Coles County, Illinois - The whole text, 1879 (part 7 of 21)

The Decatur, Mattoon & Southern Railroad was begun in 1871, and completed to Hervey City, seven miles from Decatur, by 1873. Here, this Company was allowed a joint use of the Illinois Midland Company's ti-ack to Decatur, which the courts afterward decided they were entitled to, and which they yet use.

January 16, 1874, the road passed into a Receiver's hands, and the name changed to the present one, it being formerly known as the Decatur, Sullivan & Mattoon Railroad. Since that date, the Receiver has been managing it. It is run in connection with the Indianapolis & St. Louis Road, and is under the care of Mr. E. B. McClure as Manager. Mr. W. H. Lewis is the General Agent. Both these gentlemen reside at Mattoon, and are connected with the Indianapolis & St. Louis Road.

The remaining road, the Illinois Midland Railway, runs through but a small part of Coles County. It crosses the township of Oakland from east to west, passing through the village. The road runs from Terre Ha.ute to Peoria, and is in three divisions, which originally were separate roads ; Avhen consolidated, the present name was adopted. The part running through Coles County was built from Decatur to Paris, under the name of the Paris & Decatur Railroad. It was completed in 1871, and, for a time, used the track of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Road from Paris to Terre Haute. When the Paris & Terre Haute Road was completed, in 1875, it formed a junction with that road, and, soon after, consolidated with it. Only about six miles of this railroad passes through Coles County, and that in the extreme northeast part, in Oakland Township, in whose history it is more fully noticed.

While on the history of railroads, it might not be amiss to say something about telegraphs. They were, in their infancy, regarded as somewhat supernatural, as all things are apt to be when we cannot understand them ; and, when a line was brought through Coles County in advance of the railway, it is related that it was not uncommon for some of the worthy citizens to hourly gaze upon it to see the news flash along. Their desires were, however, not gratified. They couldn't see the news ; but they thought they could hear it, especially when they stood near a post and heard the ring caused by the vibration of the wires, with the air passing over them. The supposition lasted very satisfactorily until they found out better, and was as harmless as deceptive.

The first operator in town was Fred Tubbs, and was succeeded by W. W. Craddock. They were here in 1850, at the time the railways of the State began their second era of construction, and have since been prominently known in the county. Other lines were added to the one running east and west across tiie county, as the railways were bujlt and the utility of such inventions became apparent. Now, they run in all directions, and one can talk with another, even though a continent be between them. Should the telephone supersede the telegraph, as it bids fair to do, those of the future will see a result almost beyond our conception. political and Wak record.

In the days of Whigs and Democrats, Coles was a Whig county by several hundred majority, in contests where party lines were closely drawn. Upon the organization of the Republican party, a change came over the color of its politics, and for a number of years it was Democratic; but, eventually, the Republicans gained the ascendency, and for several years carried the day in all important elections. At the present time, the political question is toned down to a point, that both of the great parties claim to be the dark horse. At the last Presidential election, the county Avas carried by the Hayes Electors by a small majority. In the local elections of the last few years, the spoils have been pretty equally divided between Democrats and Republicans. The present county oificers and their political faith are thus represented : Hon. J. R. Cun- . ningham, County Judge, Democrat ; J. F. Goar, County Treasurer, Republican ; William R. Highland, County Clerk, Democrat ; W. E. Robinson, Circuit Clerk, Republican. The latter was elected by a small majority, and his election contested by Mr. Clarke, his Democratic competitor for the office. The case was tried in the County Court, and occupied the spare moments of Judge Adams, of that august tribunal, from December until the June following, when it was decided in Robinson's favor. Clarke, still unsatisfied, appealed to the Supreme Court, which body confirmed the decision of the County Court, and thus Mr. Robinson's title to the office was settled. The other county offi- cers - J. E. Brooks, Sheriff; T. J. Lee, Superintendent of Schools ; and John L. Aubert, County Surveyor - are Democrats. Such is the political record of the county. It is probable, however, that, in a State or national contest, with a full vote on both sides, the Republicans would carry the day.

Coles County's war history is written in characters of blood upon a hundred battle-fields. Citizens of Coles have figured in every war, from the Revolution down to the great rebellion that shook the republic to its very foundation. In many of the Indian wars of the times, they have borne an honorable part. Upon the records of the County Commissioner's Court of 1835, we find the certificates of Elisha Hadden, John Parker, Joseph Painter, John Hart and Griffin Tipsoward, made under oath to the Commissioners' Court for the purpose of obtaining a pension under an act of the United States Congress passed in 1832. These parties made oath to their services in the armies of the United States during the Revolutionary war and the Avars with the Indians of those times. Hadden stated on his oath that he was in the battle of King's Mountain, in North Carolina, "against the British and Tories;" and that, in a battle soon after with the Cherokee Indians, he was wounded, and for three months lay in the fort helpless, and was then carried home to North Carolina on a litter. Painter testified that he was in the Revolutionary battle of Eutaw Springs, and several skirmishes in North Carolina. Hart, that he entered the service of the United States in 1776, and served under Gen. Clarke, and was in several battles with the Indians. Griffin Tipsoward, that he entered the service in Virginia, in 1775, and at the close of the war was discharged by Gen. Washington,

In the war of 1812, many of the pioneers of this county had participated, as elsewhere noticed, and some are still living who took part in that struggle with Johnny Bull. In the Black Hawk war of 1832, an entire company from Coles County (then in her infancy) responded to the call of the Governor for troops. Many of them are still surviving. The officers of this company were : James P. Jones, Captain ; Thomas Sconce, Isaac Lewis and James Law, Lieutenants. In the Mexican war, notwithstanding it was considered a Demo- . cratic issue and Coles was a Whig county, a full company was raised and participated in many of the battles, among which were those of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. The officers of the company were : W. W. Bishop, Captain ; J. J. Adams, First Lieutenant ; H. C. Dunbar, Second Lieutenant, and Charles Jones, Orderly Sergeant. Bishop and Adams are dead, Dunbar lives in Texas, and several of the rank and file are still living in the county.

In the war of the rebellion. Coles County furnished quite a little army. The Seventh and Eighth Regiments of three-months men, each drew a company from the county ; the Seventh a company from Mattoon, and the Eighth a company from Charleston. The Twenty-first (Grant's old regiment) contained many men from Coles, as well as the Twenty-fifth, Thirty-eighth, Fiftyfourth, Sixty-second and One Hundred and Twenty-third Volunteers and the

Fifth Cavalry. The One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment contained seven companies that were called Coles County companies. In a history like this, however, it is impossible to give a complete and correct record of a county's participation in the late war. Space will not permit. Besides, from the records that have been kept, it is not an easy matter to obtain the names of all who deserve mention. Therefore, we shall make no attempt to particularize any one, but will add that the record of Coles County soldiers is above reproach. Their deeds are engraved upon the hearts of their countrymen, and their reward is found in the happy reflection that the old flag still floats over all the States. And for those who laid down their lives to maintain the Union, and whose lone graves are fanned by Southern winds, we know of no better meed to their bravery, no sweeter tribute to their memory, than the beautiful lines from the pen of Col. Theodore O'Hara, of Kentucky, and dedicated to the heroes of that State who fell in the Mexican war, when their bones were collected and interred in the State Cemetery at Frankfort :

These beautiful lines, written for the Kentucky dead of the Mexican war, have been adopted by Massachusetts and inscribed upon a splendid monument erected to her dead heroes of the late war. They are a touching tribute to the soldier who lays down his life for his country and sleeps the eternal sleep, never more to heed the call to arms until the last reveille shall sound from the battlements of heaven. Peace to their ashes.

Miscellaneous History

There are few individuals, and perhaps few countries, but have some dark pages in their histories. To err is human nature, and to say that the people of Coles County, or certain classes of them, have sometimes erred is but to proclaim them human - not divine. The murder of Nathan Ellington by Adolph Monroe, in October, 1855, was a horrible affair, and, considering all the circumstances, pe(?uliarly distressing. Ellington is said to have been a man of most excellent character, and highly respected by all who knew him. Monroe was his son-in-law. He was a young man of commanding appearance, fine address, and had once stood high in the community, but had fallen a prey to intoxicating drink. A family feud was engendered, and one day, in an altercation with his father-in-law, he drew « revolver and shot him dead. For this crime he was tried by a jury of his peers, found guilty of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to be hanged. The day of execution came, and though in midwinter (the 14th of February, 1856;, and the ground white with snow, a great multitude gathered at the county's capital to witness the fulfillment of the law. The heavens were dark, as if draped in the " gloom of earthquake and eclipse," and the elements seemed poisoned with the spirit of vengeance, as manifested by the immense crowd which had assembled, not only from this, but from adjoining counties. In the mean time, a respite of thirty days was granted by the Governor to the doomed man. This produced a terrible commotion in the multitude, now changed into a howling mob, and threw it into the most insane excitement. It swayed back and forth from the Court House to the prisoner's cell, and resolved and re-resolved. The death of the fated man, in violation of law, was determined upon. His prison was assaulted by the mob, the officers of the law intimidated and overcome, and Monroe taken out of jail by ruthless hands. He was dragged to the valley west of town by the infuriated people, where a gallows was speedily erected, the doomed wretch lifted into a wagon, the rope adjusted, his limbs pinioned, the wagon moved from under him, and, without shrift, hurled into eternity. Monroe said to one man at the gallows : " I die, and if I go to hell, you will go to the same place, for you it was that sold me the whisky that has brought me to this terrible fate." What a haunting memory to cling to one through life ! It is scarce necessary to add that all the best people were universal in their condemnation of the dissrraceful affair.

