Madison County, Illinois - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1882 (part 8 of 12)

This portion of the county was settled at a much later date than the central and southern portions. We find on the records of land entries that Zenas Webster and S. W. Paddock entered the first land December 11, 1820. It was the N. E quarter of the S. E. quarter and the S. E. quarter of the S. E. quarter of section 34, eighty acres. Zenas Webster settled on the former tract and was the first resident in the township. His cabin was located near the Springfield road, on the east side. He resided here a number of years. The next settlement was made in the southwestern part of the township in section 19, near Rocky Branch, in the fall of 1828, by Thomas Luman ; he came from the Wood river settlement, and Abraham Preuitt and others assisted in raising his cabin. Luman died there of fever in 1832 ; his widow s )on afterward married John Norton, who moved up on Macoupin creek, in Macoupin county. This settlement was soon followed by Thomas Wood, in the same year, 1828. He is a native of Kentucky, born in 1808, and came to Illinois in the year above named. He was then a single man and stopped for a short time with his uncle at Troy, in this county. He settled on the Springfield road, on the southeast quarter of section 10, where he has ever since resided ; he married Jane Tolon, of this county, by whom he had a family of thirteen children, si.K of whom are living. His wife died October 12, 1875, and he still survives, hale and hearty.

The second land entry was made by Solomon Preuitt, March 30, 1830, consisting of two tracts in the southwest quarter of section 8, eighty acres, and was settled by his son, Abraham Preuitt, on the 9th day of May, 1830. Abraham Preuitt was born in Wood river township, October 12, 1810, where he grew to manhood and married Mildred Wood, daughter of Ephraim Wood, another old settler of Wood river. He has been twice married, the second time to Mrs. Louisa Wells, in 1861, and reared a family of nine children ; he has two children living by his former wufe : Valentine, who joined the army in 1861, and still remains in the service, and Matilda, who married Jonathan Wood, and resides in the county. Mr. Preuitt is now living in the third house on his place ; his first was a rough log cabin, which was burned ; the second a hewed log house, and the present one a frame building. Another land entry was made February 27, 1830, by William Jones, the southwest fraction of section 4,

In 1830, Joseph Hughes came from St. Clair county and located in the northeast corner of section IS, in the fall of the year ; he brought with him a family of young children. About 1832 Solomon Preuitt bought him out and entered the land on which he had settled, and Hughes removed to Macoupin county. In 1831, Louis D. Palmer came with his family from Kentucky and settled on section 28. He was the father of Hon. John M. Palmer, ex- Governor of Illinois, who is now practicing law in the city of Springfield. He purchased and entered land, and improved a farm, where he continued to reside until 1844, when he sold his farm to William Cooper, and removed to Jerseyville, and sub" setjuently to Litchfield, where he died in 1869, in his eightyeighth year. Henry Thornton Carter, a native of Tennessee, born June 19, 1811, came to Illinois in 1827, with his father, Edward Carter, who lived in Madison and St. Clair counties. June 6, 1833, H. T. Carter married Hannah Davis, which was the first marriage ceremony performed in Omph-Gheut township, where her father lived. In October, 1834, he and his young wife settled on the north half of the southeast quarter of section 26, of this township, which he afterwards entered; he died here July 21, 1844, and left a family of five children, all of whom are yet living. His widow continued on the homestead, reared her children and improved the place, and is still living there with her son, Henry D. Carter, in the sixty-seventh year of her age.

Samuel Sanuer, another proniinent arrival in 1833. was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1803. He was of German origin. April 26, 1827, he was married to Barbara Paul, and in May, 1833, tliey emigrated west, and settled on the Springfield road, in this township. A family by the name of Lathey accompanied them from Pennsylvania, and in partnership with them purchased a farm of 160 acres. After living there about seven years

Mr. Sauiier sold his interest in the farm and purchased another about a mile distant, on which the family resided until their remova' to Shelby county in 1866. Mr. Sanner was a very industrious and ener<iPtic man, and succeeded in accumulating a competence and being owner of a fine and valuable farm consisting of 400 acres, situated in sections 26 and 27. As above stated he moved with his family to Shelby county, this state, in 1866, where he purchased between two and three thousand acres of unimproved land- He resided there until his death, April 19, 18S0. His widow slill survives. John Mahuern, from Kentucky, emigrated to Illinois with his father, Samuel Mahuern, settling in Wood river in 1816 ; married a daughter of Captain Abel Moore, and located in Moro, in 183o, on section 18 ; he lived here but a short time. An Irishman, by the name of John Kingston, settled the Gay place, near Moro, about the same time in 1833, and resided here until his death several years afterward.

John Speer and Low Jackson also settled in 1833. In May of the following year (1834), came Nirarod Dorsey, a native of Maryland. He was born in 1789, and went to Kentucky, where he married Jlatilda Dorsey, a cousin, and in the year above named emigrated with his family to Illinois, and settled in the northeast quarter of section 29 of this townshi|), where he resided until his death, in August, 1849. His widow survived him until 1881, being in her eighty-eighth year. They had a family of eleven children, five of whom came with them to this State, viz : Samuel L., Edward J., Nimrod M., Susan, who married Anthony B. Hundley; Urath M., who married Adam Blair, and afterward Minor O'Bannon, all of whom are now dead except Samuel L. He was born in 1814, and has lived in this township ever since his father settled here. He has been three times married, and reared a family of six children.

Isaac Preuitt, brother of Abraham Preuitt, located on section 7, in 1834. He was born Aug. 14th, 1812, and married Susannah Braden, and reared a family, some of whom are residing in the county and others in the west. In 1849 he emigrated to Texas, but returned the following year, and is now residing in this township.

Martin Preuitt settled the William Butcher place in 1839, and afterward sold out and moved to Gillespie, Macoupin county, where he died. James Preuitt located on the northeast quarter of section 17, about 1840, and is now living with his son, E. K. Preuitt, on the Dorsey place. These are all sons of the old pioneer, ^lartin Preuitt, a complete history of whom can be read in the Wood River history. In 1834, Buford T. Yager, who was born January 30th 1806, in Virginia, settled on section 30, in the fall of that year He came from Kentucky, whence he had removed with his father, at the age of nine years. His wife, Juda Ann Wdhite, born in June, 1814, is a native of Kentucky. They had a family of thirteen children, seven of whom are now living in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Yager are still living on the spot where they settled.

Fleming Huestis came in 1835, and located in section 1.5. He was born in New York in 1797, was twice married, and reared a large family. He died in Aug. 1876. His brother, Benjamin Huestis, born in the same State in 1799, came in 1836, and entered 160 acres in section 22, where he resided until December 19, 1880. He was also twice married, and his second wife is still living on the old homestead. There were three children born to him, two sous and one daughter. William E. is residing on the home place. Benjamin L. Dorsey came from Kentucky, and first located near Bethalto, where he remained a few years, and removed to section 17 of Moro, settling on a beautiful little prairie which has ever since borne his name. This was in 1836. He resided here until his death in the fall of 1880. Only three of his family are now living in the township, viz : William, Theodore, and John. ]Mr. Dorsey was a very energetic and enterprising man, and succeeded in accumulating considerable property.

Frederick Meyer, a native of Germany, came to this country about 1836, settled in Madison county, and afterward became a resident of this township. He died in 1866, and his widow, an old resident of the township, still survives.

John A. Campbell, born in New Jersey in 1812, also settled in .section 11 in 1836, and is still residing there. William Cooper, J. M. Cooj)er, and Henry Cooper, three brothers, natives of England, came to this country and settled in Moro in the decade of 1840. After they had been here a short time, they brought their father and mother to this country. The father, John Cooper, died here, and their mother returned.

C. H. Hatcher, a Kentuckian, settled at Ridgely in 1856. Although not an old settler in this county, Mr. Hatcher made a tour through the country in 1818. He visited most of the settlements in this county that year, and continued his trip to Vandalia, where he taught school for a short time, and the following year clerked in St. Louis. He was twice married, and reared a family of seven children, all of whom are still living. He died in 1865, and his widow still survives, residing in Tennessee.

We have mentioned the names of many of the earliest settlers in Moro township. It is not necessary, neither would it be interesting to name them all, even were it possible to do so. Many of those who first came remained but a short time, and their history would be of little value. The permanent settlers, - those who have helped to make the township what it is to day, - are the ones we seek to place upon the historic page.

This township has been represented in the board of supervisors by Elias K. Preuitt, who was elected in 1870 and served till 1880, when N. S. Gay was elected, and i.s tlie present incumbent.

Is a point at the junction of the Alton and Hillsboro and Springfield road, in section 22, where, at one time, considerable business was done. About 1850, a store was kept by Richard O'Bannon ; two saloons, a post-oflnce, a blacksmith

Dokshy Station

Is situated in section 16, on the line of the Indianapolis and St. Louis railroad, which is a great convenience to the citizens of the northern part of the township. There is a store kept by H. L Koeneman, and a blacksmith shop by Fred. Best, at the station. The

Village Of Moro

Started with the building of the railroad through here in 1853. It was first called Hampton, and was laid out on the southwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 32, and blocks 34 and 35, on the southeast quarter of section 31, by James H. Smith and James Montgomery, and plat recorded March 7, 1855. August 23 of the same year, the same parties made a small addition, replatted the town, and named it Moro.

