De Witt County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1882 (part 4 of 8)

Was born October 27th, 1827, in Seneca County, Ohio. His parents were John and Hannali Davis, (nee Kashner). His father, a farmer, was born in Maryland. His grandfather, a A^'elsbman, ran off from home, took to the sea at the age of seventeen and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he took part as a cavalry man. The military spirit was transmitted to the son, who bore his part in the war of 1812. In 1849, John Davis came to his death by falling from a load of hay. In 1859, the subject of this sketch came to Illinois and located in Wapella, where he has since resided. Until nineteen years of age he worked on a farm, when he went to blacksmithing, which avocation he followed for six years, during which time he husbanded his means with a view to attending Medical Lectures, which he did in the Western Reserve INIedical College, in Cleveland, Ohio, and from which institution he graduated in 1857. For two years before coming west, he practiced his profession in Nevada. He is a member of the County, District and State Medical Societies, and takes high rank among physicians. He was married to Mary Patterson, August 17th 1856, by whom he has three children living, namely : Hippocrates. Veselius and Bursilia. Politically the doctor is an ardent Repub licau, a natural outgrowth of the Whig principles impressed upon him in early life. His second presidential ballot was cast for John P. Hale, who was nominated as a Free Soiler Candidate. In religion he holds to the Universalist faith. He is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows' and Good Templar orders. A skilled and careful physician ; an earnest, thoughtful man ; u kind and indulgent father; a whole-souled neighbor and frieml, Dr. Davis is an honor to his profession.

A farmer, living in an elegant home, a view of which axioms this work was born November 27th, 1836, in Senaca county Ohio. His parents were Isaac Greer and Alice Ann Watson, nee Doan. They were natives of Pennsylvania. Their ancestors in turn were of Scotch origin. Isaac G. Watson was a farmer and tanner. Hugh D. Watson was his second child, the older brother being William, had a sister Mary. In boyhood Hugh obtained a fair common school education which was added to by attendance for a year at an academy at Republic, Ohio. He came to De Witt county Illinois, in 1865. He was married to Eveline Stevens, March 28th, 1861, by whom lie has six children. His wife is a daughter of Colonel James X. Stevens, a very prominent citizen of Seneca county, Ohio, who was born in New Jersey : served as colonel of the -SSth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and has always taken a leading part in politics in his vicinity. Mr. Watson is an unswerving Republican in politics, who points with pride to his first vote having been given for Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency. He and his most estimable wife are earnest working members of the Presbyterian Church. Their family is a most interesting one, and the advancement of their children's happiness seems to be their chief concern. Everything calculated to make home life happy is availed of by Mr. AVatsou and wife.

Whose portrait appears on this page was boru in North Carolina October 8th, 1812. He was the son of Jonathan and Kebecca Harrold to whom were born nine children, namely, Ab-alom, Jonathan, James M., Isam, Mitchell, Mary, Naomi, Eli, and Sophronia. Of these Isam and Eli are farmers in Wapella Township, De Witt county. James 51., is iu Vernon county, Missouri Naomi, now Mrs. James IM. Fears lives in California ; the other five are dead. The Harrolds are of English and Welsh extraction and were very early settlers in America. Jonathan Harrold Jr. was raised on a farm and educated to farm pursuits. When he arrived at maturity he left his native state and located in Indiana where he married Miss Abigail Bishop. Seven children blessed this union. In 1840 he came to De Witt county where he engaged in farming. His father came here in'' 18.33, and died iu 1838. In 1856 he lost his wife by death, and in 18.59 was married to Miss Rebecca Draper. By this last union there were born five children. In 1869 Mr. Harrold moved from where he first located to Wapella township where he lived until his death which occurred October 11th, 1881. His wife survives him and lives on the old homestead. Five of his sons live in Wapella township and farm a large tract of land in partnership under the name of E. B. Harrold & Bros. They are also extensively engaged in the cattle business in Texas. Jonathan Harrold .Jr. was a lover of justice as between man and man, was industrious and ambitious to excel in his vocation, and was respected of

Virginia, the old dominion state has contributed her full share of emigrants to Illinois. Especially was this true when the state first attracted attention. From Virginia originally came the Harrolds, and in that state October 23rd, 1814 was Isam Harrold born. His parents were .Jonathan and Rebecca Harrold. He received a fair common school education in Indiana, where his parents lived for a few years prior to coming to Illinois, which they did in the year 18.33, locating in the vicinity of Waynesville. On the 9th of April, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Lisenby, the ceremony being performed by Squire

Peter Crum. By this union there have been born seven children, six of whom, Louisa, Rebecca, Ruth, Winfield S., Nancy and Laura are living. His most excellent wife was of that honored pioneer family the Lisenbys, - a family whose influence has ever been felt for good. In politics Jlr. Harrold is a Republican. In 1S36, when he cast his first ballot he voted the Whig ticket, and says he has never found cause to forsake the doctrines first held by the Whigs and being carried out by the Republicans. In religious faith he is a LTniversalist, whilst his wife is a member of the Christian Church.

IHIS township in form is a regular rectangle, having a length of six and a width of five and a half miles. It embraces almost an entire Congressional township, containing thirty-three sections of land or more accurately 21,852 acres In the main it is well drained ; the north fork of Salt creek enters the township on section two, flows a general southwesterly course, leaving it on section thirtythree; the south fork enters on section thirty-six, flows northwesterly, then a southerly course leaving on section thirty-five : King's branch enters on section four, flows south-westerly, leaving on section six. These together with minor affluents drain the township. More than one-third of Harp is embraced in the timber belt, chiefly oak, although a variety of wood is found. Part of the surface, following the water course, is rough and rugged, whilst much is level prairie. Artificial drainage had to be resorted to, especially in the north-western portion of the township, in order to bring it to a degree of perfection agriculturally. A superior article of tile clay has been found on section fourteen, where it is being manufactured into tile by E. R. Ross. Near it has been found clay well adapted to the manufacture of brick, as is also true of land on section twenty-seven. It is purely an agri cultural township, there being no village within its limits.

Early SelileinenU : On section thirty-two, far removed from neighbors, in the deep solitude of a forest of oak, Solomon Cross erected an humble cabin, in the year 1830. It was 16x18 feet square, of rough, unhewn logs. Its door swuug upon home-made wooden hinges. In each of two corners were bedsteads having each one leg, the walls of the cabin furnishing the necessary support. In making a home thus upon the out kirts of civilization he had the aid of two grown sons. Solomon Jr. and Jeflerson. This cabin, the first erected in the township, was only destroyed in 1880.

Almost simultaneously with Cross came Jesse Mulkey and his brother-in-law, Baltus Malone, who located on section thirteen. The location is known still as Mulkey 's Point. Mulkey was a very shrewd, quick-witted man. Before he ever embraced religion himself he would preach to his neighbors. He was the father f ten children, five boys and five girls. This large family together with that of Baltus Malone, at first occupied a single cabin of medium size. Malone was a powerfully built man, and a noted axe-man. It is said that he split five hundred rails in a single day. With the broad axe too he was an adept. His strength and ready command of the axe gave him ao envied reputation among the pioneers with whom he came in contact. The first winter's occupancy of their cabin was that of the memorable deep snow. Provisions were scarce. Mills inaccessible.

Wood difficult to procure, but the stout hearts of these Kentuckians braved it all. With pounded corn made into bread and such game as they could secure they passed the winter, their nearest neighbors, equally helpless with themselves, seven miles distant. When other pioneers of a later date would complain of the hardships besetting them, Mulkey and Malone would say " it's nothing, you ought to have been here during the deep snow." After remaining a little more than a year they deserted their cabin, whereupon Felix Jones took possession. In the fall following he put out the first orchard in the township. Jones was an oddity ; his wife more of one. He being ready with axe and saw aided in the construction of most houses built in the neighborhood - and neighborhood implied all within a radius of eight or ten miles. Possessed of a restless spirit he aided his neighbors perhaps more than himself. Clad in homespun garb, his feet encased in shoes of his own workmanship, made of hog hide at that, he would break new ground for a neighbor, or accompanied by his wife, would drive three yoke of oxen attached to a sled, away to the old mill on Kickapoo creek with his own and neighbors grist. His wife, with linsey shirts and a leghorn bonnet - the only one left since the days of the revolution - described by a pioneer as being the size of a buggy top surmounting a pile of corn was a sight to see. Independent in her peculiar garb, glib of tongue, she was one of the marked characters of early days. Once Felix reached the mill and was told he would have to wait a week for his grist as so many were in ahead of him, but he was prepared for just such an emergency, he took the miller to one side, drew forth a jug of 'agua miraculous " and asked the miller to take a " swig," then another, and asked if he couldn't slip in his grist ahead of others, to which proposition the " mellowing " miller affirmatively responded. Felix with all his short-comings was a most useful member of society. Evidences of the occupation of the tract selected by the first settlers, by Indians, are yet shown to visitors on the farm of J. W. McCord. Mulkey's Point seemed to have been a regular camping ground for them, a station as it were out upon their happy hunting grounds.