Another dark page in the history of Coles 'County was the riot which took place in Charleston during the stormy scenes occasioned by the late war, and the diversity of opinion with which the people regarded it. It is a fact much to be regretted that, with a record for patriotism second to no county in the State (as reckoned by the number of soldiers furnished), that such an event should have occurred to tarnish that glorious record. Doubtless both parties, the citizens and soldiers, were more or less to blame for the collision which took place between them, and in like manner responsible for the melancholy result. Of all the wars that have scourged the earth, a civil war is the most deplorable. In England's war of the roses, we have an illustration of the direful results of such a strife, and in our own internecine war we equaled, if we did not excel, the rival houses of York and Lancaster. It may be that the high-wrought excitement of the times presented an eligible excuse for the scene enacted in Charleston on the 29th of March, 1864, between the same people (brothers as it were) who saw the cause and object of the war through different 'glasses. The death of several persons in the streets of Charleston was the sad consequence of that difference of opinion. The feelings engendered by the war, which culminated in bloodshed, have long since toned down, and the participators in the deplorable affair (to call it by its mildest name) doubtless regret the part they acted in it. So, in no spirit of censure beyond a condemnation of mob violence on general principles, we will pass from the subject, flinging over the sad occurrence the spacious robe of charity.

In his Centennial Address, Capt. Adams narrates a melancholy occurrence in the township of Hickory, at or near Hickory Grove. In the winter of 1830-31, which is characterized in the history of Illinois as one of unusual severity, three men froze to death near this grove. They had undertaken to cross the prairie on horse-back ; the ground was covered with snow to a considerable depth, and the air piercingly cold. In their last extremity, they killed their horses, and, taking out their entrails, crawled into the warm carcasses, but before relief reached them they succumbed to the " Icy King of Terrors." The following is from the same source of information : " In 1831, three men of the name of Ellis were killed by lightning, in the southwest part of the county. The accident occurred on Wednesday, and they were not found until the Saturday following. When discovered, their bodies were as limber as that of a living person, and never stiffened like a body that meets death from natural causes. It was supposed that the lightning had broken the bones without rupturing the skin."

Passing from the grave to the gay, from the sad to the ludicrous, it becomes our duty, as a faithful historian, to chronicle an event that took place in Coles County in 1834, which, while it had a somewhat ludicrous termination, was begun in earnest, by one of the parties engaged in it, at least. The circumstance referred to, was a duel fought in Charleston, by Peter Glassco and John Gately. A difficulty had arisen between them, which blood alone could satisfy or settle, and, accordingly, they resorted to the code of honor to avenge their wounded dignity. A challenge was sent and accepted, seconds were selected and the weapons (big " boss " pistols) were chosen. The hostile parties met, with ten paces between them, and proceeded to wipe out their wrongs in the most approved style. The seconds loaded the pistols with blank cartridges, without Glassco's knowledge, however, who, it seems, was the most belligerent of the two, and the most deeply grieved. Finally, when all was ready, the principals were placed by the seconds, one, two, three, were called, and both parties fired. Gately fell, and his second, who had provided a bottle of pokeberry-juice for the purpose, ran to him and dexterously saturated his clothes with the contents of the bottle, thus giving him a most ghastly appearance. Glassco, petrified with terror, gazed at his bleeding victim, and, horrified at the " ruin he had wrought," exclaimed, " My God, I have killed him,", threw away his pistol and fled. About a year afterward, he was apprised of the fact that the duel was a "put-up job," and that Gately still lived, when, with the horror of murder removed from his soul, he returned to the county. He never fought another duel.

That scourge of the human race, the Asiatic cholera, one of the gifts of the Old World to the new, made a visit, in 1851, to Coles County. For a time "it made itself exceedingly odious and repulsive," says one, "and old and young alike were the victims of the fell disease." As is usually the case, it visited certain localities only, Charleston and Pleasant Grove Township being the suf- ferers. In these sections, many cases occurred ; some of them proved fatal, "while others recovered. The greatest consternation and excitement prevailed. Those not sick became panic-stricken, and fled in confusion and dismay. How many died of the disease cannot now be ascertained. Distressing as was the ordeal and melancholy in its result, yet it had its humorous side. A very amusing anecdote is told of Hon. 0. B. Ficklin's grim fight with the awful disease. He was attacked in the harvest-field, rushed home and went to bed, sent for all the doctors in town, called his wife and children to his bedside, bade them good-by, and kissed them one by one, concluding with his old colored cook, and prepared to die with the cholera. He dropped off to sleep, from which he awoke, a few hours later, completely restored. Having slept off the natural exhaustio7i (!) of the harvest-field, "Richard was himself again."

AVe spoke of a murder and a lynching, a little space ago. Charleston can boast of several other murders within her time. But we shall not go into details concerning them. Such incidents are better forgotten than perpetuated upon the pages of history. We will, therefore, pass them without further remark in this connection.

The Grave Of Lincoln'S Father

Thomas Lincoln, the father of the martyred President, was among the early settlers of Coles County. He removed from Kentucky (where the future President was born) to Spencer County, Ind., in 1816, when Abraham was but seven years old. Here he remained until 1830, when he removed to Macon County, 111., and located on the North Fork of the Sangamon River, ten miles southwest of Decatur. He came to Coles County about 1832-33, and settled in what is now Pleasant Grove Township : but Abraham, having in the mean time attained his majority, and commenced the battle of life on his own responsibility, did not come with the family to this county. In after years however, when he became a praccicing lawyer, he often attended the courts of Coles County, in which cases he never failed to visit his father in Pleasant Grove, and, it is said, always purchased as many presents (generally of a substantial character) as he could stow in his buggy, and conveyed them to the family, who were in indigent circumstances. Stuve's History of Illinois gives the following of President Lincoln's family : " Abraham Lincoln was born in La Rue (now Hardin) County, Ky., about two miles south of the village of Hodgensville, February 12, 1809. Here his father had taken up a landclaim of 300 acres, rough, broken and poor, containing a fine spring, known to this day as the ' Linkum Spring.' Unable to pay for the unproductive land, the claim Avas abandoned, and the family moved from place to place in the neighborhood, being very destitute. These removals occurring while Abraham was scarcely more than an infant, has given rise to different statements as to the exact place of his birth. It is said that in that part of Kentucky four places now claim the honor." Thomas Lincoln, the father of Abraham Lincoln.

finally removed to Indiana, and then to Illinois, as above stated, and died years ago in Pleasant Grove Township. There, in a quiet little cemetery, known as *' Gordon's Grave-yard," without stone or "lettered monument" to mark the spot, sleeps the old pioneer. We give below a poem, entitled the " Grave of the Father of Abraham Lincoln," written by G. B. Balch, Esq., of Pleasant Grove, and published in many journals throughout the country, from Lippin- Magazine to the county papers :

" In a low, sweet vale, by a murmuring rill, The pioneer's ashes are sleeping; Where the white marble slabs so lonely and still, In silence their vigils are keeping.

" On their sad, lonely faces are words of fame. But none of them speak of his glory ; When the pioneer died, his age and his name. No monument whispers the story.

" Bright evergreens wave over many a grave, O'er some bow the sad weeping-willow ; But no willow-trees bow, nor evergreens wave, Where the pioneer sleeps on his pillow.

" Some are inhumed with the honors of State, And laid beneath temples to molder ; The grave of the father of Lincoln, the great. Is known by a hillock and bowlder.

" Let him take his lone sleep, and gently rest, With naught to disturb or awake him, When the angels shall come to gather the blest To Abraham's bosom, they'll take him.''

