Madison County, Illinois - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1882 (part 6 of 12)

Caleb B. Gonterman

The Gonterman family, on the paternal side, is of German ancestry. Henry Gonterman, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Germany. Caleb B., the father, who was better known as Capt. Gonterman, was born in Kentucky. He came with his father, whose name was Jacob, to Illinois, in 1818, and settled in what is now known as Pin Oak township, and there entered and bought land, and followed the occupation of farming until his death. The latter event occurred in September, 1861. He married Miss Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Michael Miller, of Monroe county, Illinois. She died in 1848. He afterward married Mrs. Gillenwaters nee Hall. She is also dead. By the first marriage there were five sons and four daughters, six of whom have survived the parents. Caleb B. is the youngest of the family ; he was born in section 27, in Pin Oak township, Madison county, Illinois, October 1st, 1834. He grew to manhood on the farm, and remained in the county to the present time, except two years, when he was absent in Ohio. In 1858 he bought eighty acres of land in Marine Prairie, and farmed it for eight years, then sold out and purchased the land where he now resides. It was slightly improved, but all the buildings, (of which there is a large and commodious farm-house on the place), have been erected by him. There he has resided since 1866. On the 22d of December, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia, daughter of Jesse and Nancy Bartlett, old and prominent settlers of Madison county. She was born in Madison county. May 16, 1837. The Bartletts were among the first settlers in the county. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gonterman three children, whose names are Thomas E., Jessie O. and Laura A. Gonterman. Mr. Gonterman has been a staunch Democrat since 1856, when h'e cast his first vote, which was given for James Buchanan for President. The Gontermans, as will be seen by the foregoing, belong to the pioneer families of Illinois. Several generations have been born and passed away since they came to Illinois. They were all, in their occupations, wedded to the soil, and were then, as they are now, among the substantial farmers of the county.

Was a native of Madison county, born February 5, 1810. He was the son of Jesse Bartlett, who was one of the pioneers of the state. Here he grew to manhood, and May 12, 1831, married Nancy Ann, daughter of Daniel E and Sarah (Ingram) Adams, who died May 21, 1855. In May, 1857, he married his second wife, whose name was Sophia Stallings. By the first marriage ten children were born, whose names are given in the order of their birth : Joseph, who married Nancy Ann Whiteside, by which union there are five sons and one daughter ; Daniel, who is dead. He married Sarah Elizabeth Sappington, and left three children. Lydia is the wife of Caleb B. Gonterman, and they have three children. William R. is dead. He married Mexana Green, and left six children. Sarah, wife of Elias Hauskins, who has four children. Nancy Catherine has been thrice married, lately to William Seuacer. She has two children living by her former husbands. Martha Elizabeth, wife of Frederick W. Berger, who have four children. Rhoda Adeline, who is the wife of William S. Judy. They have three children. Jesse Allen, died in his fifth year, and John in his infancy.

By the second marrriage of Mr. Bartlett there were seven children, whose names are : Anna Eliza, James JI., Austin (dead), George Sherman, Lincoln S., Charles F., and Martin E. The latter three are also dead. Mr. Bartlett remained in Madison county until August, 1870, when he removed to Chariton county, Missouri, and there remained until his death, January 11, 1873. His body was brought back, and now lies interred in the old burial ground on the old homestead. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and was first lieutenant of a company.

William May

Was bora in Bavaria, Germany, March 3, 1833. He came to America in 1847, with his father, Valentine Maj; landed at New Orleans ; came up the river to St. Louis, and in April of the same year came to Madison county, and settled one mile north of Marine, where he bought land, and lived until his death, which occurred August 2, 1878. He married Catharine Steg, a native of Bavaria; she died in 1860. There were thirteen children, seven of whom are living ; William is the eldest He remained at home until his twenty-third year. He then followed teaming for a few years. In 1856 he bought eighty acres of land in section 24 of Pin Oak township, and the next year moved on it and commenced its improvement. To that eighty he has added until he now has about seven hundred acres of as fine land as there is in the township. All of it is improved, with fine buildings. A view of the place can be seen on another page. On the 13th of February, 1856, he married Elizabeth Widmar, a native of Bavaria, born October 22, 1833. She came to America in 1835. Thirteen children were born to tbem - twelve living. Their names and births are given : William, born April 26, 1857; Lena, July 28, 1858; Henry, March 25, 1860 ; Otto, November 17, 1861 ; Emma, born September 23, 1864, died September 14, 1865; Anna, born December 27, 1867 ; Mina, November 7, 1869 ; Louise, July 17, 1871; Karl, April 29, 1873; Albert, March 15, 1875; Daniel, March 24, 1877 ; Leo, January 9, 1880. Both Mr. and Mrs. May are members of the Presbyterian church. He has. been a Republican since 1856, at which time he cast his vote for John C Fremont. He is one of the represen. tative farmers of Madison county, and one of its most successful ones.

Elias Hauskins

Was born in section ten, in Pin Oak township, ^Madison county, Illinois, March 15, 1832. He is the son of Alvas Hauskins, who was born in Rutherford county, Tennesee, March 16, 1807, and who came with his father to Illinois in 1819, and settled in Pin Oak township in this county on the place where he still resides. On the 18th of December, 1828, he married Sarah Lawrence She died in 1860. On February 15, 1863, he married Mrs. Lydia W. Rathburn nee Smith. She died in 1874. By the first marriage there were twelve children, eleven of whom survived the mother- Three of the sons were soldiers in the late war. Thomas enlisted in company I, 9th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and veteranized with his regiment, and was mustered out and honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was twice wounded, and at the battle of Pittsburg Landing was taken prisoner. James Hauskins enlisted in 1862, and went through the war. Edward, another brother, enlisted during the last year of the war. It will be seen that the family are of patriulic stock. In 1832,Mr. Hauskins entered one hundred and sixty acres of land ; it is the same on which the subject of this article now resides. Elias is to the manor born. He was raised upon the farm, and attended the subscription schools in the winter months. He remained home until he was of age, then he visited the land on which he now lives, and continued to lease and farm it until 1870, when he bought it and has made his home there to the present time.

On the 25th of February, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Cornelia Stevenson, who was born in Howard county, Missouri. She was the daughter of Augustus Stevenson. She died, February 16, 1865. On the 4th of February, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Sally Bartlett, daughter of Jesse Bartlett, one of the oldest settlers of Madison county. She was born in Pin Oak township, in this county. By the first marriage there were three children, whose names are Sally, Charles, and Fanny Hauskins. By the latter marriage there are four children living. Their names are Jesse Alvas, (Belle died in her eighth year), Mary, Katie, and Jacob Hauskins. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

Politically Mr. Hauskins is a Republican. He was opposed to slavery and early espoused the cause of human freedom, and in 1856 when the party was formed which was opposed to that institution he joined its rank.?, and cast his vote for John C. Fremont. From that time to the present, he has been an active and consistent member of that political organization. He has beeu frequently honored by hi-i fellow citizens with offices of local trust, and at present represents his township in the Board of Supervisors.

The Haii.-skins family is an old one in this county. They are of E igli^h aud Irish ancestry. They came to America prior to the Revolution and the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch took pj,rt in that memorable struggle. They are also an old family in this county. They came here while it was yet a frontier State, helped to subdue the wilderness and make this country a fit habitation for the people of the present. In the early Indian wars they took part. Lucien the uncle of Elias was a soldier in the Black Hawk war of 1831-32. It is with pleasure that we record these brief remarks, and give an outline sketch o f the Hauskins' family.

Alsey S. Smart

ALSEY S. SMART. The Smart family are of English ancestry. Peter Smart, the great-grandfather of the subject of the sketch, was a native of the Carolinas, aud was born February 7, 1730. He had two sons, named Laban and Amos Smart, both of whom were soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and were with Gen. Morgan at the memorable battle of the Cowpens. The present Smart family are the descendants of Laban Smart, who was born November 9, 1758. He married Susanah Simmons in North Carolina, by whom he had ten children, one of whom was Henry B., the father of Alsey S. He was born in Chatham county, N. C, August 25, 1800, and came with his parents to Kentucky in 1806, where they remained until 1816, then moved to the territory of Illinois, and settled in Madison county, in what is now known as Jarvis township, where the father of Alsey afterward entered land, improved a farm and made his home until his death, which took place January 22, 1882. He proftssed religion, joined the regular Baptist church, and lived in full communion with that Christian organization during life, and died in the belief and full faith, that he would meet his Redeemer in the world beyond. He was one of the pioneers of the State, and the prairie known as " Smart's Prairie' ' took its name from the family, as they were the first actual settlers in that section of the county. He married Sally Thompson on November 9, 1826. She was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Ray) Thompson, who were natives of Kentucky. The Rays were among the pioneers of Kentucky, and were companions of Daniel Boone. Mrs. Smart's parents died while she was yet in her infancy, and she was brought to Illinois by her uncle. Elder Tliomas Ray, in 1818, and was living in this township when married to Mr. Smart. She died in 1879. There were eight chddren, the offspring of that union. Their names are, Alsey S., Maria, wife of John H. Smith, i\Iartha E., the widow of Samuel Whiteside, Henry A., Itha J., wife of B. P. Harris, of Chetopa, Kansas. Lucy married Alexander Taylor, died and left five children. Alsey S., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest of the family. He was born in " Smart's Prairie, " Madison county, Illinois, September 23, 1827. In his youth he was in delicate health, and was weak physically, and in consequence it was thought he would be unable to perform manual labor, and was therefore sent to school, and therein gained a better education than usually fell to the lot of boys in his days. When the gold excitement broke out in California in 1849, he in company with a number of others made the trip across the plains and mountains in ox carts to the land of gold. Mr. Smart remained in California for two )'ears mining gold That change of life and roughing it had the effect of hardening up his constitution, and he regained his health and robust form. In 18ol he returned home by the Isthmus of Panama ; here he re-engaged in farming on the place where he now lives, and there has made his home, quietly engaged in agricultural pursuits, and stock raising until the present.

