USA > Illinois > Washington County > This is Washington County; its first 150 years, 1818-1968 > Part 5
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August H. Cahlmeyer, 1906-10. Henry F. Vogelpahl, 1910-14. Jacab K. May * 1914-17.
Boling Green, 1820-22. Joel Madley, 1822-23.
W. H. Claytan, 1866-68.
Henry Klosterhoff, 1917-22.
Jahn S. Carrigan, 1823-24.
D. R. Meyers, 1868-70. John White, 1870-72.
Thomas H. Maore, 1825-29.
James Garvin, 1872-74.
August H. Cahlmeyer, 1930-34.
William C. Wallace, 1829-30.
Jacob May, 1874-78.
J. U. Spencer, 1934-38. Harry C. Anderson, 1938-42.
Jahn White, 1836-40.
Chorles Gerstkemper, 1882-86.
Albert Gorman, 1938-42.
John H. McElhannon (resigned) 1840-45.
Charles Gerstkemper, 1882-86.
Thea. F. Lehde, 1946-50.
John N. Vernor, 1845-48.
O. P. Hallem, 1886-90.
Albert Garman, 1950-54.
Willis White, 1848-50.
Daniel M. White, 1890-94.
Lee Bawers, 1954-58.
Gerhard G. Schneider, 1894-98.
Freemon F. Koser, 1958-62.
Isaac B. Jack (died in office) 1850. Francis D. Taylor (coroner) 1852. John White, 1852-54.
August H. Cahlmeyer, 1898-1902. J. M. Winfree, 1902-06.
A. Virgil May, 1962-66. Joe J. Berry, present incumbent.
* Jacob K. May was killed while on duty, June 20, 1917, the anly sheriff
of Washington Caunty to lase his life in executing his jab as a law officer.
Washington County's Schools
In early county history, schools were conducted by churches or established by communities. In the latter case, buildings usually were constructed by donated labor, pupils charged on a per capita basis, teachers boarded free by parents.
In 1856, townships were divided into school districts, usually four, but later one or two more per township were added. Districts were named and numbered by townships. In 1903, district numbers were changed so no two numbers would be alike in any county. Washington County began with number 1 in the northeast, ended with 86 in the southwest part of the county. Hoepker, number 87, was added later, as were the present high school district num- bers. School terms were of different lengths, usually five or six months. Then came the seven month term, which was changed to eight months by state law in 1929, and nine in 1955.
These early schools were governed by a three member board, each township had a three member board of trustees and a township treasurer. The County Superintendent was over the entire county. In 1889, the first state course of study was printed. Each county had a final examination for
its eighth grade pupils, and a county commencement for those who passed. In Washington County, these were broken down to township examinations and township graduations in 1931. Today, each district has its own means of gradua- tion and commencement exercises.
As late as 1937 we still had one teacher who taught in a one-room school for $37.50 a month. furnished his own firewood, did all of his own janitor work, and taught be- tween forty and fifty classes daily.
School Commissioners
John Crain was appointed in 1835, reappointed in 1840; Jacob Goodner in 1812; Z. H. Vernor in 1843; Harry Nevill in 1847; Z. H. Vernor in 1853; Wm. H. Clayton was elected in 1861, re-elected in 1865.
County Superintendents
Alden C. Hillman, 1866-73; Samuel C. Page, 1873-77; James W. Hudson, 1877-81; W. L. Martin, 1881-90; L. H. Carson, 1890-94: Robert Pence. 1894-98: Jesse T. Gibbs. 1898-02: Charles L. Edwards, 1902-06: Robert Pence. 1906. 14; Lce A. Friend, 1914-19; T. E. Allen, 1919-31: C. A. Reeder, 1931-39; Kenneth E. Frieman, 1939 --.
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William H. May, 1922-26. Martin H. Petri, 1926-30.
Levin N. English, 1824-25.
John Crain, 1830-36.
William Lane, 1878-82.
