USA > Illinois > Coles County > The History of Coles County, Illinois map of Coles County; history of Illinois history of Northwest Constitution of the United States, miscellaneous matters, &c., &c > Part 30
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The Sunday school was organized about 1842 or 1843, and has been kept up nearly, or quite all the time since, except during the winter season prior to the completion of the first church-building in 1845. W. J. Ashmore is the present Superintendent, and there are on the roll the names of about two hun-
* None labored more than one-half of the time previous to Rev. Mr. Venable's second call.
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dred and fifty children. Mr. J. M. Miller is Clerk of the Session, and to his courtesy and kindness we are indebted for the interesting history of this vener- able Church.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston was organized in 1837 .* Robert Lightfoot and family settled in the neighborhood in 1836, and Mrs. Barthenia Lightfoot, his wife, was a member of the Methodist Church. Being joined by parties who had recently moved from Ohio, and James Y. Brown and others, who were members of the society which had been organized east of town, they united in forming the first Methodist Church of this city. The name of the minister who originally organized the society can- not now be ascertained. The first church edifice erected was a large frame building, very large for that early day, and was built about the year 1839, on the block where Dr. Van Meter's residence now stands, and was of so frail a construction that it was only used about two years, when it was pulled down to give place to a much more elegant and durable frame building. The Church worshiped in this temple until 1857, when the present brick edifice was erected, under the direction of Rev. Timothy B. Taylor, Pastor in charge. It is a very neatly constructed building, two stories high-the basement containing one large room and two small class-rooms. The entire cost of this building, including the spire, was about $10,000. It was dedicated by Rev. Hiram Buck, who is still a leading member of the Illinois Conference. There has recently been added to this church property a convenient and valuable parsonage. The pres- ent active membership is 207, under the pastoral charge of Rev. J. B. Wolfe. The Sunday school was organized in 1840, and has an average attendance of about one hundred and fifty ; the Superintendent is Charles Clarey.
The history of the Christian Church in Charleston is of more modern date than that of the societies already given. It was originally organized about 1842, by Elder Samuel Peppers. The first church was built in 1846-47, which was used for a number of years and then sold to the Catholics, and the present brick edifice erected in the south part of the city, a short time previous to the begin- ning of the late war. We were unable to obtain the names of all the Pastors, but of those who have administered to the spiritual welfare of the Church since its organization are Elders Tyler, Tully, Young and Peppers. The present Pastor is Elder Walter S. Tingley, formerly of Indiana, and he has in his charge over two hundred members. The Sunday school was organized about the same time as the Church. It has a large attendance, and is under the superintend- ence of William Wright.
The Universalist Church is of comparatively recent organization in Charles- ton. The society was originally formed in 1868, by Rev. W. W. Curry, and the church edifice erected in 1870. The only two regular Pastors since the organization of the Church were Revs. Curry and D. P. Bunn. Death and removals have reduced the membership to thirty-six, though it has far exceeded
*There had been an organization previous to this, one and a half miles east of Charleston, but of it we were unabl 3 to obtain anything definite.
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this number. The Sunday school was organized in 1870, and has an average attendance of eighty-seven ; Joseph Griffith, Superintendent, and Neil S. Dew, Assistant Superintendent.
The Missionary Baptist Church was organized by Rev. Mr. Riley, now of Paris. They have an excellent Church and Sunday school, of which Harvey Said is Superintendent ; but, as the minister does not reside in Charleston. we were unable to learn much about it.
The St. Charles Roman Catholic Church was organized a number of years ago. Their first church was bought from the Christian society, and after being used a short time was blown down in a storm. In 1871, their present brick church was erected, at a cost of about $5,000, and is 60x30 feet in size. The present Pastor is Rev. Father C. Kuhlmann, and about sixty families worship at this church. The Sunday school was organized in 1871, is well attended and is superintended by Mrs. J. W. Dikob.
There is also a society of the Episcopalians in the city. but they have no church edifice, and, we believe, no regular pastor. They keep up the organi- zation, however, and have occasional preaching.
BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS.
Freemasonry was introduced in Charleston at an early day. Charleston Lodge, No. 35, was organized October 9. A. D. 1845, A. L. 5845. The charter members were William D. Gage, Edmund Roach, Adam Mitehell. Green G. Guthrie, Thomas C. Moore, James Watson and Jacob Linder, of whom William D. Gage was Worshipful Master : Edmund Roach, Senior Warden, and Adam Mitchell. Junior Warden. The present officers are: E. B. Buck, Worshipful Master ; Harvey Said, Senior Warden ; J. W. Tucker. Junior Warden ; Charles Clary, Treasurer; J. I. Brown, Secretary ; H. C. Barnard, Senior Deacon ; John A. Ricketts, Junior Deacon ; George Burton, Tiler, and George Tucker and H. M. Chadwick, Stewards. The records show about seventy members. The Lodge sustained a heavy loss by fire some years ago, but has recovered from its effects, and is now in a flourishing condition.