During the same year 1831, Isaac Davidson, a Tennesseean, commenced a settlement on section twenty-five. Millington Brown and J. W. McCord broke five acres for him. His newmade home oft'ered him little of cheer as he died in the autumn of the same year and was buried near where his cabin stood and near to where a camp-meeting ground was opened subsequently. He was a man of great energy, of usually happy disposition, and was esteemed of all who knew him. His was the first burial in the township. Its exact date was not preserved, but it was in the month of October 1831.

ment which was carried into execution, so that they became the first weddeil couple in the township, and the idea that " love laughs at locksmiths " found exemplification in the then wilds of Harp.

The second death was that of William Cross, a brother of Solomon Cross, in October 1831. He was buried on section thirtytwo, where the old grave-yard is yet to be seen.

1831. They were from (Jverton county, Tennessee However, prior to this, they had lived for a brief time near Waynesville. The first school in the township was taught in the house occupied by Tyre Harp in 1836. The following year Tyre Harp, Charles Harp, Pleasant Smith and Dudley Richards subscribed $110 towards paying for a sis months school, besides putting up a log school-house 16x18 feet in dimensions. Edom Shugert who had taught in Harp's house, took charge of the school. The children of a few neighbors attended, whose parents paid a part of the SI 10 proportioned to their attendance. Edom Shugert was also a Teunessean. He was a fair scholar for the times, and apt to teach. Many who are now ranked among the old settlers were among his pupils. The Harps have always been prominent in this county, as the name of the township in which several of them have lived would indicate.

1832. He was a backwoods preacher, possessed of the voice of a Stentor. He also taught school, alternating his labors in the school-room with farming. He has been known to plow all morning, leave his team in the furrow, enter the school-room, call " books," hear a few classes and return to his plowing, which plan he would keep up all day. For years he was recognized as a useful member of society, but a taste for ardent spirits fastened itself upon him, and his usefulness was thereby greatly impaired.

John Miller, called white-eye Miller, one of his eyebrows being white, but more particularly to distinguish him from another of he same name, located on section thirty-four. The first season he lived in a tent, constructed somewhat after the fashion of a Sibley army tent, with poles as guys, however, instead of ropes. He delighted, as most pioneers did, in hunting and fishing, indeed without these sports life would have been quite monotonous and their tables would have been bare indeed. Parched corn and venison sustained life for a month in his family without further change of diet.

In 1836 G. B. L^men and family, Isaac Swisher and family and Rachel Swisher and family located where they yet live in the north-eastern part of the township. Isaac Swisher had lived a year in Vermillion county. The others in seeking a western home came by his place and induced him to pack up and come along. Together they all brought thirty head of sheep, the first brought to this section of country, and a most toothsome bait they proved too for wolves ; ten head of cattle and other stock. The winter preceding they all remained in a house owned by John Dawson in old town timber. Here they built separate cabins. Lemen says he had great difficulty in keeping out the fine driving snow the following winter. He actually put thirteen hundred clap boards averaging four feet in length by five inches in width on a house 18x20, and yet the snow would gather on the Hoor and bedding in drifts. This he obviated in the spring by daubing inside and out and boarding up the outside in addition. The house thus improved, defied the storms of many winters, furnishing comfort to the inmates. During the " sudden freeze " in January, 1836, chickens in their effort to reach a place of safety, were frozen in their tracks, so that Lemen had to use a hatchet in extricating them. During the first winter these families were put to the necessity of grinding buckwheat in a coffee mill, being unable to get to any mill, and not having corn. An improvement on the coffee mill was a hollowed log, into which grain was put and pounded with an iron wedge set in a split hickory handle. Both Lemen and Swisher are yet living, surrounded by their children, now grown men and women, in easy, if not affluent circumstances.

Thomas Wilson came to this township from Maryland in 1836. He had sis sons, two of whom yet live here. He was a man of great enterprise and industry. He felt the need of a saw mill, and in 1838 erected one on the north fork of Salt Creek on section two. In 1840 he added a burr stone for the grinding of corn. The stone wa.s one of the prairie boulders which so extensively abound in parts of this county. It answered an excellent purpose, and neighbors who had been long dependent upon milk far removed, or upon " pounding" corn at home, rejoiced in the enterprise of the projector.

Among the earliest camp-meeting grounds located within the limits of this county was that on section 2.5, which was located in 183.'>. Winding Clark was the first person to hold services in this camp. Families from a great distance came to the grounds, and caused the woodlands to ring with merry cheer as they erected a village of cabins in which to lodge. A platform was constructed for the preachers, seats arranged of logs partially hewn, and camp-meeting time was one of good cheer and spiritual refreshment. The presiding elder at the time, Rev. John St. Clair, was also present during part of the time.

Jefferson Cross was the first person elected as justice of the peace. Many of his decisions, it was affirmed, were more in accordance with common sense than law. He was a man of fair education, and acquitted himself well in drawing up papers that proved perplexing to his neighbors.

The first school taught in the Lemen settlement, or in the north eastern part of the township, was by John Dougherty. The second was by a teacher, of whom his pupils - several of whom yet live near - declare he never knew the difference between p and q or b and d. He was too lazy to engage in farming, and thought to palm himself off as a teacher.

The fir.-t blacksmith to locate here was Solomon Despain, who first located in Waynesville in 1830, then here in 1837. He was also a Baptist preacher after the regularly approved backs woods style of oratory - a regular sledge hammer in speech. Heput up his smithy on land owned by J. G. Wright, ason-in-law of Harp. Near Wilson's mill a man named Leonard erected a blacksmith's shop in 1860.

Harp is thoroughly an agricultural township, with the exception of three mills, a blacksmith's shop, a tile and brickyard, and two small groceries, no business industries are conducted within its limits other than farming and stock raising.

James Harp. It is dow owned and operated by Peter Collins. Is located on the north fork of Salt Creek on section 22. It is a water mill supplied with an overshot wheel, and a combined saw and grist mill provided with a small burrstone for grinding corn.

Salt Creek Valley Mills, a combined saw and grist mill, was built by the present owner, Simeon Morrison, in 1862, at a cost of $9,800. It is provided with a turbine wheel of five feet in diameter, also an Adkiu wheel for running the saw. The capacity of the grist mill is 60 barrels per day ; of the saw mill 1,500 feet per day. This mill is supplied with excellent machinery, and is well supported. It is on section 28, well located on Salt Creek, as the name implies.

Levi Griffith opened a grocery store on section 15, in 1874, which is well patronized, as is that of J. W. Curl on section 2, and which was first opened in 1871 by Henry Lucas.

E R. Ross commenced the manufacture of tile on his farm, section 14, in 1877. Thus far he has manufactured about 100,000 tile, for which he has found ready sale at home. Adjoining the tile works is a brick -yard owned by him, first opened in 1869. Sale of brick, 100,000 per annum. The clay is of superior quality.

The first road cut through this township was that leading from Clinton to Marion, by Hugh L. Davenport. At the time citizens obtained their mail at Clinton, which was a decided improvement upon going to Bloomington. Letter postage on mail from Kentucky - the original home of many of their number - was 25 cents per letter at the time.

The Oilman branch of the Illinois Central railroad passes through this township from east to west, entering on section 24, and leaving on section 30. As yet there is no station within the limits of the township- One is in contemplation on section 20 on land owned by Thomas Suell ; a switch is to be constructed this winter, and doubtless a village will be the result. Railroad bonds to the amount of $55,000 were voted by the people of this township in favor of the above road, bearing date July 1, 1871, and bearing ten per cent, interest per annum. Much litigation has grown out of these bonds, the people refusing to honor them, because of non-compliance, on the part of the railroad company, with agreements made and promises extended. A party named Henry J. Furber obtained judgment on the coupons held by himself in the United States Court in January, 1877, and mandamus to compel the levy to pay off" the judgment. Several suits have been commenced aside from this in the local courts ; in fact so famous have the Harp township bonds become that metropolitan papers in referring to them do not mention either the county or state but simply the township. The population of this township in 1860 was 743 ; in 1870, 1164 ; and in 1880, 1077. The following statistics from the assessor's books for the last year exhibit the agricultural status of this township : horses, 499 ; neat cattle, 932; mules, 39 ; sheep, 213- hogs, 2069; carriages and wagons, 16S ; sewing machines, 57 ; piano, 1 ; organs, 6. Total value of personal property, $54,130; of lands, §247,711.

From this township there were in the Mexican war William Harp, Charles Harp, Calvin Paine, Isaac M'Cuddy, David Beebe, Isaac Strain, and Joshua Jackson ; aad in the Black Hawk, J. G. Wright.