County House Part of "Underground Railroad"
The old houses that played a part in the "under- ground" movement of slaves during the Civil War era are just about extinct, but luckily, Washington County still has a house standing (and occupied) that was once used to hide slaves.
It was built by John Hood in 1843, and stands just off the blacktop road leading southwest from Oak- dale to Coulterville.
Still in a good state of preservation today, the large two-story brick dwelling has two chimneys, each
of which served as vents for three fireplaces. Each chimney has a fireplace in the cellar, one on the main floor, and another on the second floor. It is an estab- lished fact that slaves were hidden here during the time of the "underground railroad."
There were other dwellings in the county that figured in the slave movement, but none exist today as an occupied dwelling. The house shown here is occu- pied by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kohring.
This house, built by John Hood, still standing, was once part of the underground slave movement in Washington County.
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GLIMPSES OF OAKDALE'S PAST
Attesting to the great age of the Oakdale com- munity is the fact that its cemetery contains the graves of two Revolutionary War soldiers; the grave of a vet- eran of the Blackhawk War; one of a Mexican war casualty; and no less than thirty-five marking the last resting places of Civil War casualties. The cemetery, three miles southwest of Oakdale, once the sight of a pioneer church, is still being used.
The first church built in the Oakdale area stood near the present cemetery, abaut 31/2 miles southwest of the town. This phata is a reproductian fram a small painting hanging in the R. P. church taday.
The Missouri-Illinois Railroad was built through Oakdale in 1888, then called the Chester & Centralia. Trains started running over the new track in 1892, three trains each way daily. With the curtailment of railway mail service, the size of the train diminished to a single car and locomotive. nicknamed "The Doodle Bug." It made its last run on March 15, 1954. The road still does a flourishing freight business, but Oak- dale no longer has a depot.
First all-weather road built out of Oakdale was in 1933, ran west. Second road was started in 1937. com- pleted in 1938, ran southeast, crossing Route 127. then continuing east to DuBois. Third all-weather road led north to Route 460. The Oakdale-Coulterville blacktop was completed in 1954.
In World War I, John C. Atchison was the county's first casualty. He was honored by having the Nashville Legion Post bear his name ( see item elsewhere).
William Elliot died of influenza while in camp at Mooseheart. Illinois.
In World War II, Army pilot Curtis Torrens died over Foster Field, Texas, on July 20, 1942, when his plane exploded, to become the county's first World
War II casualty. ( The Washington County Blue Book lists Pvt. Otto Stein of Lively Grove township as the first killed in action, which is correct, however Pvt. Torrens was the first war casualty ).
S/Sgt. James Howard McClay died in action near the Rhine River, Germany, on December 19, 1944.
Dale Taft, ironically, was killed on D-Day.
Robert Craig was killed in France in February, 1945.
Elmer Shubert was killed in action on Leyte, in the Pacific theatre.
Schools: The first school was located on the John Hood farm, section 27. Another was built in Elkton the same year. When the town of Oakdale was sur- veyed, the R. P. Church was built in 1868 and school held in the basement. It remained so until a grade school was established in 1875. Two years later 50 pupils were enrolled, with J. C. Thompson, teacher. In 1882. there were two teachers, W. R. Maxwell and Miss Lizzie Ramsey. A two-year high school opened in 1922, increased to a three-year school in 1924, was discontinued twenty years later. A new grade school building was built in 1961, consolidation of the dis- trict having taken place in 1948. Ed Hudspeth was the first bus driver, starting from that date.
The U. S. Mail: The first mail delivered to Oak- dale was brought without doubt by the post riders on horseback. and then picked up by the settlers. Wm. Ayers is thought to have kept some kind of post office in his pioneer store.
History tells us that in 1830. Thomas Bird estab- lished a post office at Ayers Point (later called Oak- dale ). Isaac Perlie. the first postmaster, came this same year.
Between this time and the date Oakdale was sur- veyed. it seems that post office service was discontin- ued. W. R. Ardery was postmaster in his store building in 1877, first reference to the resumation of mail ser- vicc. Ray Kirkpatrick started in the Ardery building. 1911-13. Kirkpatrick built the building just west of the bank, and moved the postoffice there in 1913. where it remained for five years.
