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 75

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 75


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144


" Already many of the hills in autumn are decked with purple parterres, that roll streams of wealth into the capacious coffers of their industrious owners. Lying west of White Oak Branch, south of Petit Branch, and east of Lima Lake, is some of the richest land in the State, which turns out a vast store of corn, wheat, oats, apples, and other staple products. In the center of this plateau is the town.


"Two miles west of the town is Lima Lake, a beautiful expanse of about seven miles in length by four in breadth. West of this lake, and also north and south of it, there lie large tracts of land, which are annu- ally overflown, but still produce immense quantities of grass and weeds, suitable for grazing purposes. The lake itself. and its sloughs, afford some of the finest fishing and hunting grounds in the north-west. The largest draws are owned by Mr. James Ellis, a gentleman of untiring energy, who was born and raised there. In early settlements the people frequently met together to hunt the wild animals that infest the wilderness, for either


537


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


amusement, or to rid themselves of pests. During one of these hunts, in 1833, a snake den was discovered on Buel's Branch, with one hundred and and eighty serpants of all kinds twisted together.


" The first house built in this township was erected by Mr. Joseph Harness, whose descendants and himself still reside in the neighborhood. Mr. Ishmael Dazy, John C. Wood, James Wood, Sampson Archer, James Ellis, William Orr, Robert Conover. Jonah Conover, Lewis Selby, Milton Selby-who taught the first school in town-James Selby, Thomas Killum, and Dr. Orr, are the gentlemen who first settled this town and township; all but two or three of them are still left, to see the wilderness blooming like the rose, while their children have grown up to take their places, pros- perous and happy."


LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.


This township lies about twenty miles east, southeast, of Quincy. The first settlers of the township were A. H. D. Buttz and D. P. Meacham. Mr. Buttz, who is at present living in the village of Liberty, has, in the history of that village, served many years as its post-master. Mr. Buttz opened the first store ever kept in the village, or, in fact, the township, and the first house built was erected by Daniel Lile. The first marriage celebrated in this township was the marriage of Jacob Wigle to Nancy Hunsaker, sol- emnized by Elder George Wolf. The first sermon was preached by George Wolf, of the Dunkard denomination, in the year 1829, and the first church organization effected was in 1831, which was the establishment of a Dunkard church.


The post-office was first established at Liberty in the year 1834, and John Norton was the first post-master. The village of Liberty was laid out by Paris T. Judy, and now contains about 400 population. The first steam mill was built by Xander & Horkney. The first doctor to locate in Liberty was J. H. Hart-since, they have been abundant.


The business houses of Liberty at this time are now kept by B. F. Gro- ver and Samuel Naylor, general stores, T. X. Frey and L. W. Sparks, drug- gists.


CHURCHES.


Presbyterian, which has no pastor at the present time; Lutheran, Rev. R. G. Linker pastor; Dunkard, W. R. Lierle pastor; Christian, E: M. Bray pastor, and the Catholic, which is a large and influential parish com- posed of many of the leading citizens of the township.


LODGES.


A. F. and A. M .- Present officers : B. F. Grover, W. M .; Samuel Mc- Bride, S: W .; John Treadway, J : W .; A. J. Linn, Treasurer; Joseph Roote, Secretary; Ed. Klarner, Tyler.


I. O. O. F .- Present officers: J. M. Grimes, N. G .; W. H. Lentz, V. G .; Samuel Naylor, Secretary; T. X. Frey, Treasurer; A. H. D. Buttz, Jr., J. P. G .; B. F. Grover, Lodge Deputy.


MENDON TOWNSHIP.


The territory now comprised in the township of Mendon, together with all that portion of Adams county north of Rock creek, and south and


538


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


west of the south fork of Bear creek, was originally known as the Bear Creek country. Embracing an area equal to about three Congressional townships, it was divided into two or more voting precincts. On the adop- tion of township organization by Adams county about the year 1850, nearly all this territory was organized into one township called Ursa. The large size of this township rendered it inconvenient and unsatisfactory, and after some efforts for a division. a special act of the Legislature was obtained in 1853, creating Mendon township by striking off four tiers of sections from the east side of Congressional township, 1 north S west, and also four tiers of sections from east side of so much of township 2 north S west, as lies south of the south fork of Bear creek, making the township four miles wide from east to west, and about nine miles long from north to south. It now contains a population of at least 2,500.


