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 49
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Number of schools, 9; number of academies, 1; number of school chil- dren-males, 208; females, 183; total, 391; average wages paid to teachers
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
per month-males, $43.24; females, $25.44; length of school term, 6 months; value of school property, $3,551; principal of township fund, $923.
CHURCHES.
Outside of the village of Stockton, there are four churches in this township -three Baptist and one Methodist. One of these, the Bethel Baptist Church, is one of the oldest churches in the county. It was founded by Father Barham, or William Martin, both of whom were early ministers here. The organization was made in some cabin, probably that of the ministers, with only a few mem- bers, and, for awhile, the place of worship was continued there. When the schoolhouse was built, near Sulphur Springs, in 1829 or 1830, the preaching- place was made there, and continued there until about 1835, when a log church was erected near the site of the present Bethel church. The congregation grew with ordinary success until 1840, when, owing to a difference of views concerning points of order, a division occurred, and from that date two congre- gations appear. Both used the same house now replaced by a better and more commodious structure, until Mattoon was started, when, owing to the fact of several of the members in the withdrawing party being there or near there, a house of worship was built there in 1856, and this part went there to worship. Theirs was the first church in the town. The old body retained possession of the property, and still use the Bethel Church and are known by that name. Thomas Threlkeld had been one of the early pastors here, and remained with them until the division, when he went with the Mattoon church. He remained in the ministry until his death. The Bethel Church still continues prosperous, and supports regular services. The Mattoon church, sometimes known as Mis- sionary Baptists and by other names, remained in Mattoon until about 1869 or 1870, when they sold their property, preparatory to removing to a more central location for their people. They used a schoolhouse a few miles west of Stock- ton until they could erect a house of worship, which they completed soon after the change, and which they now use. Mr. Threlkeld was succeeded in the ministry by J. G. Sawin, the present Pastor. The number of members is now about twenty. The Church retains the same name as its original-Bethel Church.
The Nineveh Missionary Baptist Church is of recent origin, having been organized only about four years. Rev. Barker was the originator and chief one in the formation of the Church, and has done much for its advancement. They built a very neat frame church, a few years ago, which they now regularly occupy.
The Kickapoo Methodist Church was organized as a class, probably, before the Black Hawk war. Just when, is not now known. Like all other frontier churches, its members met in each other's cabins and offered up their prayer and praise to the Being who preserved them and gave them the blessings they enjoyed. As soon as the Ewing Schoolhouse was erected, they met there, and
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continued therein until they could erect a log church, which they used until the erection of their present house of worship, in 1860. They were watched over in pioneer times by ministers who braved the dangers of a frontier life, and who counted it richer by far to save a soul than to gain a kingdom. That they have their reward no one can doubt. The little church, founded by so few, years ago, is now strong, and able not only to bear its own burden, but to help others in their start, knowing by experience the benefit of a little aid at the right time.
One other church in the township remains to be mentioned. As it is in the village of Stockton, however, we forbear any sketch of it here, and pass to the sketch of the village first, whose history will close this chapter.
STOCKTON.
When the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad was completed through this township, a stopping-place was made where Stockton now is, that point being nearly half-way between Mattoon and Charleston. For about seven years, the condition of things remained the same, only a platform being built and a switch made. Capt. B. F. Jones was mainly instrumental in getting even this much of an arrangement, and during all this time, was a constant shipper. He brought the frame building immediately south of the track here, and used it as a storehouse and warehouse for several years. In the fall of 1863, Capt. Jones, who owned the land on which the village is now situated, concluded to lay out a town, and for that purpose had J. J. Peterson, a surveyor, plat the original village. In casting about for a name, Mr. Thomas E. Woods, then connected with the Mattoon Journal, suggested Stockton, and, without waiting to see if there was any other town or post office in the State of that name, it was adopted. When the post office was established here, soon after, another village in Illinois was indeed found of that name, with an office, and the postal authorities refused to christen this one by the name given it. After one or two efforts, the name Loxa for the post office was suggested and accepted. The cit- izens have several times endeavored to get the railroad company to change the name of the station to correspond with that of the post office, but, so far, have been unable to do so.