Hugh and James F. Smith built a frame store-house soon after the road was completed, and put in a general stock of goods. The next house was a residence, built by Samuel Smith, a frame two story and a-half dwelling.

Lowder Tatman, Peter Hassinger, Mrs. Matilda Dorsey, and several others began building about the same time, and, in a year or two, quite a nice little village had sprung up. A large general warehouse, for shipping purposes, was also soon erected by James Montgomery.

In 1856, James Montgomery and Hugh Smith erected a large frame three story steam flouringmill, with a run of three burrs. It did a good business until the winter of 1870- '71, when it was destroyed by fire.

The old school Presbyterian church, a frame structure erected in 1852, was the first and only house of worship built in the village. It stands just across the township line in Fort Russell. There is a good one story brick district school-house located about three-quarters of a mile north of the town. It was built in 1880, and cost $2500. First black, smith was Mr. Skiles.

Brick Yard- - Henry De Werff. about three quarters of a mile north from the village, manufactures a very fine quality of brick. Has a well arranged yard with kiln, and burns about 140,000 brick per year.

There are two or three coal mines, operated by horsepower, in the vicinity of Moro. The vein is about five feet thick, and coal is found about thirty feet from the surface.

Biography

Was born in Lincolnshire, England, February 28th, 1833, being the son of Samuel and Eliza Forman. When an infant, his mother died. His father married again, and in 1845 emigrated to America, with his wife and two children, William C. and Alfred. Samuel Forman came directly to Madison county, and settled in Fort Russell township, where he still remains, having followed the profession of farming since the period of his arrival in this country. The subject of this sketch remained at home with his father until his nineteenth year; he then went west, and for nine years was principally engaged in mining ope>-ations in Nevada, which proved very successful. Immediately after Mr. Forman's return from the mines he sought an opportunity for investing his capital, and became the owner of the farm he now occupies, in Moro township, formerly known as the Nimrod Dorsey farm. An illustration of the same can be seen on another page of this work. Mr. Forman has confined himself exclusively to fiirming operations since his return from the West, and has his land in an excellent state of cultivation. In 1874 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Tipton, daughter of Elijah Tipton, a former resident of Macoupin county. By this union there has been born a family of fi)ur children, Samuel E , William, Nellie, May and Sarah. Politically Mr. Forman is a staunch Republican.

Marine

"1^ HIS beautiful, fertile and highly improved I township, now covered with valuable farms, dotted with handsome and comfortable homes, and commodious barns, teeming with their rich stores of agri- | cultural wealth ; and the large herds of stock gri-zing upon the rich herbage of the meadows, are but the indices to the people, who are now reaping and enjoying the fruits of those pioneers, who bore the brunt and withstood the privations incident to the early settlement and development of a wilil region. The early history of the township precedes the admission of Illinois into the Union as a State. Among the early settlers were found the athletic and hospitable Kentuckian ; the hardy backwoodsman from the mountains of Tennessee ; the thrifty and bargain-driving New Englander; the Knickerbocker, and the chivalrous gentleman from Virginia. The present generation are a people of intelligence, education and enterprise. They are now enjoying the products and blessings of a civilized community, surrounded by all the necessaries, comforts and even luxuries so essential to man's happiness and contentment. They are the debiors of the sturdy yeomen of pioneer days for much of what they now enjoy. Through the etforts of the pioneer, the land has been made to blossom and bring forth the fruits of civilization and prosperity ; and while history may bear their names down to posterity, the early struggles with untamed nature and its final subjugation through their labors and the results thereof erect a lasting monument to their memories.

Marine township lies east of the central portion of the county, and is bounded on the north by Alhambra, on the east by Saline, on the south by St. Jacobs and on the west by Pin Oak. In form it is a perfect square, and contains thirty-six full sections. The township received the name of " Marine Settlement " at a very early day from the settlement of so many sea captains within its limits.

The surface is beautiful rolling prairie, save that portion bordering on the water courses, which was formerly covered with heavy forest^ ; but time, the fertility of the soil, and the necessity of man, have transformed nearly all into fertile farms. The soil is rich, and produces large yields of the cereals and hay. Sugar Fork of Silver Creek, which enters at section three and traverses the township from north to south, finding its way out in section 33, several small streams upon each side, and the east Fork of Silver Creek

Pioneer Settlements

Major Isaac H Ferguson and John Warwick, brothersin-law, were the first to intrude upon unbroken nature in this town.ship. They built their cabins in the edge of the timber on the southwest quarter of section 33, in 1813. Mjjor Ferguson came to this section of the country as an officer in the United States army, as early as 1806, and lived in the vicinity of Fort Russell for several years. He was a ranger during the war of 1812. He continued his residence in the township until 1842, when he sold his home to Jacob Spies, and went to Texas. When war was di clared against INIexico, though an old man of seventy five years of a^e, he enlisted and participated in the war; and while in the city of Mexico, was taken sick and died. His children were Melinda, who married Nicholas Kyle, and died in St. Jacob's township in 1880 ; John L., who was born in a block house in Fort Russell township in 1807, married Elizabeth, daughter of Captain Curtis Blakeman, Jr., and lived in Marine township, continuously, until his death, which occurred in 1878: his widow still survives him ; Lucinda, married Henry Riggiu, and subsequently became the wife of Squire Peterson, and now resides in Bond county ; Elizabeth Ann, became the wife of a German, named John; Minerva Ann, married Thomas Uzzell. The two last named, with the other children, William, Justice, Nicholas and Mary, accompanied their father to Texas.

John Warwick remained but a short time, .sold his improvement to Capt. Blakeman and left^the settlement. John Laird was also an early settler and the first magistrate in the settlement, receiving his appointment from the Legislative Council. He left the township prior to 1819. Other pioneers who made permanent settlements were John Woods, George Newcomb, Joseph and Absalom Ferguson, Aquilla Dolahide, Abraham Howard and John Dean, who settled in 1813 and 1814 and Chester Pain, John Campbell John Giger and Thomas Breeze in 1815. On the 19th day of September, 1817, a company left their plea.-'ant homes in New York city, and turned their course westward, to seek homes in the vicinity oi' Edwardsville, Illinois, where some of the party, the Masons, had been the previous year, and brought back favorable reports of the new country. Rowland p. Allen, his wife and son, George T. ; a nf gro boy, Henry, and a negro girl, Jane, servants given to Mrs. Alien by her father in New York. Paris Mason, wife, a sister of Mrs. Allen, one child and two negro servants ; James Mason and family ; Hail Mason and family ; Elijah Ellison, and Towuscud, John, and Jacob, his sons ; Richard Ellison ; Theophilus W. Smith, an able lawyer, and afterward a judge, with his family ; William Townsend, Daniel Tallman and several young men composed this party of pioneers. They came in wagons to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and there purchased a large flat boat, in which they pursued their journey as far as Shawneetowu, where they disembarked, continuing their travels by wagons to Edwardsville, where they arrived on the afternoon of December 23,

1818, Rowland P. Allen and Elijah Ellison moved into Marine, and on section 28 built their cabins, entered the land together, inclosed the same and farmed in common for many years, the land interests not being divided until 1838. Rowland P. Allen lived on his farm several years, then went back to New York, returned to the township again to live on his farm and ultimately moved to Alton, where he died in 1858. Mr. Allen was twice married, but only raised one son, George T., whom he brought with him when he first came west, and who in later years represented Madison county in the General Assembly in 1855, was a surgeon in the army during the late war, and afterward had charge of the United States Hospital at St. Louis, for many years, where he died.

Elijah Ellison lived on the farm, which he improved until his decease, which occurred in 1858, his wife having died thirty years previously. He left a family of six sons and two daughters: Townsend, living in St. Paul, Minnesota ; John, who lives in this township and is the oldest settler now living in it, being well and favorably known by all the old settlers of the county and having honorably filled the responsil)le ofiice of justice of the peace for twenty-one years; Jacob, who improved a fine large farm in the northern part of the township, when he died August 1, 1881 ; William was a farmer of this township, until his death in June, 1866; Mary Jane was killed by lightning while sitting in her father's house in 1838 ; she was a young lady of nineteen ; Smith lives in Taylor's Falls, Minnesota, and has never married ; Phujbe married J. Carlton for her second husband, and now resides in Champaign, Illinois, while George, the youngest, died at Du Quoin, while on his way home from the army in which he was a soldier during the late war.