Agnes Maxwell was postmaster in a residential room where Chas. Brammeier now resides. Lester Guthrie had the office next in his drugstore (1922). Madge Guthrie served in same building (1927). Daul- ton Rohde. Jr. had the office in the front part of the Borcherding store in 1945. Ed Luczaj started here as postmaster. Dec. 1. 1947. then moved to the Woodside building in June. 1952. where he is postmaster at the present time.
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Rural Mail Carriers: Alonzo Robertson carried mail from Oakdale to Elkton. Following Robertson, Lon Hunter carried it (star route). Hunter was also the first mail carrier after the rural free delivery was started, prior to 1905. Ed Reuter started in 1905. re- tired in 1935. Daulton Rohde. Sr. served from Jan. 16. 1915 to Aug. 23, 1947. His son, Daulton Rohde, Jr .. succeeded him. and is the present carrier.
A Few Firsts: Charley Bailey had the first ear in Oakdale, a Stanley Steamer. Theo. Brown also was an early ear owner. and before his death was in much demand as a man who could 'witch' both water and oil. Charles Huston had an International 2-cylinder, with solid rubber tires, carbide lights. rubber bulb horn (about 1905). Conrad Bassler purchased a simi- lar car. later sold it to Dave Smith.
Lawrence Hood owned the first radio, about 1922. He also installed radios. the first one being a one-tube Crosley, at the Geo. Borcherding home. John Kleinschmidt had the second set. an Atwater-Kent. Robert Osborn had the first 3-tube set that operated a loudspeaker. Arnold Wilson owned the first TV, baek in 1918.
Doctors: Dr. A. D. W. Leavens, Dr. J. R. Ready. Dr. S. G. Arnett were the community's physicians (1879). Dr. H. L. Gault served here in the eighties. Dr. T. G. Tibby was here for some time. moved to Kansas in 1890, later returned. Dr. Geo. R. Ilays served from 1890 to 1906. Dr. Th. F. MeConaghie. 1905 to his death in 1939. (Thomas Fulton Me- Conaghie was born near Oakdale Nov. 30, 1872. join- ed the U. P. Church in his youth. He attended l'leasant Hill rural school and Sparta high school. After a course at Normal University at Carbondale, he entered medi- cal college at St. Louis U. Interspersed with his school- ing he also taught in the Stone Church area for a time. Upon graduation in 1901 he started practice at Soman- auk, Ill., then the following year bought the practice of Dr. Hayes at Oakdale and remained here the rest of his life. Few were the homes in this community that didn't at some time benefit by his ministry of healing ).
Telephones: The year 1903 saw the first tele- phones in the community, and were locally owned. There was a gradual deterioration of service until 1953 when it was discontinued entirely. The community was without service until 1955 when the REA installed modern dial service. Following served as switchboard operators: John McKean, 1903-11: Mrs. Mary Jane Kirkpatrick, 1911-33; Chas. Brammeier, 1933-13; Al- bert Ibendahl. 1913-16: Mrs. Carol Krehr, 1947: John Brammeier, 1918: Ray Kirkpatrick to termination of service.
Electricity: The middle 1920s saw a few privately owned electric system, but it was not until October.
1930, that Illinois Power built a line into Oakdale. Later REA built power lines to serve the area farmers.
Veteran Mail Carrier: Daulton L. Rohde, Sr., be- gan carrying mail on route I out of Oakdale on Jan. 16, 1915. The route ran to Elkton, Lively Grove, on to Casper's Point (also called Suzanne and Clapboard Townt. From there it went north to the crossroads, east to what is now Ronte 153, thence to the township line. finally to Broadhollow, past the Hibbard school, then south and east past Oakdale cemetery, back into Oakdale.
