Bridgeport Township

Bridgeport Township

Is located on parts of sections 8-9, (T. 3 - 12), on the line of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. The original proprietors were David D. Lanterman and Aaron Shaw. They had the town laid out and platted by Walter Buchanan, County Surveyor, in the summer of 1854. During the building of the O. & M. R. R., the company erected five or six shanties on the north side of the road, (which have since been torn down), and John Burk, one of the foremen, named it Bridgeport, from the bridge crossing Indian creek at this point, and a year later, when the town was laid out, the name was continued.

Samuel Thorn erected a frame one-story store building, just north of the railroad, which is still standing on what is now the west side of Main street. He put in a general stock of goods. In 1854, G. W. Cooper, jr. built a small frame store-house on the lot where now stands the Centennial Hotel. It was the first business house erected after the town was platted. In the spring of 1854, George Schreck erected a small log-house on 2d street, between Main and Jefferson, which was the first residence in the town. About the time of the completion of the above, several parties began the erection of residences and stores, and during the remainder of the year ten or a dozen were completed. Among the parties who erected buildings, were George W. Cooper, sr., George W. Cooper, jr., Philip Guiues, Henry Guines, James Lanterman, John and Jerre Hill. Jackson Lamott built the first hotel, in 1858. The town kept on growing until the fall of 1861, when a fire broke out in the centre of the business block, on the we-t side of Main street and destroyed the whole block. Within a year or two the buildings were replaced, only to be again destroyed by fire about twelve years later. The block was again replaced with larger and more durable buildings, this time with substantial brick structures.

perors condition. It then had a pork packing establishment and other enterprises and industries flourished here, which attracted the citizens from several miles of the surrounding country, and the place became quite a business centre for trade with the farmers. It was a rival of Lawrenceville for the county seat, for which a vote of the people of the county was taken, the majority vote, however, was in favor of retaining the county seat at Lawrenceville.

Corporation. Bridgeport was incorporated by sper ial act of the Legislature, Feb. 16th, 1865, by the name and style of "The Town of Bridgeport." The government being vested in five trustees, to be elected by the voters of the town, on the .first Monday in April, of each year; also to elect one Police Magistrate, and town Constable. The corporate trustees were M. D. Frazier, Gideon Schleuker, Lyman Utter, G. W. Cooper, jr., and William Lockwood. The present board at this writing, (March, 1883), are John A. Baird, president of the board, Theo. Smith, Martin Eshelmau, B F. Watson and Adolph Schmalhausen. Carl Busse, Clerk and Police Magistrate. William Gray, Constable.

Early Churches. - The first house of worship erected in the town, was by the Christian denomination, about the year 1858. At the present writing, there are a Christian, Methodist. Presbyterian, and Catholic, all substantial buildings.

Early Schools. - The first school-house was a frame building, erected in the northwest part of the town, in 1860. It was used until the present commodious brick structure was erected, in 1881, at a cost of upward of $4000.

Bridgeport City Milk, was built by J. L. Coleman, about twenty-five years ago. The present proprietors are J. D. Sage & Son. They purchased the mill in 1873. It is a three-story building, operated by steam, and contains three run of burrs, one set of rolls and two purifiers, and is both a custom and merchant mill. "Sages Pride" and several other brands find a ready market in Cincinnati, besides many local points. Capacity, 100 barrels per twenty four hours.

Present Business Harlie V. Lewis

THE Lewis family trace their ancestry back through , several generations to David Lewis, a Scotch-Irishman, who came to America in the latter part of the last century, He was a tall, athletic man, the father of Isaiah, who came to Lawrence county in 1820, and settled on a farm known since as the Bear farm, where he lived a number of years, then moved to Terre Haute, Indiana. He , taught the first school, in several different neighborhoods. Prior to coming to Illinois there was born to him a son, Philip, who remained in Lawrence county, ! Philip, a wheelwright and farmer, was for some years a preacher of the Universalist faith. During the latter part of his life he was equally zealous as a member of the Christian church. He died Feb. 4, 1873. His family consisted of sixteen children. One of these, William M., was born in 1828. William M. Lewis was an active business man. When a young man he followed the trade of a carpenter. When Bridgeport was first laid off he erected the depot, and soon after commenced dealing in grain. In this business he continued until the time of his death, which occurred February 3d, 1882. During the last five years he combined with his other interests that of dealer in hardware. As a business man he possessed marked ability. Although he had never attended school longer than six months, but democracy from the time of casting his first ballot, which was for James K. Polk, until the organization of the Republican party, in 1856. He is a member of the between parties were difficult. He was married to Catharine Eaton, daughter of Caius Eaton, a native of Vermont, who survives him. Caius Eaton was among the first teachers as well as first justices in Lawrence- j M, E. Church, also of the Masonic order, being M ville. Mrs. Lewis is an evangelist in the strictest sense ter of the Bridgeport Lodge No. 383, at the present of the term, as she proclaims her faith in every household. Few more zealous or active Christian women can be found than she. To William M. and wife were born six children, Henry H. and Mollie M., now dead. Harlie V.. Siegel D., and Marion are living.

Dr. Harlie V. Lewis obtained a good common school education, then attended the medical institute of Cincinnati, whence he graduated March 2d, 1880. He was married to Hettie Ray, daughter of Dr. Thomas

Ray, Oct. 5, 1881. In 1882 he was elected coroner of Lawrence county. He is a pronounced democrat politically, an active member of the Christian church, religiously. As a physician he is acquiring a fine practice.

Dr. Milton D. Frazer

THIS leading physician was born in Richmond, Wayne county Indiana, April 26th, 1824. His father, Daniel Frazer, was a native of Randolph county, North Carolina, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Hays. About the year 1814, they moved from their Carolinian home to Indiana. Their ancestral line runs back on the father's side to English birth, and on the mothers, to Scotch. To David and wife were born a family of thirteen children, two of whom died in infancy. The members of this family are much scattered, some in Kansas, Missouri and here. David Frazer died in 1845. Milton D Frazer obtained a fair common school education in New Castle, where his parents located, in 1833, which was supplemented by attendance at the County Seminary. In 1844, he commenced the study of his chosen profession, that of medicine, with Dr. James Home, of Middletown, Indiana, with whom he remained three years, when he commenced practice in Yorktown. He continued in the practice hereabout five years: then in Xenia, Miami county, Ohio, until 1861, when he came to Bridgeport. He was graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, in 1863. In his time. Social in his demeanor, skilled in his profession, earnest in his study, he is recognized as among the best physicians of this part of the state.