During the year 1819, Captain Curtis Blakeman, Captain George C. Allen, James Breath, Justice Deselherst and Captain David Mead,"'all _old sea captains, arrived in the township. They all had families, and came from New York, New England and New Jersey. They were all supplied with money, and were able to live comfortably. Captain Blakeman located on the Louis Spies place, which had been previously occupied by an early settler named John Scott, a native of Tennessee. Captain Blakeman brought with him a four-horse wagon, which was driven by David Thorp, a two horse wagon, driven by Henry B. Thorp, and a onehorse rockaway driven by James Sackett. Captain Blakeman and his companions were all strong Whigs, and while he was a member of the Legislature the question as to whether the state would become a free state or a slave state claimed the attention of the members. Captain Blakeman and George Churchill were the Whig members from this county, and E. J. West was the representative of the Democratic party. A vote was about to be taken; the legislature was very evenly divided, requiring the presence of every member of the Whig party to sustain their position. At this juncture. Captain Blakeman received a message to return home in haste, as a favorite child was lying dangerously ill and momentarily expected to die. He went to his colleague, E. J. West, and requested him to pair with him stating the reason, and was flatly refused. Being unable to secure the desired and reasonable favor, he publicly stated that he would not leave his post in the legislature even though his entire family were dying. A Democratic member, by the name of Dr. Alexander, from the southern portion of the state, hearing of the circumstance, took pity on the old captain and paired with him. Mrs. John L. Ferguson, of Marine, a daughter of Captain Blakeman, is now the only survivor of his family, but also of those of the same name. Elijah Blakeman, a brother of the captain, came with him in a two-horse wagon, bringing a wife and five children. He improved a farm - now known as the Sutter place - in section thirty-two. He afterward returned to the east with his family, and in 1840, he again came into the county and remained until his death, which occurred some seven years later. James Sackett, who now lives in Marine, came with Captain Blakeman. He was a boy of only fifteen years, and drove the captain's rockaway. He married a Miss Parker, whose father, Andrew Parker, came into the township in 1829. Mr. Sackett pursued the vocation of a farmer, until about nine years ago, when he moved into the town of Marine. He raised a family of six children, and lost his wife in 1866. About four years ago he lost his eyesight ; but his memory remains intact, and he can with much accuracy relate the incidents of the early settlements, and a conversation on the events of pioneer times is a source of much enjoyment to the old gentleman. Justice Deselherst, who at one time had been a mate on a ship, commanded by Captain Blakeman, came into the township at the same time. With his family he improved the Frank Frisse place, and was the second justice of the peace in the settlement. During the excitement caused by the discovery of lead at Galena, he went to that place and never returned. M. Botchford, Solomon Curtis and Wheeler Curtis, each with families and two-horse wagons, came at the same time. Captain George C Allen brought two teams, one driven by himself and the other by William Coon. William May, a carpenter by trade, resided here about the same time, but soon returned to his former home in the east. A few years later, William Goodsell and fiimily came from the east, but dying about three years subsequent to his arrival, his family returned to their former home. James Ground, an Englishman with a liberal education, settled on section nineteen, in 1820; and the same year built a com- fortable frame dwelling, the first in the township. The house is still standing, and is used as a residence. He raised a family of three boys and two girls, none of whom are residents of the eount_v, though some of his grandchildren are residents of different portions of it. i^lizur Judd, a native of Connecticut, came into the state at an early day, and first settled at Old Ripley, Bond county. In 1822, he moved into this township, located on section nine, the place now being known as the George Accola place, where he resided until his decease. For many years he kept a tavern and the post-office on the state road. His death was sudden and caused by heart disease. He left a widow, three sons, Albert H., who settled and improved the south east quarter of section four more than forty years ago, and there died in 1865 ; George B., who lived on the old home place for many years, then moved to Minnesota, where he was extensively engaged in lumbering, and where he died ; Lewis S-, improved a place north of the homestead of his father, and resided there until his death, in 1849. The daughters were Sarah, who married and now lives in Minnesota, and Emelinc, now deceased. Among the seventy-two families who came in a body in 1818, were John Baruaby, Lefferd French, Jacob Juhnson, two families by the name of Matthews, the Andersons, Shinns and the Balsters. Adam Kyle was among the earliest to settle out in the prairie, and as early as 1817, he improved the Jacob Schneider place on section twenty-nine. He raised a family of five sons, all of whom made homes for themselves in St. Jacob's township ; but all are new dead. Davidson Gooch, whose father settled near Edwardsville at an early day, improved a place in the southwest part of the township as early as 18:^5. He left one son, Thomas, who has been dead several years. The pioneers on the east side of Silver creek were Ambrose Houser aud his father; Felix, Michael, Henry and Joseph Deck aud their father, all of whom were natives of Virginia, antl thrifty farmers; Mathias Long, John Ambuhl and William Geiger. Reuben Reynolds and Benjamin May were early settlers on the Vandalia road. John Harrington, whose widow lives on section five, came with his lather, Whitmil Harrington, one of the early settlers of the county. Mr. Harrington was an extensive trader and lived in many parts of the county. He raised a family of ten children : Nancy, John, William, Charles, Sarah, Jane, Enoch, Parmelia, Harrison and Susan. Mr. Harrington died while on a visit to his daughter in Troy, his home being in Macoupin county at the time of his death. Jordan AV. Jeffress was a native of Virginia, and came into the township in 1834, and located where the town of Marine now stands. He, in company with George Welsh, opened a store soon after his arrival, carrying a general stock. Two years later he sold his stock to ilr. W^elch and moved to Washington county, Missouri, and engaged in the mercantile business until 1843, when he returned to JIarine and commenced merchandifing anew, iu company with his son-iu; law, Thomas Fanjuharson, which he continued for two years, and then closed up his business and turned his attention to the improvement of one thousand acres of laud in the north and west part of the township. This land he had entered aud purchased when he first came into the county. He continued farming until 'his death, which occurred on the third day of May, 1866. He was twice married and reared a family of two sons and four daughters, children of his first wife. His sons, Alexander W. and Edward Jordan, are prominent farmers of the township. The latter lives on the old homestead and the former near by. Mrs. Catharine Voight, who lives on section five, is a daughter of Martin Schmidt, one of the earlj' German settlers in St. Clair county. Mr. Schmidt came to Madison county in 1838, and settled on Looking Glass prairie near St. Jacobs. He subsequently settled in Pin Oak township, on land purchased from Major Geary, where he died, leaving a widow, three sons and one daughter. George Howard, who resides on section thirteen, settled there forty-four years ago. His father, Blackstone Howard, came from Kentucky to Illinois in 1809. He was a native of Virginia, and first made his home at Turkey Hill, St- Clair county, and in 1812, came to Madison county and located in the six mile prairie, southwest of Edwardsville, in the American Bottom. Subsequently he moved to the Chouteau Slough, where he improved a farm and spent the remainder of his life. He was a ranger in the war of 1812. He raised a large family of children: Patience, Obediah, John and Lovell were born in Tennessee; George in St. Clair county, in 1809 ; Elizabeth, Electa, Alexander and James B., were born in this county. George and Electa, the widow of James East, are all that are now left. The old gentleman was married four times ; aud died in 1853, at a ripe old age. William McAdams was one of the earliest settlers of the county, a native of Tennessee, and a veteran of the revolutionary war. As early as 1819, he had quite an improvement on section thirty-five, between the east fork of Silver creek and Sugar Fork. His fiimily consisted of five daughters and one son, from whom numy of our most promiuent citizens trace their lineage. The old gentleman died at an advanced age at the residence of Aaron Rule, a son-in-law, - who was also an early settler - received the military honors at his interment, and all the old muskets in the neighborhood were brought into requisition for the occasion.

Major Isaac H. Ferguson built the first house, a rude log cabin, and also improved the first farm. The first marriafje was that of Lefferd French and Sarah Matthews, in 1815. Elijah Ferguson, a brother of Major Ferguson, was the first to die in the settlement, in the year 1815. In the summer of 1814, Arthur Travis taught the first school iu the smoke-house of Major Ferguson. About twelve pupils were in attendance. In 1819, a young man from New Haven, Connecticut, opened a school in an empty cabin which stood between the houses of Captain Blakeman and Rowland P. Allen, and for many years thereafter, the youth of the settlement were taught in old cabins and the Union church. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel Lindley, a Baptist minister, at the residence of Major Ferguson, in 1813; and Rev. Peter Cartwright preached in the settlement the same year. The Union church, a substantial frame building, with clapboard siding and split shingle roof, was the first erected. It was built in 1821, on section thirty-three, and was in constant use until the Union church was built in the village of Marine. The old building was then purchased by John L. Ferguson, who used it as a barn. The first post-office was established many years prior to the laying out of the village. They received mail every other day. Rowland P. Allen and John L. Ferguson were the first postmasters, and had the office at their houses. Eben. Twiss, who settled on the State road, on section eleven, kept the first tavern, as early as 1820. This was a stopping place for the stages, until the village was established. The first mill was an old tread mill, requiring ten oxen to furnish the motive power, built by Captain Blakeman on his place in 1823. It was a great improvement on the old horse mills, as one hundred bushels per day could easily be ground. It was destroyed by fire in 1835, and as steam mills were then being established in the neighborhood, it was never rebuilt The school and church facilities of the township are excellent The numerous schoolhouses that dot the wayside, speak well for the intelligence and culture of the inhabitants. One of the finest school buildings in Madison county adorns the town of Marine, and her schools have a deserved reputation for discipline and proficiency. The gentlemen whose names follow, have been members of the Board of Supervisors : John L. Ferguson was chosen in 1876, and was in office for three successive terms. He was succeeded by C. W. Kettler, who served two terms. A. W. Jeflress was elected in 1881, and followed in office by E. J. JeflPress, who was chosen in 1882, and is the pre-seut incumbent.

The building of a town was early contemplated by the pioneers, and to that end the following prospectus was issued, but the attempt was not crowned with success at that time.

On Saturday, the 18th day of November, 1820, will be sold at auction, at the house of Rowland P. Allen, in the Marine Settlement, between the hours of 12 and 3 p. m., 100 Lots, in the town of Madison."