A large proportion of the land in this township was originally prairie, interspersed with sufficient timber for all necessary purposes; it is suffi- ciently rolling for good drainage, and the average quality of the soil for agri- cultural purposes is equal to that of any other township in Adams county. It is nearly all in a high state of cultivation. . The quality of the improve- ments, such as houses, barns, fences, roads and bridges, is of superior char- acter.


The village of Mendon was first laid out by Col. John B. Chittenden, in 1833; varions additions have since been made from time to time by different parties. By a special act of the Legislature, in 1867, it was incor- porated as a town, its limits embracing a territory one mile square. It is located near the center of the township, on probably the highest point of land in the county, and has a very commanding view of the surrounding country. Its affairs are managed by a board of five trustees, one of whom is president of the board. Its streets and alleys are of liberal width, kept in good repair, and almost uniformly bordered by shade trees. It has an extensive system of sidewalks, built in a permanent manner and kept in excellent order. The general appearance of the town is a subject of com- mendation by all who visit it, and a matter of just pride to all its citizens. Its population is about 1,000. Mendon is the religious, political, commer- cial, and social center of the township. Its two most important material advantages are its line of railroad and the extensive and excellent flouring mill of S. H. Bradley. Ithas a full complement of ministers, physicians and mechanics, some of them of rare skill. It, up to this time, has managed to exist in a comparatively healthy state without a resident lawyer. Men- don is also celebrated for its large and varied stocks of merchandise; the amount and value of goods in Mendon is more than double that of any town in the county except Quincy. Its public buildings and private resi- dences are of a superior order and almost universally kept in neat repair. "Chittenden Park," originally dedicated to the public as a park by Col. John B. Chittenden, is a beautiful plat of ground well set with grass and ornamental trees, and surrounded by a neat and substantial fence. In the spring of 1876, a row of sugar maple trees was set out around the park as a "Centennial " memorial, every one of which is flourishing. The public school-house is a tasteful and substantial brick building of sufficient capacity to accommodate 250 to 300 pupils. It was built about eight years ago, at a cost. including the grounds (5 acres), and the furniture, heating apparatus, etc., of abont $20,000 all of which is fully paid. The character and repu- tation of the school has been such as to induce a liberal attendance from abroad.


.


539


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


The original settlers of Mendon were chiefly from New England, but in later years very many from Pennsylvania and other places have settled here. The town has ever been noted for the quiet character of its citizens. It has never had within its limits a licensed saloon or drinking house. Its public schools have always been a leading idea in the minds of its people, and have kept pace with the growth of the village and the requirements of the age. It probably offers now as great inducements, either as a pleasant home or a location for establishing a manufacturing establishment of some kind, as any other point in the county. The town has ever retained much of the New England sentiment and the New England principle; at any rate the Kentucky neighbors brand it a Yankee town. Mendon has the honor of establishing the first Congregational church in Illinois, mainly through the efforts of Col. John B. Chittenden, thus securing a favorite New England Christian society among New England settlers. There are now four churches in this place, viz: Congregational, Methodist, Lutheran and Episcopalian, all in a flourishing condition. There is also a Masonic Lodge, No. 449, in good working condition, established in 1865. Among its original founders were Col. J. B. Chittenden, Col. Berry Baldwin, and Daniel Benton.


Mendon is surrounded by a rolling prairie, now under most excellent and thorough cultivation, bringing rich returns to the farmers; as a conse- quence, our farmers are becoming forehanded, some quite wealthy. The view from the town and some of the more elevated parts of the prairie is extremely pleasant; the formation of Honey and Bear creeks into one stream, nearly to the east of Mendon, which then winds around to the northwest and west, being heavily skirted with trees, gives an appear- ance of a huge semi-circle, giving in summer a very beautiful landscape, which, together with numerous fine residences of the farmers, surrounded by groves of trees, is really attractive, and has often been so remarked by strangers visiting the town.


