The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 72

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Murray, Williamson & Phelps
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Illinois > Adams County > The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 72

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The business men of the town are: Scott & Son, millers; M. C. Chase, harness ; J. H. Garrett, boots and shoes; Fred Boger, groceries; Oliver & Son, dry goods, etc .; W. L. Oliver, miller, stock, etc .; Bailey & Seaton, bankers; Patrons of Husbandry, George Rhea, supt., general store; Folckemer & Bro., tin-ware and stoves; R. W. Garrett, dry goods, etc .; George W. Cyrus, postmaster, stationary, and proprietor of Camp Point Journal; J. F. Hagerty, dry goods and millinery; M. D. L. Craver, clothing and tailor; A. B. Kelley, jeweler and nursery; Lorentz Zeigler, grocery and eating house; George Gruny, boots and shoes; J. J. Lusk,

MAPLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL CAMP POINT

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

drugs, etc .; Peter Underwood, groceries; Geo. C. Bartells, drugs, etc .; E. B. Curtis, general store; Leggett & Batschy, lumber, etc.

The Adams county agricultural society, in the spring of 1876, pur- chased grounds and established the county fair in the immediate vicinity of the village, on a prosperous basis, the coming year being the fourth annual fair. Philip S. Judy, president; Richard Seaton, secretary.

Philip S. Judy, Wm. A. Booth and Adam R. Wallace have spent much time to effect the healthy condition of the society, and it is now believed that it rests on a permanent basis, and its success already assured.

Camp Point Guards were organized in 1877, and have erected an armory. Richard Seaton, Capt. ; Jos. P. Lasley, 1st Lieut .; Henry Folck- emer, 2d Lieut.

There are five churches in Camp Point. The Presbyterian or- ganized in 1856, and built a comfortable place for public worship in 1868. The Methodist organized at nearly the same time, and erected a very good church in 1858. The Baptist organized and built a small but convenient church the same year. About 1860 the Catholics or- ganized and built a pleasant church. The Christians organized and erected a very well arranged church in 1866. The Methodists, Christians, and Presbyterians are fairly prosperous.

The school-fund arising from the sale of the sixteenth section origin- ally amounted to about fourteen hundred dollars, and was at an early date increased to twenty-two hundred, where it now remains.

MAPLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, CAMP POINT.

The village of Camp Point showed some indications of a future as early as 1847, when the mill, the blacksmith shop, the store and the post- office were followed by the school-house erected in 1853, which was prob- ably the best finished and most comfortably arranged school-house in the county, and afforded sufficient facilities for school purposes for some two or three years, when, owing to the growth of the village, another school-house was demanded and was built in the west part of the village, which afforded school accommodations for a year or two more, when both houses became crowded, so that more school-room was found necessary.

In 1865 the question of a graded school was talked up by a number of the citizens, when in the spring of 1866 it was decided by a vote of the district that a school-house should be erected, of such dimensions as not only to afford ample room, but so graded as to afford facilities for all to obtain an education, not only in the common, but in the higher, branches of study. During the summer a block of ground was purchased, and a brick building, 66 x 80 feet, three stories high, was erected, though not com- pleted until the summer of 1867, the entire cost amounting to $25,000. The grounds were planted with maple-trees, from which fact was derived the well known name of " Maplewood."

Maplewood school was first organized in October, 1867, under the superintendency of Prof. S. F. Hall, a well-known educator from Prince- ton, Ill. Seven assistant teachers were employed to take charge of the different grades, and the next year it was found necessary to employ another, Prof. Hall remaining in charge for five years, when he retired, going to Payson, where he taught two years, when he again resumed his position as principal, which position he has continued to occupy until the present time. The average attendance of pupils has been about 500, of

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

whom about one-fifth were from other parts of the county, attending Maplewood to obtain instruction in the higher branches not usually taught in the common schools, special advantages being offered at Maplewood for the study of higher arithmetic, algebra, geometry, philosophy, botany, Latin, rhetoric, etc. The regular school term lasts for eight months, and is followed by a Normal course lasting four weeks, for the special training of those who desire to teach, and the result has been highly gratifying to the friends of the school, and a flattering testimonial is shown in the fact that about one-half of the teachers of the district of Adams county have been members of the classes of Maplewood.

LODGES.

Benjamin Lodge, No. 297, A. F. and A. M., began work under a dis- pensation issued by Grand Master Harrison Dills to John R. Warren, John A. Roth, W.m. L. Oliver, Ormond Noble, Jesse L. Reed, Ansel War- ren and Joseph Keenan, during the summer of 1858. A new dispensation was issued to these brethren at the session of the Grand Lodge, October 6, 1858, and a charter was issued during the session held October 5, 1859. The lodge has had for master, John R. Warren, John A. Roth, W. L. Oliver, Samuel Mileham, M. D., M. P. Stewart, P. M. Herndon, Solomon Alspaugh, George W. Cyrus (five years), Thomas Bailey, John H. Francis, Richard Seaton and Joseph P. Lasley. It now numbers 52 members.

Camp Point Chapter No. 170, Royal Arch Masons, was organized under a dispensation issued to George W. Cyrus, Thomas Bailey, Richard Seaton, Thomas A. Lyon, James W. Colwell, John H. Francis, Martin L. Stewart, Samnel Curless, and Andrew Hughes, March 28, 1875. A char- ter was issued October 28. It numbers twenty-one members.

Camp Point Lodge No. 215, I. O. O. F., was chartered Oct. 17, 1856, the charter being issued to John Williamson, John F. Watson, John F. Alberty, John T. Hagerty, and James Nolan. The lodge has accumulated a fund of $3,000 and has eighty members.

Point Camp Encampment No. 60, I. O. O. F, was organized by Thomas Bailey, Benjamin Cummins, Joseph Dickson, Jasper Asher, Richard Seaton, Jr., John S. Seaton, and George Gruny, under a charter issued Oct. 10, 1865.

CLAYTON TOWNSHIP.

This is one of the most beautiful and fertile townships in Adams county, her lands consisting of rich prairies interspersed with groves of timber bordering on little Missouri creek, which has its source in the western portion of the township, and flows east, dividing it nearly in the center. It is one of the richest agricultural districts in the county, and bounded on the north by Northeast township, south by Concord township, west by Camp Point township, and east by Brown county. The soil is a dark vegetable loam, highly productive, and nearly all tillable except the narrow bluff along the little Missouri. The farms are highly cultivated, and the improvements of a fine character. The staple crop is Indian corn, while quite a large area is devoted to grass and grazing.

Clayton, the only village in the township, is a thriving place of over one thousand inhabitants.

The main line of the Wabash railway extends across the township from east to west, a mile north of its southern boundery. At Clayton, the

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Keokuk branch leaves the main line and runs in a northwesterly direction. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railway also touches the northwestern corner.

The first white settlement of this township was in 1829, made about two and a-half miles north of where the village of Clayton is now located by Obediah Nicks, who settled with his family on the northwest corner of section 23. David M. Campbell, the second settler, came April 1830, and located on the southeast of section 21. He is the oldest living settler, and his son James still lives on this section. In the fall of 1830 Rev. John E. Curl settled on the southwest of section 31, where Wm. Curry now lives, and Jacob Pile, on section 23. In the fall of 1831 Daniel Pile settled on the farm now owned by John Logue on section 24. Mr. Pile was elected the first justice of the peace in the township. After 1833 settlers flocked in rapidly, and the public lands were soon converted into farms. In 1834 John Marrett, Rev. R. K. McCoy, Chas. McCoy and Edward Davis settled in the town.

The people early took an interest in educational matters, and as early as 1832 we find a school started in the township, which was taught by David M. Campbell, who was the first school teacher of the township, and had but one session a week, and that on Sunday, at the houses of the pioneers. At the present writing the township is divided into nine school districts with good school-houses, furnishing to at least nine hundred scholars a good English education. The township now has a population of about three thousand people, being in the neighborhood of an average of one family to each forty acres of land. The first marriage in the township was that of Josiah Gantz to Miss Curl. They were united in wedlock by Rev. David Wolf in the winter of 1830, on the farm now owned by Wm. Curry. The first death was Sarah J., infant daughter of David M. Campbell, in August, 1832.

In those early days hotels were " few and far between," and accomoda- tions meager, but " heart room, house room," was the prevailing motto with many of those noble men who came to make a home and fortune in the great West.

Among that number were David M. Campbell and his kind-hearted spouse, whose hospitable natures never said no to the weary traveler seek- ing food or shelter. Though their cabin was but sixteen feet square they entertained and lodged as many as eleven of the aristocracy of Quincy at one time.

VILLAGE OF CLAYTON.

The present village of Clayton now has a population of over one thousand, and was laid out in the year 1834 by Chas. McCoy, Rev. Reu- ben K. McCoy and John McCoy, three brothers, of whom but one, John, is now living.

The town was located on the northeast quarter of section 34. Charles McCoy being an ardent admirer of Henry Clay, named their infant town Clay-ton in honor of the great statesman. The Rev. R. K. McCoy was for thirty years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Clayton. He erected the first residence in the place during the summer of 1834, and died in the year 1874, after a long and useful life, beloved by all who knew him. Chas. McCoy built and opened the first store with a small stock of goods, and sold to Sidney Parker of Quincy, a few months after, who con-

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

ducted the business for several years, then removed to Mt. Sterling, Brown County. Jason Wallace opened a store of general merchandise about the close of 1836, and continued a number of years, serving as postmaster at the same time. David M. Campbell erected the first hotel during the sum- mer of 1835, and kept it for five years, when he sold it to C. McMurry. In the mean time Mr. Campbell had built a larger two-story building on the same lot, which he moved out on to his farm, a mile and a-half north- west of Clayton, in time of a deep snow, with nineteen yoke of oxen, having fastened long timbers under the house to serve as runners. It was an exciting occasion, and the whole neighborhood turned out to witness it. The building still stands, and is the residence of Sam'l Newhouse.

It is related that Clayton had been partially settled, and not proving satisfactory to the projectors of the enterprise, the buildings were nearly all moved out to farms, and the town almost abandoned for some years, but finally began to revive when the railway was built. Several additions have been made to the original town plat of Clayton, so that it is now situated on parts of sections 27, 34 and 35, at the junction of the Keokuk branch with the main line of the Wabash railway. It has had a steady substantial growth, and now boasts five churches, two large flouring mills, four hotels, two banks, a railroad machine shop, two large wagon manufactories, two marble- works, several dry goods, groceries and millinery stores, two hardware stores, a harness shop, jewelry store, photograph gallery, restaurant, blacksmith and barber shop, meat market, etc., etc. It also has that indispensable accom- paniment of every prosperous town, a newspaper printing establishment. The Clayton Enterprise is a twenty-four-column paper owned and con- ducted by Rev. P. L. Turner & Son.

SCHOOLS.

The first school-house was erected in the village in 1836. Amos Andrews taught in it. In 1877 the fine brick building, two-stories high, with seven rooms was built at a cost of sixty-five hundred dollars. Between the years 1836 and 37, several additions were made to the original building to supply the demands of the rapid growth of the vicinity, the last costing thirty-five hundred dollars. Early in 1877 it was destroyed by fire.

During this period many teachers were employed, the results of their good judgment and example is now clearly traceable in the high moral standard of the locality.

Of the many teachers who have been connected with this school, Amzi Black was among the first. Twenty-five pupils he commenced with, but the number rapidly increased as the town grew.

The names of Mrs. J. D. Herdshe, Mr. S. J. Morey, Rev. A. W. Bery, John W. Lummis, Wm. A. Wallace, Geo. L. Booth, O. W. Colegate and S. M. Irwin, will recall to their many pupils pleasant memories of their school days.

In 1849 the Clayton Academy was built by the First Presbyterian Church, and used for the High school. Mr. Edward Hubery, a man of fine ability, taught successfully two years, and was succeded by W. P. Manister and Sarah M. McCoy.

The board of directors at the present time are Messrs. E. W.Parker, Jacob Hazlett and H. R. Motter, who have proven themselves capable, and in their selection of teachers given satisfaction.

The Old Settlers Association of Adams and Brown counties was organ-

D. C. Laquo

CLAYTON

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

ized at Clayton in the year 1869, the first president being John McCoy. Annual re-unions have been held at Clayton, excepting one year it was held at Mt. Sterling. From the proceedings of these meetings where they have talked over for two or three days at a time the struggles and history of the county, we have gathered much to make up our volume.

CHURCHES.

As a matter of interest in the religious progress of Clayton, we have selected the following historical facts.

Presbyterian Church .- The Presbytery of Schuyler, at its spring meet- ing in 1836, appointed a committee to organize a Presbyterian Church in Clayton. That committee consisted of the Rev. R. B. Dobbins and the Rev. Cyrus Riggs and Elder Joseph G. Walker. These brethren met at the resi- dence of the Rev. R. K. McCoy, in Clayton, to transact the business as- signed them by the Presbytery, on the 9th day of April, 1836. After prayer they received certificates of church membership from the following per- sons who expressed the desire to become members of the Presbyterian Church then about to be organized, viz .:

Joseph M. Phillips, ' Nancy Phillips, Caroline Phillips, John McCoy,

John McBratney, Nancy Howes,

Nancy McBratney, Solomon Montgomery,

Octavia P. McCoy,

Charles K. McCoy,

Isabella Bush,

Emeline McCoy,

Mary McCoy,

Sarah McCoy,

Oliver Howes.

The first minister, and under God the Father of the Church, was the veteran missionary, Rev. Reuben Kemper McCoy. He was among the standard bearers of the Presbyterian ministry in the west, a faithful and diligent servant, filled with the Spirit and consecrated to the work of his Master. At the session of Ebenezer Presbytery, in Paris, Kentucky, in Octo- ber, 1833, Mr. McCoy received license to preach the Gospel. Shortly after his licensure he was married to Miss O. P. Hawkins, and entered on a mis- sionary work in the southern part of Kentucky. ' He came to Illinois in April, 1834, and began at once the work to which he believed God had called him. One of his appointments was at the cabin of a Mr. Shields, near the site of the town of Camp Point. Here, after a few weeks labor, and with the assistance of Rev. Mr. Hardy, another pioneer preacher, he organized the Salem Presbyterian Church, with a membership of only eleven persons. In September, 1835, Mr. McCoy was ordained by the Presbytery of Schuyler, on the camp ground near Quincy. And now began his great life-work in the ministry of the Gospel, a work that closed only as his long day of life drew near and entered its quiet evening.

At the organization of the Presbyterian Church at Clayton, in 1836, Mr. McCoy became its faithful and efficient minister, and for twenty-nine years, the ripest and richest years of his life, he labored in the midst of this people. His longest absence from this church occurred in 1863, when for six months he was chaplain of the Third Regiment of Missouri Cavalry, whose colonel was our fellow-townsman, Dr. T. G. Black.

The second minister of this church was the Rev. William W. Whip- ple, who is now engaged in the duties of the Gospel ministry in the city of Janesville. His ministry in the church of Clayton began April 1, 1866, and closed April 1, 1875.

Mr. Whipple was and is an able minister of the New Testament, one

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

who rightly divides the word of truth, a wise master-builder on the foun- dation which is laid, which is Christ the Righteous. While in the midst of this people he exalted the Cross of Christ in his preaching, and in his life was an example to the flock of God which he fed.

The third minister of this church is its present pastor, Rev. Edwin J. Rice. He began his labors in this church while a licentiate of Schuyler Presbytery, May 1, 1875. He was ordained on April 5th, and installed on April 26, 1876.

Having now spoken of the ministers, it is necessary to speak of the elders connected with the session of Clayton church. There have belonged to this session thirteen elders. At the organization of the church three elders were elected, viz .: Mr. John McCoy, Mr. Oliver Howes, and Mr. Joseph M. Phillips. Elder Phillips was dismissed to the church of Mt. Sterling in 1837, and is now dead. Elder Howes died in Clayton, Illinois, in his 77th year, February 24, 1876. He was a native of Massachusetts; settled in Illinois in the spring of 1831, and was an honored and efficient ruling elder in this congregation for the space of forty years.

Of the thirteen ruling elders who have belonged to the session of this church, eight have died and one is an elder in a neighboring church. Four are yet engaged in the performance of their arduous duties in our midst, viz .: Mr. John McCoy, Mr. A. S. McDowell, Mr. Charles Ballow, and Mr. William Kendrick.

Of the little band of fifteen, the first members of this church, nine have gone across the Jordan, and six now linger on its margin. Of the brethren, J. M. Phillips, John McBratney, Solomon Montgomery, Charles K. McCoy, and Oliver Howes; and of the sisters, Nancy Phillips, Mary McCoy, Isabella Bush, and Sarah McCoy, have died. Sister Caroline Phillips, now Mrs. Malone, is a member of the Mt. Sterling church. Elder John McCoy, and sisters Nancy Howes, O. P. McCoy, Emeline McCoy, and Nancy McBratney, yet live in our midst.

The roll of the membership of this church shows 460 names. Ot these 460 members, eighty have died within our bounds; forty-two have been suspended for transgressing the rules of the church and the com- mands of the Scriptures; forty-five have removed from our bounds with- out a certificate of church membership, and 167 have been regularly dismissed by letter to other churches. The present membership of the church is 126.

