Cass County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 7 of those read), 1882

THE first settlers, who gazed upon the broad waste of prairie, the unmolested groves, dense and tangled with brush and briar, before a plow had touched the virgin soil, or an ax had struck a tree, little thought that all this wilderness, in their own day, before their own locks were silvered with the thread of time, would be made to blossom as a garden. Little thought had they of seeing beautiful homes, waving fields of golden grain, green pastures and grazing herds, where the bounding deer, crouching panther and howling wolf, held unmolested sway.

Little thought they that in their time, furnaces, forges, fire and steam, amid the noise and whirl of swift and bright machinery, would sow, reap, bind, thresh, grind and market their grain. Labor and invention are man's greatest functions, and wonderful are the changes the past half century has wrought.

Ashland Precinct has an area of twentytwo miles. It formerly was much larger, including a greater portion of Philadelphia Precinct within its original boundary. There is but little timber within its present limits ; Panther Grove, in the northern portion of the precinct, with here and there a few scattering trees, may be said to be all the timber worth mentioning. The land originally was mostly prairie ; it is quite level but very productive. The soil is of a dark color and varies from one to three feet in depth.

Mr. Eli Cox was the first settler who came into Ashland Precinct; he " blazed" the first tree on the corner of his claim in 1818, and he is one of the oMe t settlers of Cass County. He is very peculiar and anomalous in his ways, accumulating considerable property and money, but never could be induced to deposit his surplus mone / outside of his own house or premises, deeming the banks very hazard ous and unsif , and consequently he has been the victim of robbers for the third time. The last time he was assaulted was Aug. 19, 1S8;2. A party of masked villains burst into his apartments, thinking he had some $3,000 in his possession, and tortured him in a very brutal manner; they placed burning coals at his feet, heated a poker, and cruelly and dangerously burnt other portions of his body; also hanging him by the neck several times, hoping thereby to force from him a confession as to th ' whereabouts of his money, but the Wednesday previous he had been prevailed upon by his lawyer in Jacksonville to deposit his money in a bunk, and conspquently the fiends sf^cured but $45 as the reward of their midnight assault upon a helpless and d^'fonceicss old man. A family by he name of Shiltz occupied a portion of the house, but their guns being unload d, the family were rendered helpless, and with cocked revolvers at their door were quietly requested to icinain in their apartments.

iam Crow and William Cooper settled in the precinct soon after Mr. Cox had located. Ashland Precinct was not generally settled till comparatively a late date, the land beinjr mostly prairie, and the first settlers, coming from timbered countries, thought it impossible to locale on the prairie, where there was no timber. David R. Short made an effort in 1830, to get away from the timber, and took up a claim where Joshua Atkins now resides, but after the first year's trial he became discouraged, and sold out his interest in the land to his uncle, Samuel Short, who resided then in Sangamon County. Even at that late date it was thought by most of the settlers that the^prairies would remain an " everlasting waste," but they were soon undeceived, for the prairie lands soon became the most desirable to be secured. In 1831, Stephen Lee built a cabin in Panther Grove, and John Miller and Alfred Dutch soon moved into the precinct, and began improving farms. In 1824, when Adams, Jackson and Clay ran for president, there were not enough settlers in the precinct to organize an election, and it was several months after the election before they heard the result.

The deep snow occurred in the winter of 1830 and 1831, and this seems to be the principal data the old settlers have, dating most of the events of their early history in the settlement of the county, as occurring before and after that winter. Charivaring and dancing were the principal amusements of the young. The charivari is of French origin, but quite generally practiced as a means of amusement in that early day, and to some extent at the present.

Mr. Alfred Dutch built the first frame house ever erected in the precinct, in 1834. It was an elegant building for those early times, but he came with some means, and took pride in making himself and family comfortable.

and the first post office was at Jacksonville. Their market was St. Louis, and the journey there, a distance of lOO miles or more, took from seven to eighteen days, tlie roads being very roundabout, and often very difficult. They drove, also, their cattle and hogs to that distant market, a task which the farmers of to-day would deem almost an impossibility. Those who have lived only in the era of railroads, steamships and electricity, know but little of the privations, hardships and sufferings their pioneer fathers endured; they know but little of what it was to build cabins, subdue the wild prairies, and narrow down the groves, with no tools or machinery except the ax, spade and plow; but those times have forever passed away, and will only be known as facts of history.

