The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 62

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 62

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

hour that he spent trying to cut wood without freezing to death will never be forgotten. He remembers as but yesterday seeing the mail-carrier going by on his way to the next post office east, which was more than five miles away. He felt sure the man could not stand the trip, but believes he did, for he never heard of his death. When he arrived at age, he entered eighty acres of land where he now lives, in Sections 34 and 35. He owns 147 acres here and has seen eight of his eleven children grow up around him.

The year 1844, all the flat land of this country was afloat all summer ; not corn enough was raised to feed the teams on, and small grain was cradled in the standing water.

Mr. Owen says that the county road before spoken of was laid out on the half- section line to accommodate those who were trying to build up Saybrook, which was also the fact in regard to the settlers at Indian Grove, directly north of Saybrook.

Ethan Newcomb came to Newcomb's Ford, a kind of a half-way place of enter- tainment down the river, twenty miles from Cheney's Grove, in 1828. In 1835, he removed with his family to Section 17, Cheney's Grove, where he made the first frame house that was built here. The lumber was sawed with a whip-saw as there was no mill then running here. He bought the claim of Henry Pitts; the same on which John Newcomb lives. One of his daughters married O. H. P. Vanscoyoc ; one, Jacob Smith, of Arrowsmith, and one, William Arbogast, of the same township. His son John lives there yet on Section 17. His son Joseph split rails and made a farm on Sec- tions 18 and 19, where he still resides. Nine of his eleven children live, most of them near him.

James Vanscoyoc came from Ohio to Old Town Timber in Padua in 1829. After living there some years, he came to Cheney's Grove and settled on the Means place. Five of his seven children are living either in this or the adjoining townships. One son, Walter, was for some years in business in Arrowsmith, and did much to build up that village and often occupied positions of trust in the official matters of the town. The family is recognized as one of the most enterprising and successful in this part of the county-not in the sense of acquiring large property, for none of them have become wealthy, but as strong, good citizens and valuable accessions to any new neighborhood.

John Prothero came from Canada to Cheney's Grove in 1840. He located on what is part of the Haines Cheney farm, and entered the land in 1842. In 1857, he went to Bloomington and returned here in 1873. He owns a good farm north of Saybrook, but lives in the village now. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1875, and is giving his best endeavors to keeping up the reputation which Saybrook has always had for peace and quiet.

Benjamin Prothero followed him in 1848. He lived with his brother awhile, and then took up land south of the Grove and east of Cheney's land. He has about five hundred acres of as fine land as there is in the town, and is a prosperous farmer and a careful manager.

Both these men married daughters of Jonathan Cheney.

Elijah Ellsworth came from Ohio in 1856, and settled out on the prairie, on the northeast quarter of Section 24. He has upon his place the identical log house which Return J. Cheney was born in after his father returned from Ohio.

J. W. Bowie has a fine farm on the same section, and Jack Cunningham has a farm on Sections 24 and 25, which he improved in 1859. James Vanscoyoc improved a

543

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

farm in that part of the township in 1860. About this latter date, the township filled up, and its history has since been one of continued prosperity. Their crops, their fruits and their herds have been good-success has waited on the farmer's labors every- where. A few of her best young men put out their young lives in their country's service. Many have gone West, and a good many yet live among us.

A number of nice farms and good farm-buildings dot the township. The Haines Cheney farm, now occupied and owned by his widow, just south of Saybrook, is a beautiful one, with a nice two-story brick house, probably the finest country residence in the township.

Mrs. George Cheney has 200 acres adjoining, with a large, sightly farmhouse, excellent barn and good outbuildings and appointments.

Hilleary Ball has a fine farm of 300 aeres north of town. He is a neat farmer, has good buildings and extensive orchards. Mr. Ball has been engaged in cattle-raising largely.

G. W. Riggs, northwest of town, has a fine farm of 300 acres, well fixed with fine buildings, and every appointment as though he calculated to live there.