The town of Madison is situate near the centre of population of Madison county, in perhaps the most flourishing settlement in the state of Illinois. The beauty of its site surpasses that of any other town in the state, being situated on a handsome prairie, embracing at one view almost every variety of scenery. From the town site, on the north, the view is uninterrupted by timber ; the eye wanders over a vast extent of prairie, variegated only by its appearance, so much as to prevent satiety and the view is ultimately lost in the sublime idea of infinite extent. On three sides, eat, south, and west, there are seen more than thirty finely improved farms, which, with the numerous flocks of cattle and the operations of the inhabitants, afibrd the most active and delightful employment to the mind. Beyond this busy scene the eye rests upon a beautiful and variegated view of w oods.

In addition to the beauty of its situation, the town posses.ses every substantial, natural and acquired advantage, among which are, an intelligent and industrious society, a salubrious atmosphere, an abundant supply of fine water, a first-rate soil for cultivation, timber, building stone, coal of a superior quality and an abundant supply of salt wrll shortly be produced from works lately established. Besides these local advantages, the great road from Vandalia to St. Louis and the roads from Vincenues to Edwardsville and Alton, and from Shawneetown to the Sangamo country, pass through this settlement. It is, however, needless to dwell upon the advantages of a place so well known as the Marine Settlement. Its reputation is established, and has become proverbial.

fiiS^'The sale of the lots above mentioned, will be made without reserve. Terms, ten per cent, of the purchase money cash The residue in equal instalments of 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

Situated on the contemplated site of the town of Madison, is the beautiful little village of Marine, with its fine public park handsome church edifices and fine public school building. The town is well built, the private residences are handsome, while their surroundings are of the most pleasing character, bespeaking the wealth, taste and thrift of an intelligent and refined people. The town was laid out in 1834, on sections sixteen, seventeen, twenty and twenty-one, by George WWelsh, James Semple, Jordan W. Jefl?"res3 and Abram Breath. The streets are wide, well shaded, kept in good repair and cross each other at right angles. The fir=t stores were kept by Jordan W. Jeffress, George W. Welsh and Abram Breath. The first physicians were Drs. George T. Allen and P. P. Green.

The Cable Mill. - This mill was built in 1866, by Curtis Blakeman, John B. Parker and Jacob Spies. When first built it had but three run of stoue ; but since falling into the hands of Charles Yalier and Jacob Spies in 1876, it has been greatly enlarged, until it is now a handsome four-story brick building, with numerous frame additions, cooper shop, and all necessary attachments for its successful and profitable operation. It now contains six run of stone, two sets of rollers, with a capacity of two hundred barrels per day, most of which find a ready market in the New England States. The flour is hauled in wagons to St. Jacobs, from which station it is shipped.

Business Of M.Veine

There are five churches in the town. The Roman Catholic, German Lutheran and Christian, have fine brick buildings, while those belonging to the Presbyterian and Methodist denominations are neat frame structures A handsome, two-story, five room brick school-house building was erected in 1874, in which are employed five teichers. The cost of the buihling was 810,000. Prof. William E. Lehr is the principal, and Messrs. H. C. Gerke, H. H. Elbring and August Versen were the directors at the time the hou.se was built. The Park was given to the town by Abraham Breath for a public square, and has since been fenced, trees planted and otherwise beautified by the citizens. It is now under the jurisdiction of the city authorities and is kept in excellent order.

Marine Lodge No. 355 A. F. and A. M. - This lodge was instituted on the ISth day of July, 1859, with Thomas J. Prickett, as W. M., and William W. Pearce, George W. Fitch, William J. Loury, Curtis Blakeman, Alexander Keown and Joseph P. Steppe, as Charter Members. The Lodge now has a membership of forty-two, and is in good working order. The present officers are William E. Lehr, W. M. ; Henry Geisemann, S. W. ; Charles Schacht, J. W. ; Fred. Wentz, treasurer, and H Elbring, secretary.

Marine Turners. - This order has a membership of seventy-five, owns a nice hall, handsomely arranged with stage and scenery, and frequently entertain the citizens with theatrical and athletic entertainments.

Treubund Lodge No. 30, was organized June 5th, 1879. It is a German organization, and has a membership of twenty-four. It is in good working order, and meets every Saturday evening, in Philipp Volk's Hall.

Was born in Marine, Illinois, on the second of December, 1842. He is of English extraction on either side. His parents were Louis S. Judd and Mary (Danforthi Judd. His fivther was born in Massachusetts, in li^Ol and came to Illinois, locating in Marine, about the time the state was admitted into the Union. His wife came to the county with her uncle, Mr. Caldwell, and it was here that they were united in marriage in the year 1835. ^[r. Judd was one of the early merchants of Marine, and subsequently one of the leading farmers in that township. He reared a family of three children, two sons and one daughter, viz: Samuel, residing at Marine Mills, Minn. ; Mary E., the wife of James M. Patterson, of St. Louis ; Henry L., of whom we write, and one child who died in infancy. Louis L. Judd, the father, died December the 28th, 1849, aged forty-eight years, and his wife died August 29th, 1863, there being but a few weeks' difference in their ages at death. Henry L. Judd, as before mentioned, was born and reared in Marine. He obtained his early training in the common schools of his native town, and attended for three years the McKendree College at Lebanon, Illinois. At the age of twenty he attended the

St. Louis Medical College, from which institution he graduated in 1865 In the same year he located at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, where he engaged in the practice of his profession for two yearr5, which he vvas compelled to abandon on account of ill health. For five years he traveled in this country and Europe, for the benefit of his health, after which he located at his old home. Marine, where he has ever since engaged in his profession. In 18G5, he was united in marriage to Marie Antoinette Sherwood, daughter of Lyman Sherwood, of Albany, N. Y., who was at one time a prominent man in the business circles of Springfield, in this state, where he died in 1875. This union has been blessed with three children, Edith May, born July 1st, 1866, Samuel Sherwood, b3rn Aug. 12th, 1872, and Nellie, born Feb. 22, 1878, being just six years between their ages respectively.

The doctor has held several offices of trust in his town, having been elected to serve on the town board, of which he has been the presiding officer, has been school trustee, and is at present a formidable candidate for coroner on the Republican ticket. Dr Judd is a clever gentleman, much esteemed by the citizens of Madison county.

Amon(4 the prominent and influential Germans of Madison county is the subject of the lollowing biography. He is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born August 3d, 1817. He is the second son of Valentine and Phillapena (Rietzman) Spies, who were also natives of the same country. His father died in 1834, and his mother in 1838. Jacob was reared upon a farm, where he remained until his twenty-third year, then came to America on a tour of observation. He landed in New York April 20th, 1840, and a few days later came west to Illinois, and settled in Belleville, St. Clair county, and there remained for one year. In 1841 he returned to Germany, and in 1843 came back to Ame. ricaand bought a tract of land in sections 32 and 33 of T. 3N. R. 6 W. To that tract he has added, until now he has a large body of as fine tillable land as cau ba found in the county. On the 27th of Mi^ 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Kauffmann, a nacive, also, of Germany. By this union there have been ten children, nine of whom are living. Their names, in the order of their birth are, Minnie Rosa, Julia, wife of Alexander Richardson, Caroline Louisa, wife of Charles Yalier ; Charles, Louis, Amelia, who is the wife of Preston Fahnestock ; Bertie, wife of Louis Kolb ; Jacob and Anna Spies. The last two are yet at home. In polities Mr. Spies was originally a Democrat. In 1854, during the excitement attending the Kansas-Nebraska difficulties, when it was sought to introduce slaver)' into the territories, he left the party and joined the Republicans, and from that date to the present has been a warm supporter of the latter organization. Mr. Spies has been and is yet a very industrious and energetic man, and much of his success in life is due to those characteristics. He has been a resident of Madison county for nearly forty years, and has a well-earned reputation for honesty and uprightness of character. lu short, few men in the county are more respected than Jacob Spies.

Rudolph Brunner

Was born iu the Canton of Argo, Switzerland, December 20th, 1834. His fother, Henry, died there in 1851. He married Mary Burkhart, by whom he had seven children, four of whom are yet living. In 1854 Rudolph left his native country and came to America. He stopped one year iu Scioto county, Ohio. In the fall of 1857, he came to Illinois, and in 1859 he rented land where he now lives, and continued a renter until 1872, when he purchased eighty acres and improved it, and is yet a resident upon it. He has lived upon those eighty acres as renter and owner since 1859, except three years, when he lived near Greencastle. On the 7th of May, 1859. he married Miss ^lary Bircher, who was born in the Canton of Argo, Switzerland, September 14, 1837. She came to America in 1851, with her father, Louis Bircher. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brunner, two of whom are living, whose names are Emily and Julia. Gustave died at the age of ten years from an accident Both Mr. and Mrs. Brunner are members of the Lutheran church. He has been a Republican since 1864, when he voted for Abraham Lincoln. He has held several offices in his township, and at present is road commissioner. He has been one of the school directors of the township for the past ten years. Mr. Brunner has been a successful farmer, is a srood citizen, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community.

