The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 20

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > Illinois > McLean County > The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 20

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At the annual meeting, in December, 1858, the weather was very severe, and but few were present. The reports of the Treasurer and Agent were adopted, and the officers of the Society retained.

The seventh anniversary was held at the Methodist Church, December 18, 1859. The new Agent, Rev. Mr. Ansley, and the Treasurer, Mr. Magoun, made acceptable reports ; Mr. L. W. Capen was chosen President, and the other officers retained. The Society was addressed very interestingly by Rev. Mr. Price and Rev. Mr. Knowlton.

At the annual meeting, December 30, 1860, in the Presbyterian Church, the old offi- cers were retained, the reports of the Agent and the Treasurer approved, and the Society ably addressed by Rev. Messrs. Pitner, Clark and Eddy. At a meeting of the Execu- tive Committee; $30 were appropriated to cach of the following individuals, to make them life-members of the American Bible Society : Rev. A. Eddy, Rev. H. R. Price, Rev. L. Taylor, Rev. S. W. Knowlton, Rev. Mr. Clark, Messrs. James C. McFarland, Daniel Sill, Francis Smith and Miss Ann Gastman.

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

The County Agent, Rev. J. Ansley, reported that he had received during the year, from the County Society, $101, and from the branch societies, 8484.46, making $585.46 ; and that the disbursements amounted to the same-$408.14 of it being sent to the American Bible Society at New York. During the year, 823 families had been visited ; new subscriptions raised, $219.10 ; families found without the entire Bible, 38; children under sixteen years of age, able to read, without Testaments of their own, 70; books sold in the county, $177.14 ; books given and drawn in the county, $77.36; total, $254.50. Books now on hand in county and branch societies, $653.92. Three $30-pledges were also obtained to make life-members of the American Bible Society.

The ninth anniversary of the Society was held at the Methodist Church, Decem- ber 17, 1861. Spirited addresses were made by Revs. G. R. Moore, Rucker and Price. The old officers were continued. The County Agent, Rev. J. Ansley, made his annual report substantially as follows : Cash received from the County Society, $335.50 ; from the branch societies, $419.11 ; total, $754.61. Disbursements for the year, the same, of which $524.04 were sent to the American Bible Society, New York ; $224.04 in pay- ment for books, and $300 donation. Families visited, 1,019; new subseriptions obtained, $202.38; books sold in the county, $237.67; books given in the county (largely to our soldiers), $132.51; total, $370.18. Books now on hand in the county and branch societies, $756.38.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee, December 30, 1859 (not previously reported), by a donation of $30, the following-named gentlemen were made life-members of the American Bible Society ; Messrs. John Magoun, John E. McClun, O. Rugg, D. Wilkins and Rev. F. N. Ewing. At another ineeting of said Committee, December 17, 1861, the following-named gentlemen were made members for life of the same Society : Mr. L. W. Capen and Revs. L. C. Pitner, L. B. Kent, M. L. Moore, R. Con- over, A. Bowen, J. Ansley, William E. Johnson, C. H. D. Harris and A. J. Thomas.

The tenth annual meeting of the Society was held in the Presbyterian Church, February 8, 1863. The old officers were retained. Interesting speeches were made by Rev. Mr. Button, Chaplain in the army, and Rev. Dr. Porter. Rev. J. Ansley, County Agent, reported : Cash received from the County Society, $443.88; from the branch societies, $645.45 ; total, $1,089.33. Disbursements amounting to the same, of which $829.66 were paid to the American Bible Society, $458.91 for books, and $370.75 donation. Families visited during the year, 1,174; new subseriptions obtained, $268.32 ; books sold in the county, $346.30 ; books given and drawn in the county, $152.13 ; embracing 853 volumes given to the soldiers. Books circulated in the county, $498.43; books on hand in County Society and branches, $748.20.

At a subsequent meeting of the Executive Committee, by a donation of $30 to each, the following gentlemen and ladies were made life-members of the American Bible Society : Revs. William T. Lowe, J. G. Evans ; Mrs. O. Rugg, Mrs. J. E. MeClune, Mrs. Bradner, Mrs. Maxwell, Messrs. George Hill, Isaae S. Mahan, George Bradford, S. Conkling and Rev. Mr. Berry.