On the 7th of December 1854, he married Miss Rhoda Giger, daughter of Joseph and Nancy (McAdams) Giger. She died July 25, 1862, leaving two children named, Jerusha, wife of George Anderson, and Sally Smart. On the 20th of October, 1864, he married Miss Mary Joslyn, a native of Greene county, Illinois. She died August 10, 1874, leaving one child, named, Henry W. Smart.

In matters of religious belief Mr. Smart is inclined to be liberal. He is a respected member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Troy lodge, No. 588. Politically he has always voted the Democratic ticket upon State or national occasions. He has represented the township in the Board ' of Supervisors. In 1877 he was elected one of the Justices of the Peace, w^as re-elected, and is now serving his third term. Mr. Smart is one of the old settlers of the county, and like them he is a plain, unassuming, honest man, striving to do his duty to his fellow men, and live a life that will be marked by no act that would condemn him in the estimation of his fellow citizens.

:HE history of the early settlement and subsequent progress and development of the township and city of Collinsville, present many features that are interesting. It is one of the southern tier of townships, bounded on the North by Edwardsville, East by Jarvis, South by St. Clair county, and West by Nameoki. The surface is divided between uplands and bottom, the former being about twothirds, to one-third of the latter. The bluffs, which form a chain running almost due north and south, across the part of the toAvnship, are very irregular in size and shape. In many places they are very rugged, and in others, gracefully sloping into the bottom lands. Sugar Loaf Mound is the most prominent point on the bluffs in this township. It is cone-shaped, rising to a considerable height, and is supposed to be the work of the mound builders. The territory is well drained by Cantine and Cahokia creeks and their numerous tributaries. These streams also furnish an abundance of water for stock and manufacturing purposes. Originally much of the surface of this township was covered with a heavy growth of timber, most of which has been cleared and replaced with finely improved farms, yet there remains enough along the variou.^ streams for all local demands. The fertility of the celebrated American Bottom, is 90 widely known, that it is needless to mention it here. The soil on the upland is of a lighter character, though as rich and productive as any in the county.

Fibst Settlements

Epiiraim Conner, was the first American settler in Madison couuty, and Collinsville ha^ the honor of having had this individual locate within her borders. This settlement was made early in the year 1800, and was twenty miles in advance of other settlements. Conner was a squatter, and one year later, in 1801, Samuel Judy purchased his improvements and settled on the place. This is known as claim number 338, made by Sir. Judy. It lies partly in T. 3, K. 8, and partly in T. 4, R. S, the residence being in section 5 of T. 3, R. 8 or Collinsville. Samuel Judy, born Aug. 19tb, 1773, was a son of Jacob Judy a native of Switzerland, who settled in Kaskaskia in 1788. The elder Judy, was a gunsmith by trade. He resided at Kaskaskia foui years' and then moved to the New Design settlement in Monroe county. He had a very early mill, which was patronized by settlers ev^n from a great distance. He died at his mill seat in 1807. Samuel Judy, then a lad of fifteen years, came with his fiither to Illinois, and became a hardy, resolute pioneer and a conspicuous, honorable and enterprising citizen. In his youth he was ever ready to enter into any campaign against the Indians, and in many of those desperate conflicts Gov. Reynolds says he proved himself to be the " bravest of the brave. " In the frontier troubles during the war of 1812 he was always actively employed in the service. He was in command of a company of spies in the campaign under Gov. Edwards, in 1812, against the Indians, also in the year following he was Captain of a company in the army under Gen. Howard. In all of his military services he was active and efiicient, and at the same time prudent and, cautious. In the fall of 1812 he was elected to the legislative council of the Illinois territory. This being the first legislature that convened under the Territorial Government, was necessarily an important assembly. This position he held for four years, and was an excellent member. He was elected to the office of County Commissioner for many years. Col. Judy was a very energetic man, and improved a large plantation and became wealihy. He manufactured the first brick, and erected the first brick house in Madison county. This was built in 1808, and is located just within the limits of Collinsville township, on the line dividing sections 5 and 6. It is a two story house, and can still be seen in good condition. He was married to Miss Margaret Whiteside, sister of General Samuel Whiteside, and reared a large family. Their children were as follows : Jacob, who married a daughter of Wm. B. Whiteside, May 16th, 1797, was Register of the Land Office at Edwardsviile, and died IMay 15, 1850, in Weston, Mo., of which place he had long been a resident. Sarah Judy was born August 21st, 1800, and married Ambrose Nix; she died January 14th, 1852. Samuel Judy, Jr., was born September, 1801, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen Whiteside; they settled in Green county. Ills, and he died there about 1870. Thomas Judy was born December 19th, 1804. Nancy was first married to Moses Whiteside, son of Wm. B. AVhiteside; she nest married John Owens ; her third husband was Thomas Grant; she is yet living, and enjoying the evening of her days among her children and many friends. Kathcriue died at the age of seventeen or eighteen years, just entering womanhood. Margaret was first married to John McGaughey and next to Moses Barber ; she is now dead. After a long and very useful life. Col. Samuel Judy died January 12th, 1838. Further mention of this family is made in the chapters on Pioneer and Civil History in this work.

In 1802, there were several additional settlements made, including the Whitesides, Robert, Samuel and Cyrus Seybold, Grotts and others. The heads of these families were all brave, hardy pioneers, who had already been in the country for many years and who were accustomed to a frontier life. Robert Seybold and Grotts were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. The country was then exposed to Indians, not entirely friendly to the whites, and it required the most fearless man and womaa to brave the dangers and hai-dships of the frontier. The Dennis and Van Meter murder had recently occurred in this neighborhood and the settlers were distrustful of the Indians. In the winter of 1802, " Turkey Foot, an evil-disposed and cruel chief of a band of Pottawatomie Indians, while returning home from Cahokia to their towns toward Chicago, met Alexander Dennis and John Van Meter, at the foot of the Mississippi bluff, about five miles southwest of the present town of Edwardsviile. The country contained, at that day, very few inhabitants above Cahokia ; and Turkey Foot, seeing the Americans extending their settlement towards his country, caught fire at the spectacle, and killed those two men." As above stated, this depredation must have occurred in the northwest corner of this townships

In 1803 Samuel and Joel Whiteside settled and made a claim in the northeastern portion of the township. The Whitesides were a firm and intrepid faruily, and were among the most noted men engaged in Indian warfare in Illinois. For many years the name Whiteside struck terror among the red skins. Their progenitors were of Irish descent, reared on the frontiers of North Carolina. The old patriarchs, William and .John, were soldiers in the Rev^Jutionary war, and acted well their part in that struggle. These two brothers came to Illinois in 1793 and settled at New Design- They reared large families and many of their descendants are living in the West. Samuel and Joel Whiteside made the fir.«t improvements on the uplands in this township. Samuel Whiteside rose to considerable distinction in the frontier wars, and was promoted to Brigadier General. The Whitesides are mentioned more fully in other portions of this work.

We give below the numbers and names of a few claims made in this township. The original claimant of claim 602, was Peter Casterline. It lies mostly in section 32 just west of Collinsville. Casterline settled here soon after 1800, and resided here for some time. Claim 1061 was made by John Whiteside, consisting of 100 acres, mostly in sections 1 and 2. Claim 600 was made by Levi Piggot, and contained 100 acres. This lies mostly in section 29. Piggot was an old resident of St. Clair county. Francis Louval made claim number 331, consisting of 10) acres. This claim includes the military claim of William Young Whiteside, M30, and is located in the northwestern part of the township. Henry Cook settled it Claim 338 was made by .Samuel Judy, 100 acres. There were four claims located here together, apparently about 1830. Claim 1653 was made by Isaac West. This was surveyed about 1802, and is in section 19. West was an actual settler and had considerable improvements in 1802, and continued to reside on this place until 1812, when he sold out to William Rabb.

The south boundary of the township was surveyed in December 1807, by John Messenger, the east boundary in January 1808, and in May 1810, the township was surveyed and sub divided into sections.

A Frenchman by the name of Da Lorm, from Cahokia, settled in the southwestern part of the township, not far from Cantine creeek in 1804. The Indians having become less hostile, several new settlements were made before 1812, when they again became troublesome, which somewhat retarded immigration, and caused some of the French settlers to remove to their villages.

The first laud in this township was entered August 22d, 1814, by John Turner. It consisted of 160 acres, iu section 25. September 15th, 1814, William Gillham entered 253 acres in section 8. September 23d, 1S14, David Gaskill entered 161 acres in section 13. liobert McMahan entered 159 acres in section 13, August 2-J, 1814. September 5th, 1814, Micajah Cox entered 80 acres in section 5. Sept. 28th, 1814, Michael Healy entered W. ^, S. E. i of section 11, 80 acres. Section 16, reserved as school land, was sold in 1837.