Keystone Chapter, No. 54. Royal Arch Masons, was organized August 4, 1859, by virtue of a dispensation issued by the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the State. The first officers were : H. P. H. Bromwell. High Priest ; G. W. Teel, King, and N. W. Chapman, Scribe. The present officers are : S. B. Walker, High Priest; G. W. Burton, King; George Tucker, Scribe : W. W. Fisher, Captain of Host : William Chambers, Principal Sojourner : W. S. Coon. Royal Arch Captain ; C. J. Endsly, Third Vail : Jo Watkins, Sec- ond Vail : Benjamin Dawson, First Vail : I. Winters, Treasurer : J. I. Brown. Secretary, and J. A. Ricketts. Tiler, with twenty-three members on the roll. H. P. H. Bromwell, mentioned as the first High Priest of this Chapter, and now a resident of Denver, Colo., was one of the brightest and most talented Masons of Southern Illinois, and once served the craft as Grand Master of the State.
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Kickapoo Lodge, No. 90, I. O. O. F., was organized October 17, 1851, by Grand Master H. S. Rucker. The charter members were B. M. Hutchason, Elijah C. Banks, A. D. Walker, D. S. Gales and A. M. Henry, of whom B. M. Hutchason was Noble Grand, and E. C. Banks, Vice Grand. The present officers are : Moses Kershaw, N. G. ; John W. Mock, V. G., and J. I. Brown, R. S. Number of members admitted since organization, 250.
Charleston Lodge, No. 609, I. O. O. F., was organized March 8, 1876, by Grand Master John H. Oberley. Ten members were embraced in the charter, and Dr. Denman, of Kickapoo Lodge, was appointed Special Deputy by the Grand Master, and instituted the new Lodge. The present officers are : E. H. Clarke, N. G .; Andrew Stimmols, V. G .; J. C. Hall, R. S. Coles En- campment, No. 94, was organized several years ago, and is the highest body of the Odd Fellows. The officers are : F. Frommel. C. P. ; John Rall, H. P., and J. I. Brown, Secretary.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The following are the statistics of the public schools for 1877-78 :
Whole number of persons in district under twenty- one. 1,596
Number between the ages of six and twenty-one. 1,087
Whole number of different pupils enrolled. 754
Greatest number enrolled in any month. 690
Least 66 550
Number of Teachers employed. 14
Superintendent. 1
High school was organized January, 1871. First graduating class, June, 1873. Total number of graduates, 125; of these, 54 are teachers, or have been, 4 lawyers, 3 doctors, 1 dentist, 2 druggists, 4 merchants, 9 clerks, 3 have died, and all are conducting themselves in such a manner as to win the respect and confidence of the community. The high-school course embraces three years.
In pursuit of such an education, the studies of our schools serve as efficient means toward an end, but they are not the end sought. The higher and better uses of all studies are their indirect uses, the benefits that flow through their proper prosecution, in greater power of attention, enlarged comprehension, quickened curiosity, greater self-control, and wider and more far-reaching influ- ence over others. Our schools are striving to attain these results. They are divided into three departments-high school, grammar, primary. The primary is divided into four grades. and each grade into three classes; the grammar into three grades, and each grade into two classes.
The present corps of teachers are :
Western Seminary-Miss Mary Hampton, Principal ; Miss Ettie Allison, First Assistant; Miss Emma Fancler, Second Assistant, and Miss Louisa Houriett, Third Assistant.
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Eastern Seminary-Miss Sallie Blankenbaker, Principal ; Miss Florence Moore, First Assistant ; Miss Kate Waters, Second Assistant, and Miss Anna Teel, Third Assistant.
Central Building-Mrs. Nellie Bain, Principal, high school ; Miss Emma Bain, Assistant, high school; Miss Kate Whittemore, third grammar depart- ment ; Mrs. J. T. Terrill, second grammar department ; Miss Stella Hitch- cock, first grammar department; Miss Sarah Gray, primary department.
Of the present corps of teachers, eight are graduates of the high school. An Alumni Association was formed in 1874, and meets every June. Present Superintendent, Prof. M. Moore, is now serving his ninth year.
