USA > Illinois > McLean County > The good old times in McLean County, Illinois : containing two hundred and sixty-one sketches of old settlers, a complete historical sketch of the Black Hawk war and descriptions of all matters of interest relating to McLean County > Part 26
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ticularly to those who are modest in their demeanor and who seem to need encouragement. He is a very companionable man and much devoted to his friends. He is a straightforward busi- ness man and has the best of judgment in all financial matters. An old pioneer while writing of Judge Davis says: " If I were called upon to state the leading characteristics of the man I would say they are Honesty, Will and Concentration." Judge Davis' power of will was once very conspicuous when he and seven others started from Bloomington to attend a mass meeting at Peoria during the political campaign of 1844, when Henry Clay was a candidate for the presidency. When they came to the Mackinaw Creek they found it swollen by recent rains, for the season was the wettest ever known in the United States. The west end of the bridge where they were to cross had been washed away, and workmen were trying to repair it. The cur- rent was strong and threatened to carry them away if they at- tempted to ford the stream, and their horses would be liable to be swallowed up by the mud where they would be obliged to land, for after breaking through a thin crust the mud seemed bottomless. The party gave up all hopes of attending the mass meeting; but Judge Davis insisted on going ahead. After agreeing to indemnify the owner of the team, if his horses were lost, Judge Davis took charge of matters, and, unhitching the team, managed to carry the party across on horseback, near enough to the opposite bank to land; then by attaching a long rope to the wagon they pulled it triumphantly through and went their way rejoicing. At one time Judge Davis and Abraham Lincoln were traveling on horseback to attend court at Decatur. When they reached the Sangamon River it was late at night, and it was necessary for them to be in Decatur on the following morning. But as they could see nothing ahead of them, Lin- coln gave up the idea of proceeding further. When they came to the river's bank Judge Davis, without saying a word, plunged into the stream with his horse and swam across ; but being un- able in the darkness to find a landing, returned to the point from which he started. After going some distance down stream Judge Davis again swam across and this time was fortunate enough to find a landing. Then with the assistance of some farmers he built a fire on the bank of the river to show Mr.
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Lincoln where to land, if he chose to swim over. The latter swam towards the light and was safely landed, and on the fol- lowing morning both parties were enabled to be in attendance at court. This incident shows the resolution which has always been so marked in Judge Davis' character and which has so largely contributed to his success.
ELDER WILLIAM TRABUE MAJOR.
The memory of William Trabue Major is preserved with affection and reverence by all who knew him. He was born about three miles from Frankfort, Kentucky, on March 1st, 1790, and died January 11th, 1867. His father's name was John Major and his mother's name Judith Trabue. The ancestors of his father were English, and of his mother, French. The pa- rents of his mother emigrated from France at an early day in consequence of some of the many revolutions for which that country has become so famous. William T. Major was the eldest of six children, and it was his father's intention to bring him up to the study of the law. But after he had finished his education, which he received at Georgetown, Kentucky, it was evident that his failing health would never allow him to study law. In order to recover his health he visited his relatives in North and South Carolina, riding on horseback to make his journeys. He returned with restored health, and went to farm- ing in order to acquire a robust constitution.
He married Margaret Shipp February 18th, 1812. This lady is still living. She is widely known and respected, and is almost worshipped by her children.
