Woodford County, Illinois - Chapter 6, 1910

PALESTINE township, which derives its name from the Holy Land, whs settled at a very early date. The southern part of the territory along Panther creek was settled first.

Francis M. Willis came from the vicinity of Eureka about 1832, but found that he had been preceded by Josiah and Campbell Moore and also by James and Aaron. Richardson, the former of whom came in 1830, and the latter the year following. The Moores built a mill, which eventually passed into the hands of Mr. Willis. As mentioned more fully in the history of Bowling Green, that town was the first in the township, being laid out in 1836 by Francis M. Willis, while Aaron Richardson laid out an addition in 1837.

One of the most striking figures in the early history of Palestine was Rev. James Robeson for years known far and wide as "Uncle Jimmy" Robeson. He came from Christian county, Kentucky, and settled first in Walnut Grove in 1835. Later he opened a store at Bowling Green. lie began preaching when he was twenty years old, and preached for seventy years. He died in 1888 aged 91 years. He was the father of ten children, Polly A. Jennings, Martha P. Wolley, Elizabeth J. Hughes, W. II., Thomas P., J. W., John E., C. A., M. A. and Albert E. Robeson. C. A. Robenson was sheriff of Woodford county, and his son, E. E. Robeson, is a rising attorney at Eureka.

tiers, the latter being the first supervisor from Palestine township. He came from New York in 1836, and settled in what was then known as the Palestine Prairi>. William Lucas came from Kentucky in 1840, John G. Mohr came from Germany in 1836. Ephriam and Samuel Potter camn from the east, being born in Carolina. Among the later comers who have played a prominent part in the history of the township can be mentioned the following : Joseph Frey, Sr., came to Palestine in 1858. Since that time the family has been one of the most prominent in the county. The children were Joseph Frey, who resided near and in Secor for many years ; William Frey, Mains, Iowa ; Mrs. Marion Potter, Secor. At the present time his grandson, C. W. Frey, is a prominent citizen and business man of Secor. William Billinger came from Eaton, Ohio, with Joseph Frey, the journey being made overland in a wagon. Anderson Van Scyoc came to Woodford county in 1835 and has since become an extensive land owner. He was supervisor for several years. John A. Van Scyoc, his son, was widely known in the county for many years.

John Colburn came to the township in 1842, coming originally from Grafton county, New Hampshire, altho he made several stops on his journey westward. His son, Richard 0. Colburn, had a prominent place among the farmers and stock raisers of the county. The sons of the latter, William, John and Cecil, still farm in the vicinity. Byron is deputy county clerk, while Cary was for some years connected with educational work in Japan.

Christian Deiner came in 1855, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, L. R. Deiner. The latter occupied the farm himself for many years, but recently moved to Secor. p&T

As suggested in the history of Greene township a number of representatives of the Armstrong family reside in Palestine. W. H. Armstrong lives near Secor and is a member of the Board of Directors of the public school,

John Armstrong is also a resident of Secor, one of his sons, Clarence, being in business there. Mrs. Polly Ann Armstrong still resides there, as' do also a number of the younger members of that family.

Merritt, Green and William Patterson came at a later date, but have been identified with movements for tlirr advancement of the county since their coming.

John Bloodsworth is one of the pioneers, coming from England at an early date and working in this and Tazewell counties. He now owns a farm in Roanoke and another in Palestine townships.

Among the later comers is one of the most widely traveled men in the county, Thomas Jones. A native of England, the years of his early manhood were spent on the sea, where he made a number of voyages. Since coming to Palestine township he has resided southeast of Secor.

Among the churches in the country may be mentioned the Christian church erected on the prairie in 1874. The German Evangelical built in 1875 and the Centennial church erected by the Methodists and United Brethern in 1876. Rev. James Robeson and Rev. John Oatman were the pioneer preachers of the township. Another minister whose name has been connected with the township for many years, was A. Q. Wilson. He has but recently answered the summons to go into the great beyond. He has been connected with the church of Christ for almost a life time. His widow still resides in Secor.

The officers are as follows: Supervisor, Wm. Colburn; clerk, William Dehority ; assessor, 0. J. Gish; commissioners, J. W. Brown, John VanScyoc ; collector, II. R. Brown ; justices, B. E. Tribbey, Joseph Woods, Sr. ; constables, G. E. Heinrich and Walter S. Sparks.