The Jeffress family is of English ancestry. John Jeft'ress, the grandfather of the present family, was a native of Lunenburgh county, Virginia. His son, Jordan W., father of A. W. Jeffress, was a native of the same place, and was born October 31st, 1797. He removed to Tipton county, Tennessee, and remained there a short time, then came to Illinois in 1835, and settled in Marine township. He, in company with two others, surveyed and laid out the town of Marine. He soon after formed a partnership with George JM. Welsh, and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1836 he sold his interest in the business to his partner and removed to Washington county, Missouri, and remained there seven years, then returned to Marine, and in connection with his soniu-law, Thomas Farquharson, again engaged in merchandising. Two years later he sold out, and purchased land in section 6, T. 4, R. 6, and removed there November 5, 1848, and engaged in farming and stock raising, which he followed until his death, the date of which was May 3d, 1866. He was a man of superior education, of a liberal and generous disposition, and pleasant and agreeable manners. In religious faith he was a member of the Christian church, and took an active interest in promoting the welfare of that religious organization. On the 14th of October, 1819, he married Mary C. Egglestou, who was born in Lunenburgh county, October 4, 1798. She died April 10, 1846. On the 5th of November, 1848, he married Mary A. Brilt, a native of Brewster county, Virginia. She died without issue March 17, 1872. By the first marriage is Alexander W., the subject of this sketch. He was born in Lunenburgh county, Virginia, December 13, 1830, and was in his fifth year when the family came to Illinois. He received his education in the schools of Madison county, and here grew to manhood. His life has been spent upon the farm. From choice and inclination he delights in agricultural pursuits. He has a beautiful farm, handsomely situated, with a large and commodious farm house, elegantly furnished, surrounded by beautiful lawns ; there he lives in comparative ease, and enjoys life in its truest sense. Politically he was originally an old line Whig. Upon the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks, and has remained identified with that political organization to the present. In 1881 he was elected to represent his township in the board of supervisors, and in 18S2 was reelected. He is a member of the Christian church. He is a courteous and hospitable gentleman, and in his home makes it pleasant to all who come beneath his roof.

I HE word Nameoki is of Indian origin, and signifies smoky. It was first given to a station on the Indianapolis & St. Louis railroad by A. A. Talmadge, while a conductor on that road, and afterward to the township, which is in the southwestern part of the county. In shape it is a regular square of thirty-six sections, or, more accurately, 22,600 acres of land. It is bounded on the north by Chouteau township, east by Collinsville, south by St. Clair county, and west by Venice township Geographically it is township 3 N. R. 8 W. It lies almost wholly within the Great American Bottom, and [ hence is low and level. Its soil is sandy, and of marvelous fertility, and needs only proper drainage to become the garden spot of Madison county. Horse Shoe lake occupies nearly 2000 acres in sections 31, 32, 29, 28, 21, 16, 15, 14, 22, 23, 27 and 26. It abounds in fish, and is skirted here and there with timber. This lake was known to former geographers as Marais Mensoui. Long lake crosses this township diagonally, entering on section 12, and leaving on section 3, having here a length of nearly five miles. Several other small lakes or marshes are within its borders. Passing across the southeastern part is Cahokia creek, which receives the waters of Cantine creek from the east on section 36. A levee has been thrown up extending almost the whole distance across the township from northeast to southwest, as a protection to farming-lands to the northwest

In the southern part, on sections 34 and 35 are several mounds, thought by many to have been of artificial origin. The most prominent of these is the Monk's mound, so named from having been the abiding place of the monks of La Trappe. The following description of the American Bottom and Monks' mound is taken from the Chicago Daily American, Aug. 9, 1839. Notes by the editor, William Stewart. "About ten miles this side of St. Lou'^ the traveler comes upon the famed American Bottom, which extends from Alton, on the INIississippi, to the mouth of the Kaskaskia, a distance of about one hundred miles, and expanding from three to five miles in width. A lottery, chartered by the State, is now in successful operation for the purpose of raising funds to drain this land and improving its health. It is a highly laudable enterprise, and deserves the co-operation of the public. The rich tract of land, when drained and cultivated, is capable alone of supporting the whole western country. A few miles from this point (on road near St. Louis), on the right side of the road, towers to the view a beautiful elevation of land called Monk's Hill, from its being inhabited by a monk about the year 1809. A romantic cottage peeps out from a thick grove, which ornaments the top of the hill, and which we understood was occupied by some Jesuits about the year 1809." In 1807 the monks of La Trappe located on and around the mound, whose name perpetuates the fact. From Hair's Gazetteer the following interesting facts relative to these religious enthusiasts are gleaned : " The monastery of this order was anciently situated in the province of Perche, in France, in one of the most solitary spots that could be chosen. It was founded A. B. 1140, under the patronage of the Cistercian Monks. Their monastery had fallen into decay, and their rigid discipline relaxed, when the order was reformed by the Abbe Ranee a. d. 1664. Rauce was a gay man of the world, but meeting with a sudden misfortune - some authors say the infidelity of his wife, others the death of Madame Montbazon, whose favorite lover he had been - he renounced the world, entered this monastery, and took the lead in a system of the most severe austerity. Perpetual silence was the vow of the inmates. Every comfort of life was rejected, a stone was their pillow, bread and water their only food, and every day each removed a handful of earth from his grave. The furious storm of the French Revolution scattered them abroad. A branch of the order came to the United States in 1804, first establishing themselves near Conewago, Pennsylvania, then in Kentucky ; next at Florissant, near St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained but eighteen months, and came to the Mounds in 1807, accepting the lands as a gift from Colonel Nicholas Jarrot, of Cahokia. They numbered eighty in all, and expected an accession of two hundred others from France upon their settlement ; but the climate and situation were not congenial to the austerities practiced by the order. During the summer months fevers prevailed among them to an alarming extent. Few escaped, and many died. ' They cultivated a garden, repaired watches, and traded with the inhabitants. Connected with the monastery was a seminary for boys. To them is attributed the first discovery of coal here. Their blacksmiths complained of a want of proper fuel, and on their being informed that the earth, at the root of a tree which was struck by lightning, was burning, they went to the spot, and on digging a little below the surface, discovered a vein of coal. In 1816 they reconveyed their property to Jarrot, the donor, and left for France. Among their self-imposed conditions of life were : No one was allowed to speak to another, or to a stranger, except in cases of absolute necessity; neither could he address the superior, without first asking his permission, by a sign, and receiving his assent. They were not allowed to receive any letters or news from the world, and were compelled to obey the least sign made even by the lowest lay brother in the community, although by doing so they might spoil whatever they were engaged in. Their dress consisted entirely of woolen cloth ; they eat no flesh, and had but two meals a day ; their dinner was soup of turnips, carrots, and other vegetables, with no seasoning but salt, and their supper was two ounces of bread with water. They slept in their clothing upon boards, with blocks of wood for pillows, but in winter they were allowed any quantity of clothing they desired. When a stranger visited them he was received with the utmost kindness by their guest-master, his wants attended to, and everything freely shown and explained to him ; and whenever he passed one of the monks the latter bowed humbly to him, but without looking at him. They labored all day in the fields or in their workshops in the most profound silence, the injunction of which was removed only from the one appointed to receive visitors and those engaged in imparting instruction. When one of them was taken ill the rigor of their discipline was entirely relaxed, and every attention and comfort bestowed upon him. And if he was about to die, when in the last agonies he was placed on a board, on which the superior had made the sign of a cross with ashes, the rest gathered about to console and pray for him. The dead were wrapt in their ordinary habit, and buried without a coflin in the field adjoining their residence. As soon as one was buried, a new grave was opened by his side to be ready for the next who might need it."

The first sturdy pioneers to blaze the way of civilization across the sandy prairies of this township were Patrick Hanniberry and Wiggins, in 1801, who settled on what is now section 16, near the present Six Mile House, which is in section 15. The settlement, from its incipiency, bscame known as Six Mile from the fact that it was made at a point six miles distant from St Louis in Upper Louisiana. Wiggins was a married and Hanniberry a single man. No descendants now live in Madison county to impart any intelligence as to whence they came or whither they went. The spot can only be designated and the date fixed of their early location. To the southeast across Horse Shoe Lake (known to the French as Marais Mensoui) on sections 35 and .36, or as entered claim 133 made by Jean Baptiste Gonville, alias Rappellay, and affirmed to Nicholas Jarrot, was Quentine or Cdutine village, established by Deloom and others from Praire du Pont, in 1804. This became a straggling village following the meanderings of Cautine and Cahokia creeks for several miles At one time it was a handsome village and the centre of considerable trade. About the same time, (1804) came Nathan Carpenter, an enterprising, thoroughgoing man. He erected a horse mill near Wiggins' on section 16, which was patronized by parties far and near. It was the first effort at milling in this township, and had little competition throughout all Madison county. Carpenter was possessed of an indomitable will and great energy, and suc- ceeded in subjecting rude nature around him until a fine farm rewarded his effurts. In 1804 or 180-5 came to this township, locating on section 17, Thomas Cumniings. He reared a large and intelligent family, and was himself an honest, energetic pioneer. His sons were declared by many old settlers to have been the largest boys ever raised in Madison county In 1817 he and his family moved to Jersey county. Isaac Gillham, a South Carolinian, came here at the same time with Cummings. Most of his children were born in South Carolina. Their names were Thomas, William, John, James, Isaac Jr , Margaret, Susan, and Jane. Thomas was elected a Justice of the Peace, and subsequently held the office of County Commissioner. The Gillhams were a large and influential family throughout Madison county. Four sons and Isaac himself all died during the winter of 1844-5. Isaac had been a Revolutionary soldier. One of his daughters married Robert Whiteside, of the popular family of that name. Amos Squire located where his son Samuel yet lives in 1808. He came to Illinois from Maryland, a few years prior to this, in company with Gov. Bond and others, and stopped first at Kaskaskia. In 1805 he married Temperance Worley, at Fort Chartres Here two sons, Samuel and Joseph, were born, so that he brought to his new home a family of four. He chose a pleasant place which had been improved many years ago. A pear orchard had been set out presumably by the French, simultaneously with their occupancy of Grand Isle (now Chouteau Island) ; a small clearing had been made, so that ready and willing hands found the way to prosperity already planned for them. Here members of the family have constantly resided since. Amos Squire was the first Justice of the Peace in the township. He held the position, after his first appointment by Gov. Edwards, for twenty consecutive years. He was a captain in the war of 1812, and was stationed for a time in Fort Russell. He died August 12th, 1825, and was buried in the family burial ground. This was the first interment there. His son, Samuel Squire, lives in the quiet enjoyment of life's evening on the old place, respected and honored of all who know him. His recollection of the past is vivid. The first school was taught in 1812 by Joshua Atwater ; the second, as Samuel Squire has a good reason to believe, was by an Irishman named McLaughlin. While his father was absent engaged in the war of 1812, when Samuel was yet a lad of six years, McLaughin gave him a terrible flogging. The incensed father upon his return from war, took the Irish teacher to task for his lack of of good sense.