Mr. Major lived for six years in Bourbon County, and sev- enteen years in Christian County, Kentucky. From the latter place he moved, in 1835, to Bloomington, Illinois. Mr. Major was a man of deep and earnest convictions. In childhood his mind was directed to the subject of religion, and when he grew to manhood his religious convictions were quickened. He was for six years a member of the Baptist Church. In 1830 there was in Kentucky a great religious awakening. It was during this year that in consequence of a difference of doctrine Mr. Major was excluded from the Baptist Church. It was his sole anxiety that the Bible alone should be his rule of faith, and
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that all human ceremonies should be thrown aside. After leav- ing the Baptist Church Mr. Major joined the Christian Church, which he has done much to build up. He was the founder of this church in Bloomington, and never ceased working for it until the day of his death. He was strongly opposed to the in- stitution of human slavery, He believed it to be a most terrible curse to America, and it was on account of this belief that he determined to leave Kentucky and go to Illinois. His devoted wife always shared his convictions, and always supported him by her faith and love. With his family he came to Bloomington in 1835. Here he worked earnestly in the cause of Christianity. He built the first Christian Church in Bloomington, and when it became too small he built one larger. The old building is now used by the Lutherans as a church and school house. Mr. Major frequently preached and administered the rite of baptism. There were at that time many Methodists and Presbyterians in Bloomington, and they seemed to think strangely of Mr. Major's doctrine; but he relied with faith and simplicity on the Bible as his guide. The Christian Church in Bloomington has now from three to four hundred members; this is more than the entire population of Bloomington when the church was founded. Mr. Major has been remarkably liberal in making gifts to build up the Christian Church. He gave one thousand dollars towards building Eureka Christian College, at Eureka; he also gave largely to a Christian College at Indianapolis, Indiana, and to Bethany College in Virginia. The last mentioned is the largest in the United States, belonging to the Christian denomination. Young men are there educated free of charge. In 1856, Mr. Major built the Female College at Bloomington. It was first designed as a Female Orphan School, but afterwards changed to a Female College. At first it flourished well. Mr. Major pro- vided in his will that it should have a boarding establishment where the pupils should pay but four dollars per week. It also provided that they should be instructed in the doctrines of the Christian religion in accordance with the tenor of the Bible. But after the death of Mr. Major, which occurred in 1867, the school gradually sank, and was not a paying institution. The building is now used as a Water-Cure Establishment by Dr. Burrows.
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Mr. Major was a remarkably public spirited man. He was very free with his gifts to all religious denominations, but par- ticularly so to the Christian Church. When at last the time came for him to render an account to his Maker for the deeds done in the body, he was peaceful and collected and met his ap- proaching change with the serenity of a saint. Nearly all the people in Bloomington paid their last tribute to his memory, for they felt that indeed a man of God had passed from earth. He left a family of eight children living, four boys and four girls.
Mr. Major was very prosperous in his business affairs. When he came to Bloomington land was very cheap, and he bought a great deal for five dollars per acre, and a great deal he bought from the Government at $1.25 per acre. His investments proved very profitable to him, although he was no speculator.
In the year 1852 Mr. Major built the first public hall in Bloomington. It was a brick building, and was destroyed by fire in 1872. Major's Hall has become historic. The first Re- publican meeting was held in this hall on the twenty-ninth of May, 1856. It was called the Anti-Nebraska State Convention. The president of the meeting was John M. Palmer, since governor, and it was at this memorable meeting that Abraham Lincoln deliv- ered one of his grandest speeches. It was at this meeting that the first Republican governor, W. H. Bissell, was nominated for that office. This hall was first used by the State Normal School before the Normal school building could be made available for use.
As to personal appearance Elder Major was a little above the medium height; his hair was gray, almost white. His counte- nance wore the expression of a saint. He was always ready with a kind word and a smile, and always willing to succor the distressed.
CHASTINE MAJOR.
Chastine Major was born May 25, 1800, on a farm in Frank- lin County, Kentucky, three miles from the city of Frankfort. His paternal ancestors were of English stock, while his mother was of French descent. Chastine Major was the youngest son in a family of six children, five boys and one girl. His sister was still younger. All of the children grew to manhood and
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womanhood. It was a family of farmers. All of the boys were farmers except his brother Johu, who became a commission merchant in New Orleans.
John was a soldier in General Jackson's army, when the British were defeated at New Orleans in 1815. In 1817 his father removed to Christian County, Kentucky, where he died in 1821. His brother Joseph remained on the homestead, while the rest of the boys, except John, came to Illinois. Chastine Major received his little education in the usual way in Kentucky, that is, the farmers clubbed together and hired a teacher. In 1824 he did his duty to himself and his country and was married. The bride was Joanna Hopkins, daughter of Captain Samue Hopkins of Christian County, Kentucky.
