Edgar County, Illinois - The whole text, 1879 (part 9 of 24)

William Shrader, now and for the last twenty years, a resident of Paris, is now eighty years of age, and is still in the enjoyment of good health, and a good prospect of scoring another decade. Mr. Shrader attributes, in a great measure, his good health and long life to temperate habits. He says that, in the early times, drinking wTiisky was almost as universal among the men as eating bread, and that, for some time, he was the only example of a total-ab¬ stinence man. Formerly, he, with all others, indulged to a limited extent ; but, he relates that once, on the occasion of an election in Grand View, coming to the polls late in the day, he found more than an ordinary number "boozy," and was disgusted by having two of the most "oblivious" politicians, almost before he had dismounted from his horse, take him, one holding each arm, by main or intoxicated strength, to the bucket of whisky that stood near the polling-place, with a view to "giving him a little backbone." Breaking away from them, he then and there, in a loud voice, declared that he would " never drink again in public." This was taking very strong grounds, for those times, and Mr. Shrader was looked upon as being just a little fanatical. He says that he continued to keep a little of the " creature" in the house, until about a year after, when, having got out timber for a new log house, he invited his friends, all, with one exception, being members of his own (the Methodist) church, to help raise it. It so happened that, on the day set for the "raising," his wife was taken suddenly ill, and it became necessary for him to remain with her, while his friends put up the house. As was not only customary, but of abso¬ lute necessity, Mr. Shrader sent over to the scene of the house-building a jugfilled with the liquid which "both cheers and inebriates." The result was that, before night, every one of the hands, including the preacher, was drunk; and when Mr. Shrader went out to view his new house, the logs of which he had hewed with such great precision, contemplating having the neatest house in the neighborhood, imagine his disgust to find that it had been spoiled. " It was neither oblong nor square, nor was it such work as he felt like accepting ; " but he did accept it with as much grace as possible, all the while blaming himself for furnishing the article that had caused them to see crooked. Then Mr. Shrader vowed that he would never again drink, offer the stuff to others, or in any way countenance its use. He was told that if he persisted in that course he would be unable to get his crops harvested, and that in a short time he would be without friends. But, against all arguments, he stood firm ; and when harvest came around, and he went out to hire hands, he told them that coffee was the strongest beverage that he could furnish them. He experienced but little trouble in getting plenty of help, and his harvest was gathered in due season. His example was soon followed by other farmers, and, in a few years after, whisky in the harvest-field was the exception. Joseph Hite, a brother-in-law of Shrader, came from Kentucky, in 1828, and settled near the village of Grand View, on the Paris road. About the year 1845, he removed to Oregon, where he resided until a few years ago, at which time his death occurred. He had attained the age of eighty-five. A son of Joseph still resides at Dudley, in this township.

John and Jacob Perisho were from Kentucky, but formerly from North Carolina. They settled on the Paris road, near the edge of the timber. The former died a couple of years ago, at the age of eighty-five. His wife still lives, and has reached her eightieth year. Their son, Jacob Perisho, occupies the old homestead. Joseph Perisho's death occurred near forty years ago. John M. Archer was a local Methodist preacher. He is still alive, but has attained a very old age. He was the organizer of the first Methodist church in the west end of the county, an organization that was established near the Perisho place, mentioned more at length on another page.

Maj. H. G. Smith was from Kentucky, and was not only a soldier, having acted as Quartermaster for the regiment that went from this county to capture Black Hawk, but was a Captain in the service of the Army of the Cross, being a minister in the church denominated Christians, sometimes known as Campbellites. It seems he was a man of some political aspirations also, being, for several years, the County Commissioner from the west end of the county. His death occurred nearly twenty years ago.

John Milburn was another preacher. He was of the Methodist persuasion, and, as such, was the first resident preacher in the township. In the early days, Methodist preachers used a good deal of lung-power, and doubtless Parson Milburn reflected that, if wind-power was a good motor for grinding out ser¬ mons, it might be utilized for grinding grain ; so, while he offered the Bread of Life on the one hand, he determined to erect a windmill mill that should pre¬ pare the meal for the corn-cakes that should sustain the body on the other. We cannot say positively that this was his line of reasoning, but the bread, the wind and the machine, in each case, might easily have suggested them in the other. At any rate, he erected a wind-mill ; but it was not a great success, or rather, as a wind-mill, it was too great a success ; for, a short time after its completion, a storm came up and left the concern a wreck. The enterprise was then abandoned. It is hardly necessary to say that he was from Kentucky. We have recorded it so many times .that it has become quite monotonous. Mr. Milburn died about thirtv wears ago. Daniel Zink and his son Emanuel were from Kentucky. Several members of this family still reside in adjacent town¬ ships.

Frederick Rudy and Jacob Augustus were brothers-in-law, and we guess thev were from Kentucky, too. Unlike most of the pioneers, they came here with considerable means, and by the poor people of that time they were counted rich. If a man had a thousand dollars, he was considered wealthy. Most of the early settlers came with barely sufficient household goods to answer their absolute wants. One of the earliest citizens of the countv, and, bv the wav, in later years a prominent man, says that he and his wife walked all the way from the Ohio River to the county, bringing in the packs they carried on their shoulders all of the worldly wealth of which they were possessed ; but they had brave hearts and strong wills, and enjoyed the reflection that, in the matter of capital, they were on an equality with most of their neighbors. Another prominent citizen writes us that, the first two or three years, his farming opera¬ tions were' performed with a borrowed ox and plow.

Augustus was a man of considerable influence, especially in politics, and was, for a number of years, a leader. He was, for several terms, the County Commissioner representing the west end of the county. He was an Old-Line Whig; but, when that party died, he cast in his lot with the Democratic organ¬ ization. He continued to reside here until about eight years ago, which was the time of his death. Four sons and one daughter are still residents of the county - C. A. Augustus, present Circuit Clerk ; Frederick A., now a resident of Paris ; and L. A. and H. W., residing on the old homestead, a mile south¬ west of Conlogue. The daughter, Mary, married A. J. Hogue, former County Clerk and County Treasurer, whose death occurred three years ago, at Kansas.

The Miller family came in 1830, from the afore and oft mentioned State. They were known as the "two Jameses." James Miller, Sr., was a one-legged school-teacher. The epithet pedagogue , as commonly though incorrectly defined, means walker. In Mr. Miller's case, it might be guessed that such a transla¬ tion would scarcely be applicable ; but, not only did it apply, but it is said that both he and the second James were good runners. Nobody can run for an office, other things being equal, like a one-legged soldier. James the First ran for the office of County Clerk, and was elected. He died while in office, or probably he would have been running yet. James the Second went to the Mexican war, came back covered all over with glory, and became a candidate for the office of Circuit Clerk. After the expiration of his term of Clerk, he removed to Missouri, where he was elected Sheriff of his county.

Joe Dunn, as he was familiarly called, was a "good fellow," and a good officer. For the sake of variety, we will say he was from the State of Indiana. He was Sheriff a number of years - we think about three terms, at least - and died during his last term, about thirty years ago. His wife died ten or a dozen years since. Some of the family still reside here. During Dunn's official career, he was called upon to inflict a penalty on a convicted thief, which, because it was the only case of the kind that ever occurred in the county, we will mention. Perhaps but few are aware that the lash was ever authorized as a penalty by the law of this State. It was, however; and by some it was . said, with good effect ; and there are not a few who now believe that a revival of the law would be beneficial, especially in cases of petty offenses, where the party is unable to pay a fine, and has to go to jail and " board it out." In 1833, during Joe's first term, a thief by the name of Alf Kelm, then residing, or, rather, "staying," in the vicinity of Paris, broke into the post office at that place. He supposed he had "got away" with about $28; but was caught before he had gone far. He wTas tried, convicted and sentenced to be whipped on the bare back - "to have five lashes well laid on." Of course, as Joseph Dunn was Sheriff, he necessarily had the unpleasant duty to perform. Had prisoner was taken to a spot just east of the Jail, to which place he was fol¬ lowed by forty or fifty men and boys, hooting and yelling. The place reached, Alf 's coat, vest and shirt were stripped from his back, leaving the skin bare. He was then tied, with his arms around a black-jack tree which stood there, and with his feet firmly fastened to the root. Evidently, he had hardly expected that the sentence would be carried out, as he acted as though he was but little concerned in the matter. But when Joe drew out a rawhide, the culprit began to whine; and when Joe said, "Now, boys, stand back and give me plenty of room," he begged for dear life. The executioner, however, laid on the lashes, and Kelm screamed lustily. After it was done, the flogged one turned to the Sheriff and said, what the Sheriff understood to be, "I am much obliged to you ; " to which Joe replied, " I am sure you are quite welcome to all that I gave you;'" though, if he did make such remark, it was probably a bit of irony. Alf afterward told some of the boys that it didn't hurt ; but he evi¬ dently feared that he might merit another flogging, for he left soon after, and was never more heard from.