Among other early settlers were Henry Hayes, Isaac Braden, John Clark, Henry Stallings, and Dr. Smith. John Clark and Henry Stallings were both honorable, and for pioneer times thorough-going farmers. Dr. Smith was the first physician to practice his profession in the Bottom. He remained but a short time, and in 1815 was drowned in Kaskaskia river. Henry Hayes, a native of Pennsylvania, hearing of Illinois' attractions came thither in 1811, and located on section 9, where he remained for thirty years. His perseverance was remarkable. Amidst a deep forest, he planned and developed a fine farm. For pastime and amusement, he loved to hunt the wild bee and from his sweet store-house gather his rich earnings. He raised a large family. John G. Lofton, too was an early settler and an active leader among his associates. He represented Jladison county in the territorial legislature at Kaskaskia, in 1816. Isaac Braden came later in 1817. He was from Washington county, Pennsylvania, came in company with Valentine Kinder, who brought quite a colony with him. The party came by flat boat from Wheeling, Virginia, to Shawneetown. From this point their stock was driven across the country via the New Design settlement to this country, and they came from Shawneetown by keel boat to St. Louis, thence along the Si.x; mile route to their chosen home. The Hawks came with them. Both the Bradens and Kinders are represented in the township. Thomas Kinder, Sr., one of this party amassed a competence for his family. He was a man of sterling worth, and died universally beloved. Robert McDow, a Kentuckian, who .settled near the present Kinder station, had a horse mill in operation at an early day. Those faithful servants of God, Revs. Chance and Jones, Baptist mis iiinaries, were the p'oneer preachers in this township. As early as 1813 they were declaring from house to house the blessings of Christianity. Rev. Lemen followed soon after.

The first land entries, after the surveys made by John Messinger, Moore and Frazer, which were completed in 1814, were as follows: Jacob Linder, Sept. 15, 1814, N. E. h sect. 4. ITOiVs acres; John Hawks, Sept. 14, 1814, E. part S. W. i sect. 5, 135 acres; Hardy Willbaiiks, August 1-3, 1814, N. i sect. 5, 261} acres; John Atkins, Sept. 14, 1814, several acres in sect. 6; Henry Hayes, Sept, 14, 1814, 480 acres in sect. 9 ; Matthew Kerr, Sept. 27, 1814, several acres in sect. 10. Antedating these land entries were several claims, confirmed by the Board of Commissioners, formed for the purpose of adjusting the same ; which board reported, December 31, 1809, as follows; Claim 561, Clement Drury, confirmed to heirs of Samuel Worley, 400 acres, described as being below the Narrows, adjoining patented militia rights of Samuel Worley and James McNabb, these rights having been located in the improvement. This is mostly in section 6, and includes the farm of Samuel Squire, which is among the earliest improvements in the county. Pear trees, two in number, are now standing there, a hundred and forty years old, as shown by the rings actually counted of those destroyed. Claim 1,844, Jacque Germain, confirmed to Nicholas Jarrot, 400 acres, at I'Abbe, thirteen miles above Cahokia. This is in section 32, on the borders of Horse Shoe Lake, and not far east from Venice Claim 133, already referred to as being occupied by French settlers, who founded Cantine or Quentine village in 1804. This claim includes "I'Abbe" itself, the monastery of the monks of La Trappe. It lies mostly in sections 35 and 36. Claim 1,883, Joseph Hanson, confirmed to Nicholas Jarrot, situated at Marais Mensoui. This lies mostly in section 26, on Horse Shoe Lake. Claim 902, Isaac Levy, confirmed to Isaac Darnielle, 400 acres ; described originally as being on the river I'Abbe (Cahokia), above Cahokia about twelve miles, near where the French church stood. Part of this claim lies in sections 34 and 35. Claim 1,838, Michel

The first brick house was that erected by Robert Whiteside, on section 21, in 1820. The first farm opened was that of Thomas Cummings, section 17, in 1805. The first cemetery was that on section 17, on land belonging to Cummings. The first interred there was a member of that family, about 1810. The first married couple were united by Amos Squire, Esq., previous to 1812 Antoine Thomas and Cynthia Scott were the happy parties. To the war of 1812, went from here John Atkins and his two sons, William and John, Jr., Amos Squire, Isaac Hoadley, Phiueas Kitchell, John Thompson, who was killed at Rock Island, and Henry Hayes, certainly a large contribution from among the pioneers of Nameoki. Being low and level, this township suffered great destruction during the high waters of 1844. Fully five-sixths of the entire surface was under water at that time. Steamboats from St. Louis, sent to the aid of the inhabitants, landed on section 6, at the site of an old Baptist church, where citizens had sought refuge. They were taken to St. Louis or to Alton, if they preferred to remain until the subsidence of the waters. In places, the rich alluvial soil deposited from the high waters is fully ten feet in depth. The first meeting-house erected »as the old Six Mile church, built on section 17, by the Methodists, in 1832. The Baptists built Ebenezer church, on section 6, in 1842. The building afterward passed into the hands of the Methodists.

Village Of Nameoki

Consequent upon the building of the Indianapolis and St. Louis Railroad, in 1858, a station was located on the boundary line between sections 5 and 6, for the accommodation of shippers to which was given the above name by A. A. Talmadge, a conductor on that road. It is a small village, having the following business industries :

The Sons of Herman have here a neat, substantial twostory building, erected at a cost of $4,400, which they occupy for lodge purposes. The name. Sons of Hermon, was bestowed in honor of the fact that Hermon freed Germany from Roman Catholic rule. Moltke Lodge, No. 15, was organized September 6, 1872, by Robert Krueger. The name was bestowed upon the lodge by Krueger, as a compliment to General Moltke, under whose command he had been a soldier. The lodge numbers seventy-four members. It is exclusively German. Its objects are benevolent in character.

Six Mile Lodge No. 87 1. O. O. F. was instituted January 2, 1851, and the charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Illinois I. O. O. F., signed by the Grand Master, H. L.

Riicker, and attested by the Grand Secretary, S. A. Gorman, to E. p. Pettingill, T. J. Irish, James S. Smith, Amos Atkins and Joseph Squires, charter members and first ollicers. There are now left only T. J. Irish, P. G. W., and Amos Atkins, P. G., of the original five whose names and energy in sustaining the Lodge ought never to be forgotten. Six Mile Lodge at present owns her own beautiful cemetery, her own Hall, and about sixty-three acres of land, well-improved, and carries in her treasury from $1000 to $1,500, shielded only by Friendship, Love and Truth, and always extending

The population of the township, census of 1880, was 1,466 inhabitants. Extensive gardening is carried on here for the St. Louis market. The township is well supplied with schools.

Few of the numerous residents of the American Bottom are as widely and favorably known as Dr. T. J. Irish. He possesses a firm mental-motive temperament. He is quick, impulsive and decided in character and conclusious. He penetrates a subject at a glance, grasps its minutise - comprehending almost in a single thought what many others would require a long process of reasoning to determine. He has firmness and determination that never yields to disparagement. When he will, he will, and there is no use for the elements to oppose him. He is quick, but not combative ; firm, but not stubborn ; set, but yet reasonable. He is of a kind, generous, sympathetic nature. In his intellectual capacity he has the general ele- ment of success. He is a man well calculated to win the good-will of all who are thrown in contact with him; and with his social, genial disposition he can disarm the most inveterate foe and secure his respect and good-will. Dr. T. J. Irish is a native of Livingston county, N. Y. He was born on the 28lh of -July, 182.3, and is the first child of Benjamin and Sarah (Tyler) Irish, who were natives of New York. The father of Benj. Irish was a Baptist minister in Auburn, N. Y.