Soon after the town was surveyed, John Monroe, who had been connected with Capt. Jones in the shipping business, erected a store. About the same time that he began in the dry goods, groceries, etc., trade, S. Y. Vance came also, and united with him in supplying the wants of the people hereabouts. These two men and J. W. Egbert erected houses, removed families to them and started village life in earnest. Mr. Sawin, Capt. Jones and a few others fol- lowed them, and in a few years the village assumed its present proportions. Capt. Jones also erected a store, now used, and when the Cumberland Presby- terians decided to remove their church to the village, he purchased the old church and converted it into a hay-barn. But one or two stores only have been
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
built here. The village being midway between the county seat and Mattoon, the greater part of the trade of the people about the village goes to one or the other of these places, leaving only a local trade here. A shop or two, the ship- ping business in town and one or two other commodities complete its trade.
Until about 1870, school was maintained in the district schoolhouse, near the village. About that time, however, the building was erected here. and since then school has been taught in the village. It is still under the township control.
Eight years ago, Prof. Thomas J. Lee, County Superintendent of Schools, opened an academy, which he has made a success. A few years ago, Capt. Jones, who has done much for this town and community, built a very com- modious house for the use of the Academy, capable of accommodating over one hundred scholars. Pupils are fitted for teaching here, the curriculum of studies being prepared especially to that end. Prof. Lee received his education at the West Point Military Academy, and brings thoroughness and exactness to bear in his instruction. The school is away from any evil surroundings prevalent in larger places, and fills the void excellently well for which it is intended, viz., a step between the common school and the college. Music is also taught here, and, as the school is centrally located, it is well attended by pupils from the surrounding country. A glance at the catalogue shows a large percentage of its pupils engaged in teaching. As an evidence of the favorable condition of the school, it is noticed that the attendance has grown from 63 pupils the first year, to 111 the last year. During the ordinary vacation, Prof. Lee conducts a five-weeks normal, which is well attended.
The only church in Stockton is the Cumberland Presbyterian, which, as has been mentioned, was brought from the country. The congregation was organ- ized several years before the town was contemplated, in the northeast part of the township, and a church erected a short distance north of the site of Stock- ton. After the village was started, it was concluded best to remove the place of worship there. Capt. Jones purchased the old frame church. and, in 1868, the present edifice was erected. It is a commodious frame building, and is at present sufficiently large for the congregation. Only occasional services are held here, the congregation not being able to sustain a regular minister.
NORTH OKAW.
This township, located in the extreme northwest corner of the county, like the other townships in the northern tier, includes one and one-half townships in its area. In the days when the territory of Coles County was divided into voting precincts, Okaw Precinct extended as far north as the northern bound- ary of the present county of Douglas, and south to its present limits. The votes of her citizens at that time were cast at the small village of Bagdad, on the old Springfield trace. Some years later, as the population increased, a division was made by a line running east and west about one mile north of the
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
old Springfield trace. and all the territory north of that line was designated North Okaw, and that of which we are now writing was known as South Okaw. The name as originally applied to the precinct, was taken from the river which traverses the township in a general southwestern direction. To this stream the French gave the name Kaskaskia, while the Indians designated it uniformly by the name Okaw. The early settlers adopted the Indian name, and their descendants speak of it to-day as the Okaw. to the utter exclusion of the French name. Perhaps a more accurate description in regard to name would be given by saying, that from Shelbyville to its source, the name Okaw is invariably applied, while from the same point to its mouth it is known as the Kaskaskia. When the county was divided into townships, the citizens met for the purpose of selecting a name. The name Martin was proposed by some, in honor of one of the early settlers. Others, to whom the name Okaw had become endeared from its association with their early struggles and hardships, clung with something akin to filial affection to the dear old name. On the call for a vote, Okaw's standard was lifted up by a large majority. When the name was submitted for