Mr. Payne does not mention John Olmstead, as he had but just sold out the land on which the village of Grand Yiew was afterward built, and, for ought we' are able to learn, had removed from the place. He subsequently settled in Coles County.

This brings our history to an event that will ever remain a landmark. The year 1832 was one of the most exciting and eventful in the history of the Northwest. Certainly, no year has brought so much anxiety to the State of Illinois as did the one mentioned. Previous to this time, it is true, there was considerable unrest and fear experienced by the inhabitants, from their red neighbors, the Indians. Though, to all outward appearances, they were on friendly terms, yet, the former, conscious that they were encroaching on some of the assumed rights of the others, and knowing full well their dispositions, and their sensitiveness on the subject, were all the while apprehensive of trouble. During the year mentioned, all of their forebodings, and much more, were realized. Black Hawk and his allies were wrought up to such a pitch, that neither threats nor promises would longer avail, and war between the two races seemed inevitable. The State and nation were prompt to deal with the belligerents; but, not until a number of wholesale butcheries had been perpe¬ trated were the Indians brought into subjection and removed from the State. In the mean time, though no actual demonstration occurred in this section, the state of anxiety, even at this distance from the scene of hostilities, was painful ; for it was not doubted that Black Hawk had his emissaries amongst the peace¬ ful tribes of this section. The northern part of the State was almost entirely deserted ; and the country, in the vicinity of Galena, where many white settlers had located, being in imminent danger, the Governor of the State called for troops to protect them. To this call, Edgar County responded, and a large number volunteered to go against the Indians. W. D. Darnall, Henry G. Smith, Addison Quiva and Richard B. Sutherland, from this township, were amongst them. The volunteers from this part of the State were ordered to rendezvous at Hennepin, and thither they marched. At that place, they were joined by others who had collected there. From there they marched to 'Fort Wilburn, a few miles above Peru, where the army was organized, and Gen. Alexander, of this county, was elected to command the brigade, to which the Edgar County Volunteers had been assigned. On the 4th of July, they arrived at Dixon, which was near the scene of Col. Stillman's disaster. From here they marched to Fort Madison, the present capital of Wisconsin, and thence to Fort Winnebago, which was on the portage between the headwaters of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. While resting here for a few days, an incident occurred which appeared most like an engagement of anything that they had yet witnessed. A few nights after camping, the horses, which numbered about one thousand, as is supposed, were frightened by some skulking Indians, and stampeded in the direction of the camp. The tramp, as it appeared to the sud¬ denly awakened volunteers, of a mighty army on its way to overwhelm, was heard, and the men jumped for their arms. But, before a line could be formed, and, indeed, before most of them had rubbed their eyes, the riderless cavalcade dashed through the camp, trampling down tents, stacks of arms and everything that opposed them. Like a hurricane, the frightened horses vanished as quickly as they came, leaving desolation in their track. The sound of their- receding hoofs was soon heard in the distance, and was likened to the low rumbling of distant thunder. Many of the horses were wounded, some were killed, and others strayed entirely away and were never more seen. On the 15th of July, Gen. Alexander's division joined the main army, under Gen. Atkinson, further down the Wisconsin River, and the balance of the vol¬ unteers took a circuitous route through the southern part of the State, in pur¬ suit of Black Hawk and his army, coming up with him and defeating him at the Wisconsin River. Gen. Atkinson arrived soon after the engagement, and the united army continued the pursuit to the Mississippi River, to a point called Bad Ax, some forty miles above the mouth of the Wisconsin River. At this point, on the 2d of August, the Indians, being hemmed in on all sides, made their last stand, but their resistance was comparatively feeble. Some were killed ; some, having hurriedly constructed rafts, floated out into the river and escaped a few gained an island in the middle of the river and were shot from the trees, into which they had climbed ; and some hid themselves in the sand. Mr. Darnall says that, when they came upon the scene of action, they found a num¬ ber of squaws burrowed in the sand, with only the tips of their noses exposed, they having been hid there by their friends. Some of these were inhumanly butchered by the soldiers. One squaw, with her baby bound to her back, caught a horse by the tail, and thus guiding him through the water, with only her head and the head of the baby above the surface, made her escape to the opposite bank, though the rifle-balls of her enemies must have whistled close to her ears, as the splash caused by the bullets could be seen by those who observed her from the shore. Black Hawk escaped, but was captured a few days later by a band of Indians hostile to him, and brought to headquarters. The war was now over, and the volunteers marched to Dixon, were discharged and returned to their homes. After their return, the militia law being then in force, W. D. Darnall was elected Major of the regiment organized in this county, and served in that capacity eight years.

For a few years after the Indian trouble just mentioned, but few new settlers came in ; but, when it was settled beyond dispute that w^e were to have nothing further to fear from that quarter, the tide of emigration again set in. Though the Indians of this vicinity did not join in with their red brethren of the north¬ western part of the State, and, though they appeared to sympathize with them but little, yet, when their removal occurred, they packed up suddenly and followed.

For the next five years, no new settlers of importance made their appear¬ ance. The northern part of the State was now cleared of the "Lo" family, and through the soldiers whom Gen. Scott had brought out through that part of the State, it was learned by people both east and south, that a large tract of fine country there lay waiting for all who w^ere seeking cheap and good homes; and, consequently, the eyes of emigrants were turned in that direction. Land there was to be had at Congress price, wThile much of the most desirable land in this part of the State had to be bought from second hands.

It is true that much of the land now counted the best was still unoccupied ; but it was prairie, and new-comers seemed to be predjudiced against it. In 1837, however, an addition was made to the population, which, from the char¬ acter of the people, their intelligence, their principles and their means, proved of the utmost importance. This was, in reality, a colony from Virginia; and though they did not all come at once, and though it cannot be said that they came with precisely the same objects in view, yet coming from the same locality in the Old Dominion, and all being superior men, their influence on the town¬ ship, both morally and socially, has been such as to make this township noted in that respect. They were people whose sole object was, not simply to make money, but whose prime motive was to elevate with themselves all others with whom they associated or in any way came in contact. To this end there were represented in their company, not only the men of muscle, but also men of heart and brains. With them, and included among their number, there was a physician as well an artisan, a minister of the Gospel as well as a farmer, and combined in the teacher of morals and religion was also the teacher of the sec¬ ular branches of learning.

Indeed, we are authorized to say that, although they were not what in after years were denominated Abolitionists, they left their native States to escape the distasteful influences of slavery. Some of them were slaveholders, and, upon

Others of the colony there were, who, though not owning slaves, were yet not averse to holding them fcas property ; but the main object of a number of these people was to remove from a society which, from its contact with- the ignorant inhabitants of that region, must necessarily be degrading. They dis¬ liked the idea of their sons and daughters growing up with people of that class as playmates and companions ; 'and that they might form a society in a new country, free from these objections, they decided to locate here.

The colony consisted of Rev. John A. Steele, Dr. James M. Steele, J. Har¬ vey Steele, John Tate, James Gilbert, Nathaniel Hurst, Col. Joseph Brown, William Coffman, Alexander Mann, John Paxton, and John Y. Allison. Mr. Mann was then but a boy, and John Y. Allison and John Paxton settled in Kan¬ sas Township ; all of the rest were men of family, some means and much prin¬ ciple, and took up their residences in Grand View. One of the first things they did was to provide means of educating the children ; for, as they had left their old homes to escape the degrading influences of ignorance, it was but natural that they should immediately set about providing against them here.

A schoolhouse was soon erected just west of where the village of Grand View stands, and Rev. J. A. Steele was installed as teacher. It is trmj that Joseph McCrackin and others had kept schools in the township, but the school of which we write, and established by the Steeles and their coadjutors was designed for, and proved to be of, a higher character than the common pioneer schools of the country ; and, had Mr. Steele's health been spared, there is every reason to believe that here had been laid the foundation for an institution of learning that would now rank among the most influential in the West. This is almost the identical history of the foundation of many of the noblest colleges and seminaries in the State. But Mr. Steele's health failed, and with it sank the high purpose which he doubtless had in view. Weaker heads and weaker hands, with less unselfish purpose, could not carry out the original plan, and the enterprise soon drooped and long since failed.

