Macoupin County, Illinois - Chapter 3: Pioneers and Early Settlers, 1879

Chapter 3: Pioneers and Early Settlers

Macoupin, a few words concerning the copper-colored race whose strange habits and singular misfortunes have made them objects of sympathy, will not be out of place.

Never did a race inspire more romantic contemplation, or suffer more speedily and completely a disastrous fate than the American Indians. They perished when they came in contact with our civilization, almost as the hues of sunset fade when you look at them through the telescope; or as the odor of the rose vanishes while you attempt to analyze it.

Before they could be studied as men or as nations, as families or as tribes, either by their traditions or literatures, they had disappeared. Their language is mostly unknown and their literature a blank.

The Indians were not the first denizens of the soil. America seems to have been the home of a prior race; and evidence is not wanting that this race was preceded by yet another. Of the race directly preceding the Indians there remains but a meagre record. A few mounds, some beads, a small variety of earth-made ware, stone hammers, implements for dressing skins, and, now and then, one of their idols of religious worship, are all of their domestic and public life left us. To write the history of we "motind builders" would be to set forth the " baseless fabric of a vision.'

Another race succeeded them. They were a hunter-race. They practised scarce one of the arts of peace. They could build no houses; only huts or wigwams sheltered them. 'They scarcely tilled the earth. They had rarely fixed boundaries for their tribes or nations. No time-honored institutions bound them to the past or gave a pledge for the future.

Their modes of life seem to have been individual rather than social. In war, at once cunning and cruel, brave and cautious, they asked no quarter of an enemy, and could endure torture with stoic fortitude and indifference.

We find, thickly scattered in many parts of the country, their gimlets, arrow-heads, spear-heads, saws, flesh scrapers, spades and hammers, all made of stone and demanding almost infinite patience for their manufacture. It seems a wonder that a people having power to concentrate the mind on such difficult work as shaping flint-stones, should have been so barren in all the graceful and elevating arts.

They delved as patiently as their neighbors, the beavers, and yet despised labor and imposed it as a degrading burden on their women. Wealternately pity and despise them; admire their stoicism and sicken at their cruelties. We use the maize which they sometimes cultured, and stupefy ourselves with the smoke of the tobacco they taught us to consume.

They preceded us, but left the country no better for their labors. Is it wonderful they are almost forgotten? This portion of country was known in an early day as the "Black Hawk Hunting-ground," and was widely noted as a fine hunting region. Game of all kinds was very abundant. Hither came in pursuit of game from the northward, under the command of their famous chief, the stalwart warriors of the Sac and Fox tribe. <A feeble remnant of this.once powerful tribe, broken in spirit and hope, are now in Kansas. Here also came the braves of the Pottawattamies, distinguished from other Indians by the swarthiness of their complexion, their long uncut hair, and larger frames,

On the Muskoday, the meadow." All that are left of this tribe, once so renowned in war, are living in Kansas. Another tribe that frequented this region was the Kickapoo, who many years ago were removed to a reservation in the northeastern part of Kansas. This was one of the fiercest, bravest and most intelligent tribes of their race. Another, with members of which the early settlers became familiar, was the Osages.

The first men of our race, so far as is known, whose glad eyes looked upon the beautiful portion of Illinois now embraced within the broad boundaries of Macoupin county, were those who comprised a battalion of three hundred and fifty mounted men, under the personal command of the territorial governor, Ninian Edwards. In September of 1812, this band rode out from Camp Russell, the rendezvous, near the town of Edwardsville, in Madison county, and took up their line of march against Fort Peoria. We let one of this command, a private, afterwards governor of the State, John Reynolds, tell his own story. He says: "We left Camp Russell, marched up the northwest side of Cahokia creek, nearly to its source, thence across the prairie to Macoupin creek, not far above the present Carlinville, and at the Lake fork we stopped to noon. At this point some wild boys dug open an Indian grave, and found in it, with the Indian, a gun, brooches, and other articles."

In July of the next year, Capt. Samuel Whitesides, a brave man and honorably connected with the early history of the state, at the head of a small company of rangers, pursuing a band of marauding Indians, who had massacred the wife and children of Mr. Reagan, near Alton, followed their trail towards the Sangamon. 'They passed over Bunker Hill Ridge: continued on out by Dry Point, Honey Point and Shaw's Point, fording the Macoupin near Spring Cove. It is probable that the soldiers and rangers on their return from these expeditions to the settlements in Madison and St. Clair, brought glowing descriptions of the beauty and fertility of the country lying to the north: for upon a fairer land than had unfolded itself to their vision, as it stretched itself away before them in virgin loveliness, the sun had never shone.

First Settlement And Early Settlers

It has proved to be a matter of exceeding difficulty in this county rightly to award the honor due the bold pioneer who first pushed forward into an untried wilderness, and thereby became the founder of the county.

Who was the first settler of Macoupin County? Accounts of the first settlement, owing to the lapse of time and failing memories of men, are meagre, various, and conflicting. Nor has it been easier to fix with certainty the date when the first settler reared his humble cabin on the border of the stream, and in the shadow of the primeval forest.