Geological Formation

The geological deposits and formations of Coles County possess but little interest or importance, as compared to many other sections of Illinois. The soil of the prairies is of considerable thickness, of a deep black, or dark brown color, and very rich and productive. Beneath this soil, according to the geological survey of the State, is a loamy clay, which also produces well with proper cultivation. The most important feature of the geology of the county, however, is the coal-deposit, which is supposed to underlie the county. A man of the name of Owens, years ago, discovered coal, and a very good quality, too, near where John Mickleblack now lives. Recent investigations, we are informed, have developed the fact that not exceeding five hundred feet below the surface, coal abounds in great abundance. Doubtless the time is not far distant when these coal-fields will become a source of industry, as well as of great value to the country. According to geological survey, three-fourths of the surface of Illinois are underlaid by beds of coal, and consequently have a greater area of this valuable fuel than any other State of the Union. A scientific writer speaks thus upon the formation and discovery of coal : '- The vast accumulation of vegetable matter from carboniferous plants, either imbedded in the miry soil in which it grew, or swept from adjacent elevations into shallow lakes, became covered with sediment, and thus were transformed into coal. It has been estimated that eight perpendicular feet of wood were required to make one foot of bituminous coal, and twelve to make one foot of anthracite. Some beds of the latter are thirty feet in thickness, and hence 360 feet of timber must have beqn consumed in their production. The process of its formation was exactly the same as practiced in the manufacture of charcoal, by burning wood under a covering of earth. Vegetable tissue consists mostly of carbon and oxygen, and decomposition must take place, either under water or some other impervious covering, to prevent the elements from forming carbonic-acid gas, and thus escaping to the atmosphere. Conforming to these requirements the immense vegetable growths forming the coal-fields subsided with the surface on which they grew, and were buried beneath the succeeding deposits. Nova Scotia has seventy-six different beds, and Illinois twelve ; and consequently, in these localities, there were as many different fields of verdure overwhelmed in the dirt-beds of the sea. Thus, long before the starry cycles had measured half the history of the unfolding continent, and when first the expanding stream of life but dimly reflected the coming age of mind, this vast supply of fuel was stored away in the rocky frame-work of the globe. Here it slumbered until man made his appearance and dragged it from its rocky lairs. At his bidding, it renders the factory animate with humming spindles, driving shuttles, whirling lathes and clanking forges. Under his guidance the ironhorse, feeding upon its pitchy fragments, bounds and tireless treads over its farreaching track, dragging after him the products of distant marts and climes. By the skill of the one and the power of the other, the ocean steamer plows the deep in opposition to winds and waves, making its watery home a highway for the commerce of the world.

Beyond the coal-beds underlying the surface, the county, as we have said, is not very rich in geology. There are, we believe, some stone-beds along the Embarrass River, but the quality of the stone is poor and of but little value for building purposes. With this brief glance at the geological features, we will leave the subject, referring the reader to the Geological Survey of the State for further information on this interesting point of history.

The first newspaper was established in Coles County -in 1840, and was called the Charleston Courier. But as the township history will contain a more complete account of the press, we shall have little to say on the subject in this chapter. We wish, however, to leave on record our impression of the value of the files of county papers as sources of history. Their pages give a picture from week to week of both national and local events, which can be found nowhere else. Even the advertisements give much history, and we think there ought to be a provision made for keeping such files in the county and city offices.

There are at present in Coles County six newspapers, viz. : the Courier and Plaindealer, of Charleston ; the Oommercial, Journal and G-azette, of Mattoon ; and the Herald, of Oakland. These are live, energetic newspapers, well filled with the news of the day (this is not an advertisement), and deserve the liberal support of the people of the county.

"The proud bird, The condor of the Andes, that can soar Through heaven's unfathomable depths, or brave, The fury of the northern hurricane And bathe his plumage in the thunder's home. Furls his broad wings at nightfall, and sinks down To rest upon his mountain-crag ; but Time Knows not the weight of sleep or weariness, And night's deep darkness has no chain to bind His rilshing pinions." - Prentice.

*' Time, fierce spirit of the glass and scythe," sets his signet upon the fading race of men, and they pass away "as a tale that is told." The "enduring marble" points us to the spot where sleep the pioneers whose magic touch changed this country from a " howling waste" to the paradise we find it to-day. More than fifty years have " flung their sunshines and shadows o'er the world " since the first white people came to Charleston Township and proceeded to settle themselves to " grow up with the country." Fifty years ! How much has transpired in that half-century that has come and gone since the " star of empire " crossed the " raging" Embarrass and paused for a moment over this fair region. We have neither time nor space to particularize the changes that have taken place in all these rolling years. Go ask the few old gray-heads still left how they have seen the palace take the place of the " pole cabin," the railway-train that of the patient, plodding ox, and the " wilderness rejoice and blossom as the rose." They can tell you of these changes far better than we, for they are things ' all of which they saw and part of which they were.' Ours is the duty to give the dry, historical details, and faithfully we shall endeavor to perform the task. ^.

The first permanent settlement was made in Charleston Township in 1825. In that year, Seth H. Bates settled here, having removed from Crawford County. Jesse Veach, then a young man of eighteen, "moved" him to this neighborhood, and informs us that there was not a family then on this side of the Embarrass River. Bates was originally from Ohio, but had been living some ten years in Crawford County before emigrating to this. He remained here but a short time, however, when he sold out and removed to the Kickapoo settlement, in what is now La Fayette Township, where he is noticed further. In the fall of 1826, Enoch Glassco and his sons, Kimball, Madison and Enoch Glassco, Jr., came from Kentucky and settled just north of the present city of Charleston. They are said to have been almost as tall as the giant oaks of their native State - not one of them but stood more than six feet in his stockings. Enoch Glassco, Jr., is still living and resides in Charleston ; Kimball lives in Tuscola, and Madison died some three years ago. A daughter of the elder Glassco married James Y. Brown, who came to the settlement soon after. Mrs. Permelia Gobin was also a daughter of Glassco. In 1827, the Parkers came to this neighborhood and settled on what is now Anderson's Addition to the city of Charleston. They were of the family of Parkers mentioned in the general county history as settling, originally, Parker's Prairie. Benjamin Parker was one of the most noted, perhaps, of those who settled in this township. He was a son of old " High" Johnny Parker, as he was called, the old "hard-shell" Baptist preacher. It is told of him (old " High" Johnny) that, one Sunday, after he had closed his sermon, he gave out an appointment " to preach at that place, that day four weeks, if it was not a good day for beehunting." He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and, as a reward for his services, received a pension under the act of Congress of 1832. The following certificate appears on the early records of the County Commissioners' Court :

On the 15th day of October, personally appeared in open Court before Isaac Lewis and James S. Martin, County Commissioners for the county of Coles, now sitting and constituting said Court for said county and State aforesaid, John Parker, a resident of the United States of America, in the county of Coles and State of Illinois, aged seventy-four years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 : That he entered the service of the United States, under the following-named officers, and served as herein stated ; that he enlisted under Capt. Fields, Col. Slaughter commander of the regiment. Gen. Greene's Brigade; entered the service of the United States in October, 1777, and left the service in twelve months thereafter ; that again he entered the United States service under Capt. Callier, of Col. Alexander's regiment. That he was drafted in the latter end of 177D, and mai'ched through Winchester, Va., into Pennsylvania, and was stationed on a creek called Ten-Mile Creek, in Pennsylvania ; was in no engagements, and that he has no documentary evidence. That he remained twelve months each term of service, making two whole years. That he received a discharge from Capt. Callier, and that it is now lost. That he was boi-n September 5, 1758, in the ^State of Maryland, Baltimore County; that the only record of his age is taken from his father's Bible, now in his possession; that he lived in Culpeper County, Va., when called into service; that he lived in the State of Georgia seventeen years ; thence to Tennessee, Hickman County ; thence to the Territory of Illinois, in the year 1815, in which State he now resides, and in the county of Coles. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension-roll of the agency of any State.

This certificate is attested by Griffin Tipsoward, who was also a Revolutionary soldier, and the Commissioners add their certificate, that after fully investigating the case, and " putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, " believe he was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as stated in the foregoing declaration.

There were James, Silas, Nathaniel and Daniel Parker, who were all brothers of Benjamin Parker. Daniel Pai'ker was also a Baptist preacher of the hardshell or ironside faith, and mentioned in the history of Edgar County as one of the first preachers in that county. He together, with Benjamin and Silas Parker, finally removed to Texas, where the latter two were killed by the Comanche Indians. They had bought a lot of cattle, and were herding them when the Comanches are supposed to have come upon them, drove them to their herder's shanty and murdered them, as when found their bodies were sticking full of arrows. A daughter of one of the Parkers was captured by the Indians, after their removal to Texas, and kept for some time in captivity. When released, she wrote a narrative, descriptive of her trials and sufferings while among the savages, which many of the people siill living in this neighborhood have read. Old " High " Johnny Parker went to Texas with his son Benjamin. The old gentleman was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and as such. Col. Dunbar succeeded in getting a pension for him, as a reward for his services in fightini: for the independence of his country. There are still many descendants of the Parkers living, who are among the substantial men of Coles County.