Benjamin Irish, the father of Dr. T. J. Irish, was born about the year 1798. He graduated in medicine in his native State, and in 1840 emigrated to Illinois, settling at Equality, near Shawueetown. At this point he remained about two years, and from thence removed to the American Bottom, Madison county, opposite St. Louis, where he engaged in the practice of medicine with great success. He rapidly rose to the front rank of his profession, and attained an enviable reputation throughout the State. lu 184S, the Pope Medical College of St. Louis conferred upon him the ad eundem degree. He continued the practice of medicine until July, 18.")1, when he fell a victim to cholera.

Dr. T. J. Irish received his education in New York. In 1842 he came to the West, stopping for a short time at Equality, near Shawneetown, Illinois, where he engaged in teaching school. In 1844 he came to St. Louis, and engaged in the study of medicine with his father, graduating, in 1848, in the Mi.'isouri State University, of St. Louis, in the same class with the late Dr. John T. Hodgen, who became one of the ablest surgeons of the West. In the same year he graduated. Dr. Irish settled in the American Bottom, on section 8, township 3, range 9, where he at once engaged in the practice of medicine, which he has since followed with fine success. By the death of his father, in 1848, Dr. Irish came in possession of a very extensive practice throughout the American Bottom, and we but echo the universal sentiment of those who know him best, when we say that he is truly " a chip oft" the old block."

Dr. Irish was married on the 26th of October, 1848, to Miss Lucinda, daughter of Thomas Elliott, Esq., who was a native of Virginia, and who was descended from one of the more prominent families of that State. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Irish have had born to them a family of eleven children, four of whom are now living. Tyler E., now a practicing physician of Nameoki; William A., a farmer living

Dr. Irish started in life with ()uite limited financial means, and he states, as an incident illustrative of his early financial condition, that when he first visited Shawneetown, he was walking along the street with F. M. Little, and fortunately picked up a dime from the sidewalk, which embraced the sum total of the young men's finances - the dime in ques. tion furnishing the cheese and crackers from which the young men made a tolerable dinner. Mr. Little afterwards became Mayor of Salt Lake City, and a man of prominence and independence in that city. He is an own nephew of Brigham Young.

As we have stated, the Doctor ranked among the more prominent in his profession, and rapidly accumulated a comfortable competence. He now, at the meridian of life, owns upwards of nine hundred acres of the celebrated American Bottom land. His fine home place, near Nameoki Station, on the W., St. L. & P., C. A. I. & St. L. Railways, is finely improved, and replete with superior grades of stock of every description.

In politics, the Doctor is now, and has always been an admii-er of the principles of the old and historic Democratic party. His first vote was cast for Tennessee's stateeman, James K. Polk, candidate for President in 1844. During the late war. Dr. Irish espoused the cause of the Union, and no man in Madison county was more earnest in his support of the government than he.

Godfrey

Sft^^^^^^lHE extreme northwestern township of yjth^inV^isMt. Madison county was given its name in honor of Captain Benjamin Godfi-ey,one of the earliest and most distinguished citizens, and the founder of the Monticello Female Seminary. He was born at Chatham, Ma.ssachusetts, May 20, 1 7'J 4. His early life was mostly spent on the sea. It is said that he began the life of a sailor when only nine years old. He had time, however, to acquire a good practical education, and some knowledge of navigation. He spent some mouths when a boy in Ire- land ; he was connected with the mercantile service during the war of 1812, and afterward became commander of a merchant vessel, and made voyages to Italy, Spain and other parts of the old world, and from Baltimore to New Orleans and the West Indies. On his last voyage he was shipwrecked near Brazos Santiago, and lost nearly all his property, and almost his life. This misfortune left him, literally, stranded in Mexico, with little means ; but his quick business tact enabled him to take advantage of the opportunities for trade which then existed with the inhabitants of that country, and he was soon at the head of a mercantile house at JMatamoras, then ou Mexican soil, and there laid the foundation of his fortune After making large accumulations he re- > moved to New Orleans, and in that city carried on the mercantile business in partnership with Wiuthrop S Oilman. In the year 18 >2, the firm of Godfrey, Gilman & Co. began operations in Alton, and for some time transacted a larger business than any other firm in the state. Captain Godfrey first became a resident of Godfrey township in 1834 ; he j purchased a stone residence built by Calvin Kiley, a mile i north of the present village of Godfrey, to which he subsequently added a wing on the north, building it also a halfstory higher, thus completing it as it stands at present. AVith the exception of one or two years, during which his family lived at Alton, this was Captain Godfrey's residence till his death, which occurred on the 13th of August, 1862. He was a large owner of real estate, at one time being the possessor of ten thousand acres, a great part of which lay in Godfrey township, and owned more than four thousand acres in Madison county at the time of his death. He built, as sole contractor, under great difficulties, the railroad from Alton to Springfield, now a part of the line of the Chicago & Alton road. His name, however, will be chiefly remembered as the founder of the Monticello Female Semmary, one of the most successful institutions of the kind in the The idea of founding such a school was first impressed upon his mind about the year 1833. In company with Mr. Gilman he came to the house of Nathan Scarritt in 1834, in search of an appropriate site for its location. Mr. Scarritt accompanied them, and a place was first selected about three-quarteis of a mile from the spot where the seminary was afterward built. The erection of the original building was begun in the year 1836. Captain Godfrey gave, in all, to the institution, upward of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. His widow and three children are still living; his son, Benjamin Godfrey, lives at the old residence north of Godfrey; a daughter, Catharine, is the wife of John M. Pearson, representative from Madison in the state legislature ; and the remaining daughter, Emily, is the wife of Joseph R. Palmer, and resides at New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The Earliest Settlements

In the township were made in the year 1826. Nathan Scarritt seems to have broken the first ground for cultivation, but the first cabin was built and occupied by Joseph Reynolds. Nathan Scarritt was a native of New Hampshire; he was a man of marked piety, who left a religious impress on the community which existed for many years after his death. With his wife and four children he emigrated from the town of Lyman, on the Connecticut river. New Hampshire, and reached Edwardsville in the month of November, 1820. Ten weeks and four days were occupied in making this journey, though the weather was favorable, and they were able to travel every week day except one. On the Sabbath they always rested. On his arrival at Edwardsville he had difficulty in getting a house for his family, and finally moved into a log house, with a stick chimney and hearth, and puncheon floor. With one or two exceptions all the buildings in Edwardsville at that time were log. The members of the family had no chairs to sit on, but their worst privation was the want of pure water ; but Jlr. Scarritt discovered that the insufficient depth of the wells and their lack of walls was the cause, and this matter was remedied. During the winter of 1820-'21, he built at Edwardsville a house of clap-boards, which Mrs. Scarritt helped to raise, " carrying up my corner," as she was accustomed to remark, " while the men carried up theirs," into which the family moved, in March, 1821. After a residence in Edwardsville of five years, Mr. Scarritt made his home in Godfrey township. He settled on the prairie, and the farm which he made, now the property of L^ivi Springer, adjoined the present village of Godfrey. From the circumstance of his settling here the prairie was called Scarritt's prairie. His farm was the first improvement on the prairie. He died in the year 1848 ; his widow was living till recent years ; he was a member of the Methodist church, and the first religious services in the township were held in his house. The first school was taught in his barn, which stood a short distance north of his residence, where Mr. Springer now has a garden. His daughter was the teacher of this school, and the pupils, gathered from the families who had moved to this part of the county, were about sixteen in number. The first Sunday-school in the township was also taught in this barn. Mr. Scarritt made brick and built the fir.-t brick house in the township. This was a large and substantial structure for that day, and still remains in good condition. Mr. Scarritt took no part in public aSliirs ; he had several sons who became useful citizens.

The early settlements were made ai-ound, and on Scarritt's prairie, which was then three miles, or three and a half in length, with an average width of about two miles. Joseph Reynolds, who has been mentioned as having built the first cabin in the township, sold his improvement to Samuel Delaplain. Among the early settlers on the east side of Scarritt's prairie, were Henry P. Rundle, Simon Peter, James Dodsen, Hail Mason, Joel Finch, Zebedee Chapman, Ezra Gilman and Rowland and Oscar Ingham. Later came John Peter, George Smith, John Mason, Zebedee Brown, James Meldrum, Richard Blackburn, Henry Waggoner, Samuel Waggoner, David Rood and Joseph AVhyers, all settling on the east side of the prairie.

Henry P. Rundle occupied a cabin on the site of the present residence of Jeremiah Still. He was a tailor by trade, and carried on business for some time in upper Alton. His wife was the daughter of Samuel, and the sister of Benjamin Delaplain. Simon Peter came from Kentucky. He became a resident of the township about the year 1833. He was a leading member of the Methodist church, a local minister, and preached frequently. John Peter was his brother. Hail Mason became a resident of the county as early as December, 1817, at which date he arrived in Edwardsville, in company with his brothers James and Paris Mason, Rowland p. Allen, Theophilus W. (Smith, and a number of others. He lived in Edwardsville for a number of years, and filled the office of justice of the peace. He was anxious for the suppression of disorder, and while serving as justice of the peace at Edwardsville, issued a warrant for the arrest of one

Mike Dodd, from AVood river, who was accustomed to come to Edwardsville, and, while iii the state of intoxication, disturb the peace. Dodd and his friends resisted arrest, and tlie constable called on the populace for assistance. Mason, though wearing judicial robes, considered himself one of the populace assisted in Dodd's arrest Dodd brought suit against him, but Mason, whom some of the best lawyers of the circuit offered voluntarily to defend, was acquitted. From Edwardsville he moved to Clifton, and after a residence there of a year or two he came to Scarritt's prairie. His house was a short distance northeast of the town of Godfrey. He served as justice of the peace after moving to this part of the county, and filled other public offices. He was born at Grafton, New Hampshire, in the year 1794, and died in 1842. His second wife was the daughter of Joel Finch. None of his descendants now live in the township.