In a book entitled "My Own Times," by Ex-Gov. John Reynolds, of Belleville, he holds the following language: " Mr. Coop and family, in the Spring of 1815, broke through the old Indian frontier of Madison county, and settled in the limits of the present county of Macoupin." A very thorough and impartial investigation has resulted 'in the discovery of much evidence corroborative of the correctness of the governor's statement.

The Coop family, who were of German extraction, consisted of David Coop, Sr., whose broken utterance betrayed surely his origin, his wife, and four sons, John, David, Jr., William G. (who was the first treasurer of the county), Ransom, and several daughters. It seems established that in the spring of 1815 they selected their home on the banks of the small stream which has been named after them, Coop's Creek, not far from the centre of' Hilyard township. Here they lived for about ten years, and in 1825 or '26 removed to the mound, thereafter to be known as Coop's Mound, which lies nearly six miles northeast of the capital of the county. Here they remained for a few years, after which they again removed, this time to Iowa. None of their descendants live in the county, but the name of Coop, united, as it is to hill and stream, resists decay.

Seth T. Hodge and John Love, natives of Alabama, but who moved : from Tennessee to Madison county in 1814, are by some thought to have the better claim to the honor of first settlement. It seems certain that they were in the county also in 1815, and equally certain that they believed themselves to have been the first white men to occupy this land. The weight of authority seems in favor of Mr. Coop's claim. Messrs. Hodge and Love did not bring their families with them in 1815, but came on a combined hunting and observation tour, and one year, at least, was allowed to pass before they brought their families to the county, whose appearance pleased them so well, and whose fair attractions drew them to it as their home.

Seth T. Hodge was of medium size, weighing nearly 150 pounds. His hair was light, his cheeks ruddy, his eyes blue. He had a vigorous intellect, and he was noted among the early settlers for his skill with the rifle. He was a good citizen, a useful man, and was chosen as a member of the first county commissioners' court. He was a good farmer, for we find that "ten acres of corn on Mr. Hodge's farm, in 1817, yielded 800 bushels."

With Mr. Hodge came John Loye, to whom his heart was knit with bonds of no ordinary affection; and this love was fully reciprocated. Their love was like that of David and Jonathan. Many years after the arrival of these brave pioneers, was indicated the depth of their affection. Mr. Hodge's death was caused by an accidental fall into a well. He felt that he was badly, and perhaps mortally hurt, and sent at once for the doctor and his old friend, John Love. Mr. Love was plowing when the news came to him of his friend's misfortune. He instantly ceased work and went to his bedside, where he remained till he died, and after his death administered upon his estate. John Love was married to Cynthia Seymore before he left the south. He, with his wife and two children, came to the Illinois settlements on horseback. Richard Wilhelm and Abram Fulk were his brothers-inlaw, all having married daughters of John Seymore. friend Hodge, was of fair complexion and medium height. In his early manhood he weighed about 150 pounds, but before his death, which occurred in Greene county in 1844 or '45, he grew quite corpulent, and weighed over 200. Like his friend also, anc indeed like all the early settlers and pioneers, he was an accurate marksman and a good hunter. His son, Samuel Love, now a resident of the county, was born here in the year 1824.

The same year - 1815 - that saw the coming of the Coops, and Hodge and Love, witnessed also the immigration of Abram Fulk and John Powell, the latter a son-in-law of David Coop, and the former, as has been seen, of John Seymore. They came in the fall of the year, and selected their homes in the northeastern part of Hilyard township. Fulk was of German, and Powell of Welsh, origin.

These were probably all the families who settled in the county prior to 1817. That year brought with it a considerable accession to the population. The first to come that year were John C. Wood and Richard Wilhelm, with their families.

Mr. Wood was of medium height and stoutly built. He was a native of Virginia. While living on Silver creek, he won, by his gastronomic ability, his title of "Slaymush," from having, it is said, at one time, swallowed twelve quarts of mush and-milk, a dish well known in pioneer days. He also was dubbed " Windy" Wood, from his propensity to spin marvellous yarns. He was a rude kind of blacksmith, and also cut out mill-stones. One of his astonishing stories has come down to us, and proves him to have been the Munchausen of the pioneers. "One day, just as I was finishing a millstone," said Mr. Wood, "I saw a hurricane approaching, and could think of no means of safety except to edge up the mill-stone and lock my hands through the eye. In this situation I awaitéd the approach of the storm, which, as it reached me, caught up myself and the stone, and carried us both some three miles. As the storm abated, and I began to near the ground, I managed to climb on top of the stone, and when within a few feet I jumped off, entirely uninjured." This weakness was a companionable one, and Mr. Wood was popular and a good citizen. He built the first horse-mill, but only run it one or two years, when, having lost his wife, he moved to Mis souri.

Richard Wilhelm was born in Pennsylvania, and, as his name would indicate, was of German descent. He settled on Cahokia creek, in Staunton township, in 1817. It is said that he and his family lived for a time in the hollow of an immense sycamore tree, until he could put up a cabin. Joseph Vincent, many years after, measured the tree in which the Wilhelms lived with a rail, and found the hollow of it to be ten feet in the clear. It stood on the land entered by Mr. Camp in 1819, and the remains of the stump were visible as late as 1870. The following anecdote has survived of Mr.