Ben Prothero is a good farmer. He has 450 southeast of town, with comfortable buildings, excellent stock and good crops.

Below will be found, in tabular form, the township officers elected since 1861, the records failing to show who were elected before that time :

Date.

Votes cast.

Supervisor.

Clerk.

Assessor.

Collector.

1861

W. H. Cheney

Thomas Newland

T. Newland

T. Newland.

1862

W. HI. Cheney

Thomas Newland.

T. Newland.

1863

D. Harrison

J. L. Ballard

George Thompson

George Thompson.

1864

D. Harrison

J. L. Ballard

J. L. Ballard ..

M. B. Sprague.

1865

D. Harrison

J. L. Ballard.

George Thompson.

1866

C. W. Atkinson

J. L. Ballard.

N. Snyder ..

N. Snyder.

1867

H. Warford

C. W. Atkinson

M. R Stansbery

George Thompson.

1868

J. L. Ballard

J. V. Latecr.

R. Palmer.

C. W. Atkinson.

1869

174 W. H. Riggs

J. V. Lateer

J. M. Stansbery.

R. Palmer.

1870

259 F. Mechling.

H. A. Winter.

Henry Ball.

R. Palmer.

1871

250 F. Mechling.

H. A. Winter.

R. J Brewer

J. J. Ballard.

1872

285 F. Mechling.

II. A. Winter.

W. R. Stansbery

J. S. Barnick.

1873

189 F. Mechling

J. M. Carpenter

R. Palmer.

M. F. Atkinson.

1874

J. B. Henderson. ..

John Prothero

A. L. Bay

W. H. Ball.

1875

J. B. Henderson ..

C. W. Knapp

D. R. Trask

E. Coile.

1876

J. R. Means. ..

C. W. Knapp.

W. K. Stansbery

James Thompson.

1877

J. R. Means.

A. Robinson.

W. K. Stansbery

James Thompson.

1878

177 W. A. Stewart.

D. B. Hereford.

W. K. Stansbery.

James Thompson.

1879

J. Thompson

D. B. Hereford.

W. K. Stansbery.

E. Coile.

The following have been elected Justices of the Peace : M. C. Young, J. T. Voss, John Clark, George A. Black, Thomas Kendall, T. F. Rhea, J. B. Henderson, E. B. Dyer, J. Prothero. J. R. Means.

The following have been elected Commissioners of Highways: G. W. Riggs, George Cheney, Benjamin Prothero, J. S. Vanscoyoc, Otha Owen, J. J. Follick, W. H. Riggs, J. W. Pugsley, F. Mechling, H. Warford, C. Palmer, John Newcomb, James Rowland, R. J. Cheney, W. A. Stewart, O. Springstead, P. W. Zook.

SAYBROOK.

For nearly twenty years, the settlements around had looked to other places for trade, and no attempt had been made to "start a town," as the more modern parlance

544

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

has it. In 1846, Eli Blakesley built a steam saw-mill a little east of where the present mill stands, and built two houses. Soon after this, a blacksmith-shop was built, and these convenient and useful things constituted the beginnings of Saybrook.

But it was not until 1854 that J. B. Beckwith commenced the first grocery store which was known here. He started with about $300 capital, but with abundance of push and energy. He soon added dry goods to his stock in trade. About 1858, together with his brother, he put up a steam saw-mill at Lyons, Iowa; but, a year later, took it down and moved it to Saybrook and ran it several years. The lumber was mostly for buildings and fences, and the building of neighboring towns. For a while. a good deal of black walnut was sawed into silling and lumber for the finishing-off of houses ; but latterly, it was only made into merchant lumber. A large amount of black- walnut logs have been shipped away to Indianapolis, to be sawed up there for Eastern market.

Mr. Beckwith was very successful in business, and is popularly supposed to have left here with a hundred-fold more than he brought, when he went to California in 1876.

William Beckwith and T. J. Warren formed a partnership for the mercantile bus- iness, which continued until 1865, but continued in trade until 1870.