In 1813, Abner Kelly, Josiah, William, Andrew and John Wallace with their families, settled under the bluffs. The Wallaces soon removed to the Marine settlement, and subsequently went to Boonville, Missouri. Kelly located in the northern part of section 20, near the Sugar Loaf Mound, where he remained for a short time, and removed to the eastern side of the township. He reared a family of seven children. Mrs. Elizabeth Muirhcid, residing with her son, William Terry, in Colliusvillc, is the only one now living. She is sixty-nine years of age.

Michael Squiers settled on section 28, on the Stephen Johnson place, as early as 1814. He had three sons, Amos, Joseph and Wates, but none of the descendants of this family are now living in the neighborhood. Michael Squiers was the first person buried in the Connellsville Cemetery.

John Hadley was born in Maryland in 1776, of English parents, and when a young man went to Kentucky, where he married a lady by the name of Guthrie. This family came from Virginia, and settled in Madison county at a very early date. Iq 1817, Mr. Hadley removed with his family to Illinois, and settled on Pleasant Ridge, in this township, June 20th of that year. He was a volunteer in the ranging service of 1812. He reared a family of children, who grew up and settled around him. Of his sons, James, Dempsey, and William, only one, William, is now living. Dempsey died here, and James died in Missouri, whence he moved a few years ago. William Hadley was born in Kentucky in 1806, and is well known to many of the citizens of the county. He is a Methodist minister, and was among the early preachers in Madison. At present he is living at Carbondale in this State, while members of his family are still residents of the county.

John Williamson, a native of Virginia, came here from Tennessee with his wife and three children, one son and two daughters, in 1819. He purchased of Michael Squiers 100 acres of land in the S. E. } of section 28, where he resided till his death in October 1828. Mrs. Stephen Johnson, who is a step-daughter of Mr. Williamson, is the ouly one of this family living. She is iu her seventieth year, still hale and hearty. David Morgan settled where William Combs now lives, about 1817. A Mr. Bennett, Abraham Clapole, Mathews, MoflTatt and Richard Muirheid, settled under the bluffs west of Collinsville, before 1820. Muirhei 1 died there. Stephen Johnson arrived in Madison county in 1818. He was present at the treaty made by the Commissioners of the United States, with the Kickapoo Indians, at EJwardsville, August 6.h, 1819. Jlr. Johnson was a carpenter by trade. He located in Collinsville about 1829, where he married the stepdaughter of John Williamson, above mentioned.

After the close of the war of 1812, and treaties of peace had been made with the Indians, the county began rapidly to fill up with emigrants from many of the southern States, and CjUinsville received her share of these settlers. In a short time the rattle of the saw and grist mills was heard ; the rude log and pole cabins of the pioneers were replaced with larger and more comfortable frame buildings ; schools and churches were established, and a country that a few years before was a vast wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts and the fiercer red man, was changed to a civilized and highly improved region.

The following named parties were also among the older settlers: William Hall, Philip Teter, Robert Rundle, Sylvanus Gaskill, John Conoway, Richard Long, George Armstrong Luther Drury, Mr. Revis, Lewis Scandlin, Hampton McKinney, Benjamin Johnson, William Wagner, James Hutchinson, Jacob Swigart and some of the Lemens. Guy Morrison was also an early settler, and a very large landowner at one time in this township. John A. Cook was prominent among the later settlers. He was a native of Virginia, and came to this state about 1833 or 1834. He was married to Mrs. Lucinda Bowman, a daughter of Rev. James Lemen, of St. Clair county, April 18, 1836. She was the widow of Samuel Bowman, of Green county, a captain in the Black Hawk war, who was shot through the body by the Indians, on the 2J of August. 1832, in the final bloody contest with that savage chieftain, in this state. In April, 1836, Mr. Cook purchased of Ezra Post the cortheast quarter of section 23, and in August of the same year he sold the same to John L. Clark, and bought of Andrew Waddle the northeast quarter of section 1, where he resided until his death, July 15, 1869, in the si.\tieth year of his age. His wife, Lucinda, died August 25, 1867, in the fifty-third year of her age. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom but four survive. John L. Clark was also an early settler The late John Anderson, born in New Jersey in 1793, and a patriot of the war of 1812, came west and located in the Marine settlej ment, Madison county, in 1820. He subiequently became 1 a resident of this township, where he died April 11,

1875. J. J. Renfro, residing in section 24, was born in Madi-iou county in 1830. His wife, Nancy E. Gaskill, was born in this county in 1839. Fielding Woolridge, a native of Kentucky, settled in the county in 1830. Hon. D. D. Collins, a native of Portland, Maine, a retired farmer, residing on section 27, came to the county in 1843. His wife, whose maiden name is Anderson, was born in Madison county in 1826. Mr. Collins was an associate judge of the county for several years, and is among the prominent and respected citizens of Collinsville. John Anderson, late husband of Mrs. M. L. Anderson, residing on section 23, was a native of New Jersey, and settled in the county in 1822. The above named parties are among the oldest settlers now living in the township.

The first .settlers in Collinsville experienced much inconvenience in milling ; they were frequently compelled to travel many miles with ox-teams or on horseback, to have their grists ground, and then often waited several days for their turn. One of the nearest mills was that of Judy's, in Monroe county. The earliest mills were very rude affairs, propelled by ox or horse power, a full description of which can be seen in the Pioneer chapter. About the first mill in this region was that of Talbott's, on Cantine creek, just south of Collinsville. It was first propelled by horsepower, and subsequently by water. Col. Samuel Judy, and others also, had horse-mills.

About 1812 Isaac West sold his claim to William Eabb, who in the spring of 1S13 erected a large four-story frame water-mill, with a run of three or four burrs. It was propelled by the water of Cahokia creek, on the banks of which it was located, about a quarter of a mile west of where School creek empties. It was a merchant mill, quite extensive for those days. The flour is said to have been of an excellent quality, and found a good market in St. Louis, New Orleans and other southern'cities. Mr. Rabb also had a store, with a complete stock of general goods. He was a German, and a man of considerable ability and prominence. He was elected in 1814 to represent Madison county in the third Territorial Legislature, and held other important positions. In 1820 Mr. Rabb sold his property and business interests to Joseph Hertzogg, who added to it a distillery. Hertzogg continued the business for several years, until his death. Many of the older citizens remember Hertzogg's mill.

Dempsey Guthrie, who settled about two miles northeast of Collinsville, operated a horse-mill that was in existence in 1818. A Mr. Pickern erected a saw and grist mill in 1825, on Cantine creek, south of Collinsville, which after operating several years, he sold to Luther Drury, and it subsequently passed through several hands.

In 1804 or 1805, a school was taught in a log cabin on Peter Casterline's place, about a mile west of the present site of Collinsville. The teacher was one James Eradsbury, continued at this point about one year. The school was attended by children from all the neighboring settlements. It is related that many grown men and women sought Mr. Bradbury's instruction in learning their A, B, C's. This was undoubtedly the first public school in Madison county. In 1812 a school was taught in Samuel Judy's door. yard, by Eli^ha Alexander. A Mr. Thompson taught there in 1813, and the year following was succeeded by Mr. Yancy, and after him, in 1816, came Mr. Enlow, who taught a term of six months. Benaiah Robinson, a pupil of Eulow's, finished the unexpired term of the school.

There were several log cabin schools in this township, but little of their history can be gleaned. They were all subscription schools ; the teacher " boarded around." At this wiitingthe several districts have large and well furnished school-houses, where school is taught the greater part of the year. * This township has been represented in the Board of Supervisors by B. R. Hite, ever since township organization in 1876.

Pleasant Ridge

located in the centre of section 10, is entirely a German settlement. Henry and William Blum were the first settlers. It is surrounded by a beautiful rolling prairie, adorned with rich and finely improved farms, occupied principally by thrifty Germans. The little village contains a general store and saloon, kept by Chirles Anacker ; blacksmith shop, by John C. Shoettle, and a shoemaker, Frederick Nordmaier. The Lutheran society have a fine brick church and schoolhouse, in which is taught a parochial school.

The Ten Mile House Confidence Coal And Mining Company

This mine is situated two and one-half miles north-east of Collinsville, on the line of the Vandalia railroad. The shaft was sunk in the spring of 1870, by Seybt, Bandelier & Co. In the fall of 1870, the mine was leased to ,the Bartlett Coal and Mining Co., and it was extensively worked by them until the spring of 1873, when they forfeited their lease and Seybt, Bandelier & Co., began operating it and have continued to the present. The depth of the shaft is 219 feet to the surface of the coal, and the vein will average seven feet. The mine is 0{>erated by machinery, run by compressed air. They employ 50 men, and the average amount of coal raised is eighteen car loads per day. The company have in all eighteen buildings including the tipple house, office, boarding houses and dwellings. Most of the dwellings are situated on the blufi"s a short distance east of the mine.

is a new town, surveyed and platted in the fall of 1880, by Walter Rutledge, for J. L. Heintz, the proprietor. The plat contains about ten acres in the S. E. quarter of S. E. quarter of section 27. It was named in honor of the pro- prietor, an energetic and go-ahead gentleman. It contains at this writing twenty two houses, twenty-six families and about 150 population, quite a rapid growth for two years. The business interests are one store, a blacksmith shop, zinc works, coal mine and stone quarry.