Charles S. Morton was another of the very early pioneers of Charleston Township, and one of the energetic and enterprising men of that early day. He was from Fayette County, Ky., within three miles of the city of Lexington, the home of Henry Clay. Though he came to a rich county, it does not equal that which he left. Fayette County is in the very heart of the blue-grass region, than which no finer land is to be found below the sun, and Lexington possesses more wealth (to the amount of population), perhaps, than any city in the United States. Mr. Morton came to this settlement in tho spring of 1829, and brought his wife Avith him to look at the country, thus consulting her taste and happiness in the selection of a home, as all good men ought to do. Three months later, he brought his children to his new home. We have said that he was an enterprising man. He kept the first store in Charleston Township - brought the goods with him when he came to the country and opened them out in a small pole cabin, where he continued business until Charleston was laid out, when he moved into the village, and was the first merchant here also. He also had the first horse-mill in the township, and his residence was the first in the neighborhood, perhaps in the county, that could boast of the luxury of a glass window, and we are creditably informed that people came for miles to see how a house looked with the modern improvement of a glass window. He built a row of pole cabins near where the Charleston post office now stands, which were known as the Penitentiary, and these he would let to families mov- ing to the settlement three months free of rent, which time sufficed, if they were industrious, to provide a cabin of their own. A daughter of Mr. Morton married Dr. Ferguson, and another J. K. Decker, Esq., and a son, Charles II. Morton, lives in Chicago. Capt. Adams thus speaks of him in an address delivered by hira some time ago: "Mr. Morton traveled down through the journey of life among us, bearing an irreproachable reputation for truth and integrity, and has left behind him children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all intelligent and prosperous, and scattered^^from here to Chicago." He died in January, 1848. Mrs. Ferguson and Mrs. Decker still can describe very vividly how, in their young days, they used to dance on puncheon floors and dirt floors and any other kind of floors, and that, too, as often as a fiddler could be obtained. As musicians were scarce, whenever one chanced to present himself it was invariably the signal for a dance, which was usually prolonged

Col. A. P. Dunbar is another of the pioneers of Charleston, who came here from the " Dark and Bloody Ground." He is a native of Fleming County, and came to Illinois in 1828, but returned to Kentucky, where he read law and was admitted to the bar, and, in 1831, came back to Coles County and located in Charleston, and was the first lawyer to hang out a "shingle" in this city. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1836, when Coles County embraced Cumberland and Douglas Counties, and was re-elected in 1844-45, and, at this session, had Abraham Lincoln for his deskmate. His father, Alexander Dunbar, was a soldier of 1812 and was with Commodore Perry in the battle on Lake Erie. Col. Dunbar's law library was destroyed by fire in 1877, since which time he has retired from the practice of laAV. Among the early settlers of this township are Levi, Samuel and James Doty, and John Bates, who settled in the southeast part of the town about 1830-31. They came from Crawfoi'd County, but were originally from Kentucky. Levi and James Doty still live in the township, and Samuel moved away years ago. Bates, also, is living yet in the town.

Charleston Township, as well as the entire county, was originally settled mostly by Southern people, Kentucky, perhaps, contributing the largest delegation to the population. In addition to the names already mentioned, we have from the old Blue-Grass State, Thomas G. and Dr. W. M. Chambers, Isaac N. Craig, Edmund Curd, Alexander Perkins, John Monroe, Levi Hackett, James M. Miller, Richard and Thomas Stoddert, Col. Thomas A. Marshall, Hon. U. F. Linder, Dr. Samuel Van Meter and Hon. 0. B. Ficklin, and probably others whose names we have failed to obtain. The Chamberses were from Harrison County. Thomas came to Illinois in 1838, and settled in Charleston, where he still lives. He commenced his business life as clerk in'a dry goods store, and, in 1840, embarked in the business for himself, and continued it until 1866, when he established the banking house of T. G. Chambers & Co. In 1866, he became President of the First National Bank, which position he now holds. He is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, and has always manifested a lively interest in the Coles County Agricultural Society, together with many other enterprises calculated to promote the interests of the city and county. He is also President of the Old Settlers' Association. Dr. Chambers graduated as a physician in Transylvania University, at Lexington, Ky., in 1833, and practiced his profession in that State until his removal to Coles County, in 1855. In 1861, he was appointed Brigade Surgeon in the Union army, by President Lincoln, and served in the Army of the Cumberland until 1865. He has been President of the State Medical Society, both of Kentucky and Illinois. Isaac Craig is a native of Montgomery County, and came to Illinois with his father's family in 1828, settling in Clark County. Here he remained until 1835, when he came to Coles County, where he has since resided. He was one of the prominent farmers of this township, until his retirement from active business. He is a stockholder and Director in the Second National Bank of Charleston. In the Black Hawk war of 1832, he served in the Second Brigade of Illinois Volunteers, under Gen. M. K. Alexander, of Paris. Edmund Curd was born in Jessamine County, and from there removed to Hardin County, Ohio, where he remained a few years, and then came to this township, arriving here in 1836, and entered into partnership in the saddlery business with John R. Jeffries, who had come to the place a short time previous. For more than thirty years, he continued in this business. His grandfather removed to Kentucky from Virginia at an early day, and settled on the Kentucky River where the Southern Railroad now crosses it. His grandfather's little family consisted of fifteen children, and from them almost that entire neighborhood was peopled. Alexander Perkins went from Kentucky when quite young, with his parents, to Marion County, Ind., where he grew to manliood, and removed to Charleston in 1836. He was one of the early brick manufacturers in the county. Hon. John Monroe was from Barren County, and came to this township in 1833. He read medicine with Dr. George Rogers, of Glasgow, Ky., but never practiced the profession. He was an active business man, and accumulated a handsome property. He served a term in the State Legislature, and died in Charleston, in 1877. Levi Hacket was from Scott County, and settled here in 1835, where he remained until 1861, when he removed to Douglas County. James M.iMiller came from Spencer County . to Charleston in 1838, where he still lives, a prominent merchant. Richard and Thomas Stoddert came from Grayson County, and may be numbered among the pioneers of Coles. The family consisted of the mother and nine children (the father having died before leaving Kentucky), who came at different times from 1836 to 1838. They are descendants of the old Massachusetts Stodderts. The grandfather, Benjamin Stoddert, was a Major in the Continental army in the war of the Revolution, and afterward the second Sec- retary of the United States Navy. Thomas Stoddert settled here in 1836, and Richard in 1838. The brothers formed a partnership in a tannery, which, in that line, and in other departments of business, was continued for thirty years. Richard is a man of considerable wealth, and is a large land-owner. He has held several offices, of which County Treasurer and Sheriff are the most important. Thomas, in 1849, drove an ox-team across the plains to the land of gold. He still lives in Charleston, and is engaged in farming and merchandising. Col. Thomas A. Marshall was born in Frankfort, and is a son of Hon. Thomas A. Marshall, for more than twenty years a Judge of the Court of Appeals of Kentucky. The Marshalls comprise one of the grandest old families of Kentucky, which has, perhaps, produced more great men than any other family in that proud old commonwealth, so prolific of great men. Col. Marshall, after settling in Charleston, resumed the practice of his profession (law, in which he had graduated in Kentucky), and turned his attention to politics. In 1856, he was associated with Abraham Lincoln, Lyman Trumbull, David Davis, John M. Palmer, and others, in the organization of the Republican party. He served two terms in the State Senate, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847. In 1861, he became Colonel of the First Illinois Cavalry, and served until the muster-out of his regiment, in the fall of 1862. He was an able financier, and one of the first bankers in Coles County. Dr. Samuel Van Meter came from Grayson County, with his mother's family, and settled here about 1827. - He read medicine under Dr. Trower, and practiced the profession until 1849, when he went overland to California, the trip occupying five months. He remained in the Golden State a year and a half; then returned to Charleston, and resumed the practice of the liealing art. In 1857, he founded, in Charleston, the Illinois Infirmary, the fame of which has extended to all parts of the country. Patients came to it from the Pacific coast, and even from beyond the Atlantic. His partner, for a time, in this famed institution was Dr. H. R. Allen, now of the National Surgical Institute at Indianapolis. As an illustration of the popularity of the Illinois Infirmary, its receipts for 1868 were ^186,000. It continued in successful operation until 1877, when Dr. Van Meter, worn out with constant care, closed it and retired from active business. Hon. U. F. Linder was from Hardin County, and removed to Illinois in 1835, and to Charleston in 1838, where he resided until 1860, when he removed to Chicago. He was Attorney Generalof the State under the administration of Gov. Duncan, a man of intelligence and fine oratorical powers. He died June 5, 1876. Hon. 0. B. Ficklin located in Charleston in 1837. He went to Missouri from Kentucky, with his parents, when quite young, and commenced the study of the law with Henry Shurlds, Esq . and, in the winter of 1829-30. entered the office of Robert Farris, of St. Louis, In 1830, he Avas admitted to the bar at Belleville, 111., having been examined by Hon. Edward Coles By the advice of Hon. William Wilson, he located at Mount Carmel, 111., where he resided until 1837, Avhen he removed to Charles- ton, as noted above. In the Black Hawk war, he enlisted in Capt. Elias Jurdin's company, and, upon the organization of the army, was appointed < Quartermaster, and attached to the brigade of Gen. Alexander, of Paris. In 1834, he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, and by that body chosen State's Attorney for the Wabash Circuit. At the election in 1838, having removed to Coles, he was elected Representative from this county, and re-elected in 1842. In 1843, was elected to Congress from the Wabash District. His colleagues were Robert Smith, John A. McClernand, John Wentworth, Joseph P. Ilogue, John J. Harding and Stephen A. Douglas. He was re-elected to Congress in 1844, in 1846, and again in 1850. In 1856, was a member of the Democratic Convention that nominated James Buchanan for President, and one of the electors that cast the vote of Illinois for " Old Buck." He Avas a member of the National Democratic Convention at Charleston, S. C, in 1860 ; was present at the disruption of that body, and attended the adjourned meeting at Baltimore, when Stephen A. Douglas was nominated. In 1864, he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago, that nominated for President Gen. George B. McClellan, He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1869-70, and is at present a member of the Legislature from this county.