approval, it became necessary to prefix the word North in order to distinguish more clearly the territory bearing the name, from that of Okaw Township, in Shelby County. Thus, what was once known as South Okaw Precinct, became a few years later North Okaw Township. The Okaw River enters the township at the extreme northwestern boundary, and flowing in a general southwestern direction, passes out at its western boundary about two and one-half miles north of the southwestern corner of the township. This stream with its tributaries. affords excellent drainage for a large portion of the township. Crab-Apple Tree Creek. a small stream flowing from east to west through the southern portion of the township, drains the southern tier of sections. In its primitive state, fully one-third of its area was timber-land, the remaining two-thirds being open prairie. To-day, however, its timber is confined to a narrow belt skirting the banks of the Okaw. There is, perhaps, as great variety of soil in this township, as can be found in any other in the limits of the county. While the prairie is in general rich and productive, and charac- terized by a deep, black, loamy soil, even portions of it are far more productive than others. The soil of the woodland is far less fertile. Of a light, bluish color, and of shallow depth, it is poorly adapted to the growth of most of the cereals ; a better yield of wheat, however, is obtained from the woodland than from the prairie, and the crop is much surer, as the soil is better adapted to stand the alternate freezing and thawing so common to this climate. Corn, however, is the staple product, and upon the successful growing of this crop the farmer depends almost entirely for his support year after year. The D., M. & S. Railroad crosses the extreme southwest corner of the township, giving not to exceed three-quarters of a mile of railroad within her borders. Her points for shipping and receiving, are Mattoon and Humbolt. Though settle- ments were made within the present limits at quite an early day, the great
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
influx of population did not occur till abont the years 1855 and 1856, at which time the railroads crossing at Mattoon were rapidly approaching completion. In a few brief years, her population was doubled and even trebled, and the hitherto unoccupied prairie was soon dotted over with human habitations in every direction. And where, but a few short years before, the early settler was accustomed to chase the fleet-footed deer or flying wolf through the tall and matted grass of the unbroken prairie, he saw the rank, luxuriant fields of corn, waving gracefully in the summer breezes. Taken throughout its entire extent, the township compares very favorably with those surrounding it, in point of wealth and productiveness.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlements made in the township were confined to the timber along the east and west banks of the Okaw. To locate and build a cabin one- quarter of a mile from the woods would have been considered a hazardous and foolhardy undertaking. Prairies, in the language of the old settlers, were made for the deer, wolves and rattlesnakes, woods and water-courses for man. Hence, we invariably find the earliest improved farms in the woodland or hard by, while the better or more fertile portions are left to fall into the hands of those coming in after-years. Many an old settler toiled and labored almost incessantly, day and night, for months, to prepare a few acres of woodland for cultivation, when, within a stone's throw of his cabin, lay the rich, fertile prairie, inviting him to reap a rich harvest for the mere sowing. The fact that a settlement was in the township as early as 1833, seems to be pretty fully established, and John Whitley and his sons John, Elisha, William and Randall, are recorded as among the first, if not the first, to settle and make improvements in its limits. Their improvements were made along the Okaw, near the southwestern limits of the township .. Elisha and John were on the west side, while William and Randall located east of the stream. The Whitleys came from Tennessee, and must have- came to the State at an early day ; from statements made by the elder Whitley, they seem to have passed up the Kaskaskia, making settlements at various points ; so soon as neighbors began to settle in around them, they would desert their places, and, moving up the stream, would again locate, only a few years later to move still higher up the stream. About the same time, but higher up the stream, we find Baily Riddle, from North Carolina. Jesse Fuller came from Virginia in the summer of 1833, and settled east of the river, in the out- skirts of the timber bordering on what is now Humbolt Township. John Bracken, from Kentucky, came in the fall of 1833, and made a small improve- ment about one-quarter of a mile across the line, in what is now Moultrie County. But few, if any, others were in the township as early as 1833. Henry and Hawkins Fuller, Woolery Coonrod, Thomas Blythe, William Bridgeman, William and Jonathan Graham, Thomas Payton, Noah Elrod, Fred Price, Wesley and Isaac Teal were added to the settlement during the