During our Black Hawk war he made a trip to Illinois to see the country, and in 1835 he and his brother William Trabue Major emigrated to this State. While in Kentucky they were both of them strongly opposed to the institution of human slavery and this was the occasion of their leaving that State. Mr. Chastine Major located in Stout's Grove, Danvers township about twelve miles from Bloomington. This grove was named after Ephraim Stont, the first white settler there. At Stout's Grove Mr. Major bought a quarter section of improved land, well fenced in, with a log house on it, for six dollars per acre His remaining land he entered from the government.
The market at that time was Pekin ; the most of the produce was taken there. Oats brought fifteen cents per bushel, corn ten cents and wheat from forty to fifty cents. For beef and pork the demand was slight. But when Chicago began to flourish, he prices began to rise. The first drove of fat cattle sold to Chicago dealers from this section of the country was taken in by Isaac and Absolom Funk, father and uncle of the present Mayor of Bloomington. In 1841 it began to be profitable to raise pork because of the packing establishments at Pekin and Peoria, which shipped it down the river to New Orleans. The prices then ranged from two to three dollars per hundred. When Mr. Major came to the country the town of Bloomington was a very insignificant place. At one time some ten or twenty teams came in to Bloomington from Bond County on their way to Galena. The owners of the teams went on a spree and threat- ened to carry off the whole of Bloomington on their wagons.
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When Mr. Major came to Danvers township all of the settlers combined could not get up a respectable school; but now they sustain six and all are well filled with scholars and doing finely. Mr. Major moved from Stout's Grove to Bloomington in 1860 and has been living at the latter place ever since. He has raised a family of ten children all of whom are living, and three are at home with their father and mother. Mr. Major has four hun- dred and thirty acres of land in Danvers and sixty acres near Bloomington.
He has never been an office-seeker and has paid but little attention to public affairs ; nevertheless he has been made over- seer of public roads, school director and judge of elections.
As to personal appearance, he is of medium stature and well made. His face is full and fleshy ; his eyes have a very pene- trating expression. His hair is rather gray, and his head is a little bald on the top. He is a man who would not have ene- mies; he mixes very little with the world and is generally found at home.
DR. LABAN SHIPP MAJOR.
Laban Shipp Major was born May 25, 1822, in Christian County, Kentucky. In 1835 he came with his parents from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, to Bloomington, Illinois, where he arrived on the sixteenth of April. They traveled with a two- horse wagon which brought their furniture, and the family carri- age and two or three horses. The night before their arrival in Bloomington they stayed at Salt Creek, near what is now the thriving city of Lincoln. The next morning, when they awoke, they found the ground covered with an inch of snow. At noon they stopped for dinner at the house of Isaac Funk at Funk's Grove. Dr. Major describes the dwelling of Mr. Funk, one of the most celebrated of the early pioneers. IIe says : "It was a log cabin about twenty-five feet square and one story high, with a loft reached by a rude ladder. Here all the family, which was quite large, slept as well as all the wayfarers whom the hos- pitable host saw fit to entertain. But that which most attracted my attention was the immense fire-place which extended across the greater part of one side of the house. It had in it two or three logs some twenty feet long and two or three feet thick,
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and they made a fire large enough to roast an ox whole. No chairs were to be found in this mansion ; but the hearth in front of the fire-place was very capacious and about eighteen inches lower than the puncheon floor, and this answered all the pur- poses of chairs. But it troubled my inquiring mind to know how Mr. Funk ever got those immense saw-logs into his fire- place to burn. But he explained the matter. The doors on each side of the house were opposite each other, and with four yoke of oxen he hauled one end of a log as near one of these doors as it could be got by pulling it at right angles, then going with his oxen to the other side of the house he passed a log chain from them in at one door clear across the house and out at the other door where it was attached to the end of the log. Then the oxen pulled the log into the house end foremost, when it was an easy matter to roll it into the fire-place. A fire made by these logs would last from five to seven days."
Dr. Major's school days were happy ones. He attended the High School in the old Court House in what was known as the Fourth room. It was in this Court House that many of the greatest men of Illinois made some of their famous speeches. It was here that Edward Baker spoke so eloquently-the man who was afterwards senator from Oregon, who entered the army during the rebellion and was killed at Ball's Bluff. Here Doug- las and Lincoln frequently met to discuss the issues between the Whigs and the Democrats, and in some measure prepared them- selves for the great political contests in which they were after- wards to engage.
