Jefferson County, Illinois - Chapter 29: Passed Away - Old Pioneers All Gone, 1909

Roll Of Honor

Abraham Lincoln's one hundredth birthday - February 12, 1909, - was appropriately celebrated by the Mount Vernon and Jefferson county schools and the G. A. R. Post. Here, where some were disloyal enough to rejoice over the tragic taking off of the "old tyrant," as they called him, in 1865, there are none today who speak of him m other than words of commendation and praise. In fact, the name Lincoln has become a household word in Jefferson county - a name revered by all.

Without a single exception, the last original old settler has taken his departure for the unexplored country beyond. Like Columbus they have discovered a new country, a new heaven and a new castle, and no doubt they are amazed to find it a perfect realm of unexplainable beauty, with not resemblance to the barren wastes they encountered m coming to Jefferson county. If so, why should we wish them back again m this vale of shadows, this land of sickness, pain, death and bereavement. Neither should we envy them their home of love and beauty, but should look well to our own

As we have already said, there is not a man in sight who was here when we came, in 1842, and but very few children. Even the generation following the original pioneers are growing few and far between and the important thing for each one of us is to know where we are going. It may be so.

Take the business men of the forties and fifties, the Johnsons, Caseys, Maxeys, and Paces and Andersons, of any and every name, Walter B. Scates, Downing Baugh, Judge Satterfield. Judge Dodds, George Mills, James Rahn,Ed Ridgway,Dan Baltzell, and a few others who were here when we came, and whose acquaintance and friendship we highly prized, and later. Doctor Green, W. H. Herdman, James B. Tolle, B. F. Wingate, Bob Castles, S. G. Hicks, the Yearnwoods, Samuel Schanks; and still later, S. T. Strattan, J. E. Fergerson, Thomas Hobbs, C. H. Patton, Col. G. W. Evans, C. D. Ham, Uncle Jerry Taylor, Judge Pollock, James M. Pace, R. A. D. Wilbanks, George H. Varnell, Albion F. Taylor, H. W. Seimer, and a great host who came and embarked in business after the war and after the railroads came - all departed - most of them have "crossed the bar." This list might be greatly extended and amplified, but the heart grows very weary as we contemplate the impossibilities of getting all the names of the missing ones. It is enough to know that - they are gone.

And even the second and the third generations of "old settlers" are thinning down very fast. The following information which we were unable to obtain from the living friends of the departed we cull from the grave-stones and certainly they would not be mistaken. But even here we find ourselves balked in our search for information, for many of the graves of the first settlers have been leveled, overgrown and lost sight of, with not even a board or sand rock to mark the resting place of their dust. This is not at all commendable, but 'tis true, 'tis pity; 'tis pity, 'tis true. Among those who have left us are :

Especial Roll Of Honor

C. Pigg, One Hundred Tenth; J. J. Mulvaney, One Hundred Tenth; Thomas J. Owen, Sixtieth; James Dodson, One Hundred Tenth; George Stonecipher, John Stonecipher, Jacob Dodson, M. J. McKowen, J. R. Driver, Ed Anderson, Eighteenth.

Note - When we stop to consider the length of the above list of comrades who answer to the roll call on the other side of the river, we are not surprised that the Grand Army of the Republic post IS sometimes short of a quorum. It indicates that soon, very soon, the last reveille will have sounded and the grand reunion will be complete on the banks of the river of life, where we may not be ordered, but led by love, in grand review before the great Commander of the universe. Never more may we meet these dear comrades in this bleak world. This we know, but then comes up the old, old question,

Most certainly - why not? - We know and have known each other here and shall we be less wise in that land of love and perfect happiness? Nay, nay, a thousand times nay. The spirit retains its human form, although the form is not composed of decaying substance as in this world, but is terrestrial and ever new. The Scriptures clearly teach this wonderful truth. Hence it is that recognition and identification must take place. Identity-recognition is what the heart craves, and the unbroken word of the Creator gives back the assurance - it shall be so.

All the anticipated glories of the reunion on the other shore are heightened by this blessed assurance - we shall know each other there - nay more, our friends in heaven know us better than we

But blessed thought ; we shall not always so In darkness and sadness walk alone ; There comes a glorious day, when we shall know As we are known. <i Yes, our fading memories here will be brightened in the other world, and instead of "seeing through a glass darkly" as we do here, we shall see our friends and our Redeemer face to face, and tell the story - "Saved by Grace." To us, this in no idle talk, for we know that our comrades, and loved ones in glory world are superlatively happy in the knowledge of what will occur when we reach that blissful abode. So let us then,

"Be worthy of death, and learn to live That every incarnation of our soul, In other realms and worlds and firmaments, Shall be more pure and high."