Wilhelm. Following closely upon the blazed pathway of the pioneer came the hardy circuit riders of the M. E. Church, preaching in the wilderness the word of the Lord. Wilhelm, it would seem, was not very kindly disposed towards them, so he soon sold out his claim and moved to the southward. When asked what was his destination, he replied that he was going until he found a country much hotter than this, but that he would get away from the Methodists. When last heard from, many years ago, he was in Texas.

In 1817, also, came Telemachus Camp, whose eyes first saw the light in Georgia, but who became a resident of Alabama before removing to the territory of Illinois. He made the first entry of land in the county, which bears date of August 18th, 1819. About the year 1826, Mr. Camp removed to the prairie southeast of Staunton, where he died, and where Peter L. Camp, his son, now resides. Mr. Camp was a pious and godly man, and was a close student of the Scriptures, in which he was exceedingly well versed.

There is reason to believe that in the fall of this year Mr. John Seymore, a native of Pennsylvania, but who had recently been a citizen of Alabama, no doubt desiring to be near his daughters - who, it will be remembered, were married to Abram Fulk, Richard Wilhelm and John Loye - came to make this county his home. He settled with Wilhelm, on Sec. 24, T. 7, R. 7. He afterwards made his home with Mr. Love, where he and his wife died, and where they were buried.

In 1818, the year distinguished as the one in which Illinois was admitted into the Union, with a population of 40,000, Thomas Smith arrived and settled near the banks of the small stream, since called in his honor, Smith's creek, near the southeast part of Hilyard township. Thus it has been seen that at the time of the admission of Illinois into the sisterhood of States, there were settled within the limits of Macoupin, only ten families or about forty souls. Three years had passed since the first pioneer, Coop, had, with the aid of his sons, reared his roof-tree on the lonely banks of Coop's creek. Three years had past since the first permanent settler, Seth T. Hodge, with John Love, hunted the deer, and the honey of the wild bee in the forest. Little apparently had been done. But in reality much had been accomplished. The Indian barrier had been broken and security found to reign on beyond it, northward. The soil had been proved of surpassing fertility, and no obstacles had been found too great for industry and resolution to surmount. Henceforth the tide of immigration was t») set in more strongly.

John D. and Richard Chapman were farmers and mechanics, natives of North Carolina, but had for a year previcus to their settlement lived in St. Clair. In November of 1819, they came with their families and settled, in what is now Dorchester township. Both families occupied one cabin and one room until a second could be built. In 1826, they left the timber, "struck for higher ground," and settled just east of the Sawyer place.

The next year, 1820, in September, came Jesse Chapman, a ship carpenter and sailor by trade, and " squatted," to use the expressive western phrase, near his brother. He staid but a year when he moved to Alabama, and the cabin he had built was occupied by a Mr. Casteel, and later by a Mr, Piper. Mr. Chapman returned however in 1824. In 1821, several families arrived to swell the numbers in the feeble settlement.

First among them were James B. Cowell and family. Mr. Cowell was born and reared in North Carolina, but had lived for a while before coming to Illinois, in Tennessee. He had first settled in Madison county near Edwardsville, and from thence in 1821, moved to the " Land of the White Potato." Becoming disgusted in a short time, with the country, he went back to Madison, but, in a year, came back again, this time tostay. " Uncle Jemmie," as he was called, was remarkable for kindness of heart, great patience and his superstitious horror of the skulls of dead horses. In traveling, he would carefully avoid them; and used to say that if any one should bring one on his place, and he should find out who did it, he would shoot him as he would a wolf. He thought at times he heard voices calling him, and heard, in his distorted imagination, apparitions talking to him on dark and stormy nights.

Then, too, came Roger Snell, a farmer from Tennessee, but like the former, a native of North Carolina, with his family, to settle in the same township, just east of the present town of Staunton, where he lived till his death.

In 1821, or near that period - for it has not been possible to fix dates accurately in all cases - John Cormack settled near the home of Mr. Camp. Mr. C. soon became dissatisfied with the country, and returned to Edwardsville, but not long after again moved back here.

Another immigrant about this time was Abraham Wyatt of Tennessee, who built and occupied for a short time what became the first school-house

Then, too, came Ephraim Powers and his family, with his sons-in-law, James Caulk and Joshua Perkins. Becoming discontented with the absence of markets, the prevalence of diseases, and the discomforts of frontier life, they went back to their old home in Tennessee. They all returned in 1824. Mr. Powers first settled on the place which had been improved by Wilhelm, and afterwards lived on one which had been slightly improved by Mr. Cowell, on the mound, the homestead of the late Stephen Sawyer.

When Mr. Cowell returned, he brought with him old Lewis Cormack and his son William, the father and brother of John Cormack. About this time also, there settled on the south side of Macoupin creek near the line of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, Abraham and Evan Smith with their families.

To the same vicinity also came Shadrach Reddick and Daniel Deadrick with their families. 'Shade" Reddick was one of the bold rangers of the war of 1812, whose courage protected the frightened and feeble settlements from the merciless Indian tomahawk, which Great Britain had called to her aid. He liked to tell of his adventures; of the " battles, sieges, and fortunes, he had passed ;" and to his anecdotes the boys would listen in open-mouthed astonishment.