Among the pioneers of De Witt county few names are more highly respected than that of the person whose portrait adorns this page. George B. Lemon was born in Clark county, Ohio, Oct. 1st, 1809. His parents were John R. and Rebecca Lemen, who were pioneers in the settlement of Ohio from the mother of States, old Virginia. His father was a farmer, who for years was elected Judge of the County Court, his style of thought and action fitting him for this position. Mr. G. B. Lemen was married to Charity Swisher, March 18th, 1830, in Clark county, Ohio, by the Rev. Robert ^Miller. The union has been blessed by the birth of twelve children, eleven of whom are now living. Mrs. Lemen died September 23d, 1843. On the 26th of May, 1844, George B. Lemen was married to Mary J. Woods. The Lemens and Swishers came to this county immediately before the deep snow, and in the Chapter on Pioneers, their early life here is treated of Politically, Mr. Lemen is an out-and-out Republican, to use his own language. A Whig, in times of whiggery, his first presidential vote was cast for Henry Clay, whom he has always considered to be the model politician. Mr. Lemen voted the whig ticket when there were but three Whig votes cast in the county. The unpopularity of the cause daunted him not. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in whose welfare he takes great pride, also of the Masonic Order. In 1837 he was chosen as colonel of the militia of this county, a position he held with distinction to himself until 1848. The last parading was done when beating up troops for the Mexican war. When the war for the Union broke out. Col. Lemen cheered on with voice and act the boys in blue, and had the honor of presiding at the first meeting held in De Witt county in the interest

Was born iu Kirtland, Ohio, July 6th, 1826. Ilis parents were Isaac and Philena Moore. His mother's maiden name was Blish, hence his own given name. He received a fair common-school education, and came to Illinois in the year 1845, locating in De Witt county, where his brother, C. H. Moore, had preceded him some four years. His first step was to sell goods for Mitchell, a merchant in Clinton, who was succeeded by Mitchell anfl King, and with whom Mr. Moore remained until 1860. For the next ten years he served in the capacity of foreman on some of his brother's farms. On the 21st of March, 1851, he was united in marriage with Susan C. McCuddy, who died November 23d, 1854. By this union there was one child, who died near the age of fourteen. On the 28th of October, 1869, he married Martha Phillips, by whom he has two children, a boy and girl, besides two deceased. Mr. Moore is independent] in politics, with a decided leaning towards Republicanism, having cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and last for Gen'l James A. Garfield. He is a member of the Masonic Order, a goodfarmer, and worthy citizen.

Was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, March 1st, 1823. His parents were John and Elizabeth AValker. His father was a tanner by trade and also engaged in farming. In 1832 the family moved to Ohio. Robert had learned to read and write in his native State, where he had an old Englishman as a teacher. In 1850 they moved to Illinois, locating in Sangamon county. Here they engaged in farming extensively. Robert Walker was married to Sarah Fretz, November 1st, 1845, by whom he has seven children living. I In lS6o he came to De Witt county. In

1866 he was chosen Town Clerk, and in 1873 was elected County Judge, which office he held for four years. Politically, Judge Walker is a republican. In the days of slavery he was a prominent, outspoken abolitionist. Both he and his wife are of the Presbyterian faith. He is a strong advocate of temperance, and has an abiding faith in the ultimate triumph of the cause of Prohibition. A farmer of more than ordinary ability, a gentleman of excellent social qualities, the judge is highly and deservedly respected.

and upwards have passed since the hardy pioneers commenced their labors toward preparing it for the abode of man. To see the fine farms and improvements, at this time, one could hardly believe that but a half century has gone by since its first settlement. De Witt township contains about .37 sections of land, being in the form of a square, with the exception of a small portion cut off from the southern part of Santa Anna township and united to the former on the south-east. It is situated in the central eastern part of the county, and bounded as follows: On the north by Rutledge township, east by Santa Anna, south by Nison, and west by Harp. A belt of timber extends through the township from the north-east to the south-west, following the trend of Salt creek, and it composes about one-fourth of the surftice. The prairie lies on either side of the timber, and is some of the best soil in the county. Salt creek enters in the north-east of section 1, and flows south-west across the township and passes out in the south-west corner of section -31. This stream has numerous small branches, the most prominent of which are Friend and Grove creeks emptying in fr)m the south-east. The Springfield Division of the Illinois Central railroad passes through it, entering in section 2, and passing out on the line between sections 18 and 19.

The first to make his abode within the limits of De Witt township, was a pioneer preacher by the name of Burlison' in the latter part of 1830, or the spring of 1831, who settled in what is now located as section 9 The history of whence he came or where he went is a blank, either in tradition or by the knowledge of the oldest inhabitants. In 1832, he sold out his " im- i provement right to James McCord, the history of whom will be i given as one among the pioneers. J. J. McGraw made a claim ! in the township in the summer of 18.30, and dug a well on his I claim. This was on the premises of what is now owned by E. O. Day. This was the first well dug in the township, and was located a little north and west of ilr. Day's present dwelling.

In the spring of 1833, there were but three heads of families within this territory : Hugh L. Davenport, Thomas R. Davis, and James McCord. There were also three single men, Orin Wakefield, Millington Brown, and James Morrison, the latter being a widower. Mr. Davenport came from Kentucky in the summer of 1831, and settled in section 19. His wife's maiden name was Juanna Watt. He remained here until a few years ago, when he moved into Harp township. Mr. Davenport is now dead, but several of the children yet reside in the county. Thomas R. Davis came in the same year as Mr. Davenport, and settled in the same section. He also came from Kentucky, and had a wife and one cliild. He lived here but a short time, when he removed to parts unknown.

James McCord was a native of North Carolina, and settled in section 9 in the fall of 1832, buying the improvement right of the pioneer preacher, Burlison. Mr. McCord brought his family here with two teams, a horse and an ox team. His family consisted of his wife Mary, and four children, Martha S., John, Hannah, and William Y. Other children were born to the family after coming to the county. Jlr. McCord died here in 18.52. His wife survived him but six years. Only one of the children, James W. is now residing in the county.

Millington Brown afterwards married Miss Eliza Nott, and raised a family of children. He moved with his family to Rutledge township in 1838, where he died. His widow afterwards married again, but has since died. James Morrison came from Ohio, and squatted in section 19. He died several years ago. Two of his sons are yet living in the county, John and Simeon. The former is a prominent citizen in Tunbridge township, and the latter of Harp.

Orin Wakefield was a native of the state of New York, Jefferson county, and was one of the first to enter land in this township, being the west half of the south-east quarter of section 17. This entry was made the 28th of May, 1833. As already stated, when he came here, he was a single man, but soon commenced improving the laud he had entered, " batching " it for a few years. In 183(3, he married Hannah McCord, a daughter of James McCord, the pioneer. From this union eight children were born, Susan, Mary, George W., Melancthon, Bandusia, Hepheston, Philetus, and Lycurgus. In 1S56, Mr. Wakefield had the misfortune to lose his wife. He was again married to Susan N. Howard, in 1858, from which marriage no children have been born. Both are now living in the old homestead in section 17, and enjoying a happy old age. But one child is now living in the county, a son, who resides in Waynesville. Mr. Wakefield owns a large farm near the village of De Witt, and is one of the most prominent farmers in the township. He is the oldest pioneer citizen in De Witt township, and is now 73 years of age. The county at the time Mr. Wakefield settled in it was wild and uncultivated, nothing but a vast expanse of prairie, with good timber huggiug Salt creek. Neighbors were but few and widely scattered. A cabin of settlers, miles away, were then acquaintances and warm-hearted neighbors. At this time no one passed a log hut without calling to see if all were well, and in ease of sickness, members of the family were better cared for than in this day of selfishness. Often the settlers would go ten or twelve miles to aid the new comers to raise their cabins. The fellnwshiii of these pioneers is wholly unknown to the present generation. The manner of preparing the mortar to daub their cabins was unique indeed. This was done by digging up a quantity of clay and covering over with prairie grass- A lot of shelled corn was then scattered over all, and enough water poured on to make it a proper consistency. The hogs were then turned in, and in their eiforts to pick up the corn, the clay and grass would become well mixed and in good shape for use.

In the fell of 1 833, and spring of 1834, there was quite an influx of immigration, among whom were Benjamin S. Day, the McOords, Z. G. Cantrall, and James Hutchison. The former was a native of Kentucky, and moved here with his family in the spring of 1834, and settled in section 19. His famil}' consisted of his wife and six children, Mary, Elizabeth, Edward O., Rebecca, H. T., and Caroline. Mr. Day laid off the town of Marion, (De Witt) improved a good farm, and died in 184.5. His wife survived him but a few years. Four of the family are yet living in the county. The McCords and Z. G. Cantrall, came the same year, and settled in the same section, 19. The latter remained but a short time. Several of the former families are yet living in the county. James Hutchison was a native of Virginia, but moved from there to Kentucky in an early day, and from thence to Sangamon county, Illinois, in the fall of 182S. In 1833 he moved to Waynesville, where he remained two years, when he came to this township. At this time he had a wife and six children. His wife's name was Mary. The children were, William, JIary J., Elizabeth, Martha A , Amanda, and James H. Mr. Hutchison lived until the summer of 184-5. His wife died in ISGl. But two of the family are now living, and reside in De Witt ; Elizabeth, wii'e of D. F. Robins, and Amanda.

