USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Records of the olden time; or, Fifty years on the prairies. Embracing sketches of the discovery, exploration and settlement of the country, the organization of the counties of Putnam and Marshall, biographies of citizens, portraits and illustrations > Part 39
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Records of the olden time; or, Fifty years on the prairies. Embracing sketches of the discovery, exploration and settlement of the country, the organization of the counties of Putnam and Marshall, biographies of citizens, portraits and illustrations > Part 39
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The corn, plucked off and hauled home, was thrown upon the ground, or on the barn floor when large enough, in long piles or ricks. The men and boys of the neighborhood were bidden to the "bee," sides were chosen, the corn divided and "then came the tug of war," the contest sometimes lasting two or three hours. At its conclusion the vic- torious side bore their captain on the shoulders of three or four stalwarts in triumph to the house to receive the plaudits and congratulations of the ladies, the vanquished following in their wake in mournful procession. Then all partake of a bountiful supper prepared by the ladies, who
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invited to contribute their part to the festivities of the occasion, would come in their prettiest outfits, and after the tables were cleared an old- fashioned party would follow, lasting usually till the "we sma' hours" of morning.
Alarms were frequent during the Indian troubles, and one of them was rather serious. Mr. Evans was a man of considerable nerve, and while others were forted up he remained on his farm. One day while at work with his son William and a Mr. Basore, guns were heard and a couple of men were seen running over the hill, as if pursued. William was quickly mounted and directed to ride swiftly to the house and carry the family to the fort, while Evans senior and Basore remained to retard pursuit, and if need be, sell their lives dearly. The alarm was a false one, however, as no Indians were seen.
One night as Benjamin Darnell was standing guard, he saw something in the moonlight, which he took to be an Indian. His firing alarmed the inmates, when it was discovered to be the family cow.
NEWSPAPERS.
The village of Wenona has supported a newspaper since February 23, 1865, at which time Grable & Crosby, two young printers, established the News Index. Mr. Grable had experience in newspaper management for a time during the war, at Hennepin, while Mr. Crosby was in the service, coming here upon the close of the war. The News .Index was a seven column folio, creditable alike to its publishers and the village, and was well patronized by the community.
August 17, 1865, Mr. Crosby sold out to his partner, but the next week bought out Grable and became sole publisher and proprietor, con- tinuing control until February 15, 1867, when he sold to William Parker. He had long been a sufferer from consumption, and died in the June fol- lowing at Clinton, Iowa. He was a noble young man and a spicy writer.
Mr. Parker continued alone in the management until June 26, 1868, when Cadet Taylor bought a half interest, the partnership lasting until June 2, 1870, when Mr. Taylor bought the whole establishment.
Mr. Parker was a genial gentleman, with whom it was a pleasure to have dealings, and during the continuance of this partnership both the Index and its proprietors prospered.
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WENONA NEWSPAPERS.
After the accession of Mr. Taylor to the sole management he invested the proceeds of his business from time to time in new material and dropped the word " News" from the name of his paper. In politics the Index is independent within Republican limits. From the time it was established it has deserved and received a very liberal support.
During the last year of the war Mr. L. B. Barnes, a telegraph opera- tor, printed a small sheet, entitled the Sentinel, which was well received as an amateur publication.
In 1875 a Mr. Burroughs started the Wenona Tribune, but suspended after a three month's struggle.
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
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CHAPTER XLIV.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
HIS Township was named by John Strawn from the place from whence he came in Ohio. It is six miles square, made up of prairie and timber and is unusually fertile and pro- ductive. Crow Creek passes through its southern border with intersecting streams that cut the surface into rug- ged bluffs and deep ravines, with well cultivated fields in the valleys. Other minor streams are Pidgeon Creek and Strawn's Run. Although possessing much broken land, its numerous advantages, fine soil and timber, made it the choice of the early settlers in all this region.
ROUND PRAIRIE.
The fertile prairie east of Lacon, in the Townships of Hopewell and Richland, now covered with highly cultivated farms and princely resi- dences, was named by the early settlers "Round Prairie," indicative of its general appearance. It is semi-circular in form, about six miles long by four wide, surrounded by thrifty groves and ranges of timber, skirting which the first settlers made their claims. It was first visited, so far as we have any record, by John Strawn, who came here on a prospecting tour in 1828.