Daniel Deadrick came to this county with a family consisting of wife and five children. He was from North Carolina. Rev. D. P. Deadrick, a son of his, was born here in 1829. Mrs. Elizabeth A. Armour is a daughter. In 1835, Daniel Deadrick moved to Missouri, where he died. Three of his sons and one daughter are buried here.

About this time, also, came William Wilcox, afterwards a member of one of the first boards of County Commissioners. He was a lame man. Mr. Wilcox taught the first school ever taught in the county, in 1822, beginning after corn was laid by and continuing three months. It was held in the log cabin built by Mr. Wyatt, and abandoned by him, as before stated. Mr. Wilcox offered to teach the school. provided he could get fifteen pupils at two dollars each per term, which offer was accepted. It was further agreed that he was to teach eight hours a day, five days in the week, for thirteen weeks. The course of study embraced writing, arithmetic, reading and spelling. The house was 14 x 16 feet; had one door, but no window; was provided with a puncheon floor and fire-place. The patrons furnished the seats, and the teacher "boarded round." In 1823 Mr. Wilcox, finding it not good to be alone, wooed and won Miss Polly Cormack, and ceased to board around.

From 1821 immigration increased. The fear of Indians had died away, and the chief enemy the settler had to combat was the malarial diseases so prevalent in a new country, and which still linger in our midst. It will have been observed that, with few exceptions, the first settlers were from the southern states, from the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. A very few were Pennsylvanians; but no Yankee came, bringing with him the shrewdness, energy and nasal twang of his race.

Early Preaching

Tn the fall of 1820, Rev. Parham Randle, a Methodist minister, preached at the house of Richard Chapman, who, with his wife, was a member of that denomination - the first sermon ever delivered in the county. Mr. Chapman and his wife gladly offered their house for the services. Mr. Randle's home was south-east of Edwardsville, twenty-five miles away. It was late in the season, and the weather was cold; but with the bravery of a Christian soldier, he braved all discomfort, and came to found a society of the faithful in the infant colony. Services were held at Mr. Chapman's at stated times for several years.

In the fall of 1821, James Lemon, a Baptist minister, conducted services at the house of Telemachus Camp. He belonged to what was then called the " Emancipating Baptists," so designated from their hostility to slavery

Early Marriages

Same early marriages are to be chronicled of that early time: viz. that of Stephen Wilcox - a brother of William, and who came to the county not long after him - to Miss Mary Piper in August, 1824. Wm. G. Cormack, whose sister had married Wm. Wilcox, evidently thinking a " fair exchange no robbery," took Miss Mary Wilcox to wife in September of the same year - 1824. In 1826 Mr. John Snell, influenced by these good examples, led Miss Elizabeth to the hymenial altar.

William Wilcox, who was a childless man, had early in the spring of 1826 an adventure with a male wolf, which will bear relating. A large gray wolf attacked some sheep about midnight in his yard. He opened the door to discover the cause of the commotion, when the wolf fiercely attacked him, springing upon him, and seizing him by the waist. He sprang hastily back to close the door, and pulled the wolf in with him. Being badly bitten, and perhaps worse frightened, he climbed up into the loft, pulling his wife Polly up after him. Lying in one of the beds was a young man, Anderson Scroggins, and the baffled wolf turned his attention to him. Scroggins no doubt thinking his time had come, dived 'neath the covering, and held it closely around him. The wolf gnawed away on the bed-clothes for a time, and then went out at the open door, going to the house of Stephen Wilcox, where a hog gave it battle and was badly bitten. It then went to the house of Richard Chapman, where, after a hard fight, in which Mrs. Chapman took a hand with the boys, it was clubbed and shot to death.

James and Matthew Hall were born in Buncomb county, North Carolina, and had emigrated to Illinois, probably in 1816, certainly prior to the change from territorial to state government, and settled in Madison county. James moved to this county, with the families of Messrs. Hodge and Love, at an early day, and was favorably impressed by the appearance of the country. In 1823, having completed his arrangements, he quit his home in the old settlement, and came to cast in his lot with the new. He selected his home on the creek about seven miles southwest of Carlinville, and near where the railroad crosses the Hurricane. He was the father of eight children, four girls and four boys, one of whom, Oliver W. Hall, is now in the county, and whose recollections of early days have been freely given for this work. James Hall was below medium stature, of fair complexion, but with jet black hair. His was a large brain, and his muscular strength was beyond that of most men. Mrs Hall died in 1835. Matthew Hall, a brother, was a blacksmith by trade, who came to the county several years later. John Pope came to the county also in 1823. He sold out his claim to Chas. McVey in 1825, but remained in the county.