Hiram Chapin, another early settler, was a native of Korth Carolina, and emigrated to Tennessee, and from tlience to Kentucky. In the latter state he married Martha Day, a sister of Benjamin S. Day, the pioneer. In 1819 he moved to Madison County, Illinois, and from there to near Waynesville in 1829, where he remained until 183-5, when he came to this township. He had a wife and five children, John D., Stillmau A., George D., Abraham D., and Martha A. He afterwards removed to McLean County, where he died in the fall of 1871. Stillman A. is the only member of the family living in the county. He resides in the village of De Witt, an old and respected citizen. Daniel Robins settled here in the fall of 183.5, and located in section 19. He was a native of Kentucky, and moved here with a carriage and a four-horse wagon, bringing with him seven children, Martha, Jane, D. F., Adolphus C, Amanda C, Ann Eliza, and Mary. He was then a widower. They first moved into the log kitchen of Hiram Chapin. Mr. Robins was engaged in the mercantile business in the town of Marion, now De AVitt, and afterwards moved to Clinton, where he followed the same pursuit and died in 1870. D. F. Robins is the only one of the family now living in the county. He resides in the village of De Witt, and has reared a fiimilj'-of nine children, four of whom are living in the county. John Callison came from Kentucky in a very early day, and settled in section 17. At the time of his coming he was a young man with a wife but no children. Several children were born to them after coming to the county, three of whom are residing in the county. Benjamin is living in section 18, and is a succe-ssful farmer. The old gentleman, John, and his wife, Elizabeth, are yet living at the old homestead in section 17, and among the most esteemed citizens. Jacob Swigart, one of the old settlers and staunch men of the county.

was a native of Ohio, and came here in 1847. He was then a single man, but afterwards married in the county. His residence is in section 14, and he owns 2,300 acres of land, and is one of the largest stock raisers in De Witt County. He has served in all six years as township supervisor, and is the present incumbent.

The following are the first land entries made in the township, and reaching to 1835 : February 15, 1833, James McCord enteredtheW. JoftheN. W. i of section 15. John McCord entered the W.J of the S. E. i of section 6, February IS, 1833. At the same date Thomas R. Davis entered the S. W. i of the N. E. J of section 19, May 28, 1833. Orin Wakefield entered the W. 3 of the S. E. k of section 17. In the same year, December 31, Z. G. Cantrail entered the E. 5 of the S. E. i of section 19. March 17, 1834, Millington Brown entered the E. J of the S. E. i of section 10. lu the same year and in the same section, Martha S. McCord entered the W. of the S. E. 1. At the same date Hannah McCord entered the E. 1 of the N. E. \ of section 14. Benjamin S. Day entered the S. E. i of the N. E. J of section 19, April 21, 1834.

The first marriage occurred in 1834. The contracting parties were Sylvanus Shurtleff and Elizabeth Day, daughter of Benjamin S. Day. The rites were solemnized by Gabriel Watt, a justice of the peace, and a local preacher of the Methodist denomination. The first death was Mrs. Morrison, wife of James Morrison, in 1833. She was buried on the land he squatted on in section 19. The first regular interments were made in section 30, but this being wet or" spouty " ground, the burial place was afterwards changed to the present cemetery in section 19.

The first school was taught by F. S. Robins, in the winter of 1836. At that time there was no school-house, and the school was conducted in the kitchen of Benjamin S. Day. It was a subscription school, and but few pupils were in attendance. The first school-house was built the following year, and situated just west of Mr. Chapin's residence in the village of De Witt. It was a little log cabin of very meagre pretensions, and characteristic of the day. It passed away long ago. The around on which it was situated is now owned by Henry Myers.

Rev. Burlison preached the first sermon in the huts of the few pioneers. This was as early as 1831-2. Dudley Richards and Thomas Davis were also pioneer preachers. The first to practise medicine was James A. Lemen. Dr. G. R. Morrison was also an early phj-sician. The first blacksmith was Ralph Rosecrans, and his shop was in the town of Marion, on the south side of the square. This was in 1836.

The main part of the early history of De Witt townsliip, so far as business is concerned, was confined to the town of Marion, so that was the oldest settled portion of this territory ; hence the remainder of the early history will be found under the caption of the village of Marion.

The following are the supervisors who have represented this township since township organization : Edward O. Day was elected the first supervisor in the spring of J859. Alexander McConkey was elected in 1860, and served two terms. Jacob Swigart elected in 1862. A. D, Chapin in 1863. Jacob Swigart was re-elected in 1864, Darius Cheney elected in 1865, David Basserman elected in 1866 and served two terms. Darius Cheney was re-elected in 1868. P. V. C Poole elected in 1869, and served two terms. Smith Fullor succeeded him and served one terra. D. A. Rosencrans elected in 1872 and served one term. Jacob Swigert re-elected in 1873 and served two terms. John Marsh was elected in 1875 and served two terms. D. A. Rosencrans was re-elected in 1877 and served one term. John

Marsh re-elected ill LSTS. Jacub Swigart re-elected in ISTIJ, served one term. Charles Richter elected in 1880. Jacob Swigert re-elected in 1881, and is the present incumbent.

The township has a railroad indebtedness in favor of the Springfield Division of the Illinois Central, in the sum of $40,000. The bonds were issued in 1871, and made payable in twenty years. They are bearing ten per cent, interest, but will probably soon be refunded at six per cent. The population for 1860, was 1018; 1870, 1061 ; and 1880, 1116. The roads, bridges and other improvements are in excellent condition, and the township bids fair to keep pace with others in the county.

The town was originally called Marion, and is one of the oldest villages in the county. Marion was laid out by Benjamin .S. Day, March 7th, 1836, and comprised ten acres, being a part of the north-east quarter of section 19, town 20, range 4 east. The lots were 41 i feet by 822, and the streets 82 i feet. Benjamin Austin was the surveyor. At a public sale held in the same month, nearly all the lots were sold, ranging from five to twenty dollars per lot. The following summer the first election was held at the house of Benjamin S. Day. Gabriel Watt and Flemming G. Paine were elected Justices of the Peace, and James Hutchison was elected Constable. In 1836, Daniel and P. S- Bobbins opened the first store in the precinct. It was situated about 200 yards south of the square. The building was a hewed log house, of small dimensions, and the stock was such as was kept in those days in a country store. The building was taken down and moved away many years ago, and was afterwards utilized by Mr. Benjamin Day for a dwelling. The first dwelling was constructed by F. S. Robins, in the fall of 1835. It was a log cabin, and situated on the property now owned by D. F. Robins, a little south of the square. It is yet standing, but clap-boarded with rived boards four feet in length, and used for a coal and wood house. The pedestrian can see it at this writing by passing Mr. Robins' hotel. The first hotel or public house was kept by Sylvanus Shurtlefl', in 1837, and located on the north-east covner of the square. It was a double-hewed log house, of fair pretensions for the times. About fifteen years ago it was taken down and moved to the prairie out of town, and used for a stable. Mr. Shurtleff" also built the first mill in 1836. This was a rude concern with an inclined wheel, ten feet in diameter, for a power. Those who desired to have their corn ground were obliged to get on the wheel and tread it. He did not understand the principles of philosophy, and first attempted to run the wheel by a wheelbarrow well greased and filled with stones at- i tached at the top of the incline ; thinking the weight would ] propel the wheel. Of course this would not work, and hence his patrons were obliged to tread the wheel. The mill was located on the east side oT the square, near the dwelling now occupied by H. Le Feber. Mr. Shurtleff' was of a roaming and restless disposition, and subsequently moved to the far west. The second rain was built by Daniel Robins a short time afterwards, and situated on the south side of the square. It was a horse mill, ] and did fair service for that day. Mr. Robins was also the first postmaster, and the office was established in 1837. In the same year the town of Marion was greatly enlarged by the additions of Day and Robins; the former by twenty acres, and the latter [ by forty. Prior to this time the people were destitute of mail privileges, the nearest post offices being at Decatur and Bloomington. Newspapers were a luxury not thought of, and letters from friends abroad did not come oftener than about four times ttithiu the year. The first church house was constructed by the Cumberland Presbyterians in 1840. It was a frame building, and situated just across the street from the present In-ick church. It was afterwards abandoned by the church and used for a sorghum mill, and subsequently for a stable. It has since been torn down and moved to another place.

The village of De Witt as now situated is long and straggling, extending from the original town of Marion north to the railroad, a distance of about three-fourths of a mile. The addition was made by A. C. Jones, August 2.3d, 1871, and described as follows : Commencing at the N. E. corner of the E. i of the S. E. part of section IS, town 20 N. R. 4 E., south on section line 2,646 feet to section corner; westerly on section line 1,240 feet; north 2,646 feet, easterly 1,240 feet except right of way of the G. C. & S. Railroad, now Springfield Division of the Illinois Central.

Incorporation. - The village of De Witt was incorporated iu the fall of 1879, and the first meeting of the board was held November 1st, of the same year. The following are the names of the first board : A. jMcConkey, President ; Charles Richter, Henry Myers, J. H. Tyler, H. Le Feber and H. S. Chapin. The second board, or for the year 18S0, were, Charles Richter, President ; H. Le Feber, H. Myers, Johu McDonald, H. Baker, and W. A. Finley. The board for 1881 - Charles Richter, President ; H. Le Feber, John McDonald, H. Myers, Frank Fisher, and Samuel Darby. J. R. Basserman, Clerk. Prior to 1881, the clerk was not an elective officer. W. A. Myers has officiated as village Treasurer since its organization.

De Will Tile Works. - This industry was established in the summer of 1S76 by Charles Richter, present proprietor. Is situated just south of the railroad, and east of the depot These works were built at a cost of §5,000, and have capacity of manufacturing 300,000 feet of tile annually, and give employment to seven men. There are two kilns of an improved make, styled the crown-top and down-draft. The size of the sheds are 30x220 feet, with three oar-ways extending the entire length. The works are driven by a ten-horse j'ower engine. Three hundred and fifty cords of wood and ten car loads of coal are consumed every season.

