Christian County, Illinois - Chapter 14, 1880 (part 4 of 4)

Dr.. JO.-EPH II. CLARK. - (Deceased). Was born in Christian county, Kentucky, Aiiril G, 1819. James C, his father, was born in Virginia, and at an early age removed to South Carolina, and subsequently to Kentucky. The Clark family are au old one, and came from England prior to the Revolutionary war. Bolan Clark, the great-grandfather of Dr. Clark, held three commissions under king George. James (',, the father, married Hannah Henderson. She was a native of South Carolina, and her fother a native of Ireland. James C. Clark moved to Illinois in April, 1844, and settled in Taylorville townslnp, and remained here until his death in November, 1875. His wife, and mother of this subject, died in August, 1845. Dr. J. H. is the third of a family of twelve children. He commenced the study of medicine in 1838-9, under the direction of Dr. T. P. Poole, of Christian county, Kentucky. He attended the AVashington I»Iedical College of Ohio, since removed to Cincinnati, and now known as the Eclectic Medical Institute of Ohio. He from that institution with the degree of M. D. He commenced the practice in his native county in 1842, and in 1844 came to Tavlorvillo. He entered land in Johnson township with a view to following farming and abandoning medicine. He however kept medicine on hand and prescribed for his neighbors which ultimately increased into a regular practice. In 1856, he moved into Tayhu-- yille and opened an office in the court-house. He remained in the practice until his death, which occurred March 11, 1880. He married Lydia D. Hardy on the 10th day of November, 1840. She is a native of Christian county, Kentucky. Twelve children have been born to them, five of whom are living.

Lewis Hardy Clark, the third son, was born on the 29th of June, 1844. He attended the country schools and received a good education. He read medicine in his father's office and under his direction, and in January, 1807, he attended a course of lectures in the Eclectic Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio. He returned home and began the practice in connection with his lather. In October, 1867, he again entered the above-named institution, and graduated therefrom February 9, 1868, with the degree of M. D. In 1872, both he and his father became members of the State Eclectic Medical Society.

On the 29th of October, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Elenora Maxwell. She was born and raised in this county. Her parents were natives of Ohio. One child, a daughter, has been the fruit of this union. Her name is Waunita Clark. Dr. Lewis H. Clark is a respected and active member of the order of Knights of Pythias, an ancient order of united workmen. In the practice of his chosen profession, both he and his father have been very successful. His practice is large and lucrative, and constantly increasing. He is a very pleasing gentleman, with good address, and bears the character of an h<inorable man.

Dr. J. H.,the father, during his life was a democrat in politics, and was frequently honored by his party in being ])laced in office. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1848, and afterwards elected Associate Justice for the county. During his occupancy of the latter office, the present court-house was built, at a cost of $16,000. He was a warm-hearted, generous man, of a most kindly disposition and even temperament, and had many friends in the county.

WILLIAM T. ]\IARTIN. TilE subject of the following sketch is a native of Cherokee county, Alabama, and was born June 11th, 1844. His father, John Martin, was a native of Ireland. He removed with his family to Georgia, where both parents died while William T. was yet in his infancy. At the age of fifteen years he commenced the trade of printing, at Rome, Georgia, and afterwards worked in an office in Atlanta, and was a resident of that place when the rebellion broke out. He was among the first to enter the service. He enlisted in April, 1801, in Company A, 8th Georgia Infantry, under the command of Colonel Bartow. He was in the command that captured Rickett's Battery at the first battle of Bull Run. His regiment was attached to General Lee's arm}-, and he participated in all the hard-fought battles in which Lee's army was engaged. The regiment was a part of Longstreet's corps. After the battle of Gettysburg Longstreet's corps was .sent to Tennessee, and there he participated in the battle of Chickamauga and siege of Knoxville. He was afterwards exchanged from the infantry to the cavalry service, and while in that arm of the service the command acted as an escort to General Forrest. On the 7th of September, 1864, he was detailed as bearer of dispatches to General Price, and wa.s taken prisoner while crossing the Mississippi river. He was sent to Chicago, where he remained a prisoner of war until after the surrender of Lee and close of the war. He had also been captured at the battle of Antietam, but was soon after paroled, joined his command, and took part in the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was wounded twice; the first time in one of the battles before Richmond, and at Antietam. After his release in Chicago he went to Macon City, Macon county, Illinois, and remained there several months, then came to Taylorville, where he worked at the printing business. In 1866 he returned south, and stayed one summer, then came back to Taylorville. In 1867 he went south again, then back to Evansville, Indiana, then to St. Louis, and in 1870 came again to Taylorville, and in 1871 purchased the Democmt and continued its publication until January 1st, 1880. On the 3d of February, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Sima O., daughter of Hon. AV. S. Moore, of Taylorville. By this marriage there is one child, a boy named Robert H. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and takes an active part in the deliberations of that body. In politics he is a democrat, and adheres to the fortunes of that party. As a newspaper manager Jlr. Martin demonstrated his ability to run a newspaper successfully. He is a writer of more than ordinary ability, and a gcnllcman who bears a most excellent character in the community.