Gallager & Harrison opened trade here in 1859, and continued till 1867, when Har- rison bought out the interest of his partner and remained in trade here until 1877.

Burford Brothers commenced selling goods here in 1869, and, in 1874, went to Farmer City.

When the railroad was built, grain and lumber became, of course, the two impor- tant lines of trade. Rev. Mr. Baldwin began buying grain in 1871, before the road was built. Thomas Kendall entered into the grain trade here in 1872. J. P. Wheeler, of Boston, had buyers out here. Rhea & Lowery bought for him; and James R. Means was in the market as a purchaser for some time. W. H. Beckwith and A. Vincel commenced soon, and still continue large buyers, the latter having recently made arrangements to buy and ship from Taylor's Station, a point half-way between Saybrook and Gibson City. Overhall & Co. also bought for awhile.

Dr. J. E. Davis, the present hotel-keeper at Gibson, was the first practicing phy- sician here. He came here before Saybrook was booked, and lived at William Riggs'. He remained here eight or ten years, when he retired from practice and purchased a large farm at Drummer's Grove, and for several years was a successful and prosperous farmer. Dr. Crain was here a few years and then sold out his practice to Dr. Ballard.

For the two last years, Saybrook has exceeded any other station on the line of this road in the amount of grain shipped on this road. The average for these two years has been greater than any years before and has been about as follows : 300,000 bushels of corn, 100,000 bushels of oats, 60.000 bushels of rye and other grains. The dispo- sition of many of the wealthy farmers to feed less of their grain to cattle will account for part of this increase. From the peculiar nature of her position, the range of country tributary to Saybrook has not been tapped by any of the new railroad enterprises which have taken form during the past year or two. Formerly, the grain here went through to New England ; now the buyers find themselves compelled to sell on track.

The post office was established in 1831, and was held some years by Jonathan Cheney. It was then called Cheney's Grove. It was served once a week by the route running through from Danville to Pekin. In 1843, Mr. McMackin was appointed

545

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

Postmaster; he lived farther west, but was on the same route. The mail used to come Saturday, and he would carry it over to church and lay it on the table. When the service was over the people would "' come around the table " and seleet their own with- out the newsboys cry of "'ere's your Sunday Tribune !" "She-cago Times! All about the latest scandal."

M. C. Young was appointed in 1845, and, about 1850, it was brought to Saybrook. David Polk laid out the town in 1854, and W. H. Beckwith named it. Beckwith was appointed Postmaster in 1865, and got the name changed to correspond with that of the village.

W. K. Stansbery was appointed in 1870, at which time, mail was carried twice a week to and from Bloomington, and once a week east to Ludlow, until the railroad was built, and then daily each way.

The present record of the business of Saybrook is :

Dry goods, etc .. T. S. Collins, D. B. Hereford & Co., Elliott & Bryant ; gro- ceries, S. H. Jennings, Means & Collins, W. H. Scott, E. A. Stansbery ; hardware and implements, J. W. Pugsley ; implements, J. F. Walker; drugs, E. H. Shores, C. McDaniel; bankers, W. H. Schureman & Co .; lumber and lime, David Hurley ; grain, A. Vincel, M. Lucas, W. H. Beckwith, L. Reddick, J. A. Myers; miller, M. Lucas ; physicians, J. L. Ballard, H. A. Winter, C. T. Orner, G. W. Barton ; lawyers, William Van Voris, O. C. Sabin, E. B. Dyer; publishers, T. J. Horsley ; dentists, J. M. Crigler, B. T. Harrison, William Galloway; millinery and dress, Mrs. O. J. Simmons, Miss Hattie Stansbery, Mrs. Anderson, Miss Galloway ; tailor, J. W. Rod- man ; jeweler, G. W. Morris; hotels, J. W. Fendersmith, Thomas Halloway ; livery, R. Palmer ; photographer, C. O. Smith ; blacksmiths, Sohn & Williams, J. W. Tear, William Cosgrove, Ben Sprague ; wagon-makers, M. W. Blair, Heller & Nelson ; har- ness, boots and shoes, C. E. Moran, S. Carey; eating-house, W. E. Stansbery ; butchers, Magee Brothers; barber, W. T. Mason ; gunsmith, Samuel Fendersmith ; R. R. agent, M. M. Stewart ; express agent, W. L. Means; trackmaster, Patrick O'Grady ; teach- ers in public schools, Prof. O. Springstead, Miss Alice Crisswell, Miss Sallie IIogan.