Saw and Grist Mill owned and operated by E. M. McPherson. It was established in 'the fall of 1866 by Nixon & Leasure, and came into the possession of Mr. McPherson iu the spring of 1876, and is located on the north-east part of town, about midway between the square and the depot. The saw-mill contains a circular saw, 60 inches in diameter, and can saw 7,000 feet of lumber daily. The grist-mill attachment contains but one burr, used wholly in' grinding corn, and has the capacity of turning out 130 bushels of meal per day. The entire machinery is driven by a twenty-five horse power engine. From five to eight men are given employment by this industry.

Blacksmith, Wagon and Carr lag Shop, A. King, proprietor - This shop is situated one block north-east of the square. The business gives employment to three men.

Blacksmith and Wagon-ironer, John Armstrong. - The shops are situated on the west side of the main street, leading from the square to the depot, about two blocks from the former.

At this writing the village contains about 300 inhabitants. It has one church, a brick structure with cupola and bell, and built in 1856. It is of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The school-house is a one-story brick, and built in 1S71. It employs two teachers, and is thus semi-graded. About ninety pupils is the maximum attendance.

Anion Lodge, 'So. 251, A. F. and A. M. was chartered October 6, 1881, with the following Charter officers: John H. Tyler, W. M.; John i^Iarsh, S. W.; Benjamin S. Lewis, J. W. Stilmou, A. Chaj in, Treas.; Joseph J. Kelly, Secretary ; Joseph Marsh, S. C: James McCord, T. The number of Charter members were 11: The present officers are: James Marsh, W. M.; Isaac C. Lafl'erty, S. W.; John Furgeson, J. W.; G. B. Leasure, Treas.; S. A. Chapin, Sec; H. Le Feber, S. D.; Asa Wilson, J. D.; A. King, T. The present membership is 59. The Lodge meets in Masonic Hall, Tuesday evenings, on or before the full moon in each month. This is one of the oldest Lodges in De Witt county. It is in excellent condition financially, owning the entire building in which their Lodge meets.

In consequence of the decease of membership during the war, the Lodge merged with Mt. Pleasant Lodge, No. 126, in the year 1862. It was reinstated as De Witt Lodge, the 18th of March, 1875. The present officers are: A.J. Brown, N.G.; Samuel Darby, V. G. ; H. S. Chaplain, Sec. ; M. A. Myers, Treas.; Charles Chappell, C ; Levi Hodges, I. G. ; Edward E. Claflin, O. G. : Darius Cheney, R. D. G. M. The present membership is thirty. The assets of the Lodge in furniture and regalia is estimated at 8200-00. Amount in the treasury, $400.00. The Lodge is therefore, in good financial condition.

Town Of Parnell

This town was laid out by James Porter, a public-spirited citizen of the township, in the spring of 1880, and situated on the Springfield Division of the Illinois Central, just south of the township line between De Witt and Rutledge township. It was named in honor of the present Irish agitator, Parnell.

The first house was a small frame building, 16 by 24, and built by John Williamson, in the spring of 1880, for a blacksmith shop. Mr. Williamson still conducts the business at the old stand. The first dwelling was constructed by J. W. Nichols in the spring of the same year. The first goods were sold by C. L. Winslow in the same season. The store was a frame building, and situated on the corner of Lincoln and Elizabeth streets-

JVichols & North Elevator Co. - This elevator was] built in the summer of 1881, at a cost of 83,000, and is one of the neatest and most complete elevators in De Witt county. It is thirty feet scjuare and fifty-six feet in height, and has the capacity of storing 20,000 bushels of grain, besides having cribs capable of holding 35,000 bushels of corn. Its capacity for elevating per day is 4,000 bushels, and employs four men to run it. It is conveniently situated on the switch of the railroad, has one double dump, and drive ways suitable for the buisness. It is operated by what is known as the " Taylor horse-power," but will some time in 1882, put in a steam-power, as the business is so increasing that the latter power will have to be utilized. In addition to the steampower, there will also be added a track-scale, and a set of corn burrs for manufacturing meal- In the last twelve months this firm has handled 180,000 bushels of grain.

The little town is on the high road, in time, to become a village of some local importance, as it has an excellent country sur^ rounding it; and a wide-awake class of citizens. It now contains but about fifty inhabitants, and is not two years old at this writing. Mr. Wilson North has a telephone connecting his store with his residence, three-fourths of a mile away.

Fullertox Station

Is situated on the railroad, about midway between the town of De Witt and Parnell, and contains one store, consisting of a general stock. Mr. David Fuller is the proprietor, also grain buyer, freight and ticket agent. The place has a switch, and all day-trains stop here.

Who is one of the largest farmers and stock raisers iu the county, was born in Marion County, Ohio, September 21st, 1827, and was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Swigart. Daniel Swigart was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His grandparents were Germans, who settled there at a very early date. His wife was reared in Virginia ; she also descended from German parents. Daniel Swigart came to De Witt County in 1849, and settled where Jacob now lives, where he resided until his death, February, 1869 ; his wife survived him until March, 1875. They raised a family of eleven children. The subject of our sketch came west two years previous to his father's coming, and worked by the month, and taught school until 1850. October the 3d of that year he was uniteil in marriage to Mrs. Rebecca Davis. They have raised a family of nine children, seven now living. Mr. Swigart has been very successful in life, as he started out without aid, but with a good constitution and willing hands he determined to succeed in the world, and 'as a natural consequence of labor coupled with good management and economy, he is now the possessor of a large landed estate of upwards of 2,500 acres finely improved. A view of his residence can be seen on the opposite page. In politics he is a staunch Republican; for many years he has represented his township on the board of supervisors. In 1868 he received the nomination of his party to represent this district in the Legislature, and the election following was elected to a position

Amoxo the prominent farmers and old settlers of De Witt County, we present the above portrait. He was born in Jefi'er- 8on County, X. Y., August 27th, 1808. His father, Joseph Wakefield, was a native of New Hampshire, and raised in Windsor, Vermont ; at the age of maturity, he turned his face westward, and in 1800 he stopped near where Watertown, N. Y., is now located, where he afterwards married Miss Susan Sawyer, who was a daughter of Thomas Sawyer. The history of the Sawyer family dates back to Thomas Sawyer, sen., who emigrated from Lincolnshire, England, to America iu 10.39. being one of the first settlers In Lancaster, Ma.ss. His descendants are numerous.

and scattered through most of the states. The subject of our sketch settled where he now resides in 183-3. He has been twice married, and raised a family of six children, five now living, four sons and one daughter, viz.: George W., a lawyer, in Sioux City, Iowa ; Jlelancthon, a lawyer in Cherokee, Iowa ; Philetus, a physician, living in Waynesville, this county ; Lycurgus, a lawyer, in Pierre, Dakota Territory; and MissBandusia, who is a teaclier, and now living with her brother, George W., in Iowa. !Mr. AVakefiekl has served his township as Assessor, Treasurer, and Justice of the Peace. In polities he is a Republican ; religiouslv a Universalist.

gi X AYNESVILLE is situated in the extreme north-westeru part of tlie comity, and formerly belonged to McLean county. It has the honor of containing the next oldest settlement in De Witt, having been settled as early as 1825. Originally it was very evenly di vided between prairie and timbered land, the latter being somewhat in excess of the former. At this writing plenty of good timber abounds suitable to all the wants of the people. It is bounded on the north by JMcLean county, on the east by the township of Wapella, on the south by Barnett and on the west by Logan county, and contains 24 sections, or upwards of 1.5,000 acres.

Kickapoo creek enters the township in the north-west part of section fourteen and flows south-west, passing into Logan county from section thirty. Prairie creek enters from the north in section seventeen and empties into the Kickapoo nearly on the line between sections seventeen and twenty Rock creek flows nortli and west through the township, and joins with the Kickapoo near the centre of section twenty. Other small streams abound, discharging their waters into some of the above mentioned creeks. From the above it will readily be seen that the natural drainage of the township is excellent, and yet the farmers are tiling largely, experience teaching them that it is money and labor well spent. The Illinois Midland Railway furnishes the transportation facilities, entering in the southern portion of section thirty, where it takes an easterly course to Waynesville. Here it forms au elbow, trending southward and crossing the township line between sections thirty-one and thirty-two. The surface is somewhat diversified. Along the creeks it is quite broken, and in places approaches in form to small blufls. The soil is comparatively shallow, but most excellent for the raising of wheat and blue grass. The prairies are slightly undulating and contain the rich alluvial soil of the world-renowned Grand Prairie

