The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 28

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 848

USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 28
USA > Illinois > Menard County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 28

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).

It becomes our duty, in this connection, to speak briefly of another military organization in this county. This organization is the

HARRIS GUARDS.

On the 8th day of October, 1874, a militia company was organized in Peters- burg, under the provisions of the statutes entitled "Militia," and approved March 3, 1845. The company kept up its organization, though not in a perfect form, until the 1st of July, 1877, when it was re-organized under the new militia law, of the State, which was approved May 18, 1877. The company was named in honor of a former statesman and soldier of this place, Maj. Thomas L. Harris. Maj. Harris filled that position in the Mexican war with bravery and distinction ; and, after the war, represented this district in Con- gress. He was growing rapidly in popularity, but when little more than forty years of age, he was stricken down by death. When the company was organ- ized and sworn in, it was attached to the Fifth Regiment of Illinois National Guards, the company being Company E, regimental headquarters at Springfield. The Guards have occupied Fisher's Hall as an armory, in the past, but they, in connection with the Masonic fraternity, have now in process of erection an armory and hall, which is to be finished this fall, and is to cost $10,000. The Harris Guards have never been called into active service but once; this was during the labor riots, in the summer and fall of 1877. The company was first called to Springfield, and thence ordered to East St. Louis, where they remained until quiet and order were restored throughout the country. While on duty, they exhibited coolness, discretion and fortitude in a very remarkable

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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.

degree, and in this way exerted a great influence in restoring quiet in East St. Louis and St. Louis. They are well armed and nicely uniformed, and are well drilled in the manual of arms. The men are principally just in the prime of life, and on parade they present a fine appearance. The officers of the company are all old soldiers, and well informed in military matters. Capt. McDougall was captain of a company in the war of the rebellion, and proved himself & true soldier. Below we give a full roster of the officers and men of the com- pany : Captain, Charles E. McDougall; First Lieutenant, John M. Walker ; Sec- ond Lieutenant, James H. Carman ; First Sergeant, James W. Conant ; Second Sergeant, Edward C. Drake; Third Sergeant, John C. Cabanis; Fourth Sergeant, Frank Meyer ; Fifth Sergeant, Julius Rothschild; First Corporal, Michael F. Farney; Second Corporal, William Kern ; Third Corporal, Powell Antle ; Fourth Corporal, L. H. Fouch ; Fifth Corporal, Charles R. Collier; Sixth Corporal, Eugene W. Eads ; Seventh Corporal, John B. Barnhard ; Secretary, E. R. Oeltjen. Privates-Leopold Ahronheim, John P. Brehl, Howard D. Burbank, James E. Davis, Alonzo E. Estill, John D. Freeze, Harry Harris, William E. Hatfield, Robert H. James, Mayo Jones, John A. Larman, John H. McDougall, George W. Morris, Frank A. Rainey, Thomas A. Ruddy, Henry Wegharst, Fred Wilkinson, Thomas J. Lewis, Edward L. Goodman, James M. Bale, William R. Humphreys, James H. Bowen, Lynch Brooks, John R. Connover, Orin D. Doland, George C. Freese, William G. Gottschall, Albert L. Hatch, Lorenzo W. Heelan, Hermann Janssen, William S. Judy, Frank McDougall, George S. Montgomery, Albert F. Oeltjen, Edward D. Rob- ertson, Marshall W. Thomas, Leo Werner, Edward D. Wright, Marcus John- son, Charles Laparierre, James Faith and Frank Huggins.

The company has on its roll of officers and men fifty-eight names in all. They also have connected with the company an excellent brass band, known as the Harris Guard Brass Band. They drill regularly, and, taken all in all, . they are a remarkably fine company of military men.

This general history would be incomplete without a list of the county offi- cers from its organization to the present time. This we will give, without com- ment. The reader will remember that the county was not organized until 1839.