So, too, was the Presbyterian Church of the village an institution of this colony. Of course, in later years, it numbered within its organization many beside the colonists, but the foundation of the Church was accomplished by these people. The society was formed almost immediately after their arrival. Like the ancient Puritans, who, when the Mayflower had but touched the shore of the new world and its passengers had but pressed the soil with their feet, thanked God for their safe journey through the trackless waste, so these pilgrims had but unloaded their wagons, in which they had accomplished as weary a journey, immediately erected an altar to the same Omnipotent Being, whose hand had led them safely to this, their new home. A year after, the society made appli¬ cation to the Presbytery then sitting at Palestine, to be admitted, and a com¬ mittee was appointed to visit this locality, inquire into the expediency of estab- lishing a church here and investigate the brethren as to the soundness of their views on Calvinism and whatever pertained to the faith and government of an orthodox Presbyterian Church. Unfortunately, one of the members of the committee was a man who had a hobby, and took every occasion to display his equestrianism. Therefore, when he, with the other member of the committee, had but arrived on the ground, he brought fourth his hobby to take a gallop. The hobby which this committeeman had was, that no one who held views sym¬ pathizing in any way with slavery ought to be fellowshiped in the Church, and immediately he began to draw out the Grand View brethren on this point, seem¬ ing to care less about the confession of faith than to have them confess that slavery was a great evil. When it is remembered that these people had come here to get beyond the influence of the very system over which the zealous brother was trying to ride his hobby, and when it is remembered that they were so recently from a locality where they had left numerous friends pecuniarily interested in the perpetuation of the system, it is not surprising that the effect was to call out expressions so opposed to his peculiar notions that it was soon dis¬ covered that the committee and society could not agree ; and yet it was thought that this could not be a fatal barrier to the admission of the Church. How¬ ever, it was discovered, before the committee left the neighborhood, that the report would be contrary to the petition of the society. The balance of the community, who were much more proslavery than the members of the society, and who had watched and heard the proceedings with great interest, were not only excited but very indignant. The next morning, when the obstreperous committeeman essayed to return to his constituency, bearing the unfavorable report, a number of boys and young men who had caught the excitement and who had not the fear of God, of Calvin or of a committee, with drums and tin pans escorted him beyond the limits of the neighborhood. Of course, it is needless to say that this proceeding was neither authorized nor countenanced by any of the members of the society ; and, however much they regretted the result of the conference, they much more regretted the action of those engaged in the disorderly scene already mentioned. However, when a man or a set of men set out to serve God, they usually find time, place and opportunity to do so, even though there should be some untoward circumstances, and even thocgh they are not attached to an organization regularly authorized bv a conference or a presbytery. These people doubtless felt so, for not a moment did they allow to lapse until their organization as an independent Presbyterian Church -was effected, and on the 8th of July, 1838, Rev. John A. Steele declared the Church constituted, with himself and most of those mentioned as colonists as members. Subsequently, the Presbytery sent a more discreet committee to visit the Church, and the organization was received, with Rev. John A. Steele as Pas¬ tor, much to the delight of the Church and the satisfaction of the Presbytery.

In 1841. steps were taken to erect a house of worship, and what was then one of the neatest buildings for that purpose in the county, was erected. It is impossible to estimate the influence exerted by the institutions thus founded by this little band. Some of the best men of the county received either all or some portion of their education in their school, and such was the nature of the instruction received there that it in turn became an influence, which has been extended far beyond the boundaries of the township or of the county.

Of the Church established by them it may safely be said, it is the mother of at least four others, three of which - the Dudley, Redmon and Kansas churches - are in this county. Of the first named, we are told that no less than thirty of its original members went in a body to unite with it. Then, too, these people were strong advocates of temperance. Prior to the date of their coming here, drinking in this neighborhood wTas not only common, but almost universal. A few years later, in 1841, a temperance society was organ¬ ized in the village, which has been kept intact ever since. It is doubtful if there are in the whole State a half-dozen temperance societies that can boast an uninterrupted existence of thirty years.

Perhaps no better eulogium could be pronounced upon a community, or upon its individual members, than to point to the work which has bean accom¬ plished. Theories look fine on paper, or sound well when proclaimed from the platform, but it is the work which tells on society. " By their works shall ye know them."

Rev. John A. Steele, who figures more largely in the history of this colony than any other man, was a man of splendid ability, a fine preacher and a man whose sense of right and wrong would not permit him to swerve a hair's breadth from what he conceived to be his duty. He was quite a plain man, and mingled freely with his people. It is told of him that once when associated with Alexander Mann, Esq., in the business of raising and shipping cattle, Mr. Steele had to make a trip to Milwaukee on horse-back, to attend to some busi¬ ness in connection with their cattle enterprises. It so happened that, on his return, he arrived at Chicago on Saturday evening, and necessarily had to spend the Sabbath in that city. He had not provided himself an extra suit of clothes, but thought by brushing the dust from what he had on, and smoothing them out as best he could, he would be decent enough to appear in a back seat in some one of the many churches of the city. He did not desire and did not suspect that any one would know him, but, as ill-luck would have it, some one found him out, and on Sabbath morning he was waited on at his hotel and requested to preach in the First Presbyterian Church, the depu¬ tation informing him that the Pastor had been taken suddenly ill, and that, unless he would fill the pulpit, the congregation would be disappointed. It was then too late to think of finding more respectable and clerical looking raiment, and then it was Sunday, too, and his views of the sanctity of the Sabbath would not allow him to go out to purchase. He was in a sore dilemma, but finally concluded that if the Lord had sent him this special call to preach, He must have known that he had left his good clothes at home; so, finally, without intimating to the messengers his situation, he concluded to give the balance of the morning to study, and be in the pulpit, which, then as now, was the most fashionable in the city, on time. Accordingly, when the hands of the clock warned him that it was about time for services to begin, he wended his way to the sanctuary. He was not displeased when he got there to find a slim audience. Doubtless many of the regular attendants had heard of the Pastor's illness, and that a "country Jake " was to fill his place. But when Mr. Steele walked up the aisle and entered the pulpit, he was not a little mortified to see a number of silk dresses and broadcloth coats, containing within them what appeared to be men and women, rise and leave the house. Mr. Steele under¬ stood the reason, and just a little resentment arose in his heart, just enough to give him more than ordinary spirit, all of which he threw into his sermon. This sermon was never written, but enough of it is remembered by a few who heard it to warrant them in saying that it was a wonderful surprise to every¬ body ; and many there were, had they given vent to their feelings, might have exclaimed in the language of the Pharisee of old, just a little changed, " Who'd have thought such a good thing could have come out of Palestine ? " In the evening the house was crowded to hear the tramp-preacher, and all were well rewarded. The next morning, just before Mr. Steele started for home, the Elders of the Church called on him ; and, after some hitches and hesitation, asked him what his circumstances were, and whether a suit of clothes and other substantial aid would not be acceptable. Mr. Steele politely declined their proffered assistance, and explained to them the reason for his unclerical appear¬ ance. When it had been made plain to the Committee, a hearty laugh all around was the result, and bidding his friends good-by, who in turn wished him godspeed, he mounted his horse and started for home, on the whole not dis¬ pleased with his experience in Chicago's most aristocratic pulpit. Mr. Steele removed to Topeka, Kan., some years ago, and has since died.

Dr. James M. Steele, who came to the place at the same time, was the first resident physician, and, in the practice of the healing art, has been most suc¬ cessful. He still resides a short distance west of the village, has a fine home, and enjoys a reputation which has been well earned, and of which any one might feel proud. A further notice of him and others of this township not mentioned here will be found in the biographical portion of this work.

J. Harvey Steele was a blacksmith, and filled his humble calling in a man¬ ner that made himself deserving of approval by Him who uttered the injunc¬ tion : " Whatever thy hand findeth to do, that do with thy might." J. Harvey Steele died at this place many years ago.

The most successful business man that this county ever contained is Alexander Mann. Wrhen the colony came out, Mr. Mann was but a boy, and worked his way to the place, driving one of Rev. Mr. Steele's teams. He began business by working for his uncle, Rev. Steele, by the month. Gradually he accumula¬ ted, by hard work and economy, a little means, with which he began trade on a small scale. After awhile he worked into the cattle trade, from which time till the present his successes in business have been so frequent and continued that it is of no use to keep track of or account for them. Suffice it to say that Mr. Mann is acknowledged to be the wealthiest citizen in Edgar County. He now resides in the city of Paris.

Col. Joseph Brown bought out John T. Olmstead, one of the early settlers in this section. Col. Brown brought with him a number of slaves, whom he freed on entering this State. At that time, a law was in force here prohibiting the bringing of colored people to this State, except under certain restrictions. The party with whom they resided, or some other responsible person for him, was required to give bonds, well secured, that the colored people should commit no crime, or in any way disturb the peace and harmony of the people of the State of Illinois. Such guarantee, Col. Brown and others who kept colored help, were required to give. He resided here but a few years, removing to Missouri about 1845. Joseph Brown, Jr., occupied the farm some years, and then removed to Paris, where he resided until his death, which occurred a few years ago. From 183T until 1843, this country, and especially Illinois, experienced a^season of hard times such as was never before or since experienced. A con¬ sequence of the hard times, was that but few new settlers appeared until the worst was past, and then a flood of emigration set in toward this county, of which the objective point of many was Grand View Township. From that time forward, the township continued to increase in population and wealth, and has continued to rank as one of the most forward in intelligence and morality in the county.