The winter of 1915 brought axle-deep mud, often requiring two teams daily to cover the 28-mile route. A sheephide was used on the floor of the wagon as a foot warmer, with a lighted lantern set under the lap- robe to keep the carrier warm. By 1918, a car was used when the roads permitted. In 1934, when Edw. Reuter carried on route 2, and resigned, the two routes were thrown together, making it a 52-mile daily stint. Mr. Rohde carried mail for more than 32 years, his last trip on August 23. 19-17. He died four days later.
The William Ayers house, last used as a dwelling in 1900, was the home af Oakdale's first family. Ayers came ta Washington County in 1823.
Today this route, carried by Daulton Rohde, Jr., has 73 miles, 176 boxes, serving 196 families. Ken- neth W. Hood is the assistant carrier.
Ball Park: After the Oakdale boys came home from World War II. they organized a softball team. played in the Nashville league for two seasons. Later they leased ground and established a ball diamond with flood lights. Play started here in 1947. They pur- chased a public address system in 1918. In 1950. the
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club purchased the six acres that now comprise the park. It was financed by donations, fish and chicken suppers that are now an annual affair. There are usual- ly games at the park five nights a week, everyone cooperating in this worthwhile sport for both adults and children of the community.
Times Change! Back in 1937, the hitching racks at the W. C. Woodside store were lined with rigs, as farmers brought in their eggs, cream and chickens; often the store remained open for as late as 11 o'clock on two nights of the week. Mr. Woodside still runs this general store, however the appliance department has been acquired by Ed. Hudspeth.
It is interesting to note that when M. Fox was tax collector in 1883, the amount collected was $526.29 in the township.
When Herman and Orval Frieman purchased Charles Brammeier's garage and blacksmith shop in 1934, they got alcohol for cars in 5 gallon cans from Mascoutah. Business was slow. One day's sale amount- ed to a single gallon of kerosene, sold at 10c. The garage ran a special on gasoline, 7 gallons for a dollar.
The Camp Spring Milling Co. of Nashville open- ed a wheat buying station at Oakdale about 1890. Through a succession of different owners, the business is still operating. It is currently being operated as the Oakdale Grain Company.
Each community, before the turn of the century, had its village blacksmith. Oakdale had the well re- membered George J. Decker, who came in 1906.
D. Rixman and four of his sons were the first to put the chain store idea into practice here, building and operating seven lumber yards, one of which was at Oakdale. The yard was sold in 1945 to a group of Nashville businessmen. Since 1956 the yard has been under the management of the Addieville Lumber Co.
The late Edward F. Reuter, who carried mail at Oakdale for thirty years, went through an era that took him from horseback, to mail buggy and finally to an automobile on his rural route. A good samaritan, he kept a diary of all the cherished events of his territory, including the exact number of births and deaths dur- ing his tenure as a carrier.
Among the store owners at Oakdale, down through the years, were Dave McClay, Morrison and McKean, Dick Garnholz, Geo. Borcherding, a man by the name of Oats who later sold to Joe Maxwell; Dave Smith, Tom D. Mcclurkin, William and John Klein- schmidt, W. C. Woodside, A. J. Gamble, Lyle Torrens. First pioneer store was operated by Wm. Ayers.
Stuart Carson operated a restaurant here in the 1920's; Ralph Shreman once had a plumbing and tin shop here.
W. G. Ardery and a brother built a general store at Oakdale soon after the town was surveyed, back in 1879. A man named Smith operated a cream buying station, the building being destroyed by a fire when a stove exploded. This is the only building in the sur- veyed part of town destroyed by fire.
Once Oakdale had a Woodmen Hall, used for many years.
Farm Bureau's First President: Mr. J. R. Hood, father of Lawrence R. Hood, a co-editor of this book, was the first president of the Washington County Farm Bureau, elected in 1926, serving for three years. In those days the value of the county's farm crops ranked 67th among the 101 counties, with corn ranking 81st, wheat ninth. There were only 225 acres in soybeans in Washington County at that time. There were still 8480 horses in the county, with 13,390 milk cows.