Theodorus Davis, Sr., was a native of Kentucky, who at an early day had emigrated to St. Clair Co., Il. In the latter part of 1822, or spring of 1823, he came with his family consisting of wife, Theodorus, Jr., John L. Davis, Belden Davis, Wm H. H. Davis, Morgan Davis, Oliver C. Porter Davis, Polly, who married David Gregory, Sallie, who married Jno. Tomer, and Leyina, who became the wife of a Mr Ward. The boys were excellent players on the violin; but Oliver C. P. was very highly proficient, and his skill in bowing was the admiration and envy of all beholders. Theodorus, Jr., wedded a widow lady, sister of John Burleson; John L. became the husband of a sister of Oliver. W. Hall; Belden took io wife Mary, eldest daughter of Seth T. Hodge. Theodorus Davis was a useful and prominent man. None of the family name are now living in the county. They remained some years, and then moved to Iowa. Oliver died on the plains on his way to the land of gold. Some died here. Belden is now living in Missouri.

It may serve to convey to the minds of those now living in comfort in this county, surrounded by all that can embellish life, an idea of the trials, tribulations and distresses endured by the early settlers, if an account be given of a death and burial of that olden time.

Some years after James Hall settled in the county, and subsequent to the marriage of Polly Davis to David Gregory, Isaac Hall, a young man noted for his herculean strength, and brother of James and Matthew, hearing at his home in Madison that his brother James lay sick, came up to visit him, and, if needed, be of service during his illness. James Hall had heard that Mr. Gregory was seriously ill, and requested his brother to go over and see if help was needed. Isaac was absent several days, and it was noticed on his return that he wore an unusually solemn face. He related the sad story. When he reached their lonely cabin he found Mr. Gregory in the delirium of fever, while his wife and two little children were also sick. Mr. Hall waited on the sick man, and at times all of his great strength was required to hold him in bed. The sufferings of the wretched man were speedily terminated by death. No neighbors were there to aid. All were sick. Mr Hall took an ax and, leaving the poor woman with the sick and dead, went to the woods. There he split out rude puncheons for a coffin. Then he dug a grave on a knoll, and with axe and auger made a coarse coffin, which he fitted in the grave. Then returning to the house, and, taking the corpse on his shoulder, he toiled with it up the hill, and laid it away to sleep until the resurrection morn.

Andrew Hettrick became a resident of this county in 1825. He came from near Carrollton and built a small cabin on Negro Lick. His family consisted of a wife and seven children. He was a skillful hunter and trapper, and the waters and timber of Negro Lick and Apple creek furnished him abundance of game, and plenty of furs of the mink, muskrat and otter.

In 1824 or '25 a Mr. Shaw, whose name has been rescued from oblivion by having been attached to the name of a township, settled in Shaw's Point. He built a cabin and cultivated a few acres, but he was a pioneer by instinct, and, when neighbors began to gather around him, he moved away in search of a new country. After him there camé to Shaw's Point, Job Sperry and C. R. Hutton.

As early as 1823, and possibly a year or two before, Samuel Lair, a useful man, and prominent in the history of the county, with his family, consisting of wife and two boys, left his home near Troy, in Madison county, and moved hither, settling first with his brother, Charles Lair, Sr., on Otter creek. He was of German descent and possessed the industry and thrift of his race. After leaving Otter creek he built a log cabin west of the city of Carlinville, where the noble Burke mansion now stands. Mr, Lair was a member of the second Board of County Coramissioners. Charles, Jr., John Austin and William Lair were his sons. Charles is dead. William reared a large family and is now a resident of the county. John moved to Missouri. Aunty Pritchard, of Carlinville, is a daughter of Mr. Lair. In this year or the preceding, George Matthews erected a cabin and began to improve a farm near that of Seth Hodge on Hodge's creek. And here he died. His character was good and his kindness of heart made him many friends. Mrs Matthews afterwards became the wife of Mr. Hodge.

Lewis Solomon, Sr., settled here in 1826. He was the father of Judge Lewis Solomon, still living in the county and widely and favorably known. The name of Solomon since the year above given has been prominent in the county. He was a thrifty, useful and valuable citizen.

Thomas Judy, a son of Col. Judy, of Madison county, arrived with his family in the same year, and settled in Western Mound. He married the widow of John Love afterwards. His brother Samuel came several years later. He settled in the forks of Hodge's. creek. They moved back to Madison county, where they now live.

In February of 1826, Oliver Brown, a merchant of Carrollton, with his nephew, Wm. Cowan, built a cabin sixteen feet square in Brighton township. Cowan was an Ohioan, and renowned for his giant-like strength, and his ability to do the work of two men. In 734 he was paid double wages throughout the year.

Mr. Brown held a squatter's claim until 1827, when he entered the land, which was that on which the south and business portion of Brighton now stands.

John Pope, who, as has been noted, came in 1823, held a claim which in 1825 he sold to Charles McVey. Charles was the first of the name to settle here. In 1826, or about that time, others of the family came from Tennessee and settled east of Coop's Mound. The family was a large one, consisting of seven brothers. They did not all come the same year. William came in the spring of 1831. Charles sold out his claim to John Yowell. The five brothers of Charles and William were John, Nathan, Samuel, Edley and Thomas. Their home was in what was known as Sherrill's Fork, so named for John Sherrill, who settled there at an early day. One of the brothers served in the Black Hawk war. John and William died here. Edley and Charles moved to Iowa. One of William's sons, John Wesley McVey, is a well known citizen of the county, living at present in Nilwood township.