While to John Strawn belongs the credit of being the earliest perma- nent settler, the patriarch of Round Prairie was Robert Barnes, who, along with his family and a brother-in-law named James Dever, settled here in November, 1829. They first visited Hennepin, and after a short stop moved into a vacant cabin near Jesse Roberts', when leaving their families, they started upon a prospecting tour to Colonel Strawn's, from whom they bought a claim near the Babb place, to which they brought
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ROUND PRAIRIE-FIRST SETTLERS.
their families; but the sight of the large swamp in front discouraged the female portion, and deterred them from remaining.
A few days were spent in searching a new locality, when they selected a claini on Section fifteen, to which they drove their wagons and began to get out logs for a cabin, which was raised November 18, 1830. Their cabin was raised and roofed the same day and they slept in it that night. Next day they put up a stick and mud chimney, and as soon after as pos- sible a puncheon floor. The chimney had only been finished up to the rafters when a storm come on and prevented its completion.
The winter was a hard one, deep snow covering the ground, and to add to their labors the cattle had to be subsisted on the tender tops of trees cut down for the purpose. In the little cabin food, such as it was, was pentiful, but it consisted mainly of corn. A kind neighbor, who came in that fall, had a supply of pork, which was kindly proffered and accepted with thanks. Deer abounded in the woods, but they were poor and their flesh of little value.
In this condition the two families passed the winter known as that of the great snow. They were shut in from the outer world, but peace and contentment reigned, and they looked forward with confidence and hope that never faltered to the coming of spring, which would clothe the now bleak prairies with "living green." Although their low cabin seemed cut off from the world, they were not wholly separated from friends and neighbors. On the southern edge of the prairie Robert Bird had built a cabin, and a Mr. Burt and Mr. Phillips were in the vicinity, also a family named Waughob lived on the "Tommy Jones " farm, and Daniel Bland had built a cabin on what after- ward became the Thompson place. He came from Indiana and designed moving here in the spring, but sickness came, long delaying the execution of his plans. Before fully recovered, he loaded his goods and started on their long overland journey, arriving late in the fall. A cabin was put up, but the labor was too great, and his overtaxed system gave way. For a long time he hovered between life and death, and then his weary spirit took its flight.
. H. B. Barnes came in the fall of 1834 with his mother and little daughter, he then being a widower. They found a home with his sister, Mrs, Nancy Dever, until June, 1836, when he began to improve his pres- ent homestead, and built a log house, which in the spring of 1839 took fire, and was burned to the ground with all his household effects. The
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
family had left it in the morning and gone away with everything safe from fire as was supposed, but on returning at nine P. M. found it all ablaze. The fire was attributed to accident. He at once rebuilt, and his new residence was probably the first frame house in the settlement. Another early settler was Col. Samuel M. Kilgore, who removed here in 1834.
John Dever came in the fall of 1833, and located near the farm of James Dever, who died on Christmas day, 1834, and John died a week later in January, 1835. Both were buried at the corner of Section 15, but have been taken up and interred in the Barnes cemetery. The widow of John Dever still lives with her son in Lacon.
Robert Iliff located near the Barnes place at an early day, and Joseph Burt made a claim near what was afterward the farm of Harvey Scott, about 1831.
John, William and Allen Gray made claims where the present Drake farm is, about 1834.
Archibald Johnson made a claim near Owen's place during the fall of the same year.
Benjamin Fort and family came to Richland in the spring of 1834, and opened a farm near the homes of John and James Dever, brothers of Mrs. Fort. Mr. Fort's family consisted of himself and wife and daugh- ters; Sarah, afterward Mrs. Chas. Gapen; Mary Ann, who became Mrs. Joseph Titus; Washington W. and Greenbury L. Fort, Member of Congress.
The old homestead of the Fort family, after the death of Benjamin, became the property of Greenbury L. Fort, and by him was conveyed to William Spangler.
H. B. Barnes was married in 1839 to Jane M. Kilgore. They have had six children born to them, and still live on the old homestead. Their children were, Isabella K., living at home; Louisa (Mrs. Willliam Kil- gore, of Livingston County); Dr. Samuel M. M. and Dr. H. E. W., both at Fairbury; Alvira S., at home, and Erastus T., dead.
Abraham Keedy came in 1834, settling on what has since been known as the Joseph Sharp place. He had six children, and three were born after his arrival. He lived in a rail pen for several weeks until he could con- struct a suitable cabin.
Another settler was Hoel Doddy, who improved the Hoover place.