Clayton township belongs to that part of the county which was of more recent settlement. Sixty years ago it was an unsettled prairie, today its prairie lands are worth

The first actual settlement made within the borders of Clayton township was by John Linn, who belonged to the family of Linns who settled the township which | bears their name. This || settlement occurred in 1854, and shortly after- j ward James Livingston came and made his home I in the township. As so frequently occurred, the coming of one member of a family brought others and in 1857, Michael Livingston, a from New Hampshire and settled in the township. Other settlers soon followed and at once began to improve their farms, humble tho these improvements were. Milton Hicks and Jefferson Shepler were among these early comers.

The year following witnessed the coming of the Davison family from New York. There were four of the Davison brothers who came to Illinois. Three of them settled in Woodford county, the fourth, Asa, settled in Fulton county and became editor of the Canton Register. In 1855 John M. Davison settled in Clayton township, and two years later was followed by Norman L. Davison. The other brother, Rowland, had come at an early date from New York for the purpose of investigating Illinois, and purchased government land near Groveland. In 1856 he moved to Linn township. The Davisons have been closely identified with the interests and growth of the county. They descended from patriotic parents, their grandfather having been a soldier in the revolutionary war. John M. Davison was elected school trustee at the first election in the township. Three of the Davison family have served as county officers, P. 11. Davison as treasurer, D. W. Davison as coroner, and D. II. Davison has served all told 30 years as surveyor.

The year of 1855 witnessed the coming of many settlers. Among these was Jacob McChesney, who came from Rennselear county, New York. He still resides in the county having retired from the farm, and is living in Alinonk. His son, Edw^ard D. McChesney, still resides in the township. The same year that these came to Woodford AVait Uphoff came to Peoria from Germany and two years sons, Adam AY., Bart AY., John AY. and Bernhard AY. Uphoff. These with numerous grand-children have been closely connected with the farming community about Benson.

Henry Lohnes was among the early settlers from Rennselear county, New^ York, being attracted here by reports of the productiveness of the soil.

In 1856 Henry Memmen came to the toAvnship, having come from Germany to Peoria in the early '50 's. He resided there for a short time before moving out to the prairies. His widow, who now resides in Benson, has many pleasant memories of the little house that was their first home in this county. There were pioneer hardships to be sure, but there were pleasures, too, that counter-balanced these. Other settlers of this region were Josiah Gardner, Samuel Knowles and Jacob Robinson.

In 1858 F. D. Learned came to the township from Lee county, having originally come from New Hampshire. Foi many years he identified himself with the business and political life of the county. He has been succeeded by his son, F. E. Learned.

William Worthington came in 1855. Another family that has taken a prominent place in the life of the county has been that of John G. Hindert, who came to Marshall county from Germany in 1854. In 1858 they settled in the eastern part of Clayton township on the farm occupied by Mrs. U. J. Hindert. When Mr. Hindert came to this county, Minonk had hut twenty-four houses. His daughter, Mrs. Barney Brockling, resides across the road from her father's farm, while his sons, George, Joseph and John Hindert, are later came to the township. He was the father of four residents of Minonk township. A later settler, whose family has been prominent in the affairs of the county, was Adam Eckhart, whose sons, J. E., Henry and Edward, are connected with the business affairs of Benson. That the growth was at first gradual, may be concluded from the fact that when Peter Gommels settled there in 1869, there were but few houses. These were small and frequently had but two rooms. The prairies were covered with sloughs and ponds in rainy seasons, that made a great deal of waste land. Now the entire township is drained, and practically all is under cultivation.

The early political life of Clayton township was in connection with Linn, as they did not have a sufficient number of inhabitants to form two voting precincts in 1855. For this reason the minutes of the first meeting of the board of supervisors at Metamora April 16th, of that year, show Linn and Clayton townships represented by a single supervisor, Isaac Fisher. This did not continue a great while, however, for in 1859 the townships were divided. The first officers of Clayton elected that year were as follows : Supervisor, J. P. Robinson; Clerk, Henry Lohnes; assessor, James Livingston ; collector, J. Forney ; poor master, Thomas Shreeves ; magistrates, F. P. Tuthill. and F. H. Lockwood ; commissioners, Hiram Livingston, William Linn and C. N. Darling ; constables, C. H. Robinson and W. Cole.

In 1859 the Clayton Baptist church was founded by Rev. M. L. Fuller. Services were first held at the home of dames lluxtalde. Later services were held at the school house. The organization gave promise of growth, and in 1866 a church was erected two miles east and one mile south of the present site of the town. The organization hud about thirty-five membeis, and the following winter a large number were converted. Their first pastor was Rev. William Parker, who was followed by his brother, Rev. Moses Parker. Services continued to be held there until about twenty years ago, when they were abandoned, and the church was moved away. The site of the church is marked by the Clayton cemetery.