In 1857, the county adopted what is known as the a Township Organization Act," and Grand View Township was organized. Previous to that date, county officers had transacted all of the business of the whole county. The County Commissioners had audited all claims now passed on by the Board of Supervis¬ ors ; a County Assessor had appraised all of the property ; and a County Col¬ lector had gathered all of the taxes. At the date last named, each township began the transaction of its own business, and elected officers for that purpose. The organization of .the township was effected by the election, on the 7th day of April, 1857, of Michael Barr as Supervisor ; Orlando Cline, Clerk ; C. Hick¬ man, Assessor ; William Dunn, Collector ; James M. Gilbert, Overseer of the Poor; William D. Darnall and Thomas S. Sluss, Justices of the Peace; John Caldwell and J. W. Smith, Constables, and P. B. Smith, George Bandy and P. B. Bartmuss, Commissioners of Highways. The present officers are : D. J. Sherer, Supervisor ; W. B. Rhoads, Clerk, J. B. Zimmerly, Collector ; J. D. Brewer, Assessor ; I. J. Wilson and John Caldwell, Justices of the Peace ; Daniel Ryan and J. M. Cline, Constables, and Jacob Braden, W. A. Zimmerly and John Asher, Commissioners of Highways.

Perhaps but few sections in the State manifested their loyalty in the late rebellion in a more substantial manner than did the southwest part of Edgar

County. From Grand View Township, a large number of those who fought as they talked left their homes, firesides and kindred, to fight for the contin¬ uance of the Union that they loved better than all other objects. Several of the brave boys from this township laid down their lives in its defense, and their bones now lie mingled with the soil that they went out to redeem from the state of rebellion into which it had been plunged. Amongst those who thus went out and never returned are remembered the two sons of Daniel Gano, the two Brinkerhoof boys and Harvey Zink. The last named was found, sometime after he was killed, trampled into the mud, to which he had frozen. There were a number of others, but at this moment their names are not remembered. This township seems always to have embraced within it a good share of fighting mate¬ rial. During the war with Mexico, several men from this neighborhood, includ¬ ing Col. Smith, volunteered in the service of the Government, to resent the insults of the Government of that country, and well it was done. In a 'war extending over a period of about three years, the arms of the United States never met with a single reverse. In the honors of these victories, Warden Blevins, Jackson Metcalf, Simpson R. Metcalf and William Willet, together with their commander. Col. Smith, took active part. The first two named died just at the close of the war, in the City of Mexico, and were buried there. The part taken in the Black Hawk war has already been mentioned. Suffice it to say here, that, though the troops from this county were not actively engaged in any battle, yet they withstood hardships and experienced anxieties such as the modern soldier, in the days of railroads and telegraph lines, knows but little about. Though this township, at the time of the war of 1812, did not contain a white man, and, of course, took no part in that struggle, yet wre have been shown a relic, which is now in the possession of a citizen of this township, that, on account of its interest, deserves mention here. Mr. Daniel Sherer has shown us a book which is the veritable company record of Company A, of Montgomery County, Ohio, of which Daniel Sherer, Sr., was Orderly ^ergeant, and kept the said record. It shows all of the movements of the company from the time of its organization, including its joining Gen. Hull's army, at Detroit, until its sur¬ render to the British, at that place, and the turning over of their arms to the conquering foe.

The first church organized was that of the Baptists, in 1826. Religious services had been held here even before this date, but, at the time mentioned, a number of persons of that faith entered into an organization, for the purpose of a more united and systematic religious effort. The organization was brought about by Rev. Daniel Parker, and some of the original members were Aric Sutherland and wife, John Wilkinson and wife, David Chronic, Olley Kemper, Abigail Brown, Mrs. Moffitt and Mrs. Stephens and Rev. Thomas Murphy. The last named preached for the society for a couple of years after its forma¬ tion. For nearly ten years the meetings were held in the cabins of members of the Church, and during the latter part of the period named, in the schoolhouse a part of the time.

In 1834, the erection of a house of worship was decided upon, and the old Bethel was built. As indicated by its name, it was designed as the house of God, and as such it was first of its kind in the west part of the county. The land on which it was erected was donated by Jacob Zimmerly, and the materials for its construction were donated by the members and other interested parties. But little money was used. A few glass and some nails were about all of the exceptions to its exclusive home construction. Some of the oldest residents still remember the extremely hard financial times that prevailed that year, and well it was that but little money was required, as it could not have been raised. However, the materials of which it was built were plenty, and the house was soon completed, to the great j oy of the inhabitants of this community, without reference to creed or sect. In those times, people were not fastidious in regard to minor points of doctrine, but, as in the time of the apostles, came together and heard the Word gladly.

The Church thus organized and domiciled in the old Bethel continued to thrive for about ten years, when the building which the pioneer saints had but just learned to love was consumed by fire. It has never since been rebuilt, but the meetings of the society have been kept up in the schoolhouse. Rev. Silas Moffitt, of Kansas Township, is present Pastor.

The Methodist Church at the head of Big Creek was organized in about 1835 or 1836, and a house of worship soon after erected. Of this Church, William Shrader, John Shrader, John Archer, Emanuel Zink, Joseph Hite, Harrison Shrader, John Milburn and the Parrishes were the original members. Of these, John Shader was Class-Leader and John Archer was a local preacher. Like the Baptist Church, they for a time held their meetings in the schoolhouse in the neighborhood. But finally it was decided to start a Sabbath school, and a day was set for the purpose of carrying their arrangements into execution ; but when they came together at the appointed time, lo ! it wras found that not half of those present could be accommodated inside of the little schoolhouse, and then it was determined at once to erect a building sufficiently commodious to hold, not only the Church society's meetings, but also the school. Accordingly, about $200 in money was subscribed and a like amount of material and work was promised, and the building was soon an accomplished fact. The house was erected on John Perisho's land, near the west side of the timber, on the Paris and Grand View Road, and, though long since in disuse, the old frame, that for many years echoed to the prayers and songs of praise of the pious people who regularly met there, is still to be seen. About this time, the village of Grand View began to thrive, and a number of the members of this Church residing at the village felt the need of church privileges at a point that would better accommodate them, so the propriety of organizing a new Church and building a house of worship there began to be discussed. Finally, in about 1847 or 1848, the building now occupied by that society was erected. Previous to this, they had held services occasionally in the Presbyterian Church and in the schoolhouse. After the church was built, gradually the old house in the edge of the grove fell into disuse, and the organization was moved to the vil¬ lage. The house is a neat and convenient frame structure, and will accommo¬ date from one hundred and seventy to two hundred sittings. Rev. William Poe is present Pastor of the Church and Superintendent of the Sunday school. The membership of the Church numbers nearly one hundred.

The Presbyterian Church building was originally erected a few rods south of the village, but, like that of the Methodist Church, its location was found inconvenient, and it was determined to move the house into the midst of town. The edifice is a very neat appearing one, and at the time of its erection was considered, as indeed it was, the finest in the county. It is a frame structure, and will accommodate two hundred and fifty or more persons. Rev. J. A. Steele continued to minister to the congregation for a number of years, when he removed to Kansas. The society has been depleted a number of times by removals and the formation of churches in adjacent neighborhoods. At pres¬ ent, the membership is about fifty. Rev. S. C. Head is present Pastor, and James M. Tate is Superintendent of the Sunday school in connection there¬ with.

From this Church, amongst others, has also sprung a prosperous little organization at the village of Dudley. The building was erected about ten years ago, and the formation of the society was effected afterward. The house is a substantial frame, 40x60 feet, and cost $3,500. Rev. James Allison, son of J. Y. Allison, one of the early pioneers of Grand View, was the first preacher. Rev. S. C. Head is Pastor of this Church, and divides his time between this and the Grand View Church. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained in connection with the Church, of which James Hewitt is Superin¬ tendent.