Philip Belles

THE subject of the folio wing sketch was born in Luzerne county, Pa., in 1843. He was the fourth son of Philip Belles, Sr., who married Jane Keichliue. He emigrated with his parents to Lawrence county in 1854, and settled on section 29, range 3, 12 west. He resided with his parents until 1862, when, on the 14th day of August of that year he enlisted in company I, 130th regiment Illinois infantry. He took part in the following engagements: Port Hudson, Champions Hill, Big Black river, Siege of Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss. After these engagements he was transferred to the Gulf department, and during Banks' unfortunate expedition up Red river he was taken prisoner at Sabine Cross Roads. He was immediately taken to Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas, where he was confined as a prisoner ofwar from April 6th, 1864, until paroled May 25, 1865. The prisoners who were confined there were put in a stockade eight feet high in which was a dead-line fifteen feet from the stockade, and any prisoner passing that line, either accidentally or otherwise, incurred the penalty of death, at the option of the guard. It is also his candid opinion, from circumstances which came under his own personal observation, that guards were promoted and given furloughs for shooting down a prisoner when found over the dead-line. To illustrate it more distinctly, he remembers a case in which a prisoner from an Ohio regiment was persuaded across the dead line by a sentinel, with promises that he should not be molested, as he simply wanted to talk to him. When the prisoner was within five or six feet of the stockade thesentinel warned the man that he would shoot him, and as the prisoner turned to run the sentinel shot him in the back. That practice^e has had marked success. He is a member ! next seen was sergeant in command of a squad of Conof the Grant county (Indiana) Medical Society, and of federate soldiers. During their confinement three diflerthe Lawrence co., Society of which he is president. He ent attempts were made to tunnel out of the prison, was united in marriage with Eliza Haupt, daughter of [ Owing to the treachery of some of the prisoners these Abraham and Eliza Haupt, of Wabash county, June were not very successful, and even when successful, the 28, 1845. To them have been born six children, two of chances of escape to the Union lines were very meager, -whom died in infancy, and four are living, namely : Car- j as there was a corral of blood-hounds kept at the stockoline Beau champ, of Tipton, Indiana; Charles Frazer, ade for the purpose of capturing escaped prisoners a practicing physician, at St. Francesville, Wabash coun- ; Some of the hounds would strikea trail forty-eight hours ty, Illinois ; Fremont, a cleik in a drug store, and Edwin | old and overtake the prisoner. At one time he was an H., Deputy cleik, Lawrenceville, and attorney at law. ! eye-witness where six blood-hounds caught a prisoner Edwin H. was educated in Vincennes, Bloomington and and mangled him so that he died within five days. Atone time their rations for five days were a pint and a half of shelled corn. The above are some of the hardships endured by Mr. Belles and his comrades in a rebel prison. To enumerate all of them would require a volume. He was mustered out of service on the 17th day of June, 1865, and immediately returned to his father's home, where he has since followed the occupation of a farmer. He was married Dec. 20,h, 1866, to Miss Lizzie Ramsey, daughter of Joseph and Mary \ Ramsey, nee Wiuship, who now reside in Richland county, 111. From this union there are no offspring. He united with the Presbyterian church in 1881, of which he is still a consistent member. He became a lifemember of the Union Ex-Prisoners of War Association Jan. 12, 1882. Since he became a voter he has always been a staunch Republican, being the only one of his family who incline to that belief. He is a representative man of his party, having been several times delegate to county conventions, and also strongly solicited to serve as supervisor of his township, which honor he has studiously declined. He is an honest, upright, industrious citizen, respected by his neighbors and loved by his friends.

Coffee

jjOFFEE precinct derives its name from the circumstance, that a quantity of coffee was lost from a keel boat, in her passage up the Wabash, near the island which also received the name of Coffee island. It is irregularly triangular in shape, and embraces all that portion of the county lying between Bunpas creek and the Wabash, and south of the northern tier of sections of township 2 south. It is bounded on the north by Bellmont and Mt. Carmel precincts, on the east and south by Indiana, from which it is separated by the Wabash, and on the west by El wards' county, from which it is separated by Bonpas creek. The surface is mainly level. A range of bluffs extends along the Wabash, and gradually terminates towards the Bonpas bottom. The soil both of the upland and the bottom is sandy. | It is fertile, and yields corn and wheat abundantly, j South and west of Keensburg is Compton's prairie, about two miles long and a mile and a half in width. There are heavy belts of timber along the Bonpas and . Wabash. The country around Keensburg, some of which now supports a heavy growth of timber, was ' originally covered by "blackjacks." There was once a j large quantity of cane in the bottom, now displaced by j timber. Coffee and Village creeks supply drainage for the interior.

The first important settlement in the county was made in this precinct, on the Wabash river, at Rochester, by a few families of French descent, in the early part of the present century. The pioneers in this settlement and the leaders among the colonists were the brothers j Augustus and William Tougas or Lavulette, or, as the ' family name now is, Lovelette. Mrs. Tougas, mother of Augustus and William, and two other brothers, Joseph and Francis, married a man named Lavulette or Lovelette, and this became the family name. Joseph and Francis, however, who settled at St. Francesville, Lawrence county, adhered to their ancestral name of Tougas. These four brothers were men of large stature, and of great physical power and courage. This wa« especially true of Augustus. He was six feet and six inches in height, and to his great physical powers were added shrewdness and foresight. He and his brother remained in the midst of the hostile and treacherous Piankishaws, trading with them, while others fled at the news of the Cannon, and the Burway and Pichinaut massacres. Their families were at different times, as occasion demanded, sent to Vincennes for safety. The word of Augustus among the tribe was law, not because they loved, but because they feared him. He even went so far as to punish them for their misdeeds. On one oc. casion an Indian stole a rifle, which Lovelette had recently purchased at Vincennes. The Indian at first denied the taking, but after having been "strung up" three successive times, much after the fashion of the late occurrence at Taylorsville, he confessed his guilt, and told where the gun might be found. After the manner of his day, he would sometimes, as occasion demanded, indulge in a "rough-and-tumble." The hardest fight of his life was with an Indian, many of whose comrades stood by and witnessed the contest, never offering to interfere, showing something of honor where there was so much of treachery and cruelty. Augustus not only traded with the Indians, but purchased produce from the white settlers, and boated it to New Orleans, sometimes walking all the way back. At one time, on his return, he and some companions met a man who invited them to go with him to his cabin and spend the approaching night. Though a brave man, Lovelette felt some misgivings, but yielded to the de- sire of the rest of the company, who, less shrewd than he, saw no danger. Their suspicions, however, became ^xcited, as one by one, strangers, each armed with a

Rochester, remaining there about two years, and then moving to the N. J of section 10, where he followed farming and stock raising. Here he died in 184->, leav.

gun, came into the cabin. They set their guns near the ing children, yet living in the precinct. Joseph Burcabiu door as they entered, and spent much of their j way and Joseph Pichinaut also belonged to the French time without. Lovelette and his companions lay down j settlement. The former married Theresa Gaudier, and to rest, apparently, but really to watch, having arranged j had one child, a little boy, when he arrived. The latter for a signal, at which, in case of any hostility shown by had a wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Bierjaut, their hosts, they were to leap to the door and seize the and two little boys.