The first school in the township was taught. by P. II. Davison, but there was no school house at that time. A year later, in 1855 a little school house was erected with Jacob Mc- Chesney as teacher. This later become known as the Jefferson school. In 1856 the township was divided into nine districts, altho some of these had no school for several years. There are now eight rural and one graded school in Clayton, and they expend $6,500 annually for school purposes.

The northern part of the township has been known for many years as Yankeetown. The road east from the Washington school house was bordered by houses erected by settlers from the eastern states, hence the appropriateness of the name. For many years there was a postoffice at Yankeetown, but on the institution of the rural mail service this office was abandoned and the patrons were attached to one of the Minonk routes. The office was in the home of P. H. Davison and later of his son, Paul. The mail was carried from Minonk by a carrier.

Bartlett W. Uphoff; clerk, J. W. Heiken; assessor, Frank Vogel; collector, William Reinken; justice of the peace, J. G. Silldorff and D. Davis; constables, Enn Oltman and W. C. Monk ; commissioners, Joseph Bucklear, Mike Fisher, W. F. Uphoff.

Greene. Greene is one of those townships that has no town located within its borders, altho there were stores there at an early date. The timber lands along Panther Creek proved an inviting held for early settlers, who believed that lands on which timber would not grow were not fit for farming. The township was settled at an early date, but was not settled rapidly. In 1840 there were but a dozen families within its borders. The first settlers came to that region in 1829, from the vicinity of Overton, Tenn. William, Allen, Winslow and Almira Patrick were among those, who made a permanent settlement. Amasa Stout settled there but only remained a short time. Of the former family, two, William and Winslow Patrick, lie buried in the cemetery on the west bank of Panther creek. The latter met his death while assisting young Bilbrey, who came in 1830, in the erection of his cabin. His head was crushed between the wagon and a log. Mr. Bilbrey remained there several years before moving to Money Creek in McLean county. In 1831 the first child born in the township was born to them. His daughter, Mrs. Armstrong, who resides in Secor, tells many interesting stories of their pioneer life, altho she only remembers them as they were told to her. The early comers met with many trying experiences. They had to build their own cabins, and while they were doing this, they slept in rail pens, covered with slough grass. There were dangers from exposure, from privation and from the Indians, altho the latter never really molested them. The Black Hawk war came on and stories of massacres created a feeling of dread among isolated settlers, and caused them to seek shelter in the older communities.

thf same place in Tennessee, lml had lingered on the way. Abram Ilahn and Jacob Kindelsbeyer came from Ohio, and F. Y. Barnard, from Tennessee. Others followed slowly, hut the real growth of the township did not begin until the construction of the Illinois Central. Prior to 1854 there was a postoffice at the home of Francis Y. Barnard, known as Josephine, hut upon the completion of the Central road it was transferred to Panola.

The name of Armstrong has figured prominently in the history of the township. John and Alex Armstrong were the pioneers, and had much to do with the development of the neighborhood. Among the younger generation were,' William, Garret, Alex, Steven, James, Rankin, John and Miles Armstrong. There are still four representatives of the family residing in Greene, John, Festus. Henry and Grant. Several reside in Secor, among them being Mrs. Rankin Armstrong, John and Miles Armstrong. These with their children, have been well known in that vicinity for many years.

In 1854 John Cauley came to Greene township from Roanoke, Virginia, and in 1856 they were followed by Andrew Ruddell. The widow of the latter still lives in the county, being a resident of Benson.

Michael Evey came to Woodford county from Ohio in 1852. The family originally came from Pennsylvania, but had remained a short time in Ohio before coming on to Illinois. John Evey, a son of Michael, came on the train with the women and children of the party, which was made up of twelve families. The men drove overland to their destination. The family of Mr. Evey settled in Greene township where they resided many years. Among the children, who were well known in the county, were, Mrs. William Meginnis, Mrs. John Frantz, Michael Evey, Jr., David and John M. Evey. Of the family, S. M. Evey, a son of the lasi named, is the sole representative in Woodford county, and still resides

James Iluxtable came to the county in the latter part oi the fifties, and at onee took a prominent part in the affairs of the community, being especially interested in the work of the Clayton church. His children have been identified with the political and business life of the county in many ways, being especially connected with the interests of Clayton and Greene. One of his sons, Thomas, held the office of county clerk at the time of his death.

Sebastian Vogel settled in the township in 1857, He was the father of Frank, John, William, Tony, Henry, Joseph a ad Sebastian Vogel, Mrs. Caroline Kapraun and Mrs. Mary Hummed. The descendants of Mr. Vogel occupy a wiJe scope of territory in the township and own hundreds of acres of its best lands. This region is known as the Vogel settlement.

