Jefferson County, Illinois - Chapter 6: The Early Settlers, 1909

The first settlements of Jefferson county were made under great difficulties, and amid hardships and dangers. Most of the settlers were from the states south of the Ohio river, and were poor in worldly wealth - called by some "poor white trash." But while they had but little education, and comparatively no wealth, they were men and women of sterling worth - physically stalwart and strenuous, looking upon labor as an honor, and a glory, which nothing could be accomplished without. They recognized that there was a vast difference between reputation and character - that character is what a man is ; reputation is what he is thought to be ; that character is real - that reputation may be and often is, false; that character is what you are at home ; that reputation is what you are abroad; that character is a man's soul; that reputation is that which is in the minds of others; that character is a man's worth, while reputation is the price placed on him by others. Such were the pioneers of Jefferson county. They came with faith in God, and a wish to do right as a basic thought. Believig that

They concentrated their energies upon the work before them with a full knowledge that they would have to "labor and to wait." They realized that labor is mighty and beautiful, and that the noblest men on earth are those who put their hands cheerfully and promptly to honest labor. They realized that there is not an atom of useful material in all the world that is not made useful by the brain and brawn of labor. And added to this the dignity of labor which predominated in the minds of these people, which was deeply imbedded in their hearts, and the never dying principles of charity and love which shone out through their every day lives like "apples of gold in pitchers of silver," never to be forgotten. Charity always flows from a good heart, and looks beyond the skies for approval and reward - it is only another name for disinterested love - the same feeling that bequeathed to this sad world "The Great Symwall's history of JEFFERSON CO., ILL. 55 pathizer and Lover," who "went about doing good to others" while on earth. So these first good citizens beheved in doing unto others as they wished others to do unto them, and not one of them practiced the Irishman's golden rule - "do to others as they do to you, and do it first, " or "do" others before they "do" you. They seemed to remember that love is the perpetual melody of humanity - it glorifies the present by the light that comes backward and lightens the future by its gleams of hope sent forward. It elevates the aspirations, expands the soul and stimulates the mental powers.

Such were the characteristics of our Jefferson county "Fathers." A noble people, and the virgin soil here afforded them a splendid heritage. And by their labors, their piety and their mode of living, they have certainly made it more glorious for descendants, who today, with thousands of others, are enjoying the "fruits" of their labors, while they have entered into the rest they so richly deserved. "They builded better than they knew." As they built their cabins they could not see the handsome residences, stores and factories that should occupy the same ground in the not very distant future. It would be a wonderful experience if they were to come back today and try to locate their cabins and truck patches, but why go to dreaming "while life is real," and such is life.

It would be a pleasure to individualize noble men and women, and give each their due mead of praise, in due season, but a dozen volumes would not hold it all. Suffice it, that we give in this chapter a brief synopsis of the lives and characters of just two of our pioneers who were ideal characters and who were not only at the front in all local matters, but who became state and national figures in their day and generation. They left their impress upon Jefferson county for all time to come. First, then, we come to

Capt. J. R. Moss's homestead, near Shiloh church. He was bom in Georgia, in 1 796, and at the early age of nineteen, was married to a daughter of Samuel King. From the pioneer sketches of Mr. Johnson and others, we give some facts of his early life and labors in this, his adopted county. Soon after his marriage he began to preach, and best of all he kept it up through his long and useful life, even in the midst of his heated political campaigns, in which he engaged. He was as poor as poverty itself, and after his father died he had all the care of his mother as well as that of his own family. Arriving here in 181 7, he went into camp beside a big log, with his mother and family until he could rear his cabin. There was no one near to help him raise a big log cabin, so he put up one of poles, made a floor of puncheons, a door of clapboards, beds of scaffolds, and boards, and with a dirt hearth, a stick chimney, and a skillet and shovel, and commenced living at home out in Shiloh. He was one of the men described in the first part of the chapter, and soon there was evidence of thrift and improvement about the plantation. He was a diamond in the rough. By the aid of his wife he soon learned to read, and his natural thirst for knowledge soon led him to accumulate a small library and he eventually became the best posted man in all the region round about. When things began to stir down at the seat of justice, Zadok would walk down and help the boys out, but he never forgot to preach on all proper occasions, and it is said of him that he invited every man, woman and child in the county to come to the grove standing on what is now Bond's corner (and every one of them was there) to hear him preach what proved to be an excellent sermon.