The public-school buildings of Charleston are all elegant brick edifices, of modern architecture, and present a very fine and imposing appearance, partic- ularly that in the Central District. It was built in 1870-71. The corner- stone was laid in the spring of 1870, by the Masonic fraternity, and the building was completed in time for the session of 1871. It cost about $50,000; is well arranged for school purposes, and supplied with all modern improvements in the way of school furniture.
THE NEWSPAPERS.
The press of the present day may be styled " the power behind the throne that is greater than the throne itself." The same might be said of it that has been said of gold-that it is the " Archimedean lever that moves the world," and. unquestionably, the press of to-day is of almost unlimited power in the land. We sometimes wonder if the world would not cease to move were the newspapers all suppressed. They are one of the luxuries that we could not well get along without, having once known their usefulness. Think of it : we read to-day the news from the capital of the Russias; from the south- ern extremity of the Grecian Archipelago, from Athens, from Paris, from London, and from the uttermost parts of the earth. It is, indeed, wonderful to contemplate. And, aside from this, the press is a true record of a nation's greatness. Every day, the history of the country is inscribed upon the page of the newspaper, and without its influence ignorance would reign supreme.
The first permanent newspaper established in Charleston was the Courier, now known as the Plaindealer. One or two efforts had been made previous to this to start a paper, but a few issues comprised the effort. The first edition of the Courier was issued in 1840. The proprietors were William Harr and William Workman. Harr bought out Workman, who afterward sold an interest to George Ilarding, now connected with the press of Indianapolis. Harding remained with the Courier until 1857, when he sold his interest to Harr, who conducted the paper until a short time after the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln, when he sold it to Eli Chittenden, who changed its name to Plaindealer. Chittenden ran the paper for about two years, when he sold it
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to John S. Theaker, who published it till October, 1866, and sold it to Dunbar Brothers. Albert Dunbar, one of the proprietors, died in 1875, when Lucian Dunbar continued to publish it until in May, 1878, when he sold it to McCon- nell & Co., the present proprietors. It is Republican in politics, and a live, energetic newspaper.
George Harding, after his retirement from the old Courier in 1857, estab- lished the Charleston Ledger, which he published about two years, and sold it to John M. Eastin. He sold it to McHenry Brooks, who published it until 1867, and sold it to Shoaff and Underwood. About this time the name of the Courier had been changed to that of Plaindealer, and Shoaff & Underwood changed the Ledger into the Courier. Shoaff sold his interest in about a year to Major Miller, who now publishes a paper in Tuscola, and in about a year more, Miller sold to E. B. Buck, who, with Underwood, published the paper until about 1873-74, when Buck bought out Underwood and has published it ever since. Mr. Buck is an editor of considerable experience and an able news- paper man, and has filled the office of President of the State Press Association. His paper is true blue Democratic, and a faithful exponent of the principles of that party.
The grain trade of Charleston is not very extensive, from the fact that a large proportion of it is fed to stock by the farmers. Among the grain-buyers of the city is the firm of Messrs. McDonald and Zink, who use the elevator on the railroad owned by Traver & Nixon, and who, in the grain season, do a very large business.
A feature of Charleston is the studio of Charles Briggs. He was the first house and sign painter in Charleston, and from that has taken up portrait paint- ing. We have seen several portraits of old citizens of Charleston, which show considerable talent of the artist for this kind of work. He has made a specialty of painting fine stock bred in this county, in which he excels. Specimen paint- ings of hogs from Shepard & Alexander's herds look so natural that one natu- rally expects to hear them grunt and squeal.
The Infirmary of Dr. Van Meter, mentioned in another page, was, some years ago, one of the largest institutions in Charleston. But years of labor, and ill-health compelled the doctor recently to close it and retire from active business life.
Mound Cemetery, Charleston's beautiful little city of the dead, is located about one mile west of town, and is well adapted for cemetery purposes. The name is well chosen, being a large mound in the center, and the land sloping down in all directions. The first cemetery is now in the city limits and becom- ing pretty well filled. Mound Cemetery was laid off, as stated, one mile west of the city.
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
MATTOON TOWNSHIP.
This township, named from the city of Mattoon, is the middle one in the western tier of townships in the county. It contains thirty-six sections of land -one Congressional township-and is principally prairie land.
