Cass County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 12 of those read), 1882

all beside some cool bubbling spring, within the shades of some thriving gi-ove, where his ax fertile first time rang out amid the mighty solitudt!, frightening the denizans from their peaceful slumbers, and starting those reverberations, whose last re-echo has changed into the screech of the iron hor^e and the hum of a thousand industries, which had their beginning in the rough, ru le cabins of those sturdy pioneers, who first penetrated the forests and prairies of the West.

We would ask for no pleas inter task than that which falls upon the chronicler of early history, could we picture and reproduce the scenes of half a century ago, that the reader might see in his imagination the unhewn log hut, with its clay filled crevices, its mud or adobe chimney, its rudely proportioned fire-place, its rough, unseemly furniture, and the general surroundings of a pioneer cabin; could we paint the rude shed with its projecting poles, covered with brush, the forerunner of the fine frame barns of to-day, groaning under the loads of grain and produce, gathered from the fields which our forefathers conquered and subdued; could we show the roads through tangled brush, swampy slough, and unbridged streams, over which the first settlers struggled and drew their loads; could we picture all these scenes in their wild but natural beauty, as they were and existed, we would bring be- fore many a reader similar scenes, whose impress have been left indelibly upon the mind by the oft repeated stories of the grayhaired sires, recounted with many an animated gesture, as he lived over again those olden times.

The historian, like an insurance agent or an undertaker, has a thankless task to perform, no matter hovv diligently he may rummage through the dusty memorials of the past, putting forth his gi'eatest powers to encompass ever3'thing of any degree of appropriate importance, and to hand down to posterity an accurate and comprehensive record; it falls far short of what a great majority of people anticipated it would be. But there is one satisfaction, the coming generations will become more fair and consistent in taking in the situation, and will more fully appreciate the labors of the h'istorian. It must be taken into consideration, that but few of the first settlers are living; those that are, their memories and recollections are not what thev were in the prime of life, and a history at best must consequently be but a partial narration of events.

Monroe Precinct has no village within its present limits; about half of its surface was originally prairie, and the rest brush and timber land. The timber was scattered over the precinct in little groves, which were often of considerable length along the ravines and streams. There is some very beautiful level land in places, along the streams; and around the groves it is considerably broken and often blufTy. Perhaps no better fruit pioduc- iiig land can be found in the county. The soil seems less sandy than the land in the northern part of the county, and more productive and more easily cultivated, excL'ptin"- the Sangamon Bottom. Wheat and corn seem to be the staple productions, thougli there are a goodly number of stock farms, and some very fine blooded stock raised. Farmers are fast learning that the improvement of their stock has become a very profitaljle investment.

There was a village named Monroe, laid out June 27, 1836, and surveyed by Johnston Shelton, for Morgan County, while this vpas a part of Morgan. It was on the west half of southwest quarter of section 11, township 17, range 11, and was about four and a half miles from Virginia. The place has long since been abandoned and vacated, and only a church uow marks the site.

There are three creeks, namely: Lost, Clear, and Prairie, that run across the precinct from east to west in almost parallel lines. Along the banks of the two first, some very good timber in an early day was found; along the latter was mostly prairie. Some portions of the year these streams assume the size of rivers, but it is not unusual to see them dry, or nearly so, during the summer months of the year.

The first settlers were seemingly afraid of the prairie, and would not locate unless they could secure a site for a cabin within the sheltering shades of some grove, or strip of timber. The immigrants coming mostly from timbered localities, thought it impossible to settle on the naked prairie. And thus we find the first settlers closely hugging the timber, and every neighborhood was known as such a grove, the name being taken from the first settler that pitched his tent or built his cabin there.

definitely known; but as early as 1827, the following families were here: Benjamin Mathus, Thomas and William Clark, George Ruby, James Davis, Alexander Huffman, and Richard Graves; of all of these, Mrs. Elizaljeth L. Davis is the only survivor. She is eightytwo years of age, and lives on the old homestead with her son George. It is but a matter of a few years, when she too will enter the sleep of her fathers, and the last of Monroe's pioneers will have passed away. It is sad to follow the old venerable pioneer veterans one by one to the grave, and cover them with the sod which they struggled so many years to conquer and subdue, but " All that lives must die."

" Of all the men Whom day's departing beam saw blooming there. In proud and vigorous health ; of all the hearts That beat with anxious life at sunset there, How few survive, how few are beating now !

Mr. Mathus settled on the land now owned by Elias Davis; William Clark on Edward Davis' present farm. Thomas Clark settled on Clear Creek, on the farm now owned by Henry Pratt. The land Mr. Ruby purchased is still owned by his heirs. The Hufi'man and Graves estates which they respectively purchased and improved, is also owned by their heirs. Isaiah Huffman, James Graves, George, Turminan, and James Alien Davis, are the prominent descendants of the first settlers now living in the precinct. Mr. James Davis was one of the first settlers of the County, coming in 1821, and settled on Indian Creek, where he lived till 1827, when he moved to Monroe Precinct.