killed by the Indians in the Coffee bottoms. They had gone in quest of their horses to go to mill at Vincennes. Pichinaut was unarmed, but Burway was carrying a heavy rifle that made a peculiar report when discharged. William Arnold, John Compton, and Samuel Simcoe, the latter on horseback, were in the bottom at the time referred to. They heard the report of a gun, which they recognized as Burway's, followed by a volley, and guessing the meaning and result, without further investigation spread the alarm, and Samuel Mclntosh, John Compton, John Decker, Thomas Pirlliam, Henry from the ground, and the puncheons were not fastened down. During the night one of them was raised up and a hand appeared. The preconcerted signal was given, the guns were seized, the strangers disarmed and held under guard till morning, when the arms were broken and cast into a pond. The Lovelettes came to the county from Vincennes, and first settled a little above Rochester, at the mouth of Coffee creek. Subsequently Augustus moved to the present site of Rochester, and there built a heavy log-house, and also a blockhouse, continuing there till about 1838, when he sold out to Dr. Ezra Baker, and moved to Mt. Carmel, there Gambrel, Russell Aldridge, Jarvis Hazleton, William keeping a hotel. He continued this business a number j Arnold, and George Barney went in pursuit. They of years, and then returned to the precinct where, in found the bodies of the men at the head of Baird's 1849, he died- His wife's maiden name was Eleanore pond, stripped, scalped, and mutilated. The body of Desloriers. His first child, Eleanore, now Mrs. Stewart, ! Burway had been pierced by many bullets, and the of Texas, was, according to the best recollection, born in character of his wounds, together with several reports Vincennes in 1803. Five children lived to rear families, of his rifle, showed that he had died game. Pichinaut one of whom is Mrs. Sharp, of Mt. Carmel. It is re- was of a timid, peace-loving disposition, had been lated of William Lovelette, who it is claimed by some ! tomahawked, not shot. His hands were split open from traded with the Indians at Rochester before his brother, that on one occasion he thrust a burning candle into a keg of powder, to the great terror of a number of Indians who were present, demanding, with hostile debetween the fingers, indicating that he had raised them before his blood-thirsty pursuers in protection of his head. The Indians' trail was pursued for some distance without important practical results. Calumny, that chandise by one of their number. When he first arrived at the mouth of Coffee creek he had a family of two children, William and Jane. After a residence of six says that the party were about to come up with the Indians, and, through cowardice, abandoned the pursuit. It is supposed that Burway killed five of his assailants.

Raccoon creek in Lawrence county, and thence, after a couple of years, to the neighborhood of Viucennes. After a short stay at this point he returned to the precinct, and settled on the S. E. 1 of section 10, T. 2 S. R. 13 W. As early as 1816 or '17 he built and operated a horse-mill. In 1815 he was assessed for a " mansion house." This was the only assessment for that species of property at that time in Edwards county. He died on his farm at the age of seventy-five years. Some of the members of his numerous family of children are yet in the precinct. Shortly after William first arrived came his mother and her daughter, Barbara, about ten or twelve years of age. He built for her a separate cabin near his own.

John Degan, a member of the French settlement, came from Detroit to Vincennes, and thence to the precinct, shortly after the Lovelettes. His family conhad been concealed in a hollow low log, were found by the pursuing party. Some time afterward, three or four other bodies that appeared to have been hastily covered with leaves and brush were discovered. At the time of the massacre, John Stillwell was attending his cattle in the bottom, and the Indians had encamped the previous night within half a mile of his headquarteis. He was seized with alarm, and left his cattle to take care of themselves, observing that the Indians "might want old John's scalp." Francis Degan, brother of John, came about 1811 or '12 with a family of two children, Augustus and Francis, Jr., and settled on the bluff, a short distance below Rochester. Francis is now one of the influential farmers of the precinct. One Gail, known in his day as old Grandfather Gail, was an early settler, with a large family. The Indian depredations brought alarm to the settlement, and its memsisted of his wife, his sons, Henry and William, and his I hers fled for safety to Vincennes. This circumstance enstep son, Frank Burway. He settled first on the site of tailed a weakness upon it, from which it never recovered.

As early as 1810, a settlement was formed at Campbell's Landing, sec. 11, T. 2 S. R. 14 W., the central figbrel. The captives were with the Indians about six months, and were ransomed with ponies by Governor ure of which was the family of that name. James , Harrison. The year of this massacre, 1815, was that of Campbell, of Scotch descent, came from Kentucky, with ' the arrival in the precinct of Daniel Keen and David a family of seven children, viz., Samuel, John, Dougal, Wright. .The former at the age of eighteen years came James, Mary, Hester and Sally. He also had thirteen I as a part of his father's family from Ohio, to what is now slaves whom he set at liberty, in Illinois. Eleven of j Wabash precinct, about the year 1814, and there in the them were afterward kidnapped and sold back again in- - following year married Mary Compton, moved to Coffee to slavery. The family were not wholly unmolested by i precinct, and settled on the N. E. i of sec. 9, the place the hostile Piaukishaws, whose village was' a short dis- j of his permanent residence. He was an influential man tance above the Landing, but were, at one time, obliged in his neighborhood and served acceptably as county to flee across the river for safety. The Landing was i commissioner for a number of years, the receiving point for the produce in that vicinity that | He was a heavy-set, powerful man, and withal a good sought a market over the waters of the Wabash. Here j specimen of the pioneer. His cabin home was the was Campbell's Ferry, over which the ill-starred Cannon ) settlers' church, where the gospel was first heard and the family crossed to their cruel fate. Henry Painter, a "jerks" first witnessed. Here also, in 1819, the first church German, not far from this time, 1810, with a family of ' society (of the New Light Persuasion) was organized, three sons, Jacob, Philip and Joseph, and a daughter, Three of Mr. Keen's children are yet living, E. B. on the Chaney, settled on the present site of Cowling. Here ! old home place, where his father died, in 1874, at the was the old Painter grave-yard, over which extended the I age of 82 years. David Wright was originally from wagon-road. One Parks and Henry Gambrel lived j Ohio, and came to the precinct, a widower, having left somewhere in this vicinity. John Grayson, with a fam- : his little son, now Robert E. Wiight, of Mt. Carmel, in ily of six children, viz., Jackson, Susan, William, Na- j Indiana. About 1820 he married Sarah Mclntosh, poleon, Elijah and Robert, arrived from Indiana in 1814, j sister of Samuel, and settled on the S. E. }, section 22, and entered the S. W. 1 of sec. 31. He was a man of range 13 west, and his son then becoming a member of character and enterprise, and built the first water-mill , the new family. He was a wide-awake business man, in the precinct, on the Bonpas, a short distance above ' and traded in cattle and real estate. His death, which the railroad. A writ of quod damnum was issued to ] resulted from a stab, received at the hands of his nephew, view a site for the mill, in 1817, and it was probably ! took place in 1830.

built in that year. It was at one time rebuilt, and it | Elijah Compton, brought with him a family of three subsequently washed partly away and was abandoned, children, William, John, and Emanuel, and scitled on Grayson and most of his family died from disease con- the N. E. J of section 8, township 2 S. He reared traded in the malarial bottom. Some of the descen- a family of eight children, and died about 1840. Walter dants, however, are living in the precinct. John Cannon, i Garner came from Virginia, in 1816 or '17, and settled his three sons and his son-in-law, John Starks, came j on theS. W. i of section 24. He reared quite a family across the river, from Indiana, in 1815, and built a house j of children, amd after a residence in the precinct of on or near the site of the old Painter grave-yard. The about twenty-jears, moved away. James Landsdown was building was completed for the rest of the family, and a hunter, and never located anywhere permanently. He they came and took possession of their new home, late i was rather trifling in disposition and fond of fighting in the afternoon. Two of the sons were to return to In- j He reared a considerable family of children. John diana the next day, and went that afternoon as far as | Cradock settled in section 24. He had three sons, Samuel Campbell s. The father, mother, their little I Joseph, Benjamin, and Michael, and two or three daughter, their son Samuel, the son-in-law and an aged daughters. Charles P. Burns moved from North Carolady remained and spent the approaching night at their lina to Kentucky, and came thence to Illinois, in 1817. new home. Next morning they went out to cut a bee- He married a daughter of James Campbell, and settled tree they had discovered a few days before, and were at- on section 11, township 3 south, at Campbell's lauding.