The Saybrook Lodge, No. 468, Free & Accepted Masons, was organized in . 1863. The charter members were P. H. Hart, La. F. Grant, J. G. Davis, W. H. Guthrie, T. F. Rhea, H. Warford, G. W. Wheeler. The first officers were: P. H. Hart, W. M .; L. F. Grant, S. W .; T. F. Rhea, J. W .; H. Warford, Treasurer ; W. HI. Guthrie, Secretary. There are now sixty-five members. The Masonic Building Asso- ciation is a trustee for the lodge for the purpose of building and holding its property. This association owns the upper story of the double brick three-story store in which the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Halls are. The present officers are : P. W. Hart, W. M .; T. S. Collins, S. W .; J. Moran, J. W .; O. Springstead, Secretary ; J. A. Myers, Treas- urer; T. J. Ilorsley, S. Deacon ; S. R. Wills, J. Deacon.

The Saybrook Lodge, I. O. O. F., was organized in 1871. Charter members, T. B. Crigler, William Van Voris, O. C. Sabin, G. W. Barton, C. W. McCord. Ten were added at the first meeting. The officers are : O. C. Sabin, N. G .; C. W. McCord, V. G .; William Van Voris, Secretary. The Lodge has always been prosperous. The hall which it uses belongs to the Masonic Association. Meets Thursday evenings.

.546

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

CHURCHES.

Among the first of that pioncer advance-guard of religious teachers, the Meth- odists, who labored for the good of souls here, the names of Messrs. Zadoc Hall, Maynard, Brittenheim, Bird, Norman Allen, Mr. Hindal and S. H. Martin are remem- bered. Father Riggs, who was the first Class-leader here, thinks Mr. Beggs was the first preacher, and that Mr. Duty, who organized the class, followed him. This class was organized, probably, in 1833, possibly a year earlier, in the schoolhouse which stood by the cemetery, and consisted of five members-Mr. and Mrs. Riggs, Mrs. Pitts, Mrs. Eliza Myers and Mrs. Sarah Thomas. Of this number, only the now venerable leader and his wife remain to continue the good work they then assumed to perform. Forty- six years of fitful changes have not changed their "relations " with the church militant.

For many years, the servants of God, the pioneer preachers, held their services around in houses, and it was not until 1843 that the first M. E. Church was built on the land of Mr. Edward Stansbery. The circuit then used to embrace the Big Grove (Champaign), Middletown (Mahomet), Cheney's Grove, Indian Grove, Mackinaw (Lex- ington), Blooming Grove, Hurley's Grove (Farmer City), and required four weeks to make the circuit. The new church was a great triumph for the people, and they natu- rally felt proud of it. It was framed, 30x40, and it never will be known how much it cost. A "bee" was made to hew, frame and inclose it, and the plastering was done rainy days. Not much money was contributed or handled in this primary affair. It answered the purpose very well for twenty years, when it was sold and the large new one was put up in the village under the preaching of Rev. C. G. Bradshaw. The Saybrook charge became a station in 1862. The new building was 40x60, framed, two stories high, and was built by a queer kind of partnership between the church and state, or, rather, the school district. By this partnership, the lower story was used for the school. The church, through its constituted authorities supplied a well-qualified principal to conduct a high school, and two assistants were provided by the district. This partnership did not work smoothly, and was, indeed, a very unnatural one. After a few years, the Methodists sold out their interest in the building to the district, and it is now occu- pied for school purposes only. Five departments are maintained in the fall and winter terms, and three in the summer, under the efficient management of Mr. Oliver Spring- stead an experienced and thorough educator.