The Christians, or, as they are sometimes called, the Campbellites, at an early day formed a society and built a small house of worship just east of the village of Grand View. The Church prospered well and grew in numbers and influence. Finally, the house becoming too small for the congregation, it was deemed advisable to erect a more suitable and commodious house. Me believe there was some disagreement as to the location of the new building, some wish¬ ing to have it at Dudley, some holding for a site near the old one, and a few wishing it might be erected in the village of Grand View. Finally the Church split, and one portion favoring Dudley, built the house now occupied by them at that place, and the other built in the edge of Kansas Township, at the place called Pleasant Hill, a few miles southwest of Grand View. Of this latter, further notice will be given in the history of Kansas Township. The building erected in Dudley was completed in 1867. It is a very substantial brick edi¬ fice, 32x40 feet in size, and cost $2,500. The organization of the churcfi was accomplished by. Revs. Thomas Goodman and William Patterson, in the ware¬ house a short time previous to the occupancy of the church. Rev. George Sweeney, of Kansas, preaches once a month. The society is not as strong as formerly. At one time it numbered more than a hundred members, but in consequence of removals and other causes, it does not now exceed thirty. Another result of the disruption of the old Christian Church was the building of the little Independent Church at the village of Grand View. Some of the timbers of the old building were procured by persons interested in establishing a house of worship, in which people of all denominations might hold services, and, with the addition of some donations, the little building in the south end of the village was erected. No regularly organized society has ever occupied it. but the house being dedicated to the public, has been used indiscriminately. The building is 20x30 feet, and cost about $500. Besides the church enter¬ prises already mentioned, services are held occasionally in most of the schoolhouses, and Sunday schools are kept up in the summer season in various parts

The movement begun by Joseph McCrackin, and, later, and on a more pre¬ tentious scale, by Rev. J. A. Steele, did not die with their removal, though we will not say, had the latter been permitted to remain with the enterprise so propitiously begun, that educational affairs in this township would not have been in a still more satisfactory condition. Many of the early pioneers could not be made to see the use of much book knowledge, and a little "readin', ritin' and Tithmetic " embraced the extent of schooling deemed by them neces¬ sary for the transaction of ordinary business, and that in their minds wTas sufficient. It is pretty doubtful, had the laws of the State been left unchanged in this regard, if we should find the advancement in this respect that we are happy to notice.

In 1855, a law was passed which not only authorized schools to be kept in different portions of the county, but the assessment of a tax on all taxable property for the purpose of establishing and supporting schools in every local¬ ity where were found a sufficient number of children to warrant in organizing one, and, as this tax was assessed whether schools were supported in any par¬ ticular district or not, and given to localities that were sufficiently interested in the matter to make use of the funds thus raised, the people were not slow to avail themselves and their children of the benefits arising from the use of such taxes. Consequently, schoolhouses sprang up all over this part of the country, and, within a few years there were several free schools in operation in Grand

View Township. The interest thus begun, has never since been suffered to lag, and we now have eight schoolhouses, including those in the villages, some of which are of a most substantial and convenient character. The one at the village of Dudley is much the best in the township, as the school population of that village requires more accommodation of that kind than any other locality.

Village Of Grand View

This town was laid out in 1831, by and for James M. Archer. A considerable population had already settled along the branches of Big Creek and along the timber skirting the branches of the Embarrass River, in Kansas Township. Also some settlements had been made in what is now Embarrass Township. F urther south, in Clark County, was a wide scope of country which had received some accessions of population, and which was unprovided with a trading-point. The location of the village was, at that time, deemed a good one for business, and immediately quite a number of enterprising business men settled here and began opening up their different classes of trade. Milton Archer is said to have had a small stock of goods for sale prior to the laying-out of the town, but, as soon as the plat of the town was made, Col. Smith came in and opened up quite an extensive store, and soon after W. K. Payne, now a resident of Ashmore, in Coles County, began selling goods. Other establishments of various kinds fol¬ lowed, and the town showed signs of prosperity. It grew in population, size and importance, not rapidly, but gradually and surely, until there were at one time as many as six general stores of respectable size, and other classes of trade in proportion. It was indeed the rival of Paris, or of any other town in this part of the State. Its hotel was the best ; its stores were the finest ; its churches were the most flourishing, and its people the most enterprising. . It is not easy to conceive what the future of the embryo city might have been, had not an untoward event, which broke down many villages and built up many more, have come to pass. In 1853, the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad was built through thik county, and being located at a few miles' distance from the place, effectually stopped further investment or improvement in the then flourishing village. Probably but few finer locations could be found for a town, than the site occupied by Grand View; and, had the road been built on the line first selected, we should not have been called upon to record the many disappointed hopes consequent upon its partial failure. Even yet, with its disadvantage of having no railroad facilities, it is a desirable little place for a quiet home and good society. Of course there is now comparatively a small amount of business done here, there being but one general store, and other branches of trade in proportion. Henry C. Wilson has recently built a very fine, substantial brick storehouse, and in this he keeps a general variety of goods. Besides the insti¬ tutions already mentioned, the town contains one of historic interest, and one which deserves more than passing notice. It is doubtful if in the whole State of Illinois, there are a half-dozen temperance organizations that can boast an age co-extensive with the one we find here, Grand View Division, No. 95, of the Sons of Temperance was established here in 1848, has kept up its organi¬ zation to the present date, and with the exception of the last two years has met regularly every week. In that period, some of the original members, then young men, have really grown old. Some of the first members of the society were J. B. Brown, J. M. Gilbert, Cyrus Goodale, J. A. Brown, Thomas S. Sluss, David Murphy and W. K. Payne. It is said that these were not all tem¬ perate men at the organization, but that some of them were so much under the influence of strong drink that they really felt the need of the assistance that they felt they could obtain from their brethren in an organized effort of this kind, and thus the society was formed. The results of this action on their part was of the most beneficial character, and the continued effect on the community has been to transform a community almost universally addicted to the habit of liquor-drinking, into one of total abstinence.

During the thirty years of its existence, the society has accumulated a con¬ siderable amount of property. At first, the meetings were held in the dwellings of its members, but, as it grew in numbers and importance, the erection of a building suitable to their uses was decided upon and erected. Besides the pay¬ ment of all claims on the building, a considerable amount of money has been gathered up and loaned for the benefit of the institution. A movement is now on foot for the purchase of an extensive free library, and in this way it is designed to add to the morality of the community another beneficence - general intelligence.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows of this village and vicinity pro¬ cured from the Grand Lodge of this Order, in 1876, a charter empowering them to open a lodge at this place. The original or charter members were E. Swartz, H. B. Hutton, J. A. Gano, L. M. Bratton, John Allen, H. C. Wilson, I. J. Wilson, J. M. Tate, John C; Sims and John A. Walz. They have a very nice lodge-room - the second story of H. C. Wilson's store-room, 50x22 feet, and nicely furnished with the paraphernalia necessary for use in exemplifying the mysteries of the institution.

The present officers of Grand View Lodge, No. 614, are: L. M. Bratton, N. G.; Charles Allen, V. G.; W. W. Smith, Secretary; John A. Walz, Treasurer; John Allen, Per. Sec. The meetings of the Lodge are on Saturday evening of each week.

Village Of Dudley

The failure of Grand View was the foundation for another town which should rise with the completion of the railroad already mentioned, and no sooner was the road located, than a movement was made to start a town in the northern part of the township, on that line. The land on which the village of Dudley now stands was originally owned by John Cline. After the death of Cline, the land was sold at auction, and R. B. Sutherland became its owner. When the railroad was ascertained to be a fixed fact, Sutherland caused it to be laid out into town lots. It was surveyed and platted by Edward Wolcott, County Surveyor, November 2T, 1855. Prior to this date, there was only one house inside of what is now the plat of Dudley. Alexander A. Young had built where he now resides, and his house may well be regarded as the first house in the village. The first house erected, after the town was laid out, was by Thomas Langford, who was then living just a little way north of the station. This was a store building, and into it he placed a stock of general merchandise, and kept it for sale. The second house erected was the hotel-building, now kept by William Grismer. This building was put up by John Shultz, for the purpose to which it has ever since been put, and was kept by him, as a hotel, for fourteen years. Following these improvements, were a dwelling and store by R. B. Sutherland. Very soon after, M. Shrader built a dwelling and store¬ house. Aaron Norton built the property now occupied by the Yowell family, and, from that time, dwellings, stores, shops and other buildings of various kinds, sprang up all around in such number that it would require more space than is at our command to record all of them. Mr. Norton was appointed first Post¬ master, and kept the office for a time in the house just named. A school was soon in demand, and a small frame building for this purpose was erected, and William Ramsey was installed as first teacher. Dr. Mark Rowe, who still resides here, was the first resident physician. The town has improved, not so rapidly as some others in the county, but it can be set dowm as a 'place of more than ordinary thrift and solidity. The population of Dudley, at present, is about three hundred.

Among the institutions of Dudley not already mentioned in the township history, we notice a nice, two-storv frame schoolhouse, which has taken the place of the original little affair in which Prof. Ramsey formerly held forth. We also notice a fine brick building in the western part of the business portion of town, the upper story of which is dedicated to the practice of the mysteries known only to that Ancient Order whose professed principles are Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love. Grand View Lodge, No. 198, A., F. & A. M., was once one of the institutions of the village of Grand View, and was estab¬ lished there in 1856. Its charter members were William S. Yanmeter, T. J. Langford, Thomas M. Smith, Ira R. Langford, Jefferson Shrader, John 0. Worster and Lewis Shrader, the first three of which were respectively the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens. In 1870, the brethren of Dudley and vicinity, then outnumbering those of Grand View, resolved upon its removal, and in December of that year the removal was accomplished. The quarters of the society are owned by the Lodge, and consist of an elegant room, 22x70 feet in size, and fitted up in good taste. The present officers are: Robert Dean, W. M. ; Mark Rowe, S. W.; John A. Walz, J. W.; G. N. Humphrey, Secretary; Jefferson Shrader, Treasurer; Z. F. Shultz, S. D. ; George L. Gorham, J. D. ; and D. C. Shultz, Tiler. The present member¬ ship of the Lodge is thirty-eight. Meetings are held on Tuesday evenings, on or before the full moon of each month. In connection with the Lodge is organized a society denominated the Eastern Star, an order to which ladies - the wives, mothers, daughters and sisters of the brethren in good standing - are admitted.

Village Of Conlogue

This is a station on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, in the north¬ eastern part of the township. It was formerly called Walnut Grove Station, from the fine rows of trees of that variety stretching off toward the south ; but when the town was laid out, and it was ascertained that there was already one post office in the State by the name of Walnut Grove, it was changed to its present name. The town was laid out for Preston Rudy, by George Anthony, County Surveyor, in September of 1864. The town at present consists of one store, post office and a few other shops and dwellings. T. W. Dawson is pro¬ prietor of the store and acts as Postmaster. J. P. Snyder, of Buck Township, handles grain and stock.

In tracing the history of this section of the country for the last halfcentury, one is naturally struck with the vast and wonderful changes that have occurred in that period of time. Fancy yourself standing upon yonder swell of the prairie sixty years ago, taking a survey of the country. It is June. Your senses are regaled with the beauty of the landscape, the singing of the birds, the fragrance of the air, wafting grateful odors from myriads of flowers of every imaginable variety of size, shape and hue, blushing in the sunbeam and opening their petals to drink in his vivifying rays. While gazing enraptured, you descry in the distance a something moving slowly over the prairie, through the luxuriant herbage and among the gorgeous flowers. As the object nears you, it proves to be a wagon drawn by a single team, containing a family and their earthly all. They are moving to the then "Far West " (now almost the center of civilization), in quest of a home. At length they stop, and, on the margin of a grove, rear their lone cabin, amid the chattering of birds, the bounding of deer, the hissing of serpents and the barking of wolves. For all the natives of these wilds look upon the intruders with a jealous eye, and each in his own way forbids any encroachments upon his fondly-cherished home and his long and undisputed domain. From the same point of observation, look again in midsummer, in autumn and in winter. And lo, fields are inclosed, waving with grain and ripening for the harvests. Look yet again after the lapse of sixty years, and what do you see? The waste has become a fruitful field, adorned with ornamental shrubbery, enveloping in beauty commodious and even elegant dAvellings.. In short, you behold a land flowing with wine and milk and honey (metaphorically speaking), abounding in spacious churches, schools, academies, colleges and other temples of learning ; a land of industry and wealth, check- ered with railroads and public thoroughfares. A land teeming with life, and annually sending off surplus funds with hundreds, not to say thousands, of its sons to people newer regions beyond. A land whose resources and improve¬ ments are so wonderful as to stagger belief and surpass the power of description.

History And Settlement

There is no spot is Edgar County more replete with historical interest than this township. In the forests of Hunter, erstwhile Wayne Precinct, was reared the first cabin of the white man built within the limits of the county, and that, too, more than sixty years ago. Far away in the beginning of the century that is now swiftly reeling off into the eternity of the past the last quarter of its course, immigrants began to cross the Wabash, and with the Star of Empire wend their way westward. In the spring of 1817, but a few short years after the close ot the war of 1812, and less than a dozen years after Gen. Harrison had purchased this part of the county from the Indians, five hardy pioneers came from the older settled States to the "Far West," as this was then, in search of the " land of promise," where they might build up comfortable homes in which to spend their declining days. The- five hardy ones above alluded to were Remember Blackman, John Stratton, Anthony Sanders, William Whitley and Aloysius Brown. Brown, Stratton and Whitley were from Kentucky, Blackman from New York and Sanders from North Carolina. Stratton was a brother-in-law of Col. Mayo. Whitley was a nephew of Stratton's, came from the same place, and with Stratton to the county. They settled in what is now' Hunter Township, but, for years after township organization, was a part of Stratton, w'hich latter town was named for Mr. Stratton. About 1852, Strat¬ ton sold out in this neighborhood and removed up on Kankakee, where he died in 1871-72, at the residence of a son who lives in that locality. A daughter, Mrs. Brown, lives in Brouillett Township, and, with Mrs. John Metcalf, a daughter of Whitley, are the only tw'o persons nowr living in the county who came here that first spring. They were both born before their parents moved to the State, and were old enough to remember their removal thither. Whitley sold out in a few years, and removed into Paris Township, where he receives further notice. Brown, though from Nelson County, Ky., to this section, was a native of Maryland, He was a zealous member of the Roman Catholic Church, and has a daughter who is Mother Superior of St. Mary's Catholic Convent, situated four miles this side of Terre Haute. Mr. Brown removed to Janesville, Wis., many years ago, where he died. In illustration of the hard times experienced by the pioneers of the country, wTe give the following, related to us by a lady who was cognizant of the fact at the time of its occurrence. Mrs. Brown, wife of the above gentleman, had but one dress, and, one Satur¬ day evening, w'ashed and hung it on a chair before the fire to dry, before retir¬ ing, in order that it might be ready to wear on Sunday. By some means, the chair fell over during the night, and the dress, next morning, was ashes. This left her, like Flora McFlimsey, with " nothing to wear," except underclothing, and but one change of that. So, as a substitute for a dress, she had to wear her husband's overcoat, although it was the month of May and the weather quite warm. In this attire she dressed until she could weave cloth and make a dress ; for, be it remembered, friendly reader, there were no stores to step out to and buy a few yards of calico, and, ten chances to one, if there had been a store at hand, there was no money to buy the dress. As it happened, she had a piece of cloth in the loom, but she had no " filling," and, robed in her quaint attire, she called on a neighbor to borrow some for this case of extreme emergency.

Remember Blackman, another of these five early settlers, located first at Vincennes, afterward removed up to what was known as the "big field," east of Terre Haute, from which locality he came to this section, as already noted, in the spring of 1817. He has a daughter still living in the county, and another in Coles County. His last son died, on the old homestead, since we commenced our work of compiling this history. His oldest son went West, perhaps to Iowa, and was in the army in the late war, from that State. His next oldest, his youngest and an Irishman, who was a hired hand, together Avith two horses, were killed by the falling of a tree. They had been to Paris Avith the wagon, one very Avindy day, Avere returning, and Avhen in sight of home the wind bleAv doAvn a dead tree that stood by the roadside, crushing them all - a verifi¬ cation of Scriptural lore, that, "in the midst of life Ave are in death." Of twentv-tAVO children born to him, but six of them arrived to the years of matu¬ rity. He is said to have been rather a disagreeable man in his family and hard to get along with, as evinced in the folloAving story : From some cause, which is left to conjecture, his Avife refused to sleep Avith him, and in order to bring her to her senses in this respect, one day, when she Avas absent, he saAved the rails of her bed so nearly in tAvo that when she retired, at night, her couch Avent to the floor, Avith a crash. Both of them have long since passed away.

Anthony Sanders, the remaining one of the first five settlers, married a Quaker lady, it is said, for her money, avIio Avas much his senior. Mayo bought him out Avhen he came to the place, in the folloAving fall, and he removed into Stratton. But after remaining here a short time, he left his Avife and Avent doAvn the river, to the " South Country," perhaps to Louisiana, Avhere he mar¬ ried another Avoman. His Avife heard of it and folloAved him there, brought suit and succeeded in getting the land here decreed to her. She, hoAvever, finally died in the Poorhouse, though not, it is said, on account of poverty, but rather from choice, as she had money on interest. What finally became of him no one knoAvs.

In 1817, Col. Jonathan Mayo came to the settlement, arriving in November of that year, and located on what Avas then and is still called the "North Arm." He was from Floyd County, Ky.. and, together with his Avife, came all the way through from Kentucky on horse-back, an undertaking that Avould be deemed almost beyond the power of accomplishment at the present day. " Stratton, Whitley and myself,'' says Col. Mayo, relating some of his early experiences, "went to the 'Big Field,' east of Terre Haute, to buy corn for bread and to feed my horses on, for which we paid 33 cents per bushel in the field, most of which we hauled home on sleds on the snow, crossing the river at Fort Harrison." Though from Kentucky here, Col. Mayo was a native of Virginia, but at the a'ge of ten years went to Kentucky with his parents, and remained there until his removal to Illinois in 1817. While living in the Blue-grass State, he was appointed by the Governor to take the census of Floyd in 1810, then but eighteen years old. Floyd County at that time embraced within its territorial limits Breathitt, Magoffin, Wolfe, Lancaster, Pike, Johnson and Martin Counties. He removed into the city of Paris in 1827, and is living now in the house into which he moved at that time. On the 6th day of November, 1878, he and the partner of his joys and sorrows celebrated the sixty-first anniversary of their marriage. Their golden wedding is long since past and the diamond wedding is almost in sight, and still they are plodding on together. For more than threescore years they have fought life's battles hand in hand, joining in each others' joys, and blending their tears o'er the sorrows of life. This beautiful little gem, entitled "Growing Old," seems so appropriate in this connection, that we give it a place: ,

Col. Mayo was the first Clerk of the Circuit Court after its formation of the county, and held the position for more than twenty-five years. He also held various other county offices, in which he gave satisfaction. In order to better facilitate the discharge of his official duties, he removed to the city of Paris in 1827, as already noted. When in the chapter devoted to that part of our work, he will be further referred to. Rev. William J. Mayo, the father of Col. Mayo, came here in the fall of 1825. He arrived on the 30th of Novem¬ ber; the fall had been one of almost unprecedented loveliness, without a drop of rain for weeks, but on that night it set in to rain and continued a day or two. He located near the line between Hunter and Stratton Townships, where he died August 1, 1849, lacking but a few'days of being eighty years of age. He had eaten his dinner, shaved himself, chopped some fire-wood at his woodpile, walked to the house, and was scraping his feet at the door, when he dropped dead. Col. Mayo and Mrs. Driskell, wife of Joseph Driskell, are the only survivors of twelve children. Mr. Mayo was a local preacher of the M. E. Church, and is mentioned elsewhere as preaching the first sermon in Brouillett Township. Joseph Driskell, a son-in-law of his, is from Kentucky, and settled here in 1829, but is living at present in the city of Paris. Rev. John W. McReynolds was from Allen County, Ky., and came here in 1822. He was a brother-in-law of Col. Mayo - having married a sister of Mrs. Mayo. For several years after coming to the country, he carried on a cabinet-shop, the first in the country. He was a local preacher of the Methodist Church, and, in 1825, joined the Illinois Conference, which then embraced Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. He bought out Alexander on the North Arm, together with other lands, until he possessed quite a large landed property. He finally embarked in the mercantile business, and, after a time, went into partnership with Munsell in that business. He also bought a tannery which he conducted for a time, and at which he made considerable money. He seems to have been an energetic, stirring man, both in religious and business matters. There was a singular coincidence in the death of him and his wife, in that he was taken sick the night she died, and in ten days he slept beside her, as though not even death should part them.

Otis McCulloch came to the township in 1820, and was from New York. He died many years ago, where he made his first settlement, and has a son still living on the old homestead. John Lycan came from Morgan County, Ky., in 1820, and after remaining in the settlement until 18 - , removed into Paris Township. In 1829. he went to Clark County, where he purchased a distillery, and after devoting some years to the manufacture of the exhilarating beverage, he retired from the business, and at length died. George and Daniel Beckwith were from New York, and came to this section in 1818. They went to the salt works near Danville, Ill., where they spent some time making salt. After the formation of Vermilion County, Daniel Beckwith moved to Danville, where he figured as quite a prominent man. Represented the county in the Legisla¬ ture a term or two, and held other positions of importance. He died a good many years ago, but his brother, George Beckwith, was living at Kankakee at the last account of him. Jacob Jones and his sons Samuel and Richard, and his son-in-law, Samuel Littlefield, were from Maine, and settled in Hunter Township, as early as 1819. They first stopped at Terre Haute ; remained there but a short time, and came to this section, where they made settlements. In 1825, they removed to Brouillett Township, where a more extended notice of them is given.

The Alexanders, who are mentioned at some length in the history of Paris Township, deserve also to be mentioned in this chapter. John B. Alexander, the progenitor of all the Alexanders of this section, came originally from North Carolina, and settled in what was termed the Little Vermilion Timber, em¬ braced now in the County of Vermilion, where after remaining a year or two, he came to Edgar County, and settled on the "North Arm," in what is now Hunter Township. He was a man of high standing, and of considerable prominence in the community. As noticed in another chapter, he was one of the first County Commissioners, the first Postmaster, and the first legislator of Edgar County. He resided in Hunter Township for a few years, then returned to Vermilion County, and finally located in the city of Danville, where he died in 1850. His son, Milton K. Alexander, was the first merchant of consequence, in Paris, and was also quite a' military man, taking an active part in the Black Hawk campaign, as already noticed. Washington Alexander, of Paris, is also a son. Mr. Alexander brought to this country from the South a lot of cotton¬ seed and prepared to grow his own cotton, and for several years did so quite suc¬ cessfully. He also put up a cotton-gin and a spinning-jack, which run thirty spindles, and manufactured all the cloth used in his family for every-day wear. Alexander McDonald came to the settlement in 1820 ; was from Tennessee and a son-in-law of John B. Alexander. He finally removed to Vermilion County, where he died.

Daniel Lane, from New Hampshire, settled in Hunter Township, in 1818. He is said to have been a man who lived within himself ; that is, would have but little to do with the people living in the neighborhood - would not associate with them nor indulge in the least sociability, until a circumstance occurred that taught him the value of neighbors in a backwoods country. A few years after he had located in the neighborhood, he went one day to Quaker Point,* in search of cattle that had strayed away. He rode a large gray horse, and was followed by quite a formidable-looking dog of a dark-brown color, and, reaching his destination in the evening, ^remained over night, and the next morning set out to return, but lost his way. About the third day after, his dog came home, worn out and hungry, and it was but natural to suppose that he had been either killed or captured by the Indians. The morning after his absence had been discovered, about twenty-five of the neighbors, well armed, started in search, and on reaching the North Fork of Brouillett Creek, found a deserted Indian camp. Scouts were sent out to make observations, and soon returned with the information that they had found vrhere Lane's horse had been tethered, as they knew by the color of hair found on the spot, and where bark had been peeled to tie him. The search was at once resumed, and with quick¬ ened steps the trail of the Indians was followed to the Little Vermilion, where another camp (likewise deserted) was found. Beyond this they followed the trail on to Butler's Point, where they encamped for the night, and early the next morning went to the salt works. There they learned that a party of Indians had been there the day before, and were then, as they supposed, camped a mile or two above on the river. Their squad was divided into two bodies, one going up the river on foot, and the other remaining with the'horses and to reconnoiter down the river. The party that went up the river did not return until 4 o'clock P. M., when they found the others in a high state of excitement, caused by their prolonged absence and a belief that they had been surprised and capt¬ ured by the Indians. The party who had been down the river reported they had found an Indian camp, and the fires still burning ; that Lane's horse had there been shaved, as was the Indian custom with their ponies, and they had also seen where he had been tied. A "council of war'' was held, and it was at once resolved to send to Col. Shelby, of Vigo County, Ind., for help. All were to return home and get supplies, and join Shelby. Joseph Curtis and Amos Williams, two early settlers, whose generous offer should be recorded in letters of gold, agreed to carry the message to Col. Shelby before they slept, though the distance was over fifty miles. After their departure, the party set out for home, and upon their arrival found Lane there alive and well. He had been lost all the while, and by the merest chance had found his way to Hall Sims', almost exhausted from hunger and travel, as was also his horse. After this little episode, the old man came out of his shell, as it were, and became quite neighborly and sociable. He figured rather conspicuously in the early courts of Edgar County, but as he has long since gone to his account, we will draw a veil over his faults, if faults they were, and leave all criticisms to others. Upon his old homestead stands a landmark, known far and wide throughout the country. It is a Lombardy poplar which once did duty as a riding-whip in a case of emergency, and when no longer required in that capacity was stuck in the ground, when it took root and grew to a lofty tree. The story is that Mrs. Lane, Daniel Lane's wife, used it as a "riding-switch," in a trip from Vincennes to where they made their settlement in Hunter Township, and upon their arrival she planted it in the ground and it still flourishes ; is fourteen feet now in circumference just above the ground, and, as we were informed by one gentleman, is eleven miles high. This doubtless is slightly exaggerated, but it is one of the highest of these high trees. Both Mr. Lane and his wife are long dead, and sleep upon the old homestead.

Augustin E. Boland is another of the early settlers of Hunter Township, and came here in 1818. He was a native of Connecticut, and a soldier in the war of 1812. At the close of that unpleasantness, he was discharged at Vin¬ cennes, Ind., and, after a few years in that vicinity and at Terre Haute, he came to Hunter Township, as stated above, in 1818. He never went back to the old Nutmeg State after peace was declared between the United States and Great Britain, but came to this settlement after a few years. He was crossing the Wabash one day, and his horse got into quicksand, and but for the timely assistance of some Indians, who chanced to be near by, fishing, he would have been drowned. His son, M. T. Boland, has in his possession an old Presby¬ terian hymn-book, printed in 1800, which his father carried away from home with him, when he entered the army, and during all his weary marches, and his camp life, it found a place in his knapsack. It is still in a state of pretty good preservation. He died in 1873, at the age of eighty-two years, and as a coincidence, died on his birthday. His wife died about two years ago. Of his family, there are left three sons and a daughter. A. E. Boland, and a sister, Mrs. Newlon, are living in Hunter Township ; M. T. Boland, in Paris Township, and another son in Missouri. The following is a true copy of a taxreceipt of Mr. Boland, for 1820, when Edgar was a part of Clark County :

The following story was sometimes told by Mr. Boland to his friends, around the fireside, in illustration of his army life : While in the garrison at Vincennes, and just before news of the peace of 1815 reached the army of the West, four of his comrades were court-martialed, one for shooting a squaw, and the other three for falling asleep on their posts, like Ahisha, or for some other breach of military discipline, and were condemned to be shot - the latter three - while the one for shooting the squaw, had the " wheelbarrow punishment " (whatever that may be) inflicted upon him. Mr. Boland was one of the squad selected to do the shooting, and, according to military law, the guns of a part of them were loaded with blank cartridges, and no one knew whose pieces were loaded blank, and whose loaded with balls. After the verdict of the court-martial, they com¬ menced making cotfins in an adjoining room to the one in which the prisoners were kept, and when ascertained that there were three being made, there was much anxiety and speculation between the four prisoners as to who was the one escaping the death-penalty. Finally, when all was complete, and the appointed moment had arrived, they were marched out to the place of execution, to the music of the Head March, and amid the screaming of women, each condemned man riding backward upon a coffin. The fatal platoon was drawn out, the prisoners caused to kneel by their open graves, and the blindfold fastened on. The most particular and positive instructions had been given the men to wait for the word to fire. All being in readiness, the terrible orders were given : uMake ready," " aim," - "Recover Arms!" The news of peace hav¬ ing reached the army between the finding of the court-martial and the day appointed for the execution, the sentence was revoked, but it was decided to carry it as far as detailed above, for the good effect it might have upon not only the offenders, but upon others.

Barna B. Reynolds was a brother-in-law of Aloysius Brown, and came from Kentucky, but both families were originally from Maryland. Reynolds came the same year that Brown did, but in the fall. Both were Roman Catholics, and Reynolds had a brother, Ignatius, that was a priest He went to Charles¬ ton, S. 0., and finally became a Bishop in the Catholic Church. He (Barna Reynolds) removed to Janesville, Wis., with Brown, and died there years ago, but his widow was living at the last heard from her. John Gillam and two brothers came from Indiana about 1822. They were very poor, had neither homes nor much of the world's goods in any shape, and after remaining for a short time in the settlement, returned to the place from whence they came. The Murphys came from the Old Dominion, and located in this township. Lewis Murphy was the first of the family in the field, and came here as early as 1819. He was the first Judge of Probate after the formation of Edgar County. William Murphy, a brother to Lewis, came in 1820, and settled on a farm adjoining Col. Mayo, where he died many years ago. The first session of Circuit Court in Edgar County was held at his house. James Murphy was another brother, and built a horse-mill near the line between Hunter and Strat¬ ton Townships, and afterward a water-mill in Hunter Township. He finally moved to Brouillett Township. Still another brother was Dr. LTrl Murphy, and the first practicing physician in the township, and perhaps in the county. He came to the settlement in 1821, a young man of promise, and a physician of merit, considering his youth. The next year he died, being the first death in the neighborhood. His loss was severely felt, for physicians were not as plenty then as now ; and although the population was less than at the present day, the people did sometimes require the "balm of Gilead."

William Reed came from the East in 1818, but what particular State, no one now remembers. He was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812, the first Sheriff of Edgar County, and, after the formation of Vermilion County, removed thither, and was Sheriff there for several years, and finally died there. James Johnson and John Laswell settled in the town in 1819, but like Reed their native State is not known. Johnson was the first chairmaker in the county, and made the first chairs Col. Mayo used after his settlement in the country, except some he made himself with a saw and auger. Johnson is forgotten, and no one can tell now what became of him. Laswell went West, but further, nothing is known of him. Nathaniel Morgan, from Kentucky, came to the town in 1821, and settled on land belonging to Col. Mayo. A married son settled in Edgar Township, where he is noticed among the early settlers of that town. They finally sold out and all moved to Texas. Elijah Austin was from Massachusetts and settled in the town in 1818, just on the old Indian boundary line. He was one of the first Justices of the Peace, and also one of the first County Com¬ missioners. His wife died, and he married the widow of Laban Burr, and died about 1842. Jesse Sanders was from North Carolina and came in the spring of 1818. He was a single man at the time and soon went away, no one knows where he went, or what became of him. Alonzo Lapham was from New York, and settled in the town in 1820. He was a half-brother to Edward IVheeler, mentioned as one of the early settlers of Brouillett Township, and is mentioned elsewhere aS operating a fulling-mill in the early times. William Newcomb was an early settler, but of him little is known.

James Hensly came from Kentucky, about 1822, and settled in what is now Hunter Township. In Februai'y, after he came to the country, his niece, Ruth Hensly, who lived with him, and had been on a visit at John Lycan's, living at the time where Abram Risser now lives, set out in the evening to return to her uncle's. Soon after starting, it began to snow ; she became bewildered, and finally lost her way. There were but few roads then, nor any settlements west of the boundary-line and north of Sugar Creek, and it was several days before she was missed. But at length it was found that she wTas lost, and the neigh¬ bors at once turned out in search of her. They first went through the Sugar Creek timber, then through that of Brouillett Creek, and as far north as Stage's Point. The third day, it commenced raining, taking off the snow, and late in the evening her tracks w^ere discovered in the "Sangamon Trace," near Cherry Point. Twelve of the party agreed to continue the search, while the others returned home. The twelve pressed on, and about dark reached Hickory Grove, where they built a fire and cooked supper, when six of the party again took the trace, leaving the others in camp. In about two hours, they returned, bringing the girl with them. She was in a rather deplorable condition. Her shoes and skirts were much worn, and she was almost frozen. When she became warmed and thawed, she suffered the most intense pain from cold and hunger. When she left Lycan's for her uncle's, she had on two linsey dresses, besides heavv underclothes, and when it began to snow and rain she took off one of them, tied the body together with her garters, and filling it with dried prairiegrass, carried it on her back to keep from getting wet. A rather model umbrella, but of considerable value at the time. From the time of her starting out until she was missed, and including the three days they were searching for her, she had wandered in the woods about a week, without food but such as she could pick up in the forest in midwinter. Though not at all frozen, she was so numbed and exhausted that, when brought to the fire, as above noted, her pain became almost unbearable. She finally married John Morgan, one of the men who took an active part in the search, and afterward removed to Texas.

In 1819, Rev. Joseph Curtis, a local preacher of the Methodist Church, came to the township and settled on what is known as* the Curtis farm. He was from Ohio, and made the first effort at planting a nursery in Edgar County, and also organized the first Methodist class in the county, which will be again alluded to. He died more than twenty years ago, but his wife is still living, though quite aged. The Lowrys were from Kentucky, and settled first in Hunter Township, and afterward in Brouillett and Edgar. Joseph Lowry was the first one of the name in the settlement, and came in 1820, and, after a few years, removed to Vermilion, where he died of milk-sickness. Judge William Lowry was a brother of Joseph, and came to the county the next year. He was an Associate Justice in Kentucky, which position entitled him to the prefix of Judge. After living in Hunter for a few years, he removed to Edgar, and later to De Witt County. John and James Lowery were brothers to those already mentioned, and, after a few years, moved to De Witt County. Judge Lowry brought some blooded cattle here with him from Kentucky; but they never amounted to much in this then wild country. The " green-head flies" were too severe for blooded stock. James Dudley was from Massachusetts, about 1819-20, and settled in this township. After becoming unable to work at farming, he embarked in the mercantile trade, and sold, perhaps, the first goods in Edgar County. His first effort was peddling, and afterward he opened a store at Daniel Lane's. Later, he removed to Coles County, and, it is said, became very rich ; went East and married in his old age.