Sheriffs .- James Goldsby, commissioned April 15, 1839, August 28, 1840, and August 16, 1842; N. A. Rankin, August 9, 1844, and August 18, 1846; James Taylor, August 17, 1848; James G. Long, December 26, 1848 and December 2, 1850; B. D. McAtee, November 13, 1852; J. B. Gum, April 8, 1853, and November 14, 1854; J. B. Goldsby, November 10, 1856 ; J. M. Hurt, December 3, 1858; A. K. Johnson, November 20. 1860; W. C. Smoot, December 8, 1862; J. M. Quinn, November 21, 1864; John Tice, November 14, 1866; Robert Clary, November 20, 1868; Fred Wilkinson, November 29, 1870, and November 27, 1872; Wolf Feulner, November 24, 1874, and November 27, 1876 ; Fred Wilkinson, March 26, 1878.

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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.

Probate Justices .- Asa D. Wright, commissioned April 15, 1839, May 1, 1839, and August 23, 1843; Nathan Dresser, September 18, 1846; Asa D. Wright, August 11, 1847. ,

Recorders .- William G. Spears, commissioned April 15, 1839; Jacob H. Laning, September 11, 1843; Cornelius Rourke, September 17, 1847.

Coroners .- Martin S. Morris, commissioned April 15, 1839; George D. Adams, August 7, 1840; John E. Rawlings, August 5, 1842; Ira McGlas- son, August 9, 1844, and August 27, 1846 ; McLean Wood, August 23, 1848 ; T. P. Garretson, November 20, 1850 ; C. Levering, November 13, 1852; W. T. Hutchinson, November 23, 1853; William Trent, November 14, 1854; F. C. Davis, November 10, 1856; J. T. Brooks, December 3, 1858; C. Lever- ing, November 24, 1860, and December 8, 1862; A. L. Clary, November 26, 1864, and November 28, 1866; L. L. Montgomery, June 23, 1869; G. W. Hicks, February 20, 1871; J. J. Erwin, November 24, 1874; L. Ahronheim, November 27, 1876 ; Charles Cowan, December 1, 1877.

Surveyors .- Edmund Greer, commissioned April 15, 1839 ; John B. Gum, September 12, 1843, and September 17, 1847 ;. Anno Ritter, December 11, 1849, November 10, 1851, and November 20, 1853; E. Hall, November 12, 1855 ; William F. West, November 20, 1857; D. N. Carithers, November 25, 1859, and December 9, 1861 ; John B. Gum, November 18, 1863; A. E. Mick, December 2, 1864, November 18, 1865, and November 14, 1867 ; A. J. Kelly, November 23, 1869, and November 18, 1875.

Public Administrators .- Lewis B. Wynn, commissioned February 14, 1843 ; George U. Miles, July 31, 1845 ; McLean Wood, February 16, 1849.

County Judges .- Jacob Garber, commissioned November 22, 1849 ; C. J. F. Clarke, November 23, 1853, and November 14, 1857 ; J. H. Pillsbury, December 9, 1861 ; M. B. Harrison, November 20, 1865 ; C. M. Robertson, November 23, 1869 ; J. H. Pillsbury, November 19, 1873 ; John Tice, December 1, 1877.

Associate Justices .- James Mott, commissioned November 20, 1853; J. Reed, November 23, 1853; C. J. Hutchinson, July 17, 1854, and November 14, 1857 ; Robert Clary, November 14, 1857, and December 9, 1861; D. T. Hughes, December 9, 1861; R. Woldridge, November 15, 1869; H. Warn- sing, December 3, 1869.

County Clerks .- Cornelius Rourke, commissioned November 22, 1849, November 23, 1853, November 14, 1857, and December. 9, 1861 ; Hobard Hamilton, November 20, 1865; A. E. Mick, November 15, 1869; Anson Thompson, November 19, 1873, and December 1, 1877.

Circuit Clerks .- A. K. Riggin, commissioned September 4, 1848, Novem- ber 13, 1852, and November 14, 1856 ; Joseph Johnson, November 20, 1860 ; William J. Estill, November 12, 1864, and November 20, 1868 ; T. C. Ben- nett, November 15, 1872, and November 27, 1876.