But very few moments of idleness were spent by Mr. Casey after arriving in the county. As already stated he was one of the first Board of Commissioners, and helped in organizing the town and county. In 1 820, young as he was, he was pitted against Docwall's history of JEFFERSON CO., ILL. 57 tor McClean, of White county, for the Legislature, but was defeated by a few votes, but at the next election, in 1822-24, he was elected to the State Senate for four years. So great was his popularity that he carried every vote in the county but one. In 1830 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of the state, and he again received every vote in the county but one, and that was his own. Before his term expired he was elected to Congress over William Allen, of Clark county. He was re-elected in 1834, and again in 1836, 1838 and 1840, but in 1842 John A. McClernand succeeded. Undaunted, Governor Casey immediately engaged in local domestic enterprises, but the people in 1847, together with Walter B. Scates, and F. S. Casey, elected him to the Constitutional Convention, and to him and Judge Scates, Mount Vernon is indebted for the location of the Supreme Court-house. He was elected to the Legislature again in 1852, and was a member of the State Senate at the time of his death, September 4, 1862. In politics Governor Casey was a stalwart Democrat of ye olden type - thoroughly patriotic and conscientious in all his public acts. He was a good financier, although beginning life penniless, he accumulated considerable wealth. His children were: Mahala, Mary Jane, Samuel K., Hiram R., Alice, Newton, Thomas S., and John R. These are all dead, unless John R., who was a physician at Joliet, still survives. Such was Governor Casey's success in public life, but he shone even more brilliantly in private life, among those who knew him best. Many did not ceem to realize the source of his strength, but had they witnessed him the first night of his residence in Jefferson county, when after building a fire beside the log for his wife to prepare their frugal meal, he stepped in to the forest close by and, leaning against a big tree with the silent stars looking down upon him as witnesses, he knelt in prayer to Almighty God, asking that his blessing might rest upon him in his new home and that health and happiness might dwell in his rude home, and above all, that he might be a Christian man and upright honorable citizen of this new county. That honest petition was granted all along the journey of the Governor's life, simply, no doubt, because it was oft repealed, - what a wonderful life! A grand old man, whose pure and exalted life is one of the most important in the history of Jefferson county, for the study and contemplation of the youths of the county. He was glorious in his death, or rather departure - for to such spirits

His demise, coming in the meridian of manhood, was a national as well as a local calamity, for which a greatful posterity can only now have the consoling compensation that may come from the pen of the biographer, whom, we trust, may gather the hint and make a far better book than this, entitled "Life and Times of Governor Casey." For almost half a century he served his God and his fellowmen in Jefferson county, and at last laid down to sleep, with harness on - just as he desired - at post of duty. Calmly he sleeps where his active life was spent. He sleeps and the billows of restless humanity like a disturbed sea heave about his resting place; but they disturb not his calm repose, for his spirit - the real Zadok Casey - is not there, but is dwelling in "mansions not made with hands - eternal in the heavens."

statesman whom we desire to speak of in this chapter. The material and political history of Jefferson county and state of Illinois, are embellished with the finger-marks of these two statesmen - Governors Casey and Anderson.