To show the manner of building the earlier cabins of the country, it will be necessary to to^ivebutone instance. Mr. James Davis came in the winter of 1827, and built his log house near where he afterward built his present frame building; and after complotinar it and closing it up, he returned to hisfuiiiiiy and when they moved in March to their previously built cabin, they found three feet of snow on its floor. So open and poorly constructed were the first cabins, that the stars could be counted at night through the roof, and wolves shot through openings in the sides.

There was but little grain raised, however, to be carried to that distant market, as the new immigrants annually coming in consumed nearly all of the first crops that were raised.

The road to Beardstown was traced out by a committee appointed especially for that purpose by the settlers, three of the committee were .Joshua Crow, James Davis and Benjamin Mathus, the names of the others, like many events and facts of early settlements have passed into oblivion.

The road was cut through and completed to Beardstown in 1833 or thereabouts. This made a nearer or better market, and also a post-office, and a cheaper place of purchase, thereby not only benefiting the country in the immediate vicinity of Monroe Precinct, but many miles beyond. Previous to this, the settlers had but little mail or beard scarcely any news. About the only communication they had from friends and relations left behind, was by settlers coming in or some one returning, through whom friendly messages were communicated.

In those days it cost money to receive a a letter. Our modern postal system had not then been developed; the iron horse, with his heart of fire and flaming breath, did not sweep through the country with the swiftness of an eagle's flight. There were no stoves, no matches; people were compelled to seek their neighbor's house for fire should their own go out. Living now and fifty vears ago are decidedly two different things.

then in the precinct: Benjamin Mathus, James Davis, Alexander Huffman, George Rul)v, Thomas and William Clark, Richard Graves, Austin Sims, Benjamin Montgomery, Joshua Grow, and a Mr. Black.

During the deep snow there was much inconvenience and some considerable suffering. John "VV. Davis was visiting at the residence of Austin Sims when the storm began. Durinor the night his horse broke loose and attempted to return home, but was never seen after; his bones were found the following spring several miles away.

Deer were easily caught that winter, by riding upon them with a horse. Mr. James Davis, who had never killed a deer in his life, decided to try his luck one morning. Seeing one struggling in the snow but a short distance from his house, he took out his horse, easily overtook the timid animal, and in a moment of excitement found himself straddle of the deer, without knife or gun, or anything with which he could make himself master of the situation; but he finally griped the nose of his prey, and succeeded in so twisting its neck that he broke it and thereby secured his game.

Mrs. Low, on Little Indian Creek, killed two deer with a meat ax. Two bucks, in testing their physical strength, became an easy prey, by locking their horns so tightly together that they could not separate from one anpt(|^er, and Mrs. Low, taking in the situation, and with "the courage and bravery of an Indian, marched to the scene and successfully dispatched both animals.

The first settlers had their first milling done at Mr. Quiller Hall's horse-mill, on Little Indian Creek. They patronized that mill till Mr. Streetsput up his, some four miles north of the present site of Virginia. Ben. Montgomery run a horse mill on a small scale, on the farm now owned by Rosa Huffman, for several years. It had a grinding capacity of about twelve bushels per day, yet there was scarcely an hour of the day but what there was a team standing at his door, waiting for a grist. He also run a small copper still for a time, which perhaps added something to the patronage of his mill. It was no mark of disgrace at that day for a man to manufacture or drink whisky. Every farmer kept it; nearly every man drank it. It was tliought impossible to harvest a grain crop without it. But times, and men, and whisky have changed, the two first for the better, the latter for the worse.

Schools. - The cause of education received the early and timely attention of the pioneers of Monroe Precinct, and to-day the fruit of a hundred fold may be seen in the intelligence and culture of the descendants of those early and honest settlers. Though in the first settlement there were a great many influences that worked against the development of a general system of education, neighborhoods were thinly settled, money scarce, and people generally poor, no school-houses, no public fund, no trained and qualified teachers, no books, and nothing characteristic of the present schools was at the command of the pioneers, yet they organized schools, their children were taught, and grew to manhood and to years, wiser and more learned than the venerable sires that gave them existence and watched and rocked their cradles. When we look at the poverty and early condition of the settlers, the untiring industry of both sexes, old and young, we are surprised that they had schools at all. Private residences, vacated cabins, barns, or any place of shelter where fire could be protected from the falling rains or drifting snows, were used for school purposes. These rude temples of learning, in which the pioneer children of the county studied and shivered, were not to be despised, for they were the best that the wealth and circumstances of the country permitted.

The early settlers were not unmindful of the care, education and culture necessary to prepare their children for the trying struggles of life, that they might be a credit to their parents and a benefit to the country. They performed well their duty, and many a rich harvest has been the reward of their labors.

In the year 1829, Mr. James Davis offered a portion of his premises, just south of his residence, for a school-house, to be used also for church purposes, or anything of an educational or moral character.

The neighbors found Mr. Davis very liberal and enthusiastic in his proposition; he offered not only the site for the building, but also money and labor necessary for completing the house and conducting a school. A log house was at once erected by the united labors of the neighborhood, each contributing logs, labor, or money, according to their means, and ere a month had elapsed the building was complete and ready for the service for which it was built.

Mr. Jesse Pierce had the honor of being the first teacher of Monroe Precinct, and taught a good and satisfactory school. Among his scholars were the following : Isaiah and Svlvester Huffman, David, Thomas and Patience Clark, Julia Ann, John, Thomas and James A. Davis, Emily Spencer, George Savage, Mary, Logan and Samuel Wilson, Mary, James and Nelson Graves, and Jake Shoopman.

The second teacher that was given authority in this log temple of learning, was a Mr. Chapman. He was shortly after succeeded by .lohn Galesp, who perhaps was among the most successful teachers of the precinct. Ho taught several years, and it was during his time of service that the building caught fire and was consumed. The chimney became defective, being made of sticks and mud, which was verj' characteristic of the early style of chimneys, and caught fire and made

The settlers were not discouraged, but immediately put up a new building within two hundred yards of the first, also on Mr. Davis' land. This was also built of logs, with puncheon floor, slab seats without backs or support, but it had one decided advantage over the old building, that in that day was considered a very great improvement. Instead of greased paper for windows, it was supplied with regular sash and glass window-lights. Besides the regular building, a shed at one end was attached, in which school was kept during the summer months of the year. School was kept in this building some ten years or more, when a building was put up at Monroe, with but very little improvement on the old, except the logs were hewn a little smoother, and a little better fitted together, the seats or benches being about the same. School was successively taught here, from 1843 to 1854, when the present building was erected, and where school has successfully been taught ever since.

Mr. Alexander Hoffman, about the year 1842, taught a private school at his own house, which was considered a great benefit to the community. A school-house about this time* was built on the land of Richard Graves, but after the second term it took fire and was consumed.

Clear Greek Church. - One of the first things which our Pilgrim Fathers did, after crossing the storm-swept ocean, was to assemble upon the frozen, barren rocks of Plymouth, in the great temple, whose majestic dome was the over-arching skies, and offer prayers of thanksgiving for their safe voyage and successful landing. So it was with the first settlers of Cass County. Whenever a few families were sufficiently near to each other to be called a neighborhood, we find them often assembled, either in the open air.

or within the narrow confines of some pioneer cabin, blending their hymns with the moan of the autumn winds, and returning thanks amid the screams of the panther and the howling of wolves. In all the trials, privations, and sufferings that attended the first subduing of the forests, or the taming of the prairies, the settlers forgot not that God was the great source of blessing, and would not forsake them in their hour of need.

Clear Creek church was first begun at the residence of Mr. John Ray, about the year 1S32. He being a minister of the gospel, invited in a few families, and under his own roof first began the work of organizing a a church. The members that first added their names to the roll of membership were, himself and wife, Joshua Crow and wife, James Davis and wife, John Mathews, Benjamin Mathews and wife, William Shoopman and wife, and Nancy Hill.

Meetings were continued at the cabin of Rev. Mr. Ray, for two years or more, when he removed to Texas, and left the settlers without a minister, and a regular place of meeting.

Rev. Cyrus Wright came among the settlers about that time and offered his services to the community, which were gladly and thankfully received. Meetings were then held at the cabin of Mr. Shoopman, who resided on Clear Creek, and the church from that took its present name. After continuing the meetings for some time at the residence of Mr. Shoopman, the society decided to hold their meetings at the cabin of Mr. James Davis, where services were continued for fourteen years. Rev. Cyrus Wright being the officiating minister. During this time the following members were added to the society: D. Hardy and wife, Elijah Davis and wife, Julia Ann Davis, Millie Hoffman, Nancy Rnby Mr. Harding, Betsy, Bridgewater, Thomas Cowcn, Mrs. Morgan, Lucy Bridgewater,

Peter Hudson and wife, John Howell and wife, Joshua Howell and wife, James Blan and wife and two daughters, Mr. Richards and wife, Rachel Epler, Nancy Hill, Ira Crow and wife, Amanda Thornsberry, Thomas Buck and wife. Miles White and wife, and Mr. Ephraim White. At the present day but few of the above members are living.

The building committee was made up of the following persons: Alexander Hoffman, James Davis, and William Shoopman. The above committee were also elected the first trustees of the church, to which a deed of the

No regular services at present are held. William Dyre occasionally preaches to the few members that are left. The church at one time had a large membership, and was among the most prosperous of the county.

The society saw its brightest days of prosperity when the church was first built, and Rev. Mr. Wright was pastor. After his death, Rev. Mason Beadle took the charge as pastor, and at the close of his ministerial services, many of the members moved away, others died, and now there are but fifteen members remaining of that once prosperous body.