RK "' , | '.':' . ARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA /868 IRY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAUFGRNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA oc IRY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA I 5 " { ^ *r> \ HE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA I ?W&3M s 3 = I Qlr^Q HE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA /ft) ^sr? LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HISTORY OF McDoNOUGH COUNTY ILLINOIS, ITS CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES, EARLY REMINISCENCES. PERSONAL INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES. AND A COMPLETE BUSINESS DIKECTOEY OF THE COUNTY. By S. J. CLARKE. SPRINGFIELD, ILL.: D. W. LUSK, STATE PRINTER AXD BINDER. 1878. TO THE PIONEERS OP McDONOUGH COUNTY, THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. It is now two years since I conceived the idea of publishing a sketch of McDonough county, for that was all really intended. The first to whom I submitted my plan was Hon. Benjamin R. Hampton, who approved the same as far as it went, but suggested its enlargement, and referred me to Hon. James M. Campbell, Hon. Alexander McLean, Joseph E. Wyne,and others for their opinion. Each one encouraged the enterprise, but with the suggestion that I should publish not only a short sketch, but a fall and complete history of the county. Prospectuses of the proposed publication were at once issued and the work began. In order to test the enterprise a partial canvass of the city of Macomb was made, and in three or four days' time two hundred subscribers were secured, and I was thus encouraged to continue the work and solicit subscriptions from those living in other towns and in the country. Of the magnitude of the work I then had no conception. I was of the opinion there were yet living many of the old pioneers from whom information could be obtained without difficulty; but in this I was greatly mistaken. Few indeed are the number dating their residence in the county previous to the year 1830 ; and even of those of from one to five years later, the number is fast becoming perceptibly less. Since the projection of this work, quite a number have been called to their long homes, of whom we now recall the names of Hon. James Clarke, Hon. Cyrus Walker, Vandever Banks, T. J. Penniiigton, John Clark, David Seybold, John Lane, and Larkin C. Bacon, the last mentioned passing away while the work was in the hands of the printer. From some of these we expected to obtain much valuable information, and had single interviews with one or two. with the promise of others ; but " Man proposes and God disposes. "* The interviews were never Lad. and now their lips are hushed in death, and no more will their stories of pioneer life be listened to with interest and pleasure by those gathering around their hospitable firesides. The author has labored under many adverse circumstances in the prosecution of the work. Without a dollar in his pocket or to his credit, without material assistance of any kind from any source, he began the compilation of a work that has required two full years to complete. ".'<" 3O 4 PREFACE. As previously remarked, the difficulty in securing information was far greater than he anticipated ; especially has this been the case with respect to dates. In order to learn the dates of the settlements made by William Carter and* William Job, several weeks were spent in visiting and interviewing old settlers, besides writing many letters to those who had formerly lived in the county and were supposed to be cognizant of the facts in the case. The conclusions arrived at are satisfactory to his mind, and will be to the mind of any who will take the same trouble to obtain the knowledge. The same care taken to learn the exact time in which the settlements mentioned were made, has been taken to verify every fact given. That errors may creep in, however guarded one may be, cannot be doubted ; but I believe they will be few and far between. Although in the compilation of the work much time has been spent, and therefore it has been quite tedious, yet it has not been unmixed with pleasure. Many days and nights have I spent in listening to the stories of the old pioneers ; ever hearing some- thing new ; now laughing and then crying, as the ludicrous or the pathetic was narrated ; and then in the study of the character of our fathers and those of the present genera- tion, time with me has slipped quickly away. And now, at the close of my labors, I cannot lay down my pen without returning thanks to the many kind friends who have assisted me in obtaining information, and have encouraged me from time to time with words of cheer ; especially would I remem- ber Hon. James M. Campbell, Hon. Alexander McLean, I. N. Pearson, Circuit Clerk ; Joseph E. Wyne, Deputy Circuit Clerk ; A. L. Sparks, County Clerk ; Hampton & Ham- line, publishers Macomb Journal ; Thomas Fulkerson and Charles B. Hume, all of whom have placed me under special obligations. I would also not forget Rev. B. N. Wiles, of Macomb, who, by his advice and counsel has greatly assisted me, nor Charles C. Chapman, who has been a co-laborer with me in the work. The printing is from the office of D. W. Lusk, State Printer, Springfield, Illinois, and great credit is due him for the handsome typographical appearance of the book. The binding is from the same establishment, and superintended by George E. Boos, the excellent foreman of the bindery department, who is entitled to thanks for the faithful manner in which he has performed his part of the work. My work is now done, and it is presented to you with the hope that it may please : that its errors you will kindly overlook, and that you will be well repaid in its perusal. Yours truly. S..J. CLARKE. MACOMB, ILL., December 1, 1877. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. EARLY SETTLEilENTS. First Settlements Home of the Red Men Beautiful Country A Prairie Fire A Changed Scene Boundaries of County Defined by Act of the Legislature Timber and Prairie First Settlers Sketch of the Life of John Baker Macomb Settlement Flogging In- diansA Great Hunt Death by a Deer Organization of County Meeting of County Commissioners Various Orders Election of Magistrates Names of Jurors for First Term of Circuit Court First Treasurer Eight Hundred Dollars Bond First Term of Circuit Court Taxes Big Snow Description of same by James Clarke, Esq. John Rogers Hominy as a Daily Food Dreary Winter Settlers Generally Cheerful Only One Marriage 17 26 CHAPTER II. 1831. James M. Campbell Appointment to Various Offices Taken for a Yankee Prejudice Against this Class Economy in County Affairs Survey of Macomb Would Not Work for the Two Best Lots in Town Court House Tavern License Rates Allowed Land- lordsFirst Applicant a Preacher Sale of Town Lots in Macomb Resignation of John Baker Appointment of J. M. Campbell Oath of Office Mercantile License Required- Appointment of Commissioner of School Lands Second Term of Court Trial of David Morgan for Murder Convicted Verdict Set Aside by the Judge, and Prisoner Dis- chargedIndictment Against Thomas Morgan for Murder Continuance Granted Escape from Schuyler County Jail J. W. Brattle County Treasurer Twelve Marriages Carrying Postoffice in His Hat First Postmaster 2722 CHAPTER IH. 1832-34. Hard Life and Poverty of Early Settlers "Millions In It" Erection of a Jail A Hard Kick Strange Order Tax on Slaves Is McDonough County in a Free State ? New Court House Awarding the Contracts Completion and Occupancy Years of Service An Incident Expenses of County Strange Accounts Black Hawk War Company Formed at Macomb Eighty-six days in Service Partial List of Volunteers Cold Weather Frozen to Death.... .. 33 33 CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. THE LOST CHILD. Where Is Willie ? Anxiety of theiMother Search for the Wanderer First Night Not Yet Found Help Arriving Second Day's Search Discouragement of the Searchers An- other Night of Suspense The Mother's Agony Dangerous Condition Third Night- No Nearer a Solution of the Question Fourth Day of the Search Searchers Going Home Determination of Others to Solve the Mystery Hope Disappointment Foot Prints Again Discovered Trail Lost Again Discovered Found Capture Nearly Wild Father Notified The Joyful News Broken to the Mother Restoration of the Lost Child to His Mother's Arms Reflections CHAPTER V. MUBDEB OF JOHN WILSON. The McFaddens' John Wilson Threats made by McFaddens' against Wilson Shooting of Wilson Coolness of the Murderers Their Arrest Excitement of the People Prelim- inary Examination Committed to Jail without Bail Trial and Execution at Rush- ville 46 a CHAPTER VI. PEBSONAL INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES. Hospitality of Early Settlers Even Book Agents Welcomed Prejudice Against Yankees- Charles R. Hume Visit from a Neighbor Ordered to Leave Didn't Go Invitation to Dine Accepted at the Point of a Pistol Talk Over Matters Uncle Billy McKamy How He Treated a Yankee Neighborly Act Grimm and the Lewistown Lawyers- Possession Nine Points in the Law Neighbors that were not Neighborly Determina- tion of a Young Couple to Marry Objection by Parents The Runaways-First Night in the Woods Arrival at Nauvoo Embarassment of the Bridegroom " Have You Got Any Nails ? "The Knot Tied A Marriage That Didn't Occur -Couldn't Marry an Abo- litionist^The Supper Eaten and Guests Dismissed " Not Guilty" " But I Admonish You Never to do it Again" Guilty, Yet Not Guilty Swearing in Court Killing a Witch Conviction and Death Sentence by a Justice of the Peace" Bring on Your Rails ""The whole d d thing's busted up." 49 57 CHAPTER VII. 183438. Little Required For Actual Necessities Fashionable Society Not Introduced Opening New Roads Why Timber Land Was First Settled Aid Asked of State to Pay Expenses of the McFaddens' Trial Not Granted Thomas Hayden Allowed $1.50 for Hanging McFad- dens Paupers Freeing a Slave Hard Times Following Panic of 1837 Not Felt Until 1838 Continued For Several Years Substitutes For Money Sample of Prices Richard Pennington's Story Nearest Market Selection From Ford's History Laws of Trade Howa modern farmer lost his money 5865 CHAPTER VIII. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. Carter's Job's Pennington's Point Camp Creek Macomb Hillsgrove Middletown 66 75. CHAPTER IX. THE MOEMONS. Population of County Mormons Sympathy Enlisted Description of the Mormons Their Religion Conversion of George Miller A Wonderful Cure by "Laying on of Hands" Baptism oi Miller Removal to Nauvoo Election of 1843 Cyrus Walker Mormons CONTENTS. 