About 1826, also, came John Harris, a man honorably connected with the history and development of his county and state; who of great and enduring popularity held many offices of trust and profit, and in all cases discharged the duties of a citizen and officer honestly and efficiently. He rode gallantly at the head of a company in the Black Hawk war, and was a brigadier-general of militia. He was the first sheriff of the county. He settled on Lake Fork, where he improved a fine farm. An old friend gives this testimony concerning him: " He was a man of good sense, penetrating thought, a warm friend and good citizen. He was looked up to as being a man endowed with more common sense, and possessing a better education . than the majority of the people." His name was given to Harris Point in the eastern Mad of the county. He was twice married, the second time to the widow of David Coop, Sr. He went to Iowa, whither Mr. Coop had moved, and where he died, and brought his bride back with him. He owned, and for many years operated, a water mill. This noble man, of whom old settlers speak only in terms of respect and affection, lies buried in the wood a short distance. north of Sulphur Springs; and only a rude stone marks the spot where the bones of John Harris repose.

In September 1827, John Bourleson, a well-known citizen of the county, and a half brother of Seth T. Hodge, with his mother's family came to the county, the home of Mr. Hodge, who took them under his charge. Mr. Bourleson, whose knowledge of the county of the past, has been valuable to the author of this history, was born in Alabama, but before coming to Illinois, lived a year in Tennessee. He has lived here continuously since '27, and has reared a large family. Rey. James Solomon, came from Johnson County, North Carolina this year. The same year arrived Andrew Hughes, Henry Etter, and Mr. Robinson, all heads of families. Ezekiel Ross came late in the fall of this year, and built a cabin on Apple Creek, into which he moved with his family on Christmas day.

William Brewer, a Virginian, became a resident also in 1827, and for a time was employed by Mr. Brown of Brighton. In 1849 he shared in the excitement caused by the discovery of gold in California, and went there to return no more.

Bennett Tilley and family settled Western Mound this year. They were natives of North Carolina. To the same locality, the same year, came William Smith and family.

As early as 1827, and possibly a year previous, Nathan Scarret had settled seven miles south of the site of Brighton on the line of the Chicago and Alton road.

James Briden, wife and children, became residents in 1827 of Bunker Hill Township. Mr. Briden was the first justice of the peace of that section.

In 1828, Mr. Welch, a genuine pioneer, held a squatter's claim, built a log cabin and cleared a few acres, but he was not contented, and soon left.

According to some accounts Joseph Borough became a citizen here in 1827. Others made the date later. He was raised in Virginia, from which place he moved to Madison county, Illinois. Of his early history nothing certain can now be gathered. He attained considerable prominence in the early history of the county, and his name will be found in the civil records. He settled east of Carlinville, on the hill, where he lived and raised a family. He served the people as their representative and senator in the General Assembly of the State.

J. W. Fork, the well-known stock raiser and farmer, settled in 1828. In this year, 1828, Fletcher H. Chapman, a prominent attorney of Carlinville, was born in this county, in what is now Staunton township.

Ezekiel Good, " who had character enough to mould a whole community," moyed from Green county and built a log house just east of the old plat of Carlinville. His wife was a most excellent and hospitable lady.

In 1828, also, with his large family, came Peter Akes, Sr. Peter had four sons, Alfred, Isaac, Peter, Jr., and John - who were voters in 1829 - and several daughters. John §. Greathouse, a lawyer, bought property of Joseph Borough in the fall of 1829, and lived in Carlinville until '46.

Huriah Smith, an honored citizen of the county, settled in Western Mound September 7th, 1828. About the same time his father, Richard Smith, and family, settled on Hodge's Creek. Andrew Brownlee about the same time came. He was one of the first justices of the peace.

In 1829 John Yowell arrived from Shelby county, Kentucky, and bought out Charles McVey. Judge Yowell served as first lieutenant in Captain Nolan's company in the Black Hawk War, was a captain of militia, and prominent in the history of the county.

Among the many who came this year, or the preceding, may be further mentioned, James Howard, who taught school in 1829, in a log school-house in North Palmyra; Samuel Harris, who was the father of twenty-six children; Norris Hayes and family; Jairus Coddle and family, from North Carolina; James McFarland and family from Tennessee; Aaron Tilley, brother of Bennett Tilley previously mentioned, and William Barrett, who sold goods in the first store in the county in 1829,

It is not, perhaps, possible to name all who had settled in the county prior to 1829, the date of the county's organization. Many who came remained but ashort time, when they went back to their old homes, or moved away to a newer country, as the settlements began to fill up. Thus the settlers may naturally be grouped into two classes, the pioneers and the permanent settlers. As stated in the beginning of this chapter, the pioneer is not to be despised, for he is a man with a mission. But pressing closely on his footsteps came the other class, scarcely less inured to hardships and fatigue, or fitted to combat the dangers and difficulties on the frontier, but animated by different hopes, and pursuing a nobler ambition. These left the abodes of civilized life, not from love of adventure or dislike of society; they came where land was cheap and soil rich, in search of a permanent home.

They brought with them a love of church and school, and an appreciation of the blessings of civilized life, and the " wilderness and solitary place was glad for them, and the desert rejoiced and blossomed as the rose."