At the eleventh annual meeting of the Society, at the Methodist Church, January 10, 1864, Mr. Henry Richardson was chosen President. The Society was ably addressed by Judge John M. Scott, and also by Prof. Knowlton, H. H. Hatch, Esq., and the Agent. At a subsequent meeting of the Executive Committee, Rev. Mr. Andrus was employed as an agent of the Society, at $500 a year, and Revs. Elburk and Hayes,

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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

and Mr. Danley, at $25 per month. Rev. Mr. Young was appointed to visit the German population. The usual reports were not ready.

At the twelfth annual meeting of the Society, January 5, 1865, at the Presby- terian Church, Mr. J. W. Maxwell was chosen Treasurer and Depositary of the Society ; the other officers were retained. The meeting was highly entertained by speeches from Revs. Dr. Porter, Bailey, Andrus and Price. The usual reports were not in readiness.

At the thirteenth annual meeting of the Society, the old officers were retained, except that Mr. O. Rugg was chosen President, December 17, 1865, at the Methodist Church. The meeting was entertained by speeches from Revs. Rutledge, Lowe, Ellis and Bailey. Mr. J. W. Maxwell, Treasurer, made his report, which was referred to Auditing Committee. Rev. Mr. Mayers, County Agent, made a partial report.

The fourteenth annual meeting of the Society was held in Shroeder's Hall, Decem- ber 23, 1866: The old officers were retained. Mr. J. W. Maxwell, Treasurer, and Mr. Ira Bristol, County Agent, made their reports. The meeting was entertained by addresses from Revs. Hartshorn, State Agent, Rabe, Ellis and Jacques.

The fifteenth annual meeting of the Society was held in the Methodist Church, December 22, 1867. The old officers were retained. The Secretary's report covered those of the Treasurer and the Agent. Meeting addressed by Revs. McElroy, McDougal, and the State Agent, Hartshorn.

The sixteenth annual meeting of the Society was held in the Presbyterian Church March 14, 1879. The old officers were re-elected. The reports of Mr. J. W. Maxwell, Treasurer, and of Mr. C. K. Daniels, County Agent, were read and referred to com- mittee. Very interesting addresses were delivered by President Edwards, of the Nor- mal University, and Judge Culver, of Pontiac.

The seventeenth anniversary of the Society was held in Schroeder's Opera-House, April 8, 1870. Mr. W. H. Winegardner was chosen President, and the other officers substantially retained. Mr. J. W. Maxwell, Treasurer, and Rev. Mr. Daniels, County Agent, presented their reports, which were read and approved. Rev. Dr. Reed de- livered a very fine address, which was well appreciated by the audience.

The eighteenth anniversary of the Society was held in the Academy of Music, April 9, 1871. The old officers were rechosen. The audience was very large, and listened with much interest to the addressess delivered by Rev. Mr. Pilcher, R. R. Williams, Esq., and Mr. Jackman, Superintendent of machine shops, Chicago & Alton Railroad. From the report of the County Agent, Mr. C. K. Daniels, we select the follow- ing items. During the year, he had addressed 38 public meetings, obtained new subscriptions amounting to $819.82, collected on subscriptions and notes, $1,048.98, received from local agents and branch societies, $582.46, and from sale of books, $315.20, making the entire receipts $1,946.64. He had traveled 1,100 miles, visited, with assist- ance of local agents, 1,400 families. Number of books circulated, 1,400, to the value of about $900; number of branch societies, 27, having in their depositories books to the value of $716.81, and $694.42 worth in the county depository, amounting to $1,411.23. There are 220 local agents, and 33 pastors co-operating in the county. The Treasurer's report shows receipts to be $1,946.64, and disbursements and $175.92 on hand, amounting to the same, $1,200 of which was sent to parent society, New York. Books left over and purchased during the year, $1,643.39 ; books on hand and distributed to the same amount.