7 Hold the Balance of Power Peculiar Ordinances of Nauvoo Mormon Justice Deter- mination of the People to Effect a Change The Militia Assemble at Carthage Arri- val of Qov. Ford A Conference Committee sent to Nauvoo Surrender of Joe Smith and Others Joe Smith shown to the Troops Discharge of the Volunteers McDonough Troops Return The Governor Goes to Nauvoo Killing of the Prophet Graphic De- scriptionEnd of the Murderers not Gained Horse Stealing Mormons Charged with All Kinds of Theft Flogging Mormons Volunteers for Nauvoo A Battle One Killed, Several Wounded The Mormons Are Sent Over the River List of Volunteers From McDonough in 1844 7& 98 CHAPTER X. A NEWSPAPEB AND A HAILBOAD. Ke-organization of the County Last Meeting of the County Commissioners County Court Railroad Agitation A Newspaper in Macomb George W. Smith His Melancholy End The "Independent" on Railroads Railroad Meetings County Court Petitioned to Order a Vote on the County Taking Stock in the Proposed Road Order Granted Canvass of the County Opposition to Railroads "What a Terrible Thing it would be" Statement that One Train of Cars would Carry all the Surplus Grain and Stock Raised in the County in One Year How is it Now Railroads and Yankee Thrift Postpone- ment of the Vote Further Efforts Vote Taken Carried Prediction of the Independ- ent More than Fulfilled Another Election Called Additional Stock Subscribed First Appearance of the Iron Horse Effect on Values 99107 CHAPTER XI. HOME LIFE AND AMUSEMENTS. Dwellings of Our Fathers Exterior Description People Industrious Children Compelled to Labor Clothing Worn Home Manufacture Drudgery of Women Influence of the Bible Cultivation of Flax, Cotton and Wool The Big and Little Spinning Wheels- Seasons of Fun Quilting Bees Corn Huskings Apple Parings The Little Brown Jug- Drinking Universal Hunting House Raising Election Days Kind Hearts Neigh- borly Acts and Universal Love 108112 CHAPTER XII. VABIOUS MATTERS. Murder of Jams Dye Coroner's Inquest Verdict of Jury Arrest of Mrs. Dye, David Bur- ress, and S. P. Ray Commitment to Jail Indictment by the Grand Jury Ray Dis- charged by the Court Change of Venue Taken by the Other Parties Trial of Mrs. Dye at Lewiston Able Counsel Employed Convicted Four Years in the Penitentiary- Pardoned Before Expiration of Term Belief in her Innocence Death Other Rail- roads Projected 50,000 Subscibed in Aid of R. I. & A. Railroad Order Made by Court to Take the Vote on the Adoption or Rejection of Township Organization Law Propo- sition Carried Commissioners Appointed to Divide the County Into Townships New Jail Poorly Constructed An Expense to the County Sale of the Old Jail to the City of Macomb Last Meeting of the Court Escape of Burress Never Secured 113119 CHAPTER DIVISION OF THE COUNTY. County Divided Into Sixteen Townships Names First Election Changes Since Made Historical Sketches of the Townships Eldorado Industry New Salem Mound Scot- land Macomb Walnut Grove Blandinsville-Chalmers Prairie City and Bushnell Hire Tennessee Lamoine Emmet Bethel.... ....120139 8 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIV. GEOLOGICAL. Geological Information Statistics St. Louis Limestone Keokuk Limestone Coal Fire Clay Iron Ore Building Stone Limestone for Lime Sand arid Clay for Brick Soil and Agriculture 140 157 CHAPTER XV. TEMPEBANCE. Views of Early Settlers on the Temperance Question Pure Whisky Would Make the Drunk Come Washingtonian Tidal Wave First Temperance Lecture in the County Diffi- culty in Securing a .Chairman Effect of the Addresses Sons of Temperance Good Templars Temple of Honor Daughters of Temperance Cadets of Temperance Cold Water Templars Election of a Temperance Candidate for the Legislature Decrease of Intemperance Remarks 158160 CHAPTER XVI. 1857-1860. First Meeting of the Board of Supervisors Names of Members Resume of the Preced- ing Ten Years Speculative Fever High Prices of Real Estate 1856 Nemaha Valley Bank Crash of 1857 Failure of William H. Randolph & Co. Public and Private Im- provements Suspended Depreciation of Values The License Question Saloon Keepeis Imitate Example of the Importunate Women in the Scriptures Reduction of License Poor Farm Ordered Sold Trouble between City of Macomb and County on the Pauper Question N. C. R. R. Bonds Refusal by the Board to pay the Coupons in New York Suit Brought Against the County County's Counsel Advises the Payment According k to Contract Resolutions Asking Relief to Taxpayers -Low Prices Scarcity of Gold Various Resolutions Looking to Relief 161166 CHAPTER XVII. THE WAB AT HOME. 'Days that Tried Men's Souls." McDonough County Politically Natural Sympathy of many with the South Patriotism Prevails Love for the Old Flag Bombardment of Fort Sumpter How the News was Received in McDonough The County Aroused Quick Response to the Call of the President Meetings held Throughout the County- Specimen Resolutions Organization of Three Companies for the Sixteenth Regiment Their Departure "May God Bless You." Old and Young Desire to Enlist Battle Fields Many Vacant Chairs now to be Seen Sleeveless Coats now Among Us Aid Societies Formed The Women Determined to do their Duty The Twenty-eighth Regi- ment at Shiloh Flag Presented by the County to Company "D." One Hundred Dollars Appropriated by the Board of Supervisors for Sanitary Purposes Bad News from the Field Organization of the Sons of Liberty Party Strife Again Running High Recruit- ing almost Suspended Hampton's Resolutions Voted Down Reid's Resolutions Adopted Resolutions to Encourage and Aid Enlistments Board Refused to Adopt Call from the Government for More Volunteers Draft Ordered Appointment of Wm. H. Randolph Deputy United States Marshal Resolutions Favorable to a Bounty Adopt- ed Three Hundred Dollars Bounty L. H. Waters and others Oppose It Amount Ex- pended Killing of Wm. H. Randolph, Deputy United States Marshall Escape of the Murderers Capture of Miles Bond by Frank E. Fowler, United States Detective Trial at Rushville Acquittal Arrest oi James and John Bond Trial at Macomb Verdict Rendered "Not Guilty." Great Excitement Fall of Richmond Joy of the People- Joy Turned into Sorrow Assassination of President Lincoln Close of the Rebellion- Return of the Boys in Blue Thanks be to the Father of All 167181 CONTENTS. 