The first pioneers of the precinct were not a Godless people, but early and devotedly counseled together, devising every means possible for promoting religious and moral influences in the community. They held meetings in private cabins, school-houses and groves; wherever a few Cliristian families could assemble, the word of God would be preached. Peter Cartwright, the famous pioneer preacher, was a devoted friend to the early settlers in this section of the country. As early as 1823 we find him preaching in the cabin of Mr. Crow, to the following families: Samuel Short, William Cooper, S;ephen Short, John Cox, Samuel Robinson, R. Headspeth, William Miller, and James Watson. Many similar meetings in various cabins of the settlers were held for many years.

The Centenary M. E. Church, in the northern part of the precinct, took its name from the Centennial year of Methodism in America. The church society was first organized at the the residence of Samuel Sinclair, in 1853, with the following families: Joseph Bowers, John Cheatham, John Gill, and Jonathan Gill. Mr. Sinclair was a minister of the gospel himself, and he and his wife, Myra Ann, did more than all others in working up the interest which finally culminated in the present prosperous church organization. They opened their own house for church services, entertaining and feeding all that came. They were a very hospitable family and did much good, not only as christian workers, but as citizens and neighbors; they were ever ready and willing to assist those who were less fortunate than themselves.

Rev. James Garner was among the first ministers of that neighborhood, and held occasional services at the residence of Mr. Sinclair, till the fall of 1857, when the school house was built, where he, in connection with Lewis Mathews, M. Monroe, and Revs. Ayers and Hewitt continued preaching for three years or more. The Circuit was then organized ind Rev. J. Mitchell was appointed as the regular pastor. Mr. Mitchell was one of the most successful revivalists that was ever appointed to the charge; he often preached five and six weeks in succession without any assistance, holding meetings every afternoon and evening. Peter Cartwright, the Presiding Elder, called him " Whalebone," a term very appropriate, considering his ambition and endurance. The society built their present church in 1866. It is a beautiful frame building, very conveniently adapted for the purpose for which it was built.

Rev. William Stribling, from Jacksonville, a retired minister, gave five acres of land for the building and support of the church. Mr. Stiibling was very generous in the use of his acquired property, giving a greater portion of it to the schools and churches of the country. The building committee was made up of the two Samuel Sinclairs and John Beggs. The first trustees of the church were: John Beggs, Samuel Sinclair, Joseph Bowers, and Levi M. Ream. The present membership of the church is forty.

A Sabbath school of considerable interest has been successfully conducted in connection with the church. It was first organized in Fly Point school-house, with about thirty scholars. At present both church and Sabbath school are very interestedly at work, and the work of both has become a strong, stimulating force in the community.

There were no schools organized in the precinct, till a comparatively late date, for the prairies were not generally settled till about 1858 or '(30. The first school-house built in the precinct in 1855, was known as the Begg's school-house. The children in the southern part in an early day, attended a school in Morgan County, located in the grove near Mr. John Cox.

At the present day school-houses are conveniently located all over the precinct, no scholars being compelled to walk to school more than a mile, or a mile and a half, at most. The educational interests are well guarded, and the general intelligence of the growing youth is ample testimony that the present schools and present school systems are not, and have not been, a failure.

Ashland Village. - The name was taken from the home of that great Kentucky statesman, Henry Clay, who was long known as the Sage of Ashland. Many of the earlier settlers coming from Kentucky, it is not strange that they should associate the name of their town with the memory of that noble and eloquent orator, so long the pride of their native State.

In 1857, shortly after the Tonica & Petersburg Raih'oad, since known as the Alton, was surveyed, a company was organized for the purpose of laying out a town and speculating in the sale of lots. This company consisted of Elmore Crow, James L. Beggs, William G. Spears, Richard Yates (the famous war-governor of Illinois), and others, whose names we were not able to obtain. The trustees of the Jacksonville Female Academv

The land upon which the village is located was originally owned by Elmore Crow, who reserved a proportional interest when he deeded the land to the company. He owned al)out GOO acres, of which nearly one half was laid out into village lots. The boundary of the village, as originally laid out, was as follows : Commencing at a point one-fourth of one mile due west of the southeast corner of section twenty-nine, township seventeen, range eight, west of the third principal meridian in the County of Cass, State of Ills., running due north one half mile, thence due east one mile, thence due south one mile, thence due west one mile, thence due north one half mile, to the point of starting. Beside the public squares and commons, tlie lots were divided into 144 blocks.

