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 74
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Justice I. Perigo was the first white man who sought a home in Fall Creek. He settled south of the present site of Millville in 1821; but being a regular frontiersman he made little show at improvements. In June, 1823, John C. Thomas came to the township and moved on to the same farm where Perigo settled; Col. Headley and Mr. Slayton, the father of Fernando Slayton, for many years a prominent citizen of Fall Creek, came the same year. Headly and Thomas settled on the bottom. Zephaniah Ames and Ebenezer Harkness came in April, 1824, the former settling on section 13, the latter on 17. Amos Beebe, Amos Bancroft, Mr. Crandall, Daniel Moore, Holman Bowles, Mr. Journey and Thomas Carr were among the early pioneers, as was also William Thompson who came some later. Among the men who have been most prominent we may name Clark Chatten, Eli Seehorn, Ed. Seymore and Robt. Rankin.
The first marriage was that of Amos Bancroft and Ardelia Ames, in the winter of 1824-25. The first child born was Priscilla Crandall, after- wards the wife of Josiah Thomas, in 1825. The first death was old Mr. Slayton, of consumption, in 1825.
The first school-house was erected on section 16, in 1825, and Levi Wells taught the first school in it the following winter. The first sermon was preached by an itinerent Methodist preacher named Medford in 1826. The first house of worship was erected by the Baptists in Josiah Thomas' woods in 1832. The first permanent church edifice was built by the Meth- odist Protestant society, on section 23, near the falls of Fall creek, in 1844. A lady member worked the date in the curtains. The first Sunday-school was organized at the residence of Zephaniah Ames, in 1832, by Deacon Chatten and Elder Sweet. Amos Bancroft, Daniel Moore and Rial
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Crandall built the first saw mill on Mill creek, late in 1824. In 1831 a grist mill was erected which supplied the surrounding country with bread- stuffs.
Fall Creek township contains a population of nearly three thousand inhabitants; lias six school-houses, four of stone, one brick and one frame; two church edifices, a Christian and a German Lutheran. It ranks among the first in the county in fertility of the soil and the character of its farm improvements.
PANTHER STORIES.
The following true anecdotes, related by Orestes Ames, show that the pioneers in this section of Illinois were confronted by other and even graver obstacles than those incident upon subduing the wilderness.
During the summer of 1827, an unusual disturbance was heard about the pig pen of " Old John Thomas," in Fall Creek township. He owned two powerful and ferocious dogs; and his boys and the dogs immediately started on a tour of investigation. The dogs soon got scent of the pork- seeker, and all hands gave chase. After pursuing the animal-which was supposed to be a wolf-some distance, the dogs overtook and caught it in a hazel thicket. A desperate combat at once ensued. The panther, for such he proved to be, threw himself on to his back as the best position for defense. The dogs attacked him from each side; partially protected by the thick brush, they fought, until finally enraged to desperation one of them sprang upon the panther and seized him by the throat; the other dog caught him by the hind leg, thus preventing the powerful beast from using his claws; they held on until he was strangled to death. He measured seven and a half feet from tip to tip.
The next summer-1828-Stephen Robinson, an old frontier hunter, was coming up the bottom between Quincy and Millville, accompanied by his two dogs, in search of a stray horse, when the dogs treed a full grown panther up a tall hickory. Mr. R. was in a quandary what to do; he had no gun, and he could not afford to lose his game. He finally decided to climb for it, so throwing aside the bridle and his coat, started up the tree. The panther, not feeling in a fighting mood, retreated before him nearly to the top and walked out upon a large branch, and, turning about, stood face to face with his plucky pursuer, who attempted to shake him off. The animal now started toward him on the limb. Having no better weapon of defense, Mr. Robinson took off his old slouch hat, and as the panther approached struck it in the eyes with all his might. The blow caused it to lose its balance, it fell to the ground and was dispatched by the dogs.
CHURCHES.
Christian Church .- Among the early settlers of Fall Creek township were Holman Bowles, Alexander Fruit and John Hickerson, who with their families were members of the Christian Church. They began to assemble together for worship in their cabins as early as 1831. Rev. Jesse Bowles preached for them occasionally, and the believers in the faith increased in number until in 1840, when they organized regularly, Revs. John B. Curl and John Rigdon officiating. Holman Bowles, Jesse Fruit and Albert Morris were elected elders, and John Featheringill and James Lewis chosen deacons. The society held services in school-houses until 1851, when it had attained sufficient strength in numbers and purse to
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
erect a house of worship which they built that year. It is a substantial
brick structure 40x50 feet in size located upon section 2. The church con- tinued to grow until in 1865 it contained over 200 members. It is the parent of the Payson Christian Church, and is the second oldest society of that denomination in Adams county. It now numbers a hundred members, and has a Sunday-school of fifty scholars. The society contributes $500 per annum for religious purposes. Rev. Thos. S. Newnon is the officiating pastor; George Ramsey, L. G. Carr and Samuel T. Carr are the elders; and George I. McNutt and Henry Bowles, deacons.
German Lutheran Church .- A considerable number of Germans hav- ing settled in Fall Creek township, they organized a Lutheran society, and erected a stone edifice in 1860, upon section 9. Their church numbers more than 100 members. They have regular preaching by a gentleman from Quincy. These are the only two houses of worship in the township. There are quite a large number of Methodist people in Fall Creek who attend at Fall Creek chapel, just in the edge of Payson township.
GILMER TOWNSHIP.
The first settlers were George Wigle, who settled in 1829 on section 34 -- he built a log cabin and made other improvements-Benjamin Walby, an Englishman by birth, Jacob Smith, John Thomas, Mr. Franks and Mr. Riddle. In November, 1831, John Yeargain and family came, and soon after Daniel Harrison and others. These men were good citizens, their occupation that of farming, they were poor and enjoyed but few of the lux- uries of life, but they were cheerful, contented and hospitable.
The first sermon was preached at John Yeargain's, by David Hobbs, in the year 1832. In the same year John Hunter, a preacher of the M. E. Church, preached at the same place. Soon after a class was organized con- sisting of the following persons: John Yeargain and wife, Jacob Sharp and wife, Weaver Potter and wife, George Kuntz and wife, Nancy G. Tate and W. T. Yeargain. Soon after this others were added. David Carter, who was the first circuit-rider, commenced his labors in the year 1832. The class continued to meet at John Yeargain's until thought best to move it elsewhere. Meetings were then held successively at Jacob Sharp's, Mr. Notson's, then at John Yeargain's, thence to a log school-honse on what is now known as the old telegraph road. From there it moved to Mr. Brun- ton's, then after a short time to a school-house known as Mount Pleasant, and built in 1836, where meetings were held until 1865, when they built a church on section 27. During the year 1832 David Hobbs and John Curl preached at various times at the residence of John Yeargain, whose house was open with a welcome to preachers of all denominations. Also at other times John Kirkpatrick, Samuel Griggs and John Ham of the Methodist: Episcopal Church, John Wolf, a Dunkard, preached frequently at Daniel Harrison's, and Wm. Roberts, a Baptist, preached at various places. There are at present three Methodist Episcopal churches, one German Methodist Episcopal church, two Christian churches, one Lutheran and one Catholic church in Gilmer.
The first marriage was that of Mr. William Lamberth to Miss Nancy G. Tate, December, 1832. The ceremony was performed by Judge James Ralston.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
The first birth was a child of Daniel Harrison, and the first death that of John Bayne, in November, 1834.
The township was named in honor of Dr. Thornton Gilmer. I
The first election was held at what was known as Mr. Pitts' school- house, on section 15, April 2, 1850. The first judges of election were John Rice, - Hobbs and Wm. B. Finley clerk; first supervisor was J. F. Bartell; first magistrate under township organization, was Paris T. Judy; first town clerk, Wm. Morrow; first assessor, Philip S. Judy; first overseer of poor, Jeremiah Ballard; first collector, David Chase; first commissioners of high- ways, Robert Breedlove, Charles Gilmer, and Jacob Smith, who afterward served one term in State Senate; first treasurer, John Lawless; second treasurer, Geo. W. Thompson; first trustees of school, Geo. W. Thompson, Eli Williams, Benj. Walby, and D. L. Pedow; second trustees of school, Thornton Gilmer, John Bartell, Abner Chase, and John Finch. The first school was taught by Miss Ellis, a missionary from the East, in 1833. At present there are in the township six schools.
An incident in the history of Gilmer township which occurred as early as 1832, is remembered by the citizens of the county who have survived that period. It was in the month of April a snake hunt was participated in by the citizens generally, on the North and South mill creeks; several hundred snakes were killed in a day. During the hunt a cave since known as the " Burton Cave," was discovered by Tilford Hogan and Perry Kling- ingsmith. The genuine accounts of the startling numbers to which these snakes existed at that period would lend a very material aid to the imagin- ation of a Dante. The only survivors of Gilmer township, who lived there in 1831, are Wm. T. Yeargain and his brothers John P., M. M., and E. A. Yeargain.
The first goods were sold in 1832, by Daniel Harrison, who kept a store on section 30. In the year 1835 he moved his house and goods to Colum- bus, where he took as partner in the dry goods and pork-packing business Abraham Jonas, who was a member of the legislature. Columbus was laid off by Wm. Graves, in the year 1835.
The poor-house and farm are in Gilmer, the present overseer is Madi- son Doran. There are three miles of the C., B. & Q. railroad in Gilmer township. The land of this township consists of about two-thirds prairie and one-third timber; it is productive. It is settled by an intelligent class of people. Its church and school privileges are excellent.
The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church, of Fowler, was organized September 1, 1862, by Rev. A. Fismer, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, near Burton, who had the charge until the summer of 1864. The congregation held their meetings in a school-house near Cliola Station. At Christmas, 1864, the Congregational pastor, Rev. Carl E. Conrad, of Quincy, took the charge till Pentecost, 1872. Under his au- spices the congregation built a church in Fowler, in the fall of 1868, dedi- cated June 20, 1869, and accepted a congregational constitution, and changed her name to " Evangelical Church." From November, 1872. Rev. P. Kleinlein, of Keokuk Junction, took care of the congregation until Rev. Theodor Braener was called, who came January, 1873. as the first settled pastor, under whose auspices a Lutheran constitution was again accepted, Feb. 5, 1873. From February, 1876, the present pastor, Heinrich Decker, has been in charge. The congregation consists of twenty-five families, and has a parochial school, taught by the minister, of about twenty-five to
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
thirty children. The pastor has also the charge of the Evangelical Lutheran St. Petri Church, in Coatsburg (about twenty families), and of a little congregation near Columbus (eight families).
HOUSTON TOWNSHIP.
It will be seen by reading the following, that Houston is not a very ex tensive township, but still possessing a name, and many prominent men, who have long been residents. Most of the business of that locality is transacted in Quincy. The post-office of this township is located at York Neck. Among the first settlers, however, were Horace Reynolds, David Strickler, Henry A. Cyrus, Samuel Woods and Mr. Willard. A town site was laid out on the southwest quarter of section 34, in 1839, by Henry A. Cyrus and Levi T. Benton, and named Houston, in honor of General Sam Houston, of Texas. The town was a complete failure except in giving the township a name when afterwards organized. The popula- tion of the township at present is nearly 1,500. There is a railroad station on the east side, called Chatten, in honor of B. I. Chatten, of Quincy. The station comprises one store owned by Joseph W. Strickler, and the resi- dence of James E. McDavitt, Esq., late supervisor. The location of Houston is 2 north of the base line, and range 6 west of the 4th principal meridian. It is twenty-five miles from Quincy in a northeast direction on the west side of the township. Some of the most prominent citizens of Houston are E. H. Bennett, Samuel Woods, Martin Sherrick, Wesley Strickler, J. E. McDavitt, R. H. Downing, Wm. M. McFarland, Wm. Willard, Horace Reynolds, Stephen Groves, Bradley Stewart. The land is nearly equally divided between timber and prairie. The soil is good and produces excellent crops. Fine farms and wealthy farmers are common, and taking the township as a whole it will compare favorably with any in the connty.
HONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
This portion of the county, tradition informs us, received its name from a creek, which the early pioneers called "Honey Creek," on account of the very large number of "bee trees," found along its banks by them. The stream and township, thus aptly termed, has continued to bear the name. Among the first settlers were the Whites, Jabez Lovejoy, Gooding, Byler, Fletcher and others. The settlers were pleased on account of the large supply of timber adjacent to the prairie. The first settlement made in the township was made at Walnut point. For many years a New York and Boston land company held possession of many of the best sections in the county, and for that reason many emigrants were detained from settling in the township. The first Justice of the Peace was Jabez Lovejoy, Esq., who was also the first supervisor. John Byler held the position of Justice for many years. "Froggy Prairie," since 'Squire Byler's advent into the town- ship, presents quite a different aspect. This township is well-watered, and the prairie and timber being crossed by many streams, it has great ad- vantages for stock purposes. The C., B. & Q. railroad crosses the south- western portion of the township, and has two stations-Paloma and the town of Coatsburg; the latter of which is quite a flourishing village, hav- ing become historical and famous as the competitor of the city of Quincy in the last county seat contest, which is so fresh in the memory of the citi- zens of this county.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Coatsburg was surveyed and platted by R. P. Coats, in January, 1855, and derives its name from him. It is on the C., B. & Q. railroad, seventeen miles northeast of Quincy, and is surrounded by a fine farming country. It has three churches-Baptist, Methodist and Lutheran, three dry-goods and grocery stores, one drug and hardware store, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, one shoc-shop, one tinshop, a public hall, a good flouring mill, owned and operated by P. S. Judy & Co., which is doing a fine busi- ness; also a lumber yard. It has a graded school, of which Mr. R. P. Gray is principal, a young man of much ability. The school is well advanced, and does credit to its management. Coatsburg is an excellent shipping point, and its business is steadily and surely increasing.
The St. Petri church, of Coatsburg, was organized July 15th, 1862, by the Rev. A. Fismer, who had charge until some time in 1865, when he was succeeded by the Lutheran Ministers, Revs. Kornbanm, Stockmeyer, and Kleinlein. Since 1873 the Lutheran minister of Fowler has had charge of the church. August 11, 1878, the church was reorganized, and after- wards built a new church, which was dedicated on the 17th day of November, of the same year.
KEENE TOWNSHIP.
This township consists of fine prairies interspersed with belts of tim- ber. The first settlement of this township dates back to about the year 1834, when the pioneer commenced the culture of its soil, and the use of its valuable timber, which have been a rich source of revenue to the com- munity. The township throughout is well watered, and this fact alone would make it valuable as a stock-raising section. South Fork, Thurman Creek, Middle Fork and Big Neck Creek are the principal streams of the township.
Loraine is an outgrowth of the Carthage Branch of the Chicago, Bur- lington and Quincy railroad. The town was laid out by Messrs. Woods and Leinberger in December, 1870, during the time the railroad was in progress. Janres H. Wade built a store-house and did a general merchandising bus- iness in the winter of 1870; in 1871 James H. Wade was appointed post- master. Christopher Seals, in the spring of 1871, built a store-house and dwelling, and did a general merchandise business, and also kept a hotel known as the "Traveler's Rest. " S. P. Hatton, in the summer of 1871, built a blacksmith shop and dwelling. Dr. James S. Akins, in the sum- mer of 1871, built a dwelling and office and practised medicine. James A. Wade, in the spring of 1872, built a dwelling and wagon shop. James H. Wade, in the spring of 1872, built a store-house, which was occupied by D. P. Lowary, who does a general merchandising business. George A. Yeuter, in the spring of 1872, built a dwelling and grain house, bought and shipped grain, and also bought and shipped live-stock. P. S. Cavilee, in the spring of 1873, built a drug-store. E. J. Selleck, in the summer of 1873, built a grist mill, which, before its completion, he sold to George Jackson and son. Rust and Barniber, in the spring of 1874, built a blacksmith shop. Drs. Coffield and Akins, in the spring of 1875, built a drug-store and office, and did a general drug business and also practised medicine, and in August of the same year Dr. Akins was appointed post-master, and re- mained in office until January, 1878, after which James Coffield was ap- pointed to the position. George A. Yenter, in the winter of 1875, bought
Michael Sterner KEENE TOWNSHIP
6 Seuls KEENE TOWNSHIP
Joseph Seals KEENE TOWNSHIP
8. P. Hardy KEENE TOWNSHIP
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
the building occupied by P. S. Cavilee for a drug-store, and laid in a stock of dry-goods, groceries, and a general stock of merchandise. John J. Banks is also engaged in merchandising and the railroad business. Drs. Coffield and Aikens are doing a fair business in drugs, and also have a good medical practice. G. A. Yenter is engaged in the stock and grain business. D. P. Lowery is doing an agricultural business, and is also a dealer in railroad ties, and an insurance agent. S. P. Hatton is carrying on the blacksmith business. Frank Rettig is carrying on wagon making and blacksmithing, and doing a good business. In fact, all seem to be
prosperous. The town is well situated and is calculated to do and main- tain a good business. Its tie and wood trade is a great source of revenue to the business of the town. Christopher Seals, in the spring of 1876, en- larged his store-room by building a two-story addition, the upper story of which was fitted up for an Odd Fellows' hall. D. P. Lowary also built a two-story house; the first floor was fitted up for agricultural implements, and the second floor for church purposes. Henry Goodnow, in 1876, built a large two-story building; the first floor was fitted up for a store-room, and in the spring of 1877 it was occupied by G. A. Yenter, who did a gen- eral merchandise, grain and live stock business, until in the fall of 1878 he sold out his entire stock of merchandise to Banks & Guyman. The upper floor of this building was fitted up for a town hall, and has been used prin- cipally for a dance hall. Mr. Goodnow also built a large blacksmith shop and wagon shop in the summer of 1877, which was occupied by Ryan and Walters during 1877 and 1878; and now, in the spring of 1879 all busi- nesses are represented. C. Seals is doing a good, thriving business merchan- dising and dealing in railroad ties.