Only twenty-five scholars were allowed to attend school in the old Court House, and the teacher, Dr. William C. Hobbs, was the great light of Bloomington's social circles. Dr. Major says that hardly any lady in Bloomington could buy a dress or bonnet or ribbon without consulting Dr. Hobbs as to whether or not it was becoming. Ile was at every ball, wedding and funeral. When he attended a party of any kind the lady of the house never dared to pass the cake before submitting it to him for inspection. He would break off a small piece and taste it and say in his ceremonious way, "Very good, indeed, but it has a little too much sugar," or, "not quite enough flour." But an occasion was soon to arise when the skill and tact of Dr. Hobbs
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were to be severely tried. Perhaps the reader is not aware that an English nobleman once came clear across the Atlantic ocean and over the continent to see the city of Bloomington and make the acquaintance of the people in the Athens of Illinois. Such was the case. The great Col. Houghton came and Dr. Hobbs was obliged to take charge of him and introduce him to the brilliant society of Bloomington, until young Croesus had seen the wealth and beauty of Athens. He had come all the way from England to establish banks and loan money to the people of Bloomington at six per cent. interest. Of course the beauty of Bloomington came out in ribbons, and as everyone wished to consult Dr. Hobbs in the matter, the courtier was driven nearly crazy by the demands made upon him. But the English noble- man was resolved to have security for his money and took noth- ing less than first mortgages on real estate, and the money was to be given to the borrowers when the ship of gold from Eng- land should arrive at New York. Dr. Hobbs had no real estate and could not borrow, but he commended the nobleman to others and advised them to bring on their mortgages. Just before Col. Houghton left, the citizens gave him a Peacock dinner with great ceremony. The nobleman was so pleased with this gracious reception that he decided to have some of the portraits of his hosts for vignettes to his bank bills. He carried off many of their mortgages. Nothing was heard of him for a long time or of the mortgages which had been given him ; but at last Cap- tain Cozzens of St. Louis arrested a stranger answering to Col. Houghton's description. The prisoner was brought back as far as Springfield and identified as the supposed English nobleman. There he compromised matters, went away and was never heard of more. Dr. Major says that those who trusted the Colonel say : " Put not your trust in riches, English nobles or pea- cocks."
Dr. Major attended the school of Dr. Hobbs for about a year. He attended Hillsborough Academy, a select school south of Springfield, for two winters, working during the summer. A severe sickness, brain fever, made him an invalid for nearly a year. After this he attended Knox College at Galesburg for fifteen months, when he was prostrated by a second attack of brain fever. After a short sickness he recovered. He taught
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school for a while on Panther Creek about twenty miles north of Bloomington. When Mr. Major was twenty-two years of age he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Gish, who was at that time and still remains one of the most celebrated physicians of Kentucky. He remained with Dr. Gish about two years and then attended a course of lectures at the Medical School at Cincinnati. After practising medicine for two years he graduated at the medical school where he had attended lec- tures. This was in March, 1848. In September of that year he went to Chicago and commenced the practice of medicine, at which he continued for twenty years with success. He attended the first case of cholera reported in Chicago in 1849. The patient was himself a physician and fortunately recovered. Dr. Major was obliged to make the study of cholera at that time a specialty, as most of the physicians fled from fear. But after twenty years of successful practice he gave up the profession of medicine. In 1867 he built Major Block on the S. E. corner of La Salle and Madison streets for $75,000. The great fire of Chicago burnt it up, but it has recently been restored at a cost of $250,000, and is a magnificent building. The ground on a portion of which this block stands was bought in parts in 1856, '62 and '67, at a cost altogether of $25,000. In 1867 Dr. Major sold a piece of it, fifty by sixty-six feet, for $36,000, and had one hundred and forty by sixty-six feet left, on which Major Block now stands. The ground is now worth from two to three thous- and dollars per foot. In this same locality Dr. Major was offered in 1853 a lot, forty-five feet by one hundred and ninety, for $2,250. IIe went to Bloomington to get $300 as a loan from liis father in order to make the first payment. His father remarked that this would be paying $50 per foot, for which sum he might buy forty acres of land near Bloomington at Congress price, and considered Dr. Major to be fit for a cell in the Jacksonville asylum. Three years afterwards this same ground was sold for $400 per foot.