Going out into the township we find the same condition as in town, nearly all the early prominent citizens gone. A few of the latter-day business men are still around, like the Youngs, Davises, Damitz, Greenwalts and others in Farrington, Noble French, Doctor Gregory, the Woods, and the older lot are all gone. The Andersons, Wilbanks, Masons and others are gone from Elk Prairie, but some of the Wells, Dalbys, J. H. Crosnoe and a few of the others of the old stock are left. So in Blissville, Jesse A. Dees, is long since dead and William Hicks and Joseph Laur, but Isaac Robinson, the Gilberts, the Mannens, Greens, Johnsons and others are staying yet. Out in Casmar, a few of the old ones are left.

but the Champs, Harveys, Laceys, Kelleys, and others are missing. So in Field, John McConnell, WiUiam Clayborne, and others are gone, but the Hawkinses, Simmones, Whitlocks, and other still linger. Down in Moore's Prairie, Charles Judd has come to town. The Wilkeys, Atchisons, McPhersons, Wilbanks, Rotrammels, Jesse Smith, A. Knowles, and most of the rest are dead. Up in Grand Prairie it is the same, J. W. Hails, Miller, Ratts, Payne, Henry Breeze are gone, but some of the Fouts, Beals, Kells, and last but not least our former fellow-townsman, Reuben Foust, still live. He is eighty-eight years old and says he may be good for a dozen more years. The story is the same in Spring Garden, Doctor William and Scarborough, Peavler and Thompson, Anglen are dead, but C. M. Brown and many other backswoods fellows still live. In Pendleton, L. D. Davenport, Quince Wilbanks, S. C. Guthrie, Thomas Holland, William H. Hunter, W. A. Hughey, Jesse Laird. J. W. Rentchler, all gone, but we have quite a squad of seedlingi left such as Alonzo Jones, the Estes, Jesse Catron, Baker, Cornelius, Grimes, Hughes, Metz, Miller and a host of others. Bald Hill township, the old, old, old lot is out and gone and the later lot is very much reduced in numbers. Some of the Mannens, Aliens Laurs, Lemons, and others of that class still linger. McClellan, A. T. Lacey, is the only real old, old settler left. Joseph Bradley, George Allen, W. A. Davis, Rightnower, McLaughlins, and others of this class are gone, but D. G. Jones, the Howes, Elijah Collins, the Fords, Rosenbergers, and a big lot are here to stay as long as possible. And thus runs the whole history of the human race, not only in the townships, but the town and county and throughout the world. A number are still on top in Dodds township, John Bradford, John Arnold, Isaac Garrison, W. S. Bumpus and James and John Estes, Culli, C. M. Baugh, A. D. Couger, and others seem loathe to give up the struggle. In Rome township, Isaac Casey, M. D. Bruce, G.

L. Cummings, S. W. Carpenter, and a host of others have passed on, we still have the Tilfords, Wimberlys, Hutchinsons, J. M. B. Gaston, John R. Cunningham, R. F. Casey, Corrells, and others with us. In Webber township, James C. Maxey, and Dr. J. H. Newton, have come to town; A. Marlow, the Moores, Brookman, and a long string of others are gone, while Henry Marlow, aged eighty-six, Dulaney, the Clarks, the Devises, Harvey M. Maxey, Pulliam Scotts; the Browns, Martins, Adamses, and quite a squad of others remain. While in Shiloh township, Thomas C. Johnson, Jehu, J. D. Maxey, Thomas L. Moss, C. M. Casey, James R. Driver, Harper and a host of the Maxeys and Caseys are gone before, but Shiloh always has a reserve force even of old settlers to her credit, such as John F. Smith, Doctor Watson, William Sides, Lewis Seward, the Reeds, J. N. Pettit, the Paynes, Jeff Holtslaw, John and Jim Fergerson, and many others. Then in Pendleton township we have Joneses by the dozen, both alive and dead. John Brougher, Russell Brown and others are gone. In our township outside of Mount Vernon we find all the settlers missing, also James D. and Frank Robinson, David Warren, J. P. and Abraham Lizenby, Johnson and Sandford Hutchinson, Christopher Vaughn, John Waite, Elijah Wilkerson, Van Maxey, George Burger, Doctor Frost, W. T. Frost, and a host of others of a later date.

The Very Last Of The Mohicans

Already we have stated that not one of the original settlers of Jefferson county remains and that is true so far as one of discretionary age is concerned, and even as to any one of them born in the county. But the death of Robert Harlow on the first day of 1 909 revealed the fact that he was brought to fhe county an infant in 1818, the year the state was admitted into the Union and a year before the county was formed. His death brought out these facts which were not known before and perhaps would have remained unknown had he continued to hve, for he was one of those homebodies, never mixing in with the pubhc or even letting it be known that he was "still in the land of the living," or rather in the land of the dying, for after all that is just what this earth is, so far as the physical man is concerned. He spent his entire life within a radius of two miles of where he died, never appearing in public, except to attend the local Baptist church or vote the local Democratic ticket. He was a good quiet man, but cut no figure in county matters. But he was the very last one of those who were here in 1819 (and then only two years old), to leave us and take up his abode with the other pioneers. So we may now state - more positively than before that there is absolutely not a person living that was here when Jefferson county and Mount Vernon came into existence. And even as we write words come of still others departing for the foreign shore.