He lived here till 1831, and then moved to Albion, where he died. He was one of the earliest justices in the made captives. The later ran so fast that his pursuers ' precinct. He reared a family of four children, two of had some difficulty in overtaking him. He leaped from 1 whom, Nancy and N. C. are yet living, the latter, wella rock or b'uff clear across the Bonpas, and landing in known, in Mt. Carmel. D.iniel Groves belongs to this the soft mud sank into it nearly to his knees. His body i period, and was an excellent citizen. He lived in Jorwas found headless and bereft of the collar bones, and , dan's, now Crackle's prairie. John McCleary and his of the lower portions of the limbs, which were left stick- | wife were natives of Pennsylvania, and moved to Ohio, ing in the mud. The bodies were wrapped in a horse- j They carne thence in 1815 to the vicinity of Vincennes, skin, and buried without a coffin, in the first grave dug where they remained till 1817, when they moved to in the Painter grave-yard. Among those who officiated fractional section 31, township 2 south, range 13 west, a at this sad rite were Samuel Mclutosh and Henry Gam- ' locality known as the McCluarly's Bluff. They brought six children, James, John, Elizabeth, Peggy, Sarah, and Juli&nna. Mr. McCltary died iu 1837, at the age of seventy years, and was buried on the bluff. His wife died in 1844, aged sixty-nine years, and was buried by her husband. Their sons, James and John, became well-known citizens of the precinct.

About the year 1818 came William Arnold, Thomas Baird, Reuben Blackford. Henry Bignon, Elias Jordan, and one Violette. Arnold lived on the N. W. t of sec" tion 10, township 2 south, range 13 west. He had a family of three boys, Thomas, Jesse, and William, Jr. He was a daring hunter, and on one occasion when he and a neighbor were hunting in the bottom, and the dogs had brought a bear to bay, he approached, and placing the muzzle of his gun close to the animal's side shot it. Baird came fropi Ky. with a family of two sons, Ralph and James, and settled in the precinct. The sons married and settled on portions of the old place. The Bairds were good farmers and excellent citizens. Blackford brought to the precinct a family of five children, Easter, Thompson, James, John, and Betsey, and settled on section 13. Jordan settled about four miles west of Keensburg, in the prairie, now Crackle's, that then bore his name He was a man of influence, force of Character and bravery, and served as captain in the Black Hawk war. He had four sons, Ji. ho, William, Logan, and Charles. Bignon, and one Violette, were also settlers of 1818, the latter living a little north of Cowling. Two brothers, James and John Gray, brought families from Kentucky, and also settled near this village.

At first Indian hostility and outrage, especially during the war of 1812, and later the noxious miasma of the low lands checked the progress of immigration, and in 1819 or '20 there was a smaller number of arrivals than in 1817 or '18. In 1820 Mathew Heniken settled about two miles south of Keensburg. James Keunerly also arrived in this year, as likewise John Nesler. Kennerly settled near Campbell's landing. He was twice married, and by his second wife had one child, Charles. He is reputed to have been a good man, and he represented the county in the State Legislature. He also held the office of justice of the peace. Nesler was a short, thickset man from Kentucky. He married Susan Garner, and settled on the N. E. J- of section 10. He died in the precinct at an advanced age, leaving children who still survive him. Mo.'es P. New&um was a native of Mass., and came to Illinois in 1820. He settled on fractional section 36, township 2 south, range 14 west. lie had one son when he arrived in the country. He was by pro- j fession a minister of the gospel. Henry Rotrammel, a ! Pennsylvania German, came from Indiana with a large I family iu 1824. He was a bell-maker, and established a forge at Campbell s landing. Bell-making was at this time an important trade. Ephraim Phar came to the precinct with three children, Eliphalet, Melinda, ami Mary, in 1825. He was a man of some education for ! his day, and a new light minister. He also held the office i of county commissioner. Jeremiah Ruth, in 1825, settled opposite Gray ville. On the west half of section 13, there was an Indian village and a burial-ground. Seven graves could be distinctly seen. The spot is now under cultivation. There was also one of these villages at " Village Bend," on the Wabash, in section 5 or 7. Piankishaw Bend, so named from the Piankishaw Indians, occurs at sec. 36, township 2 south. Bonpas Ferry, just south of the Wabash, St. Louis, and Pacific railroad bridge, was esstablished as early as 1835, and continued in operation till 1872. The boat was sufficient to carry a four-horse team and wagon. The first school was taught by William Townsend, a bachelor and Methodist minister, in the year 1818, in a log school-house, on the S. E. J of the S. E. J of section 10. The Arnolds, Landsdowns, Bairds, Lovelettes, and De Gans, to the number of about twenty attended the school. Townsend taught about six months> and was succeeded by Reuben Fox, also a bachelor. Fox was something of a " permanent " in the county ; and taught at different points. Early land entries in township 2 south, range 13 west: October 3, 1814, Wra. Jones entered all of section 11 ; October 12, 1814, John Grayson, of all section 31 ; December 2, 1814, A. Tougas Lovelette, fractional section 14; December 12, 1814, John Marshall, the S. E. i of section 10 ; July 2, 1815, Levi Compton, the N. E. J of seciion 9 ; January 20, 1816, J B. Langlois, N. Mr. J of section 10: Oct. 7, 1816, Joan McClary, fractional section 29; July 14, 1817, John Ruth, the S. E. 1 of section 7.

Formerly called Coffee Island, is situated on the. northeast quarter of section 14, township 2, south range 13 west. Its history has been a very eventfuLone. It has twice risen to prominence and importance, and as often sunk into decay and obscurity. It was the scene of one of the two first settlements made in Wabash county, and the place of the first negotiations in trade between the white man and the Indian. An eye-witness, now living> saw as many as three hundred "children of the forest" gathered at a time in idle contentment about the rude trading-place of her father. The town was laid out in

1839 by Dr. Ezra Baker, Jr., and surveyed and platted by James Knapp, county surveyor. In that year the building of the Rochester grist mill was begun. When completed it was one of the best mills in its range of country. It supplied Mt. Carruel, Albion, Grayville, Princeton and Olney with flour, leaker's store was built in

1840 or '41. It was at that time the best store in Wabash county. In connection with the store the proprietor did a large business in pork-packing and grain buying, pressing into his service a steamboat expressly for the advancement of these different depanments. About 1839 he prft up a saw-mill with two sets of saws, water and steam-power, shipping lumber to New Orleans and other points in flat boats built in Rochester. Baker put up a carding machine about 1845, the smithing and forging for which were done by Samuel Shaw, of Mt. Carmel. In 1847 Shaw built a shop and made the first

Diamond plows manufactured in the county. A chair factory was also in operation here. The grist mill, about 1850, came into the possession of George Legier, who moved it back from the river. But "the noise of the busy," the hum of machinery and the clank of the anvil are no more. Disease settled like a pall over the town, and what were once life and activity are in the last stages of decay. About this year Baker laid out Rochester, and adjoining it on the north, by Thomas S. Hinde, was laid out Pocahontas, which was always regarded as its rival. It was surveyed and platted by James Knapp, county surveyor, but was never improved.