The Little Wabash courses through the southern part, flowing south ward until it finds an outlet in the larger stream of that name. In the southern part, skirting this stream, is a strip of timber, known as the Wabash Point Timber, and is the locality where the earliest settlements were made. It is the only grove of native forest-trees, of any size, in the township. The best timber has long been cut away for use in the settlement of the country, what is left being used chiefly for firewood.
The Little Wabash affords the principal drainage in the township. Its east: ern part is known as the "Divide," as the water naturally runs in opposite directions from that point. It is almost the highest land in Illinois.
Away from the timber to the north. the face of the country is generally quite level, broken only by long undulations. It is almost entirely prairie land in this part, and was allowed to remain uncultivated until after the opening of the railroads. It was largely used for pasturage during this period, and often presented signs of great animation as the herds of cattle, under the care of their drovers, moved about over its grassy, slightly undulating surface.
The prairies are now the chief producing part of the township. They easily admit of good drainage and, though to some extent rather level, are ex- ceedingly productive. Corn is the principal cereal grown. The others do well, but throughout this part of Central Illinois are not the staple article of agricult- ure. Cattle and hogs are raised quite extensively. Mr. Elisha Linder and a few others have been for many years prominently engaged in this business. The railroads at Mattoon give a direct outlet to all the chief markets of the world and should maintain a constant sale for farm produce.
A curious phenomenon exists on the farm of W. M. Champion, in the south- west part of this township. When digging for a well in March, 1871, after attaining a depth of thirty-one feet. a drill was used which was sunk a few feet farther, and a vein of carbonate gas struck. It was observed that when the drill was withdrawn the water gurgled up at irregular intervals, and as a vein was supposed to be found preparations were made to wall the well. No smell was attached to the gas, and no thoughts of it being then entertained. From the peculiar motion of the water it was fcared by one of the men that there might be poisonous gases in the well, and one of them went after a wisp of hay and another for some shavings. The latter returned first. and, lighting his bunch, was hallooed to by the other to " Throw it down." i. e., on the ground. Thinking he meant throw it in the well he did. and a frightful report and sheet of flame burst forth. Mr. Tremble and one or two others who were near were severely scorched about the face, and all were tremendously amazed. The gas
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soon burned out, but would soon accumulate. Various experiments were made with it. An iron tube was inserted and the gas allowed to escape in a small stream. When lighted it burned with a brilliant light. The well soon became notorious and was visited by scores of people from all sections of the West. Finally, Mr. Champion bethought himself to utilize the gas, and, conducting it by pipes to his house, soon had it in use in his kitchen to cook by, and in other stoves it was used as fuel. It made an excellent light, and he has all the ap- pliances of a city in that regard. He walled the well, and now water stands in it, all seasons, so that from one well he gets light, fuel and water, all without any tax or license.
Attempts have been made to obtain petroleum in the township, but all have proved unsuccessful. Coal can be had as it was found in exploring for oil, but at such a depth that it will hardly pay to work.
With this brief outline of the topographical features of the township, we will pass to that part of more interest to all-the
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
As has been intimated, the earliest settlement in this township was made near the timber on the Little Wabash, in the south part of the township. Emigration to this part of the county came after that part along the Embarrass River had received its first influx of settlers, hence the locality was known before any came to live.
In the summer of 1826, Mr. Charles Sawyer, a resident of Kentucky, came to this part of Illinois looking for a home. He remained a short time with the Trues, in what is now La Fayette Township, and examined the country to the south and west of them. Selecting a location at the north side of the timber, on the Little Wabash, he returned to the True settlement, and hired a man named Bates, for $10, to build him a cabin, while he should return to Kentucky for his family. Mr. Bates hired Levi Doty, a young man living in the neighborhood, to build the cabin, and, by winter, a very comfort- able home was ready for " Uncle Charley " when he should return. This cabin was the first habitation for a white man known to have been built in the bounds of either Mattoon or Paradise Township. It stood near the site of Mr. John Sawyer's house in Section 28, and until a few other pioneers could erect similar habitations, was the home of the emigrant while he was selecting and preparing his own fireside.