States' Attorneys .- H. W. Masters, commissioned November 29, 1872, and November 27, 1876.

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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.

Assessors and Treasurers .- John Tice, commissioned November 25, 1857, November 25; 1859, and November 18, 1863; J. W. Cheaney, November 15, 1869, and December 18, 1871; Charles H. Thomas, November 18, 1875, and December 1, 1877.

School Commissioners .- O. D. Clarke, commissioned November 20, 1853 ; J. H. Pillsbury, December 20, 1857, and November 25, 1859; Edward Lan- ing, November 18, 1863; . Edward. Booth (changed to Superintendent of Schools), November 15, 1865; William H. Berry, November 15, 1869; K. B. Davis, November 19, 1873; R. D. Miller, January 3, 1877, and December® 1, 1877.

The present officers of the county are as follows, viz .: County Judge, John Tice ; Master in Chancery, R. N. Stevens ; Sheriff, Frederick Wilkinson, and Deputy, John Cabanis ; County Commissioners, James Altig, Andrew Gaddy and Frank Duncan ; State's Attorney, H. W. Masters; Circuit Clerk, Theo- dore C. Bennett, with O. B. Carter, Deputy ; County Clerk, Anson Thomp- son, with E. D. Robertson, Deputy ; Assessor and Treasurer, Charles H. Thomas ; Surveyor, A. J. Kelley ; Coroner, David Cowan ; Superintendent of Schools, R. D. Miller. The county owns an excellent farm, well improved, and lying within two miles of Petersburg, which is used as a home for the indi- gent and homeless.

PETERSBURG PRECINCT.

Mount Vernon, the ancestral home of the Father of His Country, is dear to every American heart. His mortal remains lie entombed there, and feelings of patriotism diverge from the venerated spot, as golden rays are reflected back from the setting sun. As Columbia's first and greatest son, he is embalmed in the national memory as Joseph was by his brethren, and reverently assigned a place

" Among the few immortal names . That were not born to die."

In that portion of Menard County to which this chapter is devoted, is an his- torical spot, that, next to Mount Vernon, should be highly cherished as long as liberty and true patriotism prevail in this great republic. We allude to Old Salem, formerly the home of Abraham Lincoln. Here it may be said that he made his start in the world, and, although little remains of the original town, the spot is endeared to the people of the county as the early home of the mar- tyred President. It seems to us a duty that the State owes to his memory, to purchase the site of the old town, appropriately care for it, as the National Government does Mount Vernon, and doubt not but the time will come when this additional honor will be paid him. We shall have more to say of the old historical town elsewhere in these pages.

Petersburg is the largest township or precinct in Menard County, and like- wise the most important, inasmuch as it contains the seat of justice. It'

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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.

embraces portions of Towns 18 north, Ranges 6, 7 and 8 west, and by Gov- ernment survey contains about fifty-seven sections, and is bounded north by Sandridge Precinct, east by Indian Creek and Athens, south by Rock Creek and Tallula, and west by Cass County. The Sangamon River flows through the precinct, entering it at very nearly the southeast corner, running almost a northwest course to Section 25, in Range 7, when it turns due north, passing out through Section 1, when it becomes the boundary line between Indian . Creek and Sandridge Precincts. Indian Creek forms the boundary between this and Indian Creek Precinct, while Clary's Creek runs through the western part of the precinct, and Little Grove Creek has its source at a few miles dis- tance, southwest of Petersburg, flowing northwest to the Sangamon River. These streams supply an abundance of water for all general purposes, as well as ample means of drainage. Excellent timber borders the water-courses, as more minutely described in the general history of this work, and consists of the species usually found in this part of the State. A large portion of the precinct is fine prairie land, the timber, as above stated, being confined chiefly to the margin of the streams. The Chicago & Alton Railroad and the Spring- field & Northwestern intersect it, the one crossing from northeast to southwest and the other from southeast to northwest, thus affording ample means of com- munication with the outside world. Petersburg, the capital of the county, is the only town of any note within its borders, and will be more particularly referred to further on in this chapter. It also contains the historic, but now almost defunct town of Old Salem, which receives due notice.in another page.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settlements made in this division of Menard County are involved in some obscurity, and authentic information pertaining to them seems almost beyond reach at the present day. With nearly sixty years stretching between the advent of the pale-face pioneers and the present period, it is not strange that there should be conflicting statements as to whom belongs the honor of making the original settlement in Petersburg Precinct. From our investigations and the most reliable sources of information at hand, we are of opinion that the Esteps were the first white men in this locality. They were originally from the State of North Carolina, but emigrated to Tennessee early in the beginning of the present century, and from thence came to Illinois, locating in St. Clair County. In the spring of 1820-21, James Estep came to Menard County, or Sangamon, as it then was, and made a claim in this precinct, near or within the present city of Petersburg. . He was followed in a few months by his brother Enoch and his father, Elijah Estep. Upon the arrival of his father, he gave his claim to lim, and moved across the river and located on what was later known as Baker's Prairie. Elijah Estep built a small horse-mill, which was afterward embraced in the city limits, and otherwise improved the claim by erecting on it a cabin of the regular pioneer pattern. He died early, and but