The laying out of Ashland was not a matter of speculation alone. Those that invested in lots, made the purchase with the view of improving them for either a residence or place of business, and often both. A thriving corn crop was growing on the ground when the lots were staked off. Several who are now residents of the village, remember distinctly when they bound wheat and husked corn on the very ground where the principal business places are built. Mr. Crow's house was the first building erected within the present limits of the town; he being a farmer and owning the land, had improved it to a limited extent. The old building yet stands, and is known as the Douglass boarding house. About forty buildings were on the grounds the first year. A little village or burgh, consisting of perhaps a dozen houses, and known by the name of Rushaway, was moved to Ashland and became a part of the town. The first two public sales of lots amounted to $102,000. There were also many jjrivate

W. R. Hunter was among the first merchants of the village. He built a store on Main street and began a general grocery and drygoods trade, and continued in business at the above named place some four years, when he entered into partnership with J. M. .lones. They continued business under the firm name of Hunter & Jones, buying grain in connection with their general store trade till 1873, when Mr. Hunter sold out his interest in the store and entered exclusively into the grain trade. Mr. Hunter may be called the oldest business man in the village, he being one of the first to engage and has ever since been identified with the business of the town, biung at present largely interested in the grain trade.

William Goble and Alexander Mansfield built a store and began business about the time Mr. Hunter opened his store. They continued business about two years, when they became financially embarrassed, and their stock was sold out under the Shoriif 's hammer. The building which they erected, however, is still in existence, being changed to a dwelling, and at present is owned by Mr. O. P. Lewis.

From 18G3 to 1866, there was but one general store in the town, viz.: Hunter & Jones. They did an extensive business, and were widely known as straightforward, thorough business men. The first post office was kept in their store, and W. R. Hunter was the regularly appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by W. AV. Redman, who has held that position ever since. Mr. llediaan was also interested in the drug business previous to the fire. He is a man widely known and universally respected.

Tlie first hotel of the villaare is the present brick building now used for that purpose, and owned and run by J. L. Clark. The building was first built by a company consisting of the following persons : Elmore Crow, James L. Bcggs, and William Spears.

Another about the same time was started by Andrew Henderson, who was shortly after bought out by John L. Douglas, and he in turn after continuing the business for one year or thereabouts, sold out to Messrs. Crow and Beggs. This shop stood just west of the present hotel, on the south side of the street. It has long since disappeared and others hive taken its place. About the same time the blacksmith business was begun, a wagon shop was opened by William Bready. He followed the business with moderate success for three years. The present wagon shop is doing a prosperous business, and is run by Charles Goodman. In 18T3 the present elevator was built by Messrs. Hunter, Duey & Co. It is the only building of the kind in the town. Mr. Hunter, since the completion of the building, bought out the interest of his partners and conducts the business himself. It is a frame structure, conveniently built and modernly improved, costing $8,000. Mr. Hunter is one of the prominent grain deale.-s of the village, and handles over 100,- 000 bushels of grain annually. The other grain firms doing business in the town are, E. Beggs, and Hamilton & Duey.

January 18, 1868, a meeting of the prominent citizens took place for the purpose of arranging an election for the purpose of incorporating the village. Tlie election which shortly afterward followed, resulted in thirtvfive ballots in favor, and four against, incorporation, and the following persons were elected as members and officers of the villao-e

Previous to the building of the O. & M. R. R., in J 871, the growth of the town was not rapid, and the business it did was not of a very pressing character ; but on the completion of the new railroad, real estate business, and building took a new start, and Ashland at once took her place as one of the most prosperous business towns of the county, and at its present ratio of progress it will soon rival the county-seat itself.

In 1877 the village met with a serious draw-back and heavy losses by fire. The most central and thriving business portion of the town was totally consumed. The fire originated in a small barber shop some time early in the evening, and was not discovered till midnight, when it was found to be entirely lieyond all control; but new and better buildings have taken the place of the old, and the prosperity of the town seems in no way to feel the effects of that devastating fltme. There are now many brick buildings ornamenting the business streets, and many more are contemplated ; the future business outlook seems very flattering.

The members of the present village board are David Middour, President; Myer Hexter, Treasurer ; Samuel Short, Police Magistrate ; William Duke, Street Commissioner ; John Fansher, Frank Lohman, T. A. Duey, Eli M. Wyatt, John King, and J. G. Pearn, Clerks.

Schools. - The founders of the villag-e of Ashland early looked after the culture, character and education of their children. They seemed to heartily indorse the idea of placing them early under the influences which awaken their faculties, inspires them with higher principles, and fits them to bear a manly, useful and honorable part in the world. To take the child in all his ignorance, weakness, ami dopen<Jence, exposed to evil influences and tc'inptations on every hand, and lead him through the devious and dangerous paths of childhood and youth, and finally place him upon the battle-field of life, with the proper armor of truth and education, is a duty and a responsibility that no parent should neglect or set aside with indifference for the purpose of economy or the care of business, for no language can express the folly of that economy, which, to leave a fortune to a child, starves his intellect and impoverishes his heart.