First Settlements

FIRST SETTLEMENTS. The honor of taking the first Steps toward civilization within the boundaries of Waynesville, belongs to Prettymau Marvel and his wife Rebecca. Mr. Marvel was a native of Georgia, and his wife was a South Carolinian. Their parents were pioneers of Indiana, where their children grew up together. In May 1823, they were married, and the following year moved to Illinois and stopped in Sangamon county. February 182.5, they moved to within a short distance of what is now Waynesville village in section thirty-one, De Witt county. Their mode of conveyance was a cart drawn by a yoke of oxen. It was ten o'clock at night before they halted. There was no light in the window - no warm friends or home to greet them. That night the snow formed their bed to rest upon and the starry heaven was their shelter. A feu- .sticks gathered and fired by the side of a log furnished the only means of warmth. The next day they fixed up a temporary cabin by driving four crotched posts into the ground. These were connected by poles and were overlaid with split slabs of wood for a roof In time it was enlarged to two rooms by building au addition of the same kind. The former was aristocratically called a bed-room and the latter the sitting room. Let the present generation imagine, if the}' can, a "sitting room" with the ground for a floor, for such was the case with this mansion. The fire-place was outside of the entrance called a door. This consisted by hauling up before the entrance a fore and back log, within which the fire was built, and here the cooking and warming was done. It was found when the snow melted away in the spring that the cabin had unfortunately been built in a slight depression of ground. Water stood a foot deep in their rude domicil This they remedied by pounding in pieces of dry-rot logs and filling up to a sufficient depth to make the rooms a passable place to stay in for the time being. During the spring and summer a more comfortable cabin was erected on a more favorable site. Of course this log.cabin was quite pretentious for the times, and being such we will give a slight description of it as given to the writer by " Aunt Becca " Gambrel, formerly wife of Prettvman Marvel, the pioneer. It was a small log cabin about 12x16, and covered with split staves four feet in length, while the floor was mother earth. The fire placB extended nearly across one end of the building, with stick and mud chimney of the olden time. The beds were constructed by placing poles between the cracks of the logs a certain distance apart and laid over with rived clap-boards ; the shelves for the table-ware were prepared in the same manner. This same spring Mr. Marvel broke a small piece of ground and planted it in corn and potatoes. This was the first farming done in the county with the exception of that performed by the Shugarts and Elisha Butler in Tunbridge, which was the same spring - 1825. Wolves were then more plentiful than village dogs, and about as tame. It was very difficult to raise chickens or any of the small domestic animals, as the wolves were so bold that they would come up to the very door of the cabin, and would only leave when shot at or beaten off with clubs.

These lonely pioneers were clieered and encouraged in their new-found home by two children, mere babes then, John S. and James. They both grew to manhood, married, and raised large families; several of their representatives are yet living in the county. John and James died several years ago. Nine other children were bjrn in the township, Nancy, Cynthia, Lavinia, Prettyman, Rebecca, Mary A., Wiley and George, all of whom are living but one, a twin to Nancv, who died without being named. All reside in the county except George and Lavinia. The latter lives in Vermillion county, this state, and the former in Nebraska. Mr. Marvel lived to see and enjoy the fruits of his labors, owning a large farm at the time of his death which occurred in the summer of 1842. In 1847 ;\Irs. Marvel was again married to Thomson P. Gambrel of Indiana. He died in 1877, his wife surviving him. Mrs. Gambrel is at thi.s writing an inhabitant of the village of Waynesville and enjoying excellent health and vigor of mind for one of her age, being in her seventy-si-\;th year. She is the oldest resident of the county, and has had cighty-si-x grand-children and thirty-two great-grand-children.

John Barr, a brother of Mrs. Gambrel, came here but a few days after Mr. Marvel, and lived in the same cabin with his brother-in-law until spring, when he built a small cabin just over the line in Logan county. Mr. Barr is upwards of eighty years of age, and still resides near where he settled in the spring of 1825.

Samuel Curtright made Ids advent here the next day after Mr. Marvel, and settled on section thirty-two. He went to work at once to erect his cabin, which in architecture was much after the style of his neighbor's. He had quite a family, none, however, large enough to aid him in his pioneer etforts. lu March, 182S, he entered the W. -i of the N. \V. 1 of the above section. He remained here for several years, when he moved with his family to what is now Clintonia township, where he became an active settler, building the first corn mill. He died several years ago ; so :iie of the family yet reside in the county. Felix Jones was also a pioneer of 182."i. He moved here from Indiana, having a wife and a large family of children. Soon afterward his wife died, when he married again, and drifted to parts unknown.

In the spring of 1826, John Glenn with his wife Jane and his son-in-law, Abraham Hobbs - then a widower - and the latter's four children, moved in and squatted in the Kickapoo timber, in , section twentv-nine. Mr. Glenn was a native of South Carolina, and migrated to Tennessee in 180o, and from thence to Indiana, and afterward to Illinois as above stated. He remained here but a few years, when he moved with his grand-children further west, where he died. Samuel P. Glenn, a .son of the former, was born in South Carolina, and lived with his father until they moved to Indiana. Here he married Ruth Scott, and in the spring of 1S27 moved here and settled in section twenty-six, and was one of two persons to make the first land entries iu Da Witt county. His mode of conveyance was an ox wagon peculiar to travel in those times. He bought the " improvement right " of his brother, Thomas M., which was a few acres of ground and a pole cabin. To use the language of Mr. Glenn, ''It was so meager and shabby that a person of to-day would not stable his horse in it." But it was the best he could do until he could build a better, and thus he and his young wife moved into it. Mr. Glenn is yet living, and one of the oldest citizens of the county, as well as a prominent farmer. After the county was organized in 18-39, he was among the first to represent the people in the State Legislature. He served several years in the capacity of justice of the peace. Has been twice married ; his second wife's name was Mary Riley. No children were born from the first marriage, and but one from the present union, Margaret M. who died but a few years ago. Mr Glenn and his wife are now residing at the old homestead in section twenty-six, where he first settled in 1827. Thomas M. Glenn, brother of the above, was also born in South Carolina, and was with his father when he moved to Indiana. In 182.i he came to Illinois, Sangamon county, where he stopped until the following spring, when he located in sectiou thirty-five, Waynesville township. He had a wife and nine children, seven daughters and tivo sons. When he brought his family to this state his mode of conveyance was with pack-horses, but he had purchased an o.x team and wagon before moving to Waynesville A small log cabin was soon erected, and the family made comfortable. That summer he broke a small patch of ground and raised a crop. He remained here about twenty years and improved one of the best farms iu the county. In 18.55 he moved with his familv to Iowa. But one of the family are now residing in the county, Nancy, wife of William Fruit- James K. Scott, a brother-in-law of the Glenns, and one of the most prominent of the pioneers, was a native of South Carolina, and moved to Indiana iu an early day. He caught the Illinois fever - migration - which was then prevailing, and, in companv with Samuel P. Glenn, landed here in the spring of 1827. He and Mr. Glenn made the two first land entries in the county, being the 3d of November, 1827 ; the former locating in section 27, and the latter in section 26. Mr. Scott brought his family with him, consisting of a wife and two sons, Lorenzo Dow and John W. Five children were born to them in the county - Martin H., Crafton P., Jane C, Polly A., and Lucinda. The former three - Lorenzo, John, and Martin - died several years ago. The daughters are living in Missouri, and James C. and Ci'afton P. are residing near Kenney, in Tunbridge township. Mr. Scott was a very active and useful citizen in his day. He represented the people iu the State Legislature two terms, was widely known as a pioneer preacher, besides holding minor ofiaces of trust and honor He died several years ago, lamented by many warm friends. His remains lie in one of the oldest cemeteries in the county, situated on the premises of Samuel P. Glenn, in section twenty-six.

One of the peculiar pioneers, in fact such an one as we .sometimes read about iu " border life " novels, was Sylvanus Shurtleft', a native of Vermont- He was a peculiar composition of genius and romance. He was of a restless, roaming disposition, and had lived more or less with the Indians. Indeed, he was initiated and became one of the tribe of the Pottowatomies in 1823. He remained with them for some time, and in 1827 drifted to Waynesville, then called Big Grove. From him comes the origin for the name of Salt Creek. He .says that at one time the Indians manufactured salt upon its banks, hence its name. Salt Creek. A few years later we find him in De Witt township, where he built the first mill, a description of which will be found in the history of that township. It would be needless to add, that as civilization advanced, he packed up his possessions and moved further west It is said that he is yet living somewhere in the far west, just in the skirts of barljarism.

Abraham Onstott was born in Kentucky, and left his native state in the spring of 1823 and arrived in Illinois in May of the same year. He first settled with his brother David, who had preceded him, in the forks of Salt Creek and Sangamon river, Sangamon county. In the fall of 1824 he married Miss Mary Branson : he remained here until the spring of 1829, when he moved to Waynesville, and located in section 2"^. Prior to this, Dec. 2, 1828, he had entered the west half of the north-west quarter of the above sectiou. Mr. Onstott relates that he has seen at one time seventy head of deer feeding together, not far from his present residence ; and at that time the nearest post office was at Springfield, and that they received their mail semi-annually. He is now a very old man, living at the (dd home in section 1i, and is regarded by a large circle of friends as one of the kindest of neighbors and best of citizens.

John J. McGraw was born iu South Carolina and subsequently migrated to Kentucky. In the spring of 18311 he with his father-in-law, Tillmon Lane, moved to Illinois, and located iu section 34, on the farm now owned by James Strange, near VV'aynesville. On their arrival they had no house to move into ; they therefore did the best they could, which was to clean out the stable of one of the old settlers, Martin Scott, and move into it. Imagine, if you can, a log stable accommodating a family of ten persons for a whole summer ; but such was the case with these pioneers. That summer they raised a crop of twenty acres of corn on the land now owned by Amos Dick. In the fall, they each built cabins in section 25. The spring following they broke prairie and raised small crops of corn and potatoes. In course of time they were in possession of fair fiirms. Here Mr. Lane lived until his death, which occurred iu 1835. Mrs. Lane resided at the old homestead until the spring of 1852, when she died. Two grand-daughters and one grandson are yet residing at or near the old farm. Only two children of this large family survive their parents - Mary, wife of James W. McCord, iu Harp township, and Rebecca Crura, who lives in Kansas.