Virgil Lancaster in 1835 owned a claim which he sold to Wm. Mur- phy. Murphy Game in 1836. John Foster arrived here the latter year,
EARLY SETTLERS OF RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 467
and John C. Foster in the spring of 1840, the latter. the father of Mrs. Allen J. Keedy. Mrs. Keedy has a bureau and chair brought by Mr. Foster to this country. Mrs. H. B. Barnes has also an interest- ing heirloom, being a knife box made in 1814, by Thomas Barnes, the father of the Barnes family, who moved thither from Scioto, Ohio.
J. Allen Keedy came here with his father, Abram Keedy, and in a few years settled on his present place.
The Remley's-father and son, came about the same time. They were cabinet makers, and worked occasionally at their trade.
Woodford Fisher "took up" the Pichereau place in 1835.
Wm. Spangler came here in 1835, James Work also.
John Gray, in 1836, bought the Robert Barnes homestead, lived there two years and sold to John Ramsay.
John Ramsay settled on the Barnes farm in 1838. Joseph Titus came in the fall of 1839. His brother Jesse Titus followed, and, having died, his widow married John Titus.
Joseph Brown located on the prairie, near J. A. Keedy's, in 1842. Wm. B. Thomas, near Strawn's about the same time.
Andrew Jackson arrived here in 1835, and settled on the Hoover place, which he bought from Colonel Latta, of Webster.
Another settler on the prairie was James Thompson, who married a daughter of John Strawn, and raised a numerous family of enterprising business men. Densil Holland came, too, many years ago, as did Jesse Bane. The former died about 1866, and his son still lives upon the family homestead.
Another early settler was Robert Bird. He came to Walnut Grove, Tazewell County, in the fall of 1827, and lived there until 1830, when he bought a claim of one of the Waughobs, where he lived until 1849, when he emigrated to Oregon and subsequently died. His family consisted of Robert Bird, Jr., now a citizen of Rutland; John, William and Elijah, who accompanied their father to Oregon, and two daughters. Elijah was killed in a fight with the Indians.
When the Bird family came to Round Prairie, in 1830, the only white people Robert Bird, Jr., then seventeen years old, remembers were those of Col. John Strawn, James Dever, Robert Barnes, Daniel Bland, Joseph M. Burt, Colonel Bell, on Crow Creek, a family of Waughobs, Allen, John and William Gray, Capt. Abram Keedy, the Perkins family, living on Crow Creek, and James Kain.
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
Until McNeill started a blacksmith shop in the bottoms, near Columbia, or Lacon, the farmers generally had to go to Walnut Grove, in Woodford County, for whatever work in this line they required. Later, Captain Keedy opened a shop on Round Prairie, in 1832 or '33.
The nearest saw mill for several years was on Sandy Creek, and a corn cracker mill was located on Big Spring Branch, near Peoria, where the farmers got their milling done, until Owens started a better mill at the mouth of Crow Creek.
COL. JOHN STRAWN.
The first permanent settler in this part of Marshall County was John Strawn, who in company with a man named Haver, visited this County in 1828, and removed here with his family in the fall of 1829.
He was a noted lover of fine horses, taking great pride in the outfit of his teams, which along the route created a decided sensation, his wagon being twenty-nine feet six inches long, of the "regulation " prairie schooner pattern, resembling a Japanese war junk, and drawn by six horses, the heaviest he could find. Along with this were additional teams, horses, cattle and cows, the proprietor riding at the head like some ancient patriarch leading his family into the wilderness. They consisted of his wife, two sons, William and Enoch; Rachel, afterward married to Jesse Bane; Mary Ann, to James Thompson; Caroline, to William B. Thomas; Emily, to Densil Holland; Salome. to William Orr; Susan, to Enoch Owen, and Levicy to A. Pichereau.
Arrived here, a temporary shelter, closed at the sides and rear and open in front, was made, in which they lived until a substantial double cabin was put up in time for the winter. He lived here many years, bringing up his large family and bestowing on each a comfortable farm, and finally dying July 4, 1872, aged eighty-one.
Mrs. Strawn, consort of the above, was in many respects a remarkable woman. In those days there were no physicians, and of necessity she became a mid-wife, going long distances on her errands of mercy and never refusing to turn out at the most inclement seasons.
One bitter cold night in the severe winter of 1830-31 there came a call from the family of Daniel Bland, a new comer, living some three miles across the prairie, whose wife desired her immediate attendance. Mrs. S. could well have refused to go. She had a young babe whom she could
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EARLY SETTLERS OF RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
not leave, and it was risking its life as well as her own to venture across the prairie.