9 CHAPTER XVIII. THE WAB IN THE FIELD. Soldiers Brave and Modest Sixteenth Regiment Irish Lovers Ancestry " Architect of the Natural Bridge "Dutch Solomon and General Pope Stealing their Ammunition "Close Up" "Is That High Enough Massa"-- Model Business Letter More Compa- nies Raised Company H, Second Illinois Cavalry Twenty-Eighth Regiment Company L, Seventh Illinois Cavalry Swearing Soldier Fifty-Fifth Regiment Company C, Fifty- Ninth Regiment Sixty-Fourth Regiment John Jacobs, a Prisoner Claims to be a Con- federate Spy Borrows a Mule and Gun from Rebels Captured by Union Soldiers About to be Hung as a Rebel Spy Taken to Headquarters Identified Recovery of Mule and Gun Discipline Give the Countersign" I'm General Gordon Granger ""You Can- not Pass Here "Capture of a Rebel Flag Seventy-Eighth Regiment One Hundred and Nineteenth Regiment One Hundred and Twenty- Fourth Regiment One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Regiment One Hundred and Fifty-First Regiment Company H, Second Artillery Company B, Tenth Missouri General Summary List of McDonough Soldiers Residence Date of Enlistment Final Disposition Miscellaneous List 182241- CHAPTER XIX. FIRST IMPRESSIONS MARKING STOCK. What Various Individuals Thought of McDonough County Stock Marks.... 242246 CHAPTER XX. NEW COUBT HOUSE AND JAIL. 1868 Resolutions in Favor of Building Condemnation of the Old Structure Committee Appointed to Confer with the City Council of Macomb Legislature Petitioned Taylor's Resolution White's Resolution Refusal to Build Unless Macomb Should Donate 20,000 Additional to Their Tax City Council Refuses to Comply N. P. Tinsley Steps in the Breach Agreement Between Macomb and the County Plans Adopted Contract Awarded Cost Description List of All County Officers 247-256 CHAPTER XXI. OTHER BAILBOADS. Rock Island and Alton Railroad Aid Granted Southern Outlet Sale of the Franchises of the Road Tricks of the New Company New Lines Adopted Large Subscriptions Ob- tainedDemand for County's Subscription Sold Under Mortgage New Company Formed Again Sold Petition to the County Board to Vote Subscription to H., M. C..L. & E. Railroad.. : 257259 CHAPTER XXII. NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISES. "McDonough Independent." "Macomb Journal." "Prairie City Chronicle." "Prairie Chief." "Prairie Chicken." "Macomb Ledger." "Prairie City Herald." "Bushuell Record." "Western Light." "The Macomb Independent." "The Gleaner." 260-266 CHAPTER XXm. UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. Question of Slavery Organization of the U. G. Railroad Its Mode of Operation Route Through the County Incidents "What am I ?" Charley's Thoughts His Escape- Arrival at Blazer's station Leaving His Return In Search of Wife and Children- Failure Second and Third Trip Escape with Wife Recapture of his Wife Charley's Escape At last Successful in Getting his Wife and Children A Lively Load and Lively Time Six Negroes Start for Macomb On the Wrong Road Charley Recognized Old Fashioned Plantation "Hoe Down." Betrayal of the Negro Preacher Virginia Home 10 CONTENTS. Death of His Master Removal Promise of Freedom Sending Caesar South Warned by a Stranger His Escape Given a Horse On the Line of the U. G. R. R. Failure to Find his Wife Train Captured David Chrisman Agent's House Watched Feint- Attack One Captured A White Negro "G'wine to Jine de Yankee Church" Negro Tom Escape Fight with Bloodhounds Arrival at Blazer's Views on ReligionPre- sence of Mind Dobbins' Sou Negro Saved by a Small Boy Going to Market Lost- Directions Given Negroes taken from the Train of the C., B. and Q. R. R. Taken to the Hotel by City Marshal Remain until Made Free by Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln 267-279 CHAPTER XXIV. STONE COAL CLAY. Coal Extent Average Yield Quality Stone Quality and Extent McLean's Statement Rowley's Bank Grindstones. ^. 280282 CHAPTER XXV. M'DONOUGH COUNTY AGBICULTURAL SOCIETY. Organization First Fair A Success Second Exhibition Lease of Grounds Contrast Between First and Present Exhibition Chandler's White Bull Blooded Stock Time Required for Fair Fortunate in Officers Purchase of New Grounds First and only Failure, which was no Failure Present Officers Stock Association Appeal 283286 CHAPTER XXVI. BLACK LAWS. Early Prejudice Specimen of the Black Laws Negroes in McDonough Negro Barber and J. M. Campbell Not so Bad After All What he would do with Bob- Indictment against Geo. W. Reid for Violation of the Black Laws 287289 CHAPTER XXVII. EE8OUECE8 OF THE COUNTY. Extent of Territory Improved Lands Unimproved Lands Real and Personal Property- Wheat Corn Oats Other Products Rye and Barley Buckwheat Potatoes Meadow Land Pasture Wood Land Horses Cattle Mules and Asses Sheep Swine Orch- ards Apples Peaches Pears and Plums Cherries Grapes Small Fruit Carriages and Wagons Tables 290300 CHAPTER XXVIII. THE BAB OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY. Judges of the Circuit Court Richard M. Young, James H. Ralston, Peter Lott, Stephen A. Douglas, Jesse B. Thomas, Norman H. Purple, Wm. A. Minshall, Pinkney H. Walker, John S. Bailey, C. L. Higbee, S. P. Shope -State's Attorneys Thomas Ford, Wm. Rich- ardson, Henry L. Bryant, Wm. Elliot, Robert S. Blackwell, Calvin A. Warren, John S. Bailey, Louis H. Waters, Thomas E. Morgan, L. W. James, Crosby F. Wheat Other Members of the Bar Cyrus Walker The Present Bar 301312 CHAPTER XXIX. BAILBOAD BUSINESS. The C., B. & Q. R. R. What it Has Done for the County T , P. & W. Its Business Tables of Shipments and Receipts 313 3ij> CONTENTS. 1.1 CHAPTER XXX. BIOGRAPHICAL. Larkin C. Bacon Major Thomas A. Brooking A. V. Brooking Edgar Bollcs Alonzo Barnes James M. Campbell Hon. Thompson Chandler James Clarke David Clarke Charles Chandler John M. Crabb Daniel M. Crabb J. B. Cummings B. A. Duncan, M. D. Captain S. A. Epperson John L. Epperson Thomas Fuikerson John D. Hainline W. H. Hainline William Hamilton Hon. B. R. Hampton Richard D. Hammond, M. D. Dr. John Hardesty William C. Hainline Wesley Harlan George Taylor Harlan Hon. Humphrey Horrabin Hon. John Huston Charles R. Hume James Irwin Rev. Joseph L. Kirkpatrick 31fr 38& CHAPTER XXXI. POLITICAL. A Doubtful County Party Lines were not Drawn During First Ten Years No Caucuses in That Time 1840 Democratic and Whig Parties Held Nominating Con ventionp Party Lines Closely Drawn Hard Cider Whig Celebration at Macomb on the Fourth of July What Democrats Said of It Whigs Victorious 1841-42 Democrats Triumphant First Year and Whigs the Second 1843 Cyrus Walker and James P. Hoge Endeavor to Se- the Mormon Vote Trickery of Smith, the Mormon Prophet Walker Defeated 1844 Whigs Again Triumphant in August.but Beaten in November 1845-51 Various Changes Occurred 1852 Last Campaign of the Whigs as a National Party Triumphant in this County 1853 Democracy Victorious 1854 Waters Carried the County by One Vote- Democrats Carrying the Rest of the Ticket Waters' Election Contested His Resigna- tionAnother Election Held, and Waters Again Triumphant 1855 No Opposition to the Democracy Republicans, Americans and Democrats in Campaign of 1856 Democ- racy Ahead The American Party Gives up the Ghost Gains in the Republican Party in 1858 Light Vote in 1859 Campaign of 1861 Republicans Victorious 1861-64 De- mocracy Victorious 1865 Republicans to the Front Ditto in 1866 Democrats Elect County Ticket in 1867 U. S. Grant carries the County in 1868 Democracy Ahead the Following Year Ditto in 1870 Considerable Scratching Grant Ahead in 1872 New Party Ahead in 18731874-76, Republicans Ahead General Remarks Official Vote from 1830 to 1876 inclusive 390411 CHAPTER XXXn. EDUCATIONAL. Progressive Education Early Teaching The Three R's Few Schools in the Early Time The Great .Number at Present The Old Log School House Its Furniture Woodside's Agreement School Lands Items From School Statistics M'Donough College Prairie City Acadamy M'Donough Normal and Scientific College Macomb Female Seminary- Sketches of the Various District Schools of Each Township School Statistics 412434 CHAPTER XXXHI. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES CONTINUED. Elder John Logan William F. McCandles Captain J. C. McClellan Hon. Alexander Mc- LeanWilliam C. Mc-Leod John Mustain William D. Mustain A. H. McGahan Rev. Josiah Moore Richard Musson Thomas A. Mustain Hon. William H. Neece Abra- ham Newland, Jr. -Asa K. Owen Isaac N. Pearson Joseph E. Porter Hon. William Randolph James Roberts 435 481 CHAPTER XXXIV. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES CONTINUED. Captain James W. Fee Harvey L. Ross Joseph Shannon John William Siders Benjamin . Thompson Elder J. L. Towner Roswell Tyrrell Captain J. B. Venard Captain >. P. Wells John G. Woodside John Wiley Isaac Weaver Dr. Beverly R. Westfall Hon. E. K. Westfall Charles Wilson Hon. C. F. Wheat Major Stephen Yocum ..482 526 }2 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXV. RELIGIOUS. Influence of Christianity The Improvements That Follow the Teachings of the Bible- First Preaching in the County-Elder Logan-His Labors as a Preacher Sketches.- Reyular Baptists Antioch. CAmf tan Blandinsville Macomb Bedford New Salem Bushnell Colchester-Sciota New Bedford. IfefAodisf Episcopal Mucorob Tennes- see Friendship Pdnuington's Point Bardolph-.Stickles--Blandinsville Rock Creek- Maple Grove Mound Chapel Pleasant Grove -Liberty Prairie City Industry Col- chester Mound Linn Grove Willow Grove New Hope Centennial Greenwood Adair Second Church, Macomb ' CHAPTER XXXVI. RELIGIOUS CONTINUED. Presbyterian Macomb Camp Creek Shiloh Prairie City Doddsville Bushnell Good Hope Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Bersheba Sugar Creek Good Hope In- dustry West Prairie Congregational Prairie City Macomb ap^ Hillsborough Macomb Prairie City Independent Cedar Creek Tennessee Bushnell Sciota Blandinsville Second Church, Macomb Universalist Macomb Reformed Bushnell free Will Baptist Prairie City Maple Hill Catholic Tennessee Macomb Christian- Industry German Baptist Bushnell Arm of the Church Un.ited Brethren in Chrisi Elm Grove Willow Grove New Philadelphia Jerusalem Chapel Blandinsville Pleasant Gale Center Chapel Evangelical Lutheran Macomb Salem Statistics 55i CHAPTER XXXVII. REMINISCENCES. Recollections of John Wilson Salem Woods' Reminiscences Silas J. Creel's Robert Dark's Martha Russell's James Jarvis' J. W. Brattle's Martitia F. Harris' Sailing on the Prairie 58 1 CHAPTER XXXVIII. PIONEERS. Old Settlers' Association Constitution List of Pioneers 59)1 CHAPTER XXXIX. MISCELLANEOUS. Streams of the County Crooked Creek Camp Creek Grindstone Creek Troublesome Creek Spring Creek Other Streams Matrimonial Statistics Remarks Table of Distances Pauperism Number Admitted to the Alms House Nativity Other Facts CHAPTER XL. MACOMB. Retrospective Organization of the County Selection of Site for County Seat Washington- Act Locating County Seat McComb vs. Macomb County Seat to be Permanent Sale of Lots Increase in Population First Store -The Tavern First Plat of the Town Un- satisfactory New One Keaton's Survey Brattle's Survey Court Week Effect of the Ardent Circus Shows Town Organization First School House First Brick Store- First Church Cholera Epidemic Incorporated as a City First Board of Aldermen- City's Credit City's Indebtedness Improvements Few Fires No Tramps Allowed Improvements Needed Sanitary Condition Thirty Miles of Streets Expenses of the City Assessments Railroad Public Buildings Opera House School Houses-Mercan- tile Trade Manufacture* Public Schools-Graded System-Churches-ValueMem- bershipDescription of School Buildings List of Town Officers List of City Officers " A Side Glance at Macomb "-City Made a Supervisor's District List of Supervisors- Items from City Directory Business Notices -Classified Business Directory CONTENTS. . 1& CHAPTER XLI. BIANDINSVLLLE. Location Name " Job's Settlement "Additions First Dwelling First Store Building- Mercantile Trade Merchants Schools-Growth Securing the T., P. & W. R. R. Its Effects Amount of Trade Churches Summary of Business Firms Business Direc- tory 637641 CHAPTER XLII. INDUSTBY DODD3VILLE MIDDLETOWN. Proposition to J. M. Price Shop Erected First Post Office Price's Recollection First Store First Physician First Survey Name and Nickname Growth Organization as a Town First Town Board Organization as a Village Its Character Schools Churches- Man u factories Distance from Railroad Trustees Summary of Business Firms Busi- i'ireetory Doddsville Town Laid Out Location Directory Middietowii 642646 CHAPTER XLIII. PRAIBIE CITY. ion When Laid Out First Store First Building First Preacher Size of the Original Town Distance from Macomb and Chicago First School Building Barnes' and Par- ker's Addition Incorporated as a Town Officers Elected Newspaper Growth of the Town Prairie City Academy Schools Churches Petition to the Town Board Ceme- teriesVillage Organization First Board First Resolution List of Town Officers Prai- rie City Chronicle Amount of Business Transacted Business Notices Business Direc- tory (V17- 655 CHAPTER XLIV. BUSHNELL. Location Survey First Sale of Lots Town Named Wolf Pole Trackless Prairie Hen- dricksoH Lost Found First Store Building First Stock 01 Goods First Dwellings- First Hotel Prosperity of the Town Liberality of the Original Proprietors Failures- New Railroad Manufactories Improvements New School Building Summary -of Business Firms Amount of BusinessPublic Library Organization as a City Election, Officers Elected List of Officers Classified Business Directory f6 667 CHAPTER XLV. BAEDOLPH. Town Laid Out Location Name First Dwelling First Store Growth of the place Price of Lots First School House Incorporated as a Town Trustees Incorporated as a Vil- lageCause for the Change Trustees Temperance Town School Cemetery Ship- ments to and from the Town Business Notices Business Directory CHAPTER XLVI. COLCHESTEB TENNESSEE HIXX.*S GKOVE AND COLMAB. Colchester Land Surveyed Name First House First Stock of Groceries Hotel Fir- 1 Stock of Dry Goods Additions Prosperity of the Place Incorporated as a Town The Natural Advantages of Colchester Coal Interests Roberts' Mines Quincy Coal < 'ompany Colchester Coal Company Their Immense Business Shipments and Re- ceipts Schools Churches License Question List of Town Officers Mercantile Trade Business Notices Business Directory Tennessee Town Laid Out Location Size of Lots Value Incorporated as a Town Names of Members of the Various Boards of Trustees Clerks Churches Schools Calaboose Shipments and Receipts by Rail Business Directory Hill's Grove Laid Out Location Surrounding Country Business Directory Colmar Location Size of Plat Growth of the Place Shipment and Re- ceipts by Railroad Business Directory 677 SXti 14 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XLVII. SCIOTA GOOD HOPE ADAIB NEW PHILADELPHIA WALNUT OBOVE AND SCOTTSBUBG. Sdota First Name- Location Surrounding Country Additions First Stone Building- First Store Incorporated Trustees First Sermon First School Churches Prosperity of the Town Great Grain Market~Mercantile Trade Business Notices Shipments by Railroad Business Directory Oood Hope Rivalry Between Towns Town of Sher- idanTown of Milan Post Office of Good Hope Town named Good Hope First Store First Dwelling Old Post Office Incorporated as a Town Incorporated as a Vil- lage Trustees Prosperity General Character of the Town First Sermon Schools- Churches Amount Shipped by Railroad Business Notices Business Directory Adair Laid Out Location Amount of Stock and Grain Shipped First Business House- Population Business Directory New Philadelphia Location Old Plat New Survey- Name Directory Walnut Grove Location Business Directory Scottsburg Location- Shipment of FireClay 68769! CHAPTER I. EARLY SETTLEMENT ORGANIZATION. The first settlement of McDonough county of which we have record was in the spring of 1826. Previous to this time the county was in a state of unbroken wildness, the home of red men, who roamed at will over its broad prairies, engaged in occupations peculiar to their race. No one, save the old settler, or one who has visited the far West, can fully realize the beauty of the coun- try at that time. Dividing the county centrally north and south, we had upon the east a broad prairie extending as far as the eye could reach, the tall grass gently undulating like the waves of the sea, while upon the west the giant oak, the stately ehn, and the useful hickory seemingly pierced the very heavens, and stood as faithful sentinels over their entire surroundings. No fallen tim- ber or undergrowth of any kind obstructed the passage, the annual prairie fire making a clean path for all. A prairie on fire ! Have you ever witnessed one? The sight is a magnificent one indeed. A correspondent of tne Philadelphia Enquirer, on a visit to this State in 1837, while traveling up the Mississippi, described in glow- ing terms the scenery on that grand old stream, and thus graphic- ally sketched a prairie on fire : " Whilst enjoying the sublimity of the scene, night threw her mantle o'er the earth, and the sentinel stars set their watch in the skies, when suddenly the scene was lighted by a blaze of light illuminating every object around. It was the prairie on fire. Lan- guage cannot convey, words cannot express to you the faintest idea of the grandeur and splendor of that mighty conflagration. Me- thought that the pale Queen of Night, disclaiming to take her ac- customed place in the heavens, had dispatched ten thousand messengers to light their torches at the altar of the setting sun, and that now they were speeding on the wings of the wind to their H 2 18 appointed stations. As I gazed on that mighty conflagration my thoughts recurred to you, immured in the walls of a city, and I exclaimed in the fullness of my heart : ' O fly to the prairie in wonder, and gaze, As o'er the grass sweeps the magnificent blaze ; The world cannot boast so romantic a sight, A continent flaming, 'mid oceans of light.' " How changed the scene now ! The timber, in many places, has been cleared away, and beautiful farms appear in its stead. The broad prairies have been shorn of their native beauty, and the hand of man has endeavored to excel in their decoration. The iron horse now courses over the prairie and through the timber where once only the trail of the red man was known. Villages, towns and cities appear where the wigwam was once seen. All this change has taken place in fifty years. What will the next fifty years bring forth ? Who can tell ? On the admission of the State into the Union, what is now known as McDonough county was a part of Madison. Afterward, by an act of the Legislature, approved June 30, 1821, it was placed with- in the boundaries of Pike, and by a subsequent act, approved Feb- ruary 10, 1826, its present boundaries were determined, and it was attached to Schuyler county for judicial and recording purposes. As before remarked, the county is about equally divided between timber and prairie, the eastern tier of townships being mainly prairie, while the western is chiefly timber. When we shall come to the descriptions of townships, we shall notice this matter more at length, giving the exact proportions of each. The county is bounded on the north by Henderson and Warren, on the south by Schuyler, on the east by Fulton, and on the west by Hancock. To William Carter and*Kiggs Pennington belong the honor of the first settlement, about one mile southeast of the present town of Industry, in the south part of the county. The settlement was named in honor of Mr. Carter, who resided in the neighborhood for several years, when he removed to the State of Missouri. Mr. Pennington, shortly afterward, removed also. He was the first Justice of the Peace residing in the county. It is not known if any others settled in the county that year, but in the following year (1827) William Job and brother, John Yance, and others, settled near where the town of Blandinsville is now lo cated, the neighborhood taki ng the name, and being known for many *Riggs Pennington left the county at a very early day, removing to Knox county, in this State, from which place he emigrated to Texas in the spring of 1837, and where he died some years since. HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY. 19 years afterwards as " Job's settlement." William Pennington, in 1828, located in the neighborhood now known as "Pennington's Point," in the southwest corner of 'Sew Salem township, where he remained about three years, removing to Spring Creek, in the north part of the county. Elias McFadden, also, at this time set- tled near the present city of Macornb, living on the farm now owned by William Hunter, about one mile south of the city. John Baker came out in the fall of this year, or in the spring of '29, and built the tirs.t house on the site of the present city of Macomb. Mr. Baker was a minister of the Regular Baptist Church, but gave little time to his calling, engaging almost exclusively in secular pursuits. He was appointed the first Clerk pro tern, of the County Commissioners' Court on the organization of the -county, which position he retained only a few months. He held membership in the New Hope Baptist Church, in Job's settlement, from which he was expelled for unchristian conduct. He left the county about the year 1835, going to Missouri, and from thence to Texas. In the latter place he again felt a longing desire to become useful in the cause ot Christ, and friends there, knowing his talents, desired him to resume the work of the ministry. This he was too con- scientious to do until first restored by the church from which he had been excluded; so, in the year 1840, he returned to the county, riding eight hundred miles of the distance on horseback, that he might again meet with the Xew Hope Church, make confession, and be restored to its fellowship. The church joyfully received him, and he was again commissioned to go forth bearing "glad tidings." Returning to Texas, he was occasionally heard from for several years later, and always with good report. Whether now living or dead, we know not. In 1830, James Clarke, David Clarke, William Pringle, Resin N&y- lor, and a few others, settled in the neighborhood of Macomb. At this time Indians were still frequent visitors to the cabins of the white man. It was in the fall of 1830 that a large number of the tribe of Fox or Sac Indians encamped on the creek just west of Macomb for the purpose of engaging in their annual fall hunt, when a few of the brave settlers went out and ordered them away, and in order to hasten their departure, caught a few of them, and while some of their number kept guard, Resin Baylor, with a hickory withe, gave them thirty and nine lashes upon their bare backs. In doing this the settlers ran a great risk, for the In- dians were well armed, while the whites had only a few old flint- 20 lock muskets, the most of which were too rusty to be of any service. Luckily no resistance was made, arid the Indians hastily left. As showing how destructive of game the Indians were, it is re- lated that in the fall of 1829 one solitary Indian killed one hundred and sixty-nine deer in the region known as Wilson's Mill, about four miles southwest of Macomb ; and, strange to relate, the last one he shot was the means of his own death. After shooting the deer, and seeing it lie motionless upon the ground, he went for- ward for the purpose of securing his prize, when it arose and ran him through the breast with its antlers. He was afterward dis- covered by others of Siis tribe, who gave him burial on the spot where he fell, 'placing within his grave his gun, tomahawk, knife, and other implements. The mound erected over his grave was still visible a few years ago, but about the year 1832 some vandal opened the grave and stole therefrom the buried arms. In this same year (1830) Roswell Tyrrell, David Fees, John Gib- sou, and others, settled in the western part of the county, in what is now known as Lamoine, Tennessee, and Bethel townships. They were followed shortly afterward by the Marks, Edmondsons, Dunsworths, Archers, and others, all the various settlements re- ceiving reinforcements. It was now thoughtthere was a sufficient number of inhabitants to justify an organization of the county ; ac- cordingly, on the fourteenth day of June, 1830, a petition was pre- sented to the Hon. Richard M. Young, Judge of the Fifth Judicial District, then holding court at Rush ville, Schuyler county, signed by a majority of the legal voters of the county, setting forth that McDonough county had the number of inhabitants required by an act of the Legislature for the organization of counties, and upon the said day his honor issued the following order: STATE or ILLINOIS, ) & , MCDONOUGH COUNTY, j" ' To the People of the State of Illinois, to all w7w shall see these presents, greeting : WHEBEAS, By the said ninth and eleventh sections of the act entitled " An act forming new counties out of the counties of Pike and Fulton, and the attached parts thereof," ap- proved January 13, 1825, it is made the duty of the Presiding Judge of the Fifth Judi~ cial Circuit of the State of Illinois, whenever it shall be made to appear to his satisfaction that either of the counties of Hancock, Warren, Mercer, Henry, Putnam or Knox con- tains three hundred and fifty inhabitants, to proceed to organize the same, and to grant an order for the election of county officers preparatory thereto ; and WHEKEAS, By virtue of an act entitled " An act supplementary to an act entitled ' An act forming new counties out of the counties of Pike and Fulton, and the attached parts thereof,' " approved January 25, 1826, a new county was created, to be called the county 21 of McDonough. with the express provision therein contained that the inhabitants of the said county of McDonough should enjoy and possess all the rights and privileges granted to the inhabitants of the several counties created by the first recited act, and to which the said last mentioned act is a supplement : and WHEBEAS, It has been made to appear to my satisfaction that the said county of Mc- Donough contains three hundred and fifty inhabitants and upwards, and inasmuch as the greater part of qualified voters of said county have requested, by petition, that the same should be organized with as little delay as possible, I do therefore, in pursuance of the power invested in me by virtue of the provisions contained in the above recited acts, order and direct that an election in and for the said county of McDonough, at the house of Elias McFadden, in said county, on Saturday, the third day of July next, for the election of three County Commissioners, one Sheriff, and one Coroner, to serve, when elected and qualified, in and for the said county of McDonough, respectively, until they shall be superseded by the persons who may be elected at the general election, to be held on the first Monday in August next ensuing the date hereof ; and for the purpose of having this order carried into execution, I do hereby appoint Ephraim Perkins, William McDonald and John Rogers, Esquires, of said county, judges of said election, whose duty it shall be to set up written or printed advertisements or notices of said election in at least six of the most public places in said county, inclusive of the place at which the said election is hereby directed to be held, having due regard to the situation and population of the dif- fent settlements, at least ten days immediately preceding the said election, to the end that all persons concerned may have timely notice thereof, the election to be viva voce, be- tween the hours of 10 o'clock in the morning and 7 o'clock in the afternoon of said day, and conducted in all respects, as near as may be practicable, in conformity with the act entitled " An act regulating elections." approved January 10, 1829 : and, lastly, the said judges are to certify the result of the said election to the office of the Secretary of State as soon thereafter as may be convenient, in order that the persons who may be elected and entitled to commissions may be commissioned and qualify with as little delay as possible, and after the said election of the said county officers shall have taken place in pursuance of this order, I do hereby declare the said county of McDonough to be organ- ized and entitled to the same rights and privileges as the other counties in this State. Given under my hand and seal, at Rushville, this fourteenth day of June, A. D. 1830, and of the independence of the United States the fifty-fourth. RICHARD M. YOUNG, Circuit Judge of the Fifth Ju