A Dream And Its Fulfillment

Jesse H. Smith came to the Spring Garden settlement in 1829 with his parents. Mr. Smith grew to manhood, filled well his sphere as a good citizen, and has passed on. His son, Kirby Smith, Esq., tells of a remarkable dream that his father had when a mere boy, which remained with him through life and was literally fulfilled in his death. He dreamed that he vividly saw the sun, moon and seven stars hovering over a spot of ground where is now located the Smith cemetery, near the farm so long occupied by his father - that one of the stars suddenly fell and buried itself in the earth where the grave yard now is and at intervals the other bright bodies fell and buried themselves in the same plot of earth, until there was but one left. Mr. Smith's interpretation of the dream was this: His father and mother were the sun and moon and his six brothers and himself were the seven stars. One by one they fell and were buried there until he alone was left, and just before his death he told his friends of the literal fulfillment of that boyish dream - saying that when his body was laid to rest in that cemetery the dream would be a reality - father, mother and the seven children reposing there side by side - awaiting the trumpet's sound.

Mr. Smith used to tell of attending school in 1832 in the first log school-house built in that part of the county. It was located near the spring (after which Spring Garden was named) just this side of the town. Old man Softly resided there within our recollection. A few years later another school-house was built at Toney's Point, which comprised part of Mr. Smith's farm later on. Ben Smith, a brother of Jesse, lived not far away, and added materially to the Smith population. He is still with us, and is a public-spirited citizen, and has a fund of pioneer experiences to relate "while you wait." He believes that the inner side of every cloud is bright and shining.

The Smiths are useful people, may their tribe increase. No sooner said than done, for just as we have finished writing the above, word comes that the stark has left twins at the residence of Attorney Kirby Smith, son of Jesse.

J. W. Heck, one of the oldest citizens of Moore's Prairie township, Jefferson county, was born in the state of Virginia. October 20, 1822; moved with his parents to Tennessee in 1837. In 1861 he moved to Illinois, where he lived to the time of his death.

which occurred at the home of his son, Wilham, on Monday, January ! 1 , 1 909. He was married in 1 854 to Nancy J. Long, who preceeded him to the great beyond four years ago, since which time he has made his home with his sons. To this union were born four sons and four daughters, six of whom are yet living : William and Thomas, near Belle Rive; Wesley, near Oklahoma City, Okla., Mrs. Rado Hughes, Belle Rive; Mrs. Mary Neal, near Frisco; Mrs. Barbara Sherley, St. Francis, Missouri.

Josiah Willis, aged eighty-seven, died at his home in Bald Hill township, this county, January 12, 1909, and was buried in the Baptist church cemetery in Horse Prairie, near his home. He is survived by a widow and one son, Charles Raymond Willis, the fruit of a second marriage, seven children from the first marriage surviving, as follows: Mrs. J. A. Wyatt, Mrs. Mary Martin, Mrs. Martha Fitzgerrell, Mrs. Malissa Shanks and Henry and Sherman Willis. Uncle Josiah Willis, a life-long resident of the county, was known as a man of great intelligence, taking an active interest in the affairs of the county and on several occasions filling positions of honor and trust. He was a volunteer soldier in the War of the Rebellion, being a member of Company A, One Hundred Tenth Illinois Infantry, in that conflict. He was about seventy-five years old when he was married the second time.

Uncle Billy Greer lived to be one hundred and six years old and died recently. Aunty Handsacker, aged ninety-six, left for the golden shore during the closing days of 1 908. And, still the work of devastation and decay of all things go on and on, continually reminding us that this is not our permanent abiding place, but we seek a city that hath everlasting foundations made without hands, whose builder and maker is Architect of the universe.

our own Maxeys), the great singer, who many years ago, in connection with the lamented Prof. P. P. BHss, taught singing schools in Jefferson county, has completed his "three score and ten years," and is now rejoicing in the glorious knowledge that "The way of the Cross leads home." Professor Bliss and his sainted wife, it will be remembered, had their sweet spirits crushed out in the Ashtabula railroad wreck years ago, and together they went sweetly singing to the "home beyond," he in the full flush of his magnificent manhood and she in her beauty and angelic spirit of womanhood.

This life is the prelude to the "real life" to come - the life beyond the tomb - that life the marvelous glories of which is absolutely unexplainable to these finite minds of ours - the "heights, depths, lengths and breadths of which it has not entered into the hearts of mortal man to conceive of."

Some people in the world seem to know about all there is to know about everything, but not so with us. There are more thmgs in heaven and earth than was ever dreamed of in our philosphy, we have recorded a few things we do know in this book, but were the things we do not know, even enumerated in another book its size would far outsize this - in fact it would take volumes to tell all we don't know. But what we do know makes us glad. We are glad that we "know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings." We are glad to know that if the house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. We do not know just what heaven is, but we know it is a place, a prepared place, for you and all who will live for it. Oh how blessed is the knowing when the knowing is right. It is not the amount but the quality of the knowing that satisfies the human heart.