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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

The nineteenth anniversary of the Society was a very interesting occasion. The former officers were retained. The meeting, April 21, 1872, in Schroeder's Opera- House, was very large, and most ably addressed by Dr. E. O. Haven, President of the Northwestern University, at Evanston. The substance of the reports was : Books in the depository at the commencement of the current year, and purchases, $1,621.65 ; books delivered to branch societies, sold, and on hand, the same. Cash received from sales and branch societies, $2,089.51 ; disbursements and balance in Treasury, the same, of which $1,106 were sent to parent society, New York. The resources of the Society amount to $1,816.02. The County Agent, Mr. C. K. Daniels, had delivered 47 addresses ; obtained by subscriptions, $1,430; secured 4 life-members to par- ent society ; made cash collections, $1,739.04 ; traveled 2,700 miles ; visited 2,179 families ; circulated 1,600 Bibles and Testaments ; found 48 families destitute of the Bible ; supplied 24, and did much other labor in the cause.

The twentieth anniversary of the Society was held in the Opera-House, July 27, 1873. Rev. John Ansley was chosen President, and the other officers retained. The hall was packed, and many could not gain admittance. The meeting was eloquently ad- dressed by Rev. Mr. Barnes. Measures were taken to supply the cars of the Chicago & Alton Railroad with Bibles and Testaments. The Treasurer's report shows $2,514.60 · in books held over, in receipts from branches through agent, and sales at depository. The disbursements were the same, except $365.30 in treasury. Sent to parent society, $1,444.24. Books in the county depository, and in those of the branch societies, $1.370.20. The County Agent had addressed 32 public meetings, and obtained $725 in subscriptions ; had traveled 2,000 miles ; 2,324 families were visited, 39 found without Bibles and supplied; about 180 books were circulated, and much other labor done.

The twenty-first anniversary of the Society was held at Durley Hall, June 7, 1874. The meeting was immense. The former officers were retained. The audience was ad- dressed by Mrs. Jennie Willing, Dr. Edwards, of Normal, and Rev. Dr. Fallows. The Treasurer's report shows that $797.33 were received for books sold, and $829.45 for col- lections and donations. To the parent society, $1,066.77 were sent, the expenses paid, and $352.54 in the treasury. Value of books received during the year, $1,293.32 ; value of books donated to supply Chicago & Alton Railroad cars, $207.47 ; value of books in the chief and branch depositories, $1,317.37. Protestant Churches co-operat- ing, 77; branch societies, 29 ; families visited, 1,696 ; destitute families supplied with Scriptures, 12.

The twenty-second anniversary of the Society was held in Durley Hall, May 16, 1875. Mr. William Bone was chosen President, and Mr. J. A. Willson, Secretary. The immense audience was addressed by Dr. Edwards, of Normal. From the Treas- urer's report, we learn that the receipts from books sold were $674.55 ; from collections and donations, $775.60; paid to the parent society $1,222.16; and, after paying the expenses, $185.55 cash in the treasury. The value of books received during the year was $900.21; the value of books sold, $674.75 ; and the value of books remaining in the depositories, $1,441.14.

The twenty-third anniversary of the Society was held Aug. 27, 1876, at the Meth- odist Church. The audience was large, and was addressed very satisfactorily by Rev. A. I. Hobbs. The old officers were continued. At a previous meeting of the Executive

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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

Committee, the following persons were constituted life-members of the County Soci- ety : Miss May Bedell, of Lawndale; Mr. William Morris, of West; Mr. William Baldridge, of White Oak, and Mr. J. M. Mitchell, of Gridley. As reported by the Treasurer, there had been received from the County Agent $892.32, from the branch societies, $221.75, and from sale of books in county depository, $570.40. The expenses were paid, $663.92 sent to the parent society, and $719.36 remained in the treasury. Books delivered to branches, $330.19; remaining in depository, $602.15. County Agent had spoken publicly 42 times ; 1,736 families were visited ; 70 destitute families supplied with Bibles ; 1,280 miles traveled ; 2,000 books circulated, and much other labor was performed for the Society.