Among the substantial citizens given to Charleston Township by the " Old Dominion " - the venerable mother of States - may be numbered Albert Compton, Isaiah H. Johnston, R. M. Coon, Dr. Thomas B. Trower, Nathan Ellington, Jonathan Linder, the Cossells, William Frost, Leander Gillingwater, and perhaps others. Albert Compton came from Fairfax County, and, in 1833, settled in Charleston Township. He was a shoemaker, and worked at that trade for a number of years after coming to this neighborhood. He has retired from active business life, and, living in the city of Charleston, he enjoys in his old age a well-earned competence. Isaiah H. Johnston is almost a native of Coles County, having been here since he was three years old. His father came from Russell County, Ya., in 1830, and settled in what is now Pleasant Grove Township, in the history of which he is noticed among the early settlers. After the death of his father, he continued on the farm until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he opened a store in the neighborhood. In 1857, he removed to Mattoon, and in that city, continued the mercantile business until 1860, when he was elected Sheriif of the county. When his term of office expired, he resumed merchandising, and finally, in company with T. A. Marshall and John W. True, established the banking house of T. A. Marshall & Co., which, in 1871, became the Second National Bank of Charleston. In 1873, he became its President, an office he still holds. In 1869, he built an extensive porkhouse, and, in 1871, together with John B. Hill and Thomas Stoddert, erected the Charleston Pork-Packing House, which receives further notice in another chapter. R. M. Coon cannot be termed an old settler of this township or of the county, but his extraordinary experience of the early times will be of some interest in these pages. At the age of twenty-one years, he entered the employ of a stock-drover. There were no railroads then, and stock-trains, but the usual custom, or, rather, the invariable custom, was to drive all stock to market. In this line of business he drove stock from Ohio and Kentucky to Virginia, and to North and South Carolina, making thirteen trips in this capacity across the Alleghany Mountains. He came to Charleston in 1840, and about twenty years ago, engaged in gardening. He has set out eight different orchards, and has eaten fruit from the last one planted. Dr. Thomas B. Trower came to Illinois in 1830, and located in Shelbyville. He came from Albemarle County, and after practicing his profession in Shelbyville for six years, removed to Charleston, where he still lives. He has held many high positions in the medical fraternity, in all of which he has discharged his duty with satisfaction to those interested. Not only is he a fine physician, but an excellent business man, an able financier and a statesman. He was at one time President of the Moultrie County Bank, at Sullivan, and Vice President of the First National Bank of Charleston. While a resident of Shelbyville, he served three terms in the State Legislature, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847. Jonathan Linder came to Coles County with his father's family previous to 1830, making the journey in wagons, and settled in this township. Some years later, he I'evisited his native State (West Virginia), making the trip both ways on horseback, a distance (the round trip) of over one thousand miles. He died in 1877, leaving one son, Jacob Linder, who lives on the old homestead. In 1829, Michael Cossell, Jr., came to the township, and the next year his father, Michael Cossell, Sr., and two other sons, Isaac and Solomon, moved in. Isaac and Solomon are both living, the latter in Charleston Township and the former in Ashmore. The elder Cossell and his son Michael are dead. Nathan Ellington was one of the early settlers here. He was an early Justice of the Peace, an earlv school-teacher of Charleston and a man of most excellent character. His tragic death was deplored by all good men. He was the first County Clerk of Coles County, and filled the ofiice to the satisfaction of the people. William Frost and Leander Gillingwater settled in Charleston Township about the same time, and were both Virginians. They came to the settlement about 1830 - 31, and both died here. Frost but a few years ago, and Gillingwater a few years after he came to the country.

From the Hoosier State, Charleston Township has received some good material. Jacob K. Decker, James Skidmore and William Linder came from Indiana. Mr. Decker is a native of Knox County, and settled in Charleston Township in 1836. His parents were natives of Virginia, and came to Knox County in 1810, and were living in Fort Knox, on the Wabash, at the time the battle of Tippecanoe was fought. Mr. Decker married a daughter of the pioneer Charles Morton, mentioned in the beginning of this chapter, and as a farmer and merchant has laid up a competence for old age. Mr. Skidmore came from Owen County (Ind.) with his parents in 1833. They first settled in Morgan Township, but remained only a few years, when they returned to Indiana. After the death of his father, Mr. Skidmore came back to Illinois, then went to Missouri, and finally returned to Illinois and settled in Charleston, where he still lives. William Linder came here in 1835, and died in 1843. He has a son, G. W. Linder, still living in the township.

From Tennessee, the land of cotton, the township has drawn some excellent citizens. John Jeffries, William Collom, James Y. Brown, Isaac Lewis and Hiram Steepleton, came from Tennessee. Jeffries came to Crawford County with his parents when but a small boy. In 1835, he removed to Coles County and settled in Charleston, where he engaged in the saddlery and harness business, which he continued until November 5, 1860, the date of his death. He served one term as Sheriff of Coles County, was an enterprising citizen, a good business man, and accumulated a handsome property. James A. Mitchell and William Collom were from Washington County. The latter came to Illinois in 1829, and stopped first in Edgar County, and, in 1831, removed to Charleston. He built and kept the first tavern, a log cabin of one room, in the city of Charleston. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and fought under Gren. Jackson against the Creek Indians ; also participated in the battle of the Horse- Shoe. He died August 8, 1851. Mitchell settled in Charleston in 1830, and was quite a prominent man in the neighborhood. He died many years ago, but has a son still living in Charleston. James Y. Brown settled in Charleston Township in 1827, and remained a resident of it until his death. Lewis and Steepleton settled in the town in 1827, and Steepleton died here ; Lewis moved to the north part of the State, where he was living the last known of him.

Dr. Aaron Ferguson was a native of North Carolina, and in early childhood came with his parents to Bloomington, Ind. After attaining his majority, he read medicine with Dr. Maxwell, and graduated in the profession at Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky,, and, in 1830, located in Charleston. His wife was a daughter of Charles Morton, mentioned as one of the early settlers of this township. Dr. Ferguson was a close student, somewhat retiring in his nature, never seeking public office. He died in 1876. Charles R. Briggs came from Washington County, N. Y., to this township in 1839, and, after farming one year, located in the city of Charleston. He has made painting of fine stock a specialty, a profession in which he excels, as hundreds of specimens of his genius to be found in the city and county testify. He opened the first livery-stable in Charleston with one horse in it to begin with, and so increased his trade that at one time he had in his stable forty-two horses. T. J. Marsh came from Baltimore and settled first in what is now Morgan Township in 1836. His first residence in the wild West was a cabin built of rails, ten feet square, in which he lived with his entire family for three months, when they removed to Charleston. He was a carpenter and builder, and erected the first iron-front store in Charleston. Many other monuments of his enterprise are to be found in the citj. George Birch, whose father is noticed among the pioneers of Ashmore ToAvnship, is a native of England, and came to America witli liis parents in 1833. After spending a few years in Pennsylvania, they removed to Illinois and settled in Ashmore Township, as above. He has hauled to Chicago in the early times for G2| cents a bushel, and driven hogs to Clinton, Ind., for $1.25 per hundred pounds net. He has for a year or two. been a resident of Charleston Township, and by close economy has amassed eonsiderable property. Eli Wiley, a lawyer of Charleston, came to Illinois with his parents in 1826, and, after spending several years in Edgar and Clark Counties, removed to Charleston in 1835, where he still lives.

The Eastins, mentioned in the county history as first settling in Kickapoo, as it was then called, were Charles Eastin and three sons, Van, John M. and Harman. The elder Eastin, after a few years, moved into Charleston Township, and, after sevei'al other removals to different sections and neighborhoods, finally died in Charleston. John M. Eastin located in this township in an early day (about 1830) and lived for awhile with Charles Morton. He resides at present in Charleston. Harman Eastin went to the Mexican war and was killed. He married Miss Lavina Cox, when this county was included in Clark, and went to Darwin for his marriage license. The Eastins were originally from Kentucky, but had lived for a number of years in Indiana, before coming to Illinois. They left Lexington, Ind., in February of 1830, in wagons, and were nineteen days on the road. To add to the severity and discomforts of the trip, there was quite a snow, which continued on the ground during their journey. Dr. John Carrico was a native of Meade County, Ky., and came here about 1830-31, and was the first physician in Charleston Township. He was also the first Representative from this county in the Legislature of the State, and died soon after his term of service expired. Hon. James T. Cun- 'ningham, another Kentuckian, came to Coles County in 1830, and was one of the active and energetic men of the times. He served in the Legislature during the sessions of 1836-37, and was the choice of his party for Congress in the campaign of 1860. Dr. Byrd Monroe, also a Kentuckian, came here in 1833, and was a man of prominence. In 1838, he was elected to the State Senate, an office he filled very acceptably to the people he represe;ited. Isaac Odell Avas among the early settlers in this township, but had first settled in Pleasant Grove, where he is mentioned among the pioneers of that neighborhood. A son of his is said to have been the first birth in Charleston Township.