The Stone Quarry is located on blufl's on the south side of the Vandalia railroad which passes through the village. The rock is a hard grey limestone, which makes an excellent material for foundation and building purposes. There were about 500 perches quarried in 1881, and the proprietor intends working it more extensivtly the coming year. It is owned and operated by J. L. Heintz.

Heintz Bluff Mine was sunk in 1876, by J. L. Heintz. It is 165 feet to the surface of the coal, and the vein will average from seven and one-half to eight feet in thickness. July 1st, 1881, Mr. Heintz sold the mine to J. H. Wicklitfe, who is now operating it with Mr. Heintz as superintendent- The mine employs about 65 men and raises about 90,000 bushels of coal per month.

City Of Collinsville

This is the largest and most important place ou the line of the Vandalia Railroad, in Madis-m .county. It is ten miles east of St. Louis, and about twelve miles south of the county seat, in the heart of a rich agricultural and coal region. Coal mining and manufacturing are the chief interests of the place.

The original town plat was laid out by the representatives of Wm. B. Collins, deceased, Joseph L. Darrow and Horace Look. It constituted a part of the N. E. i of thirtythree, jind a part of the X. W. i of section thirty-four, of three-eight or Collinsville township. The plat was recorded in the office of county clerk May 12, 1837. Since this date there have been seventeen additions made to the plat.

The first settler on the present site of Collinsville was John A. Cook, who entered land,, erected a log cabin, and made some improvements in the eastern part of section thirty four, about 1816. "In 1817 three brothers, Augustus, Anson and Michael Collins, from Litchfield, Connecticut, purchased the premises of Mr. Cook, and immediately commenced improvements. They soon erected a distillery, of logs, with two s' ills - one of thirty gallons' and the other of sixty gallons' capacity - a frame store-house, a large, double-decked ox-grist and saw mill, cooper, blacksmith, wagon and carpenter shops, tan yard, and several dwellings. Thus was laid the foundation of the present city of Collinsville. To this place these brothers first gave the name Unionville, which was subsequently changed to its present name." The following letter from the pen of the late Rev. Thomas Lipjiincott, gives a good description of the place at the time of his visit :

" I think it was in the winter of 1820-21, that I went in company with Major William H. Hopkins to the southern part of the county ; and visited a place of business enter, prise that even then had begun to attract attention. These were mills - saw mill and flour mill - driven by horses or oxen, a distillery, a store, a tan yard, and a shoemaking shop, all carried on by five brothers who had con)e from

Litchfield, Connecticut, and were united in the enterprise. I do not know if they had then laid out a village, which they called Unionville, but they did so then or afterwards. At the time of this visit I only saw one of the brothers, who was at work on a large frame house - large, even now - which they were erecting preparatory to the coming of their venerable parents and sisters. The names of the.se brothers were Augustus, Anson, Michael, William B.,and Frederick Collins. A noble band of brothers. While actively and energetically driving their business in the most economical and profitable way, and rapidly accumulating wealth, they were far from being unmindful of the higher interests, social and spiritual, of themselves and those around them. One of their fir^t cares was the erection of a commodious (for those days) and well arranged place of worship ; which also served the purpose of a school-house. Only one of the brothers, Augustus, was then married. In due time thrte others became so. William B. Collins married a daughter of Mr. Hertzogg, of St. Louis, then running a mill in the American B jttom ; Michael, a daughter of Captain Blakeman, and Frederick, a daughter of Captaiu Allm, both of Marine settlement. I said they were growing wealthy. Each attended to a special department, and all worked in unison. It was their aim and boast to have the products of their labor of the best quality. Their whisky was considered first rate, and their inclined wheel ox-mill flour commanded an extra price in eastern markets. Not only had they a store at their own establishment on the Cantine creek, but opened a depot at St. Louis for their commodities. They obtained a post-office, but iuasmuch as there was one place by the name of Unionville in the State, the Postmaster General changed the name of this, which, being accepted by them, thencelbrth was known as Collinsville." * * * * " They were convinced at length that the distilling business was ivrong, was unchristian, and ceased operations; and, instead of selling the machinery, as they might have done for a round sum, they totally demolished the building, broke up the generators, took the huge tanks to their dwellings for cisterns, and sold the wash-tubs to farmers for granaries. I have seen these double hogsheads or tubs at different farm houses, full of wheat or other small grain, while yet there were few or no barns in the county. The partners then separated ; Augustus soon died ; several went to the Illinois river and established mills, &c. at Naples ; and Wm. B. Collins remained alone at Collinsville, carrying on the business - minus the distillery - until his death. ***** All are now gone, including the oldest son, Amos M. Collins of Hartford, the well-known philanthropist and Christian, but the youngest brother, Frederick, who resides in Quincy, and a sister, the widow of him who has been ever known among Presbyterians as the apostle to the great west, the venerated Solomon Giddiugs." ***** All the members of this family are now deceased.

In 1820, a Mr. Wilcox, from New York, located in Collinsville, and began the tanning business, which he afterward increased to forty-nine vats, and carried on the business successfully for ten years, when he sold out to Hiram L. Ripley. Mr. Ripley c'butinued the business several yeais, and is still living in the city. Another New Yorker, Horace Look, came west in 1818, and first stopped in St. Louis, where he married and went to Edvvardsville, and in 1821 permanently settled in Collinsville. He was a harness maker, and formed a partnership in that business with Mr. Wilcox. Mr. Look was an early justice of the peace, and was postmaster in Collinsville fur nearly thirty years. He reared a family of eight children, four of whom are now living. Oliver P. Look in Collinsville is the only one retiding in Illinois. Mr. Look died on Christmas day, 186-3. Among other early and enterprising residents were Benjamin Johnson, Aaron Ford, Isaac and Eheuezer Lockwood, James Haffey, Jesse Glover, Aaron Small, Dr. Gunn, Dr. Samuel Hall, Dr. Gurnsey, Dr. Strong. Dr. Henry Wing. Dr. Wm. S. Edgar, Dr. J. L. Darrow, and Captain William N. Wicklitfe. Dr. Gunn was the first physician. Richard Withers, a blacksmith, and enterprising man, had, at one time, quite an extensive plow factory. Peter and Paul Wonderly had a distillery, and operated the first coal mine.

Daniel Berkey, a native of Pennsylvania, came west in 1819, and settled in St Clair county, just south of Collinsville. In 1830, he moved and made this place his permanent home. Jonathan J., the third son of Dauiel Berkey, is now among the oldest settlers in this neighborhood. Joshua S. Peers came from New York with his father, who settled in St. Clair county in 1832. Mr. Peers was, for many years, a prominent citizen of Collinsville, and one to whom we are indebted for much of the history of this township and city.

The first house of worship was a frame building erected in 1818. It was a union church, used by all denominations, and also for school purposes. The first sermon is said to have been preached by a Baptist divine. Rev. Salmon Giddings organized a Presbyterian society here in 1817. Revs. James and Joseph Lenien, Thomas Lippincott, and Isaac McMahan were among the early preachers. There are at present five churches in the city, viz. : Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic and Lutheran. A. complete history of these churches may be seen in the Ecclesiastical chapter.

The earliest schools were taught in the union church above mentioned. Philander Braley, who had been teaching here for some time, erected a house with his own means, and established a private school. Mr. Braley was a good teacher, and his school at one time had quite a reputation, and was patronized by parties from St. Louis, and other places. He afterwards moved to Carlinsville, where he still resides. The Braley school house which can yet be seen, is a two story frame building, the property of Dr. H. L. Strong, situated on the southwest side of Center street, south of Main. Mr. Braley was followed by Rev. Charles E. Blood, l)astor of the Presbyterian Church. Blood erected a two story frame building on the same lot as the present schoolhouse, and established an academy. He introduced the higher branches and prepared students for college. This school existed about five years when the building was purchased by the directors, and in it the first public schools were taught. It was used for that purpose until 18(J7, when it was moved and now forms a part of Wilson's bell factory, and a new three story brick school house was erected. It was built on the same lot, and in 1872 was destroyed by fire. Contracts were almost iuimediately let for the building of the present house, which was completed in 1873. It is a handsome three story brick structure, with dressed limestone and yellow fire-brick trimmings, surmounted with a cupola. It contains twelve rooms, four on each floor. It is a graded school, employing nine teachers.

Incorporation. - Collinsville was first incorporated under the general law as a village iu 1850. We find on the records, that the following named gentlemen were elected trustees and met in first session, November 30, IS.jQ : - President, D. D. Collins ; A. Tufts, clerk ; J. J. Fisher, H. L. Ripley and Horace L-jok. September 30, 1872, there was au election held to vote on city organization, which resulted in one hundred and one votes for, and .seventy-eight votes against, a majority of twenty-three votes for city organization. Ou the llih of November, 1872, an election was held and the following city ofticers elected : Muyor - Sohn Becker. Aldermen - A. W. Brown James Combs, J. J. Fisher, C. Kalbfleisch, A. M Powell, J. M. Verneuil. City Clerk - i. G. Gerding. City Attorney - EAvia.r(\ Wilburn, {not inaugurated.) Appointed Officers. City Marshal - John G. Blake. City Superintendent of Streets - John G. Blake. The town from its beginning had only a gradual growth until the building of the Vandalia railroad through here iu 1868, which gave it a new impetus, and it soou became more prosperous. Her coal intensis were soon developed aud became an important fivctor in her business. Her beautiful heights were sought by citizens of St. Louis, as suburban homes ; houses in pleasing variety of architecture were here and there erected, and Collinsville became, not only a mining aud manufacturing place but a city of residences. In 1880 it contained 2,893 inhabitants.