The twenty-fourth anniversary of the Society was held in the Presbyterian Church, September 16, 1877. The old officers were retained, and the meeting addressed by Dr. W. H. H. Adams. The Treasurer reported $1,933.72 receipts from all sources, with what was on hand at the previous report. Expenses were paid, $1,044.30 sent to parent society and $335.41 remained in treasury. Amount of books received from New York, $1,065.35 ; books sold at depository, $530.45 ; books on hand, $750.21. Rev. James Ferguson assisted the County Agent in canvassing. Families visited in the county, 4.000; number of destitute families and individuals supplied with Bibles, 183; miles traveled, 1,800 ; value of books donated, $164.07 ; value of books sold, $739.03 ; value · of books on hand in the county, $1,600.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the Society was held at the Methodist Church, June 9, 1878. The old officers were retained. Meeting addressed by Revs. A. I. Hobbs, J. A. Kumler and J. M. Baugh. The report of the Treasurer shows: Cash from all sources, $1,127.07 ; disbursements show expenses paid, sent to American Bible Society, $491.47, and remaining in treasury, $391.61. Books sold, $398.82; books purchased, $314.60; books on hand, $641.64 in the county depository, and $818.98 in those of the branch societies. Miles traveled by the County Agent, 1,150; addresses delivered, 25; families visited, 1,000; local agents, 150; branch societies 32; value of books circulated, sold and donated, $448.42.

The Society has been in operation twenty-five years. It has sent to the American Bible Society from $12,000 to $15,000, in payment for books or as donations, $1,000 hav- ing been recently transmitted to it from the estate of the late Mr. T. C. Humphrey, of this county. Many thousands of Bibles and Testaments have been put into the hands of the people of this county through its agency, and incalculable good done by its many incidental influences. The Society is in a healthy condition, and in hopeful spirits in reference to its future successes, when the present financial embarrassments shall have subsided.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

As will be seen in another place, while speaking of its origin, McLean County assumed its present form and dimensions in 1841, on the formation of Woodford County. The main body of it is forty-two miles east and west, and thirty-two north and south, the northeast and the northwest corners having been cut off. There is no stream of water of any considerable size within its limits. In the northeastern portion of the county there are several creeks, as Bray's Creek, Henline Creek, Turkey Creek, Patton Branch, Money Creek, Crooked Creek and Buck Creek ; and in the northwestern por- tion, Denman's Creek, Rock Creek, Six-Mile Creek and many smaller ones all running

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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

northwest, and combining to form the Mackinaw, which runs west, leaving the county near the northwest corner of Township 25 north, Range 2 east, and passing into Taze- well County. In the northeast corner, Rock Creek and some other small creeks run north, into the Vermilion.

In the western portion of the county are several branches of Sugar Creek, running southwest, and leaving the county on the west side of Townships 22 and 23 north, Range 1 west of the Third Principal Meridian. In the southwestern portion is Kick- poo Creek, with its many branches, running southwest and leaving the county in the northeastern part of Township 21 north, Range I east, and entering De Witt County. In the southeastern portion are the branches of Salt Creek, running south into De Witt County, in Township 21 north, Ranges 4 and 5 east; and in the eastern part of the county are the incipient waters of the Sangamon River, running east and south, and leaving the county near the the southeastern corner of Township 23 north, Range 6 east.

This all shows very clearly that the middle portion of McLean County is a gentle swell of country, higher than the surrounding counties ; it shows, also, how generally and impartially all parts are supplied with running water.

Nor are the distribution and the size of its forest groves less admirable. In the northwest is White Oak Grove; in the north, Mackinaw Timber; in the west, Stout's Grove ; in the center, Blooming Grove and Old Town Timber; in the south, Funk's Grove, Randolph Grove and Buckle's Grove, and in the east, Cheney's Grove. As a whole, this distribution of streams and groves could scarcely be improved for agricult- ural pursuits and for stock-raising, as well as for convenience, health and beauty. In the southeastern portion of the county, more timber-land may seem desirable ; but there is compensation in the fact that West and Belleflower are two as fine townships of land as the sun shines upon in his daily course.