Col. H. R. Norfolk came to Charleston Township in 1833. He was born in Maryland, but mostly raised by an uncle in Cincinnati, Ohio, and married his wife in Natchez, Miss. She was a native of New York, and is still living. Col. Norfolk died in December, 1865. He was the second merchant in Charleston. Reuben Canterberry came from near Lexington, Ky., and settled in Charleston, in the fall of 1832. He died here many years ago, and his widow married again and moved out of the county. William Martin, I. Lyman and

Gideon S. Bailey were early settlers, but of them not much could be obtained. Bailey married the widow of James P. Jones, and moved away from the township. Robert Lightfoot came from Kentucky, and settled in the town in 1836, and was an honest, upright man in the community. He died some three or four years ago.

John Yeach, the father of Jesse Veach, a well-known citizen of this township, and a soldier of the war of 1812, settled here in 1828. He bought a claim of James Riley, who had settled here a year or two before. Riley was from Crawford County, and removed to Texas about 1833-34. Mr. Veaeh came from Crawford County, but was born in Maryland, had been a resident of Kentucky in the early days, and removed to Crawford County in 1814, when the people, for the sake of protection, were compelled to live in forts. He was sometime a resident of old Fort La Motte. After two years' residence in this township, he removed into La Fayette, where he is noticed in the early settlement of that town. Jesse Veach, one of the honored citizens of Charleston Township, settled here in 1831, but his acquaintance with this section extends back to 1825. Li that year, he " moved " a family from Crawford County to this township - Mr. Bates, who is mentioned as the first settler in this neighborhood. At the time of his first visit here, in 1825, there was not a family living on this side of the Embarrass River, the whole country around the present beautiful little city of Charleston was a wilderness untrodden by the white men. He is still living, a hale old gentleman for one of his years, and with an excellent memory of the early days and hardships of this country. H. Gregg settled here in 1827, but remained in the neighborhood but a short time, when he removed to Edgar County.

This concludes the early settlement of the township, and a history of the old settlers, so far as we have been able to learn their names. Possibly, many names have been omitted that deserve special mention, but with more than half a century between "then and now," and many of the early settlers "gone home, " and the memories of those still remaining clouded by age, renders it impossible to get a history of every one. This must be our excuse for any omissions that have been made.

Mills, Stores And Other Improvements

The first mill in Charleston Township was a small horye-mill erected by Charles Morton, soon after his settlement in the neighborhood. After its erection, it was patronized extensively by the people in the vicinity in preference to going to the mills on the Embarrass River. At this little corn-cracking establishment the pioneers used to congregate, and while waiting their " turn," would amuse themselves playing marbles, running foot-races, jumping, pitching quoits and other innocent amusements ; in cold weather they would parch corn in the ashes. But with the building of other mills of greater capacity, and of water and steam power, horse-mills became obsolete, and, at the present date, it is prob- able that at least one-half of the population of Coles County never saw a horsemill. After the laying-out of Charleston, Morton moved his mill in the village, Avhere it figured as the first in the village as it had in the township.

The first store in the town was opened by Charles Morton the same year of his settlement. He brought a stock of goods with him when he moved here from Kentucky, and as soon as he could erect a pole cabin to shelter his family, he opened out his goods in one room of it; And when Charleston sprang into existence, he moved his store to town, where, like his horse-mill, it became the first store in the village. This mercantile effort of Morton's was perhaps the only one in the township outside of Charleston, from the first settlement to the present time. As the village was laid out so soon after settlements were made in the township, there was little necessity for stores outside of the village. And hence the mercantile trade centered in it in an early day.

The first road through Charleston Township other than Ihe pioneer's wagon trails, was the State road from Shelbyville to Paris. It was surveyed and located by John Flemming, Thomas Sconce and Thomas Rhodes, according to the following act of the Legislature, approved January 28, 1831 : " Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That John Flemming, of Shelby County, Thomas Sconce of Coles County and Thomas Rhodes, of Edgar County, be, and they are hereby, appointed Commissioners to view, survey, mark and locate a road from Shelbyville, in Shelby County, to the seat of justice in Coles County, and from thence to Paris, in Edgar County, to be located on the nearest and best route, doing as little damage to private property as the public good will permit.

" Sec. 2. The said Commissioners, or a majority of them, shall meet at Shelbyville on or before the 15th day of October next, and after being duly sworn by some Justice of the Peace of said county of Shelby, faithfully to view and locate said road, without partiality, favor or affection, shall immediately thereafter proceed to discharge the duties required of them by this act, placing in the prairie, through which the same shall pass, stakes of a reasonable size of durable timber.

" Sec. 3. As soon as practicable after said road is located, said Commissioners, or a majority of them, shall make out a report, accompanied by a map or plat of said road, denoting the courses and distances from point to point, with such other remarks as they, or a majority of them, may deem necessary and proper, and transmit the same to the Secretary of State. And they, or a majority of them, shall make a map or plat of so much of said road as lies within the respective counties and transmit it to the Clerk of the County Commissioners of the respective counties through which the same may pass, which shall be filed and preserved in the office of said court.

" Sec. 4. When said road shall be located, it shall be to all intents and purposes, a State road, four poles wide, and shall be opened and kept in repair as other roads are in this State.

" Sec. 5. The County Commissioners' Courts of each county through which the said road may pass, are hereby authorized and required to allow said Commissioners one dollar and fifty cents per day for the time necessarily employed in locating the said road in each of their respective counties ; Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to create any liability on the part of this State to pay said Commissioners for their services, rendered under this act. This act to be in force from and after its passage."

Before the laying-out of this road, the people meandered over the prairies and through the openings in the timber, wherever they could get through best and easiest. Often, when they went to mill, they would do as the Rev. Peter Cartwright did in the Astor House when they put him in the fifth story. He went to the ofiice and asked for a hatchet. When asked what he wanted with a hatchet, replied, to blaze his way so that he could go to and from his room without getting lost. So, would the people take their hatchets with them to mill, and blaze the trees so they could find their way back home. The same session of the Legislature at which the foregoing act was passed, another was passed requiring every able-bodied male citizen, under fifty years of age and over twenty-one, to perform three days' labor on the public highways, under the superintendence of the Supervisor of the district. An interesting feature of this act was, that when the labor provided in the act (three days of each ablebodied, etc.) was insuflScient, the Supervisor might call on " every taxable male inhabitant " in the district to perform labor on the road at the rate of one day for " every $100 worth of real and personal property he may possess in the county." The township, at the present day, is well supplied with roads and bridges; of the latter, however, there are a few eligibh sites still left, where they might be located with advantage to the people.

One of the early industries of the township was a tan-yard, upon which, or in which, or at which, was manufactured the material for the understanding of the pioneer inhabitants. This primitive institution, now long obsolete, was opened by David Eastin, and the spot whereon it was located is now inside of the corporation of the city of Charleston. It finally became the property of Richard and Thomas Stoddert, who operated it until the people became too proud or too enlightened to wear home-made shoes, when they, like Othello, found their occupation (in that line) gone, and the establishment was closed. Another useful industry of those days were carding machines. John Kennedy built one in this township about 1880-31, which carded the wool of the settlers (or that of their sheep, rather) into rolls, when they were spun and woven into cloth, and manufactured into clothing by the industrious ladies. But these, then useful establishments, like the tanyards, have "gone where the woodbine twineth." Owen and Harman were the first blacksmiths, and sharpened the old Cary and barshare plows for the early farmers. These smiths were " mighty men," with " large and sinewy hands " and " muscles like iron bands," and left their imprint upon many of these rude old implements of the early husbandmen.

The first orchard in the township was set out by Benjamin Parker about 1830. Before the bearing of this and other orchards, set out soon after, the people had to content themselves with wild crab-apples and such other fruits as grew in the country. Strawberries, we are informed, grew wild in great abun- and of an excellent quality.

Educational And Religious

The first schoolhouse in the township was built near what is called the Decker Springs, about a mile north of the city of Charleston. It was the type of the pioneer schoolhouse, which has already been described in these pages, and was built in 1828. John McCombs taught the first school in this humble temple of learning. A Mr. Collora, brother of William Collom, who built the first house and kept the first tavern in Charleston, was another of the early school teachers of this township. It would be an interesting history to trace the schools of the town from this puny commencement to their present state of perfection, but we have not the space to do so, and as we shall allude to the subject again in the chapter devoted to the city of Charleston, we will pass on now with the remark, that Charleston Township is laid off in convenient districts, all of them having comfortable school-buildings, wherein schools are maintained from six to nine months during the year. None but competent teachers are employed, and hence the schools flourish accordingly.