There were no roads, and besides the imminent danger of freezing, there was positive risk of becoming engulfed beneath the treacherous snow. Over all the prairie it lay two and three feet deep, and the hol- lows had drifted full until it was one continuous level. A thaw which softened the surface had been followed by the present heavy freeze, and horses and cattle walked easily upon the surface; but beneath the crust in the concealed hollows many streams had washed and melted the snow, leaving places~treacherously thin, into which the unsuspecting traveler was liable to be precipitated, and horse and rider go down together. This Mrs. Strawn well knew, but all her womanly sympathies were aroused, and she told the guide-young Bird, she would accompany him. Brief time was allowed for preparation, and binding her limbs in blankets she mounted her horse-riding astride for safety and departed. The weather was below zero and the wind blowed fiercely, but the moon shone bright, and Strawn, who realized the full peril of the journey, climbed to the top of his cabin to watch the travelers and go to their succor if need be. Slowly they proceeded, selecting their route with care, while the watcher maintained his post until assured of their safety. But what a . scene greeted their arrival. In the little cabin with its single room lay the sick wife soon to be a mother, and on a rude pallet cold in the em- brace of death her husband. There was no woman's ministering hand to soothe the last moments of the departed, or tenderly wait on the sick wo- man in her supreme agony. The cold was too bitter, the biting prairie winds too fierce to oppose except in a case of the direst necessity, but Robert Barnes with a heart full of sympathy, was there, and jointly the duties of caring for the living and the dead were performed by those two. The mother afterward became the wife of John Bird, and her son-born on that fatal night-accompanied her, and the only father he ever knew, to Oregon, where if living he still resides.
Another time-to be exact, on the night of July 15, 1834, Mr. James Dever was sent to call Mrs. Strawn to his cabin in hot haste. He mounted his horse and started, promising to return with her in an hour or two. The distance was about three miles, and he rode across the prai- ries by the directest course as he supposed, but after traveling several miles in that direction, concluded he had missed the way and changed his bearings. He passed several cabins which he thought strange, and ob-
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
served the houses were much alike, but his business was urgent and with- out inquiry he rode on till daylight, and found that he was half a mile from home, and had been wandering about Round Prairie all night, during which he must have gone past his own door a half dozen times. In the meantime little Mary Dever had opened her eyes in this world and proved to be a pretty and healthy addition to his family, with no thanks to his tedious and faultless meanderings or the absence of Mrs. Strawn. But his ill-directed journey had cost the excellent midwife $2.00, her fee for professional services, and saved him that amount, which of itself in those times was a goodly sum of money.
During the first ten years of her residence here there were few births on Round Prairie or about Crow Creek at which she did not officiate, and her practice was always attended with success.
While to John Strawn rightly belongs the honor of being the first per- manent settler, he was preceded by a family named Waughob, who, upon his arrival had the foundation of a cabin laid on the place where Samuel Ramp lives. Strawn left his family in the vicinity of Bloomington for a couple of weeks, while he made a trip of exploration and staked out his claim. In the meantime a cousin named David Letz, knowing his plans, "jumped his claim," in Western parlance, and began a cabin not far from William Strawn's place. John Strawn on his return bought out both of these parties paying Letz $50.00,' and Waughob $20.00, the latter going somne two miles below and building a cabin on the Jones farm.
The family of Waughobs consisted of William Waughob and wife, and. his son Robert and wife, William, Jr., and some daughters, together with his son-in-law, George Easter, and John Shayner and wife. They subsequently sold their cabin on the Jones farm to Robert Bird, and made various claims elsewhere, one of which was on the Bland farm, and some others. They put up the merest semblance of a house, watching their opportunity to sell to the first unsophisticated new comer at a good round price.
A family that settled on Crow Creek in early times was that of Wni. McCune, who died three days after his arrival here, leaving numerous descendants. One of the daughters married Harvey Scott, another Wil- liam Spangler, and a third, Jacoch Hollenback. His son Samuel is a well known minister, located at Canton, in this State.
Mr. McCune and wife sleep in the cemetery at Lacon.
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EARLY SCHOOLS OF RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
The farm owned by Harvey Scott, was improved by Joseph Burt. Mrs. B. died here in 1832. after which he sold out and went to Pattons- burg, where he became insane. There were no asylums at that early day in the state, and people had to take care of him as best they could. A small log house was built on Crow Creek, wherein he was confincd and kept by Joseph Martin until he died.