EARLY TIMES.

As will be seen elsewhere, the territory now comprising MeLean County was, in 1821, embraced in two other counties, that portion of it lying west of the Third Prin- cipal Meridian being in Sangamon County, and the rest in Fayette, and the capital of the State was Vandalia, the county seat of the latter county.

At that time, there were no white settlers within the present limits of the county. Although the Indians had, sometime previously, bargained away this section of the West to the United States Government, they were still in full possession of the country . and roamed over it at will, enjoying all its advantages, as formerly.

The first surveying on the territory now composing this county was done in April, 1821, by Mr. John F. McCullum, who ran the Third Principal Meridian from the standard line, on the south side of Town 21, as far north as the north line of Town 25. The standard line on the south side was run also in April, 1821, by Mr. Joseph Borough ; and the line north of Town 25 was surveyed in March, 1822, by Mr. Enoch Stein. These lines were the bases of the survey of the county. Ranges 1 and 2 east were surveyed in October and November, 1823, by Messrs. A. M. and P. M. Ham- trameck. Range 3 east was surveyed in January and February, 1824, by Mr. Beal Greenup. Ranges 4 and 5 east were surveyed in April, 1824, by Mr. John Barcroft. Range 6 east was surveyed by Mr. E. Recton, probably in 1824; and Range 1 west of the Third Principal Meridian, by Mr. P. M. January, in June, 1823.

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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

In their notes, these surveyors speak of there being a settlement of white people on Section 15, in Randolph Township, in 1823. There was a camp of Delaware Indi- ans on the northwest quarter of Section 36, in Lexington Township, near which was their corn-field, consisting of a few acres. There was also a town of the Kickapoo Indians near the present village of Pleasant Hill. Their corn-field, of about twenty acres, was on the line between Sections 17 and 20. Mr. Patrick Hopkins, still living in the vicinity, saw corn growing in that field, on the 25th of May, 1830, which the Indians had planted, and which was at that time twenty inches high-the biggest corn ever seen in this section of country so early in the year.

There was another noted Indian town at the head of Old Town Timber-hence the name-on the line between Sections 31 and 32, in Arrowsmith Township. At the time of the survey, this town was apparently abandoned. The outlines of their intrenehments were seen as late as in 1863. On breaking up the turf, in 1864, bullets, gun-barrels and many bones were thrown up; and numerous arrow-points are found, even unto the present day.

The main trail of the Indians through this section of the State was southeast and northwest, from Post Vincennes, on the Wabash, to Fort Clarke (Peoria), up the Wabash and the Vermilion, in the direction of Danville; thence across to the Sangamon, to the northwest part of Champaign County; thence to the east end of Old Town Timber; thence northwest, to Smith's Grove, in Towanda Township; thence to the south end of Haven's Grove, and thence westward, crossing the Mackinaw at Farnisville. From this route, it will be seen that the Indians in those times, like the early settlers, were very friendly to the groves, and liked to be as near them as practicable. Traces of this trail can still be seen in the hills near the Mackinaw, cut by the feet of the Indian ponies, in their passing to and fro. This was the main trail through the county, and other lighter trails were seen in different directions. Indians were quite common in the vicinity of Indian Grove, in Livingston County, as late as in 1835. In those times, the Indians, and the early settlers after them, made considerable quantities of sugar from the maple-trees in these groves, especially in Blooming Grove, Randolph Grove, Dry Grove and Stout's Grove, and some is still made in favorable seasons.

FIRST SETTLEMENTS.

The first settlers in what is now MeLean County were Mr. John W. Dawson and Mr. John Hendrix, who came with their families to Blooming Grove in the spring of 1822, and settled near its east end. They came from Sangamon County, which, at that time, included the portion of this county west of the Third Principal Meridian, and this portion of it, in which they settled, was in Fayette County. In the summer of the same year, Mr. John Dawson came to join his family in the new home. In the spring of 1823, the Orendorff's came to the Grove. In 1824, came the Rhodes family, and Mr. William H. Hodge, Mr. William R. Goodheart, Mr. William Evans and Mr. William Dimmitt in 1825. In 1826, came the Guthries, Mr. David Cox and Mr. William McCullough. In 1827, Dr. Isaac Baker, and, in 1829, the Allen family came to cast their lot with the pioneers. A fuller account of the carly settlement of Blooming Grove will be found elsewhere in this work.