Judge J. J. McGraw is now residing in Clinton, a hale and heartv old man, and one of the representative citizens of I^e Witt county. He was elected first county clerk after the county was organized, and served as such for eighteen years; was school commissiouer for the same length of time ; appointed master in chancery by Judge Treat ; served as United States assistant assessor under Abraham Lincoln, and was re-appointed to the same ofiice by President Grant. He was elected police magistrate of the city of Clinton for six years, chosen county .judge, which office he filled upwards of three years ; served several terms as justice of the peace, and is now filling that office, not so much for the emoluments, but that he may have something to do. He has, indeed, been a busy and useful citizen. The first Sabbath-school organized in the county was conducted Ijy him at the house of Edward W. Fears, near Waynesville, in the fall of 1830. A short time ago he informed us that he had solemnized the rites of matrimony for 356 persons, the histories of whom would undoubtedly be a peculiar medley. Mr. McGraw's family consisted of his wife and four children, - oue son and three daughters - only two of whom are now living, Leander S., and Nellie C, wife of A. R. Phares, both residents of the city of Clinton. Mrs. McGraw died the 25th of December, 1877, at tlie advanced age of 70 years. Judge McGraw is in the 76th vear of his age, and looks and appears as though he might become a centenarian.

John B. Jones was born in Ohio, and migrated to Indiana at an early day. In the fall of 1830 he moved with his family to this township, and settled in section "21. He made the trip with an ox-team, and on his arrival hastily threw up a pole cabin. His family were his wife and five children. The children's namei were as follows : Caroline, Adolphus, Lavinia, Ellen, and John M. Several other children were born to them after coming to the county. John M. resides in the same section that his father located on, and is a very prominent farmer ; Charley, a younger brother, lives on the old farm, a comfort to his mother in her old age ; John B , the pioneer, died about twenty-five years ago.

William W. Dunham settled in section 29 in 1831. He was a native of Massachusetts, and moved to Rhode Island, where he married Miss Mary Greenman. In 1815 he migrated to Ohio, where he remained for sixteen years, and from thence to Waynesville, as above stated. His family consisted of his wife and five children - Thomas E., J. P.. William S., Mary, and Amy. Mr.

Dunham died in 1833 ; his wife survived him upwards of thirty years. But oue of the family is living in the county, J. P. Dunham, who lives in Waynesvllle, and is a prominent merchant and farmer.

George Isham, a native of Xew Hampshire, settled here in the same year as Mr. Dunham. He had a wife and two children- Andrew B., and Polly Ann. The latter is the only one living of the family, and is now the wife of James Cook, in Wavnesville.

Another of the hardy pioneers was John Robb. He was a native of Tennessee, and emigrated to Illinois in the spring of 1829, making a halt of one year within sight of Springfield. The spring following he moved with his family into this township, and settled iu section 27, a part of which he had entered in the fall of 1829. He had a family of five sons and five daughters, as follows : James R., Samuel H., Wm. R , Eli H , Thos. C, Elizabeth G., Ann C , Isabel L., Mary Jane, and Laura C. The mother's name was Barbara. As they had no house when they came, the family camped by the side of a log. and built a rail pen in which to stow away their furniture until they could construct a cabin. This, when built, was of the rudest kind. The door, for some time, was nothing but a bed-quilt suspended from the upper part of the door-jamb. The small stock, consisting of four sheep, were stowed away in the cabin with the children, to keep them from the ravenous wolves. This was the beginning of what, in after years, proved a prosperous family.

E. H. Robb, a son of John, who now resides in Barnett township in section 9, relates the following incident, to a part of which he was an eye-witness. It was one of the trials of the " deep snow," in the winter of 1830-31 : Josiah Clifton, John Clifton, and David Xorfleet, left the old mill on the Kickapoo with two yoke of oxen and sleds, each containing a sack of meal, bound for their homes near where Clinton is now situated. The track was dim. the snow fell very fast, and soon it was almost impossible to keep the road or make any head-way in travelling. They soon became bewildered, and their teams gave out. They unyoked the cattle, set the yokes by the sled, and started on foot to find, if possible, some cabin. By this time the snow was waistdeep, and they were obliged to take turns in going before to break a path. Several times they burrowed in the snow to rest, that they might retain their strength to complete their journey. A little before sundown they came in sight of a cabin. It was John Robb's meager dwelling. They were nearly frozen and exhausted. Mr. Robb and his son James helped them over the yard fence and into the house. The Clifton boys had sufficient vitality left to get into the cabin without aid, but Xorfleet was so exhausted that they were obliged to carry him in. Their faces were covered with ice and snow, and their hands wers badly frozen. They remained here several days before they were in a condition to reach home. One yoke of their oxen wandered to the cabin of Thomas M. Glenn that same night, - the other was found the next day bewildered in the deep snow, and was driven in and cared for.

Joshua Cantrall and his brother Z. G. C'antrall, were natives of Virginia, but emigrated from Ohio here in the fall of 1835; both had considerable families. The former settled in section 32. His family consisted of his wife Rachel, and ten children ; Thirza, wife of John Thompson ; Zebulon ; Mahala, wife of Elijah Hull; Polly, William, Levi, Nancy, Isham C, and Eli. He was an active church member, and in the spring of 1836, took measures to organize a Presbyterian Society, which was eff"ected in June of the same year. He died the 11th of August, 1840.

Isham C, a son, now resides in Waynesville, an old and respected citizen. Z. G. Cautrall, brother of Joshua, died many years ago. R. D. Taylor, another early settler, was born in Tennessee, and came to Illinois in 1836. He was brought up on the farm, but when he was 18 years of age he entered the Princeton College, Kv., and studied for the ministry. He was an ardent worker in the cause, and was the first to establish a Cumberlaud Presbyterian Church at Marion, now De Witt. Mr. Taylor gives an account of the manner of hunting deer and wolves in an early day. He sa3's, " I well remember in the summer of 1836, soon after coming to the country arrangements were made for a general deer liunt. The plan was to form a circle of about ten miles in diameter. All hands turned out for miles around, men. bo\s and dogs. Within this circle there would be enclosed at least fiftv or a hundred deer, and wolves too numerous to mention. No great excitement prevailed at first, only now and then the crack of a single rifle as some stray deer attempted to escape through the lines. But as the circle became smaller, and the huntsmen closer together, with the deer and wolves enclosed as it were within a wall of fire, then the excitement commenced which beggars description. The deer would run and leap from side to side, onlv to be shot down by the nearest marksman. Some would escape in the hurly burly excitement, but many a trophy would be left to the hunters on the field of battle " Mr. Taylor moved from Marion to Le Roy, McLean County, several years ago, where he still resides, well known as one of the pioneer preachers of Central Illinois.

Among other early settlers, were Thomas Cuppy, Jonathan Athertou, Edward W. Fears, Wm. Branson, John Strange, Nicholas and Enoch Lundy, Henry Atherton, Matthew Hammett, now living in section 9, George Robb, and J. C. Riley.

Many are the accounts of privations and hardships, mingled with pleasures, as recited by a few of the remaining pioneers. The friendly feeling and hospitality then existing are unknown to this generation of greed and selfishness. A stranger was always welcome, and remained a guest of the family as long as he desired. The women manufactured their own clothing from wool and flax. A young man was in full dress with a linen shirt and buckskin pants. All of the early settlements were made in the timber, the prairies not being improved until the railroads developed the country. The old settlers date every event from the winter of the " deep snow," - 1830-1. It is their almanac - their substantial guide to early and subsequent data. It is the important epoch in the pioneer history of Central Illinois Indeed the deep snow " prevailed throughout the western States and territories. On account of this severe visitation, the early settlers suffered untold hardships and privations. The snow commenced falling early in December, and continued without abatement throughout the winter. The measurement in the timber was upwards of four feet deep. The stumps standing, where trees had been cut for fire-wood, after the snow had passed away, had the appearance of being felled by giants, as some of them measured over six feet in height. For weeks the settlers were buried in their cabins, and only went forth, as food and fuel demanded, from pure necessity. The people lived on rye, hominy and potatoes, as they could not have meal, the mills being inaccessible for the grinding of their corn. Apropos of this we will here relate a circumstance of true charity, equal to the suffering and subsequent relief of the Russian peasants, the story of which is so familiar to every school-boy in the land. It was at this time that Judge McGraw, and one of his neighbors had exhausted their little store of corn, wherewith to feed their families; neither had they money to purchase it- They counseled together, and concluded that they would make the trip, a short distance, to Mr. John Barr's, and see if they could not obtain enough to supply the wants of life. They accordingly mounted their horses, and by evening reached Mr. Barr's cabin. They made their wants known, informing him in the meantime that they had no money to pay for the corn, but that they were strong and willing to work, and when the snow went away in the spring, they would pay him by making rails. Mr. Barr replied that they could have all the corn they wanted, and pay for it as per agreement. And now comes the point of this anecdote that will, perhaps, surprise this generation of selfishness and money-getting. Said Mr. Barr, " I had a man here the other day wanting a few bushels of corn, and he infiirmed me that he had plenty of money to pay any price I might ask. I told him if he was so well prepared with means he could buy corn most anywhere, and that I would keep mine for those more needy." The stranger went away without purchasing. Mr. McGraw and his neighbor each shelled a sack of corn, posted off to the nearest mill, and came home, making their families happy with plenty to eat. By way of supplement, Judge McGraw informed us that in the spring they paid the debt; and that he never mauled rails with mtre pleasure, or gave bigger count than he did in payment for that sack of corn.