On the southwest quarter of section 8, township 2 south, range 13 west, was surveyed and platted by county surveyor, Robert Buchanan, for Ornamiel H. Keen, and the plat was recorded in the office of the circuit clerk, April 18, 1874. The town enjoys the advantages of a good location on the Wabash railroad, and by the census of 1880 had sixty-eight inhabitants. The first building was a store put up by Keen, the proprietor, and the first goods sold were disposed of by the firm of Keen and Mitchell (William C. Keen and B. M. Mitchell) in the spring of 1873. In March 20, 1874, the post-office was moved to this place from Rochester, William C. Keen being the first post-master. In this year Dr. John Truscott located in the town. The Keensburg Flouring Mill was moved from Rochester to its present site in 1874. It is Dr. Baker's old threestory frame mill, and has two run of burrs. In 1879 it became the property of William E. Keen, its present

Was surveyed and platted by Robert Buchanan for Francis M. Cowling on the southeast quarter of section 26, and Joseph Snyder on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of said section, township 2, south range 14 west. The plat was filed for record June 26, 1875. The town contains a store kept by Joseph H. Compton, a blacksmith shop and seven or eight dwellings. The post-office was moved to this place from formerly called Logansburg. situated on the southeast i quarter of section 18, township 2 south, range 13 west. It was surveyed and platted by Robert Buchanan, for | William Cowling, but the plat was never filed for rej cord. The town had a post-office, two general stores, j kept by William Cowling and James Langford, respectively, a drug store, of which Dr. Walker was proprietor, I and a saloon kept by William Buttrick. The toVn had | an existence of about two or three years. Cowling and i Walker died, and with them it sank into decay.

Hon. E. B. Keen

THE subject of the following sketch is of pioneer stock. His family were the pioneers of three states. They were originally from New Jersey. Peter Keen, the grandfather, was a native of that state. Soon after the Revolutionary War he moved to Ohio, which was then a part of the North West Territory. He settled at a point eight miles north of Cincinnati, which was then a small struggling frontier village, and there entered a lot of land, and lived until 1814, when he sold out and came west to the territory of Illinois, and settled in what is now known as Wabash county, then part of Edwards. He bought a tract of land now known as the Fox farm, two miles south of the present town of Allendale. While a resident there he was one of the original proprietors of the town of Palmyra, which was subsequently the first county seat of Wabash county. He afterward

! removed to a place north and close to Friendsville in this county, and there died in 1840. He married Jemima Card, sister of Seth Gard, who was also one of the pioneers of Illinois and a prominent roan in his day. He was a member of the territorial Legislature in 1817, and a member of the Legislative body after the State was admitted to the Union. Mrs. Keen survived her husband, and died some years later. There were three sons and two daughters, the offspring of that union. Of those was Daoiel Keen, the father of the present I family. He was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1794, and was a young man when the family emigrated to Illinois. He married in 1815, and immediately therej after moved to the southern part of the county, in what i is now known as Coffee precinct, and settled on section ' nine, town two, range thirteen. It was wild land, uuimj proved. There he opened up a farm, improved it, and remained until 1852, when he removed to the northern part of the county, but returned to the old place, and there died August 13, 1875. lu 1815 he married Mary Compton, daughter of Levi and Rosanna Compton. They were natives of Virginia, but came to Illinois in 1802, and are credited with being the first settlers in this part of the State. Their son Joseph was the first male child born in what is now known as Wabash county. *Levi Compton in his day was also one of the prominent men in Illinois. He was a member of the first constitutional convention held in Kaskaskia in 1818, the same year the State was admitted to the Union. His wife was a Phinesy, and was born iu Kentucky. Mrs. Daniel Keen died in 1831. By the union of Daniel and Mary Keen there were five sons and two daughters. Two of these yet survive. Marshall Keen, who is a resident of Hamilton county, Ohio, and the subject of this sketch. After the death of his first wife, Daniel Keen married Julydia, -daughter of Thomas McClain, by which marriage there are two children living.

Ezra Baker Keen was born on the old homestead, the place where he now lives, December 1st, 1821. He is the third son of the union of Daniel and Mary (Compton) Keen. He was raised on the farm and received a limited education in the subscription schools of the pioneer days of Illinois. In those schools, held in the log school-houses, he learned to read, write and cipher, and for a short time enjoyed the special privilege of obtaining some knowledge of grammar under the tuition of a " Yankee " by the name of Reuben Fox, who was well educated and added English grammar to the studies. At least his opportunities were meagre, and his education is more the result of reading and close observation of men and things acquirad in after life, than of knowledge obtained in schools. During his early manhood Mr. Keen employed his time in various ways, teaching school, working on the farm, and boating on the river. He made many trips on the Mississippi to New Orleans, which in those 'days was the market for all kinds of surplus produce of this section of the country, In 18-56 he commenced farming, married and purchased the old homestead, and there he has lived as a farmer until the present. On the 6th of March, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda, daughter of Ephraim and Cynthia (Kimball) Knowles. She was born in Gibson county, Indiana, January 6th, 1830. Her family were originally from Delaware, but her father was a native of Georgia, and emigrated to Indiana in 1811. Jesse Kimball, her maternal grandfather, was a soldier of the revolutionary war. He died in 1858, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. He -was born iu Connecticut, was of English ancestry, and moved to Kentucky about the close of the last century, and soon after moved to Indiana, settled in Gibson ! county, and there died. By the union of E. B and ! Lucinda Keen, there have been six children, five of whom are living. Ferdinand died in his fourteenth year. ;

The names of those living in the order of their birth are Peter, now a student at school at Mitchell, Ind., Mary C., Daniel E , Ezra B. and Marshall G.

Politically, Mr. Keen was originally a member of the Old Whig party. He cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay in 1844. He remained a member of that party until its disbandment, and in 1860 voted for Abraham Lincoln, and in all subsequent elections has uniformly voted the Republican ticket. In 1880 he was elected by his party to represent this district in the 32d General Assembly of the State. He served on the committees of Insurance, Labor and Manufactures. While a member of that body his course was marked throughout by an earnest desire to legislate in the interest of the whole people, and in the direction of economy and reform. As a legislator he received the commendation of his constituents, who publicly said, " Well done good and faithful servant."

The*" family are members of the Christian Church. His father was one of the charter members of that religious organization, and helped to form the church in 1819 in Wabash county.

This in brief is an outline history of Mr. E. B. Keen. As intimated before he comes from pioneer stock. The family were among the pioneers of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. He retains many of the characteristics of the old pioneers, chief of which is simplicity of manners and unpretentious style, plain and honest. That is the character he bears among these people where he has lived through youth, manhood and mature age.