John, William and Allen Gray were among the early settlers near Scott's.
James Work lived on the Creek, at what is still known as Work's ford. He had two sons, who became active workers in the anti-slavery cause and "conductors" upon the underground railroad. A well known citizen of those days, speaking of them many years afterward said above all others they could be depended on to assist fugitives. Others were true, provided the "conditions " were right, but these men could always be depended on.
Colonel Bell kept a " tavern " for many years, where travelers were entertained, and it was also the stopping place for the stages.
Joseph Martin settled on Crow Creek, six or seven miles south of Lacon, in the spring of 1832. His children were Isaac, who died in 1849; Harriet, James B., Joseph, Mary Ann, Robert, John D., Susan, Rhoda and Sarah.
THE EARLY SCHOOLS.
The first school house in the town of Richland was a cabin, put up by Mr. James Dever, in 1833, for a tenant, but subsequently transformed into a school house, the tenant's wife, Mrs. Gallaher, teaching during the summer and winter of 1833. Some of the children came a distance of three miles to this primitive temple of learning.
The facilities for obtaining an education in this locality at that time were exceedingly meagre. Miss Jane M. Kilgore, now Mrs. H. B. Barnes, desirous of becoming a teacher, was sent to Peoria to school, returning in 1836 with such knowledge and honors as the school there could give her. She taught at Lacon in 1837, and subsequently in her own neighborhood, at what was known as the old Bird School House.
In the winter of 1835 Archie Johnson taught school in the cabin on Nancy Dever's farm.
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
The old church near Martin Hoover's residence was used for school . purposes for many years, and is yet so employed.
The first district school in this part of the Township was in a building which stood where D. Rediker lives, burned down in 1841.
This school house was built in the fall of 1837, a Mr. Bailey com- mencing a term of school in September of that year, but was taken sick and Irwin Cummings finished the term, also teaching the next summer and winter. Two or three years after the destruction of this building by fire a frame school house was erected on its site, in which Simon P. Ogle and others taught.
A school house was erected near Mr. Samuel Owen's place, in the south-east corner of Section 16, at an early day, of the prevailing material and style of architecture. The old log school house, one-half mile south- west of the present school house site, was built in 1837, and John Brown was the first teacher.
Jesse Bane taught a school in Lancaster's house in the winter of 1836, his pupils being J. A. Keedy, Emery Foster, Benjamin Foster, Eliza Foster, Elijah Bird, "Sarah"Dever, James Dever, Mary Keedy and Louisa Keedy.
Mr. J. A. Keedy, who, like his father, has been intimately associated with the educational interests of the Township since its organization, has in his possession the first school records, from which it appears that "the Trustees of Schools of Town 29, North Range 2, west of Third Principal Meridian, in Putnam County, met according to appointment, at the house of Nancy Dever, on the 27th of July, 1837. Present: R. Barnes, William Dodds, T. Owen, David Mitchell and James B. Work. Abram Keedy's name was presented as Treasurer aud accepted.
" It was ordered by the Trustees that the Sixteenth Section, the Town- ship's school land, be divided into four equal parts by two lines crossing the center at right angles, and numbered as follows: The north-east part, No. 1; north-west, No. 2; south-west, No. 3; south-east, No. 4."
January 8, 1838, the Trustees found the Township school funds "safe and correct.".
The candidates for school certificates were examined by the Township Trustees. At this meeting John Brown, Rachel Strawn and Granville Hedrick presented themselves, were put through a course of questioning, and obtained the necessary documents authorizing them to teach.
March 12, 1838, the Board ordered that sixty-six days should consti-
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EARLY SCHOOLS OF RICIILAND TOWNSHIP.
tute a term, or quarter, for schools, and John Brown was allowed $45.35 for teaching a term of three months, commencing December 6, 1837; Granville Hedricks $29.81 for three months, and Rachel Strawn $27.74 for the winter of 1837-8. Mary Work taught a term of three months, commencing June 9, 1838.
March 29, 1829, Allen Wilcox and Irwin Cummings were examined and passed as teachers.
Teachers were paid in proportion to the number of pupils. 'At first the rate was $2.00 for each attendant. April 5, 1839, the rate was increased to $2.50. Under this arrangement Wilcox received $83.40 and, Cummins $26.92} for their respective terms that season.
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