Something more might be said about the early settlement of Mendon Prairie. If we mistake not Col. Martin Shuey was the first settler on the prairie; he built the first cabin in the spring of 1829, when it was a com- plete wilderness, and the country abounded with wild beasts and Indians. The privations in that early day, as in every new country, were very great; Col. Shuey came west with an ox team, traveling from the eastern part of the State of Indiana. He came with a large family of children and was obliged to camp out while building their house; that certainly showed great capacity for endurance, after so tedious a journey. In that early day flouring mills were very scarce, the nearest being on Crooked creek, a dis- tance of thirty miles; just think of going thirty miles to mill with an ox team, with a prospect of waiting two or three days for his grist; it gener- ally consumed a whole week's time under the most favorable circumstances. Early settlers well remember a great nuisance in the green-head fly, which would breed on the prairie grass, and on a summer day would attack horses and cattle.in such numbers as made it impossible to use them. Col. Shuey said they were obliged to work their cattle nights and rainy days, while making their first improvements. Col. Shuey often spoke of a remarkable ox he had, that would work single, which not only plowed his corn, but could be hitched to a wagon. He often said the ox drew his family to meeting, going a distance of several miles; the ox was guided by lines attached to the horns. Of course it attracted great attention. We rather


540


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


think, even at this day, an ox driven to church, drawing a family of ten persons, would attract some attention.


Old settlers well remember the great snow storm that fell about Christ- mas time, 1830. The snow was about five feet on a level; many ravines were entirely filled up; some of the snow remained on the ground until May the following year.


Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Mendon .- The society was organized April 10, 1853, by Rev. James H. Harkey, in the town hall, at which time also a constitution was regularly adopted. First officers: Elders, Andrew Wible and John Felgar; deacons, Wm. Wells and H. Zimmer- man; trustees, Peter Wible and John McGibbons; number of original mem- bers, twenty-five; the present building was erected in 1854, and cost $4,000; parsonage built in 1862, with an addition in 1874, at a cost of some $1,200. Present officers are: Elders, Hamilton Smith and M. L. Henderson; dea- cons, D. P. Shambaugh, F. W. Battell, F. Dickerman and Dr. J. E. Tress- ler; trustees, Christopher Shupe, Benjamin Simpson, Henry Zimmerman and John McCormick. Number of present membership, 135; amo. it annually contributed for all purposes (for last five years), $1,250; the Sun- day school was organized in June, 1853; present Sunday-school enrollment, 160. Present pastor, Rev. G. F. Behringer. The society has always been self-sustaining, never receiving home missionary aid, and is now in a very prosperous condition.


MELROSE TOWNSHIP.


Melrose township lies immediately east and south of the city of Quincy. Indeed, it includes that portion of the city south of Broadway, and embraces an area of about forty-five square miles. most of which had to be subdued by the woodman's ax. It is bounded on the north by Elling- ton and the city of Quincy, east by Burton, south by Fall Creek, and west by the Mississippi river. Four-fifths of the township is comprised in table or bluff lands, which are abundantly watered. and considerably broken by Mill Creek and its branches. This stream enters the eastern border of Melrose a little more than two miles from the south line, and pursues a serpentine course west and south, flowing across into Fall creek near the declivity of the bluffs, about two miles from the river. Its principal branch, Little Mill creek, flows into the township, from Ellington, near its northeast corner, and bears a southwesterly course, emptying into Mill creek before it crosses the south township. line. Melrose, like the other river townships, has a sub-stratum of limestone, and many fine working quar- ries abound, furnishing building rock and lime in great quantities.


Melrose township was one of the earliest settled in Adams county; outside of the city of Quincy there were only two white families living in the county-those of Daniel Lile and Justus J. Perigo in Fall Creek, when Asa Tyrer brought his family from Louisiana, Ill., and settled on the southwest quarter of section 12, 2 south, 9 west, in the spring of 1821, where he resided until his death in 1873. His wife survived him and still lives in Quincy at the advanced age of eighty-eight years this July. Mr. Tyrer first visited the site of Quincy in 1821, on a tour of investigation; he having purchased soldiers' warrants for two quarter sections of land on 12, he came up to locate it and see what prospects it offered for a home. So he was one of the first white men, if not the first, who ever trod its soil.


Havia Sheer, MELROSE TOWNSHIP


Constran other


MELROSE TOWNSHIP


Henry Summary MELROSE TOWNSHIP


(DECEASED) MELROSE TOWNSHIP


541


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


Being charmed with the beauty of the country, he returned to bring his family; but his wife could not brook the idea of forsaking every trace of civilization, and settling in this howling wilderness with no companionship but with wild beasts and wilder Indians. So the removal was postponed till two years later. In the meantime ex-Governor John Wood, Willard Keyes, and Jeremiah Rose and family had settled in Quincy. David Shaw purchased the northwest quarter of section 18, and settled on it in 1828. Perry Alexander now owns and lives on the same farm. In 1829 Obadiah Waddell settled on section 35, on the farm now owned by Wm. Schnellbecker; and the same year Jacob Wagner settled on the southeast quarter of section 29, where he still resides. Dr. Baker settled on section 14 as early as 1827, David Hughes, David and William Reeder, and Joseph Hank settled on section 26 in September, 1828; Abigal Parsons and Nathaniel Sommers settled in the township about 1830.