THE Manley family on the maternal side are from New Jersey, and on the patefnal side, from Vermont. Benjamin F., the paternal grandfather, emigrated from the latter state, and settled near Zinesville, in Muskingum co., Ohio, and from there came to Illinois and stopped in Bonpas precinct, Wabash county, Illinois. His wife dying, in 1854, he removed north to Logan county, and there died some few years later. He married Julia Ford in Muskingum county, Ohio, by which union there were three sons, one of whom was named Francis Perry Manley, the father of the present Manley family, in Wabash county. He was born in the county above named, in Ohio, and came here with his father. For some time he farmed, and, in 1854, commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Paul Sears, of Mt. Carmel. He commenced the practice and continued in it until his death, Dec. 15, 1862. He married Miss Maria Wiley, daughter of James Wiley. She was born near Gard's Point, in Wabash county, Illinois, and died in April 1862, leaving four children, whose names are Laura, wife of William Hamilton, Frank C., Alfred P., and Paul G. Manley. The latter, the subject of this sketch, was born on Bald Hill Prairie, Wabash county, January 14, 1855. His opportunities for obtaining an educa- tion in schools were limited, but, even slight as they were, he made the most of them. He studied hard and eagerly, and read all books lhat fell in his way. While yet in childhood, his parents died and left the family without means. He was compelled to become self-supporting at an early age. At the age of seventeen years he had made sufficient progress in obtaining an education, that he was found worthy and competent to take charge of a school. After he had taught five terms, he determined to adopt the profession of medicine as the business of his life, and with that idea in view, read the standard medical works, and also pursued his studies a portion of the time in the office of Dr. Lemen, of Olney, Illinois, now president of the Board of Health of Colorado, and Dean of Denver Medical College. Subsequently Mr. Manley studied medicine with Dr. Paul

Sears, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. In the winter of 1876- '77, he entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, and graduated from the institution in March, 1879, with the degree of M. D. His graduation was very creditable as he received the highest percentage upon examination in a large graduating class. During the last year of his stay in the College, he was physician to the Free Dispensary of Miami. In the spring of 1879, he commenced the practice in Keensburg, Wabash co., where he still continues, and where he has met with great success. On the 6th of April, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E., daughter of Cipt Richard, and Mary J. (Earls) McClure. Mrs. Manley was born in Lawrence county, Illinois. They have had three children, two of whom are living. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.

French Creek

| HIS precinct deserves honorable mention from the fact of being among the first portions of territory settled in the county. Indeed, the first land entry in Edwards, was made in this precinct, October 26th, 1814. It lies in the extreme southeast, and is bounded on the north by Albion precinct, on the east by Bonpas creek, on the south by White county, and west by Dixon precinct. It receives its name from the creek passing through it from north to south - French creek, and its territory embraces a portion of four townships, as follows : T. 2 S., R. 14 W. 2d P. M., T. 3 S., R. 14 W. 2d P. M., T. 4 S., R. 11 E. and T. 2 S., R. 10 E.

The precinct is principally timbered land, having a prairie belt extending from north to south through the centre of its territory, with a small arm ranging northwest from the main body. It is known as French Creek prairie and extends from the head of French creek to the southern boundary of the county. The soil of the timber land is a chocolate-colored clay subsoil, and is specially adapted to the culture of wheat, which is the staple product. The prairies are composed of two distinct soils, a dark rich loam, and what is known in this section of country as white craw-fish land. The former is very productive for maize and the grasses, while the latter is thin, cold, and unproductive. The natural drainage is fair, having the Bonpas creek on the east, and French creek, with its small tributaries, in the centre. The Peoria, Decatur and Evansville Railroad passes centrally through the precinct from north to south | affording good transportation facilities. The Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific road also extends across the southeast corner of the precinct, including about four sections of its territory.

First Settlements

Probably the first white man to locate and form a home in this precinct, was an emigrant from the south, in 1817. His name was Clem Martin, and he located in section 33, township 2 south, range 14 west, on the farm now owned by Mrs. White. He was a man with a family, none of whom are now living in the precinct. He died many years ago ; several of his grandsons are residing in White county. Edward Coad came from England in 1812, and with several other emigrants pushed into the interior of the state, and located in Clinton county, now Carlyle. Mr. Charles Slade, afterwards member of Congress, was the leader of the party. Mr. Coad, not liking the location came to Edwards county, and for a time rented land of George Flowerj south of Albion. In 1821 he purchased a farm in the north part of this precinct, where he removed until his death, some years ago. " Old Neddy Coad," as he was familiarly known, was one- of the staunch yeomen of his times, and his decease was mourned by many warm friends. Mrs. C. had died several years before him. Four of the children are yet living , Thomas, Mrs. A. Cowles, widow of Dr. Cowles, Mrs. Jane White, widow of Benjamin White, and James. The latter resides at the old homestead. Thomas and Mrs. White are residents of this precinct, and Mrs. Cowles of Dixon precinct.

Another early settler was George Woodham, also a native of England. He came to this county in 1818, then a poor man, and first located at Wanborough, near the present town of Albion. In 1830 he moved to this precinct, and located in the west part, where he improved an excellent farm, and amassed a good competency for his old age. His wife's maiden name was Huston. He died several years ago. His widow yet survives him, and is living with one of her sons, Cornpton, at the old home. John Cowling came from England, a single man, the same year as the above. He subsequently married Mary Coad, and located in the north of the precinct, where he resided until his death, which occurred about twenty years ago. A large family of children were born to them, several of whom are living. Charles resides in section 8, township 3, range 14 west, and Addison lives on the old place. Another settler in the county at the same date was James Green, Sr., also from England. At his coming he settled in Albion precinct, where he remained until his death, which occurred several years ago. He married here and reared a family. A son, James, Jr., resides in this precinct, section 19, township 2, range 11 east. One of the oldest citizen of the county is Thomas Shepherd, Jr., -who came with his father, Thomas, Sr., in 1818. He was then but a few years old. The family located in the English settlement, near Albion. Thomas Jr., subsequently married Mrs. Millie Brown. In about 1870 they moved to Grayville (this precinct), where they yet reside.

Among others who came in 1818 were David Thompson, Caleb Dickinson and John Massey. The former was a native of Scotland, and on hia arrival he located in section 21, township 2, range 14 west. He died here about thirty years ago. None of his descendants are in the county. Caleb Dickinson entered land in section 17, township 3 south, range 14 west, where he settled with his family. He died in 1820, and none of the descendants are left to give his history. It is only known to the early settlers that he came from the south. Massey came from England and located in section 9, township 3 south, range 14 west. His wife died here at an early day, and soon afterward he sold out and moved to Galena.

The following were settlers in 1819: Isaac Butler came from England in the fall of the above year and settled in section 7, township 3 south, range 14 west. His family then consisted of his wife, Elizabeth, nee Owen, and two sons, Joseph and Caleb. His first house was a small log cabin with puncheon floor, and other belongings peculiar to the pioneer times. He entered a quarter section of land, but subsequently relinquished one half of it in accordance with a certain act of Congress. It was here that he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1842. His widow survived hinTbut eight years. Joseph died the same year as his father. Caleb resides in section 17, township 3 south, range 14 west, and is the oldest surviving settler of this precinct. He is a representative citizen, having served as justice of the peace for twenty-years, and overseer of the poor of his precinct for the same length of time. William Wood was also from England, and at his coming was a widower (Mrs. Wood died on the way) with two sons, John and Joseph. He located in Albion, and subsequently was twice married. All the family are now dead. Thomas Wood, who resides in the north of the precinct, is a son of Joseph, and grandson of William. John Mather came from England about the same time as the above, and located in section 31, township 2, range 14 west. He moved to New Harmony, Indiana, where he died. None of his descendants are in the precinct. John Hat field located in the precinct in 1820. He was a native of England, but afterward moved to New Harmony, Ind. James Hean came from England and located in section 19, township 2 south, range 14 west. He was then a single man. He afterwards married and reared a family of two sons and two daughters. None of the family are now living in the county. Andrew Hunter was born in South Carolina, and at an early day moved to Kentucky, where he remained until his advent in this state, in the spring of 1827. The most of the distance was made by means of a flat-boat, and it required nearly two months to make the trip. His family consisted of his wife, Sarah, nee Carr, and six children, David P., Jam^s, Solomon, Laviria, Jefferson and Sarah. He located in section 20, township 2 south, range 14 west, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1857. Mrs. H. died in, 1847, ten years before her husband. Only one of the pioneer children is a citizen of the state, David P., who is a prominent farmer residing in section 29, township 2 south, range 14 west. Mrs. Eliza Cora, a younger member of the family, lives in Coffee precinct, Wabash county. All the others now living are in the state of -Missouri. Edward D. Jacobs and Adam Wick are also old settlers of the precinct.