In the fall prior to the winter of the deep snow, Governor Reynolds was running for the Chief Magistracy of the State, and according to the customs of those times, visited nearly every town and hamlet in the State. Among his appointments was one at Murphy's mill, then just built - on Kickapoo creek, in what is now Waynesville township. At that time the political parties were Whigs and Democrats. There were a large number in attendance, voters for miles around - being in all about twenty-five voters. It was a motley crew, half of them, at least, were barefoot, while the best dressed were in their shirt sleeves, and wore buckskiu for pants. The Governor made a stirring speech under an oak-tree. Some one passed around a copious bottle of whisky, and of course when election came, all voted for Gov. Reynolds, both Whigs and Democrats.

This chapter would not be complete without relating the following circumstance, which occurred the -1th of July, in the same year as the above. Both of the parties were pioneers, and are yet living, one residing in Clinton, and the other in Texas township. Mr. Thomas Davenport, then a young man, was passing through Waynesville with his family, to visit friends in another part of the county. He made a halt in the prairie, near Judge McCiraw's premises. While here the question came up with regard to physical powers, etc., and a banter was made by some one present, that Mr. McGraw could beat Davenport in a foot-race. Both parties prided themselves in their capacity as foot-racers. The champions eagerly sought the opportunity to prove their valor. A partially plowed prairie was selected as a scene of contest. A land that had not been completed, about six or eight feet wide, was the chosen spot. The furrows were straight, and it was arranged that each should take a furrow, and start at the word, " Go !" The distance was a hundred yards. The race was run, and it was conceded that the Judge came out a little ahead. Our informant says that Davenport walked around his competitor, after the race was over, looked him up and down in astonishment, and finally exclaimed, " that he did not think that that man had been created who could beat him on foot." Last year - 1880 - fifty years afterward. Judge McGraw jokingly bantered Mr. Davenport, on the fair

The following are the first land entries made in the township: November 3d, 1827. Samuel P. Glenn entered the E. » of the S. W. i in section 26. On the same date, James K. Scott entered the E. * of the N. E. } of scetion 27. These were the first land entries made in De Witt county. Levi Johnson entered the E. * of the S. E. i of section 1.5, the 18th of March, 1828. Prettymau Marvel entered the E. ] of the N. E. i of section 31, March 28th,

1828. On the same day, Samuel Curtright entered the W. * of the N. W. 4 of section 32. April 7th, 182^, Daniel Vinson entered the E. » of the N. W. \ of section 28. Abraham Onstott on the 2d of December, 1828, entered the W. I of the N.W. 1 of same section. Heirs of George Kline at the same date, entered the E. ; of the S. W. J of section 22. January 14th, 1829, Edward W. Fears entered the W. } of the N. W. i of section 27. Thomas M. Glenn entered the E. 1 N. W. 1 of section 35. June 6th, 1829, Henry Atherton entered the W. I of the N. E. \ of section 28- Jonathan Atherton entered the W. 5 of the .S. W. J of fcction 26, June 26th, 1829. John Robb entered the E. 1 of the S. E iof section 27, October 13th, 1829. October 16th,

1829, Isaac Oarlock entered the W. of the S. W. } of section 22. Wm. Branson entered the E. * of the S. W. i of section 27. Mark McPhearson entered the E. h of the X. W. i of section 32, May 28th, 1830. November 19th, same year, John Strange entered the W. of the S. E. 1 of section 27. Nicholas and Enoch Lundy entered the W. I of the N. E. i of same section, November 27th, 1830. Same date, Jesse Sutton entered the E. 1 of the N. W. t of section 29. December 8th, 1830, John B- Jones entered the E. -5 of the N. W. 1 of section 21. In the same year December 18th, Thomas Cuppy entered the E. V of the S. W. i of the same section. Hiram Crum at the same date, entered the W. \ of the S. E. \ of section 28.

The first interment made was on the farm of Samuel P. Glenn in section 26, in 1829, and the first person buried was Samuel Scott, a brother of James K. Scott. The grave was situated on a little rise of ground just west of where the Christiau church now stands. The cemetery at this writing contains one acre of ground, and was donated by Mr. Glenn to the county for a public place of burial. Many of the deceased of Waynesville and the vicinity are buried here.

The first couple married were James Johnson and Mahala Nichols. The marriage rites were solemnized by Samuel P. Glenn, then justice of the peace. __This occurred in the summer of 1829. The first child born was a daughter of Prettyman and Rebecca Marvel, which occurred the 4th of November, 1827. She was born at their log cabin, situated in section 21. The second born was Nancy, a daughter of Thomas M. Glenn, in the spring of 1828. The first school taught was a private session, and conducted by J. J. McGraw in the winter of 1832. To this day the old settlers claim it was one of the best schools they ever had. The house was a log cabin, situated in section 28, on the land formerly owned by A. P. Cushman.

Among the pioneer preachers were Peter Cartwright, James K. Scott, William See, Hugh and Walter Bowles, James Hughes, R. D. Taylor, and Abner Peeler. Peter Cartwright was then the presiding elder of the M. E. Church. It must be remembered that at this time there were no church houses, and the services were held at the cabins of the pioneers. Prettyman Marvel's house was one of the favorable resorts for church services. At this time - 1825 - , an informant tells us that there were but six who would congregate to hear the word expounded ; and the enjoyment of these few who gathered together on the dirt floor of their cabins, was only equaled by the simplicity and earnestness of the worshippers. The first church house was constructed in 1837, and located in section 26, in sight of Samuel P. Glenn's residence It was a frame structure, and the first frame buildidg in the township. It was moved to the village of Waynesville three years ago, and is now utilized for a blacksmith shop and carriage factory by Evans Bros , a relic of the olden time.

John Glenn was the first justice of the peace Thomas M. Glenn, and Samuel P Glenn were also among the first. The first blacksmith was Robert Eckler, a native of New York. His shop was a little pole cabin, situated in the north part of the town of Waynesville. This was in 1833. Mr. Eckler moved away in an early day to parts unknown. The first mill was built by Zion and Edom Shugart in 1829, and was situated on Kickapoo creek in the northern part of the township on the land now owned by Mrs. Tenney. It was a water grist-mill, and had a capacity of grinding from 15 to 20 bushels of meal daily. The burrs were about two feet in diameter, and hewn out from prairie boulders. The first saw mill was built by Russell Post in 1837, and situated on the Kickapoo in section 23. It had an upright saw, and was run by an undershot wheel. Nothing but a portion of the old dam now remains, to point out to the passer-by that here was once a mill.

Charles Maltby was the first postmaster, ami the office was situited on Maltby street a little north of J. P. Dunham's store. It was established in 1834.

The township in 1860 contained 872 inhabitants: in 1870, 970 inhabitants; and the last census, 1880, there were 1,042. Among the most prominent stock raisers at this time are : Taylor Bros. They make a specialty of propagating the finest quality of sheep and swine- The prizes taken at the fairs for their stock in 1879 were upwards of S2,000.

The following is a list of the Supervisors elected since Township organization : Thomas C Robb was elected in 1859, and served two terms. Boynton Tenney, elected in 1861, and served two terms ; was chosen Chairman of the Board for the year 1862. Thomas C. Robb, re-elected in 1863, and served one term. J. M. Simpson, elected in 1864 ; I. C. Cantrall, elected in 1865, and served two terms. E. Davenport was elected in 1867. Boynton Tenney, re-elected in 1868, and served as Chairman of the Board for that year. Calvin Timmons, elected in 1869, and served until 1872. W. H. Oglevie, elected in 1872. James P. Strange was elected in 1873. Amos Dick, elected in 1874, and served three terms. Mathew Hammett, elected in 1877, and served three terras. E. D. Sessions was elected in 1880. Charles Jones was elected in 1881, and is the present incumbent.

Village Of Waynesville

This is the oldest town in De Witt county, and is situated iu section 29, just in the southern edge of the Kickapoo timber It was named by George Isham in honor of Gen. Anthony Wayne, of whose exploits and generalship Isham was a great admirer. The township afterwards received its name from the village. The first town-plat was filed by Isham the 4th of June, 1832, and described as follows : A part of the E. » S. W. i section 29, and contained six blocks. This territory was then a part of ^IcLeau county; Subsequent additions were made as follows : Post and Isham, addition made January 12th, 1836. Russell Post, addition made October 10th of the same year. The first attempt for incorporation was made June 26th, 1844. A meeting was called and a vote taken, with the following result. For incorporating: