Jefferson County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 32 of those read), 1883

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 32 of those read)

Bald Hill Township is situated in the extreme southwest part of the county, and comprises a full Congressional township. It is bounded on the south and west by Franklin and Perry Counties, on the north by Blissville Township, on the east by Elk Prairie, and is designated in the Government survey as Township 4 south, and Eange 1 east. It is a good farming region and boasts some good farms and some energetic farmers. Its sm-face features are much the same as other townships described in this work. There are no large water-coui-ses, and the land is generally rather level. The township is without towns and railroads, and devoted chiefly to farming.

Following close upon the heels of the retreating savages came the early settlers of Jefferson County. This township was not settled as early as Moore's Prairie and the country around Mount Vernon. In fact, those sections were considered old settlements before any white man ventm-ed into this division of the county. The first settlers who came here were not well-to-do. Most of them brought sufficient capital only to improve a farm in a country where but little i more than energy and frugality were required, and these were, fortunately, sufficient to ! found a home here. After the fii-st arrivals, i emigrants found open doors and willing j hands to assist in raising a cabin. A single

AMONG the first settlers there was but i little law and Gospel, and but little i was needed. ladustry in working and hunting, bravery in war, candor, hospitality, honesty and steadiness of deportment received their full reward of public honor and public confidence among these our rude forefathers 1 to a degree that has not been fully sustained by their more polished descendants. The punishments they inflicted upon offenders were unerring, swift and inexorable in their imperial com-t of public opinion, and were wholly adapted for the reformation of he culprit or his expulsion from the community. Any petty misdemeanor was punished with all the infamy that could be heaped upon the offender. / With all their backwoods rudeness, these early settlers were given to hospitality, and , freely divided their rough fare with a neigh - ; bor or stranger, and would have been offend- I ed at the offer of pay. In their settlements ' they lived, they worked and sometimes they fought - for fun; and they feasted or suffered I together in cordial harmony. They were warm and constant in their friendships, and the cold selfishness of the present day was utterly unknown. The world has changed greatly in the past fifty years, and the people have changed with it. The change may have day sufficed for the united neighborhood to erect the rude structui'e, build a lire-place and chimney and saw out the logs for doorway and windows. Into houses in this condition the new arrivals were generally glad to remove, for free as the hospitality of the pioneer may have been, it had no power to increase the capacity of the cabin, and two families packed a little dwelling designed for one to overflowing. Blankets supplied the place of windows and doors, and furs, skins and blankets spread on brush or on the piincheon floor supplied the beds. Each men was the "architect of his own fortune;" and while thu whole neighborhood lent willing assistance in case of special need, each one was too busy with his own affairs to ply any trade for general hire.

Among the tirst settleis here were Abraham McGrinnis, John G. Turmon. James Bellows, Willis Hardwick, Isaac Smith, William Steerman, Samuel Irvin, the Scrnggins, Solomim Goddard, Nathaniel Morgan, etc., etc. McGinnis afterward went to Texas, but left two sons here - James and Kichard. Turmon went North, where later he died, leaving a son named Grant. It may be that all of the settlers mentioned above did not settle at tiist in what is now Bald Hill Township, but they settled in the immediate vicinity. It is a difficult matter, after so many years, to locate every early settler upon the proper section, and they were coming in now so rapidly that it is impossible to keep trace of them.

The abundance of game was a somewhat mixed evil. When the ci-o])s of the early settlers were tirst planted, they were subject to the attack of crows, blackbirds and squirrels, and when further advanced the thousands of wild geese and turkeys threatened to take all that was left. Deer were numerous, so were wolves, while the timber swarmed with the chattering game that found shelter there. " Painters" were numerous - too much so for a very great feeling of security, though as a general thing they were easily frightened away. A story is told of a person, on a certain occasion, riding along a trail on horseback through the woods, when he was very much frightened and his horse considerably scratched by a panther springing upon him from a tree, but it lost its hold and was soon left in the distance. Women out picking wild berries were often startled by seeing these treacherous animals crouched in trees, meditating the chances of an attack, but no serious results are known to have occurred in this immediate section.

The people of this settlement, like those surrounding it, and which were removed somewhat from the older settlements, learned early to depend upon their own resources for the comforts of life. This was especially marked in the clothing of the people and the adornment of the home. Deer skins were largely utilized by the men, and even the women sometimes made their own garments of them. Buckskin breeches and buckskin hunting-shirts were more common then than the farmers' " overalls " are now. A buckskin suit was not a inviting thing to jump into of a cold morning, or to wear after getting wet, but these were minor discom forts, and were not allowed to stand in the way of daily duties. This was the way the people lived in the early days of the country - days we know nothing of except as we gather it from the " traditions of the fathers. "

The early settlers of Bald Hill Township had the same hard times in procuring bread as in other portions of the county. The mortar and pestle, the hand mill, and later the horse mill served them. Now. mill facilities are all that can he desired. The township has as good roads as any other portion of the county, but in reality this is not saying much to the credit of roads in general. As there are few streams in the township, bridges are not much needed.

Originally, Bald Hill was a part of Elk Prairie Election Precinct; but after township organization, it became Bald Hill Township. It is Democratic in politics, and has always been of that faith. Since the time of township organization, the following is a list of township officials in Bald Hill:

Educational and church facilities are somewhat meager in this township to what they are in other portions of the county. The early history of education here is but a sample of what it was elsewhere in the early days. It cannot be said now who taught the first school, or where the first, schooihouse was built. The township now has five schoolhouses, a smaller number than any other township in the county. These schoo [houses stand on Sections 2, 8, 23, 29 and 36, and in them schools are taught for the usual period each year. There is but one church building in the township, and that is Bald Hill Methodist Episcopal Church, near the north line of the township. It is a frame building, and has a very good membership for a country church. Religious services are held in several of the schoolhouses.

Bald Hill Township contains some very fine farming lands. It is diversified between woodland and prairie. Horse Prairie lies mostly in Bald Hill, while the four townships of Bald Hill, Blissville, Elk Prairie and McClellaa corner in Knob Prairie. In these prairies may be seen some as fine farms as are found in the county. Stock-raising is beginning to occupy the minds of the farmers mi;ch of late years, and judging from present indications the time is not far distant when this will be quite a stock-raising region. No railroad taps the township, but the Illinois Central passes so near it that it affords the farmers here excellent shipping facilities. There is nothing to prevent this township from being one of the most prosperous communities in the county. Nothing is required but plenty of energy and enterprise. With this chapter we close the historical part of this volume. To the many friends who have lent us their kindly smiles and assistance, and particularly to the old settlers, we wish them health, longj life and happiness. Addio!

Jographical Sketches Part Iv

JOHN R. ALLEN, farmer. P. 0. Mt. Vernon, was born June 16, 1840, in Jefferson County, III., son of John W. Allen, of Sumner Count}', Tenn., since of Jefferson County, 111., was educated in Washington County, 111., and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served three years in the late war in Company A, One Hundred and Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infautr}'. He works at the wagon trade and runs a grist mill, but was a blacksmith by trade. Was married, August 11, 1860, to Miss Sarah M., daughter of William Tate, of Jefferson County, and has had six children, five of whom are living - Eli \\'., Perdita R., Nina, U. S. and Henry D. Mrs. Allen died July 23, 1875, and was buried at Pleasant Grove. Mr. Allen was again married September 26, 1875, to Eliza J. Mitchell of Mississippi, by whom he has had one child - Edward C. He owns 161 acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Politics, Republican.

HON. WILLIAM B. ANDERSON, County Judge, Mt. Vernon. (A sketch of Judge William R. Anderson will be found in the chapter on the War History.)

JOHNW. BAUGH, express agent, Mt. Vernon, was born Febr. 11, 1836, in Mt. Vernon, 111. He is a son of Judge Downing Baugh, a native of Barren County, Ky., an attorney at law, who came to this count}- about 1821, teaching school for several years, after which he entered the mercantile business, and then served as Justice of the Peace for many j-ears ; also served as Probate Justice. At the age of forty-five, he commenced the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in Mt. Vernon, where he followed his profession, and in 1854 was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court, to fill the unexpired term of Judge Marshall. In 1857, he moved to Mc- Gregor, Iowa, where he followed his profession, and was elected Judge of the City Court. He is now virtually retired from active life. He was an active member of the Masonic fraternity, Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 31, holding the office of Master for many years. In his new home in Iowa, he has also been prominently connected with the higher order of Masons, and now holds the office of Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar, and also Grand Chaplin of the Grand Chapter. He was born in Auril, 1798, and is yet living, a grand old man, although he has lost his eyesight. He has seen more than two generations rise and pass away. He is aDemocrat in pohtics, and a warm supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His whole life is an example worthy of imitation. His father, John Baugh, was also a native of Kentucky. He was a minister of the Christian

Biographical

Church. He was also a merehaut in Bowling Green, K}-., and Mt. Vernon, 111., to which latter place he came about 1821, and died here in 1854. The mother of our subject, Mill}- (Pace) Baugh, was a daughter of an old pioneer, Joel Pace, who was formerly a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He died here. Her mother, Mary (East) Pace, was a fine old lady, a true type of our American women ; she reached the good old age of eighty-three years. Our subject was educated in Mt. Vernon. In earl}' life he learned and followed the harness-maker's trade. In 1861, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a musician, and was mustered out in the spring of 1862, when here-enlisted in Company F, of the Fortieth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, as a private, but through his own exertion and ability was promoted several times, till he held the office of Adjutant. He resigned in th^ fall of 1864, and returned to Mt. Vernon, where he served in the Circuit Clerk's office for eleven years, and then served four years as Police magistrate. Since then he has been express agent for the Adams Express Compan}". Our subject was married in May, 1862, at Mt. Vernon, 111., to Miss Amelia J. Hill, born April 1, 1842, in Clay County, 111. Her father. Rev. J. H. Hill, was a native of Ohio. Her mother was Eleanor (Williams) Hill. Mrs. Baugh is the mother of two children - Frank C, born July 5, 1865 ; and Milly E., born October 21, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Baugh and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an A. F. & A. M. and an active worker in the Sunday school, of which he is the Superintendent. In political matters, he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM BAWDEN, farmer, P. O. Mt. Vernon, was born in Cornwall, England, July 9. 1834, and is a son of John Bawden (deceased), also a native of Cornwall, He married Louise Quilliam, a native of the Isle of Man, and a daughter of John Quilliam, Mrs,

Bawden has in her possession a photograph of the Laxey Water Wheel, on her native Island, which is the largest water wheel in the world, being thirty-seven feet in diameter. Mr. and Mrs. Bawden have eight children - Nellie, Hannah L., Willy R., John H,, Thomas E,, Emma ?Iaud, Herbert M. and Mabel M. Mr. and Mrs. Bawden came to North Michigan in

1857, and to St. Louis, Mo., in 1864, but in eighteen months went back as far as Jo Daviess County, 111., where he bought a half interest in a lead mine, since known as Bawden's Tunnel, which he ran for about nine years. He then went to Utah Territory, and worked in the celebrated Emma Mine, in Little Cottonwood Caiion for eighteen months, when he returned to Jo Daviess Count}", and engaged in farming, which he still pursues. He removed to this county in March, 1881, and settled on Section 15, in Mt. Vernon Township, where he owns 160 acres of land.

LEWIS N. BEAL, farmer, P. 0. Mt. Vernon, was born in Lehigh County, Penn., April 28, 1844, and is a son of Jacob Beal (deceased), a native of Bavaria, who emigrated to America about the year 1836. Our subject spent his boyhood days on the farm, and attended the common schools. He came to St. Clair County, 111., with his parents in 1851. and in 1855 to Centralia. He came to Jefferson Count}' in

1858, where he has since resided, except two years that he spent in Kansas, which was during 1864 and 1865. He married Sarah M. Casey January 20, 1872. She is a daughter of the well-known Franklin S. Casey (deceased). They have three cliildren - Alvin C, John F. and May E. Mr, Beal owns eighty-five acres of very valuable land, and is engaged in general farming. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His farm lies in Section 30, and adjoining the city of Mt, Vernon,

Bittrolff, was a native of Baden, Germany. He is a jeweler by occupation, having learned his trade with his father, John L. Bittrolff, who also had the first jewehy store in Evansville, Ind. The mother of our subject, Anna (Grossman) Bittrolff, is a native of Wurtcmberg, Germany. She is the mother of seven children, viz.: George H., Louis H., Annie Wright. Mollie Ford, William, Eliza and Walter, deceased. Our subject was educated in Evansville, where he learned and followed book-keeping till 1878, when he came to Mt. Vernon, where he. in partnership with R. E. Ryan, opened a dry goods store on a small scale, but added to the stock from time to time till at present the}' carry a stock of from $12,000 to $15,000, including a stock of boots and shoes. Owing to his energy, honesty and perseverance, he has established for himself a good reputation as a thorough business man. His store occupies the first and second floors of a fine building on the south side of the square. He was married, October 10, 1872, in Evansville, Ind., to Miss Willa Nail, born August 24, 185-1, in Rumsey, Ky. She is a daughter of William J. and Rebecca Nail. Four children were the result of this happy union, viz.: Hallie A., born November 3, 1873; George Nail, born July 10, 1877; Ray, born November 30, 1879; Clyde, born June (!, 1882, .\Irs. Bittrolff is a member of the Baptist Church. He is a Knight of Pythias, and in politics is a Republican. The Bittrolffs came originally from France, from whence thej' fled to Germany on account of religious persecution, about the time the Huguenots came to America.

DR. ROBERT BLUM, dentist, Mt. Vernon. It is an encouraging phase of our present age that the prizes awarded honest work and vigorous energy are open to all, and that the young man maj' win the highest honors and emoluments equally with the man of large and varied experience. Dr. Blum, though only just in middle life, has risen to the higher rank of his profession, and sustains a reputation worthy only of the highest abilit}-. He was born July 23, 1842, in Southeastern Russia, and is a son of A. and Julia (Schultz) Blum, both natives of Russia ; he born in 1812, and she in 1818. The parents came to this country, with their family, in 1844, and first settled in Galveston, Texas, where the father dealt in furs for a number of years. At present he is a merchant in Tarpen Springs, Fla., and since his advent in this country he has made and lost three good fortunes. Subject is the youngest of three living children - Edward A., Amalia G. and Robert - out of a family of fourteen children. The schools of New Orleans and St. Louis afforded our subject his means of education. Wliile in the latter city, he apprenticed himself to a dentist there, and there learned his profession. He afterward practiced dentistrj- in Du Quoin and Cairo, and in 1872 he came to Mt. Vernon, where he has followed his profession since. He was married, June 4, 1867, in Du- Quoin, to Miss Alice'Spotts, born February 8, 1844, in Greene County, 111., and a daughter of Samuel Spotts, born May 7, 1812, in Delaware, an architect and builder b}' profession. He died July 31, 18(i4. Five children have come to bless this union - May 0., born May 5, 1868; Albert and Alfred, twins, born September 2, 1869; Robert A., born January 1, 1874, and Guy E., born February 6, 1881. Mr. Blum is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and in politics is a Democrat.

JOHN S. BOGAN, Circuit Clerk, Mt. Vernon, was born in Woodstock, Shenandoah Co., Va., on the 6th of March, 1820. ' His father, Benjamin Bogan, was born in Spottsylvania County, Va , December 30, 1795. He was reared in Alexandria, Va., and graduated from the theological seminarj- of that city; he there served an apprenticeship at the printer's trade with John Stewart, and subsequently removed to Woodstock of that State, when he became engaged in the publication of a paper, he himself acting