Loraine Lodge No. 641, I. O. O. F., was instituted under dispensation June 20, 1877, by District Deputy James A. Benneson, of Robert Brooker Lodge No. 406, of Quincy, in the hall fitted up for the purpose over the store of Christopher Seals-David Andrews, John Pollock, Frank Seals, James M. Curless, Christopher Seals, James M. Seals and James Coffield be- ing the charter members. The first officers elected were, Christopher Seals, N. G .; James Coffield, V. G .; James W. Curless, Secretary; James M. Seals, Treasurer. A number of members have been initiated since the or- ganization, and at present the Lodge is in a flourishing condition.
The M. E. Church was organized in Keene Township in 1860, under the name of "Union Society." They erected a frame church building on section 24. The officers were Granville Bond, pastor; Samuel Curless, class-leader, and Ezekiel Walters, steward. There was at the organization fifteen members. The church prospered during the war. Afterwards, a great many took letters and moved away, besides several deaths. There are thirty-eight members at present. The old church is now being repaired by the old Union Society, which consists of the M. E., Baptist and Presby- terian. The present officers are Rev. Mr. Huffman, John Curless and William Taylor.
LIMA TOWNSHIP.
From most authentic sources of information, the first settlement of this township is fixed in the year 1833, and from a recent publication the following interesting sketch is obtained:
" Lima is a beautiful little village of three hundred inhabitants, situ- ated eighteen miles north, and one mile east of Quincy, one mile and a half south of the Hancock county line.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
" It contains six stores, that may be denominated variety stores, as they contain all that is generally found in stores situated in small towns. There are three blacksmith and wagon making establishments, two cooper shops, two boot and shoe shops, two harness shops, three tailoring and dressmak- ing establishments, one chair factory, two hotels. There is a Masonic Lodge, with about twenty-three members, also a Good Templars and Odd Fellows Lodge. The school-house is a fine, substantial, two-story brick building, that would do honor to any village, situated in a beautiful yard, with the city hall, in about the center of the town.
" In 1833, Dr. Joseph Orr built the first store in Lima, and at that early day, every store that was situated at some distance from other stores, had to be dignified with the title of a town. In obtaining a name for this town, the doctor, who was of a poetical turn of mind, was assisted by a Peruvian, who was staying with him. The Peruvian declared that he had traveled through many countries, but in none had he found such beautiful women as there were in the capital of his native country, except here, and there- fore he called it Lima. Thus the town obtained its name from the charms of the fair sex that inhabited the surrounding country. If at that day it laid claims to so much beauty, at the present it can not be surpassed.
"Situated in the center of the township, the town has advantages un- surpassed by any town in the county, excepting Quincy. One mile east of the town is White Oak Branch, which circles around, about that distance from the town, until it gets to the southwest, where it runs directly south- west, and empties into Bear Creek. To the east of this branch the country is rough and broken, and is generally known as Pea Ridge. This conn- try, as rough as it is, is a source of wealth that can not be neglected. The timber upon it is the best quality of white oak, suitable for manufacturing purposes. Where this timber is cut off, the lands produce wheat of the best quality, which meets with a ready sale at Shaw's Mill, which turns out the finest article of flour, and besides, has good sawing and carding machinery attached. Wheat is not the greatest source of wealth on the ' Ridge,' the sturdy Germans who settled there, in imitation of their life in the ' Vaterland,' on the romantic banks of the Rhine, have concluded to
" Let the vine luxuriant roll Its blushing tendrils round the bowl, While many a rose-lipp'd bacchant maid Is culling clusters in their shade.
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