In the township histories, and the biographical department, may be found more fully recorded the characters, trials and struggles of the earlier settlers, who subdued, and made fit for the habitation of man, this wilderness of coarse grass, dense forests and unhealthy morass.

In this year, 1829, the county of Macoupin was created by act of the legislature in session at the then capital of the state, Vandalia, and commissioners were appointed to select a site for the seat of justice. The chapter on the " Civil History" treats fully of the birth of the county, and contains all records pertaining to its origin,

At the first election held after the organization of the county seventyeight votes were polled. At the second election about one hundred and seventy, and the population of the county was probably about 1,500 souls.

The untutored savage, happily no longer hostile, still came southward, to the " Black Hawk Hunting Grounds," in quest of game, and the how] of the wolf, and scream of the panther, still rang out upon the midnight air.

But no backward step was ever to be taken, and progress was henceforth to be more marked. Here, at no distant day, were to tread the footsteps of a mighty and busy population. Hither, lured by reports of the fertility of the land, and the promise of its greatness, were to come the capitalist to invest his thousands, and the honest immigrant in search of a home.

"A poll book for an election held at the house of Joseph Borough, in the county of Macoupin and State of Illinois, on the thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine.

Names Of Voters

I certify that John Powell, Abraham Wyatt, Judges, and T. P. Hoxsey, and Theodorus Davis, clerks of the Election, were severally sworn before me as the law directs, and that I was sworn agreeably to law by John Powell, he being one of the Judges of the election, previous to our entering upon the duties of our respective offices, dated at the house of Joseph Borough, this pin County, State of Illinois, for Macoupin district, to elect three magistrates and two constables in and for said district, this 16th of May, 1829.

"At an election held this sixteenth day of May, 1829, agreeably to an order received from the County Clerk of Macoupin County, we the undernamed Judges and Clerks do return the following list of names to be acknowledged as sufficient votes at said election :

Marriage In 1829

Huriah Smith, still a resident of this county, now of Western Mound township, was the first man married after its organization. An inaccuracy of the marriage record makes necessary the proof of this claim.

Mr. Smith and Sally Tilley, the daughter of John Tilley, of North Carolina, were married on the 5th day of May, 1829, by William Kinkaid, a justice of the peace of Greene county. Some doubt arose as to the legality of this marriage. Thereupon a second license was procured, and he was remarried on July 6th, of the same year, the ceremony being performed by Andrew Brownlee, a justice of the peace of this county. The date of the first record was erased, and that of the second substituted, as an examination of the record reveals. The other marriages of 1829, are on record, as follows : - ss 21st, David Coop, Jr., to Elizabeth Harris. ii 21st, Belden Davis to Mary Hodges. Us 25th, John L. Davis to Narcissa Hall. November 5th, Nelson Alexander to Rachel Smith. és 11th, Peter Akes to Elizabeth Powel. 4 26th, Abel Russel to Elizabeth Shelby. 27th, Andrew Thompson to Sarah Woodring.

were not tightly encased in white kid-gloves, nor was his a lavender tie. The fair bride was not arrayed in modern fashion, nor was it necessary to hire a dexterous boy to manage her trail as she swept up to the altar. The wedding presents jvere few and were intended for use, not ornament. But they pledged their faith in holier and more solemn affection than characterizes many of the fashionable weddings of this day. Life to them was a sterner thing than it is to us, and while there was less of sentiment, there was, perhaps, more of love in their unions.

When Isaac Pritchard married, he and his wife, the daughter of Charles Lair, hand in hand, set out on foot to visit some friends in Indiana, and this was their bridal tour. Mrs. Pritchard or "' Aunty " is still living in Carlinville. After 1829, it seems to be no longer necessary to name the date of' the advent of families, in this chapter; the township sketches, which have been compiled from data, contributed by old citizens, and the biographical department, furnishing such information. Immigration poured in steadily after that date. John Gray, Thomas and Daniel Marfoot, Mr. and Mrs. Sherrill arrived in 1829.

The next year population was increased by the advent of James Simmons, Thomas Kinder, Arter Taylor, Mrs. Daniel Huddleston, C. A. Walker, a leading lawyer of Carlinville, James B. Pinckard, Michael Brown, William Palmer, - whose name was given to Palmer's prairie- - Brice Robertson, Susan Adams, and Benj. Adams, Mrs. Permelia Baird, Mr. and Mrs. David Holmes, Mrs. Elizabeth Foster, Jarrett Dugger, A. S. Walker, J. A. Pepperdine, the McCollums, - parents of John McCollum, - the Adams, - parents of Giles M. Adams, - John Andrews, E. B. Clark, David Gimlin, a Baptist minister, and many others.

In 1831, came Newton Berry, who was one of the early teachers of the county, D. B. Sawyer, J. L. Plain, William McKinney, James B. Gray, Stith M. Otwell, a faithful minister of the M. E. Church, John Gelder, - the father of Capt. Thomas 8. Gelder. - Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards and Mrs. Job Sperry, William Phillips, the Rhoads', - John, Josiah, Jesse, Henry, and C. C., - Peter B. Karnes, still living, and hearty and hale, Samuel Howard, John Kinder, Amos Snock, the Huddlestons, Stephen Sawyer, Rev. Levi Mitchell, - a Baptist clergyman, earnest and faithful, - and the Weatherfords, and. the Gimlins.