The present fine brick church of the Methodists was built in 1876, at a cost of $7,000. It is 40x70, with belfry and towers running up from the corner. It is handsomely done off, carpeted and pleasantly seated. Rev. John Kumler was in charge of the church when it was built.

The United Brethren Church, next to the Methodist, was the pioneer religious ·organization here, sending its patient and laborious workers into every nook and corner of these early settlements.

Rev. Mr. Parks, from Lexington, preached here, irregularly, as early as 1853, and some of the other brethren before him. Rev. M. T. Chew, now of Decatur, com- menced traveling this circuit in 1855, and was followed by the veteran, Hiram Stoddard, in 1857. Mr. Stoddard has been preaching forty-two years, formerly in Ohio, most of the time as a circuit preacher.

M. H. H. adams

PRES. ILLS WES. UNIV. BLOOMINGTON

549

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

The Randolph Grove Circuit then embraced portions of six counties, and is now divided into nine circuits. From Randolph Grove, the line extended to Wapella, Clinton, nearly to Decatur east, to where Bement now is, to Champaign ; thence to the Upper Wabash Conference, north through Ford to Paxton, west to the Kickapoo charge. It included twenty-three appointments, and took three weeks of daily preaching in houses, shops, groves or schoolhouses wherever the people could be best accommodated.

While Mr. Stoddard was on this circuit, there was no time that interesting revivals of the Spirit were not in effective operation at some points. This was in the Illinois Conference, and the annual conferences were held west of the Illinois River. In. 1864, the Central Illinois Conference was formed of what was before a Presiding Elder's district, with Rev. Jacob Kanoyer as Elder.

Mr. Stoddard formed the class at Cunningham's Schoolhouse in 1857. Abram Look was first Class-leader.

Rev. Mr. Van Gordon followed Mr. Stoddard, and Mr. Gomline succeeded. Mr. Stoddard then returned for two years, by which time the circuit had been divided by the State road running to Danville. Mr. Warner succeeded him.

Mr. Stoddard continues to reside here at Saybrook, and still preaches ; but, at his own request, on account of failing health he has been assigned evangelist's work. He thinks there is no such work as itincracy. Had he his life to live over again, he would choose it above and before any other field of labor or occupation. Yet how the human con- stitution can stand such a life appears a mystery. Being out in all weathers, through storms and extremes of heat and cold, often without an opportunity to change wet clothes before an appointment, and riding afterward to some other appointment or to lodgings, changing beds every night-now sleeping in an open cabin, now in a comfortable bed-with every variety of cooking, preaching three or four times Sunday, and, through the week, almost daily. It was apparently violating every known law of health. Now, at sixty-six years of age, he enjoys looking back over a life well spent in his Master's service, with no regrets except tbe feebleness of his labors-a happy, faithful, pious old man.

The congregation continued to worship in the schoolhouses until 1865, when the present plain, neat edifice was built-30x40, and cost $1,800. Edward Byers, D. G. Tear and John Prothero, Esq., were Trustees, who had the building in charge, and Rev. Mr. Cornell was Pastor in charge. James Perry was builder. A Sabbath school has been maintained since the church was built, and for seven years continually, winter and summer. The school numbers about fifty. Levi Heller, Superintendent.

The Church belongs to the Cheney's Grove Circuit, numbers forty members, and now in charge of R. J. C. Foulk.

The Christian Church was built in 1871. Joseph Newcomb, P. II. Faught, Thomas Powlson and M. C. Young were prominent in forwarding the work.

Elders G. H. Adams and Harry Vandervoort have regularly served the Church with occasional services conducted by Dr. Sabin, Speed Stagner and Elder Tipton.