Of the members of this church, six have entered the Gospel ministry. Their names are as follows: Abraham Vanstavoren. Samuel B. King, Daniel C. McCoy, William Paxton, John Leander King, and William Hen- drickson. Of these six brethren, two have died, viz .: Mr. A. Vanstavoren and Mr. S. L. King. Mr. Vanstavoren was a graduate of Illinois College and of Lane Seminary. He entered the ministry at Montrose, Iowa, in 1855, the year of his graduation at the seminary. He died, after a term of five years of service in the ministry, at Kossuth, Iowa. in April, 1860. Mr. J. L. King was a graduate of Knox College and of Lane Seminary, where he completed his theological course of study in 1862. He preached first at Detroit, Michigan, whence he removed to Denver, Colorado, where he died in 1866.

For four years after its organization the church had no house of wor- ship, their religious services being held in the District School building and wherever else the congregation could be assembled. Many of their

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

most interesting meetings were conducted beneath the great forest-trees on. the camp-ground-the groves were their first temple.

In 1839 three lots in Clayton, Nos. 63, 64 and 65 Washington street, were donated to the church by Elder McCoy. These lots were worth about $250. Here, on the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets, was erected in 1840 a brick church, at a cost of $3,000. In a few years after- ward a tower and a bell were added. In 1865, the brick walls were removed and frame took their place. This frame building is still a com- fortable and commodious house of worship, dedicated and set apart to the service of the living and true God. Besides the church building and the lots on which it is situated, the congregation possess a parsonage. No. 158 Jefferson street. This property was purchased of Mr. Thomas Lackey in 1870, at a cost of $1,700.

In accordance with the act of the Legislature of the State of Illinois, concerning corporations, approved April 18, 1872, this church, on the 4th day of January, 1873, became incorporated as the "First Presbyterian Church, of Clayton, Illinois," and on that day the following persons were chosen by the congregation as trustees for the term of three years, viz .: Albert F. Swope, James C. Miller, Jacob Hazlett, Samuel N. Black, Abel Lacky, Wm. M. Logue, and John H. Ratcliff.

On March 12, 1876, the term of three years, for which these trustees were elected, having expired, a new board of trustees was elected for a like term by the congregation. This present board of trustees is composed of the following named persons, viz .: A. F. Swope, Jacob Hazlett, John H. Ratcliff, Samnel N .. Black, James Hazlett, John W. Smith, and Abel Lacky.

As we trace the history of the past forty years, and recall the scenes of the sanctuary, the language of Jacob comes to our lips: "Surely the Lord is in this place. This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven."

The Clayton Christian Church was organized in 1855, Dr. T. G. Black and others being the original members. The first elders were Dr. Black and George Lacklen. The edifice in which the society worship was erected in 1855, at a cost of $3,500. The present elders are Dr. T. G. Black and W. B. Smith, while J. K. Smith, H. H. Curry, Wm. Staker, and H. H. Dodd are official deacons. The membership figures up at about one hundred and fifty, while seventy-five children attend the Sabbath- school. The present pastor is W. T. West.

The M. E. Church was organized about 1836. It was a part of Pulaski charge, and was afterward attached to the Columbus charge, and later to the Mt. Sterling circuit. The church services were held in school and private houses until 1850, when the first church edifice was erected on the site where the present edifice stands. The Board of Trustees at that time were Joseph Douglass, George McMurry, John C. Newton, James D. Hurd and Robert R. Garner, now all dead. That church was used twenty- five years, when it became inadequate and was removed, and the present fine brick structure erected in 1875, at a cost of $7,000. The church has been reasonably prosperous. The Sunday-school is also quite large. P. L. Turner is the present pastor; Abel Gray, Jas. Kirkpatrick, Q. Burgesser, Peter Omer, and W. R. Molter are the trustees, and Jas. Kirkpatrick, J. H. McMurry, Q. Burgesser, Win. Miller, Wm. Montgomery, Peter Omer, W. H. Hollis, and John Mills are the stewards. The present membership is one hundred and forty-five and seventy-five attend the Sunday-school.

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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

LODGES.

Like all other advanced sections we find here the Masonic order in a healthy condition, doing a good work in the organization of the Masonic Relief Association, that now has a membership of 1,208 during the short period of five years. We copy from its constitution, article two, object: " The business and object of this association shall be to secure financial aid and benefit to the widows, orphans, or the legal representatives of the deceased members." The best life-insurance a man can invest in.

Following are the officers for 1878:

President .- H. G. Ferris, Carthage. Vice-President .- C. H. Gilbirds, Clayton.

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The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 72

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Murray, Williamson & Phelps Number of Pages: 1254

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Murray, Williamson & Phelps
Number of Pages: 1254