Mining And Manufacturing Interests

There is a fine body of bituminous coal underlying the whole surface of this region of country, and in the vicinity of Collinsville the vein will average from seven and a half to eight feet in thickness. The oal found at a depth of 160 to 190 feet is of an excellent quality, and is extensively mined. The mines have a slate and limestone roof, and are comparatively dry. Some of them are mentioned above, as they are not within the corporate limits of the city.

Collinsville Coal And Mining Company

This company is the owner of the first shaft that was sunk in Collinsville. It is the first mine east of the depot, and was sunk by Peter Wonderly, about 20 years ago. The mine was then worked by horse power.

They operate two shafts, tlie second of which was sunk in 1873. The depth is 150 feet to the surface of the coal, and the vein will average seven and a half feet in thickness. They employ 100 men; capacity ot the mines 11,000 bushels per day. OfBce, 414 Olive street, St. Louis.

Lumaghi Mine

Was opened in 1869, by Octavius Lumaghi, and is still owned and operated by him. The shaft is 165 feet deep ; the vein will average from 7 to 8 feet. The average amount of men employed, sixty.

The Cantiue mine was sunk in 1873, by Morrison and Ambrosius, and is now owned by the above named company. The depth of the shaft is 182 feet to the coal, which averages 7i to 8 feet in thickness. The company employ about 65 men. The average amount of coal mined in 1881 was 100,000 bushels i)er month. The officers of this company are: President, C. A. Ambrosius ; Treasurer and Secretary, J. G. Gerding.

Abbey Coal And Mining Company

This is the most extensive mining company on the line of the Vandalia Railroad. However, there is only one mine operated by them in Madison county, the others being in St. Clair. The shaft near the depot at CuUinsviile, desigated as " Abbey No. 3," was sunk by Reid and Strain, in 1875, and the following year leased it to the above comi)any. It is 138 feet to the top of the coal. The vein will run from seven to 8 feet in thickness, and it is worked entirely by machinery, employing GO men on top. The Lawrence Mine No. 4, is similar to that of No. 3, being a machine mine. The others are worked by the old system, employing in all froni 400 to 500 men. In 1881 the Abbey company raised in all their mines 13,400 car loads, or about 5,000,000 bushels. ^

The Collinsville Mill

Is an old building, having been in existence for twenty-five or thirty years. The older portion was built by James Matthews. There have been several additions made to it since, and it has been many times remodelled. It is now owned and operated by Baker & Co. It has four run of burrs, with a capacity of grinding 150 bis. per day. It is a merchant mill, and the brands Argentine and Sonora are an excellent quality of flour.

Cantine Mill

This mill is owned by F. Lange, and leased and operated by J. Higley. It is four stories high, frame, and has a run of four burrs, with a capacity of manufacturing 150 bis. per day. Several good brands of flour are manufactured, and find a market in St. Louis and other cities.

Collinsville Zinc Works

until the fall of 1881, when he leased them to Parks &Bros. After operating about three months Messrs. Parks & Bros, failed, and in January, 1882, the works were leased by Reichenbach & Co., who are operating them very sueces.sfully. They also leased the works at Heintzville, giving them altogether four furnaces. The works have three calcining kilns, to prepare the ore for the smelting furnaces, ore crushers, clay mill, and a regular pottery for manufacturing the retorts. They are the Belgian pattern of furnace. There are two kinds of ore used, silicate and blende, which are brought from Joplin and Webb City, Mo., and manufactured into spelter, and shipped mostly to the east. The works have a capacity of 6000 lbs. spelter per day, consuming four car loads of ore per week, and about 600 bushels of coal per day, and employ fifty men,

The Stock Bei,L Factoey

Of 0. B. Wilson was established several years ago. The present owner, Mr. Wilson, is the successor of I. C. Moore. He purchased the business and property of Moore in 1876, since which he has made several important improvements in the machinery and process of manufacturing, and added new furnaces, forges, etc. The machinery is run by steam power, and from 150 to 200 doz^u bells are manufactured per day, It employs from ten to twenty men. Mr. Wilson has invented, and patented, a process for coating bells with brass which is a great time and labor saving item. His bells are sold directly to dealers in ail the cities in the United States, and they give the best satisfaction.

Was established in July, 1879. It is a one story building arranged and fitted up with all the necessary furnaces, forges and machinery for manufacturing a good article. They have a capacity of manufacturing 100 dozen bells per day, employing from twelve to fifteen men. The bells are sold iu all parts of the country.

Machine Shop

This is a new enterprise, established by Allen & Son, practical general machinists. It is a well fitted shop, with improved machinery, run by steam power, and all kinds of work are done in good style.

Brick Yard

This is located in the northeastern limits of the city. It contains two kilns, and about 70lt,000 brick are annually burned. They arc made by hand. It is owned by Fred. Hoga, and was established in 1879.

Business Of 1882

Was bora September 13, 1841, in Marion county, Illiuois, the third in order of birth in a family of nine cliildren born to Louis and Dorothea Hite (RufTner). His mnther was of the family of Ruftners, well known throughout the Kanawha Valley, West Virginia, as having establi!^hl(l ihe salt works there. Louis Hite was a farmer, a contractor on railroads and a politician. At the age of twenty six years he served his fellow citizens as a member of the Ohio Legislature. In 1858, he was engrossing clerk in the Illinois Senate. He died in Potosi, Missouri, December 24, 1881.

Benjamin R. Hite, the subject of this sketch, obtained a common school education in the schools of Salem and Collinsville. To the latter place, his present home, he came in positions and his fellow citizens appreciating this fact honored him with a seat in the 2sth General Assembly of Illinois, and have kept him as supervisor in the county board ever since the inauguration of township organization. He was chairman the fourth and seventh years of his service. He was married to Sarah E. Griffith, daughter of Joseph W. Griffitl), one of the pioneers of this county, Feb. 8, 1866. Four sous have gladdened this union.

Mr. Hite is a pronounced Democrat politically, and a recognized party leader. At a Democratic convention recently held he was nominated for County Treasurer by acclamation and elected to that office in November 1882. Possessed of eminently social qualities, he has hosts of friends. His

Was born ia Hobokeu, New Jersey, in 1793. His parents were David and Gertrude (Nagel) Anderson. Upon the breaking out of the war of 1812, he offered his services and was accepted as drummer boy. A pension granted him in this behalf served as a constant reminder of his soldier boy days, during the last years of his life. In 1820 he came west and located in the Marine settlement. lu 1822, he married Susan S. Creamer, in Kaskaskia, by whom he had twelve children. By the death of his wife he was left for some years a widower. On the 23d of April 1868, he was married to Margarett L. Cream?r, by whom he had two children. Mr. Anderson was eminently successful ; he amassed considerable property, which he improved after a manner worthy of emulation. His houses, barns, orchards, etc, all bespeak his excellent taste. He died April 11, 1875. His widow lives on the old homestead, about two miles from Collinsville, surrounded by such luxuries as a competency can yield. Mr, Anderson was a man of commanding presence ; of unquestioned integrity of character; of excellent business qualifications, and of philanthropic ways.

Conrad A. Ambrosius

CONRAD A. AMBROSIUS Is a native of Germany, born in 1839. His father emigrated to America in 1842, first locating in St. Louis, Mo. In 1849 he removed to the vicinity of Collinsville, and engaged in farming. Conrad A. is the second son of afaniily of four children. In his youth he received a liberal education, and early in life began the vocation of a farmer, which pursuii he continued until 1874, at which time he embarked in the business of coal mining, in the neighborhood of Collinsville. He is now president of the Cantine Coal and Mining Company of that place, a position for which he is eminently qualified. Mr. Ambrosius has filled the position of alderman in his city for a term of five years, and has served as street commissioner for the same length of time. He is still in the prime of a vigorous manhood. Though beginning his career with little but strong hands and a willing heart, his life has been a success, having accumulated considerable wealth, consisting of coal lands and valuable city property ; and has filled positions of trust and responsibility in the community. In 1862 he was united in marriage to Miss Maria Smith, which union has been blessed with seven children.

John Becker

New York, and there married Eva Nichols, by whom he had a family of twelve children. John Becker, of whom we write, was born in the city of New York, July 2oth, 1837, being the eldest of the family. In 1839, his father immigrated to Missouri, locating in Perry county, where he remained a short time, moving thence to St. Louis, where he died in 1873. Young Becker received his schooling in Perry county and in St. Louis. The first business in which he engaged was clerking in a store, after which he went to Cincinati, Ohio, where he was employed for three years in the upholstering business. He again returned to St. Louis, and served an apprenticeship at milling in the Saxony Mills, of that city.

On the 20th of ilay, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Maye, of St. Louis, Misourri, and ten children, eight of whom are living, have blessed their liappy wedlock. In 1864, Mr. Becker located permanently in Collinsville, where in company with George C. Berg, he purchased the flouring mill, which he has since continued to operate so successfully. He is now sole owner and proprietor. In 1872, at the time Collinsville was organized as a city, Mr. Becker was honored with being elected the first mayor, to which position he has been twice re-elected, filling the office at this writing. He has led an active, energetic life, and his enterprising spirit has been felt in all the movements to advance the business and social interests of his city, since he became a resident. In his official positions he has shown executive ability and attends well the duties of his office. He is a popular and much respected citizen.