The citizens of Ashland, mindful of these weighty responsibilities, organized a school in 18.59, in an old grocery building, near where Mr. John Huston now resides. The building had previously been used for a storehouse, then a saloon, and finally metamorphosed into a school-room. Mr. George Coffin had the honor of governing and teaching the first school within the village limits. He laid the foundation to the present school system, which, in past years, has reflected so much credit upon the town and surrounding country. The school was continued iiere till the fall of 1862, when it was moved to the present site, or near where the present brick school building stands. The school was then continued in the old building till 1866, when the present building of two rooms was erected.

The directors that designed and directed the work were W. S. Douglass, Madison Dadisman and J. M. Jones. But the following year tested the strength and durability of the walls ; quite a severe storm occurred, and the upper portion of the building was totally destroyed, the walls of the lower story alone remaining. It was not so much in the extraordinary severity of the storm, as it was in the defect of the masonry and architectural structure of the building in general. It was poorly built and its fall was only a matter of time. The community were very fortunate, for there was no s hool in progress, or otherwise

The building was at once repaired, and is j^et in a state of good preservation. Mr. .fohn Full was the first teacher in the new brick building, and did much credit to himself in the able manner in which he conducted the school.

A new building is now in progress, the cost of which is estimated at $8,000. The citizens of Ashland do not propose to be behind their neighboring villages in school buildings or in general school work. The contemplated building will probably be the finest and best building in the town, and no pains or cost will be spared to make it one of the best schools of the county. The directors who have the building in charge are William S. Douglass, William M. Jones and Silas Hexter. The present teachers are John Pearn and Carrie Redman.

Churches. - Ashland M. E. Church was first organized in 1857, at what was known as the Mi;chell school-house, one mile southwest of the present site of the village of Ashlaml. The members that constituted the first organization are as follows: Asel, Jane, Ann, Mary, Maria J., Mahala, and A. C. Douglass, Samuel and Lavina Short, John L. Douglass, Mary Holaway, Thomas Foxvvorthy, Andrew Welch, Nancy and G. W. Foxworthy. The first minister that administered to the spiritual wants of the settlers, was Rev. W. J. Newm ,n, with Rev. G. M. Crays as assistant. Rev. George Rutledge was the first presiding elder. The society held irregular meetings at the above named place for several 3'ears. A Sabbath School of some considerable interest was annually organized, and successfully conducted through the year by leading members of the Society. The meetings were usually well attended, and the children were well represented in the Sabbath School. In 1861, the church was re-organized in Ashland, with the following members: James and Sarah

Cresse, Asel, Jane, Ann, Mary, Mahala, and A. C. Douo'lass, J. Bdycouit, Basil Greenwood and wife, Mary Boycourt, Richard Arnold and wife, Mary Campbell, George Coffin and wife, Jane High, John Townseri, Charles and George Zirkle, Israel, Mary and Cecilia Towsen, Jacob, Mabel, and Margaret Shuck, AVilliam Bearden, Samantha Brcady, Francis Mitchell, Ellizalieth Bready Hathaway, Leland and Addie Mitchell, S. E. Beggs, Trifena Greenwood, William W. and Nancy J. Redman, Henry HoUinshead, Eliza, Madison, Silva and William Campbell.

Ashland had been laid out but a few years, and a place of meeting was with some difficulty secured. The first meetings were hold in a store or store house, now owned by Austin Lewis. These were the first religious services held in the village of Ashland. In those first devotional Christian meetings, dedicating the embryo village with its business, with its prosperity, and with its prospects to God, has not been entirely without fruit. There are many happy homes, happy wives, and happy children, who owe their pleasant circumstances and surroundings to the social and religious influences of the Methodist Episcopal church. Though there is much wickedness in their midst, the friends of strong drink are numerous; religion and temperance have not the desired control, but those dedicating prayers were heard, and will yet be answered. "Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He all."

The meetings were continued for a time in the above named place; the building being needed for other purposes, the society continued their regular sabbath services in the rooms of the hotel, and shortly after occupied the Ashland school house, where regular services were continued till the present church was built. During the time the meetings

The present church was built in 1870, at a cost of $4,000. It is a handsome frame structure, built upon the lots given to the society by the village authorities. It is at present the finest church edifice in the precinct. It was dedicated by the Rev. Mr. Buck, who preached a very appropriate and soul-stirring sermon. The building committee was made up of the following members viz.: James L. Beggs, Jesse Newman and J. M. Jones. The present trustees are Samuel Hamilton, Edwin Beggs, Robert G. Hewit, and W. W. Redman. The present membership is 70. The prominent pastors who have labored for the spiritual interests of the society, were E. K. Shields, J. J. Garner, Wingate Newman, G. Garner, and E. B. Randle, the latter being the present pastor.