It is said that Mr. Gardner Randolph came to Randolph Grove in 1822, and Mr. Alfred M. Stringfield in 1823. In fact, the surveyors of the county, in their notes

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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

speak of there being a settlement in that Grove in 1823. In 1824, the Rutledges and Mr. Jesse Funk came there ; in 1830, the Passwaters family, Mr. Jacob Bishop and Mr. Coverdale; in 1830, the Stewarts and the Nobles; and, in 1834, the Rusts. In 1823, the Bensons came to White Oak Grove and made permanent settlements. In 1824, the Funks and the Stubblefields came to Funk's Grove and to Mount Hope and made settlements. In 1825, the Cheneys settled at Cheney's Grove, and the Dicker- sons at Le Roy, and Mr. E. B. Mitchell at Stout's Grove. In 1826, Mr. Jesse Trim- mer settled at Money Creek; and, in 1827, Mr. Matthew Robb and the McClures and the Hodges settled in Stout's Grove. The Spawrs settled in Lexington in 1826 and 1827. In 1828, Mr. Robert H. Johnson came to Dale Township, and the Beelers in 1830. In 1829, Mr. Lawson Downs settled in Downs Township; and, in 1826, came Mr. Henry Vansickle to Dry Grove, followed by Mr. Stephen Webb and Mr. George M. Hinshaw in 1827. In 1827, Mr. William M. MeCord settled in Gridley Township, and Mr. John B. Messer in 1829, followed by Mr. John Sloan and the Coons, in after years. In 1829, Mr. Joseph Messer and the Havenses settled in Hudson, followed, the next year, by Mr. Benjamin Wheeler and Mr. John Smith-the veritable John Smith. In 1828, the Henlines settled in Lawndale Township. In 1825, Mr. William Evans, Jr., settled in Padua, followed by Mr. Daniel Jackson in 1830, and Mr. Jeremiah Greenman in 1831. In 1828, Mr. Jesse Walden settled in Towanda Town- ship.

Such were the chief initial settlements in this county in former times. In 1821, the country between Blooming Grove and Lake Michigan was one of the grandest specimens of the "unshorn fields of God" ever presented to the human eye. The foot-prints of no white man contaminated its soil and tainted the air with his vicious breath, fragrant of whisky and tobacco. The sole tenant of this vast region, big with all the elements of future greatness, was one Mr. Lo. Even he was rather an erratic body, with no fixed habitation, following after his equally erratic food-the champion tramp of his day.

In those early times, the style of living was quite primitive, and somewhat differ- ent from that of the present. Their dwellings were mostly of the composite style of architecture, being made up of such material as could be most easily obtained. They employed very little of the Corinthian style, but much of the Door-ic style. Their pillars were taken from "God's first temples-the forests." They constructed their buildings, so as to be adapted to a very economical system of self-ventilation and self- heating. Being rather a hearty sort of people, they could tolerate the prairie breezes and the sun's warm visitations. They were not of too delicate a mold to digest their own food, instead of employing the contents of a drug store to carry on that necessary process ; nor did they consider it disgraceful to gain their livelihood by personal industry and constant labor. Very little do the young people of the present day know about the privations and the hardships through which the first settlers in this county were obliged to pass. The first settlers were obliged, sometimes, to go to the Wabash, or to Fox River, to get their grinding done. It was not very uncommon to go a distance of fifty miles, on horse-back, to get their plow-irons sharpened. Sometimes they constructed sort of mills, with millstones, cut from the lost rocks found on the prairies. They contrived, by various means, to pound and crush the grain for their food. It is said that they also used wooden grindstones, with sand worked into the circumference, to sharpen their

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 20

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr.
Number of Pages: 1092