In 1832, came the celebrated Dr. Blackburn, whose memory is fragrant as the founder of Blackburn University, L. P. Stratton, William H. Carson, Thomas Leach, Richard Skaggs, William Jolley, Col. J. R. Miles, Mrs. Elizabeth Duckles, J. D. Wagner, Daniel Huddleston, F. M. Adams, William Hilyard, Hon. Hamp. W. Wall, and many others.

John Morris, William Chism, G. B. Carson, Jas. M. and Mrs. W. H. Carson, Thomas E. Carson, W. H. Rhoads, Capt. Jas. P. Pearson, - his wife, Rebecca Gwin, came in 1831 with her father's family, - Mrs. Nancy Challacomb, Thomas Leach, James Raffurty, George W. Rhodes, and the Bostons arrived the next year.

In the first years of settlement there was no physician here, and when medical attendance was necessary, a doctor was summoned from Madison county. The diseases were usually of a malarial nature. Chills and feyer were common in summer and fall, and few escaped them. In the winter pneumonia sometimes prevailed, and was much more fatal than now. Dr. Wm. King was here as early as 1832. Dr. Jno. W. Goode came in 1833. Another early physician was Dr. Palmer, who settled near the site of Scottsville. In 1834, came to Carlinville two brother:, Drs. Joseph and Thomas Conduitle, Frenchmen and graduates in medicine of a Paris University. They remained buta little more than a year. The same year came Dr. Jno. R. Lewis, of Massachusetts, a regular graduate of medicine. In 1838 Dr. John Logan, of Carlinville, who came to the county in 1833, began the practice of his profession, under the guidance of his preceptor, Dr. Zopher Jayne, a good physician, from Tennessee, and a graduate in his later years of a Louisville University, and who came to the county in 1835. Dr. John R. M. Smith, of Virginia, a man of fine education and a partner of Dr. Jayne, arrived the same year. Dr. Howell, a good physician, settled at Bunker Hill in an early day. Dr. Halderman came as early as 1846, and soon had a good practice. He was a good doctor of the old school, and his enormous doses have neyer been forgotten by his patients. During the epidemic of cholera, in 1851, when about thirty-five died of that dread disease in the county-seat, two promising physicians, Drs. Wright and Wood were among the number.

Jn the winter of 1830-31 occurred what has been called all over the west "The Big Snow,' which caused much suffering among the settlers who were poorly prepared for such a rigorous winter. The snow began falling on the 15th of December. and fell without intermission for five days, and reached a depth of several feet on the level, while in places it attained a depth of fifteen feet. It began to melt in the latter part of February, and was about as long going off as it had been on the ground. The severity of the winter and the unparalleled depth of the snow may be appreciated from the fact that "The Great Snow," which extended all over the west, is the time from which old settlers estimates the date of events. They speak of an occurrence as haying taken place "two years before the Great Snow," or one year after it, ete.

In 1852 the modern history of the county may be said to have begun, for in this year was completed from Alton to Springfield the Chicago and Alton railroad. From this time onward the progress of the county has been very rapid. Immigration came in like a flood. Good markets stimulated the agriculturist to greater exertions, and population and wealth increased in prodigious ratio. Just one-half a century has passed since Macoupin County period. Then people traveled in carts and wagons, now in palace cars; then they lived in log cabins, now in spacious and comfortable homes; then their homes were lighted by the flickering_flame of the rude tallow-dip or candle, now by the brilliant gas-jet or the steady light of the kerosene ; then men reaped their grain with the rude sickle and thought one-fourth of an a portion of the year travel with a wagon was scarcely possible, now good roads bind all parts of the county together, and elegant and substantial bridges spring from bank to bank over the water-courses ; then men trudged after the rude plow, now they may ride; then the good mother sewed by hand, now the sewing machine enables her to do four days' work in one; then she hung the pot upon the crane and bent over the hot fire to cook her bread in the dutch-oven, now the elegant cooking range has taken half the burden of cooking from her, and preserves her complexion at the same time ; then the farmer tramped out his wheat, or beat out the yellow grain with the flail, and winnowed it with the aid of his neighbor and a sheet, now the steam thresher comes to his farm and threshes 500 bushels in a day; then the Indian maize was beaten in a mortar, or ground grain by grain in a hand mill, now no town or hamlet is without a mill whose ponderous machinery is driven by the strong giant - steam.

But a day of yet greater brightness dawns for this county ; our soil is fertile, our climate healthful ; our timber is plentiful and of good quality, and our stores of fuel absolutely inexhaustible ; our markets are near and easily accessible; our citizens moral and industrious, and the voice of the schoolmaster is heard in the land. All elements of greatness are at hand. Our county has produced great men, whose voices heard amid the din of conflict, have given courage and hope in the contest, or when heard in legislative councils have commanded attention. She shall yet produce the poet and scholar whose "words shall fire men's hearts till the world's mad race be