Dr. Major married, September 26, 1849, Miss Elizabeth Dunlop in Indianapolis. She was the daughter of Rev. John Dunlop of that place. She died December 1, 1863. The mar- riage was a very happy one and was blessed with six children of whom three are living, two girls and one boy. On the thir-
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tieth of January, 1866, Dr. Major married Miss Margaret Lar- minie, daughter of Charles Larminie, Esq., of Chicago. She is a very estimable and accomplished lady. Two children have been born of this marriage.
Dr. Major is rather a heavily built man, is well set, has broad shoulders, a full face and a jovial countenance. He has the family expression. He has, too, those qualities of mind by which the family is distinguished, that is, good judgment, espe- cially in financial matters, first-rate business capacity, and firm- ness in all his dealings. He enjoys a joke heartily, whether it is at his own expense or at some one else's.
JOHN MILTON MAJOR, M. D.
John Milton Major was born on the seventh of September, 1824, at Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky. In the spring of 1835 his father, William Trabue Major, emigrated to Bloomington, Illinois, taking young John with him. While in Kentucky the elder Major had been a strong opponent of sla- very, and this had much to do with his emigration from that State. When he came to Illinois he invested ten thousand dol- lars in real estate, lying north of Bloomington in the present town of Normal. It was not his intention to be a speculator, but his investment became so profitable and the rise in land so rapid that he was soon quite wealthy. He was a man of great energy and did much for the city of Bloomington, having laid out no less than six additions to the place.
When the parents of John Milton Major came to Blooming- ton, young John was sent to "pay" school to get his early educa- tion. The "pay" school was one requiring a weekly or monthly tuition to be paid for each seholar. If a person wished to start a school he went the rounds with his subscription paper to find scholars, and if he found enough pupils, after canvassing the neighborhood, he started the "pay" school. A teacher was sel- dom questioned as to his ability, and there were no school di- rectors or boards of education to examine him, so the scholars were obliged to take their chances.
In 1846 young John was sent to Bethany College, Virginia, where he studied literature and science for two years. He then studied medicine in Bloomington under the care of an elder
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brother. In 1848 and '49 he attended his first course of medical studies in Cincinnati, after which he began to practice as a phy- sician at Quincy, Illinois, with old Doctor Parsons. Here he encountered many of the difficulties which are peculiarly trou- blesome for young physicians. People want an old doctor, and Doctor Major's brow was not wrinkled with years. On one oc- casion, in January, 1850, Dr. Parsons was called to go twenty miles in the country, and, as he did not wish to face the intense cold, sent young Dr. Major. He gave the latter a letter of in- troduction to an old widow lady, whose children were very sick with pneumonia. Dr. Parsons had been the old lady's family physician, in whom she had great confidence, and she was much disappointed with the juvenile appearance of Dr. Major. She heaved a great many sighs and thought she could not trust her children in the hands of this youth. But when this juvenile, adding a year or so to his age, told her he was twenty-five, she allowed him, with some misgivings, to prescribe for her children. He was successful in curing them, and she was quite as well sat- isfied as if the old doctor had been present, for she had thought it was age that made the doctor, and not the man.
In the summer of 1849 the Asiatic cholera was very bad at Quincy, and the doctor had much practice with it. He only re- mained at Quincy one year before he removed to Macomb, where he again met the cholera, which was very wide spread. He remained at Macomb five years, when he again attended lec- tures in the hospital in the Ohio Medical Institute at Cincinnati. After this he returned to Bloomington, and continued his prac- tice. In 1855, the doctor says, the cholera again broke out among our Irish friends in the forty acres. In one family there were five cases of cholera at one time, two in the collapsed stage, when the doctor was called, but they all recovered except one. The doctor practiced medicine in Bloomington until 1867.
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