section 8. Aug. 1, 1818, Isaac Butler entered the W. * of the N. E. i of section 7. Same date, Morris Bick- ! berk entered the S. W. t of section 8. April 28, 1819, j John Massey entered the N. W. 1 of section 9. The following entries were made in township 3 S, R. 11 E. : July 28th, 1831, Peter Kershaw entered the N. E. J- of section 7. Sept. 14th, 1832, Asa Turner entered the N. ; E. t of section 18. The following entries are in township 2 S., R. 10 E. : Oct. 31, 1817, James Parker entered the N. W. i of section 25. July 26th, 1817, Hugh Stewart entered the E. i of the S. W. i of section 24.

The privations, hardships and inconveniences of the first settlers cannot be fully comprehended by the present generation. There were no mills to grind their corn, and they were obliged to improvise methods to prepare the meal for cooking purposes. The mortar, with an iron wedge for a pestle, constituted the machinery for a grist mill. The first mill constructed in the precinct was in 1830. This was what was known as a horse-mill, built ; by James Higginson, and was situated on his premises ! in the northern part of the precinct. About the same : time a water mill was put in operation by John Grayson, located on Bonpas creek, in section 34. It contained one run of stone, and for all practical purposes was a godsend to the people. It continued to operate about ten years, when Mr. Grayson died and the mill went to , decay. The first smithing done was by John Rotrammel 1825. His shop was situated on the east side of the precinct, near the Bonpas creek. The smith and shop have passed away long ago. The first to attend to the wants of the sick was Dr. Archibald Spring, of Albion. The first resident physician was Harrison Simms. He moved away several years ago.

The first school-house was built in 1831, and situated in section 17, township 3 south, range 14 west, and within the northern limits of the present town of Grayville. It was the usual pioneer style of school-house, built of unhewn logs, puncheon floor, puncheon seats and desks, and other belongings peculiar to these times. The first teacher was Daniel R. Jacobs, who in his day -was considered an excellent teacher. The first to j preach the gospel to the few pioneers was Rev. Charles j Slocumb, a Methodist " circuit rider." His circuit i embraced a large territory, including a portion of the States of Illinois and Indiana. While in this section he ; preached at the private house of Caleb Dickinson. It j must be remembered that at that time there were but j very few church houses in the country, and services were ( held at the cabins of the settlers.

The first Baptist preacher was Rev. Elias Roberts, and the first church building erected was by his denomi- j nation in 1838. It is situated in the northern limits of Grayville, and is in a good state of preservation. It is

The first place of burial is situated near the north boundary of the city of Grayville. The first interment was made in 1818, the deceased being Mrs. John Taylor, from White county. No head-stone marks the spot, neither is it known where the grave was made. It is said that the sexton, in sinking a grave, often strikes the remains of those who have been long forgotten, there being no head-stones to guide his labors. The first 'magistrates in the precinct were David Thompson, Daniel R. Jacobs and Caleb Butler.

A great sensation was created in this section of the county in 1824, caused by the missing of a little boy three years old, a son of Samuel Dransfield. About ten o'clock in the forenoon he was missed, and, after a short search, the family became convinced that he had strayed away into the timber or tall prairie grass, where he would be devoured by the wolves unless prompt action was taken. The alarm was given in the neighborhood, which, in a few hours, was spread for miles around. The settlers came pouring in from every point, and the excitement became intense to the hunters, and heart-rending to the parents of the little one. The day passed without tidings. Fires were kept burning in the timber all night, to prevent the wolves from venturing near the limits of the settler's cabin. Another day came, and still the people flocked in as the word spread abroad. The day passed, - night closed in again with unfruitful efforts on the part of the searchers. Fires were again kindled, anxious watchers keeping them well supplied with fuel. Morning dawned, and hundreds were then gathered to prosecute the search. About ten o'clock of the second day a joyful shout of " Found ! " resounded through forest and prairie. He was found wandering around in the tall prairie grass, about threefourths of a mile from his home. He appeared very much scared and weary ; yet, with all his tramp and times of sleep, he had not even lost his hat. .

At this writing, the precinct is well populated, and many fine farms are within its boundaries. About onefourth of the population of the city of is in this precinct. The only business on this side of the boundary line is the firm of W.G. Wheatcroft&Co.and Robert Glover. The formsr are engaged in the manufacture of tile and brick on Main street. Ten men are employed, and it is estimated that 6,000 rods of tiling and 400,000 bricks are turned out annually. The latter industry is the stave factory and cooper shops, owned by Mr. Glover. This is an extensive business, giving employment to upwards of forty hands.

Lick Prairie

HIS precinct is bounded on the north by Lancaster, on the east of Friendsville and Mt. Carmel, on the south by Bellmont, and on the west by Edwards county. Its territory extends two miles and a half north, and a mile and a half south of the base line, and from Bonpas creek to a line three miles east of the fourteenth meridian. Most of the surface is level, but some of it is slightly rolling. Lick prairie in the northwest is of this character. It is about two miles wide, and is so named from the deer lick within its limits. Bald Hill prairie is a semi-circular area lying partly within the precinct on the east. It derived its name from the circumstance that one Baldwin settled on its highest part, or more probably from its barren appearance. In section 19 there was a small circular prairie, called Brush prairie, from the low growth of brush surrounding it. Griffin's prairie, in sections 25 and 26, comprised about one hundred and sixty acres of land. Mud prairie, so named from its natural condition, lies along Bonpas creek, one and a half mile long and three-fuurths of a mile wide. The soil is rich and black, and is from five to six feet in depth. It is subject to overflow from the creek, and was originally too wet for cultivation, but has been reclaimed. The first to settle in it was Franklin Card. The principal water courses are Bonpas and Little Bonpas creeks.