' HIS township comprises the whole of town 3, range 6. It is bounded on the north by IMarine, on the east by Helvetia and on the west by Jarvis township, and on the south by St. Clair county. The principal stream is the east fork of Silvi r creek, that flows through the northwest part, in a southerly direction. A considerable quantity of tiraler is found along this stream ; but the township is substantially prairie, embracing many sections of the Looking Glass Prairie. In its natural state it was a most beautiful tract of country. It is said by a former writer : '' It looked more like a great park than a wild country. This was not like many other prairies, a monotonous level, where the eye can find no resting-place ; but out of this plain, covered with luxuriant gra.ss and flowers of all colors, rose a great number of beautiful and shapely hills, all easy to ascend, and many covered with a growth of fine trees. Small water-courses, frequently embellished with fine willows, crossed the prairie in all directions. A number of small groves made up of trees of great variety, such as linden, oak, hickory, buckeye and locust, ornamented the scenery. The landscape in all directions was surrounded by the limber-crowned hills of Silver creek, and the rich forests of Sugar cr^ek. The country at this time was in its natural state. Along the skirt of timber ynu might see at ditfereut points, not far apart, a small field pushed out into the prairie, the cabins mostly hidden by the treis, and only the smoke arising from them disclosing the abode of man."

The First Settlements

were made along the timber's edge, on the east side of Silver creek, by some hnrdy pioneers from Krntueky and Tennessee, iu 1810. The families of John Lindley, of Augustus, William and Cyrus Chilton, of Harrison and Smeltzer, lived here in peace and quietness until the war with England broke out in 1812, and the Indians began to show themselves hostile. The Chiltons and their neighbors wh(p lived in this and adjoining townships, built a fort and stockade for defence. The fort stood in the northwest corner of section 17, near where Augustus Chilton .settled, and eleven families received shelter here the first winter. The fort was commanded by Major Isaac Ferguson and Capt- Abraham Howard. This fort was never attacked by the Indians. From Jesse J. Renfro, a worthy old citizen of Madison, and a Ranger during the war of 1812, we received a description of this fort. During the winter of 1814, he with a dozen other rangers, wss placed on guard here under the command of Pamuel Whiteside. At this time the pioneers lived at their homes in the settlement, and would only come into the fort upon hearing of some Indian depredations, but after a short time would become pacified and return to their cabins. This fort was constructed by picketing around four or five cabins The pickets were logs from eight to ten inches through, set on end close together, and eleven or twelve feet in height. On each corner of the picketing were log houses, projecting over so that the sides of the fort might be covered by the rifles. Such a venture would be fraught with many dangers, difficulties and privations The desert wastes, the forest gloom and the near proximity of savage Indians, seem to have possessed, however, no terrors for these hardy pioueers. What must have been the nature of their lonely musings during the long and weary months of isolation, is difficult to imagine. Suffice it to say, with a fortitude unsurpassed, and a tenacity of purpose which knew no defeat, they patiently bided their time, never dreaming in the early years of this voluntary exile that this was destined to be a populous and prosperous farming community. It is related by an old settler that during the early Indian troubles a lone Indian committed some overt act near the fort. Capt Howard took his trail, riding a little bay animal that was well remembered by the old settlers in later years. After a ninety miles' chase in a northeast direction, alone in a strange land and among savages, he by his adroitness and bravery, killed the Indian and brought his bleeding scalp to the fort. Within the walls of this old fort occurred the first birth in this part of the county, that of Thomas Chilton ; also the first marriage ceremony was solemnized here, Joseph Ferguson, a brother of the Major, and Miss Virginia Smeltzer being the contracting parties. It was here that they enjoyed the bliss of courtship, made their solemn vows of marriage and passed their days of honeymoon. Here, too, may be recorded the first death, being that of Augustus Chilton, who laid down his life and the cares of this world at a good old age, and was buried in the timber near the fort, where since many others have been laid to rest. No stone marks his grave. About 1820 a town was laid out here, and called Augusta, but the plat was never recorded. No lots were sold, and the town only existed in the imagination of its originators. The Chiltons settled in the near vicinity of the fort, as also did the Harrison and Smeltzer families. Cyrus Chilton afterward improved a place about half a mile we.st of Herrin's Grove. .John Liudley was a great hunter and a very successful beaver trapper. He first settled in the timber in the southwest pan of section 18, near a spring that affords running water at this time. He afterward improved a farm out in the prairie, where he died, his wife surviving him many years. Their children were John, Matthew, Lucinda, Hannah, Elizabeth, Ellen and Mary.

Mr. Liudley 's father, Simon Liudley, settled on Silver Creek, in the north edge of St. Clair county, iu 1812. He was a native of North Carolina, an<l emigrated from Kentucky to this state, and first settled in what is now Bond couuty. His family of three sons and four daughters were well grown on coming to this state. He was a man of good education, a pioneer Baptist preacher and surveyor. About 1820 he moved uf^rth, and settled in what is now Sangamon county, where he resided until his death.

John Giger, a Pennsylvania German, entered several tracts of land in section five, Nov. 8, 1816, where he improved a good firm and resided until his death. He raised a family of f )ur son-t and one daughter. She married Benjamin Rfimmer; and the sons, Jacob, John, Joseph, and Moses, married, raised families, and improved farms in the county.

Gilmore Anderson, from Bourbon county, Kentucky, settled the southwest quarter of section seventeen in 1816. He was accompanied by his wife and family of four sons and two daughters, viz : William, Carroll, Robert G., James G ; Nancy, who married John Penn ; and Sarah, who married a man named Flynn. He died, and she afterward married Jacob Giger. All are now deceased but Nancy, who lives in Texas. The sons, after they grew to maturity, all went to other states, with the exception of James G , who remained and lived on the old homestead. His father lived only a few years after coming here. Of James G. Anderson's children, John P., James G , Elizabeth, now Mrs. Miller; Nancy, now Mrs. Stephens; Elvira, now i^Irs Lamb, live in the township. Gilmore resides in Litchfield, Illinois Mr. Anderson was the first blacksmith of the township, and, iu company with William Faires, a wood-worker, made many wagons for the early settlers, and manufactured the old wooden mould-board plow. In 1831, Mr. Anderson enlisted as a soldier in the Black-Hawk War. His soldierly bearing brought him into notice. He was soon promoted to the post of Major of his regiment, which position he filled until the close of the war. He was one of the worthy and much respected citizens of the township, and was representing the county iu the commissioners' board at the time of his death, which occurred September 25, 1847.

William Faires, a native of North Carolina, was one of the early settlers of the township. He located on the northeast quarter of secti )n thirty-one, now the James A Smith place. He afterward improved a farm on section thirtyf lur. He raised a family of nine children, viz: Naomi, now Jlrs. Abner Pyle; Wilson, William H., Eliza, now Mrs. Abraham Thomas, who lives in Macon county, Illinois ; Sanh Ann, now Mrs. John Barton, who lives in Reno county, Kansas; Elim, who raised a family here, was killed by lightning, while working in a harve.«t field ; Mary, who was the wife of George Cuddy, now deceased, raised a family, and lived in Helvetia township ; James died wliile yet a y ung man ; Jane married William Woods, and lived only a short time after her marriage. The old gentleman was a first-class wagon maker of his time, and worked at his trade many years. He died on the place he improved, section 34.

Herrin's Grove, section 16, was settled by John Herrin as early a? 1816. His house stood on the old Goshen and Ohio Salt-works road, which was laid out in 1808, and which extends in a southeasterly direction through the township He entertained travelers, sold feed to the emigrants, and the timber round about the Grove, at times, was filled with the camps of the frontiersmen. These, with the camp-fires and the white covered wagons, presented a scene resembling an army camp. He raised a large family, and resided here until his death, which occurred more than half a century ago. One of his sons, G. W., improved a farm on section 11, where he died in 1880, leaving a widow and a large family of children.

Phillip S>arcy, a Tennesseean, came in November, 1817, and improved a farm adjoining Giger's, where he lived until his death. Two of his sons, George W. and Edward, live in the township ; the former in the village of St- Jacob's, and the latter a farmer on the old home place. Nancy, now Mrs. Potter, lives in Edwardsville. These three are the only descendants of the family living.

Wesley Dugger, born in North Carolina, April 30, 1793, grew to manhood in that state, then went to Tennessee, where he married Charlotte Young, a native of Virginia. He lived sixteen miles east of Nashville till the fall of the year 1817, when he emigrated to Illinois and settled on section 3 of this township. He carried on farming, had a horse mill, and for some years kept a store, the first in this part of the county, which was entered and robbed, and was once destroyed by'fire. He was successful as a business man, and, for that day, acquired a considerable amount of property. He had been a soldier in the War of 1812-14, enlisting with the Tennessee troops, and serving under Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans He died Feb. 14, 1850. His wife died April 23, 1846. They raised a family of nine children, of whom five were boys, and four girls. John C. Dugger settled the F. S. Pike place. He improved a good farm here, on which he died, leaving a widow, one son and five daughters. Jarrett Dugger settled the A. Zwilchenbart place. About 1828 he erected an ox-mill, which he operated several years, until he sold out ; then Mr. Zwilchenbart ran the mill for a long time. Mr. Dugger moved north into Macoupin county.