Although of the same political faith, the only difference perceivable, being that Casey was more of a Jeffersonian Democrat, - while Anderson was more of the Jacksonian order, yet to say that at all times they were in perfect party harmony would be in conflict with the political history of the county. Often it was found that there were two Richmonds in the field, and they almost always proved foemen worthy of each other's steel. For years it was another "war among the roses," but was without bloodshed and carnage, and occasionally it cropped out among the descendants of these two great men, until the most of them have joined the everincreasing majority on the other side. Sometimes the county seemed too small for these two master-spirits, and this led them to cross swords upon the points of political preferment. These local differences, however, cut no difference upon national questions or in national contests. In these they stood shoulder to shoulder - always loyal to principle. Governor Anderson was born in Summer county, Tennessee, at the opening of the century - 1800, and while yet a young man, came to Jefferson county, a few years later than his peer. Governor Casey. He bought the farm east of town embracing all that portion of Mt. Vernon, east of Eighth street, which was afterward Doctor Green's farm. He soon proved himself one of the most enterprising, successful farmers in the county. He devoted considerable attention to raising fine stock - especially fine horses. He loved a fleet-footed courser, and at one time he owned a little race mare which he called "Polly Ann." He believed that she could outrun the fleetest animal in all the realm. Doctor Logan, father of Gen. John A. Logan, had a fine racer called Walnut

Cracker, and he challenged Anderson for a test of speed between his horse and "Polly Ann." Logan lived where Murphysboro now stands, and after considerable bantering between the owners of the rival nags, a race was agreed upon - a 1 ,000 yard dash. So confident was each of the speed of their pets, that they staked not only their ready cash, but almost their entire property upon the outcome. The race was run on Logan's own track at Murphysboro, and Gen. Bill Anderson, son of Governor, then but a lad, and Gen. John A. Logan, were the riders. When the horses came upon the track, the Logan horse came with his head up and nostrils distended like a veritable war-horse, while little Polly Ann stood with her head down and ears drooped, seemmg almost lifeless. "General Bill" felt awed at the appearance of Walnut Cracker, and whimperingly said to his father that he feared "Polly Ann" was beaten. "William," said the Governor, "she's got to beat, and you must see that she does beat, or I'll feel tempted to beat you!" The big race came off a few minutes later, and amidst a tremendous excitement Polly Ann passed under the wire several lengths ahead of the high-headed Logan horse, thus giving the Governor possession of all the Logan stock, horses, cattle and hogs, except Walnut Cracker, and the Governor said he didn't want him. Governor Anderson came at a time most needed, to help build up the agricultural interests of the county and make the county seat a place of importance. He sold the Green farm to Ridgway a brother-in-law, and embarked in business up town, but farming suited him better, and in a few years, he became in possession of one of the best farms in Elk Prairie precinct, and moved there with his family.

But the talents of Governor Anderson were not destmed to be hidden under a bushel, nor his abilities to rust unburnished, and, like Cincinnatus, he was called from the plow to take a place in the councils of the state. He was chosen to represent Jefferson county, in the Legislature in 1832, and again in 1834, where he showed his ability as a leader, convincing his fellow members that it was safe to trust him in that capacity. In 1838 he was elected Lieutenant Governor on the ticket with Governor Carlin, and for four years was the presiding officer of the State Senate. Hon. Noah Johnston who was a member of that body describes him as an able, courteous, dignified presiding officer, whose knowledge of parliamentary law enabled him to avoid mistakes. His rulings always withstood the severest tests. After his term of Lieutenant Governor, he was appointed Captain of the United States Dragoons, and served in the Florida or Seminole war. Afterwards he was warden of the state penitentiary, at Alton, for four years. During President Polk's term as President, he served as United States Marshal for the state of Illinois, and performed well his duties.

The Governor was a man of most exalted integrity - the very soul of honor, scorning everything that even had the appearance of a mean act. Although unlike Governor Casey, he did not affiliate with any church, still he gave freely of his means to all churches and to the spread of the Gospel. He took his final departure in September, 1857, deeply mourned alike by the state and county, which he had so faithfully served - and by all the people who knew him. Happy is the county which can boast of the lives and services of two pioneers such as were Governor Zadok Casey and Governor Stinson H. Anderson.