The earliest and most prominent settler of Lick prairie was Seth Gard, who came from Hamilton county, Ohio, and established a permanent home on the southeast quarter of section 28, about 1814. This locality -was called Gard's Point, and the post-office, originally established iu that vicinity, is still called by that name. Gard was a man of much force of character, of good judgment and of strong and lasting convictions. Through his mental make-up there ran a vein of humor tending, generally, to point some moral precept. This shows itself in the Christian names, Reason and Justice, given to his twin sons. He brought to the county a family of seven children, the two just named, Susan, Ruth, Amelia, Franklin, Hiram and Joseph. Reason and Justice resembled each other so closely that to most people a wart on one's nose was the only distinguishing mark. On one occasion, in a spirit of fun, one called to see the other's girl. She failed to observe the little index, and the counterfeit passed as current coin. Gard was an influential and representative man. He was the second representative of the county in the state legislature, and the first judge of the county court. He was also a New Light minister, and very enthusiastic in his profession, often preaching from his chair when, through infirmity of age, he was unable to stand. With Gard came his nephew, Aaron Waggoner, who had quite a family of children. He was a stone mason, and in 1816 or 1817 built the chimney, still standing, for Peter Keen's house on the old Fox place, in Wabash precinct. In 1814 Jacob Claypole settled on the northeast quarter of section 4. Philip Hull, in 1815, settled on the northeast quarter of section 28. One Ocheltree, in the same year, located on the southeast quarter of section 21. Ichabod C. Griffin, in 1818, settled on the southeast quarter of section 24, in the little prairie that bore his name. In the same year James Black settled on the southwest quarter of section 25. Ephraim Armstrong, in the year 1819, came from Tennessee and settled on the northwest quarter of section 30. He came to the county in 1816 or '17, and first settled in the vicinity of old Timberville. From his native state he entered the army in the war of 1812. He held the office of constable for a number of years. His death took place &(, the old homestead about the year 1875. Thomas Armstrong, a well-to-do farmer of the precinct, is his son. Samuel Mundy and his wife and their two sons, Griffith and William, came from the state of New York in 1819. They came as far as Cincinnati, with a horse and wagon, which they there exchanged for a boat with which they made the rest of the journey. They first settled on the northwest quarter of section 24, and after a few years moved to the south half of section 19, which became their homestead. Mr. Mundy was at one time a member of the legislature, while Vandalia was yet the seat of government. He was elected to the office of circuit clerk, which he filled for several years. He died in Mt. Carmel in 1872. Lewis Armstrong, brother of Ephraim, settled on the southwest quarter of section 19, but did not remain krg in the precinct. William Ulm, a farmer and minis ter, residing in section 36, came to Wabash from Ross county, Ohio, in 1820. James Wi'ey came to the precinct from New York in 1820 or '21. He was a plain farmer, and reared a family of 'five or six children. Jacob Gupton, with a family of three children, came from North Carolina in 1825, and became a permanent resident of the precinct. With him came s son-in-law, Calvin Morgan, whose possessions consisted of a little pony and fifty cents in money. By the diligent employment of his time in winter at shoemak- ing, and in summer at farming, he accumulated a good deal of property. Two sons survive him, George in Lancaster and Hiram in Lick prairie. Benjamin F. Hill and family of a wife and two sons, William and Thomas, came from Virginia about 1824 or '25, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 30. He left home to drive to Mt- Carmel, about twenty five years ago, and was found dead by the wayside. His sons Thomas and William married and settled in the precinct. The family of Adam Baird deserve mention among the early settlers. He came from Virginia, bringing with him a family of five children, John, Samuel, Andrew, William (deaf and dumb) and Silas The first three were ministers of the New Light, and afterward of the Christian persuasion. Silas was a teacher and William a chair and barrel-maker. All are now dead. Frederick Miller was an early settler from Indiana. He located in section 31. He was a plain farmer and died at his home many years ago. John Steward, from Virginia, settled on the east half of section 31. He was crippled with rheumatism and worked at shoemaking. One Gumming was also an early settler near the locality of Gard's Point. He went with his face tied up, having sustained a fracture of the jaw in the operation of extracting a tooth.

John Moore, a New Light minister came from Virginia about 1825, with a family and settled on section 36. On one occasion, when he was crossing the Bonpas, on his return from a tour of preaching, he saw Joseph Preston and Harrison lugram skating bare-foot, with chips of wood strapped to their feet," having walked without shoes a distance of five miles to reach the ice. Samuel Moore, brother of John, moved from Virginia to Indiana, and thence to the southwest quarter of section 25, the old James Black place. After two or three years he moved to the southwest quarter of section 24, where he made the first improvements, and settled permanently. He was a New Light exhorter, and he died many years ago. William Brattou came to the precinct about 1827. He settled on the east half of section 36, or the west half of section 31, township 1 north, and reared a family of three or four children. He was a farmer and mechanic, a sociable and good-hearted man, and he accumulated a considerable aaount of property. William 8. Hill, a farmer and stock -raiser of section 32, ctme west to Wabash county from North Carolina iu 1829. P. G. Greathouse, a farmer, gunsmith and blacksmith of section 1, was born in the county ia 1827. A. W. Gilkison, section 25, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in the county in 1832. Adam Stoltz came to Pennsylvania, from Alsace, Germany, with a family, in 1828. In 1834 he moved to Illinois and settled on the southwest quarter of section 21, but ia now in Lick precinct. The family married and settled down in the neighborhood of their father's home, and are the oldest German family in the precinct. One of the daughters, Vieve, married Fred Marx, from whom the family of that name are descended. P. P. Keepes, of section 20, a farmer and county treasurer, came from Germany in 1828. The first colored settler was Charles Goings. He located on the south half of section 19 in 1835. An Indian from Tennessee, also named Goings, settled with Charles at the same time. Gard's Point post-office was first kept by Dr. Ezra Baker. About 1842 it was kept by Reason Gard, who retained it about ten years. It changed possession two or three times, and finally came to the hands of Joseph Shearer, the present incumbent. The first school in the precinct was taught by William Townsend in a log school-house on the northwest quarter of section 30, in the year 1830. Townsend was a Methodist minister, and opened and closed his school with prayer, and was regarded as a good teacher. The school-house was of the old time type, with puncheon floor, seats and desks. On the southeast quarter of section 25, about 1833, was built a log building, designed for a church and school-house, and used for these purposes for a number of years. At this point is an old grave-yard, still kept in preservation. In the locality of Cabbage Corners, so called from Justice Gard's cabbage patch that was near it, or, as some say, from the circumstance that one young man "cabbaged "another's girl, stood a log school house at an early day. The Gard's Point burial grounds, southeast quarter, section 28, is the oldest in the precinct. The first land entry was made by James Claypole, in the southwest quarter of section 4, August 5, 1814. December 30, of that year, S. M. Kussell and C. Dana entered four hundred and eighty acres in section 33. June 10, 1815, Philip Hull entered the southeast quarter of section 21. April 20, 1816, James O. Chetrod, the northeast quarter of section 28. May 9, 1818, Ichabod C. Griffin, the southeast quarter of section 24. August 29, same year, T. Ayeres and P. Mundy the southeast quarter of section 36, and Oct. 22, also same year, James Black the southwest quarter of section 25.

Biography

WAS born in Lawrence county, Kentucky, in 1825. William Strahan, his father, was a native of North Carolina, and from there moved to Kentucky, where he gretted by all who knew him. He was a man' of kind and generous impulses, though firm. He never made a contract or an obligation that he was not ready and Billing to meet. That trait was eminently characteristic died. John Strahan came to Illinois in 1861, and set- ; of him. He married Olivia Ann Newman, of Wayne tied in Bonpas township, Wabash county. He followed county, West Virginia. She died in 1873. He subthe peaceful avocation of a farmer. He lived near the j sequently married Mrs. Ann Boyer. She still survives present village of Bellmont until 1870, when he bought 130 acres of land in section 14 in Lick Prairie, and there made his home until his death, which took her husband. By the first marriage there were eight children, two are living, whose names are William H. and Rosaline Strahan. William H. was born February place February 4, 18S3. He was a member of the i Is), 1854. He is yet at home carrying on the farm. Christian church, and lived a Christian life. He was a I He like his father before him votes the Republican kind husband and an affectionate father, and died re- ' ticket.