Henry Burton Thorp was born in Stratford, Conn., April 30, 179.3. In 1819 he came to Madison county with Capt. Curtis RIakeman, driving a four-horse team for the captain- Two years previous he had one hundred and fifty acres of land entered in section two, this township, where he started an improvement, and then returned to the east for his wife, who lived only a short time after her arrival in this new country, leaving one child, Hatinah, who afterwards married William Hull. Mr. Thorp subsecjuently returned to the east for a second wife, and married Sarah Sheppard, of Redding, Conn. He immediately returned with his wife, and brought out one of his brothers, Samuel Thorp, who, in 1833, returned east, and influenced another brother, Nathan, to try his fortune in the far west. Nathan Thorp had five grown daughters, three of whom were afterward married at their father's house on the same occasion, the Rev. John H. Benson officiating. H. B. Thorp had a family of seven children by his second marriage, viz : Harriet, Henry B., Eliza, Charles, Frank, William, and George. His occupation was principally that of a farmer. He and his brother Samuel, as early as 183<>, built a distillery on their place, and continued to run it for several years. David Thorp had a store here in early times. He and Albert Judd built a distillery on the Marine and St Jacob's wagon road,at the Silver Creek ford. Henry B. Thorp died Jan. 14th, 1849; his wife died the 27th of January following. Mr. Thorp was a publicspirited man, and lived beloved and respected by all who knew him.

John Howard, a son of the widow Howard, who built the first cabin in the southeast part of Madison county, settled the Sohler place, near the Augusta church, in an early day. He was a ranger during the Indian troubles. In the Legislature of 1818, he represented his county, and was the first Justice of the township, and filled the office until his death. He had a liberal education for his time, was honest and upright in his dealings, and lived a much respected citizen. He reared two sons : Abraham, the eldest, lived on his father's old homestead until his death, ant^now lies buried in the Augusta graveyard ; Riley, the youngest, lives in Iowa. Nicholas Kyle, a son of Adam Kyle, one of the early settlers of Marine township, located in the e<lge of the timber northwest of St. Jacobs, among the early settlers, where he improved quite a large farm, and built a sub-tantial brick house which was among the first of that kind of structures in this part of the county. He was the first constable of the township His family consisted of three sons and two daughters. William Parkinson, a native of White county, Tenn., came to the township in 1816, and lived on the Searcy farm which was originally the Chilton place, near the old fort- May 31, 1817, he entered his first land, the west half of the southwest quarter of section one. eighty acres. After his family grew up and settled in life for themselves, he sold out and moved to Wisconsin, where lie died. None of his family now live in the county. Washington Parkinson, his brother, came two years later. The first two crops he raised in the Marine prairie. In 1820, he settled the E C. Dugger place, section two. The records show that he entered this tract of eighty acres in the fall of 1816. He had three children born to liitn in White county, Tenn., viz.: William, George, and Alfred J., and two in Madison county, viz.: Catharine, who died a young girl, and Melinda B., who married Edward C. Dugger. The old gentleman improved a fine farm, was a successful farmer, and lived here a quiet citizen until he was assassinated, in 184G. He was in his sitting room just after supper, when some one unknown, in the darkness of the night fired a shot through the window and during the excitement that ensued made his escape. The murderer has never been brought to justice. Alfred J., his son, who was born in White county, Tennessee, January 20, 1816, is one of the prominent farmers of the township, having often been called upon to fill important positions of honor and trust. At the present writing he is a member of the State Legislature. In 1842, Miss Mary E. Baldwin became his wife, and they have had nine children, seven sons and two daughters. JorJen Uzzle, a Tennesseean, settled iu the edge of the timber on section three, about the same time the Duggers located here. In early years camp-meetings were held at his place or near his spring, on what was called the Uzzle camp-meeting grounds. He was a devout member of the Methodist church. He died on his old homestead, leaving a widow and quite a family of children. James A. Smith, who lives on section 31, came to the county from Tennessee, with his father, Thomas Smith, in 1827. In 1835, the latter with his family went to Arkansas. After a short stay, James A., returned to Madison county, where he has since resided. Edmund Townsend, who lives on the same section, while not a very old settler of this county, was born iu this vicinity. His father, Whitfield Townsend, a native of North Carolina, settled in the northern part of St. Clair county, in 1814. William C. ]\IcAlilly located on the place where he now lives, in 1840. (For early history of the family see Saline township).

W. B. Bradsby, who lives on section thirty-two, was born on the township line, now the Erastus Pyle place, in 1846. He is a son of John Bradsby, who was a descendant of the Bradsby family, of St- Clair county. Early in the spring of 1804, William EI. Bradsby, in company with two other young men from Kentucky, located on Silver Creek, about three miles north of the present town of Lebanon, where they made an improvement and raised a crop. In the fall of the same year the elder Bradsby brought the balance of the family from Kentucky and located on a form where he continued to reside. Reynolds in his Pioneer History says: " The Bradsby family were brave and energetic pioneers. They possessed good talents and were fearless and intrepid, they were firm and decisive, when they took a stand, and were also moral and correct, and made good citizens. The elder Bradsby taught school in various neighborhoods. His sons were in the Ranging service, and made good soldiers. In 1814, William H. Bradsby represented St. Clair county iu the territorial legislature. He became a physician, and was quite prominent in the early history of Washington county."

about 1818, stood near the site of the fort. The second was built in the Dugger settlement, and stood near the Uzzle spring. Alexander Trucsdale was one of the first teachers. He was also a preacher, of the Cumberland Presbyterian faith. For several years prior to the building of this house, school was taught by Edmunds and others, in an abandoned cabin that stood near the Dugger ox mill. John Kyle also taught near Wesley Dugger's place, before any school-house was built in this settlement. He afterward improved a farm in Helvetia township, being one of the first settlers there.

Augusta Church was the first house of worship, and was built near the site of an old log school-house, by the Metho dists about thirty >ears ago. It is a brick building, and stands in the southeast part of section seven, in a good state of preservation. For many years before this church wa.s built, the congregation met at the residence of John C. Dugger who was a worthy member of the church, and was mainly instrumental in the construction of the building. Between the site of the old fort and the place where the Augusta church now stands, in early times, the militia were accustomed to meet, this being their training ground. It was here, also, that the young athletes of the country gathered to exhibit their muscle. Each settlement or neighborhood would have its champion, and as this was the place of general resort for sports of an athletic kind, many are the tales told by the old settlers of feats perf jrmed and plaudits won by the wrestlers, runners and jumpers.

Among the Germans first to come to this township was Dr. Henry C. Gerke, who emigrated from his native land, Laar, in Hessen Cassel, Germany, to America, coming direct to Madison county in 1824. He left his family behind him, and afterward crossed the ocean several times. On his second trip, in 1830, he brought with him his oldest son, William H. The Dr. located on the Herrin place, Herrin's Grove, and placed his son William H. in the Marine settlement. In 1842, William H. married Mi^s L^vina Blakeman, a daughter of Capt- Curtis Blakeman. Mrs Gerke died young, leaving one child. Judge Henry C. Gerke, of Edwardsville. Mr. Gerke never married again, and died in the Marine settlement in 1840, about six years after his wife's death. Dr. Gerke was a classical scholar, besides being educated to the profession of law. He was the author of several volumes, published in Germany, relating to the history of North America, and especially to that of the Mississippi valley. These works were largely distributed throughout G ruiany, and it was through their influence, and the efforts of the Doctor, that this part of the Stale has become so largely populated by the Germans. He was thoroughly democratic in his views of government and po. litical economy ; in fact the very cause that induced him to come to America was on account of her free institutions. In 1836 he brought to this country the remainder of hig family, consisting of his wife and son, John P. The Doctor lived on his place iu St. Jacobs until his death in 1842. He left a vast estate, and a wide circle of friends. His widow survived him until 1871, and died at Marine, at the residence of her grandson, Judge Henry C. Gerke. John P.

Gerke was married to Bertha, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Stoffelbach of this township, in 18-13. and had two daughters. At his father's death he fell heir to the property in St. Jacobs. He was an artist of considerable celebrity, and executed many valuable paintings, now greatly admired- He resided mostly in St. Louis, where he died in 1847.

Theodore and Joseph Miller came with their widowed mother, three brothers and three sisters, in 1835, from Baden, Germany. The mother died five years later. Theodore improved a large farm in section 20, where his son, J. G. Miller, now lives, and became one of the foremost men of the township. He served for a time as constable. Afterward he was elected magistrate, the office of which he filled twelve years. In 1870 he was elected a member of the General Assembly of the State. In 1846 Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson, daughter of Major James G. Anderson, became his wife. His brother Joseph lived here for many years, and was a successful farmer. Afterward he went to Lebanon, St. Clair county, whe-e he resided until his death. Samuel Frey made a good farm of the prairie, section 22. He came to the county in 1^40, and has been a very sucecssful farmer. Henry Frey, a brother, improved a good farm adjoining, on the east, where he accumulated much propert)'. He died several years ago, leaving two sons, who are prominent farmers of the township. Peter Frutiger came to St- Jacobs in 1842, and improved a large farm in sections 23 and 24. He has been dead manj' years. Several of his children are worthy citizens of the township. Jacob Leder, who lives on section one, is a native of Switzerland. He came here in 1837. Rudolph Baer, also a native of Switzerland, arrived in 1844, with his father, who improved a good farm on the prairie, in section fourteen, where Rudolph now lives. Christ. Hirni also made a farm on the prairie, on .section thirteen. Jacob Leutwiller also improved a farm on the same section. Henry Ritter, who lives near Herriu's Grove, has resided there since 1844. John Schniitt, south of the grove, is one of the early Germans, as are also P. Juckweiler, who now lives in St. Jacobs, Jacob Schroth" first store-keeper of St. Jacobs, and A. Zwilchenbart, who bought the Dugger Ox-mill and farm. Henry Laengle came to the county in 184ti, and since that time has been engaged in farming and hotel-keeping. He built his brick hotel in St Jacobs in 1879.