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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.

little is remembered of him by any now living in this section. Enoch Estep removed to Arkansas many years ago, and whether living or not, we do not know. James, who seems to have been a kind of roving character, never con- tented long in one place, from Baker's Prairie moved over into the present township of Crane Creek, in Mason County, where he bought a claim of one James Sutton. In the few years following, he occupied various places, and in 1832 moved to Arkansas, but returned the following year to Mason County. Remaining a few years, he moved back to Menard County, and finally to Mis- souri, but again returned to Mason County, where he died in 1857, on the place now owned by his son, J. M. Estep. He is described as a man of considerable eccentricity, and, with all his meandering around from place to place, never rented a home, but always bought and sold. True, the old saying is, that " A rolling stone gathers no moss," and Mr. Estep accumulated but little of the world's goods, dying in indigent circumstances. This pioneer, supposed to have been the first white settler in Petersburg Precinct, sleeps in New Hope Cemetery, in Mason County, beside the partner of his life, who preceded him a few years to the " land of shadows."

Soon after the settlement of the Esteps-probably the latter part of the same year-the Watkinses and a man named. Teeters came to the precinct. There were Joseph, Samuel, James, John and Thomas Watkins. They were from Kentucky, and some of them settled in Clary's Grove as early as 1819-20. Joseph and Samuel Watkins made claims in this precinct in 1821, as noted above, while James Watkins did not come until 1825-26. Thomas Watkins bought the claim of John Clary, acknowledged by the majority of old citizens to be the first white settler of Menard County, as noticed in the 'history of Clary's Grove. This claim Watkins sold to George Spears, in 1824, and removed to the "river timber," near the present city of Petersburg, where he eventually died. The old Watkins stock are, we believe, all dead, but there are still descendants of the family living in the county. Thomas, Jr., a son of Thomas Watkins, was born in the county in 1824, and may be recorded among the early births. He is still living in this precinct, and is probably the oldest native-born citizen of the county. He served one year in the Mexican war. Mack Watkins, another son, also lives in the precinct. Teeters moved into Sandridge Precinct, where he is further noticed. Jacob Short and three sons, Obadiah, Harrison and James came in 1822. They were from the south end of the State, where they had resided for some time before coming to this county. In 1824, they moved into Sandridge, where Jacob Short died in 1825, and where Harrison also died some years later. Obadiah died at Nauvoo, and James removed to Iowa, where he, too, died.

During the next two or three years, the little community was increased by the arrival of several additional families, among which were: Jesse Baker, Henry and William Clark, Ephraim and William Wilcox, Henry McHenry, Daniel Atterberry, Andrew, Jacob and Spencer Merrill, and perhaps others.

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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.