Present Pastors: Rev. Charles Starrett is present pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Philip Brunn at the United Presbyterian building.
Coincidently, three of Oakdale's merchants, all died within a short time of each other, John Klein- schmidt in 1937, Jack Gambill in 1938, and George Borcherding in 1939.
An annual Harvest Home Picnic that was started here in 1893 was held each summer for 53 years.
A man named Lancaster started a private bank in the Ardrey building in 1914. The Oakdale State Bank started Dec. 28, 1920.
John Brammeier operated a blacksmith shop in the Frieman garage building from 1936 to 1946.
Nearby Elkton's present population is 25, repre- senting a gradual decline over the years.
A tax receipt issued to Robert Keer, Pilot Knob township, in 1854 shows taxes for $1.07 for 80 acres of land. Ten years later it had jumped to $1.97.
The Oakdale Covenanter Church (Reformed Presbyterian ) is one of four in Illinois, a single church at Chicago, one at Sparta and Houston. There are 62 in the nation.
When Elizabeth McClelland, wife of James Mc- Clelland took ill and died of cholera on Aug. 28, 1852, her husband had to bury her himself. Neighbors would bring food to the lane, but all were afraid of the dread disease. The husband and two daughters survived. The ruins of the old house in which she died is still stand- ing, southwest of Oakdale.
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OKAWVILLE BATHS DATE BACK TO 1867
Budweiser
Okawville's medicinal springs also have a cen- tennial, for the first small bath house, after the dis- covery of the springs, was built here in 1867. A larger Original Hotel followed, in 1871. It was des- troyed by fire in 1892, and the present building shown here replaced it. It is the oldest, largest hotel-bath- house in the county.
The Washington Hotel, for years a friendly com- petitor. has been converted into the Washington Springs Nursing Home.
By analysis, the medicinal spring water of Okaw- ville is almost identical to the water at the famous Arkansas spa.
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The Lutheran Movement in Washington County
The Washington County Historical Society is in- debted to Rev. P. F. Harre, pastor at New Minden, for this short biographical sketch of the Lutheran congre- gations within the county.
St. Salvador Lutheran, Venedy (1842)
German Lutherans settled in the vicinity of Ven- edy, then called Elkhorn Prairie, in 1938-39. They were interested in obtaining a Lutheran pastor. Oc- casional trips were made to St. Louis to sell their pro- duce and buy supplies. On one of these trips they met members of a group of Saxon Lutherans who had come to St. Louis in 1839. Through these people they got in contact with Dr. F. C. Walther, who was instrumental in providing a pastor for them in the person of Rev. Ottomar Fuerbringer. Pastor Fuerbringer organized these Germans into a Lutheran congregation in 1840. The worship services were held in the village of Johan- nisburg, in a building that doubled for church and school. Dissension rose among the members on matters of Christian doctrine and practice: part of the congre- gation remained faithful to the Lutheran Confessions and seceded from this congregation in 1842, and or- ganized the San Salvador Lutheran congregation in the village of Venedy.
St. John's Lutheran, New Minden (1846)
Since 1810. Lutheran settlers had come to North Prairie, a farming area north of Nashville. They, too, sought the services of a Lutheran pastor. These people also made occasional trips to St. Louis for business purposes. and there made contact with the Saxon Luth- erans. Through the services of Dr. F. C. Walther they obtained a pastor in the person of Rev. C. F. Scholz. The organization of St. John's congregation was ef- fected by Rev. Buenger of St. Louis, shortly before the coming of Pastor Scholz to New Minden in 1846.
Ebenezer Lutheran, Okawville (Grand Prairie-1853)
Quite a few of the members who belonged to the Venedy congregation lived on the east side of Elkhorn Creek, some at great distances, in those days of the horse and buggy. Other Lutherans settled even further cast on the open prairie. These people organized a new congregation in what was known as Grand Prairie, 21/2
miles southwest of Okawville in 1853. This congrega- tion was dissolved in 1948 when the membership join- ed with Venedy and Okawville Lutheran congregations.