The first preaching in the neighborhood was by the Parkers, as noticed in the general history, several of the family being preachers of the '' Hardshell " persuasion. Rev. Mr. Newport was another of the early divines of that faith. The Methodists and Presbyterians also were early in the field, and established classes and societies, which have continued down to the present day. But as the first church in the township was erected in Charleston, the church history will be given under that head.

The first white child born in Charleston Township is supposed to have been George W. Odell, a son of Isaac Odell, in 1830. A son of David Eastin was born in 1832, which was the next birth recorded in the neighborhood. The first wedding remembered was Dr. Ferguson and a daughter of Charles Morton. We are unable to give a descriptix)n of the ceremonies attending this early marriage in the wilderness, the wedding presents, appearance of the bride, etc., but as she is still living, our young lady readers, who always take an interest in such matters, can probably learn all the particulars of her. The first death is not remembered, but the " well-peopled " grave-yards tell that death has been here.

Charleston Township lies a little southeast of the center of the county, and is bounded on the north by Hickory Township, on the west by La Fayette, on the south by Pleasant Grove and on the east by the Embarrass River. It is described as Township 12 north, Range 9 east of the third principal meridian, and contains a few sections more than a regular Congressional township. The surface is generally level, with slight undulations, except along the Embarrass, where it is rather broken and hilly. The town is pretty well watered and drained by the small streams flowing to the Embarrass River, among which we may note Kickapoo, Riley and Cossell Creeks, and with the Embarrass on its eastern boundary, it lacks neither drainage nor irrigation. The Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad crosses from east to west through the north part of the town, thus affording excellent means of shipping the great amount of grain and stock annually produced. The history of the above railroad has been so fully given in the general county history that we shall not repeat it here, but refer the reader to that part of this work.

Politics And Patriotism

The township and city of Charleston, taken together, are Democratic in politics by a small majority. Being pretty evenly divided in point of numbers, usually calls forth from both sides considerable wire-AVorking and "log-rolling" whenever an important election is pending, and neither party leaves a stone unturned to accomplish success ; hence, exciting episodes sometimes take place between them and humorous stories are told on each side. The following is narrated at the expense of the Republicans, and is supposed to have occurred about the time of the organization of that party in the State. We do not vouch for its truth, but give it, subject to any criticism or correction it may deserve. A little party was formed, consisting of seventeen individuals, to go into one of the rural towns to organize the sturdy yeomanry, and they contributed $1 apiece for the purpose of providing a lunch for the occasion, as they contemplated being out all day. One of the number was appointed to procure the lunch, and well knowing, perhaps, the appetites of the party, he invested $16, of the $17 appropriated, in whisky and $1 in crackers. They proceeded on their mission, and, as they performed their very "arduous labors," had frequent recourse to the bottles of the "all-healing balsam of life and comfort." Toward evening, one of the party came to the " butler," with a hungry, thirsty look upon his alabaster countenance, and wanted " some more that 'ere liquor." He was informed that it was nearly out, and he would have to cut down his potations, to some extent, and take crackers instead. After deliberating over the matter a moment, he looked up and remarked, " Wh-what in the did ye (hie) git so many crackers for ? "

The following illustrates the other side pretty well : " Uncle Billy Hughs," as everybody called him, was a blood-red Democrat. He lived in Pleasant Grove Township, and, every time he came to Charleston, was sure to get drunk, -on the principle that that was one of the first duties of a Democrat. One day, he came to town in his wagon, with two large, fine horses harnessed to it, and, as usual, got " tight as a tick ; " and, as he started for home, his horses ran away, threw him out of the wagon, in the outskirts of the town, and knocked the old fellow senseless. Several persons, both male and female, saw the acci- dent, and ran to his assistance and found him apparently dead. The ladies set up a lamentation, and all expressed the strongest pity ; for the old man was much beloved, and, aside from his love of drink, had few faults. In the mean time, a physician arrived, felt his pulse, and observed that he was not dead, but would be all right soon. Finally, his shoulders moved, his lips quivered, and, with a gasp, he opened his eyes and looked around. Feebly he inquired where he was, when some one volunteered the information that his team had run off and thrown him out of his wagon. " Uncle Billy" raised up on his elbow and

But those times are past, and we will observe, right here, that there is not a licensed saloon in Charleston Township nor city, a fact that is highly creditable to their citizens.

In the late war, Charleston bore no inconsiderable part. Many of her citizens left their homes, kindred and all that was dear to the heart, and went forth to battle for the Union that they loved better than all things else. Several from this township laid down their lives in its defense, and their bones lie mingled with the dust of the far-off Southern fields where they met the foe. It is no reproach to their valor that they fell before a foe as brave as themselves. We give the names, herewith, of all now living in the township who served in the late war, so far as we have been able to get them : W. E. Robinson entered the army, in 1861, as Captain of Company E, Fifty-second Illinois Volunteers. James M. Ashmore entered the army as Captain of Company C, Eighth Illinois Volunteers; wounded at Shiloh. G. M. Mitchell, in June, 1861, as Captain of Company C, First Illinois Cavalry - the first three years regiment to leave the State; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of Fifty-fourth Infantry in February, 1862, and in October, 1863, promoted to Colonel; re-enlisted as a veteran in 1864, and in the fall of that year was brevetted Brigadier General. H. A. Neal, in fall of 1864, enlisted in Company K, First United States Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. W. E. Adams, in 1862, as Captain of Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers, and served to the close of the war. A. M. Peterson enlisted in Company K, Twenty-first (Grant's old regiment) Illinois Volunteers, July, 1861 ; rose to the rank of Captain, and resigned, in 1862, on account of ill-health. Isaac Vail enlisted August, 1862, in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; was Orderly Sergeant, and was with Sherman in the march to the sea. Charles Cleary enlisted in Company C, Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry ( Union) ; promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and then to First Lieutenant, and was detailed as Acting Assistant Adjutant General ; was on Col. Crittenden's stafl", and served until close of the war. J. A. Connely enlisted, in 1862, as Major of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers ; served until close of the war, two years of the time as Inspector General of the Fourteenth Army Corps, and was on the " march to the sea." Joseph F. Goar enlisted, in 1862,, in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until close of the war. Eli Huron enlisted in Company A, Fiftythird Indiana Volunteers ; promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and lost right arm in the second battle of Corinth. E. E. Clark enlisted in Company E, Seventythird Ohio Volunteers, and served about two years ; and also in Adjutant Generals office. Thomas A. Marshall entered the army as Colonel of First Illinois Cavalry, and served until the muster-out of the regiment. T. E. Tillotson enlisted in Company H, Fourth Ohio Volunteers, in April, 1861 ; assisted in raising a company, and was appointed Orderly Sergeant ; commissioned Second Lieutenant before leaving the State ; was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1862, and to Captain in 1864 ; after the battle of Peach-Tree Creek, was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel by President Lincoln for meritorious service, and, after the close of the war, was brevetted Major by President Johnson. John H. Clark enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Illinois Volunteers, and promoted to Orderly Sergeant. C. Swarts enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Volunteers, in the summer of 1863. Adam Metzler enlisted, in the fall of 1862, in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteers, served nine months, and then enlisted in the regular army (Fourth United States Cavalry), and served three years on the frontier. R. P. Hackett enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty- third Illinois Volunteers, and served three years ; severely wounded at Milton, Tenn., and still carries the ball. Christian Schytt enlisted in Company E, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteers. J. W. Evans, enlisted in Company K, First Tennessee (Union) Volunteers. Robert L. Reat, Company A, Seventy-eighth Indiana Volunteers. William A. Jeffries, Company C, Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, three-months men ; re-enlisted in Sixty-third Infantry, and was chosen Second Lieutenant of Company K. Dr. W. M. Chambers, appointed Brigade Surgeon by President Lincoln in 1861, and served until 1865. Brevetted Lieutenant Colonel, and then Colonel, for meritorious services. As will be seen from the above list, many of the men there mentioned enlisted in other States, but are now residents of Charleston (town and city) ; while many of those living here at the time of enlistment, having removed to other sections, we have been unable to learn their names.