Mr. Sommers married Mr. Parsons' daughter, which was, perhaps, the first wedding, and in 1832 a daughter was born to them, which was one of the first births in Melrose. She now lives in Quincy. Benjamin Alexander, Jonathan Crow, Wm. B Goodwin and George Lacy came to the township prior to 1830. Peter Felt and family settled in Quincy in 1830, and removed to the township in 1832, settling on the north half of section 13,2 south, 9 west. His old house still stands, and is used as a summer kitchen. Perry Alexander, whose father, Samuel, settled in Quincy in 1832, was the first boy to sell papers on the streets of the city. In the spring of 1835 he sold the Illinois Bounty Land Register. The first death in Melrose is said to have been a daughter of Joseph Hanks.


More than two-thirds of the citizens of Melrose are of German nation- ality, who are noted for being careful and thrifty farmers. Although this township is somewhat broken in some parts, it has some among the most beautiful and productive agricultural lands in the county under a high state of cultivation. The staple productions are wheat and Indian corn.


The first Sunday-school was organized by Theresa Alexander and Annie Crow, in the summer of 1829, and was held at their residences. Some rude young men of the neighborhood scoffed at the idea, and by starting an opposition "school," as they termed it, thought to break it up, but within a very short time thereafter those young men became zealous members of the church, and the Sunday-school still lives and prospers, though the founders have been laid in their final resting places. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel Bogard, at the residence of Jonathan Crow. The first religious society organized was the Melrose Methodist Episcopal Church, at the house of Samuel Griggs, on Little Mill creek, in 1833. In 1835 this society erected the first house for public worship, a


little log structure near "Dyer's Springs. " The first school-house was


built in the summer of 1833, on section 35, and James Walker taught the first school in it in that year. Lacy and Stone erected and run the first mill for grinding grain in 1838, though there had been a pestle mill for crushing corn for several years prior. The first justice of the peace was Wm. B. Goodwin. At the first election under the township organization law, held in April, 1850, Stephen Safford was elected supervisor; Cornelius L. Demaree, assessor; Nathaniel Pease, town clerk; Jeremiah Parsons, col- lector; Gilead Bartholomew and Amos Bancroft, justices of the peace; Albert A. Humphrey, overseer of the poor; and John J. Reeder and Oliver Waddell, constables.


542


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


CHURCHES.


Melrose contains three church edifices: Melrose Chapel-Methodist Episcopal, St. Antonius-Catholic, and Zion's chapel-German Methodist Episcopal.


Melrose Methodist Episcopal Church .- This society was organized at the House of Rev. Samuel Griggs, on North Mill creek, in 1833, under the ministrations of the celebrated " Western Itinerant," Peter Cartwright, and Rev. David B. Carter, who had for some time previous labored as a missionary among the pioneers of Adams county. Ten charter members composed this first class, named as follows: Rev. Samuel Griggs-leader- and Rachael Griggs, Benjamin Alexander and Theresa Alexander, Jonathan Crow and Annie Crow, Sydney McClaughlin, Cynthia McDaniel, Mary Clanton and Elizabeth Griggs. Mr. Griggs, who was a licensed local preacher, held the position of leader and also of steward for many years. Preaching was held in his house in winter and in his barn in summer for two years. Rev. David B. Carter was their first pastor, or " circuit rider," as they were termed in those days, and Peter Cartwright conducted the first quarterly meeting in 1834. One of the first sermons preached in that vicinity was by Rev. Mr. Carter on the occasion of the funeral of Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, whose is said to have been the first death in Adams county. In 1835 the church built the little log house near Dyers' springs, and held their meetings in it a number of years; then at the residence of Joseph Hanks some years, until the brick school-house was erected in 1850, on sec- tion 19, after which services were held in it for four years, until Melrose chapel, a neat frame edifice, still in use, was erected on section 19, 2 south, 8 west, in 1854. The first religious revival enjoyed by this society was con- ducted by Rev. Moses Clampett in 1839, which resulted in a large accession to the church. Many of the old members having died or changed location, the church now only numbers sixty communicants. The present officers are Joseph Hanks, J. H. Bishop, and E. F. Humphreys, stewards; Wm. and John J. Reeder, leaders. The annual contributions aggregate $350. Their Sun- day-school is prosperous, and has sixty-five members enrolled. Value of church property, $2,000.