Jesse Baker settled on Baker's Prairie, and from him it derived its name. He moved into Mason County about 1836, and located in the present township of Kilbourne, where he is mentioned as one of the pioneers of that section. He has passed to his last account since we began the work of compiling this his- tory. Henry and William Clark, brothers, came from Kentucky and settled in this precinct. William died many years ago, but Henry is still living upon the place of his original settlement, just across the river from Petersburg. He and his wife have lived together for fifty-six years. Ephraim and William Wilcox were also from Kentucky, and both died in this county, a number of years ago. Henry McHenry still lives in Petersburg, and owns the brick hotel at the northeast corner of the public square. Daniel Atterberry was from Kentucky, made a claim here, but has been long dead. Andrew Merrill and his sons, Jacob and Spencer Merrill, were also from Kentucky. The old gentleman died in 1835, and it is said that he pointed out one day, a short time previous to his death, the spot where he desired to be buried. When he died, his son Jacob carried out his wish and had him laid away in the des- ignated spot. In 1859, his wife was laid by the side of him. Jacob and Spencer are both living but a short distance west of Petersburg, the former in his seventy-fourth year. Thomas Edwards was among the very early settlers, but is described as a rather hard character, and of little benefit to any commu- nity. He remained here but a short time, pulled up stakes and moved on to other frontier settlements. Thomas F. Dowell came about 1825-26, and is still living in Sandridge Precinct, at an advanced age. Jesse Gum was among the early settlers of Clary's Grove, as noticed in the history of Tallula Precinct. He was a native of Kentucky. Charles Gum, living near Petersburg, is his son. John B. Gum, who now lives at Kilbourne, Mason County, and who is one of the largest landholders in Mason or Menard County, is also a son of Jesse Gum.

In addition to the names already given, the following recruits were added to the settlement prior to the "deep snow :" George Curry, Henry Bell and sons, John Jones, Zachariah Clary, Bartley Milton, John and Anno Ritter, Pollard Simmons, William Edwards and sons, John Jennison, Bartlett Con- yers, Henry and David Williams, Conrad Strader, Josiah Crawford and others. George Curry came from Green County, Ky., and laid a claim in this pre- cinct, near where his son, Rev. H. P. Curry, now lives. He died in 1876. Rev. H. P. Curry has been actively engaged in the ministry for thirty-nine years, and at present administers spiritual consolation to four churches, in addition to superintending his farm. Henry Bell and sons were from Ken- tucky. The old gentlemen is long since dead, but some of the sons still live in the county. John Jones was another Kentuckian, and settled in Clary's Grove in 1824. He moved into this precinct some years later, and finally located in Little Grove, where he died. Zachariah Clary, a brother to John Clary, the first settler, came from Tennessee and settled in Clary's Grove in

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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.

the latter part of 1819, and, in 1825, moved into this precinct. He sten lives upon the place where he then settled, a mile or two north of Petersburg. He is eighty-two years old, and he and his good wife, who is also living, have been plodding on over the old stumpy road of life together for fifty-nine years, hav- ing been married, as he informed us, in 1820. John and Anno Ritter were from Kentucky. Anno died here; John moved to Mason County, where he died. Pallard Simmons removed also to Mason County and died there. David and Henry Williams, and Bartlett Conyers settled in the same neighborhood, but where they came from, we could not ascertain. Conrad Strader is dead, but has a son still living in the precinct. Josiah Crawford moved to Mason County, where he died. This completes the settlement up to the time of the deep snow, so far as we have been able to obtain names and facts. As we have have had frequent occasion to mention, in our capacity as historian, in North- ern and Central Illinois, the "deep snow" is an epoch from which the chro- nology of the pioneer dates " fore and aft." All important events are reck- oned from the deep snow. It is a waymark that will not be forgotten by those who witnessed it, until their life journey closes at the brink of the tomb. Ask the old grandfather or grandmother about the deep snow, and note the sparkle of their eyes, as memory rolls back over a period of fifty years, when

" All the land with snow was covered,"

to a depth of four feet, and so remained for a period of three months or more. They can tell you of the hard times, and the dreary aspect of that long, long winter, better than we, for it was before our day.

The population was increased during the five or six years immediately fol- lowing the deep snow, by the following emigrants, a majority of whom came from Old Kentucky, that famous land of blue grass, pretty women and good whisky : The Davidsons, the Taylors, William Butler, Dr. John Lee, William P. Cox, W. G. Greene, Thomas Epperson, William J. Hoey, the Bennetts, C. G. Brooks, S. and C. Levering, A. D. Wright, Jacob H. Laning, James S. Carter, John McNamar, A. Humphrey, John McNeal, Samuel Hill, Nathan Dresser, Charles B. Waldo, Zachariah Nance and sons, George U. Miles, Chester Moon, Thomas L. Harris, W. C. Dawson, Martin Morris, Jordan Morris, J. W. Warnsing, William Haggerty, Dr. John Allen, George War- burton, Peter Lukins, the Rutledges, Jonathan Colby, Robert Carter, J. A. Brahm, James Goldsby, Nicholas Tice, Abraham Bale, Jacob Bale, Hardin Bale and others. The Davidsons, George A., Isham G. and Jackson, were from Kentucky and were among the early merchants of Petersburg. They first settled in the southern part of the State, in Bond County, we believe, where they resided for a number of years before coming to this county. George A. Davidson lives at present in Greenview, Isham G. in Fulton County, and Jackson has been lost sight of. They were related to the Taylor family, and came to the county soon after, or about the time the Taylors came. The

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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.

Taylors were from Kentucky. John Taylor was the first merchant of Petersburg, and one of the original proprietors of the town, as noticed in that con- nection. He died in Beardstown, but was living in Springfield at the time. Richard Taylor was a brother, but never a permanent resident here. James Taylor was a son of John Taylor, but did not live here. Made frequent busi- ness visits to the place, however. He died in Springfield, where he made his home. James Taylor, a cousin to the latter, lived here some years and died here. William Butler was a transient guest and did not remain long in the community ; was merely here attending to Taylor's business for a short time. Dr. John Lee was from the Old Dominion and a member of the original Lee family of Virginia. He at present lives at Athens, this county. William P. Cox came from Kentucky and is yet living in the county. William G. Greene came from Tennessee, but his father, William Greene, was a native Kentuckian. He came to Illinois in 1821-22 and settled near where the village of Tallula now stands, where he died. William G. Greene was a mere boy when his father came to Illinois. He is and has been for years a prominent man of the county and is still living. He is mentioned elsewhere as an intimate friend of Mr. Lincoln when he was a resident of Menard County. Thomas Epperson was from Kentucky and died here many years ago. William J. Hoey was a son of the "auld sod" and was one of the early merchants of Petersburg. He had a brother, James Hoey, who was also an early settler, but came several years after William. They both died here.

The Bennetts came from Old Virginia, the home of statesmen and the birthplace of Presidents. There were three brothers-John, William and Richard E. Bennett. John came to Illinois in 1835, and to this section in 1836, and became one of the early merchants and prominent business men of Petersburg, as noticed in that chapter. He was a member of the Legislature during the session of 1840-41, and was one of the first directors of the old Tonica & Petersburg Railroad, now the Jacksonville division of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, besides holding many other positions of importance. He is still living in the city of Petersburg, retired from active business life, and to his excellent memory we are indebted for much of the early history of Peters- burg and surrounding vicinity. William Bennett came to the settlement one year after John, and is long since dead. Dr. Richard E. Bennett came about the same time, and is elsewhere mentioned as the first practicing physician in this portion of the county. Dr. Bennett is dead, but has a son, Theodore C. Bennett, living in Petersburg, who is the present Circuit Clerk. C. G. Brooks was from Kentucky and came in 1836, and died here years ago. Septimus and C. Levering, half-brothers, came from Baltimore; Septimus came in the spring of 1837, and his brother some time later. The former is dead, but the latter is living here still. James S. Carter was from Virginia and came in 1838. He is at present living in the village of Oakford. Jacob H. Laning came from New Jersey in 1838. He is still living in the city of Petersburg,

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The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 28

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 848

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 848