A Sabbath School of more than ordinary interest has been successfully kept up in connection with the church ever since its first organization. At present about 100 scholars are in attendance, and M. F. Short is the present Superintendent. He is a man well qualified, and has long been identified as one of the most energetic Sunday school workers of the county.

The Church has at times been greatly strengthened, and its membership considerably increased, by the zealous labors of some of its prominent pastors. Perhaps the most prominent revival in the history of the Church was that conducted by the talented E. K. Shields, who in the winter of 1875, converted nearly one hundred persons. The town became thoroughly awakened by his stirring and pathetic appeals; his sermons, though strong, forcible and eloquent, were touching, and reached the heart of many an erring sinner.

The church at present is very prosperous; Rev. Mr. Randle is a young man of considerable ability, and is earnest and untiring in his ministeral labors.

Tlie Ashland Catholic Church was first organized at the residence of Martin Tyes, in February, 1871, by the Rev. Father August Joseph Sauer, and the following members with their families, professing the Catholic faith, were present; Thomas Guley, Edward Leahy, Wm. Kennedy, John Martin, Morris Burus, Cornelius Hurley, and some others whose names the writer was not able to obtain. The society, after being formally organized, as above mentioned, held their next meetings in the Ashland school-house, where they continued their regular Sabbath services for nearly two years, when they purchased two lots of Matthew Jones, and built a small frame-building, in which the society has held its regular meetings till the present time. The capacity of this building was too small to conveniently accommodate the increasing membership of the church, and in 1880 Rev. Father T. M. Hogan was appointed to the charge, for the purpose of investigating the prospects of building a new church. He found the members not only financially able, but enthusiastic, willing, and ready, to enter heartily into the work. Father Hogan is a man of stirring energy as well as talent, and ably fitted for the work that is now so prosperously in progress. His first collection in the winter of 1881 amounted to $1,800. The fair in January, 1882, under his immediate supervision, netted |il,314, making a total of $3,114 as a preparatory fund for beginning the contemplated church. Fivj lots, located in the western portion of ihe town, were at once purchased from William Mathers, at a cost of $300, and the work of building immediately begun. The building was begun May G, 1882, and it measures ninety-six feet in length and forty feet in width, its spire seventy-five feet in height. It is a framefitructure, and when completed will be one of the finest churches in the county. Its cost is estimated at 85,500.

The members that constitute the building committee are James Collins and Edward Leahy. Father Hogan, however, personally supervises the work and sees that suitable material is used and proper labor emplo3-ed.

The Church at present has sixty members as heads of families. The pastors of the Church, from the first organization to the present time, are as follows: J. A. Sauer, Michael Ryan, Father O'Hare, and T. M. Hogan.

The Church has a prosperous outlook for the future, and, no doubt, will in time become one of the strongest and most permanent of the Churches of the country.

Societies. - Oak Lodge I. O. O. F., No. 341, was first organized at Prentice, Morgan County, Oct. 9, 1867, and moved to Ashland Oct. 10, 1877. The members that were most energetic in originating the movement of organizing a lodge were the charter members, which are as follows, viz.: John L. Douglass, John M. Berry, John M. Brockman, John W. Daniel, Martin Berry, Sumner Daniel, Samuel Hurt, Benjamin Berry, and John W. Crura.

The first election of officers in the order resulted in the following choice: John M. Berry, N. G., John Crum, V. G., John Brockman, Secy., Albert Short, Treas., John L. Douglass, Warden, and John Daniel, Conductor. The lodge meets every Tuesday evening, and has a membership of twenty- three. The present officers are: David Middour, N. G., T. A. Duey, V. G., Myer Hexter, Secy., John L. Douglass, Warden, Eli J. Salsenstein, Treas., Silas Hexter, Conductor.

The following members have been honored with the office of Noble Grand, viz. : John L. Douglass, Albert Short, John Daniel, Sumner Daniel, Silas Hexter, Myer Hexter, B. C. Elmore, Eli J. Salsenstein, T. A. Duey, William Duke, and a few others, whose names could not be obtained. The lodge, though not large, is progressive, and a large membership is but a matter of time.