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
year 1834. The Fullers, however, first settled at what is called Whitley's Point, in Mattoon Township, and, in the fall of 1835, came up into Okaw. The Fullers and Price were from Virginia, Coonrod Blythe and the Teals from Tennessee, Grahams from Kentucky, Payton and Elrod from Indiana. In the spring of 1835, P. M. Ellis came from Tennessee, and the following fall brought in Daniel Boothsby, Lowry Hoskins, Nathan Dixon, James Elder and William Brann. In the spring of 1836, Jesse Ellis and wife, with their sons Wiley and Jesse K., came and settled on the improvement made by John Bracken, which Mr. Ellis had purchased a year previous. Noble Junken, David and Jacob Hoots came in the fall of the same year. Jacob Hoots set- tled, however, in what is now Humbolt Township. From this time forward, through a period of about two years, there seemed to be a complete cessation of immigration to this point. This may be accounted for in various ways, but perhaps the best explanation that could be offered, is the following : The year 1835 was an exceedingly wet and sickly season. The sick-list included every person in the settlement, though the list of mortality was small. Pleasant M. Ellis, who came, as has been already stated, in the spring of 1835, says : "It began raining the 16th day of May, and was a daily occurrence, almost, till the middle of August following. The Okaw River was at no time between these dates fordable. Many of the new-comers having 'shook' to their heart's content, as soon as they were able, packed up 'hook and line' and returned whence they came." Doubtless the unfavorable accounts they gave stopped, for a season, the tide of emigration to this immediate locality. In the fall of 1838, Alfred Jones and Thomas Ellis, of Kentucky, Samuel Elder, of Tennessee, with, perhaps, a few names not now recalled, came and set- tled. These all found a location along the east and west banks of the river. The timber-lands in general, at that day, appeared far more beautiful than they now do, for the great fall fires from the prairies swept through the forest and kept it clear of underbrush, consuming much of the fallen timber, so that the timbered land had a clean, pleasant look. The giant old oak stood unmolested, spreading its long, leafy boughs north and south, east and west, forming cool and pleasant shades, beckoning the weary traveler to lie down and rest, while the breezes laden with sweet perfumes from nature's floral garden gently fanned him to sleep. But the whole scene is changed, both timber and prairie. The prairie by the plowshare and the timber by the relentless chop- ping-ax ; and where once grew the lovely flowers, is now the far-stretching corn- field or the wide-spread meadow; and where once stood in its pristine glory the lordly monarch of the forest, it is now thickly overgrown with underbrush. What wonder is it, then, that the woodlands so inviting, should have been the chosen homes of the early settlers, to the utter disregard of the prairies with their dreaded winds and storms. The early settlers of Okaw experienced many of the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. Mills in those early days were few in number and distant many miles from each other. John Per-
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
vis had a mill on the Okaw some five or six miles south of the settlement, as early as 1833 or 1834. This was about as much a source of annoyance as profit, for it could only be operated when the water was at a proper stage, and as the stream was nearly always either too high or too low, the mill stood idle the greater part of the time. Jesse Fuller had a horse-mill on the east side of the Okaw, in 1836. The settlers on the west side were often compelled to swim the river in order to obtain grinding. They would take their grist by ox-team to the bank, swim their oxen across, then return and bring their grist over in a canoe; then placing the sacks of corn on the backs of the oxen, would jump on top and ride to mill. A like process must be repeated on their return. In a very dry time, they often went to Spangler's mill on the Sangamon, and some- times to Baker & Norfolk's mill on the Embarrass. Difficulties, such as would appall the stoutest hearts of the young and rising generation, were met and van- quished by thesc early settlers at a single blow. Sometimes they were reduced to the extremity of living for months on meal made from frost-bitten corn. Mrs. P. M. Ellis, whose father, William Parker, was one of the early settlers on Kickapoo, says, that the only bread she ate for months soon after coming, was made from meal so offensive that even the hogs would not eat it. This meal after standing for a short time became so compact that it required the aid of a rail maul to separate it in order that it might be sifted and made into bread. And while to-day we would regard it as a very unwholesome diet and the fruitful parent of all manner of diseases, yet they were blest with exceptionally good health.