During the interval from the completion of the cabin by Mr. Doty, and what few pioneers he could call to his aid, and Mr. Sawyer's return in the spring of 1827, one family made it a temporary home until they could build their own cabins. The family was that of James Nash. They were living in the cabin when Mr. Sawyer arrived. Some among the early residents state that another family, that of Miles Hart, occupied the cabin. Mr. John Sawyer is, however, not of this opinion. It may be that Mr. Hart remained in it only a
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few days, while Mr. Nash seems to have used it longer. Which of the two statements is accurate, it is now difficult to determine, but we are inclined to the opinion that only Mr. Nash lived in the cabin, and that Mr. Hart did not come until later, as is mentioned further on. When "Uncle Charley," as he was afterward always known, returned, he brought with him his two sons-in- law, John Young and Henry Cole, who each brought a small family. Mr. Young settled where B. F. Mooney now lives, and Mr. Cole immediately north and adjoining Unele Charley. These three pioneers had not been long in their frontier homes until they were joined by John Houching, known as "Unele Jack," who settled the farm now owned by Azariah Sanders. The Hart fam- ilies, one of whom, Miles H., has already been noticed, came about the same time, and joined the infantile settlement. Miles II. was joined by his father, Thomas, and his brothers Silas, Jonathan, Moses and Thomas, Jr., all of whom brought families but the last named, who was yet a single man. The Hart family settled in what is now Paradise Township, and will be found noticed there more fully. If they all came at once, then the assertion of Mr. John Sawyer, that Miles H. did not live in his father's cabin prior to the latter's permanent removal, is correct. These families, with James T. Cunningham and Jefferson Coleman came together, and were the pioneers of Paradise Town- ship. The entire settlement at that date was, however, counted as one.
These persons were about all that came in 1827. They formed the first settlement and may be truly named the pioneers of that part of the county.
The next year, John Sawyer, brother of Charles, located on the east side of the timber. About the same time that he came, George M. Hanson and Dr. John Epperson, the first physician in the county, arrived. Mr. Hanson settled the farm now owned by John E. Tremble, and the Doctor located farther south, just over the line in what is now Paradise Township. Though an early settler there, and one whose history properly belongs to that township, some account of him here will not be out of place.
He was for many years the only physician of all this part of the country, often riding twenty and thirty miles to visit his patients. He was uniformly kind and faithful in his attentions to the sick, and was greatly respected. Even after old age came on and he earnestly requested none to call on him for pro- fessional advice or aid, his old neighbors and acquaintances would not give him up. but came again and again for him. If he could not go to the patient, they would ask for prescriptions and advice, and as long as the old Doctor lived, he could not deny them this. He remained at his old home until his death, which occurred only a little over a year ago. The old settlers of this part remember well the golden wedding which he and his faithful wife were privi- leged to celebrate a few years ago.
About a year after the settlement of the Doctor and Mr. Hanson, came James Graham and family, who located a little east of Charles Sawyer. Mr. G. was a local Methodist preacher of commendable zeal, and a faithful, earnest,
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
Christian man. He was one of the pioneer ministers in the western part of the county, and was a man extensively known. Soon after he settled, Elisha Linder arrived with his mother, two sisters and one brother, and settled south and adjoining Mr. Graham. Mr. Linder had been out here in 1829, and selected a location, remaining about two months. Early in 1831, he returned, planted a crop, raised a cabin, and then returned for his mother and family, arriving with them in October. They were from Hardin County, Ky., where many of those we have mentioned had lived, and, like their predecessors, came to Illinois to find a new home, and where they could grow with the growth of the county. Mr. Linder is still living on his old homestead, in the enjoy - ment of the comforts a long, busy life has gathered around him.
James Nash, of whom mention has been made, died soon after his settlement. His was the first death in the community, and, for want of better tools, his coffin was made of split walnut puncheons. Mr. John Sawyer, Sr., now an old man, states that he was among those who made the coffin and dug the grave. He was a boy then, but distinctly remembers the circumstances. No train of carriages or gilded hearse bore his remains to their last resting-place. The few neighbors, true to one another, gathered silently at the cabin of their late asso- ciate, and, after a prayer, a song, and a few remarks by the good old Elder, laid him away in his rough coffin and lonely grave. Mr. Nash's death was the result of an injury received from carrying a log, with which to make a bee gum, on his shoulder. His death occurred on December 24, 1829. He was buried on Christmas Day, on a small bluff on the Little Wabash, near what is now the home of John Thomas, on the road from Mattoon to Paradise. This was the first grave dug for a white settler at the Wabash Point. One of his children has since been buried near him. The place Mr. Nash settled fell into the hands of William Langston, another early settler. It is now owned by William Clark. George Morris settled west of Mr. Langston's, his farm being the one now owned by the widow Langston. Next west of Mr. Morris was old Mr. Champion, father of Richard and William Champion. Further on south and west of the timber, in what is now Paradise Township, were the Currys. Moores, McIntoshes, Alexanders, Crosses, Brinegers and the Drakes. These were among the early settlers in this neighborhood, and in Paradise Township, where they are more particularly noticed.
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