Mathias Williamson came to Greene township from Butler county, Ohio, and settled a mile north of Secor. He had four sons, who still reside in the county, two in Secor and two in ElPaso : James A. Williamson, present postmaster of Secor ; William N. Williamson, also of that place ; John II. and Louis Williamson of ElPaso. Other names prominent among early settlers were those of AVilliam Marshall, James Miller, Samuel and Richard Patton, Simpson and William McCord. An old settler in the county, altho a more recent comer in the township, is Abbo A. Koerner, who fromerly lived between Eurelia and Secor.

Judge George W. Patton, who has since won a high position as an attorney and judge, was born in Greene township. He is now judge of the circuit in which Woodford county is located and resides at Pontiac.

Jonathan Wilson came with his father, Nathanial Wilson, to Metamora in 1835, and moved to Greene township in 1850. He carried the chain while engaged in the surveying of county lines almost seventy years ago. He was quite young at the time, but remembers many experiences met with while he was engaged in the work. They ran across some Indian corn cribs that were nothing more nor less than trenches dug in the ground. Mr. Wilson lias made his home in the county since that time with the exception of the last few years, which have been spent in California. Three of his children, Frank and Ed. Wilson, ami Mrs. Emma Kindig still reside in the township.

Wm. W. Wood settled in Greene township in 1856. His son, J. G. Wood, has resided in the county the entire time, with the exception of four years. He now resides in Secor.

A. II. Brubaker came there in 1856 and became a prominent figure in the political life of the township and county, lie has held numerous prominent positions, having been supervisor several terms and in 1886 was elected to the state legislature. In 1884 he moved to Benson and has been closely connected with its business interests, being now at the head of the Farmers' Bank. Mr. Brubaker was the first man to haul a load of tile onto a Greene township farm. His plan was ridiculed by some of his neighbors, but its success soon led them to follow his example.

The Hammers family also came to Greene township at an early date, Joseph, Samuel and James Hammers being among the pioneers. Isaac Hammers, a younger member of the same family, is now a well known attorney of ElPaso, and at one time represented this district in the state legislature.

During the '50 's a store was conducted near the cemetery on Panther creek. It was owned and managed by Gabe Woods and as a result the vicinity was known as Gabetown. A saw mill was operated there by James Carroll. There was also another store conducted by Isaac Hammers and William Crosley, but it was moved to Panola, when the Central was completed.

In 1855 Greene township was created in the division of the county into townships, the following officers were elected as the first township officiary : Supervisor, J. R. Gaston ; clerk, G. S. Wood ; collector, D. T. Patterson ; magistrates, Benjamin Sample and William Harper; constables, J. F. Stephenson and J. F. Mohr.

The first school was taught in a little log school house in 1840, with William Armstrong as the first teacher. This met the needs of the township for many years. In 1856 the Willow Tree school was built. Schools have multiplied since then, until there are now seven schools in the township, with an annual expenditure for school purposes exceeding $2,500.

There are no churches in the township, altho for a number of years services have been held in the town hall, the Christian, Methodist and Evangelical churches having held services there at various times. In the early days many of the people worshipped in what was afterward known as the Clayton Baptist church. Still others formed the beginning of the Panola Baptist church, it being first known as the Willow Tree church. Many of the people worship at the Dunkard church, which is just across the line in Roanoke township. Still others worship in the adjoining towns.

In 1876 the town hall was erected near the center of the township, and has since served the purpose of a general meeting place for the people. It is also used as a place of worship.

Altho Greene township has no city in its boundries, it has sent forth an unusually large number of men prominent in political life. Among these may be named the following : A. II. Brubaker and Isaac B. Hammers, members of the legislature ; T. W. and L. C. Gish, sheriffs ; L. C. Gish, treasurer ; G. W. Patton, circuit judge ; Thomas Iluxtable, county clerk ; L. II. and F. A. VanAlstine, circuit clerks. These were not all residents of Greene township at the time of their election, but had at one time resided there.

The township officers are as follows : Supervisor, Frank Vogel ; clerk, W. H. Kindig ; assessor, C. E. Miller ; collector, J. W. Cawley ; commissioners, Frank Hummel, John H. Swatsley, Ben Bohlander, II. A. Redenius; justices, C. E. Miller, J. J. Kapraun.

Mr. and Mrs. V. Houseworth are among the oldest residents of Greene township. Mrs. Houseworth, whose name was Reedy prior to her marriage, has lived on their home farm fifty-two years.