These regularly-organized churches are supplemented by an active Young Men's Christian Association, organized in 1879. Rev. James Miller, W. H. Sehureman, John M. Howard and O. C. Sabin were instrumental in organizing it. They have a nicely-furnished room, with reading, music, etc. They expect to establish a library. The officers are not permitted to contract any debt. The officers are W. H. Schureman, Presi- dent; H. P. Cummer, Vice President; J. M. Howard, Secretary ; O. C. Sabin, Treasurer. U

550

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

INCORPORATION.

An election was held May 28, 1866, for or against town incorporation, which resulted in the affirmative. June 6, an election was held for five Trustees under this charter. Hamilton Warford, L. B. Grant, W. K. Stansbery, J. W. Lowery and C. W. Atkinson were elected. H. Warford was chosen President and C. W. Atkinson, Clerk. The boundaries were fixed at one mile square, being the south half of Section 21 and north half of Section 28. A special charter was granted by the Legislature, approved March, 1867. By this charter the limits were restricted by leaving out the south half of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 28. Under this the people elected a President and four Councilmen; they to appoint an Attorney, Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor and Collector, and such other officers as were necessary to enforce the authority and powers conveyed by the charter. Very full powers were granted. An election was held April 6 for or against the adoption of this charter, which resulted in sixteen votes for it and none against.

Another election, of course, followed, for the average young American, whether it be a natural or artificial person, is not satisfied long at a time without an election, at which II. Warford was elected President, M. R. Stansbery, Police Magistrate, and W. K. Stansbery, T. J. Warren, J. L. Ballard and Samuel Watson, Council.

After the general incorporation act was passed in 1872, the town, by an election, accepted that, and since have been under it. A vote is taken each year whether license for the sale of drinks shall be granted. In the years 1873 and 1875 only, the vote has resulted in favor of license. About one hundred and fifty votes were cast at the last election. There are about one hundred and seventy-five voters in the corporation.

BUSINESS HOUSES.

The hotel block was built in 1871 by Alexander MeKensie and T. J. Warren for hotel and store-room. It is frame, 60x80, two stories high and basement. It is on the south side of the street, while all the other stores are on the other side.

The brick " Union Hotel" was built in 1870 by Thomas Halloway, and has been in use as a hotel ever since.

The Crigler Block was built by Drs. J. M. Crigler and J. L. Ballard on the corner of Main and Lincoln streets. It is one of the finest in town-two stories and basement, the post office and a store on the first floor and offices above. It cost about $7,000.

The three-story and basement brick block on the corner of Lincoln and Cyprus streets was built by M. B. Rankin up to the third story in 1872. The third story was built and is owned by the Masonic Building Association. The first story is occupied by stores, the second by offices and the Young Meu's Christian Association, and the upper by the lodge rooms of the Masons and Odd Fellows.

The next store east was built the same year by the Robinson Brothers, who live in Ohio. The next one by Dr. C. T. Arnor and T. A. Stansbery the same year. The next one by Dr. Crigler and Jack Hepburn.

The finest block in town was that built by O. C. Coleby in 1871, right west of the Union Hotel. It was a double store, brick, two stories and basement, with a fine hall above. It burned in the winter of 1873, which was the only really disastrous fire Say- brook has ever had.

551

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

Rush Wirt is making a good quality of tile, which is in demand. He uses the Penfield machine and employs five hands.

RESIDENCES.

Saybrook has several very pretty residences ; in fact, its buildings throughout are rather a credit to a young village which has grown up in the woods. Hilleary Riggs built, in 1874, a fine frame house with ten rooms well finished off, costing about $6,000. It occupies a block standing about in the center, with the grounds in good order and fine outbuildings.

T. J. Warren built a similar one in 1875, which is nicely arranged, good basement- story, nice grounds, good barn and a very pleasant location. J. M. Crigler has a neat cottage on the north side of Lincoln street, with ample grounds, good outbuildings, fence and shrubbery. It was built by William Lewis, in 1869, but Dr. Crigler has remodeled and beautified it.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 62

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