite places was the home of Samuel Hunsaker, where William Felsing now resides. Another favorite place was in what was known as the Buggy Shed, and was the building that was recently torn down just south of the Carnes garage. Whenever they wished to hold meetings, they would take out the wagons and then hold services. Camp meetings were very mmer- ous, and these were the days of the cirenit rider, Peter Cartwright being one of the favorite preachers in this section.
A few Mormons settled on section 27. They subsequently started a little village on that seetion and called it Montgomery. A. H. D. Buttz later came into posession of this land and tore down the houses, which marked the end of the Mormon village.
The oldest native resident of this township is Unele Henry Buttz, who has never resided more than eighty rods from the place of his birth, which was the residenee where John Enlow now resides, only it was one lot further south.
The history of Liberty Township would not be complete without the mention of some of the early pioneer families. Among the families that first located here might be mentioned the following: Wolfe, Hunsaker, Mitehel, Wigle. MeClure. Hughes, Boren, Williams, Wag- ner. Walker, Chaplain. Limburg. Dayton, Grubb, Collins, Kimmons, Hecker, Xander, Lister. Hendricks, Lee, Eblow, MeBride, Buttz, Me- Clintock, Sutherland. Titus. Pierce. Craig, Miller, Barnard, Shonty, Culp, Fessenden, Allen, Lovell, Scott, Vaneil, Pond, Kennedy, Van- derlip, ete. Many of the descendants of these families are residing in the township today.
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