John Jlason, brother of Hail Mason, was also an early resident of the township. He was born at Grafton, New Hampshire, in Uie year 1780, and lived in his native state till 1837, in October of which year he came to Illinois, and settled on the farm, a short distance northeast of Godfrey, where the widow of his son, John Mason, now resides. He died in 1867. His two sons, Aaron P. Mason and John Mason, were residents of the township for many years. The former died in 1880. His widow still lives in Godfrey. The widow of John Mason junior, lives on the farm in section twenty-three, on which John Mason, senior, settled in 1837.

Joel Finch was a man of considerable intelligence. He settled the place a short distance northeast of Godfrey, now owned by J. R. Isett. He died in 18-16, at the ageof ^eventy-two. Richard Blackburn settled the place on which Charles Wenzel now lives ; and David Davis, that which Thomas Still now occupies. George Waggoner, one of the early settlers of the township, was a native of Maryland, emigrated from that state to Tennessee, and thence to Cape Girardeau, Jlissouri. He became a resident of Godfrey township in 1833. Four of his sous, Henry B. Waggoner, Samuel H. Waggoner, William W. Waggoner and Wesley F. Waggoner, still remain there.

James Meldrum settled the place on the Brighton road, now owned by the Rev. J. W. Caldwell, who married his youngest daughter. Another daughter became the wife of the Rev. Jotham Scarritt, like the Rev. Mr. Caldwell, a Methodist minister. Ezra Oilman, one of the early residents of the township, was raised in the family of Nathan Scarritt. Rowland and Oscar Ingham came to Illinois from the state of New York. The former died in this part of the county, and the latter went to California.

West of Scarritt's prairie, in the northern part of the township, one of the earliest settlers was George Debaun. He was born of French descent at Harrodsburg, Mercer county, Kentucky. He emigrated to Illinois, reaching the vicinity of CoUinsville, on the 20lh of October, 1816. After a residence of two or three years in that part of the county, he moved to the neighborhood of Upper Alton, where he lived on a farm till 1829, when he entered land in section nine and moved to Godfrey township. William Scarritt had, previous to this, built a cabin on a piece of land adjoining, and into this Mr. Debaun moved with his family, while he was building a double log cabin on his own land. His daughter, Elizabeth Debaun, still living.says that on first coming to that place the family had no neighbors except at a distance of two or three miles. Three miles to the north, in Jersey county, lived John Wilkins. Nathan Scarritt had settled near the present town of Godfrey. Mrs. Lurton, the widow of Jacob Lurton, a Methodist minister, lived to the west, on the Piasa, on the form which is now the residence of McKinley Ward. Mrs. Lurton had three daughters living at home. The sons had married and moved away. One of the sous. Nelson R. Lurton, kept the first house of public entertainment ever opened at Delhi. About a half a mile further down the Piasa, lived the Cummings famil)'. There were two sons, James and Thomas Cummings, and one daughter, Maria, who became the wife of Richard Simmons, of Jersey county- ISIr. Debaun had eight children, and the year of his arrival he employed Miss Abigail Scarritt, a niece of Nathan Scarritt, to teach them, as there were no schools in the neighborhood. The families living nearest took advantage of this and attended ]Miss Scarritt's school, two of Nathan Scarritt's children, three of Mrs. Lurton and two of John Wilkins, seven in all, beside the Debaun children. The school created so much noise and confusion at Mr. Debaun's house, that the next year, 1830, it was removed to the old log cabin, built by William Scarritt, a quarter of a mile distant. Elizabeth Peter, a niece of Simon Peter, taught the school in this cabin in 1830. The next year while Miss Scarritt was teacher, the old log cabin caught fire and burned to the ground. George Debaun, resided at the place till the year 1849, and then moved with his family to St. Louis. In the days of the gold mining excitement in California, he started on a venture to the Pacific coast, and died in the far west, about the year 1852 Two of his daughters reside in Godfrey township, Elizabeth Debaun, and Jane, the wife of Isaac G. Howell.

In the year 1833 Judge James Webb became a resident of the township, and settled the place north of Godfrey, where James Martin now lives. He came to this state from Syracuse, New York. He held the office of county commissioner of Madison county. Of his three daughters, one became the wife of George T. M. Davis, a lawyer then-engaged in practice in Alton, and now a resident of New York city. i Another resides in the east, and a third, who married Judge { William Martin, of Alton, is now living in the township. Judge Webb died in Alton, at the residence of his son-in-law, Judge Martin. I The first improvement on the place, which afterward became the residence of Captain Benjamin Godfrey, was made ' by Calvin Riley, who accompanied Judge Webb to Illinois from the State of New York. He was the brother of the Captain Riley who endured a captivity in Africa, and pub- I lished a book widely read in those days, known as " Riley's j Narrative," and from this connection was himself known as ' Captain Riley. He built a stone house, which was purchased by Capt. Godfrey, and which, with the additions made by the latter, became the beautiful residence of Capt. Godfrev, in which his widow and son still live. One of

Capt. Riley's daughters became the wife of Amasa Barry, of Alton. Another (Mrs. Drennan), is living at Roodliouse, and another at Boston, Mass. After disposing of his property to Capt. Godfrey, Riley engaged in the mercantile business in Alton but with little success. He also resided one year at Edwardsville, and then returned to this township, and improved a farm on section eight. He met his death in Michigan, while on a fishing excursion. The boat in which he was with two comrades, capsized, and, not knowing how to swim, he was drowned. The first house south of the Godfrey place on the Jerseyville road was built by Captain Riley, and in it George T. M. Davis lived for a time. It was afterward occupied by James Hamilton, who kept it as a hotel. Hamilton was one of the workmen who came from the east to help build the seminary.

A man na::;ed Larry Davis lived some j'ears in the northwestern part of the township, but made no improvements of importance. Captain Edward Fisher settled about the year 1834 on the place where John Ward now lives. In early life he had been a sailor - the captain of a vessel - and thus acquired the title by which he was known. He was an Englishman, born at Battle, in Sussex, in the year 1793, and died in 1843. His youngest son, William H. Fisher, was born in England in 1826. He enlisted in the Second Illinois Regiment, for service in the war with Mexico, and died at Saltillo, Mexico, in 1847, of wounds received at the battle of Buena Vista.

Another early resident of the township was Samuel Delaplain, who lived on the jilace east of Godfrey, now owned by H. A. Somers. He was born in France, and accompanied his father to this country at a very early date. He lived for some years in Macon county, Kentucky, and came to Illinois in 1807. For a time, he was a resident of St. Louis, and then settled near Upper Alton. The settlers were obliged to take refuge in the forts near Edwardsville at the beginning of the Indian hostilities, which lasted during the war of 1812-14. His son, Benjamin Delaplain, who was born in Kentucky in the year 1805, was accustomed to relate how, when the family reached the fort, he was so alarmed at the preparations which the settlers hurriedly made for defence, and the talk of an anticipated Indian attack, that he crept into a flour barrel for safety, and remained there for some hours. Samuel Delaplain moved to Godfrey township from Upper Alton. At the latter place, Benjamin Delaplain was raised. He learned the trade of a carpenter- For a number of years he kept the Alton House in Alton. He moved to the farm in Godfrey township, where his widow now lives, in 1861, and died there in 1876. He had owned this farm many years previous to his settlement on it. Mrs Delaplain, who still resides on the farm, is now one of the old residents of the county. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Reed, and she became the wife of Benjamin Delaplain in 1834. Her father, James C. Reed, was a Virginian by birth. While livingat Washington, Rhea county, Tennessee, he was asked by John Ross, chief of the Cherokee Nation, then on a reservation in Georgia, to become a resident of the Indian country. He lived with his family among the Indians for five years, and assisted in building them a mill, and instructing them in agriculture. In 1821 he left the Cherokees to come to Illinois. Mrs. Delaplain was then a girl of tender age. At first he was a resident of Edwardsville. In company with a number of young men from Madison county, he went to Galena to work in the lead regions, but was taken seriously ill and returned to Edwardsville. He afterward removed to Brown county, where he lived about twenty years. He died at Brighton. Mrs. Delaplain was living with her sister, the wife of Andrew Miller, in Alton, at the time of her marriage. Andrew Miller became a resident of Lower Alton when there were only two houses there.

Josiah Randle settled in the township about the year 1834, and improved the place where George Lindley now lives. He was born in 1800. His father having died, the mother moved with the children, of whom there were eight sons and one daughter, from Stewart county, Tennessee, to this State, in the year 1814, and settled a short distance southeast of Edwardsville. Josiah Randle lived some years in Edwardsville and vicinity. In 1823 he became the owner of an old mill, built by his uncle, Josias Randle, at Edwardsville in 1818, and operated it for some time. After coming to Godfrey township, Mr. Randle was one of its best citizens. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Church. He died at Brighton in 18.57, his death resulting from an accident in a coal shaft which he was visiting.