Avilliaai C. Haines

AVILLIAAI C. HAINES AVas born in Virginia September 21.st, 1832. Isaac Haines, his father, was a native of the same state, and was a preacher of the M. E. Church and circuit rider. In 1836 he came to Sangamon county, Illinois. Here he rode a circuit embracing a large portion of this county. He died in 1838. He married Lucy C. Furgerson. Two children were born to them who lived to maturity. After the death of Mr. Haines, his wife married Col. Thomas S. Young, by whom there was one girl, now the wife of AA'. I. AVoodruft'. Lucy Ann, the only sister of AV. C, is the wife of J. N. Clark, and is a resident of south-ea.st Mi-ssouri.

The subject of this sketch, in 1839, removed with his mother to this county, where she afterwards married as above stated. His voutli was spent upon the fiirm and in attending the schools of the county. In his twentieth year he, in company with five others, made the trip to Califo'rnia with ox-teams by the overland route.

The party left here on the 2Tth of March, 1852, aud arrived in the " Golden State" on the 21st of August of the same year. While in California he engaged in mining for the greater portion of his time, also in grain dealing, and for a while kept a hay-yard in Sacramento city. He returned via the Isthmus and New York, and arrived at home on the 7th of October, 1859.

On the 15th of December of the same year he married iliss Lucy Ellen, daughter of E. S. Young, who was one of tiie early settlers, aud the first County Clerk of Christian county. She died December 14th, 1865. Two children are the fruits of this marriage, one of whom is liviug. Her name is Dora E. On the 1st of January, 1807, he married Miss Maggie E. Hancock, a native of Henderson county, Kentucky. Six children have been born to them, four of whom are living, and are yet at home. Their names are Dora E., Belle, William C, Irene, Eugene. Two died ; their names were Maud E., who died in infancy, and Clarence W., who died in his fifth year.

Mr. Haines, after his return from California, engaged in farming, at which he continued until 1877, when he was appointed constable, and continued in that office and position until February, 1880. In J 878 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Clark, which office he held until Mr. Clark's death, when he was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill the vacancy, and is now Sheriff of the county of Christian. He has always been a democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan in 1856, aud since that time has been a stanch and consistent member of the party.

Mr. Haines, as will be seen, is one of the early settlers and pioneers of Christian county. He came here when this section of the state was young and undeveloped. He cheerfully bore his portion of the hardships and privations incident to the early settlement of Illinois, and has lived to see what was then a barren and uniiihabited wilderness grow to be one of the finest agricultural districts in central Illinois, and the landscape dotted over with the happy homes of hundreds of husbandmen. In his present official capacity he brings to the office a thorough knowledge of the duties thereto appertaining, and a large and extended acquaintance throughout the count}'. In the management of the office he is a prudent, careful and fearless officer, and the execution of the laws will be carefully attended to. He enjoys in a large degree the esteem and confidence of the citizens of Christian couutv.

Samuel H Mosslek

The subject of this sketch was bnrn in the province of Ponierania, on tlie coast of tlie Baltic Sea, iu the kingdom of Prussia. The date of his birth was November 26th, 1845. He is the third in a family of five children living, and received a liberal education in the schools of his native land. His elder brother, Louis, came to America iu 1859. and settled iu Fort Wayue. Samuel followed him in 1863, and also came to the same place, where he remained a short time, when he went to Indianapolis and stayed there two years. In 1860 he came to Illinois, and stopped in Hillsboro, Montgomery county, where he remained until 1870, when he came to Tavlorville, where he has resided up to the present. In all of these years, or since his early youth, he has been engaged in merchandizing: it has been the business of his life. When he came to Taylorville he purchased the interest of the elder Goldstein. The clothinghouse of Goldstein Bros, was established as early as 1866. The partnership of Goldstein & Mossier continued until February, 1877, when it was dissolved, and Mr. JMos.slcr has continued the business alone up to the present. The clothing-house of Mr. Mosslej: is the oldest in Taylorville, and since its first establishment bears the reputation of having the largest stock of the best selected goods, and selling upou margins that has secured to it a large patronage, which is constantly increasing as the merits of the house become known.

As a business man, Mr. Mossier early recognized the fact that to establish a trade and enjoy the entire confidence of the community, it was necessary to cater to the wants of the people and supply them with goods at such prices and terms as were at once reasonable and honorable. This is the secret of his success.

Mr. Mo.ssler is a member of the honorable order of Freemasonry, and also a member of the I. O. O. F. and encampment. At present he is District Instructor in Odd Fellowship. In politics he gives his support to the democratic party.

John G. Drennan

Tins young and brilliant attorney was born in Caldwell county, Kentucky, December 3d, 1854. His father, John L. Drennan, was of Irish, and his mother, Henrietta ( Wimberly), of French and German descent. Their earlier ancestors came from the old country to the Carolinas, thence to Virginia and Kentucky. The most of them were by occupation farmers. The family removed from Kentucky to Illinois in the fall of 1856, and settled at Mt. Auburn, in Christian count}', near where they now reside on the old hometarm, where the subject of our sketch spent his earlier years.

John is the third child aud son of a family of fourteen children, all of whom are still living. His education was obtained in the common schools, where, by his diligence and industry, he qualified himself for teaching at the age of seveuteen, which occupation he followed during the wiuter months, and continued to work for his father on the farm during the summer until of age.

On the 15th of March, 1870, he entered the law office of Hon. John B. Jones, of Taylorville, and began the study of law, which he pursued with energv and zeal, and was licensed to practice by the Supreme Court of the state, December 3d, 1878. In a most thorough written examination, our subject acquitted himself with unusual credit, receiving the highest grade in a class of seventeen applicants. On the first day of January, 1879, he was appointed jNIaster in Chancery of Christian county by Hon. H. M. Vandeveer, one of the Judges of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which position he still fills with credit. About the same time he formed a law partnership with his preceptiTr, Mr. Jones, which has, to all appearances, jiroved both agreeable and profitable to both parties. Mr. Drennan is yet young in his profession, though his success so far has been quite flattering. He has a preference for criminal law, in which, at this early period, he has manifested considerable tact aud skill. He is studious in his habits and prompt in business matters.

He is a man of pleasing address, frank and open, though firm in his convictions of right. Quick, logical and resolute, posse-ssing excellent qualities for combining forces. With these united, together with good executive ability, we predict for him an honorable and successful career.

A. L. CLARK (,Dece.\sed), Was born in Christian county, Kentucky, May 22, 1827. He came to Illinois about the year 1843. When ho first came to the county, he worked for Dr. J. H. Clark. He afterward was deputy sheriff and con.stable. On the 19th of October, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Young, dausrhter of Col Thos. S. Young, an old .set- tier auJ prnniiiieiit citizoii of Cliristuui county, \^y this union, there were eight chiKlren, five of whom ;ire living. .Vftcr Mr. Clark's marriage he eontinneJ deputy shcritl' for two years, after which he went to farming^ One year later he moved to Tc.\as, and remained there for two and a half year,?. The elinuite in that state not proving healthful to him, he returned to Christian county, and purchased a farm on Bear creek, and re-engaged in cultivating the soil. During hi.s residence in the township, he was a prominent mail, and took an active part in local affiiirs, and was elected assessor and collector for five or six terms. In 1878 he received the nomination for the office of sheriff, and was elected in the following November. He then moved to Taylorville, and entered upon his term of olliee. In his physical make-up, Mr. Clark was not a stout, rugged man, and from this cause was unable to do much work upon a farm, but he was possessed of an indomitable will and ambition, and this sustained and kept him up. In December, 1879, he contracted typhoid pneumonia during the sitting of the circuit court. lie was slowly recovering from the attack, when a complication of diseases set in, and after a lingering and painful illness of about two months, he died February 1st, 1880. Even at his death he was in full possession of all his mental facultie.s, and gave unmistakable evidence of his firm belief in a future life, and the immortality of the soul. He was a man who enjoyed the entire confidence and esteem of the people in the community where he lived. He was a respected member of the order of Odd Fellows, and was followed to his grave by the mendicrs, who paid the hist tribute to his memory and worth as a man.

Tin-; subji'ct of this biograjihical sketch was born in Macoupin countv, Illinois, January Hth, 1844. His parents were natives of Virginia, and emigrated to Illinois about the year 1830, settling in Greenfield, Greene county. 111. They subsequently removed to Scott ville, in Macoupin county, and in 1851), to Girard, Macoupin roinitv. His mother died in April, 1864, at the age of sixty-four years ; his father died in April, 1868, at the age of seventy-two years.

Captain MoKnight is the youngest of a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living. He received a common school education in the schools of his native count >-. At the age of seventeen years, he enttred a dry-goods store inCirard as clerk, and filled that position until August, 1862, when he enli>ted as a private in Company H., One Hundred ail's Twenty-second Illinois lufantrv Regiment, Colonel John I. Rinaker commanding. The Regiment organized at Camp Palmer, Carlinvillc, and jirivatc McKnight was elected First Sergeant of his Company. The Regiment was soon after ordered to the front, and remained in active service until the close of the war. He participated in every engagement of the Regiment during its three years' active service. On the 31st of December, 1862, he was promoted, and commissioned Second Lieutenant of his Company, vice Lieutenant Bristow, killed in battle at Parker's Cross lloads, iu Tennessee. He served a short time as aid-di'-caiiip on the Stafl' of Colonel Mercer, of the Ninth Illinois Inlantry, coiiiiiiandiiig a brigade in (Jeneral Dodge's Division, 16th .\riiiy Cia-ps, but was relieved at his own request, and rejoined his regiment at Paducah, Kentucky, in the spring of 1864. Soon after his arrival at Paducah, he was apiiointed Assistant Inspector General on the Statt' of Colonel S. G. Hicks, commanding the Post, which position he tilled until after the assault on Fort Anderson at Paducah, JMarcli 24th, by the Confederate forces, under the command of (Jeneral Forrest. At this battle, after the first rejiulse of the Confederates, he was sent out by Colonel Hicks with a flag of truce to meet a Confederate Staff officer coming in with a flag of truce, bearing a demand from General Forrest for the unconditional surrender of the Fort and Federal forces, which demand was promptly refused by the gallant old Colonel, S. G. Hicks, after which the Confederates made two more fierce and determined, but unsucce.ssfiil assaults on the Fort, suffering a loss of about one thousand killed and wounded. Colonel Hicks, in his official report of this engagement, makes special mention of the efficient and gallant services of Lieutenant McKnight.

Ho was soon after appointed Provost Marshal of the city of Paducah, which position he filled until June, 1864, when his regiment was ordered to Memphis, Tennessee, to join the forces under General A. J. Smith. He served with his company until December, when at Nashville, Tennessee, he was appointed Aid-decamp on the Staflf of Brevet Major General Kenncr Garrard, commanding the Second Division of the 16th Army Corps, and in that capacity participated in the battles of Nashville, on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864, when the Federal forces, under General George H. Thomas, defeated and annihilated Hood's army. He remained on the stafl' of General Garrard until the close of the war, and was breveted captain by the President for " gallant and meritorious conduct during the campaign against the City of Mobile and its defences."

After he was mustered out of the service in August, 186-5, he iv turned to Girard, Macoupin county, and engaged in the dry-good.s business. On the 15th day of May, 186G, he was united in marriage with Miss Virginia A., eldest daughter of B. Boggcss, Esq., an old and- prominent citizen of Girard, Ills. Three children have hallowed and blessed this union, two of whom are living, Emma Pearl and Robert Wade, aged respectively ten and six years. In 1870 he removed to Taylorville, where he has continued in the drygoods and carpet trade up to the present time.

On the formation of the Illinois National Guards, under the militia laws of the state, he assisted in organizing a niilitaiT company in Taylorville, known as the Taylorville Guards, company B, 5th regiment, and was elected first lieuten;int, and in August, 1877, was elected and commissioned captain, vice Vandeveer promoted, and in July, 1879, resigned to accept a commission as captain and inspector of rifle practice, which position he now holds.

He is a republican in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant iu 1868, and since that time has adhered to the fortunes and principles of that political organization. Since his residence here he has been twice elected President of the Board of Trustees of Taylorville.

Captain McKnight, in his intercourse with men, is a kind, genial, sociable gentleman, and an enterprising, honorable business man, and as such, is esteemed by the entire comnuinilj'.

Dr. A. L. Perry

The Perry family, on the paternal side, are of Scotch ancestry. They came to America about the year 1798, and settled in North Carolina, subsequently removed to Kentucky, and at a later date, to Tennessee. John Perry, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of North Carolina. He married Anna Thompson. By this union there were ten children, seven of whom are living. Dr. A. L. is the youngest of the family. He was born October 22, 1853. He received a good education iu the schools of his native state. When nineteen years of age he entered the Grove Academy and received an academic education. He then commenced the study of medicine, under Dr. Woodard, of Springfield, Robertson county, Tennessee. After making suitable progress, he entered the medical department of the Vauderbilt University, at Nashville. He remained there through the term, and then returned to Dr. Woodard's office, where he continued pursuing his studies until September, 1876, when he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, at New Yoik, and graduated therefrom April 1st, 1878, with the degree of M. D. He stayed there until June of the same vear, and took private instruction in the wards of Bellevue Hospital under the tuition of Prof E. G. Janeway, a noted and prominent physician of New York City. During the time he was attending the medical college he was also receiving private instruction from competent teachers.

In September, 1878, he came to Taylorville and commenced the practice of his profession, where he remains to the present. Dr. Perry is as yet upon the threshold of his professional life, but the prospects are bright for his attaining prominence in his chosen profession. He early recognized that he who would attain eminence in the medical science, must be prepared to give his best thoughts, individual time, and whole energyto the work. Although he has had a thorough training in the best medical schools in the country, he realizes that he has entered upon a life-long study, and is therefore a student yet. We predict for him more than passing success. Personally and socially, Dr. Perry possesses rare qualities, an<l by his upright and manly life, while a resident of Taylorville, has won an honorable name and endeared himself to a lari^e circle of friends.

Orein S. Nash

The Nash family are natives of Massachusetts, and are of English descent. Robert S. Nash, the father of the subject of this sketch, early engaged in the cultivation of the soil - a business in which he has continued for the greater portion of his life. In 1856 he came west and stopped for three years in Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin. In 1859, he removed his family and settled in Buckhart township, Christian county, Illinois. He farmed in that township until a few years

He married Joanah Packard. By this union there were five children - three boys and two girls. Both girls are dead ; one died in infancy and the other was grown to womanhood, and at the time of her death was the wife of J. C. Nerberger. The names of those living are Orrin S., Robert and Edwin C. Nash.

Orrin S. is the eldest of the family. He was born in Franklin, Massachusetts, April 3d, 1843. He received an excellent education in the schools of his native state and in Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin. After the arrival of the family in Illinois, his school days practically ended. At the age of twenty-two, he commenced farming in Taylorville township. Two yiars later he took anotiier farm in section 5 (if the same township, where he has continued to the present time.

On the 23d of Novendx'r, 1868, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Rachel S. INIiner. Her maiden name was Shepardson. She was a native of Massachusetts, but was a resident of Brattleliom, Vermont, at the time of her marriage. She died June 6th, 1877, while on a visit east, where she had gone to be present at tiie "Golden Wedding" of her parents. There were two children liorn to Mr. and Jlrs. Nash, viz: Edwin H. and May Lillian. The latter died in infancy.

In 1874, Mr. Nash was appointed agent for the Springfield and South-Eastern railroad, now the Ohio and Mississippi railway, at Sharpsburg, which position he still retains. At the same date, he commenced trading and stock shipping and grain buying, and from that time to the present he has been the business life of his village. He handles large quantities of grain and ships many car loads of live stock during the course of the year.

In politics, he is a republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864. Mr. Nash belongs to the wideawake, enterprising business men. He is active and energetic, quick to decide, and unchangeable in his decisions when once matured. In all his business transactions and relations, he is regarded and known as an entirely trustworthy, honest and honorable man.

HIS township was originally called " Stone Coal Precinct," and was a part of Shelby county until the organization of Christian, in 1839, when it was included '^01 within the bounds of the new county. The precinct was formed June 5, 184.5, by the county commissioners' court, and was bounded as follows : " Beginning at the S. E. corner of the county, thence west nine miles to the middle of range one west ; then north six miles ; thence east nine miles to the place of beginning." It included 54 sections, and took in "Bell's Grove." It derived its name from a small stream coursing through it, called Coal creek. Along its banks, stone coal is found outcropping in limited quantities.

It lies in latitude thirty-nine and a half degrees north, and in altitude two hundred feet above the waters of the Illinois river. The dividing ridge, which causes the water to flow either to the Illinois or Kaskaskia rivers, lies between Pana and Taylorville.

The waters of this section of the county gravitate towards and empty into the Kaskaskia, a tributary of the Mississippi river. Lake Fork, Coal creek, and two or three small streams take their rise in this township and flow to the Kaskaskia river.

The soil is a rich, black loam, and highly productive. There are 30,720 acres of land in the township, as organized, and almost every acre susceptible of cultivation. It is estimated at the present time that from 700,000 to 800,000 bushels of grain, including corn, oat-s and wheat, arc annually produced.

There are three railroads passing through the township, all of which intersect at Pana. The Illinois Central R. R. runs in a northern direction ; the Springfield division of O. & M. R. R. enters it in the north-west corner and crosses in a south-east direction ; and the I. & St. L. R R. passes through the center from east to west.

With eighteen or twenty miles of railroad, all connected with important lines, and a soil rich and productive, Pana township has the elements for sustaining a large p(i[iulation.

The first .-iettlers of " Stiuie Coal Precinct" were as follows: Jared Malin, Abram Milligan and Thomas Bell, who came in 1839 ; Henry H. Bond, Andrew Hanson, Levi Hopson and Alfred Hopson in 1840; Benjamin Girdon and John Abbott, in 1841 ; Joseph Edwards, James Edwards and William Pryce, in 184(J. Ignatius Butler and John Hanson also came at an early date

The first election was held at the house of Andrew Hanson, Aug. 2, 1845. Andrew Hanson, Thomas BjII, and Abram Milligan, were chosen first judges of the election. There were five voters in " Bell's Grove," residents of T. 1 west, who were attached to this precinct, making in all nineteen votes cast at the first election. Before the organization of the precinct, in 1845, the inhabitants voted at Taylorvillc.

The first marriages were Wm. Pryce to Mary Jane Edwards, Feb. 15, 1844; and Wm. Buzan to Jane Gordon, Sept. 1st, 1845, by Rev. Miles II. Abbott.

A notable event of that early day was the locating of a county road, from Taylorville to "Stone Coal Precinct." By this nioveuient fraternal relations were established between this section and the county seat. Joseph Edwards, Andrew Hanson, and Wm. Hammer were appointed Commissioners at the September term of the county court in 1846. They viewed and located the road in November of the .same year. It was surveyed by county surveyor William A. Goodrich, and Wm. Pryce and Henry II. Bond acted as chairmen. The survey began near the south-east corner of the county, and was run in a direct line to Taylorville, only making the head of Locust creek timber a point in the route. After its establishment, a furrow was run to mark more definitely the survey and to guide the traveler over the wide uninhabited prairie.

" Stone Coal " post-office was established in 1854, and Milan S. Beckwith was appointed the first post-master. It was first located close to the Central railroad, below I'ana, in Beckwith's store Bhanty, in which was kept a small stock of store goods, which was subsequently moved to I'ana.

In 1848, Henry H. Bond, Jacob Hanson and Ignatius Butler were elected its first school trustees. At the first enumeration (jf children under the school law, there were only eighteen ; but with the advent of railroads in 1854, the population rapidly increased, and a further census of the children in 1856 exhibits the formation of three school districts, vi/. : Xo. 1 had eighteen; No. 2, 118, and No. 3, 116, making a total of 25(1. The number of districts have since increased to more than douljle, and all have neat, comfortable, and well furnished schoul-hnuscs.

At one period in the history of this township, an effort was made to secede from Christian, and re-attach itself to Shelby county. This movement, however, was made before the days of railroads, or the existence of Pana; at a time when miles of unsettled territory intervened between it and the county-seat; and when indifference seemed to characterize the movement as to whether they went or stayed, as was manifested by the vote. But the inhabitants moved with a determined will in order to effect their purposes. A majority of the legal voters petitioned the legislature to pass an enal)ling act to aid in the transfer of township eleven, one east, from , Christian to Shelb}' count}'. The act was pa-sscd February 15, 1851, directing an election to bo held in the two counties on the first M(inday of July, of tlie same year, to vote for or against the measure.

The city of Pana is situated near the center of T. 11 N. R. 1 E., on sections 15, 16, 21 and 22. It is the junction of the Indianapolis A St. Louis, Illinois Central, and Springfield division of the Ohio and Mississippi railroads.

The history of this city dates back to the building of the Illinois Central railroad through this t(nvnship in 1853-54. It was surveyed by C. A. Manners, for David A. Neal, at that time president of the I. C. R. R. company. The plat was recorded January 16, 1855. Additional plats were made the following year by P. C. Huggins, then in the interest of the Alton & Terre Plaute road, and also by John S. Ilayward, the owner of large landed interests in the township.

The trains first began running on the I. C. R. R., iMarch 24th, 1855, and it was not long after that the A. it T. H. R. R. was completed and in operation as fiir as Pana.

During the construction of the Illinois Central railroad there was a cabin erected. There seems to be a dittcrence of opinion as to who moved the next building here, whether it was M. S. Beckwith or D. Kincaid. Each of them had shanties moved to this point, and were the first merchants. However, we are inclined to think that M. S. Beckwith was first to move his shanty here, which was in 1874, from Beck's creek or "Stone Coal" post-office. Mr. Beckwith kept in it a small stock of general store goods, and was also post-master. Kincaid and French had a small house, on wheels, which stood at the foot of the knoll in front of the freight house, in which they sold groceries, whisky, etc. They subsequently erected a store-house north of the Walsh-Beckwith building, and opened a more complete stock of goods. E. P. Sanders built and opened a store, south of the old Beckwith house corner; Michael Walsh, A. G. Neel and Huggins and Edwards also built and opened stores in their respective order. M. S. Beckwith bought out Walsh, and in June, 1850, Major Little bought out Beckwith ;

John Forehope was the first blacksmith, and most probably built the first dwelling-house. It was small, and constructed in shanty style, boarded up, and was burned in the spring of 1858. This was the first fire in Pana.

"Widow Patton erected the second dwelling-house, and the third was a hotel built by W. H. Glassgo-w, on the north side of the railroad, known afterwards as the " Ritter House."

In 1856, A. G. Ncel bought lumber in Decatur, and erected a store-house, between the Beckwith house and Major Little's store, and opened a stock of goods iu it April 3, of the same year.

In 1856-57, the town began to increase rapidly in population and wealth, quite a number of dwellings and stores having been erected ; and the place began to assume a business-like appearance, On the loth of June, 1857, a terrible and destructive tornado swept over the southern part of the county, and in its course destroyed nearly one half of Pana, and did serious damage to the crops throughout the township.

There was a fruit canning establishment erected here in 1872, known as " The Pana Branch of the Alden Fruit Preserving Company." It was a stock company with S25.000 capital. The building was consumed by fire in July, 1876, and the machinery after? wards sold to parties at Springfield for S350.

There are at present two magnkicent and commodious three story brick school buildings, surmounted with cupolas, which are monuments of beauty, and have accommodations fur one thousand scholars. The east side house cost S30,000, and the west side 822,000,

The early settlers manifested a decided interest in religious instruction ; consequently churches were organized and houses for religious worship were erected as the number of inhabitants required them.

The city of Pana has been under three diflTerent corporations, viz: first under the general law as a village, chartered in the winter of 1856-57; uuder a special charter in 1867, and again under the general city and village law iu May, 1877.

The first election was held on the 10th day of March, 1857, for town officers, and resulted in the election of A. Monroe, President ; James ^Martin, W. H. Giassgow, L. F. Shepherd and W. B. Little, as Trustees.

The first officers under special charter, elected March 8, 1867, were: Wm. J. Jordan, Mayor; Wm. T. Dobbs, City Judge ; Amos A. Rhodes, City Clerl,. ; J. W. Kitchell, City Attorney ; F. M. ^Nlalone, City Jlarshal. Aldermen in first ward - E A. Humphrey, W. W. Watkin ; second ward - W. A. Newcomb, John De Lane.

The city hall was ereoteil in 1870. It is a neat and substantial brick building, three stories high. There is a court-room, and offices for the city officers, and the business of the city is transacted here.