Blooded Stock

In the general county history we noted the fact that considerable attention was being paid to the breeding of blooded stock in the county, and mentioned the names of several parties who are engaged in improving different breeds of animals, viz. : W. A. Whittemore, J. W. Wright, H. M. Ashmore and I. U. Gibbs engaged in breeding fine horses ; William Miller, S. C, Ashmore, Ambrose Edwards, Isaac Flenner, R. L. Reat and R. S. Hodgen, fine cattle ; and Shepard & Alexander, Poland-China hogs. The fine herds of this excellent stock of hogs, owned by Messrs. Shepard & Alexander, deserve more than a mere passing notice. In a pamphlet which they have published, descriptive of the Poland- China stock, for gratuitous distribution among their patrons, we make some extracts, which will be found of interest to hog-raisers generally. In this pamphlet, they take up the history of the hog, almost from the time Noah let him out of the Ark, and follow it in a concise manner to its "culmination of perfection " in the Poland-China stock. Speaking of this fine breed of hogs, they say : " The Poland-China is a breed established in the Miami Valley, as early as the year 1835. The direct and careful history of some of the original breeds from which this splendid animal was derived, cannot be given as fully and as particularly as its present importance and fast-growing popularity demand. As early as 1820, the farmers of Ohio obtained some hogs of an improved breed known as the Poland, and crossed upon the common stock of the country, and upon this question of the Poland hog several bitter controversies have arisen; but that such a breed of hogs existed at that day, and long since, we have not the slightest doubt. * * * * ^j^g Poland hog used by these fiirmers and stock-raisers is described as a large lop-eared, dark colored hog, attaining great weight, but slow in maturing. This cross produced by the Poland was again crossed by the Byfield, a breed originating in New England; but being of mixed breed itself, produced but little change; and not satisfying their standard of a practical hog, they in a few years introduced the big spotted China, imported from England. This last was an English breed, the result of crosses with the original Chinese. The infu?ion of the blood of this spotted China produced very marked and important changes in this famous hog, decreasing the size and increasing the fattening qualities, refining the bone and perfecting the symmetry of form, etc." By other crosses, as given in this history, with the Wobum, Irish Graziers and Berkshires, has resulted the formation of a breed of hogs of the most desirable qualities, and since 1834-35, no new blood has been infused into this breed of Poland-China. Messrs. Shepard & Alexander conclude their history of this famous breed as follows : " They have been fully tested m all the various climates of the United States, and, under all circumstances, have proved themselves hardy, prolific, free from disease, with great action and constitutional vigor, and always bring the highest price as porkers in the markets. They can be made to weigh, at ten months, 350 to 400 pounds ; at eighteen months, from 500 to 940 pounds. The best average fat hogs made in the United States have been of this breed. One lot of forty head, raised by one man, averaged at twenty-two months, 613 pounds. In color, they are spotted black and white, with occasionally a sandy tinge, varymg, however, according to the peculiar fancy of the breeder, from almost white to nearly black."

Shepard & Alexander, well-known citizens of this township have made a specialty for some years of the Poland-China hog, and their famous herds are extensively and favorably known all over the country. They claim that the Poland China is the hog for the farmer, combining more excellence than any other breed of swine, having great size, good style, docility, fertility, early maturity, aptitude foi' taking on flesh, and great constitutional vigor. As showing that they will fatten at any age, they give the following weights of two lots of pigs fattened at eleven months old. Thirty head averaged 389 pounds, thirty head 384 pounds, and an extra lot of ten, at ten months old, averaged 410 pounds. In conclusion of their pamphlet, they offer the following sensible advice to farmers : ''Pork-raising at the West stands pre-eminent as a branch of stock-raising, and there is no better, more profitable or easier wav for a farmer to make his grain than by feeding it into a good breed of hogs, and it is time that the farmers of the West and South gave this branch of stock-raising the attention that its fast-growing importance demands."

As stated in the general county history, the county Avas first divided into districts called election precincts, and so remained until township organization in 1859-60. This district was known as Charleston Precinct, and under township organization became Charleston Township, and was originally named for the county-seat, which had been given in honor of Charles Morton, who, as before stated, donated twenty acres of land to the county for the purpose of defraying the expenses of putting up the necessary public buildings. The first Supervisor of Charleston Township, under the new order of things, was Richard Stoddert. At the present time, it is represented in the Board of Supervisors by E. B. Buck and G. M. Adkins. The Justices of the Peace of the towrship are Charles Van Derford, J. I. Brown, George Tucker and J. W. Doty.

Having traced the history of Charleston Township from the period of i:s first settlement down to the present time, showing its growth and development, we come to notice

The City Of Charleston

Charleston is pleasantly situated on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, very nearly the center of the county, and 117 miles from Indianapolis, 14-) miles from St. Louis and about the same distance south of Chicago. It is a handsome little city of some four thousand inhabitants, and noted for its energetic business men, its mills and manufactories, and its excellent schooh, churches, and the genei'al intelligence of its inhabitants. While it claims i:o very extensive manufacturing establishments, yet there are several located within its limits, which will receive appropriate mention in the proper place. It is well supplied with water works, and the pure, clear water of the Embarrass River is thus utilized in providing its people with a bountiful supply of the health-giving element.

Charleston was originally surveyed by Thomas Sconce, the first Surveyor of Coles County, and laid out by Commissioners (William Bowen, of Vermilioii County ; Jesse Essarey, of Clark, and Joshua Barber, of Crawford) appointed by the Legislature for the purpose of establishing the seat of justice of the county. The original town embraced, as shown by the plat on file in the Recorder's office, the west half of the southwest quarter of Section No. 11, in Township No. 12 north, of Range 9 east. It was resurveyed in June, 1839, bj Joseph Fowler, County Surveyor, and in this resurvey is noted the addition of Nathaniel Parker, of the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 10, etc. Since the first laying-out of Charleston, the records show some fifty additions and subdivisions to the original town by different individuals, giving it sufficient area, one would suppose, for a much larger city. It was named by the Commissioners who located the county seat, in honor of Charles Morton, one of the proprietors of the land on which it is situated, and who donated twenty acres of land for county purposes. In naming the place, they added the last syllable of Morton's last name to his first name, thus forming the word Charleston.

The first house was built in Charleston by William Collom, who i's termed the first actual settler in its corporate limits. It was a small log house of one room, and in this spacious building he kept the first tavern in the future city of Charleston, then an incipient village. Such a diminutive hotel would scarcely supply the demand of the wayfaring men of Charleston now. The city is well furnished with excellent hotels. The Charleston House, with its genial landlord, Dan Van Sickle, is a model in its way, and is a cheerful home to the weary, wayworn traveler. Dan is an old commercial traveler, and, as such, has been the guest of half the hotels in Illinois and Indiana, and the experience thus obtained is used in the Charleston House to the advantage of his guests. The Maples Hotel, situated near the railroad, is less pretentious, but, withal, an excellent house. The first brick residence was built by Col. Norfolk, about 1835-36. James Wiley was the contractor, and superintended its erection. It is still standing, and being used as a residence by the widow of Col. Norfolk. Charles Morton was the first merchant in the village. As mentioned in the history of the township, he brought a stock of goods with him when he moved to the country, and opened them out in a cabin where he first settled. After the laying out of Charleston, he had reserved a choice "corner lot," in his donation to the county, and upon this he erected a storehouse. It was near the present post office. He also erected a number of " pole cabins " near his storehouse, in the rude style of architecture of that day. They stood all in a line, like the "nine little Injuns," and these he was in the habit of " letting "" to new-comers, three months free of rent, which time was sufficient to build a cabin of their own, if they were at all energetic. The second store in Charleston was kept by Baker & Norfolk, and was opened as soon after the town was laid out as the population of the place would justify.

The first post office was kept by Charles Morton, and was established about 1830-31. It was called " Coles Court House," and, after the town was laid out and christened, the name of the post office was changed to that of Charleston. The mail came from Terre Haute, via Paris, and passed on west through Shelbyville, Taylorville and Springfield to Quincy. It was carried by a man named Moke, Avho was over six feet high, and rode a very small pony, his feet almost touching the ground. His weekly trips were hailed as an event of vast importance, and everybody gathered at the post office then, just as they do now

(except the " small boy," who was not invented then, and who is the grandest nuisance to be found about the country post office at mailtime in this fast age), eagerly looking for the longed-for letter from absent friends, although they cost a quarter then, payable at the office of delivery. Col. G. M. Mitchell is the present representative of Uncle Sam in the post office department at Charleston, and, we may add, that his duties are somewhat heavier than were Mr. Morton's, when Moke used to bring the mail once a week on his little pony.

Owens and Harman were the first blacksmiths in Charleston, and are noticed elsewhere as the first in the township. David Eastin opened a tan-yard soon after the laying-out of the village, which is also noted in the township history, as is the carding machine of John Kennedy. Albert Compton and a man named Hanks were the first shoemakers, and to them the people were for some time indebted for a substantial " understanding." The former is still a resident of the city, but long since retired from the shoemaking business. Col. Dunbar was the first practicing lawyer, and had the field all to himself for awhile. He is still living, but has quit the law. Drs. Carrico and Ferguson were the first physicians, and both now sleep in the church-yard.

Charles Morton had the first mill in the village, which was the horse-mill mentioned in the township history as built by Morton, in the vicinity of his first settlement. When the village was laid out, he moved it within the corporation. The first steam-mill in Charleston was built by Byrd Monroe, which ran for several years, and was then burned. He at once rebuilt it, and, after several years, having passed into the hands of the Gages, was again burned, when they built the large and elegant brick mill near the Depot, at a cost of about $40,000. The City Mills were built some two years ago, by Alvey & Van Meter, a large, substantial brick edifice, with all the new and improved machinery. A mill was built in the west part of town, years ago, which finally passed into the hands of Ashmore, and was burned some time afterward, and has never been rebuilt. Charleston has just cause to be proud of h«r mills, for but few cities of her size can boast of two more excellent mills than the two mentioned above.