Town Of St. Jacobs

The first house was built by Jacob Schutz, where he sold whisky by the gallon. In 1849 Jacob Schroth started a store ; he bought two and-a-half acres off the corner of Jacob Schutz's fiirm, being in the northwest part of the northeast forty of section 16 ; he built a small house (since enlarged), now the St. Jacob's House. He entertained travelers and had a wagon-yard in connection with his saloon and store. In June, 18.51, he got a post-office established, and because his name was Jacob and Jacob was the original owner of the land, and the blacksmith's name was Jacob, they concluded to name the place of the then cross-roads St. Jacobs. Mr. Schroth ccmtinued in business here until his death in 1:^60. His wife was then commissioned postmistress, and continued the business many years. In 18.50 Jacob Willi started a blacksmith shop and worked at his trade several years; he is now on a farm half a mile north of town, in good circumstances. The third house was put up by Louis Schiele. It is in part now the Pfaclzer Hof. Mr. Schiele, in 1866, laid out the town of St. Jacobs, in the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 9. The village increased principally around the Schroth corner and on the St. Louis wagon-road, until the construction of the railroad, since which the growth has been almost entirely toward the depot. There were about twenty houses in the place before the railroad was built. The census of 1880 gave it a population of four hundred and sixty-one. Dr. Buck was the first physician In 1866, Edward Dee and William C. M'AIilly built a saw-mill a quarter of a mile north of the town. They afterward sawed out a frame and put up a small grist mill, and then took into partnership with them, Charles Valier, who was a practical miller. The mill commenced grinding in 1869 ; since that time it has been owned by several different parties. The saw-mill has long since been abandoned. The mill has been greatly improved from time to time, and it now standi a substantial frame, fourstories high with basement, having four run of burrs and a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five barrels per day. It is owned and operated by Joseph Peeler and Jacob Willi. The saw-mill near the depot was put up in 1880 ; now owned by John Bartle. The Independent Bucket Factory was started in June, 18SI, by John Schaefer. It employs from six to eight men.

The school building is a two story brick of four rooms, where three teachers are employed. J. W. Welles has been the principal for the past three years. There are two churches. The Lutheran, a neat brick structure, was built in 1869 ; the Methodist, a frame building, in 1879.

The St. Louis, Vandalia & Terre Haute railroad passes through the northern part of the township, entering near the center of section 1, and passing out near the southwest corner of section 7. St. Jacobs is situated on this line at nearly an equal distance from the eastern and western boundaries of the township. Its location in the midst of a fertile and prosperous country secures for it a good trade. It is the shipping point for Marine, a village of eight hundred inhabitants, five miles distant.

Present Business George W. Searcy

The Searcy family are among the old settlers and the descendants of one of the pioneer families of Madison county. Philip T. Searcy, the father, was a native of North Carolina born in 1802. He was left an orphan while yet youug in years; he was taken by his guardian, Granser Dugger, to Tennessee, and brought by him to Illinois, November 17, 1817. The Dugger family stopped for a short time in the forks of Silver creek, then a part of Marine township, in Madison county, but soon after moved to Bond county, and Battled on Hurricane Fork of Shoal creek; three years later they returned to Madison county and permanently located on the piece of land upon which they settled when they first came to Illinois. Mr. Dugger entered laud in .sections 5 and 6, of what is now St. Jacob's township. From the Dugger family sprang a numerous progeny. John, Wesley, Jarret, sons of Mr. Dugger, were soldiers of the war of 1812, and also of the Black-Hawk war of 1831-'32. Philip T. Searcy married Elizabeth, daughter of Granser Dugger. She was the widow of John Hunter, by whom she had one son, named John Andrew Hunter; he was also a soldier of the Black- Hawk war. Mr. Searcy died February 13, 1861, and his wife February 13, 1864. There were twelve children born to Philip T. and Elizabeth Searcy, three of whom are now living. Their names are Nancy Jane, Edward C and George W. Thomas J. was a soldier in company I) of the -SOth Illinois Volunteers. At the battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862, he was wounded, and died two years later from the effect of the wound. Edward C. was also a soldier in the same company and regiment, and was captured by the rebels when in the act of bearing his wounded brother from the field George W., the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead March 6, 1834. He there grew to manhood, and remained at home until twenty-one years of age; he then clerked for his half brother, Mr. Hunter, for two years. Realizing that he had insufficient education, he spent the winter of 18.57-'58 in school. The fall previous, he had been elected constable, a position he held for twelve years. In the spring of 1858, he purchased sixty acres of land in section 17, and there made his home until 1866, when he moved to section 18, where he had purchased one hundred and fifty-five acres. On this tract, in former years, stood Fort Shilton, one of the block-houses during the Indian troubles in 1812.

Mr. Searcy made his home on section 18 until the spring of 1880, when he removed to the village of St. Jacobs, and there, on the 28th of February, 1882, engaged in general merchandising; in which he still continues. On the 2d of April, 1858, he married Miss Mary Ann Taylor. She was born on the ' Old Chase " farm, in St. Jacob's township December 6, 1833. Her parents were natives of Virginia, and removed to North Carolina, tlien to Illinois and .settled in White county, and subsequently came to Madison. There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Searcy; one living named George L., who was born June 2, 1860. The others died in infancy and early childhood. Both Mr. and Mrs. Searcy attached themselves to the M. E. Church while young. In politics he is a Republican ; he was justice of the peace for his township for four years, and was special deputy sheriff for six years. During the late war he was enrolled officer from November, 1864, until the close of the war. In his manners he is plain and unassuming, and his character and reputation is that of an honorable and honest man.

The subject of this memoir was born on section 31, in St. Jacob's Township, Madison County, Illinois, Aug. 14tli, 1832. His father, William Faires, was born in North Carolina, Aug. 5th, 1789. He 'emigrated to Illinois in ]82(>- and settled on what was then and since known as Terrappiii Ridge in this county. His first settlement was in section 31, T 3, R 3. He afterward moved to section 33, and tlieif died, Feb. 14th, 1855. He married Elizabeth Orr, who was born in North Carolina, January 17th, 1791. The date of the marriage was January 13th, 1813. She died in August 1863. There were nine children by that marriage, four sons and five daughters. Two sons and three daughters have survived the parents and are yet living. William B. is the youngest of the family. He was brought up on the farm and received his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. At the age of twenty he commenced the trade of blacksmithing, but soon abandoned it to engage in farming. He purchased two hundred acres of raw unimproved land in section 26, where he now resides, and commenced its improvement, and there he has remained to the present time. To his original purchase he has added until he has now over five hundred acres of fine land, all of which is under cultivation. He also commenced dealing and trading in live stock when he commenced farming, and those two businesses have been his chief occupation up to the present time. In April, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss M. J. Putnam, daughter of Hiram Putnam. She was born in Wilson county, Tennessee, in 1842. By this union there have been eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Faires. Their namfs in the order of their birth are, William A., Charles Henry, Elizabeth O , Horace Greeley, Julia Ann, Lula Jane, (the latter two are twins) Edward Allen and Hattie Faires. Mr. Faires is a member of the ancient and honorable order of A. F. A. M. Politically he has always voted the Democratic ticket. Mr. Faires may be regarded as one of the old settlers of Madison county. He has lived here fifty years. His father's family were among the pioneers of the state. In the present and years gone by the neighbors of Mr. Faires have known him as an open, generous-hearted man, a true friend and an honest, upright man.

The Pyle family is of Eoglish aud Welsh ancestry. Samuel Pyle, the ancestor of the present, family was of Quaker origin and came with William Penn to America in 1682, and made the first settlement in Pennsylvania and founded the city of Philadelphia. Subsequently his offspring removed south and helped to form the settlements along the coast in the Carolinas. There they lived during the revolutionary war, and iu which struggle both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of Abner Pyle took part. Abner Pyle, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Chatham county. North Carolina. The family moved to Kentucky soon after that state was admitted to the union, and remained there until 18 IS, when they came to Illinois and settled in Jackson county in a section that is now .a part of Perry county. Mr. Pyle was one of the first commissioners of the latter county, and helped to locate the coanty seat and lay out the town of Pinckneyville. He remained a citizen of Perry county until the death of his wife, then came to Madison county, where he lived with his sons until his death, which event occurred in July, 1863- He married Sarah Wells, a native of South Carolina. She died in Perry county, January 25, 1825. By the union of Abner and Sarah Pyle there were twelve children, ten of whom lived to maturity and raised families. Abner Pyle, Jr., the subject of this sketch was born iu Christian county, Kentucky, January 25th, 1809, and was a mere boy when the family came to Illinois. Here he grew to manhood and received such instruction as the public schools of Perry county afforded. His first effort in public life was acting as surveyor of Perry county, a position he was appointed to by