Little more than twenty-sis years have passed since the deer and prairie wolf held sway, and now there is a busy population of about four thousand, possessing the aspect of a thriving and prosperous community. Its long blocks of stores ; neat and substantial churches ; mills and manufacturing establishments ; its mammoth St. James', and other hotels, together with many beautiful private residences, and public schools - all are truly wonderful and appear more the work of magic than reality, and furnish striking proof of the marvellous growth of this portion of the county.

The po t-masters since the establishment of the post-office at Pana have been, ]\I. S. Beckwith, A. G. Neel, O. M. Baldwin, J. W. White, M. Bird, A. C. Vaudewater and E C Reese.

Pu/ja Lodge, No. 226, A. F. & A, M., was organized in 1856, and chartered October 7, 1856. The charter members numbered seven. The first ofincers were - J. Guilford, W. M. ; T. Short, S. W. ; H. Hobson, J. W. The present officers are - S. V. Coulter, W. JI. ; Chas, Wall, S. W. ; Chas. Simmons, J W. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition This is all the information the secretary could give us.

The Adar Lodr/e, No. 334, I. O. O. F., was chartered October i), 1866 The number of charter members were sis. The first officers were - N. B. Jacoby, P. G. Deputy; J. W. Stark, N. G. ; W. T. Dobbs, V. G. ; J. F. Harner, Secretary ; J C. Helmick, Treasurer. The present officers are - Wm. Wansbrough, P. G. Deputy; C. AVall, N. G. ; S. T. Bradley, V. G. ; Wm. Wan.<brough, Rec'd Secretary ; J. L. Robb, Per. Secretary ; L. Adams, Treasurer. The lodge is in a flourishing condition.

A bank was established by W. E Hay ward, July 1, 1867. He discontinued banking in November, 1878, and has .since been engaged in the Real Estate and Broker business.

Mills Axd Elevators

The Central Mills and Elevator, owned and operated by Overholt Bros., has a run of three burrs, with a capacity of .60 bbs. per da)' (12 hours). The elevator in connection is constructed for handling all kinds of grain, with a capacity of 25,000 bushels of corn, and 40,000 bushels of wheat. The mill is a three and one-half story frame building, and was erected by Eli Jacobs in 1863. The elevator was erected by Overholt Bros, in 1808.

Tana City Mills

Was erected by Messrs. Miller, George & Minnis, in 1876. It is a brick building, three and one half stories high. There is a run oi' four burrs, with a capacity of 60 bbs. per day (12 hour.s), and is operated by A. Miller & Co.

The elevator erected by Joel Beckwith, in 1870, is now owned and operated by S. JI. Haywood. It is constructed for handling all kinds of grain, and has a capacity of 10,000 bushels.

In 1874, Jacob Kremer, built an elevator for handling all kinds of grain, with a capacity of 20,000 bushels. It is now owned and operated by Tilton Hemsley & Co.

The Door, Sash Factory And Planing Mill

These shops were erected by the Springfield, Illinois and Soutli- Eastern Railroad Compan}', in 1873. The O. & M. Company took possession in 1876. They do all kinds of general repairing and rebuilding. There are about one hundred and fifty men employed, under the supervision of E. K. Sechler, dicision master mechanic, and S. V. Coulter, division master car builder.

The name was sidi.sequently cliangod to St. James' Hotel, and is now kept liy Col. J. A. Hay ward, the present owner of the property. The house is built of iirick, three stories high, with marble floors, and has eighty rooms, with accommodations for more than 160 guests. It has ladies and gentlemen's separate bath-rooms, parlors, reading and smoking-rooms, saloon and billiard-hall, and all the modern improvements, and a most complete kitchen. The house is nicely furnished, and lighted throughout with gas. An elegant view of this hotel may bo seen on another page.

Few places the size of Fana can boast of so fine a little theatre as the one above-mentioned. It has a seating capacity of 813. The stage is 24x30 feet, furnished with a full set of scenery by Noxon, of the Olympic Theatre, St. Louis. The house is lighted with gas, and heated by two wood furnaces. See interior view on another page.

The leading Physicians in Paua are : - Geo. W. Patton, Jacob Huber, J. H. Dodge, H. H. Deming, Salem Dickey, A. E. Eversole, L D. Higgins, H. H. Hall. T. H. McCoy, dentist.