St. Antonius' Church .- In 1859 Messrs. Anton Hoebing, William Wellman, John Schneider, the Widow Brinkman, Mr. Altro, and John Mast, citizens of Melrose township, and zealous Roman Catholics, con- cluded, after mature deliberation, to build a church. Mr. Anton Bordewig, also an influential German Roman Catholic, donated ten acres of land, which should be used for the church, school-house and cemetery. The first building erected was of frame, 35x60 feet, in which Father Ferdinand first officiated after its consecration. A school-house was built, and Mr. Ignats Lear became the teacher of its scholars. In 1861 Father Mauricius took charge of the spiritual affairs of the church and school, and remained until 1864, when, under direction of Father Ferdinand, the present brick build- ing, 45x70 feet, was erected at a cost of $12,000. The frame church was renovated into a school-room and Mr. Gottleib Jacoby took charge as teacher, continuing to the present time, Father Paulus being now in charge of the church. Seventy families are at present members. After much hard work by its members in its infancy, St. Antonius' church is now in a flourishing condition, the debt created being nearly paid. All the inside work has been done by contribution, Mr. Wellman making all the pews, and several others, whose names we have been unable to ascertain, assisting


543


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


in working on the communion rail, chancel, and confessional. The altar is nearly finished, and is a beautiful piece of architecture. The choir is well instructed, the sacred music being given with proper pathos. The first marriages celebrated were those of Frank Meyer with Miss Carolina Mast, Franz Wellman with Miss Lutcie Hurller, Bernard Hersbesmeyer with Miss Lena Dreier. The first burial in the cemetery was that of the Widow Brinkman.


The German Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1845. For several years the society held their services at the homes of the mem- bers until 1850, when they erected their present church edifice, "Zion's Chapel," on the northeast quarter of section 22. The society numbers at present about forty-five members, and has a prosperous Sunday-school with some fifty members. They have preaching semi-monthly.


McKEE TOWNSHIP.


The first settlement was made in 1838, on section 4, by Wm. Hogan, John Covert, Calvin Brandy, John H. Keller and Dudley Perigo. In 1840 there were a number more came in, Francis Amro, Philip Amro, Jacob Hover, Justice Perigo, Cyrus Sims, and Reuben Childers.


Jacob Hughes and family moved from Gilmer Township in 1847, and located on section 14, among the hills on the brink of one of the bluffs of McKee Creek, and died on this farm many years after. Nearly all of the members of Mr. Hughes' family still reside in the county. His son George stands in the front ranks with the best citizens of the township. Quite a number of the oldest citizens have moved away but are not forgotten ; others have died, leaving; a good example. A few are still living who have weathered the cold blast of many winters, and enjoy talk- ing over old scenes and incidents. Among them are Cyrus Sims, Reuben Childers, J. H. Keller, and Samuel Massee. The township, although largely composed of hills and valleys, was soon quite thickly settled, and upon the top of many of these hills could be seen the houses of the pioneers, and from the valley just beyond came the smoke curling up from the home of another of the sturdy frontiersmen.


A. H. D. Butz, with a keen eye to business, built the first mill in 1845, on section 6, using the water power of McKee creek, for sawing and grind- ing purposes. It is still in running order. Mr. Smith of Quincy started the first store in the township, and John Huffman the second, on section 7. He still continues in the business, the only store in the town, which, with a blacksmith shop, and several houses, compose the town, named Bowling Green, many years ago by Wm. Bowling. Mr. Bowling now lives in Con- cord township. In 1853 " Old Slab Town" received the new name of Spring Valley, and struggled hard for existence with her carding, grist and saw-mill, in charge of Wm. Wells and John W. Wardell. Harvey Bogley was store keeper, and P. M. Forgey the blacksmith. Early in the civil war the millers enlisted, leaving business for our country's service, and in their absence the town fell to ruins, with only the blacksmith's shop to mark the spot.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.