St. Peter Lutheran, Nashville (Hahlen-1858)
Some members of the Ebenezer congregation lived as far distant as Plum Hill and beyond, much too far to attend church and school regularly. This group, with other Lutherans who had settled on farms southwest and west of Nashville combined and organized the St. Peter congregation at Hahlen in 1858.
Olive Branch Lutheran, Okawville (1865)
Lutherans living east of Okawville, holding mem- bership in Ebenezer congregation southwest of there, found it very inconvenient to negotiate the distance to church and school at Ebenezer, and organized their own congregation. giving it the name of Olive Branch, in 1865. This tiny community was also called Frogtown.
St. Luke's Lutheran, Covington (1884)
Quite a few members belonging to St. John's con- gregation at New Minden who lived on the west side of Crooked Creek, frequently found muddy roads and a flooding creek a hindrance in attending school and church. This group, with members of the Olive Branch Lutheran congregation who lived north and northwest of Covington, decided to organize a new congregation at Covington. This organization was effected in 1884. They called the new church St. Luke's.
Trinity Lutheran, Hoyleton (1867)
Lutherans in and near Hoyleton first held mem- bership in St. John's congregation at New Minden. As their numbers increased. they requested a peaceful re- lease from the New Minden congregation to organize their own church at Hoyleton. Their request was grant- ed, and the organization of Trinity Lutheran there took place in 1867.
Trinity Lutheran, Nashville (1887)
Some Lutherans had moved to Nashville and took out membership in St. Peter's ( Hahlen ) southwest of
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Ebenezer (Grand Prairie) Lutheran Church, shown here, was torn down soon after the congregation dissolved in 1948. The site was about 21/2 miles southwest of Okawville.
the city. Others came, some from neighboring areas to spend their retirement years in Nashville: some for employment. All of them found it difficult to attend services regularly at St. Peter's, and to bring their children regularly to school there because of weather and roads. The pastor of St. Peter's began to conduct services in Nashville, and Trinity congregation was organized there in 1887 as an independent congrega- tion.
Immanuel Lutheran, Okawville (1908)
Some members of Ebenezer congregation lived at Okawville, and others nearby. Members of Ebenezer and other nearby congregation members who had re- tired in Okawville found it difficult to drive out to Ebenezer church and school regularly, and requested the right to organize their own congregation in town. Their wish was granted and Immanuel Lutheran con- gregation was organized in 1908.
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OKAWVILLE - VILLAGE AND TOWNSHIP
The first settlement in Okawville township was about 1825. Among the early pioneers were the Harrimans, Pat- mans, Wheelers, Galbraiths, Charters, Middletons, Morgans, Clarks, Johnsons, Kizers, Whites. Later another group set- tled here, the Staude, Hugh, Gavin and Adams families.
Evidently the first business man in Okawville precinct was Robert Hugh, who opened a store in his home in 1838. Early records state the location was "about one mile east of the present village." Hugh sold staples such as coffee, tea, salt, sugar and whiskey, then regarded as a necessity for malaria and snakebite. Hugh, a Kentuckian, remained at this location three years. He had served in the Black Hawk War, and in 1841 moved northeast of Okawville, where he became an extensive landholder.
UMENHORST BAKERY
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Although there are no records to prove it, the building shown here, the Blumenhorst Bokery, is the oldest commercial building in Okowville still in use. It is post the century mark. Other buildings entitled to the "old" tag is the Hohlt building, once known as "The Blue Goose," and Old Rock Inn. The Tscharner Mercantile building and the Klauke store building were also in the "old" category. Both have now been leveled.
Okawville township's first church was erected in 1844, at a site then known as Morgan's cemetery. The church build- ing was later moved about a mile west and converted to a school. Among the first recorded deaths in the township was that of John Morgan, the man who donated the ground for the cemetery. It was supposed that he was the first man to be interred in his own cemetery. But when his grave was dug, they came upon a coffin of a previous burial.
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