As in other localities, the early settlers of Okaw enjoyed the ministrations of the Gospel at an early day. The settlers gathered alternately once a month at the cabins of Jesse Ellis and old Mr. Simms, and listened to the preaching of Rev. William Martin, one of the earliest ministers in the community. He belonged to the school of Regular Baptists. Occasionally Rev. Thomas Threl- keld paid them a visit. The Separate or Free-Will Baptists built the first house of worship in the township, about the year 1850. This house stands on Section 18, near the western limits of the township. Among its early mem- bers were Thomas Ellis, Mrs. P. M. Ellis and Micajah Phillips. Revs. James W. Vaughn and John Webb were its early ministers. Rev. Vaughn has labored most of the time for the Church since its organization. As late as 1866, the Regular Baptists built a church near the center of Section 17. Among its early communicants we find the names of Jesse Ellis and wife, Mr. Simms and family, Gideon Edwards, James Elder and family. William Martin and Thomas Threlkeld were the early Pastors of the Church. The Missionary Baptists also built a church on the west line of Section 10, near Cook's Mills, about the same date. The Methodist society held its early meetings in the cabins of Henry and Hawkins Fuller. Among the early ministers were Revs. Roberts, Joseph Lane and Arthur Bradshaw. Quinn Chapel, in the northwest corner of the township, was built about the year 1865, and east of the center of the township, Zion M. E. Church was built in 1872 or 1873. These five
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HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY.
churches are all neat frame buildings and their existence indicates that the citi- zens of this section are by no means indifferent as regards their moral and spiritual welfare.
The early physicians in this settlement were Drs. John Apperson and Seth Montague. Apperson, as has been elsewhere noted, was an early settler of Paradise Township, but his range of practice extended to then the uppermost set- tlements along the Okaw. Dr. J. T. Johnson came in some years later, and set- tled among them, and was for many years the leading practitioner in the community. The first post office established in the township was about the year 1852. Dr. Johnson was the first Postmaster, and, for a number of years. the office was kept at his house. It was named, however, Fuller's Point, in honor of Henry Fuller, who lived in a point of timber not far from the site of the post office. The mail was carried on horse-back from Charleston, along a route extending to Decatur. Prior to the establishment of the office at Fuller's Point, the citizens of Okaw got their mail-matter at Paradise, distant some eighteen miles from portions of the township. In 1868, an office was estab- lished at Cook's Mills, and Elam Cook was made Postmaster. Though he has not acted in that capacity for a number of years, yet all business connected with the office is transacted through his name. Martin Elder, who came in the fall of 1835, had, perhaps, the first store in all this section. It was just across the line, in what is now Moultrie County. The new enterprise had scarcely become known, however, when Elder suddenly left for parts unknown. It appears that he had been guilty of some crooked transactions in regard to the mails in the section from whence he came, and a United States detective sud- denly pounced down upon him, and, having secured pretty much all he had, graciously permitted him to escape. Some years later, David Robinson had a little country store in the northwest corner of the township proper.
A saw-mill was built at the present site of Cook's Mills, in 1864, by Robert Gillan, who, soon after, opened out a general country store. This he sold, together with the saw-mill, to Elam Cook, about the year 1868. Cook, soon after built a steam flouring-mill, the only grist-mill in the township. For some years, this mill was operated very successfully ; but, for the past few years, it has not been of much benefit to the surrounding community. D. A. Crumm is at present proprietor of the store, and has a full general stock.
Schools were instituted at an early day, and among those who wielded the rod of correction and "boarded round," may be mentioned Josiah Hoots, James Hamilton and "Grandpap " Baker. The township has kept equal pace with her neighbors in point of educational advancement. There are seven school districts in the township proper, each supplied with a suitable schoolhouse. During the past year, schools have been maintained throughout the several dis- tricts, an average of seven and one-half months. Male teachers employed, three ; female, five. Highest monthly wages paid, males, $40; females, $30. Principal of Township Fund, $2,300; interest from same, $230. Special dis-
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